Waggers - Matthew 21:23-32 - The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

 

Matthew 21:23-32 ESV

And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

So, here we are, all together, wiggling and waggling and making a whole bunch of noise. We just watched this guy go through the Temple in a fit of rage tipping the tables and screaming and wagging one of us into a fit of rage. Then this same guy wags one of us about some tree that didn’t make any fruit. There is a difference between us here. This one wagging organ means what is spoken and what is wagged comes to fruition. It happens just like it was wagged!

So then… then… a bunch of other waggers got together and wagged at the One. These waggers were attempting to trap the One wagger with a question of some sort. The One wagger didn’t need the credentials of the other waggers who gathered against the One wagger because they were afraid of the One wagger and what the One wagger stood for. You see, this One wagger was beginning to convince so many of the other waggers in the surrounding area that this One wagger was something more. This One wagger always told the truth and revealed the Word of God in and honest, forthright way. This One wagger was directly from God.

The One wagger rejected the authority of the religious waggers of the day to examine the owner of the One wagger because they didn’t want an open wagging session about the wagger in John or the One waggers teachings. The religious waggers wanted to persuade the community waggers that their way of wagging was the only way.

Well… now we have to get together with the waggers and bring in the lips in all of this too. It never seems to stop! Before you know it, all the parts will have to come together and use their own special talents and skills given by God himself to form One whole holy thing.

Anyway, the One wagger leads me to believe as a whole human, that all these waggers are leading me to understand that I need to look at my sin as a whole human and repent for my sinful ways. Especially as my own wagger leads me astray into sin and selfish, hurtful actions to all the other waggers that have been placed in my life. I repent and turn to God. I turn my whole human to God’s Word and not just to offer lip service. There are those lips getting into the action. God calls my whole human to do His will, NOT, my own, selfish, whole human will… waggers, lip, and all.

So, here is the deal, as I studied the Gospel lesson this week…

For me? I need to face the Light… Hear the Word… See the Truth. My life is not about me. My life is about Jesus and what God has given to me.

As far as for myself and for others in my life… Look at actions… not wagging tongues about actions never taken.

Lord Jesus, as I turn to you and live in your presence; lead me and teach me and call me and show me the way you would have me speak and most of all act. May I produce the fruit you have instilled in me. Plant your seed in me and cultivate and tend to me as I turn to you in humility. Tame my wagging tongue and may my tongue wag only for you… today… tomorrow… and forever. --- Amen

 

It's Just Not Fair! - Matthew 20:1-16 - The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

 

It’s Just Not Fair!

Matthew 20:1-16 ESV

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.”

This is another one of those reflections after hearing the sermon. OK, I must admit… I study the material through the week and write this reflection, normally on the Saturday before the sermon that I hear on Sunday morning. But, this week, an Applefest and a nerve-racking Ohio State Football game absorbed all of my Saturday. Just the same, sometimes I enjoy putting all of my listening and reading and thoughts together after it all. So here goes…

I think I’ll begin by just throwing out my week’s notes on this and then go into my reflection. Make sure you read the Gospel lesson above, or my notes will be meaningless.

·       Don’t compare each other

·       The owner wanted all the workers or he wouldn’t have kept going back for more throughout the day --- he went back even for the last few that would go into the vineyard

·       The grace of God is not according to what we think we deserve as his disciples

·       At the last call, don’t presume your position --- the promise of grace belongs to God – God’s grace is granted to us, not because of anything we have done for God’s sake

·       In the Kingdom of God, we receive what we need --- eternal life --- given by God --- none of us have a claim on God or God’s grace more than anyone else

So, here’s my take on this Gospel. First and foremost. I’m certainly with the last workers to go into the vineyard. I really believe we all really fit this mold. I hold back on God and am lazy to the call. If I’m really honest with myself, I’m a sinful couch potato disciple. If I think of myself and compare myself, which is at the heart of this Parable; I’m a sinful nothing and nobody. I don’t deserve to be even asked by God to serve in his kingdom. But here is the thing…

There is this offensive scripture… at least offensive to all the “Churchy People”

Romans 4:4-8 ESV

Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
    and whose sins are covered;
blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

Read that through a couple of times. You will be offended, especially if you have been a church person all of your life. It’s not about your works. Even the guy who doesn’t work… his faith is counted as righteousness. What? Why? Well that no good couch potato is counted as righteous. And here I’ve been this goody two shoes church guy all of my life!

This crummy couch potato guy who doesn’t serve in the vineyard until the very last minute, receives as much as I think I deserve after being this goody two shoes church guy all of my life! It’s just not fair!

When my kids would scream out to me about some decision made that they didn’t like…

“It’s just not fair!”

I would tell them, teasing, “Life is not fair. Nothing is fair, but the meadows and the woodlands.” (Perhaps some of y’all churchy goody two shoes will get that)

But, like in the passage above, God’s grace is really free. God is not unfair. God is only generous. Our relationship to the Kingdom of God isn’t about any kind of payback. The only payback my potato couch self deserves is eternal damnation for all of my sins and selfishness as I turn away from God towards myself. I think that God owes me something. Well… no matter how many goody two shoe churchy things I do for God… they won’t amount to a drop in the ocean compared to what God freely offers to me.

So, I find out, as in the parable above. I’m one of the last. I see what God has done for me. He calls me and enlightens me and gives me all the gifts that I will ever need to get off the couch at the last minute in eternal time to work in his vineyard.

That’s a privilege! That’s a gift! That’s a wonderful opportunity to do something, not for me, or because I think I will get favor with God, but because God calls me. Yes, God loves me so much, my lazy couch potato self, that he wants me to serve in his Kingdom. It changes everything for me. My interest is not now in the payment. No, my interest is in the serving. I desire and love to do something because God’s love is way way way better than doing something, anything, for a pay back.

And what does this late call do for me? God gives me faith and I believe in God. Look at the Romans 4 passage above. It’s never been about my works. It’s all about what God has done and given to me, that makes me respond with a hearty, “I believe!”

“It’s just not fair!”

Nope! And thanks be to God it’s not fair.

Lord, as I turn to you in the midst of my sinful, selfish, lazy, couch potato, goody-two shoes, churchy self; forgive me. For I know that you are my Light and my salvation. You are the one that gives me this awesome privilege to believe and serve in your eternal Kingdom. Your Kingdom here and now… today… tomorrow… and forever. Thanks be to God for the call! --- Amen

 

Look and Listen! Forgive One Another!!! - Matthew 18:21-35 - Gospel for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

 

Look and Listen! Forgive One Another!!!

Matthew 18:21-35 ESV

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

It’s funny. We just came off of a few verses that unfolded a way that many churches handle sinners in their midst. Many congregations seem to take the process outlined in 18:15-20 as a way to handle a person that is difficult to deal with.

Matthew 18:15-17 ESV

“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.

The congregation will take the brother like follows:

1.       One on one tell the sinner his fault

2.       If he listens --- good --- if not

3.       Take two or three and tell the sinner his fault

4.       If he listens --- good --- if not

5.       Take the sinner and tell his fault before the congregation

6.       If he listens --- good --- if not

7.       Cast the sinner out of the congregation

I’m not sure this is the process that Jesus wants his disciples to take.

We tend to try to make a procedure out of something about sin. I can’t help but to recall the fact that we are all sinners. Sure, sometimes, I’m aware of my sin. Sometimes when my sin is pointed out to me, I listen. But if I don’t listen? Is it a one, two, three, process and you’re out? I don’t think so. So, why would I take a process as stated above, that many congregations follow to the letter, and apply it to my own dealings with another person?

I hear a strong message in the Gospel Lesson of Matthew 18:21-35, telling me NO!, that’s not the way to deal with one another. It’s not a one, two, three, process and you’re out. The process may be one, two, three, times infinity with my sinful brother and my sinful self. I hear in this passage, loud and clear, that God wants me to forgive my brother countless times. Unlimited forgiveness…

God is teaching me some heavenly math. The heavenly math of forgiveness does not come from my head. The heavenly math of forgiveness comes from God’s heart to my heart, and teaches me how I should forgive my sinful brother.

Let’s look at Jesus as our example to begin with. Jesus’ way of forgiveness works. But, Jesus’ way of forgiveness came at the cost of his death. Jesus forgave us while he was still on the cross, bleeding, suffering and dying.

Luke 23:34a ESV

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

 Jesus forgave us even as we were still intent on his death.  So, the lesson seems to be that we, too, need to forgive our brother an infinite amount, just as Jesus forgave humanity an infinite amount.

In the Lord’s Prayer we pray and ask God, to forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. From Luther’s Explanation to the Fifth Petition, I learn that we are asking God not to hold my sin against me or deny my prayers because of my sin. I know that I don’t deserve God’s forgiveness. I have not earned God’s forgiveness; nor could I ever earn God’s forgiveness by anything that I could ever do. On account of my sin, I deserve nothing but punishment. But, in this Fifth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer, I seek God’s forgiveness through his grace of love. So… I too must be willing to gladly forgive a brother who sins against me.

A parable is told here as well. A king wanted to settle accounts with his servants. One servant owed the king what would be, in today’s dollars, about $100,000,000. The king forgave the servant. Then, the forgiven servant went out to one of his brothers that owed him some money, a mere $165 in today’s dollars. And the forgiven servant would not forgive the debt of his fellow servant, having his brother thrown into prison. So, what’s this all about?

The sins we men commit against each other is trivial compared to the crimes we commit against God. God forgives you, and I, so freely… so, I need to “Cut it out!” I need to be willing to forgive my brother so freely as well. Forgive each other! Look! See! Jesus freely forgave me and you upon that cross for the sin we committed on our own.

As disciples, we are called to forgive one another from the heart. We don’t forgive for show, or forgive to think that we will look better in the eyes of God. No, we forgive freely because Jesus has shown his disciples how to forgive one another. An unforgiving man is not in a position of forgiveness before God. But the man forgiven by God will forgive his brothers as a gracious response to what God has done in forgiving their own sin.

God is always ready to forgive. But, if my heart is unforgiving, then, I have shut God out. If I am unforgiving, I have closed out God’s forgiveness and God himself. And, when I don’t forgive my brother, I put myself away in jail away from God by my own very works.

So, FORGIVE one another… however many times are needed… an infinity amount of forgiveness.

Lord, forgive me and make me part of your plan. Remove my sin, I pray. I am yours that I may live and die for you. And teach me through the grace and love and compassion of your Son, Jesus Christ, my Savior, to forgive my brother as many times as you forgive me… today… tomorrow… and forever. --- Amen

 

 

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