God's Word Is Better Than A Diamond

For 1/27/2013

One of the questions people have for those who profess a faith in God is about God’s presence; how is our life different because of our spirituality? And it is a question that we should ponder for ourselves, are we really tapping into the power of God’s spirit that is present with us? Psalm 19 is a reflection on that presence and the impact of being in touch with it. It is worth reading and contemplating on – someone might ask us – or we might need reminding ourselves. The psalm begins with some reflections on the presence:

1-2 God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.

Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening.

3-4 Their words aren't heard, their voices aren't recorded,

But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.

4-5 God makes a huge dome for the sun—a superdome!

The morning sun's a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed,

The daybreaking sun an athlete racing to the tape.

6 That's how God's Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset,

Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.

The Message Version

• How does the psalmist sense God’s glory, what does he cite and what words would you use to describe the nature, the effect and the characteristics of God that you find in his words?

• Madame Day and Professor Night are here to teach us, how do they instruct us? How might silence fill and the unspoken be spoken? Can you relate to a finding a sense of God’s presence in creation, the world that we live in each day? What reminders come to us as we experience the 24 hour cycle if we take time to pay attention?

• One of our reminders is the impact of the sun on our world each day. What image is the psalmist trying to give us of the sun, what is it compared to? How does the sun impact your life, how would you describe it?

• God’s Word or the Torah is compared to the sun, again what characteristics is the psalmist giving to written words? Is Torah passive or active? How do you feel about scripture, has it melted ice, scorched, or warmed your and others faith? What gives scripture power; what makes it alive for you?

The Psalmist gives us more on the value of scripture:

7-9 The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together.

The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road.

The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy.

The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes.

God's reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee.

The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree.

                                                                       The Message Version
• The psalmist speaks of the revelation, signposts and life-maps of God; where might we find these things? The immediate response might be scripture but what about the word of others, prayer, a spiritual retreat, reading a commentary or even the words of a hymn? Think of a time when you felt that you received support and strength, direction in your life or joy; what was the spark for that experience?

• The psalmist tells us that the directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes, would you agree with him? What do you find to be clear and easy to understand about our faith life? Where did this clarity come from, was it simple logic or something else?

· What does the psalmist say above about God’s reliability?  How would you express your feelings about God’s presence in your faith journey?

• But is everything so very clear after all, do you have questions and search for answers? Where do you turn to receive clarity, will it ever all be clear to us? Paul had some thoughts in 1 Corinthians 13, what are yours:

At present we only see puzzling reflections in a mirror, but one day we shall see face to face. My knowledge now is partial; then it will be whole, like God’s knowledge of me.

More from Psalm 19:

10 God's Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds.

You'll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries.

11-14 There's more: God's Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure.

Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool?

Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!

Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work;

Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.

                                                                          The Message Version
• What are some analogies he makes for scripture and what images do they make in your mind? Can you make some of your own analogies; how has scripture benefited you on your faith journey? How would you describe it?

• In the last section he speaks of the specific, practical benefits of using scripture to live his life. Are there specific scriptures you feel have impacted the way you live your life, established important values, given you an understanding of what it means to be a person of faith? Take time to contemplate an maybe re-look at them now.

• Do you find God’s presence in scripture? How is your relationship with God sustained and grown through your reading of scripture?

• The search for a stronger bond with God never ends, what are some ways that you might increase your sense of God’s presence during the coming Lenten season?

Closing Prayer

Now into the keeping of God I put

All things of today

All disappointments

Hindrances

Forgotten things

All gladness and beauty

Love

Delight

Achievement

All that people have done for me

All that I have done for them

My work and my prayers

And I commit all the people I love

To His Shepherding

To His healing and restoration

To his calling and making

Through Jesus Christ our Lord

Amen

                                                                                           Margarette Cropper, The Oxford Book of Prayer


Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30, Psalm 71:1-6



Watch Out - God's Working On You!

For 1/20/2013


As people of faith we are promised transformation; that we will be changed beginning at our baptism. Paul’s epistles are filled with transformational images and ideas telling us that we are like Christ which is also a statement by Jesus in John’s Gospel, that we will do greater things than he. So let’s look at one promise Paul makes to us in several of his letter thru a focus on today’s Lectionary scripture 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. But to begin let’s get personal:

• There are many gifts that our relationship with God has brought to us. What have you received that you have been able to share with others?

• Think specifically about spiritual gifts, what thoughts come to mind about them?

Paul begins his discussion about spiritual gifts:
12:1-3 What I want to talk about now is the various ways God’s Spirit gets worked into our lives. This is complex and often misunderstood, but I want you to be informed and knowledgeable. Remember how you were when you didn’t know God, led from one phony god to another, never knowing what you were doing, just doing it because everybody else did it? It’s different in this life. God wants us to use our intelligence, to seek to understand as well as we can.   The Message Version

• What does Paul want to talk about? How much have you thought about the Spirit? How does the presence of the Spirit fit into your personal theology? How have you experienced the Spirit’s presence?

• Do you agree with his assessment of learning about the Spirit? What does he urge us to use? What are some ways to gain understanding intelligently?

• Why do you think that he stresses using our intelligence? What should we look out for to insure that we are not living our faith life unintelligently? Can we find ourselves on autopilot?

12:4-7 God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!      The Message Version

• What is clear about the gifts, where they are manifest and what is the source, what is the purpose of the gifts?

• So what does this mean to you? Do you believe that you have seen people empowered by God to carry out duties, tasks, or responsibilities? Have you seen or heard things that seem to be a gift from God (one of mine is Handel’s Messiah)?

• A key seems to be showing who God is, how does that impact your understanding of a spiritual gift? How would you know that an individual’s gift is the result of the Spirit’s presence?

• What is your reaction to the claim that every one of us has a spiritual gift? How do we go about discerning what our gift(s) might be? Is it important for us to discover what they might be? If so, why?

Paul now gets more specific about gifts both in 1 Corinthians and also another listing from Romans 12:



12:8-11 The variety is wonderful:                             Romans 12:6-8
wise counsel                                                        prophecy, in proportion to faith
clear understanding                                            ministry, in ministering;
simple trust                                                         the teacher, in teaching;
healing the sick                                                  the exhorter, in exhortation;
miraculous acts                                                  the giver, in generosity;
proclamation                                                      the leader, in diligence;
distinguishing between spirits                           the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
Tongues                                                                                                           NRSV
interpretation of tongues.
All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.                                                                      The Message Version

• Paul probably did not consider his listing of gifts to be comprehensive but they may have been some which he found were present in the Corinthian congregation. His letter to the church in Rome came later with some other ideas. What is your reaction to the lists; do you see breadth and variety?

• Which of these gifts do you think that you have either experienced yourself or feel that you have seen in others? Why do you think that the gift was a manifestation of the Spirit? Have you ever felt that you have been moved by the Spirit to do something you might not have felt equipped to do or use something you were capable of doing in a new way?

• Are there some on this list that you would not expect to be present in a congregation today? Why might they not be present at this time? What gifts would you add to the list?

• How do you feel about the idea of faith healing?  Aimee Semple McPherson was an evangelist and faith healer during the first half of the 20th century. She believed that all of the spiritual gifts were available to believers just as they were described in Acts. Read the story below which tells of her first healing and reflect on your reaction to it.  Are any other gifts that you have questions about?

• Should identifying and using spiritual gifts be something that a faith community should focus upon in its life and programming? What might be done to help people search for and use their spiritual gifts? How might this change the scope and effectiveness of a community’s ministry?

From Sister Aimee by Daniel Mark Epstein - Corona, New York, 1916

She was preaching this text (Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever) one night in Corona when a taxicab pulled up to the door of the Free Gospel Church. Two people got out of the cab quickly and come around to open the curb door for Louise Messnick. You could hardly tell whether Louise Messnick was a little girl or an old lady the way she was scrunched down in the car seat. She looked as if she had passed out with her chin on her chest. But she was wide awake in pain, looking up out of the corner of her eyes through the car window above her head. Louise Messnick was a young woman in the advanced stages of rheumatoid arthritis…

Now the crowd made way for the twisted young woman on crutches… Sister Aimee had just been declaring that Jesus Christ was the same yesterday, today, and forever, with the same power to heal the body and mind, and deliver the gifts of tongues and prophecy via the Holy Ghost, as He showed in ancient times. The crippled Louise Messnick entered like a dramatic challenge to Aimee’s sermon…

Aimee tells us that before his night in Corona she had not discovered the gift of healing. “Indeed very little had been said about this great doctrine at the time.” Yet she had seen her own broken ankle healed in Findlay, Ohio in 1909…

The audience watched Aimee looking at the arthritic woman, as if to say… If He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, why doesn’t He do something about this crippled woman in our midst? Are you just going to stand there and preach?

“Oh Lord,” Aimee cried out in her heart, “you are able to heal her.” And she realized she was going to do something she had never done before. It might disappoint everyone terribly if her instinct failed her. “How I did wish that I could begin with someone who looked a bit more mendable…” she recalled. But it was too late for such considerations. She was already caught up in the process that had begun in Louise Messnick’s body and in the body of the crowd days before…

Sister Aimee had called all these people together in the presence of the Holy Spirit, for the anointing, an infusion of the divine presence. Young and old, rich and poor, man and woman, became a single body. This was her gift as an orator, her charisma, which came from a deep understanding founded upon years of reflection and prayer. The crowd’s body was a healing body like that of Christ, the wounded healer. Now she had a vivid image of Christ’s body which she projected in their midst so powerfully that those who could not literally see it could still feel the Lord’s presence…

She laid her hands upon the woman’s head. As she did this, she felt an energy surge like an electric charge coming up from her heels right through her spine into her tingling fingertips. It seemed, as she closed her eyes, that the charge came from Christ’s image down through the body of the rapt audience and then up through her legs. This was pleasant and soothing, like warm water. It seemed to have an immediate effect upon Louise Messnick’s skin color,,. as well as her temperature. The woman’s cheeks flushed and her heartbeat increased… The hands went up until her arms were nearly straight above her head. Her chin, which had been fastened to her sunken chest so long, it seemed to have grown there, begin to move slightly to the side. Then it straightened again as her neck muscles relaxed… Louis Messnick gazed heavenward, her arms outstretched, and as Aimee held her, she rose to her feet… Louise Messnick walked out of the church that night alone, without her crutches.

The healings present a monstrous obstacle to scientific historiography. If events transpired as newspapers, letters, and testimonials say they did, then Aimee Semple McPherson’s healing ministry was miraculous. Since a miracle by definition is a thing which defies reality, there is no place in scholarly or scientific history for recurrent miracles.

Closing Prayer

O Holy Spirit, whose presence is liberty, grant us that freedom of the Spirit which will not fear to tread in unknown ways, nor be held back by misgivings of ourselves and fear of others. Amen.
                                                                                                          From a prayer by George Appelton, Oxford Book of Prayer

Next Week’s Scriptures: Luke 4:14-21, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Psalm 19, Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10



Baptism and the Spirit

For 1/13/2013


Baptism is one of the most significant steps that people take in their faith journey. All of the Gospels include the story of Jesus’ baptism (John’s version however is not crystal clear that Jesus was baptized) so we will look at that event today. But as you read it the real question is what does your baptism mean to you today and also why is it such a very public act?  Today's Lectionary scripture is from Luke 3:

15 The interest of the people by now was building. They were all beginning to wonder, “Could this John be the Messiah?” 16-17 But John intervened: “I’m baptizing you here in the river. The main character in this drama, to whom I’m a mere stagehand, will ignite the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He’s going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He’ll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he’ll put out with the trash to be burned.” 18There was a lot more of this—words that gave strength to the people, words that put heart in them.                        The Message Version

• What kind of a baptism does John promise? Does he seem to downplay it? How about himself, who does he say he is? Does it sound like some kind of a low key event? You can read one persons take on John and Jesus at the bottom on this study.

• What kind of baptism is promised by the one who is coming? Is a model for this kind of baptism in the Pentecost story?  Link to Acts 2:1-21

• What does this kind of baptism mean to you and did you experience some of these dynamics either at the time of your baptism or as you reflect upon your faith journey? Did you feel that it was an act of repentance as well as a spiritual moment?

• What does verse 15 tell us about the people and one of the reasons that John was the source of so much interest? Why do you think so many people flocked into the wilderness to experience his baptism? Do you think that significant numbers of people today might have the same type of feelings and pressures? How might we reach out to fill this need?

• The Jews were living under Roman occupation with the promise of God’s covenant with Abraham seemingly out of reach; what might they hope a Messiah would accomplish? What would the characteristics of this type of person have been? How does this paradigm contribute to the confusion about Jesus?

• How does John characterize the consequences of the coming Messiah in verse 16-17? How do you interpret these words? Is it what the people wanted to hear? Is it what you want to hear? Can you see in them the message of Good News in the Gospel Message? Was John’s prophecy correct?

Back to Luke 2:

21-22 After all the people were baptized, Jesus was baptized. As he was praying, the sky opened up and the Holy Spirit, like a dove descending, came down on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life.”    The Message Version

• Why do you think that Jesus participated in the act of baptism? When does the Holy Spirit descend upon him?

• What is Jesus doing after his baptism? Is it unusual to find Jesus praying as we read the gospel story? Why did Jesus pray, he was the son of God? What can prayer bring to our lives, even as we pray for others?

• What happened to Jesus as he prayed? Why did he need the Spirit to descend upon him? Fred Craddock has written: The coming of the Holy Spirit does not make Jesus the Son of God; Luke has told us who Jesus is from the time of the annunciation. The Holy Spirit comes to empower Jesus for his ministry. He will soon be led by the Spirit into the desert (4:1), and then he will return "in the power of the spirit into Galilee"

• Does the idea of Jesus needing empowerment fit with your understanding of who he is?

• Do you think that the Holy Spirit descends upon us and is present with us at some point or is it more episodic? What gives you confidence that the Spirit is present with you?

• What words does Jesus hear after baptism? Do you think that they have any relevance for us as we experienced our own baptism? What meaning might they have for those we love and for those with whom we have conflict?

• How does this story fit into this liturgical season of Epiphany? Was confusion about Jesus’ identity and misguided expectations for him part of the gospel story? Is there confusion and disagreement today, even among Christians, about aspects of the nature of Christ?

Closing Prayer

How we long to be affirmed, O God, to be told we are loved and valued. Strengthen our hearts to hear your voice speaking these words to us. Open our hearts to cling to your all embracing love. Amen.

Next week’s scriptures: John 2:1-11, Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10, I Corinthians 12:1-11

From FINDING HOPE WHEN ALL AROUND US, THINGS ARE CRUMBLING by Rex A. E. Hunt

Who was John the Baptiser? Scholars speculate that John was a young man, probably in his late 20s - very early 30s. He had spent most of his youth, maybe as many as 14 years or so,

living in the desert wilderness. He was also a young man who was passionate about his cause.

Some might say ‘obsessed’. Others have even hinted ‘jealous’ of his cousin, Jesus.

Storytellers and poets on the other hand, give a bit more colourful picture. Matthew describes him, and in a detail never given to Jesus: “John wore a garment made of camel-hair with a leather belt round his waist, and his food was locusts with wild honey.” Although there is every likelihood the early Christian communities made-up the story dialogue between John and Jesus (in the gospels) their efforts were designed to show that Jesus, and not John, was the more important.

From all we know about his preaching style John strongly claimed that the nearness of the kingdom or realm or empire of God was a judgement to inspire fear (or at least change) in the ‘disobedient’ - the so-called insider. While similar, his preaching style was also in contrast to Jesus’ style, that the nearness of the kingdom or realm or empire of God was an invitation to inspire hope in the ‘ordinary’ - the so-called outsider. Two different visions or dreams by which to renew a hurting nation. So we should not be too surprised when the storyteller we call Matthew has John asking the question of Jesus: Who the heck are you - really?

He (John) comes out of the desert wilderness and starts to call people to take a long, hard look at themselves. For their political situation was such they needed a word of hope. Life could be pretty bleak. Often without hope. Not the message we tend to see on our Christmas cards, is it?

But that’s the political context of the first Christmas story. And while both John and Jesus chose to follow different dreams, both were seeking to transform their world, and bring an end to war and violence, injustice and oppression.



Jesus, Herod and the Band of Scholars

For 1/6/2013


Today's Lectionary Gospel lesson is Matthew 2:1-12 which is a very familiar scripture for Christians.  First let's take a look at some of the actors in the story:

Epiphany Observance. . Epiphany is one of the oldest holy days in Christianity along with Christmas and Easter. Originating in the Eastern Orthodox church is observed in the Protestant church from January 6th through Ash Wednesday. January 6th is twelve days from Christmas.  There are lots of resources for further information on Epiphany but one non-denominational is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany_(holiday)

Epiphany from the Greek epifaneia meaning an appearing, disclosure, manifestation, unveiling brightness. Often used of the glorious manifestation of the gods, and esp. of their coming to help; in the NT the coming of Christ.

Magi (band of scholars) – Many interpretations of just who they were. Some say astrologers, wise men, priests, philosophers or magicians. On any account it was not unusual for foreign regimes to send emissaries to give gifts to new kings or rulers.

Herad the Great – Voted “King of the Jews” by the Roman Senate he ruled Judea for over 30 years. Two things that stand out about him are his ruthless killings of those he considered rivals including his wife and several sons and the major building projects he undertook including the rebuilding of the Jewish temple.

Star – Because Jesus’ birth would have preceded Herod’s death in 4 BCE many have settled on 7 BCE when there was a confluence of Jupiter and Saturn. There were apparently other confluences and the appearance of comets during the years shortly before Herod’s death.

Matthew tells us:

2: 1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.” 3-4 When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” 5-6 They told him, “Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly: It’s you, Bethlehem, in Judah’s land, no longer bringing up the rear. From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel.”  The Message Version

• What was Herod’s reaction to the appearance of the wise men? Who did they tell him they were looking for? The scripture uses the word terrified for Herod and the people’s reaction. What other feelings might Herod have had? Why were the people frightened?

• If the scholars were coming to honor the birth of a king how must they have felt when people had no idea what they were talking about and they found a reaction of fright to what they must have felt was good news? Wouldn’t the people have been excited to hear about the birth of the Messiah?

• The chief priests and scribes gave Herod the information about the birthplace of the Messiah but seem to have no further involvement in the events. Is this surprising? What might you have done if you were alive in those times? What would it have taken to cause a person to take the risks associated with joining the wise men in their search?

• What would your reaction be if you knew Jesus was coming to your house tomorrow? What range of emotions might you have?

7-8 Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, “Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I’ll join you at once in your worship.” 9-10 Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time! 11 They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh. 12 In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country.  The Message Version

What reasons might Herod have had for secretly calling for the wise men? Do you think that they bought his story?

How do you visualize the description of the star going and stopping over Jesus’ birthplace happening? What did the wise men find at their destination? Did it fit the perceptions they might have had as they began their journey?

In spite of the very humble circumstances of Jesus birth the wise men worshipped him. What must have happened to cause them to choose to do this?

What does Matthew want us to understand about Jesus from this story? Who recognizes and worship Jesus and who does not? What does the appearance of the magi tell us about Jesus; what does Matthew want us to understand?

What was/is your epiphany?  What contributes to your recognition and worship of Christ despite the lack of historical verification and potential of improbability in so much of the gospel story? What has made Jesus real for you, your epiphany?

Closing Litany

May the Lord bless us and keep us; may the Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious to us; may the Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace. Amen

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 29, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Shape Up - A New Day Is Coming

For 12/16/2012


The story of John the Baptist is included in all four gospels and his disciples appear on several occasions in Luke’s story of the early church (Acts). But what does he have to say to us today as we prepare for the celebration of the baby’s birth? He spoke out with words of accusation and instruction, just what do they have to do with us today?

Luke 3:7-9 When crowds of people came out for baptism because it was the popular thing to do, John exploded: “Brood of snakes! What do you think you’re doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to deflect God’s judgment? It’s your life that must change, not your skin. And don’t think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as ‘father.’ Being a child of Abraham is neither here nor there—children of Abraham are a dime a dozen. God can make children from stones if he wants. What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it’s deadwood, it goes on the fire.”

• How do you visualize him as he speaks to the crowd? What is his demeanor, appearance, and what are the characteristics of his speaking voice? What would your reaction be if you had trudged all the way out into the desert to hear them?

• One of foundations of the faith John’s listeners was being a descendant of Abraham and heirs of God’s covenant with him. What does John say about that and what would their reaction have been? What does he say really counts? Can we fall victim to the same kind of assumptions? What really counts for us, do we hold onto things that effect our ability to be truly repentant (change direction)?

• We are told that large crowds came out to hear John, what might have motivated them to trek out into the desert to hear this man? What message or speaker might motivate you to go out of your way to listen to in person? Has anyone you have heard speak influenced your faith life for better or worse?

• John is prominent in the Gospels with two beginning with his story. What do we know about John, who were his parents and was his relationship to Jesus? Here are some links to Luke 1.  His parents  Connection to Jesus  His Birth  Unlike Jesus who has one or two possible references, John the Baptist appears in recorded history.  The following passage in the first-century Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, is especially valuable as all our other descriptions of John come from Christian sources.

[116] Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did against John, that was called the Baptist: for Herod slew him, who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God, and so to come to baptism; for that the washing [with water] would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away [or the remission] of some sins [only], but for the purification of the body; supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness. Now when [many] others came in crowds about him, for they were very greatly moved [or pleased] by hearing his words, Herod, who feared lest the great influence John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion, (for they seemed ready to do any thing he should advise,) thought it best, by putting him to death, to prevent any mischief he might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties, by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it would be too late. Accordingly he was sent a prisoner, out of Herod's suspicious temper, to Macherus, the castle I before mentioned, and was there put to death. Now the Jews had an opinion that the destruction of this army was sent as a punishment upon Herod, and a mark of God's displeasure to him. Antiquities of the Jewish People, 18.116-19: Perseus Digital Library

John’s message had an impact on the crowd and they began to ask questions:

Matthew 3:10 The crowd asked him, “Then what are we supposed to do?” 11 “If you have two coats, give one away,” he said. “Do the same with your food.” 12 Tax men also came to be baptized and said, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He told them, “No more extortion—collect only what is required by law.” 14 Soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He told them, “No shakedowns, no blackmail—and be content with your rations.”

• What is the crowd’s reaction to John’s admonition? How profound is John’s direction to them? Is this some esoteric or mystical life he telling them they must embrace? How do we find out what we need to change? Is it really something we always want to hear?

• Have you ever changed direction for the better in some aspect of your life? What kind of things motivates us to make these changes? What are some feelings we have after making them?

• How do you feel about hearing this scripture in Advent when we focus on joy and celebration?

John now both speaks to his role and of the coming of someone and something even greater:

15 The interest of the people by now was building. They were all beginning to wonder, “Could this John be the Messiah?” 16-17 But John intervened: “I’m baptizing you here in the river. The main character in this drama, to whom I’m a mere stagehand, will ignite the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He’s going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He’ll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he’ll put out with the trash to be burned.” 18 There was a lot more of this—words that gave strength to the people, words that put heart in them. The Message!

• What kind of baptism does John offer? What is it intended to do? How does he describe the impact of the messiah’s baptism – what will happen, what will change?

• What your memories of you baptism? Did you feel that it was an act of repentance as well as a spiritual moment? Has it taken on more or less meaning over time?

• What does John make clear is his status as opposed to the coming Messiah? If you read the Gospels you will see repeated instances of this clarification which speaks to the stature of John whose influence could be felt up to the time of their being written. See this example of his influence in Acts:

Acts 19 1-2 Now, it happened that while Apollos was away in Corinth (about 20 years after the resurrection), Paul made his way down through the mountains, came to Ephesus, and happened on some disciples there. The first thing he said was, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?” “We’ve never even heard of that—a Holy Spirit? God within us?” 3 “How were you baptized, then?” asked Paul. “In John’s baptism.”

• What do you take away from this, does this discussion fit into your idea of Advent preparation?

Closing Prayer

Enter my heart, O Holy Spirit, and set me free. Throw open the locked doors of my mind, cleanse the chambers of my thought for your dwelling; light there fires of a new understanding of truth. Amen. From a prayer by Eric Milner-White

Next Week’s Scriptures: Luke 2:39-45 (45-55), Micah 5:2-5, Luke 1:47-55 or Psalm 80:1-7, Hebrews 10:5-10

Good News or Bad News?

For 12/9/2012


Advent is a time of preparation and waiting but what are we really waiting for – a child born in a manger or something else? And what are the ramifications of this arrival, what do you expect and just what might happen when the time of waiting is over? What is the meaning of Jesus’ arrival for you this year?


Malachi has some ideas on what should be expected and they are very un-babe-in-the-manger like. Read on and you may find some additional thoughts to include in your Christmas preparations. Malachi speaks to a community which had returned from exile and rebuilt the temple, yet the new world of blessings and peace spoken of by prophets like Isaiah had not commenced. He likely is writing to a people who are disheartened and question God’s promises.

Malachi 3:1-4  The Message Version
3:1 “Look! I’m sending my messenger on ahead to clear the way for me. Suddenly, out of the blue, the Leader you’ve been looking for will enter his Temple—yes, the Messenger of the Covenant, the one you’ve been waiting for. Look! He’s on his way!” A Message from the mouth of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
2-4 But who will be able to stand up to that coming? Who can survive his appearance? He’ll be like white-hot fire from the smelter’s furnace. He’ll be like the strongest lye soap at the laundry. He’ll take his place as a refiner of silver, as a cleanser of dirty clothes. He’ll scrub the Levite priests clean, refine them like gold and silver, until they’re fit for God, fit to present offerings of righteousness. Then, and only then, will Judah and Jerusalem be fit and pleasing to God, as they used to be in the years long ago.

Malachi later identifies the messenger as Elijah (4:5-6) and the Gospels give John the Baptist this role. In the Jewish tradition Elijah’s return preceeds the coming of the Messiah and a seat and cup is reserved for him at the Seder Table.

• Verse 1 brings good news for the Israelites. What does Malachi give as the purpose of the coming of the messenger (v 1)? Does this sound like what they may have been looking and hoping for? How must the people have felt when they heard these words?

• The good news is tempered with a stern reality? What will be the focus of the Lord’s return, what will be done? Is it something to anticipate with relish? What does it appear that Malachi feels is standing between the Israelites and God’s blessing?

• Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes of this theme of judgment in an Advent sermon he preached in 1928:

It is very remarkable that we face the thought that God is coming, so calmly, whereas previously peoples trembled at the day of God . . . . We have become so accustomed to the idea of divine love and of God's coming at Christmas that we no longer feel the shiver of fear that God's coming should arouse in us. We are indifferent to the message, taking only the pleasant and agreeable out of it and forgetting the serious aspect, that the God of the world draws near to the people of our little earth and lays claim to us. The coming of God is truly not only glad tidings, but first of all frightening news for every one who has a conscience.

Only when we have felt the terror of the matter, can we recognize the incomparable kindness. God comes into the very midst of evil and of death, and judges the evil in us and in the world. And by judging us, God cleanses and sanctifies us, comes to us with grace and love.1

• What is your reaction to Bonhoeffer’s words? Have you ever included thoughts of God’s judging with Advent? Do these words fit with your understanding and feelings about Jesus as you think about his birth?

• Is there any part of the Christian theology or liturgy that includes cleansing as a part of Jesus’ coming? What did the people who came to John the Baptist receive as part of the preparation he was announcing?

• Malachi’s words might be more appropriate for Lent rather than Advent but can we really separate the two? Are there any elements of our Lenten preparation which might also be included in Advent?

• Let’s review, after thinking about these questions what should we include in our expectations and thoughts about the consequences of the birth of Christ? What would you include in a description of who Jesus is and the meaning his coming has for you? Try writing it down as part of your Advent preparations.

Closing Prayer

Prepare us to embrace your presence and your leading, O God of promise. Open our hearts to the words of your prophets, who bid us to journey in your wise ways of justice and peace. Amen.

Next Week’s Scriptures: Luke 3:7-18, Philippians 4:4-7, Isaiah 12:2-6, Zephaniah 3:14-20

Pay Attention - Big Things Are Going To Happen!

For 12/2/2012

This is the first Sunday in the Advent season which is a time of announcement of the coming, the birth of the Savior, but the Gospel Scripture for this Sunday contains a different kind of announcement – the Second Coming. Each of the three synoptic gospels contains warnings about the end times. Some contain references to the destruction of the temple which was probably an accomplished fact when the gospels were written but here Luke’s words are more general. But first to set the scene:

• Recall a time of crisis when the world around you seemed to be coming apart. Were there some things that seemed out of your control? What could you control and what resources helped you find your way through?

Now Luke’s recording of Jesus’ announcement with his words of caution and advice about his return:

Luke 21:25-26 “It will seem like all hell has broken loose—sun, moon, stars, earth, sea, in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.
27-28 “And then—then!—they’ll see the Son of Man welcomed in grand style—a glorious welcome! When all this starts to happen, up on your feet. Stand tall with your heads high. Help is on the way!”
29-33 He told them a story. “Look at a fig tree. Any tree for that matter. When the leaves begin to show, one look tells you that summer is right around the corner. The same here—when you see these things happen, you know God’s kingdom is about here. Don’t brush this off: I’m not just saying this for some future generation, but for this one, too—these things will happen. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won’t wear out.
34-36 “But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.”
From The Message Version

• What are the signs of the time of the coming of the Son of Man ? How are people reacting to these signs? Can you see any of these kind of events in our world today? Do you think that fear and foreboding by people because of disastrous events is unique to our times?

*Is Jesus’ returning an important part of your theology?  See the article below by David Lose which looks at both the idea of a second coming and living our real lives today.

• How is Jesus portrayed as returning? How would you imagine it happening if it occurred tomorrow, where might it happen and how would it received? Revelations prophesies in this fashion:
21:1 I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea.
2 I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband.
3-5 I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.” The Enthroned continued, “Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.”
From the Message Version

What are some of the major themes of the Revelations scripture? Are any of them meaningful to you?

• Jesus uses the analogy of springtime to speak of signs of his return – of the spiritual renewal of the world. Have you had times of spiritual renewal? What prepared you for the experience? What triggered it? If not are there signs that you should seek renewal?

• Can times of trial be a part of our journey to redemption? Have you discovered things about your faith because of hard times? Did signs of God’s presence come through as you experienced the difficulties?

• Jesus tells us not to get distracted, to pay attention, to be alert, that we can miss the signs if we forget we are on a faith journey. What is your experience in maintaining a faith focus in hard times? What helps and what hinders a faithful journey when things are really bad for us?

• Jesus seems to say that these events will happen in the lifetime of those he is speaking to? What do you make of this prediction some 2000 years later, what do his words mean to you as a person of faith today?

• Much of scripture and certainly this one are about the faithfulness of God to the promises God made to humankind. For those of us who live in the real world the events in our lives, the lives of those around us and the ongoing injustice, famine, war and natural disasters can test this certainty. So we must rely on faith and the writer of Hebrews gives us a very brief but wonderful definition of faith:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

From The New English Version

This is indeed the human condition, connected to the mysterious infinity by faith alone.

Closing Litany (from Psalm 25)

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;

teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth, and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all day long.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;

teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth, and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all day long.

Amen

Next Week’s Scriptures: Luke 3:1-6, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 1:68-79, Baruch 5:1-9 or Malachi 3:1-4

From WorkingPreacher.org

Apocalyptic texts come across to most of our hearers as alien, strange, even off-putting. Truth be told, whatever worries we may occasionally harbor about, nuclear or environment holocaust, most of us express little day-to-day concern about the end of the world and even less about Jesus' second coming. In this respect, we may feel that we live at a great distance from Luke's audience.

At the same time, we are as intimately acquainted as they were with the challenges presented by waiting for an event that seems late in coming. We may be waiting for an event on a national or global scale like economic recovery, an end to war in Iraq and Afghanistan, or concerted international action to reduce pollution. Or we may be waiting an event on a personal level like the results from a biopsy, a letter from an estranged child, or the safe return of a loved one from a tour of duty. Whatever the case, we know the challenge of waiting, the stress of waiting, the anxiety of waiting.

In this context, Luke offers us a perspective that, while it will not remove our waiting, it may affect its character. We live, according to Luke, between the two great poles of God's intervention in the world: the coming of Christ in the flesh and his triumph over death. In this regard we should not forget that these verses serve as the hinge between Jesus' teaching and his passion – and the coming of Christ in glory at the end of time and his triumph over all the powers of earth and heaven. This "in-between time," though fraught with tension, is nevertheless also characterized by hope as both the beginning and the ending of the story of the Church – and therefore of our story –which has been secured by Christ. We are therefore free to struggle, to wait, to work, to witness – indeed to live and die – with hope because we know the end of the story.

From Moses to Martin Luther King, Jr., history is full of examples of those who, because they had been to the mountaintop, had peered into the promised land, and had heard and believed the promise of a better future, found the challenges of the present not only endurable, but hopeful. We, too, amid the very real setbacks, disappointments, or worries of this life, can "stand up and raise [our] heads" because we have heard Jesus' promise that our "redemption draws near."

David Lose
Marbury E. Anderson Biblical Preaching Chair
Luther Seminary
St. Paul, MN