Rushbearing – Sermon 89

Prayer to start

May the words of my lips and the thoughts of our hearts be graciously received for the Glory and Honour of our Lord Jesus Christ.

AMEN

Introduction 

Rushbearing is reported to have been started by Pope Gregory 1V – in 827AD – when he suggested that “rushes should be strewn on the floors of the churches on their saints days”–

It was a practical solution to a potential muddy problem – (an early form of carpeting for the earth floors)– before stone and wood was used.

In Lymm – as today – its always been held on a day near to the Holy day or festival of the Blessed Virgin Mary – the patron Saint of this church – which is on 15th August –

Although the reasons for using the rushes has long since gone – the ceremony nevertheless has an important message behind it – which is just as valuable to us today

It reminds us of three things –

First –our heritage – if you like – the saints of the past – in Lymm – and in the Bible –

Second – renewal – clearing out the old rushes – and bringing in the new – the latin for Rushes – is Junctus – in other words – clearing out the junk in our lives –

And third – rededication – the new rushes symbolise a clean start – a new beginning – something we all want –

Not surprisingly our two readings also reflect those same three steps – and with their help we are going to look at each to see what message we can take away with us today – 

Point 1    The celebration of our heritage

The past is important to us – it reminds us of our roots – that someone has been there before us – here in Lymm and on the Christian journey –

In the first verse of our NT reading the writer from Hebrews talks about the “Great Cloud of Witnesses around us” – the past heroes of the Christian faith – and he lists some of them in Chapter 11 –

Abel (of Cane and Abel) – Noah and his Ark – Abraham – the founder of the Jewish nation –

His son Issac- who he nearly sacrificed – and grandson Jacob – whose sons founded the twelve tribes of Israel –

Then – there’s Joseph – and his Mulit-coloured dream coat – and of course – Moses in the bulrushes – who eventually led the people out of slavery in Egypt –through – the parting of the re sea –

And after Moses – came Joshua – and the battle of Jericho – Samson – David – who defeated Goliath – and eventually became king – Samuel – and of course the prophets – like Elijah – who we hear about in our Old Testament reading –

When the book of Hebrews was written – sport was the greatest entertainer of the day (nothing changes does it?) – every city of any size – had a stadium – and the most popular sport was the marathon – which took place – inside the stadium –

The writer of Hebrews wants us to imagine that these past champions are all around us –they are our supporters club – men and women of faith – cheering us on – encouraging us to live our lives – the Christian way –

The book was written to show that the example we give to others is important – like the saints of the past – we have to inspire and challenge those in our community to follow the Christian way –

Whether we like it or not we are all involved in a race – the human race through life – a journey through time that involves a start and a finish – for some that journey leads from birth to death and no further – but for those who come to know God –
The race through life is seen as so much more –

and running in it – isn’t just about enthusiasm – its also about training – keeping fit – and lean – for what lies ahead – making sure we’re not carrying any excess weight –

Which brings us on to our second – point – getting rid of the junctus

 

Point 2    Throw off the restrictions

We all look on with admiration at the number of people who are prepared to run or walk – in heavy and hot costumes – for charity – in races like the London Marathon – (or even today in our rushbearing parade) – but its no way to run through life –

Most of carry – far too much extra luggage – and as the author of Hebrews puts it –- we must – shake off “every encumbrance and sin that too readily restricts us”

To understand this we need to look at out OT reading – which tells us of the story of Elijah – under the broom bush –

A broom bush is not much fun- if your in the desert heat – its small leaves provide very little shade and its roots are poisonous –

Elijah had just experienced one of his high spots in his ministry – humiliating the opposition – at Mount Carmel – he expected his enemy – Queen Jezebel – to give up – and admit defeat – but – instead – she renewed her campaign against him – with even greater vigour –

The once confident prophet who stopped and started the rain and brought fire from the heavens – had lost his faith – allowed his worries to get on top of him –lost sight of his goal –

Today we are burdened with different fears and weights – that slow us down –
redundancy – debt – greed – possessions – pride – our sin and its effect on others –

the Greek word for sin means – “missing the mark” or “falling short” – we withdraw our love from God in order to love something else – we compromise on things we know are wrong –

God sent an angel to feed Elijah – not once but twice – and then sent him on a 40 day trek though the wilderness to Mount Horeb –to help him regain his senses –

God is saying – I am in control – not Queen Jezebel – don’t get disheartened – things are not as bad as they seem – however isolated we may sometimes feel we are not left alone to carry the load –

Just like Elijah – we too must turn to God for help to deal with our fears and burdens – trust Him and make a fresh start – turn away from sin – and turn to Jesus Christ

 

Point 3   rededication – Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus

  

For Christians – there’s only one way to live – and that’s to look to the teaching and person of Jesus Christ – to be guided by Him through the power of the Holy Spirit –

Jesus showed us how to care for one another – He walked among the sinful, the sick and those excluded from society setting an example for His followers

Jesus said that His own life is essential for life itself. The Father had given Him life and He has the authority to give life to others.

Jesus said we must love our enemies as ourselves – He pioneered love as the prime way of breaking down hostilities and laying foundations of trust. We too have to follow Jesus’s lead and – patiently and carefully rebuild relationships to bring about change and healing

Jesus died that He might bring us to God – The main purpose of His death on the cross – was to remove our sins – wipe the slate clean – and free us from the shame and anxieties that gnaws away inside us – by dying for us Jesus gave us a new beginning – and the opportunity to live in freedom and truth – in this life and the next –

 

Conclusion 

It may surprise you to know that at one time the Lymm Rushbearing festivities lasted for most of the week – with sports and pony racing and a fairground.

The report in the Warrington Guardian of 1899 was almost apologetic in its reporting of the festival – when it said that ‘throughout the week, during the Rushbearing festivities their had not been a single case of misconduct (or drunkenness) reported to the police’

Festivals bring us together – they bring out the best in our community – they should bring out the best in us

In a few moments – we will be making a declaration of faith – through the words of a hymn written by Graham Kendrik-

when we sing – lets make an honest and determined commitment to perform the tasks that God has set for each one us – in our community and in our homes – keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus –

If we are prepared to do that – then surely we’ll have taken away the greatest message of all 

Prayer to finish

AMEN