pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Radical Love

Reading: Luke 23:33-38

Luke 23:34 – “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.”

Our readings today and tomorrow focus on Jesus’ crucifixion. The way of Jesus stands in very sharp contrast to the ways of the world. This contrast begins in verse 33. The Romans crucify three people. Two crucifixions are just and one is unjust. All three accomplish the same goal: eliminating those who challenge your power. This remains the way of the world.

Those present at the crucifixion, all three groups named in today’s reading, they all equate power with strength, control, wealth, status. The religious leaders and the soldiers and the Roman governor sneer at and mock Jesus. They all want (or say they want) Jesus to exert some of his power to come down off the cross: “Save yourself.” That’s what we’d try to do. We’d try to save ourselves. Many there that day that utter these words have seen the miracles and heard the unearthly wisdom of Jesus’ teachings. Pilate’s sign above Jesus’ head mocks him too. A king? Surely he would save himself if that were true. Today we continue to mock and sneer at things and at people that do not meet our expectations and/or that we do not understand.

Jesus’ power runs counter to all of these ways of power and of the world. As he is physically being nailed to the cross – large spikes being driven through his palms and his feet – Jesus says, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” As John Wesley noted in a sermon, Jesus ignores this incredible pain because he is more worried about the salvation of all involved in the crucifixion. Forgiving others always, this is power. The way of love for God and neighbor triumphs over all things. Thanks be to God for this most excellent way of love.

Prayer: Lord God, what great power we see in your radical way of love. It was unaffected by the things of the world going on around you. It was an unconditional love that reached out to those harming you and taking your life. Lord, fill us with this powerful love. Filled, send us out as your radical love lived out in the world. Amen.


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Today

Reading: Luke 23:32-43

Luke 23:41 – “But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Photo credit: Thanti Nguyen

Most of Luke’s account of Jesus’ crucifixion takes place in our reading for today. In some ways Jesus is treated like a common criminal. He is crucified between two. His charge is placed above his head: “This is the king of the Jews.” Like the crucifixion itself, the posting of the charge was also a deterrent.

Almost everyone present mocks or insults Jesus. The religious leaders mock the one who saved others. If he really was who he said he was then he’d save himself. The soldiers mock his kingship. If he really was a king, he’d surely be able to save himself. One of the criminals being crucified insults Jesus for not saving himself – and his fellow criminals. All of these people understand “save” in a different, more limited context. The immediate situation is all they are thinking about. Perhaps that is part of the reason Jesus prays at the outset, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.”

The second criminal sees beyond this moment on the cross. He rebukes the other criminal, admits that they are “tightly condemned,” and states, “But this man has done nothing wrong.” Grasping who Jesus truly is, this man asks Jesus to remember him “when you come into your kingdom.” This repentant man is told, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Today. Not some distant, future date. Today. The same is true for us. When we ask Jesus to remember us, he is present with us today. The kingdom of God is here and now. Jesus is with us here and now. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to see and to live into your kingdom here on earth. Open our hearts to feel your presence. Open our eyes to see you with and among us. And, Lord, use us to build your kingdom here on earth as we seek to be love and light to the world. Amen.


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Certainly God’s Son

Reading: Mark 15:25-39

Mark 15:32 – “Even those who had been crucified with Jesus insulted him.”

In verses 25-39 of Mark 15, he encapsulates the actual death of Jesus Christ. Fifteen verses is all that Mark gives to this event. Most of these verses cover how the outsiders insulted, made fun of, and mocked Jesus. Most turn Jesus’ words upon him, demonstrating their lack of understanding. Even his fellow sufferers join in, insulting Jesus.

At 9 AM Jesus is nailed to the cross. A charge of insurrection hangs above his head: “The king of the Jews.” Passersby and the religious leaders insult and mock Jesus. These taunts contain truth though. The temple of his body will be “rebuilt” as he rises three days later. He will save many as they do see and believe in the resurrected Christ.

At noon the world goes dark. For three hours God and creation mourn what is happening. Perhaps this is the time that Jesus took our sin upon himself, suffering on behalf of sinners. It would make sense turn that at the end of this time he would utter his last earthly words, shouting, “Eloi, eloi, lama sabachthani.” God could not abide being in the presence of sin.

At 3 PM Jesus lets out a loud cry and breathes his last. At this moment the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the temple’s common area is torn in two. The old temple system has come to an end. The new covenant has been established. We join the centurion, declaring, “This man was certainly God’s Son.” Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, how the world misunderstood you. With at least one eye always focused on self, it was hard to see you clearly. We too can struggle with this, with only being partly committed. Yes, in our own ways, we insult and mock you. Lord, forgive us and draw our eyes to the cross, where we see the depth of your love and grace. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.


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Confessing Christ

Readings: Philippians 2:6-11 and Luke 23:39-43

Luke 23:42 – “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

In our Philippians passage Paul encourages us to adopt the attitude of Christ. This is what a disciple or follower of Jesus seeks to do. In this “Christ Hymn” we find three attitudes that we can emulate. These and other parts of the hymn point to a fourth attitude that we are called to practice. First, “he emptied himself.” Jesus was willing to become like us so that he could relate to us. Second, “he humbled himself” – becoming willing to fully associate with us. Third, Jesus was fully obedient to God. While we likely will not be pushed to the point of dying, we are to seek to obey God always. These three attitudes and the actions the hymns speaks of point to the fourth attitude: love. It was love that drove the other three, that arches over the emptying, the humility, the obedience.

Turning to our Luke 23 passage we see these four attitudes lived out. The religious leaders, the soldiers, the crowd – they all mocked and taunted Jesus. He hung on the cross, nearly spent, perhaps one foot already in heaven. It would’ve been easy to just shut out all the noise, to close the eyes, to slip quickly back into heaven. “Easy” is too often our path. But here in this moment Jesus encounters a seeker. This second criminal defends Jesus. So Jesus connects to this man, emptying himself a bit further. Jesus humbled himself even more, meeting this criminal where he was at. Jesus remained obedient to God’s big command. In love Jesus responded to the criminal’s request, telling him that today he’d see Jesus in paradise. The man’s tongue confessed that Jesus was Lord, to the glory of the Father. May it be so with our whole lives this day and every day.

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us today to hold fast to the attitude of Christ. Grant us the courage and the will to elevate the other over self and to strive to live out your love in all we do, say, and think. Amen.


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One Last Act of Love

Reading: Luke 23

Luke 23:34: “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.”

The trial, the false accusations, the giving in, the death and resurrection – it all feels so fast. It feels like Luke moves quickly through these events, his “carefully ordered account” presenting little more than the facts. Yet, as we read carefully, certain lines and actions stand out.

Both Pilate and Herod find no basis for legal action against Jesus. Pilate offers to whip Jesus, trying to placate the religious leaders and their crowd. The mob mentality that drives shouts of “Crucify!” finally forces Pilate to give in to their will. On the way to “The Skull,” Jesus pauses and addresses the grieving women, telling them not to cry for him but to cry for the days of suffering soon to come.

As he is being crucified between two criminals, Jesus prays, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” Those there – the religious leaders and the soldiers – they mock Jesus. One criminal defends this innocent man. Jesus tells him, “I assure you that today you’ll be with me in paradise.” As Jesus dies, a centurion praises God, recognizing Jesus as “a righteous man.” The crowd goes home beating their chests. Luke notes, “Everyone who knew him… stood at a distance observing these things.”

Joseph of Arimathea acts, asking Pilate for Jesus’ body. He was a member of the Jewish council – one that “hadn’t agreed with the plan” that has just been accomplished. The women watch him hastily wrap and lay Jesus’ body in a new tomb. The women go home and prepare spices and oils to properly care for his body. They wait as the Sabbath passes. They wait to offer one last act of love.

Prayer: Lord God, through it all, Jesus does not change. Love, grace, forgiveness, commitment – they continue to flow out from Jesus. His steadfastness to you and to us does not waver a bit. Signs of his love for you and for us are sprinkled throughout this text. Thank you for the example Jesus set, right to the end. This too was one last act of love. Amen.


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What Will You Do?

Reading: Mark 15-17

Mark 16:6 – “Don’t be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus… He has been raised. He isn’t here.”

We close our Mark’s gospel today. Jesus is brought to Pilate, who asks, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus grows silent before his accusers. This question will become a statement, hung above his cross. Pilate tries to release Jesus but the crowd, stirred up by the religious leaders, calls for Barabbas’ release. They want Jesus crucified. Giving in to the crowd, Pilate begins the process as Jesus is whipped.

The soldiers mock, hit, and spit upon Jesus. A man, Simon of Cyrene, is forced to help carry the cross. Jesus is crucified at Golgatha, between two criminals. The soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ clothes. Everyone – passers by, the religious leaders, the crowd, the two criminals – they all mock Jesus. It grows dark from noon until 3. Jesus then cries out, “My God, my God, why have you left me?” With a loud cry, Jesus dies. Mary Magdalene, Mary, Joses, and Salome are there, watching it all.

Joseph of Arimathea asks for and receives Jesus’ body. He wraps the body in linen, lays it in the tomb, and rolls the stone in place. Mary Magdalene and Mary watch. After the Sabbath, early in the morning, these women and Salome go to the tomb with spices. The stone is rolled away. An angel says to the women, “Don’t be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus… He has been raised. He isn’t here.” The women flee, terrified. They say nothing to anyone. Here ends the original gospel of Mark. Left unsaid but hanging in the air is the question: Now that you know the end of the story, what will you do?

Prayer: Lord God, yes indeed, what will we do? Will we live in fear, afraid to tell the good news of salvation? Or will we live out a bold faith each day, living out the good news of Jesus Christ? Your plan continued, from the first disciples down through the generations. Use us to continue to spread the story to the ends of the earth. Amen.


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Go and Make Disciples

Reading: Matthew 27-28

Matthew 28:7 – “Now hurry, go and tell his disciples, ‘He’s been raised from the dead. He’s going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’”

Jesus is brought before Pilate, the Roman governor. Seeing what’s happening, Judas is filled with regret. He returns the silver pieces and takes his own life. The silver is used to buy a field to bury strangers. Pilate asks Jesus if he is king of the Jews. Jesus does not respond to Pilate or defend himself. Because of his wife’s dream, Pilate tried to free Jesus. But the religious leaders invited the crowd. They call for Barabbas’ release and for Jesus’ crucifixion.

The Romans soldiers mock and abuse Jesus. On the way to Golgatha, Simon from Cyrene helps carry the cross. Jesus is crucified and his clothes are divided by casting lots. A sign above Jesus’ head reads, “Here is Jesus, king of the Jews.” The religious leaders, those passing by, and the criminals in Jesus’ left and right all mock and make fun of him. A handful of faithful women watch it all from a distance.

At noon it grows dark. Jesus shouts aloud at three, asking why God has left him. Then he shouts and dies. The inner curtain of the temple is torn in two. The earth shakes. A centurion declares, “This was certainly God’s son.”

Joseph of Arimathea asks for, received, wraps, and places Jesus’ body in his own new tomb. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary watch. A guard is set to prevent the theft of Jesus’ body. Early the next day Mary and Mary return to the tomb. An angel has removed the stone. He announces the resurrection and gives the women instructions, saying, “Now hurry, go and tell his disciples, ‘He’s been raised from the dead. He’s going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’” The religious leaders fabricate one more lie, offering one more feeble attempt to control God’s narrative. The disciples do meet Jesus in Galilee. He commissions them, saying, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you.” The mission continues. May it be so with us.

Prayer: Lord God, so much drives these events – fear, jealousy, deceit, betrayal, manipulation, insecurity. And then there is Jesus: obedient, faithful, courageous, humble. He remains above the house and the evil around him. In the end there is victory over evil and over death. The mission is given and it continues. Guide and strengthen us, O God, to walk as Jesus walked, carrying the good news to the ends of the earth. Amen.


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Pure and Upright

Reading: Proverbs 19 and 20

‭Proverbs 19:20 – “Listen to advice and accept instruction, so you might grow wise in the future.”

To choose to ignore wisdom is to choose to be a fool. Folly first of all corrupts the heart against God. That can lead a foolish son to be a “disaster to his father” and a “contentious wife” to feel like a “constant dripping.” Fools jump right into fights and they mock justice. Fools and liars will not escape. They will perish. Therefore the sage says, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, so you might grow wise in the future.” Here one finds true life, contentment, and peace.

We seek and we enjoy these gifts. That is some of the reason that we plan. This is good to do but we are also reminded “the Lord’s purpose will succeed.” This is why we must never stop listening to wisdom and why we must never refuse discipline. When we do stop, we wander. The walk of faith is long and slow and steady. Advice for our walk comes from “the deep waters of the heart.” It requires long, slow, and steady care. With understanding we can draw from these waters, gaining wisdom and finding true life.

Listening closely and drawing deeply from wisdom allows us to apply it to our lives and to our living. Doing so we learn to restrain our anger and to walk away from senseless fights and to ignore an offense. We come to value wise speech as “the most precious jewel.” We grow to be gracious to the poor. We wait upon the Lord’s salvation. We learn to walk with integrity and honor. We, like our children, are known by our words and by our conduct. May we be pure and Upright, bringing glory and splendor to God.

Prayer: Lord God, today we see that all of who and what we are really matters. Guide us to walk as you call us to walk, clinging to wisdom and understanding and discipline, walking in your way. Keep our ears and hearts open to your guidance and your correction. Use our deeds and words to make your will and way known. Amen.


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The Sovereign Lord

Reading: Isaiah 50: 4-9a

Verse 7: “Because the sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced”.

Today’s passage from Isaiah has many layers to it. Much of the Bible is written in this way. It spoke to the people of Isaiah’s day, it spoke to the people of Jesus’ day, and it speaks to us. Today’s passage is one of four “Servant Songs” – four writings that can be read and meditated upon from the perspectives of Isaiah and Israel as well as from that of Christ and Christianity. For example, the one given the “instructed tongue” and who is “wakened morning by morning” to listen to God was originally Isaiah and his prophetic words were applied to Israel. These same words are connected to Jesus and therefore are applied to Christians past, present, and future.

Prophets have always reminded the faithful of God’s will and ways and have ever called the people back when they have wandered and sinned. Isaiah spoke the word of God to Israel, guiding them out of exile and back into right relationship with God. In turn, the nation of Israel sought to be the “light upon the hill”, revealing God to the peoples living all around them.

Isaiah embodied the idea of a suffering servant. Verse six encapsulates this sacrificial service. Many years later this same verse would be applied to Jesus and the newly forming Christian faith. Like Isaiah, Jesus “offered his back to those who beat me” and he “did not hide my face from mocking and spitting”. Just as Isaiah claimed power and voice in God’s name, so too did Jesus. The words of verse seven apply equally: “Because the sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced”.

The Servant Songs remain a call to the family of God. The word of God and the teachings of Jesus continue to instruct us, to sustain us, to guide us. As we take in, study, and apply the word we become people of love and justice and mercy and salvation. We begin to take on the role of suffering servant as we minister to a world in need. The more we follow the way of Christ, the more we hear his instructions, the more we awaken day by day with listening ears, the more we offer our back to those who oppress and abuse – the more we draw the kingdom of God near in our own hearts and in the lives of those in our world. The sovereign Lord remains with us. May we ever be his light and love in the world.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for pouring out your word each morning, for wakening my heart to your light and love. In times of suffering may I never waver. May I ever trust in you, knowing that you are working to bring all things together. Amen.