What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do --- When You Have To Wait

 Luke 24:13-21, 27-32  (CEB)

On that same day, two disciples were traveling to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking to each other about everything that had happened. While they were discussing these things, Jesus himself arrived and joined them on their journey. They were prevented from recognizing him.

He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk along?” They stopped, their faces downcast.

The one named Cleopas replied, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who is unaware of the things that have taken place there over the last few days?”

He said to them, “What things?”

They said to him, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth. Because of his powerful deeds and words, he was recognized by God and all the people as a prophet. But our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the one who would redeem Israel. All these things happened three days ago.

Then he interpreted for them the things written about himself in all the scriptures, starting with Moses and going through all the Prophets.

When they came to Emmaus, he acted as if he was going on ahead. But they urged him, saying, “Stay with us. It’s nearly evening, and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. After he took his seat at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us along the road and when he explained the scriptures for us?”

In the fall of 2014, all the questions that I had been wresting to came to a head.

It was the culmination of a conversation that I had at lunch with a dear friend of mine over 20 years ago.

For some reason, I began to share all the things that I no longer put stock into.  Stories that many of us wrestle with --- creation, the Noah story, the virgin birth just to name a few.

And I will never forget --- Kathy --- who is still a great friend said something like: “If you don’t believe this stuff anymore why don’t you just quit.”

Ouch!

I have wrestled not only with parts of the Biblical story --- but with that comment ever since.

And in the fall of 2014 --- I finally decided I should take her advice --- so I took a secular job as the director of development for a non-profit agency.

It was the smartest --- and at the same time stupidest decision I ever made

Smartest because my salary was much higher than I ever earned as clergy

Stupidest because I knew it was not where I belonged

Every day at lunch I would find a quiet spot and I began reading the stories of fellow travelers who wrestled with God --- person who wrestled honestly and openly

Rachel Held Evans

Brian McClaren

John Dominic Crossan

Marcus Borg

Shelby Spong 

And so many others provided inspiration and encouragement as they shared their stories

But it was a chance encounter one lunch with one of the accountants at the agency that was what really opened the door.

He said to me: “What are you doing here?  You don’t belong here, you need to be in the church helping people grow with their questions.”

It was just a short time after that when I was appointed as your pastor.

God works in strange and mysterious ways.

Pastor Matt challenged me in ways that I had not experienced before.

He opened my eyes to Richard Rohr and Nadia Bolz Weber

Which in turn lead me to Pete Enns and Jared Bayas

The pandemic allowed me to offer my Thursday lunch group in which we spend thirty minutes wresting with our faith

Just an FYI and shameless plug --- we will be starting a new book on Thursday May 6th Nadia Bolz Weber’s book Shameless

Last weekend, Nancy and I along with four friends hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

They say it is only 7 ½ miles down the South Kaibab trail.

Almost 6 ½ hours later and closer to 8 ½ miles we arrived at Phantom Ranch

The next morning we began the task of climbing back out of the Canyon.

The joke is, hiking to the bottom is voluntary --- hiking out is mandatory

This time it was closer to 11 miles and 8 hours.

Those of you who have had children you remember the constant refrain from your kids on a road trip “Are we there yet?”

We too often asked that question --- and we learned a new reply

About 20 minutes to go

We don’t like being in limbo

We want answers to our questions --- NOW

But that isn’t how life seems to work.

Sometimes we have to wait

Sometimes we have to wrestle

We have to learn to listen 

and do what the spiritual forebears have tried to teach us

LISTEN or another word contemplate

The chief point of wrestling for me is the question of God’s love

Is it really unconditional?

And are we really to love in that same fashion

For 35 years --- that has been my constant refrain

God’s love has no asterisk

And mine should not either

Unfortunately that is not how we always operate

We tend to box in God’s love and grace

But if you have ever studied the two volumes Luke & Acts it becomes very apparent that one of the central themes is that God’s grace is for EVERYONE

But it is also clear that God desires that grace to work through the community.

Our story this morning takes place right after the resurrection.

Jesus has been murdered by the state for a crime he did not commit

His followers have all gone into hiding --- many of them have fled back home to the Galilee

But two unknown disciples --- are walking about seven or so miles from Jerusalem.

The story says that they are headed toward the village called Emmaus

While they are walking they are wrestling over all that has taken place the last few days

The resurrection of Lazarus

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem

The overturning of the tables of the sellers and money changers

The last supper

The vigil in the garden and the arrest of Jesus

The trial and execution of Jesus

And then --- the unexplainable --- the resurrection

They are talking about all these things when all of a sudden a stranger appears in their midst.

Can you imagine how frightening that might be?

Shortly after we adopted the statement of inclusion in March of 2019 I was visiting with someone and they asked me a question about the statement.

At that moment I had no idea what their opinion of the statement was

Were they wanting to affirm what we did

Or were they wanting to attack me for promoting it

That is a scary position to be in --- and that is just where these two followers find themselves.  

Is this mysterious stranger a friend or a foe?

Would he betray them to the authorities?

They didn’t know

When the stranger asked them what they were talking about --- they decide to take a change and explain:

“The things about Jesus of Nazareth. Because of his powerful deeds and words, he was recognized by God and all the people as a prophet. But our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the one who would redeem Israel. All these things happened three days ago.”

You notice that they never mention the resurrection.

The stranger then begins to interpret all that had taken place

As they come to Emmaus, the two disciples are planning on stopping, but the stranger seems to be continuing on

They invite him to come and stay with them because the day was almost over

As they gather together around a table, Luke tells us

“(the stranger) took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. (The disciples) eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight.”

If that story doesn’t fill you with questions --- I don’t know what will --- because I sure have a lot of questions about it

But what it does seem to teach us it that when we gather at the table --- amazing things can happen.

John Wesley saw this story and realized that when we gather for the Eucharist it can be a time of conversion --- as it was for these two disciples.

When we gather together at the table --- we are given spiritual food for the journey

What I have come to learn and believe is that when we are searching for answers

When we are wrestling with the questions

Jesus not only strengthens us --- but joins us on the journey

Being a Christian doesn’t mean that you have all the answers

--- I have yet to meet a Christian who does have all the answers

What it does mean is that you are willing to be in relationship with God and God’s children

God is calling us to be open to the spirit

To LISTEN

To Keep our EYES OPEN

But maybe most important --- to never stop asking the questions

And to never stifle those who do as questions

Instead we are to join them as they wrestle with God

Over these next several weeks, I invite you to find someone --- a friend, a workmate, someone that you will commit to pray about and intentionally seek to walk alongside them as we journey together toward our own Emmaus

What does one do when they have to wait --- when they don’t have all the answers?

The listen and ask

Give us courage Never to stop wrestling with God as we journey together

Keeping you, Lord, at the center of all

Again & Again: The Sun Rises

 Mark 16:1-8       Common English Bible

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they could go and anoint Jesus’ dead body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they came to the tomb. They were saying to each other, “Who’s going to roll the stone away from the entrance for us?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away. (And it was a very large stone!) Going into the tomb, they saw a young man in a white robe seated on the right side; and they were startled. But he said to them, “Don’t be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised. He isn’t here. Look, here’s the place where they laid him. Go, tell his disciples, especially Peter, that he is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you.” Overcome with terror and dread, they fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

Christ is Risen!

Christ is Risen indeed!

People since the dawn of time have looked for something beyond.

Death and sorrow just could not be the final word.

In 1994, on Palm Sunday, Kelly Clem (married to my seminary roommate Dale) and the congregation of the Goshen United Methodist Church in Piedmont, Alabama were gathered for worship.

As the children were singing, “The Lord Will Provide” a tornado destroyed the sanctuary, injuring 90 people and killing twenty.  Six of the dead were children, including four year old Hannah Clem, the daughter of Dale & Kelly.

Dale later wrote a book about that terrible experience in which he proclaimed that God does not send tornadoes to kill young children who are singing God’s praises. 

The same God behind the creation of the universe is at work even now, wherever there is crisis or sorrow or pain. 

Again and Again --- God is at work bringing comfort, hope, and resurrection.

It is not surprising that the earliest Christian celebration was not the season of Advent --- in which we welcome the birth of the messiah.

The earliest cycle to develop was the Passion story --- which over time came to be developed into what we know of as Lent and Holy Week.

Holy week was created to help us experience the fullness of Jesus’ passion story.

We begin on Palm Sunday

Celebrating the arrival of our Messiah

This year we processed not through our beautiful sanctuary bur through our neighborhood

Shouting Hosanna that our Messiah has entered our lives

By Tuesday Jesus has cleansed the temple and gotten the authorities attention

Jesus didn’t just cleanse the temple --- Jesus disrupted the status quo ---

Jesus challenged the dominate power structure of his day

Unsurprisingly --- they begin to plot ways to get rid of him

Thursday evening, we gathered with the Disciples in the Upper Room to celebrate what we call “the Last Supper”.

That same evening, we follow Jesus into the garden of Gethsemane where he is betrayed

Friday --- Friday --- we find ourselves at the cross

As we watch our Lord be crucified

Murdered

Executed

 

And the disillusionment and confusion kicks in.

How can the messiah die?

Especially on a cross?

Had not God proclaimed in the Torah ---

“anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse” (Deuteronomy 21:23)

Was Jesus cursed by God?

The disciples and followers of Jesus were confused and bewildered.

Then there is Saturday --- the world is silent while Jesus lies in the tomb.

The disciples have gone into hiding.

Some even heading home to get way from the authorities.

Their disillusionment seems to reach a crescendo on Saturday as their hope and dreams have all been dashed.

It has feels like we have been stuck in Holy Saturday for the last year --- waiting.

So many of our hopes and dreams have been smashed against the pandemic

The pandemic has been one long period of waiting --- and wondering.

We gather today --- as a testament to the reality that death and despair are NEVER the last word.

Tony Campolo reminded us years ago: 

“It was Friday. 

The cynics were lookin at the world and sayin’, ‘as things have been so they shall be. You can’t change anything in this world, you can’t change anything. 

But those cynics didn’t know that it was only Friday. It’s Friday but Sunday’s comin’!”

I hope that you were able to join us out on the front lawn this morning as we welcomed the sunrise.

One of my favorite activities is to attempt to capture the beauty of a sunrise on film

I have taken hundreds, if not thousands, of photos of sunrises over such places as the Sea of Galilee, Hawaii, Florida --- pretty much anywhere I can

I think I do it because it is easy for sunrises to become commonplace --- I mean think about --- it happens every day.

Most of us pay no attention to the rising sun.

The truth be told --- most of us just sleep through the sunrise or we are busy checking out our emails or social media to even notice

Despite our failure to notice --- the sun still rises every day

Mark’s version of that first Easter is both fascinating and frustrating.

Mark’s whole Gospel is fascinating and frustrating.

Mark has no miraculous birth story --- Jesus just appears on the scene as an adult.

And the resurrection story seems to end abruptly.

Sure, you can say to me --- there are more verses than what we read today.

Yes that is true --- but it is clear that those stories were added later.

Maybe they were added as a way of apologizing, or correcting Mark ---

Because Mark ends so unsatisfyingly.

Regardless --- Mark leaves us hanging.

Mark ends his Gospel with these words:

“Overcome with terror and dread, they fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.”

Where is the joy?

Where is the hope?

The terror of watching Jesus murdered by the state seems to have been replaced with a new kind of terror.

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome arrive at the tomb and find the stone removed. 

Not only that, but they also meet a strange young man with a ridiculous story. 

Nothing makes sense to them --- they have come to anoint Jesus’ body.

Instead of providing comfort for the deceased Jesus --- they find themselves terrorized.

There is no comfort here.

Mark makes that clear when he says that they ran away --- unable to even speak about what they saw.

The good news is --- despite their terror --- despite their fear ---

Resurrection came anyway!

If you watched the new PBS series on the Black Church, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright offered a profound comment.  He said: 

“Jesus never conducted any funerals ---- Jesus conducted Resurrections!”

While the women gathered for a funeral --- God had other plans.

God always has other plans.

Again and Again --- we remember that the tomb is never the end of the story!

In November 1982, Leonid Brezhnev, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union died.  Vice President George Bush was sent to Moscow to represent the United States at his funeral.

The entire funeral procession was marked by its military precision. 

There was a coldness and hollowness that enveloped it. 

Since the Soviet Union was officially atheistic, no comforting prayers or spiritual hymns were sung. Only the marching soldiers, steel helmets, and Marxist rhetoric were offered. 

There was no mention of God. 

Vice President Bush was close to the casket when Mrs. Brezhnev came for her last good-bye. 

Vice President Bush said:

“She walked up, took one last look at her husband and there—in the cold, gray center of that totalitarian state—she traced the design of the cross on her husband’s chest. I was stunned. In that simple act, God had broken through the core of the communist system” (Christianity Today, October 16, 1986)

Christ is Risen!

Christ is Risen indeed!

We gather today to remember, that the Son always rises.

Again and again, the tomb is not the end --- God has a bigger plan.

Over these last six weeks we have looked at how God is constantly trying to move us from the grave to the kin-dom.

We began by remembering that we are invited to be a part of this kin-dom.

God wants us to experience life in its fullness.

We saw how God meets us where we are.

How God calls us to let go of the things that hold us back --- things like shame, guilt or inaction.

How God shows us that they way to the kin-dom is through the cross.

How God, who loves us unconditionally, desires to re-shape us from the inside out.

How God empowers us to walk through the valleys of despair, deceit, and even death.

Because again and again --- God is always with us.

And there is always more to the story.

God is trying to change the way we look at the world.

In Paul Tillich’s sermon, “Born in the Grave,” he shares a story that was told at the Nuremberg trials. 

A woman was hiding from the Nazis in a Jewish cemetery in Poland.

She was not just hiding in the cemetery ---- she was actually hiding in a grave that had been dug.

While she was there, she gave birth --- in the very grave. 

With her in that grave there was an old man, who was also hiding --- he was dressed in a shroud. 

When the newborn baby uttered its first cry, the old man took the child, held it up to heaven and proclaimed: 

“Great God, hast Thou finally sent the Messiah to us? 

For who else than the Messiah Himself can be born in a grave?” 

Again and Again, God reminds us --- that the grave is not the end.

The Son rises --- today, tomorrow, and forever when we allow the Christ to change our hearts and see the world in a new way.

I know this sounds crazy --- but I would rather preside over a funeral than a wedding.

Too often, weddings are just the preliminaries to get to the party.

The couple really aren’t all that interested in the service, or even God.

They are just doing what they think they are supposed to do.

And want to get it over with as fast as possible to move on to the party.

Funerals, on the other hand, are all about the party!

The party that is the kin-dom of God.

It is at the funeral that we get to shake our fists at death and say:

Death --- We reject your lies!

“Where, O death, is your victory?

    Where, O death, is your sting?”

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15)

Again and Again, the sun rises on a new day!

Again and Again, Jesus rises to offer us new life, and new possibilities!

CHRIST IS RISEN

CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!