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Easter! The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Lift up your hearts! We lift them up unto the Lord! There are several lections possible for the Easter morn celebration: I’ve chosen these as representing where I’m at, this Holy Week of 2021 .

Isaiah 25:6-9 isn’t read enough: it is warm and reassuring, a vision of the future which has already begun. I’m gonna use this more at funeral celebrations. The “mountain” mentioned could be Mt. Zion/Moriah, during the purview of Isaiah of Jerusalem–but I’d rather bring the allegory further to represent the Kingdom of Heaven, God’s ultimate welcome for pilgrims who’ve stayed the course by grace. Here is a great feast, and here God destroys “the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations.” For those who hear this on Easter morning, it marks “the transition from fear and despair to a new way of living in this world and the next.” (George Bryant Wirth, FEASTING on the WORD, B 2:361) Let the Easter message resound: “[God] will swallow up death forever….will wipe away the tears from all faces…” Let us be glad and rejoice!

The Epistle which chooses me is that of St. Paul, in the 15th Chapter of his First (?) Letter to the Corinthians. He speaks here about the husk of the seed–the shroud?– which falls away into the earth, allowing the spark of life there to germinate and flower mightily. “For this perishable nature must put on the imperishable, and this mortal nature must put on immortality”. This is not an accomplishment on our part, but rather the final grace of our earthly lives, given in order that Perfection may be the finishing touch to Creation.

Mark 16:1-8 is but one of the resurrection accounts, often overlooked because it lacks any evangelization at the end. Some well-meaning scribes have added various statements of “what happened next”; but I think that Mark intended to finish his account here. A point of gladness for me is that Mary Magdalene took a committee with her for the theophany, instead of going “to the Garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses.” This Gospel ends before any one was met by the Risen Christ, yet has the angelic message as central. But instruction was given, “Go, tell his disciples and Peter [especially Peter, still in self-disgrace because of his triple-denial] that he going ahead of you to Galilee…” The physical tomb itself became Jesus’ shroud; now we don’t have any remnant of it ‘cept for a shrine in which we remember the majesty of the Story.

Most of us, during this past year of Quarantine, have felt enshrouded by masks and social distancing. On my gloomy days I can aver that we’re all doomed to a few years of suffocation followed by mass extinction by The Virus. Our Easter hope is counter to all this: There IS a sacred place, a “holy mountain”, where God lifts us beyond the fog which shrouds our valleys of the Shadow of Death! The Lord is risen? He is risen indeed!!

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

My encounter with scripture lessons assigned to the upcoming weekend can be traced every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com

As a preacher of 40-plus years, I still cringe before Palm Sunday. “What can I possibly think of that’s new and grabbing for these seasoned Christians?” Wrong. Folks would be disappointed if they didn’t hear the Old Story of the Triumphal Entry–and besides, there very well may be those in hearing distance who really hadn’t heard this before…or were drifting during previous years. So it’s right and good to revisit this optimistic story, especially in times of uncertainty about pandemics & world affairs.

We begin with the passage of Psalm 118: 19-29. This is chock-full of imagery, mainly that of a festal procession which begins Out There Someplace and winds its way to and into the Temple of Jerusalem. Don’t you love a labyrinth? There’s only one path, it isn’t a maze–yet the way is twisting and provides different views, some of them quite charming. The inner goal is entered only when the full scene is apprehended, and perhaps just when you’d given up reaching the Center. The Psalmist joyfully cries out, “Open to me the gates of righteousness (triumph), that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.” And a gate-keeper replies, “This IS the gate of the Lord; the righteous SHALL enter through it.” The righteous are those who’re square with God; in retrospect, all disciples have been squared with God in Jesus.

In FEASTING on the WORD, Samuel L. Adams reminds me that “the Book of Psalms affirms the steadfast loyalty of God, who has supported an undeserving humanity throughout the ages.” (B 2:147) We would do well to lift up this HESED/steadfast love; as a United Methodist, I’ve rejected the angry-god syndrome, yet there are many who picture Deity as a celestial bean-counter, checking off our bad days against our good ones. So we’re justified in claiming entrance to God-land with other pilgrims who realize that in the name of Jesus our broken-times have been put out with the recyclables! “O give thanks to the Lord, for [God] is good, for [God’s] steadfast love endures forever.”

Pilgrims at the time of Jesus flocked to Jerusalem at the time of Passover, and probably many formed processions upon their arrival. The Passover Entry under consideration was different, this year; Jesus came as an alternative to secular– and religious–power. Ever hopeful, the Jewish folk who smarted under Roman arrogance thought that this one was the Real Messiah, the Second David who would overthrow Roman privilege and establish once again the grandeur of Israel. Explore on through Holy Week, to see how Jesus offered something even better… The Palm Sunday story this year is that according to Mark 11:1-11, which tries to make theological sense out of the secular chanting. Some evidently did get it, as they shouted, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”

When I was five, may parents took me to see “The Wizard of Oz”: it scared the pants off me, especially the green witch and her flying monkeys! Slightly older now, I see the movie as a typical morality tale: Dorothy gathers her friends, they travel the yellow-brick road through many dangers and scary things, and finally arrive at the Emerald City. But the gatekeepers won’t let them in: Dorothy had to confront her fears by bringing them the witch’s broom and thus vanquishing Evil. After many twists and labyrinthian turns, Dorothy baptized her nemesis, who melted into dust… The Path to the Gates of Righteousness is different for most of us, yet the Pilgrims do make Progress (bit by bit) to the place where God is. But surprise! God’s walking with them/us all the way!

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

You’re invited to join me in being shaped by lessons assigned to the upcoming weekend: every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook, or at horacebrownking.com

Evil COULD be done by individuals–but even still, our personal errors are but a reflection of a Greater System. Racism. Materialism. Selfishness. Children, it is said, learn from their surroundings. My own observations are that even though we’re born with some genetic predispositions, our bad habits and vulgar speech are learned from the surrounding family and culture. So in order to bring in the Better World, oppressive systems need to be uncovered, examined and given an alternative. Lessons for the upcoming weekend address these Evil Systems and present a Better Other Way in our journey to perfection.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 speaks of the New Covenant which God is writing on the hearts of Israel and Judah–and their spiritual descendants, I hope! The prophet was disgusted with so much selfish living surrounding him, and he introduces a new covenant as an alternative to the prevailing system. We who have inherited Jeremiah’s vocation will be well-advised to keep identifying the oppression of whatever System is current; and to keep offering God’s pleasant alternative. “Freedom” is not doing just what feels good, but is an acknowledgement that Creation is a corporate and ongoing endeavor. Knowing and being known by God is having God’s law/presence etched indelibly on the heart, despite the cultural scribbling awaiting erasure…

The task of the High Priest was to enter the holiest spot in the house of God bearing the “most crucial human need. [Hebrews 5:5-10] envisions Christ as being forever in this mode.” (Paul Simpson Duke, in FEASTING on the WORD, B 2:137) The author of Hebrews says that Christ’s perfection was gained through the Cross, a danger to us preachers who try to dispel Adoptionism. Yet there should be an exploration of Priesthood, a term to which many will resonate. What does the person of Jesus carry to God on our behalf?

The Gospel, John 12:20-33, is a bit out of context since it comes AFTER the Triumphant Entry of Palm Sunday. It’s here today because it includes Jesus’ announcement that The Time Has Come: now the whole world (!) has seen his role as savior (besides teacher, healer and dispenser of miracles). “The ruler of this world will be driven out”, which is to say that the Tempter who personifies Evil has at last been identified and deposed. The prevailing System of violence and exploitation has been seen for what it really is, the road to death. “Once we have seen the System for what it is, we begin to be set free from its captivating ways.” (Charles L. Campbell, op.cit.)

We recently watched “The Beginning of Batman”–lots of hitting, flame-throwing, car crashes. And of course the Hero saves the day (“biff-bam!”) AND gets the girl. Violence begets a Happy Ending, at least until the next bat-signal. Walter Wink call this sort of stuff “the myth of redemptive violence”: hit ’em hard enough and Justice will prevail, Marshall Dillon! That’s what The System says. Some Hellenized Jews came to Jerusalem for Passover and wanted to see Jesus. Evidently tired of systemic myths, they were ready to look at what God REALLY was about! May it so be for all in your purview…

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

My intersection with Scriptures assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com

The Season of Lent always socks me between the eyes; or maybe it’s a 2×4 to the side of the head. As Jesus approaches the Cross, he audaciously asks me to join him! Not invites. Asks. As a professing Christian, perhaps a better word to me is DEMANDS. Of course I believe–when it’s convenient. I pray regularly, thinking simultaneously of my stamp-collecting. I attend worship, even though I can’t hear much of what’s happening–and so I drift. Again. Scripture for the upcoming weekend involves more angst for the would-be disciple….so it’s good for us to hear. Kinda like cod liver oil.

The story set out in Numbers 21:4-9 was probably better known to Jesus’ community than to us. Long story short, the desert wanderers were griping again; the Back to Egypt committee was in full bloom. Suddenly they were in the middle of a brood of poisonous vipers, and dying like flies. Moses made a brass serpent and put it on a long pole; anyone bitten could look at this talisman and be OK! So what? Firstly, to overcome our poisons we must look at them squarely. To be healed from Evil we must look at it and name it. Secondly, to some this is an allegory for the redemptive power of the Christ, who was “lifted up” on the Cross for the world to see and overcome the poison… I dislike snakes with a passion, and probably you do, too. As far back as Genesis, Evil has been personified by a serpent.

William Stringfellow has written, “Any viable ethic….must deal with human decision and action in relation to other creatures, notably the principalities and powers…” (FEASTING on the WORD, B 2:110) Deep stuff, and Paul’s (?) letter to the Ephesians (2:1-10) is fraught with peril. The author seems to be contrasting Adam’s Fall to the new redemption found in Christ: “God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ…” This grace is not our own meritorius action, but purely the gift of God. Good news for those with one foot in the world and the other in heaven. I believe it; but can I give myself over to Christs completely??

And of course the familiar “rest of the story” about Zacheus’ nighttime visit to Jesus, John 3:14-21. Jesus appropriated the story of the bronze serpent in order to connect himself to the tradition of healing through the “hair of the dog that bit me”. Seeing Christ as the Son of God affirms that his mission here is to save, not condemn; and that there IS hope for the earth-bound all around us! The presence of God in symbolized as a searing light that penetrates even the shadows, helping the disciple to name the demons for what they are. Snakes and dragons aren’t as menacing when we can see them and hopefully identify them.

“Please, sir, draw me a sheep.” And so the Aviator obliged; but the sheep he drew had been swallowed by a serpent. Read to the end THE LITTLE PRINCE and think about the role of the Serpent in the entire allegory. So here we are in Lent. Peering through the mists of our subconscious and primal fear to see what really threatens us. Not that the light makes the tawdry and trite disappear; but it helps us to see and name the Serpent.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Come with me every Tuesday to explore the Good News and demands of the lessons assigned to the upcoming weekend: at this spot on Facebook, or at horacebrownking.com

The Season of Lent is that intense time of the Christian Year when we’re expected to search the inner depths and own our actions more’n ever. Lessons for the upcoming weekend dwell heavily upon what God expects from those who claim God’s Name. One of our prevalent myths is that “God knows that we’re flawed persons, so God expects little. Ergo, we can do whatever feels good and blame our sinful natures.” Don’t buy it! As a good parent, God hopes for the best, and is glum when we screw up. The Good News? God is willing to pick us up, brush the dust off and dry our tears, sending us out once again to do better…

The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17)? Sometimes relegated to an ancient expression, these remain the covenantal expectations between God and the People being formed into a Holy Nation in the kiln of the Sinai peninsula. Walter Brueggemann writes in the NEW INTERPRETER’S DICTIONARY, “These commands might be taken not as a series of rules, but as a proclamation in God’s own mouth of who God is and how God shall be ‘practiced’ by this community of liberated slaves.” Barbara Brown Taylor continues, “These practices are not kindly suggestions. They express the purposeful will of God for God’s people…. the teaching describe the way of life. To ignore them is to wander into the ways of death.” (FEASTING on the WORD, B 2:77) Even though they could be read as an impetus to private morality, their real value is as a corporate ethic of this nation God has founded.

Paul explores the wholeness of the Cross in his letter to the Corinthian church (I 1:28-25). In the noise of the City of Man, a rather strident voice is heard announcing that the most terrifying torture of authority is but a way-station along the road of salvation. “We proclaim Christ crucified… to those who are being called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” Here is God’s “no!” to the idea of decay and ruin. Here is God’s “yes!” to unfolding life and the continuance of trust as God’s People attempt to hold high expectations. To this writer, the Crucifixion is Jesus saying to the World’s Power, “Hit me with your best shot: I’ll live ANYWAY!”

John’s Gospel places the Cleansing of the Temple (2:13-22) near the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, whereas Synoptic writers include it at the end of Jesus’ travels, during Holy Week. Wherever we find it, the importance of this story is to convey Jesus’ impatience with too many diversions standing between worshipers and God. Some have claimed that there’s a justice part of this, addressing the exploitation of the poor trying to correctly worship. Maybe…yet I’d like to see Lordly Passion (“Zeal for your house will consume me!”) as symbolic of the reality of God overthrowing the trappings and traditions which could be based on Good Sense, in favor of a more simple yet loving expression of Torah. The question arises for each age thereafter: how worldly (secular) can the Church afford to be without losing itself?

I’ve spent my entire life attending to the busy-work of the Church. I hope that God’s Expectations have been found somewhere in this jumble of endless meetings, letter writing and arranging the building’s schedule! Yet beyond Church Renewal comes this directive to re-visit the essentials of living in harmony with God and God’s human creation. The end is more than Happily Ever After, it’s participating in the holy act of maintaining Creation in a relationship with the Creator.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

My encounter with Scripture passages assigned to the upcoming weekend may be viewed each Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com