Sermon reflection on Wrath

This Sunday I will be continuing my sermon series on the Tug of War for the Christian Heart and talking about wrath.  Sometimes we struggle with the aspect of not only God’s wrath but our own.  Often I wonder if the struggle is about anger and when is it ok to be angry?  What is the difference between anger and wrath?

As I am preparing, I was reading from the Apocrypha from Sirach.  Rarely do we as Protestants preach or read those inter-testaments that were written between the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Scriptures.  Yet, the Roman Catholic bibles include many of these scriptures in their Old Testament.  Be that as it may, I came across these sayings which I wanted to share.  I will also later this week update the study on Revelation.

Sirach 5:1-6:4

Don’t be preoccupied with your money, and don’t say “I am self-sufficient.”  Don’t follow your inclination or your strength, in order to walk in the desires of your heart.  And don’t say, “Who’ll have power over me?”  The Lord is patient indeed.  Don’t be too confident of being forgiven, adding sin upon sin.  Don’t say, “His compassion is great; he for forgive the whole heap of my sins.”  Mercy and wrath are with him, and his anger will rest on sinners.  Don’t wait to turn back to the Lord.  Don’t put it off day after day, because the Lord’s wrath will come forth suddenly; when the time for punishment comes, you will be destroyed.  Don’t be preoccupied with ill-gotten gains; it will be of no benefit when you are in trouble. 

Don’t be blown about by every wind, and don’t take every shortcut.  This is how a devious sinner acts.  Be firmly grounded in your understanding, and let your speech be consistent.  Listen carefully, and utter a patient reply.  If you have understanding, answer your neighbor, but if you don’t, clap your hand over your mouth.  Speaking brings glory or dishonor.  Indeed, the tongue can be a person’s downfall.  Don’t get a reputation for being a slanderer, and don’t set traps for people with your speech, because shame comes to the thief, and terrible blame comes upon the deceitful.  Don’t be ignorant in matters large or small.  Don’t become an enemy instead of a friend.  In you get a bad name, you will also inherit shame and reproach, as is the care with the deceitful sinner.

Don’t be enamored of your own intelligence lest your strength be taken captive like a bull.  You will devour your leaves, destroy your fruit, and leave yourself like a withered tree.  If you have a bod soul, it will destroy you; it will make you a joke to your enemies. CEB

This is but an example.  Certainly there is much to reflect on.  Sirach was written about 132 BCE or about 130 years before the birth of Jesus.  As I reflect on this, I do so with the understanding that even if judgment is coming, we can always turn ourselves back to God.  Because of the atonement of Christ, we are given another opportunity to live as disciples.  This does not mean as Paul says that we can continue to sin in order to receive more grace.  There is a time of accountability.  When that time is, only God knows.  So the time to turn around is now.  To confess and ask for forgiveness now.

Revelation 3

Revelation 3

We come to the last three churches that the letter is addressed.  Again remember the number 7 is both literal and symbolic.  What John is talking about to these churches in the Roman province of Asia, can still apply to our churches today regarding our faithfulness.

The church in Sardis is southeast of Thyatira.  It was surrounded by a wall that was supposed to protect it but it was easily conquered it and destroyed it twice, both times entering the city surreptitiously, and then opening the doors to the invading army.  At the time of John, it was famous because it produced a black wool of great value.

John states that Jesus does not have much good to say about the church.  They seem to be the opposite of Smyrna which was poor but was rich, the church here seems alive but it is dead.  They appear to not be living up to their baptismal vows even though they meet for worship.  The church appears to be not vigilant in how they worship.  The warning is to wake or else the Lord will come like a thief in the night and destroy them.  They should put on their white robes of baptism and not the black wool of their prosperity. 

Continuing southeast we come to the city of Philadelphia which means brotherly love.  A great earthquake had destroyed the city in 17 AD and when John wrote the letter it was in the process of reconstruction.  One of the problems here was the question of who were the true heirs to the promises of Abraham and his descendants.  The “Jews who are not” may be those who have not accepted Jesus or Christian judaizers of Gentile origin, who insisted on obeying all the Jewish laws, as if they were better Jews than the Jews themselves.  Regardless of who, they were setting up rules the excluded members of the church who disagreed with them.  One of the reasons the allusions of the “key of David” and of open and closed doors.  In Isaiah 22:22 the key of the house of David is a symbol of the authority given to those who control access to the king and who use their power on his behalf.

The pillar in verse 12 probably points to the custom of recording on columns or on the floor the names of the main contributors to the project.  Christians could not be acknowledged because not only were they poor but they would not contribute their names on pagan temples.  But Jesus promises something better in the temple of God which can never be removed.  The church has remained faithful in spite of the disagreements and have kept the name of the Lord never denying Him.

The last city is Laodicea which was a trade center dealing with wool and famous for ointments for eyes.  The city was very prosperous so much so that when an earthquake destroyed many of its buildings the city refused to accept the help of Rome and insisted on rebuilding with its own resources.  They took great pride in their not being dependent on anyone or anything.

The reference to the lukewarm water alludes to hot springs in Hierapolis which were rumored to be good for curing illness.  By the time the water arrived in Laodicea it was lukewarm filled with minerals making it taste bad.

Jesus speaks of the lukewarm water and that he will spit it out of his mouth.  The nakedness and the need to open their eyes also allude to the main business of the city.  The most famous verse is verse 20 “I am standing at the door, knocking.”  In one of the famous paintings of this verse shows Jesus knocking at the door but there is not door handle on the outside.  This is exactly what John is writing.  Jesus is there waiting to be admitted but no one is letting him come inside to celebrate the Lord’s Supper.  The people have so depended on their own resources in everything they have ceased to look to God.  Those who do not open the door to him are not only deaf, but also rebels and usurpers.

Revelation chapter 2

I completed the notes for my bible study at Cottonwood Assisted Living Center.  We had 11 participants attend and had a good discussion.  I have decided to have notes and reading guides for each week.  Most of the information that I am using comes from this Justo Gonzalez "Three Months with Revelation."  I have also used Warren Carter's "What Does Revelation Reveal? Unlocking the Mystery."

 So here goes:

Revelation chapter 2

As we continue to study, chapter looks at four of the seven churches that John is addressing.  As you have read what John has said, it is interesting to think about the churches that you have belonged and whether or not there were some similar traits.  John was addressing concerns that he saw that effected the community of faith and could lead to problems worshipping God.

The first church he addresses is Ephesus.  The city was at that time a major sea port for the Roman Empire.  Goods from all the other cities (except Smyrna) would have been transported there to be shipped.  Chief among the glories of Ephesus was the great temple to Artemis or Diana, one of the seven marvels of the ancient world. 

John begins by describing the Lord as “who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.”  Here the Lord is saying that all the churches, even that of Ephesus, are in his hands and that he walks amid them.  This a sort of warning, so that the church will take what follows seriously.  As we read, there are some good traits.  It know how to distinguish between true and false teachers, false prophets and “Nicolaitans.”  They seem to be zealous believers, upholding true doctrine.  They are praised for the patience and good works.

The problem was they had abandoned the love they had at first.  Perhaps due to their zeal they no longer loved one another as they did earlier.  In spite of all they do in defense of correct doctrine, and in spite of all their works and their patience, the Lord threatens to remove their lampstand from among others that is to destroy them as a church. 

The second church is Smyrna which was also a sea port north of Ephesus.  This city still exists today as the Turkish city of Izmir.  It was a center for emperor worship and it was proud of its loyalty to Rome.  Apparently there were serious conflicts between Christian and some Jews, “judaizers” who might be Christians of Gentile origin who insisted on following the laws of Moses and living as Jews.

Christians in Smyrna were in a precarious situation.  Amid a fabulously rich city, Christians were generally poor.  For that reason the message tells them, “I know.. your poverty, even though you are rich.” Social pressure and the threat of persecution were serious.  The “ten days” of affliction may refer to a long time, but one that would end.  Because of the theme of life and death, the letter refers to Jesus as the one “who was dead and came to life.”  The central exhortation is “be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

The third city is Pergamum north of Smyrna which was important as the Roman Empire governed the province from there.  This could be why the letter says the church dwells “where Satan’s throne is.”  There also was a great temple to Zeus.  It was here that Antipas had died as a witness of Jesus Christ.  The church had remained strong despite the local persecution.

The problem was that the church had not been as careful in sifting the various doctrines circulating among its members.  What John calls attention to is the teachings of Balaam.  It is not so important to know what these teachings were as it is important to know that they were drawing people away from the true God.  The use of fornication is one of the imagery common to prophets of ancient Israel: those who go after other people’s gods fornicate and commit adultery against the true God.

The sharp two edge sword is used relating back to chapter one that such a sword came out of the mouth of the Lord.  In that time there were two terms for sword.  One was the sword used in combat.  The Greek here refers to a heavier sword that executioners employed.  Such a sword was a symbol of the power of the empire and the authority of its rulers.  The letter is saying that power of life and death is the Lord’s and is not ultimately in the hands of the imperial authorities.  He warns the church that if they do not get rid of false doctrines, Jesus will come and punish them with the same sword.

The last city for this week is Thyatira southeast of Pergamum.  It was not a major city but one who was the center of crafts and metallurgy and dyeing of cloth.  Lydia was from Thyatira (Acts 16.14).  Because of the interest in the practice of metallurgy the text emphasizes that the Lord, who sends the message is one “who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.”  The latter was an alloy of copper, tine, and zinc that was produced in places like Thyatira.  In that time most crafts and small industry were organized around religious guilds.  So if you opted to follow Jesus, you could not belong to the guild and would not have a market for their products or sources for their materials.  This led some to look at arrangements or compromises that would allow believers to make a living without giving up their participation in the church.  Such was the position of a prophetess whose name is not known but whom John calls “Jezebel”.  He gives her that name because Jezebel was the Canaanite who married King Ahab and led Israel astray. (2 Kings 9:22)   The fornication of Jezebel is not physical adultery but rather theological adultery.

The church is not wholly condemned.  The Lord praises them for their love, faith, service, patience, and time.  Those who follow “Jezebel” are a minority.  It is against them that the harsh words of the letter are addressed.

 

Next week:

We will be looking at chapter 3 focusing on the last three churches.  Again note what the letter says to each church and how that may inform us about our faith and our churches.

 

Reading guide

Reading guide for Revelation

Chapter 2

As you read chapter 2 this week, I would encourage you to look at the churches that are mentioned.  According to Warren Carter, each of the churches were receiving both a specific and general letter.  Chapter 2 focuses on 4 of the 7 churches.  Because of the general aspects of the letter, what is said could apply to every church that reads the letter.

Each letter begins with a message to the angel, talks about the church, that John is writing to the church either to encourage or to criticize.  He commends and rebukes (except in two churches), exhorts and offers the promise.

As you are reading, the churches are Ephesus (Paul’s Ephesians), Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira.  What are the concerns that John has for each church?  During our discussion next week we will go into more depth about these churches.  We will also look at whether the concerns John had are still concerns of the churches today.

 

Start of a new bible study at Cottonwood

Revelation

As we begin our study together of this often controversial book of the Bible, we can start with the questions who wrote the book, what is the book, when was it written and why was it written?  The book or letter has raised more questions over time that it has answered.  I would hope that our study will focus on the historical context of the letter and the literary context of the letter so that we can better understand what it is about and what we can continue to learn from it. John Wesley stated that when we read this book we do so not just with our intellect but also with our emotions.

The first question was who wrote the letter? The first chapter begins to answer all the who, what, where, when, and why questions.  The author is John a servant of Christ who has witnessed to the word of Christ.  For some John is that same John who wrote the gospel and the letters of John.  Others have maintained that this is a different John as the Greek writing is not as formal as the gospel.  Also it would depend on when the letter was originally written as to whether this could be the apostle. Regardless of whether or not this is the Apostle John, we will refer to him as the John of Patmos.  John is writing from an island off the coast of modern day Turkey known in the first century as Asia.  He is obviously a leader of the churches of Asia and has some authority over them.

The second question pertains to exactly what type of letter is this?  Warren Carter in his book, “What Does Revelation Reveal: Unlocking the Mystery”, states that they are three genres contained in the letter.  The first is the letter is apocalyptic.  In Greek revelation is ‘apocalypse’.  This means to take out of hiding.  Sometimes when we use the word apocalypse it becomes negative signifying the horrendous end of the world.  This is a misuse of the word biblically.  There are many examples of apocalyptic writing in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.  Examples include writings found in Daniel 7-12; Isaiah 24-27; Ezekiel, Matthew, Mark, Thessalonians, and other literature.  In fact much of what we will be reading in Revelation refers back to the Old Testament.  The book was written to people who were very familiar with the Hebrew scriptures and would recognize the allusions to them.  The apocalyptic literature arose during times of persecution and oppression when the world seemed to be dominated by evil.  The literature was written to provide hope during such times.  It would describe visions, reveal God’s purposes and plans, show that God’s rule will prevail, the punishment of the wicked and would describe the establishment of justice and a world re-created in right relationship with God. (returning to the time of the garden of Eden Gen. 1.1-2.4).  The actual writing would have strange creatures, numbers, vivid colors, conflict, and heavenly scenes.  “The concern is with the question of sovereignty:  who or what controls the world?  What is God doing, if anything in the world that seems, at least to the writer, to have run amok?  Does evil have the final word?  Is there any justice for the powerless and oppressed? (Carter, 17).”

Another genre is prophecy.  Is Revelation prophetic in predicting the future?  Prophecy in biblical terms is less about telling the future and more about telling about God and God’s actions now.  Jesus often said that we should not worry about the end of time but to live today faithfully. In fact, he goes on to say that the end is only known to the father Matthew 24:36-50.  All the efforts that many have tried to figure the code are futile.  Prophecy helps provide that God is active today as well as yesterday and tomorrow.  Prophecy comes from God and in this case from Jesus which give authority to the writing.

The last genre is a letter.  John states that this is a letter that is written to seven churches, Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.  Here is our first encounter with a special number.  There were likely more than seven churches in Asia.  John was probably writing to all the churches.  As we hear in verse 3 “Favored is the one who reads the words of this prophecy out loud, and favored are those who listen to it being read, and keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”  Letters, such as Paul’s letters, were meant to be read out loud to those who gathered together.  So actually this letter would have been read in its entirety before the congregation.  Talk about a long church service. Using the number 7 is special.  Seven has a symbolic meaning.  Much of Jewish writings attributed certain meanings to letters and numbers.  The number seven often means complete, whole or perfect.  Think about the seven days of creation.  There will be more numbers that take on special meanings.

When the letter was written is difficult to access.  Carter states that he believes that letter was written shortly after the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD.  There are many scholars who would agree with that.  This would have been a time of great upheaval and uncertainty among the faithful.  Others such as Justo Gonzalez maintain that the letter was written towards the end of the century around 90 AD.  This was a time also of drastic changes.  The Roman emperor wanted to be worshipped as a god and refusal to do so could lead to economic oppression, political oppression and persecution.  At either time, there was not the same persecution that would occur around 125 AD.  I tend to think that this was written around 90 AD after a period of time with the problems that began to happen with the synagogue leaders and the Christian leaders that we see in   the Gospel of John.

Why was this letter written?  Gonzalez in his book, “Three Months with Revelation,” states “His book is a word of comfort and encouragement for the churches in Asia, calling them to stand firm in the faith and reminding them that the final victory belongs to Jesus and his followers. (12)” This was not meant to be a cookbook or a countdown to the final days. It was not written for the 21^st century but to the churches of that day.  Given that there are still things we can learn about our faithfulness that relates to today.  This is true about the entire Bible as it is the living Word of God.

The first chapter also begins to talk about God’s vision.  We encounter the number seven several times.  The seven angels and the seven lampstands are examples.  John in writing to the churches also points out the conflicts they are experiencing have a heavenly context as well.  The seven angels are guardians of the churches on earth.  We can find allusion to this in Daniel 10:12-21.  The stars they hold are the churches and that Jesus is in control of them and the churches.  The seven lampstands represent the light of the world coming through the churches. We also become aware of the power of God in his description of unchanging and John falling down before Him.  Again the description of God can be found in Daniel 7 and Ezekiel 1:24.

All of this and much more from the very first chapter. Fasten your seat belts as  we are on the journey.

Bible Study on the Book of James

I wanted to get caught up on the current bible study we are doing here at Ainsworth.  We have been studying the letter that was written by James for the past 3 weeks.  When we first started, we spent time talking about the historical context of the letter.  I believe it is important to remember that this letter was written in a particular time, to a group of people, and to address concerns that were happening in the community.  We also discussed how over time, theologians have viewed this letter. So as I put this on line, I want to begin there.  I am teaching this both at church and at our assisted living center.  At church we are spending 13 weeks studying while at the assisted living center we are spending only 6 weeks.

To start when was this letter written?  If the letter was written by James (and though we do not know for sure, there is no reason not to think so), then the likelihood was that it was written around 50-60 CE prior to the destruction of the temple.  This would put the letter around the time of Paul or shortly after his death.  James is mentioned in Acts as the leader of the Jerusalem community of believers.  James was probably not the apostle but likely the half-brother of Jesus.  James would have presided over the council when Paul debated about inclusion of Gentiles into the believers.  James was the mediator between the two factions, one insisting on following Torah law and Paul insisting that was not necessary.  It may seem that this was such a minor situation until one looks at how many denominations we have today in the Christian community often splitting over issues of baptism, communion, biblical interpretation, etc.  This debate had the potential to split the early church between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians.  Eventually the split became more obvious to the point that the early church no longer worshipped in the synagogues.

Paul's belief in salvation by faith in Jesus spread throughout the early churches.  Paul often when writing to specific churches was addressing specific concerns.  Yet, his letters were circulated throughout the world.  Paul was able to provide the inclusion of Gentiles based on faith.  A concern began to arise that there were those who would misuse this to the detriment of others.  Paul was concerned always of providing help for those in need particularly widows and orphans.  James may have been concerned that there was a tendency to not help those in need because of the idea of one only needs faith to be saved.

This letter may have been an attempt to provide some guidance and correction to Paul's statements.  The letter provides a outline of what one as a disciple should do.  It comes across as almost a workbook of ways of living.  Hence the statement "Faith without works is dead."  The letter was written to Jewish Christians primarily.  Over time it gained more popularity with all Christians.  The letter is seen as a catholic letter meaning universal and not addressed to a particular church or a specific group of people.

Over time, many of the early church fathers debated about the inclusion of the letter into the canon.  It gained admittance based on the authorship and on the concerns about how to live.  This letter has some connection to the Jewish Wisdom writings found in the Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job. At the time of the reformation, Martin Luther in writing the bible wanted to leave the letter out as he felt it was "nothing but straw."  For Luther, salvation was based on Justifying grace alone and had nothing to do with works.  His concern was the reform of the Roman Catholic Church's sacrament of penance.  For John Wesley, this letter was very important as it guided us in both faith and deed.  For Wesley faith was vital but that faith should transform our lives so beyond Justifying grace, he spoke of previenent grace and sanctifying grace.

Today the debate continues among advocated of personal piety and social holiness.  As we continue to study and as I continue to write, we will be discussing this more in detail.  I look forward to your reflections on this important letter.

Wednesday June 26

This day has been one of a variety of reflections.  I happen to have the Bible app on my phone and the verse of the day came from Isaiah 40:26.  You can see the entire verse on my Facebook page.  What struck about this verse was this "Who marches this army of stars out each night, counts them off, calls each by name--so magnificent!  So Powerful--and never overlooks a single one." MSG.  What if we would read this as allegory that the prophet is speaking about all of us as the stars that are created by God and that God calls us be our name never overlooking a single creature and that God's desire is for us to e magnificent.  How would we react to this blessing of God's grace in our lives to be known by God called by name and we are never overlooked, forgotten, or mistakes.  God has created us to glorify creation in the way we march out into the world.

As I was reflecting on this and reading about the U.S. Supreme Courts recent rulings, I have been confronted by my readings of scripture.  They turned down a part of the voting rights act that was so instrumental in providing civil rights especially to African Americans but has even far more reaching effects for Hispanics and other minorities.  The justification for one judge was that the nation has changed and we no longer needed to enforce section 4 of the civil rights law.  What is amazing is that within two hours of that decision Texas is already going to be doing things to redistrict their stated and some voter changes that may effect the ability of some people to be able to vote.

Today the Supreme Court ruled on DOMA and struck down two aspects.  One dealt with the denial of federal benefits to legal same-sex marriages and to overturn Proposition 8 in California.  The last was because the people who brought forth the challenge of the lower courts had no standing.

I find it interesting that the court could deny rights to one group and in essence grant rights to another.  Regardless of one's stand on same-sex marriages, if we believe we live in the land of the free, we cannot in good conscious deny rights to legal sanctioned relationships.  At the same time, we need to protect the rights of those who voice is often not heard or carries no power.  I believe that God calls each of us by name and that God does not overlook anyone, we too need to honor the rights of others even if one disagrees with others.

I would hope that another case come before the court to review the importance of civil rights for all.  I applaud what the court has done regarding marriage.  They have left it to each state to decide what constitutes legal marriages.  I look forward to what will be the future as we struggle to live faithfully with the love and grace and mercy of God to all people.

Wisdom

This Sunday I will be preaching on wisdom using Proverbs 8 as the scripturally foundation.  The Lectionary actually breaks it up to two sections but I am using the entire chapter.  I remember in seminary preaching from this text for class.  What struck me then as well as now, was the importance of wisdom in our lives.

Wisdom is more than just knowledge but has a very practical context.  If one is skilled in some task, one is considered wise.  With our bible study of James and our sermon series of the Jesus Priorities: 8 Essential Habits, I am reminded that we are called to continue to seek out Wisdom wherever she may be found.  Proverbs 8:17 reminds us that if we seek her we will find her.  Also verse 35 states those who find her find life and gain favor from the Lord.

In what way are we seeking wisdom in our lives and in our church?  I would hope that with the summer series, we can seek Lady Wisdom.  If we are going to have life, we need to remember that we don’t have all the answers and that we have to work together with her to find the inspiration that we seek.

Tuesday May 7th

As I sit in my office and begin the process of reflecting on scripture for Mother’s day, I had read on Facebook a letter to a pastor about spending so much time on recognizing mothers that those who are not mothers tend to avoid coming to church that Sunday.  Having gone through two still births with my wife, I know how difficult it can be to have reminders thrust unmeaning into one’s face.  I have often thought how can we honor women who have been so important in our lives without constantly talking about the joys of motherhood.

I have heard the platitudes about all of us have had a mother so that we can honor our mothers.  Yet, what about mothers who were not nurturing, who were abusive, who were physically and psychological absent.  Also what about mothers who are mothers of children that are not theirs biologically.  Or what about our aunts, teachers, pastors, who have guided us in our growing years.

The United Methodist Church has attempted to answer somewhat these concerns by call this coming Sunday the Festival of the Christian Home.  The attempt is to address all people and be inclusive rather than honoring a few.  Personally, I feel this is not the answer but am challenged to find a way of honoring all of those important people in my life who have been women .  This Sunday I will be using a litany for Mothers that I found on the GBOD (Global Board of Discipleship) website which I feel speaks more directly about women.  A cop out would be to ignore the whole issue and just preach on the Ascension of the Lord.  Instead I will with God’s help address the whole issue of honor and remembrance.

I believe all women whether mothers, aunts, grandmas, teachers, preachers, doctors, nurses, stay at home, business owners and workers, be honored this Sunday and every day of our lives.  For without you we would not be.

Pastor Eldon

Next Bible Study

Book Description

Publication Date: May 25, 2012 | Series: N.T. Wright for Everyone Bible Study Guides

Every generation in the church worries, rightly, about people who just glide along, seeming to enjoy what they hear in church but without it making any real difference. James faced exactly the same problem in the very first generation. So it's not surprising that translating belief into action--making sure faith is the real thing--is near the heart of his message.
That kind of faith, he explains, is the faith that matters, the faith that justifies, the faith that saves. We need that kind of faith today. These nine studies on James's passionate letter will help you live out a faith that makes a difference.

I hope that you will be part of this study.  We will begin the study May 21st on Tuesdays at 2:00 pm and Wednesdays at 6:30 pm.  Let’s put our beliefs into action.

The first day of the rest of the Story: Easter Sunday

We have come to the end of the week.  Saturday guards were posted at the tomb to prevent the followers of Jesus to steal the body.  This is only found in Matthew 27:62-66.  This was the request of the Pharisees for fear that the disciples would claim that Jesus did rise from the dead.  The author of Matthew included this as a means to explain why the leaders of the Temple claimed that Jesus did not rise and refute their beliefs.

The accounts of the resurrection found in all four gospels have a great deal of similarities.  Jesus first appeared to the faithful women who stood by him even during the crucifixion.  The message Jesus gives is the same as well and that is to go tell the disciples what has occurred.  What happens next does vary within the gospels.

The account in Matthew 28 tells of the resurrection and reinforces the fact the Pharisees bribed the guards to suppress that they had experienced and witnessed.  The gospel ends with only one account of post-resurrection which is the great commission.

Mark is interesting as when the angels ask the women to do tell the disciples, they left in fear and told no one.  Mark 16 probably ended with verse 8.  Later authors added at least one if not two additional endings.  As you read the longer ending in Mark there are similarities with Matthew and Luke.  The question to reflect on would be what if the only gospel you read was Mark and it ended at verse 8.

Luke presents the resurrection in Chapter 24.  The women have gathered and they converse with two angels.  There is no appearance by Jesus to them or to Peter.  Luke includes the famous story of the walk to Emmaus.  Jesus is recognized through the act of communion.  Then he appears to his disciples.  The gospel ends with his ascension and actually continues in the Book of Acts also written by Luke.

John’s gospel portrays the resurrection in Chapter 20.  Again it is believed the original gospel ended with 20:31.  Chapter 21 was added later as a means of reconciling Peter as the head of the church.  The contrast of believers who witnessed the empty tomb is interesting.  The women find it empty and go tell Peter and John.  What John believes appears to be ambivalent.  Does he believe what Mary said?  Peter seems confused until Jesus appears to them.  The first person Jesus appears to post-resurrection is Mary Magdalene.  She actually becomes the first apostle following the resurrection to declare the good news.  What follows are two post-resurrection on the same night and then one week later.  The disciples receive the Holy Spirit at that time.  The end of Chapter 20 states the purpose of the gospel.

Children

I have been following the debate that the Supreme Court is going through as well as the debates that have been on Facebook about marriage and the definition of marriage.  Certainly there have been many who have expressed their positions regarding whether or not same sex partners should be allowed to have the same rights and privileges that opposite sex partners have.  While I respect differing opinions of this issue, I believe that all who are in a committed relationship should be afforded equal rights.

What concerned me most was a comment about children and the idea that if they  are in a family with opposite sex parents that they will thrive better.  This harkens back to social research that is at least 40 years old that stated that a child does better in a two parent household with the role models of both parents.  The premise of such research was that the effect of single parents or parents who were both working could not provide the needed role models that children need in their early development.  In fact, the research at that time suggested that it was important for the mother to remain home for the first five years of a child’s life.

The flaw of that research then as well as now is the assumption that there is a single causal effect regarding child development.  The reality is that there are many causal effects regarding child growth physically, psychologically, and spiritually.  I believe the greatest causal effect on children is not whether they have a two parent family of opposite or same sex parents, a single parent, or being raised in extended families but the one effect that most creates issues is poverty.  When children do not have the resources for adequate nutrition, health care, opportunities for education, and the support of a loving community, they will not develop as well for the most part.  I know that there are exceptions to every situation and that there are other causal factors such as exposure to pollutants that are equally devastating.  Yet, research continually points out the effects of malnutrition and untreated childhood diseases effect the greatest number of children throughout the world and even in our own nation.

Add on to this the growing violence that effects the morbidity rates of childhood deaths and we have an epidemic that touches children the most.  If we really wanted to do something for our children, we would be concerned about justice that is scripturally both Hebrew and Christian scriptures.  We are mandated to care for the widows and the orphans or today for our children.  We need to support families regardless of their make up to provide the resources that children needs.

An example in my experience when I worked for the social services in Omaha, was a grandmother who was raising her five grand children.  She was illiterate as she never was allowed to receive the same education of the more privileged.  She was dependent on welfare to provide the minimum resources to raise these children.  What was remarkable despite the limitations that she faced with no job skills, no education was that she made sure that all the grand children completed high school and that all attended either college or vocational school.  I marveled at her resilience to deal with the limitations that she faced.  She was also the model of hospitality that whenever I visited her, she always provided refreshments.  I believe that much of her success was the fact that she was active in a loving church community that truly believed in the idea that we are a community to support all people regardless of who they are and their situation.

Whether or not one is accepting of gay or lesbian marriage, should we not be more concerned about providing the support and resources that children of families have the basic necessities of life.  For truly then “when we do for the least of them, we do it for Christ.”

Friday of Holy Week

Friday

Last Week

We come to the time of Jesus’ passion. It actually begins at the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas comes to betray Jesus with armed guards both temple and Roman soldiers. All four gospels speak of this betrayal though there are some differences in actual content. Jesus is taken to the High Priest prior to dawn. This was illegal according to the Torah. The council could not meet until after sun rise. In all the gospels, there are no witnesses that come forward except false witnesses. This would have broken one of the commandments about bearing false witness. Finally when Jesus stated that he could tear down the temple and rebuild it in three days, did the council condemn him for heresy.

As the religious leaders could not kill Jesus, they took him to Pilate the Roman governor. While there Pilate interviews him and determines that he is innocent. Yet, when the crowd threatens to become a riot, Pilate condemns Jesus to crucifixion. He does release a zealot named Jesus Barabbas who had committed murder, probably of Roman soldiers.

Jesus is mocked and tortured by the Roman soldiers prior to his crucifixion. He is taken to Golgotha carrying the cross beam of the cross. In the synoptic gospels, Simon is conscripted to help Jesus. Jesus hung on the cross for about 6 hours. During that time, he spoke the famous last words. Upon his death, the synoptic gospels talk about darkness, earthquakes, the dead being resurrected, and the temple curtain being torn in two. He is buried by Joseph (in all four gospels) and Nicodemus in the gospel of John.

And the people rested for the Sabbath.

Reading one: Matthew 26:47-27:61. Much of what is written is also found in Mark. It is in Matthew that we read that Judas committed suicide by hanging. It is also in Matthew we learn that Barabbas first name is Jesus. So we have a trial of two Jesus’. We also have the centurion’s witness that truly this was the son of God.

Reading two: Mark 14:43-15:47. Mark takes that Friday following Jesus’ arrest and breaks it down into 3 hour periods.

6am-9am: The trial before the Sanhedrin. The trial before Pilate. The release of Barabbas. The torture and mocking of the soldiers. Simon of Cyrene conscripted.

9am-noon: crucifixion. The mockery of the passer-byes.

Noon-3pm: The sky darkens.

3pm-6pm. The last word “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani. My God my God why have you forsaken me? The burial prior to sunset.

Luke 22:39-24:56: Three of the seven last words are found in Luke. Father forgive them for they do not know what they do. Today you will be in Paradise. Father into your hands I commend my Spirit.

It is only in Luke that we have the interaction with the two thieves crucified with Jesus.

John 18:1-19:39: In the gospel of John we have the other three last words. Woman here is your son. Here is your mother. I am thirsty. It is finished.

John speaks in more detail the questioning of Pilate. Three times Pilate questions Jesus and it is in this gospel that we get more of the idea Pilate sees Jesus as innocent. He reacts to the guard’s torture and humiliating Jesus with fear. It is here that Pilate orders the flogging and we find that only Rome could order crucifixion. John also speaks that only John, Mary mother of Jesus, Mary wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene were present at the foot of the cross the entire time. Only in John do we hear that Jesus side was pierced and immediately water and blood poured out. In John, Joseph and Nicodemus were the ones to ask for the body and buried Jesus.

Thursday

Thursday of Holy Week

We are rapidly approaching the final conflicts that will define Holy Week. Thursday is the day of preparation. This was a time that the lambs would be slaughtered for sacrifices. Remember that for Jewish holidays they begin at sun set and continue to the next sun set. The Passover would begin Friday at sun set and continue to Saturday sun set. In the Gospel of John the writer makes a comparison between the slaughter of the lambs that would occur at noon on Friday to the crucifixion of Jesus at the same time.

Originally there were two different feasts that over time became one main feast that lasted most of the week. The two feasts were the feast of Unleavened bread and Passover. To best understand the importance of this feast, read Exodus 12:1-32. The gospel writers would see similarities between the release of the Israelites from slavery and what Jesus was releasing us from our slavery to sin and death.

Readings one: Read Matthew 26:17-35; Mark 14:12-32; Luke 22:7-38.

Readings two: John 13-17. The writer of John spends a great deal of time with the events of that Thursday. You can break down this long discourse into three days. Read chapter 13 first, 14-15 next, and 16-17. These passages have some of the most familiar verses that we hear over and over.

help wanted during Holy Week

Are there any budding thespians or wannabes who would like to help out their pastor and church.  We are needing readers for two services one Maundy Thursday March 28th and Good Friday March 29th.  The scripts will be at the office.

For Thursday I need a mother and daughter.  You actually do not need to be related.  I also need 12 men or could use women for the disciples.  You do not need to memorize your parts but it is helpful to read through the script several times.  We might have a run through the Wednesday evening.

For Friday I need 2 women and 9 men/could use women.  Again would not require memorizing but would be helpful to have read through it a couple of times.  We would practice Wednesday at 6:30.

Please let me know ASAP if you would be available to help.

Blessings

Wednesday of Holy Week

Wednesday-Last Week of Jesus’ ministry

We have come to the mid-week. The tension has risen to the point that the authorities are looking for ways to arrest Jesus. Their fears are many. He has disrupted the commerce of the Temple. He threatens the status quo. There is concern that his followers will try to make him a king. He has control over life and death as compared to Caesar’s control of life and death.

This day seems to be one of the calm before the storm. Thursday is the day of preparation for the Passover. Only Matthew and Mark speak to this day and only a few verses. As you read this week, there are some general questions that you may want to answer. One is according to what you read, why do you think Judas agreed to betray Jesus? The other question is about the woman anointing Jesus. Why do you believe she did that? In Matthew and Mark the woman is unnamed and it is only in John that she is named and it occurs of the Saturday prior to Palm Sunday.

Readings:

Matthew 26:1-5

Matthew 26:6-13

Matthew 26:14-16

Mark 14:1-2

Mark 14:3-9

Mark 14:10-14

Tuesday of Holy Week study

Tuesday

Tuesday sees Jesus again entering into the city. There are several parables and confrontations that the writers begin to address. Matthew and Mark talk about the cursed fig tree. This begins to set up the tensions between Jesus and the authorities that eventually lead to the cross on Friday. It is these conflicts that set the stage forcing the disciples and us to make a choice between the status quo and the new life. Luke, even though does not indicate which day’s events occurred, speaks to the same conflicts. It is only in John that we hear nothing until the day of preparation.

As we read this week’s assignments, take time to reflect on the power struggles that are occurring. Spend time reflecting on the areas in your life that continues to be a struggle between the world and what Jesus calls to us.

The major groups of people who are in conflict with Jesus are the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Herodians, and the Zealots. There was another major group of Jewish people called the Essenes who had withdrawn from the Temple a century before the birth of Jesus. The Essenes are the ones we associate with the Dead Sea Scrolls. See the article on the Jewish sects. The Herodians were supporters of King Herod and loyal to Rome. Scribes were part of the Sadducees.

Reading one: Matthew 21:18-23:36. Read also Jeremiah 8:13, 29:17; Hosea 2:12; 9:10

What do you now think about the cursing of the fig tree? Read the commentary on Matthew 21:18-22. What do you think about the fact that Matthew uses fruit as a metaphor for good works?

Reading the commentary on the issue of authority, note how the commentator speaks that this is not a series of lectures but are ways of trying to trap Jesus. What about the need to take a stand which the Jewish leaders were unwilling to do?

The parable of the wedding guests speaks to not presuming on grace. Do we as Christians need to do more than just show up?

Reading two: Matthew 23:37-25:46; Isaiah 26:17-18, 66:7-8

What do we know about the end times and should we be concerned?

Matthew uses birth pangs as a description of these times. Could this indicate that every period of human history has the opportunity for new life?

Read Daniel 7:13-14 about the Son of Man. Who are the elect?

Read the commentary on watchfulness. Note the connection between the Sermon on the Mount and being watchful.

Reading three: Mark 11:20-33

Read the commentary on Mark 11:20-25

What are your feelings about prayer?

Do you believe that there is a certain way of praying?

Do you have confidence in your prayer life and what would it take to have such confidence?

Jesus confronts leaders with authority and they react. As one of my seminary professors often said, the Empire strikes back at those who challenge them. Can one take a stand on what they believe and do so without violence, revolt, or condemnation?

Reading four: Mark 12:1-12:44

How is the explanation of the fig tree different in Mark?

Think about current leaders who may be more concerned about their own prestige and traditions than about the Word of God.

The debate about rendering to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s points to what viewpoint in your reflection?

How do we balance our citizenship to the nation with our discipleship with Jesus?

What are your beliefs about the resurrection? What do you find comforting or disconcerting about what Jesus says about the resurrection?

Reading about the Great Commandment what are your thoughts about this and how do you live it out?

What about the Widow’s offering? What do you see in what she has done?

Reading five: Mark 13:1-37; Isaiah 13:9-11, 14:12-15, 34:3-4; Ezekiel 32:5-8; Joel 2:10-11, 2:30-32, 3:14-15

How does reading the Old Testament prophets help inform you of what Mark is talking about in the explanation of the last days? Read the commentary on chapter 13 to understand some of the historical information.

If you have read or seen information on the last times, what are your concerns? One of the commentators states that the Christian response should be giving testimony to the gospel. Do you feel that we need to figure out some sort of code about when the second coming is going to happen?

How could one respond to those who are caught up in the end-time turmoil? Read the comments about remaining watchful regarding how we are with one another.

Reading six: Luke 20:1-21:37

Read the comments on 378-379 about the concerns of religious leaders and being faithful to what God is saying. Do you believe we are responsible to keep the distinctive teachings and practices of tradition? If so, what do we do when we may feel that God is saying something new?

Using the parable of the vineyard would remind the early readers about Isaiah 5. Take time to read that. Read the comments on 383-384.

Are there examples of the scribes of today devouring widow’s houses? Should we be concerned about quilting someone into giving? What are some ways that we can be more aware of the concerns about raising money for ministry?

How would you answer the question as to what should we give to God?

Read the comments on 405-406. We are stewards of God’s creation. How would you see the warnings of the end times as a call to repentance? How might this be a counter-cultural message for today’s society?

What are your ideas about the second coming? How important is that in your life?