What happens following any one of these situations or circumstances?  Rebuilding.  A time of finding a way through the rubble and building back what was lost.  A moment of finding the strength to keep going when it would be easier to quit.  A time of remembering what truly matters and evaluating who you really are as an individual and as a part community and culture.  A process of remembering, reimagining, and rebuilding. 

We are a year and half into a global pandemic.   The entire globe has been impacted by this virus.  Things are different than they were a year and half ago.  All of us have had to adjust, adapt, and alter schedules, routines, plans, expectations, and how we understand the world.   Most of us, if we are honest, lived this last year and half somewhere between faith and fear, confidence and caution, anxiety and relief. 

Now it seems we are coming through the other side; slowly, cautiously, moving toward what life used to be like, yet knowing it will never be the same.  Now is the time we rebuild; put things back together in a way that reflects the lessons learned, priorities identified, and awareness and wisdom gained over the last year and a half.  Now is the time to consider what we do and how we can do it better for God, others, and ourselves. 

Jesus uses this story to symbolize God replacing arrogant, selfish religious leaders with his appointed leader (Jesus), who would be the starting point of a new work of God (Isa 28:14–17; Zech 10:3–5): God uses the stone that the builders rejected (Jesus) to begin a new work.  Jesus’ parable of the tenants depicts how God is beginning a new work by entrusting his kingdom to new “tenants” (Matt 21:42–43).  In other words: the vineyard is the nation of Israel - the people of God; the owner is God.  The cultivators are the religious leaders.  The messengers who were sent are the prophets sent by God and often rejected and killed.  The son who came last is, of course, Jeusus - the cornerstone. 

The cornerstone, sometimes interpreted as the capstone, was considered the most important stone.  It was the one stone that held everything else in place.  It was the one stone that kept just enough pressure and tension on everything else that the entire structure held together.  The cornerstone was often the first stone placed - the foundational corner of the entire structure.  It determined the length, height, and width of the structure.  The capstone was often the final yet most important piece, without it, the structure would not stand.  So either way you look at it, without that stone, nothing would stand.  Nothing would last.  

It is pretty clear then, that Jesus was and is that stone; the one we are to build our foundation on; the one that determines and defines our meaning and purpose, and the one that holds everything else together.  We can have the biggest and best of everything here at Grace, but if we don’t model, follow, teach, and preach Jesus, we won’t stand; we will fall apart, slowly erode, or collapse.  We can have the best ministries, programs, classes, workshops, special events, and guest speakers; be on tv for all that we do,  but if we don’t begin and end with Jesus, we have nothing.  

Church I am not telling you anything you don’t already know.  Yet, one thing remains.  We know it, but we rarely live it out fully and completely.  We know it but we are afraid of what it might mean if we try something new, different, or outside our comfort zone.  We know it but seldom do we do the full on trust fall into the arms of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.  
The text speaks to God’s trust in us as the farmhands, workers, and tenants of God’s kingdom.  It speaks of God’s patience with us.  It is about service, responsibility, privilege, and accountability.  All of which is a part of the rebuilding on the cornerstone of Jesus. 

As we come through the other side of anything; economic strain, flood, violence, politics, tragedy, uncertainty, and yes, a global pandemic, we can do nothing less than remember who we are in Christ, reimagine what church can and should look like, and rebuild on the  model, example, and teaching of Jesus.

Let’s remember and live like we mean it.  Let’s reimagine and trust God’s leading.  Let’s rebuild and see what the Holy Spirit can do.  

I know it can be scary.  Maybe that’s how we know it matters.   Amen. 

Pastor Jenothy Irvine

John speaks of Christians as “children” or “little children.” Those who
are born of God are “children of God.” Those who receive the gospel are those whom God has given the power to become part of a special family (1 Jn. 2:29).

That is to say, we all are children of God – still learning, still growing, still needing to improve, still finding ways of understanding who God is, and what God is doing, still trying to make sense of life! John wants us to know that becoming a child of God is a gift, but a gift that continues to invite us to see more, for with God there always is more!
In fact, John himself writes, “What we will be (as children of God) has not yet been revealed; but we know that when Christ appears, we will be like him, for we shall see him as he is, and all who have this hope purify themselves as Christ is pure” (1 Jn. 3:2-3). As children of God, we can imagine what we can become in this life and in the life to come: to become like Christ, the perfect image of God.

In other words, it is all about who we are now but who we can become in the future; but always moving toward Christ, the goal of the Christian life. We are not fully there yet, of course, but someday, someday, we will be through God’s love and grace! John is inviting us to imagine what shape our lives can take and to see how our lives can offer light in a world of darkness, violence, deceit, delusion, and death.
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How is God inviting you to move into the future? How might you imagine what Christ is calling you to do that you might not have considered?

Pastor Andy Kinsey

The composer writes the music, but the performers implement the notes and rhythm, to make the magic of music happen.  The clockmaker designs and builds the clock; but the owner has to set it to the right time and keep it wound up for it to do what it was made to do. The coach organizes the offense and defensive plays, but the athletes have to make it happen if there is to be a game. The teacher plans the lessons and gives the information; but the students have to apply the knowledge in order to grow in wisdom and understanding.  The artist creates and expresses through a particular medium, but without someone to observe and appreciate the skill, color, texture, composition, or design, can it be a masterpiece?  

One must have the other for either to make a difference or be of significant value.  One must have the other in order for either to have or live into its purpose; to do what it was made for or to be who they were created to be.  There is all the difference in the world between something being achieved and something being implemented.

A week ago, Jesus achieved his purpose - he did what he set out to do.  He defeated death and began the work of new creation.  We remembered and celebrated.  All that he taught, stood for, revealed, upheld, lived and died for must now be implemented.  There was and maybe still is however, a problem.  The disciples are hiding!  It may not feel like it, but it was just a week ago we remembered what it must have been like for those first followers of Jesus.  What they went through that last week of Jesus’ life on earth.  

They witnessed Jesus be arrested, convicted, flogged, killed, and put in a stone grave.  They knew the bitterness of the religious leaders and pharisees who had been a part of the death of Jesus and they were afraid that their turn would come next.  So they met in fear - in terror even, listening for every step on the stairs and every knock at the door, lest the representatives of the Sanhedrin should come to arrest them too.  

They spent three days scattered, avoiding crowds, and trying to make it back to the last safe place they knew - the room where they last gathered with Jesus for a meal and his incredible act of humility and servant leadership.  Jesus surprised them then and he was about to do it again.
It is as if Jesus is saying, my purpose began with me and my life, but can only continue with you so here, take the power, truth, wisdom, example, and presence of all that I am and take it with you.  Remember it all.  Remember all that you saw, heard, experienced, did, witnessed, took part in.  Remember the faces of those you saw come to me.  The sound of those who found their voice again because of what I taught.  The touch of their hugs, handshakes, kisses as they were given hope again.  Remember what I said, how I said it, and to whom I said it.  Remember what I stand for, what I called you to stand for.  Remember it all - when you are afraid.  When you fail.  When you succeed.  When you get hurt.  When they don’t listen.  When you lose your way.  When you rise and when you fall.  When you get frustrated and when you weep with gratitude and humility.  Remember.

This moment between Jesus and the disciples is their personal pentecost moment - powerful and empowering.  The risen Christ comes to them in their most vulnerable moment and speaks to them words of comfort, assurance, and challenge. 

Easter was but a week ago.  We spent 40 days getting there.  We spent a week walking the emotional roller-coaster with Jesus to the cross.  Why would we be so quick to move on?  To allow it to be swallowed up in the routine of daily life or to act like it is not a part of our reality.  We are on this side of Easter therefore we are an Easter people.  It is our reality. 

Jesus comes to all of us in our upper rooms - those metaphorical places we go when we are hurting, confused, angry, questioning, and second guessing, and he says to us, peace be with you; I am here.  I am your reality.  

Now is the time we must remember, reimagine, and rebuild.  Like the composer, the clockmaker, coach, artist, and teacher, everything Jesus was and is can only be if those who claim to believe in him, implement, enact, carry out, continue, and do what he started that first Easter morning - the creation of a New Kingdom - God’s Kingdom. 

You are invited to consider what that means for you and for the people of God.  What does it mean, really, to remember all that Jesus taught?  What is the point if we don’t live it out in authentic and meaningful ways.  What does it mean to reimagine church and community in light of following the risen Jesus?  What difference would it make in the life of this church, this community?  What would that reimagining look like?  How can we rebuild following the kind of year and half we have had?  What needs to be rebuilt?  What does building on the cornerstone of Jesus bring about for us and for others that is good, beautiful, and true for all God’s people? 

These are the questions (or some variation thereof) that the first followers faced.  These are the questions that awaited them on the other side of the upper room door following Jesus’ resurrection.  Like us after the year we have had; they were cautious and overwhelmed, AND like us, they were empowered by Jesus to open the door and  greet the anxious, hurting, fractured, imperfect, and waiting world with a message of love.  A message of hope.  

Are you ready Easter people?  Can we see Jesus in the room with us and remember?  Will we creatively reimagine and with wisdom, courageously rebuild?  I pray the breath of the risen Christ makes it so.  Amen. 

Prayer: Dear God, may we always remember the love poured out in the life of Jesus.  May we have the insight to reimagine just how powerful and healing that love is.  May we have the courage to rebuild your church on the cornerstone of that love. 

Pastor Jenothy Irvine