Rev. Dr. Mark Tusken

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes. John 20:1-10

"Venni Vetti Vecci." is Latin for "I came, I saw, I conquered." The passage today from the gospel of John can be summarized in a similar fashion: "I came, I saw, I believed."  On this day, early in the morning, the women came back to the tomb to finish the preparations for burial.  In those days, burial tombs were closed with a stone that was rolled into place in front of the opening to the tomb. So as the women approached the tomb, their biggest concern was how they would move this large stone away from the tomb, in order to get inside. But when they arrived, they were surprised to see that the stone had already been rolled away. There would have been a small anteroom right inside the door, with a long slab where the body was to be prepared for burial. When the women entered, Jesus' body was not there! Now the women new that the officials were looking for any way to disgrace Jesus and his disciples, so the women immediately assumed that Jesus' body had been taken. They ran back to Peter and John, and said, "Come and see; they have taken the Lord!"  John ran faster, and arrived at the tomb first. He looked in, and saw the linen wrapping lying there, with Jesus gone. "I came, I saw." When Peter finally arrived, being a little more impetuous and spontaneous, he went right into the anteroom. John then followed him into the chamber, and they both saw the grave clothes lying there. Everything about the scene was intentional, in John's mind. The linens were lying there, but there was no body. The head wrapping was rolled up and lying in a place by itself.  We have to remember how confusing this must have been. Today in our modern church service, we have a glorious choir and instruments, beautiful flowers, and many joyous people. But on that day, Peter and John were alone, and they had no expectations. They came and saw that the body had "vaporized." It was overwhelming for them.  It was similar to that day back in September, when we all watched our t.v.'s, and saw overwhelming, unbelievable things happening to our nation and our people. Peter and John, like us on September 11, had no comprehension as to what they were experiencing.  On that day of utter confusion, John says that he went in, saw, and then believed; but he didn't understand. God has given us an amazing gift of free will, and with that gift, it is never easy for us to comprehend amazing truths such as the resurrection of Jesus. But we too are called today to come, to see and to believe.  And our lives are forever changed when we do.

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Jesus said, "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers." Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:1-10

The context of the passage today is the Jewish Feast of Lights. It was seen as a great celebration of leadership, of God's leadership over the Jewish people. Jesus says, "I am the Good Shepherd," also making known his leadership over our lives. During this festival, passages from Ezekiel, concerning leadership, would be read. "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?'" (Ezek 34:2) It was a prophesy of condemnation, for a confused people during a confused time. The people were led astray because of false leaders. Also during that week, the Jewish people read: "I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD." (Ezek 34:15) In the midst of these readings, of the traditional lighting of candles, and looking to God for direction, Jesus stands in the midst of them and says, "I am the Good Shepherd." The Good Shepherd calls them by name, and leads them out.  How can we let Jesus be our Good Shepherd?  There are plenty of shepherds in the world today who would lead us astray. In the midst of all of the false leaders, Jesus says, if you listen, I'll lead you in the right way. There are three responsibilities for the shepherd. The first responsibility is to lead. The shepherd was responsible for leading the flock to water, to fresh meadows for grazing, and away from the dangers of the wild. The shepherd was always at the front of the flock, leading them to safety. The Good Shepherd wants to lead us, especially during dry, confusing times and points in our lives when decisions need to be made. The role of the shepherd is to lead, guide and direct. The second responsibility of the shepherd is to protect. The wilderness, where the flocks graze, is a place of very cold nights, very hot days, wild animals that attack, and bandits that rob. The role of the shepherd was to guard the flock from these dangers. Jesus wants to protect us, especially when the road gets steep and we are feeling the attack.  "[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Cor 13:7) The third responsibility of the shepherd is to heal. The desert is full of branches that will snag and cut, of parasites, and of rough places to fall into. The sheep needed constant tender care. They needed someone to bind the wounds, to put salve on the cuts, and to minister to the weak and lame. God will likewise heal us when life hits us hard.  We may not know what tomorrow will bring, but we can count on the fact that there will be plenty of false shepherds who would lead us astray. We have a choice of which shepherd to follow. We can follow the Good Shepherd, and we can be sure that we can look to him for all of our needs.

Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it." John 14:1-14

In today's passage, Christ tells us about the promise of a place for us with him in the Father's house. There is freedom in that promise. We can rest and relax knowing that a place has been prepared for us.  How can we know the way to this dwelling place?  Jesus says that all we need to do is to know him, to trust Christ and to know him as our Savior. God wants the best for us. The more time we spend in Scripture, the better life is. Scripture is our guideline for an abundant life. The hardest things in life are the most beautiful, rewarding and sweet. If we endure the hard parts now, we will reap a long term result. If we abide by God's word in the long run, we will be better off. We can make a commitment to ourselves, to be the best we can at what we are called to do. Once we accept Christ as our Savior, we don't stop growing. Our eternal life with Christ starts now. Take the time to be with him and experience his love. The teen life can be a difficult one.  Our teens today are full of questions about life. They also have many influences in their lives, such as friends, family, teachers, and the media. But they also have a great capacity to be on fire for God, with a strong and joyful commitment to God. The other reading for today, from 1 Peter, tells us to "rid yourselves of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander." (1 Pet 2:1) We can listen to this, and say to ourselves, "That's nice," and continue on with our lives, or we can take this home and pick out one thing that God is calling us to work on. How can this affect our abundant life in Christ? Being privileged enough to hear the voice of God, and to do what he says -- this is the abundant life. Our dwelling place with God is confirmed. We may find that we are too fearful to take the hard road, but if we do, we will experience renewal from God. Claim your seat in eternity, and seek to grow as fast as a teen.

Now all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called-- that you might inherit a blessing. For

"Those who desire life

and desire to see good days,

let them keep their tongues from evil

and their lips from speaking deceit;

let them turn away from evil and do good;

let them seek peace and pursue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit. 1 Peter 3:8-18

"Obscenity" covers more than just pornography. It can be found in movies, on t.v., on the internet and in our speech, and it cheapens the image of God. God is love, and we are made in his image. What is obscenity? It is not just graphic images dealing with sex. It debases, corrupts and dehumanizes people. It is found in many areas of the world. The war and violence in the mideast is one form of obscenity. People abusing gays or people of color is another form of obscenity. Another form of obscenity is women not having equal rights in the workplace. Yet another obscenity, which might hit a little closer to home, is gossip. Gossiping tears down the image of others. We are all tempted to put down others. We are all tempted to repay evil with evil. How did this urge to abuse others become greater than our urge to love them? "Can there be a sin which could exceed the love of God?" Dostoevsky asks in his book, The Brothers Karamazov. He was speaking of the conscience. In all people, the conscience is an inner process that condemns our own wrong-doing. Wrong-doing stirs the activity of evaluating ourselves, and it emerges as pain. In Ulysses, James Joyce writes of the "Agenbite of Inwit," which speaks to the self-inflicted hurt of self-analysis, or the remorse of conscience. This is the pain that we secretly, deeply feel. Paul was the first to use the term "conscience" in the new testament, as in the passage from 1 Peter. It is possible for us to develop a resistance to this pain. Paul understood the human conscience. When we dull this pain, we seem free to adore sin rather than God. "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols?" (1 Cor 8:9-10) This power of desire becomes stronger than our desire for God. We don't stop in our sin, because it gives us what we think is satisfaction. This is why we do it, for the satisfaction. There is no sin that does not have pleasure. When we believe, the pandering of our desires keeps us ensnared rather than living the free life that God has for us. It is idolatry. Idolatry is whatever we substitute for loving God and obeying his commands. Peter said, if you want to live and get out of this trap, turn away from evil. Pursue and run after peace. Jesus said, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment." (Mt 22:37-38) "Love on another as I have loved you." (John 13:34) Jesus is not speaking of emotion or affection. Jesus meant that love is a decision and is a determination. It is a pledge we make to live for others, and to obey Christ's commandment of love. Obeying is wonderful; it frees us from the tyranny of ourselves. We are our own greatest enslavers. When we obey, we are free to love others. Obeying steers us away from greed, lust, power, and whatever we might do that hurts God or our neighbor.  We can train ourselves to deaden the pain of wrongdoing. But we can also train ourselves to love more and more and more. We can present our self for the welfare of others, and it becomes natural as we do it.  How do we find this ability to obey? By abiding in him.  "I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)  What does it mean to abide in Christ?  There are many ways to abide in him. We can abide in him by listening to and participating in worship music at our church services, or on a cd in our cars as we drive.  We can partake of the sacraments on a regular basis.  We can abide by listening to God in his Word.  We can abide in him by reading the thoughts, imaginations, visions and inspirations of great Christians of the past. Most of all, we can abide in Christ by praying every day.  The sign that you are abiding in Christ is that you love your brothers and sisters.  This is the fruit that we bear as branches on the vine.  Christ pours his love into our hearts to enable us to love one another.