September 14, 2022 – James 2:1-5 — Preach Good News to the Poor – and Everyone Else Too!

September 14, 2022

“My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?” James 2:1-5

“Some congregations are big; some small. Some use guitars; some use no music at all. Some are strict; some not so strict. Some do stuff in worship that would make you cringe. Yet we are all one Christian church. That’s what we mean when we say we believe in the “holy catholic church” in the Apostles’ Creed. We are one not because we are similar; we are one because we all belong to Jesus.” Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (p. 105). Kindle Edition.

Just like people are not all the same – churches are not all the same. Some do a great job ministering to the poor and outcast – others serve their “insiders” better than “outsiders”. And yet Jesus calls us all to preach “good news to the poor” and “good news to the middle class” and “good news to the wealthy.” Unfortunately those who are poor are open to hearing about the blessings that G-d has to pour down on us, while the well-off may believe they are blessed and deserve what they have. The ears of the poor are open to accepting the “Word”, the good news of Jesus — just like the arms of the poor are open to accept the physical blessings that come their way.

Jesus says “You will always have the poor with you” (Matthew 26:11) — so let’s take the time to serve them out of our abundance.

Let us pray,

Lord of All, there are many people, many churches, and so many who need your words of grace. Guide us into a unity where all people fell welcome and loved. Amen.

Pastor Dave

September 13, 2022 – Mark 8:27-30 – Who Do You Say Jesus Is?

September 13, 2022

“Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.” Mark 8:27-30

“It’s not what his disciples expect. They, too, are children of the world. And although they weren’t bombarded with 5000 advertising images each day as we are, yet they still imagined that the secret to life was strength and power rather than vulnerability and love. And so they interpreted Jesus’ miraculous acts as demonstrations of power rather than manifestations of love. And when Jesus describes the greatest act of love – giving his life for them and the world – they can only object. But Jesus will not be deterred. He will continue on the path of sacrificial love – and continue to love his disciples even when they misunderstand him or choose not to follow that path – until the very end. And at the end, God takes what looks like weakness and demonstrates strength and transforms what looks like disgrace and reveals God’s surprising, even unsettling, but ultimately life-giving glory.” David Lose The Theory of Everything (Feb 23, 2015) In The Meantime

Don’t we find it odd that Jesus tells his disciples to “not..tell anyone about him”? Jesus is moving forward with his plans to enter Jerusalem, and this will put into motion the events of his own death by crucifixion, and yet the revelation by His disciples that He is the Messiah is something he wants to keep quiet. There are times that people want to make him king, and there are times they want to kill him — and both are good reasons for Him to avoid publicity. Is this why he says “tell no one”?

I believe the main reason Jesus wants to keep his true identity a secret is so that He can accomplish His main purpose — to see to the end the reason He came to this earth — and anything that may become a roadblock must be avoided. If the people believe he is the Messiah, they may riot to prevent his death. If the people find enough support that he is blaspheming the name of G-d by claiming he indeed is G-d, they may toss him off a cliff or stone him to death.

In the end, Jesus is not deterred by the people, or by the religious authorities. Oh, they think they have stopped him by crucifying him. But we know better……therefore, we can’t continue to keep this good news a secret. We need to let the world know.

Pastor Dave