Celebration   by Rev. Daniel Hodlin
This week, I would like you to read the following Scripture:
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29

Pastor’s Prayer
Almighty Friend, all-loving Lord, we praise you for giving us examples of joy and conviction like David and John the Baptist. We thank you, too, God, for giving us bad examples, like Herod, whose terror of your power could never sustain him against temptation. Help us reject a life of terror for a life of adoration and praise. Help us to rely on you because you, and you alone, are trustworthy in all seasons and in every circumstance. But, Lord, many of us rely on family. We lean on friends, and they disappoint us. Our loved ones die, or sometimes leave us. Our wounds are deep. Our pain takes our breath away. God, we ask you to heal those who are broken in body, soul and spirit; to forgive those who rely on your gifts and not on you alone; and to lighten the load of those whose burden seems unbearable. We pray this in the Name of the One whose burden is light indeed. Amen.
 
Celebration
There are many good people who believe that faith in God must mean a life without joy and abundant living. Such a sad belief! In truth, it is sin and evil that robs life of its God-given joy. Life is meant to be a celebration! In 2 Samuel 6, we are privileged to join in the wonder of the celebratory nature of divine worship as David dances before the ark of the covenant as Israel celebrates being a nation of under God.

The ark of the covenant was the mercy seat of God, and a symbol of God’s presence among the people. When he reclaimed the ark for Israel, David was reminding the people of God’s presence in their lives. When he brought the ark to Jerusalem, he established the city as the worship center for the newly united kingdom. We also use symbols to remind us of God’s presence and work in our lives. Through baptism and the Lord’s Supper, we experience God’s grace. Through the water of baptism or the bread and cup of Communion, we acknowledge God’s sacred presence and claim Christ’s marvelous grace. These acts off worship and praise are means by which we draw closer to Christ and enrich our souls.

Although he was clad in a ceremonial apron, much as been made of David dancing “naked” before the ark. By donning the apron, which covered only the front of his body, David was praising the God who created all flesh, who had redeemed Israel from her enemies, and who had made it possible for David and his people to regain the ark. David’s nakedness before God was an act of humility and worship. This is David as worship leader, the kingly shepherd who leads his people in praise of God-- who leads in people in celebration.

Verse 14a says: ”David danced before the Lord with all his might”. Observing the holy rituals, David made preparations and offerings before the ark of God. He recognized how God had blessed him, and he passed on God’s blessing to his people. In an act of joyous benevolence, he provided food to every person in the kingdom, men and women. Indeed, the text specifically tells us that it was not only a portion of bread, but meat and fruit as well. This was a most generous celebration by a most generous king.

The church is a place where the kingdom of God is manifest and God’s presence is realized. In Christ’s church, everyone shares what he or she has – Acts 2:44-45 – puts his or her whole heart into glorifying God, and the benediction, all return home to live their lives in faithful, joyous obedience. Could it be that the church would look more like God’s Kingdom if we followed King David’s example and threw a party for God each Sabbath?