The Walkup Song of the Lord

Synod Sermon – Pentecost 19, Lectionary 27, Year A

Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:7-15; Philippians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46

Dear Friends in Christ,

Grace and peace to you on this celebration of the Lord’s Day. I thank God for you and for all the Spirit is doing in and through you. Remember, beloveds, that the work of God is not only what we can name with our traditional spiritual frameworks, but also the gifts of the seasons, life-giving weather patterns, and the wonder of wild things.

In the shifting sounds of autumn, I would like you to take a moment to reflect on the idea of walk-up music. Almost always, walk-up music is associated with baseball. It is the snippet of a song that comes over the loudspeaker as a player approaches the batter’s box. The music is both for the player and the fans. It hypes up the player and lets the crowd join in on the excitement of who is up next.

Walk-up music makes an appearance in other arenas. Some large public-speaking events have adapted the practice, playing music as speakers take the stage. Just like athletes, the speakers choose songs that reflect their preferences and get them excited.

In today’s reading from Isaiah, the prophet tells us about God’s walk-up music. The song of the speaker is the song of the beloved for the vineyard. It is a song of love and tenderness, a musical testimony of care, compassion, and hope. When the prophet cues up the song, the listeners know that the Creator is coming up to bat – a home run is a sure thing, a score for the team of the good, a W for the vineyard of the Lord.

Unfortunately, though, the prophet is grieving. Those who believe themselves to be on God’s team have let other music drown out the walk-up music of the Lord. A melody of unrighteousness, a drumbeat of nationalism, discordant notes of injustice and idolatry have all made it hard to hear the song of the Beloved Creator to the beloved creation.

In the light of this behavior, the prophet warns that the Lord would rather tear down the stadium than let the music of harm continue. The caution of potential destruction is a call to those who will listen. The walk-up music of the Lord remains a song of love and hope, but those who are distracted by other tunes, however harmonious they seem, will bring destruction.

The other readings today echo this theme. The apostle Paul continues his encouragement of the Philippian community of Christ followers. He tells them how he learned to change his own walk-up music in light of the good news of Jesus. His prior song, one of self-justifying righteousness, became rubbish to him as the Spirit helped him to understand how the song of the Beloved and the vineyard were calling to him.

I must note to you, friends, that it is easy for us to be caught in a tide of poor Christian interpretation and believe that the flaw in Paul’s song was Judaism—as well as misjudging those who heard the prophet and the leaders in Matthew. The failure to understand God’s call and covenants is a flaw of humanity, not a flaw in a particular religious tradition of humanity. We as Christians and as Lutheran Christians are just as prone to misunderstanding, misinterpretation, and mistakes as any other denomination or spiritual connection to the Creator. To believe we are the most right is EXACTLY what Paul is telling the Philippians that he had thought about himself, and he knows he has the capacity to let that song change keys, become about Jesus, and still drown out the music that should actually be about the glory of God. Not the glory of Paul, or Luther, or us.

The parable from Matthew gives us a variation on the theme. The tenants in the story aren’t wicked so much as delusional. As they work in the vineyard, they begin to believe a lie amongst themselves. Their work means the vineyard should belong to them. Did they make the soil, the sun, the seeds, or the rain? Is the fruit actually theirs? No, but their own song of human rewards, social goals, and thirst for power drown out the music of the song of love of the vineyard owner, an allegory for the God whose farm, vineyard, and ranch is all creation.

Remember that Matthew is also the gospel that says, “...Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) To let our lights shine means to listen for God’s walk-up music, to learn to recognize the verses of love, grace, mercy, inclusion, hope, justice, and peace. Then, beyond recognizing the song, we yield to the Spirit’s work of making that music our own song, the beat that guides our lives.

We are invited through our baptisms, Holy Communion, our ongoing spiritual maturing, and our life together to be a part of the chorus of God’s music. When we join in with our words and our deeds, people are drawn to divine, irresistible grace. We all know what it’s like to have a song stuck in our heads. The song of the beloved to the vineyard should be that song all the time. A song that says, “You are mine. I love you. I will pull these weeds. I will help you grow. I will prune what does not produce. I will spend time with you. I love you. You are mine.”

This is the walk-up music of the Lord—the song that tells us who is deciding the outcome of the game, the game that has already been won.

Continue to help each other and your neighbors to hear this music, beloveds. Hold fast to the truth that you are God’s vineyard. The song of the Lord is a song to you and to all of us. Carry that song with you into the world and learn to perceive it playing all around you.

May God continue to bless and keep you, today and always. Amen.