Mark 9:14-29 (NRSV)

When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them.  When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet him.  He asked them, "What are you arguing about with them?"  Someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so."  He answered them, "You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you?  Bring him to me."  And they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.  Jesus asked the father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood.  It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us."  Jesus said to him, "If you are able!  All things can be done for the one who believes."  Immediately the father of the child cried out, "I believe; help my unbelief!"  When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You spirit that keeps this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!"  After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, "He is dead."  But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand.   When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?"  He said to them, "This kind can come out only through prayer."

 

The father of the possessed boy says, “I believe; help my unbelief!”  This passage takes place immediately after Jesus, Peter, James, and John come down from the mountain where Jesus was transfigured before them.  They return to the disciples who are trying to cast a demon out of a boy.  However, the disciples are not able to exorcise the demon.

This passage shows the abilities of disciples who are trying to act out their faith.  Obviously, it is a problem for them.  Jesus seems frustrated with what he calls a “faithless generation.”  I don’ t think Jesus says this to belittle them, but to set them straight on their actions.  I have a feeling that they were trying to reenact the miraculous “dog and pony” show that the people are always asking for – what they think proves the power of God.  Their “actions” didn’t work because they were not backed by prayer.

Of course, Jesus is able to easily restore the boy to perfect health by casting out the demon.  It looks like he does this prior to the arrival of the crowd.  This would be exactly what we would expect of Jesus at this point, trying not to draw too much more attention to himself.

The call that I hear today is pray.  Prayer builds and guides belief.  A healthy prayer life becomes a centering force that strengthens you and guides your actions.  Prayer becomes a part of everything that you do as you seek to be closer to God.  We would just pour out our heart and mind and make ourselves vulnerable to God.  In prayer we make ourselves a receiver for the divine word that may come to us.

John 6:27-40 (NRSV)

Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.  For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal."  Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?"  Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."  So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing?  Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "  Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."  They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."  Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.  But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.  Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.  And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.  This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.

At Morning Prayer on Sundays, we get a detour from our regular continuation of the lesson’s from Mark and switch over to John.  The phrase “Sir, give us this bread always” stands out to me today.  Jesus answers in response, “I am the bread of life.”

In the passage, Jesus is talking to his followers about focusing on the “right stuff” (the right priorities).  The followers want to know what they must do, and what Jesus is going to do to prove who he is.  It almost seems as if they want Jesus to do something great and special like turn lead into gold or make something disappear as if he were expected to be great magician.  Jesus reminds them that the signs aren’t important.  Moses didn’t give Israel manna in the wilderness because the great works like that come from God, and only from God.

Jesus tells them that even though they have seen him and know him, they still don’t believe in him and that he is the Son of God.  The reward of this belief is eternity with God and participation in the resurrection on the last day.

The call today is to believe.  Believe in Jesus (without the dog and pony show), and trust that Jesus is who he says he is and that he will nurture us with bread (which is himself) that will lead us to eternal life with God.

John 5:19-24 (NRSV)

Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise.  The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished.  Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes.  The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.  Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Astonished is my word for today.  I even like the sound of it; astonished.  It captures the true meaning of the gospel for me.  Full of wonder, amazement, excitement, etc…  I would hope that everyone is “astonished” at Jesus’ works, but not only his works, his presence.

In this passage, there is some clarity to Jesus’ identity and authority.  To the teller of the good news, in this case, John, Jesus is the full embodiment of God (the Father).  Therefore, Jesus does nothing on his own.  God works through him, and those who see are astonished.

God raises the dead, judges justly, and is to be honored and respected.  Showing dishonor and disrespect to Jesus is showing the same to God.  However, if we believe in Jesus (believe that he is the true embodiment of God) then we receive the promise of eternal existence with God – everlasting life.  We pass from death to life.

The call today to me is believe.  But, not just believe in - be in wonder and amazement that God has been fully embodied as a human.  God has come close to us in the person of Jesus, so that we might know God, and believe.  God loves us so completely that he wants us to be reconciled to God's self.  God, the creator of all things, has promised that those who believe will not “die” but receive life and an eternity reconciled with the source of all being.

John 12:44-50 (NRSV)

Then Jesus cried aloud: 'Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me.  And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.  I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.  I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.  The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak.  And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.'

Today is the first Sunday in Lent.  The rhythm of the daily office moves away from the prayer of Jesus in John chapter 17 back to chapter 12.  The word that surfaces today in my initial reading is judge.  Jesus says that he didn’t come to judge the world, but to save it.

Jesus’ proclaims that belief in him constitutes belief in the one who sent him (the Father).  He has come to show the way (as the light) and deliver the world to salvation.  The world that rejects Jesus, rejects the Father, and is subject to the judgment of the Father.

Everyone who believes in Jesus, as a true disciple, does not believe only in Him, but in the Father who sent Him.  Jesus displays the glory of the Father and we learn to obey, love, and trust in him.  As believers, we are freed from the darkness of ignorance, sin, and misery.  We learn that the commandment of God is everlasting life, but the same commandment will seal the fate of all who reject it, despise it, or neglect it.

If we are to follow in the way of Jesus, then we are also called not to judge.  God is the only judge, and will deal justly.  The way I read this, it seems like those who reject, despise, or neglect God have already judged themselves.

John 18:15-18, 25-27 (NRSV)

Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus.  Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate.  So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in.  The woman said to Peter, 'You are not also one of this man's disciples, are you?' He said, 'I am not.'

Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves.  Peter also was standing with them and warming himself.  Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.  Jesus answered, 'I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together.  I have said nothing in secret.  Why do you ask me?  Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.'  When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, 'Is that how you answer the high priest?'  Jesus answered, 'If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong.  But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?'  Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.  Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself.  They asked him, 'You are not also one of his disciples, are you?'  He denied it and said, 'I am not.'  One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, 'Did I not see you in the garden with him?'  Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.

The phrase that stands out to me is, “testify to the wrong.”  We fast forward this morning in the Gospel according to John to Peter’s denial of Jesus.  I feel that this is an interesting and sharp contrast to yesterday’s reading and Peter’s bold proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah of God.

In this passage, Jesus has been arrested and taken to the high priest.  He is subjugated to more questions about his actions and his identity.  Even though they have arrested him, he still has done nothing wrong.  In fact, Jesus reminds them that he has taught openly in the synagogues and in the streets.  He is struck, and challenges the justness of the striking willing to accept it if he has done wrong.

The piece in the story that is interesting is the actions of Peter.  Peter gets to the inside of the courtyard by who he knows.  Yet, when he is there he tries to play incognito, and not be recognized.  This is a stark difference in the Peter who recently took up a sword to defend Jesus’ arrest, not to mention the Peter who was quick to announce Jesus’ identity as the holy one of God.  Peter takes an observant back seat in this reading, and does not step out on a limb.  In fact, he denies even knowing Jesus when asked.  One can argue that Jesus prophesied this would happen, and it was necessary to bring about his arrest and ultimate crucifixion.  However, it’s not in the scope of the reading and therefore will not be addressed.

What my wonder is, would we dare to be as bold as Peter was originally for the Gospel, or would we turn tail and run?  Would we stand up with Christ or would we deny that we ever knew him, fearing for our own life.  Self preservation is extremely human, and avoiding a difficult situation is even more human.

I would like to think that the Gospel calls us to be bold and not deny Christ.  However, knowing that Peter denied Jesus to save his own skin makes me think.  Are we any better than the Apostle who holds the keys to the Kingdom?  I do believe that we are called to a level of boldness that enables us to reach down deep and hold onto what we believe.  My question is, do we let it be to our demise?

John 10:31-42 (NRSV)

The Jews took up stones again to stone him.  Jesus replied, "I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?"  The Jews answered, "It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God."  Jesus answered, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, you are gods'?  If those to whom the word of God came were called 'gods'-and the scripture cannot be annulled-  can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, 'I am God's Son'?  If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me.  But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."  Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands.

He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there.  Many came to him, and they were saying, "John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true."  And many believed in him there.

Blasphemy…  So, the “Jews” claim that Jesus is guilty of blasphemy.  He isn’t guilty for the works he has performed, but they say he is guilty of irreverence or impiety to God.  They thought Jesus was making himself God.  Little did they know what they were up against.  Nevertheless, they once again reach for the stones.

Jesus lets the works testify to who he is, and that he does them only by the power that has been bestowed upon him by God.  He is the one that God has made holy and sent into the world, yet he is not believed by the religious powers.  Jesus reminds them of the prophets (the ones to whom the word of God came), and how the prophets were treated.

Escaping arrest, Jesus slips away across the Jordan river, to where his ministry began – where he was baptized.  People still came to him, testifying to the signs, and believing everything that John said about him.

The Pharisees and scribes (the Jews) who challenge Jesus continue to feel the pressure of their own creation.  Jesus is upsetting the apple cart, and making life difficult for them.  However, Jesus has done nothing wrong but continues to be blamed with trumped up charges and false accusations.

The call I hear today is be who you are.  Jesus is just being who he is – God.  We are not God and shouldn’t try to be God.  I feel that the leaders are challenged because they think that they have the only path to God, and therefore get to control who comes to God and how.  Jesus provides the true way to God, through belief in him.  Only if we are true to who we are can show others the way to God.

We are working hard at putting together our Lenten series at Trinity called “Outward Signs.”  In this series, small groups will discuss what it means to be an visible sign of Christ in the world.  This takes the church gathering beyond the 4 walls, and puts it in the context of the world.

John 10:19-30 (NRSV)

Again the Jews were divided because of these words.  Many of them were saying, "He has a demon and is out of his mind. Why listen to him?"  Others were saying, "These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"  At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem.  It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.  So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense?  If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly."  Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe.  The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.  My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.  What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand.  The Father and I are one."

The word “plainly” sticks out to me like a sore thumb.  I’m not sure why.  Maybe it’s because Jesus has not only told them and told them, he has shown them, and many have testified to his great works.  However, the “Jews” still don’t believe.  (I really have a hard time with the way the writer of John uses the word Jews - please see some of my previous posts on the subject).

The Pharisees are at the point of pressuring Jesus, to the point of using the phrase, “If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”  Jesus claims to have told them and they just don’t understand because they do not yet believe.  He tells them that believers follow him and believers receive eternal life.  No one can take a true believer away from Jesus.

John is filled with more explanations to the Pharisees about who Jesus is and what he came to do.  This has gone on for a few chapters and will go on for a few more.  We have heard many calls along the way.  I feel today would be believe.  We are called to believe because it is “plain” to us that Jesus is the Lord, He is the Good Shepherd, He is God (as said in the last sentence of the passage).  We are called to believe and testify to that belief not only with our word, but with our lives.

John 7:37-52 (NRSV)

On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.  As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.'"  Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.  When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, "This is really the prophet."  Others said, "This is the Messiah."  But some asked, "Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he?  Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?"  So there was a division in the crowd because of him.  Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.  Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not arrest him?"  The police answered, "Never has anyone spoken like this!"  Then the Pharisees replied, "Surely you have not been deceived too, have you?  Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him?  But this crowd, which does not know the law-they are accursed."  Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, "Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?"  They replied, "Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you?  Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee."

“Why did you not arrest him?” – The leaders are at it again, and are afraid of Jesus and his prophetic message.  The festival has ended and Jesus offers us an invitation again to believe in him and the message that he brings.  He is the source of ‘living water’ – and offers the world a drink.

The Pharisees and scribes continue to question his authority and the source of Jesus’ message.  They get tied up in the semantics of where he is from and whether he fits the prophecy that has been handed down from the patriarchs and prophets.  It is interesting that they still havent done anything about Jesus who is obvoiusly upsetting the apple cart.

Nicodemus, a friend and follower of Jesus, moves in and returns the challenge.  He reminds the leaders that the law requires a hearing to determine if there is any quilt.  (We should remember that what Jesus is doing is not illegal.  It's upsetting the leadership, but it's not illegal)  The leaders are quick to challenge and dismiss Nicodemus too, stating that he must be a supporter because he is from the same place.

It seems that this texts has a lot to do with location.  Why is that where Jesus lives have so much bearing on who he is?  It kind of reminds me of someone (possibly from a small town in the south) saying to someone else, "hey boy - where are you from?" -- followed by "you ain't from around here are you!"  There are already folks that are outwardly calling him prophet and messiah and I think that the leaders are feeling more threatened than ever.  I feel that this text has a call to us to believe.  Not listen to the leaders who are condemning Jesus, but be willing to fully believe and then take a drink from the source of the living water, which is our salvation.