Can Billy Come Out to Play? - Matthew 18:1-20 - The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

 

Can Billy Come Out to Play?

Matthew 18:1-20 ESV

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

“Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So, it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

The disciples once again ask Jesus a question about the Kingdom of Heaven. Who is the greatest? In this passage, Jesus stresses the importance of being a citizen in the Kingdom, rather than, as the disciples are thinking, being a leader in the Kingdom. Jesus has a way of turning the disciples and the rest of us around in our thinking. I fall into this trap, myself. Humility is sometimes hard to come by. As mortals, we tend to want to impress one another with some skill, some money, some leadership, some power, some something. But the Kingdom is not about me or you in a way of authority or prestige. It’s about God and our place before God.

So, Jesus turns to his disciples and teaches, or gives a challenge to change dispositions, change habits, change thinking and turn in repentance from our own selfish ways.

The child in the day of this conversation was rather insignificant in ranking of society. What did a child have to offer in the daily life of the family? Maybe cheap child labor, but still, the child was someone to support and raise and nurture. The child wasn’t a great source of monetary or living advantage for a family attempting to feed one another. Here, Jesus welcomes the insignificant child as if the child were part of Jesus himself. Jesus encourages his disciples to welcome all like children as if they were Jesus. Jesus teaches the disciples to be willing to be insignificant themselves.

Some great attributes of children that all of us should emulate:

·       A child is dependent and trusting

·       A child is friendly and unconscious of rank

·       A child is candid

·       A child lives in constant wonder

·       A child expects great things in life and discovers those great things

·       A child is innocent

As I have aged, I’ve lost most of these traits. Good traits to have. This is where the fun really is found in life. If I would only have thought it all through, and listened to the voice of Jesus, I too, and you as well, could regain these child-like attributes. So, Jesus calls his disciples to turn to God, away from themselves, and become like children that depend fully on God. And we really do depend fully on God. Childlikeness is one of the greatest features of the Kingdom of God, in heaven and on earth. Children gain the entrance into the Kingdom of God. Children bring humility into the Kingdom of God and that’s where things get great.

As we turn to God as his children, I’m reminded of the Introduction to the Lord’s Prayer and Luther’s Explanation. I’ll paraphrase with my own wording here. “Our Father who art in heaven…”

God calls us to come to him as our Daddy. We come to our Daddy in heaven in love and truth and purity; like little children who love their Daddy. We can be bold in his presence and seek the love we need to live in his house and in his presence, because all we have and need comes from this Daddy. We love our Daddy and respect all that he has to say and give to us. He’s our Daddy and we are his children. Our Daddy wants us to come to him and welcomes our presence and listens to our hopes, needs and way of living.

After all, … He’s, our Daddy!

I could leave this reflection right here and be happy. But, let’s go on.

Jesus calls his disciples to treat the weakest with us with the most respect. Yet…

Jesus also tells us that we must be like a child ourselves. Because, we really are children, God’s children.

We are God’s children called to serve God and one another in acts of love, humility and caring. Acts not to gain God’s favor. Our Daddy already favors us, but Daddy wants us to love him and one another, not out of marching orders, but in response to the love God has already given to each of us. To help other Children of God is to help Jesus, and a disciple is called to help the leader… Jesus. We do Jesus actions in Jesus’ name.

In loving God’s children, we desire to observe and teach the commandments. One of the toughest things God sets before us it to rid ourselves to whatever leads us to sin. There are temptations in this world. I fall and fail all the time to these temptations. I wander off and need my Daddy to come after me and pull me back into his arms. I need my Daddy to call me out for what I’ve done wrong. I need his correction, so that I can see my sin and turn back to Daddy for help, guidance and salvation. That’s why here we see, in this passage, some hyperbole on what to do in the face of temptation and sin. God loves us and wants us to be forever with him in his Kingdom. Wouldn’t it not be better to lose an eye, hand or foot, rather than to lose the spirit, which is life itself? God does not want his children to lose true life to temptations. God does not want us to cause others to sin. God stands in horror to those who cause another child to sin, especially the weak, or young or new. To God, our Father, our Daddy; each person is highly valued and loved deeply.

And in this love, our God teaches us to love all people with a compassionate concern to seek the lost with love and understanding, bringing each one home to live with us in the flock of God’s Kingdom forever. For we are citizens, children, in God’s Kingdom, each guarded with God’s angels. God values the “little ones.” God calls us to imitate the shepherd and go after the lost sheep. And don’t we all wander off and some time or another?

And don’t get caught up in the what about the ninety-nine left behind. Remember they are loved and cared for and protected with the fresh dew on green grass and loved already forever by God. Each one a soul of earth’s ultimate worth. Everyone is dear to Jesus’ love.

So, what of the one sheep who does not wish to return? Tough but loving action takes place. Sometimes it’s a discipline washed in love and patience and prayer. We reach out. Not once, but over and over and over again in many and various ways. We reach out to the lost, one on one, with a few and in the congregation.

As we reach out to the one sheep who does not wish to return, we need to know that forgiveness is not indifference to sin. The offender needs time to turn to God and now is to be loved through the sure message of Law and Gospel, in hopes that he will turn to God. But if and when he doesn’t turn to God; we still love him. We evangelize those who choose not to turn to God. We don’t exclude them. We rinse and repeat in the hope and love that the lost in sin may turn to God. No! We don’t want them to turn to ourselves, for our self-glorification, as many of us fall into this trap. We want the lost to turn to God and fall into the Shepherds arms being led back to the flock. But at some point, we must let it go to the actions of the Shepherd.

This Gospel passage was an emotionally long one for me. It led me through my sin to the Gospel of the love of God in Jesus. It calls me to turn to my Daddy in prayer and it teaches me how to love those God gives to me each and every day. I know I will fail in all of this, but that’s where I must turn to God’s Word and speak to God and listen to him. I can’t hide my sin from God. I acknowledge daily that I will fail at all of this, but God assures me that he has fulfilled the Law for me out of his eternal love in Christ Jesus.

Lord, forgive this reflection of mine where I need forgiveness, speak your Word to me that I may hear your call. Speak your Gospel through me to those in the need of hearing about your love and salvation. For, I am your child, called to the action to follow Jesus in his love for all those you give to me, today, tomorrow and forever. Amen

 

 

 

 

 

What Are You Thinking? - Matthew 16:21-28 - Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

 

What Are You Thinking?

Matthew 16:21-28 ESV

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

So, I find myself writing from behind my research and the listening to the Sermon given just yesterday. There’s some advantage to reflect in this way, but honestly, I was busy helping my son, Bryan, build and antenna on Saturday and then on Sunday working the Tennessee QSO Party for fun. Enough excuses.

This was a good one, with the “Get behind me, Satan!” coming from Jesus. I must confess, I have teasingly used this same phrase towards my wife in teasing her, while on walks.

The focus changes in this Gospel passage following last week’s message, to Jesus’ journey towards Jerusalem, and his suffering, death and resurrection. The focus even goes beyond all of this to Jesus’ second coming.

Jesus clearly sees his future. Jesus knows that the Father has called him to carry out a divine plan. Jesus must go forward now in this plan and proceed to Jerusalem. Jesus will soon be the founder of a new community of disciples, different from the religious leaders of the day. Different in how men try to establish the kingdom through materials, victories, and the gain of plenty. But God chooses to establish the Kingdom through suffering and death. Jesus came from beyond man’s thinking, so that we may learn God’s thoughts, not our own thoughts.

So, when Jesus announces his intentions towards God’s plan and moving towards Jerusalem to carry out that plan; Peter is thinking something much different. Peter’s outlook is purely human. This resistance to the suffering and death of Jesus is a view uninformed by God’s plan and of a point of view that is satanic. Poor Peter, is thinking that he is helping Jesus clear his thoughts. Somehow it reminds me of the time when the Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark of the Covenant from tipping.

2 Samuel 6:5-7

And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.

Really? Uzzah and Peter, were only trying to help! But, does God really need our help? I guess not. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to follow Jesus, not change him or God’s plan to suit our own thoughts and desires. Disciples do not lead Jesus. Disciples follow Jesus. And Jesus makes it plane… “For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Jesus will not stumble over Satan. Jesus goes freely to his own death. Jesus is freely choosing his own destiny.

Disciples must look beyond this life we live in this place. The disciple’s way is Jesus’ way. Jesus is not a substitute for our own thoughts and actions, rather Jesus is a leader of his disciples to be followed.  As disciples Jesus calls us to take up the cross voluntarily, to surrender ourselves to God and to FOLLOW Jesus.

Jesus’ love calls us ONE way. Our self-love calls us another way. Our “Carry the Cross” way can’t live within us until we nail our selfish way down to the cross.  So, the way to “Carry the Cross” is a self-sacrifice to the true way of serving God. Don’t help God. Don’t touch the ark. Don’t try to correct Jesus in his thinking. Give yourself up to God, turn to him in your sin, and follow in service to God’s plan.

We find ourself, when we abandon ourself for the sake of Jesus. In our attempts to “Save” ourselves we lose our purpose as disciples. Saving self is selfish all in itself. Our purpose as disciples is to follow Jesus for God’s sake and not for our own sake. This is a choice we must make. We can follow or we can turn from God and walk away.

Maybe spending time protecting life is the same as losing life. Rather, live life in and for God, trusting in God’s will and God’s way. In this trusting of God, we turn and look for the coming of Jesus, today and always. We look, we turn to God, and follow Jesus, today and always.

Jesus questions; “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” … these questions seem rather to be verdicts. A verdict to cast yourself on Jesus’ mercy.

Finally, don’t waste time and life speculating when Jesus will return. Rather, prepare and live for Jesus’ return, each and every day.

Lord, as I respond to your grace with love for you and for my neighbor, I see your love in Jesus, always before my eyes, for I choose to follow you. I pray, that you place your Word within me, that I may always turn to follow you and you alone… today… tomorrow… and forever. --- Amen

 

 

A Gift of Faith and a Question --- Matthew 16:13-20 - The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

 A Gift of Faith and A Question

Matthew 16:13-20 ESV

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

This reflection is an afterglow of sorts. I’m writing this after my week-long study of the passage above and after hearing the Gospel Sermon on Sunday. Sometimes, this type of reflection is just as meaningful as the reflections prior to hearing the Sunday Sermon. I must admit that as I bask in the study and worship this past Sunday, I fall into a few categories myself. I seem to fall into a category of more questions, or just standing in awe, or a final category of total dumbfounded wonder. All of the categories leave me in the realm of God’s grace and love. 

This study brought me to deal with several terms that you will see later. What pulled me in was how faith is a gift from God and God has a very personal question to ask of me. The lessons and the Psalm for this Sunday however prefaced so much of what I reflect in the Gospel.

My brief notes were as follows:

• Isaiah 51:1-6 - God’s salvation lasts forever

• Psalm 138 - God’s love is forever

• Romans 11:33-12:8 - Renew – Transform to God’s will

Now, for the Gospel…

A choice is given to us. A choice we can’t fully evade. Look at the question Jesus poses to his disciples. “… who do YOU say that I am?” --- my emphasis on the YOU. Peter answers, but Peter’s revelation is not by his human wisdom. Peter’s answer is a gift from God. God sent Jesus into this world as flesh and blood and reveals God’s own being in Jesus himself. God reveals himself in Jesus. This in itself is something to ponder hour on hour. Why? Why care? God becomes flesh and blood and human in all aspects. I’ll leave that here for now, for you to pray upon.

Now, I’ll take a second with the terms that I came up against.

• Rock – Is the rock Peter’s faith? Is the rock Peter? Peter shows the faith that God has given to him with his answer to Jesus’ direct question. So, was Peter the first chosen? Was Peter the Rock of the new Covenant?  Or… Was Peter to unify the Church? These are questions that people have wrestled with throughout these last days.

• Church – Was this the New Testament Church? If so, it didn’t exist at the time of this question and answer. Was this Church the Synagogue of the last days?

• Keys – Administration of the Church? Interpretation of Christ’s words? Power to forgive sins? All question I’ve seen posed in my research of this text. I tend to lean towards the power to forgive sins granted in scripture to disciples of Jesus.

• Powers of Death – Is this the end age?

These are a few terms from this passage that may bring you to reflect, research and fall into one or more categories mentioned above. Questions… Questions… Questions.

I can’t deny that this scripture leads me to think of the Second Article of the Apostle’s Creed.

The Second Article (Concerning Redemption)

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

What does this mean? (Luther’s Explanation)

I believe that Jesus Christ — true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary — is my Lord. He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, and has freed me from sin, death, and the power of the devil, not with silver and gold, but with his holy and precious blood and his innocent suffering and death. He has done all this in order that I might be his own, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as he is risen from the dead and lives and reigns for all eternity. This is most certainly true!

Look at the first sentence under “What does this mean?” I believe… How do I believe? God gives me faith from above. God gives me faith; he gives you faith and Peter faith. We are given the faith we need as a gift from God that we may believe. I believe in Jesus for eternity because God gives me faith to believe. We can trust in Jesus throughout all ages.

We tend to look at what Jesus says about Peter and possibly make the mistake that the Church is built upon Peter. No, Jesus is the heartbeat of the church. A church raised by faith given through Jesus alone. And this faith is not a conjured-up faith coming from man’s works. This faith is a gift from God. The Church is built on Jesus alone, who uses weak mortals as stones in his temple. The Rock is the truth that Jesus is the Son of God.

So, my take? Another question! Acknowledge Jesus. Bring the gifts Jesus gives to you to his Church and become one with Jesus with the many gifts of all Jesus’ disciples in his Church. In this Church of Jesus, discover for yourself what Peter discovered… Jesus IS God! And, the power of death cannot defeat the Church of Jesus… today… tomorrow… and forever.

So…The Questions… What do you think about Jesus? Who do you say Jesus is?

And There Was Silence - Matthew 15:21-28 - The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

 

And There Was Silence

Matthew 15:21-28 ESV

And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

This is a disturbing passage for me for multiple reasons. So, here, I’ll attempt to be honest with myself and honest with the word. In my heart and from readings out of the Bible, I like to think that God accepts me and all people. I like to think that God blesses his children and is impartial. Yet, as I read this passage, I get a tinge of doubt. Unfounded doubt, for the most part, but doubt still the same. Yet, also in this passage, I witness Law and Gospel. Law and Gospel for me and for you and for this Canaanite Women.

I suppose the first think to note is a bit of geography. Jesus went away from there… There where? It seems from the previous chapter that the there is Gennesaret. Gennesaret is a region or town on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Gennesaret was within the boundaries of Israel, but Tyre and Sidon were outside the boundaries of Israel. Jesus had left his own land and now was in the Gentile world.

I mentioned last week that Jesus was at a turning point in his ministry. And this turning point begins to play out now. Tyre and Sidon were two notoriously ungodly cities. As Jesus traveled with his disciples a Canaanite woman approached the group seeking Jesus’ help for her demon oppressed daughter.

It's in this next moment of the scripture that I am stunned, shocked, yet as I ponder and reflect now, I’m enlightened by Jesus. The moment? … Jesus did not answer her a word.

What? Why? How callous! Yet once again. In the past two weeks of reflection, Jesus, both times attempted to seek God in prayer alone. Perhaps prayer in silence. Jesus withdrew to a deserted place to pray and then to a mountain to pray. I presume he prayed in silence. Maybe or maybe not, but it makes sense to me that Jesus wanted to be alone in prayer in silence.

And here once again, I see Jesus in silence. The silence of Jesus strikes me. Perhaps, in silence Jesus searches the heart of this Canaanite woman, perhaps in silence Jesus searches my heart and your heart as well. How many times does Jesus seem to watch this world in silence? It seems silence strikes Jesus many times. In silence Jesus glances at his disciples, perhaps at his betrayal, his denial and perhaps as his death upon the cross. In silence Jesus forgives the world of sin for they know not what they do. In silence Jesus stands before his persecutors prior to his crucifixion. I can see and feel the sighs of Jesus as he sees my sinfulness. And I’m reassured that Jesus prays for me, and you and all the world in silence. Maybe I’m wrong about this… but I don’t think so.

I’m reminded of Psalm 46:10 … “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46 is the inspiration for Luther’s hymn, “A Mighty Fortress.”  Verse 10 especially leans towards our need to trust in God for salvation. And like the Canaanite woman, I too cry, “Lord, help me.” And like the Canaanite woman, I am not of God’s Chosen People from the House of Israel. I still need Jesus, just as the Canaanite woman needs Jesus, Israelite or not.

May Jesus meet my cry for help in the same way he met the Canaanite woman’s cry for help… with silence. Jesus meet my cry, I pray, with your prayer of silence. Your prayer for me as deep as eternity. Yet a silence of only a moment.

And call me what you want, but I need your help, Jesus! Maybe I am a doggie or a puppy, I still need your help. Just as Peter realized in the Tenth chapter of Acts, the Holy Spirit fell on all who hear God’s Word and believed, both Jew and Gentile. In the Gospel passage above, Jesus sees the faith of the woman right before his eyes. God gives us the faith we need to believe, and believe we must before Jesus as we seek help. The woman and myself and perhaps you too, will take help in our time of need no matter what Jesus’ attitude about her, me or you, may be.

As for me, I know my sinful heart needs Jesus. I need Jesus to live. And I am not too humble to beg as a doggie or puppy for the scraps of grace and love that only Jesus can offer. In the faith God gives to me, I’m not proud, yet I’m humble. So, the reply of the Canaanite woman comes with faith and humility.

And out of the silence of Jesus, breaks forth a resurrection of love and life. Right from the mouth of Jesus… Jesus says, “Be it done for you as you desire.”

A disturbing passage that confirms…

·       God accepts

·       God blesses

·       God’s mercy is impartial

As I stand before God, in silence, I hear the silence of Jesus resurrection to bring me and you and all God’s people to be with him. Not from our own efforts. But from the silence of God’s grace in the prayers of Jesus for each and all of us. Prayers for life for each of us as we turn toward Jesus and proclaim…

“Lord, help me.” --- today… tomorrow… and forever. --- Amen

 

Focus Into the Eyes of Jesus - Matthew 14:22-33 - Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost

 

Focus into the Eyes of Jesus

Matthew 14:22-33 ESV

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

What an interesting passage of scripture that is applicable today, yesterday and forever. In this passage, we find Jesus in need of prayer. This was the second time in this chapter in which Jesus attempts to draw away for prayer. Last week, Jesus withdrew into a boat for prayer, but the crowds interrupted him. This weeks account has Jesus going up to a mountain to pray. What strikes me funny hear is that Jesus MADE the disciples leave this time in a boat.

This was a decisive time in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus was breaking away from the Jewish Law to devote himself to his disciples. Jesus needed to pray. Which reminds me of how important prayer was to the life of Jesus. Prayer is important in the life of all believers and disciples of Jesus. Prayer is a time to speak to God and to listen to God. The introduction to the Lord’s Prayer… Our Father who art in heaven. This is our beginning to prayer with God. And Jesus withdrew, as we all should withdraw to God in prayer. Why? Well, God wants us to call on him as if we were little children calling to a loving Father. A Father in which we feel confident and bold to call upon for guidance, understanding, direction and love. When we call on God, we call upon God, God listens, and also, we must pause and listen to God.

In prayer we experience the alternation of true living. Living prayers that draw us to rest and work. Prayers when we hear God’s call for our lives in our daily situations. And prayers where we live out God’s call for us in action that pleases him.  God hears the cries of his children.

Yes, in prayer, Jesus came to understand his mission for the world and all the people he has come to save. Yet, we live our life in the midst of a few storms.

The storm this early morning came as the disciples were obeying Jesus’ command to leave in the boat. Jesus sent the disciples away and into what soon became a storm on the lake. Storms come to all of us. As I recalled last week, about my feelings of being caught in the middle of the ocean all alone after the death of my brother-in-law and sister only days apart, sometimes in life, we a caught in a little boat in a vast sea of water. We find ourselves helpless and alone in need of Jesus.

In this passage, and in life, Jesus walks into the midst of our storms, even in the middle of the night, here, sometime around 3am to 6am. Jesus comes not as a ghost or something of our imagination, but as a Savior to bless us in the midst of the storm.  Jesus invades the storm, of which he may have sent us into, to declare that he IS I AM. Jesus comes to us while we are in the fear of death, to open our eyes to life, in and through him and him alone.

In this passage, Peter leaps before he looks. How we desire to escape the storms of life, and into the arms of Jesus. But it seems better to leap than to spend way too much time looking before we leap. If I look too long, I just may think that I can escape this storm with my own effort. If I think I’m so smart, guess what!  This thinking reminds me of God’s answer to Job…

Job 38:4-18 ESV

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
    Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
    Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk,
    or who laid its cornerstone,
when the morning stars sang together
    and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

“Or who shut in the sea with doors
    when it burst out from the womb,
when I made clouds its garment
    and thick darkness its swaddling band,
and prescribed limits for it
    and set bars and doors,
and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
    and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?

“Have you commanded the morning since your days began,
    and caused the dawn to know its place,
that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth,
    and the wicked be shaken out of it?
It is changed like clay under the seal,
    and its features stand out like a garment.
From the wicked their light is withheld,
    and their uplifted arm is broken.

“Have you entered into the springs of the sea,
    or walked in the recesses of the deep?
Have the gates of death been revealed to you,
    or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?
Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?
    Declare, if you know all this.

God passes through the waters. God has been passing through the waters all along. Think of the Red Sea and the passage through the waters. Think of crossing the Jordan and passing through the waters. And, pause and think of Baptism, a passing through the waters from death to new life in and with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. God has been passing through all the storms of life for us and with us. The result? God gives us his Word. God gives us Jesus to walk through the storm and call us to him. As we come to Jesus God gives us the faith we need. Hearing Jesus word on the waters and in prayer are all we need.

When Peter stepped out of the boat, we step with him as well. But my sinful self and the Law that points me to my sin gets in the way. I have a love for Jesus just as Peter had a love for Jesus. But love mixed with the pride that tells me that I can walk to Jesus on my own causes me to sink. I am not able to save myself. Rather my need is to be saved fully by Jesus. I am helpless without God. And… I sink in my own selfish pride. I can’t come to Jesus a half believer.

I fail when my eyes are partly on me and partly on Jesus. My eyes must turn from my sin and turn to the eyes of Jesus fully engaged that salvation can not come partially through me but only wholly through Jesus.

And there you have it. Being terrified of ghosts in the midst of the storms of life, I must fully focus into the eyes of Jesus and worship only the great I AM… today… tomorrow… and forever.

So, I say to you. Step out of the boat. Say a prayer and go, trusting, not on yourself, no, look into the eyes of Jesus, and trust fully in his salvation from the chaotic waters of the sea.

Thanks be to God!

 

 

 

A Little Signal Goes a Long Way – Matthew 14:13-21 – The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

 

A Little Signal Goes a Long Way

Matthew 14:13-21 (ESV)

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

What a story! Is it real? Is it another parable? I’m not the one to say. I’m just a Christian Layman Disciple of God interested in God’s Word and God’s calling for me in my life. But I do have something to say. As little as it is; I do have a reflection on the Word of God as to what I hear God speaking to me in this passage.

In this passage, Jesus hears about John the Baptist’s beheading and withdraws from the crowds to be alone. I have had this very exact feeling lately. The desire to withdraw to be alone at the recent death of my brother-in-law and my sister, just over a week apart. I withdrew and felt the feeling of being in a boat in the middle of the ocean all by myself. My withdrawal, however, turned into a selfish pity for my own loss. A selfish pity of my own pain. It wasn’t until I heard the voice of Jesus calling me back to the shore, to be with him, that I began to change. You see, Jesus had compassion for me. Jesus loved me and wanted me to be with him, rather than to be alone in my little boat in the midst of the ocean.

In this Gospel passage, Jesus has compassion on the crowds. The crowds were beat down by, not only the rulers of the day, but the religious authorities as well. John the Baptist, the one crying out in the wilderness for the crowd to turn and repent, was now dead. Where were the crowds to turn now? Jesus went to be alone, but he also came to the shore to the crowds. Jesus came to the shore and was full of compassion for the people. The people were like sheep without a shepherd. They had lost John the Baptist leadership. So, Jesus had compassion for them.

And the compassion of Jesus means the power to save. Jesus has compassion so rich, so deep, that he will save the crowds in need.

Contrast the meal in this passage, a meal of compassion and love, to the party meal of Herod and the beheading of John the Baptist in the few verses earlier in Matthew 14:1-12…

Matthew 14:1-12 (ESV)

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

Back to the current Gospel passage…

Human troubles are too great for human strength. The crowd is tired and hungry and away from civilization.

Here, Jesus takes a small amount of human resource (food) and changes it into more than is needed. Jesus compassionate grace makes all the difference. Jesus is the giver of the bread of life. Later in the Great Meal, Jesus reflects on life in him in the gifts of bread, his body, of wine, his blood and leads all to him in a salvation only in him and through him, given freely to all who believe in him. All kind of a summary of this whole passage in the Great Meal… Today… Yesterday… Forever.

Five loaves and two fish, leave the multitude helpless.

I should not fail to mention to some of the literalists out there, nowhere in the Gospels does it claim that Jesus multiplied the food. There is something much deeper happening here as Jesus gives his compassion away to the crowds. Crowds, today, yesterday and into eternity.

The bread came through human hands after all. Someone had to make the bread from the gifts God gave to them from the earth. This tiny bit of bread was given into the hands of Jesus. Jesus bids us to bring our tiny bit of troubles to him. Jesus bids and calls us to come to him, even as Jesus comes to us. Bring what we believe to be insurmountable, starving, death filled, troubles to Jesus.

And, in another sense, bring what we have to offer from our hands to Jesus to make something out of them, that is goodness for all the world.

So, now I will go off of the deep end. As some of you know, I love Ham Radio. I love to send signals out towards the ionosphere to contact friends known and unknown. Yes, I daily, for the most part, send out my small electro magnetic signal into the air through a small wire strung between a couple of trees.

My tiny signal of 100 watts or less bounces around in the ionosphere and hops across the earth to reach a multitude of other Ham Radio Operators, listening for my signal, to respond to it in kind. Some of my signal goes straight out into space in an endless quest to reach who knows who.

My signal is not really of my own effort. I put very little effort into how my signal spreads. God takes my tiny signal to all the earth and sky to spread it around. My tiny signal is spread into space as well. God takes what little I have and gives it exceedingly, to all the universe.

In this meal and in my electro magnetic signal there is an alliance between man’s little bit and God’s abundance. If we do what we can, in trust and dedication to God; God will bring about the increase.  The steadfast love and compassion of God in Jesus endures forever.

Come to the free banquet of a few fish and a little bread, out of the sure death of our very need and hear the call of Jesus. You are a Child of the Promise, a Child of God.

Take it freely, and give it freely, trusting in God to lead you, guide you, fill you, send you in his compassionate grace and love, today… tomorrow… and forever. --- Amen

Thanks be to God for this Great Meal of Today, Yesterday and Forever!

Bring out Your Treasure - A reflection on Matthew 13:44-52 - The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

 

Matthew 13:44-52 ESV

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

“Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Bring Out Your Treasure

Three parables and a little bit of instruction.

First we have treasure in a field. Sometimes I read this and see it in two ways. But first I look at the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Kingdom of Heaven contains paradise. It calls memories of Catechism studies of God’s Kingdom mentioned in the Lord’s Prayer. Thy kingdom come…

How does God’s kingdom come? Well, it comes to me out of the past when Jesus entered this world as flesh, and even before this, when Jesus entered creation, and throughout all of the Old Testament. Jesus was present from and before the beginning as well. In fact, as we read the Old Testament, we see Jesus smeared all over each and every book. We see Jesus coming in flesh, but kind of hidden in the heart of God, and kind of hidden from the eyes of his people in Christophanies. A Christophany is an appearance or non-physical manifestation of Christ. In the Old Testament Jesus still comes to us and brings us God’s kingdom.

God’s Kingdom also comes to us in the here and now. In fact, part of praying for God’s Kingdom to come is asking that God’s Kingdom would come to yourself. May God’s Kingdom come to me, here and now, and may God use me to do his will in his kingdom, here in this time in this place, as well as in heaven. May God’s Kingdom come to me here and now, that I may please God, and do his will as I live in this realm of life.

And finally, God’s Kingdom comes in the end of time. God’s Kingdom is fulfilled when Jesus returns to raise all who believe in him to everlasting life. God’s Kingdom is so much more than just heaven. Heaven or Paradise is just the beginning. When Jesus comes and fulfills the Kingdom of God, we will be gathered as one with new bodies to live in a much more glorious way with God forever. There will be no more sin, death or evil.

So, yea, the Kingdom of God is worth everything. After all, God gave everything to have me or you. He gave his very life for his people.

Here in this first small parable, we see that the treasure is the main focus. The found treasure is a surprise, set there to be found.

And here is where my vision splits. Through my eyes the Gospel of the Good News of Jesus is the treasure that brings me endless joy. I see the treasure as Jesus and the Gospel.

Philippians 3:7 ESV

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Philippians 1:21 ESV

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

You, see in this side of the vision, I see Jesus and the Gospel as the treasure.

But what if I change it all around? What if I think of Jesus thinking that I am the treasure to be found? It was Jesus who gave up everything to come and find me. He gave his very life for my sin and became my very sin that I may live with him into eternity. I was buried in a field of my very own sin and God gave his very flesh, blood and life to pull me out and place me into the very Light of eternity before him.

So, you see, I have a split vision here. Maybe God speaks through this simple parable in multiple ways.

This split vision seems to apply to the Parable of the Pearl as well. Who is the merchant? Is the merchant me or Jesus? Split vision once again.

As I think of myself being the merchant, I think of how I am always seeking something. I’m seeking Jesus and the Gospel once again. I’m always looking and listening for God to come to me, and speak to me, and lead me, and guide me in my everyday living. Then, every once in a while, it happens. Yet, the finding of the pearl was no accident.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 ESV

But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
    nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—

these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

And then in my split vision, I see myself as the pearl. I see Jesus giving everything for me, selling it all just for me. Split vision once again.

In the third parable of the net, I see a turn to something different. It reminds me of the message of the weeds and the wheat from last Sunday.

Yet this third parable still involves the Kingdom of God.

The net is like one thrown out into the sea and pulled towards the shore. The net gathers all kinds of fish and other crap as well. The Kingdom of God draws people in. Jesus wasn’t seeking perfect people for a pure church, but rather a gathering of all followers to offer forgiveness of sin and salvation. So, as the net draws in, it is full of all kinds, both good, bad, followers, and others. All are pulled towards the Kingdom of God.

Day by day the net is drawn. God draws the net. No one can escape the net. And yet, the draw of the net is not in our control. Each day the net draws us closer to the shore.

And then here it comes… the shore. At the shore I learn, as I’m with all those drawn in the net along my side, that it’s not up to me to judge the people in the net along with me. Judge nothing before the time.

1 Corinthians 4:5 ESV

Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

God does the judging. God looks to the heart of everyone. God knows who has abandoned him and turned inward upon themselves, trusting in a salvation of their own making.

But for me? I trust in God through Jesus forgiveness of my sin, and live for the One who draws the net.

So, finally Jesus asks his disciples… Do you get it? (In my words).

The disciples will be scribes. Scribes were trained in the things of God’s Kingdom. Thy Kingdom Come… remember the Lord’s Prayer?  The Scribes know the Law. But now, the disciples know both the Law and the Gospel. The Gospel that shows all people that God chooses us and loves us.

Trust in God… For, nothing separates me or you or anyone from the love of Christ Jesus.  For we, as God’s Treasure are called to bring out God’s Treasure of Jesus and the Gospel to all those God chooses to give to us… today… tomorrow… and forever. Bring out your treasure. Thanks be to God… Amen

 

 

 

Poisonous Weeds – Fruitful Wheat --- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 – Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

 

Poisonous Weeds – Fruitful Wheat

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 – Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 ESV

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

 

Wow! Some tough lesson to learn here. Here we deal with the mystery of wickedness. The weed in this parable is poisonous bearded darnel --- “weed.” How does weed get in with the wheat? Jesus tells us that an enemy, Satan, sows the wheat into the field. So what is the field in which Satan sows the weed? The field could be the world, but I think here it is a bit more specific. I think the field is referring to the church on earth. Satan would love to be able to penetrate the church of Jesus’ disciples and lead them away by cunning.

Disciples of the church are always anxious and ready to rid the church of the unfaithful. But how do you tell the unfaithful from the faithful. Weed and wheat are hard to tell apart until both are in the ear. Weed, especially darnel, look just like wheat until you see the fruit that they produce. It would be a disaster to achieve a “pure” church with no sinners. And in this trick of Satan, the disciples of Jesus wish to sort out the good people from the bad as quickly as possible.

But Jesus puts a hold on it. As Christian churches who claim to be all wheat, they convince themselves that they are in a weed less field. Really? That’s just another tricks of Satan. How bold can you be to claim that your own church is perfect? No! There is weed in the church on earth.

First I must look upon myself. I must be ruthless with the evil in me. I must see my evil sin and turn to God. Yet, I need to be cautious in dealing with the evil in another person, even in another disciple of Jesus. My eyes and understanding of another person’s issues lack the eyes and understanding of God. So, I can be ruthless with my own sin, yet cautious to point out, or weed out, the sin of another.

This parable is an allegory of the “Last Judgment.” God doesn’t elect some for the fire. God wants all people to be saved. Yet he doesn’t tolerate rejection forever. There are those who are weed that choose to be weed and want nothing to do with God. There are evil doers who do lawlessness in this world by their own choice on purpose.

Christians are not free from God’s law, but rather they are free in the law, and through the law. The Law points us to turn to God. Sometimes God can make weeds into wheat. Sometimes God can and will change things as we turn to him in our sin. Yet, there will always be those who deny God and gnash their teeth in the famine of the cold outer darkness in anger of how foolish they have been and choose to be.

BUT

Those who turn to God; God will make righteous through Jesus and will shine like the sun coming from behind a cloud.

The earth is full of God’s love. As we live in this world, and in the church, disciples of Jesus hope for what we can’t see. We see a world and a church full of weeds and wheat. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s let God be first and God be last in the world, the church and in ourselves.

So, what now? We live in this world, this church, and tell all of what God has done and will do for those who bear the fruit of God in Christ Jesus, and shine like the sun to all the world… today… tomorrow… and forever. --- Amen

 

Wasted Seed? - Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 - Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

 

Wasted Seed?

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 ESV

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”

“Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Wasted Seed?

Conflict and danger are on either side of Jesus speaking in this passage. A passage of several Parables or stories Jesus gives to his followers. Jesus speaks in parables because he loves God and man. Of course, we know now that Jesus is both God and man in flesh. To Jesus earth was a shadow of heaven. Jesus very life, suffering, death and resurrection; were all spiritual connections of heaven to earth.

Prior to the speaking of these parables, Jesus was speaking to the crowds and confronting and challenging both his disciples and others with his mission and authority in both earth and heaven. Following these parables came Jesus’ rejection in his hometown of Nazareth, which nearly brought about his stoning.

In this Parable of the Sower, most of the seed is wasted. It’s important, as disciples of Jesus, that we don’t worry about lost seed. As can be seen in this parable, the seed, not the sower is closely described. We come to understand that the seed is the Word or the Gospel. The teller of the Good News, the Word, or the Gospel is not the main concern here in this parable.

We see seed cast on a path. Not much soil to bring about the fruit of the seed, and birds eat the seed. We see seed cast on rocky ground, some soil to grow but not enough to last long enough to produce fruit. Seed cast among thorns that don’t allow the seed to produce fruit. And then, seed cast upon good soil, permitting the seed to produce abundant fruit. The small number of seed that does produce fruit, produces a harvest much greater than all the seed that was lost.  Fruit a hundredfold is a huge amount!

So, we are dealing with people that hear the Gospel, the Word, the Seed who are either casual about what they have heard, maybe shallow about it, or fall into worldly desires and walk away from what they have heard in the Word, or maybe they heard it and are responsive to the Grace of the Gospel and the Word. The fruit or the grain of receiving the Gospel produces a fruit of love for God and love for one another through actions of love.

Although, much seed is wasted, the harvest is abundant.

Herein lies a trap for Jesus disciples. We all grasp the Word, the Gospel, the Seed at different times and in different ways. As a disciple of Jesus, don’t be so presumptuous or judgmental to think you are always of the good soil, that produces massive amount of grain or fruit for God.

Sometimes in life we are worn out by the path and trampled upon. We hear God’s Word but it doesn’t penetrate into our lives. Sometimes we hear the Gospel, yet our own pride permits the devil to snatch away the fruit of the Gospel from us and we turn away from God. Sometimes the thorns of this world lure us into a thinking that we can make it all on our own and have no need for God, Jesus, the Gospel or anything else. Life is good right now, who needs God?

We are sinners and need to be honest before God and ourselves and know that we need God more than anything else. And we can’t waste time judging our neighbor on what kind of soil they may be in at certain points in life.

After all, understanding the Word, or Jesus, or the Gospel does not come from within ourselves. Understanding must be given by God and God alone. Understanding is not a result of my own, or your own, intelligence, status, or power.

But here is the Gospel. The sower has cast enough Seed for it to come to you in your hearing, so that as you are in the good soil that God gives to you, your hearing of the Gospel will be transitioned into a fruit that bears glory to God for all that he has done for you. God grows some good stuff in you, and through you, and for him, and to those he gives to you to love each and every day.

 You too, can sow some seed. You can toss God’s love all over this earth in every way and on every day. God’s Seed is free to all on whatever path or place in life people may exist.

So, produce fruit! Cast Seed! Not a bit of that Seed is wasted. God’s Seed saves, God creates perfect beauty in his fruit, bear witness as a Child of God and cast Seed… today… tomorrow and forever. Thanks be to God!

 

A Memorial Reflection - Connie Sue Lynch October 28, 1946 – July 3, 2023

 

A Memorial Reflection

Connie Sue Lynch

October 28, 1946 – July 3, 2023

 

Plans

Connie was a planner. She loved to make plans. Plans for Easter Celebrations with all her “kids” of the family. Plans for Christmas Plays. Plans for Childrens Choirs. Plans for Sunday School, teaching young children the love of God in Christ Jesus. Plans for Travel Groups. Plans… plans… plans.

Connie loved to schedule also. Most of her plans were inspired by God. Some of her plans could be manipulative. I fell into a few of those plans as well. Happening upon a visit to Mom and Dad’s house, suddenly I was involved in one of Connie’s plans and found myself putting badges together for some MacIS convention that Connie was planning for her job at the time.

Sometimes her plans were intrusive as well. On the guise of helping, Connie might just invade your home to give you help you didn’t want or ask for her to give.

Most of Connie’s plans came from a pure heart of giving.

One time, I recall a visit to see Mom. When I walked into the living room, all I heard was, “You make your plans and I’ll make mine!” Connie had apparently tried to plan something involving my mom and Mom would have nothing of it! And Mom let Connie know, loud and clear. My Mom had a direct way of stating things in a no uncertain term kind of way.

Well, I just slinked on by that conversation in the Living Room and went into the Family Room until all the ruckus died down. Connie left the house mad. Mom stayed mad. I kept quiet and didn’t poke a stick into that hornets’ nest!

During one of the last visits I had with Connie, as she was suffering from dementia, I stumbled upon one of Connie’s planning sessions. As she suffered from dementia, I knew that I must leave my world and try to figure out what world Connie was in, and join her in her own world.

It became apparent to me that Connie was on one of her Cruise Ship adventures and she was the group leader. Connie kept telling me how she couldn’t get this group to cooperate and move along to whatever the next activity was to be. Connie was really upset and mad with these people. So, I tried to guide the conversation towards something different. Connie was upset! Well, that didn’t work either. You see, things weren’t going according to the plan Connie had laid out for this Cruise Group she was leading. On and on she went about this boat and these people and she kept getting madder and madder about how her planning was all falling apart, until, until, someone crapped (I chose a different word than Connie used) in the boat! And then I heard about this “crap” for such a long time, I decided it was time to cut this off and made some excuse about having to go home to do something, like let the dogs out.

Needless to say, my plan for a nice visit with Connie failed. And Connie’s plan for these Cruise Ship people failed as well.

The night after Connie died, I couldn’t sleep a wink. I just kept thinking about plans. I knew Connie was an excellent planner, but realized how all plans never go as planned. There is always some wrinkle in the plan. And then I started thinking about how many times “we” have messed up God’s plan for all creation.

God created… and everything was good. Look back at Genesis chapter one and see for yourself. God saw good in what he created.

And then…

Humans “crapped” in the boat.

Adam and Eve decide to believe that they could become like God and know good and evil.

Along come Cain and Abel. Men bringing offerings to God. God likes Abel’s offering. Cain gets jealous and kills Abel. “Crap in the boat!”

We humans have a way about us to make a mess of things. We sin and turn from God and attempt to wrestle control from God to the point that God felt the need to clean house.

Genesis 6:7 ESV

So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.”

But God has a plan. A much better plan than I could have, or you could have, or Connie could have, or anyone could have. And then the Great Flood. A do over for God’s sinful creatures. A second chance at this thing. A second chance but not the last chance.

And what do humans do with this new plan? Crap in the boat! Noah gets drunk and his son’s have to cover for his shame.

On and on it goes. Tower of Babel. We think we can reach the heavens. Oh, how great we think we are to be able to reach God. Well… “Crap in the boat!”

I’m not even halfway through the book of Genesis yet and still plans are upset and ruined all along. Need I keep this going, with Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and the mess he was in and created as well? On along to Moses and Pharoah. The escape and all the wandering around in the wilderness. Even after crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land, sin creates a mess of plans and there is “Crap in the Boat!”

God keeps on forgiving, warning, working with us to get us to turn to him, to confess our sin and to see what a perfect plan he has in place all along. But Noooo! We continue to “Crap in the Boat” and ruin the plan God has for us, because we think we have a better plan.

Well, we don’t! God has had a plan all along for our “Crap in the Boat.” Our sinfulness, is taken care of in a perfect way through a perfect plan, way beyond any plan we think we have for ourselves.

God deals with our “Crap in the Boat,” in that he takes our sin into and upon himself, and puts it all to death, giving to us his cleanliness, his righteousness, his forgiveness of all of our “crappy,” sinful behavior, once and for all time. Once and finally. And God means it!

John 19:30 ESV

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

The power of sin is finished! Forever!

God comes into our world, and invades our plan, to defeat the power of sin, from which we cannot free ourselves, and gives us new life with him forever in paradise, and finally in a resurrection from the dead on the last day.

So, there you have it. Sure, we still sin in this world. We sin every day. But the power of that sin is gone for good. As we turn to God each day, as we relive our baptism each and every morning, God drowns our sin and raises us to new life in him, that we may go forth in joy to serve God, to love all those God gives to us each day, to make our lousy plans that will probably fail, but just might succeed to make a wonderful gift of love in Easter Parties, Christmas Plays, Helpful hands to those in need. God uses us flawed disciples for something good, even as we continue to “Crap in the Boat.” All because God has freed us from the power of sin, death and evil.

Somehow, I see Connie together with Mom and Dad and Jesus, planning the most wonderful Easter Resurrection Party of all time and eternity, together with all the saints in Paradise.

Rest in Peace Connie… I’ll see you soon to join in THE One and only Plan of all eternity.

 

 

 

 

Heaven Comes Down - Sixth Sunday after Pentecost - Matthew 11:25-30

 

Heaven Comes Down

Matthew 11:25-30

English Standard Version

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Jesus says “I thank you…” A flood of praise to the Father from Jesus. A flood of praise for “babes” receiving the Gospel. Babes, common people, the workers, the untutored people of this world. “Babes,” the very souls of this world, that Jesus came to reach and teach and love and give the Gospel to, for all time.

True understanding must be given by God. I can’t obtain true understanding by my own effort. True understanding is a gift from above. Heaven Comes Down with this gift of the Way and the Truth and the Life, through God himself, in the form of the flesh of Jesus, and in the spirit of Truth in the Holy Spirit, all from the Father. True understanding is a gift from God as Heaven Comes Down to you and to me, day after day after day.

As Heaven Comes Down, I humbly acknowledge my need of a Savior. I know that sin dwells in me. I sin every day and hate that I sin every day, yet I still sin. I don’t want to sin, I don’t set out to sin, yet I sin. And I know that in the midst of my sinful being I need a Savior. A Savior to take away this power that sin holds on me and release me from my sinful life to a new life. So, I turn. I turn to God and look and reveal the sin in me that God is already aware of, but that I need to bring before the feet of Jesus.

Jesus came in humility, and I come to Jesus in humility. I come to Jesus aware that I’m but a “Baby.” I need Jesus to remove the power of sin from my life, to release me back into this world of sin, daily to serve and love God and those God gives to me every day of my life.

Aware of my sin, I can’t know heaven, unless heaven comes down to me. Jesus stoops down to earth and blesses me, and you and all creation. Jesus stoops down and gives creation the gift of faith. This faith is driven by the resurrection, that reveals Jesus, One with the Father, revealed through the Holy Spirit, once and for all time to all of God’s Creation. You see, Heaven Comes Down.

And Jesus invites us. Jesus calls all to come after him, to follow him. Jesus takes the Law, which shows me my sin, because he can, and he chooses to. Jesus is above the Law. Jesus is God. Jesus takes the Law which points me to my sin and removes it from my back, and gives me a “yoke” of love for God and one another and a “yoke” of praise to God. Jesus removes the power of sin over my life, and replaces this power with an easy burden of love for God and for neighbor.

When I’m at my weakest point, in the midst of the knowledge and weight of my sin, when I’m weary and tired and completely worn out. Heaven Comes Down. Heaven Comes Down in Jesus, to me, and to you, and to all the “babes” of this world. Jesus takes the burden of sin, forgives sin and gives us his power of eternal life.

The result of Jesus coming down?

 Rest… peace… calm… ease.

As Heaven Comes Down; Jesus plants faith in us. Faith that brings forth belief. Belief in God that frees us to serve God, free from our sin holding us back from loving God and those God gives to us each and every day.

The result of this Heaven that Comes Down?

Refreshment in the freedom from sin that Jesus gives to us day after day after day, yet once and for all time. It’s EASY! Freedom, lined with love. Freedom of a new “yoke.” A yoke no longer lined with the splinters of my sin digging into the flesh of my tired, sore neck. No! Freedom to wear a new Yoke of love for God and love for all the people God gives to me to love each and every day of my life.

Heaven Comes Down. Thanks be to God, that Heaven Comes Down to all the “babes” of creation, through the love of God in Christ Jesus… today… tomorrow… and forever. --- Amen

 

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost - Matthew 10:34-42 - Decide about Truth

 

Decide about Truth

Matthew 10:34-42 ESV

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

What are my priorities? What are your priorities?

We need to decide. Are we for Jesus or against Jesus? Neutrality is not possible when it comes to God. So, what is it?

Truth is more important than temporary harmony. Getting along isn’t the deal here in this passage. In this question, the human response will bring division. Here Jesus is presenting an option with no return to keeping the peace. Jesus came into this world to bring Peace and was termed the Prince of Peace. Jesus “Peace on earth” comes as a cost. A huge cost to Jesus and to you and I as well.

The object of Jesus coming was reconciliation with God. My sin and your sin attempt to pollute this relationship with God. Sin has brought pollution throughout time, bringing a separated relationship with God.

Jesus’ gift to us is peace, but not a peace through compromise. Jesus’ gift of peace to us comes through suffering and strife. And only through Jesus can we become what God created us to be.

As humans we tend to break down our trust into relationships with one another and with God, but here our trust breaks down into trusting God alone. Not one another, not myself or yourself, but trust in God alone.

If Jesus is Truth, then he IS God and must come first in our life. Jesus comes first! No rivals at all. No one comes before Jesus, not even myself or yourself.  Not your mom or dad, brother or sister or any other human being. Not money or goods, or anything we choose to think brings us life or preserves our life, especially for body. Not health or power or prestige. Not honor or glory. No! Jesus comes first!

We need to give up the physical and material life for Jesus. Only Jesus leads to true life. Nothing of ourselves can give us life. Not our works or gifts or power or glory in this place. Jesus is Truth and Life. Jesus comes first!

Through the Law, I become aware of sin. In my sin, I find that I can’t turn it around on my own and make everything come to a peaceful conclusion. I am guilty in my sin and deserve the punishment it brings. Only God can bring me peace through Jesus. But first he must die. And then I must die.

The cross is my self-denial. Lose your full life and all things for Jesus’ sake. We can’t travel two roads. If we lose our life to Jesus, our life is found. Once again, Jesus comes first!

So, Jesus calls us to a decision. Jesus calls us to decide about his Truth. Jesus comes to his disciples and confronts them with Truth. Jesus confronts us with his Truth, and bids us to do the hard thing. To make a decision for him, or against him. In Jesus is the Truth of Life through his death. In Jesus is the Truth of what really matters. In Jesus we are called to take a stand. Does Jesus come first? If not, do you come first? Does anything else come first?

Jesus comes first! He must come first. Jesus came first and took our sin upon himself. Jesus defeated the power of sin, death and evil, once and for all time. Jesus comes first in bringing life from death, and resurrection to a new life with God forever.

Jesus comes first. My death, your death and death come second, third, fourth…

And then… and then… Jesus’ resurrection from death to life comes first. Your resurrection, my resurrection all Jesus’ disciple’s resurrection comes next to live with God forever in his Kingdom.

Jesus comes first!... today… tomorrow… and forever! Thanks be to God!