Scripture Text (NRSV)
Luke 24:1-12
24:1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to
the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared.
24:2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
24:3 but when they went in, they did not find the body.
24:4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in
dazzling clothes stood beside them.
24:5 The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground,
but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the
dead? He is not here, but has risen.
24:6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,
24:7 that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be
crucified, and on the third day rise again."
24:8 Then they remembered his words,
24:9 and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven
and to all the rest.
24:10 Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James,
and the other women with them who told this to the apostles.
24:11 But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not
believe them.
24:12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and
looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home,
amazed at what had happened.
Comments:
What startled me most: "Then they remembered his words"... Remembering
implies forgetting. I recently read some gerneral movie review that
mentioned that we had an awful lot of recent movies about
forgetfulness (Finding Nemo, Spotless mind and others), it's almost en
vogue to be forgetful! But what a message is forgotten by Jesus'
closest followers, his disciples and the women! The message of
resurrection and life is drowned by fear, death and grief and makes us
"forget" the good news. Is the message too good to be true? Today I
see many church folks who seem to "forget" about the great message of
life and forgiveness; who dwell on moralism, criticism, exclusiveness,
and busyness. How are we reminded, how do we remember? How can a
preacher get the message of Easter across in a genuine way?
germanpastor in San Jose
I think that I will focus on Peter. He seemed hesitant at first but
gained enthusiasm and ran to see for himself. Stooping and looking
means he had to search and discern what I think his heart was telling
him. I would like congregants to come away feeling as amazed as Peter
was, when they get home. Peter became an Easter person, and I want to
be among an Easter people. The challenge is to remember to be dazzled
by the mystery and awe that is God.
Jo in Canada
It just occurred to me that, perhaps, the 'need' is tied to the
concept of "shalom." If you have "need" at the end of the day, you
don't have "shalom." And as I recall from seminary days long ago, if
you answered "no" to the query of "shalom" the person who inquired was
obligated to help you meet your need. (It's been a while, so have to
dig that out.)
Occasional Lurker
I am haunted by "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" I
can't help but think that on Easter all our churches will be brimming
with people who give us one more chance to show them why church in
important in their lives. We call them CEOs, Christmas and Easter
Onlys. They come looking for the living but only seem to find the
dead, which keeps them away until Christmas. Why don't they hear the
good news we preach?
Rob in Menlo Park
Do we preach the Good News, or do we approach people with our list of
needs that they could fill? Teaching, serving on the board, youth
group leading, volunteer maintenance, committees galore, it's really
what being in the church has become, isn't it? Sunday morning is just
a small part of it, and we seem to have decided years ago that if you
come and sit on Sunday morning, you need to be involved at least 2
other activities so we can accomplish all the things we want to do for
ourselves (first) and the world (second or third).
I don't have the solution, but I know that it is a real problem here.
C & E Church members don't want to get sucked into things beyond the
being fed part. Nobody would dare approach them on Christmas Eve or
Easter Morning to try to fill some empty slots, so those are safe as
well as respectable times to attend. Everyone's glad to see them, but
they have made no commitment to anything except receiving a reminder
that they are loved for who they are, not for what they can do for the
Church.
I am interested by the way that Peter has obviously had a big
experience - whether he understands it or not, Jesus' body has gone! A
big experience, and he goes home. Is this what we do? Do we just go
home? Or do we find other people to share the news with?
Maybe because I had a real stressful administrative council meeting
yesterday, where all the negatives and toxic personalities just seemed
to rule, but I'm finding myself identifying with Mary, Joanna, and
Mary (interestingly, the most toxic in our church is named Joanne)...
Doesn't it sometimes feel like you preach and preach and preach. And
teach and teach and teach. And encourage and encourage and encourage.
And explain and explain and explain...
Only to have the very people who claim to believe in the Good News
find it an idle tale?
Sally in GA
When Jesus came into the world as a human baby, angels were the ones
who announced it. When Jesus returned to life, ditto. His birth was
like none ever known before. His resurrection, ditto. There is a
completion here. We can't know the story on our own, it must be
divinely inspired. Duly inspired, we go and tell so others may know to
open themselves to the divine inspiration and then go and tell someone
else.
I think my topic will be something along the lines of "Divinely
Inspired to Believe the Unbelievable". I may make reference to an old
Andy Griffith show where Opie has a new friend, Mr. McBeevy, who is a
linesman or a tree-topper or something that requires him to climb
poles. He wears a silver hardhat, has extra "hands" to help him climb,
and he jingles when we walks. (He does a trick with his cigarette to
make it look like he can make smoke come out of his ears, too.)
McBeevy gives Opie and old axe and a quarter, and Opie tries to
explain to his Pa where they came from. Of course, nobody believes
Opie has this friend who lives in the trees, has 12 hands and jingles.
Finally, Andy has had enough and is thinking about punishing Opie. But
he doesn't. His reason is that "There are things I ask him to believe
that must seem impossible to him." You know Andy is thinking of some
of the tenets of the Christian faith here. But in the end all is well
as Andy and Mr. McBeevy meet and shake hands. Andy can't bring himself
to tell McBeevy of his previous doubts because now all doubt is gone.
Opie has been vindicated as a truth teller even though his story
seemed so impossible.
Come to think of it, this might work for the appearance of Jesus to
Thomas, too.
It is interesting that one must have making sense out of the "words"
previously spoken by Jesus in order recognize the risen Jesus. Faith
is the mean for us to experience Him. Faith is acting upon what we
have known, learn and heard from Him.
Father, forgive me for my lack of faith, my not-acting on what I have
known and learn from you.
Coho, Midway City.
I often point out to my parishoners that they have the advantage of
2000 years of Christianity and being born into basically Christian
families. These people did not have that advantage. Everything that
happened either had to carry them back to some OT prophecy or event,
or it was all new and scary. They were pioneers of Christian faith,
and didn't really have anything but frail human senses and frailer
still human memory of new material to go on. I think it's remarkable
they didn't all just head for the hills and stay there after Jesus
died. I think it's amazing they could even think, let alone "remember"
anything after the events of that week in Jerusalem. There was so much
to absorb, so much to understand, so much they had experienced and
witnessed in such a brief time. Considering they had just gone to
Jerusalem with the intention of doing their Passover obligations and
nothing more, this was one crazy week of mayhem, horror and the deaths
of 2 people in their circle. They were probably at their wits' end by
the time Easter came, wondering "What NEXT???"
It is common for people to remember words when they are in distress,
however. Jesus did while he was on the Cross (Ps. 22). We often turn
to childhood memory-work when we need comforting (Ps. 23). And I have
heard countless people say "In that crisis of (for example) having my
clothes catch on fire, I remembered what the Fireman said when he
visited our school, and I just did it." Stress can bring much to the
forefront of our minds. Some good things, some not so good.
And, following up, stress usually comes when we experience a change of
some sort. Even positive change (graduation, marrying your great love)
can shoot you up the Stress Meter. Surely finding the tomb empty when
you knew it was full, running into angels, and hearing that the dead
was now alive would be stress in the extreme.
On the disciples' forgetting- I noticed something within myself this
past year as I read different scriptures. When Jesus would tell his
followers that he would die and then rise or be raised again, I would
seem to miss the rising again bit. Oh, I would read it and it must
have registered somewhere. But it would be the dying part that would
stand out for me. Possibly because we don't often have (thank
goodness) friends or loved ones telling us they will suffer and die.
Maybe that's how it was with the disciples. The dying part was so
shocking and unwelcome that the rising part never really registered.
At least they have an excuse. I, on the other hand, have heard the
rest of the story! A blessed Easter to all LGB
One of the things I disliked about "The Passion of the Christ" was the
5 second resurrection scene. To me, the passion without the
resurrection is meaningless. I think sometimes, especially perhaps
this year with the movie craze, we do focus too much on the suffering
and not enough on the whole reason for rejoicing! I love the idea of
these torn down folks beginning to feel the stirrings of hope and the
"O my....Oh my gosh....OH my GOSH...OH MY GOSH IT WAS TRUE!!!!" I also
love it that they were still hanging together -- still a group. They
were together to support each other, and they were together to share
in the joy on that Sunday. Janel in ND
Janel - my beef this time of year, exactly... in reverse that is. We
jump to resurrection victory without remembering the passion. Either
one without the other is meaningless.
Sally
Thanks, Janel. Well said.
I haven't decided which of the 4 Gospel accounts I'm going with this
week, but it doesn't matter. The gist will be no matter what happens
in this life, there is nothing bigger than the Resurrection of Jesus.
If Jesus can break through the bonds of death - on our behalf - then
he can walk us through any illness, any sadness, any fear, any
confusion, any hopelessness, any suffering, anything at all. If God
can raise the dead and glorify the reviled, then God can lift us up,
and he will. There are so many even in this small congregation who
need to hear that. They have family and friends and neighbors who need
that spark of recognition that something is bigger than their troubles
and more powerful than their negative experiences of life. Easter is
the center of that recognition. Easter is why I'm here. Easter is why
I preach. Easter is why I pray. Easter is why I believe. Easter is
what I claim and try to offer every single Sunday.
I'm wondering out loud. We know Jesus' body still showed the nail
prints and the place where his side had been pierced. Do you imagine
his body still showed signs of the scourging and the crown of thorns?
Yes, the blood had been washed off, but torn flesh is hard to hide.
Any good reading on this out there?
Sally, I would not presume to say the passion is not important, but
the resurrection is the UTMOST to me. The resurrection is my hope, my
joy, the promise that I cling to. The passion is certainly necessary
-- and we do a wonderful (and well attended) tenebrae service in my
small congregation and a community-wide Good Friday service (also well
attended) so we are certain not to just skip over the hard stuff --
but the ultimate celebration IMHO is Easter worship. The bubbling joy
of the women at the tomb and the disciples -- that feeling in your
stomach when something wonderful is happening -- that's what Easter is
to me. Janel in ND
Rev N. in RI, Mr. McBeevy had those claw type things that linesmen and
tree-toppers use to climb the poles. They smash the sharp claws into
the wood and pull themselves up. They're metal, so when they hang on
the belt, they clang and jingle. (It may not be the actual number 12 -
it may be 8 or 6 or some other number. It's been years and years since
I watched the old Andy Griffith show. I don't have cable. But this
detail aside, Mr. McBeevy called those claw things his "hands".) I
have no idea if these workers use the "hands" any more or not. Most
probably use the cherry-picker crane machinery now.
In good Methodist fashion, I was recently offered a new appointment,
only two years after arriving at my current church. My first six
months here were very painful and turbulent, and many of the leaders
of the church thought I was a very bad choice to be their pastor.
Two years later, committees are functioning, making decisions and
doing ministry. And I'll be baptizing eleven children and receiving
several adults into membership on Easter. These are resurrection signs
for me. They weren't completely dead when I got here, of course, and
today they're not completely raised. But the experience of the risen
Christ, even in bits and pieces, is always what has kept the church
believing. The disciples (women included) had the experience at the
tomb, but we do not. So I'm going to try to point to the places Christ
is raised in us, as individuals and as a church.
I too am struck by the question, "Why do you look for the living among
the dead?" That needs more work.
Laura in TX
I think I am going to focus of the fact that no one or nothing could
hold or capture Jesus. Every time some one wanted to capture Jesus and
do something to him he would excape. When he was in his home town of
Nazareth He just walke through them when they took Him to the edge of
the cliff to through Him off. The only time Jesus was held was when he
chose to be and that was for the purpose of dying for our sins and
after that again Jesus could not be held by the grave. Everything
Jesus did He did because he chose to. Jesus chose to die for me. Jesus
chose to die for you. Jesus chose you to be his. God loves you and
there is nothing that can hold you and keep you from recieving God's
blessings becausse Jesus choses for you not to be held.
JWS
Speaking of CEO's, they are an interesting challange! They must
believe something or they wouldn't go to church for whatever reason.
What is it that our church does not provide that makes them not want
to return untill Christmas? Where do we fall short? I sometimes feel a
smug superiority among Christians reguarding these people, can they
feel it too? What can we do with this oppertunity?
I'm going to focus on the "idle tale" theme. In reading through the
various posts, many have mentioned the "CEO" Christians. It puts me in
mind of a local church with a big banner on their front lawn with a
picture of Jesus in his crown of thorns, with his head drooped. The
caption is "Truth of Fiction? Come Sunday and find out."
While I like the investment in the banner, and their boldness in
addressing peoples' natural doubts, I also know that many who reject
the Christian message would reject out of hand, that banner. It's on a
church lawn, for crying out loud, what do you THINK they're going to
tell you is truth?
However, a seeker who's curious might visit to take a peek. I know I
do stuff like that when I seek.
All that to lead up to the "idle tale." Proclaiming the risen Christ
will seem an idle tale until somehow, somewhere, there is a personal
encounter with him. And Christ WANTS that personal encounter with all
of us individually...
The CEO Christians, in my assessment - and there is some projection
going on here, WANT to believe, but can't get past the dis-belief
factor. When you think about it, who WOULD believe it just on
someone's word? Somewhere, somehow, we need to show the dis-believer a
pathway to the empty tomb so they can see it for themselves. It's what
our neighbors are trying to do with the "Truth of Fiction?" banner.
"Truth of Fiction?" If it weren't for that banner, I might use that
for my title. I think I m ight call it, "An Idle Tale."
And then there's always the component that our lives render what we
proclaim with our lips an idle tale.
Sally in GA
Sally, that banner may somehow be connected with the Mel Gibson movie
recently released in some Arab countries. The new argument on the
circuit is not just Anti-Semitism, but now this: The Koran speaks of
the Crucifixion of Jesus as a fallacy, and that somehow another person
was crucified in his place.
I'm now quoting from an AP newspaper article, which quotes the Koran (Quran)
4:157 ---- "They say 'we killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the
Messenger of Allah' - but they killed him not, nor crucified him. But
so it was made to appear to them. And those who differ therein are
full of doubts with no knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for
of a surety they killed him not." Muslims believe another man was
crucifed in Jesus' place." End quote from AP.
I don't know if this is of any value to the idea of Truth or Fiction,
but I pass it along anyway. And you may have read it yourself in the
newspapers.
Of course, the NT era Docetism and Gnosticism and any number of new
isms - including today's doubtism - could be what got that banner
printed.
I like where you're taking your sermon, by the way.
KHC
Sally in GA,
Just stay like you are: non-toxic in the poisoned atmosphere of your
board members. This is the best lesson you can possibly give.
On the topic of CEO's, I keep thinking about the little churches Paul
started as he travelled about along the Roman roads. Peter Jennings'
special last night, Jesus and Paul, was terrific! I never thought
about travel being so unhibited in that day, as apposed to today.
Mobility was much easier in Paul's day and it created a mobile society
were individuals were cut off from their families (much like today in
much of the west). What these people found when they disovered the
church was a caring family, just what they needed the most. Granted,
there were arguments about how to live, but underneath all that was a
desire to care for the stranger as they had been cared for in the name
of Jesus. This is why, Jennings explained, the churches thrived in the
Roman empire. I never thought about travel between borders then would
be so much easier than today.
Steve in KS
On Ash Wednesday, a Disciples of Christ pastor forgot the ashes, so he
used toner black from the copier. Let's just say that his people were
marked for a bit longer than they expected. Now the 7 weeks is over
and the mark of the cross on our foreheads has turned to an emerging
butterfly, resurrection victory as "everybody comes alive in Christ."
(1 Cor. 15:22)
And Laura, I hope you gracefully declined the offer of a new
appointment since you're already serving in one!
Hey folks,
Last Sunday, I talked about Jesus, the rules breaker, and talked about
how Jesus offended the leaders by his emphasis on relationship over
rules.
This week, it's Jesus, the Rule Breaker - as in breaking those things
that rule our lives, that grind us down - as I think about it,
I'm going to talk about the rule of death the rule of evil - the Son
of Man handed over to sinners, but God working in the midst of that
evil. the rule of injustice - how the women were the first witnesses -
not the men the rule of doubt and disbelief - the disciples not
believing then I'm going to focus a bit on those who are Easter guests
- and ask if they have the doubt part, will they at least do like
Peter, and come check it out for themselves. And then over time, they
like Peter will see if it is for real.
Hey folks,
Last Sunday, I talked about Jesus, the rules breaker, and talked about
how Jesus offended the leaders by his emphasis on relationship over
rules.
This week, it's Jesus, the Rule Breaker - as in breaking those things
that rule our lives, that grind us down - as I think about it,
I'm going to talk about the rule of death the rule of evil - the Son
of Man handed over to sinners, but God working in the midst of that
evil. the rule of injustice - how the women were the first witnesses -
not the men the rule of doubt and disbelief - the disciples not
believing then I'm going to focus a bit on those who are Easter guests
- and ask if they have the doubt part, will they at least do like
Peter, and come check it out for themselves. And then over time, they
like Peter will see if it is for real.
What strikes me in the Gospel according to Luke is that there is no
Jesus in the Resurrection Story! No Jesus in the tomb...no Jesus who
appears to the women or disciples. Jesus’ physical body doesn’t show
up until he walks with those on the Emmaus road. What we do have are
messengers saying, “Remember how he told you...” and “Then they
remembered his words...” Faith comes by remembering the words of
Jesus. Out of all of the Gospel accounts, I think, Luke is the one
which people of today (especially the CEO’s) can relate with for we do
not get to see the resurrected Jesus, only we have messengers tell us
to remember and then faith does.
Grace and Peace Badlands Paul
In good Methodist fashion, I was recently offered a new appointment,
only two years after arriving at my current church. My first six
months here were very painful and turbulent, and many of the leaders
of the church thought I was a very bad choice to be their pastor.
Two years later, committees are functioning, making decisions and
doing ministry. And I'll be baptizing eleven children and receiving
several adults into membership on Easter. These are resurrection signs
for me. They weren't completely dead when I got here, of course, and
today they're not completely raised. But the experience of the risen
Christ, even in bits and pieces, is always what has kept the church
believing. The disciples (women included) had the experience at the
tomb, but we do not. So I'm going to try to point to the places Christ
is raised in us, as individuals and as a church.
I too am struck by the question, "Why do you look for the living among
the dead?" That needs more work.
Laura in TX
oops! I didn't realize I would be sending that silly message again.
Sorry. And no, I didn't decline the offer, although I thought about
it. I figure God has used me here, and the new call has come for a new
reason. It's to a super place, anyway.
techno-challenged Laura in TX
I hope no one is going to actually make statements in the church
service about the CEO's. I have been in services where that has
happened, and I always felt sorry for the CEO's who had the courage to
walk in for one of two days out of the year that they felt a call to
go to church, seeking whatever, only to be bombarded about their not
being there the rest of the year! Let's all use this time to ask some
questions that will get them seeking more, and then bathe them in the
Grace of God for them, so that they hopefully develop a real hunger
for more!!
Susan in Wa.
Maybe my experience is unique, but when I look at the much larger than
usual crowd on Easter morning, the folks I see are not CEO's. We have
many members who come occasionally, half the time, or most of the
time. Easter and Christmas are when they are SURE to come. What draws
them to these services? Special music? Decorations and flowers?
Tradition? Because they know pretty much what message they will
hear--and want to hear?
Joe in Virginia
KHC - I hadn't heard one thing about that AP article and the Muslim
reaction to the Gibson movie. Thanks for the info, though. While I'd
figured that it was capitalizing on the movie's timing and
mainstreaming (simply smart, in my humble opinion), the quote from the
Koran is new to me!
Sally
Laura in TX -
That's AWESOME!!! I'm glad it was an accidental re-post (or should I
say, "Quote - accidental") because I'd missed it the first time
through. My friend and colleague has brought her church around after
some hard times, especially because they didn't want a woman. Now the
church is healthier - and, just as you said, they weren't completely
dead, and neither are they completely resurrected. But, heck, isn't it
something to say that they're resurrected enough to be on their way
and no longer dependent on you?
My favorite mathematical concept is that of x approaching zero. x
never really gets there mathematically-speaking because "approach" is
infinite. However, x, by all other evidence not only reaches zero but
surpasses it. (picture a ferris wheel in motion and the boarding poitn
as point zero - you can't mathematically prove that the rider in
motion ever gets there because the motion is infinite - yet, you know
the rider passes the zero point many times before getting off the
ride).
OK - when I've talked about this concept before, TWO, only TWO people
have ever thought like me on it. So, not to discount my own thought,
but please don't send a bunch of posts going, "HUH?"
I think Paul Tillich was a differential mathemetician.
Sally in GA
Oh, that was a way of explaining "resurrected enough" concept.
Mathematically speaking X gets close enough to zero to effectively be
considered at the zero point.
OK - I won't belabor it. I admit tto being somewhat unique in that
thought.
sally
Joe in Virginia - that's been my experience, too.
Another experience is that in the elderly congregations I've served is
that attendance is LOWER on Easter - because everyone is off seeing
their grandchildren in their Easter plays at other churches.
Or, maybe it's because I keep trying to explain theology with
calculus. :-)
Sally in GA
kidding, of course, about the calculus
(it just occurred to me that I might have just invited a bunch of
advice on how I shouldn't do that)
-S
To Badlands Paul,
This is a very helpful thought (no Jesus in this story at the tomb,
only messengers saying remember ..). Thanks.
This is from Brian Stoffregen. I think it may be helpful along this
line: "Where should we seek the living [one]? The answer given by the
two men is "remember" (v. 6). This word (mimneskomai) also occurs in
v. 8 when the women "remember" his words. mimneskomai is not found in
any of the other empty tomb accounts. This word is related to terms
translated "tomb" (mnema -- Lk 23:53; 24:1 and mnemeion -- Lk 23:55;
24:2, 9, 12, 22, 24). Perhaps a similar connection might be made
between seeking for Jesus' body behind his memorial stone and seeking
the living one in our memories.
What does it mean to "remember"? Part of it means to make some
thoughts present. Words or events that happened in the past become
part of one's life in the present. With the reminder from the "two
men" about the words Jesus had said in the past, those words become
part of the women's present lives. They remember Jesus' words -- but
probably more than just words. rhema is also used by Luke to refer to
"things" (1:37, 65; 2:19, 51). They remember Jesus. While the women
remember Jesus' words, the other disciples think that the words from
the women are nonsense (v. 11). Back to remembering: This same word is
used by a criminal on the cross, "Jesus, remember me when you come
into your kingdom" (23:42). Did he expect Jesus just to think about
him in the heavenly throne-room? I think not. Jesus' answer indicates
something more than a mental activity: "Truly I tell you, today you
will be with me in Paradise." Remembering this criminal meant making
him present with Jesus in the kingdom.
...Luke uses anamnesis in his account of the Last Supper (22:19). Only
Luke, of the gospel writers, follows Paul's version (1C 11:24-25) of
having Jesus telling the disciples to "do this in remembrance of me."
This "remembering" is more than just "thinking about," but
"re-presenting" the historical event, so that we, in the present, are
also participants. Tannehill (Luke, Abingdon NT Commentaries) notes
that all of "Luke 24 must be understood as a continuous series of
interrelated events, not as separate pericopes that can be adequately
understood in isolation" [p. 349]. All of the events in chapter 24
occur on the same day and in fairly close proximity to each other.
They also complete the resurrection story by presenting two accounts
of resurrection appearances. Both accounts include an exposition of
scriptures (24:27 & 45) and the sharing of food (24:30 & 42-43). Where
should one seek the living one? The risen Jesus appears in the Word
and in the Meal. We seek the living one by remembering his words and
"doing this in remembrance" of him. Culpepper (Luke, New Interpreter's
Bible) comments that our connection with the resurrected Jesus have to
go beyond the events at the tomb: What, then, are the tangible
evidences of the resurrection in our present experience? Do they
consist in the physical remains of the tomb, or in Jesus' continuing
presence in the lives of those who hope for his kingdom? ... While the
Gospels all affirm that the tomb was empty, they point beyond it to
the post-resurrection appearances. For all the importance of the
historical data, the Gospels ground our faith not on the stone and the
linen cloths but on the presence of the risen Lord in human
experience. Typically, it is not the persuasive power of the empty
tomb but a personal encounter with the risen Lord that leads to faith.
[p. 473] However, our Easter texts and our Easter lives do not end
with remembering or even experiences of re-presenting the risen Lord;
but with telling others. The women, after being reminded and
remembering, tell it to the apostles (v. 10) -- even though the men
think their words are nonsense. After the risen Jesus explains the
scriptures and breaks bread with the two in Emmaus, they rush back to
Jerusalem to tell others what had happened (v. 35). After Jesus
appears to the group in Jerusalem and eats in their presence and opens
their minds to understand the scriptures -- he also tells them that
they are witnesses of these things (v. 48). Can we say that we really
believe in the resurrection of the Lord if we aren't willing to tell
others about it? ? Brian Stoffregen
To Paul in the Badlands,
I too appreciate the observation of no mention of the risen Christ in
the Luke story, only by the word and remembering. I believe it was
Brian Stoffregen who said that Luke followed in using the words of
Paul. My thought was that since Luke or Paul never really knew Jesus
in his lifetime, it would make sense that they would both talk about
knowing Jesus through the word and remembering in the sacrament. It
doesn't make it any less real, of knowing the risen Christ. Lots of
good potential there for an Easter message.
Susan in Wa.
Remembering:
We "remember" people in prayer all the time. Does that mean we'd
forgotten about them or their needs?
Well, yes, in a way. I don't think of every congregant's and friend's
needs every minute of the day. Technically, that's "forgetting," isn't
it?
There's something about the spiritual act of prayer that calls forth
"remembering."
David Clem (or is it Daniel Clem) had a meditation on this word in his
Lenten devotional series last year or the year before. Re-Member me.
Put me back together after members are torn apart.
It's what Paul was talking about, I daresay, in the letter to the
Corinthians. Broadening the Salvation message to all who would hear -
including the Gentiles.
Sally
Something to ponder --- Is the resurrection something that happens to
Jesus, or something that he is? Jesus says, "I am the resurrection and
the life." These words he speaks following the raising of Lazarus. God
is one who gives life. By being born again, anew, from above we have
eternal life today in Jesus Christ. When we accept Jesus as our Lord
and Savior, are we not moving from death (the penalty for sin) to
life. Perhaps this is the resurrection to eternal life? PH in OH
In O. Weslet Allen Jr.'s book, "Preaching Resurrection," he suggests
(at least when preaching John) that we fail to give the C & E people
only the empty tomb. They need more. They need to know what
resurrection means in a practical way come Monday morning when there
are ham leftovers, dried out peeps and Easter grass scattered over the
house. I am going to concentrate on the Monday after the Resurrection.
Notice, the disciples go home. So do we. What's next? PH in OH
u people r on a role! i have seldom been so blessed as this present
reading of your thoughts. wish i had something to contribute but i'm
just a sponge this week, family. the concept of rememebring is awsome!
thanks. Sorry but for my second and thrid service i am preaching from
Acts 3: 1-10 about the healing of the golden gate man. coming from the
last part of Phil 4:8 "whatever is worthy of praise." I'm sort of
tired of defending the resurrection. thought it would be fun to talk
about the praise that comes into transformed lives through the
workings of people who had experienced the resurrected Jesus. So i
thank the Father for the resurrected Jesus, the resurrected minisry of
apostles,the resurrection of people who have no logical hope and get
healed any way and the resurrection of ministries that are not built
on what u have but on what our Father is willing to share through us
from His wealth. And finally i am thankful for all of u, my family i
will sit down with someday in eternity and praise the Father for what
is goo and truly "dwell" on these things. I guess that's what Paul
really meant when he said to dwell on these things in Phil 4:8. Thanks
to all of u i now know that dwell means to remember. thanks Jesus
gang. ur the best. --oh yes and i will be remembering in our
liturgiacl 8:00 am service from Luke. Praise God for the resurrection.
tulsa liturgical baptist.
Sally in GA--
Thanks for your thoughts, and even for your calculus (although I
didn't know that's what it was until you told us so)! I really am
trying to find a way to speak to these folks, who are having a hard
time understanding why the cabinet is moving me when we're just now
getting rolling. So I'm going to try to make it about God and not
about us, that God is doing these things, raising up a church in this
place, a church finding a new connection to the community--try to get
them fired up about staying engaged and available for that work, no
matter who their pastor is. That's supposed to be the point anyway,
although it seems a new concept to some of these life-long Methodists.
So as we all question the timing of this move (me included), we also
try to re-member Jesus' words to us, and let Jesus re-member us. While
we won't get all the way raised up until the Last Day, we sure can
look around and see resurrection long before that happens.
Laura in TX
