Thursday, February 28, 2013

Press in on Jesus


Read Luke 8:40-56

Today’s passage has always fascinated me.  I can remember in one of my seminary classes we got in a discussion regarding Jesus’ divinity and humanity.  The specific issue of contention was whether Jesus really knew who touched the hem of His garment or not.  Almost everyone thought Jesus really knew but He just asked so he could point out the women’s faith.  I decided to be the contrarian in the group.  I don’t suppose we’ll ever know for sure, but I say why not take the passage at face value?  As part of being fully human he may not have known who it was.  And generally when Jesus did miraculous things it had more of a purpose, like healing people, casting out demons, and as we’ve read raising people from the dead; not silly mind games figuring out who touched Him.  Come to think of it, we see both His divinity and His humanity in the instant this woman touches his garment; his humanity in having to ask the question (if you choose to interpret it that way), and his divinity in the power going out from Him. Not that it matters all that much, but feel free to post your opinion in the comments if you have one.

Let’s look at this story a little bit more from the perspective of the woman.  She had discharges of blood taking place for 12 years, and no one could help her.  I’m sure like many in the crowd she was desperate for healing.  Jesus’ reputation was starting to spread and she had hope and faith the He could heal her.  It was that faith and hope that drove her through the crowd no doubt touching many others along the way and making them unclean according to Jewish law.  Do you think Jesus cared even for a moment that her touching Him would make Him unclean?  I say not at all.  I think he was only too happy for His power to go out and heal her.  It’s not like he asked who touched him so He could scold that person, He asked who touched Him so He could commend that person for their faith.  When we think about our own sinful state we are a lot like that unclean woman.  We come to Him pushing up against Him with our messed up and muddied lives.  But we can do this in faith knowing that He doesn’t turn us away, and He doesn’t condemn us, but He makes us new and transforms us and brings us healing.  Praise be to God!

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father I thank you that through Your Son Jesus Christ you are approachable.  I can come to You and You accept me with all my faults and you transform me and renew me through your divine power.  Help me to always trust in You for Your healing and life changing power.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

With Jesus there is Nothing to Fear


Luke 8:1-39

So what are you fearful of?  It’s been said that fear is one of our most common emotions. Some say our most widespread fears are of snakes and public speaking. Fear of the unknown can sometimes be even more unnerving.  That’s why so many are afraid of the dark.  You go down the basement steps ever so cautiously when it’s dark and you have yet to turn on a light.  It’s silly when you think about it.  It’s just the basement.  You go down there all the time, but something changes in our mind when the lights have yet to be turned on. More seriously, many of us are at least semi-crippled by our phobias, anxieties and a whole list of other fears—of ourselves, commitment, rejection, failure, death, the future, and the list goes on.  It was Franklin D. Roosevelt who in his 1933 Inaugural speech said “we have nothing to fear but fear itself.”  I don’t know how biblical he knew those words to be, but today’s text is much about the same.  When we put our faith and trust in Jesus we don’t have to fear. 

Our reading today ends with two separate terrifying situations; the storm on the sea and the demon possessed man.  I would like to focus on the latter.  It almost seems like it’s straight out of a Hollywood movie.  You have this possessed man with super human demonic strength.  – He must have been legendary!  - Can you imagine the moms in the area telling the children to stay away from the tombs where the evil strong man has broken chains and retreated to?  And then if it’s anything like the movies you know the kids are going to go there anyway, and you’re yelling at the screen “don’t go in there you idiots!”  But this is real.  This demon possessed man called himself Legion which is a military term, representing about 6000 soldiers.  So did this man have 6000 demons in him?  I suppose that’s possible.  We don’t really know.  Let’s just say he had a lot.  Enough to have them all sent into a large herd of pigs.  However many there were, in the end they were no match for Jesus.  So the news spreads and people come to check it out and here’s the formerly possessed man sitting at Jesus feet, clothed, and in his right mind.  People had to be blown away.  Mark Driscoll has put it this way.  "Can’t you just see them saying 'Remember that wild naked guy with the ZZ top beard running around the tombs?  That’s him I tell ya it’s him!'  Now he’s like a Bible college student or something, sitting there at Jesus’ feet.  He probably had a pen and a note pad, listening to every word Jesus says wanting to be His disciple." 

It’s safe to say this was a pretty dramatic instance, but this is the kind of thing Jesus does.  He changes lives.  If you profess Jesus as your Lord and Savior than you have a story about how He changed your life.  Visibly speaking that change can look more dramatic in some than in others, depending on our past lives, but He has changed us all.  Let me get back to this whole issue of fear again for a moment.  You know what’s sad?  When the people saw the formerly possessed man sitting there at Jesus feet, it’s almost like they were more afraid of Jesus than they had been of the possessed man.  It says in verse 37 “they asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear.”  Why is that?  It’s like they just weren’t ready to deal with this Jesus guy yet.  Maybe it’s because they weren’t ready to deal with their sin yet.  Maybe they were saying “it’s all well and good that Jesus cast out those demons, but that man is changed.  I don’t know if I’m ready for that kind of change yet.”  People can get pretty comfortable with their sin and rebellion, to the point where Jesus is changing lives all around them, and they’re still saying, “you know that’s good for you, but I’ll do my own thing still.”  They may not be literally possessed, but Satan’s sure got a hold of em.  I believe these people feared the inevitable change that would come with Jesus in their midst.  And so Jesus respects their wishes and he leaves.  How sad is that?  But they weren’t ready for him and so he honors their request and leaves.  The obvious application is that if you don’t currently have a relationship with Jesus, don’t make the mistake of thinking you will have unlimited opportunities to give your life to him.  Not necessarily.  Looks like these guys only had one.

Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you that with You I have nothing to fear.  Help me not to be fearful of changes you may have in store for me, but like the formerly possessed man help me to be excited about following you and sharing Your life changing story with all.  Amen.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Celebrate Life


Luke 7:18-50
There are some great stories in today’s text.  I love how Jesus talks about John the Baptist and how there is none greater, but in comparison to His new kingdom John being a part of the old covenant does not even compare.  Space does not allow me to go into detail on this one, but just know that’s good news for you.  When you choose to follow Jesus you are a part of His new kingdom. 

The two verses that really jumped out to me today are 34 and 35.  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, “Look at him!  A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!”  Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.  The other night I went out with some friends here on the Cape to a place called The Brazilian Grille.  If you’re a lover of meat it’s a little bit like heaven.  You get a coaster at your table with a green side and a red side, and as long as you keep it green side up waiters will continually come by with skewers of meat; sirloin, ribeye, filet mignon, lamb, chicken, pork, and more.  And if that’s not enough some of these meats come wrapped in bacon or infused with cheese.  You can almost feel your arteries clogging with each new piece of meat.  And let’s just say I didn’t get short changed.  If I ate every meal like that I think it would most definitely be gluttony, but I think it’s okay to fully enjoy a good quality meal every once in a while.  I also had a nice glass of Pinot Noir.  Guess what.  I like to enjoy life and I make no apologies for that.  And one of the main reasons I enjoy life so much is because as a follower of Jesus He’s given me that example.  Jesus was one to eat and drink and enjoy the party.  His first miracle was turning water into wine all so a wedding party could continue.  He was not a drunkard or glutton as they were accusing, but he simply knew how to enjoy life.  And sometimes He would do all this with a bunch of sinners.  Imagine that!  In some of our Christian circles we can get so uptight about silly legalistic things.  We also get too caught up in our own holy huddles and forget there are plenty of fellow sinners out there who need to get in on the good news of Jesus Christ.  Jesus wasn’t about any of that self righteous silliness.  He didn’t come for the self-righteous, He came for the sick and for those who know their need of a Savior; kind of like the sinful woman at the end of our reading today. 

Prayer
Lord make me acutely aware of my sin and depravity and need for you my Savior, and in turn let my life be a celebration of your grace.  Amen.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Humility and Faith


Luke 7:1-17
Why do I get the feeling the Centurion in our story today was a bit different than a lot of the crowds who followed Jesus?  Do you ever wonder what it was like to be around Jesus during His ministry?  Some accounts seem more like a mob than a gathering.  I can see people pushing and shoving among the crowd just for a chance to touch the hem of His garment.  If you have ever done much traveling to other countries you might have a better idea of what it may have been like.  I can remember being in countries like Thailand and Vietnam when we adopted our son and having to deal with crowds.  I’ll never forget the first time my wife and I went to board a plane and the massive pushing and shoving that took place.  I was not anticipating it and let's just say I became visibly irritated at everyone around me.  I think they just looked at me and said “silly American, doesn’t he know this is how you board a plane?”  I think being around Jesus was probably similar to the mayhem we experienced in such crowds. 

Unlike me waiting to board a plane the centurion had the right idea.  He sent people ahead to do his bidding not having to deal with the crowds at all.  Once Jesus responded two distinct things stick out to me about the Centurion; his humility and his faith.  First we see his humility when he has his friends tell Jesus “Lord do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.”  This is not the same attitude of many in the crowds who would fight to see Jesus, or for that matter of many of the religious leaders who seemed to be more about being seen and pomp and circumstance than actually caring for others.  The centurion’s faith shows up when he has his friends say, “say the word and let my servant be healed.”  Talk about supreme faith!  He didn’t even need to see Jesus.  He believed he could simply send a message to Him and that would do just fine.  So often we look to the well known names for our examples of faith in scripture like Moses, Elijah, Peter, or John, but you don’t get any better example than this nameless centurion.  What about you?  How’s your faith?  We worship and serve the same Lord and Savior as the centurion did.  Do you have a “say the word” kind of faith when you pray to God? 

Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, you can say the word and work miracles, and move mountains, and heal the sick.  Lord Jesus, say the word and do all the amazing things you have in store for my life.  And like the centurion help me to live with humility and faith.  Amen.  

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Lessons from a Fox and a Hen


Luke 13:31-35

The first time I can recall reading this passage, I can remember being a little confused as to why Jesus would tell the Pharisees to go talk to a fox about His itinerary for the next couple of days.  A fox can’t understand people, and wouldn’t he just run away anyhow?  It’s safe to say I was a little slow on the uptake.  Of course Jesus is referring to Herod, calling him a fox; as in sly and underhanded.  The Pharisees could be labeled the same.  They really were not all that concerned about the possibility of Herod killing Jesus.  They were more than likely hopeful that Jesus would move on to Jerusalem knowing it’s there where He might meet His ultimate demise.

Jesus knows Jerusalem is where He is ultimately headed, and He knows what’s going to take place there.  His hour was coming, but He was not yet there.  In the meantime Jesus laments over Jerusalem.  He uses the imagery of a hen gathering her brood, which is what He wants to do with God’s chosen people.  He’s expressing sorrow because He knows there will be many who reject Him.  Some would even cry out to Pilate “Let His blood be on us and our children,” and all Jesus wants to do is shed His blood for them.  He wants to be that perfect sacrifice for their sins.  Whether it’s the Jewish people then, or it’s us now, our stubbornness brings great sadness to God.  He wants all people to come to Him.  2nd Peter 3:9 says The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.  I’ve come to a point of repentance to God through his Son Jesus, but I’m still thankful for His love and patience when in my own human stubbornness I do things on my own and I’m not following Him as fully and completely as I should. 

Prayer
Lord, thank you for the love you’ve demonstrated for us in our passage today; a love that brings us in and protects us as the hen does for its chicks.  And even when we stray you never stop loving us.  Thank you Lord for Your steadfast love.  Amen.    

Friday, February 22, 2013

You Can't Out Give God


Luke 6
I wonder if you are like me when you start getting into Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.  When reading the beatitudes and about loving my enemies and judging others, suddenly strong feelings of inadequacy start to surface, and I want to cry out to God “I’m not worthy!”  But then I realize that’s not such a bad thing, because the fact of the matter is I’m not worthy, and I pause to be thankful that I’m saved by His grace.

Of all these wonderful words of Jesus I think I’ll just focus on verse 38 today.  Give, and it will be given to you.  Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.  For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.  In this verse Jesus uses the imagery of a container of which the contents has been shaken and pressed down to make room for more, and even then you get so much that it starts to overflow into your lap.  Jesus is saying that’s what we get back when we give to God and His causes.  There’s an old saying that says you can’t out give God and I believe this verse expresses that pretty well. 

I think of this verse when I think about the homes I’ve lived in growing up.  My dad was a Pastor and my mom would occasionally teach in private Christian schools and give piano lessons, so it’s safe to say we we’re never even close to what you might call rich by American standards.  And yet never once in my life did I ever feel in want for anything.  Remembering our days in St. Louis, we lived in a beautiful home that we were only able to afford because the previous owner had built it using a lot of cedar wood, only to find out that his kids were allergic to cedar so he had to sell it quick and on the cheap.  I didn’t know it at the time, but there was a period when my dad didn’t draw a paycheck from our struggling start up church.  I just thought it was nice that some of our church members dropped off groceries at our door, never realizing just how tight things were.  Each home we lived in have many stories of their own, that space will not allow, but let’s just say God blessed my parents with their homes.  They seemed to be in the right housing markets at the right times to continue to have lovely homes, and they are currently retired in a beautiful home my dad designed sitting on a salt water cove.  Like I said, my parents have never been remotely close to rich and yet God has blessed them with beautiful homes.  I think it’s no coincidence that all along the way they have been givers; giving to their church, to missionaries, to outside ministries, and always giving their homes by inviting countless people in for meals, fellowship, and bible studies.  It was a common practice for my mom to get a big pot roast going on Sunday morning before church and then set the oven timer.  Then while at church that morning she would always invite someone or some family over for a good hot meal afterwards.  I can still smell that pot roast cooking as I think about coming in our front door after church.  They share their home like few others I have known.  My parents and their homes is just one example of many of how you can’t out give God.

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Your goodness and faithfulness to us.  Thank you that you are a giving God, and You provide for our needs.  Help us to follow the example of Jesus who gave the ultimate gift of His life, as we seek to be givers in all things.  Amen. 

Thursday, February 21, 2013

The Touch of Jesus


Read Luke 5

Our Lord Jesus is a Lord of compassion and caring.  We especially see His compassion in the case of His cleansing a leper.  Leprosy was a terrible disease to have.  It starts with a rash, which leads to open soars as it continues to spread throughout the body.  Eventually it gets so bad that nerve damage starts to occur.  At that point the sense of feeling is lost which you might think could be a good thing leading to relief, but not really because there’s plenty of other areas on the skin where you still feel the open soars.  Actually it’s those areas without feeling that become the most vulnerable.  It’s those areas that would sometimes lead to a loss of appendages. 

Hopefully no one is reading this while eating their breakfast.  Physical pain and suffering for the Leper was just the beginning.  They also suffered great humiliation and isolation. Some thought lepers were cursed by God.  They had to be removed from community and completely isolated.  When they had reason to be near those not infected they would have to call out “unclean” so people would know to stay away.  Some religious leaders actually carried rocks to throw at them, making sure they would stay at a safe distance.   

I share all of this background about leprosy in New Testament times because it makes the means by which Jesus healed this man all the more startling.  Jesus touched him.  He touched a leper.  He certainly didn’t have to.  In some cases Jesus would simply proclaim someone to be healed with His words alone, and yet He chooses to touch this man with leprosy.  In so doing He was communicating to this man who had been cast out and humiliated “you have value and dignity.” When you think about it there was a lot more than just physical healing going on here.  Through His touch Jesus was no doubt healing deep emotional wounds as well. Touch is huge!  Countless studies have been made on the impact of touch.  Babies literally can’t survive without it.  Appropriate touch from parents to teenagers leads to more healthy relationships for those teens.  Touch in a marriage can often communicate “my love for you is as strong as ever.”  And our Savior Jesus Christ touches people; even if it means he will be unclean according to the religious leaders of His day.  He’s still in the business of touching people.  Not a literal physical touch, but He touches none the less.  We can still come to Him for healing, for affirmation, and for spiritual growth.  The “spiritual fingerprints” of Jesus are all over His followers.  You can’t miss them through the evidence of lives changed.

Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you for Your touch on my life.  It wouldn’t be the same without it.  Help me to remember to pass on that touch, as I seek to be Your hands and feet to others.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

A Hometown Rejection


Read Luke 4

Have you ever been rejected?  It’s not a lot of fun is it?  Most of us who have been around the block a few times can recall a time when we’ve been rejected.  Maybe it was the rejection of someone you loved but he or she in the end did not reciprocate.  Or maybe it’s been a job situation, and you’ve had a boss tell you it’s just not working out.  While we may look back on such circumstances, and say we grew from them, and we may even see how God was working all things out for good, it doesn’t make it any less difficult when we go through them.  When we look at our text today, we realize that we have a Savior who can identify with us.  It depicts just one of many rejections Jesus would incur throughout His ministry.  As is often the case Jesus pretty much lays it on the line with the home town folk of Nazareth.  When He read from Isaiah and then said “today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing”, He was claiming His divinity and role as the Messiah.  The people may not have fully understood this, but whatever they understood, at this point they were still pretty impressed with Jesus.  I can easily see a family member or old friend on hand saying something like “Jesus sure has matured into a fine young man.  He is so eloquent and speaks with such authority.” 

But then Jesus couldn’t leave well enough alone.  Here’s what Jesus essentially tells them next.  He’s pretty much says, “I know your praise is shallow.  You’re going to want signs from me.  I know you’ve heard about what I’ve been up to outside of this town, but you’re not going to fully appreciate me for who I am and what I’ve come to do.”  And then he uses the example of Elijah and Elisha, and He tells them that they were not accepted by the Jewish people either.  So what did they do?  They went to Gentiles; and specifically speaking a woman widow and a leper.  Jesus was placing these Gentile people at the bottom of the social scale above unbelieving Jews.  And it’s safe to say the home town folk didn’t take that too well.  When you consider that they tried to drive Him off a cliff and kill Him, “rejected” may be an understatement.  What about you?  From that point to this day, we all are given a choice.  We can humbly accept that we are in need of God’s love and grace, or we can reject His message like those who rejected Jesus that day.  I would challenge you today to be accepters and not rejecters.  Don’t drive Jesus out of your life and to that metaphorical cliff.  Accept His good news message as Savior and Messiah.

Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, help me to fully accept You, in every corner and crevice of my life.  Thank you Lord Jesus that you didn’t reject me, that you haven’t condemned me, and that you love me.  Amen.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

What then shall we do?


Read Luke 3

In today’s passage we see John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus calling people to repentance and forgiveness of sins.  It would seem there was quite a crowd there, but not all of them were truly interested in things like repentance.  Some of the people there were pretenders.  They were curious and wondering what all the hubbub was about.  Those pretenders were the religious leaders of the day.  The same people Jesus would go a few rounds with throughout His ministry.  Jesus would also refer to these people as “brood of vipers.”  In case you are wondering, that’s not a compliment.  Some would translate it as seed of Satan. 

Those who were really there seeking forgiveness and desiring to repent on the other hand, John had no problem with.  But once they were baptized it seems like they were not entirely sure what to do.  They knew something was different, but they just needed a little direction.  And so they sincerely ask the question “what then shall we do?”  And John goes on to give them some very specific instructions; instructions to the crowd as a whole, and also specific instructions to two other groups of people; tax collectors and soldiers.  Both of these groups of people were known for being unfair and extorting people out of their money and goods.  So John essentially tells them to stop it!  The general theme of his instructions is to stop being greedy and to start caring for others.  Pretty simple really, and yet many of us still fail at following through on these instructions today. 

I’ll conclude with a few words on John’s final instructions for his soldiers.  He told them to be content with their wages.  When you think about it, that’s something we as Americans are not very good at.  Our mentality seems to be more of a “get all you can while you can” mentality.  I’m not saying that it’s wrong to ask your boss for a raise, or to be paid a fair going rate for the work we do.  I guess I’m just saying that whether we get that raise or not we do need to maintain a level of contentment, being thankful for a roof over our heads, cars that get us from point A to point B, warm homes in the winter, education for our kids, etc.  God really is good, and by the worlds standards we are richly blessed.  Want to hear something funny?  Just before I started working on this post I was looking at a Pastoral compensation chart on line.  Nice timing huh.  I pastor a church on the smaller side, and they do a good job of taking care of me, and as we grow I know they will continue to.  I need to remember that and remember to be content in all things.  God is good!

Prayer
Gracious Heavenly Father I thank you for your goodness to me and for all of Your bountiful provisions.  I’m thankful most of all that you have redeemed me and forgiven me of my sins.  Lord, through your grace you saved me; now in following John the Baptist’s instructions to the crowd, help me to act like it.  Amen.   

Monday, February 18, 2013

Rising or Falling on Jesus


Read Luke 2:22-52

I have very fond memories of the passage in today’s text where Jesus gets presented at the temple.  That was the passage preached on the day out daughter Anna was dedicated.  As always God’s timing was perfect as we heard about another Anna from our pastor at that time, Paul Beck.  Our Anna was a squirmy irritable 18 month old who could care less about the Cheerios Pastor Paul had in his pocket to try and calm her down.  The Anna in our text today was just a tad older and I’m sure far less irritable; although she had been waiting for a while.  Anna was a prophetess who was at least 84 (depending on how that passage gets interpreted).  After her husband died she obviously had made a decision to spend her life in worship, fasting, and praying to the Lord.  So much so that it says she never left the temple.  This either means the temple was quite large and also had many rooms and it’s possible that as a prophetess she could have been allowed to live there, or it means she pretty much spent every waking hour there and then she would go home to retire for the night.  Either way, there’s no mistaking that this was a woman of God.  And as a woman of God she was given a great privilege.  To speak about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.  She could say with confidence, this baby is the one.  The one we have been waiting for.  This is one of those instances in scripture where I find myself wishing we knew more.  What exactly did she tell them?  Did she know that Jesus was going to be much more than just a political Messiah?  My inclination is to say yes, I think so.  Like Simeon, Anna was a righteous and devout person who had fully given her life over to God.  Unlike Simeon, the Holy Spirit isn’t directly referred to with Anna, but I have no doubt that the Spirit was moving in her too as she spoke about the redemption Jesus would bring; a complete and full redemption.  Simeon before this referred to that redemption being for the Gentiles and the people of Israel.  In case you were wondering that covers everyone; everyone who accepts who Jesus is and what He came to do, that is.  Simeon would later say to Mary that Jesus is a child appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel.  We too will either fall or rise based on what we do with Jesus.  We can rise to the occasion and accept His life giving message and live for Him, or we can deny His life giving message, falling away from His goodness, mercy, grace, and love.

Prayer – Dear Lord, let me rise to the occasion of your love for me.  You gave that young child who was presented at the temple over 2000 years ago so that my sins could be forgiven.  You gave Him not only for the world, but you gave Him for me.  I Praise God for your love.

Lent Update – If you gave something up for Lent this year I hope it is going well for you and you are finding it to be meaningful and worshipful.  So far so good for me on the “no dessert” front.  Like many I take Sunday’s off.  It reminds me to take some time to celebrate what I know is coming; Jesus’ resurrection.  Although this week I swapped my Sunday off for Friday night because my wife and I went out for a nice Valentines dinner and the restaurant had some nice looking desserts.  You should do Lent in whatever way works best for you. I'm more flexible with it, because the last thing I want to be is legalistic.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Combating Sin and Temptation


Read Luke 4:1-13

Here’s a temptation story from “A Treasury of Jewish Folklore.” 
The Evil Spirit once came dejected before God and wailed, "Almighty God -- I want you to know that I am bored -- bored to tears! I go around doing nothing all day long. There isn't a stitch of work for me to do!"  "I can't understand you," replied God. There's plenty of work to be done only you've got to have more initiative. Why don't you try to lead people into sin? That's your job!"  "Lead people into sin!" muttered the Evil Spirit contemptuously. "Why Lord, even before I can get a chance to say a blessed word to anyone he has already gone and sinned!"

Do you ever struggle with sin?  Yea, me neither.  Of course that’s a joke.  This story reminds us that it’s not always the Devil who makes us do it; we are quite capable of sin all on our own.  Which brings us to our text today.  Was Jesus capable of sin?  An interesting question considering that He was both fully God and fully human.  I’m going to suggest to you that during His time on earth He was indeed capable of sin.  Otherwise He wouldn’t have been fully human.  The simple fact that He was tempted should also signify He was capable of sinning, because if you’re not capable of sinning than you would never be tempted in the first place. 

Now back to us.  Our capacity to sin goes without question.  Or better put, it’s not a question of if, but of when.  So we would do well to follow Jesus’ example in today’s text.  He shows us two solid ways to combat sin and temptation.  The first way is found in the very first verse.  In verse one it says Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit.  Of all the gospel writers Luke places the most emphasis on the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ ministry.  It should be comforting to know that’s the same Holy Spirit and the same power source that we have when we decide to give our lives over to God.  We won’t live a perfect life without sin as Jesus did, but the more we are open to the Holy Spirit’s leading the stronger we will be.  The second way Jesus shows us to combat sin and temptation is through knowledge of scripture.  As we see, with each temptation Jesus quotes back God’s word to the Tempter.  We must not only know God’s word, but take it to heart and follow His path.  Psalm 119:11 states; I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.  This implies not only having a head knowledge of God’s word, but a heart knowledge with the willingness to follow through. 

Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for Your Holy Spirit’s presence.  Help me to live my life in a way so as not to quench it, using Your word as my guide.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Why the Shepherds?


Luke 2:1-21
Today we read the most familiar of the Christmas accounts.  Do you ever wonder why it was the shepherds who heard the angelic announcement and got to see Jesus first?  Why not the chief priests or elders, or maybe even the King himself?  I’m afraid these people were not ready to know about one who would be greater than them.  The chief priests and elders pride would get in the way of worshiping Him, and as for Herod, well we know Herod was threatened by his birth and ultimately sought to have him killed.  In the end it would seem the shepherds were the perfect group of people to be notified.  They were lowly and poor.  There was no glory in being a shepherd; just plain men dwelling in tents and watching over sheep.  The patriarchs were shepherds.  Moses and David were called from keeping sheep to lead and rule over God’s people.  Jesus came from the line of David, and so you can see the value overall God was placing on these lowly shepherds.  It’s like Jesus’ first message was already being proclaimed; that if you are to accept who Jesus is and what He had come to do, you first must humble yourself and accept your need of a Savior.  

Jesus is also our shepherd.  He guides us, watches over us, and leads us.  And so it seems fitting that the announcement of the Great Shepherd would be made to shepherds themselves.  Specifically these angels would proclaim to the shepherds “Glory to god in the highest, and on earth peace to whom His favor rests.”  Many were about to know true peace for the very first time.  So who did His favor rest on?  The answer is pretty simple.  To those who would receive Him.  To those who would humble themselves, open their hearts, and receive Him.  Not all would, and not all will.  John 1:11 tells us He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  A lot of those chief priests and elders were not going to receive Him.  Herod certainly didn’t receive him.  But the shepherds did.   And we can say on the shepherd’s behalf the words of John 1:12, to those who received Him and believed in His name, he gave the right to become children of God.  Those lowly humble shepherds received Him.  That’s pretty obvious when we look at verse 20.  It says they returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen.  You might even call these shepherds the very first followers of Jesus.  And people have been following Him ever since, from generation to generation.  And it’s our privilege to do the same.  Receive Jesus, believe in who He is as Savior and Lord, and follow him.

Prayer
Dear God we thank you for the wonderful example of the shepherds.  Help us to humbly follow in their footsteps seeking You our Good Shepherd.

Notes
In case anyone is wondering I don't plan to write a post every day on this blog forever. My plan for Lent is to write this ongoing devotional every day but Sunday.  After Lent I'll settle into more of a once a week thing.  Hope and pray you are enjoying it.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Don't Hesitate... Rededicate!


Luke 1:57-80
Yesterday we had Mary’s Magnificat and today we get Zechariah’s prophecy.  Great stuff!  I was particularly taken with the last few verses (76-79).  As we know, John the Baptist will go before the Lord Jesus to prepare the way.  He does so to give knowledge of salvation and forgiveness of sins.  For those of us who have grown up in the church I wonder if words like salvation, and phrases like “forgiveness of sins” become so common place that they almost lose their value.  Do we sometimes take for granted that we were once in darkness and in the shadow of death?  I’m afraid in an honest moment I’d have to say I probably have.  Zechariah’s words have caused me to ponder my salvation once again, and to be thankful that my feet have been shown the way of peace.  If you are feeling the same, I want to encourage you to take a moment to rededicate your life to Christ.  There’s another familiar phrase in Christian circles; rededicating our lives to Christ.  It’s especially familiar if you’ve spent any time in youth ministry.  In my years as a Youth Pastor I would have some teenagers who would do so multiple times.  That’s okay though, because it’s all a process in learning what it means to be a follower of Jesus.  I’m still learning that myself, which is why I rededicate my life to Christ on a regular basis.  I don’t do it publicly in some sort of evangelistic service.  It’s usually a private thing during my morning devotions.  Don’t get me wrong, I know my salvation is secure, but sometimes I just like to let God know that He’s got all of me;  especially when I’ve been slipping up in a particular area. 

Prayer
Tender and merciful God, I thank you for your love and grace for me a sinner.  I thank you for giving me Your Son Jesus who is like a sunrise who visits from on high.  Because of your love for me I dedicate my life to you today, tomorrow, for this Lent season, and for the rest of my days.  Amen.

Lent Update
Did you get ashes yesterday?  As someone who grew up protestant, this tradition of having ashes put on ones forehead has always fascinated me.  I didn’t do it, but perhaps one of these years I will.  I think it’s good to be reminded of any Biblical premise, and Ash Wednesday reminds us that we’ve come from ashes and to ashes our bodies will return.  There’s nothing terribly special about our bodies, and judging from a couple recent days of shoveling snow, mine’s getting older and sorer with each passing year.  It reminds me to be thankful that my soul will live on with a glorified body in God’s kingdom.  Let the ashes come!  

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Mary the Theologian


February 13th, Ash Wednesday
Luke 1:1-56 
When we think of Mary we usually think of a young teenage girl no older than 16 who comes from a poor background and a country town of little significance.  All of that is true.  It’s also true that becoming pregnant as a young unmarried teenager would marginalize her even more than she already was.  And yet there is so much we can learn from Mary.  How about two things for the purposes of today’s blog?  Mary obeys God and she loves God.  We see her obedience shine through in verse 38 of today’s text.  “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”   There was no arguing.  There was no running away.  There was no rationalizing or justifying.  Just simple obedience.  When we are tempted to question God’s will for our lives we would do well to follow Mary’s example.  Of course it’s a lot easier to obey God when you love Him.  We can see Mary’s adoration and love of God in her Magnificat (vs. 46-55).  Not only do we see her love for God, but we see a great depth of understanding for God’s sovereignty and His character.  Our young theologian Mary gives us 11 attributes of God.  He’s Savior, eternal, mighty, good, holy, merciful, to be feared, strong, caring, sovereign, and a provider (perhaps you can find even more, but that’s a good start). Not bad for an uneducated middle school girl from Nazareth.

Prayer – Lord, may our love and knowledge of who you are reflect that of Mary’s.  And because of our love for you, we pray you will grow in us the desire to obey your will for our lives, that we might be able to say with Mary, “Let it be according to your word."  Amen.   

Lent Update
Are you practicing Lent?  It’s something I’ve only started doing recently.  I’ve probably done it 7 or 8 times in the last 10 years.  I don’t do it out of guilt or obligation.  I just do it those years I feel the Spirit’s leading as a part of my ongoing daily worship.  In giving something up I’m reminded of how Jesus gave up his life on my behalf.  This year I’ll be giving up desserts.  For those of you who know my eating habits, please feel free to say a prayer for me.   

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Better Late than Never

Welcome to my very first blog post.  My name is Pete Axelson and I'm the Pastor of Covenant Community Church in East Sandwich Massachusetts, and as this blog being my first would indicate, slowly but surely I'm becoming a 21st century pastor.  You may be wondering about the name of my blog so allow me to enlighten you.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1: 1-5

So the "Word" in Word Dwellings is and has everything to do with Jesus Christ.  He is my Lord, Savior, redeemer, and friend.  I believe true freedom in this life is only found through Him and His teachings.  So therefore I believe we should do all we can to dwell on His words to us, and allow Jesus "The Word" to dwell in us.  With that in mind, another verse comes to mind.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom.  Colossians 3:16a

If this blog can lead to Christ's word dwelling in us more richly and we can gain a little more wisdom because of it, than that would make my day, week, month, year, and however long this blog might last.

Lent is around the corner.  As always it kicks off with Ash Wednesday, and that's tomorrow (February 13th, 2013).  I'll be taking part in Lent this year, and I hope you will join me in an ongoing blog-devo. through out this meaningful season.