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Pastor Ray’s Corner
I am writing this reflection on July 20, 2024, the 55th anniversary of the first lunar landing. This is the day when astronaut Neil Armstrong made history in a way that no human being had ever done before – he was the first person to set foot on a place other than planet Earth. His brief yet profound statement still rings true: “That’s one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.” For the first time ever, we had left the earth and walked around on a place that had previously been just a light in the night sky. Scripture says, “Let there be lights in the sky…. So God made the two large lights. He made the larger light to rule during the day and the smaller light to rule during the night” (Genesis 1:14,16). And now, here we were, exploring a brand-new part of God’s creation. (And NASA says we’ll be back on moon in 2026!)
But even as I write these words, by faith I am reminded of two things even more momentous than the first lunar landing and moon walk. While it is true that Armstrong (and all of NASA) did something incredible 55 years ago, it wasn’t impossible. In fact, all the science and technology had prepared for that historic event. But what if someone did something that really was impossible? Now THAT would truly be historic!
And there was such an event. Two thousand years ago, without the aid of a computer or a ground crew, a man did what really was impossible – he died, and three days later he came back to life. Defeating death had NEVER been done. Yes, we have a few stories in the Old and New Testaments about someone being raised back to life by someone else, but NEVER before had anyone raised themselves!
And yet, that is exactly what happened on that first Easter Sunday. The horribly tortured and crucified body of Jesus of Nazareth was once again filled with life. And not just “life,” but a new resurrection life, that gave him extra-special abilities, such as suddenly appearing in a locked room, or covering large distances almost instantaneously. Armstrong may have done the incredible, but Jesus did the impossible.
The second thing that comes to mind that is more momentous than the first lunar landing is what happens every day for faithful people. We all die eventually, but for those who believe in Jesus, where we go next is more incredible than walking around on the moon. Leaving our bodies behind, our spirits go to be with God in heaven. Instead of seeing moon rocks, we get to see Jesus, people from the Bible, and all of our faithful loved ones who have gone before us.
Friends, as we look backwards in history to the impossible but real resurrection of Jesus, let us also look forward to the incredible joys that await all believers. (And really, who would want to walk around on a dry, dusty, airless moon, when you could be enjoying God’s eternal presence, and be looking forward to a resurrection body in the Age to Come at the Second Coming?)
Peace and Blessings,
Pastor Ray
I am writing this reflection on July 20, 2024, the 55th anniversary of the first lunar landing. This is the day when astronaut Neil Armstrong made history in a way that no human being had ever done before – he was the first person to set foot on a place other than planet Earth. His brief yet profound statement still rings true: “That’s one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.” For the first time ever, we had left the earth and walked around on a place that had previously been just a light in the night sky. Scripture says, “Let there be lights in the sky…. So God made the two large lights. He made the larger light to rule during the day and the smaller light to rule during the night” (Genesis 1:14,16). And now, here we were, exploring a brand-new part of God’s creation. (And NASA says we’ll be back on moon in 2026!)
But even as I write these words, by faith I am reminded of two things even more momentous than the first lunar landing and moon walk. While it is true that Armstrong (and all of NASA) did something incredible 55 years ago, it wasn’t impossible. In fact, all the science and technology had prepared for that historic event. But what if someone did something that really was impossible? Now THAT would truly be historic!
And there was such an event. Two thousand years ago, without the aid of a computer or a ground crew, a man did what really was impossible – he died, and three days later he came back to life. Defeating death had NEVER been done. Yes, we have a few stories in the Old and New Testaments about someone being raised back to life by someone else, but NEVER before had anyone raised themselves!
And yet, that is exactly what happened on that first Easter Sunday. The horribly tortured and crucified body of Jesus of Nazareth was once again filled with life. And not just “life,” but a new resurrection life, that gave him extra-special abilities, such as suddenly appearing in a locked room, or covering large distances almost instantaneously. Armstrong may have done the incredible, but Jesus did the impossible.
The second thing that comes to mind that is more momentous than the first lunar landing is what happens every day for faithful people. We all die eventually, but for those who believe in Jesus, where we go next is more incredible than walking around on the moon. Leaving our bodies behind, our spirits go to be with God in heaven. Instead of seeing moon rocks, we get to see Jesus, people from the Bible, and all of our faithful loved ones who have gone before us.
Friends, as we look backwards in history to the impossible but real resurrection of Jesus, let us also look forward to the incredible joys that await all believers. (And really, who would want to walk around on a dry, dusty, airless moon, when you could be enjoying God’s eternal presence, and be looking forward to a resurrection body in the Age to Come at the Second Coming?)
Peace and Blessings,
Pastor Ray
St. Paul's United Church of Christ
2300 East Main Street
Sacramento, PA 17968
570-682-9828
[email protected]
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