John 18:1-20 April 21, 2019 The earliest Easter artwork, in the 4th century of Christianity, shows two Roman soldiers keeping watch at the tomb, one is asleep and sees nothing, the other is awake and staring at the empty tomb. I love the mystery in this artistic portrayal. If you aren’t awake and aware, you … Continue reading After Weeping and Ashes…Easter Joy
Scripture: Luke 1:39-57 When you think of Mary the Mother of Jesus, what is the first word that comes to your mind. I’ll bet that many of you the word was “virgin.” As Protestants we do not speak much of Mary, we feel awkward with all this blessed virgin language and she can seem lost … Continue reading Let’s Put Mary Back Into Christmas
The last shall be first, and the first shall be last. Service is the path to greatness. Welcome children, and people who are the most vulnerable and powerless. It all makes you wonder what kind of hippie commune Jesus was raised in. Do you really believe the last should be first, or do you just hope the … Continue reading The Last Shall be First (Mark 9:30-37)
Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” It’s a question of utmost importance, but also elusive. We are trying to understand an historical person, reading ancient texts, translated from a different language, and sorting through sedimentary layers of previous generation of thought and belief. I enjoy reading great biographers who seek to encapsulate … Continue reading Jesus in Three Hymns – Mark 8:28-37
Mark 8:31-38 I have every sympathy with Peter in this text. He is caught up in a very exciting moment. Jesus just asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter is the first to speak the truth. “You are the messiah, the Christ,” he answers Jesus. Peter senses the long-awaited moment when the … Continue reading Peter’s Rebuke
Mark 7:24-30 I can’t believe this is what Jesus said! Here is a woman in distress, who needs healing for her daughter, who is apparently demon-possessed. (Aren’t you in sympathy with her already?) Jesus helps people like this throughout Mark’s Gospel – Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus, ten lepers, a centurion’s daughter. He heals a … Continue reading Even Jesus Struggled with Bias
Have you ever had the experience of shaking hands with someone and they were already looking for someone else before they let your hand drop, as if you were obstructing their view? I remember visiting a church on a vacation and as soon as the pastor found out that we were not prospective new members, … Continue reading “Overlooked and Under-Considered”
Mark 3:20-35 Mark’s Gospel lesson today shows us how propaganda works. Set the terms of a debate by labeling your opponent first, and attach them to something abhorrent. Here is how Jesus’s opponents do it. “You are in league with Beezlebul.” You’re working for the devil, aren’t you, that is where your power comes from! … Continue reading Jesus Confronts the Propagandists
Today is known as Trinity Sunday. In talking about God as three persons in one substance, we can get lost in the intellectual challenge of defining how the creator, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are inter-related. A neglected topic is how more images of God creates a depth and balance to our understanding of God. … Continue reading Trinity: God in Alignment
The Pentecost story is supercharged with rushing wind, tongues of flames, ecstatic speaking in many languages as a mass phenomenon. Pentecost is described like a mass rally, charged with energy, a great outburst. It’s the Pride March on Holy Spirit steroids. Its tempting to preach this story, especially in this time of rallies, in a small … Continue reading Where the Spirit Meets Us
