pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Christ


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Deep Unity

Reading: Philippians 2:1-4

Philippians 2:2 – “Complete my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united, and agreeing with one another.”

Photo credit: Wylly Suhendra

As we turn to our Epistle reading for this week, Paul invites the people that make up the church in Philippi to imitate Christ. He is writing to a group of people that he knows well. On his first missionary journey he founded a church there, sharing Jesus with them. He stopped in during his second missionary journey a few years later, offering further teaching and encouragement. Chapter 2 begins with an “if” statement. Having spent so much time with these folks, this is more of a reminder than a guess. Paul knows that they have been encouraged and comforted by their faith. He knows that they have shared food and other resources with one another.

Paul then invites them to lean even more into these blessings of the faith so that they can know and experience a deeper faith. He writes, “Complete my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united, and agreeing with one another.” This community of faith will bring joy to their founder if they continue to grow in Christ, working together in their common mission and ministry. To live and be this way is essential as the world creeps in and as challenges arise – ridicule, persecution, isolation… If they stay united in Christ, having Jesus’ heart and mind, they will get through the hard times and the challenges, and they will be bonded together with stronger ties.

In verses 3 and 4, Paul focuses on the key to unity and to working together: humility. In times of challenge and trial, it is natural to first think of self-preservation and then to act on these instincts. Paul encourages another line of thought. He encourages those in the church to think of others first. Yes, you matter. But “watch out for what is better for others.” When we consistently put others before ourselves, we build bonds and relationships that can weather the worst of the inevitable challenges that will surely come. In this place of love, we become people willing to sacrifice for one another. From this place of deep unity, we can overcome all obstacles and we can do great things for Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, through the power of your love, draw us together. As we live together in faith, draw us deeper into relationship with one another. As our relationships deepen, Lord, create in us a desire to lift the other, to care for the other, to give of ourselves to benefit the other. Walk with us and work though us, O God, to build the kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.


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Together

Reading: Philippians 1:21-30

Philippians 1:27 – “Most important, live together in a manner worthy of Christ’s gospel.”

Paul writes the letter to the Philippians from prison in Rome. He awaits trial before Caesar. He has found opportunities to share Christ even there. His example of faithful witness has led other believers to speak more boldly and with greater courage. Paul hopes that this continues to be the case for him and for his ministry. And in this dire situation, there is no fear of death. There is no desperation to continue living this life. There is hope.

In verse 21 Paul expresses his wrestling with life, faith, and death: “Because for me, living serves Christ and dying is even better.” Yes, part of Paul longs to go to heaven, to see Jesus Christ face to face once again. As he unpacks this tension, Paul comes to understand that it is better for him to “stay in this world for your sake.” Through his ministry, the gospel is spreading. He is still effective. People in Rome, Philippi, and other communities are “progressing” in their faith and are finding joy in Christ.

Paul then shifts from himself to his fellow believers in verses 27-30. His summary statement comes in verse 27: “Most important, live together in a manner worthy of Christ’s gospel.” Paul is referring here to living like Jesus in their/our public, visible life. He is encouraging believers to allow their faith to be evident – not just in church but everywhere, all the time. The apostle is also stressing the importance of unity in the community of faith. We are to be unified with “one mind and spirit” (of Christ.) Living a connected faith, they and we are able to “stand firm” and together to experience the “privilege” of both believing in and suffering for Christ. The walk of faith is not always easy. But together – with Jesus Christ and with one another – we can experience the joys and the growth in our faith that come with striving forward side by side, day by day. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the reminder to live a public, active faith. It is in community that we find the opportunity to practice grace, mercy, forgiveness, welcome… Work in and through us, O God, drawing others into a relationship with Jesus and into our communities of faith, where support, encouragement, connection, and accountability are found. Amen.


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Living for Jesus

Reading: Romans 14:7-12

Romans 14:12 – “Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”

Pressing on in Romans 14, Paul declares that we do not live or die for ourselves. While this becomes truer and truer the longer we walk with Christ, there was a time in my life and probably in your life when this was not the reality. Even though I grew up in the church, during my late teen and college years I lived for self. My time, energies, and priorities were focused on pleasure, desires, and other things of this world. Over time, though, God drew me back into relationship and reoriented my focus. Yes, there are still days when that old self rises up and I become less than God created me to be. But now I am quicker to hear the Spirit that has always been there, drawing me back to God.

Living (or dying) for Christ is the focus of a life lived in faith. All that we think, say, and do becomes focused on pleasing God and bringing God the glory. As Paul continues to work to combat the judging going on in the church in Rome, he reminds them and us that “Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” While this is very true, as we walk with Christ, we find that our “motivation” is not fear of condemnation, but is the joy and peace, the hope and contentment found in living for and serving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. With these as the outcomes of living for Jesus, the temptations of this world fade. So when judgment or desire or another sin rises up, the Spirit that lives within us has greater voice and more power. Thanks be to God for the power and presence within us!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your grace that brings us back into your presence when we fall short. Thank you for your love that pursues us when we are lost in our sin. And thank you, Lord, for your steadfastness. You are always there for us. Amen.


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The Pointed Question

Reading: Romans 14:1-6

Romans 14:5b – “Each person must have their own convictions.”

As human beings, we are taught early on that the best is the most important. On the playground, children run races to see who is the fastest. In the classroom, students look around to see who got the highest score on the spelling quiz or math test. This continues. Who is the lead violin in the school orchestra or the starting quarterback on the football team? What college did you get into? And it continues. Who got the promotion? Who has the newest, greatest cell phone? What neighborhood do you live in? Sadly, we learn quite well how to judge, categorize, and label.

Apparently this was the reality of Paul’s day in the church in Rome. (And very likely everywhere else.) Jews and Gentiles came together to form new Christian faith communities. Some brought Jewish dietary practices with them. Others did not. Some honored the Sabbath – Saturday. Others honored the Lord’s day – Sunday. The judging, categorizing, and labeling kicked in. This led to “my way is right” thinking – and is therefore better. So… your way is less than, wrong…

Paul asks this pointed question: “Who are you to judge…?” He then reminds those in the Roman church that they will all stand before the Lord. The same is true for us. The apostle then adds, “Each person must have their own convictions.” This remains an important thing to remember today. As we grow and mature in our faith, what is holy and good and just grows too. An “acceptable” behavior is no longer acceptable as we grow in Christ. Our convictions mature. We all grow and mature at different rates and in different ways. May we remember love and grace not only for others, but also for ourselves.

Prayer: Lord God, guide us to love and see and act with love and grace. Lead us to encourage others, to lift others up. And when we’re tempted to judge… remind us that we stand before you too – both daily in this life and one day in the life to come. Amen.


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Present Always

Reading: Matthew 18:18-20

Matthew 18:20 – “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there with them.”

Continuing in Matthew 18 today, Jesus emphasizes the power of his presence. We experience Christ’s presence when we gather in his name, working together to reconcile a broken relationship. We are extending Christ’s presence when we seek to rebuild connection and when we continue to pursue wholeness even when the other person is resistant. In today’s reading we learn that because Jesus is with us in the reconciliation process, our decisions and actions are guided by the Holy Spirit’s presence. There is divine support for our decisions made and for our actions taken under the guidance and direction of Christ’s Spirit.

Jesus assures us that these things decided upon and prayed over in his name will be done by God. God will do God’s will reflective of our thinking, speaking, acting, and praying according to God’s will. When our efforts at conflict resolution include holy conferencing, the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and a desire to restore and redeem what was broken, then God will work in and through us to bring healing and wholeness to our relationships and to our communities of faith. Unity is God’s plan.

Jesus reminds us of this unity in verse 20, saying, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there with them.” As we undertake the holy work of reconciliation, Jesus is present in Spirit. And Jesus is present when we gather for worship, when we come together in fellowship, when we enter into a time of study or prayer as a small group, when we serve a meal to a school staff or to folks struggling with poverty… Yes, Jesus is always present to us when we gather in his name. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, we are grateful for your Spirit that leads and guides us in all of life. We are especially grateful for the Spirit’s presence in our times of conflict and hurt. In these uncomfortable and often tense situations, lead and guide us to be people of love and grace, mercy and forgiveness, kindness and compassion. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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Put on Christ

Reading: Romans 13:11-14

Romans 13:14 – “Dress yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and don’t plan to indulge your selfish desires.”

As we press on in Romans 13, Paul adds the “why” and the “how” to the call to live out our obligation to love. In verse 11 and the first part of verse 12, Paul declares that “the hour has already come.” Whether talking about Jesus’ return or about the fact that one has professed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, Paul states, “our salvation is nearer than when we first had faith.” Indeed – each day lived is one day closer to heaven. This is Paul’s “why.” As we do not know our last day, it is important to love well each and every day.

In the rest of verse 12 through verse 14, Paul addresses the “how” of fulfilling our obligation to love. Paul focuses mostly on their/our struggles. “Behave appropriately” sums up Paul’s instruction on holy and righteous living. He lists several “actions that belong to the darkness.” Maybe some of these resonate with you. Maybe your struggles with sin are in other areas. Many of our battles change as mature in our faith, but others remain constant “thorns” in our side.

Paul closes his thoughts with these instructions: “Dress yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and don’t plan to indulge your selfish desires.” This image connects into the imagery of baptism. Entering the waters, one takes off the old self, repenting of sin. Emerging from the waters, one is cleansed, made new in Christ. If we daily clothe ourselves in Christ, we are making an intentional choice to live a good and holy life. This means we are not planning to satisfy our selfish wants. To close, John Wesley noted this concerning verse 14: “The apostle does not say, Put on purity and sobriety, peacefulness and benevolence; but he says all of this and a thousand times more at once, in saying, Put on Christ.” May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for bringing us one day closer to being with you in your glory. Walk with us today, leading and guiding us to step even closer this day. Keep us on your path. Guide us so that we do not stray. Lead us to daily clothe ourselves in Christ, empowering us to love you and all of our neighbors. Amen.


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Joyous and Abundant in Love

Reading: Matthew 16:24-28

Matthew 16:24 – “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.”

Immediately following Peter’s scolding of Jesus and Jesus’ correction of Peter, we turn to Jesus explaining the cost of discipleship. To me this is one of the great paradoxes of our faith. To truly follow Jesus is to lose one’s own life. If one totally surrenders one’s life to the lordship of Jesus Christ, it would seem a great cost. But once surrendered, life becomes free and full, joyous and abundant in love. It is a hard price to initially pay, but it is one that would be gladly paid again and again once new life is experienced.

Jesus begins with this statement: “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.” Saying “no” to oneself is to deny our sinful wants and desires, placing Jesus and others ahead of self. This is not a call to abject poverty, but a call to generously sharing what we have – time, talents, resources, faith… To take up one’s cross is a call to stand for love, justice, goodness… It becomes a “cross” when standing up and/or speaking out involves suffering on behalf of another. Jesus’ stand against sin and death cost him his life. Our price is likely to be less, but there is often still a price to be paid for standing against the evils of this present world. A willingness to suffer for Christ and for others is a commitment to following Jesus.

When we follow Jesus, living out these steps, we “lose” our life but we find new life in Christ. One day Jesus tells us he will return and will “repay” each for the life that they have lived. Freed from the evils of this world, the life to come for all who follow Jesus will be joyous and abundant in love. Because of this, we eagerly await the coming of his kingdom.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for Jesus’ example of loving you and others more than himself. In his teachings and in his life we can see how to surrender our life, how to pay the cost joyfully, and how to serve lovingly. Lead us and guide us so that we can walk in Jesus’ example day by day, O God. Amen.


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All So Wrong… How Deeply Loved

Reading: Matthew 16:21-23

Matthew 16:23 – “Get behind me, Satan… You are not thinking God’s thoughts but human thoughts.”

Photo credit: Shane

Of all the disciples, Peter seems to be the most “human.” Perhaps this is why it feels like we know him the best of all the disciples. He has his “gold star” moments and he also has moments when it seems like he barely understands who Jesus is. Perhaps we know him best because he is just like us. Last week we read his declaration of Jesus as the Christ. His shining moment led to Jesus stating that he will build his church upon Peter, the “rock.” This week, in the text, Jesus begins to explain the way that the church will be founded and established. He must suffer and die. Then he will rise on the third day.

Although it is certainly not the first time that Jesus has shared this news with the disciples, Peter acts like it is. Maybe he now hears this news through the lens of being #2 to Jesus. Peter’s world was much like our world today. Power was might. Success was measured in wealth, status, and/or possessions. There was a social hierarchy and society taught you to try and climb that ladder. In this moment, Peter seems caught up in all of this. We’ve been there too. We understand.

So Peter grabs ahold of Jesus and begins to scold him. Peter proclaims, “This won’t happen to you.” Not on my watch, Jesus. Reflecting the needed reality check, Jesus says to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan… You are not thinking God’s thoughts but human thoughts.” The depth of love required to endure humiliation and torture, to die a very painful and public death – it is hard for us humans to understand at times. It’s no wonder Peter got it all so wrong here. We do too at times. That’s Jesus’ point, though. He came to save you and me. And Peter too. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, living daily in the world, it is easy to get caught up in the ways of the world. Draw us into daily time with you. Fill us with your ways and with your love. Then guide us to walk counter to the ways of the world, giving instead of taking, surrendering instead of ascending, lifting rather than pushing down. Lead us, O God, in your way of love. Amen.


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Oh to Love Like Jesus

Reading: Romans 12:9-13

Romans 12:11b – “Be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord.”

Photo credit: Christopher Beloch

As we turn to Romans 12 today and tomorrow, Paul focuses on how we are to live out our Christian love at all times. In the opening verse he writes, “Love… without pretending.” Our love must be genuine, without pretense or conditions. Our love should be as Jesus’ love was in these ways too: fierce and generous.

Genuine love means that it applies equally to everyone, not just to those like us or those in our families or churches. To say we love all people must be backed up with evidence of us actually loving all people. To love without pretense and without conditions means that, at times, we love others who may not love us back. It means that we do things for others and we meet needs without expecting a return of the action or a repayment of the gift.

In verse 11 Paul encourages enthusiasm in our faith, adding, “Be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord.” To me, this is a fierce love that Paul calls us to. To practice a fierce love is to love through hard situations and to love people especially when they’re hard to love. A lesser love would give up or walk away. A fierce love stays in the fight, even when it gets really hard. It continues its walk to the cross, being willing to pay the price, even if it is very steep.

This is one way that Christian love is generous. It is generous in other ways too. It helps with a utility bill a second, third… time as the person learns to control their spending. It continues to love the addict when they’ve stumbled again, offering support without judgement. And when it gets hard to love in all of these ways, we just need to remember how Jesus loved and still loves us, wretched sinners that we are.

Prayer: Lord God, oh to love like Jesus loves. This is the mark, the goal, the model. We often fall short, Lord. We often choose who and when and why to love. Each time we love in ways that are less than Jesus’ ways, remind us of his love for us, fierce and unconditional and generous even then. Through these experiences, teach us to love more like Christ. Amen.


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Show Jesus

Reading: Matthew 16:13-20

Matthew 16:15 – “And what about you? Who do you say that I am?”

Turning to the second half of this week’s gospel reading today, Jesus first asks the disciples who people say he is. He is taking the pulse of the society in which he has been ministering. The people in the streets and marketplaces, your old fishing buddies – who do they say I am? The disciples offer a list of prophets. Jesus is a prophet. But even this is a label. It is easy to label people, placing them in some box. As people, we long to be “seen” – to be seen for who we are. Labels limit who we are. Labels fail to recognize our whole person.

Jesus gets more personal as he presses the conversation. He asks the disciples, “And what about you? Who do you say that I am?” This answer is a lot more important than the rumors and gossip of question one. Simon answers for the twelve. His answer reflects day after day, 24/7 with Jesus. He declares Jesus to be “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” For this declaration of faith, Peter is blessed. He will be foundational to the church going forward after Jesus’ death.

Jesus closes the conversation with an order: don’t tell anyone that he is the Christ, the Messiah. Don’t tell or try to argue anyone into belief. Talk is easy, cheap. No, let others see Christ in you. Show Jesus to the world in the ways that you treat others, love others, give yourself for others. Make Jesus seen. May it be so in your life and in my life.

Prayer: Lord God, first, help us to see others for who they truly are, as they are, and as you desire them to be. May we love them for who they are, just as they are. And Lord, help us to be our authentic self too. No masks, no pretense, no fake people-pleasing. Guide us to walk faithfully, so that others may see and experience Christ in us. Amen.