An Idle Tale

Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

Luke 24:10–11 (RSV)

'An idle tale' is a curious detail St. Luke records in his account of the resurrection. Cleopas and his companion on the road to Emmaus, their early response to the news that Jesus rose from the dead, is confused.

It seems to be a disrespectful attitude toward the women who went to the tomb. Their word was not taken seriously, dismissed out of hand. Yet, how would we react to such news? Our beloved leader dead, our cowardice in his last hours, the apparent triumph of his enemies all combined to leave us defeated.

The news of the resurrection would fall like an accusation. Jesus had promised His rising, and they all failed Him. Now they would have to face Jesus, their failure exposed, inexcusable.

Jesus was gracious to them all, opening their hearts and minds to believe that what He had promised had come to pass. The 'idle tale' the women carried was the dawn of hope for all the human race.

Like the apostles, we will face Jesus on the last day. All our failures will rise to accuse us as well. We, too, will not wish to believe it has happened. As did the apostles, so we will find the grace and mercy of the Risen Christ poured out upon us.

Thanks be to God whose grace overcomes our folly and, by faith, brings us into the Kingdom.

Forgiveness

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last.

Luke 23:44–46 (RSV)

In the Temple was the Holy of Holies, the inner chamber where the high priest would enter with the blood of the sacrifice once a year. He would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people. Between the Holy of Holies and the people was a curtain. No one, save the high priest, was allowed to enter. Thus the forgiveness of sin for all the people came from this one act, once a year.

As Jesus died on the cross, the curtain separating the Holy of Holies from all people was torn from top to bottom. The Perfect Sacrifice has opened the way for the Father's forgiveness to come to all.

Jesus gives the whole Church the gift of forgiveness. There is now no barrier between us and God's grace. By the dying and rising of Jesus, our reconciliation to the Father is complete. Nothing comes between us and forgiveness, which we can freely offer and receive.

Our Righteousness

While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man—though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received our reconciliation. Romans 5:6–11 (RSV)

For the sake of those who may have missed the point St. Paul is making, we are weak, ungodly, enemies of God. This is not a thing St. Paul created out of whole cloth. It is the truth of humankind from the Garden to this hour. As the Psalmist has written:

For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is ever before me.

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned,

and done that which is evil in thy sight, so that thou art justified in thy sentence and blameless in thy judgment.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psalm 51:3–5 (RSV)

St. Paul stings us with the Law of God so we cannot deceive ourselves by thinking that we somehow share in our salvation. He strips us of any presumption of righteousness of our own. We are enslaved to sin from the moment of our conception, and we cannot undo it.

We hear this word of Law so we might turn our gaze to Jesus' innocent suffering, death, and resurrection. St. Paul would have us see who we are apart from Christ. He would have us see this, so our joy in our salvation resounds to the praise of God the Father who has given His Son to be our righteousness.

Remember Me

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Luke 23:39–43 (RSV)

In all of Scripture, there is no greater faith than this unknown criminal. Jesus is not preaching a powerful sermon. He is performing no wonder of healing or casting out demons. Jesus' touch is not restoring life to a dead child. Jesus is dying on the cross.

The criminal, repenting of his folly, asks not to be rescued from his punishment. He does not demand that Jesus come down from the cross. He is staring death in the face as the outcome of his sin.

In his last hours of life, the Holy Spirit blesses him to see his sin and repent. It is in repentance that he can see Jesus' suffering death as the only hope there is. Repentance asks to be remembered, not forgotten by God as the fullness of the Kingdom comes.

Our Father does remember us. We are joined to Jesus' dying and rising in our baptism. Like our brother dying next to Jesus, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit who grants us the blessings of confession and repentance. He creates faith to trust the promise of Jesus from the cross. And the confidence in our life in the Kingdom.

Dry Wood

And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never gave suck!' Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us'; and to the hills, 'Cover us.' For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

Luke 23:26–31 (RSV)

The priests, scribes, Pharisees, and lawyers of Jesus' day are too convenient a scapegoat. We lay the whole guilt of Jesus' suffering and death on them, excusing ourselves of blame.

True, they were the ones who should have known that Jesus was the Messiah they had longed to see. They were steeped in the Scriptures and promises of God. They were at the end of ages when the fulfillment of God's Word was at hand.

They are due a measure of charity as they were the greenwood. They were hindered by the very faith which should have rejoiced in Jesus, but they could not. Jesus was real to them. His words and deeds were powerful. They knew God would one-day act, but they refuse to believe it could be in Jesus.

We have no such excuse. They were zealous for the Lord. Their zeal would blind them to Jesus. Ours is an age where nearly all at least have heard of Jesus. Many confess Him to be God's Son, yet live our daily lives are often indifferent to His call to follow Him.

We are the dry wood. What will become of Christ's Church should persecution come upon us? An indifferent faith will snap, shatter, and be consumed by the fires of persecution.

Father, Forgive Them

Now the men who were holding Jesus mocked him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and asked him, "Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?" And they spoke many other words against him, reviling him.

Luke 22:63–65 (RSV)

The Temple guards who arrested Jesus likely did not know much about Him. What they learned was filtered through the words of the Temple leaders. They saw Jesus as a threat, and their anger was transferred to the guards.

As they beat Jesus, He became less and less human, just an object that posed a danger to the Temple. After a while, He became nothing to them, an object, a thing of no importance.

It is easy to reduce another human being to an object. It takes no effort at all. It begins when we accept a lie about who they are. It progresses from there until we heap scorn on them. Violence is not far behind scorn. Soon they are nothing at all.

This man of no importance, a thing to abuse and humiliate, a man we may have beaten had we been among the guards, forgave them all. 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'

He who was made nothing for the sake of those who crucified Him forgives. Even those who have pinned Him to the wood of the cross are forgiven. He forgives us all. His grace and mercy will open our eyes to see each human being as worthy of His death and resurrection.

Bitter Tears

And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, "Certainly this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean."  But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying." And immediately, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.

Luke 22:59–62 (RSV)

I have tried to imagine Jesus' gaze as the echo of cock's crow was dying in the morning air. St. Peter, in the moment of his denial, felt a shame unlike any in the history of our race.

St. Peter saw in Jesus' face the agony of betrayal, denial, and the sin of all creation. St. Peter could do no other but weep bitterly for what he had done. The infinite sorrow in the face of Jesus broke St. Peter's heart, and there was nothing but tears.

When have you last wept over your sin? Has it ever taken place? Have we become so complacent as we confess our sin that we feel no pangs of sorrow? If we could look Jesus fully in the face as we confess, would we weep?

St. Peter's bitter tears were his repentance. The anguish of his soul, the outcome of his denials, was poured out in his tears. Jesus, whom St. Peter thrice denied, went to the cross to redeem those tears. Our Lord bears the cross for all whose sin is a denial of Him.

Perhaps tears will not accompany our repentance. We will do well to behold our Lord upon the cross as we confess our sin. Jesus looks upon us, offering the same mercy He offered St. Peter for his bitter tears.

Repentance

"What do you think? A man had two sons; and he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' And he answered, 'I will not'; but afterward he repented and went.  And he went to the second and said the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir,' but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him. Matthew 21:28–32 (RSV)

I prefer an honest sinner to a pious pew sitter who can only see someone else's sin. The honest sinner has no illusions about themselves. They have sinned and deserve God's judgment and wrath. They have been told all their lives that they are not the sort of person God wants.

The pious pew sitter may be conscientious in their daily life. They will concentrate on doing holy things. They will disdain the sinful, giving God thanks that they are not such wretched people. They measure God's mercy by how much better they are than other sinners.

Tax collectors and harlots respond to John the Baptist first, then to Jesus, for they are hearing that the penitent can come before God and find forgiveness. The pious pew sitter won't stoop so low as to be on the same level as a tax collector or harlot. They will keep themselves separate and pure. They will also find themselves cut off from God, for they have trusted only in their righteousness.

Luther was correct when he wrote as the first of his 95 Theses that the Christian life is to be one of repentance. Our Lord Jesus has come to save and redeem sinners. Those who confess the truth and repent of their sin find the mercy and grace the Father gives through His Son.

Serving in the Kingdom

A dispute also arose among them, which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For which is the greater, one who sits at table, or one who serves? Is it not the one who sits at table? But I am among you as one who serves.

"You are those who have continued with me in my trials; and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Luke 22:24–30 (RSV)

We speak of the 'terrible two's' when a child has become mobile and is beginning to use language. It is not uncommon to hear, 'Mine!' and 'I do it!' as they seek to control the world around them. They want to be the ruler of all they survey.

In adult wisdom, we don't allow them to rule their world. We know the dangers that surround them. They lack the experience and knowledge to make good choices. As an adult, we see the whole picture better than they do.

It is our responsibility to allow them to do what they are equipped to do. We want them to grow and mature but safely. As they grow, they will begin to see the wisdom of their elders, being thankful for the guidance. (Of course, this usually occurs only when they become the parents of children.)

Jesus' disciples, like small children, were trying to get positioned to rule in the Kingdom. They envisioned it to be like the world's kingdoms, requiring men of power to run things.

Jesus taught that the Kingdom already has a King whose rule is perfect, having no need of any advisor. We are called to serve our King and our neighbor. By the mercy and grace that has redeemed us, we do His will in His Kingdom.

Planting Trees

And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, "As for these things which you see, the days will come when there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." And they asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign when this is about to take place?" And he said, "Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is at hand!' Do not go after them. Luke 21:5–8 (RSV)

It is said that Luther was asked what he would do if he knew Christ would return the next day. Luther promptly replied, 'I would plant a tree.'

Christians are to be about the work of the Kingdom here. We are confident of our Lord's promise that He will return, bringing with Him the new Heaven and new Earth. We know that since those things are in His hands, we need not be concerned about them. They will come in His time.

Until then, we continue fulfilling the Great Commission, going wherever the Gospel must be proclaimed, caring for the weak and oppressed, showing charity to the neighbor, and striving to heal the wounds inflicted by sin and death.

It is not that we ignore the Lord's return. It is not ours to control, nor should we attempt to force the Lord's hand. He will come. Therefore we have the freedom to live without fear, confident that planting a tree today is what we are to do.

Our Duty

And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes, and love salutations in the market places and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” Luke 20:45–47 (RSV)

Pastors and bishops, are you listening? Jesus is speaking about us. We have responded to the call of public ministry. We promised God and His Holy Church that we would give faithful witness to the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Temptations abound as we seek to fulfill our duties. Many still respect the Office entrusted to us, showing deference for the sake of the work we do. The lure of a larger parish, greater recognition within our synod, the praise of laity and clergy alike may lead us to forget Whom we serve.

We do well to remember that the Gospel is not about us. The Lord expects us to use the gifts the Spirit has given us. May they be employed to point sinners to their Savior, so they may receive the grace of God whose love seeks to redeem.

Pastors and bishops, listen again to our Lord:

So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ” Luke 17:10 (RSV)

Where Shall We Sleep?

There came to him some Sadducees, those who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him a question, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the wife and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and died without children; and the second and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. Afterward the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife."

And Jesus said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage; but those who are accounted worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die any more, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him." And some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you have spoken well." For they no longer dared to ask him any question. Luke 20:27–40 (RSV)

Jackie and I had the conversation that most folk will have at some point in their lives. We talked about where we should be buried when the time comes. We grew up in central Iowa, Ellsworth, and Jewell in Hamilton County. Jackie's Dad is buried there, as will her Mom be. My folks moved near Indianola after I graduated high school and are buried there.

Though our roots are in the flatlands of central Iowa, we both agree that Garnavillo in Clayton County is our home. When we fall asleep in the Lord, we will await the resurrection here.

I can never understand how the Sadducees could reject the resurrection. God has created life as a wonder of His love. In Christ, we know that the years we have here are a prelude to the life to come. The fullness of who we have been created to be arrives on the day we are called from the grave.

The hymn appointed for the service of Compline, Prayer at the Close of the Day, contains this verse:

Teach me to live, that I may dread The grave as little as my bed.

Teach me to die, that so I may Rise glorious at the awesome day.

'All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night' LWB 278

We have chosen our bed for our sleep until our Lord calls us to our life in the Kingdom. We know that wherever the hour of death finds us, for us, it will be only the briefest of nights of sleep. Christ Is Risen! He Is Risen, Indeed!

Doing the Right Thing

The scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on him at that very hour, but they feared the people; for they perceived that he had told this parable against them. So they watched him, and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might take hold of what he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. They asked him, "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?" But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, "Show me a coin. Whose likeness and inscription has it?" They said, "Caesar's." He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him by what he said; but marveling at his answer they were silent. Luke 20:19–26 (RSV)

It was a vote that would have no lasting effect beyond the congregation. No lives were at stake. It was one of those annual meeting votes that should have been a simple matter.

In my time in that parish, it was the first and only time I ever saw her within the church's walls. She did not come to worship, showing up just before the annual meeting was to begin. She sat silently throughout the meeting until the time came to vote. When the basket collecting the ballots reached her, she reached into her purse, took out a fistful of ballots, and dropped them in the basket.

No one said or did anything to protest the ballot stuffing. I was barely a year out of seminary, lacking the courage or the wisdom to say anything. The vote failed. She left the meeting, her goal achieved.

As I noted, the vote did not change the flow of history. It was an offense to God, and we did nothing. What she did was wrong, and we should have called her on it. But we lacked the courage.

Great evil is done when those see the evil for what it is and do nothing to prevent it. The leaders of the Temple wanted to arrest Jesus, getting him out of the way. They did not have the decency to confront him openly, so they sent spies to trip him up. Confident of their trap, Caesar's governor would soon have Jesus in prison.

Jesus called them on it. He would not accept their deceit or play into their lies. He leads them to expose their evil with their own words. We cannot allow any lie to stand. We cannot allow those who have power over others to abuse that power. We cannot be silent when anyone acts against God and our neighbor.

As we celebrate our Nation's birth this coming week, let us as servants of Christ strive to live up to all the ideals of our country. We are people of the Truth and the One who is the Truth.

Made Whole

“Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the man by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire. Matthew 18:7–9 (RSV)

This passage is the test of how one reads Scripture. I have yet to find a sect of Christianity that follows what Jesus says to the letter. If any should, there would be all manner of believers hobbling around, half-blind, with only one hand.

We do not do these things, for we know that it is not our hands, feet, or eyes that choose sin on their own. Whatever wickedness these may do has its genesis in our hearts.

Jesus bids us to the far more challenging task of taking up our cross and following Him. Compared to putting our old self to death day by day is a far more challenging matter than lopping off a hand or foot.

Jesus reminds us that it is from within that all manner of evil and sin come. He also reminds us through St. Paul that if we give all we have, even to the sacrifice of our lives, if we do not have the love of Christ within us, it is a vain effort.

Jesus calls us to become a new creation by faith in His death and resurrection. As we put our old nature to death and are raised a new one by the grace of the Holy Spirit, not only can we face temptations, but we are truly made whole.

Understanding

One day, as he was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” He answered them, “I also will ask you a question; now tell me, Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us; for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know whence it was. And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Luke 20:1–8 (RSV)

'I do not seek to understand so that I can believe, but I believe so that I may understand; and what is more, I believe that unless I do believe, I shall not understand. Amen' St. Anselm 1033-1109

A newborn on the day of their baptism is a believer in the death and resurrection of our Lord. It is a mistake to say that one must first come to some understanding of God, then seek baptism. It would make more sense to demand that an infant explain the nature of the universe before it could be fed.

The root sin of humans lies in the desire to be God, know what God knows, to place ourselves on His throne. When our first parents rebelled against God, reaching for the knowledge they could not bear, they chose to trust themselves over God.

Faith is never merely a matter of knowledge of the ways of God. These things lie beyond us, we cannot but fail if we seek God in this way. St. Anselm saw clearly that without faith, we cannot begin to understand the least thing of the Divine nature.

In faith, we are drawn into the mystery that is the love and purpose of the Holy Trinity. We can pray, 'Thy will be done,' in great joy, believing that will is all as it should be. This will sustain us for this life, until we shall see Him face to face. Then we will finally know the perfection of His will and purpose.

A House of Prayer

And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, saying to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be a house of prayer'; but you have made it a den of robbers."

And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people sought to destroy him; but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people hung upon his words.

Luke 19:45–48 (RSV)

Let your mind's eye picture the sanctuary in your church. It may be the place where you have worshiped from before you could recall, or it may be new to you as you have come to it in recent days.

You can see the altar, the pulpit, the statue, or a picture of Jesus upon the altar. You cast your gaze from altar rail to choir loft to the windows you have known since childhood.

Allow the memories of baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and funerals to flow around you. Recall a lifetime of sermons, hymns, and prayers heard within those walls as the faithful worshiped.

See yourself at the altar, receiving in your hands the bread and wine, the Body and Blood of our Lord. Hearing the precious words, 'given and shed for you.' It may be that a tear works its way from your eye as you recall those who knelt with you at the Sacrament and now celebrate the feast in heaven.

As we ponder these wonders of God's grace and mercy, our reverence as we enter deepens for the place where heaven and earth touch. We hunger for the Word that proclaims God's love for us even as we confess our sins. We treasure the silence of heart and mind in the presence of the eternal Father.

Those who sold in the Temple and resented Jesus' teachings within its walls had forgotten the beauty of the Lord's House. May we never forget and keep ourselves in reverence and awe of so wondrous and merciful a God.

Sufficient Grace

And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7–10

Job demands an explanation from God for all the suffering he has endured. God's answer to him, "I am God." Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane for the cup of the cross to pass from Him receives no response. St. Paul pleads with God three times that his physical affliction should leave him. God responds with sufficient grace without healing.

Western Christians struggle with the will of God. The will of God is often a mystery to us, at times hidden within the struggles and challenges of life. We may have endured great hardship, praying for relief, and none comes. We who are accustomed to excepting good if we do the right things are taken aback when we are told, "My grace is sufficient for you."

Job did not argue with God; instead, he repented of what he could not understand. God is God. St. Paul continued in his weakness, serving Christ despite his physical struggles. Jesus prayer, 'nevertheless, Thy will, not mine, be done.'

Jesus has bid us take up our cross and follow Him. Our cross joins us to Jesus' suffering and death. We are subject to the hostility of the world, the devil, and our sinful selves. Whatever may come in this life, we discover that even in weakness, Christ is strong. By His grace, we are strong in Him.

Who Rules Over Us?

As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. He said therefore, "A nobleman went into a far country to receive a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten pounds, and said to them, 'Trade with these till I come.' But his citizens hated him and sent an embassy after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to reign over us.' Luke 19:11–14 (RSV)

Many regard an atheist as a danger to the Church and its faith. An atheist is a sad creature who has convinced themselves that there is no God. At best, they ignore the Church. At worst, they spend a lot of energy trying to deny God, who they say doesn't exist.

A much greater danger to the Church and its faith are those who give lip service to God but have little time for Him in their lives. They pretend that God is important but conduct their lives as if God is to be used for their gain. They often resent God more than any atheist, seeing God as a barrier to their religious schemes.

Jesus encountered many who said they longed for the Messiah to come but would not accept that He was the Messiah. They had God and His plans all sorted out in their minds, and Jesus was a monkey wrench in the gears.

It is not surprising that many in the crowds shouting 'Hosanna!' on Palm Sunday would be among those screaming for His death on Good Friday. Those who longed for the Messiah to take David's throne declared, "We have no king, but Caesar."

Do our actions affirm our love for Jesus? Or do they say something else about His lordship in our lives? Jesus has called us to follow, making use of the gifts He has given us. How shall we use them?

On Prayer

As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Luke 18:35–43 (RSV)

Christian prayer can be subject to many barriers. The blind man is a witness to the importance of prayer regardless of the challenges. He recognizes the opportunity to pray. Jesus is near, so the blind man cries out to the Lord. The believer knows the Lord is present; thus, it is time to pray.

The blind man's prayer was not filled with useless words. He prayed what needed to be prayed at that moment. Jesus teaches us not to heap up empty phrases when we pray. Our prayers will say what we need to say in that time of prayer. A few words from the heart are more pleasing to the Lord than hundreds piled on top of one another.

The blind man persists in prayer. Some in the crowd wanted him to be silent, but he cried out again, 'Son of David, have mercy on me.' The evil one will seek to place all manner of barriers to our prayers. Every prayer is an urgent prayer as it draws us closer to the Lord. The correct time for prayer is the moment it is prayed.

We, like the blind man, rejoice in our prayers are heard by the Lord. We trust that His response to our prayers is the perfect one. Though we may not comprehend His mercy to our prayers, we give thanks that they are heard.

True Wealth

And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:22–27 (RSV)

It would appear that this passage is about the challenge of being rich. Wealth is a great responsibility and a burden. It is a burden as we can become so enamored with our wealth we care for little else. It is a responsibility since the God who gives it desires that we would be stewards of His wealth in our care.

The heart of this passage focuses on the question, 'Then who can be saved?' The young man came to Jesus with a concern for his salvation. Jesus tells him to sell all he had and give it to the poor let him know the impossibility of doing or having enough to be saved.

We are all caught in the truth that no treasure will be enough. No devotion and acts of holiness will suffice for our redemption. Salvation is an impossibility among us. It cannot happen if it is to be ours to achieve.

What is impossible for us is possible with God. He will give a treasure that far exceeds any accumulated by human means. The Father will give His Son, His only begotten Son, who opens the Kingdom to us by His death and resurrection. He is our riches, our eternal riches.