More Cookie Drama

The remarkable story of the widow who shares the last of her food with Elijah (1 Kings 17) might remind us of modern religious speakers who claim special blessings for their benefactors. Those who misuse this story to increase their own wealth miss the importance of a non-Israelite caring for God's prophet. Maybe those the Church labels as 'sinners' are teaching us how to love well and to care for the vulnerable.

Why the tears?

"Jesus wept."(John 11) Is one of the most powerful verses in the Bible. The occasion for Jesus's weeping was a visit to the grave of His friend, Lazarus. Because Jesus had already resurrected others and seemed to know that Lazarus was also going to be resurrected, could Jesus's tears have been for those nearby who saddened by this death Who do you feel this kind of empathy toward? Who would you like to comfort?

2024 Election and voting 'biblical values'

 

What are 'biblical values?' Are they the Law of Moses, or the Noahic Covenant, or maybe the Edenic covenant? To be honest, 'biblical values' seem to be based on cherry-picked verses that support specific agendas.  Think of the sins you believe to be so ardently wrong and must be legislatively punished. 

Then ask yourself, what does the Bible really say about those sins? Are those the sins God judged Israel for? Did the major or minor prophets spent time warning of culture wars, or did they condemn a nation that turned its back on the stranger, the poor, and the disenfranchised? 

You could also ask if your version of 'biblical values' is truly pro-life. Have the recent changes in reproductive rights (in the name of 'biblical values') increased maternal mortality rates and is it continuing to endanger women? 

Instead of cherry-picking a set of verses that support our cultural bias and labeling them 'biblical values,' maybe we should just ask ourselves 'what would Jesus do.' Maybe we should consider Matthew 25, when Jesus sends those who did not care for the 'least of these' away, while embracing those who visited the needs of the poor as if they had visited Him and provided for His earthly needs.

Help me, Jesus!

Like the crowd surrounding the blind man in Mark 10, many modern Christians seek to quiet the voices of those who, in desperation and faith, call out for help. While enjoying the miracle of the healing and of Jesus showing compassion, we might fail to ask, why did the crowd try to silence the blind man, and why did they not bring him to Jesus for healing? Who are we silencing and keeping from Jesus?

 

Who is awesome?

 Proverbs 22 emphasizes the importance of a 'good name.' We might think of this as a person's character, or what they are known for. Many people seek fame or a legacy or give themselves impressive titles but miss the importance of being a good person or bearing a good name. Do you indulge your pride by seeking fame, or do you live out the gospel of Christ taking His good name as yours?

Who does?

 Although he was faithful to God in every way, Job suffered greatly (Job 23). Job's suffering reminds us of our inability to judge other's devotion or situation. The theme of Job, and maybe the Bible itself, is that we should be humble enough to see ourselves in those who suffer and to offer assistance and comfort. The core of Christianity is that we cannot save ourselves, we need Christ's intervention. May we be like Christ.

Trash the people

 When confronted with the question of divorce, Jesus surprised the religious leaders by undermining their interpretation of the Law and their understanding of who God is (Mark 10). Jesus asserted that God did not allow the arbitrary removal of support for a wife through divorce. We might consider how our interpretations of God and His word affect how we care for vulnerable people.

What I miss about the good 'ol days

Like the Israelites who romanticized their time as slaves (Num 11), many Christians reminisce over a past when Christ was more influential. But were those times truly more influenced by the teachings of Christ? Was the Church really living out the gospel more fully during times of slavery, segregation, or lynching? How can we help the Church live out the teachings of Christ better today and influence society to follow?

That's Just Your Interpretation...

 Many commentators note the hard rebuke Jesus gives to Peter when Peter insists that Jesus, as the Christ, must not die (Mark 8). Peter believed that the Messiah would be a military leader who kills His enemies, but Jesus seemed to prefer sacrifice to violence. Do your interpretations of Messiah look like Jesus or like the military leader? Do you think Jesus would rebuke you for your interpretation? 

Awesome not hearing you

 In Mark 7 Jesus heals a man's deafness and asks that no one advertise the miracle. Those who witnessed the act could not seem to help themselves and soon the miracle no longer belonged to the man, but it had been appropriated for the crowd's purpose of promoting Jesus as the Messiah. We might notice how quickly the man disappears from the story to be replaced by the crowd's agenda.

Who are you?

 In Deuteronomy 4 God's people are encouraged to remember all that God had done for them, and all that God promised for them. The message reminded Israel to remember where they came from and what values defined them. What values to do we demonstrate to show that we are followers of Christ? Do we value our rules and laws more than we value the neighbor that Jesus told to us to love as ourselves?

The Big Shopper

 Joshua 24:15 is often quoted as a declaration of our commitment to worshipping God and God alone. While printing the shortened version of this verse on various pieces of merchandise may serve as a passive declaration to put God first, it could also be a substitute for actively acting like Jesus. Are we more interested in looking like a Christian than in we are in loving like Christ loved?

Politician asks for the ability to lead well

God came to Solomon in a dream and the asked the young king what he would like God to provide
(1 Kings 3). Rather than asking for things that would increase his power and solidify his rule, Solomon humbly asks for the ability to know right from wrong so that he can be a fair, just and effective leader of the people. When have you sought to benefit those around you with the gifts you have received?

Nothing to see here

 When the prophet Elijah asked to die (1 Kings 19), God intervened by sending His angel to nurture and sustain Elijah. The Church tends to ignore or hide those who may be suffering from depression or anxiety, or worse, guilty of blaming the victims for feeling the effects of depression. May we learn to just sit with and be with those in emotional need. Have you ever needed a friend to just sit with you?

Doggone it

 When Jesus spoke the words the Church now uses to celebrate the "Lord's Supper," He gave no moral requirements, He simply provided spiritual nourishment to those who would come. Do we help others come to the table of Jesus? Do we demand more than Jesus Himself or maybe we mistakenly offer physical nourishment and wealth in place of spiritual. Let us embrace the true gospel of Christ.

They will know us by our forceful pressing of doctrine and creed

 

While the apostle Paul is best known for his strong doctrine and logical arguments, he also recommends and reminds us that the guiding principle of Christ's followers is love. In Ephesians, Paul used the words rooted and grounded to describe how our beliefs are less about logic and obedience and are really more about love. How do you demonstrate God's love to those around you?

Why is it so hard to see Jesus?

 in Mark 6:45-52 the disciples are caught in a storm while crossing a body of water. When Jesus responds to their fear by walking over to the boat, they don't recognize Him and become even more afraid. Were they so fixated on the storm and waves that they missed the one they called "master." What troubles or contexts cause you to miss seeing Jesus in your situations? Are you fixated on your problems or on Jesus?

Pastor Awesome knows how to solve disagreements

Christians can mistake 'quite' for 'peace.' We often ask those with questions or unpopular opinions to 'hold their tongue' for the sake of unity. The prophet Amos was also asked to promote unity and peace by not preaching the unpopular message about the coming judgements (Amos 7). Amos pointed out that this was God's message, not his. How do you respond to questions or opinions you don't like? Do you listen? 

A Terrible Call to Ministry

Like most prophets, Ezekiel was called to live a difficult life with seemingly little reward (Ezekiel 2). Perhaps driven by a wonderful vision of God, Ezekiel did endure ridicule and saw little to no change in those he ministered to. They wanted to be encouraged to continue in their sin. What prophetic voices do you ignore today? Are you unconcerned with those who suffer injustice like the poor and the refugee?

Prioritizing God's work

When asked to heal a very important man's daughter (Mark 5), Jesus allowed Himself to be diverted by a powerless woman who also needed healing. Although Jesus was on-task to help someone who was in a more dire situation with a more impressive family, Jesus noticed the woman and took time to confront her and provide the words she needed to hear. How do you prioritize your helpfulness?