pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Imagine…

Reading: Isaiah 65:20-25

Isaiah 65:23 – “They won’t labor in vain, nor bear children to a world of horrors, because they will be people blessed by the Lord.”

The themes of yesterday’s reading from Isaiah 65 get fleshed out today as we continue reading. We see what the new heaven and earth will be like. We see the reasons for joy and gladness. Infants will live to see old age. Good health and long life will be enjoyed by all people. All will be housed and have enough to eat. Imagine what this would be like! Sadly, though, this could be a reality right now if we just loved and cared for one another as God created us to do.

In this light, verse 23 hits hard: “They won’t labor in vain, nor bear children to a world of horrors, because they will be people blessed by the Lord.” Many will go to work today wondering when they will earn a living wage, making enough to not have to live paycheck to paycheck. Many will wake their children and wonder if they can feed them another day or if the bills might somehow get paid so that they can still have a roof over their heads. Talk about horrors. What would it take for such as these to be “blessed by the Lord?”

To be blessed, the current people of God must be so intimately connected to God that God would hear and answer before we call or speak. Such an intimate relationship would first require that we love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. When we love God this way, we find that we love others in the same way. With eyes of love we would see the vulnerable. And as we see them and are moved by the Spirit, God would hear and answer, leading us to be a part of making the new heaven and earth more of a present reality. Imagine what this would be like…

Prayer: Lord God, we have so much more than enough. Because of your great love, we have great abundance. But we also have great greed and an inward focus. Lord, loosen our grip on things. Bend our focus outward, away from self. Send us to the people and places of need. Use us to bring wholeness to our world. Create around us communities where all flourish, where all are blessed. Connect us to one another, spreading hope and grace. Amen.


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To Trust in Faith

Reading: Matthew 26:36-39

Matthew 26:39 – “My Father, if it’s possible, take this cup of suffering away from me.”

As we wrap up a week on faith overcoming our fears, we turn today to Jesus’ time in the Garden of Gethsemane. It has been a tumultuous week in Jerusalem. Jesus has clashed with the religious leaders. He has washed the disciples’ feet and instituted holy communion. He has spoken of betrayal and denial. As the time for his arrest, trial, suffering, and death nears, Jesus goes to a place of prayer that he has frequented. The disciples know this about Jesus and this place.

Entering the Garden, Jesus leaves most of the disciples, instructing them to “stay here” while he goes to pray. Taking Peter, John, and James a little further into the Garden and into his struggle, Jesus tells them, “I’m very sad. It’s as if I’m dying.” He tells them to stay they and to “keep alert” – pray! Falling to the ground, Jesus prays, “My Father, if it’s possible, take this cup of suffering away from me.” The human piece of Jesus fears what is soon to come: the arrest… The Divine piece of Jesus fears the separation from God when he takes upon himself our sins.

Choosing faith and trust over fear, Jesus prays, “However – not what I want but what you want.” What’s coming will be extremely hard, painful, difficult. But it is God’s plan. It’s always been the plan. In our moments of fear, when we can see what’s coming and when it is the unknown that raises up fear in us, may we too choose to trust in faith, knowing that our good, good God loves us and is in control. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, fear is something that we deal with often. It rises up in times of risk and danger; it rises up in times of challenge and trial. In the moments when fear is beginning to grip us, Lord speak into our hearts and minds. By the power of the Spirit, remind us that we are yours and yours alone. Amen.