John 20:19-31

John 20:19-31
Easter Means Changed Lives: Thomas’ Story

April 19, 2009

Part 2 of Hopewell “Easter Means Changed Lives” series

Read Scripture

The Season of Easter is the most joyously celebrative season we have as Christians – because it is the season when we focus on the resurrection of Christ – and the joy – the hope – the new life – the changed life – Christ offers.

For the next few weeks we are going to look at several people who had experiences with the risen Christ – and had their lives changed. As we look at their stories, we’ll see how the resurrection of Christ can change us – change our lives – change our Church – change our community – and change our world.

Easter means changed lives.

The resurrection of Christ means changed lives.

God is changing lives.

God can change our lives – can change our Church – can change our community – and can change our world.

God can make our lives – our Church – our community – and our world — new.

God is up to doing something that is new and marvelous.

God is changing us – changing our lives – changing our Church – changing our community and changing our world — in the resurrection of Christ.

Easter means changed lives.

The message of Easter is a message of hope – a message of joy – and a message of change — especially when it is least expected.

So – let me ask you – it has been a week since our celebration of the resurrection of our Lord — what kind week has it been for you?

Has it been a week filled with glorious hope — the glorious hope and power of God and the new life we have because of the resurrection of Christ?

A week filled with a joyous response to God because of the way our lives and our world are changed because of the resurrection of Christ?

A week of bringing the new life and hope we have in Christ into the world with joy and enthusiasm?

Is that the kind of week it’s been for you?

Or —

Has it been pretty much a week of “business as usual” — some joy but mainly just the mundane — work and whatever we usually do?

Did you leave the joy and excitement of Easter here last Sunday?

Did you forget to take it home with you — and take it out into the world?

Has the promise of the new life we have because of the resurrection of Christ changed your life –and given you a joyous message to proclaim to the world?

Has the promise of the new life we have in Christ – the change that Christ can make in our lives – our Church – our community – and the world – filled you with joy and excitement — and a new vision for what God can do in your life – the Church – the community – and the world?

Or –

Does the reality of the world – the reality of your life – the reality of things in the Church and the community seem to sap the energy and enthusiasm and “good news” right out of you?

Is it that your life and world and things in the Church just seem so hard to change – that you give up trying to let the resurrected Christ make a difference in your life – the Church – and the community before you even start?

Indeed — as we come together today you may find yourself wondering —

“So what if Christ has risen?”

“What difference does it make — to me?”

“What difference does it make in my life?”

“What difference does it make in this Church?”

“What difference does it make in the world?”

“Where’s the new life Christ offers?”

These are indeed legitimate questions — for as you go through your life it may be hard to see and experience the new life the resurrection of Christ offers you – and as you try to change the Church so it can be the active, excited Church God wants us to be that reaches out into the community with His love you may find it hard to believe that it can be done.

It may be hard to truly believe that things can be truly different in your life — in the Church – in the community – and in the world — because of the resurrection of Christ.

It may be hard to believe in the new life – the changed life – the changed Church – the changed community – the changed world that are possible because of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Maybe you are wondering if this new life – new Church – new community and new world can really happen.

Well — maybe — as you begin to think about your own struggles with believing in the new life Christ offers us — you can understand some of Thomas’ struggles.

Imagine that you are Thomas.

You are not there on that Easter night when Jesus appeared to the other disciples — so — as the other disciples excitedly tell you that Jesus has risen and appeared to them — you find it hard to believe. You don’t see much difference in your life — you are still scared — you still fear that the Jewish authorities may come and arrest you, also — you still feel ashamed for abandoning Christ — you just can’t understand what the others are so excited about.

Everything looks the same to you — and maybe your are asking the others:

“What new life are y’all talking about?”

“What new life are y’all talking about?”

“I don’t see any difference.”

It would indeed have been hard for you to believe in new life.

It would have been hard for you — until — you had an experience with the risen Christ — and saw His wounds for yourself — and put your fingers in the nail prints and His pierced side.

At that point — everything changes.

At that point — you begin to believe.

At that point — you begin to believe in new life.

At that point you begin to get excited.

Yes — Thomas became so excited about the new life Christ offered him that he wanted to tell the world. In fact, he wanted to tell the world so badly that he disobeyed the Roman government — the Jewish officials — and anyone else who tried to silence him.

So — what changed Thomas?

What happened to him?

What happened was that He finally had his opportunity to see and experience the risen Lord — to put his hands in the nail prints — and believe – and this changed his life.

In a sense, he became a “blood brother” with Christ.

My best friend as I was growing up was John Mackintosh.

John and I lived about a block from each other — and we saw each other almost every day. We were in the same grade in school — after school we would usually do things together — we roomed together for the first 3 years in college — he was a groomsman in Sally and my wedding.

When we were about 6 years old we became interested in Indians — as many boys that age do. We decided that we would bond our friendship in the way we had heard many Indians did. This is not the most hygienic thing to do but in 1961 we didn’t know about things like AIDS – so I would not recommend this practice to young people today — but John and I went to our secret hiding place one day — I pricked the middle finger on my right hand and he pricked his — letting the blood flow freely. We then touched fingers — and let our blood mingle.

We were blood brothers.

People who knew us said that we began to act alike talk alike — do things alike. We thought to ourselves that this is what blood brothers did.

Well, Thomas became a “blood brother” with the risen Christ.

He put his hand in Jesus’ nail-pierced hand and His pierced side.

In a very real sense, he became a blood-brother with Christ — his risen Lord — as his hands touched the wounds of Christ. At that moment he began to believe in the new life the risen Christ offered him – and began working to change the world with the power of the risen Christ.

He began to act like Christ.

After all — that is what blood-brothers do — isn’t it?

He began to proclaim the joy of the resurrection and the new life Christ offered to all.

He began to believe in the new life.

The community of believers that arose as the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost knew what new life was all about.

They lived as brothers and sisters with Christ — and in Christ.

They took Christ’s teachings to share and give to others quite literally — because the love of Christ was within them.

They had been touched by Christ’s Spirit — it made a noticeable difference in their lives.

Their lives were changed.

Their lives were new.

They lived differently — and everyone knew it.

You know what — like Thomas, you can begin to believe in the new life.

Like the early church – you can begin to believe in and live and boldly proclaim the new life we have in Christ.

You can begin to believe in — and live — the new life Christ offers you.

You can become a “blood brother” with Your risen Lord.

You can let the risen Christ touch you in new and different ways — and have a deep effect on how you live your life.

In your prayer life, your study of Scripture, your worship, your fellowship, your active participation in all aspects of the life of the church — you can experience the risen Lord in new ways — and share the new life Christ gives to you.

You can deepen your relationship with our risen Lord.

You can become a “blood brother” with our Lord – you can see His pierced hands and side – you can realize that He suffered death for you — yet rose again – you can experience His amazing love and power – and begin to act like Him —

which is — of course — what blood bothers do — isn’t it?

You can experience the new life God offers in the risen Lord – and share it with others.

Instead of doubting if new life and new opportunities for your life – the Church – the community – and the world is possible – you can experience the risen Christ and joyfully share the new life and new possibilities He gives you with others – and with the world.

Instead of looking at your life – the Church – the community – and the world and wondering why things are like they are – you can let the risen Christ give you a vision for how He wants things to be and wonder “Why not”?

Instead of complaining about how things are – you can let the risen Christ give you a vision for how they can be – and be a partner with Him in working to make them that way.

Instead of just seeing problems and not doing something to change them and make a difference – you can be a part of the solution that Jesus wants to provide for your life – the Church – - the community – and the world.

Instead of saying:

“I don’t see that anything has changed” —

You can truly experience the new life in Christ — and truly share it with others.

Others can begin to notice the love — the commitment – and the new life you have in Christ.

Others can begin to notice the difference Christ has made in your life.

It happened for Thomas

It happened for the early church.

It can happen for you.

New life is certainly a possibility for you.

New life can certainly be a reality for you.

And – it becomes a domino effect –

As you let the risen Christ touch you and change your life – others in the Church will begin to see the difference in your life and be touched by the new life Christ offers – and the Church will begin to be changed. Then – as change occurs in the Church – people in the community will begin to experience the new life Christ offers as we reach out to them with His love – and their lives will be changed – and on and on it will go.

But it begins with the first domino being toppled.

It begins with you.

It begins by your letting the risen Christ touch you and change you.

The message of Easter does not overlook reality.

It does not overlook the world and all its problems.

It does not call upon you to overlook your struggles to be faithful — your struggles to live your life in the ways of Christ – the struggles we experience as a Church to be the Church God calls us to be – the struggles we see in the community and the world –

No — the message of Easter is this:

Your faith may not be as strong as it should be

You may not be as committed to Christ as you can be

Your life may not be how you want it at this moment — it may not even be how God wants it to be

The Church may not be the Church you want it to be – and it may not be the Church God wants it to be

Things may not be the way God wants them in the community and the world –

Nevertheless — Nevertheless —

Christ has risen!

Your faith can be strengthened.

You can have a new commitment.

You can experience the new life in Christ.

The Church can be changed.

The Church can be different.

The community can be changed.

The community can be different.

because Christ has risen!

That’s the message of Easter and the Easter season.

Christ has risen.

There is new life — and new hope.

There is new life — and new hope —

for you —

for the Church —

for the community –

for the world –

because Christ has risen!

Friends – instead of doubting that new life – a changed life – a changed Church – a different community – a different world – is possible –

you can experience the new life that is yours through the risen Christ – and share the difference Christ makes in your life with others so the Church – the community – and the world can be changed!

Experience the risen Christ.

Let yourself become a “blood brother” with Christ.

Dare to let the risen Christ really touch your life.

Dare to let yourself touch the risen Christ in a life-changing way.

Dare to let Christ touch you in a way that will completely change you — so others can truly share the difference Christ has made in your life — the new life Christ has given you – and be Christ’s partner in changing the Church – the community – and the world.

Friends — Christ has risen!

Friends — there is new hope!

For you – for the Church – for the community —

Friends — there is new life!

If you came in these doors this morning wondering if the new life we have because of the risen Christ were true — and if you could believe it – I invite you to leave from here this morning celebrating the truth.

It is true.

New life is true.

New hope for the Church – the community – and the world is true.

It is true.

Thank God — it is true.

By the power of the risen Christ — we have a living hope — a hope for a new life and new opportunities – and changed life – a changed Church – a changed community – and a changed world.

Friends — we can stop questioning the new life we have in our risen Lord — and start living it.

Easter means changed lives.

We can live it – we can experience it – we can share it with each other – we can share it with the community – we can share it with the world – and Christ can make a difference – in the Church – the community – and the world — because Christ has risen! Amen.

John 20:1-18.09

John 20:1-18

“Easter Means Changed Lives: Mary’s Story”

Easter Communion

April 12,2009

Read Scripture

Easter is the most joyously celebrative day in the Christian year.

You can tell it in the beauty of the sanctuary.

You could tell it in the beautifully celebrative Community Service we had this morning – and the celebration of fellowship over good food afterwards.

You can tell it in the beauty of the music.

You can tell it in the beauty of the service as we celebrate the Sacrament of Communion.

All these elements work together to make this day the high point of our worship for the Christian year.

But what really makes today the high point of the Christian year – the reason we celebrate and fellowship in such a joyous way today — is the fact that this is our celebration of the resurrection of Jesus – the way He can change our lives – and the hope for new life in heaven as well as new hope a changed life here and now.

The resurrection of Christ is what makes us Christians – it is God’s response to sin and death – God’s assurance that sin and death do not have to have power over us – but that we can have hope through our risen Lord Jesus Christ.

For the next few weeks we are going to look at several people who had experiences with the risen Christ – and had their lives changed. As we look at their stories, we’ll see how the resurrection of Christ can change us – change our lives – change our Church – change our community – and change our world.

Easter means changed lives.

The resurrection of Christ means changed lives.

God is changing lives. God can change our lives – can change our Church – can change our community – and can change our world.

God can make our lives – our Church – our community – and our world — new.

God is up to doing something that is new and marvelous.

God is changing us – changing our lives – changing our Church – changing our community and changing our world — in the resurrection of Christ.

Easter means changed lives.

The message of Easter is a message of hope – a message of joy – and a message of change — especially when it is least expected.

One of those who had her life changed by the risen Christ was Mary Magdalene.

She must have felt alone – dejected – and that all hope was lost as she came to the tomb that first Easter morning.

Jesus — whom she had followed and in whom she had placed all her hopes and dreams — was dead — and it must have seemed that all her hopes and dreams of a better way of living — all her hopes and dreams of a new life – all her hopes and dreams of living differently and making a difference in the world had died with Him.

She had hoped that Jesus would make a real difference.

She had given her life to Jesus – she had committed herself to following Him – she had devoted herself to following His teaching – she had celebrated when Jesus had healed those who needed healing – and had rejoiced when Jesus had given new life to Lazarus.

She was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah – God’s chosen one – the one God had sent into the world to bring the world back to Him.

She had hoped that Jesus would truly make a difference in her life – and the world.

She was even ready to commit her life to following Jesus and help Him make a difference in the world!

But now – as she approached the tomb that first Easter morning – everything must have seemed different.

All her hopes and dreams must have seemed to have been buried with Jesus. She must have felt alone — and she must have felt like there was no way that she could get new hope for her life.

But then something happened.

She encountered the risen Christ – and in that encounter she realized that there was hope – that in Jesus God was truly changing her life and changing the world.

She had a new sense of hope.

She had a new sense of joy.

She suddenly had hope for a new and different way to live.

She suddenly had hope for a new and different world.

Just when she least expected it — God gave her new life — and God gave her new hope.

She now had hope for a different life – a life that was much more meaningful and joyous than she had ever dared to imagine before.

She now had hope for a different world – a world that was much more meaningful and joyous than she had ever dared imagine before.

As she ran back to the disciples with the news that she had seen the Lord she may have been confused — maybe incredulous — maybe even scared — but she also must have felt hope.

Hope that Christ was with her.

Hope that things could truly be different.

Hope that her life could truly be changed.

Hope that the world could truly be changed.

Can you imagine what a change there must have been in her voice – in her countenance – in her very self – as she found the disciples and announced to them;

“I have seen the Lord!”

What a message of joy and hope that must have been!

“I have seen the Lord!”

What a different message that must have been than the one she must have communicated earlier.

“I have seen the Lord!”

Her life was different!

Her life was new!

Her life had been changed!

She had seen the Lord!

Friends – Easter means that Christ has risen.

Easter means that everything has changed.

Easter means that everything can be seen from a different perspective – God’s renewing, life changing, world changing, perspective!

Easter means hope for changed lives!

Easter means hope for a changed Church!

Easter means hope for a changed community!

Easter means hope for a changed world!

As we gather around the Lord’s Table on this Easter morning – as we come into this beautiful sanctuary and as we celebrate the Sacrament of Communion – - there is hope – and the potential for change.

There is hope for our lives — there is hope for our families — there is hope for our community — there is hope for our church — there is hope for our world — because of the risen Christ.

There is the potential for change for our lives – there is the potential for change for our families – there is the potential for change for our church – there is the potential for change for our community – there is the potential for change for our world.

Because of the risen Christ — there is new life.

Because to the risen Christ — there is hope.

Because of the risen Christ – things can be different.

Because of the risen Christ – things can be changed.

Because of the risen Christ — there is hope — new life – a difference – and change — when we least expect it.

Because of the risen Christ – we can – like Mary — see the Lord.

Because of the risen Christ we can experience the Lord – and our lives – our Church – our community – and our world can be changed and made new – today and forever.

Because of the risen Christ we do not have to give up hope for our lives – our Church – our community – and our word.

Because to the risen Christ we do not have to settle for things as they are in our lives – our Church – our community – and our world – but we can dream of things being different – and work for the difference God wants to make in our lives – our Church – our community – and our world.

Can you see the Lord?

Can you see the Lord?

Can you see the hope — the new life — the love the risen Lord offers us?

Can you see the new life God gives us — especially when we least expect it?

Can you see the changed life – the changed Church – the changed community – the changed world – God is offering us?

Can you see the Lord?

Can you see the Lord?

If so — act like it!

Let the joy of the risen Lord – the joy of new life – the joy of a changed life – Church – community and world infect your life – let it infect how you worship — how you fellowship with each other — how you share God’s love with the world.

Can you see the Lord?

Can you let the risen Lord fill you with hope for a better life – a better Church – a better community – a better world?

If so – act like it!

Let the world know that you see the risen Christ.

Let the surprising love of God that renews us and gives us new life — especially when we least expect it – change you and give you such joy that the world will see it and wonder what has happened.

Let it make a noticeable difference in your life.

Let it make a noticeable change in how you live.

Share the difference Christ has made in your life with the Church and the world.

If you have seen the risen Christ – if the risen Christ has changed your life — you can not keep that a secret. You can not keep the new life and new hope God offers us through the risen Christ a secret.

You have to let it change how you live.

You have to let it change how you worship.

You have to let it change how you fellowship with others.

You have to let it change your actions as you reach out into the world with God’s love.

You have to tell the world the message Mary told the disciples:

“I have seen the Lord!”

“I have seen the Lord!”

Can you see the Lord?

Can you see the Lord?

Has your life been changed by an experience with the risen Christ?

Have you experienced the Lord’s love in a new way?

Have you let Christ make your life new?

Have you experienced God’s new life — especially in a way you never expected it before?

Can you see the Lord?

Can you see the Lord?

Easter has a clear message.

The message of Easter is that it does not matter how bad things seem to be in our lives – our Church – our community – and our world – God is at work changing things and making things new.

It does not matter how sinful or troubles our lives may be – the message of Ester is that God is at work changing things and making things new.

The current state of our Church does not matter — the message of Ester is that God is at work changing things and making things new – and we can be partners with God in that work.

The current sate of the economy and other things in our community that can depress us and get us down do not matter — the message of Ester is that God is at work changing things and making things new – and we can be partners with God in that work.

The current state of affairs in the world does not matter — the message of Ester is that God is at work changing things and making things new – and we can be partners with God in that work.

Because of the resurrection of Christ — our lives — our families — our community — our church – - our world — can be made new by God who makes all things new — even when — or maybe it‘s better to say especially when — we least expect it.

Let the message of Easter change your life.

Let the message of Easter change how you live.

Let the message of Easter change how you relate to all people.

Let the message of Easter truly change how you live.

Let the message of Easter give you hope for life – hope for a new Church – hope for a new community – hope for a new world – and the energy to work for God’s will that will bring that hope into a reality.

Just as the risen Christ changed Mary’s life and gave here hope and joy — the risen Christ can change you – and givng you hope – and giving you joy.

The risen Christ can change your life – can change this Church – the community – and the world!

By the life changing power Christ can give us – we can see there is new life and new hope – and proclaim – like Mary –

“I have seen the Lord!”

“I have seen the Lord!”

and the Lord can strengthen us to work for His new life – His changed Church – His changed community – and His changed world – in all we say and do.

Yea –

Easter means changed lives – a changed Church – a changed community – and a changed world.

See it.

Feel it.

Let the new life the risen Christ gives be a reality for you – and work to make it a reality for others. Amen.

Philippians 2:5-11, John 12:12-19

Philippians 2:5-11

John 12:12-19

April 5, 2009

Passion / Palm Sunday

Jesus Is The One We Can Follow

Part 6 of Lent series “Who do you say Jesus is?”

We have used the season of Lent this year to think about who Jesus is – and what Jesus means to us.

I’ve asked you to focus on one basic question:

Who do you say that Jesus is?

Remember that in Mark 8:27-29 Jesus questions the disciples about who “people” said that He was. They came up with a list of things people said about Jesus – that He was Elijah, that He was John the Baptist, or that He was another of the Old Testament prophets who had risen from the dead.

Jesus then made the question more personal by asking who they said that He was.

That’s when Peter made His confession that Jesus was the Christ.

You know – it didn’t really matter what others said about Jesus – did it?

What mattered was who Jesus was to the disciples.

What mattered was who they said Jesus was.

What mattered was that Jesus was the Christ. – the Savior – the only way to salvation – for them.

What mattered was that they said Jesus was their Lord and Savior.

The same is true for you.

You can listen to me talk about who Jesus is – or listen to others tell who they think Jesus is – but what really matters is who you say that Jesus is – who is Jesus for you.

Who do you say that Jesus is?

Who is Jesus – for you?

We’re looking at several answers to that question during Lent.

We began Lent 5 weeks ago by seeing that the most important answer you can give to this question is that Jesus is your Savior.

Until you can say that Jesus is your Savior it doesn’t matter what else we say about Him – but once we can say that Jesus is our Savior – we can say other things about Him – things like:

1. Jesus is the one who helps me resist temptation – which we looked at 4 weeks ago

2. Jesus is the one who gave of Himself for me – which we looked at 3 weeks ago

3. Jesus is the one who keeps me clean and holy – which we looked at 2 weeks ago

4. Jesus is the one I want to see and hear – which we looked at last week

Today – on this last Sunday in Lent – this Passion / Palm Sunday – we are going to end our Lenten season by looking at how we can dedicate our lives to following Jesus.

You see – once you say that Jesus is your Savior – one of the things you can say is that Jesus is one you want to follow – and you can dedicate your life to following Him – regardless of where He may lead.

Jesus is the one I want to follow.

Listen to the Palm Sunday story as John records it in John 12:12-19 – and to Paul’s call in Philippians 2:5-11 to have the mind of Christ.

Read Scripture

I read not long ago about a girl named Susan. Susan had high aspirations of being an actress – and wanted to be a serious actress in Broadway or – at the very least – in serious movies. She went to college and even got a graduate degree in theater. Well, she never thought that the only job she could land after graduation was in an outdoor drama — a Passion Play at that. No, she had visions of going to New York, at least in an off-Broadway role. Or maybe she would wind up in Hollywood. Instead, she was in what she considered to be some frontier outpost of the arts performing on a concrete stage of a half-completed outdoor theater with a strange assortment of misfits who, like herself, could find no other work for the summer.

Every evening at 5:30 she would show up for makeup. When they had started production, there hadn’t even been dressing rooms finished for costume changes. Costume changes had to be done in a scenery shed “right out in front of God and everybody.” Such phrases were as close as most of the cast got to even pretending to be religious. Not many in the cast – if any — found anything spiritual about what they were doing. It was just a way to pay the rent and put food on the table – just a check. In fact, every night the actors played some sort of trick on one another to break the boredom that had set in about this play. The disciples would come backstage after the Last Supper scene to tell what gross or otherwise objectionable object had been place in the wine cup that evening. Sometimes there would be cigarette butts – other times much more objectionable objects – and they would choke as they pretended to drink from the cup.

Behind the stage was a hill that was crossed by a fairly steep path. This hill served various purposes during the show, one of which was the entryway for Jesus as He made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The donkey Jesus rode was, of course, named Jack — and was probably the most reliable and arguably the most religious of the cast. He certainly was the most sensible. One night after a terrible rainstorm Jack refused to maneuver the path down the hill. This caused a real problem in the casts telling the story of the Triumphal Entry. It was of vital importance that Jesus make His entry riding on a donkey. But Jack absolutely refused to maneuver the steep path after it had become covered with slippery mud.

Finally the actor playing Jesus walked the muddy, slippery, path without Jack. About one-third of the way down he slipped and fell. One of the actors near Susan quoted, under his breath, the line about Jesus entering Jerusalem on His — — well, you can imagine what was said. Susan didn’t laugh, though. Instead she felt embarrassed for how the actor playing Jesus must have felt. She got an immediate, painful sense of his vulnerability — and her own.

At that moment the story came together for her as never before — and her faith meant more to her than ever before. She felt Jesus’ vulnerability as He moved toward His cruel death. She began to realize how so many could have loved Jesus. It was not His strength — but His weakness that attracted her now. The God who could incorporate such helplessness into some divine yearning might even use a ragtag band of irreverent actors rewriting the story of Jesus on a muddy hillside as well.

The actor made it down the hill, after two more falls, and, finally, to the cross. As Susan stood at the cross for the umpteenth time watching this pretended crucifixion, she could not help the tears that welled up in her eyes. It was then and there that she decided that — if Jesus could give of Himself for her — even die for her — she could follow Him.

Like the Pharisees said of the crowd on that first Palm Sunday, she could “go after” Him.

She could follow Him.

So – how about you?

Are you “going after” Jesus?

Are you following Jesus?

Once you say that Jesus is your Savior – one of the things you can say is that Jesus is one you want to follow – and you can dedicate your life to following Him – regardless of where He may lead.

One of the things you can say about Jesus is; Jesus is the one I want to follow.

Are you following Jesus – regardless of where He may lead?

Are you “going after Him” – which is what the Pharisees were concerned that the whole world was doing on that first Palm Sunday?

Would the Pharisees be concerned if they saw your commitment to Jesus?

Are you “going after” Jesus?

Is Jesus the one you are following – regardless of where He may lead?

Someone once told me that they wished they could have been there that first Palm Sunday. They said they imagined that the sky must have been a beautiful blue — the sun shining — the children running after Jesus, waving their palm branches and shouting:

“Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord — the king of Israel!”

You know what — I’m not sure if I wish that I had been there on that first Palm Sunday or not.

Everyone was excited — except for the Pharisees — the religious leaders. They hadn’t liked Jesus all along. He was a threat to them. His understanding and teachings about God and theirs didn’t match — and as He became more and more popular they became more and more scared — more and more indignant – - and more and more determined to kill Him. So — as Jesus rode into Jerusalem that day — they looked at each other — and said:

“Look, the whole world has gone after Him.”

The whole world has gone after Him.

Too many people were following Jesus — and they didn’t like it. Something was going to have to be done — and quickly. Maybe the sun was shining that Palm Sunday – I don’t know — l but the shadow of the cross already loomed in the horizon.

Jesus — although the crowd is shouting His glory and praise — didn’t even look like a king at all.

Look again.

Isn’t He riding a donkey?

Kings don’t ride donkeys.

Servants ride donkeys.

Why — Jesus looked more like a servant than a mighty king. More like someone who was destined to be humble and to serve — not the powerful and successful king the folks may have thought He was going to be. He seemed to understand life as being a chance to give of Himself — not an opportunity to take over the government and reign in splendor.

“Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord — the king of Israel!”

On that day it may have appeared to the Pharisees that the whole world was going after Jesus — and if you and I had been there we may have “gone after” Him too – we may have followed Him — but what about when He didn’t lead the people in revolt — but made it clear He had come to serve — not rule — and to call His followers to serve — not rule?

What would we have done then?

Would we have followed Him in service to others — even if it meant death — or would we have given up on Him — and even turned against Him – as so many did during the week following Palm Sunday?

Would you have followed Him in service to others – even if it meant death – or would you have given up on Him – even turned against Him?

Once you say that Jesus is your Savior, one of the things you can say about Jesus is;

Jesus is the one I want to follow.

Are you following Jesus – regardless of where He may lead?

Are you “going after Him” – which is what the Pharisees were concerned that the whole world was doing on that first Palm Sunday?

Would the Pharisees be concerned if they saw your commitment to Jesus?

Are you “going after” Jesus?

Is Jesus the one you are following – regardless of where He may lead?

As long as it was the popular thing to do — it seemed the whole world was going after Jesus. As long as it seemed He was bringing power and glory to the people — the whole world went after Him. But when it became clear He had no intention of bringing power and glory but instead was bringing humility and service — well — people changed their tunes.

And I’m afraid we would have changed ours.

That’s why I’m not too sure I would want to have been there on the first Palm Sunday. I may have gotten caught up in the excitement of the moment and shouted my “Hosannas!” to Jesus — but I’m not sure I would have followed Him all the way to the cross.

How about you?

Are you committed to following Jesus – all the way to the cross – all the way t giving of yourself for Him and others?

Is Jesus the one you really want to follow?

Do you really want to be a follower of Jesus?

You know — as much as we hate to admit it — we still prefer power and glory over service and humility — don’t we?

If you had a choice between telling someone what to do or being told what to do — too many times you might choose to be the chief — and not the Indian.

And yet Jesus chose to come into the world in service — even to the point of death — and in the end found new life.

The whole world has gone after Him.

The whole world has gone after Him.

Has it really?

Have we?

Have you?

When Susan in my story saw the vulnerable side of Jesus, she saw how much God loved her — so much that Jesus died for her. She then saw how she could follow Jesus — and serve others. She decided to “go after” Jesus. She decided to follow Jesus.

Have you “gone after” Jesus?

Are you following Jesus?

One of the things you need to say about Jesus is:

Jesus is the one I want to follow.

Are you following Jesus?

Is Jesus the one you want to follow?

In Philippians 2 Paul calls on us to have the mind of Christ.

This is a call to thinking and acting like Christ.

Jesus showed us what God is like — not power-hungry and demanding but serving — suffering — dieing — but finding new life in the process.

That’s one of the things it means to be a follower of Christ.

That’s one of the things it means to follow Christ.

Following Christ – going after Christ – means thinking like Christ thought – and doing things like Christ did.

It means that you don’t focus on what you want or what seems to be good for you — or what’s in something for you.

“What’s in it for me” is not the first question you ask when considering doing something – but “What’s God calling me to do”?

Are you following Jesus – thinking like Jesus thought – doing things Jesus did?

It means that you participate in things that will help others – even if they are not necessarily convenient for you. It means you do things because they are good for the group – even if they might be inconvenient for you. It means that you do things that God wants you to do – and that will help you grow in your faith – whether they are things you would automatically choose to do or not.

Are you following Jesus – thinking like Jesus thought – doing things Jesus did?

The whole world has gone after Him.

That’s what the Pharisees said.

That’s what the Pharisees were afraid of.

You know – I’m afraid that – if the Pharisees were to see us today – they might breathe a sigh of relief!

They feared that the whole world was following Jesus.

I don’t know about that.

I’m not sure that it has.

I’m not so sure we have.

Have you?

Are you?

Are you following Jesus – thinking like Jesus wants you to think – doing what Jesus wants you to do?

One of the things you need to say about Jesus is:

Jesus is the one I want to follow.

Are you following Jesus?

Is Jesus the one you want to follow?

Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus — Paul writes.

Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.

Are you following Jesus in the way of service — of giving of yourself — but discovering that true life involves serving others — not demanding to be served by others – and serving God?

Like Susan in my story –have you looked at what God has done for you — the love He has for you — and responded to the love of God by wanting to follow Him?

Is Jesus the one you want to follow?

Is Jesus the one you are following?

If you were to “go after” Jesus if you were to follow Jesus — where might it lead?

Do you think it might lead to giving of yourself?

Do you think it might lead to serving God and others?

Do you think it might lead to sacrifice?

Do you think it might lead to seeing the needs of others and responding to those needs — instead of just looking out for yourself?

Do you think it might lead to seeing what needs to be done for God’s will in the Church and the world – and giving of yourself to doing it?

Do you think it might lead to seeing the things God wants changed in your life – in the Church – in the community – and in the world – and dedicating yourself to working to change them?

Or – do you think it might lead to making God’s things important for your life — things like your prayer life — or your personal study of Scripture — or our corporate worship — or our corporate study times like Bible Study, Sunday School — or our outreach times or fellowship times?

Yes – you know as well as I do that it would certainly lead to all these things – but – here’s the thing — it also would lead to life — life as God calls you to live and experience it — life in God’s will — life that Jesus shows us how to live.

One of the things you need to say about Jesus is:

Jesus is the one I want to follow.

Are you following Jesus?

Is Jesus the one you want to follow?

Maybe it’s a good thing we weren’t in Jerusalem that Palm Sunday.

We may have been part of the crowd that day — but we also may have been part of the crowd on Good Friday, too.

If our devotion to following Christ here and now is any sign — I’m afraid our shouts of “Hosanna!” would not have lasted very long.

Are you following Christ?

Is Jesus the one you want to follow?

Is Jesus the one you are following?

Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus – Paul writes.

Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.

Do you have “the mind of Christ”?

Do you think the things Jesus would think – and do the things Jesus would do?

Do you have the commitment to following Christ in a life of serving others — while living life in its truest sense?

I invite you to use this day — this Holy Week — to see Jesus in a new light — to see His love for you — and respond by following Him — wherever that might lead you.

Pray for strength to follow Jesus as you give of yourself — knowing that it is in giving of yourself — committing to God and His will — that you find new life.

Once you say that Jesus is your Lord and Savior you c an say other things about Him – things like

Jesus is the one who helps me resist temptation

Jesus is the one who gave of Himself for me

Jesus is the one who keeps me clean and holy

Jesus is the one I want to see and hear

Jesus is the one I want to follow.

So how about it – are you following Jesus? Amen.