WEBVTT 00:01.210 --> 00:02.510 In the name of Jesus. 00:03.010 --> 00:03.950 Amen. 00:04.690 --> 00:09.486 Fresh from his victory over Baal at Mount Carmel, where Yahweh had 00:09.508 --> 00:13.600 exercised his power, Elijah must have been riding pretty high. 00:14.850 --> 00:19.918 God had acted, and the false God was shown for the empty image that he 00:19.924 --> 00:21.040 had been all along. 00:21.490 --> 00:28.438 Baal's prophets captured and killed such a mighty victory, and the 00:28.444 --> 00:31.750 Lord had worked through him, his prophet. 00:32.170 --> 00:36.738 And even then, rain fell after Baal had already failed. 00:36.834 --> 00:40.650 Another sign of Yahweh's power and blessing. 00:42.430 --> 00:45.740 So what, I wonder, was Elijah thinking? 00:47.230 --> 00:51.486 Perhaps he had imaginations that the victory would continue, a 00:51.508 --> 00:54.462 religious reformation, a revival would take place. 00:54.596 --> 00:58.080 The hearts of the people would turn to God once more. 00:59.490 --> 01:00.960 But it didn't happen. 01:01.890 --> 01:07.634 Because victory in a battle does not necessarily mean that the war is 01:07.672 --> 01:08.260 over. 01:09.830 --> 01:14.046 Instead, when word reached Jezebel of what had happened, she pledged 01:14.078 --> 01:15.010 his death. 01:15.690 --> 01:19.794 Clearly, the situation had not had changed as he would have hoped. 01:19.922 --> 01:22.230 And Elijah is crushed. 01:23.610 --> 01:29.660 What's more, he receives no direction from God on what to do next. 01:32.190 --> 01:35.366 Now, reading the text, it would appear that it did have a bigger 01:35.398 --> 01:37.770 impact than Elijah might have felt. 01:38.350 --> 01:40.942 Jezebel was able to send a message to him. 01:40.996 --> 01:46.320 She knew where he was, but only threatened him by the next day. 01:47.170 --> 01:49.040 Maybe she feared the people. 01:49.570 --> 01:53.330 Maybe Ahab had dissuaded her from acting hastily. 01:54.070 --> 01:59.330 But Elijah doesn't see the disconnect between her words and inaction. 01:59.990 --> 02:01.810 He only hears the threats. 02:03.590 --> 02:05.460 So what is the prophet to do? 02:06.410 --> 02:09.509 Reflect on the word of God already received. 02:10.250 --> 02:14.310 Pray earnestly for wisdom and direction. 02:15.610 --> 02:24.682 Wait patiently upon the Lord to guide? No brave Elijah who faced down 02:24.736 --> 02:28.394 the prophets of Baal, who mocked their false God. 02:28.592 --> 02:33.034 The bold man who called down divine fire upon the soaking wet 02:33.082 --> 02:36.590 sacrifice lost his courage. 02:37.970 --> 02:45.120 He could face down a god, but a living human queen was too much. 02:46.130 --> 02:50.350 He ran for his life, seeking refuge in the wilderness. 02:50.770 --> 02:56.486 And there, hidden underneath a small broom tree, he prayed for 02:56.508 --> 02:57.190 death. 02:58.170 --> 02:59.460 It is enough now 03:00.090 --> 03:09.642 O Lord, take my life I am no better than my father's. Fear and exhaustion 03:09.706 --> 03:14.986 have taken their toll. Truly, if he wanted to die why take the journey 03:15.018 --> 03:15.760 at all? 03:16.130 --> 03:21.134 He could have remained where he was and died the death of a martyr but 03:21.172 --> 03:30.310 here he was despondent and with that prayer he fell asleep. Can we not 03:30.460 --> 03:32.950 sympathize with Elijah? 03:34.090 --> 03:38.154 Knowing the highs and lows of the Christian life we certainly can 03:38.192 --> 03:43.194 understand feelings such as these when things do not go as we might 03:43.232 --> 03:51.166 hope. For we are all tempted, like Elijah with a theology of glory. If 03:51.188 --> 03:56.542 only we are faithful, things should be easy. I am following God's call 03:56.596 --> 03:58.750 so why is it so challenging? 03:59.170 --> 04:03.410 What seminarian has not been tempted with such thoughts? 04:04.230 --> 04:12.194 And how easily a pastor, a deaconess and yes, even a professor can find 04:12.232 --> 04:17.399 themselves in that self pity and despair as if it is all up to them. 04:19.209 --> 04:22.594 And in the midst of a holy but oh, so busy 04:22.642 --> 04:23.350 season. 04:23.850 --> 04:27.926 Confronted by the pressures and challenges of ministry and the cares 04:27.957 --> 04:33.334 of this life even those who proclaim the mercies of God can lose sight 04:33.382 --> 04:42.174 of him and see only the struggle. When afflicted with such trials like 04:42.212 --> 04:43.050 Elijah. 04:43.210 --> 04:47.422 Perhaps we, too, are inclined to think we are the only ones who feel 04:47.476 --> 04:48.080 this. 04:48.770 --> 04:53.826 And somehow, in the midst of such struggle, somehow forget that our 04:53.848 --> 04:59.234 Lord has prepared us. Warning us that the faithful will see trouble in 04:59.272 --> 05:05.640 this world and calling us to take our cross daily and follow Him. 05:07.050 --> 05:12.070 But instead of heeding his word, we cry out from our own broom trees 05:12.730 --> 05:17.080 it is enough, O Lord, take my life. 05:18.669 --> 05:23.786 And that is what happens when we turn our eyes from the Lord and put 05:23.808 --> 05:24.890 them on ourselves. 05:27.230 --> 05:30.830 But God does not lash out in righteous anger. 05:31.409 --> 05:36.480 No fire from heaven falls to consume Elijah, nor us. 05:37.330 --> 05:40.830 But in Fatherly mercy he provides. 05:41.810 --> 05:47.885 Elijah is awakened by an angel who gives him food and drink and he 05:47.908 --> 05:48.960 rests again. 05:49.970 --> 05:54.480 And once more, the angel wakes him and feeds him. 05:55.450 --> 05:59.409 And rested by rested and nourished by these miraculous meals. 06:00.330 --> 06:05.466 Elijah rose and travelled for 40 days and 40 nights to Mount Horeb 06:05.498 --> 06:11.054 where God would speak with him and where he would finally be ready to 06:11.092 --> 06:11.680 listen. 06:14.130 --> 06:18.586 Now, these mere wilderness meals were, in fact, miraculous. 06:18.778 --> 06:22.750 Even more their ability to sustain for such a lengthy journey. 06:23.090 --> 06:27.430 But are they not surpassed by miracles far greater? 06:28.570 --> 06:33.206 For another would be led into the wilderness not in fear for his own 06:33.228 --> 06:35.960 life, but to seek the life of his people. 06:36.570 --> 06:42.746 He would endure for 40 days and 40 nights receiving no food from the 06:42.768 --> 06:48.042 angels instead being tempted to listen to Satan and provide it 06:48.096 --> 06:48.810 himself. 06:49.890 --> 06:54.110 He would wrestle not with an evil human queen, but with Satan 06:54.450 --> 06:56.000 and never give in. 06:57.409 --> 06:59.200 For He is the bread of life. 07:00.050 --> 07:05.490 The mana in the wilderness, the living water that truly satisfies. 07:07.430 --> 07:12.834 Nor would He flee when His life was threatened but instead set His 07:12.872 --> 07:17.494 face like flint toward Jerusalem where he would use His authority to 07:17.532 --> 07:18.920 lay down His life. 07:19.370 --> 07:25.698 To redeem the fearful and the doubters, the confused and the violent 07:25.794 --> 07:30.534 and the murderers and, yes, even the idolaters any who would receive 07:30.582 --> 07:31.180 Him. 07:31.950 --> 07:38.940 For in the wilderness we see the Lord's Christ faithful in every way 07:39.970 --> 07:48.446 for you. The season of Lent and the ongoing Lent of life in this world 07:48.628 --> 07:55.250 may lead us feeling like Elijah disappointed, fearful and alone. 07:56.630 --> 07:58.210 But we are not alone. 07:59.190 --> 08:04.050 Our redeemer is always with us and God provides. 08:06.250 --> 08:10.193 Perhaps you've seen the meme that's circulating around on this passage 08:10.322 --> 08:15.110 that concludes with the words never underestimate the spiritual power 08:15.180 --> 08:17.350 of a nap and a snack. 08:18.810 --> 08:21.610 Now, of course, it trivializes this passage. 08:22.110 --> 08:26.586 And yet this account does in part remind us of the need to make sure 08:26.608 --> 08:28.154 our needs are cared for. 08:28.352 --> 08:31.098 That we are fed and rested. 08:31.274 --> 08:35.390 To work, yes, but also to rest in our Lord. 08:35.809 --> 08:42.159 But far more than that to rely on the God who promises to provide. 08:42.770 --> 08:47.710 To gratefully receive bread from his hand and to recognize the people 08:47.780 --> 08:50.080 who love and uphold us. 08:50.690 --> 08:58.566 But above all, to fix our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfector of 08:58.588 --> 08:59.010 our faith. 09:01.050 --> 09:04.190 For man does not live by bread alone. 09:05.890 --> 09:07.870 We have something far greater. 09:08.610 --> 09:13.920 The bread of life come down from heaven to give life to the world. 09:14.610 --> 09:20.320 Bread that sustains not merely for 40 days but to eternal life. 09:21.810 --> 09:23.070 So rise. 09:23.810 --> 09:24.560 Eat. 09:25.370 --> 09:31.350 For the journey is too much for you but not for your Lord. 09:32.170 --> 09:33.190 Rise. 09:33.530 --> 09:35.560 For he comes to you. 09:36.410 --> 09:36.770 Amen.