The Voice Crying Out

"Resurrection" (John 20:19-23)

Today we celebrate Easter. The resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord is the very core of our Christian belief. If we read the Book of Acts carefully, the heart of the Good News is the simple proclamation: “Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!” But we may ask: What is the evidence for the resurrection? And even more personally: Why does the resurrection matter to us today? There are several lines of convincing evidence. But perhaps the most powerful and undeniable evidence is this: the transformation of the disciples. The four gospels tell us how each disciple encountered the risen Christ at different times and how their lives were completely changed. Mary Magdalene. Peter and John. Thomas. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus. And today’s passage is one of those stories. In today’s scripture Jesus speaks three words to his disciples. And these three words answer our question: “Why doesresurrection matter?”

"Missionary Mindset" (Colossians 3:1-11)

There are often three ways people live when they go toanother country: as immigrants, as tourists, or as exiles. Some live like immigrants. They try to fully assimilate. They adopt the language, the customs, the values, sometimes even losing their original identity along the way. Others live like tourists. They stay, but only on the surface. They keep their distance. They remain in their own bubble, never truly engaging the place or the people. But then there are exiles. Exiles are different. They do not forget who they are. They keep their identity. And yet, they do not withdraw. They build homes, plant gardens, raise families, and seek the good of the place where they are. This is the picture Scripture gives us.

"Jesus, Our Cornerstone" (Ephesians 2:17-22)

In ancient Israel, especially in the time of the apostles, the cornerstone was the most important stone in the entire building. It was the very first stone placed at the corner of the foundation. Builders selected it carefully, because every other stone in the structure would be measured and aligned from that one stone. If the cornerstone was strong and properly set, the whole building would stand straight and secure. But if the cornerstone was misplaced, the entire structure could become crooked, unstable, and even collapse.  Today’s scripture tells us Jesus is our cornerstone. What does it mean?

"I Am a Christian" (Galatians 5:16-26)

If someone asked you, “How do you know he or she is a Christian?” what would you say? One study found that 5 out of 6 young non-Christians say they know a Christian personally, but only 1 out of 6 says the lifestyle of those believers is noticeably different in a good way.  The word “Christian” literally means, “someone who belongs to Christ” or “a follower of Christ.” But, what does it really mean to be a Christian? What are the marks of a Christian? Today’s scripture tells us there are at least two undeniable marks of a Christian: the cross of Christ and the Spirit of Christ.

"Making Sense of Suffering" (2 Corinthians 11:22-30)

Have you ever felt pulled in all directions – by life’s demands, distractions, or temptations? Let’s take a look at this artwork by Martin Schongauer, Saint Anthony Abbot Tempted by Demons (c. 1470-1480). Anthony's biographer, Athanasius, describes the later stages of the devil’s temptation as a physical attack by demons masquerading as wild animals: “Anthony, beaten and mauled, experienced even more atrocious pains in his body but he remained unafraid, his mind alert.” At the end, the weary Anthony cries out to the Lord, “Where were you, good Jesus? Where were you? Why were you not here from the beginning to heal my wounds?” A voice answers, “Anthony, I was here, but I was waiting to watch your struggle.” Like Anthony, we are not immune to life’s temptations. And like Anthony, we may ask, “Where were you, God? Why didn’t you help me from the beginning?”  Paul, in Today’s scripture, wrestles with the same questions. He was a faithful servant of Christ, but he was not immune to life’s hardships. He was imprisoned, flogged, beaten, shipwrecked, stoned. He faced danger from robbers, enemies, his own people, the wilderness, and the sea. On top of this, he carried the daily pressures and anxieties of all the churches. And then there was the “thorn in his body,” a messenger from Satan that caused him ongoing physical agony. Paul was in constant suffering. Then, where was God in all this? Why didn’t He come and help right away?