LENT d365.org: REJECTED

INVOCATION.... (d365.org - Jay Kieve)

We all want to be accepted for who we are and for what we have to offer. What a blow it is, then, to be dismissed, ostracized, and rejected.

No one knew this experience more deeply than Jesus. Offering acceptance for so many, he was still misunderstood, feared, and ultimately put to death.

God offers this love now to you. Open your heart to accept that love, as well as the one who came to show it to us.

SATURDAY, April 19  Burial

John 19:38-42  VOICE

38 After all this, Joseph of Arimathea, a disciple who kept his faith a secret for fear of the Jewish officials, made a request to Pilate for the body of Jesus. Pilate granted his request, and Joseph retrieved the body. 39 Nicodemus, who first came to Jesus under the cloak of darkness, brought over 100 pounds of myrrh and ointments for His burial.40 Together, they took Jesus’ body and wrapped Him in linens soaked in essential oils and spices, according to Jewish burial customs.

41 Near the place He was crucified, there was a garden with a newly prepared tomb. 42 Because it was the day of preparation, they arranged to lay Jesus in this tomb so they could rest on the Sabbath.

Hope has been crushed.

Change was in the air,

A new spirit of living. 

But change was crucified. 

What to do?

Where is God?

How to go on?

What happens to a crucified body?

Do the Romans 'tend' to the cross?

Probably not.  

So undercover friends,

Consumed with grief and despair,

Act with compassion. 

They reverently care for the body of their Savior. 

What else can they do?  

It is hard today to think as Nicodemus,

To walk in the Arimathean's shoes. 

We know the promise of tomorrow.

We know the end of the story

Is really just the beginning. 

Perhaps today our challenge 

Is to remember that grace

When wrapped in our own grief and despair. 

And then reach out, in compassion, 

To another. 

FRIDAY, April 18  The Difference

John 19:13-16  MSG

 When Pilate heard those words, he led Jesus outside. He sat down at the judgment seat in the area designated Stone Court (in Hebrew, Gabbatha). It was the preparation day for Passover. The hour was noon. Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your king.”

 They shouted back, “Kill him! Kill him! Crucify him!”

Pilate said, “I am to crucify your king?”

The high priests answered, “We have no king except Caesar.”

 Pilate caved in to their demand. He turned him over to be crucified.

Would I shout with the crowd today?

Would I recognize my Lord?

Would betrayal come from my mouth three times

   as the morning rooster crows? 

Am I really any different two thousand years later?

We condemn the crowd,

We rebuke the crucifiers,

We denounce the dice game for clothes.

We blame, we revile. 

But are we any different? 

No. WE really haven't changed. 

But, Yes.  There is a difference. 

The difference came three days later. 

The difference is an empty tomb. 

The difference is the hope that radiates 

   from the light out of darkness. 

We are flawed. 

We make mistakes. 

We shout, we deny, we condemn. 

Over and over again. 

But by the grace of the resurrection,

We are forgiven. 

God is working in us. 

With love and compassion. 

To create a new resurrection miracle. 

In you and in me.  

Allelulia. 

THURSDAY, April 17  Judas

John 13:21-27  MSG

After he said these things, Jesus became visibly upset, and then he told them why. “One of you is going to betray me.”

22-25 The disciples looked around at one another, wondering who on earth he was talking about. One of the disciples, the one Jesus loved dearly, was reclining against him, his head on his shoulder. Peter motioned to him to ask who Jesus might be talking about. So, being the closest, he said, “Master, who?”

26-27 Jesus said, “The one to whom I give this crust of bread after I’ve dipped it.” Then he dipped the crust and gave it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. As soon as the bread was in his hand, Satan entered him.

“What you must do,” said Jesus, “do. Do it and get it over with.”

I am Judas. 

You are Judas. 

We all have taken the bread.

We have walked alongside,

Professed our allegiance,

Listened to words of encouragement,

    challenge, and love.

We have accepted our Messiah.

And then betrayed.

While our hearts proclaim YES,

Our actions bespeak NO. 

And we fully swallow the wine-dipped bread.

But....

The story doesn't end

   with a Judas kiss.

Betrayal leads to glory. 

Betrayal ushers in the miracle of resurrection,

Betrayal can create transformation. 

The bread of unfaithfulness can become 

The Bread of Life.  

I am Judas daily.

But in the power of the glorified resurrection-God

The light of dawn shines bright.  

WEDNESDAY, April 16  Don't Turn Out the Lights

John 12:35-36 GNT

Jesus answered, “The light will be among you a little longer. Continue on your way while you have the light, so that the darkness will not come upon you; for the one who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 Believe in the light, then, while you have it, so that you will be the people of the light.”

     This passage comes as the people have been questioning Jesus.  Who is this Son of Man?  Why must he die?  Scriptures says the Messiah will live!  Why are you talking crucifixion?  Please, Jesus, say something plain so we can understand!!  

     But Jesus wants us to BELIEVE first!  Then understanding will take place, but first FAITH.  The light of faith will keep the darkness away.  When we reject Jesus, we reject God, we turn off the light.  And we stumble blindly as a people in the darkness of life.  

     How often, in some small way, do I flip the switch and throw myself and others into the dark?  Each time I fail to act is a rejection of my faith, each time I turn a blind eye to the needs of those around me.  Each time my selfish pride gets in the way I turn off the lights.  May I concentrate today on acceptance, on faith first, and walk in the light of Christ.  

  

TUESDAY, April 15  

John 12:20-26  MSG

20-21 There were some Greeks in town who had come up to worship at the Feast. They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee: “Sir, we want to see Jesus. Can you help us?”

22-23 Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew and Philip together told Jesus. Jesus answered, “Time’s up. The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

24-25 “Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.

26 “If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.

     I realize the main focus of this passage is on sacrifice and letting go of our selfishness and follow Christ.  But I can't get past the first part.  Some visitors to Palestine, who perhaps haven't been following the local sensation much, hear about Jesus and want to learn more.  When Jesus is approached with the request, his response is typical Jesus:  What??  I hear a 'Too late!  Time's up!  Can't see me now because it's time for the wheat to sprout!  No wonder people didn't always understand Jesus's message.  No wonder he had to physically SHOW us what he meant, because so often his words are cryptic! People ask to see him and they get a story about wheat and life.  

     My favorite line from The Message version of this scripture is 'reckless in your love'.  Be extravagant in how we share the love of God.  Be willing to sacrifice and go the extra for the sake of others.  Be 'ready to serve at a moment's notice'.    

MONDAY, April 14  Response

John 12:1-11 MSG

Six days before Passover, Jesus entered Bethany where Lazarus, so recently raised from the dead, was living. Lazarus and his sisters invited Jesus to dinner at their home. Martha served. Lazarus was one of those sitting at the table with them. Mary came in with a jar of very expensive aromatic oils, anointed and massaged Jesus’ feet, and then wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the oils filled the house.

4-6 Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, even then getting ready to betray him, said, “Why wasn’t this oil sold and the money given to the poor? It would have easily brought three hundred silver pieces.” He said this not because he cared two cents about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of their common funds, but also embezzled them.

7-8 Jesus said, “Let her alone. She’s anticipating and honoring the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you. You don’t always have me.”

       If we are fortunate enough to actually KNOW someone of importance and fame, do we view them in that 'Hollywood' fashion, or as the everyday common friend that they are?  Mary and Martha (and Lazarus) had that kind of relationship with Jesus.    Mary was overwhelmed when Jesus raised her dead brother Lazarus back to life.  She was overcome with the glory and power of God as seen through her friend, Jesus.  Because Mary probably viewed Jesus as just that, a good close friend.  

      So, in light of a resurrection, what is Mary's response?  To take something extravagant of herself, to take the best that she had, and bless her good friend with it.  Mary wasn't wasting the perfumed oil on herself.  So was responding to grace with a gut reaction of love.  Sometimes such a response is all we have.  

     What is our response to the Gospel Message?  What is our response to forgiveness, grace, and love?  Are we returning the best of what we have, who we are, to God?  

SUNDAY, April 13  Palm Sunday

Matthew 21:1-9  MSG

 When they neared Jerusalem, having arrived at Bethphage on Mount Olives, Jesus sent two disciples with these instructions: “Go over to the village across from you. You’ll find a donkey tethered there, her colt with her. Untie her and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you’re doing, say, ‘The Master needs them!’ He will send them with you.”

 This is the full story of what was sketched earlier by the prophet:

Tell Zion’s daughter,
“Look, your king’s on his way,
    poised and ready, mounted
On a donkey, on a colt,
    foal of a pack animal.”

 The disciples went and did exactly what Jesus told them to do. They led the donkey and colt out, laid some of their clothes on them, and Jesus mounted. Nearly all the people in the crowd threw their garments down on the road, giving him a royal welcome. Others cut branches from the trees and threw them down as a welcome mat. Crowds went ahead and crowds followed, all of them calling out, “Hosanna to David’s son!” “Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!” “Hosanna in highest heaven!”

    How easy it is to be a Palm Sunday Christian.  You know the type.  They show up on Sunday morning as part of the congregation crowd.  They sing hymns of praise and acclamation. They present their offerings.  Yet Palm Sunday is just the beginning of the week.  What happens during the rest of Holy Week?  Rejection.  Denial.  Retreat.  And as a Palm Sunday Christian we often follow our Sunday worship with the same:  A failure to act with compassion, a failure to offer our talents when needed, selfishness with our time or money, failure to forgive as we have been offered grace.  We reject God's greatest gift daily. 

    Thankfully, our Holy Week ends with the joy of the resurrection.  We are once again transformed.  Perhaps this week I can focus on the middle of the week.  Can I maintain my Palm Sunday enthusiasm during the trials of everyday life?  Hosanna!  Blessed IS he who comes in the name of the Lord! 

Sermon Notes on the Matthew 21:1-11 scripture.   The Message version of the Bible doesn't clearly say that Jesus mounted BOTH donkeys.  But other versions say he mounted THEM.  I found a cartoon with the colt on top of the donkey and Jesus on top of both!  While this wasn't the POINT of Rev. Katy's sermon, it was an amusing visual!  The point is... we CAN look at the Palm Sunday celebration from a more child-like slant.  The point is....Palm Sunday does lead into the dangers and turmoils of Holy Week (hence the Pharisees unhappiness in the upper corner!)  

BENEDICTION BLESSINGS....  (d365.org - Jay Kieve)

Jesus is coming. Will you accept him?
You have a gift. Will you offer it?
There will be sacrifice. Can you make it?

The Gospel of Christ is scandalous,
Yet it contains the very bread of life.

The choice is yours to make.