who is serving

So then the first covenant had regulations for the priests’ service and the holy place on earth. 2 They pitched the first tent called the holy place. It contained the lampstand, the table, and the loaves of bread presented to God. 3 There was a tent behind the second curtain called the holy of holies. 4 It had the gold altar for incense and the chest containing the covenant, which was covered with gold on all sides. In the chest there was a gold jar containing manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 5 Above the chest there were magnificent winged creatures casting their shadow over the seat of the chest, where sin is taken care of. Right now we can’t talk about these things in detail. 6 When these things have been prepared in this way, priests enter the first tent all the time as they perform their service. 7 But only the high priest enters the second tent once a year. He never does this without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins the people committed in ignorance. 8 With this, the Holy Spirit is showing that the way into the holy place hadn’t been revealed yet while the first tent was standing. 9 This is a symbol for the present time. It shows that the gifts and sacrifices that are being offered can’t perfect the conscience of the one who is serving. 10 These are superficial regulations that are only about food, drink, and various ritual ways to wash with water. They are regulations that have been imposed until the time of the new order. 11 But Christ has appeared as the high priest of the good things that have happened. He passed through the greater and more perfect meeting tent, which isn’t made by human hands (that is, it’s not a part of this world). 12 He entered the holy of holies once for all by his own blood, not by the blood of goats or calves, securing our deliverance for all time. (Hebrews 9:1-12, CEB)

I was struck by this sentence as I read this passage today, “It shows that the gifts and sacrifices that are being offered can’t perfect the conscience of the one who is serving.”

The one who is serving here is speaking about the priest or the pastor. And the gifts being offered can’t perfect the conscience of them. Meaning our leaders are flawed and need the sacrifice of Jesus just like everyone else. This tells me something I already knew. I know I’m flawed and no where near perfect. But this passage makes it clear that God doesn’t see the leaders as perfect and knows we all need help.

Share God’s love with everyone, even those that lead you.

Loving People. Loving God.

What do you want

29 As Jesus and his disciples were going out of Jericho a large crowd followed him. 30 When two blind men sitting along the road heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Show us mercy, Lord, Son of David!” 31 Now the crowd scolded them and told them to be quiet. But they shouted even louder, “Show us mercy, Lord, Son of David!” 32 Jesus stopped in his tracks and called to them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 33 “Lord, we want to see,” they replied. 34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they were able to see, and they followed him. (Matthew 20:29-34, CEB)

“What do you want me to do for you?”

What would your answer to Jesus be if he asked you, “What do you want me to do for you?”

And if Jesus did that for you, then what would you do?

Does Jesus have to do anything more than he has already done for you to believe in the promises and live your life based on his?

We need to trust the promises we have and live like Jesus and love out loud.

Loving People. Loving God.

Get up

32 As Peter toured the whole region, he went to visit God’s holy people in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas who was paralyzed and had been confined to his bed for eight years. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and make your bed.” At once he got up. 35 Everyone who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. (Acts 9:32-35, CEB)

Sometimes it is hard for us to believe this kind of stuff because it doesn’t happen now.

But it does…

People who enter a hospital that shouldn’t leave walk out every day.

People are cured of cancer.

People are healed everyday and because it is medicine or doctors we say it isn’t like the bible.

it is. God works miracles through all of us everyday.

Believe. Have faith and trust in God’s promises.

Loving People. Loving God.

you are

Therefore, get rid of all ill will and all deceit, pretense, envy, and slander. 2 Instead, like a newborn baby, desire the pure milk of the word. Nourished by it, you will grow into salvation, 3 since you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4 Now you are coming to him as to a living stone. Even though this stone was rejected by humans, from God’s perspective it is chosen, valuable. 5 You yourselves are being built like living stones into a spiritual temple. You are being made into a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Thus it is written in scripture, Look! I am laying a cornerstone in Zion, chosen, valuable. The person who believes in him will never be shamed. 7 So God honors you who believe. For those who refuse to believe, though, the stone the builders tossed aside has become the capstone. 8 This is a stone that makes people stumble and a rock that makes them fall. Because they refuse to believe in the word, they stumble. Indeed, this is the end to which they were appointed. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s own possession. You have become this people so that you may speak of the wonderful acts of the one who called you out of darkness into his amazing light. 10 Once you weren’t a people, but now you are God’s people. Once you hadn’t received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:1-10, CEB)

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s own possession.

You belong to God and are growing deeper in relationship with God every day.

Continue to walk this path and grow in faith and love with God and share what you are getting with the world around you.

Loving People. Loving God.

healed you

46 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. 47 When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was there, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, show me mercy!” 48 Many scolded him, telling him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder, “Son of David, show me mercy!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him forward.” They called the blind man, “Be encouraged! Get up! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his coat to the side, he jumped up and came to Jesus. 51 Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Teacher, I want to see.” 52 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)

Go your faith has healed you…

What do you want Jesus to heal you from?

Do you have the faith that Bartimaeus did? They answer to that is we don’t know what his faith was. How much he had, how much he didn’t. Now we could say Jesus knew, but Jesus could have also been assuming (you know what happens when we assume…) that Bartimaeus had faith that Jesus could give him his sight. But we have no clue from the text what Bartimaeus believed or had faith in.

So do not think you do not have enough faith. You do.

God loves you as you are and sometimes God’s healing is different than our understanding of healing.

Always go:

Loving People. Loving God.

Trees

22 Jesus and his disciples came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to Jesus and begged him to touch and heal him. 23 Taking the blind man’s hand, Jesus led him out of the village. After spitting on his eyes and laying his hands on the man, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 The man looked up and said, “I see people. They look like trees, only they are walking around.” 25 Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again. He looked with his eyes wide open, his sight was restored, and he could see everything clearly. 26 Then Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t go into the village!” (Mark 8:22-26, CEB)

Ok. What is the point of this?

I mean we know Jesus can heal, but why this story where Jesus spits on the blind man, but doesn’t get it all the way the first time and has to go in for the second try?

Why didn’t it work the first time?

Did his spit not cover the man’s eyes?

Did the man not believe it would work?

Were his eyes not opened all the way?

Because it says Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, He looked with his eyes wide open and his sight was restored.

Jesus can always heal us. It doesn’t matter whether we believe that or not.

Jesus heals us. maybe not how we want to be healed, but how God needs us to be healed.

Loving People. Loving God.

better covenant

11 So if perfection came through the levitical office of priest (for the people received the Law under the priests), why was there still a need to speak about raising up another priest according to the order of Melchizedek rather than one according to the order of Aaron? 12 When the order of the priest changes, there has to be a change in the Law as well. 13 The person we are talking about belongs to another tribe, and no one ever served at the altar from that tribe. 14 It’s clear that our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, but Moses never said anything about priests from that tribe. 15 And it’s even clearer if another priest appears who is like Melchizedek. 16 He has become a priest by the power of a life that can’t be destroyed, rather than a legal requirement about physical descent. 17 This is confirmed: You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek. 18 On the one hand, an earlier command is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (because the Law made nothing perfect). On the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 20 And this was not done without a solemn pledge! The others have become priests without a solemn pledge, 21 but this priest was affirmed with a solemn pledge by the one who said, The Lord has made a solemn pledge and will not change his mind: You are a priest forever. 22 As a result, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. (Hebrews 7:11-22, CEB)

Now hold on. What is this? A better covenant?

This is an interesting thought and one I’m not sure I really thought about before.

A new tribe means that the old law is done away with and a new law is put in place. And Jesus is a priest in the line of Melchizedek, which means the Levitical law is done away with. But Jesus said he came not to abolish the law and that not one jot or tittle would change. So what does this mean?

And if there is a better covenant, does that mean the old covenant is no longer valid?

We need to follow the life that Jesus showed us and love as Jesus loved, and welcome as Jesus welcomed us.

Love all.

Loving People. Loving God.

priest

This Melchizedek, who was king of Salem and priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he returned from the defeat of the kings, and Melchizedek blessed him. 2 Abraham gave a tenth of everything to him. His name means first “king of righteousness,” and then “king of Salem,” that is, “king of peace.” 3 He is without father or mother or any family. He has no beginning or end of life, but he’s like God’s Son and remains a priest for all time. 4 See how great Melchizedek was! Abraham, the father of the people, gave him a tenth of everything he captured. 5 The descendants of Levi who receive the office of priest have a commandment under the Law to collect a tenth of everything from the people who are their brothers and sisters, though they also are descended from Abraham. 6 But Melchizedek, who isn’t related to them, received a tenth of everything from Abraham and blessed the one who had received the promises. 7 Without question, the less important person is blessed by the more important person. 8 In addition, in one case a tenth is received by people who die, and in the other case, the tenth is received by someone who continues to live, according to the record. 9 It could be said that Levi, who received a tenth, paid a tenth through Abraham 10 because he was still in his ancestor’s body when Abraham paid the tenth to Melchizedek. (Hebrews 7:1-10, CEB)

It was written into the texts of the Bible that the people would support those called by God to witness to and take care of the people. A tithe or tenth of all the proceeds of earnings would go to the priests to fund their living and allow them to work for the people.

I believe it is important for us to help those who help us or can’t help themselves. We are blessed by God to be a blessing to the world and hoarding what we have is not being a blessing.

Bless others.

Loving People. Loving God.

Not all, but all

Before the Festival of Passover, Jesus knew that his time had come to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them fully. 2 Jesus and his disciples were sharing the evening meal. The devil had already provoked Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew the Father had given everything into his hands and that he had come from God and was returning to God. 4 So he got up from the table and took off his robes. Picking up a linen towel, he tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he was wearing. 6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand what I’m doing now, but you will understand later.” 8 “No!” Peter said. “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t have a place with me.” 9 Simon Peter said, “Lord, not only my feet but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus responded, “Those who have bathed need only to have their feet washed, because they are completely clean. You disciples are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 He knew who would betray him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you is clean.” 12 After he washed the disciples’ feet, he put on his robes and returned to his place at the table. He said to them, “Do you know what I’ve done for you? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you speak correctly, because I am. 14 If I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you too must wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do. 16 I assure you, servants aren’t greater than their master, nor are those who are sent greater than the one who sent them. 17 Since you know these things, you will be happy if you do them. (John 13:1-17, CEB)

This reading is usually found on Maundy Thursday, where in the gospel of John there isn’t a last supper because Jesus is the paschal lamb and in John we get the new commandment to love one another as I have loved you. And here Jesus shows that love to the disciples by doing the roll of a servant. He ties a towel around his waist and washes the feet of the disciples. Peter tells Jesus he will never wash him, but Jesus responds with if I do not wash you you have no part of me, Peter then wants everything washed. And this little side adventure seems to distract us from the fact that Judas is still here.

The text tells us, “The devil had already provoked Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray Jesus.” But Judas has not left yet. Judas is one who is washed by Jesus. Jesus said not everyone of them was clean but all of them were cleaned.

We need to remember that Jesus served the one who handed him over. We don’t choose who we serve for God. We are called to love and serve all.

Loving People. Loving God.

Godself

13 When God gave Abraham his promise, he swore by himself since he couldn’t swear by anyone greater. 14 He said, I will certainly bless you and multiply your descendants. 15 So Abraham obtained the promise by showing patience. 16 People pledge by something greater than themselves. A solemn pledge guarantees what they say and shuts down any argument. 17 When God wanted to further demonstrate to the heirs of the promise that his purpose doesn’t change, he guaranteed it with a solemn pledge. 18 So these are two things that don’t change, because it’s impossible for God to lie. He did this so that we, who have taken refuge in him, can be encouraged to grasp the hope that is lying in front of us. 19 This hope, which is a safe and secure anchor for our whole being, enters the sanctuary behind the curtain. 20 That’s where Jesus went in advance and entered for us, since he became a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:13-20, CEB)

Since God made a promise with Abraham and couldn’t swear on anything bigger than the Godself, God swore God would bless Abraham and multiply his descendants.

God’s promises are sure and we can take them to the bank. We can count on God because what God has promised always happens.

Trust in God and share that grace with everyone.

Loving People. Loving God.