Devotion on Prayer - 23 April 2014, Anno Domini (Proclaiming the Acceptable Year of the Lord)

 “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36)

THE COMMUNION OF PRAYER

            Christians often get trapped in the ‘terms’ of worship to the detriment of their meaning. When we speak of Holy Communion, almost without exception, the Christian professor will think only of that outward form of the Sacrament conducted within the hallowed halls of the church building. They may not give much attention to that inward, spiritual grace that such Communion is intended to convey. Perhaps the leading cause is that the word Communion becomes simply an expression for an official performance and not of a heart-centered communication with the Lord. After all, the word ‘COMMUNION’ means to ‘communicate.’ If the communication is with our Lord, then it becomes a Holy Communion. Prayer, worship, hymn-singing, and service are all forms of the heart’s communication with God. Our Lord is strongly present where “two or three are gathered together in my name,” But He is always present as well with the individual believer. “…Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (1 Chron 28:20) “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Heb 13:5)

            There are many who receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion without holiness at all. They may receive it out of simply dutiful form, or with sin festering in their hearts. In such case, the Communion was not Holy for them. They take the Bread and the Wine to the detriment of their souls. The means of receiving the Sacrament would be prayerfully, contritely, and with no animosity in the heart. Prayer itself is a tremendous form of Communion, and it is also Holy when the Lord is the true object of it. When we enter the church doors for worship, we should do so reverently and quietly. If we intend to enter into the sanctuary in an irreverent manner, the other worshippers who wish to have Communion with God before the Sacrament will be disturbed in their prayers. We leave gossip and back-biting at our home altars when we leave for worship.

            “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.”  Alfred Lord Tennyson, Morte d’Arthur. Many great gems of truth lie buried in the storied tales of old England. Some have come to seem so closely related to Holy Scripture that some mistake them for such. England was the first nation to be literally saturated with the Word of God in the native vernacular. It was also one of the first countries to own the Holy Scriptures in the native language. The English language itself was refined and fashioned by the great translations of Tyndale, Wycliffe, and the translation committee appointed by King James.

            This devotion is being written by request to address prayer – what is it, what form should it take, and how often should it be uttered.

            Private and corporate prayer: There are two basic venues for prayer – 1) the prayers of the Prayer Book and of the Bible are corporate prayers. These prayers may be wafted on high by all present because they are Godly and not in the least prayers of controversy; and 2) private and personal prayers. These are prayers between a soul and his/her God. It is a direct communion with God. These prayers are not to be uttered standing in the public square, but in secret. God can hear a whisper as well as a shout. “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”  (Matt 6:6-8) If we are seriously praying to the King of Kings, of what need is there for the servants in His fields to be party to our petitions? The Lord’s Prayer is a corporate prayer to be uttered in unison. That is why it begins with “Our Father” and not “My Father.”

            Pray as one who is watching and waiting upon the Lord: Peter, James, and John could not watch and pray with Christ, even at the critical hour of His Passion. God soldiers never leave the walls of their fortifications without a night watch. We are weak and vulnerable to the subtleties of the Adversary. We need Divine help and protection. “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt 26:41) We do not dominate the conversation with the Lord. We both speak and LISTEN. The Lord may provide an answer to our prayers which we do not hear for our long speaking.

            Pray in simple faith: “Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” (Mark 11:22-24) This is one of the most difficult principles of prayer to explain than all others. The point missed by most wistful suppliants is this: when we pray with great faith, we will be praying righteously only for those things that accord with the Will of God to grant. If we have put on the Mind of Christ, we will only be mindful of those things of which Christ is mindful. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Phil 2:5) You may desire a Porsche, or an ivory-towered mansion, but are these consistent with the desire of Christ? There are two reasons that prayers are not heard, or granted: 1) “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” (Psalms 66:18); and 2) If we pray out of the fleshly desires of our carnal natures, this is a nature at enmity with God. “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” (James 4:3)

            Pray with diligence and unceasing persistence: We should be as the widow who persistently petitions the dishonorable judge for justice until he relented and granted justice. Persistence in prayer reveals to God our sincerity and need. “Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thess 5:17-18) How do we pray without ceasing? Simple, all that a Christian does or says should be in an attitude of prayer. Our lives truly should be a living prayer devoted to God.

            Prayer abidingly in Christ: This principle is closely associated with “praying in simple faith” above. If we are abiding in Christ, our fruits will be His fruits. An apple is not self-made. It is produced by the tree from which it comes. If we are Christ’s, the only part of us that is self-made is our sinful part. The good that a Christian does is not his own works, but those of our Lord working through our members. We are the branches of that fruitful Vine which is Christ. “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (John 15:7-8) The purpose of the Vine and its branches is not to amass gold and silver, but to produce FRUIT worthy of our Lord’s Table.

            Pray with specificity: Don’t blither along without any particular point, or points, when you pray. You were not ashamed to ask your father for an allowance; therefore, feel free to approach our Father in Heaven with your specific needs. “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” (James 5:17-18) I should add that Elijah’s prayer was prayed from the authority of other prayers already offered. He had prayed for the Lord’s will, and he was told. Now he prays that the Lord’s will be performed – an easy prayer to pray.

            Pray effectually: This means praying in the Love and understanding of the Holy Ghost. “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 1:20-21) This also lines up with the previously mentioned prayer of Elijah. Remember, God is not an online order service. Our petitions MUST be consistent with His will to grant that petition.  Perhaps the most commonly granted grace of God is that many of the prayers that we offered were not answered according to our desires but according to our needs.

            Please read the prayer of a great Englishman. It is a model prayer of grace and compassion:

Prayer of Sir Francis Drake

'Logos of St Andrew - Dec 99

On the afternoon of the day that the English fleet sailed forth to meet the Spanish (Invincible) Armada, The Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Francis Drake, offered this prayer up to God for his men and himself. Note the tenor and charity of it:

Most merciful and loving Father, we beseech thee most humbly, even with all our hearts, to pour out upon our enemies with a bountiful hand whatsoever things thou knowest may do them good; and chiefly a sound and uncorrupt mind, wherethrough they may know thee and seek thee in true charity, with their whole hearts, and love us thy children, for thy sake. Let not their hating of us turn to their harm, neither let us in any wise hurt them. Seeing that we cannot do them good for want of ability, Lord, we desire their amendment, and not their punishment.  Separate them not from us by punishing them, but join and knit them to us by thy favourable dealing with them. And seeing we be all ordained to be citizens of the one everlasting city, let us begin to enter in that way here already by mutual love, which may bring us right forth hither; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Miraculously, the out-gunned and inferior British fleet was victorious over a naval force of unquestioned superiority. The forces of nature (and of nature's God) combined to deal a decisive defeat to the would-be invaders of England. Perhaps the only difference in the outcome was due to the prayer of Sir Francis Drake. What think ye?

Devotion on Hymns of the Church (Hymn 94 – Come, Ye Faithful) - 22 April 2014, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)

This is a hymn for Eastertide written in the 7^th Century by John of Damascus to the tune of St. Kevin, Arthur Sullivan, 1872. It is a joyous celebration of the Resurrection f our Lord and, ultimately of all who believe. One of the great purposes of hymns is not to arouse emotion, but rather to teach sound doctrine. This hymn achieves that purpose in demonstrated the consistent means of salvation by grace through faith of God from Adam’s Fall until our own day. God is not a dispensationalist of the mold of Schofield or other modern theologians. Abraham was saved by faith in Christ and not under any presumed obedience to the law. Of course, once saved, our lives should reflect good works and obedience to the will of God insofar as we are able to obey. Though we fail, He will always pick us up on the way if we confess our sins.

Come, ye faithful, raise the strain

Come, ye faithful, raise the strain

of triumphant gladness!

God hath brought his Israel

into joy from sadness:

loosed from Pharoah's bitter yoke

Jacob's sons and daughters,

led them with unmoistened foot

through the Red Sea waters.

'Tis the spring of souls today:

Christ hath burst his prison,

and from three days' sleep in death

as a sun hath risen;

all the winter of our sins,

long and dark, is flying

from his light, to whom we give

laud and praise undying.

Now the queen of seasons, bright

with the day of splendor,

with the royal feast of feasts,

comes its joy to render;

comes to glad Jerusalem,

who with true affection

welcomes in unwearied strains

Jesus' resurrection.

Neither might the gates of death,

nor the tomb's dark portal,

nor the watchers, nor the seal

hold thee as a mortal:

but today amidst the twelve

thou didst stand, bestowing

that thy peace which evermore

passeth human knowing.

Alleluia now we cry

to our King Immortal,

who triumphant burst the bars

of the tomb's dark portal;

alleluia, with the Son

God the Father praising;

alleluia yet again

to the Spirit raising.

That Israel referred to is that of the people of God – every believer by faith from Abraham to our age. “Come, ye faithful, raise the strain of triumphant gladness! God hath brought his Israel into joy from sadness: loosed from Pharoah's bitter yoke Jacob's sons and daughters, led them with unmoistened foot through the Red Sea waters.” Just as surely as each of us had a hand in the crucifixion of our Lord, we were also in bondage in the Land of Egypt. Egypt is a type for that sin engendered by Hagar and the Law of Sinai. “Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.” (Gal 4:21-26) I hope you will know that we, too, by faith are sons and daughters of Abraham’s promised Seed. We have been set free from the bondage of sin in the same way Abraham was set free by faith in a Redeemer. These sons and daughters of old were a nation baptized beneath the walled waters of the Red Sea, and passed by on dry ground. To Israel, it was a baptism of salvation; to Egypt, it was a baptism of condemnation.

“'Tis the spring of souls today: Christ hath burst his prison, and from three days' sleep in death as a sun hath risen; all the winter of our sins, long and dark, is flying from his light, to whom we give laud and praise undying.” Spring is the time of Passover – the time that our Lord was crucified as a Lamb without blemish at the Passover time of sacrifice. But He is also the One who rose from the Tomb on Easter morning. Spring is the time of new, budding life. It holds forth the beauty and promise of growth and increasing joy. Christ conquered, consistent with our Creeds, death and Hell after having been dead and buried for three days and nights. His resurrection was as a burst of sunlight at sunrise after a long, dark night of doubt and fear. His Light is brilliant, and no darkness can abide it. We reverence God, not man. We praise our Lord, not some dandy prancing on a stage, or behind a pulpit.

“Now the queen of seasons, bright with the day of splendor, with the royal feast of feasts, comes its joy to render; comes to glad Jerusalem, who with true affection welcomes in unwearied strains Jesus' resurrection.” It is not the May Queen that we worship, but the King of Life at spring, and all other seasons. Our royal feast is our Holy Communion which typifies the great Heavenly Feast looming in the future end time – the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. The Jerusalem to which we are drawn is not some violet and dirty little town in old Judaea, but the New Jerusalem which God has promised in our Eternal Home. The Resurrected Christ will not dwell in that cruel city in which He was crucified, but New and Holy Jerusalem that descends from God out of Heaven. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” (Rev 21:1-3)

“Neither might the gates of death, nor the tomb's dark portal, nor the watchers, nor the seal hold thee as a mortal: but today amidst the twelve thou didst stand, bestowing that thy peace which evermore passeth human knowing.” The stone that sealed the craven rock that was Christ’s tomb represents the very gates of death on entry, but life on exit. Christ could not be held by the grave. It is a great valley of the shadow of death (not the real thing) through which we must all pass. Those who would guard our tomb cannot keep it sealed. A sealed tomb will hold a mortal, but not an immortal which we shall be when we are changed at the twinkling of an eye. This resurrection into life is possible because we are following Christ. He knows the Way, and He IS the WAY! Human knowledge is incapable of grasping this divine and heavenly knowledge with which the Christian heart is imbued.

“Alleluia now we cry to our King Immortal, who triumphant burst the bars of the tomb's dark portal; alleluia, with the Son God the Father praising; alleluia yet again to the Spirit raising.” “Praise ye the Lord!” (Alleluia!) Our King is not subject to term limits, but is eternal, immutable, and immortal! In our Triune worship, praise, and prayers, we praise our Lord, and the Father WITH our Lord, and we do so in both SPIRIT and in Truth. Jesus, in His gentle dialogue with the Samaritan Woman at Jacob’s Well, said: “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24) What did Jesus mean? We have a great many churches today of the fundamentalist persuasion that have a commanding understanding and respect for God’s Holy Word; but instead of reasoning with the sinner as Christ did the Woman at the Well, they condemn and pass severe judgment on others. They have the truth, but often (not always) lack love (spirit of the Word). On the other hand, we have churches that observe such spirit in their worship that one wonders if they have even been drinking some spirits. Anything goes as long as they evoke God’s name in their carousing. This is not true and reverent worship. It lacks truth combined with the spirit. More than an elaborate edifice, the Church is a family that loves its Father, its Elder Brother, and its Mother (we might say the Spirit). We do not build a FAMILY – a family is born. A church family is born anew in Christ – all having the same faith, the same love for one another, and the same Father. Let us pray that the Lord will ever keep the Anglican Orthodox Church such a family and guard it from pride, error, and the allurements of the world.

Devotion for Easter Tuesday - 22 April 2014, Anno Domini (Proclaiming the Acceptable Year of the Lord)

And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. 44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. (Luke 24:36-53)

            How comforting to note that the concluding word of each of the Gospels is ‘AMEN’ – “so be it!” It is a certainty that all who come to Christ in Gospel truth shall be saved by Grace and not by the impossibility of good works. If our biblical narrative ended with the Book of the Law in the Old Testament, where would we stand with God? Remember, the last word of that book is Curse for the law is a curse to us (Malachi 4:6), but salvation comes by grace, through faith, in our Lord Jesus Christ!

            The two disciples on the Road to Emmaus have traveled that Road at least twice on the First Day of the Week. They went from Jerusalem in great sorrow and despondency, but returned from Emmaus in exhilarated spirits. “And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.” (Luke 24:33-35) Amazing how a confirmed faith in Christ results in immediate service. Not only did they arise in the self-same hour, but they shared every shred of the glorious news they had learned. They have come to understand a truth that has escaped their understanding for three years – the Lord Jesus Christ would die for our sins and now is RISEN! They hurry back to tell the others cowering in the shadows of a room in Jerusalem! They came to an intimate knowledge of Him in the “breaking of bread!”

            The eleven gathered in the room were actually hiding out from a presumed threat from the authorities. They cup of sorrows was brimming over – and for no reason if they had only believed what Jesus had told them before the crucifixion – that He would rise again. We may know much Scripture, but if we do not believe it, it will benefit us little. There are too many preachers in pulpits today who know a lot of Scripture, but fail to believe it.  When our fears mount and shadows lengthen, our Lord may be nearer than ever – even in our midst! “And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.” Are we shocked when we pray for God’s help, and Jesus suddenly comes to us? Do we know enough of the Word (Jesus Christ) to recognize Him even when He stands right before us? Are we terrified or dismayed when the Lord comes to us? If so, we are not much different from those devils referred to by James: “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19) “But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.” They had seen no spirit, but the true, living Savior. He came into this world in a body, and He departed from this world in a glorified body.

            Jesus, if we are sincere in our faith, will always set our hearts at ease: “And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?” Why they were shocked may seem puzzling to us, but they had no access to the complete Gospels that we have. They had never heard of a man dying, and then reappearing. This was a first time experience for their eyes and their minds. Their imaginations ran wild for a moment.  “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” A spirit cannot be felt with human hands. Jesus has a glorified body. We know not if He had blood in His veins because blood is not mentioned. Some speculate that His glorified body had no need for the blood that He had already shed on Calvary. If we have a tiny spark of faith, He will lead us into greater: “And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.”

            Have you ever seen anything that was so beautiful, so glorious that it seemed too good to be true? This is the sensation that the disciples were experiencing at this moment. “And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? Jesus brings the matter of any doubt to a close by His nonchalant inquiry regarding food. A spirit cannot eat physical food as He would do. This leads me to believe that we may enjoy eating in Heaven; else there would be no benefit in the twelve fruits of the Tree of Life. There may, perchance, even be a bit of chocolate in Heaven if I may dream a bit. “And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them.” This was quite common fare, and enough to convince the disciples of the reality of His physical presence.

We may know the technical provisions of scripture very well, yet, if we love not the Words, our understanding will always fall short. “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.” They had known of these prophecies, and the Lord had even opened them before His crucifixion for better understanding. They may have previously understood in their heads, but now they would understand in their hearts. When LOVE is joined to truth, then a glorious understanding is born. “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” You may pay token attention to the stewardess as she presents to the passengers the crash position and the use of flotation devices. But when the event actually occurs, your interest will be far keener, and you will understand more fully the need to keep this information close at hand. From the primitive past, since Eden, the prophecies of a Savior had been echoed from one generation to the next. But in the past, these had always been prophecies only. Now the realization of those prophecies has materialized. The glorious truth is revealed in full. How wonderful to these men, and to us. We should never delay (as the men of Emmaus did not do in rushing to Jerusalem to share their news) nor hastened to act before the Lord has given clear signal. Jesus told the disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they had been endued with Power from on High (the Holy Ghost). And so they did!

The last act of the Lord in His physical presence on earth was to bless His people: “And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.” Clouds are beautiful and glorious manifestations to us. They are promises of water for life, and that Water of Heaven. We are told in Acts that after Jesus spoke these words: “….when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” (Acts 1:9) A CLOUD received our Lord. He had been manifested before by a cloud when He was transfigured on the Mount. “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” (Matt 17:5) Our Lord left in a cloud of glory, and He shall return likewise: “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke 21:27)

            During our morning walk at sunrise today, my wife and I commented on what a beautiful cloudless Spring sky we saw. There was not a cloud anywhere to be seen. Perhaps we should have hoped for a single cloud of glory from behind which the Sun of Righteousness might emerge. “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.” (Mal 4:2) It is not likely that we can appreciate the wondrous beauty of the Sun without the shadow of a cloud.

Devotion for Easter Monday - 21 April 2014, Anno Domini (Proclaiming the Acceptable Year of the Lord)

The Lonely Road to Emmaus

13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. (Luke 24:13-35)

            Our Lord has arisen from the Stone Sepulcher in spite of the Tomb ‘being made sure” by a large stone rolled over the entrance (which became an exit!) and a cohort of Romans guards stationed before the tomb. He has appeared to Mary Magdelena and other women on that first Easter morning. He will make appearances numerous times in the following hours and days. Not all of the disciples have seen the resurrected Lord and, even though they have heard reports and rumors, they little faith disallowed belief. They were not duly diligent in reading Scripture and were therefore targets of ignorance and doubt. Many today consider themselves Christians, but fail to diligently study the Word of God to know the Lord with the intimacy required of a true disciple. It is a deficiency of faith that results in ignorance of Scripture. Having known Jesus once, as did these disciples, they allow their unbelief to be fed by ignorance, doubt, and fear. So, like we all often do, they walk the lonely Road home to Emmaus distressing over what they consider the worst possible outcome to the ministry of Jesus. It was, in fact, the very best outcome for us; and it was ordained of God before the foundation of the world.

            “And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened.”

These, mind you, were professed followers of Christ – but they only followed Him by the natural light of day and not by way of the cross. The walked and “talked together” in amazing doubt and ignorance of all that had occurred over the past three days – just like most churches of our day – “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Tim 3:5) Suddenly, instead of two men only, there are three walking that Road to Emmaus. Though you may believe you walk alone during times of sorrow and tragedy, there is one who walks right by your side – He is one “that sticketh closer than a brother.”

            When we begin to inquire of the meaning of our Savior’s life and sacrifice, He will come to us and open our eyes if our interest is sincere: “And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.” The communion at first was only one of men, but suddenly it has become a Holy Communion. We often cease to learn of a great master’s teaching when confronted with him face to face. We forget what he taught and, instead, focus on His Person. So Jesus often approaches us disguised merely as a co-traveler and stranger to draw out our knowledge and to teach us more. “But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.” Just as her view of the Fountain of Waters was blinded by the tears of Hagar in the Wilderness of Beersheba, and the Person of Christ veiled by the tears of Mary Magdalena at the Garden Tomb, so these men’s eyes are blinded by ignorance and lack of faith to Christ.

            Now, we should know that our Lord’s Heart of Love is full of joy at this meeting. He has just conquered the enemy of His beloved people, and has gained victory over death at the Garden Tomb that had reigned from another Garden at Eden until His Passion. There is nothing at all to be despondent about! He often begins, as a good Teacher, with a question! “And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? Like every good teacher, Jesus never asks a question to which He does not know the answer (and He knows the answer to ALL questions). He knows their doubts and fears before they express them. Why is any Christian sad when he knows what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us at Calvary?

            The response of the two, particularly Cleopas, is almost humorous were it not for the solemnity of the occasion: “And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?” As a cadet, I had a military instructor at West Point who was noted for his in depth knowledge of military history. I once challenged him on a point of history. He did not refute my point, but ask me for details of it. As I talked, he would ask strategic and troubling little questions along the way until I stopped digging my own hole and admitted that I didn’t have a clue of what I spoke. This is the approach Jesus will take with these two fellows. “And he said unto them, What things?”

            These men had all of the pertinent facts right at their fingertips, but could not see the mystery fulfilled and answered before their very eyes! “And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.” Let us examine closely what these men knew:

1.              Jesus was a prophet. A prophet cannot speak falsely. All that He prophesies must necessarily come to pass. Jesus had told these disciples that He would be crucified and raised on the third day.

2.              It was foretold in all of the Old Testament Scripture concerning Jesus that He would be murdered by those for whom He came to save. He did not come to make Israel a world military power, but to REDEEM them. This, the men admitted here.

3.              These men were aware that Christ had promised to rise on the third day. Even the ungodly Priests and Pharisees were aware of this. “An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matt 12:39-40) He had alluded to this fact in other places of the Gospels as well. Did they not believe? It was their lack of scriptural knowledge that caused them to fall short as disciples.

4.              Did these men doubt the word of the women, or the word of angels? Which? Was this not consistent with all that the Lord had taught them from the beginning, plus documented verbosely in the OT? They denied the overwhelming evidence of the resurrection just as many proud, pulpit dandies do today.

“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:  Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?” I feel like saying this to the mainline preachers who try to rationalize away every miracle and promise of Christ! “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” If we doubt the Word of God in the New Testament, will we at least believe all that was prophesied in the Old? I doubt it, for once we begin to parse and doubt every word of Scripture, we have already lost true faith and religion.

            When Jesus teaches us a lesson, He will follow up with an example, as He does here: “And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.” As the Spaniards say, “Jesús es el señor!” and so He is. Moreover, He is a gentleman and will not impose His company on schools, Federal property, nations, or peoples who do not welcome Him in their midst. Asian hospitality is quite genteel in refusing the first offer of water, or bread, of visitation. So, “He made as if He would have gone further.” We, too, after coming into a saving knowledge of the Lord, must CONSTRAIN Him to come unto us. He loves to be CONSTRAINED by our love just as we are CONSTRAINED by His.

            Whether we know it or not, we need Christ to Abide in our hearts always for we are perishable mortals – “Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” The midnight hour draws nearer and nearer from the moment of birth. Will we pass that long night without Christ? He sat at meat with these disciples. “And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.” He had a merry time with them in opening their eyes to a grander mystery than they could have previously conceived. At length, He repeated that which He did last with the disciples in the Upper Room – He broke Bread with them. What is the purpose of the Sacrament of Holy Communion? Is it not to “Draw near with faith, and take this Holy Sacrament to your comfort?” (BoCP). Do we not experience a close and warm Communion with the Lord beyond all other times at the taking of the Bread (His Body broken for us) and the Wine (His Blood shed for us)?  What was the result of this first post-resurrection Communion of Bread and Wine? “And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? Friend, if you have doubted, have your eyes, too, been opened? Has your heart burned warmly inside your breast at His Presence? If so, then go thy way and do as these men did once their doubts were removed:

            “And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.  And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.” It is high time that we proclaimed to a wicked and adulterous generation the sign of Jonah the prophet: “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (ibid)

Sermon Notes - Easter Sunday - St Andrew’s Anglican Orthodox Church - 20 April 2014, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matt 28.6)

Easter Sunday.

The Collect.

A

LMIGHTY God, who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end.  Amen.

¶ This Collect is to be said daily throughout Easter Week.

There were two Marys who came to the Tomb that Easter morning, and two who did not.

You will remember from our reading for Easter Even that the women were first to the foot of the cross, last to leave the cross, last to leave the sepulcher on the beginning of Sabbath on Friday evening, and now these dear women are FIRST to the Open Tomb of the Garden!


But where was Mary, the mother of Jesus?

She did not come to the Tomb because of perhaps extreme depression over the events of the past days. Her heart was pierced by the same lance that pierced the heart of her Son, Jesus.
  Mary of Bethany who loved Jesus as much as any others did not come. Why not?

Perhaps it is because Mary of Bethany was the only one out of all the disciples who KNEW that Christ would die on the cross. Her absence at the Tomb also suggests that she KNEW He would rise again.
  How did she know these things beyond all others among the disciples? Because Mary always sat at the feet of Jesus and allowed His Words to sink deeply into her heart. She drew daily on these treasures in her heart and contemplated on every word He spoke. His words were translated by her Love.

1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. 7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. 8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. ((John 12:1-8 (KJV)  

But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: She had come to the Tomb earlier that morning with the other women, but after they had left, she returned to the place of sorrow.
  Poor Mary of Magdalena! She had come to anoint the dead body of Christ and was disappointed that there was no dead body! Little did she know that there was, instead, a living body. Her tears were tears of extreme remorse! “and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.”  Most normal people would have been shocked at the appearance of two angels in the tomb, but Mary’s heart was obsessed over the missing body of Christ.
 “13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. “

This was a precious moment in the minds of the Angels for they knew who approached Mary from the Garden, but poor Mary did not know!
 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Hot, salty tears streamed from Mary’s distressed eyes. She could barely see more than a figure approaching. At this early hour, how could it be any other than the gardener? It was truly the Gardener of her heart, but she could not recognize Him. Christ often approaches us perhaps in our moments of greatest pain, yet we fail to recognize Him.
 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? The same words the Angel; of the Lord uttered to poor Hagar in the Wilderness when she feared her only son would die of thirst. She too was blind to the Fountain of Water – blinded by tears!
  “She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.” Mary had been a sinner, but Jesus had forgiven all. Her placed her weary feet on solid ground and lifted her unbecoming yoke of sin. Her love now compels her to honor Him, at least, in His death.
 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. 
What was this? She KNEW that voice well when she heard her name called. Only One could say her name with that mixture of love and kindness. MARY.  She never before knew her name to be so beautiful!

 “She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.” There was never a question in Mary’s mind after she heard her name called. It was the same voice that penetrated the stone tomb of Lazarus, and the Voice that went always to the center of Mary’s heart. When Christ calls your name, you can be sure to hear it and know Him.  
Mary made as if to grab hold of Christ – to embrace Him with unmitigated joy! 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
  Amazing to me that the only person to understand that Christ must die and rise again was Mary of Bethany; and the first to see Him after His resurrection was Mary of Magdelena.  She, too, was the very first person to carry the news of the fullness of the Gospel to the Apostles. Only the heart of a woman can love as did these two Marys.
  18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. John 20:11-18 (KJV)  
When the women had come to the tomb earlier, they wondered who should roll away the great stone. It was not only a great stone, but it was sealed by the Roman Consul, Pontius Pilate, and a Roman guard contingent posted to keep an eye on the Tomb.
  1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. 2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. 3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. Mark 16:1-4 (KJV)

Tombs do not usually provide for an exit. This tomb was cut from solid rock. Such was never before necessary, but an exit was prepared for Christ. He would not be kept in a stone sepulcher.  
When the Lord raised Lazarus, He commanded the stone be rolled away – “Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. John 11:38-44 (KJV)

Please observe how Christ allows us a role in the bringing other souls from the death of sin into the newness of life in Him. He commanded outside the tomb at Bethany: “Take ye away the stone” And when Lazarus had responded to His beckoning Voice and came out from the Tomb, he was wrapped tightly in grave clothes. “Loose him, and let him go!”
  But no mortal can have any part in the resurrection of the Lord of Glory! This must be a God-Only event! A contingent of Roman guards was posted to ensure that the stone remained in place. Man tried to keep Christ in the grave, but God had other plans!
1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. Matt 28:1-4 (KJV)

If you are secure in Christ, you too shall rise from the tomb as He did. No man can save you, and no man can keep you in a lost state. Only Christ can give life eternal to all who believe!

Our adversary, the devil, has placed a sealed stone over the entrance to our hearts. It proclaims, as the Roman seal proclaimed, this is the property of Me!  No other admitted here! But when Christ comes to your heart, He commands that the stone be rolled away. Your heart had always been a tomb. It was destined for the eternity of death. But when Christ commands the stone to be rolled away, He enters your heart and it becomes a Temple! He is no stone, but He is the Rock of Ages. He will keep your heart safely always.

 “Believest thou this?”