Powerball, Fig Trees, Temples, Curses, and the Relevance of Christianity (Part 1)

I sometimes marvel at how some say that the Christian faith needs to be made relevant to our day and age.  After all, these folks argue, the main events of Christianity happened nearly 2000 years ago.  How can it still be relevant to what is going on today?  Such things make me scratch my head in wonder because Christianity isn’t simply a system and code of ethics–it runs much deeper as it seeks to address the fundamental problem with human nature.  And, I would argue that human nature hasn’t changed much in the past 2000 years in the least.  How so?

Well, let’s start by hitting the biggest headlines of this past week–the headlines that threw most of our nation into a frenzy.  I am talking Powerball.  I mean, millions of people were throwing billions of dollars at the chance to win an absolutely huge amount of cash.  The thought of 1.5 billion dollars captivated the thoughts and hearts of many people.  Why?  Why did the thought of obtaining such a huge amount of money hit so many people?

I think most of us know the answer to that question.  Despite the cliche that “money can’t buy everything,” we still act like it can.  I mean, as a nation, we are a slave to our pocketbooks.  Most of us think we never have enough.  Most of us think, “If I just had more money, everything would be okay.  I would be able to buy the things I want.  Do the things I want to do.  Not have to be beholden to any one or any thing.”  Now, I want to be clear, there are those who do not fall into this trap.  There are those who have gotten past such things, but that’s not everyone–not by a long shot.  In fact, remember, the payout on the Powerball is based upon how many people have bought tickets.  That means 1.5 billion is a small percentage of what people actually spent to obtain tickets.  That means people spent billions and billions of dollars on this scheme, and the real winners are the states who have put together the lottery.  Oops.  Did I just name the state as also wanting money and desiring money to do all sorts of things?  Yes, I guess I just did.  So, what is happening here?  Individuals are captivated by the dollar.  States and governments are captivated by the dollar.  Individuals, corporations, governments, and the like are all captivated by the dollar.  And no one seems to be satisfied with what they have.  They all want more.

Let’s break for a moment and see just how Jesus’ encounter with a fig tree and his cleansing of the temple tie in with this just beautifully.  Let’s look and see how the Bible is still as relevant to today as it was when Jesus walked the earth.

Last week, we saw Jesus enter into Jerusalem hailed as the Messiah–the King of the Jews.  We saw how Jesus walked into the temple, looked around, and as the hour was late, walked out and went camping.  It was kind of anti-climatic, and I talked last week how Jesus was interested in a different temple and a different throne–the temple of our hearts and the throne of the cross.  Today, we see just how Jesus begins to make that clear in His teaching and His actions.

In the morning, Jesus and His disciples are headed back to Jerusalem, and Jesus gets hungry.  He sees a fig tree in the road ahead that is all leafed out.  Jesus approaches the tree in hopes of finding a bite to eat, but when He gets to the tree, there is no fruit.  The gospel writer Mark the tells us, “it was not the season for figs.”  Perhaps, much to our surprise, Jesus invokes a curse on this fig tree.  “May no one ever eat from you again.”  What has happened to Jesus?  Has He suddenly been overcome by natural human emotion and anger?  Shouldn’t the Son of God have known it wasn’t the time for figs?  Why curse this poor, little tree for not having figs when it wasn’t supposed to?

Now, if you don’t know anything about fig trees or the ancient Jewish culture, you would think exactly that.  You would think Jesus positively cruel and petty.  But there is more than meets the eye here.  Personally, I wouldn’t have known such things without doing a bit of homework, but here is what I discovered in my studies this week.  You see, fig trees actually have two times when they bear fruit.  They actually begin producing their first crop of fruit before they leaf out in the spring.  This fruit is called paggim in Hebrew.

Let me read to you what Mark Edwards says in his commentary about this encounter:

After the fig harvest from mid-August to mid-October, the branches of fig trees sprout buds that remain undeveloped throughout the winter.  These buds swell into small green knops known in Hebrew as paggim in March-April, followed shortly by the sprouting of leaf buds on the same branches, usually in April.  The fig tree thus produces fig knops before it produces leaves.  Once a fig tree is in leaf one therefore expects to find branches loaded with paggim in various stages of maturation.  This is implied in 11:13 where Jesus, seeing a fig tree in full foliage, turns aside in hopes of finding something edible.  In the spring of the year the paggim are of course not ripened into mature summer figs, but they can be eaten, and often are by natives.  (Hosea 9:10, Cant 2:13) The tree in v. 13 however, turns out to be deceptive, for it is green in foliage, but when Jesus inspects it he finds no paggim; it is a tree with the signs of fruit, but with no fruit.

And what kind of tree is it that bears signs of fruit but has no fruit?  Well, let me rephrase the question: what good is a fig tree that leafs out and looks beautiful but produces no fruit?  You know the answer.  It’s a worthless tree–especially in an arid, rocky climate like Palestine.  Jesus knows by the lack of fruit that this tree is rotten.  There is something wrong with it.  On the outside, it looks great, but on the inside, it is no good.  “May no one ever eat fruit of you again.”

Is it any coincidence then, that immediately following this encounter with the fig tree, we move to the Temple?  Well, it really isn’t.  For the two stories are intimately related.  The Temple of Jerusalem at this time was a thing of beauty.  It took up roughly 1/3 of the entire city of Jerusalem.  The stones were massive. The columns were huge.  It was the center of Jewish worship and life.  Throngs of pilgrims visited every year–not only Jews, but Gentiles as well.  Jesus looks at what is going on in the Temple, and blows a fuse.  He enters into the temple and disrupts the sacrificial system overturning tables, scattering coin, and preventing people from bringing any sort of goods into the temple.  The question is why?

I mean, when I was in college, I took a class on Judaism, and the professor, who was Jewish was apologetic toward the buying and selling that was going on in the Temple.  After all, the rabbi argued: the Bible was very clear on what kind of animals needed to be used for sacrifice.  The Bible was also very clear about what kind of money could be used to pay your temple tax and give your tithe.  The sellers and money changers were providing a service to the people who were there to sacrifice.  The fact that they would make a little bit of money off the sales and exchanges was just good business.  Jesus really didn’t need to get so angry and disruptive!

I can appreciate my professor’s need to defend the practices of those within his faith, especially in a Christian college environment.  But my professor left off a few details–details that I only came across this past week in my studies.  William Lane, in his commentary points out that the selling of sacrificial animals in the temple was not a long-standing practice.  Historical evidence shows that the buying and selling of sacrificial animals in the Temple was begun by the High Priest Caiaphas sometime around 30 A.D.–which, coincidentally(?) is right around when Jesus began His public ministry.  Why would Caiaphas institute such buying and selling in the Temple?  There was really no need considering that there were four certified market places for the selling of sacrificial animals right outside the city of Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives.  Why sell animals in the Temple when there were perfectly good markets right outside of town?

Well, think about this for a moment: during Passover, hundreds of thousands of Jews made their way to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices.  That’s a lot of sheep, goats, and doves to be offered.  That’s a load of animals that needed to be bought.  Why shouldn’t the Temple benefit from those sales?  Wouldn’t it be good business for the Temple authorities to allow businesses to come in and set up shop to sell their animals–especially if the Temple authorities charged a fee or received a portion of the sales money to line their pockets?  Doesn’t this make economic sense for the Temple?  You would think so, but remember this: the priests actually got paid by receiving a part of the sacrifice that was offered.  The priests therefore, during Passover had more than enough meat and leather and such to sell and gain income.  The priests were rolling in dough, but they wanted more.

So they allowed merchants to set up shop in the Temple.  Of course, there was only one place for these merchants to set up: the courtyard of the Gentiles.  Please remember, the Temple was set up in tiered layers for worship.  First, you had the court of the Gentiles where all people were allowed to worship.  Second, you had the court of women where ritually cleansed women were allowed to worship.  Then you had the court of Jewish men.  Finally you had the court of the priests which surrounded the Holy of Holies where only one person was allowed to enter once per year.  Now, think about that tiered system, and then think about which layer you would use–as a Jew if you were going to allow the buying and selling of animals.

Of course, you are going to use the court of the Gentiles.  It’s the largest area, and it’s also the “least important” area for Jews.  Who cares about the Gentiles who have come to worship and pray.  They are the least of all in God’s eyes.  The Jewish people were of the most import–after all, they were the chosen ones.  This was reinforced by signs that appeared on a wall separating the courtyard of the Gentiles from the rest of the Temple.  Mark Edwards says again, “The sanctuary was separated from the Court of the Gentiles by a wall, called Soreq, on which the following warning was posted at intervals in Greek, Latin, and Aramaic: “No foreigner may enter within the railing and enclosure that surround the Temple.  Anyone apprehended shall have himself to blame for his consequent death.”

Think about this for a moment.  Think about the attitude expressed on that sign. Think about the attitude the Temple authorities had toward the Gentiles by setting up a marketplace in the only place they were allowed to worship.  Does it sound like they were really trying to get people to worship God?  Do these actions really show that the Temple authorities had a heart for helping people–even foreigners come to know the living God?  No.  Not in the least.  As N.T. Wright said, “The Temple had been intended to symbolize God’s dwelling with Israel for the sake of the world; the way Jesus’ contemporaries had organized things, it had come to symbolize not God’s welcome to the nations but God’s exclusion of them.”  Is it any wonder why Jesus goes berserk? This Temple, which was supposed to be a house of prayer for all people had just been commandeered to take money from those selling sacrificial animals on the Mount of Olives and exclude the vast majority of the world’s people from praying in a holy place.  Den of thieves indeed!

And, of course, Jesus’ actions were a direct assault on the Temple authorities.  They were a direct condemnation and judgement of their actions, so they sought to kill Him.  Jesus had dared challenge them.  Yet, in reality, Jesus had just exposed them.  The wonderful, beautiful Temple, had just been exposed as a profiteering scheme instead of a place of worship.  And when you are exposed as committing great wrong, you either admit your mistake or silence the one who is pointing out your mistake.  The Temple authorities made no bones about what they intended, but they feared the crowd because the crowd knew Jesus was right.

The next day, Jesus and His disciples are walking by the fig tree, and Peter notices that the tree is withered and dead.  “Look,” Peter exclaims. “The tree that you cursed is withered from the roots up.”

There is an obvious lesson here.  The fig tree and the temple share the same problem.  From the root, it is bad.  From the root, both will wither.  Both may have looked great from the outside, but once the inner workings were revealed, they were found to be corrupt.  And that corruption will lead to death.

I wish I could tell you this morning that such corruption does not affect you and I, but that whole lottery think this past week proves otherwise.  We too are corrupt within.  We too are rotting from within.  We too have put our trust in external things and do not depend upon God.  We too work to make sure our outside looks great, but we hide the inner workings of our hearts and personal lives to disguise our own short comings.

Let me point at myself here using the example of the lottery.  You see, I remember very well the first time I played the lottery.  It was in my hometown, and I bought a scratch off ticket.  It was a football themed one, and I actually won $20.  So, what did I do?  I cashed the ticked and resolved to give the money to the church.  Sounds very cool from the outside, doesn’t it.  Well, let me reveal to you the inner workings of my heart.

You see, I figured if I showed God how generous I was; if I showed God that I was going to give these first fruits to Him; then He would let me win more.  Of course, I would give some of those winnings to Him, but I would keep the vast majority for myself.  I had some really selfish motives because I was centered on myself.  I wanted the safety, security, and freedom that money could by, and I was going to use God to get it.  Is it any wonder why I rarely won anything more than a dollar whenever I tried to play the lottery after that?

You see, human nature doesn’t change much.  Even after thousands of years, hearts still do not change.  Hearts still want the safety, security, and freedom that money buys.  The false idol of money still rules over many, many hearts.  The question is, if the false god of safety, security, and freedom that money can buy rules the temple of our hearts, and Jesus wants to be in that temple Himself.  How can He displace that false god?  How can He make sure we know that we have safety, security and freedom without money?

Well, next Sunday, we will delve into this as we deal with those last few verses.  Those verses will lead us straight to the cross and to God’s wonderful love that He showed there through Jesus.  We will hear the Good News that, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that all those who believe in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God sent the Son into the world not to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through Him.”  We will see how this news cleanses our hearts and gives us even more than money can buy.  Amen.

Not As the World Gives: Sermon on John 14:15-21

(Note: I did not post this sermon last week because I ended up changing the last portion of the sermon drastically on Sunday morning.  What was written was not exactly what was proclaimed.  The sentiment is basically the same, but how one arrived at the final destination was quite different.  A member requested that I post the sermon, and I will do so with the above disclaimer.)

    Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

    I’d like to take some time to unpack this statement this morning, because in all reality, I think many folks’ hearts are troubled.  Many folks are afraid.  I mean, I know Sean Hannity oftentimes tells his listeners, “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” but then he goes on and on and on about why your hearts should be troubled and you should be afraid, particularly of one political party.  And of course, those on the other side of the aisle point the fingers right back and say, “Actually, you need to be afraid of them!” They are the ones causing all the problems.”  I’d better stop there before I offend too many other folks.  While this saying of Jesus I think speaks to such matters, there’s a lot of groundwork that needs to be laid before we go too far down this rabbit hole.

    So, therefore, let’s begin with Jesus.  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives.”  Let’s start by wrestling with this, “What does Jesus mean by giving not as the world gives?”  To grasp this, I think we need to try and see how the world gives.  And to do this, I’d like to read a few snippets from C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  The scene I will read from is about one of the characters named Edmund who has an encounter with the White Witch.  I think you will see its relevance.

    “It is dull, Son of Adam, to drink without eating,” said the Queen presently.  “What would you like best to eat?”
 
    “Turkish Delight, please, your Majesty,” said Edmund.
 
    The Queen let another drop fall from her bottle onto the snow, and instantly there appeared a round box, tied with green silk ribbon, which, when opened, turned out to contain several pounds of the best Turkish Delight.  Each piece was sweet and light to the very center and Edmund had never tasted anything more delicious.  He was quite warm now, and very comfortable.
 
    While he was eating, the Queen kept asking him questions.  At first, Edmund tried to remember that it is rude to speak with one’s mouth full, but soon he forgot about this and thought only of trying to shovel down as much Turkish Delight as he could, and the more he ate the more he wanted to eat, and he never asked himself why the Queen should be so inquisitive.

    Let’s skip down a little bit.

    At last, the Turkish Delight was all finished and Edmund was looking very hard at the empty box and wishing that she would ask him whether he would like some more.  Probably the Queen knew quite well what he was thinking; for she knew, though Edmund did not, that this was enchanted Turkish Delight and that anyone who had once tasted it would want more and more of it, and would even, if they were allowed, go on eating it till they killed themselves. But she did not offer him any more.  Instead, she said to him,
 
    “Son of Adam, I should so much like to see your brother and your two sisters.  Will you bring them to see me?’
 
    “I’ll try,” said Edmund, still looking at the empty box.
 
    “Because if you did come again–bringing them with you of course–I’d be able to give you some more Turkish Delight.”

    I’m going to stop reading and just brush through the highlights.  At this point, the White witch begins laying it on thick telling Edmund that if he brings his brother and sisters, she will make him a prince.  She will give him a crown and riches.  She promises him the moon and all the Turkish Delight he can eat.  Of course, if Edmund doesn’t deliver, he won’t receive this stuff or anymore Turkish Delight.  But Edmund is almost beyond thinking.  He has tasted something very sweet, and he wants more.  How badly?  A few short pages later, Edmund is reunited with his sister, Lucy, and he finds out the Queen he ran into was actually the White Witch.  He finds out she is dangerous, but what is his state of mind?

    Edmund was already feeling uncomfortable from having eaten too many sweets, and when he heard that the Lady he had made friends with was a dangerous witch he felt even more uncomfortable.  But he still wanted to taste that Turkish Delight again more than he wanted anything else.

    I want to ask you, do you see any parallels between this work of fiction and the way the world gives and what the world promises?  I hope you do.  I personally can’t help but see them vividly. 

    The world beckons to each and every one of us offering satisfaction.  The world says, “Eat of this fruit.  Taste and see that it is good.”  And it is.  I mean, let’s just take one example.  How many of you, like me, were extremely proud of your first paycheck?  I remember receiving it while working for the Banquete Grain Coop.  I had worked long hours, and the check was rather large.  I was happy.  I had tasted the fruits of my labor, and I liked it.  I liked it a lot.  Holding that check offered me promise: I could buy CDs of my favorite music.  I could take someone out on a date.  I could afford to drive my parents’ car to the places I wanted to go.  I could go to movies.  A whole new world was opening up.

    How many of us become delighted with such a thing?  And so we strive to get a better job so that we can get more of that precious commodity of money.  As we earn more, we spend more.  Our standards rise with our income.  Never satisfied, we long for more, and the world offers us more and more promise.  We stuff our faces with the Turkish Delight of such things, but we aren’t satisfied.  We always want more.

    And we oftentimes aren’t aware that there will come a day of reckoning.  There will come a time when the world sees that we are enamored with what we have, and it will use that to its advantage.  Later in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the White Witch demands Edmund’s life.  The world oftentimes demands ours.

    “How so?” you might ask.  Oh, it starts innocently enough.  “Make yourself invaluable to your company so that you have job security.”  And so we work hard–oftentimes harder than we have to.  “Can you stay a few hours late this week?  This job really needs touching up, and you are the best one we have.”  And so we stay.  “Can you work half a day on Saturday?  We really need this project completed.  Don’t worry, we will take care of you.”  The extra money rolls in, and we rejoice.  It will help us pay down a little bit of debt and perhaps go on a vacation.  But who then pays? Do children miss their parent?  Does a spouse or best friend have to cancel a date?  The corporate ladder gets climbed, status gets added, a sense of self-importance rises.  The world demands more and more.  We pay it.  Working and slaving as we see that one day retirement can take place–we will have a nest egg.  But we are never sure that it is enough.  We’re never quite peaceful about it.  There is still that nagging hunger to get more.  Finally, we are too worn out to work to get more.  We’re too tired and weak, so we stop.  We try to rest.

    But then what does the world do at that point?  Here’s what I have begun to see–the world gives, and then it does its best to take it all back.  The world robs you of your family and personal time to pad your bank account and then seeks to drain it dry leaving you penniless when you die.  Don’t believe me?

    How many of you who worked for many years find medical bills eating up your income?  How many of you know someone who slaved for years who are now spending almost everything they have on nursing homes or home health care?  Prices of food, fuel, and shelter continue to rise.  Taxes continue to go up.  When you die, your family has to pay for funeral expenses, and then the government will come in to collect its share from those who inherit whatever you had left to pass on.  Yes, the world gives, but then it wants a whole lot in return.  It wants to dominate you and take you for all that it once gave to you.  And it never leaves you at peace.  Never.

    “My peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

    Jesus stands in stark contrast to how the world operates.  At first, it may not look like it.  In fact, when you first look at Jesus and look at all that He says, it is quite frightening.  The world offers the sweetness of Turkish Delight–it looks appealing; it tastes sweet, but it never satisfies.  Jesus offers death.  “Let anyone who wishes to follow me deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me.  For anyone who wishes to save their life will lose it, but those who lose their life for my sake and the sake of the Gospel will find it.” 

    These are not comforting words.  They seem a very bitter pill to swallow.  The Turkish Delights come in a pretty box; the food Jesus offers comes dressed in a cross.  “Come and die,” Jesus says.  “Die to everything the world says you should have.  Die to finding your self-worth in your job, in your bank account, in your possessions, in your race and ethnicity and all those other things the world says give you satisfaction.  Do not eat of the sweetness of the world, feast on me.”

    It sounds crazy.  Completely crazy.  It’s impossible for us to do such a thing.  Literally, it’s impossible for us to die to these things because they are our default settings.  We’ve been taught to be productive citizens.  We train our children to be good producers and consumers.  We buy into the system to the very core.  And we can’t escape it.

    So Jesus says, “You can’t live the life you are supposed to live.  You can’t die to yourself, so I will die for you!”  And He does.  On the cross, He dies and pours Himself out for the world.

    “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that all those who believe in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God sent the Son into the world not to condemn the world, but to save it!”

    And we may say, “Yes, I believe this!  Yes, I believe that Jesus died for me.  I believe that Jesus is the Savior.  I believe that Jesus lived the life that I couldn’t live, but why don’t I have peace?  Why am I still so hungry for what the world gives?  Why do I still have the emptiness inside?”

    Think about the deepest desire of your heart.  What is it?  Be honest with yourself.  What does your heart dream about?  Safety?  Security?  To be admired?  I told you before, mine was to be seen as a great pastor and to receive recognition.  If these things are at the center of your heart, then you are simply trying to work out your own salvation.  You are simply trying to justify yourself and rely upon yourself.  You may cognitively believe that Jesus died for you, but it hasn’t sunk into the deep recesses of your heart, and that’s why you still hunger.  You are still pursuing the things of the world.

    “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Do not be afraid.”  How can we reach this point?  How can we reach the place where we are not afraid of the future or our hearts are troubled?  Not by anything we can do, but by what Christ has done.  He has already accomplished all.  He has already justified you.  He has already given you worth.  He has already prepared a place for you.  He has promised to take care of you.  It is finished.  Put your trust in Jesus, and He will pour Himself into you.  He will fill you.  He will give you peace, and unlike the world, He will never, ever try to take it away.  It’s yours forever.  Amen.

A "Waste" of $30,000+

Someone might say such a thing.  Someone might actually believe it.  I don't.

This past week, I was privileged to have a conversation with the president of the Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic (LCCAR).

One of the initial posts on this blog concerned a fundraising effort spearheaded by my congregation to raise money to purchase motorcycles for the LCCAR.  Many people participated.  Many congregations added their support.  We raised over $30,000.  That was enough to purchase 12 motorcycles.  We were overjoyed with how we were able to help.

I told President Golike that our congregation helped him get the motorcycles for his church.

He replied, "The rebels stole all our motorcycles."

For those who do not know the political situation in the Central African Republic, well...it sucks.  It's bad.  There's been a lot of fighting.  Lots of people have been killed.  Many of the leaders and intellectuals in the country have found themselves as targets.  President Golike has been shot at numerous times.  He escaped certain death when rebels tried to burn down his house but couldn't find gasoline.  We raised many, many prayers for peace for this nation.

But all the motorcycles are gone.  Now perhaps being used for nefarious purposes. 

Some might say it was a waste of $30,000.

I don't.

During the four years the LCCAR had these motorcycles, they were the ambulances for many sections of the country.  They carried people to hospitals.  They saved many, many lives.  Their use accomplished much good.

And now, they are gone. 

I am convinced that this is one of the reasons Jesus doesn't want us to get hung up on possessions.  One day, all is well and good, but the next, they could be gone.  If your life revolves around possessions, and suddenly they are taken away from you, you are devastated, broken, destroyed. 

But if Jesus is at the center of your life, possessions are simply things to be used for a time.  They are not the be all and end all of existence.  They are meaningless in the grand scheme of things.  They are tools to be used until they fulfill their purpose. 

If something breaks...who cares?
If something is stolen...who cares?
If something is destroyed...who cares?

Things do not bring life.
Things do not bring happiness.
Things do not add value to our lives.

They just don't.

Christ accomplishes all of the above as He transforms your heart and lives at the center of your being.

That means more than anything--anything at all.

It's why President Golike and I didn't mourn the loss of the motorcycles, and it is why he was filled with hope that one day peace and reconciliation will return to the CAR.

And I loved what a congregation member told me this morning as he left church, "Let's not let it stop."

"What do you mean?"

"Let's not let it stop.  If those motorcycles brought healing, let's make sure they get them again."

Sounds like a good use for another $30,000. 

Or more.

Connect the Dots: Football and Church

(This post was inspired by a friend's post on Facebook.  The original post follows the story.)

Tom was worried about his friend Jim.  The two of them had been great supporters of the high school varsity football team.  For years, they attended games and cheered their team, but it was four weeks into the season, and Jim hadn't been to a game yet.  This was disturbing.  Tom decided to pay his friend a visit.

Tom: Jim, ol' buddy.  How you doing?

Jim: I'm fine, Tom.  Just fine.

Tom: Are you sure.  I haven't seen you at any of the games on Friday evenings.  Is something wrong?

Jim: Tom, I'm through with football games.  I just am not going to go anymore.

Tom: Can I ask why?  I mean, you used to go to every game.  You used to sit in the same spot and cheer long and loud.  Everyone counted on you being there.

Jim: I've got more than a few reasons, ol' buddy.  And it starts with the fans.  I love the team, but I can't stand the fans.  They've become rude and obnoxious.  If the referee makes a correct call against our team, they boo and hiss.  But if they see a ref overlook a call on the other team, they go ballistic!  They think the rules don't apply to them.  They are a bunch of hypocrites.  Not only are they hypocrites, the last time I went to a game, they weren't exactly nice to me.  Instead of saying, "Excuse me." when they walked past me, they simply trampled over my stuff.  A man told me to quit cheering when he was talking on his cell phone.  Excuse me!  We're at a football game for heaven's sake!  Put down your dadgum cell phone and support your team!

Tom:  Slow down there a minute, Jim.  People are people, you know?

Jim: Don't give me that, Tom.  People should know better.  They should have better manners than that.  They are representing the school when they do that.  I don't want to be associated with a bunch of uncouth, rude, and obnoxious hypocrites.  Neither do I want to be associated with any sort of fair-weather fans.  This bunch now a days--they have no loyalty or commitment.  Why, at one game I attended, more than half the fans got up and left when we were behind by three touchdowns.  What happened to sticking with your team win or lose?  And if the weather is too hot or too cold?  Gimme a break.  Only the parents come to see their kids, but don't inconvenience anyone with the weather, by God.  They'd rather sit at home instead of toughing things out.

Tom: I know, Jim.  I know.  Not everyone is that committed, but you aren't there for the fans.  You are there to support the team.  The team is most important.  You can't just support them from home.

Jim: Support.  Yeah, that's another thing.  I'm tired of getting nickled and dimed every time I go to the game.  I spend money on tickets.  I spend money on concessions.  Then they are always trying to get me to buy other stuff and paraphernalia--t shirts, jackets, stadium seats, coolers, koozies, you name it, they got it for sale.  Money, money, money.  All they want is my money.  You say support, but all I've started seeing is dollar signs.  It ain't right.

Tom: It's not like you can't afford it. 

Jim: That's beside the point.  I'm tired of them trying to get it out of me.  And it isn't just the football.  The band wants money.  The PTO wants money.  The booster club wants money.  Hell, they even let student groups in to do fundraisers.  The proverb is that a fool and his money are soon parted, but I won't be played for a fool.  I can use that money to support other causes.

Tom: But all that money does good.  It helps teach these kids character and responsibility and dedication to a cause greater than themselves.

Jim: Irrelevant.  What do I get out of it?  Not a darn thing.  Last year, the band started playing that new hip hop garbage that you hear on the radio.  No more good music.  Can't stand that stuff.  They changed the words to the alma matter, and that ticked me off.

Tom: They just made the language more inclusive for all students.

Jim: They gave in to that political correctness B.S.  That's all they did.  There was nothing wrong with things.  People understood what those words meant.  They were just getting rid of tradition.  Throw out all the old stuff for this new fangaled garbage.  I won't stand for it anymore.

Tom: But the coach is trying to uphold many of the traditions of the program. 

Jim: I liked the old coach better.

Tom: Yes, the old coach was good, but it was time for him to move on.  He did a great job, but this coach is taking the team to a new level.

Jim: By doing what?  He doesn't even teach the basic fundamentals anymore.  He's bringing in all that fancy garbage and stuff.  He isn't strict and demand discipline.  You can tell it in how the kids play.  He needs to be tougher and lay down the law.  We don't need any wusses up there. 

Tom: Why can't you give him a chance and see what happens?

Jim: There's a right way of doing things and a wrong way of doing things.  He's wrong, and that's that.

Tom: But this is your team.  You really need to come and support your team.  How can you support your team by simply sitting at home?

Jim: Well, I can still show my support.  I can go hunting and fishing and think about my team.  I can read about them in the paper and what they did.  I can watch other teams on t.v. and learn more about how the game is played and think about my own team.  It's not hard to support them that way.

Tom: That makes no sense, none at all.

None at all.

12 Reasons Why a Pastor Quit Attending Sports Events

1. The coach never came to visit me.
2. Every time I went, they asked me for money.
3. The people sitting in my row didn’t seem very friendly.
4. The seats were very hard.
5. The referees made a decision I didn’t agree with.
6. I was sitting with hypocrites—they only came to see what others were wearing!
7. Some games went into overtime and I was late getting home.
8. The band played some songs I had never heard before.
9. The games are scheduled on my only day to sleep in and run errands.
10. My parents took me to too many games when I was growing up.
11. Since I read a book on sports, I feel that I know more than the coaches, anyway.
12. I don’t want to take my children because I want them to choose for themselves what sport they like best.