In trying to understand the meaning of Easter we really have to look at the impact of resurrection more than the facts of the story. It isn't helpful to try to explain Easter. The reading in the 28th chapter of Matthew makes it clear they were trying to explain how Jesus, who was crucified, could rise from the dead. The obvious explanation was that the disciples took the body. The Romans posted guards at the tomb. There was an earthquake. The guards ran away. They were paid by the Roman government to say the disciples came and took the body.
If you look at the Biblical accounts there is no easy answer as to what happened. The first witnesses really didn't understand it any better than the Roman government as they tried to squelch it. It may to true that the Roman government understood it better than the early witnesses who were Jesus' followers.
I think it basically comes down to this; What they thought was dead and buried was alive and well. What they imagined to be irreversible was reversed.
It was put into their mind that once upon a time something happened that seemed impossible. What could they do with that? What would that open up in terms of a meaning or a message?
What happens to our view of life if we begin to think that the impossible of possible? How does that change the way we think; the way we act; the way we live?
I think it makes a big difference. I think it makes all the difference in the world.
What do you think?
If you have some thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thought click on the box below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Monday's Thoughts
"When the Irreversible is Reversed"
In reading through the various Easter accounts in the Gospels you begin to notice how careful the Romans are with the crucifixion. There is an ongoing effort to make certain that the crucified Christ is dead and buried. The post guards at the tomb and they verify that. There is the rumor that the disciples were going to steal the body and thus perpetuate the myth that Jesus was raised from the dead.
The message of Easter transcends the events in Jerusalem. It is a message about the crucified Savior being raised from the dead but it is also a message about how the irreversible is reversed and how Christian people should expect it.
The message we will want to hold onto is a message of surprise and hope. It is a message that suggests we must never give up. It says to us there is always a chance for something unexpected and for something better to happen in the midst of the worst that we can imagine.
If there is a portion of our life that is negative we should look for something to change that will make it positive. God was at work in Jerusalem and God is at work in our day and in our place and in our lives.
What examples in your life reinforce the idea that the irreversible can be reversed?
If you have thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
In reading through the various Easter accounts in the Gospels you begin to notice how careful the Romans are with the crucifixion. There is an ongoing effort to make certain that the crucified Christ is dead and buried. The post guards at the tomb and they verify that. There is the rumor that the disciples were going to steal the body and thus perpetuate the myth that Jesus was raised from the dead.
The message of Easter transcends the events in Jerusalem. It is a message about the crucified Savior being raised from the dead but it is also a message about how the irreversible is reversed and how Christian people should expect it.
The message we will want to hold onto is a message of surprise and hope. It is a message that suggests we must never give up. It says to us there is always a chance for something unexpected and for something better to happen in the midst of the worst that we can imagine.
If there is a portion of our life that is negative we should look for something to change that will make it positive. God was at work in Jerusalem and God is at work in our day and in our place and in our lives.
What examples in your life reinforce the idea that the irreversible can be reversed?
If you have thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, March 26, 2010
Friday's Thoughts
What do you say to the crowd?
What do you say to the Romans who are worried the disciples are "raising Cain"? You tell them to cool it.
What do the Pharisees say to the crowd concerned about the revelation that Jesus is the Messiah of Israel and the disciples are raising eyebrows because they were embarrassing? You tell them to be silent.
What does Jesus say to the crowd when he thought they were raising praise to God? He told them to keep it up and make it louder because "raising praising" is what we were put here on this earth to do.
There is a little bit of each of them in us. Some of us are afraid of chaos. Some of us are an embarrassment in the way we express our faith. Some of us life a life of praise only we need to do it a little more often and a little louder.
Which part are we most?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with others click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
What do you say to the Romans who are worried the disciples are "raising Cain"? You tell them to cool it.
What do the Pharisees say to the crowd concerned about the revelation that Jesus is the Messiah of Israel and the disciples are raising eyebrows because they were embarrassing? You tell them to be silent.
What does Jesus say to the crowd when he thought they were raising praise to God? He told them to keep it up and make it louder because "raising praising" is what we were put here on this earth to do.
There is a little bit of each of them in us. Some of us are afraid of chaos. Some of us are an embarrassment in the way we express our faith. Some of us life a life of praise only we need to do it a little more often and a little louder.
Which part are we most?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with others click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday's thoughts
There is a part of the Palm Sunday story from the Gospel of Luke that has my attention. It's in the 19th chapter and it's the 39th verse where the Pharisees are telling Jesus to silence his disciples. He answers by saying, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out."
Of course, those words were taken from Habakkuk in the second chapter, "Alas, for you who get evil gain for your houses, setting you nest on high to be safe from the reach of harm. You have devised shame for your house by cutting off many peoples; you have forfeited your life. The very stones will cry out from the wall and the plaster will respond from the woodwork."
What do you say to the crowd? Jesus seems to be telling the Pharisees that the crowd was to cry out and not be silent. But what exactly is he saying? Is he trumpeting up his own celebration? Is he the cheerleader of his own parade? That doesn't seem consistent with the humble Galilean we have come to think he was.
Why would he be encouraging the celebration?
What were the Pharisees saying to the crowd?
What do we think the Romans would have said to the crowd?
If you have thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Of course, those words were taken from Habakkuk in the second chapter, "Alas, for you who get evil gain for your houses, setting you nest on high to be safe from the reach of harm. You have devised shame for your house by cutting off many peoples; you have forfeited your life. The very stones will cry out from the wall and the plaster will respond from the woodwork."
What do you say to the crowd? Jesus seems to be telling the Pharisees that the crowd was to cry out and not be silent. But what exactly is he saying? Is he trumpeting up his own celebration? Is he the cheerleader of his own parade? That doesn't seem consistent with the humble Galilean we have come to think he was.
Why would he be encouraging the celebration?
What were the Pharisees saying to the crowd?
What do we think the Romans would have said to the crowd?
If you have thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Monday's thoughts
Palm Sunday
Sunday March 28th for the church is the beginning of Holy Week. It recalls for us the last days of Jesus' life. It begins with his heroic journey into Jerusalem, the turning over of the tables in the Temple, the Last Supper, the betrayal, the arrest, the trial, the crucifixion and it ends with Easter Sunday.
Palm Sunday is one of the most interesting days of the church year. What happened on that occasion is the merger of heroics and praise. In some ways Jesus finally received the recognition he deserved. In other ways it was precisely what he never would have wanted. In some ways it was the precipitating factor that led to his death. In other ways it was a crowning or coronation. Palm branches put down on the path as he rode into Jerusalem indicate the coming of a king. The humble manner in which he rode into town is reflective of the true and consistent nature of the person he was from birth to death. He came riding a donkey; not a champion steed. He came to confront the hypocrisy of his religious leaders and he made the Romans fearful.
The plot was set. The pieces were set in motion and it led to his death. And his death led to his resurrection.
Palm Sunday is prelude to Easter but it requires significant twists and turns prior to the final stage.
It raises questions that we have to address;
Was the trip into Jerusalem necessary?
Why did the disciples run when he was arrested?
What was Judas thinking when he betrayed him?
What caused Peter to deny knowing him?
What did the people see in him that made them think he was some kind of king?
If you have answers for any or all of these questions write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you would be willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Sunday March 28th for the church is the beginning of Holy Week. It recalls for us the last days of Jesus' life. It begins with his heroic journey into Jerusalem, the turning over of the tables in the Temple, the Last Supper, the betrayal, the arrest, the trial, the crucifixion and it ends with Easter Sunday.
Palm Sunday is one of the most interesting days of the church year. What happened on that occasion is the merger of heroics and praise. In some ways Jesus finally received the recognition he deserved. In other ways it was precisely what he never would have wanted. In some ways it was the precipitating factor that led to his death. In other ways it was a crowning or coronation. Palm branches put down on the path as he rode into Jerusalem indicate the coming of a king. The humble manner in which he rode into town is reflective of the true and consistent nature of the person he was from birth to death. He came riding a donkey; not a champion steed. He came to confront the hypocrisy of his religious leaders and he made the Romans fearful.
The plot was set. The pieces were set in motion and it led to his death. And his death led to his resurrection.
Palm Sunday is prelude to Easter but it requires significant twists and turns prior to the final stage.
It raises questions that we have to address;
Was the trip into Jerusalem necessary?
Why did the disciples run when he was arrested?
What was Judas thinking when he betrayed him?
What caused Peter to deny knowing him?
What did the people see in him that made them think he was some kind of king?
If you have answers for any or all of these questions write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you would be willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Saturday's thoughts
Ray Miller is preaching on the conversation Jesus had with some of the least desirable people of his day. His sermon will look at Jesus' contact and interaction with sinners. It is one of the most controversial aspects of Jesus life story.
I will be preaching next Sunday. It is Palm Sunday and I will have us consider, "What do you say to a crowd?"
If you have some thoughts on either of these topics write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
As always, I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
I will be preaching next Sunday. It is Palm Sunday and I will have us consider, "What do you say to a crowd?"
If you have some thoughts on either of these topics write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
As always, I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Friday, March 12, 2010
Friday's Thoughts
When we think about who Jesus was and who he thought he was there is confusion and there is no way to resolve it. He had some ideas about his mission in life and we wonder if he was clear about the tragic end that led to his death on the cross. I assume there was some unclarity about that in his mind, but, in truth, we can only speculate.
I do think there is a good reason why he reacted so strongly to Peter's telling him he is the "Son of the living God." It seems to me one of his primary missions in life was to make God real and not abstract. I think he wanted people to see religion as giving access to God rather than prohibiting people access.
When it was suggested that he was "Christ, Son of the living God" he realized something in those words that made sense to him and that gave his life meaning and purpose.
He is said to have come that "we might have life and have it abundantly. Abundant life implies a dynamic approach to life and encourages people to find fullness and wholeness.
He responded to Peter by saying, "You are Peter and you are a rock and upon this rock I will build my church."
The church is built on the premise that we can say, "Yes" to life and that we can say, "No" to death.
That's the nature of the church and the nature of the one whose life and teaching, whose death and resurrection continues to inform our faith.
What do you think Jesus' self-understanding was? If you have ideas write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your ideas click on the box below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
I do think there is a good reason why he reacted so strongly to Peter's telling him he is the "Son of the living God." It seems to me one of his primary missions in life was to make God real and not abstract. I think he wanted people to see religion as giving access to God rather than prohibiting people access.
When it was suggested that he was "Christ, Son of the living God" he realized something in those words that made sense to him and that gave his life meaning and purpose.
He is said to have come that "we might have life and have it abundantly. Abundant life implies a dynamic approach to life and encourages people to find fullness and wholeness.
He responded to Peter by saying, "You are Peter and you are a rock and upon this rock I will build my church."
The church is built on the premise that we can say, "Yes" to life and that we can say, "No" to death.
That's the nature of the church and the nature of the one whose life and teaching, whose death and resurrection continues to inform our faith.
What do you think Jesus' self-understanding was? If you have ideas write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your ideas click on the box below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Wednesday's thoughts
"Who Was the Mentor to the Master?"
When you think about that passage where Jesus is asking his friends, "Who do men and women say that I am?" you are seeing something about Jesus that is quite interesting. He actually cares about what people are saying about him.
The answers that Peter give are interesting as well. When Peter tells Jesus that people are saying he is one of the prophets that has to please him. Jesus came out of a tradition that was known for the 'law and the prophet' and for him to be thought of as one of the prophets would have been the best of the best. Then Peter tells him that some people think of him as Elijah. Elijah was the best of the prophets. Elijah was the one who took on the prophets of Baal. He challenged them o a contest and Elijah won.
However gratifying those answers were when Peter gave Jesus his answer to the question,"Who do you say that I am?" we have a very different answer and one that led Jesus to suggest that Peter is the rock and upon the rock God would build the church.
The sermon will look at the prophets and what they said, at Elijah and what he did, and Jesus and who he was.
Who do you think Jesus was? If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
When you think about that passage where Jesus is asking his friends, "Who do men and women say that I am?" you are seeing something about Jesus that is quite interesting. He actually cares about what people are saying about him.
The answers that Peter give are interesting as well. When Peter tells Jesus that people are saying he is one of the prophets that has to please him. Jesus came out of a tradition that was known for the 'law and the prophet' and for him to be thought of as one of the prophets would have been the best of the best. Then Peter tells him that some people think of him as Elijah. Elijah was the best of the prophets. Elijah was the one who took on the prophets of Baal. He challenged them o a contest and Elijah won.
However gratifying those answers were when Peter gave Jesus his answer to the question,"Who do you say that I am?" we have a very different answer and one that led Jesus to suggest that Peter is the rock and upon the rock God would build the church.
The sermon will look at the prophets and what they said, at Elijah and what he did, and Jesus and who he was.
Who do you think Jesus was? If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Monday's thoughts
"Jesus and Elijah"
What do you say to your dead ancestors?"
This relationship between Jesus and Elijah is an interesting one. In fact there were times in which it was thought that Jesus was Elijah who had returned from the dead. When Jesus was talking with his disciples and he asked, "Who do people say that I am?" Peter responded, "Some think you are Elijah."
Elijah confronted Baalism in the 9th century before Christ. He confronted the idea that God is a fertility God and that God can be manipulated to perform as we wish. Baalism was a worship of nature and it was exactly opposite from Yahwehism which was a monotheistic worship of one God.
Yahwehism encouraged believers to rise to the level of worship of the one God. Baalism encouraged its believes to seek to win he favor of their god so as to advance or thrive in the world.
This is a classic struggle between worship and superstition. It was more than just a name (Yahweh or Baal). It was the difference between being faithful to something greater than ourselves and trying to appease something lesser than ourselves for the purpose of our advantage.
Jesus was very much in debt to Elijah. Elijah set the stage for Jesus many years before Jesus was born. Jesus was aware of the debt he owed Elijah.
Sunday, March 14th we will look at that complex relationship.
What do you think the difference between healthy worship of God and superstition? How does that apply to us today?
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. if you are willing to have others read and respond to your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
What do you say to your dead ancestors?"
This relationship between Jesus and Elijah is an interesting one. In fact there were times in which it was thought that Jesus was Elijah who had returned from the dead. When Jesus was talking with his disciples and he asked, "Who do people say that I am?" Peter responded, "Some think you are Elijah."
Elijah confronted Baalism in the 9th century before Christ. He confronted the idea that God is a fertility God and that God can be manipulated to perform as we wish. Baalism was a worship of nature and it was exactly opposite from Yahwehism which was a monotheistic worship of one God.
Yahwehism encouraged believers to rise to the level of worship of the one God. Baalism encouraged its believes to seek to win he favor of their god so as to advance or thrive in the world.
This is a classic struggle between worship and superstition. It was more than just a name (Yahweh or Baal). It was the difference between being faithful to something greater than ourselves and trying to appease something lesser than ourselves for the purpose of our advantage.
Jesus was very much in debt to Elijah. Elijah set the stage for Jesus many years before Jesus was born. Jesus was aware of the debt he owed Elijah.
Sunday, March 14th we will look at that complex relationship.
What do you think the difference between healthy worship of God and superstition? How does that apply to us today?
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. if you are willing to have others read and respond to your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, March 5, 2010
Friday's Thoughts
Why did Jesus choose Judas?
What as he thinking?
I have come up with three good questions that raise concerns about this choice of Judas by Jesus who should have known better. The sermon will address these three questions.
Why did Jesus choose Judas? Judas didn't fit in. He wasn't like the others. He was negative and critical. He was always asking questions about Jesus' motives and he was continually unhappy with the way things were going. He was different. He didn't fit in.
Why did Jesus choose Judas? Judas didn't do right. Jesus had an issue with embezzlement. He became angry with the money changers in the Temple who were gouging the people with exorbitant prices in the exchange rate. They had made "God's house a den of thieves". Jesus was so upset with the crooked money changers in the Temple that he drove them out of the Temple with a club. Why would he not have been equally upset with Judas who was embezzling money from the disciples. Judas was the treasurer. He was stealing from the group and he got caught when he became critical of Mary Magdalene who put costly oil on Jesus feet. Judas said the oil could have been used to help the poor. He didn't care about the poor. He thought he could sell the oil and cover up his theft.
Why did Jesus choose Judas? It didn't end well. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. He signaled the Romans and they arrested Jesus and that led to the trial and the cross. It didn't end well and it was predictable. Jesus chose the wrong disciple when he chose Judas.
It was a mistake. I wonder why he did that? What do you think? If you have some way to explain this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
What as he thinking?
I have come up with three good questions that raise concerns about this choice of Judas by Jesus who should have known better. The sermon will address these three questions.
Why did Jesus choose Judas? Judas didn't fit in. He wasn't like the others. He was negative and critical. He was always asking questions about Jesus' motives and he was continually unhappy with the way things were going. He was different. He didn't fit in.
Why did Jesus choose Judas? Judas didn't do right. Jesus had an issue with embezzlement. He became angry with the money changers in the Temple who were gouging the people with exorbitant prices in the exchange rate. They had made "God's house a den of thieves". Jesus was so upset with the crooked money changers in the Temple that he drove them out of the Temple with a club. Why would he not have been equally upset with Judas who was embezzling money from the disciples. Judas was the treasurer. He was stealing from the group and he got caught when he became critical of Mary Magdalene who put costly oil on Jesus feet. Judas said the oil could have been used to help the poor. He didn't care about the poor. He thought he could sell the oil and cover up his theft.
Why did Jesus choose Judas? It didn't end well. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. He signaled the Romans and they arrested Jesus and that led to the trial and the cross. It didn't end well and it was predictable. Jesus chose the wrong disciple when he chose Judas.
It was a mistake. I wonder why he did that? What do you think? If you have some way to explain this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Wednesday's thoughts
What is it with Jesus and Judas?
There are some things we might want to question about Jesus; the things he said and the things he did. Why would he have said, "Let the dead bury the dead?" Why would he have said, "If your hand causes you to sin cut it off?" Why would he have turned over the tables in the temple challenging the money changers by saying, "You have made God's house a den of thieves."
Most of all, since theft was a problem for Jesus, why would he have selected Judas as one of his disciples knowing that Judas had the character of a thief. Being aware that Judas was embezzling money from their treasury?
Some would say Jesus didn't know Judas was stealing from the common purse. Judas was the money keeper. Jesus was angry at the money changers and why was he not angry with the money keeper who was a part of his group.
Why did Jesus choose Judas? Wasn't Jesus omniscient? Didn't he know things others didn't suspect? Wasn't he tuned into the spirit? What kind of Savior was he if he didn't know and if he did know why would he have chosen Judas?
I have more questions than answers this week. If you have some suggestions about this would you write me. My email address is charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your message click on the box below.
I could use some help here. I think Judas didn't fit in and I think he didn't do right and I think Jesus should have known in advance.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
There are some things we might want to question about Jesus; the things he said and the things he did. Why would he have said, "Let the dead bury the dead?" Why would he have said, "If your hand causes you to sin cut it off?" Why would he have turned over the tables in the temple challenging the money changers by saying, "You have made God's house a den of thieves."
Most of all, since theft was a problem for Jesus, why would he have selected Judas as one of his disciples knowing that Judas had the character of a thief. Being aware that Judas was embezzling money from their treasury?
Some would say Jesus didn't know Judas was stealing from the common purse. Judas was the money keeper. Jesus was angry at the money changers and why was he not angry with the money keeper who was a part of his group.
Why did Jesus choose Judas? Wasn't Jesus omniscient? Didn't he know things others didn't suspect? Wasn't he tuned into the spirit? What kind of Savior was he if he didn't know and if he did know why would he have chosen Judas?
I have more questions than answers this week. If you have some suggestions about this would you write me. My email address is charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your message click on the box below.
I could use some help here. I think Judas didn't fit in and I think he didn't do right and I think Jesus should have known in advance.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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