pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Holy Spirit


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Embolden and Empower

Reading: John 20:19-23

John 20:21 – “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.”

Following the risen Lord’s encounter with Mary Magdalene, Jesus goes to the disciples later that first day. They have heard the news from Mary. But simply hearing these words does not change their current reality. No one has ever been resurrected in this way. What it means is totally unknown. Fear is what the disciples primarily know at this point. They just killed Jesus. What is in store for his followers?

Standing amongst the disciples, Jesus says, “Peace be with you.” This standard Jewish greeting meant more now. For example, we casually say, “How’s it going?” to friends today. Or, to a friend struggling with grief, we can look them in the eye and ask, “How are you doing?” After showing the disciples physical signs of his identity, Jesus says, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” The disciples are to continue the work of Jesus. To make this possible, Jesus breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” This indwelling presence of Christ himself will lead and guide, strengthen and encourage, embolden and empower the disciples as they return to the world.

Jesus also reminds the disciples of what that work looks like. As people of peace, they are to work at reconciliation. This task involves reconciling people to God and to one another. Our sin is what separates us from both. As people of peace, this work of reconciliation continues to be our task. Emboldened and empowered by the Holy Spirit, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, breathe anew the Holy Spirit into our lives this day. Guide us to claim the Spirit’s power and Christ’s peace as we seek to bring healing and wholeness to our sinful and broken world. May this work begin within as we reconcile ourselves to you and to one another. Amen.


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The King of…

Reading: John 12:12-19

John 12:13 – “They took palm branches and went out to meet him. They shouted, ‘Hosanna!'”

Entering into Holy Week in the gospel of John, we begin the passion of the Christ with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Unique to his gospel, John gives a reason for the large crowd that celebrates Jesus. People were buzzing over Jesus calling Lazarus out of the tomb after being dead for four days. In 12:10 we read of the jealousy caused by this miracle: “The chief priests decided that they would kill Lazarus too.” This jealousy shows out in verse 19 too, where the Pharisees pettily says, “Look! The whole world is following him!”

In verse 12 we read that the “great crowd” in town for the Passover festival heard that Jesus was coming. So, “They took palm branches and went out to meet him. They shouted, ‘Hosanna!'” The word “hosanna” translates to “save us, we pray!” Also from the Psalms, the crowd offers blessings to “the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” The crowd identifies Jesus as “the king of Israel.” Mid-story Jesus finds a young donkey and begins riding it. He too claims the title of “king,” quoting from the prophet Zechariah.

John admits, in verse 16, that the disciples didn’t connect the dots at first. John and his fellow disciples wouldn’t understand the meaning and connections until after Jesus died and rose. The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit would help with this. In the same way, the Holy Spirit leads and guides is in our faith if we are willing to listen and obey.

Prayer: Lord God, we see a crowd caught up in the miracle Jesus offered. They cheer and shout. We too can do these things. We can come to Easter and shout “He is risen!” Then the Monday after is like any other Monday. Lord, may it not be so. Draw us deeper into our faith. Through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, bring us understanding and obedience too. Lead and guide us to see and follow Jesus as the one who sits on the throne of our hearts. Amen.


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With Us, Every Day

Reading: Matthew 28:16-20

Matthew 28:20 – “Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.”

Matthew closes his gospel with Jesus commissioning to disciples to carry on his work. There is no ascension here. Matthew is intentional in how he ends his gospel. Perhaps he picked up this idea from Mark. The abrupt end to Mark invites us to be the continuation of the story, to be the church. Matthew’s ending offers the same invitation.

Eleven disciples go to the mountain in Galilee. The women who met the risen Lord remind them of this planned gathering. In what feels curious to us at first, some disciples worship Jesus and others feel some doubt. But we too find ourselves here at times. We can feel some doubt even as we seek to cling to our faith.

Being given all authority in heaven and on earth, Jesus tells the disciples first to go. They are to go out into the world just as Jesus was out in the world. He spent also all of his ministry hours out in the world. Once our in the world, the disciples are to make new disciples. A disciple is one who repents of their sin, who trusts in Jesus for salvation, and who obeys Jesus’ teachings. Baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a public act of faith in and of surrender to Jesus Christ. Following baptism, the disciples are to teach new believers all of Jesus’ commands. This faith in and obedience to Jesus, to his teachings and example, this is the mark of a Christian and of the church.

This commission must’ve felt like a lot to the disciples. It feels like a lot to us. So may we too hear the promise Jesus makes to the disciples as his promise to us: Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.”

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us to live into our commission. Use us to draw others to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. When the task feels big, help us to hear the guidance of the Holy Spirit, your promised presence with us. Walk with us, carrying us along as needed. Amen.


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Fear, Shame, Guilt…

Readings: Matthew 26:69-75 and 27:3-10, 15-26

Matthew 27:24 – “So he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd.”

Photo credit: Falaq Lazuardi

Today’s readings contain denial, betrayal, and giving in to social pressure. These actions are driven by fear, shame, guilt, regret, greed, power. These are actions and emotions that we too wrestle with as we try to walk faithfully with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Peter had followed the mob who had arrested Jesus – at a distance. He feared being caught up in what was happening. In the high priest’s courtyard, Peter is accused three times of being with Jesus. Each time Peter’s denial of Jesus grows stronger as the fear rises. His fear turns to shame as the rooster crows. When was the last time that you denied Jesus, either in word or deed? What “crowed” to lead you to tears?

Judas agreed to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Seeing that Jesus is condemned to die, Judas feels “deep regret” for betraying “an innocent man.” The religious leaders refuse to change course. Guilt and regret lead Judas to take his own life. When have you felt deep regret because you betrayed Jesus? How did you resolve your inner turmoil?

Pilate has the power of life and death in his hands. He tries to free Jesus. His wife tells him to “leave that righteous man alone.” Tension builds and Pilate gives in to the mounting social pressure. To try to relieve his guilt and regret, he “took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd.” Pilate allows the power to slip through his fingers like the water slips through. We’ve all given in to the crowd, turning away from Jesus. What do you do to relieve your guilt and regret?

Prayer: Lord God, it is hard to admit, but at times we’ve played the roles of Peter, Judas, and Pilate. When we’ve failed you, we’ve felt what they feel. It is our human nature rising up to protect self, position, status… In our next moments of testing, Lord, raise up the voice of your Holy Spirit. May it be louder and stronger than our fear, shame, guilt… And when we fail, remind us of your unconditional love and endless grace. Amen.


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Hearts Turned

Reading: Mark 9:11-13

Mark 9:13 – “Elijah has come, but they did to him whatever they wanted.”

Following the transfiguration (when Peter, James, and John saw Jesus changed into a more divine form who chatted with Moses’ and Elijah’s spirits) the “inner three” ask Jesus about the second coming of Elijah. Here they are connecting with their Jewish upbringing. In Malachi 4 the prophet writes about Elijah coming back “before the great and terrifying day of the Lord.” The understood purpose of his return? To “turn the hearts of the children to their parents” and vice versa.

Experiencing this moment on the mountaintop, hearing talk about Messiah and death and resurrection, it is natural for the disciples to try and make some sense of all of this. They do the natural thing: they try to connect this new information to what they already knew. To help do this, they ask about the second coming of Elijah. The understanding was that Elijah would return to “restore all things.” Jesus pushed back a bit. If one held to the fullest way that this could happen, he asks, then why would he have to suffer and die? This is Jesus’ question in verse 11. Clearly there is some disconnect or misunderstanding.

Answering their question, Jesus says, “Elijah has come, but they did to him whatever they wanted.” Preaching and baptizing in the wilderness, John the Baptist did change hearts. Through his baptism of repentance the children of God’s hearts were turned back to God’s heart and vice versa. John’s work of restoring all things was cut short, though, like many of the prophets who came before him. The pagan powers arrested and beheaded John. Not all Jewish hearts turned to God either. Many rejected John’s invitation and Jesus’ as well, “just as it is written.” In spite of humanity’s selfish and stubborn hearts, God’s plan will continue to unfold as Jesus walks the path to Jerusalem and to the cross.

Prayer: Lord God, we, like the people of Jesus’ day, know the scriptures, can see the signs unfolding, and still choose not to believe. We can cling to our selfish and evil ways, refusing to confess and repent. When our eyes are mostly closed and our hearts are pretty hard, once again empower your indwelling prophet, the Holy Spirit, to open our eyes, to soften our hearts. Bend us to your will and way. Amen.


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God/World

Reading: Mark 8:27-33

Mark 8:33 – “You are not thinking God’s thoughts but human thoughts.”

Chapter 8 is about the halfway point of Mark’s gospel. In Mark’s 16 chapters, he covers the three years of Jesus’ ministry. There is no birth story or Jesus in the temple as a teenager. This short gospel begins with John the Baptist already baptizing in the wilderness. Chapter 1 through part of chapter 8 covers the first 155 weeks of Jesus’ ministry (+/- a week or so.) Mark 8:27 through chapter 16 cover the last week of Jesus’ ministry, known as the passion of Christ.

As Jesus turns toward Jerusalem and the cross he asks for an evaluation of sorts: “Who do people say that I am?” Generally, the people believe that he is a prophet. He is seen by many as one sent by God, speaking on behalf of God. They are partly correct. Wanting to go deeper, Jesus asks, “And what about you? Who do you say that I am?” This is a question we could and should ask ourselves regularly.

Peter responds, “You are the Christ.” We want to give Peter props for his answer identifying Jesus as the Messiah. But as we read on, we see that Peter’s understanding of Jesus (at this point) is not our understanding of Jesus. After Jesus shares what the passion of the Christ will look like, Peter scolds him. The suffering, trial, death… does NOT match Peter’s definition of a Messiah. Jesus’ response is swift and cutting: “Get behind me Satan.” Perhaps Jesus is thinking of when Satan tempted him in the wilderness, dangling human desires before him. Is Peter’s vision tempting to Jesus at this point?

Continuing on, Jesus adds, “You are not thinking God’s thoughts but human thoughts.” Peter and likely the other disciples cannot see beyond themselves right now. At times, we too struggle with this. Our selfish and sinful nature is ever at odds with the divine within us. May the Holy Spirit ever whisper and nudge (and convict) us to choose God over the world.

Prayer: Lord God, at times we can be like Peter, thinking not if you and your purposes. Our thoughts can turn to self and to our wants. We can be quite selfish. In those frequent moments, remind us of who Christ truly is – humble servant, gentle good shepherd, redeemer, salvation. Draw us back into obedience to your will and way. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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Faithful Actions

Reading: James 2:14-24

James 2:24 – “So you see that a person is shown to be righteous through faithful actions and not through faith alone.”

As we come to a close reading scripture and applying is to John Wesley’s “Three Simple Rules,” we turn to James 2. This short passage works well to illustrate how doing no harm, doing good, and staying in love with God should work together in the life of a believer.

Our passage begins with a question: What good is it to say you’re a Christian if you don’t act like one? To claim to have faith does nothing. James points to wishing well someone in need without meeting those needs. You are, then, in fact, doing harm to the image of Christ.

As he continues, James argues that one cannot separate faith from your actions. Yes, he says, to believe is good. But our faith cannot stop there. It must flavor or impact all areas of our lives. James cites Abraham as an example of one whose faith was “made complete” by his actions. Nearly sacrificing his only son Isaac, Abraham’s obedience to God through faithful actions brought him to the place of righteousness. To faithfully follow God’s word, nudges, whispers… leads us to do good for the image of Christ.

Woven into Abraham’s example is one who stays in love with God. Abraham listened to the voice of God. He chose to worship God alone – elevating his love of God over his love for his own son. In summary, James writes, “So you see that a person is shown to be righteous through faithful actions and not through faith alone.” May this be what the world sees through our faith as well.

Prayer: Lord God, interweave into our lives these three practical pieces of faith. Guard us against doing harm and lead us to do good. Fuel both of these practices through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. May our love for you arch over all we say, do, and think, drawing others into the great love that you have for us all. Amen.


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Care Well

Reading: Genesis 1:26-28

Genesis 1:26 – “Let us make humanity in our image to resemble us so that they may take charge of... all the earth.”

Today we turn to the day of creation when Father, Son, and Holy Spirit created humankind. In connection with one another, God says, “Let us make humanity in our image to resemble us so that they may take charge of... all the earth.” Humanity is to be like the divine in the ways that we are in the world. Keeping this in mind, how we understand “take charge” bends toward steward, care for, protect, guard, and love.

This week we have been considering prayer. Some of our thoughts have focused on unanswered prayer. What would it look like to blend the best intents of ‘take charge’ with some of the unanswered prayers that people pray? What would our world be like if we ourselves sought to be the answer to people’s needs?

If we saw the resources that we have been blessed with as ways to care for the hungry, the sick, the naked, the imprisoned, then how would our world change? If we saw our role as the protector and defender of the vulnerable, the weak, the marginalized, the oppressed, then how would their lives change? If we were willing to risk and sacrifice on behalf of those without voice, without power, how would a new reign of justice and mercy become the reality in our world?

Because we are created in the divine image, we have within us the ability, the power, and the heart to care well for our world and for all of the earth. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, bend our hearts towards your heart. Remove the selfish, inward focus that creeps into our hearts, our thinking, our way of acting and being in the world. Empower us to be the answer to these questions pondered today. Amen.


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God is with Us

Reading: Psalm 23:4-6

Psalm 23:6a – “Goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life.”

Photo credit: Felipe Correia

Today we turn to one of the most well-known scriptures in the Bible as we wrestle with the idea of heaven this week. The 23rd Psalm is a staple during those sacred moments when we gather to celebrate a faithful life well-lived and to comfort and encourage the grieving. These words of David resonate with God’s presence in our lives and with God’s love and care for us.

Verse 4 reminds us that God is present in the “darkest valley.” As we walk through dark moments – pain, grief, loss, illness, unwanted change… – God walks with us. David speaks of having no fear. This comes partly from God’s presence but also from God’s role as protector. The “rod” keeps the physical enemies at bay while the “staff” keeps spiritual enemies at bay.

The idea of a great wedding banquet comes to mind again as we read verse 5. The oil of God’s blessing anoints the head and the cup spills over. Abundance is the norm at God’s table. This brings to mind one of our common understandings of heaven. It is the great feast spoken of by the Prophets and by Jesus.

The idea of heaven on earth flows through verse 6. God, here represented by “goodness and faithful love,” pursues us “all the days of my life.” God is always seeking us out. The Psalm closes with rejoicing. David rejoices over his daily dwelling with God. For us today, this dwelling has become an indwelling of the Holy Spirit. God is with us here and now. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, we are so grateful for your daily walk with us. We are thankful that you not only pursue us but also protect us, guide us, and draw us back to you when we wander. You bless us in so many ways. Thank you for your unending love and care. Amen.


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The Will to Choose

Readings: John 3:16-16 and 34-36, and John 14:1-7

John 3:17 – “God didn’t send his son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”

Photo credit: Kelly Sikkema

John 3:16 is about as well-known as any verse in the Bible. God sent his one and only son into this world, taking on flesh, becoming one of us, so that he could die on our behalf, removing our sins, opening the way for us to enter eternal life. This is a beautiful picture of sacrificial love.

The next verse reminds us of God’s unconditional love: “God didn’t send his son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” God’s first choice is not to be a God of judgment but a God of love, mercy, grace, and salvation. This is what God desires for all humanity, not judgment. God also created humanity with free will or the will to choose. So we can choose to not choose Jesus as our Savior. We can choose to live for self. We can choose to be judged. We can choose to ignore the words of life that Jesus speaks, to ignore the prompting and guidance of the Holy Spirit. In doing so, we invite “the angry judgment of God” upon ourselves.

Jumping forward to John 14, it is a heavy moment. Sandwiched around the command to love one another “as I have loved you” is the news of Judas’ betrayal and of Peter’s denial of knowing Christ. Jesus tells the disciples to not be troubled but to trust in God and in him. He then promises that he will come back for them so that they can be with him in heaven. In response to Thomas’ confusion, Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Jesus’ life and example are the way to know God and God’s truths. They are the way to live the life that God intended for us to live, the life here and now that leads one day to life eternal. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, you sent your son to save and redeem us. You desire this for each and every one of us. It must break your heart to see the one you wove together in the womb, the one you created for relationship with you, choose the ways of the world. Lord, break our heart for what breaks yours. Amen.