Bible Text: Luke 17:1-10 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes
Most people know that when a cookie recipe says a tsp of baking soda and a tbsp on baking powder that to confuse the two ingredients is rather detrimental. One might not think that the difference between a tea and a table spoon is really all that big or that baking powder and baking soda aren’t really all that different but just ask those to whom you serve that cookie whether there is a difference or not. It turns out that the difference is acid and it can make a big difference in the taste and texture of any baked good. Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate reacts when it comes into contact with acids like buttermilk, yogurt or vinegar. This reaction produces carbon dioxide and in baking the reaction is called chemical leavening because it traps the CO2 gases and makes the dough rise a little. It’s also why often in a recipe it suggests keeping the wet and dry ingredients separate until the last minute. Baking powder essentially does the same thing but it not only contains sodium bicarbonate but it also contains acids called monocalcium phosphate, which does not react with the sodium when dry, but heat makes a big difference. There’s a whole bit about bubbles reacting to heat and moisture and then setting thanks most often to eggs, but the point I want to make is that with both baking soda and baking powder a little goes a long way but it is best not to confuse the two. If you mix up which amount is which, your cookies will be flavourless or fizzy or just, well, bad. I have recently discovered this fascination with understanding how ingredients work thanks to a re-found love of baking and also testing a few products on Mike- in which I perhaps confused some ingredients. It is rather surprising just how much a little soda or powder or yeast is needed to transform a baked good.
Perhaps you see where I am going with this. Jesus compared faith to a tiny mustard seed and said that if we have even just a small amount it is enough to uproot a tree and make it grow in the sea. But what prefaces this remark is rather interesting. Jesus warns the disciples that occasions for loosing or lacking or stumbling in faith abound. Jesus’ warning is rather grim but as I read and re-read it I realized what Jesus is really saying is, there is enough in this world to cause people to fall out of faith so be ware of becoming a stumbling block to others. It’s sort of like saying, there is enough hurt in this world without us hurting each other so just don’t and if someone hurts you, forgive, over and over and over and over (7 times) again. But boy does that take a lot and sometimes we confuse the things that make faith easy with the things that make faith hard but in either case a little goes a long way.
The Greek word for faith is pistis and it can also be translated as trust, confidence or commitment. These are unmeasurable things and yet Jesus says, even a little goes a long way. A seed holds potential enough to grow into a great giant. I suppose that this comment was most directed to the disciples. They have demonstrated huge commitment and trust, leaving everything to follow Jesus, even now after he has warned them over and over about what lays ahead. But then we also have accounts in which they repeatedly demonstrate a lack of faith. Think of the story of the storm in which they are overcome by terror and Jesus says, “Where is your faith?” They have trust and commitment but their confidence is lacking. And don’t we all express our small little faith in a diversity of ways. Some of us are like baking soda, just one ingredient and liable to have moments of exploding in praise while others of us are a bit of a mix, who just need a little heat to make us jump out of our seats. You know, this is an important piece to consider on a Sunday such as this, on World Communion Sunday. Churches all over the world have gathered today to intentionally celebrate this sacrament together. It matters not whether we believe what exactly happens to these gifts set on the table, rather what matters is that we believe, we have faith, we have trust that it is a gift given to us.
Author Audrey West says, “Faith manifests itself in many ways, by a variety of people. Faith is persistence in reaching out to Jesus and trusting in Jesus’ power and authority. Faith is responding with love to forgiveness received, not letting fear get the upper hand and being willing to take risks that challenge the status quo. Faith is giving praise to God , having confidence in God’s desire for justice, and being willing to ask Jesus for what we need.” Faith is all of those things but just one small piece is also good enough for God.
Jesus closes this teaching moment by saying something that has be used throughout history to uphold the atrocious practice of slavery. It should be pointed out that while the NRSV, the version we heard this morning uses the term slave, the NIV uses servant and the Greek word, doulos is often translated as either one. To our 21st century ears it may seem like a harsh analogy. Jesus suggests that they imagine themselves as masters of an estate and when the hard working slave comes in from the field we note that the slaves work is not complete. Only once the slaves tasks to and for the master are done is the slave allowed to rest. However, when one looks deeper into the passage we realize that Jesus is stating that leaders would do well if we viewed ourselves as ones who serve not the ones to be served. When those who have finished all that they were ordered to do, it does not mean that their work is done, rather God expects vigilant care and service to others. This is important also on a Sunday such as this. It is rather intentional that the elders of this community come forward to serve communion. Presbyterian churches everywhere have debates about what the Session really does at their monthly meetings but let me tell you, it is not meant to be a secret but rather a way in which we serve one another and today as the bread and juice is passed around we serve one another again. Sometimes we are exhausted by the small tasks that seem unending. But we are but slaves or servants, or to put church language on it stewards of the life God has given us. And Jesus is the life giver to the church and that power is accessed through faith- but it need not be a lot.
Like what seems to be an insignificant amount or ingredient, when we have a little faith we know that it is a powerful gift from God. As I said in the children’s story it may seem like the juice is but one sip and the bread is but one bite- but that little act, means and represents a huge amount of grace. Just like on world communion Sunday, for one moment in our worship, we are united with other churches around the world and throughout denominations- imagine how huge that really is. Amen