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What Would You Believe? (April 25) 2010-04-20 by Tim Norton Submit a Question | Submit an Article Is it any wonder why, early in his ministry, Jesus didn’t reveal his identity to the crowds, and forbade the disciples and those he healed from telling what they saw!? In the Acts passage, no matter what he claimed, the Jews around him in the temple weren’t going to believe. I am reminded of the Corinthians passage “When I was a child, I thought like a child.” Jesus here is speaking to children, as to us. Isn’t he telling us that until we return to God, until we are received through baptism, we cannot understand his message. Until we receive the Holy Spirit, how can we receive understanding? Even Peter, in the Acts passage, having received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, shows that he can now heal the sick and raise the dead, as with Tabitha. The key is prayer. Jesus here does not reject the unbelievers around him, but loves them still, as a parent loves a child, even though the child cannot comprehend the lessons of the parent. Pastor, talk to me about Jesus as the good shepherd, leading his sheep until they come into their own understanding. Then he becomes the lamb, sacrificing himself for those sheep. Talk to me about the psalm for today, Psalm 23, often used for funerals because of its comforting language. How much comfort it could have meant to those mourning Tabitha! Talk to me about the meaning the symbol of the Shepherd and the Lamb in the Psalm and in the Revelation passage. On the very best of authority (April 11) 2010-04-07 by Tim Norton Submit a Question | Submit an Article Probably the best way to get someone to do something is to tell them they are not allowed to do it. Well, that’s an axiom most of us learned long ago, but it appears the chief priest in the Acts passage has not. Not only did the religious leaders of the time fail to stop Jesus’ message by killing his body, they see now that his “body” has expanded to include his disciples who now further his ministry and, as multiple members, can spread it farther and wider than before. These “authorities” continually hounded Jesus in his ministry, demanding he tell them by whose authority he acted. Jesus rarely told them, and when he did they wouldn’t believe. Now the disciples, armed with the Holy Spirit, don’t hesitate to report by whose authority they preach the Word. Indeed, it is an integral part of their message. Isn’t it interesting that all the efforts of the chief priests and religious leaders have resulted not only in utter failure of their intended goals, but have actually furthered the very ministry they sought to destroy! As we prepare for the first Sunday after Easter, we’re still glowing in the miracle of the resurrection, we’re still pondering the meaning of the promise of salvation fulfilled in our lives. Often this week is called a “low Sunday” as lukewarm followers of Christ let down in their observance of his call and ministry. Pastor, talk to us about keeping up the fight. Talk to us about re-energizing ourselves to pick up right where Jesus left off as did his disciples. Bring us out of hiding in our upper rooms, that we might take up the cause of spreading the good news and following the Way. Show us how to catch our breath, then jump right back into the fray. The John, Acts and Revelation passages all have us looking toward Pentecost and we want to be ready and alert to receive the Holy Spirit and respond to the call we know will come. After all, we have it on the very best of authority. Power in the Name (April 4) 2010-04-03 by Tim Norton Submit a Question | Submit an Article The literalist in me loved to see these two gospel descriptions of the Easter story side by side. The differences are subtle but make great discussions points. It’s interesting to me that in John’s gospel, he identifies the two disciples who went to the tomb as Simon Peter, by name, and himself as “the other disciple (the one Jesus loved)”. He doesn’t name himself at all in the account. It is also always interesting to me to note (and remember) that Jesus first appears to the women of his flock, before he ever sees his “brothers”. It brings to mind again what is called in The DaVinci Code, the “sacred feminine” concept. Amazing what lines of thought a well-written novel can stir up. The other point in this story that is truly magical for me is that Jesus appears to Mary, but remains hidden to her until he speaks her name. Psychologists agree down through the ages: the identity is in the name. Use of the proper name in therapy has been shown to even relieve psychoses and cut through dementia. Jesus himself identified demons by name before casting them out of the afflicted. The power is in the name. God himself confirmed this in the third commandment. By uttering Mary’s name, Jesus raised the veil from her eyes, allowing her to recognize him. And to the other disciples he remained hidden until choosing to reveal himself with a word. As I prepare to celebrate Easter, I pray that I remain faithful to Jesus, that he might lift the fog from my vision, that he might say my name. Good News (April 4) 2010-04-01 by Winola Green Submit a Question | Submit an Article The Easter story reminds us that sometimes (in fact quite often) we do not hear the GOOD news, because our minds are preoccupied, our lives are too hectic, or we are so taken in our own grief and need for news that we miss out. The followers on hearing the news of Jesus resurrection on that day didn't really hear. They mistakenly blamed the women in their idle chat, or of course didn't understand. They had not really been listening. Do we listen as intently as we could? Do we pass over news that we think is not valid? Of course we do those things. The Good news of Jesus Christ comes to those who listen and are led by the Spirit to the receive the wonderful gift of God. It is refeshing to hear about Peter, and his race to know the TRUTH. Oh, to be like Peter even in his denial, his quick reactions, and his knowing of the love & forgiveness of Jesus! Many lessons (March 28) 2010-03-24 by Tim Norton Submit a Question | Submit an Article I could study the story of the passion of Jesus for decades and would conclude, as I’m sure would others, that much of the story will always be a mystery. There is so much to comprehend and Jesus uses this anxious time to teach on many different levels. To the disciples he seems to give instructions on how to carry on his church, warning them that they will suffer their own trials because of his. To the crowds and Jerusalem he offers praise and disappointment together, showing that their fickle behavior is precisely as foretold by prophecy. To us, Gentiles, and the government, he warns of the abuse of power and the misuse of the gifts from God, who is the source of any such perceived power. Lessons abound and pastor, we need to hear about these and so many more continuously, because we still miss the point. Like Peter, we’re so ready to strike back with violence against a perceived threat, while ignoring the larger truth of the matter and forgetting Jesus’ way of leadership. We want to be the hawks, while Jesus insists on being the dove. Jesus admonishes us to feed his sheep like the good shepherd; but we act more like the wolf. And pastor, what could the message mean that Jesus gives in Luke 23: 27-31? 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