quid por quo

12 Then Jesus said to the person who had invited him, “When you host a lunch or dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers and sisters, your relatives, or rich neighbors. If you do, they will invite you in return and that will be your reward. 13 Instead, when you give a banquet, invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind. 14 And you will be blessed because they can’t repay you. Instead, you will be repaid when the just are resurrected.” (Luke 14:12-14, CEB)

Quid pro quo is a Latin phrase meaning what for what is used in English to mean an exchange of goods or services, in which one transfer is contingent upon the other; “a favor for a favor”. We have also said “give and take”, “tit for tat”, “you scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours”, and “one hand washes the other”. Actually, almost every language has a phrase for this. It is the understanding of business and gift-giving, as one can see in the below clip from The Big Bang Theory.

But here Jesus tells people to forget about that. We are to invite those who could not ever possibly do something for us in return. We need to shower those who the world sees as outcasts with love. Because we have been loved.

So love as you have been loved and do things to show others love, not so you get something in return.

Loving People. Loving God.

Peaceful or scary???

After this I looked and there was a door that had been opened in heaven. The first voice that I had heard, which sounded like a trumpet, said to me, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in a Spirit-inspired trance and I saw a throne in heaven, and someone was seated on the throne. 3 The one seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and surrounding the throne was a rainbow that looked like an emerald. 4 Twenty-four thrones, with twenty-four elders seated upon them, surrounded the throne. The elders were dressed in white clothing and had gold crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came lightning, voices, and thunder. In front of the throne were seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God. 6 Something like a glass sea, like crystal, was in front of the throne. In the center, by the throne, were four living creatures encircling the throne. These creatures were covered with eyes on the front and on the back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion. The second living creature was like an ox. The third living creature had a face like a human being. And the fourth living creature was like an eagle in flight. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings, and each was covered all around and on the inside with eyes. They never rest day or night, but keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is coming.” 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one seated on the throne, who lives forever and always, 10 the twenty-four elders fall before the one seated on the throne. They worship the one who lives forever and always. They throw down their crowns before the throne and say, 11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, because you created all things. It is by your will that they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:1-11, CEB)

The author here was put into a Spirit-inspired trance and was lifted up to see the throne room, we know it was a trance/vision because later in Revelation it says that the earth and heavens are done away with and a new heaven and a new earth are created and God descends to be with God’s people. But in this vision, the author sees four creatures that are covered with eyes, all over their bodies.

Seems a little creepy and scary to me. Even with them crying out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is coming.”

Is this vision supposed to make us feel good about what is coming?

Sometimes the good news seems a bit odd to me, I do not know if you feel the same.

This vision was one that was to inspire hope as all the book of Revelation was meant to do. To be a beacon of hope in a world that seems like the enemy was winning.

Never lose hope in God even when the vision seems scary or makes no sense. God will see us through.

So go into the world spreading love.

Loving People. Loving God.

lukewarm

14 “Write this to the angel of the church in Laodicea: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your works. You are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I’m about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 After all, you say, ‘I’m rich, and I’ve grown wealthy, and I don’t need a thing.’ You don’t realize that you are miserable, pathetic, poor, blind, and naked. 18 My advice is that you buy gold from me that has been purified by fire so that you may be rich, and white clothing to wear so that your nakedness won’t be shamefully exposed, and ointment to put on your eyes so that you may see. 19 I correct and discipline those whom I love. So be earnest and change your hearts and lives. 20 Look! I’m standing at the door and knocking. If any hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to be with them, and will have dinner with them, and they will have dinner with me. 21 As for those who emerge victorious, I will allow them to sit with me on my throne, just as I emerged victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” (Revelation 3:14-22, CEB)

You are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot, but you are lukewarm…

You think that you have all you need and because of that, you do not see how you are not following after Christ. So I am going to spit you out because you think you are where you need to be but you are so far from it.

Are we complacent with our discipleship? Are we thinking we are where we need to be when really we should be seeking or moving?

How can we make sure we are not lukewarm and going through the motions?

Listen for God to lead you and follow. Go into the world loving as you go.

Loving People. Loving God.

Hairs on your head

4 “I tell you, my friends, don’t be terrified by those who can kill the body but after that can do nothing more. 5 I’ll show you whom you should fear: fear the one who, after you have been killed, has the authority to throw you into hell. Indeed, I tell you, that’s the one you should fear. 6 Aren’t five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them is overlooked by God. 7 Even the hairs on your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows. 8 “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before humans, the Human One will acknowledge before God’s angels. 9 But the one who rejects me before others will be rejected before God’s angels. 10 Anyone who speaks a word against the Human One will be forgiven, but whoever insults the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven. 11 When they bring you before the synagogues, rulers, and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what you should say. 12 The Holy Spirit will tell you at that very moment what you must say.” (Luke 12:4-12, CEB)

Even the hairs on your head are counted…

I find so much peace in this verse. God knows all the hairs on my head. God knows us each so well God knows the number of hairs on our heads. That is super comforting, even for this bald man! Well actually I’m not bald, I shave every day, so it still brings me peace.

We are worth more than the sparrows and creation, God created us to be caretakers of creation.

Know that you are loved. Go loving!

Loving People. Loving God.

Satan’s Synagogue

“Write this to the angel of the church in Smyrna: These are the words of the one who is the first and the last, who died and came back to life: 9 I know your hardship and poverty (though you are actually rich). I also know the hurtful things that have been spoken about you by those who say they are Jews (though they are not, but are really Satan’s synagogue). 10 Don’t be afraid of what you are going to suffer. Look! The devil is going to throw some of you into prison in order to test you. You will suffer hardship for ten days. Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Those who emerge victorious won’t be hurt by the second death. (Revelation 2:8-11, CEB)

I know the things that are spoken about you by those who say they are Jews but are really a part of Satan’s Synagogue! WOW!

This right here shows we should not care what others say about us. God knows the truth and always will. We need to be focused on what we are called to do and be and do that.

Do not worry about what others think or say about you. God knows.

Love as you are loved.

Loving People. Loving God

Readers Digest

The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, God’s Son, 2 happened just as it was written about in the prophecy of Isaiah: Look, I am sending my messenger before you. He will prepare your way, 3 a voice shouting in the wilderness: “Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight.” 4 John the Baptist was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. 5 Everyone in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to the Jordan River and were being baptized by John as they confessed their sins. 6 John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He announced, “One stronger than I am is coming after me. I’m not even worthy to bend over and loosen the strap of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 About that time, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. 10 While he was coming up out of the water, Jesus saw heaven splitting open and the Spirit, like a dove, coming down on him. 11 And there was a voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.” 12 At once the Spirit forced Jesus out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among the wild animals, and the angels took care of him. 14 After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, 15 saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!” (Mark 1:1-15, CEB)

The author of the Gospel of Mark is not one to mince words.

The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and then we are into the story. Nothing but straight business and everything happens now, or immediately in Mark. The author is known to use the phrase Καὶ εὐθὺς which is and immediately over and over again. There is a matter of urgency to the gospel.

It starts out the beginning of the good news and ends with the woman leaving the tomb and saying nothing to anyone… Not a great ending of a book of good news.

Except when you realize that it isn’t an ending, the story continues with you.

Let your life speak the good news of the story of Jesus Christ, the son of God, so that all may come to know the love God has for them.

Loving People. Loving God.

Doubt or unfaithful?

19 It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you don’t forgive them, they aren’t forgiven.” 24 Thomas, the one called Didymus, one of the Twelve, wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into his side, I won’t believe.” 26 After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!” 28 Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.” 30 Then Jesus did many other miraculous signs in his disciples’ presence, signs that aren’t recorded in this scroll. 31 But these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name. (John 20:19-31, CEB)

This is always the passage for the Sunday after Easter. Where Thomas gets a bad rap for some faulty translation.

The text actually reads καὶ μὴ γίνου ἄπιστος ἀλλὰ πιστός. Which we get translated in the NRSV as do not doubt but believe. And above it is better with “No more disbelief. Believe!” the words in question here are ἄπιστος and πιστός. Even if you can’t read the Greek you can see that these words are the same except for the ἄ. The ἄ is put on a word to negate the word. So whatever the word is the first word is dis the word. So to say do not doubt but believe is not really what is meant because doubt is not the opposite of belief. Doubt leads us to discover and question and that is not the opposite of belief. Thomas wasn’t with the other 10 locked away, where was he? He didn’t see Jesus and he wants nothing more than the rest already got. To see Jesus.

SO do not think you can’t question or wonder about faith. God is big enough to take it. And do not think that doubt is the opposite of faith. Doubt pushes us to a deeper faith. And God is big enough to take our doubts.

Loving People. Loving God.

They didn’t get it!

36 While they were saying these things, Jesus himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 37 They were terrified and afraid. They thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you startled? Why are doubts arising in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It’s really me! Touch me and see, for a ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones like you see I have.” 40 As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. (Luke 24:36-40, CEB)

Have you ever wondered if you are good enough to be a disciple? I have all the time. I wonder how I can be good enough to be a follower of Jesus. I constantly mess up and I don’t get what Jesus is saying or doing. But then I see these passages.

Here Jesus appears to the disciples after he has been raised from the dead. Now don’t get me wrong all of the disciples saw Jesus get killed. However they also all walked with him for 3 years and heard him talk about how he was going to be killed and then rise from the dead. And they knew him and now they see him in front of them and they are still doubting what they are seeing. This is the most hope filled passage for all of us. If the disciples didn’t get it, we are ok not to get it too.

There is hope that we are still loved. God truly loves us all regardless of how bad we mess it up or get it wrong.

Know you are loved. So share love.

Loving People. Loving God.

What?

17 The high priest, together with his allies, the Sadducees, was overcome with jealousy. 18 They seized the apostles and made a public show of putting them in prison. 19 An angel from the Lord opened the prison doors during the night and led them out. The angel told them, 20 “Go, take your place in the temple, and tell the people everything about this new life.” 21 Early in the morning, they went into the temple as they had been told and began to teach. When the high priest and his colleagues gathered, they convened the Jerusalem Council, that is, the full assembly of Israel’s elders. They sent word to the prison to have the apostles brought before them. 22 However, the guards didn’t find them in the prison. They returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison locked and well-secured, with guards standing at the doors, but when we opened the doors we found no one inside!” 24 When they received this news, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were baffled and wondered what might be happening. 25 Just then, someone arrived and announced, “Look! The people you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26 Then the captain left with his guards and brought the apostles back. They didn’t use force because they were afraid the people would stone them. (Acts 5:17-26, CEB)

How did they get out of a locked prison and back into the temple? We know because we read that an angel came to them and God did it, but the Chief Priest and the rest have no clue. When the guards went to the temple to get the apostles to bring them before the council they didn’t use force because they feared for their life.

What has God done in your life that really doesn’t make sense to those around you or to you? God can and will do things that defy our natural understanding and confuse us. But rest assured that God is in control and will do as God pleases.

We just need to follow along and do as we are instructed. That is to love.

So go.

Loving People. Loving God.

220421

12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. They would come together regularly at Solomon’s Porch. 13 No one from outside the church dared to join them, even though the people spoke highly of them. 14 Indeed, more and more believers in the Lord, large numbers of both men and women, were added to the church. 15 As a result, they would even bring the sick out into the main streets and lay them on cots and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow could fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Even large numbers of persons from towns around Jerusalem would gather, bringing the sick and those harassed by unclean spirits. Everyone was healed. (Acts 5:12-16, CEB)

No one from outside the church dared to join them even though they would bring people to be healed by being in the shadow of Peter.

And yet the Lord added to their numbers daily.

They gathered and did what the Lord led them to do and people came to be a part of the gathering.

When we follow after God and do what God has called us to do more and more will be added. We do not bring people to the gathering, God does. We gather and support one another.

Love as God loves you.

Loving People. Loving God.