Acts 11:1-18; Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35 Easter 5C Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit. A whole new heaven and earth emerges. The holy city descends with the declaration “the home of God is among mortals.” There are some big happenings in this week’s lectionary texts. Acts and Revelation reveal a new creation occurring as the Spirit breaches barriers between peoples and the resurrection power of Easter reverberates between heaven and earth. Nothing remains untouched or unchanged in the wake of Jesus being raised from the dead, and no one’s preferences or pre-conceived notions of divine parameters will prevent the Triune God from making all things new. Peter explains step by step that which defies any human explanation. And yet, he makes the attempt and – another sign of the work of the Spirit – those who at first condemn his actions hear and accept his account. They are left speechless and then moved to praise God for this heretofore unbelievable happening. Even the … [Read more...]
Mediator of the new covenant (June 16, 2019)
UNIFORM LESSON FOR June 16, 2019 Scripture passage and lesson focus: Hebrews 9:11-22 Hebrews can be read as an argument for “one-up-man-(or woman!)-ship.” Better to read Hebrews as an example of God’s ever-broadening graciousness with regard to God’s loving sacrifices toward us and our loving sacrifices toward one another. Hebrews 9:11-14 — Jesus as high priest The Day of Atonement was a high and holy day in the Jewish festival calendar. This was the only day of the year when a priest went inside the curtain to offer fire and smoke before the altar of the Lord (Leviticus 16:12). This was an awesome and dangerous task, which required careful preparation (“He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and shall have the linen undergarments next to his body, fasten the linen sash, and wear the linen turban,” Leviticus 16:4), a series of sacrifices (“Aaron shall present the bull as a sin offering for himself, and shall make atonement for himself and for his house,” Leviticus 16:11) and a … [Read more...]
A costly covenant (June 9, 2019)
UNIFORM LESSON FOR June 9, 2019 Scripture passage and lesson focus: Mark 15:6-15, 25, 26, 33-39 The fact that this is a living covenant – initiated by God and faultless from the perspective of God’s participation – becomes painfully clear in this week’s lesson. Jesus Christ, as God incarnate, keeps covenant with us “to the point of death – even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). There is no such thing as cheap grace. Nor is there any cheap way to make a covenant fulfilled. Mark 15:6-15 —We crucified thee Last week we made the point that if the covenant between God and humanity is faulty, the fault lies with us. This week’s lesson drives home that indictment in a horrendous fashion. At the heart of this passage’s dramatic tension is Pilate’s attempt to avoid Jesus’ crucifixion. There was a custom, apparently, of releasing a prisoner during the festival of the Passover. Pilate had in custody a man named Barabbas who was guilty of murder during a recent insurrection. Surely … [Read more...]
The living relationship of covenant (June 2, 2019)
UNIFORM LESSON FOR June 2, 2019 Scripture passage and lesson focus: Mark 14:17-25; Hebrews 8:6, 7, 10-12 This summer we will explore the theme of “living in covenant.” It would be a good idea to spend some time thinking about the concept of covenant, and how it is fulfilled by God and lived into by us. This takes me all the way back to the “Covenant Life Curriculum,” a denominational study series that formed my understanding of God and God’s community, the church. We are God’s covenant people. A living relationship One of the first things we must say about covenant is that it points toward a living relationship. While a contract can simply be transactional, guiding the transfer of property or services between two persons or communities, a covenant in the Bible is a promise of loyalty, love and commitment between two living persons or communities. Some of us may have made blood covenants with close friends growing up (see 1 Samuel 20:16). Many of us have established marital … [Read more...]
4th Sunday of Easter — May 12, 2019
Acts 9:36-43; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:23-30 Easter 4C A multitude of nations. Every tribe. All peoples and languages. When I read about the heavenly worship of Revelation, I am transported to the international arrivals gate at Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. Twice in recent months I’ve stood on the other side of the security doors, at the end of the roped-off tunnel waiting to meet someone returning from a trip across the ocean. Both times I’ve subtly wiped away tears witnessing reunions of families and friends. It felt like every tribe, nation, language and people gathered in expectation. Children and old people. Those wearing hijabs, turbans and prayer shawls. I marveled at the diversity of color and custom, clothing and culture. Some people embraced, others kissed, toddlers got scooped up and hugged, younger generations lifted baggage for their elderly relatives. I texted a friend who’d been feeling disillusioned with xenophobic headlines and hate crimes: … [Read more...]
3rd Sunday of Easter — May 5, 2019
Acts 9:1-20; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19 Easter 3C The risen Christ startles Saul. Angels, every creature in heaven and on earth serenade the slaughtered Lamb seated on the throne. The resurrected Jesus directs his disciples, eats with them on the beach and gives Peter the opportunity to profess his love, three times. Our risen Lord makes many impactful appearances this third Sunday of Easter. The power of this new creation made evident in Jesus’ resurrection blinds, silences and converts the most virulent of Christian-haters, unites every possible being in praise, and transforms deniers into witnesses willing to die in service to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Timidity must be stricken from the believers’ hearts this Sunday. Weeks into Eastertide we who profess to follow Jesus should be bold in proclaiming the unprecedented power of our God. Violent, murderous enemies will be made great apostles of the faith, imprisoned for their evangelism, tireless in their ministry to … [Read more...]
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