“After The Ascension!”

May 13, 2017 + “Ascension Sunday”

Acts 1:1-11; Luke 24:44-53

This past Thursday, the Fortieth day of Easter, the church celebrated “Ascension Day.”  This would be Jesus’ last post-resurrection appearance, the last time the disciples would see him in his resurrected body, the last time he would teach them face to face, the last time they would engage him in conversation. He will remind them to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit, and he will commission them to be witnesses to all they had seen and heard regarding the Kingdom of God.  And then he blessed them, and as he was blessing them he ascended into the sky, into the clouds, into the heavens, to be seated at the right hand of God.

The past forty days with the resurrected Jesus was a very unique time for the disciples.  During this period Jesus would come and go, surprising and startling them, comforting and challenging them, opening up the scriptures to them, revealing the Kingdom of God to them.  It was a time that anthropologists refer to as “liminality.”  

The disciples find themselves in liminal space, in thin space, in sacred space, in a place that is preparing them for the next chapter in their lives; a time that is preparing the world to more fully encounter the reign of God, and the beginning of a time when all things would become new.  Liminality is a transitional period, a rite of passage, a holy place where one leaves the “ordinary world of limits” behind so as to encounter the true reality of one’s existence, one’s purpose, one’s destiny, one’s true calling in life.  In liminal space, the world somehow stops, and one’s vision becomes clear, one’s passion becomes strong, one’s discernment is understood, and one is finally prepared to cross over the threshold into a new future where “all things are made new.”  Twentieth Century Anthropologist Victor Turner describes people in liminal space as, “neither here nor there; they are betwixt and between the positions assigned and arrayed by law, custom, convention, and ceremony.”  While this could be seen as a very troubling space, a confusing space, Turner adds hope by connecting the “betwixt and between”to the “realm of pure possibility.”

On the day of the Ascension this “liminality” ends for those first disciples, this unique time in history concludes, and for a moment they are seemingly “stuck,” not knowing what to do next, perhaps unable or unwilling to boldly cross that threshold into the next chapter of life, that place where all things become new.  Luke tells us that they just sat there looking up into the sky watching Jesus float away, getting smaller and smaller and smaller.  Eventually, two men, two strangers, two messengers of God, interrupt them, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."  So, it is, they return, they return to the moment, they return to their mission, they return to Jerusalem, they cross over the threshold of the new day, and await the coming of the Holy Spirit; the one who fill them, inspire them, and lead them into that which is coming next, the unfolding of the emerging of the church, the Body of Christ fleshed out once again, the kingdom of God at hand!

How has God provided “liminality” in your life? Where and when have you found yourself in such “liminal” space?  What seasons or moments in your life have provided you with crystal clear clarity, a critical clarification of your values, the ultimate understanding of self, a vision of God that cut through all the noise and confusion?  And more importantly, what were you able to do with experience?  Were you able to cross over and begin the divinely inspired “next chapter” in your life?

This past week at The Table’s “Theology Pub,” (a wonderful opportunity for theological conversation and engagement) we were discussing liminal space.  We noted that there were at least two kinds of opportunities, those chosen and those unchosen.  

I imagine most of us have chosen to attend and participate in events that created that “thin space” between heaven and earth where we had an incredible experience with the divine.  We been to retreats and summer camps, taken trips and pilgrimages, where we were able to escape the boundaries and limits imposed by the world and experience the powerful overwhelming presence of God.  And at the end of such experiences we often find ourselves wishing that it didn’t have to end, that we could stay in the moment of that holy space forever.  We often make resolutions as we leave these places, hoping to make changes in our life. And sometimes we do, and sometimes we don’t, - unfortunately most times we don’t.

And then there are those moments or seasons when we are forced into a liminal space that is very different.  Liminal space that put us to the test.  Sometimes these times and places are chosen, for example sometimes we choose to enter into a wilderness space through an intentional spiritual discipline.  But more often than not, these are the spaces that life’s circumstances choose for us. At our “Theology Pub” folks shared stories of losing material possessions in economic downturns, the despair encountered in broken relationships, the forced detachment brought on by disease or accidents, and the jarring shift of reality that occurs when a loved one passes away.  These times too, in a different way, invite us, or perhaps force us, to ask the hard questions about life, re-evaluate our values, and resolve to make changes, even require us to make changes.

Either way liminal space can be holy space, a unique place where God’s presence is powerful, a place where ordinary time and limits gives way to the extra-ordinary possibilities of redemption and renewal, the art of transformation, the place where death gives way to resurrection. 

One way or another, perhaps in both ways, we will find ourselves in liminal space, the real question is, what will we do with it, what will we do when we come down from our mountain top experience, what will we do when we emerge from the other side of the valley of death, what will we do with our experiences in “thin space?”  Will we boldly step over the threshold into the next chapter of life, into the next adventure in faith, into the resurrection?  Or will we, just slip back into the places where we came from, stuck in the ordinary once again?

Our Paschal Candle, according to the liturgical tradition, was lit on Easter morning, signifying the resurrection of Christ. On the Ascension, according to the liturgical tradition, it is extinguished, signifying that Jesus is no longer among us in that unique bodily form.  Until next Easter morning we will only light its flame on days when we proclaim and celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ in baptism or at funerals.  

(Extinguish the flame)  

In this moment we might gaze at the last few trails of wispy smoke that are drifting up and away, or we can be reminded that liminality leads to something new, that liminality leads to the threshold of a new age, that our time in holy space leads to the coming of the spirit in a new and powerful way that will change our life.  One must end so the other might begin!  One must end so the other might begin!  

In many ways the Ascension of Christ serves to finally move the disciple on to new things, it forces them to let go of old ways, old expectations, and trust in something new, something rooted in the old, but yet again, something very new.  It moves them from observing the resurrection into living out the resurrection. Today the Ascension of Christ invites us to do the same!  God has brought you to this place for a reason, God has brought us together for a reason.  Our time spent “betwixt and between”prepares and invites us into the hope of “possibility.” Perhaps together, supporting each other in the faith, sharing our hopes in the faith, holding each other accountable in the faith, daring to be so bold in our Christian vocation, we can find the courage and the means to cross over the thresholds that await us?

Next Sunday we will celebrate Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the creation of the Church, the Body of Christ present in a new way, God choosing to “indwell” within each of us; within each of us together.  This moment changed the life of the first disciples forever, the coming of the spirit continues to change the followers of Jesus forever.  As we move from the season of Easter to Pentecost, from “mountain top” retreats and experiences back into the world; from disappointment, pain, and even death into a new day; may we do so open to the work of the Spirit, God’s desire to be present in each of us, making all things new, ushering in the kingdom of God.  Amen.

Acts 1:1-11

1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. "This," he said, "is what you have heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

Luke 24:44-53

44 Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." 50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53 and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

“Abide”

May 6, 2018 + Easter 6B

I want to begin today with an illustration, an object lesson, demonstrating what we just heard in the Gospel of John.  Jesus tells us that “he is the vine” and “we are the branches,” and that apart from him we can do nothing.  It’s really quite simple and obvious, you don’t have to be a botanist, or a master gardener, to understand it.

We have before us today a “Jasmine Vine.”  As you can see it is a healthy plant, complete with flowers, (its fruit) and more buds ready to bloom.  And here we have a branch that was removed, Pruned, cut off, separated from the vine.  (I removed the branch a couple of days ago.)  And as you can see it is no longer bearing fruit, it is withering, it is no longer alive.  “Let those who have eyes, see!”  Let those who have ears, hear!”

Jesus reminds us, that apart from him, we can do nothing. It’s pretty simple, straight forward, are we connected or are we not connected?  Yet there’s more to it, what we really need to know is what does it mean to be connected, what does that look like, what does that feel like?  Jesus uses the word “abide,” a word that suggests more than just a casual connection, a word that suggest a deeper relationship.

In today’s gospel Jesus invites us, “Abide in me as I abide in you.”  So, to understand what it means to “abide in Christ,” we must begin by reflecting on how it is that Christ abides in us!  

The Gospel of John begins this story with these words, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  And then this dramatic step, “And the Word became flesh and lived among us.”  St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians describes it this way, “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.”  God’s decision to “abide” with us was anything but casual, it was not convenient, it was not superficial. It was deep, it was radical, and it was wholly complete.  God literally chose to be planted and to root “God’s very self” among us.  “For God so loved the world.”

So, what might it mean for us to “abide” in Christ?  You can all do the math!  It means everything.  Our relationship is to be primary, it’s not just a Sunday thing, it’s not a private thing, it’s not just a personal thing, it is truly an everything! 

Now let us be clear the invitation “to abide” is not the invitation to salvation, it is not the prelude to judgment, it is not a condition placed upon grace and love.  By grace you have been saved by faith which is a gift from God! Your salvation is done, complete, and not up for question!  The invitation to “abide” is the invitation to live more fully in your salvation, to grow deeper in grace and love, to abide in the fullness of the resurrection, to bear fruit and live more abundantly.

So back to our original question, what does it mean to “abide” in Christ, to go deeper with our faith, to experience the joy of our salvation, to live out our own unique calling in life, to live in the abundance of the gospel, to make a difference, to know the power of the resurrection, to experience “all things new,” to share the love of God, to participate more fully in the Kingdom of God?

Perhaps a second object lesson will help us answer the question, “What does it mean to abide?”

I have here another “Jasmine Vine.”  With this Jasmine Vine I chose not to simply cut off a vine.  I left all the branches intact, they are all still connected to the vine.  Instead I chose to take the vine “out of its context,” I removed it from the place where it belongs, the place where it thrives, the place where it becomes real.  A few days ago, I pulled it up and out of the earth!  And as you can see, even though it is seemingly all intact, it no longer has blossoming flowers, it no longer bears fruit, it is withering, it is drying up, it is dying!  So, what’s missing?  Once again you don’t need to be a botanist or a master gardener to figure it out.  Soil! The vine needs to be planted in the earth!  The vine and the branches cannot exist, cannot bear fruit, cannot live, without soil, without earth.  And that’s often the missing part of our faith life, the context, the soil.Faith must be practiced in community.

You see, we have a tendency to want to make our faith life “personal” and “private,” we would prefer to practice our faith in isolation,“out of context;” and not in the place where it was designed to be practiced.  Instead of abiding fully in our faith, planting our faith in the community garden, we push faith to the edges our life, at best perhaps keeping it in a pot in the kitchen, at worst letting it dry out, un-nourished languishing in our neglect.

And that’s not what it means to abide!  To abide in Christ, to experience Christ,to bear fruit, to be empowered, to live life abundant, to live out your great calling in life,you need to not only be connected to the vine, but also to the earth.  To abide is to go deep, to endure by being planted and letting your roots take hold!  For the true vine, the vine that comes from God, is not rooted in some kind of private faith experience,it’s not in some kind of personal relationship with the divine, but rather in the earth, in good soil, in the place where the kingdom is at hand.

The next question is “where?”Where is that good soil?  Where might we be planted, where are we to abide deeply, where is this community garden of faith?  And the answer would be - here in this place.  To abide in Christ is to abide in the church, not the institutional church, not just in membership, but in those places where faithful people gather around faithful things, the places where, two or three gather in the name of Jesus, and Christ is present, the places where bread is broken, and wine is poured out, and the body is re-membered, the places where the resurrection is experienced, the places where it is proclaimed and experienced, “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”

To abide is to participate in the life of the church, to get involved in the often dirty and messy life of community.  You can’t really abide alone, - alone you just survive.  To abide is share life with people, to share in service with people, people who are different than you, people who irritate you, people who are hard to get along with; yet people who will complete you, people who complete the Body of Christ, people who will give you strength when you are weak, pick you up when you fall down, and complete your joy when you celebrate.

Now I must confess there are times when I really don’t like people (which can make being a pastor difficult!)  Sometimes I wish I was that isolated mountain man, “Jeremiah Johnson.”  (The Movie) But I know ultimately that apart from the vine I can do nothing, that apart from the vine I will bear no fruit, that apart from the vine my life has less joy, that apart from the vine I cannot live out my calling in life, that apart from the vine I am empty and alone.

And so, even though it can be hard for me, even though it can be hard to engage in community, even though it’s messy and never easy to do, even though dirt and the water of the spirit always makes for a mud; (Despite all that,) I seek out the church, faithful people doing faithful things, the re-membered Body of Christ, because it has been my experience that whenever I open up and share life with people of faith, people gathered together for mission, people who are listening to Jesus and asking what it means; I find life!  I find meaning.  I find purpose.  I find love.  I find God.  So it is, that God invites us to “abide” together,so it is the Spirit brings diverse and varied parts together to become one, and so it is that Christ is fleshed out among us, powerfully present and made real in our life together. 

We’ve been working hard together for over a year now, working together on the vine and the branches in the garden that is First Lutheran Church.  We’ve done some pruning, we’ve spread some manure,  we’ve mixed the water of the Spirit and the soil of the earth and perhaps we’ve become a bit of a muddy mess.  Yet the sun has begun to rise, and it will continue to rise.  And with the new day comes new ideas, new dreams, new growth, the unfolding of God’s presence among us.  

Today Jesus invites each of us, “Abide in me as I abide in you.”  If you feel like your life is incomplete, if you’re looking for some meaning and purpose, if you’re looking for love, if you’re looking for God, take a chance on getting more involved in a faith community.  At first glance it might look like a mess, from time to time it might feel like a mess, and truthfully it is a mess, that’s all part of being community.  It might seem best, and it certainly would be easier, to just go it alone but don’t make that mistake. Life apart from the vine, apart from the soil, apart from others, just does not lead to the rich presence of God in community! 

I encourage you to truly “abide,” to let go and to go deep.  Because when “the sun” rises, and “the son” always rises, the soil of the earth warms, the vine and the branches grow, they multiply, they flower, and they bear fruit and it’s good, even very good!  Amen

John 15:1-17

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as I abide 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. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15  I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.”

“Look Here is Water”

April 29, 2018 + Easter 5B

Acts 8:26-40; John 15:1-8

A few summers ago, I had one of the best Fourth of July celebrations I can remember.  I was back home in Santa Cruz visiting family.  The day started off rather slowly.  I really had no plans, other than just staying home and relaxing, enjoying a quiet vacation, but my brother kept inviting me to go to a party with him.  He and his family, and his friends, and their families were all going to get together for a pool party.  Now I knew a couple of his friends, but I didn’t know them all, and I had never been with their families; and quite frankly hanging around a pool with lots of kids playing in the water and making conversation with some people I didn’t even know, did not sound like something I wanted to do.  But my brother was persuasive, and the party was just down the street, so I went.

As we walked into the pool area, I saw a few familiar faces, and lots of kids playing in the water, and one of my brother’s friends, the host of the party, greeted me warmly and handed me a beverage.  So far so good!  And then he asked me a strange question, “What does it take to do a baptism?”  Unfortunately, that’s what happens when people find out you’re a pastor, there’s no normal conversation, instead of talking about the sports or weather you get asked religious questions, they want your opinion on something that’s happening or not happening at their church, of they just want to share an old Sunday School story.  You get used to it but sometimes it’s just a little annoying to always have to have that conversation.  So, with a rather flippant attitude I replied to his question regarding what it takes to do a baptism with a simple response, “Water!”  And then I tried to move on.  But a few minutes later he asked again, and so this time I gave him a more detailed theological answer and it seemed to satisfy him, and we moved on.

Well it turns out we were not moving on yet, because maybe a half hour later he came up to me and handed me another beverage and pointed out to a boy in the swimming pool.  “Do you see that boy, his brother and sister are baptized but he’s not, and he knows it.”  “What would it take to baptize him?”

Some more time passed by and suddenly the child’s Mom comes up to me and asks about getting her son baptized.  “What would it take?”  “Water!” 

And this is where it gets really fuzzy.  Suddenly there’s a frenzy of activity around the pool, parents are gathering up their children, people are dragging chairs over and lining them up.  And before I know it the once loud and chaotic pool party has been transformed into a holy place.  The water in the pool had been cleared of toys and was beginning to still, and in front of me there was 8 children sitting quietly and attentively in a line, and behind them were their parents and friends, sitting in lawn chairs; and they were all looking to me. 

It was all very surreal, I just kind of stood there in amazement, and then thankfully my brother jump-started everything.  He had went in the house and found a guitar, and there he was, handing me this guitar, taking my beverage from me, and saying, “Sing the baptism song!”

So I sang “One More Life”

One more life, A bright shining light

One more hope, That the world will be all right

You're a miracle child, Love made alive

Water falls from heaven, as God says you're mine

God says you're mine

One more heart, Begun by You

One more soul, And, hey all things are new

And soon you'll know your name, Love's made its claim

Heaven will be calling you, And you'll never be the same

You'll never be the same

And you'll never be alone, When you feel lonely

You'll always be loved, Yeah, you're part of a family

Something's happened today, That can never fade away

When God comes down from heaven, He's here to stay

Here to stay

In one more life, One more life,

One more life, One more life

You're a miracle child

Love made alive

Water falls from heaven

God says you're mine

God says you're mine

The young boy then kneeled at the edge of the pool, and I knelt down beside him, and I lifted the water up and out of the pool, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”  And I announced that he was a beloved child of God, that this beloved identity in Christ would last forever, and that it would see him through his whole and wonderful life.  And I charged all those in attendance to be his God Parents, his God brothers and sisters, and to always remind one another that we are loved, and that such love means everything.  And we all seemed to bask in the moment, a moment of true freedom at a Fourth of July pool party.  And then the music started up, the kids were back in the pool, and my brother’s friend who started the whole thing brought be a beverage and said, “Thanks.”

So why do I tell you this story?

Well first of all, it’s a cool story.  I have a feeling it will always be my favorite Fourth of July story and my favorite baptism story.  And I love the way it unknowingly parallels the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch’s baptism in this week’s appointed reading from the lectionary.

And second of all it speaks to how God acts in this world.  How God can turn ordinary events into holy moments, how ordinary water becomes holy water, how a swimming pool becomes a sanctuary for the living God.  The host with lots of questions becomes the vessel of the Holy Spirit, the hesitant guest becomes the presiding minister, and a child who only knows that he was not baptized, suddenly becomes known as a beloved child of God.

Which is the last reason I tell the story because how often do we forget that we are the beloved children of God?  How often have we let the fear and the anxiety of life creep into our hearts and replace the hope, peace and love that God has placed there?   How often do we replace the freedom of unconditional love with the bondage of fear and judgment?  How often do we forget that all it takes is some water to bring us back home to the love of God in Christ Jesus?

As you leave the sanctuary this morning, the font is awaiting you, it’s filled with water waiting to remind you of all these things.  So, take a moment and dip your fingers into those waters, and be reminded that you are nothing less than the beloved child of God!  Amen.

John 15:1-8

1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as I abide 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. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

Acts 8:26-40

26 Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a wilderness road.) 27 So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over to this chariot and join it." 30 So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" 31 He replied, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. 32 Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: "Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth." 34 The eunuch asked Philip, "About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?" 35 Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. 36 As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?" 37 38 He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.