Who killed Jesus? And, Why did he have to die?

We are getting ready to remember the passion of our Lord and I cannot help but ask the question, “Who killed Jesus?” and “Why did he have to die?”. Factually; it was a judicial sentence, so the Romans killed Jesus. Theologically; Jesus died to take away our sin. Historically, the gospel writers led us to an understanding of the cross as transformative. The theologian Anselm taught of Jesus’ death as a sacrifice of atonement, that meant ‘payment’ for sin, or making restitution for sin. I’m sure you’ve heard his words such as “Christ suffered as a substitute for all humanity”. I’ve always struggled with that, as it is hard for me to relate to a God that needs to be ‘paid off’. There is a sacrifice and it does become substitutionary, but it is not easily worked nor accepted. It seems that our modern understanding of sacrifice can lead us away from Jesus and the cross and into our own sort of self pity and wallowing. “Oh, it’s my fault Jesus had to die. I am guilty. If I just weren’t so sinful.” This ends up being a theology of glory, not a theology of the cross: It’s all about me – not Jesus.

Jesus followed the natural course of a rebel. He died at the hands of the Roman Empire and the Temple authorities who wanted to thwart his movement. He died on the cross as thousands of others did when they challenged the rulers. The difference is found in the resurrection.

I believe that Jesus died to end suffering. He died to show us that such injustice was against God. In this way I accept Jesus’ ‘atonement’ of our sin because for me it is a symbol of Redemptive Justice. We are redeemed by the symbol of the cross as a statement that such suffering and judicial acts are wrong and go against the loving God that sent us Jesus to show us a different way. As a follower of the cross, I work to end suffering and to bring about compassionate justice. So who killed Jesus? We all did. Why did he have to die? To show us how utterly wrong it is. To rise in order to change the way of the world.

As the Christian world sits in Lent, the Jewish world sits in fear. Fear because for centuries the death of Jesus has been thrown up in their faces as the ultimate act of evil. This year, let us set the record straight. The Jews did not kill Jesus. The Romans killed Jesus and the crowds were manipulated by the Temple authorities to support their rejection of his mission.

Theologically, we all killed Jesus because we accept violence and injustice. No one is left free of sin. So who killed Jesus? We all did. Why did he have to die? To show us how utterly wrong it is and to rise in order to change the way of the world.

This year, let us remember our role in the Divine Drama. Not so we will wallow in self pity or guilt, but clearly so that we can remove blame; and instead focus on Jesus the Christ who took the shame of the cross and used it for redemptive justice and transformation. For this, Jesus bought us eternal life.

In the Mountains

I remember the first time that I went to camp in the mountains. It wasn’t really the 35 pound backpack that affected me. It wasn’t that I was carrying my own sleeping bag and tent that impressed me. It wasn’t the dry food packs or the iodine tablets that I had to put in the water that overwhelmed me. No, it wasn’t the ‘digger’, the bear bag or the ‘no impact camping’ that I really remember even yet today. No, while all of these things were a part of the trip, what really changed my life was meeting God in the beauty of God’s creation. Somehow, I felt smaller and yet more important as I tread the mountain paths with the guides from the camp. Praying in the wild flower fields and singing from the top of the crag was some of the most powerful communication with God that I have ever known.

This summer seven of our youth and three of their sponsors will be going to Sky Ranch Lutheran Summer Camp in the mountains of Colorado. I am so excited for all of the Godly encounters that I know they will have. Please join me in prayer for them and if you would like to give a scholarship for any of them, let me know!

See you in church,
Pastor Lynnae

LENT

Lent is about to be upon us. The time of Lent in our church calendar is a time to focus on the teachings of the church and on the life and death of Jesus. It is a time to stand at the cross and remember. It is not about ‘giving things up’ or ‘making resolutions’. It is about deepening your relationship with your Lord. It is not about sentimentalizing or romanticizing. It is about getting to know the one who gave up everything for you and for the whole world. Let this Lent be a time where you connect with those who tell the story of Jesus and with those who knew him. It is all about – relationship. Get to know the Lord.

See you in church,
Pastor Lynnae

The Life of Faith

Continuing education is basic for pastors to stay in touch with the public and with their congregations as they go through their ministry. It is easy to get into a routine that can get stale for preaching and ministry if your pastor doesn’t continue to learn about faith, leadership, and ministry. Every year the Bishops of the three synods in Texas plan and participate in a Theological Conference for the continuing education of pastors and lay professionals in the church. I have been working hard as a part of the planning team for this years conference entitled: “La Vida de Fey (The Life of Faith) : A Tapestry of Hispanic Spirituality”. My responsibilities include: worship, logistics, and environment. While my Spanish is a whole lot rusty, I continue to struggle to learn of the ways of faith of the Hispanic people and especially Hispanic Lutherans.

Pastor Fetter and I will be gone for this event from Jan. 25-27th in San Antonio. Laurie Donovan and Philip Drake will be joining us to help with AV and music portions of the conference. Please pray for our continued education and that our ministries will benefit!

The Gospel of Luke

I love Luke Best!

The Gospel of Luke is a mastery of elegance and complexity. This church year, starting in Advent begins the study of the Gospel according to Luke. The richness of Luke’s presentation of the story of Jesus makes it one of Christianities treasures!

The church uses one of the Synoptic (same sight) Gospels each year as the focus for the Gospel readings. Year A, examines Matthew; Year B – Mark and Year C – Luke.

“Each Gospel contains a different structure, develops different themes, and portrays the person of Jesus in its own unique way. The Markan Jesus is an enigmatic and tragic figure, misunderstood and abandoned. Being a disciple of the Markan Jesus means taking up the cross and following him.

The Matthean Jesus is a new Moses who fulfills the Scripture and established the authority of his own words. Being a disciple of the Matthean Jesus, therefore, means keeping his teachings and making other disciples.

The Johannine Jesus is the Word incarnate, the heavenly revealer who is not of this world but who was sent to reveal the Father. Being a disciple of the Johannine Jesus means responding to the revelation with belief, being born from above, imbibing living water and eating the bread of life, and fulfilling one’s place and vocation in the community of the “children of God”.

The Lukan Jesus is compassionate, a friend to outcasts. Luke also relates Jesus to the history of Israel, the Scriptures, contemporary world history, and the unfolding of God’s redemptive purposes in human history. Jesus is the Savior sent to seek and to save the lost.” (The New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary)

I think I love Luke best – at least this year I do!

See you in church,
Pastor Lynnae

An Invitation to Christmas: Come Celebrate Jesus!

As a child one of my favorite ‘Advent Traditions’ was — getting to play with the figures of our family Nativity Scene. I loved walking the shepherds along, giving the camels the best view, and putting the baby Jesus in the center of it all. I am thankful that our scene wasn’t too glass, china-like, or fragile to keep my sister and I from handling. Or maybe it was, but my parents were wise enough to let us become a part of the story through our play.

This Advent season our theme is “Come Celebrate Jesus!” It is my hope that in the weeks leading to the birthday of Christ, you will prepare yourselves for Christmas by Celebrating Jesus. In worship we will hear of the historic and prophetic times of ancient Israel, desperate for a new king. In worship we will call out in prayer for the whole world to know of the salvation that the Christ Child promised. In worship we will harmonize as we lift our voices in praise and roclamation. IN WORSHIP. Come Celebrate Jesus.

See you in church.

Pastor Lynnae

1, 2, or 3?

Each Christmas my mom makes ‘Christmas Pudding’. It is made of cranberries and it is smothered with warm butter and spices (a little sugar in there too). I love it! It reminds me of yesteryear and it comforts my heart. I know that Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without it. The thing is, I seem to be the only one who feels this way. It is a great deal of work to make. The rest of my family can take it or leave it. So I’m afraid my mother is going to conveniently forget to make it again this year. My choice is 1) to get over it, 2) to whine and complain so she will make it , or 3) to learn how to make it myself!

The easiest thing to do is #2 – guilt my mother into it! Maybe the smartest thing to do is ‘to just get over it’, then it can be one of those memories that I dig out every once in a while and sigh over. OR - I could get the recipe and try my own hand at it!

If something is really important to you, in worship, fellowship, membership care, maybe we have to look at the options. 1-2-3. Please don’t wait to be asked. If it is important enough to us – then we will jump in and do the work to make it happen. I’m not sure if I’ll have Christmas Pudding this year or not. What I do know is that whatever happens – it is up to me. God help us.