pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Jesus


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Ever with Us

Reading: Matthew 4:8-11

Matthew 4:9 – “I’ll give you all of these if you bow down and worship me.”

We return today to where we began the week: Matthew 4. On Monday we spent time with Satan’s first two temptations of Jesus. Today we turn to the third temptation in the wilderness. The devil brings Jesus to a very high mountain and shows him “all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.” Their glory would be their power, their riches, their fame. Showing Jesus all that the world has to offer, Satan says, “I’ll give you all of these if you bow down and worship me.” While it is hard for us to imagine ourselves actually bowing down and worshipping Satan, the truth is that we do this in many ways. Every time I allow jealousy over what someone else has to lead me to act in ways to attain that thing, I’m worshipping the prince of this world. When I allow angry thoughts to fester, eventually bursting forth as angry words, I’m giving in to the ways of the world. If I ponder doing something unethical or unjust to gain that job or that promotion or recognition, I’ve begun to walk the devil’s path.

These natural human emotions – greed, envy, lust, want – they are centered on self. All of these emotions seek to elevate self over others. While we face these things on a regular basis, we are most susceptible when we are weak, tired, feeling unloved… Satan came to Jesus at his weakest point: forty days alone, without food in the wilderness, sleeping under the stars, with rock-for-a-pillow accomodations. Yet even in these difficult emotional and physical conditions, Jesus called on God again and again, finding the strength and power he needed to “worship… and serve him [God] only.” Yes, in the end God became fully present, angels caring for Jesus. But in reality, God was present all along, giving Jesus the words to speak to defeat temptation again and again. The same will be true for us. When we need God, God will be right there. God is ever with us. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your constant and abiding presence. In our wilderness moments, remind us of that presence. When we’re tempted to push through, to fight it out, to go it alone – gently touch our heart. When we’re teetering on giving in, on going the way of the world, mercifully guide us back to the power and strength that we find in you. Keep us wholly yours. Amen.


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Deeper Work

Readings: 2nd Corinthians 5:20-21 and 2nd Corinthians 6:1-10

2nd Corinthians 6:1 – “We are also begging you not to receive the grace of God in vain!”

Photo credit: Rainier Ridao

Our reading today begins with Paul begging the Corinthians to “be reconciled to God!” This too is our ongoing call, especially as we begin the season of Lent today. Throughout Lent we are invited to look within, to reflect on the condition of our soul, and to make the needed changes so that we are ready to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Paul touches on the source of our salvation, the one who took on sin for us so that we could be “the righteousness of God.”

Through God’s grace we can be forgiven and made new again. Paul begs the Corinthians “not to receive the grace of God in vain!” To do so would be to receive forgiveness and then to not follow through on our pledge of repentance. Paul reminds us that keeping true to our faith isn’t always easy. Paul lists many trials and sufferings he and his fellow believers endured. We can experience some of these too when we choose faith over the ways of the world. Yet with the same purity, hard work, genuine love, and Holy Spirit power, we too can endure and faithfully witness to the grace and love of God.

Our passage closes with many word pairs: fake and real, pain and happy, poor and rich… The first word is a surface level thing and the second word holds a deeper truth. We find this relationship to be true when we engage in the spiritual practice of fasting that becomes more prevelent in Lent. Going without and feeling that “hunger” is the surface level thing that we endure. The change that the Spirit works in us as we grow closer to Christ is the deeper truth at work in us. In the same way, confessing our sin is the surface level action. Working out our repentance and changing our hearts and lives is the deeper work of God going on within us. This Lent, may we be willing to go deeper, doing the hard work of faith.

Prayer: Lord God, prepare our hearts to go deeper this Lent. Give us the strength and courage to look deep within ourselves and to bring our full self before you. In grace and love, purify and refine us. Loosen our grips on that which pulls us away from you. Strengthen our hold on faith, hope, trust, and love. Amen.


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Completely Loved

Reading: Matthew 4:1-7

Matthew 4:3 – “Since you are God’s Son…”

Photo credit: Robert Linder

As we stand on the edge of Lent, we begin to lean into the themes of this season. We begin and end the week in Matthew 4, with Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. Today we spend time with the first two temptations. Each of the two begin with the same phrase: “Since you are God’s Son…” The tempter is very well aware of who Jesus is. The devil seeks to test Jesus’ own sense of identity in these first two temptations. This is often where Satan attacks you and me in our moments of weakness.

After fasting for forty days, Jesus is “starving.” We can often find ourselves wrestling with hunters and wants, although not often physical. Satan invites Jesus to command stones to become bread. ‘Satisfy your hunger,’ Satan says. Jesus has the power to do this. Jesus instead centers himself on the word of God – that which truly satisfies every hunger. In moments when we really want that new phone or outfit or… may we too remember that our true identity comes not from the world but from the word of God.

Satan then takes Jesus to the top of the temple and invites him to test God’s love and care for him by throwing himself down. Jesus again quotes scripture, saying, “It is written, Don’t test the Lord your God.” The devil is testing Jesus’ sense of his belovedness. Satan invites Jesus to test the depth of God’s love. We can fall into this temptation. In a dark valley, we can question if God really, really loves us. In a season of unanswered prayer, we can question if God really cares. In these moments of trial and weakness, may we too remember the truth that even Satan knows: you are God’s son or daughter. You are completely loved. May it ever be so.

Prayer: Lord God, when the voices of discontent or doubt begin to rise up, may the voice of your Holy Spirit be clearer and stronger. When we’re tempted to chase after happiness or status outside of our relationship with you, whisper into our hearts the truths about our true purpose and about our place of belonging. And when we question your love in our times of trial or suffering, draw us into your abiding presence, ground us in your unconditional love for each and every one of us, your sons and daughters. Lord, we need you. Amen.


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Grounded in Love

Reading: Matthew 17:7-13

Matthew 17:9 – “Don’t tell anybody about the vision until the Human One is raised from the dead.”

Reading the second half of this week’s gospel lesson, Jesus puts God’s admonition about listening to work. Jesus first tells the disciples to “Get up.” These first words are practical. To go back down the mountain, to return to the world, they must get up. Often the first things we need to listen to are the simple things: go visit, make the call, cover the rent, make the meal, send the text, but the groceries… Taking the first step of faith leads to the next step.

Jesus then says, “Don’t be afraid.” To not be afraid requires trust and belief. This second step goes beyond the practical. It requires stepping out or into a situation that might be tense or emotional or difficult or sorrowful or… Going to the home or to the hospital or to the jail or… can raise up fears, doubts, anxiety, worry, unease. When Jesus tells us to “go,” we can be assured that he goes with us.

Lastly in today’s passage, Jesus says, “Don’t tell anybody about the vision until the Human One is raised from the dead.” Many in the world are not ready to hear that Jesus is indeed the all-powerful and all-mighty God-in-the-flesh. After miracles some have flirted with the idea of making Jesus their earthly king. This is not Jesus’ purpose. He is not on earth to destroy and exert power over others. His kingship is grounded in love, in lifting others up, in healing our lives and world. His way of love transforms us, most often working from the inside out. As we listen and follow, Jesus offers us guidance and direction, comfort and strength, peace and assurance, hope and joy, and love. As we walk with Jesus in Spirit, we share these gifts with the world.

Prayer: Lord God, help us first to see where you call us and then to be willing to go where you send us. Fill us with your Holy Spirit power, easing our fears and doubts, giving us the words to say and the actions to take. Go with us as we bear your love as our light. In and through us, transform our world and our lives with your love. Amen.


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A Word to Share

Reading: 2nd Peter 1:19-21

2nd Peter 1:21 – “No prophecy ever came by human will. Instead, men and women led by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

As we read the second half of this week’s 2nd Peter 1 passage, we first encounter an admonition from Peter. We recall from Wednesday’s reading that what he has to say is not some “crafty myth.” It is not something he heard from a friend of a friend of an acquaintance either. This is Peter’s personal eyewitness account of the experience and words that came from God. So, readers, “you would do well to pay attention to it.”

The transfiguration of Jesus was prophesied long ago. Both Daniel and Malachi foretold this moment. Both were speaking and then recording words that God gave them. Peter connects this to his experience on that mountaintop and to his life as he writes, “No prophecy ever came by human will. Instead, men and women led by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” This remains true. We cannot generate a word from God on our own. A word from God is a gift revealed by and through God and the Spirit. As we are given the words (or nudges…) and are given divine direction or understanding, it is then that “the morning star [Jesus] rises in our hearts” too.

These encounters with the divine hold great power. Often we do not fully understand or see how God was speaking or working in the moment. Only with a bit of time do we comprehend how God’s spirit gave us the words or guided the event, the conversation, the journey. On Tuesday morning a women shared her story with me and two friends at a coffee shop. She lost most of her roof in a 100+ mph wind storm one night – all but the roof over her bedroom. She then recounted piece by piece the ways that God has been present that night and in the days that followed. The Spirit opened her eyes to see God’s hand at work. There was joy and power in her story. Her faith was alive and bursting forth. What story or word of God do you have to share?

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your word spoken in scripture and for your presence in our lives yet today. Continue to reveal your glory to us in powerful ways, fueling our witness to the world. Open our eyes and hearts to these moments, big and small, when you become present in our lives and in our world. Open our minds to understand and to share our faith stories and encounters. Amen.


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Our King

Reading: Psalm 2

Psalm 2:10-11 – “So kings, wise up! Be warned, you rulers of the earth! Serve the Lord fervently.”

Psalm 2 contrasts the kings of this world with the true king of God. The powers of this world rant and rave “uselessly.” Many rulers yet today talk just to be heard. They bluster and they bully and they oppress. They say this one day and they walk it back the next day. They scheme against the ways of God, seeking personally fame, glory, and power instead.

God’s response is to send the “anointed one.” While many of us today read this as Jesus, the people of God outside of Christianity did and do think of David, Israel’s greatest king of all time. If one is looking for a king that can defeat the Philistines or Babylon or Aram or Edom or Rome or… then David is your guy. King David made the nations his possession. He ruled with an “iron rod.” He was also imperfect.

As followers of Jesus, we don’t see a lot of difference between the kings described in the two paragraphs above. Yes, some kings claim God and their god. But if they truly worshipped God and loved God with all of their heart, then they would not bully and oppress and shift with the winds of the day. That is simply not the heart of God. Yes, kings and rulers must “wise up” and hear the warning. So must we, the rulers of our own kingdoms. All must “serve the Lord fervently.” So with all that we are, may we serve, worship, and love the Lord our God.

Prayer: Lord God, reign in our hearts and in our world. Draw us to humbly walk with Jesus as our example. Lead us to love faithfully – from you on down to the least of these. Guide us to stand for justice and to work for peace in our world. In all ways may Jesus be our king and our example. Amen.


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God Moments

Reading: 2nd Peter 1:16-18

2nd Peter 1:16b – “We witnessed his majesty with our own eyes.”

Photo credit: Sharon McCutcheon

Reading part of this week’s Epistle passage today, we are reminded of our transfiguration reading from yesterday and of our mountaintop experience of Moses from our Exodus reading on Monday. Peter proclaims that they are not using “crafty myths” to tell the story of the good news of Jesus Christ. He then professes, “We witnessed his majesty with our own eyes.” Personal witness is powerful. Yes, it is good to be able to explain Jesus’ teachings and to help others understand how Jesus died and rose again, all to save us from our sin and to open the way to eternal life. Our most powerful witness, however, comes when we personally share what Jesus has done and is doing for us and in our life. That story preaches.

Peter recalls the voice that came from the cloud, from the “magnificent glory.” He remembers the words that he heard: “dearly loved Son… well-pleased.” It all happened, there on that holy mountain. If one listens and looks closely, one can imagine the light of Christ that shines in Peter as he recalls this God moment. It was similar with Moses each time he came down the mountain, equipped with a word from God. He was literally aglow with God’s presence. When we share our own God stories, we too begin to shine with the light of Christ. When we tell our own story, whether visible or felt, the intensity of the light of Christ within us grows.

Like the prophets of old, when we enter into God’s presence – whether on a holy mountaintop, deep in a dark valley, or in the ordinary of life – we are given something to share: a story, a prayer, a word of God. In these moments of glory revealed, we are being equipped and empowered to be a light for others. May we use our God moments to build our faith and to help others along in their walks of faith.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the moments of grace – in a balcony in high school, in the cemetery in college, in the Promise Keepers prayer room, in the moment after death, in the random Sunday when tears of joy flow… Thank you for the moments that you’ve blessed others with too. Lord, guide these moments to be moments shared with others seeking you. Use us to witness to your glorious presence in our own lives, opening windows for others to see and experience you through. Amen.


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Love, Love, Love

Reading: Matthew 17:1-6

Matthew 17:3 – “Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus.”

Photo credit: Clay Banks

Six days after Peter’s highest high and lowest low to date as a disciple, Jesus takes him and James and John up the mountain. Six days ago Peter had declared Jesus to be “the Christ” and then heard Jesus tell him that he’d be the rock upon which Jesus would build the church. Jesus then told the disciples of his coming death and raising on the third day. Peter spoke boldly, forbidding this to happen. That’s when Jesus called him “Satan” and a stumbling block. The high did not last long for Peter.

At the top of the mountain, Jesus is transformed or transfigured, depending on your translation. Calling to mind the words of Daniel 7, Jesus’ face shines like the sun and his clothes become dazzlingly white. Then we read, “Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus.” Moses was the giver of the Law, the guide in the wilderness. Elijah was the greatest of the prophets – so great that he was taken up into heaven in the chariot of fire. In talking with these two, God is affirming the importance of both the Law and the prophets. Jesus held both of these traditions together in his ministry and witness.

In the middle of some fumbling words from Peter, God becomes part of the conversation, declaring God’s love for Jesus and God’s pleasure in Jesus. Speaking to Peter, James, and John, God gives this clear instruction: “Listen to him!” Jesus holds together the two core commands of the Law (to love God and neighbor) with the prophetic call to live out these commands in all areas of our lives. In Jesus we see that the law of love goes beyond just hearing its call to really living it out in the world. As we receive and live out our instructions to listen to Jesus, loving as he loved, may all that we do, say, and think be rooted in our love of God and neighbor.

Prayer: Lord God, we’ve heard that all written in the Law and told by the prophets hang on our ability to love you with all that we are and to love neighbor as Jesus first loved us. We ask that you would enable us to love first and foremost. We ask that you would empower us to love even and especially when it is hard to love. Through love, O God, may we be pleasing in your sight. Amen.


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Answer the Call

Reading: Matthew 5:17-20

Matthew 5:19b – “But whoever keeps these commands and teaches others to keep them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Turning to verses 17-20 today, Jesus connects being salt and light to fulfilling the words of the Law and the prophets. Jesus came as God in the flesh, as one who would model God’s heart being lived out in the world. In Jesus’ words and actions, we see the depth and breadth of God’s love, mercy, and grace. To get an idea of how Jesus teaches us to fulfill the Law, read the rest of chapter 5.

Returning to today’s reading, Jesus then declares that those who ignore God’s heart and who teach others to do the same, they will be “the lowest in the kingdom of heaven.” Later in our passage, we see that Jesus is speaking of the overtly religious of his day. The Pharisees and legal experts knew the letter of the Law inside out. The living out of the heart of the Law was where they struggled. In the context of yesterday’s reading, they knew what it meant to be salt and light, but they were not being salt and light.

Jesus then proclaims, “But whoever keeps these commands and teaches others to keep them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” To keep the heart of God as one’s guide in all of life, this is our call. We teach best by example. That was Jesus’ model. The Law is centered on love – God’s love for all of us, our love for God, our love for neighbor. It is love that guides us and leads us to be people of mercy, grace, forgiveness, hope, repentance, generosity, justice, humility… This is the righteousness that Jesus describes. It is the righteousness that God calls us to. May we answer the call every day.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to not just be hearers but also doers. Yes, we know we are to love you and to love neighbor. Move us beyond our head knowledge, out into the world. Shape and form us to be people who love practically and tangibly, who practice grace and forgiveness in every opportunity. Use us to restore broken relationships and to redeem unjust practices and systems. In these ways, may your righteousness and glory be revealed to the world. Amen.