Rely

It was appropriate for God, for whom and through whom everything exists, to use experiences of suffering to make perfect the pioneer of salvation. This salvation belongs to many sons and daughters whom he’s leading to glory. This is because the one who makes people holy and the people who are being made holy all come from one source. That is why Jesus isn’t ashamed to call them brothers and sisters when he says, I will publicly announce your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you in the middle of the assembly. He also says, I will rely on him. And also, Here I am with the children whom God has given to me. Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, he also shared the same things in the same way. He did this to destroy the one who holds the power over death—the devil—by dying. He set free those who were held in slavery their entire lives by their fear of death. Of course, he isn’t trying to help angels, but rather he’s helping Abraham’s descendants. Therefore, he had to be made like his brothers and sisters in every way. This was so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, in order to wipe away the sins of the people. He’s able to help those who are being tempted, since he himself experienced suffering when he was tempted. (Hebrews 2:10-18, CEB)

Jesus says I will rely on God.

Jesus knows that God is someone he can rely on and someone we can rely on.

God is always there with us.

Rely on God.

Loving People. Loving God.

Since

Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness so that the devil might tempt him. After Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was starving. The tempter came to him and said, “Since you are God’s Son, command these stones to become bread.” Jesus replied, “It’s written, People won’t live only by bread, but by every word spoken by God.” After that the devil brought him into the holy city and stood him at the highest point of the temple. He said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, throw yourself down; for it is written, I will command my angels concerning you, and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your foot on a stone.” Jesus replied, “Again it’s written, Don’t test the Lord your God.” Then the devil brought him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He said, “I’ll give you all these if you bow down and worship me.” Jesus responded, “Go away, Satan, because it’s written, You will worship the Lord your God and serve only him.” The devil left him, and angels came and took care of him. (Matthew 4:1-11, CEB)

This translation of the text uses since instead of if.

I have always said that the Devil isn’t questioning who Jesus is, the Devil is trying to get Jesus to question who he is.

That is what happens to us. We know who we are and then the world says, that’s not you, or you should be this or that, or that is just wrong for you. And we listen, and we change who God made us be to make someone else happy.

It isn’t about pleasing the world or anyone in the world but you.

Loving your neighbor means loving yourself.

Love who God made you be and know there is nothing better.

Loving People. Loving God.

like a child

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then he called a little child over to sit among the disciples, and said, “I assure you that if you don’t turn your lives around and become like this little child, you will definitely not enter the kingdom of heaven. Those who humble themselves like this little child will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “As for whoever causes these little ones who believe in me to trip and fall into sin, it would be better for them to have a huge stone hung around their necks and be drowned in the bottom of the lake. How terrible it is for the world because of the things that cause people to trip and fall into sin! Such things have to happen, but how terrible it is for the person who causes those things to happen! (Matthew 18:1-7, CEB)

Children know they don’t know everything. (I sometimes wonder about this with teenagers, but not the point…)

Children trust and have faith that they will be cared for, and that they don’t need to know everything. Adults are afraid to admit they don’t know. That they need help.

We all need to be children in the Kingdom. Knowing that we don’t know or have all the answers but trusting in God to be there and support us and take care of us.

So give up knowing, and trust that God is and always will be there for you.

Loving People. Loving God.

encouraged

First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because the news about your faithfulness is being spread throughout the whole world. I serve God in my spirit by preaching the good news about God’s Son, and God is my witness that I continually mention you in all my prayers. I’m always asking that somehow, by God’s will, I might succeed in visiting you at last. I really want to see you to pass along some spiritual gift to you so that you can be strengthened. What I mean is that we can mutually encourage each other while I am with you. We can be encouraged by the faithfulness we find in each other, both your faithfulness and mine. I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that I planned to visit you many times, although I have been prevented from coming until now. I want to harvest some fruit among you, just as I have done among the other Gentiles. I have a responsibility both to Greeks and to those who don’t speak Greek, both to the wise and to the foolish. That’s why I’m ready to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. I’m not ashamed of the gospel: it is God’s own power for salvation to all who have faith in God, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. God’s righteousness is being revealed in the gospel, from faithfulness for faith, as it is written, The righteous person will live by faith. (Romans 1:8-17, CEB)

Paul continues the introduction to the gathering in Rome he is hoping to visit on his way to Spain.

He is reminding them of what unites them and allows them to be gathered together.

Jesus allows us to encourage one another and to help others continue on in faith.

We are upheld by others in the body of Christ and the gifts we all have for the betterment of the world.

Let us not grow tired of sharing the good news and strengthening believers all around us.

Loving People. Loving God.

Good News

From Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for God’s good news. God promised this good news about his Son ahead of time through his prophets in the holy scriptures. His Son was descended from David. He was publicly identified as God’s Son with power through his resurrection from the dead, which was based on the Spirit of holiness. This Son is Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him we have received God’s grace and our appointment to be apostles. This was to bring all Gentiles to faithful obedience for his name’s sake. You who are called by Jesus Christ are also included among these Gentiles. To those in Rome who are dearly loved by God and called to be God’s people. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:1-7, CEB)

Good News is something that is truly good for all people. Not just a few chosen, or some, but all.

Paul here is writing a letter to the church in Rome because he is hoping to visit them on his way to Spain. He did not start this congregation, like many of the other letters he wrote that are in the Bible. He is introducing himself and reminds them what they have in common. Jesus is the common thread among followers of the Way and the good news for all people.

As we journey into Lent and closer to the cross and the life-giving resurrection, remember Jesus unites us and doesn’t separate us.

Love all people and strive to always do good to others.

Loving People. Loving God.

Be careful…

“Be careful that you don’t practice your religion in front of people to draw their attention. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Whenever you give to the poor, don’t blow your trumpet as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so that they may get praise from people. I assure you, that’s the only reward they’ll get. But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that you may give to the poor in secret. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you. “When you pray, don’t be like hypocrites. They love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners so that people will see them. I assure you, that’s the only reward they’ll get. But when you pray, go to your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you. “And when you fast, don’t put on a sad face like the hypocrites. They distort their faces so people will know they are fasting. I assure you that they have their reward. When you fast, brush your hair and wash your face. Then you won’t look like you are fasting to people, but only to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them. Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don’t eat them and where thieves don’t break in and steal them. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, CEB)

Religion isn’t something to be flaunted.

We should not practice our religion for others to see.

We do not announce our giving, or stand and pray where others can see, or let others know we are fasting. Our devotion to God and how we show that is between God and only us. If we are doing any of these things to be noticed by others then God is truly not the motivation.

So do not show others what you are doing, just help others.

Loving People. Loving God.

rejected?

So I ask you, has God rejected his people? Absolutely not! I’m an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God hasn’t rejected his people, whom he knew in advance. Or don’t you know what the scripture says in the case of Elijah, when he pleads with God against Israel? Lord, they have killed your prophets, and they have torn down your altars. I’m the only one left, and they are trying to take my life. But what is God’s reply to him? I have kept for myself seven thousand people who haven’t bowed their knees to Baal. So also in the present time there is a remaining group by the choice of God’s grace. But if it is by grace, it isn’t by what’s done anymore. If it were, God’s grace wouldn’t be grace. (Romans 11:1-6, CEB)

God makes promises and God keeps those promises. A new promise does not void an old promise from God. The new covenant doesn’t void the old covenant.

We are not rejected by God.

Go and share God’s love.

Loving People. Loving God.

Burning bush

“Forty years later, an angel appeared to Moses in the flame of a burning bush in the wilderness near Mount Sinai. Enthralled by the sight, Moses approached to get a closer look and he heard the Lord’s voice: ‘I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Trembling with fear, Moses didn’t dare to investigate any further. The Lord continued, ‘Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have clearly seen the oppression my people have experienced in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning. I have come down to rescue them. Come! I am sending you to Egypt.’ (Acts 7:30-34, CEB)

The bush was burning but wasn’t consumed.

What would you do if you saw this?

If you approached and heard a voice, then what?

I have moved places because I felt like God was calling me to be there. God told me to go and I went. But do we all do that?

God meets us and calls us and wants us to go and tell the people the great news of Jesus.

Are you ready to go?

Loving People. Loving God.

Transfiguration

Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them to the top of a very high mountain. He was transformed in front of them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. Peter reacted to all of this by saying to Jesus, “Lord, it’s good that we’re here. If you want, I’ll make three shrines: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, look, a bright cloud overshadowed them. A voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son whom I dearly love. I am very pleased with him. Listen to him!” Hearing this, the disciples fell on their faces, filled with awe. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anybody about the vision until the Human One is raised from the dead.” (Matthew 17:1-9, CEB)

Name tags? Were Moses and Elijah wearing name tags? I always wondered how Peter, James, and John knew who they were. I mean they didn’t see pictures of them.

However, that is not the point. Peter just starts babbling because he doesn’t know what’s going on. I imagine I would have done much of the something had I been there.

Imagine seeing Jesus with Moses and Elijah and seeing the dazzling white.

Would we have gotten it? Probably not, we would have been much like Peter, James, and John.

Know you are loved.

Loving People. Loving God.

What?!?!

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them not to tell anyone what they had seen until after the Human One had risen from the dead. So they kept it to themselves, wondering, “What’s this ‘rising from the dead’?” They asked Jesus, “Why do the legal experts say that Elijah must come first?” He answered, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. Why was it written that the Human One would suffer many things and be rejected? In fact, I tell you that Elijah has come, but they did to him whatever they wanted, just as it was written about him.” (Mark 9:9-13, CEB)

I wonder how the disciples looked at Jesus? I often imagine it like this:

What is this rising from the dead, and what about Elijah?

We read the stories and know the ending and we still don’t get it.

Know though you are in good company when you don’t get it.

Loving People. Loving God.