Jesus Transforms The Darkness Into Light
Sermon
Sermons on the Gospel Readings
Series I, Cycle A
Pastor David Johnson was all ready, he thought, for his Easter sermon. Having only graduated from the seminary three months prior to taking his present position at the Maple Street Community Church, he possessed all the latest and most interesting theology. He made the final touches to his sermon on Holy Saturday morning and outlined its content to his wife. He told her that his sermon was based on theology of Paul Tillich and spoke of the resurrection as a symbol that the estrangement from our authentic self was over. His wife shook her head, but David didn't seem to notice.
Early that evening, David drove to the church for the rehearsal of the sunrise service the next morning. When the practice ended, a youth, lovingly called "Tiny" because of his six--foot five--inch frame, asked, "Pastor, can you give me a ride home?" David said he would be glad to do so, but that the young man would have to give him directions. With Tiny pointing the way, David delivered the youth home without incident. When he left, however, he could not remember if he was to turn right at the end of the cement and left at the crossroads or the other way around. It had only taken ten minutes to reach Tiny's home, but now after twenty minutes of driving he found himself on a deserted dirt road, totally lost. When the car sputtered he realized he was out of gas.
David was overcome with anxiety. It was 10 p.m. on Holy Saturday evening, he was lost, out of gas, and needed to be at the church by 6 a.m. to set up for the sunrise service. He got out of the car and began to walk. Ten minutes later he saw some bright lights up ahead on the right. As he drew closer he could see that the lights came from a bar, the neon sign reading "The Boondocks." Everyone, including those new to the community like David, knew that this was one of the seediest taverns in town. As he walked to the front door he saw a group of motorcycles which made him nervous. When he entered, he smelled rancid beer and the stench of tobacco. He did not see anyone he recognized, a fact that was both good and bad. He wondered what church members might think if they knew their pastor was at "The Boondocks" on Holy Saturday night.
David approached the bar intending to ask for a ride to town but found himself ordering a coke and, noticing a billiard table behind him, soon engaged in a game. David had played pool since he was six and was very good. This night, however, he was fantastic; he twice ran the table after the break. This action was noticed by Turk, a short but powerful "biker" who, taking off his leather jacket, challenged David to a game. Turk was good, but that evening David was better. After three consecutive wins, Turk conceded defeat. He bought David another coke and announced that henceforth David would be called "Shark." He then asked the inevitable question, "What do you do?" David was uncertain to tell the truth or lie, but he summoned his courage and said, "I'm a minister in town at the Maple Street Community Church." The crowd was shocked and began to mumble, but from the background Turk bellowed, "Quiet!"
Immediately the mood in the bar changed and the patrons, one--by--one began to tell their stories. When Turk's turn came, he began, "I've never been to church. My mother was never married so people told her she was not good enough for any church. I've never been to Sunday school, either. What I know about the Bible comes from television. I don't even know what we celebrate at Easter." All the eyes of the patrons trained on David, who realized that Turk had given him an invitation and he needed to respond. Thus, David began to tell all assembled about Jesus. David told about Jesus' birth and how when Jesus was old enough, he began a public ministry. David told them that those who were rich and powerful had little time or energy for Jesus, who reached out in a special way to those who were despised by society at large. Jesus did many wonderful things, cured many of diseases, forgave sins, and demonstrated love in every word and action of his life.
After three years of active work, Jesus, who mostly stayed in the northern section of his nation ventured south to the capital city of Jerusalem. Although he had done many wonderful things and taught people about the love of God, he was, nonetheless, hated by many of the very people whom he came to save. Thus, on Friday, after a kangaroo court had agreed he was guilty of high crimes, he was led to crucifixion, wearing a crown of thorns. All his best friends abandoned him, save a couple who watched all these horrible events. Because he was tortured so severely, Jesus died on the cross after about three hours. His loyal friends took him down and laid him in a tomb. Hearing the story, several of those in the bar began to cry openly.
David then told the men that on Sunday morning Jesus' friends went to the tomb to visit, but they met two angels who told them that Jesus was no longer there; he had risen and was alive. Later that day Jesus appeared to his friends, the same ones who had abandoned him just a few days before.
Turk and the others were impressed but they said, "That is a crazy story." David responded, "It is a crazy world. But our God can turn losers into winners; he has shown many times that what most believe is weakness in a person is truly strength. He demonstrated that God will always be there for us. By raising his Son from death, God has destroyed death forever."
When all was said David then told Turk about his car problem. Quickly the rugged "biker" siphoned some gas from another vehicle, gave David directions, and sent him on his way. When he arrived home, his wife, who was obviously concerned about her husband's late return, told him that he needed to get to bed and rest, but he told her, "I need to rewrite my sermon." The next day, David did not talk about "New Being" or estrangement from authentic selfhood; he simply told the story of how God raised Jesus from the dead and in the process gave him and all people new life and hope. People in the congregation thought the sermon was good, but what really got them talking was the strange group of visitors who parked their shiny motorcycles in front of the church and sat in one of the front pews. When one of the ushers inquired about the visitors, one burly man, obviously uncomfortable in a suit and tie, growled, "We are friends of Shark."
Pastor Johnson's encounter with Turk and his friends at The Boondocks is a story of transformation and conversion, the movement from death to life. A chance and unintended meeting between a young and inexperienced minister and a hard--bitten "biker" allowed both to cast off blindness, the veil that kept them in darkness, and to discover new vistas never before explored. Today as we celebrate this festival day of Easter, we are challenged to see Jesus' conquering of sin and death, his movement from death to life, as the opportunity and experience we need to transform our own lives and conform them to that of the risen Lord.
The Lenten journey just ended provided many opportunities for us to evaluate our lives of faith and make adjustments. Initially we were challenged to go to the desert with Jesus and be tempted with the three great sins of contemporary society - power, wealth, and prestige. Today's world is filled with examples of overindulgence in these areas. We find ourselves bowing down and giving homage to these contemporary "gods." Jesus was strong enough to say no to such temptation; we must do the same. Then we went up to the top of the high mountain and witnessed, along with Peter, James, and John, Jesus' transfiguration. What we experienced in Jesus' physical nature was the goal we set for our spiritual selves. We sought to be converted on the inside to a new and stronger relationship with Christ. We then journeyed to Samaria and overheard Jesus' conversation with the woman at Jacob's well. We sought, as did she, the living water which Jesus offered. We were told of our need to break down barriers that keep us from one another and from God. Then we encountered Lazarus and realized that as Jesus set him free from the chains of death, we are often bound by other forms of chain that hold us hostage and do not allow us the freedom to pursue the life God asks of us. Jesus is the one who can unbind us from these restraints and set us free.
In today's gospel, we hear how Jesus conquers death and encourages us to be transformed. What needs transformation? The answer can be found through a question posed in today's gospel. John reports of the "Beloved Disciple," "He saw and believed." What did John see and thus believe that day? He saw that the tomb was empty and realized that his life was full, cluttered with many things. The question for him was - could he empty himself enough to receive God, the risen Lord?
We need to ask ourselves the same question. Can we see and believe or are our lives too cluttered to receive God? We are all busy people; we are addicted to many things. Some of us are addicted to work; some are addicted to school. Some people are addicted to pleasure. Some, unfortunately, are addicted to themselves. At times we are so busy that our priorities get messed up. Sometimes our addictions come ahead of our God. It cannot be this way, if we are to see and believe!
We might not feel comfortable doing nothing, just being. It is difficult to accept the moment. However, if we empty ourselves somewhat, then we can make room for God and God's works. In order to make room we must have the hope that God can fill our needs and desires. I have often questioned why the apostles were running to the tomb. After all, Jesus had died, was there any need to run? They must have had the hope that Jesus' promise, namely that he would rise, was true, and, thus, they ran to find the resurrected Christ. The reality of Jesus' resurrection is a message of hope for our own resurrection. But our resurrection need not wait until our union with God in eternity. We can begin now by emptying ourselves. If we are empty enough, if we are open, then we have chosen, as Saint Paul suggests in his writings (Colossians 3:1), the higher realm which comes from God. We will then be able to find God and in the process perform the works of the Lord, preaching, teaching, good works, and healing.
Jesus' resurrection asks us to revive the human spirit deep down inside each one of us and be transformed like Pastor Johnson and the others in The Boondocks. The empty tomb encourages us to be empty enough to be filled with God. Let us today be resurrected; let us empty ourselves and let us be transformed so that we too can see and believe!
Early that evening, David drove to the church for the rehearsal of the sunrise service the next morning. When the practice ended, a youth, lovingly called "Tiny" because of his six--foot five--inch frame, asked, "Pastor, can you give me a ride home?" David said he would be glad to do so, but that the young man would have to give him directions. With Tiny pointing the way, David delivered the youth home without incident. When he left, however, he could not remember if he was to turn right at the end of the cement and left at the crossroads or the other way around. It had only taken ten minutes to reach Tiny's home, but now after twenty minutes of driving he found himself on a deserted dirt road, totally lost. When the car sputtered he realized he was out of gas.
David was overcome with anxiety. It was 10 p.m. on Holy Saturday evening, he was lost, out of gas, and needed to be at the church by 6 a.m. to set up for the sunrise service. He got out of the car and began to walk. Ten minutes later he saw some bright lights up ahead on the right. As he drew closer he could see that the lights came from a bar, the neon sign reading "The Boondocks." Everyone, including those new to the community like David, knew that this was one of the seediest taverns in town. As he walked to the front door he saw a group of motorcycles which made him nervous. When he entered, he smelled rancid beer and the stench of tobacco. He did not see anyone he recognized, a fact that was both good and bad. He wondered what church members might think if they knew their pastor was at "The Boondocks" on Holy Saturday night.
David approached the bar intending to ask for a ride to town but found himself ordering a coke and, noticing a billiard table behind him, soon engaged in a game. David had played pool since he was six and was very good. This night, however, he was fantastic; he twice ran the table after the break. This action was noticed by Turk, a short but powerful "biker" who, taking off his leather jacket, challenged David to a game. Turk was good, but that evening David was better. After three consecutive wins, Turk conceded defeat. He bought David another coke and announced that henceforth David would be called "Shark." He then asked the inevitable question, "What do you do?" David was uncertain to tell the truth or lie, but he summoned his courage and said, "I'm a minister in town at the Maple Street Community Church." The crowd was shocked and began to mumble, but from the background Turk bellowed, "Quiet!"
Immediately the mood in the bar changed and the patrons, one--by--one began to tell their stories. When Turk's turn came, he began, "I've never been to church. My mother was never married so people told her she was not good enough for any church. I've never been to Sunday school, either. What I know about the Bible comes from television. I don't even know what we celebrate at Easter." All the eyes of the patrons trained on David, who realized that Turk had given him an invitation and he needed to respond. Thus, David began to tell all assembled about Jesus. David told about Jesus' birth and how when Jesus was old enough, he began a public ministry. David told them that those who were rich and powerful had little time or energy for Jesus, who reached out in a special way to those who were despised by society at large. Jesus did many wonderful things, cured many of diseases, forgave sins, and demonstrated love in every word and action of his life.
After three years of active work, Jesus, who mostly stayed in the northern section of his nation ventured south to the capital city of Jerusalem. Although he had done many wonderful things and taught people about the love of God, he was, nonetheless, hated by many of the very people whom he came to save. Thus, on Friday, after a kangaroo court had agreed he was guilty of high crimes, he was led to crucifixion, wearing a crown of thorns. All his best friends abandoned him, save a couple who watched all these horrible events. Because he was tortured so severely, Jesus died on the cross after about three hours. His loyal friends took him down and laid him in a tomb. Hearing the story, several of those in the bar began to cry openly.
David then told the men that on Sunday morning Jesus' friends went to the tomb to visit, but they met two angels who told them that Jesus was no longer there; he had risen and was alive. Later that day Jesus appeared to his friends, the same ones who had abandoned him just a few days before.
Turk and the others were impressed but they said, "That is a crazy story." David responded, "It is a crazy world. But our God can turn losers into winners; he has shown many times that what most believe is weakness in a person is truly strength. He demonstrated that God will always be there for us. By raising his Son from death, God has destroyed death forever."
When all was said David then told Turk about his car problem. Quickly the rugged "biker" siphoned some gas from another vehicle, gave David directions, and sent him on his way. When he arrived home, his wife, who was obviously concerned about her husband's late return, told him that he needed to get to bed and rest, but he told her, "I need to rewrite my sermon." The next day, David did not talk about "New Being" or estrangement from authentic selfhood; he simply told the story of how God raised Jesus from the dead and in the process gave him and all people new life and hope. People in the congregation thought the sermon was good, but what really got them talking was the strange group of visitors who parked their shiny motorcycles in front of the church and sat in one of the front pews. When one of the ushers inquired about the visitors, one burly man, obviously uncomfortable in a suit and tie, growled, "We are friends of Shark."
Pastor Johnson's encounter with Turk and his friends at The Boondocks is a story of transformation and conversion, the movement from death to life. A chance and unintended meeting between a young and inexperienced minister and a hard--bitten "biker" allowed both to cast off blindness, the veil that kept them in darkness, and to discover new vistas never before explored. Today as we celebrate this festival day of Easter, we are challenged to see Jesus' conquering of sin and death, his movement from death to life, as the opportunity and experience we need to transform our own lives and conform them to that of the risen Lord.
The Lenten journey just ended provided many opportunities for us to evaluate our lives of faith and make adjustments. Initially we were challenged to go to the desert with Jesus and be tempted with the three great sins of contemporary society - power, wealth, and prestige. Today's world is filled with examples of overindulgence in these areas. We find ourselves bowing down and giving homage to these contemporary "gods." Jesus was strong enough to say no to such temptation; we must do the same. Then we went up to the top of the high mountain and witnessed, along with Peter, James, and John, Jesus' transfiguration. What we experienced in Jesus' physical nature was the goal we set for our spiritual selves. We sought to be converted on the inside to a new and stronger relationship with Christ. We then journeyed to Samaria and overheard Jesus' conversation with the woman at Jacob's well. We sought, as did she, the living water which Jesus offered. We were told of our need to break down barriers that keep us from one another and from God. Then we encountered Lazarus and realized that as Jesus set him free from the chains of death, we are often bound by other forms of chain that hold us hostage and do not allow us the freedom to pursue the life God asks of us. Jesus is the one who can unbind us from these restraints and set us free.
In today's gospel, we hear how Jesus conquers death and encourages us to be transformed. What needs transformation? The answer can be found through a question posed in today's gospel. John reports of the "Beloved Disciple," "He saw and believed." What did John see and thus believe that day? He saw that the tomb was empty and realized that his life was full, cluttered with many things. The question for him was - could he empty himself enough to receive God, the risen Lord?
We need to ask ourselves the same question. Can we see and believe or are our lives too cluttered to receive God? We are all busy people; we are addicted to many things. Some of us are addicted to work; some are addicted to school. Some people are addicted to pleasure. Some, unfortunately, are addicted to themselves. At times we are so busy that our priorities get messed up. Sometimes our addictions come ahead of our God. It cannot be this way, if we are to see and believe!
We might not feel comfortable doing nothing, just being. It is difficult to accept the moment. However, if we empty ourselves somewhat, then we can make room for God and God's works. In order to make room we must have the hope that God can fill our needs and desires. I have often questioned why the apostles were running to the tomb. After all, Jesus had died, was there any need to run? They must have had the hope that Jesus' promise, namely that he would rise, was true, and, thus, they ran to find the resurrected Christ. The reality of Jesus' resurrection is a message of hope for our own resurrection. But our resurrection need not wait until our union with God in eternity. We can begin now by emptying ourselves. If we are empty enough, if we are open, then we have chosen, as Saint Paul suggests in his writings (Colossians 3:1), the higher realm which comes from God. We will then be able to find God and in the process perform the works of the Lord, preaching, teaching, good works, and healing.
Jesus' resurrection asks us to revive the human spirit deep down inside each one of us and be transformed like Pastor Johnson and the others in The Boondocks. The empty tomb encourages us to be empty enough to be filled with God. Let us today be resurrected; let us empty ourselves and let us be transformed so that we too can see and believe!
