pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Alive and Connected

Reading: Luke 20:27-38

Luke 20:38 – “He [God] isn’t the God of the dead but of the living.”

The Sadducees come to Jesus with a question. The Sadducees were a group of religious scholars who were committed to a literal interpretation of the Law and to then applying this understanding to life. This group enjoyed challenging one another’s interpretation of the Law. What they are doing with Jesus was partly this practice. But it is also partly a power play. Because they interpret so literally, the Sadducees cannot make room for concepts like resurrection from the dead. In this interaction with Jesus, the Sadducees want to prove that their interpretation is correct, that their understanding is right. We too can be guilty of wanting scripture to fit our needs or to feel that our reading of this or that passage is the correct reading. We can, at times, want scripture to conform to our way instead of allowing scripture to conform us to God’s way.

In today’s interaction with Jesus, the Sadducees take a Mosaic Law and they run it out to the extreme. In Jewish culture, the oldest male in a family was privileged. For example, they received a double portion of the inheritance. They usually married first. If the oldest brother died without a male heir, the next brother would marry the widow to continue the oldest brother’s family name. So Jesus, in heaven, does the woman belong to the seventh brother or what? Well, Jesus tells them, in heaven there is no marriage. Like the angels, all who are worthy of this resurrection life are simply God’s children. That relationship will be all that we care about in the age to come.

As the interaction closes, Jesus brings the idea of being God’s children into this age too. He tells the Sadducees that God “isn’t the God of the dead but of the living.” This age matters. How we live in this age matters. Our relationship with God is paramount here too. Jesus adds, “To God they are all alive.” Living or dead as we see it is not how God sees us. Living or dead, our spirit, our connection to God, that is always alive. For this unchanging relationship, for this unending love, we say thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for being our God, our Father, both in this age and in the age to come. Your love for us never changes. When we want to get a bit like the Sadducees, wanting our way to be the right way or the only way, remind us that your ways are far above our ways. Turning to the Spirit within, guide us to seek your voice, to discern your purposes. Help us to walk in faith each day in this life so that one day we can see you as you truly are. Amen.


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No Wind Chasing!

Reading: Ecclesiastes 6:1-9

Ecclesiastes 6:9 – “It’s better to enjoy what’s at hand than to have an insatiable appetite. This too is pointless, just chasing wind.”

The book of Ecclesiastes is addressed to prosperous people who think that material possessions will bring lasting satisfaction. The writer frequently reminds readers that “nothing under the sun” is permanent. Wisdom, wealth, power? Ha! Just a puff of wind.

Turning to chapter 6 today, the author addresses our “appetites” for the things of this world. Verse 1 begins with “I saw a tragedy…” Still working from the blessings-curses framework evident in Job yesterday, the author notes that God does indeed give some people “wealth, riches, and glory.” Such as these – “they lack nothing.” Yet, these folks do not enjoy the blessings. Instead, they pass away and others – “a stranger” – enjoys these worldly blessings.

Next, the Teacher writes of those with children, also considered a great blessing in this culture. Yes, someone can have 100 children and long life. But if they are not content with “life’s good things” – family and good health in this case – then “a stillborn child… is better off than they are.” The author argues that this child has more peace than one who lives 2,000 years but does not enjoy life’s good things.

In this life, whether rich or poor, the writer observes that “the appetite is never full.” All people are drawn to the things of this world. In verse 9 we read, “It’s better to enjoy what’s at hand than to have an insatiable appetite. This too is pointless, just chasing wind.” Be content. Enjoy life as it is. Don’t strive for more and more. As my friend Peggy once said, bloom where you are planted. And… don’t chase after the wind!

Prayer: Lord God, guide us to chase after you with all that we are. Lead us to trust in you for our provision, for our “daily bread.” Relying upon you alone, fill us with contentment and peace, with joy and happiness. Amen.


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Redemption and Adoption

Reading: Galatians 4:1-7

Galatians 4:4 – “When the fulfillment of the time came, God sent his son, born through a woman, and born under the Law.”

Galatians 4 is a continuation of what Paul was writing about in Galatians 3. Paul reasons that before faith came (Jesus) the Jews were “guarded under the Law.” In Paul’s understanding, the Law functioned as a custodian or guardian. Belief in Jesus (faith) allowed one to “be made righteous,” something that could never happen living just under the Law. It was impossible.

As we turn to chapter 4, Paul states that as long as the “heirs” are still children (without faith,) they are under the Law. At this point, Paul parallels them to “slaves,” even though they “really are heirs of everything.” At this point, the Jews are also living under “the world’s system.” All of this changed at just the right moment: “When the fulfillment of the time came, God sent his son, born through a woman, and born under the Law.”

For Paul, the coming of Jesus accomplished at least two things. In today’s passage this is redemption and adoption. Through Christ we can be redeemed – made right with God and with one another. Jesus paid the atoning sacrifice for our struggles with the world’s system of sin and death. Jesus also opened a new door, becoming the first of many brothers and sisters, connecting all believers to God through the Spirit. This Spirit became our internal guardian or custodian, to use Paul’s words, guiding and leading us as children living under the law or example of Christ. In this place of faith we are no longer slaves but are heirs, fully belonging to the family of God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for our place in your family. Thank you for doing something in Jesus that none of us could ever do on our own. Thank you for freeing us from our entrapment to the world and its sins. Thank you for taking us in as your children. Amen.


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Freed to Live

Reading: Romans 8:12-17

Romans 8:14 – “All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters.”

Romans 8 begins with Paul reminding us that we are set free by the Spirit. As Paul develops his argument, he tells us that we have been set free from the law of sin and death. Living by and under the law of Christ’s Spirit, we receive life and righteousness. As we lean into today’s reading Paul reminds us that because we are living under Jesus Christ, we have an obligation. It is not an obligation to selfish or sinful living. That life leads to death.

Our obligation is to live by the Spirit, putting “to death the actions of the body.” Doing so we become part of verse 14: All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters.” The Spirit of Christ adopts us as children of God. Therefore we don’t have to live in fear under the old spirit of slavery, under the ways of the world. We can remember the fears we felt back when we were children of the world: Am I good enough? Do I have enough? Amen I popular? Am I powerful?…

Living under Christ, our identity is rooted in our place in the family of God. Paul reminds us that because “we are children, we are also heirs.” Although we may suffer at times with Christ, we will also one day be glorified with him. This is the outcome of our faith: the salvation of our souls. Trusting in this we are freed to live as Jesus lived in this world, loving God and loving neighbor every day. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, what a blessing it is to live as your child, led and guided by your Spirit within us. Attune all that we are to your will and way, reflecting who and what you are to the world. Use our words and actions to glorify you. Amen.


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Even Then

Reading: Hosea 1:7-11

Hosea 1:10 – “In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ it will be said to them, ‘Children of the living God.'”

Hosea is a prophet to the northern kingdom , to Israel. He is the only such prophet with a book in the Bible. As Hosea speaks God’s word, Israel is in its last days. Their pride and idolatry are the causes of the coming downfall. Judah, the southern kingdom, isn’t too far behind. But Judah is currently more faithful than Israel.

While God’s compassion for Israel is gone, the prophet tells them, “I will have compassion on the house of Judah.” To relate this, it would be like living in the North during the Civil War and hearing God say, ‘I will bless the South.’ God goes on, through Hosea, to tell Israel that God will save Judah. The sweeping tidal wave called Babylon will only pour in over Israel.

We then read that Hosea’s wife Gomer will have a third child. This one is named “Not My People.” And God declares, “I am not your God.” While this sounds really bad, and it is, this is not the end of the story. In verse 10, God through Hosea says, “In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ it will be said to them, ‘Children of the living God.'” And not only that! Israel and Judah will be reunited under “one head.” God’s plan has a beautiful conclusion, just as our story does. But for now Israel has some difficult refining to go through. Such is the case for us at times too.

Prayer: Lord God, there are and will be times when we wander down a wayward road. There are times when we must make you want to walk away from us. Who could blame you? But even then, even then O God, you love us through the darkness, calling us back to the light. You offer the grace that leads to mercy and forgiveness. What a wonderful God you are. Thank you. Amen.


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May the God of…

Reading: 1st Samuel 1:9-17

1st Samuel 1:16b – “This whole time I’ve been praying out of my great worry and trouble.”

Photo credit: Rainier Ridao

Today’s scene is located in a place of worship in Shiloh. Elkanah, the husband of Hannah and Peninnah, takes his family here once a year to worship and sacrifice to the Lord. Hannah’s life is very hard emotionally. Peninnah would “make fun of her mercilessly” because Hannah was unable to conceive children. Children, especially male children, were highly valued in that culture. If Elkanah died, for example, Hannah’s survival would depend on her offspring. Bearing and raising children was Hannah’s main responsibility in life and she was unable to meet this expectation.

It is with heaviness of heart and soul that Hannah goes to the place of worship. She is “very upset” and she “couldn’t stop crying.” She pours our her heart to God, begging for a son, promising to “give him to the Lord for his entire life.” This willingness to give up a son reveals the depth of her pain and shame over being childless. While our society today doesn’t place the same premium on bearing children, what does bring shame in our culture? If you are without ____, what marginalizes people today?

Eli sees Hannah praying. The priest assumes that she is drunk. She is not. She says to Eli, “This whole time I’ve been praying out of my great worry and trouble.” She has almost assuredly prayer for a child ever since marrying Elkanah. The desperation has risen with each child Peninnah bore to him. Understanding the depth of her pain, sorrow, and shame, Eli blesses her, saying, “May the God of Israel give you what you’ve asked from him.” In our moments of great need, may it be so for us as well.

Prayer: Lord God, sometimes we feel like Hannah. Sometimes we feel marginalized and less than. For some folks, though, that is their “normal.” Lord, open our eyes and awaken our hearts to those who exist on the edges today. With your love and compassion, guide us to draw them into community, into a place where they can find meaning and worth. Through the sharing of our blessings, use us to meet their needs. Amen.


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Answered Prayers

Reading: Joshua 4:20-24

Joshua 4:21 – “In the future your children will ask their parents, ‘What about these stones?'”

As the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land, they passed through the waters of the Jordan River much like their ancestors passed through the Reed (or Red) Sea. This time, when the feet of the priests who carried the ark of the covenant touched the water, it parted. What has been at flood stage stopped flowing and backed up to the north so that the nation could cross over on dry land. Imagine what the people of Jericho thought as they heard reports of what happened that day.

Joshua commanded each tribe to pick a man, a representative. These men picked up a large stone from the middle of the river as they crossed over. In verse 20 we’re reminded that Joshua set up the twelve stones as a memorial marker of what had just happened. Then he says to the Israelites: “In the future your children will ask their parents, ‘What about these stones?'” Joshua is not just talking about their actual children. He is also speaking of the generations and generations after who will ask the question. The basic response follows in the rest of our reading for today.

To make it a good story it would need some context and perhaps a little build up. One would certainly include the “why” of the story: to fulfill God’s covenant promise to Abraham. And if it were an honest retelling, they’d tell if the prayers they prayed to God – before, during, and after. They are prayers we would have all prayed. To look at a river at flood stage and to think about walking through it -> prayer. To walk through with water piling up beside you -> prayer. To look back as the rushing water returned to its bed -> prayer. Yes, the whole story would’ve held stories of God’s power and might. And it certainly would’ve included stories of how God answered their honest prayers.

Prayer: Lord God, when you move in our lives or in the lives of those we know, open our eyes to see. Just as you parted the Jordan, you continue to make a way for us when only you can. Guide us to connect our honest prayers to your actions, building our faith. Amen.


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Hearts Turned

Reading: Mark 9:11-13

Mark 9:13 – “Elijah has come, but they did to him whatever they wanted.”

Following the transfiguration (when Peter, James, and John saw Jesus changed into a more divine form who chatted with Moses’ and Elijah’s spirits) the “inner three” ask Jesus about the second coming of Elijah. Here they are connecting with their Jewish upbringing. In Malachi 4 the prophet writes about Elijah coming back “before the great and terrifying day of the Lord.” The understood purpose of his return? To “turn the hearts of the children to their parents” and vice versa.

Experiencing this moment on the mountaintop, hearing talk about Messiah and death and resurrection, it is natural for the disciples to try and make some sense of all of this. They do the natural thing: they try to connect this new information to what they already knew. To help do this, they ask about the second coming of Elijah. The understanding was that Elijah would return to “restore all things.” Jesus pushed back a bit. If one held to the fullest way that this could happen, he asks, then why would he have to suffer and die? This is Jesus’ question in verse 11. Clearly there is some disconnect or misunderstanding.

Answering their question, Jesus says, “Elijah has come, but they did to him whatever they wanted.” Preaching and baptizing in the wilderness, John the Baptist did change hearts. Through his baptism of repentance the children of God’s hearts were turned back to God’s heart and vice versa. John’s work of restoring all things was cut short, though, like many of the prophets who came before him. The pagan powers arrested and beheaded John. Not all Jewish hearts turned to God either. Many rejected John’s invitation and Jesus’ as well, “just as it is written.” In spite of humanity’s selfish and stubborn hearts, God’s plan will continue to unfold as Jesus walks the path to Jerusalem and to the cross.

Prayer: Lord God, we, like the people of Jesus’ day, know the scriptures, can see the signs unfolding, and still choose not to believe. We can cling to our selfish and evil ways, refusing to confess and repent. When our eyes are mostly closed and our hearts are pretty hard, once again empower your indwelling prophet, the Holy Spirit, to open our eyes, to soften our hearts. Bend us to your will and way. Amen.


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Radical and Unconditional

Readings: Isaiah 56:1-8 and Matthew 21:12-16

Isaiah 56:6-7 – “Everyone who keeps the Sabbath… who hold fast to my covenant: I will bring them to my holy mountain, and bring them joy in my house of prayer.”

Photo credit: Jon Tyson

Beginning with Isaiah 56 we feel the connection that God desires to have with all people who act justly and do what is right. To those who keep the Sabbath and honor the covenant, God’s salvation is “coming soon.” God’s prophet includes two groups that are normally excluded from the temple: immigrants and eunuchs. In verses 6 and 7 we read, “Everyone who keeps the Sabbath… who hold fast to my covenant: I will bring them to my holy mountain, and bring them joy in my house of prayer.” In New Testament language we would say there is no Jew or Gentile, no slave or free, no rich or poor… All people – all – who are devoted to God’s ways are welcome in God’s “house of prayer,” the temple. These were radical words to the closed-circle Jews of Isaiah’s day.

Turning to Matthew 21 we see another prophet doing and saying radical things. Entering God’s house, Jesus forces out the people changing money into temple coins and the folks selling animals for sacrifice. Quoting from our Isaiah 56 passage and Jeremiah 7:11, Jesus denounces these profiteering practices. Cleared of these “crooks,” the blind, the lame, and the children enter the temple. Jesus makes space for these normally excluded groups, mirroring the spirit of Isaiah 56. He heals the blind and the lame and rejoices over the children. The religious leaders are angry about all of this. Their closed circle has been broken wide open by the radical and unconditional love of God present in Jesus. May this breaking open of the circle and of our hearts also be our regular practice as we seek to follow Jesus’ example.

Prayer: Lord God, it is a beautiful thing when you reclaim and include those often excluded and unwelcome by the religious of the world. You create each and every one of us in your image. You weave each of us together in the womb with intention and purpose. From our first breath you long to walk in relationship with each of us. Lord, as you walk with us, fill us with your radical and unconditional love. Filled with this great love, may our regular habit be to include and welcome all people into your house and into your family. Amen.


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Love Your…

Reading: Luke 6:27-36

Luke 6:35 – “Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend expecting nothing in return. If you do, you will have great reward.”

Our passage today comes from a section titled, “Behaving as God’s Children.” The title alone alerts us to the fact that Jesus is about to lay down some serious expectations. Verse 27 reveals the challenge inherent in the word to follow: “But I say to you who are willing to hear.” So our question as we begin: Are we willing to hear these words of Jesus?

Diving in, Jesus says, “Love your enemies.” For Jesus this entails doing good, blessing, and praying for those who hate, curse, and mistreat us. Reminiscent of Saturday’s reading from Matthew 5, here too Jesus says to go above and beyond, offering the other cheek or the shirt off our back. Summing up verses 27-30, Jesus says, “Treat people in the same way that you want them to treat you.”

As if the first instructions were not enough, Jesus next asks some questions that speak to loving our enemies and treating others as we want to be treated. If we love those who love us or if we do good or lend to those who do good or lend to us,  Jesus asks, “Why should you be commended?” He points out that even the sinners do these things. Continuing, Jesus advises us, “Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend expecting nothing in return. If you do, you will have great reward.” Expect nothing in return. Act as God acts, being kind and compassionate.

These words, these instructions, are very challenging. They are counter-cultural. As the notes in my study Bible say, “This love is never conditioned upon the other person’s behavior; it is motivated and empowered by its giver and not its receiver.” May we love well from the deep reservoir of God’s love that resides in each of our hearts. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, you speak words today that are hard to hear, hard to really live out. Your words to love our enemies call us deep into your upside-down kingdom. These are world- and life-changing words. Walk with us, O God, transforming both our lives and our world. Such is the great reward – becoming more like Christ. Amen.