Perfect children —
so that I don't scare anybody this morning, let me say that this sermon
is not about my two daughters. It will not be the homiletical equivalent
of home movies. No, this is not even a message primarily about children
— it's about people of all ages and what it means for us all to continue
growing, as people who seek to follow Jesus Christ. It's about lifelong
education, or what the Bible calls "discipleship."
Now before those of you who aren't parents tune out, let me say from the outset that Jesus wants all of us to be "perfect children," to manifest those qualities of children that complete — that perfect — his work in us. If you¹re looking for life's purpose, this in fact is what you're created for! That is, living out the will of God and fulfilling the intention of God¹s creation. If you¹re bored or depressed, if you've got a "job too small for your dreams," this is a dream big enough for your life!
Perfect children — God wants us to be "perfect," but what does that mean? Let's take a closer look at the passage from Matthew 5. There are three words in this passage that really tie together today's theme. First, love, or in Greek, agape (verses 43ff.): Here Jesus is emphasizing the radical nature of agape, of this new type of love that reaches beyond the boundaries to include those who hate us...
Secondly, perfection (verse 48): that's the word that probably hangs us up in this passage. And yet, it's the word that makes the whole passage (and the whole Sermon on the Mount) hang together. It's a very interesting word: teleios: it means the "goal" or "end" for which we are created. It means maturity. Something is teleios when it has accomplished what it is created for.
Thirdly, sons (verse
45): These perfect, mature disciples are to reflect their Father in heaven
— they are to be God's perfect children by
demonstrating God's character of abundant love, of returning love for
hate, prayers for persecution. This is the ultimate command of Jesus to
be mature or perfect.
Perfect children — Matthew 18 reveals a great deal about Jesus' positive view of children — their openness, their humility, but I'd like to emphasize today that children love to grow up. If we were to think in terms of Broadway shows, it's Big over Peter Pan. Peter Pan sings, "I won't grow up!" — that he'll stay forever a child. As much as I love Peter Pan, that's just not what children want. Contrast this with Big, where the primary line is the little boy who wants to grow up quickly, "I want to be big." Now that's true of the children I know. That's the drive of each of us. To live is to grow....
Let us not be pleased with mud pies for our life's ambition, but let us seek to be God's perfect children and receive the proper reward for our efforts, to hear God say to us, "You reflect my love for the world. Well done, my daughters and sons." That is a calling worth living for — to be God's perfect children. May it be so. Amen.
