April 7, 2021 — Easter plus Three

^“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹ but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:30-31

In John’s Gospel, the writer ends his book with the idea that what was written in his gospel was just a tip of the iceberg for the deeds that Jesus did. It was not intended to be an “all inclusive” book of Jesus and his life. It was just an encapsulation of what John had witnessed. But knowing this was just the highlights of what Jesus did, it makes us wonder about the other deeds. What else did Jesus do that John just did not have the room to include in this edition? Were there greater things? We must realize there were lesser things, but what John did include was purposeful: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ…”.

So, how did John do? Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of G-d?” Or do you have questions that linger? I often preach on Easter about the empty tomb — wondering what were the possibilities that led to an empty tomb. As Lutherans we believe that Jesus was raised from the dead. And, though we do not have all of the answers, we do have 2000 years of witnesses who have lived their lives believing that Jesus was raised and will come again. We have a Great Cloud of Witnesses over time and space who have lived in the trust and faith that Jesus defeated death through the cross and the resurrection.

We do not need proof as much as we need faith – and trust – living into the new creation that Jesus offers everyone.

Pastor Dave

April 8, 2021 — Easter plus Four

“When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. ²¹Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”²²When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”  John 20:19-23

The disciples, the followers of Jesus have been through a difficult, difficult week. They followed Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey – and they shouted, “Blessed is the king”. It was Jesus’ triumphal entrance.  Then he taught them a new commandment, which had their heads spinning.  Immediately he went out and was arrested. He was convicted and hung on a cross. And finally they heard the news that he was not in the tomb, but had been raised.

So, here they are locked away in fear, and their fear is very real. That description sure sounds like our lives over the last year – locked in our homes hiding in fear – another very real fear.

And here I am, Easter plus one day, Easter Monday, and I am wondering how many of our members will climb back into their homes, their year-long pandemic tombs waiting for a vaccination – hunkering down again hoping to be unleashed upon the world sometime soon. And, of course, I also wonder if people will want to come back to church. Why? Some will have become so comfortable with watching church from home this will be their new normal. Others will continue to live their lives without Jesus for most of the year. Something drove them away – the pandemic may keep them away. 

The risen Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit upon his disciples in that room the first day of the week, after the resurrection. It will take until the Day of Pentecost for the Holy Spirit to really take hold – once they watch Jesus’ ascension.  It is that same Holy Spirit that empowers us to face our brothers and sisters in Christ who come only occasionally, to put aside our fears and love them enough to invite them back, again, and again, and again.

Pastor Dave 

April 5, 2021 — Easter plus One

There is the old saying that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. This year, with Easter coming at the very beginning of April, well it makes this saying that much more true – except the lamb is Jesus. 

Jesus has been raised from the dead – he is the first fruits of the resurrection – and we have had some time to consider our relationship with this Risen Jesus. March is done – kaput. April is upon us, and with April comes not only “showers” but stories about the risen Jesus and his encounter with the disciples. He will eat fish with them at breakfast, on the beach. He will show them his hands and his sides, marks of the crucifixion. And he will pray that his followers will be one just as he and the Father are one. 

So, it is time for a reset as we come to a new month. What goals do you have for your faith life this month? Is this the month to return to your promise to read the bible more? Or, maybe you should be more fervent with your prayer life. How about returning to faithful attendance with Sunday services or bible study. Or maybe there is a ministry you have wanted to help out with but haven’t committed the time and effort. We all know that this pandemic cannot last forever – and soon we will be able to offer our gifts to the church and the community again.

A new month is a great opportunity for new beginnings. In the resurrection, Jesus is a new creation. We then, as believers, are transformed into “new people” – so now is the right time for something new.

Pastor Dave

April 6, 2021 –Easter plus Two

^“Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.  John 20:24

Thomas was away – he was not with the other disciples.  I guess it does not matter why, we all have excuses for not being with the Lord, not being in church, not being present when the big things happen in the family, in our jobs, or in our relationships. We all have excuses. 

The problem with excuses is they usually do not hold up to scrutiny compared to the importance of the event that demanded our presence. In other words, most excuses are poor excuses. This may have not been the case with Thomas, we will never know. But since the disciples were so afraid, so concerned, so confused with the events following the resurrection, whatever kept him away must have been significant – not just an excuse. 

It is one thing to excuse our presence for really important things like: you have broken a leg or an arm, you have been in a car accident, or you have been attacked by a bear. Those are good reasons for not being present with the Lord, with our families, with our employer, or with our brothers and sisters in Christ. I doubt that Thomas slept in because it was the only day he didn’t have to work; or that he didn’t have anything to wear; or that he was attacked by a bear (that really is not a good excuse unless you live in the tundra). 

Thomas eventually had to have a face to face with Jesus – and so will you and me. Think about that……

Pastor Dave