2 Easter Saved as Family

Second Sunday Easter Homily

Acts 4:32--35     Psalm 133     1 John 1:1-2:2     John 20:19-21

We were created to be the children of God. The Original Blessing was lost in Eden, but in Jesus Christ a New Family is created. Salvation is life as church—the ones called together in Christ and sent out into the world to gather all creation into His family.

The sin of Adam produced individuals who are at odds with one another, sometimes violently. On the cross, Jesus—the lonely victim of human injustice and violence—absorbed this sin and took it to the grave. In the resurrection, God declared victory over human foolishness and sin and offered a second chance to become the family of God.

Out of love, God has chosen to make humans the lords of the world. We are given responsibility for its brokenness and healing. He is with us, but it is also our work. Too often we prefer to simply blame God for the earth’s troubles, "we act as those who have no sin." (1 John) Sin, however, is very real.

This is why Jesus (Gospel) gives the church the Holy Spirit and the power to forgive sins. It is a huge scandal, even many Christians refuse to believe it is true. “Only God can forgive sins,” they piously declare. Yes, and God forgives through the church: “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven, whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas believed because He saw Jesus. He was among those, in the letter of John “[who] declare to you what was from the beginning.” They tell us “what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands.” Salvation, like sin, is tangible. Salvation, like the church, happens in a flesh and blood world. The theosis transformation into the sons and daughters of God happens in the ordinary events of our daily lives. It is why Jesus became one of us.

We are not angels, we are humans, wonderful, horrible, sinful, grace-filled humans.  And salvation is family life—the family of God in Jesus. It requires lots of repentance and lots of forgiveness.

So we pray Psalm 133 with the pilgrims walking to Jerusalem. The oil on Aron the priest and dew on Mount Zion, tangible reminders of what is good and pleasant when God is among us. The reunion of Jacob’s family, a sign of all humanity gathered in love as God promised Abraham, what God has achieved in the Risen Lord in the church already, and better days are coming.

PALM SUNDAY 2021 PROMISE KEPT

Palm Sunday

 

What did the principalities and powers see in Jerusalem that day? A peasant on a donkey, rural Jews enthusiastically waving palm branches and quoting Psalm 119—it looked like trouble, so by week’s end Jesus was crucified. The principalities and powers are ruthlessly efficient.  

 

If you love God and know the Scriptures, you see that Jesus is declaring: “I am YHWH’s Messiah King.” Prophecy! Jesus has come for His crown and throne, but the demon haunted world gives a crown of thorn. They mock and scorn Him, lifting Him up for all to see.

 

Our sight is dim. Our unbelief keeps us from understanding who He is. We know the words and might even be emotionally moved from time to time, but truth be told, far too often, we are only mildly interested in Jesus. We are, after all, busy with pressing concerns.

Yet if we prayerfully study the Scriptures, our eyes will be opened to see the verbal connections, and interweaving patterns and themes throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is a library divinely inspired literature—each book separate, yet, all of them connected in one Grand Narrative.

 

So, it is no surprise that Psalm 80 can shed light Jesus. God is the “Shepherd” who is “enthroned upon the cherubim” connects God, kingship and the Temple in heaven and on earth. The cry, “Come and save us” evokes every Exodus from slavery, exile, sin, sickness—a cry for God’s Kingdom to come.  The “bread of tears,” contrasts with manna, it is the fake food of sin. The face of God, an image of covenant union, who turns toward and away from His people. Psalm 80 could shed so much light if we let it...

 

Even more light, Zechariah 9, a prophecy of the victorious King—triumphant, humble, bringing peace to the nations, the blood of his covenant freeing all who are imprisoned. Studying Zechariah would give us eyes to see the depth of meaning in Jesus on that donkey.

 

Since Genesis 3, thistles and thorns thwart humanity. The fallen world is ruled by power and violence. Even social justice begets more injustice, just of a different kind. Rebel humanity always worships the wrong gods and serves the wrong kings.

 

See Jesus! He declares that the reign of other gods and human rulers is ended. Jesus says. “I am the King!” The world, the flesh and the devil stand against Him, we cannot stand with divided loyalties. We cannot let dim eyes, weak faith and selfishness keep us from walking with Him to calvary. Jesus stands ready to give us eyes to see and obey. He stands ready to give us a heart of trusting love. Will we stand with Him to receive?

Easter 2021: COvid or resurrection? what motivates you?

 

EASTER

Today our worship is being impacted by Covid. This virus has reshaped our lives. It changes social interactions. We wear masks. If we cough, we wonder, “Do I have it?” If someone else coughs we wonder, “Do they have it?” It has changed our school, our jobs, and going to church. Covid has been a really big deal the last year, but really, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a much bigger deal.

Peter was so afraid that he denied Jesus three times, but something changed him into a bold preacher who embraced martyrdom. Today we hear Peter proclaim that the God of Israel seeks the pagan nations to reverence Him. Peter shares God’s message: JESUS is the peace of Israel. Jesus was baptized and filled with Holy Spirit power to do good things; He healed people and cast out demons. 

Peter said, “I was there. I saw it. They crucified Jesus but He was raised. He appeared to us. Jesus appeared to us—the very ones who betrayed, denied and deserted Him. Jesus appeared to us and ate with us. He made it very clear that He is alive. Jesus told us to tell the world that He is God’s Messiah King who will judge all of creation and will save us from sin. The resurrection gave the apostles courage to suffer and enthusiasm to preach.

We are all going to die. Covid changed nothing. Jesus Christ, the Lord, has promised to raise you. He has conquered death—so don’t be afraid. Jesus forgives our sins, heals our brokenness and makes us one with the Father. If you need hope, spend more time with Jesus. If you are lonely, spend more time with Jesus. If you are afraid, spend more time with Jesus. The resurrection is a Foundation for faith, for joy, for courage, for peace.

So, here is my proposal: repent and believe the good news. Pray more, worry less. Spend more time in the Scripture then on the news. Let the Jesus story be the most influential source of your daily choices and decisions. Let the Holy Spirit empower you to do good things. The tomb is empty, lets act like people who believe it. The Lord has risen, we have eaten with Him every Sunday, lets live like people who believe it. Let’s be church.