Difference between revisions of "Sermon for April 21st, 2019"

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(Created page with "==Matthew 16:13-17== 13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said,...")
 
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==Who Do You Say That I Am?==
 
==Who Do You Say That I Am?==
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One day up in heaven, Saint Peter saw Jesus walking by and caught his attention. "Hey Jesus, could you watch the Pearly Gates while I go run an errand?”
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“Sure,” replied Jesus. “What do I have to do?”
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“Just talk to the people who arrive. Ask about their background, their family, and their lives. Then decide if they deserve to be let into Heaven.”
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So Jesus waited at the gates while St. Peter went off on his errand.  The first person to approach the gates was a kind looking, wrinkled old man. Jesus stopped him at the entrance to the gates, greeted him, and asked, “So...what was it you did for a living?”
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The old man replied, “I was a carpenter.”  Jesus remembered his own life on earth, and he leaned forward just a little.
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“Did you have any family?” Jesus asked.
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“Yes, I had a son, but I lost him.”
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Jesus leaned forward some more. “You lost your son? Can you tell me more about him?”
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“Well, he had holes in his hands and feet.”
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Jesus leaned forward even more and whispered, “Father?”
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The old man leaned forward and whispered, “Pinocchio?”
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Mistaken identity is one of many themes in today's scripture passage from John.  Mary Magdalene does not recognize Jesus because he isn't where he is supposed to be.  I can relate to that a little bit--as a pastor, people are used to seeing me here in the sanctuary, dressed in my robe (or suit).  So when I see someone in the grocery store on a weekday, and I'm dressed in blue jeans, t-shirt, tennis shoes and a baseball cap, and I say "Hi (so and so)! How are you?" occasionally I'm met with a blank stare.  "Who are you, strange person, and how do you know my name?"

Revision as of 18:13, 19 April 2019

Matthew 16:13-17

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah,[a] the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.

John 20:13-18

13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew,[a] “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Who Do You Say That I Am?

One day up in heaven, Saint Peter saw Jesus walking by and caught his attention. "Hey Jesus, could you watch the Pearly Gates while I go run an errand?”

“Sure,” replied Jesus. “What do I have to do?”

“Just talk to the people who arrive. Ask about their background, their family, and their lives. Then decide if they deserve to be let into Heaven.”

So Jesus waited at the gates while St. Peter went off on his errand. The first person to approach the gates was a kind looking, wrinkled old man. Jesus stopped him at the entrance to the gates, greeted him, and asked, “So...what was it you did for a living?”

The old man replied, “I was a carpenter.” Jesus remembered his own life on earth, and he leaned forward just a little.

“Did you have any family?” Jesus asked.

“Yes, I had a son, but I lost him.”

Jesus leaned forward some more. “You lost your son? Can you tell me more about him?”

“Well, he had holes in his hands and feet.”

Jesus leaned forward even more and whispered, “Father?”

The old man leaned forward and whispered, “Pinocchio?”

Mistaken identity is one of many themes in today's scripture passage from John. Mary Magdalene does not recognize Jesus because he isn't where he is supposed to be. I can relate to that a little bit--as a pastor, people are used to seeing me here in the sanctuary, dressed in my robe (or suit). So when I see someone in the grocery store on a weekday, and I'm dressed in blue jeans, t-shirt, tennis shoes and a baseball cap, and I say "Hi (so and so)! How are you?" occasionally I'm met with a blank stare. "Who are you, strange person, and how do you know my name?"