First Lesson: Acts 8: 26-40 Responsive Reading: Psalm 22: 25-31 Second Lesson: 1 John 4: 7-21 Gospel Lesson: John 15: 1-8 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Once upon a time in a town not unlike this one sat a husband and wife that you could very well know. On this day came a knock upon the door[1]. The husband and wife weren’t expecting any company. Standing before them was a gentleman that neither of them had ever seen before. He looked tired and road weary like he hadn’t been home for months. The husband confused at the stranger’s presence asks “What can we do for you?” The gentleman then proceeded to ask “Does God live here?” The husband and wife were stumped, he wasn’t dressed like a Mormon, he had no literature in front of him like a Jehovah Witness, and he had no reason to know what they believed or where they went to church. The wife then asks “What exactly do you want?” The gentleman replied again “Does God live here?” The husband gets mad and begins to walk away; he orders the wife to slam the door in the man’s face. The husband keeps on fuming, “Doesn’t he know that we attend Saint Martin’s Lutheran Church” every Sunday[2]. To which the wife began to correct him “His question wasn’t whether we go to church?” She reminded him, he asked, “Does God live here?” They began to further reflect on the stranger’s question. Finally, the wife spoke up “Dear, yes God does live here. We might be busy day after day. We might not always be the perfect Christians like when we slammed the door in that man’s face. Behind all this, we believe that Our Lord’s Gospel is at the center of our faith. We believe that we shall abide in our faith because our Lord promises to abide with us[3].” The husband spoke up “We might not be wealthy in this world. Our lives certainly have had their share of difficulties with kids and marriage and jobs. But through it, all God’s promises to us never waver. God’s word shall abide through the end[4]?” Does God live here? Does God live within our own lives? Today’s Gospel lesson comes to us from John 15[5]. The key word that keeps coming up again and again in our lesson is “abide.” What exactly does it mean to abide in Jesus as the husband and wife talked about in the previous story? Abiding is a word that constantly appears in John’s Gospel[6]. John uses it to describe the mutual love dwelling inside of us. How we love Christ because he first loved us[7]. John uses abiding to speak of the points and moments of our lives where God’s love is most clearly made known[8]. Samuel Timothy McGraw better known as Tim was born in 1967[9]. McGraw is one of the most successful country music superstars of all-time. He has seen ten albums and twenty-five singles reach the top of the Country Music charts[10]. In 2004, he wrote perhaps his most important song for the sake of our Gospel Lesson. McGraw wrote a song titled “Live Like You Were Dying[11].” McGraw based the song on conversations with a friend of his who had received a seemingly fatal diagnosis of a lung condition while still a young man in his early 40’s. This diagnosis had given the man a whole new perspective on his life when he thought of life regarding months rather than decades to live like before. The song tells the story of McGraw’s friend describing the impact of his diagnosis. It was released shortly after the death of McGraw’s father Tug[12]. The song asks “What do you do when you get news that your life has changed on a dime.” The song begins by describing fun activities to do like sky-diving and rocky mountain climbing knowing that your days are numbered. As the song goes on though, it gets deeper and more spiritual[13]. To quote McGraw: “I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter and I gave forgiveness I’d been denying. I finally was the husband that most of the time I wasn’t, and I became a friend a friend would like to have, and all of a sudden, goin’ fishin’ wasn’t such an imposition, and I went three times that year I lost my dad. Well, I finally read the Good Book, and I took a good long hard look, at what I’d do if I could do it all again; And he said, someday I hope you get the chance to live like you were dying[14].” The song asks what we do when confronted with the prospect of pending death? Jesus within our Gospel lesson says “If anyone does not abide in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned[15].” We hear this verse and picture a warning against hell. Like Tim McGraw what this verse seeks to address is confronting death. For it is only in Christ that we have any hope in death. How the Cross of Christ points to an abiding place even beyond the grave itself[16]. I want to close this morning with the story of one of the most remarkable Christians that you’ve maybe never heard. A gentleman whose story shows us what it truly means to abide to the end. Joseph M. Scriven was born in Ireland in 1819[17]. Scriven grew up the son of wealthy parents. Scriven’s life seems to be going along great. He graduated college in 1842. He seems destined for a career as a school-teacher. He is scheduled to marry his childhood sweetheart in 1843. The day before the wedding, Scriven’s life would turn on a dime. He and his finance were scheduled to meet down along the banks of the local river[18]. She arrives first, her horse gets startled, she was bucked, thrown into the river, knocked unconscious, and drowned moments before Joseph Scriven arrived[19]. Scriven has to be a witness to her body being recovered from the river. Upon seeing her deceased corpse, all he could comment was “The bottom of my world seemed to disappear[20].” Scriven is so heartbroken by her loss that he decides he could no longer stay in his native Ireland. He would see her memory every place that he looked. He decides to move to a small-town in Ontario, Canada[21]. Scriven decides to dedicate his life to helping others in need especially the sick and poor. Scriven develops a reputation as the local Good Samaritan. He was known for being willing to do anything for anyone especially chop wood[22]. To give you an idea of the type of man that Joseph Scriven was one day two businessmen saw Scriven walking and carrying his saw. One of the businessmen said that’s the type of guy that I would like to hire to chop my wood. The other businessman began to shake his head “I know that man. He would not cut your firewood. He cuts wood only for the financially destitute and for those who are physically handicapped and cannot cut their own firewood[23].” Scriven's philosophy was that he would only help those who couldn’t reimburse him to serve as an example of God’s grace. In 1857, Scriven appeared on the verge of finally getting married. While working as a tutor, he met a young woman. They got engaged to be married. Shortly before the wedding, his second finance contracted pneumonia. Just like his first finance, she would die the day before their wedding[24]. Scriven though continually retained hope in life regardless of any devastating pain he endured. When his mother got ill back in Ireland, he wrote a poem whose words he hoped would serve her as a source of comfort. Scriven never expected that the poem would be seen by anyone other than him or his mother. One day though Scriven grows ill, a friend comes to help care for him and discovers Scriven’s seemingly long-lost poem[25]. Scriven is asked if he wrote the poem to which he replied: “The Lord and I did it between us[26].” Scriven’s poem begins to spread especially becoming a favorite of well-known evangelist D.L. Moody. Perhaps you’ve heard it: “What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” Joseph Scriven would die in 1886. The legacy of his testimony even after enduring the greatest of trials lives on. What the story of Joseph Scriven reminds us of is the point of Our Gospel lesson. Jesus abides with us even as those moments when we do not feel like it is so. Jesus speaks these words of promise on the night before his crucifixion[27]. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”-John 15:13. Jesus’ friendship was most ultimately made known upon the cross[28]. This friendship is sustained in all our imperfection and despair. It is the one friendship in life that is not conditional of our circumstances, but rather unconditional. Our Lord will abide with us to the end through getting annoyed with strangers knocking on our doors through cancer diagnosis, through lost loves, and ultimately through our graves. Amen [1] The following is based on Zingale, Tim. “Are You Attached?” Sermon Central. 3. June.2003. Web. Apr.23.2018. [2] Zingale, Tim. “Are You Attached?” [3] Zingale, Tim. “Are You Attached?” [4] Zingale, Tim. “Are You Attached?” [5] John 15:1-8. [6] Stamper, Meda, “John 15:1-8 Commentary.” Working Preacher. Luther Seminary. 3.May.2015. Web. Apr.23.2018. [7] 1 John 4:19. [8] Stamper, Meda. “John 15:1-8 Commentary.” [9] McGraw, Tim. “Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 20. Apr.2018. Web. Apr.23.2018. [10] McGraw, Tim. “Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. [11] “Live Like You Were Dying.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 3.Mar.2018. Web. Apr.2018. [12] Live Like You Were Dying.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia [13] Stier, Leon. “Abide in Me (part three of three). Email Mediatations. 6. May.2015. Web. Apr.23.2018. [14] Stier, Leon. “Abide in Me (part three of three).” [15] John 15:6. [16] Stier, Leon. “Abide in Me (part three of three). [17] Scriven, Joseph. M. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 15. Dec.2017. Web. Apr.23.2018. [18] “The Story Behind the Hymn ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus’.” YouTube. 27.Jan.2012. Web. Apr.21.2018 published by jmose1009. [19] The Story Behind the Hymn ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus’.” YouTube. [20] The Story Behind the Hymn ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus’.” YouTube. [21] The Story Behind the Hymn ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus’.” YouTube. [22] The Story Behind the Hymn ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus’.” YouTube. [23] Brenneman, David. “The Story Behind the Hymn’ What a Friend We Have in Jesus’ “ Stuarts Draft and Retirement Community and Christian Homes. 28. Oct.2013. Web. Apr.23.2018. [24] Hall, Sharon. “Hymnspiration: What A Friend We Have In Jesus.” Digging History. 17.Jan.2015. Web. Apr.21.2018. [25] Hall, Sharon. “Hymnspiration: What A Friend We Have In Jesus.” [26] Hall, Sharon. “Hymnspiration: What A Friend We Have In Jesus.” [27] Habben, Daniel. “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Sermon Central. 22. May.2006. Web. Apr.23.2018 [28] Habben, Daniel. “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” First Lesson: Acts 4: 5-12 Responsive Reading: Psalm 23 Second Lesson: 1 John 3: 16-24 Gospel Lesson: John 10: 11-18 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Let me begin with a story. My Mom is not a big woman, standing around 5’0 tall and weighing less than 100 lbs. My mom’s closest companion in life was her cairn terrier Winston picture Toto from the Wizard of Oz. When my mom would read Winston would lie on the floor nearby. When my mom would cook Winston would be standing by the stove. When my mom would be sleeping Winston would be in the area and quick to try to bark up a storm and even the slightest sound which could indicate a potential intruder. Winston wasn’t always the best behaved dog, until he was about ten years whenever my parents left the house, Winston would proceed to knock over everything in sight in fits of hysteria. Winston loved more than anything else sprawling garbage across the dining room floor. Despite Winston’s bad behavior my mom’s relationship with him never wavered. One day, my mom took Winston for a walk. They come across a coyote. My mom sees the coyote as potentially eying Winston as nothing more than a delicious morsel, so what Mom does is grab Winston no different than the Shepherd would hold a Sheep and hightail it from the area as fast as she could. My Mom was going to see to it that nothing happened which could destroy Winston while he remained in her care. Mom’s goal was not to confront the Coyote; her goal was ultimately to protect her canine companion above all else, even if it meant for harm to come her way. We can probably identify with my mom. We have our loved ones whether human or canine that we know of the need to defend regardless of circumstance. David Grossman grew up in Cheyenne, Wyoming[1]. After high school, he enlists in the Army. He graduates from Ranger school. Works his way up the ranks to infantry platoon leader and eventually company commander out of Fort Ord, California. Grossman then transitions careers within the service by becoming a military psychologist at West Point. Grossman has since made his preeminent life work studying the psychology of killing how people in either military service or the police can push themselves to use force against others at any given moment[2]. Grossman wrote a book in titled On Combat in 2004 that summarized the wisdom of an old veteran that he encountered[3]: “There are three kinds of people in the world (wolves, sheep, and sheep dogs). The quote immediately became quite popular in a post 9-11 world, a world where violence seems pervasive. Grossman’s quote makes sense when we are seemingly surrounded by wolves whether internationally in the form of Al-Queda/ISIS, domestically in the form of gangsters and thugs, and locally in the form of abusers[4]. We need sheep dogs in the world to protect us from all those who would seek to do the innocent sheep harm. Life calls out for a continual confrontation with the wolves seemingly surrounding us. Let me tell you today about someone who understands that there are constantly wolves roaming the world looking to get us. Jesus addresses the problem of the wolf within our Gospel lesson for Today[5]. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The wolf comes…and snatches [the sheep] and scatters them. I am the good shepherd… And I lay down my life for the sheep. Life seemingly tells us every day of the need for sheep dogs to protect the sheep against wolves. The scriptures say something different. The scriptures speak of a need for a shepherd to protect the sheep. The shepherd though doesn’t bring salvation for meeting aggression with aggression; the shepherd rather speaks of bringing salvation by laying down his own life. Jesus says to us on this day: “I am the good shepherd.” We hear these words, and we might picture the Sunday School painting of Jesus holding onto a lamb no differently than he would hold on to a child, no different than my mom would hold her little cairn terrier Winston. You picture this image Jesus seems like the last type of person, we’d want to protect us from all the wolves in the world around us seeking to do us harm[6]. This image of what the good shepherd does is deceiving. Our shepherd grabs the lamb because he is so concerned with the wolves that attack us. Only the wolves the shepherd worries about aren’t what we imagine to be the insurmountable forces of this world, the wolves the good shepherd worries about are those of Sin, Death, and the Devil. The need to confront these forces once and for all is why our good shepherd is so willing to display the ultimate act of courage in losing his own life upon the cross for our sake. What makes the good shepherd different?? The American cowboy has long been considered a hero of the West[7]. Men like Roy Rogers are considered the epitome of American masculinity decades after his death. Picture the cowboy; you’ve got the boots, the hat, the leather-face from being out in the sun all day[8]. There seems to be nothing stronger than the man who can control thousands of cattle across thousands of miles. The cowboy is known for being honest to the fault and not afraid to defend his cattle against oncoming attackers. The shepherd is similar in many ways to the cowboy, they both live under the stars among the animals in their care, they are always on duty, and they both know where to find pasture[9]. Here’s the difference. It has to do with the ultimate goal of the cowboy and the shepherd. The cowboy is supposed to lead the cow to slaughter. The cowboy sees the cattle as nothing more than merely another number, another head in the crowd. So the cowboy drives the cattle, it wrestles, brands, herds, and ropes. The cowboy will whoop and holler at the cows. The work of a cowboy is to ultimately drive its herd to the very places it doesn’t want to go[10]. What makes a shepherd different from a cowboy? Shepherds have a much more personalized relationship with their sheep. Sheep are valued for their wool. Shepherds will even caress their sheep out of the belief that it will produce better wool. Shepherds will call out sheep by their very name. The Shepherd seeks to lead and guide their sheep into the greenest of pastures where they long to go, even when they seemingly don’t know any better[11]. How does shepherding exactly work? D.L. Moody gives the following example[12]. In the Scottish Highlands, sheep will wander off from the herd; they will get into all sorts of trouble, they will get stuck in places they can’t easily get out. Occasionally, the sheep will see very sweet looking grass which caused them to jump down onto mountain ledges from which they cannot get back up. Here’s the interesting thing the shepherds will not automatically rescue the sheep as soon as they get stuck. They will wait until the sheep eat all the grass, and began to grow faint. So the shepherds wait until the shepherds are on the brink of death to rescue the sheep because otherwise, the sheep would get so excited they’d be likely to run off the edge of the cliff[13]. It is the same way with the good shepherd and us, only when we give up on trying to save ourselves does salvation come down from Heaven. What Jesus is saying to us in our lesson for Today is this. He is the way to salvation because there cannot be any other way. He knows our name, he knows our sins, he knows our imperfections, yet he remains our shepherd. There are no wolves out there that will truly scare a good shepherd away. Earlier this morning, I began by telling you about Lt. Colonel David Grossman. The man is known as the lead sheep dog, the expert in human killing. Grossman recognized a couple of downsides to his being seen as a sheep dog rather than a shepherd. The first one is that sheepdogs can scare sheep because they look so much like wolves[14]. Grossman is terrified by the effects that video-game violence has had on the culture, almost desensitizing youth to the true nature of violence[15]. When we seek to impose our own righteous judgment upon the world the line between who are sheepdogs and wolves can blur fast. Here’s the difference between a sheep dog and a shepherd. A sheep knows that no matter what a shepherd will never harm the lowliest of lambs. I have tremendous respect and gratefulness to those who put their lives on the line whether in the police force or armed services seeking to protect us. Yet no forces no matter how good they appear will ever be able to replicate the true saving work of the good shepherd for those that the world has broken in all sorts of ways. Let me close with a Max Lucado story[16]. The year was 1945. A deaf and blind teenager is found wandering the streets of Jacksonville, Illinois. Since the boy was unable to speak, he ends up being placed in an institution. They decide the boy had become blind as a result of his diabetes. He becomes the 24th unidentified man in the state’s mental health system. Twenty-four people with no identity, or no family with which to cling. John Doe #24 would spend nearly the next fifty years of his life within the institution with nowhere to go. He died at the age of 64. A woman conducting a service asks if anyone had anything to sat about John Doe #24, the room remained silent[17]. The thing was there was an identity that belonged to John Doe #24. Once upon a time, he had a mother, and a father, there were memories of a life before he was found wandering the street[18]. What this story reminds us of is the contrast between this world and the world that is to come. John Doe #24 had a shepherd who knew his name, who called out his name and went to the Cross for John Doe’s sake. What the shepherd promises to John Doe is that he will remain in his care until they reach the land of many mansions. John Doe never was outside the unfailing love of his good shepherd. What our lesson assures us Today is the same is true for us. It doesn’t matter how far we wander off any path; it doesn’t mean how imposing the grave may look, our good shepherd will even dare go to the Cross to care for his sheep. Amen [1] Eells, Josh. “Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, the ‘Killologist’ Training America’s Cops.” Men’s Journal. Web. Apr.17.2018. [2] Eells, Josh. “Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, the ‘Killologist’ Training America’s Cops.” [3] Cummings, Micheal and Eric Cummings. “The Surprising History of American Sniper’s’Wolves, Sheep, and Sheepdogs.’ Speech.” Slate. 21.Jan.2015. Web. Apr.17.2018. [4] Cummings, Micheal and Eric Cummings. “The Surprising History of American Sniper’s’Wolves, Sheep, and Sheepdogs.’ Speech.” [5] John 10:11-18. [6] Mockingbird. “Hopelessly Devoted: John Chapter Ten Verses Eleven Through Eighteen.” Mockingbird Ministries. 18.May.2015. Web. Apr.17.2018. The following is taken from a 2015 sermon given by Right Reverend Jeff W.Fisher, Bishop of Suffragan of Texas at Trinity Episcopal Church in Woodlands, Texas titled “Not Your Grandma’s Good Shepherd.” [7] Lucado, Max. “Of Cowboys and Shepherds: The God Who Knows Your Name.” Preach It Teach It. Web. Apr.17.2018. [8] Lucado, Max. “Of Cowboys and Shepherds: The God Who Knows Your Name.” [9] Lucado, Max. “Of Cowboys and Shepherds: The God Who Knows Your Name.” [10] Lucado, Max. “Of Cowboys and Shepherds: The God Who Knows Your Name.” [11] Lucado, Max. “Of Cowboys and Shepherds: The God Who Knows Your Name.” [12] “Sheep”. Sermon Illustrations. Web. Apr.17.2018 taken from Moody's Anecdotes, pp. 70-71 [13] Sheep”. Sermon Illustrations. [14] Eells, Josh. “Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, the ‘Killologist’ Training America’s Cops.” [15] Eells, Josh. “Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, the ‘Killologist’ Training America’s Cops.” [16] Lucado, Max. “Of Cowboys and Shepherds: The God Who Knows Your Name.” [17] Lucado, Max. “Of Cowboys and Shepherds: The God Who Knows Your Name.” [18] Lucado, Max. “Of Cowboys and Shepherds: The God Who Knows Your Name.” First Lesson: Acts 3: 12-19 Responsive Reading: Psalm 4 Second Lesson: 1 John 3: 1-7 Gospel Lesson: Luke 24: 36b-48 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Dorothy Dandridge Payne was born in North Carolina in 1768[1]. Dolley, as she came to be known, would eventually see her family move to Philadelphia. At the age of 21, Dolley would get married to a lawyer with whom she would have two sons. By the age of 25, Dolley would become a widow after her husband died of Yellow Fever. Shortly after this, Dolley would be introduced to a congressman from Virginia named James Madison. They would marry shortly after that. Within fifteen years, Madison would be elected the fourth president of the United States[2]. Dolley’s presence upon Washington D.C. was a revelation. Dolley was often credited with bringing high society to the previous swamp known as Washington D.C. Madison was known as witty and charming with a seemingly photographic memory to remember other people. The War of 1812, would see Dolley exhibit great courage for her continual outreach to D.C.’s fellow residents even as her White House residence burned to the ground. Dolley Madison would leave the White House as one of the most popular first ladies in American history. In fact when Dolley Madison died in 1849, her death was mourned by the entire country similar to that of a President. In the years after Dolley’s death strange reports started to surface. Dolley was frequently seen roaming the halls of her residence accompanied by the smell of her favorite flower Lilacs[3]. Nearly seventy years later during President Woodrow Wilson’s term, a proposal was made to dig up the Rose Garden[4]. Dolley Madison’s Rose Garden. A work crew arrives to begin to dig it up, only for what they believed the ghost of Dolley Madison to appear, the men were terrified and refused to continue working, the project was quickly dropped, and even Today long after her death Dolley Madison’s Rose Garden continues to bloom. Dolley Madison and the Rose Garden raise a fascinating conversation for us as Christian people. Do ghosts such as Dolley Madison exist within our lives? A while back I was visiting with a congregational member. The member raised a problem to me that Seminary classes didn’t prepare me to address. The member believed her house was haunted. Things would seemingly vanish without explanation, worst of all money couldn’t occasionally be found. The member would get perpetually madder at the ghost shouting for it to leave her alone. She began to claim that she didn’t want to live in a haunted house anymore. Once upon a time, there was an author of a theological library where they possess books for Seminary students[5]. The library was quite old and allegedly haunted by the ghosts of a former librarian. Reports of the ghost’s activity were numerous: chairs being moved without explanation, books knocked off shelves and loud, scary unexplained noises throughout the night[6]. The ghost question is a tough one to wrestle with as Christian people. Books, movies, T.V. shows, and personal experiences tend to give ghost sightings a degree of authority that we struggle to sort out[7]. Today we hear perhaps the scripture’s most famous ghost story[8]. The Disciples are gathering on Easter evening. The Disciples had probably heard rumors of Jesus’ appearing before others. They didn’t believe such a thing like a ghost sighting could be true. Jesus seemed unlikely to appear on this night. The Disciples were more consumed with their fear of Jesus enemies who had put him to death that they locked the doors to where they were out of fear. Suddenly, Jesus appeared before them like an uninvited ghost. The reaction was much different than Mary Magdalene at the Tomb; the Disciples were terrified at what they saw. I was sixteen years old; My great-grandfather had just died. I remember attending the visitation. Another kid I knew showed up. We began talking; he then dared me to touch the body of the deceased. I had never done such a thing, so I got nervous. I had seen my great-grandpa just a few days prior, touched him many times before, but I just couldn’t believe on that night that I would actually be touching “him.” So as soon as the Disciples see Jesus, they react no different than they would seeing a ghost. They are startled and terrified. Jesus decides he needs to calm their fears. “Peace be with you. Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have[9].” Jesus then proceeded to take the necessary steps to point out the true nature of his flesh and blood. He eats broiled fish in the Disciples presence. The Disciples know that ghosts by nature don’t eat. One question that our text doesn’t answer has to do with the reality of Ghosts within our world. So what should Christians say about Ghosts? It would be helpful to define what Ghosts are and aren’t. Ghosts are supernatural entities[10]. Jesus within our lesson draws the contrast. Ghosts are entities that we cannot see, hear, touch, or weigh in the same way we can with human beings.’ Ghosts would fall outside the realm of modern science. As Christian people, we believe in supernatural forces. We believe in a God who lives outside this world, who created it and all that exists. We believe this God is good. We also believe in Devils, Demons, and other supernatural beings because the scriptures declare it to be so. There is even a story of a Witch in the Bible when Saul enlists the help of the Wicked Witch of Endor[11]. Here’s something interesting about our passage from Luke 24. Martin Luther preached on this passage for All Saints Day. Luther did believe in Ghosts or Wandering spirits[12]. Luther makes an interesting point about our passage. Jesus does not deny that Ghosts appear. Jesus seems to confirm it when he contrasts his post-Resurrection being with that of a Ghost as he points out “A spirit does not have flesh or bones[13].” So if there are these Ghosts who are they? Luther points out that Ghosts aren’t the souls of the dead who have previously walked this Earth. Luther’s reason was the scriptures never give examples of the dead returning as Ghosts to walk among the living. Luther makes the point that the fate of the dead who have walked among us, is to await the Resurrection which is to come[14]. So who are Ghosts according to Luther? Ghosts are rather minions of the Devil sent to frighten, terrify, and drive people to all sorts of despair. So the Devil, in theory, could operate by creating the likeness of the formerly living to haunt the currently living[15]. So Luther would have believed that it wasn’t the deceased spirit of Dolley Madison that appeared in the Rose Garden rather that if anything was seen it would have been demonic forces meant to terrorize and frighten the innocent workers. So we can believe that ghost-like appearances possibly take place, without believing that when people die that they become Ghosts. At the same time, even though we believe in a well-defined supernatural realm. We acknowledge that various people’s ghost encounters can be viewed as hoaxes or deceptions[16]. In other words, while Ghosts are possible, not all ghost stories are necessarily true. I have a friend who considers himself a “free-thinker,” he denies God and all supernatural forces such as Ghosts as not existing due to lack of “verifiable” proof. I do not doubt that he would be able to point to all sorts of “ghost” stories that would later prove to be nothing more than hoaxes. As Christian people, we rather merely acknowledge the “unseen things above (or below) which possess power within this world, even if we can’t explain or conclusively prove their existence at any given moment. Earlier I told you the tale of the library that was haunted by Ghosts. The librarian would always be asked the question whether there are really ghosts within the Library, his answer is instructive for us Today“ I don’t know…But if you want my opinion on ghosts in general, I will tell you this—I believe in God, and if there are ghosts, I am not afraid of them, because God is stronger than any ghost[17].” Today’s Gospel lesson further drives home this point. The Disciples were afraid because when they see the post-resurrected Jesus, they believe they see a Ghost. Jesus takes the time to show the Disciples the realness of his flesh, how he returned in flesh and blood not merely as a ghost. The point of our lesson is maintaining peace in the presence of death, maintaining peace in the presence of ghosts, believing that Our Lord and Savior can ultimately triumph over any forces of death and the devil that the world ultimately throws at us[18]. It is true that in many ways we are haunted in this life. These hauntings don’t take place though, in the form of evil spirits, they take place in the form of unresolved sins and our spiritual despair. What the appearance of Jesus reminds us of Today is because of the Resurrection things will be different, sins will be forgiven, and the grave shall ultimately haunt us no more. Amen [1] “Dolley Madison”. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 3.Apr.2018. Web. Apr.10.2018. [2]“Dolley Madison.” . Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. [3] Lamkin, Virginia. “The Ghost of Dolley Madison.” Seeks Ghosts. Blogspot. 11.July.2010. Web. Apr.10.2018. [4] “Famous Ghosts in American History.” History Channel. Web. Apr.10.2018. [5] Stier, Leon. “Ghost Stories (a).” Email Meditations 14. Aug.2017. Web. Apr.10.2018. [6] Stier, Leon. “Ghost Stories (a).” [7] Stier, Leon. “Ghost Stories (a).” [8] Stier, Leon. “Ghost Stories (b). Email Meditations 15. Aug.2017. Web. Apr.10.2018 [9] Luke 24:36b, 39. [10] Stier, Leon. “Ghost Stories (b). [11] 1 Samuel 28. [12] Dawn W. “Luther on Ghosts.” Concordia Publishing House Blog. Saint Louis. 31.Oct.2015. Web. Apr.10.2018. [13] Dawn W. “Luther on Ghosts.” [14] Dawn W. “Luther on Ghosts.” [15] Dawn W. “Luther on Ghosts.” [16] Stier, Leon. “Ghost Stories –C) Email Meditations. 16. Aug.2017. Web. Apr.10.2018 [17] Stier, Leon. “Ghost Stories –C) Email Meditations.. [18] Vitalis-Hoffman, Mark. “Commentary on Luke 24:36b-48.” Working Preacher. Luther Seminary. 15.Apr.2018. Web. Apr.10.2018. First Lesson: Acts 4: 32-35 Responsive Reading: Psalm 133 Second Lesson: 1 John 1: 1 - 2:2 Gospel Lesson: John 20: 19-31 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Elisha Graves Otis was born in Vermont in 1811[1]. His younger years did not bring much success as businessman overseeing multiple failed mills. Otis eventually takes over as the manager of a bedstead factory. Otis was plagued with a problem of getting debris from lower levels to upper levels of his factory. In 1851, many American buildings had elevators[2]. The problem was they didn’t work very well. Ropes and pulleys would pull platforms up shafts. The problem was the cables often would snap causing crashes to the ground which would destroy all the elevator’s contents. Humans getting inside of an elevator would have been considered as dangerous as trying to fly by gripping onto the wings of an airplane. The risk was beyond foolish in 1851. Otis wanted to find a different solution to his factory than a crude hoisting platform. Elisha Otis by the age of 40 had become a skilled craftsmen. Otis develops the idea to install a ratchet bar inside the elevator shaft, so even if the ropes did snap, a break would prevent the elevator from plummeting[3]. Otis initially didn’t think much of the invention. He didn’t pursue a patent. Nor did he have any interest in selling his newfound elevator. He proceeded to keep working at the bedsted factory. The bedsted factory goes under. Otis decides he needs to try to convince a doubting, skeptical public that they can actually trust in elevators as a source of transportation. The World’s Fair took place in New York City in 1853. Otis rented out the main hall. He decided to reconstruct an elevator platform and shaft[4]. He was going to give an elevator demonstration. Otis on this day climbs on the platform, asks an assistant to hoist him three stories off the ground. Otis then stared at everyone in the convention hall. Then Otis proceeds to shock onlookers by instructing an axe man to cut the rope while Otis is suspended in mid-air. The audience gasped in amazement. The audience’s first thought is Otis is suicidal. The platform began to drop, only to be rescued by Otis’s safety break[5]. The world would never be the same after Elisha Otis’ presentation on this day. Within thirty years because of Otis’ invention, skyscrapers would come to major American cities[6]. Doubt had been turned to faith before a roomful of skeptical onlookers. Today we hear a similar story[7]. A story where a very skeptical man named Thomas has his whole world changed forever. Thomas was not present when Jesus first appeared to the other Disciples. Thomas was a nonsense sort of a man. Thomas was bold enough even to interrupt Jesus during an earlier sermon when he said: “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way[8]?” Only to hear Jesus reply “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me[9].” Thomas wouldn’t understand what Jesus truly meant though until the day of our lesson. So when the Other Disciples say to Thomas they have seen Jesus, Thomas was skeptical like every single audience member of the 1853’ World Fair was skeptical as Elisha Otis elevated on a platform. Thomas didn’t so much doubt only he was going along with what would have seemed like an exaggerated story without proof. Jesus “Rose from the Dead!” He walked and talked among you, Thomas needed to see for himself. For our friends aren’t always reliable arbiters of truth. It might be a movie, a book, a restaurant or whether the Vikings are a better football team than the Packers. We all know that just because our friends say something doesn’t make it true[10]. So Thomas makes his point known: “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”[11] Thomas does eventually have his Resurrection moment when Jesus appears before him eight days later and says to him. “Peace be with you!... Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe[12].” John’s Gospel highlights Thomas to make an important point. Thomas’ story is written to a world of skeptics, doubters, and scoffers. A world that often believes Jesus rising from the dead sounds way too good to be true. “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands… I will not believe.” We often proclaim. Here’s the thing signs of Resurrection often exist within our own lives even when we don’t believe it to be so. Louie Zamperini (Zamp-Er-Re-NI) was born in 1917. He grew up in Torrance, California. He was frequently bullied as a child as he only knew how to speak Italian[13]. As Zamperini became a teenager, he got in trouble all the time: smoking, drinking, fighting, skipping school, running away from home, and stealing[14]. Everyone in town knew to be on the lookout for Louie Zamperini; he was as skilled a thief as there could be. Louie’s penchant for stealing discovered a hidden talent, he was a gifted runner. He was so gifted in fact that he qualified for the 1936 Olympics in Berlin[15]. He was so good in fact there was talk that he would be the first man to break the 4-minute mile. Zamperini would have run at the 1940 Olympics in Tokyo[16] only to see them canceled due to the outbreak of World War II. Louie enrolls in the Air Force. Louie soon becomes decorated[17]. Eventually, though his plane goes down over the Pacific, Three of the nine members of Louie’s crew survive. Louie’s crew was adrift in the ocean for 47 days with the Americans unable to find them; they are eventually captured by the Japanese[18]. Louie would spend the next two years of his life as a POW. Conditions were harsh: hunger, disease, torture, forced labor, and random beatings. Louie barely survived his time as a Japanese POW. Louie returned home a hero. He would eventually find the liquor bottle to be his most constant companion. Louie was married, but the marriage was in trouble. Louie could not find steady work because his mind was consumed with thoughts of revenge against the Japanese[19]. Louie’s wife eventually leaves him for a time. She eventually comes across a preacher named Billy Graham. She invited Louie to go along. Louie’s heart at this point was as hard as a man’s could be. Louie had grown up in the depression where food was hard to come by, Louie had seen his dreams as a runner crushed because of the war, Louie had two years of torment in a Japanese prison camp and now Louie was out of work with a marriage falling apart. Louie seemed to be the most unlikely person on the planet to be converted to the cause of Jesus. Louie like Thomas had all sorts of good reasons to doubt what he heard about God’s place in the world. Louie’s wife eventually convinces him to hear Billy Graham. Graham during his sermon starts talking about forgiveness. Louie starts to storm out because of Graham’s foolishness[20]. Billy Graham certainly hadn’t spent years a Japanese POW, Graham’s talk was nothing but foolishness. Louie was ready to exit the door of the revival meeting. Louie then, almost as if the Lord touched him just like he touched Thomas, had a flashback. Louie remembered after his plane went down over the Pacific. Louie remembered calling out: “Lord if you save me, I will spend the rest of my life serving you[21].” Louie’s promise was no different than Martin Luther’s caught up in a thunderstorm on the Road to Erfurt in 1505. Louie drops down to his knees. His reaction is similar to Thomas in our Gospel lesson “My Lord and my God.” The Lord had touched now Louie like Thomas touched Jesus so long ago. Louie on this night turned from doubter to believer. Louie would eventually return to Japan only this time to proclaim forgiveness to his prior captors[22]. Louie would return in 1998 to carry the Olympic torch not far from the POW Camp in Nagano where he was previously held[23]. Zamperini would have a bestselling book and film made about his life titled Unbroken. Despite living a life as remarkable as few individuals within the twentieth century, the defining mission of the last sixty-five years of Louie Zamperini’s life was proclaiming that the Lord Jesus had indeed risen from the dead. Louie had experienced this Resurrection first hand in his own life as the greatest of doubts had become the strongest of faiths. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”- John 14:27 The point of Thomas’ story isn’t don’t be like Thomas. Like Elisha Otis and Louie Zamperini, we will all have our experiences which creep doubts into our minds: whether they be history, personal struggle, broken dreams, or an uncertain future. Life will have its share of elevators, yet Our Lord promises there will be no crash from which we cannot recover. What our Lord says to us on this day is this. Signs of the Resurrection that has come and the Resurrection that will come are in the world all around you[24]. Doubt like in the case of Elisha Oats, Louie Zamperini, or the Apostle Thomas will soon turn to faith before our very eyes. The story of Thomas during Holy Week is he had every imaginable emotion pass before his eyes: the triumph of Palm Sunday, the turmoil of Jesus’ arrest, the sadness of Jesus’ crucifixion, the uncertainty regarding the rumors of Resurrection. Thomas would soon see standing before him the one to whom he truly belonged[25]. Thomas in spite of all turmoil in his life would hear words directly from Jesus of forgiveness and ultimately promise. “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed[26].” Amen [1] “Elisha Otis.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 10.Mar.2018. Web. Apr.3.2018. [2] Pink, Daniel H.. To Sell is Human. Riverhead Books/Penguin Publishing. 2012. Print. P.153. [3] Pink, Daniel H.. To Sell is Human.P.153. [4] Pink, Daniel H.. To Sell is Human. P.154 [5] Pink, Daniel H.. To Sell is Human. P.154 [6] “Skyscrapers.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 2. Apr.2018. Web. Apr.3.2018. [7] John 20:19-31 [8] John 14:5. [9] John 14:6 [10] Hinkle Shore, Mary. “Commentary on John 20:19-31.” Working Preacher. Luther Seminary. 8.Apr.2018. Web. Apr.3.2018. [11] John 20:25. [12] John 20:27. [13] “Louis Zamperini.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 31.Mar.2018. Web. Apr.3.2018. [14] Stier, Leon. “Billy and Louie: part one of three” Email Mediations. 14.Mar.2018. Web. Apr.3.2018. Taken from a March 11th, 2018 sermon. [15] Stier, Leon. “Billy and Louie: part one of three.” [16] “1940 Summer Olympics.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 23.Feb. 2018. Web. Apr.3.2018. [17] Stier, Leon. “Billy and Louie: part two of three” Email Mediations.15.Mar.2018. Web. Apr.3.2018. [18] Stier, Leon. “Billy and Louie: part two of three.” [19] Stier, Leon. “Billy and Louie: part two of three.” [20] Stier, Leon. “Billy and Louie: part two of three.” [21] Stier, Leon. “Billy and Louie: part two of three.” [22] Stier, Leon. “Billy and Louie: part three of three” Email Mediations.16.Mar.2018. Web. Apr.3.2018. [23] Stier, Leon. “Billy and Louie: part three of three.” [24] Lewis, Karoline. “When Seeing is Believing.” Working Preacher: Dear Working Preacher Column. Luther Seminary. 1.Apr.2018. Web. Apr.3.2018. [25] Molin, Steve. “Elated…Deflated.” Sermon Writer. 2008. Web. Apr.3.2018. [26] John 20:29. First Lesson: Acts 10: 34-43 Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11 Gospel Lesson: John 20: 1-18 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
The date is October 14th, 2003. The place is Wrigley Field in Chicago. The Chicago Cubs had a World Series title drought now in its 95th year. Things were looking good though for the Cubs. They were leading the Florida Marlins three games to two and led the sixth game three to zero with one out in the eighth inning. Five outs and the Cubs were going to the World Series with the long-standing supposed Curse of the Billy Goat in danger of being broken. A Marlins batter hits a foul fly out towards the left field stands, Cubs outfielder Moises Alou possibly has a play on the ball. Several spectators extend their hands trying to catch the foul ball interfering with Alou[1]. One man a financial analyst and lifelong Cubs fan named Steve Bartman reaches for the ball and deflects it away from the Cubs outfielder. Ball touches the ground, Moises Alou slammed down his glove in anger and began shouting at Bartman. Reaction towards Bartman from the other fans was swift (he was called vulgar names, pelted with both beer and other debris, and even threatened death). Fans tried to strike him as he was being escorted from the stadium. The Chicago Cubs go on to lose the game 8-3. They would also lose to the Miami Marlins the next night thereby ending their 2003 season. Steve Bartman would go into hiding as the worst person in the City of Chicago. Even the Governor of Illinois suggested Bartman needed to go into the witness protection program[2]. Steve Bartman would seemingly forever be known as the person who ruined the Chicago Cubs season. What eventually happened to Steve Bartman, we’ll get back to his story in a bit. I want to tell you a similar story this morning. This woman had like Steve Bartman been a front-row witness to the harshest of defeats. Mary Magdalene had seen her life changed by Jesus early in his ministry. Jesus had cast a demon out of Mary Magdalene, and her life was never going to be the same[3]. Now, a few days prior Mary Magdalene had received word that Jesus been had arrested. She then journeyed out to Mount Calvary along with Mary the Mother, Mary the Aunt, and John the Disciple[4]. She was a witness as Jesus took one last sip of sour wine, proclaimed “It is finished,” [5]and dropped his head as he breathed his last breath. Death was undefeated since the time of Adam. People could try to run as far away from this as they could. But the scriptures say it best: “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people because all sinned[6].” Mary Magdalene stuck around about the final breath; she stuck around when everyone else exited Mount Calvary, she stuck around when the Roman Soldiers cleaned the site of the crucifixion to get ready for the next one. It was almost like Mary Magdalene stuck around because she had nowhere else to go, regardless of the outcome. Mary Magdalene was there when Joseph of Arimathea buried Jesus[7]. She even brought spices along to “anoint” Jesus’ body[8]. So fast forward, two days, Mary Magdalene gets up Sunday morning to visit Jesus’ tomb. Sunday morning though was different, as soon as Mary arrives on the scene, she notices the stone guarding the tomb had been rolled away. To do such a deed would have been no easy feat for grave robbers as the stone probably weighed a ton. She decides to track down the Disciple Peter and another Disciple so that they can find evidence of the stolen body. Peter walks into the tomb; they see the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head two days earlier lying on the ground. The burial cloth lied before them with no body inside it. As they searched and searched, still no sign of Jesus’ body could be found. Peter and the Other Disciple eventually travel home. Mary Magdalene still didn’t want to leave Jesus’ tomb. She begins to cry. She grieves over the loss of her spiritual leader. She grieves over death’s pain and separation. She cries over the pain of defeat. She figures she’ll cry until she can gather the strength to walk home. Pretty soon, she sees two figures standing right at the spot where Jesus’ body had been. “Woman, why are you crying[9].” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.[10]” Mary then hears a voice behind her. “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for[11].” Mary assumed this was just a nosy gardener, getting all up in her business. She demands to know where the gardener had taken the body[12]. She then hears words that would change her life forever, words that wouldn’t change just her life but the lives of countless people after her. “Mary[13].” Mary hearing Jesus speak her name changed everything. Mary’s world had been flipped upside-down. Death’s verdict had been overturned. Death was undefeated no more, regardless of the outcomes of century after century before. Resurrection had proclaimed to Mary Magdalene that things were never going to be the same again. What the Resurrection that Mary Magdalene saw says to us is this “The worst moments of our lives do not inevitability write our story even unto the grave itself.” You might wonder what exactly happened to Steve Bartman who I told you about earlier. The man who supposedly cursed the Chicago Cubs to a further generation of misery. The Chicago Cubs win Baseball’s World Series in 2016, after a 108-year drought. August 2017, The Chicago Cubs decide to reach out to Steve Bartman with the most unusual of offers. The Chicago Cubs decided to offer a World Series Championship Ring to the same Steve Bartman who years prior heard chants of “ Rot in Hell” “Everyone in Chicago Hates You” “We’re gonna kill you[14].” What were the Cubs’ reason for giving Bartman a ring, let me read from their statement: “We felt it was important Steve knows he has been and continues to be fully embraced by this organization[15].” What Mary Magdalene encounters at the Tomb on Easter Sunday is a message that her burdens of sin, shame, and all the other ways that the devil has tried to defeat her, have been rolled away. The one-ton stone is gone, her story and our stories will now be different every day of our lives. She will be embraced by her savior even beyond the grave! The power of our graves will soon be no more! William Franklin Graham, Jr. was born in Charlotte, NC in 1918[16]. Graham was an early proponent of racial integration. He even once bailed his good friend Martin Luther King, Jr. out of jail. He would serve as a spiritual advisor to every President from Harry Truman to Barack Obama. Graham’s preaching would become so famous that he ended up being heard by estimates of upwards of 2 billion people[17]. Graham would frequently be on Gallup’s Most Admired Americans list. Max Lucado summed up Graham well: “He had convictions without being divisive, and he never took himself too seriously despite all his fame[18]. Perhaps the best story of Billy Graham comes from an encounter between him and musician Michael W. Smith when Graham was a ripe, young man of 94. Graham wanted to discuss with Smith his funeral. Graham’s one wish was as follows “That my name not be mentioned.”…” I hope only that the name of the Lord Jesus be lifted up[19].” For despite every personal accolade that Billy Graham had every achieved, Billy Graham understood what the Empty Tomb that Mary Magdalene encountered truly meant. The great hope confronting us Today is we are not the source of our salvation, we do not walk out of own tombs, for only by the grace of God do we experience the forgiveness and hope given to Mary Magdalene on Easter Sunday. Billy Graham died in February. Graham was 99 years old. Graham described his death quite well in a statement years prior. “Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.” Steve Bartman thought he was destined for a lifetime of public shaming until one great and dramatic act after 108 long years changed the whole narrative of his life! Mary Magdalene thought there was no life after death until she encountered her Resurrected Lord. Billy Graham saw the stone had been rolled away; the tomb is now empty, tears will soon be no more, your savior will soon stand before you! He is risen! He is risen indeed! Amen [1] Duke, Annie. Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts. Portfolio/Penguin Publshing. New York. 2018. Print. P.98. [2] “Steve Bartman Incident.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 10.Mar.2018. Web. Mar.12.2018. [3] Luke 8:2. [4] John 19:25. [5] John 19:30 [6] Romans 5:12. [7] Mark 15:47. [8] Mark 16:1. [9] John 20:13. [10] John 20:13b. [11] John 20:15. [12] John 20:15. [13] John 20:16. [14] Duke, Annie. Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts.P.100. [15] Steve Bartman Incident.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. [16] “Billy Graham.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 8.Mar.2018. Web. Mar.12.2018. [17] Lucado, Max. “Farewell Mr. Graham.” Max Lucado.com. 21.Feb.2018. Web. Mar.12.2018. [18] Lucado, Max. “Farewell Mr. Graham.” [19] Lucado, Max. “Farewell Mr. Graham.” |
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