Easter Sunday!
We Follow Other Witnesses
"Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb... " John 20:6
As I have been reading the gospel lessons about the resurrection in preparation for this day, I have been struck by how the good news of the resurrection is an unfolding story. We sing, "Jesus Christ is Risen Today" with loud voices and firm conviction. But it took awhile for that firm conviction to set in for the followers of Jesus. What happened here? What does this mean? It would take time for that firm conviction to come, but it does come. Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! The Easter story begins today, but it will continue to unfold as we read our lessons in our congregation in the weeks to come.
The message of Easter is always an unfolding story. It is a living story that is at work in our lives, the lives of our children, and all those that hear and respond to the good news. It happened "back then," but it is also happening right now. In the resurrection we know we have a redeemer, a savior, one who has brought us out of death to life- a life that begins now and is brought to perfection in the life to come. Christ is Risen! Praise God! Alleluia!
With this devotion we conclude our 2013 Lenten devotional, "Followers of the Cross." It has been amazing to me how Martin Marty, the author of the devotions, found so many different "followers" of Jesus in the scriptures. There were the disciples, of course, and the women who faithfully followed Jesus right to the tomb. But there were also children, crowds, the blind, sinners, and the last to follow, the young man who, when captured by soldiers at the time of Jesus' arrest, managed to escape by shedding his clothes and running off naked. Throughout these devotions we were also challenged to think about what it means to follow our Lord. For one, the rich, young ruler, Christ's demanding call to sell his possessions and give to the poor, was too much, and he walked away. We've also learned about leadership, especially servant leadership, as Jesus has modeled this for us. It has been my joy to share my personal reflections with you. Thanks for reading and sharing in this conversation. Our journey continues. May we move forward in the days to come as part of that great multitude throughout the ages that have been called and chosen to be "Followers of the Cross."
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
40th Day of Lent- Holy Saturday
Ministering to Jesus
"Many women ... had followed Jesus...ministering to him." Mt. 27:55
Today we remember that day when Jesus laid in the tomb, dead. This is where the season of Lent ends. There is great mystery about what was occurring during this time. "He descended to the dead," we say in the Apostles Creed, or, "he descended into hell," as was previously said. There is no place in life or death where Jesus has not been. He is redeemer of all.
I admire the women who provided for Jesus in life, stood with him in death, and planned to care for his body after he died. I also admire Joseph of Arimathea who went to Pilate and asked for the body, to give it a proper resting place. These are true heroes of the faith, people that went the extra mile to care for a dead man. Today we remember that Jesus actually died and his body laid in the tomb. That was the penalty for sin, our sin. The only way for redemption from death, was for the Redeemer to die. Thank you Jesus, that You actually died for us, that we might be redeemed. And thank you, that the story is not yet finished.
Ministering to Jesus
"Many women ... had followed Jesus...ministering to him." Mt. 27:55
Today we remember that day when Jesus laid in the tomb, dead. This is where the season of Lent ends. There is great mystery about what was occurring during this time. "He descended to the dead," we say in the Apostles Creed, or, "he descended into hell," as was previously said. There is no place in life or death where Jesus has not been. He is redeemer of all.
I admire the women who provided for Jesus in life, stood with him in death, and planned to care for his body after he died. I also admire Joseph of Arimathea who went to Pilate and asked for the body, to give it a proper resting place. These are true heroes of the faith, people that went the extra mile to care for a dead man. Today we remember that Jesus actually died and his body laid in the tomb. That was the penalty for sin, our sin. The only way for redemption from death, was for the Redeemer to die. Thank you Jesus, that You actually died for us, that we might be redeemed. And thank you, that the story is not yet finished.
Friday, March 29, 2013
39th Day of Lent-Good Friday
From the First Mention of the Cross
"And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:38
To take up the cross of Jesus is to take up his cause. That is what worthy disciples do. They follow the example and walk in the way of their teacher. In the case of those that follow Jesus, this means loving God and loving our neighbor. It means welcoming the outcasts and those kept on the fringes of society. It means feeding the hungry and caring for the sick. It means being good stewards or managers of our lives and all of creation. It means pouring out and giving up our lives for the sake of others.
That is what we do. It is a heavy burden. No one can do so perfectly. Our sinful selves constantly get in the way, taking our attention elsewhere. But the One we follow did not get distracted. The One we follow took his cross all the way to completion. The One we follow died today on the cross he carried, so that we might be forgiven when we drop the cross we bear. Jesus did that for us. That's the miracle of this day. Let us pause to give thanks to Jesus for taking his mission to completion, so that we might always be forgiven and renewed as we now carry his cross into the world.
From the First Mention of the Cross
"And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:38
To take up the cross of Jesus is to take up his cause. That is what worthy disciples do. They follow the example and walk in the way of their teacher. In the case of those that follow Jesus, this means loving God and loving our neighbor. It means welcoming the outcasts and those kept on the fringes of society. It means feeding the hungry and caring for the sick. It means being good stewards or managers of our lives and all of creation. It means pouring out and giving up our lives for the sake of others.
That is what we do. It is a heavy burden. No one can do so perfectly. Our sinful selves constantly get in the way, taking our attention elsewhere. But the One we follow did not get distracted. The One we follow took his cross all the way to completion. The One we follow died today on the cross he carried, so that we might be forgiven when we drop the cross we bear. Jesus did that for us. That's the miracle of this day. Let us pause to give thanks to Jesus for taking his mission to completion, so that we might always be forgiven and renewed as we now carry his cross into the world.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
38th Day of Lent - Maundy Thursday
Recognizing "Communion" Along the Way
"If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another." 1 John 1:7
Human beings are by nature social. Some people are more social than others, but we need each other. Today, through the computer and social media, we connect differently than just a few years ago. But we continue to need to connect with one another.
Fellowship is making that connection to each other. Christian fellowship is connecting with Jesus, the light, and then connecting and sharing that light with one another and the world. Right now in our congregation, we have people praying for others that are sick or in need. We have people preparing for tonight's Maundy Thursday service and our Good Friday drama. On Saturday, people will be at church setting up for our Easter services and Easter brunch. This is all fellowship, as we join together to carry out Christ's mission in various ways. Christ's light shines on us, and then through us, as we serve him.
Another place our Lord's light shines on us is at the Communion table. Communion takes place in community, as we come forward regardless of our many differences, to receive Christ's own body and blood. His light shines in, with, and under the bread and wine, strengthening us in faith and service. The Lord's Supper is the most intimate act of fellowship God has given us. Come, tonight, to eat and drink of the light, so that we might then be light to the world.
Recognizing "Communion" Along the Way
"If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another." 1 John 1:7
Human beings are by nature social. Some people are more social than others, but we need each other. Today, through the computer and social media, we connect differently than just a few years ago. But we continue to need to connect with one another.
Fellowship is making that connection to each other. Christian fellowship is connecting with Jesus, the light, and then connecting and sharing that light with one another and the world. Right now in our congregation, we have people praying for others that are sick or in need. We have people preparing for tonight's Maundy Thursday service and our Good Friday drama. On Saturday, people will be at church setting up for our Easter services and Easter brunch. This is all fellowship, as we join together to carry out Christ's mission in various ways. Christ's light shines on us, and then through us, as we serve him.
Another place our Lord's light shines on us is at the Communion table. Communion takes place in community, as we come forward regardless of our many differences, to receive Christ's own body and blood. His light shines in, with, and under the bread and wine, strengthening us in faith and service. The Lord's Supper is the most intimate act of fellowship God has given us. Come, tonight, to eat and drink of the light, so that we might then be light to the world.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
37th Day of Lent- Wednesday in Holy Week
Sometimes We Hide
"And Peter was following him at a distance." Matthew 26:58
How often do we, like Peter, follow Jesus "at a distance." We want to be near him, but just not too close. Because if we get too close, he may ask us to do things which would upset our current way of life and make us uncomfortable. Remember the rich young ruler? Jesus asked him to sell his possessions and give to the poor. If Peter had stayed close to Jesus at his trial, he, too, may have been arrested. So he kept his distance.
But in the midst of this there is good news. Even though Peter kept his distance and even denied ever knowing Jesus, Jesus did not deny him. Jesus welcomed him back and made him a very important leader of the early church. I think God had a plan in all of this. Yes, Peter failed. But so do we. Jesus welcomed Peter back, and so also are we welcomed back. Even when we keep him at a distance, we are given the opportunity to draw close to him again and again. Holy Week is a wonderful opportunity to do so. Yes, life is busy all around us. Just like in Bethlehem when Jesus was born, the world is full of hustle and bustle, virtually unaware of the cross and resurrection. But we are aware. We can be drawn close to Jesus at this special time. May we, who so often keep God at a distance, be drawn in by God's love this week.
Sometimes We Hide
"And Peter was following him at a distance." Matthew 26:58
How often do we, like Peter, follow Jesus "at a distance." We want to be near him, but just not too close. Because if we get too close, he may ask us to do things which would upset our current way of life and make us uncomfortable. Remember the rich young ruler? Jesus asked him to sell his possessions and give to the poor. If Peter had stayed close to Jesus at his trial, he, too, may have been arrested. So he kept his distance.
But in the midst of this there is good news. Even though Peter kept his distance and even denied ever knowing Jesus, Jesus did not deny him. Jesus welcomed him back and made him a very important leader of the early church. I think God had a plan in all of this. Yes, Peter failed. But so do we. Jesus welcomed Peter back, and so also are we welcomed back. Even when we keep him at a distance, we are given the opportunity to draw close to him again and again. Holy Week is a wonderful opportunity to do so. Yes, life is busy all around us. Just like in Bethlehem when Jesus was born, the world is full of hustle and bustle, virtually unaware of the cross and resurrection. But we are aware. We can be drawn close to Jesus at this special time. May we, who so often keep God at a distance, be drawn in by God's love this week.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
36th Day of Lent- Tuesday in Holy Week
The Discipline of Watching
"Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation." Luke 22:46
The specific role of the disciples from this point forward in the passion narrative is rather vague. We know Peter was following at a distance after Jesus was arrested, and then denied knowing him three times. Judas, of course, played the role of the betrayer. The other ten are not specifically mentioned, except that Luke does say after Jesus dies, "But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things." (Luke 23:49) Were the disciples among these? Regardless, they surely knew exactly what was taking place, the crucifixion of Jesus.
When Jesus told them to "rise and pray" in the garden, he was telling them to be alert and ready. They were about to witness difficult things. Don't give in to despair, but have faith in what God can do. Through all that took place, God did not give up on them. The remaining disciples maintained enough faith for God still to use them. They became important witnesses to the cross and resurrection. Let us also pray that we not be tempted to give up on God, but trust God can use the faith we have to carry out His will.
The Discipline of Watching
"Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation." Luke 22:46
The specific role of the disciples from this point forward in the passion narrative is rather vague. We know Peter was following at a distance after Jesus was arrested, and then denied knowing him three times. Judas, of course, played the role of the betrayer. The other ten are not specifically mentioned, except that Luke does say after Jesus dies, "But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things." (Luke 23:49) Were the disciples among these? Regardless, they surely knew exactly what was taking place, the crucifixion of Jesus.
When Jesus told them to "rise and pray" in the garden, he was telling them to be alert and ready. They were about to witness difficult things. Don't give in to despair, but have faith in what God can do. Through all that took place, God did not give up on them. The remaining disciples maintained enough faith for God still to use them. They became important witnesses to the cross and resurrection. Let us also pray that we not be tempted to give up on God, but trust God can use the faith we have to carry out His will.
Monday, March 25, 2013
35th Day of Lent
The Last Follower Stopped Following
"And a young man followed him...and they seized him." Mark 14:51
As Martin Marty points out, this is certainly an unusual story. A young man was following Jesus as he was betrayed and arrested. This man, wearing only a linen cloth, was also seized, but the linen cloth came loose and he was able to run off naked.
Naked. Exposed. Vulnerable. Embarrassed. Perhaps this man's nakedness is meant to symbolize what took place at this time with all the disciples. They all ran off, naked, so to speak, showing their lack of courage and faithfulness. They left Jesus alone to face his captors, alone to die on the cross.
Or perhaps it is meant to symbolize what will soon happen to Jesus. He will be alone and vulnerable, stripped naked and nailed to the cross. He becomes naked for our sake, becoming our sin, dying the death we deserved.
This week we are naked before God. Like this follower and all the disciples, our sin is revealed. And this week Jesus Christ becomes naked for us, taking our betrayal and dying for it on the cross. Because of this we no longer need to be embarrassed or ashamed before God. We are clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
The Last Follower Stopped Following
"And a young man followed him...and they seized him." Mark 14:51
As Martin Marty points out, this is certainly an unusual story. A young man was following Jesus as he was betrayed and arrested. This man, wearing only a linen cloth, was also seized, but the linen cloth came loose and he was able to run off naked.
Naked. Exposed. Vulnerable. Embarrassed. Perhaps this man's nakedness is meant to symbolize what took place at this time with all the disciples. They all ran off, naked, so to speak, showing their lack of courage and faithfulness. They left Jesus alone to face his captors, alone to die on the cross.
Or perhaps it is meant to symbolize what will soon happen to Jesus. He will be alone and vulnerable, stripped naked and nailed to the cross. He becomes naked for our sake, becoming our sin, dying the death we deserved.
This week we are naked before God. Like this follower and all the disciples, our sin is revealed. And this week Jesus Christ becomes naked for us, taking our betrayal and dying for it on the cross. Because of this we no longer need to be embarrassed or ashamed before God. We are clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
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