pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Glory, Mystery

Reading: Haggai 2:6-9

Haggai 2:7b – “I will fill this house with glory.”

Photo credit: Paul Pastourmatzis

As we continue in Haggai 2 today, the focus shifts. The encouragement of the people in their work on the temple shifts to focus on what God will do. The words in verses 6-9 speak of the present and of the future. They speak of the here and of the there. These words are promises from God. And they can be every day truths.

We begin with “in just a little while.” These words could mean later today or tomorrow or 2,000 years from now. We know that God’s time is not our time. We also know that God’s timing is perfect. In God’s time, God will make the “heavens… earth… land… sea quake.” Connecting back to words and images from the Genesis 1 narrative, we’re reminded that God controls all of creation. In the next verse we are included: “all the nations.” This shaking will lead to action, in both the created world and in us.

God declares that ‘soon’ “the wealth of the nations will come” to God’s house. In the near future, the empire of Persia will financially support the rebuilding and glorification of the temple. But is has been said that the greatest resource of any nation is its people. Here we edge into eternity or maybe a great revival, when all people will kneel and all tongues will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Keeping on this track, silver and gold can be material possessions but this could refer to much more. Gentile and Jew? Lost and saved?

The second temple will be a glorious structure. There will be “prosperity” at times. In these times, yes, God will “fill this house with glory.” There will also be times of corruption and greed. Jesus will overturn some tables one day. And what if prosperity isn’t financial at all?

Prayer: Lord God, we know that your love is unconditional, that your mercy is endless, that your grace is ever overflowing. We know that you created and are over all things, us included. But there is so much that we don’t know. There is much mystery. And that is good. Today we ask, O God, that you would help us to step into that mystery, to imagine your possibilities, to trust you into the unknown. We know that you are in all these things. And you are in us. Thank you, God. Amen.


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Present in the People

Reading: Haggai 1:15b-2:5

Haggai 2:5b – “My spirit stands in your midst. Don’t fear.”

Photo credit: Joel Muniz

Fear is an emotion we often feel. When in a dangerous situation, when enemies are all around, when stepping into the unknown – these are but a few of the things that cause fear to rise up in us. The prophet Haggai speaks to a small remnant that has returned from exile in Babylon who is dealing with these three fear-inducing situations. Zerubbabel, the governor, led the remnant back and started to rebuild the temple, but threats from the groups who inhabited the land during exile derailed the building project.

Chapter 1 of Haggai isn’t exactly encouraging. The prophet challenges the people. They are living in nicely built homes while God’s house lies in ruins. Their return has been difficult. For example, they’ve planted crops but are hungry. The harvest has been meager. Haggai informs them that this is because they’ve been neglecting God. This pronouncement induces more fear in the people. But it is a good fear – a healthy respect, a reverent awareness, a motivator.

As the people return to working on the temple, Haggai addresses them in chapter 2. After speaking into their present reality, he speaks words of encouragement, “Be strong,” three times. Through him God encourages them to work, because “I am with you.” Then, in verse 5, God says, “My spirit stands in your midst. Don’t fear.” These words of Haggai remind the people that God is present – building or no building. God is present in the people of God doing the work of God. The same will be true for us. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, gathering to worship and to do other churchy things is wonderful. But you clearly call us beyond the walls of our churches. Like Jesus, who spent the vast majority of his time and energy ministering and teaching outside of the temple and synagogues, move us to be your hands and feet out there in the world. Amen.


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Our Faithful God

Reading: Lamentations 1:1-6

Lamentations 1:5b – “Certainly the Lord caused her grief because of her many wrongs.”

Lamentations is a vivid and emotional account of the destruction of Jerusalem and her temple at the hands of the Babylonians. Jeremiah is likely the primary author. The prophet worked long and hard trying to call the leaders and the people back into right relationship with God. But they chose to ignore his words of warning, instead choosing to trust in idols and foreign nations. Lamentations primarily deals with the consequences of these sinful choices but also offers hope in God’s love and faithfulness.

Lamentations personifies Jerusalem as a woman, present in the great destruction, sitting in the ruins. In the first verse we read, “She sits alone, the city that was once full of people.” When I first read this line, my brain read “promise” instead of “people.” Then I thought, yes, once Judah relied on and trusted in God’s promises. Their choice to trust in their own power and efforts has led them to become “slaves” sent away into exile. Maybe my brain read it this way because sadly at times this is our choice too. We choose self over God and/or neighbor, becoming a “slave” to our sin, exiling ourselves from God’s presence.

The author believes that Judah’s tears and mourning and grief are the direct result of her sinful behaviors. In verse 5 we read, “Certainly the Lord caused her grief because of her many wrongs.” While we do not subscribe to the ancient Jew’s understanding of faith as “do good, be blessed… do evil, be cursed,” we do experience tears, mourning, and grief at times as the practical outcomes of our sinful and selfish choices. While we do exile ourselves at times, God always remains present. Our faithful God listens to our painful laments while allowing us to be refined and to grow in faith because of our hard lessons. In this we find hope – as the author of Lamentations does as we turn to chapter 3 tomorrow.

Prayer: Lord God, while we are far from perfect, your perfect love never wavers, never fails. While we wander and separate ourselves from you, your steadfast presence is always right there, ready to redirect, to teach, to forgive, to welcome us back into right relationship. Thank you God!! Amen.


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Stewarding Well

Reading: Luke 16:1-9

Luke 16:2 – “Give me a report of your administration because you can no longer serve as my manager.”

Today’s parable follows another parable about wasting what we’re given. In chapter 15 a young man wasted his place in the family and then wasted his inheritance. He does eventually recognize his selfish and sinful behavior, coming home to receive grace and forgiveness. In today’s parable a rich man finds out that his household manager “was wasting his estate.” He was not stewarding well what he had been entrusted with. I wonder, how often does God look at us and see that we are wasting the good gifts and blessings that we have been given by our heavenly Father?

Knowing his time as mangager was limited, the man acts quickly – “cleverly.” One by one he calls in those who owe his master oil or wheat or whatever. The manager treats wealth as if it had no intrinsic value, benefiting others in the present moment so that he will be benefited in the future. The master recognizes how well the manager has stewarded his gift, just as others who belong to this world do in the present.

Jesus then encourages his followers to use their wealth (and gifts) in the same way – to do good for others in the present world. He tells them that doing good in this world, using well what they’ve been given, will one day reap a future welcome into “eternal homes.” For us, maybe wealth is a blessing that we can steward well here and now. Or maybe we have a gift for teaching or caring for others or a talent in music or administration… These gifts are things that we can steward well to benefit others in this present age. If we choose to waste (or to hoard) what we’ve been given by God, then we too will one day hear, “Give me a report of your administration because you can no longer serve as my manager.”

Prayer: Lord God, give us pause today and lead us to look within, to reflect on how we are using the gifts and blessings that you have given to each of us. Guide us to steward well these talents or wealth to benefit others now, building your kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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Live Out These Words

Reading: Matthew 6:9-11

Matthew 6:11 – “Give us the bread we need for today.”

Today’s reading brings us a portion of “The Lord’s Prayer.” It is just three short verses but, as it was with much of what Jesus said, there is a lot to these words. There are three requests of God in these verses. And there are actions and responses required of us.

Verse 9 reads, in part, “uphold the holiness of your name.” Jesus is asking God to keep God’s holiness ever on our hearts and minds. To uphold this requires much of us. First and foremost we recall the charge to be holy as God is holy. Moment by moment we are charged with being like Christ was in the world: holy, yes, but also compassionate, forgiving, generous, empathetic, present.

Verse 10 asks God to “bring in your kingdom.” This asks God to make earth like heaven, to have God’s will done here on earth. This, of course, requires our cooperation and help. It calls us to love and care for “the least of these” and to stand against injustice, oppression, violence… These evils have no place in God’s kingdom – in heaven or here on earth.

Lastly, “Give us the bread we need for today.” This asks God to provide our daily bread – our physical sustenance – and to provide for our other needs too. This is a charge to trust in God. It is not a prayer for God to help us get what we think we need or to empower us so that we can be self-sufficient. No, it is a prayer of surrender, leaning into God’s care and trusting that this will be more than sufficient.

In all ways may we strive to live out these words.

Prayer: Lord God, guide us today to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, hearing your voice, feeling your nudges. Lead us to be in the world as Christ was in the world – loving others more than self, serving humbly and gently. Deepen our trust and faith in you as we experience your power working in us and through us, transforming us and your world. Amen.


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With Us, For Us

Reading: Isaiah 40:26-31

Isaiah 40:28 – “Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The Lord is the everlasting God.”

Photo credit: Greg Rakozy

As we turn to Isaiah 40, much of Israel is dispersed across the vast Babylonian empire. In this disconnected state it was hard to hold onto hope. So Isaiah invites Israel to look up at the stars, to remember who created this vast array. The prophet invites them to remember who brings the stars out “one by one, summoning each by name.” Ah yes, it is God. This God of “great strength and mighty power?” Yes, God knows you by name. Yes, God will summon you out of exile.

So then, Isaiah ponders, why do you say that God doesn’t know your plight, that God ignores your exile? We too ask these questions. We think God is absent at times, that God is not powerful enough at other times. We can think that God ignores our great needs. We too need to look up at the sky in awe. We too need to hear, “Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The Lord is the everlasting God.”

Our everlasting God does not get tired or even know weariness. Our great God’s understanding is far, far beyond our understanding. So, yes, sometimes we don’t get what God is doing. But if we trust God, we find that God does give us power when we’re tired, that God does revive us when we’re exhausted. We will be tired and exhausted. These things happen. And the promises remain: God is present. God will renew our strength, enabling us to “run and not be tired” and to “walk and not be weary.” Our God is with us. Our God is for us. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, when we are tired, when we are weary,v when we feel defeated or all alone, call us to look up. Whether the stars at night or the vast blue sky, remind us that you are present in all of creation, that you are present within us. Fill us with hope, renew our strength. Thank you. Amen.


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No One Sees

Reading: 1st Samuel 1:3-8

1st Samuel 1:8 – “Why won’t you eat? Why are you so sad? Aren’t I worth more than ten sons to you?”

This week we delve into our call to see the small, the overlooked, the marginalized. We will wrestle with how we respond to their cries. This often puts us at odds with those in power and with our culture.

All of these topics are present in our 1st Samuel 1 reading. In the text, Hannah is the central figure. She is the one who only receives one part of the offering “because the Lord had kept her from conceiving.” In this agricultural society, children were necessary for a family’s survival. This also factored in later in life. Without children in old age, one would potentially not have anyone to care or provide for them. To be unable to bear children was a cultural shame and a great risk.

Hannah is frequently reminded of all of this by Peninnah, Elkanah’s other wife, the one with many children. This cruelty was especially unavoidable at the festival in Shiloh. All were together in limited space. Elkanah sees Hannah crying and says to her, “Why won’t you eat? Why are you so sad? Aren’t I worth more than ten sons to you?” The focus of his questions are really on himself and his self-worth, not on Hannah. He sees her but doesn’t really see her. No one really sees Hannah. Who do you know that is like this?

Prayer: Lord God, we too can look past the one hurting right in front of us. We too can make it about how their pain or suffering is effecting us or our lives. In these times, Lord, slow us down, divest us of self, guide us to be present to the person and make us responsive to their needs. Amen.


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Live “Out Loud”

Reading: Matthew 5:13-16

Matthew 5:13 and 14 – “You are the salt of the earth….You are the light of the world.”

Following the Beatitudes, Jesus turns to this metaphor about living as salt and light. This call to stand out from the world, to live faith in ways that are fully present in the world – they read very differently according to time and context. These words of encouragement, for example, would have been received differently in real time versus in the days right after Jesus’ death or centuries later when the Roman persecution of Christians was really ramping up.

Jesus first declares to all disciples, “You are the salt of the earth.” Salt was essential to life in Jesus’ day. Salt was used to cleanse, to preserve, to seal covenants, to flavor food. A Christian’s faith can function in all of these ways. Faith cleanses away the sin of this world. Faith preserves what really matters: the way of God. It makes our relationships steadfast and unconditional. Faith flavors all areas and aspects of our lives.

Next Jesus declares: “You are the light of the world.” Faith is not to be hidden, but is to be used to light our way and to show others the life that brings glory and honor to God, not to self. As light, faith calls us to illuminate the evils of our world. Our faith is not to be private or secret, but is to “shine before people” and is to “shine on all who are in the house.” The world is our house.

Disciples today are still called to be salt and light. We are still called to live our faith “out loud.” Today that perhaps feels a bit more like it must’ve felt under Roman persecution. It feels like speaking against evil and against the powers of this world might be costly. Yet this personal cost pales in comparison to the social cost of silence in the face of injustice and other evils, both to our faith and to the lives of those being targeted. With this in mind, may we be salt and light to our world in need.

Prayer: Lord God, fill us with your love and mercy, with your grace and strength. Filled, empower us to stand for the marginalized and for those without voice, without power, without place. Build up in each of us a will to love and live as Jesus loved and lived. And, Lord, may it begin with me. Amen.


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A Big Love

Reading: John 13-31-35

John 13:34b – “Just as I have loved you, so you also must love one another.”

Jesus is nearing the cross at this point in John’s gospel. Judas has just left to betray Jesus. Soon, through his death and resurrection Jesus will be glorified. He has spent his life, especially the last three years, glorifying God through how he lived. This process of mutual glorification is a part of the life of a Christian. Our faithful living brings glory to God. This is the building of the kingdom here on earth. In the end, our faithful living will result in our place in God’s glorious heaven.

For Jesus, the return to God’s side is rapidly approaching. He plainly tells the disciples, “I’m with you for a little while longer.” They will want to remain with Jesus, but for now this is not to be. Jesus, however, will remain a part of their lives. In spirit, Jesus will continue to be present to his disciples.

Beginning in verse 34, Jesus tells them how to continue this relationship. Giving what he calls a “new command,” Jesus tells the disciples to love one another. This command to love neighbor has been around for thousands of years. What’s ‘new’ is in the details: “Just as I have loved you, so you also must love one another.” Like Jesus’ “You have heard… but now I say…” statements, this new command takes Leviticus 19:18b to a whole new level. As disciples the call isn’t just to live as the good Samaritan loved. No, the call is to love as Jesus loves: unconditionally, without limit, completely. This is a big love. When we love this way, all will know that we are a disciple of Jesus. May this be the love that we practice always.

Prayer: Lord God, this is not an easy-to-accomplish call. To love others as you love us? That is a deep and rich and layered love. It is a love often with a cost. Lord, work in our hearts, open them wide so that we can practice and live a love that reflects your love. Guide us to be your 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.