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Beheaded

2/25/2015

Scripture: Matthew 14:1-12 click here for the reading

Observation: John's murder is a foreshadowing of the murder of Jesus. God does not stop or intervene in John's beheading just as God will no more intervene in Jesus' death or later Stephen or the thousands of martyrs later. Matthew's use of John's beheading is to remind us that death, the end of physical life is not the worst enemy, being alienated from God is. Therefore, through John's beheading, Matthew is foretelling that those who murdered John are far more pitiable than John himself. To be dead is more blessed than to be alive. (Donald Hagner)

Application: In the recent situation of those faithful Coptic Christians who were beheaded because of what they believe have an erie similarity. John was beheaded as part of the entertainment of the evening. The video of the martyrdom of these christians was intended to be entertainment by those who committed this heinous crime. Yet, the application is the same as we view our journey to the cross, Jesus leading us to show us what it all means. Death is not the end. Jesus will show us what it means to be persecuted by suffering many things and eventually handed over to a death he freely accepted. Jesus shows us that dying to self means letting go of the temporary life that is shelled by this mortal body. John's beheading and Jesus' death of the cross show us that the one who is murdered truly lives, and those who murder are already dead. We live with the hope of the eternal life that is given to us through the cross and the promise of the empty tomb. We believe this is the reality for he 21 who were murdered and therefore rejoice at their time with God now.

Prayer: Lord, help us to see the prophet's words are not in vain. As followers of your Son help us to cling to the promise given to us, mourn with those who have been murdered because they believe in you and invite us to truly live in you!

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Greatest of Treasures

2/24/2015

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Scripture: Matthew 13:44-58 Click here for the reading

Observation: Jesus continues to teach from parables. Now he uses the image of buried treasure. The treasure of the kingdom of heaven is immeasurable but for now it is even veiled from seeing fully.

Application: The thing about treasure is that its value is only known to those who can hold it in their hands. Its joy is only known to those who have a tangible aspect of its value. It is the same of those who find this treasure and respond to it in discipleship. Those who begin to experience the wonder and mystery of the kingdom's presence know the reality of the treasure we have found.

Prayer: Lord help us to make the treasure that is your kingdom our priority in life and to see it for its precious worth.

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Yeast

2/23/2015

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Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43 Click here for the reading

Observation: Jesus uses parables to help make the intangible idea of the kingdom of God become more tangible. One of these small examples is of yeast. He says that the kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman used to make bread. A little yeast is placed in the dough and makes it rise. Without yeast the dough is flat. Jesus' point is that even small things like yeast can make a big difference. Interesting to note that yeast is often used in negative ways especially as Jesus used it to talk about the pharisees restrictive laws having a contagious factor on something good. Here, Jesus uses yeast as a good thing.

Application: As a home brewer, yeast is an important part of making beer. Without it, beer would just be wort (undrinkable). Yeast makes things happen. It stirs up the rest of the recipe. Part of our faith fermentation (brewing beer and bible study) this past weekend focused on this teaching from Jesus. Amazing to discover the applications of Jesus' parable. So many thoughts about how little things in life (yeast) like smiling, opening doors for people, giving of themselves, tackling difficult tasks for others, etc. were so important to living out the gospel. I think sometimes we hear those words "the kingdom of God" and shreak because it feels impossible to see and to live into. Yeast has a way of helping invigorate the rest of recipes much like the kingdom of God can invigorate the rest of our life.

Prayer: Lord we thank you for small things that make a BIG difference. We pray your kingdom come so that others may see, hear, feel your presence and tangible aspects of your kingdom in the world around us.

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The Greatest!?!

2/18/2015

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Scripture: Matthew 18:1-9 Click here for the reading

Observation: In the discussion regarding the greatest Jesus uses a child to illustrate his point. Children were vulnerable, without status, and very dependent. It might appear disconnected what Jesus is attempting but in the world the disciples lived his point was very clear. Jesus did not tell his disciples to have faith like a child. He didn't tell them to pray like one of these children. No, he told them to become like one of these children. “Whoever humbles themselves like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”

Application: While the disciples argued about who was the greatest Jesus flips the script on them. They are thinking greatness involves, position, power, and independence. Yet Jesus shows them a child who is dependent as they come. His point is that we are to become like one of these children, completely dependent upon God. This is who is the greatest in the kingdom.

Along with the disciples I struggle with this. I can't get over feeling like I am able to accomplish things for myself. I want to be in charge of my life and my money, and my stuff, and my family, and my church. But I am not. This is a fitting lesson for today, Ash Wednesday. A tangible reminder of our dependence upon God in the form of ashes (that we came from dust and we will return to dust) and the cross (the road Jesus travels and shows the world his own dependence on God in matters of death and life).

Prayer: Lord, help us to become like one of these little ones that demonstrates utter dependence for their lives. May we learn to trust you so that we might do the same.

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Pushing the envelope

2/17/2015

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Scripture: Matthew 12:9-14 Click here for the reading

Observation: After being trapped in the question about the sabbath by the pharisees previously (see yesterday's post), Jesus is now at THEIR synagogue and notices a man who is in need of healing. The problem again arises about Jesus working on the sabbath. Clearly he is on their turf and they feel they are in charge. But Jesus has an issue with upholding the law above the well being of people. Jesus then uses an analogy to make his point “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep!"

Application: It is interesting given all the political drama wrapped up in the news recently regarding hot topic issues (pick one; unaccompanied minors crossing borders, the killing of innocent college students, the immunization debate, who is running for president etc.) and all of it removed from the personal experience of those who are suffering from these experiences. We seem to take these as issues that are law rather than issues that affect the well being of people. What are some instances that you have held the law above people's well being? Has it been a traffic violation that you feel is important? Is it something more definitive? Have you ever been a pharisee by upholding law over the well being of others?

Prayer:Lord, help us to see the places where healing needs to happen and remove us from law keeping when it is possible for you to work in healing others.

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What's wrong with Drive Thru Restaurants?

2/16/2015

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Scripture: Matthew 12:1-8 Click here for the reading

Observation: In this reading, Jesus begins teaching from outside criticism (pharisees). Within the Law (read the laws of Moses including the Levitical laws) faithful people were not supposed to work on the sabbath including harvesting grain. there was another portion of that law that allowed strangers, orphans, and widows to reap from someone else's vineyards and gardens after the owner has harvested. The pharisees objection to Jesus and to his disciples is one of respect for the law, especially the sabbath. Jesus correction of the pharisees is that the sabbath is in place for the benefit of the people not an extra burden.

Application: If reading this without knowing scripture and its background, one could argue that this is the first drive-thru restaurant. Jesus and his disciples were hungry. they did not consider taking grains and plucking those grains in their months as working, as the pharisees did. The law was given to the mutual benefit of God's people and God. It is this law that the pharisees accuse Jesus of wrongdoing and this law that Jesus accuses the Pharisees of a lack of compassion. Jesus says "I want you to show mercy not to offer sacrifices." Being Lord of the sabbath (a teaching for another time), Jesus could say this but his intention is timely. As we approach the Season of Lent (beginning Wednesday) what does our discipline of giving something up or sacrificing one thing or another say about showing mercy over showing off?

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for showing compassion to us at all times. As we look toward a season of reflection and contemplation, help us to show mercy in and through our disciplines of faith, prayer, fasting, worship, giving, and relationships.

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Verbs are important

2/5/2015

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Matthew 14:13-33 Click here for the reading

"Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, broke the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. 20 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers." Matthew 14:19-20

Verbs are important! The 4 verbs above outline in this story of feeding the multitudes of people what God will eventually do on the night before he dies. Matthew intentionally is signally to us this aspect of feeding people in their stomachs (a real need indeed) with the aspect of feeding people with himself, the bread of life. These same 4 verbs are used in the liturgy of the table when we celebrate the words of institution out of Jesus mouth: (Matthew 26:26)

Matthew makes an important connection here: God is just as concerned with your physical well being as God is with your spiritual well being. AND God will provide your life with both. The sacrament of the table is both nourishment for our bodies as it is for our spirits. Those verbs help us connect these two aspects of Jesus ministry but it also helps us focus what we are supposed to be doing. When asked about helping the hungry people on the hill that day, Jesus responded to Andrew; "You feed them." An indication that as disciples of Jesus Christ we are to help feed people's bodies and their spirit.

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Beheaded

Greatest of Treasures

Yeast

The Greatest!?!

Pushing the envelope

What's wrong with Drive Thru Restaurants?

Verbs are important

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