From the Pastor's Desk
Reverend David Kaul
“ When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" ”
Left overs
Dear friends in Christ,
Egg and ham salad sandwiches are creative choices for answering the question, ‘What am I to do with Easter's left overs of honey glazed ham and hard boiled eggs?"
Left overs. Isn't that what confronted the risen Jesus on Easter's evening? Assembled before him were the left overs. Men and women who were defeated, frightened, discouraged by the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. These were the very people who had deserted Jesus and run away when he was nailed to the cross. Peter best summed them up when he said, "I don't know the man!" They were now hiding in fear from the Roman authorities and Jewish leaders in case they too suffer Jesus' fate. Shook up, disillusioned, angry, lacking faith, they secretly gather with one another in an upper room.
Rome's charge against Jesus was that He was a rebel and deserves a rebel's death, crucifixion. Where were the brave martyrs who like the thousands crucified with the rebel slave Sparticus chose death rather than betray their leader? "I am Sparticus!" they declared and Rome crucified them. Where were the disciples of courage and belief who would rather die than give up Jesus and the cause of his Kingdom? They had swords. Peter drew his in the garden and defended Jesus cutting off the ear of the high priest's slave. Where is the man who said, "I've got your back Jesus!" and fought to his last breath? "They all ran away", St. Mark tells us.
On Easter's eve the 11 assemble in the upper room - Peter, James, John, Judas - not Iscariot, Matthew, Andrew, Phillip and probably some women. Faith's left overs - no longer glowing, beat up by life's experiences, no longer brave or proud to be Jesus' disciple.
These are precisely the people to whom Jesus comes. He walks right through the wall. It's probably the only way he could have entered. If he had knocked at the front door they would have all run out the back in shame. But there he is. Fresh from the grave. What do you suppose were his first words for them! I know what I'd say, "A fine bunch you turned out to be!"
Not Jesus! Look at your resurrected Lord. Listen to him. As they shake in fright at what he might chose to do next, he speaks, "Peace be with you!" Then he shows them his hands and side. The places where the nails and spear cut his beautiful body. Then he does a most wonderful thing. He forgives them. He wipes the slate clean. They are given a second chance. They can start all over again.
Let Jesus' words flow over you and your life. "Peace, healing, forgiveness, wholeness, life be with you. Peace not as the world gives do I give to you." Jesus gives second chances to sinners like you and me. People who give to God promises but then life got in the way - can't be there, spent the money, needed somewhere else, sorry Jesus! Ulterior motives, self gain, no room for pride for all are sinners in need of God's grace. How good to know the ground is level at the foot of the cross. There is room for all. God will forgive. God gives second chances. The disciples didn't waste theirs. They went to the world empowered by the Holy Spirit with his love. This is what we too are empowered to share. We know the God of love who can take yesterday's left overs and lift them from the discard pile and make something of them. He'll make something of you too - if you will follow him - Jesus the Christ.
God bless,
P. Dave