pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: disciples


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Go and Make Disciples

Reading: Matthew 27-28

Matthew 28:7 – “Now hurry, go and tell his disciples, ‘He’s been raised from the dead. He’s going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’”

Jesus is brought before Pilate, the Roman governor. Seeing what’s happening, Judas is filled with regret. He returns the silver pieces and takes his own life. The silver is used to buy a field to bury strangers. Pilate asks Jesus if he is king of the Jews. Jesus does not respond to Pilate or defend himself. Because of his wife’s dream, Pilate tried to free Jesus. But the religious leaders invited the crowd. They call for Barabbas’ release and for Jesus’ crucifixion.

The Romans soldiers mock and abuse Jesus. On the way to Golgatha, Simon from Cyrene helps carry the cross. Jesus is crucified and his clothes are divided by casting lots. A sign above Jesus’ head reads, “Here is Jesus, king of the Jews.” The religious leaders, those passing by, and the criminals in Jesus’ left and right all mock and make fun of him. A handful of faithful women watch it all from a distance.

At noon it grows dark. Jesus shouts aloud at three, asking why God has left him. Then he shouts and dies. The inner curtain of the temple is torn in two. The earth shakes. A centurion declares, “This was certainly God’s son.”

Joseph of Arimathea asks for, received, wraps, and places Jesus’ body in his own new tomb. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary watch. A guard is set to prevent the theft of Jesus’ body. Early the next day Mary and Mary return to the tomb. An angel has removed the stone. He announces the resurrection and gives the women instructions, saying, “Now hurry, go and tell his disciples, ‘He’s been raised from the dead. He’s going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’” The religious leaders fabricate one more lie, offering one more feeble attempt to control God’s narrative. The disciples do meet Jesus in Galilee. He commissions them, saying, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you.” The mission continues. May it be so with us.

Prayer: Lord God, so much drives these events – fear, jealousy, deceit, betrayal, manipulation, insecurity. And then there is Jesus: obedient, faithful, courageous, humble. He remains above the house and the evil around him. In the end there is victory over evil and over death. The mission is given and it continues. Guide and strengthen us, O God, to walk as Jesus walked, carrying the good news to the ends of the earth. Amen.


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In Turn

Reading: Matthew 16-18

Matthew 16:24 – “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.”

The Pharisees and Sadducees come and ask Jesus for a sign from heaven. Although they can read the sky to know the coming weather, they cannot read the signs of Jesus’ ministry, knowing the Christ is among them. He again tells them they will receive the sign of Jonah. After parting company, Jesus warns the disciples to be wary about the religious leaders “yeast” – their teaching.

Jesus then asks what people see and know about him. After hearing John, Elijah, some prophet, he asks the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon responds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus names him Peter, the rock upon which Jesus will build the church. Then Jesus teaches about his last days. The “rock” turn becomes a stumbling block as Peter rebukes Jesus for saying such things. Jesus responds, “Get behind me, Satan.” Peter is thinking of human things, not the eternal. Continuing, Jesus declares, “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.” Clearly there is a cost to discipleship.

Taking Peter, James, and John up the mountain, Jesus is transfigured. His glory is revealed and he talks with Moses and Elijah. God declares love for Jesus and reinforced his authority. Twice more Jesus speaks of suffering to come. The disciples understand. Matthew says they are “heartbroken.” After a healing and paying the temple tax, the focus shifts to the “little ones” – a metaphor for the new believers. They have a humble, simple, pure faith. Yet at times they will need gentle correction. At times they will wander. At times they will need forgiveness. At times we all find ourselves in these situations. Mercy, grace, and love continue to flow from God to all who call on Jesus as Lord and Savior. In turn, we are called to be merciful, gracious, and loving. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to hear your word and your Spirit’s voice, our guides to faithful living. Lead us to a childlike faith, simple, pure, honest, humble. And as we experience your forgiveness, mercy, grace, and love, may we be people who live and practice these things. In humility and gratitude may we give as we receive. Amen.


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Putting on the Yoke

Matthew 11:29 – “Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves.”

John the Baptist is the focus of the start of chapter 11. He sends his disciples to Jesus (he is in prison), asking, “Are you the one?” The response Jesus gives is to tell John what they see and hear. The blind see, the dead are raised… The fruit of his ministry is the proof: Jesus is the Messiah. John was an important one too, Jesus says: “He is the Elijah who is to come.” Jesus then laments this generation. They misunderstood John and they’ll misunderstand Jesus. This leads Jesus to lament about the places that he has ministered. They saw the miracle and did not change hearts or lives. He later declares that Nineveh will condemn this generation. They heard Jonah’s message and changed hearts and lives.

At the end of chapter 11 Jesus praises God for keeping “these things” hidden from the wise and intelligent (the religious leaders). He issues an invitation to those who are struggling and carrying heavy loads (the poor): “Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves.” What a contrast to the Pharisees. They and Jesus both called for a devout adherence to the Law. For one, though, the Law was a heavy weight to carry. For Jesus, “my burden is light.” Here one finds rest, not weariness.

Sabbath adherence is the focus of the beginning of chapter 12. These two encounters highlight the heavy/light contrast. Eating when famished and doing good supersedes the “do no work” mandate. Mercy trumps sacrifice. Love always wins. These clashes begin the Pharisees down the road to snuffing out this threat. The next clash centers on healing a demon-possessed mute man. The Pharisees attribute the healing to Jesus working with Satan. He rebukes this idea, claiming it is by the Holy Spirit that he heals. Jesus condemns them for their “useless words.” They demand a sign. Remember Jonah?, he asks. Jesus tells them he will be in the “heart of the earth for three days and nights.” What a surprise ending that story will have too! Even better than Jonah’s!

Today’s reading closes with Jesus calling his true family his disciples. They have taken on his yoke and are walking with Jesus. The disciples are Jesus’ “brothers, sisters, mothers.” May it be so for us as well.

Prayer: Lord God, you continue to speak the words of life. Some hear and understand, some do not. Give us ears to hear. You continue to invite us to change our hearts and lives, growing deeper and more connected to you. Give us a spirit that is ever willing. Draw us more completely into your family, O God. Amen.


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Worthy of the Kingdom

Reading: Matthew 9-10

Matthew 10:22 – “Everyone will hate you on account of my name. But whoever stands firm until the end will be saved.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Chapter 9 is mostly about the healings that Jesus brought to people. There is the calling of Matthew too and the questioning of why Jesus ate with “tax collectors and sinners.” Chapter 10 shifts first to the calling and sending of the 12. The chapter ends with the realities of the cost of discipleship. This was and still is a reality for the followers of Jesus.

Chapter 9 begins with the healing of a paralyzed man. Jesus begins by forgiving his sins. This is just a means to draw in the “legal experts,” to prove that Jesus has the power to forgive sins and to heal sicknesses. Jesus then calls Matthew, saying, “Follow me.” Later, at dinner, the Pharisees question Jesus’ choice of table mates. He declares, “I didn’t come to call righteous people, but sinners.” As the chapter continues, Jesus heals five more people and Matthew closes with a summary of Jesus’ early ministry. Jesus taught and healed, announcing the good news of the kingdom. The chapter closes with a lament: the harvest is huge but the workers are few. Jesus encourages his disciples to “plead” with God for workers.

Chapter 10 begins with God’s response. The 12 are called and given authority to cast out demons and to heal diseases. They are then sent out to “the lost sheep… of Israel.” The disciples are to go without anything, relying on worthy people to take them in. They will bless these homes. If no one is found worthy in a place, the disciples will move on.

Starting in verse 16, Jesus begins to detail the cost of discipleship. The 12 go out as “sheep among wolves.” They will be arrested and beaten. But the Spirit will be with them and in their words. Jesus says, “Everyone will hate you on account of my name. But whoever stands firm until the end will be saved.” Families will come apart and turn on one another because Jesus did not “come to bring peace but sword.” The disciples are encouraged to “pick up their cross” as they follow Jesus. Doing so, they will be counted as worthy in the kingdom of God. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, send us out as workers, fully cognizant of the cost of discipleship and fully aware of your Spirit’s presence with us. Lord, use us to bring healing and wholeness to others, encouraging them with the good news of your kingdom through us and our ministries. Strengthen and empower us as we too seek to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Amen.


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Redemption

Reading: Hosea 1-5

Hosea 2:19 – “I will take you for my wife forever; I will take you for my wife in righteousness and in justice, in devoted love, and in mercy.”

Hosea begins our journey through “The Twelve.” He ministered to Israel during a time of prosperity and expansion. Because times were good, Israel had a very superficial relationship with God. They worshipped idols and relied totally on themselves. These forms of idolatry are denounced as “prostitution” by Hosea. In Hosea’s words we also find hope. Ultimately, and above all else, God seeks to redeem Israel from its sin, bringing both creation and God’s people back into a covenant relationship.

As the book begins, God commands Hosea to marry a prostitute. This relationship and the emotions it generates mirror God’s relationship with Israel. Hosea and Gomer have children. Their names tell the story of Israel’s coming downfall. God will punish Israel. God will have no compassion. God will not be their God. And in the next verse God says, after all that, “Not my people” will be called “Children of the living God.” Redemption and restoration will come.

In chapters 2, 4, and 5, God lays out the charges against Israel. God charges them with giving all that God provided to Baal and other idols. But even so God will one day redeem them. In verse 19 we read, “I will take you for my wife forever; I will take you for my wife in righteousness and in justice, in devoted love, and in mercy.” Then in chapter 4 God condemns the priests. The people have no knowledge of God. Instead, the people “take advice from a piece of wood.” God declares that the “spirit of prostitution” is in them. They are addicted to these evil behaviors.

In chapter 3 God directs Hosea to “make love” to Gomer again, even though she is lost in prostitution, just like Israel. Hosea finds her and brings her back home – he redeems her from her lovers – and has her stay with him for a long time without sex. This mirrors Israel’s long time in exile without the temple, without sacrifices, without priests. This time apart will lead Israel to seek the Lord. They will then reenter into God’s goodness.

Prayer: Lord God, you have chosen us. You form us in the womb and you laid out good plans for our lives. You seek to walk with us in Spirit, offering to lead and guide us. One might think we’d be perfect disciples. Yet that’s far from what we are. Like Israel, we wander. We worship other “gods.” We mistreat one another and your creation. And… you remain faithful, loving, forgiving. You are unconditional in your commitment to our relationship. O Lord, help us to be faithful. Amen.


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Higher Than Our Ways

Reading: Isaiah 52:13-55:13

Isaiah 54:7 – “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great mercy I will bring you back.”

Photo credit: Kate Remmer

Today, as we conclude Second Isaiah, we begin with the fourth Servant Song. The servant grew up quietly. He was not one to behold, nor did he draw attention to himself. In time he was despised and avoided, his words piercing the soul. He suffered with and was familiar with the sick, the outcast, the lonely. He bore our sins and was pierced because of our rebellions. By these wounds we are healed. An unjust ruling led to his death but “after his deep anguish he will see the light.” On the third day he arose, returning to his “share with the great.

Chapter 54 speaks of Israel’s restoration. A nation that has become barren will “burst out” to the left and right. God will partner with Israel to rebuild the nation. In verse 7 we read, “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great mercy I will bring you back.” These days are like the days of Noah. The punishment is ended. The new restart begins. Israel will be founded on righteousness, oppression will not come near. The new generation will be “disciples of the Lord.”

The themes of joy and restoration continue in chapter 55. In my Bible it is titled “An Invitation to the Feast.” There is water for the thirsty and food for the hungry. The invitation is also to “listen, and you will live.” God will make an “everlasting covenant.” God also invites the wicked to abandon their ways. The God who is “generous with forgiveness” wants to have mercy on them. Yes, God’s ways are higher than our ways. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, what hope and promise, both for your children then and for your children now. You went to great lengths to take in flesh and to suffer and pay for our transgressions. That spirit continues as you invite all to come to the table of grace, to feast on your generous mercy. Your words lead and guide us, they teach and instruct us. They do not return empty. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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Faith Rises Up

Reading: Matthew 14:24-33

Verse 27: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

As Jesus sent the disciples off across the lake all seemed well. Jesus often went away to pray. But what began as a simple journey across the lake became a scary and dangerous situation. “Life” can happen like this to us too. We’re sailing along and all of a sudden we’re in the middle of a storm. The storms of life can be physical, relational, emotional, spiritual, or a combination of these. As it was with the disciples, fear and doubt and worry often arise in our storms.

Late into the night, when the wind and the waves have been against them for a long time, the disciples first see Jesus as a ghost. He has not been their focus so far. If he was, they’d have recognized him. Speaking into their storm, Jesus says, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” He encourages them with his presence. With him they can find courage – and hope. Both come with Jesus’ presence. So they do not need to fear or doubt or worry. Once again in his presence, their faith rises up against the storm. This allows Peter to step out onto the waves.

In the midst of our inevitable storms, when will we choose to look for Jesus? He will be there from the start because he is always with us. When we choose to look past the wind and the waves, when we choose to look beyond our fears and doubts and worries, we will instantly be in Jesus’ presence. There, our faith will rise up. In his presence we too can step out onto the waves, knowing that we are not alone. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, in my storms may I choose to turn to you as the wind and waves rise up. Lead me to look to you before the fears, doubts, worries… climb high. Grant me the courage to trust into your presence and to reach out to you. Amen.


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Opportunities, Servants

Reading: Matthew 14:13-21

Verse 19c: “Then Jesus gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.”

Photo credit: Kate Remmer

Today we return to the feeding of the 5,000. Yesterday we looked at how we often have a scarcity mentality. We avoid or we dismiss the opportunity to serve that God places before us either because we don’t think that we’re enough or because we don’t think that we have enough. Today, let’s focus on the power of Jesus Christ and on the potential results of trusting into that power.

Disregarding the realities that the disciples saw – a meager meal for 5,000+ people – Jesus instead sees the possibilities. He has the people sit down. This is the first sign of something happening. He does just the opposite of the disciples’ request to send them away. Sit and stay a while. Sit and be in community. It is Jesus’ abundance versus the disciples’ scarcity. Then Jesus looks to heaven and blesses the food. Jesus knows the source of true and life-changing power. He breaks the loaves. Maybe a half for 10 of the disciples? Maybe the other 2 get the fish?

“Then Jesus gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.” Jesus includes those who doubted, those who just wanted the people to go away. Jesus empowers the 12 to be a part of the miraculous feeding. Imagine what it would’ve been like to go to group after group, handing out bread and more bread (or fish), and never running out. Imagine how the awe of Jesus’ power grew as the disciples continued to hand out food.

God will give us opportunities, maybe even today. And Jesus will be present, the Holy Spirit empowering us. May we take what we have – what Jesus Christ has given us – and may we be willing servants in the kingdom of God.

Prayer: Lord God, the opportunities will be there. Jesus in Spirit is always there. Lead me to trust in your guidance and in your provision. Through me may others experience the power of your love. Amen.


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Abundance

Reading: Matthew 14:13-21

Verse 17: “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish.”

After learning of the death of John the Baptist, Jesus withdraws to a lonely place. That is the setting where a large crowd tracks him down. Jesus sees them and he has compassion on them, spending the day healing the sick. As the sun begins to set the disciples remind Jesus of the remote location and of the time of day. The disciples want Jesus to dismiss the crowd so that they can get food for themselves. It is nice to think of others. But in what must’ve been a surprise to the disciples, Jesus says, “You give them something to eat.” Huh? What?!

Would’ve this been your reaction too? I believe it would be because it is too often mine when Jesus tells me something similar. When the Spirit nudges me to bring someone food or when the whisper tells me to reach across a line or barrier or when the scriptures condemn me for my inaction or my stinginess, I try and ignore it or I make excuses, just like the disciples. They protest Jesus’ nudge, saying, “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish.” What is that for a crowd of 5000+?

Luke the disciples, I often have a scarcity mentality. I think who I am or what I have is not enough. Our world is stuck in this mentality. That’s why we hoard and accumulate. In our passage we see, though, that it’s not really about the disciples. It’s about Jesus. And when I struggle to follow through or to respond, it’s not really about me. It’s about God. And God, our God, is a God of abundance. In the end this is what the disciples learn: they each had a basket full of bread. 5 loaves? Hah! Yes, God is more than enough. May we learn to trust more fully in this God too.

Prayer: Lord God, you are so abundant – in your love, in your grace, in your mercy, in your forgiveness, in your provision. Guide me to live more fully into your abundance, trusting you with all that I am and with all that I have. Amen.


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The Two “Greats”

Reading: Matthew 28:18-20

Verse 19: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Today’s text contains what is known as the “Great Commission.” It is Jesus’ charge to the disciples to continue the work that he started. As we read or hear these words, the same charge applies to us today. Jesus says to all who believe in him as Lord and Savior: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

These powerful words call us to action, to movement, to going out into the world to witness to and to share the good news of Jesus Christ. At times, as Christians, as we have sought to live out these words, we have forgotten the intent and we have set aside the model that Jesus gave us for living out these words. At times we have sidestepped the Great Commandment – to live God with all that we are and to love neighbor as self – as we have sought to “make disciples.” In many cases we have sought to transform them into our expected image or standard instead of into Jesus’.

When Jesus says, “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” he is calling the disciples and us to live first and foremost. Love does not coerce or manipulate; it does not force or overpower. Love changes hearts and lives through relationship and connection. It changes people into disciples by teaching them kindness, grace, forgiveness, mercy, compassion… As we seek to live out both the great commandment and the great commission, may we hold tightly to both.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to cling to both “greats” each day and with each person I meet. Use me to reflect Christ’s love into the world and into people’s lives. Use me to make disciples even if I do not speak a word. Amen.