Archive for category: Sermons

“‘…You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.’ Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’” (Luke 7: 36-8:30)

So often, we find ourselves judging the sinners among us, forgetting our own sin and failures. The woman who comes to Jesus in today’s passage presents herself humbly at his feet, perhaps the most vulnerable position possible. Her love and humility open the door to a relationship with Jesus, one of forgiveness and grace. No matter our sins, no matter the sins of others, Jesus forgives those who come with humility and love, removing their outsider identity.

“And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed…. When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that  followed him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” (Luke 7:1-10)

Who is worthy of the love—of the grace—of God? Too often people in or out of the church live with the belief, “I am not worthy.” They may be referring to their absence of faith, their life choices, or have even started to believe what “society” has declared about their identity. This week Jesus proclaims that what makes us worthy is not whether we are “in” or “out.” 

And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. (Revelation 21: 23)

The end of the age is not a final revenge on God’s behalf, as so many interpretations intimate in Revelation. Rather, it is the fullness of God brought to earth.

They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the those will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the date of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:16-17)

God’s multicultural choir outstrips our own feeble attempts at inclusiveness…and the hope for the future is that no one will suffer the indignity or torment of not being included.

Rev. Hannah Bonner

“I am the Alpha and Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. (Rev. 1:8)

We will explore the background of the Revelation, including the nature of Jesus and the Risen Christ, and the hope we have of the kingdom because of his death.