Christology (Easter A5)

This week's texts seem primarily Christological. The Holy Spirit, through the authors of the various texts is doing his job, showing us the Son high and exalted at the right hand of the father.

As in other weeks, there is a progression from Acts, to the Psalm to First Peter, and to John. In Acts, the Spirit Filled waiter, Stephen, makes a remarkable and earthshaking declaration: Jesus is standing at the right hand of God! As he is stoned he cries to his Jesus, as Jesus cried to his father, "receive my spirit."

The Psalmist's heart first cried to his rock and fortress, "Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God."

Peter echos, " Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight."

He likens the church to little stones as well, being built into a spiritual house. It is interesting to me as we approach Pentecost that the concern of the text is so often what the church should look like. How do we live in the face of the exalted Christ, standing at the right hand; the rejected stone that is now the capstone?

We live as a royal priesthood, a chosen nation. A people for whom a mansion full of rooms is prepared. Here we come full circle. Stephen prayed to be received to this place as he follows Jesus in martyrdom. Again Jesus is exalted as John explores his union with the Father.

Preaching to kids?

How do you preach to the kids in your congregation? I try to include them every step of the way. That's the goal anyway. This week I acted out the roll of the shepherd. I called the kids up front by name. Then led them around the sanctuary as I talked about how the sheep know his voice. I laid down in the aisle and told them to step over me into the sheep pen, just like Jesus is the gate. We talked about what it means to be sheep and the family of God. Oh, and this wasn't my children's sermon, this was the whole thing.

My people have gotten used to me ;-) Think about how you can include children in your sermon this week.