pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Jesus


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Alert and Ready

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 5:1-6

Verse 2: “You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”

Photo credit: Nadine Shaabana

This week’s Epistle reading continues with the themes of holy living and being ready for Christ’s return. Chapter 5 in 1st Thessalonians begins with Paul reminding the faithful in Thessalonica that they don’t need to know “dates and times” because they are ready. He also reminds them, “You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” If you are not ready already, Paul says to us, then it will be too late. The thief will take you unaware.

Paul continues, telling the church that those who are saying and living in what they think is “peace and safety” will suddenly experience “destruction.” Many people in Thessalonica, including some of the religious leaders, were cozying up to the Romans. Because of this relationship, these folks did enjoy a certain level of privilege and prosperity. In these things of the world they felt a sense of peace and safety. There are many in our world today and even some in the arena of religion who feel a sense of security and safety in their wealth and status and in their connections to those with political power. Paul is warning against the entanglements of such relationships.

Instead Paul encourages the believers to be “alert and self-controlled.” Be aware of the dangers of these entanglements. Live as children of the light and as “sons of the day” so that the coming of the Lord will not surprise them. Live out your trust and faith in the Lord Jesus. Do not trust in the things and ways of the world. This focus and trust in Christ leads to holy living and to a daily readiness to stand face to face with the king of kings and lord of lords. May we too choose to walk daily in faith, always ready for the day of the Lord.

Prayer: Lord God, there are so many voices that tell us to put our lives in the hands of other things – popularity, success, wealth, status… All of these voices are one form or another of darkness. This path leads to destruction. Lead us to trust in you alone and to invest time and energy into our relationship with you. Guide us to walk and live as children of the light. Amen.


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Rested and Ready

Reading: Matthew 25:1-13

Verse 6: “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’”

Photo credit: Kyle Johnson

Today’s parable comes in a section that Matthew has put together addressing the kingdom of heaven. In today’s teaching Jesus talks about the time of his return and of what is required of us. This day the parable rests upon the connected ideas of rest and preparation. The interconnected nature of preparation and rest brings me back to a study and retreat that a men’s group did on “margin.” If we are to be able to say “yes” when God calls, then we need to build space into our lives so that we have the capacity to respond. We learned that in order to have time to do these unplanned but important things, we have to guard against busyness and against filling every single moment of every day with items that we place on our calendars.

In our parable today ten bridesmaids (or virgins, depending on your translation) await the coming of the bridegroom. Five come prepared and five do not. The bridegroom is delayed and the night grows long. Rest becomes necessary. At midnight a cry is heard: “Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!” Those who were prepared spring into action, trimming their lamps, readying themselves to escort the bridegroom to the wedding feast. They enter the great feast with the bridegroom. The five who were unprepared (but rested) miss out. When they come late to the party the bridegroom refuses them entry, saying, “I don’t know you.” They did not journey with him.

In Jesus’ teaching both rest and preparation are essential. Rest (or margin) provides us the energy (and space) to be ready and able to respond to the call when the kingdom of God draws near. Preparation is essential because it is what fuels and drives our ability to respond as Christ in the world. Whenever the call comes, may we be ready and prepared – both physically and spiritually.

Prayer: Lord God, prepare me, day by day, to have a heart that senses your call and to have a heart willing and able to respond to that need, to that ministry opportunity, to that person in distress. And grant me moments of holy rest so that I have all I need, built up in reserve, so that I can respond faithfully and with all the necessary effort and energy. Amen.


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What Is Required?

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18

Verse 17b: “And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

Today’s words from Paul connect really well with the themes and ideas around All-Saints’ Day. In Revelation 7 the vision of heaven and all its glory brought hope to the believers suffering in John’s time. These words offer hope to all believers. The Thessalonians aren’t quite there yet. The vision detailed in Revelation probably hasn’t reached them. They are concerned with the souls of those who have died (“fallen asleep”) before Jesus returned. The common belief was that Jesus was coming back any day, soon. They fear that these souls might miss out or forever be trapped in limbo.

Paul begins to address their fears and concerns by assuring them that because Jesus died and rose again that one day all who believe in him will one day rise with him. Paul further assures them using Jesus’ own teachings. He reminds them that Jesus taught that when he returns “the dead in Christ will rise first.” Those who have fallen asleep will indeed join Jesus in glory. Paul then turns to those who are alive, reminding them that Jesus taught that those who are still alive “will be caught up together with them.” All who call on Jesus as Lord and Savior “will be with the Lord forever.” What words of hope and encouragement Paul shared with the Thessalonians and with us!

The underlying question that bubbles up here for me is this: What is required of me so that I am one day a part of this heavenly gathering? I first turn to Micah 6:8. These words are my daily prayer of commitment to God. Each day I strive to act justly, to love mercy and kindness, and to walk humbly with the Lord. These words and actions focus and frame my day. What words and practices guide you to living in a way that brings honor and glory to God?

Prayer: Lord, justice, mercy, kindness, and humility – they are a good start but I know that this is not all that is required of me. By the power of your Holy Spirit fill me with your love and compassion, with your grace and forgiveness. Show me the way to daily serve you and neighbor. Amen.


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Glorious and Beautiful – One Day and Now

Reading: Revelation 7:9-17 (Link only partial. Sorry.)

Verse 9: “There before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language.”

As we turn to John’s book of Revelation we turn to a vision that gives hope for eternity, offers a picture of the kingdom of God, and calls us to a glorious kingdom here on earth. Our passage today and much of the book of Revelation is a “then, now, and will be” vision.

John sees a “great multitude” gathered in heaven – far too many to count. In this vast crowd there are people “from every nation, tribe, people, and language.” Oh how the religious leaders of yesterday’s text must’ve cringed when they first heard of this vision of heaven! But what a beautiful picture of heaven it is! One day we will be gathered with a representation of all of humanity. To John’s audience this was a reminder that they do not suffer alone. Many all around the world suffer alongside them. To us it is a reminder to work to make our churches and faith communities look more like the actual community all around us.

The scene in our passage is filled with worship. The multitude, the angels, the elders, and the four living creatures all worship God and the Lamb. They joyously offer praise and thanksgiving and adoration. This scene is “church” at its finest and most glorious. Next an elder identifies those in “white robes” as those who have gone through the “great tribulation” – the suffering and persecution and trials of this life. The passage closes by contrasting this life with the life to come. In glory there will be no hunger or thirst, no oppression or suffering. God will “wipe away every tear” and the Lamb will lead us “to the springs of living water.” What hope these words gave to John’s audience. What hope these words give to all who long to one day be redeemed by Jesus Christ. Oh what a glorious and beautiful day that will be. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the hope that today’s passage gives. Thank you for the seed of what will be. But, God, help us to see that this vision is also a vision for today and an understanding for our time now. As we hold onto our hope for eternity, guide us to expand the kingdom here and now. Use us to satisfy hunger and thirst now. Use us to end oppression and suffering now. Use us to make our churches and communities more like the kingdom to come. Amen.


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Humble Servants

Reading: Matthew 23:1-12

Verse 3b: “But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.”

In our gospel text Jesus is assessing the state of religion in his day. As we begin with the text we first note that Jesus respects the religious leaders position and authority. They “sit in Moses’ seat” and he encourages the people to “do everything they tell you.” The religious leaders knowledge of the Law or Torah and their teachings from it are solid from Jesus’ perspective. Today you can walk into most churches and you’ll find clergy who know the Bible well and share its truths from the pulpit.

Beginning in the second half of verse 3 Jesus addresses the many issues beyond good theology and solid exposition. Here he warns: “But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” It is easy, for example, to preach about loving your neighbor. It is a whole other thing though to actually go outside the church to do this well or to really love the stranger who wanders through the doors. To truly live out the gospel of Jesus Christ is a “heavy load.” Much is required of us for faithful living. It is not easy or without great effort and occasional suffering. It is about being a selfless servant.

This seems to be the religious leaders’ second struggle. They love to be honored and seen and fawned over. They love their titles and places of honor. Starting in verse 8 Jesus addresses this too. He clearly states that there is only one Master, one Father, one Messiah. God is God. We are not. We are brothers and sisters in the faith, humble servants seeking to bring glory and honor to God alone. As we seek to live out our faith today may we be open to the Spirit in us and to Christ still among us in the world. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, let us recognize that the greatest commandment is to love. As we root ourselves in our love for you and in your love for us, fill us with your grace, your mercy, your presence. Open our eyes to what you call us to as your children – loving the least, saving the lost, clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, welcoming in the stranger… Lead us to heal this world as we go out as your heart, hands, and feet. Amen.


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The Saints!

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 2:9-13

Verse 10: “You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.”

Today is All-Saints’ Day. This church holiday focuses on both the saints who have gone onto heaven and upon the saints who are still serving Jesus Christ here and now. Those who we can call “saints” run a wide gamut – from people like Mother Teresa and MLK, Jr., to people like your 3rd grade Sunday School teacher. There are a great many more saints that fall into the second category.

In our passage today Paul is writing to the church. He is talking about his ministry among them, not as a way to brag but as a way to remind and encourage. This is why we celebrate today’s holiday too. Paul begins by reminding them and us of the toil and hardship inherent in ministry. Ministering to others certainly has moments that are difficult and challenging. Next Paul unpacks the traits or characteristics of a minister of the gospel. It begins with how one conducts oneself: holy, righteous, blameless. He then moves onto the actions needed: encouraging, comforting, and urging the believers to “live a life worthy of the gospel.” This is, of course, circling back around to holy, righteous, and blameless. For Paul and for all other saints past and present, this life of faith is built upon the word of God. A close, personal, intimate relationship with God is the starting point for all believers, saints included.

On this All-Saints’ Day remember the saints who shaped and formed and walked with you in faith. Remember those who are living saints, still guiding you on your journey of faith. Bring your praise and thanksgiving to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the many saints that have blessed my life and encouraged my faith. Some led by example long before I was born. Others have poured into me in my youth and have passed on to glory. And others still lead and guide and walk with me in adulthood. We are a community, connected together with you and with one another, all for the building of the kingdom of God. Praise be to God! Amen.


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Our Whole Life

Reading: Matthew 22:41-46

Verse 42: “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”

In yesterday’s first half of our gospel reading the religious leaders asked Jesus a question to test him. The Pharisees were experts in the Law. They knew the scriptures inside-out. Keeping the letter of the Law and honoring all of the traditions was their focus. They were great practitioners of religion. So when they asked Jesus a letter of the Law question, they were likely surprised when he gave them a spirit of the Law answer. The idea of summing up all of the Law into just two commands had to have gotten their heads spinning. If one’s life has been dedicated to keeping each and every of the 600+ laws, what would it be like to consider really keeping and living out just two?

In today’s text, Jesus pushes the conversation further, deepening their new state of unease. It is his turn to ask a question. For the Pharisees, answering “Whose son is he?” should be as easy for them as answering 2+2=? is for us. Yet they have no answer. The answer is not explicitly found in their scriptures. It is there if one digs and goes deeper: the Messiah is Christ, the son of God. But the religious leaders cannot see or even fathom God coming in the form of a baby now grown into this man standing before them. This did not fit their strict and narrow reading and interpretation of the scriptures. Jesus’ question left them with an even great feeling of unease.

We too can find ourselves in this place at times. We can fall into being experts at following the rules or checking the boxes. We can be really good at practicing our religion yet fail to live out our faith. Both are important. Both should answer the question of who Christ is to us. We too can find unease when these two cross paths. Our religion, for example, calls us to love our neighbors. It tells us to give the hungry person $10 to buy lunch. Our faith tells us to buy our lunches and then to sit down at the table with our neighbor. Unease.

As we ponder Christ’s total call on our lives, may we, like David, understand the Lord to be the Lord of our whole life. And, from there, may we live it out with all that we are and all that we have to offer.

Prayer: Lord God, guide me to not only know the word, but to be the word lived out. Guide me to not only help others to know Christ, but to experience Christ in me. Guide me to be not just faithful and obedient, but also to be compassionate and generous. As I seem to grow into you, Lord, grow in me. Amen.


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Love God AND Neighbor

Reading: Matthew 22:34-40

Verses 37 and 39: “Love the Lord your God… love your neighbor.”

Photo credit: Greg Rakozy

As we turn to our gospel text for this week once again the religious leaders are testing Jesus. They view Jesus as an adversary and try again and again to discredit him, to bait him, to trap him… Today in the text it is framed in a question about the Law: “Which is the greatest commandment?”

Jesus answers as even the most nominal Jew would answer, quoting from the Law of Moses. Reciting from Deuteronomy and then from Leviticus, Jesus basically says, “Love the Lord your God… love your neighbor.” Here Jesus is combining these two commands, in essence making them one command. Let us note “how” Jesus says to follow these commands. Jesus reminds us that we are to love God “with all your heart… soul… mind” – love God with all that we are, with our whole selves. Then Jesus says we are to love our neighbors “as yourself.” Love as you would hope to be loved. Connecting the two, love your neighbor as God loves you: with all of God’s heart, soul, and mind. That is how we are to love our neighbors, which, of course, to God and to Jesus means all people.

In today’s Disciplines devotional, author Sophia Agtarap sums up a recent sentiment found on shirts, bumper stickers… this way: “Love your neighbor who doesn’t look like you, think like you, love like you, speak like you, pray like you, vote like you.” This is a pretty inclusive list of folks that we can surely want to exclude from our “neighbor” definition. Yet if we are to really live God with all of our heart, soul, and mind, then we must truly love such as these. May it be so today and every day for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, do what you need to do in my heart to enable me to really live out these commands. Thank you. Amen.


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Love Lived Out

Reading: 1st Thessalonians 2:1-8

Verse 8: “Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”

Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica is the focus of today’s passage. Paul, Silas, and Timothy preached the good news of Jesus Christ “with the help of our God.” In spite of opposition they spoke boldly. While the fruit of their faithfulness was converts to Christ, Paul clearly states that their ministry was offered to please God alone. And in order to best minister there, in order not to be a “burden,” Paul’s habit was to find work in each community, allowing him to care for them in the best way possible.

While we may feel like we live in a much different time than Paul and company lived, the principles and practices shared in today’s passage are very relevant to our faith and to our witness. Paul’s primary focus was to share Jesus. All he did and said and thought was aimed at this focus. Do we use all that we are and all that we have to share the good news? They spoke boldly, not fearing whatever opposition that may come. Do we speak boldly of our faith or do we worry more about what others might think or say about us? Do we allow the “cost” to sway how we go about witnessing to our faith?

And, perhaps most importantly today, are we “gentle” and caring with all of those that we encounter and engage? In a world that often sees Christianity in a negative light, do our words and actions always help people to experience the love and grace of Jesus Christ? Do those we witness to feel that we are doing our “job” or do they feel what people felt when they met Paul or Jesus – our desire to be in relationship, to share our lives as well?

Prayer: Lord God, may we truly be your love lived out today. When others look at us, when they talk with us, when they spend time with us, may they feel like they have been in your presence. Guide us, Lord, to be gentle and kind with all we meet. And empower us to be bold in our sharing of the good news. In all of these things may others come to know your love and our love. Amen.


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The Work of Our Hands

Reading: Psalm 90:13-17

Verse 17: “Establish the work of our hands for us.”

Photo credit: Clay Banks

As the words of Moses continue on from verse 6, he petitions God for right living and for a heart of wisdom. Moses notes that whether we live to 70 or 80, our days “pass quickly.” It is with this quick review that we turn to today’s verses. Moses begins with a plea for compassion coupled with his plea for God to relent. Perhaps these words came after the incident with the golden calf (or some other sin). Moments when we are reminded of our sinful nature and of our mortality tend to lead to somber thoughts and to some good inner reflection.

Continuing, Moses asks for God’s “unfailing love” to satisfy them so that the people can be joyful. Moses then asks God to reveal God’s splendor so that they may be glad. He closes by asking for God’s favor to be upon Israel and then connects this thought to a request to “establish the work of our hands.” Taken all together, Moses is asking for God’s presence to fill them with gladness and joy so that they can live a life that is pleasing to God. Moses modeled this life for the people. Sure, he had his moments. In Deuteronomy we read that he could not enter the Promises Land because of one of these moments. We too have our moments. Yet we are still called to live out a life of joy and gladness – plus hope, love, peace, mercy, grace… – and to bless God and others through the work of our hands. So, what does this look like for us today?

I ask this because Moses lived in a time and situation that was very different from ours. To find a more relevant example, let us turn to Jesus. He lived in a world much like ours. Jesus lived among everyday people, loving and obeying God. This was reflected in how Jesus engaged and ministered to all sorts of folks, meeting them and loving on them right where they were. May this too be the work of our hands.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to model my daily living after Jesus’ example. Establish the work of my hands today. Make it work that is pleasing to you. Make it work that builds the kingdom of heaven here on earth. Fill me with gladness and joy each day. Fill me so that it overflows into the lives of all that I meet today. Amen.