Jan. 20, 2008

Nancy Davis

St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church

Omaha, Nebraska

John Adams, Jr. was one of the driving forces behind the independence movement of this country in 1776 and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was our nation’s first Vice President, serving with George Washington and was the second President of the United States, taking that office in March of 1797. He was defeated for re-election in 1800 by Thomas Jefferson, a long time political rival. However, in their later years, these two champions of democracy became friends. As the year 1826 and the nation’s 50^th year celebration of independence approached, Adams, at age 80, became determined that he would live to see that momentous July 4^th. However, both he and Jefferson who, at age 83, had also expressed his desire to see that wonderful day, were becoming more and more feeble. Early on the morning of July 4^th, 1826, Adams’ pastor and doctor were with him, as he lay in bed, breathing with great difficulty. He awoke for a moment and was told that the day was July 4^th and he said, “It is a great day. It is a good day.” Late in the afternoon, he whispered clearly enough that those standing nearby could hear him, “Thomas Jefferson survives.” Shortly after saying those word, John Adams died, unaware that Thomas Jefferson had also realized his desire to see the 50^th anniversary of independence. Jefferson died on July 4^th 1826, at 1:00 in the afternoon, approximately 5 hours before the death of John Adams.

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Stories of the last words of celebrated people intrigue us. Many books have been written on this subject. We learn from these writings that John Jacob Astor, the richest man in the world at the turn of the 20^th century, was on board the ill-fated Titanic when it struck an iceberg. As he helped his 18-year-old pregnant wife Madeline into a lifeboat, he said to her, “The ladies have to go first. Get in the lifeboat, to please me. Good-by, dearie, I’ll see you later.” Of course he never saw her again, as he perished with all those left on the doomed ship. There is a certain poignancy in the last words of Marie Antoinette, wife of King Louis XVI, as she approached the guillotine, where her sentence of death would be carried out. She accidentally stepped on the foot of her executioner, to whom she said, “Pardonnez-moi, monsieur.” And a story is told of a man who was facing a firing squad who, when asked if he had a final request, replied, “Yes, I would like a bulletproof vest.”

Today is Palm Sunday. We remember that day long ago when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling ancient prophecies relating to the long-promised Messiah of the Jewish people. The people crowded the streets as he rode along, throwing down palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Everyone was happy and it seemed on that day that Jesus’ last words would occur long into the future as the people received him with songs and laughter. But of course those people did not know what was about to happen in just a few days.

But we know the story. We know that by the end of the week, Jesus would be arrested, tried and eventually sentenced to die. He would be hung upon a cross, a very common

Page 3

form of Roman execution. We also know that for many of those who cheered as he entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, a change of attitude would come. Their last words to Jesus would not be “Hosanna!” Their last words to Jesus would be “Crucify him!”

But it is important for us to remember that Jesus did not go to the cross as a victim at the mercy of evil forces beyond his control. Jesus is an active participant in this plan – we might even say that he has known the entire plan since the beginning. The Gospel of John tells us that Jesus is anything but passive during this time. He speaks with conviction when challenged and even offers challenges of his own to men of authority. He orders Peter to put his sword back in his sheath when that disciple would have attacked those who came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He even engages Pontius Pilate in philosophical discourse, putting to the Roman governor the simple question, “What is truth?” and leaving him to ponder what the possible answer might be. This is not the “Jesus, sweet Jesus” that some people imagine. This is a Savior who knows what he is doing and does it, even though there is a lot of pain involved. This is a Savior who meets his destiny head-on and changes the world forever. Even while nailed to the cross, Jesus is the one in control and we can see that through his last words.

The first of Jesus’ famous last words are to his mother and to his beloved disciple:

NEAR THE CROSS OF JESUS STOOD HIS MOTHER, HIS MOTHER’S SISTER, MARY THE WIFE OF CLOPAS, AND MARY MAGDALENE. WHEN JESUS SAW HIS MOTHER THERE, AND THE DISCIPLE WHOM HE LOVED STANDING NEARBY, HE SAID TO HIS MOTHER, “DEAR WOMAN, HERE IS YOUR SON.”

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AND TO THE DISCIPLE HE SAID, “HERE IS YOUR MOTHER.” FROM THAT TIME ON, THAT DISICIPLE TOOK HER INTO HIS HOME. (JOHN 19:25-27)

With these words Jesus shows his care and compassion for his mother. He also shows us the trust he put into this disciple, whom many believe to be John. Jesus creates a new family for these two people whom he loved. Perhaps we can connect that to the new family that Jesus has created among God’s children by His words, His acts, His death, and the glorious resurrection to come.

The second of Jesus’ famous last words are these:

“I AM THIRSTY.” (JOHN 19:28)

These words pull at the heart of all believers in Jesus. We find ourselves wishing that we could be there to give him a drink of cool water, anything to ease his pain and discomfort. However, that is not exactly what happened:

A JAR OF WINE VINEGAR WAS THERE, SO THEY SOAKED A SPONGE IN IT, PUT THE SPONGE ON A STALK OF THE HYSSOP PLANT, AND LIFTED IT TO JESUS’ LIPS. (JOHN 19:29)

We are reminded here of Jesus’ humanity; that he came into this life completely human, that he felt thirst and hunger and pain just as we do. In this way, we can know that Jesus understands the pains and sorrows of life. He understands when we suffer because He has known suffering himself. This means that nothing in life, not matter how terrible or dark, can keep Jesus from being with us. He is always with us. As Paul would write many years later to his church in Rome:

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FOR I AM CONVINCED THAT NEITHER DEATH NOR LIFE, NEITHER ANGELS NOR DEMONS, NEITHER THE PRESENT NOR THE FUTURE, NOR ANY POWERS, NEITHER HEIGHT NOR DEPTH, NOR ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION, WILL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD. (ROMANS 8:38-39)

The reason that Paul could write those words as he did was because of Jesus’ death on the cross and the resurrection to come. Paul was saying that since Jesus was fully human during his time walking the earth, he understands all that life can bring. And that he is always with us to share everything.

And, finally, Jesus says,

“IT IS FINISHED”. (JOHN 19:30)

Some might see this as a whimper of defeat, an admission that the enemy had won. However, I do not believe that that is the true meaning of these words at all. I see these words as Jesus’ shout of confidence that the work of God has been accomplished. It is like we might do these days when we say, “Yes!” and pull back our arm for emphasis. So when you hear these words, picture Jesus standing on his feet, lifting his face to the sky with a wide smile going from ear to ear and shouting out “Yes!” pumping the air with his fist. Death and sin and evil and wickedness did not have the final word. God had the final word and that final word is love, the love we see in Jesus’ death on the cross, a life given for us so that we might, in some small way, understand the depth of God’s love for us. “YES!” Say it with me – “YES!”

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This is the culmination of all that Jesus had done in the world. Remember when he said, a few months before his death:

I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. THE GOOD SHEPHERD LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP.” (JOHN 10:11)

It is finished – YES!

Or remember what he said to Nicodemus:

AND JUST AS MOSES LIFTED UP THE SERPENT IN THE WILDERNESS, SO MUST THE SON OF MAN BE LIFTED UP, SO THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM MAY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. (JOHN 3:14)

It is finished – YES!

And on Palm Sunday, Jesus made this prediction:

WHEN I AM LIFTED UP FROM THE EARTH, I WILL DRAW ALL PEOPLE TO MYSELF. (JOHN 12:32)

It is finished. YES!

With the death of Jesus on the cross, the mission that God gave him to accomplish in this world is completed. According to John, Jesus’ death is not a terrible tragedy and it is not an awful mistake. None of that. Instead it is an act of ultimate sacrifice, which Jesus willingly performed for his followers then and now. When Jesus was lifted up – on the cross- we were given a clear picture of the suffering, self-sacrificing love of God. And our best and really only response to that must be – YES!

Page 7

Let me share with you a “famous last words” story that I actually witnessed. A dear lady in my very first solo pastorate out of seminary was dying a very slow death. She had been bedridden for several years due to painful rheumatoid arthritis throughout her body. During her lifetime, she had been a teacher and, even years later, was receiving cards and letters and little gifts from former students. She was also a woman of great faith and a strong Methodist. She loved her church and she loved God and she was not afraid for everyone to know that. As she approached the end of her life, it was very important for her to see all of her children, to say good-by. She had five sons; four of whom lived nearby. And then there was Frankie, her youngest, sort of the black sheep of the family. He was not close to the rest of the family; in fact, a lot of the time no one even knew where he was. The four older boys had pretty much written him off, but their mother still held a special place for Frankie in her heart. Frankie was in Alaska and the family actually had a recent phone number for him, which was an unusual thing. So one of the other sons called Frankie and told him if he wanted to see his mom one last time he had better high-tail it to Missouri quickly. Frankie told his brother that he would be there as soon as possible. Their mother was told that Frankie was on his way. She slept most of the next two days, waking now and then for just a few minutes, always asking, “Is Frankie here yet?” The answer was always “no” and so she would close her eyes and go back to sleep. A third day went by pretty much the same. On the fourth day after he received the phone call, Frankie appeared in his mother’s hospital room. The other four

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sons and their wives were there, as was their pastor – me. Frankie went to the bedside of his mom, took her hand, and she opened her eyes and looked at him and smiled. Then she looked around at all of her sons, crowded around the bedside, tears flowing from their eyes, and she said to them, “Please be good to each other. I love you all.” In a matter of a few minutes she died.

There is no doubt in my mind that that wonderful lady waited for Frankie to come. She believed he would eventually arrive and somehow she and God worked together to insure that she would still be alive when he did. Those last words of hers made a difference in the lives of her sons. It was not that Frankie settled down – because he didn’t. But he kept in touch with his brothers and even visited with them for holidays, even came to church with them at Christmastime. The brothers seemed to make some changes in their lives as well, accepting Frankie for who he was and including him once again when they spoke about their family.

I think that lady’s last words were, in a way, much like those of Jesus. She spoke words that brought her family together. Jesus did the same. Because of his death and resurrection, we are here this morning, as a family. And I believe that their mother’s last words caused those five men to rethink some things about their lives and to even rejoice in their love for one another and their mother’s love for all of them. I believe that they were able to say, as we who are saved by the love of God as seen in Jesus Christ – YES!

		Saint Andrew's Links "Another Wonderful Sermon" January 20, 2008
		Nancy Davis St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church Omaha, Nebraska ©2007 Nancy Davis John Adams, Jr. was one of the driving forces behind the independence movement of this country in 1776 and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was our nation’s first Vice President, serving with George Washington and was the second President of the United States, taking that office in March of 1797. He was defeated for re-election in 1800 by Thomas Jefferson, a long time political rival. However, in their later years, these two champions of democracy became friends. As the year 1826 and the nation’s 50^th year celebration of independence approached, Adams, at age 80, became determined that he would live to see that momentous July 4^th. However, both he and Jefferson who, at age 83, had also expressed his desire to see that wonderful day, were becoming more and more feeble. Early on the morning of July 4^th, 1826, Adams’ pastor and doctor were with him, as he lay in bed, breathing with great difficulty. He awoke for a moment and was told that the day was July 4^th and he said, “It is a great day. It is a good day.” Late in the afternoon, he whispered clearly enough that those standing nearby could hear him, “Thomas Jefferson survives.” Shortly after saying those word, John Adams died, unaware that Thomas Jefferson had also realized his desire to see the 50^th anniversary of independence. Jefferson died on July 4^th 1826, at 1:00 in the afternoon, approximately 5 hours before the death of John Adams. Page 2 Stories of the last words of celebrated people intrigue us. Many books have been written on this subject. We learn from these writings that John Jacob Astor, the richest man in the world at the turn of the 20^th century, was on board the ill-fated Titanic when it struck an iceberg. As he helped his 18-year-old pregnant wife Madeline into a lifeboat, he said to her, “The ladies have to go first. Get in the lifeboat, to please me. Good-by, dearie, I’ll see you later.” Of course he never saw her again, as he perished with all those left on the doomed ship. There is a certain poignancy in the last words of Marie Antoinette, wife of King Louis XVI, as she approached the guillotine, where her sentence of death would be carried out. She accidentally stepped on the foot of her executioner, to whom she said, “Pardonnez-moi, monsieur.” And a story is told of a man who was facing a firing squad who, when asked if he had a final request, replied, “Yes, I would like a bulletproof vest.” Today is Palm Sunday. We remember that day long ago when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling ancient prophecies relating to the long-promised Messiah of the Jewish people. The people crowded the streets as he rode along, throwing down palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Everyone was happy and it seemed on that day that Jesus’ last words would occur long into the future as the people received him with songs and laughter. But of course those people did not know what was about to happen in just a few days. But we know the story. We know that by the end of the week, Jesus would be arrested, tried and eventually sentenced to die. He would be hung upon a cross, a very common Page 3 form of Roman execution. We also know that for many of those who cheered as he entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, a change of attitude would come. Their last words to Jesus would not be “Hosanna!” Their last words to Jesus would be “Crucify him!” But it is important for us to remember that Jesus did not go to the cross as a victim at the mercy of evil forces beyond his control. Jesus is an active participant in this plan – we might even say that he has known the entire plan since the beginning. The Gospel of John tells us that Jesus is anything but passive during this time. He speaks with conviction when challenged and even offers challenges of his own to men of authority. He orders Peter to put his sword back in his sheath when that disciple would have attacked those who came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He even engages Pontius Pilate in philosophical discourse, putting to the Roman governor the simple question, “What is truth?” and leaving him to ponder what the possible answer might be. This is not the “Jesus, sweet Jesus” that some people imagine. This is a Savior who knows what he is doing and does it, even though there is a lot of pain involved. This is a Savior who meets his destiny head-on and changes the world forever. Even while nailed to the cross, Jesus is the one in control and we can see that through his last words. The first of Jesus’ famous last words are to his mother and to his beloved disciple: NEAR THE CROSS OF JESUS STOOD HIS MOTHER, HIS MOTHER’S SISTER, MARY THE WIFE OF CLOPAS, AND MARY MAGDALENE. WHEN JESUS SAW HIS MOTHER THERE, AND THE DISCIPLE WHOM HE LOVED STANDING NEARBY, HE SAID TO HIS MOTHER, “DEAR WOMAN, HERE IS YOUR SON.” Page 4 AND TO THE DISCIPLE HE SAID, “HERE IS YOUR MOTHER.” FROM THAT TIME ON, THAT DISICIPLE TOOK HER INTO HIS HOME. (JOHN 19:25-27) With these words Jesus shows his care and compassion for his mother. He also shows us the trust he put into this disciple, whom many believe to be John. Jesus creates a new family for these two people whom he loved. Perhaps we can connect that to the new family that Jesus has created among God’s children by His words, His acts, His death, and the glorious resurrection to come. The second of Jesus’ famous last words are these: “I AM THIRSTY.” (JOHN 19:28) These words pull at the heart of all believers in Jesus. We find ourselves wishing that we could be there to give him a drink of cool water, anything to ease his pain and discomfort. However, that is not exactly what happened: A JAR OF WINE VINEGAR WAS THERE, SO THEY SOAKED A SPONGE IN IT, PUT THE SPONGE ON A STALK OF THE HYSSOP PLANT, AND LIFTED IT TO JESUS’ LIPS. (JOHN 19:29) We are reminded here of Jesus’ humanity; that he came into this life completely human, that he felt thirst and hunger and pain just as we do. In this way, we can know that Jesus understands the pains and sorrows of life. He understands when we suffer because He has known suffering himself. This means that nothing in life, not matter how terrible or dark, can keep Jesus from being with us. He is always with us. As Paul would write many years later to his church in Rome: Page 5 FOR I AM CONVINCED THAT NEITHER DEATH NOR LIFE, NEITHER ANGELS NOR DEMONS, NEITHER THE PRESENT NOR THE FUTURE, NOR ANY POWERS, NEITHER HEIGHT NOR DEPTH, NOR ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION, WILL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD. (ROMANS 8:38-39) The reason that Paul could write those words as he did was because of Jesus’ death on the cross and the resurrection to come. Paul was saying that since Jesus was fully human during his time walking the earth, he understands all that life can bring. And that he is always with us to share everything. And, finally, Jesus says, “IT IS FINISHED”. (JOHN 19:30) Some might see this as a whimper of defeat, an admission that the enemy had won. However, I do not believe that that is the true meaning of these words at all. I see these words as Jesus’ shout of confidence that the work of God has been accomplished. It is like we might do these days when we say, “Yes!” and pull back our arm for emphasis. So when you hear these words, picture Jesus standing on his feet, lifting his face to the sky with a wide smile going from ear to ear and shouting out “Yes!” pumping the air with his fist. Death and sin and evil and wickedness did not have the final word. God had the final word and that final word is love, the love we see in Jesus’ death on the cross, a life given for us so that we might, in some small way, understand the depth of God’s love for us. “YES!” Say it with me – “YES!” Page 6 This is the culmination of all that Jesus had done in the world. Remember when he said, a few months before his death: I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. THE GOOD SHEPHERD LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP.” (JOHN 10:11) It is finished – YES! Or remember what he said to Nicodemus: AND JUST AS MOSES LIFTED UP THE SERPENT IN THE WILDERNESS, SO MUST THE SON OF MAN BE LIFTED UP, SO THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM MAY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. (JOHN 3:14) It is finished – YES! And on Palm Sunday, Jesus made this prediction: WHEN I AM LIFTED UP FROM THE EARTH, I WILL DRAW ALL PEOPLE TO MYSELF. (JOHN 12:32) It is finished. YES! With the death of Jesus on the cross, the mission that God gave him to accomplish in this world is completed. According to John, Jesus’ death is not a terrible tragedy and it is not an awful mistake. None of that. Instead it is an act of ultimate sacrifice, which Jesus willingly performed for his followers then and now. When Jesus was lifted up – on the cross- we were given a clear picture of the suffering, self-sacrificing love of God. And our best and really only response to that must be – YES! Page 7 Let me share with you a “famous last words” story that I actually witnessed. A dear lady in my very first solo pastorate out of seminary was dying a very slow death. She had been bedridden for several years due to painful rheumatoid arthritis throughout her body. During her lifetime, she had been a teacher and, even years later, was receiving cards and letters and little gifts from former students. She was also a woman of great faith and a strong Methodist. She loved her church and she loved God and she was not afraid for everyone to know that. As she approached the end of her life, it was very important for her to see all of her children, to say good-by. She had five sons; four of whom lived nearby. And then there was Frankie, her youngest, sort of the black sheep of the family. He was not close to the rest of the family; in fact, a lot of the time no one even knew where he was. The four older boys had pretty much written him off, but their mother still held a special place for Frankie in her heart. Frankie was in Alaska and the family actually had a recent phone number for him, which was an unusual thing. So one of the other sons called Frankie and told him if he wanted to see his mom one last time he had better high-tail it to Missouri quickly. Frankie told his brother that he would be there as soon as possible. Their mother was told that Frankie was on his way. She slept most of the next two days, waking now and then for just a few minutes, always asking, “Is Frankie here yet?” The answer was always “no” and so she would close her eyes and go back to sleep. A third day went by pretty much the same. On the fourth day after he received the phone call, Frankie appeared in his mother’s hospital room. The other four Page 8 sons and their wives were there, as was their pastor – me. Frankie went to the bedside of his mom, took her hand, and she opened her eyes and looked at him and smiled. Then she looked around at all of her sons, crowded around the bedside, tears flowing from their eyes, and she said to them, “Please be good to each other. I love you all.” In a matter of a few minutes she died. There is no doubt in my mind that that wonderful lady waited for Frankie to come. She believed he would eventually arrive and somehow she and God worked together to insure that she would still be alive when he did. Those last words of hers made a difference in the lives of her sons. It was not that Frankie settled down – because he didn’t. But he kept in touch with his brothers and even visited with them for holidays, even came to church with them at Christmastime. The brothers seemed to make some changes in their lives as well, accepting Frankie for who he was and including him once again when they spoke about their family. I think that lady’s last words were, in a way, much like those of Jesus. She spoke words that brought her family together. Jesus did the same. Because of his death and resurrection, we are here this morning, as a family. And I believe that their mother’s last words caused those five men to rethink some things about their lives and to even rejoice in their love for one another and their mother’s love for all of them. I believe that they were able to say, as we who are saved by the love of God as seen in Jesus Christ – YES!