4/3/2015 The Lighthouse - Good Friday EditionSuffering SelflesslyThen Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots for his clothing. - Luke 23:34 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ - John 19:26-27 Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’ - Luke 23:42-43 The story of Jesus' death on that Good Friday is a powerful one filled with pain and suffering. It is hard to imagine the depth of pain and the overwhelming weight of suffering that Jesus felt as he was beaten and mocked, marched up to the hilltop trying to carry his own cross, nailed to that cross, and hung there to die under the cruel heat of the sun. Yet, we too know pain and suffering. Perhaps our pain is not as deep or as intense. Perhaps our suffering is not as burdensome and soul-crushing. Perhaps there is not the meaning and purpose to our pain and suffering. Still, we know what it is to be in pain and to bear the weight of suffering. We know the way that pain can grow until it consumes who we are and how suffering can blind us to the extent that it becomes all that we can see. Something that is miraculous about Jesus' story of pain and suffering as he was crucified is that he never forgets those around him. Even as they mock and beat him, Jesus prays to the Father that those who are hurting him may be forgiven. Looking down from the cross, Jesus sees his mother and his beloved disciples. Concerned for how vulnerable and lonely they may be after his death, he charges them to take care of each other as mother and son. Seeing the criminal hanging beside him on another cross, sharing the shame and pain, Jesus promises him that they will meet again in heaven that day. Even in the midst of his deepest pain and suffering, Jesus does not forget that we too are in pain and suffer. That is a miracle of Good Friday - that the God who has made all the world knows our pain and suffering, perhaps better than we do, and remembers us all the while. Whatever burdens we bear today, may we remember that God is with us and knows what we are going through. Blessings on the journey, Jim Tonight's ServiceTonight at 7 pm, we will gather at the church for a healing service. We will read the Good Friday story of Jesus' crucifixion, and then pray for our healing and that of our community. Bring your burdens and concerns, and be anointed by God's healing. Easter Sunday ServicesWe celebrate Easter with a community sunrise service at Grottoes Town Park at 7 am with Pastor Jim preaching and other community pastors leading prayers and communion. We continue our celebration of Easter with a special service at our church at 9:30 am. The children will share some special music, we'll join together in singing some Easter favorites, and we'll gather at Christ's table for communion. During our worship, we will talk about waiting - what are we waiting for God to do, and what do we do while we wait?
A New CommandmentI give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. - John 13:14-15, NRSV Testing Jesus, they had asked, "What is the greatest commandment?" With over 600 commandments from the Books of the Law to choose from, it was a tough question. Jesus' response summed up the Law well: "Love God with all that is within you, and love your neighbor as yourself." On the Thursday before his death and Resurrection, Jesus shared a final meal with his disciples. As they ate and sang together, Jesus shared his parting words of wisdom with those gathered around him. Before they left the meal, he took the opportunity to give them a new commandment: "Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." Did Jesus realize that asking us to love each other as we love ourselves is too low a bar to set for us? So often, what we do to ourselves and the pain and suffering we cause in our own lives are no sign that we truly love even ourselves. Did Jesus fear that we would forget his parable about the good Samaritan and begin to limit who we think of as our neighbors? It's an easy and slippery slope to fall down as we make excuses why someone doesn't deserve our love. Whatever his motivation, Jesus took one of the last moments to remind us of the importance of loving one another and to set the bar even higher for us. Today, may we feel the deep love that God has for us in Christ Jesus and strive to show that love to each other to the glory of God! Tonight's ServiceJoin us tonight at 7 pm as we remember Jesus' last meal with his disciples. We will reflect on the meaning of Jesus' washing of the his disciples' feet for us today as God pours out blessings upon us. As we close, you may have your feet washed if you feel so led, and then we will celebrate communion together. Good Friday ServicesTomorrow, we will gather for a prayer walk in the village at noon. We will pray for our community as we walk around the village. Meet at the church at noon. In case of rain, we will gather in the sanctuary for a time of prayer.
At 7 pm, we will gather in the sanctuary for a healing service. Bring your burdens and concerns, and be anointed by God's healing. |
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8525 Water Street
PO Box 116
Port Republic, VA 24471
540-249-4111