Help

Jesus was telling them a parable about their need to pray continuously and not to be discouraged. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him, asking, ‘Give me justice in this case against my adversary.’ For a while he refused but finally said to himself, I don’t fear God or respect people, but I will give this widow justice because she keeps bothering me. Otherwise, there will be no end to her coming here and embarrassing me.” The Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. Won’t God provide justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he be slow to help them? I tell you, he will give them justice quickly. But when the Human One comes, will he find faithfulness on earth?” (Luke 18:1-8, CEB)

Help! I need somebody
Help! Not just anybody
Help! You know I need someone
Help!

Why do you help people?

The story tells us of a judge that helps a woman because she keeps coming to him and asking and he tires of her wearing him down, so he gives in and helps. Is this a good reason to help someone?

We do not help to get something.

We do not help to get the marks we need to get to heaven.

We do not help for any selfish reasons.

We help because it is to love the other and God asks us to love God and love people. So we help because in helping we are loving.

So help those around you.

Loving People. Loving God.

I want to see!

Jesus and his followers came into Jericho. As Jesus was leaving Jericho, together with his disciples and a sizable crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, Timaeus’ son, was sitting beside the road. When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was there, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, show me mercy!” Many scolded him, telling him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder, “Son of David, show me mercy!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him forward.” They called the blind man, “Be encouraged! Get up! He’s calling you.” Throwing his coat to the side, he jumped up and came to Jesus. Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Teacher, I want to see.” Jesus said, “Go, your faith has healed you.” At once he was able to see, and he began to follow Jesus on the way. (Mark 10:46-52, CEB)

What would you say if Jesus asked you, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Interesting the man who is blind is Bartimaeus, Timaeus’ son. That is actually what Bartimaeus means. Bar means son of. So Bartimaeus is literally Timaeus’ son. Seems a little redundant and I wonder what the man’s first name is. Because Bartimaeus would have been his last name. Like Jesus would have been Jesus Barjoseph. Interesting when we get to the story of the crucifixion and the crowd says give us Barabbas. Bar – son of, abba – father…

But what would you do if Jesus asked you, “What do you want me to do for you?”

We would probably do what Bartimaeus did and focus on what we think we lack. For him it was sight. But what would it be for you? I honestly am not sure what I would ask Jesus to do for me.

Jesus has already done so much for me, I would want him to heal someone else.

That is what I try to do by telling others about Jesus. Share his love. Heal the masses.

Loving People. Loving God.

special bowl

Remind them of these things and warn them in the sight of God not to engage in battles over words that aren’t helpful and only destroy those who hear them. Make an effort to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker, who doesn’t need to be ashamed but is one who interprets the message of truth correctly. Avoid their godless discussions, because they will lead many people into ungodly behavior, and their ideas will spread like an infection. This includes Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have deviated from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already happened. This has undermined some people’s faith. God’s solid foundation is still standing with this sign: The Lord knows the people who belong to him, and Everyone who confesses the Lord’s name must avoid wickedness. In a mansion, there aren’t just gold and silver bowls but also some bowls that are made of wood and clay. Some are meant for special uses, some for garbage. So if anyone washes filth off themselves, they will be set apart as a “special bowl.” They will be useful to the owner of the mansion for every sort of good work. Run away from adolescent cravings. Instead, pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace together with those who confess the Lord with a clean heart. Avoid foolish and thoughtless discussions, since you know that they produce conflicts. God’s slave shouldn’t be argumentative but should be kind toward all people, able to teach, patient, and should correct opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will change their mind and give them a knowledge of the truth. They may come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap that holds them captive to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:14-26, CEB)

Are you a special bowl? Have you washed the filth off of you?

Some bowls are wood and clay and others are gold and silver and special. And special bowls are set apart. Why aren’t wood and clay bowls good enough? They are used for everyday purposes and that is what God wants to do, to have us every day sharing the love God has given us with the world. It isn’t a special occasion to share God’s love, but every day, every hour, every minute thing to do.

Do not be led astray but focus on what God has called you to be and do. God created you, so you are beautifully and wonderfully made just as you are and you can share God’s love in every moment of your life.

Loving People. Loving God.

unknown

Paul stood up in the middle of the council on Mars Hill and said, “People of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way. As I was walking through town and carefully observing your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: ‘To an unknown God.’ What you worship as unknown, I now proclaim to you. God, who made the world and everything in it, is Lord of heaven and earth. He doesn’t live in temples made with human hands. Nor is God served by human hands, as though he needed something, since he is the one who gives life, breath, and everything else. From one person God created every human nation to live on the whole earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands. God made the nations so they would seek him, perhaps even reach out to him and find him. In fact, God isn’t far away from any of us. In God we live, move, and exist. As some of your own poets said, ‘We are his offspring.’ “Therefore, as God’s offspring, we have no need to imagine that the divine being is like a gold, silver, or stone image made by human skill and thought. God overlooks ignorance of these things in times past, but now directs everyone everywhere to change their hearts and lives. This is because God has set a day when he intends to judge the world justly by a man he has appointed. God has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” When they heard about the resurrection from the dead, some began to ridicule Paul. However, others said, “We’ll hear from you about this again.” At that, Paul left the council. Some people joined him and came to believe, including Dionysius, a member of the council on Mars Hill, a woman named Damaris, and several others. (Acts 17:22-34, CEB)

To an unknown god…

God is unknown to us because God’s ways are not our ways and God’s thoughts are not our thoughts. But God is not unknown to us.

God is personally a part of our lives and is imminent with us always.

There is never a moment that God is not with you and knows your very thoughts and actions. We are God’s offspring and inheritors with Jesus of the kindom.

Let us always remember that even when we think God is unknown we are always known to God.

Loving People. Loving God.

Shake off the dust

Jesus sent these twelve out and commanded them, “Don’t go among the Gentiles or into a Samaritan city. Go instead to the lost sheep, the people of Israel. As you go, make this announcement: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, and throw out demons. You received without having to pay. Therefore, give without demanding payment. Workers deserve to be fed, so don’t gather gold or silver or copper coins for your money belts to take on your trips. Don’t take a backpack for the road or two shirts or sandals or a walking stick. Whatever city or village you go into, find somebody in it who is worthy and stay there until you go on your way. When you go into a house, say, ‘Peace!’ If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if the house isn’t worthy, take back your blessing. If anyone refuses to welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet as you leave that house or city. I assure you that it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on Judgment Day than it will be for that city. (Matthew 10:5-15, CEB)

The interesting thing about this passage for me, as if there is only one, is the command. Don’t go to the Gentiles or Samaria. Go to those who are a part of our tribe and tell them what you know, curing the ill and raising the dead. Jesus told the 12 to cure diseases and raise the dead. There is no account of this happening.

And then Jesus tells them, if the people you go to will not listen, then shake the dust from their house off your feet, don’t bring it with you, but leave. If they refuse to listen or welcome you, just leave. Don’t waste your time. That is a hard pill to swallow. Because as a follower of Christ I honestly want everyone to hear and everyone to understand that Jesus loves them and that they are a child of God. But it may not be my place to tell them. I can not connect with everyone. I am not everyone’s cup of tea. (If you have ever met me in person you know this is true!) I can not convince anyone that God loves them. Only God can do that. I can share God’s love and grace if people will let me, if they won’t why should I waste their time and mine?

Loving people is knowing when they will listen and when they will not. Loving God is when we follow and do what God has told us to do.

Loving People. Loving God.

strength

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and his powerful strength. Put on God’s armor so that you can make a stand against the tricks of the devil. We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens. Therefore, pick up the full armor of God so that you can stand your ground on the evil day and after you have done everything possible to still stand. So stand with the belt of truth around your waist, justice as your breastplate, and put shoes on your feet so that you are ready to spread the good news of peace. Above all, carry the shield of faith so that you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word. Offer prayers and petitions in the Spirit all the time. Stay alert by hanging in there and praying for all believers. As for me, pray that when I open my mouth, I’ll get a message that confidently makes this secret plan of the gospel known. I’m an ambassador in chains for the sake of the gospel. Pray so that the Lord will give me the confidence to say what I have to say. (Ephesians 6:10-20, CEB)

Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong

In our weakness God is strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). In our weakness the strength of God covers us. Just like the armor which would cover a knight God covers us and protects us as we share God’s love with the world.

So be bold and share love and mercy everywhere you go.

Loving People. Loving God.

Are you mad?

At this point in Paul’s defense, Festus declared with a loud voice, “You’ve lost your mind, Paul! Too much learning is driving you mad!” But Paul replied, “I’m not mad, most honorable Festus! I’m speaking what is sound and true. King Agrippa knows about these things, and I have been speaking openly to him. I’m certain that none of these things have escaped his attention. This didn’t happen secretly or in some out-of-the-way place. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you trying to convince me that, in such a short time, you’ve made me a Christian?” Paul responded, “Whether it is a short or a long time, I pray to God that not only you but also all who are listening to me today will become like me, except for these chains.” (Acts 26:24-29, CEB)

Are you mad?

Have you lost your mind?

Have you ever spoken about Jesus to someone and they asked you these questions?

Paul was giving a defense of Christianity to Festus and Agrippa, and Agrippa, seriously or sarcastically, says that he is becoming a Christian. (This is one of the few times the word Christian is even used in the New Testament, and it is used by someone who is not a follower.)

And Paul says yes I hope that not only you Agrippa but everyone listening to him would be like him and follow after Jesus, except that they would be free. You see Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, according to Acts to protect him from other believers, and went on a journey through the powers that be to Roman. But the point I think this snippet is trying to make is that we should share our faith so boldly and unashamedly that people call us mad, and say we have learned to much.

Share your faith.

Loving People. Loving God.

healed vs cleaned

On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men with skin diseases approached him. Keeping their distance from him, they raised their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, show us mercy!” When Jesus saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” As they left, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw that he had been healed, returned and praised God with a loud voice. He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus replied, “Weren’t ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? No one returned to praise God except this foreigner?” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up and go. Your faith has healed you.” (Luke 17:11-19, CEB)

I have always found this passage a little puzzling. 10 people with a skin disease approached Jesus and he tells them to go and show themselves to the priests and as they are going they were cleaned of their disease. And 1 of them when he saw he was cleaned of the disease returned to Jesus to thank him, and Jesus healed him.

Is there a difference between cleaned and healed? I can say yes. I have a skin disease, it has not been diagnosed but it is dry skin. My primary care physician suggested I use a shampoo that is made for dandruff as a body wash and if I wanted to go see a dermatologist. Well, my wife bought me a bar of soap made to help those with eczema. Now my skin is better so I am cleaned but I am not healed. Because if I stop using that soap, the dry skin will return.

So do you want to be cleaned or healed? And are you ready to thank Jesus? Have you thanked Jesus and fell at his feet?

Loving People. Loving God.

clean

Jesus was in one of the towns where there was also a man covered with a skin disease. When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged, “Lord, if you want, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do want to. Be clean.” Instantly, the skin disease left him. Jesus ordered him not to tell anyone. “Instead,” Jesus said, “go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses instructed. This will be a testimony to them.” News of him spread even more and huge crowds gathered to listen and to be healed from their illnesses. But Jesus would withdraw to deserted places for prayer. (Luke 5:12-16, CEB)

Jesus was not one to keep the rules when it would get him in trouble but he wanted those who were held down to be set free and having this man go and show himself to the priest is what would set him free and allow him to rejoin the community.

Jesus made many clean and liberated them to rejoin the community.

Are we liberating people to be a part of the community?

Loving People. Loving God.

strength

So, my child, draw your strength from the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Take the things you heard me say in front of many other witnesses and pass them on to faithful people who are also capable of teaching others. Accept your share of suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Nobody who serves in the military gets tied up with civilian matters, so that they can please the one who recruited them. Also in the same way, athletes don’t win unless they follow the rules. A hardworking farmer should get the first share of the crop. Think about what I’m saying; the Lord will give you understanding about everything. (2 Timothy 2:1-7, CEB)

We get strength to run the race and stand up for the fight through the grace we receive from Jesus Christ. Pass along what you have learned about the faith so that others may find the strength they need to stand against the world.

We win by standing fast with Jesus.

Loving People. Loving God.