Sermon Video: The Body and Blood of Christ - Mark 14:22-26

During the Passover meal with his disciples, Jesus adds to that yearly ritual of remembrance of the provision of God on behalf of his people by instituting a New Covenant. The first was solemnized with the blood of animals, the new will be built upon the blood of the Son of God. In addition, Jesus offers his body as life sustaining food (the Bread of Life), and his blood as sin atoning redemption.

Throughout Church history, questions have arisen and answers attempted regarding the questions of who can administer rites of remembrance of the Lord's Supper, who can receive it, and what exactly is happening when we do. Is it the real presence of Christ, is it a mystery, or symbolic. While the answers have varied, broad agreement remains on this: those who would claim to be followers of Jesus Christ must participate, as this ritual is foundational to the practices of his Church.

Sermon Video: Judas at the Last Supper - Mark 14:12-21

In the midst of the Last Supper, as Jesus celebrates the Passover one last time with his disciples, a time for fellowship and fortification for the road ahead, Jesus drops a bombshell: "one of you will betray me." One of the chosen 12?? How is that possible?

Betrayal is a brutal subject, only those with whom we have a connection can betray us, or us them. Family, friends, co-workers, fellow countrymen, even those in our church. There's a reason why the we call it stabbing someone in the back. And yet, betrayal did not derail the plan of God, did not prevent Jesus from fulfilling his purpose and dying for the sins of the world. No matter how vicious the wound, it can be healed, no matter how ruthless you were, you can be forgiven; God can do this, Jesus knows what betrayal feels like, and he overcame it.

The self-destructive American motto: Freedom > Responsibility. Christians should be ashamed at how they've embraced it.

Clara wearing a mask during our recent trip to Disney World

I typically read the letters to the editor in our local newspaper.  By now some of the regulars, for better and for worse, are known to me, I expect either a well reasoned or unhinged letter based upon the name at the bottom.  In today's case, it wasn't the name that caught my attention, but a quote that accurately sums up what many (most?) Americans feel about freedom: morality has little to no claim on their lives.

"A true Christian would never try to force those around them to do things that infringe on the freedoms, liberties and possibly their health, simply for their own self preservation." - 10/29/21 letter to the editor

The topic, as you may have guessed, is health mandates, in this case the requirement in PA that children wears masks at school.  The writer of the letter took umbrage with a previous writer's call to protect the "least of these" by asking children to follow the guidance of public health officials and organizations.  At the end of the letter the writer suggests reading the books of Daniel and Revelation, revealing that an apocalyptic mindset has also influenced that sentiment, but we have seen this attitude over and over on a whole range of issues where Freedom is claimed as the superior standard, outclassing morality and negating its obligations.  One might expect such an attitude from libertines, from those who do not believe that God exists and therefore do not concern themselves with being judged for their actions in this life, but far too often the staunchest defendants of the notion that they owe little to no obligation to their neighbors, certainly not if the government is the one telling them to do it, are those who also claim allegiance to Jesus Christ.  This is a paradox, and not a good one.

I saw similar responses revolving around instances of mass shootings, racism, and the plight of refugees.  In each instance, the person objecting to proposed responses did so from a stance of autonomy, without allowing that he or she might have an obligation toward neighbor, stranger, or even enemy.  In statement after statement of politically informed statements about freedoms, the question of discharging one's obligations as a Christian is glossed over.  And yet, the Word of God speaks in a very different voice on such matters.  In God's Word, Freedom is not the goal, it is simply the door to true service, once we have been set free from sin, our real self-sacrifice begins.

1 Peter 2:16  New International Version

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.

Galatians 5:13  New International Version

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Matthew 10:8  New International Version

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

Romans 1:14  New International Version

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.

Romans 13:8  New International Version

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

Here's the thing.  Nobody is obligated toward their fellow human being, nobody has a greater responsibility to die to self and serve others, than the disciple of Jesus Christ.  Instead of being on the forefront pushing cries of 'freedom!!' in the face of those who may have a claim upon us, we should already be serving them, helping them, sacrificing on their behalf, long before they had the chance to ask.  Christians should not be required by the government to curtail their freedom, they should volunteer.

The letter's author chose to use the word 'true' in front of Christian.  Ironically, that choice is important, for as Jesus made all too clear, it is not who we claim to be that counts to God, for many will claim to have followed him only to be tragically shown their folly on the Day of Judgment, but how we live that will validate our profession of faith.  Christians should talk about freedom less than others, not more, for to us obligation speaks with a much louder voice.  That American Christians often do the opposite is all you need to know about the health of the Church in our nation.  

More of my writing on these topics:

"You do you, I'll do me" - Quintessentially American, but incompatible with the Judeo-Christian worldview

Why are we free? Galatians 5:13-14 {This one contains a link to a short message I gave at Franklin's 4th of July celebration in 2018}

Josh McDowell's folly in addition to racism: Claiming that the Bible only talks about individuals

How should Christians act during a pandemic? - Wisdom from Martin Luther's experience with the Plague

"My body, my choice" is Individualism that spits in the face of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Lord - abortion and vaccine refusal

2020 has taken the measure of the Church, and found us wanting

Sermon Video: Jesus receives a 'beautiful thing' and a betrayal - Mark 14:1-11

In one episode, Mark puts together Mary's sacrifice of adoration, a 'beautiful thing' in Jesus' words and the inexplicable betrayal of Jesus. Two followers, both witnesses of Jesus' miracles and hearers of his teachings, yet two opposing responses, one of love the other of hate.

Which leads us to this question: What beautiful thing can I do for Jesus? What cost am I willing to pay to serve my savior and king?

Sermon Video: "Be on your guard! Be alert!" - Mark 13:20-37

In this second half of Jesus' teaching on the End Times is contained several important truths: (1) That the tribulation to come will be 'shortened' for the sake of God's chosen people, (2) that in those days God will gather his elect from the ends of the earth, (3) and that nobody but the Father, Jesus included, knows the day/hour of his return. With that in mind, Jesus reiterates his call to his people to take precautions, to live as faithful servants (i.e. righteous and holy lives) here and now, lest we be caught off guard. In the end, we are all mortal, none of us knows how many days, months, or years we have to live. We need to spend that time, as individuals and as a church, as wisely as possible, both making the most of today and planning for the future.