pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Beautiful Feet

Reading: Romans 10:14-15

Verse 14b: “And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?”

Returning to Romans 10 today, Paul follows up his proclamation that “all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved” with a few questions. While we hope that Peter’s proclamation will one day include all people everywhere, the reality is that many people do not have the opportunity to call on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This middle question in verse 14 really resonated with me: “And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?” Really, how can they?

Many years ago Christians read this question and thought of places like Africa. While Africa remains a place of mission today, this question increasingly applies to where we live. Faith is no longer a guiding force in our nation and in most of our communities. Today we are living in the post-Christian era. In the US and in Europe church and faith are on the decline. Just 2 generations ago almost everyone went to church each Sunday. Today 1 Sunday a month is considered “regular” attendance. On any given Sunday about 17% of the population is in church. We have many people in our communities who are disconnected from faith in Jesus Christ.

Yes, as Paul writes, those who preach and those sent on mission are important parts of the faith process. But the heart and soul of faith and of the church remains those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It is these folks who put on Christ and go forth, taking Jesus with them to work, to school, to the neighbor next door. This is how non-believers get to know Jesus. This is how the lost hear the good news of Jesus Christ. May we all have beautiful feet this week.

Prayer: Lord God, move us all out into the world as your love, being poured out into the lives of those we meet. Use each of us to make Jesus Christ known. Use each of us to proclaim the good news every day. Amen.


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No Jew or Gentile, No…

Reading: Romans 10:5-13

Verse 12: “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him.”

Paul writes in chapter 10 of the Lord who is Lord of all. For the Jewish Christians in Rome, they still clung to the Law of Moses. They saw faith as living out the Law. The Jewish Christians thought the new Gentile believers should adhere to all of the Law as well. Paul is calling for a faith based upon living out Jesus’ teachings and example. Paul invites those in the church in Rome to a faith that is “in your mouth and in your heart.” He is inviting them all to live a faith driven and guided by the Holy Spirit – the indwelling presence of Jesus Christ within each of them.

Paul continues, emphasizing that faith in Jesus comes not from the Law but from confessing and living out “Jesus is Lord.” Faith is ‘finalized’ with the belief that because Jesus rose, one day the faithful will rise too. Put another way, one day our justification will lead to our sanctification. Put yet another way, faithful and righteous living here will one day lead to eternal glory. For both groups in the Roman church, this was the hoped-for outcome of their faith in Jesus Christ. It is all believers hoped-for outcome of faith.

There was a division in the Roman church and it was getting in the way of their moving towards this desired outcome AND it was getting in the way of their witnessing to non-believers. So Paul uses some strong language in verse 12: “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him.” Paul does not say “Christian Jews and Gentile believers.” He goes a step wider. He wants the church to understand that their little squabble affects more than just them. He says all Jews and all Gentiles (which, in the language of the day, means “all people”) can call on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. All people can call on Jesus to be saved.

As we seek to share and live out our faith and righteousness, may our eyes and hearts also be wide open, loving and witnessing to all people as the beloved children of God.

Prayer: Lord, in your kingdom there will be no Jew or Gentile, no Methodist or Catholic, no slave or free, no black or white, no rich or poor, no this or that. All people are the creation of your hands. All people are beloved by you. Lead me and use me to build that kingdom here on earth. Open my eyes and heart wide open. Amen.


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Choose Life

Reading: Romans 6:15-23

Verse 22: “Now that you have been set free from sin… the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.”

As we continue today in Romans 6, Paul uses the term “slave” often. Paul is using this term to emphasize one’s total commitment and belonging to someone or something. In our passage, one is either a slave to sin or a slave to God. For each of these choices, there is an outcome. If you belong to sin, the outcome is death. If you belong to God, the outcome is righteousness. Paul rejoices that the Christians in Rome have obeyed the teachings of Christ, becoming slaves of righteousness. The rejoicing continues today. As Jesus taught, the angels in heaven rejoice when someone who was lost is found, when someone without Christ becomes saved.

In verses 19-21 Paul speaks of the weakness of our human nature and of the “benefit” of living in sin. He summarizes by stating: “These things lead to death!” He ends this section by contrasting this to living as ones belonging to God: “Now that you have been set free from sin… the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” What a contrast! Instead of death we find holiness and eternal life. Living a holy life bears witness to the world. It reveals the love and grace of God available to all people. Living a holy life brings an assurance of eternity lived within the love and light of the Lord. Freed from sin, we live as disciples of Jesus Christ, loving God and loving neighbor with all of our being. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, what a stark contrast: life or death? It seems such a simple choice. Yet the flesh is weak and the power of sin is strong. Lord, how I need you. Only with you can I choose life. Only with you can I be holy. Be present in my heart, O God, leading me to walk in the way that leads to life. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Holy Spirit. Amen.


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Come and Hear!

Reading: Psalm 66:8-20

Verse 16: “Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what God has done for me.”

The Psalm begins with praise to God for the saving acts experienced during the exodus from Egypt. It was a corporate experience that called for a corporate response. As we turn once again to Psalm 66 today we focus on verses 13-20. Note how the pronouns change to the first person.

Verses 13-15 recount the psalmist’s response to God hearing and answering his prayers. The response here is a fulfillment of “vows my lips promised.” When in a time of deep trouble, the psalmist begged and pleaded with God to save him. And God did. So now the writer keeps his word and offers rams, bulls, and goats. While we do not live in the time when animals were sacrificed it is still good to consider what our response is or will be when God hears and answers our prayers and petitions.

The psalmist offers another response in verse 16: “Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what God has done for me.” He wants to encourage others, to tell them the story of what God did for him. In the context of his day, the faith was kept within the Israelite community. With Jesus this circle was cast wide open. In Mark 16 the commission is to “go into all the world” to tell the story of what the Lord has done. With this added understanding, our call is to invite all people to “come and hear,” to tell others the story of “what God has done for me.” It is a story we both live out and tell with our witness. May we share the good news of Jesus Christ with all people, both in word and in deed.

Prayer: Lord God, you have filled me with stories of faith as you have touched my life again and again, as you have made a way when there seemed no way. Make me a story teller, Lord, sharing with others what you have done for me. Amen.


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Surrender, Trust, Belief

Reading: Psalm 31:1-5 and 15-16

Verse 5: “Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

In Psalm 31 David turns to God in the midst of a trial. He begins by reminding God that he has taken refuge in God before. Maybe he’s reminding himself too. Then David turns to the Lord for help, leaning into his current trial. Seeking protection and deliverance and rescue, David asks God to “be my rock of refuge, my strong fortress.” When we too are in a time of trial we pray such prayers. It is natural to turn to the one who has been there before, trusting them to be there once again.

There’s a slight shift in verse 3. It is subtle but here David begins to include God in the prayer. Because God is David’s rock and refuge, “for the sake of your name,” David prays, “lead and guide me. Free me… for you are my refuge.” Others are watching God. Others know that David turns to God and relies on God. David is saying, in essence, ‘God, you gotta come through.’ At times I’ve prayed along these lines. In desperation I’ve tried playing this card. Yet, doing so, it is also a reminder of God’s faithfulness.

Verses 5, 15, and 16 carry a different tone. These are words of surrender and trust. “Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.” Jesus prayed these words on the cross. Stephen echoed them as he was being stoned. There is a calm in these words, a belief that God has it, that God is in control. As we bring our needs, our trials, our confessions, our concerns to the Lord, may we do so with the same surrender, trust, and belief.

Prayer: Lord God, I praise you for your steadfast love and for your faithfulness. Time and time again you’ve been there for me. Continue to walk with me, to guide me, to lead me. Be the Lord of my life. I surrender to you. Amen.


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God Alone

Reading: 1st Corinthians 3:1-9

Verse 6: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.”

Paul addresses the church in Corinth as “worldly” people. In them he still sees jealousy and quarreling. He asks, “Are you not acting like mere humans?” In the same way that Jesus was calling his followers to more in the Sermon on the Mount, so too is Paul challenging the Corinthian church to rise above the petty struggles of the world. Caught up in these worldly cares, the church is divided. Christian love and care and fellowship are hard to find or experience in this church at this moment.

Voicing a humility that is currently lacking in Corinth, Paul reminds them that he and Apollos are “Only servants, through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task.” Pointing up to the power of God, he continues, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” Yes, he and Apollos and others have humbly served. But God alone sprouted and grew their faith. God alone.

This perspective is important for the church to understand and to live out. It remains as important today as it was in Paul’s time. Yes, all have been blessed with gifts from God and we are all expected to use these gifts to build up the church and the kingdom of God. But the gifts are not inherently ours. They are from God. And it is God alone who does the work of healing or transformation or salvation. Yes, we play a role. We are only “servants.” Like Paul we too know that we must rely on God alone to change lives, including our own. As Paul concludes, “We are God’s fellow workers.” Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, you alone have the power to save, to redeem, to restore, to bring new life. I am powerless to bring change or to make anything grow. Yet I know you call me to service. So I ask that you would use me today as your fellow worker. Put me to your work. Fill me with guidance from the Holy Spirit so that you may be made known. Amen.


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The Lamb of God

Reading: John 1:29-34

Verse 29: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Photo credit: Milo Weiler

Turning to John’s gospel today and tomorrow, we begin with Jesus coming toward John the Baptist. As he approaches John says, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” These are unique words to apply at this time in Jesus’ ministry. Usually we call Jesus the Good Shepherd when referring to sheep and shepherds. For most of his ministry, Jesus is not the lamb. At the end, yes, Jesus goes to the cross as our perfect sacrifice. We get the lamb references then.

Yet in today’s passage, as Jesus’ ministry is about to begin, John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God. Since the days of Passover a perfect and spotless lamb (or goat) was the offering made to God as the people of God remembered how they were freed from slavery in Egypt. Each and every year the rescue story is celebrated and remembered. To see Jesus in this role immediately identifies him as the one who rescues, redeems, restores, and saves. It is a powerful image to be placed in the minds of the Jews.

Continuing on, John the Baptist offers proof that Jesus is indeed the Messiah, the one who comes to save. John recounts the Spirit coming down and remaining on Jesus after he was baptized. This fulfills what God said would happen. Jesus is the son of God. Not only will he take away the sins of the world, one day the Christ will defeat all evil, claiming final victory as he establishes the new heaven and earth. For the salvation Christ offers and for the final victory yet to come, we say thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, today we are reminded of such great news. You came in the flesh to take away our sins, to rescue us from captivity to self. One day you will come again to banish all evil as you create heaven here on earth. Day by day, lead and guide us to make this vision more and more of a reality here and now as we await your final return in victory. Amen.


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Living Out Love

Reading: Hebrews 2:10-18

Verse 14: “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity.”

Our text from Hebrews focuses on Jesus’ connection to us, to his brothers and sisters. Our connection begins in the garden, where God formed humankind in God’s own image. Perfection fell away quickly as temptation led to sin and to a new dynamic in our relationship with God. From that point on, temptation and sin would be part of our human nature. At just the right moment, God came in the flesh. Jesus, God incarnate, came and lived among our sin and suffering, among the pain and brokenness of life. Verse 14 puts it this way: “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity.”

In order to be the provision for our sin Jesus had to know what he was dying for. He had to know the depth of our need. Jesus had to be made like us “in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest” for us in heaven. Because of this experience Jesus can intercede for us and can stand between us and God’s wrath over our sin. And because of this experience, Christ “is able to help those who are being tempted.” Because he too felt temptation, in Spirit he helps us in our battles with sin. In Spirit, Christ is right there with us.

In his earthly life Jesus was face to face with suffering and hardship. Here too is another connection. In love he fully engaged this side of life. Jesus touched the sick and the unclean. He walked and ate with the outcasts and the shunned. Christ sought relationship with those outside the family of God. Jesus identified all of these as the ones he came to save, as the ones that he shared humanity with. Being brothers and sisters with Christ, may we too seek to live out love, caring for and ministering to the needs among us.

Prayer: Lord God, I am so grateful that in Christ you came and lived among us, experiencing all aspects of this life. You know our weaknesses and our proclivity towards self. In response you gave life for our sins and then you gifted us the Holy Spirit, your presence alive in our hearts. In and through this we find life – both here and now as well as one day in eternity. May my grateful response be to love as you love, especially amongst those most in need of your love, mercy, and care. Amen.


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The Call to Belong

Reading: Romans 1:1-6

Verse 5: “Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.“

In the opening of Romans Paul mentions the “gospel of God.” The word translated ‘gospel’ is also often translated ‘good news.’ Paul, as are all who love God, shares that he is “set apart for the gospel.” He, like all who follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, is set apart from the ways of the world for the purposes of being and sharing the gospel or good news of Jesus Christ. So, what is the ‘gospel?’

First, it is rooted in the Old Testament. Many prophets wrote of the coming of one who would save his people. The Messiah and the good news that he would bring to humankind was promised long ago. Second, the gospel is the promise of this salvation to all who enter into a covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ. A covenant is a no-matter-what agreement. Asking Jesus Christ to be our Lord and Savior, we pledge loyalty to live as he lived. We commit to loving God and neighbor with all that we are. Jesus agrees to love us even when we fail and to remain present to us, living in Spirit in our hearts, helping us to walk faithfully.

Paul and his co-workers strove to live this way. In verse 5 he writes, “Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.” Grace for when they failed; a charge to call all people to live in faithful obedience to Christ. These are both ways that we love our neighbor – by sharing both grace and love with them. Paul makes this clear in verse 6: “You also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.” Through our witness and life may others feel the call to belong to the Lord.

Prayer: Lord God, strengthen and encourage me today to answer the call. Use me to draw others to Jesus Christ, the savior of all the world. May my love for you be reflected in my love for your world. Amen.


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Claimed and Fulfilled

Reading: Psalm 80:17-19

Verse 17: Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself.”

The second part of Psalm 80 speaks of one who will bring hope to Israel. This is a deep longing in the nation. The Israelites are familiar with God raising up leaders – Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon, Gideon, Samson, Deborah, Esther, Isaiah, Jeremiah… There is a long list of men and women called by God, guided by the Spirit, and empowered by God to lead. And when you look at the long list of people called and used by God, there is great diversity.

As we read these words of the Psalm, we do so as many have for almost 2,000 years. We read these words through the lens of Christ. We do so because Jesus claimed and fulfilled these words and many others written in the Old Testament. Jesus came from and returned to the right hand of God – to the judgment seat. Christ was the incarnation of God, raised up by God through the Holy Spirit from a virgin and from the line of David.

In the giving of self, of blood, of life, Jesus restored our relationship with God and provided a means for this to happen again and again. In Christ, God’s face did shine upon humanity, revealing the depth of God’s love, mercy, and grace. Through Jesus Christ, we are saved. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the reminder today of how you fulfilled these words and promises for the salvation of the world and for my salvation. Jesus Christ is the hope of the world and the hope of all who love you. Amen.