Sermon - 2nd Sunday of Easter

John 20:19-31  

Sent – Be Not Faithless

 

I don’t think that this Gospel lesson is about Thomas.  I think it is about something else.  Our Tuesday evening bible study looks ahead at the readings for the coming Sunday.  I told them this week that I thought there was something more pertinent in these verses than a discussion about Thomas and his request to see what the other disciples had been allowed to see – without asking.  They weren’t convinced. 

So I tried again, on Wednesday, during the Closing Eucharist, to take some of the focus off Thomas by pointing out that it is only in recent issues of the Bible that we get the reference to him as “doubting.”  Here is where I need the help of Pastor Heyer, or Pastor Slice, or Pastor Emeritus Copenhaver.  Do either of you remember how that verb in verse 27 was translated in the good ole King James Version?  It wasn’t “doubt” that Jesus discouraged; it was “faithlessness.”  In the King James, Jesus tells Thomas “Be not faithless.”   “Faithless” could be taken as “doubt,” but it can imply a whole host of other things as well.  It is in the modern era, when discoveries of ancient geological events and/or significant biological alterations among the earth’s inhabitants that the opposite of “faith” became “doubt.”  In the stories of scripture, that which is on the opposite poll of faith would be fear.  Jesus tells his disciples, “Peace be with you.”  How many times does the Easter story contain the admonition, “Do not fear”?

Even with all that, I am still not sure I was sufficiently convincing.

So I am going to try again this morning, with you.  Look again at the reading.  See how the reading begins and ends.  Sure, there is that compelling story in the middle.  But doesn’t the structure of all that we are given to read nudge us in a direction somewhat broader than how one of the followers of Jesus takes action on what it is that Jesus returns to do?

 Jesus comes and stands among them.  He “breathes” on them.  But not with just any breath; he breathes on them and tells them to “receive.”  He breathes on them and tells them to “receive the Holy Spirit.”  He had promises them earlier (the reference is John 14:16 if you want to look it up in your bible), Jesus had promised them earlier that he would send the Spirit.  In John 14 he refers to the Spirit’s role.  He tells them, “I will give you another Advocate.”  “Advocate” – sometimes translated “Helper.”  Jesus breathes on them and tells them that Advocate has arrived, that Helper is come, the Holy Spirit has entered them as assuredly as the breath he has exhaled has entered their very own lungs. 

And receive they did.

If you want to see the evidence of that breath, look at the first lesson – the reading from Acts 2.  This sermon, of Peter’s, is preached in direct response to that breath – to having received the Holy Spirit.  Remember that Luke has two books in our Bibles – Luke and Acts.  So the exchange in which the Holy Spirit comes is told in Luke’s second book – Acts. 

Acts, chapter 2, will be our prime text in 43 days, when we observe Pentecost.  In that retelling of the story, the Hebrew word which can mean breath, or wind, or spirit is spoken of as a “wind;”  Acts 2:2 says they were together, in one place and “suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind.”  This wind, this breath, this spirit sweeps into the place where the disciples are gathered and “divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.” 

In Acts, there is no retelling of Thomas being absent.  In Acts, at the giving of the Holy Spirit, the disciples rush out into the street where there are devout Jews from every nation under heaven, and these disciples begin to speak, and all could hear as if in their own language.

As a result of this rushing wind, this breath - the disciples are empowered and emboldened and they begin right away to make a difference.   And the significance of that difference is real and palatable.  Jesus tells them it will be their task to forgive sins; their role to speak of sin bound so tightly to us that it is forever retained. 

Jesus comes to the disciples and he breathes on them, he tells them to receive the Holy Spirit – and then he tells them that it will be up to them and to the witness they give if any additional persons will “come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah.” 

The story of Thomas is an acknowledgement (but only an acknowledge-ment) that it can be very tough for us once we realize the enormity of the task which Jesus has entrusted to us.

This is what I believe today’s reading is about.  It is about the giving of the Holy Spirit; it is about having confidence in the breath which has entered us; it is about realizing that an empty tomb only has meaning when those for whom it means something open their mouths and use the breath that is inside them to proclaim “Chris is Risen!  Christ is Risen Indeed!  Halleluiah!”

I promised Russell that if I did spend this morning trying to convince everyone that this text is about being sent into the world, that I would give some suggests as to what one is to “do” once we are sent. 

The first, and most basic answer involves making sure that we realize we have “received” all we need for this undertaking.  Shift your focus off Thomas in this story and see (maybe for the first time) the confidence of the other ten disciples.  They confidently tell Thomas, “We have seen the Lord.”  That breath, that wind, that Spirit which had entered them emboldened them to make the only affirmation that needs to be made. 

In some communities of faith, there are additional markers associated with having received the Holy Spirit.  But those markers are an addition of later practitioners.  Again, in Acts, the baptism in Jesus’ name is the only step needed for the Spirit-fed life to take root.

Breathe in.  There.  You have it.  “Be not faithless.” 

Leave this place with courage. Do not be afraid.  There are fear-producing realities out there.  Some of them rode our shoulders into this assembly hall.  Some of them are pretty darn powerful.  But the stone has been rolled away and that angel is sitting on top of it and the admonition has been issued that while there are many hurts and pains and disappointments in our future we do not have to allow those to dominate our lives.  It is more than the power of positive thinking; it is an acknowledgement that there is something greater than the forces which oppose and oppress us and that that something greater has entered our lives and transformed the way in which we will live.  We will not live in fear. 

Jesus sends his followers out, equipped with the Holy Spirit, and he empowers them to set free those who are held in bondage.  ‘When you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.’ 

I am sure that part of the reason the “sending” aspects of this text stood out to me has to do with the other activities associated with this day.  We are sending forth another group of students.  My colleague at Penn State responded to my Facebook post about “Farewell and Godspeed,” by saying “I sometimes wonder if it is doing harm to our psyches to say good-bye year after year after year.” 

It may.  But it isn’t only us.  It is every Christian community which gathers.  Every Sunday we send everyone forth.   The aim of the Christian Church isn’t to get you inside these doors; the aim is to strengthen you for what you will do the remaining 167 hours of your week.

What are you to do – as you are sent into the world?  Realize that you have been given all you need for the journey.  Jesus has breathed on you.  

What are you to do – as you are sent into the world?  Go forth – and do not be afraid.

Amen.

 

Today's offering is from one of the students involved in LCM who asked that they not be individually identified:

 

 

 

A few months ago while sitting in Sunday school, I thought to myself, our church would never do that.
 

We were discussing  the recent news of a new pastor showing up to his church dress as a homeless person, with rags for cloths, ruffled hair, and the stench that indicated the lack of a shower. We all thought that the congregation’s reactions to the homeless man were utterly and completely wrong. Members of the congregation did not greet him, nor did they offer a seat when the man was in need of a seat. 

And I just kept thinking through the weeks that, “Our church would never do that.”

Well this past Sunday, possibly the biggest day of church turnout where all pews will be completely packed listening to the Good News of Christ’s resurrection; A man walks into the sanctuary looking for a place to sit, it is obvious this man is suffering from some illness as he is finally finds an open seat. 

As I see this happen, I notice the only other guy sitting in the pew is frantically trying to persuade the merely different guy from sitting down. Finally the man with special needs sits down in the pew, in protest the other guy slides to the opposite end of the pew. 

While I thought this was horrible to do, I kept thinking to myself that maybe, just maybe, he was telling him to sit there to reserve the spot. Giving him the benefit of doubt. I am calming down as the rest of the family pours into the church and kicks out the special needs guy, to leave him wandering the church for a place to sit. He soon found another pew that made room for him during the service.

What I realized this Sunday, is that, our church would do that. Which means I could that. It might not be as profound as having a homeless man wander around the church that turns out to be your new pastor, but it does mean all churches are just as imperfect as the members of the congregation. So I challenge you to accept this, and strive to be the person that goes out of their way to talk to the homeless person that walks into church.

Devotion - Thursday, April 24

As you have been reading your textbooks and preparing for exams, I have been reading a book about the status of religious engagement in the university setting.  The Book is titled No Longer Invisible: Religion in University Education.

Near the end, there is a discussion of what it is that actually takes place in the classroom.  The old model would tell us that the professor dispassionately presents information, which the students absorb.  "Information" is the content of the course being taught.  

But try as she might, the professor cannot completely and totally shield her own convictions and preferences.  These seep into the exchanges which occur during those three hours that you and she interact.  By the end of the term, "Formation" has come into to the mix.  The content of the course (we would all hope) has an impact on the student.

We all need to be prepared to reflect upon the formation associated with the information and to realize that the latter can never be delivered without the former coming along for the ride.

You speak with me often about these things.  You reveal a disinterest in "useless bits of information."  But your eyes light up when you discover the classes in which your view of the world is strengthened, or even undermined, or called upon to change, or even complicated in some way.  What you learn is to make a difference in your life.

And it does.  And it will.

When you come to LCM we are real clear about the "difference" we hope to make.  It is a challenge for your professors to be as clear about such matters.  But know that it happens.  AND realize that they are as committed to helping you grow and develop and find your mark in the world.  They just aren't as free to speak of such things.  Your gift to them could be to acknowledge how they have not only shared information but aided your formation.  Think of "How", and tell them.  You could approach them by saying, "I have sat in your class all term, and I am grateful.  Now that that is over, might you be willing to share with me what it is about this subject that makes it so important in your life?"

Something more happens to you during these four years than getting a degree.  You are molded and formed and guided.  Be aware of all the forces doing that and be reflective on the impact each is having.

Good luck with exams.  God will be with you.

Devotion - Wednesday, April 23

The Gospels each tell their own account of what happened after Jesus' resurrection.  

As we learned in last night's bible study, in John the disciples return to the upper room.  They lock themselves inside out of fear.  In that closed up space, Jesus comes to them.

This morning I was reading from Matthew.  Here, after hearing the testimony of the two Mary's, the disciples go to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. There, Jesus meets them.

Differing endings allow us to reflect on the differing responses we have to the events of Easter.  At times we go forth with courage to the places where Jesus has sent us.  At other times we allow our fear to cause us to turn in on ourselves.

Rather than see these as two different stories, it may be helpful to see them as two views of the same story.  Both are responses we have to the Easter events.

Each day - each moment - we can fluctuate between being too overwhelmed to speak and being the beacon of light upon the mountain top.  Each day - each moment - we can live out John's recounting or we can be the disciples Matthew knows us to be.

What kind of day will you live?  Today?

Devotion - Tuesday, April 22

Many of the questions asked of me begins with, "Where in the Bible does it say......"

It is tough to remember the chapter and verse for every one of the references repeated in conversations and discussions.  It is also true that many references are not to the Bible, but to conventional wisdom, attempting to boost one's assertion by claiming it is in the Bible.  (Popular in my youth was the reference in a song sung by Willie Nelson to Jesus' turning the stones into loaves.  It worked well for his socially conscience lyrics; but it was a misquote of scripture.)

My devotional guide had me read what are most commonly referred to as the "additional verses of Mark."  Realizing that the oldest versions of Mark's Gospel end at verse 8, verses included in later scrolls are relegated to footnotes in the RSV and NRSV translations.  But they are given full weight and attention in other translations.

It is these verses that it is noted that Jesus' followers are to go into the world and spread the Good News.  NOTHING will be able to stop them or harm them.  It is here that the promise is made "These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents...."

This is the place in the Bible where it says this.  It is a collection of verses you are highly unlikely to hear read on a Sunday morning in one of our ELCA congregations.  But when our bothers and sisters of an evangelical ilk speak of such signs as proof of the Spirit's presence they are not misquoting nor are they restating conventional wisdom.  If one claims to believe that which is written 10 verses earlier (the tomb is empty) then why would you not believe what is stated here?

Devotion - Monday, April 21

Christ has risen!  Christ has risen indeed!

Wherever you gathered to celebrate the breaking of the bond of death, I pray it was a powerful experience of what our hymn of the day referred to as "the Spirit's fission (which) shakes the church of God."  The celebrations of which I was a part took on that flavor and flair; each brought home the assurance that God's Good News would lift us above every adversity.

For me, there were three morning gatherings.  Very public, well attended.  

In the afternoon, there were two more.  Small, almost private.  Of those afternoon gatherings one was in the room of a memory loss patient; the other in the home of one battling with cancer and the effects of cancer treatment.

In the public gatherings, we repeated the great choruses of the faith.  We allowed the strength of our convictions to be matched with the volume of our shared voices.

The afternoon gatherings depended upon the strength of the scriptural text, the weight these words carry in our lives.  

I hope that wherever you gathered there was plenty of both.  More precisely, I pray that on this Easter Monday, you still have the great verses of hymns ringing in your ears as well as a depth of conviction rooted in your heart.

Christ has risen!  Christ has risen indeed!

Devotion - Good Friday

At our Tuesday night bible study we had the discussion of which day defines Christianity:  Is it Easter morning?  Or Good Friday?

"Easter" is the title that we use to speak of the core Christian affirmation.  It can be a reference to the actual Sunday morning events.  But it can also refer to the whole chain of events.  When we say "We are Easter people," it means that we are those who speak of life and meaning and purpose and faith in relation to the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus.

And for many Easter morning is the pivotal event - Jesus is raised, thus making resurrection a promise for each of us.

For others, Good Friday speaks to their experience.  Jesus pays the price for our sins.  Jesus' death means that death has lost its grip.

There was on Tuesday a disagreement as to which day defines Christianity.  This differing of perspectives is not always between differing individuals.  It will also emerge at differing times in the life of any one individual.  There will be times in our lives when one image speaks more powerfully than the other.

This morning what speaks to me is Jesus' faithfulness to God's Word and God's vision.  Jesus spoke of a God who does not become contained and neatly packaged by any of the forces which would like to control Him.  "Religious authorities," nor "political kingpins" get to tell God's chosen one the meaning of life or the purpose for living.  Jesus told them "No!"  And in response they murdered him.  But they did not defeat him.  And they did not remove from the face of the earth God's insistence that our purpose in life is to care for others, to speak of God's acceptance of others, and to make life decisions based on what is best for the common good.

This is what Jesus said.  The powers of this world saw the danger in such a message and had him put to death.  God confirms that this is the way by restoring life to the One who carried this message in his very flesh.

While not meaning to turn this whole devotion into a promotion - I would close by saying that your are unlikely to be able to participate in the debate unless you experience today's liturgy and the one that will be offered some 40 hours later.  Good Friday worship is at 7:00 pm;  Easter celebration at 11:00 (there is also a sunrise service, and an 8:30 liturgy).

Devotion - Maundy Thursday

The odd name for this day (Maundy) means "command."  On this day, Jesus not only observed Passover with his disciples - an observance that created the opportunity for his passing of the bread and cup - but he also gives them a command.  This command is the central mark of what it means to be his disciple.

"Love, as I have loved you."

Right away we see the challenge in that.  "How are we to love as deeply as Jesus loves us?"  It is a valid concern.  His love lead him to his death.

Perhaps we shy away from the command, knowing how firmly we cling to life.  Maybe we feel defeated and condemned even before we begin.  In such a state of mind, we quickly jump to other parts of this day's message.  We focus on the sacrifice which atones for our own lack of faithfulness. 

On this, one of the last remaining days of Lent, it would aid us in our discipleship to remember the command of this day.  We will (as a part of today's liturgy) hear the absolution of our sins that has been withheld since Ash Wednesday.  We will (as a part of today's liturgy) experience the power of Jesus' love in the washing of feel.  We will (as a part of today's liturgy) receive the bread and wine of salvation.  But we might also look at the depth of our love; we might reflect on what it means for us to love one another.

Devotion - Wednesday of Holy Week

In 2 Corinthians 1:23ff Paul expresses how God must feel when He looks at us and our lives.  Paul finds it necessary to write to the church in Corinth of the ways in which they may be more consistent in their following of the way of Jesus.  And yet, he is hesitant to do so, because those very same persons (the ones to whom he must write) are also the very persons upon whom he depends for his opportunity to rejoice.

There is this careful balancing of speaking the truth about current realities, without forgetting the irreversible nature of their calling.

God does derive much joy and happiness from us, His chosen ones.  How it pleases him to see us go about our daily tasks with an assurance that we are his agents in the world.

But there are many instances in which we fall short of the fullness of his glory and his hope for us.  There are ways in which we grieve his heart.

On this Wednesday of Holy Week, it is important to remember both ends of the spectrum.  To be assured that we are God's delight; while also being prepared to accept critique about those things which would bring us more closely in line with God's hope for us.  God's joy is not removed; but it is at times tempered.

Tuesday Devotion

One of the perplexingly beautiful parts of being a pastor is the permission that people give you to enter the milestones of their lives. Whether it is being with people during the joys of pregnancy or the struggles of infertility, whether it is being present during a major accomplishment or being present to speak a word of God's peace when life falls apart; there is a mysterious beauty to it all. The beauty is that somehow God enfolds all of our stories into God's grand story. I believe that "somehow" consists of the events that Jesus endured and triumphed-over during Holy Week.

 

Throughout this past week, I was present when a beloved parishioner named Bob lay dying in the hospital. During the visit that Bob was last able to speak, I slowly aided him through the Lord's Prayer, that is until Bob took a deep breath and began to shout out, "for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever! Amen!" The nurse actually poked her head in the room because she was surprised that Bob was able to do this.

 

Bob understood that his stories, and his overall life story, all somehow mysteriously fit into God's grand story. In that hospital bed, Bob was going to declare this belief one final time – this belief that no matter what occurs, God forever has all authority, power, and glory – and Bob declared this with gusto.

 

One passage of scripture that was shared with Bob and his family during the course of last week was Isaiah 43:1-3. But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

 

Whether you are confronted with death or with the very serious stress of school, whether you are celebrating the joys of life or its pains, know that your story is enfolded in God's story. Whenever you pass through the waters or walk through the flames of life, know that God is with you, because God has laid claim on you and has called you by name.

Monday of Holy Week

It has been said that Jesus was in no danger of betrayal and crucifixion so long as he remained outside the city.  When he was an impressive preacher, standing atop a mountain and sharing beatitudes, the folks could go out to hear and him and return to their homes and be in the know among their neighbors.  When he as a worker of miracles to which they could take their injuries and infirmities they were comforted to know that he was out there and available, should they desire to seek his services.

But then he came into Jerusalem.  And he spoke of their daily lives and how all those miracles and all that lofty language was to be brought in harmony with the way they interacted in the marketplace and how they spoke of (as well as to) their neighbors.

Jesus was not to be relegated to the fringes nor was he to be treated as a weekend attraction.  This the crowd was unprepared to accept.  So they cried out for his crucifixion.

As we begin this Holy Week, reflect on the lessons of yesterday and ask whether Jesus has entered the city where you dwell.  Has he come to the things you say and the things you do; or is he still an idea or an interest that you scratch when the mood hits you?

It is common to speak of having invited Jesus into our lives; but it is uncommon to see a wholesale re-modeling of our lives, following such an entry.  And yet, that is what happens in the Gospel story.  Jesus comes and exposes the wide gap between what we say following him means and how that following is happening in our own lives.

So long as he stays out there, things can go along just fine.  But then he enters; and things will never be the same again.

Today's offering is from Jenna Washburn: 

 

          After thinking about what to write about in this week's devotion, I decided to focus on some comforting words from my dad: "Don't worry about your future Jenna, God will take care of you and everything will work out."  I hear this a lot from him whenever I get stressed out about what my plans will be in the near or distant future.  

 

            As some of you may know, I have been really excited about hearing back from the Duke Lemur Center about their summer research internship that I applied for.  However, I received an email this week saying that I did not get the position.  I was really upset and I'm sure all of you can relate to the feeling of not being "good enough”.  It's difficult to accept rejection, especially when you’ve had your heart set on something and you don't have a back-up plan.

 

            After talking to my dad about the whole situation and being stressed out over what I was going to do instead of going to Duke for the summer, he spoke those same words of comfort "Don't worry about your future, God will take care of you and everything will work out."  A verse from Philippians 4:6-7 goes right along with these words from my dad:  ⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 

 

            I encourage you all, no matter what you have your heart set on—whether it’s a job, relationship, internship, graduate school—don't worry if you don't get exactly what you were hoping for.  Don't get stressed out about what you will do with your time.  Trust in God and thank Him for all of the opportunities and experiences He has already allowed you to have.  He will help you figure out what to do in the future that will bring you happiness and help you grow in your loving relationship with Him.

Devotion - Thursday, April 10

Moses and God were pretty close.  God spoke to Moses; Moses was able (Exodus 7) to speak and bring forth frogs and gnats to cover the whole earth.  Later in the story, Moses will receive the Torah.  But Moses and the people will spend years (decades) together.  And after a while, that which is exceptional becomes rather common.

After one encounter with God, Moses' face glows.  The people are frightened by this, so Moses puts a veil over his face.

When we get to the time of Paul's writings (2 Corinthians 3:10ff), the effect of this veil is looked upon from a different perspective.  Paul acknowledges that while the initial glow may have frightened the people, think of the effect of watching that "fading" of that splendor.  How would the people react when this mark of God's presence began to lose some of it luster?

Maintaining a spiritual "high" is impossible.  Mountain top experiences are followed by a return to the plain.  Does a more typical emotion or routine or pattern suggest that God is any less present?  Does it mean that the encounter was of no consequence or merit?  Let's hope not.

Those encounters we have with God do bring a glow to our faces.  They impress (us and those with whom we share the experience.)  But it is necessary for us to return to the places and to the routines which give life its meaning and purpose.

Many are saying that the Church is fading; that its splendor isn't what it once was.  We could hold up a veil to hide this; or we could realize that highs must be followed by lows;  we can remember that the fading of Moses' splendor did not mean that God was finished nor that God had departed.  And by setting aside any such veil, and allowing others to see, we may be offering our greatest service.  By such a path we may give assurance to those who in their personal life are experiencing a time of fading splendor or see themselves in a spiritual low.

In that same section of 2 Corinthians, Paul writes "we have such a hope."

Devotion - Wednesday, April 9

In 2 Corinthians 2:15 there is a comment which brings me up short every time I read it.  Paul writes "For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word; but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of god we speak in Christ."

In these statements Paul expresses a confidence in himself, in his work, and in this faithfulness.  In most of my public statements, I do the same.  But in these early morning hours when I sit quietly and listen for the God's voice, I ask God to reveal which category best describes my work of the previous day.  

None of those who speak half-truths set out to be "peddlers of God's word."  It just sort of happens over time.  None of those who share the news of God's abundant grace do so for personal advancement, but they can become addicted to the responses and replies of those who receive that word.  How do we know when we have shifted from one to the other?

The message we share is 95% the same as the other Christian ministries on campus.  But the remaining 5% creates great separation among God's people.  (This is a statistic made up on the spot this morning - to help me make a point.)  How can we know that our interpretation of that 5% is faithful and appropriate?

Maintaining humility is essential.  Remaining open to the Spirit's guidance and prepared to hear from God that alterations are called for is a good mark that we are not "peddlers" but persons of sincerity.  Our dedication to hearing God's Word and following his way is what matters; occasionally getting a bit confused as to the particle way we live that out in this instance on this day is inevitable.

Tuesday Devotion - April 8

Today's offering is from Pastor Wade Roof – Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, SC

 

John 11:38–44 “The Raising of Lazarus”

 

“Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days." 40Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" 41So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, "Father, I thank you for having heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’"

 

While changing my son’s dipper, it always amazes me how he fights and struggles against me; squirming, flipping back and forth the whole time until, finally, I get a clean dipper on him. I know he must be uncomfortable, I know he must want to be changed, and I know he must smell what everybody else in the room is smelling, but he is going to fight it until the bitter end. Why? Why fight the one trying to help you? Why struggle against what we both know is good for you? Why sit in your stink, rather than be made clean and new?

In thinking about Lazarus lying in that tomb, I believe he has a choice to make. As Christ calls him out, Lazarus has to choose his future. He could just lay there. He could simply stay in the darkness of that cave, bound up in his death clothes, and rot away in his stench. This might not be the most comfortable, it might not be the best situation, but it’s tolerable and it’s predictable.

 

Or… Lazarus could come out. Who knows what awaits him outside that tomb. It could be a harsh reality, a return to a life that could bring more pain and suffering than he might want, or it just might be the healing and wholeness that he needs: the resurrection and life that he has longed for. So he must choose to lay there and die, or get up and live.

 

Today you have been called by name to choose life or death. You have been called to get up out of your stink and live again. The stone has been rolled away, God’s breath of life has filled your lungs once more, and light and life await you outside that tomb. Why fight the One trying to help you? Why struggle against what we both know is good for you? Why sit in your stink, rather than be made clean and new? The decision to get up is yours.

You know your reality, and you are well aware of what binds you up in this world. Christ is ready to set you free this day. Choose life and come out of this tomb. Choose life and live – knowing that Jesus will walk with you to the cross and beyond. Choose life and breathe freely the Holy Spirit that will sustain you until we meet God face to face. Amen.

Devotion - Monday, April 7

The call of Moses has many interesting turns and twists.  In Exodus 4 he makes his excuses to God, siting his being "slow of speech and of tongue."  God promises to send Aaron with Moses; "He will speak for you to the people."

You are familiar enough with the story of the Exodus to know that Moses (and Aaron) do accomplish their task.  The people of Israel are set go by Pharaoh.  All this is accomplished by one who lacks the trait we first identify with a great leader - the ability to speak eloquently.

God saw in Moses the traits that he needed.  God saw in Moses the abilities which would be most needed to the mission.  He did not see what we might have seen or desired.

"Doing the heroic thing" is very different from "being a hero."  The latter means meeting some agreed upon, uniform standards and never failing to disappoint.  The former is possible when, in a particular given situation, we do the right thing.  Few (if any) will meet everyone's expectations for a hero;  many can do the right thing in the right situation.

God does not call Moses to be something he is not.  God calls Moses to a particular task.  God sees in Moses the ability to do that task.

God calls us, too.  We may not think ourselves equal to the task.  Such worries generally arise out of a confusion between being thinking about heroes rather than seeing the need for a heroic deed.

Friday Devotion - April 4

Today's offering is from Allen Solomons:

“Come and watch the rain”

 

These are the words that my grandmother spoke to me many times while my family and I were down in Allendale, SC visiting. It was such an inviting phrase from a special person. There was only one problem: My eight, nine and ten year old mind didn’t understand.

 

“Why would you want to watch the rain? That’s really boring,” I often wondered. But now I realize how much I didn’t understand that my grandmother did. It’s an understanding that grows with time that I still don’t understand and don’t think I ever fully will.

 

My grandparents lived on a farm before they died. You can look out the large back porch and see where cotton or soybean fields once where. You can see where pine trees now take much of that space. Things you won’t find are noisy traffic or loud neighbors, or the daily bustle of city life. One thing you will find, however, is peace.

 

I was there just a week ago, and thankfully, it was raining. I stepped on the porch and a massive sense of peace enveloped me. It was almost overwhelming, like you’ve been in a noisy place and you’ve quickly gone to total quiet. I felt that calling to simply “watch the rain.” I sat there for nearly an hour and was never bored. I felt the “ר֫וּחַ”, (English translation, “rauch;” which means breath, spirit, or wind in Hebrew). I felt the “ר֫וּחַ” of placidness and calm.

 

Jesus calls us in the same way: he calls us to peace. Second Thessalonians says,

“May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in all ways. May the Lord be with you all.” 

 

It’s these words that transcend any human understanding. When we share the peace each Sunday, we share the peace that Christ teaches to us share. It doesn’t matter that you may have “trespassed” against someone, you can share the peace with them just as you would a close friend, for we are all equal at the God’s table and in his house.  

 

Just as I can find a place where it peaceful, so can you. It’s a place where you feel relaxed and open. It’s a place where you can feel a deep understanding of the world around. So this week, I challenge you to find that place where you find peace. Feel God’s ר֫וּחַ. Invite someone to “come and watch the rain.”

 

Allen Solomons