pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Difficult but Necessary

Readings: Ezra 7, Ezra 8, Ezra 9, Ezra 10

Ezra 10:4 – “Get up, for it is your duty to deal with this matter; we will support you. Be strong and act.”

Ezra the priest and scribe enters the story. The opening verses serve as a sneak preview or overview. King Artaxerxes supports Ezra’s trip with a letter that recognizes the purpose of the trip and provides the needed financial resources. Ezra’s main goal is to teach the Torah to the Israelites, forming them once again into the people of God. Ezra then gathers and organizes those ready to return. There are 12 lay families and 2 priestly families present. But he finds that there are no Levites present. They are needed for the daily operations of the temple. Ezra rounds up some Levites. He then calls for fasting and prayer – to submit to God and to seek safe travels.

Upon a safe arrival and a few days rest, the gold and other items are transferred to the temple. Offerings are given and then the king’s letter is given to the local Persian authorities. Ezra then learns of the peoples’ latest sin. Upon hearing of their marriages to non-Israelites he tears his clothing, pulls out hairs, and sits in shock. This will be a serious roadblock to reestablishing the people of God. In the charge, Canaanites, Moabites, Ammonites… are named. There is much negative symbolism and actual negative experiences attached to these names. As Ezra sits in shock, others gather around him, joining his weeping. Ezra prays to God, acknowledging past sins and this sin. He leans into God’s grace and mercy.

Shecaniah steps forward from the crowd. He too acknowledges their sin. And he speaks of hope. He suggests a covenant to send away these foreign wives and their children. He turns to Ezra and says, “Get up, for it is your duty to deal with this matter; we will support you. Be strong and act.” Emboldened by these words, Ezra gathers all Israel. They make a solemn pledge in accordance with Shecaniah’s words. A plan is made to deal with this sin. They hold one another accountable. The matter is resolved.

This was a difficult but necessary step at this time. It was necessary to establish a singular ethnic and cultural identity for Israel. Through the teaching of the Torah, the people understood this was a necessary step that had to be taken to become the people of God, holy and set apart.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to see the necessary but hard steps that we need to take at times to be wholly yours. Send a voice to encourage us, to speak truth and love and hope and grace to empower our steps. And, as Ezra did, lead us to trust that your love and grace will lead the way. Amen.


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Samuel Grieves Saul

Readings: 1st Samuel 14, 1st Samuel 15

1st Samuel 15:22 – “Does the LORD want entirely burned offerings and sacrifices as much as obedience to the LORD?”

What a contrast we find between Saul and his son Jonathan. In the battle with the Philistines, Jonathan looks to God for guidance and he trusts in God’s presence for the victory. The Philistines invite battle, indicating God has handed them over. Saul’s scouts notice the panic in the Philistines’ camp. His initial reaction is to seek God’s guidance. But when the panic increases, Saul tells the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” Saul decides on his own to engage in battle. He makes the troops swear a foolish pledge heading into battle.

Inadvertently, Jonathan breaks the pledge. When told of it, he astutely notes that his father’s pledge has “brought trouble on the land.” Because of this pledge, the battle will be less than complete. The exhausted troops sin by eating meat with blood in it. Saul acts to stop this sin. He now wants to continue the fight. This time he is prompted to ask God. God is silent. Sensing God is angry, Saul senses what he thinks is sin. Lots are cast and the lot falls to Jonathan. Saul pledges to follow through – Jonathan must die! But the troops intervene, rescuing Jonathan from Saul’s folly.

Samuel then comes to Saul and shares God’s direction with him. Saul is to attack the Amalekites and to place them under the ban. This means to totally destroy everything. Victory is won but disobedience is present too. King Agag and the best sheep, cattle, and everything else of value is kept. Saul tells Samuel he followed God’s directions. Samuel asks then why he hears the bleeding of sheep. Saul makes excuses. Samuel asks, “Does the LORD want entirely burned offerings and sacrifices as much as obedience to the LORD?” Samuel informs Saul that God has rejected him as king. Saul knows he has sinned. Samuel and Saul return to their homes after worshipping God. Samuel grieves over the man he will never see again.

Prayer: Lord God, where and when do I try to offer rivers of oil and piles of offerings instead of surrendering my heart fully to you? When and where do I try do for you instead of simply being present to you? By the power of your Holy Spirit teach me obedience and reverence over doing and striving. Draw me to your heart, welcome me into your presence. Amen.


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Remember Your Baptism

Reading: 1st Peter 3: 18-22

Verse 21: “This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also… the pledge of a good conscience toward God”.

Today’s reading connects Jesus’ saving act on the cross to our baptism and to Noah’s experience in the great flood. Peter begins by reminding us that Christ died for us all – “the righteous for the unrighteous” – so that we could be in right relationship with God. Peter reminds us that not only did Jesus pay the atonement or price for our sins, but through the resurrection Jesus also opened the way to eternal life for all who believe in him as Lord and Savior.

In the middle of our passage Peter speaks of Noah and family, those who were “saved through the water”. Baptism is often associated with the washing away of our sins. Jewish rituals of purification involved water in the cleansing process. In Noah’s experience, the water was also the saving agent. The sinful world perished in the flood but through the waters God saved Noah, his family, and all the living creatures. Peter reminds us that “this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also”. Through baptism we are brought into the family of God, into the community of faith. We are marked or claimed by God. Baptism becomes or leads to “the pledge of a good conscience toward God” – whether made by parents and sponsors or by the person being baptized. The pledge is to live a life worthy of Christ, the one who died for us. This life is revealed through our participation in the community of faith and through the ways we share our faith with the world by our witness, our prayers, our worship, our actions, our service…

The “good conscience” that Peter speaks of is the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. This is a promised gift from Jesus that is connected to baptism. In the early church and in some denominations today, the believer’s baptism is the standard practice. The Holy Spirit comes into that person’s life after they confess Jesus as Lord and as they are baptized into the faith. For those traditions that practice infant baptism, the child is marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit. Usually during confirmation (or a similar process) the young adult professes their own faith in Jesus Christ. This confession marks the point of entry for the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

On this first Friday of Lent may we each remember our baptism and may we rejoice in our place in the family of God.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for claiming me as an infant and then waiting patiently for me to decide to follow Jesus. The gift of the Holy Spirit empowers and enables me to follow day by day. Thank you for this gift. Amen.


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Holy, Just, Loving

Reading: Joshua 24: 14-25

Verse 18: “We too will serve the Lord, because he is our God”.

I closed yesterday’s writing with Joshua’s declaration that he and his house would serve the Lord. The words of this verse still echo in my mind as a song that was frequently sung at Promise Keepers events. It has been 12 or more years since I attended a PK event, but the song is still fresh in my mind. For me, this powerful song was like the unofficial official PK song. From Joshua’s personal declaration for God, he hears the people respond, “We too will serve the Lord, because he is our God”. Recognizing the mighty acts of God found in their exodus stories, the people commit to the Lord. But was it like that old PK song – thousands of men joined in because others were singing?

In response Joshua tells them, “You are not able to serve the Lord”. Huh? These words from Joshua must have been confusing. He goes on to explain his thinking: “He is a holy God… a jealous God”. This is one of those “are you sure?” moments. Joshua reminds them of who God is: holy and just. He reminds them that God will “bring disaster” on them if they forsake God and turn to idols. The people reiterate their pledge to serve the Lord – not once but twice more in our passage. The days ends with Joshua making a covenant and drawing up the law. Both are intended to help the people fulfill their pledge of faithfulness to God.

This pledge is made with the deepest sincerity possible. The people really, really intend to follow God faithfully. This scenario probably sounds familiar. It is my pledge every morning. Is it yours too? We are just like the people of Israel in this sense: we mean to do our best to faithfully follow the Lord each day. We really, really do. Some days we do follow the Lord faithfully – living out our faith well for almost the whole day. And some days we struggle. 2020 had a few more of those days for many of us. God is still holy and just. So why doesn’t he “bring disaster” on us? Why don’t lightning bolts rain down from heaven each time one of us sins?

Well, because of love. Love came and walked among us. And when Jesus returned to heaven, he left us grace and mercy and atonement for our sins. Day by day, sometimes even moment by moment, we live in his grace. Confession and repentance are always as close as our next breath. As we speak these words with a sincere heart, over and over, we are washed clean and made new again, over and over. Then we are ready to again declare our faithfulness and to renew our journey with our holy and just and loving God. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord of love, thank you for your love. It is a love that keeps calling me back into right relationship with you. No matter how many times I fail. Thank you for your grace. It is a gift that always says your love is greater than my sin. No matter how great my sin. Thank you for the atonement paid for me. Through Christ, disaster is averted because the price has already been paid. Talk about love. Guide me today, Lord, as I seek to serve you alone. Amen.


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Daily Made New

Reading: 1 Peter 3: 13-22

Verse 21: “This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also… the pledge of a good conscience toward God”.

Peter touches a little bit on the idea of being saved through the water in today’s passage. In verse twenty he recalls Noah and family and how they were saved through the water. They were saved but all others perished as God, in a way, started over. In the next verse Peter speaks of baptism, using the story of Noah as a metaphor for baptism. In verse 21 he writes, “This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also… the pledge of a good conscience toward God”. Our journey of salvation begins as we “enter” the family of God. For many traditions this begins with infant baptism. For some water is also used in infant dedication. Both of these practices acknowledge that the child or person is a child of God and the process invites the Holy Spirit to be a part of that new life in Christ.

Baptism in the early church was also very symbolic. It was a part of the profession of faith. Adults and often their children would profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and then they would be baptized. Just as with Noah, the waters that they were immersed in were seen as cleansing – the waters would wash away the old self and one would emerge as a “new creation” in Christ. The Holy Spirit would be a part of the process – sometimes falling upon the person, leading them to be baptized, and sometimes it would fall upon them after being baptized, as it did with Jesus. As is the case with baptism today, the event marked the beginning of the faith journey. That is the “pledge” part of today’s key verse. It was not ever about just being made clean and then being done with it. The battle with sin does not end in this lifetime. The act of dying to self begun in baptism is one repeated over and over. Our journey of faith continues forever.

Peter connects baptism to salvation. Once we profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we are “saved”. Our souls are saved for heaven. “Saved” becomes our status. Part of our salvation is justification and part of it is sanctification. Justification is simply being made right with God. Each time we come to God and confess and repent, we are being justified as we are forgiven and made new again. Sanctification is being made more like Jesus. As we wrestle with sin and continue to die to self over and over, we are becoming more and more like Jesus. These two processes are constant parts of our journey of faith. All of this is done in and through Christ. Thanks be to God that daily we are being made more like Jesus.

Prayer: Living God, just as you are alive, so too is my faith. In the living and the dying, my faith is always growing, being refined, shaping me into your son’s image. Thank you that I am a work in progress. Work in me today and every day. Amen.