They saw no one except Jesus? What more do we need?

In the transfiguration text from the gospel of Matthew, verse 17:8 really hit me: And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

Peter, James and John had been chosen by Jesus to go up the mountain, and they were the witnesses of Jesus' glory and the presence of Elijah and Moses.  They were struck with such awe, they fell to the ground.  And when Jesus came to tell them to get up, Jesus touched them--and we are told when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

Were they disappointed? Would I be disappointed?  Would we?

The question comes to mind--what more do we need than Jesus, alone?!

My sermon a couple weeks ago talked about what Jesus calls the church to be--the body of Christ in the world.  We think we need a band, or a large youth group, or this or that.  Some might suggest a gimmick, a marketing strategy--with the goal to get "butts in the pews."  We see what other places are doing, how they look "successful."  I am reminded daily that Jesus calls us to be faithful.

I am struck by the revival at Asbury University where a few students stayed after a regular worship service to pray, and they were continually praying and worshipping--apparently without any sort of band or generally agreed upon contemporary features. They didn't rush off to the next event on the schedule, or say they were too busy. I believe they were moved and saw Jesus and responded! 

I believe people are searching for depth and meaning in life, and what more do people need to see than Jesus?  What more do we need?

I don't know where to go with this--but I think I am cautious about looking for the next thing that we do to bring people to the pews.  Instead, I believe my call, and the call of our congregation is to introduce people to Jesus, through our worship, through scripture, through prayer, through service, through how we cherish our relationships with people and with God. 

Our humanity draws us to look for the faults in ourselves and in others, God calls us in grace to look at ourselves and each other as creatures created in the image of God, created good, and loved unconditionally.  How might we look up wherever we are and see only Jesus, and let that be enough?

Good News? Jesus

 "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all people."  --Luke 2:10

As I sit in the office today looking at the snow and the possible cancellation of dinner plans and other things, I sit and think of the news I have received this week.  Honestly, none of it is good news.  The shooting at Michigan State, or the death of a church member, or the death of a mentor for one of our youth.  Then there are those government news briefs that I generally don't call good news.  

It is an intentional choice and with the hope and promise of Jesus that I write about good news this day!

As we read and discuss chapter 6 of "We Are Witnesses of These Things" (Craig Satterlee and Chelsey Satterlee), we must first realize that bringing good news is a choice. It doesn't just happen most of the time, we have to be intentional and thoughtful about it.  

The good news we share is Jesus!  We share Jesus with others, and that is the good news.  Jesus is the focus of who we witness.  So often we feel the need to witness with the hearer in mind, and maybe that is when we get caught in the trap of thinking and telling people how they need to change their lives to live according to Jesus, at least as we see it.  Witnessing to Jesus puts the focus on the one who saves, the one who brings and who IS the good news.  

Good News does not promise or guarantee that things will always work out the way we wish them to, or that bad things will not happen.  In times of tragedy, we often hear platitudes that I believe people use to comfort the other, or themselves.  They are trying to make sense out of the tragedy.  I imagine some have said to others in trying to make sense of the shooting or untimely deaths, "everything happens for a reason" or "God must have needed them."  Let me be clear, I don't believe there is any reason anyone can give me for what happened at Michigan State, or at Oxford, or anywhere else.  You can give me facts, anticipated motives, but God does not have a reason for these things happening.  God grieves, God cries, I believe God says you people need to figure this out and stop this--this is not my way of living.  Sin abounds in our world, and we are called as instruments of peace, to bring the transforming love and good news of Jesus to a world that is in clear need of transformation!

Good News in this situation is the promise that God is with us, always. Those who died were not alone and they were not and will not be forgotten. Good news to those students who are afraid to return to their school or class, you will not be alone.  Jesus, and the community will be with you.  Good News are the events that other MSU students are putting together to welcome students back, to say we are strong together.  

Good news depends upon God, made known to us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  

What would your testimony look like?  How would it read?  What would you share in your good news testimony?  

1.  What is an experience you have had witnessing to Jesus?  Describe it, bring people into the experience.  What emotions were you experiencing?

2.  What Bible story helps you connect to that experience?  The story doesn't need to be memorized, or even quoted--it is the story in your own words as you remember it.

3. What is the good news in this experience?  What ties your experience and the Biblical text together?

4.  Condense your story into what Satterlee calls an elevator speech. What can you say about your experience of Jesus in a short time, from 20-30 seconds to 5 minutes?

This week I encourage you all to reflect back on an experience you have had and tie it to a Biblical narrative.  Go through the above four steps and begin to draft a testimony.  Some of us will come up with many, and for some of us this will be difficult to do.  In the words of my seminary professor who taught about preaching (which is a method of giving witness!), pray, pray, and then pray.  

I would love to see some testimonies.!

You are released from the Witness Protection Program!!!!

I love to Tell the Story.  This is one of my favorite songs in church—I particularly love that the song says I love to tell the story for those who know it best, and I love to tell the story for some have never heard.  I sing with gusto when we sing this—but, do I mean it?

Jesus tells his disciples they are witnesses.  We often associate witness with the court system—a witness gets on the stand, as one with first-hand knowledge—what they have heard from others is inadmissible.  We are witnesses with both firsthand knowledge of our experiences with Jesus, and as people who witness to what we know from what the early witnesses recorded.

I wonder how many of us think we are in the witness protection program.

A few weeks ago, we listed the stories that came to mind about Jesus in the gospels.  If we are witnesses to Jesus, we probably should know these stories.  We begin teaching them early in life, as children.  In our congregation, the children receive a children’s story Bible around the age of 3.  It is the time they begin to hear the stories of Jesus, at their level.  They aren’t asked to figure out what it means, just to begin to learn the stories.  It isn’t just the stories of Jesus, but I remember learning about Moses, and Noah.  The creation story.  And yes, the Christmas and Easter Stories repeated every year. 

But as we grow older, we begin to remember these stories and think about what this may mean in my life.  How does this affect how I live out my life?  When I see how Jesus went out to be with people who others rejected, I have to ask myself if I live in Jesus’ name, am I also called to reach out to those that others reject.  I hear the stories of forgiveness, welcome, new life—and I explore them.  And the more I realize the love and joy in these truths from Jesus, the more and more I want to share the message of Jesus, I want to share Jesus with people. 

One of the challenges I have faces in my over 20 years in public ministry, and in my time as a lay leader prior to this is that evangelism, sharing the message often turned into a membership drive. We shared the message not so much of Jesus, but of the church.  Our goal was to get members.  Our thought was members meant more money and more people to do things.  As a pastor, it means my numbers on my annual report would look better. 

That is not the purpose of being a witness.  We are called to witness to Jesus whether or not the person ever steps foot into our church!  Those who tell the story of Jesus, who witness to Jesus are not salespeople.  Our goal in witnessing is to share the good news of Jesus.

Maybe the first place to begin witnessing is to our family —especially if we have children and grandchildren, many of whom do not know Jesus or any of the stories of faith.  Witnessing can be done by telling stories, by reading the Bible stories with them.  The church has covenanted to help with this through our teaching through children’s church, worship, and other ways we gather. You can witness by placing Jesus as a priority in your life and making decisions based on your faith and commitment.  Others are watching what we do, and if we say one thing and do another, our message just doesn’t come through as well.

In the book “We Are Witnesses of These Things” (by Craig and Chelsey Satterlee), we have to ask ourselves what are “these things.” 

For me the key is new life, which flows from the pivotal story of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection.  In this witness of Jesus, we experience Jesus’ suffering, helplessness, fear, worry shame and death.  Most of us can relate to feeling these things.  And through Jesus’ experience, we can reflect on these passages and on what the significance of Jesus’ experience means.  The author lists “these things:”

Repentance and forgiveness:  Luke 24 tells the disciples to witness to Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection by proclaiming “repentance and forgiveness of sins in his name.”  Jesus offers another way of life, a change in path, a change of heart and mind; and in this we find forgiveness.  This forgiveness is not just for us, but for all nations. 

A Ransom for Many: Matthew 20:28: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’ Jesus gave his life in redemption, to make us righteous before God, knowing that as humans alone, we could not do it.  This is a free gift, there is nothing required in return.  This ransom liberates us for the chains and bondage we that we find ourselves enslaved with in the world. 

New Life from Death: John 12:31-32: “Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. ³²And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ This is a reminder that Jesus’ death and resurrection was not for a chosen few, or just those in the church—Jesus is speaking new life into the world, the whole world.  The rulers of this world will not win.  Out of death is life, new life.  It doesn’t make death of anything easier, but there is the reminder that there is hope.

There are many other things we may find important to share about Jesus.  I like to share the unconditional love and commitment Jesus has for us, no matter what! 

What other things are part of Jesus’ story you want to share?

Do you think we have a choice about witnessing to Jesus?

What if anything prevents you from witnessing to Jesus?

What is any way of understanding Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection appeals to you? 

What do you most need Jesus to save your from? To save us from? To save the world from? (avoid churchy words)

Our Experience of Jesus

 Luke 24 is packed with people who experience Jesus. 

The Resurrection Story--The women came to the tomb to prepare the body with the spices they had brought--but the body wasn't there.  Perplexed!  They encounter two men, and the women were terrified!  The men asked the women, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen.  REMEMBER how he had told you!  They now remembered and went back to tell the others.  The others thought it was an idle tale.  Peter ran to the tomb and looked in.  Yep, it was empty, and the linen cloths were laying there--Amazed!

The Walk to Emmaus--When I was in seminary, someone dubbed the "duh" experience!  There were two disciples walking to a village called Emmaus from Jerusalem.  They were chatting amongst themselves about all that had happened--the death and burial of Jesus.  And we are told that while they were talking a man comes near them, we know him to be Jesus from the scripture, but these men are kept from recognizing him.  Jesus notices they are sad, and he says, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?"  One of them looked at Jesus and said, duh--ok, he didn't really say that, or maybe he did, and it just isn't well translated from the Greek.  Anyway, he says to Jesus, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn't know the things that have taken place these days?"  Jesus draws them in--"what things?"  And them men tell the stranger (Jesus) about how the prophet of God was arrested, condemned to death, crucified.  They told the stranger, "We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel, but it has been three days since all this happened."  Duh!  They went on to tell how the women had come back and reported the body was gone. The stranger then goes on to talk about how foolish they are, slow of heart to believe. The stranger says, "Wasn't it necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?"  And he went on to tell them, remind them of Moses and all the prophets.  

When they got to Emmaus, the stranger walked on ahead, but they invited him to stay.  It was at the table, at the TABLE, where he took bread, blessed and broke it--sharing it with them.  And then, AHA, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.  Remembered.

Jesus appears to the disciples--The disciples were sharing the story with the others, and Jesus comes and stand among them, "Peace be with you." They were STARTLED and thought they were seeing a ghost.  Had they not just been told by the others? But he asked why they were afraid and showed them his hands and feet.  And he ate with them.  And he opened their mind--they remembered.

The Ascension of Jesus-Jesus leads the disciples out to Bethany, and he lifts up his and and blessed them.  As he is blessing them, he is lifted to heaven.  And their response?  They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were CONTINUALLY in the temple blessing God.

Notice the vast emotion with these experiences.  Notice how in most of them, they didn't notice in the moment that Jesus was present--it took some time.  How quickly they forget, and how quickly we forget.

It has to be about twenty years about that I was asked to write an Easter article for the Saginaw News.  I wish I had a copy.  As I recall I spoke to the many tombs we find ourselves trapped by--it isn't just death.  It isn't until we step out of the tomb that we experience life.

The amazing thing about Jesus is that Jesus has been there--in the tomb, but he is no longer there.  Blessed by Jesus, meaning we live life according to Jesus, he invites us out of the tomb to live new life.  Jesus meets us where we are, but also loves us enough to not let us stay there.  

Where have you experienced Jesus?  Where do you experience Jesus?  I admit that I often encounter Jesus in worship--in a song that is sung, or in a phrase in a prayer.  I will admit I have to turn off my mind thinking about everything going on around me, or the stupid thing I said in my sermon, or sometimes those songs that don't really sound like planned.  But when I remember Jesus, I encounter Jesus.  

One of the joys of the call to Word and Sacrament ministry is the opportunity to share Jesus' body and blood regularly--to look into the eyes and see the person. It is the opportunity to taste, touch and see Jesus in ways I don't regularly do throughout the week.  And I need that reminder.  

I also see Jesus when I am out and about.  There is a place at Stony Lake Camp where when you sit during the sunset, there can be no doubt about God's presence (Bob Aldrich was able to capture a great picture of this once.)  Or I encounter it in volunteering, or while I listen to music on the radio.  

As we read and discuss chapter 4 of "You Are Witnesses of These Things," think about your encounters with Jesus.  Did you recognize it right away, or did you realize it after some reflection?  

Do you think you have had "duh" moments?  

Proclaiming Jesus!

 Proclaiming Jesus!

(I realize this might be hard to read--sorry!!)

A few weeks ago, in our in person class on You Are Witnesses of These Things, we put together an incomplete list of our favorite and remembered stories about Jesus.  Why?  Because as Christians, we are called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus.

As we were doing this, it occurred to me, is this what the church proclaims?  Do we proclaim Jesus, or do we, and I use we as a whole Church plural- not Ascension or even Lutheran- do we proclaim something else.  It seems on the news and in the media, we often hear about who is in and who is out.  What does Jesus call sin.  

However, when I look at this list, I have to think we have been getting it wrong!

I believe people want a relationship with Jesus, to know they are loved and cared for.  People also desire to have a higher purpose.  That is what Jesus offers when we look at the gospels--when we look at Jesus!

I'm not saying we ignore the rest of scripture, but as people of faith, it is Jesus in whom I put my trust.  Jesus is the Word, God with us.  

Look over the list we did as a class.  What stories might you add from the stories of Jesus?  Is this what you hear proclaimed by the Church in society?  How might we become better witnesses, proclaimers of Jesus to the world?

I believe in Jesus

What is a creed?

A creed is a set of beliefs that guides the words and actions of an individual, and then unites individuals into a shared identity in community together. Many organizations have creeds, not just the church.  

At Ascension we are most familiar with the Apostles' Creed.  We use this creed most services, it is used in baptism rites, we recently shared it as we installed our congregational leaders.  Creeds introduce a way to speak about what we believe for ourselves and in community with each other.  Though some of us use the creed individually in our devotions, I would imagine most of us say the creed in community. The Apostles' Creed begins "I believe, " but as we say it together, we are stating our community together.  If one has a creed memorized, it is likely the Apostles' Creed.

We use the Nicene Creed at times, generally on Festival services.  This creed begins "We believe."  There is a third creed that is used very rarely, some congregations use it on Holy Trinity Sunday.  The old green hymnal printed it, but our new read one did not.  If you wish to read it, click here:  Athanasian Creed.

The Creeds speak to the Trinity--God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  As people who believe and proclaim that Jesus is God with us, we will focus on the second article, I believe in Jesus.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

and born of the virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.*

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

          OR

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead. (ELW)

Jesus is Lord!

Martin Luther addressed the creed in the Small Catechism saying:

What is this?  or  What does this mean?

I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father in eternity, and also a true human being, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord. He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned human being. He has purchased and freed me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death. He has done all this in order that I may belong to him, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in eternal righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as he is risen from the dead and lives and rules eternally. This is most certainly true.

What is your reflection as you read and think about this creed?

What aspects of this portion of the creed to you believe with conviction?  What aspects do you question?  

If you were teaching the creed, what would be the most important for students to learn?

How would you rewrite the creed?

He Opened Their Minds

Luke 24:44-49

Then Jesus said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ ⁴⁵Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, ⁴⁶and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’

I have always loved that state
ment of the gospel writer Luke--he opened their minds. Faith and belief is not simply having knowledge or information about Jesus, it is to have a relationship, to be spiritually enlightened.  

Many of us struggle to share Jesus because we are afraid we are going to be asked something that we don't have the answer to, or that the person we are talking with can quote scripture and we don't have a come back!  Questions can be challenging.  But we are not called to witness to a series of facts, nor must we answer all of the questions people have.  In the book, "We are Witnesses of These Things" Satterlee writes, "We intentionally provide Jesus the space in our hearts, minds, and schedules to make us keenly aware of his abundant life and empower us to witness to him."  

The gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) witness to us by telling the stories of Jesus.  We find similarities in each and differences.  By doing so, we can get a broader perspective of who Jesus is.  There are likely stories that each of us find meaningful, while others may find other stories of Jesus important.  

Without looking in your Bible, what stories of Jesus do you remember?  They don't need to be exact and you don't need to know where they are recorded in scripture.  But what stories about JESUS do you recall?

In the account of the gospels, Jesus does not always respond to people in the same way.  Jesus will respond to what they need.  Sometimes we will be called to witness with words and other times with action--but both are important and inseparable.  We act with kindness in the name of Jesus.  This can get difficult at times, when we are serving in places that prohibit the use of Jesus' name or an outward display of faith.  It's tricky sometimes--but should not always be an excuse not to do this in Jesus name!

Witnessing is often as simple as telling someone about Jesus by one of his parables or teachings, and why this is a meaningful story to us.  

For instance, one of the most meaningful portions of scripture for me and how I live my life can be found in John 17.  Here Jesus is praying before his arrest and crucifixion.  He prays for himself.  He prays for those he is leaving behind--his disciples, family, followers.  And then he prays for those who will believe because of their words--Jesus prays for us.  I find it very meaningful that before his death, he lifts us up in prayer.  And his prayer is one of unity--that we may be one as he and the Father are one--united in relationship.  I strive to live out my calling, my faith, my life striving for this unity--it isn't easy sometimes, but I do try!

This week I'm interested in the stories of Jesus that are meaningful to you.  Please share!

Do you have a favorite gospel?  What makes it your favorite?

Choose someone in the gospels who Jesus interacts with.  Imagine you know that person--they may be a friend, a family member or a coworker.  Consider what you might say to them afterward and how you might respond to their witness of the event.