John 2

John 2

Two Opposites

 Jesus obeys his Mother and turns water into wine.  He fulfills the commandment that we are to obey our parents so that we can have a long life.  He seems reluctant to do so, "Woman, what has this to do with me?  My hour has not yet come."  But he obeys, and He does it with flourish.  He turns that dirty water, that was to be used for washing, into the best wine.  

Jesus shows his care for this wedding celebration and the celebrants by providing what was desired.  He gives us more than we ask for.  The wedding party expected the lesser wine, and they got the best.  Jesus, too, cares about your desires.  He cares about the individual and the seemingly insignificant things in our lives.  Nothing is too small for him.  Jesus takes us ordinary, unclean humans and sets us apart for Himself..

The bookend to this tender first miracle is the clearing of the temple.  St. John is showing us again, in black and white comparisons, Law and Gospel at work.  There was blatant, open, unrepentant defilement of the Holy Temple.  This defilement was encouraged by those in charge of the temple.  Everybody was getting their piece of the money pie from the trade developed by the money-changers and sellers of sacrificial animals.  

God has specific ways we are to worship, specific ways we are not to worship.  Jesus is showing that this is not the way to worship.  This is the Father's house, and Jesus was making way for us, taking out the middlemen.  Jesus is showing the Jews that He is the temple, that He is God.  

John 1:19-51

Three points from John 1:19-51

Come and See

St. John the Baptist is a straight shooter.  He doesn't beat around the bush when he confesses that he is not the Messiah, that he is one who points to Christ.  In these verses we see John the Baptist's ministry diminishing.  His disciples are leaving him and going to follow Jesus.

The next day John was standing there again with two of his disciples, 36 when he saw Jesus walking by. “There is the Lamb of God!” he said. 37 The two disciples heard him say this and went with Jesus.

All of Israel knew of John the Baptist.  He had a large following.  That crowd was beginning to diminish because of Jesus' arrival.  John knew he was a prophet and his job was to point to the Messiah. I wonder how he reacted to seeing the reality of it. If you were in John's shoes, would it be difficult for you to see the large crowd who followed you, turn away from you to follow another?  My self-esteem, ego, sinful self would bristle. I believe I would experience pain, confusion, doubt, anger, and jealousy.  We are all called to be like John the Baptist to point others to Jesus, and it may mean they walk away from you.

This passage, we also see the old fading away and the arrival of the new.  Jesus is now on the scene, beginning his ministry, so John's baptism is becoming the old one, the prepatory baptism.  This is the paradigm shift in scripture from Old Testament to the New Testament.

I find verses 37-40 humorous.  John's disciples turn to follow Jesus, the heralded Messiah.  In my mind's eye, they are following Jesus from a bit of a distance, like puppy dogs.  Perhaps they were unsure of who they were following and wanted to hang in the back until they figure things out.

37 The two disciples heard him say this and went with Jesus.38 Jesus turned, saw them following him, and asked, “What are you looking for?”They answered, “Where do you live, Rabbi?” (This word means “Teacher.”)39 “Come and see,” he answered. (It was then about four o'clock in the afternoon.) So they went with him and saw where he lived, and spent the rest of that day with him.

Really?  That is their question of the Messiah?  "Where do you live, Rabbi?" Don't you think they have other, more probing and serious questions they'd like to ask.  More along the lines of, "Are you really the Promised One?"  Not, "Where do you live, Rabbi?"  They are all vagueness to hide their doubt and conceal what they really want to know.  But Jesus knows what they want and He calls them to "Come and you will see."  So they follow Jesus at His invitation.

The rest of the chapter is about accruing disciples.  Andrew, goes to get Simon Peter, and compel him to follow Jesus.  Andrew is not heard of after this, is he?  But Peter sure is.  Andrew's job was to go get the "big fish" we know and love as Peter.  We could not function as a church without both of these men, the background worker who invites and the boisterous disciple who speaks our thoughts.

Then there is Philip, who believes easily and follows Jesus quickly.  Philip doesn't seem to bat an eye or have any doubt.  His first reaction is to follow and then find Nathanael.  Nathanael, who is skeptical about anything good coming from Nazareth.  Philip doesn't let Nathanael off the hook that easily, "Come and see."  

As believers, we do not have to know all the theological answers that people ask of us.  Oftentimes, I feel so inadequate to talk to others about salvation in Jesus.  But it really is not about me and what I know.  It is me introducing them to the only Savior who can rescue them, as I was rescued.  The One who forgives us and sets us free.  We are then freed to follow Jesus and continue to invite others.

We can introduce others to Jesus, just as Andrew and Philip did, just as St. John the Baptist.  Evangelism truly is simple.  It is an invitation to "Come and see Jesus."

Introduction and John 1:1-18

In this series on the Gospel of John, I will be writing about one or two points that stood out to me through studying this book.  I hope you find these points interesting and true to God's Word.

Introduction

John 1:1-18

John is pictured as an eagle in Church Art.  He is seen as the eagle because he can fly close to God to see His Glory.  This Gospel is about Jesus' deity and John tells us so here:  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (20:31).  In church art, Luke is represented as an ox, a faithful worker; Matthew as a human, emphasizing Jesus'  humanity; and Mark as a lion, proving Jesus came from Judah.  

When I heard this about how the evangelists are represented in art, I thought immediately of the creatures around the throne in Revelation.  It is Revelation 4:6-11.  These creatures are covered in eyes and are in God's presence.  Their sight is clear and unveiled.  What they tell us are true and trustworthy as they see God, so they see us.  God is at work in and through the evangelists to bring us to our senses, to give us faith. 

The connections between the Gospels and Revelation assure me it is God's Word to us.  

Oftentimes, as a Christian, I feel rejected by others.  They snicker and mock my beliefs.  I'm sure you have experienced this as well.  But Jesus knows rejection. He knows how it feels. Everytime someone does not receive forgiveness from him He is rejected.  We have the pleasure of following in His footsteps.

 John 1:10-13
He came to his own, and his own people[c] did not receive him.  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Tell Me Again!

I was gobstopped.  I couldn't open my mouth to brush aside the compliment because I was speechless. It was one of the best compliments I have had.  "What happened to you?  You look like Jesus."  At that moment, I felt like my feet did not touch the earth.  I look like my God and Savior.

Over the weekend I heard these sweet words from my loving Larry, "I want to take you to this restaurant I like."  It was the "I want to take you..." that melted my heart.  He was bringing me into his work world and wanting to show me a place he appreciates.  I was being included in one of the highlights of his working world.  Unfortunately, that restaurant was closed so we will share it another day.

From our amazing daughter I heard, "You should do that, Mom!"  I was telling her about ways of expanding and creating a business.  Such words of encouragement and support from one so young, yet she has much wisdom.  She often amazes me with her incredible insights into people.  With that kind of insight, she makes a terrific daughter and friend, and one day she will be a terrific wife and mother.

Monday, after telling a friend that I had not gone to church but didn't know why I was telling him that, he said, "For the sake of Jesus' innocent suffering and death our Father forgives you all your sin in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."  Then after awhile he said, "You confessed to me so I could tell you that."  They were words I needed to hear.  Jesus forgives me.

Our families should be the place where we speak God's forgiveness to one another.  Oftentimes we don't do so, because this is the place where buttons are pushed and hurts are grasped like an outfielder catching a baseball.  Family is where we can practice our Christian lives with those closest to us.  If you are harboring hurt and anger, take it to Jesus.  As often as it comes into your thoughts, take it to Jesus. Over and over.

Then speak sweet words of forgiveness to your family members and friends.  Again and again give the words of absolution, the sweetness of the gospel.  Become liberal in your sowing of grace. Watch as hearts melt from receiving the needed good news,  including your own.

Christians Are Hypocrites

Did I get your attention?  Good!  Then this is written for you.

Have you ever said thought that Christians are a bunch of hypocrites?  Have you thought it? You've witnessed Christians behaving badly toward others.  Perhaps even toward you.  You've heard cutting, harmful words, maybe those were spoken to you as well.  Christians are supposed to behave better, right? Christians should be the most moral people on the planet.

If you've thought that about Christians, I'll let you in on an oft-kept secret. Christianity isn't about living the most moral life imagineable. Let me reword it to be sure you heard it. Christianity isn't limited to morality.
We aren't the moral majority.  We're the forgiven majority.

Christianity is about forgiveness. Forgiveness of our sin and hatred of God. The difference between Christians and others is:  Forgiveness received through faith in Jesus Christ.

That forgiveness exists for you as well.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUJeOb1-mZ0

The First Advent: The First Shepherd

The first shepherd comes and angels announce his arrival.  The skies are full of singing and proclamations of good news for all people.  The skies light up, and people come from all around to see this shepherd lying in a manger.  Other, older shepherds arrive to see the first shepherd.

Older shepherds come to see the first shepherd?  How can that be?  I mean, after all there are shepherds all over the bible.  They are in the Old Testament and the New Testament.  King David was a shepherd before he was king.  Jacob, Abraham, Amos were all shepherds.  How can older shepherds worship the first shepherd?

Israel (Jacob) blessed his long, lost son Joseph with these words and shows us who is the First Shepherd:

And he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys;
    and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;
    and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

Jesus is our eternal shepherd. He is the I AM.  This is the season the world celebrates the First Shepherd’s arrival to earth.  This is when He incarnated to save sinners from their bondage.  This loving Shepherd came as an infant to redeem you and I and free us from our sin, from the sin of all mankind. 

This is our loving Shepherd shepherding a crowd:

When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

Here is what He tells us of himself:

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

You can read the account of the First Shepherd’s birth in Luke 2 during this Advent Season.

Happy Advent!

Here is a link to another The Second Advent.

Christmas Shoes

You know who I'm talkin' about.  It's the people that get new Sunday duds twice a year.  That's right, the people that attend church at Christmas and Easter.  They show up as part of their family tradition, so church continues to make memories.  It makes them feel good about God twice during the year.  And they take our favorite pew to rub salt into the wound!

I have an inkling why they only attend twice a year.  It's the two times a year they are guaranteed to hear about why Jesus came to the earth.  So often our churches are full of sermons that could have been plucked off the self-help shelf at our local bookstore. How to Have a Happy Marriage; Five Ways to Bring Up Your Children; Twenty Best Kept Secrets to Be a Cheerful Giver.  All things that are supposed to improve your life or make you happier.  Funny thing is, they don't work.

At Christmas services, we are guaranteed that we will hear about Jesus.  There will be the familiar passage in Luke's Gospel of Jesus' birth.  It is read far and wide, in every Christian pulpit.  Those people will see Jesus' love for them as He incarnates and creation celebrates His arrival.  They will see God's sovereignty displayed in a baby lying in a manger, a feedstall, who had a scandalous virgin birth.  Can you hear the whispers of Mary's neighbors?  "She's pregnant.  She's no virgin! Shameful!"  

They will also hear that Jesus is their Savior, sent from our Heavenly Father, and how he receives worship from all of creation.  The angels celebrate, the shepherds, the magi, even the animals.  They will see how great the Father's love is that he has lavished on us.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,  which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight  making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ ~ Ephesians 1:7-9
They won't know these things unless somebody tells them.  Welcome them into your churches.  It is a wonderful thing they have arrived!  They have come and will hear about salvation!

And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” ~Romans 10:15

Put on your best Christmas shoes and join the celebration!