He’s Here In Plain View
PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND
October 4, 2023
HE’S HERE IN PLAIN VIEW
Sunday, April 28th, Diane and I attended the final worship service for Plymouth First Presbyterian church. The service was a time to celebrate the long ministry of the church which reaches back to 1838 and to invest in the future. Penny Lukenbill opened the service by giving a brief overview of the church’s history and how it has committed to invest in the future. The pews were comfortably filled, the choir had several uplifting anthems, and the reception following was up to the church’s usual standards.
Ron Pruinski provided special music. He sang three songs which took me back to my days at SMU when I would listen to religious stations from East Texas. He featured us with “Turn Your Radio On,” “Keep On the Sunny Side,” and “I’ll Fly Away.” The sermon was brought by the Rev. Dr. Ronald Naylor. Ron was baptized, grew up, and ordained at First Presbyterian. He is now a retired Presbyterian minister living in Muncie.
For his message Rev. Naylor used the story of the disciples who met Jesus on their way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-26) Jesus comes and walks with them as they are discussing the events that had taken place concerning Jesus in Jerusalem. Their hearts were conflicted and they were uncertain about the future. For quite a while the two do not recognize Jesus even though He reveals the significance of what has taken place and its scriptural base. It is only when they stop for the night and break bread with Jesus for the evening meal.
Ron made the point that Jesus was with them in their distress even though they did not recognize Him. The story is an assurance that when we go through difficult times we have the assurance that Jesus will come and be us. We need to have the ears to hear and the eyes to see to recognize Him. Rev. Naylor told those that had gathered on the 28th that Jesus was with the members of the congregation as they move into the future.
“The Walk to Emmaus” is a spiritual renewal program of the Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church. It is a 72 hour experience that includes prayer, small groups, worship, singing, and lectures. One of the songs that is at the heart of the weekend experience is “Have You Seen Jesus My Lord?” The refrain goes: “Have you see Jesus my Lord? He’s here in plain view. Take a look, open your eyes. He’ll show it to you.”
Jesus was in plain view to the disciples as they walked mile after mile. They were looking for answers to their questions and hope for the future. What they sought was right at hand. Unfortunately, they missed the answers and assurance that was in their midst. As the song says they needed to open their eyes and see what was at hand.
Ron reminded those who gathered at Plymouth First Presbyterian church on April 28th for the church’s final service that God is present and in plain view if we have the eyes to see and the ears to hear. He comes to each of us at the point of our own journey under the sun and at the place where we need His presence the most.
(This article was originally published May 5, 2019. Comments may be sent davidh15503
@embarqmail.com.)