pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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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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Narrow and High

Reading: Luke 13-14

Luke 13:24 – “Make every effort to enter through the narrow gate. Many, I tell you, will try to enter and won’t be able to.”

Today we largely center on Jesus’ call to “change your hearts and lives.” He begins by describing God’s patience. An owner wants to cut down an unproductive fig tree. The gardener asks for one more year – to tend to and fertilize the tree. The tree might produce fruit the next year. Faith is like a mustard seed or some yeast. It grows or spreads almost without notice. Patience is required. Yet the walk of faith is not easy or for the half-hearted. In 13:24 Jesus says, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow gate. Many, I tell you, will try to enter and won’t be able to.” Then, in 14:33, he adds, “None of you who are unwilling to give up all your possessions can be my disciple.” The gate is narrow because the requirement is hard. God must be #1 in all aspects of our life.

Twice Jesus demonstrates that love and compassion trump the rules established by man. He heals two people in the Sabbath. We too will be asked to disregard man-made rules or expectations at times if we are to keep God #1 in our life. This “cost” – like the tower project – is necessary to keep in mind as one chooses Jesus as Lord and Savior and as one continues to walk as his disciple.

Jesus drills down on the superficial “faith” of the religious leaders. They jostle for the best seats at the table. Jesus preaches humility. They invite people just like themselves to their own parties. Jesus preaches inviting the lost and broken. Jesus laments over those who refuse to come to him. The hand, the invitation, it is always open, always extended. Until the door is closed. At that point our fate is decided.

Yes, the road is narrow and the expectation or requirement is high. For those who carry their cross daily, keeping God as their only priority, “Happy are those who will feast in God’s kingdom.” This is true now and in the kingdom to come. May it all be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, what do you require of us? It’s simple: keep you as the only occupant of the throne of our hearts. It’s also very difficult: keep you as the only occupant of the throne of our hearts. Lord, guide and encourage us daily as we seek to walk “the narrow way.” It is only possible with your presence. Amen.


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Sunday Afternoon

Reading: John 20:19-20

Verse 19: “Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!'”

Photo credit: Milo Weiler

Our passage takes place on the first Easter Sunday. Friday and Saturday had been exceedingly hard days – the betrayal, arrest, trials, and crucifixion of their Lord, Jesus Christ. Then the long period of waiting – part grief and pain, part fear and confusion. Then, on the third day, news of resurrection. Peter and John saw the empty tomb. Mary Magdalene saw the risen Lord and she brings the disciples this good news. That was at sunrise. It is now evening. Imagine the emotions – hope and yet fear, joy and yet doubt. It is on this evening, with the disciples still hiding behind closed doors, that Jesus comes to them and says, “Peace be with you!” He offers proof, showing them the scars of crucifixion. It is all true: what Jesus said about rising in 3 days, what Mary Magdalene has said. All true! The disciples are overjoyed.

What is it that has you behind closed doors? What is it that is creating strong emotions in you? Life has a way of bringing us to places and situations where we feel a lot like those disciples felt on Sunday afternoon. Because of his perfect love, Jesus continues to come to us, transcending the doors we hide behind and the walls we build, reaching out those nail-scarred hands. When we need him most, if we will receive him and take that hand, Jesus will say to us, “Peace be with you!” In faith, may we take hold of that hand, allowing his peace and love to surround us.

Prayer: Lord God, in moments when I can cling to self or to other things of this world, help me to reach out and take hold of that hand. Pull me up out of the mire, the water, the chaos, and set my feet up on the rock. Guide me to trust first in you. Amen.


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That Whoever Believes…

Reading: John 3: 1-17

Verse 16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life”.

Nicodemus is a man steeped in religious knowledge. His head is full of a lot of information. He lives mostly in the world of his head, but something is tugging at his heart. That is why he has come to see Jesus. His mind cannot identify the feeling he has but it cannot deny it either. We all have been where Nicodemus is. We want to try and think our way through it, but we cannot. We must experience it by allowing ourselves to feel it. Too often our reaction is to resist or deny or avoid. To go where the Spirit is leading is unknown, out of control, scary – so we do not allow ourselves to go there.

In today’s passage Jesus drives the conversation with Nicodemus. The Pharisee struggles with the idea of being born of the Spirit. Yes, the Old Testament speaks of a prophet who was guided by or even carried by the Spirit. But to be born again? To be born of the Spirit? Being made new and becoming part of God’s family sounds so familiar to our ears. But consider Nicodemus’ context for a moment. He was a part of Judaism since birth. There was no need for rebirth – you were born into the Jewish faith. No outreach or evangelism branch exists in the temple. The circle was closed. Converting to Judaism is a much more modern phenomena. In Nicodemus’ day one was either born a Jew or one was a Gentile. To be born again, into the family of God, just would not fit their context.

So Jesus shifts gears. He sees this is too big a step for Nicodemus to take at once. So he plants a seed. In verse fourteen Jesus connects what Moses offered in the desert to what he will offer from the cross. Nicodemus does not get it yet. But he will one day. In the desert Moses offered relief from the consequences of their sin. Look up at the snake and be saved from this sin. Jesus tells Nicodemus that he will also be lifted up, not just to atone for one sin but for all sins. He tells him that all who look in faith to Jesus can have eternal life. Jesus sums up his mission in verses sixteen and seventeen. Out of love Jesus came to save us from sin and death. All who believe in him as Lord and Savior will receive the gift of eternal life. Jesus shares that he did not come to condemn the world but to save it. Through Christ, God offers love and mercy, grace and forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life in his presence. This is offered to one and all. Jesus came to save the whole world. In parting he asked all disciples to join him in this task. May we do so each and every day.

Prayer: Loving God, as I enter the day, may I be light and love in the places I dwell. May I be the light that shines the focus on your Son, my Savior, Jesus Christ. To you be the glory! Amen.


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How Long?

Reading: Isaiah 6: 9-13

Verse 10: “Make the hearts of this people caloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes”.

Isaiah hears God’s call upon his life and responds enthusiastically, “Here I am. Send me”! He is eager to serve God. When I think back to my call to ministry, I was not quite so responsive. It took much longer to say “yes” to the call. But God was persistent and step by step He worked me around to saying yes. I think the process that I went through is generally true for most folks. God calls each of us to service; the response is up to us.

Right out of the gate, the eager Isaiah hears that his call will be an uphill battle. God sends Isaiah to tell the people to hear but not understand, to see but not to perceive. The message to repent and turn back to God’s ways will go in one ear and out the other. In verse 10 we read, “Make the hearts of this people caloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes”. Hard hearts, dull ears, closed eyes. Does not sound like a great audience to work with. The eager Isaiah must wonder why he is being called. If his ministry will make no difference, why go?

At times we can feel this way too. We can reach out to people and share the good news with them, but we experience what Isaiah experienced – hard hearts, closed minds. At times we will question why we are sent to such people. At times we too will ask, “For how long, O Lord”? How long should we keep inviting so and so to church? How long should I keep talking about my faith with him or her?

God answers Isaiah with something that reflects God’s timing and the fact that God is in control. God says, “the holy seed will be a stump in the land”. In other words, there is something there, not quite dead as it may appear, but dormant. When God decides the timing is right, God will bring forth a shoot – new life.

When we share our faith with others, through our words or actions, it may feel as if nothing is changing or that we are not making a difference. Yet, even then we are planting seeds. They may seem to lie in infertile ground or on hard soil, but they are seeds nonetheless. We plant faithfully, trusting God to one day bring those seeds to life as faith springs up in that new believer.

The same question can also be asked of us – how long? How long will we serve the Lord? May our answer be the same as Isaiah’s – all the days of our lives.

Prayer: Lord, give me the perseverance to always plant seeds of faith. Show me the words or actions that I need to say or take today to plant a few seeds in someone’s heart. Amen.


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All Nations, All Peoples

Reading: Luke 4: 21-30

Verse 23: “Surely you will quote me this Proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’. Do here in your hometown…”

It is likely that almost everyone in the synagogue in Nazareth knew Jesus – many since He was a baby or since He was a small boy. As He claims that He fulfills the prophecy from Isaiah 61, many in the crowd think or say, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son”? Isn’t Jesus just the carpenter’s boy? Hearing or sensing this, Jesus says, “Surely you will quote me this Proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’. Do here in your hometown…”. It is hard to be at home as something or someone different than you were just a few months before. The crowd, who are hanging in the balance, want to see someone new, someone who has made good. To know it is true, they want to see a sign, a miracle. They want proof for who Jesus is claiming to be.

Perhaps the words from Jeremiah 1 – the words that we have been looking at the past two days – began to ring in Jesus’ ears. Maybe Jesus hears God reminding Him of who He was created to be. Jesus knows the plans that God has for Him. Perhaps this is what keeps Jesus from offering a sign at this moment. Pretty fresh off of the temptations in the wilderness, perhaps Satan returns with a fury, egging Jesus on to ‘just do it’. Satan would delight in Jesus using His power for the wrong reasons – to bring Himself glory. But Jesus resists all of this.

Instead, Jesus chooses to redefine their understanding of God and faith. To His audience, who are part of the chosen people, Jesus shares two stories that illustrate that God is bigger than Israel’s God. In reminding them that God rescued a foreign widow’s son fro death and healed a Syrian army commander of leprosy, Jesus is saying that it is not all about Israel. The idea that God’s love extends beyond them, beyond the people who keep the circle tightly closed, beyond the people who look down upon all outside of Israel as Gentiles, this was too much.

Yet we know it is not too much. To go just to Zarephath or to heal just an outsider who wanders in is not enough. Jesus called us to go to the ends of the earth, to make disciples of all nations, if all peoples. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord, may I live into Jesus’ vision of the kingdom here on earth. It is a kingdom that includes all people. May I see all as a part of your family, especially those who have trouble seeing it themselves. Guide me to help others to become someone who walks in the light and love of Jesus. Amen.