pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Heed the Teachings

Reading: Luke 16:19-31

Luke 16:31 – “If they didn’t listen to Moses and the Prophets, then neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.”

Our parable for today comes just after a clash between Jesus and the Pharisees. In verse 14 this group of religious leaders is identified as “money-lovers.” Jesus told them that their worldly wealth is “deeply offensive to God.” After reminding them that they have Moses and the Prophets and now the good news, Jesus launches into today’s parable. It is clear who the rich man really is.

There is a rich man, finely dressed, who feasts “luxuriously” every day. Outside his gate is a poor man, Lazarus, who longs for crumbs from the rich man’s table. Lazarus dies and is carried to Abraham’s side in heaven. The rich man dies and now suffers torment in the flames. Their places in life are reversed in the afterlife. The rich man now longs – for a drop of water to cool his tongue. But it is not possible, says Abraham. A great crevasse separates heaven from hell.

The torment of hell is so great that the rich man finally thinks of someone other than self. He begs Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers. Apparently they are as self-centered as he was in life. They too have ignored the call of the great commands and more. Abraham reminds the rich man that his brothers have the Law and Prophets. Alas, he knows they’ve ignored them just as he did. The rich man again asks that Lazarus be sent. Then they’ll change hearts and lives. No, Abraham says, “If they didn’t listen to Moses and the Prophets, then neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.” How true.

May we heed the teachings in the Bible and the example set by Jesus, he who rose from the dead.

Prayer: Lord God, wealth is not all that can drag us away from loving you and loving neighbor. We can love power or status or titles or beauty or… more than you, which, in turn, means more than others. Lord, remind us again and again of the danger of placing anything above you. The harm, the cost, the outcome – all detrimental to our relationships with you and with those around us. Heal our brokenness. Break our selfishness. Lead us to find wholeness and contentment in you alone. Amen.


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Generous and Hospitable

Reading: 3rd John

3rd John 1:11 – “Don’t imitate what is bad but what is good. Whoever practices what is good belongs to God.”

3rd John addresses two ways that one can live as a part of the community of faith. Unfortunately, good and evil can exist within the church. Like many other institutions, a church is a group of imperfect people. So, at times, people in a church can cause harm to one another or to the mission of Christ.

In this short letter the elder contrasts the actions and attitudes of Gaius and Diotrephes. The elder is “overjoyed” by what he heard about Gaius. He is living “according to the truth,” caring well for the brothers and sisters who are on missionary journeys. Diotrephes, on the other hand, is one who “likes to put himself first.” He does not welcome these itinerant missionaries. And, not only that, he’s slandering the elder and his companions. And Diotrephes is expelling people from the church if they help these missionaries.

The elder writes to Gaius, “Don’t imitate what is bad but what is good. Whoever practices what is good belongs to God.” Those who practice what is bad or evil have “not seen God.” This is a simple letter about being generous and hospitable. It calls us to consider where our actions and behaviors fall along this spectrum. If we are more like Gaius, then we are seeking to live according to the truth of Christ. If we are more self-centered, then we have some work to do.

Prayer: Lord God, lead us to truly reflect on how generous and hospitable we are to those who are doing your work and who pass through our doors or lives. May we strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ, the one who welcomed and engaged one and all in love. Amen.


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God Gets It

Reading: Proverbs 7-8

‭Ecclesiastes 7:14 – “When times are good, enjoy the good; when times are bad, consider: God has made the former as well as the latter.”

Chapter 7 begins with a reality. “The day of death is better than the birthday.” At the end of life one can reflect on the person’s good name. Death is all people’s fate so we should all “take it to heart.” Along these lines the sage notes that the end (or completion) of something is better than its beginning. Then we are reminded, “When times are good, enjoy the good; when times are bad, consider: God has made the former as well as the latter.” But, alas, sometimes it is still pointless too. Sometimes the righteous die young and the wicked enjoy long life. And then come some true words of wisdom: remember, there is no one so righteous that they never make a mistake (sin.) How true, how true.

Chapter 8 begins with the questions, “Who is wise? And who knows the meaning of anything?” Hope follows: keep the commands and meet no harm. The wise know there is a right time and place for everything. Yet human misfortunes are overwhelming because we don’t know when they will happen.

In verses 11-14 it feels like we’re spinning. Wrongdoers sin and sin but still live long lives. It’ll go well for those who fear God. It will not go well for the wicked. The righteous get what the wicked deserve and vice versa. The Teacher is right, “this too is pointless.”

Our reading closes with the commendation to enjoy life: eat, drink, be glad. These things accompany hard work. But, alas, no one can grasp what happens under the sun. Even the wise cannot grasp it. God gets it. God gets us. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, when it feels like it does for the Teacher, remind us of your presence, of your guidance, of your truth that we can find in and through the Holy Spirit. When life makes no sense, when it does seem unfathomable, hold us tight, maybe even carry us. Thank you for your constant and abiding loving presence always. Amen.


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A Strong Tower

Readings: Proverbs 17 and 18

‭Proverbs 18:10 – “The LORD’s name is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and find refuge.”

There are three themes that stand out to me today as we read and ponder Proverbs 17 and 18. To read these words in a few months or in a couple of years, other themes might stand out. That is one reason we read and read and read our Bibles. That being said, the first theme that emerged today was that wisdom or understanding brings peace to our lives. It is better to eat crusty, dry bread in peace than to feast in a quarreling house. It is love that covers offenses. But fools keep repeating words and actions that bring or lead to division. Therefore, it is “safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in their folly.” Let that sink in.

The second theme concerns God’s testing and refining and correction. Like a crucible refines and purifies silver, so God tests our hearts. For the wise and understanding, a rebuke goes deeper and impacts us more than “100 lashes to a fool.” For those who seek understanding and wisdom, these draw us together. As the community of faith we too love one another all the time, especially in times of trouble and trial.

The last theme has to do with the power of our words. First, the wise restrain their talking. The wise are cool headed. The understanding recognize that words are “deep waters” and hold the power of life and death. The wise guard their words, loving life, eating well of its fruit. Fools babble on and on, caring just for their own opinions, allowing careless and thoughtless words to bring harm and hurt.

Proverbs 18:10 stands out today as a summary verse, as words to cling to: “The LORD’s name is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and find refuge.” May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, you are indeed our strong tower, our rock of refuge, our place of peace. Walk closely with us, guiding our words and actions so that we too might bring peace and refuge and strength to a world in need of these things in their lives. Use us in the building of your kingdom. Amen.


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God Surrounds Us

Readings: Psalms 1-4

‭Psalms 4:1 – “Answer me when I cry out… Set me free from my troubles! Have mercy on me! Listen to my prayer!”

Today we begin the Psalms. These words of lament and praise have guided and given voice to faith and suffering for thousands of years. They invite us to walk this road too. Originally the Psalms were Israel’s song book. As do our hymns and praise songs today, the Psalms tell the history and the theology of the people of faith – both then and now.

Psalms 1 and 2 serve as an introduction to almost all that follows in Psalms 3-150. Psalm 1 focuses on living according to God’s instruction and Psalm 2 focuses on the kingship of God. Psalm 1 begins with a list of don’ts. If one wants to be truly happy (or blessed) then don’t do these things. We all have our own list. Instead, the psalmist invites us to recite God’s word day and night. In the original Hebrew the word we translate ‘recite’ would have meant literally mumbling or uttering God’s word under one’s breath all of the time.

Psalm 2 acknowledges that the world (i.e. – the wicked) takes its stand against God and against God’s anointed. The one called “son,” the one who shall reign over “all nations” – we read that as Jesus. The psalmist advises the world to worship this king “reverently” and with “trembling.” And again the theme: take refuge in God and be truly happy.

Psalms 3 and 4 are attributed to David. Both are about crying out to God. In Psalm 3 David is hard-pressed by Absalom’s rebellion and pursuit. While we might not be kings facing a coup, we deal with oppressors and others who want to do us harm. In many ways and in many situations we too can cry out, “Answer me when I cry out… Set me free from my troubles! Have mercy on me! Listen to my prayer!” And because God is ever faithful, figuratively and literally, we can “lie down and fall asleep in peace.” God surrounds us always. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, you do fill our hearts with joy. Your face does shine upon us. We do not need to fear because you save and you rescue. When we rant and rave like the world, draw us to the Lord our refuge. Be intimately acquainted with our ways, O Lord, as we strive to grow intimately acquainted with your ways. Amen.


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Relationship

Readings: Exodus 19, Exodus 20, Exodus 21

Exodus 20:1 – “I am the Lord your God.”

Photo credit: Robert Linder

As the Israelites travel on in the wilderness they arrive at Mount Sinai. Moses goes up the mountain and God speaks to him. Through Moses, God invites the people into relationship – obey me and stay true to the covenant. To accept means that Israel will become “my most precious possession… a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.” The people accept the invitation, paving the way for the giving of the Law. In order to be ready to receive God’s law, the people prepare themselves, becoming ritually clean.

God descends on the mountain, filling the people with fear. They are warned to stay off of the mountain while God is present. Then Aaron joins Moses as they go up the mountain. In chapter 20 God begins to give Moses the Law. It begins with the Ten Commandments. These well-known verses begin with this foundational statement: “I am the Lord your God.” The “I am” echoes who and what God is. This was God’s name that Moses brought with him when he first went to Egypt.

The first four commandments are about us living in right relationship with God – no other gods or idols, no using God’s name carelessly, honor the Sabbath to covenant with God. The last six deal with our relationship with one another. They cover how to treat each other. An interesting side note – the last one, the one dealing with coveting, is the only one against inward thoughts. One can look at the last as a summary too. Coveting leads to the actions covered in commandments five through nine.

Today’s readings close with instructions that apply these relationship rules to some specific situations: slavery and animals. While many of these do not apply to us anymore, there is value in understanding their spirit. John Wesley’s simple rules “do no harm” and “do good” convey this same spirit. They are about treating and loving each other as God loves and treats us. May this be the spirit that we live by.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for taking the time to define, to explain, to invite us into faithful living with you, our covenant God. Fill us with your Spirit and empower us to live as your witness to love, grace, and mercy. Amen.


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Conflict Resolution

Reading: Matthew 18:15-20

Verse 20: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

In this week’s gospel text Jesus addresses how to deal with conflict within the church. As followers of Jesus Christ we are not immune from being human. As such, we can hurt and even harm one another. For Jesus, this is a given. So in today’s passage he gives direction for how to lovingly deal with the inevitable.

Step one is personal – go to that person and explain how they hurt or harmed you. This will resolve most issues. If that does not bring healing to the relationship, the next step is to bring one or two people along as you again explain the offense. Often other perspectives help to work things out. And it is a check on our motives. If this too fails to bring resolution then we are to bring the matter before the church. There the collective wisdom and love of the body can be used to bring healing and reconciliation to the broken relationship. If even this step fails, then the final steps for the church is to exclude the offender from the body. This is not meant to be punitive. It brings awareness that such behavior is unacceptable and it invites the offender to introspection and repentance.

None of these four steps are easy. That is why Jesus continues in verses 18-20. Jesus first promises that if we follow these steps then our decisions and actions will be godly and just. Accordingly, they will stand both in heaven and on earth. How is it possible to be godly and just in the middle of conflict, hurt, and harm? “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” In the midst of our conflict resolution, if we ask Jesus into the conversation, he will be there. With Jesus Christ leading and guiding the efforts, what we ask for and the just resolution that we seek – “it will be done for you by my father in heaven.” What a way to approach conflict resolution!

Prayer: Lord God, when the inevitable comes, lead and guide us through those difficult times in the life of the community of faith. Be present in our thoughts, in our words, in our actions. Through the Spirit’s loving presence, guide us in mercy, grace, love, honesty, humility, and forgiveness, bringing unity back to the body of Christ. Amen.


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Love Does No Harm

Reading: Romans 13:8-10

Verse 10: “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

Turning to the first half of this week’s Epistle reading, Paul calls us to love one another. Paul, just as Jesus did, emphasizes that “he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the Law.” Paul, again reiterating one of Jesus’ teachings, offers a few of the 10 Commandments and says these and all other commandments are summed up in “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Whether reading Paul or reading Jesus, the charge is clear: love one another.

In verse 10 Paul writes, “Love does no harm to a neighbor.” Many years later this concept would become the basis for the first of John Wesley’s “Three Simple Rules”: Do no harm. Wesley picked up on Jesus’ example and on Paul’s words, making the verbage shorter while also expanding the scope to include things like the environment. While the world has changed greatly since the days of Paul or Wesley, this rule of life is still greatly needed in our world and in our lives.

How can we, how can you and I, embody and live out “love does no harm to a neighbor?” How do we model a love that intentionally chooses not to harm our fellow humans or the world we all live in? We begin by accepting the call to minister to all the world. We next recognize and engage the image of God that is inside all people. And then we really commit to loving all of our neighbors, especially when it is hard. From this place of being in the world as Christ was in the world, we will do no harm as we encounter each person from a place of love. May it be so for us all today and every day.

Prayer: Lord God, open my heart wide to all people – those like me, those that are beloved by you. All people. Fill me with your love, Lord. Use me and guide me to truly love as you love – without condition, generously, abundantly. As I gather with others may it always be in your name. May your presence be with us and in us. Amen.


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Closely Guard Our Hearts

Reading: Ephesians 4:25 – 5:2

Verses 25 and 27: “Put off falsehood and speak truthfully… do not give the devil a foothold”.

Photo credit: Tom Swinnen

Shifting gears from last week’s passage in Ephesians about all the ways that build up unity in the body of Christ, Paul turns to the one thing that destroys unity quicker than anything else: our words. Encouraging us to live as children of the light (or of God), Paul writes, “Put off falsehood and speak truthfully… do not give the devil a foothold”. Throughout the passage Paul unpacks this statement concerning our words. This will be our focus tomorrow. Today we will focus on verse 27 – the source of our evil words.

“Do not let the devil get a foothold”. Our journey of faith is one of constant battles in the spiritual realm. At times we do not realize this. Satan is always at work, trying to pull us away from our faith and off the path of following Jesus Christ. The battles begin with our thoughts. Satan is forever planting seeds that raise fear, doubt, jealousy, anxiety, envy, pride, anger, lust… These little lies are whispered over and over again. On our good days we dismiss these lies quickly as our faith holds firm. The Holy Spirit quenches these evil thoughts. But when we’re down or when we’re feeling worn out, then the Spirit isn’t as audible. That evil seed takes root and begins to grow, to fester, to agitate. Soon a word is spoken. Damage or harm is done. Satan celebrates. Almost always we regret it quickly – but it is too late. All of us have experienced this. For this reason may we closely guard our thoughts, the source of our words.

Prayer: Lord God, raise up the voice of the Holy Spirit in me! When Satan comes round, make me quickly aware of his presence and keenly aware of his tricks. Guard my heart, O Lord. Amen.


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Looking Up

Reading: Numbers 21: 4-9

Verse 7: “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us”.

Photo credit: Carolina Jacomin

As the Israelites near the end of their journey in the wilderness they are tired, impatient, and irritable. Three weeks into Lent and perhaps a few of us grow tired of the themes of reflection and introspection. In the bigger picture, today the source of our weariness and impatience and irritability is the pandemic. As the Israelites grumble against God and Moses, they are expressing these emotions. They long to go back to what was. Tired of their current situation, they let go of their frustration via complaint. This is the fifth complaint story during their wilderness journey. God has had enough. God sends venemous snakes among the Israelites and many die. Consequences.

Like Jesus’ subversive actions in the temple, this response of God makes us feel a little uncomfortable. Our reality, though, is that we have been here too. We have had the tables turned over a time or two or… We have been bitten by our poorly spoken words or via our sinful actions. We too have experienced how the pain drives us to confession and repentance, to turning back toward God. As we look up to the Lord, just like the Israelites did, we find reconciliation and restoration and forgiveness. God is faithful and moves quickly to bring us back into right relationship.

Lent is a wilderness experience, a season of introspection and reflection. In that spirit, let us consider times when our actions have harmed or caused pain for others. Perhaps we are in the midst of such a time. What words spoken have caused harm? What actions have damaged relationships? What words left unspoken or actions left undone have allowed harm or pain to continue? To wrestle with these questions first requires a humble and contrite spirit. On Ash Wednesday we were reminded that this is the posture of Lent – a humble and contrite spirit. It is what leads to a new heart within us and to the place of healing that God so graciously offers.

The Israelites looked up to the reminder that God is in control, to the serpent fashioned by Moses. Today, we lift our eyes to our source of healing and hope, to the one who offers mercy and grace, restoration and wholeness – Jesus Christ. On this Lenten journey, may the God of love continue to sustain you and to give life, even in the wilderness.

Prayer: Lord of life, you are so gracious and merciful and kind. Your love is overwhelming, your patience without end. Just as you continued to walk with the Israelites, walk with me day by day. Reveal to me the ways that I have caused and do cause harm so that I can repent and become more like your son, the Christ. Amen.