"Walk This Way"

Yesterday, our pastor preached on Philippians 3:17-20:

Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

She began with a reference to the funny scene in Young Frankenstein, when Igor entreats Dr. Frankenstein to “Walk this way,” a classic comedy shtik* (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNTToXKgwZc). She connected this shtik to Paul’s admonition in 3:17, "join in imitating me." Paul sounds a little conceited in this and similar verses---it sounds like, ”I’m a wonderful example for you to follow!” But think about times when you talked to someone you loved and shared your own wisdom in the spirit of helpfulness and care rather than self-centeredness: “This is what I’ve found to be true, this is how I’ve lived my life and it’s been wonderful....” Along with the epistolary rhetorical devices of the time, I interpret Paul as sharing his wisdom in that sense.

Our pastor went on to connect the idea of “walking this way” (i.e., like Christ) with the love and care that Jesus showed to people. Jesus showed us how to be more human, in this sense, how to be more kind and generous to other people. She discussed Jesus’ concern in an accompanying scripture, Luke 13:34: Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! Jesus regrets that many of his hearers do not respond to his generous love---but he still loves them!  Paul, too, regrets that people he knows are not responding.

Our situation is a little different in that many of us have responded to the message of Christ but, somehow, we're not living in Christ's generous love as fully as we could, nor showing it to others. We become fussy and angry in our politics and expectations; we feel badly about ourselves for whatever reason; we feel badly about something in particular. As a result, we come across as harsh or cold rather than kind and loving. But then, if we were to admonish someone to “walk this way”, as if we were as Christlike as Paul, our walk would indeed seem comically awkward.

If I were an entrepreneur, I might try my hand at marketing “Walk This Way” bracelets akin to “WWJD” jewelry, as a reminder to allow the Lord to guide us in our growth in love, kindness and generosity. (But then I'd have to be more Christlike myself.... Fortunately, Christ himself helps us with that.)

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* Of course, "Walk This Way" is also a classic song by Aerosmith, later covered by Run-D.M.C. It was stuck in my head the rest of Sunday, LOL.