I love that hymn we just sang, and it’s such an appropriate
intro to our lesson today, this story of Noah.
Probably the best exegesis, or explication, of our text that I have ever encountered
was done by Bill Cosby. Perhaps some of you have heard it.
There’s a fella by the name of Noah built himself an ark.
Noah, everybody knows he built an ark What ‘d Noah do? Noah, He built an
ark. But not everybody knows about the conversation that went on between the
Lord and Noah. He’s there working in his rec room sawing away, building
some things for the home - he’s a good carpenter
...vooompah, voompah voompah
“Noah”
Somebody call?
Voompah, voompah, voompah
“Noah”
Who is that?
It’s the Lord Noah.
Right. Where are ya? What do you want, I been good.
I want you to build an ark.
Right. What’s an ark?
Get some wood - build it 300 cubits by 80 cubits by 40 cubits.
Right. What’s a cubit?
Well lets see, a cubit I used to know this Well don’t worry about that,
Noah, when you get that done, I got something else for you to do.
Go out into the world collect all the animals Two by two, male and female and
put them into the ark.
Right Who is this really? What’s going on? How come you want me to do all
these weird things?
I’m going to destroy the world.
Right. Am I on Candid Camera?
God calls, maybe not like that, but God calls. The question
is, do we hear it…and when we hear it do we recognize whom it is who is
calling? Now mind you I’m not suggesting that we hear voices like our friend
Noah. I’d be a little worried if that were the case but I am suggesting
that we are called through our God given gifts of reason, talents, compassion,
understanding, love, etc. etc. we are called to certain endeavors, tasks, work,
responses to be part of God’s work in the world. This is a topic that comes
up regularly in the Thursday morning Bible Study because I think we’re
all trying to discern what God is calling us to do. I wonder would we respond
differently to the promptings of our heads and our hearts if we knew the caller
was God. .
The story is told of a woman staying at a fancy hotel in New
York. Irate, She calls the management complaining about the infernal racket
from the room next store. Would you please tell that person next door to pipe
down? Politely the manager replied, “I would Madame but all New York might
be disappointed, that is Jascha Heifetz preparing for his concert tonight at
Carnegie Hall. Immediately the woman put down the phone to call her friends
and invite them to this extraordinary concert.
Probably one of our biggest problems is that we cannot discern
the beautiful, life-giving nature of God’s call. Rather we see it as a
demand, an obligation- a terrible banging and clatter from the next room instead
of the beautiful music that it is. We are all as the kids sang in their song
this morning a promise, a possibility. We are gifted in ways that can and should
be used to the glory of God. To fulfill that promise, that possibility is to
attain to that pearl of great price that the parable talks about. That precious
gem that makes every other jewel look tawdry and dim—the pearl we’ll
sell everything else to attain. That is not to say that answering God’s
call might not be a challenge, might not involve hard work and sacrifice but
it is that thing that is the “right fit” that we are uniquely and
aptly qualified to do.
So God calls—we answer—
Not just in word but in heart. Jesus says in our gospel lesson, “not everyone
who calls Lord, lord will enter the Kingdom. In other words its not just going
through the motions that counts. Even if those motions are valuable—like
casting out demons, and prophesying and deeds of power. It’s not just about
appearances. It’s not about gingerbread decorations—it’s about
foundations. It’s about what’s underneath that counts.
Noah could answer a call that seemed ridiculous, crazy and
nutty to his neighbors and friends because he trusted absolutely and completely
in God. And God trusts us. That’s why God keeps calling. God isn’t
about to write off this creation, flawed, broken and incomplete as it is. Instead
of another flood God sent his own son to win our hearts and minds. In that way,
God keeps trying to bring us in tune with the beautiful harmony that is possible.
Giacomo Puccini grew ill while writing g his last opera “Turandot”.
He told his students, “If I do not finish this opera, finish it for me.”
He soon died with the opera unfinished. For three years his students worked
together to complete what became his greatest opera. Finally there was the day
of performance and his finest student Arturo Toscannini directed the orchestra.
They came to the place where Puccini had died and the orchestra stopped. Toscannin
laid down his baton, turned to the audience with tears in his eyes and exclaimed:
“Thus far the master wrote…and then he died.” There was a stirring
silence throughout the concert hall as the reality of Puccini’s tragic
death struck at the heart of every listener. Then Toscanni whispered, “But
the disciples finished his work.” And picking up his baton let the orchestra
through the remainder to the grand conclusion wherein the audience thunderously
gave their approval.
God is calling us to continue on his great work begun with
the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thus far the master wrote—but
the disciples finished his work. Listen God is calling.
Amen.