Rev Chris Roth

Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45 In today's Gospel reading, the finality of death is felt by Mary and Martha, who are grieving the death of their brother Lazarus.  Lazarus is dead.  His heart has stopped beating.  He breathed his last breath.  His body is wrapped.  Lazarus is laid in the tomb.  His tomb is sealed.  His spirit has left.  The community has gathered to grieve.  The ceremonies and prayers have been said, and they enter into a season of mourning.   All there is left to do is weep.  Everyone is in shock. Almost all of us can relate to this feeling. During my time as your pastor, we have been through this experience numerous times. Last year we took part in 35 funerals. Shortly before Covid hit, we had a year with 28 funerals. These are people we love and still miss. We have shed tears at their loss, and we still do, at times. We can relate to Mary and Martha. ...

1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41 Most of our readings today are related to sight. In our reading from the first book of Samuel, the prophet is looking for a new king to anoint over the people of Israel. He is directed to the sons of Jesse, and he initially considers the oldest Son, Eliab. Eliab is tall and handsome, which is also how King Saul was described. However, things were not going well with King Saul, which has led God to direct the prophet Samuel to anoint a new king to eventually replace Saul. When the prophet seems sure Eliab is the one God is going to pick, he hears God say to him,  “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Sam 16:7).  Against expectations, none of Jesse’s sons who were present at the meeting were picked. Instead, the son who gets selected is the youngest, Davi...

  Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-11; John 4:5-42 In John chapter four we read about a meeting that shouldn't have happened. Jesus is alone sitting on the edge of a stone well. It is an ancient well that was said to have been dug by the patriarch Jacob. The disciples have gone into town to buy food and Jesus stayed behind at the well. This is where he meets a Samaritan woman who has come for water. The first reason this meeting shouldn't have taken place has to do with geography. A group of devout Jews really shouldn't be spending any time in Samaria when there is a perfectly good detour around the territory. Samaritans and Jews were hostile to each other. They were ethnic and religious enemies. To a first century Jew a "good Samaritan" was an oxymoron. It was a contradiction. So, the first reason this meeting shouldn't have taken place is because of geography. Jesus, as a devout Jew, had no business being in the enemy...

Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17 Lent is a time to examine our hearts. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus is often drawing our attention to our hearts. … He says,  “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement…” (Matt 5:21-22).  Jesus moves the focus from murder to anger. He moves the attention from outward action to the inward disposition of the heart. … Imagine someone filled with murderous rage, but they are in prison. Their circumstances prevent them from acting on their anger. They aren’t able to commit murder, but we wouldn’t say they are virtuous for not committing murder. Jesus has a similar teaching about adultery. He says,  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust ha...