27 Mar “I have seen the Lord”

An elderly woman showed up for church one Sunday. An usher wanted to help her and asked, “where would you like to sit?” The woman responded, “I’d like to sit up front.” The usher tried to discourage her, but she insisted.

On the way down the aisle with her, the usher replied, “ma’am, I hate to say this, but our preacher is really bad, in fact he’s pretty boring. We’re trying to tolerate him and I’m afraid that if you sit at the front, you’ll fall asleep and everyone will see you.”

The woman, who at this point was visibly upset, responded, “Young man, do you know who I am?” He said, “no, ma’am.” She said, “I am the pastor’s mother, and I am very offended and what you’ve just said. I’m going to tell my son after the worship service!”

The young usher was silent for a moment and when they arrived at the front pew, said, “Ma’am, do you know who I am?” She said, “No, I don’t. ” And he said, “Good!”

Knowledge is important. I’m very much supportive of our public schools and education in general. It’s important to know what we know, but also what we don’t know. Humility is an important part of learning. This is a truth I’ve had to accept during my educational process.

During this time of year, it is also important to know what we believe. The reason our church exists is because of the testimony of those first witnesses to the life, death, AND resurrection of Jesus Christ. This month we’ll once again see the resurrected Jesus through the eyes of Mary Magdalene who went to the disciples and said, “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20.18).

Later on in the resurrection account, Jesus appeared to Thomas who finally believed when he saw the risen Christ. Upon seeing the risen Christ, Thomas said, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus replied, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20.28-29). Jesus is referring to us!

As we culminate our journey through Lent, let’s make sure we slow our lives down, especially during Holy Week. We’ll participate in the Holy Week services at St. Mark’s UMC (Jason and I will lead the service on that Monday) and have other events during this time as well.
I hope you’ll join me in participating in the life of our church this month, and may together we proclaim, “we have seen the Lord!”–DC