April 2012 Newsletter

 

Easter is a time to celebrate life. The tomb is empty demonstrating to humanity that death is conquered by the divine love of God. Jesus was hung on the tree because of the earthly violence that permeates life on earth. Most sin comes from the breaking of the greatest commandment as Jesus sums it up,

He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22: 37-40)

It is a call against coveting, a call to follow a different model of desire. Earthly desires are tied to the desires of others, and thus jealousy, hatred, rivalry, etc. become the basis of most sin. The perfect and completely sinless Jesus is murdered and demonstrates not only God’s power over death, but the reaction of love and forgiveness by God. The empty tomb turns the earthly world inside out and upside down.

Jesus does not simply mean for us to wait for Heaven, but to bring the Heavenly model to earth as he did. Our desires are to be in line with that of His. As John shares in his Gospel, Jesus demonstrates that model with the washing of the disciple’s feet. Jesus even clearly states he has set this as our example:

You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. (John 13: 13-15)

Let us go forward in the season of Easter, following this model of Heaven. As His Disciples we are all servants of each other and the world. We are called out of the world together to share this wonderful good news, this wonderful example of Heaven on Earth.

Blessings,

Pastor J.C.

Breathe Spirit

John 20: 19-23

When we think of Pentecost, we first think of Luke’s account of the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For Luke writes it was on the Jewish holiday of Pentecost, 50 days after the Passover.  There was a loud wind and tongues of fire on the believers heads.  Peter starts preaching and we celebrate this day as the birthday of the church.

Tradition does connect this gift of the Holy Spirit with Easter as we have kept the celebration of Pentecost 7 weeks from our Christian Passover, Resurrection Sunday.  John however connects the gift of the Holy Spirit directly with that day, as He gives them the Spirit on that very day.  Luke uses the term wind which in the Hebrew (ruach) means both Spirit and wind reflecting the wind of Genesis 1 that God used to create. John uses the word breathed, which would harken back to Genesis as well, chapter 2:7:

then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.

Or in Ezekiel 37 when God breathed on the dry bones to bring them back to life.  John is emphasizing with the gift of the Spirit that those received New Life in the Sprit. 

Peter and the disciples in Luke’s account knew exactly what to do with the gift of the Spirit; they evangelized.  In John even seeing the resurrected Jesus, it is not long before they take that gift and go fishing.  Jesus meats them at the lake and cooks them breakfast and reminds them, why He gave them the Holy Spirit, via his discourse with Peter:

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. (John 21: 15-17)

Jesus is saying as He said in the locked room, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  We are commissioned to share that gift.

Jesus breathed the Spirit to His believers.  They breathed it in, but to live one must also exhale.  We must breath the Spirit in and out.  This gift of the Spirit it not a gift we keep, it is a gift we must share.

 

The Light to See

Luke 24:13-35

Where is Emmaus?  It is seven miles from Jerusalem according to Luke, but it must not have been an incorporated town, for there is no hard evidence for its position.  Luke is however not concerned with the town but rather that these two have left the scene of the day.  The reality of the past three days had gotten to these two disciples.  They needed out and it seems that the woman’s witness was the last straw, for they can share the story up to that point and they left for Emmaus.  Did they have to be there for a reason?  Perhaps, but it seems more likely that even if there was a reason it was a weak excuse to get away from the reality.  Emmaus for all intention is a place of escape. 

For us it may be a movie, a book, a vacation, it can even be church.  It is the place or mindset to escape the harsh reality of the world.  A harsh reality where we are not able to see the resurrected Jesus.  These two could not see Jesus right in front of them and please note that Jesus does not rebuke them about their journey to Emmaus, rather their understanding of the prophecy.  Jesus does not tell them to go back but it is the obvious reaction when they experience the revelation of Jesus at the table.

The table is the pivotal point of this scripture.  They know the New Testament Gospel in that they experienced it, and even heard of the resurrection from the women.   They couldn't handle it but when they met this “stranger” they shared the story.  Yet they did not come to believe when the Hebrew Prophesies were revealed to them by Jesus, Himself. 

The Lord’s Table set for us each Sunday has us remember Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.  We know the name of this Table as the Lord’s Table (as I referred to it above), which makes sense since it is Jesus our Lord who invites us to this table.  We will also here it called communion table, and it is true we are in communion with God at this table but also with each other. 

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 1 Cor. 10:16 KJV

I believe this idea of coming together around the table for to remember and find the revelation of Jesus is perfect.  Of course Jesus would leave the perfect rite to remember and know Him.

Think about what the everyday table is to you.  Who do you eat with?  We know the criticism of Jesus was often included stating who He ate with. 

Think about who taught you your table manners.  If you are like me many of your table manners were taught to you by your mother.  My mom taught me what side the silverware goes on, that elbows were not allowed on the table, don’t talk with your mouth full, and many other important rules.  Those rules I named fulfill etiquette, which are very important, but etiquette is simply  cultural rules.  Rules that change over time and geography.  For example the fork as a utensil did not start making it to the table in Europe about a thousand years after the Last Supper. 

Etiquette is important, but ethics is even greater.  I believe there are ethics to table fellowship that really has never changed.  My mom taught me gathering for a meal is not simply to eat, but to enjoy each other’s company and to share with everyone in the experience.  This was emphasized by many things, especially the conversations and the laughter, but also the etiquette that we had to be dismissed. 

Another ethic value was that everyone should have enough or a fair share of what was presented.  The exception would be if there were guests.  Leading me to share the third ethical value of table fellowship and that is hospitality.  That sharing a meal is the greatest sign of hospitality.  What I learned from my mother that it wasn’t only when we planned to have special dinner party, but even when one of my friends stopped by unannounced.  Always the table was open.

Those three values have been the ethics of table fellowship.  It is not just about the food, but about the fellowship, everyone should get what they need, and it also the greatest sign is hospitality. The Lord’s Table is no exception, and it upholds the three key ethics greatly.  The table is not simply about food but is a communal relational experience between people and the Divine.  Grace goes equally to all as they accept it at the table.  Everyone is invited and we need to keep inviting people to His Table.

This is why they see Jesus at the Table.  They demonstrated great hospitality and were in communion with each other and of course God.  Of course, Grace is given equally and they see Jesus.  But only for an instant, for Luke is making it clear that when we see Jesus we must act as those two did.  They were on an escapist path when they went to Emmaus but as soon as they saw Jesus again in the breaking of the bread, they were back, within the hour, to evangelize. 

All off us need a chance to get away from the world, but once we experience Jesus at the table (or wherever) we realize that Jesus is in control and we are to follow Him.

The Eighth Day

John 20: 1-8

We gather this Sunday to celebrate Resurrection Day; Easter.  I often talk of Resurrection Moments, and I believe these moments are easily distinguished, but very hard to define.   Thus I am going to share three such moments.  I would say that if a gathered group of Christians started naming such moments we would have millions to share and probably greater.

The first I want to share is that of Ottist Murduck’s death.  He was 99 and a great Christian as well as an active member at First Christian Church of Durant.  He had a Do Not Resuscitate order, but it was not on file correctly at the hospital, so when he went Code Blue on Thursday the doctors and nurses kept him alive.  I talked to Ottist’s son on that Friday, and at first his son was unhappy about that glitch.  Yet that Friday his son was able to be with Ottist as he passed away as well as friends and I was able to pray with him as well.  With the DNR misfiled Ottist had family near him, and I believe that is a resurrection moment. 

The second example seems so less deep and even silly, but I know for me this example was very important in my life.  I was not sure where I was going in life and I felt very far from God.  I happen to be living in Manhattan, and if you know anything about taking the Subway, it is rare to pass the turnstile and have your train be right there.  The subway is the best way to travel in the city, but generally you do need to wait for your train for a few minutes.  If your train was there right when you entered the tunnel it would probably be the first thing off your tongue when you arrived (not unlike a parking spot right in front if you drive into the city; you will need to take my word).  Well this one week I seemed to be charmed for the trains were always on hand.  By Wednesday, I felt like I could walk to the edge of the platform and on Thursday I felt like if I did not know where I was going in life I knew God was with me.  That was the moment.  It is not that God makes sure I travel quickly and easily, simply try to fly through New Orleans with me, but that week made me know God’s presence.

The third, is a story of my mom.  She survived and battled ovarian cancer.  She was still wearing her wig months after her last chemo therapy, and she was driving the two hours to visit my family.  During the drive a semi kicked up a large piece of metal that went through her windshield, missing her by inches.  Luckily she had her eyeglasses on as the glass from the windshield was all over her.  Somehow she made it to the median, and two men who witnessed the accident pulled over to offer help.  She reports that they were more freaked out then she was, she even asked if they thought she could continue her trip.  She was trying to brush the glass of her clothes, and finally told the men not to laugh, as she removed her wig and used it to brush of the glass.  It was the last time she wore that wig, she looked death in the face twice that year; resurrection.

Again we can tell stories for days that I would say are resurrection moments and we know what they are even if we cannot define it.  Sometimes the moments are seen as the moment after the fact, such as all those above I shared.  Each of those moments were seen as being part of the Kingdom of God, Resurrection, afterwards.

Let me share with you this story of the Hebrews on their journey from slavery in Egypt to the promised land.  They were wining about being thirsty.

I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.’ Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.  Exodus 17:6

Well that is a miraculous story, but let us look at how Paul interprets this same story.

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.  1 Cor. 10:1-4

Well Paul sees that the rock was Christ, that the Hebrews were given water by Christ.  A resurrection moment.  The Gospels of Mathew and Luke share the birth of Jesus and so does the Gospel of John in verse 14 where John writes the Word became flesh, but even before that John makes it clear that Christ was with God in the beginning. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:1-5

Thus according to John, Paul is correct to interpret the great events such as the water from a rock is the work of Christ, as Christ has been with and is God from the start.  These resurrection moments have been happening throughout history and are not only for humanity but for all of creation.

John writes that there were many signs of Jesus and could not be contained in his book, not unlike our own moments we know.

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written 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. John 20:30-31

This also makes us look at the signs that John does include and we discover that there are seven signs.  Water into wine, healing of the noble man’s son, healing the lame man, feeding of thousands, calming the storm, blind man receives sight, & the resurrection of Lazarus.  Seven is an important number and you cannot help think of creation, so Jesus’ resurrection will be the eighth sign, the eighth day. 

There were Jews in Jesus’ day that were waiting for the “eighth day,” and for them it was the Last Day, the resurrection.  However, Jesus’ resurrection demonstrates that the Kingdom of Heaven does come and touch this earthly world.  We do have resurrection moments where God, Christ, the Holy Spirit,  allow us to know God today. 

Jesus is our Rock, Jesus is the living water, and we get to live the eighth day even when we go through our normal week.