pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Faith and Persistence

Reading: Matthew 15:21-28

Matthew 15:25 – “But she knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, help me.'”

Photo credit: Ben White

After clashing with the religious leaders, as our passage continues in Matthew 15, Jesus travels to the region of Tyre and Sidon. This is in Phoenicia, along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Jesus is west of Mount Hermon, a site in Psalm 133. Given the way Jesus initially interacts with the woman, perhaps this trip was intended for some time set apart. But even outside of Israel, Jesus’ reputation proceeds him.

A Canaanite woman from this area shouts out to the “Son of David,” seeking mercy. Her daughter is possessed by a demon. The title she uses for Jesus is a traditional Jewish confession of faith. Jesus is silent. She persists. The disciples want Jesus to address her – so that he can send her away. Maybe directed to the disciples, but certainly loud enough for the woman to hear, Jesus declares that he was sent “only to the lost sheep” – to Israel. Remaining persistent, she kneels right in front of Jesus. From this position of humility, she pleads, “Lord, help me.”

Insulting and/or testing her faith and persistence, Jesus says, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” Acknowledging the insult – “Yes, Lord” – she persists: “But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” She acknowledges Jesus as “master,” as her Lord. Because of her great faith and persistence, Jesus is moved and he heals her daughter from afar. May we have such great faith and may we be so persistent with our trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, you alone are Lord. You alone have the power to meet all of our needs. To you alone may we turn. To you alone may we look to be our all in all. Amen.


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Blessings

Reading: Matthew 14:13-20

Matthew 13:20 – “Everyone ate until they were full, and they filled twelve baskets with the leftovers.”

This week’s gospel lesson is about compassion, challenge, provision, and abundance. These four things were a part of Jesus’ life and they should be a part of our lives. It is not always easy to practice these four things. As our story opens, it is one of those times. Jesus is grieving and wants to be alone. But the crowds follow him. He could send them away or he could try harder to escape their presence. But, instead, he chooses compassion. This leads Jesus to heal many people. Inferring how many from the rest of the story, I bet Jesus healed every single person who came forward for healing. All.

At the end of his long day, the disciples suggest dismissing the crowd so that they can get some food. Compassion. But Jesus challenges them: “You give them something to eat.” Just as Jesus’ emotional tank was about empty as the day began, the disciples have just five loaves and two fish among them. I imagine there was a very uncomfortable stare, pausing on each of the twelve, before Jesus said, “Bring them to me.” From next to nothing comes provision and abundance. The food is blessed. It gets distributed. We read, “Everyone ate until they were full, and they filled twelve baskets with the leftovers.” All eat. A huge crowd is fed. And all twelve disciples have a basket full of leftovers. A blessing upon a blessing!

The miracles begin with compassion. God works through faith and a willing heart. How might God use what you think is meager – or next to nothing – to feed or clothe or house or heal or… others? Where do you feel compassion? See the need and allow the Holy Spirit to stir your heart. Take on the challenge: step forward in faith and trust. Offering what you have opens the gates for God’s abundance to flow. Where is the need in your world?

Prayer: Lord God, sadly, there are needs all around. Poverty, loneliness, hunger, loss, abuse, illness, oppression – all around. Open our eyes and stir our hearts. Move us to action and service. As we offer what we can, multiply it by your power, O Lord. Use us to bless others. Amen.


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What If?

Reading: Matthew 9:18-26

Matthew 9:16 and 21 – “My daughter has just died. But come and… If I only touch his robe…”

In Matthew 9 we find two “what if?” stories. They are similar to Abram’s story: What if I follow where God is calling me to go? In reality, Abram did have a bit more to go on. God has spoken to him, promised to show the way, told him there would be blessing in the going. For the ruler and the woman, they’d likely heard that this Jesus was healing people. In a moment of need, their thoughts were something along this line: What if the stories are really true?

In Mark 5 and in Luke 8 we find more detailed versions of this story. The ruler is named Jairus. His daughter has died. In Matthew he says to Jesus, “But if you come and place your hand on her…” The woman, unnamed in all three gospels, has had a bleeding problem for many, many years. She thinks to herself, “If I only touch his robe…” Both of these stories are about hoping against hope, about taking a desperate leap of faith.

I think that in both cases, if either would have told others what they were going to do, there would’ve been ridiculed or worse. It might’ve been the same for Abram when he announced that he was leaving. And it might be the same for you or for me when we are willing to put all of our hope in the Lord. In the gospel, Jesus did come and lay a hand on Jairus’ daughter. She lived again. The woman did touch Jesus’ robe. She was healed. What if we were to follow the nudge, to hope against hope, to take a big step of faith?

Prayer: Lord God, the same question – what if? – can look large in our lives at times. We ask ourselves the same questions: Can I trust this to you? Can I take this risk, this big step? In these moments, O God, whisper into our hearts, speak into our fears, fill us with your guidance and direction. Lead and guide us to follow faithfully, no matter the risk, no matter the cost. Just like Jesus. Amen.


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Healed to Bring Healing

Reading: Matthew 9:9-10

Matthew 9:9 – “As Jesus continued on… He said to him, ‘Follow me,’ and he got up and followed him.”

The first part of our readings this week from Matthew’s gospel cover the calling of Matthew. According to what is recorded in the gospel, Matthew is the fifth disciple to be called. The first four were fishermen: Andrew and Peter, James and John. Matthew is cut from a different cloth. He is a tax collector. He was financially secure if not wealthy. Matthew did not work long days hoping to eek out a living. Sitting there in his kiosk, his most anxious thoughts maybe concerned his evening plans. There is a possibility that he has heard of Jesus. But maybe not.

After being rejected and sent away from a Gentile area, Jesus walks along the road in Israel. Seeing Matthew, Jesus says, “Follow me.” In the text we read, “He got up and followed him.” Simple as that! Looking deeper, though, are these two stories connected? In cahoots with the Romans, Matthew would’ve been rejected by the Jews. If they could, the Jews would send Matthew away. He and all like him were known “sinners.” When Jesus ends up at Matthew’s house for dinner, the Pharisees say as much. Jesus’ response is that he came to heal. Inviting the Pharisees to come along too, Jesus adds, “Go and learn what this means: I want mercy and not sacrifice.”

To this point in the gospel, healing mercies have been a focus of Jesus’ ministry. In today’s passage Jesus chooses to be present to these “sinners” who are “sick” with things like greed, power, status… He has called Matthew to receive healing. Through Matthew, Jesus is reaching out to others in need of similar healing. You and I have been healed of many things. Through us and our stories, whom might Jesus reach out to today?

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for calling us from whatever “kiosk”  we were stuck in. Thank you for drawing us into your light and love and mercy. Use the story of that “place” from which you rescued and redeemed us as a way to draw others in. Lead us to others who need to know Jesus Christ and the power of his love and grace. Amen.


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Love Revealed

Reading: John 14:8-14

John 14:9 – “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”

Photo credit: Milo Weiler

Moving to the second half of our John 14 reading, Jesus responds to Philip’s request to be shown God with this truth: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” Jesus reminds Philip, the other disciples, and us that all the words he spoke came from God. All the miracles or works that Jesus has offered – they are done through God who dwells in Jesus. In Jesus, we see and hear our best example of God. Yes, God is fully present in the Old Testament and in the rest of the New Testament, but the person of Jesus found in the gospels is our fullest and clearest revelation of God. In Christ we see the heart of God – the love – lived out here on earth.

Jesus then explains that those who believe in him will have more than an example to follow. Jesus tells the disciples then and now that believers “will do the works I do.” Through these works, God will be glorified through the name of Jesus. As we care for others, as we provide for those in need, as we comfort the ill and the grieving, as we speak words that heal broken relationships, as we extend a hand of welcome and belonging to all people, we model Jesus’ and God’s love for all of creation. As we bring peace to a storm, as we give voice to the powerless and marginalized, as we stand against injustice, as we free the prisoners, we model to others the love of God in Christ. In these ways and more, we reveal the love of God that dwells in us. This day, may the love of God in us reveal the Father’s love to all that we meet.

Prayer: Lord God, in Jesus you showed yourself to us. In his words and works we get a glimpse into who and what you are. At the core of it all is love. So, God, this day, use us as love lived out in the world. Amen.


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An Example to Follow

Reading: 1st Peter 1:19-25

1st Peter 1:24 – “He carried in his own body on the cross the sins we committed. He did this so that we might live in righteousness.”

Peter begins our passage for today with a reality check. He is reminding his readers then and us today that to walk steadfastly in the faith can sometimes be difficult. When we stand for our faith and for what is right and just in God’s eyes, then we might suffer. This is so because almost always, in cases of unjust suffering, we are standing or speaking against someone or something that runs contrary to the will and way of God. Those creating or maintaining these injustices and evils are doing so for personal gain in this world. Now, choosing to stand or speak for what is just and right is not a one-off or a “thing” we do when it is convenient. It is who we are because it is who Jesus was. Of this Peter writes, “You were called to this kind of endurance, because Christ suffered on your behalf.” The cross was and is very much a statement against the ways of this world.

Peter then reminds us of Jesus’ example. He did not insult those who insulted him. He did not “threaten revenge.” Jesus trusted God’s will and way in all times and situations. In the end, this led Jesus to endure the greatest possible suffering: “He carried in his own body on the cross the sins we committed. He did this so that we might live in righteousness.” Taking on our sin, paying the atoning price with his life, Jesus made it possible for our sin to be healed. Though we stray, yes, we always have Jesus Christ, the “shepherd and guardian of your lives.” We have an example to follow. And when we fall short, we have one who redeems and saves us. Thanks be to God for the Savior of our lives and of our world.

Prayer: Lord God, to what do you call us today? Is it to the simple and humble walk of a servant of the king? Is it to a place of suffering alongside those dealing with injustice or oppression or violence or…? Lord, to the people and places that you call us today, may we live well the example set by Jesus, our shepherd and guardian. Living faithfully, use us to help build your kingdom of love here on earth. Amen.


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Resurrection – Here and Now

Reading: John 11:17-45

John 11:25 – “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die.”

We return to John 11 today. Jesus arrives near Bethany and Lazarus has been dead for four days. Jesus encounters Martha and then Mary outside of town. Both women say the same words to Jesus: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” Both see Jesus as a healer, as one who could’ve cured their brother’s illness. Later, others in the crowd echo this belief. In this sense, we are like them: we believe that Jesus has the power to change lives.

Martha adds to this statement. She adds, “Even now, I know that whatever you ask God, God will give you.” This statement of faith goes beyond healing lepers and blind men. Martha leans into the possibility of what Jesus could do. As times our faith takes us here too. We don’t see a way, but we trust that Jesus does. We lean into the impossible at times, trusting in a power beyond our imagination and sometimes even beyond our hope.

Mary comes to Jesus, deep in her grief. So deep is her grief, it draws Jesus in. He weeps for her, for Lazarus, for all who mourn. Jesus becomes present in the suffering. We too experience this. The Spirit is there with us in times of need – not healing, not guiding, just being present. Even when we ourselves cannot go beyond the “if only, God…,” God is present to us.

The scene then shifts to the tomb. In response to Martha’s faith and to Mary’s grief, Jesus calls Lazarus back from death. Jesus is the resurrection and life here and now, not just on the last day. This too is the Jesus we know. Again and again we experience resurrection and redemption. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, how we fit into this story and into your story! When we are like Martha, guide us to take that next step of deeper faith. When we are like Mary, be present to us. And when we are spiritually like Lazarus was physically, faith as dead as dead can be, being us new life. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.


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Healing Brokenness

Reading: John 9:1-17

John 9:2 – “Rabbi, who sinned so that he was born blind, this man or his parents?”

Photo credit: Kelly Sikkema

Today’s gospel reading begins with an important question and an even more important answer. The disciples ask Jesus about the root causes of a man’s blindness. It is a question wrapped in that culture’s understanding of disease and illness. Because medicine had not yet provided explanations for blindness, skin disease… the assumption was that sin or some other brokenness in the community caused the illness, disease, plague… To be healed or cured was to be restored to community or for the community to return to wholeness.

In answer to their question, Jesus responds that neither the man nor his parents sinned. It was not a grandparent or great grandparent either. The blindness (and its healing) are an opportunity for “God’s mighty works” to be displayed. Being light to the world and to this particular man, Jesus makes some mud, puts it on the man’s eyes, and sends him to wash in the pool of Siloam (which means “sent.”) The man is healed – he can see. There is some disagreement over the healing. There is concern over when the healing happened. We delve into all of this tomorrow as we press on in John 9.

But today, within the context of the community’s wholeness, we wrestle with the brokenness of our world today. In a world that produces enough food to feed itself many times over, why do many go hungry? What sins cause this? In a nation with the best possible medical care, why do many go untreated? What sin causes this? In a place where there are abundant resources and space, why do we refuse to welcome some in? What sins cause this?

Prayer: Lord God, heal our hearts, heal our nation, heal our world. The sins of some cause many to suffer or to live in scarcity. The desire for the pleasures and riches of this world lead some to turn their backs on the sufferings and injustices of our time. Our own sins of omission result in silence and inaction, allowing evil and darkness to reign. Lord, pour your healing love into our hearts. Use us to engage in healing the brokenness of our world, of our communities, and of our lives. Amen.


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All Because of Me

Reading: Matthew 5:10-12

Matthew 5:11 – “Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me.”

As we read on in the Beatitudes today, Jesus invites us to stand for righteousness. Although standing for what is right and just in the world will bring harassment, insult, lies, slander, and worse, to stand for what is right remains the call of the faithful. Jesus encourages us to “be full of joy and be glad” in these times of standing for what is right and just, “because you have a great reward in heaven.”

How might one find joy and gladness when harassed, insulted…? We find joy and gladness in the midst of suffering evil because we are following Jesus’ words and example. In the scriptures we find this lived out again and again. Today Stephen and Paul come to mind. Stephen was stoned to death for proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior. He offered joyful praise and extended mercy to his killers as they hurled the stones. Paul writes again and again of joyfully serving Christ even when in chains, after being beaten… The joy and gladness comes through the presence of the risen Christ in the midst of insult, harassment, falsehoods… “all because of me.”

We see this lived out today as people stand against injustice and harassment and false narratives. We see it today as people stand and speak against the abusive power over being applied in the streets of our nation. We see it in our prayers that express our solidarity with those in harm’s way, those who are joyfully being the presence of Christ, placing themselves against these evils. Lord, be present in Spirit, to lead and to guide, to protect and to strengthen.

Prayer: Lord God, in the times, places, and spaces where insult, harassment, and falsehoods are the reality, strengthen and encourage your people to stand and speak for what is just and right and good. For those not physically present, lead and guide the prayers of your people and all else that can be offered as support and encouragement. Heal our land, O God. Pour out your peace and righteousness. Amen.


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Restore Us!

Reading: Psalm 80:1-7

Psalm 80:7 – “Restore us, God of heavenly forces! Make your face shine so that we can be saved!”

Psalm 80 is a prayer for restoration after a national tragedy. The prayer begins with Asaph calling out to the “shepherd of Israel.” The psalmist uses this familiar shepherd-sheep metaphor to bring up images of protection and provision, of guidance and direction. In verse 2 we read, “Wake up your power! Save us!” This is a plea for God to once again be Israel’s shepherd and king. The need is reiterated in the next verse where Asaph seeks the restoration of Israel through God’s presence with them.

Verses 4-6 contain a familiar refrain. The psalmist asks the questions that we ask during tragedies and prolonged periods of trial and suffering. “How long…?” The tears have flowed and flowed. The neighbors continue to act as enemies. Why us, O God? When will this end, Lord God? We ask these questions, we cry these tears, we feel this anger and maybe even rage. All point to our deep need for God’s power and presence.

Verse 7 cries out again, “Restore us, God of heavenly forces! Make your face shine so that we can be saved!” This cry invites not only God but also the heavenly beings at God’s disposal to respond, to save, to rescue and restore Israel. God’s face shining is a revelation of God’s presence with the people. It is a reminder of light to guide the way, of love to dry the tears, of grace to heal the anger and rage. Yes, O God, may your face shine upon us!

Prayer: Lord God, when tragedy strikes, when unexpected loss occurs, when painful relationships linger on, draw near to us. Guide us, comfort us, ease our pain, soothe our anger. Walk with us in the valley, lifting us and encouraging us with your presence and power. Restore us, O God! Amen.