“Witness” (Acts 5:27-32)

Nikos Kazantzakis wrote the historical novel, The Last Temptation of Christ, in 1955.  It nearly won the Pulitzer Prize for literature the year it was published.  From its beginnings it was a controversial book with the author’s own church, the Greek Orthodox Church, wanting the book banned.  In 1988, Martin Scorsese made it into a movie.  It, too, was controversial with many Christian groups boycotting for it to be banned from the movie theaters. 

Needless to say, The Last Temptation of Christ, was quite a lightning rod when it came to certain factions of the Christian faith. Which, in the end, probably brought more attention to the book and movie than anything else.  I know that when the movie came out, it caught my attention . . . so, I read the book and then went to see the movie.  I wanted to know what all the controversy was about. 

What it came down to be was an author’s exploration of “what if”.  Fully realizing that Jesus is both divine and human, the author wanted to know how Jesus would handle a “last temptation” at the very end of the story.  Based on the tail end of the temptation story in the Gospel of Luke.  In Luke chapter 4, verse 13, it is written: “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.”  In Kazantzakis’ mind, what more opportune time to tempt Jesus than when he is on the cross . . . and, what better temptation than to tempt Jesus’ human side.  The temptation?  Simply showing Jesus what his life would be like if he would let go of God’s desire and just live life like everyone else . . . to get married, have kids, to grow old and have grandchildren.

That was it.  That was the whole premise behind the book and the movie . . . what if?  Like any good author, the book ends with Jesus on the cross . . . the temptation presented . . . and the reader waiting.  Waiting to find out what Jesus does.  No answer comes.  The author leaves that up to the reader to decide for him or herself.  Does Jesus follow the call of God, or does Jesus cave into the temptation?  Inquiring minds want to know.

Isn’t that the dilemma all people of faith fall into at times in their lives . . . God’s will or something else?  To do what God wants or to do what we want . . . or society wants . . . or any group?  Don’t we all get caught up in that temptation . . . that trap?

Our scripture reading this morning throws us down the road from Easter morning.  At this point in the story the disciples—now called apostles, have embraced the good news of Easter, and they are out and about sharing the gospel.  In particular, they are preaching it in the temple and synagogues.  Now, remember, at this point there is no “church” . . . there is no “Christianity” as we know it.  This is the start.  And, so, this morning we are stepping into the story and it begins to get exciting.

In the story the apostles have been arrested, detained, and interrogated by the Sanhedrin.  Not the first time, mind you . . . but, for a second time.  They had been warned against preaching and teaching about Jesus . . . explicitly warned.  The first time they were eventually released with a “cease and desist” order.  This time the stakes are a little higher.

Now, as we hear this story, we need to remember that the apostles in the story are the same guys who ran off and hid when stuff hit the fan with Jesus.  These are the ones we heard about on Easter morning who wouldn’t believe the women when they told them that Jesus was alive.  And, now, look at them.  They are standing before the Sanhedrin being questioned about why they are doing what they were told not to do.  Why are they breaking the orders that they had been given . . . why do they insist on doing what they have been told not to do?

They replied that they were doing what they were doing because they were “witnesses” . . . “witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”  And, when it came down to push and shove as to whose orders they were going to obey, they were going to obey God’s.  The apostles said: “We must obey God rather than human beings . . . we are witnesses of these things . . .”  As witnesses, they have chosen to do God’s will . . . they have chosen to share the Good News . . . to share the story.

It is funny how time changes things.  From fearful, scared followers who ran off and hid, they are now fearless and devoted followers who stand up and tell the story.  That which they were fearful of in the past . . . persecution, imprisonment, and even death—which continued to be a threat to them, could not deter them from sharing the story.  They knew what the repercussions to their actions could bring.  They had even experienced them already when they were arrested and detained the first time.  And, yet, even that did not and would not stop them.  In the end, we know most of them died because of their sharing the story and faith.

So, do you see the conundrum?  God’s will versus any other will or choice?  The disciples had faced this problem . . . were they going to do God’s will—which would be going out and telling the story, or would they take the smarter, safer way which would be to ignore the question and live life to a ripe old age?  They had to make a choice . . . would it be God’s way or another way?

Because they had been there . . . because they had seen it all . . . because they were witnesses, they chose God’s way.  God’s way which was not humanity’s way.  They chose it despite the consequences—even death. 

As the followers of Jesus, I think we have all been thrust into those situations in which we had to decide whether or not we were going to choose God’s ways over other ways.  Probably more times than we like to admit . . . maybe even daily.  Isn’t that why some of us wear those bracelets or necklaces with the reminder—WWJD . . . what would Jesus do?  Aren’t there those moments when we have to make a decision on whether or not we are truly going to follow Jesus and God’s will?

For example, think of all the “isms” there are . . . classism, racism, ageism, sexism . . . on and on the list goes.  Are these things that God wants . . . separation of the family into different rooms and only certain ones allowed?  Think about the issues of war and justice . . . does God want war . . . doesn’t God want peace . . . justice?  Think about all the oppression we see and experience in our lives and in the world . . . didn’t Jesus come to free the people.  Isn’t there much in the world we live in that rub God the wrong way?  That makes God sad?  And, if so . . . that God is against this, shouldn’t we be?  Shouldn’t we be the witnesses that speak up for God’s love and grace as demonstrated by Jesus in his words and life?  Shouldn’t we stand up for God?

Of course . . . to not be a witness to the love and grace of God is to silence the voice and presence of God.

Jesus has touched our lives . . . he has changed our lives.  We have witnessed his power of love and grace as it has transformed us into full acceptance of our place in God’s family.  There is no denying God’s touch in our lives through Jesus.  Because of this we have been touched and blessed to be witnesses.  As witnesses we are called upon to tell our stories . . . to tell our stories wherever we may go to whoever we may encounter.  Though it seems as if we have a choice, as a witness of God’s love and grace, we really have no choice.  We are to obey God.

We must obey God for we have been witnesses to these things . . . if not our voice . . . our stance, how will the story ever be told or shared?  No one said it would be easy, and it might take some time before we get there . . . remember, it did not happen overnight for the apostles.  We are witnesses, thus we are the sharers of God’s love and grace as we have seen and experienced it through Jesus.  Amen.

“Remember” (Luke 24:1-12)

Any person with a lick of common sense would tell you that it was over.  It was all over.  They had stood there and heard his last words, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)  They had witnessed his last breath.  They had seen the tomb in which they had placed his body. It was over . . . Jesus was dead.  Anyone with common sense could see it.  And, with its demise, everything came crumbling down . . . the hopes, the dreams, and the promises.  It was all gone and in its place was shock, grief, and tears.  It was over.

Imagine then, the reaction of the women who went to the tomb the next morning to properly prepare the body of Jesus for burial.  Imagine the surprise and shock they felt when they got to the tomb and it was empty.  The body of Jesus was gone!  Imagine the thoughts that ran through their minds . . . someone had stolen the body.  Sadden by their discovery, it only gets more intense as the women are spoken to by two ethereal beings who tell them to knock it off: “Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you . . .”

And then, they remembered.

I imagine that most of us have brushed up against death in our experience of life.  That we have all experienced the death of someone we cared about and loved . . . a family member . . . a friend.  We have felt its sad and mournful grip upon our lives and hearts.  Have encountered its darkness and hopelessness.  How it stops us in our tracks, renders us motionless . . . helpless . . . lost in its chaos.  To experience death throws us into that moment in which nothing makes sense . . . and, the world around us seems spinning out of control.  And, we feel so lost.

As those women stood outside of that empty tomb, the reality of death touched their hearts to their deepest depths.  As I read this passage, I cannot help but to think and feel how lost they must have felt.  How their hopes and dreams had been crushed . . . scattered to the wind, never to be found again.  How would they ever find their way back again?

Isn’t that our fear whenever we experience death . . . how will we find our way back from being so lost?  How will we get back on track again with our lives?  How will we find our way back home?

Since this past Wednesday morning I have been struggling with my thoughts and emotions over a death.  Wednesday morning, I received a call from a work acquaintance about the accidental death of her young nephew . . . a child around ten years old.  The child’s mother has been one of my mentors in the program where we have college students with disabilities mentor high school students with disabilities about the transition from high school to college.  This was the third year that she had been one of my best mentors.  But, I have known her and her sons for nearly ten years as they would stop by the office to visit their aunt.  I have pretty much witnessed these boys grow up, and to hear the news of the one son suddenly dying . . . well, it was heart-breaking to say the least.

I was heartbroken for my co-worker who lost her beloved nephew.  I was heart broken for my mentor who lost her son . . . heart broken to imagine the depths of her pain.  I was heart broken for the family, friends, and acquaintances as they stood by . . . speechless and wanting to comfort, but not knowing how.  I feel heart broken because I know that there is nothing that I can say that will ever take away the pain . . . the sorrow . . . and, the loss.

The best that I can do . . . the best that anyone can do . . . is to let them all know that I am there.  I am there with them . . . praying and shedding tears.  And, in the end, all I can really tell them is to remember.

Remember . . .

From that night that Jesus broke the bread and lifted the cup with his disciples in that upper room, we have heard that word . . . remember.  And, again this morning, as we witness the women gathering at the empty tomb, we hear it again.  “Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen!”  Remember how he told you . . .”  Isn’t that what the two heavenly messengers said to the women . . . remember!  Remember what he told you . . . remember how he said it over and over again . . . remember!

The writer of the Gospel of Luke then tells us . . . “Then they remembered his words.”  From that moment on things changed.  No longer were the women mired in their sadness and mourning, but they were filled with joy and hope . . . they believed.  They believed that Jesus had been raised . . . believed that he was alive.  With great joy they—Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women—ran to the disciples to share the good news . . . he’s alive!  Jesus is alive.

Out of the darkness of death came the rays of hope as they remembered.

Of course, the message was wasted on the men . . . the common sense men.  They did not believe the women.  There is no way Jesus could be alive.  They had seen him die . . . they had seen his dead body . . . they knew he had been placed in a tomb.  As far as they were concern, Jesus was dead.  It did not matter what the women said, Jesus was dead.  Any person with common sense would know this.  No, the disciples were too lost in their grief . . . they could not remember.  But, in time they would as Luke’s gospel points out.

There would be the experience of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus who encounter a stranger—the risen Jesus.  At the end of their experience as they were sitting down to eat, the stranger took the bread, broke it . . . and, they remembered.  And, like the women before them, they rush to tell the other disciples that Jesus was alive.  They remembered.

There is power in remembering.  Jesus told us to remember . . . to remember his words . . . to remember his actions . . . to remember that death could not keep him down . . . to remember that he is alive and that he is always with us.  In remembering, they believed . . . and, so do we.

And, in remembering, the memories and stories must be shared . . . they must be told . . . if they are to stay alive.  Is that not what we hear in every funeral we attend . . . remember.  In remembrance the deceased live.  Thus, it was that the women rushed to tell the disciples . . . that the two rushed to the others . . . Jesus was alive!

As we gather to celebrate the living Jesus, we are reminded to remember.  We are reminded to remember the words of Jesus . . . his words of hope, love, and grace.  To remember his actions as he took those words and lived them in his daily life.  To remember his promises of always being with us.  And, to remember that it is all possible if we believe in what we remember.  Our faith is built on how we remember our relationship with Jesus . . . built upon the belief of those memories . . . and, our willingness to embrace them as a way of life. 

As we remember, like the two along the road of Emmaus, will our hearts not burn as we remember . . . as we remember that Jesus promised never to leave us . . . never abandon us.  Easter just proves it . . . if you can remember . . . if you can believe.  Jesus is alive . . . always alive!  As the followers of Jesus, let us never forget.  Amen.