RetroFlexiones: Los discípulos sirven con alegría

 

Hechos 3:1-10

Servir: trabajar como sirviente; para prestar servicios o deberes para;
prestar servicio a; ayuda; asistencia.

Demasiadas veces, pensamos en los "más grandes cristianos" de la historia como los líderes, las voces, los que hacen mover e influir. Jesús tiene una definición diferente de grandeza para nosotros: …El que quiera hacerse grande entre ustedes deberá ser su servidor, y el que quiera ser el primero deberá ser esclavo de todos. Porque ni aun el Hijo del hombre vino para que le sirvan, sino para servir y para dar su vida en rescate por muchos." (Marcos 10:43-45)

Jesús pone el listón para nosotros. Debemos ser un pueblo que sirve... que atienden las necesidades de la familia de fe, las necesidades de las situaciones que nos rodean, las necesidades de nuestros "vecinos" y otros. Esto de la "fe", este "asunto de la iglesia", solo funciona si servimos—si damos de nosotros mismos para que otros puedan tener vida, comida, esperanza, algo. No es una idea nueva. En el Antiguo Testamento, escuchamos el llamado al servicio: Aclamen con júbilo al Señor, toda la tierra. Sirvan al Señor con alegría; Vengan ante Él con cánticos de júbilo. (Salmo 100:1-2)

Así que ahora vemos que el listón se eleva aún más—somos un pueblo que sirve... ¡Con alegría! Debemos servir con alegría. A veces llegamos a los momentos de servicio exhaustos—del día, del estrés de la vida, de lo que sea. Por suerte, podemos determinar nuestras actitudes; podemos decidir ser felices o miserables. Cuando llego a un momento de servicio, de servir a los demás, y me siento agotado, me obligo a sonreír. Respiro hondo. Y ofrezco una oración sencilla: "¡Dios, hagámoslo juntos por el bien de tu reino!" Eso lo cambia todo... Cada vez. ¡Pruébalo y ya verás!

Una palabra de advertencia—Curiosamente, las Escrituras contienen advertencias para quienes sirven a regañadientes, resignados y sin alegría. Encontramos estas palabras que Dios habla al pueblo de Dios: Por cuanto no serviste al Señor tu Dios con alegría y con gozo de corazón, cuando tenías la abundancia de todas las cosas, por tanto servirás a tus enemigos, los cuales el Señor enviará contra ti: en hambre, en sed, en desnudez y en escasez de todas las cosas. Él pondrá yugo de hierro sobre tu cuello hasta que te haya destruido. (Deuteronomio 28:47-48)

Cuando nos negamos a servir con alegría, la vida se nos escapa. Nos quedamos hambrientos y sedientos de aquello que podría habernos dado vida. De la misma manera, cuando nos negamos a servir, cuando actuamos como otros deberían servir, cuando adoptamos una actitud, nos robamos la vida... ya que estamos robando a Dios y a otros la bendición. Pedro nos dice claramente: Cada uno ponga al servicio de los demás el don que haya recibido, administrando bien la gracia de Dios en sus diversas formas." (1 Pedro 4:10)

Conclusiones—¿Qué tal que los metodistas unidos sirvan con alegría? Lo estamos haciendo. En 2025, más de 7000 voluntarios metodistas unidos en misión participaron en casi 630 equipos en 53 países. ¡Guau!

En 2025, en McAllen First UMC, tuvimos 43 grupos y ministerios en los que la gente participó en 1125 oportunidades de servicio... y sirvió a más de 18,000 personas a través de nuestros ministerios comunitarios... Y lo hicimos con alegría.

Volvamos a Pedro y Juan entrando en el templo y viendo a un hombre cojo pidiendo dinero. Pedro pronuncia esas palabras que deberían guiarnos en servir a Dios y a los demás: "No tengo plata ni oro, pero lo que tengo te doy." (Hechos 3:6)

"Lo que tengo te doy..." Hablamos estas palabras a Dios, a la familia de la fe, a la comunidad que nos rodea. Ahí es donde empezamos—con lo que tenemos. Servimos con nuestros recursos, nuestros talentos, nuestras habilidades, nuestro tiempo, nuestra presencia. Lo que tenemos, lo damos a Dios y a los demás. Con más de 38 ministerios activos hoy en día en nuestra congregación—bueno, 39... acabamos de empezar un servicio de oración mensual—tenemos un lugar para que todos sirvan (no solo para ser espectadores).

Los metodistas unidos formados en Jesús y empoderados por el Espíritu de Dios, aman con audacia y sirven con alegría. Me alegra muchísimo formar parte de la familia de fe aquí en McAllen FUMC, que sirve como ninguna otra iglesia de la que haya formado parte antes. Sigamos sirviendo a Dios, sirviendo unos a otros y sirviendo a nuestro prójimo... con alegría.

Amén

El domingo, 17 de mayo de 2026
Discípulos – Sirviendo con alegría
Mira/Escucha: AQUÍ

AfterWords: Disciples Serve Joyfully

 

Acts 3:1-10

Serve: to work for as a servant; to do services or duties for; give service to; aid; assist; help.

Too often, we think of the “greatest Christians” in history as the leaders, the voices, the movers and shakers. Jesus has a different definition of greatness for us: ...Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43-45)

Jesus sets the bar for us. We are to be a people who serve…who attend to the needs in the family of faith, to the needs of the situations around us, to the needs of our “neighbors” and others. This “faith thing,” this “church thing,” only works if we serve—if we give of ourselves that others might have life, have food, have hope, have something. This is not a new idea. In the Old Testament, we hear the call to serve: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. (Psalm 100)

So, now the bar raised even higher—we are to be a people who serve…with gladness! We are to serve with joy. At times we come to moments of service exhausted—from the day, from the stresses of life, from whatever. Thankfully, we can determine our attitudes; we can decide to be joyful or miserable. When I come to a moment of service, of serving others, and I feel worn and weary, I force myself to smile. I take a deep breath. And I offer a simple prayer: “God, let’s do this together for the good of Your kingdom!” That turns everything around…every time. Try it, and you’ll see!

A Word of Warning—Interestingly, the Scriptures have words of warning for those who serve reluctantly, resignedly, without joy. We find these words that God speaks to the people of God: “Because you did not serve the Lord your God joyfully and with gladness of heart for the abundance of everything, therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and lack of everything. [Your enemy] will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you. (Deuteronomy 28:47-48)

When we refuse to serve with joy, life is sucked out of us. We are left hungry and thirsty for the very thing that could have given us life. In the same way, when we refuse to serve, when we act like others should serve, when we cop an attitude, we rob ourselves of life…as we’re robbing God and others of blessing. Peter tells us clearly: Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)

Conclusions—How about United Methodists serving joyfully? We’re doing it. In 2025, over 7000 United Methodists Volunteers in Mission served on almost 630 teams in 53 countries! Wow!

In 2025 at McAllen First UMC, we had 43 – groups and ministries in which people stepped into 1125 serving opportunities…and served over 18000 people through our community ministries…and we did it joyfully.

Let’s get back to Peter and John entering the temple and seeing a lame man asking for money. Peter speaks those words that should guide us in serving God and serving others: “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you.” (Acts 3:6) “What I have, I give you….” We speak these words to God, to the family of faith, to the community around us. That is where we start—with what we have. We serve with our resources, our talents, our skills, our time, our presence. What we have, we give to God and to others. With over 38 active ministries today happening through our congregation—well, 39…we just started a monthly prayer service—we have a place for everyone to serve (not just be spectators).

United Methodists formed in Jesus and empowered by God’s Spirit love boldly and serve joyfully. I am so glad to be a part of the family of faith here at McAllen FUMC that serves like no church I’ve ever been a part of before. Let’s keep serving God, serving one another, and serving our neighbors…joyfully.

Amen

Sunday, May 17, 2026
Disciples – Serving Joyfully
Watch/Listen: HERE

RetroFlexiones: Discípulos aman con audacia

 

Hechos 1:3-8

Lenguaje del amor—En 2019, Emma Schols salvó a sus seis hijos de su casa en llamas—pero a costa de que el 93% de su cuerpo se quemó.[1] En este Día de la Madre, reconocemos y honramos la profundidad del amor de una madre. Aunque llamamos a las acciones de Emma "el amor de una madre", los escritores del Nuevo Testamento llaman a este comportamiento el storge: el vínculo de compromiso que existe entre los miembros de una familia, ese vínculo y conexión incomparables que mantiene unida a la familia.

Curiosamente, Jesús nunca usa storge en sus enseñanzas y predicaciones, pero sí usa otros dos términos griegos: phileo (el afecto y compromiso que existe entre buenos amigos)... y, por supuesto, ágape—un término que traducimos casualmente como "amor" pero que es mucho más profundo. Hoy comenzamos a desentrañar la nueva declaración de visión de la Iglesia Metodista Unida, que comienza así: " La Iglesia Metodista Unida forma discípulos de Jesucristo que, empoderados por el Espíritu Santo, aman con audacia..." ¿Amar con audacia? ¿Qué significa eso?

Amar... Ágape—Una parte del ágape es el desinterés (no egoísta)—pensar en los demás antes de sí mismo, o el autosacrificio en beneficio de otro. En nuestro mundo de egocentrismo, pensar en otra persona primero es radicalmente contracultural. La segunda parte del ágape es la bondad: hacer un buen favor a otro (creamos que lo merece o no), actuar con bondad hacia otro independientemente de cómo nos sintamos. Esta es una forma en la que estamos llamados a vivir hacia todos todo el tiempo—todos. Unir a estos dos —el desinterés y la bondad— ágape consiste en pensar y actuar en una manera no egoísta y con bondad amable. Esto es lo que vemos en la vida de Jesús. Esta es la vida a la que Jesús nos llama.

Amar... Con audacia—En nuestra nueva declaración de visión de la Iglesia Metodista Unida, se nos llama a amar "con audacia"—un poco exagerados, fuera de nuestra zona de confort. Jesús señala esto en sus enseñanzas:

" Si ustedes aman [ágape] solamente a quienes los aman, ¿qué recompensa recibirán? ¿Acaso no hacen eso hasta los recaudadores de impuestos? Y si saludan a sus hermanos solamente, ¿qué de más hacen ustedes? ¿Acaso no hacen esto hasta los gentiles?" (Mat. 5:46-47)

Jesús nos llama a amar fuera de los límites—a amar [ágape] a personas que quizá no lo hagan, probablemente no lo hagan, o que no puedan amarnos de vuelta:

"Ustedes han oído que se dijo: “Ama a tu prójimo y odia a tu enemigo”. Pero yo digo: Amen a sus enemigos y oren por quienes los persiguen, para que sean hijos de su Padre que está en los cielos. (Mat. 5:43-45a)

No tenemos ninguna garantía de que dejen de ser nuestros enemigos. Pero no hay fin para nuestro llamado a amarlos. Ay. ¿Quiénes son tus enemigos? ¿Quiénes son los enemigos de tu familia? ¿Quiénes son los enemigos de tu comunidad? ¿Quiénes son los enemigos de nuestra nación? "Amen a sus enemigos—piensa y actúa con bondad desinteresada hacia ellos—y oren por quienes los persiguen." Vaya.

La Iglesia Metodista Unida—A través de nuestra IMU , la Junta General de Ministerios Globales (nuestra agencia mundial de misión, ayuda y desarrollo), trabajamos con socios e iglesias en más de 115 países para capacitar y transformar a personas y lugares para la misión de Dios.

En Oriente Medio, proporcionamos ayuda humanitaria, servicios de salud y apoyo fundamental a familias desplazadas por guerras, desastres naturales y conflictos. Lo más notable es que hemos trabajado en Gaza, Turquía, Siria e Irán en los últimos años.

En Asia, apoyamos el crecimiento de la iglesia y la evangelización, la educación y el desarrollo del liderazgo, la respuesta y mitigación de desastres, la atención a migrantes y refugiados, y mucho más. Ayudamos a formar y hacer crecer comunidades de fe metodistas unidas... en lugares como Camboya, ... Mongolia, ... Y en Filipinas, ayudamos a coordinar respuestas efectivas ante desastres entre iglesias locales y conferencias anuales.

En Europa, asistimos a refugiados y migrantes, apoyamos la revitalización de la iglesia y el desarrollo del liderazgo, y ayudamos a las comunidades a recuperarse de la guerra y desastres naturales. Nuestros misioneros trabajan con comunidades inmigrantes para satisfacer necesidades espirituales, psicológicas y físicas. Ministerios Globales... [ayuda] a los líderes de la iglesia para el ministerio con migrantes y minorías étnicas. Más recientemente, nuestro trabajo se ha centrado en España, Alemania, Irlanda del Norte y Ucrania.

En toda África, colaboramos con conferencias metodistas unidas y organizaciones ecuménicas para apoyar la ayuda humanitaria, la atención sanitaria y el acceso a agua potable, el desarrollo agrícola y económico, la educación y más. Preparamos a líderes laicos y clérigos para expandir los ministerios a las comunidades locales. Apoyamos a las iglesias africanas de la UM mientras suministran alimentos, productos no alimentarios y productos de higiene a comunidades afectadas por desastres y a decenas de miles de desplazados internos... y ayudamos a liderar y coordinar respuestas ante desastres a nivel local.

En América Latina y el Caribe, colaboramos con comunidades vulnerables a la pobreza y al cambio climático para proporcionar atención sanitaria, agua potable y respuesta y recuperación ante desastres... proporcionando atención sanitaria y asesoramiento para las mujeres, atención alimentaria y médica para los niños, así como ayuda general en alimentos y alojamiento a las familias. Los misioneros promueven la paz y la sanación mediante iniciativas en áreas afectadas por la violencia o la guerra, y fortalecen el crecimiento de la iglesia y el desarrollo del liderazgo.

En Norteamérica, apoyamos una amplia gama de ministerios, desde la respuesta a desastres hasta el desarrollo comunitario. A través de UMCOR, colaboramos con conferencias anuales para ayudar a las comunidades a recuperarse de incendios forestales, huracanes y otros desastres. Nuestro programa de Ministerios Multiétnicos fortalece a las congregaciones raciales y étnicas y las empodera para liderar esfuerzos misioneros en sus comunidades locales. En abril de 2023, los condados de Hidalgo y Cameron, en el Valle del Río Grande de Texas, estuvieron en el camino de una tormenta de viento en línea recta y, más tarde, en mayo, un tornado. A través de la Conferencia de Río Texas, UMCOR pudo atender necesidades inmediatas y, en septiembre de 2023, comenzó trabajos de recuperación en una zona de bajos ingresos donde más de 400 viviendas resultaron dañadas y aún necesitan reparación." Nuestras propias Susan Hellums y Whitney Maupin han sido fundamentales en este trabajo.

Los metodistas unidos aman con audacia—miran más allá de nosotros, nosotros, yo, los nuestros, los míos... y actúa con bondad amorosa hacia quienes lo necesitan... aquí y en todo el mundo. Los metodistas unidos aman con audacia sin disculpas, tal y como Jesús nos llama a hacerlo.

Conclusiones—Así que, volviendo a esos discípulos en nuestra lectura de hoy. ¿Te imaginas cómo escucharon esas palabras de Jesús? Escucharon y reaccionaron: ¡Jerusalén—sí! ¡Judea—por supuesto! Samaria—espera, ¿qué? ¿Hasta el fin del mundo—eh...? Jesús los llamó y nos llama a cruzar las líneas de la separación, a ser un pueblo de amor ágape...incluso, quizás especialmente, hacia nuestros enemigos y, desde luego, hacia aquellos de los que podríamos ser diferentes.

"La Iglesia Metodista Unida forma discípulos de Jesucristo que, empoderados por el Espíritu Santo, aman con audacia..." ¿Estamos permitiendo que el Espíritu de Dios nos forme y nos empodere para ser este tipo de personas? ¡Quédate con nosotros—estamos cambiando el mundo mientras seguimos a Jesús juntos! Amén.

Domingo, 10 de mayo de 2026

 Discípulos aman con audacia

 Ver o escuchar: AQUÍ

 

 

AfterWords: Disciples Love Boldly

 

Acts 1:3-8

Language of Love—In 2019, Emma Schols saved her six children from their burning house—but at the cost of 93% of her body burned.[1] On this Mothers Day, we recognize and honor the lengths and depths of a mother’s love. While we call Emma’s actions “a mother’s love,” the writers of the New Testament call this behavior storge – the bond of commitment that exist between members of a family, that incomparable bond and connection that holds family together.

Interestingly, Jesus never uses storge but he does use two other Greek terms—phileo (the affection and commitment that exists between good friends)… and, of course, agape—a term we casually translate as “love” but is so much deeper. Today we begin to unpack the new vision statement of the United Methodist Church which begins, “The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly….” Love boldly? What does that mean?

To Love … Agape—One part of Agape is selflessness—thinking of others before self, or self-sacrifice for the benefit of another. In our world of self-absorption, thinking of someone else first is radically countercultural. The second part of agape is kindness—doing a good turn for another (whether we feel they deserve it or not), acting in kindness towards another regardless of how we feel. This is a way we’re called to live towards everyone all the time—everyone. Bringing these two together—selflessness and kindness—agape is about thinking and acting with selfless loving-kindness. This is what we see in the life of Jesus. This is the life Jesus calls us to.

To Love … Boldly—In our new United Methodist vision statement, we’re called to love “boldly”—a little over the top, out of our comfort zone. Jesus points to this in his teachings:

“If you [agape]love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” (Matt. 5:46-47)

Jesus calls us to love outside the lines—to agape-love people who may not, probably won’t, possibly can’t love us back:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:43-45a)

We have no promise they will stop being our enemies. But there is no end to our call to love them. Ouch. Who are your enemies? Who are the enemies of your family? Who are the enemies of your community? Who are the enemies of our nation? “Love your enemies—think and act with selfless loving kindness towards them—and pray for those who persecute you.” Woah.

The United Methodist Church—Through our UM The General Board of Global Ministries (our worldwide mission, relief and development agency) we work with partners and churches in more than 115 countries to equip and transform people and places for God’s mission.

In the Middle East, we provide humanitarian aid, health services, and critical support to families displaced by war, natural disasters, and conflict. Most notably, we have worked in Gaza, Turkey, Syria, and Iran in the last few years.

In Asia, we support church growth and evangelism, education and leadership development, disaster response and mitigation, care of migrants and refugees, and more. We help form and grow United Methodist faith communities…in places like Cambodia,… Mongolia, … and in the Philippines, we [help coordinate] effective disaster responses among local churches and annual conferences.

In Europe, we assist refugees and migrants, support church revitalization and leadership development, and help communities recover from war and natural disasters. Our missionaries work with immigrant communities to meet spiritual, psychological and physical needs. Global Ministries…[helps equip] church leaders for ministry with migrants and ethnic minorities. Most recently, our work has centered in Spain, Germany, Northern Ireland, and Ukraine.

Across Africa, we partner with United Methodist conferences and ecumenical organizations to support humanitarian relief, health care and clean water access, agricultural and economic development, education and more. We equip lay and clergy leaders to expand ministries into local communities. We support African UM churches as they supply food, nonfood items and hygiene products to disaster-affected communities and tens of thousands of internally displaced people…and help to lead and coordinate disaster responses locally.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, we partner with communities vulnerable to poverty and climate change to provide health care, clean water and disaster response and recovery…providing health care and counseling for women, food and medical care for children and general food and shelter relief to families. Missionaries promote peace and healing through initiatives in areas affected by violence or war, and strengthen church growth and leadership development.

In North America, we support a wide range of ministries – from disaster response to community development. Through UMCOR, we partner with annual conferences to help communities recover from wildfires, hurricanes and other disasters. Our Multiethnic Ministries program strengthens racial-ethnic congregations and empowers them to lead mission efforts in their local communities. In April 2023, Hidalgo and Cameron counties in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas were in the path of a straight-line windstorm and later in May, a tornado…through the Rio Texas Conference, UMCOR was able to address immediate needs, and in September 2023 began recovery work in a low-income area where more than 400 homes were damaged and are still in need of repair.” Our own Susan Hellums and Whitney Maupin have been instrumental in this work.

United Methodists love boldly—look beyond self, us, me, ours, mine…and act with loving-kindness towards those in need…here and around the world. United Methodists unapologetically love boldy as Jesus calls us to.

Conclusions—So, back to those disciples. Can you imagine how they heard those words of Jesus? They heard and reacted: Jerusalem—yeah! Judea—of course! Samaria—wait, what? To the ends of the earth—uh…? Jesus called them and calls us to cross the lines of separation, to be a people of agape-love…even, perhaps especially, towards our enemies and certainly towards those we may be different from.

“The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly….” Are we allowing God’s Spirit to form and empower us to be this kind of people? Stay with us—we’re changing the world as we follow Jesus together! Amen.

Sunday, May 10, 2026
Disciples – Loving Boldly
Watch/Listen: HERE

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[1] https://www.brightvibes.com/emma-schols-mother-of-6-singlehandedly-saved-all-of-her-children-from-a-fire/

AfterWords: New Beginnings - Us!

 

John 21:1-14

We Get It, Right? – I mean, I get it.  When I fail at something, I go to what I know. In such a time, many of do something we know how to do. For some people, that means hitting the gym to sink some baskets. Others will jump into the kitchen—they know how to put it all together for a delicious dish. What is your go-to when you need a win? In today’s reading, the disciples have failed—at least they think so. Their go-to? They go fishing…but even there they fail. Sigh…

Little Boxes – We westerners tend to compartmentalize our lives. We have work email, personal email, junk email addresses…some have personal and work cell phones. We divvy up our lives into what we think are manageable chunks. We have that religious/spiritual box that we tend to on Sundays and then put that aside on Monday as we return to the dog-eat-dog world of work. We think of faith and God having to do with a small but important corner of our lives—that “spiritual” section. Then, we presume that God is only interested in that “God Box.” Today’s reading tells us something very different.

The disciples have fished all night…and they’ve caught nothing. Jesus shows up and calls out, “Throw your net on the other side…!” (Don’t we just love it when someone tells us how to do what we know how to do?!?) Jesus sees their need to just do something well, to get something right, and he helps them do what they need to do. Jesus helps them do a work that is completely unrelated (in our minds) to Kingdom work. Jesus helps them do the everyday work of just catching fish.

Teaching through the Ordinary –Jesus is a teacher who will not let a teaching moment be missed. So as Jesus helps his disciples to get a “win” at something, he teaches them …and us.

There’s something about that catch—153 fish. That’s kind of weirdly specific, right? During the 1st Century, the common belief was that there were only 153 types of fish in their world. 153 represents every kind of fish. This is also a lot of fish…probably over 500 lbs. The nets used around the Sea of Tiberias/Galilee were often linen cast nets. For any-sized cast net, 500lbs would be a LOT of fish, yet “even with so many the net was not torn.” Jesus is giving the disciples and the early church an understanding that God’s grace and God’s Church are for everyone, for every kind of person we can imagine.

Pulling It All Together – While Jesus uses this moment to teach, to show the disciples and early church something about the breadth and depth and strength of God’s love and grace, the real message is simple: God is concerned about every part of our lives—even those parts that we have NOT added to the spiritual/religious compartment. We can listen for the voice of God calling to us: “Cast the net on the other side…,” “Speak to this person words of encouragement,” “Just keep your mouth closed for a change,” or any other thing we may need to hear. But we have to listen…and we have to respond—even if the voice is telling us how to do what we are so certain we already know how to do.  

So ends our journey through the Gospel of John. John reminds us that the One who was with God and who is God, in whom we put our faith, trust, belief, who longs for us to have life, is the One who cares about every part of our lives. May we find life as we listen for that voice calling across the way.

Sunday, April 26, 2026
New Beginnings – Us!
Watch/Listen: HERE

AfterWords: New Beginnings - Disciples

 

John 20:19-23

The disciples may have dreaded the thought of seeing Jesus after having abandoned him. Since the crucifixion, they had locked themselves away in the Upper Room. Then Jesus appeared. I imagine they held their breath, ready for the well-deserved reproach they knew was coming.

“Peace be with you.” … a simple phrase—both a common greeting and a blessing. Jesus again flips some tables by NOT reacting as his disciples expect. And, just to make sure, he says it twice: “Peace be with you.” As Jesus speaks to his disciples in Scripture, we can be sure that he is speaking to us today, so when we have disappointed our Lord, Jesus speaks the same to us—“Peace be with you” …blessing. This is already good news!

Sent Out – The second time Jesus says, “Peace be with you,” Jesus also commissions the disciples: “…As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” First Century and 21^st Century disciples are to continue what Jesus began. We continue Jesus’ work of redemption and reconciliation, the work that God began in Abraham of redeeming and reconciling a world broken by sin. Paul confirms that God “who reconciled us to himself through Christ…gave us the ministry of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18) We have the charge of being ambassadors of Christ helping others to see and know God in a world where God is too often misrepresented by public voices.

Breath of Life – As the disciples process this commission, Jesus breathes on them. The most common word in Greek for breath is pneuma…but, here the word is different. John uses ἐνεφύσησεν (enephysēsen)—the only time this word is used in the New Testament, but not the only time this word appears in Scripture. In the commonly used Septuagint (a Greek translation of the Old Testament) we find this word used in some significant passages:

Genesis 2:7: “Then the Lord God formed [Adam] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and [Adam] became a living being.” Breathed the breath of life.

Ezekiel 37 (Valley of Dry Bones): “⁹ Then [the LORD]said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.”’ ¹⁰ So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.” Again…God breathes life into what is not yet alive.

Jesus breathes life into his disciples, a preview of Pentecost…and Jesus breathes life into us today.

Forgiveness – First, “Forgive and forget” is physiologically impossible unless we have a severe head injury.  So, what is forgiveness? Forgiveness is a decision to live as if a wrong did not occur, a decision to not hold a wrong against someone. Doing the work of Jesus—reconciliation—is impossible without forgiveness. God forgives us our sins, and we have the privilege of declaring God’s forgiveness to other. Also, we have the duty to forgive one another just as we pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We are to forgive…and proclaim God’s forgiveness. More good news today: You are forgiven!

Full Circle – The disciples all fell apart at the arrest of Jesus and locked themselves away in the Upper Room out of fear. They had failed Jesus and themselves. How does Jesus respond to them? He blesses them. “Peace be with you.” Forgiveness…reconciliation…their fear is gone. What Jesus does in the Upper Room, God longs to do for us, for everyone. God does this for us in Christ Jesus: Forgiveness. Reconciliation. Fear gone. And, then God gives us new life by the Spirit of Jesus to carry out the redeeming, reconciling work of Jesus. This is God’s good news for us today. Amen.

Sunday, April 12, 2026
New Beginnings – Disciples
Watch/Listen: HERE

AfterWords: New Beginnings - Jesus

 

John 20:1-18

Today’s reading could take us in a number of directions: the “thick” disciples who see the empty tomb and walk away; the curious case of women who first proclaimed the Good News of the resurrection…but were later (4^th Century) silenced by the Church; the angels—two in John and one in Matthew—and what their real purpose was; or my favorite, underappreciated moment: “Thinking [Jesus] was the gardener….” What? The Risen Savior, the King of Kings, the Author of Life mistaken for the gardener? Beautiful… 😊

WHAT IF… Mary had gone that morning…and the body was still there. She might have wept again, said a prayer, and then gone home. The disciples? Peter, James and John would have gone fishing. Perhaps through the years they would recall moments, incidents—the clearing of the temple, feeding the 5,000, or even the mountain-top transfiguration.

They may have even tried to share with others what Jesus had said…but it would sound a bit hollow because of those promises of ‘resurrection’ and ‘return.’

Paul would have risen through the ranks of the Pharisees, maybe sat on the Sanhedrin, and perhaps made ‘high priest’ at some point. His life may have stayed very centered in Judea.

And, we would have no Gospels, no letters to churches, no letters to community leaders—nothing of what we call the New Testament today.  Just imagine, we would never have read or heard words such as….

 Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest….

Love is patience, kind, long-suffering….

If you confess your sins, he is faithful and just to forgive you….

Our Father, who art in heaven….

For God so loved the world….

These three remain—faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love….

 BUT… something tipped the balance, something changed everything.

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!”

This changed everything! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, because he came back to life, because the tomb did not contain him, history was forever changed.

Because Mary asked questions and stayed around...and talked with “the gardener.”

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote their Gospels...their memories and stories about Jesus. Paul encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, and his life and letters changed the world. And, somewhere along the way, we experienced the loving-kindness of God in Christ Jesus, and our lives are forever changed—we have faith in God’s goodness, we have hope for the days to come, we live lives of loving kindness because God poured out His loving kindness towards us in the life, teachings, person, and resurrection of Jesus.  

On Easter, we celebrate the resurrection. John writes, “...these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (20:31) Today, we can decide to believe, to trust, to put our faith and confidence in what God has done through Jesus the Messiah, and may we find life in him! May we like Mary know and proclaim that … He is risen! (He is risen, indeed!).

Sunday, April 5, 2026
New Beginnings – Jesus
Watch/Listen: HERE