Cumberland Gap

Working from verses 1-10 of the 15th chapter of the Gospel of Luke, This was given at the Lynnville (IL) UMC on September 12, 2004. As noted in the ‘live’ presentation, this was a Sunday that we were receiving a Number of new members into the congregation AND into the Family of God! I decided, though, to Leave it as written!

       During the summer of 2002, My wife and I went on our fourth mission trip with the Wesley Chapel youth group. Now, this was the second year that we had combined our group with that from the Jerseyville UMC, and so we had the full use of one of their touring buses and one fifteen-passenger van. Since, in addition to being the leaders of the trip, I would also be the sole driver of that bus, we deemed it prudent to go on out by ourselves over the Fourth-of-July holiday and pay a visit to Sneedville… the county seat of the poorest county in the state of Tennessee, and the location of the Jubilee Project, our ‘home’ for that year’s trip. We wanted to check-out some of the work we would be doing, where we would be staying, and what some of the roads might be like that I had to drive on through those mountains. (You see, Sneedville is only about thirty miles-or-so from the Cumberland Gap, as the crow flies, but takes well over an hour to drive!)

One of the other things we were taking particular note of during that trip were possible recreation sites that we could take the kids to on the days that we had a break, and with that in mind, we chose to drive up the steep, narrow, and twisty paved path that passed for a road as it wound its way up the side of the mountain to a look-out over the Cumberland Gap itself. I knew that there was no way that bus would ever make it up there, but it was such an impressive sight that we really wanted everybody to experience it! So, after much deliberation and finagling, when the day came, we climbed into and filled two fifteen passenger vans… one graciously loaned by the Jubilee Project, itself… and two personal vehicles that had accompanied us, and spent an afternoon touring some of the local sights and flavors, culminating with the circuitous climb up that mountain!

At the top, we all hiked out the path that led to the overlook… which included stepping over a line painted on the path marking the border of Tennessee and Virginia… marveled at the view from the summit, tried to scare one another at the edge, and took pictures of each other before making our way back to the vans.

Somewhere along the way, two of the boys decided that they would head off down another path and see where it went… you all know where this is going, don’t you? Once we were all back to the vans and learned of the actions of those two, I felt I had no choice but to head out after them. Yes, they were old enough to take care of themselves, but I was the ultimate one responsible for them if anything did happen… and as I walked, I was considering all of those possible things… they could get lost on the wrong trail back… they could fall into a ravine or trip over some obstacle and get hurt… they could get snake-bit… (for some reason, I always worry about somebody getting snake-bit!). But the worst of it all was that, by their actions, everybody else had to wait, and they were all missing out on the other things we had planned to do… so, more than anything, I was angry with them! So angry that I wasn’t really sure just how I would handle the situation when I found them! So, when the father of the one boy, who had gone with us, caught up to me only part way down and offered to go get them, I decided it was probably more appropriate for him to have his say in private once they were found, and made my way back up to the vans.

To make a long story short, the path they were on intersected the road we drove up on, and through some complicated but effective communication techniques, we all met back together at the lower level. Now, I was still angry with them, but the kids had all decided that they were going to just give them the silent treatment, so I abided by their wishes and held my tongue. Besides, the truth of the matter is that I really was greatly relieved to see them safe and sound!

You all know that feeling, don’t you? How many parents have put up a brave front waiting for a child to come in from a date that ran longer than usual, or from a long trip? How about the spouse or parent who is traveling alone or in bad weather or through unfamiliar territory? Can any of us not recall the terror and fear that we are forced to fight back and keep under control during those times? And who cannot also recall the joy and jubilation that came with the relief of seeing them walk in safe and sound? That is exactly the kind of rejoicing that Jesus is describing in today’s verses!

The Pharisees and ‘teachers of the law’ were mumbling about Jesus’ consorting with tax collectors and “sinners”, and, as the Life Application Commentary points out, they had a point, to some degree…

“There is wisdom in choosing friends wisely. Sports stars are told not to hang out with gamblers. A teenager who runs with druggies stands a good chance of becoming one. In big cities, caring parents forbid youngsters any contact with street gangs.

In Jesus’ case, however, time spent with sinners was part of a mission to spread the Good News to all people.”

And in verse 7 He says, “…there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Now, do you understand that? He is not saying that the ninety-nine righteous people are not acknowledged or appreciated! If the rest of your family is safely at home, do you love them any less while you’re waiting for the one who is out that evening? Of course not! You love each and every one of them equally! But it is the one who is out that you are concerned about right then, and when that one returns, it is that one that causes you to rejoice and celebrate! But the fact is that if it should be one of the others out at another time, you would be just as joyful and celebratory at their return as you were for the first one!

In the same way, God loves each and every person on this earth! It doesn’t matter if saint or sinner, God loves each and every one of us! Now, loving and accepting isn’t necessarily the same thing… and that’s a sermon topic for another day… but, it is also why there is such rejoicing when just one sinner repents and turns to God for salvation… for, as much as He loves us, He will condemn each and every person on this planet to eternity in the fires of hell unless we truly accept Him as Lord and give our lives over to Him!

Today, however, Satan is the loser! Today, we are not talking of hell… we are rejoicing with all of the heavens as we welcome two new members into the family of God, as well as four others into our Lynnville UMC family! Let our hearts shout with all of the same joy and happiness that God and His hosts are experiencing right now! Hallelujah!

However… let me leave you with one word of caution. As those two boys headed off down the side of that mountain in Tennessee, they didn’t realize that they were lost! Indeed, they had a very clear picture in their own minds of where they were going and what they were doing! It was only from where those of us above were standing that we could see the error of their way, and all of the trouble it was causing!

The Life Application Commentary reminds us that, “The Bible is full of gladness when lost valuables are found: the Prodigal Son, the lost coin, and, here, a lost sheep.

Picture yourself in both roles.

If you find yourself in the shepherd’s role, take a step beyond your comfort zone today. Start a conversation with a stranger, greet a neighbor on the other side of the block, cross a standard dividing line that separates you from others.

However, if you’re better cast in the lost-sheep role today, follow the Savior’s voice home without delay or detour.”

After we accept and welcome these new members into our family here this morning, we will all share in the feast of Communion with out Lord and Savior. And as we do so, I invite you to focus your thoughts on three things… First, welcome our new members into your hearts and into this family. Second, consider where you are on this path of life… are you traveling in the warmth and safety and protection of the Lord… or are you cold and lost and alone? And thirdly… and people, this is always, by far the most important thing to consider during this time… remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for you. Yes, He died on the cross for your neighbors sins… He died on the cross for my sins… but He also died… was crucified… for yours, as well!