From the Pastor’s Desk
“So the LORD sent a pestilence on Israel; and seventy thousand persons fell in Israel. And God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it; but when he was about to destroy it, the LORD took note and relented concerning the calamity; he said to the destroying angel, "Enough! Stay your hand." The angel of the LORD was then standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. David looked up and saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, and in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces. And David said to God, "Was it not I who gave the command to count the people? It is I who have sinned and done very wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Let your hand, I pray, O LORD my God, be against me and against my father's house; but do not let your people be plagued!" (1 Chronicles 21:14-17)
Like the people of Israel three thousand years ago we may be facing a plague. As I write this the Swine Flu is spreading all over the world. Many have died in Mexico and there is evidence that the flu is spreading to other countries including the United States. Health authorities are concerned that we may we experiencing a pandemic. A pandemic occurs when a new flu virus begins infecting a population with little or no immunity. The health impact on the population may be substantial.
There are a number of practical things you can do to prepare yourself and your family for a pandemic: Store a two week supply of food and water in your home because you may not be able to get to the store. Check your prescription drugs to make sure that you have enough. Have non prescription drugs, cold medicines, pain relievers, remedies for stomach, cough and colds, and vitamins on hand. Talk with your family members about what would happen if you were to get sick. Get involved with the community and the church to prepare for an emergency response. And children need to be taught to wash their hands frequently with soap and water, cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, and stay away from people who are sick.
A vaccine to protect us from the flu may be months away. So until it arrives we have to rely on common sense ways to avoid the bug and prayer. King David used prayer to protect his people from a pandemic. God, who loves us and cares for us, had already decided to spare his people from the disease. But this didn’t stop David from praying. He and the elders prayed by confessing his own sins and asking that God punish them rather than the people. Jesus made the same request and was punished for our sins on the cross. Therefore we can be assured that God loves us, forgives us, and wants the best for us. We may still get sick with the flu, but even when we are coughing and sneezing, God will be with us and hear our prayers.
Blessings,
Pastor Jeff
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wee Kirk News about NE LA
And Then There Were Three: Death and Resurrection in the Mission of God
By Nancy Moore and Paul Detterman
Once upon a time, in an era that seems a long time ago, in a culture that now seems far away, five Presbyterian congregations thrived in Northeast Los Angeles, California. They were middle class congregations proclaiming Christ in middle class neighborhoods with choirs and youth groups, children and families. Then the freeways came through and people moved further from the city. Once-stable neighborhoods began to change and once-stable congregations began to struggle. Four of the five survived.
The four remaining congregations tried to take on the challenge of change, each identifying an area of need. One fed over 200 families weekly in their food program, another offered its building to a range of area ministries, another opened a preschool, and another cared for a growing homeless population. But gangs soon claimed more of the streets and drugs became a common commodity. As the faces of God’s people continued to change their need for the Body of Christ only intensified. The challenge, at times, seemed impossible.
The four Presbyterian congregations dwindled in membership but continued in ministry until last week when another church closed. Some wonder how long the three remaining ministries can survive. Can they forgo even more individual history and distinctive identity for the sake of mission in the Body of Christ?
This scenario describes thousands of congregations in neighborhoods across the USA, all of whom are facing similar challenges albeit in differing contexts. Many wonder when they will die. But Christ’s resurrection destroyed the power of death and, in Northeast LA, God’s resurrection people are fighting back. The Body of Christ is alive and on the move—in the face of seemingly relentless evil, Christ’s people are offering hope and healing, comfort and shalom. Here is just one story.
Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church is no stranger to adaptive change. A 1971 earthquake destroyed their sanctuary. They responded by repurposing the fellowship hall for more flexible worship. That was only one of the changes God would use to prepare them for participation in his current mission.
Eighteen months ago the congregation began a worship service Sunday afternoon at 5:30, offering an alternative to the style and the hour of Sunday morning. Employing her spiritual gift of hospitality, the pastor’s wife prepared a weekly meal. People in the community have responded—including an increasingly large number who are homeless. Some come for worship—some come only for the meal. But the number of people being reached with the truth and the justice of the gospel has continued to grow as has the impact of this ministry. They packed the worship space for the baptism of the first homeless believer, Pastor Jeff Howard recalls, offering the opportunity to both explain and embody the love of Jesus to many people who had little knowledge of him. Three homeless men now prepare the weekly meal, and an abundance of donated food and other commodities is available to help people in need begin their week. People may come to the building for church, but they quickly discover that Christ lives on the streets.
Another new opportunity for worship has begun on Sunday afternoons at 3:00. Still in its infancy, attendance at this service is also growing. This multi racial, multi cultural, multi generational, multi social congregation that includes a growing number of children is intentionally building connections with community leaders who are encouraged to become a more integral part of the community they serve. “Church is not only about meeting Jesus,” says Nancy Moore, parish associate and lead pastor for the 3:00 service, “but about meeting Jesus and connecting into his life in the community.”
And networks of ministry are growing. Because people in this urban neighborhood tend to trust the churches more than they trust municipal authorities, ministers are building networks of information, support, and mission, among the area’s radically different congregations and also with the police department, the schools, the health department, and children’s services. Presbyterians bring unique gifts to this consortium, speaking to municipal leaders on behalf of the Body of Christ in language and systems they understand.
These collaborations have born amazing fruit: a peace march involving over 2500 people; a day-long fiesta in a dangerous drug enclave that paved the way for ongoing ministry to area children in need; engaging neighborhood people to safely escort children to school and mentor students in the afternoons; even a prayer vigil on the site of a horrific school shooting, providing comfort and hope to the families and friends of the victims, and uniting police, neighbors, and the community in a witness that evil cannot prevail here—
Jesus Christ is alive!
Death and resurrection are realities in the Mission and in the Kingdom of God. Congregations, like individuals, must be willing to die to further the mission of Christ—reaching people, whatever their need, with his promise of love, and life, and resurrection. The death of beloved congregations, like the death of loved ones, is painful. In a neighborhood where five congregations once lived, now there are three. But painful ending can birth new and greater purpose and mission. The living Lord Jesus Christ still walks the streets of Northeast LA, embodied by people who, in the name of their risen Lord, are reclaiming his Father’s world, one transformed life at a time.
By Nancy Moore and Paul Detterman
Once upon a time, in an era that seems a long time ago, in a culture that now seems far away, five Presbyterian congregations thrived in Northeast Los Angeles, California. They were middle class congregations proclaiming Christ in middle class neighborhoods with choirs and youth groups, children and families. Then the freeways came through and people moved further from the city. Once-stable neighborhoods began to change and once-stable congregations began to struggle. Four of the five survived.
The four remaining congregations tried to take on the challenge of change, each identifying an area of need. One fed over 200 families weekly in their food program, another offered its building to a range of area ministries, another opened a preschool, and another cared for a growing homeless population. But gangs soon claimed more of the streets and drugs became a common commodity. As the faces of God’s people continued to change their need for the Body of Christ only intensified. The challenge, at times, seemed impossible.
The four Presbyterian congregations dwindled in membership but continued in ministry until last week when another church closed. Some wonder how long the three remaining ministries can survive. Can they forgo even more individual history and distinctive identity for the sake of mission in the Body of Christ?
This scenario describes thousands of congregations in neighborhoods across the USA, all of whom are facing similar challenges albeit in differing contexts. Many wonder when they will die. But Christ’s resurrection destroyed the power of death and, in Northeast LA, God’s resurrection people are fighting back. The Body of Christ is alive and on the move—in the face of seemingly relentless evil, Christ’s people are offering hope and healing, comfort and shalom. Here is just one story.
Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church is no stranger to adaptive change. A 1971 earthquake destroyed their sanctuary. They responded by repurposing the fellowship hall for more flexible worship. That was only one of the changes God would use to prepare them for participation in his current mission.
Eighteen months ago the congregation began a worship service Sunday afternoon at 5:30, offering an alternative to the style and the hour of Sunday morning. Employing her spiritual gift of hospitality, the pastor’s wife prepared a weekly meal. People in the community have responded—including an increasingly large number who are homeless. Some come for worship—some come only for the meal. But the number of people being reached with the truth and the justice of the gospel has continued to grow as has the impact of this ministry. They packed the worship space for the baptism of the first homeless believer, Pastor Jeff Howard recalls, offering the opportunity to both explain and embody the love of Jesus to many people who had little knowledge of him. Three homeless men now prepare the weekly meal, and an abundance of donated food and other commodities is available to help people in need begin their week. People may come to the building for church, but they quickly discover that Christ lives on the streets.
Another new opportunity for worship has begun on Sunday afternoons at 3:00. Still in its infancy, attendance at this service is also growing. This multi racial, multi cultural, multi generational, multi social congregation that includes a growing number of children is intentionally building connections with community leaders who are encouraged to become a more integral part of the community they serve. “Church is not only about meeting Jesus,” says Nancy Moore, parish associate and lead pastor for the 3:00 service, “but about meeting Jesus and connecting into his life in the community.”
And networks of ministry are growing. Because people in this urban neighborhood tend to trust the churches more than they trust municipal authorities, ministers are building networks of information, support, and mission, among the area’s radically different congregations and also with the police department, the schools, the health department, and children’s services. Presbyterians bring unique gifts to this consortium, speaking to municipal leaders on behalf of the Body of Christ in language and systems they understand.
These collaborations have born amazing fruit: a peace march involving over 2500 people; a day-long fiesta in a dangerous drug enclave that paved the way for ongoing ministry to area children in need; engaging neighborhood people to safely escort children to school and mentor students in the afternoons; even a prayer vigil on the site of a horrific school shooting, providing comfort and hope to the families and friends of the victims, and uniting police, neighbors, and the community in a witness that evil cannot prevail here—
Jesus Christ is alive!
Death and resurrection are realities in the Mission and in the Kingdom of God. Congregations, like individuals, must be willing to die to further the mission of Christ—reaching people, whatever their need, with his promise of love, and life, and resurrection. The death of beloved congregations, like the death of loved ones, is painful. In a neighborhood where five congregations once lived, now there are three. But painful ending can birth new and greater purpose and mission. The living Lord Jesus Christ still walks the streets of Northeast LA, embodied by people who, in the name of their risen Lord, are reclaiming his Father’s world, one transformed life at a time.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Easter Sermon – Mark 16:1-8 – Terror and Amazement
Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Easter Sermon – Mark 16:1-8 – Terror and Amazement
Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church
April 12, 2009
Listen to this sermon.
Today we complete our journey through the last three chapters of the Gospel of Mark. It has been an exciting journey with Jesus and the disciples. The anointing in Bethany, the Passover dinner in Jerusalem, prayers on the Mount of Olives followed by the arrest, trial, crucifixion and burial of Jesus. And today we return to the tomb with the women to anoint Jesus’ body one last time.
As we walk with the women back to the tomb let us pray. Lord God we ask that you roll away whatever stones block our paths and free us from guilt, grief and fear with which we are bound in our own tombs. Release us from the power of death to lead new lives in you. We pray this is the name of our risen Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. Amen
Mark 16:1-8 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you." 8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Mary Magdalene, Salome, and Jesus’ mother Mary had experienced a long week, a triumphal entrance into Jerusalem with all the excitement of a Rose Parade with UCLA in the Rose Bowl. Then a side trip to Bethany to visit with some friends. Then back to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. It was that night when everything went wrong. Jesus was arrested and then crucified and buried with the women watching from a distance. As the sun set beginning Passover the two women went home for rest and prayer. Then as the sun was rising on the first day of the week they quickly got dressed and made their way to the cemetery to do their obligation, to care for the body of Jesus.
While they were walking to the cemetery they worried about the large stone that prevented them from doing what needed to be done. They knew they could push the stone as hard as they could but it would not move. So they a needed a power beyond their own ability to move the stone.
We all know what it is like to have a large stone in our way. We push and push and push but it just doesn’t move. Maybe it’s a family member who is on drugs and abusing you. We push for that person to change and nothing happens. Maybe it’s a health concern that is dragging you down. You push the doctors but nothing can be done. Maybe it’s the loss of a job, or the loss of a home that has left you frightened and penniless. You push by sending out hundreds of resumes but still can’t find a job. Maybe it’s the end of a relationship you thought would last forever. You push by praying that your spouse will return but nothing happens. Maybe it’s the sin that has stained your life and you need forgiveness. So you push by working harder and harder to make up for what you have done but the guilt never seems to go away. Maybe it’s the death of friend or relative that has overwhelmed you with grief. You push by reading the Bible and talking to the pastor about death but your grief remains. No matter how hard you push on your problems you just can’t do anything about them. So you need power beyond your own abilities to remove the stone that is in your way.
When the women arrived at the tomb they discovered that they had received a gift. The large stone had already been rolled away. They didn’t have to push. God had moved the stone for them. And God will move the stone for us too. Whatever problems we are experiencing, guilt, fear, grief that keep us pushing and pushing and are beyond our abilities need a power greater than us. And good news of Easter is that God moves those stones away as a gift for us. This is called grace.
The women entered the tomb and expected to see Jesus’ body. But there was no body in the tomb. The tomb was empty. They were afraid. What kind of gift is this? God rolls away the unmovable stone and nothing is there. This is what we really fear. If God removes our sin, our grief, our fear, our guilt will we have anything left? Our fear and our guilt and our grief have become familiar companions. We don’t want to give them up. We have grown accustomed to their presence. So we reject the offer from God to remove them from our lives and wish to hold on to the problems we have rather than face an uncertain future without them. So when the women saw the empty tomb they experienced the return of an old friend, fear.
But inside the tomb was a man dressed in white with a message from God, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him.” God knew that the women were gripped with fear at that moment and sent an angel to tell them that there was no reason to fear anymore, because Jesus Christ, who had died and was buried, was now raised from the dead by God. So there was no longer anything to fear, sins washed away, guilt removed, no reason to fear even death because death itself was the stone that God moved away. This is our great Easter gift, better than an Easter basket, or a chocolate bunny, or a colored egg. God’s gift to us is that death is no long the end. Life goes on after death because God, moving the unmovable stone, raises the dead back to life.
But the women did not understand what God was doing. The good news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead was beyond their comprehension. All they knew was that Jesus’ body was missing. And this made them very, very, afraid. What does the news that Jesus was raised from the dead mean to us? Do we believe that death is no longer the final act? Or like the women are we afraid?
We can believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead in four ways. The first is that God has revealed fact of Jesus’ rising from the dead to us though the angel. This was a direct revelation to the women in the tomb and to us. God has informed us that Jesus did rise from the dead and we can believe it. The second way we know the resurrection is true is because of our faith. Remember that Jesus told Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." (John 20:29) Because we believe in the resurrection of Jesus that resurrection is true for us. The third way we know that the resurrection is true is because our faith would be meaningless without it. The Apostle Paul put it this way, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:13-14) The resurrection of Jesus from the dead must be true for our faith to be true. And the fourth way we know that the resurrection of Jesus is true is because the work of the church is motivated by our belief in our risen Lord. The Book of Revelation says, “And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." (Revelation 21:5) So our new lives in Christ are dependant on the truth of his resurrection. For all these reasons we believe the Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.
The messenger from God needed to get a message to Peter and the other disciples that the risen Jesus, once dead but now alive, was on his way back home to Galilee. They were to go back there to see him. But all of this was just too much for the women. They ran from cemetery screaming in terror. And this is the conclusion of the Gospel of Mark.
This is it? How can Mark end the gospel in this way with so many questions unanswered? Where is Jesus’ body? Who rolled the stone away? Who took the body? What happened to Jesus? This ending of Mark has bothered many Christians, and some have attempted to fill in the final details. Take a look at page 55 of you pew Bibles, at the end of Chapter 16 of Mark. Right after verse 8 you will see “The Shorter Ending”, one early attempt to “complete” the gospel. Also you will see verses 9-20 also called “The Longer Ending”. This too is an attempt to “complete” Mark by adding details from the other gospels and the Book of Acts. And, of course, Matthew, Luke and John all added their own endings to Mark’s account.
But I believe that Mark ended his gospel in this way intentionally. Mark wants us to know that the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is not a conclusion, but a beginning. It begins, as all new things do, with fear. But the initial fear will dissipate and be replaced by joy. We rejoice that death is no longer the end of life. Rather we are recipients of new life, eternal life in the presence of Almighty God.
So as we leave here today remember that we have been reborn to new life in Jesus Christ. Whatever stone you have been pushing has been rolled away. The punishment for sin, death, has been annulled. So you no longer have to fear death and can now enjoy new life. That new life begins today. Just leave all of you cares behind in an empty tomb. And celebrate your new life in the presence of our risen Lord Jesus. Amen.
Easter Sermon – Mark 16:1-8 – Terror and Amazement
Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church
April 12, 2009
Listen to this sermon.
Today we complete our journey through the last three chapters of the Gospel of Mark. It has been an exciting journey with Jesus and the disciples. The anointing in Bethany, the Passover dinner in Jerusalem, prayers on the Mount of Olives followed by the arrest, trial, crucifixion and burial of Jesus. And today we return to the tomb with the women to anoint Jesus’ body one last time.
As we walk with the women back to the tomb let us pray. Lord God we ask that you roll away whatever stones block our paths and free us from guilt, grief and fear with which we are bound in our own tombs. Release us from the power of death to lead new lives in you. We pray this is the name of our risen Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. Amen
Mark 16:1-8 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you." 8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Mary Magdalene, Salome, and Jesus’ mother Mary had experienced a long week, a triumphal entrance into Jerusalem with all the excitement of a Rose Parade with UCLA in the Rose Bowl. Then a side trip to Bethany to visit with some friends. Then back to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. It was that night when everything went wrong. Jesus was arrested and then crucified and buried with the women watching from a distance. As the sun set beginning Passover the two women went home for rest and prayer. Then as the sun was rising on the first day of the week they quickly got dressed and made their way to the cemetery to do their obligation, to care for the body of Jesus.
While they were walking to the cemetery they worried about the large stone that prevented them from doing what needed to be done. They knew they could push the stone as hard as they could but it would not move. So they a needed a power beyond their own ability to move the stone.
We all know what it is like to have a large stone in our way. We push and push and push but it just doesn’t move. Maybe it’s a family member who is on drugs and abusing you. We push for that person to change and nothing happens. Maybe it’s a health concern that is dragging you down. You push the doctors but nothing can be done. Maybe it’s the loss of a job, or the loss of a home that has left you frightened and penniless. You push by sending out hundreds of resumes but still can’t find a job. Maybe it’s the end of a relationship you thought would last forever. You push by praying that your spouse will return but nothing happens. Maybe it’s the sin that has stained your life and you need forgiveness. So you push by working harder and harder to make up for what you have done but the guilt never seems to go away. Maybe it’s the death of friend or relative that has overwhelmed you with grief. You push by reading the Bible and talking to the pastor about death but your grief remains. No matter how hard you push on your problems you just can’t do anything about them. So you need power beyond your own abilities to remove the stone that is in your way.
When the women arrived at the tomb they discovered that they had received a gift. The large stone had already been rolled away. They didn’t have to push. God had moved the stone for them. And God will move the stone for us too. Whatever problems we are experiencing, guilt, fear, grief that keep us pushing and pushing and are beyond our abilities need a power greater than us. And good news of Easter is that God moves those stones away as a gift for us. This is called grace.
The women entered the tomb and expected to see Jesus’ body. But there was no body in the tomb. The tomb was empty. They were afraid. What kind of gift is this? God rolls away the unmovable stone and nothing is there. This is what we really fear. If God removes our sin, our grief, our fear, our guilt will we have anything left? Our fear and our guilt and our grief have become familiar companions. We don’t want to give them up. We have grown accustomed to their presence. So we reject the offer from God to remove them from our lives and wish to hold on to the problems we have rather than face an uncertain future without them. So when the women saw the empty tomb they experienced the return of an old friend, fear.
But inside the tomb was a man dressed in white with a message from God, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him.” God knew that the women were gripped with fear at that moment and sent an angel to tell them that there was no reason to fear anymore, because Jesus Christ, who had died and was buried, was now raised from the dead by God. So there was no longer anything to fear, sins washed away, guilt removed, no reason to fear even death because death itself was the stone that God moved away. This is our great Easter gift, better than an Easter basket, or a chocolate bunny, or a colored egg. God’s gift to us is that death is no long the end. Life goes on after death because God, moving the unmovable stone, raises the dead back to life.
But the women did not understand what God was doing. The good news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead was beyond their comprehension. All they knew was that Jesus’ body was missing. And this made them very, very, afraid. What does the news that Jesus was raised from the dead mean to us? Do we believe that death is no longer the final act? Or like the women are we afraid?
We can believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead in four ways. The first is that God has revealed fact of Jesus’ rising from the dead to us though the angel. This was a direct revelation to the women in the tomb and to us. God has informed us that Jesus did rise from the dead and we can believe it. The second way we know the resurrection is true is because of our faith. Remember that Jesus told Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." (John 20:29) Because we believe in the resurrection of Jesus that resurrection is true for us. The third way we know that the resurrection is true is because our faith would be meaningless without it. The Apostle Paul put it this way, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:13-14) The resurrection of Jesus from the dead must be true for our faith to be true. And the fourth way we know that the resurrection of Jesus is true is because the work of the church is motivated by our belief in our risen Lord. The Book of Revelation says, “And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." (Revelation 21:5) So our new lives in Christ are dependant on the truth of his resurrection. For all these reasons we believe the Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.
The messenger from God needed to get a message to Peter and the other disciples that the risen Jesus, once dead but now alive, was on his way back home to Galilee. They were to go back there to see him. But all of this was just too much for the women. They ran from cemetery screaming in terror. And this is the conclusion of the Gospel of Mark.
This is it? How can Mark end the gospel in this way with so many questions unanswered? Where is Jesus’ body? Who rolled the stone away? Who took the body? What happened to Jesus? This ending of Mark has bothered many Christians, and some have attempted to fill in the final details. Take a look at page 55 of you pew Bibles, at the end of Chapter 16 of Mark. Right after verse 8 you will see “The Shorter Ending”, one early attempt to “complete” the gospel. Also you will see verses 9-20 also called “The Longer Ending”. This too is an attempt to “complete” Mark by adding details from the other gospels and the Book of Acts. And, of course, Matthew, Luke and John all added their own endings to Mark’s account.
But I believe that Mark ended his gospel in this way intentionally. Mark wants us to know that the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is not a conclusion, but a beginning. It begins, as all new things do, with fear. But the initial fear will dissipate and be replaced by joy. We rejoice that death is no longer the end of life. Rather we are recipients of new life, eternal life in the presence of Almighty God.
So as we leave here today remember that we have been reborn to new life in Jesus Christ. Whatever stone you have been pushing has been rolled away. The punishment for sin, death, has been annulled. So you no longer have to fear death and can now enjoy new life. That new life begins today. Just leave all of you cares behind in an empty tomb. And celebrate your new life in the presence of our risen Lord Jesus. Amen.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Meditation on the First of the Seven Last Words of Christ
Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Meditation on the First of the Seven Last Words of Christ
Ecumenical Service for Good Friday
April 10, 2009
Listen to this sermon.
Father in heaven, open our hearts this day to understand the meaning of your Holy Word. Help us to bring the message that you have for us this day into our hearts so that we may experience renewal of life. We pray this in the name of your Son who died for us this day. Amen
Luke 23:33-34 33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."
According to Luke these are very first words spoken by Christ from the cross. At the very moment when the pain of the nails in his wrists and feet was surging though his body and the death process was beginning Jesus turned to prayer. Jesus did this because of the many hours he had spent in prayer alone on a mountainside, with his disciples, and the night before in a garden. Jesus had conditioned himself to pray whenever he faced exhaustion or temptation. So turning to prayer at this moment was a natural thing to do. That is why it is so important for us to pray as often as we can. At Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church we pray right here in this sanctuary every morning at 6AM. We pray every day because this conditions us to prayer so that when the trials of life befall us we know where to turn. We just take it to the Lord in prayer.
As Jesus prayed he was aware of the relationship that he had with God. He called God, “Father”. Jesus knew that he was the son of God. This awareness came from his time in prayer, Bible study and worship. In the same way we develop a relationship with God through regular prayer, study of scripture, and attendance on Sundays in worship. These activities bring us closer to God, and we begin to realize that through Jesus Christ we become children of God. Remember that when Jesus taught us how to pray he invited us to join him in saying “Our Father”.
Aware of his own power and authority as the son of God, Jesus could have prayed for reduction of pain, but he did not. He could have prayed for an end to the crucifixion, but he did not. He could have prayed that lightning would zap his oppressors or that Angelic Special Forces would rescue him, but he did not. What Jesus did pray was that God would forgive his oppressors. At the moment of his greatest pain Jesus still cared for those who tormented him. This is really good news for us because it shows us the character of Jesus. We believe that Christ is in heaven right now interceding on our behalf; pleading with God to forgive us, and having endured the punishment that we deserve, Jesus’ plea for forgiveness of our sins is heard by God.
That we are sinners is a certainty. We have all sinned since childhood and we continue to do so today. Sin is a stain on our lives that just won’t go away no matter hard we try. It is so much a part of us we don’t even realize that it is there. We go about our lives confident that we are doing everything right, but ignorant that we are displeasing God with our actions and inactions. So we need something beyond ourselves to remove the stain of sin. And that is exactly what Jesus is asking God to do.
Of course as we engage in prayer, attend worship and study scripture we are becoming less and less ignorant of the sin in our lives. So for us it is time to repent, change our ways and attempt to live lives pleasing to God. We do this not because we have to, but because we are so grateful that God has forgiven our sins at the request of Jesus.
So the very first words that Jesus spoke on the cross are words of love and compassion for us. Jesus has invited us to join him in a relationship with the Father. He has asked God to remove the sin in which we are trapped without even knowing about it. And now in gratitude for this amazing blessing of God’s grace let us amend our lives and live as children of God. Amen.
Meditation on the First of the Seven Last Words of Christ
Ecumenical Service for Good Friday
April 10, 2009
Listen to this sermon.
Father in heaven, open our hearts this day to understand the meaning of your Holy Word. Help us to bring the message that you have for us this day into our hearts so that we may experience renewal of life. We pray this in the name of your Son who died for us this day. Amen
Luke 23:33-34 33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."
According to Luke these are very first words spoken by Christ from the cross. At the very moment when the pain of the nails in his wrists and feet was surging though his body and the death process was beginning Jesus turned to prayer. Jesus did this because of the many hours he had spent in prayer alone on a mountainside, with his disciples, and the night before in a garden. Jesus had conditioned himself to pray whenever he faced exhaustion or temptation. So turning to prayer at this moment was a natural thing to do. That is why it is so important for us to pray as often as we can. At Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church we pray right here in this sanctuary every morning at 6AM. We pray every day because this conditions us to prayer so that when the trials of life befall us we know where to turn. We just take it to the Lord in prayer.
As Jesus prayed he was aware of the relationship that he had with God. He called God, “Father”. Jesus knew that he was the son of God. This awareness came from his time in prayer, Bible study and worship. In the same way we develop a relationship with God through regular prayer, study of scripture, and attendance on Sundays in worship. These activities bring us closer to God, and we begin to realize that through Jesus Christ we become children of God. Remember that when Jesus taught us how to pray he invited us to join him in saying “Our Father”.
Aware of his own power and authority as the son of God, Jesus could have prayed for reduction of pain, but he did not. He could have prayed for an end to the crucifixion, but he did not. He could have prayed that lightning would zap his oppressors or that Angelic Special Forces would rescue him, but he did not. What Jesus did pray was that God would forgive his oppressors. At the moment of his greatest pain Jesus still cared for those who tormented him. This is really good news for us because it shows us the character of Jesus. We believe that Christ is in heaven right now interceding on our behalf; pleading with God to forgive us, and having endured the punishment that we deserve, Jesus’ plea for forgiveness of our sins is heard by God.
That we are sinners is a certainty. We have all sinned since childhood and we continue to do so today. Sin is a stain on our lives that just won’t go away no matter hard we try. It is so much a part of us we don’t even realize that it is there. We go about our lives confident that we are doing everything right, but ignorant that we are displeasing God with our actions and inactions. So we need something beyond ourselves to remove the stain of sin. And that is exactly what Jesus is asking God to do.
Of course as we engage in prayer, attend worship and study scripture we are becoming less and less ignorant of the sin in our lives. So for us it is time to repent, change our ways and attempt to live lives pleasing to God. We do this not because we have to, but because we are so grateful that God has forgiven our sins at the request of Jesus.
So the very first words that Jesus spoke on the cross are words of love and compassion for us. Jesus has invited us to join him in a relationship with the Father. He has asked God to remove the sin in which we are trapped without even knowing about it. And now in gratitude for this amazing blessing of God’s grace let us amend our lives and live as children of God. Amen.
Maundy Thursday Sermon - Mark 15:40-47 – The Kingdom of God
Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Maundy Thursday Sermon - Mark 15:40-47 – The Kingdom of God
Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church
April 9, 2009
Listen to this sermon.
Our Lenten journey with Jesus is nearing completion. The anointing that we witnessed at Bethany was an anointing for his death, which has occurred. Judas’ plan to betray Jesus was successful. Jesus’ talk of his broken body and spilled blood at the Last Supper has come to pass. Jesus’ prayer that the cup may be taken from him was ignored by God whose will was accomplished through Jewish leaders, the crowd and the Roman Governor Pilate. Jesus has died on a cross. Tonight we will see those people who truly loved Jesus and stayed with him until the end. But remember to come back next Sunday as we see the exciting and unexpected ending to the Gospel of Mark.
But before we begin this final leg of our journey, please pray with me. Father in heaven we ask that your presence be with us here tonight. Sent your Holy Spirit into our hearts so that we may understand what you are speaking to us through the Gospel of Mark. Help us as we grieve the death of our Lord whom we love so much, and prepare us for the Glory of Easter to come. We pray this in the name of our crucified Lord. Amen.
Mark 15:40-47 40 There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem. 42 When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. 45 When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.
The crowd that has so enthusiastically supported Jesus as he entered Jerusalem is long gone. Their Passover celebration is over and they are preparing for the Sabbath. It is late Friday afternoon and it is getting dark. All work must be done before sunset when families will gather for dinner and a day of rest.
Jesus’ disciples have fled. We don’t know where they are. A later account in John’s gospel puts them back in the upper room with the doors locked. Their hope for a Kingdom of God was dashed when Jesus was arrested. They now fear for their own lives.
But Mark tells us, here at the end of chapter 15, about some people who love Jesus so much they still have hope that the Kingdom of God will come. And with the death of Jesus this hope is all they really had.
When God interrupts our lives with the death of a loved one sometimes all we have left to cling to is hope. I was in my twenties and just starting out in life when my mother died. I remember the events as if they happened yesterday. My mother fixed what turned out to be our last family meal. Her mother, my grandmother, was visiting us for Christmas and we were planning to take her home after the New Year. On the way to my grandmother’s house we planned to visit my mother’s relatives, of which there were many. That night my mother went to the hospital with chest pains, and I wished her goodnight in the Cardiac Care Unit. The next morning I arrived at the hospital at 6AM to find that she had died. My job was to call the relatives to say that our plans had changed and they were to go to there old hometown for my mother’s funeral.
With this experience I have a pretty good idea what Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James the younger were feeling. And I suspect that you know what they were feeling as well. They had cared for Jesus for so many years and now he was gone. Overwhelmed with grief all they could do was to silently watch what was happening, pondering all of it in their hearts.
Joseph of Arimathea was also dealing with grief, but Mark tells us that his hope in the Kingdom of God was greater than his grief. Joseph, we are told, at risk to his own position on the Sanhedrin and a leader of the Jews went to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body. He did not want the Roman soldiers to the dump the body in a mass grave as they usually did. So he asked Pilate for permission to bury the body himself before the sun set and the Sabbath began. As soon as Pilate had determined that Jesus was dead Joseph took Jesus off the cross, wrapped it in a linen shroud, and placed him in a tomb fit for king. Joseph’s hope in the Kingdom of God was so great he risked his own life for Jesus.
The examples of both the women and Joseph of Arimathea show that the true followers of Jesus were not members of the crowd that saw Jesus’ miracles. The true followers of Jesus were not even the disciples who had listened to his teachings and following him from Galilee. No, the true followers of Jesus are those who cared for his body. And those who care for the body of Christ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
We understand that the body of Christ is the church. So those who care for the church, the body of Christ, are the true followers of Jesus and will inherit the Kingdom of God. This means that you who serve the church are the followers of Jesus Christ and God’s Kingdom is for you.
Serving the church means that you do what is necessary to help the church grow and thrive. For some, that means taking care of the facilities. We have a wonderful group in this church call the Retreads. This week they repaired the brick walkways and the sprinkler system and setup the chairs for this service. Others in this church teach ESL, tune the piano, bring soup for our Lenten services, donate food and supplies for our evening meal, cook, cleanup, lead music, print bulletins, and do many other things that often go unnoticed. All of these serve the church, not because of some material reward, but because of their hope in the Kingdom of God.
When my mother died I was only an occasional churchgoer. I stopped attending church regularly when I went to college and when she died some ten years later I was still avoiding church. Shortly after her death I began to attend church regularly again and started to look for a church to join. God used the grief I was experiencing to rekindle in my spirit love for Jesus and a desire to help his church.
So if you, this evening, are grieving over the death of a loved one, or the loss of a job, or the loss of a home, or the loss of your health then you have come to the right place because we are in the hope business. We believe that God uses grief to bring us closer to Jesus Christ, so that in our sadness we can find the love of Jesus Christ in our hearts. And when we experience this love, which can only come from God, then we develop a desire to love Jesus more by caring for his church.
As the sun was setting Joseph of Arimathea and the women had done everything they could to care for the body of Christ. So a stone was placed at the entrance of the tomb and they went home to observe the Sabbath. So tonight when we turn off the lights and lock the doors of the church I urge you to go home to rest and pray. You have been on a very difficult journey carrying Jesus’ cross for the last six weeks and you need a Sabbath rest. On Sunday morning you will have ample opportunity to serve the body of Jesus Christ once again. Just come back to this room on Sunday morning. The doors will be open and the lights will be on, and we will celebrate our hope in the Kingdom of God. Amen.
Maundy Thursday Sermon - Mark 15:40-47 – The Kingdom of God
Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church
April 9, 2009
Listen to this sermon.
Our Lenten journey with Jesus is nearing completion. The anointing that we witnessed at Bethany was an anointing for his death, which has occurred. Judas’ plan to betray Jesus was successful. Jesus’ talk of his broken body and spilled blood at the Last Supper has come to pass. Jesus’ prayer that the cup may be taken from him was ignored by God whose will was accomplished through Jewish leaders, the crowd and the Roman Governor Pilate. Jesus has died on a cross. Tonight we will see those people who truly loved Jesus and stayed with him until the end. But remember to come back next Sunday as we see the exciting and unexpected ending to the Gospel of Mark.
But before we begin this final leg of our journey, please pray with me. Father in heaven we ask that your presence be with us here tonight. Sent your Holy Spirit into our hearts so that we may understand what you are speaking to us through the Gospel of Mark. Help us as we grieve the death of our Lord whom we love so much, and prepare us for the Glory of Easter to come. We pray this in the name of our crucified Lord. Amen.
Mark 15:40-47 40 There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem. 42 When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. 45 When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.
The crowd that has so enthusiastically supported Jesus as he entered Jerusalem is long gone. Their Passover celebration is over and they are preparing for the Sabbath. It is late Friday afternoon and it is getting dark. All work must be done before sunset when families will gather for dinner and a day of rest.
Jesus’ disciples have fled. We don’t know where they are. A later account in John’s gospel puts them back in the upper room with the doors locked. Their hope for a Kingdom of God was dashed when Jesus was arrested. They now fear for their own lives.
But Mark tells us, here at the end of chapter 15, about some people who love Jesus so much they still have hope that the Kingdom of God will come. And with the death of Jesus this hope is all they really had.
When God interrupts our lives with the death of a loved one sometimes all we have left to cling to is hope. I was in my twenties and just starting out in life when my mother died. I remember the events as if they happened yesterday. My mother fixed what turned out to be our last family meal. Her mother, my grandmother, was visiting us for Christmas and we were planning to take her home after the New Year. On the way to my grandmother’s house we planned to visit my mother’s relatives, of which there were many. That night my mother went to the hospital with chest pains, and I wished her goodnight in the Cardiac Care Unit. The next morning I arrived at the hospital at 6AM to find that she had died. My job was to call the relatives to say that our plans had changed and they were to go to there old hometown for my mother’s funeral.
With this experience I have a pretty good idea what Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James the younger were feeling. And I suspect that you know what they were feeling as well. They had cared for Jesus for so many years and now he was gone. Overwhelmed with grief all they could do was to silently watch what was happening, pondering all of it in their hearts.
Joseph of Arimathea was also dealing with grief, but Mark tells us that his hope in the Kingdom of God was greater than his grief. Joseph, we are told, at risk to his own position on the Sanhedrin and a leader of the Jews went to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body. He did not want the Roman soldiers to the dump the body in a mass grave as they usually did. So he asked Pilate for permission to bury the body himself before the sun set and the Sabbath began. As soon as Pilate had determined that Jesus was dead Joseph took Jesus off the cross, wrapped it in a linen shroud, and placed him in a tomb fit for king. Joseph’s hope in the Kingdom of God was so great he risked his own life for Jesus.
The examples of both the women and Joseph of Arimathea show that the true followers of Jesus were not members of the crowd that saw Jesus’ miracles. The true followers of Jesus were not even the disciples who had listened to his teachings and following him from Galilee. No, the true followers of Jesus are those who cared for his body. And those who care for the body of Christ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
We understand that the body of Christ is the church. So those who care for the church, the body of Christ, are the true followers of Jesus and will inherit the Kingdom of God. This means that you who serve the church are the followers of Jesus Christ and God’s Kingdom is for you.
Serving the church means that you do what is necessary to help the church grow and thrive. For some, that means taking care of the facilities. We have a wonderful group in this church call the Retreads. This week they repaired the brick walkways and the sprinkler system and setup the chairs for this service. Others in this church teach ESL, tune the piano, bring soup for our Lenten services, donate food and supplies for our evening meal, cook, cleanup, lead music, print bulletins, and do many other things that often go unnoticed. All of these serve the church, not because of some material reward, but because of their hope in the Kingdom of God.
When my mother died I was only an occasional churchgoer. I stopped attending church regularly when I went to college and when she died some ten years later I was still avoiding church. Shortly after her death I began to attend church regularly again and started to look for a church to join. God used the grief I was experiencing to rekindle in my spirit love for Jesus and a desire to help his church.
So if you, this evening, are grieving over the death of a loved one, or the loss of a job, or the loss of a home, or the loss of your health then you have come to the right place because we are in the hope business. We believe that God uses grief to bring us closer to Jesus Christ, so that in our sadness we can find the love of Jesus Christ in our hearts. And when we experience this love, which can only come from God, then we develop a desire to love Jesus more by caring for his church.
As the sun was setting Joseph of Arimathea and the women had done everything they could to care for the body of Christ. So a stone was placed at the entrance of the tomb and they went home to observe the Sabbath. So tonight when we turn off the lights and lock the doors of the church I urge you to go home to rest and pray. You have been on a very difficult journey carrying Jesus’ cross for the last six weeks and you need a Sabbath rest. On Sunday morning you will have ample opportunity to serve the body of Jesus Christ once again. Just come back to this room on Sunday morning. The doors will be open and the lights will be on, and we will celebrate our hope in the Kingdom of God. Amen.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Sermon – Mark 15:33-39 – Palm Sunday - The Son of God
Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Sermon – Mark 15:33-39 – Palm Sunday - The Son of God
Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church
April 5, 2009
Listen to this sermon.
We have arrived at Palm Sunday and Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and our Lenten series tracing the events in Jesus’ life during Holy Week, the time between Palm Sunday and Easter continues. We have been on a very exciting journey. We sat with Judas as he watched Jesus be anointed for death. We joined the disciples around a Passover meal. We prayed with Jesus in Gethsemane and were there as Jesus was arrested. Then we participated in trials before the Sanhedrin, a slave girl, and Pontius Pilate, and last Thursday at our Lenten Vesper Service we witnessed the crucifixion which according to Mark had more in common with a coronation of a king than an execution of a criminal. Today we will be with Jesus as he dies. This Thursday evening at 7PM we will accompany Joseph of Arimathea as he buries Jesus in a tomb. Then next Sunday we will see the exciting conclusion to the Gospel of Mark.
But now let us bow our heads and pray. Father in heaven, we have been following your son. As his death approaches help us as we grieve. Help us to understand the meaning of Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. And bless us with your saving grace and transformation as we listen to your word today. We pray this in the name of our crucified Lord. Amen.
Mark 15:33-39 33 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 35 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, "Listen, he is calling for Elijah." 36 And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down." 37 Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was God's Son
In Genesis chapter 1 the Bible begins with creation. This is what it says.
Genesis 1:1-3 NRS Genesis 1:1 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
At noon on the day of the crucifixion of Jesus the light that God had created on that first day was extinguished and the world was once again in darkness.
Chapter 2 of Genesis deals with the creation of women and men. This is what it says.
Genesis 2:7 7 then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.
At 3pm on the day of the crucifixion of Jesus the spirit of God left Jesus and he died returning to the dust of the world.
In Exodus God gave his people a commandment to place a curtain between them and his holy presence. This is what it says.
Exodus 26:31-33 31 You shall make a curtain of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen; it shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it. 32 You shall hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, which have hooks of gold and rest on four bases of silver. 33 You shall hang the curtain under the clasps, and bring the ark of the covenant in there, within the curtain; and the curtain shall separate for you the holy place from the most holy.
At the moment of Jesus’ death this curtain was torn in two thus removing all barriers that separate us from God.
As Jesus approached death he prayed a prayer which he probably memorized when we was growing up. This prayer was written by Jesus’ ancestor David, and is recorded for us in the 22nd Psalm. This is what Jesus prayed.
Psalm 22:1-31 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest.
Jesus in his agony prayed a lament letting his Father know the depths of his suffering. But then he remembered God, with whom he had existed from before the foundations of the world. This is what he said.
3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. 4 In you our ancestors trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. 5 To you they cried, and were saved; in you they trusted, and were not put to shame.
But Jesus was shaken from his prayer by those at the base of the cross mocking him. Jesus said,
6 But I am a worm, and not human; scorned by others, and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock at me; they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;
Then Jesus remembered the teachings of his youth that God is faithful and just. This is what he said:
8 "Commit your cause to the LORD; let him deliver-- let him rescue the one in whom he delights!" 9 Yet it was you who took me from the womb; you kept me safe on my mother's breast. 10 On you I was cast from my birth, and since my mother bore me you have been my God.
Jesus watched as the religious leaders of his day taunted him. So he turned to his father and asked for help.
. 11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. 12 Many bulls encircle me, strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 13 they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.
As the pain increased Jesus cried out:
14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 15 my mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.
Then Jesus noticed the Roman guards.
16 For dogs are all around me; a company of evildoers encircles me. My hands and feet have shriveled; 17 I can count all my bones. They stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.
Sensing that his end was near, Jesus cried out to God.
19 But you, O LORD, do not be far away! O my help, come quickly to my aid! 20 Deliver my soul from the sword, my life from the power of the dog! 21 Save me from the mouth of the lion! From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued me.
Then Jesus made a promised to God and his future church.
22 I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: 23 You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him; stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 24 For he did not despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted; he did not hide his face from me, but heard when I cried to him. 25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear him.
Then Jesus then made a prophecy about his church.
26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD. May your hearts live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him. 28 For dominion belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.
And finally as Jesus was dying, God revealed to him his next mission to bring salvation to those who had died.
29 To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for him.
And with his dying breath Jesus talked about us. This is what he said.
30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord, 31 and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that he has done it.
A Roman centurion was a witness to all of this. He saw the light of the world darken. He knew that the curtain separating us from God was torn in two. He listened as Jesus prayed his final prayer. And he watched as Jesus breathed his last. After witnessing all of this, this Roman centurion realized that what Jesus has said was true. Jesus is the Son of God. Amen.
Sermon – Mark 15:33-39 – Palm Sunday - The Son of God
Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church
April 5, 2009
Listen to this sermon.
We have arrived at Palm Sunday and Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and our Lenten series tracing the events in Jesus’ life during Holy Week, the time between Palm Sunday and Easter continues. We have been on a very exciting journey. We sat with Judas as he watched Jesus be anointed for death. We joined the disciples around a Passover meal. We prayed with Jesus in Gethsemane and were there as Jesus was arrested. Then we participated in trials before the Sanhedrin, a slave girl, and Pontius Pilate, and last Thursday at our Lenten Vesper Service we witnessed the crucifixion which according to Mark had more in common with a coronation of a king than an execution of a criminal. Today we will be with Jesus as he dies. This Thursday evening at 7PM we will accompany Joseph of Arimathea as he buries Jesus in a tomb. Then next Sunday we will see the exciting conclusion to the Gospel of Mark.
But now let us bow our heads and pray. Father in heaven, we have been following your son. As his death approaches help us as we grieve. Help us to understand the meaning of Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. And bless us with your saving grace and transformation as we listen to your word today. We pray this in the name of our crucified Lord. Amen.
Mark 15:33-39 33 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 35 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, "Listen, he is calling for Elijah." 36 And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down." 37 Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was God's Son
In Genesis chapter 1 the Bible begins with creation. This is what it says.
Genesis 1:1-3 NRS Genesis 1:1 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
At noon on the day of the crucifixion of Jesus the light that God had created on that first day was extinguished and the world was once again in darkness.
Chapter 2 of Genesis deals with the creation of women and men. This is what it says.
Genesis 2:7 7 then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.
At 3pm on the day of the crucifixion of Jesus the spirit of God left Jesus and he died returning to the dust of the world.
In Exodus God gave his people a commandment to place a curtain between them and his holy presence. This is what it says.
Exodus 26:31-33 31 You shall make a curtain of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen; it shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it. 32 You shall hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, which have hooks of gold and rest on four bases of silver. 33 You shall hang the curtain under the clasps, and bring the ark of the covenant in there, within the curtain; and the curtain shall separate for you the holy place from the most holy.
At the moment of Jesus’ death this curtain was torn in two thus removing all barriers that separate us from God.
As Jesus approached death he prayed a prayer which he probably memorized when we was growing up. This prayer was written by Jesus’ ancestor David, and is recorded for us in the 22nd Psalm. This is what Jesus prayed.
Psalm 22:1-31 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest.
Jesus in his agony prayed a lament letting his Father know the depths of his suffering. But then he remembered God, with whom he had existed from before the foundations of the world. This is what he said.
3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. 4 In you our ancestors trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. 5 To you they cried, and were saved; in you they trusted, and were not put to shame.
But Jesus was shaken from his prayer by those at the base of the cross mocking him. Jesus said,
6 But I am a worm, and not human; scorned by others, and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock at me; they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;
Then Jesus remembered the teachings of his youth that God is faithful and just. This is what he said:
8 "Commit your cause to the LORD; let him deliver-- let him rescue the one in whom he delights!" 9 Yet it was you who took me from the womb; you kept me safe on my mother's breast. 10 On you I was cast from my birth, and since my mother bore me you have been my God.
Jesus watched as the religious leaders of his day taunted him. So he turned to his father and asked for help.
. 11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. 12 Many bulls encircle me, strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 13 they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.
As the pain increased Jesus cried out:
14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 15 my mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.
Then Jesus noticed the Roman guards.
16 For dogs are all around me; a company of evildoers encircles me. My hands and feet have shriveled; 17 I can count all my bones. They stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.
Sensing that his end was near, Jesus cried out to God.
19 But you, O LORD, do not be far away! O my help, come quickly to my aid! 20 Deliver my soul from the sword, my life from the power of the dog! 21 Save me from the mouth of the lion! From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued me.
Then Jesus made a promised to God and his future church.
22 I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: 23 You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him; stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 24 For he did not despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted; he did not hide his face from me, but heard when I cried to him. 25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear him.
Then Jesus then made a prophecy about his church.
26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD. May your hearts live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him. 28 For dominion belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.
And finally as Jesus was dying, God revealed to him his next mission to bring salvation to those who had died.
29 To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for him.
And with his dying breath Jesus talked about us. This is what he said.
30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord, 31 and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that he has done it.
A Roman centurion was a witness to all of this. He saw the light of the world darken. He knew that the curtain separating us from God was torn in two. He listened as Jesus prayed his final prayer. And he watched as Jesus breathed his last. After witnessing all of this, this Roman centurion realized that what Jesus has said was true. Jesus is the Son of God. Amen.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Third Lenten Vesper – Mark 15:20-32 – Crucifixion
Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Third Lenten Vesper – Mark 15:20-32 – Crucifixion
Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church
April 2, 2009
Listen to this sermon.
Mark 15:20-32 20 After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. 21 They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. 22 Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take. 25 It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The inscription of the charge against him read, "The King of the Jews." 27 And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. 28 29 Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, "Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!" 31 In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe." Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.
Tonight we are continuing on our journey with Jesus to the cross and we are very close. Our scripture reading is about crucifixion. As Protestants we usually avoid talking about crucifixion. We like Palm Sunday with the palm branches and kids and a big procession. Then we usually skip to Easter with its big celebration. We pass through Holy Week without noticing what’s going on except for Maundy Thursday when we talk about the Lord’s Supper and Jesus telling us to love God and love our neighbors. Good Friday is something Roman Catholics do. And look at our cross; it’s empty because of our preference for resurrection rather than suffering. Again it is the Roman Catholics who put the suffering Christ on the cross. We would never allow something like that in our church.
But if we totally ignore the crucifixion then Easter loses its meaning. There is no reason to celebrate a resurrection unless a crucifixion preceded it. So tonight we are looking at crucifixion.
The Romans saw crucifixion as accomplishing two goals. First it humiliated anyone who dared to threaten imperial authority. And second it intimidated anyone who might be tempted to oppose the will of the Emperor. They crucified people on the main street just outside the gate of the city where it would have the maximum impact.
But as we read Mark we see a very different picture emerging. First, we see that Jesus is not bowed over carrying the heavy cross bar, an important part of humiliation. Rather Jesus is walking upright with someone else carrying it for him. It is almost as if Jesus is triumphantly walking to the Golgotha as a king rather than as a condemned. This view is confirmed when Jesus is offered wine mixed with myrrh. The Romans wanted to humiliate not torture so they offered this mixture to the condemned to ease the pain. But Jesus refused the wine because he had said the night before that he would not drink the fruit of the vine until he would do it in the kingdom of God. Obviously Jesus was not yet in the kingdom yet, but he was very close.
When Jesus was crucified he was exalted, lifted up the same way as a king is exalted sitting on a throne. And a king on the throne would have his principle advisers on his right and left. Remember that earlier in Mark we saw James and John competing over who would be on the right and on the left in the kingdom. Both of those have fled and are in hiding, but there are two bandits at the right and left of Jesus. And the king’s subjects are approaching the cross not with their petitions, but with taunts and demand for a miracle of Jesus jumping down from the cross. Even the inscription takes on a new meaning. The Romans were trying to use satire, but Jesus really is “The King of the Jews”.
What we see here is Mark’s keen sense of irony. He has described a crucifixion not as an execution but as a coronation.
There is one last thing that confuses me. Who are Alexander and Rufus? They are sons of Simon and come from North Africa, but they are not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament. You can be certain that the first readers of Mark knew who they were. They were probably early Christians. So Mark is inviting us to look at the crucifixion in terms of the church.
In the church, Christ is our exalted head. At his right and left are his minister and elders, bandit and thieves. The congregation doesn’t really believe and demands a sign. The early church was made up of sinners. And so is ours. We are all sinners and have no right to approach the throne of grace. But the good news is that we can approach Christ because our sins have been forgiven, our relationship with God has been reconciled, and we now enjoy new life in Christ. All of this is because of the grace of Jesus Christ was crucified for us and now reigns in heaven at the right hand of God. Amen.
Third Lenten Vesper – Mark 15:20-32 – Crucifixion
Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church
April 2, 2009
Listen to this sermon.
Mark 15:20-32 20 After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. 21 They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. 22 Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take. 25 It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The inscription of the charge against him read, "The King of the Jews." 27 And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. 28 29 Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, "Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!" 31 In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe." Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.
Tonight we are continuing on our journey with Jesus to the cross and we are very close. Our scripture reading is about crucifixion. As Protestants we usually avoid talking about crucifixion. We like Palm Sunday with the palm branches and kids and a big procession. Then we usually skip to Easter with its big celebration. We pass through Holy Week without noticing what’s going on except for Maundy Thursday when we talk about the Lord’s Supper and Jesus telling us to love God and love our neighbors. Good Friday is something Roman Catholics do. And look at our cross; it’s empty because of our preference for resurrection rather than suffering. Again it is the Roman Catholics who put the suffering Christ on the cross. We would never allow something like that in our church.
But if we totally ignore the crucifixion then Easter loses its meaning. There is no reason to celebrate a resurrection unless a crucifixion preceded it. So tonight we are looking at crucifixion.
The Romans saw crucifixion as accomplishing two goals. First it humiliated anyone who dared to threaten imperial authority. And second it intimidated anyone who might be tempted to oppose the will of the Emperor. They crucified people on the main street just outside the gate of the city where it would have the maximum impact.
But as we read Mark we see a very different picture emerging. First, we see that Jesus is not bowed over carrying the heavy cross bar, an important part of humiliation. Rather Jesus is walking upright with someone else carrying it for him. It is almost as if Jesus is triumphantly walking to the Golgotha as a king rather than as a condemned. This view is confirmed when Jesus is offered wine mixed with myrrh. The Romans wanted to humiliate not torture so they offered this mixture to the condemned to ease the pain. But Jesus refused the wine because he had said the night before that he would not drink the fruit of the vine until he would do it in the kingdom of God. Obviously Jesus was not yet in the kingdom yet, but he was very close.
When Jesus was crucified he was exalted, lifted up the same way as a king is exalted sitting on a throne. And a king on the throne would have his principle advisers on his right and left. Remember that earlier in Mark we saw James and John competing over who would be on the right and on the left in the kingdom. Both of those have fled and are in hiding, but there are two bandits at the right and left of Jesus. And the king’s subjects are approaching the cross not with their petitions, but with taunts and demand for a miracle of Jesus jumping down from the cross. Even the inscription takes on a new meaning. The Romans were trying to use satire, but Jesus really is “The King of the Jews”.
What we see here is Mark’s keen sense of irony. He has described a crucifixion not as an execution but as a coronation.
There is one last thing that confuses me. Who are Alexander and Rufus? They are sons of Simon and come from North Africa, but they are not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament. You can be certain that the first readers of Mark knew who they were. They were probably early Christians. So Mark is inviting us to look at the crucifixion in terms of the church.
In the church, Christ is our exalted head. At his right and left are his minister and elders, bandit and thieves. The congregation doesn’t really believe and demands a sign. The early church was made up of sinners. And so is ours. We are all sinners and have no right to approach the throne of grace. But the good news is that we can approach Christ because our sins have been forgiven, our relationship with God has been reconciled, and we now enjoy new life in Christ. All of this is because of the grace of Jesus Christ was crucified for us and now reigns in heaven at the right hand of God. Amen.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
April Vision
Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Vision Article
Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church
April 2009
From the Pastor’s Desk
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you." So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 16)
Recently I have been teaching children at our 3PM service. I am always amazed at their energy and excitement. They have a keen sense of wonder. For the rest of us wonder has long ago disappeared. It has been replaced by competence, hard work and education. As we grow older fewer things surprise and amaze us.
Even Easter has lost its ability to amaze us. We cannot approach it in wonder because we have been here so many times before. Easter is on our calendars. It is a time to dress up and get together with families. The old Bible stories have been told over and over. The Pastor never seems to find anything new to say. Contrast this with the first Easter when a group of women found what they least expected, an empty tomb! Mark tells us they were frightened, alarmed, seized by terror and amazed.
So this year let us try to recapture some of the sense wonder at Easter. Here are some ideas on how to do this. First, keep the Sabbath holy, just as the women did at the first Easter day. They had come to the tomb after a day of rest and prayer. Prayer prepares us to receive the gift of wonder. Second, look for God in everything you do. God is there in your family and friends and the people you work with. If you look for God in the ordinary things of life God will amaze you. And finally, always be receptive to what God is doing in your life. You are being blessed by God every moment, and if you recognize this, you will be in a constant state of wonder. And childlike wonder is my Easter wish for you.
Pastor Jeff
Vision Article
Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church
April 2009
From the Pastor’s Desk
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you." So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 16)
Recently I have been teaching children at our 3PM service. I am always amazed at their energy and excitement. They have a keen sense of wonder. For the rest of us wonder has long ago disappeared. It has been replaced by competence, hard work and education. As we grow older fewer things surprise and amaze us.
Even Easter has lost its ability to amaze us. We cannot approach it in wonder because we have been here so many times before. Easter is on our calendars. It is a time to dress up and get together with families. The old Bible stories have been told over and over. The Pastor never seems to find anything new to say. Contrast this with the first Easter when a group of women found what they least expected, an empty tomb! Mark tells us they were frightened, alarmed, seized by terror and amazed.
So this year let us try to recapture some of the sense wonder at Easter. Here are some ideas on how to do this. First, keep the Sabbath holy, just as the women did at the first Easter day. They had come to the tomb after a day of rest and prayer. Prayer prepares us to receive the gift of wonder. Second, look for God in everything you do. God is there in your family and friends and the people you work with. If you look for God in the ordinary things of life God will amaze you. And finally, always be receptive to what God is doing in your life. You are being blessed by God every moment, and if you recognize this, you will be in a constant state of wonder. And childlike wonder is my Easter wish for you.
Pastor Jeff
Sermon – Mark 15:1-29 – King of the Jews
Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Sermon – Mark 15:1-29 – King of the Jews
Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church
March 29, 2009
Listen to this sermon.
We are now at the fifth Sunday of Lent and we have been on quite a journey. Its been a month since we sat with Judas and the other disciples with Jesus as his body was anointed for death. Three weeks ago we gathered with the disciples and Jesus around the Passover table in an upper room somewhere in Jerusalem. Then two weeks ago we prayed with Jesus on the Mount of Olives in the Garden of Gethsemane, and we were there as Jesus was arrested. Last week we accompanied Jesus as he was taken into the palace of the High Priest for interrogation, and watched as a slave girl interrogated Peter. The context for all of this, for all of the New Testament for that matter, is the Roman occupation of Judea and Galilee. This context is today our text.
But before we get to the text please pray with me. Holy Spirit, open our eyes and our hearts to hear from God this day. Make us receptive to whatever God wants to communicate to us in today’s scripture and this sermon. Bless me with the gift of preaching. And bless this congregation with the gift of hearing and understanding. Amen.
Mark 15:1-20 As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate.
2 Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" He answered him, "You say so." 3
Then the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 Pilate asked him again, "Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you." 5 But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.
6 Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. 7 Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. 8 So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. 9 Then he answered them, "Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" 10 For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. 12 Pilate spoke to them again, "Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?" 13 They shouted back, "Crucify him!" 14 Pilate asked them, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Crucify him!" 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
16 Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor's headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. 17 And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. 18 And they began saluting him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 19 They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. 20 After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
Each Sunday after the sermon we recite one of the ancient creeds. The Apostles Creed teaches us that Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate.” It refers to the scripture that I just read. But who was this Pontius Pilate whom we talk about each Sunday?
We know that Pilate was an upper middle-class Roman with political ambition. In 26AD he was appointed by the Emperor Tiberius as the fifth praefectus of Judea. Later he became the procurator and had full control over the province. His army contained 120 cavalry and over 3000 infantry organized into 4 or 5 cohorts. As procurator, Pilate had control over life and death. The Sanhedrin could only sentence someone to death with his approval. Pilate appointed the High Priest and the priestly vestments were in his control and only released at important festivals which he attended. Pilate ruled from Caesarea where his army was stationed. A garrison was also stationed at the fortress Antonia near Jerusalem.
There were many complaints against Pilate. The first century historian Josephus tells us that the relationship between Pilate and the Jews was hostile. When Pilate first arrived in Judea he order banners with the portrait of Emperor Tiberius to be hung in Jerusalem. This infuriated the Jews who viewed this as a violation of the second commandment prohibiting idolatry. After six days of violence Pilate removed the banners from the holy city and hung them in Caesarea.
The first century Jewish writer, Philo, tells us that Pilate has five gold shields made in honor of Emperor Tiberius and placed them in his home. This too caused problems and Pilate moved the shields to a pagan temple in Caesarea. The biggest complaint against Pilate was that he was stealing money from the Temple treasury. He was using the money from the temple to build an aqueduct to provide water for the city. A crowd of ten thousand demonstrated against Pilate for this outrage at one of the festivals and Pilate sent troops into the city in disguise and slaughtered many of the protestors. This angered Herod, the king of Galilee, because many of the victims were his people.
Pilate finally got into trouble with Rome when he slaughtered a large group of Samaritan pilgrims coming to Mt. Gerizim. A group of Samaritans went to Vitellius, the Governor of Syria, to complain about Pilate’s actions. Vitellius ordered Pilate to Rome in 37AD and tradition tells us he committed suicide.
A coin minted by Pilate for use in Judea can be seen in the British Museum. It is made of copper and has the emperor’s religious insignia, the liutus or augur’s staff and the pagan libation bowl.
By all accounts Pilate was stubborn, harsh, rigid, spiteful and wrathful. His primary concern was to please his Roman superiors and this meant he needed to keep the lid on unrest by his Jewish subjects. (D.H. Wheaton, New Bible Dictionary 1996, pp. 929-30) And this is the guy to whom the Sanhedrin brought Jesus.
When Jesus was brought before Pilate the main question was whether or not Jesus was the “King of the Jews” and therefore a usurper of the Emperor’s authority. This question was far different from what the Sanhedrin had asked Jesus, if he was the messiah and the Son of God. Jesus had answered the Sanhedrin’s questions positively, but gave no replay to Pilate’s questions. In fact this question was never answered because all Pilate wanted was to satisfy the crowd, and if they wanted Jesus dead so be it.
The Apostle Peter was a witness to all of this and this is what he later said:
Acts 3:13-19 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14 But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. … 17 "And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out,
As Peter makes very clear the sentence of death that was given to Jesus was not the fault of the Jewish authorities who whipped up the crowd. The death of Jesus was not fault of the crowd who called for his crucifixion. The death of Jesus was not the fault of the soldiers who mocked him. The death of Jesus was not even the fault of Pilate, under whose authority Jesus was executed. No, all of these people acted in complete ignorance that Jesus had come toearth to suffer for our sake, so that our sins might be forgiven, so that we might be reconciled to God, and that we might receive new life. All of this was made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross where all of our debts were paid in full and our sins washed away. Jesus was sentenced to death by God whose plan was to restore the relationship between God and us as God wants.
The saving grace that comes to us through the death of Jesus Christ is greater than the sin of being a Roman tyrant. The saving grace that comes to us through the crucifixion is greater than the sin of not recognizing Jesus as the messiah. The saving grace of Christ’s sacrifice is greater than the sin of the crowd who demand his death. And the saving grace of Jesus is greater even than the sin of Pilate who put political expediency over everything else. So if the saving grace of Jesus Christ is greater than all of this it must be greater than any of our sins. And this is really good news for us because it means that whatever sin we have done in our lives that sin will not survive our journey with Jesus to the cross.
I started this morning with the words from the Apostles Creed that Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate.” The Nicene Creed which we usually say on Communion Sundays says this a little differently. It says that Jesus was “crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.” What Pilate did, unintentionally, was a gift for us. God used Pilate to give us the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ, keep up our spirits as we walk with you to the cross. We suffer when you are mocked and beaten. Help us to keep our focus on the cross which is for us a symbol of the saving grace that God gives us through your death. Bless all of us with that grace and help us to experience forgiveness for our sin, reconciliation with God and newness of life in you. Amen.
Sermon – Mark 15:1-29 – King of the Jews
Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church
March 29, 2009
Listen to this sermon.
We are now at the fifth Sunday of Lent and we have been on quite a journey. Its been a month since we sat with Judas and the other disciples with Jesus as his body was anointed for death. Three weeks ago we gathered with the disciples and Jesus around the Passover table in an upper room somewhere in Jerusalem. Then two weeks ago we prayed with Jesus on the Mount of Olives in the Garden of Gethsemane, and we were there as Jesus was arrested. Last week we accompanied Jesus as he was taken into the palace of the High Priest for interrogation, and watched as a slave girl interrogated Peter. The context for all of this, for all of the New Testament for that matter, is the Roman occupation of Judea and Galilee. This context is today our text.
But before we get to the text please pray with me. Holy Spirit, open our eyes and our hearts to hear from God this day. Make us receptive to whatever God wants to communicate to us in today’s scripture and this sermon. Bless me with the gift of preaching. And bless this congregation with the gift of hearing and understanding. Amen.
Mark 15:1-20 As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate.
2 Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" He answered him, "You say so." 3
Then the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 Pilate asked him again, "Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you." 5 But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.
6 Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. 7 Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. 8 So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. 9 Then he answered them, "Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" 10 For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. 12 Pilate spoke to them again, "Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?" 13 They shouted back, "Crucify him!" 14 Pilate asked them, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Crucify him!" 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
16 Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor's headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. 17 And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. 18 And they began saluting him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 19 They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. 20 After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
Each Sunday after the sermon we recite one of the ancient creeds. The Apostles Creed teaches us that Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate.” It refers to the scripture that I just read. But who was this Pontius Pilate whom we talk about each Sunday?
We know that Pilate was an upper middle-class Roman with political ambition. In 26AD he was appointed by the Emperor Tiberius as the fifth praefectus of Judea. Later he became the procurator and had full control over the province. His army contained 120 cavalry and over 3000 infantry organized into 4 or 5 cohorts. As procurator, Pilate had control over life and death. The Sanhedrin could only sentence someone to death with his approval. Pilate appointed the High Priest and the priestly vestments were in his control and only released at important festivals which he attended. Pilate ruled from Caesarea where his army was stationed. A garrison was also stationed at the fortress Antonia near Jerusalem.
There were many complaints against Pilate. The first century historian Josephus tells us that the relationship between Pilate and the Jews was hostile. When Pilate first arrived in Judea he order banners with the portrait of Emperor Tiberius to be hung in Jerusalem. This infuriated the Jews who viewed this as a violation of the second commandment prohibiting idolatry. After six days of violence Pilate removed the banners from the holy city and hung them in Caesarea.
The first century Jewish writer, Philo, tells us that Pilate has five gold shields made in honor of Emperor Tiberius and placed them in his home. This too caused problems and Pilate moved the shields to a pagan temple in Caesarea. The biggest complaint against Pilate was that he was stealing money from the Temple treasury. He was using the money from the temple to build an aqueduct to provide water for the city. A crowd of ten thousand demonstrated against Pilate for this outrage at one of the festivals and Pilate sent troops into the city in disguise and slaughtered many of the protestors. This angered Herod, the king of Galilee, because many of the victims were his people.
Pilate finally got into trouble with Rome when he slaughtered a large group of Samaritan pilgrims coming to Mt. Gerizim. A group of Samaritans went to Vitellius, the Governor of Syria, to complain about Pilate’s actions. Vitellius ordered Pilate to Rome in 37AD and tradition tells us he committed suicide.
A coin minted by Pilate for use in Judea can be seen in the British Museum. It is made of copper and has the emperor’s religious insignia, the liutus or augur’s staff and the pagan libation bowl.
By all accounts Pilate was stubborn, harsh, rigid, spiteful and wrathful. His primary concern was to please his Roman superiors and this meant he needed to keep the lid on unrest by his Jewish subjects. (D.H. Wheaton, New Bible Dictionary 1996, pp. 929-30) And this is the guy to whom the Sanhedrin brought Jesus.
When Jesus was brought before Pilate the main question was whether or not Jesus was the “King of the Jews” and therefore a usurper of the Emperor’s authority. This question was far different from what the Sanhedrin had asked Jesus, if he was the messiah and the Son of God. Jesus had answered the Sanhedrin’s questions positively, but gave no replay to Pilate’s questions. In fact this question was never answered because all Pilate wanted was to satisfy the crowd, and if they wanted Jesus dead so be it.
The Apostle Peter was a witness to all of this and this is what he later said:
Acts 3:13-19 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14 But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. … 17 "And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out,
As Peter makes very clear the sentence of death that was given to Jesus was not the fault of the Jewish authorities who whipped up the crowd. The death of Jesus was not fault of the crowd who called for his crucifixion. The death of Jesus was not the fault of the soldiers who mocked him. The death of Jesus was not even the fault of Pilate, under whose authority Jesus was executed. No, all of these people acted in complete ignorance that Jesus had come toearth to suffer for our sake, so that our sins might be forgiven, so that we might be reconciled to God, and that we might receive new life. All of this was made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross where all of our debts were paid in full and our sins washed away. Jesus was sentenced to death by God whose plan was to restore the relationship between God and us as God wants.
The saving grace that comes to us through the death of Jesus Christ is greater than the sin of being a Roman tyrant. The saving grace that comes to us through the crucifixion is greater than the sin of not recognizing Jesus as the messiah. The saving grace of Christ’s sacrifice is greater than the sin of the crowd who demand his death. And the saving grace of Jesus is greater even than the sin of Pilate who put political expediency over everything else. So if the saving grace of Jesus Christ is greater than all of this it must be greater than any of our sins. And this is really good news for us because it means that whatever sin we have done in our lives that sin will not survive our journey with Jesus to the cross.
I started this morning with the words from the Apostles Creed that Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate.” The Nicene Creed which we usually say on Communion Sundays says this a little differently. It says that Jesus was “crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.” What Pilate did, unintentionally, was a gift for us. God used Pilate to give us the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ, keep up our spirits as we walk with you to the cross. We suffer when you are mocked and beaten. Help us to keep our focus on the cross which is for us a symbol of the saving grace that God gives us through your death. Bless all of us with that grace and help us to experience forgiveness for our sin, reconciliation with God and newness of life in you. Amen.
Lenten Vesper Homily – Mark 14:66-72 – You are a Galilean
Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Lenten Vesper Homily – Mark 14:66-72 – You are a Galilean
Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church
March 26, 2009
Listen to this sermon.
Mark 14:66-72 66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, "You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth." 68 But he denied it, saying, "I do not know or understand what you are talking about." And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. 69 And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, "This man is one of them." 70 But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, "Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean." 71 But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, "I do not know this man you are talking about." 72 At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times." And he broke down and wept.
Tonight we have come for our second Lenten Vesper. We are still following Jesus as he makes his way to the cross. We have been privileged to be with Jesus in Bethany when his body was anointed. We joined with Jesus and his disciples around a Passover table. We prayed with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, and watched as Jesus was arrested. Then we accompanied Jesus into the palace of the High Priest for trial. And tonight we will go back outside into the courtyard where Peter is waiting. But first please pray with me.
Father in Heaven, we are accompanying your son on his final journey on earth. Help us to understand what is happening and what this means in our lives as disciples of your son. We pray this in the name of the one we are following. Amen.
Inside the Palace of the High Priest a trial is going on. The most powerful people in Judah are interrogating Jesus to find out who he is. Outside in the courtyard a similar interrogation is occurring, but the questioner is not powerful at all. This questioner is the most powerless person imaginable, a slave girl.
This slave girl really wants to know about Jesus. She has heard about his miracles, his healings, his exorcisms, and of course his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. She has heard the rumors that Jesus may be the messiah they had been waiting for, for so long. Maybe she had seen Jesus and his followers as they went about Jerusalem. And she thought that she recognized one of his followers who was warming himself by the fire in the courtyard of the High Priest.
Since she really, wanted to know about Jesus she went up to this man and asked him if he was one of those with Jesus. Peter responded with an emphatic “no”, said he knew nothing about Jesus, and walked away.
The slave girl really, really wanted to know about Jesus and she saw some friends near the Galilean. So she went over to talk with the friends said loud enough for Peter to hear that he must be one of Jesus’ followers. But Peter denied that he was part of the group.
Some of her friends decided to try one more time to get this man to talk about Jesus. But Peter told them that he did not know who Jesus was, and then wept bitterly.
Why did Peter tell these lies and then start to cry?
Certainly Peter lied. He had followed Jesus since his early Galilean ministry and had personally observed the miracles. Peter was not only a member of the group following Jesus; he was part of the elite 12 and in fact was the leader of that group. And Peter had developed a personal relationship with Jesus by spending time with him and talking with him. These are all good things to do. So why did he lie about them and start to cry?
I believe that Peter had finally come face to face with his own sin and found that he was powerless to do anything about it. And so in despair he fell down weeping. You see, Peter had done everything right, but was missing one thing. He knew about Jesus, he was part of a group following Jesus, and he had developed a personal relationship with Jesus, but he was missing one thing: grace that leads to forgiveness of sin, reconciliation with God, and new life in Christ. Remember that Peter was on this side of the cross. Jesus’ sacrifice for us had not yet occurred. So all that was left for Peter was despair.
I constantly tell you that it is necessary that you learn all you can about Jesus through listening to sermons, attending Bible studies, and reading your Bible every day. And I tell you that it is important that you join the church, attend small group Bible studies, and get into accountability groups. And of course you must develop a personal relationship with Jesus through prayer and worship. All of these things are good. But they are not enough. You must also, on this side of the cross, experience the grace of Jesus Christ that leads to the forgiveness of sin, your reconciliation with God, and your new life. This is the good news of Lent that we are on a journey the Jesus to the cross where in his sacrifice we experience the grace of God. Amen.
Lenten Vesper Homily – Mark 14:66-72 – You are a Galilean
Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church
March 26, 2009
Listen to this sermon.
Mark 14:66-72 66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, "You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth." 68 But he denied it, saying, "I do not know or understand what you are talking about." And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. 69 And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, "This man is one of them." 70 But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, "Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean." 71 But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, "I do not know this man you are talking about." 72 At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times." And he broke down and wept.
Tonight we have come for our second Lenten Vesper. We are still following Jesus as he makes his way to the cross. We have been privileged to be with Jesus in Bethany when his body was anointed. We joined with Jesus and his disciples around a Passover table. We prayed with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, and watched as Jesus was arrested. Then we accompanied Jesus into the palace of the High Priest for trial. And tonight we will go back outside into the courtyard where Peter is waiting. But first please pray with me.
Father in Heaven, we are accompanying your son on his final journey on earth. Help us to understand what is happening and what this means in our lives as disciples of your son. We pray this in the name of the one we are following. Amen.
Inside the Palace of the High Priest a trial is going on. The most powerful people in Judah are interrogating Jesus to find out who he is. Outside in the courtyard a similar interrogation is occurring, but the questioner is not powerful at all. This questioner is the most powerless person imaginable, a slave girl.
This slave girl really wants to know about Jesus. She has heard about his miracles, his healings, his exorcisms, and of course his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. She has heard the rumors that Jesus may be the messiah they had been waiting for, for so long. Maybe she had seen Jesus and his followers as they went about Jerusalem. And she thought that she recognized one of his followers who was warming himself by the fire in the courtyard of the High Priest.
Since she really, wanted to know about Jesus she went up to this man and asked him if he was one of those with Jesus. Peter responded with an emphatic “no”, said he knew nothing about Jesus, and walked away.
The slave girl really, really wanted to know about Jesus and she saw some friends near the Galilean. So she went over to talk with the friends said loud enough for Peter to hear that he must be one of Jesus’ followers. But Peter denied that he was part of the group.
Some of her friends decided to try one more time to get this man to talk about Jesus. But Peter told them that he did not know who Jesus was, and then wept bitterly.
Why did Peter tell these lies and then start to cry?
Certainly Peter lied. He had followed Jesus since his early Galilean ministry and had personally observed the miracles. Peter was not only a member of the group following Jesus; he was part of the elite 12 and in fact was the leader of that group. And Peter had developed a personal relationship with Jesus by spending time with him and talking with him. These are all good things to do. So why did he lie about them and start to cry?
I believe that Peter had finally come face to face with his own sin and found that he was powerless to do anything about it. And so in despair he fell down weeping. You see, Peter had done everything right, but was missing one thing. He knew about Jesus, he was part of a group following Jesus, and he had developed a personal relationship with Jesus, but he was missing one thing: grace that leads to forgiveness of sin, reconciliation with God, and new life in Christ. Remember that Peter was on this side of the cross. Jesus’ sacrifice for us had not yet occurred. So all that was left for Peter was despair.
I constantly tell you that it is necessary that you learn all you can about Jesus through listening to sermons, attending Bible studies, and reading your Bible every day. And I tell you that it is important that you join the church, attend small group Bible studies, and get into accountability groups. And of course you must develop a personal relationship with Jesus through prayer and worship. All of these things are good. But they are not enough. You must also, on this side of the cross, experience the grace of Jesus Christ that leads to the forgiveness of sin, your reconciliation with God, and your new life. This is the good news of Lent that we are on a journey the Jesus to the cross where in his sacrifice we experience the grace of God. Amen.
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