04/16/2026
Marvin A. Marsh presided over our Worship Services on April 12, 2026 with an inspiring sermon! Thank you, Marvin!
BUMPS IN THE ROAD ON THE WAY TO PENTECOST
Christ is risen! (He is risen indeed!)
That’s right. This is still Easter. In fact, for the Orthodox, today IS Easter. For the rest of us, Easter goes on for the next several weeks as we make our way to Pentecost.
Pentecost comes fifty days after Easter, and Pentecost is the day we celebrate receiving the Spirit as a holy community. In other words, Easter is not the last or even the greatest act of the gospel story. Christmas and Easter by themselves short circuit the gospel story. Not one of them dare stand alone, claiming to be the whole story.
Meanwhile, as we take this journey to Pentecost, I recall Nathaniel’s reference to the German theologian, Karl Barth. Barth said that the Christian life is lived with the newspaper in one hand and the Bible in the other.
Well. I read the paper every morning while I have breakfast. Sometimes I just can’t read it all. I want my breakfast to settle and my mind to focus on how to live with some sanity. Sanity in the face of a government that displays an allergy to truth; sanity in the face of leaders who won’t risk perjury by testifying candidly under oath; sanity in the face of the “surprises” of war that we’ve had centuries to understand are not surprises at all; sanity in the face of bigotry that is not like the lilies of the field but rather the crabgrass that just won’t go away; sanity in the face of climate change denial, even as the polar caps are melting and the weather patterns are beating us up; sanity while facing the mirror and wondering if there is anything that we can do to make a substantive, redemptive difference. Perhaps the newspaper masthead should have Dorothy Parker’s quote on it that says, “What fresh new hell is this?”
All of which is to say: there are bumps in the road on our way to Pentecost.
What happens when we DO get squashed like grasshoppers? When adversity overwhelms us – whether individually or collectively? When world events – sometimes of our nation’s own making – cripple any expectation of safety? And how does our own mortality figure in – when like Moses, we realize that we will NOT make it over into that promised land? That’s left for those who follow us. Racism, sexism, elitism, ageism, and all the other “isms” have greater half-lives than atomic waste. And the oppressed can be as snobbish as the oppressor, for there is something perversely comforting in looking down on somebody else.
When asked, “How’s your day going?” I’ve become accustomed to saying, “Pretty well, but it’s still early....”
The apostle Paul had something to say about all this. He shared it with the church at Rome nearly 2000 years ago. He said not to get thrown by those bumps. He said to remain focused – no matter what!
Here’s how he said it:
"I appeal to you therefore, sisters and brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice. Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Allow some observations."
First, by urging us to present our “bodies,” Paul is not just talking about mere protoplasm. He is saying to present the totality of our being. Not just our carcasses. But our money, our jobs, our enthusiasm, our relationships, our artistry, whatever budgets or other resources are provided for us, our health, our talents – whether one, five or ten! To present our bodies is to present everything that we have and everything that we are.
Second, when Paul tells us “to present our bodies as a living sacrifice,” he is speaking of a Christology, an understanding of the Christ, that is foreign to many of us. Paul is saying that we are to present our bodies, our total resources, as part of something bigger than ourselves, and that “something bigger” is the Body of Christ. That’s right, in Paul’s theology, we don’t just follow the Christ. We become part and parcel OF the Christ.
This is one of the most misinterpreted scripture verses around. It usually gets read with an extra “s” added to the word “sacrifice” – suggesting that our PERSONAL sacrifices are what Paul is talking about. But Paul is clear as a bell here. It is not OUR sacrifice, but the sacrifice made in CHRIST that matters – and we are to be PART of that – which is our spiritual worship. We Americans have individualism drilled into us. We think everything is about us individually. We’re taught to have egos that are bigger than elephants – which is why we always feel scrawny and unfulfilled – even though we have access to more resources than any other people have ever had at their disposal before on the face of the earth.
We are to present our bodies as part of the living sacrifice which is the corporate body of Christ in the world. That’s how we are to experience the renewal of our minds. That’s how we conform not to the world, but to the new era being ushered in by God. That’s how we understand that what affects one of us affects all of us. That all our gifts, no matter how we view them, are all integral to our vitality and viability as the holy community and its mission. We do not present our bodies as if it all depends upon our unique individuality, but we present them as part and parcel of something bigger than us – which is the living Body of Christ in the world.
Finally Paul gets more explicit about the “bumps.” After he tells us how to function as that corporate Body of Christ, having different gifts with which to make it fully operational, he gives some examples of how to deal with those “bumps in the road.” He says:
"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' No, 'if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
So what does that mean? Frankly, it’s a real challenge. As the old saying goes, it’s tough to soar with the eagles when we’re stuck on the ground with all these turkeys. It’s not easy to act with sanity or compassion in a world gone mad. So what do we do when we hit bumps in the road? We hang on tight and keep riding. We do our best. We maintain our focus on that which we are called to be and to do. The Body of which we are part has been resurrected and is no longer intimidated by the lies, the violence, the stupidity of those who manage power through chaos and hypocrisy.
Martin Luther’s hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” comes to mind. For me, the whole hymn finds its worth in these lines of the last stanza:
"Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also –
The Body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still:
God’s Kingdom is forever."
So we live and pray that this “forever holy community” may be manifest on earth as it is in heaven....
Toward that end, here are yet another set of homiletical recommendations. (Just when you thought I was almost done....)
1) First, let’s be clear that our “goods” do not possess us, and that we do not possess them. They are no longer “possessions” but “provisions” for the journey to which God calls us. Not possessions, but provisions!
2) Second, let’s deal with our own fear of dying. Yes, life is to be loved. It is to be drunk to the lees. Life calls us to be dancers and lovers as well as workers and studiers. But our dance will be lighter, our love will be more passionate, our work will be more focused, and our study will have greater depth and freedom – when we make peace with our own fear of death.
Yes, there is more than one Christian interpretation of what happens when we die – just as there is in most of the world’s great religions. But there is no doubt that peace is to be made with it – whether we expect to be resurrected in some heaven, whether we expect to be resurrected in some “latter day,” or whether we expect simply to live on within the ongoing chemistry of life in its ever evolving nature. However we interpret it, we are baptized into Christ’s death so that we may rise to walk in newness of life. However it comes, our resurrection begins here and now as we make peace with the fears that would claim us as the living dead. We can let God deal with the specifics. As for me, the simple task is not to die before I’m dead, knowing that one way or another, in Christ I am already risen, and we are already risen, to walk in newness of life. So we keep our spiritual sight clear and fastened upon that newness of life that we are living, no matter the chaos, the violence, the insanity and the stupidity du jour.
3) Third, we go one step farther. We deal with our dependence upon our traveling mates. This can be hard, because loneliness is everything it is cracked up to be. But companionship is sweetest when we know we can also walk alone, and when we know our companions can walk on without us. When there are systems to care for those whom we love and by whom we are loved. To lose one another is a profound experience of grief – although we also know that grief is one of the most profound expressions of gratitude. Grief is not easy, and there is no shortcut through it. But grief dare not become a living death. This is perhaps the scariest bump in the road we will ever face. The loss of those whom we love can drop us into a pothole of life’s road that seems bottomless. Therefore, as loved ones, we do well to plan for such moments. Resurrection is not just about some life beyond death. It also has to do with life beyond the death of one another. So it is a matter of faith to talk and give permission for going on with life when either or all the rest of us perish; to engender pride in the ability to manage our own affairs; or even to accept HAVING them managed; and to keep faith with the journey that was conceived in the midst of our most joyful days. That’s how our memories really do become a blessing.
So what does this have to do with the experience of Jesus and his disciples? Well, that’s why Jesus gave us this bread and wine to nourish our memory. The gospels also tell us that after Easter, Jesus lingered with his disciples for forty more days. But then, he disappeared from them again, and they had to go on without his immediate presence. He may as well have been dead all over again! The Resurrection may as well never have happened. That’s how it must have seemed! But his last message from the mountaintop was to keep on living, to keep on teaching, to keep on believing, and to trust the promise that he would be with them for the long journey ahead, no matter what.
And that’s why Pentecost is just as important as Christmas and Easter. God continues to provide even as our loved ones leave our day to day lives. The Spirit is referred to as “Comforter” – as well as that which gives breath to the holy community which binds us together in purpose, fellowship and joy. The disciples knew what it meant to experience the loss of the one who had become their “center.” And yet to celebrate his eternal presence in the sharing of bread and wine.
Yes. There will be bumps in the road. And we can never know their full effect or timing. But we can anticipate that they will happen. What’s more, we know we can navigate them.
Check out this paraphrase of of Paul’s words when he wrote to the church of Rome:
I consider that the bumps in the road of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us....
...We know that in everything God works for good with those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose....
What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? ...What shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors, more than victors, successors, or champions, through him who loved us. For I am sure than neither death, nor life, nor terrorism, nor disease, nor pipe bombs, nor bullying, nor incompetent leadership, nor the loss of a job, nor the death of a spouse, nor the burial of a child, nor any of the “isms” that persist like crabgrass in our lives, nor the loss of our bodies’ full capacity, nor any Klan or A***n Nation with all the sheets and burning crosses in the world, nor the crash of a stock market, nor even having a blithering idiot wielding the most powerful influence on earth, nor anything else in our real life experience – no, none of these things can ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Even though there are bumps, the journey goes on.
Yea though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we fear no evil, for thou art with us. Thou preparest a table before us even in the presence of our enemies. So no matter what comes up on the road before us, mercy and truth shall forever follow us in our wake. For that is what the gospel serves up, and it will matter that we have lived. Not to mention that we shall live in the household of God forever.
Christ is risen. And so are we.
Amen
Benediction
Just a bit ago Lyndsey sang words from the musical, “Suffs.” The “suffs” were the suffragettes from a century ago, fighting for women’s right to vote. Here are some of those lines as our benediction for the day.
You won’t live to see the future that you fight for
Maybe no one gets to reach that perfect day
If the work is never over
Then how do you keep marching anyway?
Do you carry your banner as far as you can
Rewriting the world with your imperfect pen
‘Til the next stubborn girl picks it up in a picket line
Over and over again?
And you join in the chorus of centuries chanting to her
The path will be twisted, and risky, and slow
But keep marching, keep marching
Will you fail or prevail?
Well, you may never know
But keep marching, keep marching
‘Cause your ancestors are all the proof you need
That progress is possible, not guaranteed
It will only be made if we keep marching...
Don’t forget you’re merely one of many others
On the journey, every generation makes
We did not end injustice and neither will you
But still, we made strides, so we know you can too
Make peace with our incomplete power and use it for good
‘Cause there’s so much to do
The gains will feel small and the losses too large
Keep marching, keep marching....
You’ll rarely agree with whoever’s in charge
Keep marching, keep marching
‘Cause your ancestors are all the proof you need
That progress is possible, not guaranteed
It will only be made if we keep marching....
So. On to Pentecost we go. Now turn and pass the peace with your traveling mates.
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
