The Fragility of Light

John 12:34-36

The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains for ever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” ³⁵Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. ³⁶While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.”

When we read these words of Jesus we think of his leaving to return to heaven, that his tenure on earth was shortened by the cross, his resurrection and ascension. We realize that the Messiah did not remain forever, because it was never Jesus' intent to set up a government, but rather a spiritual kingdom that persists till today.

Yet it is true that the light Jesus brought has waxed and waned through history, that the Church often became confused about what kind of kingdom it was preserving, and that willful ignorance brought darkness. Acts of persecution and torture were done in the name of the Christian Church during the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisitions in the 14th and 15th centuries, during the Salem Witch Hunts in seventeenth century, and during the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920's. How could such hatred and violence have been committed in the name of the man who suffered violence rather than establish a messianic kingdom in the first century CE?

"Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going."  The answer, of course, is in what we do with the light that Jesus left us through the Holy Spirit. The light of Christ is fragile enough to be ignored and even quenched, if we ignore it long enough. Those dark centuries in European and American history prove that we are capable of casting a dark shadow over the truth of the Gospel.

Even when Jesus lived among us, daily shedding light on the love of God, the religious leaders of the time were capable of darkening and distorting his witness. As John says, "The light was in the world, and the world came into being through the light, but the world didn't recognize the light" (1:10).  The light of truth is not so brilliant and penetrating that it cannot be blackened.

Truth has become cheapened in this millenium to the extent that lies are excused in public discourse every day. Opposing political parties, religious faiths, rival nations, rival corporations, even rival sports teams are the victims of  slander, propaganda, spin, exaggerations, trash-talking, and utter falsehoods, because we want our own kingdoms to prevail.  We excuse ourselves because the other side is doing it or because we accept that lying is the strategy of survival. Jesus did not believe that.

It is not only that Jesus stood for truth, but that we are darkening our environment every time we lie or compromise the truth.  Pretty soon we can not tell the difference. The first sign is that the opposition is always wrong, and we are always right. The next sign is that the opposition is vilified; we get angry. The next sign is we are burning crosses or their equivalent. Then suddenly we are condoning persecution in the name of purity. Then someone is murdered, but it was only by the extreme elements. Then we are either caught up in hate or shocked that we have sunk so far.

It comes from not respecting the truth, whether it indicts our people or their people. It comes from excusing lies, because our cause is right. It comes from exaggeration, because we have to make a point.  Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you.

Bill Tucker

Signs and Yeast

Mark 8:11-26

And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, ‘Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.’

In this retort to the Pharisees and in Jesus’ later scolding of his disciples, (“Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened?”) we see him uncharacteristically exasperated.  And the disciples do seem a little obtuse when they miss Jesus’ warnings about the “yeast of the Pharisees.” To our ears they sound foolishly distracted by the mundane problem of having enough bread for their boat trip.

A “sign” is physical evidence of God at work. We all wish God would be a little more obvious about the presentation of the kingdom of heaven.  What if the bread of heaven rained down on Haiti or the hospitals abruptly discharged their miraculously revived patients?

But Jesus was more concerned with the yeast than the bread.  The yeast works quietly from within, transforming the entire loaf.  The yeast was fermenting in the hearts of the disciples, who were unaware of the spiritual drama around them.  Yet the author of this Gospel saw the connection between signs and yeast, because in the next story about healing, Jesus warns the blind man who could now see, “Do not even go into the village.” No public performance this time.  He would not give in to the demand for signs.

Bill Tucker

Reprinted with permission of the author from https://lentenblog.wordpress.com/page/2/ March 17, 2010 by ypsilantibill

The Days of Christ

‘The Days of Christ,” “On That Day When He Rode Into Jerusalem.” “On The Third Day.” These are all titles of anthems I chose for the Lenten/Easter season. I did not think about it while choosing them (I was looking for appropriate music to fit the liturgical readings), but every one of these anthems includes the word “Day.” Which got me to thinking about how much can change in a day.

Christ goes from being praised as He enters in to Jerusalem, to being abandoned by those who say them love Him, to being freed from death and all worldly pain on Easter Sunday. Things can dramatically change for each of us in a day. Like Christ, we need to do what God asks of us, and trust that God will be with us no matter how much changes.

There is still time for you to join the choir for Holy Week! We will also be doing the “jump in to choir” Hallelujah Chorus on Easter Sunday.

What a Day that will be!

Soli Deo Gloria, Marsha Medley

Gospel Reading John 12:9-19

9When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, 11since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.

12The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, 
     “Hosanna! 
     Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord — 
          the King of Israel!” 
14Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: 
15  “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. 
     Look, your king is coming, 
          sitting on a donkey’s colt!” 
16His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. 17So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify. 18It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. 19The Pharisees then said to one another, “You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!”

Worship Prayers April 14

CENTERING PRAYER

Gracious God, as we enter this Holy Week, strengthen us to move beyond the festive parade of palms and to follow Jesus into the way of the cross, that united with him and all the faithful, we may one day enter through the gates of righteousness into the eternal city, the New Jerusalem, where we may praise you with Christ and the

Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 
Let Israel say: "His love endures forever." 
The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; 
The LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. 
This is the day the LORD has made; 
Let us rejoice and be glad in it. 
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. 
From the house of the LORD we bless you 
The LORD is God and he has made his light shine upon us. 
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the altar. 
You are my God, and I will give you thanks you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of heaven and earth, we give you thanks for sending us Jesus Christ. Even though we

profess to follow him, we confess that, in times of trouble, we too often deny him. Forgive us and heal us, we pray. Help us to put our faith not in the princes of this world but only in the Prince of Peace. We continue to pray in Jesus’ name. (Silent Confession)

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed

Scripture for April 14

Luke 19:28-40 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”

34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives,the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”[a]

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Footnotes:

1. Luke 19:38 Psalm 118:26

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry, Folio 173v - The Entry into Jerusalem the Musée Condé, Chantilly.

Daily Prayer April 12

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord. I know them and they follow me; and I give them eternal life.

Morning Psalms 22; 148

First Reading Jeremiah 29:1 (2-3) 4-14

Second Reading Romans 11:13-24

Gospel Reading John 11:1-27

Alternate Gospel John 12:1–10

Evening Psalms 105; 130

God of our forebears, as your chosen servant Abraham was given faith to obey your call and go out into the unknown, so may your church be granted such faith that we may follow you with courage for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. God of love, as you have given your life to us, so may we live according to your holy will revealed in Jesus Christ. Make us bold to share your life, and show your love, in the power of your Holy Spirit. Mighty God, sovereign over the nations, direct those who make, administer, and judge our laws; the President of the United States and others in authority among us; that, guided by your wisdom, they may lead us in the way of righteousness. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

(Opening sentences, prayers, and blessings are from the Book of Common Worship. Readings are from the daily lectionary in Daily Prayer. Both are published by Westminster/John Knox Press.)

God's Time

2 Peter 3:8 Good News Translation (GNT)

8 But do not forget one thing, my dear friends! There is no difference in the Lord's sight between one day and a thousand years; to him the two are the same. Good News Translation (GNT)

Photo by Artem Maltsev on Unsplash

 At bedtime, my daughter and I sometimes read Bible stories out loud.  After the stories, we talk about them and I give her my interpretation.  When we read about the creation she seemed confused.  As happens many times when I try to explain something to my kids, I found myself struggling.  I finally told her that maybe the six days it took God to create the earth and sky could be six days in God's time.  Because God's world is so big, a day to him might be a thousand years to us.  I also wanted to assure her that no matter how enormous God's work seems to us, we are part of his plan.

To know that God is in control and changes happen in God's time is hard for me.  I'm restless and seek quick answers for my life's problems.  I always feel I should be doing more.  Life goes by at such a fast pace now that it is hard to be patient for very long.

One of the reasons I enjoy Sunday worship is that although I know that the service lasts an hour, there are no clocks and I don't wear a watch.  It is a different time without beepers or phones.  I don't feel guilty I'm not multitasking and trying to get another activity done.   Church is not something on my "to do" list.  I really feel it is time for me.  A time for me to reflect and realize God is in control, and that is the way it has been since beginning.

We thank you, God, for giving us peace.  We know that you'd to things on your time, not ours.  You understand the world and the heavenly picture.  We are limited by earthly time and space.  Watch over us Lord, while we watch our watches.  Help us remember that every time we glance at a watch, that you are watching us.  Let that give us peace.  Amen

Re-published from St. Mark Presbyterian's 2000 Lenten Devotional with permission of L. Larimer, the author.  

Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society

About Marion Medical Mission.

Marion Medical Mission (MMM) is an ecumenical, Christian, front-line, hands-on, volunteer, non-profit organization founded by Tom Logan and his wife, Jocelyn, that responds to Christ’s call to serve by working hand in hand with God’s people in Africa, stressing self-help and sustainability.

Tom Logan grew up in a family where social justice was an integral part of their Christian faith. His father, a Presbyterian minister, opened their home to refugees from Korea, Hungary, Cuba, Palestine, and Japan. After high school in the 1960s Tom traveled through Africa, working with Dr. Albert Schweitzer. Those experiences, combined with years of activism registering voters in the Civil Rights movement, instilled a desire in Tom and Jocelyn to help those who could not help themselves. This background led to the formation of MMM in 1985. The Logans had learned that many organizations spent part of their donations on overhead cost. They wanted to create something that would make an impact AND use 100% of donations to accomplish its mission and to support an organization that met a physical need while remaining Christ-centered.

MMM remains true to this vision today, sending all designated funds to their purposes and all undesignated funds to the mission field in Africa in obedience to Christ’s command to “love your neighbor.” Initially, MMM was founded to support surgical training in remote African mission hospitals, working with Dr. Kenneth McGill, a missionary doctor for Presbyterian Church (USA). When Dr. McGill moved from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Malawi in 1990, MMM’s volunteer team headed there too.

While in Malawi, the Logans became aware of the great need for safe drinking water. Tom was with Dr. John Knowles, a missionary doctor at Ekwendeni hospital, when they came across a well that had never been installed. Dr. Knowles was upset that the government wasn’t following through on their promises of clean water for the people. Tom turned to him and said, “Why don’t you do it?” Dr. Knowles pointed the question back, saying “Why don’t YOU?” The Logans were convinced, realizing that a lack of clean, safe drinking water was the root cause of many of the medical problems their volunteers were treating. As a result, MMM shifted its focus from curative medicine to preventative medicine through the provision of functional wells.

By only drinking water during Lent, we hope you have begun to value what we take for granted:  safe, clean drinking water.  We hope you will make a donation to Marion Medical Mission so that others may also benefit from this resource.

Halfway Hope

The beginning of April marks the midway point on our Lenten journey together. Ash Wednesday is a slipping memory and Holy Week is just over the horizon hinting at the cheers, jeers, and tears. It is a good place to take stock of where our hearts are on this 40-day journey.

Historians credit Socrates with saying, The unexamined life is not worth living. This statement contains much truth, but we need to modify it as it relates to the church.

The unexamined faith is not worth proclaiming. Many look at Christianity through the lens of their political affiliation or sporting team allegiance. There are winners and there are losers, and there is a great divide between the two. The only way to make sure you are on the right side of the gulf is to obey every law to the letter (even a few rules we made up). The truth of the matter is, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith” (Romans 3:23-25, NRSV). If we could gain forgiveness and eternal life though the law, there would be no need for the cross.

Brennan Manning speaks to this when he writes, “The gospel is absurd and the life of Jesus is meaningless unless we believe that He lived, died, and rose again with but one purpose in mind: to make brand-new creation. Not to make people with better morals but to create a community of prophets and professional lovers, men and women who would surrender to the mystery of the fire of the Spirit that burns within, who would live in ever greater fidelity to the omnipresent Word of God, who would enter into the center of it all, the very heart and mystery of Christ, into the center of the flame that consumes, purifies, and sets everything aglow with peace, joy, boldness, and extravagant, furious love. This, my friend, is what it really means to be a Christian.”

The truth of this life journey appears when we stop believing we can earn God’s love by our accomplishments or the accolades of others. Ash Wednesday reminds us of our mortality, Maundy Thursday speaks to our frailty, and Good Friday exposes our need for grace. Let us not grow weary on this voyage, because it finds its completion in the shadow of an empty tomb and the eternal hope of resurrection. May we dwell in the “extravagant and furious love” of God as we walk forward toward Jerusalem.

In Hope and Confidence,

Pastor Dave

P.S.  Don't forget a discussion of Brennan Manning's book Ragamuffin Gospel is live at noon on Wed. or at 6 PM in room 102.

Jerusalem Festival For All

Celebrate Palm Sunday – Jerusalem Festival for All

Jerusalem Festival may be my favorite event during the Easter season. While I love the joy of the kids in a competitive egg hunt, there is something about transporting back in time to what it might have been like to live in the time of Jesus: walking through the town of Jerusalem, hearing the merchants and the chatter of the community, listening to music. As we reflect together on Palm Sunday, for a couple of hours, we will glimpse what it was like for Jesus as he triumphantly entered the town as Savior and King.

The children will be dressed for the times, walk through halls decorated to look a bit like Jerusalem, pet animals, purchase goods from merchants, make pottery, and plant herbs. But Most of all, they will hear the story of Jesus’ love for us. This is a time of reflection.

The Children’s Ministry committee invites St. Mark’s entire church family and guests from the community to join the children at Jerusalem Festival. As you enter the sanctuary on Palm Sunday, we will hand you a shekel to bring to Gleason Hall after the service. You can use the ancient coin to partake in the feast of breads and fruit. You can also take a turn to stomp grapes. The Jerusalem Festival is truly an event for all ages and all in our community from 9 to 12:30

This is an excellent way to begin Holy Week as we prepare for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.