March 2, 2015

“Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this? Truly I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen…”
John 2:10 – 11

“Let it not be enough for you that you hear the divine lessons in church, but read them yourselves at home or look for others to read them and willingly listen to them when they do. Although through the mercy of G*d you frequently and devoutly hear the divine lessons throughout the entire year, still during these days we ought to rest from the winds and the sea of this world by taking refuge, as it were, in the haven of Lent and in the quiet of silence to receive the divine lessons in the receptacle of our heart.” Caesarius of Arles (470 – 542) “For All The Saints” volume I

One of the wonderful aspects of the three-year lectionary is that we hear lessons read from all four Gospels; and each year is focused on one in particular. Year A is Matthew; Year B is Mark; and Year C is Luke. John is mixed in throughout the church year during each of the years A, B, and C. One of the weaknesses of this three-year cycle is that we miss so much of the bible that is not included in these cycles. So, if you come to church every Sunday for three years, you will hear a good portion of the bible. But, if you really want to dig into the texts, then you need to embark on a one, two or three-year plan that will take you through the entire bible.

Why is this important? Because, first, I doubt many of you will make it to church every Sunday for three years. Second, it is not good that you are never exposed to some of the more challenging texts. I suggest you find a “bible buddy” and make a pledge that you will read the bible together – deciding on which ever plan you choose; and there are many to choose from. You can decide to read the bible chronologically – or you can read it straight through from cover to cover. Another way to read it is to read one Old Testament lesson, one New Testament lesson, and a Psalm. Do your research when deciding what plan you want to follow. I guarantee you will read stories that you will never hear on a Sunday morning – but you will be the richer for this experience.

Pastor Dave

March 1, 2015
Sunday

“Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” Mark 8:27 – 31

“Someone has written that the Christian religion is a “storm in a golden frame.” It occurs to me that the figure ought to be reversed. The storm is not at the center. The storm develops around the edges where G*d and his will come into contact with human life. The cross is the stormy reminder of what happens when G*d invades human life. When a weather front of clear, cold, refreshing air moves down from Canada and hits a mass of hot, humid, stagnant air, storms develop along the edge of the cold front, often with lightning, thunder and torrential rains. Even so does G*d’s invasion of our world develop storms as it advances into the human scene. And insofar as you and I become in some measure agents or ambassadors of G*d in the world, we can expect a stormy time of it.” Edmund A. Steimle (1907 – 1988) “For All The Saints” volume I

Whenever something significant happens in the life of Jesus, it is usually accompanied with clouds, thunder and light. When he is baptized in the river Jordan, Mark recounts that the heavens were ripped open – giving us the sense that a sky ripping and tearing open would produce a tremendous sound. In the Transfiguration, Jesus is transfigured in front of them, his face shining with a light like the sun, and his clothes becoming a brilliant white, and a cloud surrounds the group and from the cloud the voice of G*d thunders. And in the crucifixion, darkness covers the entire face of the earth, and the curtain was torn in two from top to bottom.

Why is it then that, when we think of G*d working in our lives, we think that our lives will automatically take on the impression of a rose garden, not a garden of thistles? When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit immediately descended upon and into him, and immediately he is driven into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Often when G*d’s will and ways intersect with our lives, it brings stormy weather. That does not mean that the storms will persist, but we should expect that when the will of heaven meets the will of humanity, their will usually be a clashing and a crashing and a storm brewing.

But just as Jesus comes walking on the water and stills the storm that has engulfed the disciples, Jesus will come as well to still our storms. Jesus gives them peace, not only in the boat but also in the Upper Room – just when they needed his peace most of all. And Jesus will give you his peace too – and you will find that it will the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Pastor Dave