Luke 18:15 – 17 Trust, continued
When I first looked at this scripture the other day I puzzled over it. It seemed a minor passage about children, babies of all people. Now I think it is key or rather I should say “trust” is key. Jesus, his entire life, his death, his preaching, and his message, is absurd by the standards of today and by the measurements of our culture. If we model ourselves on him, on his words, his deeds, we will from time to time surely be taken advantage of, misunderstood, ridiculed, overlooked, and worse – as Jesus was. Mother Teresa, one of my favorites, wrote this wonderful poem entitled “Anyway”. You may be familiar with it:
Mother Teresa's Anyway Poem
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
Trust. Trust in him who came to call us and show us the way. Trust in him who sent him. Trust.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Luke 18: 15 – 17 Trust Me
Luke 18: 15 – 17 Trust Me
People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them, and when the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. Jesus, however, called the children to himself and said, "Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it."
This passage mentions children, a group not often talked about in scripture. Actually, excuse me, he mentions infants, even rarer. It seems like Jesus’ message (in the minds of many) is targeted to men, even reserved to men. Women and children are an afterthought. Although it does not mention who brings out the children, from the reaction of the disciples who “rebuked them”, I have to believe it was women. Jesus once again goes way beyond conventional wisdom. He not only wants to have the children brought to him, but he holds them up to his listeners as examples who are worthy of him. We are to be as trusting, as accepting as children.
How do we measure the quality of a child’s acceptance? It is innocent, with no calculation of cost. It is wholehearted, holding nothing back. It is straightforward and direct, nor overcomplicated. As Jesus gave his admonition about children he begins with “Amen I say to you”. We could translate that to “Trust Me”. Children are pre-disposed to trust - openhearted and genuine. What a high bar to meet. By the time we are adults we have somehow decided that that sort of trust is foolish and even impossible. Cynicism becomes a barrier to faith, and yet that is what Jesus calls us to put aside. It is not an easy path to follow, but it is his way and the way he holds out to us.
People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them, and when the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. Jesus, however, called the children to himself and said, "Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it."
This passage mentions children, a group not often talked about in scripture. Actually, excuse me, he mentions infants, even rarer. It seems like Jesus’ message (in the minds of many) is targeted to men, even reserved to men. Women and children are an afterthought. Although it does not mention who brings out the children, from the reaction of the disciples who “rebuked them”, I have to believe it was women. Jesus once again goes way beyond conventional wisdom. He not only wants to have the children brought to him, but he holds them up to his listeners as examples who are worthy of him. We are to be as trusting, as accepting as children.
How do we measure the quality of a child’s acceptance? It is innocent, with no calculation of cost. It is wholehearted, holding nothing back. It is straightforward and direct, nor overcomplicated. As Jesus gave his admonition about children he begins with “Amen I say to you”. We could translate that to “Trust Me”. Children are pre-disposed to trust - openhearted and genuine. What a high bar to meet. By the time we are adults we have somehow decided that that sort of trust is foolish and even impossible. Cynicism becomes a barrier to faith, and yet that is what Jesus calls us to put aside. It is not an easy path to follow, but it is his way and the way he holds out to us.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Luke 18: 9 – 14 The Humble and the Exalted
Luke 18: 9 – 14 The Humble and the Exalted
He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity--greedy, dishonest, adulterous--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.' But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Jesus compares the worship of two characters – a Pharisee and a Tax Collector. The first – the Pharisee – praises God in a self-congratulatory manner. He is so busy patting himself on the back he sees no need for God’s mercy. He is already saved or so he thinks. The Tax Collector, on the other hand, is a person held in contempt by most of the population and fearful of his standing with God. The only thing he is sure of is his unworthiness and his need for the mercy of God. Humility is much valued quality in Jesus’ mind, and pride a key failing. “for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Our attitude is key.
He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity--greedy, dishonest, adulterous--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.' But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Jesus compares the worship of two characters – a Pharisee and a Tax Collector. The first – the Pharisee – praises God in a self-congratulatory manner. He is so busy patting himself on the back he sees no need for God’s mercy. He is already saved or so he thinks. The Tax Collector, on the other hand, is a person held in contempt by most of the population and fearful of his standing with God. The only thing he is sure of is his unworthiness and his need for the mercy of God. Humility is much valued quality in Jesus’ mind, and pride a key failing. “for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Our attitude is key.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Luke 18: 1-8 Do Not Lose Heart
Luke 18: 1-8 Do Not Lose Heart
Then he told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, "There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, 'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.' For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, 'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.'" The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Once again Jesus tells us to hang on in the face of adversity. Such patience and persistence will surely be rewarded. If persistence works with regular folks and even those who are unjust, how much better will God deal with those seek his aid. Jesus has absolute faith in his Father’s ability to respond. That is not the problem. He says that rather, the difficulty is in finding any who shares his faith.
Then he told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, "There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, 'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.' For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, 'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.'" The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Once again Jesus tells us to hang on in the face of adversity. Such patience and persistence will surely be rewarded. If persistence works with regular folks and even those who are unjust, how much better will God deal with those seek his aid. Jesus has absolute faith in his Father’s ability to respond. That is not the problem. He says that rather, the difficulty is in finding any who shares his faith.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Luke 17: 22 – 37 Day of the Son of Man
Luke 17: 22 – 37 Day of the Son of Man
Then he said to his disciples, "The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, 'Look, there he is,' (or) 'Look, here he is.' Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be (in his day). But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man; they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building; on the day when Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all. So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, a person who is on the housetop and whose belongings are in the house must not go down to get them, and likewise a person in the field must not return to what was left behind. Remember the wife of Lot. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left." They said to him in reply, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather."
The day of the Son of Man is the day that Christ will be vindicated. But first he must suffer much and be rejected by the present age. The inability of many from the present age to recognize Jesus as the Son of God is tragic but not a first. People down through the ages have found reasons not to believe. The refused to believe during the time of Noah, they found reasons not to repent and reform their lives in the time of Sodom. Eventually Jesus says, there will be no more time to change. The Son of Man will return and the hearts of all men and women will be revealed. All that we are and all that we have done will be laid open before God. Our actions and words will speak for us - no room for negotiation or prevarication. We will be judged on the facts of our lives. Not all will fare well that day. Some refuse repeated invitations to believe.
Then he said to his disciples, "The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, 'Look, there he is,' (or) 'Look, here he is.' Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be (in his day). But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man; they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building; on the day when Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all. So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, a person who is on the housetop and whose belongings are in the house must not go down to get them, and likewise a person in the field must not return to what was left behind. Remember the wife of Lot. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left." They said to him in reply, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather."
The day of the Son of Man is the day that Christ will be vindicated. But first he must suffer much and be rejected by the present age. The inability of many from the present age to recognize Jesus as the Son of God is tragic but not a first. People down through the ages have found reasons not to believe. The refused to believe during the time of Noah, they found reasons not to repent and reform their lives in the time of Sodom. Eventually Jesus says, there will be no more time to change. The Son of Man will return and the hearts of all men and women will be revealed. All that we are and all that we have done will be laid open before God. Our actions and words will speak for us - no room for negotiation or prevarication. We will be judged on the facts of our lives. Not all will fare well that day. Some refuse repeated invitations to believe.
Monday, February 7, 2011
17:20 – 21 When?
17:20 – 21 When?
Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he said in reply, "The coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.' For behold, the kingdom of God is among you."
For many months Jesus has been preaching about the coming of the Kingdom. People have greeted the news with awe, with fear, with joy, with apathy. The Pharisees want to know “when?” What are they to watch for? What are the signs, the evidence? Jesus replies that it is not a matter of “here” or “there”. Then he says something startling. “The kingdom of God is among you.” What does that mean? What exactly is the kingdom of God?
After thinking about this, I believe the Kingdom of God is in our relationships with God and others. Jesus has said over and over in many different ways: love God, love one another. John the Baptist was the one who foretold the coming of the Kingdom. He called people to repent and reform their lives. Then Jesus brings the message home. The Kingdom of God is at hand. It is in our hands, within our grasp. It is in our relationship with God and with others. All that it requires is that we love God and one another. Of course that is not always easy to do. It sounds like a big leap. We are more likely to be people of fear than people of trust. However, if we can do this – love God and others – through our words and deeds - we can live in a world, our world, oriented toward God. This is our part in the beginning of the coming of the Kingdom. Where it ends we do not know. It is still unfolding, unknown to anyone but God. We can choose to live in this Kingdom of love for God and for each other. That is our challenge and our choice. And our privilege. Amen.
Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he said in reply, "The coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.' For behold, the kingdom of God is among you."
For many months Jesus has been preaching about the coming of the Kingdom. People have greeted the news with awe, with fear, with joy, with apathy. The Pharisees want to know “when?” What are they to watch for? What are the signs, the evidence? Jesus replies that it is not a matter of “here” or “there”. Then he says something startling. “The kingdom of God is among you.” What does that mean? What exactly is the kingdom of God?
After thinking about this, I believe the Kingdom of God is in our relationships with God and others. Jesus has said over and over in many different ways: love God, love one another. John the Baptist was the one who foretold the coming of the Kingdom. He called people to repent and reform their lives. Then Jesus brings the message home. The Kingdom of God is at hand. It is in our hands, within our grasp. It is in our relationship with God and with others. All that it requires is that we love God and one another. Of course that is not always easy to do. It sounds like a big leap. We are more likely to be people of fear than people of trust. However, if we can do this – love God and others – through our words and deeds - we can live in a world, our world, oriented toward God. This is our part in the beginning of the coming of the Kingdom. Where it ends we do not know. It is still unfolding, unknown to anyone but God. We can choose to live in this Kingdom of love for God and for each other. That is our challenge and our choice. And our privilege. Amen.
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