pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: resurrection


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To Do as You Did

Reading: John 5:1-6:21

John 5:19 – “I assure you that the Son can’t do anything by himself… Whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise.”

Photo credit: Felipe Correia

Our reading begins with a healing on the Sabbath. At the pool called Bathsaida, a sick man has been trying to get into the waters for 38 years. Jesus asks him, “Do you want to get well?” The man explains his dilemma: others get in first because he has no one to help him. Jesus says, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” The man does. The Jewish leaders get on the man for carrying his mat on the Sabbath. It is work. Later, when it is revealed that Jesus healed the man, these leaders harass Jesus. He replies, “My Father is still working, and I am working too.” The leaders want to kill Jesus even more.

This tension leads to a long response from Jesus. He begins by declaring, “I assure you that the Son can’t do anything by himself… Whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise.” The Father gives life so the Son gives life. If people hear Jesus’ words and believe, they will have eternal life. This choice will lead to doing good things, which will lead to the “resurrection of life.” To refuse to believe? That choice leads to doing wicked things and to the “resurrection of judgment.” Jesus reminds them of John the Baptist’s testimony – which they almost believed – and of Moses’ testimony about the Messiah. Jesus’ response ends with a question: If you don’t believe Moses’ words, how will you believe my words?

Leaving there, Jesus crosses the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd follows. Jesus tests Philip by asking about feeding them. Andrew finds a boy with five loaves and two fish. Jesus seats the people and then blesses and multiplies the food. All “had plenty to eat.” Twelve baskets of leftovers are gathered. This “manna” in the wilderness leads the people to think about making Jesus their king. He slips away up the mountain.

As the disciples struggle to cross back over, three or four miles into the journey, Jesus comes to them, walking on the water. Into their fear he says, “I am. Don’t be afraid.” They reach solid ground. Jesus is with them. All is again well. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, taking on flesh you were healing, loving, feeding, doing good. Be Christ in us, leading us to do as you did. Amen.


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Was, Is, Will Be

Reading: Luke 20-21

Luke 21:36 – “Stay alert at all times, praying that you are strong enough to escape everything that is about to happen and to stand before the Human One.”

We begin today with the religious leaders questioning Jesus’ authority. He responds with a question for them, asking about John the Baptist’s authority. Trapped, they refuse to answer. Jesus then tells them a parable that reveals his authority. The tenants are greedy. They abuse those sent to collect fruit owed to the owner. Finally they kill the son whom the owner dearly loves. In response the owner destroys the tenants. Jesus then quotes from the Psalms, referencing the stone rejected. It becomes the cornerstone. The religious leaders recognize that the parable is about them. They want to arrest Jesus but fear the people.

In an attempt to orchestrate a charge, the religious leaders take turns trying to trap Jesus with questions about paying taxes and marriage in the resurrection. Pay taxes? Yes, but more importantly give to God what belongs to God. Marriage? Yes, here and now, but not in the age to come. We will all be God’s children in the resurrection. There, God is as here: the God of the living. In response to their falsehood, Jesus condemns the religious leaders for their longing for recognition and honor and for the unfair burdens placed upon the people. He tells them that they’ll be “judged most harshly.” The widow’s gift is then lifted up as both a great example of trust in God and of how the religious leaders’ greed leads people into vulnerability as they struggle to meet the religious leaders’ expectations.

Verses 5-28 of chapter 21 deal with three events. Two sections reference the actual destruction of the temple and city. One part references the time of persecution that will soon occur. And one part references Jesus’ return. Two of three will unfold just as Jesus says. We await his return. Our reading closes by addressing how we are to wait. We are to be aware of the signs and we are to “Stay alert at all times, praying that you are strong enough to escape everything that is about to happen and to stand before the Human One.” May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, today we’re reminded that there’s always been a plan. Since the beginning you were spoken of and destined to come in human form. You came and revealed love lived out. You called us to follow your example. You spoke of a future that we eagerly await. You call us to be love lived out as we wait. Empower, encourage, and strengthen us to daily follow your example. 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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Receive Your Reward

Daniel 12:1 – “At that time, every one of your people who is found written in the scroll will be rescued.”

Today we read Daniel’s visions. These difficult and challenging words carry both a historical meaning and they speak into future times as well. In the historical sense, these words deal largely with Antiochus IV, a Greek king who heavily persecuted the Israelites. His reign brought the first known attempt by a political ruler to wipe out a religion. The historical time frame is 176-164 BCE. These words come much later than Daniel 1-6, set around 400 BCE.

Daniel’s first vision is of four beasts. These kingdoms will rise and fall. All will impact God’s people. But in the end, “the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingship.” In the end, God will triumph. The fourth, the most evil, represents Antiochus. The 3 1/2 years lines up with his actual reign, as do the wars fought with the “southern king” – Egypt.

Daniel’s second vision of the ram and he-goat are about Persia/Media and the Greeks/Alexander the Great. As strong and powerful and dominant as Alexander will be, his kingdom is divided into four smaller, weaker kingdoms. This vision is followed by Daniel’s prayer in chapter 9. His humble words of confession and repentance move heaven. Gabriel is sent. He affirms Daniel as “greatly treasured” but also confirms the persecution soon to come upon God’s faithful.

Chapter 10 offers insight into another battlefront – the heavenly conflict. Michael helped in the battle against Persia’s powers so that the messenger could get to Daniel. Chapter 11 is some review – the battles between Antiochus and Ptolemy III of Egypt. It is about the persecution the people of God will face too. They are assured that this too will end.

Chapter 12 closes the book of Daniel with words of hope, with words of resurrection and rescue. The messenger speaks of the faithful who “will shine like the stars forever and ever.” In the end, Daniel is also encouraged. He’s told that he “will rest and will stand to receive your reward.” He too will be a part of this glorious eternity. May we also persevere through the challenges, remaining humbly faithful, trusting in God’s power to rescue and redeem.

Prayer: Lord God, as we read these words that the people of God lived through, we too are reminded of the lasting nature of evil. Antiochus wasn’t the first or the last to persecute the faithful. More came. More are yet to come. Lord, lead us to walk in faith, humbling turning to you, the only one with the power to save and rescue. Amen.


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Press On!

Reading: Philippians 3:4-14

Verse 8: “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

As we begin reading today’s passage perhaps we feel a common ground here with Paul. He begins by addressing our tendency to put “confidence in the flesh.” Paul lists his accomplishments and accolades – and in the religious culture of Israel at that time, it is quite the list. The tendency to define who and what we are by our job title or by our degrees or by some measurable worldly success is one we always need to be aware of.

The old Saul described in verses 4-6 has been born anew as Paul the apostle. In verse 8 he writes, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” All those titles, all that he did before – gone! He even goes so far as to call all of that old life “rubbish.” Paul has come to understand that faith in the Lord who wrote the Law is far better than the religion of simply checking the boxes that came with following all of those laws. Paul has come to live out a faith that has opened him up to the power of resurrection and to the joy of “sharing in his sufferings.” It is counter cultural to cast aside all that the world holds dear. To our old self, it feels upside down to lay all of that aside in order to live out “the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” Yet this is the “goal” and the “prize” to which all followers of Jesus Christ are called to.

I love the language and imagery that Paul’s words create in verses 12-14. This is what it means to be in love with Jesus. He “presses on” to “take hold” of Jesus Christ. He “strains” towards the goal “to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Jesus Christ.” What a beautiful goal! What a glorious effort! May this too be our “one thing.”

Prayer: Lord God, help me to fully find my identity in you. May the things of this world fall away on account of knowing you as Lord and Savior. Give me the courage and strength to daily press on towards that heavenly prize, walking humbly with Jesus day by day. Amen.


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No Fear

Reading: Romans 8:12-17

Verse 15: “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption.”

Paul’s writing for this week focuses on our adoption as children of God. With our confession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we receive the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. If we choose to accept and follow the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit we will be empowered by the Spirit to “put to death the misdeeds of the body.” With the Holy Spirit’s power at work in us, we find new life. Through this presence and relationship we become new creations in Christ as we begin to live as sins and daughters of God.

In verse 15 we read, “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption.” Even though we become a beloved child of God once we are adopted into the family, there can still be fear. If one’s connection to the concept of fatherhood brings up feelings of fear and worry, then that can be a part of how one perceives God as Father. For Paul’s audience there was also a connection to the fear of being unable to keep all of the Law. It felt like an impossible task. In a similar way, some feel like they cannot meet all of their earthly father’s expectations. This too can cause one to live in fear.

Paul reminds his audience and us that our adoption is forever. There is nothing to fear because as beloved children of God we are “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” As children of God we are inheritors of glory. We live day by day into this eternal promise of final resurrection. Even though we will suffer in this life, we know that one day we will “share in his glory.” Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for adopting us in love as your sons and daughters. Thank you for our forever place in the family. And thank you, Lord, for a love that never fails, even when we do. What a great love! Amen.


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A New Birth

Reading: 1st Peter 1:3-9

Verses 3-4: “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.”

Peter writes to “God’s elect” who are spread throughout the known world. These scattered Christians are experiencing an uptick in persecution under Emperor Nero. They are afraid and they are questioning the living of their faith in the public arena. Their suffering is driving these thoughts.

Today’s 7 verses pack a powerful punch. Peter begins his encouragement with these words: “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.” Through their faith in Jesus Christ these exiles have received the promise of salvation and with it the gift of eternal life. They have been born anew, now living with hope as brothers and sisters of Christ. This new relationship and connection with Jesus brings with it an inheritance. Peter reminds them that this inheritance will “never perish, spoil, or fade.” It is eternal. It is “shielded by God’s power.” There is nothing more powerful. Living as elect exiles , as Christians in a pagan world, this reminder of Christ’s living presence and of God’s power over them would have been great encouragement to these believers.

In verse 6 Peter touches on another part of their inheritance. Here he writes, “though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” While this may make some consider going underground with their faith, Peter is being honest. Trials will come. Testing is assured. Living as hope and light in the world will draw fire. But, take heart, Peter says this will refine our faith so that it “may be proved genuine.” This too is a new birth. Although uncomfortable and often painful, this refining yields a stronger faith now and one day will result in “praise, glory, and honor” when we come face to face with Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, what a great reminder of the power and presence that you offer to us in this life. Though the trials come, we are always under your shield. Though the suffering may be painful and hard, it works for our good now and for glory to come. You are the God of all time, of all places, and of all situations. Praise be to you, O Lord! Amen.


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Witnesses

Reading: Acts 2:14 and 22-32

Verse 32: “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.”

As we jump into Acts 2, Pentecost had just occurred. The Holy Spirit has fallen on a group of Jesus followers. This event has drawn a large crowd of Jews “from every nation under heaven” (verse 5). It is to this crowd that Peter speaks in today’s passage. He recounts the crucifixion of Jesus. He begins by recalling who Jesus was: “a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs.” And then, “by God’s set purpose,” Jesus was put to death by the Jews with the help of the Romans. We can choose to focus on the role played by the Jews (or Romans) or we can choose to focus on the fact that the crucifixion was always part of God’s plan for Jesus. I choose that latter.

Filled with the same Holy Spirit that fell at Pentecost, Peter continues, quoting from Psalm 16. Here David looks to the Lord, envisioning “the Lord always before me,” the one that assures him “that my body will live in hope.” David has this living hope because it has been revealed to him by God that God will not “let your Holy One see decay.” This prophecy speaks of Jesus Christ, the Lord. Peter connects this dot for his audience and for us in verse 31, where he says, “Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of Christ.” It was all part of God’s plan, spoken by David about 1,000 years before the life of Christ.

Our passage closed with a statement that is true in 2 ways. In verse 32 we read, “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.” Peter, the other disciples, and about 500 followers have seen, encountered, spoken with the risen Christ. This is one truth. The other truth is the witness that we can offer. We know this to be true because the risen Christ lives in our hearts, filling us too with this same living hope. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, today I am once again amazed by the arch of your story. Centuries before Jesus, David spoke of Christ, his eternity, his death and resurrection. Your plan has clearly been at work for generations and generations. Lord, empower followers today to bear witness to Jesus Christ, our living hope. Amen.


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Jesus Is Alive!

Reading: John 20:1-18

Verse 18: “Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the Lord!’”

John’s Easter Sunday account begins just as Matthew’s did in yesterday’s reading. Mary Magdalene goes early in the morning to the burial place of Jesus. In Mark’s gospel it is Magdalene and another woman who go to the tomb. In Luke’s gospel “the women” are heading there to care for the body when they find the tomb empty. Then the angels tell them that Jesus is alive. Notice the common theme here is all the gospels.

It is the women who were regularly part of Jesus’ ministry that are the first ones to hear the good news. This feels appropriate. Jesus clearly saw women differently than society and the religious leaders saw women. Jesus sees them as equals, as people of sacred worth. It feels right that these women who were such an integral part of Jesus’ ministry are the first ones to hear and share the wonderful news that Jesus is alive.

It is these same women, Mary Magdalene most notedly, that go and tell the disciples the news. They have to be the ones – the disciples are scared and are in hiding. Peter and John are moved to action only with Mary’s news that someone stole the body. Even though they were at the tomb, Jesus does not appear until just Mary remains, weeping once again. After this encounter, “Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the Lord!’” Knowing the truth of the resurrection, Mary Magdalene goes to share it with others. As we too know this good news, today and every day may we too declare: Jesus is alive!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for totally flipping the script – for delivering the greatest news after the deepest tragedy. With the joy and faith of Mary Magdalene, may I too proclaim that Jesus is alive! Amen.


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Jesus Is with Us

Reading: John 11:1-37

Verse 33: “When Jesus saw her weeping… he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.”

Photo credit: Ruthson Zimmerman

We end our week with the story known as the raising of Lazarus. That’s the miracle in the passage. It begins with Mary and Martha asking Jesus to come: “Lord, the one you love is sick.” We read into their request an urgency. We can relate because maybe too often our prayers are lifted only when the situation has become urgent. At that point we too are like Mary and Martha: we want a speedy response. If things don’t turn out how we’d like or want, we too can toss up a “Lord if you had…” It is always hard to wait, to have patience, when we bring something important to God, especially if we feel that a response is urgent.

Jesus does show up. It’s just not in Mary or Martha’s preferred time frame. And it’s not the response they wanted – or so they initially think. First Martha comes and he assured her that he is “the resurrection and the life.” Yes, Lord, you are the Messiah. Then Mary comes, full of “if onlys” and filled with grief. It is here that we read, “When Jesus saw her weeping… he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.” He enters their pain and grief. Jesus becomes present in the midst of their sorrow. He is with those who believe. This too is our Jesus. In our pain and grief, in our anger and disappointments, in our loneliness and doubt, in all of life – Jesus is with us.

Yes, Lazarus will walk out of the grave. But in 5, 9, 17 years – he will die again. The pain and sorrow will return. And so will Jesus. In Spirit, he will comfort Mary and Martha once again. This is the good news of this story: Jesus is with us. He weeps with us. He comforts us. He lifts us up. Thanks be to God, Jesus is with us.

Prayer: Lord God, yes, you are present! In the highs, in the lows, and everywhere in between, you are there. You invite us into a personal relationship. You offer to all who believe abundant life now and life eternal. But you don’t wait until we die to become part of our lives. The moment we invite you into our hearts, you enter in and you take up residence. Thank you, Jesus. I need you every day and every hour. Thank you, Lord. Amen.