Romans 16.25-27

How do you say goodbye in a letter? Most times, when you end a letter, you end it with a signature. In common practice, the end of a letter points to the sender.
For Paul, this is not enough.  He ends the letter of Romans with a soaring doxology to God. Paul signs off by giving the glory to God.
For Paul the glory of God is foremost.  His mission seeks not to bring himself into focus.  His mission magnifies "the only wise God, through Jesus Christ" (Rom 16.27).
May our lives magnify and glorify God in Christ!

Isaiah 40.1-11 - Make Straight the Pathway

Today is John the Baptist Sunday (Mark 1, Isaiah 40 - my invention, you won't find it on the liturgical calendar).  Can't believe it's that time of year again.  You can't get to Jesus without his crazy, straight-shooting cousin John.  John is such an interesting guy - hippie clothes, eating bugs, down buy the river.
Yet John's ministry was an enactment of the scriptures. "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."  John literally went to the wilderness to make the path back to Jerusalem straight.  but he didn't straighten out the road.  He straightened out the people. The people recommitted to God, pledging themselves to God's justice and forgiveness in a fallen age.
Let us go down to the river. To (re)enact our baptism.  To recommit ourselves to God, repenting and living into the coming Kingdom.  When we go down to the water, the Holy Spirit will come to us!

2 Corinthians 9 - Cheerful Giver

Fall is the season of Stewardship.  Every season should be a season of stewardship. Churches do stewardship mainly so that they can create a budget and hopefully increase their income.
It shouldn't be that way.
But even in the early church, the apostles wrote fundraising letters.  2 Corinthians is, at its heart, a fundraising letter.  Corinth has made its pledge to Jerusalem. Paul is concerned about collecting from them.  Truly, he wants them to give as a response to God, "as a voluntary gift and not as an extortion." (v 5)
For Paul, God is all about abundance.  God the giver has made us all wealthy; we share on God's behalf.  The grace of God should transform us in many ways, even our attitude towards giving. We "share abundantly in every good work." (v8)  Money enables us to do mission and evangelistic work vicariously in other places. The bounty of this work is the "harvest of [our] righteousness." (v 10)
Rather than increasing budgets, the goal for stewardship is to increase our own cheerfulness and thanksgiving, and to sow God's righteousness in the world.
"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (v 15)

Acts 12 - The Lord Rescues

Herod.
The name appears over and over again in the scriptures.  Did this guy live forever, or what? No. From Jesus' birth through Acts, there are several rulers known as Herod. Herod the Great was the ruler who slaughtered the innocents while trying to kill the messiah whose coming was prophesied. We see Herod Agrippa I in Acts. Agrippa was boyhood friends with the emperor Tiberius's son. Josephus the historian recounts this story about the garment and the bowel pains.  Josephus recounts that the garment was made of silver.  Give God the glory - or else!
Contrast Herod's story with Peter's dramatic escape from prison.  Led by an angel during a dream-like state, God saves Peter.  And Peter gives the Lord the glory.
These stories show the goodness of God and the folly of humanity.  Heed not flatterers!  May we always give glory to God alone!

Acts 10 - Peter and Cornelius

The meeting of Cornelius and Peter was momentous for the history of the Christian faith.  Their meeting showed that Christ overcomes and transforms the barriers of culture. Cornelius takes the risky first step forward, worshiping the God of another culture, only to find that God is the God of everyone, not only the Jews or even the Romans. Peter has the courage and obedience to receive Cornelius, to believe God's desire to associate with Gentiles.
Culture blockades the faith of many. Are we primarily Americans (or whatever nationality) or are we Christians first and foremost? Can we see through our cultural blinders to see the light of Christ as it shines in others?  Do we let down our guard so that Christ can shine more through us?
May Christ shine in us for all!

Acts 9.32-43 - Peter: God's First Responder

Why do bad things happen to good people?  Where is God's justice when it comes to the world? It is easy to say that Tabitha's death ultimately glorified God.  Yet so many good people, who, like Tabitha in this story from Acts, are "devoted to good works and acts of charity," get sick or die. We cannot understand. Many unethical, destructive people live long lives or remain in power; many self-giving people die young or have obstacles in their way. We call upon God for healing, but we know that is not always God's will. Paul says that God's ways are inscrutable (Romans 11.33). There is much we can never understand about the divine, other than God's presence and grace.  Life does not follow our understanding of justice, the human ways of keeping score.  Despite our injustice, God's steadfast love and mercy endure forever.
Tabitha's story links us to the tenth anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11.  Many people died on that day.  Many of their stories glorified God. None of them deserved death. We cry out to God, grieve, and seek to overcome evil with good.
We are also reminded of the people who stepped forward and were willing to die to rescue others. Many ran away from the towers to escape, few ran towards.  Many acts of rescue and compassion rose above the occasion.  Like Peter, many overcame the fear, sadness and desperation surrounding them to show the dignity of God's creation in humanity. Many gave.
Thanks be to God!

Acts 9.19b-31 - A Little Help from His Friends (and God)

Early in his ministry, Saul/Paul had a rough ride.  First, he had to escape from Damascus over the city walls in a basket.  Then, he had to escape from Jerusalem to the coast and on to his home city of Tarsus.
None of this was possible without his friends in Christ.  Without his friends, he would have had to chance going through the gate of Damascus and risk being caught.  Without Barnabas, he would not have received an acceptable introduction to the Apostles. And without friends, he could not have escaped the Hellenists.
Paul's ministry depended on God.  And God always sent friends to rescue Saul from the danger and minister to him in his suffering.

Acts 9.1-19a - Conversion of Saul

Aside from Pentecost, Saul's conversion is probably the best-known story in Acts.  Many popular depictions of the story in art show horses and darkness and light.  Only the light appears in the story.  The effect, however, is the same. Saul falls down, confronted by the risen Christ.  Aside from God's Spirit and Jesus Christ, Paul is the most important human character in Acts. And the story of how he goes from persecuting fascist to messenger for Jesus made a deep impression on the author, Luke.  He tells the story three times through the course of the book, meaning that this was an issue that Paul/Saul and his friends had to confront everywhere they went. Aren't you the guy that killed all those Christians at Jerusalem and murdered Stephen?
Saul's story is powerful. God changed a man's heart and changed the focus of his life.  How many of us have allowed God to change us that way?

Acts 8.26-40 - ...in all the earth.

The story of the gospel in Acts travels from Jerusalem to the road to Ethiopia.  Ethiopia probably contained a group of diaspora Jews, like this court official from the court of Candace.  Much like the word Pharaoh, Candace (Kentake) was a word that meant queen.  Biblical Ethiopia or Cush was ruled by a dynasty of queens. The lands south of Egypt were considered wealthy, providing gold to ancient Egypt.
The church in Ethiopia believes it has the ten commandments, housed in the building in the photo below.

Most people dismiss this claim, but the monk (and scimitars) that guard this shrine say otherwise.  To the Orthodox Church of Ethiopia, the ark rests here.
Jesus had called on his disciples to witness to the gospel in all the earth, a commandment fulfilled in this story by Philip. Our openness to new cultures and people different from ourselves is a key to the spread of the gospel.  Philip was fearlessly obedient to the Word of God.  His sharing changed the world.  May the Lord take away our fears and make us open to different cultures.  May we all share in the never-ending grace of God.

Acts 8.2-25 - ...in Samaria...

Most Christians know about Samaritans from the picture presented in Jesus' parable. To call someone a Good Samaritan today loses the irony of the situation.  In Jesus' day, to Christ's audience, no Samaritan was good. It was an oxymoron, like "military intelligence" or "old news"
During the persecution of Paul, Philip the deacon took the good news about Jesus to the Samaritans.
What do we really know about the Samaritans? They lived north of Jerusalem, in the remains of the divided northern kingdom of Israel.  The original Jews were removed and then repopulated after being attacked by the Assyrians. The ancient historian Josephus said that the Samaritans responded to their circumstances. They had friendly relations with their Jewish cousins when times were good and denied their common ancestry when times were bad.

There are some 800 Samaritans in modern-day Israel.  On Passover, they sacrifice lambs at Mount Gerizim.

Stoning Stephen - Acts 7.54-8.3

Today, when we call someone a martyr, we usually mean that they are whiny, or that they falsely believe that the world is against them, or that they suffer for no reason.
A true martyr is a witness, someone who dies for what they believe in.  Stephen was willing to die in obedience to Jesus.  The modern world says that we must be crazy to die for our beliefs.
Is there something you are willing to die for? Has God laid some area of mission or ministry on your heart so much that you would give your life for it? Most of us would live for Christ and his commitment to the world. Who would die for Jesus today?

Acts 6.8-7.53 - Stephen's speech

One of the longest sections of Acts, the actions of Stephen's trial, speech, and stoning are an important story.  Stephen tells God's story through Moses and the old testament prophets and patriarchs.  Stephen's speech encapsulates the story of the witness of Israel to God in a way that convicts us even today.  The message of God the Creator's justice and mercy trumps everything else.  Humanity's disobedience is great; God's power is greater.  We have received the same law and the same righteous one.  How do we receive him, with humility and repentance? Or do we reject him?

Acts 5.12-42 - Gamaliel's Speech

The apostles reach a crossroad.  They've been hauled before the authorities once already.  This time, a new voice is heard.  We would expect to hear Joseph of Arimathea stand to defend the disciples, since he himself was a disciple of Jesus. But instead we hear the voice of Gamaliel, who taught Paul back when we was Saul of Tarsus.
The effects of Gamaliel's speech are clear. And his point resounds to us today. If what we do is human in origin, it will fail.  If what we do is of God, we cannot fail. Following God's plan, God's way, is the goal of life.  Following our own way is the road to destruction.  May we follow the pathway of God.

Acts 4.32-5.11 Great Grace

This weeks story shows us a marked contrast.  On the one hand, we have Barnabas, the cheerful giver who encourages others.

On the other hand, we have Ananias and Sapphira, who plot to withhold from God.
The penalty seems harsh (death), yet the matters are serious.

We know that we can lie to others and often get away with it; we deceive ourselves when we lie to God.  We often live worried about what others will see and as though God cannot see.
How can we live lives that show integrity and honesty to God? How can we encourage others?
The grace of God is great. His giving never ends.

Acts 4.23-31 - The Nations

Peter continually comments on the Psalms. In this passage, he refers to Psalm 2.  The Psalm says:

Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth....
Happy are all who take refuge in him.

As you celebrate the 4th, remember your first freedom, the freedom of religion.  We are free to take refuge in God in this nation. Kings (dictators and presidents & prime ministers, congresses & parliaments) and governments cannot protect us. God will protect and guide.Our freedom makes us servants to God.

As a bonus, read the first place this freedom appeared in American law in Thomas Jefferson's Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.

Acts 4.1-22 - Conflict in the Temple

When Peter and John and the apostles begin to speak boldly and heal the lame, the authorities in the temple listen. When God heals the lame man, the Sadducee are once again "annoyed" by the teaching that there is a resurrection, now proclaimed in Jesus. Unlike the Pharisees, the doctrine of the Sadducees denied the possibility of resurrection. Jesus' followers went a step further.  In addition to their anticipated resurrection at the end of time, they proclaimed that one man, Jesus, had already been raised.
The apostles are bold to answer when the authorities ask, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” They proclaim Jesus Christ.
This scene reminds us of the courage it takes sometimes to proclaim your faith. Peter had denied Jesus before the crucifixion. Now, with the Spirit's help, he is no longer ashamed of his Lord.
May we have the same Spirit and the same boldness to proclaim Christ, especially to those who need to hear of the power of the resurrection.

Acts 2.1-13 - Pentecost

This Sunday, we begin the season of Pentecost.  I know, I know, Pentecost is supposed to be a day, and not a season.  But we want to view the entire scene, not just the tongues descending, but Peter preaching and the people changing. So we should spend a few weeks hearing the entire story.
The gift of the Holy Spirit is a gift for the church today.  The people saved at Pentecost were saved from the political and spiritual oppression of their daily life. People can find the same salvation today and receive the gift of the Spirit.
As you prepare for Pentecost, read the story of the tower of Bable and hear why and how human language divides us (Genesis 11.1-9).  Land, ethnicity, and language may divide us; God's Spirit can unite us!

Resurrected Jesus in Luke

What was Christ's resurrected body like? Like us, he ate (Luke 24.41). Like his previous ministry, Christ instructed the disciples (Luke 24.44).  And the disciples were able to touch him (Luke 24.39). He was, as he said, "No ghost."
The resurrected Lord had overcome death; yet, he was still human and divine as before.  May we listen for his risen teaching and his final instructions (Matt 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 21; and Acts 1.1-11).

Maundy Thursday - John 13

Popular understanding and the story we've received tell us that the Thursday of Holy Week should commemorate Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples and the insitution of the sacrament Lord's Supper.  And yet, by name, the word Maundy draws us to other locales in the scriptures.

Maundy means mandate, from the Latin mandare.  Jesus institutes a sacrament and delivers a new commandment: "love one another" (John 13.34).  In addition to loving the Lord our God and our neighbors, we are to love one another.  This is so that the world will know that we are Jesus' disciples (John13.35).

As you think about this Thursday, think not only about the Lord's Supper, but, as a disciple of Jesus, think of the commandment given in the upper room.

Luke 22.39-53 - Garden of Gethsemane

In the garden, Jesus' actions instruct us about prayer.  The Christian life is a prayed life.  What is prayer supposed to change? The world? Our problems? Our neighbors? The sick?
The first thing that prayer should change is us.  When Jesus prayed in the garden, he asked that the cup of his suffering would pass from him. Jesus asked first for God's will.
When we approach God in prayer, we should primarily ask "thy will be done."
May we use prayer as an opportunity to get our will in line with God's will.

Luke 9.37-50

This week's passage is found in all of the synoptic gospels.  Read Mark 9.14-37 and Matthew 17.14-18..5.  Compare the three tellings. In each gospel, some element of the story is more important, based on what they include or omit.  John Calvin calls this the "harmony of the gospel."  Like the parts of a song, each gospel varies in pitch, rhythm, and voice, yet they sing the same tune.  For instance, ordinarily, Mark uses the fewest words to tell the story.  Yet, in this case, Mark tells a more elaborate version of the story than Matthew or Luke.

Reading the synoptic gospels together can lead to a deeper understanding of Jesus life and ministry. Try it!

Luke 9.1-22

Jesus' ministry takes a bold step in Chapter 9.  Up to this point, the healing has been done by Jesus.  After Jesus calls the twelve to take his message and ministry to the rest of Israel, the ministry of Jesus is no longer a local phenomenon.  The twelve are sent to the other towns, ministering under the authority of Jesus.  Ever since, Christ has called the church to ministry in Jesus' name.
The disciples also feed the 5,000 in the name of Jesus.
The fame of Jesus' ministry reaches the notice of Herod, the power of his day.  Herod had John the Baptist killed hoping it would end the prophetic criticism of his kingdom.  Along comes Jesus with the same message.  Who is this Jesus?
The question echoes today.  Who is this Jesus?
Many answers come from the crowds. The correct answer comes from Peter: Messiah.
When confronted with this same question, who do we say he is?  And, more importantly, what does it mean to say that Jesus is the Messiah of God.  If we say that He is Lord and King, what do we do next?
First, we recognize that we are not king.  Someone else is Lord of our lives and Lord of everything.
Having confessed that Jesus is Lord, we conform our lives to His will, not our own.  What change does the confession that Jesus is the Messiah create in you?

John the Baptist Cameo - Luke 7.18-35

John the Baptist enters Luke's narrative once again.  John's ministry did not end with the baptism of Jesus.  John continuously called on the people to repent, proclaimed the kingdom of God, and baptized people into forgiveness.
Yet John knew his primary mission was to point to the Messiah. And John wants a definitive answer about Christ's messianic status. Jesus says that his ministry proclaims who he is.
Jesus then turns the tables.  People wanted to know who John was.  And why Jesus and John were so different.  The ministry of John and the ministry of Jesus contrasted with one another greatly, yet they had the same message. John prophesied in the wilderness; Jesus stuck to the towns.  Jesus goes to homes to eat what is put in front of him; John eats bugs. John allowed (even the wrong kind of) people come to him; Jesus went to the people.
Who's ministry is right?
Wrong question. But the answer is "both."  When you're the messiah, you hear God speak one way; when you're the forerunner to the messiah, God speaks clearly to you as well.
And Jesus says something even more amazing - as great as John was, the least is greater than he. It's not a status thing, it's not earned; it's a grace thing.  God gave John grace; God gives the least even more grace.