pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: culture


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Living as Immigrants and Strangers

Reading: 1st Peter 1-2

1st Peter 1:3 – “On account of his vast mercy, he has given us a new birth… born anew into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Written by the apostle Peter, 1st Peter was originally written to house churches scattered across the Roman empire. They were experiencing conflict and persecution because their faith often ran counter to the norms of the culture. Peter encourages the believers to persevere, even in their suffering. Luke Christ, through this they too will accomplish their mission to witness to God’s love and mercy.

Peter begins his letter with a wonderful statement of faith: “On account of his vast mercy, he has given us a new birth… born anew into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” This living hope is our inheritance, “kept safe in heaven.” He calls these in diaspora to rejoice in this hope, even if distressed now by these trials. Their “genuine faith” in the one they’ve never seen yet love and trust will result in their “praise, glory, and honor” one day. Instead of being conformed to their former desires, Peter declares, “You must be Holy in every aspect of your lives, just as the one who called you is holy.” Be like Jesus, the one who liberated you by his blood.

Peter calls the faithful to “set yourselves apart” because they’ve been given this new birth. According to John Wesley, this new birth was “the commitment to a daily journey of intentional, painful, and sacrificial work of character formation.” This echoes Christ’s call to die to self – again and again and again… This results in believers becoming “living stones… a royal priesthood.” Built upon the capstone that others stumble over, believers have become “God’s possession.” As such, living as “immigrants and strangers,” Peter urges them to avoid worldly desires and to live faithfully, even in suffering. Endure in faith, just like Christ. Be healed by his wounds and walk with “the shepherd and guardian of your lives.” May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your love and mercy, that which calls us to your living hope, Jesus Christ. In the highs and lows, in the trials and in the joys, build up in us a genuine faith and an endurance that yields fruit for your kingdom. Empower us to be conformed into the image and example of Christ. Equip us to walk faithfully, inviting others to join us on the journey to salvation. Amen.


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Accountability

Reading: Romans 14:1-12

Verse 10: “You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt?”

Photo credit: Ditto Bowo

Our Epistle reading begins with the directive to accept others without passing judgment. I’m not sure if the first or second is harder to adhere to. Maybe both are an equal struggle as they are so closely related. This seemed to be the case for the church in Rome. It remains a big struggle in many of our churches today.

In what Paul terms “disputable matters” these Christians are struggling to allow for understandings and practices that are different from their own. The Gentile Christians thought their faith was “stronger” because they didn’t have to follow all of these rules to maintain their relationship with Jesus. Thus, they viewed the Jewish Christians as “weak.” The Jews, for example, only ate vegetables as a way to keep the Jewish food purity laws concerning meat. It was hard to find meat that they were sure was kosher in that pagan culture of Rome. The Gentile believers saw this as a weakness of faith because they themselves could eat anything and still be right with God.

Paul reminds all of those in the church that “none of us lives to himself [or herself] alone.” Instead, he insists, “we belong to the Lord” – both in life and in death. With these truths in mind, Paul then asks these two pointed questions: “You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt?” He reminds us that if Jesus submitted to the point of death on a cross, then we should submit to unity in spite of minor differences in understanding and practice. He closes with a sober reminder: one day we will all come before the judgment seat. May our accounting of how we treated our brothers and sisters in Christ bring glory to God.

Prayer: Lord God, it’s so easy to slip into judging and looking down on others. It’s an area of weakness for me. Jesus set the example – engaging others as equal, worthy, beloved, valued. Build up my inner being and remove my weakness so that I can better live like Jesus. Amen.


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Two Choices

Reading: Romans 4:1-5 and 13-17

Verse 13: “It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise… but through the righteousness that comes by faith.”

Photo credit: Einar Storsul

Paul was born into the Jewish faith. He studied the scriptures, especially the Law, and rose to prominence in the Pharisees, a religious order that focused on strict adherence to the Law. As a Jew, he was thoroughly versed in the life of Abraham. Paul writes this letter to the church in Rome – many of the people likely without any of this background, yet some very connected to Judaism. So why does Paul choose to go all the way back to Abraham as the point to connect non-Jewish Christians to Christian Jews into one faith in Jesus Christ?

There is a 2-part answer, although the two are very connected. First, the one who held the Law above all else in his religion has come to know the saving power of Jesus Christ through faith alone. Paul now knows that faith is all about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He himself experienced the power of unconditional love, undeserved grace, and unlimited mercy. Second, Abraham was credited as being righteous – of living in right relationship with God – because of his faith and trust in God in a time when the Law did not yet exist. Like Paul, Abraham did nothing to receive the blessing of faith – it was by God’s grace alone.

This simple concept of grace invites anyone and everyone into a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is freely and generously available to all people. Some people struggle to accept it or to believe it because the idea of receiving something free and undeserved runs counter to our cultural norms. We measure success in our culture by what we do and by how much we accumulate. By contrast, in God’s kingdom “success” is measured by whose we are and by how we reflect that and by what we give to others. If we are focused on keeping a set of rules and on achieving certain expectations, then we are tied to this world. If we are focused on being a disciple of Jesus Christ and on living out his example of love, mercy, grace, compassion, forgiveness, and generosity, then we are tied to the kingdom of God. As you reflect on these two choices, where are you this day?

Prayer: Lord God, your grace, love – well, everything really – is a free gift to me. All are undeserved yet you give all freely and abundantly. May my grateful response be to do the same. May it be so. Amen.


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Witness to Love

Reading: John 13:21-32

Verse 21: “I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.”

In today’s reading from John we see Jesus identifying his betrayer. Speaking of Judas Iscariot he says, “I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.” A few verses later Jesus gives him a piece of bread dipped in the dish to identify which of the 12 will betray him. Imagine how Jesus felt to know that one of the 12 who have spent three years with him, seeing the miracles, hearing the teachings, would betray him.

In reality, though, it’s not hard to imagine how Jesus felt. We’ve all felt the sting of rejection, the pain of a friend’s hurtful words or actions, the hurt of being betrayed by friends or family. Living in a selfish and lustful time, these different experiences are all too common. Adding on are our polarization of almost all things and the accompanying “cancel culture.” To identify with, to feel what Jesus felt in today’s passage – all too common.

What is our response? What is our Christian witness to this current culture? Let us also look to today’s passage to find our answers. Jesus does not exclude Judas. He does not berate him and banish him from the group. It’s just the opposite. Taking in the whole gospel account we see Jesus including Judas in the foot washing and in the first communion. What a witness to loving those who hurt us, to including even those who seek to harm us.

Yes, there is a point when personal safety or other factors do merit ending a relationship. But in today’s world we tend to make this decision when that point is still a long way off. It’s the easy way out. May we choose Jesus’ witness instead. When we are hurt, rejected, even betrayed, may we extend an invitation to the table. May we offer grace and may we seek to be peacemakers and people of reconciliation. Doing so we will witness to the one who loves without condition, to the one who desires community with all. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, move me past my hurts and sensitivities to love and be more like Jesus. Amen.


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For Our Children

Reading: Isaiah 43: 1-7

Verses 5-6: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will gather your children from the east… west… north… south.”

In our time in Isaiah 43 yesterday we were reminded that each child of God is loved and that God is with us in and through all this life brings. That personal focus turns a bit wider today. In verses 5 and 6 we read, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will gather your children from the east… west… north… south.”

For most of us, we baptized our children at a young age. We and our communities of faith promised to provide an example of faith and to raise our children up to one day claim faith for themselves. The child was marked with the promised seal of the Holy Spirit. Many of our children were confirmed, claiming this faith of their parent(s) and church for themselves. Along the way our culture and society taught them to compete, to excel, to be independent, to focus on self. These inwardly focused norms run against the faith norms of humble service and loving God and others more than self. As we watch this struggle take shape within our children as they become young adults, we hope and pray that the Holy Spirit continues to work in and through their lives. We hope and pray that those seeds of faith will sprout, renewing their faith in the Lord as they navigate life.

We do not hope and pray alone. Jesus continues to intercede for our children. The Holy Spirit continues to be that still, small voice in their hearts. God yearns to “bring back my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth.” We continue to be examples of faith, living as ones called by God’s name. May we ever hope and pray for our children, for God’s children, for these “formed and made” in the image of our loving God.

Prayer: Lord God, draw back all your sons and daughters. Use us as living examples of humble service and faithful love, bringing back our children and your children, all for the glory of your name. Amen.


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Sabbath

Reading: John 6: 14-15

Verse 15: “Jesus… withdrew again to a mountain by himself”.

Photo credit: David Marcu

In today’s short passage – two verses – we see the world causing Jesus to withdraw. After feeding the 5,000 the people realize the power of Jesus and some are thinking of trying to make him king. Jesus’ power is not for political/military purposes. So Jesus distances himself from the crowd to diffuse the situation. He creates some time of Sabbath – holy and sacred time to connect to God, to find renewal and rest.

It is no coincidence that I read these verses today. Tomorrow I begin a week long retreat that focuses on Sabbath and on caring well for the whole self – physical, spiritual, emotional, financial, and relational. The conference that I am in offers the retreat to pastors once every eight years. My cohort group has been meeting once a month via Zoom to learn more about Sabbath and to get to know one another a little before we spend a week together at a local monestary.

I, probably like many of you, am a bit driven and performance oriented. I don’t sit still well. It is the way of our culture, of our world. Today’s passage reminds us that at times we must withdraw or unplug from the things of this world in order to recenter ourselves on the things of God. Jesus carved out some time to draw close to God, to be renewed by God’s love. May we each do so as well.

Prayer: Lord God, on the edge of these days set apart I so look forward to time alone with you and to learning more about caring well for my whole self. I am so grateful for this opportunity. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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Hope Eternal

Reading: 2nd Corinthians 4:13 – 5:1

Verse 16: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day”.

Photo credit: Aron Visuals

Paul begins our passage for today and tomorrow reminding us that because we believe in eternal life, we must speak of it. As ones who believe that God raised Jesus Christ from the grave, we also believe that we too will be raised. For Paul, we are to speak about this belief so that God’s grace may reach more and more people. As more and more people come to believe, God’s thanksgiving overflows.

These are important words to believe and to speak for our time and culture. Our post-Christian culture sees death as the enemy and goes to extraordinary means to stave it off. There is a pervading fear of death in our society. Even though our reality is that each day we are one day closer to our death, human beings will do much to try and thwart, to counter, to deny this reality. While even those who believe love life and want to have a long, good life, we do not fear death nor do we fight it’s coming when it is our time. We know a deeper truth in all of this. Paul writes of it in verse sixteen: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day”. Hope. Our hope is founded on our belief in resurrection, in eternal life. There is more – much more – yet to come. And what will come is more wonderful – much more wonderful – than the best that the world has to offer.

Paul knows that this earthly tent, this body, is wasting away. It becomes more and more true for all who live into old age. Yet. Yet God remains at work in us to the very end, making us new every day, growing and developing the part of us that speaks what we believe, the part that overcomes and moves beyond this temporary world. As we live to the full today, may our lives speak of the hope eternal that grows in us day by day.

Prayer: Loving God, you renew me day by day, bringing me closer to your love. May my thanksgiving overflow into the lives of all I meet today. Amen.


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Discipleship

Reading: Mark 11: 1-7

Verse 7: “When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it”.

Photo credit: Juan Gomez

Our passage for today opens with an act of discipleship. In the literal sense Jesus instructs two disciples to go and do something for him. The two are instructed to go and get a colt for Jesus. They are told to enter the village ahead, there they will find a colt. They are to untie it and, if anyone asks, to tell the people that Jesus needs it. And, yes, don’t worry – we’ll return it when we’re done with it. They are not borrowing a cup of flour from the neighbor. Culture must have been much different back then.

Up to this point in Jesus’ ministry his popularity has risen and fallen. Many were initially attracted to the miracles but the more he spoke of the cost of discipleship, the more the crowd thinned. Yet his name was known. In whose name could we go today to commandeer a car or even a bike? Who among us would be so daring to even attempt such a thing? We would be so full of doubt and questioning. But what of these two disciples?

The disciples do as Jesus says. They find the colt just as he said they would. They answer the question that Jesus said might be asked just as Jesus told them to. And they return to Jesus with the colt that “no one has ever ridden”. What impression or effect did this act of faith have on these two disciples? How did this shape their faith moving forward? Verse seven tells us, “When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it”. Seeing Jesus there, assuming a place and position new for him, how did they see their role?

At times the Holy Spirit calls us to action. It whispers or nudges us to an action or to speak words. We too often ask, “Say what?” or “Do what?” How would our faith and our lives be different if we simply did as these two disciples did? Where would our faith take us if we truly lived with Jesus Christ as the Lord of our life?

Prayer: Lord God, your call is persistent, your love is unchanging. In those moments when I begin to question, when I try to hesitate long enough for the opportunity to pass, spur me to action. When I fail to respond immediately, well up in me a quick compassion and an unquenchable love for those you place before me. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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Consumed with Light

Reading: 2nd Corinthians 4: 3-6

Verse 6: “God made… his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”.

Photo credit: Karen Alsop

Paul writes today about the reality that not all people will understand the gospel. To some the message of the “good news” is veiled. For Paul, the lost, or those without faith in Jesus Christ, are “perishing” – doomed to an unpleasant eternity. Paul recognizes that those without Christ have been “blinded” by the gods of this world. These gods remain a barrier or a stumbling block to many people today. The love of money, power, status, recognition, popularity, privilege and other worldly things prevent people from “seeing the light of the gospel”. One does not have to look very hard to find folks who are like this. They are focused only on self and the gods of this world. Their focus is inward and upward, personally and socially.

For Paul, the focus was also inward and upward. But the inward focused on knowing the Lord Jesus Christ and the upward focused on bringing God the glory. Paul had always called others to Jesus Christ. In his humble and confident manner Paul preached the good news of Jesus Christ to lots of people. Some have allowed the light and love of God to shine into the darkness and selfishness of their hearts. Others have been blinded, the gospel remained veiled. Like Paul, we encounter both types of people as we live out our faith, “preaching” in whatever way we can, sometimes with words.

For those who choose Jesus as Lord and Savior, we know the truth of verse six: “God made… his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”. The light that God shines into our hearts reveals the glory of God as demonstrated in the life and witness of Jesus Christ. Jesus, like us, lived in this world. His world certainly had its share of brokenness, marginalization, injustice, oppression… Jesus spent his years in ministry bringing healing and welcome, justice and compassion. Doing so he built community and he fostered a culture of other over self. Love was the core value of this community and its culture. Paul lived each day as a servant to the gospel “for Jesus’ sake”. Paul was consumed with sharing Jesus with all he met, whether by words or actions or simply by the way he lived his life. May we be consumed in the same way.

Prayer: Light of the world, illumine my heart today with the light of your love and grace. Allow that light to open my eyes to the places and people and circumstances that need to know and walk in your light and love. Guide my words, actions, and life to reveal Jesus to others. Amen.


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Is God the Focus?

Reading: 1st Corinthians 7: 29-31

Verses 29 and 31: “…the time is short… For this world in its present form is passing away”.

Paul writes today of the constant tension that Christians have and always will live in. Our passage today begins with “What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short”. Here Paul is first thinking in terms of Jesus’ return. The first believers believed that his return was imminent. Paul is also thinking of our time here on earth. Our lives, even if we live into our eighties or nineties, is but a mist compared to eternity. Under both of these arguments, Paul is calling the Corinthians and all believers to really focus in on what matters most during our lives so that our eternity is spent in heaven with God.

In the body of this passage Paul tells his readers not to focus on family or on happiness or mourning or on the things we own. He warns us not to become too “engrossed” with the things of this world – status, wealth, titles, popularity… As folks who live in this day and age, we know the lures of this world quite well. Society and culture elevates these very things that Paul warns about as the meaning and purpose of life. Society and culture seek to tie our value and our identity and our “success” to what we own and to the power we have because of our title or position or wealth. According to Paul, all of these things are not to be our focus. He sums up our passage and his argument with these words: “For this world in its present form is passing away”. One day all of this will be no more. One day a new heaven and earth will be the reality. My house, my car, my bank account, my job, my titles, my accomplishments – all will be no more. And if I die before Jesus returns, I will not keep or take any of these things with me. They do not matter.

Paul reminds us today to focus on God as our first love, as our main connection, as the focal point in this life. The wisdom of the ages has taught us that where we spend our time and our money truly reveals what is most important to us. As you consider your allocation of these resources, do they reveal God as your focus? Is God your priority?

Prayer: Lord God, while I begin my day in time with you and while I “work” at a church, too often I am concerned with the things of this world. Draw me away from these concerns and desires and pull me deeper into love with you. Delve into my heart, be my all in all. Amen.