Send in the Clowns

Pastor Jack or Bozo the Clown?

Five years ago, I attended an ordination service for a friend from seminary. The interim senior pastor of the church, The Rev. Dr. William N. Jackson, offered the sermon for the occasion. The sermon was based on Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians: “We are fools for the sake of Christ” (1 Corinthians 4:10a). In that letter, Paul is offering a “fatherly admonition” to the Corinthians, contrasting the life of an apostle with the lives of those of the church in Corinth. They had become too proud of their faith and maybe a bit judgmental of others. Paul attempts to knock them off their pedestal!

Paul’s words are a healthy reminder to all of us. We become content with our faith. We are comfortable with where we are in our walk with God. Often, the Christian thing-to-do is not always the most popular and Paul challenges us to move beyond our comfort zone. For this reason, we are called to be “fools for the sake of Christ.” Dr. Jackson offered his take on this Scripture and suggested that the word fool could also be interpreted as clown. The analogy of the clown is fantastic! While “fool” carries a very negative connotation, the “clown” encompasses a richer understanding. Using “clown” he speaks of what is entailed in being a “fool” for Christ:

1. The clown/fool for Christ’s sake does the unexpected; the extraordinary, the unusual.

2. The clown/fool for Christ’s sake does things for the good of others.

3. The clown/fool for Christ’s sake does what he or she does in loving vulnerability.

4. The clown/fool for Christ’s sake does what he or she does celebrating life

Do these sound like the characteristics of your life? It’s contrary to our natural tendencies, where we seek to serve ourselves and operate out of comfort. God’s Word, however, continually challenges us to move out of our comfort zones and do the unexpected, love our neighbors, humble ourselves, and celebrate the Life that has graciously given to us! God’s Word challenges us to be clowns for Christ’s sake, with everything that entails.

Dr. Jackson ended his sermon with a tale regarding a conference when he was speaking on this very passage from 1 Corinthians 4. Before he offered the closing prayer, a young woman began to play on her guitar the tune of that Broadway song, “Send in the Clowns." Spontaneously, and through God’s Spirit, she sang this:

“All through the world, all throughout life, people seek answers to sin, freedom, and strife. Send in the clowns. We are the clowns. Send in the clowns.”

We are the clowns. Send in the clowns. Amen!