Tag: Jesus

Camp Gideon

Camp Gideon is in Aa, Estonia. The village is in northern Estonia, on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. One cannot help but be moved by the natural beau­ty. The camp itself was built prior to World War II by the Soviet Union. At that time, it was a Pioneer Camp, where communism and atheism were taught to the young. The fall of communism in 1991 changed everything. In time, Estonia became an independent country and Camp Gideon found a new purpose.

During the summers of 1993 and 1994, Camp Gideon was used by the Estonian United Methodist Church. On March 15, 1995, Camp Gideon was purchased by the Asbury United Methodist Church of Tulsa, Oklahoma and given to the United Methodist Churches of Estonia. On that day Artur Põld was named the Director of Camp Gideon. He still holds that position today.

From the very beginning, American friends have supported Camp Gideon – both spiri­tually and financially. Every summer, several groups of volunteers from the United States arrive at Camp Gideon to organize children’s pro­grams and help repair the time-worn buildings. Over the years, Camp Gideon has become internationally known in Latvia, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Belarus, Germany and beyond. Thanks to the ministries of Camp Gideon, hundreds of children hear about Jesus each camp season. Together with the guests of Camp Gideon, several mission events have been organized, including family camps, Walks to Emmaus, and the Sum­mer Conference of the UMC in Estonia.

In 2019, my wife Kathryn and I visited Camp Gideon for the first time. We were moved by the work of these people. Since that visit she has been raising money to help with the reconstruction of the buildings. Currently there are fifteen buildings on the 75-acre camp. Between July 24 and August 5, we are returning to Camp Gideon with a small Volunteer-in-Mission team. We will be helping with English Camp and are looking forward to traveling to Camp Gideon to see the progress that has been made. It is truly a resurrection story. A camp that once taught communism and atheism is now teaching the Good News of Jesus Christ.

You can help Camp Gideon in two ways. First, pray for Camp Gideon and for our team while we are there. Our prayers are more valuable than we will ever know. Second, prayerfully consider making a financial contribution to Camp Gideon. No amount is too small. It is amazing what God can do with a single dollar. Please make your check out to PROJECT ORPHAN OUTREACH and mail it to: 275 Bradford Drive, Canfield, Ohio, 44406. You will receive a thank-you note for your contribution and will receive a report on what was accomplished after our return.

In advance, I would like to thank you for your generosity.

Church Paralysis

When I first retired, I worshipped in a small membership church in eastern Ohio near the Pennsylvania line. I have nothing negative to say about them. They were nice people who took great pride in their church building. Weekly before worship, they would gather in a circle of chairs and visit. They talked about all kinds of things. They reminisced about the glory days of their church and how the community had changed. They talked about their illnesses and the latest news. They talked about the latest conquest of their high school athletic teams. They talked about everything, but they never talked about the future of their church. It was the big pink elephant in the middle of the room. Everyone knew it, but no one wanted to admit it – their days were numbered, their church was dying. Their pastor tried a variety of things to help them continue in ministry. She suggested they start a food pantry, but the idea was easily shot down. She held and paid for a Vacation Bible School for the community, but most members didn’t care. Some believed the denomination should write them a generous check to continue.

They got so desperate they asked me what they could do to save their church. They pulled me off to the side one Sunday and asked me what to do. I said, “do something! Anything is better than nothing.” I suggested updating their Facebook page, collecting school supplies for the local school, or talk to visitors. It would have been nice to change the paraments to reflect the correct liturgical season. They listened patiently, but in the end, they did nothing. They were suffering from what I call “church paralysis.” Churches are excellent at doing nothing. That small membership church in eastern Ohio is not alone. Many churches are excellent at doing nothing.

There is a blogger named Paul Alexander. He wrote a blog called Six Reasons Churches Refuse to Change. This blog has some merit. These are his reasons. Perhaps you can find your church in his list?

          Procrastination – Have you ever attended a church meeting where nothing happened? After ninety minutes of talking, nothing happened. The time was spent reviewing the members’ workday, family problems and medical conditions. In the end, a failed program from the past was brought back. The truth is no one expects it to be successful this time.

          Structure – Have you ever been part of a church where some committee acts as the ultimate authority. They vote down anything they don’t like or understand. They vote down anything that doesn’t benefit them or their friends. Committees should help people do, not frustrate, ministry.

          Focus – Have you ever attended a church that was more interested in the members’ needs than the needs of anyone outside of the church? They are more concerned about seeing their birthday printed in the bulletin, than they are helping strangers obtain basic human needs.

          Desire – Have you ever attended a church that was consumed by the members’ likes and dislikes. Selfish individuals like things their way. They expect everyone to worship in a style they like. They expect everyone to sing the songs they like. They want to worship at a time that is convenient to them. There is very little thought about what others like or what others find beneficial.

          Money – Have you ever attended a church meeting where a new idea for ministry was shot down because of a lack of money or questionable insurance coverage? Money is an excellent excuse for doing nothing. Jesus spoke more about money than any other topic because money is important. How we spend our money reveals our priorities. Have you ever noticed there is never enough money for things we don’t like, and we can find money for the things we like?

          Fear – Have you ever been part of a church who is afraid they will upset important church members? If they leave, there is no one to replace them. If they leave, they will take their money. The important members like the status quo, so churches do nothing to keep key people happy.

I will admit it, every church I served had these elements. Every church, to some degree, suffers from church paralysis. This is painfully true. On the day any church becomes more concerned about themselves than the world, it stops being the church God intended from the very beginning. After all, the church is the only organization that exists for its nonmembers. All this takes us to our scripture reading, Matthew 21:18-22.

It is Monday of Holy Week. The events of Palm Sunday are nothing more than a memory, and the crowd had dispersed. It is early in the morning and Jesus was alone with the disciples. They are headed back into Jerusalem. The author goes out of his way to tell us, Jesus is hungry. He spots an innocent fig tree to satisfy his hunger. It is full of leaves, which means it should have been full of its fruit. However, there is none. Out of character, Jesus curses the fig tree, and it instantly dies. It is the only thing Jesus ever cursed. The meaning of the story is lost to our generation, but Jesus’ generation understands the point clearly. It is a judgement story. Like the bald eagle which represents America, the fig tree represented Israel. Its leafy state was false advertising. Israel was being cursed because she was not fulfilling her divine purpose. There should have been fruit, but there was none. Like the fig tree, God expects the church to fulfill her divine purpose too. It is not enough to just exist and look good – we must be productive. The dead tree must have acted as a reminder to that generation that existence is not enough. Through the eyes of God, they had to be productive. Many unproductive churches are suffering the same fate as the fig tree.

April 16, 2023, was a sad day for my small membership church in extreme eastern Ohio. That was the day they held their last worship service. That church existed for over one hundred years, but no more. The large check from the denomination never came, but the denomination did close her. Except for the few remaining members no one seemed to care, and they didn’t care enough to do something. The church died of church paralysis. That church is not alone.

According to the Barna Research Group, approximately 3,700 churches close in America annually. Scattered across America are countless repurposed church buildings. My area is no exception. Former church buildings have been turned into art museums, childcare centers, adult daycare centers, beauty salons, private residences, restaurants, distilleries, and breweries. Recently, I discovered a former church that had been repurposed into a meadery. The worst is when an old, closed church building falls into disrepair. It is my guess, most of these churches did not close because the people weren’t nice. They did not close because of some sin committed by the members or the clergy. They did not close because the Gospel was not relevant. I believe many of these churches closed because they suffered from church paralysis. They simply refused to do something.

Like the dead tree, those repurposed church buildings stand as a warning to every functioning church. It does not matter how large your church is today. It does not matter how active your church is today. Church paralysis can happen at any church. It is not enough to just exist – every church must be productive. What new thing has your church done lately? Churches were never meant to be monuments of some past glory. They are meant to be a productive part of society. LifeWay’s Thom Rainer (born 1955) once said, “Some churches would rather die than get out of the comfort of the past.”

Examining Missions

We find ourselves in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew. It is my favorite parable, so you may remember these opening words. There came a point in Jesus’s earthly ministry when he was no longer welcomed in the synagogues. With no other option, Jesus began to teach in the open air and began to tell parables. Parables are nothing more than illustrations from daily living. They are not analogies, where each character represents a contemporary character. Parables are not that deep; they are only told to teach a single divine truth.

So, what is the truth Jesus is trying to teach in the parable of the sheep and the goats? Jesus expects us to respond to human need. It is our way of expressing appreciation to God for saving our souls. We are not saved by our good works – we are saved by grace. Our only hope of salvation comes through our faith in Jesus Christ. That is why missions are so important to the life of the church. My goal in this blog is to help you appreciate missions. I will do that by making three statements about missions. I hope these statements make you think.

This is statement number one. Missions involve interpersonal relationships. Once you learn the name of the person you help, everything changes. Once you get involved in their story, missions come to life. Missions is not charity – missions is deeper. There is nothing wrong with collecting food, paper products or hats and mittens. There are many people who need them. The problem is, you never get to know the person who will eat that food, use those paper products, or wear the hat. Charity is fine, but the needy always remain at a distance. Missions involve interpersonal relationships. If you want to thank Jesus, get involved in someone else’s story.

My wife has spent much her life helping unadoptable Russian orphans. Through the years, three of these orphans came to the United States to get prosthetics legs and they stayed in our home. One year two of the boys came at the same time. Stas came to get his first prosthetic legs. Kolya came to get his legs repaired and adjusted. Stas was eight years old and stayed away from me. Kolya was sixteen and became my friend. He did what my daughters never did – he stayed up late with me and we watched the NCAA basketball tournament. He opened up during those late nights and we shared our lives. One night Kolya and I were talking. Wanting to give him a hard time about being Russian, I asked him a question just to get a reaction out of him. Knowing the Nazis nearly overran his town of Dmitrov during the war, I said to him, “Kolya, what did you learn about World War II in those rotten Russian schools?” Sixteen-year-olds are great in any country; they are just so unfiltered. Kolya rubbed the top of his head and gave me a smirk. He said, “We learned the American generals weren’t very good and that was why the war lasted so long.” We both laughed and I said, “I’ll tell all my veteran friends we had rotten generals during World War II.” I told a vet that story and he said, “The kid was right! We did have rotten generals”. The best thing about that night was that I got to spend time with Kolya. Another day, Kolya and I were driving in the country, and he asked me if all the houses we passed had electricity. I said, “Yes!” He said, “Wow!” Kolya is a fine young man, and he taught me something. Missions is not charity. In missions, we get involved with the needy. How involved are you with the truly needy? Missions is a great way to thank God for saving your soul. Missions involve interpersonal relationships.

This is statement number two. Missions expose our spiritual maturity. Spiritual babies think it is all about themselves. The spiritually mature understand life is about others. No activity in the life of the local church exposes spiritual maturity more than missions. Your response to missions says a great deal about your spiritual maturity. If it is true of people, then it is true of churches. If you show me a church that is not involved in missions, then I will show you a church that is on the way to extinction.

On the day missions takes a backseat to everything else, your church will start to die.

Listen to what I am about to say: if you want your church to close, then protest every mission opportunity. It is easy to do. You can justify your opposition based on sound business principles. You will get some support from fellow church members because the spiritually immature are always with us. They don’t get it. I heard it many times in the ministry. “We can’t afford it!” “The congregation won’t support it!” “The insurance won’t cover it!” This is the painful truth to the spiritually immature. Churches aren’t businesses. The churches were never meant to be a business. The church is the only organization that exists for the benefit of its nonmembers. The church was meant to be an extension of Christ in the world. When the winds of Pentecost blew, the only thing that mattered to those charter members was Jesus. The only thing that should matter to your church is Jesus. The spiritually mature understand when we care for the needy of this world, we are really caring for Jesus. When we ignore the needy of this world, we are ignoring Jesus. This is not my opinion. That is what the Master said in the parable. If you want to thank God for your salvation, then get involved in missions. Missions expose our spiritual maturity.

This is statement number three. Missions does involve a certain amount of risk. Can I state the obvious? There are many frightened people in the church. Whenever I have gotten involved in a mission project, well-meaning people try to stop me. When I went to the Philippines, people told me, “don’t go!” Their government was unstable. When I went to Mexico people told me, “don’t go!” I would be taken hostage. When I went to Haiti people told me, “don’t go!” I could get a disease. When I got involved in Mill Creek Workcamp, which brought 400 young people to Youngstown, Ohio, to help the residents with basic home repair, people said to me, “Aren’t you afraid to be in the city of Youngstown? Someone seems to be killed every day.” My wife Kathryn and I have gone to Russia several dozen times through the years. Every time well-meaning people tried to frustrate us. They said, “The Russians will arrest you and you will never return home.”

They are not all wrong, there is a certain amount of risk.  Yes, the plane may go down. Yes, the food may be bad. Yes, the residents may not like your brand of politics. Yes, you may fall in love with one of the orphans and get your heart broken. However, this is what I have learned: The reward is far greater than the risk. There is a world of needy people out there whom God loves. How can you turn your back on them? If God has not told you to go, then don’t go. But, if God has called someone to do something, then don’t discourage them. Pray for them. They will pack their common sense. Missions involve risk. Missions are the best way to thank God for your salvation.

I read this story years ago. Ernest Henry Shackelton (1874-1922) was born in Ireland on February 15, 1874. His father wanted him to be a doctor, but he wanted to be a sailor. At the age of sixteen, he joined the merchant marines and saw the world. His greatest desire was to travel to the North and South Poles. In December of 1914, he got that opportunity. He was the captain of a ship called Endurance, which had a crew of twenty-seven men. Most of those men were recruited from a simple newspaper advertisement. It read:

Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.

Some have questioned the authenticity of the story, but it doesn’t seem to matter. The story still resonates in the heart of many. Why? Because, people long for an adventure. No one just wants to live and die. We long for an adventure and an opportunity to make a difference. I believe you long for an adventure and you want to make a difference in this world too. I believe, you are desperate to find a way to thank God for saving your soul. Founder of Saddleback Church Rick Warren (born 1954) wasn’t wrong. He once said, “The Only way to serve God is to serve other people.”  

Because You Believe

We find ourselves in the twenty-eighth chapter of Matthew. Much has already happened. It is impossible to summarize everything in a few words. It will have to suffice to say, Jesus was dead, executed Roman style on the previous Friday. He was crucified between two common criminals. The picture was not pretty. It is difficult to hear the details all these years later. However, Jesus was lucky in two ways: first, Jesus died quickly. Some lingered much longer on the cross; second, it was not uncommon for the crucified to be taken down and thrown into a pile of lifeless corpses; their bodies would be eaten by buzzards or wild dogs. Not so with Jesus. Arrangements were made by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus that Jesus’ body would be taken down and placed in a new tomb. A large stone was rolled in front of the entrance to contain the smell and to protect it from thieves. The Roman government was persuaded by Jesus’ enemies to place guards in front of the tomb to eliminate any future problems. This was all done by dark on Friday because the law prohibited any burials on the Sabbath. Once this was completed, Jesus’ loved ones grieved because Jesus was dead! That takes us to our reading.

According to our story, early Sunday morning, Jesus received his first visitors – two women with the same first name. There is Mary Magdalene and another Mary. They were the supporting characters in a scene that would change the world. Three miraculous things happened. First, there was an earthquake. Only Matthew mentions this earthquake, but this earthquake is worth mentioning because it reveals to us that God had done something truly special. Second, the giant stone had been rolled away from the entrance of the tomb. Third, it was announced Jesus had been resurrected. According to verse three, it is made by an angel, whose clothes were white as snow, symbolizing purity. The angel tells the women about the resurrection, but the women experience the resurrected Jesus for themselves in verse nine. In time, Jesus would appear to others, including the disciples. It is important that at some time in your life, you have experienced the resurrected Jesus too.

Jesus was not the only one to be resurrected in the Bible. There are stories in both the Old and the New Testaments about others being resurrected. There are no fewer than eight, Lazarus being the most noteworthy. However, Jesus’ resurrection is different. The others had human fathers. Jesus was the son of God. That means the baby in the manger at Christmas and the man on the cross on Good Friday are the same. Jesus was the incarnation of God, who not just became one of us, but died for us. He was the sacrificial lamb for our sins. God’s love is deep. How can you question God’s love for us? Never forget it! You cannot earn your salvation. You are saved by grace, through faith in Jesus.

Your belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is not optional, it is indispensable. Many believe Romans 10:9 was the first creed in the history of the church. It says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”  If that is true, then the opposite is also true. If you don’t believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, then the fires of hell are waiting for you. The early church understood the significance of Jesus’ resurrection. They worshipped on Sunday morning because every Sunday morning was seen as a little Easter, or resurrection day. That is why most Christian churches still worship on Sunday mornings. Your belief in the resurrection is not trivial. It changed everything about your life. Consider these three things.

Because of the resurrection of Jesus there is forgiveness! Ephesians 1:7 says it clearly, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the richness of God’s grace.”  On the moment Jesus walked out of the tomb, mankind had the opportunity to experience forgiveness. One of the great hymns found in the church today is Amazing Grace. It was written by John Newton (1725-1807.) He was a former captain of a slave ship, who was saved by grace. The hymn reminds us we are all sinners, who are saved by grace. Because you believe in the resurrection of Jesus you are forgiven!

Because of the resurrection Jesus your life has purpose! Philippians 3:13-14 says, “But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind me and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  It has been reported only 10% of Americans feel like they know their life’s purpose. I do not find that figure surprising. In my time in the ministry, I talked to people regularly who were clueless about their life’s purpose. Many confuse their purpose with their vocation. Your purpose is to glorify God. The Westminster Confession of faith says the purpose of life is to glorify God. What are you doing today to glorify God? Because you believe in the resurrection of Jesus your life has purpose!

Because of the resurrection of Jesus your eternity is bright! John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.”  On the day I die, don’t cry for me. I am going to heaven, not because I am a good person. I am going to heaven because I worship and serve a perfect and resurrected Jesus. Because you believe in the resurrection of Jesus your eternity is bright too!

Located on an island in the Seine River in Paris, Notre Dame Cathedral is a piece of history. It is a “must see” in Paris. Construction began in 1163 and took two hundred years to complete. It has been the backdrop of French history for generations. They say on an average week 12,000 tourists visit Notre Dame daily. During Holy Week, that number swells to 30,000. I am fortunate. I have been there three times. The first time I was with my parents as a teenager. The second time I was with wife Kathryn fifteen years ago. It happened to be our wedding anniversary. The third time was recently. I insisted we visit Notre Dame.

We went to lunch in a nearby café. As we ate, we studied the ancient structure, and we remembered April 15, 2019. That was the day Notre Dame burned. Many grieved for Notre Dame that day. I remember being moved by the emotions of the crowd who gathered to watch the blaze, some praying, some singing, some crying. They feared the building would be lost forever. That did not happen. At first, they said it would be reopened by the Olympics in July, but that is not the case. Notre Dame is scheduled to reopen on December 8, 2024. It will be a wonderful day for the Parisiens. I will be honest with you, on the day Notre Dame burned, I mourned for the building and the history, but not the faith. The Christian faith cannot be captured in a building.

The Christian faith is found in the hearts of men and women who believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Your belief in the resurrection is not optional, it is indispensable. The resurrection of Jesus Christ changed everything. It changed the way you viewed your past – you can experience forgiveness. It changed the way you live today – your life has purpose. It changes your eternity – someday we are going to heaven. John Ortberg (born 1957) is a Christian author, speaker and pastor of Menlo Church in Menlo, California. He once said, “At the very heart of the Christian faith is the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.” Never forget, we serve a risen savior!

The Ultimate Disappointment

The Mackenzie River is Canada’s largest river system. It runs through vast sections of the barren Northwest Territory and empties into the Arctic Circle. It was named after a Canadian explorer, Sir Alexander Mackenzie (1764-1820). He lived near the end of the eighteenth century and longed to lead an expedition across Canada to the Pacific Ocean. His incredible journey was completed in 1793, 11 years before Lewis and Clark. That was his second attempt. His first attempt ended in failure in 1789. The first attempt failed because the group traveled on the Mackenzie River. They hoped it would empty into the Pacific Ocean. Instead, it turned north. History tells us the original group was devastated. In his diary, Mackenzie himself, called the river that now carries his name, The River of Disappointment.

When was the last time you were disappointed? Have you ever been disappointed in your spouse? Have you have been disappointed in your children? Have you ever been disappointed in your parents? Have you ever been disappointed in your friends? Have you ever been disappointed in the government? Have you ever been disappointed in your church? Have you ever been disappointed in your pastor? Have you ever been disappointed in yourself? You can admit it, from time to time, we all do it. You turn your critical eyes inward, and you don’t like what you see. I will admit it, I have been disappointed in myself many times. We are not alone. Some of the greatest people in history have been disappointed in themselves. Consider these names with me:

          Did you know Alexander the Great (356 BC-323 BC) conquered Persia, but he broke down and wept in disappointment because his troops were too exhausted to push on to India?

          Did you know Hugo Grotius (1583-1645), the father of modern international law, knew disappointment? Near the end, he said, “I have accomplished nothing worthwhile in my life.”

          Did you know John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), sixth President of the U.S., knew disappointment? In his diary he wrote, “My life has been spent in vain and idle aspirations, and in ceaseless rejected prayers. I hope I did something beneficial for my species.”

          Did you know Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) wrote words that continue to delight and enrich our lives, and yet he knew disappointment? He wrote these words for his own headstone, “Here lies one who meant well, who tried a little, and failed much.”

          Did you know Cecil Rhodes (1853-1902), who opened Africa and established an empire, knew disappointment? His last words were, “So little done, so much to do.”

          In 1858, the Illinois legislature – due to an obscure statute – sent Stephen A. Douglas (1813-1861) to the U.S. Senate instead of Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), although Lincoln had won the popular vote. When a sympathetic friend asked Lincoln how he felt, he said, “Like the boy who stubbed his toe: I am too big to cry and too badly hurt to laugh.”

You are not the first person, and ours is not the first generation to experience disappointment. It is one of those things that links one generation to the next. Our scripture in this blog is not about disappointment, it is about the ultimate disappointment, death!

We find ourselves in the twenty-seventh chapter of Matthew. It is a chapter you must read this Holy Week. It tells is about the death of Jesus. The events of that first Palm Sunday, just days earlier, seem like years ago. The cheering crowd had disappeared, replaced by a grieving handful. The picture is not pretty. Jesus is being executed. In my station in life, I have witnessed many people die, and it is always hard. No matter how prepared we might be, the end is shocking. The person goes from being a human being to a corpse, in a matter of seconds. At each funeral, I was reminded of the fragility of life. It was no different for Jesus. The young man, full of life earlier in the day is now gone; he is now just another rotting corpse. The eyewitnesses of his execution are not just disappointed, they are devastated. Churches recall the death of Jesus annually, but it never changes. The death of Jesus is shocking. It must have been hard to witness. Annually the church is forced to answer the same question on Good Friday: Why was the death of Jesus necessary? There isn’t a single answer. There are several answers. Let me give you just three. Each one is a reminder.

  1. Jesus’s death fulfilled prophesy! The prophet Isaiah prophesied about the death of Jesus between the years 740 BC and 701 BC. The fifty-third chapter tells us of the “suffering servant.” We understand that to be Jesus. Isaiah said Jesus would be rejected. The death of Jesus was not an accident. The death of Jesus was part of God’s plan of salvation for the world. From the very beginning God had a plan to save the world.
  • Jesus’s death demonstrates the depth of God’s love! There was nothing pleasant about Jesus’s death. It was painful for the witnesses to experience, and it is painful for us to ponder today. However, the harshness of his death proves his love for us. We always sacrifice the most for the people we love the most. Jesus sacrificed it all for us.
  • Jesus’s death reminds us of the importance of eternity. How much time do you spend worrying about the problems of this world? How much time do you spend worrying about eternity? Billy Graham (1918-2018) once said, “Heaven is real and hell is real, and eternity is but a breath away.”

The theological reasons behind Jesus’ death cannot replace the sting of his death. After all, death is the ultimate disappointment. There is no way of ignoring the events of Good Friday. As Christians, we must wrestle with the truth. Jesus was dead. After all, there is no way of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus without his death.

Years ago, I decided to take my church to the local cemetery to worship on Good Friday. As the sun was going down, we gathered in the mausoleum. It was the perfect place for such a service. After all, Jesus was dead. For me, the first year was the most uncomfortable. It was something new, so I went to the mausoleum in the middle of the afternoon to just settle. The weather was perfect for Good Friday. It was cold and rainy. I stood at the back door and watched the rain come down in sheets. I was thinking about the death of Jesus, and I was humbled. I was completely alone, except for an elderly woman. She wasn’t inside, she was outside, holding an umbrella, standing next to a freshly dug grave. I didn’t know her story, but I had an educated guess. Her long-time husband had died, and she came to visit him. The rain and the thunder could not mask her crying. Listen to what I am about to say – she wasn’t just crying, she was wailing. Her heart was broken; the love of her life was gone. She wasn’t just disappointed; she was devastated. For a second, I thought about going out to comfort her, but she needed to be alone. With nothing else to do, I watched her grieve. Then, it hit me – it was Good Friday, and she was crying over the death of a loved one, just like Jesus’ loved ones cried for him.

How many tears have you shed for Jesus this Good Friday? How much do you really love Jesus? After all, Jesus is dead, and death is the ultimate disappointment. C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) once said, “It costs God nothing, as far as we know, to create nice things; but to convert rebellious wills, cost him crucifixion.” May God bless us as we wrestle with the painful truth, Jesus died for us.

Between Palm Sunday and Easter

One of the most beautiful buildings in the world is the cathedral in Milan, Italy. I had the good fortune to go there several years ago. Worshippers are welcomed by three magnificent doorways. Over one of the side doorways is a carving of a beautiful wreath of roses, and underneath are the words: “All which pleases is just for a moment.” Over the other side doorway is a sculpted cross with the words: “All that troubles is just for a moment.” But underneath the great central entrance leading to the main aisle is the inscription: “Only the eternal is important.” The message is clear – we should live with our eyes fixed on eternity. Let me ask you two questions: How much time do you spend worrying about the temporary? How much time do you spend worrying about your eternity? The only things that really matter are those things that will matter in 100 years. What matters in 100 years? The only thing that will matter in 100 years is Jesus. That leads us to our scripture lesson.

According to the Revised Common Lectionary, this Sunday is the Fifth Sunday in Lent. That means Easter is only two weeks away. The Gospel reading for this weekend is John 12:20-33. The story begins with a group of Greeks. It is a great way to begin a story. When I was a young, I was surrounded by a group of Greeks in school. They were great people, and they were all named Nick. In the Bible story we do not know their names, but we do know they wanted to see, or interview, Jesus. Their interest in Jesus leads us to believe they were God-fearing Greeks. The most assertive is a man named Philip. He is uncomfortable going to Jesus directly, so he goes to Andrew first. Perhaps, he knew him or heard of him. They were both from the town of Bethsaida. According to verse 22, Philip and Andrew together went to Jesus with Philip’s request.

We are never told if the Greeks ever got to talk to Jesus, but we are told the moment had come reveal his life’s purpose. Jesus cannot escape the painful truth; he is going to die! Jesus did not want to die nor was he surprised by his death. It was all part of the divine plan to save the world. The death of Jesus shows us the depth of God’s love. Comparing himself to a wheat kernel, he knew he must die, so others could live. His death would mean life for generations to come. We stand in the aftershock of Jesus’s death. Without the death of Jesus, there is no resurrection. Without the death of Jesus, there is no salvation. Without the death of Jesus, we have no hope of eternity. Never underestimate the death of Jesus, it changed everything. It is my experience people are uncomfortable with the death of Jesus. That is why good Christian people try to ignore Good Friday. No one wants to worship a dead savior.

That was one of my pet peeves in the ministry. Everyone enjoys Palm Sunday. It is a great day! Attendance is up and the weather in northern Ohio is improving. Everyone is in a good mood because everyone likes waving palms. The traditional scriptures are read, and a video is shown of Jesus entering the Golden City. Everyone is looking forward to the great resurrection day. Everyone enjoys Easter. It is a great day! The flowers are beautiful, the traditional hymns are sung, the traditional scripture is read, and the video is shown of the empty tomb. Everyone leaves happy because ham is waiting for them. (Who does not like ham?) Please do not misunderstand me. I have nothing against Palm Sunday or Easter. They are both great days, but there is so much more. Most miss the rich days of Holy Week. The crowds of Palm Sunday and Easter are replaced by a small group on Maundy Thursday and a smaller group on Good Friday. I hope that is not your story. I hope you do not just run from Palm Sunday to Easter. I hope you remember what Jesus did every day of Holy Week. Those days are important because they revolve around the death of Jesus. Do something different this year and remember what Jesus did for you each day of Holy Week.

Do you remember what Jesus did on Holy Monday? According to the Bible, two significant things happened on that day.  The first event of Holy Monday was the cleansing of the Temple. It had nothing to do with fundraising to help some good cause within the life of the church, but it had everything to do with using the faith for personal gain. The Temple was a place of prayer, not profit. The church is a place of prayer, not profit. The second significant event of Holy Monday is the cursing of the fig tree. It was the only thing Jesus ever cursed. Like the bald eagle which symbolizes America, the fig tree symbolized Israel. The cursing of the fig tree was an act of judgement upon Israel. God was doing something new. Never forget what happened on Holy Monday!

Do you remember what Jesus did on Holy Tuesday? According to the Bible, the disciples saw the withered fig tree and were reminded they must be productive. Jesus went back to the Temple where he was challenged by the Pharisees and the Sadducees. It was also there that he taught about the Kingdom of God. Two great stories came from that day. He taught about paying taxes to Caesar and he noticed a widow’s slim donation. He also told the parable of the two sons, the parable of the tenants and others. Then, he went to Bethany, near Jerusalem, where he was anointed. He was being prepared for death. Never forget what happened on Holy Tuesday!

Do you remember what Jesus did on Holy Wednesday? Some call it Spy Wednesday. It was on that day the plan to trap Jesus was conceived. One of his own, Judas Iscariot, betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Some say he did it because he was greedy. Some say he did it because he had grown tired of being an outsider. He was the only non-Galilean of the twelve. Some say he did it to force Jesus’ hand – he never dreamed Jesus would not fight back. We do not really know why he did it, but he did it. In the end, Judas Iscariot regretted his betrayal and committed suicide. There is nothing else to say. Never forget what happened on Holy Wednesday!

Do you remember what Jesus did on Holy Thursday? We call it Maundy Thursday. That was the day Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, showing true servant leadership. Then, they observed the Seder. It was a meal with a message. Everything they ate and everything they drank reminded them of their ancestry. After all, they were God’s Chosen People. During the meal, Jesus changed the words and created a new memorial, holy communion. The bread is his body, and the wine is his blood. After the meal was over, Jesus comforted the disciples and went to the garden to pray. It was in the garden Jesus was arrested. Never forget what happened on Holy Thursday!

Do you remember what Jesus did on Holy Friday? We call it Good Friday. It was good for us, but bad for Jesus. Jesus had two trials. The first trial was in front of his own people. It was a “kangaroo” court. Jesus never had a chance. He was found guilty. They wanted to execute Jesus, but they lacked the legal authority. For this reason, they sent him to the Roman Governor, Pilate. He knew Jesus was innocent, but he feared the mob. The crowd rejected Jesus and accepted Barabbas, an insurrectionist. The order was given that Jesus must die. It was a public affair. It was a way of deterring crime. First came the whipping. Then came the crown of thorns. Each step came with ridicule. Finally came the cross, a Roman way to execute. Jesus was not tied to the cross; he was nailed to the cross. He was hung between two common criminals. In comparison to other executions on the cross, his death came quickly, and they put his body in a tomb. The sky grew dark, and the people wondered what would happen. His family and friends cried, because he was dead, and their dreams were gone. Never forget what happened on Holy Friday!

Do you remember what happened on Holy Saturday? Some call it, Silent Saturday. Others call it Black Saturday or Easter Eve. There is nothing to remember about that day because Jesus was dead. The people who loved Jesus, both family and friends, struggled with his death. Some of them were in shock. Some were in denial and some of them cried. Their great dreams of a bright future were over, Jesus was dead! How comfortable are you with the death of Jesus? You know what happened on Sunday. It is the worst kept secret in the history of the world. It is also the very foundation of our faith. It changed everything. Never forget what happened each day of Holy Week!

It became the tradition of my last church to go to the local cemetery to hold a Tenebrae service on Good Friday. It is our way to remember the death of Jesus. We were joined by other United Methodist congregations in the area. The truth be told, the group is always small. I really do not care, it is the right thing to do. The traditional scriptures are read, and the candles are extinguished. The service ended with the same words annually, May God have mercy on us because Christ died for us. I was always spiritually spent once the service was over. They reality of Christ’s death is hard for me to accept.

One year, on Easter morning one of the saints from my church wanted to talk to me about his experience at the cemetery. He had a bad experience. He could not hear because the woman next to him kept talking. He could not see because he sat in the back. He did not like his seat because it was uncomfortable. He did not like going to the cemetery because it reminded him of his own death. He did not like the music because it was too depressing. As he went through his list of complaints, I stayed quiet. When I finally got a word in, I said, “Good! If Christ hung on the cross for your sins for hours, then you can handle a few unpleasant minutes.” He responded a few seconds later, “I think you are right!”May we never forget Christ died for us! Reformed theologian Richard Allen Bodey (1930-2013) once said, “He drained the cup of God’s wrath bone dry, leaving not a drop for us.”

Rollen Stewart’s Sign

His name is Rollen Stewart (born 1944). Some called him “Rock’n Rollen.” Others have called him the “The Rainbow Man.” If you are my age or older, then you may remember him. He was a born-again Christian, who during the 1970s and 1980s, was a fixture at American sporting events wearing his rainbow-colored afro-style wig. In his hands he held a sign that read: John 3:16. He seemed to be everywhere. He was at the 1977 NBA Finals. He was at the 1979 MLB All-Star Game. He was at the 1980 Moscow Olympics Games, where he was arrested for a short time. In 1981, he was at the Masters in Augusta, Georgia, and in 1982, and he was at the Indianapolis 500. At the height of his popularity, he was featured in a Budweiser Beer commercial and was portrayed by Christopher Walken (born 1943) on Saturday Night Live.

Where is Rollen Stewart today? He has made a few mistakes. Sadly, he is an inmate at the Mule Creek State Prison in Lone, California, where he is serving three life sentences for kidnapping. If you would like to learn more about Rollen Stewart, then read the article, The Rainbow Man: Lessons on How Not to Evangelize. Today, I do not want to talk about Rollen Stewart. I want to talk about Rollen Stewart’s sign. That leads us to our Gospel reading.

We are in the third chapter of John. Our reading is only part of a longer discussion between two men, Jesus, and Nicodemus. You know about Jesus. Everyone knows about Jesus. He is the Son of God, the very incarnation of God, and our only hope of salvation. Nicodemus is not as famous, but he is still noteworthy. He was a respected member of his community. He was not just a Pharisee, an expert on the law, he was a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Ruling Counsil. That body was established to judge in the details of the law.

Prior to our reading, we are told Nicodemus sought out Jesus at night. Much has been made about that fact. Some believe, he went to Jesus at night to protect his identity. After all, how would it look for a respected Pharisee, a member of the Jewish Ruling Council, to be looking for help from a lowly itinerant rabbi? I believe, Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, because the work of the day was over and the two would have time to talk without interruption. The discussion begins with some flattering words. Nicodemus was impressed by Jesus’s miracles. However, Jesus is not interested in being complimented. Jesus is more interested in salvation.

The Master says it clearly, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Nicodemus hears the words but fails to understand them. Jesus is baffled by his spiritual ignorance. Jesus explains to Nicodemus his part in God’s plan of salvation for the world. This is where John 3:16 comes into play. They are not Jesus’s words, they are the words of the editor. The verse summarizes what is happening. “For God so loved the world he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” The whole verse pivots on that little complex word, love!

In 1960, C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) wrote a book called The Four Loves. He explored the four kinds of loves found in the Christian faith. Each one is found in the Bible. The first word for love in the Bible is the Greek word EROS, which gives us the word erotic. It is sensual or passionate love. It is the kind of love that involves a box of candy, a fist full of flowers and boxer shorts with hearts. The second word for love in the Bible is the Greek word PHILA, which gives us the word philanthropist. It is a social love. For example, Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) was a philanthropist. He wanted to improve communities, so he gave a fortune to establish libraries in both the United States and Canada. The third word for love in the Bible is the Greek word STORGE. It is an empathic love. It is the kind of love you feel for family members. It is the kind of love you feel for your parents, siblings, children, and grandchildren. The fourth word for love in the Bible is the Greek word AGAPE. That is the word that is used in the New Testament for God’s sacrificial love, which we see in Jesus. It is that Greek word for love that John uses in the Gospel lesson for today, John 3:14-21, for God so loved the world. There is nothing simple about that word. Consider these three things with me.

These thoughts are not original. They came from United Methodist preacher James W. Moore (1938-2019).

In 2014, my wife Kathryn and I went to Germany on a Luther Reformation Tour. It was a great experience. Obviously, Martin Luther (1483-1546) was one of the greatest personalities in church history. Luther will always be remembered as a man of God. However, never forget, he was a man. He had human limitations.  He was not a man of great patience. He would often grow frustrated with the people around him. He once grew so frustrated that he said, “If I were God and these vile people were as disobedient as they are now, I would knock the world into pieces!” (That is harsh language for the 1500s.) The good news for his generation was Martin Luther was not God! Martin Luther was a human being, like you and me. He had limitations. God is different, God has no limitations; God’s love has no limitations. God’s love is wide! God cannot stop loving you because God cannot stop loving everyone!

John 3:16 begins: For God so loved the world. In other words, it talks about the width of God’s love. Just think about that phrase for a moment. God loves the world, and the world is very diverse! God’s love is not selective. God loves everyone. He loves all nations. He loves people regardless of their language. He loves all denominations. God loves the liberal and the conservative. He loves people, regardless of their salvation systems. He loves all people, regardless of their sexuality. He loves the attractive and the not so attractive. He loves the rich and poor. God loves the educated and the uneducated. God loves the group you cannot tolerate, and God loves the individual you hate. Consider this with me. The church is not called to judge the world. The church is called to love the world, because God’s love is wide, “For God so loved the world. “That means God loves the strangest creature of all, you! Never question the width of God’s love. However, God’s love is also deep!

In July of 2019, Johnny and Dawn Vann were busy raising their seven children. One afternoon on a North Carolina Beach, the unthinkable happened. A massive high tide wave hit the beach and four of the Vann’s children were swept into the ocean. Without thinking about his own safety, Johnny jumped into the water and saved his children, one by one. The problem is he could not save himself. Rescue crews tried to save him. Despite 45 minutes of CPR, Johnny died. Dawn said her husband will always be remembered as a good person. I think she is wrong. I think John Vann will be remembered as a great person and father, because his love for his children was deep. He died so his children could live. How can you question his love? It is not just the story of a father and his children. It is the story of God and mankind.

Second, God’s love is deep! John 3:16 continues, he gave his one and only son. In other words, it talks about the depth of God’s love. God loves us, but he didn’t just tell us. God demonstrated his love for us by entering this world to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is what makes Good Friday so bad. Jesus, the incarnation of God, died on the cross to atone for your sins. Jesus’ death made eternal life possible for you and me! Do you remember the words of Isaiah 53:5? It says, “By his wounds we were healed.” God love is wide! God’s love is deep. However, God’s love is also powerful! Never question the depth of God’s love.

Do you remember the story of Clara Barton (1821-1912)? During the Spanish-American War, she was overseeing the work of the Red Cross in Cuba. One day Colonel Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) came to her, wanted to buy food for his sick and wounded Rough Riders. But she refused to sell him any. Roosevelt was perplexed. His men needed the help, and he was prepared to pay out of his own funds. When he asked someone why he could not buy the supplies, he was told, “Colonel, just ask for it!” A smile broke over Roosevelt’s face. Now he understood – the provisions were not for sale – all he had to do was simply ask, and they would be given freely. It is not just true of food in the Spanish-American War. It is also true of heaven!

Third, and finally, God’s love is powerful! John 3:16 ends: that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. Do you know of anyone who doesn’t want to go to heaven? If you do, then there is only one option. It is not by living a good life or doing good deeds. The only way to go to heaven is to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. It is the greatest gift you will ever receive. It is too good to be true, but it is true. You can live the rest of your life not worrying about death. It is so liberating! However, it will change you. You will spend the rest of your life trying to find a way to thank God for saving your sin sick soul. The love of God is wide! God’s love is deep! God’s love is powerful!

The major theme of Christianity summarized is in one verse: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. It has been called the Gospel in a nutshell. This is the Good News for today. You are loved! You have always been loved. You will always be loved. God just cannot stop loving you. C.S. Lewis once said, “Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.”

Norman Vincent Peale’s Tattoo 

Our scripture for today is 1 Peter 2:4-12. First Peter is writing a circular letter. He is not writing to any particular church or individual. He was writing to all Christians of his time, so his words had to fit every situation. So, what do you say to everyone that is relevant to everyone? He appeals to their most basic issues of life itself. This letter shows Peter’s pastoral side. In a firm and loving way, he tells them to keep living the faith. That sounds easy, but it is quite hard. It has always been hard. In the first century they were worried about Christian persecution. The threat was obvious. In our generation it is more subtle. The threat is no longer external; it is internal. The world is encouraging us to compromise the faith away. We live in the most immoral times in American history. We have become masters at compromising everything. We should live as aliens in this world. We should always have our eyes fixed on heaven. Peter tells us today to stop compromising faith, and start living the faith. 

Today, I want to talk about living the faith. The text reminds us that living the faith involves three things. If you want to live the faith, then you first must learn to love life. How do you feel about your life? Second, you must learn to love others. You do not live in isolation. You live in a world filled with people. Third, you must learn to love Christ. Jesus is simply the greatest life that ever lived. These three are the keys to unlocking your faith and living satisfying lives. They will change you from feeling like a loser to a winner. Let me begin.

First, you must love life. Look at the words Peter uses to describe his readers. They are not harsh words. They are affirming words. Verses nine and ten say, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”  Those are God’s words to you. Do you believe them? Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist Victor Frankl (1905-1997) once said, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing, his attitude.”  

United Methodist James W. Moore (1938-2019) told the story of a woman who went to a doctor. It wasn’t her first visit. She went to the doctor every time she was down. She asked the doctor for a new pill to make her feel better. The doctor asked her to step into the back. The storage room was filled with countless empty pill bottles. The doctor looked at the woman and said, “Each one of these bottles is like every day in your life. You have a choice. Will you fill your days with medicine that will bring hope and healing to the people in your life? Or will you fill your days with poison that will bring death? The choice is yours.” That is the choice that we make every day in our life. What is your choice? This is my question for you: 

Do you love life? Jesus is the greatest gift we will ever receive. Life is the second greatest gift we will ever receive. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Love life!

Second, you must love others. It is woven through the fabric of the New Testament. It was why Peter wrote this epistle. He encourages others in the faith. If he had not cared, then not a single word would have been written. I hope your attitude is not like Prussia’s Fredrick the Great (1712-1786). He said, “The more I get to know people, the more I love my dog.” 

Peter Arnett (born 1934) was a CNN television commentator and reporter. He tells of a time he was in Israel, in a small town on the West Bank, when a bomb exploded. Bloodied people were everywhere. A man came running up to Peter holding a little girl in his arms. He pleaded with Peter to take her to a hospital. As a member of the press, he would be able to get through security. Peter, the man and the girl jumped into his car and rushed to the hospital. The whole time the man was pleading with him to hurry, to go faster, heartbroken at the thought the little girl might die. Sadly, the little girl’s injuries were too great, and she died on the operating table. When the doctor came out to give them the news, the man collapsed in tears. Peter Arnett was at a loss for words. “I don’t know what to say. I can’t imagine what you must be going through. I’ve never lost a child.” It was then that the man said, “Oh, mister! That girl was not my daughter. I’m an Israeli settler. She was a Palestinian. But there comes a time when each of us must realize that every child, regardless of that child’s background, is a daughter or a son. There must come a time when we realize that we are all family.”  

One of the great challenges in life is staying in love with people. Let us be honest. There are many people who aren’t even likeable. It would be easy to ignore them. But we can’t do it, because Jesus told us, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Why would Jesus say such a thing? The Master understood we find support in the healthiest relationships in our lives. Love life! Love others!

Third, you must love Christ. I love the story of the man who collected old books.  He met an acquaintance who had just thrown away a Bible that had been stored in the attic of his ancestral home for generations. “I couldn’t read it,” the friend explained. “Somebody named Guten-something had printed on it.” “Not Gutenberg!” the book lover exclaimed in horror. “That Bible was one of the first books ever printed. Why, a copy just sold for over two million dollars!” His friend was unimpressed. “Mine wouldn’t have brought a dollar. Some fellow named Martin Luther had scribbled all over it in German.”  

You see, that is the story of our lives. The world says our value comes from who we are. The faith tells us we are of value because of whose we are. It is an incredible story. The God of the universe came into the world and took a human form. He lived the perfect life and was executed as a common criminal. He suffered and died. Why? Because you are so valuable to Him! God knows what we often forget. We are winners! Consider these facts.

Did you know, only 13% of American women consider themselves pretty. Did you know only 28% of American men think themselves handsome. 94% of American men would change something about their looks if they could. 99% of American women would change something about their looks if they could. Can I be honest with you? You are perfect! I wouldn’t change a thing! The real question is, how do you feel about yourself? Do you feel like a winner or a loser? Love life! Love others! Love Christ!

American Protestant clergyman Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993) told the story of walking down the streets of Hong Kong. He came across a tattoo shop. In the window were displayed samples of the tattoos available. There were all kinds of tattoos. However, one tattoo stood out. It was just three words: BORN TO LOSE. He entered the shop in astonishment and pointed to those words. He asked the Chinese tattoo artist, “Does anyone really have that terrible phrase, ‘born to lose’, tattooed on their body?” He replied, “Yes, sometimes.” Peale said, “I just can’t believe that anyone in his right mind would do that.” The Chinese man simply tapped his forehead and said in broken English, “Before tattoo on body, tattoo on mind.” Can I ask you a question?

Would you buy that tattoo, BORN TO LOSE? Maybe you should consider the tattoo, I AM A WINNER. After all, you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, and you know how to live.  Disciples of Jesus love life. Disciples of Jesus love others. Disciples of Jesus love him. American Protestant author, teacher, and preacher Francis Chan (born 1967) once said, “Following Jesus is not something you do halfheartedly or on the side. It is not a label you can display when it is useful. It must be central to everything we do and are.”

Talking to God

The founder of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland was John Knox (1514-1572). He died on November 24, 1572. Historians tell us that as he lay on his death bed he asked his wife, thirty-two years his junior, to read the prayer in John 17. In that chapter, Jesus is about to be arrested, so Jesus prays for himself, his disciples, and all believers. As Knox heard Jesus’s prayer, he seemed to forget his own weakness. Suddenly he began to pray. He prayed for his fellowmen. He prayed for the ungodly who had thus far rejected the gospel. He prayed for recent converts. He prayed for protection for the Lord’s servants, many of whom were facing persecution. He prayed a word of thanksgiving. As Knox prayed, his spirit went home to be with the Lord. The man of whom Queen Mary of Scotland (1542-1587) had said, “I fear his prayers more than I do the armies of my enemies,” ministered through prayer until the moment of his death.  

What is it about prayer that makes it so powerful? One of the great privileges I had in the ministry was praying with people. I have prayed with people at some incredible times. Both the best and worst in life seem to lead us to prayer. I prayed with young couples who had just welcomed a child into the world. I prayed with young couples who experienced one of life’s greatest disappointments. I prayed with couples who had just decided to unite in marriage. I prayed with people who had decided to end their marriage. I prayed with families who were waiting for a loved one to pass. I prayed with people during a long surgery. I prayed before church dinners and meetings. I prayed for sick family pets and the blessing of a new home. I prayed early on Easter morning and late on Christmas Eve. I prayed for those who are incarcerated and those who were miles away serving our country. I prayed for strangers and for the people I love the most. I have asked people to pray for me when I was sick and recovering from surgery. What is it about prayer that makes it so powerful? Martin Luther (1483-1546) said, “If I should neglect prayer but a single day, I should lose a great deal of the fire of faith.” That leads us to our scripture reading, Mark 1:35-39.

According to the text, it is Sunday and Jesus is praying. Jesus is physically, emotionally, and spiritually spent. Saturday had been a long day. We will never know how long he taught in the synagogue. We will never know how many people were healed. We will never know how many demons he exorcised. What we do know is that Jesus was tired, but the population of Capernaum was energized about Jesus. Verse thirty-five says Jesus got up early the next day to pray. We do not know the content of his prayer, but it must have been something special. He decides to leave his popularity in Capernaum and teach in other synagogues throughout Galilee. 

However, there is more to this story than discovering Jesus’ itinerary. It models for us the importance of prayer. If you are a prayer warrior, then you understand the next line. Prayer changes the one who prays. You may think you are changing the outcome, but you are really changing yourself. When you pray, you change your heart. Consider these three things with me.

First, prayer changes your agenda. Look at the text with me. Verse thirty-five says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”  In other words, Jesus had a plan. He didn’t wait until an opportunity presented itself. Jesus was very intentional about prayer. He got up early and went to a private place to pray. Are you intentional in your prayer life, or does prayer just happen when an opportunity presents itself? Why is this point so important? It is my experience that people find time for things that are important to them. There is never time for things that are not important. 

Years ago, when I was a seminary student, Christmas fell on a Sunday. I remember that year clearly because it was the first Christmas morning I wouldn’t be home. I served a small membership church near Danville, Kentucky and duty called. I preached both on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. I planned to leave for home after Sunday morning worship. My parishioners worried about me driving home. They lived in Garrard County and rarely left their little corner of the world. They saw northeastern Ohio as another planet. They asked for a short service on Christmas morning so I could get on the road, because they didn’t want me to get home too late. It was about 400 miles. One of the men surprised me by filling up my car with gas during the service, and I drove from Danville, Kentucky to Akron, Ohio.

When I got to Akron, I needed a break and some gas. The only gas station that was open was manned by a hairy young fellow with worn-out jeans. He was wearing a shirt that looked like something stolen from Goodwill, and a large multicolored wrinkled hoodie. I walked in and said, “It stinks to work on Christmas Day!”  He smiled and said, “I don’t care. I am off on New Year’s Eve! I am having a party! I couldn’t care less about Christmas, but I wouldn’t miss the party.”  He asked me, “What are you doing on New Year’s Eve?”  I said, “I don’t know.”  I hadn’t even thought about New Year’s Eve. It is all a matter of priority. Honestly, I am normally depressed on New Year’s Eve because Christmas is over.

Have you ever noticed people make time for what is important to them? How much time do you spend at work? How much time do you spend golfing? How much time do you spend watching television? How much time do you spend watching football? How much time do you spend playing with the children in your life? How much time do you spend in prayer? Those questions expose your priorities in your life. We make time for the things that are important to us. Prayer changes your agenda.

Second, prayer changes your heart. Prayer makes you more sensitive to human need.  Jesus got up early to pray. Then the disciples came and told him everyone was looking for him. He was the talk of the town! But Jesus wasn’t interested in popularity. He was more concerned about others. Prayer led Jesus to the physical and spiritual needs of his world. Verses thirty-eight and thirty-nine say, “Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’ So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.”  That piece of scripture tells us prayer calls us to action.Never forget, faith is a verb. The great reformer Martin Luther also said, “Pray as if everything depends on God, then work as if everything depends on you.”  Where are your prayers leading you? 

Years ago, the Salvation Army was holding their international convention and their founder, Gen. William Booth (1829-1912), could not attend because of physical weakness. He cabled the convention his message. His one-word message was: “OTHERS.” That is the one message that God has sent to our world from the very beginning. The problem is, we aren’t listening. We are so consumed with ourselves that we have missed it. Prayer is not about our needs and wants. Life is not about our needs and our wants. Life and prayer are about OTHERS! God is sending you to the intersection in your life where your personal interest meets human need. Prayer will change your agenda. Prayer will change your heart.

Third, prayer will change your relationship with God. Prayer cultivates a friendship with God. Real friendships take time to grow. Have you ever noticed how much time Jesus spent praying? He is cultivating a relationship with God, an intimacy with God. Let me give you a short, incomplete list of all the times in scripture that Jesus prayed. 

1. Mark 1:35   Jesus prayed in the morning 

2. Mark 6:46   Jesus prayed in the evening 

3. Luke 5:16   Jesus heals the leper and retreats for prayer 

4. Luke 6:12    Jesus prays all night and then calls the twelve 

5. Luke 9:18    Jesus is praying with the disciples 

6. Luke 22:41  Jesus is praying in the garden of Gethsemane 

Do I have to go on? Jesus was always praying because it was a priority to him.  Prayer was a priority to him because he was trying to stay connected to God. When you pray, you are cultivating a friendship with God. 

I am always humbled when I say this, but when we pray, we are talking to the God of the universe. Maybe the reasons you don’t feel an intimacy with God is because you haven’t spent enough time cultivating your friendship with God? Prayer is not just informing God of your needs and your wants. Prayer is taking the time to develop a relationship with God. German-born theoretical physicist Albert Einstein (1879-1955) once said, “Physics is easy, relationships are complex”.  Take time to cultivate the most important relationship you will ever have, your relationship with God. Prayer will change your agenda. Prayer will change your heart. Prayer will change your relationship with God.

Bill Moyers (born 1934) was a special assistant to President Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973). He was asked to say grace before a meal in the family quarters of the White House. As Moyers began praying softly, the President interrupted him with “Speak up, Bill! Speak up!” The former Baptist minister from east Texas stopped in mid-sentence and without looking up replied steadily, “I wasn’t talking to you, Mr. President. I was talking to God.” When was the last time you talked to God?  

Lincoln’s Finest Hour

Everyone knows the name Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), and everyone knows his story. Self-educated, he became a lawyer in Illinois and in time became our sixteenth president in 1860. His election was not embraced by all. Before he could be sworn into office, the country was divided over the issue of state’s rights. We still struggle with state’s rights. Lincoln sat in the oval office during the bloody years of the Civil War, tested time and time again.

History tells us Abraham Lincoln often visited military hospitals during the Civil War to cheer up the wounded. On one occasion he visited a mortally wounded young soldier. Lincoln’s heart was broken. “Is there anything I can do for you,” asked the compassionate President. “Please write a letter to my mother,” the young soldier replied. Unrecognized by the soldier, Lincoln sat down and wrote as the youth told him what to say. The letter read:

My Dearest Mother,  

I was badly hurt while doing my duty, and I won’t recover. Don’t sorrow too much for me. May God bless you and Father. Kiss Mary and John for me. 

The young man was too weak to go on, so Lincoln signed the letter for him and then added this postscript, 

Written for your son by Abraham Lincoln.  

Asking to see the note, the soldier was astonished to discover who it was that had shown him such kindness. “Are you really our President?” he asked. “Yes,” was the quiet answer. That story shows Lincoln’s compassionate side. Has there ever been a time when you needed some compassion? 

Webster defines compassion as, “A sympathy for the feeling of others, often including a desire to help.”  Compassion is important because our world can be a hard place. You don’t have to be a soldier in the American Civil War to relate to that story. I have never met a person who did not need compassion. Have you ever felt victimized? You did absolutely nothing wrong and you tried your very best. The problem is everything went wrong. Your entire world attacked you and you found yourself filled with self-pity. Emotionally exhausted, you felt completely alone in a world filled with over eight billion people. Then, from a most unexpected source, God sent you someone who showed you kindness and compassion. The rest of the world questioned your motives and desires, but your angel only gave you peace. Compassion can be a powerful medicine. That takes us to our scripture reading.

Our text is Mark 1:29-34. One of the best things about retirement is napping. I began this custom when I was still working on Sunday afternoons. I have no proof to support the following statement, but I believe it is true. I expended more energy on Sunday mornings than the rest of the week combined. I got up early on Sunday mornings to review my material and update my prayers. I participated in three worship services, which meant I preached three times. I related to countless people and tried to remember everyone’s story. I tried to welcome everyone who entered the building. I am not complaining but there is a certain amount of stress in the ministry. Some have thin skin. I tried to be prophetic; I was speaking for God, yet I can’t insult anyone. I tried to be supportive, but everyone could not get their way. I fielded a variety of complaints from good Christian people.  I know it doesn’t sound like much, but I found these few hours on Sunday morning to be exhausting. When I left church after Sunday morning I was spent. I struggled with the simplest conversation because I couldn’t focus. Every week following worship, I ate lunch, turned off my cell phone, and took a nap on the sofa. This confession is not exciting, but it is true. 

According to the text today, Jesus was a better man than I. When Jesus left worship, he didn’t nap; he healed the sick. I don’t just mean a healing; I mean a multitude of healings. Verses thirty-three and thirty-four say, “The whole town (of Capernaum) gathered at the door (of Simon and Andrew‘s house), and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.” One of those healings, the first one mentioned, was the mother-in-law of Simon Peter. Verse thirty is key to our understanding. It says she was healed because they told Jesus about her. I am not exactly sure who is included in the word “they”, but “they” must have included Simon Peter. She may not have been healed if “they” had not told Jesus about her. “They” had compassion on her and got her some help. They got her the best help you can possibly get someone in need – Jesus. She benefited from their compassion. Do the people in your life consider you a compassionate person? Our world hungers for compassionate people. If you want to be a compassionate person never forget three things.

First, never forget, compassion is sensitive to the needs of others. British statesman and financier Cecil Rhodes (1853-1902), whose fortune was used to endow the world-famous Rhodes Scholarships, was a stickler for correct dress—but apparently not at the expense of someone else’s feelings. A young man was invited to dine with Rhodes. He arrived by train and had to go directly to Rhodes’s home in his travel-stained clothes. Once there, he was appalled to find the other guests already assembled, wearing full evening dress. After what seemed a long time Rhodes appeared, in a shabby old blue suit. Later the young man learned that his host had been dressed in evening clothes too but put on the old suit when he heard of his young guest’s dilemma.  

Simon’s mother-law lay in bed with a fever. The story doesn’t come with a medical chart and all her test scores. The truth is, we don’t know the source of her suffering. That is not important; all that is important is that others had compassion on her. They got her help. Does anyone in your life need help? Do you have anyone in your life who needs Jesus? Compassion is sensitive to the needs of others.  

Second, never forget, compassion takes advantage of interruptions. Have you ever noticed there are times when your agenda and God’s agenda don’t match? You know the scene. You have a million things to do. You have a deadline to meet or a sea of people waiting for you. You are in a hurry trying to get it done in time and suddenly, someone shows up who just must talk to you. They have a problem, and you are the only one that can help. I know it is hard, but remember, compassion takes advantage of interruptions. 

Consider these ten Bible stories with me.  

1. The Parable of the Good Samaritan 

2. The Greatest Commandment 

3. The Blessing of the Little Children 

4. The Healing of the Ten Lepers 

5. The Healing of the Paralytic 

6. The Healing of the Man Blind from Birth 

7. The Rich Young Ruler 

8. Zacchaeus 

9. Blind Bartimaeus 

  10. Nicodemus 

What do they all have in common? They are all special moments in the Bible that were produced by interruptions. Jesus had compassion on these people and used these interruptions to do real ministry. Have you ever noticed there are times when your agenda and God’s agenda don’t match? The healing of Simon’s mother-in-law was not on the agenda for the day, but Jesus healed her because this was an opportunity for true ministry. 

Third and final, never forget, compassion is gracious. When I was in the Cleveland area, I had a parishioner who claimed he hadn’t missed church for fifty years. One day, I figured out that he had heard 2600 sermons, plus the messages on the liturgical holidays. You do the math, fifty years times fifty-two weeks. I was impressed.   

One year I got involved in the annual pulpit exchange. You know the event, it is a way to get to know other preachers in the area. I went to the Presbyterian Church, and the Lutheran Church minister came to my church. The Lutheran preacher was just great! He was new to the area, and everyone was surprised to discover he was Korean. Mr. 2600 sermons saw the Lutheran minister and thought he was Japanese. He stood up from his pew and began yelling some ugly language. He said, “We fought them in the war. I don’t have to listen to them in my church.”  He stormed out of the church, never to be seen again. Everyone wanted to know what happened. I wanted to know if he had heard a single word of those 2600 sermons. There is no room for prejudicial behavior in God’s church. Compassion is gracious.  

I really don’t want to offend anyone, but I must ask, how much of a difference is Jesus making in your life? How many sermons have you heard in your life? How many of those sermons altered your life? The world doesn’t need your opinions. The world needs your compassion.

Let us end at the side of our dying Civil War soldier. You remember the soldier, he was wounded and Abraham Lincoln came to visit him. In time, the president wrote a letter home for him and said his good-bye’s. The soldier couldn’t believe the president’s kindness and compassion. But he really couldn’t believe it when the president said next, “Now, is there anything else I can do?” The lad feebly replied, “Will you please hold my hand? I think it would help me see this through to the end.” With the weight of the world on his shoulders, Lincoln held the young man’s hand until he died. In my opinion, it was Abraham Lincoln’s finest hour. 

How many hands have you held during life’s most difficult moments? The situation may not be death, it may be divorce. The situation may be a family issue, or it may be a personal pain. It may be disease, or it may be disappointment. How many hands have you held? How many people in your life need compassion? Scottish Baptist minister and author Alexander Maclaren (1826-1910) once said, “Kindness and compassion make a person attractive.”