pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: person


by Leave a comment

Show Jesus

Reading: Matthew 16:13-20

Matthew 16:15 – “And what about you? Who do you say that I am?”

Turning to the second half of this week’s gospel reading today, Jesus first asks the disciples who people say he is. He is taking the pulse of the society in which he has been ministering. The people in the streets and marketplaces, your old fishing buddies – who do they say I am? The disciples offer a list of prophets. Jesus is a prophet. But even this is a label. It is easy to label people, placing them in some box. As people, we long to be “seen” – to be seen for who we are. Labels limit who we are. Labels fail to recognize our whole person.

Jesus gets more personal as he presses the conversation. He asks the disciples, “And what about you? Who do you say that I am?” This answer is a lot more important than the rumors and gossip of question one. Simon answers for the twelve. His answer reflects day after day, 24/7 with Jesus. He declares Jesus to be “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” For this declaration of faith, Peter is blessed. He will be foundational to the church going forward after Jesus’ death.

Jesus closes the conversation with an order: don’t tell anyone that he is the Christ, the Messiah. Don’t tell or try to argue anyone into belief. Talk is easy, cheap. No, let others see Christ in you. Show Jesus to the world in the ways that you treat others, love others, give yourself for others. Make Jesus seen. May it be so in your life and in my life.

Prayer: Lord God, first, help us to see others for who they truly are, as they are, and as you desire them to be. May we love them for who they are, just as they are. And Lord, help us to be our authentic self too. No masks, no pretense, no fake people-pleasing. Guide us to walk faithfully, so that others may see and experience Christ in us. Amen.


by Leave a comment

One Person at a Time

Reading: Exodus 1:15-22 and 2:1-10

Exodus 1:17 – “Now the two midwives respected God so they didn’t obey the Egyptian king’s order.”

Coming back to Exodus 1, we read the rest of the story today. The Israelites continue to grow in number, in spite of Pharaoh’s attempts to lessen them. In today’s reading Pharaoh calls in two Hebrew midwives and tells them to kill all babies born male. They do not follow orders: “Now the two midwives respected God so they didn’t obey the Egyptian king’s order.” Called back in and questioned, Shiphrah and Puah outsmart Pharaoh. They trusted in God’s power and God made a way.

Pharaoh comes up with a new plan: incite the Egyptians against the Israelites. He instructs his people to throw every Hebrew boy baby into the river. Pharaoh counts on those feelings of disgust and dread, stirring them up and giving them an outlet with his cruel edict. For at least one Hebrew baby boy, this plan fails too.

At the start of chapter 2 a boy is born. His mother hid him for three months. No longer able to do so, she places him in a tar-coated basket and puts it in the river. His sister watches over it and when Pharaoh’s own daughter sees the baby, Miriam offers to find someone to nurse the baby. She risks much, offering a plan that goes against the edict. The princess, moved by compassion, agrees to the plan, also risking much. Moses’ life is saved. These women who used the power available to them stood for life. Through their bold actions, they thwarted Pharaoh’s plan – at least for one boy. In most of our lives, this is how we use our power too. With our words and actions we can make a great difference – one person at a time. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for these examples of women who risked much for what was right and good. Give us the same faith, the same compassion. Help us to see the opportunities you give us to stand and speak for all that is good and right and just. Empower us just as you empowered these women. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Radical Hospitality

Reading: Genesis 18:1-8

Genesis 18:2b – “As soon as he saw them he ran from his tent entrance to greet them and bow deeply.”

Turning to Abraham and Sarah’s story today and tomorrow, we do so with some context. It has been about 25 years since Abram listened to God’s call, leaving almost all behind to go where God would lead him. We recall that as he left, he did so with a promise: through Abram many nations would be blessed. For his radical obedience, Abram was declared righteous by God. As years passed, patience waned. Abram and Sarai took matters into their own aged hands, producing an heir through their Egyptian servant Hagar. God then reiterated the covenant, telling the newly renamed Abraham that nations and kings will come from him. Thirteen years later, three men visit Abraham.

One day, sitting outside the entrance to his tent, the Lord appears to Abraham. There are three men standing near him. In verse 2 we read, “As soon as he saw them he ran from his tent entrance to greet them and bow deeply.” Abraham’s hospitality is just as radical as his obedience. Or is it the same thing? He invites the three men to stay a while, to be refreshed. My mind goes to Peter offering to build three shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. These three men accept Abraham’s invitation and soon a meal is placed before them. The strangers have been well cared for.

Now, Abraham had a sense that the Lord was present in or through these men. Perhaps, like Peter, he wanted to hold onto this moment. This scripture raises some questions for us. First, do we do the same? When the presence of God shows up in an unexpected way, do we make room and time to be in that presence? And, second, whether in the form of a person or in the form of the Holy Spirit, do we offer radical hospitality in the moment? When we do, friends, we often receive great blessing. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, how will you show up today or tomorrow? The question is not “if” but “when” and “how.” Knowing that, prepare our hearts and spirits to receive your unexpected presence generously and abundantly. Lead us to offer our best to you, O Lord. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Awareness and Compassion

Reading: Psalm 24:1-2

Psalm 24:1 – “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.”

In the children’s book Horton Hears a Who! the main character is Horton the elephant. Because he has ears to hear he discovers a whole world living on a speck of dust, people with houses and grocery stores and churches. Horton then goes to great lengths, endures scorn and ridicule and abuse, and gives his all to save, rescue, and protect these tiny people. This is because he believes in his heart that “a person is a person, no matter how small.” Because of his compassion and dedication, others join him in his cause.

In Psalm 24:1 we read, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” As the Creator, yes, the world is the Lord’s! We are included in that “everything.” Whether we are in the ruling party or in the smallest majority, whether we are flush with money or in deject poverty, whether we are the center of our own universe or the humblest servant – we are the Lord’s!

Volunteering this week at a high school church camp, we named the injustices we see in the world and we talked about solutions and needed resources to remedy these injustices. I was amazed by the breadth of the student’s awareness and the depth of their compassion and empathy. Some injustices had touched their lives, others touched their hearts. In these ways they were like Horton, who is like God, who we’re called to be like.

Our question to wrestle with is this: Who or what cries out, needing us to rise up, to stand up, to speak up, to walk alongside? As people of faith, may we be people of awareness and compassion.

Prayer: Lord God, you created all the earth and everything on it and in it. Because all this is the work of your hands, all declared good, may we see, treat, and understand all of creation as good, as sacred, as an extension of you. With this heart and within this mentality, may we be and bring your light and love, your healing and redemption into the world. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Who Do You Know?

Reading: John 1:1-14

Verse 12: “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

Photo credit: Nathan Lemon

Today’s reading is one of my favorites in the Bible. It is poetic and flowing and beautiful. It speaks of Jesus’ forever nature, of his light, and of his invitation into the kingdom of God. I find and feel great hope in these words and in the way that they open the circle of God’s love to all people.

Hope and light and love and welcome are often in short supply in our world. The power systems that drive materialism and greed and many other -isms are systems built on fear and darkness and hate and exclusion. They are designed to hold onto power while keeping others powerless. To varying degrees we are all affected by these systems. And those on the fringes are disproportionately affected.

While Jesus came to be hope and light and love and welcome, he also came to build the church. In verse 12 we read, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” As children of God, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we bear his hope and light and love and welcome to the world. We are called to bring hope to the despairing, to shine light on the darkness, to love those deemed unlovable and unworthy, to welcome the powerless, the lonely, the marginalized, the outcasts… These are the responsibilities of being a child of God, of living as a brother or sister of Christ Jesus.

Now, let’s take a moment to get personal. Who do you know that is currently despairing? Who do you know that is struggling with some darkness? Who do you know that thinks they are unworthy of love? Who do you know that is powerless or is isolated by the systems of this world? And most importantly, how will you be hope or light or love or welcome to that specific person?

Prayer: Lord God, open our eyes and hearts to the needs of those we know. Once we see the needs, Lord, move us to action, to loving as Jesus loved, to serving as he served, to sacrificing as he sacrificed. Use us today to build your kingdom here and now. Amen.


by Leave a comment

To Know One…

Reading: John 14:7-14

Verse 9: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”

Photo credit: Alexander Gray

In the second half of our John 14 passage Jesus makes some connections and a promise that comes from these connections. He begins by asserting that “if you really knew me, you would know the Father as well.” Here Jesus is affirming that he is the incarnation of God – God come in the flesh. As one of my devotionals put it this morning: “they are two separate but interconnected persons of one essence; to know one is to know the other” (Tanya Marlowe, Disciplines, page 45.) For the disciples this was a hard concept to wrap their heads around. In their Hebrew scriptures to physically see God brought death; to touch the ark of the covenant, the place God dwelt, brought death. To equate that God to this walking and talking Jesus was hard for them.

Jesus presses on, stating, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” Jesus’ life, teachings, example – all came from the essence of God within him. He points to the miracles as further proof of this connection. Having experienced all this for almost three years, they must’ve been connecting some dots. And then Jesus hints at more, beginning to push the essence of God a step further. In verse 12 Jesus tells the disciples, “anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing… even greater things.” There is a hint of the Holy Spirit here – the third separate but interconnected persons of one essence. This will lead to Jesus in them, to Jesus in us. Their (and our) knowledge of God will grow deeper and stronger as this new connection takes up residence in them.

And lastly comes the promise: “I will do whatever you ask in my name.” We cannot stop after six words. We can ask for anything, yes. But if it is not done in and through the indwelling presence of God within us, then it is not of Jesus. Again, here Jesus points to connection – God in Jesus, in the Spirit, in us. May we ever be led by Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord God, be in me today as the Father was in you: fully, completely, totally. In all I say and do and think, lead and guide me. With this connection may I reflect you to the world this day and every day. Amen.


by 2 Comments

Today’s Wrestle

Reading: John 3:11-17

Verse 16: “For God so loved the world …”

Photo credit: Hans Zatzka

Continuing today in John 3 we again enter the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. Because of Nicodemus’ confusion, Jesus draws upon an example that Nicodemus would know well. Jesus was a good teacher. He reminds Nicodemus of an event early in Israel’s time in the wilderness experience. Sin had brought death once again. The people grumbled and tested God and Moses. God sent poisonous snakes into camp. Many died. Lesson learned. Yet some snakes remained. God directed that a golden snake be made and placed upon a pole. Looking at this image would save those who were bitten.

In verse 16 Jesus says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God came in the flesh to be that which would save us from sin and death. To look to Jesus as Savior will lead to life – and not just to life here but also to eternal life. Further connecting to the Old Testament story, Jesus tells Nicodemus that God sent his son to save the world, not to condemn it. No poisonous snakes this time. The price for our sin will be paid by Jesus on the cross.

Funny thing about the snake. Eventually it became an idol and had to be destroyed. In our churches and in our faith we too can have idols. And we can try and shape Jesus into the image that we prefer. Unwritten rules and expectations that people be and act like us can make people feel unwelcome. As an example of how these two ideas can combine, ever since the first artwork of Jesus was created we’ve known that Jesus was from the Middle East. We still know it today. Yet Jesus was made into the dominant group’s image. Today I am wrestling with the images of Jesus in our church. I don’t want them to be a stumbling block to anyone. Here’s the question I’m wrestling with: What would a person of color think and feel as they walk in and see blonde-haired, blue-eyed Jesus?

Prayer: Lord, Lent is a season of wrestling. Today you’ve brought the wrestle to my heart. Lead me and guide me, O Great Jehovah, even if it’s uncomfortable, even if it’s unpopular. Amen.

Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:11‭-‬17 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.3.11-17.NIV


by Leave a comment

No Matter What

Reading: Mark 1: 21-28

Verse 27: “What is this? A new teaching – and with authority”!

Photo credit: Aron Visuals

After calling the first disciples, Jesus’ ministry quickly grows. In today’s passage Jesus’ teaching ability is only surpassed by his ability to cast out a demon. It is no wonder that as Jesus continues to teach and heal, his fame only grows. Jesus will soon become so popular that he will have to search for opportunities to slip away from the crowds to reconnect with God.

Fame tends to change people. The famous often become isolated or aloof or out of touch. Soon they are disconnected from the world around them. Once in a while, though, someone becomes famous and people say that they are still the same old Joe or Sally. This was the case with Jesus. No matter how big the crowds became, each person in the crowd mattered. We read in many places about how Jesus stayed late to heal all who were brought to him. No matter how hectic or busy things were, Jesus always had time to stop for the widow or the leper or whomever. Jesus always took the time for the other. No matter what.

As we consider this example that Jesus set, how can we seek to model it this week? How can we make each person that we encounter feel like they really matter to us? How can we live in such a way that we can stop and give our full attention to the other who crossed our path?

May we too live our lives in such a way that others say, “What is this?” as they encounter Jesus Christ within us. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, break me of my inward focus, of my need to complete the task. Guide me to be present to others. Slow me down, open my eyes and heart to the world around me. Turn me towards others this week. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Ever at Work

Reading: Psalm 105: 6, 16-22, and 45b

Verse 17: “He sent a man before them – Joseph, sold as a slave”.

Psalm 105 tells the story of the Israelites time in Egypt and of how God saved them. It is the story of God’s faithfulness to his chosen people. In this sense, the Bible is a historical document. The Bible tells the whole story of God’s people, beginning in the garden of Eden and ending with the coming renewal of heaven and earth. One events links to another, person after person plays their role. All are part of God’s good plans, all working towards the final return to all of God’s children living and walking and talking daily with the Lord in a new paradise.

Today’s verses are part of that story. They are, in fact, just a part of Joseph’s story too. The psalmist reminds us that before the famine occurred, God was already at work. That is usually how God works. In verse seventeen we read, “He sent a man before them – Joseph, sold as a slave”. God was ahead of the game. In his wisdom he saw how to use this world event to bring the family of Israel back together again. Joseph’s rise to power in the king’s household was also foretold. Those dreams that a young Joseph had would come to pass. All parts of the bigger story.

Today’s passage also reminds us that Joseph’s journey was not always easy. He entered Egypt as a slave, sold and discarded by his own flesh and blood. Joseph’s path to become “master” of pharaoh’s household would include a couple of other trials along the way. Through it all, Joseph remains faithful, trusting in the working out of God’s plan. God continues to be at work. One trial after another reveals the power of God at work in the world. That is one of the major overall themes in the story of the Bible: God is faithful. God is ever at work in the story of God’s chosen ones, ever working the whole family together with one another and with God himself. This is the Israelites’ story, this is Joseph’s story, this is our story. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Living God, your fingerprints are all over Joseph’s story. No matter what came – his brothers’ jealousy, Potiphar’s wife’s lust, the cupbearer’s poor memory – Joseph remained faithful and you remained at work. Grant me the same faith and trust and perseverance, O God. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Trinity Sunday 2019

Reading: John 16: 12-15

Verse 12: “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now hear”.

Today is Trinity Sunday on the church calendar. It is the day we recognize and celebrate the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Christianity is unique in its understanding of “God in three persons”, as the hymn goes. The Trinity is a difficult thing to try and explain and to fully understand. To exactly pin down the roles of the three is also hard. Father, Spirit, and Son are three in one. A similar earthly example is that I am at once a son, a father, and a husband. I am only one but I function in three mostly distinct ways within my family unit. Each role is distinct yet at the core of each is the essence of who I am. The Trinity is similar. Each has a fairly distinct role yet all three share common characteristics such as love, grace, compassion…

Because the Trinity is three expressions of God, there is a unity amongst them. Jesus speaks of this unity in today’s passage. Speaking to his disciples, Jesus says to them, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now hear”. I’m sure God thought a similar thing when he last spoke through Malachi, the last Old Testament prophet. Jesus then goes on to explain that the Holy Spirit does not speak on its own. Jesus himself also spoke of his connection back to God. In several passages, Jesus alludes to the fact that all he does and says is based in and is done through God, not on his own. The Holy Spirit will continue to speak after Jesus returns to sit at the right hand of the father. All that the Spirit speaks is rooted in the common core that together is represented by the Trinity.

On our faith journey, we each experience all three persons of the Trinity. We experience and come to know God and Jesus through the Bible and in the moments when we can feel their presence in our lives in tangible ways. We also learn of the Holy Spirit in the Bible and then most often experience the Spirit in the whispers, nudges, reminders, and convictions that help us faithfully walk out our faith. The three in one connects to us in many ways, each a part of our experience of faith. Thanks be to God for the dynamic power of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in our daily lives. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank you for your presence in my life. For the love and care rooted in the Father, for the example of these lived out in Jesus Christ, and for the moment by moment presence of the Spirit that helps me to live these out, thank you three and all! Amen.