“The Truth: Bad and the Good” John 16:12-15

John devotes a lot of time to Jesus’ farewell to his disciples. In this selection, Jesus tells the disciples that he has more to say but the news is beyond what they can bear. What is the worst news that anyone can give to us? If the person is one we truly love, the worst would have to be of their death. We can join with them in the struggle against a terminal illness and try to manage the side affects, for example. What is the most difficult is losing them and facing life ahead without them.

Jesus had already told them a few verses earlier that they will find themselves ousted from the synagogue. More than that, some of the disciples will even be killed by people thinking they are serving God. Now Jesus is saying he is going away and in their grief that is all they can handle for now. The loss of Christ would be the ultimate loss. Their bad news and resulting questions are the same for us today. How would we (the church) move forward as his body in the world? How would we speak of hope without his guiding words? How would we know his comfort without his presence?

This Sunday is Holy Trinity Sunday and we struggle to understand God as Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The harder we try to put this doctrine written down in stone, the more elusive is the outcome. Yet, this is the way that God has chosen to relate with us. The sad news was of Jesus going to the Father. The good news is that the Counselor – the Spirit of truth – will come to guide us in the truth.

Our listening isn’t always the best. We choose to hear what we want to hear. However, if the church is to be a witness to Christ then we need to listen to the guidance from the Spirit of truth. If we are going to speak of hope then we need to listen better to the instruction from the Spirit of truth. If we are going to know comfort from Christ, it will be by the Spirit’s presence.

The bad news was of Jesus going to the Father. The good news is the coming of the Spirit of truth. We need the Spirit to guide us as our poor stewardship is leading to climate change. We need the Spirit of truth to help us maneuver in a world where truth has become self defined. We need the Spirit to guide us into the future that is still to unfold.

While Jesus has gone to the Father, we have the Spirit with us. The good news of the Trinity is that God has not abandoned us but is fully engaged in redeeming the world around us.

Peace.

“A bewildering voice? A Holy voice.” Acts 2:1-21

The day of Pentecost has come as the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples. The day is often called the birthday of the church. One thing for sure it is the dread of lay readers trying to pronounce the likes of Cappadocia, Elamites and Phrygia. The day is a strange one with a violent wind and tongues of fire on the heads of the disciples. The God-fearing Jews heard the witness of the disciples in their native language (outreach to the Gentiles will come later). The reaction was bewilderment and some considering the disciples to be drunk at 9:00 a.m. While alcohol may loosen the tongue, it doesn’t give command of another language. This shows the Spirit was given for the purpose to give witness to the mighty things God had done. Namely, raising Jesus from the dead.

The Holy Spirit was the gift given for the benefit of the church to do the work God has called it to do through Christ. Yet, as always, we work to limit the Spirit to our own prejudices and power structures. Peter quoted the prophet Joel to respond to the bewilderment of the people present. In the last days, God will pour the Spirit upon sons, daughters, young, old, men and women. Nobody gets left out! Imagine how much the church has lost out by restricting the witness of women. How many children have walked away because their voice was not allowed to develop and be shared?

The Holy Spirit was the gift given for the benefit of the church. Yet we praise the gifts of some and not others. We use the gifts as a measurement of who is most empowered or blessed the most by God. We get so enamored with the gifts that we forget to use them. The gifts need to used for the purpose given by the Spirit.

The people present were bewildered by what was going on. We should be too! There was God setting people free by cutting through the boundaries of sex and age. There was God refusing to be held under the power of tyranny as the crucified Jesus was raised from the dead. This news was bewildering to the people. The mighty acts of God was running counter cultural to all they understood. This was God setting his people and all of creation free.

So we celebrate Pentecost as the same Spirit is upon us to declare the mighty acts of God. The message is still the same of God cutting through the boundaries of age and sex and race for people to be free. The message is still the same of how God refuses to allow the powers at hand to have final control as Jesus was raised from the dead. The message is still the same but the language is bewildering because it is so different from what we are used to hearing. God is here and setting us free. This is what the Spirit is guiding us to do. This is a Holy voice.

Peace

“Come” Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21

“Come” is a word of invitation and I think this sums up much of Revelation. The book has been encouraging the church to remain faithful to its witness and to come out of the world. This isn’t an invitation to live as a hermit in isolation but to enter into a new way of life that is defined by the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven to us. There is no more crying or mourning or dying there because those old ways will be no more. The beasts and the wars and the plagues and the rest of the violent images represent the judgment of this world slowly dying away; giving way to the New Jerusalem. All will be judged based upon our loyalty to the old or to the new. “Come” is the invitation for those thirsty for this New Jerusalem. “Come” is the invitation for those wanting to drink from its river of life. “Come” is the invitation to live in the new of Christ’s return.

“Come” is what the Spirit says. “Come” is what the bride says. This invitation is for Christ to bring the fulfillment of what is underway in the New Jerusalem. I won’t give a list of the mourning or the crying or the dying that is going on around us. You can fill that list out yourself. The job is easy enough to do. However if your passion is for what is coming in Christ, then let “come” be your breath’s expression.

“It is I, Jesus…” who gave this revelation to John. The revelation is from Jesus Christ who died and who was raised from the dead and who will never die again. The message is a personal one to each of us to come out from this dying world and to live with anticipation of what is to come. The violent images of Revelation show the struggles but a new creation is being born with no more crying or mourning or dying.

So John ends Revelation with these words, “The one who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

A Living City Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5

Genesis tells us that creation begins with Adam and Eve in a garden. Revelation tells us that all things are brought to fulfillment with a city. I have lived in several cities and they are amazing places. They provide the opportunity for the enjoyment of the arts, culture and entertainment. They are also places where the poor are held in the prison of their poverty. The wealthy are imprisoned literally behind gates caused by the fear of others. The dividing line may be a simple street but it might as well be a wall thirty feet high. There are sections that are still called the Polish or German or Italian or etc. part of the city. This continues even if the designation hasn’t been true for decades. Cities are amazing places but from Revelation we read of a city that is like no other.

This city is the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God to us. It is described as a place where there is no more crying or pain or mourning or death. These former ways of life are gone. The city has been measured and found to be solid to its foundation. The city is beauty having been constructed out of precious gems. What stands out is the way life is lived out under the light and guidance from the throne of God in the center.

There are walls and gates but they are never closed for fear and need of protection. The nations are no longer relegated to their “section.” Rather the nations are free to bring their honor and glory to the city. A garden like feel is described with a river that is the water of life. The tree of life covers both sides of the river and the leaves bring healing to the nations. Life is no longer guided by the sun and moon marking the seasons but by the Lord God who is the light. This really is a city like no other. This is a city where life is sustained and flourishes.

John wrote down Revelation to give encouragement for Christians to remain faithful. Rome is called the “Eternal City” because it is believed that it will continue forever. The city of Rome was an amazing city in John’s day. However John describes a city far greater where life and healing are brought to this world of crying, pain and death. This is the new Jerusalem where we will finally see the Lord face to face.

So what do we do with a vision like this today? Well, instead of continuing the ways of division, fear mongering, us against them, that dominate the world today we choose a different way to live. We work to bring healing to the polarization. We dismantle the walls that propagate fear. We look to the honor and glory of what other nations can give for the whole. In other words, we prepare for what life will be like in the new Jerusalem.

Peace.

No More Sea Revelation 21:1-6

I struggle to comprehend what these verses are describing. Why? The reason is that while life is indeed a blessing and filled with so much grace, trying to comprehend life with no more crying or pain or death is difficult to really imagine. Now I mourn for those I’ve lost to death. Now I witness on the news broadcast the crying and pain brought by our inhumanity to each other, our refusal to recognize the image of God in each other. Yet as Revelation draws to a close an image is given of a wedding with the reign and presence of God united with us. The old ways will be no more. Instead, they will be replaced by the ways of a new heaven and new earth where the old ways will no longer be. Christ, the Lamb, is the light by which the nations will come and go. What will this life be like? What the brain can’t comprehend, faith holds on with hope for the promise of what is to be.

“…and there was no longer any sea.” The sea is often referenced to as a place of chaos. It stands in contradiction to the goodness and order of creation. The opening verses of Genesis tell of the Spirit of God hovering over the waters and God first called forth light and creation began with order, goodness and teeming with life. We, created in the image of God, are to care and tend for this amazing creation. The chaos of the sea works to oppose God’s creative goodness.

Whenever hate filled shouts or mockery is made against each other, then we deny God’s image. This is chaos.

We are reminded over and over of how we are changing the climate of the earth. A recent estimate is that one million species is at risk of extinction. Whenever we fail to care for creation, this too is chaos.

So often heaven is thought of as a place we go to but Revelation tells us that the abode of God comes to us. The result is that the ways of the old heaven and the old earth and the sea will be no more. The death and resurrection of Christ Jesus has begun a new creation. The final end will come in a new heaven and earth where the old ways of pain and crying and death will be no more. What a beautiful promise! The brain may not comprehend but what an amazing hope for faith to cling.

Peace

No More Tears Revelation 7:9-17

We need a break. Not the moment to relax and get through the stresses of another busy day but a break from Revelation. The previous chapter is a difficult read. The Lamb opens the seven seals. We read of God’s wrath. The four horsemen riding horses colored white, red, black and pale bring war, famine, plague and death. A vision of the slaughtered martyrs. An earthquake and the sun turning black and the moon blood red. The people of earth from the greatest to the least call on the mountains to fall on them rather than face the wrath of the Lamb. Then there is a break.

The 144000 (representing the church on earth) is sealed. Then we have this reading from Revelation of a multitude from every tribe and nation shouting praise to God and to the Lamb. They have passed through the great tribulation.

Revelation is a calling for the followers of Christ to be faithful and this will not be easy. Jesus stood before Pilate and declared that his Kingdom was not from here. Pilate showed what the kingdoms from here do and that is crucify. Jesus showed what his kingdom does which is very different and still causes ugly debate today.

Jesus fed the hungry. In this country, we throw away nearly 40% of our food but can’t find ways to feed the hungry.

Jesus reached out to the outcast. Bring up gay, lesbian, immigrant, etc. and be prepared for a tough discussion.

Jesus healed the sick. Want to talk about healthcare? The debate will go on and on and on.

Jesus said that his kingdom is not from here. He is so true. To follow Christ, is to walk down the path of a different kingdom. The result can be persecution ranging from mild to martyrdom. This is the tribulation. We return to the multitude before God and the Lamb in Revelation.

The multitude will be before God and his protection will cover over them. Christ, the Lamb, will be a shepherd leading them to living water. There will be no more hunger or thirst or beating sun. The hand of God will wipe away the tears from our eyes.

So we take a break from the judgments of the Lamb against the world. The next chapter will have the judgments resume. For the moment, there is a much needed break. The faithful in heaven and earth will be protected from the judgments. They come to the reign of God where the tears of the struggle will be no more.

Peace.

Stop and sing a new song Revelation 5:4-11

So what kind of music do you like? What is the song that your heart wants to sing? Singing reaches deep into our being. We sing when we are happy. We sing the anthem before a sporting event. We sing during a worship service. Songs of justice are sung by those enslaved to inspire hope. Singing does something to us. Singing enables us to express what comes from the heart. The Revelation reading is full of song. In particular, a new song.

John is still recording the revelation that is being given to him. The One who sits in glory on the throne has a scroll waiting to be opened and read. Who is worthy to do this? None in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll. Then came a Lamb looking like it had been slain appeared and took the scroll. All of heaven burst out in song.

The living creatures and the elders bowed down and began singing a new song. Angels numbering in the tens of thousands joined in the song. Every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the the sea, and all that is in them – all of creation – joined in the song. It was a new song to worship the Lamb.

The book of Revelation helps to refocus our attention upon the One who is worthy of worship. It wasn’t Rome or Caesar, or any other power at the time. The Lamb who was slain alone is worthy.

We are constantly being divided by identity. Our allegiance is demanded as Democrat or Republican, as liberal or conservative, as evangelical or none. The demand for identity doesn’t permit critical thought over who is worthy of our support, or allegiance or worship.

All of heaven and creation is singing a new song. The Lamb who was slain has done what none other can do. Jesus Christ is the Lamb. He unites us from every tribe and language and nation. His blood has given us a new identity as children of our God. He is our salvation from the sinful division. He has given us a new purpose and that is to serve God. He is worthy of our worship.

So as we find ourselves ever more divided for the sake of power. Remember who is worthy. Sing a new song.

Peace.

Now What? Revelation 1:4-8

A week has now passed since we sang the “Alleluias” celebrating Christ’s resurrection. Pastors, worship committees and music leaders are taking a rest from the many Holy Week and Easter services. So as we move on down the calendar from Easter Sunday, the question comes up “Now What?” What do we do and where do we go from here?

Part of the assigned readings for the next couple weeks will be from the book of Revelation. I plan to be concentrating on these. Today we begin from the first chapter of Revelation. Revelation means “revealing.” The book is the revealing of Jesus Christ as the Alpha and the Omega, the first born from the dead. John, the recipient of this revelation has been exiled to the Island of Patmos which was a Roman penal colony. He was there likely for his missionary work and refusing to submit to the rising tide of emperor worship. This revelation was for the church to remain faithful to Christ who will return as the great victorious Lamb.

The book of Revelation was recorded about sixty years after Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. Sixty years is a long time in human terms. Over sixty years we lose focus. We get busy with other things. Our exuberance fades away. We begin to question the level of our commitment. Whether sixty years or two thousand years, the challenge for the church is to always remain faithful. Last Sunday worshipers in Sri Lanka were victims of bombings while they celebrated Christ’s victory. For others in the church, the challenge is far more subtle to turn allegiance over for political influence or cultural power. The pull from the world around us is strong and never gives up. Yet we are reminded that Christ’s rule extends over the defiant kings of the earth.

Last week was Easter. This week we might be asking, “Now what?” The answer from Revelation is to remain faithful witnesses to the One who we’ll see coming in glory with the clouds… the One “who is and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Peace.

An idle tale? Luke 24:1-12

We have come to Easter and we know what that means for the day. We gather with the family and enjoy lots of food. The couple pounds lost from denying ourselves chocolate will be replaced with a couple pounds more to spare as we devour the Easter candy. Sometime during the day, we need to contend with the message of Easter. Is the resurrection an idle tale? Or, has the resurrection of Christ set creation on a new path to be made new?

On the first day of the week, women went to the tomb of Jesus. They went there like we all do when going to a cemetery. We go to tell stories. We weep. We grieve. We seek to find a new normal without the person we loved. However on this morning, the tomb was empty and two men in dazzling appearance asked, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” The two men reminded the women of Jesus’ words of being crucified and raised on the third day. The women ran to tell the disciples who considered their words nothing more than an idle tale.

The resurrection of Jesus is God’s judgment against the darkness of the world. The likes of Herod and Pilate denying justice to the innocent and who give in to mob rule for political peace are judged. The chief priests and the mob crying for the death of Jesus while preferring the release of a criminal are judged. Our world where Jesus walked among the outcast and poor was judged. Our world where death is granted ultimate power is judged as a fraud. The real power is in God the Father who raised Jesus from the dead.

The resurrection of Jesus happened on the first day of the week. The first day which goes back to the start of creation when God spoke and light shined in the darkness. The resurrection of Jesus is the beginning of a new creation. All creation is now to be set free from sin and the darkness. Light is shining.

The women were asked, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” Why are they still looking for the old ways of death when a new creation has now begun in Christ risen? The disciples called the message delivered an ‘idle tale’ because their thoughts were still on the old ways. This Easter the message confronts us as well.

If we are content with leadership that allows injustice to reign, where the innocent are allowed to suffer, where political peace is preferred over the truth then the resurrection is an idle tale.

If we are content with the hungry not being fed, the sick refused care and the outcast to be shunned and condemned as unworthy, then the resurrection is an idle tale.

If we are content with creation being exploited for profit rather than protected and cared for, then we are pushing the darkness upon it and the resurrection is an idle tale.

The message for this Sunday is, “Christ is Risen!” Will we receive it as the good news it is for all creation? Will we treat it as an idle tale? The difference is to be in the past’s darkness or live in the light of God who raises the dead to a new life.

Peace.

How could we? How could he? Luke 22:14-23:56

The great declaration of the Christian faith is that Christ has died…Christ is risen…Christ will come again. This coming week is Holy Week and we look at the first part: Christ has died. I encourage all to attend Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services to grasp the depth of the Christian faith. This reading from Luke is long as it covers the passion from the Last Supper to his crucified death. The question is, “How could we?”

Following the Last Supper with his disciples, Jesus goes with them to the Mount of Olives to pray. Judas Iscariot is absent because he left to betray Jesus. Suddenly Judas arrives with a crowd to arrest Jesus. A kiss of friendship is given. A sword is drawn. Jesus announces that the power of darkness is at hand while he is taken away.

There has been an ongoing conflict between Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven against the power of darkness. Now has come the time for the power of darkness to reveal itself. The next few hours the power of darkness reveals it’s true nature. Lies. Deceit. Violence. Normally rational people screaming for the death of an innocent man while leaders stir up emotions further. Their delirium has them demanding the release of a known murderer to see Jesus killed instead. Mockery. Kill. This is the power of darkness.

This is why Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and all of Holy Week are important. If we simply jump to Easter, then we excuse ourselves and sit like spectators watching a game to see who wins. We need to see the darkness. We need to recognize our involvement. We need to ask the question, “How could we allow ourselves to made pawns of the darkness?”

How could he? When this question is asked of Jesus, the answer is always ‘love.’ Yet the word is vague. There is a rare group of people willing to sacrifice their lives for someone else. We call them ‘heroes.’ Jesus gave of himself for a world lost in its darkness. This is why we call him, Savior. This is love.

For now the power of darkness seems unstoppable and Jesus is handed over. However, he takes his last breath on the cross in trust that the One who called light into existence will not let darkness prevail. Jesus took his last breath trusting that the One who created life will not let it be denied by the darkness.

This coming week, we take a long look at the darkness and ask “How could we?” We also ask, “How could he?”

Peace.