pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: cost


by Leave a comment

Crosses of Love

Reading: Matthew 10:32-39

Matthew 10:38 – “Those who don’t pick up their crosses and follow me aren’t worthy of me.”

In the second half of this week’s gospel lesson, Jesus is addressing our public witness. Verses 32-33 offer an invitation of sorts: reflect Jesus out into the world, be welcomed one day into heaven. If one chooses not to accept the invitation to reflect Jesus to the world, then one will be denied a place in heaven. Jesus is reminding us how important it is that our faith is evident in all that we say, do, and think – everywhere, all the time.

Verses 34-39 reveal the challenges, the cost, and the difficulty of living a life fully committed to following Jesus. Acknowledging the battle between the ways of the Lord and the ways of the world, we’re reminded that Jesus did not come just to bring peace. The full commitment to Jesus requires that we love Jesus more than anything – more than family, more than self. The second is being addressed when Jesus says, “Those who don’t pick up their crosses and follow me aren’t worthy of me.” Our crosses are to be like the cross that Jesus died upon. He died for a purpose: to defeat the power of sin – all that holds us captive, all that keeps us from fully loving God and neighbor.

Today we celebrate a holiday. 161 years ago the last slaves in the US were freed. That unjust system was officially brought to an end. Many bore crosses of love in the fight to end slavery. People of faith led the way in this fight. Today there are many unjust systems that our faith calls us to fight against. The social justice issues of our day include racism, poverty, homelessness, unequal access to education and healthcare – just to name a few. The way of Jesus is centered on love – loving God and neighbor more than self. What cross of love are you feeling led to carry on behalf of those Jesus loves?

Prayer: Lord God, as we celebrate the steps taken many years ago to end an unjust, oppressive system, open our eyes and hearts to the unjust systems that are in practice today. Spark in us a love for the other that emboldens us to stand, to speak, to fight for and alongside the voiceless, the powerless, the suffering. Bearing that cross of love, may all come to experience life abundant in this world. Amen.


by Leave a comment

What If?

Reading: Matthew 9:18-26

Matthew 9:16 and 21 – “My daughter has just died. But come and… If I only touch his robe…”

In Matthew 9 we find two “what if?” stories. They are similar to Abram’s story: What if I follow where God is calling me to go? In reality, Abram did have a bit more to go on. God has spoken to him, promised to show the way, told him there would be blessing in the going. For the ruler and the woman, they’d likely heard that this Jesus was healing people. In a moment of need, their thoughts were something along this line: What if the stories are really true?

In Mark 5 and in Luke 8 we find more detailed versions of this story. The ruler is named Jairus. His daughter has died. In Matthew he says to Jesus, “But if you come and place your hand on her…” The woman, unnamed in all three gospels, has had a bleeding problem for many, many years. She thinks to herself, “If I only touch his robe…” Both of these stories are about hoping against hope, about taking a desperate leap of faith.

I think that in both cases, if either would have told others what they were going to do, there would’ve been ridiculed or worse. It might’ve been the same for Abram when he announced that he was leaving. And it might be the same for you or for me when we are willing to put all of our hope in the Lord. In the gospel, Jesus did come and lay a hand on Jairus’ daughter. She lived again. The woman did touch Jesus’ robe. She was healed. What if we were to follow the nudge, to hope against hope, to take a big step of faith?

Prayer: Lord God, the same question – what if? – can look large in our lives at times. We ask ourselves the same questions: Can I trust this to you? Can I take this risk, this big step? In these moments, O God, whisper into our hearts, speak into our fears, fill us with your guidance and direction. Lead and guide us to follow faithfully, no matter the risk, no matter the cost. Just like Jesus. Amen.


by Leave a comment

What If?

Reading: 1st Peter 3:13-17

1st Peter 3:15b – “Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it.”

For most of my years as a Christian I have not suffered for my faith. There have been moments, here and there, and a really hard period a few years ago when I could maybe use the term “suffer.” But that has changed a bit recently. In our country, the word “Christian” has been claimed by some that do not look or sound like followers of Christ most of the time. The choice to name this and to push back against it has come with a cost. Now, this is absolutely nothing compared to what Peter and his contemporaries faced. It is extremely minor when set beside what happens today to Christians in a handful of places around the world, where people literally die for their faith in Jesus.

So as we read and consider Peter’s words of hope and encouragement today and tomorrow, we know that his audience and many today read these words much differently than we do. Even so, Peter and other followers of Jesus held and hold an attitude of “happiness” when they suffered for their faith. They were and are being counted as worthy of Jesus’ example. Verbal confrontations and physical threats were common. When Peter writes, “Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it,” this was everyday advice. Imagine if we lived out our faith in real life in such a way that this was an everyday occurrence for us as well. What if we lived our faith with such holiness and righteousness, with a “good lifestyle in Christ,” so that people regularly asked us to speak of the hope that we have in Jesus Christ? What if?

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the moments when we do get a chance to share of the hope that we have in you. Lord, open our eyes and hearts to the opportunities you give us every day to spread your love and to share the good news. Inspire and empower us to live in ways that increase our opportunities to speak of our hope. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Called, Guided, Protected

Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9

Isaiah 50:9a – “Look! The Lord God will help me.”

Turning to Isaiah 50, the prophet describes his work. This section is subtitled “The faithful servant.” As we read these words they are both a description of Isaiah’s ministry and a reminder of who and what we are called to do and be as disciples. This passage is known as the “Third Servant Song.” These three songs all connect to Jesus in the Christian tradition, adding to our call to live out and to share God’s word.

In our passage today the faithful servant begins the day with God. During what we might call “quiet time with God,” the prophet receives God’s word and guidance on how to apply and share it. While this early morning option is my preference too, God is present and available 24/7, ready and willing to “open our ear” anytime and anyplace.

Verses 6-8 reveal the “cost of discipleship.” The prophet experiences attackers and those who insult him and even spit in his face. The word of God is not always well-received. With trust in God – “Look! The Lord God will help me” – Isaiah remained true to his calling. He was determined and unafraid. He knew that the one who “will declare me innocent” was right by his side. This belief and trust allowed and empowered him to walk forward in faith.

If we are being faithful to God’s call upon our lives, we too will likely face rejection and perhaps abuse. It can be tempting to be quiet or to turn from our task. In those moments of temptation, may we first remember that God calls us to witness to our faith. Second, may we remember that God goes with us too, our ever-present guide and protector. May we go forward in faith this day and every day, proclaiming God’s kingdom here on earth.

Prayer: Lord God, each day, as we come to you, fill us with your word, your wisdom, your guidance and direction. As we seek to minister to the world, encourage and strengthen us, especially when we are attacked and rejected. Lead and guide us to joyfully and willingly count the cost of discipleship, knowing that we are serving and glorifying you. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Three-Fold Faith

Reading: Micah 6:8

Micah 6:8 – “…to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.”

In today’s verse from Micah 6, we find what many call the summary of the Torah or Law of Moses. Others say that this verse is a summary of the good news of Jesus Christ. These three actions seem so simple when taken as spiritual direction. It is when we begin applying this three-fold faith to our lives that we find out how challenging and difficult these three actions are to really live out day by day.

To “do justice” is to live in right relationship with God and with all people. To do so requires us to restore or redeem these relationships when they are damaged or broken. It is fairly easy to do these things with those we love dearly. But to practice justice with our “enemies?” Another prophet calls us to love even these. To “love faithfully” is to maintain and daily live out our commitment to fully love God and to fully love one another. This commitment transcends legal requirements and it goes beyond the place where we begin to experience a cost or to pay a price. A prophet once went to the cross to demonstrate faithful love – loving us to the full when we were yet lost in our sin.

The third part of this three-fold faith is the power that makes it possible to do justice and love faithfully. One must choose to walk humbly each day with God and with one another if one is to meet this challenge. When we place love of self behind love of God and love of neighbor, only then can we walk as Jesus walked. Our world today is so in need of justice, love, and humility. Each day may we strive to be these three actions before God and to the world. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, grant us the courage, the wisdom, and the strength to daily live out this three-fold challenge. Empower us through your Holy Spirit’s presence to live in these ways, bringing hope and peace, love and justice to a world in need. Amen.


by Leave a comment

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.


by Leave a comment

Love – Boldly and Completely

Reading: James 2:1-4

James 2:1 – “My brothers and sisters, when you show favoritism you deny the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Photo credit: Shane

The letter of James focuses on Christian identity – what it means and looks like to live as a believer as a pilgrim in a foreign land. Christians were a very small minority, whether amongst the Jews in Israel or amongst the pagans in the Roman world. The pressures and challenges of living faithfully in these settings were great. The need for close community, unity within that community, and love amongst the brothers and sisters of Christ were all essential for James and for the churches that he wrote to.

For James, Jesus was the model of faithful living. Jesus set the example of love and he redefined who was welcome in the family of God. As we turn to chapter 2, we do so with these things in mind. In verse 1 James writes, “My brothers and sisters, when you show favoritism you deny the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ.” These first few words remind the believers (and us) of their deep familial connections to Jesus and to one another. This impacts how one treats and acts towards others. James continues, condemning the practice of showing favoritism. This practice is counter to Jesus’ example, therefore it is counter to being a part of the family of God and to being a part of a church community.

Treating one who is well off differently than the one who is poor is simply not what Jesus modeled. To give the one in fine clothes a preferential seat while yelling the poor person to go stand far off or to sit at other’s feet – that is becoming an “evil minded judge.” It is allowing stereotypes and prejudices to impact how we practice loving our neighbor. It is wrong in every way. It denies the image of God in the other and in ourselves. All are beloved of God. All are worthy of our love. In thought, word, and action, may we love boldly and completely.

Prayer: Lord God, it can be tempting to show preferential treatment to one person or group. Our humanity is quick to evaluate potential gain and to evaluate potential cost. In the times when we are tempted, remind us of your love for all people, especially for the least of these. With this Holy Spirit reminder, guide us to act faithfully in the way of love. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Don’t Be Afraid

Reading: Matthew 10:26-31

Matthew 10:31 – “Don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”

Photo credit: Saad Chaudhry

Today’s passage begins with “Therefore,” a great connecting word. Jesus has just finished talking to his disciples about standing firm, even though they will be persecuted for their faith. While persecution in this sense is not a true reality for most of us, there are costs to following Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Choosing the path of discipleship means choosing not to live according to the ways of the world. While not usually physical, the costs to being a follower can be felt in other ways – financial, social, political…

Jesus begins by telling us not to be afraid of “those people” – the ones who persecute. We are reminded that in the end, all things will be brought into the open. In the final accounting, good and evil will be sifted. Encouraging us to be bold in our faith, we’re invited to be light in the darkness of our world, announcing our faith “from the rooftops.” Here we are being invited to live a life of faith that all can see and hear.

Returning to the final accounting, Jesus tells us not to fear earthly powers but to fear heavenly powers. This life is temporary. Our “soul” is eternal. Our passage closes with a reminder of our all-powerful, ever-present God’s love. Not a sparrow dies without God knowing it. Each hair on our head is counted. This is Jesus’ personal and intimate way of saying, ‘God’s got you… “Don’t be afraid.” Thank you Lord!

Prayer: Lord God, when we wander towards the bright and shiny tempting things of this world, draw us back to you. Remind us once again of your eternal love – one that will never fade or rust. Guide us to live a transparent and living faith, being truth and love and light in our broken world. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Live “Out Loud”

Reading: Matthew 5:13-16

Matthew 5:13 and 14 – “You are the salt of the earth….You are the light of the world.”

Following the Beatitudes, Jesus turns to this metaphor about living as salt and light. This call to stand out from the world, to live faith in ways that are fully present in the world – they read very differently according to time and context. These words of encouragement, for example, would have been received differently in real time versus in the days right after Jesus’ death or centuries later when the Roman persecution of Christians was really ramping up.

Jesus first declares to all disciples, “You are the salt of the earth.” Salt was essential to life in Jesus’ day. Salt was used to cleanse, to preserve, to seal covenants, to flavor food. A Christian’s faith can function in all of these ways. Faith cleanses away the sin of this world. Faith preserves what really matters: the way of God. It makes our relationships steadfast and unconditional. Faith flavors all areas and aspects of our lives.

Next Jesus declares: “You are the light of the world.” Faith is not to be hidden, but is to be used to light our way and to show others the life that brings glory and honor to God, not to self. As light, faith calls us to illuminate the evils of our world. Our faith is not to be private or secret, but is to “shine before people” and is to “shine on all who are in the house.” The world is our house.

Disciples today are still called to be salt and light. We are still called to live our faith “out loud.” Today that perhaps feels a bit more like it must’ve felt under Roman persecution. It feels like speaking against evil and against the powers of this world might be costly. Yet this personal cost pales in comparison to the social cost of silence in the face of injustice and other evils, both to our faith and to the lives of those being targeted. With this in mind, may we be salt and light to our world in need.

Prayer: Lord God, fill us with your love and mercy, with your grace and strength. Filled, empower us to stand for the marginalized and for those without voice, without power, without place. Build up in each of us a will to love and live as Jesus loved and lived. And, Lord, may it begin with me. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Shining the Light

Reading: Luke 22:39-53

Luke 22:53b – “But this is your time, when darkness rules.”

On the Mount of Olives, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus goes to God in prayer. This was a place Jesus went to regularly. He invites the disciples to pray too, so that they “won’t give in to temptation.” Moving away from them, Jesus prays earnestly, so much so that he sweats profusely and needs angelic strengthening. His prayer reveals both his humanity and his understanding of his purpose. In this hardest moment, Jesus ponders if the “cup of suffering” can be taken away. Then, in obedience, he prays, “not my will but your will must be done.” He returns to the disciples and finds them sleeping, “overcome with grief.”

At times we will struggle or waver. The thing God is asking of us is hard, maybe feels risky, possibly includes a cost. So we teeter. At times we do step forward. Other times we choose the easier way. In our own way we too “sleep,” giving in to the temptation of non-obedience. As we grow in our faith, as we mature, we come to better understand our purpose in the kingdom of God. While we’ll still fail, the frequency lessens.

The story continues as the mob arrives to arrest Jesus. A disciple starts to defend Jesus. He quickly halts the violence, healing the injury, reminding the disciples of who he is and who he is not. Jesus questions the mob – the swords and the clubs. He reminds them of his daily presence in the temple. The implied question is, “Why didn’t you arrest me there?” Jesus answers this unspoken question: “But this is your time, when darkness rules.” In an isolated place, under cover of darkness, Jesus is arrested.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for this look into Jesus’ humanity, into his struggle. In our battles with obedience, remind us of this moment. May we draw upon strength moving forward, upon grace in failure. Encourage us to be people of the light, shining your love and power into the darkness of this world. Amen.