THE EIGHTH DAY OF CREATION

I apologize to Mike Carlson, lead pastor of St. Andrews Lutheran Church, for using his  thoughts and words which he used  in a sermon on April 12, 2015, in regard to a day thousands of years ago which he described as being the eighth day of creation. Christ rose on the seventh day.  What might have occurred on that long ago eighth day?


It tells us all about it in the bible's Book of John, chapter 20, and the  19th through the 31st verses, but I will tell it as a story:  Early on the morning of the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary (probably the Magdalene)went to the tomb.  She was surprised to see that the stone had been removed from the opening. So, her first thought was that someone had stolen her Lord's body, so she ran to tell the disciples. When she found Peter and John, she blurted, "They have taken Jesus out of the tomb, and I don't know where they put him."

So, Peter and John started running, but John ran faster and reached the tomb first.  But, Peter did not stop, running past him and into the tomb.  They saw the strips of linen lying there which had covered his body and the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head.(They believed that His body had been stolen, for they did not yet know that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)Then, sadly, they went back to their homes.  


 "They have taken my Lord away, and I don't know where they have put him." This statement, uttered by Mary, sat like a weighted stone in the hearts of the Lord's friends. The Lord Jesus was gone.


Have you ever gone on a long trip away from those you love? Remember the joy at your reunion?  Imagine then what it would have been like for those who Jesus had left behind when he came to them on the evening of the first day of the week, that forever afterward eighth day! Jesus came to them and said, "Shalom," which means "peace."  And they rejoiced.  Oh, it was a grand reunion,  beautiful, unbelievable! Jesus went on to say, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."  And He did send them out into the world, but that night, that unforgettable night, Jesus  breathed on them. Yes!  He breathed on them! And he said, "Receive the Holy Spirit!  If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them they are not forgiven."


And our pastor continued with a challenge, "As the Father sent me, so I send you," just as Jesus said.
So I challenge you this week, at all times and in all places, BREATHE THE HOLY SPIRIT! (Jesus  in;breathe in) Sin out; (Jesus in).  Sin out; breathe Jesus  in. sin out! Fill me (in), out! Send me(in), out!  Offer forgiveness!  Stay in the Word!  Call out bullying and racial jokes!  Stay in the Word of God!"


Pastor Carlson says to remember to Receive the Holy Spirit.  And thank you, Pastor, for this solid reminder of the Holy Spirit and our need for Him.  I hope and pray that some one of you will find this reminder that he gave to us as helpful as it is for me.


Jo INMN