pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: distraught


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He Is Alive!

Reading: John 20:1-18

John 20:18 – “Mary Magdalene left and announced to the disciples, ‘I’ve seen the Lord!'”

The first Easter long ago began quietly, with Mary Magdalene making her way to the tomb in the time just before dawn. It was light enough out to see that the stone was moved. She goes and tells Peter and John. They come and look. They see the grave cloths lying there. Peter and John leave, not understanding what has happened.

Mary remains, undeterred from her focus. Taking a second look inside, she see two angels. She inquires of them – sort of. She tells them that the body is missing. Mary turns and faces a person. She doesn’t recognize him as Jesus – yet. He asks her why she is crying and who she is looking for. Again, the same response: “If you’ve carried him away…”

“Mary.” Jesus speaks her name. She recognizes the voice and maybe the feeling in speaking her name. At times Jesus speaks our names too. It’s often when we’re distraught or overwhelmed or… It might not be audible but he does call, beckoning us back to the place of peace…

Jesus gives Mary instructions: go and tell the others. In verse 18 we read, “Mary Magdalene left and announced to the disciples, ‘I’ve seen the Lord!'” The first evangelist shares the good news of Jesus Christ for the very first time. He is alive! Yes, Jesus is alive!! Hallelujah!!

Prayer: Lord God, what great news! Life and hope, joy and peace – all bundled up together. The cross and the grave have been defeated..sin and death no longer hold sway or have power over us. As Jesus calls our name, O God, tune our hearts and ears to that call. Thank you. Amen.


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He Is the Lord

Readings: 1st Samuel 1, 1st Samuel 2, 1st Samuel 3

1st Samuel 3:18 – “He is the LORD. He will do as he pleases.”

Photo credit: Nathan Lemon

As we turn to 1st Samuel we see that much of the feeling of Judges carries over. Israel is still a place of suffering, pain, and sin. God feels silent. Our reading opens with the birth story of Samuel. Elkanah has two wives. Hannah is barren and Peninnah, the secondary wife, has many children. There is great tension. On one of the yearly pilgrimages, Hannah pours out her heart to God. She is so distraught, Eli the priest assumes she is drunk. But after hearing her heart, Eli blesses her. God does too. After he is weaned, Hannah brings an offering and gives Samuel to the Lord. They worship and Hannah lifts a song to God.

We then learn that Eli’s son’s are “despicable.” They steal from the Lord’s sacrifices (by force if necessary) and they have sex with the women serving at the meeting tent’s entrance. Eli confronts them but they don’t change. God has a change already in the works. Samuel continues to grow up, becoming “more and more liked by God and by the people.” Then a “man of God” visits Eli, telling him of the utter downfall of his house. His sons will die and God will establish a “trustworthy priest.” Eli seems to simply accept this.

In chapter 3 we read about Samuel’s call. God’s word and visions were rare at that time. God was mostly silent. While lying down in the temple, God calls out to Samuel. He thinks it is Eli calling. After the third time, Eli realizes that it is God calling Samuel. He responds as instructed: “Speak Lord. Your servant is listening.” God reveals the downfall of Eli’s house. Samuel does not want to share this news, but does, showing his metal as a prophet. Eli knows what is happening. His response to this news: “He is the LORD. He will do as he pleases.” Eli knows his own failures. He knows the depravity of his sons. And he knows the truth that the chapter closes with: “All Israel… knew that Samuel was trustworthy.”

Prayer: Lord God, we continue today with the good and the bad: Hannah and Peninnah, Samuel and Eli’s sons. Your presence is revealed in the good. There we find faithfulness and obedience to you. Guide us to walk in your ways too. There we will experience your presence and your goodness. Amen.


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God’s Love

Reading: 1st Peter 2: 2-3

Verse 2: “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation”.

Today’s short passage is a powerful metaphor that is packed with meaning. On the surface level our faith must be fed if we are to grow in our faith. We must nourish our faith with practices such as worship, prayer, meditation, and study. Investing in our relationship with God leads us to “grow up into our salvation”.

There are two roles in today’s passage. Peter casts us in the role of the baby. Although we are not quite as helpless as an infant, at times we can get ourselves so wound up over an issue or situation that we fail to turn to and to trust in God. But on most days we are like a baby with an innate sense of needing food and with an inner sense of whom to turn to for our “pure spiritual milk”. Within our souls we can feel a need to connect to God and to seek out his higher purposes. Just as a baby knows love and care and protection within a parent’s embrace, so too do we feel safe and secure within God’s arms.

In the other role we see God as the parent. When a baby is distraught, there is nothing a parent wants more than to comfort the child. When a baby cries for food, a mother yearns and can even ache to feed the baby. And we all know what happens when a parent’s baby is threatened or appears to be in trouble or danger – do not get between that parent and child, right? As beautiful as these image are, God’s love for us as his children is so much more than even the greatest parent-child love ever. That love is but a small candle in comparison to God’s love for us. God’s love for us blazes like the sun in comparison.

Today, as we celebrate the love of the many women we know – mothers, wives, mentors, aunties, teachers, and more – may we see in them but a glimpse of God’s love for us. Let us rejoice and be thankful this day!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the love you pour out on me. It is a love that protects, nourishes, guides, corrects… And thank you for all the women who have been mothers in my life. Their love has also helped me to be who I am in you. Thank you, God. Amen.