Category Archives: resurrection

June 9, 2013 · 12:00 am

Third Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 5C

jesus-raises-the-widows-sonThe Widow’s Son

1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24) or 1 Kings 17:17-24; Psalm 146 or Psalm 30; Galatians 1:11-24; Luke 7:11-17

Today we have two readings about a widow and the death of her son, one in the Old Testament and the other in the Gospel. Do we see any connections in these two readings? In both readings the widows were desperate for help from the man of God. In both cases the mercy and power of God were at play.

Can we relate to these widows in any way. If we are at our wits end where do we turn? Are we aware of the power and mercy of God? If so, are we willing to trust God for help above all else? The Psalmist wrote:

I will exalt you, O LORD,
because you have lifted me up
and have not let my enemies triumph over me.
O LORD my God, I cried out to you,
and you restored me to health.
You brought me up, O LORD, from the dead;
you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.

It would be wonderful if we could trust the Lord in all circumstances, but for many of us it may take a crisis to discover where our help comes from. It was certainly that way for the Apostle Paul. He we secure in himself and believed that he had the final word about the faith. But then he was confronted by the One he was persecuting. On the road to Damascus he was placed in a helpless situation which led to a complete in his life:

You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus.   (Galatians 1:13-17)

When a crisis come let us call upon God. Some may not do so because they might blame God for the crisis. Others may count it all joy because such a crisis could be a life changing experience.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.   (James 1:2-5)

Is God able to resurrect that which is dead? Yes, in the life to come. But in this life we may taste of His resurrection power as well.

Amazing grace how sweet the sound

that saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now am found,

was blind but now I see.

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April 7, 2013 · 12:00 am

Second Sunday of Easter, Year C

doubting_thomas1Living by Faith

Acts 5:27-32; Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150; Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31

Saint Thomas the Apostle is remembered as “Doubting Thomas.” That may be a little unfair. To be sure he was a skeptic concerning the resurrection of Jesus:

Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with the other disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”   (John 20:24-25)

On the other hand, Thomas was faithful as a disciple. He was willing to sacrifice for what he believed was the cause of Christ. As Jesus was speaking about going to Jerusalem which proved to be his last trip there, Thomas was aware of the danger involved:

Then Thomas said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”   (John 11:16)

Following Jesus is not easy. Many churches preach a grace that has little cost to it except for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. We must be prepared to make sacrifices if we are to live out the faith in our day. This is especially true in our nation today. Are we willing to go the distance? Thomas was willing.

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.For,

“In just a little while,
he who is coming will come
and will not delay.”

And,

“But my righteous one will live by faith.
And I take no pleasure
in the one who shrinks back.”   (Hebrews 10:35-38)
During times of test and trials are we will to stand our ground for the Lord? We will if we have a vision that God has given us to embrace. If we do not have a vision then we must ask God for one. It is in the difficult times that our vision is most clarified, provided that we seek God and His Word and provided that we are willing to wait on His response:

I will stand at my watchpost,and station myself on the rampart; I will keep watch to see what he will say to me,and what he will answer concerning my complaint. Then the LORD answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets , so that a runner may read it. For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith.   (Habakkuk 2:1-4)

Living by faith is trusting in God without seeing around the next corner. Jesus has gone ahead of us and He is leading us. Are we willing to follow. Thomas was willing. What he realized that Jesus had risen from the dead he said: “My Lord and my God!” Doubt comes to all of us. Faith is a choice we can make. We can chose to trust God. Do we believe His Word? Will we believe Him enough to receive His provisions for us?

Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter them;
I will offer thanks to the LORD.  (Psalm 118:19)

Let us receive the Lord Jesus Christ with grateful hearts. He is the One who has opened the gates of heaven for us. There will come a time when that choice may be too late.

Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.   (Revelation 1:7-8)

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April 6, 2013 · 12:00 am

Saturday in Easter Week

The Boldness of Peter and John

Acts 4:13-21; Psalm 118:14-18 or 118:19-24; Mark 16:9-15,20

Today’s readings from scripture are a study in contrasts. First we read that the disciples were timid and slow to believe Jesus’ resurrection from the dead:

Now when Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.  (Mark 16:9-14)

On the other hand we read about the boldness of Peter and John. They had just accomplished a dramatic healing in the name and power of Jesus:

Now when the rulers and elders and scribes saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. So they ordered them to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another. They said, “What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it. But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.” After threatening them again, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened. (Acts 4:13-21)

On the one hand the disciples could not begin to respond to the news of the resurrection  because of their fear and unbelief. And on the other it was impossible for anyone to stop them. Not even the rulers and elders and scribes could do it, even with threats and intimidation. What brought about this difference? How did the disciples become so bold? In other words, how did the disciples become the apostles?

They discovered that there is power and authority in the name of Jesus. By His death Jesus has destroyed death and the power of sin over us. By his rising from the dead Jesus has won for us everlasting life in the kingdom of God. That kingdom begins now for those who believe. The age of the apostles is not over. The resurrected Lord breathed on His disciples and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Here is the section of Mark’s Gospel that the lectionary left out:

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Jesus will breath on us too if we allow Him. Will 0ur doctrine or dogma get in the way?

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April 5, 2013 · 12:00 am

Friday in Easter Week

The Restoration of the Lord

Acts 4:1-12; Psalm 116:1-8 or 118:19-24; John 21:1-14

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread (John 21:4-9)

This resurrection appearance of Jesus was not the first one nor would it be the last. The disciples were beginning to understand what the resurrection might mean. Nevertheless, they were also losing focus with regard to their mission. Jesus did not condemn them. He met them at their point of need and offered reassurance that all He would be there for them.

Peter, the leader, seemed almost rudderless. He was at a loss as to what he and the other disciples should be doing. Thus, he returned momentarily to what he knew best – fishing. Even so, his fishing interlude had proven unsuccessful. Jesus understood that Peter needed more than reassurance. He had denied the Lord three times. Peter needed restoration.

As disciples of Jesus in our day we also tend to lose focus. We become confused. Often times, we do not know what to do next. Perhaps we need reassurance. Perhaps some of us need restoration. Jesus does not abandon His disciples. He will not abandon us. However, we need to remain alert to the help that He provides us, sometimes in unexpected ways. We may not recognize what the Lord is doing at first. He will make it clear for us if we do not cut ourselves off from Him.

Peter could have cut himself off from Jesus out of his own shame and fear. Fortunately, His love for Jesus and his eagerness to find his way back prevailed. Moreover, Jesus restored Peter in a very loving way. He will restore us too. He will renew us. He will revive us. He will refill us with His Holy Spirit. We need His strength and direction because we must be able to strengthen our Christian brothers and sisters as did Peter. Peter slipped, but Peter also went the distance. He endured suffering and his own cross. He was a rock for the Lord. We, too, must become rocks in our day.

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April 4, 2013 · 12:00 am

Thursday in Easter Week

Resurrection of the Body

Acts 3:11-26;  Psalm 8 or 114 or 118:19-24;  Luke 24:36b-48

While the disciples were talking about how they had seen Jesus risen from the dead, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.  (Luke 24:36-42)

Christianity is not Eastern mysticism. It is not about the destruction of the self. It is not about being entrapped in a human form and trying to escape. Christianity is about the resurrection of the body and the soul. Jesus was raised up bodily.We will also be raised in bodily form along with Him provided that we believe in Him.

Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through His Spirit who lives in you. (Romans 8:10-12)

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April 3, 2013 · 12:00 am

Wednesday in Easter Week

The Road to Emmaus

Acts 3:1-10; Psalm 105:1-8 or 118:19-24; Luke 24:13-35

Now on that same day, the first day of the week, two of the disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?”

He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.”

Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.  (Luke 24:13-27)

We live in a confusing time. We hear and read conflicting information. Even the “expert” analysis often makes little sense. Who are we to believe? Where are we to turn for help in understanding our complex world and challenging circumstances?

The two disciples walking to Emmaus needed help. They were hearing numerous reports but unsure about what to believe. What they needed was a reliable report with expert interpretation. What received while on the road was the Word of God interpreted by the Word of God made flesh. Jesus became their guide along the way. Things were beginning to make sense for them. They became excited about what they were hearing and beginning to understand.

Today we need Jesus more than ever. We need the words, wisdom, and direction from the author of life.

Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter them;
I will offer thanks to the LORD.
“This is the gate of the LORD;
he who is righteous may enter.”
I will give thanks to you, for you answered me,
and have become my salvation.
The same stone which the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.  (Psalm 118:19-2)

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