Needing New Shocks?

 

As automotive technicians know how to test shock absorbers by bouncing a vehicle and checking for leaks, we should learn what it means to shock a Christian congregation. Such an occasion occurred recently, when political activists broke U.S. Constitutional law and invaded worship being held in Minneapolis, MN.

  There is a difference between being invited to speak, and intruding into sacred space. As the Christian Church gathers this weekend, whether in person seated in a sanctuary or watching online through video ministry… we need to wrap our minds around what it is that this gospel message reveals to us.

 "And he went down to Caperna-um, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the sabbath; and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority. And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud voice, “Ah! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this Word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” And reports of him went out into every place in the surrounding region."  (Luke 4:31–37)

 We read here that Jesus went into an established synagogue, which was the organized Jewish "church" during his earthly ministry. While doing so, he behaved in a way that the gathering place, known as a "synagogue", found surprising. Being an invited guest, he was given the opportunity to read of the Law and the Prophets. He read from the scriptures about the coming of the Messiah, the Christ of God... the Deliverer. Causing a big turmoil... Jesus said that those scriptures had come true as he had now arrived in that place.

 Then he sat down… and the congregation sat stunned.

 

Some tried to overlook what was said and done, and commented on how well he had read. Others scratched their beards and wondered. Then one person stood, and became belligerent. You see, the Truth had been revealed.

 

 

 

 The man demonically challenged Jesus… “We know who you are…. why have you come to us… to destroy us?”

  Now, I think that a person, a people, in a gathering of believers... may often be represented by a crazed person when they hear the true words of God. This occurs as they realize the importance of the Word. Those who are maniacs, who are people who think they have everything under the gathering's roof  controlled… are suddenly confronted by the Truth. The occasion often goes far beyond all understanding for them.

 I think that maybe they don't want to understand, like those who invaded that congregation in Minnesota. With the fright of losing whatever control they think they have, they tried to push our Lord aside. But, we and they who hear the Word spoken, know who he is.

 You see, the Word of God challenges everyone of us to follow him, even during this time of great unrest. During this time of chaos, this time of political upheaval here and around the world...

 at a time when grocery shelves are sometimes found empty,

  at a time when some medical prices increase,

 at a time when some people protest and cause chaos,

at a time when some in leadership edge us toward war.

At these times, God disturbs each of us. We who think that if we can just hold onto this congregation, this Christian population… this mindset... thinking we can weather the din of the world that seems to have gone insane... Jesus says to us, just as he said in that synagogue… 

“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

 

    Yes... the Messiah of God, the Christ of God... has indeed come into our midst through Word and Sacrament.

 Should we be astounded? Yes!

 Should we be excited about this? Yes!

Should we receive words of release from our sinful unbelief through Confession and forgiveness? Indeed. All of these, and more should be our response.

 We are called to even tell others about him. As we shelter from the tumults of a sinful world, we gather together and are healed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus speaks to us for he is the Word of God. He heals us just as he healed a demonic man.

  I adjure you so to do. Proclaim the Law of God, followed by the Gospel. Some will hear, even those deceived persons who invade the Holy.

 Now... for those who labor in Christ to soften the shocks of the modern world, I echo... “May the peace of God which surpasses all human understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord… Amen” 

 

 

 

 

 

Dual Runnings!

 

AS AMERICAN CHRISTIANS, it seems that we have fallen away from the original Church discipleship model. Like driving an economy car after high school or college, and realizing it’s not like the higher class vehicles your parents drove… most people wheel along dismayed without saying a Word. Somehow over time, we’ve lost sight of the Truth, that in Christian witness we are just twisting wrenches instead of really fixing lives. However, reading scripture gives us a correct diagnosis. When the disciples were sent by Jesus into Israel they went out... two by two. The dual exhaust worked. Miracles occurred.

 These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay. Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart. As you enter the house, salute it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

                                                                           (Matthew 10:5–15)

  This reading reminds me of a crucial time in my own life. I remember beginning to work next to a Christian named Phil during the late '60s era. I was hired to repair automatic transmissions at an Oldsmobile agency near the city of Philadelphia, PA.

 My soon-to-be friend Phil was Pentecostal. He was a Christian. When I first met him, I just knew that he was a good mechanic. He had a fast car… the only reason I talked to him in the shop was that we both had a thing for fast cars. So we became lunch time buddies. We’d go to a local deli with another Christian, another mechanic who was a converted Jew. What I didn’t realize, however, was that I was being team-tagged by them to receive the Christian message… by not one… but those two persons who spoke mechanic’s language. 

 It must have been a bit like that for the disciples, as they talked with one another and others, and eventually followed Jesus. For sure, I didn’t talk with Jesus during those late years of the ‘60s, however, I was told the good news about him by those two men. Through their workings, I was prompted through the Spirit they possessed to read God’s Word. Through that reading, by the power of the same Spirit working through the scripture...I really met Jesus. My mind's eye could see him doing miraculous healing and more.

 The rest of the story you can now easily measure with a spiritual torque wrench. I returned to the Church. So strong was that calling from scripture, that I now wear a clergy collar as a pastor of the North American Lutheran Church. Having done so, I find it absolutely amazing what miracles can occur while learning from two men prompted by the Spirit, when someone is bold enough to say, “Come and See”.

  Think of this! Because those two men in a auto repair shop said... "Come and See, just order a Reuben sandwich." ... a potential disciple began to learn about God’s grace poured out through the life and teachings of Jesus. In the doing, all three friends learned more about God’s Law. That Law causes us to throw our hood up to see what's wrong in the world and ourselves, and then proclaims the Good News to crank the starter.

 

  

 Those two believed that Jesus was crucified to pay the penalty for human sinfulness, so that we can be restored to the company of the Father. They saw the power of the Holy Spirit, just as the apostles of Jesus working as the early Church saw the kingdom formed after Jesus had risen from the dead. 

 Let me tell you as now a witness, as an award-winning automotive mechanic, technical writer and minister… "I’m sure that the Gospel message is much better than watching a 425 C.I.D  V-8 powered Cutlass come off the starting line wailing at 7000 rpm." Mmm… I can almost still hear it... the Gospel told once again.

 

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 Now... "May the Peace of God which surpasses all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord."