Fourth Sunday in Lent
John 3:14-21
In this fourth Sunday in Lent, we are confronted with the message of God’s self-giving-love in Jesus Christ. We are told that God gives of himself through Jesus for the redemption of all who believe and trust in him. The confrontational tone of this message is that God’s Son will have to pour himself out completely, giving of himself without limit, that our sins might be overcome. John tells us that some people will receive this message as good news and will respond in faith. Others who love darkness rather than light will be repulsed by the message of Jesus’ self-giving because of their unwillingness to come out of the darkness of sin.
In other words, some will respond to the message of Jesus’ self-giving reciprocally giving their lives to God in response to God’s giving of his life. Unfortunately, some will respond with hostility and repulsion, realizing that God’s sacrifice calls for our own. In order to live in a loving relationship, not only with God but with anyone, we must not receive but give.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Third Sunday in Lent
Third Sunday in Lent
John 2:13-22
Our passage for this Sunday reminds us that Jesus was not executed for being “nice.” He was not put to death for going around telling people to “love their enemy and pray for those who persecute you;” though he did go around teaching those very kinds of things. He was put to death for challenging the entrenched powers of his day. He dared to show and claim through both words and action that Jerusalem’s rightful king had finally come.
Such a claim demanded some kind of response. It (he) simply could not be ignored. And many people responded and still respond to this demand of Jesus by bowing the knee. But others respond bitterly and violently, being quite unwilling to relinquish the thrones of this world to anyone; even this world’s rightful king. Read this passage again asking yourself, if Jesus were to show up today, claiming his right to be king over my life, how would I respond?
When I was an associate pastor at a large down-town church, I was responsible for the children’s sermon during the worship service. One Sunday during the Lenten season when this passage was the appointed Text, I decided to act this scene out for the children. I set up a card table with stacks and stacks of play money coins. I called for the children, told them the story and then asked, “What do you think might happen if Jesus were to show up in our church, claiming the right to be King? What would happen if he had the nerve to show up and act like God?” I then ran to the table and turned it over, spilling the coins in every direction. The kids were shocked, but I dare say they remembered the point of the appointed Text. As for the adults? Well, I was almost fired over that one. See they found it all a bit disturbing; as well they should have. But perhaps they still missed the real point!
John 2:13-22
Our passage for this Sunday reminds us that Jesus was not executed for being “nice.” He was not put to death for going around telling people to “love their enemy and pray for those who persecute you;” though he did go around teaching those very kinds of things. He was put to death for challenging the entrenched powers of his day. He dared to show and claim through both words and action that Jerusalem’s rightful king had finally come.
Such a claim demanded some kind of response. It (he) simply could not be ignored. And many people responded and still respond to this demand of Jesus by bowing the knee. But others respond bitterly and violently, being quite unwilling to relinquish the thrones of this world to anyone; even this world’s rightful king. Read this passage again asking yourself, if Jesus were to show up today, claiming his right to be king over my life, how would I respond?
When I was an associate pastor at a large down-town church, I was responsible for the children’s sermon during the worship service. One Sunday during the Lenten season when this passage was the appointed Text, I decided to act this scene out for the children. I set up a card table with stacks and stacks of play money coins. I called for the children, told them the story and then asked, “What do you think might happen if Jesus were to show up in our church, claiming the right to be King? What would happen if he had the nerve to show up and act like God?” I then ran to the table and turned it over, spilling the coins in every direction. The kids were shocked, but I dare say they remembered the point of the appointed Text. As for the adults? Well, I was almost fired over that one. See they found it all a bit disturbing; as well they should have. But perhaps they still missed the real point!
Second Sunday of Lent
Second Sunday in Lent
Mark 8:31-38
In this Sunday’s passage, Peter and we are confronted with the news that Jesus came to die. Peter’s reaction to Christ’s shows us that Peter thought the price too high. How true! When we consider the infinite price paid for finite creatures like us, we must admit that we have been overpriced. But, of course, this is not looking at it from the eyes of Divine love, which spares no expense to buy back a world of wayward children. This passage freely offers a gift we could never earn.
This passage also makes an amazing demand of us. Jesus says that anyone who would follow him “must be willing to take up their cross.” That is, we must be willing to risk everything. There are no guarantees here. Doing what’s right and being a good person comes with no entitlements, fringe benefits, or promises that everything will work out okay. Just ask Martin Luther King Jr. or Joan of Arc if doing the right thing guarantees a pain and problem free life. It does not. Following Jesus must be something we do unconditionally realizing that following him is worth anything it costs.
Mark 8:31-38
In this Sunday’s passage, Peter and we are confronted with the news that Jesus came to die. Peter’s reaction to Christ’s shows us that Peter thought the price too high. How true! When we consider the infinite price paid for finite creatures like us, we must admit that we have been overpriced. But, of course, this is not looking at it from the eyes of Divine love, which spares no expense to buy back a world of wayward children. This passage freely offers a gift we could never earn.
This passage also makes an amazing demand of us. Jesus says that anyone who would follow him “must be willing to take up their cross.” That is, we must be willing to risk everything. There are no guarantees here. Doing what’s right and being a good person comes with no entitlements, fringe benefits, or promises that everything will work out okay. Just ask Martin Luther King Jr. or Joan of Arc if doing the right thing guarantees a pain and problem free life. It does not. Following Jesus must be something we do unconditionally realizing that following him is worth anything it costs.
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