pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: angel


by Leave a comment

God with Us

Reading: Matthew 1:20-25

Matthew 1:21 – “She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

As the story continues in Matthew 1, Joseph has a dream in which an angel visits him. At first I wondered, did Joseph first have to decide if an angel really visited him or if it was just a dream? But as I thought about it, I came to realize that when the divine is present, you just know it – like when Jesus called the first disciples. They left everything, just like that, and followed him. His divine presence led to their response. The same is true of Joseph. He wakes up and does as God commanded him to do.

The angel tells Joseph not to fear. God is at work. The angel then says, “She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” This extraordinary birth will produce the Savior of Israel, the long-awaited Messiah. Being a righteous man, Joseph surely knew the Hebrew scriptures and the prophesies of a coming Messiah. And like all of Israel, Joseph longer for the one who would redeem Israel.

Matthew’s voice reenters the story in verse 22. Perhaps he is giving voice to Joseph’s inner thoughts or perhaps he is reminding his Jewish audience of the connections between Jesus and the scriptures. As we read these words of Isaiah, we are reminded that in Jesus, God chose to be with us, to come and dwell among us. For this blessed gift we say, thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, just as Joseph was faithfully obedient, lead us to be the same. When your continual, constant presence whispers to us or nudges us, may we know the divine is once again present and may we hear and respond faithfully. As we are obedient to your call and direction, use us to make the long-awaited Savior known to all the world. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Your Will Must Be Done

Luke 22:39-46 and 67-71

Luke 22:42: – “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done.”

Before looking at Luke’s account of Jesus before Caiaphas and the council, we begin in the garden, where Jesus prayed. In verses 39-46 Jesus and the disciples are in a familiar place. They are in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. In our text we see that it was Jesus’ custom to pray there regularly. As he prepared to pray he encourages the disciples, saying, “Pray that you won’t give in to temptation.” Going further into the garden, Jesus kneels and prays.

Jesus prays, “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done.” He is wrestling with what lies ahead. The divine part of Jesus understands that this is God’s plan. So deep is his human anguish, though, that an angel comes and strengthens him. Jesus then prays so hard that he sweats and this appears to be like “drops of blood falling to the ground.” That is some earnest prayer. This contrasts sharply with the disciples’ approach. Faced with anguish and uncertainty and fear, they opt for sleep, being “overcome with grief.” Jesus again encourages them to pray.

Now we turn to Jesus’ encounter with Caiaphas and the council. This is a group chat here, not a one-on-one conversation. In response to queries about being the Christ, Jesus quotes here from Psalm 110, not Joel 7. Yet the general idea is the same. Jesus gives a non-answer to the question: “You say that I am.” They really don’t, just as they didn’t in Matthew’s gospel. Jesus is allowing God’s will to be done here. The story will continue as the council brings this “blasphemous” Jesus to Pilate. The charges change as they enter the political arena. The train rolls on.

Prayer: Lord God, give us the strength of Jesus in our moments of trial and temptation. Open our eyes and hearts to your bigger plans, to your purposes. When we are human, tempted to sleep or otherwise deal with the hard emotions or realities, strengthen us by your Spirit, keeping us from giving into temptation. Empower our faithful obedience to your will and way. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Growing and Widening

Reading: Acts 10-12

Acts 11:17 – “If God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, then who am I? Could I stand in God’s way?”

Photo credit: Uta Scholl

The circle opens wider as God’s angel tells Cornelius to send for Peter. He does so. Meanwhile, Peter has a vision while praying on a rooftop. A sheet holding animals, reptiles, and birds descends from heaven. Peter is told to kill and eat. “Absolutely not!” is the response. Three times this happens and the sheet returns to heaven. Cornelius’ messengers arrive and tell their story. Peter invites them in. They leave in the morning. As Peter is preaching to a receptive audience the Spirit came upon them just as it had at Pentecost. These Gentiles are baptized in the name of Jesus. The circle widens.

When Peter returns to Jerusalem, some of the Jewish believers question Peter’s actions. He entered the home of an uncircumcised Gentile! Peter explained the whole story. Recalling the Lord’s promise of baptizing with the Holy Spirit, he then says, “If God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, then who am I? Could I stand in God’s way?” The church decided God is at work; it is good. The church continues to grow and spread. In Antioch they first intentionally preach directly to Gentiles. Many come to believe. Barnabas is sent to investigate. He is overjoyed to see God at work. He gets Saul and they preach in Antioch for a year. The disciples are first called “Christians” in Antioch.

Turning to chapter 12, persecution comes from civil authorities. Herod has James killed and then he arrests Peter. Awaiting arraignment, Peter is rescued by an angel as the church prays earnestly. So unbelievable is the escape, it takes a while for the door to Mary’s home to be opened. After telling his story, Peter leaves. Meanwhile, an arrogant Herod dies in Caesarea, punished by God. Barnabas and Saul, along with John Mark, return to Antioch as the church continues to grow.

Prayer: Lord God, you work in amazing and sometimes unbelievable ways. You open the church to “outsiders” and you open prison doors to free the imprisoned. You always provide a way and you continue to call us to trust in where you are leading, growing both our faith and the family of faith. Thank you for your love and faithfulness, O God. Amen.


by Leave a comment

One Priority

Reading: Acts 5:17-7:60 (8:1a)

Acts 5:29 – “We must obey God rather than humans!”

Jealousy and anger drive one side of the tensions found in today’s reading. The Holy Spirit drives the other side. One side is fully in alignment with God’s will and ways. One side focuses on worldly things.

Jealousy leads the Jewish leaders to arrest the apostles. An angel comes and frees them in the night, instructing them to keep teaching in Jesus’ name. Found and brought before the Jerusalem Council, Peter and the other apostles state, “We must obey God rather than humans!” A wise council member suggests patience. Gamaliel suggests that if this new movement is of human origins, ultimately it will fail. But if it is of God, then they will actually find themselves fighting God. The apostles are beaten and released, warned again not to teach in Jesus’ name. After rejoicing because they were counted worthy of suffering for Jesus’ name, they resume preaching and teaching.

After reading about the apostles working through an administrative issue with an administrative solution, we read the story of Stephen. He stood out among the believers because of the way that God’s grace and power was with him. Again jealousy stirs up tension and then false accusations. Stephen’s response is a history lesson that focuses in on Israel’s rejection of Moses, the Law, and all of the prophets, including Jesus. The council members are enraged. As he’s condemned Stephen has a vision of Jesus standing at God’s right side in heaven.

Furious, the council members drag Stephen out of the city and stone him as Saul oversees and approves. As he is being stoned, Stephen asks God to accept his life and he asks for God to forgive his attackers. These statements parallel Jesus’ words from the cross in Luke’s Gospel. Here we again see steadfast faith built upon love, grace, and mercy. May our lives also exhibit all of these, bringing glory to God in Jesus’ name.

Prayer: Lord God, filled with the Holy Spirit the early apostles lived out their faith boldly, unafraid, and with passion. All that the world could do to them was counted as trivial, unimportant. All that mattered was faith in Jesus’ name. Proclaiming their faith to the world was their one priority in life. May it be so for us too, O Lord. Make it so. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Edges

Reading: Luke 2

Luke 2:46-47 – “He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and putting questions to them. Everyone who heard him was amazed by his understanding and his answers.”

Luke 2 holds the stories of Jesus’ birth and childhood. We read of journeys, mangers, angels, and shepherds. We read of Simeon and Anna. And we read of young Jesus is the temple.

Luke begins chapter two with Caesar declaring a tax census. Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem. While there, Mary gives birth, wraps Jesus snuggly, and lays him in a manger. An angel appears to shepherds and announces “good news… wonderful, joyous news for all people.” The shepherds go and see Jesus, share their story, and return to the fields praising God.

Jesus’ birth rituals are then completed: circumcision, naming, ritual cleansing, presentation to God, and an offering is given. Simeon and Anna recognize Jesus. Simeon declares Jesus “salvation… revelation to the Gentiles… glory to Israel.” He also warns of the hard realities of Jesus’ ministry. Anna praises Jesus as “the redemption of Israel.”

We then fast-forward 12 years. The family went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Traveling home, Mary and Joseph discover Jesus is missing. They return to Jerusalem and search for three days. Finally they find him in the temple. We read, “He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and putting questions to them. Everyone who heard him was amazed by his understanding and his answers.” After being scolded by Mary, Jesus basically says, ‘Where else would I be?’ The Spirit is upon Jesus and he finds favor with God and with people. May the Spirit be upon you and me!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the beautiful stories of Jesus. They read almost like a novel. Yet within the stories are edges. There is no room in a home for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. You go to the low of the low to announce the wonderful news. In Simeon and Anna you recall the deep longing, the prolonged waiting for the Christ. You are a God of the edges. Your son Jesus is a Savior for the edges. May we be people that minister on the edges. Amen.


by Leave a comment

What Will You Do?

Reading: Mark 15-17

Mark 16:6 – “Don’t be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus… He has been raised. He isn’t here.”

We close our Mark’s gospel today. Jesus is brought to Pilate, who asks, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus grows silent before his accusers. This question will become a statement, hung above his cross. Pilate tries to release Jesus but the crowd, stirred up by the religious leaders, calls for Barabbas’ release. They want Jesus crucified. Giving in to the crowd, Pilate begins the process as Jesus is whipped.

The soldiers mock, hit, and spit upon Jesus. A man, Simon of Cyrene, is forced to help carry the cross. Jesus is crucified at Golgatha, between two criminals. The soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ clothes. Everyone – passers by, the religious leaders, the crowd, the two criminals – they all mock Jesus. It grows dark from noon until 3. Jesus then cries out, “My God, my God, why have you left me?” With a loud cry, Jesus dies. Mary Magdalene, Mary, Joses, and Salome are there, watching it all.

Joseph of Arimathea asks for and receives Jesus’ body. He wraps the body in linen, lays it in the tomb, and rolls the stone in place. Mary Magdalene and Mary watch. After the Sabbath, early in the morning, these women and Salome go to the tomb with spices. The stone is rolled away. An angel says to the women, “Don’t be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus… He has been raised. He isn’t here.” The women flee, terrified. They say nothing to anyone. Here ends the original gospel of Mark. Left unsaid but hanging in the air is the question: Now that you know the end of the story, what will you do?

Prayer: Lord God, yes indeed, what will we do? Will we live in fear, afraid to tell the good news of salvation? Or will we live out a bold faith each day, living out the good news of Jesus Christ? Your plan continued, from the first disciples down through the generations. Use us to continue to spread the story to the ends of the earth. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Sure and Steady

Reading: Luke 1:26-38

Verse 38: “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

In today’s Luke passage we receive the foretelling of the birth of Jesus. Our text is proceeding with the foretelling of the birth of John the Baptist. Through these angelic visits the lives of Elizabeth and Mary are intertwined, as are the lives of their sons. Continuing on in the text after today’s passage, Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth.

As we begin in the text for today the angel Gabriel comes to Mary. He tells Mary that she is “highly favored” by God and that God is with her. This is no random visit. Mary is troubled. And probably a bit afraid too as Gabriel next says, “Do not be afraid.” I wonder how I would feel if an angel of the Lord appeared to me. Would I be afraid too? Or would I be filled with joy and excitement over what was about to happen? How about you?

Gabriel explains much of what will happen. It is not “might” but “will.” Huge difference here. Mary will be with child – a child conceived by the Holy Spirit – and she will give birth to Jesus – the Son of God. To perhaps add assurance, maybe to let her know she’s not alone in all of this, Gabriel shares that Elizabeth is pregnant. Old and barren, now with child: “For nothing is impossible with God.”

Mary’s response is sure and steady: “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Mary’s response comes from a place of deep trust and faith in God. Indeed, God knew exactly who Gabriel was being sent to. So if God sends an angel – or the Holy Spirit – to you or to me, may we too respond surely and steadily. God knows exactly who we are.

Prayer: Lord God, I am humbled and amazed by Mary’s response. Her faith and trust in you are awesome. When you call, may I answer as she did. Amen.


by Leave a comment

God Hears and Comes

Reading: Genesis 21:8-18

Verse 17: “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid.”

Photo credit: Felipe Correia

Today’s Old Testament passage contains one of the uglier episodes in the story of Abraham and Sarah, the father and mother of Judaism. The roots of today’s story are found in the couple taking God’s promises into their own hands, using a slave girl to produce a child. Even then, way back in chapter 16, we can see the pattern of marginalization and abuse already being established. Today’s ugly story is not an isolated event.

In today’s passage we see Sarah tells Abraham to send away or cast off Hagar and Ishmael. A conflicted Abraham does so after God assures him concerning both Isaac’s and Ishmael’s futures. Forced into the wilderness, Hagar and Ishmael are soon out of food and water. Surrendering to the harshness of being cast off and ostracized, Hagar prepares for death. But God intervenes, sending an angel who says, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid.” God sees her and responds. God encourages her and again reiterates the promise made in Genesis 16:10.

Most of us have never been used to produce a baby. And most of us have not been cast off by “family.” Most of us have not come face to face with dehydration and starvation as our demise. Yet in a very, very small way we can relate. We’ve all lost relationships. We’ve all felt alone. We’ve all feared death. And, like Hagar and Ishmael, God has met us in these wilderness places. God has said to us: “What is the matter ___? Do not be afraid.” God hears our cries and comes near. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, you are our ever-present help in our times of need. Thank you for never marginalizing us or ignoring us or abandoning us. You are always nearby. You always hear and respond. Thank you, O Lord. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Good News of Great Joy

Reading: Luke 2:8-12

Verse 10: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

Photo credit: Dan Kiefer

The shepherds are living out in the fields, keeping watch over the flocks of sheep. The shepherds fill a role in society that not too many want to fill. They live outdoors most of the time. Society looks down on them. Yet it is to these outsiders that the angel of the Lord appears. Suddenly the night sky is illuminated by the glory of the Lord. The shepherds were terrified.

The angel says to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” The shepherds would be rejected by the religious leaders if they showed up at the temple fresh out of the fields. But God sends an angel to these shepherds. The angel doesn’t tell them to go home, to get all cleaned up, and then to meet up at the temple or synagogue so that they can hear the news. No, God comes to them where they’re at. The shepherds are chosen as they are. They are loved by God and are invited to be a part of God’s plan. Yes, indeed, this “good news of great joy” is truly for all people.

The angel gives two signs so that the shepherds know it is true. The place is Bethlehem and the child will be “wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger.” The shepherds will accept the invitation to be a part of God’s plan. They will go and find all as the angel had said it would be. Filled with this promised great joy, these simple folk will become the first witnesses, praising and glorifying God for all that had been done. This day may we too be filled with great joy, sharing the good news of what God has done!

Prayer: Lord God, in the words of the angel and in the choice of the shepherds, I am reminded that your love knows no bounds. It is a love that desires to share peace, hope, and joy with all people. This day use me to share this good news of great joy. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Righteous and Compassionate

Reading: Matthew 1:18-21

Verse 19: “Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”

Photo credit: Elena Mozhvili

Matthew’s gospel begins with the genealogy of Jesus. He begins with Abraham and includes David. After pausing to mention the exile, he continues on to Joseph. Next comes today’s text. The story begins with Joseph learning that Mary is pregnant. They are “pledged” or engaged but this news arrives “before they came together.” Joseph knows without a doubt that he is not the father.

In verses 19 we read, “Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” There is a lot to learn about Joseph in this verse. First, he is righteous. Joseph is upright, devout, a follower of God’s law. Second, he is compassionate. Joseph does not want to bring public embarrassment upon Mary. Being righteous, he would understand the various ways that this engagement could legally end. He chooses the least impactful to Mary. Third, Joseph is practical. He follows the law with compassion. Joseph decided to divorce her quietly.

But God has other plans. In verses 20-21 we learn that an angel comes to Joseph in a dream. The angel speaks to “Joseph son of David.” Wait! Joseph’s dad is named Jacob. Matthew is connecting Joseph to the prophecies, to the line of David. The angel continues, informing Joseph that the baby has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. Encouraged to move forward without fear, Joseph will take Mary as his wife. A righteous and compassionate man steps forward in trust and faith. What an example for us all!

Prayer: Lord, guide me to be both righteous and compassionate. Show me how to balance and intertwine these two qualities that can be in conflict. Through the power of the same Holy Spirit, let both work together, striking a balance that reveals your glory and love to the world. Amen.