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.

Moses

By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months when he was born, because they saw that the child was beautiful and they weren’t afraid of the king’s orders. By faith Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter when he was grown up. He chose to be mistreated with God’s people instead of having the temporary pleasures of sin. He thought that the abuses he suffered for Christ were more valuable than the treasures of Egypt, since he was looking forward to the reward. By faith he left Egypt without being afraid of the king’s anger. He kept on going as if he could see what is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, in order that the destroyer could not touch their firstborn children. (Hebrews 11:23-28, CEB)

By faith, Moses believe God would always be with him and protect him, through the promises he had seen fulfilled in his eye sight.

Moses met with God and saw the riches he could have had in Egypt but chose to follow God.

Do we?

Do we choose God of riches?

What would you choose?

Loving People. Loving God.

Better covenant

Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We have this kind of high priest. He sat down at the right side of the throne of the majesty in the heavens. He’s serving as a priest in the holy place, which is the true meeting tent that God, not any human being, set up. Every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. So it’s necessary for this high priest also to have something to offer. If he was located on earth, he wouldn’t be a priest because there are already others who offer gifts based on the Law. They serve in a place that is a copy and shadow of the heavenly meeting tent. This is indicated when Moses was warned by God when he was about to set up the meeting tent: See that you follow the pattern that I showed you on the mountain in every detail. But now, Jesus has received a superior priestly service just as he arranged a better covenant that is enacted with better promises. If the first covenant had been without fault, it wouldn’t have made sense to expect a second. (Hebrews 8:1-7, CEB)

Notice the covenant here in the passage was based on the priests that were appointed and in our humanness our ability to keep the covenant.

Jesus made a perfect covenant. The promises were fulfilled.

Know you are loved and there is nothing you can do to not be loved.

Loving People. Loving God.

Divorce

When Jesus finished saying these things, he left Galilee and came to the area of Judea on the east side of the Jordan. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them. Some Pharisees came to him. In order to test him, they said, “Does the Law allow a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” Jesus answered, “Haven’t you read that at the beginning the creator made them male and female? And God said, ‘Because of this a man should leave his father and mother and be joined together with his wife, and the two will be one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, humans must not pull apart what God has put together.” The Pharisees said to him, “Then why did Moses command us to give a divorce certificate and divorce her?” Jesus replied, “Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because your hearts are unyielding. But it wasn’t that way from the beginning. I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.” His disciples said to him, “If that’s the way things are between a man and his wife, then it’s better not to marry.” He replied, “Not everybody can accept this teaching, but only those who have received the ability to accept it. For there are eunuchs who have been eunuchs from birth. And there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by other people. And there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs because of the kingdom of heaven. Those who can accept it should accept it.” (Matthew 19:1-12, CEB)

Why did Moses command to give a divorce certificate? Because you are hard of heart.

Actually, marriage happens when the relationship is consummated. Meaning some people are married to more people than they think. When 2 flesh become 1 then the marriage is set.

We are humans who think we should get what we want to make us happy, and while God wants us happy, that doesn’t mean we get what we think will make us happy in the moment, because moments are fleeting and our desires are fickle.

Know that God intended those who were joined to be joined forever.

Loving People. Loving God.

favoritism

My brothers and sisters, when you show favoritism you deny the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has been resurrected in glory. Imagine two people coming into your meeting. One has a gold ring and fine clothes, while the other is poor, dressed in filthy rags. Then suppose that you were to take special notice of the one wearing fine clothes, saying, “Here’s an excellent place. Sit here.” But to the poor person you say, “Stand over there”; or, “Here, sit at my feet.” Wouldn’t you have shown favoritism among yourselves and become evil-minded judges? My dear brothers and sisters, listen! Hasn’t God chosen those who are poor by worldly standards to be rich in terms of faith? Hasn’t God chosen the poor as heirs of the kingdom he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Don’t the wealthy make life difficult for you? Aren’t they the ones who drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who insult the good name spoken over you at your baptism? You do well when you really fulfill the royal law found in scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself. But when you show favoritism, you are committing a sin, and by that same law you are exposed as a lawbreaker. Anyone who tries to keep all of the Law but fails at one point is guilty of failing to keep all of it. The one who said, Don’t commit adultery, also said, Don’t commit murder. So if you don’t commit adultery but do commit murder, you are a lawbreaker. In every way, then, speak and act as people who will be judged by the law of freedom. There will be no mercy in judgment for anyone who hasn’t shown mercy. Mercy overrules judgment. (James 2:1-13, CEB)

Who would you choose? The finely dressed person or the person dressed in rags?

It is easy for us to say that I love everyone the same, but when push comes to shove we are all humans and we judge. We would probably be drawn to the more finely dressed person. Hopefully, though we are trying to follow God and will look with God’s eyes and not judge based on appearance.

Show mercy to all, because we all need it.

Love everyone equally because that is what God does.

Loving People. Loving God.