January 4, 2022 – “To Fly Off the Handle” (John 2:13-19)

“When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” John 2:13-19 

“To Fly Off the Handle”

Handmade axes in the early years of the founding of the United States weren’t always the crowning achievements of technology and craftsmanship. Occasionally, a particularly poor design would result in the head unexpectedly zooming off its handle. Many people found this an apt metaphor for passionate bursts of rage, eventually birthing the phrase “to Fly off the Handle.” 

It appears that perhaps Jesus had moments where he might “fly off the handle” – when his disciples argue among themselves, or when he is in the synagogue from our text today. But a closer look at the reading may give us a different understanding. In John’s Gospel we are told that Jesus “..made a whip out of cords.” This meant that Jesus spent some time weaving together the whip — taking time to braid together the threads to make his whip. So, instead of flying off the handle in an emotional outrage, Jesus had time to think about the scene in front of him — and to forge a plan. This is not some immature reaction Jesus gives, it is a reaction after some intentional time to meditate and utilize the resources he found at the time.  

We should always guard against flying off the handle in all situations in our lives. Whether in the church or in the grocery store line, it is always better to take time to contemplate, to meditate, even to pray before we react in anger. No, we will not always do the right thing, but prayer before acting is always a good plan.  

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, when I am angry, give me the patience to stop, pray and listen to your voice before I fly off the handle at someone. Amen.

Pastor Dave 

January 3, 2022– “The Ballpark Estimate” (Luke 9:10-17)

“When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.” Luke 9:10-17 

“The Ballpark Estimate”

Similar to the idiom “in the same ballpark,” a ballpark estimate seems to come from the realm of America’s favorite pastime — baseball. It means an approximation rather than a definitive answer. The phrase refers to an outdated newspaper strategy used to gauge the number of attendants at a baseball game when nothing existed to measure it exactly — like people who would be paid to count — or devices that have been developed to do just that. 

Did you know that when the Gospel tells us that Jesus fed 5000 people, or even 4000, it was just a ballpark estimate? While there were 5000 men who were fed, there were also many women and children not included in the “ballpark estimate” count. That means there were probably 15000 people, more or less, who were fed by the five loaves and two fishes. It is just a ballpark estimate, yet it makes this miracle even that much more miraculous. Not only did Jesus feed many more people than we might have imagined, that makes the leftovers that much more miraculous as well. You see, in Jesus there is an abundance for all.

Let us pray,

Lord, we know not just from experience but from scripture that there is an abundance od your love, mercy and grace for all. Help me to praise you for this abundance every day. Amen.

Pastor Dave