He Is Risen!

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19

The sheer insanity of it all! Can you imagine what it would have been like to have witnessed your beloved friend and teacher put to death. How gut-wrenchingly horrific to watch the agony of this one you love. This man that you followed around the countryside; who taught you; who ate with you; who healed the sick and cast out demons before your very eyes is gone. He is dead.

Now, here he is. Alive! Standing before you! Just as he promised, He lives! Watching the movie "Risen" yesterday, it struck me that once the disciples witnessed him alive, they had no alternative; but, to go and share this good news. Who wouldn't? Sure they could've tried to kept their lips sealed to protect themselves. They did not have to tell anyone about this miraculous return of their beloved friend from the dead. But, how would one keep such a secret. Impossible! It is just too marvelous! The news must be shared. And, it was shared. Like mad men; yet, not mad; filled with the Spirit, those first followers of Jesus went out and shared the marvelous news of his death, his resurrection, and his ascension. The good news is that because he is risen and so shall we!

I hear often about churches dying. I wonder why; how can this be? How can a church die when they have such good news to share. Maybe, because the good news isn't being shared. Think about it for a minute. Those who witnessed Jesus alive have his death were few. Yet, from those few the good news has spread  around the world. Even in the smallest of congregations there are at least a dozen who worship God. Don't keep him in the sanctuary. Don't hide your love of God. Go out and tell the world that; although, he was hung a cross until dead, he is risen!

He lives!

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Tradition would tell me this blog would be best for Easter. But, it is good news for every day! I doubt those first disciples quit telling the story during the forty days. One never knows when someone who has not heard the story needs to hear it.

Meet Together Often

"And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Heb 10:24-25

With Ash Wednesday behind us, we have begun our journey through the Lenten Season to the cross which will culminate at the empty tomb. Who will make this journey with us? Who will gather with us at worship as we struggle with our own crosses as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus to Calvary?

St. Paul admonished the Hebrews, even as we are admonished to not neglect coming together as a community of saints. During Lent many congregations gather together more often (here at Zion on Wednesdays as well as Sundays) to hear God's Word and to worship Him.

May God plant in the hearts of all who would bear the name of Christ the desire to gather more often to worship Him and glorify His Holy Name.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 10:1-24 Go and Tell

Luke 10:1-24 NIV
Jesus had appointed seventy-two others and sent them out two by two to go ahead of him to the various towns. The harvest, he said, was plentiful but the workers are few. (vs 1-2) Their goal, it appears, is to be gathering the people for the Kingdom.

In this country, as well as many others, the church appears to be in decline. This can be attributed to many factors, including a lack of faith. Faith will inspire us to walk miles to do what it is that we believe we are called to do. Yet, multitudes in congregations around the globe do not feel that they are called to share the Good News with anyone. It is a private matter, I hear. Are our neighbors not worth saving. How can they be saved unless they believe? How can they believe unless they hear? Who will go and tell? Who will participate in the harvesting?

Pastors sometimes become chaplains to their little flocks. They focus only on their little flock; neglecting the needs of the people who are outside the sheepfold. They neglect the telling of the story to; except to the little flock that gathers on Sunday mornings (sometimes they neglect to even tell them). Not going outside of the circle (or box) and sharing the peace, sharing the story of what God has done for us is devastating to the visible church. Without the story of Jesus' great love for all people; what is left? Not much; except for maybe a museum to the traditions of the generations that have lived here before us. Without Jesus, there is nothing.

So, let us all go and share the peace of God; share the story of His great love for us through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J