BICYCLES AND ANSWERED PRAYERS

 

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Gold Hill UMC

October 19,2025

Luke 18:1-8

When I read this story this week, I was reminded of an event that occurred some 69 years ago. When I first saw it, I knew I has to have it. It was what I had always wanted. And there it was, front and center in the window of Joe's Bike Shop. A bright green Schwinn American bicycle. It had two of the things I most wanted in a bicycle: First: It was a Boys bike! I had been riding a hand me down bike from my sister, and it was embarrassing! Anyplace I went I was teased about my Girl,'s bike. Secondly, it had TWO speeds...twice as many as most of my friends had. It was the bike of my dreams and I had to have it.

My 10^th birthday was coming up, and I went on a mission. I let everyone know that that bike was what I wanted for my birthday. I told my parents(At least a thousand times). I told my brothers and sisters. It l told my aunts, uncles, and cousins. I told all my friends and their folks. I even told God. I really wanted that bicycle!

Then came the big day. I jumped out of bed, dressed for school, and bounced into the kitchen where my mother was busy making the famous October 6^th Coffee Cake.

“Would you please set the table?” she asked. No”Good Morning.” No “Happy Birthday.” Just 'Please set the table. I grabbed the silverware and distributed it around the table. Then the plates, glasses, cups, and saucers. I finished with the pitcher of milk ad carafe of coffee.”

“The table is set”.

Any trouble?”

“Nope.”

Anything unusual?”

“No, just a bicycle on the table....A BICYCLE!” I ran back into the dining room and looked again. There it was! The bright green Schwinn American, 2 speed Boys bike! And a card wishing me a Happy Birthday! It sure was.

This parable is not about a birthday wish, The story concerns a widow who is seeking justice. Widows, especially widows without sons to stand up for them were among what I call the POP; the Poor, the Oppressed, and the Powerless.”

The judge—who was not a judge in the way we know judges, but one of the elders, possibly a rabbi,scribe,or Pharisee, who heard the cases of the people and dispensed justice—supposedly.

This judge did not. He had no respect for either God, nor people, and quite probably ruled in favor of the largest bribe. In any event, when the widow approached him seeking justice he ignored her. But she didn't give up, she kept coming to him asking for justice. Finally, the judge realized . And therethat if he didn't listen to her case she would just keep on hounding him. He said to himself: “I will grant her justice so that she will not wear me out by continually coming.” Jesus then compares the unjust judge to the God of Justice, telling his disciples: “Will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? I tell you he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

This is not a story about nagging God, it is a story about constant, consistent faithfulness, even in the face of seeming impossibility. It is a challenge to remain faithful even in the face of seemingly impossible obstacles.

Over the course of my pastoring career I served mostly small churches, and almost all of them suffered from feelings of corporate inferiority. The “We're too small. We're too old. We're too tired” syndrome.

They would read in church publications, of the wonderful work being done by their larger sister churches, and feel less than faithful because they could not match those efforts. Because they don't have large buildings, big staffs, TV ministries, or a pastor who is always being interviewed about local events on the evening news they must not count for much.

But I would suggest that as we gather here every Sunday, every Christmas, every Easter, whether there be 6 or 60 of us, we are holding fast to our faith. We demonstrate that faithfulness in worship, offering ourselves, our prayers, our offerings our service to God as we celebrate God's faithfulness to us.

Today's gospel is a story about faithfulness through prayer and waiting. The widow in the story never gave up. No matter how many times she was put off, no matter how many times she was ignored, she kept coming back. Another week has gone by and I still don't know when my surgery will be. I am sometimes even tempted to feel like the woman in the story. But unlike the widow in the story I have no doubt that God hears my prayers. I have no doubt that my shoulder will be healed. I know God hears my prayers, and I know they will be answered

We had about three months left in Seminary. Then we would leave Ohio and return to the Oregon-Idaho annual conference. Fay and I sat down and went over our financial situation, how much money we had; how much we expected to earn in those last months; and how much we needed to live on and move. We came up $500 short. So we prayed about it, and we prayed about it, and we prayed about it some more. But we were still $500 short. So we decided to call my sister, who I was almost positive would lend us the money. “I'll call her tomorrow after I get home from school.” I told Fay. That day I checked my mail box at the school and there was a letter from the conference. I had been nominated for, and awarded a /scholarship I didn't even know existed. A check for $500 was included. I know God answers my prayer, and I know he will answer yours. Remember, prayer is like duct tape; if it doesn't work, you haven't used enough. AMEN.

 

USING MONEY

Gold Hill United Methodist Church

September 21, 2025

Luke 16:1-13

At first reading, today's story of the Dishonest Manager left me somewhat confused. Why is Jesus praising this guy for cheating his boss. Is this really what Christians are supposed to do? I don't think so. But I must admit it took a while, and quite a bit of study, for me to figure this one out.

Jesus had just finished telling the story of the prodigal to the Pharisees and scribes who were grumbling about his keeping company with sinners and tax collectors. Now he speaks to his disciples, his followers and friends. He tells his followers of a manager who had been “Squandering” his master's property. The master called for a final accounting and fired the steward. The steward, realizing his reputation is shot and his chance at getting another job as manager was now impossible, took action. He reduced the accounts receivable from several debtor's, knowing he could call in these favors later. Jesus then praises the manager—not for stealing-

but for the shrewd way in which he prepared for his future. By reducing the debts, he made the debtors beholding to him and created a situation where he would be assured of a welcome in their homes. He was praised for the wise use of money.

Paul writes to Timothy that the love of money is the root of evil. It is not the money that is evil, money simply is. It is how relate to or use money that is good or evil.

John Wesley preached of money that Christians should:

Gain all you can;

save all you can;

and give all you can. This he says is the proper relationship of the Christian to money. There are, of course, conditions and exceptions to be considered.

First, in gaining all we can we must be careful not to so in any way that will harm ourselves or our neighbor.

Jobs that give us no time for rest, worship, or with our families are improper; as are jobs that constantly expose us, or others to dust, fumes or other toxins.

Secondly we should avoid gain from means that are,by nature sinful, or that violate the laws of God, state, or nation. Such as:

the Pornography and sex industries

dealing in illegal drugs

human trafficking and slavery

Thirdly we should avoid gain that comes at the cost of harm to others or to God's creation. This could include tobacco, alcohol, any unsafe consumer product. In short we are to gain all we can honestly and by using our common sense.

Wesley's second rule of m,money is to save all we can.

He cautions us against unnecessary or vain expenditures. Spend only for what you need. This implies knowing the difference between wants and needs. Too often we can make want into a need.

For example, living where we do, a car is, for most of us a legitimate need, a Ferrari, on the other hand, is usually a want. Spending to gratify our pride or to exalt ourselves is nothing more than keeping up with the Joneses, and is equally unsatisfying. Provide food, clothing and shelter and care for bodily health for yourself and your household. To paraphrase Wesley in another place: Income $1,000- Expenditures $999; result, happiness. Income $1,000-expenditures$1,005: result, unhappiness. Spend what you must and save the rest.

Wesley's third rule of money: Give all you can. After gaining all you can, providing for the needs of yourself

and yo

your household, “do good to those who o are of the household of faith, and then to all people.

Note that Wesley doesn't prescribe any particular percentage. The Old Testament prescribed 10%, a tithe: the new Testament makes no such requirement. “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

The bottom line is that we do not own any of our so-called possessions. Like the manager in the parable, we are only stewards of that with which God has entrusted us. God is the ultimate decider of how we are to use it.

You will notice that I have used the term “gain” and not “earn.” Many of us have income from investments. It is important that we heed these same rules when investing our savings. We should invest in companies that provide fair wages, safe working conditions, and produce goods that are safe, legal, and moral. I have instructed my broker to avoid investing in alcohol, tobacco, and weapons. I am aware that I am quite possibly passing up lucrative returns, but I sleep better and night knowing I'm not blowing up Palestinian children.

It has been said that to know what a person values look and their calendar, their investment portfolio,and their check book. What do yours say? AMEN.

I have been asked for this recipe, and as it is too long to post on FB, I am posting it here.  As decadent as these are, I'm not sure if this makes me a saint or a sinner.

Recipe for Molasses Crackles.  Published in the novel "Strawberry Shortcake Murder"by Joanne Fluke

 This is half the recipe as published, made about 50 cookies.

3/4 cup melted butter

1 cup white Sugar

1/4 cup dark molasses

1 egg, beaten with a fork -I used liquid eggs, 1/4 cup

2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

2 cups unsifted flour

Do Not Preheate Oven Yet.

Melt butter in large microwave safe bowl

Add sugar and molasses and stir

Add egg, baking soda,  salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg, one at a time, stirring well after each ingredient is added.

Add flour 1 cup at a time, stirring after each cup is added. Dough will be stiff.

Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or more. (I left in fridge overnight.

Now preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Roll dough into small balls, roll balls of dough in a bowl of sugar and place on a greased cookie sheet. (This is the slowest part of the procedure.)

Bake on middle rack for10-12 minutes.

Remove to wire rack to cool.

Enjoy.

 

Thoughts on the Wise and Foolish Bridesmaids

Those of us who were Boy Scouts remember(and perhaps still practice) the Boy Scout motto: Be prepared.

Be prepared is the message Jesus gives us in this parable.

The bride-price and dowry having been settled, and after a 12 month betrothal in which,except for living together, the couple was considered married, the wedding day was finally here. Much as is the tradition in our own time, the bride was dressed in special wedding garments and bejeweled. Surrounded by her female friends, the bride would await the arrival of her groom. The “June” of that day, the popular time for weddings, was in the fall, after the harvest. To insure that the way was lighted for the groom, the bridesmaids would carry small, clay, oil lamps, with vials of extra oil. As the groom approached, they would accompany him, lighting both the path and the house.

That's what was supposed to happen. But in this case, for reasons not given, the groom was delayed. The bridesmaids became drowsy and fell asleep.

In the middle of the night, someone shouted, "Here's the groom! Come to meet him!"

Mat 25:7 When the girls got up and started getting their lamps ready,

Mat 25:8 the foolish ones said to the others, "Let us have some of your oil! Our lamps are going out."

Mat 25:9 The girls who were wise answered, "There's not enough oil for all of us! Go and buy some for yourselves."

While the unprepared bridesmaids were seeking more oil, the groom was escorted to the house, the doors were closed and the party began. Upon their arrival, the unprepared were barred from entry.

Over the years, I have heard and read many interpretations of this story and what it means. Many of them are as complex and obscure as the best conspiracy theory. But as for me, I think the story means exactly what Jesus said it means:  “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Throughout chapter,24, Jesus has been telling his disciples that the end is coming, and of the need to be faithful. He has warned them of wars, persecutions, false prophets, false messiahs, and so forth. He has admonished them to remain faithful and ready. This parable, and the parable of the talents that follows, again call the disciples, and us, to preparedness and watchfulness.

It's that simple. We cannot know when the end will come; and while many have parsed the scriptures and proclaimed the date, they have been wrong, and they will continue to be wrong. If even Jesus doesn't know, how can we. But, then, it's not the when that is important, it's our preparedness; our faithfulness. That's the simple message this parable proclaims. Be Prepared! AMEN.

REFLECTIONS ON THE RESURRECTION

(Note to readers: The responses were sung to the tune of “O Come All Ye Faithful" Lyrics by myself.}

16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

Easter Sunday is where the reality of faith meets he road of doubt. Either Jesus rose from the dead, in which case our faith is grounded in reality; or he did not, in which case our faith is without grounds,and of no value. But we have reason to believe that Jesus DID rise from the dead.

1. The tomb was empty and the grave clothes vacant. if those who opposed Christ wished to silence His disciples, they had to do was produce a body, but they could not .
2. Many people saw the resurrected Christ. They looked on His face, touched Him, heard His voice, and saw Him eat (Matt. 28:16-20; Luke 24:13-39; John 20:11-29; John 21:1-9; Acts 1:6-11; 1 Cor. 15:3-8).
3. The lives of the disciples were revolutionized. Though they fled and even denied Christ at the time of His arrest, they later feared no one in their proclamation of the risen Christ (Matt 26:56, 69-75).6. The resurrection was the central message of the early church. The church grew with an unwavering conviction that Christ had risen and was the Lord of the church (Acts 4:33; 5:30-32; Rom. 5:24).
4. Men and women today testify that the power of the risen Christ has transformed their lives. We know that Jesus is alive not only because of the historical and biblical evidence but also because He has miraculously touched our lives.
   To this day, the murmurs of doubt are drowned in the victorious acclimation of Easter: “Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed.!

Response

.

Come with the women, Early in the morning

.Come the the tomb and find the stone rolled away.

.Angels in white say: “Seek Him with the living.”

Refrain

From death to life arisen,

From death to life arisen,

From death to life arisen,

Christ, the Lord.

3 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.

17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

19 “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.

On the road to Emmaus, Jesus gave a lesson on the prophecies of the Old Testament which were fulfilled in His death and resurrection. What a lesson that would have been! The Author of the Book explains His work, making connections from Scripture to the events they had recently experienced.

The disciples’ reaction to Jesus’ lesson was one of deep conviction of the truth of what He was teaching. “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked?” they ask each other (verse 32). Their physical eyes were blinded to the identity of Jesus, but their eyes of faith were being opened as Jesus opened the Scriptures to them.

The story of the disciples on the Emmaus Road is important for many reasons. It provides an emphasis on the Old Testament prophecies related to Jesus, evidence regarding an additional appearance of Jesus, and a connection regarding the many eyewitnesses of the resurrected Jesus. Luke 24 is often seen as a model of the journey that Jesus makes with many of us today, as He opens our eyes, points us to the Word, and reveals Himself along life’s walk as the resurrected Savior and Lord.

Following this account, Jesus appears to His other disciples, removing all doubt that He was alive. Jesus had promised that He would show Himself to those who love Him (John 14:21), and this is exactly what He does on the road to Emmaus.

Response

.

Walk to Emmaus, listen to the stranger;

Hear as he opens up what Scriptures all say;

When He breaks bread, you will see the Savior.

From death to life arisen,

From death to life arisen,

From death to life arisen,

Christ, the Lord.

Some of the followers were together: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the two sons of Zebedee, and two other followers. 3 Simon Peter said, “I am going out to fish.”

The others said, “We will go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat. They fished that night but caught nothing.

4 Early the next morning Jesus stood on the shore, but the followers did not know it was Jesus. 5 Then he said to them, “Friends, did you catch any fish?”

They answered, “No.”

6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they did, and they caught so many fish they could not pull the net back into the boat.

7 The follower whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Peter heard him say this, he wrapped his coat around himself. (Peter had taken his clothes off.) Then he jumped into the water. 8 The other followers went to shore in the boat, dragging the net full of fish. They were not very far from shore, only about a hundred yards. 9 When the followers stepped out of the boat and onto the shore, they saw a fire of hot coals. There were fish on the fire, and there was bread.

10 Then Jesus said, “Bring some of. the fish you just caught.”

11 Simon Peter went into the boat and pulled the net to the shore. It was full of big fish, one hundred fifty-three in all, but even though there were so many, the net did not tear. 12 Jesus said to them, “Com e and eat.” None of the followers dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, along with the fish.

14 This was now the third time Jesus showed himself to his followers after he was raised from the dead

In the sermon on the mount, Jesus told his followers: 31 Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 The people who don’t know God keep trying to get these things, and your Father in heaven knows you need them. 33 Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well. Later he fed the crowds with 5 loaves and two fish. Now he again provides food for his followers; food not just to drive away their hunger, but food to drive away their grief. Food to heal their souls and strengthen them for the task ahead; a task he sets before them when he instructs John:

“Feed my lambs.” “Shepherd my sheep.” and “Feed my sheep.” The call to John echoes through the centuries and the task now falls on us.

There on the lake shore, see Him cooking breakfast

While His disciples fish the mourning away.

“Care for my lambs and feed my sheep he tells us.”

From death to life arisen,

From death to life arisen,

From death to life arisen,

Christ, the Lord.

CROWDS AND MOBS

CROWDS AND MOBS

Only a few days earlier, a huge crowd had gathered to welcome Jesus to Jerusalem.

Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

8“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

We cannot know, but it is probably safe to surmise, that some of those who shouted “Hosanna!” were also part of the crowd that gathered at the Pilate's palace. They listened as the chief priests and elders made their charges; and as Pilate interrogated the non-responsive Jesus.

Then, when the governor asked who he should release, Jesus or Barabbas, things got really ugly.

In 1964, I was in Air Force security police training. It was a time when Viet Nam was just ramping up, anti-nuclear war sentiment was strong, and cities like Los Angeles and Chicago were erupting in racial violence. It wasn't surprising, then, that our training included crowd and riot control. One of the first things we learned about mobs was:

A mob is dangerous thing one can get caught in. A mob has no leader, has no logic or reason, and no sense of right or wrong or morals. People who as individuals would not do bad things will certainly do them if they are in a mob where responsibility is diluted and spur of the moment actions happen.

The Website Brainz says:

Human beings tend to exhibit very unique behaviors or habits once they’re in a group. Some sociologists call it “herd behavior” but it is more often described as “mob mentality.”

It is not all that difficult to turn a crowd into a mob. How often have we seen a crowd at a sporting event become a mob? Sometimes because their team lost; sometimes because their team won. The cause doesn't matter. Tamara Avant, Psychology program director at South University — Savannah, explains:

When people are part of a group, they often experience deindividuation, or a loss of self-awareness. When people deindividuate, they are less likely to follow normal restraints and inhibitions and more likely to lose their sense of individual identity. Groups can generate a sense of emotional excitement, which can lead to the provocation of behaviors that a person would not typically engage in if alone.

Deindividuation obviously does not occur every time people get together in a group, and there are some group characteristics that increase the likelihood of violence, such as group size and physical anonymity. First, many people believe they cannot be held responsible for violent behavior when part of a mob because they perceive the violent action as the group’s (e.g., “everyone was doing it”) rather than their own behavior. When in a large group, people tend to experience a diffusion of responsibility. Typically, the bigger a mob, the more its members lose self-awareness and become willing to engage in dangerous behavior. Second, physical anonymity also leads to a person experiencing fewer social inhibitions. When people feel that their behavior cannot be traced back to them, they are more likely to break social norms and engage in violence.

Spurred on by the chief priests and elders, the crowd quickly became a mob demanding the release of Barabbas. Three times Pilate asked, and three times, with increasing hostility, the mob demanded Barabbas.

22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

I honestly believe that Pilate tried his best to save Jesus' life. Luke tells us; Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” He even offered to comply with the Passover tradition of freeing a prisoner by releasing Jesus. But the crowd would not be placated. They wanted blood. Knowing how easily a riot could begin, and fearing the loss of life and property a riot, and putting it down would entail, he found himself caught in a choice between two evils: the taking of an innocent life against the safety of the city. He made the choice to allow, not demand, Jesus' crucifixion. Mortified by his decision he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” And Jesus was led off to the slow, agonizing death of crucifixion.

33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is Jesus, the king of the Jews.

38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left

At noon, as Jesus hung between two criminals, the land was engulfed in darkness. Then, after crying out “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Which the Jews would have recognized as the opening of Psalm 22 which starts out in despair and ends in joy.) Jesus died. He was not in a coma, he was not comatose, he was not in some sort of suspended animation, he was dead. Because they couldn't handle dead bodies on the Sabbath, he was placed in the tomb without preparation. And as if he wasn't already dead, the tomb was sealed, no air could come in. Even if he was alive, he would die from lack of oxygen.

For two thousand years the Jews were persecuted by Christians as “Christ Killers.” They, along with Pilate, were cursed and condemned for their actions on that long-ago day. But the truth is, if anybody deserves the blame, if anyone deserves the credit, it is not the temple leadership. It is not the Roman overlords. It is God, the creator and salvation of the world. It is God, who on that day gave his own Son, to be the final and atoning sacrifice for all humanity.

To understand Good Friday and Easter, we must try to understand the sacrificial system under which Israel lived. Humans were sinners. Atonement required a sacrifice. And so an ongoing circle of sin, sacrifice, atonement, sin sacrifice, atonement emerged. But in the death of Christ, the ultimate and final sacrifice was given. Like the lamb presented for sacrifice, Jesus was without blemish or sin. This was a sacrifice no human could offer, for the sacrifice of a child would be punished by public stoning. Only God could, and only God did, offer that sacrifice, in payment for the sins of all.

In ancient Israel six cities were founded as cities of refuge. Thither for refuge could flee men who, without malice or premeditation, had taken the life of a fellow man. Once within the gates of the city of refuge, they could not be touched by any hand of vengeance or judgment. The rabbis have an interesting tradition that once every year the roads leading to these cities of refuge were carefully repaired and cleared of obstacles and stones, so that the man fleeing for his life would have no hindrance in his way. The Cross is God's great and eternal city of refuge from the penalty upon sin. The cross is God's gift to each and every one of us. It matters not how horrific our sins may be, they are covered, they are paid for, and we are free. The Lamb has been sacrificed. Jesus is dead. Dead but not gone. Hallelujah! AMEN.

YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF BONES

YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF BONES

Today's appointed Psalm pretty well sums up the spiritual condition of the exiled Israelites among whom Ezekiel lived, and to whom he prophesied. Like their spirits, their homeland was devastated, the cities burned and flattened, even the temple in ruins.

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;

2 Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive

to my cry for mercy.

3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,

Lord, who could stand?

4 But with you there is forgiveness,

so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,

and in his word I put my hope.

6 I wait for the Lord

more than watchmen wait for the morning,

more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,

for with the Lord is unfailing love

and with him is full redemption.

8 He himself will redeem Israel

from all their sins.

In the midst of his people's despondency, and under the hand of God, Ezekiel is carried in the spirit to a valley filled with a great many dry bones. Although it is not named, its identification as “the” valley suggests a particular place; other clues suggest a battlefield. In any event, for Ezekiel, and the exiled Jews, it would call to mind funeral customs, and resurrection hopes

Jewish burial customs of the day were two-fold. Immediately upon death, the body was taken to a family crypt or tomb, such as the one Lazarus had been buried in, and sealed in. This was not the final burial, but only an interim step. The body would be left in the tomb, perhaps until the next burial. Only when the body was desiccated, dried up, the flesh disintegrated, with only the bones remaining, would the final disposition of the body be made. Once the bones were dried enough, they would be placed in a large bone coffin, an ossuary, with the bones of those who had previously died. In order to make best use of the space in the ossuary, the bones were disconnected and placed in the ossuary where they best fit. Hence an ankle bone might rest inside a rib cage, and a skull might be in the midst of a shoulder bone. All this was keep the family together for .the resurrection which would come in the reverse order of desiccation. First the bones, then the internal parts, muscles, sinews, and finally the skin.

Joshua T. Andrzejewski points out: “however, this vision has more to do with restoration than resurrection.” Kevin Madigan and Jon Levenson put it this way: “The question it answers is not the familiar, self-interested one, “Will I have life after death?’ but rather a more profound and encompassing one, ‘Will God honor [the] promises to [the] people?”

God’s promises have been impossible from the very start. There is the call of Abraham and Sarah, two impossibly old folks who were charged with giving birth to a nation as plentiful as the stars in the sky. The nation did grow up, but before too long it had been enslaved. When God liberated the people, they continually fell away – even when they had been given their own land, even when they had judges, kings, and prophets to try and keep them in line.

Ezekiel was faced with a situation in which a promise made thousands of years ago, a promise that seemed too good to be true, was turning out to be exactly that. The exile was one of the most traumatic events in Jewish history, and there’s a whole book of the Bible – Lamentations – dedicated to the words of despair and hopelessness God’s people felt at that time. The land was supposed to remind them of God’s promise; the king was supposed to remind them of God’s promise; the Temple was supposed to remind them of God’s promise. Now all those things were gone and the people were left despondent – utterly alone.

But God's promises were still there. God had not, as Israel assumed, abandoned them, Israel had abandoned God. In chapter 36, God had reminded Ezekiel:

(Eze 36:16) The LORD said:
(Eze 36:17) Ezekiel, son of man, when the people of Israel were living in their own country, they made the land unclean by the way they behaved, just as a woman's monthly period makes her unclean.
(Eze 36:18) They committed murders and worshiped idols, which made the land even worse. So in my anger, I punished my people
(Eze 36:19) and scattered them throughout the nations, just as they deserved.

But the promises of God ARE the promises of God, and they remain. “I will gather you from these foreign nations and bring you home.” (Eze 36:24) God assures Ezekiel, and through him, the Israelites. In the bone-on-bone, sinew-on-sinew, flesh-on-flesh resurrection of the dry bones, God demonstrates the restoration that is to come.

(Eze 37:11) The LORD said: Ezekiel, the people of Israel are like dead bones. They complain that they are dried up and that they have no hope for the future.
(Eze 37:12) So tell them, "I, the LORD God, promise to open your graves and set you free. I will bring you back to Israel,
(Eze 37:13) and when that happens, you will realize that I am the LORD.
(Eze 37:14) My Spirit will give you breath, and you will live again. I will bring you home, and you will know that I have kept my promise. I, the LORD, have spoken."

Despite the 2,500 years that separate us from Ezekiel, I think each of us must have some idea how he felt, how his people felt. I suspect that there are things many of us treasure as reminders of God’s promise: a passage of scripture; words spoken by a dear friend at just the right moment; the memory of a particular star in the sky one night. They are meaningless to anyone else, but to us they are touchstones to which we cling when everything else falls away. Now imagine that you’ve lost even those, and I think you begin to grasp the magnitude of the exile.

So we return to that painful conversation between Ezekiel and God. Painful because Ezekiel knew. “Mortal, can these bones live?” And the prophet knew the answer; he knew it was impossible.

And yet, that’s precisely what happens in the vision that follows. In essence, God says, “You think it’s impossible for me to restore my people from exile? I’m going to show you that I could do something infinitely more impossible than that. Not only am I going to restore the bones and sinew and flesh, but I am going to return my breath to these bodies, and they are going to live again.

“I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act.” God keeps promises, even though they have been impossible from the very start.

How many of us have call out from the depths of despair? At some point we all walk in the valley of dry bones? They dry bones of despondency; Grief; Abandonment; Loneliness; Depression; Pain; Fear; Illness, and more. In all these, God's promises hold.

"I, the LORD God, promise to open your graves and set you free.” “ I, the LORD God, will gather the people of Israel and bring them home from the foreign nations where they now live.

Just as God put muscle and flesh on those dry bones. Just as God did bring the people back home again. God brings us home. And like a family gathering around the home table, we gather at this table and receive the food of the promise, the Body and Blood of Christ, who died that we might have life. The table is set. Come, eat, drink, and rejoice in the assurance of promises kept. AMEN.