What was Jesus doing on Saturday?

  6)  The Cross as Descending into Hell (1 Peter 3:18-20; Colossians 1:18)

18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19After being made alive,  he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. (1 Peter 3:18-20)

8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross. 9Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:8-11) 

18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the said, supremacy. 19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:18) 

7Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.” 9What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descendedc to the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things. (Ephesians 4:7-10)

The death of Jesus Christ in each of the passages above is tied to the descent into hell (sometimes called "The Harrowing of Hell").  
Here is a bit of the thinking on the descent into hell: 
The idea of Christ's descent into hell is found in scripture (above) but also in the early church- Hipppolytus (c. 200AD)  said, "Therefore as many as Satan swallowed and bound, these the Lord, when he came, loosed from the bonds of death, having bound him who was strong against us, but having set humanity free." Origen (c. 220 AD) "First therefore he bound him at the cross, and thus he has entered his house, that is Hades (infernum), and from there "ascending on high, he led captivity captive."  By the fifth century it was seen as an important enough concept to add to the Apostles' Creed and confirmed in 750 AD.  But this is a bit of a strange concept.  What does it mean?  Here are two main ideas:
1) Christ went to hell after he died on the cross and proclaimed his death to those in hell.  Some say this meant A) the seal of those doomed there- like a proclamation (Luther/Hodges/1 Peter 4:6) and the conquering of the devil and evil; Some say it B) released the Old Testament saints who were in the realm of the dead until Christ came (Zwingli, Roman Catholic); Others that it C) emptied out hell entirely. 
The scriptures are a bit less specific here.  For those who think Christ emptied out hell, does that mean that he did that for eternity, or just for those who died before he descended.  It seems a stretch to think he eternally emptied out hell on Saturday- and nowhere in scripture or early tradition does it say this.  Certainly every knee can bow to the proclamation of Christ's death on the cross.  
2) Christ went through hell for us on the cross.  Hell is separation from God.  Jesus said, "My God, My God why have you forsaken me" (quoting Psalm 22).  He bore our sins in his death on the cross.  John Calvin interpreted his descent into hell in this way.  
3) Some say this is just meant to say that this is just a symbolic way of saying Jesus died and has victory over death and hell.  It is true that evil, death, the destruction of his crucifiers, hell and the devil are all conquered by the cross.  
4) Some say this just confirms the fact of his really being dead and buried.  So in the creed it says, "He was dead and buried, descended into hell."  While this is true, this alone misses the scriptural meanings above. 
5) Some traditions say he destroyed the power of hell and Satan/the devil.  (Acts of Pilate- 311 AD- "Satan, shaking and utterly terrified, spoke to his angels, "Bar the gates, for the Son of Man, God's champion, comes. He comes to lay waste to my Kingdom and devastate my realm. Do not let him pass for he shall take everything he can take, leaving us in ruin"."John 12:31; Col. 2:15

Whether you agree with Calvin that the death of Christ on the cross is "the descent into hell", certainly we can agree that the cross is where Christ bore our sins in his body on the tree (1 Peter 2:24).   He became the fulfillment of all the Old Testament sacrifices.  It is on the cross that the Lamb of God took away the sins of the world (John 1:29).  
The cross is a symbol, therefore of the taking away of our sins, and also the victory over evil (and the devil and hell).  The cross is a powerful symbol that good conquers over evil.  

Application: Our response to this should be gratitude and praise.  Christ went through hell for us so that we would not have to.  He paid our price with the infinite value of His death.  

Prayer: Thank you God for the cross of Christ- on which He paid my penalty of judgment and hell.  Thank you for your victory over death, destruction, evil, and hell that enables me to be free- in this life and the next.  

So what is my opinion?  My opinion is secondary to what the scripture says, and my desire is to submit my opinion to God (and thus God's Word).  In the 1950s the PCUS compiled a new (burgundy) hymnbook.  In the front it had the Apostles' Creed.  But because they couldn't understand "he descended into hell" and because the United Methodist Church omitted it and it was said to be a latter addition, they omitted it from the creed-without any authority from the church.  But just because we don't understand something doesn't mean we should omit it.  Part of saying the creed is to strive to believe what the church has agreed to believe.  
Jesus indeed did go through hell for us on the cross.  That is the most meaningful and universal application of this.  But also He truly died.  It seems that this is where God destroyed the power of the devil (He could not keep Jesus out), and preached his triumph to all those in hell already.  This is what it means when it says, "every knee shall bow in heaven, on earth and under the earth- and every tongue confess [even those in hell] that Jesus is Lord."   Hell is not destroyed here (see Rev. 20).  Nor are people in hell given a second chance.  The Reformation partly rebelled against the purgatory idea that is not found in canonical scripture.  We cannot pay, pray, or say our way out of hell for those who refused to be saved.   This life and our decisions in it are important and have to do with our eternal life.  We are given a chance up until the last breath.  Think about the thief on the cross who was told "Today you will be with me in paradise" by Christ.  It was not "Today you will descend into hell, I will meet you there and take you to heaven."  The ones who came before Jesus are not condemned to hell, or to sleep or to some quasi-hell.  Think about Lazarus and the rich man (Dives) in Luke 16. The rich man was carried to hell, the poor man to heaven.  This was before Jesus died, and he was giving a glimpse into how we are saved.  I understand those who say Jesus brought the Old Testament believers and other believers that lived before he came out of hell.  Certainly no one gets to heaven but by the grace of God found in the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus (which made all those Old Testament sacrifices real).  But Jesus doesn't need to physically descend into hell in order to do this.  When we die, our Maker decides where we go.  We will all stand before Him at the ultimate judgment to be declared innocent (by Christ's work, or guilty) at the end of time.  But Luke 16 implies that when we die we go to where we are destined.  Jesus descended into hell to declare He is Lord of heaven, earth, and under the earth.  No gates of hell can keep Him out.  He is God not just of 2/3 of existence.  But He is God of all.  It is not that the ruler is the ruler of all outside of prison and the prisoners rule the prisons.  Jesus is ruler of all.  His descent into hell proclaims Him Lord of all.  He is worthy of our worship.      

The Sabbath (7th day) was fulfilled when Jesus proclamation over death is completed.  Jesus was buried before the seventh day which was also the special holy day of Passover.  Jesus said himself that He is "Lord of the Sabbath."  "Sabbath" means "stop" or "rest."  It is a sign of peace- wholeness (shalom).  As God, He initiated the idea of Sabbath, but as the God-man, Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath rest.  Death is not the ultimate rest. The Sabbath is not the ultimate rest.  Christ's victory over death and hell and sin means ultimate peace with God, ultimate peace with others, and ultimate peace within ourselves.  Jesus' proclamation of victory in hell means there is nowhere that He is not Lord.  No evil can stop Him. No death can stop Him.  There is no more war- it is won.  While there are still fights going on, the surrender of hell has happened.  Jesus holds the keys to death and hell.  When we put our trust in Him, we can have peace.  We do not need to fear the power of evil.  We do not need to fear the power of death.  We do not need to fear the power of pain.  The Lamb of God who is slain has sacrificed Himself so we might have peace (rest) with God (Rev. 5:11-12- note "under the earth" is mentioned).  We know who wins in the end.  Thanks be to God who gives us the victory in Jesus Christ. He has descended onto earth, then descended into hell, and ascended into heaven.  He is God of all.  He is THE PRINCE OF PEACE.  

Good Friday Devotional on the Cross as Love

 https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/4804590506350529753/8306935298571643703

5) The Cross as a symbol of God's Love (John 3:16; John 15:13; Romans 5:8)

It is possible to sacrifice out of duty or a sense of law.  But the love of God seen in the cross is never in doubt. The sacrifice of Christ was not just His calling- but He did it out of love.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten (one and only) Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16)   God loved us so He sent His Son to die for us that might have life- and come to Him.  So when many see the sacrifice of Christ to get us to heaven they see the first proposition of that verse- God so loved us.
       For the last several years, this scenario has played out each year.  A father rescues his child from dangerous rip currents, but drowns himself in the effort.  June 20, 2023 47 year old Christopher Pierce of Alabama was able to save his daughter from the strong current in Panama City Beach, FL but in the effort gave himself.    The news said that this "serves as a reminder of the importance of heeding warnings."  But I think this misses the point, the father was willing to give himself out of love for his daughter.  He did not have to try to rescue his child.  We cannot miss the larger point that the cross was the willing sacrifice of Christ for us.  Matthew 26:53 records Jesus' saying, "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" In other words, Jesus could have escaped- but He remained on the cross willingly.  He willed, out of love, His sacrifice for us. 
        The cross is an example of love- inspiring us to give of ourselves- to sacrifice for others.  Jesus spoke about loving your neighbor as yourself and even loving your enemies- but the cross embodied those words.  The words of love from Jesus were lived out on the cross.  He even said of those crucifying Him, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."   Romans 5:8 says this clearly, "But God demonstrates His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  It is not that we have great knowledge of God and that saves us.  While we still sin, Christ's death still works for us.  It is not that we are good- therefore God saves us.  It is the grace of God that while we were yet sinners, He still came and died that we might have the opportunity to accept His gift of love and live.  
 "Herein is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and gave Himself as a propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10).  
     Jesus Himself described His death on the cross as a gift of love: "Greater love has no one than this: that He lay down His life for His friends" (John 15:13).   Jesus saw his death not only as a ransom (Mark 10:45) but also a gift of love.  It is ironic that God could turn a terrible torture mechanism (the cross) into a symbol of His love. Most today, when they see the cross do not think of death but of life and the love of God.  The cross is the symbol of God's gift of unconditional love- offered to all people- irrespective of what you look like, what you have, where you live, or even what you have done.  It is a way to go from selfishness to love.  The love of God is the greatest gift- and it is made clear by the cross. 
      The question is will we leave that gift unopened?  Will we not see it or pretend it is irrelevant for me. Years ago I gave my children a trip to Disneyworld.  It scraped the bottom of the bank account to send them, but I wanted them to have that experience.  I put the note that they were going at the back of the Christmas tree.  The children looked at their Christmas gifts and were unimpressed.  But they didn't see the note wrapped as a gift in the back.  The greatest gift we could possibly have is God's love.  It means more than any trip, any thing.  He sent His Son because He cares about us.  But His Son's rescue out of love is the ultimate fulfilling of that love.  The offer of His love is not automatic- we must believe in order to receive it ("Whosoever believes in Him").  This is not mean or unfair.  On the contrary, to not appreciate the gift of God's love is indeed mean and unfair.  We should accept the gift and believe in the power of it to give us life.  Similarly, my children needed to believe that my note that was saying we were going to Disney was valid and would bring joy.  We are called to not take God's gift of love for granted but to love Him in return and to want others to know that love- made evident in the cross. 

Application: Accept the gift of love.  Ask God to make it real for you and to forgive you of your sins.  Look for ways to spread that love to others.  

Prayer: Your love, O Lord, has the power to change me and to change the world around me.  Help me to relish and cherish your love shown in the cross.  May your love inspire more love in me.  

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul. 
What wondrous love is this O my soul. 
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss 
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!

[The crucifixion Diego Velasquez 1632 Museo del Prado]

Anselm (d. 1109 Cur Deus Homo) was a great expounder of the cross as an example and means of the forgiveness of sins.  He expounded well the idea of the Old Testament sacrifice climaxed and fulfilled in Jesus.  John Leith rightly says that the church never let this alone be the meaning of the cross.  Abelard (1079-1142) found Anselm's view incomplete and legalistic.  John Leith said, "For Abelard, the work of Christ was not the bearing of our sins so much as it was a manifestation of the outgoing love of God, which lays hold of us and frees us from slavery to sin and wins for us the true liberty of children of God, so that we do all things out of love rather than fear" (Basic Christian Doctrine p.158).   Anselm is more profound...but without Abelard's view the view of the cross is not complete. "This is the truth of the old evangelical way of describing salvation as coming to know Jesus."  

The cross as love is sometimes scorned as being too mushy without the substance.  But the sacrifice of Christ is motivated by love.  The danger is to go to one-sided on this.  Grace without obedience is what Bonhoeffer called "cheap grace."  Paul in Romans 6:15 asks the rhetorical question, "What then?  Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?  By no means!... You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." Love also elicits obedience.  Jesus said, "If you love me, you will do what I say." (John 14:15).  

Holy Week Devotional on the Meaning of the Cross

 This is an introduction to a Holy Week Devotional on the Meaning of the Cross: 

Click this link:  

https://crossmeaning.blogspot.com/2025/03/7-meanings-of-cross.html

 The cross is one of the most cherished symbols and most recognized symbols of Christianity.  The Red Cross is a universal symbol of help.  The cross is used to mark especially military graves as a reminder of the Christian hope given by the cross.  The power of the symbol is seen in its use in exorcisms or as a protective mechanism.  But wearing the cross is a form of identifying with the most famous person who died on it- Jesus the Christ.  The person of Christ is tied up in the important work that He did while on earth, and centralized upon the giving of Himself on the cross.  He spoke often and early in His ministry about His death as a ransom (Mark 10:45), as a sacrifice, as evidence of God's love (John 3:16-18).  There are multiple meanings- perhaps- if we believe each meaning is a matter of our perception or incorporation of it- then there are billions of facets of the purpose, definition and efficacy of the cross. 
     There have been many works about what actually happened on the cross (Amy Jill Levine "Witness at the Cross" or Jim Bishop's classic "The Day Christ Died" or even Raymond Brown's encyclopedic commentaries, or Max Lucado's illustrative "He Chose the Nails"  or "Six Hours One Friday").  In these senses- the cross is a reminder of the historicity of the death of Jesus.  Roman Senator and historian Tacitus, writing in 60AD speaks of "the surpreme peanlty" given to Christ under Pilate and Tiberius (Josephus, Thallus, Phlegon Lucian of Samsota all refer to Christ being killed on the cross).  But the focus on this work is on the biblical interpretations of the cross of Jesus Christ from the standpoint of Christian faith.   We can easily go down many rabbit trails and delve deep into different subjects.  Some focus on the "Seven Last Words of Jesus."  

But for this study we will look at seven New Testament meanings of the cross. 
The meanings are deep, varied, freeing, hopeful and inspire gratitude, following, and sacrificial love.  

1) Jesus an Example of Suffering (1 Peter 2:21-24) 
2) Jesus as our Ransom (Mark 10:45)
3) Jesus the Victorious King Over Death and Evil (Colossians 2:15; 1 Corinthians 15:57)
4) Jesus the Sacrificial Atoner for Our Sins on the Cross (Hebrews 10:10, Col. 2:14; 1 John 4:10)
5) The Cross as a symbol of God's Love (John 3:16; John 15:13; Romans 5:8)
6)  The Cross as Descending into Hell (1 Peter 3:16,17; Colossians 1:18)
7)  The Cross as the Way to God (1 Peter 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21)

The Signature of God- found in a seeming imperfection

This was a small homily I gave at the wedding of Laura Hudson and Brendon Dasher. 

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”
Psalms 127:1

 A little girl was touring some magnificent homes with her grandfather.  One was a beautiful sandstone with an intriguing design.  But she saw a bright red tile- seemingly out of place in the corner of the house. She thought it weird that such a seemingly perfect house would have such an imperfection. She asked her grandfather about it. He said it was no flaw, but the signature of the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright who put a red tile with his signature on many works he was pleased with. It was not an imperfection at all, but really part of the identity of the home.  

Laura and Brendon you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Today you are remade as the two of you become one. You may look at something in you or in the other and think it is a flaw, but in fact it is GOD’s signature- his thumbprint if you will. The crosses you face- wound you, shape you, but also identify you- as the nail and spear marks identified Jesus to Thomas and others.  You both have been through so much already, and you are vowing to go through more together. You have already persevered until this moment. Those events are God’s signature on your life. Do not expect some kind of artificial perfection from each other. But we are not in heaven yet- but we hopefully are growing in grace, in forgiveness, and looking forward to that perfect place where we are made perfect.  Yet today we are perfectly imperfect.  It is the imperfections that make you beautiful. God, the potter is reshaping you like clay in His hands- molding these imperfections in you and now shaping you together.  In some ways your cross is unique.  In some ways your cross is a way God identifies you.  

This is such a beautiful day- great temperature, great venue, no rain.  But you could look at this and say- if it only wasn't so windy then my hair wouldn't be blowing- or the pollen is a bit much.  You can always look at the black dot on the white board- or the red tile on the beautiful house- and think it is not perfect.  It isn't, but it is perfect for you.  This day is perfect for you- Perfectly imperfect- but it is your day.  This is the day that the Lord has made- let us rejoice and be glad in it.  

 Find peace in who you are and God’s call on your lives as individuals and now as two who have become one. Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. He has brought you together in the right time and way. All of us will be looking to see how His beautiful builders’ signature will be made manifest in you. Today we are sending you off on your perfect imperfect journey with a prayer for grace and peace made evident in your love for each other and God’s sustaining love for you.

Lord, help me to see my crosses, my sufferings, even my failures- as something that has been given to me to shape me, mold me, and even make me who I am.  Give me the grace to bear my crosses well- and help my partner in life to also bear up under my crosses.  Lord, love is patient, kind, endures all things- make me an instrument of your love which is the greatest gift.  Lord, build the house of my marriage with your grace.  


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Keeping our Identity in Eternity

 Do we keep our soul in heaven?  Is there any evidence of a soul on earth?  

Descartes and others trying to identify the organ of the body that the soul resides in.  In the ancient world they talked about "Loving you from the kidneys"  Or "Heart and soul."  Some pointed to the pituitary gland.  Others the hypothalmus.  Some leading neurologists have pointed to the mind beyond the brain.  

Some say evidence of the soul is found in self-awareness or conscience or even mindfulness.  I like to think I know I am the same person I was when I was a baby- though my body has changed.  We gain and lose millions of cells each day- but there is a central part of us that keeps going.  Perhaps the part that keeps going is our soul?  

Scripture points to the idea that we are identified as persons in heaven.  In some religions (pantheism and even some panentheism), you become a part of the cosmic soul or "one with the universe" after you die.  In such a belief system you lose your identity- which is the point for some- to become "one".  Some of these systems of belief say that your identity is an illusion (maya).  

But there are some evidences of soul- as identity continuation given in the scriptures.  In the Bible there is little if any thought of just merging into one being with God.  God is "holy other" and is to be worshiped into eternity- not merged into in eternity.  Yet, in heaven we are brought closer- but separately into the presence of God.  In heaven our sins do not separate us from God's pleasure and our sinful desires are stopped (in part because our bodily pleasures are stopped). 

In the Old Testament (briefly)- Samuel was called back from the dead to Saul (1 Samuel 28).  Saul identified Samuel (28:14,15).  David's comments on his  child's death was "I will go to him, but he will not return to me."  He did not say I will join him in his place or his soul, but "I" and "Him".  The whole concept of soul "nephesh" is an identity- that God breathes into us (Genesis 2:7).  The great words of Job say, "I know that my redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand upon the earth and after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes--I and not another." (19:25,26).  

There are many passages in the New Testament about the individual human soul living forever.  
The Transfiguration has Moses and Elijah as identifiable individuals coming down to meet with Jesus.  
In Luke 16:19-31 (the parable of the poor-Lazarus and rich man-Dives) it speaks of the poor man going to "Abraham's side" (22).  The rich man was identifiable in hell (32) and looked up and identified Lazarus  and Abraham (23).  He had a conversation with Abraham.  Certainly this implies identity in heaven.  In Revelation the souls of the martyrs are identifiable and Jesus (the Lamb who was slain) was also identifiable.  But the bigger evidence is the resurrection of the body that we say we believe in the Apostles Creed.  The phrase, "I believe in the resurrection of the body" means the ongoing personality or identity of the soul.  Jesus rose from the dead and was identifiable.  When he died, individuals rose from the dead (also think Lazarus, Jairus' daughter, Widow of Nain's son- all of whom kept their identity).  

You don't have to believe me.  But if you want to believe the scriptures- especially the New Testament, then there is clear evidence there of seeing and being with individuals in heaven.  

In addition, Near Death Experiences also confirm seeing people as individuals in heaven.  These experiences are becoming more and more identifiable with the spread of information on the internet and as people come out about their experience.   Lee Stroble's book and movie "The Case for Heaven" about it is a nice summary.  Most of the thousands of accounts have people seeing individuals on the other side.  This is not just a wishful "now they are united again" kind of thing- though that wish is not in itself necessarily wrong.  

Billy Graham talked about his mother's death when she said she saw dead relatives on the other side.  When my mother died in 2001, she spoke to her sister who had died in the 1970s, saying, "I'm coming as soon as I can" (over and over).  Hospice used to talk about one of the stages of being near death is talking to people on the other side more and more.  Hopefully we can get comfort in the fact that we go on- and what we do is valuable- and who we are is valuable for eternity.  The Bible seems to indicate two things go on forever from this earthly life- the Word of God and human souls.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to value my soul- who I am- because you value me.  Help me to have hope into eternity.  

Keeping Our Identity- Or...Don't Lose Your Soul

 Identity is a big deal in our day- but it has always been that way.  
In the West in the 60s and 70s people talked about trying "to find myself."  Peter Jenkins has a great book about walking across America trying to find himself.  
In older times, people talked about being "lost."  Not lost physically, or emotionally, or socially, but spiritually.  Tolkien reminds us that "not all who wander are lost."  Yet, many who wander are also wondering and seeking for an answer to life and to why they are here and who they are.  

Certainly the Bible gives an answer to who we are and why we are.   We are all valuable and loved (according to the scriptures).  We are not haphazard accidents of the universe, but made by a loving Creator.  Scripture tells us we are made in His image.  That alone makes us valuable and Genesis infers that means God cares for us and asks us at least not to kill each other- but also to respect (Jesus said anyone who says "you fool" has already committed murder in their heart- Mt. 5:22).  We are valuable also because God loves us.  We are the object of his love- the apple of his eye (Ps. 17:8; Prov. 7:2; Zech. 2:8).   If God, as our father, siblings all are we- so we should love one another- our neighbor as ourselves.  Christ also died for us out of love (1 Cor. 6:20, 7:23).  If we appreciate His infinite-worth-sacrifice- the price of a life and a person is invaluable.   Therefore we are invaluable.  So: 1) His image; 2) His love; 3) His sacrifice means we are loved- along with "The Bible tells me so." 
    In our baptism, we are identified- given a name- and claimed as a part of His family.  We are therefore called to remember who we are and whose we are. For Christians, we are all given special gifts, put in a special place at a certain time (Esther 4:14; Acts 17:26) to answer God's specific call (vocation) upon our lives. Our main goal is to glorify God and enjoy God forever.  This is everyone's general calling.  

Sometimes we can get distracted by stuff, by desires, by even good things (or misplaced loves).  Not all that/who we love is good just because we love it/them.  Jesus reminds us "what good is to gain the whole world and lose your soul?" (Mark 8:36).  It is important to keep or fix our eyes on Jesus- the prize.  

So don't forget who you are and whose you are.  We are kept by God (Nbrs 6; salm 121).  This not only means we are protected by God- that we don't get destroyed.  It also means our identity or soul will not get destroyed.  God's love for us (in general but also as a particular person) never fades or disappears.  My next blog is about how our identity or soul goes on into eternity...

Prayer: Thank you that you have given me a reason to be and a reason to invest myself in you.  Thank you that though all my earthly causes will crumble, my eternal value never does.  Give me the grace to find not only my value but the value of others in you.  

  

Staying on the Way Home

 Video for the sermon preached at Eastminster Presbyterian 3/3/25 James 5, "Staying on the Way Home" 

https://eastminsterpres.org/sermons/staying-on-the-way-home/

“Staying on the Way Home”  James 5:7-11, 18-20;  3-2-25 at Eastminster Ben Sloan Thank you to the 200. Mission trip signup.
Sometimes a little ADHD and sometimes a little sin distracts me from what is really important.  In our passage in James it really is speaking of the need to stay on the right path- the right way to get back home to the presence of God in heaven- our true home.
There used to be a saying, “There’s an APP for that.”  Well if you could summarize the things that are said over and over in James 5 they correspond to APP- Appearing- 3x he speaks of the importance of looking for the appearing of Christ; Patience- 3x he speaks of the need to be patient; and Perseverance (2x it speaks of this). 
Last September a man beached his boat on an island near Beaufort with his wife and two dogs who didn’t have a cell phone.  The boat drifted away- the man swam after the boat.  He was in the water for seven hours.  After awhile he was more concerned for his safety than the boat- and was looking on the horizon for any help.  He was rescued by a Good Samaritan who called the Coast guard who picked up his wife and dogs.  Now if you were stranded in the water for 7 hours- would you be uncaring about the appearing of a rescue ship?  Would you just yawn as they went away?  James tells us that we are like that person stranded in the water.  Ever felt that way?  We should long for Jesus to come to us and in the meantime don’t give up- have patience and persevere.  Let’s pray and then let me read this focus passage. 

John Arndt lived in Swannanoa.  He didn’t know most of his neighbors.  But on 9/26 four months of rain came pouring in in three hours and the river rose 21 feet in three hours.  John got his kayak, persevered through the strong current and paddled over to some neighbors who were stranded on their roof with the water still rising. Can you imagine being stranded on your roof longing and looking and crying for help?  Some of you were there in 2015.  John brought them one by one to safety.  Today, John says these neighbors who once didn’t know each other are “pretty tight.”  Today they are rebuilding their homes.  We should long for Jesus to come help us- as those people stuck on their roof were longing to be rescued.  While we are longing- we should not give up but have patience and perseverance. 
        Today is Transfiguration Sunday.  Transfiguration was a major turning point in Jesus’ earthly ministry.  He was getting ready to go to Jerusalem to die.  He knew it.  The Father gave Jesus some encouragement by letting Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the prophets) appear to Jesus as well as Peter, James, and John.  Jewish tradition had that both Moses and Elijah would come when the Messiah comes again. In Revelation 11 it speaks of these two witnesses appearing too.  I have often wondered- how did they knew it was Moses and Elijah?  There’s no record they told them.  They didn’t have nametags on- “Hi- I’m Elijah.”  They just knew it.  But the transfiguration also points to the Christian idea that we keep our identity and personality after death- we don’t become a part of some cosmic blob.  When Jesus appeared at the resurrection they also knew him- though as he told Thomas- his identity was confirmed by the spear and nail marks.  James tells us we should long for his coming- his appearing- his presence.  Jesus came.  Jesus comes. And Jesus will come again.  He comes to us today to help us have patience and perseverance to stay on the way home.  You know my grandkids live away from me- but still in SC.  I love to see them, but I don’t get to see them every day.  But between my appearing, I find ways to communicate- I write cards, I sometimes call- or one of them called me, or I Facetime them.   We don’t see Jesus physically every day but He promises to come to us- where two or three are gathered together in my name- there am I in the midst of them (Mt. 18:20).  He promises to come to us when we help the poor- “as much as you did it to the least of these- you did it for me.”  He promises to come when we share our faith “Go into all the world and preach the gospel- and lo I am with you always even to the uttermost part of the earth.”  He promises to come to us in communion- “This is my body- my blood.”  His real presence is there.  And then there is the promise that at the end of history which we are a lot closer than James was when he wrote these words.  2 Timothy 4:8 says “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day- and not only to me BUT ALSO TO ALL WHO HAVE LONGED FOR HIS APPEARING.”  The next to last verse of the Bible says, “Amen- Maranatha- come Lord Jesus.”  There are many I would like to see when God calls me home- but the number one person is my Lord Jesus who gave himself for me and for you.  You know, last summer my air conditioning was acting up and I had to get a new one.  You know what?  We called that HVAC person several times to find out when the equipment came in, when they would be here, and how long it would take.  I was longing for his appearing in the midst of my discomfort.  In this world, right now, there is a lot of discomfort.  We long for heaven when there are no more tears, no more death, mourning, crying or pain.  Martin Luther was deeply aware that Christ could come back at any time.  Someone asked him, “If you knew Christ is coming back tomorrow, what would you do today.”  He answered I will do what I am called to do and plant seeds in my garden.  Be patient- persevere- listen to your calling. 
         I am going to wrap patience and perseverance together.  Jesus said in this world we will have trouble.  Some people seem to believe that if Jesus really came to earth- he should have healed everyone and brought the kingdom right then.  If he did- then there wouldn’t have been you and me.  Maybe he delayed to give us a chance to be born and to join Him in the kingdom.  I will tell you, Christians in other cultures look at us and wonder what the heck is going on in the church in America.  Douglass and Brad have talked about the rise in nones and dones.  We are the richest country in the history of the world.  We live longer than our ancestors did.  In my grandfather’s generation- the average longevity was 45 now it is almost 77.  We live longer- we have developed washing ma­­­chines, dishwashers, running clean water, toilets in our houses- we take all this for granted.  We have microwaves, fast air fryers for our food; instant communication and expect instant solutions with texts, X, and AI.  , And then we take God for granted.  In the 1830s it took 8 hours to develop a photograph, and there were only a few who could.  In the 60s you had the one minute poloroid.  Today everyone has a phone and digital pictures are better and more common.  But in our instant world, we tend to lose patience.  That’s okay with pictures- but it is not okay to lose patience with your spouse, or your kids, or your parents, or your friends, or your God.  All the things for our comfort and all these things that extend our lives a little bit- do not last forever.  Even if we live to 100 we still have to face our Maker.  One hundred years in the face of eternity is nothing.  Other Christians are wondering why we don’t have more patience with God- with our situation- with ourselves- or with other people.  How  do you learn patience and perseverance?  You face tough times.  James starts his book off saying, “Be patient in various trials knowing that the trying of your faith produces perseverance.”  Despite all our complex instantaneous technology- we still have human trials.   How many give up on their friends? 68% according to a Yougov survey have given up on a friend- with 8% giving up on having any friends- they report having no close friends at all.  You have a great friend in Jesus.  Do not betray him as Judas did; deny him as Peter did; or run away from him when tough times come like all the 12 did.  Many have divorced God- and it is worse than a marital divorce.  They have left God for someone else- maybe pride, maybe to do their own thing ethically, Maybe they want to be their own god- but it won’t work.  We need to stay on the way home- and we do that by longing for his appearing, by having patience and perseverance.   

      Andrea Palpant Dilley was the daughter of missionaries and went to a Presbyterian church.  Yet as a young adult she scraped off her Christian sticker on her car and dropped out- with her doubts- and she said she was “just tired of trying to be good.”  She went through years of vapid hard drinking, fooling around with older men- basically classic rebellion against God and faith.  But one day she came back home to church.  She said she came back not because all of her doubts were solved or that church is so much more entertaining now- but knowing her doubt belongs in the church and that God helps her unbelief.  Once a man told Jesus, “I believe, help my unbelief.”  Flannery O’Conner says this is the foundational prayer.  The writer and theologian Fredrick Buechner said, “Faith is homsickness.”  C. S. Lewis called it “Sehnsucht” a longing-yearning-craving for a far-off country. 

Jesus always is looking for us to come back home to Him- as the Father looked for the Prodigal to come back.  You are always welcome back. 
The table is set for you to commune with God.  Communion is a way we renew our faith- that we recognize our need to come back to God.