Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
3rd Avenue at 111th Street
in the historic Lansingburgh section
of the city of Troy, New York
Sermon Links
Lent - Easter Sermon Series 2006
The First Sunday in Lent
"The Front Door"
March 5, 2006
Genesis 22:1-18
Romans 8:31-39
Mark 1:12-15
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Grace and peace to you from God our Father
and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
For those of you who weren't able to be at worship Ash Wednesday evening, we're now in the season of "Trading Spaces," looking forward to the "Extreme Makeover" of creation even of our very selves. "Trading Spaces" and "Extreme Makeover" are two very popular TV shows which seek to completely change the living space of the family home. This season I'm going to be doing something a little different. As we examine the meaning and centrality of the Cross in the furniture scheme of our lives, of our living space, our home, we will consider the "Extreme Makeover" of creation that allowed us to be "Trading Spaces" with Jesus of Nazareth, the Crucified One.
The Gospel of Mark, the Gospel for the "B" series of lessons we use for Sunday morning worship is the earliest Gospel written and written backward. That is to say, all of Jesus' life is seen through the eyes of the resurrection. Still, Mark's Gospel constantly points to the Cross as the defining moment of history the time when EVERYthing changed the event upon which all future would be determined, both corporate and personal. The resurrection and all of the power we derive from it would not have "been," had there not been God's action of the Cross.
Our lives are determined by certain events. Last week we talked about mountaintop experiences that change our lives. We are defined by those and, often, by experiences or people in ways that would seem to be anything but "mountaintop." Our own actions or failures to act also define who we are and whose we are. The first physical action is not ours, it is God's action our Baptism. In Baptism, God welcomes us into the family of God. It is Mark's intention that we see our own lives through the power of the resurrection, for that, as children of God, is our ultimate future. Still, the resurrection and the power we derive from Jesus' resurrection, would not "be" had there not "been" God's action of the Cross. Hence my desire to speak of the centrality of the Cross in the "down and dirty," that is to say, our everyday existence, our daily lives.
Consider this as this five-Sunday season of Jesus' "Trading Spaces" with us, taking our place upon the Cross. As such, I wish to mix my metaphors of our daily lives, our living space and our Lutheran "theology of the Cross."
Though we may not think of it as furniture, in our thinking of our "living space," in reality it is the first thing we come into contact upon leaving or entering our "living space" at any given time. I'm speaking of the front door. In order to gain access, we use the front door. The very first time we entered that home, we did so through the front door. When I open my front door, with my right hand I place the key in the locks, and then turn the doorknob with my left hand. The front door says something to those coming to see us. It can be tattered and torn, saying be gentle with the folks herein. Perhaps it is brand-spanking new, like the parsonage door someone thought enough of the pastor and family to spend time and effort to make a secure entry with a peep-hole, I might add. Perhaps yours has a Christmas wreath on it to tell people approaching that herein is a family that worships the baby Jesus.
The Cross is the front door to God's heart. Through the Cross we gain access to the love and forgiveness that is offered. As we approach that front door, we have the keys to enter offered to us in the form of God's covenant the Commandments. We can place those keys in the hearts of our lives but because our hands and arms are filled with the guilts and burdens we carry, we find ourselves incapable of gaining access to the love and forgiveness that God offers. In order to gain that access, we need to turn the doorknob and that is only possible when we accept help from the hand of God from the left hand of Jesus, nailed through the wrist, firmly, brutally affixed not only by Roman legions but by our inability to keep the keys safe so often do we break or lose them. In his hand being so affixed, Jesus turns the knob and we find that, even in our failure to keep the keys safe the door to God's heart has been open all along.
Remember the joy you felt on that first day you walked through the front door of your home or apartment? A new start new possibilities maybe not new furniture, but a renewed sense of what can be. Then came the plans for a new rug, a new bed, the wall with all the family pictures, finally room for that computer desk, kitchen table or couch. Remember the joy you felt on that first day you walked through the front door of your Church family to find a people who actually cared who listened, who shared, who laughed and cried with you? A new start new possibilities maybe not new furniture, but a renewed sense of what can be. That joy YOU felt? That's why it is imperative for our family gathered to be ready to make those who come through our front door, or any door for that matter, feel YOUR joy at the new possibilities for THEM.
Through the power of the Cross, you have come through the front door to God's heart. The nailed left hand of Jesus turned the doorknob and opened the door for you. As you return home and enter once again, through your front door, remember the centrality of the Cross in the furniture scheme of your life. Consider the "Extreme Makeover" of Creation that allowed us to be "Trading Spaces" with Jesus of Nazareth, the Crucified One. Now, that is more reality than you'll ever see on ANY TV show. Amen.
The peace of God which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
