Matthew 3:11-12 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
I love scripture because it has indeed been a light unto my life. God's Word has turned me and changed me and moved me in ways I describe in a few lines, but I look back knowing I would not be the man I am without having fallen in love with a marvelous woman and a marvelous book, and the most glorious Lord of my life. That being said I do weigh certain things in scripture differently than others. The words of Jesus are weighted highly of course, and most of all the last things he said to his disciples. I also value more the words and events we find in all four gospels because they must have been foundational to the faith in order to have been repeated across the cultures and geography of the whole region. All the authors heard these words and they were important enough to include in their accounts. These words of John the Baptist are found in all four gospels slightly different but close to exact. He later says to some of the disciples that Jesus was the one to whom he was referring.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!!! John baptized with water for repentance but could not baptize with the Holy Spirit. In our baptism we receive the baptism for repentance and the baptism with the Holy Spirit. One of our problems as a church today is we seem to see John's baptism clearly while the baptism with the Holy Spirit is ignored, and yet that is pictured as the more important baptism by John and by Jesus. He tells the disciples after the resurrection not to leave the city until they had been baptized by the Holy Spirit. You too were given the Holy Spirit as a gift at your baptism but have you personally received the gift, or is it a present that you have never unwrapped?
Seldom do we recieve a gift that will touch our lives with immeasurable blessings that has a greater blessing in it for so many others around us. The Holy Spirit is given to sanctify us or to transform us progressively into the image of Christ through our sharing of the Holy Spirit's gifts with our family, friends, and neighbors. The Holy Spirit's presence in us actually grows as we freely give his grace away.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
My Way
Matthew 2:13-15 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod.
One of the promises God had given to his covenant people was the promise of protection if they remained in covenant with him. Throughout the history of God's people we find in scripture, again and again God fulfills his promise of protection. From Pharaoh during the Exodus, David from the covenant breaking Saul, the nation of Israel from invaders while they followed the covenant. In this scripture Jesus is protected from the wrath of King Herod.
We who live in the promise of the new covenant are also promised protection. The important words are live in the new covenant. Each day like the people of Israel we can choose to remain in the covenant and follow God's plan or go our own way. In the scriptures when Israel abandoned the covenant they ended up in trouble until they returned to following God. I think we want God's protection and we want God to follow us. It seems as if we promise to remain in covenant with God if he promises to follow our plan. I know I have acted again and again as if my way was best and just needed God's support. Lord protect us from ourselves.
One of the promises God had given to his covenant people was the promise of protection if they remained in covenant with him. Throughout the history of God's people we find in scripture, again and again God fulfills his promise of protection. From Pharaoh during the Exodus, David from the covenant breaking Saul, the nation of Israel from invaders while they followed the covenant. In this scripture Jesus is protected from the wrath of King Herod.
We who live in the promise of the new covenant are also promised protection. The important words are live in the new covenant. Each day like the people of Israel we can choose to remain in the covenant and follow God's plan or go our own way. In the scriptures when Israel abandoned the covenant they ended up in trouble until they returned to following God. I think we want God's protection and we want God to follow us. It seems as if we promise to remain in covenant with God if he promises to follow our plan. I know I have acted again and again as if my way was best and just needed God's support. Lord protect us from ourselves.
Believe It Or Not
Mark 16:9-11 Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went out and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.
Easter morning must have been an amazing contrast of thoughts and emotions. Mary Magdalene trying to convince the disciples that Jesus resurrection was real. Although Jesus had shown many miracles during his life including raising Lazarus from the dead after three days, this experience must have been shocking and confusing to all of them. Don't have a lot maore to say about that scripture even if it is among the most important events of all. We have the advantage of history and we ought to use it.
Easter morning must have been an amazing contrast of thoughts and emotions. Mary Magdalene trying to convince the disciples that Jesus resurrection was real. Although Jesus had shown many miracles during his life including raising Lazarus from the dead after three days, this experience must have been shocking and confusing to all of them. Don't have a lot maore to say about that scripture even if it is among the most important events of all. We have the advantage of history and we ought to use it.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Wondering Again
Mark 15:44-45 And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph.
Pilate is doing more wondering, perhaps thinking that if indeed this Jesus was the Son of God he would not be able to die. He questioned wether jesus was dead or not on any account and received assurance from the centurion that indeed Jesus was dead. The centurion had to be sure that Jesus was dead because misinformation could be a disaster for him. Letting a condemned go would be punished by death. If Jesus was alive and given to Joseph of Arimathea the centurion could be the one killed. Some say that Jesus never died on te cross but this and other evidence is conclusive for me. Pilate must have felt better, because I think he feared that Jesus was more than just a man. He must have been reassured by the news that Jesus was dead.
Resurrection is not possible for us without death, and our resurrection is not possible without Jesus death and resurrection. Pilate could not fathom the plan of God and scripture says that neither could the evil one. Satan thought he had won when Jesus was put to death, but in fact Jesus willing acceptance of his crucifixion assured the victory not just his but ours. Scripture says that God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts. Often I talk to others and sometimes think to myself that I need to understand things or they aren't true. When some scientist somewhere creates an atom even, let alone organize them to form all creation, then I might think we are approaching the thoughts of God. Until then I accept some things that don't fit in my brain, and act in faith upon things I don't understand, and have a relationship with someone I've never seen, and find life just works so much better. So I too may wonder, but it does not limit my faith.
Pilate is doing more wondering, perhaps thinking that if indeed this Jesus was the Son of God he would not be able to die. He questioned wether jesus was dead or not on any account and received assurance from the centurion that indeed Jesus was dead. The centurion had to be sure that Jesus was dead because misinformation could be a disaster for him. Letting a condemned go would be punished by death. If Jesus was alive and given to Joseph of Arimathea the centurion could be the one killed. Some say that Jesus never died on te cross but this and other evidence is conclusive for me. Pilate must have felt better, because I think he feared that Jesus was more than just a man. He must have been reassured by the news that Jesus was dead.
Resurrection is not possible for us without death, and our resurrection is not possible without Jesus death and resurrection. Pilate could not fathom the plan of God and scripture says that neither could the evil one. Satan thought he had won when Jesus was put to death, but in fact Jesus willing acceptance of his crucifixion assured the victory not just his but ours. Scripture says that God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts. Often I talk to others and sometimes think to myself that I need to understand things or they aren't true. When some scientist somewhere creates an atom even, let alone organize them to form all creation, then I might think we are approaching the thoughts of God. Until then I accept some things that don't fit in my brain, and act in faith upon things I don't understand, and have a relationship with someone I've never seen, and find life just works so much better. So I too may wonder, but it does not limit my faith.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Stone Thrower
John 10:31-33 The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of these do you stone me?” The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we stone you but for blasphemy; because you, being a man, make yourself God.”
The people who picked up the stones to kill Jesus were convinced that Jesus was claiming to be God. By his acts like forgiving sins not done to him but to someone else, or his talking about the works he has done as coming from his Father. I guess I would have been a stone thrower myself. How could I believe a man who claimed to be Son of God. I liked him well enough and all that but to make himself God that was a huge overstep in my mind. I spent years wrestling with Jesus identity because I liked the guy. Did you ever just love a character in a book or movie with this strange attraction. The Matt Damon character Will in Good Will Hunting is one of mine. He is this intelligent non achieving drinking rebel and I that was me. Other characters we pick are not what we are but what we want to be. Jesus was one of those for me, but then he couldn't be God, I couldn't be God so he couldn't either.
C. S. Lewis put it clearly that either Jesus was a liar claiming to be the God when he was not. or he was a lunatic thinking he was God when he was not, or he was who he said he was and indeed was God. He couldn't just be the nice guy I wanted him to be. I came to that place before I ever read Lewis, and I wrestled with that for a very long time. I eventually knew he was God and that changed everything, I intentionally said knew not believed in that sentence, because we think many things that we don't know in the sense on an intimate overwhelming reality like I knew I loved Marsha. It was not an intellectual choice after analysis of some choices, or taking up a time honored philosophical position, but rather a knowledge in the bones like the knowledge of a deep and permanent love. Knowing him changed everything indeed. That knowledge became the fulcrum that lifted the weight of the world off of me, and continues to fill my being with unbelievable treasures. Maybe in those old days I could have been a stone thrower, but I had to drop my stone.
The people who picked up the stones to kill Jesus were convinced that Jesus was claiming to be God. By his acts like forgiving sins not done to him but to someone else, or his talking about the works he has done as coming from his Father. I guess I would have been a stone thrower myself. How could I believe a man who claimed to be Son of God. I liked him well enough and all that but to make himself God that was a huge overstep in my mind. I spent years wrestling with Jesus identity because I liked the guy. Did you ever just love a character in a book or movie with this strange attraction. The Matt Damon character Will in Good Will Hunting is one of mine. He is this intelligent non achieving drinking rebel and I that was me. Other characters we pick are not what we are but what we want to be. Jesus was one of those for me, but then he couldn't be God, I couldn't be God so he couldn't either.
C. S. Lewis put it clearly that either Jesus was a liar claiming to be the God when he was not. or he was a lunatic thinking he was God when he was not, or he was who he said he was and indeed was God. He couldn't just be the nice guy I wanted him to be. I came to that place before I ever read Lewis, and I wrestled with that for a very long time. I eventually knew he was God and that changed everything, I intentionally said knew not believed in that sentence, because we think many things that we don't know in the sense on an intimate overwhelming reality like I knew I loved Marsha. It was not an intellectual choice after analysis of some choices, or taking up a time honored philosophical position, but rather a knowledge in the bones like the knowledge of a deep and permanent love. Knowing him changed everything indeed. That knowledge became the fulcrum that lifted the weight of the world off of me, and continues to fill my being with unbelievable treasures. Maybe in those old days I could have been a stone thrower, but I had to drop my stone.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
The Old Story
Mark 15:22-26 And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). And they offered him wine mingled with myrrh; but he did not take it. And they crucified him, and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour, when they crucified him. And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.”
We have heard the accounts of Jesus passion so many times that we risk a ho hum attitude to half of the most important event in the entirety of human history. Remember Jesus prayer, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what you will.” He understood what was being asked of him and he knew that his Father would rescue him if he chose. "Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?" He could have stopped the passion, but he chose to complete his Father's work. In his humanity he did not want this path, but he chose God's will. He did not in his humanity have his own power to stop or save him from this moment but knew his Father would save him if he asked.
I'm often in my own little world faced with tiny opportunities to do the same. I can choose God's will over my own, especially when my own is a primitive fear response. I can be assured of God's power and help if I am doing his will, but must know that his power and help doesn't mean I will avoid difficulty. Sometimes the difficulty will be used in ways I can't imagine to provide an even greater good. Marsha and I once lost close friends because of doing what we knew was God's will. It was not easy, but it prepared us for so many blessings in the following years. We found God's work at hand in our lives by being shown that we could grow and thrive even in adversity with Jesus help. Insignificant in comparison to the choice of Jesus as his sacrifice effected all of us, yet we are called to make our small sacrifices as we trust him at our moments of choice.
We have heard the accounts of Jesus passion so many times that we risk a ho hum attitude to half of the most important event in the entirety of human history. Remember Jesus prayer, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what you will.” He understood what was being asked of him and he knew that his Father would rescue him if he chose. "Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?" He could have stopped the passion, but he chose to complete his Father's work. In his humanity he did not want this path, but he chose God's will. He did not in his humanity have his own power to stop or save him from this moment but knew his Father would save him if he asked.
I'm often in my own little world faced with tiny opportunities to do the same. I can choose God's will over my own, especially when my own is a primitive fear response. I can be assured of God's power and help if I am doing his will, but must know that his power and help doesn't mean I will avoid difficulty. Sometimes the difficulty will be used in ways I can't imagine to provide an even greater good. Marsha and I once lost close friends because of doing what we knew was God's will. It was not easy, but it prepared us for so many blessings in the following years. We found God's work at hand in our lives by being shown that we could grow and thrive even in adversity with Jesus help. Insignificant in comparison to the choice of Jesus as his sacrifice effected all of us, yet we are called to make our small sacrifices as we trust him at our moments of choice.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Just Wondering
Mark 15:3-5 And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate wondered.
Imagine the situation that Pilate found himself immersed in that day. Clearly Jesus was somebody that the secular leader of the area would at least heard about. The things people said he had done were amazing and the Pilate would not have been in control of the area without listening to his soldiers and allies. Remember at one point he healed the centurion's servant, and that was just one instance that should have drawn attention. Now face to face he wondered. Pilate had a choice of what to do with his wonderment. He could respond to what he sensed in Jesus or he could let fear of the crowd dictate his choice. At every turn he tried to block the path that was leading to Calvary. He seeks to have Jesus released as a passover custom, but the crowd picks Barabbas and Pilate responds in fear.
In what areas of your relationship with Jesus are stuck wondering. The teaching of Jesus, the promises of Jesus, the call of Jesus on our lives all require faith to be really effective. In the recent training sessions on leadership we heard and then discussed the fact that everything is initiated by God. Our faith is not what makes it happen, but we do need to accept grace with faith. Our wondering may not send Jesus to Calvary, but it wound his body the church.
Imagine the situation that Pilate found himself immersed in that day. Clearly Jesus was somebody that the secular leader of the area would at least heard about. The things people said he had done were amazing and the Pilate would not have been in control of the area without listening to his soldiers and allies. Remember at one point he healed the centurion's servant, and that was just one instance that should have drawn attention. Now face to face he wondered. Pilate had a choice of what to do with his wonderment. He could respond to what he sensed in Jesus or he could let fear of the crowd dictate his choice. At every turn he tried to block the path that was leading to Calvary. He seeks to have Jesus released as a passover custom, but the crowd picks Barabbas and Pilate responds in fear.
In what areas of your relationship with Jesus are stuck wondering. The teaching of Jesus, the promises of Jesus, the call of Jesus on our lives all require faith to be really effective. In the recent training sessions on leadership we heard and then discussed the fact that everything is initiated by God. Our faith is not what makes it happen, but we do need to accept grace with faith. Our wondering may not send Jesus to Calvary, but it wound his body the church.
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