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! 

Hebrews 5:1-10 (NRSV)

Saturday after the First Sunday in Lent

Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honour, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’; as he says also in another place, ‘You are a priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.’

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

When reading this portion of the letter, it’s hard for me not to immediately hear, “you are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek,” and not have it resonate back to the readings used at the service of my own ordination to the priesthood in December of 2007. Before that, when this passage from the letter to the Hebrews was ever read, that particular part seemed to be glossed over, even sometimes struggling to even pronounce the name Melchizedek. 

The long obscure name means something, especially if the writer of the letter is saying that Jesus is himself a “high priest,” an honor reserved only for those who were Levites and the line of Aaron. However, Melchizedek's priesthood predates Aaron and the Levitical line. Melchizedek shows up in Genesis and is referred to as a priest prior to the covenant with Abraham and prior to the Torah being given to Moses. 

When Jesus is called a High Priest, it is with reference to both of these previous priesthoods. Like Melchizedek, Jesus is ordained (set apart) as a priest that comes before the Law given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Like the Levite priests, Jesus offers sacrifice to satisfy the Law when he offers himself as a sacrifice for our sins. However, the difference is that Jesus only had to offer sacrifice once, for all, redeeming everyone who will come to God through him. Therefore Jesus is our great intercessor and mediator (our priest), the ultimate one who reconciles the creation to the creator.

It is good for us to take a minute to think about important the writer to the Hebrews thought it was to connect Jesus’ sacrifice to the priesthood, especially the priesthood of Melchizedek. In modern times, we realize that the sacrifice for our sins is completed. The saving work was done by Jesus on the cross. We are called, therefore, as his followers to make sacrifices of praise in thanksgiving, sacrifices of money to provide for the forgotten and those in need, and sacrifices of time for prayer. 

In the season of Lent, a time for preparation and introspection, we can ask the question, “what in our life are we willing to sacrifice in order for God to be glorified?”

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.

1 Corinthians 1:17-31 (NRSV)

First Sunday in Lent

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.’

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’

I often struggle with the idea that someone, namely Jesus, had to die so that I might have life. That a benevolent creator would require a blood sacrifice of the creation. I’m sure I’m not alone. I’m sure that when Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he faced similar push-back from the people he spoke with. He went to proclaim the good news of Christ and Christ crucified for the sins of everyone and was ignored by the ones who thought it was absurd or foolish. This was usually the people, who in a Hellenistic world, were quick to judge things as rational and irrational based on reason.

In today’s reading, I love the phrase, “For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Corinth was a port city and a cultural melting pot in this world. So, I’m sure that Paul was bombarded from all sides when he tried to present the idea that Jesus came into the world to die for the sins of anyone who would repent and believe. It’s an absurdity.

To make his case, Paul points out that God takes what is foolish in this world and makes it meaningful. God rights the wrongs and makes the weak strong. God raises up the low and brings down that which the world has raised up. The whole understanding of the socio-economic system and everything rational in society according to the world is turned on end when viewed through the lens of the Good News. God’s news of love and reconciliation and truth revealed in Jesus Christ.

People through the ages have thought about over and over again, trying to wrap their heads around the things of God. It’s not easy, nor is it very complicated. What I am trying to say is, if we continue to contemplate the creator through the lens of the creation and the created order, the deeper and more complex it becomes. However, if we fully accept and return the love so freely displayed for us by God in the person of Jesus, then it makes the complicated and complex start to fall away. What is left is love. Love is what connects us to our creator. To know we are loved and to know our life has meaning is what I think it’s all about. God loved us so much that God gave of himself that we might be reunited with God and dwell in the presence of the creator forever. It remains the only perfect sacrifice.

Titus 3:1-15 (NRSV)

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Titus 3:1-15

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure.

I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. After a first and second admonition, have nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions, since you know that such a person is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned.

When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Make every effort to send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way, and see that they lack nothing. And let people learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet urgent needs, so that they may not be unproductive.

All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with all of you.

In the conclusion of his letter, Paul reminds Titus that Jesus saves us, “not because of any works of righteousness that we have done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth (baptism) and renewal by the Holy Spirit (confirmation).” Like yesterday’s reflection, Paul assures that salvation is open to everyone. And he’s reminding Titus that it is God’s grace justifies us through these sacraments. All we have to do is accept it.

It is easy for us to be sucked in to being “do gooders.” Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with doing good, but doing good works just for the sake of doing good works is a slippery slope. It can lead to feelings of self-salvation. I feel that Christians (those who have come to believe) should do good works as a response to our gift of salvation. We need to remember that good works alone will never save you. We are saved by grace.

As I think about the litany that Paul offers us today (Paul loves litanies): avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, I think we can understand what he thinks Titus may be up against. By the list, I am thinking that he may be battling a culture of self-serving people. You know that type. People that ask the same question of everything, “what’s in it for me!” These are the folks out to “follow the law” and be good and do all the right cultural things, thinking that it will somehow save them. However, they remain spiritually lost because the second piece (the reason) of the puzzle is missing. Jesus gives the believer a reason and a purpose.

On our journey through the season of Lent, it is a time for us to be reminded that our gift of salvation is a precious one. It was paid for by the work of Jesus on the cross. We have been made worthy only through Jesus dying for us. Worthy to be reconciled to God, our creator, who loves us more than we can understand. We need to also remember that we can’t get through this life alone. We can only do it by God’s grace and help.

Titus 2:1-15 (NRSV)

But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine. Tell the older men to be temperate, serious, prudent, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in behaviour, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, being submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.

Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.

Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to answer back, not to pilfer, but to show complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Saviour.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one look down on you.

I am always skeptical when someone claims to have all the right answers. And, it would be presumptuous for me to claim that I know the answers. Therefore, I think it is my job, as pastor, to help people live with the questions within the mysteries of God. I like to let God reveal the truth to others through my faith, in love, and endurance.

As I sit and think about this portion of the letter to Titus, I struggle with some of the imagery that swirls around in my head. Images of slavery, subjugation, and other old world patriarchal images. They are all there. However, if we look deeper at what Paul is trying to tell Titus, then the message (the sound doctrine) starts to surface above the social condition of the times.

If we take out all the literal and specific men, women, and slave talk, then several things that Paul says to Titus resonates with me. Paul lists a litany of behaviors for Titus: Consistency, temperance, seriousness, prudence, a sound faith in love and endurance… reverence, not slanderous, sober, self-controlled, committed to family, keepers of the house, a model of good works, teacher of integrity, confident speaker, humble, servant of others… These behaviors in any society would be considered correct or upright behaviors or traits for anyyone. Traits that would apply to all, not just men or women. Everyone, regardless of class or condition. The first sentence in the last paragraph drew me to that conclusion. Paul says “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all!” If salvation is brought to all, then God has made God's self accessible to everyone.

I wrote on Ash Wednesday about the “Spiritual Training Camp” that the writer of the letter to the Hebrew’s was describing. I saw the image of the season of Lent as being a time devoted to spiritual training. Today, Paul's words to Titus help guide us in our training, reminding us to continue to prepare ourselves because we are still a work in progress. We don’t have all the answers. We may never have all the answers. Nevertheless, part of not having all the answers, (part of living with the questions) makes ourselves open to the Holy Spirit and ready for anything that God might be doing with us. So, we should order our lives, be strong in the faith, and prepare. For the Glory of God has yet to be fully revealed in us.