First Wednesday in Lent 2021

John 2:23-3:15 (NRSV)

When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone.

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

The Pharisee, Nicodemus, came to Jesus "by night." I am sure that he was afraid of what others might think if he openly endorsed this itinerant teacher from Nazareth. Nicodemus believed in Jesus and his teaching and wanted to know more. He had already experienced the miraculous acts or "signs" that Jesus did. So, without telling his fellow Pharisees, Nicodemus sneaks out for a one on one with Jesus.

The encounter is intimate and life-giving. Jesus and Nicodemus are sitting there in the evening chatting about theological concepts. You can feel the energy building in the text as Jesus reveals to Nicodemus what it is to experience the Kingdom of God after being born anew. As a Pharisaic teacher, Nicodemus should have known more about the spiritual nature of re-birth. After Jesus explains it, Nicodemus is astonished. His only response was, "how can these things be."

I've heard many over the years about being "born-again" or "reborn" or "born from above." I'm not sure that neither they nor I understand the complexity of what it means to be "born anew." I think that the faith rebirth comes from knowing and living for God rather than for the world or self. I feel that comes from caring for those that God cares for and comes from knowing that you are forgiven and have the chance to right the wrongs. 

Nicodemus was probably not a coward but saw his meeting with Jesus as controversial enough to keep it a secret. This makes me think... How often do we "hide our faith" for fear of ridicule? And if we do, are we really living like we have been born anew? If being born again means knowing and living for God, how might we respond more fully with a faith-filled life? The world waits for signs that God is real. However, those reborn in God are doing very little to show the world who God is.

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! 

Mark 10:1-16 (NRSV)

He left that place and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan. And crowds again gathered around him; and, as was his custom, he again taught them.  Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"  He answered them, "What did Moses command you?"  They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her."  But Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you.  But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh.  Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."  Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.  He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."  People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them.  But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.  Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it."  And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

The disciples spoke sternly to the children.  This initially stands out at me.  It makes me initially think that the disciples don’t like children, but after thinking about it, I feel they were just worried about Jesus being bogged down with all the attention he was getting.

This passage is full of Jesus’ teaching the crowds that had gathered.  A portion of this passage is found on 2/5/2012.  The Pharisees are at it again, testing him by asking questions about the law of Moses.  These questions are about divorce and the legalities thereof.  Jesus says that Moses gave them the law of divorce because their hearts were hardened, and explains the intent of the law.  He clarifies the intent of the law and relationship between the man and woman becoming one flesh.

The scripture says that people were bringing children to him in order for him to lay hands on them and bless them.  When the disciples spoke sternly, Jesus rebuked them saying that the children should come to him.  He uses this situation to explain more about the kingdom of God, saying that one must receive the kingdom like a little child.

Little children have a naiveté, vulnerability and a willingness to listen and receive.  Jesus doesn’t say that one must receive on “blind faith” or be uninformed.  I think that we must make ourselves vulnerable and willing to receive, taking the promises of God on faith.  There lies the call in today’s passage.  We are called today to be vulnerable and willing to receive the kingdom of God, thus making ourselves available to God as little children.  (there is a deeper reflection concerning children on Feb 5th)

John 18:28-38 (NRSV)

Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate's headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover.  So Pilate went out to them and said, 'What accusation do you bring against this man?'  They answered, 'If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.'  Pilate said to them, 'Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.' The Jews replied, 'We are not permitted to put anyone to death.' (This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.)  Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, 'Are you the King of the Jews?'  Jesus answered, 'Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?'  Pilate replied, 'I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?'  Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not from this world.  If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.  But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.'  Pilate asked him, 'So you are a king?' Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.  Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.'  Pilate asked him, 'What is truth?'  After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, 'I find no case against him'

“What is truth?”  Pilate’s question is extremely profound, and jumps out at me in this reading.  I expected Jesus to answer him, but he doesn’t.  I think that the lack of answer, in itself, is an answer.  Jesus says that those who belong to the truth listens to him.  Pilate seems to be fascinated and in search of meaning for his own life.

The Jewish leaders have Jesus is taken to Pilate, the Roman Governor of the region, hoping that he will convict Jesus of a crime punishable by death.  In the reading, Pilate questions Jesus about his claims of identity and his guilt.  Jesus doesn’t deny being a king, but tells Pilate that his kingdom is not of this world.

It is interesting that the leaders have chosen this course of action.  They have accused Jesus before of blasphemy, which is punishable by stoning.  However, they tell Pilate that they are not allowed to put anyone to death.  It may be that the feelings about who Jesus is are so split that they are deadlocked about how to handle the situation further.  Not wanting to make the decision themselves forces the leaders to take Jesus to Pilate.  This would make Pilate the bad guy to the ones that thought Jesus was innocent, and would save face for the leaders that didn’t want him around.

So often we make decisions in this life based on the evidence that is presented, but often that evidence isn’t everything.  The whole story is hidden from our understanding.  Like Pilate, who is being forced into a decision between the life and death of Jesus, we search for the truth that isn’t readily accessible.

The call today for me would be to exercise caution when making decisions.  Pilate is forced into a quandary and makes the decision that Jesus is not guilty of any crime.  The only thing standing at this point is the accusations by the Jewish leaders who present him.  We know that this is not the end, but for now it seems like Pilate has made the proper decision.

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?

Luke 9:18-27 (NRSV)

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?  Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.  But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.'

Jesus asks, “who do you say that I am?”  Our readings today take the normal Sunday detour from the Gospel of John to the Gospel of Luke.  The story today isn’t one in the context of Jesus running from the Jews, but it is a question of Jesus’ identity.  Jesus asks his disciples about what people are saying and he gets all kinds of answers from John the Baptist to any other of the wide range of prophets.

It is Peter who steps forward in his boldness to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah of God.  Jesus is quick to put a damper on Peter’s proclamation, explaining that it’s not time yet.  Jesus makes the offer that if any want to become his followers, that they are welcome to deny themselves and take up their own cross and follow him.  He makes the claim that this self denial for his ways leads one to eternal life and the kingdom of God.

I feel that the call comes from Jesus’ direct words, “deny yourself and take up your cross daily and follow me.”  We are called to participate and learn from Jesus about the way that leads to eternal life.  We are given the chance to see the salvation of God through self denial and sacrifice to proclaim the good news.

Some have suggested that the hardships that we endure are somehow “our cross to bear.”  However, I don’t think that this is the point of Jesus’ offer.  The cross is Jesus’ fate and a symbol of his ultimate sacrifice.  Our way of participation is pure belief, self denial, and acceptance of Jesus’ way and his teaching.  Jesus is the messiah of God, and through following him we will see the kingdom of God.