Scripture this morning comes from the gospel of Mark, but you can also find it in the gospels of Matthew and Luke; together all known as ‘the synoptic gospels.” To put the quote into context, it had been a busy season for Jesus and the disciples in the northern Palestinian district known as Tyre and Sidon (that’s the area around the Sea of Galilee; where Jesus first began his preaching and teaching circuit). But Jesus is beginning to get a little notoriety and his popularity continued to grow. In the gospel stories, we have a man who is suddenly becoming very aware of his gifts and importance, and it appears that it is beginning to dawn on him that perhaps his impact will have a farther reach than he might have anticipated. So he puts this question to his disciples. Here it is from Mark’s gospel, “Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’

And our second reading comes today from Matthew’s gospel. It comes in a series of parables that Jesus is relaying to the crowds; these in the city of Jerusalem. In Matthew, this is the climax of the Jesus story; he comes to Jerusalem, lays down a bunch of knowledge, and as a result the impetus to silence him grows to the point of plans and actions. But this parable relayed as a King sitting in judgment over the gathered flock, separating out the goats and the sheep for who gets to go to heaven and who does not, we hear this beautifully specific list of things one must do to get that golden ticket. He says, Come, you that are blessed by God, and inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, “Lord when? When did we do these things for you? And he says, “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

Last year, something amazing happened. I was tagged in a photograph in the Gainesville Sun, and I had not talked to the reporter. And they even spelled my name right. Bachman-n. They knew me, and I didn’t have to tell them who I am. It was at a justice action when our partners were taking a young man into Sanctuary, and we had gone to stand in solidarity with them. And the reporter (or her editor) knew who I was. I was so proud. I’m a justice advocate!

But with that realization came again the difficult questions. But am I really? Are we? This list of things to do from Matthew’s gospel is a good list. It has specifics, and measurables and outcomes. There are concrete steps one can take to ensure one gets to heaven for the afterlife, according to the writers of Matthew’s gospel. And who doesn’t love a good to-do list? I love to check that box.

Jesus’ checklist is also a reliable measure of a good church. Do we feed the hungry? Check. Welcome the stranger? Check. Donate goods and clothing to those in need? Check. Care for the sick? Check. Visit the imprisoned. Indeed, we do. Check.

But this Sunday when we remember and honor the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I find myself asking that most troubling question that sometimes still wakes me up at night, Is it enough…

On Wednesday I popped into Rawlings Elementary School to see our volunteer crew pack the backpacks for our Food 4 Kids program. They even let me pack two of the backpacks and didn’t talk too much trash about my skills.

The backpacks are moved into the large common area. All the food items are neatly stacked on borrowed shelves and tables in a small supply closet that has been given to us to use. We get a little box and if you need to, you can take a sheet that instructs you how much of what goes to whom. For my backpack, which has the number “4” on the inside (meaning there are 4 kids in the household), I make my way around the supply room with a little cardboard box. 8 peanut butter crackers. 16 single-serving cans of Vienna sausages. 12 granola bars. 8 bags of peanuts. 12 boxes of raisins. A box of cereal. 4 cans of chef boy r’ d ravioli. A boxed quart of shelf-stable milk, and 8 additional single-serving boxes. 4 apples. (I packed 5. Don’t tell Reisa). Everything is squeezed into a rolling backpack, with special care taken so the crackers aren’t crunched. Then they’re added to the other packed bags. With these amazing volunteers, It is a quick and efficient process and takes hardly 20 minutes to pack 72 packs for 127 kids in the program.

In those 20 minutes, any doubts about the value of my day, any questions I had been wondering about my worthiness as a person disappeared, and I felt great. And proud. But…in the back of my mind I had to ask myself, WHY do I feel so good? And then the nagging question returns.. is it enough?

The doubts flood in…am I simply placating some deep desire to FEEL like I am doing something good, while actually not affecting the deeper, systemic injustices that are at play? Or am I actively working to effect worthwhile change in a system that is historically and intentionally stacked against people of color? Am I, through my words, deeds, and actions, working to build the Beloved Community? If I’m being honest with myself, It is not enough.

There is injustice all around you (that doubting voice says to me). The children of God still do not have enough food to eat. The people of God are still judged and looked down upon for the color of their skin and not even considered for the content of their character. Black boys are still put in prisons for petty crimes while white boys who commit the same or similar crimes are bailed out before the night is through. I could go on… My great-great grandfather’s investments paid for my college. My friend’s great-great grandfather was considered to be “property.” Who do I think I am, thinking that I can create change in this world?

Jesus was wrestling with the same thing when he posed the same question to his disciples. He too was struggling with those beautiful ugly questions, questioning his purpose. Questioning his value. Questioning his place in the grand scheme of things…

Something significant happens in Jesus’ ministry soon after he asks his disciples this question. Who do the people say that I am? Who do you say that I am? How am I known in the world? (and you can almost hear him wondering, and is it enough?) In the gospel stories, he shifts his eyes to Jerusalem; the seat of power of both the Roman empire and the Temple. His stories and work take on a more urgent and confrontational tone. He eats with sinners. Heals unclean women. Welcomes the zealots into his fold. He attracts crowds of the poor and the marginalized and the discounted and the ones whom society might describe as “the least of these,” and he loves them all.  He preaches a story of how, when we act in concern for the welfare of all these people, by caring for the sick, visiting the imprisoned, clothing the naked, caring for one another we build the beloved community of God. And that is how they know he is God’s people. That is what the beloved community is supposed to be, he shows us personal involvement with each other. On earth, as it is in heaven.

As we consider our place in the community and who WE are, it is affirming to know that we are surrounded by caring and thoughtful people who ensure that the works for justice that we do are done with intention and insight. We have worked hard these last few years analyzing how we should best be about the work of justice. And while of course, we haven’t solved the problems of racial inequality yet, we are well on our way to understanding our own racial identities and biases FIRST, allowing us to offer ourselves as servants, not saviors to those in need. And the most amazing thing is happening; we are becoming known; NOT as a church who does everything right, not as a player in the world of justice, but as people. Real people who really care about one another.

After we finished packing backpacks on Wednesday, the school’s social worker stopped by. I flashed back to a few years ago when we had to run Food 4 Kids out of her shared office. Whenever we would show up she would storm out. In my limited interactions with her, I could tell that she really did not like us. I’d be irritated if I had to share my office too…But on Wednesday, she stopped by and got to chatting with our steadfast leader and volunteer of the year at Rawlings Elementary, Reisa George. Clearly something had shifted in their relationship. They were friends. And isn’t that the most important thing? More important than the newspaper getting your name right, or your church is known as the most justice driven church in town?

In the next few weeks, UCG will continue to intentionally and thoughtfully consider who we seek to be in our next chapter. There has been a lot of talk and discussion about what models of ministry we should move into– how you wish to be led in this next part of life. But to me, an equally important question to consider, (maybe even more important) is how will YOU lead in our next chapter. How will YOU take on our shared leadership, and help to make us an even better church in the years ahead? Who do you say we are? How do you hope to be known? Sometimes, just asking the question and considering our best answer is enough.