Easter 4 John 10:22-30

I have had requests of my sermon manuscript for my Easter 4 sermon that was preached at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Also if you visit their website for a recording www.stpaulscolumbia.com

When and where was the last time you looked at a job description? Was it in the newspaper in prospect of a new beginning? Or was it on the internet at one of the many job search sites? Maybe you were writing one in hopes of finding the right person to fill a position at work.

What is in a job description? This is a job description for an opening position in the Beaufort county school department for an English teacher:

To create and maintain a positive, stimulating environment for students to promote a culture of learning. Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students. Prepare, administer and evaluate tests and classroom assignments following curriculum guidelines. Guide and counsel students with adjustment and/or academic difficulties, or special academic interests.

This is telling us what is desired of the prospective candidate. There is an expectation of certain abilities in order to effectively teach. We can see that the teacher must be creative, clear in their objectives for students, have open communication skills and be organized in order to test the students progress. These desired qualities are necessary for a teacher to be effective. But how do these abilities tell us who the person is? They tell us how they perform. Perhaps they can tell us the education and experience of a person. They don’t however tell us who this person is. Where they grew up, who their family is, what hobbies they have and things they like to do. They don’t tell us where this person lives and what community they are a part of. They simply become a framework of what is required and expected.

What would be the job description of Savior be? One must have the ability to heal those who are sick, blind, crippled, suffering from hemorrhages and cast out demons. There must also be an inherent ability to teach in various settings from synagogues, houses, lake shores, mountains, fields and streets. The candidate must not be fearful of blood donation even when the ultimate price is required. Also the prospective savior must have the ability to walk with those who may not want to hear their teachings or witness their healings and always speak a word of grace to them. Jesus filled this position written by the hand of God, but how do these things tell us who Jesus is?

They certainly tell us what he did and still does for us today. They are the qualities of Christ’s ministry and purpose but who is Jesus?

For a moment imagine a structure larger than anything in town. You are along a wall next to this building and you see a man walking. Now its cold because its winter and you’re in town for a very big event. You recognize this man but before he comes close a few people ask him ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’ By hearing this you know it’s Jesus from the little town of Nazareth in Galilee. You’ve heard things about him but never really seen him up close and in person. They say he can heal people and cast out demons. You’ve heard the scriptures and say ok so there have been those before who claim to be prophets and teachers. So you listen to see what he says as you walk closer. “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; ²⁶but you do not believe.”

Jesus says I have shown you. I have healed those who were sick. We can almost imagine Jesus saying didn’t you just see the boy in the temple before the priests? My disciples and I saw this boy who had obviously been blind from birth and I made mud, put it on his eyes and told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. Even then I have shown you. This is what Jesus does, but how does this tell us who he is?

Who are we? Perhaps you are a healer by vocation or teacher, layer, mechanic, business owner. Perhaps a better description would be father, mother, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, son or daughter. It seems easy to say the I am _____ fill in the blank and that suffices for who we are. I am a seminary student, former business owner and church sexton, a graduate holding a bachelors degree, eagle scout, the son of Bill and Pat Darty and above all a Christian. Surely I can say these are my accomplishment and what I have done with my life so far. But who am I? Who are you? What things describe you?

Although I do not look like one I am a sheep, you are sheep and as a church we are a flock of the Shepherd.

So what might be the job description of a sheep? To eat grass and wander through a field? I would say it goes much deeper than this. We are far removed from this culture of the shepherd. However we can still relate, the shepherd was responsible for his sheep, to protect them from dangers that might be lurking over the next hill or in the next field. The shepherd followed behind the sheep keeping an eye on them. However Jesus does it a little different, he goes before us. Jesus shakes the mold of shepherd by leading from the front. He has taken the first step on the cross for us and saved us.

What are the benefits of a job? Of course there is pay and retirement which give financial stability. Perhaps there is also health insurance as a benefit. There can also be a sense of identity related to ones work. How about the benefits, if I can use that word, of a sheep?

Jesus continues his answer “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.’

We are protected by the shepherd, no one can take us from him because what is in the shepherds hand is in the Father’s hand. Imagine that! We hear, believe and follow the shepherd and he is always going to protect us and be with us. Always!

So who is Jesus? We have said that he is a healer, teacher, one who casts out demons, blood donor, guide and shepherd but who is he? Who is Jesus behind what he does? He is one with the Father. He has told them plainly who he is. We have been promised safety because he is one with the Father, and we have been saved by his blood donor status. As we walk along the roads of our lives, “How do you hear Christ voice?” How is he calling us to serve those around us, to be in conversation, to take care of the least of his kingdom? How is Christ calling us into discipleship as a Church?

Good Friday Evening...

Grace and Peace to you all!

As the day goes on I can't help but ponder the lyrics of "were you there?" This hymn is sung at this time in the church year and for many seems to be just another hymn. To my knowledge this had always been my take on this hymn until I realized the words seemed to flow without using the ELW. One verse stands out amongst the five "were you there when the sun refused to shine, were you there when the son refused to shine..." Returning to my previous post this morning I can't help but think of the "spectators" to Christ' crucifixion. What must have gone through their minds when Jesus bowed his head and breathed his last. Perhaps some thought that he was just another criminal executed by the Roman Empire. Other's perhaps saw in the darkness of that moment the kingdom fulfilled in their sight. So I wonder what it must of been like "when the sun refused to shine."

Peace,

Jason

Maundy Thursday/Good Friday

Good Morning All,

Have you ever thought what it must have been like in that upper room? How about being present in the crowd as Christ is carrying his cross for us? I think it would be fair to say, especially for myself, no. We all have been told of the story, heard the readings, attended services and even perhaps watched a movie. All of those examples have been external too us. However what would our experience be if we truly meditated on this weeks events in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ? I am not sure what the answer is, but rather am suggesting a meditation for this day. Put yourself in someones shoes 2,000 years ago and try to imagine what they experienced.

Peace,

Jason

(please comment)

Theology of Martin Luther: Discussion Question 2/10

What does Luther mean by saying that Christian righteousness is a “passive” rather than an “active” righteousness?

When Luther makes this distinction we must realize that he is also dealing amongst the backdrop of Law and Gospel. With this in mind it seems that an active righteousness is one that a person does primarily in the world in relation to the Law i.e. the Ten Commandments. Of course this becomes a loaded statement especially when thinking of this as something that someone simply does. The word active itself lends to a physical motion forward. With this said we can see some insight into what Luther is bringing to light here. An active type of righteousness can be seen as doing “good works” in order to appear righteousness. This as most who have read Luther know to be the antithesis of what is trying to work away from. For if we are a student of Church history even in the least expense we know that in order to make satisfaction for sins one first must know or be aware of their sins, seek confession and then pay penance for their sins. In result the way to forgiveness and ultimately freeing oneself from the bondage of the Devil and sin is to seek out an active way to turn wrong to right. This notion of penance and thus the act of forgiveness plagued Luther as a young Augustinian monk. We can see this even when Christ is challenging the local Jewish authorities in that he recognizes that their works are done for one’s own honor rather than for the honor and love of God. When contrasting this a passive righteousness we can see that when reverting back to being saved by grace alone that righteousness is passive. That in which we have no power to make ourselves right in the eyes of God, but the good news here is that Christ died for our sins and thus by this act we are saved not by our own actions but that of the precious blood of the lamb.

Peace,

Jason

Back to LTSS

The grace and peace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all!

Ok so I am back here at LTSS after a long break (5 weeks!). It was a great break but especially after seeing my grades ( P is for pastor) I was ready to get back here and start classes. By far this week has been the best in my very green seminary career. My classes consist of History 2, Intro to Preaching, Pastoral Conversations, Greek, Confessions, Theo of Martin Luther and Liturgical Song Practicum. Either I am ambitious in my goals here or a glutton for punishment! The semester is going to be a rigorous with Greek, Preaching and Theo of Martin Luther but this is what I have been waiting for. My interest has spiked while sitting in these three classes especially with a little more confidence behind me. I am truly embarking on new adventures this semester. For starters I am getting the chance to dive into the theology in which the Lutheran Church is centered and what its effect has especially on me as a modern day Lutheran. The next great adventure that I have the chance to set foot on is preaching. Now I have preached before in a lay atmosphere in front of small groups from youth to young adult ministries but never in a formal calling of the public ministry of the church. I am excited but also affraid at the same time. I simply asked for prayers and hope I have the courage to take these chances by the horns and make the most out of them.

Peace,

Jason

Good Evening All,

Well the semester is coming to a close and the old saying of “it feels like just yesterday” is ever so true. Throughout the semester I have been posting my thoughts and struggles on this blog and I thank all or any who have read them for yielding to my psyche. Throughout the semester I have grown, made mistakes, felt as if I was on top of the world, and felt as if I was on the bottom which is to say I am human. During this first step I must realize it is just that a first step that must be taken. Seminary to say the least is nothing of what I had expected given I had no expectations when coming to this place. In this I do not want to portray that my expectations of growing in faith, community and learning more about myself were not there but rather I had no idea what to expect out of a graduate program especially of this nature. When saying this it simply can be stated that there are many graduate schools around the country and therefore many degrees. My cousin is in graduate school as well with the intent of becoming a lawyer and I have faith that he will make an excellent one at that however his schooling cannot be compared to mine beyond the obvious differing of degrees sought after and in the same light mine cannot be compared to his either. Our program here at LTSS encompasses not only academics but also practical work. The academics speak for themselves: introduction to the Bible, Christian history, a basic worship course, Biblical Greek and pastoral care. The practical work however ranges from community, worship at chapel, visitations and assisting in worship on Sunday’s. As many know and at one time a reference was made to my yet still rough working hands that I tend to yield more on the side of “hands on learning.” This is truly where I strive, not that my actions are always correct or doings perfect but rather where I can see the classroom come to life. Both aspects of my education have become woven in such a way they almost at times become indistinguishable. By far the best example of this would be pastoral care in which instead of memorizing models of the theology that support it but rather using it during visitations and working at the parish. Another prime example would be my Greek lesson with the senior Bible study class at the parish. In theory I am not supposed to teach Sunday school until my middler year however it was asked of me to teach a few times this semester. The emphasis of the Greek of the passage we were studying became very significant. For those who are not closet nerds maybe not as much but rather those who are looking to deepen their faith it does. A course which is difficult for me in the minute details of grammar( which has never been my forte) had come to life in a meaningful way for not only myself but also a small group of parishioners who’s age more than tripled my own. This type of experience has been my formation throughout this semester and the close of 2009. Another way that I would like to lift up formation this semester involves worship. Again returning to the hands on approach I have made it a point to when assisting with worship to dive into areas I feel intimidated by. This intimidation is not the kind of a bully or brute but rather an area that when confronted with in essence would make ones palms sweat and butterflies as can be said form in ones stomach. Prior to entering seminary I had preached several times, lead worship in various forms many times, been involved in the technology side of worship, even sat down with strangers who were marginalized for their lack of housing i.e. homeless and ministered to them. When faced with worship there should be nothing to fear with this sort of background, wrong! I will take the example of communion in order to portray my point. Serving in my home congregation and my previous congregation to that I had assisted in communion bearing the blood of Christ/wine which seemed in these previous settings something one would simply just do if asked. In my position now however communion has taken on a much different role. On Christ the King Sunday I was asked by my field education supervisor to set the table. Needless to say I was apprehensive to do this given a) no experience in doing such an activity b) the significance of this responsibility. The significance of this responsibility had not taken a grasp of me until a Sunday or two prior. Much to my surprise at the later service I was to be a communion assistant and thus for the first time administered the body of Christ alongside my field education supervisor. In essence when doing this one is saying this is my body given for you. Literally it is not your body but at that moment you are representing Christ just as the presiding minister does during the words on institution and blessing of the table. With this significance in the aft part of my mind I approached our as I call it walter( wall alter) and prepared the table with shaking hands. I was approaching the same table Jesus was at, in reality I was in the room in which Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Last Supper. I was in all other words blown away at the essence of my duty and responsibility. With all these events is my journey so far, incomplete yet still walking along the path to Emmaus hoping to recognize Christ wherever I go.

Peace,

Jason

Sunday Evening Reflections

Good Evening Ya'll!

Well the semester is coming to a close and assignments are coming due from papers to paraphrases to final exams. It is truly hard to believe that a whole entire semester has come and about to go. I pray that I have grown along this first step of my journey. Honestly looking back upon this semester I can say that I was truly green when coming to seminary. This of course goes without saying, when someone enters a place like Southern Seminary they are green, they do not have everything in their faith figured out or life for that matter. Challenges have come and gone and continue to appear on the horizon. My faith has been tested and reaffirmed. My academic abilities have been challenged and again reaffirmed. I have changed. This is of course for the good and not the bad. There have been moments that I've questioned my being in this place yet almost immediately I have gotten the response that affirms my being here. With this I am amazed and humbled. For it would be very easy to pack up and go home, to say "I gave that a try" and move on. It would be lie if I told someone I did not miss my family, friends and what my life was before I came to seminary. This may seem as a shock especially when it comes to my life prior to seminary but when you become used to a certain way of life and move to another one at times begins to miss the previous. However with this said I am well pleased with my new way of life. It becomes hard to explain this change and the feelings going through this awesome transformation except to say that I went, suffered, died and am being raised in Christ every day. I physically did not die obviously but rather I walked into an unknown place and environment, I suffered through the missing of family and friends, have begun to shed in a way my old life and am being raised into new life and a new identity as a seminary student. Perhaps an example would be best to describe this. Prior to coming to seminary I served in the church as a member, assisted in worship, preached a few times, lead bible studies, ministered to those around me and taken care of the least of the kingdom. I still am doing these things here however I would offer up communion as an example. Of course I have assisted in communion before, many of us have. It simply was something I did when asked and didn't think to much of it. Today was my first day setting the table. This simply means that I prepared the meal prior to the words of institution. Of course in the past I was nervous when administering communion because I didn't want to make a mistake. Now rather my nerves were on edge due to the responsibility of what I was doing. I was preparing the table for the Lords meal, one in which our savior Jesus Christ offered up before he died for us. I suppose in one instance my thoughts went back a few thousand years to the last supper. I can only imagine that Martin Luther's thoughts might have done the same thing. Then came the distribution of communion. Instead of assisting with the wine/blood of Christ I was administering the body of Christ given there were two lines. So far this may seem insignificant but it is exactly the opposite. When the gifts of bread and wine are instituted they become the body and blood of Christ and the presiding minister is representing Christ to the congregation along with all those assisting him/her. In essence those who are distributing communion are saying this is my body given for you, this is my blood shed for you which thus puts the minister/assisting ministers on the cross with Christ. To say the least this was a humbling act that I was blown away by. This is the change that is occurring within me, I'm not sure how to fully explain it but rather can only offer my few and inadequate words.

peace,

Jason