I was reading this morning from the middle verses of John 7. The people of Jerusalem are marveling at Jesus' teachings. John combines their interest in Jesus with the continual threats to Jesus' life. The people wonder why those in authority would want to kill Jesus.
And why would they?
In Dostoevsky's book, The Brothers Karamazov, one brother tells the pious brother a tell in which the priest finds Satan beaten and dying. Realizing that he has the chance to finish Satan off, he is warned by Satan what that would mean. He reminds the priest that so much of his own life is built upon waging war with Satan. Where would his life be - where would the life of the Church be - if Satan were no more. The priest takes Satan and nurses him back to health.
Why would he do that?
Sometimes it is easier to NOT be something that to BE something. Sometimes it is easier to speak of what we are to avoid, rather than focus on what we are to do. Rather than concentrate on the life to which God is calling us, we shout loudly against a life we are to avoid.
Those who called for Jesus' death were those who had devoted their lives to the prohibitions of the law. They weren't sure how to handle someone who focused on the prescriptions of God. It is easier to fight against the Devil than it is to to fight for the good.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Devotions - Wednesday, August 27
Within the community of the Christian Church, it is somewhat of a rarity for us to encounter someone whose ethic roots are Jewish. So much so, that we might be inclined to refer to them as a "Jewish Christian." Yet, the witness of Christian scripture is of a long and difficult admission process for those who were not Jewish.
This morning I read from Acts 10. This is the account of Peter's vision in which he is told by God, "What God has cleansed, you must not call common." You would think that such a vision and visit from God would be enough for anyone. But we are told that the vision came to Peter three times - three times - before he was ready to accept it, or embrace it.
We, non-Jewish followers of Jesus, are grafted onto the tree. We are additions.
I am not trying to create a feeling of instability, rather one of gratefulness. We assume that we are "entitled" to belong. We forget that our inclusion came at a great price.
In Luther's Small Catechism, second article to the Creed, Luther reminds us, "At great cost (Jesus the Christ) has saved and redeemed me, a lost and condemned person. He has freed me from sin, death, and the power of the devil - not with silver or gold, but with his holy and precious blood and his innocent suffering and death."
We should not take our salvation for granted. It is right and proper that we would express our gratitude and appreciation to God for admitting us to the community which bears his name.
Pastor Chris
This morning I read from Acts 10. This is the account of Peter's vision in which he is told by God, "What God has cleansed, you must not call common." You would think that such a vision and visit from God would be enough for anyone. But we are told that the vision came to Peter three times - three times - before he was ready to accept it, or embrace it.
We, non-Jewish followers of Jesus, are grafted onto the tree. We are additions.
I am not trying to create a feeling of instability, rather one of gratefulness. We assume that we are "entitled" to belong. We forget that our inclusion came at a great price.
In Luther's Small Catechism, second article to the Creed, Luther reminds us, "At great cost (Jesus the Christ) has saved and redeemed me, a lost and condemned person. He has freed me from sin, death, and the power of the devil - not with silver or gold, but with his holy and precious blood and his innocent suffering and death."
We should not take our salvation for granted. It is right and proper that we would express our gratitude and appreciation to God for admitting us to the community which bears his name.
Pastor Chris
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Devotions - Tuesday, August 26
I read this morning from John 6:60-71. Jesus has laid out for his followers what life is like for those who follow him. Referring to his words as a "hard saying," many begin to fall away.
There is a harshness to Jesus' words.
His words put us out of step with the world around us.
Not that being out of step is a bad thing. John Douglas Hall has a book titled The Stewardship of Life in the Kingdom of Death. In it he speaks of the things valued and sought after in our culture. The things for which way too many give their lives (huge house, fancy car, prestige) may look attractive, but they are not that which will give life.
The prayers of our second and third decade (that God might bring us success) are replaced by our prayers in the follow decades that God would bless us with a few good friends.
As the crowd begins to thin, Jesus turns to the twelve and asks them if they also would like to go away. We can't be sure of the tone, but their words reveal that they have given it some consideration. "Lord, to whom shall we go?" they reply. They might consider going elsewhere, but there is no other place where they can be satisfied. "You have the words of eternal life," they go on to say.
Being a follower of Jesus won't make you the most popular person. As a follower, you find it necessary to name the evil you see. As a follower, you won't be comfortable stepping on other's fingers as you climb the ladder of success. You can't be the really witty person who tells all the memorable jokes at a party. But you will know that your life is connected to the life which is eternal. You will understand that while others are serving themselves and their own ends you are working to bring about the conclusion which serves God's purpose.
Jesus' words can be harsh. But no other words have the ability to bring us life.
There is a harshness to Jesus' words.
His words put us out of step with the world around us.
Not that being out of step is a bad thing. John Douglas Hall has a book titled The Stewardship of Life in the Kingdom of Death. In it he speaks of the things valued and sought after in our culture. The things for which way too many give their lives (huge house, fancy car, prestige) may look attractive, but they are not that which will give life.
The prayers of our second and third decade (that God might bring us success) are replaced by our prayers in the follow decades that God would bless us with a few good friends.
As the crowd begins to thin, Jesus turns to the twelve and asks them if they also would like to go away. We can't be sure of the tone, but their words reveal that they have given it some consideration. "Lord, to whom shall we go?" they reply. They might consider going elsewhere, but there is no other place where they can be satisfied. "You have the words of eternal life," they go on to say.
Being a follower of Jesus won't make you the most popular person. As a follower, you find it necessary to name the evil you see. As a follower, you won't be comfortable stepping on other's fingers as you climb the ladder of success. You can't be the really witty person who tells all the memorable jokes at a party. But you will know that your life is connected to the life which is eternal. You will understand that while others are serving themselves and their own ends you are working to bring about the conclusion which serves God's purpose.
Jesus' words can be harsh. But no other words have the ability to bring us life.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Devotions - Monday, August 25
The lectionary I follow has turned to the book of Job. This is a difficult book to read in daily, short segments. By reading only a few verses, one might develop an erroneous impression as to what the book is saying.
You know the basic plot - Job is identified by God as a mortal who is upright and blameless, one who fears God and turns away from evil. The question raised in the first chapter is whether Job would turn to God where he not so wealthy and fortunate. So, all that he has is taken from him.
There are these friends who come to be with Job. They start out doing the right thing - they sit with Job and observe his grief. But then, they begin to speak. One by one they try to convince Job that he has surely done something to deserve his fate.
Their speeches are very poetic and convincing. I read one of them this morning, from the fifth chapter. Were I not acquainted with the whole of the Book of Job, I might be convinced that the circumstances of our lives are a direct result of the way we live our lives. The piece I read this morning is beautiful, but it is really a counter argument to the book's message.
Understanding context is very important. Knowing something about the whole is essential to evaluate the part.
When you take up your Bible to read, affirm for yourself what it is that you already know about the story. Think on the things you have been taught and believe. Be aware of the assumptions and convictions already in place in your heart and in your mind. This is not a preventative to allowing the scriptures to speak to you, it is preparation which will allow the verses to sustain the faith already within you.
The whole is essential to evaluating each individual part. There is an end result toward which all this is moving. We are more likely to remain on track when we have spent some time considering the rails upon which we are moving.
You know the basic plot - Job is identified by God as a mortal who is upright and blameless, one who fears God and turns away from evil. The question raised in the first chapter is whether Job would turn to God where he not so wealthy and fortunate. So, all that he has is taken from him.
There are these friends who come to be with Job. They start out doing the right thing - they sit with Job and observe his grief. But then, they begin to speak. One by one they try to convince Job that he has surely done something to deserve his fate.
Their speeches are very poetic and convincing. I read one of them this morning, from the fifth chapter. Were I not acquainted with the whole of the Book of Job, I might be convinced that the circumstances of our lives are a direct result of the way we live our lives. The piece I read this morning is beautiful, but it is really a counter argument to the book's message.
Understanding context is very important. Knowing something about the whole is essential to evaluate the part.
When you take up your Bible to read, affirm for yourself what it is that you already know about the story. Think on the things you have been taught and believe. Be aware of the assumptions and convictions already in place in your heart and in your mind. This is not a preventative to allowing the scriptures to speak to you, it is preparation which will allow the verses to sustain the faith already within you.
The whole is essential to evaluating each individual part. There is an end result toward which all this is moving. We are more likely to remain on track when we have spent some time considering the rails upon which we are moving.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Sermon - Pent 15 - Aug 24, 2008
Pentecost 15 - Year A (previously Pent14.A)
August 24, 2008
Matthew 16:13-20
It wasn't the reason I decided to marry Laura, but part of what helped me to realize I could spend the rest of my life with this woman was the way she and her parents sat around the dinner table and talked theology. Yes, theology. Remember, I was in my final year of seminary - Laura was in her first. Getting married would mean a two-clergy couple. So, when I met her parents for the first time, I was delighted that we sat around the table and talked about the stuff which I knew would consume every hour of my work-week.
I was excited, as were they (I think,) until we began to run aground on the issues of theology where my ideas and theirs weren't quite in sync. Case in point – today's Gospel lesson. I think it was six years ago, when I preached on this text, that the dinner conversation got a bit testy. Bottom line – upon what is it that Jesus says he will "build his Church"? Is it Peter, the disciple? Or is it the confession made by Peter?
I am slow to back down from a firmly held position. But, as I prepared for this morning's proclamation of the gospel, I realized that when taken in context, Jesus pronouncement in Matthew 16:18 has more to do with what Peter says than with who he is. It is the confession of Peter, his ability to recognize Jesus as the Christ; it is his willingness to stake his life on such a proposition; this is the "rock" upon which Christ's church is to be built.
The issue here is faith. Peter finds the courage to model it. The rock, for which Jesus has been looking, is the firm foundation established in the lives of those who see and hear and believe.
I don't know how many of you have your bibles with you this morning. If you do, a quick scan of the material leading up to this morning's selected Gospel text would reveal the path Matthew has been lying down to get here. It is a path which traverses insightful preaching, great miracles, and an ability to see into the hearts and minds of others. The suggestions made by the disciples, when asked, "Who do people say that I am?" retrace the events of the previous three chapters. Jesus isn't satisfied with the names they mention; and neither are we satisfied by the acts of ministry capable by anyone less than the Messiah.
The disciples start with John the Baptist. A good start. John was very popular and effective. While the official records of the Roman government never mention Jesus, there are records which speak of John. He caused quite a stir with his preaching and his message. His life was cut short – latterly. His head was cut off. To think that Jesus might be another John the Baptist was a tribute to him.
Jesus had shown some of John's skill. While there are no stories of Jesus preaching the riverside and inviting hearers to be baptized, Matthew's 13th chapter is chocked full of things Jesus taught. The crowds who come out to hear him are impressed. They are moved by his words. But skill as an orator isn't enough. Jesus goes back to his childhood home and the people there won't accept him. An indication, perhaps, that no preacher can have the desired effect on everyone.
The disciples also suggest that Jesus might be Elijah. Elijah spoke God's word when it needed to be spoken. Elijah was also at the center of several of the Old Testament's greatest displays of God's power and strength. Remember the encounter at Mt. Carmel when the prophets of Baal and Elijah have their show-down. It is Elijah's prayers which result in the fire coming down from the heavens, consuming his sacrifice – and the prophets of Baal in the process.
An amazing miracle to behold. But not completely satisfying. Might the mention of Elijah here be an explanation of the material contained in the middle verses of Matthew 14. Here, Jesus feeds the 5,000 with the five loaves and two fish. A great show of power and might – but not completely satisfying. No miracle will ever be able to effect the permanent change desired. Only a Messiah can save us.
Great preaching; the working of miracles – how often do we find ourselves speaking of such things when we talk theology? And yet, neither of these are enough. They help, but they aren't going to keep Peter from sinking.
And, remember, that he does sink, at the end of Chapter 14.
That is the story of Jesus walking on the water. The disciples, who are comfortable in a boat, think they are seeing a ghost. When Jesus tells them not to be afraid, it is he, Peter says, , "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Jesus tells Peter to come. He does fine for a few moments, then he begins to sink. Jesus reaches out his hand and saves him. In explaining why Peter was not able to walk on the water with Jesus, Jesus says to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" The story is not about Jesus' ability to walk on water. It is about the "little faith" of those who surrounded him. Matthew's story line builds and builds in such a way as to make faith the outcome of the wonderful teachings Jesus offers as well as the amazing miracles he performs.
When Peter is finally able to blurt out, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God," the story has reached its intended climax. It is the confession of Peter upon which the Church is built. It is our ability to confess with him which adds further stones to the foundation of the Church.
The Church is built up, not with eloquent sermons nor with the working of tremendous miracles. The Church is built up when sinking souls like Peter finally have the ability to set aside their fears and confess Christ as Lord.
If you are finding it difficult to imagine yourself deciding to make a similar confession, make sure that you read the second half of verse seventeen. It is from verses like this that Martin Luther gleaned his insistence that we do not "come to faith" but are given faith. Jesus tells Peter, "Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven." Faith, itself, is a gift, given to us by God. It is God's act, God's revelation, which makes possible our confession. We can't arrive at the critical juncture by mustering up our courage and conviction. We are able to share in the confession of Peter when the work of God is completed within us.
If you come back next week, you will be allowed to see that making the confession once doesn't mean that the deal is sealed. In Matthew 16:21 we begin the story in which Peter, the one who confess Jesus as Messiah, will refuse to accept Jesus' warnings as to what this will mean. It isn't an easy road – placing our confidence in this Jesus and then following him to the end.
But we are encouraged to begin, with an acknowledgement of our tongue, of our confidence in Jesus as the one for whom the world has been longing. Allowing the faith planted within us to break forth into the light of the day; confessing with Peter that in Jesus we have found the one who is for us that embodiment of the living God. Make the confession. Hold to the conviction. Then sort of going along for the ride, waiting to see where God will take us.
Amen.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Devotions - Thursday, Aug 21
"He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters."
I can't imagine how many times I have read, or listened as someone else read, this verse from Psalm 23. But this morning a reading from Studdert Kennedy gave me a new insight to very familiar words.
We read of the green pastures and the still waters, and our first thoughts may be of a beautiful and peaceful place. The image which develops in our mind is of a place of luxury, a place where the sun and the rain have combined to create a visually stunning scene.
But this is not the shepherd's motivation for leading his sheep to such a place. This place is ideal because the green pastures means there is plenty to eat. The still waters means there is something to drink, without the dangers of a rushing violent river. This place is not a luxury, it is a necessity.
God does "add on" to our lives many wonderful things. God blesses us with beautiful sights and unspeakable joy. But our turn to God is not to make life better; it is to find life itself.
"God makes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust." Whether we turn to God or not, God comes to us and provides for us. However, in turning, in acknowledging the one who creates the green pastures and the still waters, we become aware of the One who gives us these gifts. The add-on which is beyond comparison is the ability to eat our fill and knowing who to thank. It is realizing that our drink from the still waters is not taking something which belongs to someone else, it is receiving that which was created for this very purpose.
Pastor Chris
I can't imagine how many times I have read, or listened as someone else read, this verse from Psalm 23. But this morning a reading from Studdert Kennedy gave me a new insight to very familiar words.
We read of the green pastures and the still waters, and our first thoughts may be of a beautiful and peaceful place. The image which develops in our mind is of a place of luxury, a place where the sun and the rain have combined to create a visually stunning scene.
But this is not the shepherd's motivation for leading his sheep to such a place. This place is ideal because the green pastures means there is plenty to eat. The still waters means there is something to drink, without the dangers of a rushing violent river. This place is not a luxury, it is a necessity.
God does "add on" to our lives many wonderful things. God blesses us with beautiful sights and unspeakable joy. But our turn to God is not to make life better; it is to find life itself.
"God makes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust." Whether we turn to God or not, God comes to us and provides for us. However, in turning, in acknowledging the one who creates the green pastures and the still waters, we become aware of the One who gives us these gifts. The add-on which is beyond comparison is the ability to eat our fill and knowing who to thank. It is realizing that our drink from the still waters is not taking something which belongs to someone else, it is receiving that which was created for this very purpose.
Pastor Chris
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Devotions - Wednesday, Aug 20
This is the day that I have been looking forward to for months. It is really tough to be a campus pastor during the summer, when everyone is away. This past summer was particularly tough. We had hardly any of our kids in town. A few of the grad students remained faithful in attending worship, but even they tended to be out and about (and who could blame them?) I have been looking forward to the beginning of the school year and all the excitement that it brings.
I didn't know, last June when I started looking forward to this day, that it would also be the day that my oldest child would board a plane for New Mexico. She will be volunteering for the next year, with a Lutheran ministry called Border Servant Corp. Her specific area of responsibility will be volunteer coordination with the Las Cruces Habitat for Humanity Affiliate.
There are mixed emotions, for me, on this day. I am reminded that practically every strong emotion has two faces.
Some of you already know that my most often referred to story in the Bible is the story of Jacob and the night visitor. The man comes and wrestles with Jacob all night, but does not prevail. Finally, he strikes Jacob on the hip and puts it out of joint. Jacob still won't release him until he gives Jacob a blessing. Jacob receives the name "Israel," but is left with a permanent limp. Blessing and wounds - two faces of the same encounter.
I went to the Ron Rash lecture for First Year Reading Project. He talked about the characters in his book, One Foot in Eden. They were dedicated, hard working people. They also showed the signs of flawed humanity. No matter how hard we work at it, things seldom follow a simple and straight path.
Thank you for allow me to share my emotions with you. I do so for a purpose: To encourage you to acknowledge the multifaceted aspects of this day in your own life. Some of you are beginning your college career. Others are beginning their final year of study. Some of you are transitioning into the courses which define your career choice. Be excited; be nervous; be honest with all that is going on inside you.
The community which bears the name of Christ is a safe place to expose our mixed emotions. It is the perfect place to expose our fears and seek a salve for that which hurts us. Together we will make our way through the months and years ahead. Together, we will discover and then pursue the path God would have in store for us.
I didn't know, last June when I started looking forward to this day, that it would also be the day that my oldest child would board a plane for New Mexico. She will be volunteering for the next year, with a Lutheran ministry called Border Servant Corp. Her specific area of responsibility will be volunteer coordination with the Las Cruces Habitat for Humanity Affiliate.
There are mixed emotions, for me, on this day. I am reminded that practically every strong emotion has two faces.
Some of you already know that my most often referred to story in the Bible is the story of Jacob and the night visitor. The man comes and wrestles with Jacob all night, but does not prevail. Finally, he strikes Jacob on the hip and puts it out of joint. Jacob still won't release him until he gives Jacob a blessing. Jacob receives the name "Israel," but is left with a permanent limp. Blessing and wounds - two faces of the same encounter.
I went to the Ron Rash lecture for First Year Reading Project. He talked about the characters in his book, One Foot in Eden. They were dedicated, hard working people. They also showed the signs of flawed humanity. No matter how hard we work at it, things seldom follow a simple and straight path.
Thank you for allow me to share my emotions with you. I do so for a purpose: To encourage you to acknowledge the multifaceted aspects of this day in your own life. Some of you are beginning your college career. Others are beginning their final year of study. Some of you are transitioning into the courses which define your career choice. Be excited; be nervous; be honest with all that is going on inside you.
The community which bears the name of Christ is a safe place to expose our mixed emotions. It is the perfect place to expose our fears and seek a salve for that which hurts us. Together we will make our way through the months and years ahead. Together, we will discover and then pursue the path God would have in store for us.
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