Germany - Day 2

Our adventure in Germany continues. Last night, we had a lovely meal at the restaurant.  They have a room just for our group, which is very nice.  After dinner, we sat outside in a wonderful outdoor cafe under a star filled night.  No one stayed up late.  This morning, we may our way to the Heidelberg Castle, which sits on the hillside overlooking the city.  The castle was destroyed by the French, but what remains is amazing.  The group was struck by the large wine barrels.  Some were the size of a small house.  The views from the gardens were spectacular.

From the castle, we went to the Church of the Holy Spirit in the town square.  You enter the church and you immediately have a sense of the vertical.  Your eyes are lifted to the heavens.  One amazing fact is that the church was divided down the middle for many years with the reformists on one side and the Catholics on the other.  Lunch followed our visit and many of us dined in one of the many cares along the river.  Of course, the food was delicious.

After lunch, we visited the Jesuit church that was built as a part of the Counter Reformation.  This church presented the best in religious art and sculpture as a counterpoint to the plainness of the Reformed churches.  The church was success in this goal.

The group then divided.  My small group went to the University of Heidelberg museum.  This museum told the history of the university which goes back to 1386.  The school has an amazing history.  It plays a central role in developing the Heidelberg Catechism, which is the central document of the Reformed Church.  In many ways, it is like the Augsburg Confession for us as Lutherans. After the University of Heidelberg, I went to a special display at one of the other museums telling the story of the Heidelberg Catechism.  I was very taken with the political storm surrounding this statement of faith.  The rest of the afternoon was spent exploring the streets and stores of the city.  Dinner will once again be at the hotel.

Tomorrow we will leave Heidelberg with many great stories and memories.  As an added feature, we are beginning each day with a word from Martin Luther.  He wrote a daily devotion and we are using his reflections to center us for the day.  Contiue to keep us in your prayed and we will do the same for you.  If I can find a wifi connection, I will report tomorrow.

Peace,
Pastor Summer

Germany - Day 1

If you believe it, I'm sitting in a Starbucks in Heidelberg, Germany.  They had free wifi.  And so the blogging of our adventure in Germany begins.  The flight was a little under 7 hours.  It's amazing that you can go sleep in New Jersey and wake up in Germany.  Although, I didn't get much sleep.  I was too excited.  Our first stop was Worms where the Diet of Worms was held challenging Luther and his faith.  Emperor Charles V presided.  The cathedral was amazing going all the way back the the 1100's.  There are elements that span the centuries.  I loved the set of drums sitting I. One of the chapels.

From Worms, we traveled to Heidelberg, where we are spending the next two night. Old Heidelberg is beautiful.  The city sits next to the Neckar River belows the ruins of the Heidelberg Castle.  The streets narrow and cobbled stoned.  You can feel the history.  We went to a local restaurant just off the town square.  The food was delicious and very German.  We had sausages, sauerkraut, red cabbage, and, for some, beer.  In the afternoon, a group of us went on the Philosopher's Walk, which was a trail that went up the mountain on the other side of the river and gave a beautiful view of the city and the castle.  It is said that the philosophers from the University of Heidelberg use to walk that trail with their students.  I can see why.  Tomorrow, having fully recovered from the flight, we will have a fuller day of sightseeing.  I'm looking forward to the next adventure.

Peace,
Pastor Summer

Germany: Here We Come

Before returning to the Book of Faith, I am joining a delegation from Zion that is heading to Germany this Sunday.  this trip is the first event in our year long celebration of our 300th anniversary.  We leave after worship.  This is my first trip overseas and I am very excited.  We will be traveling for 10 days and I'm going to use my blog to record the journey.  As long as I can find wifi, I will be updating every day.  I will also be asking others in the group to add their observations.  Starting this Sunday, September 1, follow are adventures.  I'm sure we will have many stories to tell.  Make sure you check my blog each day and tell others to do so.

Peace,

Pastor Summer

Book of Faith - John 3:1-13 - Born from Above

Before moving into the story of Nicodemus and being born from above, we revisited last weeks discussion.  John 2:23-25 is a little confusing.  The key seems to be in what translation you have.  The one we thought was the clearest was:

When he was in Jerusalem, at the Passover, at the Feast, many believed in his name, as they saw the signs which he did; but Jesus himself would not entrust himself to them, because he knew them all, and because he had no need that anyone should testify in him what man is like, for he well knew what was in human nature.  

Mark has the Messianic secret running all through his gospel.  Jesus would do a miracle and then tell people not to tell anyone.  John suggests the same pattern.  In this case, Jesus knew people and understood that they were not ready for the truth.  Like the old movie, they couldn't handle the truth.  They loved a man of signs and wonders, but they were not ready for a man of suffering.  Just like Mark, you have to wait until the cross and Easter to truly understand who Jesus is.  

From these two verses, we moved on to the story of Nicodemus who comes to see Jesus in the middle of the night.  Nicodemus is looking for the truth, but when Jesus gives him the truth, that he needs to be born again (born from above), Nicodemus cannot accept the idea that he must start again and deflects the truth by asking how can someone be born again.  Jesus' response seems harsh by challenging Nicodemus, but a more careful look suggests that Jesus was just calling Nicodemus on his supposed ignorance.  Jesus is saying that Nicodemus knew what Jesus was saying, he just didn't want to accept what he said.  We have that kind of encounter all the time with our children.  They pretend to not understand what we are saying because they do not like what we are saying.  We find ourselves calling their bluff.  Jesus calls Nicodemus' bluff.  Jesus sees Nicodemus as a person who puts up wallpaper.  The job is perfect, but the pattern is upside down.  Nicodemus was a righteous man, but his own righteousness was not the road to salvation.  He needed to go back to the beginning.  He needed to be saved.  The story of Nicodemus is no different than our own story.

Peace,

Pastor Summer

   

Book of Faith - John 1:35-51 - Calling the Disciples

As we continued to explore the gospel of John this week, the group found it interesting that John the Baptist directs his disciples to Jesus.  This picks up the earlier theme that John is not the Messiah.  Anyone who says differently is not speaking for John.  John may have been surprised that Jesus was the promised one, but he had no doubts.  

The group wondered why Nathanael recognized Jesus as the Son of God from the very beginning.  This seems surprising in light of the other gospels.  This serves the gospel writer's purpose, but may not reflect what actually happened.  Certainly there is more going on in this encounter between Nathanael and Jesus than meets the eye.  Jesus was able to see into the very heart of Nathanael.  Jesus saw him under the fig tree, but something more was taking place.  Nathanael would have been studying the law under that fig tree and studying the law was his true pleasure and joy.  Jesus recognized that passion in Nathanael.  It was that passion that Jesus saw and the reason that Nathanael marveled at Jesus.  Jesus could read Nathanael like a book.  Jesus would also recognize Simon as his rock (Cephas in aramaic or Peter in Greek).  Jesus' ability to see into the hearts of others was a gift we see again and again in scripture.  This ability also speaks to our own journey of faith.  Jesus is able to see into our hearts.  He knows the truth about us, even the truths we try to keep secret.  That is why the love of God is so powerful.  God's love is given even though God knows the truth about us.

John gives Andrew a role to play.  Andrew is Peter's brother and is always second fiddle.  However, in John, Andrew is always bringing people to Jesus.  In this passage, Andrew brings Peter to Jesus.  In many ways, that is our role.  We are to bring others to Jesus.  We do not make faith happen.  By invitation, we help to create moments where the gift of faith is given.  Andrew provides such an invitation to his brother Peter.

Finally, Jesus turns to address the first two disciples to follow him.  One of those disciples was Andrew.  At the beginning, they were only following at a distance.  Jesus is the one who turns and asks, "What do you seek?"  The question is a powerful one.  What do we seek from Jesus?  Jesus' turning also has him meets us where we are rather than waiting for us to come to him.  That is the movement of God's grace.  God's grace is always coming to us.  God's grace is always meeting us where we are.  That is the power and wonder of God's love.

Join us next week for the Book of Faith.  We meet every Wednesday at noon at the Christian Education Building.  You may also join us on this blog.  Keep exploring!

Peace,

Pastor Summer

Book of Faith - John 1:19-34 - The Testimony of John

In verse 19 of the first chapter, John begins to tell the story of Jesus.  He begins with the testimony of John the Baptist.  What's striking is that the gospel writer does not tell us anything about the ministry of John the Baptist, but only his witness.  Everything points to Jesus.  The assumption is made that you already know the story of John the Baptist.  The religious authorities come and challenge John.  After all, John is a priest like his father.  In fact, that is how you became a priest.  Priesthood  was hereditary.  The authorities had some concerns about John.  He represented all priests.  There was talk in the community about whether he was the Messiah.  John's declaration that he was neither the Messiah, Elijah, or the prophet addresses their concern, but also addresses the questions being raised at the time the gospel was being written.  There were many who continued to follow John after the arrival of Jesus.  There were those who followed John even after the resurrection.  The gospel writer wanted to put to rest any and all questions surrounding John's being the promised one.  The gospel writer has John himself declare that he is not the Messiah.

Of course, the other concern of the religious authorities was John baptizing people.  Yes, people were baptized in those days, but they were baptized in order to become Jews.  Jews were not baptized because they were already the people of God.  John's baptism was different.  He was saying that his own people needed to be baptized because of their sin.  They needed to be washed clean.  They needed to repent.  The truth is that we resist the call to repentance, particularly when we think there is nothing wrong.  However, John's message must have resonated with people, even it that message was difficult to hear.  We have all experienced that uncomfortable word of truth in our lives.  Someone challenges us about our actions or choices.  Our first reaction is to defend ourselves, dismiss the individual making the challenge, and even grow angry with them.  However, as those challenging words settle with us, we may come to realize the truth they hold and open ourselves to change.  We may come to not only accept the challenge but come to be grateful to the one who spoke the truth in the beginning.  John spoke the truth.   People needed to repent and, if they were honest, they would own that truth.  Jesus would continue that theme.  He would call people to repentance.  Their lives were broken and Jesus came to lead them to a better way, a better life.  He spoke the truth in order to safe.  That is the movement of the God's grace.  

Once again, we have just begun our journey in John.  Join us in the coming weeks either at the Book of Faith class on Wednesday at noon at the CEB or by following the blog.  Make the Book of Faith a part of your road to discipleship.

Peace,
Pastor Summer

Book of Faith - John 1:1-18 - In the Beginning

We have begun our journey through the gospel of John.  John tells the story of Jesus in a very different way from Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  John does include the temptation of Jesus, the Transfiguration, the Lord's supper, Jesus casting out demons, the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord's Prayer, or any narrative parables.  However, John is the only gospel where we find Jesus visiting Jerusalem prior to the Passion, the early Galilean ministry, the Farewell Discourse, the story of Nicodemus, and the raising of Lazarus.  John is more reflective is telling the story.  The emphasis is not the "Kingdom of God" but "eternal life".  John also saw us participating in that "eternal life" in the here and now.  These are just some of the differences.  We hope to discover more as we spend time with John.

The opening 18 verses of John are well known and well loved.  One member in the group appreciated how John was able to capture the entirety of the gospel in 18 verses.  These 18 verses serve as a prelude to the telling of the story.  The use of the Word (Logos) was intentional to speak to a Greek audience.  Greeks would have understood Logos as being the instrument of the Divine used to make creation happen since the Divine is perfect (Plato) and the material world is imperfect.  The Divine needed an instrument.  John identifies that creative instrument as Jesus, who not only was there at the beginning of creation, but took on flesh and came into the world so that we might know the heart of God.  John provides an amazing witness that bridges the gap between the Greek and Christian world.  The group was taken by the lengths God will go for the sake of us and this world.  The group compared the grace of God to a GPS that is always making corrections to bring us home.  

The group also spent time talking about enlightenment.  Jesus, the light of the world, comes so that we might be enlightened.  Enlightenment was understood as finally getting something.  My son passed algebra in middle school and could have moved on in high school.  He chose to take algebra again.  What he said is the he could pass the test, but he really didn't get algebra.  In high school, he took algebra again and the light came on.  He got it and it made all the difference in the world.  Enlightenment is when the light goes on and we get this faith business.  Jesus comes so that we might come to truly know grace.  

As I said, we are just beginning the gospel of John.  Join us on Wednesday at noon or follow along on the blog.  Either way, make the Book of Faith a part of your faith journey.

Peace,
Pastor Summer