With this final post our "Journey to the Cross" Lent/Easter devotions comes to a close. Thanks for reading and thanks for posting your insights! Now that I have this blog set up, it will be easy to make use of it in the future. I don't like to make commitments I can't keep, so I'll let everyone know when I decide to post things in the future. Obviously there are lots of possibilities ranging from additional devotions to comments about current events to posting about mission or servant trips to reflecting on happenings at church. So, we'll see where God leads.
We end our devotions with a wonderful, clear statement by John as to why he wrote his gospel. It wasn't to provide an historical record of the life of Jesus. It wasn't to chronicle our Lord's every activity. It wasn't to make a case to prove just who Jesus was. No, his purpose was much simpler. It was "so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name." This was John's written witness to Jesus. It was written so that others might believe and discover the same abundant life John had discovered.
What a great reason to write about Jesus! What a great reason for us to bear witness as well! We do so that others might believe, and that through believing, they may have life in his name.
John says he could have included other signs Jesus did on earth. There were more, to be sure. But he chose to include the ones about which he wrote. These are more than enough to lead others to faith. When I first began to learn about Jesus and take faith seriously as a teenager, I remember being told that a good place to start is by reading John's gospel. How true this is. John's whole purpose was to share the good news of Jesus, that others might believe. I really don't think too much about what has not been included in the life of Jesus in the gospels. For what has been included is more than enough. He journeyed to the cross for us. He was raised in victory over sin and death. He lives on in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. That's more than enough for me. Thanks for reading and blessings to all of you as you continue with your daily walk of faith!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Easter Wednesday- Steadfast, Unmovable
I love 1 Corinthians 15, commonly called "the resurrection chapter." There is nothing more central and essential to the Christian faith than the belief in the resurrection. Paul says it best in verse 14, "and if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is our faith." Everything hinges on the resurrection. Even though we have not physically seen it, we believe it because of the faithful witness of so many through the ages and the work of the Spirit in our lives.
The death of our loved ones are sad occasions for us, for a person we loved and who made such an impact on us, is no longer with us. But for those that die in faith, there is the promise that the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality. "Death has been swallowed up in victory!" That's the hope, promise, and comfort we cling to in our times of grief. The one we love truly has gone to a new and better place.
There are plenty of things in life to worry about. Those beyond my control I try and let go of and trust God to handle. Those I can do something about, I seek God's guidance and try to act accordingly. Resurrection provides hope. God is present. God will lead me through. God always does. With that resurrection promise, I try and be a faithful witness to others I meet and trust God will work through me in the way God intends.
The death of our loved ones are sad occasions for us, for a person we loved and who made such an impact on us, is no longer with us. But for those that die in faith, there is the promise that the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality. "Death has been swallowed up in victory!" That's the hope, promise, and comfort we cling to in our times of grief. The one we love truly has gone to a new and better place.
There are plenty of things in life to worry about. Those beyond my control I try and let go of and trust God to handle. Those I can do something about, I seek God's guidance and try to act accordingly. Resurrection provides hope. God is present. God will lead me through. God always does. With that resurrection promise, I try and be a faithful witness to others I meet and trust God will work through me in the way God intends.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Easter Tuesday- The Emmaus Disciples
That must have been quite a Bible study! Jesus himself explaining the scriptures so that Cleopas and the second disciple felt "our hearts burning within us on the road." Luke 24:32 Wouldn't it have been wonderful to be part of that conversation?
For the Emmaus disciples this began as a time of great confusion. They left Jerusalem and walked to the west, perhaps symbolic of their downcast mood. When Jesus came alongside, Luke says, "they were kept from recognizing him." I take this to mean it was not yet time for them to know. More needed to be revealed to them, and to us, before they would recognize him. The revelation came in two parts, both key elements of Lutheran theology. First, it was through the Word of God. In this case it was Jesus, the Word, who opened up the written word for them. Her spoke the Word, and their hearts burned within. It was later, at supper, as they broke bread, that they recognized who they were with. It was Jesus himself, revealed in the breaking of the bread. This, of course, has a sacramental meaning, as we see Jesus in the bread and wine of the Lord's supper. Word and sacrament are the key elements of our life of faith together.
Throughout this Lenten and Easter season the regular discipline of reading, writing, and reflecting on God's Word has been a blessing to me. It has caused me to really think about our Lord's passion, and made the resurrection even more powerful. Even for us pastors (and maybe especially for us pastors, who read these texts again and again), it is easy to gloss over them, thinking there is nothing new to be discovered. This is nonsense, for sure, but it does happen. God's Word is always speaking to us in new and fresh ways, for our life's circumstances constantly change. I have not yet made plans for how to continue when we complete this series on Thursday, but I am thinking of some possible ways to do so. If we take the time, God's Word will continue to cause out hearts to "burn within us" and provide hope and guidance.
For the Emmaus disciples this began as a time of great confusion. They left Jerusalem and walked to the west, perhaps symbolic of their downcast mood. When Jesus came alongside, Luke says, "they were kept from recognizing him." I take this to mean it was not yet time for them to know. More needed to be revealed to them, and to us, before they would recognize him. The revelation came in two parts, both key elements of Lutheran theology. First, it was through the Word of God. In this case it was Jesus, the Word, who opened up the written word for them. Her spoke the Word, and their hearts burned within. It was later, at supper, as they broke bread, that they recognized who they were with. It was Jesus himself, revealed in the breaking of the bread. This, of course, has a sacramental meaning, as we see Jesus in the bread and wine of the Lord's supper. Word and sacrament are the key elements of our life of faith together.
Throughout this Lenten and Easter season the regular discipline of reading, writing, and reflecting on God's Word has been a blessing to me. It has caused me to really think about our Lord's passion, and made the resurrection even more powerful. Even for us pastors (and maybe especially for us pastors, who read these texts again and again), it is easy to gloss over them, thinking there is nothing new to be discovered. This is nonsense, for sure, but it does happen. God's Word is always speaking to us in new and fresh ways, for our life's circumstances constantly change. I have not yet made plans for how to continue when we complete this series on Thursday, but I am thinking of some possible ways to do so. If we take the time, God's Word will continue to cause out hearts to "burn within us" and provide hope and guidance.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Easter Monday
This is the day pastors, choirs, worship bands, altar guilds, church administrators, and everyone else associated with the events of the previous day breathe a sigh of relief. Another Easter has been celebrated. What a great day of joy! But, it's also a lot of work to prepare for the resurrection celebration!
Regardless of all that took place the previous day, life continues on. For the disciples, the good news of the resurrection continues with the appearances of the Risen Lord. That really is too much for me to imagine. How would I have reacted to the news that Jesus was risen? Probably a lot like Thomas. I, too, would have wanted some kind of proof in order to believe.
But the good news is that moving forward physical proof will no longer be needed. Thomas and the other disciples saw the Risen Christ. But Jesus' word to Thomas, and to us, is "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed." Some were blessed to have actually seen. But actual sight will not be required. The gospel, the good news, will be proclaimed by the disciples, the women, and others who saw the Risen Lord. In the telling and in the hearing, people will come to faith. God's Spirit will work through this spoken Word to grow God's kingdom by God's grace.
And this is exactly what has happened. The gospel is shared, and the Spirit enlivens faith in the hearts of those that hear. It is simply amazing to me that from that first group of witnesses, the Christian faith has spread across the world. It is simply amazing to me, that God's Spirit got through to me through the faithful witness of many.
Sometimes I wonder if the work I do in sharing the gospel makes any difference. What is the future of the church locally, nationally, and across the globe? In my times of anxiety, I try and remind myself it is God's church, not mine. God's Spirit has moved in people's hearts for more than 2000 years now, and I trust God will continue to do so long after my work is done. That's the hope and the promise. "Blessed are those that have not seen, and yet believe!"
Regardless of all that took place the previous day, life continues on. For the disciples, the good news of the resurrection continues with the appearances of the Risen Lord. That really is too much for me to imagine. How would I have reacted to the news that Jesus was risen? Probably a lot like Thomas. I, too, would have wanted some kind of proof in order to believe.
But the good news is that moving forward physical proof will no longer be needed. Thomas and the other disciples saw the Risen Christ. But Jesus' word to Thomas, and to us, is "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed." Some were blessed to have actually seen. But actual sight will not be required. The gospel, the good news, will be proclaimed by the disciples, the women, and others who saw the Risen Lord. In the telling and in the hearing, people will come to faith. God's Spirit will work through this spoken Word to grow God's kingdom by God's grace.
And this is exactly what has happened. The gospel is shared, and the Spirit enlivens faith in the hearts of those that hear. It is simply amazing to me that from that first group of witnesses, the Christian faith has spread across the world. It is simply amazing to me, that God's Spirit got through to me through the faithful witness of many.
Sometimes I wonder if the work I do in sharing the gospel makes any difference. What is the future of the church locally, nationally, and across the globe? In my times of anxiety, I try and remind myself it is God's church, not mine. God's Spirit has moved in people's hearts for more than 2000 years now, and I trust God will continue to do so long after my work is done. That's the hope and the promise. "Blessed are those that have not seen, and yet believe!"
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Resurrection Day- Easter Sunday
It's been a long, forty day journey (excluding Sundays) to this day. During that time we've looked closely at Jesus' betrayal, arrest, suffering, and death. That's a hard journey to take. It's especially hard when we acknowledge that it was our sin that brought this upon him.. He suffered and died for us.
But today that all changes. The sin that Jesus took upon himself and that led to his death, does not have the final say. Jesus paid the price. He went the distance. He was fully obedient to the Father. And God then completed this act of redemption in raising His son. Because of Jesus, sin does not win, forgiveness does. Because of Jesus, death does not win, life does. Because of Jesus, despair does not win, hope does. The resurrection is an amazing, miraculous turn of events. The final victory is God's. Praise God for raising Jesus in victory!
"Be not afraid," says the angel. In this life, having some healthy fear is normal and even necessary. I better be a little bit afraid crossing a busy street, so I look both ways and be sure it's safe to cross. But fear of what is to come should not control us. The resurrection declares that God is present in our lives, no matter what comes our way. So, I can live my life with a healthy respect for the dangers that are all around, but not be trapped in fear for what could happen. God is always there. God is my rock and fortress. Because Christ is risen, I no longer need to be afraid. He goes with me every step of the way on life's journey. Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
But today that all changes. The sin that Jesus took upon himself and that led to his death, does not have the final say. Jesus paid the price. He went the distance. He was fully obedient to the Father. And God then completed this act of redemption in raising His son. Because of Jesus, sin does not win, forgiveness does. Because of Jesus, death does not win, life does. Because of Jesus, despair does not win, hope does. The resurrection is an amazing, miraculous turn of events. The final victory is God's. Praise God for raising Jesus in victory!
"Be not afraid," says the angel. In this life, having some healthy fear is normal and even necessary. I better be a little bit afraid crossing a busy street, so I look both ways and be sure it's safe to cross. But fear of what is to come should not control us. The resurrection declares that God is present in our lives, no matter what comes our way. So, I can live my life with a healthy respect for the dangers that are all around, but not be trapped in fear for what could happen. God is always there. God is my rock and fortress. Because Christ is risen, I no longer need to be afraid. He goes with me every step of the way on life's journey. Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Day 40- Jesus is Buried- Holy Saturday
The three holiest days in the church year begin Thursday evening of Holy Week with the Last Supper and conclude Easter evening, in some churches with an Easter evening worship. This period is called the "Triduum," or "three days." It includes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Some traditions also include an Easter vigil service beginning Saturday evening which leads to the celebration of the resurrection early Easter morning.
Today marks the end of the 40 day Lenten season as well. It is the day we remember our Lord in the tomb. It is that time when, as we say in the Apostle's Creed, "he descended into hell," or alternately, he "descended to the dead." There's not agreement on precisely what that means. It most certainly means he literally died. He went to the place of the dead. He fully knows our death, there can be no question about that.
Even more than Good Friday, the significance of Holy Saturday is mostly overlooked. It's a day when my focus, to be honest, is on the day to come. The Easter garden is set up in church, final plans for Easter Sunday are set in place, I practice my Easter sermon, shopping is done for Easter dinner, etc., etc. What happens on Holy Saturday seems an afterthought.
So perhaps this year can be different. This is a holy day of waiting. Christ's body lay in the tomb, waiting for what was to come. Our devotion suggests we also reflect on what it means to wait for God. It's hard to wait. Waiting often involves uncertainty, and that can be unsettling. But, wait we must. I am reminded to have faith that God is always at work, carrying out God's will in my life and in the world in God's time and way. Jesus waited for resurrection. We, too, wait for God to act in our lives and to show us His way.
Today marks the end of the 40 day Lenten season as well. It is the day we remember our Lord in the tomb. It is that time when, as we say in the Apostle's Creed, "he descended into hell," or alternately, he "descended to the dead." There's not agreement on precisely what that means. It most certainly means he literally died. He went to the place of the dead. He fully knows our death, there can be no question about that.
Even more than Good Friday, the significance of Holy Saturday is mostly overlooked. It's a day when my focus, to be honest, is on the day to come. The Easter garden is set up in church, final plans for Easter Sunday are set in place, I practice my Easter sermon, shopping is done for Easter dinner, etc., etc. What happens on Holy Saturday seems an afterthought.
So perhaps this year can be different. This is a holy day of waiting. Christ's body lay in the tomb, waiting for what was to come. Our devotion suggests we also reflect on what it means to wait for God. It's hard to wait. Waiting often involves uncertainty, and that can be unsettling. But, wait we must. I am reminded to have faith that God is always at work, carrying out God's will in my life and in the world in God's time and way. Jesus waited for resurrection. We, too, wait for God to act in our lives and to show us His way.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Day 39- Blood and Water- Good Friday
Today is the day in the Christian year that believers pause to remember our Lord's death on the cross. In our devotions we have been reading daily about what took place on the cross since Day 28. Today's devotion is the final act on the cross, the piercing of Christ's side to verify his death, a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
Tonight at 8:00PM at Our Saviour's we will have a dramatic tenebrae service where we will again follow the events of Christ's passion and death for us. As the service progresses, the sanctuary gets darker and darker, ending in darkness as Jesus dies on the cross. We are not, however, people without hope. And so this service will end with a candle of hope, a foretaste of the resurrection to come.
For most people, life does go on without hardly a thought about Good Friday. Sporting events are held, shopping malls attract Easter shoppers, the internet is surfed, most businesses are open as usual, life continues normally. I'm guilty of complacency as well, not treating the day with the kind of respect and reverence it truly deserves. But then, how do you measure such devotion? How much is enough to do for God on this day? How can we possibly repay God for Christ's sacrifice? We cannot. And perhaps that's the point. On this day, Christ does for us what we cannot do. He takes our sins and dies for them. He makes possible a new relationship with God. He sets us free from the restrictions of the law or any notion that we can to do things to earn God's favor. We can never do enough. But now we don't have to. We simply need to believe in God's work on the cross and the saving grace it provides. Throughout this most holy of days, in the midst of the daily activities of life, may we take time to remember what Jesus has done for us.
Tonight at 8:00PM at Our Saviour's we will have a dramatic tenebrae service where we will again follow the events of Christ's passion and death for us. As the service progresses, the sanctuary gets darker and darker, ending in darkness as Jesus dies on the cross. We are not, however, people without hope. And so this service will end with a candle of hope, a foretaste of the resurrection to come.
For most people, life does go on without hardly a thought about Good Friday. Sporting events are held, shopping malls attract Easter shoppers, the internet is surfed, most businesses are open as usual, life continues normally. I'm guilty of complacency as well, not treating the day with the kind of respect and reverence it truly deserves. But then, how do you measure such devotion? How much is enough to do for God on this day? How can we possibly repay God for Christ's sacrifice? We cannot. And perhaps that's the point. On this day, Christ does for us what we cannot do. He takes our sins and dies for them. He makes possible a new relationship with God. He sets us free from the restrictions of the law or any notion that we can to do things to earn God's favor. We can never do enough. But now we don't have to. We simply need to believe in God's work on the cross and the saving grace it provides. Throughout this most holy of days, in the midst of the daily activities of life, may we take time to remember what Jesus has done for us.
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