April 13, 2022 — “Do Not Judge By Appearances”

“But after his brothers had gone to the festival, then he also went, not publicly but as it were in secret.The Jews were looking for him at the festival and saying, “Where is he?”And there was considerable complaining about him among the crowds. While some were saying, “He is a good man,” others were saying, “No, he is deceiving the crowd.”Yet no one would speak openly about him for fear of the Jews.About the middle of the festival Jesus went up into the temple and began to teach.The Jews were astonished at it, saying, “How does this man have such learning, when he has never been taught?”Then Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine but his who sent me. Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own.Those who speak on their own seek their own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and there is nothing false in him.“Did not Moses give you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why are you looking for an opportunity to kill me?”The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is trying to kill you?”Jesus answered them, “I performed one work, and all of you are astonished.Moses gave you circumcision (it is, of course, not from Moses, but from the patriarchs), and you circumcise a man on the sabbath.If a man receives circumcision on the sabbath in order that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because I healed a man’s whole body on the sabbath?Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” John 7:10-24

“Do Not Judge By Appearances”

The Jewish Festival of Booths (or Tabernacles) originally celebrated the completion of the harvest, but eventually also came to commemorate G-d’s protection of Israel during the time in the wilderness. In New Testament times, the festival had grown to an eight-day celebration centered at the Temple. The Temple court and the streets of Jerusalem would be filled with temporary shelters. The first day of the festival was a day of solemn rest and worship. On days two through six there were daily sacrifices and at least three ritual processions. The seventh day included a procession during which people waved branches, marched around the altar seven times, and prayed for a good harvest in the coming year. The eight day was a day of solemn worship. (The New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume IX).

Can you imagine the scene and the great crowd and excitement of the festival as Jesus encounters “The Jews” and the crowds in Chapter 7? At a time when there were so many people coming to Jerusalem, like this festival, or the Passover festival, the tensions would be high—especially for the occupying Roman government. Jesus used these opportunities to make it clear that he had come with a new teaching—and neither the complaints of the crowds, or the Jews would stop him from his mission. Imagine the scene…if you can.

We see many things in our world today and we are so quick to judge. There is a 70 car pile-up on the highway, and many people are quick to blame PennDot rather than blame the driving habits of those who caused the accident or the unpredictable weather conditions in the Susquehanna Valley. Can we even hear the teaching of Jesus today — do not judge simply by appearances, but with right judgment. Unfortunately, being quick to judge brings us lots of “likes” and “attention” — even if our judgment is completely wrong. Perhaps we can learn to stop talking, and first do some right discernment.

Let us Pray,

Lord Jesus, it wasn’t just the people of the Bible who jumped to conclusions — we are so quick to do so today even when we are supposed to be so more enlightened. Help me today to listen more, judge less, and lead with grace. Amen.

Pastor Dave

April 12, 2022 — “There is Only One God”

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery;you shall have no other gods beforeme. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generationof those who love me and keep my commandments. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.” Deuteronomy 5:6-11

“There is Only One God”

There is so much packed into these verses from Deuteronomy, from the listing of the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20), to the Shema – the most important words of scripture to the Jewish community, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord Alone.” (Deuteronomy 6:4). There is only one G-d, and we shall love the Lord our G-d with all our heart, and soul and strength – a central theme for both Judaism and Christianity. Yet, these words follow closely behind the words that we are to fear G-d and keep G-d’s ordinances and statutes because G-d is like a devouring fire and is a jealous G-d. It reminds me so much of Jesus’ words as he laments over Jerusalem in Luke 13:34, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it. How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings…” Now, I am not a chicken farmer, but I understand that a hen will not be tender and soft-handed in gathering her brood, but will use some force to keep them together. Sometimes we need to be aroused from the sleepiness of our lives so we see G-d’s presence. And sometimes that will not be just a kind pat on the back.

From the words of the Old Testament and the Prophets, to the words of Jesus, we continue to hear how much G-d loves everyone. And because G-d loves everyone, G-d wants to see that everyone is saved from eternal death. These are words that we need to heed as we understand the fierceness of G-d’s love for all humanity which often looks like tough love.

Let us pray

Lord Jesus, your love for us is fierce. Our love for you should be just as fierce. Give me the courage today to show my love for you in every way I can. Amen.

Pastor Dave