David Bahn – Reflections

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

²⁸ As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. ²⁹ 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. – Luke 24:25-29

I recall a particularly difficult day that culminated with a visit with a surgeon at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in downtown Houston. This remarkable place exists to “eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world.” Their singular focus, complete dedication, and pool of talent is remarkable – especially when it comes to bear on a loved one. In this case it was our daughter-in-law who was beginning treatment there for stage four cancer to which she succumbed in 2009.

I recall this because of the last appointment of the day and the surgeon’s brutally-frank assessment of the situation Nicole was facing. He listed four or five nearly insurmountable challenges to the battle she was facing, painting a very bleak prognosis. At the end I asked him, “You’ve indicated that the challenges Niki faces are grave, but have offered little or no hope. Where’s the ‘but’?” In other words is there any good news?

In spite of this harsh prognosis (or possibly at least in part because of it) we returned to MD Anderson and that surgeon for treatment. They helped us face the brutal facts, but never gave up on us till the very end. She is with Jesus now, the true healer of body and soul. We look forward to celebrating the culmination of the healing on the great last day.

I recall this today this because of Jesus’ words here to these two Emmaus road disciples. He calls them foolish and slow of heart to believe. He seems entirely unwilling to gild the lily  for them, or even to use the Dale Carnegie approach of offering a complement before and after a criticism. But still these disciples yearn for his presence, urging Jesus to stay with them – without knowing it was Jesus who had joined them on the road.

It seems that Jesus’ approach was so powerful for at least two reasons. First he had no need to gain their approval as he spoke to them; he simply spoke the truth – in all its ungilded glory. Truth is a substantial foundation for the expression of deep love. That deep love is the second factor in his profound impact toward these disciples. Jesus’ heart and the very core of his being is love.

With all the worry about self-esteem these days, Jesus truth and love approach to life is a welcome corrective. To live under his rule and reign is all about embracing both, and hearing his word to keep us focused on that which truly matters: the truth of his word and the hope that is ours in his sacrificial death and victorious resurrection from the grave.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. – Luke 24:28-35

I had total knee replacement surgery on Monday (4/17). The experience has been quite remarkable. Not only did they have me up and walking the day of the surgery, they encouraged me to do as much as I can to move about so that the healing process goes well. I discovered that one of the major issues is the disruption of the quadricep near the knee that has received the new prosthesis. 

About 6 weeks  before the surgery a CAT scan was performed on my knee. This was used to make a 3-d model of my knee so that the prosthesis could be custom fit to my specific knee joint. Cool stuff! Now all I need is to heal, gain strength, and let the pain go away. 

Immediately following surgery my pain level was about level 8 out of 10. No fun. Remarkable as it may seem the pain has significantly lessened following some rigorous PT and a short walk (using a walker to be sure!). Oh, yes, there is the matter of some pretty good drugs!

Diane has been with me – a steady helpmeet – the entire time. Early evening some friends and our son and his wife came by, as did Pastor David Schultz. These were all very welcome guests. That’s at least part of the reason for regaling you with all these details: Some folks are more welcome guests than others. I wouldn’t be so keen on a visit from just anyone. People who are close to me are a bright spot and certainly welcome. 

Then there is Jesus. Even though the Emmaus disciples had not yet discovered that it was Jesus who has joined them on the road, they wanted him to stay with them. Jesus brings blessings when he comes into our lives. When we experience the kindness and love of others along life’s way, we are experiencing a reflection of Jesus’ loving kindness and favor. So, yes, “Stay with me Jesus, for it is night and the day is far spent.” This is my prayer tonight. 

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognizing him.

¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

¹⁹ “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. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ 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. ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” – Luke 24:13-24

I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow (today when you’re reading this on Monday). It’s been on the radar for some time, and for the most part I’ve pretty well passed it off as no big deal. As the time approaches, however, it seems to be more of a deal. It’s beginning to sink in: I’m going to under go major joint replacement surgery. Ugh. I know it will be OK, and I’ll be OK. But the reality of all this is dawning on me.

I wonder if this is at all like what the disciples were feeling that first Easter evening – only in my case facing the negative, but in their case beginning to embrace the possibilities of life with a resurrected Lord. But at the time all they saw was clouded by their disappointment. Even when Jesus showed up and joined them on the road they still didn’t understand. In fact, even though they were told by some of their companions that the tomb was empty, it was hard to conceive of his actually being alive.

I wonder how often we’re on this same road – knowing but not knowing, understanding but not understanding. The reality and implications of Jesus’ resurrection are difficult to embrace fully. What does this mean? How does this work? We still see death all around us. We still stumble and fall. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us, but we are so weak. How does this work?

I suspect at least part of all this has to do with our need simply to live by faith in Jesus. We need to trust him, his good will toward us, his power over all things, his making a way for us to come to God and live under him in his kingdom. Understanding and putting the pieces all together is a life-long pursuit. It comes when we realize Jesus’ love is more precious than anything else in the world. It is made stronger as we look for Jesus’ direction and wisdom in the throes of everyday life. Sometimes we most fully experience this when we run out of our own explanations, understandings, and strength.

I’m not sure that the Emmaus road disciples were particularly aware of how close they were to the fullness of the rule and reign of God as Jesus joined them along the road. I’m thinking that is much the same for us as we make our way through life. I’m wondering how often we fail to recognize it when Jesus is present, and at work in our life.

Thankfully, however, Jesus does not depend on our understanding before he shows up with his favor and blessing. I’m counting on that tomorrow (today when you’re reading this) – especially as I undergo surgery. But it’s worth counting on every day.

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. ² Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³ and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

⁴ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. ⁵ As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

⁶ “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

⁸ Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. – Mark 16:1-8

Jesus Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Life reigns. I look forward to sharing the message of Life in Jesus this morning at St. John. We will gather for worship at 6:30; 8; 9:30; and 11 a.m. We will celebrate! We will praise God. We will connect, again, with hope. Here is Wangerin’s conclusion to his Ragman allegory:

But then, on Sunday morning, I was wakened by a violence.

Light — pure, hard, demanding light — slammed against my sour face, and I blinked, and I looked, and I saw the first wonder of all. There was the Ragman, folding the blanket most carefully, a scar on his forehead, but alive! And, besides that, healthy! There was no sign of sorrow or age, and all the rags that he had gathered shined for cleanliness.

Well, then I lowered my head and, trembling for all that I had seen, I myself walked up to the Ragman. I told him my name with shame, for I was a sorry figure next to him. Then I took off all my clothes in that place, and I said to him with dear yearning in my voice: ‘Dress me.”

He dressed me. My Lord, he put new rags on me, and I am a wonder beside him. The Ragman, the Ragman, the Christ!

From The Ragman and Other Cries of Faith, by Walter Wangerin, Jr.

It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, ⁴³ Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. ⁴⁴ Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. ⁴⁵ When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. ⁴⁶ So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.⁴⁷ Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid. – Mark 15:42-47

Walter Wangerin writes a powerful allegory, The Ragman. Check out his book by the title, The Ragman and Other Cries of Faith (New reissue version available here). He provides and engaging allegory of Jesus’ vicarious suffering, death, and resurrection. Here is he takes us to today…Saturday, the Sabbath of the Jews:

And now I had to run to keep up with the Ragman. Though he was weeping uncontrollably, and bleeding freely at the forehead, pulling his cart with one arm, stumbling for drunkenness, falling again and again, exhausted, old, old, and sick, yet he went with terrible speed. On spider’s legs he skittered through the alleys of the City, this mile and the next, until he came to its limits, and then he rushed beyond.

I wept to see the change in this man. I hurt to see his sorrow. And yet I need to see where he was going in such haste, perhaps to know what drove him so.

The little old Ragman — he came to a landfill. He came to the garbage pits. And I wanted to help him in what he did but I hung back, hiding. He climbed a hill. With tormented labor he cleared a little space on that hill. Then he sighed. He lay down. He pillowed his head on a handkerchief and a jacket. He covered his bones with an army blanket. And he died.

Oh how I cried to witness that death! I slumped in a junked car and wailed and mourned as one who has no hope — because I had come to love the Ragman. Every other face had faded in the wonder of this man, and I cherished him; but he died. I sobbed myself to sleep.

I did not know — how could I know? — that I slept through Friday night and Saturday and its night too.

So this is where we are now…Saturday. Tomorrow we’ll share the rest of the story. For now, however, we rest, and wait…

Today, God, I ask that You would teach me to mourn. Don’t let me rush to Easter Sunday too quickly. Give me grace to linger here, in the place where sorrow meets redemption. Make Your death as real to me as Your resurrection. Keep me always near the cross.

As I wait at the foot of the cross, God, reveal to me again the costliness of my sin. Don’t let me live in an imaginary world where Easter’s happy ending makes my selfishness irrelevant. Remind me that Your all-consuming grace came at a highest price. Forgive me for the times I’ve lived as if sin is no big deal, as if Good Friday never really happened.

Author – Gregory Coles

It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. ²⁶ The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.

²⁷ They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. ^[28] [a]29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, ³⁰ come down from the cross and save yourself!” ³¹ In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! ³² Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

³³ At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. ³⁴ And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

³⁵ When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

³⁶ Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

³⁷ With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

³⁸ The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. ³⁹ And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

⁴⁰ Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome.⁴¹ In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.

⁴² It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, ⁴³ Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. ⁴⁴ Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. ⁴⁵ When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. ⁴⁶ So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.⁴⁷ Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid. – Mark 16:25-47

Forgive me Lord, for I have sinned. Too many times when the moment of truth has come, I have demurred from truth and taken the easy way out. Most times those are little things: A failure of nerve to speak when I should. A lack of patience with those closest to me. Putting off what I know needs to be done. Passing by someone with seemingly-minor needs.

Sometimes those moments of truth are weightier. You know them, O God. They are part of my shameful past. Buying into the false-values of my college friends. Going along with the godless antics of the world. Taking shortcuts around honesty. I shudder to think of them now. And though I have repented – oh how I have repented! – sometimes Satan throws them at me yet today…decades later! Forgive me, O God, for I am a sinner. I’m very much like the thief on the cross next to you calling for unmerited mercy. Extravagant love. Holy compassion. These are my need. I have no merit or worth that I can bring to you. I rely solely on you.

I am deeply thankful for your redemption. For your perfect righteousness is seen here, on the cross, in the agony of hell, and you speak with such deep yearning that Mark records your words in your native tongue: “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”, and then translates it for us. Quoting Psalm 22, you cried, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Your agony must have been excruciating. Your suffering beyond all measure. 

Yet you call God your God. This is not, “O God!” This is not, “God of mercy.” You cry out, “My God!” I am stunned when I read these words and ponder their meaning. In the face of being abandoned by God – your God – you do not abandon him. This is unheard of. This is like no other. A perfect faith in the crucible of piercing pain and fierce suffering. So completely unlike my faith of convenience, or even my occasionally-courageous faith. In your moment of truth, faith, love, righteousness, justice, mercy, grace, forgiveness and truth come together. You still look to your God when he has turned his back on you.

I have no such perfect faith. But I thank you Jesus for your alien righteousness that I embrace by your Holy Spirit’s power. I praise you for your perfect love, forgiveness, and salvation. When the moment of truth came you held true. You stayed faithful. So now, I plead your perfect righteousness before your Father’s throne, and rejoice even as I remember now your suffering and death.

Today is Good Friday. Some will go about their business as usual. Some will pause and consider your death. Some will gather for worship. Some businesses will even close their doors from noon till 3 – in honor of the hours of darkness when Jesus hung on the cross. For this moment I will sit and ponder Jesus’ perfect faith, love, and redemption. I will pray for a more perfect faith that flows from your riven side.

And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.²² And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). ²³ And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.²⁴ And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take.²⁵ And it was the third hour when they crucified him. ²⁶ And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” ²⁷ And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. ²⁹ And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, ³⁰ save yourself, and come down from the cross!” ³¹ So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. ³² Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. – Mark 15:21-32

Maybe you’ve seen the man on the side of the highway. In the middle of nowhere. Carrying a cross with wheels on the bottom. Miles to go in either direction. What is he up to? I’ve called him misguided. I’ve presumed him to be a bit out of touch, perhaps even mentally disturbed. There is certainly nothing outwardly or obviously productive in this action. It seems quite futile to me.

Mike Breen, of 3DM fame did this in his village in England. He felt compelled to carry a cross around the village where he lived. At all hours of the night. For no good reason – other than he believed God had told him to do it. Large. Rough wood. Wheels or not, I do not know. I only know he told us his story. You can read about it here. Bottom line, his act of carrying the cross around the village led to some remarkable conversations and opportunities for God to touch people’s lives. It was the beginning of a significant discipleship movement.

I guess I need to repent of my thoughts about the man I saw on the side of the highway dragging around his cross. When it comes to Simon of Cyrene, however, I have only respect for him. Little more is said of him than that he was pressed into service and that he carried Jesus’ cross the last distance to Golgotha. There they crucified Jesus. There everyone gets into the act of deriding, mocking, reviling, and shaming Jesus. There Jesus will die.

Jesus says that if anyone would follow him, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily. I’m not certain that means that I am to carry a cross around town. But I am certain that whenever I must forgive a deep hurt, go the extra mile in love for a sister or brother in Christ, or even suffer unjustly for the sake of Christ, that is the cross he has called for me to bear.

And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters), and they called together the whole battalion. ¹⁷ And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him.¹⁸ And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” ¹⁹ And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him.²⁰ And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him. – Mark 15:16-20

Walter Wangerin’s little book, Reliving the Passion, is insightful, edifying, and beautifully-written. Very few wordsmiths achieve his level of eloquence. He turns phrases with sometimes arresting cadence. In speaking of these verses he points out how Jesus’ behavior on this occasion is a perfect reflection of his teaching in the sermon on the mount:

When he was led away into the governor’s palace he does not call for “eye-for-eye” retribution, and does not resist the ones who were doing evil to him.

When he was hit by the soldiers, he turned the other cheek.

When he was scourged with the flagellum, cloaked with a purple robe, crowned with thorns, he loved his enemies. When he was crucified he prayed for those who persecuted him.

He took no credit for loving his disciples; rather he remained steadfast in his obedience to his Father in heaven (cf. Matthew 5:38-48).

Jesus didn’t just preach. He lived it out. Perfectly. Sacrificially. In the silence and darkness of the praetorium, in the scourging and mocking of the soldier’s quarters, and as he is led out to be crucified.

I so appreciate Wangerin’s work in this little book. But I appreciate Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice even more. He so deeply believed in God, and embodied godliness (cf. Colossians 2:9), that he withstood the most cruel and unkind mocking silently, entrusting himself to the One who justifies: his heavenly Father.

If we are to embrace this fully, we will one day need to stand in quiet faith as Peter reminds us:

For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. ²¹ For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. ²² He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. ²³ When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. ²⁴ He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. ²⁵ For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. – 1 Peter 2:20-25

May we be found to be faithful when that time comes. Thank God that Jesus did that perfectly and won salvation for us!

And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. ² And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” ³ And the chief priests accused him of many things. ⁴ And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” ⁵ But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. – Mark 14:1-5

Dismayed. Distressed. Sad: such is my reaction to the events in Egypt this Palm Sunday. The death toll there in the bombings of two Christian churches there has reached 47. Lord, have mercy! This is so very sad. There may be other appropriate responses, but this is certainly a time for lament and prayer.

Perhaps we will be amazed that people who have experienced such horrific and cruel violence respond in lament and prayer rather than vengeance and retribution. Such a response can be inspired only by the faith-filled confidence of our Lord Jesus. He didn’t take the bait of evil accusations and attacks against the truth of God and all that he stood for and came to accomplish.

It is amazing to see someone under dire circumstances remain faithful to God. Too often the slightest wind of suggestion will blow us off course in our Christian walk. But when we embrace Jesus’ righteousness and believe that his faithful obedience – even in the face of false accusation and gross injustice – was an act of love for God and for us, we are better to stay on the path of life.

We need never justify ourselves. We need not give in to fear, hate, or respond to evil in like manner. When the love of Jesus sustains us and his righteousness and faithfulness is our guide we might even amaze others…which means that they might actually consider the truth for which we stand and think about the Lord in whom we believe.

If God is for us, who can ever be against us? ³² Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?³³ Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. ³⁴ Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

³⁵ Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? … ³⁷ No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ Jesus, who loved us.

³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:31-39

I was privileged, yesterday, to lead a memorial service for a friend and fellow member of the Northwest Houston Photo Club (of which I have been a member for 12 years – ever since moving to Cypress). It was quite the ecumenical affair – at least on one level: the friend has a Presbyterian/Congregational background. Annie Laurie Fife, his wife who had died just over a month ago, had been Episcopalian. She had worked at the Methodist church at which the service was held. And I, a Lutheran pastor, put together the service and offered the comfort of the Gospel based on the Romans text above.

This was the third memorial service for photo club members which I have been asked to lead, and I am humbled and honored to have been asked each time. One year ago to the day I had shared the Good News with these folks and others at a service at St. John.

Funerals and memorial services are opportune times for the message of the cross and the empty tomb to be shared. I shared it explicitly, ending by commenting on the fact that I was apparently the club chaplain, and as such was called upon to do these sorts of things when the time came. I told the people gathered, however, that I was honored to be asked and said that I did this because I believe Jesus’ words:

[Jesus says,] “And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? ²⁷ He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” – Mark 11:26-27

[Jesus says,] “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” – John 11:25

[Christ says,] “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last, the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever!” – Revelation 1:17 & 18

[Christ promises,] “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” – Revelation 2:10

Following the service we gathered to visit and remember Annie Laurie. Many people expressed appreciation and kudos for a job well done. That’s always nice. But I sincerely take that as “A telling B about A”. That is the comments betray much more about the person making them than about me or how well or poorly I did. I try always to keep that in mind.

Sometimes comments hit home and leave an impression that lasts. That was the case yesterday when one of the club members and I were talking with a couple of others about my being the club chaplain. His compliment was also perhaps a commentary on the church and pastors with whom he had previously dealt.

“You know why you’re the club chaplain, don’t you?” he asked. 

“Because I’m the only pastor in the club,” I asserted.

“No,” he corrected me. “You’re the only pastor we consider to be a friend” 

I may not have the exact words, but that was the gist of it. I told him I would be his friend on any occasion. He joked, “But not now, not too soon!”, implying that would mean that I would be doing his service. It was a good moment.

PLI talks about pockets and places where we are able to enter people’s lives and plant the seed of the gospel. Those pockets and places are typically not inside the church building. They are more often in the home or coffee shop, the after photo club gathering at the local Mexican food restaurant. In this case, it was in the church fellowship hall, not the sanctuary.

To be sure, I shared the gospel explicitly during the memorial service. It was without a doubt a golden opportunity to speak to people in a place where Good News is so precious. But my friend offered me an inside look into his heart, and opened up a pocket to me in that moment which I pray will have welcomed the seed of the gospel, and a future opportunity to talk about Jesus.

I consider this to have been the best compliment I have ever received because it was genuine. It was not about the quality of the delivery, or the way in which I confirmed someone’s hobby horse in the message (for good or ill). It was indicative of a relationship that we have been able to build over the years. It affirmed my efforts to be with people outside the church who need to hear the Good News of Jesus. It also showed me that to at least some extent my efforts along those lines are not in vain.

My prayer is that God will use these pockets and places in which the kernel of the Good News of Jesus has been planted to grow a more thriving faith; that the rule and reign of Christ in the hearts of people like my photo club friends will ever more be seen.