Book of Faith - John 3:1-13 - Born from Above

Before moving into the story of Nicodemus and being born from above, we revisited last weeks discussion.  John 2:23-25 is a little confusing.  The key seems to be in what translation you have.  The one we thought was the clearest was:

When he was in Jerusalem, at the Passover, at the Feast, many believed in his name, as they saw the signs which he did; but Jesus himself would not entrust himself to them, because he knew them all, and because he had no need that anyone should testify in him what man is like, for he well knew what was in human nature.  

Mark has the Messianic secret running all through his gospel.  Jesus would do a miracle and then tell people not to tell anyone.  John suggests the same pattern.  In this case, Jesus knew people and understood that they were not ready for the truth.  Like the old movie, they couldn't handle the truth.  They loved a man of signs and wonders, but they were not ready for a man of suffering.  Just like Mark, you have to wait until the cross and Easter to truly understand who Jesus is.  

From these two verses, we moved on to the story of Nicodemus who comes to see Jesus in the middle of the night.  Nicodemus is looking for the truth, but when Jesus gives him the truth, that he needs to be born again (born from above), Nicodemus cannot accept the idea that he must start again and deflects the truth by asking how can someone be born again.  Jesus' response seems harsh by challenging Nicodemus, but a more careful look suggests that Jesus was just calling Nicodemus on his supposed ignorance.  Jesus is saying that Nicodemus knew what Jesus was saying, he just didn't want to accept what he said.  We have that kind of encounter all the time with our children.  They pretend to not understand what we are saying because they do not like what we are saying.  We find ourselves calling their bluff.  Jesus calls Nicodemus' bluff.  Jesus sees Nicodemus as a person who puts up wallpaper.  The job is perfect, but the pattern is upside down.  Nicodemus was a righteous man, but his own righteousness was not the road to salvation.  He needed to go back to the beginning.  He needed to be saved.  The story of Nicodemus is no different than our own story.

Peace,

Pastor Summer

   

Book of Faith - John 1:35-51 - Calling the Disciples

As we continued to explore the gospel of John this week, the group found it interesting that John the Baptist directs his disciples to Jesus.  This picks up the earlier theme that John is not the Messiah.  Anyone who says differently is not speaking for John.  John may have been surprised that Jesus was the promised one, but he had no doubts.  

The group wondered why Nathanael recognized Jesus as the Son of God from the very beginning.  This seems surprising in light of the other gospels.  This serves the gospel writer's purpose, but may not reflect what actually happened.  Certainly there is more going on in this encounter between Nathanael and Jesus than meets the eye.  Jesus was able to see into the very heart of Nathanael.  Jesus saw him under the fig tree, but something more was taking place.  Nathanael would have been studying the law under that fig tree and studying the law was his true pleasure and joy.  Jesus recognized that passion in Nathanael.  It was that passion that Jesus saw and the reason that Nathanael marveled at Jesus.  Jesus could read Nathanael like a book.  Jesus would also recognize Simon as his rock (Cephas in aramaic or Peter in Greek).  Jesus' ability to see into the hearts of others was a gift we see again and again in scripture.  This ability also speaks to our own journey of faith.  Jesus is able to see into our hearts.  He knows the truth about us, even the truths we try to keep secret.  That is why the love of God is so powerful.  God's love is given even though God knows the truth about us.

John gives Andrew a role to play.  Andrew is Peter's brother and is always second fiddle.  However, in John, Andrew is always bringing people to Jesus.  In this passage, Andrew brings Peter to Jesus.  In many ways, that is our role.  We are to bring others to Jesus.  We do not make faith happen.  By invitation, we help to create moments where the gift of faith is given.  Andrew provides such an invitation to his brother Peter.

Finally, Jesus turns to address the first two disciples to follow him.  One of those disciples was Andrew.  At the beginning, they were only following at a distance.  Jesus is the one who turns and asks, "What do you seek?"  The question is a powerful one.  What do we seek from Jesus?  Jesus' turning also has him meets us where we are rather than waiting for us to come to him.  That is the movement of God's grace.  God's grace is always coming to us.  God's grace is always meeting us where we are.  That is the power and wonder of God's love.

Join us next week for the Book of Faith.  We meet every Wednesday at noon at the Christian Education Building.  You may also join us on this blog.  Keep exploring!

Peace,

Pastor Summer

Book of Faith - John 1:19-34 - The Testimony of John

In verse 19 of the first chapter, John begins to tell the story of Jesus.  He begins with the testimony of John the Baptist.  What's striking is that the gospel writer does not tell us anything about the ministry of John the Baptist, but only his witness.  Everything points to Jesus.  The assumption is made that you already know the story of John the Baptist.  The religious authorities come and challenge John.  After all, John is a priest like his father.  In fact, that is how you became a priest.  Priesthood  was hereditary.  The authorities had some concerns about John.  He represented all priests.  There was talk in the community about whether he was the Messiah.  John's declaration that he was neither the Messiah, Elijah, or the prophet addresses their concern, but also addresses the questions being raised at the time the gospel was being written.  There were many who continued to follow John after the arrival of Jesus.  There were those who followed John even after the resurrection.  The gospel writer wanted to put to rest any and all questions surrounding John's being the promised one.  The gospel writer has John himself declare that he is not the Messiah.

Of course, the other concern of the religious authorities was John baptizing people.  Yes, people were baptized in those days, but they were baptized in order to become Jews.  Jews were not baptized because they were already the people of God.  John's baptism was different.  He was saying that his own people needed to be baptized because of their sin.  They needed to be washed clean.  They needed to repent.  The truth is that we resist the call to repentance, particularly when we think there is nothing wrong.  However, John's message must have resonated with people, even it that message was difficult to hear.  We have all experienced that uncomfortable word of truth in our lives.  Someone challenges us about our actions or choices.  Our first reaction is to defend ourselves, dismiss the individual making the challenge, and even grow angry with them.  However, as those challenging words settle with us, we may come to realize the truth they hold and open ourselves to change.  We may come to not only accept the challenge but come to be grateful to the one who spoke the truth in the beginning.  John spoke the truth.   People needed to repent and, if they were honest, they would own that truth.  Jesus would continue that theme.  He would call people to repentance.  Their lives were broken and Jesus came to lead them to a better way, a better life.  He spoke the truth in order to safe.  That is the movement of the God's grace.  

Once again, we have just begun our journey in John.  Join us in the coming weeks either at the Book of Faith class on Wednesday at noon at the CEB or by following the blog.  Make the Book of Faith a part of your road to discipleship.

Peace,
Pastor Summer

Book of Faith - John 1:1-18 - In the Beginning

We have begun our journey through the gospel of John.  John tells the story of Jesus in a very different way from Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  John does include the temptation of Jesus, the Transfiguration, the Lord's supper, Jesus casting out demons, the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord's Prayer, or any narrative parables.  However, John is the only gospel where we find Jesus visiting Jerusalem prior to the Passion, the early Galilean ministry, the Farewell Discourse, the story of Nicodemus, and the raising of Lazarus.  John is more reflective is telling the story.  The emphasis is not the "Kingdom of God" but "eternal life".  John also saw us participating in that "eternal life" in the here and now.  These are just some of the differences.  We hope to discover more as we spend time with John.

The opening 18 verses of John are well known and well loved.  One member in the group appreciated how John was able to capture the entirety of the gospel in 18 verses.  These 18 verses serve as a prelude to the telling of the story.  The use of the Word (Logos) was intentional to speak to a Greek audience.  Greeks would have understood Logos as being the instrument of the Divine used to make creation happen since the Divine is perfect (Plato) and the material world is imperfect.  The Divine needed an instrument.  John identifies that creative instrument as Jesus, who not only was there at the beginning of creation, but took on flesh and came into the world so that we might know the heart of God.  John provides an amazing witness that bridges the gap between the Greek and Christian world.  The group was taken by the lengths God will go for the sake of us and this world.  The group compared the grace of God to a GPS that is always making corrections to bring us home.  

The group also spent time talking about enlightenment.  Jesus, the light of the world, comes so that we might be enlightened.  Enlightenment was understood as finally getting something.  My son passed algebra in middle school and could have moved on in high school.  He chose to take algebra again.  What he said is the he could pass the test, but he really didn't get algebra.  In high school, he took algebra again and the light came on.  He got it and it made all the difference in the world.  Enlightenment is when the light goes on and we get this faith business.  Jesus comes so that we might come to truly know grace.  

As I said, we are just beginning the gospel of John.  Join us on Wednesday at noon or follow along on the blog.  Either way, make the Book of Faith a part of your faith journey.

Peace,
Pastor Summer

Book of Faith - Luke 24:1-53 - The Resurrection

It was noted by the group that, once again, the women were not believed when they reported the resurrection.  The two disciples on the road to Emmaus told Jesus, who they did not recognize at first, that the women reported that Jesus had been raised and that they investigated.  They found the tomb empty, but they did not see Jesus.  What is compelling about this account is that, like the other writers, Luke does not hide the fact that people struggled and doubted.  The resurrection was not self-evident.  People did not believe until they encountered the risen Lord.  That is also true for us.  The evidence is only an empty tomb.  The gift of faith allows us to see something greater.  

The story of Emmaus has the disciples leaving Jerusalem for a town that held importance in Jewish history.  Emmaus was the site of a great Jewish victory against the Greeks.  They were walking to a remembered triumph and Jesus has them see a very different kind of triumphant in the cross and empty tomb.  With great joy and wonder, the disciples return to Jerusalem that very night.  The image is more powerful when you recall that the disciples invited Jesus to stay with them because is was growing dark.

The meal the disciples shared with Jesus takes on added significance in the light of our understanding of communion.  We say Christ meets us in the bread and wine.  For the early church, communion was connected to what happened on the road to Emmaus.  Originally, the focus was on Easter rather than the cross.  Through the years, the focus would change.

At the close of the gospel, Jesus appears to the disciples.  It seems like his appearances are all in one day and he returns to heaven.  In Acts, Jesus is around for 40 days.  This second appearance confirms that Jesus has truly risen.  He is given fish to eat.  The King James Bible includes honey, which was commonly given to newly baptized people in the early church. 

The group was particularly taken with the idea of waiting to be clothed in power (the Holy Spirit).  The point was made that we find is very difficult to wait on the Spirit.  It is hard for us to be still and listen for the voice of God.  We talked about a number of devotional practices that can help us grow quiet like reading the bible, prayer, labyrinth, long walks, etc.  These practices do not come easily, but we are transformed in those moments.  Luke wanted people to know that living out out faith begins with prayer, silence, and waiting.

This brings us to the end of Luke.  Our time has been well spent.  We will begin a new adventure starting Wednesday, April 17.  We will be exploring the Gospel of John.  Plan to join us in person or on the web.

Peace,
Pastor Summer    

Book of Faith - Luke 23:26-56 - The Crucifixion II

We continued our conversation on the crucifixion.  We asked ourselves a different question.  Beyond the biblical accounts, what does the cross mean to us?  As a starting point, we read The Theology of the Cross: A Usable Past by Douglas John Hall.  The reading was challenging, but worth the effort.  We began with the Lutheran distinction between the Theology of the Cross and the Theology of Glory.  For Luther, the Theology of Glory "does not know God hidden in suffering.  Therefore prefers works to suffering, glory to the cross, strength to weakness, wisdom to folly, and in general, good to evil."  The Theology of the Cross understands the cross as the ultimate statement of God's involvement in the world.  The theology accepts the reality of difficult things rather than avoiding the difficulty.  The theology tells the truth.  Luther went on to say that God was not only hidden in suffering, but God was at work in our anxiety and doubt.  The Theology of the Cross defines life in terms of giving rather than taking, self-sacrifice rather than self-protection, dying rather than killing.

As we read the work of Douglas Hall, a number of insights struck us a group.  One, the cross shows the compassion and solidarity of God.  Jesus did not die on the cross alone.  In a very real sense, God also suffered and died on the cross.  Luther was bold enough to use the phrase "crucified God."  This was a very new way of thinking about the cross for many in the group.

Two, the cross shows God's commitment to the world.  The cross is at once "the ultimate statement of humankind's movement away from God and God's gracious movement towards fallen humankind."  The cross does not take us out of the world, but sends us back into the world, a world that God loves, in a new way.  We do so willingly, knowing the struggles and difficulties.

Three, the cross makes us honest.  The cross has a boldness to "call a spade a spade."  As a group, we talked about people who speak of being a Christian as an end to all questions and struggles.  "Since I found Jesus, my life is perfect."  The cross takes us out of the idea that life is without difficulty and sorrow.  The cross speak of a gracious God who is with us in our difficulties and sorrows.  The cross allows us to face the truth about ourselves and our lives.

Four, the cross tells us that the life of faith in a journey, not a destination.  Luther understood the "Christian living does not mean to be good but to become good; not to be well, but to get well; not being but becoming;  not rest but training.  We are not yer, but we shall be.  It has not yet happened, but it is the way.  Not everything shines and sparkles as yet, but everything is getting better."  The group liked the idea of our being on a journey with a gracious God who journeys with us.

Again, we welcome everyone to join us in our conversation on Wednesday at noon at the CEB.  If you can't be there, keep following the blog.  This is a conversation worth having.

Peace,
Pastor Summer

Book of Faith - Luke 23:26-56 - The Crucifixion

As a group, we know the story of the crucifixion well.  However, focusing on just one account, the story as told by Luke, gives us a different picture.  Simon of Cyrene is asked to carry the crossbeam for Jesus.  It is interesting to note that John has Jesus, and Jesus alone, carrying the cross.  There were those, the docetists, who argued that Jesus could not have suffered and died on the cross and the true victim was Simon.  John wanted to make sure there was no misunderstanding.  This was not an issue for Luke.

Jesus speaks to the women along the way to his death.  In his warnings, you can hear the impending doom of Jerusalem by the hands of the Romans in 70 AD.  Were these the words of Jesus himself?  Or were these the words of the early church (Luke was written after the fall of Jerusalem) that help create meaning around that tragedy?  Did the fall of Jerusalem serves Luke's purpose in telling the story of the passion.  

The group discussed Jesus' words, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do".  The group noted  that not all the ancient texts had those words.  However, those words deeply reflect the gospel Jesus proclaimed.  If those words are a part of Luke's telling the story, they are a wonderful addition.

The dividing of Jesus' garments raised a number of questions.  Who would casts lots for his worn and bloody garments?  If this scene is to reflect Psalm 22, as suggested in Mark's telling of the story, along with the mocking of the rulers, then this is a power scene.  With Psalm 22 serving as a backdrop to the crucifixion. the words of the psalmist add an extra dimension to the story.  The words of Psalm 22 add to the sense of drama.  Luke uses the images of Psalm 22 to paint a powerful picture.  The images and story still have the power to move us today.  The story stands at the center of our faith.  We still look up to the one who was crucified and cannot help but be changed.  

Peace,

Pastor Summer