Luke 9:31-35 Part 2

Lent means ‘spring’ and its root word means ‘long,’ referring to the days getting longer. It’s a time we prepare for the celebration of the resurrection. Some church traditions make more of Lenten preparation than others. The disciplines of ‘giving up’ things can be helpful. I’ve participated in many Lenten self-denials prior to this year.

My message for Sunday is leaning toward talking about forms of ‘giving up.’ Good and bad. The Pharisees encouraged Jesus to ‘give up’ his ministry. They said Herod was wanting to kill him. He should take care of himself. Jesus wasn’t concerned about Herod. Jesus had more important concerns to deal with today, and tomorrow. He wouldn't give those up. He knew in the future, the third day, he would complete his work.

I like that image of the third day as the future. I can work in the present day and tomorrow. I have some degree of control over what I can do in these days. As far as the third day, who knows what will happen? I can’t even be confident the weather forecast is going to be accurate much less my self-made plans for the future. I’ll leave the third day in God’s hands.

Jesus knew that when he walked into Jerusalem to tell them about a God of mercy and grace, they’d kill him. Just like they killed the prophets. Jesus knew what happened when you bucked the religious tradition. Now that we are in the heart of Lent, and the religious tradition it carries, I think I’m going to buck religious tradition that uses forms of self-denial, sacrifice, or suffering as means to prepare for the Easter celebration. I’m going to give up suffering for Lent.

I’ve had enough suffering for one year. Why should I inflict more suffering upon myself? If others want to go the traditional route, that’s fine. Not me. I’ve seen friends leave the congregation for their religious beliefs, following things the tradition has taught. Everyone suffers when people leave their families. I’ve seen relationships once strong become strained. Tradition isn’t everything it’s made out to be, just ask Jesus, especially if it doesn’t promote love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, or self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). Jesus knew what he was heading for with his message of a God of mercy and grace. He gave up his life to share it.

So this Lent, I’m giving up suffering. I’m going to focus on ‘spring’ and preparing for new life. I just hope I don’t get crucified for it.     PWM

Luke 13:31-35 (Gospel for Feb. 28)

On first glance, a couple of points pop out at me. I’m not sure which one is strongest for me at this time. I compare Jerusalem to the church today. Jew or Christian, it doesn’t matter. It’s the center of religious activity, law, ritual, interpreter of God’s will.

“Surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem” (vs. 33) There’s been a time or two that I’ve wondered, “Do you have to leave the Church to be the church?” Right theology and commandments as the will of God take our eyes off following Jesus into the need of the world. Yet this statement says you have to be inside Jerusalem if you are going to be heard. The problem, for prophets like Jesus, is that when you are heard, you are destroyed. But that’s why he came.

“Go tell that fox…” (vs. 32). A commentary I read taught me something new. Jesus called Herod a ‘fox.’ What’s that about? Randall Buth (“That Small Fry Herod Antipas”) says that Jesus was implying that Herod was not a lion, the king of beasts. Jesus was cutting Herod down to size. In the proper Hebraic cultural meaning, a fox was a pompous pretender, a small-fry in the scheme of things. Jesus had more important matters to attend to. So, who are the ‘foxes’ in today’s church?

That’s a start. Let's meditate on these, and more during the week. PWM

Trust in the Cloud

Luke 9:34-35 "While [Peter] was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him." (NIV)

  It's been a long time coming as I try to live with the mystery of God. I find it easier to be confident about things I am able to see or 'understand.' When I can comprehend what, where, or why, I stand firm. Standing with the mystery of God is like standing on a cloud.

     I can't image how the children of Israel followed a cloud in the wilderness by day. When it lifted, they moved. When it stayed put, they stayed put. I tend to strike out in the direction I see the quickest solution. They had to trust Mystery in leading them to the right places at the right times. They trusted in the Cloud.

     On the mountain where Christ's transfiguration took place, a Cloud surrounded Jesus, Peter, John, and James. A voice came from the Cloud: "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him." That's awesome news. The Son is the tangible form of the Mystery we call God. I can either struggle to deal with Mystery and claim God is like the Old Testament, or I can cling to the Son, Christ Jesus, and listen to him in faith.

     That doesn't mean I will always understand Jesus. Just look at his disciples. Very few of the people who met Jesus face to face (except the poor, the hungry, the oppressed, the imprisoned) understood him. He wasn't logical. He didn't preach the same old religion from the past. That's the rub. We like the old time religion. It's easier to accept tradition since it is 'solid.'  Yet clouds are not solid. You can only stand on them with shoes of faith.

     How can I have any confidence when I think I hear the voice of Jesus or Mystery speaking to me? I look at the response or fruit that comes out of the Voice. The fruit that comes from the Spirit of God brings love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). The Mystery produces these fruits. When my actions bring out these things in me, then I am assured that the Cloud has guided me.

    I will trust in the Lord and lean not on my own understanding.

Peace - PWM