1 Cor 1: 26-29 “Aladdin: Choosing a Different Way”

Today we are starting a new sermon series - perhaps even a new type of sermon series for you. For the next four weeks, during the month of July, we are going to be looking at gospel truths and messages that can be found in Disney films. “But Pastor Michelle, why are we looking at movies? Is that really Biblical?”. To which I would answer, yes it certainly is. We are not saying that Disney movies are gospel. What we are saying is that the Bible so speaks to the condition of our spirit. The Bible is a collection of stories and letters and laws that tell us about who we are. Because it speaks to human nature, those same themes can be seen in the world around us - movies, art, theater, literature. If only we take time to look. Further, Jesus preached using stories. He took things that people knew about family and farming and money and wove them together into narratives for the purpose of teaching people about God. For the next four weeks we are going to be taking modern stories, as presented by Disney, and look at what they say about our human condition and what they can teach us, as Christians, about God, if only we look at them differently.

The movies are going to be shown each Friday night. But in case you missed the showing of Aladdin lets review the basic plot. The story is based off of A Thousand Arabian Nights and tells of Aladdin, a young man who survives living on the streets of Agraba by stealing. In fact we are first introduced to him in the movie as he is being chased by guards calling him all sorts of names, “worthless”, “rift-raft”, “street rat” for stealing a loaf of bread just to be able to eat. But we are invited to see Aladdin as more than that. To see him as the one who is worthy, “a diamond in the rough”. 

For like all of us, Aladdin’s true character is not seen in his outward appearance or even the titles that others ascribe to him. Who he truly is lies in his heart. And the first time we see Aladdin’s heart in the movie is after he went through all of this trouble to steal a loaf of bread just to be able to eat that day. He sits down to dine with his trusty side kick Abu, only to come across two young children digging through the garbage for something to eat. Moved by tender compassion, Aladdin gives them all that he has, this loaf of bread, so that they can be filled, even if it means that he has to go hungry. At his core, Aladdin is a young man of courage, compassion, and self-sacrifice. 

And when we look at Aladdin in his totality, he truly is a “diamond in the rough”. One that is often overlooked by others but that has priceless value. One that isn’t quite all that he could be yet, but at his core is a treasure. Brothers and sisters, its the diamonds in the rough that God chooses to use. Those who the world looks down upon, if they are noticed at all, to do the marvelous work of God. The Apostle Paul is trying to remind the church of Corinth of that in today’s scripture passage, because Corinth is facing a problem. The Church is beginning to divide because some are judging themselves to be better than others, instead of seeing each other as brothers and sisters in the faith, all children of God. So Paul writes to the church telling them that God takes the foolish things of this world, those things that are often discounted, and uses them for the Kingdom. In fact, God chooses the complete opposite of the worlds standards in order to let the Glory of God be known through them. God takes the foolish, weak, low, and despised, so that the presence and work of God may be boasted.

Just think about some of the stories of who God chose. David the weak and lowly shepherd boy, the very youngest, to be the leader of Israel. Solomon, a young boy, to be filled with wisdom. Jeremiah, a young prophet, to tell the Israelites the tough truth about their captivity in Babaloyn. Ruth, a foreigner, to be an ancestor of Jesus. Moses, who had committed murder, to lead the nation of Israel to the promise land. Mary, a teenager from a discounted city, to be the mother of our Lord. The list goes on and on. God continually chooses to turn the standards of the world on their head in order for nations through space and time to praise God!

God chooses a different way. A way that isn’t about what is on the outside, but what is in the heart - who we are at our core. God takes all of these people who the world had dismissed and saw what they could be, what they could do for the Kingdom. They were truly diamonds in the rough. But in almost all of the examples given above the chosen of God responded at one time or another saying “Why me God? Surely there is someone better, more worthy.” Maybe some of the Corinthians being looked down upon by their brothers and sisters felt the same way. “I can’t be used. I’m too weak. Too poor. Not smart enough”. They were judging themselves through the eyes of others. But God choose a different way. A way that isn’t about what others say about us, or our past, but the Holy Spirit leading others, and yes, even us, to who we could be through the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual writer, Henri Nouwen, tells the story of Adam in many of his books and lectures. Adam was a young man in the Daybreak community in Toronto. A house where men and women with severe handicaps, whose families can no longer take care of them, come and live with people from around the world who want to grow with them. Adam couldn’t speak. He couldn’t move on his own. He had a severe seizure disorder that would strike many times a day despite medication. Yet Adam taught Nouwen, this learned man who taught at Ivy League schools, what it means to have the peace of Christ. He taught him about what is truly important in this world. Without ever uttering a word. God chose Adam, one who had been dismissed by so many, to speak to people’s hearts. A diamond in the rough.

The question we need to ask ourselves is what truly determines someones worth? Is it awards won and praise given? Is it status in society or money? Or is it about something different, something that God sees? Who we are on the inside and our potential. At one point in the movie Aladdin falls in love with the princess. Head over heels, smitten for her. But he knows that there is this law that says that she can only marry a prince. So he seeks to win her approval by asking a magic genie to make him a prince. Wish granted. Aladdin becomes Prince Ali and marches into the city and up to the palace with an entourage of dancers and animals. But the princess is not impressed. In fact, its not until she spends time alone with him and gets to know his heart that she falls in love with him.

But the charade could not last forever and finally Aladdin makes the definitive statement that “I have to stop pretending to be someone I’m not”. He sheds the false outward appearance, but even then Jasmine still loves him. Because of who he is on the inside. 

The problem is that all too often we don’t take time to get to know who people truly are. Sometimes we don’t even want to explore who we truly are at our core. Because it takes time and we are afraid of what we may find. But for God, who knows us better than we know ourselves, its not about the false outward trappings that others so quickly judge us by. Its not about our job title or the size of our house. How much money we make or how we dress. Its about who we are on the inside and how God can use us for the Kingdom to change others lives - even change the world. God sees our potential for the Kingdom. Sees us a diamonds in the rough. 

Brothers and sisters, if Aladdin walked into this Church today how would you treat him? Would we want to get to know him, see him as God sees him, or would we simply dismiss him as not being worthy? And when you walk into a new place, do you want others to judge you by whats on the outside, or do you want them to see who you are at your very core? May we pray this week that God opens up our hearts and eyes so we can see others and ourselves, as the God who chooses a different way sees us, diamonds in the rough full of potential and loved as children of God. Amen.