pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: opposition


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Not Even My Life

Reading: Acts 18-20

Acts 20:24 – “But nothing, not even my life, is more important than my completing my mission… to testify about the good news of God’s grace.”

Moving on to Corinth, Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla, two believers forced out of Rome when Emperor Claudius expelled all the Jews. In Corinth, Paul teaches first in the synagogue on each Sabbath. Once Silas and Timothy arrive, Paul preaches daily. This leads to Jewish opposition which leads Paul to teaching only the Gentiles. Many come to believe in Jesus Christ. In a vision God encourages Paul to keep speaking, assuring him of God’s protection. This is evident as the Jews unite and drag Paul before Governor Gallio. He summarily dismisses them.

Paul leaves Corinth and works his way to Ephesus, preaching along the way. Apollos has been successfully teaching about Jesus in Ephesus. He meets Priscilla and Aquila, who teach him more about Jesus. They send him on to Achaia with their blessing. When Paul arrives he educates the new believers about the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which they receive. Paul teaches first in the synagogue, until opposition arises. He shifts again to the Gentiles, teaching for two years in a lecture hall. The power of God at work is evident in amazing ways – towels and aprons touched by Paul bring healing to people.

We also read of a “great disturbance” stirred up by Demetrius. Paul’s work is threatening their livelihood and their god Artemis. Demetrius’ words lead to a riot. Paul is warned against going to speak – by city officials. The city manager goes and calms and then dismisses the crowd. Paul’s influence is wide.

Paul and seven others then make their way to Traos. Here he resuscitates a young man who falls asleep and then falls out of a third story window during Paul’s preaching. Moving on to Ephesus, Paul gathers the church elders. Reminding them of his faithful example, he encourages them to continue the ministry. He warns them of “savage wolves” and to “Stay alert!” He also speaks of prison and troubles that await him. As words of both encouragement and example, Paul declares, “But nothing, not even my life, is more important than my completing my mission… to testify about the good news of God’s grace.” Entrusting the Ephesian church to this same grace, Paul leaves these that he will not see again, heading for Jerusalem.

Prayer: Lord God, Paul continues his mission and ministry, place by place, person by person. He remains faithful to the mission of sharing the good news of your grace. Troubles come and your Holy Spirit guides his through. Lord, fill us with this same Spirit. Lead and guide us to walk in faith each day. Amen.


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Healings and Wholeness

Reading: Acts 3:1-5:16

Acts 4:11-12 – “This Jesus is the stone you builders rejected; he has become the cornerstone! Salvation can be found in no one else.”

Peter and John head to the temple to pray at “the established prayer time.” On the way in they encounter a crippled beggar. Getting his full attention, Peter offers what he has, telling the man, “In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, rise up and walk!” The man enters the temple with them, “walking, leaping, and praising God.” Filled with wonder, the people rush to Peter and John. They tell the people that it is not they who healed the man, but it is the one they handed over and rejected – Jesus. Belief in his name healed the man. Peter then encourages them to “change your hearts and lives,” repenting so that “your sins may be wiped away.”

The healing brings opposition. The Jewish leaders seize and imprison Peter and John. Even so, many choose to believe in Jesus, growing the community to 5,000. The leaders question the apostles, wanting to know by what power they healed the man. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, declares that the crippled man standing before them was healed in the name of Jesus. Continuing, he states, “This Jesus is the stone you builders rejected; he has become the cornerstone! Salvation can be found in no one else.” The leaders are surprised by Peter’s confidence and they know the people are amazed by this sign. They instruct Peter and John to stop speaking and teaching in Jesus’ name. Peter and John tell them they’ll obey God and not man. They can’t stop!

Sharing what happened at the temple, the community prays for protection and for confidence, for healings and signs – all in the name of Jesus. The community becomes united, growing to have one heart and mind. People share everything. No one is in need. The story of Ananias and Sapphira comes as a warning. Their dishonesty costs them their lives. One cannot lie to God. Large numbers continue to be added to the church. Healings and wholeness abound as God answers their prayers. God is at work in the faithful.

Prayer: Lord God, what power is available through faith in Jesus Christ! The faith that Jesus said could move mountains was present in the early church, drawing many to faith in Jesus, the source of salvation. Lord, enable us to claim this power and to offer healing and wholeness through you. Our world is in need. Use us as your disciples to bring your love to our broken world. Amen.


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Life to the Full

Reading: John 10 and 11

John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life – indeed, so that they could have life to the fullest.”

In today’s reading we really see the division created by Jesus’ words and ministry. It is first revealed in the healing of the blind man. The “light of the world” ends the man’s darkness, restoring his sight. There is division amongst those who now see him. Some say it is the blind man and others say it just looks like him. This question is answered as the man is brought to the Jewish leaders. Calling in his parents, they testify that he is their son who was born blind. They say they don’t know how he sees. Even though he has already told them, the leaders ask again. He asks them, “Do you want to be his disciples too?” They insult him. In response he reminds them that God doesn’t listen to sinners but to those who are devout and do God’s will. The man is expelled from the synagogue.

The story transitions next to spiritual blindness. Jesus centers this teaching on the shepherding metaphor. The shepherd enters through the gate, the sheep know his voice, he leads them out. Jesus declares, “I am the gate.” Others come to “steal, destroy, and kill.” The good shepherd, Jesus, “came so that they could have life – indeed, so that they could have life to the fullest.” Life to the fullest. What an image! What a reality for those who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

The metaphor continues with Jesus telling the Pharisees that he will “lay down his life for the sheep.” Unlike the hired hands now listening to the story, Jesus cares about the sheep – and about the sheep not if this pen too! More division reveals itself as they argue about Jesus having a demon. Others ask, how then could he heal this man?

As chapter 11 closes, Jesus tells the “Jewish opposition” that the signs he does should testify to his being one with the Father. He invites them to see this, to believe in him. But they are ready to stone him. As Jesus’ time has not yet come, he escapes, going out to Bethany to minister there.

Prayer: Lord God, reading these stories we so clearly see that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Yet when we step away, going out into that world, we can become blind to needs, to our own sin, to injustice. Lord, help us to live with eyes wide open, living and enjoying the fullness of life that you give to all who believe. Amen.


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Human Wants

Readings: Nehemiah 5, Nehemiah 6, Nehemiah 7

Nehemiah 6:16 – “The nations around us were afraid and their confidence was greatly shaken. They knew that this work was completed with the help of our God.”

Internal unrest almost derails the building process. Taxes had gone up due to Persia’s growing war with Greece. A famine has set in. As is almost always the case, these factors hit the poor the hardest. And is often the case, the wealthy and powerful take advantage of the most vulnerable. How little things have changed in 2,000+ years. The poor (roughly 95% of the population) find themselves indebted to the small landowning class. The poor are losing what little they have. Some children have become slaves and more are on their way. The righteous Nehemiah intervenes on behalf of the poor. Land and homes and interest and slaves are returned or freed. The work continues.

External opposition attempts to strike next. Sanballat and Geshem try to lure Nehemiah away to a quiet secluded place… Their human want is for power. They want to eliminate this political rival. After Nehemiah refuses four invitations, they send a letter accusing him of treasonous acts. He replies, “You are simply inventing this.” Tobiah and Sanballat try hiring an Israelite to sullen Nehemiah’s reputation. But God helps him to see and avoid this trap as well.

The wall is finished – in 52 days! This is so amazing that “The nations around us were afraid and their confidence was greatly shaken. They knew that this work was completed with the help of our God.” The gate doors are built and hung. The priests and Levites are appointed to their roles. Hanani and Hananiah are appointed to rule over Jerusalem. This should be easy – it’s almost uninhabited at this point. No homes have been rebuilt. Nehemiah then registers all the families that returned from exile. This list is almost an exact match to the one in Ezra 2 – except there are more singers. The people return to their towns and villages. The spiritual work on the people’s hearts begins in tomorrow’s reading.

Prayer: Lord God, you walk faithfully with Nehemiah and with your people. Yet some forget. This leads to the human tendency to want to accumulate. This want resides in us too. When that tendency surfaces – whether for things or for power – when that desires calls, remind us that we are to be stewards not hoarders, caretakers not overlords. Remind us of our call to love all of your children. Amen.


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I Am a Follower

Reading: John 1:16-28

Verse 22: “Who are you?… What do you say about yourself?”

Photo credit: Felipe Correia

In the second part of our gospel reading priests, Levites, and Pharisees are sent from Jerusalem, out into the wilderness, to question John the Baptist. They are sent to John not out of genuine curiosity but to assess the situation and to evaluate the opposition. It is odd to me that the religious leaders are somehow opposed to someone preaching repentance and drawing people back to God. John the Baptist is outside of their system. As this week’s Disciplines devotional writer Carol Covin-Dillon puts it, “Often the coming of God into the world does more to disrupt the status quo than it does to reinforce it” (page 415.)

The representatives of the temple ask John, “Who are you?… What do you say about yourself?” In essence they want to know who he thinks he is and just who gives him the authority to do what he’s doing. John’s indirect answer draws from the Old Testament. Just as his father Zechariah did in Luke 1:76-77, John connects to Isaiah’s words. He is the messenger sent by God to prepare people to receive the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

As we close on this third Sunday in Advent, let us personally reflect on these questions. To begin, I ask, do people even ponder these questions about you and me? Are we living in such a way that we stand out, in a way that Jesus shines through in ways people actually notice? We too must live out our faith in ways that are radical and counter-cultural. We must love and tend to the least of these with such depth of generosity and compassion that we are asked, “Who are you?” This starter question will lead us to answer in a way that covers the second question too: I am a follower of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. May it be so!

Prayer: Lord God, help me to be disruptive as Jesus was. Use me to counter the ways of society and the church that tells others they are “less than,” that build walls instead of bridges. Lead me to bring your love and grace to bear in ways that tell others that they too are a child of God. 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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His Ways

Reading: Isaiah 64: 1-5a

Verse 5a: “You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways”.

Our passage comes from the third section in the book of Isaiah. In the first section the people struggle to remain faithful even though God remains faithful. The prophet calls the people back to God over and over. In the second section the wandering grows, as do the consequences of their sins. The Babylonians defeat Israel and many are carried into exile. Here the prophet speaks of hope and of a return home. In the third section, the trip home begins. It is a slow trickle of people. They find new inhabitants in and around Jerusalem. These folks are not friendly to the return and rebuilding of Jerusalem. Today’s passage offers words of encouragement to those trying to rebuild amidst opposition and hardship. The words asking for God’s intervention are longings for God to make things right once again.

In the opening verse the prophet writes, “Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down”. The prophet looks to the days of old when God’s presence was visible in the pillars of cloud and fire and in the mighty acts of God. The powerful image of God protected the people and it reminded them (and their enemies) of God’s presence with Israel. Isaiah also recalls the “awesome things” that they did not expect – the parting of the sea, the food and water in the wilderness, the walls tumbling down, the defeat of the mighty Assyrians… Isaiah is recalling the God “who acted on behalf of those who waited for him”. This is the God they now await. This is the God they long for, hope for. These words are calling the people to remain faithful, to trust in God and his ways.

In our last verse for today, Isaiah speaks these words: “You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways”. Isaiah knows that the relationship has two sides. The people must remain faithful. The Israelites must keep their eyes on God and their faith in God. In his steadfast love, God will come. God will act. Like us in this time of unease and difficulty, waiting can be hard. Yet, like Israel, we must remain faithful, trusting in the Lord our God. May we ever remember his ways as we seek to walk faithfully day by day.

Prayer: Lord God, just as the Israelites’ strength waned at times, so too is our strength being tested right now. In these difficult times, remind us of your steadfast love; help us to walk in your ways. Guide us, great Jehovah. Amen.


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In the Midst

Reading: Jeremiah 23: 1-6

Verse 1: “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture”.

The overall theme of our passage from Jeremiah 23 is that one day the Lord will reign. In essence, we know the end of the story. Even though we know this, sometimes we endure hardship and suffering during the story. Jeremiah begins our passage by addressing the bad shepherds who are negatively affecting the flock of Israel. To these the Lord declares, “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture”. This word of warning comes with some explanation.

God is speaking to those who are leading Israel. The kings and priests are the primary leaders. These leaders have scattered parts of the flock. By not caring for and watching out for the most vulnerable of the sheep, they have driven them away. These have sought care and protection elsewhere. Unfortunately, they often find greater danger outside the flock. The hardening of hearts within the flock has led to destruction. Love and care and empathy for one another is a memory. When the leaders become inwardly focused, soon the people do too. God promises to bring evil on these bad shepherds.

This word from Jeremiah remains relevant today. On many days it seems that our leaders are more concerned with fighting each other than they are with leading and caring for the people. The cost of this is great. The more they fight, the more the sheep scatter and wander into isolated camps. The hurling of bombs from afar leaves no space in the middle. The two polarized ends see anyone not in their camp as the opposition. The arts of dialogue and compromise and win-win seem to be lost. But we must remember we are just in the midst of the story. Jeremiah also reminds us, “the days are coming”. Christ will reign. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: God, help us to see more than just ourselves, more than our own little camp. Open our hearts to the other, to sitting at the table even with those that we are not totally aligned with. Remind us over and over that there is but one God, one Christ, and one Holy Spirit. Thank you, God. Amen.


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Refuge

Reading: Psalm 71: 1-6

The psalmist is experiencing a rough season.  The writer desires to seek refuge in God and to find a place away from their attackers.  There are pleas for God to rescue and deliver, to save.  The psalmist turns to God for help.

At times in life we may also feel like we are under assault.  We may feel like things are stacked against us or that life is a lot uphill lately.  When this is just a day or maybe a few days in a row, we can usually lean on God to help push us through.  Soon enough we see daylight and are thankful for God’s presence and strength that helped us endure and remain faithful.  But what about those times when a few days turns into a few weeks, maybe longer?  It is in this place that we find the psalmist.

We can relate to the psalmist.  It feels as if attackers and other negative people are all around us.  We think we are remaining faithful and obedient to serving God.  So why the conflict?  Why the opposition?  It seems unfair and unjust.  It becomes a tipping point.

Maybe we have stepped where we shouldn’t.  Maybe we have followed our own plans instead of God’s.  So maybe the opposition is calling us into check, back into alignment with God.  Maybe the trial is to refine or define or purify our faith.  When we are deep in a time of trial the temptation can be to turn away from God and to run to something else.  So maybe the discomfort forces us to really look at our faith, to define or refine our trust in God, or to deepen our faith.  It may be a season that yields growth.

There will be times of conflict and opposition when we serve God.  It is Satan’s best trick – doubt, questioning, fear.  It is his attempt to derail us.  The psalmist wrote, “Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go”.  May the Lord our God always be our rock of refuge.  In God we can trust.