Sidney UMC - Fourth Sunday of Easter - 05/03/20 - Sermon - “He Himself Bore Our Sins In His Own Body On The Cross"

Sunday 05/03/20 - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title:          

               “He Himself Bore Our Sins In His Own Body On The Cross”

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 23

                                           

New Testament Scripture: 1 Peter 2:19-25

Gospel Lesson: John 10:1-10

          He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed. Alleluia!

          I greet you again this morning, with the Easter Sunday greeting, as we are in the Fourth Sunday of this season of Easter. We will be in this season of Easter until Pentecost Sunday, which this year is on Sunday May 31^st.

          The past couple of weeks, we have had gospel readings where Christ appeared to his disciples and other early followers, following his resurrection on Easter morning. Or to put it another way, for the last two Sundays, we have had gospel readings on Jesus appearing physically alive, post-resurrection. I believe that Jesus had these post-resurrection appearances, to instruct, to encourage, and to further prepare his disciples and his first followers to create the Christian Church, which was officially created on the day of Pentecost.

          This morning however, we do not have a post-resurrection or post-mortem appearance of Jesus in our gospel lesson. Instead, we have one of Jesus’ “I am” statements about his authority and sovereignty as our Lord and Savior.

          I am going to tie this gospel lesson in later into this message for this morning, but I am also going to be focusing on our reading for this morning from 1 Peter 2:19-25. Before jumping into that however, I want to mention our reading from this morning from Psalm 23. I especially want to mention this reading around this current Coronavirus Pandemic. As I was writing this sermon, I saw that the most current Covid-19 or Coronavirus deaths in the United States were almost 62,000. I cannot begin to imagine the grief of the families and the friends of these victims.

          Simultaneous to this, we have small businesses that do not want anyone to get sick or die but are at risk of losing everything because they cannot work. So, we have people grieving the loss of people that are sick and have died from Coronavirus, and we people grieving that they cannot work, provide for their families, and live the life they were living prior to this global pandemic.

I believe within in this though that the timeless words of Psalm 23 are a great comfort through any struggle we are going through. I am going to re-read Psalm 23 to you, and I pray that you are comforted again, as you hopefully were when it was read a few minutes ago. Again, Psalm 23 says, from the New King James Version:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever” (Ps. 23, NKJV).

          Through this Coronavirus Pandemic, the God of the universe is very much with us spiritually. Yet, we live in a broken and a sinful world. We live in a world where there is a suffering, sickness, violence and death. We live in a world where many people work hard, where many people grow tired, stressed, and where many people get sore and weary. As Christians, we are called to care for the vulnerable, the least, the last, and the lost, and I do believe that we can indeed work to build a better country and a better world. The perfect world, the kingdom of God in its fullness, however, will only fully come to fruition when Christ returns to this earth to usher in the fullness of God’s kingdom. There is so much that we can do for others between now and then, however.

          In looking at our reading once again from 1 Peter 2 for this morning, this takes me to the heart of my sermon. The Apostle Peter tells us in 1:2:24, which is where I got my sermon title from, that:

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed”                    (1 Pet. 2:24, NRSV).

          To me, this verse of scripture is so powerful, and of course this is the Apostle Peter after Pentecost Sunday. Before the day of Pentecost, Peter is still scared and not ready to preach and live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

          It is interesting to me that the Apostle Peter asserts that Jesus, physically in his own body, bore the sins of humanity of the cross. In doing this, through Jesus Christ, we can repent of our sins, be forgiven of those sins, and as Peter says, live for righteousness. By Christ’s suffering, his shed blood, and his death on a cross, we are healed. We do not have to do anything to earn what Christ did for us, we just need to repent, to accept him as Lord, and to live for him every day.

          The confusion that some seem to have though, is this, if Jesus truly did bear our sins on the cross, then why aren’t our lives always perfect? I mean we know Jesus, but there is still suffering on earth and bad things still happen. How can this be?

          The reality is this, after the fall of humanity with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, in the Book of Genesis, the scripture tells us that this life on earth would be hard sometimes. It is true that salvation through Christ is a free gift, yet, we have this Coronavirus Pandemic.

          God is indeed with us, as we heard this morning in Psalm 23, but we still live on this broken earth that is full of so much suffering. Much of this suffering I believe though happens because of our sin, our sin against each other, and because of the things that we sometimes do to each other. On earth, we are not in heaven, although as Christians we can work to make this world more like the kingdom of heaven, until the day that Christ ushers it in fully. Despite our best efforts though, we will never make this world fully perfect, even though we will try to do so.

          As I was looking at this powerful verse from 1 Peter 2 about Jesus bearing our sins on the cross, I thought about our lives here on earth more. While eternity with Jesus one day will be free of struggle and suffering, this earth is certainly not like that. For those of us who were able to get an education, to get ahead in life, or who can worship in a beautiful church like this one, how did this all happen? Certainly, by the grace of God through Jesus Christ, but as we try, we can use the gifts and graces that God has given us. We must engage and God is with us.

          On this earth, so much has been done for us. The connection I am making here, is that while Christ bore our sins in his own body on the cross, many here on earth have borne others burdens in their own bodies, minds, and souls. Some of us can say that our parents, our grandparents, and many others sacrificed greatly so that we could get ahead in life. Granted all good things come from God in Jesus Christ. Even though God gives us everything, we are required to work and toil here on earth. Salvation and eternity in Christ are free gifts, but life here on earth is not always perfect. I wish it were but then pandemics come.

In Genesis 3:17b-19a, it says of life on this earth after of the fall of humanity:

“in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread” (Gen. 17b-19a, NRSV).

          Does this mean that life here on earth is always terrible? No, not at all. Christ died for us, and bore our sins on the cross, but we will remain on this earth until Christ comes again, or we go to be with Christ. To reemphasize this, lets look more closely at our reading from this morning once again from 1 Peter 2:19-25. One again saying of suffering on earth it says:

“For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly.  If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls”                         (1 Pet. 2:19-25, NRSV).

          Part of our faith journeys that we have with Jesus Christ, is having joy, peace, and comfort, even though this earth is so broken. We can have peace that even through a Global Coronavirus Pandemic, because Christ is with us.

          My parents worked hard, endured stress, long hours, conflict, busyness, and other challenges, so that me and my brothers and sisters would be able to be provided for. So that I could get an education, and be what God called me to be. My parents have faith in God, but we are called to work, serve, and sacrifice. This does not mean life is all bad, as I think that life is generally pretty good, but the scripture does call us to bear one another’s burdens.

          You see, through it all, through all the trials, the tribulations, the struggles, the suffering, Christ is with us. He knows us, understands us, and even suffered for us. We can have joy in Him, and we can hold our heads high in a world that is broken.

          As the church, we can radically love others, share Christ with them, and work to build a better world. We can live lives of victory, even if the whole world feels like it is falling apart. Through a global pandemic, through suffering, God is with us. We are to love and care for each other, even if we live in a broken world. “Jesus bore our sins in his body on the cross,” to free us, so that even in a broken and a sinful world, we might live lives of hope, grace, peace, faith, and victory.

          In briefly looking once again at our gospel of John reading for this morning, Jesus is teaching and explaining to us who he is. This gospel reading is before his death and resurrection, and in this gospel reading Jesus says:

“Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep” (Jn. 10:7, NRSV).

          Jesus is telling us that life and life eternal is through him. Jesus is saying that he is the gate that leads to life, and we are the sheep. Once again Jesus says in John 10:1-10:

“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (Jn. 10:1-10, NRSV).

          So, if Jesus is the gate, and we are the sheep, and if through him we have salvation and eternity, why doesn’t Jesus fix life right now? Why doesn’t Jesus just end this Coronavirus Pandemic? These are good questions. Jesus did not come to earth so that everything would just be perfect instantly. Jesus came to offer us spiritual transformation, new life, new hope, and life abundantly. The world is still broken and sinful, in large part because we have free will to choose how we live. Free will is a challenge, because we can do good, or do harm.

          Our new life in Christ is us being transformed and continuing to become more like Christ, and Christ then uses us to transform the world. The world is still broken, but we have Jesus, salvation in him, and his love, hope, mercy, and grace. Through him we can make the world better, knowing that he loves us, knowing that we have eternity with him, and knowing that while there is suffering on this earth, we are not alone. We have Christ, we have each other, and as we suffer or do not suffer, we go through this journey of life together. Jesus bore our sins, but we are also called to bear each other’s sins.

          Jesus died for us and may his love and his peace sustain individually and together through whatever this world throws at us. For we are free through him, even if the world is still so screwed up. Live for Christ, love others, and know that he is with us. Amen.

Sidney UMC - Native American Awareness Sunday/Third Sunday of Easter - 04/26/20 - Sermon - “The Walk to Emmaus"

Sunday 04/26/20 - Sidney UMC

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

          He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed. Alleluia!

          As we are still in the season of Easter, my friends, my brothers and sisters, I greet you again with this great Easter Sunday greeting. We will be in the season of Easter until Pentecost Sunday, which this year is on May 31^st.

          Since we are continuing in this season of Easter, it is very common to have gospel lessons that discuss the time from Easter Sunday to that of Pentecost Sunday. On the day of Pentecost, which once again this year, is on Sunday May 31^st, the disciples were gathered in an Upper Room. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit moved, they spoke in different languages, the Spirit of God descended upon them like tongues of fire, and Peter preached a sermon that brought 3,000 souls to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Pentecost is the official birthday of the Christian Church, and the day that the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit of God. It is on Pentecost that Jesus’ disciples finally go forward, boldly, bravely, and unapologetically living and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. On Pentecost Sunday, the disciples and the other earlier followers of Jesus are not locked behind closed doors, instead they are out teaching, preaching, and loving like Jesus Christ. Church tradition tells that all but the Apostle John will die brutal deaths for their faith in Christ.

          Since Jesus conquers the grave, and rises from the dead, on Easter Sunday, between Easter Sunday and Pentecost, Jesus decided to appear to his disciples. They are scared, unsure, and lack the faith to boldly go forth with the gospel.

          During the 40-days before Pentecost, Jesus presents himself physically to the disciples and others. I have read that as many as 400-500 people claim to have seen Jesus risen after his resurrection.

          I also want to mention quickly, that this Sunday is one of the six special United Methodist Church giving Sundays. This Sunday is “Native American Awareness Sunday.” According to umcgiving.org, this special Sunday offering exists because:

“When you support Native American Ministries Sunday, you equip seminary students who will honor and celebrate Native American culture in their ministries. And you empower congregations that are finding fresh new ways to minister to their communities with the love of Christ” (http://www.umcgiving.org/ministry-articles/native-american-ministries-sunday).

          If you are interested in giving to “Native American Awareness Sunday,” you can send funds to our church or to our Annual Conference in Liverpool, NY, and just mark the funds “Native American Awareness Sunday.” We will then make sure, if the funds are sent to the Sidney UMC, that they go to the Annual Conference, and to those who will benefit from these funds.

          Getting back to what I said a minute ago however, last Sunday, Jesus appears to the remaining eleven original Apostles twice, once with the Apostle Thomas present, and once without. Jesus physically presents himself resurrected with the nail wounds in his hands, and the spear wound in his side (Jn. 20:19-31, NRSV).

Jesus’ disciples were scared, and they lacked the faith to fully go forth and preach the gospel. Due to this, Jesus decides, once again, to appear to them and others during these 40-days leading up to Pentecost Sunday, so that they might be encouraged, and so that their faith would be strengthened.

I personally think that Jesus appeared physically during these 40-days, so that people could one, see that he was truly physically resurrected and alive, and two, so that he could strengthen the faith of his disciples and others. His disciples are scared and hurting, so Jesus comes to them, fully resurrected, fully alive, fully God, and fully human. Jesus shows them the mighty resurrection power of God!

          This morning we have another post-resurrection or post-mortem appearance of Jesus Christ. This appearance comes to us once again from the gospel of Luke 24:13-35, as this passage is commonly called “The Walk to Emmaus.”

In fact, the United Methodist Church sponsors a three-day spiritual retreat weekend called, “The Walk to Emmaus.” I have attended one of these weekends as a candidate and many weekends as a leader on the weekends. The purpose of these weekends is to bring people closer Christ, raise them up for various areas of church leadership, and to deepen their faith in God.

          This spiritual retreat weekend in the United Methodist Church called, “The Walk to Emmaus,” is named after our gospel of Luke lesson for this morning. Of the four recognized or Canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, only the gospel of Luke has the story of Jesus appearing on the road to Emmaus.

          Before I get into this gospel of Luke lesson, it is important to remember what Peter says in 1 Peter for this morning. Once again, Peter speaks of who Jesus is, as 1 Peter 1:18-21 it says:

“You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God”                 (1 Pet. 1:18-21, NRSV).

          Well, here in 1 Peter, this is not the scared Peter hiding in a locked house. This Peter is very clear and bold on who he says Jesus is. This Peter isn’t unsure or lacking in faith. This Peter declares that Christ was and is perfect, died for us, and that through his blood we can be forgiven, and given new life. This Peter said that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection were destined before the world was created. This Peter said that Jesus brings us to God, and that he rose from the dead. This Peter, however, is the Peter after Pentecost Sunday. This is not the disciples today.

          So, let’s look at this gospel of Luke reading for this morning once again. Beginning in 21:13-14 it says:

^“ Now on that 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).

          So, we have two people walking to the village of Emmaus, that is about 7-miles away from Jerusalem. Jerusalem is of course where the Last Supper, the crucifixion of Jesus, and his burial and resurrection occurred. So, Jerusalem is about 7-miles from the village of Emmaus. Also, we are not told who these “two people walking” are, but as we read, we will get so more information on their identities.

          What we do know, is that this gospel narrative takes place very shortly after Jesus was crucified and resurrected, as these two are walking to the village of Emmaus and discussing Jesus. Jesus then comes walking alongside the two of them and begins to walk and talk with them. The gospel of Luke continues once again saying:

^“While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad” (Lk. 24:15-17, NRSV).

          These two mystery travelers, heading to the village of Emmaus, are discussing Jesus. Right then, Jesus walks up next to them and asks them what they are discussing as they walking? They don’t recognize Jesus.

Why don’t they recognize him? Well maybe Jesus wanted them to believe without seeing who he really was, or maybe their hearts where so closed to who he really was and is. Jesus of course already knows what they are talking about, so he is asking as if he has no idea. The scripture says when he asks the two travels this, that they stood there and looked sad. Yet, how could they be sad if Jesus Christ has just risen from the dead, conquering sin, death, darkness, and evil? Well maybe these two didn’t believe that Jesus did rise from the dead. Let’s read on once again, as the gospel of Luke then says of the two travels:

“Then one of them, whose name 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?” He asked them, “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. 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. 24:18-24, NRSV).

So clearly these two travels heading to the village of Emmaus know all about Jesus. One of them, the scripture says, is named “Cleopas.” Clearly in this scripture though, the two travels do not believe that Jesus was the Messiah, the savior of the world. In fact, they are sad they say that Jesus wasn’t the Messiah. They lament that he didn’t redeem Israel as they put it. They do in fact believe that Jesus’ tomb is empty however, as this event seems to fall on Easter Sunday or soon after when they are walking to the village of Emmaus. Clearly though, “Cleopas” and this other travel don’t believe that Jesus rose from the dead. Thus far, they just believe that Jesus’ body was gone from the tomb. Maybe they believed that his body was taken or stolen, but we don’t hear anywhere here that they believed that he was resurrected from the dead.

Upon hearing all of this, Jesus fires back. Before going into this scripture further though, we now know the name of one of these two travelers to Emmaus. The gospel of Luke calls this person “Cleopas.” Well who is “Cleopas?” One source I have read says:

“Cleopas (Greek Κλεόπας, Kleopas), also spelled Cleophas, was a figure of early Christianity, one of the two disciples who encountered Jesus during the Road to Emmaus appearance in Luke 24:13–32” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleopas).

This identified person of the two travels called “Cleopas,” or “Cleophas,” is a disciple of Jesus Christ, but not one of the first twelve that Jesus chose. It is possible that Jesus’ 12-disciples did spread the faith in secret before Pentecost, or that these two people encountered Christ somewhere during his ministry and became his followers. Some Christian traditions claim that “Cleophas” was the brother of Jesus’ earthly father Joseph. This is just a theory, but if it’s true then this person was Jesus’ uncle. Once again, we know that this person was a disciple of Jesus.

With this said, Jesus then responds to what these two said saying:

^“Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures” (Lk. 24:25-27, NRSV).

Jesus tells them, have you forgotten everything that I said, did, and have taught you? You know of the empty tomb, and still you don’t believe?

The scripture then continues to say, once again, that they are beginning to near the village of Emmaus. Remember this is a seven-mile walk. If they are almost there, they must have been walking and talking for a while. How long does it take you to walk a mile? Does it take 10-minutes? 20-minutes? Longer? Well they walked about 7-miles together in total, and the scripture says that they stopped and talked at least once.

The gospel then continues once again saying:

^“As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight” (Lk. 24:28-31, NRSV).

          There is lot to unpack here. First, they were clearly walking, talking, and walking and talking long enough that it was almost nighttime. Cleopas invites Jesus to stay with them. Where are they staying, and why do they invite Jesus to stay with them?  They invited Jesus to stay with them, as this was the common cultural practice of hospitality for a friend or a visitor. My guess is that they were staying in their own house.

          If this might be true, then who was the other person with Cleopas? Some scholars think that this other person is Cleopas’ wife, as they live together. We don’t know this for sure, but it makes sense. A husband and a wife are walking home from Jerusalem after the crucifixion, death, and empty tomb of Jesus. The scripture says that Jesus only died three days before this “Walk to Emmaus,” so it must be Easter Sunday or soon after.

          Jesus of course, goes to stay with Cleopas and the other person, who is perhaps Cleopas’ wife. They have dinner together, as offering a visitor food and drink was their custom of hospitality. We also often offer these things for friends and visitors in our own homes.

          Most people that lived in and around Jerusalem at this time ate bread as a main staple food. They ate other things to of course, but the bread was the main staple. It is no wonder that at many restaurants we are offered bread even before the meal that we ordered comes out. Bread was the main staple.

          With this bread, at the table with Cleopas and the other person. Jesus then takes some of this bread. Just like the Last Supper, Jesus blesses this bread, breaks this bread, and gives it to Cleopas and the other person. This is how we do Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper. We bless the bread and break it, and we then share of this broken bread symbolizing Christ’s body broken for us.

          The gospel then says, that in this moment of Holy Communion, in this moment of lifting the bread, blessing it, and breaking it, that Cleopas and the other person finally recognized that this person was the risen Lord, Jesus Christ!

          Was Jesus on the journey to Emmaus and at the dinner table of Cleopas and the other person, in his physically and bodily resurrected form? I will tell you this, it’s kind of hard to lift a loaf of bread, bless it, break it, and hand it to the two people, with out a body. I don’t know about you, but it’s hard to lift and eat bread without hands, or arms, or a body. So yes, Jesus was physically with Cleopas and the other person.

          Once Cleopas and the other person recognize that this is indeed Jesus, then Jesus immediately vanishes. Why would Jesus do this though, and why didn’t he finish his dinner?

          Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances were not about just side conversation, or filling up time until he ascended into heaven, or a desire to just chat. All the recorded post-resurrection or post-mortem appearances of Jesus Christ happened directly so that those that he appeared to would have faith in him. He didn’t appear just to chat, instead he came so that they may have life, and have it abundantly, as Jesus says in John 10:10 (Jn. 10:10, NRSV).

          So, why did Jesus disappear once Cleopas and the other person finally recognized him at dinner? Jesus left because they believed in him. Why did Jesus leave last Sunday shortly after appearing to Thomas, who some call “Doubting Thomas?” Jesus left, because Thomas and the others believed. Jesus appears to the Apostles and others periodically for 40-days so that they might believe and have faith and trust in him.

          Well, did Cleopas and the other person on the road to Emmaus have faith after this encounter with the risen Christ? Let’s read the last bit of this gospel of Luke reading. Once again, this gospel of Luke reading ends saying:

“They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread” (Lk. 24:32-35, NRSV).

         

          Some scholars connect Cleopas with Simon as one in the same, but what is evident is that by the end of the road to Emmaus, these two disciples believed in Jesus. This is no doubt why the United Methodist Church has our three-day spiritual retreat weekend called “The Walk to Emmaus.” On this three-day retreat weekend our journey, we are walking with Christ and growing closer to him.

          During these 40-days from Jesus’s resurrection on Easter Sunday to Pentecost, the faith of the original eleven Apostles and many disciples of Christ is strengthened. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit will move, and the church will be born. This gospel, this faith, and this belief that Jesus imbued into his first believers, is the same faith that we have passed down from generation to generation for the last two-thousand years.

          Why do we as Christians believe that Jesus physically rose from the dead? His tomb was empty, and hundreds of eyewitnesses saw him physically and bodily alive after his resurrection. Either this is just all metaphor and symbolism, or the first Apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ saw him alive after he was resurrected.

          So convinced were eleven of the remaining twelve of Jesus’s first Apostles, and many of the disciples, that after the day of Pentecost they will risk and sacrifice their lives so that all may know the saving power of Jesus Christ. Countless Christians would and still do suffer and die, so that people would know the resurrection power of Christ, and have eternal salvation found only in the life-giving blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus appears for 40-days so his first Apostles and first disciples might have life, and have it abundantly (Jn. 10:10, NRSV). Amen.

Sidney UMC - Second Sunday of Easter - 04/19/20 - Sermon - “Passing the Peace of Christ"

Sunday 04/19/20 - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title:          “Passing the Peace of Christ”

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!

          My friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ, welcome once again on this our Second Sunday of Easter. Last Sunday, we celebrated Christ’s glorious resurrection, as he was physically raised to new life. In doing this, Jesus conquered sin, death, darkness, and evil, inviting us into new life, hope, love and eternity with him. In fact, in our United Methodist Church Articles of Religion, “Article III—Of the Resurrection of Christ” says,

“Christ did truly rise again from the dead, and took again his body, with all things appertaining to the perfection of man's nature, wherewith he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth until he return to judge all men at the last day” (UMC BOD, pg. 64).

          So, Easter morning isn’t just symbolism, it’s a literal bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are also other recorded resurrections in Bible to, like Lazarus, that Jesus raised from the dead. The difference with cases like Lazarus though, is that Lazarus was indeed raised to life, yet he died again on earth after he was resurrected. Jesus on Easter, however, is alive eternally, and will never again die.

          We hear of this reality, once again in our reading for this morning from 1 Peter 1:3-5, which says:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Pet. 1:3-5, NRSV).

          So, Peter tells us that through the resurrection of Jesus Christ we are offered great mercy, new birth, and a living hope. Through Christ we are offered forgiveness, and life eternal. We are also offered through Christ a spiritual inheritance in heaven. Since this is true, and since Jesus is our King and our Lord, we are then heirs to God’s Kingdom. Due to this, we are royalty. This makes us all princes and princesses, as Christ is our King, and we will inherit his heavenly kingdom.

          Last Sunday, as we know then, Jesus rose from the dead. If this is true though, then how can we have a gospel reading for this morning with Jesus alive and present? Didn’t he die on the cross? The answer to this question, is that Jesus appeared to his disciples in different places and in different times for 40-days, after his resurrection, before ascending into heaven.

          In my lifetime, I have heard a great many “ghost stories” before. In fact, there are various television shows where groups of people try to track down and communicate with ghosts and spirits. I don’t personally believe in ghosts, but for those who do believe in ghosts, it certainly provides them evidence of the afterlife. Is it possible for our souls to stick around earth when we die for a while? I guess, but I don’t read anything in the Bible to this effect, so I don’t personally believe this.

          I raise this topic of ghosts and spirits though, because for 40-days after Jesus was crucified, entombed, and resurrected last Sunday on Easter Sunday, the Bible says that he appeared periodically to his disciples. Some people have argued that the disciples were so overcome with the grief of Jesus’s death that their minds played tricks on them. Some others would argue that the disciples merely saw the spirit or the “ghost” of Jesus. Yet, if Jesus was indeed physically resurrected, then he would have a body to, wouldn’t he?

          Does the resurrected Christ that appears to the disciples for 40-days claim to have a body? The answer is absolutely!

          In fact, in the version of Christ’s resurrection that I read from the gospel of John last Sunday on Easter, we might remember that Mary Magdalene was crying. Mary Magdalene was crying, because she thought that Jesus’ body was stolen and taken from the tomb. She then confuses the risen Christ, thinking that he was the gardener. You also might remember that Jesus then calls to Mary, and then she sees the resurrected Christ. Once again, from last Sunday, Jesus says to Mary in John 20:17:

“Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father” (Jn. 20:17, NRSV).

               Jesus tells Mary Magdalen not to hold on to him. Kind of hard to hold onto an apparition or a spirit without a body.

               So, for the next 40-days, Jesus appears here and there, at least 10 times according the scriptures. Next Sunday, Jesus appears to two of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and this morning Jesus appears to all the disciples initially, except Thomas. Thomas doesn’t believe that his friends saw Jesus though, and this is where we get the expression of a “Doubting Thomas.”

               A good question to ask here further, is why did Jesus appear to his disciples for 40-days, and why was he seen alive by at least 400-500 people after his resurrection? Couldn’t Christ have just ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father, until he returns to earth? He could have, but he had some unfinished business here on earth. For those who believe in ghosts, which I do not, some argue that ghosts are here on earth because they have unfinished business. What would Jesus’ unfinished business be?

               If we remember Maundy/Holy Thursday, the night of the Last Supper, we might remember that Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Judas Iscariot didn’t get it.

               On the day of Jesus’ trial, torture, mockery, and crucifixion, or Good Friday, Peter denied Jesus three times, and all but the beloved disciple or John stuck around. They all ran away out of fear. This could have very well saved their lives at the time that they did this, but they certainly don’t fully understand yet who Jesus is. It seems clear that at the Last Supper, on Good Friday, and even on Easter itself that no one really “gets it” yet.

               In fact, the scripture tells us that until the day of Pentecost, which is Sunday May 31^st this year, that the disciples won’t fully get it. This is the day that they are filled with the Holy Spirit, we wear red, we talk about the disciples speaking in tongues, tongues of fire, and then they go forth preaching, loving, and healing in the name of Jesus Christ. Pentecost in when the Christian Church officially begins, as some of us are slow learners. We know Christ, but as we know him more, we become more like him.

               The disciples knew Christ, but they didn’t fully understand who Jesus was, or the mission that Jesus called them to. To me, it is as if the disciples needed reminders and a little encouragement on the way to Pentecost. It is as if the disciples need these 40-days of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances to learn more, to understand more everything Christ did and said.

               Our gospel lesson for this morning, is a prime example of this. After Jesus was crucified and resurrected, Jesus’ followers were in hiding because they feared for there lives. After the day of Pentecost though, their lives are still on the line, but they preach and live the life saving gospel of Jesus Christ anyway. Church tradition holds that all the original 12 disciples of Jesus, died brutal deaths, except the Apostle John who exiled to the Island of Patmos. So, after Pentecost, after the Holy Spirit moves with tongues of fire, the disciples are ready to go.

               Today though, they are not ready. It is like a soldier going through basic training and training after basic training. In part, the sergeants and the officers need to assess the soldier’s readiness for whatever they are called to do. I have seen clips and stories about the rigor of Navy Seal training, and how they want the best, and prepare them as such. Jesus’ disciples are not ready to start the church, and he appears to them for 40-days, I think, to help them along.

               Let’s look at our gospel of John reading for this morning once again, that says:

“When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained”                       (Jn. 20:19-23, NRSV).

               In this gospel lesson once again, the disciples are in a locked house. Perhaps we could say that they were quarantined! Sound familiar to anyone right now? They feared for there lives. Jesus didn’t knock on the door, he just appeared. Did he walk through the wall with his body? Well he is God.

               My sermon title for this morning comes from what Jesus says next in this scripture. From this scripture and many other examples of Jesus, we have one of my favorite parts of our church services. This part of the service that I love so much is that of “Sharing the Peace of Christ.” This is the time in the service where we, “pre-Coronavirus,” shake hands, hug, say hello, and often say, “May the peace of Christ be with you.”

               It was very common for Jews to say “Shalom, meaning peace,” as this “was a common Hebrew greeting and a blessing in the first century” (Africa Bible Commentary, pg. 1320). Jesus greets the disciples with this common greeting, and as such we do so every Sunday. When we do this, I see and feel the love of Christ, and feel the peace of Christ. We do “Sharing the Peace of Christ” so well in fact, that sometimes I must tell people to “break it up” and sit down, so that we can go back to our service.

               For some of us, the “Sharing the Peace of Christ” is a time where we are encouraged and uplifted, and I think that Jesus’ post-resurrection appearance this morning happened for the same reason.

               After saying this to his disciples, Jesus then shows the disciples, Thomas excluded, as he wasn’t there, the nail holes in his hands and the wound in his side. He wants clearly to show them that he is alive, and that he had the wounds from his crucifixion. The disciples feel great and uplifted due to this, and again the risen Christ says, “Peace be with you.” Jesus then breathes on the disciples and tells them to receive the Holy Spirit. He then tells them that they can forgive sins, or not forgive sins, as to empower them.

               After this though, the disciples are still not ready, but they are more so than before this appearance from Jesus. “Peace be with you,” or “Shalom,” and receive the Holy Spirit. Not the full measure of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, but more of it.       

               The Gospel of John continues saying:

“But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “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.” A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said 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!” 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. 20:24-29, NRSV).

          The Apostle Thomas returns after this appearance from the risen Christ, and as you can imagine, the disciples are very excited about this. So obviously they tell Thomas. Thomas doesn’t believe them though, which is why sometimes he is called “Doubting Thomas.” Yet, in Thomas’ defense, Peter denied Jesus three times on Good Friday, and everyone but John ran and hid during the crucifixion of Jesus.

          The idea then that the disciples were not fully ready to lead the church and bring the gospel to the world yet, seemed evident, at this point. The disciples will be ready to do this on the day of Pentecost, but they just aren’t ready yet.

          A week after Jesus appeared to all the disciples, but Thomas, he appears again to them, this time with Thomas. Again, Jesus says, “Peace be with you,” as we “Share the Peace of Christ” every Sunday. After this greeting, Jesus then invited Thomas to put his finger in the nail holes in his hands, and to put his hand in his wound where the spear that entered him on his cross.

          The next part of this gospel lesson is very interesting to me. Thomas then says to Jesus “My Lord and my God!” This is the not the interesting part though. The interesting part is what it then says once again:

“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).

          What Jesus is telling the Apostle Thomas, is that he now believes because he was physically in the presence of the resurrected savior, but soon Jesus will ascend to heaven. Jesus is saying to Thomas, those in who you teach, instruct, and tell about me, will not have the luxury of seeing me resurrected like you are right now. Thomas believe and preach and live the gospel.

          We know that Jesus appears after his resurrection at least 10 times, and maybe others that might not be recorded in scripture. Why can I speculate about others that might not be recorded in scripture? Well the last two verses of our scripture reading from the gospel of John for this morning is the end of the gospel of John. So once again, this is how the gospel of John ends:

^“Now Jesus did many other signs 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 that through believing you may have life in his name” (Jn. 20:30-31, NRSV).

          So according to the Apostle John, to conclude his gospel, Jesus said and did many other things, yet he didn’t put them in this gospel. The ones that he did include are so that we would believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the risen savior of the world. Since the Apostle John was put in exile by the Romans on the Island of Patmos near modern day Turkey though, you would think that he would have plenty of time to write more, but who knows!

          So today friends, brothers and sisters, Jesus appears to his disciples who are locked away and scared, and he cares for them. He knows that their faith is not yet strong enough to run the church, so he presents himself to encourage and embolden them. It is my hope and my prayer that during this Coronavirus Epidemic shutdown and quarantine that Jesus will present himself to you. We won’t see him physically again until he returns to earth, but may we feel his presence in our hearts and our souls. May his love move us to action and to serve others. May Jesus spiritually break through our locked houses and fill our worried hearts and souls with his peace. Friends, “Peace be with you.” Amen.