pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: final


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Our Affirmative Answer

Reading: John 11:20-27

John 11:25 – “I am the resurrection and the life.”

Today’s passage is a conversation between Martha and Jesus. Martha’s brother Lazarus has just died. Martha and her sister Mary had asked Jesus to come, believing he would heal Lazarus. This is evident in verse 21. Also evident is Martha’s faith in Jesus: “Even now I know that whatever you ask God, God will give you.” She believes strongly in Jesus’ power.

Verses 23-24 are representative of the Jewish understanding of the afterlife. One day there will be a final resurrection of the dead. Martha assumes this is what Jesus is talking about when he says, “Your brother will rise again.” On that final day – in a year, in a hundred years, in 7,947 years – all will be resurrected, some to eternal life, some to eternal punishment.

In verse 25 Jesus speaks into the present. He says, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Life begins anew when one accepts Jesus as Lord. The old is gone, the new has come. As a disciple of Jesus Christ we begin to live and experience heaven here on earth. We receive Jesus’ Spirit as a constant presence in our lives, much as God will be when we enter heaven. This life will be continued into the next. Our soul, our essence, will never die.

Asked if she believes, Martha responds affirmatively to the Christ, to God’s son. This day, may our lives – our words, our actions – be our affirmative witness to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, there are many ways that we can profess or witness to our faith in you. As we go out into the world each day, lead and guide us to bring the peace, hope, joy, love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, contentment, generosity, and welcome that we find in you our into the world. Doing so, we bring heaven to earth and into other people’s lives. May it be so, O Lord. Amen.


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Life Beyond

Reading: Genesis 5:18-24

Genesis 5:24 – “Enoch walked with God and disappeared because God took him.”

Photo credit: Timo Volz

Today’s reading jumps way back, back to the generations that came after Adam. If one scans backwards, one reads of very lengthy lifespans – Adam lived 930 years, Enosh lived 905 years, Jared lived 962 years. The fate of all but one of these men listed in Genesis 5 is the same: “he died.” Running throughout this chapter and throughout the Bible is this common truth: our time on earth will run out and we will die. The question we wrestle with is where we will go.

For Adam, Cain, Abel, and so on, the end of life brought death. There was simply a cessation of life. That was that. For people today without faith, death remains final. There is no hope, no future possibility. Death has the final, final word.

In today’s text, Enoch has a different fate. Enoch’s story is different than the other’s stories. In his story alone we read that he “walked with God.” Enoch was faithful to God. So unique is this fact, it is in two verses. Because he walked with God we also read that he “disappeared because God took him.” Enoch did not taste death. Death does not always have the last word.

This is the first time in the Bible that it hints at what we would call “heaven” as a destination. Enoch clearly experiences something other than physical death. There is something beyond what we now know in our mortal bodies. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, from early on in your story you’ve pointed to something more, to something better, to something lasting. Thank you for the reminder today, for this first glimpse. Continue to walk with us this week as we delve into your story of life. Amen.


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Bold Words

Reading: Matthew 26

Matthew 26:35 – “Peter said, ‘Even if I must die alongside you, I won’t deny you.’ All the disciples said the same thing.”

In Matthew 26 we move into Jesus final days. He announces that in two days he will be handed over and crucified. Matthew notes that the chief priests and elders don’t want it to happen during the feast – they fear the people’s reaction. But it will happen as Jesus said and as God has planned.

That night at the house of Simon (formerly the leper), a woman anoints Jesus’ head with very expensive perfume, preparing him for burial. The disciples see it as a waste, but Jesus commends her actions. Judas then goes and agrees to betray Jesus. The next day Jesus and the disciples celebrate the Passover meal. Jesus tells them that one of them will betray him and Judas is eventually identified. Jesus then offers the first communion. Judas is still there. They sing some songs and then go to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus tells them that they’ll all fall away that night. Peter says he’ll never stumble. Jesus tells him that he’ll deny Jesus three times that night – “before the rooster crows.” Boldly Peter says, “Even if I must die alongside you, I won’t deny you.” The others echo this sentiment. Jesus moves to the area known as Gethsemane to pray, inviting the disciples to “keep alert” as they join him in prayer. They sleep. Jesus wrestles with the suffering to come but ultimately prays to God that this will be “what you want.” Awakening the disciples, Judas and the crowd arrive.

Identified with a kiss, Jesus is arrested. All is to fulfill the scriptures. All the disciples run away. Jesus is taken not to the temple but to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest. Peter follows at a distance. It is at a distance that he will boldly deny Jesus three times. The fake trial ends with the religious leaders hitting and spitting on a condemned Jesus. Funny how their literal actions mirror what the disciples did to Jesus, figuratively speaking. Sadly, at times, we do the same.

Prayer: Lord God, the sad but glorious ending begins to unfold. Human weakness, pride, jealousy, betrayal – all are present. Obedience, trust, faith, courage – all present as well. Lord, help us to be like you instead of like the religious leaders and like the disciples in their moments of fear. Lord, empower our faith and trust, our obedience and courage. May our words and our actions be bold. Amen.


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With Longing

Reading: Isaiah 24-27

‭Isaiah 25:8 – “He will swallow up death forever. The LORD God will wipe tears from every face.”

Today’s reading contains themes not found elsewhere in Isaiah 1-39. These chapters are often called “Isaiah’s Apocalypse.” Most scholars believe this section was written at least a century after the rest of First Isaiah.

Chapter 24 prophesies a destruction that will be total and complete. All peoples and even the earth will be no more. On that day, “all joy has reached its dusk; happiness is exiled from the earth.” This brings to mind the final days of this present earth as described in Revelation. The kings of this earth will be gathered, shut in a prison to be punished. We’re just missing the word ‘forever’ here.

Chapters 25 and 26 mostly celebrates God’s final salvation. Isaiah exults God for the “wonderful things” that God has done. God will “swallow up” the veil that separated and will “swallow up death forever. The LORD God will wipe tears from every face.” These ‘end times’ themes and understandings appear here and in Daniel 12 – nowhere else in the Old Testament. The idea that “corpses will rise” and that “those who dwell in the dust” will one day shout for joy will not be accepted or even really developed until New Testament times.

These cosmic and end times themes continue in chapter 27. God defeats the cosmic forces of chaos. The image of the vineyard/garden returns. Jacob will “take root” and Israel will “bloom and sprout.” God will gather up the chosen people “one by one.” Those who were “lost” will come and “bow to the Lord at his holy mountain.” One day there will be a new heaven and earth. In 26:9 Isaiah writes, “My spirit within me watches for you.” With the same longing, may it be so for you and me as we await the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, we long for the day when you forever swallow up death. We await the moment that the trumpet blasts and you make all things new. Walk with us day by day as we seek to bring your kingdom more and more to this earth. Amen.


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Plans

Readings: Exodus 25, Exodus 26, Exodus 27

‭Exodus‬ ‭25:40… – “See to it that you make them according to the blueprint for them that you were shown on the mountain.”

Today’s readings shift into the building of the tabernacle. The great detail and planning remind us once again that God is good and ordered and creative. All of these details and specifications and vision for the tabernacle were given to Moses by God when he was on the mountaintop. Over and over we read, “See to it that you make them according to the blueprint for them that you were shown on the mountain.” God has a plan and calls Moses and then Israelites to follow the plan exactly. As I pondered application for today’s readings, it came to me: our lives are much like the construction of the tabernacle. God has given us a detailed plan. We read three chapters from it today. Within that plan, in the gospels God even gives us a perfect example of what following the plan exactly looks like. And to boot God gifts us with the Holy Spirit, the indwelling presence of Jesus Christ that leads and guides us.

There is great detail in the plans and in the execution of the plan. We find exact dimensions. We find specific colors and designs. We see specific metals used for specific spaces and purposes. We see talents and gifts put to use to execute God’s plan for the tabernacle. As I read through these chapters I imagined each step and what each item looked like. I envisioned the final product. As Moses received these instructions on the mountain I bet he tried to see each item and the final product as God laid out the plan. This thought draws me back to the Holy Spirit – that indwelling presence that knows God’s plans for our lives and works and prays and works to shape and guide and lead and make us into who and what God created us to be. I wonder: In what ways are we contributing to the Holy Spirit’s efforts in our lives?

What also struck me today was the people’s commitment. Every single thing they used for the tabernacle came from them. Every single thing. In the same way, the church (not the building but the church) relies on each of us to be a part of bringing God’s light and love into the world. What are you bringing?

Prayer: Lord God, we see a wonderful and detailed plan for the tabernacle. You have the same kind of plan for our lives and for our churches. Move us to active involvement in the completion of these plans. Amen.


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Steadfast and Eternal

Reading: Mark 5: 35-43

Verse 36: “Don’t be afraid; just believe”.

Photo credit: Aron Visuals

Today we again pick up the story of Jairus and his daughter. The woman with the 12-year condition has been healed. It is now almost time to continue on so that Jesus can attend to Jairus’ daughter. But just as Jesus finishes speaking to the woman, men from Jairus’ house arrive to tell him, “Your daughter is dead”. In immediate response, “ignoring what they said”, Jesus says to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe”. We hear of no response or reaction from Jairus. He, Jesus, and Peter, James, and John leave everyone else behind and proceed to the house. Was Jairus still hopeful? Did he still believe in Jesus’ power? Was he just numbly walking along?

Arriving at the house, the mourning is already well under way. Preparations for death had been made. Clearing the house, Jesus takes Jairus and his wife plus Peter, James, and John to the little girl’s room. Taking her hand, Jesus calls her back to life. Immediately the daughter stands up and begins to walk around. Like the woman, she is completely healed, fully restored. Whatever had been killing the girl is totally gone. Jairus’ plea for help and all of the prayers lifted for this girl and her family are answered. Resisting fear and holding onto belief brings life to his little daughter.

The woman is healed. The daughter brought back to life. Does faith always lead to a good outcome? Does resisting fear always hold off grief or the time of trial? No, not always. Life will still happen – illness persists, death is final. Yet God is both of these too – steadfast and eternal. Trusting in God and believing that he is always in control is our strength in the storm. God can do the impossible. May we walk in faith, ever standing upon our steadfast and eternal God.

Prayer: Lord God, you are ever with me in the highs and lows plus all the places in between. May I be as true to you, O Lord. Amen.