Monthly Archives: March 2015

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:20 am on March 22, 2015
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If it Dies… – Rev. David J. Schreffler

March 22, 2015
Sunday

“Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.”      John 12:24-26

Here’s a quote from Rob Bell, from his book Love Wins:

“Several years ago we had an art show at our church. I had been giving a series of teachings on peacemaking, and we invited artists to display their paintings, poems, and sculptures that reflected their understanding of what it means to be a peacemaker. One woman included in her work a quote from Mahatma Gandhi, which a number of people found quite compelling. But not everyone. Someone attached a piece of paper to it. On the piece of paper was written: “Reality check: He’s in hell.” Really? Gandhi’s in hell? He is? We have confirmation of this? Somebody knows this? Without a doubt? And that somebody decided to take on the responsibility of letting the rest of us know? (Love Wins, Rob Bell)

Can someone tell me how much fruit has been born just from a single statement, or the individual recognition and inspiration of the work of Gandhi? I am sure no one can answer that definitively, and yet my hunch is that many people have been inspired to deeper faith in G*d because of Gandhi. What does not surprise me is the number of people who have determined definitively who is in and who is out of the realm of the love of G*d, and who is down under looking up at those who are in the kingdom. Who knows the mind of G*d enough to say with certainty that they are in and others are out? I would never, never ever say that I am definitely in – it is not my decision and there is no amount of work I can do to assume, or to reserve a place in the Kingdom. If G*d decides that I will participate in the Kingdom, I will be overjoyed and surprised – but that is not even my concern. My concern now is to do the will of the Father – and that is to die to this life in serving others so that, when I die, someone else may be able to bear some fruit because our paths have crossed.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 5:29 am on March 21, 2015
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King of Righteousness – Rev. David J. Schreffler


March 21, 2015

“So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5:5-10

Abram had been told by God to pick up and leave his land—the only home he had ever known—and go. He had no idea where he was to go, just that G*d promised a place for him. You can’t possibly imagine how big this is unless your family has lived in the same land, or the same town for generations. This was what G*d was asking Abraham to do. In return, G*d said he would bless him and make him the father of many nations. After settling by the Oaks at Mamre he was still childless. So much for him being the “father of nations.” He was having some family issues, in particular problems with his nephew, Lot. And, subsequently he found himself in the middle of a grand war. A war among many kings. If Abraham’s story stopped there, he would be a sad laughingstock whose life had been completely turned upside-down by a G*d who had asked him to move, and who had promised him the world in return. And all he had to show for it was war, strife, and barrenness.

But, he won the war, and as the kings were settling the tab, a new person comes on the scene. With a name that hadn’t been referenced before, and in the narrative of the Torah wouldn’t be referenced again. A figure that appears and then vanishes again with hardly a comment. His name is Melchizedek. The name literally means “King of Righteousness.” He’s identified as “The King of Salem.” Of course, “Salem” means “Peace.” He’s also identified as the High Priest of “El Elyon”—or “God Most High.” And he comes into the valley with the other kings, and he offers bread and wine—and he blesses Abram. So, this guy is the King of Righteousness and the King of Peace, he’s the High Priest of the G*d of gods, and he offers blessing and a meal of bread and wine. Hey, does any of this sound familiar? Does he sound familiar?

The author of Hebrews isn’t clear on whether or not Jesus and Melchizedek are the same person, but the author is crystal clear that they are cut from the same cloth. Jesus is the High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek. I think what is most helpful to us today is that we are told here that Jesus is like Melchizedek: Melchizedek is not Jesus. But when we need Jesus, he, like Melchizedek, just comes. And he comes with peace, and righteousness, and blessing, and in the Sacred Meal of Holy Communion. So, if we find this Lent that we are told to move, or to change direction, or to make a major change in our lives, remember, we have a high priest just like Melchizedek – but he is not Melchizedek – He is Jesus.

Pastor Dave