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.”