“Courageous Faith” – Genesis 22:1-14 – June 29, 2008

I was watching the program, “Storm Stories” on the Weather Channel one evening when they were telling about the time Air Florida Flight 90, crashed into the Potomac in 1982. It had just taken off from Washington National Airport. There were a few survivors struggling in the icy waters. Priscilla Tirado was too weak to grab the line when the helicopter dropped the line to her. A watching bystander, Congressional Budget Office assistant Lenny Skutnik, stripped off his coat and boots, and in short sleeves, dove into the icy water, and swam out to assist her. Because of his courage Priscilla Tirado was rescued.

That afternoon, Skutnik was just one of the helpless witnesses on the shore, watching with dread as crash victim Priscilla Tirado failed to grasp the rescue line from the helicopter. "It was just too much to take," he said. "When she let go that last time, I was taking my boots and coat off. It was like a bolt of lightning or something hit me, which seem to say, 'You've got to go get her.' " And so he did. He swam the 30 feet to Tirado, grabbed her and "push-stroked" her to safety. Only later did he find out his every move had been taped and that he would be asked to talk about what he did, and why, for the rest of his life.

"I guess I look at it this way," he said. "I was put to the test, and I reacted."

Our story today is another story where a man was put to the test and reacted. Abraham was tested by God in the land of Moriah. He was told by God to offer his only son as a burnt offering. “He bound his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.” But when he reached for the knife to slay his son, an angel of God intervened. The angel called Abraham and he responded by saying, “Here I am.” Then the angel said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”

Abraham was put to the test and he passed it with flying colors. Abraham had a courageous faith and responded in a situation that is very difficult for us to understand. We wonder why a compassionate God would put one of the faithful in such a precarious situation. Some believe that Abraham’s test came at a time when human sacrifice was still an acceptable practice in that culture. Perhaps God was demonstrating to the world at that time that faith in God was more important than the practice of pagan sacrificial offerings. Whatever the reason, one can only conclude that this was a very bizarre way for God to act.

Rabii Franz Rosenzweig believes that God purposely concealed his true purpose. Occasionally, God must mislead man. If everything were clear, men would be like robots. We wouldn’t have the freedom to act. God makes it difficult for us, if not impossible to understand in order to give us an opportunity to believe. Our faith after all must be grounded in trust and freedom. Since God gives us the freedom to act therefore God too must have the freedom to act. Is it not true that we sometimes have to act in extreme ways just to make a point?

Indeed this is a horrific story to understand. Perhaps this was the only way God could put an end to the practice of human sacrifice that for God was certainly an abomination. Since we live in a culture that is far removed from this ancient time, it is hard for us to imagine that humans were ever sacrificed in an act of faith. That being said, aren’t human beings being sacrificed everyday for the sake of our personal freedom?

This week we will celebrate the 4th of July. Consider the courage that our leaders of the Revolution had as they strived for independence. These men had guts. I believe they also had courageous faith. Imagine how many lives the Church could reach if our faith became courageous. The possibilities are endless.

After Isaac is spared Abraham called the place, “The Lord will provide.” I believe it never occurred to Abraham that God would not provide for him. He proceeded since he trusted God completely. What God wants from us is our trust. When we trust God we have to acknowledge that God has the freedom to act in strange and unusual ways. God is anything but normal or predictable. In fact, just when we have reached the end of our rope, God has an uncanny way of rescuing us.

Notice that Abraham was asked by God to give up what he loved the most. Most of us would not think of sacrificing something or someone we love. It is incomprehensible. What Skutnik did was beyond belief. Abraham’s obedience to God was also hard for us to imagine. The Lord does provide. We don’t always give God the credit. We don’t always trust that God will come through.

Every Christmas since 1945, the parents of a young soldier killed at Okinawa had received an unsigned card. It read only, “I too, have not forgotten.” Finally, in 1950, they received a letter explaining the mystery with a most heartwarming note. The letter read, “This year I am not sending a card, but an explanation. Perhaps I have been too mysterious, but I was ashamed to sign those cards. You see, your son Carl gave his life to save mine. He was a wonderful guy and had so much to live for. For five years, I have searched for the reason. I knew there must be some purpose I was to fulfill. Some months ago, I found the answer. I had gone back into the Army and we received some replacements in my company. One of them was Carl’s kid brother, your youngest son, Edward. Out of millions that might have been sent, I got Eddie. I feel better, I’ll fight better, and let me tell you, I’ll take care of him.” (from: Sourcebook of Wit & Wisdom, Communication Resources)

Another way of looking at this story is to see it as an eye opener. Twice, Abraham lifts up his eyes and sees. First (in verse 4) he “saw the place far away.” Secondly, (in verse 13) “he saw a ram caught in the thicket by its horns.” Abraham saw and therefore trusted in God. Seeing saved his son.

John Newton the author of the hymn, “Amazing Grace,” started out life as a sailor who repeatedly got into trouble. He was kicked out of the British navy because of his behavior. He then became captain of a slave-trading ship. He was a cruel captain who profited from the selling of slaves. But, the voice of God kept calling him. Nothing he could do could silence that voice. He finally surrendered and became a minister in the Church of England. In the hymn Newton lavishly describes the amazing Grace of God. “Was blind, but now I see.”

The story of Abraham may be difficult for us to see. Why do we lack the faith to be courageous disciples? Perhaps we are blinded by our lack of trust. Perhaps we don’t believe that God will provide for us. Or, perhaps we are so in control of our lives we are not free to live in God’s grace.

Abraham was obedient. Abraham saw. Abraham believed that God would provide. But, Isaac was also a promise given by God. When it appeared that he was about to be sacrificed, God intervened and spared him with grace. God was present and stayed the hand of his father, Abraham and God is present with you. “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.”

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio