Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC's - Native American Ministries Sunday/Third Sunday of Easter - 04/30/17 Sermon - “The Walk to Emmaus"

Sunday 04/30/17 Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC’s

Sermon Title: “The Walk to Emmaus”

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
                                            
New Testament Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-23

Gospel Lesson: Luke 24:13-35

My friends, my sisters and brothers in Christ, welcome again on this the Third Sunday of Easter, where we continue to proclaim that Christ is Risen! Risen Indeed! Alleluia! We will remain in this season of resurrection, this season of new hope, until Pentecost Sunday, which is on Sunday June 4th.
This Sunday is also Native American Ministries Sunday, which is a special giving Sunday in the life of the United Methodist Church. On this Sunday we are asked to take a collection to support Christian Native American Ministries and Native American seminary students.
 With these things said, the title of my sermon this morning is called “The Walk to Emmaus”. While “The Walk to Emmaus” is a spiritual retreat weekend, like “The Closer Walk” spiritual retreat weekend, which includes the youth spiritual retreat weekends, “Chrysalis” or “Koinonia,” they are all modeled after this morning’s story in the gospel of Luke. I am actually going to be serving on a “Closer Walk” spiritual retreat weekend in Farmington, NY, from July 27-30, as our goal on this weekend, is to walk with people as they encounter Jesus Christ.
Now I am not preaching on what these spiritual retreat weekends are this morning, but I just thought that the title of this sermon fit well, since this is what these spiritual weekends are sometimes called.
So what is “The Walk to Emmaus” story? Well first off, the “Emmaus” story is only in the gospel of Luke. If you remember from last Sunday, I discussed the “Doubting Thomas” narrative from the gospel of John. In this story, Jesus appears to the disciples, and then later to Thomas, who had doubted Jesus’ resurrection. After Jesus was resurrected, he then appeared for 40-days, before ascending into heaven. Some of the stories of these 40-days of Jesus’ “post-mortem” or “post-resurrection” appearances are sometimes given to us during this time of the year, in our church lectionary scriptures, or Sunday morning readings. The reason for this, is because Christ was resurrected on Easter, and because of this, we are now in the time period of the church calendar that is the 40-days of Christ’s “post-mortem”, or “post-resurrection” appearances.
What is interesting about “The Walk to Emmaus” or the “Emmaus” story, is that we only given one of the names of the two followers of Jesus listed in this story, which is Cleopas. We are not given the name of the other person who walked to Emmaus. Perhaps it was another man, a friend Cleopas, or perhaps it Cleopas’s wife. We just don’t know. For it just says in the gospel of Luke, “Now on the same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened (Lk. 24:13-14, NRSV).
In last week’s gospel lesson, in Thomas’s brokenness and in Thomas’s doubt, Jesus Christ showed up to reassure him. We have a similar story this week in this “Walk to Emmaus” story. The difference this week though, is that two who are walking with Jesus don’t know that it is him until the very end of the story. Last week, Thomas knew it was Jesus as soon as he saw him.
We know that Cleopas and the other walking didn’t recognize that is was the resurrected Christ in this reading from the gospel of Luke, because it says this, “While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him” (Lk. 24:15, NRSV).
We also know that Cleopas and the other with him were struggling with Jesus’ death. We know this because when Jesus began to walk close to them and speak to them, he said, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” (Lk. 24:17, NRSV). The gospel then says, “They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, who named was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” (Lk. 24:17b-18, NRSV). Jesus then said, “What things? They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel” (Lk. 24:19-21, NRSV).
The gospel then says that Cleopas then says,
“Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him” (Lk. 24:21b-24, NRSV).
Like the disciple Thomas from last week, Cleopas and the other with him were doubting if Jesus Christ truly rose from the dead. This is why as this gospel says, that they looked sad, as they are walking the roughly seven mile walk from Jerusalem to the village Emmaus. Further, since Cleopas and the other person with him had just experienced this, this is literally happening on Easter Sunday. We don’t read this story on Easter Sunday morning though, as we are a little busy with Christ’s resurrection.
We also know that this story is taking place on Easter Sunday, as Cleopas and the other person with him said, “Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place” (Lk. 24:21b, NRSV). Jesus Christ rose of course on the third day, on Sunday, on Easter Sunday.
So Cleopas and this other person, who could have been a friend, perhaps could have even been his wife, are headed on foot about seven miles to the village of Emmaus. As they are walking, the risen Christ appears to them, but they cannot tell who he is. They are sad, as they doubt the resurrection of Jesus.
In the rest of this story, Jesus walks with them and talks with them, and teaches them. He reassures them that Jesus is indeed risen and is sovereign, yet they don’t know who he is (Lk. 24:25-27, NRSV).
Jesus then walks ahead of them as they neared Emmaus. As this happened, Cleopas and the other person said to Jesus, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over” (Lk. 24:29, NRSV).
The gospel then says, “So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed it and broke it, and have it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight” (Lk. 24:29b-31).
So Cleopas and the other person were walking, and were sad about the death of Jesus Christ. They doubted his resurrection, and the person who they didn’t know, who walked with them, who talked with them, who reassured them, and who emboldened them, ended up being Jesus Christ. Yet they couldn’t see what was right in front of them.
After Jesus vanishes from where Cleopas and the other were staying, they remarked that when Jesus was talking with them that there “hearts were “burning” as Jesus opened the truth of the scriptures up to them (Lk. 24:32, NRSV).
Cleopas and the other person then left shortly after Jesus vanished, to head the nearly seven miles back to the Jerusalem. When they arrived they found the eleven disciples and other followers of Christ (Lk. 24:33, NRSV). Cleopas and the other person were then told that Jesus had appeared to “Simon” or the Apostle Peter that morning, and then they told the eleven disciples and the others, what they had seen and heard on “The Walk to Emmaus” (Lk. 24:34-35, NRSV).
As we heard last week with the “Doubting Thomas” story, and this week with “The Walk to Emmaus” story, Jesus comes to us when we are broken, when we have doubts, or even when all seems lost. Sometimes we see Jesus right away, yet sometimes we don’t, and yet we are told that God is always there.
I wonder who we have walked with, who we have talked to, that might have been an angel or Jesus in disguise.
In his letter to the Hebrews, the Apostle Paul writes in 13:2, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Heb. 13:2, NRSV). It is interesting that Jesus Christ only reveals himself to Cleopas and the other person with him after they showed him love, hospitality, and invited him to eat and stay with them.
What if I told you then, that somewhere here in this church this morning was really an angel, or maybe Jesus himself, but in disguise? Would it change how we loved and treated each other a little more? What if I told you that everyone you walked with and talked with this week might be Jesus in disguise? How would that change you? How would that change all of us?
This morning, Cleopas and the other person were walking to the village of Emmaus, and who they thought was just some guy walking and talking with them, turned out to be Jesus Christ, the risen savior of the world.
I would like to share a story with you that you may have heard before. I got this story from www.godvine.com, and it is called, “A Homeless Man”. Here is how the story goes:
A Pastor transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000-member church that he was to be introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service, only 3 people out of the 7-10,000 people said hello to him. He asked people for change to buy food – no one in the church gave him change.”
He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the church and was asked by the ushers if he would please sit in the back. He greeted people to be greeted back with stares, dirty looks, and people looking down on him. As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the church announcements and such. When all that was done, the elders went up and were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the congregation. “We would like to introduce to you our new Pastor.” The congregation looked around clapping with joy and anticipation. The homeless man sitting in the back stood up and started walking down the aisle. The clapping stopped with all eyes on him. He walked up the altar and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on this) and paused for a moment then he recited (from Matthew 25:35-45), “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.”
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ ‘The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation and told them all what he had experienced that morning. Many began to cry, and many heads were bowed in shame. He then said, “Today I see a gathering of people, not a church of Jesus Christ. The world has enough people, but not enough disciples. When will YOU decide to become disciples?” He then dismissed service until next week.”
My sisters and brothers, I find it fascinating and heartwarming, that Jesus revealed himself to Cleopas and the other person this morning, only after they showed him love, caring, and hospitality. Yet he can come to us anytime.
You see we can always turn to God, as God is always with us. Jesus will come to us, but we can also find that hope in each other. When have you walked and talked with angels, and not known it? When have you walked and talked with Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, and not know it? Sometimes the hope we ask God for, comes right to us, but sometimes it is revealed to us in others. Imagine if we thought that everyone we walked with and talked with was Jesus in disguise?  

Jesus Christ, the hope of the world, is risen, is alive and well, and his grace and truth are all around us. May we find this hope, this love, this mercy, and this joy in Jesus Christ, this day and always. For perhaps he is here among us. Amen.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC's - Second Sunday of Easter - 04/23/17 Sermon - “Have you ever been like Thomas?"

Sunday 04/23/17 Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC’s

Sermon Title: “Have you ever been like Thomas?”

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 16
                                            
New Testament Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Gospel Lesson: John 20:19-31

He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Welcome again my friends, my sisters and brothers, on this our Second Sunday of this the Season of Easter, or this Season of Resurrection. We will remain in this Season of Easter, until Pentecost Sunday, on Sunday June 4th. We will also continue to have white paraments until then, as in this Season of Easter, the color of white represents purity, grace, and holiness.
With these things said, I have a question for us all this morning. Have any of us here this morning, at any time in our lives, ever experienced doubt? Have you ever had your doubts about anything? Perhaps you were about to go into a job interview, and you had doubt? Perhaps you or a loved one had health problems, and you had doubt? Perhaps you were hoping that a person would finally say yes to going to the prom with you, but you had doubt? Perhaps you wondered if you had studied enough for that test in school, and you had doubt? Perhaps you got the courage up to do something new, but you had doubts about it? Perhaps you had written a great speech, but then got nervous right before it, causing doubt? I could go on and on with countless examples of doubt.
It would seem that at different times and in different circumstances, that we all have had doubts, worries, or maybe even anxiety, depending on the life circumstances. For some us our times of doubt or struggle have been particularly hard. It also often doesn’t help us when we struggle or doubt, when someone tells us to “just get over it”. For example, if you were having the worst day of your life, how would it feel like if someone came in to where you were, and then read Philippians 4:6 to you? Well, what does Philippians 4:6 say? It says, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6, NRSV).
How many of you, if you were having the worst day of your life, and if someone had just read this scripture to you, and then told you to just do what the scripture said, would want to pummel that person into submission?
Yet, the Bible says all through the text though, to trust God, to not worry, to not have doubt, to not have stress, and to not have anxiety. So brothers and sisters, what are we doing wrong? Have any of us this past week had any anger, worry, stress, anxiety, depression, and or doubt? How can this be possible if we are to believe in and follow Jesus Christ? I mean we are just supposed to have peace through Jesus Christ right? If we repent of our sins, and if accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are supposed to have great joy, love, hope, and peace. How then could we ever again have doubt, or any other negative emotions? I thought we Christians were perfect, right?
The reality my brothers and sisters is this, when we come to Christ, we are given peace, hope, love, calm, and mercy. Yet those mountain top experiences of faith, of coming to Christ, then often result in us going back into the valleys of life. For those us who believe in Christ and follow Christ, we have faith, but sometimes our humanness gets the better of us. If something terrible suddenly happens in our lives, sometimes we struggle in that moment to find the peace of Christ. Perhaps our humanity is so grief stricken, that we feel pain, and maybe even doubt. We know that we are supposed to trust God, but sometimes despite our best efforts, we just fall short, don’t we? Yet I thought us Christians were perfect, right? In a way then, while we have our first conversion experiences when we come to Jesus Christ, I believe that we have many more mini-conversions in our faith walks. We are like spiritual onion therefore, as we shed layers of doubt and sin, as grow closer to Christ. Coming to Christ is the free gift of salvation, of eternal life, but becoming like Jesus, well that is the work of a lifetime.
Today we have the text from the gospel of John on “Doubting Thomas,” as is one the famous knick names for the Apostle Thomas. I bet he was thrilled with this knick name! The Apostle Thomas, who is one of the twelve of Jesus’ original disciples, doubts that Jesus is resurrected. Thomas was with Jesus for the full three years of his ministry, and because of this, Thomas saw all of the amazing things Jesus did, and heard what he taught. I would think that Thomas would have had a powerful conversion in accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Perhaps at this point though, he didn’t quite get it yet. I would think that after Jesus was resurrected though, that Thomas would certainly have had some faith, but yet he ran off during the crucifixion. So while Thomas probably had some faith, it wasn’t strong enough yet for him to declare it publicly without fear. Since this is true, today Thomas doubted Jesus’s resurrection. Did Thomas not believe in Jesus then? Had he not truly been converted yet? I cannot say this for sure, but it would seem that his faith was not nearly as strong as it would become.
The historical church tradition holds that Saint Thomas, not the vacation spot, went as far as India preaching the gospel. Church tradition also holds that Thomas was martyred there while preaching the gospel in India. Today, Saint Thomas, not the vacation spot, is the patron saint of both India and Sri Lanka. Pretty impressive resume for a man that abandoned Jesus at the crucifixion, and then denied his resurrection. Yet in our life struggles, haven’t we ever wrestled with and struggled with God at times, or had our own doubts sometimes?
So again, in the gospel of John reading for this day, the risen Christ appears to the disciples, as this was part of Jesus’ 40-days of post-mortem appearances, before he ascended to heaven. The problem with this appearance of Christ, is that Thomas was not present at this encounter (Jn. 20:19-24, NRSV). The other disciples tell Thomas what happened, but Thomas is doubtful, or skeptical that Jesus actually appeared to the other disciples (Jn. 20:25, NRSV). Thomas was so emphatic about this in fact, that he said, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe” (Jn. 20:25, NRSV). Why wouldn’t Thomas just believe? We could then ask ourselves, why do we ever worry, have doubt, anxiety, and or stress?
Jesus then appears again to the disciples a week later, and again says to them, “peace be with you” (Jn. 20:26, NRSV). At this point Jesus then says to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe. Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” (Jn. 20:27-28, NRSV). Thomas now believes bloody in Christ.
The gospel then says, “Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe” (Jn. 20:29, NRSV).
The gospel reading then ends with, “Now Jesus did many other sings in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and through believing you may life in his name” (Jn. 20:30-31, NRSV).
So my sisters and brothers, while having doubt is often not good, how many of us have had hard days or times when our faith has struggled? Let’s be honest, we all have struggled at some point or another. Sometimes when the expected or unexpected events of life happen, they can challenge our faith, cause us to struggle, or even to doubt. What is powerful for me though, is that in this reading from John’s gospel for this morning, Jesus Christ goes to Thomas in his doubt. This is the idea that when we suffer, that when we struggle, that Christ reaches out to us. Instead of punishing us, Christ desires to be present in our struggle, and in our doubt. He is a personal savior, who wants to be with us, reassuring us when we suffer.
Sometimes in our lives, for some us, our circumstances have been so hard, that maybe we have removed ourselves from the church altogether. I believe though that the church is a gift that Jesus Christ gave us, so that we might bring people to the grace of Jesus Christ, to transform the world, and to love and care for each other. When we go through mountain top and valley experiences then, as the church we are called to walk together.
I believe then, that in our own ways, or in those life moments, or on those days, or in those times, we have all been a “doubting Thomas”. It’s not that we didn’t believe in Christ, it was just right then, our humanness shuddered our eyes and our hearts from the abundant grace of God through Jesus Christ.
I used to think that Thomas was bad for the events of this day, but then I realized that I was just like him. I want to tell you a little bit more about my call to ministry story, when I was a “Doubting Paul”.
In 2006, I began the ministry process in the United Methodist Church, as Melissa and I were members of the Christ United Methodist Church of Moravia/Locke. At this point, I had been a Christian for many years, I loved Jesus Christ, and I felt like that I had been called to be a preacher and a liver of the gospel.
While I lay lead and did some other leadership activities from 2006-2010, I could never get up the courage to just fully go into ministry. I started the ministry candidacy process, but I never pursued it fully at that point.
In 2010, I finally got the courage up to attend seminary, as I had another powerful encounter one night with the Holy Spirit. You see, I believed, I was following, but my doubt was holding me back.
The main problem was from 2006-2010 I struggled with unworthiness and doubt. I believed in Jesus Christ, I believed then and still do now that he was and is my Lord and Savior, yet my unworthiness and my doubt held me back. Another way to say it, is that from 2006-2010, I felt that I wasn’t good enough to be a minister. The chief problem was that I was by nature a sinner, and I was broken, and because of this, I didn’t think that I was good enough to preach to and lead a congregation like this. Who was I to be the pastor of a church?
Well what I learned in my four years of seminary and now nearly five years of pastoring, is this, because I am broken, because I am sinner, and because I know it, I know more than ever that I desperately need the saving grace of Jesus Christ every day. Through this, God has lead me, I have not lead God, and even though I doubted, and even though I have had days since where I doubt, Jesus continues to make himself known to me. Through the healing power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, God built me up, gave great mentors and great leaders to guide me, so that the doubts of being a pastor, turned into peace, love, courage, and hope. It was because I had doubt, because I was broken, and because I needed grace that I believe that I when asked God’s for grace, that God gave it to me.
My brothers and sisters, Jesus came to save us all, but he also specifically came to save sinners. I am here today, because Jesus Christ made himself know to me, a sinner, again, and again, and again.
In the Jesus Culture song “One thing remains,” some of the lyrics say: “Higher than the mountains that I face, stronger than the power of the grave, constant in the trial and the change. This one thing remains, this one thing remains, your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me. Your love never fails, it never gives up. It never runs out on me, your love never fails, it never gives up. It never runs out on me. Your love”. (https://www.google.com/#safe=active&q=your+love+never+fails+lyrics+it+never+gives+up).
To sum all of this up, to me, this gospel reading for this morning about “Doubting Thomas,” tells me that Jesus Christ will never give up on us. Even if we have days or times in our lives that we can’t seem to see him, he pursues us. Sometimes we come to church and our cup of faith in running low, but maybe someone’s cup is overflowing, and they can share. Brother and sisters, this is why Jesus Christ gave us the gift of the church, so that we can together go through the highs, the lows, and yes through the doubts.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,  nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-39, NRSV). Through this power, this truth, with the love of Jesus Christ, the power of Holy Spirit, we can walk together, on the mountain top, through the valley, and even through doubt. We can do all of this, because Christ is with us. All praise be to the risen Christ. Amen. 

Friday, April 14, 2017

Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC's - Easter Sunday - 04/16/17 Sermon - “First born among the dead"

Sunday 04/16/17 Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC’s

Sermon Title: “First born among the dead”

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
                                            
New Testament Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4

Gospel Lesson: John 20:1-18

He is risen! He is risen indeed! I want to welcome you again my friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ on this our Easter or resurrection Sunday. On this day that millions and millions of Christians all over the world are celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Even though one of the most major Christian holidays is Christmas, Easter is argued by many to be our most significant holiday. This Sunday is in NFL terms, our Super Bowl. You see without this day, the Christian faith doesn’t really exist or even make any sense. For without the resurrection, we have nothing.
For on this day, as Christians, we proclaim in Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, and in North American, that Jesus Christ is risen, and risen indeed!
Specifically, that Christ who was God in the flesh, or who was in human form, was crucified on Friday, laid in the tomb, but this day is alive and well. While Jesus resurrected Lazarus, and while there are other accounts of resurrection in the Bible of resurrections, all of those people then died there earthly deaths again.
The claim on this day that the historical and two-thousand Christian year faith makes though, is that Jesus Christ, who was God in the flesh, who was in the tomb since Friday, physically and in bodily form got up and walked out of the tomb on this day. Meaning that Jesus was fully alive and resurrected. Jesus, unlike Lazarus and the others, will never again die another death, as he now lives and reigns forever. Through him therefore, our earthly deaths will lead to eternal life, as we will live and reign with Christ forever.
Since the historical Christian claim, is that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, was God in the flesh, lived a sinless life, taught us to love, heal, and forgive, died for us on God Friday, then only someone who is without sin could die for us. Yet, if Christ on this day were to have remained in the tomb, then this would have proven indeed that Jesus was just man, and not God in the flesh. The empty tomb proves that our savior lives, and proved that Jesus was not only human, but also the fullness of God.
So emphatic about this, the Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:17-19, If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Cor. 15:17-19, NRSV).
The resurrection of Christ on this day then proves to us, as I said, that Jesus was divine, yet human. It proved that his work on the cross on Good Friday was not in vain, and it also means that through him we can find peace, love, mercy, and wholeness.
You see my brothers and sisters, as part of these historic claims as Christians, we are not children of misery, darkness, death, and hopelessness. Instead, we are children of love, light, life, and hope. We are children of resurrection, because through the resurrection of Jesus Christ on this day, we can have hope like never before.
We can believe that through Jesus Christ that we can be forgiven, and that the savior we love is alive and well. Consider for a moment the power that this belief has for us. That we can enter into the reality that we can be forgiven off everything we have ever done, and that resurrection wins on this day, not death.
The Christian faith is one then of victory, of hope, of love, or mercy, and of justice, not the opposite. On this day goodness, love, life, and light are victorious, and pain, evil, darkness, and death lose.
Living a life of victory, a life in Jesus, a life where we embrace the power of what resurrection is, can change us so much that God can then use us to transform the world. The resurrection of Christ is opportunity for us to be changed, to be made whole, and it gives us the courage, the desire, and the love to go into the world and change it. This is why the historical and two-thousand year claims of Christian Church are so powerful.
So it is on this day that we declare that God’s love wins, that God’s mercy wins, and that God’s justice wins. When the President of Syria kills innocent people, when he gases children, we are children of light that declare that resurrection will win out, not death. When the poor hunger for bread and we feed them, it is then when we draw from resurrection power. When tyranny, oppression, violence, and terror riddle the world, we declare hope, peace, mercy, justice, and love, and we do it through the power of resurrection. For we believe as Christians that in the end all things will be reconciled through Jesus Christ, and that good will win. Today friends, sisters and brothers, Jesus wins, we win, hope wins, and love wins.
Yet there is still so much work do. There are people dying in this world from lack of food, lack of clean water. We have brothers and sisters who are oppressed, dying in war, and desperately in need of hope, love, and the grace of Jesus Christ. As children of resurrection, life, light, love, and hope, we are called “to make disciples of Jesus Christ, for the transformation of the world”. Resurrection gives us power as followers of Christ, give us power to share Christ, and gives us power to transform the world for Christ. Today then, for Christian, is everything, today in NFL terms, is our Super Bowl.
I really like what our reading for this morning from Psalm 118 says, “O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! (Ps. 118:1, NRSV). Friends, brothers and sisters, the love of God is eternal through Christ our Lord, who lives this day.
Among the many things that Jesus has been called, such as “Rabbi,” or “King of Kings,” “Mighty Counselor,” “Lord of Lords,” and etc., one of Jesus’ titles in scripture is the “First born among the dead”. The idea that Jesus existed coeternally with God before time itself, and that when he died on Good Friday that was the “First born among the dead”. For he existed before time, therefore he was the “First born among the dead”. Today, the “First born among the dead,” lives again.
We have a reading for this morning from the Apostle Paul’s Epistle or letter to the church in Colossae, or the Colossians. In chapter one of Colossians however, the Apostle Paul says of Jesus Christ, “He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything” (Col. 1:18, NRSV).
Jesus Christ, the “First born among the dead”, the head of the Christian Church, our standard, our teacher, our king, our mighty counselor, is risen on this day. Since this is true, the power of the resurrection is all around us, as we can speak life, hope, love, and mercy in a new and a bold way, because Jesus lives.
One of the biggest historical Christian concepts of this day, is that as Christ rises, so shall we. That we put do death those things that are harmful and sinful in us, and that separate from God. That we in a sense we died with Christ, as to put to death the bad parts of us.
In our reading from this morning from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he writes in 3:1-4, “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory” (Col. 3:1-4, NRSV).
So friends, sisters and brothers in Christ, how does this resurrection, this Easter, change us? If we truly believe that the savior of the world rose from the dead on this day, how does this change us? Are we empowered by this reality? Does it give us cause to more, love, mercy, empathy, to give more and do more for others? Does it empower is such a way to change the world, as we believe that our savior lives?
Friends, brothers and sisters, resurrection is a powerful and a life changing belief, and because of this belief, millions upon millions of Christians all over the world celebrate this today and every day. Millions and millions of Christians all over the world woke up this morning then, with faith, hope, love, and resurrection power. These people, like us, awoke to serve, to love, to give, and to pray, because they believe that Jesus has overcome sin and death. They believe that God’s love has won, and that we are on the side of the angels and the saints. When Christians all over the world feed the poor, love the lesser-thans, love our neighbors, seek mercy and justice, we are declaring the great power and love of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The actual story we are given this morning of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, comes to use from the Gospel of John. In this gospel narrative, Mary Magdalene is the first disciple to witness the empty tomb (Jn. 20:1, NRSV). Mary Magdalene then runs and tells Simon Peter and John that the tomb was open and that Jesus was gone (Jn. 20:2, NRSV).
They then ran to see that indeed the tomb was empty, and that Jesus’ head covering was in a separate place than the shroud that covered his body (Jn. 20:3-7, NRSV). Then Jesus appears to Mary outside of the tomb, as she was the first to see not only the empty tomb, but the risen Christ (Jn. 20:11-18, NRSV). Mary then went to announce that Jesus had risen, as she said, “I have seen the Lord” (Jn. 20:18, NRSV).
As part of the hope of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Melissa likes to decorate this sanctuary every year with beautiful and colorful butterflies. I hope you like them, as she and I do. The concept of Jesus’ resurrection and our spiritual resurrections is a very powerful. Here is a story of one of the reasons why Melissa likes to decorate this sanctuary with butterflies every year. This story called “Just Like the Butterfly,” based on Harry Balmires, “The Eternal Weight of Glory” Christianity Today, May 22, 1991. Here is what is says:
“The bible holds out the great and glorious hope of a resurrection for us all. But what will the resurrected body be like. Theologian Harry Blamires offers the helpful illustration of the butterfly. As the caterpillar is to the butterfly, so our present body is to the resurrected body. There is continuity but there is also difference. Just as the caterpillar’s body is suited to the realm of the ground, and the butterfly’s to flight through the air, so our present bodies may be suited to this world of sin, but our resurrected bodies will be suited to the life of the Spirit, in a world that is eternal and without limit. And just as it would be difficult for even an intelligent caterpillar to imagine what life would be like as a butterfly, so we struggle to imagine the resurrection life”.
“Finally, it may be helpful to remember that when we think of the caterpillar we think of its life in terms of its becoming a butterfly. We define its present existence by its future. So too, our present existence is defined by the future God has for us”.
Friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, today Jesus goes from being dead in a tomb, like a caterpillar, to being alive and glorious, like a butterfly. For this reason, on this day we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May this day, this resurrection, this Easter change us, so that every day we continue to change and transform the world. For we are children of light, of life, of love, of hope, of mercy, and of resurrection. Happy Easter and amen.




         


Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Freeville UMC - Good Friday - 04/14/17 Sermon - “Why would he die for me?"

Friday 04/14/17 Freeville UMC - Good Friday

Sermon Title: “Why would he die for me?”

Old Testament Scripture: Isaiah 52:13-53:12
                                            
New Testament Scripture: Hebrews 10:16-25

Gospel Lesson: John 18:1-19:42

My friends, my sisters and brothers, welcome once again to this Good Friday worship service. As we are meeting tonight, so are millions upon millions of our sisters and brothers all over the world. Christians in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, Australia, Asia, the Middle East, and here in North America, gather tonight in worship. As they gather, and as we gather, we done so on Good Friday for centuries. This day in the life of the United Methodist Church, and most churches is incredibly significant. So why have we gathered on this Friday for centuries?
Here is a little explanation that I found about today, “Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of Passover. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Black Friday, or Easter Friday, though the last term properly refers to the Friday in Easter week (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Friday).
          So in general, the central or core reason that we have gathered here together tonight, and that most Christian Churches are and have gathered for centuries, is to remember, reflect upon, and to commemorate the brutal torture and death of Jesus Christ.
          Many churches for centuries have included readings from the Old Testament or the Jewish Hebrew bible in these times of worship, as to connect the prophetic claims of the Messiah, or savior, which is Jesus Christ.
          In our reading for this evening from the Prophet Isaiah, we hear much in the way of messianic prophecy. Isaiah writes of the Messiah, of the savior, “He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering acquainted with infirmity” (Isa. 53:3a, NRSV). Christians mostly today and historically, has believed these prophetic claims from the prophet Isaiah to be written about Jesus Christ.
          Isaiah then says, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isa. 53:5, NRSV). This prophetic idea, that Jesus Christ, our savior, God in the flesh, through an act of amazing love and grace, would die to reconcile us to the living God. Not only this, that Jesus would suffer in unimaginable ways, so that we would truly understand this love, this mercy, and this sacrifice. Understand it so well in fact, that we are all here on this night remembering, reflecting, commemorating, nearly two-thousand years later.
          The prophet Isaiah also writes, “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he open his mouth” (Isa. 5:33:7, NRSV).
          Isaiah then writes in 53:8, “By a perversion of justice he was taken away. Who could have imagined his future? For he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people” (Isa. 53:8, NRSV). By this time of the night, on that first Good Friday, Jesus had already died, and was entombed, until Sunday morning.
          As we remember, Jesus was crucified this day with two convicted criminals. The prophet Isaiah writes, “They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth (Isa. 53:9, NRSV). Jesus was crucified this day with two criminals, considered wicked, and was then entombed in the tomb of a rich man, named Joseph of Arimathea.
           Let me then read the last part of the prophet Isaiah’s reading that we are given for tonight. This is what it says, “he poured himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors (Isa. 53:12b, NRSV).
          In looking at our reading from the prophet Isaiah for tonight, the prophet Isaiah prophetically speaks of the savior who will come and innocently be condemned and killed, but at the same time having great love for us all.
          In our reading from the Apostle Paul’s Epistle, or letter to the Hebrews, Paul quotes the prophet Jeremiah, and says, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord; I will put laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds,” he also adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more”. Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin” (Heb. 10:16-18, NRSV).
          The Apostle Paul is making the claim that like the Jews sacrificed a pure and spotless lamb to ward off the angel of death on the first Jewish Passover, that Jesus, the messiah, is new Passover Lamb, will take away the sins of the world. The Apostle Paul then talks about forgiveness through “the blood of Jesus,” and having faith and confidence in Jesus Christ. (Heb. 10:19b-25, NRSV).
          So on this day, we have the torture and brutal murder of Jesus Christ. Many people really struggle with this day, in the sense of what happened to Jesus. This notion that a brutal death equates the forgiveness of human sin. Due to this, the question that I was pondering as I was preparing for this sermon, was “Why did he die for me?”
You see Jesus could have chosen to die a quick and easy death, yet he chose this long, dragged out, and painful death. Jesus could have told the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate and King Herod at any point that he was not who he said he was. Yet “He chose the nails,” as the Max Lucado book is called. Why would God in the flesh do this? To me, the events of this day are an act of love and sacrifice that I will never fully be able to comprehend on this side of heaven. Love so amazing and great, that Jesus would go to any length to show us what we mean to him.
One of the great hallmarks of Wesleyan or Methodist Christianity, historically speaking, has been our major emphasis on God’s grace. You see we have never really been “fire and brimstone” people. I don’t think of this day in the sense of how wretched we are then, but I tend to think of this day as the abundant grace and mercy of Jesus Christ shining forth in a new and a powerful way. That on this day, Jesus is giving us exactly what we don’t deserve, unbelievable love, forgiveness, and mercy. Love and forgiveness that, as I said, I will never fully comprehend on this side of heaven.
 We then on this night, read the full trial, torture, and crucifixion narrative of Jesus Christ. Throughout the whole process, Jesus showed love, grace, and mercy (Jn. 18:1-19:42, NRSV). As Jesus was being crucified he considered his torturers, and prayed for them. He offered hope and salvation to a criminal on a cross next to him. He regarded his mother, and asked the beloved disciples John to look after her.
Everything prophesized occurred, casting lots for Christ’s clothing, not one of his bones was broken. In his great humanness, Jesus Christ then quotes Psalm 22:1, as he says in Matthew 27:46, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” (Mt. 27:46, NRSV). In saying this, Jesus shows us his humanness, along with his divinity. Jesus then breathes his last, gives up his spirit, and then is entombed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. This was a tomb of a rich man.
All of this, this forgiveness, love I cannot fully comprehend, and while I accept it, and believe it, I still sometime ask, “Why would he die for me?” Friends today isn’t just about the removal of the sins of the world, it is also about how that changes us. How are we changed when we know that we are this loved, and this forgiven? It’s powerful and abundant.
In attempting to pull this all together, I want bring this sermon to a close with a story that I have shared before, but this version is a little different. This story is called “Whoever takes the son gets it all”. Here is how it goes:
Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate. The widowed, elder man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son’s trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.”
As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.”
Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, a season that he and his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer. On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home.”
As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you." As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man’s son had told everyone of his, not to mention his father’s, love of fine art. "I’m an artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this." As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the son.”
Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man’s face in striking detail. Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture over the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task”.
True to his word, the painting went well above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars of paintings. And then the man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given. During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy’s life would live on because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart.”
As the stories of his son’s gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received”.
The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation!”
Unmindful of the story of the man’s only son, but in his honor, those paintings would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Christmas day, the day he had received his greatest gift. The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many claim "I have the greatest collection." The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum’s list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent.”
"Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke. From the back of the room came, "Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to the good stuff."
More voices echoed in agreement. "No, we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer. "Now, who will take the son?" Finally, a friend of the old man spoke, "Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That’s all I have. I knew the boy, so I’d like to have it."
"I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice. Gone." The gavel fell, cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with it and we can bid on these treasures!"
The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean it’s over? We didn’t come here for a picture of some old guy’s son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what’s going on here!" The auctioneer replied, "It’s very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son…gets it all" (http://www.tonycooke.org/stories-and-illustrations/son_getsitall/).
Friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, the events of this day are part of the greatest story ever told. A story of love, healing, mercy, redemption, and justice. A story that if we let it, can change us from the inside out. Through Jesus Christ, we are offered love, forgiveness, and mercy that we can never fully imagine on this side of heaven.
So on this Good Friday, will you receive the Son? Will you receive forgiveness, love, and mercy? Friends, I believe that if we do this, we have received everything that God has. We receive mercy, grace, love, forgiveness, and are thereby empowered to share this with a broken and hurting work. May we share the gift of Jesus Christ’s great love this night and always.
Happy Good Friday, and God’s abundant blessings to you and your family. Amen.


Homer Avenue UMC - Holy/Maundy Thursday - 04/13/17 Sermon - “The New Passover Lamb"

Thursday 04/13/17 Homer Avenue UMC
Holy/Maundy Thursday

Sermon Title: “The New Passover Lamb”

Old Testament Scripture: Exodus 12:1-14
                                            
New Testament Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Gospel Lesson: John 13:1-17, 31b-35

My friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ, welcome again on this our Holy/Maundy Thursday, of this our Holy Week.
This week began on Palm Sunday, with Jesus’ triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem, during the Jewish Passover festival. As you might remember, Jesus came in on a donkey, with shouts of “Hosanna!” and people laid there cloaks and there palm branches before Jesus.
On this night, Jesus has now been in the holy city, Jerusalem, or “Zion,” since he entered it on Palm Sunday. He has been teaching, loving, healing, and forgiving. On this day though, or more appropriately this night, we have another key part of the story of this our Holy Week.
You see, tomorrow is Good Friday, the day that Jesus Christ will be crucified for the sins of the world. Tomorrow will be the day that Jesus will show us what love is, as he gives up everything for us.
On this day though, then transitioning into this night, we have the “Last Supper”. Many of us have seen the “Last Supper” depicted in the Leonardo Da Vinci painting that has Jesus and all of his disciples eating on one side of a long table. This “Last Supper,” that Jesus ate with his disciples, and maybe even the women that were with him, was significant. How significant you might ask? So significant that Christian Churches worldwide have celebrated the events of this night for centuries. We come tonight to continue this tradition.
Some call this day Holy Thursday, as we celebrate the Last Supper that Jesus had with his friends. At this Last Supper we are given the gift by Jesus of the sacrament of Holy Communion, or the Lord’s Supper. As a result of this, the majority of churches worldwide, whether weekly, or monthly, or in some other fashion, celebrate the gift of the bread and cup, as Jesus commanded us to do. This all began on this night.
On this night, Jesus also washes the feet of his disciples, and since he did not command us to do the same, foot washing is not a sacrament. Even though Jesus only commanded us to partake in Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper, and to be baptized, we have the opportunity this night to celebrate the ordinance of foot washing. For those who are a little weary of their feet, we can also wash a hand. This ordinance, this tradition that many Christian Churches practice on this day every year, allows us to show the love that Christ showed to the Apostles on this night. We don’t have to do this, but we chose to, to better show each other the great love of Jesus Christ.
Many Protestant Churches, like the United Methodist Church refer to this day as “Maundy Thursday, which comes from the Latin word “Mandatum” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maundy_Thursday#Derivation_of_the_name_.22Maundy.22). The Latin word “Mandatum” translates to mandate or commandment, as Jesus ends the Last Supper, after the foot washing, with the “Maundy” or “Mandatum”.
In fact, our gospel lesson for tonight from the gospel of John ends with Jesus saying, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn. 13:34-35, NRSV). The roots of the title of this night being called “Maundy Thursday” are largely English or British in nature. So some Christian traditions call this day “Holy Thursday,” “Maundy Thursday,” or even something else. This emphasis on the commandment to love one another then, is largely where we get the name “Maundy Thursday”.
So in the gospel of John on this night, Judas Iscariot had already planned to betray Jesus for 30-pieces of silver, Jesus and the disciples had finished the Jewish Passover Seder meal, and the sacrament of Holy Communion, or bread and cup was instituted. Jesus then washed the feet of his disciples, and lastly instituted the “Maundy” or the commandment to love one another.
Given all this, this night is really significant in this Holy Week, and the events of this night are great. In fact, as this night wanes, Jesus will end up in the Garden of Gethsemane praying about his torture and crucifixion with will happen tomorrow.
With all of this said, my sermon title tonight is called “The New Passover Lamb”. The reason that I picked this sermon title, is because of the way that our reading from the Book of Exodus directly ties to Jesus Christ.
In our Book of Exodus reading for tonight, Moses has been arguing with the Egyptian Pharaoh to let the Jewish people go. More specifically, to free them from slavery, so that they may go to the Promised Land. The land of milk of honey.
Part of the story in the Book of Exodus of Moses arguing with the Egyptian Pharaoh to let his people go, is that of plagues. These plagues included things like the rivers and water turning to blood, locusts, frogs, and the last one, the death of all first born sons. All of these plagues hit Egypt to push the Pharaoh to let the Jews leave slavery in Egypt, to then go the Promised Land.
This plague of the Angel of Death coming for all of the first born sons in Egypt was a terrible plague. In God sparring the enslaved Jews, he gave them an option to save their first born sons from this plague.
In this scripture, the people of Israel in Egypt were instructed to sacrifice a lamb without blemish or fault, and then rub the blood of that lamb on the doorposts on their homes (Ex. 12:1-7, NRSV). In doing this, when the angel of death “Passed Over” there house that night, not only would their first born sons be saved, but this would then become the Jewish holiday of the Passover. This holiday commemorates the angel of death passing over the Jewish people in Egypt, as well all as them being freed from slavery in Egypt.
On this night, Jesus, his disciples, and maybe even the women who were part of the group, had the “Last Supper”. In doing this, they literally shared a Jewish Passover holiday Seder dinner, which would have had Lamb, bitter herbs, egg, and other things. When you look at on Leonardo Da Vinci’s paintings of the Last Supper though, you will see more than bread and a cup of wine on the table. This is because they shared a traditional Jewish Passover Seder dinner.
In doing this, Jesus took the bread, and then took the cup, and instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper.
The Apostle Paul speaks specifically on this in the reading tonight from 1 Corinthians. In the reading he says, “For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Cor. 11:23-24, NRSV).
Then the Apostle Paul said, “In the same way he took the cup also, and supper, saying, “this cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me”. For as often as you this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Cor. 11:25-26, NRSV).
While many of us have heard these words likely many times, you will notice that Jesus said while holding the communion cup, “this cup is the new covenant in my blood” (1 Cor. 11:25b, NRSV). This is significant, as Jesus is saying that the Old Law in the Old Testament, or the Hebrew Bible, and the old Passover Lamb is needed no more. Now, instead of lamb being sacrificed by the Jews in Egypt to protect them from the angel of death, Jesus, “the New Passover Lamb of God”, will shed his blood for all people, both past and present. We don’t need to put Jesus’ blood literally on the doorposts of our homes like the Jews did in Egypt then, as Jesus’s blood on the cross will cover the doorposts of our hearts and our souls. For all of these reasons and more, Jesus is “The New Passover Lamb”. 
In fact, as I said this past Sunday, the day after Jesus was baptized by his cousin John the Baptist, John said when he saw Jesus coming, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn. 1:29, NRSV).
Another example if this is from Revelation 5:6 that says, Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth” (Rev. 5:6, NRSV). 
The idea that Jesus is “The New Passover Lamb,” that he covers us from death is an ancient concept. Specifically, that while we will all face the pain of earthly death, eternal death like the angel of death will pass us over, if we have faith in Christ. All of this makes Jesus “The New Passover Lamb”.
So on this night, during the Jewish festival of the Jewish Passover, Jesus shares the Passover Seder dinner with the disciples, Judas Iscariot will betray him, Jesus gives us the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion, he gives us the gift of foot washing, and he then gives us the “Maundy,” which is the commandment to “love one another” (Jn. 13:1-7, 31b-35, NRSV).

It is my hope and prayer that this Holy or Maundy Thursday will take on new life for you tonight, that we will all understand it even more, and that we will grow closer to Jesus Christ, “The New Passover Lamb”. I pray that we would be filled, renewed, and empowered to forth into a world that largely knows him not, and change it, as this what Jesus has taught us to do. Amen.