September 15, 2022 — Mark 15:8-15 – “He Ain’t No Loser”

September 15, 2022

“So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. Then he answered them, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate spoke to them again, “Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.” Mark 15:8-15

“It was the queerest election in the history of the world; no torchlight procession for the victor, no one hoisted him on shoulders, no mob followed the victor with cheers. But everyone followed the defeated candidate. To have the mob with him he had to follow the mob that followed Christ…When the scourging was done, Barabbas followed the defeated candidate up the hill of Calvary — it was still the only way Barabbas could have a following.” Characters of the Passion Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979) “For All The Saints” volume II (p. 831)

I usually cringe when it comes time for election season. Once the political season begins, we are presented with debates, advertisements, political rallies, “Robo” calls, and many other nuisances all in the name of trying to get us to follow one candidate or another. And once people choose someone to support, many of those folks follow them from rally to rally as if their lives depend upon being in their presence.

This is what makes the selection of Barabbas over Jesus by the Jews so remarkable. We do not hear how people left the scene to follow Barabbas to have a party and to celebrate his sudden good fortune. Instead, the people follow the loser, or should I say the “supposed” loser. No one is following Barabbas. His win is a hollow win. He has his life, but he has little else. The people follow the loser. But they must have known, at least some of them must have known, that Jesus was no loser.

So, you followers of Jesus, are you following a loser, or a winner?

Let us pray,

Lord we know we do not follow a loser. You make us winners through your love and grace. The cross makes you always a winner – one I will always follow. Amen.

Pastor Dave

September 14, 2022 – James 2:1-5 — Preach Good News to the Poor – and Everyone Else Too!

September 14, 2022

“My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?” James 2:1-5

“Some congregations are big; some small. Some use guitars; some use no music at all. Some are strict; some not so strict. Some do stuff in worship that would make you cringe. Yet we are all one Christian church. That’s what we mean when we say we believe in the “holy catholic church” in the Apostles’ Creed. We are one not because we are similar; we are one because we all belong to Jesus.” Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (p. 105). Kindle Edition.

Just like people are not all the same – churches are not all the same. Some do a great job ministering to the poor and outcast – others serve their “insiders” better than “outsiders”. And yet Jesus calls us all to preach “good news to the poor” and “good news to the middle class” and “good news to the wealthy.” Unfortunately those who are poor are open to hearing about the blessings that G-d has to pour down on us, while the well-off may believe they are blessed and deserve what they have. The ears of the poor are open to accepting the “Word”, the good news of Jesus — just like the arms of the poor are open to accept the physical blessings that come their way.

Jesus says “You will always have the poor with you” (Matthew 26:11) — so let’s take the time to serve them out of our abundance.

Let us pray,

Lord of All, there are many people, many churches, and so many who need your words of grace. Guide us into a unity where all people fell welcome and loved. Amen.

Pastor Dave