January 5, 2011
Matthew 10,11
Overview: Matthew 10 is Jesus coaching up his disciples. Matthew 11 finds John the Baptist sending his disciples to Jesus with a question and Jesus answering the question. Jesus goes on to say some pretty positive things about John.
Reading Jesus’ instructions to his disciples as they prepare to go out on their own to spread the word of the kingdom come near adds another exhibit to the “Whatever This Is It’s Never Going To Be Easy” file. Jesus says comfy things like, “See I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves.”(v.10). There’s plenty more hard stuff here; surely this talk kept the disciples attention.
Verses 26 and 27 are personal favorites. “For nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops.” Here is Jesus exposing the delusion that we too often try to live under – the idea that somehow we can keep secrets from God. That action we aren’t so proud of – that sin we know is sin but hope will be off God’s radar in the midst of God’s busy day. Because we can occasionally get away with keeping things from one another we somehow think we can keep things from God. Jesus words say otherwise. It is useless to waste our energy and effort on the pointless task of evading God – God knows us through and through. It is both humbling and freeing to embrace the reality of God knowing us. Humbling to consider that, indeed, whatever I have done or thought, God absolutely knows it . Freeing to, at the same time, hold not only this knowledge, but also the knowledge that God’s love for us is deep, abiding and ongoing.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Matthew 8,9
January 4, 2011
Matthew 8,9
Overview: An eventful travelogue full of teaching, healing and one calming of a storm.
8:28-34 is one of those very revealing stories featuring Jesus. Jesus encounters two demoniacs and casts the demons out of them into a herd of pigs. Verse 34 is the kicker - "Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him they begged him to leave their neighborhood." They didn't thank him. They didn't ask him to heal anyone else. They begged him to leave. One business had already taken a hit - the swineherders had seen their investments run headlong into the sea - no one was anxious to be next. Jesus is sought out often in the gospels by those in neeed, but this passage reminds that there are those who experience Jesus as inconvenient and disruptive. There are aspects of Jesus' message that will still strike us at times as inconvenient - because they may not coincide with our desires and some that we will experience as disruptive because...they are.
9:36-38 give us a glimpse of Jesus instructing the disciples. After the flurry of activity in chapters 8 and 9, chapter 9 ends with a summary statement about Jesus traveling through cities and villages meeting needs. The disciples are alongside of him, helping one assumes and bearing witness to all that Jesus does. Having taken all this in they are left with these words from Jesus, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
Matthew 8,9
Overview: An eventful travelogue full of teaching, healing and one calming of a storm.
8:28-34 is one of those very revealing stories featuring Jesus. Jesus encounters two demoniacs and casts the demons out of them into a herd of pigs. Verse 34 is the kicker - "Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him they begged him to leave their neighborhood." They didn't thank him. They didn't ask him to heal anyone else. They begged him to leave. One business had already taken a hit - the swineherders had seen their investments run headlong into the sea - no one was anxious to be next. Jesus is sought out often in the gospels by those in neeed, but this passage reminds that there are those who experience Jesus as inconvenient and disruptive. There are aspects of Jesus' message that will still strike us at times as inconvenient - because they may not coincide with our desires and some that we will experience as disruptive because...they are.
9:36-38 give us a glimpse of Jesus instructing the disciples. After the flurry of activity in chapters 8 and 9, chapter 9 ends with a summary statement about Jesus traveling through cities and villages meeting needs. The disciples are alongside of him, helping one assumes and bearing witness to all that Jesus does. Having taken all this in they are left with these words from Jesus, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
Monday, January 3, 2011
Matthew 5,6,7
January 3, 2011
Matthew 5,6,7
Overview: The Sermon On the Mount.
How exhilirating to read the Sermon on the Mount all at once. Reading through all three chapters I began to question in my mind how often we take a piece or a phrase and set them apart. Two things that caught my attention as I thought about this passage in this larger way.
The first picks up on the image of light and darkness and on the eye. There are wonderful individuals statements/teachings which touch on the subject of light or darkness and/or on the eye, but the effect is enhanced when taken together.
5:14 "You are the light of the world."
5:29 "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out..."
6:1 "Beware of praciticing your piety before others in order to be seen by them."
6:22,23 "The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is healthy your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy your whole body will be full of darkness."
7:3 "Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?"
Again each verse is a treasure, but seeing the themes of light and darkness along with the theme of sight (what we see, how we want to be seen, how we process what we see and what we see others doing) becomes all the richer when taken together.
Beyond this I am struck by the teaching of the Lord's Prayer in 6:9-15, in light of our earlier reading from Matthew 4 regarding Jesus' temptations in the wilderness.
"Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our debts,
as we have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us to the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one."
There is specific mention of temptation and the tempter towards the end - is Jesus working with this memory vivid in his mind as he instructs? The first tempation dealt with turning stones to bread - here in the prayer is a specific mention of asking God for bread, a reminder that our sustenance is from God. The third temptation dealt with Jesus being called on to worship the tempter and Jesus responding that we are instructed to worship God alone - here at the very beginning of this prayer is the up front reminder of God's place - in heaven and God's status - hallowed.
Finally, of the many great verses here, I'll close today with two of my favorites from here or anwhere in Scripture, Matthew 6:33,34.
"But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."
Matthew 5,6,7
Overview: The Sermon On the Mount.
How exhilirating to read the Sermon on the Mount all at once. Reading through all three chapters I began to question in my mind how often we take a piece or a phrase and set them apart. Two things that caught my attention as I thought about this passage in this larger way.
The first picks up on the image of light and darkness and on the eye. There are wonderful individuals statements/teachings which touch on the subject of light or darkness and/or on the eye, but the effect is enhanced when taken together.
5:14 "You are the light of the world."
5:29 "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out..."
6:1 "Beware of praciticing your piety before others in order to be seen by them."
6:22,23 "The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is healthy your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy your whole body will be full of darkness."
7:3 "Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?"
Again each verse is a treasure, but seeing the themes of light and darkness along with the theme of sight (what we see, how we want to be seen, how we process what we see and what we see others doing) becomes all the richer when taken together.
Beyond this I am struck by the teaching of the Lord's Prayer in 6:9-15, in light of our earlier reading from Matthew 4 regarding Jesus' temptations in the wilderness.
"Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our debts,
as we have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us to the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one."
There is specific mention of temptation and the tempter towards the end - is Jesus working with this memory vivid in his mind as he instructs? The first tempation dealt with turning stones to bread - here in the prayer is a specific mention of asking God for bread, a reminder that our sustenance is from God. The third temptation dealt with Jesus being called on to worship the tempter and Jesus responding that we are instructed to worship God alone - here at the very beginning of this prayer is the up front reminder of God's place - in heaven and God's status - hallowed.
Finally, of the many great verses here, I'll close today with two of my favorites from here or anwhere in Scripture, Matthew 6:33,34.
"But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Matthew 3,4
January 2, 2011
Matthew 3,4
Overview: John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus in the Judean wilderness. John baptizes Jesus. Jesus goes into the wilderness where he is tempted by the devil. Jesus begins his public ministry, calls a few disciples and begins working around the Galilee region.
Chapter 3 verse 1 announces that John "appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming 'Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'" Was reading from my William Barclay Daily Devotional book today and Barclay was working on John. He identified three reasons that John had such great impact. 1) "He was a man who lived his message." 2) "His message was effective because he told people what in their hearts they knew and brought them what in the depths of their souls they were waiting for." 3) "He was completely humble." All good insights.
I like the way John "appears". Certainly he didn't spring up out of nothing, but it reads like a movie unfolding. One can visualize the camera focused on a spot in the wilderness from way back and then slowly moving in to reveal the figure of John.
I love the account of Jesus in the wilderness for a couple of reasons. First, I think it is an essential experience for Jesus at exactly that moment. Jesus has been baptized. Jesus has not yet begun his public ministry. He faces these temptations in this direct confrontation with the tempter and it galvanizes him for whatever lies ahead as he goes about the work he has been sent to do. Second, it can't be overstated how instructive it is that Jesus meets each temptation with Scripture. The message to us to be familiar with Scripture so that we can draw on it when needed is abundantly clear.
In 4:17 Jesus speaks the same words we encountered earlier from John, "Repent, for the kindom of heaven has come near." Has. Not will. Has. It has the effect of dramatically announcing that Jesus public ministry has sprung into motion. Jesus is on the move. The kingdom has come near.
Any comments that any who are sharing this journey have on the passage are more then welcome - I'd love for this to be interactive.
Matthew 3,4
Overview: John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus in the Judean wilderness. John baptizes Jesus. Jesus goes into the wilderness where he is tempted by the devil. Jesus begins his public ministry, calls a few disciples and begins working around the Galilee region.
Chapter 3 verse 1 announces that John "appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming 'Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'" Was reading from my William Barclay Daily Devotional book today and Barclay was working on John. He identified three reasons that John had such great impact. 1) "He was a man who lived his message." 2) "His message was effective because he told people what in their hearts they knew and brought them what in the depths of their souls they were waiting for." 3) "He was completely humble." All good insights.
I like the way John "appears". Certainly he didn't spring up out of nothing, but it reads like a movie unfolding. One can visualize the camera focused on a spot in the wilderness from way back and then slowly moving in to reveal the figure of John.
I love the account of Jesus in the wilderness for a couple of reasons. First, I think it is an essential experience for Jesus at exactly that moment. Jesus has been baptized. Jesus has not yet begun his public ministry. He faces these temptations in this direct confrontation with the tempter and it galvanizes him for whatever lies ahead as he goes about the work he has been sent to do. Second, it can't be overstated how instructive it is that Jesus meets each temptation with Scripture. The message to us to be familiar with Scripture so that we can draw on it when needed is abundantly clear.
In 4:17 Jesus speaks the same words we encountered earlier from John, "Repent, for the kindom of heaven has come near." Has. Not will. Has. It has the effect of dramatically announcing that Jesus public ministry has sprung into motion. Jesus is on the move. The kingdom has come near.
Any comments that any who are sharing this journey have on the passage are more then welcome - I'd love for this to be interactive.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Matthew 1,2
A quick explanation. Beginning today I am following a 90 day read through the New Testament plan. Alink to the plan I am using follows this introduction.
http://www.commonenglishbible.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=WJ8e2gfUAUo%3D&tabid=203&mid=612
January 1, 2011
Matthew 1,2
Overview: Matthew 1 features the lineage of Jesus and Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth. Matthew 2 tells of the visit of the magi, the interaction of the magi with Herod and Herod’s horrific decree to kill all the boys two and under in and around Bethlehem. Joseph takes Mary and Jesus to Egypt for safety and then returns to Nazareth after being given the all clear by an Angel.
Looking forward to going through the New Testament in the next 90 days. A reminder that there are two possible reading plans (at least two). Read everyday January 1 through March 31 and you can finish in 90 days. Plan to read by Easter (April 24) and you have 24 days of grace to sprinkle in throughout your reading.
Much of my reading through the Gospel accounts will be enhanced by looking forward to traveling to the Holy Land later in January. I look forward to reading the stories of Jesus’ life and ministry as Julie and I have the opportunity to visit some of the locations where those stories unfolded.
Preached last week on the Matthew 2 passage recounting Herod’s slaughter of the innocents. A story that follows the Christmas story, reminding us of the dangers of the world – then and now – and why Christmas – Christ’s coming to us – is more than a lovely story; it’s a necessity.
http://www.commonenglishbible.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=WJ8e2gfUAUo%3D&tabid=203&mid=612
January 1, 2011
Matthew 1,2
Overview: Matthew 1 features the lineage of Jesus and Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth. Matthew 2 tells of the visit of the magi, the interaction of the magi with Herod and Herod’s horrific decree to kill all the boys two and under in and around Bethlehem. Joseph takes Mary and Jesus to Egypt for safety and then returns to Nazareth after being given the all clear by an Angel.
Looking forward to going through the New Testament in the next 90 days. A reminder that there are two possible reading plans (at least two). Read everyday January 1 through March 31 and you can finish in 90 days. Plan to read by Easter (April 24) and you have 24 days of grace to sprinkle in throughout your reading.
Much of my reading through the Gospel accounts will be enhanced by looking forward to traveling to the Holy Land later in January. I look forward to reading the stories of Jesus’ life and ministry as Julie and I have the opportunity to visit some of the locations where those stories unfolded.
Preached last week on the Matthew 2 passage recounting Herod’s slaughter of the innocents. A story that follows the Christmas story, reminding us of the dangers of the world – then and now – and why Christmas – Christ’s coming to us – is more than a lovely story; it’s a necessity.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
What Happens...? - December 2, 2010
Daily Lectionary Readings for December 2, 2010
Psalm 18:1-20
Isaiah 2:5-22
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
Luke 20:27-40
Luke 20:27-40
Some Saducees ask Jesus as question about a woman who marries a man with several brouthers. Her husband dies so his brother marries her and then he dies so another brother marries her...the wrap up to the question is in the final analysis whose wife will she be in the resurrection. It reminds me of an episode of the Simpsons where Bart is in Sunday School asking questions of the teacher about a man with a prosthetic leg. Bart wants to know if the man dies and goes to heaven does the leg go with him. These are the sort of questions that flit through our minds at times when we think about the bridge between this life and the next and matters of faith, but they are questions that at the end of the day I'm not much interested in and find missing the point. There is a life beyond this one. God will be there and by God's grace I hope to be there as well. What it will look like I can't begin to know, understand or explain. I don't for a moment discourage anyone from giving as much thought, very specfic thought to what that future might hold, but I'm satisfied with the general overview. Jesus words about God being the God of Abraham and Isaac are fascinating. "So he is the God of the living, for they are all alive to him."(v.38) There is our perspective and there is God's perspective. Trouble ensues when we try to puzzle out too much of what God sees as we very much struggle with such a task engaging it from our perspective.
Another Night At The UK Medical Center...
Stayed Monday and Tuesday night with my mother-in-law at Markey Cancer Center in Lexington. And am back here tonight. She is recovering from an 8 hour surgery for ovarian cancer three weeks ago yesterday. The recovery has been a one step forward, two steps back proposition to this point, but we are hopeful we are on the right track. She will hopefully be regaining her strength so that chemo can begin before too long. Prayers are appreciated. Her name is Joy.
World Cup Bid
FIFA announced host countries for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments this morning - or whatever time it was in Switzerland. 2018 went to Russia (not England or Spain/Portugal) and 2022 went to Qatar (not the USA or Australia). I can sort of see the 2018 result - not agree with, but see. The 2022 is baffling to me. Qatar has 3 stadiums presently built of the 12 they will need for the competition. It is miserably hot in Qatar at the time of year when the WC will be played. They are building air conidtioned stadiums apparently. Disappointed that we don't have a World Cup in the United States to look forward to. And hoping, if we qualify for the 2022 World Cup, that we get Qatar in our group as they have never played in a World Cup and would be unlikely to play in one by then except for the fact that they are the host.
Psalm 18:1-20
Isaiah 2:5-22
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
Luke 20:27-40
Luke 20:27-40
Some Saducees ask Jesus as question about a woman who marries a man with several brouthers. Her husband dies so his brother marries her and then he dies so another brother marries her...the wrap up to the question is in the final analysis whose wife will she be in the resurrection. It reminds me of an episode of the Simpsons where Bart is in Sunday School asking questions of the teacher about a man with a prosthetic leg. Bart wants to know if the man dies and goes to heaven does the leg go with him. These are the sort of questions that flit through our minds at times when we think about the bridge between this life and the next and matters of faith, but they are questions that at the end of the day I'm not much interested in and find missing the point. There is a life beyond this one. God will be there and by God's grace I hope to be there as well. What it will look like I can't begin to know, understand or explain. I don't for a moment discourage anyone from giving as much thought, very specfic thought to what that future might hold, but I'm satisfied with the general overview. Jesus words about God being the God of Abraham and Isaac are fascinating. "So he is the God of the living, for they are all alive to him."(v.38) There is our perspective and there is God's perspective. Trouble ensues when we try to puzzle out too much of what God sees as we very much struggle with such a task engaging it from our perspective.
Another Night At The UK Medical Center...
Stayed Monday and Tuesday night with my mother-in-law at Markey Cancer Center in Lexington. And am back here tonight. She is recovering from an 8 hour surgery for ovarian cancer three weeks ago yesterday. The recovery has been a one step forward, two steps back proposition to this point, but we are hopeful we are on the right track. She will hopefully be regaining her strength so that chemo can begin before too long. Prayers are appreciated. Her name is Joy.
World Cup Bid
FIFA announced host countries for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments this morning - or whatever time it was in Switzerland. 2018 went to Russia (not England or Spain/Portugal) and 2022 went to Qatar (not the USA or Australia). I can sort of see the 2018 result - not agree with, but see. The 2022 is baffling to me. Qatar has 3 stadiums presently built of the 12 they will need for the competition. It is miserably hot in Qatar at the time of year when the WC will be played. They are building air conidtioned stadiums apparently. Disappointed that we don't have a World Cup in the United States to look forward to. And hoping, if we qualify for the 2022 World Cup, that we get Qatar in our group as they have never played in a World Cup and would be unlikely to play in one by then except for the fact that they are the host.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Calling Evil By Name - December 1,2010
Daily Lectionary for December 1, 2010
Psalm 50
Isaiah 2:1-4
1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
Luke 20:19-26
1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
"We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul tried again and again, but Satan prevented us."(v.18)
Who talks like this? "Satan prevented us." Really? I don't think you hear this sort of statement much in 2010. I know I don't say things like this very often. As I think about it, maybe it would be helpful to talk this way a little more. While I don't think it's helpful to think of Satan as a red version of the Duke mascot with a little pitchfork and pointy tail, I do think there is something to be gained by speaking about evil in a way that recognizes that it isn't random, but rather the product of intent. Paul senses the call to return to visit the people of Thessalonica and tries multiple times, but each time the plans don't work out. What could be simply viewed as the frustrating way things fall together (or apart) he instead views as meeting intentional opposition from Satan. Which, rather than making him loopy, makes him highly sensible. If he believes he is acting in a way that is in accord with God's will and if he believes that way is being blocked it makes sense that what stands in the way of God's will is evil. Not to push this too far - it is certainly worthy of examination when we think we are doing God's will to be sure that it's not our will we are trying to carry out - but Jesus wasn't shy about talking about evil, Paul doesn't seem to step back from it and perhaps there is something for us to gain in calling that which thwarts God's will by its name. What do you think?
Psalm 50
Isaiah 2:1-4
1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
Luke 20:19-26
1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
"We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul tried again and again, but Satan prevented us."(v.18)
Who talks like this? "Satan prevented us." Really? I don't think you hear this sort of statement much in 2010. I know I don't say things like this very often. As I think about it, maybe it would be helpful to talk this way a little more. While I don't think it's helpful to think of Satan as a red version of the Duke mascot with a little pitchfork and pointy tail, I do think there is something to be gained by speaking about evil in a way that recognizes that it isn't random, but rather the product of intent. Paul senses the call to return to visit the people of Thessalonica and tries multiple times, but each time the plans don't work out. What could be simply viewed as the frustrating way things fall together (or apart) he instead views as meeting intentional opposition from Satan. Which, rather than making him loopy, makes him highly sensible. If he believes he is acting in a way that is in accord with God's will and if he believes that way is being blocked it makes sense that what stands in the way of God's will is evil. Not to push this too far - it is certainly worthy of examination when we think we are doing God's will to be sure that it's not our will we are trying to carry out - but Jesus wasn't shy about talking about evil, Paul doesn't seem to step back from it and perhaps there is something for us to gain in calling that which thwarts God's will by its name. What do you think?
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