First Lesson: Acts 2: 14a, 36-41
Responsive Reading: Psalm 116: 1-4, 12-19
Second Lesson: 1 Peter 1: 17-23
​Gospel Lesson: Luke 24: 13-35

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
“"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.”- Isaiah 55:8. 

Hagar was mad at God.  Hagar was easy to upset as he worked as a Viking.  Hagar was so gruff that he was nicknamed “The Horrible.”  So, Hagar, one day prays to God looks for answers[1]. 

Hagar’s prayer asks God to prove that he exists.  Hagar figures that God will ignore him like seemingly so many times before.

Hagar’s prayer is met with initial silence.  Right next to Hagar a flower spring from the earth, off in the distance a volcano begins to erupt.  Pretty soon, the sky turns black as an eclipse of the sun is taking place.  As Hagar looks at the dark sky, a star shoots across the stratosphere.  Pretty soon, a tidal wave flies over Hagar’s head.  Lightning then flashes in the sky, a bush begins to burn in Hagar’s presence, and a giant stone rolls away from the entrance of a nearby tomb. 

Hagar is mad at this point, the sky is all dark, and Hagar is dripping wet.  Hagar worst of all still hasn’t heard God’s response.  So finally, Hagar shouts out “O.K., I give up! I pray for an answer and all I get is interruptions[2]”.

Now there have maybe been times in our life like Hagar when the pain of our present has led to us questioning the reality of God’s presence[3].  Today, we hear the story of a man who struggled with God’s plan in Thomas the Disciple.

Thomas’s story begins in the midst of his grieving.  Thomas was a witness to seeing his mentor and teacher Jesus dying on the cross.  Thomas went home disappointed.  Easter Sunday, Jesus appears to the other Disciples, and Thomas isn’t there.  Thomas hears that Jesus now rises.   Thomas was skeptical. 
“Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe[4]. 

Thomas wasn’t going to believe the other disciples, nor the women at the tomb[5].  Thomas had been hurt enough by Jesus’ loss that he wasn’t going to set himself up to look foolish.  Thomas couldn’t figure out why the other Disciples would play such a cruel prank such as suggesting “He is Risen.”

Thomas wanted to believe, Thomas just didn’t want to go through disappointment again like he experienced on Good Friday. 

Thomas’s story reveals something interesting about the nature of doubt.  Doubt is often a byproduct of human suffering and how to interpret it.

Pastor Leon Stier draws a very interesting contrast of how different men can interpret God’s role in similar situations[6]. 

Steve Jobs was one of the founders of Apple Computers[7].  Jobs also cofounded an animation company called Pixar which made movies like Toy Story and Finding Nemo.  In 1996, Jobs returned to Apple Computers and helped turn it into the most profitable company in the world.  Steve Jobs grew up a Lutheran.  At the Age of 13, Jobs was beginning to have doubts.  Jobs goes and visits his pastor then asks “Does God know everything?”  The Pastor responds “Yes.”  Jobs then proceeds to whip out a Life magazine with starving African children on the cover.  Jobs then asked, “Does God know about this?”

Steve Jobs walked out of his Lutheran church never to return.  Steve Jobs figured he had an open and shut case against God.  What type of God could stand idly by and let Children suffer like this?  Jobs eventually converted to Buddhism.  Buddhism’s response to suffering is interesting.  Buddhism holds suffering is a byproduct of karma or basically “We reap, what we sow.” Karma says the Universe will ultimately be fair in the end.

Compare Steve Jobs story to a young man named Salee[8].  Salee grew up a Buddhist.  Salee grew up in Cambodia.  Salee grew up during the reign of Pol Pot.  Pol Pot would take the lives of two million of Salee’s primarily Buddhist countrymen.

Salee would have been killed by Pol Pot, he was dragged out to the killing fields and wounded but was able to play “possum” then sneak away at night. 

Pol Pot only rose to power though because of the mess that was Cambodia.  Most people Salee grew up with were starving just like those children in Africa.  Salee realized though that none of his fellow countrymen neither the Buddhists or the Cambodian Government seemed to care[9].

Salee noticed that the only people that seemed to care about his people were American missionaries.  Salee couldn’t help but wonder “Why?”  To answer Salee’s question, he decided to attend one of these missionary churches.  Salee eventually became a Christian then a missionary unto his own people.

Here’s the interesting thing about Salee and Steve Jobs.  They both asked God a similar question about “hunger.”  Steve Jobs wanted to know why God allowed it, whereas Salee wanted to find out what compelled Christians to care about hunger in people in a land, so far away[10]. 

Thomas had heard that Jesus had risen from the dead[11].  Thomas still demanded proof.  Thomas knew very well how everything was supposed to work. Thomas knew that Jesus had died. Thomas knew that the dead stay dead.  Thomas had seen Jesus go into a tomb with a very large stone in front of it.  Thomas had all sorts of really good, evidence that Jesus couldn’t possibly rise from the dead.  Steve Jobs had all sorts of really compelling evidence why God doesn’t seem to care.

Thomas would rather be called “Doubting Thomas” rather than “Gullible Thomas” or “Foolish Thomas.” 
One week had passed since Jesus’ last appearance on the day of Resurrection, the Disciples have gathered again.  Thomas was with them.  The doors were locked for fears of Jesus’ enemies.  Pretty soon, Thomas whole world world changed.  Thomas turns around and sees Jesus standing before him.
 
“Peace be with you[12].”  Thomas “Do not disbelieve, but believe[13].”

There is probably not a person out there that doesn’t relate to Thomas’s story on some level.  Thomas’s pain might not be your pain.  You might have struggled with God’s plan as you lose a loved one, you might struggle with why God places financial pain in your path, and you might struggle with God’s plan regarding the current general shape of your life in any number of areas. 

We will all have times like Thomas where it might seem easy to give up on believing that Our Lord will come through in the end. 

Darin Rasburry was a writer for a website called Debunking Christianity[14].  Rasburry had fifteen years trying to destroy Christianity after being a non-believer for even longer.  Rasburry over the years came to notice something in his fellow Atheists that most of what drove them was not proof that proved God’s lack of existence, but rather their anger at God for seemingly not coming through in their life.  Anger at God for past disappointments like Thomas was fueling his fellow atheist's doubts. 

Rasburry struggled with God’s ways for years and years.  He read everything that he could find.  What ultimately changed Rasburry was similar to what changed Salee the Cambodian.  Rasburry wondered what could motivate someone to reach out to a stranger half a world away from other than the work of a unchangeable God.

Rasburry’s process took years from Atheist to Skeptic to Leaning to Christian.  Rasburry freely admits that there are going to be days that these beliefs will be hard to embrace.  Rasburry’s story showcases the fine line that many believers will struggle with between faith and doubt.  Rasburry admits like Thomas believing that the Lord is truly risen will always bring doubt.  Rasburry will bring scars and wounds to his faith.  Answers do not promise to come easily in this lifetime[15]. 

Salee the Cambodian was never go to hear why God failed to intervene while all his people suffered.  Salee would see God bringing signs of “future” resurrection to his people though in unexpected ways.  Steve Jobs might have clamored for a “fair” universe, yet the thing that “grace” shows us is that God’s ways are ultimately unfair that go way beyond the expected.  Darin Rasburry was going to struggle with doubt until like Thomas he stands in the Lord’s actual presence, yet what his story reminds us is that doubt is not the opposite of faith.  Doubt is rather an acknowledgment that there will be times when clinging to one’s faith will be hard.  Doubt is not something to be celebrated, nor is it something to despair.

Here’s what I think we can take from Thomas’ story though.  We might struggle with unbelief; we might have loved ones who struggle with unbelief.  Thomas’ story speaks to these people[16].

Thomas’s first encounter with the Risen Lord is interesting.  Jesus doesn’t condemn Thomas or even seek to address his doubt.  Jesus instead just sought to proclaim to Thomas that everything you previously knew has now changed.  Thomas came to the story of Resurrection as one of its skeptics.  Thomas though would become eventually one of its greatest believers.   Amen
 
 
 


[1] Stories for Preaching. “Hagar’s Search for God.” Web. Apr.20.2017. 
[2] Stories for Preaching. “Hagar’s Search for God.”
[3] Richardson, Ethan. “So You Have Your Doubts.” Mockingbird Ministries (MBird). 4. Apr.2016. Web. Apr.18.2017. 
[4] John 20:25. 
[5] Stier, Leon. “I Will Not Believe”. Email Meditations. 8.Apr.2015. Web. Apr.20.2017
[6] Stier, Leon. “Steve Jobs Questions for His Pastor(a)”. Email Meditations. July.27.2016. Web. Apr.20.2017.
[7] Stier, Leon. “Steve Jobs Questions for His Pastor(a)”.
[8] Stier, Leon. “Steve Jobs Questions for His Pastor(a)”.
[9] Stier, Leon. “Steve Jobs Questions for His Pastor(a)”.
[10] Stier, Leon. “Steve Jobs Questions for His Pastor(a)”.
[11] Stier, Leon. “I Will Not Believe”..   
[12] John 20:26
[13] John 20:27. 
[14] Bishop, James. “ ‘Debunking Christianity’ writer becomes Christian because of evidence.” Reasons for Jesus. 20.Oct.2016. Web. Apr. 17.2017. 
[15] Bishop, James. “ ‘Debunking Christianity’ writer becomes Christian because of evidence.”
[16] Nelson, Dennis. “Before We Go Too Hard on Thomas.” Lutheran Core. 18. Apr.2017. Web. Apr.20.2017.  

First Lesson: Acts 2: 14a, 22-32
Responsive Reading: Psalm 16
Second Lesson: 1 Peter 1: 3-9
​Gospel Lesson: John 20: 19-31

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
“"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.”- Isaiah 55:8. 

Hagar was mad at God.  Hagar was easy to upset as he worked as a Viking.  Hagar was so gruff that he was nicknamed “The Horrible.”  So, Hagar, one day prays to God looks for answers[1]. 

Hagar’s prayer asks God to prove that he exists.  Hagar figures that God will ignore him like seemingly so many times before.

Hagar’s prayer is met with initial silence.  Right next to Hagar a flower spring from the earth, off in the distance a volcano begins to erupt.  Pretty soon, the sky turns black as an eclipse of the sun is taking place.  As Hagar looks at the dark sky, a star shoots across the stratosphere.  Pretty soon, a tidal wave flies over Hagar’s head.  Lightning then flashes in the sky, a bush begins to burn in Hagar’s presence, and a giant stone rolls away from the entrance of a nearby tomb. 

Hagar is mad at this point, the sky is all dark, and Hagar is dripping wet.  Hagar worst of all still hasn’t heard God’s response.  So finally, Hagar shouts out “O.K., I give up! I pray for an answer and all I get is interruptions[2]”.

Now there have maybe been times in our life like Hagar when the pain of our present has led to us questioning the reality of God’s presence[3].  Today, we hear the story of a man who struggled with God’s plan in Thomas the Disciple.

Thomas’s story begins in the midst of his grieving.  Thomas was a witness to seeing his mentor and teacher Jesus dying on the cross.  Thomas went home disappointed.  Easter Sunday, Jesus appears to the other Disciples, and Thomas isn’t there.  Thomas hears that Jesus now rises.   Thomas was skeptical. 

“Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe[4]. 

Thomas wasn’t going to believe the other disciples, nor the women at the tomb[5].  Thomas had been hurt enough by Jesus’ loss that he wasn’t going to set himself up to look foolish. Thomas couldn’t figure out why the other Disciples would play such a cruel prank such as suggesting “He is Risen.”

Thomas wanted to believe, Thomas just didn’t want to go through disappointment again like he experienced on Good Friday. 

Thomas story reveals something interesting about the nature of doubt.  Doubt is often a byproduct of human suffering and how to interpret it.

Pastor Leon Stier draws a very interesting contrast of how different men can interpret God’s role in similar situations[6]. 

Steve Jobs was one of the founders of Apple Computers[7].  Jobs also cofounded an animation company called Pixar which made movies like Toy Story and Finding Nemo.  In 1996, Jobs returned to Apple Computers and helped turn it into the most profitable company in the world.  Steve Jobs grew up a Lutheran.  At the Age of 13, Jobs was beginning to have doubts.  Jobs visited his pastor then asked “Does God know everything?”  The Pastor responds “Yes.”  Jobs then proceeds to whip out a Life magazine with starving African children on the cover.  Jobs then asked, “Does God know about this?”

Steve Jobs walked out of his Lutheran church never to return.  Steve Jobs figured he had an open and shut case against God.  What type of God could stand idly by and let Children suffer like this?  Jobs eventually converted to Buddhism.  Buddhism’s response to suffering is interesting.  Buddhism holds suffering is a byproduct of karma or basically “We reap, what we sow.” Karma says the Universe will ultimately be fair in the end.

Compare Steve Jobs story to a young man named Salee[8].  Salee grew up a Buddhist.  Salee grew up in Cambodia. Salee grew up during the reign of Pol Pot.  Pol Pot would take the lives of two million of Salee’s primarily Buddhist countrymen.

Salee would have been killed by Pol Pot, he was dragged out to the killing fields and wounded but was able to play “possum” then sneak away at night. 

Pol Pot only rose to power though because of the mess that was Cambodia. Most people Salee grew up with were starving just like those children in Africa.  Salee realized though that none of his fellow countrymen or the Buddhists or the Cambodian Government seemed to care[9].

Salee noticed that the only people that seemed to care about his people were American missionaries.  Salee couldn’t help but wonder “Why?”  To answer Salee’s question, he decided to attend one of the missionary’s churches.  Salee eventually became a Christian then a missionary unto his own people.

Here’s the interesting thing about Salee and Steve Jobs.  They both asked God a similar question about “hunger.”  Steve Jobs wanted to know why God allowed it, whereas Salee wanted to find out what compelled Christians to care about hunger in people in a land, so far away[10]. 

Thomas had heard that Jesus had risen from the dead[11].  Thomas still demanded proof.  Thomas knew very well how everything was supposed to work. Thomas knew that Jesus had died. Thomas knew that the dead stay dead.  Thomas had seen Jesus go into a tomb with a very large stone in front of it.  Thomas had all sorts of really good, evidence that Jesus couldn’t possibly rise from the dead. Steve Jobs had all sorts of really compelling evidence why God doesn’t seem to care.

Thomas would rather be called “Doubting Thomas” rather than “Gullible Thomas” or “Foolish Thomas.” 
One week had passed since Jesus’ last appearance on the day of Resurrection, the Disciples have gathered again.  Thomas was with them.  The doors were locked for fears of Jesus’ enemies.  Pretty soon, Thomas whole world world changed.  Thomas turns around and sees Jesus standing before him. 
“Peace be with you[12].”  Thomas “Do not disbelieve, but believe[13].”

There is probably not a person out there that doesn’t relate to Thomas’ story on some level.  Thomas’ pain might not be your pain.  You might have struggled with God’s plan as you lose a loved one, you might struggle with why God places financial pain in your path, and you might struggle with God’s plan regarding the current general shape of your life in any number of areas. 

We will all have times like Thomas where it might seem easy to give up on believing that Our Lord will come through in the end. 

Darin Rasburry was a writer for a website called Debunking Christianity[14]. Rasburry had fifteen years trying to destroy Christianity after being a non-believer for even longer.  Rasburry over the years came to notice something in his fellow Atheists that most of what drove them was not proof that proved God’s lack of existence, but rather their anger at God for seemingly not coming through in their life.  Anger at God for past disappointments like Thomas was fueling his fellow atheist's doubts. 

Rasburry struggled with God’s ways for years and years.  He read everything that he could find.  What ultimately changed Rasburry was similar to what changed Salee the Cambodian.  Rasburry wondered what could motivate someone to reach out to a stranger half a world away from other than the work of an unchangeable God.

Rasburry’s process took years from Atheist to Skeptic to Leaning to Christian.  Rasburry freely admits that there are going to be days that these beliefs will be hard to embrace. Rasburry story showcases the fine line that many believers will struggle with between faith and doubt.  Rasburry admits like Thomas believing that the Lord is truly risen will always bring doubt.  Rasburry will bring scars and wounds to his faith.  Answers do not promise to come easily in this lifetime[15]. 

Salee the Cambodian was never go to here why God failed to intervene while all his people suffered.  Salee would see God bringing signs of “future” resurrection to his people though in unexpected ways.  Steve Jobs might have clamored for a “fair” universe, yet the thing that “grace” shows us is that God’s ways are ultimately unfair that go way beyond the expected.  Darin Rasburry was going to struggle with doubt until like Thomas he stands in the Lord’s actual presence, yet what his story reminds us is that doubt is not the opposite of faith.  Doubt is rather an acknowledgment that there will be times that clinging to one’s faith will be hard.  Doubt is not something to be celebrated, nor is it something to despair.

Here’s what I think we can take from Thomas’ story though.  We might struggle with unbelief; we might have loved ones who struggle with unbelief.  Thomas’ story speaks to these people[16].

Thomas’ first encounter with the Risen Lord is interesting.  Jesus doesn’t condemn Thomas or even seek to address his doubt.  Jesus instead just sought to proclaim to Thomas that everything you previously knew has now changed.  Thomas came to the story of Resurrection as one of its skeptics.  Thomas though would become eventually one of its greatest believers.   Amen
 
 
 


[1] Stories for Preaching. “Hagar’s Search for God.” Web. Apr.20.2017. 
[2] Stories for Preaching. “Hagar’s Search for God.”
[3] Richardson, Ethan. “So You Have Your Doubts.” Mockingbird Ministries (MBird). 4. Apr.2016. Web. Apr.18.2017. 
[4] John 20:25. 
[5] Stier, Leon. “I Will Not Believe”. Email Meditations. 8.Apr.2015. Web. Apr.20.2017
[6] Stier, Leon. “Steve Jobs Questions for His Pastor(a)”. Email Meditations. July.27.2016. Web. Apr.20.2017.
[7] Stier, Leon. “Steve Jobs Questions for His Pastor(a)”.
[8] Stier, Leon. “Steve Jobs Questions for His Pastor(a)”.
[9] Stier, Leon. “Steve Jobs Questions for His Pastor(a)”.
[10] Stier, Leon. “Steve Jobs Questions for His Pastor(a)”.
[11] Stier, Leon. “I Will Not Believe”..   
[12] John 20:26
[13] John 20:27. 
[14] Bishop, James. “ ‘Debunking Christianity’ writer becomes Christian because of evidence.” Reasons for Jesus. 20.Oct.2016. Web. Apr. 17.2017. 
[15] Bishop, James. “ ‘Debunking Christianity’ writer becomes Christian because of evidence.”
[16] Nelson, Dennis. “Before We Go Too Hard on Thomas.” Lutheran Core. 18. Apr.2017. Web. Apr.20.2017.  

First Lesson: Acts 10: 34-43
Responsive Reading: Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24
Second Lesson: Colossians 3: 1-4
​Gospel Lesson: John 20: 1-18

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
“Resurrection means that the worst thing is never the last thing”.- Fredrick Buchner

Paul Harvey tells the following story.  There once was a Boston preacher named S.D. Gordon[1].  One day, Dr. Gordon places a beat up rusted out birdcage right next to the pulpit.  He then began to tell the story of the birdcage.

One day a young boy with a disheveled appearance of about ten years old was walking up an alley carrying this birdcage when he encounters Dr. Gordon.  Dr. Gordon sees several tiny birds were shivering on the floor of this birdcage.  Dr. Gordon begins talking to the boy[2].

He asks, “Where did you get these birds?”

The boy replies “I trapped them.”

“What are you going to do with these birds?”- asked Dr. Gordon

“I’m going to play with them.” -said the boy 

Dr.Gordon knowing the attention span of a lot of ten-year-old children then asks “Well, what are you going to do once you get tired of playing with them?”

The boy thinks for a moment then answers “I have cats at home, I can just feed these birds to my cats?”

Dr. Gordon didn’t like this plan, so he makes an offer “Son, how much do you want for these birds and the cage?”

The boy is surprised at the offer.  The boy explains “Mister; no one would want these birds, they’re just ratty old field birds that can’t even sing.”

Dr. Gordon was unmoved by the boy's arguments, only to respond “Just tell me what you want for these birds?”

The boy starts hemming and hawing.  The boy finally decides the birds are worth “two dollars.”

Dr. Gordon reaches into his wallet, gives the boy two dollars, and he would never see the boy again.

Dr. Gordon then took the birdcage aside, tapped on it, and encouraged the birds to leave on their way to freedom.  So as soon as Dr. Gordon explains the origins of the birdcage, he starts telling what seemed to be a separate story[3].

One time, Jesus was talking to the Devil.  The Devil starts boasting about how one day in the Garden of Eden he had set a trap, the trap worked like a charm, pretty soon the Devil had nearly the whole wide world in his cage.  Jesus wanted to know what the Devil was going to do with all these people in his cage.  The Devil starts boasting of all the things he’s going to do with these people for his amusement.

Jesus says “Well, what you are going to do when you’re tired of these people.”

Satan says “They’re pretty worthless.  I’ll damn them and kill them.”

Jesus’ reply is “How much do you want for them?”

Satan starts to laugh.  “You can’t be serious?” “If I sell them, they’re just gonna spit on you and hate you.” “They will eventually hammer nails into you, these people I tell you are no good.”

Jesus says to Satan “How much?”

Satan finally says “It’s going to cost you your life?”

Jesus says “Done?”

Jesus takes the cage from Satan and begins to open the door setting free every last one of Satan’s prisoners. 

You see the whole point of Easter is this.  Jesus one day was talking to a woman named Martha. Martha was mad that she had recently lost her brother.  Martha asked Jesus what the fate of my brother is?
Jesus said to Martha, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live ‘-John 11:25.

Jesus promised Martha that her brother would soon walk out of the grave and that everything she thinks she knows about death will soon be proven wrong as Jesus walks out of his own grave. 

Today’s Gospel Lesson from John 20[4] tells this story.  It’s the conclusion of a tale that seems as unsettling as the little birds being trapped and fed to cats.  Jesus is betrayed to the authorities by one of his closest followers[5].  His best friend denies knowing him three times.  Many of his other followers stand idly by as he gets beaten and eventually suffers death on a cross.  Pretty soon just like Dr. Gordon and the Birdcage, the whole story gets totally turned upside down with reports of Christ walking out of death’s seemingly unpenetrable cage.   

Easter is not easy[6].  Easter’s claims should be hard for us to grasp as Christian people.   Easter seemingly stands in contrast to every life experience that we’ve previously had.  Easter redefines your world.

The message of Easter was quite well summed up by Catholic Priest James Martin when he says:
“The message of Easter is, all at once, easy to understand, radical, subversive and life-changing. Easter means that nothing is impossible with God. Moreover, that life triumphs over death. Love triumphs over hatred. Hope triumphs over despair. And that suffering is not the last word. Easter says, above all, that Jesus Christ is Lord[7].”

The whole of the Christian faith rests on whether Easter is true?  Easter says you’re experiences of death appearing to be the final verdict, isn’t the way it’s going to all work out in the end.

Mary Magdalene didn’t believe in Easter as she approaches Jesus’ tomb on that Sunday morning.  She sees an empty tomb and assumes the body to be stolen.  The Disciples are so confused by this scene, they throw up their hands and return home upset at the grave-robbers. 

Mary Magdalene though in one moment has her whole perspective on the world change.

She turns around and sees a man, confused at first about his identity because of the belief that the dead stay dead.  She finally hears this man’s voice call her by name “Mary.”  Mary Magdalene was now a believer in Resurrection!

Jesus had kept his promise to Martha upon the death of her brother Lazarus.  Jesus is announcing that pretty soon he will empty the cage of death, which Satan currently possesses. 

The promise of Resurrection is that life shall never be the same again, once you encounter it. 

I began this morning with the story of a young boy, and let me close this morning with the story of a different young boy named Phillip[8]. 

Phillip was born with Down Syndrome and all sorts of other medical issues[9].  When Phillip was born, the doctors thought he wouldn’t survive infancy, but Phillip amazed them by making it to the age of 8.

Eventually, Phillip enrolls in Sunday school Class.  Phillip was an outcast in Sunday school as a result of his differences.   

The week before Easter the Sunday school teacher Miss Miller gave out an assignment.  She handed each student a plastic Easter egg.  She wanted the children to fill the egg in the next week with something that represented Resurrection and new life.  The kids were to show their eggs on Easter Sunday.  The kids started blabbing to each other about what they were going to put in their egg, all the while Phillip sat by himself off in the corner.

Easter Sunday arrives, Miss Miller asks for the children to bring forth their eggs[10].  Miss Miller decides that she’s going to open the eggs one by one without identifying who the egg belonged to? She feared the kids might laugh at Phillip.

First egg she picks up inside is a small flower.  Miss Miller gushes with joy: “Flowers that bloom in the spring represents new life.”

Second egg she picks up inside is a blade of grass.  Miss Miller gushes again.

The third egg sees a butterfly fly out.  Now the students are cheering; Miss Miller can’t believe how well the assignment is going.

Then she opens up the fourth egg; the egg is empty.  Miss Miller fears that this is Phillip’s egg and he failed to understand the assignment.  She tries to quickly discard the egg, without any of the other students making fun of Phillip.

Phillip though raises his hand.  At first Miss Miller tries ignoring him, and then Phillip in a rare show of boldness speaks up.  “Miss Miller, you didn’t explain my egg?”

Miss Miller looks confused.  “Phillip, your egg is empty!”  She was dreading, the other children laughing at Phillip[11]. 

To which Phillip says “It’s empty just like Jesus’ tomb[12].” The room goes silent, tears come to the Miss Miller’s eyes as she had a realization just like Mary Magdalene at the tomb.  Miss Miller realized that it was her that didn’t understand the assignment.

Phillip’s life because of his Easter egg was different from that day forward.  His classmates now took him in as a peer.  Philip had been set free from the cage previously created by his differences. 

Phillip would lose his life later that summer[13]. Here’s what happened at Phillip’s funeral though.  His whole Sunday school class went.  They sat together at the service.  During the service, they got up each holding their Easter eggs and laid right beside Phillip’s tomb a whole bunch of empty Easter eggs.  Phillip’s death certainly wasn’t going to have the last word in his life. 

The tomb is empty on this day!!!
He is risen! He is risen indeed! Amen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


[1] There are a few variations of this story.  One version has the preacher being a New England Reverend named George Thomas. 
[2] Harvey, Paul. “Paul Harvey Delivers a Powerful Easter Message.” GodTube. 2013. Web. Apr.12.2017. 
[3] Harvey, Paul. “Paul Harvey Delivers a Powerful Easter Message.”
[4] John 20:1-18. 
[5] Zahl, David. “The Difference Between Christmas and Easter.” Mockingbird Ministries (MBird). 29.Mar.2016. Web. Apr.12.2017. 
[6] Zahl, David. “The Difference Between Christmas and Easter.”
[7] Martin, James. “The Challenge of Easter.” Wall Street Journal. 26.Mar.2016. Web. Apr.12.2017. 
[8] The story of Phillip and the Easter egg is told in a few different formats.  This telling is based on Steven Brandt’s explanation.
[9] Brandt, Steven. “Inspirations- The Empty Egg.” Drums In The Deep. 27.Mar.2010. Web. Apr.12.2017. 
[10] Brandt, Steven. “Inspirations- The Empty Egg.”
[11]Brandt, Steven. “Inspirations- The Empty Egg.”  
[12] Brandt, Steven. “Inspirations- The Empty Egg.”
[13] Stories for Preaching. “Phillip’s Egg.” Stories For Preaching. Web. Apr.12.2017.  

Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-29
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 21: 1-11

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
Today, we celebrate one of the most important events in Jesus’ Ministry, his Palm Sunday march into Jerusalem to adoring crowds.  What is the story behind “Palm Sunday” though?  What was the meaning behind the shouts of “Hosanna?”  What were the motivations of people who gathered on the Road to Jerusalem?  What were they expecting from Jesus on this day[1]?

The first reason people on Palm Sunday gather is to see fame up close.   

Let me begin with a story.  In 1989, the Minnesota Timberwolves played their first games as an NBA franchise.  Now through the good luck of one of Dad’s college friends, I got to attend their first home game at the Metrodome against the Chicago Bulls with 40,000 other people.  Why were the Chicago Bulls a big deal in 1989?  They had a player named Michael Jordan.  Even at ten years old, I knew Michael Jordan was a big deal.  He had scored “63” points in a playoff game against the Boston Celtics.  Jordan had led the NBA in scoring the last two seasons and won the previous two slam dunk contests.  I didn’t expect the Timberwolves to win (and they didn’t), I just wanted to see Michael Jordan.  Even though our seats were far, far away from the court, I just wanted to see Michael Jordan do something spectacular like a dunk from the free-town line as he came to my town.  I wanted to be the one telling my friends the next day about seeing Michael Jordan.

Similar story, some years ago a movie was being filmed in Center City which was the town right next to Lindstrom.  The film contained some fairly well-known actors in Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, and Ann Margaret.  The movie was called Grumpy Old Men.  Everyone in the Chisago Lakes Area wanted a taste of fame.  To say they talked to the stars.  Grandma invited Walter Matthau to the casino in Turtle Lake?  Matthau said “maybe.” No one from the Chisago Lakes Area was not going to see these famous stars if they could.  The brush with fame attracted people to Jesus on Palm Sunday.  Jesus was coming to their town of Jerusalem.

Jesus was coming to town after having performed the most dramatic of acts in his raising of Lazarus from the dead.  Jesus was expected to do more dramatic miracles, leave jaws dropped in the presence of all witnesses.  Jesus was the famous guy that people needed to see.  If Jesus had raised Lazarus at a rinky-dink little home in Bethany, they had no idea what acts that he might pull off next in the big city.  People were looking to believe to see an act like no one before had delivered.  The attraction factor was just one reason that people came to see Jesus on Palm Sunday. 

The second reason people gathered on Palm Sunday is they were mad, and someone needed to know it.
1887, Paris, France, people were mad[2].  A French architect had started to build what his critics called “an ugly street lamp,” “a giant skeleton” “a useless monstrosity.”  The critics believed that this design would destroy people’s reputation of French culture.  The critics contained a lot of France’s leading intellectuals: writers, painters, and other architects.  The most famous critic was Three Musketeers author Alexander Dumas.  Who was this rogue architect who wanted to go against everything good and sacred?  His name was Alexander Eiffel[3].  His tower which was going to destroy French culture was called “The Eiffel Tower.”

The point is this; you will always be able to find people who are looking to protest.  As Jesus marched into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the number one source of all protests were the hated Roman oppressors.  As Ed Markquart points out the five previous years, had brought thirty-two riots against the Roman oppressors[4]. 

We can hear the anger of the crowds in its chants “Hosanna, to the Son of David.”  There was a reason they wanted to invoke Israel’s greatest king and warrior.  The crowds were shouting for Jesus to confront the Romans, set the people of Israel free from their tyrants.  Did Jesus intend to be a political revolutionary? Here is what’s interesting; Jesus chose to arrive in Jerusalem without a weapon riding a slow donkey that would intimidate no one.  Jesus’ humble appearance and surroundings tell us something about his ministry. 

The 1989 film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade has a scene that illustrates Jesus’ presence quite well.  Indiana Jones is trying to recover the Holy Grail or the cup which Christ drank from at the Last Supper.  Indiana walks into the room surrounded by beautiful cups: gold, diamond and jewel studded.  One of the men standing there with Indiana guesses the most spectacular looking cup to belong to Jesus.  A cup that shines so bright, its cost in a jewelry store would seem to be infinite.  The man drinks from the cup only to encounter sudden death.  Indiana realizes choosing the wrong cup could have terrible consequences, so he looks at all these splendid cups side by side, when something strange catches his eye.  Indiana sees an old wooden cup that looks like it should have been thrown away, generations ago.  It was this old wooden cup that Indiana would soon discover is the one that would bring life. 

Jesus didn’t look like much on Palm Sunday.  He grew up a carpenter; he stayed looking like a carpenter, whereas every eye on the Basketball court immediately goes to Michael Jordan, every eye in Center City on Ann Margaret, Jesus look was so common, that the religious authorities needed him to be identified upon his arrest just a few days later.  Jesus’ appearance looking like a carpenter, rather than a mighty king previewed the week ahead.  People might have wanted a Roman Rumble, but Jesus was shortly going to provide them a different answer to their chants calling for “salvation.” 

People weren’t gathering to see a dramatic miracle nor were they going to be witnesses to a revolution.  They were going to be witnesses to a funeral.

The final story, April 9th, 1865. Palm Sunday[5].  Confederate General Robert E. Lee signed the terms of surrender at Appomattox Courthouse to Union General Ulysses S. Grant.  Four of the darkest years in American history were coming to an end.   

The previous week in Richmond, Virginia had been one of the most important ones in city history.  Monday, Confederate President Jefferson Davis had fled the city along with all sorts of soldiers.  The Union had now seized the Confederate capitol[6].

Tuesday, President Lincoln visiting nearby troops decides to enter the city.  At first, no one recognizes Lincoln.  Then a few freed black workers, recognize him and run out to thank him.   Pretty soon, former slaves join in singing a song of praise “Glory Hallelujah, Massa Lincoln, Glory Hallelujah[7].”

Lincoln didn’t want people to kneel before him, as he only sought to give the people of Richmond what God had wanted for them.  The triumphal march proceeded through the city of Richmond on that day.  Richmond seemed like it would be the greatest triumph Lincoln could imagine, yet five days after Appomattox Courthouse, Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth[8]. The story of Abraham Lincoln would not yet be over.  Like Jesus, many of his followers would undergo great despair at his loss.  They wondered how they could ever go forward without their leader.  It was in the death of America’s Civil War that the resurrection of its promise could begin. 

The thing about the Mob that gathered on Palm Sunday was this.  Many of them were expecting Jesus to be something that he wasn’t.  Jesus was not merely about the thrill of today, nor the revolution of tomorrow.  Jesus was about bringing forth the promise of eternal life.  God would soon be made weak, so one day we are made strong. 

The point of Palm Sunday is this.  The cheering for Jesus would soon stop.  Jesus would soon be arrested.  Many in the crowd would sit at home disappointed to not being able to witness Jesus’ dramatic deeds up close, no different than if I showed up at the Metrodome to find out Micheal Jordan wasn’t going to play that evening’s Basketball game.  Others would be disappointed by another political figure, not being able to deliver true salvation by driving the Romans off the land.  Like in the case of Alexander Eiffel’s horrid design, they thought that every failed politician brought them to closer to their death as a nation. Like the Eiffel Tower, the initial predictions of Palm Sunday’s outcome were wrong.  Something was taking place on Palm Sunday that wasn’t obvious to those witnessing its parade.  Burial was about to take place.  People would soon quickly abandon all hope.  Death seemed to be the unconquerable foe.  Whereas the upcoming funeral as in the case of Abraham Lincoln seemed to be the end of his vision, it was merely only the beginning of a world that would never be the same again.  Amen
 


[1] The inspiration for this sermon came from Dr. Mickey Anders’ sermon on Sermon Writer titled “Who is This? From 2008.  Anders is quoting Fred Craddock who says: “the Triumphal Entry was a parade, a protest and a funeral procession. We have all seen the nature of the event as a parade with the throngs shouting their praises as Jesus slowly rides into Jerusalem. Perhaps we could understand this event as a protest. But most importantly, it was also a funeral procession. Only Jesus knew that this was the beginning of the end.” Craddock’s words inspired the outline for Today’s sermon. 
[2] “Debate and Contoversy Surrounding the Eiffle Tower.” Tour Eiffel Paris. Web. Apr.3.2017. 
[3] Stories for Preaching. “The Eiffel Tower.” Stories for Preaching. Web. Apr.3.2017.
[4] Markquart, Ed. “Riots of Pilate. Sermons from Seattle. Web. Apr.3.2017. 
[5] Stier, Leon. “717: Palm Sunday, 150 Years Ago”. Email Mediatations. 29.Mar.2015. Apr.3.2017. 
[6] Stier, Leon. “717: Palm Sunday, 150 Years Ago.”
[7] Stier, Leon. “717: Palm Sunday, 150 Years Ago.”
[8] Stier, Leon. “717: Palm Sunday, 150 Years Ago.” 

First Lesson: Ezekiel 37: 1-14
Responsive Reading: Psalm 130
Second Lesson: Romans 8: 6-11
Gospel Lesson: John 11: 1-45

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,    
​
Jesus said to Martha (her), “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he lives, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”-John 11:25-26

I want to tell you a story Today.  It’s a story for everyone who has ever experienced the loss of a loved one. 
I want to tell you the tale of the Allen family.  The Allen’s were a family that lived in a town, not unlike Silver Bay.

The Allen’s had three children in Marie, Melissa, and Luke. 

Marie was the oldest daughter[1].  A while back, Marie had a quit her job to take care of the Allen’s aging mother.  Marie was a doer with a work ethic that seemingly never stopped from sunset to sundown.  Marie was a serious type.  When other people were playing games, Marie didn’t waste her time with such foolishness.  Marie guarded her time tightly.  You might even say Marie was a control freak, to keep the Allen house in check. 

Marie’s sister Melissa seemed to be her exact opposite.  Melissa was known for being funny and silly.  Melissa was known for always having a smile on her face.  Melissa was adventurous.  Melissa would go through life so optimistic that it bordered on naïve.  Melissa had worked for a non-profit a while back, until ending up on permanent disability. 

The Allen’s beside Marie and Melissa also had a son named Luke.  Luke was seemingly “Mr.Perfect.”  When Luke was in High School, he was the star Quarterback even leading the team to state.  No one in town could say a bad word about Luke.  Luke was one in a million, of the Allen children, with Marie taking care of mom, and Melissa unable to work this made Luke the primary breadwinner.  The Allen’s weren’t rich by any means, but as along as Luke was around, they were going to be comfortable.

One day the Allen’s life would be to change forever.  Luke started feeling ill.  At first, this was thought to be nothing.  Luke was so young and healthy; this couldn’t be a big deal.  Only Luke’s condition kept worsening and worsening.  Within a few days, Luke would fall asleep only to never awaken.  Luke’s loss was such that it seemed like the Allen’s could never recover.  As Luke died, there was one person notably absent in Luke’s good friend Jason.

Jason was an odd-duck.  Jason was like really, really religious.  Jason was always quoting scripture.  Jason prayed the nicest prayers.  Jason didn’t fit in with the local religious scene.  Jason found most of the churches he attended were about rules.  Jason was all about grace and forgiveness.  Jason struck some people the wrong way because of his anti-establishment tendencies.  Here’s the thing about Jason he was always really well put together.  Jason never yelled.  Jason never got too high or too low.  Marie and Melissa had sent word to Jason that Luke was on the way out[2].  Jason just stood there as cool as could be.  Just like Joe Montana in the Super Bowl.  Not only did Jason not rush to Luke’s house.  Jason kept chilling with his friends like normal.  Jason believed that Luke’s illness wasn’t that big of a deal.

Jason finally decides after two days of waiting that he needs to see Luke[3].  Jason then receives word that Luke has died.  Jason being Jason doesn’t act like it’s a big deal, Jason merely says to his other friends. “Our friend Luke has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him[4],” I told you that Jason was a little bit different.     

Jason finally arrives at Luke’s house after Luke had been dead for four days[5].  Marie and Melissa were both mad at Jason’s absence.  People had been gathering at Allen household bringing them goodies and attempting to console their grief, yet Jason was nowhere to be found. 

As soon as Jason arrives, Marie the older sister comes out to greet and confront Jason. 

“Jason, if you had been here, my brother would not have died[6].”  Apparently, Jason must have been some sort of miracle worker that can even prevent death. 

Jason upon witnessing Marie’s outburst could merely say to her “Your brother will rise again[7].”
Marie just started shaking her head as said: “I know that he will rise again in the Resurrection on the last day[8].” “But what good does that do us now? We’re going to have bills to pay, and we need more than just promises for some time a long, long time from now. "

Jason kept as cool as he could in the midst of Marie’s grief-stricken outburst.  Jason gave Marie a promise from the scriptures. “Whoever lives and believes shall never die[9].”

After Marie worked Jason over onto the scene came Melissa.  Melissa’s complaint to Jason was the same as Marie’s “If you had been here, my brother would not have died[10].”

Jason saw Melissa hurting.  Melissa was mad.  Happy- go- lucky Melissa just didn’t get mad.  Jason then did something that shocked both Melissa, Marie, and all others present.  Jason began to weep[11].  Jason got mad at the way the world was.  Luke died too soon, too young, that it hurt Jason inside.  Jason cried as you cry.  Jason cried at Luke’s death like we cry when a spouse, parent, brother, sister, or friend leaves this world.  Jason believed in resurrection, heavenly mansions, eternal life, and all the scriptures said, yet this doesn’t make the pain of the present any easier to bear as Luke was now dead. 

Jason finally snaps in the midst of his weeping outburst as he says “Where is Luke buried[12]?”

The onlookers just shook their head at Jason[13].  They wondered where Jason was when Luke was on the way out.  What good can his presence be now?  The game seemed to be long over, the bleachers swept clean, and the lights turned off.

Marie and Melissa lead Jason to Luke’s tomb.  Luke was buried in a cave on the Allen’s property.  A stone was guarding Luke’s tomb.  Marie being the ever hardened realist could only say “There’s already a stench from Luke’s body as he’s been dead for four long days[14].”

To which Jason said to Marie and Melissa “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God[15]?”

Jason approached Luke’s tomb and began to pray.  He prayed the following: “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me[16].”

A while back, I was at a Boys Basketball game.  Silver Bay was playing Wrenshall.  Silver Bay was up three with seconds left in the game.  Everyone knew Wrenshall’s star guard would get the ball.  The Mariners play pretty good defense, but Wrenshall’s star hoists a shot from just over half-court  if Wrenhall player shoots that 100 times, maybe he makes the shot once.  The ball never even hit the rim. Game tied, Silver Bay’s fans are sitting there in stunned silence.  The Wrenshall buzzer-beater was nothing compared to what happened at Luke’s tomb. 

Jason calls for Luke to walk out of his own tomb[17].  People started to snicker.  People started to think that Jason was crazy.  Only jaws would soon drop.  People were standing in stunned silence.  Luke did indeed walk out of his own tomb!  Someone from the crowd shouted out “You mean Resurrection is possible?”  The Allen family’s story ends with Marie, Melissa, and Luke being reunited once again!

As for Jason’s story, it is not over here.  Word of his great miracle at Luke’s tomb quickly began to spread.  The religious authorities got nervous; they got really nervous.  They were worried how many people might begin to follow Jason, rather than them as his fame as “miracle-worker” became known.  These authorities began to plot to take Jason’s life[18].  Jason’s life would end shortly after this miracle, yet even still Jason’s story was not quite over.  Remember as you hear the story of Jason and Luke that Resurrection is always possible. 

Remember this when your best friend dies, or your spouse dies.  Heart attack, cancer, car accident, doesn’t matter, Resurrection is always possible[19]. 

The following story of Melissa, Marie, Luke, and Jason might seem familiar.  It’s a retelling of our Gospel lesson from John 11 in the Raising of Lazarus.  Lazarus’ miracle would be the most dramatic miracle that Jesus performs.  Word of this miracle would lead to his eventual arrest and crucifixion.  Jesus's story was not over because Resurrection is always possible.  Every funeral speaks Jesus’ famous words from this passage: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die[20].”  There will be times in this life when these words will be the hardest thing to believe.  We will wonder why God doesn’t act according to our timetables.  Before too long the tombs that we see will soon be empty. The following is the story of the Allen family.   Perhaps, you know people just like them. Amen


[1] The characters of Marie and Melissa are based on Mary and Martha from Luke 10:38-42 along with being influenced by others. 
[2] John 11:14. 
[3] John 11:6
[4] John 11:11. 
[5] John 11:17
[6] John 11:21. 
[7] John 11:23. 
[8] John 11:24. 
[9] John 11:25-26 (Paraphrase)
[10] John 11:32. 
[11] John 11:35. 
[12] John 11:34. 
[13] John 11:37
[14] John 11:39. 
[15] John 11:40
[16] John 11:41-42. 
[17] John 11:43-44. 
[18] John 11:45-52. 
[19] Markquart, Ed. “Lazarus, Jesus Bursting into Tears.” Sermons from Seattle. Web. Mar.28.2017. 
[20] John 11:25-26.