In the Flesh: Loving

This week, we turn from the stories of Jesus' post-Resurrection appearances to his disciples to a look at how those appearances affected his disciples. After encountering Jesus in the flesh, the disciples were energized. They went forth to carry the message far and wide. Letters, like the one we read today, give us a glimpse into the message that they spread across the Empire and beyond (see 1 John 3:16-24).

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As you know, over the past few weeks, we have been focusing primarily on the post-Resurrection appearances of Jesus. We’ve heard the story of Mary Magdalene and Peter at the empty tomb and Jesus’ appearance to Mary, we touched on Jesus’ appearance to the disciples on the Emmaus road, heard that Jesus appeared to Peter, and then we’ve read two different version of Jesus’ first appearance to the gathered disciples.

One of the things we have noted is that these appearances of Jesus to the disciples has been an opportunity for Jesus to continue their teaching. Not only has he shown up to prove that he is in fact alive, he also reminds them of all the things he has taught them. And he has reinforced the key teachings that he wants them to remember above all others.

Last week, I pointed out how part of the reason for this is that Jesus is preparing them to go out and spread his teachings. After all, they are witnesses to all that Jesus has said and done. They are witnesses to his resurrection. He needs them to know what to focus on.

In fact, Jesus started this before his death on the cross. In the final week after he entered Jerusalem, his teaching took on a greater focus and intensity. He knew that his time with the disciples was drawing to a close. He tried to tell them. He tried to help them understand. They simply could not comprehend a Messiah who dies, a king who sacrifices himself.

At the last supper, he gives them a new commandment -- to love one another as he has loved them. When he appears to them again a few days later, even though he speaks of forgiveness and repentance, his disciples surely remembered that earlier teaching. When he tells them that they are witnesses who will go forth to tell others, everything they had heard from him is framed by these points -- love, forgiveness, and repentance.

In the last two weeks, we have touched briefly on what happened after the disciples had their post-resurrection encounters with Jesus. They spread the word of Jesus to the edges of the known world and beyond. While their ministry appears to have remained centered in Jerusalem with James as a key leader, other disciples went in other directions. We know that Thomas is said to have traveled east into parts of Asia, rumored to have traveled at least as far as India and perhaps farther. Matthew is rumored to have traveled to Ethiopia. Jude is recognized as having gone to Armenia. Peter traveled to Greece and some traditions hold that he traveled as far as Rome. Paul seems to have traveled throughout the Mediterranean, with letters written to communities he started in present-day Turkey, Greece, and Italy. There are some traditions that hold that he may have traveled as far as Spain. All of this because they had an experience of meeting Jesus in the flesh after his death. They were strengthened by their encounter with the resurrected Jesus.

Our letter today is attributed to the gospel writer we know as John, one of the original twelve apostles. For his part, tradition tells us that John spent the remainder of his ministry in the eastern Mediterranean. He appears to have been most revered in the western part of modern day Turkey, particularly in the region around Ephesus. Tradition also tells us that he was the only one of the Twelve to die of natural causes, living a long life in that region.

It is not difficult to see the commonalities between the writer of the letter we read from today and the gospel writer. In fact, the first verse of our reading today is nearly an analogue of John 3:16, a verse that so many of us know by heart. Our reading today seems to summarize that more famous verse: “This is how we know love: Jesus laid down his life for us…” (1 John 3:16a, CEB).

Immediately following this verse, the letter writer makes it clear what this means in action. He takes it beyond the realm of the abstract. We touched briefly last week on what the message was that the disciples spread as they went on their many journeys and travels to other places. Here we get to see that message.

Our writer first suggests that just as Jesus laid down his life for us, we ought to lay down our lives for each other. This for him is what it means to love each other. But he helpfully goes on to show that this isn’t only about sacrificing out physical bodies to death. Perhaps that is the ultimate example we see in Jesus, but through the rest of this section, we see that this is not the only way we might interpret laying down our lives for each other. If we have the means and see someone in need but refuse to help them, then we are not showing love to them. The love of God is not in us.

John goes on to say, “let’s not love with words or speech but with actions and truth” (1 John 3:18, CEB). He makes it clear that love is about more than thoughts and words; love is active. Don’t just say the words, but put the words into action.

It reminds me of a song in one of my wife’s favorite musicals. Now, I didn’t really grow up with many musicals, at least not unless it was an animated Disney film. But my wife loves musicals. As far as she is concerned, life should be like a musical, with people just randomly breaking into song as they go about their everyday business.

One of her favorite musicals is My Fair Lady. Maybe some of you are familiar with the story. A renowned linguist makes a bet that he can train a poor, unrefined woman from the streets of London into a lady fit to circulate in high society and even appear before the Queen. Toward the end of the story, a high class young man who has become enamored with the young woman professes his love with flowery imagery. Her response is to essentially sing that words are meaningless. “Don't talk of stars/Burning above/If you're in love/Show me.” Eliza doesn’t want to hear the words; she wants action. Let your actions speak for you.

Perhaps some of you have heard the quote attributed to Saint Francis of Assissi: “Preach the gospel daily, and if necessary use words.” It is the same idea our reading today suggests. Our actions speak the truth more loudly than any words we might use. 

Our reading continues with another reminder of the gospel writer by saying,” This is how we will know that we belong to the truth…” (1 John 3:19, CEB). This calls to mind Jesus’ new commandment for the disciples at the last supper. “This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other” (John 13:35, CEB). Making the connection even more explicit, the letter continues by saying, “This is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love each other as he commanded us” (1 John 3:23, CEB).

John wants us to remember that the heart of Jesus’ ministry is love. He also wants to make it clear that this isn’t simply some cerebral love. This is not merely a profession of love. It is love put into action. It is love that is kind and caring, love that is compassionate and involved in meeting the needs of others. For John, this is what love looks like.

For those of us living in a modern world where we might speak of loving pizza or loving a particular movie with the same language we might use for the love of a friend or family member, this can be particularly convicting. There are of course ways in which the feelings or emotions may have similarities. Our preferences for one type of thing over another may be similar to our preference of a particular person over another. On the other hand, french fries, no matter how much we might love them, will never be able to comprehend our feelings or have any other thoughts about us. 

But the people in our lives and in the world around us can engage with us. And they will judge us on more than the words we use. If people are hurting, and we offer words of love without taking any action to ease their suffering, is that really love? If someone is in danger, and we offer them thoughts of well-being without doing anything to help them out of danger, have we shown them love?

In our modern world, the Church as a whole has gotten a certain reputation. Whether that reputation is deserved or not can be debated, but those who are not Christians base their understanding of the Church on the actions of those who are a part of it. When they see the Church saying that they promote love while at the same time acting in ways that show the opposite, what are people to believe? 

It reminds me of a joke I saw on Facebook one time. The story goes that a police officer pulls a car over and asks to see the man’s license and registration. After confirming that the man is in fact the owner of the car, the police officer apologizes, saying, “I noticed the fish emblem and the John 3:16 bumper sticker on your car. Then I saw you cutting people off, shouting out your window at other drivers, and making obscene gestures. I just assumed the car must have been stolen.”

While the Church may have a certain reputation, this doesn't mean that the Church is all bad. Over and over I have seen members  of many congregations put their words into action. I have seen members of the Church show love for their communities by supporting the most vulnerable. We, the Church in the world, have provided meals and gifts for those that might go without. We, the body of Christ, have offered physical and monetary support for our neighbors in need. We, believers, have shown our communities and our world that our love is more than words. I pray that no matter what the people who give the Church a bad reputation do, we will continue to be a living example of today’s text, that we can continue to be the loving presence of Jesus in our communities.

In the Flesh: Witnessing

This week, we return to the disciples gathered on the first Easter evening. We continue to explore how the post-Resurrection appearances of Jesus affected the disciples. What did it mean for them to see Jesus in the flesh after he had died on the cross and was buried in the tomb?

Over the last two weeks, we have heard the stories from John's point of view, but this week we turn to the gospel according to Luke. While the primary reading for the day is just the scene of Jesus appearing to the gathered disciples that first night (see Luke 24:36b-48), we take a quick journey through Luke's take on Easter morning and other appearances of Jesus to better understand what is happening behind closed doors.

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Today we return to that first Easter evening, but this time we see it from the perspective of Luke. As you may have noticed, Luke has a similar but slightly different take on the events of that evening. To better understand the scene that Luke gives us today, we’re going to take a quick look at how Luke focuses on some other details than we have seen in John the last few weeks. 

Chapter 24 of Luke starts with the story of the women visiting the tomb and finding it empty. Unlike the version we heard in John, this version has a group of women who all see two angels appear. The angels explain that Jesus is not in the tomb because he is alive. Then the group of women goes to tell the eleven.

Luke tells us that the male disciples for the most part didn’t believe them, making fun of them. But, like the story we read in John two weeks ago, Peter runs to the tomb and finds it empty as well. Luke tells us he returns home not sure what to think.

Following the story at the tomb, Luke includes a story that isn’t found in the other gospels (though it is alluded to). It is also one of my favorite Resurrection stories. The story of the Emmaus road gives us a glimpse of two previously unknown disciples walking home grieving after the events of the last few days. Just as Mary did not recognize Jesus when he first appeared to her in the story we read two weeks ago, these disciples do not recognize Jesus when he joins them on the road. They talk all along the way, finally arriving home. As it has gotten late, the two disciples invite the stranger to join them for the night. As they sit for a meal, Jesus breaks the bread and immediately they recognize him. Once they realize who he is, he disappears from their sight. The next part of the story is one of the best examples in all of the gospels of the energizing effect of the encounter with the body of Jesus. The two disciples jump up from the table after traveling all day and run all the way back to Jerusalem to tell the others what they have seen, arriving while the disciples are gathered for the evening. Upon arriving back in Jerusalem, they find the eleven discussing an appearance to Peter. And then Jesus is there in their midst.

In our story today, Luke makes clear some of the things that John glosses over. First, Luke tells us that the disciples' response to Jesus’ appearance is fear. The disciples were terrified and afraid, worried that Jesus was a ghost. Even though they were just talking about Jesus’ appearances, they weren’t actually prepared for him to show up amongst them.

Second, Luke reminds us that all of the disciples had doubts. Jesus says, “Why are you startled? Why are doubts arising in your hearts?” (Luke 24:38, CEB). After all, if we take the account we heard in John and the stories found here in Luke seriously, Jesus has already appeared to Mary Magdalene, Peter, and the couple on their way home to Emmaus. All of these accounts have been shared with the eleven at this point. All of them reported the appearances independently from each other. Surely the eleven must realize that something is going on. But still they are afraid.

Luke also takes Jesus’ fleshly appearance a step further than John. In John’s version, Jesus shows his wounds to the disciples, allowing them to touch the wounds to prove he is present in the flesh. But in our story today, Jesus also asks for food. Perhaps in their understanding, ghosts could take a physical form, even though Jesus makes a comment to the contrary. But we all know that a ghost can’t eat food. This is just one more proof among many that Jesus offers to them. 

After eating the fish, Jesus launches into the same explanation the angels had shared at the tomb, the same explanation that Jesus gave to Mary outside the tomb that morning, the same message that Jesus gave the couple on the road earlier in the day. He explains again how all of the Hebrew scriptures attest to who he is. And he explains how his suffering, death, and resurrection were foretold.

Following all of these explanations, Jesus returns to the point of his entire ministry -- repentance and forgiveness. This is what must be preached to all the world. Sins are forgiven and lives should be changed because of that. This pairs well with the focus that John gave us for this gathering, where Jesus tells them they are meant to offer forgiveness.

But here in Luke, Jesus ends with the reason why the disciples in particular are the ones that must go out to spread the word. “You are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:48, CEB).

In our modern day, we probably most often think about witnesses as we watch our favorite police procedural show on TV. We think about those who have witnessed some sort of crime. A witness is one who was present, who saw the things that happened. The police want to question them to see what they saw. They may be called to court so that they can tell others what they saw.

But when it comes to the word witness, some of us may have experience as well of people witnessing to their faith. This is when people go out to tell others about their faith. Sometimes this is positive, and sometimes it is not.

Perhaps most of us have heard of the Westboro Baptist Church. While I have not heard as much about them lately, they are known for showing up at various events, especially funerals, to hold up signs about how wicked society is. To them, this is what it means to be a witness. 

On the other hand, I think about all of the church members from here in town and across Georgia who have come to Newnan in the past few weeks to help with tornado recovery in some way. This, too, is a form of witness. By showing up to help total strangers, they are witnessing to their faith.

I believe in this teaching and statement, Jesus has a little bit of both meanings of the word in mind. By going back over the Scriptures and reminding them how his ministry fits what the Scriptures say, Jesus is also reminding them that they are witnesses of this because they have seen these things in action. The disciples have observed all of these things. They know these stories to be true. Given the proof of the Resurrection, the disciples can no longer doubt that Jesus IS the Messiah.

But Jesus is also telling them that they are witnesses because they must tell others. This is why he speaks of preaching repentance and forgiveness. These are the key points of his ministry. This is what they have observed as well, and because they have seen all of these things, they must also go forth to tell others.

As I thought about this, it reminded me of Yoda’s final moments with Luke Skywalker in Return of the Jedi. Knowing that his long life is finally coming to an end, Yoda has a few last minute things that he wants Luke to know. “When gone am I, the last of the Jedi you will be. Pass on what you have learned.”

With this scene in mind, the story today begins to take on a slightly different meaning for me. Rather than hearing what happens here as Jesus showing up simply to remove their doubts, I hear instead Jesus beginning his series of appearances by essentially saying, “When I am gone, you are who will remain. Pass on what you have learned.” Jesus is saying, “Tell other people about me and the parts of my ministry that were important.” 

Looking at these different post-Resurrection appearances of Jesus, we can begin to see what is important about Jesus’ ministry, the things he wants the disciples to make clear. In our reading last week, Jesus focused on forgiveness. In his appearance to Mary, the focus is on joy. In the Emmaus story, the focus is on recognizing Jesus in our midst, especially when we offer compassion to strangers. In our story today, Jesus speaks of repentance. In other stories, the focus is on love.

When we explore the message that the disciples go on to spread throughout the region, what do we see them witnessing to? Do we see the disciples describing a ministry of hate and violence? Or do we see them spreading a ministry of forgiveness and compassion?

As we think about our own place in the story, what is it that we are witnesses to? 

Where have we seen the ministry that Jesus describes at work in the church and in the world around us? 

How have we been witnesses both in the sense of observing and in the sense of sharing? 

Where have we witnessed God’s forgiveness in our lives, and how has that filled us with joy?

We are here in this place today because we are witnesses. We are here today because we have been recipients of God’s compassion and forgiveness. And because we have seen these things, we want others to know.

And so we witness to what we have seen. We spread the love of God in our community. We offer the grace we have seen so that others may know that what we have received is true.

So let us witness these truths with joy as we continue to love God and our communities.

In the Flesh: The Doubting Disciples

We always talk about "Doubting Thomas," but, in doing so, we ignore the fact that all of the male disciples were in the same boat. This week, we pick up where we left off last week. After the discovery of the empty tomb and Jesus' appearance to Mary Magdalene, a group of disciples has gathered together. We might imagine this is an opportunity for them all to talk about the stories they have heard -- the empty tomb and the further account that Mary shared after (see John 20:19-31).

And then Jesus is there among them. 

How can we find good news for ourselves in the fact that the disciples grieved, lived in fear, and had doubts about the stories they wee hearing? How can we make sure that we are sharing the body of Christ with others that we might be empowered just as the disciples were?

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Happy Easter! As we continue into this season, we will see that our Scriptures make clear that the joy of the Resurrection could not be confined to one day. And so it is that our celebration of Easter is not confined to a single Sunday. Instead, Easter lasts for seven weeks. The final Sunday of Easter is the day we know as Pentecost Sunday.

In the Flesh: What Peter Saw

 On Easter Sunday, we see two of the most prominent of Jesus' followers and what they experienced following the Resurrection. Mary Magdalene shows up at the tomb early in the morning. Finding the tomb open, she goes to find Simon Peter (see John 20:1-18).

Earlier, I focused on Mary and some of what she experienced. When all the male disciples fled, the women remained to the very end. What was it like for them showing up that morning and finding the tomb that way? What did it mean for Mary when Jesus came to her outside the tomb?

Now I turn to Peter. He promised to follow Jesus to the very end, and then he denied him three times while following along after Jesus' arrest. Realizing what he had done, Peter goes away ashamed and in tears. Three days later, what is he to make of the empty tomb? 

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Earlier this morning, our primary focus was on the experience of Mary Magdalene. Mary showed up at the tomb to discover the stone rolled away. Not sure what this meant and perhaps fearing what she might find inside, she ran off to find Peter.

We know that Peter holds a special place among the apostles. The Twelve, as they are often called, were the inner circle of male disciples, the men who were closest to Jesus. But even among the Twelve, Peter, along with the brothers, James and John, held a special place. Peter is almost always present at the most important events. He is with Jesus on the mountaintop when Jesus is transfigured. Peter is present in the Garden when Jesus prays before his arrest. Peter holds a place of privilege amongst the other male disciples.

Interestingly, the argument can be made that Mary Magdalene holds a similar place of privilege among Jesus’ female followers. Whenever a list is given of the women who followed Jesus, Mary Magdalene is listed first, just as Peter is for the male followers. And so it makes a certain amount of sense that these two of Jesus’ followers figure so prominently in this first story following the crucifixion. Given this understanding, it is also no wonder that Mary would have run off to find Peter first to tell him what she had found.

Upon discovering the tomb open, Mary likely feared the worst. A recently dead body. A tomb that has been open for who knows how long. The presence of wild animals in the surrounding hills. Who would want to enter that tomb alone?

The last time we saw Peter, he had been following Jesus after his arrest. In doing so, he was recognized and called out, but three times he denied knowing Jesus. Realizing what he had done, Peter had left in shame to be alone.

So here we are, three days later, and Mary comes rushing to find Peter to tell him that the stone has been rolled away from the tomb where Jesus had been laid. Peter would have had no reason to disbelieve her. Mary had a prominent place among Jesus’ followers as well. She had stayed until the end. She had seen where his body was laid. She obviously came to tell him this so that he can come with her to see. So they set off for the tomb.

The other disciple that is with them is quicker to arrive at the tomb. He makes it to the tomb first, but he waits outside, perhaps afraid to enter alone just as Mary was. However, when Peter arrives, he goes straight into the tomb. 

Perhaps expecting to find a gruesome sight, Peter is instead perplexed by what he finds. Jesus’ body is gone, but the linen clothes are simply lying there. To confuse matters even more, the head cloth is folded neatly and placed aside by itself. If the body had been dragged off by wild animals, surely the linen burial cloths would have been torn and dragged around as well. If someone else had come to remove the body, surely they wouldn’t have left the linens behind either.

The gospel writer tells us that they did not yet understand either the things that Jesus had told them or the things that were to be found in scripture regarding the resurrection. Perhaps they began to ponder this new information with the things that Jesus had said. We are told that the other disciple saw and believed, but Peter appears to still be lost in thought as they return to where they are staying.

Considering all that has happened, perhaps we can understand. Peter was the closest of the male disciples to Jesus. After all they had been through together, Peter likely still feels ashamed for how things ended a few days ago. Just as Jesus had said, the spirit was willing but the flesh was weak. Peter could not in fact follow Jesus to the end, to the cross. 

“What if Jesus really has come back? Surely he won’t want to see me.”

At this point, Peter does not yet know the joy. He has perhaps begun to feel an inkling of hope, but it is safe to assume he also still feels the shame of his denial.

I think there are times we can identify with Peter. We get hung up on all the things we have done wrong, the ways in which we have fallen short. Perhaps we have had the experience of denying Jesus in some way, be it big or small. If we have denied Christ, it may be difficult to feel the joy of this day.

And yet, looking back at what Peter has experienced, perhaps we can find some joy after all. We have the benefit of knowing the whole story. We know what Peter does not. We know what comes next. But even without that knowledge, there is already enough good news here for Peter to know some hope.

At the meal they shared before Jesus was arrested, their final meal where Jesus predicted Peter’s denial, Jesus did not turn Peter away. He did not exclude him from the meal. Jesus still asked for him to be close as he prayed in the garden. In fact, Jesus didn’t even turn Judas away from their final meal together, knowing what was to come later.

To make this even more clear, the Gospel of John presents that final meal in a slightly different light from the other Gospels. Not only do they share a final meal together, but Jesus shows the disciples exactly what all his teachings mean. Jesus, their teacher and friend, the one they have been following, the one they have begun to think of as the Messiah, takes on the role of a household servant and kneels before each of the disciples to wash their feet. Knowing Peter would deny him three times before the following morning, Jesus washes his feet. Knowing Judas is the one who will betray him, Jesus washes his feet.

We can know the joy of the resurrection because Jesus comes to us even if we have denied him. Jesus comes to us even if we have betrayed him. 

I think this is the reason that Peter needs to go home to ponder these things. What if all those things that Jesus said are true? If the one we followed as the Messiah died on the cross, was it all meaningless? But if he really is back, what does that mean for us? If the one who offers us love and forgiveness even knowing the worst we have done is still alive, how do we reconcile that with our own guilt?

So far, all Peter has seen is the empty tomb and linen cloths. He has not had his own encounter with Jesus. Even Mary has not yet had her own encounter following Peter’s departure. All Peter has at this moment is his guilt and his uncertainty about what the empty tomb means.

I imagine it is the same for many of us. We have our guilt and our uncertainty. We know the things we have done, the things we have left undone. We know the tomb is empty. We have the hope that the forgiveness that Jesus offers is enough.

And so, we come like the earlier disciples to see that the tomb is empty. We come to ponder what that means for not only us, but the rest of the world. We come with our guilt and our sorrow, our pain and our grief. We come to find unexpected hope, to acknowledge that joy may be possible once again.

We come to gather at the table, as Jesus gathered with his followers and friends, his chosen family. Jesus invites us to the table, knowing both what we have done as well as what we still may do. Still Jesus invites us. Still Jesus feeds us. Still Jesus offers us forgiveness and grace.

May we hear Peter’s story and know that there is hope for us and for all of those around us.

May we gather at the table, invited by the risen Christ.

May we gather together and recognize Jesus in our midst.

In the Flesh: What Mary Saw

 On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the Resurrection. We celebrate that death cannot overcome God's love for us. In the words of Westley, "Death cannot stop true love. It can only delay it awhile."

After seeing their beloved friend and teacher arrested and put on trial, after the men scattered and went into hiding, after the women watched him die, the disciples had no hope left. As far as they knew, everything they had worked for was now done. They did not yet realize how true that was, even though it was not finished in the way that they thought. They were not prepared for the events of Easter morning. They were not prepared for the stone to be rolled away and the tomb to be empty. The other disciples were not prepared when Mary Magdalene came to tell them what she had found. 

Mary was not prepared for what she saw when she arrived at the tomb that morning. She was not prepared for what she saw in the tomb after Peter and the other disciple left. She was not prepared for what happened next (see John 20:1-18).

As is often the case, Jesus interrupted her grief with unexpected joy.