Persistent Patience

Scripture – Luke 5: 17One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. 18Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” 21The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

Reflection: Okay. Here’s another two-part story. It begins here and finishes with Sunday’s reading.

Jesus is teaching in a house. That in itself seems kind of odd. Anyway, the house was crowded with people. Some men came carrying a person on a mat. When they could not get to Jesus directly, they resorted to extreme measures. But they achieved their goal.

Jesus recognized their faith. They believed He could help their friend. They believed this so strongly they broke a hole in the roof of a stranger’s house! This was pretty serious faith.

I can’t remember a time when I was so insistent. I remember lots of times when I’ve given up – when I’ve had the sense that I tried, but there was nothing more I could do.

Lord, open me to all the possibilities. When you call me to something, give me the persistent patience to get it done. Strengthen my faith as I move today and tomorrow especially.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Reading for Sunday, February 1
Scripture – Luke 5: 22Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.…” He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

Random Observations

Scripture – Luke 5: 12While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 13Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 15Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Reflection: Wow! A few different things pop out to me here. First, there’s the man’s great statement of faith: “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” I sometimes fall short of that. The fact is Jesus can do anything. Specifically, He can heal any physical problem a person might have. Nothing is beyond His power. This man came to Jesus knowing that.

Second, in this case Jesus was willing to offer what the man wanted. For reasons that are not mine to know, there seem to be times when He is not willing. I have prayed for healing for many different people over the years. Sometimes it happens and other times it does not. As far as I can tell within myself, it’s not a lack of faith that’s the problem. It seems to be a matter of Divine choice. I’ve learned to be at peace with Him in that and to accept whatever happens.

Third, Jesus “often” got away from people and prayed. Lately I’ve been slipping up in this, and I can feel the difference. I’ll adjust my schedule so I have some alone time devoted to prayer and refreshment with God.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Grounding My Boat

Scripture – Luke 5: 8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” 11So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Reflection: Jesus connected with Simon Peter where he was – in a boat filled with fish. He communicated with Peter on a level he understood – fishing. Peter recognized this was more than just a man. And in that he recognized his unworthiness.

In that moment Jesus called Peter to follow Him. Again, He used the language of Peter’s life – “From now on you will catch men.”

At that, Peter and his companions pulled their boats up on shore. Their old life was grounded. They left everything. They followed Him.

This decision to follow Jesus continues to call me into new life. It continues to be a radical change. I’m continually reminded to leave everything.

From time to time, I have to look around and see what I’ve picked up again. Once again I have to ground my boat. For I cannot keep the old and follow the New at the same time. What will I leave behind today? Lord, show me where to loosen my grip on the things that are trying to grip me.

When Jesus Doesn't Make Sense

Scripture – Luke 5: 4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

Reflection: What went through Simon’s mind when Jesus told him to go back out fishing? I mean, Simon was an experienced fisherman, and Jesus was not. Simon knew these waters and he knew this was not a good time for fishing. Yet with only the mildest of protests, he took the boat back out because that’s what Jesus wanted.

We can only wonder what Simon knew about Jesus. Was this the first time they had met? We only know he heard Jesus while He taught the people from the boat. And we know he did what Jesus wanted.

I’ve got to be careful that I don’t start correcting Christ when He tells me to do something. Sometimes I forget He understands life here on earth far better than I do. So I’ll pay attention to His call. And even (or especially) if He tells me to do something that makes no sense to me, I’ll do what He says. In fact, I’ll keep track of those times and see what happens.

One Day

Scripture – Luke 5:1-3: 1One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

Reflection: When I see a story starting out like this with the simple phrase, “one day,” I sort of sit back and wait for something neat to happen. “One day” can be any day – any ordinary day. And always, Jesus has the ability to turn everything upside down. (Sometimes I think He just does that for fun.)

Simon, for example, would never be the same after this “one day.” After a routine shift of fishing he’d brought his boat in, and was cleaning up. Jesus asked for his help. Simon responded.

One way to bring people closer to Jesus is simply to ask for their help. Ask them to help out in a way that uses their talents and abilities. I don’t need to preach. Jesus just asked Simon to take Him out a little ways in the boat so He could more effectively speak to all the people.

Who might I ask to help today? Or on the other hand, who might I help today? Either way, I’ll keep open both to opportunities and to the possibility of great change in my life.

Always Stretching

Scripture – Luke 4:42-44: 42At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43But he said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” 44And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Reflection: Jesus was clear about His mission. It had been an exciting day for all the people. Early the next morning, He went out and found a private place. He did that often. I assume He found some kind of refreshment in those times. I certainly do.

On this morning people came looking for Him. They wanted Him to stay with them and continue the ministry there. But that’s not why He came. He did not have a local ministry, but one for other towns – other places.

I don’t know how much, if at all, he was tempted to stay. I know I’m tempted to stay where I am. There’s great comfort in the familiar – even if it’s less than ideal.
But God is always calling me to move, to stretch, to do new things, to experiment, to grow. I will take my lead from this snapshot of Christ. I will move forward. I will let Him stretch me in some new ways. How about you?

Seeing Jesus in the Little Things

Scripture – Luke 4:36-39: 36All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!” 37And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area. 38Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. 39So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.

Reflection: When I think about the difference Jesus makes in my life, it’s not the big things that come to mind so much as the little things. Here Jesus’ public ministry is starting to explode. News is spreading. People will be coming. Yet this little snapshot of Simon’s mother-in-law reminds me that He interacts in my day to day life all the time.

This woman had a fever, and He took care of her. It was not done in public, but in the privacy of a home. I’ve had personal healings happen that quickly myself. I don’t mean anything major. I’m just talking about a day when I’m felling lousy – not quite sick, but not really well. And Jesus has simply lifted me out of that and restored a feeling of well-being. On a different level, I’ve had a day when a lot of things have gone wrong. Then, all at once, I’ll catch a bunch of green lights in a row as I drive from here to there. I’ve learned to thank Him for those things. They’re like reminders that He’s here, and I’m not alone.

Keep alert today. Watch for the little things. See how He interacts in your life this very day.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Reading for Sunday, January 25

Scripture – Luke 4:40-41: 40When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. 41Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ.

To Speak With Authority

Scripture – Luke 4:31-35: 31Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. 32They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority. 33In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34“Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 35“Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.

Reflection: Have you ever heard someone speak with authority? I’m talking about an inner authority – a sense that this person really knows what she or he is talking about.

I hear it usually in older Christians – people who have lived through a few storms. Throughout life they have learned that Christ does provide the firm footing that’s needed to sometimes simply stand firm. That simple, grounded faith is part of who they are.

When I was younger I used many of the same words I use today. “Jesus is Lord!” “He will provide.” “All we need is faith.” Over the years I’ve learned something about the truth of those words. As a younger person I sort of hoped they were true. Today I know they are.

With what authority do you speak? When you speak God’s word, how much of it comes from within? It takes a while for it to move from the outside in. But it will move. The more I practice trusting Christ, the more naturally it comes.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

It's Not About Us

Scripture – Luke 4:24-30: 24“I tell you the truth,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 26Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.” 28All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. 30But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

Reflection: This is fascinating to me. It speaks directly to where I am in ministry this very day. I’m still amazed at the way the Lord does that.

The folks in the synagogue became furious with Jesus because He lifted up an unacceptable truth. God’s love and concern is for all people. His kingdom plan reaches far beyond the local church today.

I’m well aware of the tension between my desire to stay as we are in the church and my desire to keep following Christ’s lead, which results in constant change. Jesus lifted up two Bible stories everyone in Nazareth would have known. Those stories pointed out two times when God specifically reached out to someone who was not an Israelite, even though many people in Israel needed help at the same time. People didn’t want to hear that.

The mission of the church is not about us. It is about people who don’t know Christ. It’s about reaching out and serving them. It’s not about preserving our style of worship or even our way of being the church. That’s the tension. That’s the risk. That’s the challenge. That’s where I am today. That’s where we are today.

How about you? How do you experience that tension? What do you think we might do about it?

Missing the Meaning

Scripture – Luke 4:20-23: 20Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked. 23Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself! Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’”

Reflection: As I play this out on the video screen of my mind, there are lots of interesting ways this might have happened. For example, how long did He wait before speaking? Did He look up, down or around when He did speak? What do you see here? If you were directing this film how would it look and sound?

One thing seems clear to me. At least at first, no one understood what Jesus meant with His amazing proclamation in vs. 21. The passage He had just read (from Isaiah 61) was a Messianic passage. The words described the agenda for God’s Messiah – God’s Christ. (The two words mean exactly the same thing – one comes from Hebrew, the other from Greek.)

So here we find Jesus in His hometown, sitting among people who have watched Him grow up. And he tells them these words – this promise from God – is fulfilled this day in front of them. He stops just short of telling them He is the Christ.

Clearly the hearers missed that. They’re still caught up in hearing from Joseph’s son. What a good boy he is. So Jesus goes on to clarify His meaning. The mood is about to change. Sometimes wrong impressions need to be corrected.

A Day of New Beginnings

Scripture – Luke 4:17-19: 17The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Reflection: At this point everything fits with the custom of the day. Jesus has come back to His home synagogue/church. He’s asked to be the speaker of the day. Taking the scroll, He found a specific passage to read. What passage would you choose if you were asked to read and reflect on some scripture?

As Jesus read the words from Isaiah, I wonder how He sounded. Did he emphasize certain words more than others? Try reading verses 18 and 19 out loud. How is the meaning or interpretation affected by different inflections you can use?

However Jesus read those words, they seem to announce a new beginning. I find that very fitting on this day when Barak Obama is scheduled to become our next president here in the United States. There’s no question he embodies the hopes and dreams of many people on many different levels. It truly is a new day and a new beginning for our country.

At the same time, I’ll keep reminding myself he’s a man, not a savior. I’ll pray for him as he takes on this most challenging position. I’ll pray that he stays open to the leading of Christ in his life and safe from the temptation of power and acclaim.

May this become “the year of the Lord’s favor.”

A Quiet Beginning

Scripture – Luke 4:14-16: 14Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. 16He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read.

Reflection: Jesus returned from the desert stronger than when He went in. There’s something exhilarating about facing a temptation and resisting it – even overcoming it. With the power and presence of Christ in me, I can do that consistently. I’ve learned my own will power is simply too unreliable to trust.

The word about Jesus began to spread. At this point in Luke’s story, all He’s doing is teaching. There’s been no mention of miracles. Still, “everyone praised him.” That’s good to see. I don’t have to do “eye-catching” things. Authentic teaching based in God’s word is a powerful ministry in itself.

It’s also interesting to me that He began His teaching ministry in the synagogues. That’s sort of like saying He went to local churches. He didn’t start a new church or choose a “non-religious” venue – at least not at first.

On this particular day He’s come to His home town – to His home church. As He stood up to read, what do you think the people were thinking?

Who Do I Worship?

Scripture – Luke 4:5-8: 5The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7So if you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

Reflection: This is one of the strongest and most subtle temptations in Satan’s tool bag. “Worship” is a powerful word – a powerful experience.

What does it mean to worship someone or something? In part if means I bow before it. I offer my allegiance to it. I let it be the driving focus in my life.

The lie of the devil is, if I take my worship anyplace but Christ, I’ll gain great rewards in this life. Or sometimes it’s phrased in the opposite – if I follow Christ, I’ll have to give up all the good things in life. Either way, it’s a claim Satan cannot keep.

How do you experience this temptation? How do you respond? What’s the controlling influence at the center of your life? What adjustments do you need to make today?

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Reading for Sunday, January 18
Scripture – Luke 4:9-13: 9The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 12Jesus answered, “It says: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

The Great Battle

Scripture – Luke 4:1-4: 1Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, 2where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’”

Reflection: There is a great spiritual battle going on all the time between Christ and Satan, light and darkness, life and death. We are caught in the midst of that battle. In fact, it is a battle for our souls.

Satan would like us to ignore that fact. The less we think about it, the less we need to stay alert and on guard. Christ keeps us aware of the struggle. He keeps us alert to the temptations around us, and He gives us the power to resist and overcome those temptations – a power I do not have on my own.

Spiritual high points are almost always followed by temptations. My awareness of that is my first line of defense. It’s striking that immediately after His baptism and the inauguration of His public ministry, the Spirit led Jesus in the desert where He was tempted.

Some temptations are overt – they’re right in front of us. Those are relatively easy to deal with. It’s the subtle temptations that get me – the ones where I look back and realize what I should have done.

Be alert today. Be ready to recognize the temptations that will come your way. And remember, in Christ, we have the One who has already overcome!

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

A Wonderful Message

Scripture – Luke 3:21-23: 21When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 23Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.

Reflection: This is traditionally seen as the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. It’s been eighteen years since the Jerusalem incident with His parents. What happened in His life over that time is unknown to us.

It’s never been clear to me why Jesus was baptized. I simply don’t believe He needed to repent. I can only see that it was a public way of beginning ministry. At that time He received a clear and wonderful message from God, His Father, and what looks like a fresh experience of the Holy Spirit.

One thing I notice is the words of the Father are words every parent would love to give to their children. Another thing is they are words I would love to hear myself.

I never doubt God’s love for me. I know there are times He’s surely not “well pleased” with me. I’ll live today with an eye toward pleasing God. How will that look? I’ll just have to experiment and see. What about you? How will you live today?

Knowing Who You Are

Scripture – Luke 3:15-20: 15The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. 16John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them. 19But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

Reflection: John’s preaching stirred up the ancient hope among the people that God’s Christ was coming. This was a hope kept alive for generations. People had grown up with the story that one day God’s chosen One would come to save the nation of Israel. (I expect it was similar to our belief that Christ will return one day. It’s something we’ve heard all our lives. At the same time, it’s really hard to believe it will actually happen.)

John knew his role was to prepare the way for Christ – to get people ready. That he did. He was always clear with himself and the people that he was not the One. But he did tell people the time was at hand. They were about to see what the prophets described centuries earlier.

John kept on preaching – giving people this good news and calling them to prepare themselves. As he faithfully spoke the word God gave him, he ended up in prison. What cost am I willing to accept for faithfulness? What risks will I take in my faith journey today?

Authentic Repentance

Scripture – Luke 3:10-14: 10“What should we do then?” the crowd asked. 11John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.” 12Tax collectors also came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 13“Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. 14Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

Reflection: John’s call for repentance had been heard by the people – especially the part about authentic repentance that results in changed behavior. The people asked what to do. John responded with some practical examples.

In general, share what you have with those who have none. In reading this I’m reminded that I have clothes and food far beyond what I need. In fact, I have clothes in my closet right now I haven’t worn for years. I’ll clear those out today and donate them to the poor through our local Salvation Army store.

The tax collectors and soldiers were told not to abuse people through their positions. Treat people fairly. Be content with what you have.

In what other ways might authentic repentance re-shape your life? What would John tell you? What will you do today to demonstrate that you’ve changed?

Unique Fruit

Scripture – Luke 3:7-9: 7John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Reflection: It’s my impression that John sort of burst onto the scene. This wild-looking man from the dessert was suddenly preaching with great passion, calling people to repent – to turn around and change their lives.

John warns people that their repentance must be authentic, not just lip service – and not just an emotional response to guilt. “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance,” we’re told. I’m to literally turn my life around (even upside down) so there are observable differences in my behavior.

Fruit is what a healthy tree produces. It’s a natural outcome. An apple tree doesn’t sit around and try to manufacture apples. If the tree’s healthy, apples appear. In fact, the apples are a sign of the health of the tree.

The same is true with me and you. If I keep myself spiritually healthy, if I continue to let Christ control more and more of who I am, fruit will appear. I can’t tell you what your fruit will look like. That‘s up to you to discover.

I do know Christ needs apples, oranges, pears, tangerines, etc. in His church. My goal is to be the person God created me to be. The fruit I produce is unique, as I am. The question is, am I letting that happen?

Lessons Learned

Scripture – Luke 2:51-52: 51Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Reflection: It’s striking to me that Luke makes it clear after this Jesus was obedient to Joseph and Mary. Does that mean He disobeyed them by staying in Jerusalem? I hesitate to go that far. At the same time, He was still learning what human life was like.

Then they went back to Nazareth. All we see is that Jesus grew in “wisdom.” I think He learned a lesson from this incident. He also grew in “stature” – getting taller and maturing physically. And He grew in “favor with God and men.” Favor with God would have been easy for Him, seeing that He was God. Part of raising children also includes teaching them how to get along with people. That, I think, is what Jesus was learning.

The next time we’ll see Jesus in Luke’s gospel, He’ll be thirty years old. The efforts of Joseph and Mary will show then.

Never underestimate the influence you have on people around you. This is especially true for those younger than you. They’ll be watching you. What will they learn?

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Reading for Sunday, January 11
Scripture – Luke 3:1-6: 1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene—2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. 3He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. 5Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’”

The Lessons Continue

Scripture – Luke 2:45-50: 45When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Reflection: One thing kids often miss is how much their parents love them. Along with that, we worry about our kids. I have no doubt Joseph and Mary were scared. For three days they were looking for Jesus. Once they found Him they would have been relieved. Then their fear turned into anger. I have certainly been there!

For most of my life I’ve always focused on Jesus in this story – on what a wise young man He was. Yet being a parent leads me to a different perspective. This was a twelve year old boy who willfully decided to stay in Jerusalem when His parents were leaving. Joseph and Mary did not understand His comment about being in His “Father’s house.” What they did understand is obeying and honoring parents was – and is – a lesson that’s very important.

As they continued raising this boy, knowing who He was, they still had to exercise discipline from time to time. And so they did here. I wonder what the conversation was like as they left Jerusalem that day.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Teaching God to Be Human

Scripture – Luke 2:39-44: 39When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. 41Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. 43After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.

Reflection: Once the whole Bethlehem experience was over, Joseph and Mary took Jesus back to Nazareth. There the day to day business of raising children began for them.

The Bible is silent on this part of Jesus’ life. We know from various references in the gospels that Joseph and Mary had other children. Raising children is an awesome responsibility – perhaps even more so when one of them is the Son of God.

I wonder what that was like for Joseph and Mary. How did they treat Jesus? Was it any different than how they treated their other kids? In one sense they had the job of teaching God how to be a human being. That would include basic lessons in family living and responsibilities. On this trip to Jerusalem, for example, Jesus – a twelve year old boy – decided to stay behind when everyone else was leaving. How will this be handled? What will He and His parents learn from this? Stay tuned!

An Intriguing Character

Scripture – Luke 2:36-38: 36There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Reflection: Here’s an intriguing character. I’ve never really understood her role in this story other than she provides another, seemingly random, affirmation of who Jesus is.

We have only this snapshot of her. She was very faithful – worshipping night and day in the temple. Eighty-four was exceptionally old for those days. Her marriage had been relatively short before her husband died. She was known as a prophetess.

Over the years, how many people had she seen come and go through the temple gates? Yet on this day she spotted the child who would be the redeemer of Jerusalem. On this day her faith took on a new depth. What was life like for her after this?

How many people will I see today? I’ll make it a point to look. I’ll remember Christ came for each one of them, just as He came for me. And as the opportunities arise, I’ll be ready to speak about this child.

One Day At a Time

Scripture – Luke 2:33-35: 33The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Reflection: Joseph and Mary had no real idea what they were in for. I guess, really, no parent does. They knew what the angel had told them. They had heard the message the shepherds had been told. Now here’s Simeon, a man they probably had never seen before, telling them things about this baby named Jesus.

There’s an ominous sound to his prophecy. It’s darkened in part because we know more of the story than Joseph and Mary did. It also stands against the joyful proclamation of the shepherds as a counterpoint in the Christmas story.

This child will be a great leader. He will affect the lives of many in Israel. In fact, He’ll have an everlasting affect on the life of Israel itself. And then Simeon adds this final word about a sword piercing their souls. Raising children does not come without pain. Most kids don’t realize that. Every parent does.

Thank, Lord, for the faithfulness and willingness of Joseph and Mary to take on this great responsibility. Give me courage and strength to carry on with what you have for me today. The fact is I don’t know what to expect. But in you I’m ready and equipped for anything.

The Joy of Quiet Faithfulness

Scripture – Luke 2:25-32: 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

Reflection: What a day for Simeon! He was a “righteous and devout“ man. That’s a pretty good reputation to have. Sometimes I lose sight of that. Even in the church we easily get caught up in accomplishments.

I don’t read many articles about righteous and devout people. I read about people who have started great ministries – people who have led a church to grow from a few people to thousands of people.

Now let me be clear. I don’t mean those folks are not righteous and devout. They could not lead any fruitful ministry without those qualities. It’s just that those qualities are not the ones usually lifted up. The focus is on the visible accomplishments.

My heroes are the pastors of small churches who get no acclaim as they faithfully serve Christ. As far as we can tell Simeon served quietly in the temple. On this particular day he received the greatest gift of his life. In many ways faithful service is its own reward. How will I be righteous and devout in that service? How will I serve today?

Let's Go!"

Scripture – Luke 2:15-20: 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Reflection: Often, following one of our Sunday morning worship experiences, people will compliment me on the sermon. They’ll tell me it was a great message. They’ll say it really spoke to them. Or they might say it was just what they needed to hear.

Now most preachers like hearing those kind of comments. And I think people are being truthful when they offer them. I just wonder if what is heard on Sunday will have any impact on Tuesday.

What if the shepherds had looked around at each other and began talking about what a great experience that was with the angels? What if they stayed up the rest of the night talking about it?

The power of this story is that they got up and moved. They went to Bethlehem. They saw the baby. They told people what they had seen and heard. The world was changed through them and their witness. And it happened because they moved beyond talk into action.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Reading for Sunday, January 4
Scripture – Luke 2:21-24: 21On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. 22When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord” ), 24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

Leaning Into Fear

Scripture – Luke 2:8-14: 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

Reflection: Our contemporary Christmas images paint these angelic appearances as exciting experiences. We have the picture of a heavenly choir of some kind. The carols we sing sound joyful and safe.

Yet there was something in the appearance that first left the shepherds terrified. I’ve read elsewhere that angels are really fearsome beings. They can be quite intimidating. In the gospel stories the angels nearly always begin their message with, “Do not be afraid.”

Sometimes what turns out to be a glorious and joy-filled experience begins with fear. If I run away from that, I’ll miss the good stuff. One of the challenges is to lean into fear when it comes. There are times, to be sure, when fear is telling me I need to run away. There are also times when fear is simply the result of seeing or hearing something new. So I’ll avoid automatically running when I feel fear. I’ll remember what the shepherds would have missed if they all scattered that night. I’ll trust Christ to guide me and protect me as I move forward, even when I’m afraid.

A Bonus Observation: This passage also has the answer to a Bible trivia question: How many angels sang to the shepherds the night Christ was born? Now that you have the answer, ask some of your friends. See if they know.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

The Great Message of Christmas

Scripture – Luke 2:4-7: 4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Reflection: The great message of Christmas is that Christ came to earth. Minds greater than mine have speculated on why God chose the place and time He did. While we cannot answer that, we do have this reality: Christ was born! The word of God became a human being.

May that good news of great joy illuminate this new year for us all. There are many forces and situations through which Satan tries to steal our joy. As I keep focused on the message and reality of Christmas, I can stop that from happening.

Have a happy and joy-filled new year!