Easter Vigil: Do Not Fear

Exodus 14:15 - 15:1

Pastor Scott McAnally

All around the world on this day as the sun sets, communities of faith will gather around a fire and keep watch, holding a vigil. From a small fire, congregations will re-light their paschal candle (the big baptismal candle) and process into a darkened sanctuary, with the shadows of Good Friday still lingering. And under the light of the baptismal promise, up to 12 stories will be told of God’s remarkable activity in the lives of the people of the Old Testament.

Our text today is one of those stories. The story of the Red Sea Crossing is one of the most miraculous stories of scripture. But to get a full reading of it, I urge you to read it beginning with verse 1 of chapter 14. Pharaoh is in hot pursuit. The Exodus journey is losing its ‘newness’ as the days go on and the travel begins to wear on some of the Israelites. Some begin to look back at Egypt, fearing the unknown journey ahead…some even wish for the days of slavery, because at least they had a roof over their head and three square meals a day. And who could blame them? Following God often entails leaving what’s comfortable and stepping out in faith…and the good news my friends is that as God parted the Red Seas, God doesn’t forsake you. God never asks you to do anything that God hasn’t done already.

Faith journeys have lots of twists, turns, and bumps in the road. Mine certainly has. Sometimes I even feel as though there have been some switch-backs and u-turns. Yet the promise as revealed in Exodus, and in all of the 12 lessons read in the Easter Vigil Liturgy, is that God is with me…and God will deliver me. And God is with you. God delivers you…so step out in faith, know that you are loved, claimed, saved, and forgiven.

PRAYER: Eternal giver of life and light, this holy night shines with the radiance of the risen Christ. Renew your church with the Spirit given to us in baptism, that we may worship you in sincerity and truth and may shine as a light in the world, through your Son, Jesus Christ out Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Good Friday: Willing

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Caroline Hawkins

What this passage means is: “Though he was innocent, Jesus freely died to save the world from sin.” That means that when I sin, Jesus will forgive me. I know Jesus will forgive me, because he loves Earth, he loves Heaven, and he loves me.

PRAYER: Lord God and Jesus, Thank you for giving your holy forgiveness. We all pray that we give you our love with our whole, holy hearts. Amen.

Maundy Thursday: Teacher

John 13:1-15

Steve Wilson

One of the greatest lessons in the gospels is the value of being a servant: the strength, glory, and impact we can have, not from being served, but in serving others. In John 13:1-15, Jesus is the model servant, washing the feet of his disciples. Such a humble act. Something the lowliest slave would do. However, Jesus says, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” This was one of Jesus’ last teachings to his Disciples on the night of the Last Supper.

I often think when I feel I’m losing perspective, wrapped up in worldly things, “what have I done to help others?” We should all look at opportunities in our lives to imitate Jesus the servant. What a special blessing to gain wisdom, humility, and a life well-lived – just from serving others. As the proverb goes, “I raise my children not for themselves but for the impact they will have on those they serve.”

PRAYER: Lord, you give us such great examples that show the truth and glory of your word. Life is fuller…with more spirit…and we are rewarded many times over…if we follow your word and imitate your actions. Amen.

Surely Not I

Matthew 26:14-25

Steve O'Connor

Betrayed. Most of us have experienced a betrayal of some sort in our lives. It hurts. Especially when the betrayer is someone we love.

This passage from Matthew recounts the betrayal of Christ by someone close to him, his disciple Judas, in exchange for thirty silver coins (according to my Bible, the price of a slave). For that price, Judas agreed to hand Jesus over to the religious leaders who opposed his teachings and sought his death. At the Last Supper, after the money was paid, Jesus announced that one of the twelve would betray him. Each of the disciples in turn questioned Jesus, in effect denying that he was the one. Even Judas had the audacity to ask “Surely not I, Rabbi?” But Jesus answered with the truth, telling Judas what he already knew—he was the one.

“Betray” has a number of definitions in my dictionary. One of those definitions, “to deliver to an enemy by treachery,” perfectly fits the actions of Judas in this passage of Scripture. “Betray” also means “to fail or desert,” which not only applies to the actions of Judas (and to the eleven other disciples after Jesus is taken into custody), but also to our actions. This is the betrayal that occurs when we act contrary to our faith. It happens in what we think, say and do. We are creatures of sin. Choosing not to attend church. Selfishly not supporting the ministries of God’s Church on Earth. Treating others badly. Jesus said “[i]f you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15. But in these, and so many other ways, we fail to obey. When that happens we betray God by failing to stay on the path He wants us to walk.

“Betray,” however, has another definition, which is “to lead astray.” Does that definition also apply? Maybe. Perhaps by failing to obey what God commands, we betray ourselves in that we lead ourselves astray from the relationship God wants to have with us.

PRAYER: Gracious God, Grant us by your grace the strength to remain steadfast in our faith, so that we may seek not to betray you by what we think, say or do. Amen.

Rock of Refuge

Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17

Joni Holeman

This is an Old Testament psalm written by David before he became Israel’s king. David never knew Jesus, but God considered David a good friend because David listened and consulted with God whenever he faced decisions. Well, almost always—David only made terrible choices when he did not ask God for help!

“Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go;

Give the command to save me,

For you are my rock and my fortress.”

The heartfelt prose in Psalm 71 has maintained its popularity for centuries.

“You have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord,

My confidence since my youth.”

Looking introspectively, I can discern a few parallels from Psalm 71 in my life. I’ve trusted God and prayed daily since childhood, even through my un-churched years from 16-42 (yep, I was one of those teen dropouts!).

“Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,

And to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.”

God and his Holy Spirit have been a fortress to me, especially since becoming a Stephen Minister. It’s the Spirit who gives me the right words to say. And if I listen carefully, I’ve learned that the Spirit will even shut my mouth when there are no right words.

It’s taken me a surprisingly long time to learn how to pray to Jesus, though. Maybe I’ve had a God-as-authority-figure neurosis going on because of those un-churched years! The wonderful Bible studies we’ve shared here at Christ the King have taught me the healing redemption of Christ. Now I know that I can trust in Jesus, my Savior, every day until eternity. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

PRAYER: Father, we use David’s words in prayer: “Who, O God, is like you? Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, You who have done great things. Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; Turn your ear to me and save me. Do not cast me away when I am old; Do not forsake me when my strength is gone.” We place our trust in your blessed Son Jesus, Amen.

Eyes For Others

Isaiah 42:1-7

Rob Loesch

Upon my first read, I found these paragraphs very disturbing. They can be interpreted in a variety of ways, depending on one’s current circumstances and personal objectives. In good times, the passages can lead one toward humility and compassion. In bad times, they could be a call for us to enforce God’s righteous justice through violence and religious warfare.

Pastor Gysan was kind of enough to provide additional information about the context of Isaiah’s writings, as well as a historical understanding. This passage is considered to be one of the four servant songs in Isaiah. He noted Isaiah 49:1-6, 50:4-9, 52:13-53:12 to fill in the context. Taken all together, I have a better understanding. In paragraph 2 through 7, guidance is being provided on what our personal mission should be, including our behavior toward others. The idea is to not Lord over others, but to act as a servant to one another, helping each other as Jesus helped us on earth and continues to help us from heaven above.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Please hear the voice of those desiring peace. Please open the minds and souls of those who are blinded by their extreme positions and lead them toward compassion and reconciliation. We pray that all may live free of tyranny and injustice. Amen.

Passion

Isaiah 50:4-7

Adriana Lundgren

In the sight of such great suffering, we find the strength to drink our cup. What that means to me is that no matter what happens, we will have the strength to recover, because God will help us. There are things that happen in the world that are very sad, and God helps us get through them.

PRAYER: God, Please help everyone who is going through a hard time, so they will find the strength to drink their cup.