Where are we going? Jesus says, I am the way.
What does he mean, he is the way?
This week’s text is JOHN 14: 1-14
This week will challenge us as Christians to stay away from hard and fast rules or set ways of moving forward. When Thomas asks Jesus - “where are you going to prepare a place for us?”, Jesus responds with “ I am the way.”
If you were asking someone for directions to, say, a fast station, that wouldn’t really be a useful answer. But if you are asking the Son of God, “how am I to get to the place you are preparing for us- how am I to get to your salvation that you have achieved through conquering sin and death in yourself?” Then, it’s a much better answer.
But here’s the thing - it isn’t a set of instructions, instead, Jesus answer points us towards relationship. It isn’t, go this way or do this thing, or even explicitly, ‘follow me‘, it is I am the way. And the next step from statement like that is to get to know the person who says it.
Have you ever felt like you needed God to give you more specific instructions? Why?
Jesus describes himself as the way into what is next. If that way is a kind and loving savior full of grace and power - what might it look for you?
If the way is a person and not a set of direction or rules, how might that be difficult or frustrating?
Do you think there is a temptation within the church, or maybe within your own life to change Jesus invitation to relationship into a more rote set of rules or expectations? why? Why not?
Prayer: Lord Jesus - you walk with us each day, both ahead of us showing the way and also with us, with peace and comfort for our hearts and courage for the challenges ahead. Make us aware of your presence and lead us into life together with you forever. Amen.
What is abundant life? How does it change things?
What if there is enough? What if God provides?
Today’s text is JOHN 10:1-10
Jesus tells his disciples, and those all around him, including Pharisees and gentiles. I have that that you might have life, and have it abundantly!
What is he talking about? Isn’t life just life? What does he mean?
One way to to approach this is to consider what abundance might really mean for us in our lives. One of the primary things that divides us from others and keeps us from trusting God is our belief that there isn’t enough.
There isn’t enough food, enough money, enough to go around. There isn’t enough time, justice, or love. There just isn’t enough.
The world shows us this again and again. Or at least it is the lesson we seem to learn. But what if there was abundance? What if there is abundance? When we live with this attitude, that God will provide, it frees us to share with others. It frees us to bless others as we have been blessed. This is not only appropriate for our possessions and supplies, but it is also especially appropriate for our hearts and our lives.
When there is enough love to go around, we aren’t stingy or afraid we won’t be able to care for someone who is hard to care for. When there is ultimately justice that will make things right, we can keep working for justice now with hope, even if we don’t make it to the finish line. When there is enough life, enough time, we need t rush through things, or desperately cling to our personal time or work. Instead, we can live humbly knowing that there is more than enough. The attitude of abundance is a trust attitude in the one who loves us.
Prayer: God you provide for us. Help to see this and trust you in your promises so that we might live in the kingdom life now, sharing freely, loving generously, and at ease with each day and what it brings. AMEN.
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.