Look to the Cross in a Violent World

"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." John 3:17

The recent turmoil in the Middle East that resulted in the killing of  four Americans including a U.S. Ambassador causes fear and uncertainty to security and stability in the world. Once discussion over the political ramifications settled down I listen to my leaders hoping to be comforted. I deplore the senseless violence human beings engage in, and the desire to be immersed in its perpetual circle.  I look to God for security and comfort in times like this.

What I want is for God to rid the world of those who participate in evil acts that harm or take the lives of others. However, when I look to God I find him in Jesus Christ crucified on a cross. Christians not only look to the cross but proclaim Christ crucified. We speak about a God who is vulnerable, who seems weak through a human point of view. This is a stumbling block to some and foolishness to others (1 Corinthians 1:23). The cross in an instrument of pain, suffering and death that Christ has used to save us. Lutheran Christians are adamant about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross that declares us innocent of sin and brokeness.

As another Reformation Sunday approaches our witness to the world is still relevant.  Lutheran Christians are a religious tradition centered on the cross of Christ.  We believe in a God that does not want to participate in the perpetual circle of violence.  On the cross, Jesus Christ puts an end to sin, death and all evil.  I quickly realize that my initial desire to rid the world of people who cause harm would include me ("If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?" Psalm 130:3).  I also realize that It is the desire of our God for all to be saved (John 3:17).  I continue to pray for victims and all those affected by violence and warfare throughout the world.  I also pray for those that are responsible for the violence.  As people of faith the only weapon in our arsenal is the good news of Christ Crucified in a dark and broken world.  This message may seem like foolishness to some and serve as a stumbling block to others (1 Corinthians 1:23), but for people of faith, it gives us hope. Through the Cross the circle of violence is destroyed and life is eternal. God defeats evil with love and wins for us life through his death.  "For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength." (1 Corinthians 1:25) Thanks be to God!

2012 ELCA Youth Gathering serves as a Lutheran Revival

"Citizens with the saints" was the theme, and throughout the week, we practiced Justice, Discipleship and Peacemaking.

This was certainly a mountain top experience that is extremely hard to put into words.  Imagine a gathering  with over 33,000 youths and adults from Lutheran congregations all over the country being one loud voice in the Mercedes- Benz Superdome, and collectively embodying our call to ministry in the city of New Orleans.

This Youth Gathering  invited us to see the church and the world more clearly through a "Lutheran Lens".

We are a church that defines itself by what we are FOR and NOT by what we are against.

We are a church that is radically inclusive proclaiming that this Good News of Jesus is for ALL people.

We are a church that needs to be reminded of our sinfulness and brokeness, but get to hear how our God continues to forgive us, renew us and uses us to be the body of Christ in the world.

We are a church centered in Word and Sacrament, reminded of our baptism, marked with the cross of Christ, fed and nourished and the table.

Rev. Nadia Bolz Weber is the Pastor of the House of All Sinners and Saints in Denver, Colorado.  Grounded in Lutheran theology and tradition, Pastor Nadia made a theology of grace and Christian vocation accessible to people of all ages at this Youth Gathering.  She knows what it means to be a Saint and a Sinner at the same time.  Here is the video of her speech!

Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber at 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering

St. John Lutheran (Windfall) 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering

The theme for the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering is "citizens with the saints."

"For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconicle both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone." (Ephesians 2:14-20)

Youth and adults from St. John Lutheran Church (Windfall) Cardington, OH are getting ready to travel to New Orleans, LA for the 2012 ELCA youth gathering.

I pray that the Holy Spirit transforms us through this experience! We have checked our bags and gone through security. Our fellowship on this trip has begun! Christ our conerstone with lead through some joyful surprises as this journey unfolds.

Keep us and the over 30,000 other Lutherans who are attending this gathering in your prayers.

posted from Bloggeroid

Good Friday: He was more afraid than ever...

"We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God." Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. (John 19:7-8)

When reading the passion according to St. John it certainly is obvious that Pilate does not take this Jesus threat seriously. In fact, he does not want to be bothered with a problem that he believes could be easily sorted out among the Jewish authorities. Perhaps Pilate believes that he should not be engaged with "internal affairs" among the Jewish people.

Pilate is not concerned with reports of Jesus being King of the Jewish people. However, when it is reported that he is the Son of God we suddenly have a problem. Pilate was "more afraid than ever." Why? Is Pilate afraid because it might be true or that enough people could believe its true. Either way it is a threat to the empire, a threat to the status quo, a threat to their power and authority.

On Easter Sunday, Mark's gospel ends with the women being afraid at the discovery of the empty tomb. Here, Pilate is afraid when discovering something about Jesus. The woman at the tomb and Pilate before the crucifixion are afraid because they encountered the truth about Jesus. They learned something about his identity and what that means for their lives.

Are we afraid when we discover the truth about the living God and what that means and exposes about ourselves? On Good Friday, we know that, through the death of Christ, the world is forever changed. We are afraid, because we do not want the Old Adam in ourselves to die. We pray that the Easter proclamation can fill our hearts with the gift of faith so that we may live with joy in the new creation we are in Christ!

Maundy Thursday

Jesus commands us to love one another. He gives us the gift of the community of believers we call the church. What does this command mean in a society that values individualism? What does this command mean when popular versions of Christianity seek to emphasize a personal relationship with Jesus, as opposed to a communal relationship with Jesus Christ?

The world knows Jesus through the love that exists in and through the community of believers known as the body of Christ, the church.

How do we faithfully live out this command of Christ in our society today? Particularly in a context that seeks to preserve and survive rather than give and be vulnerable enough to receive.