Pastor's Monthly Message
Pastor’s Page for April edition of HNLC The Herald
Hosanna, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord ... Hosanna!
We begin our worship in April focused on a clear lesson from The Passion of Christ; True Humility
April 2 is “Palm Sunday” also known as the Sunday of The Passion, or the first day of Holy Week, we are confronted with the servanthood of a “teacher” in Isaiah, the “outcast” in the psalm, those who “bow down” in Philippians. These readings teach humility.
We move quickly from Christ’s triumphant ride on a humble donkey to the humiliation of the cross. The humility of so many characters in the passion story is questionable: Judas, Pilate, the Twelve, the chief priests and elders, Barabbas, the crowd, the soldiers, then two bandits. Ironically, theirlack of humility is what brings about Christ’s passion. There are only two truly humble people in this story; Jesus the Christ and Joseph of Arimathea. We listen and watch as Matthew’s humble Jesus cries out from the cross to ask God why he has been forsaken. As we take a close look at the character of Joseph of Arimathea, we see him depicted as a truly humble believer. His devotion represents a deep humility that prompts the very finest of good works as he cares for the body of Jesus.
On Easter we are reminded that we are Hidden with Christ
The theme is framed candidly in Colossians: “You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). Easter turns the world upside down.
It defies our expectations with hiddenness and bluntness: Mary does not recognize the resurrected Jesus (John 20:14), the good news is heralded by an earthquake and terrifying angels and is brought to the women of the church first, rather than to the Twelve (Matt. 28:1-10). The radical reversals prophesied in scripture and revealed in Christ’s life and ministry culminate in the good news we proclaim today: Christ, through death, has triumphed over death. “The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone” (Ps. 118:22).
Easter offers the mystical possibility of transformation at any moment.
As we continue in the several Weeks of the Feast of Easter ...
On Sunday, April 16, we read that by the grace of God, Jesus returns a second time and offers his body as living proof to Thomas. In the presence of Jesus, Thomas discovers he did not need the proof he demanded. Thomas’ story is our story. Jesus also comes to us, seeking us out and giving us the gift of faith.
Easter offers the opportunity for a true Change of Heart
The texts for April 23 reflect heart-changing encounters with Jesus that fulfill a promise from God for the whole community, from those who have lived a long life to those who are children.
Whether a call to repentance, hope, recognition, or love, people are deeply affected by encounters with the one raised from the dead and become followers of Jesus’ way; turning from their sin and doubt, going back from Emmaus to Jerusalem with renewed courage, faith, and hope.
Easter invites us into an Abundant Life lived in the presence of God, ...
What is meant by abundant life? The popular culture says an abundant life is the “good life” of many fine things, an opulent lifestyle. But an abundance of things does not necessarily lead to an abundant life. What does Jesus mean when he says that he came so that we may have an abundant life? Psalm 23 provides us with a good illustration of what Jesus is promising to his followers. The psalmist imagines an abundant life not in material terms but in caring relational terms. The image of Jesus as our shepherd reminds us that he is with us at all times, and our relationship with him provides us all we need.
Alleluia! Christ has Risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Pastor Andy