Genesis 1-3, Matthew 28, 1 Corinthians 15: He is Risen!

Presented to TSA Alberni Valley Ministries, Resurrection Easter Sunday by Major Michael Ramsay, 20 April 2025.

He is risen! (He is risen indeed!)

 

Easter is the most important date on the Christian Calendar. Do we know why it is the most important date? What are we celebrating? (the resurrection of Jesus) Why does this matter? (it means we can all be raised from the dead)

 

We read the story of Mary and Mary at the tomb today. I think that is a very important story about the first Christian evangelists and preachers: Two women proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Do we know the rest of the story?

 

At the very beginning of the Bible, in the first few chapters of the first book in this holy anthology, we have the story of how God created the heavens and the earth. God created it all and it was perfect. Not only were there no bad things like murder, stealing, lying, etc. There was also no injury, no illness, no decay, no death. Even the trees didn’t die. The animals didn’t eat each other. It was paradise – it was the Garden of Eden.

 

Then the very first people that God created did something – they disobeyed God. This was the first badness to enter the world. The first sin. From that point on all that erodes life and goodness flowed into the world. Not only bad behaviours but also decay of plants, animals, and people; injury, illness and death.

 

The Bible then, as we know, has many books in the Old Testament that tell how people interacted with each other and God ever since. Mostly – but not entirely – after a certain point, the books speak about the family and descendants of Jacob who was called Israel. Many of these books are looking forward to a time when the world will no longer be in the state that it is in – when everything will be finally made right.

 

There are many recorded memories of God’s interaction with people, giving us a glimpse into when and how things might possibly return. Under and after Moses there is the Law that is given to God’s people to help us know how to relate to each other – in short it can be boiled down to, as Jesus later said, ‘love God and love your neighbour’ – while we are waiting for everything to be set right.

 

Before that even, God and Abraham make an agreement, recorded in Genesis Chapter 12, that all the nations of the earth will be blessed through Abraham and then in Genesis 15 we get our first glimpse of the cross. There is a ceremony, a covenant and God basically says that if mankind messes up again, like they did in the garden, God will take the punishment, He will die. We do mess up. On Good Friday He does.

 

The word ‘gospel’ that we still use today means, ‘good news’. On Easter – a few days later - we have the Good News. Yes God, Jesus, died. He went to the grave. But then something happened. He came back to life – and when he came back to life, he came back with a body that no longer decays, no longer experiences illness, no longer experiences death. He is the first person to experience life back like it was in the Garden of Eden.

 

Now, I say first ‘person’ for a reason. Jesus is God. Jesus is also a person. He is fully, truly and properly God and he is fully, truly and properly human. At Christmas we celebrate God becoming human – He, who was around at the creation of the world, was also, much later, born. On Good Friday he dies. On Easter He has the first fully resurrected body. His body will now never die, never get sick, never get injured. And when he overcame death on Easter, he really overcame it – not just for himself but for everyone. Jesus never died after his resurrection (like others who have risen from the dead). He went away for a while; but he will come back.

 

When he comes back, he will bring with him the Tree of Life that was in the Garden of Eden and the whole world will be made anew. We spoke about this a few weeks ago while we were looking at Romans 5, Genesis 3, and Revelation 22 where the ultimate return of God is recorded.

 

So that is what we are celebrating today: the first fruits of the resurrection, that the world is set right, and the path has been paved for Jesus’ return. On Easter, God made a way so that we never need to die (again). The Bible says that when he returns, even those who are already dead will raise from the grave and they will never die again and those who are still alive will be changed, healed, transformed into these never decaying, never dying entities that love fully both God and our neighbour forever.

 

Today, as we celebrate His victory over death, decay, and sin; We are even now awaiting Jesus’ return. While we wait, we are we are told a couple of things to do

1.     Never forget what he has done for us and that he will return.

a.     In the Bible they meet regularly over a meal to remember Jesus.

b.     Now we meet on the Lord’s Day, Sunday, and at other occasions, as well as have other ceremonies, to remember what the Lord has done and what we have to look forward to.

 

2.     And the other thing we need to do is to share the love of God with others. We can do this by telling others about God while we take care of one another.

 

So today, as we are celebrating Jesus’ resurrection to eternal life and awaiting his return when the whole world will be set right, let us do our part.

 

God has provided enough to feed, clothe, and shelter everyone in the world; He has given us this beautiful earth to take care of – and He asks nothing more of us that to love Him and take care of each other until He returns  - let us do that until he returns, for when he comes back there will be no more death, no more decay, no more sorrow, no more sadness; only joy, peace and wholeness because He has risen! (He has risen, indeed)

 

Let us Pray

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Genesis 2:15-3:24, Matthew 28:1-20, Revelation 22:1-5: Life and Death and Creation.

Presented to the Community Dinner at the Friendship Center by Major Michael Ramsay, 19 April 2025.

 

Hello,

I am Major Michael Ramsay from The Salvation Army. As well as running The Salvation Army, the Bread of Life Soup Kitchen, shelter and The Salvation Army thrift store, I am a Christian pastor / teacher. This weekend is Easter. That is the most important time on the Christian Calendar.

Christians acknowledge Jesus as God. Our teachings tell us that God, as creator, created the whole world. And when He did it was perfect. Not only did we not harm each other, ourselves or the earth; but we never got sick, we never got injured; and the earth itself – the trees did not fall to the ground and die. Animals did not eat animals. All of creation was in perfect harmony. The Creator even walked in this Garden He created with people He created.

Then something happened. The first people created made a choice.  Because of this choice, death, decay, harm and hurt entered the world. Where there was none before, now there was illness, injury and death for all of creation. Plants, animals and all that is given life now dies. Since that day, Creator would like nothing less than to get us back to what was our life was like in the Garden: with no more death, no more decay.

Today is the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter. On Good Friday 2000 years ago something happened: God died. Creator died. Jesus died. Today is called low Saturday. How would you feel if we were around when God died?

Tomorrow is Easter. On Easter God, Jesus, Creator rose from the dead. He came to life again. He vanquished death. He defeated it. That is why we celebrate on Easter: we can get back to the Garden. By overcoming death, Jesus ended the decay, death and disease that came to the world and as a result when Creator returns to earth no one will ever die; no plant will ever decay; no animal will ever eat another… there will be no more blindness, no more deafness, no more addiction, no more violence, no more pain, no more sorrow. Only goodness. Only wholeness.

In the Christian faith, everyone who wants to serve the creator is invited to live and help others live like this today by providing for those in need until the day arrives when there is no more need. Our sacred book, the Bible, even tells us the ‘Sheep and Goats’ story: that the nations which take care of the vulnerable will be with the creator forever in the new world and those who don’t, won’t.

The Bible often compares life with Creator, Jesus, to a banquet, a feast, a meal, like we have here today – where everyone is invited: the rich, the poor, the old, the young, the widow, the foreigner, the stranger, the… everyone.

Today… Who has been here at the Friendship Centre before? Who has been here a lot and feels at home, comfortable here? I invite you to look out for the new people, the stranger, our guests – those who you have not seen around here before. I invite you to – on behalf of Creator – make the people who have not been here before feel comfortable. Extend to them the Creator’s hand of friendship. Let our guests know that we are happy they are here with us for when we welcome the stranger, the foreigner in the Creator’s name, we are indeed welcoming in the Creator Himself.

Let us pray

John 18:28-19:16: Pilates at 6am

Presented to The Salvation Army Alberni Valley Ministries, 24 March 2024 by Major Michael Ramsay. The original version was presented to the Swift Current Corps of The Salvation Army, 03 Feb 2013

 

This is the BC 2024 version, You can view the original Saskatchewan 2013 version here: https://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2013/02/john-1828-1916-pilates-at-6am.html 

 

I know it is Palm Sunday today but nonetheless I am going to start our time today with a Christmas story:

 

There is this boy. He starts out writing a letter to Santa but then realises that he will get better results if he writes directly to the Lord. So he writes: ‘Dear Santa (crossed out). ‘Dear Jesus, I have been good for six months; please give me what I want for Christmas.’ He thinks a minute. Crosses it out and writes, ‘Dear Jesus, I have been good for one month; please give me what I want for Christmas.’ He thinks a minute. Crosses it out and writes, ‘Dear Jesus, I have been good for a week; please give me what I want for Christmas.’ He thinks a minute. Crosses it out and writes, ‘Dear Jesus, I have been good for a whole day; please give me what I want for Christmas.’ He thinks a minute and as he is thinking, he spies a nativity scene. He walks over to it. He picks up the statue of Mary and he walks back over to his desk. He places her in front of him; he picks up his pen again and he writes, ‘Dear Jesus… if you ever want to see your mother again…give me what I want for Christmas.’

 

Today’s pericope (John 18:28-19:16) is also about violent and awkward situation. Here we have the Jewish leaders bringing Jesus before Governor Pontius Pilate to receive his death sentence.  We remember the historical setting and the political situation at this time of Palestine. The Romans are the superpower of the day and the Romans are occupying Judea. They conquered Israel by force and their forces are stationed all over the country. Just like in the nations that the US occupies today, some people are fine with it, conspiring with the occupiers to achieve and maintain position and privilege and some people are not: they are looking for an opportunity to revolt. The Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Priests and officers conspire with the Romans and they receive the power to exercise their authority by submitting to Rome. Others however do not. The Sicarii, the Zealots, they are like today’s suicide bombers. They are terrorists. They walk through the crowded marketplaces looking for Romans to stab with their short, concealed Sicarii knives. When our story today is taking place, there are a lot of crowds for people to walk through. It is Passover in Jerusalem and hundreds of thousands or even by some accounts millions of visitors are pouring into Jerusalem.

 

Governor Pontius Pilate, who is the leader of the Roman forces in Judea, does not normally reside in Jerusalem. He is usually posted in Caesarea Maritima but it is the Passover so many Jews are descending on Jerusalem for the Passover.

 

It would be like when the Olympics came to Vancouver. The city was seemingly completely full. In preparation for the event, they even flew people with criminal warrants back to the cities from which they came and the city imported police officers from all over the country to help with policing all of the visitors. Now imagine that the next Olympics are to be held in Kabul, Afghanistan; Baghdad, Iraq or some other US-occupied country; Imagine they are held in Palestine or Kiev. Think of all the extra security forces that would be needed. This is the situation in Jerusalem. Governor Pontius Pilate who usually resides in a fortress in a different city comes to oversee the crowd control. He and Rome are afraid of the potential for a Jewish revolt as all these people are converging on their ancient capital city.[2]

 

It is this situation that the Jewish leaders, the chief priests and officers, decide to capitalize on (cf. John 11:45-57). They want Jesus dead. Jesus has been making problems for them. Jesus has been attracting massive crowds. Jesus has been apparently challenging them at every possible opportunity. In the book of John here it is no secret that Jesus is the Messiah. The Messiah is the one to deliver his people. He is to deliver the people from their occupiers. The religious leaders are afraid that Jesus will start a rebellion that will not only cost them their privileges under the Romans but will also cost many innocent people their lives (cf. John 11:49-52). Jesus, in their eyes, is their adversary and this is the opportunity to get rid of him for good. They decide to bring Jesus to Governor Pontius Pilate, accuse him of treason and have the Romans kill him.

 

Now this is interesting. We know from the scriptures that there are times when mobs of Judeans had picked up stones to kill Jesus (John 8:32, 10:59) and we know that one such mob would later kill Stephen (Acts 7:54–60); so, why did the Jewish leaders need the Romans to kill Jesus for them? We know this was needed to fulfill prophecy (Deuteronomy 21:23; John 3:14, 8:28, 12:32–33) but there were other reasons: One is that the Jewish leaders were afraid of the people. They were afraid of what would happen if they seized Jesus and executed him publicly so instead they grabbed him at night in the garden, held their trials for him and then first thing in the morning, as soon as the governor began work – which was probably before six o’clock in the morning by the way - still under the cover of darkness, they bring Jesus to the Romans.[3] This way if the Romans kill Jesus, the Jewish leaders can easily say to the people that it wasn’t them. And we must remember also that because Judea is an occupied territory, the Jewish authorities don’t really have the authority to execute anyone [4] Sometimes the Romans would turn a blind eye to their unauthorized executions in order to maintain order. But during the Passover, with so many forces stationed in Jerusalem, it probably wouldn’t be worth the risk and – like we said – with the Jewish leaders bringing Jesus to Pilate to be condemned, this way the Romans could take the blame for killing this popular leader so they can be both rid of Jesus and off the hook for his murder. This is the scene in the pericope before us today.

 

Now Verses 28-38 show some very interesting parts of Pilate’s interview of Jesus and his relationship with the Jews. At first it reads as if Pontius Pilate is annoyed by the Jews. Here they are arriving at his doorstep, at the beginning of his workday at 6am, at Passover season, which is the busiest time of the year for him. He interviews Jesus but doesn’t seem to have any patience with the Jews at all. After the interview, Verses 38-40: “…With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’? They shouted back, ‘No, not him! Give us Barabbas!’ Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.”

 

Here is an interesting tangent. Does anybody know any Aramaic? Do you know what the murderous revolutionary’s name Barabbas means? Break it into the two parts: part 2 is ‘Abba’; what does ‘Abba’ mean? ‘Abba’ means father. ‘Bar’ means ‘Son of’. Therefore, Barabbas means ‘son of the father’. So ironically, Jesus who is ‘the Son of the Father’ dies in place of Barabbas whose name means ‘son of the father’. But that is a side note; let us return to our story.

 

Pilate and the Jewish leaders are having a bit of a standoff. The Jews want Rome to execute Jesus and the leader of the Roman forces in Jerusalem is not really interested in this for two or three reasons. We know from Matthew’s account that Pilate’s wife has had a vision that would make him not want to kill Jesus (Matthew 27:19) and we know from non-Biblical historical documents that Pilate didn’t really like the Jews and he ruled with an iron fist.[5] Pilate, I think, knows what the Jewish leaders are up to; he doesn’t like them and he doesn’t want to be dictated to by a conquered and an occupied people. He is Roman. Rome is the Superpower of the first Century. They are the Americans of their day. They are not going to be dictated to by a subjugated people.

 

Chapter 19 begins with Pilate possibly thinking that he can just brush this whole thing aside still; he has just tried to release a convicted revolutionary in place of an accused revolutionary but to no avail. Now he resorts to having Jesus beaten. This beating can take place for one of two reasons. One, they did often beat people before crucifixion; or two, they would also beat people in place of crucifixion as a form of brutal humiliation. Given that Pilate ordered this beating and then humiliated him further by having Jesus dressed in a robe with a crown of thorns, this was probably an attempt to avoid signing Jesus’ death warrant and to get rid of these pesky Jewish leaders before they cause some real problems for Pilate.[6]

 

Now in the lines that follow, John 19:12ff., Pontius Pilate is still apparently trying to decide what to do and Jesus isn’t really helping any by refusing to answer certain questions. The Jewish leaders and their mob are getting anxious and no doubt impatient as time goes on. They need this done quickly before anyone might form a rival mob and come to Jesus’ aid; so they push Pilate’s buttons. They know how to get to the governor and they do.  They say to Governor Pilate, Verse 12, “... If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.” The implication here is not subtle; it is that if he does not order Jesus’ execution they will write to his boss, the Emperor in Rome, saying that Pilate let a revolutionary live who was trying to lead a revolt against Rome and as the Roman Emperor at this time seemed somewhat paranoid in general and was not afraid to act militarily at the first perceived threat, Verse 13, “When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha).”

 

This next part is the part that I want to focus on. It is where we can ask ourselves what is the author of John telling us in the text here and what is God doing here in this story?

 

We know that the Romans promoted, among other things, an Emperor cult.[7] The Emperor was worshiped as a god. These Jews have just let Pilate know that if he does not kill Jesus, they will report him as supporting a rebellion against his own god-king. Pilate’s response is as masterful as it is vengeful, as it is tragic for the Jews. Verses 14-18:

     It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon. “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews.

     But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”

     “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked.

     “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.

 

“Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. Do you know what Pilate has just done here to the Jewish leaders? Do you know what the religious leaders have just done? They have just denied their God. In effect the Jewish leaders said to Pilate that if you do not give the orders crucify Jesus we will tell your god-king Caesar that you are disloyal to him; so Pilate responds by saying to these Jews that if you want me to crucify Jesus, you must first deny your God-King. When Governor Pilate got the Jewish religious leaders to confess that “We have no king but Caesar”, that is exactly what they were doing – denying YHWH, the LORD, God.

 

This is Passover. Every Passover the Jewish people concluded the great Hallel (Psalms. 113–118) with this prayer: ‘From everlasting to everlasting thou art God; beside thee we have no king, redeemer, or saviour; no liberator, deliverer, provider; none who takes pity in every time of distress or trouble. We have no king but thee.’[8] The Jewish leaders here are not only indirectly disowning God by rejecting Jesus but they are also openly and actively rejecting God in this scene by saying that they have no king by Caesar (cf. John 1:11).

 

The Chief Priests and Officers want this big problem of Jesus removed from their lives so much that they are willing to disavow God in order to do it. This is what the Jewish leaders have done. What profits a man to inherit the whole world and yet forfeit his soul (Matthew 16:26; Mark 8:36)? This is a tragedy of this story. He came to his own but they did not accept him (John 1:11). The Jewish leaders rejected God and we know that for many this rejection continued. God came to them in their time of need but they thought that they could deliver themselves from their suffering; so, rather than rely on God, they rejected him and suffered without Him. Did God leave them? No, they - the Jewish Chief Priests, Officers, et el. - left God and so they did not have Him.

 

The question for us today then is this: When life starts to get out of hand, when –like the Jewish leaders - there is nothing that we can humanly do; when tragedy strikes our life, do we turn to God and live or do we turn on God and die. Do we turn to God and live or do we turn on God -in our own anger, vengeance, self-pity or arrogance- and suffer the consequences?

 

I want to bring one more thing to our attention here. Immediately preceding the Jewish leaders’ denial of Christ in our story is Peter’s three-fold denial of Jesus (John 18). We are all familiar with that. As surely as the Jewish authorities here openly and publicly disavow God’s lordship, Peter, just prior to this episode denies Christ for a third time (John 18:27) – but Peter, after the resurrection, in a couple of chapters will be reinstated and Peter will not deny Christ again, he will follow him even unto death (John 21:9-19). Peter will confess his sin and Peter will be saved.

 

Today is Palm Sunday. Today is the day we celebrate people welcoming Jesus as King. Today we have the same opportunity, the same choice. As our life comes crashing down around us, as trials and tribulations mount, as enemies and adversaries seem to be raised up from every corner of our world, as our life becomes overwhelming, it is like we are in the courtyard with Jesus and we can either turn on him by indulging in and holding onto our anger, our rage, our righteous indignation, and our own self-pity or we can turn to him and live. So today when life is difficult, let us take courage and let us turn to him who is able, more than able to accomplish what concerns us today. Let us turn to him who is able, more than able to handle anything that comes our way. When life is difficult, let us turn to him who is able, more than able to do much more than we could ever dream. Let us turn to him who is able, more than able to make us what He wants us to be. He is able. Amen.

 

Let us pray.

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[2] Kruse, Colin G.: John: An Introduction and Commentary. Downers Grove, IL : InterVarsity Press, 2003 (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries 4), S. 351

[3] cf. William Hendricksen, John, New Testament Commentary, (Grand Rapids, Mi: Baker Academic, 2007), 400

[4] Gail R. O’Day, The Gospel of John, The New Interpreter's Bible, Vol. 9, ed Leander E. Keck, et. al. (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1995),820.

[5] Gerard Sloyan, John, Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, ed. James L. Mays, et. al. (Atlanta, Georgia: John Knox Press, 1988), 204, Gail R. O’Day, The Gospel of John, The New Interpreter's Bible, Vol. 9, ed Leander E. Keck, et. al. (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1995), 815

[6] Colin G. Kruse, John: An Introduction and Commentary. Downers Grove, IL : InterVarsity Press, 2003 (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries 4), S. 355

[7]Cf. N.T. Wright, 'Paul and Caesar: A New Reading of Romans', originally published in A Royal Priesthood: The Use of the Bible Ethically and Politically, ed. C. Bartholemew, 2002, Carlisle: Paternoster, 173–193. Reproduced by permission of the author. Available on-line at http://www.ntwrightpage.com/Wright_Paul_Caesar_Romans.htm

[8] Gail R. O’Day, The Gospel of John, The New Interpreter's Bible, Vol. 9, ed Leander E. Keck, et. al. (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1995), 823; Colin G. Kruse, John: An Introduction and Commentary. Downers Grove, IL : InterVarsity Press, 2003 (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries 4), S. 359, red 422.

 

Matthew 21:1-11: Bethphage to Jerusalem.

Presented to The Salvation Army Alberni Valley Ministries by Major Michael Ramsay on Palm Sunday, 02 April 2023.

 

Matthew 21:1-3: As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

 

Jesus is making this journey for Passover. Passover is the greatest annual festival in Jerusalem. People come to the city from all over to experience it. It would be like Mardi Gras, Carnival, May Day, Superbowl, the World Cup, or even the Olympics maybe – people are coming from all over to be a part of it – just to be there! There would be many, many people making this journey. Jesus and His followers are among them.

 

They come to Bethphage and the Mount of Olives which is Three kilometres from Jerusalem, about a 40 minute walk. It is the same distance from Bethphage to Jerusalem as we are here from Boomerangs Café. Picture Jesus and his disciples in a crowd lining the streets near Boomerang’s on their way here. They have been walking for a little while and they are almost where they are going and this is when Jesus tells those with him to fetch this donkey and it’s colt and they do.

 

So again: they, Jesus and his companions, are almost at their destination. He obviously isn’t sending them to get these animals because He is tired and can’t walk any more. They are almost there. They are all excited. There are crowds everywhere. Everyone is excited – again think of a big parade and everyone here lining the streets and even walking down the main roads from Boomerangs towards the Army here or City Hall (which is across the street). So then why does Jesus have his companions pick up these animals? Verse 4ff:

 

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

“Say to Daughter Zion,

‘See, your king comes to you,

gentle and riding on a donkey,

and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

 

This quote is from the prophet Zechariah, from Zechariah 9:9 in the Bible. Jesus riding on this donkey is announcing before all of this crowd that he is king. Now Jesus isn’t just someone no one has ever heard about. More people would know Jesus walking from Bethpage to Jerusalem than would probably recognize our own Mayor walking the same distance from Boomerang’s to City Hall. Jesus is a celebrity preacher with a big following and a lot of them are walking with him now down to Jerusalem. They are walking with Jesus down to the Capital city; cheering, celebrating, being excited, and then he gets on a donkey, proclaiming to be king. Can you imagine if someone did that in Ottawa today? Or Washington? Can you imagine working security along that route? Verse 6-9a:

 

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted…(!)

 

So again – Jesus is almost at his destination, as are all the people with him. The roads are full. It is like he is marching with the crowds up Stamp Avenue towards City Hall. He gets on a donkey, a symbol that he is the rightful mayor, Prime Minister, President, King! People see this. Many know who Jesus is! Many think and/or hope that he will be the next leader of their country! Many think and/or hope that he will defeat the ruling parties! Many think and/or hope that he will kick the Superpower out of their country! To borrow from Charles Gaulle, ‘Vive le Port Alberni libre!’ Remember, ‘Vive le Québec libre!’ and the stir that caused? Can you imagine, ‘Vive le Canada libre’? If Canada tried to break away from the US: that could be as messy as Ukraine breaking away from Russia! ‘Vive le Jerusalem libre!’ is in essence what is happening here. Verse 9:

 

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted….

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

 

People see Jesus on the donkey. Some of them are so excited! Their leader is coming! He is here! And they get to see it! They are running ahead! They are telling everyone!

 

I watched some of the parades in Buenos Aries a few months ago. Argentina had just won the World Cup! Buenos Aries, the capital of Argentina is a city of more than 15 million people – more than double the population of British Columbia! It seemed like everyone of them – and more, people from all over Argentina and the world - poured into the streets to be part of the parade as Lionel Messi and his teammates rode the bus down the street. Can you imagine how long it would take that bus to make it the distance from the mill to City Hall here? Can you imagine the excitement of all the people running ahead and telling everyone they’re coming! The bus is almost here! The players are almost here! Messi is almost here! The World Cup is almost here! You can see it! You can be a part of it! Can you imagine, you see this event that you have hoped for your whole life and your family has hoped for almost their whole life and almost everyone you know has hoped for their whole life and it is coming true right before your eyes! You are running ahead and telling everyone. The bus passes you and you join the throng of people following it! Again, Verse 9:

 

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted….

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

 

Can you hear the noise? People are chanting, singing loudly, shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

 

What does this mean? What are people yelling? What does Hosanna mean? Hosanna means ‘salvation’; it means ‘save us!’ What does it mean that they are calling Jesus the ‘Son of David’? It means that they think He is the rightful king of their country! Judeans believed that the King of their country must always be a descendant of King David! Again, imagine what it must be like working security in these crowds – Jesus marching up to City Hall here and people shouting “Hosanna to the rightful Mayor!” or crowds descend on Parliament Hill shouting, ‘Save us! So and so is the rightful Prime Minister’ or Capitol Hill shouting, ‘Save us! So and so is the rightful President!’ This is what it is like for the people in power as Jesus and the crowd are running, walking, crowding up the street to Jerusalem. Verses 10-11:

 

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

 

This is the important part for us today. We know the story. We know what happened to Jesus. We know what happened on Palm Sunday. Every year we wave our fern fronds (west coast palm branches); every year we talk about the parade into Jerusalem and what it meant to the people in the first century and what it should mean to us. We also know as, Paul Harvey would say, ‘the rest of the story’ of Holy Week. After Palm Sunday when everyone runs to Jesus’ waving their branches and shouting ‘save us’, comes ‘Good Friday’ where everyone runs away from Jesus and hides; even his disciple disavows knowing who he is. Good Friday is, of course, followed by the Holiest Day in the calendar, the day we observe Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Then in a little while we will celebrate Ascension Day, the day Jesus ascended to Heaven, promising to come back because He has indeed ‘Hosanna’ saved us.

 

The question for us, since we do know who Jesus is, as we await Jesus’ return, will we do it in the spirit of fear and hiding that comes with the unknowing of Good Friday or will we do it in the spirit of joyful anticipation that comes with Palm Sunday: running out into the streets, proclaiming to the world where our hope and where our Salvation comes from! It my is hope that we will all choose to live our lives proclaiming this hope! For Jesus has risen from the grave and He is coming back! 

 

Let us raise our fern fronds and celebrate that today!                        

  

Let us pray.

 

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2 Corinthians 5:11-21: Reconciliation with Creator and Each Other.

 Presented to TSA AV Ministries, 26 March 2023, by Major Michael Ramsay

 

This poster means very much to me. It was given to me by Remi – some of you know Remi – he is a colleague here at The Salvation Army. Remi has taught me much about Nuu-Chah-Nulth culture, tradition, government, and some vocabulary (if only I can remember the words!); he is a friend!

 

On Shrove Tuesday this year, the Tseshaht First Nation released the preliminary findings about the residential school that was on their territory.  It is very sad. Everyday since, as before, as I enter my office and as I sit at my desk, I see the painting by Roy Henry Vickers with the words 'Haalapi Hawit' (Creator) written underneath.

 

Shrove Tuesday – the day the findings were released from the residential school on Tseshaht First Nation – is the day before lent begins. It is a day to get our houses and our lives ready for the season of Lent. It is about confession and absolution. I think that it is quite fitting that the preliminary findings from the residential schools be released on a day tradition has set aside for confession and absolution. Our nation has certainly been coming to terms with the residential school systems and many other things. Our politicians, church leaders and others have certainly been confessing the sins and errors of the past. And true reconciliation is only possible with forgiveness, absolution. As Demond Tutu said in the South African context, “there is no future without forgiveness”; for it is only forgiving others that truly sets us free.

 

Lent, the season that begins after Shrove Tuesday, starts on Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is a time for fasting and praying. Lent – the word itself – means ‘fortieth’ and it references the 40 days Jesus fasted (referencing as well Elijah’s and Moses’ fasts of that length) before commencing his public ministry. Lent ends on either Maundy Thursday or Low Saturday – the day between Good Friday and Easter. It is a time for us to prepare ourselves for Easter, the day we commemorate Christ providing reconciliation for the whole world, all of Creation.

 

The symbolism of this picture is important to me. The crown of thorns on the 'Haalapi Hawit' (Creator)’s head make it clear that this is a representation of Jesus. Jesus who died on the cross, Jesus is the Creator. John Chapter 1: He wasn’t just a man. He is God. He is creator of the whole world and more.

 

Doctrines 2 through 4 of The Salvation Army say this about 'Haalapi Hawit' (Creator):

·       We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.

·       We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.

·       We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.

 

'Haalapi Hawit' (Creator) not only created us but He also went to the cross for us. The tears in this picture remind me how sad He must be. Can you imagine the sadness of 'Haalapi Hawit' (Creator)? He created all of us, everything, the whole world and more; and we killed Him. He loves us and we killed Him. Can you imagine if those whom you love deeply want to kill you and you watch them as they do? In our context today, imagine you are lying in a hospital bed and your loved one comes and puts the needle in that ends everything. Now imagine that they do this NOT out of love. Imagine. This I think can cause some tears. There is more than that though.

 

'Haalapi Hawit' (Creator) went to the cross for us. The tears in this picture remind me how sad He must be for the way we have treated each other in residential schools, and wars, and poverty, and other such things and elsewhere and how sad He must be at the way we continue to treat each other today.

 

Hebrews 10:26ff says that if we continue to sin after Christ died for us, we trample the body of Christ underfoot. 'Haalapi Hawit' (Creator) let His creation kill Him so that we, His creation, could be free of Sin. See the tears on His cheek. Jesus died on the cross so that sin would no longer have a hold on us. He died of the cross so that we no longer need to fall pray to sin. Look at His tears – how sad it must make Him that we still sometimes fall pray to sin; how sad it must make Him that we still do bad things to each other; how sad it must make 'Haalapi Hawit' (Creator) feel to see those He created and loves, harm others whom He created and loved.

 

'Haalapi Hawit' (Creator) died and rose again so that we could be reconciled to 'Haalapi Hawit' (Creator) and to one another. This is what we are preparing for in Lent after confession and absolution and this is what we hope for in Easter. We are preparing to celebrate the reconciliation that Jesus provided for us all between the cross and the empty tomb. Jesus rose from the grave leaving sin and death behind Him so that we can all do the same. And even now we have the opportunity to begin to live out that salvation; even now we have to opportunity to begin to break free from those horrible sins that are trying to drag us down; even now we have that opportunity to live out that reconciliation with God – and with one another.

 

'Haalapi Hawit' (Creator), Jesus, died and rose again so that we could be reconciled to 'Haalapi Hawit' (Creator), Jesus, God, and to one another. As 'Haalapi Hawit' (Creator) has done this for us, it is my hope that indeed we will all look diligently and unceasingly toward that end of living a life reconciled both with 'Haalapi Hawit' (Creator) and with one another. He loves us and He wants us to get along with Him with each other just like any parent desires to have their children get along.

 

So today, if there is anything between you and another of God’s children, another of God’s creations, I encourage you to live free from the power of Sin and death and experience love and forgiveness instead. I encourage you, if there is anything between you and 'Haalapi Hawit' (Creator), that you confess it to Him now and receive His forgiveness, His Grace, His love, and His healing and reconciliation; and when we go from here in a moment or two let us all go from here in His power, and share His love and ministry of reconciliation with all whom we meet.

 

Let us pray.

 

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Genesis 4, 1 Samuel 1, Matthew 20:20-28, Luke 1:26-56. 2 John: Mother’s Day Haikus.

Presented to The Salvation Army Alberni Valley Ministries on Mother’s Day, 08 May 2022, by Sarah-Grace and Heather Ramsay

 

Today is Mother’s Day. Now, I actually I looked up whether it is Mother apostrophe ‘S’ Day (the day of one particular mother) or Mother ‘S’ apostrophe Day (a day belonging to more than one mother) or whether it is Mother no apostrophe ‘S’ Day (a day to celebrate mothers in general). Apparently, it is the former - Mother apostrophe ‘S’ Day (the day of one particular mother) – so, I encourage everyone who is able to today, to honour your particular mother and make her feel special.

 

We love you mom!

 

In the Bible there are many amazing women. A few of them who are mentioned specifically for their role as mother. For our time today, we have haikus about some of these particular mothers from the Bible. One from the New Testament, one from the Gospels, one from the Old Testament outside the Pentateuch and one from the Pentateuch and as a bonus we will also have a haiku about Mary the mother of Jesus too. Our first Mother Haiku is from Genesis in the Pentateuch:

 

EVE

Today’s Mothers’ Day

The first mom we have is Eve

For 2 sons she grieved

 

The Bible doesn’t tell us too much about Eve as a mother. We do hear about her struggles and interactions with the serpent and her husband a little bit. It is a very sad note for her that when the Bible says death entered the world because of her and her husband, its first two casualties were indeed her eldest two children. Her one son killed her other son and thus she lost both children because of it. Being a mom isn’t always easy. Being a mom can be very sad at times. We, like many people, are sorry when it is us who cause our moms and others to be sad.

 

Dear God please forgive us for the times that we have made both You and our mothers sad.

 

The next mom we have is also from the Old Testament; She is from the book of 1 Samuel.

 

HANNAH

Sam, my first-born child

Of the two books named for him

Only one he’s in

 

Fun fact: Samuel isn’t even in the book of 2^nd Samuel.

 

Hannah first shows up in the Bible as a wife who desperately wants to be a mother. She wants just to be a mother so much that she promises God that when He gives her a child, she will give him right back to God. God gives her a child and when the child is old enough, she brings her son – the boy who will later become the prophet Samuel - to be raised serving in the tabernacle of God by the High Priest. God blessed her son and raised him up to be the last ruler of Israel before the time of the kings. God blessed Hannah, this mom, by giving her many more children to love and to rear. This mom was blessed by God not only by having her child but also in seeing how God blessed her whole nation through her son.

 

Mom, like Hannah, you have made sure that we were raised in the Church – knowing, loving, and serving God. Thank you. To all of the moms and dads here who have dedicated their children to God, Thank you. To all the moms, parents, and other family members who are desperately praying for their children like Hannah did, even when they are far away, may the Lord answer your prayers.

 

Let us pray: Dear God we pray for all the children and families represented here today. We pray that our loved ones will all come to know and to love you and to know they are loved by You. Amen.

 

MRS ZEBEDEE

James and John’s mother

Thought her sons like none other

Made others wonder

 

Mrs. Zebedee was quite a lady. There was no holding her back. She marched her two adult sons right up to Jesus, bowed down in front of the Lord and asked that they both be held as more important than the others. When the other disciples heard about this, they were quite upset that James and John would let their mother do this but Jesus calmed everybody down, using this moment to teach about serving others rather than looking out for yourselves.

 

Moms continue to look out for their kids even after they have grown up and left home. Moms try their best. Like with all of us, sometimes it works out and sometimes maybe it doesn’t; sometimes, maybe like with Mrs. Zebedee, it causes a few extra little problems that would not have happened if mom didn’t try to help out. But moms love us and they try to help however they can. Thank you, mom, for loving us. Thank you everyone here for the love you show to one another – your family, your friends, and others.

 

Let us pray: Dear God. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for the opportunity to love one another. Please help us to always love unselfishly, caring for You and others more than ourselves. Amen

 

Our 4^th of 5 specific mothers on this Mother’s Day comes from 2^nd John in the New Testament.

 

KYRIA ELECTA

Mother of children

Physical, spiritual

Early church pastor

 

2^nd John says it is addressed to a specific mother and her children. Her name ‘Kyria’ translated to English from Greek literally means ‘Lady’ and her other name ‘Electa’ literally means ‘chosen’. Thus, the NIV reads this letter as written to the chosen lady. Kyria Electa was chosen as one of the first Christian pastors. She encouraged her children - those who have come to faith through her and presumably her natural born children as well. John sent her this letter of encouragement and it is neat because he concluded this short letter by sending greetings from the children of another woman pastor/teacher in the church.

 

God has used and is using many mothers and others in many roles in His church. Mothers especially are great teachers of their children. In times gone past before daycares and kindergartens moms were the primary teachers of the next generation. It is my hope that we would all be encouraged as Kyria Electa to continue to teach and care for one another.

 

Let us pray. Lord God, we pray that we will faithfully care for and teach those you give us to teach and we thank You for the many people You have provided and continue to provide to care for and to teach us. Amen.

 

Our next mother today is from the Gospels. She is probably the most well known and most often represented mother in artwork in the history of the world. The next mother we have today is Mary.

 

 

 

MARY

Mary Did You Know

That your son would save us all

Everlasting life

 

Mary was chosen by God to give birth to the Son of God and raise Him and care for Him. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for her to see Him grow and do the things He does. I can’t imagine what it would be like for her to realize and respect her son as the Lord. I can’t imagine what it would have been like for her to see him upon the cross. He loved her so much: He entrusted her care to his friend even while He was upon the cross. I can’t imagine then what it would be like for her to know of His resurrection and eternal life. I can’t imagine how humbling it would be to see what God has and is doing through her little boy.

 

Moms, dads, and families are often proud of their children. They are very happy when they see how God uses them. God used Mary’s son, His Son, to accomplish so much in this world and the next. Mary’s son is also the Son of God and He was conceived, born, lived, died, and rose again so that we may all live forever more.

 

On this Mother's Day, let us all take Jesus up on that offer and let us all serve Him both for now and forever more.

 

Let us pray: Dear God on this Mother’s Day, we thank you for our mothers and others who love us. We pray for those near and dear to us. We pray that You will be with them and care for them; Lord we pray that we will know that You are near us and those we love in times of trouble. Lord, we thank you for loving us for now and forever more.

 

Amen.

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