Now the apostles and the brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, “Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?” But Peter began and explained to them in order: “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, something descending, like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came down to me. Looking at it closely I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘No, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. At that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brethren also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. And he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon called Peter; he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” When they heard this they were silenced. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance unto life.”
Three Sheets in the Wind
Three times... three seems to be a common number in the Bible. And what did God say? What God makes clean is clean... even if it was once unclean. And that ain't common... not God's words but mine as I read it. And how did the unclean become cleansed. It wasn't due to what the unclean did... hey! wait a minute... that's me! I'm an Unclean Gentile animal of sorts. I didn't make myself clean. Only God can cleanse the unclean. And that is not common!
Then the Holy Spirit drops by. Maybe that the Wind in the Three Sheets. But don't take what I have to say here lightly. It's not in jest even though I'm making it to be. Because in the end... myself, perhaps you also and the Gentiles to which "God has granted repentance unto life." are gathered together in that sheet dropped to this earth and taken back into heaven to be with God. And that IS a big deal. I am acceptable to God not because of me but because of God. I am cleansed in the waters of my baptism through the Holy Spirit and claimed by God. Claimed, even though I come unclean. For it is through God that I am cleansed. "If then God gave the same gift to them (me... you) as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"
That believing in Jesus. As I recall my baptism... how can I help to not respond in belief?
Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord... you show me in your life and your ways how to believe. How can this common man be acceptable? Only through you. I give you all thanks and praise for what you have done for me and all humanity... today... tomorrow... and forever.
22 It was the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem; 23 it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness to me; 26 but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; 28 and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me,[a] is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
Jesus... walking in the Temple and under cover. It's winter after all and the Jews are commemorating the purification of the temple by Judas Maccabaeus. It's the 25th of Chislev... our November/December time frame. I think maybe Jesus had something to say as he walked in the temple. But Jesus was met by some Jewish hecklers who wanted it plain and clear from Jesus, "Are you the Christ, Jesus? Huh?" "Come on and tell it plain to us!"
But Jesus turns it all on them to an issue of believing. Earlier in the book of John in chapter 5... Jesus was at another festival and it was the Sabbath. Jesus approaches a man who had been sick for some time and Jesus asks the man if he wants to be made well. Jesus tells the man to get up... the man gets up and is well. The man believed in Jesus and he the man goes on to tell others that he was healed by Jesus. He heard the voice of Jesus and followed what Jesus told him to do.
Well... this started a ruckus with the Jews... it was the Sabbath and Jesus told the man to pick up his mat and go... it's against the law to pick up his mat on a Sabbath... but... but... when I believed in Jesus and did what he told me to do... look! I'm healed!
Jesus declares the the Jews then that the Father bears witness to the Son. The Father sent the Son. Believe!
And so now, in this passage the Jews want it plain and clear. Are you the Christ? Tell us.
And just as with the sick man, Jesus' reflects upon his works. It's Jesus works that saved the man and Jesus' works that save us as well. If you don't believe... then you aren't listening.
Jesus sheep know his voice... they believe in Jesus as the Messiah and they follow him. Just like the man with the mat on that Sabbath.
You see... God gives and God gives abundantly. And God gives you, me and all of us to Jesus. Will you believe in Jesus as the Messiah?
If so... listen to the Shepherd... take up your mat... believe... and follow the Shepherd's voice.
How I love how God keeps it all so simple... dumb sheep that I am.
Thanks be to God!
Prayer
My Shepherd... thanks and praise to you for taking me in to yourself. Thanks and praise to you for calling my name. Thanks and praise to you for covering me in my weakness, my illness, my sinfulness to give me a rest in green pastures beside still waters. For it's your voice that calls, you know me. I believe in your work of love, your strength of will, your salvation that your have poured abundant living water into, onto and all over me in my life with you. You are the Lamb at the center of it all. As I listen to your voice, lead me today... tomorrow... and forever with you by my side to eternal life in you.
...and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, "He has gone out of his mind." And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons." And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered. "Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"— for they had said, "He has an unclean spirit." Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you." And he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking at those who sat around him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother."
Reflection
Jesus' ministry to the outcasts, the poor, the needy, the sinful people of this world has cast doubt and shock into the minds of the religious leaders of the day. Doubt has been cast even into the minds of his immediate family. What is this that Jesus is up to?
As a young lad, Jesus sat in the temple, and the religious leaders of the day were astonished at his answers. But now we see a Jesus that challenges the religious leaders, his family and the world with his questions. As Jesus gathers with the very people that the world rejects and claims to be "unclean" he poses questions that we must consider.
How can Satan cast out Satan?
Who are my mother and my brothers?
Jesus isn't Satan and those who think that he may be aren't the same people that are sitting down to eat with Jesus. Jesus came for the likes of you and me. Jesus came for the people of this world to shock us into a recognition that we all are in need of forgiveness and salvation... even and especially for those who think they don't need forgiveness. This world is full of people that are in situations that they have lost control of, and Jesus comes to the dirtiest among them and saves them through no effort of their own. Perhaps these people don't even need to recognize Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Jesus just forgives them and saves them. I suppose if they needed to recognize Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, they may think that this action in itself saved them.
Nope! I'm not saved by recognizing Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. I'm not saved by anything that I do or choose to do. I am saved by Jesus through the Jesus.
After all...
How can Jesus cast out Jesus? Not by something that I do, that's for sure.
And... who are my mother and my brothers? The prostitutes, the tax collectors, the filthy dirty sinful people of this world, who by my side and in my presence and along with me are in need of Jesus; a Savior who saves us through no action on our part.
Being saved and called by the Holy Spirit... this changes everything! Everything!
Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord... I am called and saved by you to do your will in this world. Lead me and guide me and steer me in the direction you have for me... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
John 15:9-17
9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. 12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
Reflection
Love one another... we're all so different. I reflect on the times that I take our dog Barney to the dog park. He is a pro at loving and freindship. He runs up towards another dog and doesn't pick the ones just like himself. Nope ol Barney just picks pretty much the first dog he comes to and greets with such excitement that perhaps the two or more of them run off in joy. If the dog is apprehensive, Barney just moves on. Maybe he will be back to play later. Barney makes this whole love and friendship thing look so easy!
But for me...
It's all so overwhelming. Just look at your Facebook feed. Reflect on the news of the day. Think about all of the people you have neglected, hated or even separated yourself from due to your own opinions, judgments or differences. All of this love stuff is so overwhelming.
How can I be so lovey dovey in a world that sins against me as I sin against it?
Jesus' command to love one another just seems to be a stretch. I see Democrats that sure don't reflect love towards Republicans and vice versa. I see hate towards Muslims, Mexicans, Whites, Blacks, North Koreans, Russians, Jews... the list goes on and on and on...
How do I reconcile the passage above when I know I'm guilty on one level or another? How do I approach this command of Jesus?
In my imperfection and sinfulness; I guess the only thing to do is start somewhere. Start with friendship. Jesus mentions "friend" over and over. How can Jesus claim me as his friend when I crucify him and kill him in my sin? Yet he does. So this friendship idea must be some clue to follow for me to begin to love one another. But... to make friends with all those I mention above seems so overwhelming. And to top it off... why do I want to go make friends with people that I don't agree with, people I'm uncomfortable with, or even people that seem so different and foreign to me?
But... Jesus is giving these commands so that I may love another.
So here goes... make some friends. Discover our differences... but even more so.... see how much I'm alike and celebrate our friendship... even with those Republicans, Democrats, Muslims, Blacks, Whites, Mexicans, Russians, North Koreans or whatever wonderful differences God has created in all of his creation.
I have a notion that this friendship thing that Jesus commands is just the trick towards loving one another.
I'm sure I'll confess, forgive and be forgiven and discover so much more that I could ever imagine.
Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, thanks for claiming me as your friend. As I endeavor in the friendship thing, guide me and use me and forgive me when I mess it up. Be with me when I'm afraid and use my words as words of love and understanding that we all are your children created to love one another... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
John 15:1-8
1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
Reflection
Abide in me... What does this mean? Abide?
First off, abide is a verb. Abide is something that I must do. Abide gives me an action to take. Abide in me... should I take this as a command?
A definition I have seen reflects the meaning of abide to be an acceptance. How do I accept? What am I accepting?
It seems in this passage Jesus is telling us to accept him. To accept him not only because Jesus wants us to accept him but even more, to accept him because without him we are on our own to live and die, and that will be that. Jesus is offering us a chance at eternal life in him. In him and through him we can have eternal life, salvation, and a life that is beyond anything we could ever imagine on our own.
When we "abide" in Jesus we live a life and bear fruit of which we can't even begin to understand on our own. Without this "abide" we bear no fruit. We receive no nourishment to support anything. Without Jesus we can't even support our own life. Without Jesus we dry up and die and become fuel for the fire.
But what if... what if... we accept?
Jesus' words will be with us. We bear fruit. We receive nourishment. Everlasting nourishment that glorifies God, and we are disciples. We become new and refreshed and wonderful creations of God that are created for life and love, and eternally connected to the only source of life through the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Abide in me... What does this mean?
It means life with endless possibilities and endless love in the God of you and of me and of all creation. I CAN'T only imagine! Surely I will be surprised by the endless mysteries God has in store for me. And that is more than all I need.
Prayer
I can't imagine! Nope, Lord, I can't imagine, but I accept the awesome gift of life you offer as I abide in you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
Luke 24:36b-48
36 While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." 37 They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, "Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence. 44 Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
Reflection
So there I was. Yes! I was with all of them when suddenly Jesus appeared. Where did he come from? How did he get in? I suppose at some time Jesus must have been One with that door he came through. He must have been in the door and the door in him, because here he was, right before our eyes. Surely he was like a ghost or something. Surely! Only ghosts can be One with the door! Only ghosts can go through wood and just show up after all. Yep! I was there with them.
But then Jesus says, "Nope! I'm not a ghost!" Yea... right! Even I has a hard time believing this! He came through that door after all and here he was. So Jesus goes on to show us his hands and his feet. Gross! Hands and feet that were One with the wood of that cross just a few days back. The same hands and feet with holes in them! Come on, Jesus, give us a break here. I bet, if I could, I could thrust myself right through those hands and feet just like you, Jesus, thrust yourself through that closed door. Admit it, Jesus, you're a ghost! You may be the Holy Ghost but you're a ghost!
I'm still not sure about all of this. So, just to prove that he wasn't a ghost, Jesus does something with me that nails it, pun intended. They hand me to him and he eats me! Jesus eats me! Jesus chews me up and swallows me and down I go. There I go right into the belly of Jesus! Talk about a reversal of the Jonah deal! I'm in the belly of Jesus! And the stomach acid starts to work on me and before you know it Jesus' body is making me One with his blood. OK! I believe, Jesus! You are not a ghost! You are flesh and blood.
So, I once was a fish. What am I now? I'm one with the body and blood of Jesus now. This whole situation doesn't make a bit of sense to me. Jesus came to prove that he was flesh and blood, Jesus came through this door to prove that he was real but look what he made me!
Then Jesus goes on to tell the disciples that they are witnesses! Come on Jesus! What about the poor ol' fish you just ate!
So what do the disciples do? They go and tell. Sure Jesus makes me One with him in his body and blood and the disciples go and do likewise. They tell of Jesus who gave his body and blood to save them from sin by the actions that Jesus took upon himself. Jesus makes them One with himself through his body and blood given upon that cross and resurrected to new life. Body and blood through the bread and wine that these new believers take into their own real bodies to digest and become One once again with Jesus.
Talk about a mystery! And I'm just a little ol' digested fish after all!
Prayer
Jesus... I believe! As I tell of your suffering, death and resurrection; I know of your forgiveness and new life. A new life in the here and now, in the flesh and blood while I am One with you... today.... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.
Reflection
As humans we take things and put our stamp on them. We take things and make them our own by our image or perhaps by our signature. We take things and claim them as our accomplishment. We win trophies and get certificates and claim credit for our mental, physical or maybe even shear work ethic and claim it as our own accomplishment.
When I think of what Jesus said in this passage about giving to the emperor the things that are the emperor's and the things that are God's to God; I can't help but to realize that none of it belongs to the emperor or to myself or to anyone else. We fool ourselves into thinking that what we have done is a result of how great we are. Win the race... was it due to God or to me? Get rich... was it due to my hard work or a result of what skills God has given me. Win the championship game... should I point skyward and then take the cheers for myself?
In this passage of Scripture, I hear God's call to clarify to myself that what I do and say and act, in the end, has no justification for God's loving act of sending Jesus into this world to save me and all people from sin, death and the devil. I cannot take, or even stake claim, through my own efforts, for a righteous judgment of God through my actions.
All I have is a gift from God... I owe it all to God to respond in love and joy to the gift God has chosen to give to me in Jesus. It's not because I won the game, the race, the job or anything else that makes me deserving of this love from God.
I'll give what I need to give to society in order to maintain order, but I owe all I have to God.
And that's great, if you ask me! Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, I see your face all over everything in this creation of your's. I see your face alone... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. Exhortations
I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Reflection
What rich words are used in this passage. What depth of meaning and human compassion is present also in these words of encouragement and direction. Even the address... "my beloved," contains the passion of Jesus. Here we are told to keep it up, to keep on keeping on.
In this passage Paul cheers on those Christians that are struggling. Paul lays out many truths and ways that we can deal with our wrestling both with God, with one another and with the devil. If we pause and see the joy God has surrounded and wrapped around our struggles in life we can feel how close God is with us and even beside us or even wrestling with us. God's love is present. If we stop and give thanksgiving for all that God gives to us. Stop... really stop and think about it. Forget the struggle for a moment and give thanks to God. If we but stop and look around at friends, family and those God has placed in our lives and give thanks for presence of God and of people. When we stop we see God.
Stop and wait and see. Stop and wait and taste. The meal is here. The water feels so good in the forgiveness of baptism. The sweet taste of the fruit of the wine and the joy in the actions of God in the blood of Jesus bring about resurrection and joy and everlasting like.
We don't win the fight and win the prize. The prize has been set before us through the grace of God in Christ Jesus. And as we wait... we rejoice... we see... we know of the presence of God in all of our life journey.
Prayer
Lord, as I wrestle in this life you have given me. As I wrestle with the sins I commit. Stop me and let me realize your presence, your joy, your resurrection, your body, your blood, your encouragement; that I may rejoice in love towards you and those you give to me each day. Lead me today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
O Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you, I will praise your name;
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
For you have made the city a heap,
the fortified city a ruin;
the palace of aliens is a city no more,
it will never be rebuilt.
Therefore strong peoples will glorify you;
cities of ruthless nations will fear you.
For you have been a refuge to the poor,
a refuge to the needy in their distress,
a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat.
When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm,
the noise of aliens like heat in a dry place,
you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds;
the song of the ruthless was stilled.
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines,
of rich food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained clear.
And he will destroy on this mountain
the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
the sheet that is spread over all nations;
he will swallow up death for ever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,
and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
It will be said on that day,
Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Reflection
Protection and salvation... through the storms of life we received protection, relief and salvation.
But before the protection and the relief and the salvation... doesn't this imply that we will struggle, wrestle, deny and possibly turn our backs? God permits us to see our sin. God permits us to smell the stench of our sin. God wrestles with us and touches us and we feel the pain in our flesh. Yet God also heals us and protects us and saves us.
Yes, God leads us to the feast of life... everlasting life in and through Jesus after the cross and into the light of the resurrection.
In knowing this truth we respond in love towards God and in love towards one another. We respond in action and in prayer. We gladly jump right back into that baptismal waters to daily seek forgiveness and grace and new life to live each day in God.
Wait on it... believe and trust in God and wait on it. The feast is coming...
Prayer
Lord, I look forward to that great feast to come with all the saints. I look forward to Sunday and I look forward to the feast of your Kingdom come... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
Matthew 22:1-14 The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’ Reflection
So when I put myself into the shoes of one of the slaves that went into the streets to gather all whom they found, both good and bad, to come to the wedding feast; I have to wonder, why does the king toss one of these people out of the banquet? I kind of get it, that when the king invited guests that made up excuses not to come, that he was mad; but when the king decided to invite all the people, why didn't he stipulate only the good?
Perhaps it wasn't my duty as a slave to decide the good from the bad. Perhaps I was sent to call and offer an invitation to any and all of the people in the streets. Perhaps the duty to decide good from bad was not my decision to make, rather it was the decision of the king to make.
When I bring these thoughts home to my own life, here and now, I seem to make the connection, that I am to invite all people to the kingdom of God and to hear God's Word. I am to invite friends, enemies, people of all races, nations and religions. Perhaps God has sent me to invite and not to decide who gets an invitation and who doesn't. It seems so simple, yet in my sinfulness and rush to judge people, becomes so hard.
Perhaps I have sinned in my invitation to God's Word. Perhaps? No... I have sinned! I have sinned by what I have done and by what I haven't done. I must return to the simple message that God gives to me... just go invite! God will deal with the rest.
I see in this passage that it's not my works or my judgment or my righteousness that determines the good from the bad. I can only come to righteousness through the grace of what God has done through Jesus on my behalf. I can only come to the banquet when God places on me, the robe of Jesus life giving death and resurrection. I can't come on my own good works because I... myself... my sinful self... cannot save myself... only through Jesus can I have life eternal.
It's not my place to judge. It's not my call to determine the good from the bad. My place is to listen and do what God has called me to do in the world in which God has placed me today. And that's more that enough for a lifetime.
Prayer
Lord, forgive my judgmental attitude towards others. Help me to hear your call and respond in deed to what you have graciously given to me... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
‘Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.” So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They said to him, ‘He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.’
Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures:
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing,
and it is amazing in our eyes”?
Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.’
When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.
Reflection
What about the son? The son was sent to these evil people. The son was killed!
Somehow this sounds so familiar. I don't think of myself as one who would kill but in some way I am guilty. How many times have I killed Jesus? How many times have I rejected him in public and hid my devotion to Jesus? How many times have I failed to love God and to love my neighbor? It's a common sin.
God gives us everything. Everything we have is from God. And we live in this vineyard that God has given to each one of us. We live and love and laugh and suffer and sin. But we still live by the gracious nature of God. God has given us everlasting life through the very Son he sent to us in our vineyard and we killed him.
We have another chance that God gives to us as well. We can choose to turn from this death we have inflicted upon God's Son and accept the gift of life through Jesus. And just as the thief on the cross we can live in paradise with the Son.
This is God's world. Our life belongs to God not to us and our selfish desires to rule and overpower those God has given to us.
Prayer
Lord, heal me from my selfish desires to own my life, my land, my will, my way and my people. Give me a humble heart that I may give all of this up and do your will and follow your call in my life... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
Psalm 25:1-9 Prayer for Guidance and for Deliverance Of David. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me. Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord! Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. Reflection This portion of psalm reminds me to trust in God and to seek his guidance and teachings all through my life. It reminds me that I am a sinner and in need of God's mercy and forgiveness. This psalm reminds me that my life is not about me, or only for me, but is also for God and those God gives to me in life daily. This psalm reminds me that God will show me the way that I am to act out God's love towards God and towards my neighbor. In my sinful nature God comes to me as a teacher I can trust and learn from. God opens up to me the lives of so many people from the Old Testament thru the New Testament that are examples of God's hand in the lives of his sinful people as they attempt to do God's will, learn God's teaching and seek to understand God's salvation. I think God also makes a story out of my life and the lives of so many people that I am personally familiar with, that shows me God's action of love in their lives and God's direction towards salvation. Prayer Lord, as I trust you in this life you have given me, may I do your will and walk in your way as you desire for me to do with all of the people you give to me day after day. Create a life in me that has it's own unique story of the glory you deserve. Forgive me when I fail and teach me in my wrongs all along the way... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, "The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge"? 3 As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4 Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die.
25 Yet you say, "The way of the Lord is unfair." Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? 26 When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. 27 Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. 28 Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, "The way of the Lord is unfair." O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?
30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.
Reflection
It's just not fair! I've heard this before. I've probably said this before. But wait! What is fair?
The only thing that is fair in life are the meadows and the woodlands. (That's a joke)
If I think of life from my perspective; sure things are not fair. But who promised that things would be fair? I don't remember this being a promise by anyone. If I think of life from God's perspective (which I can't really do... but let's just pretend a minute), things aren't fair either. God created me and you and all that exists. God gave all to us. And I ruined it, you ruined it and so did everyone else. So, God sent Jesus into this world in flesh and blood to clean up the mess I made and to save me from my sinful self. That's not fair.
Really we all deserve eternal damnation and hell for our turning from God's perfectly fair ways towards our sinful unfair and selfish ways.
I cant' point my finger at you or anyone and say that all of this unfairness is due to you. I'm the one that sinned. It's not fair because of me. Likewise, you can't point your finger at me or anyone who lived before me or after me and blame the unfairness on me or them. I must take responsibility for my own sin and confess and repent before God.
But, thanks be to God that God is gracious and loving and merciful and wants me to have a new heart and a new spirit. So loving is God that Jesus came to take on my sinfulness that I am responsible for and saved me... you... and all of us.
Prayer
Lord, you are more than fair. Forgive my sin and create in me a new heart and a new spirit... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
23 When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" 24 Jesus said to them, "I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" And they argued with one another, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' 26 But if we say, 'Of human origin,' we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet." 27 So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
28 "What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' 29 He answered, 'I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went. 30 The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir'; but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 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 after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.
Reflection
It's like I tell my grandson, and remind myself so many times; think before you act. How many times do I not take my own advice. How many times have I said something or texted something or posted something in a case where I did not think before I acted? How many times have I not considered another point of view? How many times have I not thought of the other person and how they would take my comment? How many times have I acted, only to find out that my actions did not help but rather hurt. I really don't think I'm alone in this sin. I think this sin is one of those sins, that, if we all paused to reflect upon, would find ourselves guilty. This sin is one of those sins where we come together and before God to confess and seek forgiveness.
This passage makes me think of how we can be so political in our actions. We want to get the angle or some behind the scene purpose of a question and carefully craft an answer that will keep us out of trouble or lead the outcome to some outcome that we desire. Politics plays into so many things these days, that we are suspect of spin all of the time.
Jesus! Of course John was sent from God to proclaim the way. Of course, I want to be the person that does the will of God. Sure, I may pause to think about it and seek to know what God's will and call for myself in this life consists of and follow that will. But... my sinful self holds back. I want to answer yes and run the other way. I want to sound good and Christian, but my weak backbone chickens out and I pause or delay or procrastinate myself into total inaction.
This passage of scripture points out the difference between actions and words. John acted on God's will and way in his life. John went and proclaimed and baptized. John may have questioned God at some point, I don't know. But I do know that God acted on God's will in his life. John respected God's authority in life and went and did what he was told. Did John do it all perfectly? I suspect not. But God has a way of using our imperfections to God's glory and to God's plan.
John wasn't about tricky questions but about action. The chief priests and elders seemed to try to trick with words but Jesus responded with action. Jesus responded in his life, ministry, word, teaching, suffering, death and resurrection. Thanks be to God that Jesus was sent for action to save all of us from sin, death and the devil not with political stunts, spin and deception.
May my life and your life and the lives of all God's people be a faithful response to what God has planned for each and all of us. May we think through the love we have been given, one for another, before we respond. May we all be sure to respond to the greatest gift of all through Jesus, our Savior.
Prayer
Lord teach me your will and your way. Teach me to think before I respond. Teach me to love the other. When I fail... forgive me... correct me... send me into this world to do your will in my life... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; 4 and he said to them, "You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. 5 When he went out again about noon and about three o'clock, he did the same. 6 And about five o'clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, "Why are you standing here idle all day?' 7 They said to him, "Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, "You also go into the vineyard.' 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, "Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.' 9 When those hired about five o'clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. 10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12 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.' 13 But he replied to one of them, "Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
Reflection
On first impression I think of how thankful I am to be even given a daily wage for my work.
On first impression I associate the landowner with God.
But then...
Perhaps the landowner is not God. Perhaps the landowner is a person that wants to rule over the workers of the day. Perhaps the landowner is just another arrogant person of power and riches that humbles the workers who have spent all day in the vineyard by showing them that they are no more than peasants who can easily be paid just as much as the workers who only worked a short period of time. Perhaps the landowner is showing the peasants that money is no object and the peasant life can easily be paid for by the vast difference in the rich style of the owner verses the poor wages of the needy peasant lifestyle.
That view kind of turns it all around. It brings to light passages of the disciples playing out the status of who will sit on the right and left of the seat of Jesus in the kingdom to come. It brings to light the view of Christians today who lord it over other Christians that only their viewpoint is the correct and godly viewpoint. It brings to light how all of us try to lord our positions and opinions in life over another of God's creation's position and life.
I tend to think now of my status among the peasants and the workers of this world. We all are in need of the salvation that only God can offer. My position if landowner or peasant, first or last to work, doesn't depend on what wages I think I deserve, but depends on what wages Jesus, my Savior has given to me on the cross.
Yes, Jesus took on my sin and the sin of all the world to make all peasants and landowners righteous before the sight of God. We are not made righteous through our power, prestige, wages, or even being first or last. We are made righteous by the blood, the suffering and the death of Jesus on the cross to take away our sin and free us to live a life of grace with God now and forever. May all people come to live in this harmony and common confession before God in this life we live, here and now. At least... live in the grace of God happy and joyous with our place in God's kingdom.
Prayer
Lord, so many times I take my position and opinion and force it upon another. So often I want that gap over another person that makes me feel that I am more powerful or richer than that sill peasant. Stop me in my tracks to see that all people are created in your glory and that I am here to live the gracious love you have given to free me through Jesus. Forgive me for the times that I separate myself from those you give to me and lord my religion, my opinion or my monetary place over another. Renew me and send me into your world to live in harmony and grace today, tomorrow and forever. --- Amen
10‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ 6Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Reflection
So, what's with, sheep, shepherd, gate, gatekeeper, strangers, thieves, bandits, and wolves?
Jesus tried once (the first paragraph), but they didn't get it and I'm not so sure that I get it. So, Jesus tries again. Now Jesus bluntly tells them and me that he is the gate. No guessing this time.
But what does all of this have to do with Easter? Why this passage during this season of the resurrection? Someone in their ultimate wisdom decided to add this Gospel passage to our Easter readings... but why?
The previous chapter, John 9, was about the blind man that was born blind that Jesus healed. The Pharisees were checking out Jesus' healing of this blind man and got upset with the blind man's testimony and threw the blind man out of their presence.
With the passage above it's almost like I am the blind man now. Why is Jesus telling parables like this that seem so simple? But then again... it seems as if so many of us are blind to Jesus after the resurrection. So many of the early witnesses to Jesus resurrection didn't recognize him as the risen Christ. I think of last weeks Gospel about the walk on the road to Emmaus.
Do I, do you, do any of us really recognize Jesus? Am I blind to Jesus?
I say that I recognize Jesus but am I just saying that? Do I really recognize Jesus in my daily living? Do I follow him to pasture and trust him? Do I see Jesus as the resurrected One? Am I tricked by the thief and fall into sin, death and hell?
I think in this is the Easter story. Jesus died in my sin. Jesus rose victorious from my sin.
I spend too much of my life attempting to defeat sin, death and the devil. I can't defeat sin, death and the devil. Only through the gate of Jesus who defeated sin, death and the devil do I have a chance. And in this is the Easter story. If I open my eyes... if I see the gate... if I listen to the Shepherd and ignore the voice of the thief; I will be saved. Not by my action, but by the loving action and grace of God through Jesus Christ, my Gate to salvation and my Shepherd to follow into the pastures of this world.
Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Open my eyes, my ears, my nose and all of my senses to your presence, Lord Jesus. You are the gate to salvation and I will follow you into this world you have set me in knowing that you alone can lead me in life. As I live this eternal life here and now I look to you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
“The Loudest Cry Never Heard, Yet Heard Loud and Clear”
(A Tribute to my
Mother-in-Law Patricia Hawkins)
by Bill Lynch
3/16/2017
As I looked from the bottom of the bed that my
mother-in-law, Pat, lie upon; I observed close family members gathered. Pat was
struggling to breathe and was surely close to the end of her earthly walk. Amy,
my sister-in-law had discovered a piece of paper in one of Pat’s Bibles
detailing a few hymns and some scripture passages to be read at her funeral.
One of those hymns was “The Old Rugged Cross.” Upon hearing this the Hospice
Nurse sprung to action and found the Hymn on a phone. Before you know it a
phone was laid upon Pat’s shoulder. You could see Pat barely tilt her head to
hear the words and music.
On a hill far away, stood an old rugged
Cross
The emblem of suff'ring and shame
And I love that old Cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain
So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged Cross
And exchange it some day for a crown
Oh, that old rugged Cross so despised
by the world
Has a wondrous attraction for me
For the dear Lamb of God, left his Glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary
So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged Cross
And exchange it some day for a crown
At his point in
the song I detected Pat slipping away from this world and into the waiting arms
of Jesus as her spirit eased. Did she stop breathing? I think so… but who am I
to know for sure. It appeared to me that through this song Pat was letting go
with all of her might of a shout that none of us could hear. But a shout that
surely Pat wanted all of us to hear.
Yes, for the
past year Pat had lived a voiceless life. No words from her lips. She mostly me
that wide eyed scared stare that I would get in the past, like oh no, my smart
ass son-in-law is here! Ever since I became Pat’s son-in-law we would have a
great time of teasing. Pat was one in the family that kind of got my teasing
and didn’t take it as hurtful. Speedy, Pat’s husband, would always get a kick
out of it when I would tease Pat as my ol mother-in-law. But Pat hadn’t said
more than a few words this past year. Yet in the midst of this hymn that she
chose, I could hear the loudest shout of all to all of the people in this room
at this time and to all of her family and to all who would listen.
You see Pat
died on the Friday before Good Friday to the tune of “The Old Rugged Cross.” During
the second verse I could hear Pat in her spirit proclaim, “Listen to this! It’s
through the cross we are saved! Get it you guys!”
And then… and
then… Pat slipped away as we all stood a watched and listened and some of us
sang along.
So we listened,
watched and sang on…
In the old rugged Cross, stain'd with
blood so divine
A wondrous beauty I see
For the dear Lamb of God, left his Glory above
To pardon and sanctify me
So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged Cross
And exchange it some day for a crown
In Pat’s spirit
I could still hear her proclaim through these words, “See! Jesus will take care
of you because he came from above and came to you to live with you and to be
your God. Jesus will forgive you and make you holy.” Now listen and listen
carefully…
To the old rugged Cross, I will ever be
true
Its shame and reproach gladly bear
Then He'll call me some day to my home far away
Where his glory forever I'll share
So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged Cross
And exchange it some day for a crown
And there it
was! The loudest shout I have ever heard from this soft, small, easy speaking
lady in my life. Pat in her spirit proclaimed through the loudest shout, “I’m
called away to my home far away. Follow me through the grace, the love, and the
resurrection of the One who came to me and will come to you, right to and
through that old rugged cross!”
Yep! I hear you
Pat. I hear you loud and clear this day. Pat, thanks be to God for your voice
that has returned!
As the week progressed through arrangements,
funeral and burial, I couldn’t help but listen to those shouts I thought I
heard. Doubt presses in. Did I hear that or not? People around me didn’t seem
to hear what I heard. Maybe I didn’t hear it. Maybe the people nearby on that Friday evening
heard something else?
In the middle of the week I stopped by Pat and
Speedy’s burial site. Straightened some flowers and thought about the fresh
dirt on the grave. You are dust and to dust you shall return. Goes for Pat
right now and definitely applies to me always. God formed me out of mud, dirt
and clay and I can plan on my return. But there is more. Yes, there is more.
The cross is such a dirty thing. Dirty, sweaty
and blood covered. Have you ever looked at rotten wood? Soft and dirty and
moldy. All of this thought of dirt and blood and the cross. I hear the hymn
once more in my mind; The Old Rugged Cross…
Maundy Thursday comes and reminds me of the
command God gives to all of his disciples. We’re here to love one another. Isn’t
that what Pat did with her loud cries never heard? She loved all of those
present and those not present who could receive her cry. Listen… get it you
guys… get the cross… there is salvation in the cross… believe!
And Good Friday comes. It’s been a week now.
As I sit in a Good Friday service I glance at my watch. It was last week… at
just about this same time that I heard Pat’s cry. I listen to the words telling
about Jesus crucifixion. I’m guilty too! Yes, I am guilty of putting Jesus on
that cross… The Old Rugged Cross. No doubt that I would have done the same
thing or something worse had I been there in that same day.
Today, we have the full story. We know the
facts. History recorded what happened. I remember the cries of Pat as she died.
God came to save me through that Old Rugged Cross. Believe!
Now Saturday, just over a week ago it was that
I saw Pat die from the foot of that nursing home bed. I think of Jesus in the
tomb. Dark, silent, death. Stone cold still death. Someday my body will be
stone cold. Someday I will be in that tomb, that vault, that urn. Someday is
here for Pat. There is more to be said. We are called. We are called here and
now to follow Jesus. Yes! I will follow Jesus to the cross and to the tomb. But
there is more…
Glorious Easter Sunday. I listen to the sermon
and throughout the service I think of Pat. I hear and agree with how I expect
death. Yes, on Good Friday, I expect death. But God changed all of that. On
Sunday as I was in the midst of death; thinking of Pat’s death just days ago, I
hear that cry from the grave. Wait! Even Friday over a week ago as I was at the
foot of Pat’s deathbed; I expected death! And on Good Friday I expect the death
of Jesus. The death that I caused Jesus, through my sin, to suffer and die.
Death and the dark tomb of the wee hours of Sunday morning. God does something
that changes everything. Jesus comes to life. As I expected death, God brought
life.
I think back. That’s it! Pat gave one more
shout. That Friday as I watched Pat die, I expected death. But no! No! In the
death I expected I actually saw life! Life because of Jesus death. Life because
of Jesus suffering. Life because my sin, that Jesus became on that cross, was
put to death knowing that through his death I may be made alive. Through Jesus
death, Pat is made alive. Through Jesus death, all are made alive.
Did you hear that loud cry at Pat’s deathbed?
Right when we expect to see death, God shows us life. Yes… that’s what I saw
that Friday. That’s what I heard from a little lady that didn’t have a loud
voice even in her heyday and had no voice at all this past year. I hear you
Pat. And yes I believe.
