pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Jesus


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Trusting, Clinging

Reading: Romans 8:31-39

Romans 8:35a – “Who will separate us from Christ’s love?”

Photo credit: Nick Fewings

In the second half of our Romans 8 passage, Paul asks some great rhetorical questions. He begins with this familiar and frequently asked question: “If God is for us, who is against us?” In our faith heart, we say “no one!” With God on our side, we are confident, assured, ready to take on the world. Why, God didn’t even spare his own son! God gave his son’s life for our lives. Boy is that some kind of love. And then the trouble comes, the distress sets in, the harassment ramps up… Our sure and confident faith can begin to crack in these hard moments.

When we allow our negative human emotions to win the day or when we allow temptation to lead to sin, we open ourselves up to having a charge leveled or a conviction delivered. In that moment, as God looks down on us, caught in distrust or sin, Paul reminds us that Jesus “is at God’s right hand.” He sits in the seat of judgment, not to judge, but to “plead our case.” Jesus walked in our shoes, so to speak. He understands our struggles, fear, doubts. He pleads our case.

In verse 35 Paul asks this question: “Who will separate us from Christ’s love?” He then lists a bunch of “what’s.” These are things. In and of themselves, they cannot do anything. So maybe the “who” that Paul has in mind is us – you and me. When trouble, distress, harassment… or death, injustice, abuse, loneliness, disease… falls upon us, do we stand on, trust in, lean into, and rely upon Christ’s love? Do we hold sure to our faith, believing that in and through Jesus Christ we will have a “sweeping victory?” Yes, Paul is correct: “Nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus.” May we live each day trusting in this truth, clinging to it when necessary.

Prayer: Lord God, you are faithful and true. Your love and presence are constant and sure. By the power of the Holy Spirit inside of us, turn us again and again to these truths. Over and over, help us to stand upon them. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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The Covenant Keeper

Reading: Psalm 105:7-11 and 45

Psalm 105:8 – “God remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded to a thousand generations.”

As we turn to Psalm 105 today and tomorrow, the focus is the covenant God made first with Abraham. This covenant was reiterated with Isaac and Jacob and has been passed on “to a thousand generations.” The covenant that God made with Abraham was not just about him. Abraham was a part of the covenant, yes, but the focus from day one has been the people of God.

God’s justice is the foundation of the covenant. At its core, God’s justice calls us to just living. This calls us to live in a right relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation. Living this way, we represent the covenant: God is our God and we are God’s people. The idea of covenant has been around a long time, likely even before Abraham. It is not unique to Israel. In all cases, at its core, covenant is meant to be a forever commitment.

This week’s Disciplines writer, Rev. Dr. Donna Giver-Johnson, notes that the word translated “to cut” is the root word of our word “covenant.” In ancient times, the two parties entering a covenant would cut an animal in half. They would then walk between the halves, symbolizing their offer to be slain like the animal if they did not keep the covenant. The writer of Psalm 105 echoes this deep level of commitment using phrases like “solemn pledge” and “binding law.”

In Genesis 15, in a vision that came just after establishing the covenant with Abraham, God passed between a cut animal, demonstrating God’s commitment to this covenant with God’s people. This established the fact that the keeping of the covenant is dependent on God alone, not on us. At just the necessary moment, God sent Jesus, the bringer and giver of grace. It is through God’s grace that we now live under the covenant. For this grace, we say, thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for being the covenant keeper. On our own we’d only be covenant breakers. Only through your love and strength can we begin to walk in covenant relationship with you and with one another. And only through your grace and mercy can we return to covenant relationship when we fall short or fail. Thank you, Lord, for walking with us. Amen.


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Focus on the Good

Reading: Matthew 13:36-43

Matthew 13:43 – “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their father’s kingdom.”

Moving forward and inside the house, the disciples receive Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the weeds. Jesus (and now the Holy Spirit) plants good seeds in the hearts of Jesus’ followers. The evil one plants bad seeds that produce weeds. At the end of this “present age” the angels will come and harvest from the world “all things that cause people to fall away and all people who sin.” For these people, there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” in the “burning furnace” (hell.) “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their father’s kingdom.” The redeemed will exult in glory.

The disciples asked Jesus for an explanation because they did not get what he was saying. Jesus offers guidance and answers. At times we need guidance and direction. We don’t understand or we don’t know the next step to take. Jesus invites us to come to him, to ask him our questions. In prayer, we take them to the Lord. God responds to our prayers and through the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit, we grow in our faith and in our trust in God. As we grow in these ways, we will “shine like the sun” in this present age, even as we wait with longing for our final redemption. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, focus our hearts and eyes on you and on the good in our world. It can be easy to get distracted, to focus on the evil all around us. So, Lord, keep us out of the weeds. Lead us to focus on being the good in the world, on shining your light into this world. Amen.


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Gather the Weeds

Reading: Matthew 13:24-30

Matthew 13:30b – “First gather the weeds and tie them together in bundles to be burned.”

Today we turn to the “Parable of the Weeds.” Tomorrow we read Jesus’ explanation. Today we’ll focus on a personal application level that deviates slightly from standard interpretation. Tomorrow we’ll expand out to the more traditional understanding and out to the communal level.

Each morning – or most mornings! – we get up and pray and read our Bibles and ponder a devotional or two. Maybe we practice our faith in the evenings or midday instead. Once or twice a week we go to church for worship or to participate in a small group class. In each of these ways we are planting good seeds in our hearts. On occasion we help a neighbor in need or volunteer somewhere or visit a friend who is sick. Although these acts are other-centered, these practices also plant good seeds in our hearts.

And then an unwanted change comes our way. Or maybe it is an unexpected diagnosis. Perhaps someone speaks an unkind word or a stinging criticism. Each of these things and many more have the potential to derail our walk of faith. They can create stress or worry or doubt or anger or mistrust or… and can cause division and hurt and possibly even put an end to a relationship. These are the weeds that we suddenly find growing in our hearts. We don’t intentionally plant them there, but they do take root. In these cases, Jesus gives us an important reminder: “First gather the weeds and tie them together in bundles to be burned.” Daily tending to these “weeds” prevents them from becoming enmeshed in our hearts. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, all sorts of unwanted things can grow in our hearts if not tended daily. While not all are “evil,” they can still distract us from tending to our relationships with you and with one another. When still a really small shoot, anger and other “weeds” can more easily be cared for. So help us, O God, to be diligent daily, paying close attention to these “small” matters. Before roots become enmeshed in our hearts, guide us deal with temptation and sin. Amen.


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Benefits

Reading: Romans 8:12-17

Romans 8:14 – “All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters.”

In Romans 8:11, Paul reminded us that all who are led by the Spirit will one day be raised as Jesus Christ was raised – to eternal life. Turning to this week’s passage from Romans 8, Paul begins verse 12 with “So then…” Since the Spirit lives in us and promises us resurrection, Paul declares that we have an obligation. So then, that obligation is to live a certain way. It is not the way of selfishness and sin. This way of life leads to death, not to life. The way that leads to life is the way of the Spirit.

In verse 14 Paul states, “All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters.” To be a son or daughter is to have a place in the family of God. To have a place brings benefits, if you will. The primary one is God’s unconditional love. This no-matter-what love is what pours out grace when we fall short and it is the mercy that carries our sin far away, making us pure and holy in God’s sight. This love keeps God close to us at all times. God’s ear is attentive to our desires and God’s heart is attuned to our needs. And, oh yes, there is eternal life one day. For the God who loves us beyond our understanding, we offer our praise and worship today!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for taking us into your family. Thank you for a love that we cannot understand, but dwell fully in. And thank you for your Spirit’s guidance, presence, and direction. Amen.


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Life in the Spirit

Readings: Psalm 119:112 and Romans 8:6-11

Romans 8:11 – “The one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your human bodies also, through his Spirit that lives in you.”

Paul offers us a choice as we continue in Romans 8. We can choose to be selfish. This is our natural inclination. If this is the choice we make, we cannot please God. In fact, when selfish we become hostile to God, refusing to submit to the Law, to God’s will and way. Being selfish, we are consumed with ourselves and with what benefits us. Choosing this life leads to death. It is the choice many people make. It is the choice we make at times, even if we profess Jesus as Lord.

At the other end of the spectrum, we can choose life in the Spirit. This is a life of peace lived with a sense of belonging. We live as children of God who experience God’s righteousness through the Holy Spirit that lives in us. This leads us to seek to live within God’s will and way. This was the choice the psalmist made. The psalmist declares, “I have decided to keep your statutes forever, every last one.” In its simplest form this boils down to loving God with all that we are and loving neighbor as Christ loves us.

When we seek to live this way – led and guided by the Spirit living in us – then we experience life lived in right relationship with God and with all of creation. We come to know the truth of Paul’s words: “The one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your human bodies also, through his Spirit that lives in you.” All of life is blessed, even the hard days, because Christ in Spirit is with us. Always. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, in the quiet early morning, it’s just you and me as I sit here at my desk. It feels easy to choose to you. Yet, this is not the normal reality. We live mostly in the world, where the choice to be selfish is elevated as the right choice. But you call us to be in the world, not of the world. Set us apart in spirit and in our daily living. May your love guide us and may your grace save us when we fall short. Amen.


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Joy That Attracts

Readings: Psalm 119:111 and Matthew 13:1-2

Psalm 119:111 – “Your laws are my possession forever because they are my heart’s joy.”

In the opening verses of Matthew 13, Jesus heads out to the lake. We see that a large crowd came and gathered around Jesus. The lake can be a fun place to go, especially on a warm day. But the crowd was there because Jesus was there. He was the attraction.

Today social media alerts us to where our favorite food truck is that day or to who is having a flash sale that we do not want to miss. If we want to grab a coffee with a friend, a quick text or phone call can set that up. As we remember that almost all communication in Jesus’ day was by word of mouth, we have to wonder what drew a large crowd to the lake. For that matter, how did word of Jesus spread at all?

Verse 111 of Psalm 119 reads, “Your laws are my possession forever because they are my heart’s joy.” The psalmist loved God’s laws because they brought joy to his or her life. They want to hold onto this joy forever. God’s instruction, living by God’s will and way, this brings joy to our hearts as well. Do others see it or feel it in your life? Does our daily walk with Jesus and the Spirit lead us to overflow with joy (and love, hope, peace…)? I think those touched by Jesus spiritually and/or physically overflowed with joy because of how their encounter with Christ changed their lives. These stories are what drew the crowds to Jesus. May it be so for you and for me as well.

Prayer: Lord God, fill us with your joy today. Fill us so full that others sense it, see it, want it. Prepare us to respond when we are asked about our joy. Give us the words of witness that draw others in, that attract others to Jesus Christ. Amen.


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A Bit of Hope

Readings: Psalm 119:107 and Matthew 13:1-9

Matthew 13:3 – “A farmer went out to scatter seed.”

Here at the parsonage we have three raised bed garden boxes and a handful of large planters for tomatoes and peppers. Each year I plant many different types of seeds and some plants from the local greenhouse. After a couple of weeks I start to look for green shoots breaking the surface of the soil. It is usually a hopeful endeavor. Excitement comes with each new seed type sprouting to life. But this year, the carrots didn’t germinate. So I planted again a month later. Nothing. Although very insignificant in the grand scope of life, it feels disappointing and even a little defeating.

It seems the psalmist feels defeated. He or she recognizes the suffering in their life. The author petitions God to “make me live again according to your promises.” God promises to be present to us in all of life, to lift us up when needed, and to bring us joy, peace, and hope. When we feel alone or like we are without life, it is pretty hopeless.

Turning to our gospel lesson, Jesus says, “A farmer went out to scatter seed.” To scatter seed – an interesting thought. You carefully plant and space each seed. You do not scatter. This word choice would’ve caught the attention of Jesus’ audience. It catches our attention. Sometimes, though, seed does scatter. There is the chamomile growing in the grass – seeds blown by the wind. There is the random arugula plant in with the broccoli – a seed dropped by mistake. There are a few “volunteer” basil plants here and there – seeds that lay dormant from last year, suddenly springing to life. Yes, there are the carrots. But how these other surprises bring joy to my heart! And, yes, even a bit of hope.

Prayer: Lord God, there will be times when hope feels thin – in our lives, in the lives of those we live, in the life of a stranger that we meet. In these times, when we feel it, remind us of your love and help us to feel your abiding presence. Or, when hope feels distant to others, use us to bring these things to bear in their lives . In all things, may we trust in you. Amen.


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The Life We Choose

Readings: Psalm 119:105-106 and Romans 8:1-5

Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp… a light for my journey.”

Romans 8:4b – “Now the way we live is based on the Spirit, not based on selfishness.”

Light and dark

In this week’s Disciplines devotional, Reverend Bruce Reyes-Chow connects a verse or two from Psalm 119 with another lectionary passage each day. As I like the connection, I will follow his example this week. In Psalm 119, we read this today in verse 5: “Your word is a lamp… a light for my journey.” In church yesterday, we sang the hymn “Thy Word.” Today’s verses and this familiar song identify God’s word as our guide in this life. Within the scriptures we find the Word. In the gospels we see Jesus’ light and love as the example of how to live faithfully in this sinful world.

In Romans 8 this week, Paul contrasts living in the Spirit with living in the flesh. As is the case with much of Paul’s writing, this contrast is presented as a clear choice: Spirit or flesh? Good or evil? Life or death? But as we learned last week in Romans 7, this is a “war” that is constantly ongoing. One simply doesn’t choose to live by the Spirit and that’s that. As Paul wrote in Romans 7:25, “evil is right there with me.” The fleshy part of us never fully dies.

Based on Jesus’ example and empowered by the Holy Spirit, Paul offers this declaration: “Now the way we live is based on the Spirit, not based on selfishness.” While our Spirit-flesh decision is not a “one-and-done” decision, the side we choose and intend to stand on matters. Choosing the Spirit, we are guided towards a life of love and light, of humble service, and of generous compassion. This life is the opposite of the selfish, inwardly focused way of the world. May we, as Paul encourages, choose to live a life “based on the Spirit.” In this life we find love, peace, hope, joy, contentment, and meaning. May this be the life we choose today, tomorrow, the next day, and the day after that day…

Prayer: Lord God, while the war truly rages on day after day, where we take our stand matters. Each day, Lord, empower us to choose you and a life lived in the Spirit. Strengthened and encouraged, light our path and show us the way of love. Amen.


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Always Seeking to Deliver

Reading: Romans 7:15-25

Romans 7:21 – “So I find that, as a rule, when I want to do what is good, evil is right there with me.”

At the end of chapter 7, Paul describes his own struggle to do and be good in the world. He often does the things he hates to do. In his mind, he knows God’s Law is just and good and right. If it were up to his mind, he’d do all the good stuff: worship God, love neighbor, meet the needs of the poor… But he just can’t quite…

In verse 21 Paul writes, “So I find that, as a rule, when I want to do what is good, evil is right there with me.” Have you found this to be true in your life? That fleshy part of you – that part that just wants pleasure, that part that easily turns to pride and judging, that part always seeking to elevate self to the throne – that fleshy part is always pulling you away from holy, God-pleasing living. Paul chooses the word “war.” And in those moments when he feels like he is totally losing the “war” – it is then that Paul feels like a “miserable human being.” Ever felt this way? Ever allowed sin to win and you instantly see how it hurt someone you love?

Paul correctly realizes two things in verses 24 and 25. First, on his own, his fate is “dead corpse.” Ouch. Second, and most importantly, he realizes that Jesus Christ is his deliverer. Jesus is always with us too, always fighting for us in Spirit, always seeking to deliver us from temptation and sin. Through Jesus Christ, we will have the victory over sin and death. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, the power of evil is strong and pervasive. It runs rampant in our world. All sorts of messaging, people, and situations draw us to sin. We need you Lord. Desperately. Be the constant voice too, calling us to good and holy living. Empower and equip us, O God, to live by your will and ways. Amen.