St. John’s Church on Morgan Hill

Blake Heffner October 29th, 2006

“God, I’m Just a Kid!” A Confirmation Meditation

October 29, 2006 Texts: Jeremiah 1:4-10 I Timothy 4:12

INTRO: “God, I’m just a kid!” That’s a rough translation of Jeremiah’s response to the Lord. Can you confirmands identify with him? You have finished the course of preparation; you are ready to stand before God, your families and this church family to profess your faith in Jesus Christ and your desire to serve him. But, somewhere in the back of your minds, aren’t you thinking, “It’s finally over! Now I can go back to where I was before – on the sidelines, out of the limelight. Nobody will expect much of me. I’m just a kid!” Well, I have news for you. God has done some pretty big things through kids like you. We’ll take the next few minutes to look a few of them. [But first, let us pray…]

1. Jeremiah

Let’s start with Jeremiah. By his own admission, he was way too young to assume the responsibility of prophet to the nation of Israel. He didn’t know how to get up in front of people and speak. A lot of us can identify with him – no matter what age we may be.

That didn’t faze God! The Lord said, “Heh, you don’t have to worry! I know you; I had this plan for your life from before you were born! Don’t say you’re too young. I am putting my words in your mouth. Just tell the people what I tell you. Don’t be afraid – I will be with you and protect you.”

If you feel a little like Jeremiah today, take heart. The Lord has a plan for your life too – He had it before you were born. And the Lord will equip you to say or do whatever it is he wants you to do. Do you believe that? If so, then this is the day to say “Here I am, Lord, send me, use me!”

2. David

David is another famous person whom God selected when he was very young. You can read about this in I Samuel 16. Samuel, the judge, has been sent to Bethlehem find the next king of Israel. He comes to Jesse’s house and announces that the next king would be one of his sons. So, Jesse brings his boys front and center. Eliab is the oldest. He is tall and strong, and a great soldier. But, the Lord tells Samuel, “Don’t look on the outward appearance. That’s the way people usually judge, but I look on the heart!” So, seven of Jesse’s fine boys have been paraded before Samuel – and the Lord tells him to reject each one of them. “Is this your whole brood?” Samuel asks Jesse. “Nope,” he replies, “My youngest is our tending my sheep.” So they go fetch David, and immediately Samuel knows he is the one. He is the youngest, and the least likely candidate, but the Lord knew something no one else did: David was a young man after God’s own heart. So, while he was still just a kid, Samuel anointed him with oil and declared him to be the next king of Israel.

Isn’t that encouraging. Everybody else seems to judge us by how we look, or how well we do in sports or in school. Are we pretty or handsome? Are we tall and strong and fast? It can make you feel pretty inadequate, right? Never forget David. The Lord looks at what’s in your heart – not at your size or shape or strength or brains. And if your heart is right with the Lord, there’s no telling what He can do through you!

Remember David’s clash with Goliath? He was still just a kid; his brothers told him to go home. Yet, David was the only one courageous enough to face that monstrous warrior. You know what happened: that huge giant went down with just one stone from his slingshot. David said, “This battle is the Lord’s.” Trust the Lord to handle your battles, to get you through every tough challenge, and you will be victorious in life!

3. Isaac

Isaac was just a kid when the Lord asked his father Abraham to sacrifice him as a burnt offering. Imagine that! You can read the whole story in Genesis 22. It is a very significant story. Isaac is lying there on the pile of wood, all tied up. His father raises the knife to kill him – and then an angel of the Lord says, “Stop! Don’t kill your son. You have passed the test!” And Abraham saw a ram that was caught in a bush by his horns. Abraham took the ram for his sacrifice and his son was spared.

Young Isaac became the most graphic picture of how you and I are saved by God’s grace. Because we are sinners, we deserve to die. But God offered Jesus, his only Son, to be the ram, or sacrificial Lamb, who dies in our place. Jesus died so that we might live and serve the Lord. God invites us – no matter how young or old we are - to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to serve him. When you come front, you are saying: “Yes, Lord, thank you for saving me by grace; now I am ready and willing to serve you with my life.”

4. Jesus

We know something about Jesus when he was a boy, just twelve years old. It’s an interesting story. His parents brought him to Jerusalem for a big festival, but when they left for home, Jesus wasn’t with them. They assumed he was traveling with the group until about the third day, when he wasn’t anywhere to be found. Jesus, they soon discovered, was back in the Temple, listening to the teachers of the Law, and asking them questions. He was just a kid – but Luke tells us, “All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.”

You might say, “Well, he was the Son of God, he had an advantage!” But the truth is that he was fully human. That means, at 12 he was pretty much like you. You have the capacity to understand God’s Word. I pray that you will want to keep this conversation going, that you will want to keep on learning about the Lord and participate in the life of the church – even if or when your parents might not be here with you.

5. Timothy

Paul wrote two letters to his friend Timothy. We don’t really know how young Timothy was; he may not have been an adolescent like you. But, clearly he was young enough that some people were criticizing him and not respecting his calling to teach and preach God’s Word. I believe Paul’s advice in our scripture lesson was written for you, too: “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith and purity.”

In other words, “Don’t let anyone put you down or dismiss you by scoffing, ‘You’re just a kid!’” Paul has profound insight here. At your age you are already old enough to set an example for the rest of us – in the way you talk and act. Last fall, one of our recent confirmands got up in a rather heated meeting and did just that. She expressed being disturbed by the whole discussion and said, “In Sunday School we were taught to live by a simple song: The B-I-B-L-E. Yes, that’s the book for me. I’ll take my stand on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E.” This young lady had expressed her faith and genuinely witnessed to all of us!

6. Ways You Can Make a Difference Right Now

The prophet Isaiah wrote: “ A little child shall lead them.” I believe this means God is still using young people like you to accomplish his purpose. God never says, “You’re just a kid!” God looks at your heart and has a plan for your life, to use you to build his kingdom. In closing, let me suggest a few ways in which you are already able to make a difference:

A. Humility and Obedience

Right now you are in a position where people give you orders – at home, in school, on the athletic field. Am I right? Well, learn to take orders with an attitude of humility. Respect those in authority over you. They are not always right – but they deserve your respect either way. And, they deserve your obedience. This seems to go against everything society is telling you, and even what your mind might be telling you. Why, you surely know more about some things than your parents. But, Jesus said the mark of a true disciple is the willingness to be a servant and not the boss. Right now is a good time to learn and practice humility, servanthood, and obedience to those in authority over you. Until you master this, you can never be a living sacrifice.

B. Love

Paul counseled young Timothy to be an example by his love. This is the perfect time of life for you to learn to treat everybody with respect and care. Others may be forming cliques and excluding kids who not in the “in” crowd. But you can reach out to such kids and be sensitive to their feelings. You can’t possibly be best friends with everybody, but you can respect everyone. You can accept those who are different from you – maybe they wear a turban or don’t eat the same foods. Get to know them and understand why they do what they do. You will be a shining example of Jesus’ love for all people. You may be just the friend someone else has been looking for.

C. Faith

Paul told Timothy that despite his youth, he could show others what faith is all about. We have planted the seeds of faith within you. Now it is up to you to keep cultivating these seeds. Like tender plants, faith will die unless we keep watering it. You have been required to come to church regularly; now it’s up to you to be a faithful worshiper.

You’ll really appreciate your faith when you mess things us. When you’ve really blown it, the world will condemn you. But, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Even your friends may walk away from you, but the Lord will never leave you nor forsake you. Other people may not forgive you, but hold a grudge against you. Yet, if we confess our sins, the Lord is faithful and just; he forgives our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness! So, when you make mistakes – and we all do – turn to the Lord because he is merciful, confess your sins, seek forgiveness. The Holy Spirit will pick you up, dust you off, and get you going in a new direction.

D. Purity

We could spend an hour talking about purity. The simple fact is that at your age you are relatively innocent. Praise God! Try to stay this way. You will be exposed to all kinds of thoughts and suggestions in the years ahead. Learn to listen to your conscience. When you are tempted to do something you know is wrong, pray to the Lord for wisdom and courage and strength to resist the temptation. This is why it is important to stay close to Jesus Christ, stay in his Word, and stay in fellowship with other Christians. Otherwise, all alone we are much weaker and more vulnerable to temptation. Make every effort to remain pure in your hearts and minds, in your words and deeds.

There is so much more I would like to say this morning, but we’ll have to leave those things for another time. Let us pray…

Jeremiah 1:4-10

The Lord said to me, “I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born I selected you to be a prophet to the nations.”

I answered, “Sovereign Lord, I don’t know how to speak; I am too young.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say that you are too young, but go to the people I send you to, and tell them everything I command you to say. Do not be afraid of them, for I will be with you to protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

Then the Lord reached out, touched my lips, and said to me, “Listen, I am giving you the words you must speak. Today I give you authority over nations and kingdoms to uproot and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

I Timothy 4:12

Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct , your love, faith, and purity.

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Blake Heffner October 22nd, 2006

“Celebrating Two Heroes” October 22, 2006

Texts: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

INTRO: This morning we are going to celebrate two heroes among us. Kevin Johnson, whom Lauren just sang about, died four years ago, on October 20th at the tender age of 13. He would have been confirmed that fall, and this would be his senior year in high school. Our other hero is with us this morning. Lester Race, Sr. turns 80 years young tomorrow – praise the Lord!

There is only one legitimate reason that we dare focus on people other than Jesus Christ in a sermon. They need to exemplify or embody some facet of God’s Word. By the time we finish, I hope you will agree that both Kevin and Lester really serve as models for us, and the light in their lives can inspire us to live our own lives in faith, love and hope. First, let us pray…

1. Smile!

Both our heroes smile – easily, naturally and warmly. My earliest recollection of Kevin is of this exuberant lad in maybe second or third grade bursting into church with a big smile and saying “Hi!” Kevin could melt a snowstorm with that big grin. And if that didn’t work, he’d lay one of his bear hugs on you. Lester, you can try to hide behind that fuzzy white beard, but your grin is just as disarming. When you smile, your eyes twinkle with delight. You and Kevin have made so many of us feel warm and accepted.

I discovered – to my astonishment – that the word “smile” does not occur in my Bible – at least according to Strong’s Concordance. Isn’t that amazing? Yet, can you imagine Jesus not smiling most of the time? He had a way of disarming folks, with both his look and his words of compassion. Rev. Fritz Shafer, who served our church for 10 years, used to say: “God is smiling on us!” Whether it’s in there literally or not, I believe he was right. And smiling is an effective way for us to reflect God’s love toward one another.

2. Enthusiasm!

Both our heroes are poster boys for enthusiasm. Kevin was enthusiastic about so many things. When he was in midget basketball, he wasn’t the greatest player – though he was very tall. Kevin played with gusto. His first basket ever was for the other team, but that didn’t stop Kevin. He kept on playing. Kevin enjoyed being an acolyte here. Even when other kids didn’t think it was cool, Kevin would eagerly say “Yes!” whenever he was asked.

I got a birds-eye view of Lester at work back in the nineties, when we went out to Fort Berthold, North Dakota, on our two workcamp trips. When it came to any facet of carpentry or construction, Lester was in his element. One day, we had to repair a door to the church. It was terribly out of plumb. No problem for Lester! He found a way to straighten things out and make every thing work – with enthusiasm. With his infectious laugh and light-hearted approach, Lester has a way of making any effort seem like fun!

These guys exemplify the spirit of Ecclesiastes 3: “All we can do is be happy and do the best we can while we are still alive. All of us should eat and drink and enjoy what we have worked for. It is God’s gift.” Next time you feel that your job or your schoolwork is getting you down, think about Kevin and Lester. Put a smile on your face and roll up your sleeves. The way to find happiness in our work is to approach every task with enthusiasm and zeal.

3. A Positive Outlook!

“Home on the range,” as we sing, “there never is heard a discouragin’ word, and the skies are not cloudy all day.” That’s the way it is with our heroes. They know how to look on the bright side of things. When Kevin was going down to Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia for radiation therapy, he got to know two older men. They told his mom, Gina, how Kevin helped them get through their ordeal: “If Kevin could show up everyday with a smile on his face, how could we complain about our problems!” In the darkest days of Kevin’s crisis, when a doctor or nurse would ask him how he was doing, he’d usually say, “Excellent!” In his thirteen months of fighting cancer, he never asked “Why me?” and he never complained.

Lester has that same outlook. I asked him the other day about his life and career as a “jack of all trades.” He said quickly, “No complaints!” That speaks volumes in this day and age when so many folks are dissatisfied with what they have, what they are doing, and who they’re with Our heroes have the capacity to look beyond the clouds and see blue sky.

4. A Time for Everything

Our heroes both bring us face to face with the mystery of God’s timing. The scripture lesson begins: “Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses. He sets the time for birth and the time for death… God has set the right time for everything… and he never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does.” On this side of heaven we will never comprehend why a boy is given only thirteen years and another is given eighty or ninety. Birth and death both remind us how little we understand of God’s timing and plan. We have plenty of questions about such things, and no clear answers. We would certainly write the script differently if we were in charge. But, the Bible tells us that everything happens at the right time. Today let’s pause a moment and thank God that He is in control of the universe and every little thing that happens in our lives. Let’s admit how little we really understand and thank God that we are not in charge! Let us believe that God really has a plan that transcends the pain and suffering we experience.

5. Facing Suffering with Faith and Hope

Both our heroes have endured suffering, sustained by their faith. Kevin, at his young age, believed that God who loves us all has prepared a place for us, through Jesus Christ. We have a heavenly destiny and it will be glorious. This hope prompted Kevin to listen to a special song during his radiation. It’s called “Survivor” – by the group Destiny’s Child. It goes like this: “I’m a survivor, I’m not gonna give up, I’m not gonna stop, I’m gonna work harder, I’m a survivor, I’m gonna make it, I will survive, Keep on surviving.’” I believe Kevin did make it. He is a survivor and child of God!

You may be less familiar with Lester’s own taste of suffering. About 23 years ago, Lester and Dolores’ son Scott and Tammie had their first child, named Meghan. Meghan was born with an incomplete brain. She could hear but not see. She would never talk or walk. Meghan defied all the odds and lived to the age of five years! Meghan brought love and affection out of every person who met her. You can ask anyone in the family. Commenting on this stage of his life, Lester says simply “faith gets your through.” Amen.

Friends, all true heroes are strong in courage and hope. With hope, they are able to endure the pain and hardship we face. The Apostle Paul was such a person. He wrote: “I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. All of creation waits with eager longing for God to reveal his sons… We know that up to the present time all of creation groans with pain, like the pain of childbirth… We [too] groan within ourselves… [Yet] we know that in all things God works for good with those who love him…” (Rom.

This is beautifully expressed in an anthem the choir will be singing in two weeks, on All Saints Sunday. Listen to the lyrics:

Everywhere I look around me there is pain in ev’ry eye; Broken hearts and promises, the sorrow of good-bye. I see suff’ring little children in a world that isn’t fair; and the only hope is the hope I have of a place somewhere. Where eyes don’t cry and hearts don’t break. We’ll never ever wonder why again. Our questions here He’ll answer there. Where eyes don’t cry and hearts don’t break.

It’s beyond my understanding how ev’rything will be; I only know my faith has sight of things my eyes can’t see. And a million years of endless joy for ev’ry tear we’ve cried, Will be the gift the Father gives as he welcomes us inside. Where eyes don’t cry and hearts don’t break. We’ll never ever wonder why again. Our questions here He’ll answer there. Where eyes don’t cry and hearts don’t break…

Let us pray…

Gracious and loving God, we bless you for the gift of these two men of faith and love and hope. Let the light of Christ we have seen in their eyes and their smiles, their enthusiasm and genuinely positive outlook inspire us.

O God, we humbly confess today that we really do not understand how things happen as they do. Yet, we believe that you are the One who has determined a time and a season for everything under heaven. You have gathered Kevin to yourself – yet made so much of his brief life among us. You have given Lester Sr. so many productive years. We thank you that we can celebrate his vitality today. Bless him, we pray, and his whole family.

Finally, Lord, we acknowledge that you have used difficult circumstances in our lives to teach us many things – how precious every moment is, how priceless love and joy are, and how blessed we are to have a living hope for eternal life, in and through Jesus Christ. Lord, when life hurts, lift our eyes and hearts toward you – remind us of your love that transcends time and space, your promise of a seat of honor at the wedding feast of Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. In Jesus’ name and for his glory we pray. Amen.

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Blake Heffner October 15th, 2006

“Report from the Mountain!” October 15, 2006

Texts: Luke 9:28-36 Psalm 145

INTRO: This morning’s gospel lesson recounts the extraordinary experience of the transfiguration of our Lord. Peter and James and John were so awed by the experience that when they came down the mountain, they kept it all to themselves. They could not begin to describe the event in words, so they simply told no one what they had seen and heard.

In somewhat of a contrast, the psalmist is unable to keep the works of God to himself. Acknowledging that no one can really fathom God’s greatness, nevertheless one generation shall tell of God’s mighty acts to another. They should not try to contain themselves. It is fitting to meditate on God’s wonderful works and proclaim his deeds and abundant goodness!

1. A Report from Bethel and Greenville

Three weeks ago, I stood here and asked for your help. I asked you to pray that I might be endowed by the Holy Spirit with the ability to preach God’s Word with boldness at two small Brethren churches in Western PA, during their annual revival services. Well, I first want to say “Thank you!” From several days before leaving and all through the week, I felt the effect of your prayers. A number of folks out there said, “We’ve been up on the mountain” of the Lord. Rev. Dale Rummel said we were on a spiritual plateau. The Holy Spirit was definitely moving among us. And, I can’t keep quiet about it. Thank you so much, all of you, who prayed so diligently. Our collective prayers were heard and answered – with all the glory going to God!

The revival was not what you might think. People out there are very laid back. They are not emotional; and my preaching wasn’t geared to evoke emotions either. They did not rush to the altar. But, in their own way - by their word of mouth inviting others to come out, by their singing with full hearts and voices, and by their many gestures of hospitality, the folks in the Bethel and Greenville churches expressed their exuberant joy in the Lord. Almost like Peter and James and John, we knew in an indescribable way that we were enjoying a feast of worship and fellowship in the Spirit of God.

2. Just the High Points
A. We explored the love of God the Father, including the fact of His jealousy. That may sound strange, but we learned that jealousy is part of God’s love for us: it is the other side of the coin. On the obvious side, God has loved us from before the world was created and had a plan for our salvation through Christ from the beginning. God regarded Israel as his wife. And this is where jealousy comes in. Most human jealousy is not virtuous, of course. We are all acquainted with the “green-eyed monster.” The virtuous form of jealousy is the natural consequence of marital affection: it is the fierce desire to protect a love relationship or avenge it when broken. Every married person knows or can imagine the strong feelings that come if someone would try to interfere with our marriage bond. That’s how passionately God feels when his people worship or serve anything other than Him. If you want a graphic picture of this, I recommend you read the story of Phinehas in Numbers 25. The bottom line question for us all is are we loving God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength? Do we love God before everything else or somewhat further down the list of our priorities? Think about it. Are you and I fully devoted to the God who loves us like a husband? Do we offer God the first fruits of our labors? Or, are we offering Him “leftovers” of our time, energy, enthusiasm, trust, & affection?
B. We also focused on the love of God the Son. Here we looked at several examples of surrender to Christ: John the Baptist said of Jesus: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Paul declared, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives within me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself up for me.” Jesus said simply, “Abide in me and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me… because apart from me you can do nothing.” Friends, the theme of discipleship is nothing new to you. The question is: have you and I given up the idea of walking beside Jesus as equal partners? Or is he truly our Lord and Master? Have we come to the realization that apart from him we can do nothing? Indeed, he must increase and we must decrease!
C. The next evening we focused on God the Holy Spirit. I can summarize the mission of the Spirit’s work with a simple metaphor. It’s been making the rounds on the internet lately: Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. “God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, pride and greed. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.” Pretty neat, eh? Pretty accurate too. Are you wearing your new smiling face today?

3. Another Mountain-Top Experience

While we were preparing to go out to Western PA, we all witnessed another mountain-top experience. It began in a deep, dark valley out near Lancaster, called Nickel Mines. We all watched with stomach-wrenching sadness as the story unfolded about the execution-style shooting deaths of those little school girls in the Amish country. Charles Carl Roberts, IV - a 32-year-old husband and father of three - perpetrated what no one who knew him ever thought possible. This tragedy was unspeakably horrific.

And yet, in the aftermath, the Amish families and friends of the victims took us up the mountain of transfiguration. You must have heard their testimonies. They reached out to Roberts’ wife and children with love and mercy and forgiveness. We could spend all afternoon trying to understand their theology. But, the simple truth is that they take Jesus’ words literally. One woman said: “If you have Jesus in your heart and he has forgiven you… how can you not forgive other people?” These people have taken the whole nation up the mountain of transfiguration. They trust and obey Jesus’ teaching about loving our enemies. They have shown by their words and deeds of love what the kingdom of God is like. Non-Christian folks have no way to comprehend it or explain it. They are speechless – but they realize these are people who truly believe what they say, and live what they believe. It is breathtaking!

Friends, in the light of this event and the witness of the Amish people near Nickel Mines, how can we cling to our relatively petty grievances? We should be ashamed of how slow we have been to forgive each other. Why, last fall, some folks actually told me not to preach about forgiveness. They said that this will take time. Absolutely correct. The Amish acknowledge that the emotional pain and scars from this event will take years to recover from. But, it didn’t take them any time at all to know what the Lord wanted them to do. They didn’t need a sermon on forgiveness to extend it so readily. Yes, we have come through a traumatic event of our own – though far from cold-blooded murder. I am embarrassed that I actually listened to those who said that it was too soon to forgive. The Amish folks of Nickel Mines have proven that theory false. Why should it take Christians who have Jesus in their hearts any time at all to share the forgiveness they’ve known with others who desperately need it? Perhaps we have not all been to that mountain, but it is time for us all to journey there, together. If the love of Jesus is truly in our hearts, then it’s time for us to forgive each other, even if the other person hasn’t asked for it. It’s time to seek the reconciliation through the cleansing blood of Jesus. It’s time to show others are watching that the love of Christ doesn’t merely dwell in Lancaster County. It must dwell in our hearts, and in our fellowship. How often do we pray in the Lord’s Prayer - forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us? It is time to believe what we often say –and to live out what we believe.

Let us pray…

Lord, thank you for the witness of your children near Lancaster. We ask you to bless them in the wake of this utterly terrible experience.

Heavenly Father, that pumpkin picture is really accurate. Forgiveness is not a human virtue; it is a divine gift of your love. Open us up this morning, reach deep down into our hearts and minds and scoop out all our resentment and bitterness, our accusations and sense of self-righteousness. Pour into us, with your Holy Spirit, your incredible love, your grace and mercy, your forgiveness – which reaches out to enemies as well as friends. Only by this transforming process will we ever be able to enjoy the freedom of being your children. Only through letting go, will we be able to receive your joy and peace.

Bless us and keep us in your love, through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

From the ABC NEWS Report:

Midwife Rhita Rhoads was present for the births of two of the five girls who were killed and also speaks of forgiving the gunman.

“If you have Jesus in your heart and he has forgiven you … [how] can you not forgive other people?” Rhoads said.

“I’m sure it’s going to be a struggle to go on without a loved one like that,” said Elmer Fisher. His 7-year-old cousin, Naomi Fisher, was among those murdered. “But I think they trust in God that he’s going to take care of them and everything’s going to be fine.”

When asked if Roberts’ wife would still be welcome in the community, Fisher said he believed she would, adding she would be welcome even at the funerals for the dead girls.

Such are the minds of the forgiving. Passages from the New Testament are taken literally in this community, and the Amish believe they need to love their enemies, which may be beyond the ability of most people, especially so close in time to the murders.

Luke 9:28-36

About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30Two men, Moses and Elijah, 31appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) 34While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.

Psalm 145

I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.

2 Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.

4 One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.

5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works. [b]

6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.

7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.

9 The LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.

10 All you have made will praise you, O LORD;
your saints will extol you.

11 They will tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,

12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
The LORD is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made. [c]

14 The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.

16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.

18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.

20 The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.

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