King of G.R.A.C.E.

Luke 23:33-43

The cross is central to what we believe as Christians.  It is depicted in various places throughout our church and throughout society.  Often we look at the cross as a torture device, as a place where Jesus was crucified.  Yet, the cross is much more than that.  The cross is where Jesus was crowned king.  The cross is a kingly throne of victory.

This weekend we, as a church, celebrate Christ the King.  This is the last weekend of the church year.  The church year does not line up with the calendar year.  Next weekend we will begin a new church year with the season of Advent, which helps us prepare for Christmas.  The church year begins with Advent and ends with Christ the King.  As we celebrate this important day in the church year we hear the text of the crucifixion from the Gospel of Luke.  This text includes two powerful quotations of Jesus and one from the criminal crucified next to him.

On the day of Jesus' crucifixion the king's judgment is clearly spoken and expressed.  Jesus enacts his authority on the cross by saying, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."  He says those same words to each of us when we find ourselves in times of making bad decisions and being led into temptation.  Have you ever made a bad decision or been led into temptation?  We lie and cheat.  We take the Lord’s name in vain and worship other gods.  We hurt others with our words and actions.  We covet the things our neighbors have.  We often make bad decisions and are led into temptation.  For those times when we know that we have messed up and for those times we don’t even notice, Jesus says these words to us: "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."

Jesus is on the cross between two criminals.  One of the criminals being crucified next to him that day, joined the soldiers and religious authorities in their acts of mocking and torture.  The other criminal seemed to recognize Jesus' power.  He said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."  He doesn't ask to be saved or rescued.  He wants to be remembered by Jesus and not forgotten.  We want the same thing.  We want Jesus to remember us, today, tomorrow, and forever.

Without missing a beat, Jesus says to that criminal, "Today you will be with me in paradise."  And he means it.  He exceeds the criminal’s greatest expectations.  To this person who has committed a wrong, a wrong that we do not know, Jesus promises paradise.  Jesus promises mercy to a sinner.  Jesus promises heaven.  Jesus promises resurrection.  Jesus promises new life.  Jesus promises to do more than just remember the criminal.  Jesus promises to the criminal and to each of us a home in paradise, a home with Jesus.

This gospel text drives home two important theological points.  First, is the importance of grace.  You will notice on the screens there is an acrostic for the word "grace" - God's Riches at Christ's Expense.  In Jesus death we are given the greatest gift of grace, a gift of God that is given to us at the expense of Christ's death on the cross.  This is a great way to remember what grace is and what a great gift we have been given through the cross.  Grace that is poured out for you and for me on the cross through the blood of Christ.  Grace that knows no boundaries.  Grace that makes all our wrongs become right.  Grace that covers all.

The gospel lesson also reminds us of how much God has done for us.  It is not about what we do or have done.  It is all about what Christ has already done through his death and resurrection.  We don't need to come to church.  We don't need to pray daily.  We don't need to read the Bible.  We don't need to ask for God's love.  We don't need to help others.  We don't need to feed the hungry.  We don't need to clothe the naked.  We don't need to do anything to receive the grace that God grants to us through the death of God's only son on the cross.  Now, you probably are starting to think I am crazy, but this is the truth.  There is absolutely nothing that we need to do to be with Jesus in paradise.  God, through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, has already done everything that needs to be done.  I am not letting you off the hook though - to go and do nothing.  No, we do everything we do, because of how much God has already done for us.  It is a response to Christ's gift of grace.  Grace is not an “if – then” statement.  If I do this, then Christ will love me, save me, and forgive me.  No, that is not the basis of our faith.  The basis of our faith is a “because – therefore” statement.  Because of what Christ has already done for me, therefore I will praise him, thank him, and help his other children on earth.  It is not about us and these great things.  It is about God, through Christ, and all the great things that have already been done for us.

The heart of the gospel can be found in what God does next, after this story of crucifixion.  God raises Jesus from the dead.  God makes Jesus the King.  God ensures that death does not have the final word.  God makes the promise of resurrection the victor.  God gives Jesus to reign in mercy.

Jesus is a different kind of king.  Jesus is a king that does not conform to the expectations of this world.  Jesus is not a king that is willing to rule from far away, but comes among us to walk with us.  Jesus is a king who will love, embrace, forgive, and redeem everyone.  Jesus is a king who comes to bring a new kingdom, a kingdom that promises paradise.  This, this is our king, Christ the King.  Amen

YOU are a City on a Hill

Isaiah 58:1-12 & Matthew 5:13-16

Today we look at the second week of our stewardship texts.  Last week we heard “You are the light of the world.”  This week we hear “You are a city on a hill.”  Literally, Jesus is calling us a city on a hill.  He is blessing us and commending us with this line.  He isn’t saying if you do this or that then you will be a city on a hill.  No, we already are a city on a hill.  A city that cannot be hid.

            You have seen those kind of cities before.  Maybe it was as you made your final descent on an airplane.  Or maybe it was while you were driving through an area of flatland and off in the distance you spotted a city lit up in the night sky. 

When I was working at Klein Ranch I remember how we could literally see for miles.  We would point out the neighboring towns, they weren’t cities at all, to the campers.  There is Isabel to the south to the north is McIntosh.  Just a few street lights and we could pick them out from the dark void of the night.  You could pick them out even more on the 4^th of July, as their fireworks lit up the night sky.  They were cities that could not be hid.

            In our text today, Jesus is proclaiming that we are like those cities.  Take it as a compliment or a self-esteem booster.  For all the negative put downs we hear in our world, Jesus is giving us a put up!  Psychologists suggest that for every negative put down that elementary children hear they need to hear ten positive compliments to restore their previous sense of self-worth.  So, Jesus gives us an ultimate compliment.  We are cities on a hill.  We are beacons of light that cannot be hid.

            It’s not just a compliment.  It is also a prophecy, a self-fulfilling prophecy.  Children, if referred to as something for long enough, will become what they have been referred to as.  If you call a person bad, unlovable, or shameful for long enough, they will become just that.  If you call them good, dependable, or useful, they will become just that.  Similar to a self-fulfilling prophecy, they become what they are named as.  So, Jesus gives us a superb name.  He calls us cities on a hill.  We are unable to be hidden.  So our challenge is to hear this name as a compliment let the prophecy be fulfilled in us. 

            Julia and Michael experienced living proof of these words of Jesus.  They witnessed people acting as a city on a hill.  Julia and Michael and their two sons lived in New Orleans.  One morning they awoke to the threat of Hurricane Katrina.  They began to prepare their home for the storm and then ultimately decided to evacuate to Julia’s parents’ house in Alabama.  Shortly after the hurricane Michael’s employer was offering temporary employment in Texas.  They left for Texas.  FEMA provided housing at a  local hotel and the boys were enrolled in a Lutheran school.  During this time of transition several people showed the love of Christ with them by providing for their needs.  Upon finding out that they had been relocated because of Hurricane Katrina, the florist gave them flowers, Michael’s employer gave them a car to use, families at the school provided their children with school supplies and clothing, and even school lunches, and a mother at school helped them find an apartment and furniture.  Eventually Michael was offered a permanent job in Texas and they quickly discovered a home they could rent until they could buy.  God provided for them through the work of other people – God provided them with a city on a hill when they needed it most

So, how is it that we are to be as cities on a hill?  How can we use our time, talents, and treasures to serve as a city on a hill that cannot be hid?  South Canyon offers a lot of opportunities for you to share what you have so graciously been given by God.  There are also plenty of other non-profits and other organizations that have ways for you to share your gifts and resources.

Want to support this congregation?  You could make a commitment to return your faith promise card to the church office indicating your intent to offer support, prayer, and financial resources to this congregation.

Want to make a difference?  You could adopt a family for our Christmas Servant Event and ensure that their family is able to celebrate the Christmas holiday with gifts and a well-stocked pantry.  You could also help us in our food drive for the event, by bringing non-perishable food items.

Want to feed the hungry?  You could sign up to help with the meal we serve at the Cornerstone Rescue Mission by bringing a Jell-O salad, bananas, cookies, helping make sandwiches, or helping to serve the meal.

Want to learn?  You could join a small group or attend a Bible study as a way of learning and growing more in your faith.

Like being in the kitchen? You could help with Wednesday night meal prep during the day on Tuesdays and Wednesdays or come help with our Free Lunch program once a month.

Know how to smile?  You could smile at the people you pass by in the grocery store, at the gym, or the ones sitting next to you at church.

Like to teach?  You could offer to teach a Sunday School class or help with our education time on Wednesday night.

Able to notice the small things?  Pay attention to what is happening around you and recognize when others are being a city on a hill to you or to someone else. 

As we share what we have so graciously been given by God: our time, our talents, and our treasures, don’t do it so that others will notice and give you praise.  Like our reading from Isaiah states, “Why do we fast, but you do not see?  Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?”  No, to be seen is not our purpose.  Our purpose is to “loose the bonds of injustice, … to let the oppressed go free, … to share our bread with the hungry, to bring the homeless poor into our house, when we see the naked, to cover them.”  And in all that we do, not to do good in order to be seen by others, but to do it as a response to what God has already given us.

Let Isaiah’s words direct your daily living.  Be a repairer of the breach.  Be a restorer of streets to live in.  Let Jesus’ compliment soak in.  You are a city on a hill.  Let the prophecy be fulfilled through your words and actions.  Be a city on a hill.  Notice when others are being a city on a hill to you or to others.  And don’t ever let your city be hid.  Amen.

Persistent Prayer

Luke 18:1-8

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, so he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects and throwing them into the ocean. He came closer still and called out, "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish into the ocean." "I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man. To this the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!" As if he hadn't heard, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he turned, smiled and said, "It made a difference to that one!"

If I were to use one word to describe this man who was saving the starfish I would use the word persistent.  He knew the job of saving the starfish was a huge task, but he kept right on doing it.  He wanted to make a difference and he did just that.  He knew he couldn’t save them all, but with his persistent attitude he could still make a difference in the lives of some of them.

The same word could summarize our Gospel lesson today.  In order to illustrate the need to pray always Jesus uses the story of this persistent widow.  Jesus wants our prayer life to reflect the persistence of this widow.  Jesus wants our prayer life to be persistent.  He wants us to continually come to him in prayer.  Our persistence in prayer should get to point of almost being bothersome or annoying to God, like this widow was to the judge.  Even though we will never be bothersome or annoying to God.

Jesus also says that this parable should illustrate our need to never lose heart.  That exemplifies true persistence.  Like the persistent widow this is prayer that never stops and even though it is not answered the way want in the timing we would like it just keeps going.  The persistent widow never gives up.  She just keeps continually coming to the judge day in and day out asking for justice.  Sure, she gets annoying and bothersome.  Yet, she never loses heart.  His refusal never gets to her.  It never makes her stop and reconsider her persistence.

Now remember prayer is not just about us and our wants.  Prayers that are self-centered, concerned only with petty issues, or irrelevant must take the back seat.  Prayers like this do not take the power of prayer seriously.  Prayer is about our needs.  Prayer is also about other people.  It is meant to make us look outward, outside of ourselves, for the other people in our world who need us to intercede in prayer on their behalf.  So much happens in our world that needs prayer.  Things happen close by, in our communities and neighborhoods.  Things also happen far away to people who we have never met and will never know.  These are the people on whose behalf we are called to be persistent prayer warriors.

Often in parables we can make the claim that if God does this for this person, then how much more will God do for us.  In this parable we could make the claim that if the persistent widow is granted justice by this judge, then how much more will God grant us justice if we too are persistent?  If we believe that claim to be true then we must be persistent in our prayer life on behalf of others and for ourselves.

Be persistent as you pray for countries at war.

Be persistent as you pray for people with illness.

Be persistent as you pray for children who are sold into slavery and tortured.

Be persistent as you pray for ranchers after this storm.

Be persistent as you pray for countries amidst political unrest and violence.

Be persistent as you pray for those who received a lot of damage from the storm.

Be persistent as you pray for the people involved in recent vehicle accidents.

Be persistent as you pray for families involved in house fires.

Be persistent as you pray for people that are hungry.

Be persistent as you pray for countries without clean drinking water.

Be persistent as you pray for our neighbors near and far.

Be persistent as you pray for those who are regarded as unimportant.

Be persistent as you pray for those who are powerless.

Be persistent as you pray for those who are alone.

Be persistent as you pray for the leaders of our nation and our military.

Be persistent as you pray for our congregation.

Be persistent as you pray for yourself and your family.

That list is not even the tip of the iceberg for our prayer life.  And at times it can feel just a little too daunting.  Those are the times when even though we are trying to be persistent, we still can’t do it.  Yes, there are times when it gets too difficult to pray for this broken world.  Know this, when you stop persisting in prayer, God will continue to be persistent.  God will continue to put people in our lives so that we can know the presence of God.  When we can’t reach out to God, God will reach out to us.  Because that is who our God is – a persistent God.  So, be persistent as you pray to our persistent God and never lose heart.  Amen.

Blizzards, Lepers and Gratitude

Luke 17:11-19

            Jesus was traveling through South Dakota.  As he entered the village of Rapid City, ten families that had been stuck in a blizzard without power for three days approached him.  They called out “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”  When he saw them he said “Go talk to the power company.”  And as they went on their way their power was restored.  Then one family, when they saw that the power was restored to their home, turned back, praising God with a loud voice.  They all lay down at Jesus’ feet and thanked him.  And they were nonbelievers.

Talk about good timing with this parable!  I think in the past week we have all had a moment of thankfulness or gratitude after that blizzard.  For some it was having power restored and for others it was the sound of running water.  For some it was being rescued from their car or home.  For others it was having their car plowed out.  For some it was finding that some of their herd of livestock had survived the storm.  For me as a people person and an extrovert, someone who gains energy from being around others, it was finally seeing people again.  At that moment I was so thankful and grateful to God that I had survived the blizzard and that I could be back around the people that gave me energy.  I would imagine that you had a similar moment of gratitude and thankfulness this week after blizzard Atlas.

That gratitude and thankfulness is a lesson to be learned in our text today from Luke.  There are ten lepers.  Lepers had a skin disease that was highly contagious, so they were cast out of their families and out of their homes.  They were sent out of the camp or community to live with other lepers, so no one else would catch their disease.  If they were healed of their leprosy they needed to go to the priest, who was the only one who could certify that they were now clean and could return to their community. 

            So when Jesus came through their village they called out in loud voices asking Jesus to heal them, to have mercy on them.  Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priest and as they went they were made clean.  Then one of them recognized the miracle healing that had just happened.  And he recognized who it was who had just sent them to the priest and who it was who had healed them.  So he decided to return to Jesus.  He praised God and then lay down in front of Jesus feet and thanked him for making him clean.

            This leper-made-clean was a Samaritan.  Remember that Samaritans were unbelievers.  They were outsiders.  Regardless, this man knew what had just happened and he was overwhelmed with thanksgiving and infused with a sense of gratitude.  He knew he needed to give thanks and praise to the one who had made him clean.  On that day the Samaritan leper received more than he ever dreamed he was asking for when he and his fellow lepers asked Jesus to have mercy on them.  He received a second blessing by Jesus.  Because he had returned, Jesus gave him one more blessing saying, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”  An even better translation of the Greek would be “your faith has saved you.”  Yes, Jesus provides salvation for this Samaritan – this nonbeliever.  Even though he was a Samaritan Jesus blesses him, loves him and saves him, just the way he is.

            But what about the other nine lepers that were made clean that day?  What happened to them?  Why didn’t they return to Jesus to say “thank you”?  Now, I am not sure that they did anything wrong.  They did what Jesus said.  They went to show themselves to the priest.  After all, Jesus didn’t tell them to make sure to come back and say thank you.  So they had followed directions and done what Jesus had told them to do.  According to the text, they did not give public verbal thanks for their blessing.  We don’t know if they gave thanks in private, maybe without even using any audible words.

            The one leper, the Samaritan, was able to receive the blessing that Jesus had given him, recognize it and give thanks for it.  That is a powerful thing.  Those two little words pack a powerful punch – “thank you.”  They mean a lot when we say them and when we have them said to us.  Thanksgiving is born out of our perception, our ability to recognize a blessing.  It is also created from articulation, our ability to put words around our gratitude.

            So, what?  How can this text intersect with our life?  For starters, we have plenty to be thankful for in our daily lives.  All too often, we take that for granted.  So be thankful.  Be thankful for a roof over your head and clothing on your back.  Be thankful for hot water and electricity.  Be thankful for health and life.  Be thankful for money in the bank and in your wallet.  Be thankful for food to eat and water to drink.  Most of all be thankful that you are a loved and forgiven child of God.

This text can also apply to our lives because we are lepers of sorts.  Now I don’t mean we have a skin disease, but we are infected with the disease of sin.  We need to be made clean.  We need to call out “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”  Then we need to allow the power that Jesus has to forgive our sins to soak into those sinful places of our lives.  Through the waters of baptism, the bread and wine of communion, and the words of confession and absolution we are offered forgiveness. 

And in response to the forgiveness we are granted and all the good gifts that are bestowed on us we need to have the perception to recognize the blessing that has just happened.  Then we put articulation with that and put words around the deep gratitude we have for our Savior, that he would forgive us our sins, love us, provide for us and save us.  Today Jesus says to you and to me, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has saved you.”  What is your response?  Amen.