pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: spirit


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Many Are Healed

Reading: Mark 6

Mark 6:34 – “He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then he began to teach them many things.”

Photo credit: Jennifer Araujo

Today’s readings begin in Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown. At first people were surprised by his teaching authority. But then they think, “Isn’t this [just] the carpenter? Isn’t he Mary’s son…?” These thoughts lead to a rejection of Jesus as Messiah. Their unbelief greatly limits his ability to heal. He departs and begins to minister in the surrounding villages. He sends out the 12 two by two. They teach, heal, and cast out demons. They return with excitement, with stories to share. Jesus decides to take them away to a quiet place to rest, but the crowds follow on shore. In between these two events Mark drops in the story of the death of John the Baptist. He does so to tell us that even the king has heard of Jesus.

After landing ashore we read, “He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then he began to teach them many things.” After teaching all day in a remote place, the disciples ask Jesus to send the crowd away so they can buy food. Jesus tells the disciples to feed them. The impossible becomes reality as Jesus feeds the huge crowd from five loaves and two fish. So great is the blessing there are twelve baskets full of leftovers. After sending the 12 on ahead, Jesus dismisses the crowd and goes up the mountain to pray.

In the night the winds come up and the disciples are struggling along. Jesus walks across the lake. Mark notes, “intending to pass them by.” Why, why, why?! We’re left to ponder this. At first the disciples are afraid: is it a ghost? Jesus encourages them and then climbs in the boat. The wind dies down. They are “baffled” by this Jesus.

Our reading today closes in Gennesaret, a town close to Capernaum. The locals recognize Jesus and bring their sick to Jesus. Many are healed – even those that just touch his clothes. Jesus, through the Spirit, continues to bring healing and wholeness to our lives and to our world. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, you continue to have compassion for us, your children. We are so grateful. Yet today many are like the crowds – they know of you and your power but they don’t know you. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and through our witness, Lord, make Jesus known today. Bring healing and wholeness to our world. Amen.


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Happy Are…

Reading: Matthew 13

Matthew 13:16 – “Happy are your eyes because they see. Happy are your ears because they hear.”

Today’s reading holds seven parables all aimed at showing how God is at work in our world and in our lives. In these teachings, Matthew shows that God is engaged in daily life and desires to be in connection with us. In the first parable a farmer scatters seed. In a day when every seed mattered, “scatter” would draw people’s attention. Most seeds do not bear fruit. The many cares of this world are too much. The seed that does fall on good soil produces a great crop. Hearts that receive and nurture God’s word leads others to do the same, creating more disciples.

Matthew connects to Isaiah, using his words as a means to explain why many do not understand the parables. They have become “calloused” and refuse to “change their hearts and lives.” This was the invitation given by John the Baptist and by Jesus. It continues to be given each time the world is read or proclaimed.

Each of the remaining parables begins with the phrase, “The kingdom of heaven is like…” It is like a field with good plants and weeds, like a net with good and bad fish. One day the angels will sort out and burn the bad. The good will be saved. It is like a mustard seed or some yeast – small but powerful, able to spread and grow into something large. It is like a hidden treasure or a pearl of great worth. Once found, a person must be willing to sell all else, investing everything they have into their faith.

As Jesus teaches in parables he asks his disciples if they understand. They do. In response, Jesus says, “Happy are your eyes because they see. Happy are your ears because they hear.” May our eyes and ears be happy as well.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for opening our eyes and ears to your word. We don’t always get it 100% but as we keep at it, reading, studying, seeking to understand, your Spirit works in us, giving us more insight and understanding. Each time we encounter that word, the connection grows stronger, deeper. Thank you for your continuing work in us. Amen.


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Worthy of the Kingdom

Reading: Matthew 9-10

Matthew 10:22 – “Everyone will hate you on account of my name. But whoever stands firm until the end will be saved.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Chapter 9 is mostly about the healings that Jesus brought to people. There is the calling of Matthew too and the questioning of why Jesus ate with “tax collectors and sinners.” Chapter 10 shifts first to the calling and sending of the 12. The chapter ends with the realities of the cost of discipleship. This was and still is a reality for the followers of Jesus.

Chapter 9 begins with the healing of a paralyzed man. Jesus begins by forgiving his sins. This is just a means to draw in the “legal experts,” to prove that Jesus has the power to forgive sins and to heal sicknesses. Jesus then calls Matthew, saying, “Follow me.” Later, at dinner, the Pharisees question Jesus’ choice of table mates. He declares, “I didn’t come to call righteous people, but sinners.” As the chapter continues, Jesus heals five more people and Matthew closes with a summary of Jesus’ early ministry. Jesus taught and healed, announcing the good news of the kingdom. The chapter closes with a lament: the harvest is huge but the workers are few. Jesus encourages his disciples to “plead” with God for workers.

Chapter 10 begins with God’s response. The 12 are called and given authority to cast out demons and to heal diseases. They are then sent out to “the lost sheep… of Israel.” The disciples are to go without anything, relying on worthy people to take them in. They will bless these homes. If no one is found worthy in a place, the disciples will move on.

Starting in verse 16, Jesus begins to detail the cost of discipleship. The 12 go out as “sheep among wolves.” They will be arrested and beaten. But the Spirit will be with them and in their words. Jesus says, “Everyone will hate you on account of my name. But whoever stands firm until the end will be saved.” Families will come apart and turn on one another because Jesus did not “come to bring peace but sword.” The disciples are encouraged to “pick up their cross” as they follow Jesus. Doing so, they will be counted as worthy in the kingdom of God. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, send us out as workers, fully cognizant of the cost of discipleship and fully aware of your Spirit’s presence with us. Lord, use us to bring healing and wholeness to others, encouraging them with the good news of your kingdom through us and our ministries. Strengthen and empower us as we too seek to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Amen.


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To See, To Hear, To Be Touched

Reading: Matthew 3-4

Matthew 4:21-22 – “Jesus called them and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”

The ministry of John the Baptist begins today’s readings. He announces, “Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of God!” His work fulfills the words of Isaiah and his words and dress and diet remind people of Elijah. Many came, confessed their sins, and were baptized. John clashes with the religious leaders, challenging them to change their hearts and lives. Ancestry won’t save them. It will be the one stronger than John, the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire – he will offer salvation to the people.

Jesus then comes to be baptized. John tries to stop him but ultimately relents. After Jesus’ baptism the heavens open and the Spirit comes to rest on him. God declares love for the Son. From here Jesus is led into the wilderness to be tempted. The devil and Jesus quote from Deuteronomy, Isaiah, and Psalms. God’s word will be Jesus’ bread. He will trust and not test God. He will worship and serve God alone. Defeated, the devil leaves.

John is arrested. This precipitates Jesus returning to Galilee (to Capernaum) and to begin his ministry. He proclaims the same message as John: “Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of God!” He begins to build his team, calling Simon and Andrew, then James and John as he walks along the Sea of Galilee. It was a simple call: “Follow me.” And they did. In verses 21-22 we read, “Jesus called them and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” Jesus’ ministry grows as he teaches in the synagogues and heals every disease and ailment. Large crowds begin to follow this teacher and miracle worker. They came from all over to see and to hear and to be touched by Jesus.

Prayer: Lord God, what a call John and Jesus both led with. The call continues to ring out today: change your heart, change your life, follow me. Each day may we hear this call and may we respond, seeking to be Christ’s hands, feet, heart, and love to the world. Amen.


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The Plan to Restore, Part 1

Reading: Zechariah 1-4

Zechariah 1:16 – “I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion. My house will be built in it.”

Zechariah ministered to the exiles that had returned to Jerusalem. His words begin with an invitation from God to the people: “Return to me, and I will return to you.” Unlike their ancestors, they change their hearts, turning back to God. What follows is a series of night visions that lay out God’s response to the people’s repentant hearts.

In the first vision God’s patrol returns and reports that there is peace and quiet on the earth. God proclaims, “I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion. My house will be built in it.” There will be prosperity in the cities. In the second vision there are four horns representing the four kingdoms that have conquered and oppressed God’s people. Metalworkers are sent to destroy these horns. In the third vision there is a man with a measuring line. The new Jerusalem will be a city without walls. A hedge of fire from God will be its ever-growing boundary. Many nations will come to Jerusalem to become part of God’s inheritance.

Chapters 3 and 4 contain the fourth and fifth visions. In the fourth, Joshua is commissioned as high priest. His dirty clothes (sins) are replaced with clean clothes. He is charged to walk in God’s ways, to lead the temple. He is told of a “branch” that God will raise up. This “stone” will one day remove the guilt of the land. Jesus will heal their land and will bring a time of peace. In the fifth vision Zerubbabel is appointed to lead “by my spirit.” He will complete the temple under the guidance of “the two anointed ones” – Haggai and Zechariah.

These visions begin to lay out God’s plan to restore and re-establish Israel. As we read on tomorrow, the plan continues to unfold.

Prayer: Lord God, you are compassionate for your people. You longed for them to turn back to you, to once again walk in covenant relationship with you. You continue to long to walk in relationship with your people. Empower us today to walk your paths, to love as you love. Amen.


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You Will Know

Reading: Joel 1-3

Joel 2:27 – “You will know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God — no other exists.”

Photo credit: Marek Piwnicki

In three chapters Joel packs a ton into his prophetic message. He follows the normal pattern: devastation, cry out, repent, deliverance. Joel is a bit unique in the fact that Israel’s sin isn’t included. That usually leads to the ‘devastation’ part of the cycle. Joel begins with an invading army. Locusts? Assyria? Babylon? We’re not 100% sure if it’s real or metaphor as Joel is really hard to date. He does not include kings or names that can be tied to a specific point in Israel’s history. The effects of whichever army are all the same: starvation, death, suffering, grief. Even the earth and creatures of the earth mourn, so great is the fire that burns before and after the army’s invasion. People shake in fear as the army rushes upon the city and into their homes.

Yet… there’s that word! Yet, even now, says Joel, God invites us to return to God with all of our hearts, to weep and fast and mourn. Yes, weep, fast, and mourn over what we’ve done. Yes, weep, fast, and mourn over the consequences of that sin. Do so because God is compassionate, merciful, very patient, full of love, and ready to forgive. So, cry out to God! Who knows? God does. God brings renewal and restoration to a repentant Israel: corn, wine, oil… green pastures and fruitful trees. An early rain will be a “sign of righteousness” that will pour out abundance on them. And then the Lord declares, “You will know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God — no other exists.” Is this because of these physical blessings or is it because of what God promised next?

In verses 28-29 God proclaims that the Spirit will be poured out on all people – sons and daughters, young and old, slaves. All people will receive the gift of the Spirit. All barriers will be broken down. Then Joel turns to the coming day of the Lord. This day will bring darkness but all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. The darkness comes as God gathers and judges the nations. Through Joel, God condemns a variety of offenses against God’s people. Crowd after crowd will come before the Lord. But God will be a refuge for the faithful. Jerusalem will be holy and a spring will come forth from God’s house. The new Judah and Jerusalem will be forgiven. It will be inhabited forever. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, what good and great plans you have for those who love you. Yes, the storms of life will come, drawing us closer to you. Yes, times of separation will come as we choose self over you. Even then, you work to renew our relationship, to restore our connection. You remain ever ready to forgive. You continue to declare that you are our God. Thank you, Lord, for your unconditional love. Amen.


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Our Truth Too

Reading: Hosea 11-14

Hosea 14:7 – “They will again live beneath my shadow, they will flourish like a garden; they will blossom like the vine.”

Hosea closes with hope. There are still moments where God recognizes and is angered by Israel’s sin, but words of hope dominate our reading today. This is the truth of our lives too. We are sinful by nature. God is merciful, loving, and forgiving by nature. We walk with hope because God’s love is greater than our sin.

Chapter 11 begins with parent-child imagery. God recalls raising Israel, as a loving parent. But Israel turned away, as most children do at some point. So they will return to Assyria and Egypt. Tough love will reign. Yet love will abide. God will gather the children home one day.

Charges come in chapter 12. Israel multiplies lies and violence, makes treaties with Assyria and Egypt. God recalls Jacob, the younger brother. God recalls wrestling with Jacob at Bethel, where Jacob came to truly know God. God calls Israel back to that relationship. But Ephraim is too proud. They thought themselves sinless. This is a bitter offense to God. We too do this to God when we become proud, when we think ourselves righteous.

Their pride and self-sufficiency was also compounded by their idolatry. Israel turned to these metal images. They are reminded that God alone can save. This will be reinforced when God falls upon them like a lion. God will come in the east wind, making Samaria desolate. Even the babies and pregnant women will fall before the Assyrians.

Hope rises again in chapter 14. God implores Israel to return and even gives them the words to speak: “Forgive all wickedness and receive the good.” God responds with promises to heal and love, to plant and raise up, to protect and provide: “They will again live beneath my shadow, they will flourish like a garden; they will blossom like the vine.” What a beautiful picture of grace and restoration, of wholeness and life. This picture can be ours too. This truth is our truth. Sinful as we are, sin will never define us. God always offers this gift of grace and restoration, of wholeness and life. With repentant hearts and a faithful Spirit, may we step into the truth of God’s love.

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us to walk daily and to trust eternally into your promises of love and grace, of forgiveness and restoration. You are our God, the only one who can save. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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Live Amongst Us

Reading: Ezekiel 38-43

Ezekiel 38:23 – “I will display my greatness, show my holiness, and make myself known in the sight of many nations.”

Chapters 38-39 deal with Gog, a representation of the evil empires. Coming from the north, Gog could represent Nebuchadnezzar. Gog gathers many nations to his side. This mighty army comes to Israel, intent on conquering and looting God’s children. God’s anger is aroused and God unleashes nature on them, followed by turning their swords upon one another. God calls on the birds and animals of prey to feast on the horde’s bodies. So vast was the army, it took Israel seven years to bury the bodies. In the end God promises to pour out “my Spirit” upon Israel. With this Spirit within them, God will never again hide God’s face.

Chapters 40-42 contain the first part of Ezekiel’s temple vision. He is told to pay close attention so he can tell all to Israel. The temple described has some commonalities with Solomon’s temple, but much is different. While a temple will be rebuilt, this temple is never realized in the Bible. Ezekiel’s temple compound is 750 feet by 750 feet. It has three gates, courtyards, chambers, holy places and equipment. The Zadokite clan is set apart as the only Levites to “draw near” to God – to offer sacrifices on the altar. The temple is adorned with winged creatures and palm trees. There are holy chambers, places to store holy things.

The temple is at the center of God’s restoration of Israel, both physically and spiritually. It is a part of the sanctifying process, making Israel into the holy people of God. For Ezekiel and his audience, the temple represented God’s presence with the people. These words and vision bring hope and encouragement to the people living in exile. God longed to live amongst the people of God. God still longs to live amongst us today. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, your power and might extend over all things: over Gog and his allies, over today’s idols and temptations, over our selfish hearts. Ezekiel’s temple vision reflects your power and might. But it is still just a building. Just as your presence will fill this visionary temple, fill our hearts with your indwelling spirit, transforming our lives and our hearts. Amen.


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Ends with Hope

Reading: Ezekiel 6-11

Ezekiel 11:19a – “I will give them a single heart, and I will put a new spirit in them.”

Chapter 6 addresses the consequences of Judah’s idolatry outside the temple. God will slay most of these idol worshippers. Some will escape and go into exile. God was “crushed” by the people’s “roving hearts.” They will fall by sword, famine, and plague. Chapter 7 continues this story line. God will judge Judah according to her ways. God won’t shed a tear, won’t show any pity. Those outside Jerusalem will die by the sword. Those inside will die by plague and famine. “Violent intruders” will defile the temple. Then Judah “will know that I am the Lord,” declares God.

Chapters 8-11 contain Ezekiel’s “Temple Vision.” God’s glory is in the temple as his virtual tour begins. Ezekiel is shown “terribly detestable practices” – a huge idol, 70 elders worshipping engravings on the wall, women worshipping a Babylonian god, men bowing to the sun. God then calls the “guardians of the city.” One of the six, the one in linen, is sent out to mark the foreheads of the faithful. The others follow along behind, killing all without the mark. They begin in the sanctuary and move outward from there. Ezekiel questions the depth of the violence. God is holding them accountable.

The guardian in linen is then sent out with fire from the temple chariot. He scatters fire about, burning down the city. The chariot rises up and moves to the threshold of the temple. God’s glory is on the chariot throne. There is a final confrontation with some evil and wicked men. God declares that they will die by the sword. And then God offers hope.

The exiles will be gathered back. God says, “I will give them a single heart, and I will put a new spirit in them.” Israel will be obedient. God will be their God. Then the chariot leaves, flying east towards Babylon. The vision ends and Ezekiel tells the exiles all that God has shown him. The story ends with hope. Our story does too. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, you are almighty and all-powerful. You are just and righteous. Just as you held Judah accountable, so too do you hold us accountable. So God, create in each of us a single heart, a heart fully aligned with you. Pour your Spirit into our hearts, leading and guiding us to walk faithfully with you. Be our God. Make us into your people. Amen.


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God’s Power and Goodness

Reading: Isaiah 36-39

‭Isaiah 38:16 – “The LORD Most High is the one who gives life to every heart, who gives life to the spirit!”

Today’s four chapters come almost word-for-word from 2nd Kings 17-18. The stories of Sennacherib’s invasion and Hezekiah’s illness are also recapped in 2nd Chronicles 32. The only “new” words are Hezekiah’s Psalm-like praise in response to God healing him from his deadly illness.

Chapters 36 and 37 deal with Assyria’s invasion. It began by conquering all of the smaller outlying towns in Judah. Attention was then turned to Jerusalem and King Hezekiah. Sennacherib’s field commander comes and taunts Judah, God, and the king. He calls for their surrender, warning them about trusting in God. Hezekiah humbles himself and goes to the temple, mourning the situation. He prays. Isaiah brings words that assure him. The taunts come again. Hezekiah prays again. Isaiah assures him again. God is in control. God has a plan. That night 185,000 soldiers are struck down by God’s messenger. Sennacherib withdraws. He is assassinated by his sons once back home.

Chapter 38 recounts Hezekiah’s illness and God’s healing. Because of his prayer and tears, God grants him 15 more years. In verses 9-20 we read Hezekiah’s grateful response. There is insight into common thoughts on the afterlife: he will no longer see God because God isn’t there. He also acknowledges God’s gift: “The LORD Most High is the one who gives life to every heart, who gives life to the spirit!” As this is true for us as well, may we too make music to God “all the days of our lives.”

A foreshadowing of what’s to come fills chapter 39. Rising power Babylon has come and seen all that Judah has. Isaiah tells Hezekiah, one day “nothing will be left.” Hezekiah reveals his human nature as he is glad it won’t be in his lifetime. After enduring a siege and surviving a deadly illness, we too might have this same thought!

Prayer: Lord God, it is good to review your mighty acts once again. They remind us of your power and your goodness. You continue to give life to our hearts and to our spirits. Thank you for this gift. Amen.