![]() Up to Jerusalem ... I saw and heard on television, in New York a procession of doctors heading in to work in a hospital; and in all the apartments overlooking and on the sidewalks around spectators cheering and applauding them. It was absolutely remarkable. And it was right -- right to do and right to recognize them. I then heard a description saying that these are the soldiers marching into battle. They go to fight a disease,and as they do so they are putting their lives at risk. In fact some of them will lay down their lives. It touches us because it is the best and the greatest part of our nature. And it touches us because the pattern is one we know. We have seen through the years acts of nobility and sacrifice -- acts that go completely against the urge for self preservation; and speak instead of the call to help the weak, rescue the helpless, and care for the vulnerable. We recognize that pattern. There are great books built around it; and one series in particular that many in school have read (all 7 books culminating in "The Deathly Hallows" where the hero goes to lay down his life). We recognize the pattern and in this time of the year our hearts and minds cannot help but hear it calling us once again. It is the man going up to Jerusalem where he knew he would have to suffer. He was marching into battle -- not putting his life "at risk" because it was not a risk. It was a certainty that he would die. And he rode into Jerusalem. There were the cheering crowds, but it was not about the cheers. There were the healings and the teaching, but it was not about miracles or gathering students. There was a battle to be fought, suffering to endure, dying to be done, sacrifice and atonement to be made, forgiveness to be gained, and death and hell to defeat. No one who is not on the front lines in the hospitals right now can really understand. Vigilance and carefulness have to be constant. If they are lacking there could be sickness or death. Which brings up the third very striking image -- a group of medical workers who went up on the roof to pray, for themselves, their patients and every doctor and nurse in the hospital floors underneath. To whom else do we turn in times when we see danger and nobility? To whom else can we turn when the pattern we see all around us reminds us so powerfully of the Lamb of God, who went up to Jerusalem in order to lay down His life for us, "who did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but made Himself nothing taking on the form of a servant ... And ... humbled Himself by becoming obedient unto death, even death on a cross ..." (Philippians 2:5-11) This is why He was riding into Jerusalem. The cross of Jesus resets the whole creation, putting the pattern of the cross into every part of life. It ennobles everything where echoes and images of the cross have become part of the pattern of life. Deep down we know the truth of this, and we admire every example we see that reminds us of the cross, the central image of the love of God. That is part of the meaning of the words, "at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow". (Philippians 2:10) Today we honor and we pray for doctors, nurses, all medical workers and every other person who carries that image of God. Lord Jesus, as You rode into Jerusalem You were going to win my salvation and set me free. You knew You were going to suffering and death in my place. Help me to see the pattern of Your life in those I see all around who are right now risking everything to save the lives of their neighbors. Bless and protect each doctor, each nurse and all others who are living the pattern of Your love. Amen.
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![]() Worry & Faith Part 1 Faith is simply to believe the words and promises of God. But to start us in learning faith Jesus talks to us about worry. It's in the Sermon on the Mount. It's where Jesus said "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek after all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:31-33) It's a "stay in your lane" type of thing, but not at all like you would expect. It starts out pretty simple with the understanding that God has created and will provide for our daily needs. In Confirmation classes the children memorize "clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all my goods ..." OK, "all my goods" is the older wording but I still like it better than "all I have". But the point is that God has given amazing blessings, and even when life is hard, we are still surrounded by God's love, mercy, and daily blessings. So why should we be anxious? God is there and He knows our needs. But still we worry. And Jesus knows that we worry. He was born to become one of us and share all the problems, tiredness, hunger, aches, pains -- and the uncertainty of what the next day will bring. That's why He was a man of prayer, up early in the mornings and going off to spend time hearing the words of the Bible and praying to His Father. (See Isaiah 50:4) He was serious about sharing this human existence. Jesus knows that we worry. That's why He speaks to the worry. If He did not understand, He would not be able to tell us in the way He says it, "do not be anxious" and surround that verse with so many beautiful illustrations about the birds of the air and the flowers out in the fields. (Really, you have to read Matthew 6:25-34. It speaks right to the heart.) I heard someone, many years ago, say that part of the meaning was God saying, "Do not worry. God will do His part. Just do yours." But look closer and you will find something very interesting. In these verses, the parts that God takes on are the humbler and lowlier. He tends to flowers, birds, food and drink. He sustains the physical life. And what does He invite us to seek and put our attention on? The noble, the spiritual and the eternal. He invites us to focus on faith ("do not be anxious"); the kingdom of God (because He is busy giving the kingdom to us); and "His righteousness". "His righteousness" is nothing else than the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ, a free gift that was earned as Jesus went into Jerusalem, and from there to the Garden of Gethsemane, and from there to the cross, and from there to the empty tomb. Jesus is inviting us to focus our mind and soul on every gift of mercy and grace in Jesus, and He can take care of all the other, temporary, passing and smaller things. These are the promises of God. Really. He's got this. And faith? Faith is simply to believe the words and promises of God. (There is more for another day, Worry & Faith: Part 2) Lord Jesus, be my Teacher and help me to learn faith. Since I struggle, speak Your promises over and over again, so my soul may hear You inviting and know that You will be with me in everything and bring me into life and victory. Amen. ![]() Simple Things Just simple things. Nothing complicated, heroic, or great. Just simple things. With all the wild things happening all over, when the day is over we are back to simple things. We sit on the couch. We talk. We aren’t going out to movies, or out to eat, or much of anything else. Even for a home-body this is a bit much. But there it is. And yet, in those very simple things there is something deep and marvelous that has to do with the Kingdom of God. In Genesis it says, “In the image of God He created him, male and female He created them.” Adam and Eve were created to picture the Image of God in their relationship. That is part of the Image of God, since God is Triune, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All too often we overlook those simple ordinary things. But they are part of God creating the Image of Himself in the very ordinary parts of life. The time we spend, the silent company with one another, the little courtesies and kindnesses done within our marriages, families and friendships – they are a part of God revealing to us who He is within the Trinity, by forming those little things in our lives. I have heard and read that part of the purpose of the Sabbath was to get the people of God to stop doing (all the busy things we fill our lives with) and at the end of the week get back to the relationships that form the heart and core of our lives. And indeed that is what God was doing in Genesis 3 when He was walking in the Garden in the cool of the day. He was there to spend time with Adam and Eve, not doing more amazing creation things – just being there with them. When Adam and Eve had turned away, He then announced the birth of “the Seed of the woman.” He would come to us once again to spend time, to dwell among us. (John 1:14) I wonder: how much of the 3 years the disciples spent with Jesus was simply walking along, quietly being there? That is part of the goal, to be there and finally have back all the time with us that Adam and Eve lost. How great a price Jesus was ready to pay to win back time with you. A little picture for us comes at the end of the Gospel of John – Breakfast on the beach with Jesus. It says, (John 21:9) “When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread.” It’s just my guess but somehow I think that Jesus didn’t cut corners, but spent the time to prepare and cook the meal. And then there was the meal (vv. 10-13) – and as they ate nothing happened. Just a meal. Just being there together savoring the moments. Isn’t it interesting that the time spent when we aren’t doing anything special or amazing can be the measure of love and friendship? Jesus my Friend, thank you for the time, the days, hours and moments of my life, and for being the kind of Friend who savors every moment of my knowing You. Lead me through the confusion of so many of my days that I may come back at the end of each one to that restful time of simply knowing You. Thank You for the promise of endless days of life and blessing. Amen. ![]() Dropping Breadcrumbs It is an amazing thing the persistence of Jesus. But we should have expected it. He called Himself the Good Shepherd. And He told stories about the shepherd searching for his sheep. He is persistent, doing all kinds of little things in our lives that we hardly even notice. So one day a friend was talking to me. Gub was his nickname. He said, "There was a time when I was young that I didn't want anything to do with Church. I wanted to get out and do my own thing, and when I had to go to church I wasn't too happy about it. But Pastor always was glad to see me, and greeted me and knew who I was. He didn't ask why I hadn't been there for a while, just was happy to see me." Gub was an elder in the Church when we had that conversation. Looking back on it now I'm thinking "Breadcrumbs." You know the story. Hansel and Gretel, leaving home going off into the woods, but one of them leaving a trail of breadcrumbs so they can find their way home. For them it didn't work because birds came and ate the breadcrumbs -- but still it forms an image in our minds. "Breadcrumbs." Jesus has to deal constantly with our wandering off, not paying attention, getting fascinated with anything and everything else. He searches for us, finds us, calls us, and leads us back. How He has done that in each life would be absolutely the most amazing thing to know. All of the little hints, nudges, reminders and so on. A little word that suddenly grabs our attention, and we don't even know why. A little piece of a Bible verse that we heard years and years ago, suddenly fills our memory. A kindness done by a Christian that we once admired, and hadn't thought about for a long, long time, touches us once again. "Breadcrumbs" laid down by Jesus, gently nudging and reminding us that we may have forgotten but He has not. Still calling and inviting, "I want you to be with Me. I want you in My Kingdom. I want you sharing this living forever." (See John 17:24) And the Good Shepherd calls. Deep inside we know His voice. And even if there has not been anything dramatic in our spiritual life for a while we know that voice. Very quietly, very subtly, He is calling. (See 1 Kings 19:11-12) And we know in the call of the Shepherd that it is good to hear and follow. There are times in life when we need that assurance a lot. This is one of them. He calls deep inside, and then He tells us that we know it is Him calling. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27) There is a certain audacity to it; telling us that we know it is Him. But that is the honesty of a relationship that He has been building for many years. How long has He been laying out these "Breadcrumbs" in our lives, laying out the trails that always lead us back to Him? How long does He do the work of the often unseen, unknown and unappreciated Friend? And still He persists, because He does want us sharing His eternity. Lord Jesus, my friend, thank You for all the ways You have been my truest friend. Thank You for all the nudges, quiet reminders, and little ways that You have reminded me of the truth of You being in my life. Thank You for being persistent, calling me Your friend. Lead me on so one day we can celebrate forever. Amen. ![]() Spiritual Connection And just like that the entire world begins to get an idea of how important it is to have relationships and talk with someone you do not see, who is not visibly right there in the room with you. Christians have been talking about that for years, we call it prayer. Right now all over the world people are experiencing how important the relationship part is in our connections. Otherwise you might be delighted to have a telemarketer call you up. You could talk to them, hang out on the phone, tell them about your friends at school, or your grandchildren. That's not the way it works, is it? We look for personal connections in our talking, phoning, texting, "facebooking," "snapchatting," and so on. And if we find out that the social media is "manipulating the algorithms" or the telemarketer is asking tricky questions to string us along we are resentful and feel used. We need the connection to be personal, or it doesn't count. That's why, as the shelter at home business wears on, it is so important to hear from someone we know. It lifts the isolation if only a little bit. (Something to think about: When this virus is finally over, think about the lonely among us. And if you are in the habit of doing everything online; set aside the device for a while and communicate by voice or face to face. It is healthier deep inside.) But think also about what we have as Christians -- the spiritual part of life. The Bible gives this promise -- God knows you. He knows you deep inside, "before there is a word on my tongue ... O Lord, You know it " and You discern my thoughts from afar." (Psalm 139:2,4) Jesus said, "your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." (Matthew 6:8) Jesus in able to "sympathize with our weaknesses" since He was "tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15) And God promises something that is very personal, "before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear." (Isaiah 65:24) This is personal. It is God who begins it, God who reaches out to us, God who calls us into a very personal relationship with Him. There is something of the encounter between Nathaniel and Jesus in this. Nathaniel said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered, "... when you were under the fig tree I saw you." Nathaniel answered, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" (John 1:48-49) So this is prayer. God invites us to come and talk to Him. He knows us. Bring any concern. He knows them already. Know that you are known; and know that you are loved. He is Jesus. Because He knows and cares you are not alone. And this is from Jesus who knows a little something about being alone, saying to His disciples, "an hour is coming ... when you will be scattered ... and leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with Me." (John 16:32) So when He promises, "I am with you always, to the end of the age." He knows how important that promise is. So now you have been personally invited by Jesus. Lord Jesus, You have promised to be with me. Even when I am alone You are there, and when I don't really know what to say, You understand. You understand because You know me deep inside, and You have been watching over me and being with me all along. Guide me in my spirit to come with my prayers and unload my burdens and worries with You. Amen. ![]() "Got Your 6" The Other Part of the full armor of God "Got your 6." It's a phrase used among those in the military, and after their time of service. Think of the hours of a clock laid flat. 12 o'clock is straight in front of you; 3 o'clock is to your right; and 9 o'clock to your left. "Got your 6" means "I've got your back." And there's where we turn to Paul's description of the full armor of God. In Ephesians chapter 6 (verses 10-20) Paul tells the Ephesian Christians to put on the full armor of God. You might remember: the "belt of truth," the "breastplate of righteousness," for shoes the "readiness given by the gospel of peace," the "shield of faith," the "helmet of salvation," and the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." And someone wonders, what about the back? Is that because the Roman soldier is supposed to be facing the enemy? But there is something unexpected. In Greek, unlike in English, all the verbs have numerous different forms, so you can tell if they are singular or plural (and a bunch of other things). Every verb Paul uses in these verses is plural. He is not talking about an individual soldier standing by himself. He is talking about all the Ephesian Christians standing together. So the first lesson to learn is that we hold together. We need each other, and we need each other especially when we are worn down, tired or discouraged. But the second lesson is the "other part of the armor." As he described the whole armor of God, he did not forget about the back. The armor that protects the back of the soldier is his fellow soldier. Every soldier who has served in our armed forces can tell you that! That's why the saying is abbreviated and shortened. "Got your 6" is a brief pledge held in common to watch over each other in the middle of danger when each one is vulnerable and needs the other. What Paul says immediately after he has finished describing "the sword of the Spirit ... the word of God" is this -- "praying at all times in the Spirit ... making supplication for all the saints, and also for me ..." (Ephesians 6:18-19) He asks them, "You got my 6? Will you pray for me?" All around you are people in danger, vulnerable, and struggling with everything happening in our country and around the world. They need you to have their back. Begin with prayer. Talk to God about their needs. Ask God to help you see the needs of your neighbors, friends, the doctors, nurses, workers in the stores, on the roads, maintaining our power, light, heat, and so many more things. God is very good at knowing these things. As He helps you see and know, then pray, reach out, comfort, encourage, see where you can offer to help. This is the work of the Lord, the best and noblest we can be. In fact, this truly is "the Lord's work." The Bible says that Jesus "is able to save to the uttermost ... since He always lives to make intercession" for us. (Hebrews 7:25) Jesus prays for you. Right now Jesus is talking to God the Father about you. He knows every thought, doubt, hope and need; He knows all that is going on around you and all that is happening within you. And He is able to do both the amazing and the unseen things for you in ways that only God can do. Join Him in praying for your neighbor. (Make your list; add to it, and talk to Jesus about their needs.) Lord Jesus, guide me to see my neighbors' needs. Lead me to see and understand as You do; to know how to pray, how to encourage and comfort, and how to help. And right now I pray for _____________ ___________________________. Amen. ![]() Goodness "Goodness" is 6th in Paul's list of the "fruit of the Spirit," (Galatians 5:22-23) and it is important that it is included in the fruit of the Spirit. Think of the many examples of goodness that we are seeing all around our nation. People are stepping up to check on their elderly neighbors, calling to see if they need anything. Stores are opening up special Senior Hours. Doctors and nurses are working endless hours caring for the ill; and as they do so they are risking their own life and health. I heard of one doctor who set up a tent in his garage. He was working with the very sick, and he did not want to endanger his family. So when he comes home he doesn't come home -- he comes to the tent in the garage. Where did they learn this goodness; this devotion to care for their neighbor? Again, around the country companies are retooling to make ventilators. People are buying masks for the doctors and nurses. An amazing number of business owners are figuring out how to care for their employees, more concerned with holding together the daily needs of their employees. It is truly an amazing thing to see. Where did this all come from? Women volunteer to gather the materials and sew masks for others. Teens volunteer to help wherever they are needed. Grandparents take in grandchildren for an extended stay so the parents can work (and we loved it). We pray for each other and call each other. And all over the nation when asked, Churches have right away stopped meeting and adapted to doing everything on line, because we want to protect our neighbor. There is great goodness. And there are examples of great selfishness, but the many, many examples of goodness are prominent, numerous, and inspiring. Where did this all come from? Goodness is a fruit of the Spirit. It is a thing that God grows in the human heart. The Holy Spirit does His work deep inside, calling us and reminding us that we are made in the image of God. He calls us to every good and noble thing that is within us. He works even within those who do not believe in God, because every one of these good and noble things is a part of the pattern that we were created in. But there is more. God must Himself be good if He is going to teach and lead us into goodness. That is a basic truth. So we could run through some of the other fruit of the Spirit. "The fruit of the Spirit is love[because God is a loving God, and "God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son" (John 3:16)], joy [God is the joyful God who rejoices in the creation of mankind and rejoices that you live (Proverbs 8:30-31)], peace [He is the God of peace who gives peace as the world cannot give (John 14:27) ], patience[patient and not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9)], kindness [many times the Bible speaks of God's kindness to us in Jesus], [and now] goodness . . . " As you look around and see the many examples and acts of goodness in these days, realize that you are seeing the hand of God at work. He draws us into and leads in His own work of goodness. And as you become involved in care for your neighbor, realize that it is God who is at work in you. You may not see how He is doing it, but believe me He is inviting you into His own work. And that is the greatest "you" that you can ever be. And one more thing. God might begin in your life with things of doing and acting, and all the other outward parts of life. There is more. God knows you deep within your soul and He leads into all the amazing spiritual things that are eternal in Jesus. Lord Jesus, thank you for the goodness I see around me in the many ways we are caring for one another. Lead me into acts of goodness so I may help my neighbor. Form my soul and my inner character that I may grow in goodness within and walk with Jesus. Let me learn of You, that I may more and more see Your goodness, until I see You in the goodness of Your glory. Amen. ![]() Eternal Things It was Church today. I needed something eternal. Even though it was different; even though everyone was separated; even though the only connection was through the internet – it was Church. And there was something eternal. I needed that after a week of looking around and seeing everything changing constantly, and so quickly that it is hard to keep up, and every time you turn around there is another thing coming along. And after a week of looking at all the things that pass along and are gone all too quickly, I needed something eternal. That is a part of our created nature. We need the eternal. Without the eternal we feel unanchored, drifting, loose and disconnected – and then we thrash around trying to find something to hold on to, something solid. But there was something eternal today. Isn’t that an interesting phrase, “there was something eternal today”? But there was. There was an unchanging word from God, and it has been the same for thousands of years. It told me about an unchanging grace and blessing; an unchanging forgiveness; an unchanging invitation to prayer; and most importantly an unchanging God with mercy for all my needs. And then the eternal came into my day; into my moments, my hearing, my feelings, and my life. Isn’t that an amazing thing to say "the eternal came to me"? There were words of promise, “Your brother [Lazarus] will rise again.” There was the shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept” and the eternal Son of God shared a very lowly, humble thing with me. And then there was a command, “Lazarus, come out!” and the Eternal Christ changed things. He undid the undoing, and brought a bit of eternity into our mortality. I needed the eternal today because I am not. By myself I am temporary. I will change and (sooner than I want) I will be gone. I needed the eternal to call to me and take something eternal and put it in my soul. A few years back, during the sermon, I asked a question. "If you have the eternal word of God in your soul, what does that make you?" And it was Wade who answered right away, "Eternal." And I thought to myself, "Yes!" But that is what it is to be a Christian, to have the Eternal Son of God taking His eternal Word and speaking it into me; and calling the eternal name of “Father, Son and Holy Spirit” over me to claim me to share eternity; and when we can come together again to have the eternally risen body and blood of Jesus bring His eternity into our bodies. And that is what it is to be Church. The name in the New Testament actually means “those called out.” We are called out of everything that is temporary and passing. And we are called together into everything that is eternal. And then, time for church was over. The hour was finished. The day moved on. But the eternal had been in my life and in my soul. The Eternal Savior had kept His promise, “where 2 or 3 are gathered in My name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20) Jesus knows His own and He brings us together in amazing and uncommon ways. And through years and generations He is gathering His people into His great gathering at the end. Lord Jesus, help me to walk through all those things around that are only temporary; and to keep my eyes on what is eternal. You are risen and eternally living. Be the anchor for my soul. By Your words and promises lead me to hear, believe and treasure the things of the soul, the things that are truly spiritual, and the things of God. Amen. ![]() Is It Judgment? The question had to be asked, because behind the brave front and under the surface we have a lot of nervousness about this virus. So, "Is it judgment?" We begin with 2 things: 1) Actually, everything flawed and wrong in this fallen world is judgment. The mosquito bite last summer was judgment, and that is judgment in a very general sense. We we all suffer in a fallen world. 2) But be very careful about making specific connections or accusations. That is dangerous. There are some who love to preach judgment and they are pretty bad about this. Remember how the disciples asked Jesus about the man born blind; was it because he sinned or because his parents did? And Jesus told them: "Neither." (John 9:1-3) So be very careful about attributing particular troubles to some "secret sin". None of us has any specific knowledge of that kind. To presume can lead us to hurting others needlessly. But there is an even worse mistake. We could get preoccupied in thinking about "judgment" and forget about the mercy, grace, and blessings of God. We could start thinking about God as "spiteful," and ourselves as perfectly innocent. That would turn everything upside down. It would blind us to our own faults and we would go along self-justifying and not struggling to grow in the good, the right, and the noble. But here's the real story of judgment: It's not our job to justify ourselves. There is someone else who is much better at that. The Old Testament talks about how "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." Before any good works, measuring up to any commandments, Abraham was counted as righteous in the eyes of God. The Apostle Paul gives more details. He describes Abraham as trusting "Him who justifies the ungodly." Somewhere in that whole mix, something happened to judgment. This is what it is. Yesterday we talked about Jesus as the "warm body" God. He is also the "standing under judgment" God. What does that mean? People talk about "judgment" and about "Judgment Day," and they say that Judgment Day is when sinners will stand before God and be judged for their sins. But in one sense that has already happened. There was a day when there was a man of sin. It was just one man because he was the only one to be judged. He made himself the "one sinner" gathering into Himself all the sins of a fallen world, and accepting the penalty of every one of them individually, and all of them all heaped together. He stood with me. There under the judgment He stood with me. The other day I was studying a verse in Isaiah 53. It's the one that says, "surely He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows." But I remembered a different translation from back when when I was young: "surely He bore our griefs and carried our infirmities." I wondered, and I dug a bit further ... I was surprised. Some of the ancient rabbis looked at the verse and they asked whether the Messiah might even be afflicted with leprosy. Even though that goes a bit too far, it does grab onto something important. Jesus came to be in this fallen world, to carry a sin-sick world, to share with us the judgment part of this fallen world; and that includes even the infirmity, the dying, and the grave. He stood with me draining the judgment in my place, so that ... Jesus did everything so that I could stand with Him, in glory, when all the glory of life opens up and eternal blessings are poured out in ways that none of us can even begin to imagine. Lord Jesus, thank You for standing with me: in all the troubles of life; in my times of questioning and wondering; in my days of weakness; in the middle of worry; and when I have wandered far from God. Thank You for standing with me before Your Father, and for inviting me to stand with You in life and glory. Amen. ![]() Warm Bodies Among all the posts that have come through on the internet was one that was about a parent and child remembering the time being locked in "back in 2020". The mom asks, "What do you remember?" The child answers that he remembered being together as a family, having meals together, reading books together, playing board games together, and so on -- and then says it was the best time ever. It is fascinating to see the posts of parents teaching their children, finding activities for them, cooking together. and so on. I come home and there is a racket, from grandkids on the other end of the iPad screen reading a book with their grandmother, and not being able to sit still so all the shuffling and wiggling up close to the microphone is echoing through the house -- and I can't help but think, "This is good. This is how things should be more often." Warm bodies. I hear someone talking about, "What are we going to do for haircuts?" As a family they will do for each other. Warm bodies. We are trying to keep in touch with each other in a lot of different ways. Sometimes, a little more often, we are choosing phone calls instead of texting. Warm bodies, even if it is only the voice of a warm body. I have been out to cemeteries twice this week. People linger. Even if we keep the 6 foot distance, and even if it has started to rain we want to see each other and speak to each other. Warm bodies. Several times through the years we have had a choice to make for our Vacation Bible School. Should we use the prerecorded music with the singers on a video screen, or should we do the music ourselves. We watched the children as we tried one way and then the other. With the video they watched, and were quite happy. When we turned off the video they joined in, singing, dancing and doing the motions along with the leaders. Warm bodies. This is one of the most wonderful parts of our Christian faith. God did not stay up in heaven. He did not send a text. And Christianity is not a set of propositions and theories. Christianity is a "warm body" religion. This is unique, where God actually comes into our world to become one of us. He laid in a manger, was tempted in the wilderness, hungered and thirsted. Jesus was there in the water with John the Baptist, in the Synagogue with the man with a withered hand, and out in a lonely place with a crowd of 5,000 hungry men plus women and children and fed them. Later that night after He invited Peter to come walking on the water with Him and after Peter looked around and began to sink, what did Jesus do? He "reached out His hand and took hold of him". (Matthew 14:31-32) Warm bodies. Jesus touched the blind man, took the little children in His arms, and invited Thomas to poke a finger into the marks of the nails. On Easter morning and evening Christianity became the ultimate "warm body" religion. The Apostle John, who was leaning up against Jesus at the Lord's Supper (John 13:25), said "what we have seen with our eyes ... and touched with our hands" (1 John 1:1), and then there was the ear of the servant of the high priest, that Jesus healed. (Luke 22:51) Warm bodies. This was not just God taking a body. He was not untouched by our human condition. Jesus needed to spend time in prayer. He is able "to sympathize with our weaknesses," and was "tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15) And the ultimate -- He knows what it is like to be weighed down by sin and stand before God. And it was not His own, it was mine; so He knows what it is like to have my particular sins. When we come to Him we are coming to a Friend who knows our need, and understands what it is to walk by faith. By being one of us Jesus has turned prayer into a "warm body" experience -- and that is amazing. So, reach out to one another. Phone and talk. Assure one another that we are together in this. We have been bound together in Jesus and are not alone. And reach out to those who are not part of the body of Christ. Make them less alone in these times. Lord Jesus, thank you for being with me. Thank you for being my brother, my fellow human being. Thank for knowing my weaknesses and for caring. Thank you for knowing what it is to have to walk by faith and not see. And thank you for hearing all my prayers that don't seem very well sorted out at all. Thank you that for all time You will always be that "warm body" God that I can come to. Amen. |
Rev. Mark WilligPastor Willig is pastor emeritus of Friends in Christ Lutheran Church. Archives
December 2023
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