The Yoke of Christ......Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
There is a wonderful legend concerning the quiet years of Jesus, the years prior to his visible ministry. The legend claims that Jesus the carpenter was one of the master yoke-makers in the Nazareth area. People came from miles around for a yoke, hand carved and crafted by Jesus son of Joseph.
When customers arrived with their team of oxen Jesus would spend considerable time measuring the team, their height, the width, the space between them, and the size of their shoulders. Within a week, the team would be brought back and he would carefully place the newly made yoke over the shoulders, watching for rough places, smoothing out the edges and fitting them perfectly to this particular team of oxen.
That's the yoke Jesus invites us to take.
Do not be misled by the word "easy," for its root word in Greek speaks directly of the tailor-made yokes: they were "well-fitting."
The yoke Jesus invites us to take, the yoke that brings rest to weary souls, is one that is made exactly to our lives and hearts.
The yoke he invites us to wear fits us well, does not rub us nor cause us to develop sore spirits and is designed for two. His yokes were always designed for two. And our yoke-partner is none other than Christ himself.
Running throughout all scripture from the beginning to the end is the theme that ours is a burden bearing Christ. He is not just a Lord whom we burden, and we do, but a Lord who actually solicits our burdens.
Others tell it this way….
Younger, smaller animals were placed next to an experienced animal - often times the younger was so small that the yoke did not even touch the animal the older one did all the work....
as the newer animal grew into the yoke he began to share the load of the more experienced animal - when the first animal was no longer able to continue working the second animal was ready to start the process all over again...
And so, the yoke joins two oxen together to work as a team.
When Jesus invites us to take his yoke and to learn from him, he is inviting us to join him in harness -- to allow him to take the lead -- to let him help us through difficult places -- to let him show us how it is done.
Take MY Yoke Upon You! He says….
There’s an old story about a little boy who was out helping dad with the yard work. Dad asked him to pick up the rocks in a certain area of the yard. Dad looked over and saw him struggling to pull up a huge rock buried in the dirt. The little boy struggled and struggled while Dad watched. Finally, the boy gave up and said, "I can't do it." Dad asked, "Did you use all of your strength?" The little boy looked hurt and said, "Yes, sir. I used every ounce of strength I have." The father smiled and said, "No you didn't. You didn't ask me to help." The father walked over and then the two of them pulled that big rock out of the dirt.
The term "yoke of the law" was familiar to the hearers. The yoke or burden of the Pharisees was more than the people could bear (Matthew 23:4).
Jesus' invitation was not to unbridled freedom, but rather to experience rest by accepting the yoke of Christ.
The stole that many of the elders wear is the sign of the yoke or the burden of ministry around our shoulders.
And so, this Invitation is for you this day... Let the weary and the burdened come to Jesus for rest.
Jesus implied that all humankind are in some way burdened.
There is the burden of our anxieties and of our fears.
There is the burden of our temptations and our responsibilities.
I think of the burden of our loneliness, maybe after bereavement, and the burden people have when they sense that life has no meaning, and above all, there is the burden of our failures and of our guilt.
What a burden they can be!
But Jesus promises to ease our yoke, to lift our burden, to give us rest, and to set us free.
He is the world's supreme burden bearer.
His burden is light. He indeed, helps us carry our load, walking with us, sharing our pain, our joy, our life experience.
& He invites us to “take that yoke”. Bear One another’s burdens & so fulfill the Law of Christ.
This day, receive the mantle, the yoke, the stole of service. It is made just for you.
And even as you are fed, you are called to feed.
Take MY Yoke Upon You! He says, for my yoke is easy and my burden light. Amen.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Parable of the Sower
Two ways of looking at this passage:
1. We are the sower: We cast our seeds of whatever sort or variety out into the world.
And, we can rely on the maxim…. “That which you sew, so shall you reap” & “put out positive energy in the world”
If we sew seeds of kindness, justice, generosity, it will come back to us many fold. It will produce harvests of goodness, joy & abundance in our lives.
Like the sower, the seed goes everywhere. There is no narrow sowing in only one place or type of soil.
So, too, we should just cast our seeds freely & generously. Because, you never know who will be receptive.
2. God is the sower & the Divine seed is being sewn in us. What kind of soil is there? Is our soil receptive & cultivated, ready to harvest & grow?
Or is it rocky, trod on & weed filled? Do we water it? Remove the rocks. Take time to cutivate….Be still, worship, Receive. Refresh…
So…one illustration & A couple of Applications:
Illustration first…..
In the church where he worshiped there was a lonely old man, old Thomas. He had outlived all his friends and hardly anyone knew him. When Thomas died, this friend had the feeling that there would be no one to go to the funeral so he decided to go, so that there might be someone to follow the old man to his last resting-place.There was no one else, and it was a miserable wet day. The funeral reached the cemetery, and at the gate there was a soldier waiting. An officer, but on his raincoat there were no rank badges. He came to the grave side for the ceremony, then when it was over, he stepped forward and before the open grave swept his hand to a salute that might have been given to a king. The friend walked away with this soldier, and as they walked, the wind blew the soldier's raincoat open to reveal the shoulder badges of a brigadier general.The general said, "You will perhaps be wondering what I am doing here. Years ago Thomas was my Sunday School teacher; I was a wild lad and a sore trial to him. He never knew what he did for me, but I owe everything I am or will be to old Thomas, and today I had to come to salute him at the end." Thomas did not know what he was doing.No preacher or teacher ever does. Keep sowing the seed. We can leave the rest to God,
& Now the Application….
At the recent 4th of July Parade, both in Lansdowne & East Lansdowne, a small group from the church walked as a presence from the church.
Not only was it “letting our light shine”, but also…sewing seeds in the world.
We made over 1000 invitations and handed all them out.
We scattered them. We didn’t know the condition of the “soil of their souls”.
Ours is not to judge. Ours is to serve. One might ask: Did it work?
That is a tough question with no easy answer. So, I leave it in God’s hands.
My favorite phrase is: “We are not called to be Successful, we are called to be Faithful”!
So, I’ve made a bunch of Invitations now for you! Remember, you were commissioned last week with the Yoke of Christ.
Now go & serve. Now go & Sew.
Invite, Encourage, Be a Shining Example of Faith & Love.
And always remember. “It is more Blessed to Give then to Receive.”
There is a story about an old man who always had witty and wise answers for people who asked him anything.
Once, a smart-aleck came to him with his hands covering something he was holding. He told the sage that he had a small, newly hatched bird in his hands.
He challenged the old man to tell him whether the bird was alive or dead. He, of course, planned to prove the old man wrong, because if he said the bird was dead, he would simply open his hands to expose a perfectly healthy baby bird. But if he said the bird was alive, then he would crush the bird before opening his hands. The old man proved wiser than he thought, because he said, "The bird is whatever you choose him to be."
And that's the way it is with the kingdom of God. The choice for the kingdom to live or die is within your grasp. What do you chose?
I invite you to choose abundant generosity.
I invite you to choose :
A life of giving, blessing & caring
Of…. sewing seeds of hope, wisdom, justice & love.
And, I invite you to open yourselves to the Divine Word.
“Take time to be Holy, Speak oft with the Lord.”
Allow God’s seeds to root & grow in you.
Cultivate and nurture your inner garden. Water the seed. Rake away the rocks. Don’t let the weeds choke and take over.
Practice His Presence, for in so doing, God can work in you…to produce a harvest….
30-fold, 60-fold or 100-fold.
Abudance is ours to have & share. To give & receive.
Do so freely, abundantly & joyfully…
this day & always.
1. We are the sower: We cast our seeds of whatever sort or variety out into the world.
And, we can rely on the maxim…. “That which you sew, so shall you reap” & “put out positive energy in the world”
If we sew seeds of kindness, justice, generosity, it will come back to us many fold. It will produce harvests of goodness, joy & abundance in our lives.
Like the sower, the seed goes everywhere. There is no narrow sowing in only one place or type of soil.
So, too, we should just cast our seeds freely & generously. Because, you never know who will be receptive.
2. God is the sower & the Divine seed is being sewn in us. What kind of soil is there? Is our soil receptive & cultivated, ready to harvest & grow?
Or is it rocky, trod on & weed filled? Do we water it? Remove the rocks. Take time to cutivate….Be still, worship, Receive. Refresh…
So…one illustration & A couple of Applications:
Illustration first…..
In the church where he worshiped there was a lonely old man, old Thomas. He had outlived all his friends and hardly anyone knew him. When Thomas died, this friend had the feeling that there would be no one to go to the funeral so he decided to go, so that there might be someone to follow the old man to his last resting-place.There was no one else, and it was a miserable wet day. The funeral reached the cemetery, and at the gate there was a soldier waiting. An officer, but on his raincoat there were no rank badges. He came to the grave side for the ceremony, then when it was over, he stepped forward and before the open grave swept his hand to a salute that might have been given to a king. The friend walked away with this soldier, and as they walked, the wind blew the soldier's raincoat open to reveal the shoulder badges of a brigadier general.The general said, "You will perhaps be wondering what I am doing here. Years ago Thomas was my Sunday School teacher; I was a wild lad and a sore trial to him. He never knew what he did for me, but I owe everything I am or will be to old Thomas, and today I had to come to salute him at the end." Thomas did not know what he was doing.No preacher or teacher ever does. Keep sowing the seed. We can leave the rest to God,
& Now the Application….
At the recent 4th of July Parade, both in Lansdowne & East Lansdowne, a small group from the church walked as a presence from the church.
Not only was it “letting our light shine”, but also…sewing seeds in the world.
We made over 1000 invitations and handed all them out.
We scattered them. We didn’t know the condition of the “soil of their souls”.
Ours is not to judge. Ours is to serve. One might ask: Did it work?
That is a tough question with no easy answer. So, I leave it in God’s hands.
My favorite phrase is: “We are not called to be Successful, we are called to be Faithful”!
So, I’ve made a bunch of Invitations now for you! Remember, you were commissioned last week with the Yoke of Christ.
Now go & serve. Now go & Sew.
Invite, Encourage, Be a Shining Example of Faith & Love.
And always remember. “It is more Blessed to Give then to Receive.”
There is a story about an old man who always had witty and wise answers for people who asked him anything.
Once, a smart-aleck came to him with his hands covering something he was holding. He told the sage that he had a small, newly hatched bird in his hands.
He challenged the old man to tell him whether the bird was alive or dead. He, of course, planned to prove the old man wrong, because if he said the bird was dead, he would simply open his hands to expose a perfectly healthy baby bird. But if he said the bird was alive, then he would crush the bird before opening his hands. The old man proved wiser than he thought, because he said, "The bird is whatever you choose him to be."
And that's the way it is with the kingdom of God. The choice for the kingdom to live or die is within your grasp. What do you chose?
I invite you to choose abundant generosity.
I invite you to choose :
A life of giving, blessing & caring
Of…. sewing seeds of hope, wisdom, justice & love.
And, I invite you to open yourselves to the Divine Word.
“Take time to be Holy, Speak oft with the Lord.”
Allow God’s seeds to root & grow in you.
Cultivate and nurture your inner garden. Water the seed. Rake away the rocks. Don’t let the weeds choke and take over.
Practice His Presence, for in so doing, God can work in you…to produce a harvest….
30-fold, 60-fold or 100-fold.
Abudance is ours to have & share. To give & receive.
Do so freely, abundantly & joyfully…
this day & always.
Weeding Your Garden
Pulling Weeds - Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Last week we talked about planting seeds. This week we're talking about pulling weeds. The two go together. Every gardener knows that planting seeds is the easy part of having a successful garden. It is much more time consuming to weed that same garden. And it's hard work. As someone has said: "When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant."
There is a corollary to that truth: "To distinguish flowers from weeds, simply pull up everything. What grows back is weeds."
I know if you look at my backyard…..there are plenty of weeds….Not just in the lawn, but in flower boxes are more distressing, more obvious & annoying.
We all know how annoying weeds can be. They seem to come from nowhere and are hard to get rid of.
They require toil & effort to remove…though pesticides can do it quite effectively…that is if you don’t mind a toxic approach.
So, the best way is to pull it from the root. But, that’s a lot of effort.
And…you can’t always tell what is what, at least when the plants are young.
Hence, the parable about the wheat and the “tares” or weeds. Tares is a more “old English” term that was used in the King James Version.
In Palestine at the time of Jesus, everyone would have been very familiar with the wheat plant. They also understood Tares, a particular weed that was quite prevalent.
Using these common elements of life, Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of God.
So, what was he probably referring to? Well…he does give an explanation in the second part of the passage.
Essentially, he was referring to what I call:
“Life Together”
That term was coined by Deitrick Boenhoeffer. Then later, by writer & priest Henry Nowen.
Each talked about the dynamics and challenges of “being together in community”. Think about it.
What are the ways that “weeds” can crop up…
1. Within the self. (The Shadow) (Evil within)
2. Within the inner community…or church.
3. Within the whole world.
Basically….weeds are considered evil, corrupt, problems, temptations, challenges.
Whenever we gather as a group, there will be dissention, people with different ideas, differences, other perspectives.
It’s easy to look around and cast a disparaging eye toward those who are different. We might even put them down or use some form of privilege to lord it over others.
But, who is to say who is the weed and who is the good plant?
It’s easy to be judgmental, hypocritical, mean.
Maybe Jesus wants us to be a little more gracious, a little more understanding about difference, a little more cooperative and patient.
Within a certain community, there might be differences….racially, culturally, perspectives, etc.
I think Jesus is saying…don’t judge. Who can determine who is a weed and who is a flower or plant? Only God knows.
Same thing with the larger population. With the larger society.
In Jesus’ time, it would have been easy to see the Romans as weeds.
The parable might have been about the weeds of different sects within the Jewish world.
The Wisdom of Jesus instructs:
We can’t determine who is evil; who is a weed; who is unworthy.
Ours is not to judge our neighbor. Ours is to live in community & be a light unto all the world.
You can’t always tell who is what. So, live in the world and let God do the sorting at the end of the age.
For example, One person’s Terrorist is another person’s Freedom Fighter. It might be easy to look at Arabs or Muslims or others and cast aspersions.
But, from their perspective, they see dominant culture as evil…as Empire and Corrupt.
Who’s right? Only God knows! Let the Divine do the judging. Have the Patience & Wisdom to see.
Finally…end with this story...You Need 100 Points
Thee is a story about a minister who had a strange dream. He dreamt that he had died and was trying to get into heaven. When he approached the pearly gates, St. Peter told him he needed 100 points to get in. Proudly the minister said, "Well, I was a pastor for 43 years." "Fine," said St. Peter, "That's worth one point." "One point? Is that all?" cried the minister. "Yes, that's it," said St. Peter."Well," said the pastor, "I visited lots of shut-ins." St. Peter responded, "That's worth one point." "I worked with young people," said the pastor. "That's worth one point," said St. Peter. "I developed a number of excellent Scout programs," said the minister. "That's worth one point," said St. Peter. "You have four points now. You need 96 more." "Oh no," said the minister in a panic. "I feel so helpless, so inadequate. Except for the grace of God, I don't have a chance." St. Peter smiled and said, "Grace of God-- counts for 96 points. Come on in!" If not for God's Grace, we are all weeds. All are inadequate, all, fallen. Judge not, that ye be not judged. Learn to live in community with generosity, acceptance and love....where patience is its own reward and the gardens of community can can grow & prosper. Amen.
Last week we talked about planting seeds. This week we're talking about pulling weeds. The two go together. Every gardener knows that planting seeds is the easy part of having a successful garden. It is much more time consuming to weed that same garden. And it's hard work. As someone has said: "When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant."
There is a corollary to that truth: "To distinguish flowers from weeds, simply pull up everything. What grows back is weeds."
I know if you look at my backyard…..there are plenty of weeds….Not just in the lawn, but in flower boxes are more distressing, more obvious & annoying.
We all know how annoying weeds can be. They seem to come from nowhere and are hard to get rid of.
They require toil & effort to remove…though pesticides can do it quite effectively…that is if you don’t mind a toxic approach.
So, the best way is to pull it from the root. But, that’s a lot of effort.
And…you can’t always tell what is what, at least when the plants are young.
Hence, the parable about the wheat and the “tares” or weeds. Tares is a more “old English” term that was used in the King James Version.
In Palestine at the time of Jesus, everyone would have been very familiar with the wheat plant. They also understood Tares, a particular weed that was quite prevalent.
Using these common elements of life, Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of God.
So, what was he probably referring to? Well…he does give an explanation in the second part of the passage.
Essentially, he was referring to what I call:
“Life Together”
That term was coined by Deitrick Boenhoeffer. Then later, by writer & priest Henry Nowen.
Each talked about the dynamics and challenges of “being together in community”. Think about it.
What are the ways that “weeds” can crop up…
1. Within the self. (The Shadow) (Evil within)
2. Within the inner community…or church.
3. Within the whole world.
Basically….weeds are considered evil, corrupt, problems, temptations, challenges.
Whenever we gather as a group, there will be dissention, people with different ideas, differences, other perspectives.
It’s easy to look around and cast a disparaging eye toward those who are different. We might even put them down or use some form of privilege to lord it over others.
But, who is to say who is the weed and who is the good plant?
It’s easy to be judgmental, hypocritical, mean.
Maybe Jesus wants us to be a little more gracious, a little more understanding about difference, a little more cooperative and patient.
Within a certain community, there might be differences….racially, culturally, perspectives, etc.
I think Jesus is saying…don’t judge. Who can determine who is a weed and who is a flower or plant? Only God knows.
Same thing with the larger population. With the larger society.
In Jesus’ time, it would have been easy to see the Romans as weeds.
The parable might have been about the weeds of different sects within the Jewish world.
The Wisdom of Jesus instructs:
We can’t determine who is evil; who is a weed; who is unworthy.
Ours is not to judge our neighbor. Ours is to live in community & be a light unto all the world.
You can’t always tell who is what. So, live in the world and let God do the sorting at the end of the age.
For example, One person’s Terrorist is another person’s Freedom Fighter. It might be easy to look at Arabs or Muslims or others and cast aspersions.
But, from their perspective, they see dominant culture as evil…as Empire and Corrupt.
Who’s right? Only God knows! Let the Divine do the judging. Have the Patience & Wisdom to see.
Finally…end with this story...You Need 100 Points
Thee is a story about a minister who had a strange dream. He dreamt that he had died and was trying to get into heaven. When he approached the pearly gates, St. Peter told him he needed 100 points to get in. Proudly the minister said, "Well, I was a pastor for 43 years." "Fine," said St. Peter, "That's worth one point." "One point? Is that all?" cried the minister. "Yes, that's it," said St. Peter."Well," said the pastor, "I visited lots of shut-ins." St. Peter responded, "That's worth one point." "I worked with young people," said the pastor. "That's worth one point," said St. Peter. "I developed a number of excellent Scout programs," said the minister. "That's worth one point," said St. Peter. "You have four points now. You need 96 more." "Oh no," said the minister in a panic. "I feel so helpless, so inadequate. Except for the grace of God, I don't have a chance." St. Peter smiled and said, "Grace of God-- counts for 96 points. Come on in!" If not for God's Grace, we are all weeds. All are inadequate, all, fallen. Judge not, that ye be not judged. Learn to live in community with generosity, acceptance and love....where patience is its own reward and the gardens of community can can grow & prosper. Amen.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
A Cup of Cold Water
Picture for me….a blistering hot day. You’ve been working or playing sports.
You take a break and the one thing that you most want….
Is a big cup of cold water.
There’s nothing quite like it.
For me, getting a cup and putting lots of ice in it…then shaking or stirring it to get it really cold….really quenches the thirst.
We know at a deep level, the kind of satisfaction that a cup of cold water can bring.
Now…think about the visual image of providing that cup of cold water.
What do you think of?
Maybe, the picture of a well at a farm somewhere….Where the buckets goes way down and a ladle is there to scoop out the water to quench your thirst.
Or, perhaps….it is the trainer at a football game that is giving the athletes something to drink while they’re sweating like crazy.
One of the images I think of is in the movie: “Ben Hur”. Maybe you recall.
Ben Hur has been struggling for personal meaning…even after he established himself as a big star in the world at that time. He of course, was a Chariot Driver. The chariot scene is one of the all-time best.
But, toward the end of the movie….he happens into Jerusalem. The city seems empty and he’s trying to figure out where everyone is.
He walks around and stumbles on the Via Delorosa. There the crowd is watching as a procession goes by.
The procession: A young man carrying a cross.
Ben Hur remembers that man. He was the same one who taught the crowds on on the side of the hill.
He was the same one who made a blind man see.
And so, Ben Hur….who we all know is Charlton Heston, watches and the man stumbles down the path….lugging the cross that weighs him down.
The very same cross that he will soon die on.
It is near mid-day. He is exhausted, beaten, crushed under the weight of the cross.
And, just in front of Ben Hur, this stranger…one Jesus of Nazareth collapses….collapses from the weight of the cross.
Ben Hur, immediately rushes over to a bucket of water. He brings it over to Jesus and ladles out a dipper of water.
He lovingly helps Jesus have a drink of cold water.
Of course it is only a movie, but the image of that care and hospitality is memorable.
For we all recall the words of Jesus how he says…
“when you do it to the least of these, you do it unto me.”
Today’s passage implores us to show that kind of hospitality.
“A Cup of Cold Water”: literally or symbolically.
We all know the literally…how a cup of cold water can be a life-saver. It can be soothing, healing, energizing. Life-giving.
Symbolically….it can be the same thing.
Giving A Cup of Cold Water…..
Can be seen symbolically in many ways.
It suggests to us: Hospitality, Generosity, Compassion, Healing, Heart.
This is the stuff of faith. The stuff of faith sharing.
So…how might we do this? Both individually & congregationally?
I know recently, we had a bad experience here of “sharing a cup of cold water to a stranger”
Probably many know how we tried to provide shelter, food and a decent dose of humanity to one who had no home or place to be.
How were we rewarded? By being broken into. By opening ourselves to theft and heart-ache.
Instead of being rewarded somehow, we got bitten
So, what can we say to all this? Should that stop us from caring? From showing hospitality? From sharing a cup of cold water to a stranger?
All’s I can say is…remember Jesus’ words about being “wise as serpents & gentle as doves”.
Clearly, we lock things up and have to be cautious with our belongings, our building and ultimately….our humanity.
But, being burnt can not deter us from discipleship.
Jesus said on the cross: “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”
Yes, caring makes us vulnerable. Ministry does not guarantee success. Faithfulness is not always returned with the results we want or expect.
But, that’s life. That’s “The Cost of Discipleship”.
Praise God however, that we can put our trust in One who is ever faithful to us. One in whom we know will never fail.
The Lord Jesus will never fail us. And, just when we get on our high-horse about those who don’t respond to our caring & giving. …..Just remember, we too have failed. We too, have sinned & fallen short of the Glory of God.
Research show, a growing church is one that expresses “Radical Hospitality”. One that is expressing “love in action”. Let us be that church.
“Where’s the Ladle?”
You take a break and the one thing that you most want….
Is a big cup of cold water.
There’s nothing quite like it.
For me, getting a cup and putting lots of ice in it…then shaking or stirring it to get it really cold….really quenches the thirst.
We know at a deep level, the kind of satisfaction that a cup of cold water can bring.
Now…think about the visual image of providing that cup of cold water.
What do you think of?
Maybe, the picture of a well at a farm somewhere….Where the buckets goes way down and a ladle is there to scoop out the water to quench your thirst.
Or, perhaps….it is the trainer at a football game that is giving the athletes something to drink while they’re sweating like crazy.
One of the images I think of is in the movie: “Ben Hur”. Maybe you recall.
Ben Hur has been struggling for personal meaning…even after he established himself as a big star in the world at that time. He of course, was a Chariot Driver. The chariot scene is one of the all-time best.
But, toward the end of the movie….he happens into Jerusalem. The city seems empty and he’s trying to figure out where everyone is.
He walks around and stumbles on the Via Delorosa. There the crowd is watching as a procession goes by.
The procession: A young man carrying a cross.
Ben Hur remembers that man. He was the same one who taught the crowds on on the side of the hill.
He was the same one who made a blind man see.
And so, Ben Hur….who we all know is Charlton Heston, watches and the man stumbles down the path….lugging the cross that weighs him down.
The very same cross that he will soon die on.
It is near mid-day. He is exhausted, beaten, crushed under the weight of the cross.
And, just in front of Ben Hur, this stranger…one Jesus of Nazareth collapses….collapses from the weight of the cross.
Ben Hur, immediately rushes over to a bucket of water. He brings it over to Jesus and ladles out a dipper of water.
He lovingly helps Jesus have a drink of cold water.
Of course it is only a movie, but the image of that care and hospitality is memorable.
For we all recall the words of Jesus how he says…
“when you do it to the least of these, you do it unto me.”
Today’s passage implores us to show that kind of hospitality.
“A Cup of Cold Water”: literally or symbolically.
We all know the literally…how a cup of cold water can be a life-saver. It can be soothing, healing, energizing. Life-giving.
Symbolically….it can be the same thing.
Giving A Cup of Cold Water…..
Can be seen symbolically in many ways.
It suggests to us: Hospitality, Generosity, Compassion, Healing, Heart.
This is the stuff of faith. The stuff of faith sharing.
So…how might we do this? Both individually & congregationally?
I know recently, we had a bad experience here of “sharing a cup of cold water to a stranger”
Probably many know how we tried to provide shelter, food and a decent dose of humanity to one who had no home or place to be.
How were we rewarded? By being broken into. By opening ourselves to theft and heart-ache.
Instead of being rewarded somehow, we got bitten
So, what can we say to all this? Should that stop us from caring? From showing hospitality? From sharing a cup of cold water to a stranger?
All’s I can say is…remember Jesus’ words about being “wise as serpents & gentle as doves”.
Clearly, we lock things up and have to be cautious with our belongings, our building and ultimately….our humanity.
But, being burnt can not deter us from discipleship.
Jesus said on the cross: “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”
Yes, caring makes us vulnerable. Ministry does not guarantee success. Faithfulness is not always returned with the results we want or expect.
But, that’s life. That’s “The Cost of Discipleship”.
Praise God however, that we can put our trust in One who is ever faithful to us. One in whom we know will never fail.
The Lord Jesus will never fail us. And, just when we get on our high-horse about those who don’t respond to our caring & giving. …..Just remember, we too have failed. We too, have sinned & fallen short of the Glory of God.
Research show, a growing church is one that expresses “Radical Hospitality”. One that is expressing “love in action”. Let us be that church.
“Where’s the Ladle?”
The Rock of Faith
There is a popular television commercial about a pickup truck which has been on the air for several years.
The song that is sung during the ad includes the words, "like a rock."
The symbolism of those words refer to the toughness, durability and dependability of the truck.
Whenever I see one of those trucks that song comes to mind. Obviously the General Motors Corporation has succeeded in enabling me to make the connection with the concept that this particular truck has a rock-like image.Rock-like images are theological too. There are numerous references to God as the "Rock."
In Psalm 89, for example, it reads, "God only is my rock and my salvation."
In Deuteronomy 32 it says that "God is the Rock and God's work is perfect."
Isaiah said to "look to the rock from which you were hewn." (Is. 51)
And of course the most famous saying is in the New Testament when Jesus says to Peter, "and on this rock I will build my church." (Matt. 16:18)Here in Matthew, Jesus is saying that the way to be in the kingdom of God is to be as one who builds his/her house on a rock rather than sand.
Foolish people build their houses on sand which makes them vulnerable to storms.
On the other hand, wise people build their houses on the rock which means they can withstand the storms of life.
One of the most striking features of Israel is the geography & terrain…
Rocky hillsides, while the valleys, where the rivers run, are sandy because of erosion coming down from higher ground.
A village builder in Jesus' day had two choices.
They did not excavate foundations. You built a house in the valley on sandy soil or on a rocky hillside.
One was easier than the other. Hillside builders planned for the worse; valley builders hoped for the best.
And if the winter rains come in a rush, a dry creek bed or water quickly becomes a torrent that sweeps all away.
Hard rain, strong winds, and flash floods: it blew and beat on both houses.
They look alike, but when the storm passes only one remains. Same materials, different foundations.
When the storms & troubles of this life come to you….., upon what is your foundation built?
A final image that I think we can all relate to..
Back in the year 1174, an Italian architect by the name of Bonnano Pisano began work on what would become his most famous project: a bell tower to beautify the Cathedral of the city of Pisa.
The tower was to be a cylindrical, eight-story, 185-foot-tall building with arcaded stories, a fine example of Tuscan Romanesque architecture.
There was just one "little" problem. During construction, the builders discovered that the soil around the Pisa Cathedral was much softer than they had anticipated.
The foundation Pisano had designed for the building was far too shallow to adequately support the structure.
Before long, the whole building had begun to tilt, and continued to tilt, until finally the architect and the builders realized that nothing could be done to make the Leaning Tower of Pisa straight again.
It would take 176 years in all to complete construction on the Tower of Pisa, and throughout that time, the builders tried many different ways to compensate for the "tilt" of the Tower.
The foundations were shored up and reinforced; the upper levels of the tower were built on at an angle to try to at least make the top of the tower look straight. Nothing worked.
The Tower of Pisa has continued to stand for over 800 years now; it now leans more than 18 feet away from center position. Even with all our modern technology, this building can never be made perfectly straight.
Architectural specialists predict that eventually the structure will fall down because Bonnano Pisano didn't do enough research into the soil composition around the building site.
How's the foundation of your life doing this morning? Is it rock?
The song that is sung during the ad includes the words, "like a rock."
The symbolism of those words refer to the toughness, durability and dependability of the truck.
Whenever I see one of those trucks that song comes to mind. Obviously the General Motors Corporation has succeeded in enabling me to make the connection with the concept that this particular truck has a rock-like image.Rock-like images are theological too. There are numerous references to God as the "Rock."
In Psalm 89, for example, it reads, "God only is my rock and my salvation."
In Deuteronomy 32 it says that "God is the Rock and God's work is perfect."
Isaiah said to "look to the rock from which you were hewn." (Is. 51)
And of course the most famous saying is in the New Testament when Jesus says to Peter, "and on this rock I will build my church." (Matt. 16:18)Here in Matthew, Jesus is saying that the way to be in the kingdom of God is to be as one who builds his/her house on a rock rather than sand.
Foolish people build their houses on sand which makes them vulnerable to storms.
On the other hand, wise people build their houses on the rock which means they can withstand the storms of life.
One of the most striking features of Israel is the geography & terrain…
Rocky hillsides, while the valleys, where the rivers run, are sandy because of erosion coming down from higher ground.
A village builder in Jesus' day had two choices.
They did not excavate foundations. You built a house in the valley on sandy soil or on a rocky hillside.
One was easier than the other. Hillside builders planned for the worse; valley builders hoped for the best.
And if the winter rains come in a rush, a dry creek bed or water quickly becomes a torrent that sweeps all away.
Hard rain, strong winds, and flash floods: it blew and beat on both houses.
They look alike, but when the storm passes only one remains. Same materials, different foundations.
When the storms & troubles of this life come to you….., upon what is your foundation built?
A final image that I think we can all relate to..
Back in the year 1174, an Italian architect by the name of Bonnano Pisano began work on what would become his most famous project: a bell tower to beautify the Cathedral of the city of Pisa.
The tower was to be a cylindrical, eight-story, 185-foot-tall building with arcaded stories, a fine example of Tuscan Romanesque architecture.
There was just one "little" problem. During construction, the builders discovered that the soil around the Pisa Cathedral was much softer than they had anticipated.
The foundation Pisano had designed for the building was far too shallow to adequately support the structure.
Before long, the whole building had begun to tilt, and continued to tilt, until finally the architect and the builders realized that nothing could be done to make the Leaning Tower of Pisa straight again.
It would take 176 years in all to complete construction on the Tower of Pisa, and throughout that time, the builders tried many different ways to compensate for the "tilt" of the Tower.
The foundations were shored up and reinforced; the upper levels of the tower were built on at an angle to try to at least make the top of the tower look straight. Nothing worked.
The Tower of Pisa has continued to stand for over 800 years now; it now leans more than 18 feet away from center position. Even with all our modern technology, this building can never be made perfectly straight.
Architectural specialists predict that eventually the structure will fall down because Bonnano Pisano didn't do enough research into the soil composition around the building site.
How's the foundation of your life doing this morning? Is it rock?
Don't Worry, Be Happy
Two stories to start my “worry sermon”
There were two men shipwrecked on an island. The minute they got to the island, one of them started screaming and yelling, ‘We’re going to die! We’re going to die! There’s no food! NO water! We’re going to die!”
The second man, in a quite relaxed manner, propped himself up against a palm tree. He was acting so calmly, it drove the first man crazy. He began to shout, ‘Don’t you understand? We’re going to die!”
The second man replied, “You don’t understand. I make $100,000 a week.”
The first man looked at him quite dumbfounded and asked, “What difference does that make? We’re on an island with no food and no water. We’re going to DIE!”
The second man, with great serenity, answered, “You just don’t get it. I make $100,000 a week, and I tithe 10 percent of the $100,000 to the church. I have no worry whatsoever. My pastor will find me!”
And…Here is a classic church bulletin-blooper:
Don't let worry kill you off ‑ let the church help.
Surprisingly, worrying isn’t just a modern American thing.
It is as ancient as humanity itself.
Course, back then…when living on the edge, you had to worry about food for the day. Would you catch a rabbit or bird to eat. Would the elements wipe away your house & home.
Today, we worry more about gas prices, rent, mortgage payments, jobs, pensions & heath-care issues.
In all these, we can obsess & stress.
I know I worry about things..my kids being out late at night. Will they grow up to be responsible adults? Have I done the best for them?
Am I the son, husband, dad or pastor I am supposed to be?
Will the church grow, will we meet the budget, will we be the living Christ for a broken world?
It’s easy to worry. In a way…Faith & Trust are harder.
And, as we look at this issue, what we don’t want to say is….Not worrying means…not doing anything.
When I first looked at the passage, I was realizing it was on Memorial Day weekend.
My first thought was…the soldiers who fought and died in wars to protect our freedom….didn’t just say…
“Oh, I’m not going to worry about Hitler” or Stalin, or that the Japanese bombed us. I’m not going to worry about economic ruin or injustice.
And then…just bury their head in the sand.
Valiant soldiers died for us…so we don’t have to worry.
I can only imagine the worry in a foxhole or a ship before war. I can only imagine the worry before a big battle or impending launch.
But worry didn’t immobilize those brave ones.
And, worry need not immobilize us. Worry didn’t mean …taking no action. It just means putting it into the proper perpective.
Jesus said…look at the birds…they neither sew nor reap. Look at the lilies of the field. They neither toil or fret. God takes care of them. Be not anxious for tomorrow, let today’s anxiety fill today.
This is not a call to abandon work or effort or action.
It is a call to work hard and trust even harder.
Toil & Sew & Reap as the Lord gives you ability & strength.
But let Go & let God.
Birds work hard for their food. So should we.
Churches, countries, homes don’t just exist but happenstance.
They exist because of initiative, vision, passion, love & care.
Worry & anxiety are to be expected. But, focus on it…only for today.
As someone put it: “Don’t live to eat. Eat to live.”
We were made for a mission. There is a greater mission for our lives than eating and drinking and nesting. In the words of Jesus, we were put here to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (V.33).
And all these things will be added unto you.
Work Hard & Trust Harder. Be thankful for the sacrifice of others….. For the worry and toil & care that were given to make us what we are.
So..live in praise, in thanksgiving & in abiding countenance of God’s Love & Grace. Amen.
There were two men shipwrecked on an island. The minute they got to the island, one of them started screaming and yelling, ‘We’re going to die! We’re going to die! There’s no food! NO water! We’re going to die!”
The second man, in a quite relaxed manner, propped himself up against a palm tree. He was acting so calmly, it drove the first man crazy. He began to shout, ‘Don’t you understand? We’re going to die!”
The second man replied, “You don’t understand. I make $100,000 a week.”
The first man looked at him quite dumbfounded and asked, “What difference does that make? We’re on an island with no food and no water. We’re going to DIE!”
The second man, with great serenity, answered, “You just don’t get it. I make $100,000 a week, and I tithe 10 percent of the $100,000 to the church. I have no worry whatsoever. My pastor will find me!”
And…Here is a classic church bulletin-blooper:
Don't let worry kill you off ‑ let the church help.
Surprisingly, worrying isn’t just a modern American thing.
It is as ancient as humanity itself.
Course, back then…when living on the edge, you had to worry about food for the day. Would you catch a rabbit or bird to eat. Would the elements wipe away your house & home.
Today, we worry more about gas prices, rent, mortgage payments, jobs, pensions & heath-care issues.
In all these, we can obsess & stress.
I know I worry about things..my kids being out late at night. Will they grow up to be responsible adults? Have I done the best for them?
Am I the son, husband, dad or pastor I am supposed to be?
Will the church grow, will we meet the budget, will we be the living Christ for a broken world?
It’s easy to worry. In a way…Faith & Trust are harder.
And, as we look at this issue, what we don’t want to say is….Not worrying means…not doing anything.
When I first looked at the passage, I was realizing it was on Memorial Day weekend.
My first thought was…the soldiers who fought and died in wars to protect our freedom….didn’t just say…
“Oh, I’m not going to worry about Hitler” or Stalin, or that the Japanese bombed us. I’m not going to worry about economic ruin or injustice.
And then…just bury their head in the sand.
Valiant soldiers died for us…so we don’t have to worry.
I can only imagine the worry in a foxhole or a ship before war. I can only imagine the worry before a big battle or impending launch.
But worry didn’t immobilize those brave ones.
And, worry need not immobilize us. Worry didn’t mean …taking no action. It just means putting it into the proper perpective.
Jesus said…look at the birds…they neither sew nor reap. Look at the lilies of the field. They neither toil or fret. God takes care of them. Be not anxious for tomorrow, let today’s anxiety fill today.
This is not a call to abandon work or effort or action.
It is a call to work hard and trust even harder.
Toil & Sew & Reap as the Lord gives you ability & strength.
But let Go & let God.
Birds work hard for their food. So should we.
Churches, countries, homes don’t just exist but happenstance.
They exist because of initiative, vision, passion, love & care.
Worry & anxiety are to be expected. But, focus on it…only for today.
As someone put it: “Don’t live to eat. Eat to live.”
We were made for a mission. There is a greater mission for our lives than eating and drinking and nesting. In the words of Jesus, we were put here to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (V.33).
And all these things will be added unto you.
Work Hard & Trust Harder. Be thankful for the sacrifice of others….. For the worry and toil & care that were given to make us what we are.
So..live in praise, in thanksgiving & in abiding countenance of God’s Love & Grace. Amen.
Mystery Beyond All...Trinity Sunday
Begin with a Story
Near Anchorage, AK, Philip Yancey pulled off the highway to look at what many other motorists had stopped to observe, a pod of silvery white beluga whales that was feeding just offshore. “I stood for
forty minutes, listening to the rhythmic motion of the sea, following the graceful, ghostly crescents of surfacing whales. The crowd was hushed, even reverent. We passed around binoculars, saying nothing,
simply watching…. Just for that moment, nothing else—dinner reservations, the trip schedule, my life back in Chicago—mattered. We were confronted with a scene of quiet beauty and a majesty of scale. We all felt small. We stood together in silence until the whales moved farther out. And then we climbed the bank together and got in our cars to resume our busy, ordered lives, which somehow seemed less urgent.
And it wasn’t even Sunday.” (Philip Yancey, “Of Whales and Polar Bears,” in The Best Preaching on
Earth, ed. by Stan L. LeQuire [Judson Press, 1996]: 163-166.)
Creation does that to us.
It fills us with Awe, Reverence, Beauty, Majesty,
When we witness creation, we know that God is.
And then, our humble attempts to explain, describe, tame or domesticate the Divine become ludicrous.
But what are we to do? We’ve probably all felt the incredibleness of God and so want to put it into words.
We so want to share our joy & profound experience, that we have no other way then to try to put it into words.
Hence, the Trinity as a concept came into being.
-This doctrine became official in 325 AD at Council of Nicaea. Trinity Sunday has been celebrated since 1334 when Pope John XX11 fixed it as the Sunday after Pentecost.
But, since I am always a little less Orthodox then that, I like what
Gertrude Stein said:
-There ain't no answer. There ain't going to be any answer. There never has been an answer. That's the answer.
Emily Dickinson said… you speak the truth best when you tell it at a "slant."
Perhaps poets can serve the Trinity best because they know that truth can at best be told at a slant, between the lines, beyond where words themselves can go.
Or this…from B.B. Taylor…
“Perhaps the most faithful sermon on the Trinity is one that sniffs around the edges of the mystery hunting for something closer to an experience than a understanding.”
This is how I feel about the debate between science & religion. Between faith & reason. Between Creationism & Evolution.
Science has a Universe Story. The Bible has a Creation Story.
Both are words, images, descriptions of the myseterious & profound. Both try to convey that which is beyond words.
From the Bible, The opening phrase is, “In the beginning, God . . .”
This came to mind as I was reading Bill Bryson’s “A Short History of Nearly Everything.” He’s writing about the instant that creation happened.“There is no space, no darkness. The singularity has no ‘around’ around it. There is no space for it to occupy, no place for it to be. We can’t even ask how long it has been there – whether it just lately popped into being, like a good idea, or whether it has been there forever, quietly awaiting the right moment. Time doesn’t exist. There is no past for it to emerge from.
“And so from nothing, our universe begins.“In a single blinding pulse, a moment of glory much too swift and expansive for any form of words, the singularity assumes heavenly dimensions, space beyond conception.”Or, as the words in Genesis put it, “In the beginning, God created …”
Albert Einstein said – “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.”
Thich Nhat Hanh is a world renown Vietnamese Zen master and peacemaker. He is the author of numerous books and is known for his poetry. He lives in Plum Village, a meditation community in France, and travels widely teaching the "art of mindful living".
This is the way he translates Psalm 8 , in a work called: “Teachings on Love”
The Psalms are the ancients attempt to describe the awesomeness of God, the wonders of creation and awe & reverence in the Bibles Poems. Here is his paraphrase…..
O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?
Even as a mother protects with her life her child, her only child, so with a boundless heart should one cherish all living beings.
Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
Let no one do harm to anyone. Let no one put the life of anyone in danger. Let no one, out of anger or ill will, wish anyone harm.
O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
May all living beings live in security and peace, beings who are frail or strong, tall or short, big or small, visible or not visible, near or far away, already born or yet to be born. May all of them dwell in perfect tranquility.
Maybe there is now way we can contain God in a formula, creed or story.
Maybe all of our best attempts are feeble.
As Rober Capon says…
- We are like a bunch of oysters trying to describe a ballerina.
I end with this wonderful prayer: “May the Sacrament of the Word and the hunger of our hearts meet, and lead us ever more deeply into the heart of God.” Renee Miller
Near Anchorage, AK, Philip Yancey pulled off the highway to look at what many other motorists had stopped to observe, a pod of silvery white beluga whales that was feeding just offshore. “I stood for
forty minutes, listening to the rhythmic motion of the sea, following the graceful, ghostly crescents of surfacing whales. The crowd was hushed, even reverent. We passed around binoculars, saying nothing,
simply watching…. Just for that moment, nothing else—dinner reservations, the trip schedule, my life back in Chicago—mattered. We were confronted with a scene of quiet beauty and a majesty of scale. We all felt small. We stood together in silence until the whales moved farther out. And then we climbed the bank together and got in our cars to resume our busy, ordered lives, which somehow seemed less urgent.
And it wasn’t even Sunday.” (Philip Yancey, “Of Whales and Polar Bears,” in The Best Preaching on
Earth, ed. by Stan L. LeQuire [Judson Press, 1996]: 163-166.)
Creation does that to us.
It fills us with Awe, Reverence, Beauty, Majesty,
When we witness creation, we know that God is.
And then, our humble attempts to explain, describe, tame or domesticate the Divine become ludicrous.
But what are we to do? We’ve probably all felt the incredibleness of God and so want to put it into words.
We so want to share our joy & profound experience, that we have no other way then to try to put it into words.
Hence, the Trinity as a concept came into being.
-This doctrine became official in 325 AD at Council of Nicaea. Trinity Sunday has been celebrated since 1334 when Pope John XX11 fixed it as the Sunday after Pentecost.
But, since I am always a little less Orthodox then that, I like what
Gertrude Stein said:
-There ain't no answer. There ain't going to be any answer. There never has been an answer. That's the answer.
Emily Dickinson said… you speak the truth best when you tell it at a "slant."
Perhaps poets can serve the Trinity best because they know that truth can at best be told at a slant, between the lines, beyond where words themselves can go.
Or this…from B.B. Taylor…
“Perhaps the most faithful sermon on the Trinity is one that sniffs around the edges of the mystery hunting for something closer to an experience than a understanding.”
This is how I feel about the debate between science & religion. Between faith & reason. Between Creationism & Evolution.
Science has a Universe Story. The Bible has a Creation Story.
Both are words, images, descriptions of the myseterious & profound. Both try to convey that which is beyond words.
From the Bible, The opening phrase is, “In the beginning, God . . .”
This came to mind as I was reading Bill Bryson’s “A Short History of Nearly Everything.” He’s writing about the instant that creation happened.“There is no space, no darkness. The singularity has no ‘around’ around it. There is no space for it to occupy, no place for it to be. We can’t even ask how long it has been there – whether it just lately popped into being, like a good idea, or whether it has been there forever, quietly awaiting the right moment. Time doesn’t exist. There is no past for it to emerge from.
“And so from nothing, our universe begins.“In a single blinding pulse, a moment of glory much too swift and expansive for any form of words, the singularity assumes heavenly dimensions, space beyond conception.”Or, as the words in Genesis put it, “In the beginning, God created …”
Albert Einstein said – “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.”
Thich Nhat Hanh is a world renown Vietnamese Zen master and peacemaker. He is the author of numerous books and is known for his poetry. He lives in Plum Village, a meditation community in France, and travels widely teaching the "art of mindful living".
This is the way he translates Psalm 8 , in a work called: “Teachings on Love”
The Psalms are the ancients attempt to describe the awesomeness of God, the wonders of creation and awe & reverence in the Bibles Poems. Here is his paraphrase…..
O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?
Even as a mother protects with her life her child, her only child, so with a boundless heart should one cherish all living beings.
Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
Let no one do harm to anyone. Let no one put the life of anyone in danger. Let no one, out of anger or ill will, wish anyone harm.
O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
May all living beings live in security and peace, beings who are frail or strong, tall or short, big or small, visible or not visible, near or far away, already born or yet to be born. May all of them dwell in perfect tranquility.
Maybe there is now way we can contain God in a formula, creed or story.
Maybe all of our best attempts are feeble.
As Rober Capon says…
- We are like a bunch of oysters trying to describe a ballerina.
I end with this wonderful prayer: “May the Sacrament of the Word and the hunger of our hearts meet, and lead us ever more deeply into the heart of God.” Renee Miller
What Happened?
“What Happened?”
That’s the question that the early disciples might have asked on the Day of Ascension. What Happened?
That’s the question people today’s world might ask too.
That’s the question that many of our African friends might have asked 10-12 years ago when their county descended into war, despair and violence.
We see this many places. Right now, it is apparent in Zimbabwe. They just had elections, but Robert Mugabe the president refuses to give up power.
This is a clear example of the phrase: Power Corrupts and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.
10-20 years ago, an overthrow led to new government in Zimbabwe. Things were still basically good. But over time, greed and corruption set in.
It would be easy to say. What happened? Where did it go?
Something similar could be said abour Liberia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda & other countries. All could say. “What Happened?
My country was stable. Beautiful, productive,
And like that….it disappeared. It vanished out of site.
So, what can we do in such a circumstance?
In the book of Acts we hear how Jesus appeared to the 12, to 500 & many others after his resurrection.
Then, he led them to the Mt. Of Olives and As he was with them…suddenly ascended into Heaven. The Disciples were left standing there, aghast, looking into Heaven.
Just then, an Angel appeared and said…What are you looking at? Go back to Jerusalem and wait for the power of the Spirit to return.
10 days later, the Day of Pentecost happened. Jesus Returned in Spirit.
The disciples probably said something similar…like…. “What Happened”. They felt a sense of loss, despair, alone-ness.
But a couple of things. An Angel came to them. Angels often turn up when we need them.
They were told to get their heads out of the clouds and go back to town.
Ministry involves going back to being engaged in life.
9When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
That’s the question that the early disciples might have asked on the Day of Ascension. What Happened?
That’s the question people today’s world might ask too.
That’s the question that many of our African friends might have asked 10-12 years ago when their county descended into war, despair and violence.
We see this many places. Right now, it is apparent in Zimbabwe. They just had elections, but Robert Mugabe the president refuses to give up power.
This is a clear example of the phrase: Power Corrupts and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.
10-20 years ago, an overthrow led to new government in Zimbabwe. Things were still basically good. But over time, greed and corruption set in.
It would be easy to say. What happened? Where did it go?
Something similar could be said abour Liberia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda & other countries. All could say. “What Happened?
My country was stable. Beautiful, productive,
And like that….it disappeared. It vanished out of site.
So, what can we do in such a circumstance?
In the book of Acts we hear how Jesus appeared to the 12, to 500 & many others after his resurrection.
Then, he led them to the Mt. Of Olives and As he was with them…suddenly ascended into Heaven. The Disciples were left standing there, aghast, looking into Heaven.
Just then, an Angel appeared and said…What are you looking at? Go back to Jerusalem and wait for the power of the Spirit to return.
10 days later, the Day of Pentecost happened. Jesus Returned in Spirit.
The disciples probably said something similar…like…. “What Happened”. They felt a sense of loss, despair, alone-ness.
But a couple of things. An Angel came to them. Angels often turn up when we need them.
They were told to get their heads out of the clouds and go back to town.
Ministry involves going back to being engaged in life.
9When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Standing Up for Creation, For What is Right
Hear these words from I Peter 3:
13Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;
16yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil.
Having a clear conscience…
Don’t be intimidated….
If you suffer for doing what is right, you will be blessed…
These are all words to encouragement
Words of Hope…Words of Ispiration.
Like the Spike Lee movie…it could summed up by the phrase:
“Do the Right Thing!”
This has a justice consequence. A consequence of integrity, of purity.
It means standing up for the moral and ethical thing in all situations.
It reminds of great resistance movements in the past…
The Civil Rights Movement, The Anti-Aparthied Movement. The Anti-War movement.
And…all those efforts are still needed today.
Have we achieved equality, justice, peace? I think not.
And…I think this is also appropriate on the Earth Day Sunday.
As a Christian Community, it is up to us to stand up for Creation. To stand up to Environmental Degradation.
ON this issue…we too need a Clear Conscience, Do what is Right and Not be intimidated by Big Money & Power
I think it is time we at this church look at our “Carbon Footprint”.
And ask ourselves, how might we more fully care for the earth?
This past Winter, First UMC of Germantown decided to switch their worship service to their chapel to reduce their carbon footprint.
A leader in Environmental Justice, they stood up for Creation.
That is just one decision they made where “doing the right thing” meant making a tough decision…that they would have a Clear Conscience.
That is where Beth Stroud was pastor.
The Apostle Peter knew this was important to the early Christian community.
They had to be strong in the face of Empire, competing faith claims and an overall…secular culture.
It is not unlike Jesus who says in his Farewell Discourse… (this passage from today)…
15”If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.
18”I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.
This is the promise of Jesus…We are not alone. The Divine Presence…leads us into all truth, wisdom, love & grace
So, how & where is Jesus leading us?
What is our Carbon Footprint & Where might we do the right thing & stand up for Creation?
This week…I read something sort of funny…but true:
"The reason mountain climbers are tied together is to keep the sane ones from going home."
Whoever said that was playing with us a bit, for we know mountain climbers are tied together to keep from getting lost or going over a cliff.
But there's another piece of truth here.
When things get tough up on the mountain, when fear sets in, many a climber is tempted to say, "This is crazy! I'm going home."
The life of faith can be like that…..
----doubts set in, despair overwhelms us, and the whole notion of believing in God seems crazy.
We go quiet instead of standing up. We roll over instead of being prophetic. We get afraid of the reaction of others…instead of being light & justice & truth.
Jesus knew his disciples would have days like that. So he told them we're tied together in Spirit & Truth. We’re tied together in Love & Justice.
Or, as Martin Luther King Jr. said in his famous “I have a Dream” speech….referring to people of all colors & creeds & cultures living together…
We have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.
We cannot walk alone.
Like climbers tied to the rope – we are all tied together. Tied together in Creation, as brothers & sisters, as One humanity.
Indeed, the Spirit, keep us moving ahead on the journey of faith, encouraging us when believing seems absurd.
You will be given you another Advocate, to be with you forever, says Jesus. And when we have the Advocate/Counselor, we can stand up for the right in all things! Amen.
13Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;
16yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil.
Having a clear conscience…
Don’t be intimidated….
If you suffer for doing what is right, you will be blessed…
These are all words to encouragement
Words of Hope…Words of Ispiration.
Like the Spike Lee movie…it could summed up by the phrase:
“Do the Right Thing!”
This has a justice consequence. A consequence of integrity, of purity.
It means standing up for the moral and ethical thing in all situations.
It reminds of great resistance movements in the past…
The Civil Rights Movement, The Anti-Aparthied Movement. The Anti-War movement.
And…all those efforts are still needed today.
Have we achieved equality, justice, peace? I think not.
And…I think this is also appropriate on the Earth Day Sunday.
As a Christian Community, it is up to us to stand up for Creation. To stand up to Environmental Degradation.
ON this issue…we too need a Clear Conscience, Do what is Right and Not be intimidated by Big Money & Power
I think it is time we at this church look at our “Carbon Footprint”.
And ask ourselves, how might we more fully care for the earth?
This past Winter, First UMC of Germantown decided to switch their worship service to their chapel to reduce their carbon footprint.
A leader in Environmental Justice, they stood up for Creation.
That is just one decision they made where “doing the right thing” meant making a tough decision…that they would have a Clear Conscience.
That is where Beth Stroud was pastor.
The Apostle Peter knew this was important to the early Christian community.
They had to be strong in the face of Empire, competing faith claims and an overall…secular culture.
It is not unlike Jesus who says in his Farewell Discourse… (this passage from today)…
15”If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.
18”I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.
This is the promise of Jesus…We are not alone. The Divine Presence…leads us into all truth, wisdom, love & grace
So, how & where is Jesus leading us?
What is our Carbon Footprint & Where might we do the right thing & stand up for Creation?
This week…I read something sort of funny…but true:
"The reason mountain climbers are tied together is to keep the sane ones from going home."
Whoever said that was playing with us a bit, for we know mountain climbers are tied together to keep from getting lost or going over a cliff.
But there's another piece of truth here.
When things get tough up on the mountain, when fear sets in, many a climber is tempted to say, "This is crazy! I'm going home."
The life of faith can be like that…..
----doubts set in, despair overwhelms us, and the whole notion of believing in God seems crazy.
We go quiet instead of standing up. We roll over instead of being prophetic. We get afraid of the reaction of others…instead of being light & justice & truth.
Jesus knew his disciples would have days like that. So he told them we're tied together in Spirit & Truth. We’re tied together in Love & Justice.
Or, as Martin Luther King Jr. said in his famous “I have a Dream” speech….referring to people of all colors & creeds & cultures living together…
We have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.
We cannot walk alone.
Like climbers tied to the rope – we are all tied together. Tied together in Creation, as brothers & sisters, as One humanity.
Indeed, the Spirit, keep us moving ahead on the journey of faith, encouraging us when believing seems absurd.
You will be given you another Advocate, to be with you forever, says Jesus. And when we have the Advocate/Counselor, we can stand up for the right in all things! Amen.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
A Living Stone, A Foundation of Faith
As I was meditating on these passages, I was trying to find a link between them.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is clear about who he is….as he says… “I and the Father are One”. And… “When you see me, you see the father”….
That’s called a high Christology. It is beginning of the basis of the Trinity…God in 3 persons…Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
The culminating line…Jesus says: “I am the Way, the Truth & the Life, no one comes to the Father but by me”.
A definitive word that is both a powerful foundation and a massive stumbling block.
Foundation for countless Christians through the ages. A stumbling block to many thinking people who find it exclusionary & narrow.
Not only is it drawing a distinction from other faith groups…particularly Jews. But also all of the other religions of the NearEast
And, on top of that. Many feel it is drawing a disctinction with other early Christian groups.
It is clear & direct. Jesus is the Way. Jesus is the Foundation. Jesus is Divine.
God-Made-Flesh.
In 1 Peter, we get a similar feel. Let me read it again…
4Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For it stands in scripture: “See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner,” 8and “A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
So, what are we to say? I think the answer is clear: “Jesus is Lord!”
Jesus is the Way…for me.
And perhaps that last bit is vital. I don’t doubt many other people and paths have some kind of relations with God and connect to Spiritual Energy & Vitality.
But, I simply say… “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”. And I invite you to say the same…
There is much we don’t understand, but let us with simple mind and heart…affirm Jesus as Lord.
Let him be for us our Spiritual Foundation.
Let him be for us the “Living Stone” of our lives.
There is much worse we could do. Faith in Jesus…lead us into paths of righteousness. Leads us into truth, wisdom, virtue, compassion. A life of faith in the Rock, will give us an anchor in every storm.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor, theologian & writer was martyred in WW 11. He wrote: "Faith means the finding and holding fast of this foundation: the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It means casting anchor upon it and being held fast by it. Faith means founding my life upon a foundation which is outside myself, upon an eternal and holy foundation, upon Christ."
In Baptism, we affirm this faith. Not just the family of the one being baptized, but all of us
Jesus is our Rock, our Fortress, our Guide.
And because of our faith, we become new people. We have a new ethic…An ethic of Love. An ethic of Grace. An ethic of Forgiveness.
I end with these two thoughts…
Around 125 A.D. Aristides, the philosopher, described the early Christian community to the Roman Emperor Hadrian like this:
“They love one another. They never fail to help widows; they save orphans from those who hurt them. If they have something, they give freely to the person who has nothing; if they see a stranger, they take him home as a brother or sister in the spirit, the Spirit of God.”
That’s who we are--or at least, that’s who we’ve been called to be.
If Jesus is the Foundation of our life, maybe we too would live like that.
Finally…A young Christian was returning from a retreat. Waiting for him was his boss who was always criticizing & belittling him. “Out skiving again,” the boss cuttingly greeted, “and in spite of all your costly retreats you still look no different to me.” The young Christian paused, smiled and murmured, ‘Ah, maybe; but you look different to me.”
When Jesus comes into our Hearts & is the foundation of our lives, all looks different to us! Amen.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is clear about who he is….as he says… “I and the Father are One”. And… “When you see me, you see the father”….
That’s called a high Christology. It is beginning of the basis of the Trinity…God in 3 persons…Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
The culminating line…Jesus says: “I am the Way, the Truth & the Life, no one comes to the Father but by me”.
A definitive word that is both a powerful foundation and a massive stumbling block.
Foundation for countless Christians through the ages. A stumbling block to many thinking people who find it exclusionary & narrow.
Not only is it drawing a distinction from other faith groups…particularly Jews. But also all of the other religions of the NearEast
And, on top of that. Many feel it is drawing a disctinction with other early Christian groups.
It is clear & direct. Jesus is the Way. Jesus is the Foundation. Jesus is Divine.
God-Made-Flesh.
In 1 Peter, we get a similar feel. Let me read it again…
4Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For it stands in scripture: “See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner,” 8and “A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
So, what are we to say? I think the answer is clear: “Jesus is Lord!”
Jesus is the Way…for me.
And perhaps that last bit is vital. I don’t doubt many other people and paths have some kind of relations with God and connect to Spiritual Energy & Vitality.
But, I simply say… “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”. And I invite you to say the same…
There is much we don’t understand, but let us with simple mind and heart…affirm Jesus as Lord.
Let him be for us our Spiritual Foundation.
Let him be for us the “Living Stone” of our lives.
There is much worse we could do. Faith in Jesus…lead us into paths of righteousness. Leads us into truth, wisdom, virtue, compassion. A life of faith in the Rock, will give us an anchor in every storm.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor, theologian & writer was martyred in WW 11. He wrote: "Faith means the finding and holding fast of this foundation: the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It means casting anchor upon it and being held fast by it. Faith means founding my life upon a foundation which is outside myself, upon an eternal and holy foundation, upon Christ."
In Baptism, we affirm this faith. Not just the family of the one being baptized, but all of us
Jesus is our Rock, our Fortress, our Guide.
And because of our faith, we become new people. We have a new ethic…An ethic of Love. An ethic of Grace. An ethic of Forgiveness.
I end with these two thoughts…
Around 125 A.D. Aristides, the philosopher, described the early Christian community to the Roman Emperor Hadrian like this:
“They love one another. They never fail to help widows; they save orphans from those who hurt them. If they have something, they give freely to the person who has nothing; if they see a stranger, they take him home as a brother or sister in the spirit, the Spirit of God.”
That’s who we are--or at least, that’s who we’ve been called to be.
If Jesus is the Foundation of our life, maybe we too would live like that.
Finally…A young Christian was returning from a retreat. Waiting for him was his boss who was always criticizing & belittling him. “Out skiving again,” the boss cuttingly greeted, “and in spite of all your costly retreats you still look no different to me.” The young Christian paused, smiled and murmured, ‘Ah, maybe; but you look different to me.”
When Jesus comes into our Hearts & is the foundation of our lives, all looks different to us! Amen.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Though & Through .."Though" in Despair, I can get "Through" it!
In American Sign Language, "r" is made by crossing the middle finger over the index finger. But crossed fingers have a history as sign language that far pre--dates ASL.
In the first centuries of the Church, when Christianity was wholly illegal and Christians were vigorously persecuted, believers found ways to communicate their faith in subtle ways.
Accompanying a greeting or farewell, crossed fingers were a code sign, identifying Christians to one another as "people of the cross."
They used Fish sign in dirt as well.
One would draw on swoop of the fish as the first part of the password. The other person…the other swoop.
But today, I’m talking about the “R”.
The “R” sign…as the sign for “People of the cross”. In this sense it stands for Jesus as the Christ.
In culture and society today, the crossed finger is meant in other terms…
If I cross my fingers like this and hold it behind my back…it sorta means it negates what I say.
If I am hoping for something really desperately,
I might cross both sets of fingers in a deep hope of a positive outcome.
But for our community… perhaps we can re-discover the ancient meaning.
Crossed fingers…is Jesus as the Christ.
And it makes sense…when we see it as the letter R
R…the letter R, is the only difference between two words…
Though & Through.
When we put R, or Christ into anything, it makes a huge difference.
It is that one letter that can turn your "though" into a "through."
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
Though ….I have trouble on every side, I can get through it,…… because Christ is with me.Though ….I have failure, despair, rejection, I can get through it,…… because Christ is with me.
Here then, in many ways, is the secret to life!
Make the sign of the cross.
Worried about an outcome? About a stressful situation? Make the sign of the cross!
And things go from “Good Luck” to “I trust”. I trust Christ to get me “Through”
David, the innocent shepherd-boy, knew the truth behind that first word "though" -- there were dangers lurking around every corner.
In his case, there were “lions & tigers & bears, oh my”! There was flood and accident and starvation….truly living on the edge.
In the end though, he I believe he could say….
“Through it all, Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in God.”
Can we say the same thing?
Every one of us has a valley. Some of us have a valley we've been given at birth -- a valley of poverty, or abuse, or disability.
"Though" none of us gets out of life without walking the valley, the psalmist makes it plain that God does not intend for us to sojourn there forever.
The valley of the shadow is something one goes through. Valleys are not resting places, but passageways.
We can walk through our problems. We can walk through our sorrows. We can walk through our pain. We can walk through our screwups.
What Psalm 23 promises us is that, in all these journeys, the Lord will walk through with us."Though" and "through" differ only by one small letter -- the letter "r."; For us, the sign of the cross
This is what the crossed fingers of the letter "r," can mean.
Though we may walk in the darkness of the valley of the shadow, we are not alone.
God is with us. Walking through the valley with us is the one who suffered and died for our sake: The Crucified One. So in the end, we can say…
“Through it all, Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God.”
In the first centuries of the Church, when Christianity was wholly illegal and Christians were vigorously persecuted, believers found ways to communicate their faith in subtle ways.
Accompanying a greeting or farewell, crossed fingers were a code sign, identifying Christians to one another as "people of the cross."
They used Fish sign in dirt as well.
One would draw on swoop of the fish as the first part of the password. The other person…the other swoop.
But today, I’m talking about the “R”.
The “R” sign…as the sign for “People of the cross”. In this sense it stands for Jesus as the Christ.
In culture and society today, the crossed finger is meant in other terms…
If I cross my fingers like this and hold it behind my back…it sorta means it negates what I say.
If I am hoping for something really desperately,
I might cross both sets of fingers in a deep hope of a positive outcome.
But for our community… perhaps we can re-discover the ancient meaning.
Crossed fingers…is Jesus as the Christ.
And it makes sense…when we see it as the letter R
R…the letter R, is the only difference between two words…
Though & Through.
When we put R, or Christ into anything, it makes a huge difference.
It is that one letter that can turn your "though" into a "through."
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
Though ….I have trouble on every side, I can get through it,…… because Christ is with me.Though ….I have failure, despair, rejection, I can get through it,…… because Christ is with me.
Here then, in many ways, is the secret to life!
Make the sign of the cross.
Worried about an outcome? About a stressful situation? Make the sign of the cross!
And things go from “Good Luck” to “I trust”. I trust Christ to get me “Through”
David, the innocent shepherd-boy, knew the truth behind that first word "though" -- there were dangers lurking around every corner.
In his case, there were “lions & tigers & bears, oh my”! There was flood and accident and starvation….truly living on the edge.
In the end though, he I believe he could say….
“Through it all, Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in God.”
Can we say the same thing?
Every one of us has a valley. Some of us have a valley we've been given at birth -- a valley of poverty, or abuse, or disability.
"Though" none of us gets out of life without walking the valley, the psalmist makes it plain that God does not intend for us to sojourn there forever.
The valley of the shadow is something one goes through. Valleys are not resting places, but passageways.
We can walk through our problems. We can walk through our sorrows. We can walk through our pain. We can walk through our screwups.
What Psalm 23 promises us is that, in all these journeys, the Lord will walk through with us."Though" and "through" differ only by one small letter -- the letter "r."; For us, the sign of the cross
This is what the crossed fingers of the letter "r," can mean.
Though we may walk in the darkness of the valley of the shadow, we are not alone.
God is with us. Walking through the valley with us is the one who suffered and died for our sake: The Crucified One. So in the end, we can say…
“Through it all, Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God.”
Sunday, April 6, 2008
"In our New Beginnings, Chirst Abides With Us"
“Truth must dazzle gradually, or every man be blind.”
Emily Dickinson
The quote embodies out passage for today.
It is the classic story to “The Emmaus Road”.
Two disciples walking along the path…one named Cleopas, the other unnamed. Two that are dejected, afraid, in despair.
Their destination…Emmaus, a town about 7 miles from Jerusalem.
Along the path…a mysterious traveler joins up with them.
Here is where we see what Emily Dickenson said is right…Truth must dawn on us…not be too much at once.
The disciples are dazed & confused. They are sad, and wondering what to think.
Their beloved Lord..the one in whom they put all their trust and hope….had just died as a common criminal.
We can all probably relate to these folks. They are feeling depression & grief. We all know what it feels like to be sad after the death of a loved one.
This was compounded by despair because their Savior…had been killed. Leader of the movement.
Slowly, the new walking guide began to explain how these things had to happen.
Like a new day dawning, their understanding began to unfold and open up.
Then, just when it was almost dark they arrived at their destination.
They mysterious traveler was going to be going on…but as the text says…..they “constrained him to stay”.
So, he joined them for supper. In a scene perhaps like the Upper Room with Thomas….
They were eating a meal reminiscent of the Last Supper. They shared the cup & then the loaf.
And in doing so…suddenly their eyes were opened. The recognized Jesus as the one in their midst.
But, just as with Thomas, he vanished from their midst.
“Didn’t out hearts burn within us” they said when he was on the road…& in here, revealing to us his mystery.
Again…Emily Dickenson…“Truth must dazzle gradually, or every man be blind.”
Jesus let the truth sink in gradually….and light was then revealed.
We can all related to this story, for it reminds us of our New Beginnings. That’s what was going on with the Disciples….
It was a new beginning for them. Jesus had died and they were facing the future now without their trusted companion & friend. Without leader & guide.
Think back to some of the New Beginnings you’ve had…
Perhaps in a new school. Or new job, new relationship. Perhaps it was starting over after a divorce or death.
New beginnings can be quite scary. We feel vulnerable and lost.
But perhaps we need to remember, like those early disciples, we are not left alone…but the Risen Christ is with us….don’t always see
David E. Leininger, wrote in East of Easter, the following about the famous hymn…Abide With Me..
In the King James Version of the Bible, the invitation of the two travelers reads, "Abide with me; for it is toward evening and the day is far spent," words which were the inspiration for that beloved hymn, "Abide with me/Fast falls the eventide." The hymn was written by Henry Francis Lyte, for 25 years the vicar of the parish at Devonshire, England. He was 54 years old, broken in health and saddened by dissensions in his congregation. On Sunday, September 4, 1847 he preached his farewell sermon and went home to rest. After tea in the afternoon, he retired to his study. In an hour or two, he rejoined his family, holding in his hand the manuscript of his immortal hymn.
Despite what most think, Lyte's "eventide" has nothing to do with the end of the natural day but rather the end of life. "Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day/Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away." The words are about the faith that face life and death fearlessly and triumphantly in the light of the cross and the empty tomb....East of Easter. Thus Lyte could conclude, "Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee/In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me." Vicar Lyte died three months later.
Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me; I may not lead.
Walk beside me and be my friend. Albert Camus
These words bring to mind lots of wonderful hymns of faith….
“What a friend we have in Jesus”…all our sins & griefs to bear”…..In Jesus, we have a companion, a friend, who is with us in all things. One who will never leave us or abandon us.
We also sing….
“This is a Day of New Beginnings”…time to remember and move on…
In faith we gather round the table, to taste and share what love has can do…
This day, we gather in a room as followers of Jesus. We too will break bread, share the cup.
Faithful followers accompanied by unknown guests…..
And as we break the bread & share the cup….may our eyes be opened too.
Opened to mystery. To Love. To God’s presence in our midst. For indeed, The Lord of Life…Abides With Us.
Jesus is with us…always by our side. Revealing mystery. Giving Hope. With us in our New Beginnings. Now & Always! Amen.
Emily Dickinson
The quote embodies out passage for today.
It is the classic story to “The Emmaus Road”.
Two disciples walking along the path…one named Cleopas, the other unnamed. Two that are dejected, afraid, in despair.
Their destination…Emmaus, a town about 7 miles from Jerusalem.
Along the path…a mysterious traveler joins up with them.
Here is where we see what Emily Dickenson said is right…Truth must dawn on us…not be too much at once.
The disciples are dazed & confused. They are sad, and wondering what to think.
Their beloved Lord..the one in whom they put all their trust and hope….had just died as a common criminal.
We can all probably relate to these folks. They are feeling depression & grief. We all know what it feels like to be sad after the death of a loved one.
This was compounded by despair because their Savior…had been killed. Leader of the movement.
Slowly, the new walking guide began to explain how these things had to happen.
Like a new day dawning, their understanding began to unfold and open up.
Then, just when it was almost dark they arrived at their destination.
They mysterious traveler was going to be going on…but as the text says…..they “constrained him to stay”.
So, he joined them for supper. In a scene perhaps like the Upper Room with Thomas….
They were eating a meal reminiscent of the Last Supper. They shared the cup & then the loaf.
And in doing so…suddenly their eyes were opened. The recognized Jesus as the one in their midst.
But, just as with Thomas, he vanished from their midst.
“Didn’t out hearts burn within us” they said when he was on the road…& in here, revealing to us his mystery.
Again…Emily Dickenson…“Truth must dazzle gradually, or every man be blind.”
Jesus let the truth sink in gradually….and light was then revealed.
We can all related to this story, for it reminds us of our New Beginnings. That’s what was going on with the Disciples….
It was a new beginning for them. Jesus had died and they were facing the future now without their trusted companion & friend. Without leader & guide.
Think back to some of the New Beginnings you’ve had…
Perhaps in a new school. Or new job, new relationship. Perhaps it was starting over after a divorce or death.
New beginnings can be quite scary. We feel vulnerable and lost.
But perhaps we need to remember, like those early disciples, we are not left alone…but the Risen Christ is with us….don’t always see
David E. Leininger, wrote in East of Easter, the following about the famous hymn…Abide With Me..
In the King James Version of the Bible, the invitation of the two travelers reads, "Abide with me; for it is toward evening and the day is far spent," words which were the inspiration for that beloved hymn, "Abide with me/Fast falls the eventide." The hymn was written by Henry Francis Lyte, for 25 years the vicar of the parish at Devonshire, England. He was 54 years old, broken in health and saddened by dissensions in his congregation. On Sunday, September 4, 1847 he preached his farewell sermon and went home to rest. After tea in the afternoon, he retired to his study. In an hour or two, he rejoined his family, holding in his hand the manuscript of his immortal hymn.
Despite what most think, Lyte's "eventide" has nothing to do with the end of the natural day but rather the end of life. "Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day/Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away." The words are about the faith that face life and death fearlessly and triumphantly in the light of the cross and the empty tomb....East of Easter. Thus Lyte could conclude, "Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee/In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me." Vicar Lyte died three months later.
Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me; I may not lead.
Walk beside me and be my friend. Albert Camus
These words bring to mind lots of wonderful hymns of faith….
“What a friend we have in Jesus”…all our sins & griefs to bear”…..In Jesus, we have a companion, a friend, who is with us in all things. One who will never leave us or abandon us.
We also sing….
“This is a Day of New Beginnings”…time to remember and move on…
In faith we gather round the table, to taste and share what love has can do…
This day, we gather in a room as followers of Jesus. We too will break bread, share the cup.
Faithful followers accompanied by unknown guests…..
And as we break the bread & share the cup….may our eyes be opened too.
Opened to mystery. To Love. To God’s presence in our midst. For indeed, The Lord of Life…Abides With Us.
Jesus is with us…always by our side. Revealing mystery. Giving Hope. With us in our New Beginnings. Now & Always! Amen.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Doubting Thomas, Whose Twin is He? Ours!
If we were to do a “Word Association” game, some words would we could probably guess without trying to hard. Others, perhaps not.
If we said Peter, what would you say?
Faith? Disciple, Deny?
If we said Judas, you might say: Betray
& If you said Thomas, most people would probably say: “Doubter”
It sort of unfortunate that he’s gotten that label, as that’s not the only thing about him.
Tradition has it that he spread the church to India. So, clearly he was faithful.
He is mentioned several other times in the Gospel of John before our passage today…
In fact, when Jesus says that he is going to Jerusalem to die, everyone tries to talk him out of it except Thomas. Thomas steps to the plate and says, “let us all go and die with him”.
Then in another place, He also is bold enough to ask Jesus: “How can we know the way?” When Jesus says: “You know the way where I am going” predicting his own death.
To which Jesus says those famous and words…. “I am the way the truth & the life, no one comes to the Father but by me”.
Beautiful, yet troubling to the modern mind because of the implication that only believers in Jesus can “Know the Father”.
For the modern person like us,
We might like the way the poet Tennyson put it:
"There lives more faith in honest doubt, Believe me, than in half the creeds."
In this, we would say….. Doubt is not the opposite of Faith, but a part of it.
These and other lines, make it clear, that Thomas, called the Twin, is our Twin.
You see, the text refers to Thomas as Dydemis, which means Twin.
But….Whose twin was he a twin of? Was he the Twin of Jesus? Or of another named or un-named disciple?
Very possibly. But for sure, He is our Twin.
We too are doubters so often. We too are the ones who want critical evidence. We too are the modern scholars who pick apart the text and wonder how it could all be.
Indeed…Thomas is our Twin. We look like him & Act like him. Just like twins look & act alike.
And, that wouldn’t be so bad…as long as….
We close the loop like him.
Thomas misses Jesus the first time and says…I won’t believe until I see the wounds in his hands and side. Until I touch, I won’t believe.
But then, a week later, Jesus again appears when Thomas is with them.
Now, Jesus invites Thomas to see & touch & believe.
Thomas’ response: “My Lord & My God!!”
That’s what I mean about closing the loop. I trust that we will be as the Gospel writer says that Jesus said: “you believe because you see, but blessed are they that believe, even if they don’t see.”
That is really closing the loop. Not seeing, but believing.
So my question to us today: Are we Thomas’ Twin? Perhaps in our doubts, but Hopefully in our Belief.
And in our actions.
Thomas went from there and eventually spread the Gospel message to a whole new continent.
Can we be Thomas’ Twin?
Wyvetta Bullock, in Must We See to Believe? Relays this story….
There is a story about a pre-civil rights African American community in Florida . The story says that during times of political elections, this community would rent a voting machine and go through the voting process. Now, they knew that their votes would not be counted, but they voted anyway. When asked by members of the white community why they did this every year, they replied, "Oh, just practicing. Just practicing."Believing in what is not yet seen means we practice or behave as if it is already exists. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said,
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
This is what leaders and visionaries do.
They believe in something bigger than themselves and they begin to act as if it is so.
Thomas was a visionary & leader. Are we his Twin? I end with this other story that I think says it all…..
As told by Leslie Flynn, it is of a
small boy being raised in a frontier city by his grandmother. One night the house catches on fire. The grandmother, trying to rescue the boy who was asleep in the bedroom upstairs, is overcome by the smoke and dies in the fire. This frontier city doesn't have much of a fire department. A crowd gathers around the house and they hear a small boy crying out for help. The lower floor is a wall of flames and no one seems to know what to do. Suddenly, a man pushes through the crowd and begins climbing an iron drainage pipe which runs to the roof. The pipe is hot from the fire, but he makes it to a second floor window. The man crawls through the window and locates the boy. With the crowd cheering encouragement, the man climbs back down the hot iron pipe with the boy on his back and his arms around his neck.
A few weeks later, a public meeting was held to determine in whose custody the boy would be placed. Each person wanting the child would be allowed to make a brief statement. The first man said, "I have a farm and would give the boy a good home. He would grow up on the farm and learn a trade."
The second person to speak was the local school teacher. She said, "I am a school teacher and I would see to it that he received a good education." Finally, the banker said, "Mrs. Morton and I would be able to give the boy a fine home and a fine education. We would like him to come and live with us." The presiding officer looked around and asked, "Is there anyone else who would like to say anything?" From the back row, a man rose and said, "These other people may be able to offer some things I can't. All I can offer is my love." Then, he slowly removed his hands from his coat pockets. A gasp went up from the crowd because his hands were scarred terribly from climbing up and down the hot pipe. The boy recognized the man as the one who had saved his life and ran into his waiting arms.
The farmer, teacher and the banker simply sat down. Everyone knew what the decision would be. The scarred hands proved that this man had given more than all the others.
The scarred hands of Jesus say it all to us. In his death, we have life. This day, don’t doubt, but Believe!!
If we said Peter, what would you say?
Faith? Disciple, Deny?
If we said Judas, you might say: Betray
& If you said Thomas, most people would probably say: “Doubter”
It sort of unfortunate that he’s gotten that label, as that’s not the only thing about him.
Tradition has it that he spread the church to India. So, clearly he was faithful.
He is mentioned several other times in the Gospel of John before our passage today…
In fact, when Jesus says that he is going to Jerusalem to die, everyone tries to talk him out of it except Thomas. Thomas steps to the plate and says, “let us all go and die with him”.
Then in another place, He also is bold enough to ask Jesus: “How can we know the way?” When Jesus says: “You know the way where I am going” predicting his own death.
To which Jesus says those famous and words…. “I am the way the truth & the life, no one comes to the Father but by me”.
Beautiful, yet troubling to the modern mind because of the implication that only believers in Jesus can “Know the Father”.
For the modern person like us,
We might like the way the poet Tennyson put it:
"There lives more faith in honest doubt, Believe me, than in half the creeds."
In this, we would say….. Doubt is not the opposite of Faith, but a part of it.
These and other lines, make it clear, that Thomas, called the Twin, is our Twin.
You see, the text refers to Thomas as Dydemis, which means Twin.
But….Whose twin was he a twin of? Was he the Twin of Jesus? Or of another named or un-named disciple?
Very possibly. But for sure, He is our Twin.
We too are doubters so often. We too are the ones who want critical evidence. We too are the modern scholars who pick apart the text and wonder how it could all be.
Indeed…Thomas is our Twin. We look like him & Act like him. Just like twins look & act alike.
And, that wouldn’t be so bad…as long as….
We close the loop like him.
Thomas misses Jesus the first time and says…I won’t believe until I see the wounds in his hands and side. Until I touch, I won’t believe.
But then, a week later, Jesus again appears when Thomas is with them.
Now, Jesus invites Thomas to see & touch & believe.
Thomas’ response: “My Lord & My God!!”
That’s what I mean about closing the loop. I trust that we will be as the Gospel writer says that Jesus said: “you believe because you see, but blessed are they that believe, even if they don’t see.”
That is really closing the loop. Not seeing, but believing.
So my question to us today: Are we Thomas’ Twin? Perhaps in our doubts, but Hopefully in our Belief.
And in our actions.
Thomas went from there and eventually spread the Gospel message to a whole new continent.
Can we be Thomas’ Twin?
Wyvetta Bullock, in Must We See to Believe? Relays this story….
There is a story about a pre-civil rights African American community in Florida . The story says that during times of political elections, this community would rent a voting machine and go through the voting process. Now, they knew that their votes would not be counted, but they voted anyway. When asked by members of the white community why they did this every year, they replied, "Oh, just practicing. Just practicing."Believing in what is not yet seen means we practice or behave as if it is already exists. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said,
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
This is what leaders and visionaries do.
They believe in something bigger than themselves and they begin to act as if it is so.
Thomas was a visionary & leader. Are we his Twin? I end with this other story that I think says it all…..
As told by Leslie Flynn, it is of a
small boy being raised in a frontier city by his grandmother. One night the house catches on fire. The grandmother, trying to rescue the boy who was asleep in the bedroom upstairs, is overcome by the smoke and dies in the fire. This frontier city doesn't have much of a fire department. A crowd gathers around the house and they hear a small boy crying out for help. The lower floor is a wall of flames and no one seems to know what to do. Suddenly, a man pushes through the crowd and begins climbing an iron drainage pipe which runs to the roof. The pipe is hot from the fire, but he makes it to a second floor window. The man crawls through the window and locates the boy. With the crowd cheering encouragement, the man climbs back down the hot iron pipe with the boy on his back and his arms around his neck.
A few weeks later, a public meeting was held to determine in whose custody the boy would be placed. Each person wanting the child would be allowed to make a brief statement. The first man said, "I have a farm and would give the boy a good home. He would grow up on the farm and learn a trade."
The second person to speak was the local school teacher. She said, "I am a school teacher and I would see to it that he received a good education." Finally, the banker said, "Mrs. Morton and I would be able to give the boy a fine home and a fine education. We would like him to come and live with us." The presiding officer looked around and asked, "Is there anyone else who would like to say anything?" From the back row, a man rose and said, "These other people may be able to offer some things I can't. All I can offer is my love." Then, he slowly removed his hands from his coat pockets. A gasp went up from the crowd because his hands were scarred terribly from climbing up and down the hot pipe. The boy recognized the man as the one who had saved his life and ran into his waiting arms.
The farmer, teacher and the banker simply sat down. Everyone knew what the decision would be. The scarred hands proved that this man had given more than all the others.
The scarred hands of Jesus say it all to us. In his death, we have life. This day, don’t doubt, but Believe!!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Easter Sunday "The Empty Tomb"
Did you ever see or collect bugs when you were a kid?
Or maybe, u didn’t just get the bug, but also the shells that the bugs left behind.
The cicadas & the cocoons & the cracked & empty birds eggs.
These signs of nature are all beautiful and fascinating to us.
They tell us of mystery & new life. They tell us Of the return of spring & summer….of the power and miracle of transformation & renewal.
We see in the Gospel of John, the divine-human version of the cicada shell.
In John 20, Mary & Peter see only the burial cloth. They see a shroud all neatly piled up and sitting there.
Like the cicada & the snake and the empty cocoon, the grave stands empty.
“He is not here, he has Risen as he said!” proclaims the Angel sitting by the grave.
Except this isn’t just a normal Spring ritual of death & renewal…of transformation & new life. This is a once-in-creation miracle.
This is the very power of God at work in the world….Bringing Death from life.
I like the way author Lindy Black put it:
“As wilderness preceded the Promise land; foolishness precedes wisdom; emptiness precedes fulfillment & suffering precedes joy.
So death precedes resurrection & darkness the light.”
The tomb was just the cicada shell with the neat slit down its back.
The living being that had once been inside of it was gone.
The singing & the love was going on…
Going somewhere else,
Which may be why Peter and the other disciple did not stay very long.
Clearly, Jesus was not there.
He had risen, just like he said.
Somewhere or other I heard of a Sunday School teacher who had justfinished telling her third graders about how Jesus was crucified andplaced in a tomb with a great stone sealing off the only way in or out.Then, wanting to share the excitement of the resurrection, and thesurprise of Easter morning, she asked: "And what do you think were Jesus'first words when he came bursting out of that tomb alive."A hand shot up into the air from the rear of the classroom. It belonged toa most excited little girl. Leaping out of her chair she shouted outexcitedly, "I know, I know, I know.""Good," said the teacher, "Tell us."Extending her arms high in the air she sang out: "TA - DA!"
You think that is what Jesus said to Mary?
No! He said: “Mary” He knew her name.
Then he said… “Be Not Afraid…..”
You see, He had outgrown his tomb & come back to emrace her as the Living Lord.
The risen one had people to see and things to do. His business was among the living, not the dead.
And….Every time he came to his friends …..they became stronger, wiser, kinder, more daring.
Every time he came to them, they became more like him.
That is what a spiritual encounter with the Risen Christ does to us.
Just like the disciples who went from scared & scattered exiles to bold & passionate proclaimers….
So, too, do we get transformed.
Because He Lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He Lives, all fear is gone…….
Our night becomes day. Our despair turns to hope. Our, blindness changes to site!
A guy named Fred R. Anderson says:
“Easter is the eighth day of creation.”
That means & is….
A new Day. A new Order. A new Realm.
The German theologian Jurgen Moltmann says:
"God weeps with us so that we may someday laugh with him."
That is the Good News!!
I end with this story….There was a cartoon showing a man about to be rescued after being ship-wrecked on a tiny deserted island.
The sailor in charge of the rescue team stepped onto the beach and handed the man a stack of newspapers.
"Compliments of the Captain," the sailor said. "
He would like you to glance at the headlines to see if you'd still like to be rescued!"
Sometimes the headlines do scare us. Sometimes we feel that evil is winning,
But then along comes Easter, to remind us that there is no grave deep enough,
no seal imposing enough, no stone heavy enough, no evil strong enough to keep Christ in the grave.
Because He Lives, I can face tomorrow!
Because He Lives, All Fear is gone…..
Brothers & Sisters, go forth from this place knowing that Christ is alive.....and with us!
Now & Always! Amen!
Or maybe, u didn’t just get the bug, but also the shells that the bugs left behind.
The cicadas & the cocoons & the cracked & empty birds eggs.
These signs of nature are all beautiful and fascinating to us.
They tell us of mystery & new life. They tell us Of the return of spring & summer….of the power and miracle of transformation & renewal.
We see in the Gospel of John, the divine-human version of the cicada shell.
In John 20, Mary & Peter see only the burial cloth. They see a shroud all neatly piled up and sitting there.
Like the cicada & the snake and the empty cocoon, the grave stands empty.
“He is not here, he has Risen as he said!” proclaims the Angel sitting by the grave.
Except this isn’t just a normal Spring ritual of death & renewal…of transformation & new life. This is a once-in-creation miracle.
This is the very power of God at work in the world….Bringing Death from life.
I like the way author Lindy Black put it:
“As wilderness preceded the Promise land; foolishness precedes wisdom; emptiness precedes fulfillment & suffering precedes joy.
So death precedes resurrection & darkness the light.”
The tomb was just the cicada shell with the neat slit down its back.
The living being that had once been inside of it was gone.
The singing & the love was going on…
Going somewhere else,
Which may be why Peter and the other disciple did not stay very long.
Clearly, Jesus was not there.
He had risen, just like he said.
Somewhere or other I heard of a Sunday School teacher who had justfinished telling her third graders about how Jesus was crucified andplaced in a tomb with a great stone sealing off the only way in or out.Then, wanting to share the excitement of the resurrection, and thesurprise of Easter morning, she asked: "And what do you think were Jesus'first words when he came bursting out of that tomb alive."A hand shot up into the air from the rear of the classroom. It belonged toa most excited little girl. Leaping out of her chair she shouted outexcitedly, "I know, I know, I know.""Good," said the teacher, "Tell us."Extending her arms high in the air she sang out: "TA - DA!"
You think that is what Jesus said to Mary?
No! He said: “Mary” He knew her name.
Then he said… “Be Not Afraid…..”
You see, He had outgrown his tomb & come back to emrace her as the Living Lord.
The risen one had people to see and things to do. His business was among the living, not the dead.
And….Every time he came to his friends …..they became stronger, wiser, kinder, more daring.
Every time he came to them, they became more like him.
That is what a spiritual encounter with the Risen Christ does to us.
Just like the disciples who went from scared & scattered exiles to bold & passionate proclaimers….
So, too, do we get transformed.
Because He Lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He Lives, all fear is gone…….
Our night becomes day. Our despair turns to hope. Our, blindness changes to site!
A guy named Fred R. Anderson says:
“Easter is the eighth day of creation.”
That means & is….
A new Day. A new Order. A new Realm.
The German theologian Jurgen Moltmann says:
"God weeps with us so that we may someday laugh with him."
That is the Good News!!
I end with this story….There was a cartoon showing a man about to be rescued after being ship-wrecked on a tiny deserted island.
The sailor in charge of the rescue team stepped onto the beach and handed the man a stack of newspapers.
"Compliments of the Captain," the sailor said. "
He would like you to glance at the headlines to see if you'd still like to be rescued!"
Sometimes the headlines do scare us. Sometimes we feel that evil is winning,
But then along comes Easter, to remind us that there is no grave deep enough,
no seal imposing enough, no stone heavy enough, no evil strong enough to keep Christ in the grave.
Because He Lives, I can face tomorrow!
Because He Lives, All Fear is gone…..
Brothers & Sisters, go forth from this place knowing that Christ is alive.....and with us!
Now & Always! Amen!
Palm Sunday "A Beautiful Mind"
This week we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem.
We had seen earlier that he had “set his face” toward Jerusalem…meaning, his vision was set. His mind was made up. His action was sure and clear.
Now….he enters in. The time has come.
Matthew recounts the story of how it came to be. In his version of what happened. He tells us that Jesus sends some emissaries ahead to get things prepared.
So, they go and will find an ass and a colt…..or some kind of beast that Jesus will ride on…into town.
What is noted is the OT reference to how it is to happen to fulfill the scripture.
It is also very much showing a contrast to the King of the Day…the Emporer.
Everyone who lives at this time and would read his letter knows that the King comes in on a Stead….A mighty horse of stature & grace.
Jesus, however, comes in on a humble mule.
The contrast is clear. The comparison….and therefore the challenge to political reality…to status quo is also clear.
Choose ye this day whom you will serve….The Roman Emporer, the ruling King… or,
The King of Kings & Lord of Lords.
So they bring the animal to Jesus and he rides into town. They drape their garments.
Everyone comes out of their homes and lauds his entrance. They cut branches from trees & spread them along the way.
Again…a clear reference to how the Emporer would be welcomed. But this is a different kind of King. One this world would not understand.
Having set his mind toward Jerusalem….
Having made up his mind…..
He enters in. Acclimation Now.
But oh how the tide can turn. Oh, how fickle the people can be. Oh, how quickly their allegiance can change….especially if they too could suffer.
I was reading this week about another entrance into Jerusalem. Here it is…..
“Two thousand years after Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, another visitor came to the city, Germany's last kaiser, Wilhelm II. His entourage was so grand that he had to have the Jaffe Gate in the old city widened so that his over-sized carriage could pass through. After the parade had ended, someone climbed up and attached a large sign to the gate. The sign read, "A better man than Wilhelm came through this city's gate. He rode on a donkey."
……What made Jesus a better man, do you think? What was it about him that compelled the people to spread their cloaks and wave their branches in the air?
What is it about him that still inspires millions of people to give their lives to him and even for him?
Nowhere has the paradoxical beauty of the mind of Christ been more eloquently expressed than by Paul in his Letter to the Philippians:
"Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant and humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." What made him a better man? It was his beautiful mind, which was nothing less than the very mind of God.
*His beautiful mind put him on the back of that donkey. * His beautiful mind gave him the courage to speak the message of salvation no matter what it cost. * His beautiful mind opened his eyes so that he could see the people who were being put down or shut out by unjust practices and selfish ambitions on the part of others. * His beautiful mind led him to overturn the tables of the money changers in the temple, led him to cure the blind and the lame. * His beautiful mind brought him to his knees before the disciples so that he could wash their feet on the night of his betrayal. * His mind led him to the cross where he poured out his life. "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus," Paul admonished his friends in Philippi. If you want to belong to him, the first thing you will need to do is get your mind right. Can we live that way too? Paul thought we could. "Have the same mind in you that was in Christ Jesus," he said.
Friends, this day, this week, this life….
I invite you to “Have that mind that is in Christ Jesus”.
I invite you to invite Jesus into your heart.
To…Carry Your Cross, To….Lay down your life,
To…Set your mind, your heart, your life on things that are above. And in so doing, you will be like Christ.
But I would also remind you of this promise….
To those who carry the cross, will one day receive a crown.
To those who die in Christ, we have the promise that they will be raised in Glory.
This day, we celebrate Jesus’ Beautiful Mind.
And may that word go out to us as well…
"Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant and humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Amen.
We had seen earlier that he had “set his face” toward Jerusalem…meaning, his vision was set. His mind was made up. His action was sure and clear.
Now….he enters in. The time has come.
Matthew recounts the story of how it came to be. In his version of what happened. He tells us that Jesus sends some emissaries ahead to get things prepared.
So, they go and will find an ass and a colt…..or some kind of beast that Jesus will ride on…into town.
What is noted is the OT reference to how it is to happen to fulfill the scripture.
It is also very much showing a contrast to the King of the Day…the Emporer.
Everyone who lives at this time and would read his letter knows that the King comes in on a Stead….A mighty horse of stature & grace.
Jesus, however, comes in on a humble mule.
The contrast is clear. The comparison….and therefore the challenge to political reality…to status quo is also clear.
Choose ye this day whom you will serve….The Roman Emporer, the ruling King… or,
The King of Kings & Lord of Lords.
So they bring the animal to Jesus and he rides into town. They drape their garments.
Everyone comes out of their homes and lauds his entrance. They cut branches from trees & spread them along the way.
Again…a clear reference to how the Emporer would be welcomed. But this is a different kind of King. One this world would not understand.
Having set his mind toward Jerusalem….
Having made up his mind…..
He enters in. Acclimation Now.
But oh how the tide can turn. Oh, how fickle the people can be. Oh, how quickly their allegiance can change….especially if they too could suffer.
I was reading this week about another entrance into Jerusalem. Here it is…..
“Two thousand years after Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, another visitor came to the city, Germany's last kaiser, Wilhelm II. His entourage was so grand that he had to have the Jaffe Gate in the old city widened so that his over-sized carriage could pass through. After the parade had ended, someone climbed up and attached a large sign to the gate. The sign read, "A better man than Wilhelm came through this city's gate. He rode on a donkey."
……What made Jesus a better man, do you think? What was it about him that compelled the people to spread their cloaks and wave their branches in the air?
What is it about him that still inspires millions of people to give their lives to him and even for him?
Nowhere has the paradoxical beauty of the mind of Christ been more eloquently expressed than by Paul in his Letter to the Philippians:
"Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant and humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." What made him a better man? It was his beautiful mind, which was nothing less than the very mind of God.
*His beautiful mind put him on the back of that donkey. * His beautiful mind gave him the courage to speak the message of salvation no matter what it cost. * His beautiful mind opened his eyes so that he could see the people who were being put down or shut out by unjust practices and selfish ambitions on the part of others. * His beautiful mind led him to overturn the tables of the money changers in the temple, led him to cure the blind and the lame. * His beautiful mind brought him to his knees before the disciples so that he could wash their feet on the night of his betrayal. * His mind led him to the cross where he poured out his life. "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus," Paul admonished his friends in Philippi. If you want to belong to him, the first thing you will need to do is get your mind right. Can we live that way too? Paul thought we could. "Have the same mind in you that was in Christ Jesus," he said.
Friends, this day, this week, this life….
I invite you to “Have that mind that is in Christ Jesus”.
I invite you to invite Jesus into your heart.
To…Carry Your Cross, To….Lay down your life,
To…Set your mind, your heart, your life on things that are above. And in so doing, you will be like Christ.
But I would also remind you of this promise….
To those who carry the cross, will one day receive a crown.
To those who die in Christ, we have the promise that they will be raised in Glory.
This day, we celebrate Jesus’ Beautiful Mind.
And may that word go out to us as well…
"Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant and humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Amen.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Woman at the Well
“The Woman at the Well”…. famous in lure & scripture.
She…a Samaritan Woman, a woman who was considered:
Unclean, Impure, Foreign, “less-then”
And yet, she is treated with dignity, love & respect by our Lord in his daily travels.
In this passage, we see much that shapes our Christian identity as:
Barrier-Breakers, Channels of Grace & Proclaimers of Faith,
With those three thoughts in mind, let’s look at the text a bit deeper.
Samaria was a land imbedded within Israel. It was a pocket of territory that geographically, was right between the north & the south.
Travelers could go around it…or pass through it.
But, it would be like going straight through North Philadelphia..rather then taking the turnpike & expressways around the city.
Going the Samaria route was more direct, but it meant crossing into foreign & forsaken land. It meant going into the land of unclean & ungodly heathens.
At least, that is the way Jews saw the people and land of Samaria.
And yet, Jesus “walked right through”. Modeling for us…my first point.
He was a “Barrier-Breaker”. He didn’t let the presumptions, prejudices and preconceived notions of “the right kind of people” dictate his actions.
Then, he took that a step farther by talking with a Woman at the Well.
Barrier-Breaking went to a new level: A foreigner, a woman, a person of no status.
Right there is my first point.
How might we live out the Gospel of Christ by doing some Barrier-Breaking of our own?
Who might we talk to, see as human for the first time, break bread or share from a cup…one whom we may never have noticed or seen a as a real person.
Who are the “Invisible people” in our lives? Do we objectify others? Let us learn from JC.
Jesus then went on to talk to this woman.
He asked for a drink. And what ensues is a whole conversation about Water & Living Water.
Jesus is trying to convey to her, that the water from the well will quench physical thirst.
But He has Living Water to share. He has the “Good News”. He has the Waters that Flow from Eternal Life. “Living Water”.
The Waters of Forgiveness, of Shalom. Of Love and Grace & Acceptance.
These are the waters that: “Quench the Thirst of the Soul”.
In the conversation, he also talks plainly about her life and her brokenness.
Her soul is laid bare. But in that Moment of Honesty, she discovers Healing & Grace.
There’s a story I like that reminds me of this.
A few years ago, rumors spread that a certain Catholic woman was having visions of Jesus. The archbishop decided to check her out.
'Is it true, m'am, that you have visions of Jesus?' asked the cleric.
'Yes,' the woman replied.
'Well, the next time you have a vision, I want you to ask Jesus to tell you the sins that I confessed in my last confession. Please call me if anything happens.'
Ten days later the woman notified her spiritual leader of a recent apparition.
Within the hour the archbishop arrived. 'What did Jesus say?' he asked.
She took his hand and gazed deep into his eyes. 'Bishop,' she said, 'these are his exact words: I CAN'T REMEMBER. '
When we have an encounter with the True & Living God, All will be revealed to us…..
Just like the Woman at the Well. But praise God, if we ask Jesus if he remembers our sins, his response to us is the same: “I can’t remember!”
He went to the cross for a redemption of sin…that we too, might be washed clean.
Then…we too, might do as the Woman at the Well did.
Go & tell others the Good News!
She went back into town and proclaimed that the Messiah had come! And many more believed.
Christian Writer George G. Hunter says, "Authentic evangelism," "flows from a mindset that acknowledges the ultimate value of people - forgotten people, lost people, wandering people, up-and-outers, down-and outers - all people. The highest value is to love them, serve them, and reach them."
"Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city." The woman would be back. The woman who shied away from people because she wanted to avoid their scorn was energized to tell others, the very people who had hurt her, that she had found the Messiah.
She…a Samaritan Woman, a woman who was considered:
Unclean, Impure, Foreign, “less-then”
And yet, she is treated with dignity, love & respect by our Lord in his daily travels.
In this passage, we see much that shapes our Christian identity as:
Barrier-Breakers, Channels of Grace & Proclaimers of Faith,
With those three thoughts in mind, let’s look at the text a bit deeper.
Samaria was a land imbedded within Israel. It was a pocket of territory that geographically, was right between the north & the south.
Travelers could go around it…or pass through it.
But, it would be like going straight through North Philadelphia..rather then taking the turnpike & expressways around the city.
Going the Samaria route was more direct, but it meant crossing into foreign & forsaken land. It meant going into the land of unclean & ungodly heathens.
At least, that is the way Jews saw the people and land of Samaria.
And yet, Jesus “walked right through”. Modeling for us…my first point.
He was a “Barrier-Breaker”. He didn’t let the presumptions, prejudices and preconceived notions of “the right kind of people” dictate his actions.
Then, he took that a step farther by talking with a Woman at the Well.
Barrier-Breaking went to a new level: A foreigner, a woman, a person of no status.
Right there is my first point.
How might we live out the Gospel of Christ by doing some Barrier-Breaking of our own?
Who might we talk to, see as human for the first time, break bread or share from a cup…one whom we may never have noticed or seen a as a real person.
Who are the “Invisible people” in our lives? Do we objectify others? Let us learn from JC.
Jesus then went on to talk to this woman.
He asked for a drink. And what ensues is a whole conversation about Water & Living Water.
Jesus is trying to convey to her, that the water from the well will quench physical thirst.
But He has Living Water to share. He has the “Good News”. He has the Waters that Flow from Eternal Life. “Living Water”.
The Waters of Forgiveness, of Shalom. Of Love and Grace & Acceptance.
These are the waters that: “Quench the Thirst of the Soul”.
In the conversation, he also talks plainly about her life and her brokenness.
Her soul is laid bare. But in that Moment of Honesty, she discovers Healing & Grace.
There’s a story I like that reminds me of this.
A few years ago, rumors spread that a certain Catholic woman was having visions of Jesus. The archbishop decided to check her out.
'Is it true, m'am, that you have visions of Jesus?' asked the cleric.
'Yes,' the woman replied.
'Well, the next time you have a vision, I want you to ask Jesus to tell you the sins that I confessed in my last confession. Please call me if anything happens.'
Ten days later the woman notified her spiritual leader of a recent apparition.
Within the hour the archbishop arrived. 'What did Jesus say?' he asked.
She took his hand and gazed deep into his eyes. 'Bishop,' she said, 'these are his exact words: I CAN'T REMEMBER. '
When we have an encounter with the True & Living God, All will be revealed to us…..
Just like the Woman at the Well. But praise God, if we ask Jesus if he remembers our sins, his response to us is the same: “I can’t remember!”
He went to the cross for a redemption of sin…that we too, might be washed clean.
Then…we too, might do as the Woman at the Well did.
Go & tell others the Good News!
She went back into town and proclaimed that the Messiah had come! And many more believed.
Christian Writer George G. Hunter says, "Authentic evangelism," "flows from a mindset that acknowledges the ultimate value of people - forgotten people, lost people, wandering people, up-and-outers, down-and outers - all people. The highest value is to love them, serve them, and reach them."
"Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city." The woman would be back. The woman who shied away from people because she wanted to avoid their scorn was energized to tell others, the very people who had hurt her, that she had found the Messiah.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
God Honors the Spiritual Search, Look at Abram & Nicodemus
God will honor our search for faith.
It’s more about the search and being a seeker, then it is "finding the answer".
Faith is about moving ahead, not looking back.
These thoughts are random things that I believe….
And are in reference to todays lessons.
In Gen, Abram sets out on a Faith Journey.
He packs his bag, takes his wife and nephew and sets out for a new land…a land promised by the Lord God.
He doesn’t know where he’s going, or even quite why, but He trusts this Divine Presence.
Later, in Romans, we hear the Apostle Paul summarize Abram’s journey…
"Abraham trusted God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.”
Then, we skip to Nicodemus who has this dialogue with Jesus. He comes to him at night, …seemingly, scared & doing things in a hidden way.
In the discussion, Jesus tells Nicodemus what he must do to have eternal life….
You must be born again, says Jesus. But, how?
Can you go into your mothers womb a 2nd time?
By being born of water & the Spirit answers Jesus.
The passage concludes with one of the most famous sayings in the bible: John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.
So, what do we say to these passages?
For me, they give a description of a couple of “seekers”.
Abram was seeking after God, as was Nicodemus.
Both were seeking Spiritual connection, answers to life’s questions, meaningful life.
Or, maybe I am projecting that onto them as a modern thinker.
But, these are my issues and the issues for many contemporary persons.
And, we can easily look back at the hero’s & shero’s of faith in the bible and see our story in them.
So, in summary, I repeat some of the phrases I said at the beginning….
God will honor our search for faith.
It’s more about the search and being a seeker, then it is "finding the answer".
Faith is about moving ahead, not looking back.
At the 1994 North Texas Annual Conference, Bishop Bruce Blake noted the difference between the church as a tunnel and as a cave. A cave is an underground area where one goes in and comes out at the same place, the bishop observed. A tunnel, on the other hand, is where one goes in and comes out in a different place.Bishop Blake then went on to argue that it is important that the church see itself as a tunnel and not a cave. If we come out of church at the same place we went in, then something is wrong. The church leads us in the direction of the light -- knowing that the light at the end of every tunnel is the light of Christ.
Today, people are searching. Seeking. Looking.
We want to experience faith, not just go through the motions of our fathers & mothers.
Paula Poundstone, comedian: says something kind of funny…
"I'll tell you a secret -- adults don't know what they want to do for a living. That's why they're always asking kids what they want to be when they grow up -- they're looking for ideas."
Are we looking for ideas of how we can “meet god”?
Find a satisfying spiritual life? Discover true community & authentic ritual?
I certainly want to try to make The Garden Church that kind of place.
But, in the end, that is not something to be engineered, but is the result of God’s Amazing Grace.
It’s more about the search and being a seeker, then it is "finding the answer".
Faith is about moving ahead, not looking back.
These thoughts are random things that I believe….
And are in reference to todays lessons.
In Gen, Abram sets out on a Faith Journey.
He packs his bag, takes his wife and nephew and sets out for a new land…a land promised by the Lord God.
He doesn’t know where he’s going, or even quite why, but He trusts this Divine Presence.
Later, in Romans, we hear the Apostle Paul summarize Abram’s journey…
"Abraham trusted God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.”
Then, we skip to Nicodemus who has this dialogue with Jesus. He comes to him at night, …seemingly, scared & doing things in a hidden way.
In the discussion, Jesus tells Nicodemus what he must do to have eternal life….
You must be born again, says Jesus. But, how?
Can you go into your mothers womb a 2nd time?
By being born of water & the Spirit answers Jesus.
The passage concludes with one of the most famous sayings in the bible: John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.
So, what do we say to these passages?
For me, they give a description of a couple of “seekers”.
Abram was seeking after God, as was Nicodemus.
Both were seeking Spiritual connection, answers to life’s questions, meaningful life.
Or, maybe I am projecting that onto them as a modern thinker.
But, these are my issues and the issues for many contemporary persons.
And, we can easily look back at the hero’s & shero’s of faith in the bible and see our story in them.
So, in summary, I repeat some of the phrases I said at the beginning….
God will honor our search for faith.
It’s more about the search and being a seeker, then it is "finding the answer".
Faith is about moving ahead, not looking back.
At the 1994 North Texas Annual Conference, Bishop Bruce Blake noted the difference between the church as a tunnel and as a cave. A cave is an underground area where one goes in and comes out at the same place, the bishop observed. A tunnel, on the other hand, is where one goes in and comes out in a different place.Bishop Blake then went on to argue that it is important that the church see itself as a tunnel and not a cave. If we come out of church at the same place we went in, then something is wrong. The church leads us in the direction of the light -- knowing that the light at the end of every tunnel is the light of Christ.
Today, people are searching. Seeking. Looking.
We want to experience faith, not just go through the motions of our fathers & mothers.
Paula Poundstone, comedian: says something kind of funny…
"I'll tell you a secret -- adults don't know what they want to do for a living. That's why they're always asking kids what they want to be when they grow up -- they're looking for ideas."
Are we looking for ideas of how we can “meet god”?
Find a satisfying spiritual life? Discover true community & authentic ritual?
I certainly want to try to make The Garden Church that kind of place.
But, in the end, that is not something to be engineered, but is the result of God’s Amazing Grace.
Tempted & Forgiven
"How are we tempted today?"
A young salesman answers:
"Temptation is when your boss calls you in, as mine did yesterday, and says, 'I'm going to give you a real opportunity. I'm going to give you a bigger sales territory. We believe that you are going places, young man.'"But I don't want a bigger sales territory," the young salesman told his boss. "I'm already away from home four nights a week. It wouldn't be fair to my wife and daughter." "Look," his boss replied, "we're asking you to do this for your wife and daughter. Don't you want to be a good father? It takes money to support a family these days. Sure, your little girl doesn't take much money now, but think of the future. Think of her future. I'm only asking you to do this for them," the boss said. The young man told the class, "Now, that's temptation."
In this passage from Matthew: As Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, we are each tempted in a myriad of ways.
Understanding temptation as a force that pulls us away from nurturing and healthy behaviors, and resolving to seek discipline of mind, body and spirit is part of the Lenten journey we are embarking upon this week.
I wonder what Jesus would have been tempted by in the 21st century?
Power? Materials? Security?
Probably…yes, yes & yes.
What was he actually tempted by?
Power? Materials? Security?
In a sense, nothing has changed.
We didn’t read it, but temptation goes back as far as the very beginning. In Gen, Eve, then Adam are tempted in the Garden.
In both stories, “The Devil” does the tempting or testing.
But, let’s look at what happened with Jesus & how this might impact our Lent & Spiritual reality.
Then perhaps we can do better then,,,, Oscar Wilde
Who says…. “I can resist everything except temptation.”
Or to quote an anonymous source…
“Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell.”
So, how goes the story of Jesus in the wilderness?
According to Matthew, Jesus is in the Wilderness for 40 days. This echoes 40 in lots of other places in the Old Testament.
40 days Moses was on the Mount, 40 years of wandering of the Jews. 40 days & nights of the flood.
They all connote a period of testing, incubation, trials, endurance.
Think that has anything to with 40 weeks of being pregnant?
In the end, something new is born.
Will your Lenten Journey of 40 days birth something new in you this year?
Now back to the test….Jesus is tempted with…..
- Turning stones into bread =
material temptation
Throw self off cliff = security temptation
Have dominion = power temptation
Why these are so tempting, is because they are so intrinsic to life.
We all need to eat. We all get hungry.
We all want to know well be taken care of, that our 401K will give us long-term security
We all like to be liked, to have our way & power over people.
Temptation wouldn’t be temptation if it was so alluring and appeals to our basest instincts.
So, we all know about temptation…but what about the answer? The solution?
It is in times of testing or trial we are called upon to prove our true identity and character,
We need to remember…who we are and whose we are.
When tempted, maybe we need to remind ourselves of our divine heritage & that we too…., can defeat the Evil One.
But in the end, when we fail or falter,
We remember whose we are
Beloved, Redeemed, Forgiven by the Lord of Life who has already gone to the cross for our sake.
Psalm 32 – paraphrased by Jim Taylor1 A great load of guilt hangs around my necklike a millstone strung on fine steel wire.If someone would free me from my burden, I would be so happy.2 That would be almost as good as never having slipped, as good as not having failed in the first place.3 Can you imagine what it's like never being able to stand up straight?I have become a wasted cripple, my body bowed by tensions.4 My bones are brittle as twigs scorched by the summer sun; When I try to sleep, a gigantic pillow suffocates me.5 But you gave me a second chance. I confessed; I didn't try to hide anything. I poured out my soul to you, and you forgave me. You cut the string and freed me.6 Without my millstone of guilt, I feel light as a feather. I can float; I can rise above a torrent of troubles.7 God, I can trust you completely, because you trusted me. Wrapped in your arms, I feel safe as a baby, murmuring to its mother.8 And God replies: "I will teach you my ways.I will share my wisdom with you.I will watch over you, and keep you safe.9 I do not expect you to obey blindly, without understanding. You are intelligent creatures, not sheep. You do not need reins to guide you;you can learn the right road."10 The millstones of sin still burden many,but those who trust God have been set free.11 They shout with relief for they have been saved;Their hearts have been scrubbed clean;they can stand straight again.
A young salesman answers:
"Temptation is when your boss calls you in, as mine did yesterday, and says, 'I'm going to give you a real opportunity. I'm going to give you a bigger sales territory. We believe that you are going places, young man.'"But I don't want a bigger sales territory," the young salesman told his boss. "I'm already away from home four nights a week. It wouldn't be fair to my wife and daughter." "Look," his boss replied, "we're asking you to do this for your wife and daughter. Don't you want to be a good father? It takes money to support a family these days. Sure, your little girl doesn't take much money now, but think of the future. Think of her future. I'm only asking you to do this for them," the boss said. The young man told the class, "Now, that's temptation."
In this passage from Matthew: As Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, we are each tempted in a myriad of ways.
Understanding temptation as a force that pulls us away from nurturing and healthy behaviors, and resolving to seek discipline of mind, body and spirit is part of the Lenten journey we are embarking upon this week.
I wonder what Jesus would have been tempted by in the 21st century?
Power? Materials? Security?
Probably…yes, yes & yes.
What was he actually tempted by?
Power? Materials? Security?
In a sense, nothing has changed.
We didn’t read it, but temptation goes back as far as the very beginning. In Gen, Eve, then Adam are tempted in the Garden.
In both stories, “The Devil” does the tempting or testing.
But, let’s look at what happened with Jesus & how this might impact our Lent & Spiritual reality.
Then perhaps we can do better then,,,, Oscar Wilde
Who says…. “I can resist everything except temptation.”
Or to quote an anonymous source…
“Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell.”
So, how goes the story of Jesus in the wilderness?
According to Matthew, Jesus is in the Wilderness for 40 days. This echoes 40 in lots of other places in the Old Testament.
40 days Moses was on the Mount, 40 years of wandering of the Jews. 40 days & nights of the flood.
They all connote a period of testing, incubation, trials, endurance.
Think that has anything to with 40 weeks of being pregnant?
In the end, something new is born.
Will your Lenten Journey of 40 days birth something new in you this year?
Now back to the test….Jesus is tempted with…..
- Turning stones into bread =
material temptation
Throw self off cliff = security temptation
Have dominion = power temptation
Why these are so tempting, is because they are so intrinsic to life.
We all need to eat. We all get hungry.
We all want to know well be taken care of, that our 401K will give us long-term security
We all like to be liked, to have our way & power over people.
Temptation wouldn’t be temptation if it was so alluring and appeals to our basest instincts.
So, we all know about temptation…but what about the answer? The solution?
It is in times of testing or trial we are called upon to prove our true identity and character,
We need to remember…who we are and whose we are.
When tempted, maybe we need to remind ourselves of our divine heritage & that we too…., can defeat the Evil One.
But in the end, when we fail or falter,
We remember whose we are
Beloved, Redeemed, Forgiven by the Lord of Life who has already gone to the cross for our sake.
Psalm 32 – paraphrased by Jim Taylor1 A great load of guilt hangs around my necklike a millstone strung on fine steel wire.If someone would free me from my burden, I would be so happy.2 That would be almost as good as never having slipped, as good as not having failed in the first place.3 Can you imagine what it's like never being able to stand up straight?I have become a wasted cripple, my body bowed by tensions.4 My bones are brittle as twigs scorched by the summer sun; When I try to sleep, a gigantic pillow suffocates me.5 But you gave me a second chance. I confessed; I didn't try to hide anything. I poured out my soul to you, and you forgave me. You cut the string and freed me.6 Without my millstone of guilt, I feel light as a feather. I can float; I can rise above a torrent of troubles.7 God, I can trust you completely, because you trusted me. Wrapped in your arms, I feel safe as a baby, murmuring to its mother.8 And God replies: "I will teach you my ways.I will share my wisdom with you.I will watch over you, and keep you safe.9 I do not expect you to obey blindly, without understanding. You are intelligent creatures, not sheep. You do not need reins to guide you;you can learn the right road."10 The millstones of sin still burden many,but those who trust God have been set free.11 They shout with relief for they have been saved;Their hearts have been scrubbed clean;they can stand straight again.
Transfiguration of the Heart
A brilliant magician was performing on an ocean liner. But every time he did a trick, the Captain's parrot would yell, "It's a trick. He's a phony.That's not magic."
Then one evening during a storm, the ship sank while the magician was performing. The parrot and the magician ended up in the same lifeboat.
For several days they just glared at each other, neither saying a word to the other. Finally the parrot said,
"OK, I give up. What did you do with the ship?"The parrot couldn't explain that last trick! It was too much to comprehend, even for a smart parrot.
In todays Gospel passage….Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters-one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
Peter, perhaps like the Parrot, was frightened and confused. He said the first thing that poppedto into his head. He simply could not comprehend what was happening.
Awe does that to you. Mystery does that to you.
In today’s mountain stories, we explore the encounters of God & Humans. These include: Moses and Joshua in Exodus 24,
And Jesus with Peter, James and John in Matthew 17.
In Exodus 24:12-18, the story at Mount Sinai, Moses and Joshua find themselves in a cloud for six days before Moses is called by an unidentified voice (verse 14), the Voice of God. He then goes to the Summit by himself..
The mountain is covered by a cloud or “the glory of the Lord”. From afar, we are told the encounter appeared as a consuming fire — a fiery engagement on the mountain top.
We are not told what happens hidden in the cloud, leading us to ask: What is the nature of this human-divine, encounter?
Down below, in the valley….the people have fallen, the golden calf was created & worshipped.
Later, we discover that Moses was give the tablets… …the Law
In Matthew 17:1-9, we hear this profound tale of : Peter, James and John seeing Jesus with a glowing face and dazzling clothes. Jesus then encounters Moses and Elijah, and is instructed by these ancestors.
This then is the Epiphany!
The Light has come!
From 3 who came and affirmed the revelation of Christ at his Birth…(the Wise Ones)
To the Three who had Glory revealed to them at the Transfiguration… Peter, James & John
The Glory is Revealed.
The next big Revelation will be the three women at his Crucifixion & Resurrection…
But for today…we focus on the Mountain. On the one who transfigures the giving of the Law in Tablets, to the Law of Love.
For today, we focus on the Power & Mystery of the Summit & how we access the Power & Presence of the Divine in our midst today.
So, we must ask ourselves….
Where & How is God Revealed today? Where and how is God revealed to you? Where do you find revelation?
What mountain must we climb?
And, if we encounter such mystery…do we too try to grasp it, stake it down, try to hold on to it before it vanishes?
Unfortunately, mystery is illusive. It comes and goes before we are prepared.
An Episcopalian Priest named: Mary Foulke says…
“Mystery is not a club for the initiated but a challenge to those who think they know everything, know God."
Mystery invites us into the Silence, Into Awe.
This day, in the silence, in the Divine/Human encounter we call Communion, I invite us to embrace mystery, awe.
But, for me, this passage is also about something else…..
Randall C. Bailey says this…
“While these passages parallel Moses and Jesus, they get stuck on the law giver and not the liberator. Can we resist and transfigure these notions?”
In other words….
The Transfiguration is really about transforming the “rigidness of the Law” to the “righteousness of Love”
About ……
The Transfiguration of the;
“Tablets of Stone”, to the “Testimony of the Heart”
In other words…..Moses & Elijah are affirming & blessing this new way….
So that its no longer about following every jot & title of the law….but
Serving the God of Liberation & Love.
And the Good News is, we need not travel to the heights of a mountain top….we need only Be Still & Receive.
We need only say yes to the Love that has already Loved & Embraced us.
Then one evening during a storm, the ship sank while the magician was performing. The parrot and the magician ended up in the same lifeboat.
For several days they just glared at each other, neither saying a word to the other. Finally the parrot said,
"OK, I give up. What did you do with the ship?"The parrot couldn't explain that last trick! It was too much to comprehend, even for a smart parrot.
In todays Gospel passage….Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters-one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
Peter, perhaps like the Parrot, was frightened and confused. He said the first thing that poppedto into his head. He simply could not comprehend what was happening.
Awe does that to you. Mystery does that to you.
In today’s mountain stories, we explore the encounters of God & Humans. These include: Moses and Joshua in Exodus 24,
And Jesus with Peter, James and John in Matthew 17.
In Exodus 24:12-18, the story at Mount Sinai, Moses and Joshua find themselves in a cloud for six days before Moses is called by an unidentified voice (verse 14), the Voice of God. He then goes to the Summit by himself..
The mountain is covered by a cloud or “the glory of the Lord”. From afar, we are told the encounter appeared as a consuming fire — a fiery engagement on the mountain top.
We are not told what happens hidden in the cloud, leading us to ask: What is the nature of this human-divine, encounter?
Down below, in the valley….the people have fallen, the golden calf was created & worshipped.
Later, we discover that Moses was give the tablets… …the Law
In Matthew 17:1-9, we hear this profound tale of : Peter, James and John seeing Jesus with a glowing face and dazzling clothes. Jesus then encounters Moses and Elijah, and is instructed by these ancestors.
This then is the Epiphany!
The Light has come!
From 3 who came and affirmed the revelation of Christ at his Birth…(the Wise Ones)
To the Three who had Glory revealed to them at the Transfiguration… Peter, James & John
The Glory is Revealed.
The next big Revelation will be the three women at his Crucifixion & Resurrection…
But for today…we focus on the Mountain. On the one who transfigures the giving of the Law in Tablets, to the Law of Love.
For today, we focus on the Power & Mystery of the Summit & how we access the Power & Presence of the Divine in our midst today.
So, we must ask ourselves….
Where & How is God Revealed today? Where and how is God revealed to you? Where do you find revelation?
What mountain must we climb?
And, if we encounter such mystery…do we too try to grasp it, stake it down, try to hold on to it before it vanishes?
Unfortunately, mystery is illusive. It comes and goes before we are prepared.
An Episcopalian Priest named: Mary Foulke says…
“Mystery is not a club for the initiated but a challenge to those who think they know everything, know God."
Mystery invites us into the Silence, Into Awe.
This day, in the silence, in the Divine/Human encounter we call Communion, I invite us to embrace mystery, awe.
But, for me, this passage is also about something else…..
Randall C. Bailey says this…
“While these passages parallel Moses and Jesus, they get stuck on the law giver and not the liberator. Can we resist and transfigure these notions?”
In other words….
The Transfiguration is really about transforming the “rigidness of the Law” to the “righteousness of Love”
About ……
The Transfiguration of the;
“Tablets of Stone”, to the “Testimony of the Heart”
In other words…..Moses & Elijah are affirming & blessing this new way….
So that its no longer about following every jot & title of the law….but
Serving the God of Liberation & Love.
And the Good News is, we need not travel to the heights of a mountain top….we need only Be Still & Receive.
We need only say yes to the Love that has already Loved & Embraced us.
Not Just a Job, But a Calling!
Comedian Garry Shandling once commented on the phenomenon of wake-up calls in hotels. He says:
“Here’s a little tip from me to you as an experienced traveler: Wake-up calls--one of the worst ways to wake up.
The phone rings; it’s loud; you can’t turn it down.”
Then with impeccable timing Shandling adds,: “I leave the number of the room next to me, and then it just rings kind of quiet, and you hear a guy yell, ‘What are you calling me for?’
Then you get up and take a shower. It’s great.”
Then there’s this story.
A man had fallen away from his church.
A friend of his decided to give him a call about a tennis match they were scheduling later that week.
The friend called from the phone at: “Christ the Lord Lutheran Church” where the friend was attending a meeting.
His friend looked at his Caller I.D. and it said, “Christ the Lord.”
He thought Christ was calling for him. This turned out to be a wake-up call for him.
From time to time, we get wake up calls in our lives. They can be dramatic or subtle….
But help us in one way or another to go a different route, to try something else, to follow Christ more closely…
In our passage for today….we see
Four men, fishermen by trade, WHO GOT A WAKE UP CALL!!
They were toiling at the nets beside the Sea of Galilee when their whole world was turned upside down.
Some might think it would be great to earn our living doing nothing but fishing.
Except, if we had to do it to earn a living, we would probably find it was like a lot of other jobs--repetitive, demanding, often boring…maybe dangerous . Ever see those shows on TV of fishing in Alaska? Very hard life….
Still, it was a way for many in ancient times…even unto the present..,,,,to earn a living.
I wonder how many of us define ourselves by the work we do.
Often the first question we ask in casual conversation… “What do you do?”
But, Could it be that work was never meant to be at the center of our lives? Could it be there is something more? Are we as wise as these four disciples who figured this out?
How did it happen that these four men made such a radical change in their vocations--from being fishermen to being disciples, and then apostles? And what can we learn from them?
First of all, of course, they had an encounter with Jesus.
They didn’t attend a seminar on how to find a better job. They didn’t read a book. They didn’t even have a forced exit…like being fired or laid off…..,
No, they encountered Jesus, and it changed their lives and even changed their vocations.
I pray that our church can be a place where people encounter Jesus.
I don’t want to be just another social organization, a club, a fraternity.
These all have their place in society, but the church ought to be something different. This ought to be a place where people meet God.
Secondly…., they responded to Christ’s call. They did so immediately. They didn’t procrastinate. They didn’t make excuses.
Christ said, “Follow me,” and they did just that. Very few people actually make that kind of commitment.
Supposedly….one who had a “wake up” call and followed immediately…was rock singer Bono. (lead singer of U2)
Here is what Bono had to say:
“A number of years ago,” said Bono, “I met a wise man who changed my life. In countless ways, large and small, I was always seeking the Lord’s blessing. I was saying, you know, I have a new song, look after it . . . I have a family, please look after them . . . I have this crazy idea . . .
“And this wise man said: stop. He said, stop asking God to bless what you’re doing.
Get involved in what God is doing--because it’s already blessed.”
Get involved in what God is doing.
What a radical idea. Don’t spend so much time asking God to bless what you are doing. Rather, ask God to show you what God is doing, and join in.
Bono believes God is calling him to be an advocate for the poor and is quoted as saying…
“Well, God, is with the poor. That, I believe, is what God is doing. And that is what He’s calling us to do.”
There was an immediacy to the decision of the fisherman that day.
They dropped their nets and followed. Might we decide as well?
Finally…. in answering Christ’s call these disciples chose not just a job, but a calling.
Not just work, but mission. Not just vocation, but passion.
As Winston Churchill said:…… "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."
Life & Faith are not just about a job, but a calling…
There’s a story that Andrew Young tells…
He is a former congressman, former ambassador to the United Nations and former mayor of Atlanta, Georgia.
He is also an ordained minister.
One day Andrew Young’s daughter came home from college. She said to him, “Daddy, I heard a missionary talking about ministry in Uganda, and I’ve done a lot of praying about this, and I think God wants me to take a year and go to Uganda as a missionary.”
“Well, honey,” her father replied, “You know that’s all well and good, but there’s a lot of poor people right here in Atlanta that need you.”
She said, “Daddy, I know that, but I really believe that God is calling me to Uganda.”
“Honey, it’s dangerous over there in Uganda,” Andrew Young pleaded, “you could get hurt.”
“I know that Daddy,” she said, “but I could also get hurt right here.”
He said, “But honey you could be killed there.”
“Daddy, I could be killed at any time, anywhere. I really believe that God is calling me to go to Uganda,” she said.
Andrew Young thought and prayed about it, and finally he gave her his blessing. “When my daughter walked onto that airplane,” he said later, “I realized that in baptizing her and raising her, what I said I wanted most for her was that she would become a Christian. But I wasn’t prepared for her to become a real one!”
His daughter found a calling. Not just a job, but a calling. Not just a vocation, but a passion.
Not just work, but a life. She too, had a wake up call. Just like Bono. Just like the Disciples.
Do you hear yours today?
Do you hear Jesus say…. “Come follow me”?
Stop, listen, pray. Yield yourself into Divine arms and you will be led.
Yield yourself into Divine arms and you will discover not just a living….but a life! Amen.!
“Here’s a little tip from me to you as an experienced traveler: Wake-up calls--one of the worst ways to wake up.
The phone rings; it’s loud; you can’t turn it down.”
Then with impeccable timing Shandling adds,: “I leave the number of the room next to me, and then it just rings kind of quiet, and you hear a guy yell, ‘What are you calling me for?’
Then you get up and take a shower. It’s great.”
Then there’s this story.
A man had fallen away from his church.
A friend of his decided to give him a call about a tennis match they were scheduling later that week.
The friend called from the phone at: “Christ the Lord Lutheran Church” where the friend was attending a meeting.
His friend looked at his Caller I.D. and it said, “Christ the Lord.”
He thought Christ was calling for him. This turned out to be a wake-up call for him.
From time to time, we get wake up calls in our lives. They can be dramatic or subtle….
But help us in one way or another to go a different route, to try something else, to follow Christ more closely…
In our passage for today….we see
Four men, fishermen by trade, WHO GOT A WAKE UP CALL!!
They were toiling at the nets beside the Sea of Galilee when their whole world was turned upside down.
Some might think it would be great to earn our living doing nothing but fishing.
Except, if we had to do it to earn a living, we would probably find it was like a lot of other jobs--repetitive, demanding, often boring…maybe dangerous . Ever see those shows on TV of fishing in Alaska? Very hard life….
Still, it was a way for many in ancient times…even unto the present..,,,,to earn a living.
I wonder how many of us define ourselves by the work we do.
Often the first question we ask in casual conversation… “What do you do?”
But, Could it be that work was never meant to be at the center of our lives? Could it be there is something more? Are we as wise as these four disciples who figured this out?
How did it happen that these four men made such a radical change in their vocations--from being fishermen to being disciples, and then apostles? And what can we learn from them?
First of all, of course, they had an encounter with Jesus.
They didn’t attend a seminar on how to find a better job. They didn’t read a book. They didn’t even have a forced exit…like being fired or laid off…..,
No, they encountered Jesus, and it changed their lives and even changed their vocations.
I pray that our church can be a place where people encounter Jesus.
I don’t want to be just another social organization, a club, a fraternity.
These all have their place in society, but the church ought to be something different. This ought to be a place where people meet God.
Secondly…., they responded to Christ’s call. They did so immediately. They didn’t procrastinate. They didn’t make excuses.
Christ said, “Follow me,” and they did just that. Very few people actually make that kind of commitment.
Supposedly….one who had a “wake up” call and followed immediately…was rock singer Bono. (lead singer of U2)
Here is what Bono had to say:
“A number of years ago,” said Bono, “I met a wise man who changed my life. In countless ways, large and small, I was always seeking the Lord’s blessing. I was saying, you know, I have a new song, look after it . . . I have a family, please look after them . . . I have this crazy idea . . .
“And this wise man said: stop. He said, stop asking God to bless what you’re doing.
Get involved in what God is doing--because it’s already blessed.”
Get involved in what God is doing.
What a radical idea. Don’t spend so much time asking God to bless what you are doing. Rather, ask God to show you what God is doing, and join in.
Bono believes God is calling him to be an advocate for the poor and is quoted as saying…
“Well, God, is with the poor. That, I believe, is what God is doing. And that is what He’s calling us to do.”
There was an immediacy to the decision of the fisherman that day.
They dropped their nets and followed. Might we decide as well?
Finally…. in answering Christ’s call these disciples chose not just a job, but a calling.
Not just work, but mission. Not just vocation, but passion.
As Winston Churchill said:…… "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."
Life & Faith are not just about a job, but a calling…
There’s a story that Andrew Young tells…
He is a former congressman, former ambassador to the United Nations and former mayor of Atlanta, Georgia.
He is also an ordained minister.
One day Andrew Young’s daughter came home from college. She said to him, “Daddy, I heard a missionary talking about ministry in Uganda, and I’ve done a lot of praying about this, and I think God wants me to take a year and go to Uganda as a missionary.”
“Well, honey,” her father replied, “You know that’s all well and good, but there’s a lot of poor people right here in Atlanta that need you.”
She said, “Daddy, I know that, but I really believe that God is calling me to Uganda.”
“Honey, it’s dangerous over there in Uganda,” Andrew Young pleaded, “you could get hurt.”
“I know that Daddy,” she said, “but I could also get hurt right here.”
He said, “But honey you could be killed there.”
“Daddy, I could be killed at any time, anywhere. I really believe that God is calling me to go to Uganda,” she said.
Andrew Young thought and prayed about it, and finally he gave her his blessing. “When my daughter walked onto that airplane,” he said later, “I realized that in baptizing her and raising her, what I said I wanted most for her was that she would become a Christian. But I wasn’t prepared for her to become a real one!”
His daughter found a calling. Not just a job, but a calling. Not just a vocation, but a passion.
Not just work, but a life. She too, had a wake up call. Just like Bono. Just like the Disciples.
Do you hear yours today?
Do you hear Jesus say…. “Come follow me”?
Stop, listen, pray. Yield yourself into Divine arms and you will be led.
Yield yourself into Divine arms and you will discover not just a living….but a life! Amen.!
Gospel of John Material & Lent Preparation
Gospel of John:
Probably about the 90’s
Traces of John in Ignatious
John Epistles: might be earlier
The Jewish mix in John is curious….Jesus attends lots of Jewish festivals, more so then in other gospels
John…an intra-Jewish dialogue, not pure: anti-Jewish
When it talks about the “Jews”, means Judeans
Talmud…comes from stream of Judaism that emerged from Babylon & Diaspora
Lent:
All have to change, gets it, sees the light,
These stories have a character that gets the: Light & Life, Love & Glory
Temptation Story
Nicodemus (“Deep Throat” of the Judeans)
Samaritan Woman
Healing of the Blind Man
Lazarus
Palm Sun & Easter
Post Easter:
Thomas
Speeches:
Worship is the place where we practice our spiritual senses, so we know where to look when we go out into the world.
Worship….What are we doing? Why are we doing it? How are we doing it?
Are we creating moments of mystical union, or are we teaching people how to experience God in their own lives.
When they had a God-Incident, it is important to share. Or, a God-Moment.
Create space for recollection and anticipation. …to see God in all of life.
Too many people are “shut down”. We are in the business of getting people to “open”.
Is worship the creating of a “thin place”, or a place where we talk & share & commiserate, seeing grace in the wider plane of life.
Probably about the 90’s
Traces of John in Ignatious
John Epistles: might be earlier
The Jewish mix in John is curious….Jesus attends lots of Jewish festivals, more so then in other gospels
John…an intra-Jewish dialogue, not pure: anti-Jewish
When it talks about the “Jews”, means Judeans
Talmud…comes from stream of Judaism that emerged from Babylon & Diaspora
Lent:
All have to change, gets it, sees the light,
These stories have a character that gets the: Light & Life, Love & Glory
Temptation Story
Nicodemus (“Deep Throat” of the Judeans)
Samaritan Woman
Healing of the Blind Man
Lazarus
Palm Sun & Easter
Post Easter:
Thomas
Speeches:
Worship is the place where we practice our spiritual senses, so we know where to look when we go out into the world.
Worship….What are we doing? Why are we doing it? How are we doing it?
Are we creating moments of mystical union, or are we teaching people how to experience God in their own lives.
When they had a God-Incident, it is important to share. Or, a God-Moment.
Create space for recollection and anticipation. …to see God in all of life.
Too many people are “shut down”. We are in the business of getting people to “open”.
Is worship the creating of a “thin place”, or a place where we talk & share & commiserate, seeing grace in the wider plane of life.
Baptism of Jesus
Matthew 3:13-17
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15 But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
Can U imagine a meeting between Martin Luther King Jr. & Malcom X?
Or, a similar meeting between & Pope & the Dali Lama?
Perhaps between Tutu & Mendella? Mother Theresa & Billy Graham?
Some of these actually happened. Some haven’t. In any case, it would be interesting to imagine the dialogue, the mutual goals, ideas, support, encouragement.
I was curious if Malcolm & Martin had ever met, so I did a google search. Apparently, they never met. However, in 1987, there was a fictional play that speculated what such a meeting might have been like.
''The Meeting'' takes place in 1965 in Malcolm X's room at the Hotel Theresa in Harlem. Dr. King's visit, at Malcolm X's invitation, displeases Malcolm X's Black Muslim bodyguards & other followers.
In the play…..each of the men makes a strong case for his vision of freedom for their people and the best means of getting there. Malcolm X, who sees integration as ''the white man's solution for control,'' mocking the civil rights movement for ''sitting 'round a camp fire singing 'We Shall Overcome' while a cross is burning.''
Dr. King responds with a passionate defense of incremental victories, like the Voter Registration Act of 1965.
What do you think they would have said to each other?
Our text for today shares an encounter between two spiritual giants. Jesus & John the Baptist.
All four of the Gospels have Jesus being baptized by John, but Matthew is the only one that shares the encounter in such detail.
In this passage we get a glimpse of the dialogue…at least reconstructed my Matthew.
What we see is: a Connection, a Confirmation, a Clarity of Purpose.
And, what we see is a useful path for us as we try to discern truth & wisdom for our lives.
First, Jesus sought out John. He heard where he was conducting his ministry and went to find him.
But what do you think prompted him to do this? What was the catalyst or reason for wanting to do this? Usually we understand baptism as “a new beginning” a “washing of sin” or some other marker as the start of a new path.
That why the term “christened” is used for baptism as well as the commencement of something like a new ship.
So, why now for Jesus? Think he got fed up with his life? Why would the “sinless” one need baptism?
Don’t know the answer to that. Let you speculate & ponder. But something drove him out into the wilderness to seek John & be baptized.
Maybe he heard about what John was doing and just had to see. Maybe he sought the counsel of one who was already at it. Maybe he did it to fulfill scripture.
Maybe He found in John a connection. A common purpose and drive.
Their goal: to Usher in the Kingdom. To bring change to both the religious establishment as well as society.
Go back to Martin Luther King for a second….
Have you seen old black and white video footage of the civil rights marches in the sixties?
Martin Luther King often at the front received his share of stinging high-pressured water hoses. Rev. King once remarked that he and the other marchers had a common strength. He put it this way, as:
"We went before the fire hoses; we had known water. If we were a Baptist or some other denomination, we had been immersed. If we were Methodist, and some others, we had been sprinkled, but we knew water."King goes on…. “You and I know water. All of God's children know the water. We share by our faith this common symbol, this initiation, this rite, this power of God over the deep and often raging chaos of life. We know water! All over the world Baptism unites us.”
We know water!! , Even unto today!
When we need to make a decision,..we too often seek counsel, connection.
There’s something helpful about sharing our burden and talking through the issues. Having a mentor, sponsor, wise elder helps in our process.
We also seek connection with the divine. Through prayer & discernment, we seek Holy Communion….we seek Confirmation., we seek new life.
This is where the actual baptism comes in. There is something powerful and cleansing about it. There is something unique and powerful that goes beyond words.
We call it a sacrament for that reason. God is present in a powerful way to confirm our path.
I’ve been reminded recently of a movie I love that portrays this in a broad way. Some prisoners in New Jersey got free recently…though they were caught. However, the news said the did it like in the movie.
You remember it?
The Shawshank Redemption. An innocent man, Andy Dufresne played by Tim Robbins, is sent to prison for the murder of his wife. Even after evidence emerges that would clear him, the corrupt warden of the prison keeps Andy incarcerated for his own purposes.
Two decades go by. During this time Andy, chips away at the rock in his cell with a tiny pick. The pick was so small that it was never confiscated.
Over those twenty years of continuous picking with this tiny instrument, Andy fashions an escape tunnel. The tunnel leads to the main sewage pipe of the prison complex.
On the night of his escape, aided by a loud thunderstorm that masks his movements, Andy crawls through raw sewage. The sewage pipe is 500 yards long. Can you imagine? Approximately one-half mile of sewage.
When Andy finally emerges, he is standing in an open cesspool. But it is still raining from the thunderstorm.
For a moment Andy stands there in that blessed driving rain falling from heaven while the water washes away the sludge and the stench and the fatigue from both his body and his soul.
Andy is free! For the first time in twenty years he is free! Who can help but see in that driving rain a representation of Christian baptism?
Jesus’ Baptism Confirmed it was time to start his ministry.
At times we need a confirmation of our call. We need someone to say…yes, you are on the right path. You need to hear affirmation…..confirmation.
But, before that….you need to get to a place of saying….I need to do something differently. I need to make changes in my life. I need help. I need meaning and hope in my life.
And when you make that decision, the Lord of Life will confirm your call.
And when that happens….usually you get some clarity.
Unfortunately, the clarity is just in broad terms.
It’s like an “aha” moment. It confirms things, but doesn’t necessarily lay out a future that is clear and easy.
In fact, it probably won’t be easy, for carrying your cross is never easy.
But in the Christian path there is joy. There is peace. There is an inner knowing that you aren’t alone. There is an inner knowing that you are loved.
So, whether or not you remember your baptism, stand on the promise that you are loved, incorporated, included. You are confirmed as beloved of God. Amen.
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15 But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
Can U imagine a meeting between Martin Luther King Jr. & Malcom X?
Or, a similar meeting between & Pope & the Dali Lama?
Perhaps between Tutu & Mendella? Mother Theresa & Billy Graham?
Some of these actually happened. Some haven’t. In any case, it would be interesting to imagine the dialogue, the mutual goals, ideas, support, encouragement.
I was curious if Malcolm & Martin had ever met, so I did a google search. Apparently, they never met. However, in 1987, there was a fictional play that speculated what such a meeting might have been like.
''The Meeting'' takes place in 1965 in Malcolm X's room at the Hotel Theresa in Harlem. Dr. King's visit, at Malcolm X's invitation, displeases Malcolm X's Black Muslim bodyguards & other followers.
In the play…..each of the men makes a strong case for his vision of freedom for their people and the best means of getting there. Malcolm X, who sees integration as ''the white man's solution for control,'' mocking the civil rights movement for ''sitting 'round a camp fire singing 'We Shall Overcome' while a cross is burning.''
Dr. King responds with a passionate defense of incremental victories, like the Voter Registration Act of 1965.
What do you think they would have said to each other?
Our text for today shares an encounter between two spiritual giants. Jesus & John the Baptist.
All four of the Gospels have Jesus being baptized by John, but Matthew is the only one that shares the encounter in such detail.
In this passage we get a glimpse of the dialogue…at least reconstructed my Matthew.
What we see is: a Connection, a Confirmation, a Clarity of Purpose.
And, what we see is a useful path for us as we try to discern truth & wisdom for our lives.
First, Jesus sought out John. He heard where he was conducting his ministry and went to find him.
But what do you think prompted him to do this? What was the catalyst or reason for wanting to do this? Usually we understand baptism as “a new beginning” a “washing of sin” or some other marker as the start of a new path.
That why the term “christened” is used for baptism as well as the commencement of something like a new ship.
So, why now for Jesus? Think he got fed up with his life? Why would the “sinless” one need baptism?
Don’t know the answer to that. Let you speculate & ponder. But something drove him out into the wilderness to seek John & be baptized.
Maybe he heard about what John was doing and just had to see. Maybe he sought the counsel of one who was already at it. Maybe he did it to fulfill scripture.
Maybe He found in John a connection. A common purpose and drive.
Their goal: to Usher in the Kingdom. To bring change to both the religious establishment as well as society.
Go back to Martin Luther King for a second….
Have you seen old black and white video footage of the civil rights marches in the sixties?
Martin Luther King often at the front received his share of stinging high-pressured water hoses. Rev. King once remarked that he and the other marchers had a common strength. He put it this way, as:
"We went before the fire hoses; we had known water. If we were a Baptist or some other denomination, we had been immersed. If we were Methodist, and some others, we had been sprinkled, but we knew water."King goes on…. “You and I know water. All of God's children know the water. We share by our faith this common symbol, this initiation, this rite, this power of God over the deep and often raging chaos of life. We know water! All over the world Baptism unites us.”
We know water!! , Even unto today!
When we need to make a decision,..we too often seek counsel, connection.
There’s something helpful about sharing our burden and talking through the issues. Having a mentor, sponsor, wise elder helps in our process.
We also seek connection with the divine. Through prayer & discernment, we seek Holy Communion….we seek Confirmation., we seek new life.
This is where the actual baptism comes in. There is something powerful and cleansing about it. There is something unique and powerful that goes beyond words.
We call it a sacrament for that reason. God is present in a powerful way to confirm our path.
I’ve been reminded recently of a movie I love that portrays this in a broad way. Some prisoners in New Jersey got free recently…though they were caught. However, the news said the did it like in the movie.
You remember it?
The Shawshank Redemption. An innocent man, Andy Dufresne played by Tim Robbins, is sent to prison for the murder of his wife. Even after evidence emerges that would clear him, the corrupt warden of the prison keeps Andy incarcerated for his own purposes.
Two decades go by. During this time Andy, chips away at the rock in his cell with a tiny pick. The pick was so small that it was never confiscated.
Over those twenty years of continuous picking with this tiny instrument, Andy fashions an escape tunnel. The tunnel leads to the main sewage pipe of the prison complex.
On the night of his escape, aided by a loud thunderstorm that masks his movements, Andy crawls through raw sewage. The sewage pipe is 500 yards long. Can you imagine? Approximately one-half mile of sewage.
When Andy finally emerges, he is standing in an open cesspool. But it is still raining from the thunderstorm.
For a moment Andy stands there in that blessed driving rain falling from heaven while the water washes away the sludge and the stench and the fatigue from both his body and his soul.
Andy is free! For the first time in twenty years he is free! Who can help but see in that driving rain a representation of Christian baptism?
Jesus’ Baptism Confirmed it was time to start his ministry.
At times we need a confirmation of our call. We need someone to say…yes, you are on the right path. You need to hear affirmation…..confirmation.
But, before that….you need to get to a place of saying….I need to do something differently. I need to make changes in my life. I need help. I need meaning and hope in my life.
And when you make that decision, the Lord of Life will confirm your call.
And when that happens….usually you get some clarity.
Unfortunately, the clarity is just in broad terms.
It’s like an “aha” moment. It confirms things, but doesn’t necessarily lay out a future that is clear and easy.
In fact, it probably won’t be easy, for carrying your cross is never easy.
But in the Christian path there is joy. There is peace. There is an inner knowing that you aren’t alone. There is an inner knowing that you are loved.
So, whether or not you remember your baptism, stand on the promise that you are loved, incorporated, included. You are confirmed as beloved of God. Amen.
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