As we continue to recall and to rejoice in Sunday's Easter celebration, my devotional guide takes me back to the verses of scripture which tell the story and speak of its' significance.
I am reading the latter chapters of I Corinthians. Paul continues to speak of the meaning of baptism. Today's section (15:29-41) points out that there is no reason to be baptized on behalf of one who is dead. "Why would we baptize in the name of Jesus if Jesus were not alive?" he asks. We are baptized into Jesus death, so that we might share in Jesus' eternal life. Our baptism is a death to our old self, as surely as it is a resurrection to a new life, a life of living among God's people and doing God's will.
Matthew's retelling of the Easter morning events differs from Mark. Mark was the text we read this year, on Easter morning. In Matthew, as the women are approaching the tomb there is a great earthquake. The verses leave open the possibility that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary may have watched as "an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat on it." The guards go and report this to the Chief Priests who bribe them to say that it was Jesus' followers who came and took Jesus' body.
The stories and the teachings attempt to clear up the confusion which arises from all of this. And it is very confusing. To think of a person who is dead living again; to understand the transcending of heavenly beings with earthly places - these are confusing. Scripture attempts to help us understand. Understanding may come, with regard to the events. But the understanding which matters most is with regard to meaning. What do these events mean to us? What do they mean to you?
The prayer in my devotional guide speaks of God's spirit which "quicken us also." The events of Easter have the potential to bring us to life in a way which we previously had not experienced. The next line in the prayer is the one that remains with me. It expresses the hope of Easter, "That we may rise to newness of life and have a part in the working out of they purpose of good for the world."
Easter serves to "quicken" us; to bring us to life in a way which previously we had not experienced. And this awakening makes it possible for us to go and tell, to go and share, to go and live a life which attracts others to the Good News of God's grace and God's salvation.
Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen indeed!
Let us live this and let us share this.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Devotion - Tuesday, April 10
One of the replies I received to yesterday's devotion encouraged me to not skip so quickly over that first difference Jesus' resurrection means in our lives. The reply reminded me that young adults (no less than their aging parents and grandparents) cling tightly to the promise of our resurrection. Other notes spoke of grandmothers having surgery and of mothers in ICU. No, we cannot and should not fail to lift up the promised resurrection of all God's children. You and me included.
The appointed reading for this morning is from I Corinthians 15:12-28. Here, Paul lays before us the importance of speaking of the resurrection. He begins, "Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection?" Remember that Paul writes to the emerging Church, one in which there are no creeds or doctrines to guide the believers. He isn't so much concerned with orthodoxy as he is with confidence. He does not want his readers to be misinformed, or to fear needlessly.
He continues, "If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all persons most to be pitied."
I like the way my seminary teacher explained these words. Dr. Sittler said, "Considering how wonderful God has been to me in this life, how can I do anything but anticipate with great joy that which awaits me after death?"
It is our Easter mantra - and may it respond throughout all our lives! Again, in this section of I Corinthians, we are reminded, "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep."
The appointed reading for this morning is from I Corinthians 15:12-28. Here, Paul lays before us the importance of speaking of the resurrection. He begins, "Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection?" Remember that Paul writes to the emerging Church, one in which there are no creeds or doctrines to guide the believers. He isn't so much concerned with orthodoxy as he is with confidence. He does not want his readers to be misinformed, or to fear needlessly.
He continues, "If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all persons most to be pitied."
I like the way my seminary teacher explained these words. Dr. Sittler said, "Considering how wonderful God has been to me in this life, how can I do anything but anticipate with great joy that which awaits me after death?"
It is our Easter mantra - and may it respond throughout all our lives! Again, in this section of I Corinthians, we are reminded, "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep."
Monday, April 9, 2012
Devotion - Monday, April 9
I appreciated the question, left open-ended, in Pastor Shealy's sermon yesterday. It was her seven year old son who asked the question. It began with "Mom, if Jesus had not died would we still be here?" "Yes we would." Then came the real question, "Then what difference does it make that he died?"
What difference does it make?
It may have made a difference in your weekend. Some of you had visits from your parents, due to their Easter vacations. Others of you traveled to be with family and hustled back last night. A larger percentage than normal got up yesterday morning and found a place of worship. But these differences are not what seven year old Zachary was asking about.
What difference does it make?
The first answer is likely to be "Eternal life." As a result of Jesus' resurrection, we find hope for our own. This promise is very much at the center of our Christian teachings and life. Young adults know this, and confess this. But death seems to far away (seems so far away) that college students typically don't worry that much about dying and thus needing a resurrected life.
What difference does it make? In your life, now?
I would prefer not to answer the question, but to leave it with you and ask you to send me your replies. Would you do that? To get you started let me share what I most often find to be the differences which proves to be most appreciated by your classmates and peers.
In dying, Jesus destroyed more than merely death. He destroyed all those things which would seek our undoing. He showed us that being true and honest is better than scheming and advancing ourselves above others. Jesus' path to the cross allows us to see that betrayal and rejection are overcome by affection and forgiveness. Jesus' willingness to forgive (even to forgive Peter) meant that nothing was able to separate him from those whom God had given him as friends. One more difference: Jesus dies and even the clothes on his back are taken by someone else. He has nothing. And yet, who has ever had more? Jesus' death makes it crystal clear that it is not the things we own but the people we love who determine the worth of our lives.
Someday, the promise of eternal life will be higher on our lists of the difference Jesus' death makes. Today, on my list, I find the significance that death makes in all my relationships, with the way I look at the world, and the confidence with which I move through my day.
What difference does it make? It makes all the difference in the world. And as one who has been allowed to see and perceive this difference, I seek to make known these differences in everything I do and in everything I say.
What difference does it make?
It may have made a difference in your weekend. Some of you had visits from your parents, due to their Easter vacations. Others of you traveled to be with family and hustled back last night. A larger percentage than normal got up yesterday morning and found a place of worship. But these differences are not what seven year old Zachary was asking about.
What difference does it make?
The first answer is likely to be "Eternal life." As a result of Jesus' resurrection, we find hope for our own. This promise is very much at the center of our Christian teachings and life. Young adults know this, and confess this. But death seems to far away (seems so far away) that college students typically don't worry that much about dying and thus needing a resurrected life.
What difference does it make? In your life, now?
I would prefer not to answer the question, but to leave it with you and ask you to send me your replies. Would you do that? To get you started let me share what I most often find to be the differences which proves to be most appreciated by your classmates and peers.
In dying, Jesus destroyed more than merely death. He destroyed all those things which would seek our undoing. He showed us that being true and honest is better than scheming and advancing ourselves above others. Jesus' path to the cross allows us to see that betrayal and rejection are overcome by affection and forgiveness. Jesus' willingness to forgive (even to forgive Peter) meant that nothing was able to separate him from those whom God had given him as friends. One more difference: Jesus dies and even the clothes on his back are taken by someone else. He has nothing. And yet, who has ever had more? Jesus' death makes it crystal clear that it is not the things we own but the people we love who determine the worth of our lives.
Someday, the promise of eternal life will be higher on our lists of the difference Jesus' death makes. Today, on my list, I find the significance that death makes in all my relationships, with the way I look at the world, and the confidence with which I move through my day.
What difference does it make? It makes all the difference in the world. And as one who has been allowed to see and perceive this difference, I seek to make known these differences in everything I do and in everything I say.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Devotion - Thursday of Holy Week
"Maundy" is a derivative of an older word for "commandment." This day takes its name from Jesus' commandment to love one another as he has loved us.
This is his instructions, to the disciples, on the last occasion of their being together.
How often is "Loving one another" listed among the essential (required?) marks of being considered one of Jesus' followers?
When we do speak of "loving one another - do we cast the net as wide as Jesus did (remember the parable of the Good Samaritan) or do we limit the scope to the members of our group, or congregation, or denomination?
"Loving as we love ourselves" means providing the same for the other as we provide for ourselves. How often do we head over to Spill the Beans for an ice-cream; how seldom do we contribute $5 toward Dance Marathon or Walk for Water?
I traveled this week for the burial of a dear friend and member of the congregation. I was attempting to get on the shuttle bus to the airport. The bus only accepted correct change. At the entry to the bus were myself, an Ultra-Orthodox Jew, and a man of African decent. So much about our individual and shared culture encouraged us to be suspicious of one another. Never-the-less, we opened our pockets, pooled our money, and all were able to ride the bus. A moment of grace which reminded me how seldom we abandon individual ownership over the resources God has provided.
Maundy means command. Jesus commands us to love one another. He teaches us that this love is not to be restricted.
In a few hours Jesus will be put to death by a world that would not allow him to continually remind us of his teachings. It is easier to pick and choose what we want to remember of his words when he is not there to say, "Don't forget that this is also something I said!" In a few hours, he will be arrested by those who wanted to make religious practice more important than Jesus-like living. And he will be executed by government authorities for whom boundaries and allegiances are more important than following the Lord who loves all the earth and all its inhabitants.
Maundy means command. Jesus commands us to love one another.
This is his instructions, to the disciples, on the last occasion of their being together.
How often is "Loving one another" listed among the essential (required?) marks of being considered one of Jesus' followers?
When we do speak of "loving one another - do we cast the net as wide as Jesus did (remember the parable of the Good Samaritan) or do we limit the scope to the members of our group, or congregation, or denomination?
"Loving as we love ourselves" means providing the same for the other as we provide for ourselves. How often do we head over to Spill the Beans for an ice-cream; how seldom do we contribute $5 toward Dance Marathon or Walk for Water?
I traveled this week for the burial of a dear friend and member of the congregation. I was attempting to get on the shuttle bus to the airport. The bus only accepted correct change. At the entry to the bus were myself, an Ultra-Orthodox Jew, and a man of African decent. So much about our individual and shared culture encouraged us to be suspicious of one another. Never-the-less, we opened our pockets, pooled our money, and all were able to ride the bus. A moment of grace which reminded me how seldom we abandon individual ownership over the resources God has provided.
Maundy means command. Jesus commands us to love one another. He teaches us that this love is not to be restricted.
In a few hours Jesus will be put to death by a world that would not allow him to continually remind us of his teachings. It is easier to pick and choose what we want to remember of his words when he is not there to say, "Don't forget that this is also something I said!" In a few hours, he will be arrested by those who wanted to make religious practice more important than Jesus-like living. And he will be executed by government authorities for whom boundaries and allegiances are more important than following the Lord who loves all the earth and all its inhabitants.
Maundy means command. Jesus commands us to love one another.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Devotion - Wednesday of Holy Week
When Jesus enters Jerusalem, he knows what awaits him. He had told the disciples. Peter had spoken out against this.
And yet, he has compassion for the city and for its inhabitants. In Matthew 23:37 he acknowledges the city for what it is. He says, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!" It isn't only he who fares badly here. But this does not reduce his love, his concern, his compassion. He goes on to say, "How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!"
Jesus knows how Jerusalem treats those whom God sends. He realizes how they will treat him. And yet he is overcome with compassion and care for them.
During our bible study last night we spoke of Jesus as the one who conquers by refusing to enter the fight. He overcomes evil and hatred by not allowing evil and hatred to rule his life. Following Jesus means doing the same in our lives. It means never allowing our enemies to pull us into their ways. Jesus dies because he would not call forth the legions to fight on his behalf.
Before we turn to the introspective days of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, today gives us the opportunity to think of Jesus' mission. And to compare his mission with our own life path. Telling others of his life and death is surely part of what it means to be a follower - but so is living as he lived. Surely it involves the same sort of refusal to accept a world in which hatred and murder are tolerated.
And yet, he has compassion for the city and for its inhabitants. In Matthew 23:37 he acknowledges the city for what it is. He says, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!" It isn't only he who fares badly here. But this does not reduce his love, his concern, his compassion. He goes on to say, "How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!"
Jesus knows how Jerusalem treats those whom God sends. He realizes how they will treat him. And yet he is overcome with compassion and care for them.
During our bible study last night we spoke of Jesus as the one who conquers by refusing to enter the fight. He overcomes evil and hatred by not allowing evil and hatred to rule his life. Following Jesus means doing the same in our lives. It means never allowing our enemies to pull us into their ways. Jesus dies because he would not call forth the legions to fight on his behalf.
Before we turn to the introspective days of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, today gives us the opportunity to think of Jesus' mission. And to compare his mission with our own life path. Telling others of his life and death is surely part of what it means to be a follower - but so is living as he lived. Surely it involves the same sort of refusal to accept a world in which hatred and murder are tolerated.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Devotion - Tuesday of Holy Week
Yesterday I wrote of how the crowd turned against Jesus - today I
wanted to acknowledge that the religious leaders did the same.
It is too simple a thing for us to claim that these leaders were
ill-informed or represented an old, out-dated covenant. The truth is
that Jesus represents a threat to any who would try to make of the
faith experience a religious system or structure.
Don't mishear me. I am a HUGE fan of Church and churches. What I
oppose, and those who opposed Jesus, were those more concerned with
preserving the structures than with providing a place where faith
journeys could occur.
The leaders opposed Jesus because Jesus was reminding people that God
came to establish a relationship with us, not merely give us a set of
rules or obligations. The leaders knew that Jesus was a threat to
their way of organizing and to involving the children of God.
Jesus is a disruption to the structures preferred by those who want
keep us in line and who want to fall in line.
The religious leaders of our day (of which I am in constant danger of
becoming one) need to continually be on guard to work to advance the
message of Jesus rather than build cathedrals to ourselves.
Every follower needs to make sure they are following Jesus, and not
merely attracted to one of those impressive cathedrals.
wanted to acknowledge that the religious leaders did the same.
It is too simple a thing for us to claim that these leaders were
ill-informed or represented an old, out-dated covenant. The truth is
that Jesus represents a threat to any who would try to make of the
faith experience a religious system or structure.
Don't mishear me. I am a HUGE fan of Church and churches. What I
oppose, and those who opposed Jesus, were those more concerned with
preserving the structures than with providing a place where faith
journeys could occur.
The leaders opposed Jesus because Jesus was reminding people that God
came to establish a relationship with us, not merely give us a set of
rules or obligations. The leaders knew that Jesus was a threat to
their way of organizing and to involving the children of God.
Jesus is a disruption to the structures preferred by those who want
keep us in line and who want to fall in line.
The religious leaders of our day (of which I am in constant danger of
becoming one) need to continually be on guard to work to advance the
message of Jesus rather than build cathedrals to ourselves.
Every follower needs to make sure they are following Jesus, and not
merely attracted to one of those impressive cathedrals.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Devotion - Monday of Holy Week
Yesterday's liturgy makes us aware of the difference between being attracted to Jesus and being willing to life the life that Jesus asks of us.
The crowd, many of whom had gone out to the wilderness to hear Jesus preach, some of whom may have experienced one of the miracles, this crowd is excited when they realize that their next trip to see Jesus will involve a shorter travel time. HE IS HERE! They exclaim. And they strew his way with branches of palm.
But his arrival in town quickly turns. In the place where they live, Jesus sees not merely their desire to know more. He sees, quite clearly, how they are living their lives. In today's reading, he notices how they have allowed the Temple to become a place of trade rather than a house of worship.
Many are attracted to Jesus - to what he says and to what he is able to do. But Jesus isn't asking us to be attracted - Jesus is inviting us to live our lives differently.
We like our lives - unfortunately. We are content with the way things are - really. And the thought of following Jesus, as attractive as it is, frightens us. It means opening our lives and our homes to the poor. It means welcoming in the stranger and caring for those beaten and left for dead.
The crowd welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem with palm branches because they liked what he said. They were not so eager to change their lives. How willing are we?
The crowd, many of whom had gone out to the wilderness to hear Jesus preach, some of whom may have experienced one of the miracles, this crowd is excited when they realize that their next trip to see Jesus will involve a shorter travel time. HE IS HERE! They exclaim. And they strew his way with branches of palm.
But his arrival in town quickly turns. In the place where they live, Jesus sees not merely their desire to know more. He sees, quite clearly, how they are living their lives. In today's reading, he notices how they have allowed the Temple to become a place of trade rather than a house of worship.
Many are attracted to Jesus - to what he says and to what he is able to do. But Jesus isn't asking us to be attracted - Jesus is inviting us to live our lives differently.
We like our lives - unfortunately. We are content with the way things are - really. And the thought of following Jesus, as attractive as it is, frightens us. It means opening our lives and our homes to the poor. It means welcoming in the stranger and caring for those beaten and left for dead.
The crowd welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem with palm branches because they liked what he said. They were not so eager to change their lives. How willing are we?
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