pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Unity Yields Justice and Peace

Reading: Psalm 122

Psalm 122:9 – “For the sake of the Lord our God’s house, I will pray for your good.”

Photo credit: Wylly Suhendra

The Psalm of David that we read today rejoices in worshipping God in Jerusalem. The city is both the seat of power for the kings of Israel and it is understood to be the seat of grace for the King of Kings. This song would be sung by many people each time they journeyed to Jerusalem to visit the temple, to offer sacrifices, to celebrate their holy days.

Themes of unity and justice and peace are woven into this Psalm. Unity is found in the people of God coming together to worship the Lord. This is both in actual worship in the temple and it is in the way that they lived their daily lives. God is the thing that unites. The unity found in and through God gives the people of God strength and power. This power is so different from the world’s power. The strength and power that comes from unity with God and with one another leads to justice and peace in the land and in the peoples’ lives.

David writes these words in verse 9: “For the sake of the Lord our God’s house, I will pray for your good.” He prays this prayer with unity and justice and peace as his goal. When the people of God are faithful to the will and way of God centered on Jesus’ example and teachings, then unity with God and with one another will yield justice and peace in our homes, in our communities, and in our world. May it be so for us all.

Prayer: Lord God, be the king of our hearts. Sitting on the throne of our hearts, guide us to a unity that brings justice and peace to our hearts and to our lives. Centered on the love of Christ as our guide, make us people who stand for and work for justice for all and for peace in all places. O God, may it be so. Amen.


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Criteria

Reading: Matthew 25:31-46

Verse 45: “Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

Today’s passage takes us to the end of this world as we know it. Jesus is sitting on the throne or on the judgment seat. In the opening verses we read that “all nations” will be gathered before him. Jesus will then separate those destined for heaven from those destined for hell. Even if we die before this day, we will still be judged worthy or unworthy of heaven.

It is interesting to me that both the sheep and the goats address Jesus as “Lord.” To me it feels like more than a polite title. It feels like even the goats thought they were worthy of inclusion in heaven. So what then is used to separate one from another?

In verses 35 and 36 Jesus lays out the criteria. In his own words it is whether or not one fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, invited the stranger in, clothed the naked, cared for the sick, and visited the imprisoned. Both groups want to know when they saw Jesus hungry, thirsty… The answer is pretty much the same to both the sheep and the goats. They each saw Jesus in “the least of these” – the outcast, the leper, the Samaritan, the tax collector, the woman at the well… Some chose to have compassion and to act to meet needs. Others did not.

The challenge of this passage is to ask where we fit. To which herd do we belong? Maybe we’d like to tell ourselves that this is just one of the many criteria that Jesus will use to judge us worthy or not. But what if it is the only criteria that he uses?

Prayer: Lord God, change my heart, O God. Raise up a compassion in me that sees and responds to needs consistently, not just when convenient or easy. Yes, change my heart, O God. Amen.


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Humble

Reading: Luke 14:1 and 7-11

Verse 11: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Photo credit: Kyle Johnson

Jesus is at the home of a prominent Pharisee for dinner. As the guests arrive, Jesus observes how they picked the places of honor at the table. The closer one sat to the host or special guest, the more honor one would receive. After observing for a time, Jesus tells today’s parable. All parables have a main point. The point of today’s is this: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

What did Jesus observe that led him to tell this parable? As he sat and watched others jockey for the best places at the table, how the arrogance and pride and ego must have been on full display. The Pharisees were a religious order. All organizations have hierarchies – some structural or organizational, some organic, some perceived. There are often times when those who are not the “boss” think they know more than the boss. Some in places of authority have to power to walk up to another, to point down the row of seats, forcing someone else down the pecking order. It really mattered to these Pharisees where they say at the table. Pride, arrogance, and ego were on full display.

We live in a world where pecking orders and hierarchies still very much exist – from the board rooms right on down to the school lunch table. The desire to rise up the order, to gain more control and power, to elevate oneself are temptations many of us face. When we allow our arrogance and pride and ego to drive our words and actions, then we are no better than these Pharisees. So the question for us to ponder today is this: when we feel we deserve better, how do we instead choose to practice the humility that Jesus so gracefully displayed?

Prayer: Lord God, when I am tempted to judge others as a means to elevate myself or to gossip or critique others as a means to raise my own self-esteem, remind me that all I am is found in you alone. Lead me to focus on you as my purpose and meaning. Guide me in humble service. Amen.


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Opportunity

Reading: 1st Corinthians 7: 29-31

Verse 31: “For this world in its present form is passing away”.

Paul believes Jesus Christ will return at any moment. This is the general view held by almost all Christians in the time immediately after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Paul’s words in these verses may be a little confusing at first read. Paul’s focus is on God and the people’s relationship with God. There is some urgency to Paul’s words as he states, “the time is short”. Taken in this light, Paul is encouraging his readers not to be too concerned with the things of this world – their relationships, their status, their possessions – but with the coming of Jesus. Paul is not saying to abandon all of these earthly things but instead he is saying to not make them the priority. He wants his readers to first focus on God.

In general, the perspective on the proximity of Jesus’ return has changed. Although it could be today, for the most part we do not necessarily live like it could be. For many folks, Christians and non-Christians alike, the idea of getting to their faith one day – really getting serious – is much the same. Today would be okay but tommorow or, better yet, the next day would be better. Just so busy now.

In spite of this prevelant attitude, Paul’s words are as correct today as they were when he first spoke them: “For this world in its present form is passing away”. Jesus’ return is closer today than it was yesterday and each day that passes we all come one day closer to the day we meet Jesus. Herein lies the urgency for us as Christians. Too often our primary focus is not on God but on the things of this world. This is on a personal level. On the corporate level our mission is just as urgent. In our commission to make disciples we never know when our words or actions may be what finally brings a lost soul to Christ. We may just be planting more seeds, but one never knows. What I do know is this: all should have the opportunity to meet Jesus Christ before they stand before the judgment seat. Who will you introduce today?