John 1: 1-18; John 3:22-36; Psalm 86:11-13

 The main scripture that I want to use to illustrate the point of truth telling is John 3:22-36. In this passage, John the Baptist is testifying about Jesus, but also saying something about himself. John is being asked about his ministry, and he points out to people that he can only testify to what he sees and knows. He tells people that he must decrease as Jesus increases, because his job is to herald Jesus. His job is to be the messenger, not the message. He basically is saying this:

“Folks, if you are wanting to follow after me, you have missed the picture. I don’t have anything to give you but Jesus, the one about whom I testify. Don’t look for salvation in me. Look to Jesus, the savior”.

I think the use of the word “testimony” is interesting. It reminds me of our own judicial system. You see, I think that the best testimony comes from those who have no vested interest in making themselves look good or important. In a court room, the most powerful testimony comes not from the “expert witness”, but from the eyewitness. The eyewitness simply says, “Here is what I saw, plain and simple. Believe me if you want, or disbelieve me if you want, but all I can do is tell you what I saw with my own eyes”.

The expert witness tries to establish his/her own credentials as an interpreter of the truth, and they have something to gain or lose based on their testimony- their “expertness” and credibility. The eyewitness has no vested interest in making him/herself look better, but is interested in saying only what they saw or experienced. That person has powerful credibility in my opinion.

John the Baptist simply wanted to point to Jesus, not to make a name for himself. How good are we at simply being the witness that no one can refute, because we are saying, “This is what Jesus did for me!”

Prayer: Father, help me always point to you. Truth will always come from me if I am faithful in pointing only to you. Give me the courage to be the witness that you would have me to be. Amen

 “At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.” 

II Corinthians 8:1-15 

This rich passage of scripture contains some real nuggets of truth which I have often overlooked. Paul makes the case that we have our “riches” through the “poverty” of Jesus. Jesus willingly gave up his position to die a grievous death, only because we were too poor to do that ourselves- we do not have such capacity. Love always entails sacrifice. Indeed, there cannot be love without sacrifice. This was so clearly shown by Jesus.

Paul then goes on to say that the church at Corinth excelled in many areas, but they also needed to excel in the area of giving. Further, he states, that their “plenty” would supply the needs of the church at Jerusalem, but, the help that was given to the church in Jerusalem would fill the “need” of the Corinthians.

The direct and surface conclusion of that statement was that the Corinthians would supply help for the believers at Jerusalem, and that the believers in Jerusalem would reciprocate if situations reversed. However, I think there is a deeper truth to be gleaned here. Paul is saying that by receiving the help from the Corinthians, the church at Jerusalem would actually be supplying the need of the Corinthians. The need of the church at Corinth was to give.

During this time of the COVID-19 health crisis, we have seen some beautiful stories of creative giving. People are finding ingenious ways to help other people. In this way, the dreaded crisis has brought out the very best in the human spirit. I pray that such creative ideas and acts continue long after this crisis has passed.

The lesson for us I think is obvious. Giving is not just for the sake of those who are on the receiving end. Indeed, the need to give to others is fundamental to our spiritual and emotional health. God has designed us as humans to be interdependent. We can only thrive in the context of giving to one another. God has commanded that we meet the needs of His kingdom by giving to others. In so doing, we not only help those who receive our help, we are blessed ourselves. Through sharing our “plenty”, we get what we “need” spiritually and emotionally.

Prayer: Father, your ways are indeed higher than our ways. You show us that living means giving, and you showed that at a dear price through the death of Jesus. Thank you for your instructions for us, and your immense love, Amen.

 

“Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will spread out in all directions- to the west and east, to the north and south. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants.”

Genesis 28: 14

As I thought about verse 14, I was struck by the magnitude of its promise- that all families of the earth will be blessed through Jacob. I remember a particular funeral, and one of the things I said about the dear man who had passed away was this, “He left the earth a better place than he found it”. I suppose if we had to boil everything down about a person’s life, and we could say that about them, then we could say it was a life well lived.

If we simply take the approach that we will work to make the earth a better place than we found it, that means that we have contributed something positive- given more than we have taken. In such a way, we can say that we have blessed other families of the earth. Further, if we rear children in the way that they should be taught and nurtured, they will leave a legacy of the same, making the earth a better place than they found it.

We know that the only solution to the problems of this world is a spiritual one, that is, dependence upon the loving God who created us in His image. If we live a life of simple dependence on God’s provision, and tell others of His love, we have “blessed all the families of the earth.”

 

Prayer: Father, help me live a life that is pleasing to you, for that is our calling. Thank you for the incredible opportunity that you lay before us to influence others in your direction, Amen.

 

 Luke 24: 13-35

A verse by verse discussion of Jesus’ care-giving techniques 

On the day he rose from the dead, Jesus quickly began his last 40 days work on earth. He appeared before two men on the road to Emmaus. This is a beautiful story, and it illustrates the way we can care for others in their time of need. I will give a brief discussion of each verse, and the care-giving principles that Jesus displayed. 

v.13 “ … on the same day” – this was on Resurrection Day. The two were walking together, trying to comfort one another, heading to Emmaus. One was Cleopas, the other, very possibly Luke himself.

v.14 they were processing the events with one another, trying to work out their grief and bewilderment

v.15 – 16 as they walked together, Jesus appeared. Often our help comes from places we do not expect, or from people we do not expect. They did not recognize Jesus. He comes in the form of people we think are unlikely to be able to help us. Jesus made himself available to them.

v.17 Jesus inquired about their need. When he did that, they were confronted with having to share their pain with another person. Speaking it out loud sometimes makes it too real and painful. They looked down and stood still.

v.18 Cleopas’ answer may have revealed a lot of things. Was he sensitive and angry? He might have thought to himself  “Man, have you been living in a cave for the past few days? How could you miss such an event?” Cleopas, in his self absorption may have been unable to see how someone could miss what was so important in his own life. Or, he may have been taking out anger which is part of grieving. Jesus was the patient outlet for this. So are we as caregivers sometimes. 

v.19 Jesus asks Cleopas to say more about the events. Jesus shows interest, and a willingness to invest time in comforting Cleopas. Cleopas was all over the map in his rambling grief. Jesus patiently waited for him to finish his statement, then he spoke to him about the truth of the situation.

v.19 – 24 How much do you think Jesus may have wanted to say to Cleopas “Don’t worry, your problems are over! It’s me, Jesus, I am resurrected like the women said!” Why didn’t Jesus do that? He had bigger plans for them. He did not want to distract them, perhaps with something they would never have believed. He did not intervene too soon, rather, he met them where they were in their ability to hear the truth. For example, I often know that a person will be able to use his/her pain to help others in the future, but it is too soon to say this when they are in the midst of grieving. We need to let them grieve, and gain credibility as a comforter before we can be their guide for the future.

v.25-27 Jesus explained the present reality. He reminded them of what they had read, and put it into context. He became to one who comforted them with the truth.

v.28-29 Obviously, Jesus had done a great job at telling them the truth to comfort them, because they begged him to stay with them. Jesus then stayed with them. In fact, Jesus would appear to six people or groups of people that first day of Resurrection, yet he stayed with them to help them through grief to joy.

v.30-32 Jesus took on the role of priest and head of the family when he broke the bread. It was at this point that they recognized him. Perhaps it was the way he spoke as he broke the bread. At any rate, the spirit within them came to the “aha experience”, and immediately, they saw that this was the lamb of God, slain for them, and risen again.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for your loving care for us! Help us to spread that wherever we go.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!

  II Corinthians 5:17

 

Just a short word today, wishing all a beautiful Easter. Easter is the day celebrating new life. We commemorate on this day that Jesus rose from the tomb, signalling eternal life in him.  Fresh starts are exactly what we need in a fallen and broken world. We all need a new start, as well as forgiveness. God knows this and made provision for it.

I tell my clients that “permission to fail is the ignition for success”.  What I mean by that is that we need to recognize and own our failures- then forgive ourselves, and use them to make tomorrow better. Jesus gives us a new chance every day to live and to love others. Don’t let the old things get in the way of the new!

So, Happy Easter! Today is the new day.

Prayer: Thank you Father for new life, forgiveness, and fresh starts, Amen

 

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s

Psalm 103:2-5

Also read Luke 17:11-19 

We read in Luke 17 a story of when Jesus traveled on the border of Samaria and Galilee (cultural and religious rivals). This unpopular and courageous travel plan enabled him to minister to people on the fringes of acceptability. Jesus traveled in the tension of his culture in order to be available to all.

There were ten men traveling together, bound in common by disease despite their cultural and religious differences. When we are in danger or pain, the superficial distinctions of race and religion often give way to more profound bonds that we have as human beings. We are seeing that played out in many ways as we all battle the Corona virus.

Jesus listened to their cries and granted the request for healing. He chose to use this as a teaching moment, so he gave them instructions in the Rabbinic model.

They were to show themselves to the priests, as was the custom for healing leprosy (Lev. 14:2) This was to be a witness to the priests that healing had taken place, and it was consistent with the law. The Samaritan also went to the priest – wonder what that was like?

Jesus gave them directions for healing, but they were not immediately healed. They were healed along the way as they followed the directions of Jesus. When we respond in obedience, we allow God to do His work- work we are unable to do ourselves. What we can do is be obedient to Him, and He will do the rest.

 

Prayer: Father, you can make us whole, not just clean for a time. Thank you for the availability of being whole in Jesus, Amen.

 

 

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command.

 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

 This is my command: Love each other.

 

John 15: 12-17

 

 

These words of Scripture are very reassuring- reminding us of God’s ever present love toward us. In John 15, especially in verses 12-17, I see God’s incredible plan being spoken clearly by Jesus. He is saying that the plan of the God of the universe is that we love one another just like we love Him, and that such is the essence of life and of pleasing Him. Can one even imagine the magnitude of this plan? That we can please God by loving others? That He only wants our peace and justice toward each other to please Him? That He calls us “friend”? Incredible! Right up there with the Incarnation which made it all possible.

 

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

 

If we are not living this out every day, at least to some degree, can we really call ourselves followers of Jesus? We look for opportunities to show the love of God to others. In so doing, we fulfill the requirements that Jesus set forth for his followers.

Mike Slaughter, in some past sermons at Ginghamsburg Church, discussed the importance of our 5 daily disciplines as Christians.

The daily disciplines that Pastor Slaughter discussed- pray, and read the Word, inevitably lead to the other daily disciplines that we must practice- give, serve others, and fellowship with other believers.

Again, I am amazed that God has chosen this simple, yet profound truth that we must live by- serve and love others, and you have served and loved Me!

 

Prayer: Father, thank you for the plans that you have for us, and that you love us and consider us in the ways that you do. Help me to love others and serve them so that you may be honored, Amen.

 

 I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy,  because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,  being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians1:3-6

 

I woke up with this verse in my head today, and I feel compelled to share this with my readers this morning. I have always loved this verse because it speaks to Paul’s love for his fellow believers, and it is also so encouraging. It made me think of the importance of sharing those feelings that we have toward one another on a very regular basis.

Paul’s fellow travelers in faith shared many hardships. Indeed, many faced death on a regular basis. The thing that encouraged them was knowing that others cared for them, and that God sustains them. Paul said that he was “confident that God, who had begun a good work in them, would carry it on to completion”.

We need to be reminded of this promise, especially in these trying days. We need to remind one another of this promise also. So, I want to convey that I am so thankful every day for my family, my friends, my colleagues, my readers- so many people in my life.

Pass on today that sentiment to those around you, or even those distant via our electronically connected world. Blessings on your journey…

Prayer: Father, thank you for sustaining us with your love and provision, and thank you for the plan that we travel together, Amen.

Acts 13:8-11

But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.”

 

In Acts 13, we read that the young faith community was strong in Antioch. There were, “prophets and teachers” there who gathered in the name of Jesus to be led by the Spirit. Indeed, they fasted and prayed, and the Holy Spirit guided them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work of going to the synagogues and proclaiming Jesus as Lord. That was a daunting task, and one filled with risks.

It really struck me that in this passage, Paul was able to step out and strongly confront his antagonist, Elymas the Sorcerer. Paul proclaimed the hand of the Lord against the evil being perpetrated by Elymas.

I began to wonder, why it does not appear that we have the same power that Paul had to constrain evil. Paul boldly spoke out, and God delivered them from evil opposition.

It was at that point that I believe God said to me, “Perhaps when you take more seriously your dependence upon the Holy Spirit, praying, fasting, and being of one accord as a community to work MY will, I will pour out my power upon you to deliver MY purposes”.

Well, I am not exactly sure if God was speaking that to me, or if I was just musing to myself. I do however believe the truth of the statement. When we as a Christian community get deadly serious about doing God’s will- to the point of risking all for Him and His purposes, we will see more obvious power in our own lives to accomplish that divine purpose.

What might God be prompting the Christian community to do in this time of national crisis? Surely, we are called upon to make sacrifices like social distancing and detailed attention to hygienic practices, but what else might God be calling you to do?

 

Prayer: Father, thank you for the power that you give us to do your will. Help us to see it more clearly, and to desire it more zealously. Amen

 

Psalm 25:1-5 and Psalm 62:1-8

 

“He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress…”

 

David is noting in these passages from the Psalms that his trust is in God alone. In that statement, David is simply explaining an eternal truth, not some platitude to be trotted out to people who are under duress. He uses the metaphor of God as a fortress. It is important to note that in that period of history, if you were in a conflict with an enemy of superior force, you would be doomed without the security of a mighty fortress. Even with overwhelming odds against you, if you were in a fortress which was well stocked with food, water, and supplies, you could have a fair measure of security. Enemies, confronted by a very strong fortress would often simply lay siege to the fortress rather than attack it directly.

In these of social distancing and even quarantine, our houses and apartments have become our “fortresses”. They are offering a good degree of protection from the Corona virus, but not all have the luxury of staying in those fortresses.  Many people must venture out and do the essential services that serve society, including our health care workers and first responders.

We are all, however, united in this- our only security and hope lies in the loving protection of God. Verses 11 and 12 of Psalm 62 go on to say, “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you O God, are strong, and that you, O God are loving.” That sums up about all we need to know about God- He loves us, and He and is strong enough to protect us. If we are in need of a comforting statement, that surely is it.

 

Prayer: Thank you Father that you love us, and that you desire the best for us. We are comforted by your strength, and amazed by your love, Amen.