The Emmaus Road: Recent Episodes
Rev. Joe Svancara
Questions about faith? Questions about life? Wondering how it all fits together, and how to make sense of it all? Come and join the conversation as we seek the answers together! A ministry outreach of First Presbyterian Church of New Philadelphia, Ohio.
Going forward into a new year might be an exciting, but also apprehensive time, for many people. Going into the unknown is something all people grapple with, but which the promises of God prepare us. With the arrival of Christ in our midst, the realization of the divine promises, what assures us so we might live within the calling and purpose we should?
The birth of Jesus Christ is the celebration of a new reality, as much as a historical event. It is a revelation to the world as to how the LORD operates, and what he values the most out of anything we can do. And makes us wonder about our lives and how they fit into this grand design of salvation.
The arrival of Christmas takes us from expectation to celebration, with the Virgin Mary aiding us in that transition. We do not typically see her as a prophet, but through her participation in the LORD's promises demonstrates how important the arrival of Jesus Christ is to the world- and to us.
As the time of the promised one draws closer, we are made to reflect on who this is? What does his arrival say about our lives, what we need, and what he is willing to provide? The LORD has come for all he cherishes throughout creation, knowing what we are capable of when we have the right guidance. This is a time to focus on what the LORD has already given us, and how it is being used for our betterment.
We are warned to “be awake” and “be alert” by the prophets to everything happening around us. God is moving in a specific way into this world, and does so for very specific reasons. To disarm the powers of this world, subvert their actions and reasonings, so his own will stand in certainty. Those promises prove to be disruptive to our lives, never allowing us to think the same way again, and make us examine what we are doing today to welcome his presence.
As we anticipate the coming of Christmas, we are called to focus on what the idea of Christ’s coming means. He is the response of God to the problems of the world, and of human life. He has come to address and correct what we do, and how we see the world. He comes to judge the world, which means more than just punishing evil. But to purify and provide a new way forward where we thought there was a dead-end.
With the end of the Christian year, we look back on all that God has led us through. We have witnessed the way in which his rule has called, inspired, and sent us out. Despite all the contradictory information the world and its leaders send us, we have been given a glimpse as to who is truly capable. And it is that call, that example, and that stern assurance which allows us to face this new season in confidence.
The coming of Christ in final judgment is not a pinpoint in time that we are to predict, even though many have tried. It is an era by which we might look at our world, examine our lives, and understand what we are doing for the master. This is a time to see if we truly have articulated, and embody, what God values and desires. Not out of fear of punishment, but in fulfilling our purpose in allowing knowledge and access to the divine by all.
The end of the Christian year brings a sense of anticipation for the coming of Christ, in more ways than one. To understand Christmas, the gifting of Jesus Christ to humanity, is coupled with understanding the return of Christ in glory at the end times. It is not something to fear or be concerned about, but to be celebrated as the revealing of a great truth. An assurance that someone capable is coming in response to the issues we face now.
Remember and celebrating the Saints of God has a particular weariness among Protestant Christians, due to some holdover beliefs from another time. But honoring the lives of the faithful is an invaluable gift to us learning to live the faith today, and provides opportunity to witness divine love and grace like we never could on our own.
Many have a notion that the historical events of the Reformation were a desire to have the Church progress and move toward something new and exciting. But the man, Martin Luther, never intended to split the Church and divide Christians among Protestants and Catholics. Rather, it was the desire to have the Church return to something, be reminded of its purpose and calling, and understand how God was choosing to move among his people.
The Church should never worry about if the work it is doing is having an impact on the world. Sometimes the world might see us with indifference, or ignore us altogether. So what should Christians be oriented toward in the midst of that attitude, to ensure the Gospel message is still communicated?
The Church is always at work to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ, and to represent the will of God. But everyone thinks they know the most effect jobs for that task. How should the Church view its work, and to what end should it be pursued by its members?
“God never gives us more than we can handle” is a phrase we offer to people who are hurt or struggling. We offer it out of good intentions, but what if it does more harm than good? To the one struggling, everything seems like it is more than what they can handle. So how does God demonstrate his care during those struggling times, and transition us to a place where we can confidently stand- in spite of the situations we face?
We all may have heard at one time that we must forgive others who wrong us. The Christian faith expounds the idea of forgiveness, but is it applied in the proper manner? Many have misunderstood it to mean just accepting the faults and wrongdoing of others as “no big deal.” But that mentality has hurt many in the world, and within the Church. So how does the teaching of Jesus allow us to live it, and demonstrate a new way for those facing powerlessness in the world?
In living out the calling and willfulness God has bestowed within us, we confront a world with powers and authorities who are at odds with our way of living. Yet God has placed those in charge of bringing order to the world, even when it seems that order acts against the people of God. How are we to respond to such a conundrum? Perhaps instead of trying to always buck the authority we do not like, we use it as a means to determine who is more worthy of our attention.
A willing heart is a sign that God has touched us and made us a part of his own. But willingness is also a preparation God uses to further cement his ways into us. When we are drawn to the pure love, grace, and holiness of God, it is revealed everything that is out of step with him. Thus, it is shown how big and capable our hearts are to love and demonstrate that divine identity to the rest of the world. When we follow Jesus, and agree to take God’s identity to those we know, we are shown our true ability to serve.
A willing heart is what marks a person as part of God’s people, and is a sign of a faith that does not come from human origins. Willingness is what allows Christians to understand all that Jesus does, pursue the things the world is against, and see God as more worthy to gain than anything else. We willingly give of ourselves, “sacrifice” ourselves before God as an act of true worship, in order to gain more than he have ever hoped for.
The act of ‘labeling’ others is destructive to society and how it operates. It is also destructive to the Church, falsely claiming to know who are the ‘true’ and ‘false’ Christians. But human values and assumptions do not make people a part, or separate, from the holy assembly and promises of the divine. And it is that power which can change, teach, and guide us in how to truly be part of the Church and be what God desires for his world.
Many assume there is a “letter and spirit” to the laws and rules which govern our lives. Different ways to interpret what it means to live and be at peace with one another. Arguments could be made as to which is better, but the greater issue is how we ignore what those laws teach and guide us toward in the first place. Which is a better way to live and see the world, or are they both necessary to guide us toward something more ideal?
The blessings, and gifts, of God are necessary in our lives. They are what reminds us of God’s protective rule over us, and proactive guidance for what we are accomplishing. We depend upon them for all we need, and sometimes want. But are God’s blessings, his interventions, just for what we want? Are they only gifted to those who have faith and ask for them? Or, are they for a purpose beyond just demonstrating our specialness in front of others?
In many of his parables, Jesus speaks to his disciples about the “Kingdom of God.” We might think Jesus is being symbolic or spiritual about what he describes, but it is much more literal than we care to admit. How often who we relegate God’s Kingdom, or God’s rule, to a mere suggestion in our lives? How often do we overlook how sovereign God is, and can be, in all our situations? Especially as we live in a world filled with deception and an inability to care for our most pressing needs?
We live in a world that is increasingly under tension, between various powers wishing to rule us and within ourselves. We constantly label things as “good” and “evil” based on preference and what we believe to be right. But the parables of Jesus teach us how to recognize the difference, and how to live within the tension for the sake of those needing God’s rule. The key word for Christians living today is “patience.”
People are motivated by all sorts of different things, which make it difficult to connect and correct the actions and ideas of others. The Church believes its job is to change the hearts and minds of people, and correct their actions- which is only partially correct. We must take our cue from Jesus, in how he appealed to and taught others. And the results he expected to come about through the giving of his wisdom.
Christians are very good with wanting to do all they can for God. They try so hard in doing everything they can with proclaiming the teachings of Jesus, and to resist the power of sin and evil in the world. But oftentimes ignore the command of Jesus to come and take his yoke upon us, and rest with him. What does “rest” look like in this instance, and what does this offer of Jesus do to aid us living for God in our everyday lives?
Why are Christians instructed to do good in the world as disciples? For money or success? Fame or celebrity? For power and an easy life? Or because God offers a greater purpose by which to live, and a greater confidence by which to live by? To know the kingdom of God is close at hand, and the presence of God in our world is undeniable.
The calling we get from God to deliver his Gospel to the world is an honor. But it is an honor which puts us at odds with the rest of the world, and even what we value. Being his ministers and ambassadors mean that our beliefs and values do not have a place anywhere, since our loyalty and allegiance is with a Savior not of this world. However, God does use every opportunity in life to allow us ability to speak for and represent him. Even if the circumstances and conditions are unfavorable, and even hated by us, it is the opportunity God trusts us with all the more to speak his prophetic voice.
Our society obsesses over the idea of work, and sometimes assigns value and worth to each person’s ability (or lack thereof). But Jesus speaks about what he expects his workers to accomplish, and what the Spirit enables them to accomplish. All efforts of Christ’s disciples contribute to the wider goal of harvesting for God in the world, and sometimes requires a keener eye on what is most important.
Faith is sometimes seen as a passive and non-committal response to the problems of the world. Reflecting a private belief that exists only in the heads of Christians. But faith is much more active and responsive to the world and the issues surrounding us, more than we care to admit. Faith allows us to step out in a trust, and in a stubbornness, which allows us to face to criticisms and objections of others. And to stand for what is truly important in our lives.
Trinity Sunday is a commemoration and celebration of the way God has chosen to communicate with humanity. It reminds us while God is one, the multiplicity of God speaks in a range that touches all of God's characteristics, aspects, and works. It is not about a doctrine, but about life, relationship, and what we are invited to be part of.
Pentecost is our commemoration, and celebration, of the Church’s founding and establishment. The Church is given in order to be the body of Christ in this world, and continue the ministry Jesus has started. But what does that ministry look like, and how does our understanding of the Church impact how we participate in it? The Church’s celebration is also our opportunity to understand how God chooses to use it in our lives and the world at large.
It is the season of graduation, for both the students in our lives as well as for us! Jesus’ ascending into heaven might seem like an anticlimactic way for the Resurrection season to close, and it seems like Jesus is going off and leaving us on our own. But what Jesus does behind the scenes fulfills a great and comforting task for us. His place in heaven secures our place in this life, allowing us to focus on what we can do with what he had given us.
The Resurrection has become central to everything we believe in, but is not there to enforce a particular law or institution in this world. It is not even there to promote a certain religion or tradition, but to call our attention to something much greater. God is using this event to bring the world, and humanity as a whole, into a new age and way of living. And demonstrates a new manner to conduct ourselves by that we might demonstrate our love to the Savior.
The Resurrection is a challenge and a change for us, an example of what the right way of living looks like. It is not dependent on pure, intellectual knowledge, as if that is all is needed in order to live rightly. But it is based on wisdom, the collection of experiences we witness from others and have for ourselves. And that which our Savior demonstrates for us, for our benefit and for those who will look to us.
The assurance of the Resurrection is the guarantee that there is one who stands over all the powers of this world with certainty. Our world, nations, communities, and lives are full of powers seeking to control and dominate for their own benefit. But there is a power behind those powers, and one which promises to lead us to new life if we only wait for his command.
The knowledge of the Resurrection became more widespread because of the willingness of Christians to witness, to tell, about the risen Lord. Words have power, that is why Jesus is known as “The Word.” So how are we choosing to listen, and respond, to this event in our lives? And what place do our words, our story, have in making it known to others?
The aftermath of the Resurrection is normally celebrated and joyful in its tone. But when understanding the mindset and situation of the disciples, we can understand that fear was present in that moment. That is the environment that Jesus steps into with his peace, and is the only way we can understand the peace he brings. Do we have to be ashamed of the doubt and fear that come from our reactions, or is it a means by which to understand how all creation has now changed?
Why do we celebrate Easter? A silly question to ask considering many are aware of the main idea of what this day celebrates. But perhaps one we never truly gave serious thought about. The origins of the Easter celebration tell more about creation and the yearnings of the people living within it. And how Jesus Christ stands in his victory to meet us where we are in life.
True unity is dependent on equal benefit, and if all people have the same access to what is true. But the rest of the world focuses on fear and division, and making sure different people have different wisdom and understandings of life. But the people of God are not to be like that. True godly wisdom is never owned or dependent on a human source, can be verified by a common authoritative source, be freely accessed, and given to all people. All so the church is seen as a benefit to the world, and in a better position to usher the kingdom into its midst.
We are called to be a people united for a single purpose and mission, in order to correct each other and demonstrate a better life to the world-at-large. But that demonstration does not come by us forcing or manipulating others into belief, otherwise would we be any different than another worldly organization? What we can control is what we believe and allow to influence our vision for the world, which is what the way of Jesus teaches us. Only by allowing that vision to drive and unite us will the world suspect something different is happening with the church.
The fellowship of believers are the witnesses to the reign of God coming into the world, and demonstrate the effects of such a reign over creation. The church represents what is possible when all peoples gather together with a common desire and purpose. The unity such an ingathering has is more powerful than what we can do alone, and testifies to the power of God and its ability to transform the world.
The promises and guarantee of baptism help us to remember who we now are and who we belong too. But those promises are not the end of our transformation, but lead us into what we are to do now with others who have accepted the same invitation. The body of Christ, the fellowship of the saints, is more than just a group of people doing and believing the same thing. But is a much deeper calling and resolve, and union, which anchors us in our new lives and understanding of God’s rule over the world.
The festivals which help us to transition from Christmas into Epiphany, the Feasts of the Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord, might seem like they have nothing to do with the arrival of Jesus. But the idea of God’s revealing, leading, and declaring his love and power is what marks this season. Now that the divine light has arrived, Jesus being born, we understand how humanity is being invited and attracted to the certainty by which he bestows.
The light of Christ has come into the world to brighten up our world, and to deliver good things to those who need them. But this event is more than just God giving his creation a free gift. The divine light has come in order to change our world, and reveal the deeper mysteries about the life we live. What does the coming of Jesus reveal about us, and how can we allow it to impact who we want to become?
The festival of our Lord Jesus Christ’s birth is a celebration of divine light coming into our world. The cold and bareness of the season is a stark reminder of how essential this light is for our lives, but how far does it go to bring about change? What does its presence show us in contrast to what the world provides? And what drives us to embracing and celebrating its arrival, verses anything else we rely and depend upon?
As the appointed time for our Lord’s birth draws near, we wait with anticipation the result of his entry into our world. But this entry also come with a recognition of what we expect, verses what is the reality. What we want for the world, and our lives, verses what God is willing to reveal. But allowing such an unobstructed view of reality is a means by which God draws us into his rule, and allows his truth to change and transform our beings. All so disappointment is not a factor in this event, but rather an excitement because this coming Savior is hand-picked for our benefit. And the character of our God sets the tone for what is coming soon.
Expecting and yearning for the coming of God can be one of the most frustrating actions of the season, and our lives. With as much evil and suffering there is in the world, we want to accelerate the arrival and hasten the hope by which we depend on. But patience is a necessary action we must have, knowing that God’s timing is not the same as our own. In the process of patiently waiting we will grow to understand what we truly need, and what is already at work to aid us in our troubles.
Part of expecting the coming of Christ, and the reign of God over our lives, is imagining what that reign brings into our world. What does this expected arrival bring to our world, how does it arrive amid the problems we face, and how does it allow change to enter the situations humanity always seems to grapple with? When it seems like all other leaders are always trying to impress their vision of the world onto us, what is different about what the divine offers?
As the rest of the world prepares its preparations for Christmas, the church is preparing as well. But not through decorating, buying gifts, or planning parties. Instead, the church is entering into a season of preparation called Advent. Meant to make Christians realize what it means that God is entering our world. To help them prepare for what the coming, and return, of God’s representative to humanity means for our society and all our lives.
Christ the King Sunday is the end of the Christian year, and sounds a note of expectation and yearning. As we live in a world with so many priorities, so many demands, and so many directions to go, who can we truly look to and trust to heal our society and world of its problems? And we are reminded that it is not power or force we should look to, but character and example as the only sure way forward toward true victory.
“Prosperity” has often been a term used by Christians to describe the benefits of believing in and living under God’s rule. But the world often misinterprets this for material and economic gain, the pursuit of wealth and opportunity, and the idea that God somehow serves us. Does having vast wealth and limitless resources somehow make it easier to serve God, or does “prosperity” become something more than just what is in our bank accounts?
“Contentment” is often viewed as a state of happiness and bliss, a satisfaction of having received or accomplished something with our lives. But are our lives just the pursuit of accomplishment, and is our satisfaction with having achieved something we find enjoyable? Jesus teaches us that to be content means to have satisfaction with how we have carried out God’s vision for the world, and not someone else’s vision of it. How has God called you to bring about that prophesied vision, and what have you given up to make it a reality?
“Faithfulness” is a term which is equated to loyalty and allegiance in the world, speaking about how much you are willing to stay with your team through the thick and thin of it. But blind loyalty and unchecked allegiance is what gets some into trouble, because it is no longer about what you are being “faithful” too. How much have you wanted to be on a particular side of an issue, or person, only to have the character of the situation change your mind? How does the character of God influence what you are willing to say and do in life?
“Forgiveness” is another word we often hear when it comes to living the Christian faith, but today has been misunderstood as meaning “passive allowance”. Some misunderstand forgiveness as negating a sinful or evil act, and reluctantly allowing that example to pass without judgement. But true forgiveness is recognizing what is evil, understanding why it is evil, and how to escape from what is evil. What times in your life have you felt a thought, or action, remain unopposed by someone? What do you wish you could have understood in that moment?
Churches design many programs meant to encourage “discipleship” among Christians, but instead focus on “programing” many people to conform to the standards of the institution. Being a follower of Jesus does not mean ceasing to think critically, or without any common sense. Discipleship is a process by which we slowly recognize the authority Jesus has over our lives, and then realize what temptations get in the way of that authority. All so we might recognize, and act, in a manner by which we can preserve and guard against that cross-contamination of the world. In what ways have you already been taught to be like Jesus in your life? What prevents you from living that example to the fullest? What have you realized about yourself that needs to change as a result?
Many places of worship, many people, claim to practice the art of “hospitality” as a means of bringing people into their care. But what often is described as “hospitality” seems more like “entertainment”. Just satisfying people’s immediate wants and concerns, with no plan or method to introduce a higher aspiration which they can ascribe too. So often the church ignores how our inclusion and community is for the purpose of transforming lives with the example of Christ. What places, or times, have you been only “entertained” and catered too? What have you desired a community to do when meeting them for the first time?
The Sabbath is a time and concept which has often been misunderstood, or too heavily regulated by others. But the idea of a day, and time, of rest by God for his people is a gift and opportunity. In the business and distractions of life, when is there another opportunity to have focus on what is truly important? How do you believe your life would benefit from a permission to distance yourself from things which demand of you?
Grace is a word we use in order to explain and clarify our faith, but often is a word most misunderstood. Either it means just politely sprinkling some goodwill and good intentions upon others, or foolishly giving opportunities for others to take advantage and never learn. But grace is not optional for life; needed by us to continue on under pressure by the world, or needed to be demonstrated by us for the victory of Jesus to be recognized. When in your life have you faced criticism because of what God has given you to do? How has the grace, the healing, the sustaining power of God been enough even when hurt by those you love?
Faith is a gift and power that is often underestimated and overlooked. An ability thought to only exist in the mind and imagination, with no real impact upon the world. But faith and trust is what spurs us forward in life, makes us take careful consideration of what we are doing, and allows us an honest look at ourselves and where we currently are. Where in your life have you allowed trust in God to dictate your actions, and how have you seen your life change just from that consideration in light of God’s direction?
We all have encountered that one person who strives to make a name for themselves. Someone who is so obsessed with the idea of celebrity and being famous, who spins their wheels going after it, only to be disappointed with what awaits them at the end. We often have the idea of what will make us happy, we condition our whole existence and well-being on achieving that goal, and realize when we get there if it was truly worth it. Out of what you have been working for all your life, what do you believe is still missing from your efforts? What do your efforts tell you about what you truly need within those strivings?
The Lord’s Prayer is one of the central prayers of the Christian faith, and reminds believers what to pray for and seek from God. Many view the act of prayer as just selfishly seeking things for our life, or haggling with an almighty figure for the best deals for what they need. But prayer is more than just asking for what comes to mind, but receiving those things which inspire and direct us down paths where goodness and charity can make the most miraculous impacts. Out of what you ask for and need on a daily basis, how do you see your Heavenly Father directing you by his generous answering's?
Jealousy is an ugly trait to have, because it can make us act out in superficial and petty ways. It is simply seen as desiring what someone else has, but deeper down it is feeling like we are not often good enough compared to others. We have dreams and desires we want to see fulfilled, but lack the talent to make them come about. Or we have the talent, but lack the imagination of what we can work toward. What is the one thing you want most within life, or have been working toward for so long, and what does that desire tell you about what you have and still need?
In a world of uncertainty, lack of trust, and other instances of societal instability it is very easy to give into pessimism. In assuming things will never change for the better, it is very easy to become jaded. But life is not tied to what others, or what we, decide to do and where to go. We are provided the lens by which we can examine the world, and see for ourselves, what is most important in the middle of it all. In your own doubts, pessimism, and despair what have you seen as vital to keep going in life? And what do you think your part is in helping that purpose come to life for those around you?
As of late, the meaning of service to others has changed. From how you can benefit others, to how others can benefit you. Others are seen as carriers for our values and expectations, as ways for us to feel good about ourselves. But we ignore how unrealistic expectations, lack of compassion, can burden others unnecessarily. Which causes us to ignore what others can do, and how God has already called them to act for goodness and righteousness where they are. How can we as Christians, as a nation, demonstrate mercy to others and to the world? How can easing the burdens of others be an act of service which serves God first and foremost?
In a world that is constantly changing, in constant flux, we desire on some inner level a sense of continuity and assurance. A knowledge that no matter what things will be alright, and will not stop our desire to experience a better world. But that desire does not come out of our worship of human opinion, or our vilifying and demonizing others who are contrary to our convictions. What assures us is the supreme power of God to keep us going in the midst of hurt and disappointment. Who or what has let you down recently, and does that disappointment show you who is more worthy to be trusted?
“You are what you eat” is a cultural axiom which has more meaning today than we realize. You are what you consume and listen to, and your identity risks being taken and twisted to fit someone else’s plans and designs. We cannot avoid danger and fear in this life, but we do not have to let those things determine who we are or how we should act. What is it you fear the most today, how do you think entertaining that fear has changed you, and what do you believe is necessary to walk away from those uncertainties?
As the church prepares to transition into a new season on its calendar, we seek to understand our place within God’s timetable. For most of the year, we have focused so much on God’s miracles and interventions within our sinful world. But by the rejuvenating power of God and the new creation in our midst, we ask about our place within it. What do you believe your place is within the New Eden, and how do you think God is setting you up now to enter into this promised paradise?
The Day of Pentecost is considered the birthday of the church, the day the Holy Spirit sealed the believers with a common purpose and mission. But in our confusing world, we often get lost among the various issues, policies, ideologies, and expectations of others. The gift of the Holy Spirit preserves us to remain constant in our witness and service toward others. Out of what you have and have been gifted in your life, how does that gifting enable you to serve God more today than before?
We celebrate Ascension Sunday, commemorating the act of Jesus going up into heaven to sit at God’s right hand, and the final Sunday of the Easter season. But the act of Jesus leaving us for heaven has a more desperate meaning because of recent tragedies and their impacts. The cry of, “How long, O Lord?” and “Come, Lord Jesus!” fill us with a sense of frustration of God’s timing the face of evil. How should we act when faced with impatience toward God, and how does God answer those cries when we give them?
The Resurrection of Christ is an event which seems absurd and outrageous to many people. It seems impossible because we do not comprehend the example and presence of God which brings to life those realities. In the midst of struggle and tragedy, it is the ability to be present and grant life which assures and heals us of the wounds we acquire from the world. How is God healing you right now, or where is healing within the tragedies we all face?
As we commemorate Palm Sunday, remembering the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, we explore the idea of why he was welcomed as a king. Israel has many kings who ruled over the people, some who were righteous and others who were not. Many empires even dominated and conquered the people, practicing total control over their lives. The people did not need more power held over them, but looked to Jesus anyway in the manner in which he conducted himself. How does the attitude of Jesus make him a ruler who can be trusted and honored, versus the attitudes we see from others?
During Lent, we become so anxious about ourselves and obsess over what our sins have done. As we get closer to the time of Easter, we agonize over the crucifixion and what happens to the Son of God. But God does not wish for us to be in agony or obsess over ourselves to the point we cannot experience joy within his actions. Out of your own past, your own internal struggles, how have you seen God change the world around you to reflect that which he wishes you to have?
Our world teaches us that it is better to be upstanding than forgiven, that we must do everything right and have no blemishes in order to be respected. If we encounter someone with a blemished record, then that is permission to shun and exclude them due to their ‘failures’. But what if in that process we miss what forgiveness actually allows us to become? By not experiencing the forgiveness and counsel of God, do we miss who God actually is and the fortune of receiving that spark of new creation within us?
So often we try to take God’s word, God’s promises for our lives, and stuff them into molds which they do not fit. We try and put our energies toward things in this world which only end in destruction and disappointment. Where have you experienced disappointment from your efforts, and how might God be sparking opportunity from those low points?
The idea of God making a covenant, a contract or agreement, with humanity is more than just providing a list of rules for us to follow. It involves creating a way and life that unites all people together and provides a single home by which we all can fine security and rest. Part of coming under that agreement is not an outstanding moral character, a list of good accomplishments, or a pre-approval from an authoritative source. It is about a willingness on our part, and a desire to seek that place of rest and knowing the one who is providing it. Out of how God has revealed himself to you as an individual, and what God has shown you about what is true life, how willing are you to be gathered into it?
For forty days, Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by the Evil One in an attempt to corrupt his earthly ministry. In the same forty days of Lent, we pay more attention to the corruptions which surround us due to our own fasting and abstinences, or by the addition of virtuous practices. In the process we discover that overcoming evil is not an inner power, skill, or force of will. It requires a knowledge and reminder of what God has already done, and a decision to trust only him based off that reminder. What have you discovered, or already known, is that one weakness in your life, and how has God already promised to provide for you in the midst of that weakness?
The idea of journey is one we are all about to go on as we enter into the season of Lent, reflecting on the teachings and example of Jesus on his way to the cross. This season of Lent starts with that recognition of the deficiencies of the world, the land, the people, and the society all around us. It makes us start by understanding what we do not have; what we, and others, do not have to power to accomplish. It presents someone to us, to identify as the one whose power and wisdom proves they have something better to offer. Will you accept the one offering to guide you, and take that small, single step in trust?
As we prepare ourselves to leave the season of the Epiphany, and enter the season of Lent, we focus on the idea of identity and who waits for us to journey with him. The Transfiguration of Christ revealed to the disciples who they were following, and reveals to us who we are following today. Where in your life has Christ met you, and how have you recognized him?
Forgiveness is one of the most well-known, and emphasized, practices of the Christian faith. It is also one of the most misunderstood, and difficult, practices within the Christian life. While it offers a moment of healing and liberation for victims, and recognition of wrongs for perpetrators, it is an opportunity to understand how God prepares our hearts to accept his ways. What must happen to us that we can willing give and accept pardon without resentment or pride?
In a world where it seems like everyone is promised a solution to their problems, a cure for their ills, an identity for those who are lacking, there is an increase in disappointment and dissatisfaction among people with life and what it promises. But it is possible that the definition of “blessing” and “happiness”, which is peddled in the world, is different from God’s definition. What does it mean to be happy according to God, and what does the arrival and acts of Jesus mean in light of our disappointments?
Confronted by the problems of the world, and all of the needs that exist among people, we might feel we are inadequate for the task. We become our own worst enemies, or others put requirements in place thinking some people are inadequate to take on the task. But being called by God is a moment in which trust is placed with us to carry the message; we having been created and placed in this specific era and geographic location for a reason. What might God be removing from your path, and challenging in terms of your skills, to know where and how to bring that help where it is needed?
God gives to his people, the church, the ability “to dig up and pull down, to destroy and demolish, to build and plant”. But never in a way that benefits one person, or one group, alone. In the same manner Jesus was given the ability to speak the truth for the benefit of all people, we are called to use the one gift to realize what is most important. How are you being asked to share that greatest gift?
Many are familiar with the Bible as the word of God, the collection of laws and guidelines for his people to follow. But does the Law comprise solely of rules and regulations to be checked off like a list? Or does the meaning of the Law go much deeper than that, to Instruct us of what we must prize and prioritize now?
We are told that the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the abilities revealed and granted by the Holy Spirit, are supposed to be for the “common good”. But what is the common good, what and who does it benefit, and how do we even find and see it within the tempest of opinions held by others? In a particular miracle done by Jesus in a small town called Cana, we receive that definition and are challenged in its implications.
Jesus began his ministry by being baptized by God and receiving the Holy Spirit. The act, and sacrament, of baptism is a declaration to the world of who we now serve. But it is also a declaration by God to the world, and to us, of what he is willing to do to have us and make us his own. How do you believe God views you in how you are living your life, and what changes when you hear the most powerful being in the universe declare: “You are mine”?
The celebration of Epiphany commemorates when the wise men followed the eastern star to discover the location of the new-born Christ. Three foreign kings left their fortunes, homes, and easy lives to respond to the promises of God to the world. In our lives how willing are we to respond to what God shows us? What is worth us taking that step of faith?
The coming of Christ means that the light of God has illuminated our world. But what does humanity look like once it is in full view of God’s radiance? God does not come to condemn as a result, rather to allow his light to guide onto a better path. Jesus’ life is one of example, in showing what it means to be a true Israelite who seeks after and lives for God. What does that example give us the opportunity to see, and to explore of our new lives with him?
Adapted from a “Lessons and Carols” service featuring a retelling of the Nativity story (Isaiah 9:1-7; Luke 1:26-38, 46-55; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7; Luke 2:8-20; Matthew 2:1-12; Titus 2:11-3:8). In hearing the story we have heard so many times before, what does it offer to those who already know its ending? To those who are aware of the light that has come into the world, how exactly does it illuminate and guide our actions?
God has promised to be with us and among us in everything we do. That is the sole promise of the season: God’s love is made available to us, and we never have to search for it like everything else in our lives. But in God promising to be with us, to lead us, is for no ordinary reason and does not relegate him to be a background character. His promise to be with us, to gift us light and guidance, is an indication of what he desires our lives to move forward toward. What does the presence of God mean, and what vision of life does that call us to have?
This time of the year focuses a lot on the idea of giving. Giving gifts, giving money, giving time to others. It can also be an exhausting practice, because the more we give to others means the less we have for ourselves. We strive to shine God’s light and give it to others, but struggle to maintain it in the midst of our own situations. But God promises to be the one who is our want and desire, so we might never have to worry about running out for others- or ourselves.
Part of waiting for God in the Advent season is not resigning ourselves to judgment, as if there is nothing left, but embracing the opportunity presented as a result. Part of the job description of a prophet is to announce God’s correction to his people, and what God is choosing to fill the void left by the uprooting of unrighteous behavior. The coming of Jesus is a chance to see the new direction laid out, and to embrace what will give us solid ground to walk on now.
Christians today have the benefit of knowing who we are waiting for as the sign of God’s promise and salvation to the world. So how do we prevent this season of anticipation from becoming stale or meaningless due to the lack of surprise? Jesus tells us to watch for the signs of his coming, and to know the times we live in. Only by looking at the world around us, and seeing the signs for what is lacking, can we understand and appreciate the depth of healing that God promises to bring.
As we approach the end of the Christian calendar, we focus on going into the unknown with the assurance of God’s rule and power in our lives. When it seems like everyone wants to be our ruler or god, but not willing to prove it, we are assured of the one who has come to prove his worthiness to lead us.
As we approach the end of the Christian year, we are confronted by Jesus when he speaks about the events that usher in the end times. Purposefully cryptic and ambiguous, they are made to make us think about what we are trusting and looking to for assurance. Will we trust in our ability to know when the end will come and by who, or stand confidently and boldly by the one who promises to award perseverance in the midst of conformity?
All Saints’ Sunday is a time to remember and be thankful for those in our lives whose work gave us the faith we have. We all have someone who has allowed us to understand, and see, the love of God and truth of Jesus in a way we could not have before. We acknowledge that work as an extension of what Jesus does for the whole world, and what allows us to live and be the example someone else needs to have faith themselves.
Reformation Sunday marks the day Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses, which sparked the Protestant Reformation. But we do not celebrate, or revel, in the separation of churches or the superiority of one tradition over another. Instead, we celebrate how the work of God’s servants within this event helped the gospel of Jesus to reach more people than ever before. Through the desire to be present with the people, the church makes the good news of God understandable and able to be grasped by others. So they might understand their place and purpose in the world, and under the One who truly matters before all else.
The art of living well under God (wisdom) often comes through a good amount of struggle and challenge. In an attempt to live freely for God, we must step away from other’s expectations and ideas to see how God wishes to use us. And through our individual sufferings, understand how the power and confidence of God places and equips us. So what is God asking you to do that allows others to find life, and live?
“How does God answer our plight?” In the midst of suffering and evil, we cry out to God and demand to know why he is not answering. But God does answer, and often confronts us of what we want from that intervention. What do we demand of God and want him to answer for us? Are we willing to listen and accepts his hard truths and change ourselves to accept them?
“Who can God be for us in times of suffering?” Evil may not be able to overpower or overcome God, but is certainly good at convincing us we are alone in our suffering. It seems like when difficulties arise, we are on our own. But God is a confidence and assurance for us in those times. But how do we recognize that confidence, and use it going forward into difficult circumstances?
One of the oldest questions humans have asked is: Why do evil things happen to good people? We develop foolish thoughts about how God's punishment of evil works, and think we are somehow better than others because we don't experience it. But is evil as strong a force as we made it out to be? Is God truly powerless in the midst of suffering and catastrophe? How does this understanding enable us to live in the presence of evil in our lives?
“How do we focus on what is good?” To know and understand the right way to live is necessary, but without focus the way can be lost. Willingness and obedience are necessary to embody the wisdom of God, but must be fed by the proper sources. What are we allowing to feed our actions? Or, what have we allowed to crowd out the heavenly wisdom already given to us?
“How can I show others what is right?” When we discover something exciting, we want to show and tell as many people as possible. But how do we know what we are sharing is good and useful to someone else? Wisdom is more than what we know, it is also understanding what we are receiving and from whom. What we receive, and how often we receive it, is an indication of what we can teach. So what do we teach people on a daily basis, and where is God in the midst of that?
“Where does good come from in this world?” When we realize we are trapped under the rules and expectations of others, we start to wonder about what we can trust in this world. When we realize the limitations and failures of human leaders and human-based wisdom and teachings, we start to ask if there is any source of goodness we can count on. So long as the presence of God is with us, and within us as followers of Christ, we understand what is actually good and where it can be found. Outside of God, and the works of Jesus Christ, we can do nothing good. So what does that level of goodness and truth look like within our lives?
"God is dead, morality is a prison, and life is inherently meaningless." This is the anthem of those who doubt the accepted rules of society, and the people who hand them out. They see religion and morality as needlessly tribalizing the world, and produce suffering on those we impose it on. But what if they are right? What if our notion of morality and acceptable living is imprisoning others, and ourselves, in a limited view of life? And what does real wisdom and living from God look like, which produces real understanding and life?
The rise and establishment of the monarchy in Israel is a story meant for all of us living today, and not just an historical period to be studied. In this season’s readings of that period, we have discovered the lengths God will go in order to establish and guide his people in a sacred task. We have learned all that God provides for us in order to live under and for him in everything we do, and not because he earns something from that interaction. God’s very nature and character are on display, and invokes a response from creation. It is a challenge about how much we are willing to resonate with that love demonstrated, and that source of grace revealed, in the times of difficulty we will face going forward.
Wisdom is more than just an idea, thought, ideology, or teaching from those who are above us in the world. The wisdom and ways of God must go beyond thought and action on our part, and become a force which strips away and dislodges everything which holds us in uncertainty and complacency. All so the embodiment of true heavenly wisdom can find a home with us, and we might truly be able to receive what he offers.
A mistake many people have with the act of confession, is that it is an instant fix to all the problems we face. We think that when we have a problem, it is because we have not done enough good to earn us what we want. But part of confession is recognizing the depths of evil we have caused for others, and realizing the truest good offered to us. All so we might understand and construct an example now which benefits others and which we can be proud to offer.
One of the hardest things we can do is telling someone we love they are wrong. We do not want to judge, and do not want to receive judgement. But learning to “speak the truth in love” is a duty we have to build up the body, and fellowship, of Christ. It is also a means to express love to another in a deeper way, and learning how God has called that particular servant. All so correction is not an act of judgment and condemnation, but of love and rebuilding what God has placed in our midst.
Work is more than just business, a way to earn something, or to just pass the time. Work is redemptive, a way in which God can guide us and demonstrate his impact on the world. The calling makes us imagine what is truly guiding our works, and what it is we are allowing to control and dictate what our actions accomplish. We may overlook work and actions as less important than what goes on in the heart and soul, but they give us clues as to what our innermost selves are taking their chances on.
It is easy to dismiss others who disagree with us. When we have an idea, vision, or desire, we want to accomplish it no matter what. Anyone who disagrees is just an obstacle wanting to prevent our rise to greatness or importance. But to ignore others who God sends your way to help you is to ignore God himself. The call and purpose given to us is to make us of one purpose and work with others, and foster unity where it is needed the most. To show that in the midst of such vast diversity of talent in the world, it is possible to come together in a common way.
The calling we have from God can be subverted by others who doubt our abilities, but can also be subverted from within by overestimating our abilities. Ego can be a killer when it comes to serving God, making us think more of ourselves than we ought. It is a warning never to see the calling as God serving you, but God recognizing how you can best serve.
On a day which represents the ideals of the American experiment, we are reminded about the nature of the calling from God. In the same way detractors attempt to disqualify America because of its past failures, so others attempt to disqualify us because of our failures. But failure is more of an asset than a problem, because it shows us where the true strength lies in completing the task asked of us.
Part of protecting your own calling from God means protecting the calling of others. Our purpose and mission given by God also depends on others to guide, inform, and lend experience to what you are going through- as well as you to them. Giving assurance where it is needed, calling out the silencing of others, and lending aid in other’s uncertainty is how you learn to be comfortable and live where God has placed you. It is also how you set up for the next person who comes after you in a similar calling, and not discrediting any work which may proclaim the goodness of the gospel.
Dealing with the presumptuous thoughts and judgements of others might be the most difficult thing with living your calling from God in the world. Everyone thinks they know what is in your heart, and think they know your life. But part of being true to God’s work is learning to trust and stand firm in what you know and have been shown. Peer pressure is real, and it can make us doubt a lot of things. But having a hard resolution in your given task can help you demonstrate what is real, and show others what the real obstacles which are facing them.
The toxic problem of power and control we face today makes us think that our decisions are better than God’s. It makes us feel like we can own and control the world, that we can be like God, all the while doing down a road taking us further away from him. But we are reminded of the power and control of God to pull us back into the wonderful, new creation of Christ, and remind us of who truly sees and understands our intentions- even while we are completely blinded by them.
In society today, we are facing a unique problem. It might be one seen to be as old as time itself, but emerging in a way hardly seen before. A toxic attitude that seeks to redefine our society, our identities, and tempts us to think we have more power than we have. But in this season of the Church, we pay special attention to a specific chapter of Israel’s history, in how we might avoid and overcome this problem.
All of us have some knowledge or understanding of God we think is good and proper. But most of the time we end up forcing that view and understanding onto others, causing them to be pushed further from God as a result. Are our understandings and knowledge all that important? Should that be the basis for our proclamations of Christ? How do we inspire knowledge and acceptance of God without putting the spotlight on us?
Christians celebrate the Sunday of Pentecost as the birth of the Church, of God granting to the followers of Jesus Christ a place to belong. But for what purpose? Does the Church exist just to be a meeting place for God's people, just to be an institution to enforce and oversee the directives of God, or for something else entirely?
The end of the Easter season for the church comes with an event as miraculous as the one which started the season. The Church calls this day, “The Feast of the Ascension”. Remembering the act of Jesus ascending into heaven to take his place at God’s right hand. The disciples rejoiced and were happy when this happened, but should they have been? Isn’t losing your master and teacher something to feel anxious and fearful over? Or, was the reason why Jesus ascended to heaven the reason they had joy?
We depend upon sight and proof in almost every aspect of our modern lives. Our pursuit of knowledge depends on our ability, and willingness, to see how the world operates. But in the resurrection, Jesus challenges that what we see and figure out rationally might not produce the result we want. How is it better to just depend upon faith and belief in the resurrection, and what does that do in our attempts to live and proclaim what we know?
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the apex of the Christian faith. It is a demonstration of what God has done out of his love for us. But it is also a miracle which we struggle with the most in understanding. The resurrection of Jesus from death is supposed to be good news to us, so why do we still struggle with accepting such an act? What does this new age of Christ’s rule mean? How does it invite us, in the lives we currently live, to be active participants within it?
The celebration of Palm Sunday, and the events of the Passion, stand in complete contrast to one another. How can the same people who celebrated Jesus as the King of Israel also call for his torture and death? How can a people who said that Jesus had come in God’s name then call him a blasphemer? And if this is what our ancient faith ancestors did, what is it we are capable of? Do we repeat the events of Palm Sunday and Passion Week on a daily basis, and is Jesus’ example a way to end this tension in our souls?
The pursuit of happiness and fulfillment in this life is sometimes a dead end. We desire a life without pain or suffering, but it is unavoidable when following the way of Jesus. Often the church teaches a Jesus who would rather make us happy, than stand with us in the storms of life. In his life and ministry, Jesus was willing to endure so much in order to reintroduce the people of Israel to the true God of their ancestors. What are we willing to do in order to receive, and accept, such a message?
Everyone has a part of themselves they do not like, a past which makes them ashamed, which they fear makes the rest of society judge and shun them. They also make us see ourselves as broken, useless, and of no help to anybody. But God never uses our past to shame or punish us, but to uplift and help us realize what we truly need. In times of our own self-doubt, what will we look to which will shine our past in a more generous light?
A jarring and scary thing to have happen is confronting someone you though you knew well, but who acts totally different. That is what happens this week in scripture with Jesus. We see him acting in a way which is totally contrary to how we imagine him! But sometimes, that bit of difference and challenge is needed for our lives. To make us focus on what we are representing, and what we value in our lives.
Sometimes we all come across a piece of scripture which rubs us the wrong way. A part of the story of God which has caused misunderstanding for so long, and confusion for so many. But, by coming to it with a honestly of how we feel about it, and a willingness to see past how it has been used, can produce a faith and opportunity to grow beyond what we could imagine.
Lent is a time of discovery and focus, of understanding what God has said to us before and guided us when we were least expecting it. Some questions and understandings of the world might be seen as childish and naïve by some. But are they an opportunity to understand how the God of this world operates, what he offers in terms of healed and ordered world, and our part to play to make it a reality?
Valentine’s Day is more than just a holiday of card, chocolates, stuffed animals, and fancy dinners. It reflects the idea of what we are willing to do as individuals, and as the people of God, to demonstrate our willingness to reflect his goodness. And going into the season of Lent, it is a challenge to each of us responding to God’s call in our lives: how are we willing to follow Jesus on his journey to the cross?
Many of us think that knowledge alone is enough to handle a situation. All we need are all the facts, good observation, and a proper plan of action and we can fix anything! But what happens if there is a problem, a variable which we did not account for? What if it is a person who is getting in the way of our “perfect” plan? Is knowledge enough the do the work of God, or is there something more?
With our nation in a moment of transition, and leadership change, it is a moment to stop and think about what it means to be one people. Unity is a word which has been thrown around as of late, but what does it mean? How do we unify as one people again? How can the people of God be one in the mission and calling God gives us?
We celebrate the ability to say, and promote, our ideas and way of living before others. And we are angered when we are prevented from doing so, when we are censored by people who think they know better. But that is not a situation we must be angered by, or even fear. Our ability to live, our ways of living, the gifts of God given to us are able to be expressed in numerous ways. The question is: how will we choose to do so, and in a way that distracts the least from the true pursuit?
During times of nation crisis and confusion, as well as ambiguous leadership, people struggle to understand what they can do. We want to help, to offer aid and healing, but are unsure of what it looks like in a chaotic situation. But in the event of Jesus Christ’s baptism, the church receives a clue. In this revelation of God’s power and the Son of God’s identity, we understand the power and direction given to us so we might take on that challenge.
The season of Epiphany, the realization of God's promises to the world, comes just as we are entering a new year. Many want to forget about the things experienced in 2020, but is it in our best interest to do so? Do we ignore, or try to forget, the misfortune visited upon us? Or, look for where God is leading us in the midst of all that is chaos?
The telling of the Christmas story is one of the oldest traditions in the church, reminding each of us the way God has acted in our world for our good. But it is also a story that is supposed to bend and shape us, challenge and move us, as well as be a guide to us as we navigate the difficult parts of life. Above all it is a story that reminds us just how close God is near in our times of trouble and uncertainty.
The fourth week of Advent focuses on the idea of Love. In the rush to buy gifts, and organize events for the season, are we actually capturing meaningful celebration? Is love actually being expressed within our list of holiday chores? And what does love look like when our ways of expressing it are not possible?
The third week of Advent focuses on Joy, but what does joy look like when we are prevented from doing the things we like or are happy with? Is joy the same as happiness? What does God grant us in order we might express joy in this season?
The second week of Advent focuses on the idea of peace. But what kind of peace? From what or whom? And what for? What does the peace of God look like when we still face fear and anxiety over situations in our world which no one can control?
The holiday season we are entering is looking to be much different than anything before. Mainly because of how we are needing to change our celebrations, and understand what celebration looks like in our current situations. The first week of Advent focuses on the idea of hope, and there is certainly a lot to hope for! But is God’s hope just limited to what we want or need in this present moment, or does it change what we look for and how we act right now?
After everything we have been through this year, and the holidays starting to come up, it is easy to think we have lost and are missing out on something. But part of the blessing of losing something, is the expectation and excitement of finding it again! And remembering that Jesus is King, and Lord over all, today helps us to look forward to a season where we might receive what we need to keep going.