March 26th People Reflection

Sunday 3/26/2006

Matthew 22.1-22-Jesus responded by telling still more stories.

Numbers 21-Israel took the land.

Song of Solomon 1.1-2.7-We’ll celebrate, we’ll sing, we’ll make great music.

2 Esdras 6.35-37-My spirit was greatly aroused, and my soul was in distress.

John 3.14-21-God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them!

Philippians 2.5-11-And to the glory of God the Father everyone will openly agree, "Jesus Christ is Lord!"

Psalm 123-Our LORD and our God, I turn my eyes to you, on your throne in heaven.

"It’s somewhere in the bargain section."- Searching for a book. The clerk told us the book was in the bargain section. I suppose if all of Jesus stories were actually recorded in a book it would be one fantastic book. It wouldn’t need to be sold in the bargain section. But the book would still be a bargain. God’s Word made flesh- in stories of faith and actually present in human form. With me everyday. God has always been with us. God is closer than I think. God was always with the Israelites too. In the good times and the bad. In the victories and the defeat. In the desert and in the land flowing with milk and honey. In their exile and in their return. God is closer than I think. And in his closeness we’ll celebrate, we’ll sing, we’ll make great music as a love and cherished people. God at the center of our lives. In the midst of our praying, clasped hands. God is closer than you think. Messages from God etched in wood. God was here. Etched in the wood of that cross. God is closer than you think. In the nail holes of that wood. Carved into the wood of the cross. God is closer than you think. And in distress- when my soul is greatly aroused. God is closer than you think. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn—but to save. God is closer than you think. God is at the heart of our conversation. God is at the core of our experience. God is on that rock. And on that rock in our troubled times we pray. That rock of Jesus steadfast love. God is closer than you think. And in that closeness of God we can all agree without a doubt – "Jesus Christ is Lord!" – Our Lord that we turn our eyes to. Our Lord that we slowly approach that cross together- look up- and see that cross of pain and death- but also see that the cross has turned into a symbol of victory and is empty- it is full of life and love and the sweet fragrance of living lilies- sprinkled with the dew drops of manna and the bread of life and the sweet wine of salvation. We’ll look up slowly and see the glory of God’s love beyond all understanding and praise him forever and ever. I turn my eyes to you, on your throne in heaven. God is closer than you think. "It’s somewhere in the bargain section." – Thanks be to God!

Prayer- Wow! Lord Jesus! What a bargain! -- Amen