John 10:1-10 is the lectionary text for next Sunday.
Those who care for the sheep and those who do not are out there.
The ones who enter by the gate, through Jesus and those who legitimately guard the sheep are real shepherds.
It is the voice of the Shepherd that they sheep know, and the shepherd knows them by name.
Verse 5 is troublesome to me.
I am not sure if she sheep do not follow the thief and bandit, in my experience.
I am not sure that they run from them, in my experience.
But perhaps the Gospel writer is saying that those who would follow thieves and bandits are not sheep of the shepherd?
Perhaps they do not run away because it is the thieves and robbers with whom they identify?
Perhaps they know the voice of the thieves and robbers and prefer them?
I have considered that with those I have known who consider charlatans their shepherds, false shepherds who pervert the Gospel of Jesus for their own gain, like thieves and robbers.
I have known a lot of them. They hear what they like from the voice of the thieves and robbers and do not run away, but run with them.
Those who have not come through the gate, who claim to be shepherds, but who do not identify with Jesus the gate, come to steal and kill their souls and destroy their lives.
It is truly tragic. The sheep don't see it, or like it too much, this running with thieves and robbers.
Maybe it's no accident that Jesus calls us sheep?
Are some that gullible to believe a message so contradictory to the message of Jesus?
Are some that easily duped to believe that the thieves and robbers are faithful servants of Jesus?
Or are they more comfortable with thieves and robbers, preferring their voices and what they say with them?
Or a little of both?
This is why I always recommend that folk go straight to the real thing - the Good Shepherd.
This is why I urge people to learn what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled, as we have witness in the Gospels, to go directly to the source.
This is why I have no use for the charlatans of the age, who tell people what they like to hear - prosperity theology, church growth, personal salvation theology, purity and holiness merit theology, tolerance of intolerance and judgment of others, supremacy of anyone over others and other twisted, perverted teachings that they claim are faithful to Jesus.
This is why I firmly believe that what Jesus said is true - "You will know them by their fruits." If these "shepherds" do anything inconsistent with what Jesus taught, if they are about themselves and their own wealth, power and status, if they are at all about hatred of anyone and not about compassion for the most vulnerable, they are thieves and bandits.
It is why I firmly believe that what Jesus said is true - "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." If these "shepherds" show their love for themselves only, people like themselves only, or wealth, power and status only they are thieves and robbers and not shepherds who point to, devote to and pledge themselves to the Good Shepherd.
But what of the sheep?
Are they, themselves sheep? Or are they wolves in sheep's clothing?
Are they helpless, gullible victims of the thieves and robbers, or are they devotees of the same values?
Or both?
I truly believe that when Jesus calls us sheep, it is not a compliment.
It is out of love, certainly, but perhaps not out of awe regarding our reason or wisdom.
So, are there true sheep who follow the Good Shepherd and false sheep who go with the thieves and robbers, or are we all sheep and some are simply easily duped as victims of the thieves and robbers?
What do YOU think?
Do you know the voice of the Shepherd and run from the thieves and robbers?
Or do you follow the strangers who are the thieves and robbers?
What is your "shepherd" preaching and teaching?
Is it what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled, as we have witness in the Gospels, or something else?
It truly may be that simple to figure out, that is if you know what Jesus taught, commanded as we have witness in the Gospels, and you do not find the voice of thieves and bandits appealing.
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, April 26, 2020
Sunday, April 19, 2020
with eyes opened, and hearts burning
Luke 24:13-35 is the lectionary text for next Sunday, April 26.
*please note: Luke in vs. 20 clarifies that it was not "the Jews" who killed Jesus, but THEIR chief priests and leaders with Rome (empire). Anti-Jewish polemicists need to sit down. This was a particularly corrupt time and place for the Temple Cult Leaders and not a universal truth across the ages, much like the Protestant Reformation which took place during a particularly corrupt period and place in Catholic history, and cannot accurately or faithfully be used to de-value the Catholic faith. Empire corrupts political, social and religious institutions by corrupting its leaders - NOW as then.
Now, on to the heart of the matter -
They knew the story. According to Luke's Gospel, they lived it.
Jesus interpreted it for them, in the context of the Law and Prophets and current realities.
Their hearts were burning as Jesus shared what the Good News meant.
And their eyes were opened in the breaking of the bread, and they recognized Him.
That's how it is with the Good News, the fulfillment of Law and Prophets in the New Covenant of Jesus based on Agape Love and Grace. It burns in our hearts.
That's how it is with the sharing of God's Grace, here in a sacramental reference. It opens our eyes.
Word and Sacrament.
Proclaiming the Good News of Agape Love.
Sharing God's Grace with one another.
It is in this that we know Jesus, and in this that our hearts burn with love, hope and faith.
The Gospels are our source.
The writers of these Gospels have provided us with an account of Jesus' life, ministry, teachings, commands and examples for how we are called by God to live.
The Holy Spirit of God moves us in them, always pointing to Christ Jesus and His Agape Love and Grace as OUR WAY of living in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now.
What Jesus taught, commanded and modeled as God's Way for us to live our lives, is a better way than empire's way of greed, lust for power and desire for status above others, which is the way of merit as defined by those who have the power, wealth and status.
Jesus' Way brings us to the living of Agape Love (active commitment on behalf of the other, even stranger and enemy, and especially the most vulnerable - see Lk. 10:25-37).
Jesus' Way brings us to the living of Grace with one another (undeserved loving mercy, given freely).
Jesus' Way of Agape and Grace is based on our need and God's Agape and Grace for us, as well as the needs of those around us and God's Agape and Grace for them given through us.
Jesus' Way builds up, unites, creates community and provides Shalom (completeness, wholeness and well-being) for all, equally.
The empire way tears down, divides, destroys community and eliminates/prevents Shalom for most, for the benefit of only the few.
What burns in your hearts? Is it Jesus' Good News Way of being children of God in this part of God's Kingdom here and now, or the greed, lust for power and desire for personal status of empire?
In what do you know Jesus? In what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled as we have witness in the Gospels, or some re-created version of Jesus by empire?
I know Jesus in the sharing of Grace.
I know Jesus in the Good News of living Agape Love in the world around me.
My eyes have been opened to Jesus' Way, as I have learned it in the Gospels.
My heart burns with a desire to live Jesus' Good News Way of Agape Love and Grace in the world around me, here and now, knowing that it is a better, more just and equitable, sustainable way for the world in which I live.
*(My new, current writing exercise is an exploration of a number (12 or 13) Imperatives of Jesus in the Gospels, how they are a fulfillment of the Law and Prophets, and how they are applied in the First Century church and expounded upon by the Epistles of that time. As always, my hope is to make the case for living what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us as God's Way for us to live in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now.)
*(I am currently (since March 22) offering devotion videos on Sundays, in which I explore how the 1st Century followers of Jesus in Acts lived what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us, and how it changed the world around them - see the People of the Way of Jesus Facebook page.)
How do you know Jesus?
What burns in your heart?
Pastor Jamie
*please note: Luke in vs. 20 clarifies that it was not "the Jews" who killed Jesus, but THEIR chief priests and leaders with Rome (empire). Anti-Jewish polemicists need to sit down. This was a particularly corrupt time and place for the Temple Cult Leaders and not a universal truth across the ages, much like the Protestant Reformation which took place during a particularly corrupt period and place in Catholic history, and cannot accurately or faithfully be used to de-value the Catholic faith. Empire corrupts political, social and religious institutions by corrupting its leaders - NOW as then.
Now, on to the heart of the matter -
They knew the story. According to Luke's Gospel, they lived it.
Jesus interpreted it for them, in the context of the Law and Prophets and current realities.
Their hearts were burning as Jesus shared what the Good News meant.
And their eyes were opened in the breaking of the bread, and they recognized Him.
That's how it is with the Good News, the fulfillment of Law and Prophets in the New Covenant of Jesus based on Agape Love and Grace. It burns in our hearts.
That's how it is with the sharing of God's Grace, here in a sacramental reference. It opens our eyes.
Word and Sacrament.
Proclaiming the Good News of Agape Love.
Sharing God's Grace with one another.
It is in this that we know Jesus, and in this that our hearts burn with love, hope and faith.
The Gospels are our source.
The writers of these Gospels have provided us with an account of Jesus' life, ministry, teachings, commands and examples for how we are called by God to live.
The Holy Spirit of God moves us in them, always pointing to Christ Jesus and His Agape Love and Grace as OUR WAY of living in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now.
What Jesus taught, commanded and modeled as God's Way for us to live our lives, is a better way than empire's way of greed, lust for power and desire for status above others, which is the way of merit as defined by those who have the power, wealth and status.
Jesus' Way brings us to the living of Agape Love (active commitment on behalf of the other, even stranger and enemy, and especially the most vulnerable - see Lk. 10:25-37).
Jesus' Way brings us to the living of Grace with one another (undeserved loving mercy, given freely).
Jesus' Way of Agape and Grace is based on our need and God's Agape and Grace for us, as well as the needs of those around us and God's Agape and Grace for them given through us.
Jesus' Way builds up, unites, creates community and provides Shalom (completeness, wholeness and well-being) for all, equally.
The empire way tears down, divides, destroys community and eliminates/prevents Shalom for most, for the benefit of only the few.
What burns in your hearts? Is it Jesus' Good News Way of being children of God in this part of God's Kingdom here and now, or the greed, lust for power and desire for personal status of empire?
In what do you know Jesus? In what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled as we have witness in the Gospels, or some re-created version of Jesus by empire?
I know Jesus in the sharing of Grace.
I know Jesus in the Good News of living Agape Love in the world around me.
My eyes have been opened to Jesus' Way, as I have learned it in the Gospels.
My heart burns with a desire to live Jesus' Good News Way of Agape Love and Grace in the world around me, here and now, knowing that it is a better, more just and equitable, sustainable way for the world in which I live.
*(My new, current writing exercise is an exploration of a number (12 or 13) Imperatives of Jesus in the Gospels, how they are a fulfillment of the Law and Prophets, and how they are applied in the First Century church and expounded upon by the Epistles of that time. As always, my hope is to make the case for living what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us as God's Way for us to live in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now.)
*(I am currently (since March 22) offering devotion videos on Sundays, in which I explore how the 1st Century followers of Jesus in Acts lived what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us, and how it changed the world around them - see the People of the Way of Jesus Facebook page.)
How do you know Jesus?
What burns in your heart?
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, April 12, 2020
Peace
John 20:19-31 is the lectionary text for April 19.
It was the evening of the resurrection day.
Jesus appeared to His disciples, standing among them and saying, "Peace be with you."
Jesus spoke similarly to His disciples at another place in John's Gospel (14:27-31), perhaps reminiscent during a reading of this passage. In that passage, we have Jesus saying that the Peace He gives is not like that which the world gives, and He encouraged His followers to not let their hearts be troubled or be afraid.
Indeed, the Shalom/eireinei of which Jesus speaks is completeness, wholeness and well-being for all people and not like the Pax Romana, which may have been a lack of crime or disorder, but was given under occupation, oppression, violence and injustice. People did not have well-being because all that they had was taken to fuel the empire. People did not have well-being because the Temple Cult leaders of their time were in collusion with empire, at the expense of their own people. Jesus' Shalom is built on Agape Love and Grace, and is therefore just, equitable and sustainable as a better way for ALL people. That is the value of the Kingdom of God that Jesus brought.
So, on this day when the witness had come that Jesus was raised from the dead and alive, Jesus appears to give peace, a sense of well-being, and quell trouble hearts or fear. Jesus was among them again, and it meant Shalom for them. Even the doubter was dealt with graciously and because of him we are provided a lesson regarding how to face uncertain, troubling and fearful times and circumstances.
"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." Perhaps they are blessed because they have a sense of hope in uncertainty, trouble and fearfulness. Perhaps they are blessed because they believe in God's Presence, Power and Love for us. Perhaps they are blessed because their faith is not shaken in these times, so they maintain a sense of well-being, completeness and wholeness. Hold on, in faith, to hope, especially in times like these.
We need a little Shalom. We need to have a sense of completeness, wholeness and well-being. We need to have our troubled hearts comforted and fears quelled.
The world will not provide it.
Empire will certainly not provide it.
In Jesus we can find peace. In what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled, as we have witness in the Gospels, we find a formula for well-being for all people. In it we find a sustainable way to be in the world, this part of God's Kingdom, here and now - an alternative, even a resistance to the ways of empire that tear down, marginalized, disenfranchise many lives for the sake of a few. It is the only, real sustainable way for humanity - that we live not just for ourselves but for one another - live Agape Love and Grace. When we actively commit to the well-being of others, we are ultimately committing actively to our own. The truth is that unless ALL have Shalom, none truly have it.
That is faithfulness. That is our hope.
We are in an uncertain time, even fearful time. We need to have our Shalom established and/or restored. We will find that in Jesus' Way and NOT in the ways of empire. Greed, lust for Power and desire for Status have brought us to this time of uncertainty, illness, poverty and distress. The Way of Jesus will bring completeness, wholeness and well-being for ALL, because it is built on the living of Agape Love and Grace.
That is the Good News of Jesus in times of uncertainty, trouble, fear and doubt. Jesus is among us and gives us words of Peace.
Now, we can embrace the things that make for peace/shalom/eireinei, or we can continue to create and then live in despair, uncertainty, trouble and fear.
The Good News IS Jesus' better way for us.
Pastor Jamie
It was the evening of the resurrection day.
Jesus appeared to His disciples, standing among them and saying, "Peace be with you."
Jesus spoke similarly to His disciples at another place in John's Gospel (14:27-31), perhaps reminiscent during a reading of this passage. In that passage, we have Jesus saying that the Peace He gives is not like that which the world gives, and He encouraged His followers to not let their hearts be troubled or be afraid.
Indeed, the Shalom/eireinei of which Jesus speaks is completeness, wholeness and well-being for all people and not like the Pax Romana, which may have been a lack of crime or disorder, but was given under occupation, oppression, violence and injustice. People did not have well-being because all that they had was taken to fuel the empire. People did not have well-being because the Temple Cult leaders of their time were in collusion with empire, at the expense of their own people. Jesus' Shalom is built on Agape Love and Grace, and is therefore just, equitable and sustainable as a better way for ALL people. That is the value of the Kingdom of God that Jesus brought.
So, on this day when the witness had come that Jesus was raised from the dead and alive, Jesus appears to give peace, a sense of well-being, and quell trouble hearts or fear. Jesus was among them again, and it meant Shalom for them. Even the doubter was dealt with graciously and because of him we are provided a lesson regarding how to face uncertain, troubling and fearful times and circumstances.
"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." Perhaps they are blessed because they have a sense of hope in uncertainty, trouble and fearfulness. Perhaps they are blessed because they believe in God's Presence, Power and Love for us. Perhaps they are blessed because their faith is not shaken in these times, so they maintain a sense of well-being, completeness and wholeness. Hold on, in faith, to hope, especially in times like these.
We need a little Shalom. We need to have a sense of completeness, wholeness and well-being. We need to have our troubled hearts comforted and fears quelled.
The world will not provide it.
Empire will certainly not provide it.
In Jesus we can find peace. In what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled, as we have witness in the Gospels, we find a formula for well-being for all people. In it we find a sustainable way to be in the world, this part of God's Kingdom, here and now - an alternative, even a resistance to the ways of empire that tear down, marginalized, disenfranchise many lives for the sake of a few. It is the only, real sustainable way for humanity - that we live not just for ourselves but for one another - live Agape Love and Grace. When we actively commit to the well-being of others, we are ultimately committing actively to our own. The truth is that unless ALL have Shalom, none truly have it.
That is faithfulness. That is our hope.
We are in an uncertain time, even fearful time. We need to have our Shalom established and/or restored. We will find that in Jesus' Way and NOT in the ways of empire. Greed, lust for Power and desire for Status have brought us to this time of uncertainty, illness, poverty and distress. The Way of Jesus will bring completeness, wholeness and well-being for ALL, because it is built on the living of Agape Love and Grace.
That is the Good News of Jesus in times of uncertainty, trouble, fear and doubt. Jesus is among us and gives us words of Peace.
Now, we can embrace the things that make for peace/shalom/eireinei, or we can continue to create and then live in despair, uncertainty, trouble and fear.
The Good News IS Jesus' better way for us.
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Oh, the hope, crushed and reborn
Matthew 28:1-18 is the lectionary text for Sunday, April 12
They must have felt that the movement would last forever.
Jesus' teachings and acts of love moved people and drew them.
And Jesus' message was clear to Rome - your power, wealth and status mean nothing in the Kingdom.
The wealth of the greedy, power of the tyrants and status of the entitled elites means nothing to God.
It was a message of love for those not feeling loved under empire.
It was a message of life for those whose lives were downtrodden under empire.
It was a message of hope for people who had been occupied and oppressed for a long time under empire.
As more people came and responded to Jesus' Kingdom values of Agape Love and Grace, they must have at one time thought that the movement would last forever and become the new norm in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now!
God's Kingdom was winning! Love and Grace were winning over the evils of empire.
This Passover would mean a renewal of Moses' deliverance from oppression!
And then, after the triumphal entry and cleansing of the Temple, the forces of evil rose up and conspired, corrupted and acted.
The betrayal and denial of the most trusted.
The wrongful arrest, the mocking and torture, the perp walk complete with cross and the execution.
The death.
Hope died. The movement died. They were scattered, isolated, hiding.
How could it end this way?
Is that all there is? Empire wins? Evil wins?
Jesus was in the tomb, a borrowed one. He was gone. It was over.
What a let down, a disappointment, a trauma!
And the women, ever present and caring, ever attentive and giving care, went to offer their final act of loving service - to prepare Jesus' body for permanent burial.
Then, it was announced that Jesus was not dead, but raised!
Then they saw Jesus! Alive!
Then these women were the first witnesses to His resurrection!
And even though the conspirators still conspired, even now, the witness went out!
Jesus was not Moses alone, but also Passover Lamb, whose blood saved God's children.
Saved from sin and death, from the bondage of hearts and minds to empire, from the bondage of ignorant hatefulness as people love God with their whole MINDS and HEARTS and SOULS!
Jesus is Messiah, sent to deliver, who delivered.
Jesus gave a different truth, even under empire, that we need not be subject to it!
We can live by a different set a values to the destructive forces of greed, lust for power and desire for status which are empire.
We can live Agape Love and Grace, Mercy and Kindness, Generosity and Advocacy with one another in spite of empire which is all around us!
We are saved from the forces of evil that would oppress, hold down, back and out, and destroy us!
We are free to live as people who have life, life abundant and life forever because of God's Grace!
From HOSANNA to HALLELUJAH!
Live like the children of God who have been delivered from the evils of empire, to live the Kingdom of God values of Agape Love and Grace, here and now, in THIS PART of God's Kingdom!
Hallelujah!
Pastor Jamie
They must have felt that the movement would last forever.
Jesus' teachings and acts of love moved people and drew them.
And Jesus' message was clear to Rome - your power, wealth and status mean nothing in the Kingdom.
The wealth of the greedy, power of the tyrants and status of the entitled elites means nothing to God.
It was a message of love for those not feeling loved under empire.
It was a message of life for those whose lives were downtrodden under empire.
It was a message of hope for people who had been occupied and oppressed for a long time under empire.
As more people came and responded to Jesus' Kingdom values of Agape Love and Grace, they must have at one time thought that the movement would last forever and become the new norm in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now!
God's Kingdom was winning! Love and Grace were winning over the evils of empire.
This Passover would mean a renewal of Moses' deliverance from oppression!
And then, after the triumphal entry and cleansing of the Temple, the forces of evil rose up and conspired, corrupted and acted.
The betrayal and denial of the most trusted.
The wrongful arrest, the mocking and torture, the perp walk complete with cross and the execution.
The death.
Hope died. The movement died. They were scattered, isolated, hiding.
How could it end this way?
Is that all there is? Empire wins? Evil wins?
Jesus was in the tomb, a borrowed one. He was gone. It was over.
What a let down, a disappointment, a trauma!
And the women, ever present and caring, ever attentive and giving care, went to offer their final act of loving service - to prepare Jesus' body for permanent burial.
Then, it was announced that Jesus was not dead, but raised!
Then they saw Jesus! Alive!
Then these women were the first witnesses to His resurrection!
And even though the conspirators still conspired, even now, the witness went out!
Jesus was not Moses alone, but also Passover Lamb, whose blood saved God's children.
Saved from sin and death, from the bondage of hearts and minds to empire, from the bondage of ignorant hatefulness as people love God with their whole MINDS and HEARTS and SOULS!
Jesus is Messiah, sent to deliver, who delivered.
Jesus gave a different truth, even under empire, that we need not be subject to it!
We can live by a different set a values to the destructive forces of greed, lust for power and desire for status which are empire.
We can live Agape Love and Grace, Mercy and Kindness, Generosity and Advocacy with one another in spite of empire which is all around us!
We are saved from the forces of evil that would oppress, hold down, back and out, and destroy us!
We are free to live as people who have life, life abundant and life forever because of God's Grace!
From HOSANNA to HALLELUJAH!
Live like the children of God who have been delivered from the evils of empire, to live the Kingdom of God values of Agape Love and Grace, here and now, in THIS PART of God's Kingdom!
Hallelujah!
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Passionate
Matthew 26:14 - 27:66 is the lectionary text for Sunday of the Passion/Palm Sunday
What a whirlwind.
In the reading of this long passage, there is a lot.
The conspiracy had begun and Judas, a beloved and trusted disciple involved. Betrayal.
The Passover, a chaotic, obligatory and festive experience in Jerusalem began.
Prayer in the Garden, after. A desperate need for support in the dreading of inevitable.
The arrest. Betrayal complete.
The shameful perp walk and display, intrigue and mob judgment.
And again.
The denial of one who was thought to be solid.
The anguished solution for the betrayer.
Indecision in political pressure at the top, and one bad decision after another.
Mocking and torture.
State-sanctioned, church colluded murder of another innocent under empire's oppression.
"By a perversion of justice He was taken away." Isa 53:8
But this was different.
"Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon Thee? Alas, my treason, Jesus hath undone Thee.
'Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied Thee. I crucified Thee."
Darkness.
Abandonment.
Death. Real death. Tragic and brutal.
Atonement, signified by the symbol of the separation of God in the Holy of Holies from the people, being torn apart.
Ah, there it is. Finally hope from the horror. Meaning in the midst of unjust and tragic loss.
"MY SIN, O the bliss of that glorious thought - my sin, not in part, but the whole IS NAILED TO THE CROSS and I BEAR IT NO MORE! Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my Soul!"
Redemption.
Victory out of death. Through death.
The meaning of this death is clear in Matthew's Gospel.
It is very different from the thousands of others executed by empire.
It is a triumph over evil, both political and ecclesiastical, social and spiritual.
Jesus took our death to its death on the Cross, the lynching tree.
"Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death,
is your sting?" I Corinthians 15:54, 55 (from Isa.25:7, 8, Hosea 13:14)
A temporary burial is hastily arranged.
The final remembrance is yet to come.
We sit. Shiva BEFORE the actual burial.
Huddled together, feeling the loss, waiting for closure.
"Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our diseases;
yet we accounted Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities;
upon Him was the punishment that made us whole, and by His bruises we are healed...
He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so He did not open His mouth." Isa. 53:4-7
The true victory is in the sacrifice, the death itself, given out of Agape Love. It is Grace upon Grace.
A whirlwind, not asked for or wanted, but one that changed our lives forever.
That's how life with God is.
The tragic still happens, even unjust tragedy.
And we feel loss.
But we are not alone in it. Emmanuel - God is with us IN IT.
And even in the tragic we find Atonement with God and our Redemption.
So that, even though we must go through the loss, we are lifted by the sacrifice made by God,
on the Cross, for us.
To be Jesus' disciples means following Jesus, even or especially to the Cross.
"If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life (apart from God) will lose it (life with God), and those who lose their life (apart from God) for my sake will find it (life with God). For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life (with God)? Or what will they give in return for their life (with God)?" Matthew 16:24-26
The sacrifice has been made. The Passover lamb has been offered and by His blood we are saved.
We are delivered from our bondage to sin and death, through His death.
"It is well with my soul."
Pastor Jamie
What a whirlwind.
In the reading of this long passage, there is a lot.
The conspiracy had begun and Judas, a beloved and trusted disciple involved. Betrayal.
The Passover, a chaotic, obligatory and festive experience in Jerusalem began.
Prayer in the Garden, after. A desperate need for support in the dreading of inevitable.
The arrest. Betrayal complete.
The shameful perp walk and display, intrigue and mob judgment.
And again.
The denial of one who was thought to be solid.
The anguished solution for the betrayer.
Indecision in political pressure at the top, and one bad decision after another.
Mocking and torture.
State-sanctioned, church colluded murder of another innocent under empire's oppression.
"By a perversion of justice He was taken away." Isa 53:8
But this was different.
"Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon Thee? Alas, my treason, Jesus hath undone Thee.
'Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied Thee. I crucified Thee."
Darkness.
Abandonment.
Death. Real death. Tragic and brutal.
Atonement, signified by the symbol of the separation of God in the Holy of Holies from the people, being torn apart.
Ah, there it is. Finally hope from the horror. Meaning in the midst of unjust and tragic loss.
"MY SIN, O the bliss of that glorious thought - my sin, not in part, but the whole IS NAILED TO THE CROSS and I BEAR IT NO MORE! Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my Soul!"
Redemption.
Victory out of death. Through death.
The meaning of this death is clear in Matthew's Gospel.
It is very different from the thousands of others executed by empire.
It is a triumph over evil, both political and ecclesiastical, social and spiritual.
Jesus took our death to its death on the Cross, the lynching tree.
"Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death,
is your sting?" I Corinthians 15:54, 55 (from Isa.25:7, 8, Hosea 13:14)
A temporary burial is hastily arranged.
The final remembrance is yet to come.
We sit. Shiva BEFORE the actual burial.
Huddled together, feeling the loss, waiting for closure.
"Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our diseases;
yet we accounted Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities;
upon Him was the punishment that made us whole, and by His bruises we are healed...
He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so He did not open His mouth." Isa. 53:4-7
The true victory is in the sacrifice, the death itself, given out of Agape Love. It is Grace upon Grace.
A whirlwind, not asked for or wanted, but one that changed our lives forever.
That's how life with God is.
The tragic still happens, even unjust tragedy.
And we feel loss.
But we are not alone in it. Emmanuel - God is with us IN IT.
And even in the tragic we find Atonement with God and our Redemption.
So that, even though we must go through the loss, we are lifted by the sacrifice made by God,
on the Cross, for us.
To be Jesus' disciples means following Jesus, even or especially to the Cross.
"If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life (apart from God) will lose it (life with God), and those who lose their life (apart from God) for my sake will find it (life with God). For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life (with God)? Or what will they give in return for their life (with God)?" Matthew 16:24-26
The sacrifice has been made. The Passover lamb has been offered and by His blood we are saved.
We are delivered from our bondage to sin and death, through His death.
"It is well with my soul."
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Unbound
John 11:1-45 is the lectionary text for next Sunday, March 29th.
I find this passage to be powerful, and not in the ways that others often do.
Yes, the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus by Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, is wonderous.
I find meaning in the unbinding.
I am a hospice chaplain and bereavement coordinator.
I am periodically confronted by folk who seem to think that Christians should not weep or grieve because of their faith in the resurrection.
I always remind them that Jesus wept, even stating that He knew he would raise Lazarus.
Jesus was in despair and wept.
He wept because of their weeping.
He wept because He felt the loss of someone He loved.
Grieving is loving. It is the hard part of loving. We only grieve if we love. So, Jesus loved and Jesus wept. We love, and we weep. Even knowing of the resurrection, we weep.
Jesus was unbound from fear of those who opposed Him trying to kill Him.
Jesus had just escaped being arrested or stoned to death.
His disciples were keenly aware of the danger to Him now.
But because Jesus heard of Lazarus' plight, out of love, Jesus risked His own life to attend him.
Jesus was unbound from fear to act in love.
Dr. King said that it is always the right time to do the right thing.
I believe that is true.
Jesus was unbound from the suppression of His grief.
Jesus was distressed at the grief of loved ones and the loss of one He loved.
He wept because He felt loss.
He wept because He felt compassion.
He wept because He loved.
Jesus wept.
Lazarus was unbound from death.
He came out of the tomb at Jesus' command.
He was alive and in no need of burial clothes, so Jesus unbound him from those.
The first resurrection was given by Jesus to someone else, not for Himself.
Lazarus would die again, to be sure. He is not walking among us today.
But the truth and hope of resurrection unbound him from sin and its fruit, death.
How about you?
Do you see the possibility of being unbound from your fear?
Can you see yourself understanding the realities of danger, but moving through them to
fulfill your destinies in life?
Can you see yourself knowing that it could go very badly, but still carrying on with what
you know is the right thing to do?
Can you be unbound from your fear by following Jesus, in order to follow Jesus?
Do you suppress your grief, believing that you should not feel the loss, or do you see the
need to honestly, genuinely express your love in grief?
Even knowing of the resurrection, can you fully express your love in loss?
Do you believe that you are unbound from death itself?
Do you believe that Jesus went to the Cross to take your sin to its death, in order to give you
His resurrection?
Do you know that sin no longer binds you, because Grace abounds?
Do you know the love of God in this?
Do you see God's Grace in it?
Does it make you grateful, and more gracious and loving yourself?
Jesus cries, "COME OUT!"
Come out from under those things that oppress, suppress and bind you.
Jesus declares, "UNBIND HIM/HER, AND LET HER/HIM GO!"
Be freed from those things that would hold you down, back or out.
Let go of your fear, any suppression of who you truly are!
Be unbound from the fruit of your sinfulness and even death itself!
We are meant to be unbound.
We are meant to be boundless!
We are meant to abound with steadfast love!
Pastor Jamie
I find this passage to be powerful, and not in the ways that others often do.
Yes, the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus by Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, is wonderous.
I find meaning in the unbinding.
I am a hospice chaplain and bereavement coordinator.
I am periodically confronted by folk who seem to think that Christians should not weep or grieve because of their faith in the resurrection.
I always remind them that Jesus wept, even stating that He knew he would raise Lazarus.
Jesus was in despair and wept.
He wept because of their weeping.
He wept because He felt the loss of someone He loved.
Grieving is loving. It is the hard part of loving. We only grieve if we love. So, Jesus loved and Jesus wept. We love, and we weep. Even knowing of the resurrection, we weep.
Jesus was unbound from fear of those who opposed Him trying to kill Him.
Jesus had just escaped being arrested or stoned to death.
His disciples were keenly aware of the danger to Him now.
But because Jesus heard of Lazarus' plight, out of love, Jesus risked His own life to attend him.
Jesus was unbound from fear to act in love.
Dr. King said that it is always the right time to do the right thing.
I believe that is true.
Jesus was unbound from the suppression of His grief.
Jesus was distressed at the grief of loved ones and the loss of one He loved.
He wept because He felt loss.
He wept because He felt compassion.
He wept because He loved.
Jesus wept.
Lazarus was unbound from death.
He came out of the tomb at Jesus' command.
He was alive and in no need of burial clothes, so Jesus unbound him from those.
The first resurrection was given by Jesus to someone else, not for Himself.
Lazarus would die again, to be sure. He is not walking among us today.
But the truth and hope of resurrection unbound him from sin and its fruit, death.
How about you?
Do you see the possibility of being unbound from your fear?
Can you see yourself understanding the realities of danger, but moving through them to
fulfill your destinies in life?
Can you see yourself knowing that it could go very badly, but still carrying on with what
you know is the right thing to do?
Can you be unbound from your fear by following Jesus, in order to follow Jesus?
Do you suppress your grief, believing that you should not feel the loss, or do you see the
need to honestly, genuinely express your love in grief?
Even knowing of the resurrection, can you fully express your love in loss?
Do you believe that you are unbound from death itself?
Do you believe that Jesus went to the Cross to take your sin to its death, in order to give you
His resurrection?
Do you know that sin no longer binds you, because Grace abounds?
Do you know the love of God in this?
Do you see God's Grace in it?
Does it make you grateful, and more gracious and loving yourself?
Jesus cries, "COME OUT!"
Come out from under those things that oppress, suppress and bind you.
Jesus declares, "UNBIND HIM/HER, AND LET HER/HIM GO!"
Be freed from those things that would hold you down, back or out.
Let go of your fear, any suppression of who you truly are!
Be unbound from the fruit of your sinfulness and even death itself!
We are meant to be unbound.
We are meant to be boundless!
We are meant to abound with steadfast love!
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Light of Life
"As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
"Lo, I am with you to the end of the age."
John 9:1-41 is the lectionary text for next Sunday, March 22.
Blindness must be horrible in many ways. It robs one of seeing light, looking upon the beauty of people and the world, avoiding danger and navigating the world easily. I am in awe of folk who do not only survive blindness effectively, but thrive in productive and fulfilling lives for themselves and others in their lives. They are truly inspiring folk!
That said, it is an unloving tendency to blame a person for their own plight. It is equally unloving to search for some reason why those in their lives, particularly their parents, must have "sinned" to invite this as some horrible consequence. It is equally unloving of God to believe that God pushes buttons or pulls strings to "punish" someone directly with such an affliction, particularly unloving of any who claim to follow Jesus in the New Covenant of Agape Love and Grace.
They didn't know better in the 1st Century. People of the New Covenant know better, or at least should know better, unless they have resisted Jesus' New Covenant of Agape and Grace to hold on to some religious practice around purity and holiness, merit or self-righteousness, a practice that I believe is not faithful to God in Jesus. But they are still out there.
"Do not judge." Do not judge because it is not our job. God is judge. Jesus is judge. We are not, and cannot be faithful and assign blame or spiritual consequence without overstepping our limitations, for we are contributors to and subject to the same, imperfect world in which we all must suffer consequences of the imperfection. Looking for blame is to assume that we should look for blame, rather than be compassionate neighbors. Blaming the victims of illness, unfortunate conditions or the devastating conditions we have created in the world such as poverty, marginalization, injustice, inequitable systems, bigotry and intolerance is not faithful to God or Neighbor. Shunning, shaming or ostracizing folk and disenfranchising or marginalizing them because they are different, ill or victims of systemic injustice says more about us than it does about them or the God we claim to follow. It is our sin. It is our blindness to faithfulness in Jesus.
Jesus shed LIGHT on this. Jesus restores to wholeness, completeness and well-being in love. Jesus reconciles peoples and restores community. Jesus shuts down the darkness of judging, marginalization, disenfranchisement, discrimination, intolerance and any notion of self-righteousness or superiority with the LIGHT of the Good News. Jesus' Good News calls us to live Agape Love and Grace, instead of merit based judgment, any false sense of self-righteousness and false notions of superiority that are expressions of darkness. Jesus' Good News calls us to reconcile and restore community, rather than divide and exclude, marginalize and disenfranchise folk.
My prayer, for this part of God's Kingdom, here and now, is that I/we will in the end say,
"One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see."
Pastor Jamie
"Lo, I am with you to the end of the age."
John 9:1-41 is the lectionary text for next Sunday, March 22.
Blindness must be horrible in many ways. It robs one of seeing light, looking upon the beauty of people and the world, avoiding danger and navigating the world easily. I am in awe of folk who do not only survive blindness effectively, but thrive in productive and fulfilling lives for themselves and others in their lives. They are truly inspiring folk!
That said, it is an unloving tendency to blame a person for their own plight. It is equally unloving to search for some reason why those in their lives, particularly their parents, must have "sinned" to invite this as some horrible consequence. It is equally unloving of God to believe that God pushes buttons or pulls strings to "punish" someone directly with such an affliction, particularly unloving of any who claim to follow Jesus in the New Covenant of Agape Love and Grace.
They didn't know better in the 1st Century. People of the New Covenant know better, or at least should know better, unless they have resisted Jesus' New Covenant of Agape and Grace to hold on to some religious practice around purity and holiness, merit or self-righteousness, a practice that I believe is not faithful to God in Jesus. But they are still out there.
"Do not judge." Do not judge because it is not our job. God is judge. Jesus is judge. We are not, and cannot be faithful and assign blame or spiritual consequence without overstepping our limitations, for we are contributors to and subject to the same, imperfect world in which we all must suffer consequences of the imperfection. Looking for blame is to assume that we should look for blame, rather than be compassionate neighbors. Blaming the victims of illness, unfortunate conditions or the devastating conditions we have created in the world such as poverty, marginalization, injustice, inequitable systems, bigotry and intolerance is not faithful to God or Neighbor. Shunning, shaming or ostracizing folk and disenfranchising or marginalizing them because they are different, ill or victims of systemic injustice says more about us than it does about them or the God we claim to follow. It is our sin. It is our blindness to faithfulness in Jesus.
Jesus shed LIGHT on this. Jesus restores to wholeness, completeness and well-being in love. Jesus reconciles peoples and restores community. Jesus shuts down the darkness of judging, marginalization, disenfranchisement, discrimination, intolerance and any notion of self-righteousness or superiority with the LIGHT of the Good News. Jesus' Good News calls us to live Agape Love and Grace, instead of merit based judgment, any false sense of self-righteousness and false notions of superiority that are expressions of darkness. Jesus' Good News calls us to reconcile and restore community, rather than divide and exclude, marginalize and disenfranchise folk.
My prayer, for this part of God's Kingdom, here and now, is that I/we will in the end say,
"One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see."
Pastor Jamie
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