Today we arrive at maybe the most challenging statement for our modern, scientific minds to receive as true… I believe in Jesus Christ… WHO… suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
The good news we declare today is: In the person of Jesus, God suffered AS one of us WITH all of us because suffering is how God disarms the powers and authorities that stand opposed to our freedom. So, beloved, do not despise the humility and suffering that inevitably come along with the struggle for liberation. Jesus did not die so we don’t have to… He died so we might die alongside him for the sake of love. This is how the Kingdom of God is birthed in our world.
The one born of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of God’s promise to bring life and order from death and chaos. So, fear not: God has not abandoned you. The One who was born to impossible odds has drawn near to make us children of the promise. Take heart and receive Mary’s good news. No word from God will fail.
The good news this morning is that the CORE of our faith is Jesus Christ. He was there at the beginning of time working for us. In love, He chose to be born among us and to die for us, and He is working for us now and until the end of time. Our faith and our lives are rightly centered on Jesus, our foundation, our hope, and our Lord and King.
We are invited to confess and know God as Father… But this is not the coercion of an abusive or authoritative patriarch. This is the loving call of an attentive parent whose power is made perfect in weakness. So, draw close to this Father today and allow him to heal you of every wound.
Today we arrive at the last piece of the first statement of the Apostles' Creed: “I believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth."
The good news that we declare today: We live in a world made by the loving hands of God, redeemed with the loving presence of God, that will one day be renewed by the loving Spirit of God. Friends, this world is good and our God is fully committed to its flourishing. So today, let’s join our heavenly father by pledging our allegiance to all of creation. Flooding the darkness with light until everything and everyone is healed.
Many things start with a question. One of my teachers used to say “Questions are alive; answers are dead.” Sometimes a small question of curiosity ultimately leads to a scientific breakthrough. Sometimes a big sweeping question about the meaning of the universe could ready us for an encounter with the Creator. A mentor’s single question may enable a student to escape the rut of well-explored thinking to find a new arena of possibilities. A direct question might shake a politician off script and allow people an authentic moment of genuine connection. Questions can kick off a new relationship, prepare the ground for crucial decisions, or pave the way for deep understanding.
Jerusalem was abuzz with questions after Jesus’ memorable arrival to the city in Mark 11. His manner of entering the gates carried hints of royalty, a whiff of prophecy, and inklings of revolution. The rumor mill turned in overdrive, and for many, expectations for something good were sky high. What will he do next?
Jesus’ death is not a cosmic disappointment. Through his faithfulness to enter into suffering and death, Jesus gets to the root of evil, defeating the powers and principalities that seem to rule our world. So, church, as we wait for resurrection, let Jesus meet you in the in-between space, turning death to life and hope.
The way of Jesus is expansive and inclusive, granting acceptance and access to those who are rejected and excluded. Church, the world needs the good news of Jesus today, that he came to heal and save, not to attack and police and punish. How do you need that good news today? And how can we embody this good news today?
The good shepherd looks after His sheep. Let's journey with a servant heart. Let's commit to following Him.
The good news of Jesus is that we either inherit the kingdom of God together or not at all.
Hurt people hurt people
BUT:
Blessed people bless people.
Healed people heal people.
Secure people bring security to people.
Whole people bring wholeness to people.
Healing trauma in the kingdom of God can undo and reversethe trauma that’s been stored in bodies.
That’s what the kingdom of God is for: to tell a new storyof safety and attachment that enables people to become healers themselves.
This is discipleship.
God’s love in Jesus advocates for the powerless, opposingunjust systems and dismantling oppressive arguments. This is how God’s love in Jesus reckons with power. It changes the questions, it challenges the assumptions, and it creates a new world so that everyone can thrive.
In this time of turmoil and uncertainty, Jesus is present with us, freeing us from the fear that would drive us to police the borders of belonging in our community. He is empowering us to join in the prophetic work of liberation, telling the truth about ourselves, our community, and our world.Jesus says to John and to us, “Don't be afraid, the goodness that you have has been a gift of my mercy. Not an achievement you have grasped. You don’t enjoy the life you have because you got it first… You enjoy it because I’m a gracious giver of life who wants EVERYONE, including you, to flourish! So stay open to more goodness instead of trying to secure the borders of that goodness.”
And Jesus is saying here that if you cause them to stumble: Refers to actions that cause people to lose their faith, actions that make it very difficult for ppl to continue to follow Jesus... trust in the goodness of Jesus… He's saying that's a really serious thing.
This brings to mind 2 things. 1): The many abuse scandals that have come to light in so many different corners of the church over the last several years. These are the kinds of actions that can shipwreck someone's faith. It often makes people unable to go to church, unable to engage with scripture, unable to follow Jesus.
2) The general posture of Christian leaders as they use their energy to police the boarders of who’s in and who’s out: Infighting rather than liberation. Hungry for status rather than feeding the hungry. Building brands rather than binding up the brokenhearted. Jealousy of others’ successes rather than rejoicing in the lost and least. Suspicion over anyone who doesn't share the right label rather than blessing any work that results in human flourishing regardless of who’s doing that work. Defending their tribe rather than coming to the aid of the defenseless.
And because of this friends, is it any wonder that we have an entire generation of younger folks walking away from the faith? Is it any wonder that they question whether the Jesus the church claims to follow is a God of love and mercy? The work of prophecy, in contrast to policing, is to stand in solidarity with those who are harmed by these kinds of abusive actions, and to tell the truth about the rotten fruit of these actions. And of course, the tragic irony is that in so many of the churches that enable and excuse their own behavior, there's almost always a strong policing energy - condemning those who are outside the borders, straining out gnats and swallowing camels. Trust that the work of liberation will draw us all deeper into communion with God and with each other. It's so much easier to police the behavior of outsiders than it is to prophetically look at our own lives and our own community… And to do what's necessary to cultivate this fruit of liberation here in this garden. Today, beloved, the good news is that in this time of turmoil & uncertainty, Jesus is present with us freeing us from the fear that would drive us to police the borders of belonging in our community & empowering us to join in the prophetic work of liberation, telling the truth about ourselves, our community, & our world.
Where do you feel the fear that might drive you to police the borders of belonging? And where do you sense Jesus empowering you to join in the prophetic work of liberation?
The realm of God is here. Instead of new revelation, Jesus reveals what's always been true. God is committed to love and justice for all of creation no matter what it costs him. Take heart, beloved. Do not be afraid. The same Jesus who’s with you on the mountaintop is with you in the valley. His glory rests on you today, anointing you to live out the law of love in reality. Go and love your neighbor. Go and seek justice.
The realm of God is here. God dwells among the people. God's justice and love are working. They do not go alone. Friends, the glory of God doesn't rest upon you so you can dissociate from reality.
We aren't renewing our minds to some false narrative of coping. The glory of God rests on you so you can bear your realities, so that in the face of injustice, you can tell the truth, so you can seek mercy, so you can march, so you can show up. So you can love your neighbor.
There’s no need to scramble for tents to hide in the presence of God. It is everywhere.
Today, live out the law of love & reality, loving your neighbor, seeking justice. Cornel West writes, “Justice is what love looks like in public.”
So, friends, love boldly. Love against the odds, love against the circumstances. Seek justice when the horizon is bleak. Seek justice when all seems lost. Seek justice when your world is falling apart.
**Apologies for the gap in the audio that may be noted immediately prior to the Scripture reading.
Jesus reveals that the road to resurrection is marked by suffering, rejection and death. You don't have to deny or avoid the pain that you feel, or the suffering that you see all around you. Today, we're invited to follow Christ into suffering, loss, and even into death… not to be buried, but to bear witness to the ongoing redemption, reconciliation and resurrection of all things. Taste and see the healing power of God’s kingdom as Jesus carries us towards resurrection.
Jesus is a good shepherd who doesn't scapegoat those who are different, but he includes those who are vulnerable and in need of reconciliation.
Eph 2:14 says that He himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and destroyed the barrier and dividing wall of hostility.
Jesus is a good shepherd. He tends the vulnerable, he doesn't use them. And he deals in truth, bringing justice to conflict and division rather than profiting after it. Rather than causing or bypassing chaos, he is with us when life hits the fan.
Let us remember and celebrate the ways that Jesus is our good shepherd today and together become a sign for all of his goodness to all of his people!
The healing justice of God is flowing here and now straight into our desperate needs and overwhelming problems. It’s a raging torrent of love that can’t help itself but respond to our cries for mercy. This is the God Jesus reveals. This is the God that is present and working among us. This is the God who is coming to save us. To the poor, afflicted, desperate among us, we declare: God SEES you… God LOVES you… & God CHOOSES you. You are honored here.
In the face of overwhelming need and not nearly enough, Jesus receives our meager offerings with gratitude and transforms them into abundant provision for all.
So, let go of despair. Let go of apathy today. And instead, open your hands and offer whatever you have, however small for the sake of others.
Bring what you have, even though we know it's not enough, because Jesus receives our offerings with gratitude. He doesn't roll his eyes and say, "is this all you've got?" He says, “Thank you. This is wonderful. This is beautiful.” We bring our meager offerings. Jesus receives them with gratitude and multiplies them to meet the need.
Beloved, we will all be satisfied in God's love with plenty of leftovers.
The good news is that opposition to the reign of God takes a toll and has lasting consequences, but it never has the last word. Jesus and his reign of love and mercy cannot be hindered. So beloved, have hope today and take your place among the resistance, telling truth to power and joining or seeking subversive acts of justice. This is who you are in Christ.
Jesus is revealed as King who confronts the forces of violence and death. Not a warrior king who overcomes his enemies with violence… But a crucified king who becomes the enemy and takes on our violence.
What sort of king do we want today, friends? What vision of peace fills our imagination? A king who brings peace through violence and force? Or one who makes peace by laying down his life?
Jesus confronts the forces of violence and death as the Gentile King who becomes an enemy and takes our violence as the Passover Lamb.
In this story, Jesus sees and negotiates power. He leverages his own power. And Jesus redefines power. The marginalizedwoman becomes the faith leader to the society’s faith leader. Jesus has redefined power on her behalf.
The power of God in Jesus crosses boundaries in order to bring life to those languishing in death. The holiness of Christ heals the suffering. The love of Christ honors the shameful. The power of Christ robs death of all its dominion. Little children, audaciously seek the saving power of Christ today.
This text teaches us to make time and to give honor to those we are biased and prejudiced against: those at the bottom, the least, the marginalized, the last. To let them teach us, to let them scandalize us, even make us squirm, even if they may be breaking a law.
In these days, we desperately need a gospel, a good news that can deal with real world stuff that's jacked up.
Real suffering, real pain, real injury, real loss: Jesus CARES about it. Jesus is WITH the marginalized and the oppressedand the poor… and he's there REDEFINING how power works, LIFTING those people up, LEVERAGING his power on their behalf, and making THEM the faith leaders to the faith leaders.
He's still doing it. We too must be with them.