Christ the Unlikely King

When you hear the word ‘king’ or ‘kingdom’ what do you think of? Do you stay biblical because a pastor is writing this and think of King Saul/David/Solomon? King Herod? Do you travel into mythology and think of King Arthur or King Midas? Or into fiction and think of all the competing Kings & Queens in Game of Thrones, the Lion King, the King of Siam and his relationship with Anna? Or do you think of historical kings like King Henry VIII or King George? Or maybe as a  sports fan, King James or Jerry Lawler the King come to mind?

A claim to kingship is present in the Scripture readings today: John 18:33-37 and Psalm 93.

We certainly don't tend to think of current kings; we usually don't tend to think of ourselves as being part of a kingdom, submitting and obedient to a king. And yet Jesus' response to Pilate's accusation should strike us to the core. Just when we are thinking we are free to do what we want when we want, Jesus' words draw us back in to remind us just who and what we belong to.

In our country where we have rejected the tyranny of kingship, it's even more important to reclaim that word 'king' by naming Jesus Christ our unlikely king - a king who shares power by empowering others to do the work of the kingdom. In a world where kingdom brings up images of abuse and oppression, it's even more important to reclaim 'kingdom' by describing the kingdom of God - one of equality, of inclusivity, of radical hospitality, where no one is hungry or thirsty or naked or lonely or without a family. 

As we reflect on Christ the King in the midst of Thanksgiving week, let us give thanks to Christ our King, for choosing us to belong to the kingdom of God - for choosing us to be sisters and brothers - for choosing us to share His inheritance - for choosing us to work to make this kingdom a reality. Let us give thanks that it is not up to us - that we have a redeemer King.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Kate

We Are Not the Light

Have you tried to tell someone who you are by saying who you are not? In John 1: 6-8, 19-28, John the Witness confesses to the religious authorities who grill him: No, I'm not the Messiah. No, I'm not Elijah. No, I'm not the prophet. Instead, with great understatement, John identifies himself as the one called to point us toward the coming of Jesus Christ - to witness to him. John says of himself that he cries out in the wilderness and that he's unworthy to untie the thong of the sandal of the one who is coming. Like us, John waits in the dark for the coming of the Messiah, who will bring light into the world's darkness. John's "I am not" self declarations contrast to Jesus' later "I am" statements.

John's self understanding arises out of his relationship to Jesus as the coming Messiah. Who John is and what he's called to do (witness to the coming light) depends totally on belonging to Christ. One way to think about our own relationship to Jesus is that Jesus is both sun and Son. We are the moons which circle around the sun/Son, reflecting the light of the sun/Son.

This distinction helps us understand that we're neither the Christ, nor are we God. God is Creator and we are God's creatures. Like John, our call - our work - our service - is to prepare the way so that Christ's light might shine out into the world where darkness seems to prevail.

Hebrew Bible Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11 draws a powerfully poignant picture of the kingdom here on earth that will come to pass where people respond to God by:

• preaching good news to the poor
• healing the heartbroken
• proclaiming freedom to captives
• releasing prisoners
• comforting those who mourn.

Isaiah pictures the year of Jubilee in which land is returned to original owners, debts are cancelled and slaves are freed. Anticipating slates wiped clean is accomplished through the light of the world shining in the dark, never to be extinguished by the darkness. Jesus Christ is the bringer of eternal Jubilee.

While we wait, we can witness to the slivers of light and the bounteous light that we see whenever and wherever we serve in Christ's name. What good and great news this is!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Shelley

The Royal Banquet

Did you read the story about the young men beat up in their church parking lot…by church members? They didn’t even get through the front door before they were accosted, verbally and physically, by deacons – those charged to care for God’s children.

What sort of church is this? A church where the pastor yells “sic ‘em” and instructs deacons to beat young men up?

Does it change your view of the story if I tell you that one of the young men was the pastor’s son? Does it change your view of the story if I tell you that the young men were a couple? You can read more about this story here.

What a heartbreaking world we live in. Read Philippians 4:1-9 and Matthew 22:1-14.

Sometimes the kingdom of heaven here and now seems…not here and not now. It seems so far out of reach that there is nothing we could do. Paul commands us, as followers of Christ, to “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” None of those words describe the behavior of this pastor and his church leaders.

Matthew writes the kingdom of heaven is like a fabulous wedding party, filled with unexpected guests. Those who were supposed to show up didn’t, so the least of these, the ones not worthy enough to grace the original guest list, get all the honors and food and drink and good times at this wedding party. What an odd wedding party.

So who is at the table in the kingdom of heaven here and now? Who has RSVPed YES! to our King of Kings who calls us again and again to come to the party?

Jerry Pittman Jr. has been invited. So have many others who have been victimized, bullied, oppressed, exploited, pushed aside, and rejected. Those who have been broken down, homeless, friendless, and excluded. We know this from the life and ministry of Jesus the Christ.

But the surprising part is that the invitation is also extended to Pastor Jerry Pittman Sr. The invitation has also been extended to the deacons and the bystanders of the congregation. And to Fred Phelps and to Rick Perry. We know this from the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. For if any of those people are beyond redemption, beyond the reach of God’s love – then so are you and me. We are offered wedding robes of grace and redemption, which mean we cannot remain the same in the kingdom of heaven as we are in the kingdom of earth.

The kingdom of heaven here and now is filled with surprising guests – all here by special invitation by our King. Our king – who is unlike earthly kings – will not reject someone for lack of special clothes, or burn down cities when the king is rejected. And thanks be to God for the gracious gift of the invitation, the inclusion, and the redemption.

Love, 

Pastor Kate

Why would anyone want to be a Christ-follower?

Immediately after being blessed by Jesus as the rock upon which Jesus will build his church, Simon Peter is scolded/rebuked by Jesus - "Get behind me, Satan!" Wow- what a reversal!

How and why has Peter stumbled? Read Matthew 16: 21-28. The question to us is, "How do we identify with disciple Peter with our own stumbling blocks?"

Do we struggle with pride, busy-ness, a consuming desire for financial security, the need to achieve to prove ourselves, laziness or apathy, addictions to alcohol or the internet or sex or drugs, fear of the unknown, an egotistical thirst for power or strength, fear of being vulnerable to others, a desire to avoid all suffering......the list of stumbling blocks is endless.

Jesus challenges us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Jesus. Many interpret this as a burdensome call to martyrdom and masochism. But Jesus' way is a way of love and joy. He calls us to turn outward TOWARD the world, looking for our passions in the ways we can serve others. These stumbling blocks work as barriers, not only separating us from Jesus, but also separating us from the abundant life that accompanies those who work toward the kingdom of God being realized bit by bit here on earth. To partner with Jesus is to claim a vision of hope in the final victory which Jesus has already won. We don't have to repeat the crucifixion. We're called to trust in the resurrection.

May God give you countless opportunities to recognize the faith-filled way to love and truth in which you serve others when you counter hunger, homelessness, and hopelessness in the place you are today.