No Partiality

 Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17

I want us to think about this quote from Peter in the Acts passage. “God shows no partiality.” In our heads, we believe this. We look at or think about others and agree that God welcomes all. University Lutheran Church is a Reconciling in Christ congregation, which means we make it plain that we welcome all people, including folks who are gay or lesbian, etc. We have a diverse membership with folks of various skin shades and backgrounds and ages, and all are welcome here.

But, do we feel welcome in God’s presence. I’ve met lots of folks who deep down don’t believe God loves them. I have been, and sometimes still am, one of those folks.

I can think of lots of things that are wrong with me, that make me unworthy of being loved and welcomed.

·       I have never been athletic. It was painful as a child when the teacher appointed two students to pick teammates because I was always among the last to be chosen.

·       In school, I was smart, until I got to college, when I was suddenly average.

·       I was not popular, not picked for a sorority during pledge week, because I am shy and socially awkward.

·       I don’t have a good singing voice, or skills as a pianist or violinist or guitarist or drummer.

·       I am overweight and out of shape physically, and seem ill-inclined to do anything about it.

See, I can find lots of things wrong with myself. I’ll bet you can make a similar list of things that are wrong with you.

So, when Peter says, “God shows no partiality,” I want to pay attention. Peter says God doesn’t exclude me or anyone else from God’s family.

… And this is where the text from Matthew comes in. Although the words spoken by God are meant just for Jesus in that moment, we all hear them as words for us, too. “You are my beloved child. I am pleased with you.”

John the Baptizer gathered folks of all sorts to hear his messages and to wash themselves clean of sin. When I use my meditation practice of imagining myself in the crowd, I am hanging back, among the other women and children. I want to see what happens before I get in line.

“Oh, I see. People go in the water with their clothes on. John says something, and then dips me under the water and pulls me up again. Hmmm. That doesn’t look so bad. I certainly have sins to confess – it would be nice if they were forgiven so I can let go of the guilt.”

John’s baptism is for forgiveness of sins. When we confess those things, those deeds and thoughts that trouble us, we give them to God and God erases them from our history. If we write them on a white board, God picks up an eraser and God wipes them away. God doesn’t see our sins when God looks at us, God simply sees what is in our hearts.

If we trust that God doesn’t see our list of sins and flaws, we can work on believing that we are worth something in God’s eyes. We still don’t have athletic skills or perfect pitch, and we will probably not get picked for the team or the choir. But God chooses us all, right away, right now. We are all worthy of being in God’s family.

… Christian baptism has several purposes. Theologians and parish pastors over time have stressed one or another of these purposes.

Many believe: With baptism our sins are washed away, and we are made clean. For people who do immersion baptism, the cleansing comes when they are under the water. The first breath after emerging from the water is the first breath of a new life.  

Many believe: With baptism we receive God’s Holy Spirit. I disagree with the idea that we don’t have God’s Spirit within us all the time, from conception to birth and onward. Psalm 139 says God knows us in the womb – before we are born. I do agree that baptism can be a recognition of God’s Holy presence within us.  

Many believe: With baptism, we join the Church (capital C Church) and all others who believe in Jesus as God. We become one body, with many different parts – some of whom are athletic and some of whom can sing or play an instrument, and some who can’t do those things. I believe this, too.

… With this view of baptism, we can focus on the good parts of ourselves and others. We can make a list of the things we can do, instead of the things we can’t do. So, for example, I can plan and run a meeting and an event; I can preach an ok sermon; I can cook decent meals on a budget.

What are some things on your “I-can-do-this list”? You may need to ask someone else to help you make that list, because most of us, especially women, are notorious for not naming and claiming our own gifts and skills.

What good does this do? When we can identify ourselves as having some gifts, some skills, we can see ourselves as worthy of human recognition. When we see ourselves as worthy in others’ eyes, it is easier to see ourselves as worthy in God’s eyes.

God does not pick only the best athletes or singers for God’s team. God chooses us all. As Paul says, God shows no partiality. This phrase is intended to be very inclusive!

This week, I hope you will take some time to do an inventory of your own gifts and skills. Ask someone to help you find the good ones. And then spend some time in God’s presence knowing you have already been chosen for God’s team; you are already welcome in God’s choir and orchestra; you are already approved for planning meetings, for creating a budget, for leading prayer. God chooses you, welcomes you, and calls you beloved. Amen