70 - The Ascension

Acts 1:1-11

We now turn to the book of Acts, known as the second volume of Luke-Acts, written by and beginning in the same way as the gospel according to Luke, addressed to Theophilus.

These stories of the early church begin with Jesus last act before he ascends to his father.  He commanded his followers to stay in Jerusalem.  It seems that they still are a little fuzzy on the nature of the kingdom he has proclaimed:  they ask "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?"

He replies that it is not for them to know the time, but that the Holy Spirit will come, and "you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  The kingdom is not to be limited to Israel.

Then he was taken up, and they saw him no more.  Instead, two angels appear to tell them what had happened.

The Ascension

Can you imagine yourself standing in this picture?  What would you be thinking?

69 - The Resurrection

John 20:1-25

Jesus and Mary Magdalene - Titian

The resurrection is the central, pivotal event of Christianity.

God raising Jesus from the dead transformed the dispirited disciples into the beginning of a world wide faith which proclaimed a new kind of kingdom, a kingdom of God.

This new kingdom transformed people, and it could transform society.

The day started with a woman, Mary Magdalene, alerting Peter and the disciple Jesus loved, that the tomb was empty.  They ran to the empty tomb, examined the evidence, and returned to their quarters.

And then we have one of the most vivid scenes in scripture.  

Mary is distraught.  She goes back into the tomb, and encounters two angels in white.  They ask her why she is weeping.

"They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him."  Not 'the Lord'; 'my Lord.'

She turns and encounters a man she takes to be the gardener.   

"Why are you weeping?  For whom are you looking?"

We can imagine the desperation in her voice as she says:  "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away."

Then the "gardener" says her name:  "Mary."  And she knows who he is.  "Rabbouni," she says.

Then he sends her to proclaim the good news, the gospel, to the disciples.  She is the apostle to the apostles.  She goes and says as she is directed:

"I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."

Later he appeared to the disciples who were hiding behind locked doors, and he commissioned them, breathed the Holy Spirit on them, and gave them authority to forgive sins.  This power, and the significance of forgiveness in Christian piety and ethics, could have a powerful transforming effect for the Christian community.

68 - The Crucifixion

John 19:1-42

Christ of Saint John of the Cross - Salvador Dali

Why was Jesus killed?  Was it because the temple authorities were fed up with his challenges to their conventional and sometimes petty rules?  Because he healed on the Sabbath?  Because he overturned the money-changers' tables in the temple?  Because he was a blasphemer?  Was it for preaching a revolutionary message of a radically new kingdom of God, different from what everybody thought a kingdom should be?    

Was his message of love for your enemies and concern for the poor that much of a threat to the powers and dominions?

Or was it all that and something more, which his followers began to figure out after the first Easter?

What do you think?

67 - Arrest and Trial

John 18:1-40

And you should read the end of the trial, in John 19:1-16.

Unlike in the synoptic gospels, here in the Gospel of John Jesus does not ask that he be spared the destiny he is about to encounter (let this cup pass from me).  Rather he accepts what is to come.  When the soldiers, led by Judas, ask for "Jesus of Nazareth", Jesus replies "I am he".  This may be taken as an echo of the self-revelation of God to Moses, "I am who I am."

After a hearing before Annas, Jesus ends up in front of Pilate.

The religious leaders may have had their reasons for wanting to get rid of Jesus.  Pilate finds his own reason - this man appears to claim to be a king.  Although he says "My kingdom is not of this world....my kingdom is not from here."

Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?"

Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king.  For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.  Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."

Pilate then asked the crucial question in scripture:  "What is truth?"

Christ on trial

Why do you think Christ was crucified?

66 - The Last Supper

Luke 22:1-46

The story so far:

Then God said: Let the earth put forth vegetation...  Genesis 1:11-12

And Abraham said: "God himself will provide the lamb for the [sacrifice], my son."  Genesis 22:7-8

"You shall take a lamb for each family...and eat it with unleavened bread"  Exodus 12:1-10

"I am going to rain down bread from heaven for you."  Exodus 16:1-8

Jesus turns water into wine.  John 2:1-11

Give us this day our daily bread.  Matthew 6:9-13

Jesus [took]...the loaves...blessed...broke...gave.   Luke 9:10-17

"I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never be hungry..."  John 6:25-40

And today:  Jesus took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks,  he broke it and gave it to them saying, 'This is my body which is given for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.'

The Last Supper

65 - Raising Lazarus

John 11:1-57
Although the climax of this story is the raising of Lazarus, the heart of it is the conversation Jesus has with Martha and Mary.

The family of Martha, Mary and Lazarus are very close to Jesus.  He is the one they think to inform when Lazarus fell ill. But he doesn't come immediately.  He delays, and tells his followers that it was good he wasn't there, so "you may believe."  But 'belief' here and in much of the rest of the gospel means to trust rather than to have intellectual assent.

By the time he arrives, Lazarus has been in the tomb four days.  Martha meets him, and although she is upset that he didn't come earlier, nevertheless trusts that Jesus will do the right thing.  Jesus instructs her on the difference between resuscitation and resurrection.  Those who trust in Jesus, the resurrection and life, will have eternal life.

"Do you believe this?" Jesus asks Martha.

"I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God..." replies Martha.  She becomes the second woman, after the woman at the well, to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

I love what the Women's Bible Commentary says about this story:
"Jesus' conversations with Mary and Martha transform this story from a miracle story about the raising of Lazarus into a story about the fullness of new life that is possible to all who believe in Jesus.  The initiative of these women in sending for Jesus, their bold and robust faith, the grief and pain that they bring to Jesus, their willingness to engage Jesus in conversation about life, death and faith, and their unfaltering love for Jesus are marks of the life of faith for John.  Martha and Mary model how people are to live as they struggle to free themselves from the power of death that defines and limits them and move to embrace the new promises and possibilities of live available through Jesus."

Jesus raising Lazarus - Caravagio

A Pause, and a Question

The readings over the next several days relate Jesus walk to the Cross, the trial, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension.

The story of Jesus ministry of but a few years has been told.

Or has it?

It seems to me so much has been left out.  In my view, these Essential stories should have been included:

The beginning of Jesus ministry, as he reads the scroll of Isaiah, showing God's preference for the poor and the outcast.  Luke 4:16:20

Jesus and the rich young ruler, defining our attitude towards money.  Luke 18:18-23

Jesus' only direct reference to how we shall be judged, by how we treat "the least of these".  Matthew 25:31-46.

Pretty much all of the Gospel of John, but especially:
The Samaritan woman at the well.  John 4:1-42

Jesus as the bread of life John 6:22-51

Jesus prays for his disciples. John 17

What passages of the Gospels would you consider Essential?

64 - Healing a Possessed Man

Mark 5:1-20
You don't have to believe in literal demons to know that there are people with schizophrenia, addictions or other serious disorders who most of us don't want to deal with.  We want to imprison them, or put them out of sight where they won't hurt us.

This is what seems to have happened to the man viewed as possessed by a demon.  Folks had tried imprisoning him with chains, and he broke out of every restraint.  So they cast him out, and he lived in a cemetery.

But Jesus cares about every one, especially the "least of these", and he heals the man.  And the man went out and told everyone how much the Lord had done for him.

Jesus and the demoniac

Have you seen how Jesus can heal you or those you love, and return them to wholeness?

63 - Healing a Blind Man

John 9:1-9:41
Who is the sinner?


The man blind from birth?  His parents?


Jesus, for healing on the Sabbath?  Or the Pharisees, who refuse to see what is right in front of their eyes?

Jesus healing the blind man - El Greco

62 - Walking on Water

Matthew 14:22-14:36
Several times before God has controlled the raging waters:  parting the Red Sea to let the Israelites out of Egypt; and likewise as the people cross the Jordan to enter the promised land. 


In this story Jesus has sent the disciples ahead across the sea of Galilee and stays to pray alone.  A storm arises, the disciple's boat cannot make progress, and they are afraid.  In the early morning light a figure appeared, and they were frightened.  But as so often happens when God speaks directly or through messengers, the first words are "fear not" or "do not be afraid."


Peter believes that if Jesus wills it that he can also walk on water, starts toward Jesus.  But he is overcome by fear, and starts to sink, only to be rescued by Jesus.  

Having seen this demonstration of Jesus power come to the only possible conclusion:  "Truly you are the Son of God."

Peter and Jesus on the water

When have you been afraid, and received reassurance from prayer, or in some other form?

61 - Feeding the Five Thousand

Luke 9:1-9:36
Although labeled "Feeding the Five Thousand", this reading contains so much more:

• An initial sending of the twelve to preach the Kingdom of God;
• Herod hearing of Jesus' preaching, and wondering what was going on;
• Jesus asking "who do the crowds say I am; who do you say I am?";
• Jesus instructing his disciples that those who would follow him must "deny themselves and take up their cross daily";
• The Transfiguration and appearance with Moses and Elijah.

The Transfiguration

This is the climax of his time in Galilee -- by the end of chapter 9 Jesus "set[s] his face to go to Jerusalem."

And so it is a time of intense teaching of who Jesus is, and what it takes to be a disciple.  He is heralding a new time -- the reign of God, not human governments, a time when his followers will be called upon to take very big risks to continue his ministry.  

Who do you say Jesus is?  What does it mean to you to take up your cross daily?

60 - Lost and Found

Luke 15:1-15:32
Jesus’ two tales of things lost and found, and of the return of the prodigal son lets those who will hear know how much each person, each soul, means to God.  In this case, he lets us know the meaning of the parable right up front:

^"7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." 

Jesus is the shepherd in the first part of the parable – the one who carries a full grown sheep back to the community.

Jesus is also the woman who sweeps through her house to find the one lost coin, and joins with her community to celebrate.

I have a special fondness for the story of the prodigal son, as one who was “away” from church for a number of years.  As I have learned more about this story and how it would have been heard in the culture of Jesus’ time and place, I am even more amazed at how much meaning is packed into little more than 500 words.

Jesus tells the now well known story of the prodigal (wastefully extravagant) son, who demands his share of his expected inheritance from his father, taking it to a far land, wasting the money with dissolute living.  He is in contrast to the faithful son who stays with his father helping to run the farm.

After spending his inheritance, reaching bottom and hiring himself out feeding pigs, he comes to his senses, and returns home, practicing his words of repentance.  Before he could get all the words out:

^“22…the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; ²⁴for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.”

The older son is not happy at all.  This wastrel brother of his gets the big party, while he, the hard-working faithful son gets nothing.  The father replies:

³¹…‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. ³²But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”  

The Rev. Dr. Kenneth Bailey, who spent much of his professional life living and teaching in the Middle East, has written several books looking at the New Testament through the eyes of the culture of the Middle East.  In The Cross & The Prodigal Dr. Bailey argues that this parable is really the story of God’s radical love for us, later expressed on the cross.   

According to Dr. Bailey, the very idea of a son asking for his share of the inheritance indicates he wishes his father was dead; only on his father’s death would he be entitled to his share. 

His father complied with his request, and liquidated one-third of his estate in just a few days.  His father showed unconditional love in this act. 

When the son returns, he is not required to work as a slave, or to sit outside the village or the father’s house, as might be expected.

Instead, the father races to meet him.  This is undignified and humiliating in the extreme, Dr. Bailey tells us, and this is as good a representation of God incarnate Christ as we can find. 

The father has compassion on his son, embraces and kisses him.  We have just witnessed complete and unconditional reconciliation, which all of humanity experiences through Christ’s journey to the Cross and beyond. 

The Return of the Prodigal Son - Rembrandt

How do you read these stories?  Who do you identify with the most? 

59 - The Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-10:37


In one of the best known stories in scripture, Jesus weaves an elaborate tale to answer yet again the question, "am I my brother's keeper."  And he makes it clear that we are all brothers and sisters.  All of us.  Every one.


Once again the scribes (lawyers) are trying to trip him up.  What does it take to have eternal life?  As he frequently does, Jesus turns the question back on them.  What is written in the law?  The lawyers quote the law: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength; and your neighbor as yourself."


Then the lawyer asks the key question:  "And who is my neighbor."  


We usually think of our next door neighbor, perhaps the people in our community.  In certain cases, we consider our fellow countrymen our neighbor.  Here, Jesus reaches way beyond the family or religious or national ties.


It is striking that Jesus makes the Samaritan the hero of the story.  Instead of having a faithful priest or Levite come to the aid of a Samaritan, it is the despised one who shows mercy, and goes the extra step by arranging longer term care with the innkeeper.  If Jesus were telling the story to 21st century Americans, he might well make a member of the Taliban the hero.

The Good Samaritan - Jan Van Scorel

Bono, lead singer for U-2 and well-known poverty activist, frequently says -- "in the global village, we are going to have to start loving a lot more people."


Who do you understand your neighbor to be?

58 - The Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew 13:1-13:58


[REVISED]


You can read the pedantic discussion below, or go read a really good sermon about the sower parables, here. 


Chapter 13 contains another of Jesus' major discourses, expounding on the Kingdom of God through a series of parables.  He explains to his disciples why he uses parables -- those who are good soil, who are prepared to hear of the Kingdom, will understand.  


But the disciples must be careful about making judgments about who hears and who does not -- about the wheat and the weeds.  God will sort them out in the end, and the "weeds" may serve God's purpose.

Through a series of similes, Jesus gives more clues:  the Kingdom of God can grow to great size from small seeds or yeast; or the Kingdom may be hidden and be discovered; or be like a fishnet, from which the good are retained and the bad discarded.  


Jesus is sketching out a Kingdom very different from the royal nation of David, and the disciples may say they understand, but, like us, do not entirely comprehend what Jesus is saying.

57 - Sermon on the Mount - Pt 2

Matthew 6:5-7:29


New Testament scholar N.T. Wright argues in Jesus and the Victory of God that the Sermon on the Mount primarily was meant to provide instruction to Jews on "how to survive and be faithful to YHWH in a time of great stress and ambiguity, a time when many thought the climax of Israel's history was upon them."   He was telling his followers not to treat God as a suzerain to be bribed with fancy worship, but rather to regard God as Father, and act accordingly.


But it turns out that Jesus sermon is generally applicable as a universal ethic:

• Be simple, not ostentatious, with your prayer, your fasting, your almsgiving
• Know that your heart is where your treasure is
• Fear not, trust in God to provide
• Don't judge others, lest you be judged
• Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
• Beware of false prophets - you shall know them by their products

And Jesus provided a form for regular prayer.  It was very simple, with three petitions acknowledging God as father and seeking God's kingdom, and three petitions acknowledging our dependence on God, the necessity of forgiving others, and asking God's protection.  

Lord's Prayer in Aramaic

At times we have difficulty deciphering Jesus' teaching in parables and agricultural references.  But in the end, it's really pretty simple.  Not easy, but simple.