Scripture: John 14
‘I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.
In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live.
On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and
those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and
reveal myself to them.’
Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, ‘Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?’
Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father
will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you.
But the Advocate,
the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you
everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as
the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them
be afraid.
Observation:
Jesus promises a spiritual presence in his physical absence. He does not abandon anyone. We are never alone in the spiritual journey. His Word dwells inside the hearts and minds of those who love him. His Word is love, shalom, peace, mercy, faith. To love and practice what he commands is to love him. To love him is to love God. Jesus promises to make a home with those who keep His Word. Christianity is not about Jesus making a home in heaven for the faithful. It's not an evacuation plan for dying believers. Instead, Jesus dwells inside those who are living the way he lived. Jesus shows up in those who embody His Spirit of peace.We are invited to be the peace the world needs. A peace that knows no fear, no trouble, no despair.
Application:
Jesus invites his followers to live with spiritual integrity---to live the way he teaches. His commandment is to love others. The church, I confess, has not always practiced the love of Christ. We are sinners. Forgive us. Author and disciples Shane Claiborne says that the church taught him what to believe about God, but not how to love like Jesus. But I believe we can learn. Discipleship is to learn how to be loved By God and how to love others like Jesus.
On my way out of court today (I was accompanying a friend whose husband is standing trial), two women and a man caught my attention. When they stopped ahead of me on the sidewalk, the woman saw me and said "God forgive me." She noticed I was dressed like a priest or pastor. I said nothing. But as I walked to the parking garage I was moved to speak to her. If I saw them in the garage, I thought, I would say something. Sure enough, I practically ran them over and they spotted me. I opened my window and said "God did, does, and God will forgive you." They told me after she said it, they started talking about God and sins. She was a formerly incarcerated, recovering addict, single mom named Jen. She was also a person of faith without a church community. I spent twenty minutes talking with them, inviting them to dinner church and the returning citizen support group. I gave them my number and asked them to call or text me. Tomorrow she has to go to court at 9 am. She's facing more trouble, more hardship. I will be there, too. Perhaps God is speaking to her through me, bringing her peace, hope, forgiveness, and love. God has not abandoned her, even though she admits abandoning God. I believe this was a holy encounter, directed by the Spirit of Jesus. We crossed paths because she needed to hear a Word from Jesus--Peace.
Prayer
Lord, you breathe your Spirit inside us, send us out on your behalf, and command us to love as you love. Make us aware of those to whom we are sent. Give us courage to speak your grace. I pray for Jen. Amen.
Tuesday, April 05, 2016
Monday, April 04, 2016
the Jesus way
Scripture: John 14
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know* my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’
Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
Observation:
The gospel of John insists that to see, know, love, and trust Jesus is to see, know, love, and trust God. Jesus embodies the vision and values of God the Father (creator of life). To follow Jesus is to embrace a particular way of life. This way of life is demonstrated by Jesus' teachings---both works and words. If we want to understand the mind and heart of God, see Jesus. Jesus invites us into his life, because it is a good life. With Jesus, we experience the fullest life possible---a whole life. It is characterized by love. Jesus is a master of human relationships, practicing forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation with others. Jesus called disciples and trained them in his competencies and character, so that they might carry on his works of love in the world. He promised them a place with him---ongoing relationship and a sense of home. He promises to authorize their prayers/works, as if he himself were doing it. He shows us that God is a relationship---God is pure,constant , unending, unfailing love.
Application:
Discipleship is about a relationship with Jesus. He teaches what it is to be fully alive in God, to live as if people and places matter, to be dedicated to the healing and restoration of all that God has made. He says that light is stronger than darkness, love stronger than hate, life stronger than death. Jesus' resurrection signifies that he still exists, that he is still available, and that we can know him two millenia after he walked among people. Resurrection means that we don't have to be afraid and that his teaching still matters. It transcends its original context and audience. If you want to know about God, listen to and look at Jesus. He is available in the gospel stories of his life. I continue to get to know Jesus every day. And I learn something from him every day. He teaches me how to love, who to live, and what love can do. He gives me courage to love others with compassion and humility.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, your way is good, if not easy. I am still learning and sometimes I feel like I'm just beginning. But I trust your love. I desire your peace. I am amazed in your power to heal and to forgive. Thanks for including me somehow in your life. Amen.
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know* my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’
Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
Observation:
The gospel of John insists that to see, know, love, and trust Jesus is to see, know, love, and trust God. Jesus embodies the vision and values of God the Father (creator of life). To follow Jesus is to embrace a particular way of life. This way of life is demonstrated by Jesus' teachings---both works and words. If we want to understand the mind and heart of God, see Jesus. Jesus invites us into his life, because it is a good life. With Jesus, we experience the fullest life possible---a whole life. It is characterized by love. Jesus is a master of human relationships, practicing forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation with others. Jesus called disciples and trained them in his competencies and character, so that they might carry on his works of love in the world. He promised them a place with him---ongoing relationship and a sense of home. He promises to authorize their prayers/works, as if he himself were doing it. He shows us that God is a relationship---God is pure,constant , unending, unfailing love.
Application:
Discipleship is about a relationship with Jesus. He teaches what it is to be fully alive in God, to live as if people and places matter, to be dedicated to the healing and restoration of all that God has made. He says that light is stronger than darkness, love stronger than hate, life stronger than death. Jesus' resurrection signifies that he still exists, that he is still available, and that we can know him two millenia after he walked among people. Resurrection means that we don't have to be afraid and that his teaching still matters. It transcends its original context and audience. If you want to know about God, listen to and look at Jesus. He is available in the gospel stories of his life. I continue to get to know Jesus every day. And I learn something from him every day. He teaches me how to love, who to live, and what love can do. He gives me courage to love others with compassion and humility.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, your way is good, if not easy. I am still learning and sometimes I feel like I'm just beginning. But I trust your love. I desire your peace. I am amazed in your power to heal and to forgive. Thanks for including me somehow in your life. Amen.
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