This week, we're reflecting on the passage in John 5, the first 9 verses. This healing of the sick man by the pool called Bethesda is the sign (or miracle) that follows the water turned to wine at Cana and the absentee healing of the royal's son in Capernaum. It's fascinating, that this second visit to Jerusalem by Jesus, has Jesus turning the "mat laying" man upside down. The command to "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk," has this man scampering up on his feet after a mere 38 years! Also, I love the fact that this occurs near the Sheep Gate, which is the precise gate that Jesus exits Jerusalem on his way to the cross.
It also struck us this week, that Jesus generally chooses the worst cases, the severe down-and-out folks to heal and change. When God does a miracle, He usually stacks the odds against himself. He does the seemingly impossible. So, someone who has been an invalid for 38 years is one who has lost not only friends and family, but his dignity, perhaps his mind and probably his will to do something different. It's quite fascinating that this command, this word of God has the "snap him out of it" response that it does. But, then again, we know that the Word of God does not come back void. When God speaks, things happen! No different here.
The question that we wrestled with in Bible study is: How are we stuck in routines, in "we've always done it this way before" mentalities, or even in "we have a good rationale why we can't do something."
We noted that the unnamed man did not answer Jesus' direct question, "Do you want to get well?" He skirted the issue with an excuse for why he couldn't do it. He was paralyzed in his imagination of other avenues or possibilities.
Finally, it was pointed out that this story like the whole story of the Bible is about Jesus Christ, His power, His authority, His life-giving Spirit! Again and again, we note that when Jesus comes to give us hope, faith, freedom and love, we receive it and about in His grace and truth. It is not about our faith, our will our might or anything about us. It is all about the matchless, saving, wonderful grace of Jesus! May that be true for you today!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
John 13:31 - 35 - Light in the midst of darkness
John chapter 13 is a very interesting chapter. Jesus is hosting the last supper with his friends. He uses this time to make a dramatic and moving demonstration of "servant leadership," by taking on the role of the lowest slave and washing their feet. After doing this, he tells them directly, "Now that I your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."
What I love about this example is that Jesus doesn't just 'hope' that they get it. He doesn't model this humble act and then move on. He is very direct and lets them know. You do this, too!
At the end of the meal, Jesus predicts his betrayal and even names the person by handing Judas a piece of bread. Then it says, "As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night."
Notice how this scene ends - in verse 27, it says, "As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him." Then after this, he went out and it was night. So the scene ends with Satan in Judas and it was dark.
Now, our text for today. In verse 31, "When he (Judas) was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once." Jesus uses the word glorify FIVE times. WOW - Is this a throw back to him being the light that overcomes the darkness or WHAT? Just when evil is on the scene and it is all dark and dreary looking, God in Jesus Christ brings light and glory to the scene. In John 1:5, The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." Can we find hope and comfort in that fact? Can we hold out hope that even in our darkest hours, Jesus is present and bringing light and life to bear?
Don't know about you, but I find great comfort and hope in this brief observation. If I have time, I will also dive into the "new command" topic that is in this passage as well. Until then, have a great week.
What I love about this example is that Jesus doesn't just 'hope' that they get it. He doesn't model this humble act and then move on. He is very direct and lets them know. You do this, too!
At the end of the meal, Jesus predicts his betrayal and even names the person by handing Judas a piece of bread. Then it says, "As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night."
Notice how this scene ends - in verse 27, it says, "As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him." Then after this, he went out and it was night. So the scene ends with Satan in Judas and it was dark.
Now, our text for today. In verse 31, "When he (Judas) was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once." Jesus uses the word glorify FIVE times. WOW - Is this a throw back to him being the light that overcomes the darkness or WHAT? Just when evil is on the scene and it is all dark and dreary looking, God in Jesus Christ brings light and glory to the scene. In John 1:5, The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." Can we find hope and comfort in that fact? Can we hold out hope that even in our darkest hours, Jesus is present and bringing light and life to bear?
Don't know about you, but I find great comfort and hope in this brief observation. If I have time, I will also dive into the "new command" topic that is in this passage as well. Until then, have a great week.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Romans 5:1-5
Doing some reflecting on Romans 5 for Bible study and for preparation of the Memorial Day message.
First some overall observations:
This short passage has a trinitarian language embeded in it as it mentions, God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit all in this very condensed passage.
It also has the time trinity embeded within as it looks at the past - "we have been justified," the present - "we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," and the future - "we boast in the hope of the glory of God."
And finally, this short pericope covers hope whether we are doing fine or suffering. Either way, it leads to hope. The suffering route seems to meander a bit as it produces perseverance, character and then hope, but at least it gets there.
Another note about the word "boast" or "rejoice" Some versions of the Bible use rejoice instead of boast as boast, for us, has a negative connotation.
In our Bible study, we spent some time on looking at some passages that bolster the concept of faith being a gift from God that is freely given. We looked at Ephes 2:8-9 and Acts 16:14 and finally Philippians 1:29. These are the verses listed in Wikipedia's paragraph about justification.
Personally, I love this passage as a way of reminding me to live boldly and confidently because of what the Lord Jesus Christ did for me to give me peace, faith, justification and hope. It is a wonderful combination that gives me energy for the future.
Romans 5:1-5 - New International Version (NIV) (thanks Biblegateway.com)
First some overall observations:
This short passage has a trinitarian language embeded in it as it mentions, God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit all in this very condensed passage.
It also has the time trinity embeded within as it looks at the past - "we have been justified," the present - "we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," and the future - "we boast in the hope of the glory of God."
And finally, this short pericope covers hope whether we are doing fine or suffering. Either way, it leads to hope. The suffering route seems to meander a bit as it produces perseverance, character and then hope, but at least it gets there.
Another note about the word "boast" or "rejoice" Some versions of the Bible use rejoice instead of boast as boast, for us, has a negative connotation.
In our Bible study, we spent some time on looking at some passages that bolster the concept of faith being a gift from God that is freely given. We looked at Ephes 2:8-9 and Acts 16:14 and finally Philippians 1:29. These are the verses listed in Wikipedia's paragraph about justification.
Personally, I love this passage as a way of reminding me to live boldly and confidently because of what the Lord Jesus Christ did for me to give me peace, faith, justification and hope. It is a wonderful combination that gives me energy for the future.
Romans 5:1-5 - New International Version (NIV) (thanks Biblegateway.com)
5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Walking away from disappointment
Today, I'm looking at Luke 24:13-35 - The Road to Emmaus. The story is extremely rich in imagery, mystery and meat for reflection. One of the comments by Frrederick Buechner about this passage asks the excellent question - "Where is our Emmaus?" Where do we go to escape? Do we go to the movies, the bar, the park, the beach, to work? When life deals us a major blow. When life doesn't come out like we expected it, what do we do and where do we go?
This passage perhaps asks us to reexamine our travel narrative, our going along the road of life. Who is going with us and what can we learn about the trip, ourselves and others in our journey?
The other thing to think about from this passage is this. What would life be like if we treated everyone we meet and journey with, as if they were the Christ? What would that look like in our own lives? How would we be different?
The next thing to ponder is when we get a brief glimpse of the Holy, when we smile, giggle, feel that strange and wonderful warming of our heart, how do we tell others? Is it even possible? When beautiful mysterious grace happens to us, can we find the words to share it?
Finally, and I know I'm being pretty curious and laying a heavy "reflective" burden on you, but look at the role of hospitality in this reading. The two who journeyed with Jesus invited him to stay with them and enjoy a meal. It almost seems natural or obligatory based on how much he was teaching them and blessing them along the way, but anyway, they asked Jesus to dine with them. In this gesture of hospitality, Jesus blesses and breaks bread with them AND THEN their eyes are opened to who they were eating with! This is a powerful reminder that in hosting strangers, we could be hosting our Lord. But, here's the little caution in this. It seems to me that they were only repaying the value he was giving them in opening them to the scriptures about him. He was an outstanding teacher, so naturally, they would owe him at least a meal. Can we take this to the next level? Can we offer hospitality to those who are not teaching us, blessing us and giving themselves to us? Some tough questions from a very powerful narrative.
Lastly, notice the rapid response of those at dinner when their eyes were opened! They immediately had to go share the news! They probably got indigestion on the rapid trip back to Jerusalem!
Have a phenomenal week reflecting on this passage.
This passage perhaps asks us to reexamine our travel narrative, our going along the road of life. Who is going with us and what can we learn about the trip, ourselves and others in our journey?
The other thing to think about from this passage is this. What would life be like if we treated everyone we meet and journey with, as if they were the Christ? What would that look like in our own lives? How would we be different?
The next thing to ponder is when we get a brief glimpse of the Holy, when we smile, giggle, feel that strange and wonderful warming of our heart, how do we tell others? Is it even possible? When beautiful mysterious grace happens to us, can we find the words to share it?
Finally, and I know I'm being pretty curious and laying a heavy "reflective" burden on you, but look at the role of hospitality in this reading. The two who journeyed with Jesus invited him to stay with them and enjoy a meal. It almost seems natural or obligatory based on how much he was teaching them and blessing them along the way, but anyway, they asked Jesus to dine with them. In this gesture of hospitality, Jesus blesses and breaks bread with them AND THEN their eyes are opened to who they were eating with! This is a powerful reminder that in hosting strangers, we could be hosting our Lord. But, here's the little caution in this. It seems to me that they were only repaying the value he was giving them in opening them to the scriptures about him. He was an outstanding teacher, so naturally, they would owe him at least a meal. Can we take this to the next level? Can we offer hospitality to those who are not teaching us, blessing us and giving themselves to us? Some tough questions from a very powerful narrative.
Lastly, notice the rapid response of those at dinner when their eyes were opened! They immediately had to go share the news! They probably got indigestion on the rapid trip back to Jerusalem!
Have a phenomenal week reflecting on this passage.
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