One year we decided to purchase one of those “living Christmas trees” as a lesson for our children concerning good stewardship of the earth. According to the instructions, we kept it watered all of December and January, then planted it in the yard in late February. By September, it was as dead as a doornail. In late November, I went out and tested the branches to see if there was any life. Nothing. The branches just snapped off. I figured it was beyond hope – a failed lesson. I also decided to leave it for now and dig it up in the spring to throw away.
On Easter morning the following year, I woke up and began to prepare for church. I thought “It’s getting warmer, so I’d better yank out that tree.” So I took a look out the window to assess the amount of work to be done. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The whole tree was covered in soft green shoots. The tree was alive! What started off as a stewardship lesson was suddenly transformed into a resurrection story. Easter is about transforming death into life. What once was dead is now alive. What was once hopeless is now promise. Easter morning changes all things and gives to us the surety of eternal life through Jesus Christ. So celebrate! Eternal life is yours! This Sunday we celebrate Palm Sunday – the triumphant entry of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem. The crowds are shouting and waving branches, but the question I have is, “What are they shouting?” The answer is: The crowd is conducting a royal procession. They are shouting a portion of Psalm 118, starting at verse 20, but more specifically at verses 25 and 26. So this begs the next question, “What’s the reason for all the shouting?”
Jesus is entering the city of Jerusalem in a royal procession because he wants to make a statement against the authorities. His statement is that it’s not a select group who’s in charge – it’s God that’s in charge. The oppression of the people must be stopped and this statement, this procession, is meant to begin that process. We can all shout, “Hosanna, blessed be the One who comes in the name of the Lord!” But are we all ready to follow him - even into death? I wonder about that… When I was growing up, almost everything that happened in our family was subject to negotiation. Bedtime, snacks, getting a dog, a new toy – all were on the table for discussion. With this said, the final decision was still up to my parents, but I knew I had the ability to persuade through “presenting my case.” It was an invaluable lesson in reaching consensus and finding a way to middle ground.
I often ponder how people can say that it’s either God’s way or no way. I can’t think like that and I don’t believe the scriptures demonstrate it as well. God is constantly reaching out to the people to persuade them into living the right way. A covenant is a form of agreement between two parties and God presents several covenants throughout the Bible. This week, we will be talking about a new covenant which God presents to the people of Judah. This new covenant speaks to us as well. God is reaching out to us each and every day. Are you willing to talk with God and answer the call to covenant? The days are getting warmer and everyone that I meet seems to think this is great thing. I find it interesting that some have expressed the dread, “There could be one more cold snap!” Sometimes there is and sometimes the “cold snap” is just around ten degrees cooler. It’s funny how some people continue to look for the gloom when they should be celebrating what’s happening today.
This Sunday we will be talking about the Last Supper which Jesus shared with his disciples. We could look at this event and think of it with dread - for we know the ending. Or do we? When I look at the Lenten season, I see a time of life. I could concentrate on death and all its morbid details, but I believe in a risen Christ – not a crucified one. Certainly death occurs, but that’s not the final story. The final story is eternal life – and that my friends, is a story of hope, of life and of God’s everlasting love. As we come to the Lord’s table, let us remember Jesus as a living Lord. I’m sitting here at my desk looking at a one dollar bill. Strange, you might say. But in light of the question Jesus was asked during his last week, “Is it lawful to pay taxes...” it seems appropriate. At issue was the question of paying taxes to the Romans. It wasn’t so much a tax like we have for the common good, it was a tribute to be paid – or else. As I look at the dollar bill, I see Washington’s face on it and think about Jesus’ response.
Typically, we use this passage to talk about the separation of church and state. I’m all for it and seek to keep them as separated as possible. However, that’s just a surface look. The deeper look is to realize that everything is God’s. So what Jesus is saying is focus on God. The state does what the state does. Our task is to focus on what’s really important – the kingdom of God. So my little dollar bill is still sitting there looking back at me. If Washington wants its dollar back, it can ask for it – and I’ll give it to them. But in the meantime, I’m going to focus on what God is calling me to do. As of this moment I’m picking up the dollar bill and taking it into the Finance office to drop it off for the church. It’s God’s anyway. |
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This blog consists of reflections written by the minister each week for the Sunday bulletin. We hope that you enjoy the musings! Archives
January 2020
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