Christ Lutheran Church Harrisburg

We stand between two processions

On the first Palm Sunday, two processions came into Jerusalem with conflicting understandings of power.  One believed in the peace of Rome of peace through strength.  The other was embodied by Jesus of peace through presence.  The Passion narrative puts those two understandings on full display - a peace through violence, and a peace in spite of violence.  The sermon is based on John 18-19.  

Everything is Fine

The world tries to tell us that everything is fine.  But it isn't.  The Narrative Lectionary takes us to John 19 and the condemning of Jesus for crucifixion.  No one looks good in the story.  The cross doesn't expose Jesus.  The cross exposes everyone else and all the arrangements of power that exist.  Jesus is a mirror and the people didn't like what they saw reflected back.  The sermon is based on John 19:1-16a.  

The ways of the world and the ways of Jesus

The world says one thing and does another.  It will even use religion to get what it wants.  It will cloak itself in talk about purity and holiness, all while plotting to kill.  Jesus' way is different from that.  There's no hiding with Jesus.  No spin.  Just the truth.  The sermon is based on John 18:28-40.  

Washing Feet

John's Gospel moves us to the Last Supper.  Jesus washes the disciples' feet.  That includes Judas who will betray him.  He doesn't attack Judas preemptively.  He washes his feet instead in an act of love.  Because it's not about changing his enemy's heart or mind.  Jesus does it to remain who he is.  The sermon is based on John 13:1-17

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

The story of the raising of Lazarus is full of waiting, mourning, and resurrection.  And we can't get to resurrection, until we go through the waiting and the mourning.  The sermon is based on John 11:1-44.

Jesus at a Distance

The further away from the seat of power, the easier it is to see Jesus.  Proximity to power has a way of blurring our view of Jesus and his way.  In this Sunday's Gospel, we hear about a royal official who leaves his position to call on Jesus because power doesn't heal.  But Jesus does.  The sermon is based on John 4:46-54.  

Jesus and Conflict

The Gospel of John starts and ends with conflict and has episodes of conflict all along the way.  In John 4, Jesus walks away from conflict with the Pharisees because it isn't the right time and their hearts are closed.  Instead, he walks into long standing conflict in Samaria because there is an opportunity for transformation.  With Jesus, conflict isn't ignored.  It is managed.  The people in it are seen. And conflict doesn't get the final say.  The sermon is based on John 4:1-42.  

Cleansing can be Painful

John 2 tells us about Jesus cleansing the Temple, taking place at the beginning of his public ministry.  Jesus is acknowledging what many others wouldn't - that there was an open wound causing harm to people and in need of cleansing and healing.  Likewise, we have many open wounds that need to be acknowledged and dealt with, rather than turning and looking away.  The sermon is based on John 2:13-25.

A Wedding in Cana

John's Gospel is so very unique.  It slows everything down.  Jesus' big first appearance is at an unnamed wedding where he trying to keep attention away from himself, and the impact is small.  John is presenting Jesus as something different than what people expect.  A counter to the culture, a resistance to the powers and their ways.  The main resistance being joy.  The sermon is based on John 2:1-11.  

Come and See

Jesus doesn't chase.  He doesn't demand certainty.  He isn't interested in control.  Yet so much of Christianity today seems to want what Jesus rejected.  Instead Jesus just says "Come and see."  Because he recognizes that transformation comes through invitation.  The sermon is based on John 1:35-51.