"I am the Gate"

Meditation on John 10:1-10

May 11, 2014 (Mother’s Day)
This is the link to the video of this sermon:https://vimeo.com/94965082

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      ‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’  ⁶Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

      7 So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. ⁹I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. ¹⁰The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

***

      The news of the week in my household is that our two youngest sons are back home with us, after finishing their finals and handing in their papers. Another year of college is behind them!

       Other families in our church and community are in the same situation—welcoming their young adult children back home from college—unpacking the stuff, washing the dirty laundry, hearing the stories, celebrating the accomplishments, and planning what comes next. One of my sons will be taking 2 classes online this summer and the other is seeking a summer internship.

     As a mother, minister, and former teacher, I can think of few things more important than our children’s education, including the nurture of their faith. We have made many decisions about our children’s education over the years—long before they were old enough for college. And there will be more choices to prayerfully consider in the future. For this is our job as Christian parents; we are called to help guide and equip our children with what they will need to fulfill God’s plan for their lives.

       The Apostle Paul in First Corinthians 12 says that each person has been given unique gifts and talents that are important to the whole Body of Christ. Each one of us has a calling or vocation—a way the Lord wants us to live and work.  Paul himself was a well-educated man before he became a missionary, evangelist, teacher and church planter. He supported himself as a tentmaker or leatherworker—something he may have learned from his father or from an apprenticeship his parents arranged for him when he was young.

      Our callings may differ, according to our God-given gifts, talents, and passions, but our purpose for our work and our lives is always the same—to love and serve the Lord.

       As a young mother, Scripture that spoke of childrearing and making disciples went straight to my heart. I took the responsibility of Christian parenting very seriously.  Our children belong to the Lord, their Creator and Redeemer—just as we belong to Him and our lives are not our own. Psalm 127:3 tells us children are a “gift” or “reward” from God, while Proverbs reminds us that they are given to us with an expectation—and a promise. Proverbs 22:6 says, “train them up in the way they should go and when (they) are old (they) will not depart from it.” So I prayed and worried about my children’s education.  I decided to begin by homeschooling. Several of my friends from church were homeschoolers in a large, active group. They offered to help me get started. It was a scary decision, but I am glad that we homeschooled for three years, beginning when my oldest son was starting kindergarten. Later on, my children attended Christian school and then public school.

     Homeschooling was a challenge. Sometimes, especially in winter, we went a little stir crazy in the house. But we persevered—and enjoyed field trips to museums and factories and science “discovery walks” in the spring and fall. We got together with other homeschooling families for fun activities and playtime. I believe that homeschooling brought us closer as a family and strengthened my faith and devotional life. I knew I had to rely on the Lord every day for His help! And it gave me the opportunity to pray and read the Bible with my children, sing Christian songs, and, share my faith in a natural, unhurried way.  I could tell them who Jesus is—for me.

    The gospel of John gives us many powerful images of Jesus and who he is for us using Old Testament metaphors coupled with the divine name, “I am.” In John 6:35, Jesus says, “I am the bread of life.” In John 8:12 & 9:5, he says, “I am the light of the world.”  In 11:25, he is “the resurrection and the life.” In 14:6, he is “the way, and the truth and the life.”

    In John 10, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd.”

   And “I am the gate.”

***

   

    Just before today’s gospel reading, Jesus has just healed a man who had been blind since birth. The man begins to worship Jesus and declares, “Lord, I believe.”

     And Jesus says, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” The Pharisees overhear Jesus speaking and they say, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” Jesus says if they were blind, they would not have sin. But now that they say, “We see,” their sin remains.

     Today’s passage begins with Jesus still engaged in conversation with the Pharisees, but now He is teaching through parables and “figures of speech.”

      The first parable reflects actual circumstances of life during Jesus’ time.  Christ is the shepherd whose sheep respond to Him as He calls them by name. The shepherd, in contrast to the thief and bandit, enters the sheepfold through the gate, opened by a gatekeeper. The shepherd brings “out all his own, and he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know His voice” and don’t listen to the voice of a stranger.  In Jesus’ time, shepherds did often know their sheep by name, and the sheep would recognize the shepherd’s distinctive call.  Families kept their sheep adjacent to their homes in enclosures built of stone. Thorny branches may have been placed on top of the stonewalls to discourage trespassers from climbing over. The sheepfold had one gate or entrance that could be locked to prevent theft. “Thievery was common,” and the loss of the entire herd would mean devastation for the family, as sheep were a source of meat, milk and clothing and a “major source of barter for other necessary goods” (Feasting on the Word, p. 445). Having a gatekeeper meant that the sheepfold was large enough to justify hiring someone to guard it, particularly at night.

    When the Pharisees don’t understand the first parable, Jesus tells another.  But the second one may be less comprehensible to those who do not believe in the Son of Man. In fact, at first glance, it may not be clear to Christ’s followers.  Is Jesus talking about salvation in heaven or life in this world when he says, “I am the Gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture”? 

    I believe this verse is speaking of Christ’s presence, guidance, provision and protection of His followers throughout the dangers and trials of this world, as he adds, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” The “thief” could be a reference to the corrupt religious leaders of Jesus’ time or to Satan and the powers of darkness. But none of these will be present in the Kingdom of Heaven.

    The passage ends with the intriguing statement:  

     “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

***

     What does it mean “to have life… abundantly?”  So often we think of abundance as having plenty or more than enough. We mistakenly equate biblical references to “abundance” and “abundant life” with possessing wealth and the comforts of this world—living the “good life.” But Jesus never promised the blessings of wealth and status; he preached the blessings of poverty, humility and persecution.  Even Paul moves us away from the meaning of “abundant life” in John when he uses the language of “abundance” to describe God’s blessings to the Corinthians when he wants to inspire generous financial giving to the church in Jerusalem.

      To grasp John’s meaning of abundant life, it is helpful to focus on the powerful images and metaphors of Jesus. Here we find the critical elements of “abundance” and how Christ brings the “abundant life” to us by being The Bread of Life, the Light of the World, Living Water, The Truth, The Way, and the Life. The Good Shepherd and the Gate.

      This is what our children need to know! If they are to be equipped with what they need to fulfill God’s plan for their lives, they need to know who Jesus really is! Knowing what they want to do for a living and finding a good job aren’t enough for abundant life!

     Friends, seek the Lord for the time to have that unhurried conversation with your loved ones about who Jesus is for you… personally. Tell them about the Shepherd, who is always with us—calling us by name and leading us through our trials, guiding us to the right paths, protecting and nourishing us with His Word and Spirit.

    And when we encounter trials, and we fear that we haven’t heard our Shepherd right.... when we wonder if we have made the wrong choices for our families or for ourselves, rest in His grace and the promise that Christ’s sheep will hear His voice—and follow Him.

    There are no mistakes in this life that Christ has not already redeemed for us through His death on a cross!

   So what are you waiting for?

   Christ is calling your name—beckoning you to follow, leading you out of the enclosure.

    Go out into the world with peace and joy, knowing that Christ, who is with you, is also ahead of you.

      He is the Good Shepherd.

      He is the Gate—the door to abundant life!

Holy God, thank you for choosing us to be your sheep, your beloved children, whom you call by name! Thank you for your promises to us in your Word—for the promise of your love and presence with us always through trials and suffering. Thank you for the promise of abundant life in this world and everlasting life in your Kingdom to come. Lead us to walk in paths of righteousness, Lord, loving and serving you, resisting the temptation to be distracted by the things of this world. Give us courage to have those important conversations and share with our loved ones who Jesus is to us—so that they, too, will come to know the Good Shepherd, who is also the Gate—the door to abundant life. In His name we pray. Amen

"On the Road with Jesus"

Here's the video link if you'd like to watch the sermon:
http://vimeo.com/93994951

Meditation on Luke 24:13–35

May 4, 2014

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       Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.  While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

        As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

***

   I have missed you! It’s good to be back home with my church family again!

   Jim and I were away for a few days to rest after a busy Lenten season.  We decided to go to Rochester to visit with our friends Ken and Marylynn.  We brought our two dogs, Molly and Mabel, with us. They love to ride in the car! Melvin the cat stayed home, though, with our son Jacob, who was tied up with schoolwork. We stayed at a hotel for two nights and enjoyed dinners and suppers with our friends. We went to the movies one night and attended their church on Sunday morning. On our way back home, we stopped in Mankato to see our son, James, who attends Mankato State. 

    What was the best part of our vacation?  When the rain stopped and the weather was pleasant enough that we were able to go for long walks with Ken and Marylynn in their neighborhood. And it’s funny, Molly the sheltie, who is 12, is usually tired out after one circle around the manse and church parking lot. But she was perky and energetic—like a puppy—for the walk in our friends’ neighborhood, around curves, up steep hills and down slopes. She even did a little dance when I held up the leash for a second walk on the same day.

    As we walked, we talked about many things—family and pets, movies and television shows, jobs and school, our church and faith. I can’t recall everything we said, but I remember the peace that we shared.  How comforting it was to be with other believers, fellow travelers along our journeys of faith.

 ***

    In our gospel reading today, we join two of Jesus’ followers along their seven-mile walk from Jerusalem to their home in the village of Emmaus. They had gone to the Holy City for the annual pilgrimage for the Passover, but this year’s festival was not like any other.

     The passage that comes immediately before the walk to Emmaus tells of the discovery of the empty tomb—first by the women, whom no one believe, then by Peter, who only sees the empty tomb and the linen cloths. He isn’t there to see and talk with the angels who appear to the women who come early in the morning to anoint Jesus. Peter goes home “amazed at what had happened,” meaning he isn’t able to understand it all!

    But Cleopas and the unnamed disciple who encounter Jesus on the road—without knowing that he is the risen Christ—haven’t seen the empty tomb or heard from angels. They have only heard the stories others have told.  Still, their hearts are fully engaged in this discussion. They are not talking in a detached, intellectual manner in which scholars might compare schools of philosophy. This discussion in which Jesus enters is one in which two believers are passionately seeking answers to questions that are challenging everything they thought they knew about life, death, God, and salvation! They are deeply disturbed and can’t stop thinking and talking about what happened—struggling to make sense of it, just as Peter and the other disciples are struggling to understand.

        When Jesus asks them what they are talking about, at first they are so overcome by emotion, they can’t say anything at all. They stop walking and just stand still, looking sad. Finally, Cleopas responds incredulously, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?!”

      What does all this mean for their faith in the one whom they call “a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,” the one whom they had hoped would be the one to “redeem Israel”?

     What does it mean that Christ’s tomb is empty?!

     What if the women aren’t just telling idle tales—and the angels really had come? And Jesus is alive?!

        Jesus answers their questions by taking them to the same place we go with our faith questions—God’s Holy Word.  He begins with Moses and the prophets and interprets to them “the things about himself in all the scriptures.”

***

     What is so touching to me about the walk to Emmaus, which is found only in the gospel of Luke, is that these are ordinary people on their way home to their little village when they encounter Jesus on the road—coming to meet them in their grief and distress. These aren’t any of the important 12 original disciples. This isn’t another story about Peter, James, Andrew, or John. One of the walkers is “Cleopas”—and this is the only place we find this person in the Bible. Scholars really don’t know who this person is. We don’t know if Cleopas is male or female, old or young.  We know even less about the person walking with Cleopas; he or she is not named at all. This reminds me of the gospel of John, who often refers to one of the “disciples” not by name, but only as “the one whom Jesus loved.”

    And like the John accounts that include the unnamed disciple, it is easy to place ourselves into this story. We are all ordinary people, pilgrims traveling the hills and valleys of our journeys of faith.

     How often have we been upset, sad or confused when something unexpected happens—or something we expect to happen doesn’t—and it challenges our faith? Is God truly sovereign, always in control? Does he really love us all the time, even when we are unfaithful to Him?  How can He use all things—even terrible things—for His glory and our good?

      We don’t have the Lord’s eyes to see and understand, unless He opens them for us—just like the two disciples on the road with Jesus whose eyes, “were kept from recognizing him.”  That is, until “something” stirs the two disciples to urge Him to stay with them. I think that “something” is the peace of Christ—His gift to all believers. They are drawn to the Lord and the peace they feel when they are with Him. And that evening, when they are at the table, Jesus takes bread, blesses and breaks it, and gives it to them—and they know! Their eyes are opened. He is made known to them in the breaking of the bread—just as He makes himself known to us when we come in faith to the Lord’s Table for “Communion”—to be made one with Him and the whole Body of Christ.

    Friends, it is so much easier, and so much more joyful, to walk our faith journeys side by side, carrying one another’s burdens—encouraging and being encouraged by our brothers and sisters, lifting up one another in prayer.   Just as Jim and I were encouraged by walking and talking, praying and sharing meals with two of our Christian friends.

    And the peace we shared? I am sure it was the peace of Christ!

    The empty tomb and the resurrection appearances are proof that He is alive! Jesus is the One whom God sent to redeem us from our sins, the one sacrificed for our sakes and resurrected to show us the way to everlasting life with Him!

    And God’s Word assures us that He is with us always, though we may not always have our eyes “opened” to His presence.

     On our way home from our trip, I thought about how I sensed Christ was with us all along and drew strength and comfort from His presence—just as the two disciples in Emmaus realize after Jesus vanishes.

      And they say to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?”

Let us pray.

Holy One, thank you for revealing yourself to us by Word and Spirit. Thank you for your love! Thank you for opening our eyes to the truth—so that we recognize our need for Jesus to redeem us—and all the world—from our sins. Forgive us for our doubts and, at times, for our rebellion or spiritual laziness. Show each of us the path you want us to take and strengthen us to walk as you direct. Lead us to encourage one another in the faith—to talk and walk and eat together, to pray for one another and carry one another’s burdens. Keep us from disappointment and grief when things don’t go as planned or as we want them to go and when we face hardship and pain. Help us to be patient and to trust you when we don’t understand. May we feel your peaceful, comforting presence with us always. Stir us to be faithful, though we may not have eyes yet to “see.” Give us hearts that burn with your love and gratitude that moves us to share the gospel in words and deeds. In Your Son’s precious name we pray. Amen.