"The Answer"
Sermon by the Rev. Matt Kennedy
Christmas 2005
The Church of the Good Shepherd

What is it that makes human beings "human"? I know that this sounds like an easy question. If your mom and dad are human then chances are, you're human too. I know. But let's try tonight to look a little bit deeper than biology. Our body components; our flesh, heart, brain, hair eyes are not all that special. If you think about it, though our parts are shaped differently and we may have greater brain capacity, we essentially have the same parts as any other mammal. So what is it that makes us special?

Philosophers and scientists have come up with lots of answers to this question. Some have said it is our ability to think rationally; to do math for example. But biologists tell us that many animals, dolphins and some monkeys for example are able to solve pretty complex problems.

Some have suggested that our ability to think morally, to have a concept of right and wrong sets us apart from the animal kingdom. And yet while I'm no dog whisperer, I know that at least my dog feels shame. Usually when I come home she's right there at the door wagging her tail and wanting a pet, but when she's made a mess or dumped or rooted through the trash can or done something else she knows she's not supposed to do, she'll mysteriously disappear as soon as my car pulls up in the driveway and when that happens I know I've got some cleaning to do.

One philosopher, an atheist, said that what sets human beings apart is our ability to think about life's meaning. This particular philosopher didn't think that life had any meaning at all, so to him this special ability was a cruel evolutionary joke. He said we've evolved to the point that we can contemplate our death and, seeing nothing beyond, we are doomed to live lives despair seeking meaning in a meaningless universe.

Obviously, I disagree with much everything this particular philosopher wrote. But I think he is right about one thing. Human beings not only have the capacity to think about the purpose of life and question the meaning of our existence, something inside impels us to do so. Part and parcel of being human is to ask: “why am I here?” Animals don't generally think about such things. Or, if Maggie could talk she would have a very simple answer, her purpose in life is to eat and my purpose is to feed her. But most people aren't able to answer that question so easily.

People spend a lot of money, a lot of time, a lot of energy trying to figure the answer out. People like Dr. Phil and Oprah are so successful because they've tapped into this basic human need to find meaning and purpose. New Age cults, neo-paganism, the current popularity of witchcraft and the obsession with astrology and fortune-telling, all of it, I think, stems directly from the human desire for meaning, the desire to answer the question, “why am I on this planet?”

Maybe some in this building are asking that question tonight. Usually it starts to rise in people's minds during adolescence and becomes increasingly more important as life progresses and people realize that they're mortal and they're not going to be here forever. I remember well when that hit me for the first time. I mean I always knew that I was going to die one day, but I'd always thought of death as a far away distant reality. When I started jumping out of airplanes in the Army I suddenly realized, “hey I could die doing this.” My life could actually end.

That, for me anyway, was when I really started to take the question of meaning seriously.

And I discovered, as maybe you have too, there are all sorts of people, religious, cults, and gurus out there promising answers. Follow this program. Listen to this teacher. Climb this mountain. Meditate. Eat vegetarian. Say Ohm 1000 times a day. Read this book, do this, do that and in the end you will find the answer. Following these “solutions” often brings a brief sense of fulfillment or meaning, but in time the sense dies and you realize you need to find something else. The great promises fail and you wind up, in the end, as desperate as ever, the question unanswered.

On the other end of the spectrum are those who say, don't worry be happy. Yes, life is hard and we don't know what it means, but just have as much fun as you can while you're here. There was a song out a while back entitled, “I may be going to hell in a bucket but at least I'm enjoying the ride.” In other words, these people will tell you, “Life is short. Do what makes you feel good now, because who really knows what happens when you die? Eat, drink, be merry!” This as the “Hugh Hefner” solution. People who follow it inevitably discover that there is nothing at the bottom of the whiskey bottle; nothing when the drugs run out; nothing when the sex is over; nothing except the need for more. In the end they wind up miserable, lonely, and worn out because no pleasure, no high, no momentary feeling of bliss can really dull that aching sense that there's got to be something more out there.

People seek answers in all sorts of places; from religion to meditation, to partying, to alcohol, drugs or sex. But nothing seems to work. You try everything and nothing satisfies.

Does that describe your life?

If so, could it be that maybe you're looking in the wrong direction?

Did you hear the reading from the gospel of Luke? One night a couple of thousand years ago, a young pregnant woman and her husband arrived in a very small village on the other side of the planet and finding no room at the local hotel, they made their way to a stable and right there in the straw and hay gave birth to a baby boy. A very important and special boy.

Why was he so special?

Let me suggest that all the while you've been looking for the Answer, the Answer has been looking for you.

Finding you, finding us, in fact, is what Jesus, the boy born that night, came to do.

When he grew up he explained that the reason people in this world feel lost and alone is because, in fact, people in this world are lost and alone.

He told a story once about a flock of sheep and a shepherd. The flock was grazing where there was plenty of green grass and still water but one of the sheep thought he could do better on his own. He left the flock and searched for other grass apart from the shepherd and didn't find any. He kept searching and searching and searching until finally he was lost in a wilderness without food or water or protection.

That is what the world is like, Jesus said, this one lost sheep. That is what you and I are like, sheep who have lost their flock and their shepherd. That's why, Jesus said, you hunger, that is why you thirst, that is why you can't seem to find anything to satisfy. Because you're lost, the world is lost.

But the story doesn't end there. The shepherd, Jesus says, left the flock and the pasture and set out to find the one lost sheep.

That's why you and I are here tonight. Jesus, the Good Shepherd came down from heaven and was made man to find his lost sheep; to find you and to find me, and to pick us up in his arms and carry us home.

The answer to the question “why am I here?” is not found on a mountain or in a forest or sitting cross legged on a meditation mat. It's not found in Buddha or Shiva or Mohamed. It's not found in witchcraft, spirit guides, the astrology section of the Press and Sun, or in the fortune teller's the crystal ball. It's not even found in Oprah or Dr. Phil.

The answer is Jesus Christ. You were created to be his. Your heart was designed to be his home, your life meant to be spent in his pasture and nothing else will do. Jesus loves you and made you to love him.

He found me ten years ago lost and alone and now he has become my shepherd, my savior, my redeemer and my lord. My search is over. I've returned to the Shepherd of my soul. Your search can be over too. Jesus has come from heaven to earth to find you. But for that to make any difference in your life, you have to be willing to go with him; to give your whole self over and to trust, follow, and obey him as your Shepherd, your Savior and Lord. If you are willing tonight, I invite you pray this prayer in your heart while I pray out loud:

"Lord Jesus I am a lost sinner and on my own I can't find my way home. But you came to earth to find me. You died on the cross to save me from the eternal consequences of my sins and this night I repent and return. I put my life in your hands. I want to be with you forever. Come into my heart Lord Jesus and make your home there. I give my life to you. I pray this in your holy Name. Amen."

If you prayed this prayer for the first time, then you too have found the answer. As surely as Jesus was born in that stable so long ago, he has been born in your heart this evening.

For everyone else, especially those who have already given their lives to Christ, celebrate this night. Remember where you were when the Shepherd found you and rejoice in him and give thanks for the clear waters and green grass of his pastures.

May you all have a Merry Christmas.

Amen.

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