pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: care


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Do This So That…

Readings: Deuteronomy 13, Deuteronomy 14, Deuteronomy 15, Deuteronomy 16

Deuteronomy 14:29b – “Do this so that the LORD your God might bless you in everything you do.”

Chapter 13 concludes the laws that pertain to unpacking the first two of the Ten Commandments. This chapter is aimed at prohibiting the inclusion of foreign gods. If a prophet or even if a relative tries to lead you or others into worshipping a foreign god, they are to be executed. And if a town is led astray and begins to worship a foreign god, all people and animals are to be killed and everything is to be burned. God is serious about no other gods or idols. Imagine if we were 1/100th as serious when others (or ourselves) tempt us with wealth or power or status or…

The third and fourth commands of the Ten Commandments are the focus of chapters 14 and 15. Keeping God’s name holy includes avoiding local religious rites for the dead. It involves eating only food that is holy or clean. These dietary laws also function as a way to differentiate Israel from its neighbors. In verse 22 we shift to the fourth commandment. The main idea here is that the Sabbath is not exclusive to just one day. The same is true for us: we are not Christians just for that one hour on Sunday morning. Our faith, as it was with the Hebrews, is to permeate all of our days and lives. Generosity is the defining characteristic in this passage. Yearly give one-tenth to God. Every three years give a tenth at the city gates for the Levites and for the poor. Cancel debts and free your servants every seven years – if it is a fellow Hebrew. This is an adaptation of what was given in the Law in Exodus. Running throughout chapter 15 is a concern for the poor and vulnerable. Generosity and a right spirit are essential to this care. It is at the end of chapter 15 that we find the overarching “why” – “Do this so that the LORD your God might bless you in everything you do.”

In chapter 16 we shift to the three yearly festivals. To remember what God has done is a part of worshipping the Lord, of living out the Sabbath. Our regular festivals – Easter, Christmas, communion… – they too remind us of who and what God is and of who and what we are called to be. In verse 18 the focus shifts to the fifth of the ten commandments. Here the idea of honoring father and mother is extended to include justice and honor for all people. Justice and care for the vulnerable is a core characteristic of God. May it be so for you and for me as well.

Prayer: Lord God, open my heart and my hands to those that you open your heart and hands to. Create in me a spirit of generosity and a sense of fellowship and community with all people. In all that I do and in all that I am, may everything be an act of worship that brings you glory. Amen.


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Total, Complete, Unfailing Love

Readings: Deuteronomy 5, Deuteronomy 6, Deuteronomy 7, Deuteronomy 8

Deuteronomy 6:5 – “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength.”

Our readings today begin with Moses’ call to remember what God said on Mount Horeb. He then reviews this by reiterating the Ten Commandments. Moses is doing so because he will spend most of the next 20 chapters unpacking these ten rules to live by. From here Moses moves to “the great commandment” in chapter 6. In verse 5 we read it: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength.” In many ways this sums up the first four of the 10 Commandments. Moses goes on to show just how all-encompassing this command is to be for faithful living. Tell your children, talk about it all the time, write it on the places that you’ll see often – make this the central tenet of your faith and your life.

This is then followed up with a warning against arrogance. All the cities and houses, all the wells and orchards – you didn’t do this. God gave it to you. A similar warning comes in chapter 8 too. God must have known we’d struggle with pride, ego, vanity… Love God, not self.

Moses/God commands the Israelites to teach their children their communal history and then to teach them the Law. Begin with the why and then move to the how to live faithfully in response to God’s love and care and provision. We shift next to how to deal with foreign worship. First, don’t enter into covenants with and don’t intermarry with the Canaanites. Destroy their idols, altars, poles, and sacred stones. The Lord is the only true God. Remember and live this and God will bless them in every way possible. In every way.

Chapter 8 is a reminder chapter, a why chapter. Remember God gave you manna and taught you that you don’t live by physical bread alone. Remember that God trooped you through the desert for 40 years and that your clothes didn’t wear out. Remember all that has happened to you as you stand on the edge of the Promised Land. This remembering will allow Israel to move forward in obedience and faithfulness. May we too remember often what the Lord our God has done for us. And may it lead us forward in obedience and faithfulness.

Prayer: Lord God, what rich and deep and powerful reminders today of your total and complete and unfailing love and care for your people. At times you are the shield about us and at times you are the love that enfolds us. What an awesome God we love and serve. All the power and glory are yours! Amen.


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Holy Living

Readings: Leviticus 19, Leviticus 20, Leviticus 21, Leviticus 22, Leviticus 23

Leviticus 20:26 – “You must be holy to me, because I the LORD am holy, and I have separated you from all other peoples to be my own.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Today’s readings are all about living as a holy people. Each of these laws or instructions rest upon the same foundation: God is holy so God’s people need to be holy. This foundation is the ethical, moral, and spiritual standard for living in community with God and with God’s people.

Although chapter 19 can feel like a hodge podge of topics – don’t lie, don’t turn to idols, leave some crops for the needy, no cross breeding, no cuttings or tattoos – taken as a whole, they can be summed up in verse 18: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” This is half of the shemah, the daily Jewish prayer. We’ll add the other half as we read in Deuteronomy.

The practice of worshipping Molech begins chapter 20. The practice of this Canaanite religion is strictly prohibited. This is followed by sexual prohibitions. In this chapter the practice of idolatry is equated with prostitution and adultery. The root need for these prohibitions is summed up in verse 23: “You must not follow the practices of the nations that I am throwing out.” Instead, for the Israelites, “You must be holy to me, because I the LORD am holy, and I have separated you from all other peoples to be my own.” God is holy so God’s people need to be holy.

Chapters 21 and 22 deal with special laws for the priests. The call to holy living is elevated when applied to the priests. They are set apart from the people set apart. The priests are to be living examples of God’s holiness. This is why priests with imperfections are limited in their service.

Our reading for today closes in chapter 23 with instructions for the holy or sacred times. Note that this section begins with a reminder to keep the Sabbath. This weekly observance is essential to holy living. The yearly events remember and celebrate significant events with God. The Passover and connected Festival of Unleavened Bread celebrate the exodus. The Festival of Weeks begins with thanks for the first fruits and concludes by thanking God for the harvest. The Festival of Booths remembers their time in the wilderness, where God provided again and again. The Day of Reconciliation is also included. This celebrates God’s mercy and grace and forgiveness.

Each day and each festival reminds the people of God’s love and care. They remind the people of God’s holiness and of their call to reflect this holiness. To remember and to celebrate reinforces their faith and their commitment to God. May we too remember and celebrate the ways that our holy God has touched our lives, calling us to be holy as God is holy.

Prayer: Lord God, flowing through these chapters we see again and again the call to holy living and to live as a people set apart from the ways of the world. Strengthen our understanding of these calls and empower us to live holy and faithful lives as people in but not of the world. Amen.


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Love and Care

Readings: Leviticus 11, Leviticus 12, Leviticus 13, Leviticus 14

Leviticus 11:40 – “I am the LORD your God. You must keep yourselves holy and be holy, because I am holy.”

Today’s reading begins with dietary laws. They generally fall along the lines of clean versus unclean. The clean animals have completely divided hooves and rechew their food. These are the animals that are used for sacrifices. Also edible are water creatures with fins and scales, non-carion birds, and insects that hop. All other creatures are unclean and therefore cannot be eaten. At the end of this section we read, “I am the LORD your God. You must keep yourselves holy and be holy, because I am holy.” Clean = holy.

Chapter 12 contains instructions for becoming clean again after childbirth. A mother is unclean for 7 days after birth. After this isolation period, she spends 33 days in a state of “blood purification” if it is a boy. In this state she cannot enter or touch the holy. If the child is a girl this state lasts for 66 days. Welcome to a patriarchal society!

Chapters 13 and 14 deal with infections and contagious diseases and the process of purification required to re-enter society. The priest serves as a physician or as the inspector. In general, open wounds made one unclean. Seven day quarantines were pretty standard. This time apart helped with diagnosis and it prevented spread. Unclean persons were required to appear in a state of mourning (torn clothes…) and shouted “Unclean!” to prevent clean people from coming near.

The purification ritual began with two birds being offered as cleansing. Clothes were washed and all hair was shaved off. After seven days of isolation, washing and shaving was repeated. If clean, the person brought animals, grain, and oil to the priest. Each was offered as prescribed. Blood and oil were applied to the right earlobe, thumb, and big toe. This blessed what the clean person would hear and do, and where they would go as they re-entered the community.

As I read and pondered these ancient laws and rituals, I am struck that these were the means and ways that God cared for and loved the people in that time and place. With very limited medical understanding this was how God kept the people safe, clean, whole, and holy. This is love and grace in action.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the love and care that you used to guide and lead and protect Israel. The realities of their time and place – they were part of your plan. You continue to love and care for us in this time and place. Thank you. Amen.


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Connection, Belonging, Faith

Readings: Genesis 21, Genesis 22, Genesis 23

Genesis 22:7 – “Isaac said, ‘Here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the entirely burned offering?’”

Chapter 21 brings a shift in the family dynamics. Sarah gives birth to Isaac. Her laughter of doubt and shame turns to the laughter of joy and celebration. As Isaac grows so too does the tension over the inheritance. This leads to Hagar and Ishmael being sent away. God assures Abraham of their future too, so he is able to send his firstborn son away. Death soon feels near and Hagar and Ishmael cry out to God. Once again God sees her and hears their cries. God promises to make him into a “great nation.” The chapter closes with Abraham making a treaty with Abimelech. This secures water rights for an immigrant living in a foreign land. This reality comes up again in chapter 23.

In chapter 22 God tests Abraham. He is instructed to sacrifice Isaac – his one and only son, again in a place that God will reveal. Showing radical obedience once more, Abraham rises early, chops the wood, and heads out – the fire, the knife, and also Isaac in tow. Leaving the two servants behind, Abraham says to them, “The boy and I will walk up there, worship, and then come back to you.” Carrying the wood himself and seeing the fire, Isaac asks, “But where is the lamb for the entirely burned offering?” Abraham’s response – “God will see to it” – demonstrates his faith. Going so far as to raise the knife over Isaac then demonstrates his trust. God intervenes, providing a ram. Then God reiterates the covenant promise of many, many descendants.

Sarah dies at the beginning of chapter 23. After grieving for her, Abraham goes to the Hittites – the locals – to buy land to bury Sarah. He is at their mercy. Abraham is a temporary immigrant. After some culturally necessary back and forth, he buys land at a very high price. It provides a burial space and it begins a social relationship with the Hittites. To a small degree, they have now become “family.” There is connection and there is belonging, something we all need.

Prayer: Lord God, as the story progresses we see that you do not change. You are faithful, you provide, you are grace. Abraham experiences all of these things again and again as he walks faithfully and obediently with you. Encourage and guide us as we seek to walk this same walk. As we do, Lord, bless us too with your care, your provision, your grace. Amen.


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Criteria

Reading: Matthew 25:31-46

Verse 45: “Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

Today’s passage takes us to the end of this world as we know it. Jesus is sitting on the throne or on the judgment seat. In the opening verses we read that “all nations” will be gathered before him. Jesus will then separate those destined for heaven from those destined for hell. Even if we die before this day, we will still be judged worthy or unworthy of heaven.

It is interesting to me that both the sheep and the goats address Jesus as “Lord.” To me it feels like more than a polite title. It feels like even the goats thought they were worthy of inclusion in heaven. So what then is used to separate one from another?

In verses 35 and 36 Jesus lays out the criteria. In his own words it is whether or not one fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, invited the stranger in, clothed the naked, cared for the sick, and visited the imprisoned. Both groups want to know when they saw Jesus hungry, thirsty… The answer is pretty much the same to both the sheep and the goats. They each saw Jesus in “the least of these” – the outcast, the leper, the Samaritan, the tax collector, the woman at the well… Some chose to have compassion and to act to meet needs. Others did not.

The challenge of this passage is to ask where we fit. To which herd do we belong? Maybe we’d like to tell ourselves that this is just one of the many criteria that Jesus will use to judge us worthy or not. But what if it is the only criteria that he uses?

Prayer: Lord God, change my heart, O God. Raise up a compassion in me that sees and responds to needs consistently, not just when convenient or easy. Yes, change my heart, O God. Amen.


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The Good Shepherd

Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16

Verse 12: “I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered.”

Photo credit: Patrick Schneider

We begin this week with Ezekiel. The prophet lived about 600 years before Jesus was born. His ministry began as a temple priest in Jerusalem. But with the invasion and subsequent exile imposed by the Babylonians, Ezekiel experienced and lived through the disaster that he foretold earlier in his ministry. Yet even while living in exile in a foreign land, far away from the temple, Ezekiel speaks a word of hope today.

Speaking to the scattered flock of Israel, through Ezekiel God says, “I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.” God doesn’t wait for Israel (or us) to come to God. The all-present and ever-loving God will go out to the scattered. God will care for them even in their exile and in their separation. God will provide as a shepherd provided for the sheep. These words of hope remind the scattered flock that God is with them even in the foreign places. Our God continues to be with us in all aspects of life – in the good and in the bad and in all places in between.

Reading on, the promise becomes even greater. God gives this greater promise: “I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered.” Not only will God be with them in their exile, but God will regather the community of faith. God will bring them home to Israel where God will tend to them in “good pastures.” Within this promise there is a word that may be some need to hear today. God will “bind up the injured and strengthen the weak.” Maybe you or someone you know is hurting or is worn down. Maybe grief or isolation has set in heavy upon the spirit. If so, remember that the good shepherd seeks you and desires to love and care for you. Step into this good news. Share it with someone in need of this good news.

Prayer: Lord God, wherever we are today, draw us closer to you. Whether in sorrow or in joy, whether in want or in plenty, may we grow closer to you today. And if we have the capacity, Lord, use us to remind others of your love and care for them. Amen.


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God Is Faithful and Good

Reading: Exodus 14:19-31

Verse 31b: “The people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.”

We begin this week with a familiar Old Testament story – the parting of the sea. It is a wonderful reminder of how the Lord can make a way when we see no way forward. Because we face challenges in our lives, we can relate to and connect to this situation and to God’s response to the Israelites’ crisis.

The Israelites find themselves up against an immovable and insurmountable barrier. The Egyptian army is in hot pursuit. Because of the 10 plagues, Pharaoh had freed the Israelite slaves. But he later changed his mind. The Israelites say to Moses (and to God), “It would have been better to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert.” If I were God, I’d have been tempted to say, “So be it.” But here’s what God says: “Stand firm, and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.” This context is so important to the passage today.

In verses 19-31, God acts in powerful and awesome ways. First, God adds a layer of protection – a buffer between Israel and the pursuing army. It gives them a moment to recollect themselves. Who has come alongside you in a crisis or time of need? Second, God provides a way. How has God shown you a way forward when you thought there was no way? Lastly, God removes their fear. When has God moved you past a barrier or obstacle, allowing you to go forward in faith and trust?

God was faithful to the covenant and was good for the promise just made. In response, “the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.” Reconsider your answers to the questions in the previous paragraph. Is this also your response to God?

Prayer: Lord God, you have parted the waters; you have carried me through. You have given strength when mine has failed; you have provided hope in the midst of despair. Thank you for your love and care and provision. You are the Lord of all creation and you are my king. Amen.


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Time and Space to Mourn

Reading: Matthew 14:22-23

Verse 23: “He went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.”

The first two verses of this week’s gospel lesson are a microcosm, a snapshot. Most often they are verses that we read and understand, but do not sit with. These two verses give a wonderful insight into Jesus’ humanity – and into ours.

After healing all day and then feeding the 5,000 Jesus sends the disciples off in the boat and then he dismisses the crowd. He is making time for what he needed to do before the huge crowd arrived. Jesus makes time to mourn the loss of his cousin and fellow prophet. In verse 23 we read, “He went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.” Going up the mountain is God-speak for finding time alone with God. For Jesus, going up the mountain is time to connect with God, just as it was for Moses and Elijah.

Caring for immediate needs can defer grieving. It happens to many of us when we lose a loved one. The immediate and necessary tasks of writing an obituary, of planning and attending a funeral… they consume our attention and energy, much as the healing and feeding of the crowd did for Jesus. This was the divine Jesus in action. Then the human Jesus needed care. He needed time and space to mourn and to be with God in that grieving. Jesus honored his grief. In our times of loss may we follow this example too.

Prayer: Lord God, it can be tempting to defer or ignore our grief. The initial days of autopilot, of getting necessary things done, they can trick us. When that flurry passes, remind us of the intentional choice that Jesus made. Draw us into your peace and consolation, for there we begin to find real healing. Amen.


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The Natural Response

Reading: Psalm 105:1-11

Verse 8: “God remembers the covenant forever, the promise God made, for a thousand generations.”

Photo credit: Rainier Ridao

Psalm 105 calls us to praise God as we remember, recall, and celebrate God’s promises and God’s actions in the past. The psalmist is writing the people of God – to the Israelites – and inviting them to remember all of their great stories of faith. Stories about the parting of the sea or river, stories about the walls coming down, and stories about God’s presence in the hardest of times would be remembered and retold as a means to reassure themselves, to rekindle their faith and trust in God, and to pass these treasures along to the next generation. The natural response would be to praise God.

All of the Israelites stories were based upon the covenants – especially the one given to Abraham. This covenant promised descendants as numerous as the stars (or sand in the beach), the land in and around Canaan, and God’s presence with the people of God. Much of the rest of Psalm 105 speaks of the exodus out of Egypt and the journey to the Promised Land. This epic journey is filled with story after story detailing God’s love, care, provision, and presence. Again, as these stories are told and the covenants are remembered, praise is the natural response offered to God.

We too journey in faith, using our own stories of God’s love, care, provision, and presence to encourage and reassure ourselves. We also connect to and lean into the promises and covenants to continue walking in faith, especially on those hard days. As we recall our stories today, may we praise the Lord. And as we recall the covenants and promises may we raise a joyful song!

Prayer: Lord God, your love and care for your children began in the garden and it has continued right through to this day. Our scriptures are filled with examples and our lives are filled with accountings of your love and care, of your provision and presence. Thank you for being the God who so deeply loves us. All praise and honor to you, almighty God! Amen.