pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Because God Loves Us…

Reading: 1st John 4:7-21

1st John 4:12b – “If we love each other, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us.”

Photo credit: Shane

Our passage begins with John imploring us, “dear friends,” to love one another. The foundation for this charge is built upon two things. First, love is God. Love comes from God. God is love. Second, those who practice love are born from God and know God. There is a relationship formed as a believer professes Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This relationship is grounded in God’s love.

All relationships are two-way. The apostle John first establishes proof of God’s love for us in the fact that God sent Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. John also reminds us that God has given us the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. This is the second proof. This is how God’s love remains in us and enables the relationship to be two-way. We next read about how we offer proofs of our love of God through our love for one another.

In verse 12 we read, “If we love each other, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us.” John Wesley picks up on this idea in what he called ‘going on to perfection.’ Wesley understood the Christian faith as a process of unending growth. Loving more and wider changes the believer for the good, maturing and deepening our faith. Now, this call to love and the process of maturing in our faith – they are not easy.

John reflects this as he writes these words of encouragement: “Perfect love drives our fear.” To love one another as God loves us will call us to risky places, to challenging conversations, to situations where we lie self on the line. Yet we do not go alone nor do we do these things by ourselves. Because God loves us, God goes with us into these places, situations, and conversations where we are called to be love and light, hope and peace, trust and justice, grace and forgiveness. Through God’s unconditional and faithful love, may we seek and strive to love all of our brothers and sisters just as God loves us.

Prayer: Lord God, emboldened by your love, guide us to step out in faith, without fear and without concern for self. Bring us into all the places and lives that need to know your love. Empowered and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, lead us to practice your love well so that others may come to experience and know your love in their hearts. Amen.


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Not My Will

Readings: Luke 22:39-42 and Matthew 21:18-22

Luke 22:42b – “However, not my will but your will must be done.”

Photo credit: Falaq Lazuardi

As Jesus enters his final days on earth he goes to the Mount of Olives to pray. In the first verse we read “as was his custom.” Jesus Christ was a person of prayer. Even though he was God in the flesh, as a man he was also human. Perhaps his admonition to his disciples to not fall into temptation was also a reminder to himself. Jesus knows what lies ahead. This is the “cup of suffering” that he prays about. It is a cup that the human Jesus would rather not have to drink at this moment. At its core this is a “if there’s another way, God” kind of prayer. We’ve all prayed this kind of prayer – in many forms, in many situations. Then, from a place of humility and faith and surrender, we’ve prayed as Jesus prays, “Not my will but your will must be done.”

Our Matthew passage for today also comes from Jesus’ final week. It’s a few days earlier – on Monday instead of Thursday. Returning to the city, Jesus is hungry. He sees a fig tree but finds nothing but leaves. This tree is symbolic of Israel’s fruitless faith. With a word from Jesus, the tree dries up. The amazed disciples are told, “If you have faith and don’t doubt” then they will do this and more. They will even be able to move a mountain with their words. Extending the idea of the power of faith without doubt, Jesus adds, “If you have faith, you will receive whatever you pray for.”

If we combine the core teaching of these two lessons from Jesus, we find a key practice of our prayer life: pray in faith, aligned with God’s will. We do not always know God’s will. In these cases, we are to pray as Jesus prayed in the garden, with humility and surrender, “Not my will but your will must be done.”

Prayer: Lord God, as we walk through this life, seeking to be faithful and true to you, strengthen our faith and our trust in you. By your Spirit, lead us to grow in our faith, aligning ourselves more and more with your will and way. And using Christ’s example, guide us to humbly bend our will to your will. Amen.


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One

Reading: Matthew 28:16-20

Verse 19b: “Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Returning to the Great Commission passage found in Matthew 28 today, we lean into the relationship and community found in and through the triune Godhead. Ultimately, entering into the faith and into a personal relationship with the Lord leads one into a new life. This new life engages all three persons of the Trinity. To enter this new life and new relationships, we die to our old self and become a new creation (see 2nd Corinthians 5).

In the early church, when one made a profession of faith, the next step was usually baptism. This sacrament was one’s public testimony of accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. But it wasn’t just about being in a relationship with Jesus. The man himself instructed the disciples to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Although unique in many ways, together the three parts of the three-in-one form a single, unified Godhead.

We get a smaller but equally important example of unity in the presence of diversity or uniqueness in today’s text. As the risen Christ comes to the disciples, we read that some worshipped and that some doubted. Jesus doesn’t send the doubters into the corner until they believe. He does just the opposite. Jesus commissions all of the disciples to “therefore go and make disciples.” Doubt and all!

Jesus understands that each of the 12 are unique individuals. Faith and doubt, hope and despair, joy and sadness – all of these emotions and many more are a part of each of us. This is one of the things that unites us, that makes the many into one body. With Jesus’ love and with this same understanding, may we see and love and understand that all of humanity – no matter where we are emotionally, physically, or spiritually – are one in Christ and one with each other.

Prayer: Lord God, just as you are the three-in-one God, help all believers to live into the many-in-one community. Help each of us to see and treat and live with one another from this place of love and understanding. Amen.


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As I Have…

Reading: John 13:1-17 and 31-35

Verse 34: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

Today is Maundy or command Thursday. That’s what the Latin word mandatum translates to: command. Today’s “new command” is really an extension or an elevation of a very old command. Deuteronomy 19:18 comes at the end of a long list about how to treat and not treat our neighbors. It summarizes this teaching with these words: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” While practical and logical, these words did need amended. We don’t always love ourselves very well.

Jesus is an excellent teacher. He first demonstrates what he is going to talk about. He first takes off his outer clothing. This would’ve certainly focused the disciples’ attention as they wondered what in the world is going on. With their full attention Jesus begins to wash their feet. One by one, kneeling at their feet, Jesus begins to make his way through the 12. Part way through he deals with Peter’s objections and Jesus hints at a betrayal. He finishes up the task and asks, “Do you understand what I have done for you?” Yes, the Lord and teacher has knelt and served. Jesus wraps up the teaching moment with these words: “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

Jumping to verse 34 we read the new command: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Jesus has demonstrated humble service. “As I have loved you” is the key part of this command to love. Jesus’ love is perfect and unconditional. It is pure and selfless. It is a love that never falters, never wavers. It is a love totally worth striving for. Giving our all for. “By this all men [and women] will know that you are my disciples.” May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, when my limited, selfish love begins to falter, fill me with your unlimited, pure love. When I want to make my love conditional, attaching strings to it, remind me of the gift so freely and abundantly given to me. Over and over, again and again, whisper these words: “As I have loved you.” Thank you, Jesus. Amen.


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Mary or Judas?

Reading: John 12:1-11

Verse 3: “She poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair.”

As we begin Holy Week we encounter two very different characters. First we meet Mary. During a dinner to honor Jesus, she does just that. Mary takes some very expensive perfume and “she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair.” What an extravagant gift of love from Mary to Jesus. What a beautiful scene. Then we meet Judas. He crashes this beautiful scene by objecting to what he calls a waste. He cannot see the beauty because he is blinded by his greed.

As followers of Jesus Christ we are called to be like Mary. We are to look for opportunities to serve one another. We are to be generous with both our resources and with ourselves. We might not be able to offer gifts worth a year’s wages, but we might. But we can bring a meal to a neighbor or maybe we can volunteer to do something at the church or at another local organization. We might not wash another’s feet with our hair, but we can offer an uplifting word in a time of need or we can bring unexpected joy to someone with a small, thoughtful gift or with a note that recognizes their worth.

The truth of the matter, though, is that we all have some Judas in us. I do. You do. We all do. We can easily fall into looking out for self. As our best Judas we can see the potential to do something beautiful for another yet choose not to do it because of what it might cost us. At our worst, we can become outright greedy with the blessings that God has given us, wanting just a bit more for ourselves.

In our passage Jesus defends Mary. She has done the right thing. She has cared for another in her presence. May we do the same.

Prayer: Lord God, when my inner Judas rises up, remind me of all the times that a Mary has ministered to me. And, Lord, may these reminders lead to grateful responses that lead me to pour out your love for the other. Use me this week, O God. Amen.


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Did, Would, Will

Reading: John 31:31-35

Verse 34: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

In our text for today, Jesus reiterates an ancient command. The concept was first found in Moses’ writings, in the book of Leviticus. But Jesus, as he did with many Old Testament passages, gives deeper and new meaning to this concept. Speaking to the disciples, Jesus says, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” He is instructing them and us to live the way he loved, to follow his example.

In a devotional that I read on this passage today author Wen-Ling Lai writes this: “We are to love others the way Jesus did, the way he would, the way he will.” In the way Jesus loved, we are to do as he did, loving the outcasts, the marginalized, the poor… In the way he would love we are to sacrifice for others as Jesus did, always seeing the needs of others and placing those above our own. The cross is the primary example – Jesus placed our need for forgiveness and eternal life above his human comforts and concerns.

The third one – “the way he will” – this intrigues me. At times I think nothing has changed since Jesus’ day. Much of what we struggle with and the ways we mistreat one another are largely the same. But other times I think of the innovation and learning and discoveries since Jesus’ day. In these ways I see how much the world has changed. As just one example, proper cell phone and social media etiquette is not covered in the gospels. Yet, from Jesus’ example, we can see how he would conduct himself in these platforms. Cancel culture and the extremism that typifies so many aspects of life also come to mind. Lord, help us to love as you loved, will love, and would love. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, I’m sorry for the times and ways I’ve failed to love as you loved and love me. Help me to better model your model. Amen.


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Did, Would, Will

Reading: John 31:31-35

Verse 34: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

In our text for today, Jesus reiterates an ancient command. The concept was first found in Moses’ writings, in the book of Leviticus. But Jesus, as he did with many Old Testament passages, gives deeper and new meaning to this concept. Speaking to the disciples, Jesus says, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” He is instructing them and us to live the way he loved, to follow his example.

In a devotional that I read on this passage today author Wen-Ling Lai writes this: “We are to love others the way Jesus did, the way he would, the way he will.” In the way Jesus loved, we are to do as he did, loving the outcasts, the marginalized, the poor… In the way he would love we are to sacrifice for others as Jesus did, always seeing the needs of others and placing those above our own. The cross is the primary example – Jesus placed our need for forgiveness and eternal life above his human comforts and concerns.

The third one – “the way he will” – this intrigues me. At times I think nothing has changed since Jesus’ day. Much of what we struggle with and the ways we mistreat one another are largely the same. But other times I think of the innovation and learning and discoveries since Jesus’ day. In these ways I see how much the world has changed. As just one example, proper cell phone and social media etiquette is not covered in the gospels. Yet, from Jesus’ example, we can see how he would conduct himself in these platforms. Cancel culture and the extremism that typifies so many aspects of life also come to mind. Lord, help us to love as you loved, will love, and would love. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, I’m sorry for the times and ways I’ve failed to love as you loved and love me. Help me to better model your model. Amen.


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The Love of Christ

Reading: 1st John 4: 7-15

Verse 12: “If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us”.

Photo credit: Jon Tyson

As we begin with our 1st John 4 passage today, we quickly see that love is the focus. For John, love is God’s key attribute. God is the source of love – the highest level of connection and caring that we have with God and with one another. John defines love as the indication of knowing God: If you love others you know God; if you don’t, you don’t know God.

If love is the indicator of whether or not we know God, how do we define love? John defines it as God’s gift of his son as our atoning sacrifice. While that certainly does demonstrate God’s love for us, it is certainly not God’s literal expectation of us. That act of love has been done once, for all, by Jesus. So then, what does love look like?

For some love is time – time to do things with another, time to listen, time to invest in the relationship. For some love is sacrifice – extra hours to pay for that event, going without so that a child can have that special thing, giving up something one enjoys to be there. For some love is an act of kindness – flowers just because, a nice note, doing an unexpected chore or project.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we too practice these ways of love. But the love of Christ goes beyond these too. We give time to our church as we serve; we make sacrifices to support and equip our church for ministry; we do random acts of kindness for our church and in the name of Christ. And we are called to even more. We are called to love those others do not. With Jesus Christ we love the least and the lost, the marginalized and the oppressed… This differentiates Christian love from worldly love. The love of Christ is selfless, sacrificial, humble, complete. May this be the love of God that is in you and in me.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to love not just as the world loves, but to love as you love. May I see you in all I meet and love all as you love them. Amen.


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Proclaim the Name!

Reading: Acts 4: 5-10

Verse 7: “By what power or what name did you do this”?

Photo credit: Carolina Jacomin

Peter and John go out after Pentecost and preach about Jesus. They are empowered and emboldened by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. On the way into the temple one day, Peter heals a crippled beggar in Jesus’ name. The man leaps up and begins praising God. This draws a crowd to Peter and John. Peter tells the crowd all about Jesus and that this man has been healed in the name of Jesus. Peter and John are arrested. Yet many come to believe in Jesus. The church grows.

As our passage today begins the religious leaders gather and have Peter and John brought before them. There are familiar names here: Annas and Caiaphas, two key figures in orchestrating Jesus’ crucifixion. It was in those fearful moments that Peter’s faith crumbled. Today the religious leaders ask, “By what power or what name did you do this”? They do not deny that the man was healed. Too much evidence. But perhaps their authority and power would cause Peter and John to slink away, to recant, to offer some other reason than Jesus Christ. Peter, “filled with the Holy Spirit”, says, “Know this, you and the people of Israel: it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth”. Peter boldly proclaims power in the name of Jesus. Filled with the Holy Spirit, this time Peter stands with and for Jesus.

Peter, when given another opportunity, allowed the Spirit to lead and guide him and his words. Fear no longer had any place in his faith. This shift inside of Peter gives me hope. Even though he had failed miserably, God continued to be at work in Peter. This is also true for you and for me. When we fail to stand for or with Jesus, when we have let an opportunity slip by, when guilt and shame begin to build up – God remains faithful. Through the same indwelling Spirit, we are given another opportunity to boldly live out our faith. In doing so we too will have the privilege of sharing why we love and live the way we do. When given this privilege, may we proclaim the name of Jesus.

Prayer: Lord God, you are patient and faithful. You keep the opportunities coming to share my faith, whether by word or deed. Thank you for the grace that keeps walking beside me, even when I fail. Use me today to share your love with a world in need. Amen.


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Generous and Extravagant

Reading: 1st John 3: 1-3

Verse 2: “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known”.

Photo credit: Kourosh Qaffari

I love the opening to chapter three: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us”. Lavished! To lavish is defined this way: “to bestow something in generous and extravagant quantities”. That is really how God loves us. Generously. Extravagantly. This generous and extravagant love is revealed in God’s choice to create us to be his children, heirs of the kingdom. John is excited that God loves us this much.

In the same verse though, as if the thoughts were connected, John acknowledges that not all people know that they are loved that much. Not all people know God, therefore not all people are in the family. They do not recognize the family resemblance to God or to those who follow the Lord. John quickly turns back to celebration as he writes, “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known”. The world may not know God, but we do! Hooray! Yippee!! Hallelujah! But wait… it gets better.

As good as being a child of God is today, it will get better. John writes mostly of the eternal side of this reality, but there is also a temporal side to what John rejoices in. In this life we grow to be more and more like the earthly Jesus, growing in our love of God and of one another. Yeah! We also have an eternal joy. One day we will be transformed as we step into eternal life. “We shall be like him”. In form we shall become like the eternal Christ. We will be pure just as Christ is pure. The things of this world will fall away and we will stand in his perfect love and light. What a joyous day that will be!

In the here and now, as we look in the mirror, as we look upon our brothers and sisters in Christ, may we rejoice in our place in the family of God. As both heirs and builders of the kingdom, may we also be most generous and extravagant in our love as we live in this world.

Prayer: Lord God, it is so good to be a part of your family. This day use me to draw others in, to help others know that they too are a beloved child. Amen.