pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Christ


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Christ Reigns!

Reading: Colossians 1:15-20

Colossians 1:18 – “He is the head of the body, the church… firstborn from among the dead so that he might occupy first place in everything.”

In today’s hymn of praise Paul elevates Jesus to his rightful place: the one who is supreme over all of creation – past, present, and future. Paul begins by identifying who Jesus is: “the image of the invisible God.” In the flesh, dwelling here on earth, Jesus revealed fully who and what God is. Then Paul connects Jesus to the very beginning, to Genesis 1, stating that “all things were created by him.” Paul unpacks “all” a bit to help us understand the totality of Christ’s reign. “All” includes things visible and invisible, including all powers and rulers. Paul doubles down, declaring that Jesus existed before all things and that in Christ, “all things are held together.” Christ reigns over all of creation! Hallelujah!

In verse 18 Paul then writes, “He is the head of the body, the church… firstborn from among the dead so that he might occupy first place in everything.” Here Paul enters the now and then. Jesus is the head of the church now and into the future, giving guidance, direction, strength… through his Spirit. And Jesus is the path to the next life, the way to eternity. Through the cross and his blood, Jesus made a way for all things to be reconciled to God, to be made right with God.

This act of surrender was not just at the cross. The fullness of God also surrendered, taking on flesh, experiencing suffering and sorrow, doubt and temptation. God chose this because God longs to be in relationship with us. God in the flesh walked as one of us so that we could become one with him. Hallelujah and amen!

Prayer: Lord God, alpha and omega, beginning and end, first and last, you are in all things and all things were created for your glory. We are created in your image, made to be your heart and hands and feet in this world, just as Jesus was. When we fail to honor you, reconcile us. Use us to reveal to the world what it is to live daily with you on the throne of our hearts. Amen.


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Holding Fast

Reading: Luke 21:12-19

Luke 21:19 – “By holding fast, you will gain your lives.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Shifting to the second half of this week’s gospel reading, Jesus gets real with the disciples. While these words still have meaning for us today, imagine how differently these words would be heard by readers meeting in secret, praying to avoid these things yet reassured by their Jesus’ words of hope and promise. Think about how these words would be heard in the Sudan, where a small group of Christians were recently arrested during a funeral.

As our passage begins, Jesus declares that “they” will arrest and harass believers, imprisoning some so that they can stand trial. “They” will be the Romans and the Jewish religious leaders. While chances of arrest are low in our nation, harassment and even mild persecution can come our way if we speak up for the vulnerable and the marginalized. People find themselves in these positions because of unjust systems that were created and are perpetuated by those who benefit from them: those in power and those with wealth.

In our time, Jesus’ advice about how to handle oneself if harassed, persecuted, arrested… feels counterintuitive to us. He advises his disciples not to “prepare a defense.” Instead Jesus calls us to faith and trust. He will give us “words and wisdom” so that in this opportunity to witness, “they” will be speechless. God will be glorified. Jesus also shares that these opportunities will not be easy to endure. Some will lose physical life. Yet hear the promise: “By holding fast, you will gain your lives.” Those with the power and means to kill the body (or to abuse or persecute or harass or marginalize) cannot kill the soul. We are God’s and God is with us. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, give us the courage to stand tall and to be courageous in our faith. Grant us the assurance that you will give us the words to speak for and to defend the vulnerable and the marginalized and the powerless and the downtrodden. Placing self between such as these and those with power, we have an opportunity to transform the world and to change its unjust systems. Use us to shape a more just world. Make us willing to count and to pay the cost, all for your praise and glory. Amen.


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Springs of Joy

Reading: Isaiah 12

Isaiah 12:2 – “God is indeed my salvation; I will trust and won’t be afraid.”

Our four readings this week collectively speak of God’s continuing transformation of the world. Together these readings help us as Christians to understand how we are to participate in this transformation. Today’s hymn of trust in Isaiah 12 comes after Isaiah’s preaching about Judah’s unfaithfulness and about the coming wrath of God. An invading army will soon decimate Jerusalem, leaving behind a “burning stump.” In the long term, though, this fire will also work to refine and transform God’s people. Isaiah speaks of a day when a shoot (child) from that stump will lead Israel into a time of peace and grace.

Isaiah 12 celebrates the time after God’s refining fire. The opening verse looks forward to when God’s anger has been spent. Then God’s comfort will come in. This leads Isaiah to write, “God is indeed my salvation; I will trust and won’t be afraid.” God, Judah’s strength and shield, will rescue and redeem, will restore and save. These promises are consistent with who God is and are therefore true for our reality too. When we sin and fall short, creating separation from God, we feel the refining fire of conviction. This leads us to confession and repentance, beginning the transformation process within us.

Being made new by these “springs of salvation,” God’s people will draw water of joy. The restored people will exalt God for the “glorious things” that God has done. When the Holy one is among us, Spirit leading and guiding us, then we too will sing for joy, declaring that God is indeed among us. As God works in our lives, transforming us from the inside out, we will be filled with joy as we live as new creations proclaiming our faith and trust in the Lord. Living as light and love, we will draw others to the Lord. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you for your redeeming work in our lives and in our world. Each time that we are refined and transformed we are drawn deeper into faith. Each time we are made more into Christ’s image. Use us to bring this invitation to all of creation, inviting all to be made whole, to be made new again. Amen.


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Glory, Mystery

Reading: Haggai 2:6-9

Haggai 2:7b – “I will fill this house with glory.”

Photo credit: Paul Pastourmatzis

As we continue in Haggai 2 today, the focus shifts. The encouragement of the people in their work on the temple shifts to focus on what God will do. The words in verses 6-9 speak of the present and of the future. They speak of the here and of the there. These words are promises from God. And they can be every day truths.

We begin with “in just a little while.” These words could mean later today or tomorrow or 2,000 years from now. We know that God’s time is not our time. We also know that God’s timing is perfect. In God’s time, God will make the “heavens… earth… land… sea quake.” Connecting back to words and images from the Genesis 1 narrative, we’re reminded that God controls all of creation. In the next verse we are included: “all the nations.” This shaking will lead to action, in both the created world and in us.

God declares that ‘soon’ “the wealth of the nations will come” to God’s house. In the near future, the empire of Persia will financially support the rebuilding and glorification of the temple. But is has been said that the greatest resource of any nation is its people. Here we edge into eternity or maybe a great revival, when all people will kneel and all tongues will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Keeping on this track, silver and gold can be material possessions but this could refer to much more. Gentile and Jew? Lost and saved?

The second temple will be a glorious structure. There will be “prosperity” at times. In these times, yes, God will “fill this house with glory.” There will also be times of corruption and greed. Jesus will overturn some tables one day. And what if prosperity isn’t financial at all?

Prayer: Lord God, we know that your love is unconditional, that your mercy is endless, that your grace is ever overflowing. We know that you created and are over all things, us included. But there is so much that we don’t know. There is much mystery. And that is good. Today we ask, O God, that you would help us to step into that mystery, to imagine your possibilities, to trust you into the unknown. We know that you are in all these things. And you are in us. Thank you, God. Amen.


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Stand Firm, Hold On

Reading: 2nd Thessalonians 2:13-17

2nd Thessalonians 2:15 – “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions we taught you.”

Photo credit: Emma Gossett

Reading the second part of this week’s passage from 2nd Thessalonians, we encounter Paul’s prayer for these churches. This prayer begins with thanksgiving. Paul is first thankful that these churches are loved by God. This love is revealed in their being chosen by God to be “the first fruits of the harvest.” Paul is thankful that God’s plan included these churches as early models of the faith. From their witness, more fruit is surely to come. Their faith, along with belief, has brought salvation to the followers who accepted and are now living out the good news of Jesus Christ. Paul is thankful for their connection to Jesus that empowers their faithful living.

Moving into verse 15 we see Paul inviting those in these churches to remember why all of these things matter. In verse 15 we read, “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions we taught you.” These things that Paul is thankful for? Hold onto them, use them to help you stand firm in the faith. The false teachers? The persecution and abuse? All the other noise that the world makes? Hold fast to the good news of salvation, trust in God’s love, stand firm on all that you have been taught and have come to believe.

Paul closes by reminding the believers that in love and grace God has given them “eternal comfort and a good hope.” These blessings cannot be taken by the world. They were not given by the world. Therefore, Paul says, be encouraged and receive strength for all that you do and say. Standing on and holding fast to our faith in Jesus Christ, may we do the same.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the reminders today that we are loved by you, chosen by you, and saved by you. In this place of love and care, encourage and strengthen us to live faithfully amongst the noise and challenges of this world. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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Red Flags

Reading: 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-5

2nd Thessalonians 2:3 – “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way.”

As we continue in 2nd Thessalonians this week, Paul addresses these churches first concern in today’s passage. There are false teachers in their community. They are teaching something that does not seem to align with who and what they know Jesus to be or with what Paul has taught them. This confusion has raised some red flags within these communities of faith.

Paul taught the churches that one day Jesus would return in glory to gather the faithful together to be with him in eternity. This was known as “the day of the Lord.” Some false teachers are telling the Thessalonian Christians that the day has already come. Paul first calls them away from these falsehoods, saying, “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way.” Next he invites them to remember. He reminds them, there will be signs and behaviors that will indicate evil and not good, that will point to Satan and not to God. Our passage today closes with Paul essentially asking, ‘Don’t you remember all that I taught you?’

We do not have to look very far today to see people who claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ that act and speak in ways that run against who and what Jesus said and did. Red flags should fly up when people who claim to be Christian speak and act in ways that are in direct conflict with the “red letters” of Jesus in our Bibles. When words and actions harm the most vulnerable among us, they are clearly not words and actions aligned with Jesus Christ. Care for “the least of these” and loving the outcasts and the marginalized were the focus of much of what Jesus taught and modeled. Christians follow and are obedient to Jesus’ teachings and example. My friends, don’t let anyone deceive you.

Prayer: Lord God, running throughout the scriptures we see your heart for the vulnerable in your commands to house the alien and foreigner, to clothe the naked, to feed the hungry, to protect and defend the immigrant. Jesus engaged the outsiders, drew in the excluded, spent time with the ignored, lifted up the downtrodden and lowly. Open our eyes, alert our hearts, Jesus, when people claim you as Lord yet ignore or even act counter to these commands and examples. Then move us, God, and use us to speak truth. Amen.


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Jesus Calls

Reading: Luke 19:1-10

Luke 19:10 – “The Human One came to seek and save the lost.”

Today we read the story of Zaccheaus, the height-challenged tax collector. In addition to being looked down upon physically, he was also looked down upon socially and religiously. Zaccheaus worked for the occupying force, collecting taxes to fund their empire. As the story goes, one day Jesus is passing through Jericho. Zaccheaus wants to see this Jesus, just to watch him pass by. He climbs a tree to do so.

When Jesus gets to the place in the road by the tree, he stops and engages the one whom everyone else avoids. Then, to the great dismay of the crowd, Jesus invites himself into the home of Zaccheaus. I wonder, where could I go, where could you go, that would upset our good, upright friends and family?

Zaccheaus is moved, both physically and spiritually. He climbs down out of that tree, leaving the safe place, up high and at a distance. He is also moved in his heart. All it took was Jesus stopping and engaging him, inviting him to begin a relationship. Zaccheaus commits to becoming a generous giver and a righter of wrongs. He will use some of his wealth to do good, to love his neighbors in need. Zaccheaus will also use some of his wealth to correct wrongs, repaying those he held power over and cheated as a tax collector.

Jesus continues to call people out of their safe, far off places. He continues to change hearts, once people draw near. You and I are living examples of this. We are living proof of verse 10: “The Human One came to seek and save the lost.”

Prayer: Lord God, we are grateful for our rescue. Thank you for calling us near, for changing our hearts, for empowering us to be people of generosity and reconciliation. Use us today to model these things when called upon. Guide us to live out our faith in ways that lead others to hear your call. Amen.


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A Long Line

Reading: Ephesians 1:11-23

Ephesians 1:13 – “You too heard the word of truth in Christ, which is the good news of your salvation.”

Photo credit: Anne Nygard

Paul first reminds us in today’s passage that we who believe have “received an inheritance in Christ.” Paul sees this outcome as a part of God’s plan for all people. If God were to have God’s way, all people would be disciples of Jesus Christ. That is God’s plan for all people as we are created in the womb. But we do have a choice in the outcome. Sometimes people choose to live by their own way and not God’s way.

For those who have chosen God’s way, choosing to follow Christ, we are called to bring God glory through the living out of our faith. We do this by living as Christ lived. In this living we take our place in a long line of disciples who have shared the faith with others. On this All Saints’ Day we recall those who have lived as Christ, teaching and modeling for us what living a life of faith looks and feels like. In turn, we teach it to and we model it for others – in our homes, in our church, in our workplace, in our community…

We can do so because we have “heard the word of truth in Christ, which is the good news of your salvation.” Accepting this good news we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. Paul describes this constant presence of the Spirit as a “down payment on our inheritance.” This is a foretaste of being in glory in eternity. The Spirit in us keeps us connected to God. Deposited in our hearts, we are empowered by God. Through this power at work in and through us, we can pass on the faith to others, to the next generation of saints. May it be so!

Prayer: Lord God, today we pray for one another as Paul prayed for the church in Ephesus. Lord, give us “a spirit of wisdom” so that we can know you more and more. Open the “eyes of our heart” so that we can live out the hope that we find in Christ Jesus. Lead us to spiritually kneel before Christ, the head of all things. Amen.


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Worthy in His Power

Reading: 2nd Thessalonians 1:11-12

2nd Thessalonians 1:11 – “We are constantly praying for you for…”

Turning to our second part of this week’s passage from 2nd Thessalonians 1, we read Paul’s prayer for these model churches. For Paul, this is like the many prayers that we lift up each day. As an example, every morning I pray for my whole family, each by name. Paul’s prayers for these churches are like our prayers in another way: he prays for specific things.

Paul first prays that “our God will make you worthy of his calling.” In these faithful and enduring churches, each person has been called by God to follow Jesus. Without God’s call being felt in their hearts or heard in their spirits, they would still be wandering in the darkness of this world. Without this call they would be lost in their sin. All who come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ have received this call from God. At one point we each heard or felt the call and responded by committing to walk in a personal relationship with Jesus.

Next Paul prays that God will “accomplish every good desire and faithful work by his power.” Paul reminds the believers in these churches (and us today) that these things will be accomplished only by and through God’s power. It is not by our power that we move a mountain or comfort a grieving neighbor.

When we live lives that are worthy of the call of God, it is then that Christ is honored, as Paul prays. Note that Paul adds a second honoring: “you will be honored by him.” Christ living in us will honor our faithful walk, bringing us hope, joy, peace, strength, courage… May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, we submit to your will and way, to your presence and power. In humility we ask that you would lead and guide us to live faithfully this day, seeking all that you desire for us and for our world. Bless our works towards this goal, empowering us to share the good news with those who don’t yet know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Amen.


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Marks of Faithful Discipleship

Reading: 2nd Thessalonians 1:1-4

2nd Thessalonians 1:3 – “Brothers and sisters, we must always thank God for you.”

2nd Thessalonians is Paul’s second letter to the churches in and around Thessalonica, a city in what is now Greece. This second letter is not Paul’s second interaction with these believers. Paul visited here on his second missionary journey, likely establishing these churches. He returned on his third journey, likely bringing encouragement and more teaching. Paul’s letters were continuing education and encouragement. It is believed that this second letter is written in response to a letter from these churches. Amidst the persecution that has ramped up, they seek assurance and more encouragement in their battle against fear and doubt.

Paul opens the letter in typical fashion, with a greeting followed by a blessing. The blessing is also a reminder: grace and peace are already yours. These gifts from God and Jesus will remain present in their communities of faith as long as Jesus remains their focus, their centering presence. Next Paul writes, “Brothers and sisters, we must always thank God for you.” Although struggling under some heavy persecution, these churches remain models for other Christian communities. Paul wants to elevate and celebrate their faithfulness and love.

In verses 3 and 4 Paul lifts up three ways that these churches are living out their faith. First, their faithfulness is “growing by leaps and bounds.” They are maturing in faith, growing closer to Christ. Second, their love for one another is increasing. They are becoming more intimately connected. And third, they are faithfully enduring the “harassments and trouble.” As the world beats against their faith, their are holding fast to their faith as they stand firmly on the rock of Jesus Christ. These three markers identify faithful discipleship. May these be the daily marks of our lives too!

Prayer: Lord God, in this world we will have trouble. In this walk of faith, it will get difficult. Challenges will arise. Doubt and fear will creep in. By the power of your Holy Spirit in us, lifted by your grace and peace, strengthen and encourage our daily walk with you. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.