Sixth Friday in Lent: Lent 2014

Lenten Devotional 

John 6

This is the bread chapter.  It starts with the breaking of bread for  the feeding of five thousand and closes with the leaving of followers because of Jesus calling them to eat the bread of his flesh.  As we read these passages, we are reminded always that it is not on bread alone we survive.  This is a physical reality as well as a spiritual reality.

Jesus want the people to realize that the miracles he sis performing a the signs and wonders pointing to him being the messiah.  In this chapter, we see the people just wanting the goods, free bread and food, but they do not to buy into the life being offered.  The do not want to believe.  The crowds and the people just want a continues flow of blessings.  Jesus is calling them to task.  He is telling the crowds and the people that there is more to His proclamations then just the blessings.

This is a similar message for today.  The modern church has become a lot like the church of Jesus' day.  People want the goods and services but not the commitment and hard work.  WE pay the church to get a good message and good programs to teach our kids a decent way to live and stay out of too much trouble.  But we do not want to invest our beleif past Sunday.  The church of today wants to keep secular separate from sacred in all ways.  This is not what Jesus is teaching.  We need to eat the bread of the five thousand when we need a boost of faith, but we also must consume the flesh and blood of Christ in belief and spiritual strength.  We need to make every moment a sacred moment.  

Fourth Thursday of Lent: Lent 2014

Lenten Devotional
Luke 2-3

Today in Luke we enter into the heart of Jesus birth and young life.  Luke is the only writer to speak about Jesus' early years.  With this, all we hear about is a minor moment when he remands in Jerusalem during a pilgrimage.

This is the part of the narrative I have found intriguing over my life time.  It is because so many times we look down on children and young adults.  They do not have the wisdom or the knowledge that older adults have gained just by being alive.  We might consider a younger person more adapt at technology or new gadgets, but politics and history and theology is for the older and more wise.  But not in this case.

Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.

In the time of Jesus, most of the great and honored teachers were aged and well read.  To have a young man life Jesus at the age of twelve answering and give wisdom greater than the work of the wise teachers was a true miracle.  Jesus was blessed with a great spirit of wisdom even at the young age.  He knew who's he was and what his life was all about.  Can we say the same for our self? 

Are we confident in proclaiming that we are children of God?  Are we willing to trust that God is willing to give us the wisdom we need at the right moment to answer questions posed and the need for wisdom?  

Fourth Wednesday of Lent: Lent 2014

Lenten Devotional 

Luke 1

I have had to a lot of writing and creative work the past few days, and I must admit that there juices are just not flowing well today. So, this is very late in the day. I hope a few people still catch it and read. But if you think I have skipped another day, I understand. But I wanted to get a few notes in for today about our reading. Today we start Luke. The good doctor (at least that is what tradition said his occupation was) is thorough in his report to Theophilus. We are not sure who this Theophilus is or what part he played in the early church. But Luke dedicates two books to telling him all about the life of Jesus and the actions of his followers after the resurrection.  I will admit Luke is a great book for all the information he gives about Jesus life and work.  If it wasn't for name sake I would call Luke my favorite gospel.

My favorite part of the first chapter is that we get to learn so much more about John the Baptist.  In the other gospels we just know he is some person out in the wilderness calling people back to God and making the way ready for Jesus' ministry.  We learn that he also baptizes Jesus to start His teaching ministry.  We learn of the family relationship between Jesus and John.  I enjoy the startling news to Zechariah in the temple that he was going to become a father.  

Many times in the gospel story we just gloss over the ministry of John because it is short, under reported and doesn't seem important.  But, John's ministry is essential to what Jesus was about to start.  John would be called the warm up act in today's circles.  He was the one to get the crowd ready to hear what Jesus was going to teach about and actions accomplished.  John introduced Jesus to a lot of people.  The introduction is just as important as the main act.  With bad introduction, people may not of paid attention of even realized Jess was around.  Everyone needs to be introduced by someone.  

Think back for a moment and think about who introduced you to Jesus for the first time.  Was it a parent, Sunday School teacher, or a close friend?  Where would you be today if they did not introduce you to Jesus?  Now think about all the people you have introduced to friends in your life.  How have those introductions changed their lives?  Did you introduce someone to a soon to be spouse?  A new best friend?  In those introductions how much work did it take on your part?  Not much I assume.  Are we willing to be the introduction of Jesus to others as our best friend?  I hope yes.  Jesus still needs introduced to people today.

Third Tuesday in Lent: Lent 2014

Lenten Devotional 

Mark 14-16

These are the last three chapters of Mark.  In them we move from the Passover feast shared with the disciples to a trial and crucifixion.  Mark wrote the facts very quickly and left little room for extra information.  I believe the report gives us a sense of just how back handed and wrong the whole trial and ordeal went for Jesus.  The  quickness of the story also tells us just how fast God is at making everything better.  The resurrection is just as quick as the crucifixion.  In all this great information and the central piece of the Christian faith, I want us to spend a few minutes on the last part of Mark.

When you read the end of chapter sixteen, you will notice that there is a bold line after verse 8.  In most modern translations, a note is written speaking that older texts of the Bible do not contain this section.  The end of the ancient text is "Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid."  The gospel message would seem to end.  No one, according to this account would have known about the resurrection.  We know this is not the end of the story.  Others are told and the disciples do go to the tomb and witness that it is empty.  Guards from the Romans testify to the earthquake in the morning and the empty tomb.  The story did move past this moment.  I feel I can connect well with the women at this moment in the story of Mark than any other.

If I just went to a tomb and found it empty and saw angels telling me he was alive, I would be scared.  I must admit there are times even two thousand years removed from the event, I am nervous to tell people about the event.  How many times have I not told someone about Jesus because of fear of someone's reaction or response?  Can we realty blame the women for being scared?  

The truth to come is that it is not our power to tell the message of Jesus.  We must trust in God's spirit in us to empower and strengthen us to tell others of Jesus.  Some will think we are a little crazy.  Others will embrace the message.  Others will dismiss the Gospel.  Even with fear, God will spread the message of Good News and grace, we just need to be willing to be His instrument.

Third Monday in Lent: Lent 2014

Lenten Devotional

Mark 12-13

Sorry of for missing some days, but the weather, study leave and all good things of God's creation pulled me away from the computer.  I am learning a devotional like this is harder to put together day by day than I anticipated.  I covet your prayers as I pray for all who read.  In these chapters we have some more parables and teaching on the end times, but I feel that the center is held by Jesus' teaching on the greatest commandment.

Again, Jesus is being trapped by the religious elite of His time with the question of what is the greatest commandment.  Now, Jesus answers with the general teaching that all great rabbis and teachers have given, 

‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12: 29-30).

The first part of this response is from Deuteronomy 6:4-5.  This passage called the shema.  It is the central teaching of all the law as Jesus proclaims. All people we to memorize this text and it was part of the worship for Jewish people.  Jesus does not end with this proclamation.  He gives a second that is just as important.

Jesus proclaims it is just as important to love your neighbor as yourself.  Between these two commandants is the fullness of the law and the prophets.  This is the twist that is true in all of the Old Testament, but never seems to come out in the teaching by the elders.  If we demonstrate our love for others, we are demonstrating our love and devotion to God.  The opposite is true also.  In demonstrating our love of God, we demonstrate love of others.  

The religious leaders of Jesus time were getting caught in the law of making sure all the rules were followed to the neglect of other people.  THis is true many times today.  We want to make ourselves look great in the eyes of others even if it pushes other people away.  When we start looking at others as people in need of our compassion and deserving of God's love and forgiveness as much as us, the world turns upside down.  Jesus was very good at turning things upside down.  

We are left with the same challenge today as they were, love God and love your neighbor.  What are some ways we can demonstrate love to others in tangible meaningful ways?

Third Wednesday of Lent: Lent 2014

Lenten Devotional

March 4-5

We come again to some of the great parables we read in Matthew.  We see some of the similarities between the gospels, but soon after a few teachings, we get a glimpse into Jesus' humanity.  After spending time teaching and healing people of different ailments, Jesus and the disciples take off over the sea to a different location.  Jesus is exhausted.  He falls asleep in the back of the boat.  Anyone who has spent time on a boat could understand how this would happen.  The gentle waves would lull someone sleepy into a great sleep.  This is what happens to Jesus.  Yet, it does not stay like this for long.

The waters turn rough and the waves come over the top of the boat.  The disciples become scared and worried for the own safety.  But Jesus is still asleep in the back of the boat and attempts to rest.  The disciples wake him and explain the situation.  The whole world changes around them.

Jesus cries out to the wind and waves to calm down.  Everything goes back to normal on the water, but not in the hearts of the disciples.  This was another moment when they are surprised at his power and command of the world.  This was a teaching moment to their faith.  They got to see that the teacher, Jesus, has great power.  He does not just heal and teach.  He protects people and calm nature around them.

This is a  teaching for us.  Jesus wants His ministry and work to continue.  If we are following Jesus' call and passions, there will be many obstacles to our service.  Can they be over come in miraculous ways?  I believe this passage teaches us yes.  IF it is too turbulent, God can and will calm the storms.  He does listen to our concerns and worries.  We just need to be faithful. 

Second Tuesday of Lent: Lent 2014

Lenten Devotional
Mark 1-3

I was not able to write on yesterday's reading due to travel and attending a conference.  I wish this was not so as that reading was on the death and resurrection of Jesus.  The most important of all aspects of the Christian Gospel.  This is the foundation of our faith and hope.  None the less, today we start into a new Gospel.  Mark is the shortest of the four gospels and believed to be the first one written.  It is also believed to be the foundation of Matthew and Luke.  But as Matthew has a specific picture of Jesus' life, Mark also has a specific picture to help us see Jesus.

The one thing we see early is that Mark speeds the story faster than any of the other gospels.  Along with John, Mark does not retell the birth story.  He starts the gospel (Good News) of Jesus with the work and ministry of John the Baptist.  Then Jesus is sent to the wilderness for fasting and temptation.  Then Jesus starts calling disciples to follow Him.  Then people start following after Him due to the healing and forgiveness offered.  

The crowed following makes us think about in a time when there where numerous healers and prophetic voices floating around the Jewish circles, but Jesus was able to draw a crowd among all these voices.  Yes people followed some of these others, but they did not last after the gifts and the good things left.  Today, we have many voices calling around the world and people wanting followers.  The message of Jesus is still one of the most empowering to people.  I have heard stories of missionaries in India that the gospel is spreading fast.  It is due to the fact that through Christ, people are elevated out of the cast system and given value as a person.  They are able to have positions of value and jobs of meaning.  People are seen as valuable in the eyes of Christ and through His message.

The church in America and the west does not seem to be drawing crowds with the same message.  In fact, many people are running away from the church in droves.  Others do not even want to hear from Jesus people.  Why are people running away?  Why do people not want to hear the message?  

At a conference I attend in the fall, the question was put forward about the holiness of the church.  If the holiness of Jesus attracted crowds and people, what does this say about the holiness of the church?  This was a hard to hear when it was presented.  It is still hard to think about.  I believe when we come back to be followers of Christ and treat people with value as a Child of God, the people will hear and come to faith to follow with us in the life of Christ.  

Second Saturday in Lent: Lent 2014

Lenten Devotional
Matthew 25-26

The gospel continues through on teaching of what followers of Jesus should do to prepare for the end times and what it means to be ready for the end time.  Now we enter into a few parables focusing on these the ways to live in the end and how to be ready.

The first is the parable of Ten Virgins.  Again the story focuses on a wedding situation.  This time the maidens of the wedding group have to wait and wait for the party to begin.    Half the group gets everything ready and keeps a full supply of oil for what ever might come.  The other half does not make any preparations.  When the time came, it was midnight and dark.  The oil and wicks of the second group runs out while the first group has enough to be ready.  There was not enough to share and keep all the lamps running.  The half not ready are sent to find more on their own and they are left out of the feast and the celebration.  A teaching that we must always be ready.

This parable is followed by two more showing that the work of Christ must continue.  The parable of talents where a servant is given different amounts and the one given the least and did nothing was removed.  The last of the parable in chapter 25 is similar.  to the parable of the talents.  This one looks at separating the sheep from the goats.  The ones who come into the kingdom are those that have continue the work and given onto the least.  These teachings all lead to the final times in the gospels.  The next section is the betrayal and anointing of Jesus. 

All of this reminds me of yesterday.   We must remain vigilant in the work of our Lord not matter the length or conditions.  Both of the parables remind us that we are given something from God.  What have you been given that is available to be used?  Some are as simple as a listening ear or a comforting voice to the people hurting.  All of these do not seem important in the scheme of the world.  These are some of the greatest gifts we can have and use with others.  What are you hiding from the world?  Or, what are you afraid to use for the risk?  

Second Friday in Lent: Lent 2014

Lenten Devotional

Matthew 23-24

As we come through the last chapters of Matthew' Gospel and as we enter into the retelling of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, we are given some teaching about the end times and the end of the temple.  Chapter 24 is full of information from Jesus on this event in the future.  People have used this and other parts of the Bible to determine when these last days will come.  Jesus does not want even the disciples to worry about guessing when it will happen.  They are only to look for signs and be ready.

This is the consistent message through the Bible and here especially in Jesus' teaching. He teaches that everyone should not worry about the days.  No one knows the hour.  The time will come to matter, and people will be provided by God in the times of hardship.  I believe this will be important even in times that are not the "end".  Jesus proclaimed there will be many false prophets and people claiming to be Him.

“Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. (Matt. 24:4-8)

 At the end of the chapter, Jesus tells his followers to keep on the path.  They are told to keep following in the ways of God and the work set before them.  This is our best advice for today in a time when everything seems to be against the Christian faith.  Keeping faith in Christ will continue His work and keep the faith alive and moving in the world.  The words to His followers thousands of years ago seems to be the best advice for today.

45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Second Wednesday in Lent: Lent 2014

Lenten Devotional

Matthew 18-20

As I put down words for a multiple chapter reading in the Bible, I realize more and more that this is a daunting task.  In the gospels, the lessons may not always build as nice and neatly on one topic to the next.  It is a living story of situations and testing by people disagreeing with Jesus.  I would love for sections to focus on a particular subject, but that would not be true to the reason for the gospels, they are a way to tell the story of Jesus to the cross and beyond.  

So, I must focus on what I am being led to bring out in the passages.  Today the three chapters seemed to come together at Matthew 29: 26, Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 

We use this passage many times in conversations about what followers of Christ can accomplish and what he church can do through God's power.  But I hope this will change a little.  We need to read passages in the context of the whole chapter, book and Bible.  This is not about generic situations in life that if we follow God, it will all work out because of His power.  This specific quote is about salvation.  I need to focus on that topic specifically.

The passages leading up to this statement are about what it takes to inherit eternal life.  A rich young man comes up to Jesus asking this very question.  He does not like Jesus' response and walks away sad.  Then a story is told of a camel passing through the eye of a needle being easier than a rich man entering heaven.  This is where Jesus comes in with the testimony of God's power.  

Jesus is telling His disciples and us today that there is nothing we can do for salvation.  We can only believe in Christ and that through his power we will have salvation.  All we need to do is follow. We must be willing to submit to God.  We must surrender to Him and not try and force our will on God.  This is much harder than it sounds.  Most of us a wired to fix problems on our by ourselves.  This is one thing we cannot fix ourselves.  Only God can fix and provide an answer.  

First Monday in Lent: Lent Devotional 2014

Lenten Devotional

Matthew 13-14

Today's readings has come of the most powerful information about the Kingdom of Heaven and the power of Jesus over the nature and power.  It opens with a list of parables on what the Kingdom of heaven looks like.  Each of these focus on agricultural picture to help people to understand the images.

There are many images in this reading, but I find the best I find is the parable of the mustered seed.  This parable demonstrates that the kingdom of heaven will start very small, it grows to the a large and very powerful tree.  This image is used else where to describe the faith need to make large acts.  We get to see here that the Kingdom will grow much like a mustered seed.  The other parables are much the same.

The end of chapter fourteen in a fantastic picture of Jesus and the natural world.  Jesus sends the twelve disciples ahead of him on a boat.  During the night he rejoins the disciples on the water by walking towards them.  This scares the disciples.  They believe they are seeing a ghost.  For proof, Peter the bold one tells Jesus that the proof would be if Peter can walk in water.  Jesus has Peter get out of the boat.  Peter takes a few steps but realizes that he is on the water.  Peter falls in.  Jesus pulls him into the boat.  It was a lack of faith on Peter's behalf.

I think we learn quickly that faith is the foundation of following Christ.  It does not require much faith as we learn from other passages of scripture.  The Kingdom of Heaven is already growing and moving, we need to maintain the faith to follow and know that Jesus will keep us upon the water.  

First Friday in Lent: Lent Devotional 2014

Lenten Devotional

Matthew 8-10

In yesterday's reading, we experience more of  the teaching of Jesus and less of His power. Today we enter the fullness of Jesus' power of illness, nature and demons.  Through this reading, we are face to face with some of the most radical moments in life.  Confronted with a real test of faith.  Did Jesus heal?  Why can no one heal like Jesus today?

 Many people rad through these passages of people being healed of terrible illness and afflictions and wonder why none of these are occurring today.  Is not cancer just as evil as the bleeding of the women in Matthew 8:20-22?  Yet, the women in Matthew just touches the hem of the garment and is healed.  Later, Jesus is asked to heal a daughter.  When Jesus agrees and leaves for the home, a centurion (her father and requester) tells Jesus not to come but just speak and it will occur.  Why not today?

I will admit that this frustrates me many times in life.  When I see a young person with an illness and no hope of a cure, I am frustrated.  The times I have looked into the face of a person who just sees no hope of release from pain and weakness.  Where do we find hope and strength?  

Then, I think and pray.  I realize that there are miracles all around us.  How many people are brought back from the dead every day with the power of CPR?  Others are in remission of cancer.  Still more are seeing for the first time.  We give the credit for these to science.  I give credit to God.  For without God, the skills, talents and knowledge would be unavailable to us simple humans.  

The last point on these is the purpose of the miracles.  All of them are performed as moments of demonstration to the people of Jesus' power and position.  They are being used in a way of reaching out to others.  Even in the Acts of the Apostles, the healing and jail beaks are for others to see the power of God.  Now I am lent to ask, am I praying for a personal desire and hope or am I seeking for a demonstration of God's power for people to see?  No matter, we have hope in and through Jesus Christ.  He has brought and offers new life and strength.  

First Thursday of Lent: Lent Devotional 2014

Lenten Devotional

Matthew 5-7

The reading for today is the bulk of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.  These passages are some of the most most difficult and blessed passages in the New Testament.  For these passages ring of great hope of the lowly and hopeless.  But they also speak of great demands on the life of one who follows after what God desires. 

the first chapter we read is the great list of blessings.  We can probably find our self in at least one if not more of the blessings listed by Jesus.  Who has not mourned a loved one or fells meek.  We gain a connection quickly and acknowledge in one way or another a blessing will be coming for us in the life to come.  

Jesus soon turns from a great blessing to mighty teachings.  We are left in trouble and frustration.  For what is to come seems gravely hard to follow.  Jesus is not just asking the hearers to follow the current laws of Judaism, they are being asked to go even farther.  

Jesus tells people to cut out and off body parts if they even think or look in ways that are contrary to law.  What I think is that Jesus is coming to a point on what the foundation these very specific rules demand.  By the end of chapter five, Jesus makes a statement on oaths, "All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."  Then he teaches on giving more than required.  When demand the cloak give them your tunic.  There is something greater to come by following.  The life of a follower of Jesus will be profoundly different. This is what what the foundation of the Old Testament Law in ancient times. The follower of Jesus is called to stand out for following in fantastic ways.  

We finish our reading today with the parable of the wise and foolish builders.  For one had built on the sand while the other built on the rock.  The one who listens and follows the teachings is like the one who builds on the rock.  When the rains, winds and storms come through, the house will stand.  Everything Jesus just presented was hard and difficult.  Some was even radical to the people listening.  Some is radical for us today.  But when the storms of life and society come through, the person built on the rock will withstand.  May this be our building foundation.