Daily Archives: September 3, 2015

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 10:44 am on September 3, 2015
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Where? — Rev. David J.Schreffler

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Where go the people, the ones we were certain
That life without them would be such a burden?
Will they come back one day to claim
Our love, loyalty, attention or blame?

Where go the songs that defined our youth?
Daily we played them to drown out the news;
Today they seem lost to a cacophonous sound
They no longer help us from feeling down.

Where go the stores that brought us their wares?
We hoped they might resolve all of our cares;
We thought these things might give us a sense
That our lives had value in dollar and cents?

Where go the days of our youthful bliss
The many moments that brought happiness?
Will they bring sunshine, love and pleasure
Or will they sink like so much buried treasure?

Where go the days of church time with fellow
Parishioners eating so many pies and jello?
As neighbors together sharing some time
Laughing and talking before we all dined.

Where did they go, those days we all cherished?
Days we never imagined would perish;
Where have they gone? Well certainly not far
They are just out of reach — like the brightest star.

 

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on September 3, 2015
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The Division that Divides — Rev. David J. Schreffler

image      September 3, 2015

“Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.” Mark 11:8-11

“So Jesus came into Jerusalem. He came at once as an Intruder and a King. There were men along the streets who owed to Him the straightness of their limbs, the sight of their eyes, the clear, sane reason of their brains. They made the old streets ring with shouts of welcome. There were other men who He had disappointed and defeated. He had trampled on their traditions, contradicted their doctrines, spoiled their trade. With muttered curses they saw Him go by in His triumph. What a confusion! The city was divided against itself. But through it all Jesus…went on His way, claiming it all for His own. And so He claims our hearts.” Sermons For The Principal Festivals and Fasts Of The Church Year, 1895 Phillips Brooks (1835 – 1893) “For All The Saints” volume II (p. 478-479)

We must remember that, for as much as the triumphal entry for Jesus was a victory, of sorts, it was also a defeat for many. His triumphal entry into Jerusalem marks the beginning of the end of his earthly ministry. And, it also marks the beginning of more trouble for the Jews of Jerusalem, and the surrounding territories. It is the beginning of the great division: those “for” Jesus against those who are “against” him, and “hate” him; those “comforted” by Jesus against those “angered” by him; the women who followed and stayed by his side, and the men who followed him but abandoned and escaped into hiding; and finally the Temple Curtain, which was torn in two when he died on the cross.

And yet, Jesus rode through the town as the people divided themselves — some on one side of the street, some on the other — some on one side of the issue, some on the other. Nothing would stop Jesus on the way to the cross.

People still divide themselves when it comes to faith, Jesus, and the bible. Some say the bible is the “inerrant” word of G*d, others say it is the “inspired” word of G*d. Some say Jesus was the long expected Messiah, others say he was just a prophet and are awaiting the true Messiah. Some say faith is “being doers of the word”, others say faith means “we do not have to do anything to earn G*d’s grace”. My suggestion is we stop dividing ourselves and remember that Jesus rode into Jerusalem for all of the people — those who shouted “Hosanna” and those who shouted “Crucify Him”.

Pastor Dave