pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: mercy


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What a Blessing!

Reading: Matthew 5:1-9

Matthew 5:9 – “Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children.”

Turning to this week’s gospel lesson for today and tomorrow, Matthew sets the scene: crowds gather so Jesus goes up a mountain, sits down, and begins to teach. Matthew tells us, “his disciples came to him.” We don’t know if the crowd came along too. This leaves us to wonder: if you’d been in the crowd that has heard the good news proclaimed and has seen the healings, would you hike up the mountain too?

Verses 3-9 hold the start of the “Beatitudes.” These statements begin a long teaching known as “The Sermon on the Mount.” Running through chapter 7, this is the longest teaching from Jesus found in the gospels. Traditionally the Beatitudes are seen as gifts or blessings. Other translations begin each statement with “Blessed are…” Perhaps these phrases are also invitations. Seen this way, these statements lay out Jesus’ desires for his followers. Marching orders!

So, who are those that Jesus identifies as “happy” or “blessed?” They are hopeless in this world, so must rely on God. They are mourning and grieving, so they are fully present to one another and to the pain of this world. They are humble and peaceful, so they will inherit God’s kingdom, even here on earth. They are seeking, hungering, thirsting for righteousness, so they will be filled and they will come to see God – in one another and in the world. And they are merciful, so they will receive mercy in return.

Those who are happy see and live by values that are different from the world’s values. They seek to make the good news of the kingdom of God a daily, present reality. And in the seeking, they will come to know God intimately just as they are intimately known by God. What a blessing!

Prayer: Lord God, attune our hearts to your will and way. Draw us, day by day, deeper and deeper into your love, filling us with hope, comfort, peace, humility, righteousness, and mercy. Fill us so that we, in turn, can be these things to the world. Amen.


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A Right Heart

Reading: Micah 6:1-8

Micah 6:6 – “With what should I approach the Lord and bow down before God almighty?”

Returning to Micah 6 today we read the verses that lead up to the well-known call to practice justice, to embrace faithful love, and to walk humbly with God and with neighbor. Verses 1-7 lay out “why” Israel should live in these ways and it points out Israel’s failed attempts at true worship. The passage is set as if in a courtroom as God brings God’s case against Israel. In a lawsuit, if you are the one seeking justice, it is good. But if you’re on trial, this is not a good place to be. For the people of God, they are on trial. “With Israel, he [God] will argue.”

God’s case opens with questions about how Israel has gotten to this place: What did I do to you (or fail to do)? How have I wearied you? God is wondering aloud how God displeased Israel, how God bored them into this disobedience. God then reminds Israel what faithfulness looks like. From leading Israel out of slavery to giving them good leaders to protecting them from their enemies, God has always been there for Israel – irrelevant to their commitment, regardless of their unfaithfulness, no matter their sin and wandering and idolatry.

God then lays bare the reality of their present worship. These acts themselves, prescribed by the Law, can be pleasing to God. But volume and simply going through the motions? If one if just playing the game and trying to impress God along the way, then God is not interested in the least. Micah muses, “With what should I approach the Lord and bow down before God almighty?” Returning to verse 8 we find God’s answer. We are reminded that a right heart, a heart right with God and with one another, this is where worship that is pleasing to God begins. With a heart that reflects God’s heart, this is the place that we are filled with love and grace and mercy and peace and hope and compassion and… Filled, we are then ready to be these things to the world. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, strip away our pretense, break down our barriers, wipe away the noise of the world. Bring us to a place of transparency, honesty, and sincerity – not for your sake but for ours. You see through it all. You know the true condition of our hearts. Beginning in a place of humility, guide us then to be practitioners of justice and steadfast love. This is the worship that is pleasing to you. Living and being this way, may our lives reveal to the world what is good and what is required by you. Amen.


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Grace and Mercy

Reading: Matthew 1:18-19

Matthew 1:18 – “When Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph… she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit.”

Today we enter into the miracle of the incarnation. Matthew’s gospel starts with a geneology, beginning with Abraham. Moving through three cycles of 14 generations each, we arrive at Jesus. Matthew’s birth story begins in verse 18. It is fairly succinct, mostly factual. In the opening verse we read, When Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph… she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit.” Pretty factual, until we get to the last four words: “by the Holy Spirit.” These words take us from factual to 100% mystery. This mystery and miracle is no better understood today than it was when it happened. Yet we can relate to this mystery. When a child is born, yes, we understand the process, the medical and physical facts of a birth. Even so, there is a mystery felt when a child draws that first breath and utters a cry.

In the next verse we learn a bit about Joseph, the “father.” First and foremost he is “righteous.” This designation is backed up in other gospels. Jesus is circumcised and named in accordance with the Law. Joseph and family travel to attend the requisite religious festivals. But righteousness is more than just checking off the correct boxes. Joseph’s decision to “call off their engagement quietly” is full of grace and mercy. Here is where Joseph’s true righteousness trumps his devotion to the Law. There is no asterisk in the Law about unwed pregnancies by the Holy Spirit. Joseph chooses grace and mercy, not humiliation and punishment. Although not physically Jesus’ father, here we see in Joseph two of Jesus’ greatest characteristics: grace and mercy. May we too choose grace and mercy.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the mystery of Jesus’ birth and for the mystery felt in all births. In these moments we sense and feel your holy presence. And thank you for your mystery working in us when we choose grace and mercy, even when norms or laws dictate otherwise. In this choice, you are revealed to us and to the world once more. Amen.


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Turning and Returning

Reading: Psalm 80:17-19

Psalm 80:18 – “…then we will not turn away from you!”

How often have you pled with God as Asaph does on behalf of the people of God? Just send us a good king, one able to end these threats, to keep us safe and make us great, “…then we will not turn away from you!” God, just get me out of this mess… just heal this person… just fix this relationship… just keep me out of jail… and I’ll follow you faithfully every day for the rest of my life. In our desperate moments, yes, we too cry out to God.

We are sinful by nature, exposed daily to the temptations of this world. When we fall to the tempting, we sin and fall short of the glory of God. In this fallen state, we are separated from God. But we don’t remain there. We seek forgiveness and restoration. We pledge repentance – to turn away and never return to that sinful life. We are well-versed in the turning from God and seeking to return to God, to be made whole and new again.

Like the people of Asaph’s day, we long to be whole, to live in right relationship with God and with one another, to feel safe, to belong. This too is part of our human nature. Created in the image of the divine, we long for connection and community. We long to be loved. And we have a longing to love God and one another. Here we reflect our creator, the one who is love.

Psalm 80 closes with words that are very similar to the words we looked at yesterday. “Restore us… make your face shine so that we can be saved.” Be with us, O God, shine your face upon us so that we can be saved – from temptation and sin, from this broken world, from ourselves. May it all be so.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for who and what you are: unconditional love, endless mercy and grace, neverending forgiveness. Thank you too for creating us with these things in our hearts as well. Practicing and receiving these ways of being and living in the world, we find our place of belonging with you, with one another, with creation. Lead and guide us, walk with us daily, empowering us to be your hands, feet, and presence in this world. Amen.


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The Way of Love

Reading: James 5:7-10

James 5:10 – “Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as an example of patient resolved and steadfastness.”

In today’s passage from James 5 we are invited into a “courageous patience” as we await the return of Jesus Christ. As it was during James’ day, it is not easy to live as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. The world was and remains selfish and focused on accumulating the things of this world. The pursuit of these worldly things often leads to oppression and unjust systems.

James first invites us to consider the farmer’s patience and perseverance. The crop is planted and the farmer waits patiently and with courage for the rain. In the spring the rain causes the plant to sprout and in the fall it brings the crops to maturity. In the same way we can trust into the reign of the Holy Spirit in our lives to first give life to our faith and then to nourish it to maturity.

James next warns against complaining and judging one another. Nothing weakens a relationship or community quicker than infighting and tearing one another down. There is ample evidence of the cost of these destructive behaviors in our world today. The Spirit of Christ remains at the door of our hearts always, warning against such behaviors, encouraging us to instead choose love, kindness, mercy, and grace.

The passage closes with these words in verse 10: “Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as an example of patient resolved and steadfastness.” There are indeed many prophets in the Jewish scriptures who exhibited great resolve and steadfastness. But more recently, Jesus provided an even better example to follow. This is the prophet to whom we should look in times of hardship and trial. Love of God and neighbor guided all that Jesus said and did. It dictated his decisions. Love brought Jesus a resolve and steadfastness that strengthened him at all times. In all ways and in all circumstances, may love be our guide too.

Prayer: Lord God, the world remains a hard place to daily follow Jesus. The ways of the world are driven by a desire for power and possessions in many forms. You call us instead to desire to love and to serve. Living in such sharp contrast to the ways of the world, we can experience oppression and trials at times. Give us a holy resolve and a Spirit-fueled perseverance so that we may always choose the way of love. Amen.


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Serving Humbly

Reading: Luke 1:46-55

Luke 1:47 – “In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my Savior.”

In our passage today Mary praises God. Her prayer of thanks contains many of the themes found throughout Luke’s gospel. Considering Mary’s circumstances, these are amazing words to speak. She is barely a teenager. Mary is unmarried yet pregnant. This likely led her to travel to see Elizabeth, perhaps an even more unlikely mother-to-be. Elizabeth has been barren all her life and is very much past child bearing years. Yet she too is pregnant. Both pregnancies have been blessed by an angel’s prophetic words. Mary humbly accepted these words, declaring, “I am the Lord’s servant.”

We see Mary’s commitment in verses 46 and 47. Mary glorifies God “with all my heart” and rejoices in God from “the depths of who I am.” Because God chose her, the lowly has become “highly favored.” This theme continues as Mary celebrates a God who shows mercy and lifts the lowly and feeds the hungry. Recognizing the coming reality of God in the flesh, Mary declares prophetically, “He has come to the aid of his servant Israel.” Mary truly understands the incarnational nature of the one in her womb. Young Mary’s faith is amazing.

While the role we are called to play will never be exactly like Mary’s role, we too are called to humble servanthood. God has a plan and a purpose for each of us in the work of building the kingdom here on earth. Sometimes the call invites us to places or to people who are difficult or challenging. As we play our role, especially in the hard moments, may we choose to trust as Mary trusted, knowing that the Lord our God will look with favor upon all who serve the Lord.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the reminder of how simple faith can be. Playing our roles comes down to leaning into the call, trusting that you are present and will walk with us. When we don’t know the steps to take or the words to say, help us to trust that you know and that your Spirit will guide us in those moments. In this way may we each humbly serve you with all of our heart. Amen.


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So Welcome ____

Reading: Romans 15:7-13

Romans 15:7 – “So welcome each other, in the same way that Christ welcomed you, for God’s glory.”

Photo credit: James A. Molnar

A leper, a tax collector, a prostitute, a demon-possessed man, a blind man, a foreigner, a crippled man, a criminal. A homeless person, a recovering alcoholic, a single mom, an ex-con, a transgender person, a refugee, an immigrant. Which list would be welcomed by Jesus into his presence? Which list would Jesus offer grace, love, mercy, welcome to? “Both” would be the answer for the Jesus that we see and read about in the gospels. Is it the same for you and for me?

In Romans 14 and 15 Paul is addressing how the church should welcome each other as Christ would. Since the beginning of the Christian movement the call has been to be like Jesus. Love like Jesus, forgive like Jesus, welcome like Jesus, extend grace, mercy, hope, peace… like Jesus. Fighting this call is the whole “we’re God’s chosen people” thing. This implies “you are not” to many people. Now, Paul, he was once a Pharisee amongst Pharisees. Back then, he drew the in/out line thick and with permanent marker. Through his conversion experience Paul knows that Jesus removed the line. Jesus welcomed Paul. That line? Seeing through Jesus’ eyes, you can’t even tell that there ever was a line.

Our reading today begins with “So welcome each other, in the same way that Christ welcomed you, for God’s glory.” Pretty clear. But the church still sees the line. So Paul quotes from four Hebrew scriptures that show that the Gentiles (all people outside the old line) are included in God’s plan of salvation. All people. All people.

Go back to the two lists at the start of this devotional. Which one(s) made you pause? Now, insert that name into verse 7. For example ,”So welcome the immigrant in the same way…” Repeat this line again and again for any name that you paused at. Again and again. Do so until “the God of hope” fills you with “all peace and joy” through “the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Prayer: Lord God, help me to understand that Jesus welcomes one and all just like he once welcomed me. Whatever lines I’ve been taught, whatever in/out ideas I’ve derived – erase them, obliterate them. Fill me to overflowing with your hope, love, peace, and joy. Then, by the power of the Holy Spirit in my heart, guide me to welcome all people into your family. Amen.


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Seeking Justice

Reading: Luke 18:1-8

Luke 18:7 – “Won’t God provide justice to his chosen people when they cry out day and night? Will he be slow to help them?”

In our world today one would not have to exert much time or energy to find someone to substitute into the place of the widow in this parable. The brokenness and selfishness and greed of our world makes it too easy to find someone abusing the power that they hold over another, to find someone taking advantage of another for personal gain, to find someone with lots of resources walking above the laws that govern our lives. These are but a few of the many situations that cause people to cry out for justice.

The people who create and perpetuate the injustices of our world tend to be like the judge in our parable – people who are self-centered and only care about personal gain. Justice can be had – at a price or if you walk in their social or economic circles. Doing the right thing instead? Yes, that can come at times when a voice raised will not be quieted or silenced. Or when the people rally together to raise the injustice into the public’s consciousness.

As people of faith, we have a role to play in making our world and our societies just and compassionate places. This is so because our God is a compassionate God of justice. God’s goodness and mercy are bent towards justice, especially for people like the widow – the marginalized and the powerless. As the chosen people, may we cry out to God day and night, seeking a more just world. Doing so, we better align our heart and our actions with the heart and will and way of God.

Prayer: Lord God, use us, your people, to bring about a better, more loving world. Grant us the courage to see and to act when the Spirit moves our hearts towards your heart. Give us the words to speak and the steps to take to end injustices in our world. Make us justice-seekers. Amen.


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Have Mercy, O God

Reading: Psalm 51:1-6

Psalm 51:5 and 6 – “Yes, I was born in guilt, in sin… And, yes, you want truth in the most hidden place.”

Photo credit: Ben White

Psalm 51 was written by David, after his deepest sins and the conviction that followed. We all have these moments – low points in our walks of faith, seasons spent living in the ways of the world, times when our faith feel dry or disconnected from God. In the aftermath of his affair with Bathsheba and the orchestrated murder of her husband, David pleads for God’s mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. He knows that “my sin is always right in front of me.” Perhaps he is speaking of the guilt and shame that rises up every time he sees Bathsheba, remembering his past sins, or maybe David speaks figuratively, acknowledging that sin is always right there at the door of our hearts.

In verses 5 and 6, David writes of this reality. Here we read, “Yes, I was born in guilt, in sin… And, yes, you want truth in the most hidden place.” This is the battle that we all fight. In general, we are fallen, sinful creatures from birth to death. Day to day we strive to live righteous, faithful lives. On the surface, we do have some good days. But those thoughts – those barbs and slings and such that never get spoken – these are the sins in the “most secret place,” in our hearts. This is where the fiercest battle is fought, where our sins run the deepest. Here we do as David did, we sin “against you – you alone.” From this place in our hearts, we join David as we cy out, “Have mercy on me, God, according to your faithful love!” Yes, God, please.

Prayer: Lord God, we ask for your guidance and presence, for your strength and direction in our battles with sin. Moment by moment, walk with us, encourage us, empower us. Second by second, allow your Holy Spirit to speak into our hearts, that most hidden place. And when we fail, O God, pour out your love and mercy. Wash us clean. Restore us to right relationship with you and with one another. Thank you. Amen.


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All of the Glory

Reading: 1st Timothy 1:12-17

1st Timothy 1:13 – “I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and without faith.”

Photo credit: Matt Botsford

Paul, as Saul, was one of those anti-Christian people. As he recollects in the first part of verse 13, he used to speak against Jesus and used to attack Jesus’ “people.” Saul was proud of his religion – Judaism. Connecting to yesterday’s idea of “practical atheists,” this is how the early Christians would have seen Saul. He did not understand or even accept Jesus. Saul’s actions and words strongly opposed Christ and his disciples.

Then Saul had his “come to Jesus” moment. In his words, “I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and without faith.” Christ changed his heart. Looking back on his past life as a Pharisee, Paul now sees himself then as “the biggest sinner of all.” This view is from Paul’s new understanding of what faithful living is. He recognized how Jesus came, lived, and died both to set and example of how to live a faithful and righteous life and to save people from their sins. Christ’s “endless patience” was demonstrated in Paul’s life and conversion. Now he lives to be an example of Christ so that others will come to believe in Jesus.

Paul is very grateful that Jesus saved him. This is what leads Paul to offer these words of praise: “honor and glory to him forever.” The gift of relationship that Paul now knows, the gift that that leads to eternal life, is offered to all people. To the Saul’s of the world and to the practical atheists – even those inside of us at times – Jesus Christ still offers new life. As disciples of Jesus Christ, may we bear witness as Paul did, bringing the Lord our God all of the glory.

Prayer: Lord God, as we seek to walk in relationship with you, work in our hearts so that we live in ways that bring you glory and honor. Use us as conduits of grace and mercy, opening others to the possibility of new and eternal life. Amen.