14th Day of Lent
Unwelcoming Scenes in Jesus' Neighborhood
"He came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him." Mark 6:1
Often hometown heroes are welcomed back with celebrity status. I happened to watch a program about the career of Charles Barkley, a Hall of Fame NBA player. He recently turned 50. They showed scenes from the basketball gym he played on in high school. It's now called "Charles Barkley Arena" Famous actors, actresses, and politicians often have signs or other displays erected in their honor in their hometown.
But with prophets, not so much. They were called to deliver a word that was often unpopular. Who gives the hometown kid the authority to say the things he or she says? What town wants to be associated with words that are so upsetting to so many people. Arenas are not named after prophets.
Jesus very much came in the role of prophet, among other things. His teachings about including sinners and his harsh criticism of self-righteousness and legalism upset lots of people. It ultimately led to the cross. It's no wonder Jesus was rejected by his hometown. He just wasn't popular enough, at least among the kinds of people that name stadiums or hold positions of power and authority. But then, Jesus didn't come to be popular. He came to save the lost and usher in God's new kingdom. It didn't play well in his hometown. But it changed the world.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
13th Day of Lent
Mixed Company with Jesus
"There were many...sinners...who followed him." Mark 2:15
It has been said, "The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints." In other words, we all come in need of healing from something, not to display our goodness or righteousness. Right from the beginning of his ministry, Jesus reached out to the crowd that "good" people rejected. Imagine the shock it must have been to Levi, a tax collector for the Roman authority, when Jesus called him to be his disciple. This wasn't just saying hello to him, being nice to him, blessing him, or forgiving him. Jesus actually called him to be one of the twelve, part of his leadership team, if you will. And then imagine the shock to the "good" people, especially the religious scribes of the Pharisees, who specifically taught their fellow Jews to stay away from such sinners, lest they become impure. Jesus was really shaking things up, and people took notice.
Too often, from the outside looking in, the perception of the church is that it is only for the righteous. The truth, of course, is that we are a pretty motley crew who come from all kinds of different backgrounds. We are a mixed company of sinners, in need of God's grace every day. I pray that we might communicate that truth, whether that be in our personal witness to our faith, or in what we do collectively as a congregation. May we be that hospital for sinners, and let people know that the Great Physician sees patients every week in need of His healing touch.
Mixed Company with Jesus
"There were many...sinners...who followed him." Mark 2:15
It has been said, "The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints." In other words, we all come in need of healing from something, not to display our goodness or righteousness. Right from the beginning of his ministry, Jesus reached out to the crowd that "good" people rejected. Imagine the shock it must have been to Levi, a tax collector for the Roman authority, when Jesus called him to be his disciple. This wasn't just saying hello to him, being nice to him, blessing him, or forgiving him. Jesus actually called him to be one of the twelve, part of his leadership team, if you will. And then imagine the shock to the "good" people, especially the religious scribes of the Pharisees, who specifically taught their fellow Jews to stay away from such sinners, lest they become impure. Jesus was really shaking things up, and people took notice.
Too often, from the outside looking in, the perception of the church is that it is only for the righteous. The truth, of course, is that we are a pretty motley crew who come from all kinds of different backgrounds. We are a mixed company of sinners, in need of God's grace every day. I pray that we might communicate that truth, whether that be in our personal witness to our faith, or in what we do collectively as a congregation. May we be that hospital for sinners, and let people know that the Great Physician sees patients every week in need of His healing touch.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
12th Day of Lent
The Spirit Leads Followers into Light
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" Romans 8:14
"I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort, believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me thru the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and kept me in true faith."
Long ago I memorized the above words of Martin Luther in his explanation of the third article of the Apostle's Creed. Here Luther makes it abundantly clear that it is all the work of the Spirit in our lives to bring us to faith and to then follow on the journey of faith. Marty says the same thing in today's devotional. "We would not be called to follow and we could not follow the call if it were not for the inspiring presence of the Spirit of God."This is done by the words of the gospel, the good news of God's love in Jesus Christ, spoken and lived. I don't fully understand the work of the Spirit, but I am forever grateful for the many people who allowed the Spirit to work through them, to enlighten me and ultimately bring me to faith. I pray that I might also be an instrument of the Spirit, so that others might also believe. It's all about the Spirit, blowing like the wind; filling us, leading us, renewing us, and keeping us as we go. Thanks be to God for the gift of the Holy Spirit!
The Spirit Leads Followers into Light
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" Romans 8:14
"I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort, believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me thru the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and kept me in true faith."
Long ago I memorized the above words of Martin Luther in his explanation of the third article of the Apostle's Creed. Here Luther makes it abundantly clear that it is all the work of the Spirit in our lives to bring us to faith and to then follow on the journey of faith. Marty says the same thing in today's devotional. "We would not be called to follow and we could not follow the call if it were not for the inspiring presence of the Spirit of God."This is done by the words of the gospel, the good news of God's love in Jesus Christ, spoken and lived. I don't fully understand the work of the Spirit, but I am forever grateful for the many people who allowed the Spirit to work through them, to enlighten me and ultimately bring me to faith. I pray that I might also be an instrument of the Spirit, so that others might also believe. It's all about the Spirit, blowing like the wind; filling us, leading us, renewing us, and keeping us as we go. Thanks be to God for the gift of the Holy Spirit!
Monday, February 25, 2013
11th Day of Lent
All We Need is a Plea
Two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us..."
During the Lenten season, at our early service, we sing a short and simple "Kyrie" as part of our early service liturgy. "Kyrie Eleison," Lord have mercy. "Christe Eleison," Christ have mercy. "Kyrie Eleison, Lord have mercy. These are very similar words to the ones spoken by the two blind men who followed after Jesus, "Have mercy on us, Son of David."
Few of us know the physical blindness experienced by the blind men that followed Jesus. How difficult it must be to live without sight. But most of us are aware of the spiritual blindness within us. We don't place God our Creator above all things. We don't love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We fail to love our neighbor as ourselves. We get wrapped up in our own selves and our own needs, and fail to see the desperate needs of so many people both near and far. "Kyrie Eleison!" Lord have mercy! The good news is that when we pray that prayer with hearts of faith, Jesus responds with healing for us, even as he healed the two blind men that followed him. The Lord does have mercy. Christ does have mercy. The Lord does have mercy. Thanks be to God!
All We Need is a Plea
Two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us..."
During the Lenten season, at our early service, we sing a short and simple "Kyrie" as part of our early service liturgy. "Kyrie Eleison," Lord have mercy. "Christe Eleison," Christ have mercy. "Kyrie Eleison, Lord have mercy. These are very similar words to the ones spoken by the two blind men who followed after Jesus, "Have mercy on us, Son of David."
Few of us know the physical blindness experienced by the blind men that followed Jesus. How difficult it must be to live without sight. But most of us are aware of the spiritual blindness within us. We don't place God our Creator above all things. We don't love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We fail to love our neighbor as ourselves. We get wrapped up in our own selves and our own needs, and fail to see the desperate needs of so many people both near and far. "Kyrie Eleison!" Lord have mercy! The good news is that when we pray that prayer with hearts of faith, Jesus responds with healing for us, even as he healed the two blind men that followed him. The Lord does have mercy. Christ does have mercy. The Lord does have mercy. Thanks be to God!
Sunday, February 24, 2013
2nd Sunday in Lent
If Need Calls, It is Jesus Who Follows
"And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples." Matthew 9:19
What an interesting twist to these devotions this morning. Instead of Jesus calling someone to follow him, Jesus does the following. He follows a leader of the synagogue whose daughter had just died. The father hoped that Jesus might bring her back to life. Jesus doesn't balk at this request. He gets up and follows to the place of need.
Corinne Chilstrom, wife of former Presiding Bishop of the ELCA Herbert Chilstrom, wrote a moving book abouth their son's suicide titled, Andrew, You Died Too Soon. I'll always remember one of the title chapters, "Run to the Griever." In it she writes how critically important it is for loved ones to run, without delay, to the griever that is faced with tragedy. The presence of loved ones is so important that you need to drop everything and "run to the griever." I'll never forget those words and have tried, whenever possible, to follow that wise advice.
In this lesson Jesus goes immediately with the grieving father to the house where his daughter had died. He went, without delay. Jesus follows to the place of deepest need. What good news that is! We will all face times of deep sorrow and trial. Jesus, in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, follows to that need. We should never hesitate to make our needs known to God in prayer. God already knows. God will follow to that need, with God's comfort, compassion, and love.
If Need Calls, It is Jesus Who Follows
"And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples." Matthew 9:19
What an interesting twist to these devotions this morning. Instead of Jesus calling someone to follow him, Jesus does the following. He follows a leader of the synagogue whose daughter had just died. The father hoped that Jesus might bring her back to life. Jesus doesn't balk at this request. He gets up and follows to the place of need.
Corinne Chilstrom, wife of former Presiding Bishop of the ELCA Herbert Chilstrom, wrote a moving book abouth their son's suicide titled, Andrew, You Died Too Soon. I'll always remember one of the title chapters, "Run to the Griever." In it she writes how critically important it is for loved ones to run, without delay, to the griever that is faced with tragedy. The presence of loved ones is so important that you need to drop everything and "run to the griever." I'll never forget those words and have tried, whenever possible, to follow that wise advice.
In this lesson Jesus goes immediately with the grieving father to the house where his daughter had died. He went, without delay. Jesus follows to the place of deepest need. What good news that is! We will all face times of deep sorrow and trial. Jesus, in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, follows to that need. We should never hesitate to make our needs known to God in prayer. God already knows. God will follow to that need, with God's comfort, compassion, and love.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
10th Day of Lent
One Among Many
"When he came down the mountain, great crowds followed him." Matthew 8:1
With today's devotion we complete the first quarter of the 40 day season of Lent. I encourage you to continue faithfully on the journey. Hopefully these daily readings have caused you to think about what it means to be a "Followers of the Cross."
One of the most significant spiritual moments in my life was the first time I went to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area on the Canadian border in Northern Minnesota. My family never did any camping, so this was my first wilderness camping experience. I was in 10th grade and the canoe trip was for high school youth from our church. One clear night we laid out out on the rocks and looked up to the night sky. I had never seen so many stars in my life. The youth pastor read from Psalm 8: 3-4. "When I look at thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast established; what is man that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou dost care for him?" It was then that I was filled with wonder that God, the Creator of the stars and all the universe, could also personally care about me. Amazing.
I thought of this while reading today's devotion. After his teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had achieved a kind of rock star status. Great crowds followed him. He could have allowed his ego to take over, I suppose, and continue preaching to the masses. Who wouldn't feel good about impressing so many people? But Jesus doesn't do that. Instead, he responds to an outsider, a lone leper, who kneels before him and seeks healing. He doesn't pass by, but focuses on that one person in need. God the Savior cares about the one. Amazing. How good it is to know that God the Creator and Savior cares about the one. Even me. Even you.
One Among Many
"When he came down the mountain, great crowds followed him." Matthew 8:1
With today's devotion we complete the first quarter of the 40 day season of Lent. I encourage you to continue faithfully on the journey. Hopefully these daily readings have caused you to think about what it means to be a "Followers of the Cross."
One of the most significant spiritual moments in my life was the first time I went to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area on the Canadian border in Northern Minnesota. My family never did any camping, so this was my first wilderness camping experience. I was in 10th grade and the canoe trip was for high school youth from our church. One clear night we laid out out on the rocks and looked up to the night sky. I had never seen so many stars in my life. The youth pastor read from Psalm 8: 3-4. "When I look at thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast established; what is man that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou dost care for him?" It was then that I was filled with wonder that God, the Creator of the stars and all the universe, could also personally care about me. Amazing.
I thought of this while reading today's devotion. After his teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had achieved a kind of rock star status. Great crowds followed him. He could have allowed his ego to take over, I suppose, and continue preaching to the masses. Who wouldn't feel good about impressing so many people? But Jesus doesn't do that. Instead, he responds to an outsider, a lone leper, who kneels before him and seeks healing. He doesn't pass by, but focuses on that one person in need. God the Savior cares about the one. Amazing. How good it is to know that God the Creator and Savior cares about the one. Even me. Even you.
Friday, February 22, 2013
9th Day of Lent
Leaving Things and People Behind
"Immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him." Matthew 4:22
I made the decision to go to seminary and become a pastor fairly early in life. I was a sophomore in college at the University of Minnesota. The only thing I really left behind was organic chemistry , hardly a major sacrifice. (Katy Lambson, organic chem prof., may disagree :) ) After graduating from college I went right into seminary, completed my four years, and then to my first call as associate pastor at Augustana Lutheran Church in W. St. Paul, MN.
In seminary there were a number or people who had previous careers, and then felt God's call and decided to go to seminary and prepare for the ministry. In many cases they did so with great sacrifice, uprooting their families, giving up good paying jobs, and moving to St. Paul, MN. on a journey without a known ending. I always admired people who did that, people who sensed God's call and stepped out in faith.
Simon and Andrew, two brothers in the family fishing business, were kind of like second career pastors. They had good lives, a successful business,and yet were called to something new and different. As Marty writes, "Something very special is going on here. God, through Jesus, is beginning a new work which needs new workers." I believe God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is always beginning new work that needs new workers. God may not call us to new careers (although sometimes God does!), but God may call us to be involved with something new to further God's kingdom. To what new work may God be calling you?
Leaving Things and People Behind
"Immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him." Matthew 4:22
I made the decision to go to seminary and become a pastor fairly early in life. I was a sophomore in college at the University of Minnesota. The only thing I really left behind was organic chemistry , hardly a major sacrifice. (Katy Lambson, organic chem prof., may disagree :) ) After graduating from college I went right into seminary, completed my four years, and then to my first call as associate pastor at Augustana Lutheran Church in W. St. Paul, MN.
In seminary there were a number or people who had previous careers, and then felt God's call and decided to go to seminary and prepare for the ministry. In many cases they did so with great sacrifice, uprooting their families, giving up good paying jobs, and moving to St. Paul, MN. on a journey without a known ending. I always admired people who did that, people who sensed God's call and stepped out in faith.
Simon and Andrew, two brothers in the family fishing business, were kind of like second career pastors. They had good lives, a successful business,and yet were called to something new and different. As Marty writes, "Something very special is going on here. God, through Jesus, is beginning a new work which needs new workers." I believe God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is always beginning new work that needs new workers. God may not call us to new careers (although sometimes God does!), but God may call us to be involved with something new to further God's kingdom. To what new work may God be calling you?
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