If Jesus Cooked, Would You Eat Fish For Breakfast?

Reflections
April 18, 2010

The twenty-first chapter of John is an epilogue that in literary works summarizes or provides closure to the story.

Peter, James, John, Nathaniel and Thomas and two unnamed disciples decide to go fishing. After a long night with no luck, a stranger from shore calls and asks if they've caught any. They say no and he suggests they cast their nets on the other side of the boat. As they do this, the nets become so heavy with fish they cannot haul them in. John recognizes Jesus and at hearing this, Peter jumps into the water to go ashore. The others follow in the boat and bring one hundred fifty-three fish with them.

At shore, Jesus is at a campfire cooking them a breakfast of fish and bread. The story is full of details. We are told the names of five disciples with two left nameless, but the total number is seven, considered a perfect number in Biblical times. The number of fish is divisible by three, that was considered spiritual. This was the third time Jesus revealed himself to the disciples. The Jesus repeats the request that Peter "feed his sheep" three times possibly reflecting the three denials Peter made of Jesus. At the close of this passage Jesus foretells the martyrdom of Peter and ends by telling those gathered to follow Him.

This is a remarkable story on several levels. Instead of flash and flair, Jesus offers practical help with fishing and then serves the disciples breakfast. The offer of advice from Jesus is the gospel writer's reminder that Jesus remains as a comfort and guide. In a powerful shift from trial and crucifixion, Peter instead of avoiding Jesus cannot get to him quickly enough. The breakfast is a reminder that Jesus is the bread of life and disciples are called to witness. The first letters of the words Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior, spell the Greek work fish, so during the early persecution of the church, believers used the symbol of a fish to indicate their faith. Finally, the dialogue Jesus had with Peter is a wonderful indication that however one may choose to deny God, the love, hope, forgiveness, and grace of God still comes. The closing remark of Jesus to follow Him is very similar to the opening of the gospels where Jesus encounters those fishing and says, "follow me and I will make you fishers of people."

In effect of course these words are anything buy an epilogue. For the gospel story is written each day when disciples anew offer the bread and hope of grace to a world hungry for the love of God.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

What's In Our Spiritual Wallets?

REFLECTIONS
April 11, 2010

You’ve no doubt seen the commercial. The buyer takes a credit card out to buy something and a hoard of ruffians heads his or her way. They stop only upon finding that it is a certain brand of card. Then looking into the camera the toughies say “What is in your wallet?,” the implication being that if we don’t have this card our monetary life is in danger. These are interesting times in terms of finances so there is some value to such a message. To be aware of cost and risk is an important question. When I started to work for my father at age fifteen, quite often I would ask the question, “Pop, how much does that cost or what is that worth?” He gave one of three answers consistently. “Too much,” “Enough.” Or my particular favorite now (not then). “Son if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.”

The central question of the book of Acts is, what is the cost of discipleship? The early Church is struggling with not the concept, but the actual risk of following Jesus. In chapter 5:27-32, Peter and the Apostles have been brought before the religious council for violation of religious law. This has, of course, a familiar ring to it, for not a week ago the Scripture reading for Holy Thursday, and Good Friday had similar questions being asked of Jesus. The high priest states ,“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him... and we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit...” It is clear that the Apostles have been warned not to preach in the name of Jesus or to teach his ways in Jerusalem. Yet, here they are before the very same council that warned them not to do so. When they told the religious leaders that it was by the power of God through the Holy Spirit that they preached and taught, at first the Council so enraged wanted to kill them. However, at the urging of one leader they were instead jailed, beaten and released. Whereupon, they rejoiced in their suffering and immediately began preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus.

The early Christian Mothers and Fathers knew the very real risks attached to life in relation with Jesus. Yet they embraced it. We in the modern Church are apt to ask why should I do this or that, or even more pointedly, what’s in it for me? Our ancestors in the faith knew if not intrinsically, certainly in their souls, that personal cost was not the question. Perhaps they knew Paul’s words from II Corinthians 5:19-20 “that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting our trespasses against us, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation... Making us ambassadors for Christ.” We do well not to ask what the salary and benefits are?

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Easter Is A Marathon, Not A Sprint

REFLECTIONS
April 4, 2010

The most popular Easter narrative is John: 20:1-18. It finds Mary Magdalene at the burial ground of Jesus. Finding the stone rolled away and presuming the tomb empty she seeks out Simon Peter and John, the “beloved disciple.” They literally run to the tomb and on the evidence of the burial cloths being left behind, believe Jesus has risen. Mary comes back to the tomb enters and sees two angels, but not Jesus, they speak to her but she does not understand. Finally, Jesus speaks to her but she mistakes him for the gardener. It is when he calls her by name that she recognizes him. In some measure and means the story of Easter is the willingness to see the power of salvation, then having the heart to share the story. In the book of Acts, Peter is recorded saying some things which illustrate. “Peter opened his mouth saying; ‘Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who knows their need of God and does what is right, is acceptable to God.’” Peter then goes on to tell an abbreviated version of the temptation and passion of Jesus, reminding his listeners that he was among the first to see Jesus post Easter. It was then that Peter and those gathered with him experienced the Holy Spirit. For Peter the linking of the stories is essential. The gift of the Spirit is a direct result of the Passion.

Part of the question we as moderns must ask is, what do we believe and where do we see evidence to support our thought? What are our resurrection stories? Better still, where do we find ourselves in need of resurrection? The greater message of Easter is not found on a cross or in a tomb, but rather in how we respond to the way of the Master. Do we follow Jesus or just empathize with the story? The call, of course, is to get involved. Tom Waits is a unique singer songwriter. His voice is very rough and at times his message equally so. On an album for which he won a Grammy he utters the words to an L. C. M. (my abbreviation not his, standing for Last Christian Martyr) “You gotta get behind the mule if you want to plow,” then at a particular point he says to the offender “come down from the cross, because we need the wood.” To me this means our participation in Easter is to speak of the Good News we have known and seen. To share the wonder we have found in a relationship with Jesus. An L. C. M. prefers the must of the tomb or the comfort of the cross to getting behind the mule, literally the word and work of Jesus. I don’t know about you but the mule looks more interesting.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Faith Is A James Brown Song

REFLECTIONS
March 21, 2010

Scholars tell us that Psalm 107 is probably a song used by those who have come in off the desert to celebrate a festival. It begins with the words, “O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble...” Then just a few Psalms later in 126, a so called song of ascents, the psalmist gives voice to the celebration of deliverance from threats. “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongues with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.

When I read these two passages together I heard a voice, though not the one most might think. I heard the voice of the late great singer James Brown. I was transformed back to the first time I saw him on television. It was the early version of Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. The show was in black and white, not the high definition digital color we have today. I was young and mesmerized by he stylish flamboyance. Where most of the men who performed on the show wore sport coats, Mr. Brown wore what appeared to be formal wear. While most singers stood at the microphone James treated it like it belonged only to him making it at times a part of the performance. Even the way he sang seemed different. This was before the Beatles or at best very early in the “British Invasion.” It was certainly pre-Heavy Metal, and Grunge Rock when lyrics became secondary to volume, or so it seemed. When James Brown sang he articulated the lyric, but the energy was so intense that at time it became difficult to understand what he was singing.

He presented music as a celebration. Becoming a force of nature almost in a dervish like trance. Though years later there would be tales of great excess regarding alcohol and drugs, few of which he denied, early in his career his energy seemed more pure as if coming from a spiritual side. It is important to note that James Brown like many early Rock and Roll stars first played in churches before making it to The Ed Sullivan Show. It may perhaps seem strange enough to think of reading a Psalm and hearing James Brown sing, but if you’re interested, this is the abridged version . “I feel good, I knew that I would. Now, I feel good, I knew that I would. Soo good, Soo good, God is so good. Heh”

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Grace Helps The Meal Taste Better

REFLECTIONS
March 14, 2010

Sixty-two years ago this Sunday the first worship service was held on this property. The congregation started in a home, moved to Lankershim Elementary School, finally setting down roots at Lankershim and Weddington Streets for the next thirty years. The planned expansion to the Tujunga site was delayed by World Was II. Finally, this property was acquired and the first building constructed was the Social Hall. This space would be used for worship and social gatherings for about two years until the Sanctuary was completed. There are probably less than a dozen people active in this parish today who were present on Easter Sunday 1949 when the Sanctuary was consecrated, let alone were present for the consecration of the Social Hall, March 14, 1947.

However, they need not be present because we have a thorough historical record. Beyond that, and perhaps more important still, we have their stories. Some of us have been fortunate enough to know those who brought the Church to this location. Over coffee, a meal or perhaps a Christmas tree sale we have heard the struggles and triumphs of their common history. The gift of God throughout faith history is that called people are to have a strong memory of the past and a clear vision for the future.

Those folks who gathered here for the first worship service at 4832 Tujunga Avenue knew from where they had come. They settled in this community with a sense of purpose and a forthright vision of where they were called to be and what they were called to do. They had a heart for community and invested time and effort to build and teach so. Moreover, they had a heart for the hopes and needs of the world and extended themselves financially and spiritually into this cause as well. Our task today, tomorrow and each day which follows is to retain a keen sense of the rich past which we share, and then lean full force into what lies ahead.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601