Sunday, April 15, 2018

From Locked Doors to Opened Minds


Debbie Cato
Luke 24:36 - 48
Church of the Indian Fellowship
Third Sunday of Easter
April 15, 2018




From Locked Doors to Opened Minds




On this 3rd Sunday of Easter, it’s time for us to reflect on the meaning of the resurrection for ourselves.  What does it mean for you that Christ was crucified, died, and three days later rose from the dead? 

John’s Gospel tells how Mary Magdalene’s arrival at Jesus’ empty tomb that first Easter morning transformed her weeping and fear into indescribable joy when she meets the resurrected Christ.  We learn that it was in the utterance of her name – Mary – that her eyes are opened so she is able to recognize Jesus.  We feel her joy; her excitement as she rushes to the disciples, telling them, “I have seen the Lord!  I have seen the Lord!” 

But the disciples don’t believe Mary when she gives them the news.  Perhaps they think she is an hysterical woman, so distraught that she imagined seeing Jesus.  Maybe it was just too hard to believe someone else’s testimony that Jesus was alive.  Regardless of the reason, the disciples did not believe. 

We found the disciples locked in a room because they were afraid. They were afraid because their rabbi, their teacher, their friend, their Lord was dead.  I imagine the air was sucked right out of them.  They gave up everything to follow Jesus.  How could this happen?

Last week, we talked about the conflicting emotions the disciples faced. Shame that they deserted Jesus when he needed them most.  Deep grief at the death of their teacher; their friend.  Anger that they had left everything they had to follow him only to have him die.  Intense fear that the authorities would come after them.  They are followers of Jesus and he was crucified.  What will happen to them?  Perhaps they were even fearful of being mocked and scorned by all those who said, “Some Messiah!  Where’s your Lord and Savior now?”  Imagine trying to process everything they had experienced.  

I think we agreed that we couldn’t really blame them for locking their doors!  We understood why they were scared – why they were paralyzed with fear. 

Have you ever been “paralyzed with fear?”  Paralyzed with a job loss?  Paralyzed with a diagnosis?  Paralyzed from bad news?  A dying loved one?   Most of us know what it means to be paralyzed with fear.

It is into this locked room that the disciples, paralyzed with fear are hidden away.  Their nerves are raw.  The tension is thick.  And, in walks Jesus!  Through locked doors!  I doubt the disciples expected to see him that day but, suddenly, there he is!

It doesn't matter that the disciples are behind locked doors.  Jesus will not be locked away from his people.   A door cannot hold him back. He rose from the dead after all!   He shows them his wounds – the holes from the nails that were hammered into his feet and hands.  He shows them the hole where the spear pierced his side. He eats and drinks with them in order to convince them that he’s not a ghost. He accommodates his disciples' fear rather than condemning it. He is patient with their persistent doubt.  Luke's description is stunning ... and it rings true: "in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering..." Even those who saw the resurrected Jesus had a hard time!   I like that.  “In their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering.”  They were thrilled to see Jesus, and yet they still weren’t sure it was true.  They still didn’t believe.  They still wondered.  Friends, that gives room for our unbelief!  It allows for our wondering.  Those times when our faith is weak, or let’s admit it – non-existent.  This is good news!

Jesus knows their struggle.  He knows they are filled with disbelief.  He knows they wonder how it can be true.  But Jesus stays with them.  He opens up the Scriptures so that they can understand how what had just happened fits into the larger story of God's salvation.  He explains things to them – patiently.  Knowing what they now know, knowing what happened over the last week, the rest finally makes more sense.  They finally understand what Jesus had been trying to tell them.

But it isn’t enough for them to just understand.  No.  Jesus calls his disciples -- then and now -- to be witnesses. I'd love to soft-pedal it, but I just don't think there's any way to get around it: we are called to be witnesses to what God has done -- and is still doing -- for us and all the world in and through Christ.

Now did you notice that even though the disciples experience faith as this mixture of joy and doubt and wonder -- they are still called to be witnesses!  Jesus did not expect perfect faith.  He did not expect unwavering faith.  But he did expect his disciples to go out and be witnesses in spite of their doubts!

If that's true for them friends, then it's true for us. Part of being "resurrection people" is being witnesses.[1]   Even though our faith is not perfect!  Even though our faith wavers – sometimes it’s strong and sometimes it’s buried so deep it completely disappears.  Even though we have doubts, we are still called to be witnesses!   I don't know – maybe the fact that our faith is not perfect, it actually makes us better witnesses. 

Think about it!  We can witness to others that in spite of difficult circumstances; in spite of really dark times, we feel the presence of Christ with us.  We can witness that when we are paralyzed with fear, we somehow feel the peace of Christ surround us.  We can tell others that we wouldn't make it through, if Christ was not holding us up when we didn't have the strength to go it alone.  We don’t understand it.  We can’t explain.  We don’t get it.  But He’s there.  Somehow we just know it.

Just like the disciples, we too have fears.  We have doubts – lots of them.  We hide behind locked doors thinking we are keeping our fears at bay; keeping ourselves safe. We close off our hearts so we don’t get hurt. But instead of keeping out our fears, we are the prisoners; captive by our fears.

Sometimes, I see us the Church doing that.  We are afraid of change; afraid of being uncomfortable; afraid of doing something different; something new; something unfamiliar.  We are afraid of losing control.  And so we stay locked behind the closed doors of the church in fear of our survival. 

We stay the same.  And as a result, we grow older and smaller.  We continue to bury our beloved members.  We continue to watch as more and more of us become home bound, unable to attend.  We continue to do things that make us feel good. 

God brings opportunities to us to be involved in our neighborhood, in our community in new and exciting ways; to witness the love and hope of the gospel.   He’s inviting us to unlock the doors and take risks.  Risks that might result in growth and life for His church.  Ministry is messy; we'll make mistakes; we'll fail at some things.  But we will grow in faith and grow in knowledge as we are faithful to Jesus' call to be witnesses. 

The hope of the resurrection is grounded in the experience of those first followers.  The power of the resurrection is the power to plant the seeds of transformation. 

Think about it.  Jesus suddenly appears in the midst of his early followers. Locked behind closed doors in fear for their survival. He brought change to their lives as they moved from
               
            Being afraid to being
                        Filled with joy while still disbelieving and confused to
                                    Having open and understanding minds and hearts.

When Jesus opened their minds and hearts, it began a shift in the core of their being.  This shift led them to take great risks; witnessing to the risen Christ.  Jesus did not bring them security.  Rather, they risked everything in order to follow his call. 

Those first followers came to understand that Jesus had conquered the ultimate threat, death itself, and their fears were groundless.[2]  Jesus’ words “Peace be with you!” was achieved in their hearts and as a result, they were willing to risk everything to be witnesses, to pass on the good news as resurrection people to future generations.
                                               
Jesus’ words, “Peace be with you!” are spoken to us, too. And like those first followers so many years ago, even though we may not completely believe -- we are still called to be witnesses.    Through Christ, we are resurrection people to future generations.

How will being resurrection people transform us and our community and our future?  Please be praying about what this means for you individually and for you as a church.  Ask yourself the question:  Am I willing to risk everything to live out my faith? 

            May the Peace of Christ Be with You.  Amen.



[1]               Working Preacher:  Witnesses” Posted 04.15.12

[2]              Feasting on the Word:  Year B, Volume 2. Nancy R. Blakely.   Page 428.

Sunday, April 8, 2018

Peace Be With You


Debbie Cato
John 20:19-31
Church of the Indian Fellowship
April 8, 2018 - 2nd Sunday of Easter




Peace Be With You


Just a week ago, we celebrated Easter – the resurrection of our Lord.   Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early that Sunday morning to mourn the death of Jesus.  Her grief deepens and she becomes greatly disturbed to find the stone removed from the opening of the tomb.  Mary followed Jesus all the way to the cross.  She witnessed His crucifixion.  She saw him suffer and die on the cross.  And now his tomb was empty.  Where was his body?

The disciples, John the Beloved and Peter dare to look inside the tomb and find no proof of tomb robbing.  Rather, they find everything calm and orderly.  Jesus' grave clothes are folded and left behind.  Puzzled and frightened, John and Peter run away.  They go back to the others.  Back to the room where everyone is huddled together; behind locked doors.

But Mary stays behind.  And though she heard Jesus explain about his suffering; explain about his death and resurrection, she did not understand; she did not believe. That is until the risen Christ appeared and spoke to her; until he called her name.  With the sound of her name that morning, she recognizes her Lord’s voice.  Mary runs and filled with joy, she shares the good news with the other disciples!  “I have seen the Lord!” she tells them.  “I have seen the Lord!”  But, they dismiss her words as foolishness.  How can it be?!  They have not seen for themselves and, after all, she is just an hysterical woman.  They stay locked in a room, hiding. 

It's easy for us to question their faith.  Three times Jesus’ told them what was going to happen in Jerusalem.  Yet, scared and confused they lock themselves in a room.  It’s easy to criticize them for not getting it!   But, think about it.  The Roman government was powerful.  The disciples saw first-hand the harsh crudeness of the punishment they handed out.  They were traumatized.  Their leader had just suffered unimaginable pain and suffering.  Their teacher had been crucified.  The man they believed was the Messiah, died on the cross.  They were recognized as his followers. Were soldiers looking for them too?   Would the soldiers find them and torture and crucify them too?  You bet they were scared. 

The depth to which the disciples’ spirits must have fallen is easy to understate.  But I think they also felt guilty.  They knew that Judas was not the only one who had betrayed Jesus.  Three times, Peter denied that he even knew Jesus.  The rest of the disciples had run away when Jesus needed them.  Only John stood near the cross with the women.  The others watched from a distance – where no one would see them.  They must have felt like cowards; like traitors.

Adam Hamilton, a United Methodist pastor said, “Fear and guilt weren’t the only emotions weighing heavy on the hearts of the disciples.  They left everything to follow Jesus.  They believed that He was the Messiah.  They believed that he would restore Israel.  They believed that God was with him in powerful ways.  They felt in their hearts that he had the “Words of Life.”  Their hopes and dreams, even their faith, was crucified with Jesus.  They must have sunk into utter despair.”[1]

We know about utter despair, don't we?  Those dark times that paralyze us. Those times when fear overtakes reality.  Those times we feel completely isolated and hopeless.  Those times we want to hide behind locked doors.

Have you ever been paralyzed by bad news?  Perhaps it’s a lay-off notice from a job.  Or maybe it’s the news that your partner no longer loves you.  Or perhaps it’s a medical diagnosis.  Or a child who’s in trouble and you don’t know what to do. 

I don’t know about you, but I find the world we live in pretty overwhelming these days.  Mass shootings, children being killed.  Racism.  Deportations and splitting families apart makes my soul hurt.  People losing healthcare. The roll-back of important environmental laws.  The fast pace of rising housing costs resulting in an increase in homelessness in our communities.  The incredible increase in hate crimes.   Ineffective government …..  O.K., I need to stop now!   My blood pressure is rising!  

Do you feel overwhelmed like I do?  Fearful?  Do you sink into despair?  Do you feel hopeless at times?  Do you want to lock your doors and draw your blinds and hide?

Friends, it is into through these closed doors that the risen Christ enters.

To his frightened disciples, paralyzed in utter despair, Jesus says, “Peace be with you.” 

To those stunned and scared, holding a lay-off notice, Jesus says, “Peace be with you.” 

To those reeling from a break-up or devastated by a divorce, Jesus steps into your heart and says, “Peace be with you.” 

As you sit in a doctor’s office hearing the dreaded word “cancer”, Jesus is there.   “Peace be with you.”

And in the midst of what seems like a violent, hate-filled, backwards- moving world, stands Jesus.  “Peace be with you,” he says.  Peace be with you. 

Smack, dab in the middle of our despair; in the middle of our confusion and our fear; in the middle of our hopelessness, stands our risen Lord and Savior.  Peace be with you.  

These are the same words Jesus’ spoke to his disciples the night of His arrest; as they shared supper together.

27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.”  Jesus told them. 
“I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” 

And now, after all the drama; after all the pain and suffering; after all the confusion and all the darkness; after all the anger and guilt; after all the fear and grief; Jesus offers his weary band of followers His perfect peace. 

Can it be?  Is the Lord really alive?  Can we believe it?  These disillusioned, frightened disciples finally rejoice when Jesus’ proves it with his hands and his side. These followers of Jesus’ see for themselves, and then they believe.  It's true!  I believe!  The Lord is risen!  The Lord is risen, indeed! 

What is really amazing, is that The One offering the words of peace to the ones locked behind closed doors, is the very One who endured the brutality of the chaos and hatred.  Jesus was arrested and mocked and beaten and nailed to a cross, dying naked in plain sight.  Jesus stands among them knowing what it means to suffer; knowing what it means to be humiliated; knowing what it means to be falsely accused.  “Peace be with you,” He says.

Jesus offers peace that comes from the personal knowledge that, in spite of all the hurt and harm the world inflicts; in spite of all the darkness we walk through, God’s compassion and care is Jesus constant presence. His peace is with us always in all things.  It applies at every point where we fear that God’s plan for the world’s well-being is out of touch with the chaos and hatred of everyday life. 

Jesus does not promise that we will not suffer.  He does not say that bad things will not happen.  He does not promise we will always be happy.  What he does promise is that His peace will always be with us.  Always with you.

If you are the one holding that lay-off notice, not knowing how you are going to put food on the table for your family, Jesus says to you, “Peace be with you. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.” 

To those trying to figure out how you can go on after the love of your life is gone, Jesus is there.  “I am with you.  Do not be afraid.  I am with you,” He whispers.

When you stop breathing after hearing that horrible diagnosis and yet somehow, mysteriously, you feel a deep stillness, that’s Jesus.  “Do not be afraid.  I am with you. My perfect peace is right here.”

And when you feel the world spinning out of control, remember what Jesus said to his closest friends the night of His arrest, knowing that He was going to be arrested, beaten, and then crucified.  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.” 

            May the Peace of Christ Be with You!   Amen.


[1] Hamilton, Adam.  24 Hours That Changed the World.  Nashville:  Abingdon Press.  2009. Pp118-119.