What were they thinking? Luke 4:14-21

This has been called by many as Jesus’ inauguration speech. He is setting the stage for what his work and ministry will be in the future. He was in the synagogue and reads from the prophet Isaiah about good news preached to the poor and freedom to the prisoners and the recovery of sight to the blind and release of the captives and the year of the Lord’s favor. As the eyes of all were fixed on Jesus, he announced that this Scripture was fulfilled in their hearing of it.

Their eyes were fixed on Jesus but I wonder if they were thinking this was good news for them. I am wondering if we also look at the same reading as good news for today? After all, what do we think about when the idea of the coming of the Lord is talked about? Don’t we think about blessing. The Lord will bless us and the blessing is defined as keeping our positions of power and control in society. We think about wealth. We think about maintaining what is or a possible return to an idealized glory of the past. We think we know what the coming of the Lord will be like but the Lord’s thinking is not always in tune with ours.

The Scripture Jesus read was nothing less than the rebooting of society. The year of the Lord’s favor (Jubilee) was the cancellation of debts and return of even the land to previous owners. The poor and imprisoned are no longer under the boot of the powerful. This is the Lord’s way of bringing blessing to society.

Now those present spoke well of Jesus. In other words they were trying to get on his good side and graces. However, Jesus told of how God’s graces reached out to a poor Gentile widow and Naaman the Syrian, not to Israel. They were enraged and tried to throw Jesus off a nearby cliff to kill him. Jesus didn’t fit with their thinking of blessing.

Jesus announced the start of his ministry by reading from Scripture of the rebooting of society. The rich are brought down with the poor raised up. All debts are cancelled. This is how society will be blessed in his ministry. What do you think about this?

Peace

What Makes a Good Wine? John 2:1-22

Buying a good bottle of wine these days is no easy task. The options available seem endless which is obvious walking into a liquor store or even a grocery store. Do you want a red? How about a white? Do you like dry? How about a sweet wine? Of course there are the different blends seeking a middle ground. Is a $60 bottle of wine really six times better than a $10 bottle? If you are going off to visit a friend and bring a bottle of wine as a gift, the choice isn’t always such an easy one to make. After all, what is a good wine?

Jesus, his disciples and family (mother) are attending a wedding feast in Cana. Wedding parties were known to last a looooong time. The wine was running low which was more than an inconvenience. The concept of hospitality was crucial in those days. Yes, guests would bring gifts of food and wine but for the wine to run out on such a festive time was a shameful moment for the host.

Jesus’ mother responded by going to him with the problem. Jesus’ didn’t seem all that concerned but had six large jars filled with water and taken to master of the banquet. This was the best wine of all. John records this as the first of Jesus’ miraculous signs pointing to his identity and glory.

Wine and feasting has great meaning in the Scriptures telling of the hospitality, abundance and victory of God. For example, Isaiah 25 tells of the Lord preparing a feast including the finest of wines for all people. The reason for the party is the Lord swallowing up death forever. Isaiah 55 gives the great invitation for all the thirsty and hungry to come and feast their souls on the richest fare which the Lord has provided (all without cost by the way).

The wedding at Cana was more than Jesus turning water into wine and getting the host out of a sticky situation. Here Jesus is presented to be the presence of God bringing a victorious feast for all people… the wine of this celebration is better than any wine ever tasted.

Peace

Does a child frighten you? Matthew 2:1-12

As another Christmas season passes and the decorations begin to be put away in the closet for next year, the images of the magi visiting the baby Jesus are common. We see them in the crèches on church lawns and in front of the neighbor’s house across the street. Maybe you joined in singing a verse from “We Three Kings of Orient Are.” The image is serene, calming and pastoral. Amazing how culture has taken such a divisive scene and stripped it of the challenge forced upon us with this baby born, King of the Jews. The passage from Matthew is frightening to many.

Those who studied the night sky and searched the heavens for knowledge or wisdom saw stars align telling them of the birth of a king, the King of the Jews. They packed gifts worthy of a king and ventured westward to ask Herod where to find this king. When they found the child Jesus, they worshiped him.

Herod’s rule as king was a political appointment from Rome. He was not the legitimate heir to the throne of David and he knew it. He acted like it too. His plan was to deceitfully use the magi as a means to kill his challenger to the throne. Herod’s approach was no different from what we hear about today in the news. Political challengers and journalists critical of authoritarian governments end up missing or dead. Herod’s tactics are nothing new.

The story of the magi and Herod is a word against the Jewish people of the time for rejecting their king. In contrast, the Gentile magi knew who Jesus was and worshiped him. This passage also challenges us to recognize Jesus as King of the Jews and Lord of all. Will we recognize his legitimacy as King and Lord?

The birth of Jesus is frightening because it challenges the power and legitimacy of the kingdoms of this world. The magi knew it and Herod did too. Do we?

Peace

Mary’s Treasure and Ours Too Luke 2:41-52.

Mary has received a lot of news about this child of hers. She burst into a song of praise to the Lord when Elizabeth called her blessed for having believed the message of the angels regarding her giving birth to the Christ child. She pondered and treasured in her heart the news which the shepherds passed on from the angels. On the eighth day she and Joseph presented the baby Jesus in the Temple where Simeon and Anna spoke of blessing but also that a sword will pierce her own soul as well. Twelve years later Jesus turns up missing on their annual trek to observe the Passover. He was found debating theology with the teachers of the Temple. Mary again treasured this in her heart even though Jesus announced that the Temple was his Father’s house.

Mary has received a lot of news about this child of hers but how much do you think she understood? Yes, she sang the praises and treasured the hoped for blessings that are coming in Jesus’ birth. However was she really understanding what the sword in her soul would be? A mother’s pain of seeing her child killed on a cross.

This time of year we have heard much about the Christ child born in a manger. We are invited to embrace him and take him into our world. We do it with praise on our lips because here is the Son of God come down to us. Here is love that has and continues to be poured over us. As we embrace him, are we also prepared for a sword in our soul as well? Jesus’ birth was not to bless what we have made for ourselves but to bless us with the reign of God. The two are not one in the same.

So we join with Mary as we respond to the blessing that is born to us in Jesus. We can treasure this news in our hearts. We can sing the news with praise on our lips. How will this blessing unfold and take place? John the Baptist will now set the stage.

Peace

What are you wishing for? Luke 1:39-55

“What are you wishing for?” is the kind of question we get often this time of year. It often comes from those looking to fill in the hole behind our name on their gift list. So what is on your wish list for the year but lets get serious. The wishes that go beyond what can be wrapped and placed under the tree. The serious wishes often fall outside of our capacity to make happen. The serious wishes might include health for a friend spending too much time in the hospital this last year. A country less divided…a lot less hatred in words and actions…a calmer Wall Street could also be on our list wishes. So, “What are you wishing for?”

Elizabeth and Mary had their own personal wishes. Elizabeth and her husband were at the age where wishing for a child had changed to wishing for the child that could have been. Yet, she was pregnant. A new life was going to be born when reality had no hope. The kind of wish for the advent, the coming of God.

Mary was also pregnant under circumstances considered scandalous. However, she broke into song that announced the wishes of what was an insignificant young woman living under the dictates of others far more powerful. The wishes made possible because of the child she was carrying. The coming of God to bring new life to those with no hope. The coming of God to make new a world where the wishes of the lowly get filled.

The proud are scattered in the thoughts of their hearts…

The powerful are removed from their thrones…

The lowly are lifted up…

The hungry are filled with good things…

The rich are sent away empty…

The wishes of Elizabeth and Mary were made possible by the advent of God, namely the Christ child soon to be born.

What do you wish for? Seriously, “what do you wish for?” with the coming of Christ?

Peace

Good News Preached Luke 3:7-18

Wow! John the Baptist sure knows how to be publicly correct. Calling people a brood of vipers and telling of an ax ready to chop down those not producing good fruit is going to get a bunch of people agitated. You can almost hear them hissing in protest, can’t you.? This was John the Baptist’s strategy. The people were coming to be baptized by him in anticipation for the coming of the Lord. He was pushing them to become what their actions meant.

Who wouldn’t want the coming of the Lord? Especially, if it means the Romans get kicked out of the region and you are given power and wealth and blessing and…. Who wouldn’t want this good news! Yet, John the Baptist is calling them a brood of vipers. So what gives?

We live in a season of expectation that defines good news and blessing by gifts received and parties attended. However the words of John the Baptist are still echoing for us to hear and heed. If good news is to be good news, then it must be for everyone. He is pushing us to become what is that good news.

John the Baptist describes the coming of Christ who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Christ will separate the chaff from the wheat with the chaff being burned with unquenchable fire. This is good news because this means everything will be changed and a new reign, the Kingdom of God will be established over us. This is going to be as dynamic a transformation as death giving way to resurrection.

So what should we do? If someone is hungry, feed them. If someone is shivering in the cold then find them warmth. If you are in a position of power then quit rigging the system to your advantage… quit using your power to profit at the expense of others. This is a radical change from what is happening in the daily news.

So with such news John the Baptist exhorted the people and preached good news to them. The good news of the Kingdom of Heaven which we welcome in Christ. It is good news because it is good news for all.

Peace

A New Time Luke 3:1-6

At the time when the G20 nations gathered to talk world finances…and the NFL was preparing for week 14 of the season…and an executive from the Chinese company of Huawei was arrested in Canada at the request of the U.S. while the Chinese/American tariff war continues…and the nation said ‘Goodbye’ to President #41, George H. W. Bush… a voice is heard that is different.

Back in the days when the Gospel of Luke was being written, a person obviously couldn’t pull out their smartphone and check the Google Calendar for the current date. In those days, times were framed by important people and events that defined the moment. Even with our smartphones we do the same by referencing the past as when a child was born or a friend died. We still do measure the times by people and events.

So when Luke mentions the powerful people of that day, a time reference is being given for the reader. The listing of the names also gives a quality reference of what life was like for the people. During this time life was difficult as the people knew well of the oppressive force, the struggles of the poor vs. the privilege of the few and the crosses lining entrances into the city are not easily forgotten.

During this time, John son of Zechariah appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins. He challenged all who dared to listen to repent and be forgiven for contributing to the oppression and the poverty and the death of that time. John son of Zechariah also encouraged all to prepare and make easy the way for all to see God’s salvation.

During our time, we reference life by the events and people in the headlines. Those referenced give a framework for the quality of life in these times. John son of Zechariah’s challenge still speaks to us today of a baptism of repentance and being forgiven for how we contribute to the oppression and poverty and death of our day. He encourages us to make it easy for all to see the salvation that comes to us in Christ.

Peace

Fearful Hope Luke 22:25-36

Reading the morning news has become a struggle. The news cycle just doesn’t change. Migrants fleeing horrible living conditions are greeted with rejection, branded as criminals. Dire predictions are made about the future environmental changes and will the generations still to come have a livable climate. Despots around the world commit murder and little is done in response by the other nations. International alliances for peace are showing cracks. Hate an anger are hotter than ever. Yes, reading the morning news is a challenge to hold on for hope that events will change.

Jesus is speaking of a foreboding future too. Signs in the sun, moon and stars… Nations will be in anguish… Men will faint from fear… Heavenly bodies will be shaken… All because of what is coming. The news of that day had become a struggle too.

What Jesus gave as advice for that time was and is today striking. Rather than duck our heads in fear we are to lift up our heads in a daring act of hope. All that we now witness and know will pass away. However, his words will remain. Jesus’ words are that redemption is drawing near. His death and resurrection will bring an end to the present struggles and resurrect a new and redeemed world/creation.

Jesus’ words are calling out to us to gain a different perspective. The challenge is not to look with fearful eyes at what is going on but with eyes that look at a world to be redeemed. This isn’t escapism. This isn’t denial of what is going on. Rather, this is bringing hope to what is honestly fearful. This is to have enough trust in Jesus’ hopeful words to lift our heads and challenge the world as it is to act as a world being redeemed in Christ.

Peace

A Truth Kingdom John 18:33-37

“What is truth?” was Pilate’s response to Jesus in today’s reading. If there was a time when the knowing of truth was important, it is now. What is truth? Truth seems to be what we want it to be. If the truth of global warming is inconvenient, then it is not mentioned in official documents. If Scripture calls our ways into question, then we deflect and use the truth of Scripture to highlight the sinfulness of someone else. Or, we search the Scripture to find a verse that will support our way of thinking. The use of denial, deflection and manipulation, leave us wondering “What is Truth?”

Two different kingdoms are in conflict from John’s reading. Pilate’s kingdom was Roman with its military might, oppression to keep the people under control and using of people to benefit the powerful few.

Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world. If it was, then the people would fight to protect him. Jesus’ kingdom is not about warring, or killing, or oppression, or abuse. Therefore it isn’t of this world.

Pilate pressured Jesus about his kingship. Pilate was correct in calling Jesus king but Jesus came not to set up a rival earthly kingdom. He came to testify to truth. If we want to be on the side of truth, then we need to listen to him. In the end, he is the truth.

Jesus is the truth of what it means to be human… The truth of what brings life into the world… The truth of who is life. Pilate’s kingdom brings death. Jesus’ kingdom brings life even out of death through his upcoming death and resurrection. Knowing and listening to truth is crucial.

“What is truth?” We deny, deflect and manipulate to create our understanding or preference for the truth. This is the truth of the kingdoms of this world. However, if we want to be on the side of truth that brings life to this world, we need to listen to him.

Peace

It Won’t Last… Mark 13:1-8

For most people, change doesn’t come easily or naturally. The reason is because of all the energy and personal investment we have put into what is in the now. Thanksgiving is next week and imagine the troubles inflicted upon the family to change what has been done for a generation or longer. Congregations are notoriously slow in making changes to long invested programs that at one time were quite meaningful. The mantra “Make America Great Again” is a reaction to changes taking place. The assumptions of employment and culture served well…for some. The rewriting of these assumptions is not being received well…for some. When change comes to what we have heavily invested ourselves, we don’t accept it well.

Jesus and the disciples were walking past the great Temple in Jerusalem. Yes, it was an impressive building. Yes, it was made with huge stones that gave the feeling of endurance. Yes, the Temple stood as a strong visual reminder of the presence of God with his people and promises made long ago. At the same time, they were a conquered people. A heavy investment was made in the Temple and the Scriptures that helped them define what it meant to be a Jew in those days.

So when walking past the Temple the disciples pointed out with pride to the Temple and the huge rocks that made up its structure. Jesus responded that it won’t last. In reality none of the things we invest ourselves will last. Nations will rise against nations with wars being waged. Earthquakes and famine will challenge our struggle for life. Jesus called these ‘birth pangs’. These are pains of a new life being born that will include all of creation. Jesus’ death and resurrection is the bringing of that new life.

Knowing that what we have worked hard to create in life won’t last, isn’t all that comforting. So much of the fighting and hating that mar our land today is about maintaining what we have made, refusing to admit that they are as temporary as we are. Yet, Jesus talks of birth pangs and start of a new life. The challenge for us is to look beyond the large stones we have formed to the new life being born around us in Christ Jesus. Then, we might get a chance to work toward what is lasting.

Peace.