pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Christ


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The Call Remains

Reading: Matthew 28:1-10

Matthew 28:10 – “Go and tell my brothers that I am going into Galilee. They will see me there.”

On the first Easter long ago, the two Mary’s went to the tomb at sunrise. This moment marked the end of the Sabbath. Now they could properly care for Jesus’ body. It was one last act of love for their Lord. It was one last thanks for how he had changed their lives. But as they arrived to serve Jesus one last time, an angel descended from heaven. The earth quaked and the stone was rolled away. The angel’s and Jesus’ first words are the same: “Don’t be afraid.” Fear would be my first reaction if I saw an angel or someone who rose from the dead. Fear can paralyze. Reassurance is necessary for this encounter to continue.

The two messages continue to mirror one another. The risen Christ will go to Galilee. He will see his disciples there. Mary and Mary, go tell the disciples. The movement is shifting gears. The head, the leader, will remain so in Spirit. The physical presence will now be the responsibility of Jesus’ disciples and followers. They will carry on the basic work. They will bear Christ’s love to the world. They will teach others about Jesus’ love in word and by deed. The eleven will begin and will soon be joined by others – Stephen, Aquila, Paul, Timothy, Lydia… These will be followed by more and more as the movement grows and spreads, the line of disciples ever lengthening. Now we stand in this line as bearers of the good news, seeking to transform our world today. The call remains the same: love others as Jesus first loved you. O Lord, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, almost 2,000 years have passed since Jesus walked out of that grave. Ever since then, that love has called us out of our own graves of selfishness, pride, addiction… Set free – loved free – we are called to love others into freedom in Jesus Christ. Use us each day, O God, to bear your love into the world. Amen.


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Love/Betrayal

Reading: John 18:1-18

John 18:17 – “The servant woman stationed at the gate asked Peter, ‘Aren’t you one of this man’s disciples?’ ‘I’m not,’ Peter replied.”

Photo credit: Matt Botsford

Just before heading to the garden in John’s gospel, Jesus offers a long prayer. Chapter 17 is a prayer for Jesus’ followers and their faith. Some of the prayer is for his current disciples and some is for all who will hear the disciples’ words and come to faith in Jesus. These parts of the prayer are for you and me. Parts are also for the disciples in today’s passage. Jesus knew that the days and weeks ahead would be really hard for his followers.

At the start of our passage for today, Jesus and the eleven go to the garden. Judas leads a group there to arrest Jesus. Ever the protector, Jesus meets them. His divine declaration causes the group to fall to the ground in fear. As the arrest proceeds, Peter defends Jesus with a sword. Jesus swiftly halts the violence, reminding Peter of his mission to “drink the cup the Father has given me.” Jesus is arrested and taken to the homes of Annas and then Caiaphas, the high priest. It is in the courtyard of Caiaphas that Peter fails Jesus again.

“The servant woman stationed at the gate asked Peter, ‘Aren’t you one of this man’s disciples?’ ‘I’m not,’ Peter replied.” Later, still in John 18, Peter will deny Jesus two more times. Jesus knew this was coming. He predicted it in all of the gospels. The betrayal was a very necessary part of the transformation of Peter. But at least a part of Jesus had to wonder if there was another way. Betrayal is hard. It cuts deep in the relationship. Betrayal often ends relationships. Peter is not left forever in this place of brokenness. We’re never left there either. When we are ready, the love of Christ overcomes our faults and failures – again and again and again. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, oh how we see ourselves in Peter. Sometimes we think we’re doing good something for you, only to fail in the end. We use your word like a sword, harming others and their faith. And in other moments when we could do great good, we shrink back, denying our faith because of fear. Oh how we can be like Peter. Thank you for your love that is always greater than our betrayal and sin. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Amen.


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Pioneer and Perfecter

Reading: Hebrews 12:1-3

Hebrews 12:1-2 – “Let’s throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up, and fix our eyes on Jesus, faith’s pioneer and perfecter.”

Photo credit: Milo Weiler

Our reading begins with Paul’s encouragement to “also run the race.” He calls us to do so with “endurance,” evoking thoughts of great effort, steady determination, and long perseverance. Jesus called the road that leads to life “narrow,” implying a challenging journey. Paul’s word “also” testifies to this reality. Paul is connecting back to the great list he gives in what we call chapter 11, where he lists those who are sometimes referred to as the “heroes of faith.” He names Abel, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and Rahab among many others. These people (and many more) make up the “great cloud of witness” that surround us and walk with us as we strive to run the race of faith laid out before us.

Paul offers us some advice for running this race: “Let’s throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up.” It is not easy to run with the weight of pride, anxiety, ego, stress, prejudice, grief… upon our shoulders. It is not easy to run still carrying the sins that trip us and derail our faith – lust, envy, jealousy, greed, apathy… All of these worldly struggles make it difficult to live faithfully in this life. Paul next encourages us, inviting us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, faith’s pioneer and perfecter.” If we keep our eyes and our hearts and minds focused on Jesus and his example, then we have a fighting chance to live faithfully in this life. Paul then reminds us to recall Jesus’ sacrifice and gift on and through the cross, where he demonstrated perfect love. In our hard moments, may we remember how Christ endured, being strengthened by his example, experiencing the joy of living in and for Jesus. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, our race can have many hurdles. So we thank you for the examples of others who overcame and endured: Jacob, Isaac, Gideon, Stephen… In them we see how faith will see us through. And we thank you for Jesus, the one who opened the way for us to be rid of our sins and to enter into the life that you have in store for those who love you and strive to walk in faith. Lead us on, day by day, so that we too may one day become part of the great cloud of witness. Amen.


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Even Then

Reading: Matthew 26:30-35 and 69-75

Matthew 26:33 – “Peter replied, ‘If everyone else stumbles because of you, I’ll never stumble.'”

Photo credit: Ricardo Gomez Angel

This Sunday is Palm Sunday, the day we remember Jesus’ grand entry into Jerusalem. Crowds cheered and declared, “Hosanna!” – the one who saves. Many get caught up in the excitement of the parade. Most forget what they were saying by the time the “prophet” enters the city. Today, in Matthew’s gospel, we dive into a microcosm of this human tendency. According to the timeline in Matthew, the palm parade was four days ago. Since then Jesus has cleared the temple and clashed frequently with the religious leaders – sometimes through hard teachings, sometimes through direct conflict. These tensions lead to a plot to kill Jesus.

Following the Last Supper, in the first part of today’s reading, Jesus says to the disciples, “Tonight you will all fall away because of me.” If heard with ears of humility, one would search one’s heart to see if this could possibly be true. Instead Peter boldly declares, “If everyone else stumbles because of you, I’ll never stumble.” Yes, Jesus, maybe the other eleven, but never me. I’ll never deny you. This last bit of bravado comes right after Jesus says to Peter, “Before the rooster crows…”

Turning to the second part of today’s reading, Jesus’ words come true. He has been arrested and the trial has shifted to Caiaphas’ house. Peter is outside in the courtyard. Once, twice, and three times he denies even knowing Jesus. The simple crow of the rooster breaks Peter’s pride and overconfidence. Crying uncontrollably, the Spirit begins to work in Peter’s heart. God doesn’t leave him broken. The failure? Just a building block or stepping stone. In this passage, we’re reminded that our failures are never final. God works even then, maybe especially then, bringing glory from ashes. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, it can be so easy to slip into prideful thinking, into self-elevating judgment. In our moments of pride and ego, stop us in our tracks. Send the Holy Spirit’s conviction quickly and powerfully. And when we ignore even this, too consumed with self to notice or pay attention, break us down and then pour out your mercy, grace, and forgiveness, restoring and redeeming us to you. Thank you, O Lord. Amen.


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Unleashed

Reading: Matthew 26:6-13

Matthew 26:7 – “A woman came to him… very expensive perfume. She poured it on Jesus’ head.”

At the start of chapter 26 we see that the plotting to arrest and kill Jesus has begun. Our passage flows out of this context. While at Simon’s house for dinner, “A woman came to him… very expensive perfume. She poured it on Jesus’ head.” The disciples are upset. They think the worth of the perfume could be put to better use. How often have you or others thought a similar thing? One possible example in my life and ministry might be the time I spend with youth and children. Some in the church might think this 8-10 hours a week could be better spent.

Jesus defends and elevates this woman’s act of love. In a slightly different version of this event, John’s gospel names Mary as the woman present at Lazarus’ house. Jesus declares that her act of love will be remembered “wherever in the whole world this good news is announced.” In our world, where diamonds and new phones and cars and bonuses at work capture our attention, it is significant that Jesus elevates this simple act of love.

Mary’s act of love itself is worth far more that the cash value of this precious perfume. The act also transcends the moment. Jesus feels loved, attended to, cared for. Love has the power to do that when we too choose to live God’s love out loud. The smile of a third grader when you wave to them from the bleachers, the way they lean in when you hug a struggling teenager – the love transcends the simple showing up and being present. The same is true, by the way, when one shows up at a shut-in’s residence. We all need love. Who will experience the love of Christ in you today as you unleash it in the world?

Prayer: Lord God, help us to see today the small opportunities that you provide for us to love well on others. Seeing, move us to doing and being love lived out loud. Guide us to be love in this broken and hard world. Use us to make others feel loved and cared for today. Amen.


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Adopt the Attitude

Reading: Philippians 2:5-11

Philippians 2:5 – “Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus.”

Paul begins chapter 2 writing about choosing humility over selfishness. This brings unity and joy to the body of believers in Philippi and also to the world around them. The same is true today. Turning to verse 5, Paul connects this idea to the example set by Jesus Christ. Here we read, “Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus.” In other words: be like Jesus.

Using what is believed to be an early Christian hymn that predates the writing of Philippians, Paul lays out “the attitude of Christ.” Holding more power than anyone before or since, Jesus did not exploit it. Just the opposite: he emptied himself, “taking the form of a slave.” Jesus chose to be a servant to all, not a master over all. Each of us hold some degree of power, whether over many people or just a few. Do we do as Christ did, using our power not to exploit but to lift others up?

Jesus became humble without limits – except in his love. Jesus’ love knew no bounds. His humility led to an absolute obedience to God, driven by his love of God, which ended at the cross. Jesus never sought to glorify self or to draw any attention to self, practicing a piety that was not about self in any way. He sought to serve, to love, to teach and practice forgiveness. Through this example, God “highly honored” Jesus, giving him “the name above all names:” Lord.

Jesus was first in line in heaven, seated at God’s right hand. Coming to earth he stood at the end of the line, thinking of self last. Because of his humble obedience to God, Jesus became the first of many to enter the kingdom of God. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, others, others, others. Serve, serve, serve. Give, give, give. Lift up, lift up, lift up. Forgive, forgive, forgive. Surrender, surrender, surrender. Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love… Amen.


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Peace and Love

Reading: Romans 8:6-11

Romans 8:6b – “The attitude that comes from the Spirit leads to life and peace.”

Credit: Rebecca Gelaney

Chapter 8 of Romans is titled “Set Free by the Spirit” in my Bible. In this chapter Paul reminds us that the law of the Spirit sets us free from the law of sin and death. We who call on Jesus as Lord and Savior are set free through his sacrifice, death, and resurrection. Giving our whole self to Christ leads to Christ’s Spirit living inside of us, freeing us from the selfishness that is inherent in the flesh. The Holy Spirit leads us to think about the things of God instead of the things of this world. These two forces, however, are constantly at work within us: one pulling us towards God and one pulling us towards the ways of the world.

Paul addresses the outcome of this “battle” in verse 6. Here he reminds believers that “The attitude that comes from the Spirit leads to life and peace.” The other outcome leads to death. It is not an immediate death but a long, slow death. Living a self-centered life slowly isolates oneself for all others, including God. The longer one elevates self, the less room there is for anyone other than self. One tolerates others, yes, even those they “love,” as long as it benefits them and increases their power, wealth, status, image…

The apostle contrasts this outcome with the outcome of a life lived in and guided by the Spirit of Christ. The outcome of living in and by the Spirit is peace and true life. This too is a long, slow walk, but in the total opposite direction. The walk of faith builds relationships and community, seeking to benefit others as we seek to please God not self. There is ample space and time to care for others, to help those in need, to comfort the grieving and afflicted, to lift the downtrodden, to love neighbor. We find that as we express our love of God in these ways, giving away self, we experience true peace and a life filled with joy and hope and love. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, when it is challenging to live guided by the Spirit, when those guided by the way of selfishness make life hard, when the ways of the world seek to draw us in, remind us of your deep, deep love for us. Strengthen and encourage us to trust into this love, to feel and to live out this kind of love. Amen.


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Awake Sleeper!

Reading: Ephesians 5:12-14

Ephesians 5:14 – “Therefore it says, ‘Wake up, sleeper! Get up from the dead, and Christ will shine in you.'”

Reading verse 12, perhaps you too had a person or a situation come to mind. We live in a world and time when I watch or read the news, when I scroll social media, or when I hear a conversation or presentation and I shake my head in sorrow or sadness or disbelief. Disgust and anger are felt often too. Many times I wonder how those in power can be okay with what our world has become. “Embarrassing” is a good word for our day too.

Paul reminds us, as he did on Friday when we read the first part of this passage, that the light reveals the truth about the darkness. Our call as followers of Jesus is to expose the darkness to the light. To that end Paul writes, “Therefore it says, ‘Wake up, sleeper! Get up from the dead, and Christ will shine in you.'” He is quoting from Isaiah 29 and 60. We recall that the prophet spoke to a people who worshipped the idols of this world, forgetting the Lord their God. 70 years in exile served as their wake-up call. While we may not worship Baal or other ancient ‘gods,’ there are certainly no shortage of false gods that create evil and darkness in our world today.

What might God be calling us to wake up to today? What are the evils and darkness of our time? In my little part of the world, poverty, hunger, and homelessness first come to mind. If the circle expands a bit wider, the list grows quickly. As followers of Christ, we are charged with caring for “the least of these,” as Jesus called them. We should do so in practical ways, feeding and clothing and housing those in need. But we should also shine a light on those in power who allow and often times create, defend, and sustain unjust systems that lead to these evils. We should speak, work, and be socially active in ways that seek to dismantle these systems and to disempower those who strive to maintain the “status quo” – all for personal gain. In these ways we will shine the light of Christ into the darkness of the world, bringing God’s goodness, justice, and truth to the world. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, the task at hand feels huge. In our own power, we are weak. But in and through you, we are strong. So, Lord, first open our eyes to the suffering, need, and darkness of our world. Then fill our hearts with compassion and love for the marginalized, the powerless, the voiceless. From there, use our hands, feet, and voices to provide for and to meet basic, physical needs. Then empower us to speak, to stand, and to work to create a more just and fair world. In all these ways, may Christ shine in us and out into the darkness of our world. Amen.


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Living as Light

Reading: Ephesians 5:8-11

Ephesians 5:9 – “Light produces fruit that consist of goodness, justice, and truth.”

Paul begins today’s passage by reminding those in the churches in Ephasus and those in the church today that although we were once in darkness, living as people of the world, we are now in “the light of the Lord.” Our old, sinful, selfish ways have been laid aside so that we can now live as “children of the light.” The apostle paints this change as black and white terms: light and darkness. While we strive to live in the light, the reality is that we sometimes stray into the darkness and often times we live in the gray.

The journey of faith and the work of the Spirit draws us to the light end of this spectrum. As we mature in faith, we tend to sin less. Even so, we never remain sinless for long. As Peter says in his first letter, the lion always prowls. Because of this, our faith growth is not strictly linear. While we are imperfect, we also seek to be more and more like Christ. Paul reminds us, in verse 9, of why we strive to live faithfully: “Light produces fruit that consist of goodness, justice, and truth.” When our lives yield these outcomes, we witness to God’s love and care and power, drawing others to the light.

While we seek to keep away from “the unfruitful actions of darkness,” they are all around us. Paul encourages us to allow the light within us to “reveal the truth” about the evil inside ourselves and in the world. Concerning others, we must prayerfully discern when and how and where to speak truth. At times we will be led to “call out” injustice, oppression, and other evils. And at times we will be led to take a more gentle and kind “calling in” of those who have started from the faith. In both ways, we a living faithfully as the light of Christ in the world.

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us to walk as children of the light. Open our eyes and hearts to the ways you provide for us to be goodness, justice, and truth first to ourselves and then to the world. As we focus on our own faith, help us to mature and to trust in you more and more. From this solid foundation, guide us in our efforts to reveal truth to the world and to our fellow believers. Guide us to always lead with love and grace. Amen.


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Kingdom of Love

Reading: John 9:18-41

John 9:41 – “If you were blind you wouldn’t have any sin, but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.”

As the story of the healing of the blind man continues, we see the dangers of holding “power over.” The power the religious leaders hold over the man’s parents and many others causes fear and dishonesty. This reminds me of the guilt and shame many churches is used to employ to force obedience. This is still used today in some churches. The use of power over separates, divides, weakens, harms.

Jesus, by contrast, uses power under. He lifts up and welcomes. He seeks to build community and a sense of belonging and worth. In the healing process, Jesus takes the first steps and then empowers the blind man to take the step of faith that brings physical healing to his eyes. And later, after hearing of what happened to the man under the guise of being religiously correct, Jesus seeks the man out. Jesus once again empowers the man to take the step of faith. Jesus places the power to believe, to choose Jesus as Lord in the man’s hands. This restores worth and dignity. It is an invitation into community and relationship. It’s not a command or a guilt trip.

Starting in verse 38, Jesus addresses the religious leaders who seek to hold power over others. Jesus declares that he came to “exercise judgment” by opening blind eyes and by exposing those who think that they see and know the will and way of God. The Pharisees recognize that he is talking about them. Jesus responds, “If you were blind you wouldn’t have any sin, but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.” They have seen the healing, the lifting up, the love that fuels the exercise of power under. They choose to hold onto the ways of the world, being blind to the true kingdom of God. They do not choose to see all people as worthy of God’s (and their) love. They do not choose to see all people as ones created in God’s image. My friends, may we choose to live with eyes and hearts wide open to Jesus’ kingdom of love and to the outcomes of practicing power under others – building community, instilling worth and belonging, making space at the table, loving without strings. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, we pray today for those who continue to exercise power over others – those in government, in business, and in the church. Change these hearts to be hearts of love, lifting and empowering others. Use us, O God, to help initiate this change. With your power lifting us up, may we bring justice, community, belonging to others and to our world. Through your love, unite us as your children in the blessed community. Amen.