One of my favorite television shows as a child was "The Lone Ranger." Each week I made certain I could be in front of the TV at just the right time to catch the most recent adventure of that masked champion. This could be a challenging enterprise, on occasion. We had only one black & white television, located in our small living room, and there were four us competing for its use; plus there were the usual noises and interruptions of house-cleaning, meal prep, and the general activities of life to serve as distractions. And it was a very small house.
Still, each week I found a way to watch and listen as he and his trusty sidekick, Tonto, thwarted the nefarious plans of bad guys all across the west; saving towns from ruffians, banks from robbers, and widows from those who attempted to swindle them out of their hard-scrabble farms.
One of my favorite parts of each show was at the very end, after he and Tonto had ridden away. Invariably, one of the townspeople, or maybe a ranch hand, or, even more poignantly, a child of that week's widow, would raise the question: "Who WAS that masked man?"
I loved that moment.
Because I knew.
I knew what the answer was going to be. I was on the inside. I had special knowledge these folks were lacking. And even though the answer was the same every time, I loved hearing it: "Why, THAT was the Lone Ranger!"
Which brings me to the reading from Luke in this week's Lectionary selections. On the first reading, it may seem a little odd; talk of people having died in horrible ways, followed by a parable about a fig tree. And it's owner. And the gardener.
Still, if you read through it a few times, I think you will understand this: Jesus is telling the crowd "Don't be distracted by the news. What is important is NOT what Herod is doing and it is NOT whatever horrible thing has happened to other people. Stay focused on what IS important: repentance.
And then He underscores this message with the parable about the unfruitful fruit tree. The message? Produce what you are supposed to produce (for example: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself) or face the possibility of being removed from to grove. Permanently.
For me, I especially like the Gardner stepping in to intercede on behalf of the fruit tree; asking for one last chance. I picture some of those disciples sitting around, possibly over the evening meal, discussing events of the day and especially the words of Jesus, and quite possibly agreeing it was a wonderful thing for the Gardner to step in and advocate on behalf of saving that tree; staving off, even if only for a while, the consequence of not bearing its fruit. But then one of them suddenly says, "I'm pretty sure I know who the "owner" is in that parable, and I think WE are the fruit trees, but who is the gardener?!"
It seems so clear from our perspective of two millennia later. But they seemed to have had a recurring problem with understanding who Jesus really was. It is likely that most people could not "connect the dots" until after the resurrection. Scripture supports that conclusion.
The take away here, for us, is that we have an advocate, one who asks God to give us just one more chance so we can be spared. And, unlike many who actually heard the words of Jesus as He spoke them, we know the answer to the question:
"Who was that masked man?"
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http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu
READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Third Sunday in Lent (March 3, 2013)
First reading: Isaiah 55:1-9
Psalm: Psalm 63:1-8
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Gospel: Luke 13:1-9
It would be so great if you could join us for breakfast at "The Egg and I." If you are in Waco on Friday morning, you will find us there at 8:00, chowing down of some good victuals and kicking around this week's scripture selections.
No one will be required to whistle or hum the relevant part of the "William Tell Overture" . . . however, those that do will receive free admission ;-)
Enjoy the week!
Steve
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