pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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In Love and in Grace

Readings: Genesis 6, Genesis 7, Genesis 8, Genesis 9:1-17

Genesis 6:9b: “Noah was a moral and exemplary man; he walked with God.”

Today’s readings center on the great flood. God sees that humanity has become “thoroughly evil.” Every thought was “completely evil.” The world was so bad that God even regrets making human beings. This situation leaves God “heartbroken.” Things are almost as bad as they can get. Almost. There is Noah. In Genesis 6:9b we read, “Noah was a moral and exemplary man; he walked with God.” At least there is Noah. At least there is one person that is worth saving.

Today our world is not perfect. It is far from it. Noah was an Old Testament example of piety. I wonder, as God looks down on the earth today, who are the Noahs? Specifically, are you and I modern day examples of an exemplary relationship with God?

In obedience to God, Noah builds an ark and gathers up his family and the animals – a pair of some, seven pairs of others. This gathering up insures not just Noah’s salvation, but the salvation of all of creation. God then shuts the hatch and the rains come down and the “springs of the deep sea” open up. In 7:22 we read, “Everything on dry land with life’s breath in its nostrils died.” The loss of all life is catastrophic, horrific, complete.

Eventually the waters recede. Noah sends out a dove to test the earth’s readiness for life. The third time the dove does not return. God tells Noah to exit the ark. Noah’s first acts on dry land are to build an altar and then to offer a sacrifice to God. This pleases God and moves God to make a covenant. There will never be another flood “to destroy the earth.” God placed “his bow” in the sky – it will be a frequent reminder to God of God’s commitment to stay in relationship with humanity. This is a gift that we rejoice in yet today.

Prayer: Lord God, what a horrible place the world became. Humanity broke your heart. Things deteriorated to the point that your justice required action. Thanks be to you, O God, that we had Noah – an example of faithful living. In your love you provided a way for the world to continue. In your grace you committed to us and to creation forever. Thank you, God. Amen.


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Come and See

Reading: John 1: 29-42

Verse 32: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him”.

John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the “lamb of God” – interpreting this as the one who will take away the sins of the world. After recognizing Jesus’ eternal nature, he also identifies his own purpose in baptizing with water: that Jesus “might be revealed to Israel”. Through the baptism of repentance that John was offering, hearts were prepared to accept Jesus as the Messiah. Then John gives this testimony about when he baptized Jesus: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him”. John the Baptist had been told by God that this would be the sign that reveals the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. He then plainly states, “This is the Son of God”.

The next day John again identifies Jesus as the lamb of God. This prompts two of John’s disciples to leave him to follow Jesus. After a quick exchange, Jesus invites them to “come and see”. One of the two gets his brother. Andrew is convinced that Jesus is the Messiah. He gets Simon Peter and he too starts to follow Jesus.

This point of entry into a relationship with Jesus is the same for all who follow. We hear of him, perhaps from a friend, perhaps from reading the Bible, maybe from church or Sunday school. We are drawn in to know him more and more, one day realizing that Jesus is the Savior – the lamb sent to take away not only the sins of the world but our sins too. Like those that came to see John the Baptist, we bow and humbly confess our sins and, repenting of them, we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus becomes a living presence within us, becoming a part of our everyday life. From then on we strive to follow the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of the world.

We also become a bit like Andrew in the process, telling others that we have found the Messiah, inviting them to meet him as well. When we first do, Jesus begins to invite them to “come and see” – see what life in Jesus looks like. As we live out each day, may we continue to come and see Jesus, knowing him more and more, extending the invitation to others as we help to build the kingdom here on earth. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Father God, as I seek to come and see, reveal yourself to me in a new way. Open my eyes in a new way, drawing me ever deeper into your love. Amen.