Grace and Peace Episode 28

Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Grace and Peace Episode 28
Presbyterian Church of Easton
March 28, 2021

Watch Episode 28

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2

Heidelberg Catechism

55Q. What do you understand by“the communion of saints”?

A. First, that believers one and all, as members of this community, share in Christ and in all his treasures and gifts. Second, that each member should consider it a duty to use these gifts readily and joyfully for the service and enrichment of the other members.

Romans 12:5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

According to the Apostle’s Creed, the church is the “communion of saints”. In the original Greek and Latin of the Apostles' Creed the word we translate as “holy” and the word we translate as “saints” is the same word. So these phrases in the creed could be translated as either “communion of the holy ones” or the “communion of holy things”.   We are the holy ones. But what about the holy things?

When the Holy Spirit is present whatever it touches becomes holy. For example, the bread and juice on the communion table are very ordinary things, but if the Holy Spirit is present they become holy. Our building would be a very nice assembly hall and community center, but if the Holy Spirit is present it becomes a sacred place. The sermons I preach are just words, but if the Holy Spirit is present they become the Word of God. Congregational singing is just noise, but if the Holy Spirit is present it becomes a joyful noise to the Lord. 

The Holy Spirit also provides the church with holy people. We know this because people in the church are gifted by the Holy Spirit. We have been blessed by gifts to the Apostles' who have passed their gifts to us in scripture. We have been blessed by gifts to the prophets who can see the world from God's perspective.  We have been blessed by gifts to the teachers who can explain God's word to us in ways we can understand. We have been blessed by the gifts of miracle workers and healers that have sustained the church for 2000 years. We have been blessed by church administrators who keep all of this running. We have been blessed by people who help others. This is what it means to be a church of holy people.  Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for assembling so many holy people into your holy church.   Bless us with your Spirit so that everything we do and everything we say and everything we think is holy.   And we acknowledge that your name is the holiest of all.  Amen.

Sermon Mark 15:33-39 “The Son of God”

 Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Presbyterian Church of Easton
Sermon Mark 15:33-39 “The Son of God”
Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021

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I am continuing, today,  with our Lenten series tracing the events of Jesus’ life through Holy Week.   On the church calendar, Holy Week begins today and continues through Easter.  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 which turned out to be Jesus’ last supper.  We prayed with Jesus in Gethsemane and were there as Jesus was arrested.  Then we participated in trials before the Sanhedrin and Pontius Pilate.   Today we will be with Jesus as he dies.  This Thursday evening at 7 PM 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.

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 political impact.  But as we read Mark we see a very different picture emerging.  Jesus seems to be attending his own coronation as a King rather than a crucifixion.

Mark 15:21 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.

First, see that Jesus is not bowed over carrying the heavy crossbar, an important part of Roman humiliation.  Rather Jesus is walking upright with someone else carrying it for him.  It is almost as if Jesus is triumphantly walking to Golgotha as a king rather than as the condemned.  

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.  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.

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 principal advisors on his right and left.  Notice that 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 for us, not a crucifixion but as a coronation for a king.  But, of course, this is an execution.   Here is what happened.

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, Jesus, the light of the world, 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 3 pm on the day of the crucifixion, the spirit of God left Jesus’ body 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 most 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 he was growing up.  This prayer was written by Jesus’ ancestor David. Jesus began singing the 22nd Psalm.  Listen to what happened as Jesus was singing Psalm 22.

Psalm 22:1 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 creation of the world.  This is what he sang.

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 sang,

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 promise to God.

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 already 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 sang Psalm 22.  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. Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, we are walking with you to the cross.   This is a difficult journey for us because we love you so much.   We ask that you send your spirit to comfort us as we grieve.   And we ask that you prepare us for what happens next Sunday.   All this we pray in your glorious name.   Amen.  

Grace and Peace Episode 27

 Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Grace and Peace Episode 27
Presbyterian Church of Easton
March 21, 2021

Watch Episode 27

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2

Heidelberg Catechism

54Q. What do you believe concerning “the holy catholic church”? 
A. I believe that the Son of God through his Spirit and Word, out of the entire human race, from the beginning of the world to its end, gathers, protects, and preserves for himself, a community chosen for eternal life and united in true faith. And of this community I am and always will be a living member.

Colossians  1:15-19 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him, all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him.

In ancient times the holiest place on earth was thought to be the Holy of Holies in the Jerusalem
temple. Here God was thought to live and since God is holy the temple he lives in must also be holy. As pilgrims came to the temple they would take a series of ceremonial baths, cleansing sin from their bodies, so that when they arrived at the temple they too would be holy. In the same way, the Holy Spirit resides with us in the church making the church holy. And as we come to church we become more and more holy. As we pray every day, as we study scripture, as we worship the Holy Spirit will transform us. Through this transformation, our desire for sin decreases and we find ourselves more and more morally pure. Moral perfection is only achieved after a lifetime of transformation. In other words, the church is holy because it is a hospital for sinners, where the Holy Spirit heals our sin-stained souls and restores within us the image of God. The church is holy because the Holy Spirit is present, making us increasingly holy.

The church is also catholic. There is a lot of confusion about this. The word catholic may refer to particular churches in communion with the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. These churches are called Roman Catholic churches, Catholic with a capital C. But the creed is not talking about a particular denomination. The word catholic means “universal”. And so it refers to all churches of all places and of all times. This would include every church that professes the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  So our church is holy, because of the presence of the Holy Spirit, and we are part of the catholic or universal church which professes the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  Let’s pray.

Heaven Father, we thank you for forming and sustaining this church.   Fill our church with your Spirit.  Give us the gift of faith in the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Sermon – Mark 15:1-29 – “King of the Jews”

Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Presbyterian Church of Easton
Sermon – Mark 15:1-29 – “King of the Jews”
March 21, 2021

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We are now at the fifth Sunday of Lent and we have been on quite a journey.  It's 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. Today we will accompany Jesus to court for his trial.  But before we get to this 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 in this sermon.  Bless me with the gift of preaching.  And bless this congregation with the gift of hearing and understanding.  Amen.

After Jesus was arrested he was brought to Jerusalem where he was tried by the Jewish High Council, the Sanhedrin.   In this trial, the High Priest was most interested, not the actions of Jesus, what he might have done, but the identity of Jesus, who he claimed to be.    This was the subject of rumor throughout Jerusalem.  These rumors had caused great anxiety among the Jewish leaders.  Some people were saying that Jesus was the anointed one, the messiah, the Christ that Jewish people had been waiting for.  Since Jesus was a descendant of David,  he might remove the yoke of Roman occupation and restore the theocratic nation that David had formed and ruled.  Jesus might become the King of the Jews.  

Jesus had avoided acknowledging this identity knowing that it would cause trouble for him with the Jewish authorities.   But when asked by the High Priest if he was the Messiah, Jesus replied truthfully that he was.

Mark 14:61 Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 Jesus said, “I am; and  ‘you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power,’ and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven.’”

Jesus was not content simply to testify to his identity.  Jesus wanted the High Priest and us to understand exactly who he thought he was.  Jesus believed that he was the Son of Man.  This title, Son of Man, came from a vision of  the prophet Daniel.  Daniel saw God sitting on the throne in heaven.  There Daniel saw a human being whom God had given dominion, glory, and kingship over all the people and nations on earth, forever.  This human being was the Son of Man.  This is who Jesus was claiming to be.

Jesus’ testimony was enough for the Sanhedrin.  They knew that in Daniel’s vision the Son of Man would ultimately prevail.    They feared that this Son of Man would incite the Romans to use force and possibly destroy the temple and the city.  So they decided to sentence Jesus to death rather than risk a conflict between the Son of Man and Rome.  Then they brought Jesus to Pilate and this happened.

Mark 15:1 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.

Pontius Pilate was an upper-middle-class Roman with political ambition.  In 26AD he was appointed by 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.  Pilate was essentially the King of the Jews.

The ruling Jewish council, the Sanhedrin, could only sentence someone to death with Pilate’s approval.  Pilate was in control  He appointed the High Priest. The vestments worn by the High Priest were in his control and were 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 ordered 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 was 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.  They wanted to know if he was the messiah.  Jesus had answered the Sanhedrin’s questions positively but he gave no reply to Pilate’s questions.  Jesus didn’t claim to be King of the Jews.  In fact, this question was never answered because all Pilate really 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 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. 16 And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.

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 the 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 to earth 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 eternal 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.

This saving grace comes to us through the death of Jesus Christ.  Grace 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.  So whatever guilt you are carrying with you today, whatever shame you hold onto, confess it to Jesus and receive from him full forgiveness and restoration and eternal life.       

What Pilate did, unintentionally, was a gift for us.  God used Pilate to give us the saving grace of Jesus Christ.  Let’s pray.

Jesus Christ, keep up our spirits as we walk with you to the cross.  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.  

Grace and Peace Episode 26

Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Grace and Peace Episode 26
Presbyterian Church of Easton
March 7, 2021

Watch Episode 26

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2

Heidelberg Catechism
53Q.  What do you believe concerning “the Holy Spirit”?
A. First, that the Spirit, with the Father and the Son, is eternal God.  Second, that the Spirit is given also to me, so that, through true faith, he makes me share in Christ and all his benefits, comforts me, and will remain with me forever.

“I believe in the Holy Ghost” begins the third part of the Apostles' Creed. By saying it we affirm that we believe, trust our lives totally, without reservation, to God the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit is holy, meaning it is of God. And it is God's spiritual presence with us today. 

The Holy Spirit was with Jesus throughout his ministry. It was present as a dove in Jesus'baptism, and it led Jesus during his forty days in the desert. Jesus told us that after his ascension he would send the Holy Spirit to us to stand with us until his return. And so the Holy Spirit is with us here and now comforting us, strengthening us, and causing us to grow in faith and as obedient disciples. It is through the Holy Spirit that we experience God's love and forgiveness. The Holy Spirit empowers us to understand the scripture we read. The Holy Spirit brings us redemption from our sins and modifies our hearts to make us more like Christ.

After his resurrection, the disciples of Jesus obediently waited. As Jesus promised the Holy Spirit came upon them. They were clothed with power, and all selfishness and bigotry disappeared.  One who had denied Christ the night of his arrest was emboldened by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the good news of his resurrection from the dead. The Holy Spirit ensured that the words Peter spoke that day were understood even by those who could not understand the language he was using. People who fled when Jesus was arrested were later empowered by the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel of salvation even in the face of official persecution.

The Holy Spirit is also with us whenever we feel alone or overwhelmed. When we are in a hospital bed or a nursing home the Holy Spirit is there to comfort us, heal us, strengthen us, and guide us to our eternal home in Jesus Christ. When we have lost our job or a relationship has come to an end the Holy Spirit is with us, feeding us with hope in Jesus Christ. When attendance in church is dwindling and budgets getting tighter, the Holy Spirit is there to initiate renewal.  The Holy Spirit comes to free us from whatever it is that binds us and keeps us from God.  Let’s pray.

Holy Spirit, I ask that you come to the congregation and bless them with your presence.
Remind them that you are with them and they are never alone.   Heal their diseases.   Strengthen their bodies.   Protect them from the virus.   And shelter them from sin.   I ask also ask that you empower the church to proclaim the gospel in word and deed and to do what is necessary to grow our church.   Amen.  

Grace and Peace Episode 25

Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Grace and Peace Episode 25
Presbyterian Church of Easton
March 2, 2021

Watch Epsiode 25

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2

Heidelberg Catechism

50Q.  Why the next words: “and is seated at the right hand of God”? 
A. Because Christ ascended to heaven to show there that he is head of his church, the one through whom the Father rules all things.

51Q.  How does this glory of Christ our head benefit us?
A. First, through his Holy Spirit he pours out gifts from heaven upon us his members.  Second, by his power, he defends us and keeps us safe from all enemies.

52Q.  How does Christ’s return “to judge the living and the dead” comfort you? 
A. In all distress and persecution, with uplifted head, I confidently await the very judge who has already offered himself to the judgment of God in my place and removed the whole curse from me.  Christ will cast all his enemies and mine into everlasting condemnation but will take me and all his chosen ones to himself into the joy and glory of heaven.

    According to John Calvin, when Jesus held the broken bread and the cup at the last supper and said, “this is my body and this is my blood” he was referring not to the bread and wine but to himself, the one holding the elements. Jesus meant, literally, that when you eat this bread and drink from this cup you will see him, in his resurrected, flesh and blood, body. 
    Now, where is Jesus' flesh and blood body right now? It is in heaven sitting at the right hand of God. How can we see Jesus' body? The only way, according to Calvin, is if we too are in heaven with him. The communion table is the intersection of heaven and earth. Whenever we come around the communion table we ascend into heaven before Jesus who is sitting at the right hand of God and is seated at the head of the table. This is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to lift our hearts to heaven when we eat and the bread and wine of communion.  That's why we say, “Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord.”
    So what should our response be to all this? When we spiritually ascend to heaven for a dinner party with our Lord Jesus what should we then do? Jesus told us what to do just before he ascended to heaven.  Here is what he said.

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.”
Jesus wants us to be witnesses. We have been empowered as witnesses. We are to tell the people we know and people we may meet that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and now lives in heaven at the right hand of God.  Let’s pray.

    Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you and praise you for lifting us up into your presence at the communion table. We praise you for the promise of our own resurrection and eternal life. We wait for your coming again.  This we pray in your glorious name. Amen.