Uncategorized

Most of you know my wife Andrea works for a local hospice organization. While she’s not free to talk with me about the specifics of her clients, I know that her work involves people of all ages. Though more rare, some are young children – facing sickness and death. Some are middle-aged, facing a death and end far sooner than they had imagined. And of course, many are very old – a more acceptable timeline, yes – but nevertheless struggling with how to conclude their lives.

What are the priorities for one who is weakening and coming to the end of their days?  How does one get their affairs in order? How should pain be managed? On each hospice team is a doctor, a nurse, a social worker, and someone like Andrea – a spiritual counselor or chaplain. As a team they attempt to choose the proper client need on which to focus on any given day.

What should one focus on? 

At our wedding we received a card from good friends that said “May you become rich in all things that money cannot buy.” We immediately appreciated that card, it’s message, and have often thought about those words over the past decades that we’ve been married.

Here too, we recognize that the issue is one of priorities. What should a young newly-wed couple focus on? What should be most important for them?

In our text for today Paul speaks of these same priorities and talks about the need to focus. In verse 18 we read “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Why does Paul write like this?

First, in verse 16 he gives this reasoning:

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

Here Paul uses an easy to understand example of the human body. Just as the human body wears down, weakens, and moves toward death, it’s amazing to realize that there is also an inner portion, an eternal, unseen portion that is renewed, resurrected, and continues into eternity…

Andrea has shared with me some amazing examples of people who, seemingly trapped within bodies that no longer function well, nevertheless display amazing spirits of joy and even growth. Often times even as the visible and physical body shuts down, the invisible spirit opens up in new ways, sometimes resulting in reconciliation, forgiveness, and renewed relationships with family. Perhaps some of you know of examples like this – where an individual who is suffering from dementia suddenly “comes alive” or becomes surprisingly clear when they hear a familiar hymn sung or scripture read.

In verse 17 Paul continues:

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

Paul says that our troubles and the many trials we have – those things that COULD discourage us and cause us to lose heart – have meaning and function – they prepare us for eternal glory.

Whether it’s hospice patients,  or newly-wed couples, or discouraged Christians… Paul seems to be saying that the thing to focus on (invisible and eternal) – is our relationships. Our relationship with God, which will affect our relationships with others, and with ourself. In verse 14 Paul says:

“Because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.”

Paul has written throughout this chapter of the power of the gospel, the power of God in the midst of weakness. Here, too, his confidence is not that “everything will be OK”, or that if he tries hard enough, he’ll succeed. No, his confidence is in God – the one who raised Jesus from the dead, who will also raise us.

Whatever we build ourselves, whatever we try to control ourselves, whatever we can see, is subject to decay, aging, weakening, and death. But we need not be discouraged and lose heart…. Why? Because there is an eternal glory, an eternal goal that we have that will NOT end or simply decay. That’s eternal life, the power of God in Jesus and also in us. Our lives, even the struggles, have meaning and are connected to eternity as long as we focus on the right place.

Here are two examples of what it might mean to move our focus from the temporary to the eternal:

1. A child receiving gifts at Christmas focuses on those toys, the things he receives and can play with, and can see. This is normal and exciting for a child. Later, however, that child becomes an adult and begins to focus on what gifts he would like to give others. The initial joy as a child is with the temporary and visible. The later focus and joy as an adult is with the invisible (bringing joy to others, the relationships which are expressing love, etc.).
2. JCC – Paul’s description of the human body could also refer to us as a congregation. JCC (the outward and temporary) is weakening, diminishing, aging – whether we consider our buildings or our members. We could focus on that and lose heart. Or we can choose to focus on the inner side of our congregation. The relationship side. The continuing relationship and leading of God over these 120 years. The love-based relationships we share with each other. The new things that God has YET to do with us.

Jesus taught in a different place, in different words, a similar truth:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust consume. (the visible and temporary) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. (the invisible and eternal)

Seek first of all the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (the invisible and eternal) and all these things (the visible and temporary needs) will be provided for you!

What do we choose to focus on this week?

(the above is a summary of the message shared during our zoom worship time on June 6, 2021.)

Psalm 7

It is amazing how such a small tongue can cause so much heart ache.  God warns us against slander such as in  Psalm 101:5  “Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.”

Or, 1 Peter 2:1  “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.”

In Psalm 7, it seems like David was being slandered, accused of wrongdoing by a guy named Cush, a Benjamite.  Cush, along with others, did not want David to be king. We see hints of this in 1 Samuel 24:9, ^“He said to Saul, ‘Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’?”  David was not bent on harming King Saul.  David literally had 2 chances to kill King Saul, but he did not.  The slander and lies were not based on fact.

So what does David do?  He cries out to the Lord, “Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me apart like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.”  Being slandered hurts.  On these charges, David knows he is innocent. 

These days, people are accusing others of being racist.  When we judge people based on skin color, without knowing a person’s heart or motive, we are slandering. I know feelings run high, but we need to be careful.  And as Christians, we are to stop it.  Instead,  we can help each other.  Encourage each other to speak the truth in love.

Why do people slander others? Pride.  By tearing down others, we feel on top.  This is wrong.

But what do we do?  We do what David does.  David appeals to the righteous God…

“Arise, Lord, in your anger;   rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice.  “ Let the Lord judge the peoples. Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness,  according to my integrity, O Most High.  Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure— you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts.”

Can we trust God to vindicate us?  He is our shield.  “My shield is God Most High,  who saves the upright in heart.”  Often times, we struggle with His timing.  We want things to happen faster than it does.  But God is at work.  His timing is perfect.  And there are times we won’t see the final result.  It doesn’t mean He isn’t true to His Word.  So trust in the Lord.  That is why David ends with,

“I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness;  I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.” (verse 17)

Instead of slandering, let’s pray, give thanks, trust, and Praise the Lord.

(the above is a summary of the message shared by Richard Nakamura during our zoom worship time on May 23, 2021)

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation–but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, for those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit of Adoption that you received brought about your adoption to sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:12-17

Our text for today includes the word “adoption” at least in most English versions. Paul even refers to the Holy Spirit as the “Spirit of Adoption”. What does he mean…and what can we draw from this analogy? Many of you have experienced the adoption of a child in your own families. Our family, too, has experienced adoption. We are a “mixed” family of both adopted and biological children. So when Paul uses the word adoption, my ears perk up and I am interested in the way in which he describes our relationship with God using this word.

Three of our four children have come to us through adoption. Those of you who are also adoptive parents will immediately recognize the brief conversations below:

• On one occasion I was playing with my two adopted sons (both Japanese by birth) in a park in Seattle when another parent, seeing that I was caucasian, assumed correctly that I was an adoptive parent. “Are they brothers?” she asked about the boys. After a slight hesitation I answered, “Well, they are now.” She continued, “But, you know, are they real brothers?” to which I answered “Yes, they are now real brothers.” She had a slightly perturbed look on her face… and I felt slightly defensive inside. Both of us knew what she meant – are they connected biologically? – did they have the same parents?, etc. She didn’t mean to offend, and I didn’t mean to feel defensive. It’s just a common occurance in these kinds of conversations.

• On other occasions people, having heard of our adoptive children, might ask “And do you also have children of your own?” Again, the same uncomfortable pause, but we would generally answer, “these ARE our own children…” Sometimes our answers would vary, depending on whether our children were in earshot of the conversation or not.

• In more extreme cases, the “do you have children of your own?” question might even be phrased as “yes, but do you have real children?” (This often happened during a conversation in Japanese, where the word “honto” – 本当 -literally means “real”).

• On one comical occasion I even had a check-out gal at the supermarket in Japan ask me “whose children are you watching today?” as if I was shopping while babysitting for some neighborhood family. I can’t remember exactly how I answered but after years of these questions, one tends to get tired of educating the world one person at a time – so I most likely just smiled and admitted that they were some neighborhood children I was looking after.

In all of these cases the real issue revolves around how one defines a family, or prioritizes various things. Are DNA and our biological connection more important and deeper than other familial relationships, such as adoption?

As we proceeded with our international adoptions through the Japanese family court in our prefecture, we became aware of one important fact. In Japan, there are two distinct types of adoption. One is called “ordinary or common adoption” (futsuu yoshi-engumi), and the other is called “special adoption” (tokubetsu yoshi-engumi) In Japanese culture it’s not unusual for couples who can’t have children of their own to simply adopt a nephew or niece – an “extra” child of one of their relatives. It’s usually a boy and this child would come to carry on the family name and take over the family business, etc. This kind of ordinary adoption is quite simple to do – requiring merely a change on the citizenship register of all involved. It can also be quite easily undone if things don’t work out as smoothly as one wished. With a “special adoption”, it is a completely different process. In this case, the child cuts ALL ties with the original family, including any right of inheritance, and actually joins a new family, becoming a “real” child with all the rights of inheritance – an actual heir. Of course, we realized that this is the only kind of adoption that we have in our American system and so we were required to follow through with a “special” or “tokubetsu” adoption.

So what does all of this have to do with today’s text? What does Paul say that the Spirit of Adoption does for us? The Spirit of Adoption….

1.  Brings us INTO a new relationship with God (verse 15)

• We are adopted as sons and daughters ( a “special” adoption!)

• Now, we can refer to God not just as our creator, but as our Abba / Father!

2.  ASSURES us of that relationship (verse 16)

• Adopted children often seek assurance of their status and situation. Here it says that the Holy Spirit provides that confidence that we need and assures us of our standing!

• The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children!

3.  COMPLETES that relationship  (verse 17)

•  If we are true children, then we are heirs

•  If we are heirs, then we are co-heirs with Christ

•  What is it that we are inheriting?  Suffering and glory!

A discussion of our inheritance being both suffering and glory… would be another entire sermon! But back to adoption – if we are adopted, and become REAL brothers and sisters, and share the SAME Abba / Father – we are no longer able to view brothers and sisters of other nationalities, ethnicities, political divides… as somehow OTHER – not connected to us. We are all a NEW family, a real family, a tokubetsu adoption! And if we extend that circle to include not just other Jesus-followers, but all humanity – the implications become profound. How many of our present wars and struggles would become impossible if people truly understood that with the same heavenly father, we are all siblings?

(the above is a summary of the message shared on May 30, 2021 during our zoom worship session.)

John 17:6-19

“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name–the name you gave me–so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Today’s text is just a portion of the prayer that Jesus prays for his disciples. The context? Thursday, the evening before his crucifixion. He is gathered in the upper room for the passover meal – the last supper he has with his followers. He has washed their feet. He has indicated that Judas would betray him. He has spoken of the fact that Peter will deny him. He has taught them about the Holy Spirit and confirmed that he would be leaving them. He is troubled by all of this… yet, in his sadness and turmoil, he pauses – to pray – for the disciples that he loves.

What did Jesus pray for his disciples?

First, Jesus seems to express a thanksgiving for the disciples  – a sense of gratitude and deep love. “they have obeyed your word”, “they accepted my words”, and “they believed that you sent me” are all phrases we find in verses 6-8.

Secondly, in verse 11, Jesus prays for their protection. “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name…” While he has been with them, Jesus himself has protected them and watched over them. Now that he would be returning to the Father, he is concerned for their safety. He knows that once he is gone, things will be exceedingly difficult for them.

And lastly, he clarifies the protection for which he is asking. In verse 15 we find these words: “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” In other words, NOT that the disciples would be saved FROM the world – or difficulties and trials that will come – but that they would be protected while remaining IN the world – protected from the evil one.

How do you think the disciples felt as they heard Jesus’ prayer for them? When someone expresses love for you, appreciation, and concern for your safety – particularly in prayer – does it not have a strong power to encourage and strengthen you? We’re not sure what went through the disciples’ minds. We know that they all failed Jesus later that same night. But it becomes clear that Jesus, through is prayer, is expressing deep love for them. They must have recalled this evening and Jesus’ prayer on their behalf many times in their post-resurrection ministry.

Has someone prayed for you in this way? Can you think of a time when you know that you were being prayed for? As missionaries in Japan, we had access to a prayer calendar that was made up of the families and faces of all the missionary staff serving around the world with our denominational organization. We would use the small booklet during family devotions to remember missionary colleagues serving in other places – and would often be the recipients of prayer from all around the world as “our day” came around in the calendar. It was not uncommon to occasionally experience a day in our ministry when so many things “fell into place” or when “we felt a special power and protection from God” – only to discover later that yes, it HAD been our day in the calendar. We were merely experiencing the reality of special prayer support!

Although it is not part of the text for today a quick look at verses 20-21 makes it clear that Jesus was not only praying for his disciples…. but also for us, who would later become his disciples.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17:20-21

Jesus prays for all people (us included!) who would believe and become his disciples through the ongoing ministry of the church – started by these first disciples and carried on over the centuries like a vast connected chain of activity. We too were being prayed for that night! Jesus prayed for our protection and for our unity.

The writer of Hebrews makes it clear that Jesus is even NOW, alive, and interceding (praying on our behalf) for us constantly. What an amazing thought…. and encouragement.

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25.

As we head into this week, walking as disciples of Jesus, let’s be encouraged by these facts:

Jesus is living (He is risen!) and praying for us

Jesus prays for our protection

Jesus prays for our unity – oneness

(the above is a summary of the message shared during our zoom worship session on May 16, 2021.)

Acts 5:27-42

²⁷When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, ²⁸saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” ²⁹But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. ³⁰The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. ³¹God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³²And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”
³³When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. ³⁴But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. ³⁵Then he said to them, “Fellow Israelites,^£ consider carefully what you propose to do to these men. ³⁶For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared. ³⁷After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 
³⁸So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; ³⁹but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!” They were convinced by him, 
⁴⁰and when they had called in the apostles, they had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. ⁴²And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah. 

In vv. 12-16, we learn that the apostles were healing many people miraculously through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Earlier in Acts, we saw that the healing of one man caused Peter and John to be arrested and brought before the religious leaders.  They were released after being warned to not speak about Jesus anymore and threatened.  We would expect the religious leaders to act stronger now that many were being healed.

The apostles were arrested and thrown into prison overnight.  But during the night, an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and released them, and they kept preaching.

They were gathered again in front of the religious leaders and were reminded that they were warned about preaching about Jesus.  The apostles would not back down, and they wanted to kill them, but a respected teacher, Gamaliel, reasoned with them that they should leave them alone, since if they were not part of God’s plans, they would fade away on their own, but if they were part of God’s plans, then opposing them would mean opposing God.

So they had the apostles flogged, warned them again, and released them.  This flogging was not a light punishment.  They would use leather whips with many tails, tipped with lead, which were designed to dig into the skin and rip as they came out.  It was considered so dangerous that they were not allowed to receive 40 lashes, so most stopped at 39.  After such lashings, their backs would be made raw and the scars and the pain would last for a while.

The apostles’ reaction to being mistreated for witnessing for Jesus is not something we would have expected.  Instead of being enraged by the mistreatment, or frightened for their lives if they persisted, they left rejoicing.  Rejoicing because God had considered them worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name of Jesus.

In many countries, including the United States, religious freedom is protected by law.  It does not mean that we are absolutely free from harm when practicing our faith, since there is always a potential of harm coming from individuals or groups who do not like what we practice or preach.  But it would be a rare event where the governing body would arrest and physically abuse us for our faith.  If persecution did occur, our reactions probably would not be the reaction that the apostles had in this section.

How is it that the apostles were able to accept persecution because of their faith in Jesus?  Jesus had taught them that they will be persecuted for their faith in Him.  In Luke 6:22-23, he said, “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven”.  人の子の為に、人々があなたがたをにくむとき、また、あなたがたをじょめいし、はずかしめ、あなたがたの名をあしざまにけなすとき、あなたがたはさいわいです。その日には、喜びなさい。おどりあがって喜びなさい。天ではあなたがたのむくいは大きいからです。

Jesus had prepared His followers to expect persecution – that it was going to be a normal part of their lives if they choose to follow Him.  Back then, the only way to avoid persecution was to not be a witness for Christ.  But that was not going to be an option for a true believer, who has been empowered by the Holy Spirit to be a witness.

Things are a bit different and easier today in the United States.  We are not likely to be arrested and whipped by the authorities for telling others about Jesus.  But if that time ever comes, would we be ready to be joyful about it?  With the help of the Holy Spirit, it is possible.

True joy will come from serving the Lord, regardless of whether there are any positives for us.  It is a bit different than happiness, which usually comes from external circumstances. 

We probably should be glad that we live in a time and place where when we act in faith, we are not going to be arrested, imprisoned and tortured.  However, we should be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings in how we can be witnesses for Jesus.  Is it helping someone in need with time or money?  Is it witnessing to unbelieving family members, or a co-worker, or a neighbor?

It might be something we do not want to do or even dread doing.  It might be something that is costly to us or even bring us persecution.  But as long as we are serving the Lord, it may not bring us happiness, but it can bring us true joy.

After all, the same Holy Spirit that enabled the flogged apostles to leave rejoicing is with us today. 

(the above is a summary of the message shared with us by Shun Takano during our zoom worship time on May 9th.)

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean (pruned) because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

This famous passage, words of Jesus to his disciples just prior to dying on the cross, give us an image of the church, and of ourselves as disciples. There is so much to see and hear in Jesus’ words – but today, I’ll share three observations that seem to be indicated in this text:

1. We Can’t Go It Alone

Within a Jesus-centered faith there doesn’t seem to be much room for “going solo” or having a strictly “private faith”. Connectedness seems to be the whole point of this image.

• No such thing as a solo Christian
• No possibility of “Just me and Jesus” / merely private faith
• When connected to the true vine – Christ – you are connected to all other believers.
• If you ARE alone…. There’s NO fruit – nothing can be done. (verse 5)
• None of us are “self-made”. We are all nourished by our connection to Christ.
• Not independent… or self-dependent – but interdependent.
• No hierarchy among the branches… messy, growing, inter-connected and tangled up. But when all connected to Christ – apparently fruitful!

2. Abiding is Active 

It’s true that within the words of Jesus are the hint that often our “activity” needs to slow down and come to a halt. Fruitfulness comes NOT from our own efforts and busy-ness – but from our connectedness to Jesus. However, abiding and remaining in Jesus is far from being passive and waiting for something to happen.

• Jesus’ command to “abide in me” is stated in the imperative. At the very least, we are actively choosing to stay connected.
• Abiding involves being pruned… which involves change!
• Change also may involve pain.
• Why prune? Because it all moves toward active fruitfulness.
• No, we ourselves can’t produce the fruit, but we choose to stay connected.
• Our focus is to stay connected… the true vine (Christ) produces the fruit.
• We receive the nourishment and love of Christ, passing it on… in order to bear fruit.

3. The End Result of this Abiding is NOT Me (or self)!

• The whole point is bearing fruit, not some form of self-realization or self-actualization.
• The fruit is NOT for ourselves – NOT for our own nourishment!
• The fruit goes to someone else!
• Our faith is not simply receiving salvation and getting a guarantee of heaven. It is the gift of interconnectedness – receiving love – in order to give love. Blessing others. Remember Abraham and the promise he received? Abraham was to be blessed… in order that Israel could bless the whole world. We are to stay nourished in Christ – in order to nourish and love those around us.

It’s always tempting to focus on the fruit….and wonder how we’re doing? “Look at my fruit!!” …. or “why is there no fruit?” Jesus gently moves us back toward our source of life – himself. As we stay connected to Christ, we not only receive all the life nourishment that we need, but we actually become conduits of love and nourishment to others, bearing spiritual fruit. What guarantees these results? Connectedness. Abiding!

Luke 24:13-35

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

I’ve always loved this text and as I’ve shared before, it’s probably one of my favorite Biblical stories. There is so much to see and imagine, and focus on in this story – but today …. Just two phrases stand out to me:

1.  We had hoped…. (verse 21) / 望をかけていました、、、

For three years they had walked with Jesus, seen his miracles, listened to his teachings, BELIEVED that he was the long-awaited Messiah who would free them and Israel… They had hoped…. And now that hope was gone – LOST!

Close your eyes and imagine with me:

• A dream that you used to have, but had to give up along the way
• Hopes that you once held, but have given up on
• Plans that you carefully made, that never happened, and will never happen.
• A loved-one lost…. forever…
• Can you remember some of the feeling of loss?
• Do you still feel that loss?
• It’s the opposite of Hollywood movies…. or of what we tell our kids:  “you can do anything you want – you can be anyone you want – if you believe or just work hard enough. Never give up!”
• But we had to give up. Circumstances changed, life happened, we got old and our bodies wore out… or our dreams were no longer practical or possible. We had hoped!

Can you now imagine how these two disciples were feeling?

The second phrase that I wish to look at together this morning comes in verse 32:

2.  Were not our hearts burning within us? / 心はうちに燃えていたではないか、、、

In the very middle of their sadness and sense of loss, Jesus joins them on the way. They’re busy discussing the events of the past days and weeks. They don’t recognize Jesus. Eventually, Jesus begins to share with them everything that scripture had to say about the Christ, the Messiah. They reach Emmaus and convince Jesus to stay the night. After Jesus breaks bread, and they recognize him, he disappears. They think back on their discussion on the road – “were not our hearts burning within us??”  “Did you feel it too??” 

When they think back on that walk with Jesus, they can’t really explain it but they can’t deny that they felt something hopeful deep inside. They hadn’t recognized it at the time. But now they see that it was a kind of excitement… a burning. And what had been just a burning and excited heart – was now the incredible joy and belief that in fact, Jesus was alive!

Close your eyes now and imagine with me:

• A time when you couldn’t really explain it, but you felt excited and hopeful.
• Maybe a job opportunity? Maybe a plan for something new?
• Maybe a sense that something good was coming your way?
• Maybe an actual time when God gave you a very special sense of peace and hope… even in the midst of a crisis?

These moments don’t necessarily come often in our lifetime – but most of us have experienced this feeling at least a few times.

Our story today moves from complete disappointment and loss of hope to a burning heart and a joyful belief. Both of them are real, and both of them are necessary. Resurrection doesn’t make sense unless there is real death. Experiencing death – whether losing a loved one, or the death of a dream – is the gateway to truly understanding resurrection.

Where are you today?   Are you experiencing the “we had hoped” emotion? Or… perhaps you’re feeling more like “were not our hearts burning within us?” Disappointment…or hope? Sometimes I can feel both of them in a single day!

Remember, that it is at the very moment of our deepest despair, our greatest loss of hope, that, in fact, resurrection becomes possible. It becomes possible when the risen Christ joins us…. and begins walking with us. Do you sense it? Can you recognize him? Maybe not at first. But you may look back and realize – YES! Jesus was walking with me. I DID feel a burning and new hope and excitement in my heart.

As a church, as the Japanese Congregational Church (with a history of almost 115 years), I know that we have often felt disappointment – “we had hoped!”. Things didn’t turn out as we had planned. Hoped for stability and growth have instead become shrinking membership and a smaller impact on our neighborhood. And yet… and this is the important part!….when we look back over all of our years and decades, we see that the risen Christ has been continually walking with us. A sense of hope – “were not our hearts burning within us?” has also been part of our JCC experience. Disappointment? Sure. But more profoundly, an inexplicable rebirthing of hope within us.

As a missionary serving in Japan for over 30 years I can say the same thing. In looking back, it’s sometimes hard not to be overwhelmed by the disappointment that we’ve experienced. So many plans, so many dreams, so much work that apparently had so few results….at least that we can easily see and measure. Personal loss and pain that we had NOT planned for or expected. And yet, the constant presence of the risen Christ walking alongside us! The continual promise of new hope and resurrection.

As we share the good news of this resurrection – that Jesus is alive – and seeking a relationship with us – let’s never forget that many people around us are still experiencing hopelessness (We had hoped…).

Because we, too, understand complete hopelessness – we will be able to point them to the resurrected Jesus. To let them know that Jesus is walking with them, too. And that Christ in our lives is really the basis for our hope!

(the above is a summary of the message shared during our zoom worship session on April 18, 2021.)

Acts 4:23-31

²³After they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, ²⁵it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant: ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples imagine vain things? ²⁶ The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers have gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’ ²⁷For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, ²⁸to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. ²⁹And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, ³⁰while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” ³¹When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.

After Peter and John healed the man who could not walk from birth, they spoke to the crowd about Jesus and about 5,000 people believed.  Many of the same religious leaders who had Jesus arrested and crucified, arrested Peter and John and put them in jail overnight.  The next day, filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter and John spoke boldly about Jesus to the leaders, and the leaders are amazed that uneducated men like Peter and John could do this. That, along with the undeniable fact that a miraculous healing had taken place, meant that the leaders really could not say anything in opposition.

They could not punish Peter and John, since all the crowd were praising God for what had happened. So they warned Peter and John to not speak or teach anyone about Jesus anymore and let them go.

The followers get together and pray that they might speak with boldness in witnessing for Jesus, while God continues to heal and perform signs and miracles.

This singular focus on spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ is something we need to be reminding ourselves. If it were us that were arrested for preaching about Jesus and then released with a warning, we would be thankful for the release, but worried about the future. We would likely pray for protection and wisdom in how to proceed, rather than praying for boldness to keep speaking like the followers did.

The enemy is trying to distract us from our main work as Christians. If we let ourselves be guided by what “influencers” from social media and YouTube videos tell us what we should be focusing on, it would be things like which political party or politicians we should be supporting, fear about the loss of religious freedom in this country, social justice, wearing face masks, getting vaccinated, etc.  Not to say that these should not be important topics to us, but these are secondary to the things on which the Bible tells us to focus.

There may be some Christians who are especially called by the Holy Spirit into dealing with these issues, but for most of us, our main vocation that we are called to, is to spread the gospel, to be witnesses for the Lord and to make disciples of Jesus.

A few years ago, I asked a non-Christian to tell me honestly how he would describe Christians, and the answer was anti-abortion, anti-gay and politically conservative.  This seems to be a fairly common view people have of Christians.  However, if these social or political stances overwhelm things like sharing the gospel and showing love for each other, then we somehow are missing the commands that were given to us by our Lord and the reason the Holy Spirit was sent to us.

Study shows that while the majority of church goers desire to honor Christ with their lives and believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, only 19% read the Bible daily outside of church services.  Another study shows that less than 30% of Christians will ever read the entire Bible.  More and more, we hear that Biblical illiteracy is a major concern among today’s Christian leaders.  Without knowing what the Bible teaches, it is easy to be misled by those who profess to be teaching the truth, which in turn makes it easy to get caught up in focusing on self-satisfaction and worldly concerns, rather than witnessing for Christ.

We all need to consciously lead by good example to the younger believers in spending time reading and studying the Bible and sharing Biblical truths.  We also need to point out and warn about false teachings that creep into people’s lives.

If we analyze the contents of our prayers, it might shed light on where we are lacking in terms of what the Lord expects of us.  Do we pray for boldness for speaking the Lord’s words?  Perhaps we should include that in our daily prayers.

(the above is a summary of the message shared by Shun Takano during our zoom worship session on Sunday, April 11, 2021.)

Mark 16:1-8

“Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.”

I went back as many years as I have record for – to determine which gospel text I have most often preached from on Easter Sunday. The result? 60% of my messages were from John 20 – where Jesus is mistaken as the gardener and calls Mary’s name. 30% were from Luke 24 – the road to Emmaus account – which also happens to be my favorite post-resurrection text. The remaining 10% of the time I spoke from Matthew or Mark. Mark is hard because it ends with verse 8 where the women run away in fear, saying nothing to anyone because they’re so afraid. What kind of Easter message is that?

Some of our Bibles may still have verses 9-20 printed. But these verses are not found in most of the earliest manuscripts of the Bible. Most scholars believe that they were added later. Maybe ancient folk thought verse 8 was a bad place to end as well…. and wanted to fix it up a bit; to make it more positive and Easter-like.

Does the Mark account here – particularly verse 8 – have something important to tell us?

1. Verse 8 – More Authentic? What was that first Easter really like?

It’s hard to put ourselves in their places. But perhaps the Mark account is closer to the feeling level of the women and disciples as they first heard reports of Jesus’ resurrection.

We become used to celebrating Holy Week, starting with the triumphal entry, moving through the last supper on Thursday, remembering the cross on Good Friday, staying quiet on Saturday…. and then suddenly attending worship on Easter Sunday morning while greeting each other with “He is Risen!”  “He is Risen Indeed!” We know the story well… so it’s not hard to make the transition from death to life. Even overnight!

But how about them? The shock of seeing their Lord hanging and dying on a cross as they all fled…. was surely too great to suddenly have the news that He was alive and well turn their sorrow into instant joy. It MUST have been confusing.. and frightening.

2. Verse 8 – More Realistic? Remember the single grain of wheat that falls to the ground?

Two weeks ago I shared a message from a gospel text about the single grain of wheat. Remember that grain of wheat… that seed? The one that must die?

It takes time for the seed husk to die away and for the germination to take place. It takes time before the new plant pokes it’s head up through the soil and shows its new life. It takes time for that single seed to grow into a harvest. Jesus used that metaphor of a single seed dying to describe his own death. I’m guessing that Jesus also understood the time that would be required before his death would produce a bountiful harvest.

We know from other Biblical accounts that eventually the women’s fear and bewilderment DID turn into excitement and joy. But not right away. It took time. It took them days, and weeks, and in some cases probably years before the true meaning of Jesus’ resurrection took hold in their lives – and the fear was replaced by joy. Is verse 8, that ends with the fear and anxiety of the women – more realistic than a report of resurrection and instant joy?

3. Verse 8 – More Like Us in 2021?

How are you doing on Easter Sunday of 2021?  This is our 2^nd Easter on zoom – without the chance to worship together in the sanctuary. Perhaps you feel a gap between your experience of the last year …. and the proclamation of resurrection?

Almost 3 million people have died of COVID around the world in the past year. For many, death feels far more powerful right now than life. For many, the struggles of losing jobs, income, family, and hope … create a gap between their experience and the message of Easter – the promise that death is NOT the final word. How about you? Are you feeling more anxiety and fear about the days ahead… than confidence and joy?

I think the message of Mark 16:8 for us this year is that it’s OK to feel that gap. It’s OK not to feel suddenly victorious. The resurrection of Jesus is true – it was a historical fact no matter how the disciples experienced it. His death and resurrection would change their lives  – and the world – even if they didn’t understand it on day one.

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!” And because of that, give yourself some time this year. Don’t worry if you don’t feel victorious, or if you don’t feel like you’ve suddenly won the lottery. You’ve won far more than that… salvation and eternal life – but it may take some time until you become fully aware of it! It may take some time for us to be reminded of the resurrection power that has been promised to each of us!  Take a deep breath…

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

(the above is a summary of the message shared on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021 during our zoom worship session. Thoughts and inspiration for this meditation come from a blogpost by Debi Thomas, entitled “Slow Easter”, at the Journey With Jesus website.)