Luke 9:18-25 (NRSV)

Thursday after Ash Wednesday
March 2, 2017

Luke 9:18–25

Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.”

He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?” (NRSV)

Who do we say that Jesus is? The followers of Jesus were confused. They didn't understand who Jesus was or what he came to do. The phrase that stuck out to me today was "who do you say that I am?" Considering that it took the church well over 300 to 400 years to agree who Jesus is (and some groups are still arguing about that), I think it's important for us to reconcile in our heads who Jesus is / or who we say Jesus is... 

I can't even imagine being told "not to ell anyone." However, I understand that if Jesus' immediate followers were to tell anyone who Jesus is, then he would have been taken away and executed too soon, before he fulfilled his purpose. Therefore, they had to wait until the prophecy that Jesus laid out came to fruition. 

As disciples... as followers of the way of Jesus... as ones who proclaim him as Lord and Savior, how hard is it sometimes for us to proclaim who he is? And how do we do that without sounding wacky? I personally think it's how we follow. The key to this is denial of self, like he says. If we acclaim Christ as central to our life and work than Christ must increase and we must decrease. That doesn't mean that we matter less. It means that we put the principles and precepts that Jesus teaches us ahead of personal desires. Things like loving God above all other and loving our neighbor. 

The denial of self is difficult. It's a daily struggle as we order priorities and strive to seek Christ above all others. We need to realize that as difficult as our life may be, it is transitory. The real reward is to dwell in the presence of our creator in the eternal Kingdom that Jesus is pointing to.

Things to think about... Who do you say that Jesus is? If he is Lord, follow him! If he is King, honor him! If he is Prophet, listen to him! If he is Priest, let him show you the way to God! If he is Light, let him reveal to you those things hidden in the shadows. If he is God, then let his love surround you and hold you up in this life until you can be restored with all of creation in the eternal Kingdom.

Luke 8:9-14 (NRSV)

March 1, 2017

Ash Wednesday

Luke 8:9-14

Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. [Jesus] said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that 'looking they may not perceive, and listening they may not understand.' "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

I am sure that the Kingdom of God contains many "secrets." Some of which I have no idea where to begin my dream. I'm wondering what Jesus means when he says, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the Kingdom of God." I would imagine that as believers who seek to engage, study, and develop deep roots, we then are able to understand what bringing forth and bearing good fruit is all about.

Jesus uses the metaphors of the path, the rocks, and the thorns as examples of how the word of God is either ignored, forgotten, or not "cultivated" when it is shared. We need to remember that the "Word of God" that Jesus was talking about didn't necessarily refer to scripture. This was before any canonized "Bible." Jesus is the "Word." Therefore, I feel that Jesus was speaking to his disciples about sharing Jesus' message good news of the Kingdom of God. I personally feel that this can be best done if there is a certain grounded comfort-level with ones faith and belief in who God is.

We should always be disciples who seek to know Christ more and to make Christ known. This can be done by the way we live. If we seek to nurture the seeds (the message of Jesus) on good ground, ripe mature fruit will surely spring up. However, nurturing the seeds takes effort, sacrifice, and being receptive to what God desires of us. Then, and only then, will we understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God.

Blessings as we begin a Holy Lent!