Easter Sermon: Living the Easter Story

Living into the Easter Story
Luke 24: 1-12
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
Easter Sunday
April 21, 2019

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. - Luke 24: 1-12

It was a beautiful day and the sun was shining. They were standing in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral. A father held his daughter’s hands and swung her in a circle of joyful bliss.

That moment, so full of love and life, took a passionate turn. Just one hour later thousands gathered with tears as fire engulfed the 850 year-old Cathedral. All who hold cherished memories of love and life, worship and renewal, art and history, in one of the world’s oldest cathedrals saw something deeply personal suffer and die.

The next day the Cathedral’s interior was dark like a tomb. Ashen debris from the fallen spire and roof covered the floor as smoke smoldered upward. And yet as the sun came up, a light shined upon the darkness of destruction and the darkness did not overcome it.

Through the exposed roof of the Cathedral the rising sun illuminated the large cross on the altar as a beacon of hope.

As the world mourns with Paris in grieving the loss of such holy and sacred space, Our Lady is still raising her voice from the center of Paris for all who have ears to hear. Her story of resiliency invites Christians and nonbelievers alike to behold the mystery and awe of God. Notre Dame’s tragedy is an Easter story: Because Jesus Christ suffered, died, and was raised to new life, death and destruction do not have the final word.

Our ladies in the biblical story of Luke had experienced the fullness of God’s love and life, worship and renewal through Jesus Christ. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James the Lesser, and other women were within Jesus’ inner circle. These women not only provided for Jesus and the disciples out of their resources, but their lives had been completely changed by Jesus Christ (Luke 8:2-3).

Mary Magdalene saw her health fully restored by Jesus’ healing power. Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward, was drawn to God’s coming kingdom over and against Herod’s. Mary, the mother of James the Lesser, saw God’s grace change her son’s life as they followed Jesus together. You know she was a proud mom!!!

And suddenly Good Friday came. The women’s very personal memories of God’s love and life with Jesus Christ seemed to be destroyed when their Lord and Savior suffered and died on the cross and was laid in the tomb.

And yet, on that first Easter morning at early dawn the sun began to shine into that tomb, for the stone had been rolled away. The women went inside and there, where death had laid for three days, light was now shining into the darkness. The empty tomb invited the women to behold the mystery and glory of God.

The angels brought a newfound hope; these women along with the disciples and all future generations would now be learning what the empty tomb means in the gift of faith. Our ladies from Holy Scripture continue to lift their voices to all who have ears to hear, for they were the first to proclaim the good news!

While the cross on the hill of Golgotha was meant to be a symbol of death, God raised up the cross, through Jesus Christ, as a symbol of God’s conquering love. God’s love will never forsake us for the Lord promises us resurrection, forgiveness, new life, and resiliency.

That is why we flower the cross every Easter Sunday in worship. It is an act of holy remembering. Our human nature needs something tangible in order to take the first steps of living into the hope of new life.

He was born Ramon Antonio Gerardo Esteves but the world knows him by his stage name, Martin Sheen. He has been married to Janet for over fifty years. Together they raised four children. He also has his demons as a recovering alcoholic. Martin once told his son Emilio, “Faith is deeply personal. If it’s not personal, it’s impersonal, and if it’s impersonal, who cares?” [1]

Catholicism has always been Martin’s anchor. Years ago while on a project in Paris, work came to a halt to observe a national holiday. When Martin woke up, he told himself, “Today is the day.” He walked three miles from the hotel to a church he had occasionally visited for Mass. His steps became a pilgrimage in the midst of a life transition.

Martin banged on the church doors with urgency and purpose. He waited and waited. As soon as he turned to walk back down the sidewalk, the large wooden door swung open and there was the Irish priest Martin had seen on occasional visits. He was holding a napkin in one hand and he was chewing. Clearly Martin had interrupted the Father’s lunch.

The priest said, “Yes, what is it?” He must have thought there was an emergency from the way Martin had been banging.

“Well, Father,” Martin said. “I’m sorry to bother you. But I haven’t been to confession in years and I’d like to come back to the church.” The priest’s eyes narrowed, and from his reaction, Martin knew he had come to the right place.

“Well, come back tomorrow morning at ten. And don’t be late.”

The next morning Martin walked into the church and he was the only one present. Martin entered the confession box and unburdened a heavy load from his soul. The priest listened patiently and offered some spiritual advice. Then the priest gave Martin a penance before absolution; “Say one Our Father” (say the Lord’s Prayer one time).

With shock Martin asked, “One Our Father?”

“Have you been gone so long that you can’t remember the Our Father?”

Martin said with a laugh, “No I remember it.”

Martin left the confessional booth and sat down in the pew to reflect:

“I had just confessed the whole truth about the past dozen years of my life and forgiveness was graciously granted without hesitation or judgment. God’s love was deeply personal. Gradually an overwhelming sense of freedom and familiarity consumed my whole being.

I had just taken the first step of a long, complex spiritual journey that would change my life. But I wasn’t focused on the future now, only on this transcendent moment. Sitting alone in that church I began to weep uncontrollably with tears of sheer joy.

I don’t know how long I sat sobbing in the pew, but eventually I needed to blow my nose. I felt around in my pockets for a handkerchief but came up empty. Then I saw a Kleenex on the floor. I will never forget how I felt to see that Kleenex. The simple gift of a tissue on the floor at my feet when I needed one filled me with a sense of gratitude. It seemed to assure me that from now on, all my needs would be met if I stayed on the course I had just begun.” [2]

When the brokenness of the world and within our hearts weigh heavy on our souls God’s Word tells us to remember this is not the end of our story. You and I are Easter people therefore, today we celebrate the truth: Jesus Christ endured the cross for our sakes so that we may not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 12:3).

On this Easter morning have courage to look into the world’s destruction and disappointment. Have courage to look into the hidden places of your own regrets, hurt and grief. And then listen for the still small voice of grace saying: “The Lord will not leave you here.”

Because Jesus Christ is risen, God’s steadfast love and faithfulness hold an eternal promise for you and me. We are promised the opportunity to live into the Easter story today and every day until we are called home and behold the glory of God face to face.

From the ashes of brokenness God promises to raise us up in the Lord’s strength. It is in these transcendent moments that we experience Jesus’ resurrection power. The cross and empty tomb embrace us in God’s love, forgiveness, and hope to face another day. Faith guides our steps towards resiliency.

The Easter story cannot be explained but simply proclaimed – “The One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also” (2 Corinthians 4:14).

He is risen. He is risen indeed!

Today is the day – the first day to experience the Easter story changing your life!

Thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Amen.

Sources Referenced:

[1]Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez, “Along the Way: The Journey of a Father and Son” (New York: Atria, 2012), p. 392
[2]Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez, “Along the Way: The Journey of a Father and Son” (New York: Atria, 2012), pp. 295-296.

Lenten Sermon: God Moves to the Cross (6/6)

Lent: God Moves to the Cross (6/6)
Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-29; Luke 19: 28-40
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
April 14, 2019
Palm Sunday

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever!

Let Israel say,
‘His steadfast love endures for ever.’
Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.

This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it.

I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!
O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God,
and he has given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches,
up to the horns of the altar.

You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God, I will extol you.

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures for ever. - Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-29


Jesus he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this: “The Lord needs it.” ’

So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ They said, ‘The Lord needs it.’ Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it.

As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,
‘Blessed is the king
who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven,
and glory in the highest heaven!’

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, order your disciples to stop.’ He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’ - Luke 19: 28-40

The one and only Jack Black was the voice for Po Ping, a bumbling giant panda in the movie, Kung Fu Panda. Po was obsessed with kung fu and he was the biggest fan of the Furious Five; famous animated kung fu students of the Red Panda Master Shifu.

Po became the unlikely one chosen to be the Dragon Warrior, a savior like figure who was capable of defeating all enemies with his kung fu might. The Dragon Warrior’s skills were a must when the evil kung fu warrior Tailung escaped prison and the Furious Five could not defeat Tailung.

Po’s training with Master Shifu was like a roller coaster but it culminated into one fantastic and life-defining moment; Po and Tailung faced off. As Tailung swung his southpaw, Po intercepted his opponent’s paw, ready to flex his power with the pinky death grip, also known as the Wuxi Hold. Once that pinky finger was up, there was no looking back; the world would never be the same.

Tailung was scared straight and said, “The Wuxi Hold! Surely Shifu didn’t teach you that!”

And Po, the Kung Fu Panda, replied, “Nope, I figured it out. SKA-DOOSH!”

And as soon as Po dropped his pinky, the world was shaken with ripples of a conquering life force. Tailung, the enemy, was swallowed up forever and the world was saved. It’s an awesome scene! But not as awesome as Easter!

Jesus Christ’s ministry had culminated into a defining moment for all humanity and creation. Today our awesome God claims his power and authority as Savior of the world. The fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy was being fulfilled.

The Lord himself gave a sign to see the woman who bore a son and named him Immanuel, God-with-us (Isaiah 7:14).

This child was born for us, this Son of God given to us; authority rests on his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish it and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore (Isaiah 9:6-7).

And now your king comes to you, triumphant and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9).

As the disciples set Jesus on the colt, they could feel God’s Spirit at work in all of this. They praised God joyfully for all the deeds of power they had seen in their Rabbi and Lord (Luke 19:37). The crowd waved palm branches and threw down their cloaks to proclaim the Lord, who had once delivered them from Egypt, was about to deliver them again through Jesus Christ the Messiah (Leviticus 23:40).

From the beginning Jesus was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and was set apart to teach, heal, and proclaim the kingdom of God in a hurting and broken world [1]. The disciples and the crowds were amazed by the new life Jesus created from humanity’s brokenness; something only God could do.

Now making his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, God was moving Jesus Christ towards the cross. Jesus’ obedience to be led to the cross revealed that God’s redemption draws near through the Son of Man (Luke 21:26). With the Lord’s redemption comes God’s blessing, peace, and glory that Luke’s story talks about; gifts of God that are unparalleled.

God blessed his chosen, our Messiah. God’s spirit was upon Jesus to faithfully bring forth justice to the nations. God called Jesus Christ in righteousness and gave him as a new covenant to the people. Scripture affirms God is moving Jesus Christ towards the cross to open the eyes that are blind and to bring out the prisoners who sit in darkness (Isaiah 42: 1-8).

God shines the light of Christ into the darkness of our human sin which holds us captive. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness will never overcome the light of God’s love in Jesus Christ (John 1:5).

And yet even as we cheer the triumphant entry of our Savior today, we cannot deny that our sin put Jesus on the cross; it is a sobering thought. But in all this a spirit on high is poured out on us to bring righteousness; the effect of righteousness is peace (Isaiah 32:17).

We have peace knowing God’s love is mending the broken pieces of ourselves and our world. Peace is trusting that the work of the cross is making us more whole everyday through Jesus’ forgiveness and his ongoing ministry of reconciliation. Salvation in Jesus Christ leads the way to God’s peace.

Today we begin to walk towards the cross of Good Friday and the empty tomb of Easter because they are sure and certain signs of the glory of God.

The cross is where Jesus suffers for the sake of right relationships between God and humanity. Righteousness and glory only belong to God for sin and death no longer have the last word. The good news of Jesus Christ is for our sakes so that grace as it extends to more and more people may increase our thanksgiving to the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:15).

Today as we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, God is moving you and I to the cross. Holy Week is a life changing seven days as we recall the story of Jesus’ costly grace.

German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed 74 years ago last week on April 9 at a concentration camp in Flossenburg, Germany. Bonhoeffer said:

“Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again. It is costly because it condemns sin; it is grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, grace is costly because it was costly to God, because it costs God the life of God’s Son – “you were bought at a price” – and because nothing can be cheap to us which is costly to God. This costly grace comes to us as a gracious call to follow Jesus [to the cross]; it comes as a forgiving word to the fearful spirit and the broken heart.” [2]

I pray that God’ Spirit would move our faith mightily this week as we retrace Jesus’ steps to the costly grace of the cross.

It is at the cross that we truly experience God’s blessing, peace, and glory of the new life promised on Easter.

In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Sources Referenced:

[1] Luke 4:14; 4:36; 5:17; 6:19; 8:46; 9:1; 10:13, 19
[2] Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “Discipleship: Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Works, Volume 4” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003), p. 45.

Lenten Sermon: God Moves Us to Empty Ourselves (5/6)

Lent: God Moves Us to Empty Ourselves (5/6)
John 12: 1-8; 2 Corinthians 2: 14-17
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
April 7, 2019
Fifth Sunday in Lent


Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him.

Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.)

Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’ - John 12: 1-8

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not peddlers of God’s word like so many; but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in his presence. - 2 Corinthians 2: 14-17

One of my favorite childhood memories is coming home from school on Friday afternoons. I would step off the school bus and run down the drive way. I walked through the front door and the house smelled like love. When my sister and I were in elementary school, Friday was the day my mom put the house back together. Mom would clean our rooms, vacuum, and dust the furniture with Pledge furniture polish – the lemon scented kind. My mom showed her adoration to our family through her acts of service. To this day, the scent of love is Pledge lemon scented furniture polish.

The Gospel of John takes us into the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. These three siblings were Jesus’ best friends. Jesus’ earthly ministry was coming to a close. And the siblings invited Jesus over for a special dinner. John’s Gospel stimulates our biblical imagination with all the senses. As soon as the first century reader and we walk into the door, we too are embraced by a home filled with the fragrant scent of love.

Martha is in the kitchen preparing dinner. She continues to extend her gift of hospitality to Jesus. Lazarus is reclined at table beside Jesus. Mary was ready to sit at Jesus’ feet again; just days before Jesus wept with Mary (John 11:32-35). You see these siblings were celebrating that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11: 38-44). Gratitude for the good news of Jesus’ resurrection power filled that house.

Suddenly Mary was moved to give her most prized possession to Jesus as an act of her devotion. She knelt down on the floor, emptied the costly perfumed oil, and anointed Jesus’ feet. And then she lovingly wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair. Another layer of devotional love filled the house.

The importance of Mary’s action was not lost on Jesus. In John’s Gospel Mary’s selfless act stands in stark contrast to Judas’ question of self-interest to say this: The gift of faith is not meant to for us to keep for ourselves.

As Jesus was filled with the Spirit of God’s wisdom and will, God moved Jesus Christ to empty himself on the cross for us and for the sake of fulfilling God’s promise of salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Likewise, as we are moved and changed by Jesus Christ, God’s Spirit moves us to empty ourselves to glorify God and share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.

It was three months ago today that the Church Universal observed Epiphany, “the day we celebrate the manifestation of God’s saving purpose in Jesus Christ to all nations of the world.” Just as the star guided the magi to worship the Son of God, we each received a star in worship with the hopes that our star words would reveal something new and praiseworthy to us about the good news of Jesus Christ.

A few of our members have graciously given me permission to share their star word revelations from the past three months.

Camille received the star word “Teaching.” I see one of the spiritual gifts that God gave Camille is the gift of teaching. She has taught children’s Sunday School for a generation and has seen her students grow up into amazing young adults. After taking a well deserved break last year, she received her star word. When Camille revealed her word to me, I thought that God has a sense of humor.

An opportunity was presented for Camille to teach our youth Sunday School class for a few months and so she said yes to God. Camille taught our youth about Jesus’ life and ministry. Our youth have some really good questions, and Camille said she learned it is ok for her answer to be, “I don’t know.” Camille shared, “These students were great listeners and learners and I hope my ears were open to listen and learn from them too.”

Glenda received the star word “Encouragement.” I see God has used Glenda’s gift of writing Christian fiction to touch people’s lives in ways she had not expected. Glenda said she has received a lot of encouragement from her readers in past years. Therefore, her star word gave her an idea. Instead of replying to her readers’ comments with just a “thank you,” Glenda would ask questions about what part of the book the reader found meaningful.

Their online dialogue revealed real life issues that Glenda’s readers are facing that her books addressed . It also opened a door for Glenda to suggest they pray for each other. Glenda is praying for her readers while they are praying for her writing to touch others.

Laine received the star word “Witness.” I see God has given Laine the spiritual gift of sharing faith; she does this weekly in Sisters of the Heart Bible Study. But that word “Witness” initially gave Laine the image of standing on the street corner screaming at people about Jesus. The past three months the good news of being a witness for Jesus Christ has become a different kind of revelation for Laine. God’s Spirit is giving her the image of being present to personally see or perceive a thing; being a BEHOLDER, a spectator, or an eyewitness. So, she began spiritually watching.

Laine said, “I saw a billboard with the words of Micah 7:7, which states, “Watch and hope for the Lord.” God was reminding me to watch for Him & His handiwork everywhere, in everyday occasions. In daily Scripture readings I was reminded to “seek His face!” (Psalm 27: 8) and that God also sees me (Genesis 16:13). God is watching/witnessing my life… That’s a sobering thought! And I am reminded that watching is not a passive endeavor, but I must also be actively seeking to discern His presence. Daily quiet time, the study of His word, worship, fellowship with other believers, prayer...all are conduits by which He reveals Himself to me. I have personally seen Him in action...in the smile of my husband, in the tears of a friend, in the peace that comes over me when the world turns upside down. I am becoming a BEHOLDER. God is telling me, “Slow down, look for Me, & when you see Me, tell someone.”

God is at work in our lives in powerful ways, enabling us both to will and to work for the Lord’s good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). As the gift of faith fills our souls, God moves us to empty ourselves. The Spirit empties our hearts and minds of the things that do not serve God’s purposes. The Spirit is at work to fill us with the grace of Jesus Christ so that we might continue growing as the Lord’s disciples.

Jesus said, “The everyone will know we are his disciples by our love for one another” (John 13:35). Therefore, the hope is that we might watch for God, behold the Lord, and boldly share the fragrance of God’s love with one another.

The Apostle Paul says, “We are not peddlers of God’s word, but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in his presence” (2 Corinthians 2:17). Therefore, God gives us the opportunity to be the aroma of Christ and fill not just our homes, not just our churches, but the whole world with the fragrance of God’s love.

Today we are standing in Christ’s presence as he begins to turn his face from his earthly ministry towards fulfilling God’s promises of new life through the cross.

How has Jesus Christ been at work in your life? Where has your faith encountered the fragrant scent of God’s welcome, hospitality, and self-giving love?

Savor the beauty of God’s precious gifts and then let them flow freely to encourage another.

May God’s Spirit move you and me to empty ourselves to share the love of Jesus Christ in humbling ways. Be moved to give glory to God.

In the name of God our Creator, redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Painting, "God Poured Out," by Mike Moyers

Lenten Sermon: God Moves Down the Road (4/6)

Lent: God Moves Down the Road (4/6)
Psalm 32: 1-8; Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
March 31, 2019
Fourth Sunday in Lent


Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

While I kept silence, my body wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’,
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let all who are faithful
offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters
shall not reach them.
You are a hiding-place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you. - Psalm 32: 1-8


Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to [Jesus]. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

So he told them this parable:

Then Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons.

The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.”

So he divided his property between them.

A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’ ” So he set off and went to his father.

But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.

‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” Then he became angry and refused to go in.

His father came out and began to plead with him.

But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!”

Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.” ’ - Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32

I had the pleasure of volunteering at one of the elementary schools last Monday. The event was Career Day for the fifth-grade class. There were fifteen parent volunteers from a variety of professions. For a span of two hours, small groups of children rotated every seven minutes to hear about a new career: the education required, unique leadership skills, and the details about our typical day.

I shared that as a minister one of the most important leadership traits for me to have is compassion; that means whoever you are, wherever you come from, and whatever you are going through I care about you. Then I asked, “Why do you think it is important for a minister to have compassion?” And one child in every group said, “Because God cares about us.” My heart smiled.

No other story in the Bible illustrates God’s compassion more than Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son. Whenever this parable is read so many of us easily put ourselves in the shoes of one of the sons. Either we have become keenly aware of our failings and need of God’s forgiveness, or we stand in our uprightness, jealous of God’s grace when we have not felt God’s pat on the back for doing the right thing.

Today I want us to focus on the Compassionate Father, for he does what goes against the expectations of the first century reader.

The Father loves his sons equally. He divides the family inheritance equally between the sons at the youngest’s request; something no father figure would have done while he was living. The Father gives both sons the freedom to use the gift of inheritance as they wish.

The Father does not look upon his sons with disappointment, anger, or shame. The Father sees his sons through the lens of unconditional love that will never let either of them go.

From a long ways off, the Father sees the youngest coming home downcast with the disappointment of guilt and regret. And so the Father moves down the road to embrace his beloved. The Father embraces his youngest in compassion, reassures him of his belonging, clothes him in forgiveness, and celebrates newness of life.

The Father also sees his eldest son downcast in the disappointment of jealousy. And so the Father moves from the party and out into the field to embrace his beloved. The Father embraces his eldest with words of compassion, reassures him of his belonging, pleads with his son to be reconciled to him and his younger brother, and invites the eldest to celebrate newness of life as a family.

And yet it is striking to me that neither son is aware that the Father has been actively waiting for both of them. The Father actively waited for the youngest son’s return home. The Father also actively waited for the eldest son to notice he had been loved beyond measure all along.

The parable leads you and I to get wrapped up in the cultural tendency to compare the two sons and even to pit them against one another. But in all of this the Father does not compare or judge the two sons. He loves them with a radical love that is hard to conceive because the Father is God. God’s merciful compassion and unconditional love transcend all we know in the complexity of the human experience.

Nearing the end of his life, the Dutch artist, Rembrandt brought this biblical story to life in the oil painting that stretches 8 feet high by six feet wide. I cannot help but wonder what Rembrandt personally experienced in painting this parable.

Priest, professor, and pastor Henri Nouwen was completely overtaken by Rembrandt’s painting. He went to great lengths to travel to the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia where the painting is displayed. Over the course of two days, Nouwen sat for nearly eight hours to study this artwork. The piece truly came to life as the hours past and the sunlight moved across the canvas, literally illuminating fresh insights.

Nouwen said, “The embrace of the father and son became stronger and deeper, and the bystanders (from right to left - the eldest son, the servant, and two women) participated more directly in the mysterious event of reconciliation, forgiveness and inner healing” [1].

“Every detail of the father’s figure – his facial expression, his posture, the colors of his dress, and most of all, the still gesture of his hands – speaks of the divine love for humanity that existed from the very beginning and ever will be… [The father’s hands] imply his eternal seeing, a seeing that reaches out to all humanity. It is seeing that understands the lostness of women and men of all times and places, that knows with immense compassion the suffering of those who have chosen to leave home, that cried oceans of tears as they got caught in anguish and agony. The heart of the father burns with an immense desire to bring his children home.”

“This includes the eldest son. Rembrandt places him at a distance, out from under the billowing cloak, at the edge of the circle of light. The elder son’s dilemma is to accept or reject that his father’s love is beyond comparisons; to dare to be loved as his father longs to love him or to insist on being loved as he feels he ought to be loved. The father simply wants to let [both sons] know that the love they have searched for in such distorted ways has been, is, and always will be there for them” [2].

The core of our humanity desires to know we are loved beyond measure and yet we search for a sense of love and belonging in such distorted ways. We quickly waste God’s gifts in search to fill the emptiness inside our souls. When we strive to do right by God and neighbor, the unfairness of life quickly leaves us lamenting when no one takes notice.

As we step ever closer to Easter Sunday, you and I are searching to know a love that will never let us go in the cross. And so I want you to consider this: whoever you are, wherever you have been, and whatever you are struggling with today our God is on the move to meet you where you are.

God in Jesus Christ has compassion for us when we are hurting physically, mentally, and spiritually; when we regret poor decisions; when we are lost to ourselves; when we are in need; when we are estranged from family either by consequences or by making the choice of cutting ourselves off from relationships; when we are blind to our own self-righteousness; and when we are offended by God’s generous mercy and grace [3].

May you and I encounter God’s unparalleled love this week as God moves down the road to meet us where we are.

The question is how will you and I allow ourselves to be embraced by God’s compassion?

And more than that, how will you actively participate in the light of God’s love and be changed by it?

In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Sources Referenced:

Biblical painting "The Return of the Prodigal Son," by Rembrandt, 1669.
[1] Henri J. M. Nouwen, “The Return of the Prodigal Son: Anniversary Edition” (New York: Convergent Books, 2016), p. 11.
[2] Nouwen, p. 107-108, 111, 117.
[3] Matthew 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 18:27; 20:34; Mark 1:41; 6:34; 8:2; 9:22; Luke 7:13; 10:33; 15:20

Lenten Sermon: God Moves in Failed Expectations (3/6)

Lent: God Moves in Failed Expectations (sermon series 3/6)
Psalm 63: 1-8; Luke 13: 1-9
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
March 23, 2019
Third Sunday in Lent

O God, you are my God, I seek you,
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands and call on your name.

My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast,
and my mouth praises you with joyful lips
when I think of you on my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me. - Psalm 63: 1-8

At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.’

Then he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?” He replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” ’ - Luke 13: 1-9

Kelsey took the youth group activity to heart about caring for our homeless neighbors. She packed five hot meals and asked her mom to take her downtown to deliver them. The two noticed a homeless man standing on the corner with a makeshift sign that said, “Need food. God bless.” Kelsey and her mom walked up to the man. With a smile, Kelsey said, “I made this dinner for you,” and she gave the meal to the man. But the man threw the bag on the sidewalk and said gruffly, “I don’t want that.” With tears swelling in her eyes, Kelsey walked back to the car with her mom. Kelsey said, “I don’t want to do this anymore. I just want to go home.” Putting her faith into action became a failed expectation.

Rodney seemed to have it all. He had a great job, a good car, and a beautiful home. He had put in a lot of sweat equity to get where he was. But climbing the ladder of success was not what he thought it would be. He had an emptiness that kept nagging at him. Nothing he had tried could fill it. As Rodney was driving down the road, that conversation with his coworker came to mind. Weeks ago, Andy had asked him to come to the Men’s Bible study one night. Rodney had said he would think about it. But in reality, the more Rodney thought about it, the more intimidated he got. He knew nothing about the Bible or God or church. His presence would just embarrass Andy. The openness to accept the invitation became a failed expectation.

Raynor and Moth had been married for thirty-two years. They had purchased a farmhouse fixer upper and over the years had renovated the home and property, Raynor gave birth to three children, and as a family she and her husband made a quiet life with their livestock and renting out the guesthouse to vacationing visitors. During their time there, a friend had talked them into investing in a company, but when the company failed Raynor and Moth were told their signatures on the investment contract made them liable for the company’s debts. After a lengthy court battle Raynor and Moth lost their savings and their house was repossessed. And then a few days later the other shoe dropped; Moth was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Raynor felt like God had grabbed the roots of her life and ripped them out of the ground, turning her and her husband’s very existence upside down. Within a week the couple’s humble life fell completely apart to the failed expectations of rural homelessness and no future [1].

Jesus knew a lot about failed expectations. He spoke to the crowds and the disciples about the fig tree. The owner had great expectations for that vineyard to bear fruit. After three years of pouring his love and resources into nurturing his pride and joy, he found only one thing – failed expectations. If we take Jesus’ parable literally, the owner of the vineyard was disappointed because fig trees do not grow in vineyards. A fig tree’s roots would interfere with the root systems of grapevines.

But Jesus taught in parables to meet others where they are in life and to authentically intersect the Good News at the crossroads of human experience. Parables always reveal truth. Jesus’ truth is this: in times of failed expectations, Jesus encourages us to make room for God’s grace and see how God might move in that space.

Jesus was describing how the timing of God’s grace marks our seasons of failed expectations. By that word “time” I do not mean time that is measured by seconds, minutes, and hours, but rather time that is marked by divine opportunity.

God’s grace gives us opportunity to rise up, to live differently, and to mature by God’s faithfulness. Grace creates opportunities to put one foot in front of the other and trust where God is leading in the midst of failure, uncertainty and doubts. “The human mind plans the way, but the Lord determines the steps (Proverbs 16:9).

But sometimes we miss God’s divine opportunities; we miss God directing our steps. Sometimes we completely resist God’s grace being quick to complain about our disappointment or cutting off that failed expectation to move on. Sometimes we tell ourselves that we are doing life just fine and we don’t need God’s help. Sometimes we are not spiritually aware of the rhythm of God’s grace in our everyday lives.

When humanity missed the mark of God’s expectations to love God with all our heart, mind, and soul and to love neighbor as ourselves, God loved us still. God sent his Son. And Jesus revealed a divine opportunity to reveal God’s grace. After his three-year ministry with the disciples, Jesus suffered on the cross taking on humanity’s failed expectations, forgiving our debts, and giving us the grace of second chances and new life. We are God’s pride and joy. And God’s Spirit continues to nurture us to bear good fruit. In our seasons of failed expectations when we don’t feel so fruitful shouldn’t we be open to see what God’s grace can do there too?

Kelsey and her mom sat in the car in the downtown parking lot. Kelsey wiped her tears. Her mom just sat beside her silently for a few minutes. And then she looked at Kelsey and said, “I know how much this means to you. You have such a kind heart. I personally have never served the homeless before, but you were so excited by the pastor’s talk after youth group that I felt you should have the opportunity to do this. You are so brave. If you really want to go home, we can. It’s your decision.” As Kelsey sat in the front passenger seat, she claimed that time to breathe slow and deeply.

And in that moment, she felt the Spirit nudge her to give it another try. Kelsey and her mom got out of the car and walked down the sidewalk, handing out the rest of the bagged dinners to neighbors who were in need. Later in the week Kelsey talked with her youth pastor about her experience. Together they learned faith in action is more about the willingness to love, even if the love you extend is not received the way you expected.

Rodney reached his destination and parked the car. He could not stop thinking about Andy’s invitation. Rodney was curious. He was searching for more in life – more of a sense of coming into himself and finding meaning and purpose. Rodney began to feel a sense of peace settle in with the thought of saying yes to the Bible study invitation. He texted Andy saying he would meet him there next week. After Rodney left that very first Men’s Bible Study, the Spirit opened Rodney to consider that searching is more about being willing to show up than to have all the answers.

When Raynor and Moth closed the door of their home for the very last time after it was repossessed, they had nowhere to go. So, they each put their bare basics in backpacks with the decision to walk the South West Coast Path. Walking the 630 mile salt path gave the couple hope; a reason to go forward, a reason to put one foot in front of the other, a reason to have a next day. It changed their lives forever. Not only walking so far with so little to survive, but also it gave Raynor and Moth the ability to live in the moment. Instead of this 50-something couple worrying what each moment would hold, they learned the deep gratitude of waking in the morning as the fog lifted from the heavens and watching the sun breaking over the horizon of a new day. The two finished the trek discovering a new sense of freedom and resiliency than their former life may never had provided.

Friends, failed expectations are not the end of our stories. They are divine opportunities to experience God’s grace and mercy in ways that we may not have otherwise.

Do not be afraid of failure. Do not yield to the temptation of cutting off your disappointment.

Be open to where the Spirit just may be leading you to put one foot in front of the other. Go in the direction of God’s grace and mercy because our God does indeed move through failed expectations. With faithfulness comes the promise of hope. And many times hope is enough.

In the name of our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Sources Referenced:

[1] Raynor Winn, “The Salt Path: A Memoir” (New York: Penguin Books, 2018).

Lenten Sermon: God Moves Past All Obstacles (2/6)

Lent: God Moves Past All Obstacles
Psalm 27: 1-14; Luke 13: 31-35
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
March 17, 2019
Second Sunday in Lent


The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life;of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh— my adversaries and foes— they shall stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident.

One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.

For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock.

Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! ‘Come,’ my heart says, ‘seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, do I seek. Do not hide your face from me.

Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!
If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up.

Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
for false witnesses have risen against me, and they are breathing out violence.

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! - Psalm 27

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to [Jesus], ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’

[Jesus] said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.”

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’ - Luke 13: 31-35

This season of Lent we are looking into our assigned biblical texts and paying attention to where God is on the move. Today we see God moving past all obstacles.

The whole of Scripture is filed with accounts of God moving past obstacles – threats that seem to have a real possibility to thwart the fulfillment of God’s promises.

In the beginning our spiritual parents lived in perfect relationship with God. But when they reached beyond the bounds of God’s will, sin became humanity’s condition. Sin brought the obstacle of living in right relationship with God and one another (Genesis 3).

But God would move past this obstacle in revealing what true humanity and faithfulness to God looks like in the person and work of Jesus Christ (Romans 5: 8, 18-19).

It feels like yesterday we were celebrating Jesus’ birthday; the day the promise of God’s self-giving love was born in that babe lying in a manger. Just think about how vulnerable an infant is and the endless number of obstacles that Mary and Joseph made sure to protect Jesus from.

Herod the Great was the first major threat to baby Jesus in the birth narrative (Matthew 2). Herod was Rome’s client king over the Juddean people. His loyalty to the pagan Romans and admiration of Hellenistic style smacked of treachery. Herod’s family had converted to Judaism, but Herod disregarded the customs and laws of the Jewish tradition. He executed his own family members who were in line as heir because of suspicion and distrust. Herod was threatened by Jesus and the news of a new king in town therefore, he planned to destroy Jesus too. God moved past that obstacle as an angel of the Lord told Mary and Joseph to seek refuge in Egypt until Herod the Great died (Matthew 2: 13-15).

Luke remembers Herod the Great’s son, Herod Antipas, was another threat to Jesus (Luke 13:31). Antipas ruled over Galilee (Jesus’ stomping grounds) and Perea; both territories were one quarter of the Jewish kingdom which remained under Roman authority. Antipas was more passive than his ruthless father. He tried to appease both the Romans and the Jewish people.

But Antipas came into conflict with John the Baptist and Jesus. It sounds like a Bible soap opera: John the Baptist called out Antipas regarding the ruler’s unlawful divorce and second marriage to Herodias. Not only was she Antipas’ niece, she was also Antipas’ brother’s ex-wife. As a result, John the Baptist was thrown into prison and beheaded (Matthew 14: 1-12). When Antipas laid eyes on Jesus he was afraid John was somehow raised from the dead.

When the Pharisees told Jesus that Herod Antipas wanted to kill him, did Jesus know that he would later be standing before Antipas after his betrayal and arrest in Galilean territory? Did Jesus know that Antipas would treat him with contempt and mock him? (Luke 23:6-12).

Jesus answered the Pharisees with a steadfast conviction. Nothing and no one would stop Jesus from casting out demons, from healing, from revealing God’s compassionate presence….there is nothing and no one who can halt the fulfillment God’s plans of salvation. God’s faithfulness overcomes every obstacle.

Oh, how our weary world needs to hear this affirmation today.

When we are young we are so very vulnerable to obstacles that threaten self-worth, perseverance, and a future with hope. One communal group has been breaking down obstacles with faithfulness and self-giving love. Last week the Girl Scouts celebrated their 107th birthday. But the Girl Scouts do way more than sell those delicious cookies.

A number of troops are involved in the Beyond Bars program. Beyond Bars began in 1992 as a partnership between the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland and the Maryland Correctional Institute for Women. After sentencing dozens of women to prison in her time on the bench, Judge Carol Smith was heartbroken for the children who would not see their mothers on a regular basis. When a parent is incarcerated, the odds become stacked against a child.

With the help of a grant Judge Carol set up a mother-child visitation program at the correctional facility, where two-thirds of the women incarcerated were parents. From that program which began 27 years ago, over 400 girls from Girl Scout Troop 7856 have been active at the correctional center; a traditional troop meeting in a nontraditional setting.

Each two-hour meeting begins with 15 minutes of free bonding time for the moms and daughters, a precious commodity when prison visits usually take place on opposite sides of a table. Then, the moms and daughters recite the Girl Scout Promise, and divide up by age to work on projects. For the girls, it's a rare chance to reconnect with their moms — and they don't let any of it go to waste.

One 32 year old mother said, "When I got incarcerated, my daughter was 8 years old. I regretted missing my daughter’s milestones, and my daughter struggled too; her grades took a tumble as she dealt with me being away.” But after joining Troop 7856, run by the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, the pair drew closer again. Being a Girl Scout helped this daughter start to overcome obstacles that were beyond her control. That young girl is now twelve years old, and she looks forward to just giving her mom a hug.

For the moms involved, each meeting provides hope for a future — beyond the prison walls. "It’s wonderful just being able to be in [my daughter’s] life, despite the circumstances," said one 26 year old mother of a 9 year old daughter. "It’s the reason why I keep pushing in here, why I stay out of trouble. It’s all to get home to her."

“Nationally, more than 1.7 million children — half of them under the age of 10 — have a parent in prison, yet few programs provide the kind of bonding opportunities offered by the Girl Scouts' program. ”

Every time I read this story, I see Jesus’ determined and self-giving love at work through this Girls Scout Troop - breaking down obstacles, bringing about healing, and revealing God’s promise of being delivered into a future with hope.

You and I need to hear this affirmation that God is still moving past all obstacles today.

Each of us encounters obstacles in life that seem to be real threats to experiencing the hope and deliverance that only God can provide.

The changing dynamics of life or our jobs can threaten our livelihood at a moment’s notice.
The diagnosis comes and the treatment is not bringing the anticipated results.
The funding in the budget changes bringing obstacles to the most vulnerable.
Our loved one -or we ourselves - feel stuck in the shadows of depression and we feel helpless to shine the light into their darkness.
The label of “different” still threatens to silence children, adults, and whole groups of people with a tarp of invisibility.
Ongoing conflict and disunity breeds cynicism that things will never change.

Whatever obstacle may be staring you in the face like Herod Antipas, the good news is that “The Lord is the stronghold of our lives therefore what or who shall we fear? Even though this obstacle feels like an army encamped against us, our hearts shall not fear; we will be confident [in the Lord]” (Psalm 27:1, 3).

The Psalmist claims our confidence that God moves past all obstacles is this: “I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13).

We see the goodness of the Lord in our Savior Jesus Christ. The One who has already accomplished God’s will to heal our brokenness, to forgive our sin, and to right the wrongs of injustice.

And yet we see the goodness of the Lord also when the body of Christ knows that we must be on our way to do God’s work in the world.

This week I pray the Spirit will increase our courage to look into our obstacles squarely in the face and to wait for the Lord; be strong and lean into trusting the Lord God with everything. Let us do our part to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. For the Lord is not done with us or this weary world.

There is nothing in all the world that will ever separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ (Romans 8: 37-39).

As Tony Campolo once said, “It may feel like Friday, but Sunday is coming!”

In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Lenten Sermon: God Moves into the Desert (1/6)

Lent: God Moves into the Desert
Psalm 91: 1-2, 9-16; Luke 4: 1-13
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
March 10, 2019
First Sunday in Lent

You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust.’
Because you have made the Lord your refuge,
the Most High your dwelling-place,
no evil shall befall you,
no scourge come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the adder,
the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.

Those who love me, I will deliver;
I will protect those who know my name.
When they call to me, I will answer them;
I will be with them in trouble,
I will rescue them and honour them.
With long life I will satisfy them,
and show them my salvation. - Psalm 91: 1-2, 9-16

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.” ’

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written,
“Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.” ’

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,
“He will command his angels concerning you,
to protect you”,
and
“On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’
Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. - Luke 4: 1-13

The past five weeks we have been spending time in Luke’s Gospel to glean from Jesus’ teachings. According to Luke, Jesus’ public ministry began when he chose his disciples and then went up on the mountain top to pray. It was quite a moment for the disciples to be anointed by God’s presence in that thin space of the mountain top (Luke 6: 12-16). As they came down the mountain the disciples would be learning the ropes of Jesus’ ministry in order to carry on Jesus’ work as the early church.

Jesus was anointed for God’s purposes of salvation when he was baptized by John the Baptizer (Luke 3: 21-22). After Jesus was filled with the Spirit, it matters where Jesus took his next step. The gospels say that Jesus was led by the Spirit in the wilderness where for forty days he was tempted by the devil (Luke 4: 1-2; Matthew 4:1; Mark 1: 12-13).

The wilderness was the Judean Desert. For the first century hearers of the gospels, this desert was not just an empty and barren place, but it was also pregnant with meaning.

It is where Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage for forty years. That desert is an expanse of 580 square miles near the West Bank, Jerusalem, and the Dead Sea. God’s people walked through a rugged terrain that was constantly changing with plateaus, chalk hills, mountains, and cliffs. Imagine forty years of living in scarcity; the desert has no water, no food, and no protection.

And yet the Judean wilderness is where God moved through the desert with the people. God’s people were not left to die of hardship like they complained (Exodus 17:3). God’s presence was revealed tangibly in the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21).

God created a space for the people to abide in the shadow of the Almighty as a refuge. God provided flowing water from a rock and manna (flaky bread) to fall daily from heaven (Exodus 17:6; 16:4). And God delivered God’s people; the Lord brought them through the desert to behold the Promised Land. With God nothing is impossible!

And so Jesus was led to walk the ancient desert paths too. On the one hand, Jesus’ 40 day fast in the desert wilderness was a spiritual test of wholly trusting God. Jesus was fully human and experienced temptation, pain, and suffering. Being filled with the Spirit, Jesus leaned into fully trusting God through every moment. God not only delivered Jesus through every test and temptation, but Jesus manifested God’s power and glory in the desert.

On the other hand, Jesus was fully divine. Therefore, God moved into the desert once again to reveal God’s faithfulness to live in full relationship with humanity through Jesus Christ. God’s presence was not hovering in some distant cloud or in a pillar of fire. God’s presence was in the flesh of Jesus Christ to fully experience the how vulnerable and exposed the desert makes us feel.

Ray Vander Laan brings the Bible to life by taking Christian study groups on walking tours of the Mediterranean towns and cities in which the Bible’s context is written. He took one group to the Judean Desert. Standing within that rocky landscape Ray VanderLaan says this:

The desert holds a bigger picture in the Bible. It holds beauty, glory, and danger, but it is also a metaphor for chaos, pain, and suffering. The desert symbolizes that things are not as they’re supposed to be. In the desert – in times of difficulty and hardship - God’s people learn to know God, to trust God, and to love God.

About four years ago in a yearly physical I was diagnosed with coronary artery disease. I went through surgery – maybe not as painful as some of the deserts that you have been in – but painful, nevertheless. As I wondered I cried out why do I need to be in this desert?

I realized that I could not provide what I needed. God was going to have to take over. And little by little, God taught me that in pain, in the unknown, and in the times of difficulty and struggle that God is always there and just enough.

I can’t honestly tell you that it made my desert any easier or less painful, but I can tell you it was an amazing discovery. As I came out of that desert, I am closer to God today. I am more aware of the Lord’s provision, and presence, and power than I ever have been.

You see, in the desert, God joins his people. For whatever reason we are there, God is there too. And as God is there the Lord always provides just enough as we need it. It makes going through the desert possible. And one can emerge on the other side of the desert closer and more intimately related to God than ever before.

As you and I walk through the life of faith the path is constantly changing. There is beauty all around us and yet pain, suffering, and hardship can meet us on any given twist or turn. The rugged parts of life are scary with uncertainty with elements that make us feel exposed and vulnerable.

The good news of Jesus Christ is that we do not walk through the desert times of life alone. The faithfulness of God, the grace of Jesus Christ, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit make it possible to navigate through the desert.

Are you walking through a desert time of life today? If your answer is “yes,” then you may never know why you are in the desert. But Scripture tells us that because our spiritual ancestors have been there, and because Jesus Christ has been there, and because God chooses to move into the desert with us, then we can learn something from our desert experiences.

We learn about who we belong to, who we are, and in who we are to place our absolute trust. We learn that nothing is impossible with God because it is the Lord Almighty who goes before us. God will be with us because we are precious to the Lord. God’s faithfulness will not fail us or forsake us. So, do not fear or be dismayed (Luke 1:37; Deuteronomy 31:8; Zephaniah 3:17).

If you have not walked through a desert time of life, that’s ok because you will in time. God’s saving grace does not protect us from hardship, rather God’s grace empowers us to face hardship with hope through the power of Jesus Christ. The love of Christ will always lead us to the other side of hardship to behold God’s promises.

Today we begin the season of Lent. Many have described these 40 days as a journey through a spiritual wilderness. We are taking steps one day at a time towards the cross of Good Friday and the empty tomb of Easter Sunday.

Be intentional these 40 days to explore where your faith is dry and parched like a desert. What burden are you carrying that you need let go and let God take over? With what situation are you hungry for God’s reconciliation and renewal? What habit might you give up or cultivate that may draw you closer to God?

Know that God’s greatest desire is to lead you through the wilderness of Lent so that you may be moved by God’s assured presence and see God’s salvation in the present.

May the bread of life and the cup of salvation strengthen our faith today for the journey of these next 40 days. May these 40 days open our spiritual eyes to be more aware of the Lord’s provision, and presence, and power than we ever have been. And, may you know that God chooses to move into the desert to deliver you and me by the great faithfulness of God’s love.

In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Sources Referenced:

Sermon Theme and Title "God on the Move: God Moves into the Desert" adapted from "A Preacher's Guide to Lectionary Sermon Series: Thematic Plans for Years A, B, and C (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2016), p. 192.