Preached by Rev. Erik Kindem.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:1-19; Mark 6:14-29
Summary
It’s no wonder our Lutheran pietist forbearers thought dancing should be banned! Our first testament and gospel readings supply plenty of evidence for the argument that dancing can lead to all kinds of inappropriate, unseemly, excessive, and even violent behavior!
As he seeks to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, David learns that the ark is a potent reminder that the Holy One will not abide being manipulated by the political powers that be to bless a particular political agenda.
The alliance of religious and political powers is risky business. The God that David—and we—come face to face with in this text is a God who rejects all attempts (whether ancient or modern) to have his holiness and his power usurped in order to bolster religious or political ideologies.
Political leaders ancient and modern have proven they are willing to use whatever means is at their disposal—including appealing to the symbols of the community of faith—in order to achieve their ends. Those of us who follow Jesus in any age would do well to remember that fact.
The road of discipleship is rocky. The resistance of the world is real. And the capacity for evil can flourish in any human heart.