Are you willing to Stand Up for Jesus?

If I am honest, I need to admit that I struggle going to church. One of the things I have noticed among my retired friends is you tend to go one of three ways: accept an appointment in retirement or fill in as often as possible, find a church and attend almost every Sunday, or be like me, attend a couple of times a month at best. This political climate has made me dislike going to church even more. It feels like the church has done its best to stick its head in the mud and ignore what is going on in our world.

Case in point, a friend sent a brief Tick-Tock video to a group I am in (https://www.tiktok.com/@backbench_animations/video/7352635006763732229?lang=en) to the song “Come and get your love”, and my response was “Wish that was what the US church proclaimed” and someone responded: “relax steve, it’s just meant to be a little humor.” Another friend regularly posts what the administration is doing and a person responds: “can’t you give it up, it’s Easter”. If there is a better time for the church to crawl out of the tomb we have put ourselves into it is Easter Sunday!

Sunday, Nancy and I attended Gary Memorial UMC in Wheaton Il, our church home since retiring. It was a great Sunday. The music was wonderful, the children’s time reminded us of transformation, the prayers were powerful and the sermon by Pastor Chris Pearson was one of his best. (https://vimeo.com/1077078960 ). Chris invited us to stand up and to be honest, I felt compelled to do so (but being the good white middle class male inside me wouldn't let me 🤷); and I regret it. But what struck me the most was watching a person sitting in front of me squirm.

Every time Chris called the church to justice, every time he called out white nationalism, every time he encouraged us to live out what Jesus called us to do, this guy visibly squirmed in his seat. It was amazing. THAT IS WHAT THE CHURCH IS CALLED TO DO, make us uncomfortable in our numbness.

The church has become what Pink Floyd aptly called comfortably numb, not wanting to rock the boat, wanting instead to grow in power and prestige that we have lost our way (obviously I am stereotyping). But the truth is, too many “Christians” who 10 or 15 years ago would have been appalled by what our government is doing have unfortunately either become silent or become encouragers. Power is more important than values.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not a fan of the far left either. Those who know me know that I have argued for decades that the far right and the far left are much more similar than either would care to ever admit. What I pine over more than anything is the loss of the center. (A Stephen King reference to those who are keeping score). It was the far left that drove me out of the church to a greater extent than the far right. Although the right drove me crazy with their incessant whining that preaching Jesus was in their words; “political”. Now I am happy to admit that I am farther along on the left, but I do my best to keep a finger on the center as much as possible (lol).

Cameron Trimble, in her “almost” daily post wrote today “What If Collapse Makes Room for Something Better?” (https://www.pilotingfaith.org/p/what-if-collapse-makes-room-for-something ) the interesting notion that maybe our economy collapse can open us up for change? She writes: “We’ve lived for so long under the myth that there is no alternative—that capitalism, in its current form, is the only way. But that myth is breaking down. And in the breaking, we are invited to become co-creators of something new. Not simply to resist collapse, but to compost it. To take what is decaying and turn it into soil for a future that is more just, more loving, more alive.” I needed her message today, it fits so well with Pastor Chris’ call for us all to stand up and Richard Rohr’s calling us to embrace the prophet within in his newest book. (The Tears of Things).

I have rambled long enough for Easter Monday. If I was still pastoring a church I might still be in bed, I don’t have that excuse anymore! Today I am busy watching my phone and my nephew Bryan as he runs in the Boston Marathon.

Drink From The Fountain of Grace: The Cup That Never Runs Dry

John 20:1-18

A few years ago Nancy and I went to New Orleans

While we were there ---we decided to go visit some of the famous cemeteries of the city.

Because New Orleans is built on a swamp, the deceased must be buried above ground in elaborate stone crypts and mausoleums. 

Over time the cemeteries, with elaborate sculptures and other decorative artwork embellishing the tombs, have come to resemble small villages. 

They are known by the nickname of “Cities of the Dead.”

Just north of the French Quarter is the most famous cemetery, St. Louis Cemetery #1

It is the burial place of Marie Laveau, the legendary “voodoo queen.” 

Believers and non-believers alike make pilgrimages to her tomb to make offerings to her spirit in return for what they hope will be blessings. The many “X’s” scrawled on the tomb attest to the power she is believed to wield, even long after her death

But by far, the most interesting was a trolley ride away at the Metairie Cemetery.

It is built on a former horse racing track, and is the site of some of the most elaborate monuments and tombs to be found in New Orleans.

I could show you pictures for hours --- but the most interesting is that of the weeping angel.

It is a copy of a sculpture that originally was made as a grave stone for the artist, William Story and his wife, in Rome.

It is --- to put it mildly --- beautiful!

Our world seems to be filled with weeping . . .

The horrific war in the Ukraine is beyond our ability to comprehend

Fires are burning out of control in New Mexico.

Earlier this week there was the shooting on the subway in New York City

Friday was the 1-year anniversary of the Fed Ex shooting here in Indianapolis in which 8 people died

And Friday evening we gathered around the cross to remember Jesus’ crucifixion

Sometimes it seems as if evil is winning --- doesn't it?

Every time you open the newspaper or turn on the TV it seems that there is more and more evil in the world.

But today we gather to say to the world that while evil seems strong --- 

seems stronger than good sometimes 

--- today we gather to say that love always overcomes evil!

That love is stronger --- stronger even than death!

But NOT without Easter 

Without Easter --- we wouldn’t be here this morning ---- and I don't think we would be proclaiming that love is stronger that death!

If Jesus’ story had ended with his murder by crucifixion, 

his body left to be eaten by the birds and dogs 

--- my hunch is Jesus would have been forgotten, remembered only by a small few who viewed him as a failure.

Jesus would have been just another Jew crucified by the Roman Empire, 

an empire that executed thousands upon thousands on a cross.

Maybe the Roman—Jewish historian Josephus would have left us a word or two about this itinerant preacher who was executed, but I kind of doubt it

in all likelihood you and I would never have heard of him.

Or can you imagine if the Disciples had just gone home?

What if they figured that the guy that they had been following, well, they decided that he wasn’t all that they had expected him to be?

Where would we be today?

I have thought about that a great deal this week . . .

One of the things that has always amazed me --- maybe even frustrated me --- is that It seems pretty clear from the gospel stories that the disciples never really understood what Jesus was all about.

They are constantly confused about what Jesus mission was

In Mark’s Gospel (the earliest Gospel) we find that after Jesus was dead that: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome come to the tomb with various spices so that they could embalm Jesus.

In other words --- they didn't come looking for the resurrected Jesus

They came looking for a dead Jesus

And in Matthew, Luke and John ---- when the encounter the resurrected Jesus:

• In Matthew they think it is an Angel

• In Luke they think it is two men

• And in John --- Mary thinks it is the gardener

They were not expecting to find Jesus resurrected!

And where were the disciples?

All the disciples are nowhere to be found.

Matthew, Luke and John all tell us that the Disciples were in hiding, because they were afraid that what happened to Jesus was going to happen to them

John goes so far as to tell us that on resurrection day, after Mary has already come and told them that she had encountered the risen Christ, that they were still hiding.

(John 20:19 The Message)  Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. 

What is amazing to me is that this frightened group of people somehow once they encountered the resurrected Jesus --- were totally transformed by the experience.

No longer were they afraid, ---- now they were willing to go out and proclaim Jesus and his Way --- even when it ultimately may have lead to their own martyrdoms.

Without a doubt, one of the reasons Jesus was resurrected was to transform this ragtag group of peasants into the strongest force the world has ever encountered.

• Not an army that would change the world through weapons, 

• but an army that would change the world through the sacrificial love that Jesus demonstrated throughout his life and through his death!

But is that why Jesus was resurrected?  

To straighten out the misfits who had failed to understand him?

Again, I am just not sure. . .

Or one other possibility ----maybe, just maybe, Jesus was resurrected for us 

--- for all of humanity that followed.

Maybe Jesus was resurrected so that we could understand that Jesus is not simply some historical figure from the ancient past, but that Jesus is an ever present reality --- seeking to be present in our lives --- in a very real way.

Unfortunately, I think that we sometimes just like the disciples ---- we too are confused about the meaning of Jesus' resurrection.

We think that because Jesus was resurrected that our circumstances will change.

IF WE BELIEVE in the resurrection then no harm will come to us

• We will be protected from evil

• Cancer or other illness will not rage in our bodies

• Our marriages will be secure

• We will get into heaven

If only we believe . . . 

But that is not the way that it works

The resurrection doesn’t change our circumstances 

--- what the resurrection changes is our perspective

Resurrection gives us hope!

There is an apocryphal story about a town that was suffering through a severe drought.

It was a farm town, and their crops (and thus livelihood) was being destroyed

The local pastor called all the townspeople together for a prayer meeting so that together they might ask God to bring rain.

He asked all those who believed that God had the power to send rain to gather with him at 4 pm on the designated day.

When the hour came ---- the church was filled and overflowing with the faithful.

The Pastor got up to start the meeting ---- but looking around he instead said:

"Go, home there is no faith here!"

As you can imagine, the people were all perplexed at the pastor's sudden attitude and began to clamor, wanting to know why?  Why was he sending them all home --- Why didn't he believe they had any faith?

Again he told them to go home ---- but this time he added:

"Where is your faith?  I don't see a single umbrella here!"

Jesus death and resurrection reminds us that

The light of Jesus is stronger than the darkness . . .

That Love is stronger than death!

Jesus was resurrected to remind us that sometimes things that appear to be dead ends really aren’t.

When we turn the light on them, sometimes, they lead us around through another way

Most of us probably wouldn’t pick the resurrection story that is found in the Gospel of Mark if we had to choose just one.

It ends so abruptly.

They saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed all in white. They were completely taken aback, astonished.

He said, "Don't be afraid. I know you're looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the One they nailed on the cross. He's been raised up; he's here no longer. You can see for yourselves that the place is empty. Now—on your way. Tell his disciples and Peter that he is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You'll see him there, exactly as he said."

They got out as fast as they could, beside themselves, their heads swimming. Stunned, they said nothing to anyone.

That’s it!

• No entrance of Jesus into a locked room

• No road to Emmaus

• No story on the sea of Galilee

Mark just ends and leaves us hanging.  

Almost bewildered.

It is as if Mark is leaving the ending up to us ---- along with the Jesus, followers to figure out.

They disciples quickly discover that Easter was not about them — instead, it’s about God. 

It’s about God filling the empty places in our lives with new and unexpected life.

Filling our broken and battered cups

He did it for the first followers of Jesus, . . . and he offers to do it for us.

The good news is that we don’t have to earn or deserve this gift of new life. 

What we have to do is be willing to journey with Jesus into the future he’s preparing for us. 

But it is John’s resurrection stories that are my favorite. 

And in our text this morning we have three disciples who all have a different reaction to the empty tomb.

First, we have Mary Magdalene

Early the morning after Jesus is executed ---Mary goes to the tomb alone. 

We are told that it was still dark. 

What is the first thing she does?

Mary runs to tell Simon Peter and the “beloved disciple” that the stone was rolled away.

I love the image of Peter and this other disciple running to the tomb.

The “beloved disciple” is the better runner and beats Peter to the tomb --- but we are told that he does not go in.

When Peter arrives, no doubt out of breath, he sticks his head into the tomb and the beloved disciple follows him.

John tells us that both “see and believe,” yet they head home as if nothing has changed.

Mary waits patiently behind, and after they leave, she enters the tomb and finds it empty.

Well not completely empty.

While Jesus was missing --- she saw two angels --- they were where the body of Jesus should have been.

Did Peter and the other disciple see these angels?

We don’t know, and I doubt that they did.

The angels asked Mary: “Why are you crying?”

I love her answer, because it is so genuine:

“They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they’ve put him.” 

We are then told that she sees another person there at the tomb and this person asks:

“Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?”

Mary assumed he must be one of the caretakers of the garden replies:

“Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him and I will get him.”

Jesus calls her by name and her eyes were opened and she saw that Jesus was alive!

What I love about this story (and the resurrection stories that will follow) is that Jesus meets us right where we are.

Peter and the beloved disciples may have believed --- but they clearly didn’t understand yet that Jesus was alive.

So Jesus goes to them and we have the story of Thomas.

The disciples are locked up and hiding --- and yet Jesus comes.

Jesus is persistent with the disciples and Jesus is persistent with us in showing up. 

Easter is the reminder that Jesus is a cup that never runs dry. 

Easter is the reminder that no matter how battered and broken our cup is, God is filling it will love and forgiveness.

Each of us experience resurrection differently --- just as the disciples did.

For Mary it was hearing Jesus call her name

For Thomas it was seeing the nail holes

For the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and for Peter and many of the other disciples it was in the breaking of bread once again with Jesus.

When Jesus calls Mary by name, she finally recognizes him as her beloved “Rabbouni!” 

Immediately, Jesus tells Mary not to hold onto him because he has not yet ascended to God. 

Jesus also sends her to spread the good news to the other disciples. 

Like a flowing river or fountain, Jesus is alive and on the move – not an object to be possessed (held onto) or simply a doctrine to be believed. 

Just as water flows, Jesus, our living water, moves 

and moves us with him! 

The response Jesus asks of Mary is to get moving and spread the good news. 

So on this Easter morning, I pray that you experience the living Christ --- and that you have the courage to allow Jesus to fill your cup and share it with those you encounter.

Maybe that means asking for forgiveness

Or showing grace to someone who has hurt you

Regardless --- Jesus invites us to allow our cups --- our broken and battered lives --- to be filled to overflowing with the love and grace of God.

Jesus Christ is Risen!

He is risen indeed!

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!