Going Past Myths to God's Reality

Since the time of Jesus, various challenges have appeared in regard to his being. Can we believe in the virgin birth? Did Jesus truly die on the cross so that there really was a resurrection? Was Jesus both God and man? Can Jesus’ words and promises really be trusted? We as Christians might have to deal with some of our own doubts as well as the misconceptions that others have in regard to the person of Jesus.

The apostle Peter had to confront “cleverly devised myths” (2 Peter 1:16) that were circulating in his own day. Various ideas about Jesus were appearing. In fact, the early church had to deal with misconceptions that led to the formulation of the creeds. Some of those misconceptions were that he was human but only appeared to be divine or that he was divine but only appeared to be human. Could this carpenter from Nazareth really be the Messiah?

Peter wanted to make clear in the words of our lesson for Sunday (2 Peter 1:16-21) that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah. Peter makes two main points here. First, he wrote that he himself was an eyewitness to Jesus being transfigured. Peter had no doubt that it must have been the Messiah. Secondly, Peter mentions that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation. People were moved by the Holy Spirit. Our faith in Jesus is dependent upon the Spirit's work in our minds.

Have you ever had to defend yourself against any myths about the person of Jesus? Have you ever had any doubts in your own faith about the person of Jesus?

Your Commitment to Discipleship

The Gospel for Sunday, January 27, deals with the call of four fishermen to be followers of Jesus. The portion of Scripture is from Matthew 4:12-23. As Matthew described it, “immediately….they followed him.” It seems there was no investigating into what their new task would involve. How could they sustain themselves without their fishing? Did they realize the depth of the commitment they were making? Whatever their feelings were at the moment, something must have drawn them to this carpenter from Nazareth.

We also have been called to be followers of Jesus. Do you realize the commitment that this call requires? It’s perhaps easy for us to want it to be part-time work and for the expectations to be minimal. Yet, Jesus demands our whole lives to be committed to doing his work. We are on call 24/7 to help spread the saving news and bring God’s kind of life to others.

We need to realize here that we have been called. That call means that we have been chosen. Jesus has chosen us to be his followers with all of our foibles, weaknesses, and shortcomings. He seeks now to use us in his service.

We need to realize, too, that we have been caught up in a larger story that is bigger than ourselves. I do believe that we yearn for something larger than ourselves that will give meaning not only to our present life, but also will last beyond the grave.

What challenge(s) are you facing today in being a disciple of Jesus? How and where might God be calling you to serve?

When You Feel Like You Are Getting Nowhere

Ever felt like you have been working hard at something and weren’t making much progress? I have had times as a student working on a paper, doing a lot of research and not finding the material I needed. I have also felt this sense of frustration in ministry at times. Such times can come to us when we feel like we are “spinning our wheels” and are getting absolutely nowhere.

The prophet Isaiah wrote about this "felt need" in our reading (Isaiah49:1-7) for this Sunday, January 20. He wrote: “I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity: yet surely my cause is with the Lord.” Is 49:4 Then this servant of God also had the knowledge of being called to be a servant before he was born. He knew that God had a purpose for his life that would be his strength.

Isaiah experienced frustration in trying to bring wayward Israel back to the Lord. In these very words of our reading we have God calling the prophet to be a light to the nations. Isaiah and others were to see that bringing God’s kind of life would extend beyond Israel to the Gentiles.

Work in the church can be tough; it can be messy; and it can be that as followers of Christ we do not always recognize the fruit of our labor. The prophet would also record the words of God “so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty.” Is. 55:11. The work that we do for the Lord will bear fruit in some way, even though it might be hidden from us.

So, how have you handled the down times in doing the Lord’s work? What keeps you going even when you might not even see results?

Empowered to Bring about Justice

God’s concern for justice is spread throughout the Bible. On Sunday, January 13, I will focus on Isaiah 42:1-9, the appointed Old Testament reading for the Baptism of Our Lord.

The reading deals with God’s servant who will bring justice to the nations. This servant originally was the nation of Israel, or possibly the prophet Isaiah himself. Later the church would see Jesus as fitting this role.

What is noteworthy are the characteristics of this servant. This servant would not lift up his voice, would not quench a dimly burning wick, and will faithfully bring forth justice. This is a style of working that is in contrast to ways of the world, where the powerful will take advantage of those who are weak.

I believe we in the church are called not just to evangelize the world, but to be an influence for good in our society. Because we are God’s people, we are to make an impact to make sure that justice prevails. We are to be concerned about those who are weak and are at a disadvantage in our society. There are people who just seem to “fall through the cracks” and get left out.

We can see that Isaiah’s words were characteristic of Jesus’ way of life. He cared for all those for whom the rest of society would ignore. Jesus came to bring justice.

We have been empowered by our baptism through the Holy Spirit to be God’s servants and to work toward justice. This Sunday is the occasion for us to reflect on how we can fit this role. I believe, too, that each of us has to look deeply within ourselves to see how we might be contributing to injustice through our actions or by neglecting people who are in need.

Have you reflected on the meaning of your baptism lately and the power of God’s Spirit working in you? What are some small ways that we individually or collectively as the church can work for justice?

Wise Men Bearing Gifts

This Sunday (January 6) brings us to the Day of the Epiphany. It has also been referred to as Three Kings Day. It’s the day of remembering how the Wise Men from the East came to pay homage to the Christ-child. In real time, it probably took them longer than the twelve days when Epiphany is celebrated after Christmas.

The men are led by a star to the place where the child was. Here we have an example of nature giving witness to the birth of God’s Son. The men also go to consult King Herod concerning the childs whereabouts.

I’m sure that we have all been involved in gift-giving during this Christmas season. The Wise Men started this tradition in regard to the birth of our Savior. Maybe we are already enjoying what we have received, or maybe we will have to wait to use what has been received. Then, too, maybe what we have received will end up being returned.

I feel that there was something special about the gifts that the Wise Men brought to Jesus. They came bearing the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We can look at their presentation as a way for them to pay homage to this child who was born King of the Jews. Here’s a question I will let you ponder. How do you think those gifts were used? I will make a suggestion in my message on Sunday.