pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!


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Forward in Faith

Reading: Romans 4:18-25

Romans 4:21-22 – “He was fully convinced that God was able to do what he promised. Therefore, it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Photo credit: Felipe Correia

Today we conclude our week returning to Romans 4. In our reading on Wednesday we looked at verses 13-17, where Paul argued that Abraham’s and our inheritance is based on God’s grace and not on keeping the Law. Jesus also demonstrated this in our Matthew 9 reading, when he sat and ate with tax collectors and other “known sinners.” Jesus called for mercy, which leads to grace, opening the way for all to find their way to God’s table.

Picking up Abraham’s story today, Paul reminds us that Abraham’s situation was “beyond hope.” And yet Abraham had faith in God that he would become “the father of many nations.” At almost 100, Abraham’s body was “good as dead.” Sarah’s womb was also thought to be “dead.” And yet, because God has said it would be so, in faith Abraham was “fully convinced that God was able to do what he promised.” With a hope based in trust and grounded in faith, we read, “It was credited to him as righteousness.”

Continuing, Paul extends the story beyond Abraham. The apostle reminds us that righteousness will be credited to us too if we hold sure to our faith in God. The hope that secures our faith comes through Jesus Christ, the one who met the “requirements” for righteousness on our behalf. In dying for our sins, Jesus paid the price for our “mistakes,” opening the way for us to be made right with God, again and again. Removing this barrier, Christ made a way for all to sit at the table in God’s heavenly banquet. What was and is impossible on our own, Christ made possible for all.

At present, what is your “hope against hope” thing or situation? In this moment, what feels impossible? The God of Abraham remains our God. Grace upon grace continues to abound. Jesus made the way for all who believe to enter into God’s glory, both now and one day. In hope and trust, may we step forward in faith.

Prayer: Lord God, even the most impossible and seemingly improbable are well within your reality. That “thing” happening after years and years of trying and failing? The power over sin? Me in heaven? All not only possible but reality for those who hope in you, who trust in you, who believe in you. Make it so for us, O God. Amen.


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A Place at the Table

Reading: Matthew 9:11-13

Matthew 9:13 – “Go and learn what this means: ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice.'”

Today we turn back to Matthew’s gospel, revisiting the call of Matthew the tax collector. We recall that tax collectors were thought to be sinners because of their connection to the Romans. Added to this fact, many used this connection to take advantage of their fellow Jews, collecting more than was required, adding to their “sins.” After Jesus ends up at the table in Matthew’s house, surrounded by more tax collectors and other “known sinners,” the Pharisees ask Jesus’ disciples – not Jesus – “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” In many ways, the Pharisees were gate keepers, determining who could enter the circle, deciding who could remain in the circle. Their understanding, interpretation, and application of a myriad of laws guided these determinations and decisions.

What do you think led them to ask this question? And on a related line of thinking, what makes us accept some into our circles while rejecting others? There is a huge part inside of us that desperately wants to belong, to fit in, to matter. There is also this part inside of us that wants to determine and guard who else can enter our circles. I think both were at play as the Pharisees asked this question of Jesus.

On the surface level, Jesus was making space at the table based on need: these “sinners” needed healing. But the deeper question is this: Who was Jesus identifying as the sinners – the tax collectors… or the Pharisees? Each in their own way needed Jesus’ healing. This makes me wonder, how often do we forget our circle “rules” and invite someone different in that causes looks or even questions from others in our circles? Jesus tells the Pharisees, “Go and learn what this means: ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice.'” Go and reveal God’s love and grace to the world. That is what invites others to the table. Don’t try to require or force sacrifices they’re not ready to make yet. Obedience to God comes through love and faith, not through authority and power over. We were not asked to follow Jesus once we were perfect or even once we checked certain boxes. May we extend that love and grace to others too.

Prayer: Lord God, as we consider the call to love others into a place at the table and then into a relationship with you, remind us of how we got there. We’re all sinners saved by grace. None of us deserved a place at your table, yet here we are. First, thank you. Second, may our response of thanksgiving be to open wide the doors of invitation to all people. Then might they come to know your love and grace too. Amen.

PS – On a related side note/rabbit hole… Do you think Jesus invited himself to Matthew’s table, or was he invited by Matthew?


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Chosen and Blessed

Reading: Psalm 33:1-12

Psalm 33:5 – “The Lord’s faithful love fills the whole earth.”

Photo credit: Eugene Zhyvchik

Psalm 33 celebrates God both for God’s control over the earth and for the created world that God has made. The initial response to our God is to worship God – to shout joyfully and to give thanks as we sing praises. The response is partly because of who and what God is: good, faithful, righteous, and just. The response is also partly because of what God has done. “God spoke… There it was!” Creation was spoken into being. To take in our world, in all of its creativity and diversity, is to understand an all-powerful God. This understanding brings us humility as we stand in awe of our God.

The psalmist speaks of God’s plan and control in verses 10-12. Nations can plan and scheme. We can plan and scheme. But it is God’s plans that “stand forever.” Set in place since the beginning of creation, it is the plans of God that will endure. This is so because God is good and just and righteous… Within God’s plans we do not find greed or envy or any of the other selfish or sinful desires that tend to doom our plans and schemes.

In verse 5 we read, “The Lord’s faithful love fills the whole earth.” God’s love is all around us. It is there for the taking. It has the power to fill your heart and my heart. When we surrender to God’s love, when we allow ourselves to be and live as “people whom God has chosen,” then we are blessed and are “truly happy.” Surrendered and filled, we pour God’s love back out into the world. May it be so for you and for me, this day and always.

Prayer: Lord God, we, like all of creation, are the work of your hands. We can be as you are in the world – good, faithful, righteous, just… We can live as your chosen ones, aligned with your will and way. Lord, draw us again and again to that place of surrender, over and over to that place of humility. From this place of the heart, we offer our whole lives to you, all for your praise and glory. Amen.


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What If?

Reading: Matthew 9:18-26

Matthew 9:16 and 21 – “My daughter has just died. But come and… If I only touch his robe…”

In Matthew 9 we find two “what if?” stories. They are similar to Abram’s story: What if I follow where God is calling me to go? In reality, Abram did have a bit more to go on. God has spoken to him, promised to show the way, told him there would be blessing in the going. For the ruler and the woman, they’d likely heard that this Jesus was healing people. In a moment of need, their thoughts were something along this line: What if the stories are really true?

In Mark 5 and in Luke 8 we find more detailed versions of this story. The ruler is named Jairus. His daughter has died. In Matthew he says to Jesus, “But if you come and place your hand on her…” The woman, unnamed in all three gospels, has had a bleeding problem for many, many years. She thinks to herself, “If I only touch his robe…” Both of these stories are about hoping against hope, about taking a desperate leap of faith.

I think that in both cases, if either would have told others what they were going to do, there would’ve been ridiculed or worse. It might’ve been the same for Abram when he announced that he was leaving. And it might be the same for you or for me when we are willing to put all of our hope in the Lord. In the gospel, Jesus did come and lay a hand on Jairus’ daughter. She lived again. The woman did touch Jesus’ robe. She was healed. What if we were to follow the nudge, to hope against hope, to take a big step of faith?

Prayer: Lord God, the same question – what if? – can look large in our lives at times. We ask ourselves the same questions: Can I trust this to you? Can I take this risk, this big step? In these moments, O God, whisper into our hearts, speak into our fears, fill us with your guidance and direction. Lead and guide us to follow faithfully, no matter the risk, no matter the cost. Just like Jesus. Amen.


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Through Faith

Reading: Romans 4:13-17

Romans 4:16 – “The inheritance comes through faith, so that it will be on the basis of God’s grace.”

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he references Abraham and his faith. For Paul and others working to welcome the Gentiles (all non-Jews) into the “church,” Abraham was a key Old Testament figure. For the Jews, he was the father of Israel, one of the pillars of their faith. Abraham’s radical obedience to God made him one of the Jew’s primary examples of faith lived out. An absolute obedience to God was important for those in the body of Christ too. Being the persecuted minority, it took a great amount of faith and obedience to stay true to Christ.

In our Romans passage, Paul points to two facts about Abraham that were relevant for the church of his day. In Rome (and in other places) there were serious tensions between the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians. The former wanted the latter to basically become Jews first, Christians second. This meant following the Law. Hold on, says Paul. First, he reminds them all that God “appointed” Abraham to be “the father of many nations.” It is not just the Jews who will be blessed through Abraham’s example of faith. For Paul, this meant that all peoples would be welcome in the body of Christ.

Addressing the main tension, Paul turns to the Law and Abraham. He reminds those holding onto the Law as the admission price to the church that Abraham was declared righteous long before the Law even existed. Therefore, “The inheritance comes through faith, so that it will be on the basis of God’s grace.” God’s promises come through faith. Like it was with Abraham – “our father in the eyes of God” – to all who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, God will “give life to the dead.” All who have faith in Jesus Christ will inherit eternal life and all of the other promises. Not through the Law, but through grace. As it was in the early church, may it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, father of us all, thank you for opening wide the doors of your church. Long ago you established faith as the point of entry. Even so, today we can still try to limit access – sometimes very intentionally, sometimes in ways that we don’t always see or recognize. Lord, break down these barriers and open our eyes to other ways we can limit access to the body of Christ. Make us a people who see and treat all as they are: all created by you in your image, all worthy of a place at the table of grace. Amen.


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A Big Step of Faith

Reading: Genesis 12:1-9

Genesis 12:1 – “Leave your land, your family, and your father’s household for the land that I will show you.”

Today we read from Genesis 12. This continues a long walk in Genesis that began last week with the creation story. The journey will culminate in mid-August with the Israelites beginning their move to Egypt. During June, the story will focus on Abram (later he becomes Abraham) and his faithful obedience to God. His radical obedience to God will become the model of faith in the Old Testament. His example continues to bear witness to us, even today. His call story is but one of many examples of Abram/Abraham’s willingness to follow God’s plans.

In verse 1 we read, “Leave your land, your family, and your father’s household for the land that I will show you.” The call to leave is a call into the unknown. Abram has lived in Ur and then Haran for 75 years. He is deeply connected to Terah, his father. As the patriarch, Terah’s home would be Abram’s religious, social, and economic hub for all of life. God calls Abram to leave all this – all he’s ever known – to go to a “land that I will show you.” With a promise of blessing and presence, Abram packs up all that is his and leaves for this unknown land. God leads. Abram follows. He worships and God confirms that Canaan is the land. It is promised to Abram and his descendants.

This is one of the stories in the Bible that makes us ask a simple question: Could I? Very few of us go someplace without any planning. We want to know the route, the distance… We plan stops and we research where we’re going and what we’ll do when we get there. Imagine hearing the call of God to pack it all up and to head down the road in the U-haul, without knowing where, how long…? What would it take for you or for me to take such a step of faith?

Prayer: Lord God, what a powerful example of faith! Hearing your voice, we hope that we’d go. Yet we do hear your voice all the time. In the whispers and shouts of the Holy Spirit we hear the call to this person or to that situation. Call by call, build our faithful response. Step by step, continue to work in us, O Lord, bringing us closer and closer to Abram’s example. Thank you for your patience and your steadfast guidance, God. Amen.


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Healed to Bring Healing

Reading: Matthew 9:9-10

Matthew 9:9 – “As Jesus continued on… He said to him, ‘Follow me,’ and he got up and followed him.”

The first part of our readings this week from Matthew’s gospel cover the calling of Matthew. According to what is recorded in the gospel, Matthew is the fifth disciple to be called. The first four were fishermen: Andrew and Peter, James and John. Matthew is cut from a different cloth. He is a tax collector. He was financially secure if not wealthy. Matthew did not work long days hoping to eek out a living. Sitting there in his kiosk, his most anxious thoughts maybe concerned his evening plans. There is a possibility that he has heard of Jesus. But maybe not.

After being rejected and sent away from a Gentile area, Jesus walks along the road in Israel. Seeing Matthew, Jesus says, “Follow me.” In the text we read, “He got up and followed him.” Simple as that! Looking deeper, though, are these two stories connected? In cahoots with the Romans, Matthew would’ve been rejected by the Jews. If they could, the Jews would send Matthew away. He and all like him were known “sinners.” When Jesus ends up at Matthew’s house for dinner, the Pharisees say as much. Jesus’ response is that he came to heal. Inviting the Pharisees to come along too, Jesus adds, “Go and learn what this means: I want mercy and not sacrifice.”

To this point in the gospel, healing mercies have been a focus of Jesus’ ministry. In today’s passage Jesus chooses to be present to these “sinners” who are “sick” with things like greed, power, status… He has called Matthew to receive healing. Through Matthew, Jesus is reaching out to others in need of similar healing. You and I have been healed of many things. Through us and our stories, whom might Jesus reach out to today?

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for calling us from whatever “kiosk”  we were stuck in. Thank you for drawing us into your light and love and mercy. Use the story of that “place” from which you rescued and redeemed us as a way to draw others in. Lead us to others who need to know Jesus Christ and the power of his love and grace. Amen.


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Go, Disciple, Baptize, Teach

Reading: Matthew 28:18-20

Matthew 28:19-20 – “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… teaching them to obey.”

Yesterday we pondered doubt. But what if the doubt wasn’t about God or Jesus? What if the doubt was about themselves, about their ability to carry on the work of Jesus? Perhaps the disciples sensed that this was the last time they’d see the risen Christ. Like Joshua staring down the fears of what lay ahead in the Promised Land, maybe all of these disciples of Jesus were questioning their place in the building of a kingdom here on earth. This is a doubt that we frequently feel and face too.

In verse 18 Jesus declares, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth.” All things are under Jesus’ authority, power, and control. The fears of the authorities? The doubt within? The unsurety of what comes next? Surrender it all to Jesus’ authority. Trust it all to his power. And believe that his authority is your authority because he lives in you.

Next comes the Great Commission, the marching orders. Jesus says, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… teaching them to obey.” Go and disciple others, revealing Jesus’ light and love, using words when necessary (thanks St. Francis of Assisi.) As people come to know Jesus and to believe in him as Lord and Savior, baptize them “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Baptism is the entry point for the Spirit’s presence in the heart of a new believer. This presence brings with it Jesus’ authority. The last step is to teach them more and more about Jesus so that their obedience grows and grows. As we live out these steps, we too continue to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your constant presence and your unconditional love. Reassure us when we doubt ourselves, reminding us of your power and presence within us. By that same Holy Spirit within, lead us and guide us to disciple others, growing ourselves in the process. Empower us with the authority of Jesus, trusting that nothing in this world can ever defeat the power of your love. Amen.


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Doubt

Reading: Matthew 28:16-17

Matthew 28:17 – “When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted.”

Photo credit: Kim West

Turning to our gospel lesson to end the week, Jesus has some final words for the eleven disciples. They meet Jesus one last time, on a mountain in Galilee – the place that the woman who had been at the tomb told them to go. The disciples worshipped Jesus, “but some doubted.” Maybe you are wondering how they could doubt. These disciples spent three years with Jesus, hearing his teachings, seeing the miracles. Stacked on top of that, there have been multiple encounters with the risen Christ over the last forty days. Yet some – maybe most – doubted.

Well, here’s the truth: I’ve walked with Jesus way longer than three years and forty days and there are still times of doubt. There are moments and even seasons when I question my faith or the  things I believe or don’t believe. There are times when I question my worthiness or when I question God’s love for me. Yes, these times lessen as I walk longer and longer with Jesus, but they don’t fully disappear. My faith will never be 100% sure, 100% of the time.

And a second truth: doubt is not all bad. In one of my greatest seasons of doubt, I wrestled hard with my faith. God in Spirit walked with me, leading and guiding, refining and strengthening my faith. The times of doubt and the questions that often follow usually work this way – if we turn into God instead of away from God. So when doubt arises, and it will, may we turn to the Lord our God, to the one who is faithful in all situations and at all times.

Prayer: Lord God, while we would never invite seasons of doubt into our journeys of faith, we do thank you for these times of questioning and growth. We also thank you for your steadfast love that never leaves us in our doubt. Out of your great love, you answer our doubt, increasing our faith. Thank you, O God. Amen.


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Four Directives

Reading: 2nd Corinthians 13:11-13

2nd Corinthians 13:11 – “Finally… Put things in order, respond to my encouragement, be in harmony with each other, and live in peace.”

Photo credit: Aaron Burden

Today we read from the very end of Paul’s second letter to the believers in Corinth. It is a very personal letter, revealing his deep connection to and love for these people. Paul’s life was lived tenuously – there seemed to always be folks ready to stone or otherwise harm Paul. This was because of his deep faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, expressed in Paul’s daily living and in his words and letters. Reading the last lines of this letter, one can sense all of this in Paul’s words.

In verse 11 Paul gives four directives. In many ways, this is a summary of the letter to the Corinthian church. Here we read, “Finally… Put things in order, respond to my encouragement, be in harmony with each other, and live in peace.” Put things in order – in both your worship and in your personal lives of faith. Align both with the will and way of God as revealed in and through Jesus Christ. Respond to my encouragement – stand firm, hold fast, be true to your identity and inheritance in Jesus. In all you do and say, be like Jesus to the world.

Be in harmony – live and act and move and be in the church and in the world as one body, gifted and united by God’s Spirit. Honor and uplift one another’s gifting. Recognize that all are needed and that all are necessary for each of you and for the church to be all that God created you to be. Live in peace – both within the church and in the world. Be bold in your faith, minister to those in need, define your life in love, be people of forgiveness and reconciliation, and trust in and rely on the one who is always with you, especially in the trials and storms of life. Do all of this, and then you will know God’s peace.

These words from Paul still speak to us today. As followers of Jesus Christ and as members of the body of Christ, may we too live into these four directives of Paul. Filled with the Holy Spirit, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, draw us to you. Through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, lead and guide us to order our lives after the example of Jesus Christ. Whisper words of encouragement into our hearts in times of trial and weakness. Fill us with a spirit of love and grace, enabling us to live and love as Christ did and does. In all these ways, use us as grace and love lived out in our churches and in our world. Amen.