pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Light, Guide Our Way

Reading: Isaiah 9:1-4

Isaiah 9:4 – “You’ve shattered the yoke that burdened them.”

The first section of Isaiah speaks of God’s sovereignty and calls the people away from sin. Running throughout chapters 1-39 are words that speak of the consequences of sinful living. The defeat and time in exile feel like a train barreling down the tracks – swift and unavoidable. Here and there, though, we find words of future hope sprinkled in amongst the doom and gloom. This mirrors Israel’s political history. Ever since the time of King David, a string of evil and bag kings is halted by a good and righteous king. After a short time, the evil and bad king run begins again. This promise of “a great light” would raise up hope for a good and righteous king to once again restore Israel.

The hope of being a great nation, of again experiencing joy in the land, of seeing abundance in the harvest – these words sound wonderful to a people headed into a time of suffering and exile. These words tell the people that this coming hard time will not last forever. To be honest, I often feel like Israel must’ve felt. I need to hear these words and to believe that our current darkness will not last forever. I need hope stirred up in me – that the poor will be fed and clothed and sheltered, that the marginalized will be welcomed in, that those living in fear will know peace.

Verse 4 shouts hope to such as these. Here we read, “You’ve shattered the yoke that burdened them.” In Isaiah’s time, the system was broken. A good king could only undo so much evil before the darkness rise up anew. Today, much feels broken. Many systems need to be changed, to be made anew. We need the light of Christ to guide our way to being a more just land. Oppressing and arresting and abusing vast swaths of certain ethnic groups is not the way to fix a broken system. There is not a simple or easy solution. But if we choose to be light in the darkness and if we allow the light of Christ to guide our way, then we will find a just and right solution. May your light shine in and through us, O Lord, bringing hope and peace, justice and grace to our land. May it be so, O God. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, the rod of the oppressor is heavy on the backs of the vulnerable. The fear of unjust actions is running high in many places. There is a cleansing that needs to occur, a revision that must happen. Lord, let your light guide us to establishing a more just world. Guide us with peace, compassion, and empathy as we work our way to the world you envision. Amen.


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How Can We…?

Reading: Psalm 27:1, 4-9

Psalm 27:8 – “Come, my heart says, seek God’s face! Lord, I do seek your face!”

Photo credit: Mitchel Lensink

We do not know the context for Psalm 27. Even though we do not know the cause, we do know that David’s words are a hopeful prayer lifted in the midst of a time of suffering and trial. In our hard times, perhaps these are words that we’ve lifted as a prayer. And today, in places near and far, rural and urban, well-off and living in poverty, these are words that many could or do lift to God as they suffer, struggle, and are afraid. As we consider these words today, may we also consider how we might be an answer to those near to us who lift these words or words like them as a prayer to God.

The Psalm begins with hope and confidence. With God as light, salvation, and protection, what is there to fear? For David, there are evildoers and enemies all around and an army encamped against him. Today, there is war, violence, threats, division, hatred, disease, injustice. People are in hiding, filled with fear – right here in our nation. David seeks shelter in the house of the Lord. If he could but dwell there every day of his life… While our churches largely remain safe places, getting there is another story for many people. For David and for the faithful today, being in God’s presence is a place and space to worship, to find joy, to rest “during troubling times.”

The last verses of today’s reading are a plea to God. David begs for God to hear, to listen, to have mercy. Encouraging himself and others, David implores his faith, saying, “Come, my heart says, seek God’s face! Lord, I do seek your face!” This is a hopeful request to “God who saves.” And again I wonder, how can we as the hands and feet of God bring both presence and peace and tangible help such as food and shelter to those suffering and living in fear today?

Prayer: Lord God, for those of us not facing persecution or oppression or threat, not living in fear, not suffering, move us to action on behalf of those experiencing these things. Use us as you may to restore justice, basic freedoms, safety. For those lacking these things, be present to them wherever they are – in one of your houses or in places of hiding. And through us, may they feel and know your love, your protection, and your peace. Amen.


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Places and Spaces

Reading: Matthew 4:12-17

Matthew 4:12 – “Now when Jesus heard that John was arrested, he went to Galilee.”

Fresh off his experience with Satan’s temptations in the wilderness, Jesus hears “that John was arrested.” John the Baptist’s words of truth had angered Herod and others, which led to his arrest. Speaking words of truth, especially when aimed at those in power, can lead to such results even today. Perceiving the danger of remaining in or around Jerusalem, Jesus “went to Galilee.” In the far northeast of Israel, Jesus sought to begin his ministry in and around Capernaum. In verse 9 this region is described as “Galilee of the Gentiles.” This remote area had been invaded and overrun time and time again, leaving behind a diverse and mixed population.

At times we can seek places and spaces that feel safe or a bit out of the way. This can be for good or for bad reasons. Just starting out at our first real job, for example, we often start at a small company, learning the ropes in this safer and kinder environment. Jesus went to Capernaum. But some of the time we seek refuge or respite in these kinds of places too. After a traumatic event, after an unwanted change, after a time that really tested us, we can seek a place or space that feels safe and often out of the way. Exiting the wilderness, Jesus went to Capernaum.

This small fishing village would become a home base, a safe and secure place for Jesus and the disciples to return to over and over. It was from this place that “a great light” came, proclaiming, “Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven.” Finding our places and spaces that allow us to witness to Jesus and his still coming kingdom of light and love, may we carry the light to the people who still “lived in the dark.” May it be so for us all.

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us by the power of your Holy Spirit. Whether we are in a dark valley and need your light or whether we are on the mountain filled with your light, meet us where we are at, bring us what we need, use us as you will. Comfort us or send us out to comfort. Strengthen us or lead us out to strengthen others. Fill us with your power and presence. Send us out to be your power and presence. Amen.


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Bring the Light

Reading: Isaiah 49:5-7

Isaiah 49:6b – “I will also appoint you as a light to the nations, so that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

Photo credit: Gian D.

Continuing in Isaiah 49 today, the prophet shares God’s decision. It is not simply a change of heart. The time in exile prophesied by Jeremiah and others is drawing to a close. The 70 years are up. It is time to “restore Jacob to God.” A group will lead the return to God, then larger Israel will follow, also returning to God. To begin the process of returning to the Promised Land, God has honored the prophet, becoming his strength.

While this brings hope and joy to the prophet, God says, “It is not enough.” Yes, God will “raise up” the tribes of Jacob, and, yes, God will bring home “the survivors of exile.” But this is not enough. God’s plan is far bigger than Isaiah envisioned. God works this way in our lives too. Yes, it is awesome that God has brought your family to Jesus Christ. But then God asks, what about your neighbor and the stranger down the street? And what about “those” people in “that” part of town?

In verse 7 we get the full scope of God’s plan: “I will also appoint you as a light to the nations, so that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” God’s plan is to save all people everywhere. That other part of town? Yes. And the people of our reservations and inner cities and the people on the other side of the world? Yes, yes, and yes! Carrying the light of Christ in our hearts, God’s people are appointed by God to bring the light of Christ to all people. Reading on we see that even kings and military leaders will bow before the Lord. All on account of the Lord. And all because we who are chosen are faithful to our charge. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, we first ask that the light of Christ would burn brightly in our hearts. Burning brightly may your fire burn away the chaff and sin, readying us to step into the world’s darkness and pain. Use our light to open blind eyes and to soften hard hearts. Use our light to guide others to welcome the light of Christ into their hearts. Amen.


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God Will…

Reading: Isaiah 49:1-4

Isaiah 49:4b – “Nevertheless, the Lord will grant me justice; my reward is with God.”

Photo credit: Aaron Burden

The second of four Servant Songs found in Isaiah is our focus today and tomorrow. In this week’s reading, the servant speaks in the first person. These words could be Isaiah himself speaking or they could be the words of the servant Israel – an ideal Israel. Or is the prophet speaking as you or me?

The chosenness found in Isaiah 42 continues in chapter 49. The servant was called before birth, formed by God in the womb for this very purpose. As God’s hand continued to shape and form the servant, he or she or we became “a sharp sword… a sharpened arrow.” God’s word continues to cut through our sin and complacency and apathy, calling us to be people bent on righteousness and justice. God identifies the servant as one “in whom I show my glory.” God’s light and love, shining in and through us, reveal God’s presence and glory to the world. It is a high calling.

And it is not always easy to speak truth and to bring God glory. At times we feel like the servant feels: “wearied… in vain… used up… strength… for nothing.” We have given our all, but the fight feels too uphill. We have walked the long road of faith, but there seems to be no end in sight. The injustice, the oppression, the grief, the evils of this world – they appear to be winning. In these low moments, in the depth of the dark valley, we need to remember and cling to the words found at the end of verse 4: “Nevertheless, the Lord will grant me justice; my reward is with God.” God is on our side. God has a plan. God is a God of justice and righteousness. God will triumph over all evil. And if not in our lifetime, then heaven is surely our reward. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, there are many days when we walk in your light and love. We feel your presence, strength, and guidance. Our words, thoughts, and actions are pleasing in your sight. May these days be our reminders. Lord, in those seasons when we are worn down and feel defeated, remind us of your presence. Lift us up by the memories of our long and steady walk with you. Renew our strength and focus so that your light might shine into the darkness, whether in our hearts or in our world. Amen.


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Open Eyes, Shining Light

Reading: Isaiah 42:5-9

Isaiah 42:6 – “I, the Lord, have called you… I will grasp your hand and guard you, and give you as a covenant… as a light to the nations.”

Photo credit: Devin Avery

Today we return to where we began the week, turning again to Isaiah 42. Our verses for today are still about the servant, but God’s role is also a focus. Verse 5 establishes who God is: the creator and the giver of breath to all who walk on the earth. These words remind us of God’s power and of God’s control over the world. This power is extended to humankind in the next verse, where we read, “I, the Lord, have called you… I will grasp your hand and guard you, and give you as a covenant… as a light to the nations.” This echoes our chosenness found in verse 1 and it fleshes out how God’s spirit works in our lives. The Spirit leads and protects us as we step forward in faith, seeking to be a light to those around us.

Verse 7 begins with “to open blind eyes.” While this is primarily about being the light to others, sometimes it is our own eyes that need to see. We can overlook our own failures, we can ignore the one God is leading us to, we can be so busy or preoccupied that we don’t see the need right in front of us. At other times we do go where the Spirit is leading us and we are part of God’s work that frees those in prisons and brings light to those in darkness. This seeing and freeing can be from physical places but can also be from emotional, relational, and/or spiritual things. These imprisoning factors are often intertwined and connected. This can complicate the situation or compound the need, but we need to always remind ourselves that nothing is impossible when God is leading, guiding, and working in someone’s life.

Our reading closes with a reminder that while God has done much in the past, God is still at work and will remain at work in our lives and in our world. The “new things” of God are the promise that God will continue to grasp our hand, to guard us, to open blind eyes, and to send us out as a light to the world. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, first we ask you to shine your light into the dark pockets in our hearts and lives. Open our eyes to the things that need to die in us, then grasp our hand as we work to uproot these evils. Once made right with you, send us out to be light for others, opening the way for your love to bring healing, making them whole. Amen.


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Seekers and Searchers

Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

Matthew 2:11 – “They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling on their knees, they honored him.”

Today is Epiphany, the day we celebrate the visit of the magi or wise men. Epiphany falls twelve days after Christmas every year. Yes, it is the reason for the song about a partridge in a pear tree. The magi were scholars who came from the east. They saw a new star in the sky and after studying various texts, decided that the star’s arrival was connected to ancient Hebrew stories about a coming Messiah. This led them to go on a journey, seeking and searching for this newborn king. The star guided their way.

I often wonder what first led these wise men to leave home and, second, to continue the journey for two years. While likely religious, the magi certainly were not Jewish. While likely naturally curious, as most scholars are, something must have kept them going. Jesus obviously had not yet performed any miracles or offered any amazing teachings. Yet something about the prophecies and the new star and the star guiding their way drew the magi day after day closer and closer to Jesus. Finally arriving, “They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling on their knees, they honored him.” Once there, the magi knew who they had found.

The story of the magi and the celebration of Epiphany is significant for Christians because it is the first instance of Jesus reaching out to the Gentiles, those outside of Judaism. Something about the story and/or something about the light and/or something about Jesus the Messiah drew them to Christ. The same is true for people today. Mingled together in people’s hearts as curiosity, a deep longing, a sense of the divine, whispers of good news, these things continue to draw people towards Jesus. As ones charged with making disciples of all nations, may we notice the seekers and the searchers and may we invest in their journeys to Jesus Christ, Savior of the world.

Prayer: Lord God, like the magi, many today seek and search for Jesus Christ. Some do not know what they are searching for, but they know that something is incomplete in their hearts. Some sense what is missing, but they don’t know how to find or get to Jesus. Use us as a light and as the presence of Christ in the world, helping the seeking and the searching to find connection and relationship with you. Amen.


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The Spirit of God

Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4

Isaiah 42:1 – “But here is my servant… I’ve put my spirit upon him; he will bring justice to the nations.”

Isaiah 42 has been identified since the time of Jesus as one of four Servant Songs found in Isaiah. The New Testament writers used these songs as messianic prophecies, identifying Jesus as the servant who suffers. At the time of their writing, though, the aim of these songs was to help Israel understand its servant role, even in the midst of suffering and exile.

In this first Servant Song, the servant is chosen by God. His or her role is defined this way: “I’ve put my spirit upon him; he [or she] will bring justice to the nations.” It is important to note that the spirit of God is much different than the spirit of the world. God’s spirit and the power that it brings works to bring justice to the world. This spirit doesn’t shout and demand respect. This spirit does not trample over others but cares for the weak and the marginalized – the “bruised reed” and the “faint wick.” With compassion and care this spirit will bring God’s justice to the world. This gentle yet strong spirit of God works steadfastly to build a just and loving world.

The spirit of the world cares little for this way of kingdom building. Those with the spirit of the world recklessly force their way, seeking personal gain and glory above all else. In their wake we find suffering and harm. Justice is a good thing, yes – unless it gets in the way of accumulating more and more. The goals of the spirit of the world are more power, more wealth, more status. These aims are about as far from “humble servant” as one could get.

In Isaiah, in any other prophet’s words, and in the New Testament witness, the people of God are called to humble service, gentle leadership, compassionate care for the vulnerable. The spirit of God calls us to be bringers of justice. May we choose to walk as a humble and sometimes suffering servant of God today and every day.

Prayer: Lord God, outside of your word and outside of our faith communities, so much of what we hear and see is guided by the spirit of the world. Although not easy in our current world, lead and guide us to be people of your spirit – humbly serving, seeking justice, protecting the least of these. Chosen by you, use us to shine your light and love into the darkness of this world. Amen.


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All This and More

Reading: John 1:1-9

John 1:9 – “The true light that shines on all people was coming into the world.”

Today and tomorrow we return to a passage that we just read a week ago. These words “fit” so well on Christmas Eve, a night filled with light and joy surrounding Jesus Christ coming into the world as a baby. In John’s gospel, though, we do not find prophesies and birth stories. Instead, John connects all the way back to the creation of the world. Starting on day 1 of creation, John calls Jesus the “Word.” In verses 1-4 we gain insight into the eternal, creative power found in Jesus Christ. All things came into being through the Word, including “the life that was the light for all people.”

Verses 5-9 develop the purpose of the light. We first read that the light shines into the darkness. This light will never be overcome by the darkness. The darkness of death and the grave could not even extinguish the light. The last verse reminds us, “The true light that shines on all people was coming into the world.” Here John the gospel writer is talking about Jesus’ birth. And more. This light of Christ is life-giving, revealing, growth-inducing, guiding, warming, comforting. Jesus is all this and more.

Tucked in this section are some words about another John. In Mark’s and Luke’s gospel, he is John the Baptist. In John’s gospel he is first John the Witness. John testifies about, witnesses to, and invites others to receive and believe in this light. In his own way, John was a lesser light that pointed others to the true light. I believe this is why we are reading John 1 again so soon after Christmas. It is a reminder that we, like John, are called to witness to the true light of the world – the light that shines on us, that dwells in us, that is all this and more. May we be witnesses to the true light, today and every day.

Prayer: Lord God, the light that we held in our hands on Christmas Eve, that light that reminded us that the true light has come into the world, we still hold that light in our hearts. Lord, may we unshutter the doors of our hearts, allowing the light of Christ to shine out from us, into the world. As the light continues to shine, draw others into your saving love. Amen.


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Light and Love

Reading: John 1:1-14

John 1:5 – “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.”

On Christmas Eve day we turn to John 1. While not a birth story in the sense of Matthew 1:18-25 or Luke 2:1-20, our reading today is very much a “birth” story – the birth of our world, the birth of light, the birth of welcome and belief, the birth of God in the flesh, the birth of glory, “full of grace and truth.” Throughout the passage, John uses the image of light again and again. This light is Jesus Christ, God in the flesh.

Each time I read and study and meditate on this passage, something new is learned, applied, realized. This is often the case when we return to a passage. God’s word is alive and active. It meets us where we are at and takes us where we need to go each time we engage a passage. Today as I read and reread these verses, this one stood out: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.” My first thought centered on the idea that the light enters the darkness, pushing it away, so to speak. My second thought focused on the idea that light goes as far as its power allows it to go. A small light like a candle will light up a small space. A big light like our sun will light up whole worlds. The light of Christ can make the sun seem like a candle. The light of Christ will shine everywhere and forever, if we allow it to do so.

In today’s Disciplines devotional, Rev. Dr. Dottie Escobar-Frank shared these words: “The true light shines into our hidden spaces, our dirty places, our wounded spots, and illuminates them so that healing and wholesome can be ours.” Christ’s light will shine into our souls, if we allow it in. Christ’s love will make us whole again, if we allow it in. May we say again and again, ‘Come, Lord Jesus, come.’ May it be so. Shine your light and love deep into our hearts and lives.

Prayer: Lord God, so much of who we are desires to walk always with you. This is who you created us to be. The Spirit always leads and guided us in this desire. But the darkness is ever there, too, ready to seep back in. So, Lord, we ask you to fill us with your light and love. Filled, the darkness is held at bay. Thank you, God. Amen.