pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Center Stage

Readings: Genesis 9:18-39, Genesis 10, Genesis 11

Genesis 11:4 – “Come, let’s build for ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky, and let’s make a name for ourselves.”

Continuing in chapter 9 today we see that sin hasn’t left the world with the flood. Noah grows grapes and makes wine. He gets drunk then naked. Ham sees his father naked and instead of covering him up, he tells Shem and Japheth about it. They do the right thing and later receive Noah’s blessings. Ham, by contrast, is cursed because he did not honor his father.

Chapter 10 details the most of the descendants of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. They are listed a variety of ways – names, families, languages, lands, nations. This creates a kind of early ethnic map of the ancient world. Shem’s genealogy is found again in chapter 11. But it diverges in verse 18 as it follows Peleg’s branch of the family tree. This branch ends with Abram and family in the land of Haran. Sarai and her barrenness is also mentioned. This is a sharp contrast to the long list of children and descendants found in chapters 10-11.

In the middle of these genealogical lists we find the story of the Tower of Babel. In this story we see that the human tendency towards pride and arrogance survived the flood. At Shinar the people begin to scheme, saying to one another, “Come, let’s build for ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky, and let’s make a name for ourselves.” They want to build a tower that reaches to heaven. It could be to connect with God or it could be to be like God. It’s likely the second as they also desire to be famous, to be recognized for their skill. As a means to counter this pride and sin, God confuses or jumbles their languages and then dispersing this prideful bunch all over the earth.

When we try to take center stage for ourselves, how does this affect our relationship with God and with one another? How does God normally respond?

Prayer: Lord God, in my thoughts, my words, my actions, may I honor you and bring all the glory to you. When I’m tempted to bring the focus to me, remind my heart of you, my audience of one. Amen.


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Back to Verse 2!

Reading: Exodus 20:12-17

Verse 12…: “Honor your father and your mother… you shall not… you shall not… you shall not…”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

We began the week with the first part of the Ten Commandments. These first four related to our relationship with God and centered on the declaration, “I AM the Lord your God.” This same declaration arcs over today’s 6 commandments. These deal with our relationships with others.

Verse 12 calls us to “honor your father and your mother.” This 5th commandment is a bridge of sorts. On the surface it calls us to honor, respect, and treat our parent(s) well. This relationship begins with our total dependence on them and this changes as we mature and become more and more independent. The temptation here is to leave them behind, to quit relying on them, or to see them as equals (or less than that during our teen years). This commandment is a bridge because this can be how our relationship with God plays out too. Initially we yearn for God and we have a longing to know God more and more. Quite often, though, that fire cools and we don’t think that we need God as much. We pull out God now and then – as needed.

The remaining 5 commandments all begin with the words “you shall not…” These words come with an implication. They say that we are prone to these things. This is the humanity in all of us. Self rises up and can do so to unhealthy or dangerous levels, leading to murder, adultery… This is why it is so necessary to return again and again to verse 2: “I AM the Lord your God.” This return keeps our relationship with God in the right perspective. This key relationship affects all of our other relationships. When we live daily with the Lord as our God, then we honor not only our fathers and our mothers, but we also honor all of our brothers and sisters too. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, draw me first and foremost to you and to your will and ways. From this connection of love, send me out into the world. Guide me to interact with, treat, and see others as I would treat, see, and interact with you. Amen.


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Which Son?

Reading: Matthew 21:28-32

Verse 28: “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons…”

As we continue in Matthew 21, Jesus tells a parable that addresses yesterday’s question from the chief priests. They wanted to know where Jesus got his authority from. Jesus trapped them with his question about John the Baptist’s authority. They refused to answer the question aloud, revealing that they were their own authority, not God.

Jesus asks them another question: “What do you think?” He then lays out a scenario in which the first son initially refuses the father’s request but later honors it. The second son does just the opposite. When asked which son obeyed, the chief priests quickly identify the first son. Jesus then unpacks this little parable, informing the chief priests that “the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.”

The tax collectors and prostitutes initially said no to God the Father. But when they heard John the Baptist’s message, they repented and entered a right relationship with God. The chief priests and other religious leaders at first said “yes” to God but are now far from actually living as God wants them to live. They are now like the second son.

The question for us today is this: Are we the first son or the second son? We’ve declared ourselves Christians. Are we obediently following Christ, seeking to faithfully live out his example? Or are we really still our own authority?

Prayer: Lord God, I want to be like the first son. I really do. I want to put my sin and disobedience behind me. But self, the lure of power and control, the sin of pride – they are always right there, vying for authority. Lord, strengthen me for each day. By the power of your Holy Spirit living inside of me, raise up my faith and empower me to choose you over all else. Guide me to walk faithfully in all of my steps. Amen.


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No Fear

Reading: Romans 8:12-17

Verse 15: “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption.”

Paul’s writing for this week focuses on our adoption as children of God. With our confession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we receive the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. If we choose to accept and follow the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit we will be empowered by the Spirit to “put to death the misdeeds of the body.” With the Holy Spirit’s power at work in us, we find new life. Through this presence and relationship we become new creations in Christ as we begin to live as sins and daughters of God.

In verse 15 we read, “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption.” Even though we become a beloved child of God once we are adopted into the family, there can still be fear. If one’s connection to the concept of fatherhood brings up feelings of fear and worry, then that can be a part of how one perceives God as Father. For Paul’s audience there was also a connection to the fear of being unable to keep all of the Law. It felt like an impossible task. In a similar way, some feel like they cannot meet all of their earthly father’s expectations. This too can cause one to live in fear.

Paul reminds his audience and us that our adoption is forever. There is nothing to fear because as beloved children of God we are “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” As children of God we are inheritors of glory. We live day by day into this eternal promise of final resurrection. Even though we will suffer in this life, we know that one day we will “share in his glory.” Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for adopting us in love as your sons and daughters. Thank you for our forever place in the family. And thank you, Lord, for a love that never fails, even when we do. What a great love! Amen.


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Choose His Yoke

Reading: Matthew 11:25-30

Verse 25: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Photo credit: Nick Fewings

Our passage for today begins with a prayer for those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Faith requires a simple, childlike faith. It does not need intelligence or power or wealth or anything else of this world. No, it is God’s “good pleasure” to reveal the kingdom of heaven to those who are pure of heart. This heart, one free from the clutter and temptations of this world, this heart is the heart to whom Jesus will choose to reveal God.

Then Jesus issues an invitation to such as these. It aligns with the words of his prayer: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” To those tired out by chasing and chasing after the things of this world, to those bowed low because they’ve tried and tried to do life on their own – come to Jesus and find rest. Jesus invites all to take on his yoke, to lean on him, to learn from him, to grow to become humble and gentle – both with ourselves and with others.

Contrary to what you or others may think, Jesus’ yoke is “easy” and his burden is “light.” The yoke of the religious leaders of his day was heavy and burdensome. The yoke of the world today is heavy and burdensome. Jesus’ yoke is easy and light, but not because it is in and of itself. It is easy and light because Jesus carries most of the weight. He hears our burdens, he shoulders our load. He invited us to walk alongside him. There we find rest for our souls, for our bodies, and for our spirits. Doing so we choose to live in and for God’s kingdom of love. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, when I try once again to go it on my own, the load again becomes heavy and hard to bear solo. Then I feel the burden of trying to do it all myself. Humble me so that I gladly and willingly take on your yoke. There I do find rest for my soul and I find strength for the day. Thank you for the invitation and for the gentle reminder. Amen.


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All Always

Readings: Genesis 1:1-2 and Matthew 28:18-20

Verses 1 and 20: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” and “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Today, on Trinity Sunday, we are reminded of the eternal nature of the three-in-one God. And we are reminded of the eternal relationship that we receive when we commit our lives to serving and worshipping this triune God.

In Genesis 1 God created the earth and all that was in it and on it and in its waters and sky. In verse 2 we read that the Spirit hovered over the chaos – assessing, taking in, becoming a part of the creative process. In John’s gospel we hear echoes of Genesis as he tells us that Jesus too was there at the beginning: “In the beginning was the Word… And through him all things were made.” Since before the beginning of time and creation: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

At the end of Matthew’s gospel Jesus commissions all disciples – those present then and all who will follow in their footsteps – to make new disciples, baptizing them also in his name and teaching them too to walk in Jesus’ ways. Then he gives the promise: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” The one who was and is always will be. In Spirit, Christ remains alive and present to each of us, both now and forevermore.

Just imagine for a moment what “us” means. Imagine the diversity of folks who will read these words today. And just imagine all the other folks who today are sharing about our three-in-one God. God continues to call and to touch and to use a diverse and yet cohesive body of believers to build God’s kingdom here on earth. Each day, may we all play a role in this building process, all for the glory of God.

Prayer: Lord God, in whatever ways – big or small or somewhere in between – use each of your children to bring glory to your name. Amen.


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To Know One…

Reading: John 14:7-14

Verse 9: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”

Photo credit: Alexander Gray

In the second half of our John 14 passage Jesus makes some connections and a promise that comes from these connections. He begins by asserting that “if you really knew me, you would know the Father as well.” Here Jesus is affirming that he is the incarnation of God – God come in the flesh. As one of my devotionals put it this morning: “they are two separate but interconnected persons of one essence; to know one is to know the other” (Tanya Marlowe, Disciplines, page 45.) For the disciples this was a hard concept to wrap their heads around. In their Hebrew scriptures to physically see God brought death; to touch the ark of the covenant, the place God dwelt, brought death. To equate that God to this walking and talking Jesus was hard for them.

Jesus presses on, stating, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” Jesus’ life, teachings, example – all came from the essence of God within him. He points to the miracles as further proof of this connection. Having experienced all this for almost three years, they must’ve been connecting some dots. And then Jesus hints at more, beginning to push the essence of God a step further. In verse 12 Jesus tells the disciples, “anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing… even greater things.” There is a hint of the Holy Spirit here – the third separate but interconnected persons of one essence. This will lead to Jesus in them, to Jesus in us. Their (and our) knowledge of God will grow deeper and stronger as this new connection takes up residence in them.

And lastly comes the promise: “I will do whatever you ask in my name.” We cannot stop after six words. We can ask for anything, yes. But if it is not done in and through the indwelling presence of God within us, then it is not of Jesus. Again, here Jesus points to connection – God in Jesus, in the Spirit, in us. May we ever be led by Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord God, be in me today as the Father was in you: fully, completely, totally. In all I say and do and think, lead and guide me. With this connection may I reflect you to the world this day and every day. Amen.


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In His Presence

Reading: John 6: 24-35

Verse 32: “It is my Father who gives you true bread from heaven”.

Photo credit: Abram Mourad Blokpoel

There is a personal, individual component to our passage. As we turn a second day to John 6, let us hear Jesus speaking to us, offering you and me the gift of life. Emphasizing his connection to God, Jesus says, “It is my Father who gives you true bread from heaven”. It is God who sent the Son to save the world. It is God who sent Jesus to save you and me.

In the time and place of Jesus, bread was an essential staple. This important part of their diet sustained them. In the same way Jesus “gives life” to all who believe in him. The life Jesus Christ offers is filled with hope and peace, love and forgiveness, mercy and grace, power and strength, comfort and joy. He sustains us on our journey of faith.

Today in many houses of worship people will drink the cup and eat the bread. We will literally celebrate that Jesus is the “bread of life”. We will rejoice that Christ hears our confession, accepts our repentance, and washes away our sin. Through communion we are redeemed and restored, made new again. Holy and perfect in his sight at least for the moment, we do not hunger and thirst for the things of this world. Holy and perfect we rest in his divine presence, assured of his love. May we rest in Christ’s presence today.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for walking with us on this journey of faith. Thank you for sustaining us through all that life throws our way. Help me to rest in you. Amen.


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Amazing Things

Reading: 2nd Samuel 7: 1-14

Verses 13-14: “I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son”.

Yesterday we looked at David’s desire to build God a house as an expression of his gratitude to God. The prophet Nathan readily agreed initially. But in a vision that night God reveals much bigger plans. This is often the way of God. Even in our small lives God will do amazing things if we are but willing servants.

I’m sure that what David would build for God would be grand and most impressive. But all earthly things will fade or crumble or cease to exist. A building is David’s plan for God, the eternal one. After reminding David that he and Israel are where they are at because of God alone, God extends these blessings, saying, “I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son”. The line of David will be forever blessed. His son Solomon will build a magnificent temple, yes. But the kingdom will last forever. That is a promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ, God’s Son born of the line of David.

What a contrast between the plans of a man and the plans of God! It seemed like such a great idea to build God a house. And then God took ahold of it and applied God sized vision to it, doing amazing things. It makes me wonder, what small God-honoring plan do I have that God might just blow up to create or do something being my imagination? What plans are you laying out that God could grab ahold of and go and go? Like David, when we are but faithful and willing servants, God can and will do amazing things. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: God of all things, the works of your hands and the expressions of your faithfulness amaze me. Your plans are far beyond my small imagination and my too often guarded faith. Help me to be more faithful, more trusting, more willing. Amen.


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A Friend

Reading: John 15: 12-15

Verse 12: “My command is this: love each other as I have loved you”.

Photo credit: Priscilla du Preez

As we continue in our passage from John 15 our focus shifts slightly. We look at how our relationship with Jesus informs our relationships with others. Love remains the centerpiece. Understanding yesterday’s call to agape love – that unconditional and often undeserved love – Jesus calls us today to live out that love just as he did. In our opening verse Jesus says, “My command is this: love each other as I have loved you”. It is a command not just to love the other as the world does but to love the other as Jesus loves us.

Imagine that the father of a young family living two doors down died unexpectedly. You buy a gift card from a local restaurant, slip it inside a nice sympathy card, and tuck it in their mailbox. That is loving as the world loves. You have chatted with them on your walks so you know them a little bit. You make the kids’ favorite meal and bring it over to the house. You help a shaken mom get the kids fed and you clean up as she gets them ready for bed. You hang around to see what else she needs – prayer, someone to listen, someone to watch the kids while she goes to the funeral home… You show up tomorrow and each next day as long as needed. This is loving as Christ loves. This is laying down one’s life for the other.

When we truly love as Jesus loves us, when we follow his commands, we are living out his agape love. We are not so much serving Jesus as we are being his hands and feet and heart in the world. When we live this way, Jesus calls us “friend” instead of servant. When we learn and internalize all that Jesus has passed along from the Father, we become a true friend of Jesus. It becomes natural to care well for that family two doors down. It becomes our rhythm of life to step into opportunities to share Jesus’ love. Loving like Jesus becomes who and what we are. Day by day may he become more of each of us.

Prayer: Lord of love, thank you for calling me friend. I want to be more, to be just like you – loving one and all without condition, without reserve. Continue to prune and shape me, molding and forming me more and more into your image. Each day, use me as you will. Amen.