God's Love

 

 

Jesus' teaching in John 14:23-29 calls for believers to keep Jesus' Word and claims that those who do not love Jesus do not keep his words, and the inverse is true as well; those who do not keep Jesus' word do not love Him. In this Gospel reading, the profound theological point is that God's presence imparts peace and love and builds a home for those who abide in God's word. A home for God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

In verse 26, Jesus assures the disciples that the Holy Spirit will remind them of what Jesus had taught; and continue teaching them what they need to learn to continue building God's kingdom. Thus comes the Christian perspective that God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, inspires Scripture, not like someone dictating a letter to an assistant but inspired by the Holy Spirit to the spirit of New and Old Testament writers. Jesus takes it to a new level when he says those who love Jesus and keep his word are continually being taught and nourished by God.

If we read John's message without pausing to consider the outcome of not loving Jesus and keeping his word, we may fall short in our understanding. Jesus asks his followers to do more than quote a creed or say a prayer of repentance. 

Jesus says, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our (God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) home with them." 

I take from this reading a call for followers and those who want to be followers of Jesus to be intentional about their relationship with God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Three in one, working together as One to help us grow in our faith and understanding of God, our creator, and about ourselves as God's beloved creation.

Little Children

 

New Testament reading: John 13:31-35  
In today's Gospel reading, after Judas leaves the room and sets in motion a chain of events that will lead to Jesus' death on the cross, Jesus gives the disciples a new commandment. Jesus says, "Little children … I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another" (John 13:33-34). 
   Jesus knew Judas was going to betray him. The Gospel writer makes this clear earlier when Jesus was washing the disciples' feet and tells Peter, he is clean, though not all the disciples are clean." The writer then adds, "he said this because he knew who was to betray him." 
   So, Jesus waits for Judas to leave before commanding the disciples "to love one another." I wonder what the disciples thought when Jesus called them little children. Many of us might find it degrading to be called 'little children.' Yet, I believe it caused the disciples to be more attentive to what Jesus was saying. Perhaps they remembered Jesus saying, "the kingdom of heaven belongs to the children" (Matthew 19:14). 
   Jesus had just said he was leaving, and where he was going, they could not go. I wonder if they made the connection. They often missed Jesus' point. We would probably be just as confused in their shoes. We are fortunate to know the rest of the story; understanding comes only after reading the Gospel story and then rereading it to discern the message with a sense of where the story is going. Knowing the end of the story helps us as we journey with Jesus to the cross.
   When the writer refers to the audience as little children in the New Testament, it is not only a term of endearment; it identifies the audience as faithful disciples of Jesus. In First John, the writer calls the congregation he is writing to little children when he tells them, "they are from God and know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. He tells them to love one another because love is from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love." (1 John 6-8). 
   So maybe when Jesus called the disciples little children, he was complimenting them on their spiritual growth. 
Something to Ponder on the Lord's Day!

Doubting Thomas

 

Something to Ponder on the Lord’s Day!          

New Testament reading: John 20:19-31

 John 20:19-31       Anselm of Canterbury had a little Latin expression, "Credo ut Intelligam," which means "I believe so that I may understand." Anselm's expression is an ideal place to begin our reflection on Jesus' first three resurrection appearances in the Gospel of John. Jesus appears the third time in response to Thomas' request, providing him precisely what he asked for after the other disciples informed him that they had seen the risen Savior. I suggest Jesus' first and second appearances to Mary at the tomb, and the ten disciples behind the locked door provided them with exactly what they needed to believe.

"Thomas did not believe the disciples, just as the other disciples had not believed Mary Magdalene (v. 18). In response to the disciples' claim, Thomas said, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe" (v. 25b). History has criticized Thomas for not believing the other disciples, but I think Thomas has been treated unfairly throughout the ages. Like so many scripture stories, his story shines a light on our faith struggles, a light that guides us to some sense of clarity to strengthen our faith. 

Thomas stops doubting and believes when he sees Jesus in the flesh. Jesus, however, does not offer praise for his newfound faith. Instead, He asks the disciples gathered in the room a faith question. "Have you," He says, "believed because you have seen me?" (v. 29a). The implied answer to Jesus' question is 'Yes.' Thomas and the others believe because they see Jesus. Their belief is commendable but not as praiseworthy as those "who have not seen and yet have come to believe" (v. 29b). According to Jesus, these are the ones truly "blessed." 

Following these appearances, the gospel of John states its chief purpose for sharing these accounts in verses 31. 

"…these [reports] are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and that through believing you may have life in His name" (v.31). 

Something to Ponder on the Lord's Day!

 

Something to Ponder on the Lord’s Day!          

New Testament reading: Luke 24:1-12 - The resurrection revelation

There are similarities in the resurrection stories, but the accounts also vary in detail. In Luke, the women are silent. They simply reach the tomb and discover that the stone has been rolled away (v. 2). Matthew resembles Luke in that the women are silent, but Matthew's narrative reads as if the stone is moved after the women arrive (Matthew 28:1-2). Mark is the only Synoptic to report that the women were talking on their way to Jesus' grave, asking, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" (Mark 16:3).

Some disbelieve scripture because of these subtle anomalies. Still, they actually strengthen the overall credibility of their unified claim, the resurrection revelation, namely that Jesus has been raised from the dead. Even now, whenever the testimony of witnesses agrees in every detail, law enforcement agents and officers of the court tend to suspect a conspiracy and thus doubt whatever claim is being made — whether accompanied with solicited or unsolicited oaths. Consequently, it's sensible to underscore these discrepancies rather than harmonize them due to some ill-advised devotion to perfect agreement between the gospel accounts.

Several years before I answered the call to ministry, I sat with a father as he watched his daughter resting in a hospital bed. Out of grief, he picked up a copy of a Gideon Bible and read where it opened, Matthew's reading of Jesus' crucifixion. After a couple of minutes, he stopped, turned to me, and said, "this Bible isn't right; this is not how the story goes. The thieves don't both insult Jesus; this is a bad translation.” He gave me the Bible to see it, and I turned to Luke's version of the story and showed him the version he remembered.

The difference in the reading does not weaken the unified claim. The resurrection stories may vary in detail, but the revelation that Jesus is alive is evident in each account.

Something to Ponder on the Lord's Day!

Jesus: fully God and fully man

 New Testament reading: Luke 19:28-40

   Today is Palm Sunday when we reflect on Jesus' ride through the crowd into Jerusalem at the beginning of Passover and the days leading to his death. Jesus' arrival was filled with excitement and praise from the crowd. However, the crowd's temperament will change over the next few days. A crowd will gather in just a few days and call for Jesus' execution.

   Reverend Dr. Tony Campolo, the former spiritual advisor to President Bill Clinton, once said, "Jesus really did abandon power when he lived among us. He wasn't simply holding back and pretending to possess our physical limitations; He truly was one of us." 

   Many Christians, however, react negatively to this fact and seek to suppress Jesus' humanity. "They want to think of Jesus as a God who disguised himself as an ordinary man but, at will, could step into a phone booth, rip off his robes, and show us who he really was, a first-century Superman." 

   Palm Sunday is a time to remember Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, humbling himself by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey not to overtake the city but that through Christ, by the grace of God and power of the Holy Spirit, the city, and the world, might be saved.

   Something to ponder on the Lord's day!

Different approaches to Discipleship

 New Testament reading: John 12:1-8

This text highlights two characters with utterly different approaches to discipleship. One person is lavish with her gifts; the other is parsimonious and critical. One expresses her devotion openly and earnestly; the other is guarded and treacherous. One loves; the other betrays. This interaction happens in the disciples' presence, most of whom had themselves done something rather lavish: they'd given up their livelihoods to follow Jesus of Nazareth. They'd also been with Jesus when the widow put her last penny in the offering plate. Jesus praises the widow and defends Mary's gifts. Both gifts are valued differently in the world, yet highly valued by Jesus. 

Judas asks Jesus, Mary, and the disciples, "Why this waste?" He suggested the perfume could have been sold, and the money could have been given to the poor. The author of the Gospel, who knows the rest of the story, inserts this sensible objection upon the lips of "the one who was about to betray him" and notes that his true motivation was the theft of the money. The widow and Mary acted in devotion and love. In contrast, Judas' heart and motivation were different. 

In their own way, Mary and the widow lived a life of lavish discipleship by surrendering completely to God. What we have, our careers and our ability to earn a living are from God. Can there be anything more lavish than offering our lives entirely to God?

Something to Ponder on the Lord's Day!

 New Testament reading: Luke 13.1-10 "Good Fruit"

Luke chapter thirteen begins with Jesus talking to a crowd when “someone present tells him about Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.” Jesus responds by asking them if they believe the Galileans suffered this way because they were worse sinners. Jesus immediately says no, they were not worse or better. Then Jesus says, “but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.” He says pretty much the same thing about eighteen Jewish men and women who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them. “Unless you repent,” again He says, “you will suffer the same fate.”

As you may know, to repent is to turn around and go a different direction. In the context of the Christian faith, it means to turn away from our selfish ‘sinful’ nature and back to God.  

Then at the close of Jesus’ conversation with the crowd, he tells a parable about a barren fig tree: 

The fig tree symbolizes the situations above. Those who rely on themselves will not produce fruit; those who accept the gardener’s care will produce fruit. I think this is what Jesus is trying to get across to the crowd. 

I wonder, however, if we ever considered the church as the fig tree planted by God and that we are the fruit – good or bad. Growing up in rural West Virginia, we had two peach trees in our yard, and they produced fruit, but it was never edible. The peaches were small and hard and only suitable for throwing or hitting with a baseball bat, not for eating. I recall checking the fruit hoping to find one good peach. My father worked long hours and sometimes seven days a week, so he spent very little time caring for the yard. I realize today if those trees had been trimmed and cared for, they probably would have produced good fruit. 

In my perspective, the church (the Body of Christ, not the building) is the tree grown to produce good fruit, which Christ the gardener wants to nurture and care for, so it will produce good fruit. How does Christ nurture the church? Is it through worship, Bible studies, perhaps fellowship, maybe service, or possibly all the above? If I remember correctly, Jesus said he came not to be served but to serve. Service, therefore, must be included in the care for the tree and fruit, and you cannot have service without fellowship. Most certainly not just worship.

Have you ever thought of yourself as God’s fruit? Probably not, but what would it require of us to become good fruit, the Body of Christ? 

Holy Spirit Power

 

New Testament reading is Luke 4.1-2a Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, ² where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.”

Luke tells us after Jesus was baptized, he was full of the Holy Spirit when he returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil" (vv. 1-2a). Notice that just as Israel had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, Jesus wanders in the wilderness for 40 days, one day for each year (Numbers 14:33-34; Joshua 5:6). However, the difference is that Jesus, unlike Israel, is led by the Spirit and remains faithful. 

We also notice a similar analogy between Jesus and the first couple. Whereas Adam and Eve gave in to the tempter's invitation to order the world as they see fit (Genesis 3:1-7), Jesus, on the other hand, does not. Instead, each satanic inducement is negated.

It is also important to note that Jesus' 40-day fast left him exhausted and virtually, if not actually, deprived of all his physical resources. In short, his flesh and Spirit were fully exposed, leaving him vulnerable to the devil's assaults. Weakened and vulnerable but Jesus was not without resources. Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, withstood the devil's initial attack, which prepared him for his ministry and the final assault when the devil returned at "an opportune time" three years later (vv. 4:13 & 22:3-6).

I have heard individuals say, 'I am not Jesus,' as an excuse for some failure in judgment throughout my ministry. Indeed, we are not Jesus, but the same Jesus who the Holy Spirit empowered to withstand the devil's attacks; guides and strengthens all who genuinely seek God.     

Something to Ponder on the Lord's Day!

We are being transformed into God's image

 

New Testament reading is 2 Corinthians 3:18 “…all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

I believe humanity was created with an innate desire to seek God, and there is an emptiness deep within our souls that remains unfilled until we turn to God. However, this emptiness is not filled with divine benevolences discovered in our search. We find fulfillment, at least in part because we seek to know God, to be in a relationship with God. Those who try to fill the void with material things will remain empty, but even those of us who believe we know God are limited in our understanding.  

Author, theologian, and spiritual guide Jeremy Driscoll wrote that "God is not what we think [God] is — not in any small way what we might think, nor in any big way the sum total of what a whole bunch of thinkers, great thinkers through the centuries, might think." I believe contemplating on God keeps us seeking to know God. Driscoll also said, "we have no choice but to try to imagine God." In our limited humanness, we try to imagine what God is, what and who God might be, and God at some point comes to meet us in our thoughts." (Jeremy Driscoll, OSB, A Monk's Alphabet: Moments of Stillness in a Turning World (Shambhala, 2007), 169.

God's amazing grace is that if we live our lives seeking to know God, we will grow in God's glory, but we still will never understand God's glory, but again it is the seeking that makes the difference in our journey to know God.  

A February Reflection - "Understanding Love Through a Child's Eyes"

Charles Colson was once only thought of as President Richard Nixon's "hatchet man" and "incapable of humanitarian thoughts." His 1973 conversion to Christianity was followed by a guilty plea to obstruction of justice and a seven-month prison sentence in 1974. Colson went on to establish the Prison Fellowship Ministries in 1976, fulfilling a promise made to fellow inmates that he would "never forget those behind bars." He released his first book, "Born Again," in 1976, and it instantly became an international bestseller. He has authored 16 books that have collectively sold more than 5 million copies. 

In his book 'Kingdoms in Conflict' he shares a story about a discussion he and his son, Chris, were having about the evidence for God. Colson argued that if there were no God, it would be impossible to account for the moral law, his grandson Charlie, then 4, interrupted.

"But Grandpa," he said, "there is a God." Colson nodded, assuring him that I agreed.

Charlie then said, "…if there wasn't a God, Grandpa, people couldn't love each other." 

Think about Charlie's response for a moment. 'Without God, we could not love each other.' I agree with Colson; Charlie is right. "Only the overarching presence and provision of God assures that both Christians and non-Christians enjoy human dignity and a means to escape our naturally sinful condition. Without God's presence, we could not survive together on this planet; nor could we love one another." [Charles Colson, Kingdoms in Conflict (New York: William Morrow/Zondervan Publishing House, 1987), 71.]

1 John 4 has become my favorite scripture. Verses 7-8 says, "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love."Understanding scripture is not as simple as reading the text. We need to be open to the Holy Spirit's guidance and remember the character of God as we read. When we fail to see a God of love in our reading, we do not see God's true character that is predominant throughout scripture and our template for reading the stories. To be Christian is to be intentional about living out our lives into the character of God. “We love because God first loved us” (1 John 4:19). When we fail to choose (and it is a choice) not to treat another person as God's child, with dignity and respect, we are not only failing to live into the character of God; we are discounting the value of our relationship with God.

We are God's created, created to be in relationship with God, and we, individually and collectively as a people, have failed God many times over. Thanks be to God that God is love, and love forgives, always.  

The Greatest Hope

 

New Testament reading is Luke 5:1-15.  

The Greatest Hope

Jesus was standing on the shore of the lake. The people were crowding around, pressing on him to hear the word of God. He saw two boats; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Jesus got into one of the boats and asked Simon Peter to push it out a little from the shore. Peter did as Jesus ask. Jesus then sat down in the boat and taught the people. When he finished teaching, he turned to Peter and asked him to put out into the deep water and let down his nets for a catch. Peter was reluctant because he fished all night and caught nothing, but once again does as Jesus requests and achieves a miraculous catch of fish.

The heartwarming miracle stories remind us that God does not watch from a distance ignoring his creations. The stories give us hope in a God who walks with us through good and challenging times. A God who seeks to be in a relationship with us, just as Jesus pursued a relationship with Simon Peter. 

The story of the miraculous catch is a great sign of hope for all who struggle with life's challenges, but the greatest hope reflected in the story is in our God, who pursues us. 

Something to Ponder on the Lord's Day!

Something to ponder January 30, 2022

Today's New Testament reading is Luke 4:21-30; it is the story of Jesus returning to his hometown to preach in the synagogue. Luke tells us this sermon begins Jesus' ministry for the poor, the captive, and the outcast. The following short story, I believe, summarizes Jesus' point to the hometown crowd.

Toss of a Coin - Two sons were left a large piece of property by their father. For months they fought over how the land should be divided. Finally, they brought their problem to their pastor and asked him to help them solve it. 

"Come back tomorrow," said the pastor, "and we'll talk." 

The next day the sons returned, and the pastor gave them his solution. 

"Toss a coin," he said to one of the brothers. "You call it, heads or tails," he said to the other.

"The one who wins the toss divides the land." 

"That's no solution," said one of the brothers. "We're right back where we started from." 

"Not so," said the pastor. "The one who wins the toss divides the land, but the other gets first choice."

The story's point is simple, like Jesus' hometown crowd, each brother was concerned only about himself, wanting to get the better of the other brother. The Israelites were accustomed to thinking only of themselves while disregarding those whom they considered unworthy of God's grace: the poor, the captives, and those who were being oppressed. 

Our world is divided because nations and individuals see different people as not worth their time or concern. Jesus' sermon shouted that God cares about all people. There are no divisions; and to ignore those on the fringes of society is not part of God's plan for God's children. God wants to connect to all people, and it is the responsibility of God's children to share the good news of God's love and transforming grace with others, especially to those on the fringes of society.

Something to Ponder on the Lord's Day!

  

Pondering the Question - January 23, 2022

Today's Old Testament reading is Nehemiah 8:1-10, and the New Testament reading is Luke 4:14-21. A common theme that connects these readings is 'the reading of the sacred text.' In Nehemiah, we hear the priest reading the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) to the formerly exiled children of Israel for the first time. In the New Testament reading, Jesus reads for the first time in his hometown, proclaiming the fulfillment of the Word read from Isaiah. The Scripture is made new in both stories.  

Together, these stories remind me that the Bible is the 'Living Word of God' and is always up to date. The Bible is the most live book in the world. It is so because the ever-living Jesus, the Christ, lives in the Word. As we grow in our relationship with Christ through Scripture, we not only learn that we die and are resurrected in Christ's death and resurrection, we grow in our love for Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit that guides and opens our minds to understand the Word read. 

Here is a simile of this concept. A cultivated literary critic reviewed a book by a specific author, and she was very severe in her criticism, pointing out many flaws. A few months later, she became acquainted with the author of this book and married him in a short time. Then she re-read the book. This change in their relationship also changed her perspective of the book. She said, "what a beautiful book! What a nice book! There are some mistakes here and there, but they ought to be overlooked." And she began to recommend the book to everyone. The book was just the same as before, but her relation to the author had changed. Earlier, he was a stranger; now, he was her husband. When she began to love him, she began to love his book. When we come into fellowship with the risen Christ, we see the Bible more clearly. The living Word, the Bible, becomes the most live and precious of all the books in the world.

Something to Ponder on the Lord's Day!

Something to Ponder on the Lord’s Day!  January 16, 2022

Today's Gospel reading is an interesting story because it is Jesus' first miracle as recorded in the Gospel of John (John 2:1-11). Yet it is also a strange miracle for modern-day readers, turning water into wine. Especially with the abuse and dangers, excessive drinking has caused throughout the ages, including in Jesus' time. In Jesus' day, drinking wine was socially accepted, but as Paul tells us later, excessive drinking was not acceptable and considered a sin. 

The story is strange to our modern ears because alcoholism has affected most of us in one way or another. My paternal grandfather died from complications caused by alcoholism in his 50s, so it is a terrible disease that has harmed many lives and families. However, I still believe the miracle of turning water into wine is a story of grace, and what better way for Jesus to begin His ministry to save humanity. 
The wedding banquet in Cana in Galilee is John's way of saying from the very outset of Jesus' ministry every earthly act is connected to His glory and messianic mission and God's desire to save humanity.

Mary comes to her son not asking him to turn water into wine to save a wedding feast; but to help the groom and his family, who will be shamed by the guests, literally the entire community. I believe Jesus did not know it was time to begin his ministry until His Heavenly Father helped him decide at that moment. Jesus then chose to tart His ministry with an example of God's extravagant generosity. 

God's grace and our Lord's gracious hospitality to provide wine for a needy family and community may be challenging. Still, I hope we can see beyond our modern prejudices. Jesus' first miracle is often referred to as 'Cana Grace,' which emphasizes the reality of God’s grace that is the essence of every miracle God has ever done, from the beginning of creation to current day miracles, those often missed by our modern-day eyes. 

 Something to ponder this Lord's day. January 9, 2022

We get a very different perspective in Luke's rendition of Jesus' baptism (Luke 3:15-17; 21-22).

People flocked to John, not out of fear but excitement. Many hoped he was the long waited for Messiah who would save them from their Roman oppressors. 

Others believed Elijah would reappear when the Messiah was about to come. So when they saw John dressed as the great Old Testament prophet, they thought he embodied the heart and soul of Israel's faith and that he might be Elijah. 

Luke begins the baptism story with John chastising those who believe he is the Messiah. Although baptism is essential for fulfilling prophecy, it is secondary to Jesus' actions following the baptism. Luke tells us Jesus doesn't say a word and is one of many who get baptized by John on this day. There is no discussion between John and Jesus, and the Holy Spirit descends after everyone is baptized, including Jesus, while Jesus is praying. 

I believe baptism is important. It symbolizes our faith in Christ as our Lord and Savior, but it is also a spiritually transforming moment in our faith. The Holy Spirit marks the baptized as God's children. Yes, baptism is important, but the Holy Spirit's action after we are baptized is instrumental for our continued relationship with God throughout our lives, actions that transform us into God’s beloved children. 

Something to Ponder on the Lord's Day!

 Something to ponder in the New Year

In 1979, archaeologists were excavating in the area believed to be ancient Gehenna. Gehenna is an area not far from the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, used as far back as Solomon’s time as the dumping ground for the sewage and refuse of the city. Fires burned continually in this valley to destroy the garbage and impurities, which is why it was named Gehenna and came to be a symbol of punishment.

The archaeologists found what is considered one of the oldest bits of Scripture that exists in the world, more than 400 years older than the Dead Sea Scrolls. It dates from the time just before the destruction of the first temple, the Temple of Solomon, in 586 B.C. The scorched ground yielded two rolled-up silver amulets that are on display in the Israel Museum. When painstakingly unfurled, the text was almost verbatim to the Bible verses:

“May God bless you and keep you.

May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

May God turn His face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).

This is the priestly blessing Jewish parents recite for their children each Friday night, a passionate prayer for the future. In the words of Rabbi David Wolpe, the oldest bit of Scripture that exists in the world is a blessing of peace snatched from hell.’ (Rabbi David Wolpe, The Jewish History of Israel…, The New York Times, May 28, 2021.)

As we begin a New Year, may this Scripture of old fill you with hope and the knowledge that God is always with us, in the best of times and in the worst of times; and “May God bless you and keep you. May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you. And May God turn His face toward you and give you peace.”