March 2024

Listening for Easter’s Promise Taken from a Red Rock News Article (Mar 29, 2024) Rev. Dona Johnson | March 31, 2024 The Essence of Christianity is “I have seen the Lord”   It’s Sunday morning, it’s the third day since Jesus  hung on the cross and died a painful death (Gospel  of John 20:1-18). Those who loved him were still in a  state of shock. They were most likely still numb  wondering what they will do next, how they might  live their lives without him. But in the midst of all  this grief and uncertainty, there was one astonishing  moment in time when only one person in the whole  world, one person walking the planet who knew the  good news he’s alive. This ultimate “breaking news”  would forever change the course of human history.  For that one brief moment, this one person was the  first one to witness Jesus’ resurrection. Of course  this one person was Mary Magdalene or Magdala.  The name Magdala in Aramaic means “watchtower”  or “strong tower.” If you remember, Jesus had drove  out of Mary seven demons and healed her of a  demonic trauma. This miraculous healing sealed  Mary’s faith of and fidelity in Jesus. The whole Jesus  story hinged on what Mary would do with the truth.  Would she cherish and keep it to herself or share  with others and become what some have called her  “the apostle to the apostles?           Mary’s faith was a strong tower. She was the  first one to reach the garden tomb while it was still  dark on Sunday morning. She was the first one to  see the stone rolled away and the tomb emptied. As  she stood in the garden in front of Jesus’ tomb, her  eyes soaked and clouded with tears, she saw who  she thought was a gardener. Then the gardener  called her name, “Mary!” Mary recognized the tone   his voice. She had heard this voice before. Suddenly  her heart burst inside and she cried out, “Rabboni,”  which means teacher in Aramaic. As she reached out   to grab hold of him, Jesus said, “Don’t touch me.” He  wasn’t being unkind. There was no need to cling to  him. Immediately he sent Mary back to the disciples  with the message that what he had so often told  them was now about to happen—he was alive. He  was on his way to his Father and Mary came with the  news, “I have seen the Lord.”           Mary’s message is the very essence of  Christianity, for a Christian is essentially one who can  say, “I have seen the Lord.” Christianity does not  mean knowing about Jesus. It means knowing him  intimately, knowing his character, knowing his  unconditional love for humanity and his heart of  justice for the poor, the sick and oppressed. It does  not mean arguing about him it means meeting him,  listening for his voice. And when you meet Jesus for  the first or the thousandth time, you experience the  real presence—the incarnation of Jesus Christ.          The resurrection is the centerpiece of  Christianity. As N.T. Wright has said, It’s how God chose to demonstrate that all the biblical  prophecies, the claims made during Jesus’ ministry,  which reached their climax on the cross, were true.  “The resurrection demonstrates that the cross, so far  from being seen as the failure of Jesus’ messianic  mission, was its crowning achievement.”           So as Christian congregations gather this  weekend in Sedona and around the globe to  celebrate and worship Jesus who is alive, they look  beyond death and the grave and rejoice in the new  life God continues to offer the world. No doubt,  Jesus won the war on sin and death. Now it is left to  Jesus’ followers, empowered by his Spirit, to put into  effect his achievement by means of boldly claiming  and sharing with all the world, “I have seen the  Lord.”   Prayer: God of all mercy and grace, your only Son’s  death and glorious resurrection have delivered us  from the power of death and redeemed all creation.  Grant that we may no longer look for the living  among the dead and instead daily die to sin and rise  to newness of life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord,  who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one  God now and forever. Amen.

Good Friday Rev. Dona Johnson | March 29, 2024 Unwilling to allow the church to compromise  its most fundamental beliefs in the face of  Nazism, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran  pastor worked tirelessly to keep the true spirit  of the church alive in Germany, his resistance  cost him his life.   “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” While imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp Bonhoeffer composed prayers for the other  prisoners, circulating them illegally and he prayed for  the prison guards—he kept everyone going…                     On Sunday February 8, 1944 Bonhoeffer led a  worship service for the prisoners. He titled his  sermon, “Through his stripes we are healed”  (Isaiah 53:5). He continued with 1 Peter 1:3  “According to his great mercy, he has caused us  to be born again to a living hope through the  resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” Early the following morning Bonhoeffer was led  to the scaffold. The camp doctor watched:  through the half-door in one room of the huts I  saw Pastor Bonhoeffer, before taking off his  prison garb, kneeling on the floor praying  fervently to his God. I was most deeply moved  by the way this loveable man prayed, so devout  and certain that God heard his prayer. At the  place of execution, he again said a short prayer  then climbed the steps of the gallows, brave and  composed. His death ensued a few seconds. In  the almost fifty years that I worked as a doctor,  I have hardly seen a man die so entirely  submissive to the will of God.  “Who Am I” is one of his well-known poems  written from his prison cell. Who am I? Who am I? They often tell me I step from my cell calm and cheerful and poised like a squire from his manor. Who am I? They often tell me I speak with my guards freely, friendly and clear, as though I were the one in charge. Who am I? They also tell me I bear days of calamity serenely, smiling and proud, like one accustomed to victory. Am I really what others say of me? Or am I only what I know of myself? restless, yearning, sick, like a caged bird, struggling for life breath, as if I were being  strangled, starving for colors, for flowers, for  birdsong, thirsting for kind words, human  closeness, shaking with rage at power lust and  pettiest insult, tossed about, waiting for great  things to happen, helplessly fearing for friends  so far away, too tired and empty to pray, to  think, to work, weary and ready to take my  leave of it all? Who am I? This one or the other? Am I this one today and tomorrow another? Am I both at once? Before others a hypocrite, and in my own eyes a pitiful, whimpering  weakling? Or is what remains in me like a  defeated army, fleeing in disarray from victory  already won? Who am I? They mock me, these lonely  questions of mine, Whoever I am, Thou knowest  me, O God, I am thine! 1  Prayer: Lord gives us the faith and courage to  surrender our wills to your will and live as  true and faithful disciples. Amen.  1 Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Translated by Nancy Lukens et al. Eberhard Bethge et al, eds. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Vol. 8, Letters and Papers from Prison (Fortress, 2010). 459.

When Jesus Stood Silent Taken from a Red Rock News Article (March 22, 2024) Rev. Dona Johnson | March 24, 2024           For any of us who have been falsely accused of something. For any of us who have been blamed for something we did not do, we know from experience the emotional pain it produces when the truth we attest to is denied or our voice is not heard. Over the years, there have been persons falsely accused in the criminal justice system, where the jury got it all wrong.           As Jesus stood in shackles before Pilate, two dark forces were at work, the false accusations and the jeering mop (Mark 15:1-20). The crowd yelled, “Nail him to a cross!” Pilate objected, “But for what crime?’ But they yelled all the louder, “Nail him to the cross!” Pilate gave the crowd what they wanted. He set Barabbas free, a criminal sentenced to death. And in his place took Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, a man without sin, a man who committed no crime, a man whose message was love and forgiveness and sentenced him to an agonizing death by crucifixion. Slander, lies and cowardice sealed Jesus’ fate.           When we refuse to own up to our responsibility for our actions, we choose Barabbas. When we allow any group, be it a political group, workplace team, media, or social group, to push us to act against the teachings of Christ, we choose Barabbas. At times, we may become part of the angry mob of a nation that turns against Jesus, calling for his crucifixion.          But these dark forces were bringing all of humanity closer to God’s plan of redemption. Pilate was feeling the mounting pressure and had to get this right. Professionally, Pilate could not afford an uprising. He did not want Jesus’ blood on his hands. Although he could not put his finger on it, there was something about Jesus, something about the way he stood before his accuser silent and that caused him to doubt his course of action.           It is without a doubt incomprehensible how Jesus stood silent before Pilate. The Prophet Isaiah describes his silence “Like a sheep being led to the slaughter or a lamb that is silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). What person in their right mind, a person who was falsely accused would not put up a fight for his or her life? But silence is a language and there are many types of silence. There is the silence of admiration. When your swept off your feet by something beautifully breathtaking, like a sunset. There is the silence of contempt. When you chose to respond to someone’s argument or excuse with a silence which shows they are unworthy of an answer and you walk away. There is also the silence of fear. Where people are simply afraid to speak up in front of others. There is the silence of the heart that is hurt. When people have been so wounded that it cuts them to their core and leaves them speechless. And then there is the silence of tragedy. This silence comes when a person surrenders their will to the circumstance because all options have run their course.           Jesus was silent before the Jewish leaders because there was no ground to be gained—both were at an insurmountable impasse. It is a terrible thing when a person’s heart is so broken by slander and lies that all one can muster up is silence. If you have ever found yourself at an impasse or a victim of lies and slander, Jesus is one with you in your pain and suffering.           As we move towards Holy Week and Easter, let us not forget that out of Jesus’ divine silence, when all those present thought he was doomed to death, God was working out his ultimate plan of redemption. Jesus’ silence would soon burst forth in resurrection power, the stone rolled back and death and sin conquered once and for all! Prayer: “Heavenly Father, we give You thanks  for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who came  not as a conquering king but as a humble  servant—victorious over sin and death, paving  the way for our salvation. Amen. 

The Path To Greatness Taken from a Red Rock News Article (March 15, 2024) Rev. Dona Johnson | Jan 21, 2024        Jesus is walking with the disciples towards Jerusalem the final showdown (Mark 10:32-45). They are being followed by a crowd of people. Jesus takes his disciples aside and predicts for the third time what is about to happen to him—he will be accused, sentenced to death, die and rise in three days. This would be a very troubling piece of news to hear—death by crucifixion. And yet it doesn’t seem to register with the disciples. The disciples immediately start thinking of their own futures. James and John boldly ask Jesus to assign them places on the left and right of him when he reaches the heavenly realm. They want to be given the greatness and power of Jesus but they have no idea how true greatness is achieved. Are they willing to drink from the cup of suffering and sacrifice—betrayal, rejection and death itself?         Many of us dream of being great at something but it often ends there—it’s just a dream. Maybe you’ve had a dream of becoming a concert violinist, or a jet pilot or astronaut or even a surgeon. The dreams and aspirations we have are really our secret quest to be great at something, to be recognized in the world in meaningful ways. Unfortunately, many people reevaluate their dreams after learning all that is required of them— years of training, sacrifice and of course all the lost opportunity costs.        But in one single stroke, Jesus cuts through the disciple’s pride and ambition. Jesus tells them the only way they can be great in his Kingdom is to be a servant of all. Then Jesus gets more granular with the meaning of greatness: “Whoever desires to be first shall be the slave, not merely a servant of all” (10:44.)        Now this action taken by James and John did not sit well with the other ten disciples. It seemed to them that James and John were vying to take an unfair advantage. And the age-old controversy on who was the greatest began to rage again.        It is human nature to want to do as little as possible and get back as much as we can. It is only when we desire to put more into life than we take out for ourselves that we experience true happiness, peace and prosperity. In God’s Kingdom, greatness and the role of leadership is to suffer for the sake of others. To be a servant, to be great is not to be high, mighty and untouchable and it is not to be served by others. Instead it serves with boots on the ground, it rolls up it sleeves and suffers for the sake of others. And this reversal is something the world needs to hear over and over again, especially in our “Me” first culture.        Simon Sinek, leadership consultant and author of “Leaders Eat Last” explains how it became clear to him talking with a Marine officer what it means to be a servant leader —”officers eat last.” He watched the junior Marines eat first while the high-ranking officers went to the back of the line. What was symbolic in the chow hall is deadly serious on the battlefield. Great leaders sacrifice their own comforts and even their own survival for the good of those in their care. Empathy is what drives great leaders to do the things they do.        The greatest example of servanthood ever witnessed is found in the life of Jesus, who without sin and who committed no crime died on the cross to absorb the sin and crimes of humanity. This is a picture of the suffering servant—love that suffers for others without a tinge of resentment. Jesus’ suffering death was the only way we could be freed from our sin to brought back into the love of God. Jesus was a servant leader, a flawless sacrifice, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Prayer: Jesus may we find our greatness in you  alone and may we put more into this life than we  take out. Lord have mercy on us. Amen. 

Jesus Cleanses the Temple of Injustices Taken from a Red Rock News Article (March 1, 2024) Rev. Dona Johnson | March 3, 2024 For many people, including many Christians,  their image and perception of Jesus is one of  meekness, gentleness and passive humility. And  that is a true picture of him. Jesus’ heart was  filled with mercy and compassion for people.  But many people forget to recognize the  assertive side of Jesus. For like any leader, it was  his assertiveness that allowed him to live his life  in total agreement—congruence with his faith.  Jesus spoke with a serious truthfulness— people’s salvation was at stake. His obedience  was unmatched and assertively flawless. And he  desired in the worst way that people live with a  zeal and a zest for God.          Being assertive means sometimes having  to admonish people but also being clear and  kind with one’s message. Many of us who are  risk avoidant when it comes to confronting  others in church, business and family, see  assertiveness as aggressive behavior. We often  fear our admonishment won’t be received well,  it might escalate the situation and or we might be disliked. Many of us due to our own shame  and guilt feel unworthy because of our own sins  to confront others of theirs. Some people  confuse accountability with judging others but  the two are worlds apart. The downside of our  reluctance to address issues not only  perpetuates unhealthy behavior but fractures  our Christian witness and leads people away  from Jesus rather than bring them closer.  Truthfully addressing inappropriate behavior  should not be done to provoke discord but  instead is meant to cleanse, restore and nurture  a zeal and a zest for God. No family and its  members or a faith community is perfect and all  of us at one time or another needs to be  counseled and shown correctives.       Jesus knew that the early church (the  temple) in his day had turned corrupt. Its  leaders weren’t above bribing witnesses,  plotting murders or charging exorbitant prices  on the sale of animals for sacrifice. The spiritual  welfare of God’s people was at stake and being  sadly ignored. He saw the people whom he  dearly loved being exploited and led astray.  Some leaders turned a blind eye and a deaf ear  to these infractions. Thus, leading people away  from God and toward an empty institution of  rules, regulations and self-serving agendas.        In John 2:13-22, Jesus walks into the temple and flies into a righteous rage: throwing  furniture, wielding a whip, driving out the  moneychangers and merchants. A fire in his  belly and a jealous gleam in his eyes. Have you  ever stopped to wonder why Jesus was so  angry? His spiritual heart immediately  quickened and he admonished the sin of the  money changers. A deep injustice was being  executed. Jesus’ assertive words and actions  towards the Pharisees was meant to penetrate  their hardened hearts and spoke volumes to the  religious powers that be. Maybe the Temple was  starting to look like just any old Jerusalem flea  market. Maybe the worldly influence and the  ever-expanding emporium of the moneychangers was casting a dark shadow on  worship and God’s house. Maybe Jesus was  trying to shake things up so the church could  remember its radical mission to be in the world  but not of its values and practices.        Each of us must ask God to cleanse our  witness, our worship, and our relationships— again and again—in the same way Jesus  cleansed the temple. Oh that we would ask him to turn over the tables in our hearts, churches,  and organizations, sanctifying our motives so  that our deepest longing would be to worship  him. What tables would Jesus turn over in  today’s churches? Amen.