September 5, 2020

 Dear Road Church members and friends,

 Blessings and Greetings on this Labor Day weekend.

 The Scripture reading this week is a continuation of last week’s reading, Matthew 16:18-26. These verses are a defining statement about the Christian Faith. They are also hard to hear, as Peter’s angry response to Jesus’ words makes clear. I fear that we who casually read them in our Bible without being deeply troubled are not paying attention. If we were present on that occasion, I believe that all of us, without exception, would either join with Peter in his angry rebuke of Jesus, or, having heard Jesus’ challenging words, would be trembling in our boots. The cross he is talking about is not a handsome piece of jewelry hanging around our neck, or something to pin on our lapel. At that time people who carry crosses were on the way to the place of their execution. Jesus’ point is that following him is a serious matter and not to be taken lightly.

The title of my message is, “Where is God in All This?”  I believe that question helps us understand Peter’s anger. Peter seems to think that Jesus’ death on a cross could only happen if God was not present in Jesus’ life. Peter thought Jesus’ death on a cross would be proof of God’s absence. That’s why Peter resisted the very idea.

There are times when each of us asks, “where is God in all of this.” One of the lessons to be learned is how to recognize God’s presence during those times when it seems as though he is absent.

Another lesson is the centrality of the cross to our life of faith.

 What’s your favorite hymn about the Cross?

I have two.

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross  and When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Blessings to you all,

 Pastor Norm 860-759-6720 normerlendson@gmail.com

Pastor Norm’s message on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ykKr1m5VEJk