Will he find faithfulness?

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)

Jesus said that God will give you justice if you cry out to Them day and night, and They will be quick to help. But will that make us faithful?

Will we actually follow God because we got justice, or just use God as a cosmic vending machine to get our needs fulfilled?

Does faithfulness come from getting justice?

What would you ask?

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)

If Jesus called you over and asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” What would you ask for?

Is this like a genie? Is it three wishes? Can I ask for more wishes, or bring someone back from the dead, or have someone fall in love with me?

Probably not. But what would you ask?

What do you need to be healed from?

What, if it were not a part of your life, would make your life better?

What would you ask Jesus?

pursue…

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)

What do you pursue?

Are you seen as a tried-and-true worker of God?

Our lives should show forth God’s love in everything we do and say. We can not show up for worship on Sunday and then badmouth people and take away their rights or work for their removal from the places we are Monday – Saturday, and think we are actually doing what God has called us to do and to be. By working against systems that help people, we are not pursuing God or God’s ways.

Pursue God’s love and giving that away in everything you do and with every fiber of your being. When we look out for others, we are doing what God has asked us to do and to be, and that is pursuing God.

in God

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)

The only way we exist is in God. In God we live, move, and exist. We were created through Adam and now live in God.

God is in all things and works through all things to make their love known.

We all need to hear about God and speak about God so all will know who and where their existence comes from and is from.

Live in God and allow God to live in you.

Share God’s love in everythign you do.

without

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)

Give without demanding payment…

We are not supposed to take a bag or a money belt, extra clothes, or shoes. We need to rely on the hospitality and generosity of others. And Jesus assures them it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than the city that does not welcome you. Because the sin of Sodom was being unwelcome, and uncaring, and maintaining power.

We need to welcome the stranger nd sojourner and provide for them. Because we never know when we are entertaining angels.

Love like Jesus. Big and always.

stand your ground

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)

The sword we wield here is the word of God. It is not an instrument of death, but of life.

The word of God is a living word that comes to us and gives us courage, strength, and sensitivity to show others love and mercy.

We are not warriors sent to conquer. We are standing firm for the love of God.

Stand firm and show love in all you do.

gall of Paul

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)

Oh, we all had the gall of Paul.

Paul knew who he was in Christ and wanted all to be like him. He spoke with boldness and fire.

Do you have the gall of Paul? I know not many Lutherans who do. We are much more reserved and not known for being speakers of the faith.

Although I would hope that we all have the fire of Paul and the brazenness to stand and speak of the love that is God’s that covers all people.

We all need the gall of Paul to speak the truth to power.

We need to have the

Healed you…

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)

Your faith has healed you.

Jesus healed ten men. We can assume from Jesus’ line, “No one returned to praise God except this foreigner?” The others were Jewish. And the only one that noticed they were healed and returned was the one that really did not need to show themselves to the priest, except maybe to get back into town.

Maybe the other nine went to the priest as Jesus told them to do, to be reinstated to the community. They were in the region between Samaria and Galilee because they were not allowed in town. After all, no one else wanted what they had.

So were the others not actually healed? Or is healing and being cleansed two different things?

Is it possible to be cleansed from a disease and still not be healed?

How are you healed?

gathered

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)

News of what Jesus had done spread throughout the land, and “even more and huge crowds gathered to listen and to be healed.” They gathered to hear what He had to teach and for Him to heal them.

If you knew you could be healed from whatever was wrong, would you not go and listen to whatever you had to in order to be healed?

We would all go and listen to that presentation even if it was boring to be healed. We have already endured so much; what is one lecture?

And to have it be the wisdom of the creator of the universe!

Oh, what I would not give to have been able to gether with them.

strength from grace

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)

Draw your strength from God’s grace. Knowing you will never walk alone.

We are all here to be beacons of God’s hope.

To share God’s love.

Give mercy to those who need it.

To share what we have been blessed with, so all are blessed.

Draw your strength from grace.