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! 

Hebrews 4:11-16 (NRSV)

Friday after the First Sunday in Lent

Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs.

Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account. 

Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The first thing that jumps out at me as I read through this portion of the letter to the Hebrews is, “the Word of God is living and active.” How many times have you thought that the word of God was the Bible and the Bible was a closed volume? You know, Genesis to Revelation, the canon complete, done! However, to me, what makes it Holy, what makes it scripture, is its ability to speak across generations and across cultures as a living and active work. It isn’t a completed volume, but it’s one that is just began as it writes your book and your chapter of the faith. We are continuations of the word.

The “Word” of God isn’t just what you read on the page. I would also like us to think of the “Word” how the Evangelist John thinks of The Word. The Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. It being the Incarnation of God in the person of Jesus. Then the piece of the passage takes on deeper meaning by saying it is living and active. Jesus continues to be living and active in this world. He is made relevant to this broken world by those who know and love him. Jesus is our defender and healer, but he is also our judge, and in his judgment of us, our true nature is revealed. We can never hide our true self from God.

The writer reminds the Hebrews that Jesus is the connection. He is the Word that is living and active. He is the “High Priest” that is interceding on our behalf. Jesus is fully God and fully human, therefore knows what struggles we encounter in this world. He makes God accessible and approachable. Therefore, we are called to hold fast to our connection with Christ in the midst of our struggles. In our time of need, we are able to find God’s understanding, favor and forgiveness because of Christ.