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May 9, 2010—Sixth Sunday of Easter

Lectionary Texts: Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5; John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9

Sermon Text: John 19:30 and Luke 23:46

The Seven Responses to the Cross: Restoration and Relationship

During World War II the Japanese occupational forces were noted for their savagery, especially to the people of Korea. The levels of inhumanity and cruelty were beyond belief. The Japanese soldiers were especially cruel to the Christians of Korea. In one small countryside city, the local Korean pastor had pleaded incessantly for the opportunity to worship God in their little clapboard sanctuary once again. Permission was finally obtained and the word went throughout the countryside that services would once again be held in their small wooden church. The congregation gathered and began worshipping boldly in song, but as they were singing the hymn, “At the Cross” those in the back heard the doors being nailed shut and soon smoke began to fill the sanctuary. Those who tried to escape through windows were gunned down. Men, women, and children went to be with the Lord. A monument was later erected in their honor to recall the infamous act. Years after the war, a group of Japanese pastors were traveling through that same village and discovered the atrocity. Returning home, they raised enough money to rebuild the church. After its completion, they returned for a dedication service. While once again singing the same hymn they came to the stanza, “At the cross, at the cross/Where I first saw the light/And the burden of my heart rolled away” the tears began to roll from the faces and years of pent up shame on the part of the Japanese and years of hatred in the hearts of the Koreans were melted away as they embraced and began new a relationship of love and understanding.1

Jesus cries out in a loud voice from the cross, “It is finished!” Our response should be a committed, “I accept the call to respond sacrificially in love toward others.” This Greek term of commercial transactions significantly refers to the full payment of the price or the paying of a debt to its complete satisfaction. Jesus Christ had paid our sin-debt in full. Christ’s work compels to reach out to others with the simple message of the gospel in an authentic way. We must strive to present the message of good news in a relevant and meaning way in our churches. Striving to reach and disciples others is the root essential of the Body of Christ, His Church. We must share the words of Christ wherever we go and compel them to join us in collective worship and adoration. God’s love response to us of dying on the Cross drives us to strive to model this love standard in the relationships that should exist within the Church, within our homes, and among one another. We must strive to model a sacrificial love.

This brings us to the acrostic that drives the culture of our local church: S.T.R.I.V.E. It sets the standard for all that we do when we are together.

• Spirit-led
• Transformational
• Relationship over ritual
• Invest, Invite, and Involve
• Vibrant worship
• Excellence in every endeavor

“Spirit-led” means that we never want to leave the roots of the Holiness Revival that birthed our Church movement. We must focus on the will and work of our Heavenly Father in all that we undertake corporately and individually. There must be something alive and powerful in our midst as we seek to serve Him.

“Transformational” calls us to maintain our Christ-centered mission to make disciples that authentically live out what has taken place within. We also want our worship to never lose its evangelistic focus. The mourner’s bench so common in the Church of the Nazarene is a testimony to our desire to help people move from darkness to light.

“Relationship over ritual” does not minimize or exclude the rich beauty and depth of our ritual, but compels us to never let it replace a genuine relationship with our Lord and one another. The richness of the ritual is discovered in right communion with our Heavenly Father and the Bride of Christ. Our love relationship with Jesus should be the power that binds us together and gives His people hope in an uncertain world.

“I” represents the evangelistic and discipleship mandate for the Church. We must invest in others in their pre-Christian state, invite them into a relationship with Christ and His Church, and ultimately incorporate them into the life of the congregation. We must remember our calling to make Christ-like disciples in the nations.

“Vibrant worship” does not refer to a mere style of music. It is meant to reflect an energy and enthusiasm in every aspect of worship: prayer, music, the proclamation of the Word, and even in our giving. We can be just as vibrant in our hymns, as well as, in our choruses. People are drawn to that which is vibrant and powerful.

The “E” compels us to avoid the cult of “just good enough.” When it comes to honoring and serving our Lord, we need to give Him our best and continue to work to improve and sharpen all we do. Excellence draws people to join in what God is doing. We must never allow ourselves to become complacent in our service to Him.

The words, “It is finished!” resulted in the veil separating humanity from the holy of holies to be ripped by God from the top to the bottom. In that moment, the disciples of Christ became a priesthood of believers. The way for each of us to our Heavenly Father was made clear and accessible.
Christ’s last statement from the cross is, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” This compels us to respond in return, “I, too, place my all in You, dear Father.” We must accept the peace and comfort our Lord provides. We are now in His hands and are under His spiritual protection and leadership. He will guide us and sustain us as we seek to fulfill His purpose for our lives. This is the gentle place beside still waters where all believers can find healing and security in Christ. Ultimately, when our lives are complete or when Christ returns to establish His kingdom, we have the comfort of knowing that we are in Him and in Him are peace, purpose and contentment forever.
As we renew our commitment to Christ in response to the cross, we remind ourselves:

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

We respond, “Father, I accept your forgiveness and I extend forgiveness to myself and others.”

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

We respond, “I accept my part of the mission to share the hope of the gospel.”

Jesus said, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And to John, “Here is your mother.”

We respond, “I see those hurting around me and accept the call to compassionate service.”

Jesus said, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?”

We respond, “We will reach out to those in bondage with the liberating message of the cross.”

Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”

We respond, “We too were once thirsty and we are sent to those who are thirsty also.”

Jesus said, “It is finished!”

We respond, “We accept the call to respond sacrificially in love toward others.”

Jesus said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

We respond, “I, too, place my all in You, dear Father.”

Ultimately, we can experience the lasting joy and completeness through our response to the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1. KIMMEL, Tim. Little House on the Freeway. Multnomah Books, 1994, Portland, Oregon, 1994. pp. 56-61.