Devotional 4-8-12

“Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands for our offenses given.
But now at God’s right hand he stands, and brings us life from heaven.
Wherefore let us joyful be, and sing to God right thankfully
Loud songs of Alleluia!  Alleluia!”

I love this hymn.  The poetry is that of Martin Luther, composed in the 16^th century.  The music is a 16^th century chorale, harmonized by J. S. Bach in the 18^th century.  It captures the struggle between death and life, between sin and redemption.  We know the end of the story:  life wins; redemption wins.

“It was a strange and dreadful strife when life and death contended;

The victory remained with life; the reign of death was ended.
Stripped of power, no more it reigns, an empty form alone remains;
Death’s sting is lost for forever!  Alleluia!”

The cynic who discounts the resurrection as fable might find a “gold mine” of argument in the conflicting recollections among the gospel writers that raise understandable suspicion about the evidences of Jesus’ resurrection.  Can’t these writers get their stories straight?  

While the evidences recorded by gospel writers between 40 and 90 years after the time of Christ are different, they offer the same truth, pointing to the same risen Christ.  Frankly, does it really matter that the stories are not in precise agreement?  I believe there is a much greater, stronger, and more important evidence that Jesus lives, and that evidence is within our lives. 

When others see you where you live, work, learn, worship, or play, what evidence do they see?  In the conduct of your life, do others find no evidence of a living Christ in you – that it appears you believe Jesus is dead, his teachings irrelevant, and sin and death are victors?  Or do they see evidence of a living Christ of compassion and redemption? 

“So let us keep the festival whereto the Lord invites us;
Christ is himself the joy of all, the Sun that warms and lights us.
By his grace he doth impart eternal sunshine to the heart;
The night of sin is ended!  Alleluia!

“Then let us feast this Easter day on the true bread of heaven;

The Word of grace hath purged away the old and wicked leaven.
Christ alone our souls will feed; he is our meat and drink indeed;
Faith lives upon no other!  Alleluia!”

Will you pray with me;  Loving and gracious God:  on this joyous day of celebration, may I look to the risen Christ with a new eye toward evaluating whether my life contributes to the evidence that Jesus is alive in our world.  Let my life reflect sacrificial living for the cause of Christ and the joyous living of his teachings.  In the name of the risen Christ.  Amen.

Rev. Jack Lipphardt

Devotional 4-7-12

Matthew 27:57-66

“So Joseph (from Arimathea) took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb

I remember several years ago, when I was a local church pastor - the day before Easter Sunday was a busy day of Easter parties and children’s egg hunts. The activity level at the church was hectic with all the preparations for Easter Sunday morning – decorating the sanctuary and the bustle of the children’s party. Our parsonage household was hustling with the last minute cooking and readiness for a traditional Easter dinner. The evening would bring a quiet hush around the church as members would quietly come up the side walk between the church and parsonage entering the church for a night of prayer vigil. Individuals and families would take blocks of time -- keeping vigil through the night awaiting the glorious morning sunrise of Easter.

In the past few years I have grown in a deeper appreciation for this day before Easter – Holy Saturday. Throughout the history of our Christian faith the ancient description of this day has been known as “The Great Silence”. Lost in our busy culture has been the stark reminder of Jesus’ death, his “sleep” in the tomb, a day of quiet and somber stillness.

After I became a Benedictine Oblate of St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana, my wife and I had the opportunity to spend an Easter weekend at the monastery guesthouse. The usual quiet atmosphere of being at St. Meinrad Archabbey, participating in the prayers with the monks, was enhanced by a powerful personal experience. In the Abbey Church there is a section where the simple oak coffin of a deceased monk is placed between two tall candlesticks. Vigil is kept by the other monks as they sit in prayer with the body of the deceased monk.

I walked into the Abbey Church on that Holy Saturday and there in that same spot was a life sized long painting of the Crucified Christ in the wrapped linen cloth. Two tall candlesticks were placed at the head and feet. The painting, by one of the monks -Fr. Donald Walpole, O.S.B., was painted in 1954 as part of an entire series of paintings of “The Stations of the Cross”. Sketched in calligraphy on the life sized painting are the Latin words, “In pace in idipsum”, which is the reminder of Psalm 4:8 - “I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.” Sitting beside the painting, just like at the death of a monk, was one of the monks of St. Meinrad keeping vigil and saying prayers.

As we observe another Easter, may this day of Great Silence remind us all of the death of our Savior. In the hustle and bustle of living we all experience, may we briefly pause in vigil remembering the stillness of this holy day. We are reminded of our own death that one day leads into life eternal. Before we experience the glory of Resurrection we all will pass through death and silence. As we quietly keep vigil, we remember our sins that were carried to the cross and buried with the Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Dr. William H. Wilson (Bill)

Devotional 4-6-12

Who Could Imagine?

Please read Isaiah 52:13-53:12 and John 18 and 19.

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.  By a perversion of justice he was taken away. Who could have imagined his future?”

Who could have imagined that after the Passover meal with his closest disciples, Jesus would be betrayed by one of his own? 

Who could have imagined that Jesus would be led to the home of Annas—who was no longer the high priest; he had no jurisdiction.  Annas was the patriarch of a family known for greed and corruption.  Jesus’ action in cleansing the Temple of what he called robbers was a direct affront to the organized crime of the Annas family.  So rather than taking Jesus to the duly appointed high priest, or the Jewish council, or to jail, they took him to Annas—the “godfather” of Jerusalem.

Who could have imagined that another disciple, Simon Peter, who had vowed to follow Jesus “even unto death,” would three times deny knowing Jesus?

Who could have imagined the end result of the miscarriages of justice?  Who could have imagined that Jesus would be found not guilty but sentenced to be crucified to mollify the angry mob?  Who could have imagined that Barabbas, who was found guilty of murder, treason, and sedition, would be released?

Who could have imagined Jesus, healer, teacher, friend, rabbi, savior, hanging on a cross not for his own sins, but for mine?

Who could have imagined it is finished?

Was it for crimes that I have done,

He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Jeff Taylor

Devotional 4-5-12

Hang On…or Not

Our oldest son Grant was born in early June. A couple of cool things come along with a birthday slotted here on the calendar. As elementary, middle and high school progressed, school was often released for the summer just before his birthday, just after his birthday and on one particular year actually on his birthday – not even a pony from Mom and Dad could have topped that. We as a family would also take our vacation near this time. The year Grant turned thirteen we happened to be at Myrtle Beach. As we stood in the surf and got cooled by the rushing water, a boat sped by between us and the horizon. Trailing behind the boat was a parachute attached to the boat by a rope…parasailing. I looked at Grant and said, “Would you be afraid to do that?” His reply, “Oh no Dad! That would be AWESOME.” Uh oh. Time to put up or shut up.

Using the conveniently placed phone number on the parachute, Kim and I made the arrangements, and on the way to dinner that night let Grant in on news that he was going to parasail for his birthday. Remember, he’s thirteen. You don’t suppose they are going to let him go up alone, do you? Fast forward; he and I are out on the speed boat ready to launch. As they strap us in, they choose that moment to reveal a few key pieces of safety information about what to do if the boat sinks and we are still attached to it, and what to do if the rope becomes disengaged from the boat. (Maybe sharing all that BEFORE we got to the boat would result in too many canceled excursions.) We stayed the course and soon were hovering at 500 feet in the air surveying all around us. We were sitting side-by-side, much as kids sit in swings on a playground. Our feet were dangling and our hands were at ear level, holding on for dear life. All of the sudden Grant says, almost alarmed, “DAD! We should have brought a camera.” As I looked over at him, examining my white knuckles and his white knuckles, I fixed my gaze on his face I said, “You know, Bear, I saw those water proof cameras when we checked in – I just don’t know which hand we would use to take the picture.” Neither one of us would have been willing to let go. No aerial shots to remember our trip.

What things in our lives are we holding to so tightly that we are unwilling to let go? Afraid to let go.
I like to ride my bicycle. I’m 6’4” and ride a bike conspicuously label XL. I make a pretty good target for a cross wind, a pot hole or a rock in the road looking to knock a rider from his perch. As a result, I keep both hands (sometimes white knuckled) firmly on the handlebars. Things need to happen during a ride. Things that require ‘a hand’. Waving at an oncoming cyclist. Hand signals that tell others in the group behind you that there is debris in the road. And the all important drink of water. Trust me when I say NONE of this can happen unless you are willing to let go.

The disciples sometimes had trouble letting go. Letting go of their past in favor of a ‘Jesus future’. Then letting go of their idea of that ‘Jesus future’ for what Jesus really meant. On the Mount of Transfiguration it must have been beautiful. So wonderful that the three disciples wanted to stay. “Yo Boss. This is pretty cool. Let’s pitch some tents and just chill here.” Let’s not let go of this and move to the next thing. Peter hung on while facing off with Jesus about his death. He didn’t want to let go of the earthly Jesus in order to take hold of the heavenly Jesus. Judas hung onto a Jesus riding a war horse leading a powerful army. Jesus hung on – right up to the moment he let go of his life for us.

To what do we cling, white knuckled, unable to see beyond our grasp? A grudge, a memory, an idea. With both hands so tightly clinched we make it impossible to receive; a picture, a drink of water, a new idea, forgiveness.

(as seen on bumper stickers and plaques) LET GO and LET GOD.

Steve Matthews

Devotional 4-4-12

Isaiah 50:4-9a

When experiencing a challenge, I might feel almost empowered by scripture such as this from Isaiah. It can serve as a set of reminders as to how I should face my environment in order to find joy. The following is how I read today’s scripture:
 

4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens—wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.

To me, this was obvious. We all have many ideas swirling through our heads, and the truth is that we know we shouldn’t say most of it. Even the youngest Christians can give spiritual nourishment to others. It is a responsibility to listen to God in that we should feel driven to do so, and it is also a responsibility in the sense that it is a yoke to carry. Everyone knows the difficulty of “looking the part” of a good Christian.

5 The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward.

…simply a reminder to press forward in our spiritual walk? There is a Veggietales video in which Minnesota Cuke gets tired of following (mostly God’s) instructions, because others always laugh at him. Of course, following instructions proves rewarding in the end. Following instructions proves rewarding in the end. Reminders—such as this one in verse 5—are everywhere, if we allow our ears to be opened to God’s word.

6 I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.

 Especially in a day of instant messages and email, it is so difficult to keep with this one. We see something insulting on Facebook, and we fire off a ‘nastygram’ before we even take the next breath (much less think about the consequences). Our generations feel such entitlement that we cannot stand even the most constructive criticism, but we certainly dish out second and third unwarranted helpings of it to even those we love most. This notion of turning the other cheek is particularly important as we are role models for all the children around us.

7 The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; 8 he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me.

 These verses, of course, state the result of turning the other cheek. When I have been in a situation like this, I might be just a little proud of my self-restraint, but it’s difficult to feel good about myself after ridicule. Strangely to me, Isaiah almost starts to sound cocky; he is calling out someone else to pick on him. His self-control obviously led him to other fruits of the spirit as well.

I find one phrase to be remarkable; I have set my face like flint. It seems more extreme than to say one is stone-faced. Instead of a river-worn smooth and round stone, flint creates the image of sharpness in addition to solid resolve. Of course, there is also the relation between flint and a spark…
 

9a It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?

Our transgressions are between us and our Lord. As we focus on answering to only Him, the remaining aspects of our lives will be bumped into place. I think many of us are afraid that, given the chance, we wouldn’t have had the strength to stay at Jesus’ side to his end. We still have a very real opportunity to prove our dedication, by creating sparks in the hearts and minds of all those around us, and by doing it in Christian strength. May your Easter be moving and bring joy toyour spiritual life.

Natalie Wray

Devotional 4-3-12

"Change of Plans"

 Lectionary Readings:  Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 71:1-14; 1Corinthians 1: 18-31; John 12: 20-36.

God put me to work from the day I was born.  The moment I entered the world he named me.  He gave me speech that would cut and penetrate.  He kept his hand on me to protect me.  He made me his straight arrow and hid me in his quiver.  He said to me, "You're my dear servant, Israel, through whom I'll shine." Isaiah 49:2-3.

I really thought I would be famous by now.  I knew before I finished school that I was not gifted as a pianist, flautist or vocalist.  So, in my twenties and thirties I had expectations of becoming president of the American Nurses Association or at least the WV Nurses Association.  And since that didn’t work out, I thought I would be acclaimed as an award-winning author.  I didn’t invest the time to actually write anything substantial, but I craved fame and recognition.   I had the illogical thought that I needed to become famous and then I would experience fulfillment of God’s plan for my life.  These were foolish worldly dreams and definitely not God’s plan for my life.

I wonder if the disciples expected that the triumphal Palm Sunday parade was the beginning of a new era in Israel? Did they expect that Rome would be destroyed and Jesus would become the new ruler?  They would get to be the new “cabinet” members with big important jobs in the new government.  They were part of the inner circle and would definitely be given top ranking in a new government.

But God’s plan intervened:  what a radically different world it turned into by Friday afternoon.  Life changes within seconds.  We plan for our future, but circumstances change.  Events cause detours and alterations. Lives turn upside down. We think our life goal is to be famous and then we realize that fame as a life goal is empty and meaningless.  In actuality, God is calling us to a much higher mission than mere earthly fame.

I would really like to know God's whole plan for my life, but so far my vision is unclear.  Some glimpses of the pathway have been revealed at strategic times, and I know that I travel this journey with God. According to Isaiah, He has known my name since the day I was born and has kept his hand on me to protect and guide me. What a miraculous comfort that is to me.  God has led me in several paths I would never have chosen for myself.  He has helped me to work through some overwhelming personal tragedies and life changing events.  He has blessed me with a multitude of fellow travelers who continually light my path and build me up when I cannot see which way to go next. 

Jesus tried to explain the servant-mission plan to the disciples, but they were caught up in their own plans and goals and failed to realize the significance of his message.  We are not very different from those disciples even though we have the benefit of knowing the whole story.  We are given the same promises that they were.  Everything that we have, each fresh start, each new direction or task comes from God. We must be willing to forgo fame and recognition as a goal and become the servant we are called to be.  This servant-mission is infinitely more rewarding and fulfilling because it is what God meant for us to do--be a servant who cares for and about others.    

Dear Loving God, we ask for forgiveness for our failings, sins and shortcomings. We have chosen paths and directions that have been selfish and detrimental to our relationship with you.  We crave your direction for our choices.  Guide us to become a servant to others so that we might fulfill your mission for us. Continue to be our strength and refuge in times when our path is obscured. Help us to learn the lessons of Lent so that we may truly become your resurrected people. AMEN

Chyrl Budd

Devotional 4-2-12

³While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. (Mark 14:3)

Read the verse again. Have you ever noticed the phrase, “broke the jar”? Our Associate Pastor, Rev. Joe Hill, preached this morning. The scriptural basis of his sermon was this passage from Mark. A woman anoints Jesus with a costly perfume. Joe pointed out that once she broke the jar, there was no going back. Once she broke the jar, she couldn’t go halfway, and save some of the perfume for later. She couldn’t change her mind. She was “all in.”

There is a song from many years ago, written and sung by Steven Curtis Chapman that comes to mind. Chapman opens the song with the story of Cortez. When the Spanish explorer landed near the site of Veracruz, he ordered that the ships be burned, to prevent any idea of retreat. Cortez was “all in.”

Burn the ships, we're here to stay
There's no way we could go back
Now that we've come this far by faith
Burn the ships, we've passed the point of no return
Our life is here
So let the ships burn
When Jesus walked into Jerusalem, and crowds placed palm branches on the ground and shouted Hosanna, there was no turning back. He was “all in.” Jesus had commited everything – his love, his time, and his life to the mission God had given to him.

Do we have that kind of commitment to the task God has set before us? Do we burn the ships or do we maintain a dinghy for escape? Do we walk the tightrope without a net, or do we let fear guide our steps? Do we hold back, not daring to break the perfume jar, or do we sing, “I Surrender All” with our lives?

Do we trust God enough to follow in the footsteps of Christ and go “all in”?

Kim Matthews