pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: death


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Life in Christ

Reading: Romans 6:12-19

Romans 6:14 – “Sin will have no power over you, because you aren’t under Law but under grace.”

As we turn to Romans 6 today and tomorrow, we read Paul’s arguments about sin and the new life that we find in Christ Jesus. Today’s section begins with this advice: “Don’t let sin rule your body so that you do what it wants.” Here Paul is acknowledging a reality. Sin is always there, always trying to draw us in. Because of this, we must battle every day so that we are not used “as weapons to do wrong.” Instead, Paul encourages us to offer ourselves to God, as people “who have been brought back to life from death” so that we can be used “as weapons to do good” in the world.

Although sin and temptation are powerful, Paul reminds us, “Sin will have no power over you, because you aren’t under Law but under grace.” By the grace made available through Jesus Christ, we are no longer held captive to sin and the guilt and shame that keeps us entangled in our sin and its consequences. As Paul explores our freedom from sin found in Jesus Christ, he lays out the choice we make on a very regular basis. Do we offer ourselves as “slaves of sin,” setting our course towards death? Or do we offer ourselves as “slaves of righteousness,” which leads to holy living? Paul understands that for each of us who seek to follow Jesus, as it was for him, this is a choice made again and again, over and over, many times each day. Each time may we choose life in Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, we face an almost steady stream of temptation. We’re encouraged to just do what feels good, to just sling that verbal barb, to just get more and more for self. We soon enough learn that, as Paul wrote, one sin often leads to another and another. Soon we are enslaved. Lord, we want to choose your will and way. We want to live as children of righteousness. We want to do and be good in this world. O Lord, help us. Only through and with the power of the Holy Spirit inside of us do we stand a chance. Lead and guide us, O God. Strengthen and encourage us. Thank you. Amen.


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Lean into God

Reading: Psalm 13:3-6

Psalm 13:6 – “Yes, I will sing to the Lord because he has been good to me.”

As we continue in Psalm 13 today, verses 3 and 4 sound much like verses 1 and 2 from yesterday’s reading. The “how long?” questions turn to what might happen if the answer to these questions is “never.” If God doesn’t see David’s plight and if God doesn’t answer David’s pleas and if God doesn’t restore his “sight”... then David will surely “sleep the sleep of death.” And his enemies will rejoice! The unstated question in this scenario is this: Ok, God, what good would come from all of this?!

Our human nature can lead us down this road too. Things aren’t going well at all and there is no hope (no God) in sight… Resignation and/or defeat begins to settle in and these emotions emerge in our prayers. We get here when we are “at the end of our rope” or when we’re as low as we can go. We have tried all that we can think of and we’re still at rock bottom. It is then that we often see God as the only way through or our, as our only way up.

It is then that we too remember the many times that God’s faithful love has lifted us up. It is then that we remember that our salvation is secure. The trials are temporary. It is then that our heart declares as David’s heart declared: “Yes, I will sing to the Lord because he has been good to me.” We lean into our God – the God who always loves us, who always provides for us, who always makes a way. Leaning in, we find hope and light. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, it is amazing that you want to be in a relationship with us. We are so fickle, so self-absorbed, so unsteady. But you are just the opposite: unchanging, giving, faithful. Thank you for choosing us, for leading and guiding us. You are an amazing God! Amen.


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Jehovah Jireh

Reading: Genesis 22:9-14

Genesis 22:9b – “Abraham built an altar… arranged the wood… tied up his son Isaac… laid him on the altar…”

Abraham, Isaac, the wood, the knife, and the fire arrive atop the mountain as we continue in Genesis 22. In the rest of verse 9 we read of Abraham’s resolute faith and steadfast obedience: “Abraham built an altar… arranged the wood… tied up his son Isaac… laid him on the altar…” I wonder, was he so faithful and so resolute that all of his emotions were on mute? How else could Abraham will himself through these steps of readying the sacrifice?

As Abraham raises the knife to shed blood and take life, a messenger calls out to him, “Abraham? Abraham?” Was the messenger pulling Abraham back into the reality of this scene? Pausing the action, the messenger acknowledges Abraham’s reverence for God, demonstrated through his willingness to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. Looking up, Abraham sees a ram, ready to be taken and offered as the sacrifice. Jehovah Jireh – the God who provides – “sees to it,” as Abraham told Isaac earlier.

Flashing forward in Israel’s history, to a moment when the plagues have reached their climax in Egypt, again God provided a way. This time the blood of the lamb marked their houses. And, again, the hand of death passed over the firstborn. The Israelites were faithful and obedient to God and God provided. In our walks of faith, the God who provides will be with us as well. Jehovah Jireh will give us the words to say, the actions to take, the resources to meet needs, the strength to stand… Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for these reminders of your faithfulness to us, your children. As we walk with you, you show us the way, you lead and guide, you equip and resource us – all to bear your light and love, your hope and peace to a world in need. Thank you, God. Amen.


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More and More

Reading: Romans 6:1-5

Romans 6:4b – “Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too can walk in newness of life.”

In today’s reading Paul argues that grace transforms our lives. Yes, it is grace that leads to the forgiveness of sins. Some in the Roman church, however, have argued that more sinning equals more grace, so sin away! In response to this idea, Paul writes, “Absolutely not!” In fact, Paul adds, it should be just the opposite because “All of us died to sin.” When we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we commit to live as he lived. This leads to a death to sinning. But the reality is that this is not a final death. Yes, as we walk with Christ, we mature in our faith. Yet the reality is always this: we sin less as we grow in Christ, but we are never sinless.

The process of dying to sin is an ongoing process. As we mature, we come to realize that this thing we’ve always done, well, it is in fact sin. It never felt like it before, but suddenly we realize that is. And then we must die to that thing, letting go of a part of ourselves. We then walk a little closer to Christ. The good news is that we can do this again and again. Paul emphasizes the ongoing nature of this process in verse 4, where he writes, “Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too can walk in newness of life.” Dying to sin, again and again, we will be raised to new life over and over.

There is a transformation, a healing, that occurs in our soul when we are forgiven and made new. As we are made more and more like Christ, we gradually learn to let go of the guilt and shame of our sin. We learn to trust God’s love and grace more and more. And as we repeat the process, sinning less, growing in Christ, we learn to love and extend grace to others more and more. Doing so, we better reflect Jesus’ light and love to the world, drawing others to the goodness of God. Day by day, may it be more and more so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for walking with us daily on this long and often slow journey of faith. Thank you for your patience and steadfastness that draws us back to the well of grace again and again. Each time we drink of it, O God, shape us more and more into the image of Christ. Use us day by day, Lord, to be light and love in and to the world. Amen.


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People of God?

Reading: Genesis 21:15-21

Genesis 21:18 – “Get up, pick up the boy, and take him by the hand because I will make of him a great nation.”

Photo credit: Wylly Suhendra

As we move along in the story Abraham and Sarah, the focus shifts to Hagar and Ishmael – to and God. For Abraham and Sarah, seeing Hagar and Ishmael walk away, heading out into the desert to die, to them that was the end of the story. But for Hagar and Ishmael, the story gets worse. Soon they are out of water – the death knell in the desert. Hagar places Ishmael under a shrub and walks away a short distance – far enough not to hear his cries. She cannot bear to watch her son suffer and die. Hagar weeps and cries out too.

Sitting alone in the desert, waiting to die, Hagar felt unseen and unheard. Most of us experience feeling unseen and/or unheard at times. Maybe it is because of our age or our gender or our newness to a situation. Or maybe it is because we are like Hagar in this moment – alone, powerless, vulnerable. It is at this moment that the God who sees becomes the God who hears. Their cries have fallen upon God’s ears. In response, God’s messenger encourages Hagar and tells her, “Get up, pick up the boy, and take him by the hand because I will make of him a great nation.” God will watch over, protect, make a way, and one day prosper Hagar and Ishmael.

Today there are people and people groups who live in the place that Hagar was – alone, powerless, vulnerable. As I ponder our call to see, hear, and respond, I think of the tragedy that recently unfolded in Minneapolis. Innocents were arrested, detained, and held for long periods. Community groups were afraid to leave their homes or to send their children to school. And I think of how the people of God led the way, rallying around, supporting, and standing for the targeted. While the scale of abuse and oppression may not be as visibly present in our communities today, there are certainly people who are alone, powerless, and vulnerable. How will we as the people of God respond?

Prayer: Lord God, open our eyes to see the Hagars and Ishmeals among us. Seeing, open our hearts to respond – coming alongside, standing against injustice, risking self for others. Forming community, use us to welcome in the lonely, to give voice to the powerless, to provide safety and resources for the vulnerable. In and through your love and power, made present by the people of God, may all people flourish. Amen.


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Share the Good News

Reading: Acts 17:22-31

Acts 17:24 – “God, who made the world and everything in it, is Lord of heaven and earth. He doesn’t live in temples made by human hands.”

Photo credit: Clay Banks

Acts 17 comes during Paul’s second missionary journey. He has seen a lot so far on his mission to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Athens, however, is a different beast. It is a city filled with all kinds of idols and with a population that loves to debate and learn new things. Paul has spoken to enough people that he’s been invited to speak before a large group. He begins by addressing their spirituality. Paul uses this common ground to introduce his God. He does so this way: “God, who made the world and everything in it, is Lord of heaven and earth. He doesn’t live in temples made by human hands.” It is important to note that Paul does not degrade their religion or tell them his is better. He simply tells them about the God that he worships and follows.

Paul then tells them about how God created humanity to “seek him, perhaps even reach out and find him.” We are indeed created for relationship with God and with one another. Paul then turns to the crux of our faith: Jesus resurrected. This is too much for some to hear. They walk away from Paul, as some will do when we share our faith’s power over sin and death. Paul will persist. He will continue to tell all who will listen about his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Many will come to a saving faith as he shares the good news. May the same be true for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, encourage and equip us to be sharers of the good news. Work in us to develop our stories of faith so that we can tell others what Jesus has done for us. Empower us and guide us by your Holy Spirit, Christ alive in us. Amen.


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Following Jesus

Reading: John 14:1-7

John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

Credit: Rebecca Gelaney

As we close this week, we turn to John 14. In verses 1-7, Jesus again speaks of his upcoming death. This is not the first time the disciples have heard Jesus speak of his death and resurrection. Yet it is a subject that disturbs and worries them each time. I think we’d feel the same way. Death is a difficult and uncomfortable subject.

In verses 1-4 Jesus offers the disciples and us some comfort and hope. He begins with a reminder to trust in God and in Jesus himself. This will help with the worry and other troubles. Jesus then speaks of heaven as a place with “many rooms” and of returning so that “where I am you will be too.” In this hard and broken world, it is good to know that we have a wonderful place prepared for us. It is a place that we get to know a bit as we live out our faith here on earth.

Thomas wants more information. They don’t fully understand what Jesus is talking about. Sure, they understand death, but this “in three days” stuff? Into his questioning, Jesus tells them and us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Jesus is the way to build the kingdom here on earth so that we will one day be welcomed into the kingdom of heaven. He is the truth that leads us as we discern the path to walk in this broken and hurting world. And Jesus is life – full and abundant now, glorious and eternal one day. Knowing Jesus, we know God. Following Jesus’ example, we draw closer and closer to God. Day by day, may this ever be so.

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you for sending Jesus, our example of your love and grace fully lived out. Although we often fall short, continue to call us to more. Redeem us and draw us closer and closer to your heart. And use us, O Lord. Use us to build your kingdom of love here on earth. Amen.


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Faithful, to the End

Reading: Acts 7:55-60

Acts 7:59 – “Lord Jesus, receive my life!”

Photo credit: Alex Woods

Soon after Jesus’ death, the church began to form and grow. The apostles and disciples of Jesus began to meet, to worship, to care for others, and to share the good news. The gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost empowered the community of faith. Many were coming to a saving faith in Jesus. One of those filled with the Holy Spirit was Stephen. He spoke boldly and healed people in the name of Jesus. For this he was brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. Instead of backing down or recanting or being silenced, he boldly proclaimed Jesus as Lord to them. Fueled by the Spirit, Stephen looked up and saw heaven opened with Jesus standing at God’s right side. This proclamation triggers his death by stoning.

Facing this horrible death, Stephen prays, “Lord Jesus, accept my life!” His trust in Jesus is complete. His belief in his eternal destination is sure. In both of these ways, he offers one more powerful witness to Jesus. Trust and surety in the face of death remains a powerful witness today. In times present to those nearing death, I’ve seen people’s faith shine and I’ve heard their trust in the destination. There is a calm, a strength, a peace evident in those with faith.

In addition to all of this, Stephen showed grace. As he was dying, he shouted, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” One last, powerful witness to God’s love and grace. Stephen served his Lord faithfully, right to the end. May it be so for us all.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for Stephen’s faithful witness. Move us by the same Holy Spirit. While we may never face death for our faith, Lord empower us to be strong and bold when needed. In ways small and perhaps large, guide us to profess our faith in you and to stand for all that is good and just and right and holy. Amen.


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Encounters

Reading: Luke 24:13-29

Luke 24:25 – “Then Jesus said to them, ‘You foolish people! Your dull minds keep you from believing all that the prophets talked about.'”

Photo credit: Josh Calabrese

Today and tomorrow we walk with the Emmaus road disciples. This story is found only in Luke’s gospel. This encounter takes place on that first Sunday, on the day of Jesus’ resurrection. Two of Jesus’ disciples are walking to Emmaus. It might be “home.” They were talking about recent events: Jesus’ arrest and all that followed. They share all of this with Jesus as he joins them, noting that they had hoped that this Jesus was the one to redeem Israel. They do not recognize this stranger that they walk with as Jesus.

Jesus admonishes them, saying, “You foolish people! Your dull minds keep you from believing all that the prophets talked about.” He reminds them that these recent events were necessary. Jesus then unpacks the scriptures for them, starting with Moses, working his way through the prophets. What a Bible lesson this must have been! Today’s reading ends with the disciples inviting Jesus to stay the night with them.

We might wonder how the disciples could walk with Jesus and not recognize him. Yet, how many times did I encounter Jesus yesterday and fail to recognize him? Was it in the words of that tour guide? Was it in the smile of that older woman? Was it in the welcome clearly present in that gathering spot? Jesus is present to us in so many ways. Where did you encounter Jesus yesterday?

Prayer: Lord God, first, thank you for the many ways that you are present to us. You come alive in the red letters. Your Spirit moves us and speaks into our hearts and minds. But we also miss you here and there, sometimes everywhere. So, Lord, open our eyes and hearts to see you in the world around us – in the people, in the signs, in the encounters. Eyes and hearts open, touch our lives. Amen.


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Foundation, Future, Present

Reading: 1st Peter 1:17-23

1st Peter 1:19 – “You were liberated by the precious blood of Christ.”

Photo credit: Shane

Our passage today begins with a call to “conduct yourselves with reverence” as we live out our days in this “strange world.” This is a very accurate description of our time and it is an important reminder. Sometimes it can be hard to live with reverence. We often live in a spin cycle, doing the same things day after day. A brief break comes on the weekend, but then we’re right back at it. If we are to live with reverence for God in the day to day, then we must daily remember our foundation and our future.

Peter reminds us that we are not “liberated” or set free or saved by the “perishable things” of this world. Yes, we can get caught up chasing after gold and other worldly things, living that “empty lifestyle.” Instead, though, Peter reminds us, “You were liberated by the precious blood of Christ.” We were freed to live differently, to be set apart from the things of the world. Jesus was chosen before creation began to be the perfect sacrifice to free us from sin and death, the two great powers of this world. Freed from these powers, our faith and hope can rest in God. Resting here, Christ is our sure foundation and our promise of a future in God’s glory.

There is also a “present” to Peter’s words today. The charge Peter gives is very much like the response called for in Psalm 116. The charge is to be obedient to Jesus’ example, having “genuine affection” for one another. We are to love one another “deeply and earnestly.” This should be our response to God’s “life-giving and enduring word,” Jesus Christ. Living as love and with love, we share our foundation and we invite others into a future with hope. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, as we live out our moments on this earth, daily remind us of our place with you. Reminded, guide us to live daily as Christ lived: loving one and all. Living as love, use us to draw others to the living word, Christ Jesus. Secure our hope in your love, our rock and redeemer. Day by day, walk with us, guiding us towards our true and eternal home. Amen.