Author: lakewooducc

Meek Not Weak (podcast)

3/24/2013
Rev. Kim Wells

The recording begins with Liturgist, Ed Kaspar, reading the scripture, Philippians 2:5-11, followed by Rev. Wells’ sermon. To listen, click the play button (little triangle) in the audio player at the bottom of this post.

If you experience problems playing the podcast with the player embedded below, download the file from
Meek Not Weak (podcast) and play it from your computer’s media player. To download, if you have a two-button mouse, right-click the link and select the save option. If you have a one-button mouse (on a Mac), press and hold the “Control” key and click the the link and select the save option.

Lent Devotion 40

“I do not call you servants any longer. . . but I have called you friends.” This verse from the gospel of John may have made the disciples’ chests swell. Wow! Friends! That implies equality, mutuality, respect. We’re no longer just underlings trying to catch on to what he is showing us. Evidently, we’ve gotten it. We’re not apprentices anymore. It’s an elevation in status. The disciples could have been glowing.

But before they finish patting each other on the back and high fiving there’s the rest of the story. There usually is more, with Jesus. Friends. What does it mean to be friends? Evidently, it means laying down your life. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Lay down your life? Maybe being friends doesn’t look so good. Maybe it’s easier to be a servant or a slave. Just work for someone, not die for them. But regardless of what we think our status is, Jesus sees himself as our friend. And he lays down his life. In fact, he not only lays down his life for his friends, he lays down his life for his enemies as well.

Good Friday is a day to consider this kind of love and to ask ourselves how we are befriending the world for which Jesus died.

Prayer: So often we have sung, “What a friend we have in Jesus.” Today we remember what that really means. We pray for the courage and strength to be Jesus’ friend loving the world as he loves even unto death. Maybe it won’t be the death of our bodies, but it may be the death of some of our attitudes or values or behaviors. It may be the death of our worldview. It may be the death of our apathy or complacency. It may be the death of our selfishness or greed. Help us to see who in the world needs our friendship. Jesus did not fear death. He trusted God. May the same be said of us. Amen.

Lent Devotion 39

The Brazilian soccer star Pele was a household name known by young and old alike. He could name his price for endorsements of commercial products. But there is one thing he would never endorse – cigarettes. He could have made a fortune endorsing them but he refused. Why? He explained, “I love kids.” He did not want to do anything that would be harmful or detrimental to children and young people. Out of love, he was committed to his principles and he maintained them.

As we remember the last days of Jesus’ life, we might imagine Jesus being asked why he didn’t run, flee, fight back, defend himself, or soften his message. And perhaps his response would be simple: “I love the world.” Because of love, he remained committed and would not sacrifice his principles, his values, his morals, or his trust in God. He would rather give up his life than give up his trust in God and his message of good news for all people.

As we think about Judas’ betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, Peter denying Jesus, and the other male disciples scattering and hiding this is a time to ask ourseves what compromises are we making? How are we denying and betraying our love for the world? Can others count on us to love: To do what is in their best interests, to not harm them in any way? Can the very creation count on our pure, undivided devotion and love? We should also examine how are we staying true to our beliefs and our commitment to love.

Prayer: Jesus was true to God. His love for the world was pure. We pray for divine love to fill us and to wash away all the distractions and diversions that dilute our loving. We pray to love fully, robustly, and joyfully! No holding back. No turning back. That is the way of Jesus. That is the way of life. Amen.