And Many Believed

Life and death.  Death and Life.  Scenes of death and destruction are infused in our consciousness from the array of media communications:  the carnage of the Boston Marathon bombings; the fire at the fertilizer plant in West, TX with flames and smoke billowing into the air carrying the dangers of anhydrous ammonia; innocent looking letters with ricin within; and of course the daily deaths throughout the world where violence prevails.  These scenes are burned into our consciousness in a non-ending stream.

So where does the resurrection of our shepherd, Jesus the Christ speak to us of the possibilities of new life conquering the pervasiveness of death?  Three weeks after our Easter celebration, we hear another story of resurrection.  The apostle, Peter is called to Joppa where the widow, Tabitha (or Dorcas in Greek, which means gazelle) has died.  Tabitha was a disciple (the first known feminine use of the word "disciple" in the New Testament) who was devoted to good works and acts of charity, providing robes and other clothing for the poorest of the poor - the widows.  In Acts 9: 36 - 43, Peter responds to the community surrounding Tabitha who have placed their hope in his healing power by washing Tabitha and laying her in an upstairs room.  Notably Tabitha's beloved friends have NOT anointed her for burial. Peter raised Tabitha from death and showed her to be alive.

AND MANY BELIEVED - PUT THEIR TRUST IN THE MASTER.

This miracle points us to the mighty power of God working in the world.  God's story does not end with the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ.  The hope that accompanies healing is a powerful demonstration that God was at work through the disciples in Peter's time - and is still at work in our time today as we shepherd one another.

Alongside the images of bloody bodies and lost limbs in Boston were the first responders who rushed toward the wounded:  doctors who had just finished the race; medical volunteers; firefighters and police; and innumerable citizens who pulled off their belts to use for tourniquets as ambulances surged into the melee.  Like Tabitha who was surrounded by friends and community who took action in the adrenaline of hope, we see miracles upon miracles of people pulling together to respond - the power of a shepherding community pulling together.  Death is all too real.  But the life-giving power of the hope of resurrection reminds us that God enters into the shadows of the valley of death alongside us.  When we're able to "see and be" communities of people operating in this hope, our faith shines in the darkness.  We walk in faith and trust, and many continue to believe.  And many more will put their trust in our Master Shepherd.  And the visions of the kingdom coming slowly to realization is alive as we respond.  Revelation 7: 9-17 is a cacophany of praise to God as we stand before the throne of the Lamb singing:  "Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever!"

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Shelley

We Are Guests at the Table. We Are the Meal

Easter is two weeks gone.  Our dresses hang in the closet as we wonder how many Sundays before we can wear them again.  The lamb and deviled egg leftovers are long eaten.  The candy has been eaten or stashed away or put out on our desks for others' indulgence.  Even with the bright blooming of our yellow forsythia and redbuds, we're back to our daily routines.  We might distantly wonder about the "so-what?" of Easter if we find ourselves daydreaming.

So, it's appropriate to read John's Gospel epilogue:  John 21: 1-19.  The resurrection is over and done and seven of the disciples, wondering what's next, and having no clue, return to their livelihoods of fishing - to no avail.  Slow to recognize Jesus, their post resurrection encounter with their Lord is full of symbolism:  an abundance of fish when they follow Jesus' direction; Peter's impulse to be with his Lord by jumping right into the sea; and the communion of fish and bread awaiting them on the open fire on the beach with Jesus as host at the Table.  The climax of their encounter with the risen Lord is Jesus' command to the forgiven Peter (and to us) to:  "Feed my lambs.  Tend my sheep.  Feed my sheep."
Having been fed (literally and spiritually) by Jesus, the disciples are commissioned to go forth and care for others.  Having come to the Table as guests, they are commanded to go out to the four corners of the world and offer themselves as the meal that will open others' eyes to Jesus - as the meal that will change the world.

Having worshiped with Jesus, they are to sing the praises that epitomize a world filled with the power of God's grace as described in Revelation 5: 11-14:  "Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!  To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!"

When we come to the Table and are fed, we are blessed when we become the meal for those in need.  This is discipleship.  This is mission.  This is the kingdom coming to fuller and fuller realization.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Shelley