God is my copilot
Bumper Sticker Theology • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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When I first saw the theme for this week I knew I had to talk to my friend who is a retired army apache helicopter pilot. It was a great time to catch with what was going on in his life since we hadn’t talked in a while, and what he shared with me about pilots and copilots was invaluable. One of the things he shared with me was that pretty much no one uses the term copilot. The problem, he said, is that when you use the term copilot it makes it sound like you are equals, but in reality that is absolutely not the case. Instead, they are called second in command or first officer. He then went on to say that there is a real reason why a pilot is paid a certain pay grade and a copilot is paid a lower pay grade, sometimes a quite significant difference.
Thinking about our phrase in these terms, I hope you can see what someone might actually be saying when they say this cute phrase, ‘God is my copilot’. If God is the copilot then we are actually saying that we are in charge and that God takes second seat to everything. We are the one flying the plane or driving the car and God is simply navigating and checking on things and giving us a thumbs up to encourage us on the way.
We actually see Peter take that kind of stance when Jesus tells them for the first time that he must suffer, die, and rise on the the third day. We read that he took a hold of Jesus, he physically grabbed him to talk to him. In other versions we also see that it says he took him aside which means that he was going to have a private conversation with him. It also says that Peter scolded Jesus for what he just said, like you do to a person who just said something wrong or embarrassing in front of a bunch of people. So he grabs him, takes him aside and rebukes or scolds him and corrects him. This coming right off the heels of Peter telling Jesus and the disciples that Jesus is the Messiah the son of the Living God.
What’s important to note is that same word that Peter uses to rebuke and scold Jesus is the same word that Jesus used to rebuke the winds while they were at sea and there was that terrible storm. Remember at Jesus’ scolding of the winds they calm. It is also the same word that Jesus uses in Mark’s gospel where he tells the demons not to tell anyone about him and they are silent. It is also the same word used when, in a similar way, Jesus tells the crowds not to tell people about what all the healing he had been doing. There are other examples as well but I think these are helpful for us to see mostly the times and ways that Jesus used the word verses when Peter uses it here.
This is a great example of how Peter, perhaps puffed up by being praised for calling Jesus the Messiah, tries to take charge of not just the situation but God’s plan for the redemption of humanity. He tries to take the seat of pilot and direct Jesus in a different direction than what has been set into motion since the beginning. When it comes to God’s salvation work in the world, that is something that I think we all know is God’s plan and that God should be the pilot for it.
Just like in the story from the Old Testament we hear about. Joshua is being called by Moses and God to lead the people of Israel. As we hear Moses declaring this it seems like Joshua will be the pilot for the people Israel, but then in verse 8 we hear that Moses reminds them that God is the one marching ahead of them and by marching ahead of them will be with them. While Joshua is in fact a leader figure, God is ultimately responsible for leading the people to the land that was promised them. It is God’s plan and God’s work that is being done, and Joshua has been called to be the physical leader for them.
Which reminds me of one of the most important things my friend told me about being a pilot. The pilot is the one who is ultimately responsible for the safety of the aircraft, the crew and it’s passengers. All responsibility lies with the pilot to ensure that every arrives at their destination safely.
Now notice the language that we hear in both stories. Moses tells them God will lead from in front of them and they will follow. Then we hear Jesus’ rebuke of Peter’s rebuke and in that rebuttal Jesus tells Peter to get behind him. Peter is worried about his friend and teacher and the physical embodiment of his savior. Jesus reminds him that the most important part of this is the divine plan that God has put into motion. Jesus doesn’t tell Peter to get next to him or step to the side, but he tells him to get behind him.
It is Jesus who will go through the suffering, the death, and the resurrection for our sake. So when it comes to our salvation, when it comes to the redeeming work that God is doing in this world, God is the one who is the pilot. We are the copilot or the first officer in all of this. We are the ones who follow the example and orders of the pilot. In fact my friend said that the primary role of the first officer is to carry out and backup whatever it is that the pilot has done or needs done. Isn’t that the very thing that Moses, Joshua and all the prophets of Israel did? God had a plan and they carried it out for God. Same thing as the disciples and the apostle Paul. In fact, think about all the times that Paul called himself a slave or a servant to Christ Jesus. He knew that Christ was the author of salvation.
What I hope you know I am not saying, is that God runs every single aspect of our life and we have no say in any of this. What I am saying is that when it comes to our faith and God’s salvation plan for this world, God is the pilot and we follow where God leads us. Remember it is the pilot who is ultimately responsible for the safety of the plane, the crew and it’s passengers so that they can all reach their destination. Knowing that when it comes to God’s redemptive work, God is the one leading the way is a great comfort, and what a blessing that God sent Jesus to make all of that possible. For it is through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus that we receive the forgiveness of our sins and the promise of eternal life. It is not our own doing but it is a gift of God. For that blessed gift of life and life everlasting we give thanks. Amen.