pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: example


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Suffering and Faith

For many, many years most images of Jesus show his miling and gentle.  Art generally depicted Jesus’ life and rosy and carefree.  But in recent times, we have begun to see a different side of Jesus’ life.  Most notably in the movie “The Passion of the Christ” we saw a suffering Jesus.  Other movies and television shows have allowed the public to see the sacrifice and pain Jesus experienced.

Jesus did have a lot of pain and suffering in his life.  He wept when Lazarus died, he was sorrowful when John the Baptist was killed, shed tears like blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, lamented over the lost children of Israel, and personally endured the pain and suffering of being beaten and crucified.

All of Jesus’ suffering was for us.  Because He experienced these emotions and feelings, Jesus can have empathy for us and can intercede more directly when we suffer trials and pain.  He has walked through these things and can relate to us.

He also suffered to give us an example. Jesus could have chosen to not suffer by calling in angels or exerting power himself.  Instead He gave us the example – be obedient to God, pray through our trials, trust in God’s big plan, lean into His love.

Although no one chooses to suffer, it is often in the trials that our faith grows the most. As we follow Jesus’ example, we learn that we can only make it through some things with God’s help.  Our relationship then grows, deepens, becomes more trusting.  God will carry us through.  We just need to call upon Him and follow Christ’s example.

Scripture reference: Hebrews 5: 5-10


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One Small Step

At the very beginning of the story in Mark, Jesus was just a rabbi.  The news of who he really was wasn’t out yet.  In Mark, he began his formal ministry teaching in the synagogue, where he also cast an evil spirit out of a man.  What stood out to the people was the authority by which Jesus taught.

That day Jesus also went to Simon’s house, one of the first disciples.  There he healed Simon’s mother-in-law.  News of the man Jesus began to spread because by night many people from the town were brought to Jesus for healing and others were brought so that he could cast out their demons.  Someone more than a good teacher was present.  But Jesus would not let the demons speak – they knew who He really was.  As the day wore on, people must have been wondering just who or what this Jesus was.

For some today this is still Jesus – a nice person who had good teachings and maybe healed and did a few other amazing things.  Some call them ‘miracles’ but…  They like and respect him but do not commit to Him.  They may even follow some of his teachings but are not all-in for Him.  They are not quite willing to surrender their lives to this man Jesus.

Yet this step of knowing about Jesus is a first step.  It is a beginning.  It is the start of the Holy Spirit at work in their lives.  It is the first evidence of seeds planted and starting to take root.  As believers we must be sensitive to the curious and the seekers among us.  We must share our stories and experiences, to help faith become more ‘real’ for them.  We are just one small step along their journeys of faith.  May we be a good step for all.

Scripture reference: Mark 1: 29-34


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In the Times and Places

The Gospel of John opens so beautifully.  The words evoke past through future.  “In the beginning” takes us all the way back to Genesis and reminds us that Christ was there too.  John also provides the feel of the eternal in his vision of Christ’s glory “at His father’s side”.

Yet this morning the present tense is what resounds within me.  John writes that He came in the flesh and dwelt among us.  As much as we are still present in this world, so too is Jesus.  Christ, the light, came and lived amongst the darkness.  He stepped into the pain, injustice, suffering and brought light, hope, healing, love.  Jesus continues to be present in this world, still full of grace and mercy.  He comes each time a Christian acts on His behalf.

Today’s Upper Room had a touching story about a woman who brushed away a man out collecting for a mission on a rainy day.  She was too busy with her knitting.  But her nine-year-old daughter innocently asked the question that needed asked: “Why? Why did we give nothing?”  The mother had no good answer, only a lifelong reminder from the faith of a child.  Jesus came and loved.  This day may we offer all the love we can in the times and places that He calls us to today.

Scripture reference: John 1: 1-18


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Pointing the Way

John the Baptist knew his role well.  He lived a very basic, simple life.  He did what God called him to do.  Although he had followers and many people came out into the wilderness to be baptized, John remained humble and true to his calling. His perspective never changed – always God’s servant and always speaking the truth.

As we move through Advent and closer to Christmas, excitement builds.  Christ’s birth precedes all of God’s promises being fulfilled in and through Him.  John knew just how important Jesus was to the world and put all of his focus and energy into drawing people’s attention to Christ.

Our role is really the same – to tell His story, to share our story, and to point people to Christ.  Through both our word and example we can help others to “make straight the way for the Lord.”  Our role is to point the way and to help others draw closer to the true and only reason for the season.

Scripture reference: John 1: 16-28


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Saints and Future Saints

In Joshua 24, Joshua gathers the people together.  Many of us gathered together yesterday.  The purposes were the same – to recall our faith, to renew our souls, to challenge us to choose who we will serve, and to decide how we will live our lives.

Joshua begins by drawing the people back to their roots, to the father of Israel, to Abraham.  Joshua wanted them to see their common connection and to see how their faith had been developed and nurtured by many people.  In lots of churches yesterday we were also drawn back – to the saints who have gone before.  By remembering them, we too are reconnecting to our faith, to God, to our roots, and to each other.

All of us are who we are because of the people who molded and shaped us.  Maybe it was your parents or grandparents or a pastor or a friend who planted and nurtured those seeds of faith in you.  More likely it was a combination of people.  Give thanks for them.  But also emulate them because we all have a role to play for the next generation of faithful followers.  Consider your role today and begin to seek ways to live into your role.

Scripture reference: Joshua 24: 1-3a


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One Father and One Teacher

On occasions we can be a lot like the Pharisees and teachers of the law.  On occasion we may say one thing and do another or we may ask someone to do something we would never do ourselves.  At times we may like to be in the spotlight a little too much yet at other times we are all too content to let someone else finally do what we could have done in the first place.  Sometimes we do not seem to know who is leading or who is setting the example to follow.

We are called to love one Father and to follow only one Teacher.  God the Father loves us like no earthly father ever could.  Through his Spirit, He deftly guides and leads us through life.  Jesus is the teacher and our one Lord.  His teachings and example show us the way to truly live and how to really love others as self.  His sacrifice bought us freedom from sin.

In Matthew 23:12 we are reminded to be humble.  The souls we remember today are not remembered for their positions or their pocketbooks, but for how they lived their lives in humble service to God and King.  May we too serve God with a humble heart and love others like Jesus loves them – with all of our being and with all we have to offer.

Scripture reference: Matthew 23: 1-12


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Witness and Example

In Revelation 7, John writes about the great crowd in white robes gathered around Jesus.  The multitude is too great to count.  They sing to jesus and acknowledge Him as the root of their salvation. Despite the massiveness of the crowd, the focus is on only one – the Lamb of God.

Today is All Saints Day and tomorrow in many of our churches we will remember the saints, those who have ‘gone before’.  Imagine the crowd in heaven!  Surely there is Mary, John the Baptist, David, Elijah, Moses, and so on.  And there are people like Calvin, Luther, dozens of popes, Martin Luther King Jr, and such.  And there are other faces there too – less famous for sure – but ones you certainly recognize.  Ones that are surely saints indeed!

This day, remember your loved ones and friends who have found their place of rest in that heavenly multitude.  Thank God for their witness in your life.  Thank God for the example they set and for the ways they have helped to mold you into the person you are today.  Thank God for their lives.

Scripture reference: Revelation 7: 9-17


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Mental Notes

Do you watch other people and make mental notes or observations?  Do you listen to the words they speak, watch the decisions they make, and pay attention to who they hang out with?  I do all the time.  I think most people do too.

In 1st Thessalonians Paul is commenting them for the example the people in the church are setting – joyful is suffering, open to Christ’s leading, ready to help others in need.  They are a model of what faith should look like in Paul’s eyes.  They are a model for us as well.

How many of the people that we will encounter today will not be Christians?  Statistically speaking, it will be a significant number.  For many non-believers we are the only ‘Bible’ they will read today, tomorrow, and so on.  As they look at our choices and decisions, as they hear our words, as they judge our actions… will they see Christ?  As they watch how we treat the server in line or the stranger at the subway station, will they see Christ?  May we live each moment for our Lord so that all may have the opportunity to meet Him in us today.

Scripture reference: 1 Thessalonians 1: 4-10


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A Day to Pray

In one of my devotional readings today author Catherine Cavanagh tells of an experience she had in Bethlehem. She was in Israel and it happened tobe during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month.  As she and her companions were sitting at a table by the main square, the nearby mosque announced the call to prayer.  She observed many Muslims headed to the mosque.  But soon it was full so they began to fill the public square in front of her and her companions.  Each unrolled their prayer mat and dropped to their knees and began praying, totally oblivious and unconcerned with anything or anyone except their time of prayer.  She was awed by this simple example of their dedication to their faith.  I too am moved when I picture the scene in my mind. As I think about this scene that unfolded before her, it also makes me wonder.  If we were to show up on a Sunday morning and our churches were all full to the brim, would we drop to our knees on the sidewalk and pray?

Outside of the church and our own private homes, Christians generally do not pray in public.  You do see it some.  A family may pray before a meal when they are out at a restaurant or a group of football players will huddle up and pray when another player has been significantly injured.  You may see a group out in a public space that prayers before they begin their Bible study.  And I don’t think people mind.  Yet we feel hesitant to pray in public at times.  We too need to be bold for our faith and to offer up a prayer when the situation calls for it or when we feel led by the Spirit to pray for someone or a situation.

So when you are out and about today, bow your head and offer up a prayer when you feel God calling you to do so.  And please remember this day to include those who were and are affected by the tragedies of 9/11.  Maybe that is just what you choose to pray about periodically throughout your day today.  Welcome and encourage the conversations that may come from others seeing you in prayer.  A chance to share our faith is always a good thing!!

Scripture reference: Romans 14: 1-12


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Shining the Light

Paul calls us to wake up and realize that our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.  He reminds us that the day is almost here and calls us to put on the armor of light.  He challenges us to healthy living and an avoidance of our sinful desires.

How we live matters because we do cast a light into the world.  Is our light a ray of hope?  Is our light a reflection of the love of Christ?  On a daily basis people see us and watch us.  It is a challenge to live fully in the light.  We face our own earthly desires and must filter through the temptations and allures of the world.  On a personal level, we must strive to live as children of the light.

Our churches also cast a light into the world.  Is our church shining a light out into the neighborhood and into the greater community?  Do others know the love of Christ through our communal outreach?  Too often the light is dim.  Too often we stay within our own walls.  As a church, may we also strive to clothe the body with Christ, so that His light and love shine forth into the lives of those in need.

Scripture reference: Romans 13: 11-14