pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: times


by Leave a comment

So Many Times

Readings: Matthew 6:14-15 and 18:21-22

Matthew 6:14 – “If you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

Today’s two passages from Matthew are about forgiveness. This practice is essential for all of our relationships. We are, by nature, sinful and selfish creatures. Because of this nature, we will harm, hurt, anger… one another. Sometimes this is unintentional. Sometimes we don’t even know that we hurt one another.

Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 are an addendum to the prayer that he teaches the disciples to pray. We know this prayer as the Lord’s Prayer. These words are really just a restatement of verse 12: “Forgive our sins as we…” So why repeat it? Why again say, “If you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you?” Maybe because that’s the only part of the prayer where we have an active role. God’s got the other stuff. But us? Yes, Jesus knows how hard it will be for us to forgive as God forgives us.

Chapter 18, verses 15-20, contain Jesus’ teaching on how to deal with a brother or sister who sins against us. The questions from Peter, “How many times?… Up to seven?” comes from his thoughts on this teaching. These are questions we ask ourselves. Jesus’ answer and the parable that follow illustrate how God forgives us and remind us that forgiveness is a two-way street. Jesus tells Peter, “Not just seven times, but rather as many as 77 times.” Seven was extravagant – way above the Jewish social norms. In practical terms, Jesus is saying, “Every time.” Forgive a lot and then forgive lots more. Like God’s forgiveness of us, our forgiveness of one another should be without end. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, yes, it can be hard to forgive. Really hard. But then I think of the many times when others have had to forgive me for my hurtful words or my harmful actions. And then I think of the millions and millions of times that you’ve forgiven my sins – how gracious and loving you are! Lord, empower me this day and every day to reflect this kind of forgiveness in my life. Amen.


by Leave a comment

The King of Glory

Reading: Psalm 24

Verse 3: “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place”?

Photo credit: Alex Woods

After declaring that the earth is the Lord’s because he created it all, the psalmist asks these two questions found in verse three. Questions like these can make us pause at times. When I have been struggling with sin or when I have felt distant from God, it would be hard to answer these questions in the affirmative. When I have felt stuck, it was hard to imagine going up to God or entering into his holy presence. On those days or in those seasons it is good to remember the encouragement found in Psalm 24.

Psalm 24 reminds us that those who seek his face will receive blessing and vindication. When we seek the Lord, when we lift up our heads, the king of glory will come in. The one who is “strong and mighty” will lead the way. And when we look up we will be reminded of who and whose we are. That king of glory, why yes, that is our inheritance. We were adopted into the family, sealing our place with the promised Holy Spirit. In and through that presence we recognize that we do bear the image of the Son. The mercy, love, grace, compassion, forgiveness… that resided in the Lord Almighty is right there within us too.

May we open wide the gates of our heart today so that the king of glory may come in!

Prayer: Living God, thank you for the reminder that I am created in your image, adopted into your family. Jesus, king of glory, shine in my heart today! Amen.


by Leave a comment

When You See…

Reading: Mark 13: 24-29

Verse 29: “When you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door”.

In Mark 13, verses 1-23, Jesus forewarns the disciples about the difficult times ahead. The temple will be destroyed; wars and natural disasters will come. There will be persecution and many false teachers. Families will be split over the faith and “the abomination that causes desolation” will come. The false Christ will use miracles to deceive many. Jesus warns his disciples to be on guard. As bad as it sounds in these opening verses, though, it gets worse in our passage for today. For generations we have looked at the world and the horrible events happening around us and have wondered if this is the time.

Beginning today in verse 24, things get catastrophic. The sun and moon will go dark and the stars will fall from the sky. All natural light will be gone. The earth will be as dark as it has been since the day God said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). The evil, the dread, the fear will be at their climax. Then the heavens will shake – Christ is breaking forth in power and might. Those alive will look up and see Christ coming on the clouds in “great power and glory“. He will send out his angels to gather all believers “from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens”. What a great cloud of witness that will be!

Then Jesus pauses and draws their attention to the fig tree. It too gives signs concerning the times. Even this little tree is a part of God’s grand plan. Year after year the branches get tender as the leaves form and come out. This is a sign that summer is near. It is simply how God designed the tree. Jesus then parallels this thought to the end times – they too will occur and unfold just as God designed them. In verse 29 Jesus says, “When you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door”. At just the right time, God will send Jesus into the world. At just the right time, he will come again. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Dear God, we do not know the exact timing, but we know the signs. They will be unmistakable – darkness and evil will be at their greatest. These days will pale in comparison. As I wait, keep my eyes open, Lord. As I wait, keep my faith strong. Amen.