Jesus says I am the Gate. Wait. What?
Today Jesus tells his followers that he is the gate to the sheepfold. This is an image they’d all get - but maybe we don’t so much…The gate releases the sheep he knows, but also lets them in to a place of safety.
Today’s text is John 1-:1-10
In the text today we have Jesus telling us he is the gate!. Usually we gloss over this and head over to the much more comforting and much easier to understand - I am the GOOD SHEPHERD, which is just in the next section.
But what about this bit? I am the gate - I protect from sheep stealers and those will ill intent. I will open the gate and lead you into green pastures. Upon your return I will open the gate and protect you in a safe sheepfold ( where sheep sleep, and usually a large stone structure / wall in Jesus’ day - look at the image in the banner section) .
Are there places in your heart, soul, mind, physical life, where Jesus might release you from the place where you are stuck? What would that look like? Can you imagine it?
Have you ever asked in prayer for a change of heart, or a release from something that binds you?
How about from the other point of view? Do you feel fear of danger or risk these days? Pandemic not withstanding, are you in need of care or safety? What might that look like?
Have you ever in prayer asked for help or guidance on finding peace or safety from harm?
Are there concrete ways in your life that your walk with Jesus has provided these things?
Speaking for myself - there are many times I have needed release from a prison of my own making, or release from something that bound me up in anger or sin or pride. Praying for a release or for a change of heart is a powerful way to engage with God and God’s love for you. In the same way, God’s promises to us are always a safe sheepfold for us to rest writhing. Paul reminds us that neither height nor depth nor powers nor principalities, nor anything can separate us from the Love of God shown to us in Jesus Christ. Nothing. We are at rest within the loving arms of God’s grace at all times - whether or not we “feel” it. God’s promises are true in that they are the bedrock upon which creation itself rests, changed for all time in the death and resurrection of Christ. If then - we are safe and loved, how shall we live?
Prayer: Thank you God that you release us from our own sin and binding, and that you not only provide us with new avenues, new pastures, new opportunities for loving our neighbors, but that you also hold us in your safety of love and care. Keep us there always and inspire us to welcome others into an awareness of your care for them. Amen.
What keeps us from seeing?
Jesus shows up, and the disciples don’t recognize him! Do you ever have a hard time seeing Jesus in your life?
Today’s Text is from Luke 24:13-35
What keeps us from seeing Jesus!? Well for Cleopas and his friend, it seems to have been a combination of something including their expectations of Jesus (he’s dead, so he can’t be here), their understanding of who Jesus is (he is the one to redeem Israel) and maybe something else in their spirits or hearts (they looked as those who had lost a friend).
Aren’t those many of the same things that keep us from seeing Jesus? We expect God to act in certain ways - according to our expectations! We limit God to this or that. We further limit things down by denomination and tradition, but culture and by skepticism.
But the disciples here, after seeing Jesus - they don’t come to conclusions - they just tell the story about what happened in their hearts, and to the other disciples! The share their good news.
Are there parts of your church tradition that you feel make it harder to see Jesus?
Are there parts of other denominations that you find yourself judging?
Why do you think there is sometimes competition between different churches rather than an attitude of sharing the Gospel of Jesus?
Where have you seen God active in your life? Do you ever tell that story?
Do you wonder if others have seen God act in their lives? Who especially? Have you ever asked them?
What about God’s love for you is good news? What does it mean for this day? Right now?
Prayer: God - help us to see you, in the presence of the Holy Spirit between people of faith and all people, in the presence of your Son Jesus - who listens to our stories, and helps bring us context and clarity to the deep truth of this life and the next. Walk with us each day - and inspire us to share our good news humbly and honestly. Amen.
On the road with Jesus
What would it be like to be on the trail with Jesus? He meets up with two of his disciples and explains everything to them as they walk. What questions would you ask? What would you want to know?
Today’s text is from LUKE (not Matthew) 24: 13-31
Cleopas and one other un-named disciple are walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, and a stranger walks with them on the same day the Marys discover the tomb is empty. Cleopas and his companion are sharing their stories, pondering their lives, the events of the last week, and what it all means. Then, Jesus interjects (although they don’t know it’s him) and explains it to them.
Afterwards, they describe that their “hearts were on fire while he was teaching!” And they suddenly recognize him in the breaking of the bread.
What are your questions for Jesus? Do you ever bring those questions to Jesus in prayer?
What might it look like to find answers or at least find some guidance on those questions?
What about this reading catches your attention?
Where do you find yourself in the story? Are you asking questions? Or are you reflecting on the events of the last weeks, confused and hurting? Are you explaining to others where God is present in active in all this? All of the above?
What words of comfort might you have for disciples who feel like they’ve missed it or lost it all?
Prayer: God you travel with us all the days of our lives. You’re there in the exciting moments and in the dull, making your way with us one step at a time. Thank you that you walk with us, through good and bad, and motivate and encourage us as we work to do the same for others in our lives. Amen.
When do you stop and listen?
How can we look for Jesus to show up in our lives if we don’t stop to look back or stop to listen to our life in the first place? Do you stop from time to time to reflect on your life? Do you tell your stories, to others? To yourself?
This week the text is John 20: 19-31
Jesus appears to the disciples. He speaks with them, shows them he is alive. But they are to wait until the Spirit comes before doing anything. It is 8 days later when Jesus appears to all of them again, and this time Thomas is there too.
I wonder what was going through their minds for those 8 days. We’re they praying for guidance? We’re they making Life adjustments or arrangements for their future. We’re they just staying locked down like all of us have been lately? 8 days is a long time.
1. Do you take time to reflect on things, to pray and listen? If not, why not? If so - how does it help?
2. It is hard to notice the action of God in our lives when we are in he midst of things. Sometimes it is obvious, but many times, it appears more clearly when looking back. How do you look back and reflect?
3. How do you keep track of when God does show up? Do you tell your story to others? To yourself?
Prayer: God our loving creator, you have done so much for us, and yet we often forget the ways you have been present in our lives for lack of telling the story, and we often overlook your presence for our own worry or busy-ness. God encourage us to stop and listen - and to find you when we do. Amen.
NW 4-15 Seeing AND Believing
Blessed are those who believe and yet have not seen - Jesus says to the disciples, WHO WERE SEEING HIM! What if we spent some time LOOKING for Jesus instead of trying to stir up emotions and faith in a vacuum?
Today’s Text is John 20: 19-31
I think we probably want to avoid taking Jesus’ words in John 29 as advice or a command - “Blessed are those who hav believed, and yet have not seen.” I think it is more of a statement of fact. Indeed - those who believe and are faithful without seeing Jesus are to be praised for sure!
But somehow in modern Christianity - I often get the impression that there are those who are proud of believing and not seeing - rather than simply seeking to SEE GOD IN ACTION!
Why would we WANT to believe without seeing? This is a question that should be asked! Because is alive and active and up to all sort of things in the lives of believers ALL THE TIME! So instead of believing without seeing - what if we were instead to aspire to Believing AND Seeing!
This is what the disciples do! Jesus says the above to Thomas after Thomas has said he will not believe unless he sees. Remember - the disciples didn’t believe UNTIL Jesus shows up! In fact - in Mark 16:14 - he berates the disciples unbelief and stubborn skepticism until he showed up!
Jesus is telling the truth - it is a blessing to have a faith that is strong and trusting without evidence. But he doesn’t say - strive for this. Rather- he appears to his followers and then gives them marching orders. The same is true for us. Jesus shows up in all the ways mentioned in the video above - and many more. Jesus has been showing up to the Church for 2000 years, and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down!
So - how and where will you look for Jesus. And when you have the suspicion that the Spirit has shown up - how will you tell the story? How will you remember the times when Jesus DOES make an appearance. And what will you do when it happens?
Christ’s Peace to you! PrCR
Now What?! 4-14-20
The doors were locked, the disciples skeptical, and Thomas was gone. What do you do after a shock or a let down?
Our text for this week will be John 20:19-31
So after Jesus was raised - the first to discover him were Mary and the other Mary in John’s account. And all of the gospels have the women disciples finding Jesus first. Meanwhile, the others are hiding in shock, no idea what to do next.
When the women try to tell the others what has happened, they are skeptical. Even after going to see the tomb, Peter and the “disciple who loved him” (which is the author - John) go back to the upper room, unsure and unsettled at best.
‘When Jesus shows up to speak with them and breathes the Holy Spirit on them it seems that all is well (although Matthew’s Gospel records some stern words from Jesus about the disciple’s skepticism and disrespect to the women) and Jesus offers the hope and new possibilities.
What shocks have you been experiencing? What have you written off as a failure lately?
Are you experiencing hope in this time of pandemic? If so, where? If not, why not?
When Jesus breathes the spirit on them - the first thing he says is that forgiveness is now what they’re about. The message paraphrase here is excellent - if you don’t forgive the sins others, what are you going to do with them? Are there sins you’ve held on to that would be better forgiven?
Finally - a brief word on Thomas - with more to be said this week. One question - where do you think he was? What was he up to?
Prayer: Oh God, restore our hope in dark times, help us to draw near to Jesus as he is already near to us. Empower us to forgive, and encourage our hearts. As we continue our work and lives, strengthen us to forgive as we share your spirit. Amen.