The Prayer of Jabez

The Prayer of Jabez

Rev. Thomas B. Cundiff

April 28, 2013

 I Chronicles 4: 10

Luke 11: 5-139

 

THE JABEZ PRAYER

Jabez called on God of Israel saying, “Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!”  So God granted him what he requested.    I Chronicles 4: 10

Luke 11: 5-13

Perseverance in Prayer

5And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ 7And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ 8I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

9“So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? 12Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? 13If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

I.                   The Prayer of Jabez[1]

Some years ago Leore Bethune introduced me to a little book by Bruce Wilkinson, “The Prayer of Jabez”.  Based on scripture from I Chronicles, this book has brought strength and encouragement to me and numerous others facing a wide range of daily challenges.  “The Prayer of Jabez”:          

“Oh that you would bless me indeed,

and enlarge my (Coast) territory,

that your hand would be with me,

and  that you would keep me from evil,

that I may not cause pain!” 

Who was Jabez?

Not a lot is known about Jabez.  The books of Chronicles, found in the Old Testament, lists a lot of all-inclusive chronologies of those who have been faithful descendants of Judah – so there are dozens of names. 

It would have been a cruel assignment  to have asked a worship leader to read all those names this morning!

One name stands out along with the prayer referred to as The Prayer of Jabez. 

What is this prayer?

This prayer can be dissected into five phrases:      

 

- The first phrase::    “Oh, that you would bless me indeed”. 

It’s OKAY to ask for God’s blessings!  The neat thing about blessings is they are transferable.  You can easily call upon God for personal blessings and then transfer those blessings to others.  As a reflection of this biblical concept of “blessings” we turn to Genesis 12:2 and the words to Abram who says,  “I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you ... so that you will be a blessing to others.”   Honestly, it is hard to think about personal blessings without also contemplating how we pass these gifts, these offerings --  these blessings on to others.

 

- Second phrase: “and enlarge my territory...”  is allowing us to live larger than ourselves.  What Jabez is praying:  enlarge our borders, our coast, our perception of tasks and risks we are willing to take knowing that God is always going to have our back.  We could also pray:  “Allow me and all of us gathered today to live a bold and commanding life,  O Lord” … or “Help us life outside the box of normal perceptions in doing your will!”    I will have more to say about this theme in just a few moments.

 

- Third phrase: “that your hand would be with me...”  The “hand” of God is usually associated with an image of the power of God.  It is asking for God not only to bless us but also to empower us in living our lives.  As Christians where do we get our strength, our motivation, our power?  Jesus Christ our Lord is our strength and salvation – or as Psalm 18 says, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge.”  God’s hand, God’s power surrounds and empowers us!

 

- Fourth Phrase:  “and that you would keep me from evil….”  There are a lot of temptations in this world….an array of pressures and temptations in life that get us off track.  These are all the things of this world around us that keep us from realizing our full spiritual potential.  These are things of the world that separate us from God.  Just like it says in the Lord’s prayer, “deliver us from evil….”, this Prayer of Jabez helps us use the strength that comes from God to resist evil in our lives and the world around us.

 

- Fifth and last phrase:   “That I may not cause pain….”   This concept isn’t discussed nearly enough.  As Children of God, we are here to bring JOY to others – not anguish or pain!  I’ve said this many times:  “It’s natural for us to smile!  It’s hard work to frown.”   To bring joy into the lives of others is truly a calling…..its like wrapping our lives in blessings…gifts we can give to others.  The example of my new grandson, Thomas:  WE love it when he is laughing or smiling.  It gets to be frustrating rather quickly when he cries.  It’s only natural to what the smiles in life, the blessings…..who in their right mind would want pain???? 

 

II.                ENLARGE MY TERRIRORY

The ‘heart’ of the prayer of Jabez is this one phrase that caught my attention:

“Enlarge My Territory”!

This particular phrase has taken me back to some memories from High School.  I recall various conversations with friends when I was a teenage ready to graduate about where to go to college.  Do I stay close to home or leave the “nest” to travel to Nebraska in order to attend a Presbyterian college.  This was a risky decision – to leave home to enlarge my personal and spiritual territory.  Yet this is what I felt God, at a young age, calling me to do.    

Active in the Presbyterian church, surrounded by wonderful mentors, I was already starting the adventure in contemplating ordained ministry.  I am grateful to this day for the wonderful mentors and prayers from a church that gave me the freedom to “Enlarge My Territory” that would eventually take me to churches in Iowa and Illinois and here in Saginaw, Michigan.

My point and message to you – particularly young people:  As God has blessed me and enlarged my territory of ministry in ways I could have never imagined, God can do the same for you!  What are some of your hopes and dreams?  Where do you feel God is leading you vocationally?  In what ways is God calling you to “enlarge the territory” of possibilities and new adventures God has for you and your future?     

Thinking about this “enlarging our territory” in the context of the church:  It took a group of faithful, dedicated women and men back in the 1960’s, horse drawn carriages and beautiful mansions all around this property – to risk creating a church that would be known for over a century as the Warren Avenue Presbyterian Church.   Historically, there was some years in struggling whether we would be a Congregational or Presbyterian-type church. You know our decision.  The other church, the congregational church is just a block away. 

Over the years we have had many opportunities as a church to expand our territory not geographically but in doing ministry in trying to do new things in different ways.  As a large church with a small congregation we are still open to hearing the voice of God calling us to enlarge our territory – spiritually, so God can continue to bless others with the same blessings we have received from our creator.

Think about it – all the wonderful ways we have been blessed as a church. 

Think about it – all the wonderful ways God has blessed us in our lives. 

All of us can share stories about God’s “enlarging our territory of blessings” with family and friends and church. 

Of course there have been tough times.   We are always going to have challenges to address.  Life is always going to be full of trials and tribulation!  But when I look out at you – it is much easier to see the blessings….blessings God has given all of us! 

III.

One more point:  Let’s not forget this is a prayer.  There is so much we can get from this little prayer found in the heart of the Old Testament. 

Looking at this prayer in the context of our scripture reading from the gospel of Luke would require our looking at another theme:  PERSEVERANCE.   Luke says don’t give up! 

“Ask and it will be given to you and search and your will find.  Knock and the door will be opened.  For everyone who asks receives and those who search finds and for everyone who knocks the door will be opened.” 

Ask, knock, search and find ways God can and will help us enlarge our territory – expand horizons in doing new and creative things in serving our Lord. 

May God continue to expand the boundaries of care and compassion and encouragement – blessings we receive and blessings we pass on to others in serving our Lord.

May God continue to bind us together in love….building us up in Christ’s spirit!

Amen

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[1]   Much of this sermon today was inspired by the work of Dr. Stuart D. Broberg, Interim Pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA, October 3, 2004.

 

UNWAVERING FAITH

UNWAVERING FAITH

April 21, 2013

©Thomas B. Cundiff

 FROM THE MESSAGE  (Eugene Peterson)

1 Peter 4:12-14

Glory Just Around the Corner

 ^12-13Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.

 ¹⁴ If you're abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It's the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others

 

1 Peter 5:6-11 (The Message)

 ^6-7So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.

He Gets the Last Word

 ^8-11Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.

I.

From time to time I will preach on texts that are less than comfortable.  In reality, life is not always going to be comfortable.  Just look at what happened on Boston this past week with the Marathon bombing and the explosions in West, Texas.  Life gets messy.   Numerous people in this community are cleaning up their flooding basements.   Life gets messy.  Relationships aren’t perfect.  We hear every week about the struggles – your struggles – as we share our prayer concerns.  Life gets messy.  

I loved the words of the Reverend Liz Walker of the Roxbury Presbyterian Church who gave the opening remarks at the Memorial service for those who were injured and died in Boston.   

Rev. Walker started this service by asking:  “How can a good God allow bad things to happen? Where was God when evil slithered in and planted the horror that exploded our innocence?”

 “This is what I know”, she said, “God is here, in the midst of this sacred gathering.”

“Strangers bound first by loss and pain but now clinging together in growing strength in a city that has always faced the darkness head on…..we are a community of resilience, hard-pressed but not defeated, confounded but not consumed, we are gathered in community, and through the blur of each other’s tears and the beats of so many broken hearts, we will rise in community and face whatever the future holds, resolutely as one.”

Beautifuly said.  And yes, this has truly been a messy, horrific week for people in Watertown, Boston and West, Texas and in the city and counties of Saginaw, Bay City and Midland.  Life gets messy!   For many in this room today – life is messy!   

For Jesus life was also messy.  He was always engaging with others and their struggles.  Jesus was drawn “toward the evil that slithers and plants itself in our lives”.  Contemplating his death on a cross—what a mess!   Jesus suffered and died carrying with him on the cross all our struggles—our messes!.  

Yet here we are.  Sunday morning April 21^st!   We are still in the season of Easter.  We have welcomed a new child into our midst through baptism.  Jesus Christ is risen today!  God continues to live with and in us.

II.  Living Jesus

I was reading an article this past week by an Anglican Theologian NT Wright[1] who talks about  –

“living Jesus – not just living with Jesus – living Jesus”

Think about this!  LIVING JESUS!  Jesus died and rose from death so that we can, through UNWAVERING FAITH, integrate everything about him into our being, our lives, the core of who we are as people of God!  It is with UNWAVERING FAITH we get through the messes and struggles in life. 

This is not unlike the illustration I gave some months ago – the image of putting on our shoes each day to walk with Jesus as though he (Jesus) was also in our shoes sharing every step with us. 

In looking at this image:  It is not Jesus walking in front of me or behind me or beside me.  This is an image of Jesus walking with me and in my shoes.  This what “Living Jesus” means.  Jesus is walking with us through all the good and the bad, through the messes and struggles….and in good times filled with joy and love.

The point that NT Wright makes, amidst messiness in life:   “Christ-like living becomes easier the more it is practiced each day.” [2]   We can put on our shoes every day.  But putting on Jesus?  Living Jesus?  Through unwavering faith, this is what God calls us to be doing. 

I found it curious, the title of the article by NT Wright that caught my attention in the first place: 

“Christians are Free Samples of Jesus”.

Christians are “FREE SAMPLES”?  What does it mean for the world around us to not just hear about Christ but to actually see and feel and experience Christ as we put on and wear and live Christ in us -- and not just on Sundays but every single day?

III.

Moving on, the first letter of Peter continues to preach in saying:  “We are called as Christians to be patient in all suffering; with unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.”  

Peter is calling us to be patient in suffering, unwavering in faith in living and wearing our faith regardless what befalls us. 

Peter says (vs. 8-9),  “….You're not the only ones plunged into hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith (Unwavering Faith).  The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!”

Though patience this “UNWAVERING FAITH” brings us in the end all the glorious plans God has for us and all who trust him.  The anguish and pain and struggles and messes eventually dissipate.  What God gives us in loving us trumps all the struggles:  

The promise from scripture:  Through faith, unwavering faith, God will never abandon us.  God will always hold us and care for us.  God promises, beyond life eternally, to never let us go.  God is always going to surround us in love.  Livng Christ is always going to keep us connected with God surrounded IN God’s love. 

Think again about the Unwavering Faith that has helped Bostonians get through the chaos of this past week.   Contemplate the “Unwavering Faith” that will help people in West Texas, outside Waco, rebuild their lives and homes following the explosions and fires and death that consumed this community on Tuesday.  It is with Unwavering Faith we will get through the flooding in this community. 

And still:  people are hurting.   Around the world people are suffering.   I know there are some of you – members of this church, struggling with health issues, distraught with personal issues – throbbing hearts. 

But together, we have the Unwavering Faith that will help us get through the challenges we face.   And when we struggle, together, with various issues in our lives, God emerges to help us keep things together in remembering we are never alone, God is always with us, Christ is in us – and love and peace and hope are always going to be right around the corner!

IV.  Where is the Hope?

So where is our hope?  With all the messes in life, where do we find solace in God?  If I have learned anything in my ministry it is this I give you today:  We can get through anything!  We can and do get through anything. 

As a church we’ve gone through this church burning down over 140 years ago.  We’ve had our tragedies.  We’ve had more leaks and flooding than I care to remember.  We’ve had hundreds of baptisms and weddings and confirmations.   Sadly, we’ve also commended thousands of souls to live eternally with God.  Tens of thousands of prayers have been lifted to God, each and every week, giving hope that exists to help us live beyond the messes and struggles in life.

So where is our hope?  Hope is in the laugher.  Hope is in knowing we are opening our doors in providing programming to help keep children in this community safe and secure.  

Hope is our worship, in fellowship we enjoy in being together.  No doubt in my mind, you have put on the shoes of Christ.  You are wearing Christ.  My hope comes in knowing you are wearing Christ. 

Does all of this make sense?  It is so much easier dealing with life’s problems….messes in our lives knowing God in Christ is in us!  Helping us!  Supporting us!  Loving us!  Encouraging us!  Embracing us as we walk through our days.

May our faith be unwavering.  May God continue to walk with and in you. 

May God walk in and with Finnegan Jacob Gilbert and his family.  

May God bless us ALL as we walk in faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

---

[1]  Christian Century --   “Christians are “free samples of Jesus”, April 3, 2013.

 

[2]   Ibid. 

 

A MAN WITH TWO NAMES

“A Man With Two Names”

Third Sunday of Easter

April 14, 2013

Thomas B. Cundiff

 

 

Jeremiah 1: 4-10

Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you;  I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”   Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” But the LORD said to me,  “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’;  for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you.   Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.”  Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth.   See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

 

Acts 9: 1-6 (7-20)

1Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

 

7The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. 8Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.  10Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, 12and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; 14and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” 15But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; 16I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength.   Saul Preaches in Damascus For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, 20and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

 

  

                                                                      I.

 

It wasn’t too long ago I shared from this pulpit a sermon from Genesis about God’s changing the name of ABRAM to ABRAHAM and SARIA to SARAH.  Interesting the things that God does!  Never—never in my experience have I hard of anyone feeling called through the voice of God to change his or her name!

 

This of course reminds me of something I have shared with you before.  When I was born my name was supposed to be John.  John’s a good name.   I could have lived with that!  Birth announcements were ready to go out with the name JOHN.   Story is told that my mother took one look at me and said this isn’t a John, it’s a Tom.  She went to her grave never telling me any more about why I was named Thomas!  If God changed my name, I wasn’t told why!J

 

Tom and Thomas are good names.   I think our children would agree, Emily and Ken who recently gave our first grandchild the name Kenneth Thomas Moore….he is named after his two grandfathers.  What a honor.  They are calling him Thomas.  By now most of you have seen the pictures Nancy and I are more than glad to share with you!   He is now three months old!

 

                                                    II.  Conversion Overview

 

Scripture today is the story of Saul who becomes Paul.  Saul as a young man in his thirties went through this unusual experience.   Scholars tell us this wasn’t all that unusual.  In fact, prophets often changed their names when leaving one profession to become a prophet.  While Jeremiah in our Old Testament scripture didn’t go through a name change, it is powerful scripture in what it means to be called a prophet. 

 

Saul prior to his conversion was in the legal profession, a prosecutor.  He suddenly goes through a vocation change.  Instead of trying to prosecute Jesus he becomes an apostle of Jesus.  With this change in vocation his name was also changed.  And all of this took place when Saul was on a journey on the road between Jerusalem and Damascus. 

 

This experience was described buy one scholar as an “emotional, electric transformation” (Eugene LaVerdiere, SSS)[1] that ended with a new name and a new identity.  Saul takes on a new name, Paul;  along with a new identity of becoming one of the most flamboyant, dedicated voices for Jesus the world would ever know.  He was a man, Saul, who would have probably never been mentioned in history books.  Paul, on the other hand, is known just about as much as Jesus for his work in building the Christian church.     

 

Just where you understand where Paul fits into the biblical stories:  The post-resurrection letters that Paul wrote to various communities were written BEFORE the four gospels were written.  Let me say this again:  chronologically, Paul lived and did ministry and wrote his letters before Matthew and Mark and Luke and John were written.  NONE OF THE GOSPELS OR LETTERS WERE WRITTEN WHILE JESUS WAS STILL ALIVE.  In fact, there are some scholars who actually believe the bible should begin with Paul’s letters and not the four gospels. 

 

In simplest terms, Paul was a man who heard the voice of his lord and turned his life around.  Which leaves the question for us today:  Are we open to hearing the Lord – Jesus – now several weeks after we have heard again about his resurrection – in letting him into our lives to help us turn things around and toward God in our lives around?    Another serious question:  Have you ever thought about a total transformation in your life?  Is this something you may need?  

 

More details about Saul/Paul may help answer these personal questions.

 

III.   Pre-Paul (Saul) History

 

Some more history before Saul’s conversion on the Road to Damascus.  Saul was born a Jew in the city of Tarsus.   This made him as well as being Jewish—also a Roman citizen.  A Jew and a Roman Citizen!   In those days that was like mixing oil with water!   

 

While Saul was also a rather frail and sickly man, he also wore his heritage like a suit of armor.  He was a proud Roman.  And because of his background and pride in who he was, he was naturally against this new movement that was fast evolving now called “The Way” which would eventually known simply as “Christianity”.  For Saul prior to his conversion, Christianity was “pure heresy”. 

 

Saul was not at all passive in his antagonism toward the followers of Jesus.   He overtly worked to help in the movement in persecuting Christians.  In fact the original intent of Saul (remember he was a Roman Prosecutor) in going to Damascus from Jerusalem was to identify Christians or followers of Jesus who could be brought back to Jerusalem for trial and punishment. 

 

                                                 IV.  Post-Saul (Paul) History

 

Scripture, once again, needs to speak for itself, about Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus.  This is the translation written by Eugene Peterson – a contemporary version of the bible called The Message:

 

When Saul got to the outskirts of Damascus, he was suddenly dazed by a blinding light.  As he fell to the ground, he heard a voice:  “Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me?” 

 

He said, “Who are you Master?”

 

“I am Jesus”, the One you are hunting down.  I want you to get up and enter the city.  In the city you’ll be told what to do next.” 

 

His companions stood there dumbstruck—they could hear the sound, but couldn’t see anyone—while Saul, picking himself up off the ground ,  found himself stone-blind.  They had to take him by the hand and lead him into Damascus.  He continued blind for three days. 

 

Saul comes to the decision after his conversion to be baptized.  His sight being restored....his new name was Paul....and he became the greatest activist for Jesus and the Christian Church that the world would ever know.

 

So again the critical question for us:  What changes does God work in our lives?  This third Sunday of Easter, what transformations are possible for us? What will we open our hearts to happen on the various roads we travel through life?  

 

When did you first make the decision to take on the name CHRISTIAN?  During a confirmation class?  Did something happen to you independent of your experience in the church that brought you to Christ?  Was it the influence of your family or a close friend that brought you to believe in Jesus Christ?      

 

Scripture doesn’t tell us much of what happened except that a dramatic vision turned Saul’s life around.   The witnesses heard the voice in the vision but didn’t see anything.  Whatever happened to Saul on that Road to Damascus was enough to turn his life around.  What has happened in our lives – life changing events – that have influenced our turning our lives around?    

 

And an even more important question for those of us who have professed faith in Jesus for many years:  What keeps us faithful?  What sustains us as followers or disciples of Jesus? 

What is your personal story?  What do you believe?  Beyond the words “I believe Jesus is my Lord and Savior”, what is your experience of Jesus?  What is your profession of faith?

 

                                                  V.  Paul’s work is our work

 

My challenge for each of us in our daily, weekly journeys through life…..consider what happened to Saul on the road between Jerusalem and Damascus?  What changes does God call you to make in the name of the living Christ?  In what ways can your life impact the lives of others….like Paul influenced the lives of those he visited?  Are you doing the best you can be doing, being the best you can be in serving your Lord?

 

Finally, Paul’s business is our business.  His call is our call.  Paul’s Vocation is our Vocation.  His work is our work.  Paul’s ministry is our ministry.   His trip to Damascus is our trip home from worship today.  Life for each of us as disciples of Jesus Christ is our life in traveling with – integrating Jesus’ teachings and values into all of our daily activities.    

 

This third week in the season of Easter…..in what ways is the risen Christ going to enter your lives today….tomorrow….and through this coming week.  In what ways will Christ shine through you for others to see?

 

May God bless us on the roads we travel, with the people we encounter, with Christ walking with us each and every day….

 

         

AMEN

---

[1] Eugene LaVerdierre was one of my New Testament Professors during Seminary.  He taught at the Jesuit School of theology in Chicago. 

 

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER: VICTORIOUS LIGHT

“Victorious Light”

Second Sunday of Easter

©Thomas B. Cundiff

April  7, 2013

 

Mark 16: 1-8

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

I.  Introduction

Easter is not over.   In fact, how could we possibly contain all we know about Jesus and his resurrection to just one Sunday.  All I had time to do last Sunday was scratch the surface in what Jesus’ resurrection means. 

The HOLIDAY may be gone.  Spring Break may be over for most of us.  But Jesus’ resurrection will always be part of our spiritual DNA.  The living Christ is in us—part of our being.  His resurrection flows from week to week in our worship experience as we integrate all his resurrection means for us as we walk with him every day.  So this second Sunday of Easter this question again:  What does Jesus’ resurrection mean for us?

Let me repeat:  For the hard-core Christian, every Sunday is EASTER.  Easter is a way of life for the Christian.  Every worship experience is celebrating Jesus rising from death to give us, first and foremost, the promise of life eternal.  His love and care and grace and hope and forgiveness and love and compassion all come with this eternal hope that God will always be with us and in us—part of our spiritual DNA.    

I also find something that never goes away.  There are always going to be scholars and preachers from every conceivable theological perspective, continuing to argue questions that have been around for centuries – questions in trying to disprove the possibility that Jesus actually (quote) “rose from death, ascended into heaven, to be seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.”^[1] 

Yet the truth from the gospels is to be found in only one place – our hearts – as we search for what it is we truly believe.  What are our core beliefs?

This being the second Sunday of Easter, this I know for sure:  It’s obvious you aren’t one of those twice a year congregants who comes to church only on Christmas and Easter.   Otherwise you wouldn’t be here! There are those we saw last week we won’t see again until Christmas!   (Oh, maybe mother’s day…..that’s one of those secular holidays that seems to bring a lot of people out to church)!

For those who are serious about being here every week:  What do you believe about Jesus’ resurrection?   What is the biblical foundation for this theology of resurrection?    In our hearts, what does believing in Jesus’ resurrection mean for the church and our mission in the world – our lives as we live in this world?

First Foundation of Truth:

All four of the gospels, Matthew and Mark and Luke and John say it!   Jesus was crucified and rose from death.  It’s in the bible.  The four gospels written by different men at different times in history say it.  The gospels written from the different perspectives of four different men say it.  These men didn’t collaborate in their writing.  They didn’t know each other.   Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all say Jesus was crucified and then rose from death.  There is something “scientific” about getting four I-witnesses to report the same thing—many years after the event!   Is this not believable?  The truth?  Jesus rose from death?  Truly, there were more than just these four men who shared this experience!   We wouldn’t be here if the faith of the church rested on the testimony of just four men.  These four men and gospels represent a  ground-swell of belief that was spreading like wild-fire in the hearts of thousands of women and men!

Second Foundation of Truth:

The stories of the empty tomb in all of the gospels, including the text read this morning,  were never written to try to prove anything….let alone prove Jesus’ resurrection.  The New Testament proclaims as a mater of fact and faith – Jesus’ resurrection!   The empty tomb report attests to what everybody at that time simply believed.  “He is not here!  He has been raised by God.  The one crucified is now living with God.  Death cannot hold him!  This is not like a witness talking to a reporter.  This is a proclamation of faith!  Now in our western minds we start thinking about:  Who could have stolen the body from the tomb?  This wasn’t in the hearts of those at that tomb in the first century.  They simply knew God had taken Jesus. The gospel writers proclaim what they believe to be true in their hearts.  They don’t feel the need, like we do in our modern western world, to prove things logically or scientifically.  We too, in the modern church, are asked to accept this proclamation through FAITH we place in God. 

So putting these foundational truths together, where do we go with FAITH we place in God in accepting these truths?   This is a key word:  FAITH!

This is why I am here in this time and this place and in this pulpit!  FAITH.  I am here to preach:  FAITH.   FAITH keeps Jesus alive in our hearts and minds.   FAITH helps us understand Jesus as a church.  FAITH has kept us going in our lives with many of our families and this church for nearly a century and a half.   As one author said, and I apologize for not knowing his name:

“Who would ever come to support a church as a doubter?  As one without at least a kernel of FAITH?”

Easter remains, after 2000 years, a celebration of FAITHFUL people struggling together to understand what the early disciples tried to understand – God’s giving us a valuable gift – part of himself – part of his divine family -- his son.  While our faith is not perfect, we are here!  We continue to search for what it means that Jesus lived and died and rose and ascended into heaven for YOU and for ME!

II.  The Earliest Account of Jesus’ Resurrection

Digging deeper into today’s scripture:  In case this general discussion about FAITH doesn’t work for you in understanding Jesus’ resurrection, let me get to some supportive details found in the gospel of Mark.

This scripture today tells us that a group of women were the first to learn of Jesus’ resurrection.  They were: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome.  The morning after Jesus’ death, they went to the tomb with spices so they could anoint his dead, broken body.   There was nothing to be happy about in making this trip to the tomb. 

And when they get to the tomb: 

“Jesus is gone!”

“He is not here!

The tomb is empty!”

Scripture proclaims these women were “seized with trembling and bewilderment.   They said nothing to anyone, for they were shocked / alarmed.”  

I find myself reading and re-reading this scripture….from different translations studying the words carefully,…..listening to what is being said.  The women did not celebrate!   There was no jubilant celebration!   These women were filled with alarm and disbelief!  They were hurting.  They were grieving.  These women and all who heard about the empty tomb were going to have to come, over time, to believe that Jesus rose from death.   This is worth repeating;  these women, over time, were going to have to come to terms with what they experienced. 

Something else I need to keep reminding myself.  The gospel of Mark was written some 65 years after Jesus’ death.  I can’t emphasize enough the importance of this!  It’s not like the reality or truth of Jesus’ resurrection was known and recorded for us to hear a week after it happened!  The PROCLAMATION of Jesus’ resurrection took a full generation, 65 years, to take root.  The story of what happened had to be told over and over again for many years before being written down!

Likewise, for us, it can take years – an entire life – to come to terms with what we believe.  It is part of human nature.  It takes time to adjust to dramatic experiences that occur in life.  The Easter service and story of Jesus’ resurrection, last week, may have meant absolutely nothing to you.  Today may be different.  Today maybe you can leave saying: 

 “Aha!  I am beginning to get it!   I am now understanding what God is giving me!   It is not just a neat story about Jesus disappearing from his tomb.  This scripture is really telling me Jesus died for me.  Jesus rose from death for me.   Jesus has given me so much including hope in eternal life.   Jesus has conquered death!”    

In faith – can we come together again next week to continue exploring what it means that God gave us his son?  Next week I will be turning to Saul and his conversion on the road to Damacus…..in his growing in faith to accept Jesus as the risen Christ!

III.  From Peter Marshall

I want to end, as I have in past years, with the words of Rev. Dr. Peter Marshall.  I go back to an image that has meant a lot to me for most of my life since I was a teenager.

“Knock and the door will be opened.”

These great words from the late Rev. Dr. Peter Marshall in opening some doors to understanding Jesus’ resurrection:    

 “The Glorious fact that the empty tomb proclaims to us is that life for us does not end when death comes.  Death is not a wall, but a door.  And eternal life, which may be ours now by faith in Christ, is not interrupted when the soul leaves the body, for we live on, and on.” ^[2]   

Death is not a wall but a door.  It is a door to life that never ends.   It is a door to eternal life.  Jesus through his death and resurrection opens the door for us.  Our decision?   Will we walk through the door? 

SO AGAIN, THROUGH FAITH,  I PROCLAIM TO YOU TODAY:

Jesus Christ is Risen Today!  I still feel his love!  I know he is in my heart.

 

AMEN

                                                                                                                  

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^[1]  Apostle’s Creed

^[2]  The Verdict of the Empty Tomb (Westminster Communique, April 1999)