Crosstalk - April 19th, 2009
This Sunday in the church year: year b, easter 2
This Sunday’s scripture focus: John 20:19-31 (NIV) (The Message)
For a this week’s other scripture readings, click here.
Review: John is the fourth account of the life of Christ, and was written much later than the other three. It was authored by the apostle John, one of Jesus’ “inner circle” while He was on earth. It is a book of signs, including miracles and sayings of Jesus that point to His divinity.
Background: Last week’s scripture focus took us to Easter morning, when Jesus reveals Himself to a single follower – Mary. Today’s scripture takes place later that same day, on Sunday evening. Jesus’ followers had returned to the room they had rented during the Passover celebration. They had heard the reports from Peter and John that Jesus’ tomb was empty. They had heard Mary’s eyewitness account. So far, though, no one else had seen Jesus. The disciples had locked the door because they were afraid that the same ones who had arrested Jesus would now be coming after them. As they sat there discussing (more likely debating) what all this meant, Jesus miraculously walks into the room! “Peace be with you” was the common Jewish greeting, but it was certainly a needed word in this circumstance. Before saying another word, Jesus shows everyone His wounds. Some might have thought this was Jesus’ ghost, but when they saw the scars, there could be no doubt that Jesus was alive and standing before them.Their fear turns to joy! Having assured those gathered that He really is Jesus and He really is alive, Jesus breathes spiritual life into His first disciples, in the same way that God breathed physical life into the first man. On the next Sunday, doubting Thomas was present. We know him as “doubting Thomas” because of his refusal to believe without seeing. Jesus had told Mary not to hold on to him the week before, but he asks Thomas to touch his wounds. Thomas gives the greatest confession of faith one can utter – “My Lord and my God!” John reminds us that everything Jesus did was done with a purpose. Today’s sermon will focus on how Jesus’ actions were meant to comfort, challenge, and call His followers to service.
Five Questions:
What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever seen in church?
How many days this week did you read your bible and pray?
Add to the following thought – “In some ways, every Christian is a pastor.”
Why do you think Thomas was absent during Jesus’ first appearance?
What is causing you fear and/or doubt right now? How are you handling it?
The following is a summary of Pastor Dave’s sermon for April 12th, 2009 (year b, Easter Sunday) based on John 20:1-18 (the gospel reading.)
“Walking, Running, Standing”
The preacher’s son was going through a rebellious streak. He’d quit going to church, let his hair grow long, and kept “worldy” music on his ipod. As he approached his sixteenth birthday, his father decided to have a heart-to-heart talk with him.
“Son, I know you’re getting ready to get your liscence, so I’m gonna make you a deal. I want you be in church every time the doors are open. I want you to quit listening to that devil music. And, son, get a haircut! If you’ll do those three things, I’ll buy you a car for your birthday.”
Well, the boy took his dad at his word. He turned his ipod over to his dad. He was on the front row every Sunday. But on the day he turned sixteen, he still hadn’t cut his hair.
“Son, it’s been so great to have you in church. And I’m sure glad you’re not listening to that garbage. But, son, why haven’t you cut your hair?”
“Dad, I want you to know I’ve loved being in church. In fact, I’ve been reading my Bible every day. Dad, I’ve decided I want to be just like Jesus. And, Dad, every picture I see of Jesus, he has long hair.”
“Son, I’m awful proud to hear that. If you’ve been reading that Bible, you’ll also notice one other thing. Everywhere Jesus went, He walked.”
*****
Sometimes, you have to walk.
Joseph and Mary walked from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be counted in a Roman census. The boy Jesus walked to Jerusalem to be counted as a man among His people. Jesus walked to the Jordon to be baptized, to the wilderness to be tempted, throughout Galilee to teach, preach, heal, forgive, confuse, anger, and love. He walked to Jerusalem to be praised, questioned, betrayed, accused, and tried. Finally, He took one last walk up Calvary’s hill to die.
Wherever Jesus walked, people followed. Sometimes in crowds. Sometimes just a small group. Sometimes just one. But Jesus never walked alone, until that final walk to Golgotha.
And now, three days later, we find Mary walking to the tomb. What she discovers will only add to her grief and confusion.
Sometimes, you have to run.
A father running to Jesus, his daughter dying. A woman at a well running to her village, saying “Come see a man.” A crippled man, touched by the Master, running on new legs. Some lepers running to the priest to be declared whole. Mary, discovering an empty tomb, running to tell Jesus’ followers. Peter and John, running to that same tomb, and believing.
Sometimes, you have to stand.
Standing before Pilate. Standing before Caiaphas. Standing as Roman soldiers beat your back. Standing before a crowd shouting “crucify!” Standing on a cross.
When Mary saw Jesus, oh, how she wanted to stand there, hugging him, forever, never letting go.
But Jesus had finished walking. Jesus had finished standing. It was time for Jesus to go home, and He felt like running!
We have walked with Jesus through this season of Lent. Soon, it will be time to run and spread the news – Jesus is alive!
Today, though, let’s stand. Let’s take a break from walking through life’s routine, and running life’s rat race, and never seeming to get anywhere. Can we just stand and hold on to Jesus, just for a moment?
This Sunday in the church year: year b, Easter Sunday
This week’s scripture focus: John 20:1-18 (NIV) (The Message)
(click here for this week’s other scripture readings and prayers)
Review:
John is the fourth account of the life of Christ, and was written much later than the other three. It was authored by the apostle John, one of Jesus’ “inner circle” while He was on earth. It is a book of signs, including miracles and sayings of Jesus that point to His divinity.
Background:
The Resurrection is the pivotal event of the Gospel. In John’s account, Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb of Jesus before sunrise. Other accounts simply state that “women” went. When we look at the account of the life of Mary, her mention by name here is significant. Her life was greatly impacted by her Rabbi.
John’s gospel often mentions the “beloved disciple” (who we assume is John himself.) Again, his account here is different in that he reaches the tomb before Peter, although Peter does indeed receive the honor of first entering the tomb. When they see the strips of linen and burial cloth folded neatly, they “get it”. Jesus is alive! Still not understanding the implications of this (they’ll need the help of the Holy Spirit for that) they went home.
Mary, however, remained, still convinced that Jesus’ body had been robbed from the grave. Not even the appearance of two heavenly witnesses could reach through her fog of grief, or even the appearance of Jesus Himself, who Mary assumes is the gardner! When Jesus speaks her name, the fog is lifted. Immediately, she knows Who is speaking. We can picture her literally falling onto Jesus in her joy.
Why did Jesus tell Mary not to hold on to him? It’s not, as some early sects taught, because Jesus didn’t have a physical body. Jesus’ mission was not complete. He couldn’t continue to dwell with humans, as much as they wanted Him to stay. He must return to His Father. To John, the resurrection and ascencion are part of the same event.
Today’s sermon gives us three options for what to do with the Resurrection: walk, stand, or run.
Five Questions:
1. How will you celebrate Easter today?
2. How many days this week did you read your Bible and pray?
3. How have you dealt with the death of a close friend or loved one?
3. Has there ever been anything you “knew” about Jesus, but later found out you were wrong?
4. Without the Resurrection, is there any value in the rest of the gospel story?
NATURAL SIGN
The following is a summary of my sermon for April 5th, 2009 (year b, palm sunday), based on John 12:12-16.
An Al Quaida operative was recruiting young suicide bombers. “Brothers,” he pitched, “we know that Allah wills us to make jihad against the infidels. He has promised to those who give their life in this great struggle 70 virgins awaiting you in paradise.”
One young man thought this sounded like a pretty good arrangement, as his prospects for romance on this side weren’t looking very promising. He signed up, strapped on a bomb, and fulfilled his mission in bringing about what he was certain was Allah’s plan.
When he awoke in paradise, he immediately asked an angel where he might find his 70 virgins, as he was ready to enjoy the benefits of his sacrifice. “Right through that door, son.”
Excitedly, he ran through the door, only to find 70 nuns.
You know, it’s easy to see holes in the faith of others, but I wonder if we’ve ever been certain we knew what God’s will was, and if we’ve ever decided to help him out?
Today, we begin the final stretch of the journey in the life of Jesus. The stories that take place between this Sunday and next are full of some well intentioned folks who were certain in their knowledge of God’s will. So certain, in fact, they took matters into their own hands.
The religious leaders knew God wanted this radical new rabbi dead.
Peter knew he needed to protect Jesus from the soldiers’ arrest.
Perhaps even Judas felt he was somehow forcing Jesus’ hand by betraying him.
The crowd in today’s reading, shouting “Hosanna”, knew Jesus would soon take his throne by political and military means. How soon their cries turned to “Crucify” when Jesus refused to follow their version of God’s plan.
All of these people knew God was up to something. They just misread the signs.
John is full of signs. Water into wine. Blind made to see. Fishes and loaves. Walking on water. The sign that really brought the crowd out this time, though, was when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. This had happened recently in nearby Bethany, where Jesus slept just the night before. As he rode from the home of Lazarus to Jerusalem, the crowd turned to a multitude. The multitude understood what the religious leaders missed. Anyone who could raise the dead was definitely from God.
Isn’t it increadible how we can get so caught up in the spectacular, we miss the ordinary?
At some point in the past, some pods got buried in the sandy Judean soil. Over the years, they germinated, crept out of the ground, and grew to be huge palm trees. Those who cut their fronds probably gave no thought to the miracle of a seed becoming a tree.
At some point, probably as Jesus was teaching in Galilee, a couple of donkeys did what donkeys do – made little donkeys. No amount of effort on the owner’s part could hurry the birth along. That little donkey was born when it was time. Did the owner give any thought to the miracle of a couple of cells becoming one of God’s creatures?
We say it’s hard to believe in a day of no miracles. I say the signs of God’s plan are all around us in the ordinary. The every day. The so-called “routine”.
I believe God has a plan for my life. I’ve been certain of that plan many times. I’ve been wrong many times. I’ve been guilty of helping God out with His plan for my life. Like Peter, I’ve cut off a few ears in my day. Like the Pharisees, I’ve been certain that other people in my life have NOT been part of God’s plan for me. I’ve certainly been a Judas hundreds of times over. Like the crowd, I’ve shouted his praises on Sunday, only to grumble when God didn’t do it MY way by Friday.
God just keeps nurturing the seed He planted in me.
He just keeps nourishing the miracle he wants to birth in my life.
Then, one day, if I just quit running ahead of Him and falling behind Him, I’ll look back and see how He really did know what He was doing all the time. In His time.
Crosstalk
This Sunday in the Church Year – year b, palm sunday
Scripture Focus: John 12:12-16 (NIV) (The Message)
Background:
John is the fourth account of the life of Christ, and was written much later than the other three. It was authored by the apostle John, one of Jesus’ “inner circle” while He was on earth. It is a book of signs, including miracles and sayings of Jesus that point to His divinity.
Today’s scripture is John’s account of the Triumphal Entry, celebrated each year on Palm Sunday. In this version, Jesus has spent the night with His friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. News of this sign spread rapidly, and a great crowd gathers to watch Jesus travel to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, wondering what He’ll do next.
Many signs of God’s chosen king are fulfilled in this passage. The shouts of “Hosanna” are a fulfillment of Psalm 118, a song for pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem. Riding a young donkey is another prophetic fulfillment. The religious leaders, aware of these prophesies, become all the more alarmed and determined to kill not only Jesus, but Lazarus as well. The Roman authorities see the crowd’s cries as a threat to authority and order. Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphant, but knows He is setting the stage for the final week of His life.
Today’s sermon will focus on finding signs of God’s plan in our own world, and becoming willing to submit to that plan.
Five Questions:
1. What is your all time favorite album?
2. How many days this week did you read your Bible and pray?
3. Do you think any prophesy is being fulfilled in our world today?
4. What signs of growth have you seen in your life in the last six weeks?
5. What area of your life needs to be brought under Christ’s control, once and for all?
