pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: threat


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The Kingdom of God

Reading: John 18:33-38a

John 18:36 – “My kingdom doesn’t originate from this world.”

As we continue in John’s passion story, Jesus is before Pilate for a second conversation. Verses 28-32 hold the first exchange. In this encounter it is clear that the religious leaders want Jesus charged and killed. In the words John shares, there is no stated charge. It is clear that only Pilate has the power and authority to bring about Jesus’ death. As we turn to verse 33 we can infer that there must have been more to the conversation about Jesus. In this verse Pilate asks Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” This is a question without a “yes” or “no” answer in this setting.

Jesus responds with a question. He is trying to force Pilate’s hand. As the conversation continues, Pilate shares that the Jews and chief priests have handed him over. Pilate’s “What have you done?” reveals his level of concern. Prior to this, Jesus was not on Rome’s radar. If Jesus is indeed a rebel with messianic claims then he is a threat to Rome. If not, Pilate has no issues with Jesus. Jesus confirms that he is not a physical threat to Rome, stating, “My kingdom doesn’t originate from this world.”

Pilate hears “kingdom” and asks Jesus if he is indeed a king. Again, not a yes/no question. Jesus tells Pilate that he came into the world “to testify to the truth.” Pilate scoffs at this answer but is sure that Jesus is no threat to him or to Rome. No, Jesus is not an immediate threat. But Jesus is a threat to all worldly kingdoms.

Jesus is a threat because of what “truth” is. Jesus came to fulfill God’s covenant plan. He revealed in word and deed what it looks like to love God and neighbor with all of one’s being. This impacts all of our relationships and all of our choices – social, religious, personal, vocational, political, economic. The world’s kingdoms run on selfishness, greed, power, pride. Yes, Jesus’ kingdom is a threat to the kingdoms of this world.

Prayer: Lord God, we feel the pull of both of these kingdoms. Part of us is human so we feel the call for more, for self. Yes we are also of your kingdom, brothers and sisters in Christ. Guide us to align our hearts, our words, our actions with your kingdom. Use us to build your kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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Kingdoms

Readings: Luke 22:6-12 and 13:31-33

Luke 13:32 – “Go, tell that fox, ‘Look, I’m throwing out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will complete my work.'”

As Jesus’ path to the cross continues, there is a detour in Luke’s gospel. Hearing that Jesus is from Galilee, Pilate sends him to Herod Antipas, the ruler of that region. Pilate is trying to extricate himself from this sticky situation, thrusting it upon his political enemy. But Herod is happy to see Jesus – at first. He’s wanted to see Jesus for a long time. Herod has heard the stories and hopes that Jesus will “perform a sign” for him.

Jesus refuses to answer any questions and Herod’s curiosity turns to anger and mockery. Dressing Jesus in “elegant clothes,” he sends Jesus back to Pilate. This wasn’t Herod’s first exposure to Jesus, though. In chapter 13 the religious leaders warn Jesus that Herod wanted to kill him. Herod was notoriously violent and unstable, especially against anyone he saw as a threat to his power. The bad blood with Pilate began long ago when Herod and his brothers had Pilate charged and punished by Tiberius Caesar. And Pilate ruled over the land once ruled by Herod the Great, Herod Antipas’ father.

In chapter 13, in response to Herod’s threat, Jesus says, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Look, I’m throwing out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will complete my work.'” The Jews saw foxes as destructive and worthless pests. This was not a compliment. The casting out and healing were signs of God’s kingdom amongst the people. Jesus’ finished work on the third day, resurrected to life, would validate his claims of bringing the kingdom to earth. Working together against this perceived threat to their power, Pilate and Herod became friends that day. So it is with the kingdoms and powers of this world.

Prayer: Lord God, in Pilate and Herod we see two men with power willing to do anything to hold onto or to build that power. We see this in our world today as people strive and connive to gather more power, wealth, status… Jesus’ kingdom runs counter to these ways of the world. His is a kingdom of healing, giving, and pouring out of self. O God, draw us into this kingdom and use us to build your kingdom in our time and place. Amen.


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God Will Deliver

Reading: Exodus 1:8-22

Verse 11: “They put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor.”

Time in Egypt rolls on. Joseph, his brothers, and all of their generation passes on. A new ruler comes to power. There is no connection to Joseph or his family or his people. All the new leader knows is that the Israelites are growing in number. Fear rises up. The Egyptians enslave the Israelites. In verse 11 we read, “They put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor.” But the more they worked them, the more the Israelites grew in number. The labor ramped up and “made their lives bitter.” The Pharaoh then tries to force the midwives to kill the baby boys. God guides them. The Israelites increase in number. A new law is passed as fear continues to rise. Even through this, God will deliver God’s people.

At times we can experience negative attention. It can be because of our faith or simply because of how we act. Both can be seen as a threat to the powers that be or to people we know. Other times our faith calls us to stand up for someone or to call out an injustice. These actions will surely draw fire as well. In these moments, God’s presence remains with us. The Spirit leads and guides us; it gives us courage and the words to speak. In Spirit, God walks with us. If we, like the people of God in Egypt, choose to trust into God’s plan, then the Lord will deliver us again and again. May it be so for us all.

Prayer: Lord, in this life you said we would find trouble. Our faith – when lived out loud in the world – it will draw fire. You promise to always be with us, to never forsake us. You’ve walked a long, long time with your children. Continue to walk with us. Amen.


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More Open, More Accessible

Reading: Acts 5:27-32

Verse 31: “God exalted him… that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.”

As we begin in Acts 5 today we focus on Jesus’ gifts of repentance and forgiveness. This was the primary conflict point between Jesus and the religious leaders. To the Jews, forgiveness came through the priests, the temple, the sacrificial system. It has been that way since Moses led the people on the 40 year wander. To the Israelites it feels like this has been the way back to God for, well, forever. It is practically all they’ve ever known. The rituals, the sacrifice, the role of priests – it was all threatened by Jesus and now is being challenged by his followers. The apostles were teaching and preaching about repentance and forgiveness and they were healing and forgiving sins in Jesus’ name.

There has always been and definitely remains a personal aspect to repentance and forgiveness. In Protestant denominations these are things we practice on a daily (or more frequent) basis. While we remember and celebrate Holy Communion, we believe that we can repent and receive forgiveness anytime, anywhere, on our own. The shift away from priests and the temple and the whole sacrificial system was a seismic shift in Jesus’ day and in the years to follow. This radical change to a more open and accessible church created great tension with the powers that be – enough to kill Jesus, enough to persecute and eventually martyr many who would follow Jesus.

How does the church today maintain this spirit? How do we as Christians stand up to keep the church open and accessible? How do the powers that be seek to work against these things? In many ways this is our charge to resist and oppose evil and injustice in the world. It is our call to stand with the widows and orphans, with all who are marginalized or oppressed by our culture, society, and even the larger church. It is therefore also our call to continue to move the church forward, ever drawing the circle wider, ever making the church more open and more accessible. O Lord, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to be one who opens the door just a bit wider, who makes welcome just a bit more real. Empower me to do this again tomorrow and again the days after. Give me eyes and heart to see and connect to all of your beloved children. Amen.


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Losing One’s Life

Reading: Matthew 10: 24-39

Verses 38-39: “Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me… whoever loses his life for my sake will find it”.

Jesus’ words today are really about the cost of discipleship. Over the years, the cost has been varying degrees of suffering and sacrifice, depending on the era and location. In Jesus’ day, he and his disciples were oppressed by both the Jews and the Romans. Both saw Jesus and his small group of followers as a potential threat and as a people who were not worshiping the “correct” way. Beatings and imprisonment and death would become the norms for some time. Similar costs exist in places around the world today. But here in our nation and in most of the western world the cost of following Jesus is maybe a little rejection and perhaps some scorn or ridicule. At times our faith may cost us a job or some friends.

After explaining the costs to his disciples and followers, Jesus closes with these words: “Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me… whoever loses his life for my sake will find it”. The cross is standing out from the world and giving instead of taking. It is to live in the world as Jesus lived in the world, offering all of himself before considering what he could get out of another. It was standing up for the ones without voice or power. This is the idea of dying to self, of losing one’s life for Christ’s sake. It is placing self after faith and family and others. It is being selfless.

In our modern culture, this is not an easy place to be. We are told that the way is narrow that leads to life abundant and eternal. The losing of self leads to community and connection, to deeper relationships with God and with one another. It is living for the building of the kingdom of God here and now. It is love itself lived out in all we do and say and think. May this be the sacrifice we each make day by day.

Prayer: Lord God, the opportunities are there. If I will but get outside of my comfort zone, outside of my walls. It is engaged with the world, giving freely of self, that life is really blessed and full of joy. May I humbly serve you this day. Amen.


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Know Jesus Well

Reading: Luke 21: 5-8

Verse 8: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name claiming, ‘I am he'”.

Jesus knows that the end of his time on earth is drawing near. A large part of his ministry has been preparing the disciples to be ready and to be able to carry on the work. Jesus knows that the road will not always be easy. Yes, there will be times when God and the Spirit will do amazing things and the disciples will be filled with awe and wonder. But there will also be persecution and trial and even death. These will be some of the things that will test their faith.

The passage today opens with Jesus foretelling the destruction of the temple. Some there that day will surely witness this and will recall Jesus’ words. According to Jewish understanding, God resides in the temple. The disciples equate the destruction of the temple to the end of the world as they know it. But it will not be so. Because he knows this, Jesus goes on to give them a warning.

In verse eight he says, “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name claiming, ‘I am he'”. Jesus knows that much will unfold before the new heaven and earth are established. In the interim Jesus also knows that the deceivers pose one of the greatest threats to the disciples and to the early church. The gospel itself is a pretty simple message. The call to follow Jesus is fairly easy to understand. But because we live in a world with many other philosophies and religions and in a world where Satan is at work, being a disciple is challenging. Those that Jesus is speaking to face these same challenges. Jesus tells them, “Do not follow them”. The disciples know Jesus well. If they remain connected to Jesus and to his teachings and example, then they will easily see the deceptions. The same is true for us.

If we will invest in our faith and in our relationship with Jesus Christ, we will know him well. If we are committed to knowing and living out our calling, we will be strong in the faith. Then we too will discern false teaching and will reject the false prophets and the deceivers. May we ever cling to Jesus, the good news, and the example that he lived out for us to follow.

Prayer: Father God, draw me in more and more. Deepen my connection to you. Amidst the storms and trials, may I turn to you alone. Amen.


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When I Fear…

Reading: 1 Kings 19: 1-9a

Verse 3: “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life”.

Elijah is threatened by Jezebel, the queen of Israel. He has angered her and she pledges to take his life. Like most of us would do, he assesses the situation and immediately flees. Elijah flees out into the desert and tells God that he has had enough. He just wants to die. Elijah fears dying at Jezebel’s hand, but out in the quiet and peacefulness of the desert would be just fine.

I have a hard time relating to all of Elijah’s decisions. If I were in such a position, threatened by someone powerful, I would flee too. I probably would. But my next thoughts would turn to resolving the issue or doing something about it. I feel like there is a lot of productive life ahead of me. Elijah feels old and tired at this point. Maybe in 30 or 40 years this will be my response too.

When I consider Elijah’s story to this point though, I realize that he has seen the power of God over and over and over. He has just finished seeing God defeat 950 prophets of Baal and of Asherah in a sacrifice showdown. Slaughtering all of these prophets is what draws Jezebel’s threat. In spite of his history with God, Elijah reacts with fear. We read, “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life”. If anyone should trust God, it’s Elijah. Yet he fears and flees. Instead of turning to God, he fears and flees. Instead of calling on the power that he has seen demonstrated over and over and over, he fears and flees. How like Elijah I am.

What is God’s response when Elijah fears and flees instead of turning and trusting? God meets Elijah where he is at – right in the middle of his very real human emotions. God provides food and water and rest. God gives Elijah what he needs. God does not condemn or judge or scold him. Elijah is accepted as he is and is strengthened for the journey ahead.

What is God’s response when I fear and flee? It is the same. God loves me and cares for me, encouraging me for the journey ahead. May you allow God to do the same for you.

Prayer: Providing God, you never give up on me. In spite if my human weakness and emotions, you pursue me, you find me, you sustain and encourage me. Thank you God. Amen.


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Power

Reading: Luke 13: 31-35

Verse 31: “Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, ‘Leave this place and go somewhere else, Herod wants to kill you'”.

Power is something Jesus, the Pharisees, and Herod all have. Power is something we all have too. The Pharisees and Herod see Jesus’ power as threatening to their power. We too can see Jesus’ power as something that can threaten our lives too.

Jesus uses His power to do good for others. He uses His power to teach a better way of life: the way of love. He also uses His power to heal and restore people. The physical healings of the blind, lame, deaf, crippled, mute, leprous… restore people back into community. The spiritual healings of the tax collectors, prostitutes, theives, adulterers… restore people to wholeness. Jesus’ power is a power that gives life to both the individual and the community.

The Pharisees’ and Herod’s power is centered upon themselves. It is used to take from others and to keep others down in order to build up their own comfort and prestige. It is the opposite of Jesus’ giving power. Some Pharisees say to Jesus, “Leave this place and go somewhere else, Herod wants to kill you”. Go away Jesus, you are raining on our parade. Jesus sees right through them. Basically He says He has things to do and they or Herod cannot and will not get in the way.

This too is true of our power. When we follow God’s lead and use our power to do the right thing, to correct the wrong thing, to share Jesus’ love and care, to help one in need – nothing on earth can stop us. Yes, some can oppose us too and some can put up barriers, but they are just bumps in the road. Just as it was with Jesus, no obstacle can stop what God wants to accomplish in and through us. God will always prevail. This fact is what kept Jesus driving towards Jerusalem, towards the cross. Jesus had an unshakable faith in God’s plan. May we live the same way all day, every day. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord of heaven and earth, may I use the power I have in you to bring good, to offer love, to lift others up. Amen.


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Compassion

Reading: Mark 6: 30-34 and 53-56

Verse 34: “He had compassion on them, because they were like a sheep without a shepherd”.

When I think of Jesus, I usually think about love. It is the one word I would use to describe Him. Today’s key verse reads, “He had compassion on them, because they were like a sheep without a shepherd”. I think compassion would be a good word for Jesus too. After all, it is closely related to love.

The primary efforts of Jesus’ ministry we’re teaching and healing. They really went hand in hand. All that Jesus taught revolved around a handful of key themes: love God above all else, love others as Jesus first loved us, care for those in need, and worship God in all we do and say. The healings also revolved around a handful of themes: restoring a person to wholeness, returning people to community, breaking down barriers. All of Jesus’ teachings and healings point to the ideal world that God created and is ever at work to bring into being.

The powers of Jesus’ day heard Jesus’ teachings and saw the purposes of His healings. Both threatened their power and they found a way to be rid of Him. Jesus had very little wealth or material possessions. He encouraged His followers to be the same way. He knew that greed and jealousy were the enemies of love and compassion. The ideas of having less and caring for the other run very counter to culture today. Even the most faithful of Christians gets a little uncomfortable when they really wrestle with the idea of just having enough so that all can have some. This is the heart of caring for those in need. Not all people we meet are good and kind and sometimes people make poor choices. These things all challenge our call to fully love all people as Jesus loves them.

To live a life that emulates the compassion of Jesus is really hard. To teach others by our example and to heal the brokenness of our world is a daily struggle because it always calls for less of us and more of Jesus. Although difficult, it is a calling worthy of pursuing. Although we will stumble and fail, it is a narrow road worth walking. May we all ever seek to live out the compassion of Jesus this day, being a fragrant offering to all we meet. May it be so for me and for you.


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Willing, Trusting, Obedient

When danger or death is on the horizon it brings up feelings of fear and doubt and sorrow in many.  It can be almost paralyzing.  In a few it stirs up courage and determination and focus.  No matter what your first reaction to the realization that life hangs in the balance, the second must be to connect to God in prayer.

When Haman secured the decree to blot out the Jews, Mordecai put on sackcloth and went to the city gate to fast and pray.  He invited other Jews to join him.  Esther got word of this and sent him clothes.  He rejected them because he know this was a time of great need.  He also realized that God had called upon him to stir up Esther so that she may see her role as well.  He knew that the time of her divine appointment was upon her.

When Esther came to terms with the fact that this was indeed the moment for which God placed her in the palace, she accepted her role.  She set her mind on fasting and praying for three days and invited all the Jews in the city to join her.  Esther did not want prayers for someone else to step up or for God himself to intervene.  She wanted prayers that her role in this would be blessed by God.  In Esther there was no fear because her hope lay in God alone.

From time to time we are each faced with something that puts us to the test.  It may be concerning health or employment or family relationships.  There will also be times when we are not directly affected but do have a hand in the situation and its solution.  In today’s text we see an example of willing servants who trusted their very lives into God’s hands.  Because of their relationship with God they did not fear any outcome.  Each walked into their divine appointment fully trusting God.  Lord, instill in me such a willing heart, such a trusting soul, and such an obedient mind.

Scripture reference: Esther 9: 20-22