Tag Archives: Jesus

G*d’s Son, the second person of the Holy Trinity, Messiah, Savior

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 2:00 pm on March 24, 2015
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“Sir, We Wish to See Jesus” – Rev. David J. Schreffler

“Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 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 12:20 – 26

I look around the church, my own church, and others as well, and I wonder “Where is the enthusiam for helping seekers find Jesus?” Where is the spirit of people like Philip, and Andrew, and Nathanael – and these un-named Greeks – the spirit to seek, to know, to move, to act, to question? I also wonder where the spirit is for the members of our congregations to welcome seekers – in the spirit of Philip and Andrew? If someone came to our door looking for Jesus, how would our members respond?

Did you ever wonder about that question – if someone came to you and said “I want to find Jesus”, how would you respond – and act? And, are you certain that if someone came to find Jesus, would they find Jesus in your worshipping community? I once read in a commentary that “though many people feel a real “closeness” to each other in their congregation, outsiders would most likely view it as “closed-ness” not “closeness”.  (Roy Oswald and Martin Saarinen in The Alban Institute paper called Why Some Churches Don’t Grow)

Now this is not said to be offensive, but it is a reality in many congregations, and a question we need to consider each and every week – each and every day – if this congregation or any congregation is really committed to helping people find Jesus.

What is the real tipping point of this Gospel lesson? Why, when Philip and Andrew come to Jesus to tell him that there are some Greeks looking for him, does he go into this solliliquy saying “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”? What does one have to do with the other?  Well, first and foremost, this seems to be the beginning of the unchurched coming to see Jesus – or at least outsiders, outside the Jewish community, coming to see Jesus. So, this does signal the coming of the “hour of Jesus”, the “time of Jesus”, in that the future mission of the church is being realized – that future mission being the inclusion of gentiles in G*d’s promises. Jesus will say that when he is lifted up he will draw all people to himself.

This becomes another area of discussion for us – for we need to ask often “How are we doing drawing all people to Jesus?” This is another area where many congregations are failing – not completely — but miserably. There is a real “Parochialism” going on in our Lutheran churches, and many Christian churches around us. What do I mean? too many people identify themselves as “Lutheran” or “Methodist” or “Baptist” – as much as they identify themselves as Trinity Lemoyne, or Trinity Mechanicsburg, or Trinity Camp Hill – rather than identifying themselves as Christians. Too many congregations, when they look at ministry, or their own survival, they can only focus on their own needs – rather than on the needs of the Chritian community – the Christian church.

There are a lot of people out in the world who are looking to see Jesus, in their lives, in the life of their congregations, in their ministries. How are we doing helping all people find Jesus? With the help of the Holy Spirit we can and will help people find Jesus – or at least point them in the right direction.

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 5:29 am on March 21, 2015
Tags: Jesus   

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