Devotional - Easter Sunday

The Hope of the Resurrection

I can imagine Mary, the mother of Jesus, gazing at her newborn son with immediate love and tenderness. Mothers do that. And I can imagine Joseph thinking of this child’s years growing up, and all they would do together. Fathers do that. As parents seem to do, Mary and Joseph must surely have wondered about His future, this tiny baby boy, who was sent by God for them to care for and watch over.
   
I think it’s easy to imagine Jesus as a child, playing with his siblings, running and laughing, sometimes helping his mother with chores. He’d watch Joseph working, learning all He could about carpentry, for He knew Joseph expected Jesus to follow in his footsteps.
       
When Jesus was twelve or thirteen, the family made a trip to Jerusalem during Passover. And while they were there, they visited the Temple. Jesus must have decided he was old enough to challenge the elders, and he did. They were amazed at this young man’s extensive knowledge and they wondered how he knew so much as they talked.

Meanwhile, Mary and Joseph left for home thinking Jesus was with the others in their group. He wasn’t!  So they made the trip back to Jerusalem to find him still with the elders in the Temple. Mary admonished Jesus, perhaps embarrassing him. Mothers can do that when they’re worried. Jesus responded by asking her why they were looking for him. Didn’t they know he must be in His Father’s house?   

As time passed and Jesus was on his own, his magnetism drew others to follow him—especially a diverse group of twelve men whose callings were to become His disciples. When Jesus had asked them to follow him, they did. When Jesus began his ministry, he greatly depended on their help. They were with him as He ministered to all his followers, including his disciples. He performed miracles that amazed them. I imagine when Jesus spent time with friends eager to share a meal with him, his disciples were asked to come along.

I imagine Jesus was a rather serious young man who nevertheless enjoyed the companionship of his twelve dedicated followers. We know from the Bible he was a gentle and kind man. And He was compassionate. But we know he could also get very angry and impatient. Some in the crowds didn’t trust him. Many feared him and despised him. And in the end, they crucified him.

But it’s hard to imagine Jesus’ Resurrection, how it happened. It seems an impossible outcome after Jesus’ crucifixion! But it was part of God’s plan, and Jesus wanted to appear before his disciples to explain His Resurrection. Then He told them He would soon be gone. He reminded them what they needed to do once He left them to be with His Father in Heaven. They were to remember all they had taught them, and do as He had done, because they were Christians.

Jesus has also taught us to follow Him as Christians. We are to serve him faithfully as his disciples, doing all he expects of us. When we do…we shall have eternal life. That is the hope given to us—the hope of the Resurrection.

Diane Feaganes

Devotional 4-11-20

They sat together

Around a table

The only light filtering through

Small holes in the wall.

There was darkness around them.

It was too quiet

Lonely

And they were afraid.

Their friend,

The Messiah.

The hoped-for one.

The promise

Had been crucified.

He had died.

They were so lost

They couldn’t remember

The words he had given them.

Words of hope

Of love.

Of life.

They could not see

That Saturday would be the last day

They would live without hope.

Without light.

They could not see

That tomorrow would be different.

We live in an unexpected time.

A time of fear and anxiety.

We sit in our homes,

Around our tables,

And it is too quiet.

There are those who are sick,

And those who are dying.

There are those who are grieving,

And those who are afraid.

But we don’t live a Saturday life anymore.

We live a Sunday life.

We may not be able to see the light,

But we know it is there.

We may not be able to hear the music of friends,

But we know that they are singing.

Christ has died.

Christ has risen.

And he comes back every day.

Tomorrow we will say alleluia.

We know it.

Because we are Sunday people.

Kim Matthews

Devotional 4-10-20

No Thanks. I Gave That Up for Lent

 Lent: a time period, by name anyway, that seems to have morphed from the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter to the “how long can you hold your breath” time period of GIVING SOMETHING UP. Based in the solid theology of sacrifice, it has grown legs and walked away. Posts on social media, and talk around the office water cooler bring out the ever-looming Easter question, “What are YOU giving up?” Almost as if comparing lawn mowers or bar-b-que grills, “My suffering is going to be greater than your suffering!” With the hope of actually thinking of suffering and loss when the desired ‘given up’ thing is wanted, we (notice I said WE? Me too) give up things like deep fried, caramel covered, dill pickles or only bingeing on five episodes of a favorite show instead of eight. Blah Blah Blah…

Notwithstanding the fact that Christ GAVE UP his life – the scriptures outlining his ministry and the narrative that follows his ride into Jerusalem…to die, never seem to point at him giving up – anything. Instead the focus seems to be on GIVING. Giving encouragement: “Blessed are the …For they shall…” Giving sustenance: “You give them something to eat.” Giving forgiveness: “Forgive them for they know not what they do.” Giving hope: “For today you will be with me in paradise.” Giving security: “Woman, behold your son.”

Two things near and dear to my heart are sweets and coffee. Over the course of the years I have given up both. Did I suffer? Enh…  Did it make me think? Maybe. Did it help ANYBODY else? NOPE!

I think my plan will be to only give up – self and to make everything else about giving. If asked for money on the street > don’t judge – give. If asked to help > don’t complain- give. If spoken to harshly > don’t retaliate – give. Give until it sinks in that THAT is way it is meant to be.

For God so loved the world that he gave…

Steve Matthews

Devotional 4-9-20

Lectionary Readings:  Exodus 12: 1-14; Psalm 116; 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26; John 13: 1-17, 31b-35.

“A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” John 13: 34-35.

 In the passage from John’s gospel, the disciples were gathered with Jesus to celebrate a Passover meal.  This was a traditional meal celebrated according to the directions God gave to Moses and the Israelites on the night the angel of death would pass over to save their children.  They should be “ready to go” as they ate, not really knowing that they would be leaving Egypt the next morning. None of the disciples knew what the next 24 hours would hold for them and for Jesus after this meal either. However, the evening gathering became a continuation of the lessons Jesus was trying to impart to all of his disciples. One of the first lessons of that evening was an act of Agape love.  Jesus showed the disciples that all are called to become servants to show their love as he did when he washed their feet.

The next lesson is found in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke.  Paul also described the meal of bread and wine in remembrance of Jesus’ life as he wrote to the Corinthians.  We know this meal of remembrance as Holy Communion where the bread of life and the cup of salvation are shared with the community.  Jesus asks us to remember that his body and blood were given as a sacrifice for our sins. What an extravagant, marvelous, matchless gift of love.

The third lesson of that evening was described in the gospel of John as a new commandment: to love one another as He loved us.  Everything Jesus said and did in his entire ministry was to teach us to love one another using his own life as the example.  He showed with his actions how to become the giver of love, the servant who puts others first, the grantor of mercy shown to all who ask—even in the hour of his own death. His grace is radical and overwhelming!  We could never be worthy on our own merits and we will never find this depth of love from any other source.
           
In this time of crisis and physical separation from one another, we will not be able to participate in the sacrament of holy communion as usual on Holy Thursday.  We cannot physically wash one another’s feet or do any other acts of Agape that require us to touch, hug or gather in close contact.  That does not mean that we are not spreading and sharing love with one another. We can still be the Church!  Start with prayer and meditation to connect with God.  Ask to be filled with a renewed spirit of love, direction and service. Next find some ways to share love that show you are grateful, thankful, faithful, thoughtful or meaningful. Be “full” of love as you proceed.  It could be a simple gift of some wipes in the mailbox for the mailman or sending cards to those in a health care facility like Woodlands. Make loving others a way of life.  Practice tolerance, patience, gentleness, etc., and share the LOVE!! It won’t be easy but Jesus called us to this radical way of loving others by his example!!!

Our church leaders and staff are doing all they can to maintain communication and support.  We are encouraged to check in with neighbors, family members and Sunday school class members, our community elders and friends to share needs and concerns. Even electronic forms of communication help us to stay connected and share hope and humor. Those essential workers who continue to provide care, deliver our food, measure our prescriptions, etc., deserve our thanks and appreciation.  We can be supportive of those in our communities on the front lines with our donations and patronage when allowed. We can spread the love of Jesus so well that all will know that we too are his disciples.  We do not have to be in a building to show to others that We are the Church.  Loving becomes a habit too beautiful to give up!

Oh God, Loving Creator: we thank you for loving us so wondrously. We are astounded and overwhelmed by your grace and mercy.  Help us to surrender to your loving ways daily so that we might be your hands and feet in this chaotic world. AMEN

Chyrl Budd

Devotional 4-8-20

“A Severe Mercy”

Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 70
Hebrews 12:1-3
John 13:21-32

Wednesday, the eve of the three most despairing and sorrowful days for the followers of Jesus; those who love Him, believe Him, look to Him for hope, for truth, for encouragement to strengthen their infant faith. They believe their faith in God has been solid; Jesus has shown them a new faith.  A faith which is personal, actionable, with love of God and neighbor as the foundation.  Over the next three days, they will experience what author Sheldon Vanauken calls “A Severe Mercy.”

The Old Testament readings reveal the extreme physical and emotional cost for those who hear and follow God’s call to faithful service with commitment and determination:

• “Therefore, I set my face like flint.”  (Isaiah 50:7b)
• “Let those who seek my life be ashamed and humiliated!” (Psalm 70:2a) 

Both readings also reveal the faithful servants’ trusting belief that God will not only help, but will also deliver them from the perils they face:

• “Look!  The LORD God will help me.  Who will condemn me?” (Isaiah 50:9a)
• “But let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in your saving help say again and again, ‘God is great!’”  (Psalm 70:4) 

The reading from Hebrews calls to mind “a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us.”  As Easter people, we are told to “fix our eyes on Jesus, faith’s pioneer and perfecter.  He endured the cross, ignoring the shame, for the sake of the joy that was laid out in front of him, and sat down at the right side of God’s throne.”  (Hebrews 3:1b, 2)

The disciples, however, were not Easter people – yet.  John’s Gospel reading describes the beginning of the sorrow and despair soon to befall Jesus and His followers:

• “After he said these things, Jesus was deeply disturbed and testified, ‘I assure you, one of you will betray me.’  His disciples looked at each other, confused about which of them he was talking about.  One of the disciples, the one whom Jesus loved was at Jesus’ side.  Simon Peter nodded at him to get him to ask Jesus who he was talking about.  Leaning back toward Jesus, this disciple asked, ‘Lord, who is it?’ 

Jesus answered, ‘It’s the one to whom I will give this piece of bread once I have dipped it into the bowl.’  Then he dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son.  After Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.  Jesus told him, ‘What you are about to do, do quickly.’  No one sitting at the table understood why Jesus said this to him.  Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus told him, ‘Go, buy what we need for the feast,’ or that he should give something to the poor.  So when Judas took the bread, he left immediately.  And it was night.”  (John 13:21-30)

“And it was night.”  That simple sentence has stayed with me, disturbing me. John offers no light in this passage to offset the darkness about to overtake Jesus and His followers. There is no parable to take the edge off.   There is no “I am…” passage to tamp down the foreboding feeling.  Only “And it was night.”

• “When Judas was gone, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.  If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify the Son of Man in himself and will glorify him immediately.’”  (John 13:31-32) 

How very thankful I am that we are Easter people. The despair and sorrow of those three days must give special meaning to how we respond to them. The mercy was indeed severe, but the followers were strengthened through their devotion to our Lord.  We should cherish the words of these Scriptures, which demonstrate the devotion, commitment, and love each and every faithful servant had for God and serving His purpose in their lives.  Every passage tells us we are never alone in serving our God.  We have “a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us” and a glorified Savior, Who intercedes on our behalf.  “Look, the LORD God will help me.  Who will condemn me?”

Loving God,
We offer our prayer to be faithful in completing the journey with courage, demonstrating the love of Christ for everyone, the determination of Christ to endure the hardships, and the strength of Christ to carry us forward when we fall. Please accept our willingness to be faithful servants, especially during this time of grave uncertainty.    Strengthen our faith, remove our excuses, and may we know Your loving presence always.  Amen.

Linda Summers

Devotional 4-7-20

Scripture: John 13: 1-17, 34-35

I was fortunate to travel to the Holy Land last fall with 5 bus-loads of West Virginia United Methodists. What an amazing experience, made even better by being there with friends. The trip involved a lot of walking over dry, dusty roads and hillsides. More than once my fellow travelers asked wouldn't I be more comfortable in sneakers. Nope, my trusty Nike sandals were (and are) my footwear of choice.  I can understand the need for washing the feet of people entering homes in Biblical times.  Of course, it was usually a lowly servant who washed the feet of guests, but at the Last Supper, it was Jesus, the host, who humbled himself to perform the task of washing the disciples' feet. Can you imagine their reaction? They were uncomfortable and confused. Jesus gave an explanation:

 After he washed the disciples’ feet, he put on his robes and returned to his place at the table. He said to them, “Do you know what I’ve done for you?  You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you speak correctly, because I am.  If I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you too must wash each other’s feet.  I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do.  I assure you, servants aren’t greater than their master, nor are those who are sent greater than the one who sent them.  Since you know these things, you will be happy if you do them.--John 13:12-17

How many times have we experienced joy from helping others? How often do we note that when doing something for others, we get the reward of happiness?

Jesus concludes this conversation with an instruction to the disciples and to us:

“I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other.  This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.”--John 13:34-35

Beautiful words. Sounds easy. Love each other. Harder than it sounds most days. Love each other. With God's help, we can give it our best try.

Anita Gardner Farrell

Devotional 4-6-20

Is this Holy Week different?

Read Psalm 36:5-11, Isaiah 42:1-9, Hebrews 9:11-15

My answer, to the title of this devotional, is yes and no.  As Holy Week began on Palm Sunday, we would have been celebrating Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem together at Johnson Memorial, or in other congregations, with our church Family, as a body of Christ.  But we could not.  We did celebrate together, as a Body of Christ in spirit, as we received the message, virtually from our Pastor.  We still had wonderful music from members of the Music Ministry and we heard the word of God. Thanks be to God!

God would still show us his love as in Psalm 36:7, "Your faithful love is priceless, God! Humanity finds refuge in the shadow of your wings."

What about the rest of Holy Week?  Well, things are different!  Many of us will be staying in our homes.  Some that are very needed, in their calling, will be working to care for others.  We will not be able to visit or be together in person with family, but we can still keep in touch from a distant.  Just like past years we can still be contemplating what we know of the days leading to Easter Sunday.  As written by the Prophet Isaiah 42:1,4,  ”Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.”  42:4 “He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching.”

As the week continues, we will celebrate Maundy Thursday, although differently, but it has the same meaning that Christ give his body and blood for our salvation.  We will cry on Good Friday as we remember Christ’s Crucifixion on the cross for us.  We will pray and contemplate all of this on Saturday leading to a Glorious Easter Sunday and the RESURRECTION of our Savior Christ the Jesus as he conquers death and leads us all to eternal LIFE.

In the message of Resurrection that there is life eternal.  There will also be life again in the world as we conquer what is happening today.  All of this through the Love of God and the Blood of our Savoir Jesus Christ.  Yes, this Holy Week will be different but the same. Halleluiah, Amen!!

Fred Herr