Psalm 4 (NIV)
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.
1
Answer me when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
2 How
long will you people turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.
4 Tremble
and do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the Lord.
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the Lord.
6 Many,
Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.
7 Fill my heart with joy
when their grain and new wine abound.
Let the light of your face shine on us.
7 Fill my heart with joy
when their grain and new wine abound.
This
Psalm, one written by the great King David, has quite the
progression, doesn't it? Have you ever had trouble sleeping? This
sounds to me like a sleepless night ...and yet it is not an endless
night, there is a wonderful progression here...from “Answer me―to
“in peace will I lie down and sleep” “Answer me when I call in
distress!” that is so intimate and almost demanding...it sounds
desperate, even... disrespectful! Yet it moves on to 'how long”,
then comes to realize that the people who seek false gods will not be
rewarded, God's people are set apart...
and
then David says,..and is he speaking here to others or even
counseling himself?! {and the best story tellers or speakers do speak
out of personal experience} “do not sin...when on your beds search
your hearts and be silent' Elsewhere the Bible reminds us “Be
still and know that I am God'. When we settle down and have some
quiet, we can KNOW God is all around...
“offer
sacrifices & trust in the Lord..” means to worship...to read
scriptures, to pray, to sing hymns and praise. To bring our
offerings. And the psalmist is assured and assures us that God's
light shines on us..and our hearts will be filled with joy...with
that deep down understanding of God. And we will rest in safety!
{If
you have trouble sleeping sometimes, I might suggest reading and
praying this Psalm!}
Our
Gospel lesson this morning is from Luke..this is one of the
resurrection stories! The story takes place on that first Easter!
Probably later in the day...
remember
first the women went to the tomb to actually finish the proper
treatment of the body for burial, and found the tomb empty! Then
Peter and John went and also found it empty. There is much
discussion, bewilderment, a touch of disbelief and how could this be?
So
here is the next encounter with the Risen Jesus.. the disciples, are
in Jerusalem, in the place where they had had the last supper with
Jesus, and the house is locked up tight! as they are deeply afraid of
being rounded up by the authorities for their association with Jesus!
Luke 24: 36-48 (NIV)
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
36
While they were still talking about this, {meaning the other
appearances} Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace
be with you.”
37 They were startled and
frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them,
“Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39
Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a
ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he
showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did
not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you
have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of
broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This
is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be
fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets
and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds
so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them,
“This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the
dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness
of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at
Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
The
Word of the Lord, thanks be to God!
Here
again there is a progression..first the disciples think they see a
ghost―don't you think they just freaked!? And He reassures them,
hey it's Me!? See my hands and feet...touch me! It's ok! Now even tho
Jesus has his human body...he has supernatural ability..he just
appeared in the middle of a locked house!
so
he shows them his hands and feet...the marks of the crucifixion.
Now
they've progressed a bit..to Joy and amazement. They are still having
trouble believing tho! And Jesus asks for something to eat! What is
that about? It's another way of showing that his body is real...a
ghost does not eat and drink...but there's more to it....Could it be
a gentle reminder that in their excitement, there is still basic
hospitality? Hey I'm a guest here...and resurrection is hard work!
It's also a return to normalcy. Offering someone something to eat or
drink is a mark of compassion and a chance to just relax together for
a bit.
And
then he reminds them scripture had to be fulfilled...
the
Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms.
The threefold division of the Hebrew Bible. Jesus is saying that
every part of Scripture bears witness to Him.
And
he opened their minds so they could understand. They had to get past
their own emotional reactions and fears, and take a step back. And
only then could they FULLY understand―that Jesus was indeed the
messiah, not a military ruler, not a conquering hero, but the Son of
God living with humans, caring for them, sharing in the very basics
of life!
“This is what is written: The
Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47
and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in
his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are
witnesses of these things.”
repentance
for the forgiveness of sins...remember sin is anything that keeps us
from God. Even simple distractions, worry, anger, as well as the 'big
sins', stealing, murder. It's a real challenge to keep one's focus on
God all the time! That's why we pray confession regularly, that's why
we take communion, some religions practice daily communion! But God
is slow to anger and quick to forgive...
This
preaching will be to ALL nations...the word in the bible for nations
means not just countries, but all peoples...it's the word Ethnos from
which we get the words ethnic and ethnicity. So Jesus will be
preached to ALL people, everywhere. And he says “You are witnesses”
You saw this YOURSELVES. With your very own eyes, you hear me with
your own ears. You touched my flesh, you see the scars in my hands
and feet..and touched them. You have heard and seen the evidence and
you know the Truth!
You
are the eyewitnesses...YOU now share your stories, help others to
know the truth, to bring repentance to all people, everywhere
starting right here where you are.
We are not eyewitnesses but we have the word of eyewitnesses...4 Gospels, written by either eyewitnesses or those close to them, who did know the eyewitnesses and heard their stories.
We are not eyewitnesses but we have the word of eyewitnesses...4 Gospels, written by either eyewitnesses or those close to them, who did know the eyewitnesses and heard their stories.
Remember
in our Psalm, the progression from anxiety and sleeplessness to being
able to rest in the sure knowledge of God ?
In Philippians chapter 4, “Do
not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to
God. 7
And the peace of God, which transcends
all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus.”
There
is a progression in our faith life as well, that this story of the
disciples spells out. We are shocked and maybe fearful and then we
have amazement and joy, and then we are to share our
stories...sometimes in a very ordinary way...we have something to eat
together. We spend time together, sharing a bit of ourselves and
encouraging the other to share themselves too. This is how we help
bring the Light of the Lord, the Shalom, the joy and peace of God.
That peace that gives us rest, that helps us connect and care for
others. In solitude we can be silent before God and become more aware
of God's presence. In community with others we can share our faith
and help each other to enjoy the gifts of God, that joy and love and
compassion.
Author Henri Nouwen wrote
Every time we forgive our neighbor,
every time we make a child smile, every time we show compassion to a
suffering person, every time we arrange a bouquet of flowers, offer
care to tame or wild animals, prevent pollution, create beauty in our
homes and gardens, and work for peace and justice among peoples and
nations we are making the vision come true. We must remind one
another constantly of the vision. Whenever it comes alive in us we
will find new energy to live it out, right where we are. Instead of
making us escape real life, this beautiful vision gets us involved.
Henri Nouwen
