EASTER MESSAGE 2012
Rev. Robert J Dreese
There are times in life when we simply have to rely on the testimony of others in order to establish what we believe to be true. The resurrection of Jesus is something which none of us have witnessed and so we have to rely upon the stories conveyed to us in the gospels about Jesus’ body missing from the tomb as all the evidence we need to believe that we was raised from the dead.
The first to find him missing were several women and what they said was believed to be way beyond possible until the men folk went and determined for themselves that the body was missing. What was going on they were not sure and what they did was go into hiding…....a self imposed witness protection program.
Eventually they came to believe in what is described in John’s gospel that belief would be confirmed by the very appearance of Jesus among them. Jesus offering to show the nail holes in his hands and the hole torn open in his side.
If they had been still confused. This appearance now put them over the top.
But where does that leave us? We are not eye witnesses of the empty tomb and we were not among those who were privileged to see Jesus with our own eyes.
So, why then, are we here?
Let me suggest that the reason why we are here this morning is not because we were witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection. I think we are here because we want to give witness to his resurrection, even if we are uncertain as to what that means.
Being a witness begins with a person swearing an oath that they will tell the truth, often it involves placing one’s left hand on the Bible while raising their right hand to make the oath. And from that point on it is assumed that the person tells the truth in everything they say.
Questions are asked by attorneys from both sides of the case each trying to peel away from the witness the pieces of the truth they want to establish their case. We’ve watched it on Perry Mason, Law and Order, Judge Judy and perhaps in real life when we were in a courtroom or even called to the witness stand. In all of these moments there is a jury or a judge who will be asked to decide, after hearing the testimony, what the truth is.
But who hears our testimony about Jesus? Be careful. There is a judge and jury for the testimony we give. To give witness to Jesus’ life and ministry is something which we are all called to do. It is our Christian vocation.
But like the disciples who went into witness protection many Christians also spend their time hiding out rather than working out.
And if you think I’m talking to you. I probably am. Let’s be honest, it’s not my job to hand out passes --to excuse Christians from properly living their faith. It’s not my job to tell you it’s OK to not give witness to your faith.
This is First Grace United Church of Christ. We are not a social club. We are the church which takes seriously the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are a congregation of people who celebrate the saving Grace of God among us. We are a people who take seriously our lives of living in faith and acting in works.
How’s that for a testimony? How’s that for giving witness to the resurrected Christ?
Well, you’ve heard that actions speak louder than words. It’s true and the truth of the gospel is sometimes told no better than through our actions. First Grace is one church where there is ample opportunity to act out your faith. What are you doing on Saturday or Sunday? We’re feeding about 800 people a month. We fed 93 people this morning. We are giving witness to the Risen Christ with each dirty plate that comes back to the kitchen -- with each “Thank you” that is spoken -- with each “God Bless You” that is given as people leave to go home.
The message that Jesus lives is not silent here and there is a place for you as Christ’s story continues to unfold here at First Grace. Perhaps you’ve thought about doing living out your faith in some significant way but you just haven’t gotten around to it. First Grace does not pride itself on offering a witness protection plan. Rather than spending endless hours talking about doing ministry--First Grace carries out ministry. Rather than working to not rocking the boat we are willing to shift our weight when the boat needs to be rocked. Rather than going home and pretending this morning didn’t happen, how about being a witness? How about giving witness to the Risen Christ? In word and deed? Amen.