John 10:1-10 is the lectionary text for next Sunday.
Those who care for the sheep and those who do not are out there.
The ones who enter by the gate, through Jesus and those who legitimately guard the sheep are real shepherds.
It is the voice of the Shepherd that they sheep know, and the shepherd knows them by name.
Verse 5 is troublesome to me.
I am not sure if she sheep do not follow the thief and bandit, in my experience.
I am not sure that they run from them, in my experience.
But perhaps the Gospel writer is saying that those who would follow thieves and bandits are not sheep of the shepherd?
Perhaps they do not run away because it is the thieves and robbers with whom they identify?
Perhaps they know the voice of the thieves and robbers and prefer them?
I have considered that with those I have known who consider charlatans their shepherds, false shepherds who pervert the Gospel of Jesus for their own gain, like thieves and robbers.
I have known a lot of them. They hear what they like from the voice of the thieves and robbers and do not run away, but run with them.
Those who have not come through the gate, who claim to be shepherds, but who do not identify with Jesus the gate, come to steal and kill their souls and destroy their lives.
It is truly tragic. The sheep don't see it, or like it too much, this running with thieves and robbers.
Maybe it's no accident that Jesus calls us sheep?
Are some that gullible to believe a message so contradictory to the message of Jesus?
Are some that easily duped to believe that the thieves and robbers are faithful servants of Jesus?
Or are they more comfortable with thieves and robbers, preferring their voices and what they say with them?
Or a little of both?
This is why I always recommend that folk go straight to the real thing - the Good Shepherd.
This is why I urge people to learn what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled, as we have witness in the Gospels, to go directly to the source.
This is why I have no use for the charlatans of the age, who tell people what they like to hear - prosperity theology, church growth, personal salvation theology, purity and holiness merit theology, tolerance of intolerance and judgment of others, supremacy of anyone over others and other twisted, perverted teachings that they claim are faithful to Jesus.
This is why I firmly believe that what Jesus said is true - "You will know them by their fruits." If these "shepherds" do anything inconsistent with what Jesus taught, if they are about themselves and their own wealth, power and status, if they are at all about hatred of anyone and not about compassion for the most vulnerable, they are thieves and bandits.
It is why I firmly believe that what Jesus said is true - "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." If these "shepherds" show their love for themselves only, people like themselves only, or wealth, power and status only they are thieves and robbers and not shepherds who point to, devote to and pledge themselves to the Good Shepherd.
But what of the sheep?
Are they, themselves sheep? Or are they wolves in sheep's clothing?
Are they helpless, gullible victims of the thieves and robbers, or are they devotees of the same values?
Or both?
I truly believe that when Jesus calls us sheep, it is not a compliment.
It is out of love, certainly, but perhaps not out of awe regarding our reason or wisdom.
So, are there true sheep who follow the Good Shepherd and false sheep who go with the thieves and robbers, or are we all sheep and some are simply easily duped as victims of the thieves and robbers?
What do YOU think?
Do you know the voice of the Shepherd and run from the thieves and robbers?
Or do you follow the strangers who are the thieves and robbers?
What is your "shepherd" preaching and teaching?
Is it what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled, as we have witness in the Gospels, or something else?
It truly may be that simple to figure out, that is if you know what Jesus taught, commanded as we have witness in the Gospels, and you do not find the voice of thieves and bandits appealing.
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, April 26, 2020
Sunday, April 19, 2020
with eyes opened, and hearts burning
Luke 24:13-35 is the lectionary text for next Sunday, April 26.
*please note: Luke in vs. 20 clarifies that it was not "the Jews" who killed Jesus, but THEIR chief priests and leaders with Rome (empire). Anti-Jewish polemicists need to sit down. This was a particularly corrupt time and place for the Temple Cult Leaders and not a universal truth across the ages, much like the Protestant Reformation which took place during a particularly corrupt period and place in Catholic history, and cannot accurately or faithfully be used to de-value the Catholic faith. Empire corrupts political, social and religious institutions by corrupting its leaders - NOW as then.
Now, on to the heart of the matter -
They knew the story. According to Luke's Gospel, they lived it.
Jesus interpreted it for them, in the context of the Law and Prophets and current realities.
Their hearts were burning as Jesus shared what the Good News meant.
And their eyes were opened in the breaking of the bread, and they recognized Him.
That's how it is with the Good News, the fulfillment of Law and Prophets in the New Covenant of Jesus based on Agape Love and Grace. It burns in our hearts.
That's how it is with the sharing of God's Grace, here in a sacramental reference. It opens our eyes.
Word and Sacrament.
Proclaiming the Good News of Agape Love.
Sharing God's Grace with one another.
It is in this that we know Jesus, and in this that our hearts burn with love, hope and faith.
The Gospels are our source.
The writers of these Gospels have provided us with an account of Jesus' life, ministry, teachings, commands and examples for how we are called by God to live.
The Holy Spirit of God moves us in them, always pointing to Christ Jesus and His Agape Love and Grace as OUR WAY of living in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now.
What Jesus taught, commanded and modeled as God's Way for us to live our lives, is a better way than empire's way of greed, lust for power and desire for status above others, which is the way of merit as defined by those who have the power, wealth and status.
Jesus' Way brings us to the living of Agape Love (active commitment on behalf of the other, even stranger and enemy, and especially the most vulnerable - see Lk. 10:25-37).
Jesus' Way brings us to the living of Grace with one another (undeserved loving mercy, given freely).
Jesus' Way of Agape and Grace is based on our need and God's Agape and Grace for us, as well as the needs of those around us and God's Agape and Grace for them given through us.
Jesus' Way builds up, unites, creates community and provides Shalom (completeness, wholeness and well-being) for all, equally.
The empire way tears down, divides, destroys community and eliminates/prevents Shalom for most, for the benefit of only the few.
What burns in your hearts? Is it Jesus' Good News Way of being children of God in this part of God's Kingdom here and now, or the greed, lust for power and desire for personal status of empire?
In what do you know Jesus? In what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled as we have witness in the Gospels, or some re-created version of Jesus by empire?
I know Jesus in the sharing of Grace.
I know Jesus in the Good News of living Agape Love in the world around me.
My eyes have been opened to Jesus' Way, as I have learned it in the Gospels.
My heart burns with a desire to live Jesus' Good News Way of Agape Love and Grace in the world around me, here and now, knowing that it is a better, more just and equitable, sustainable way for the world in which I live.
*(My new, current writing exercise is an exploration of a number (12 or 13) Imperatives of Jesus in the Gospels, how they are a fulfillment of the Law and Prophets, and how they are applied in the First Century church and expounded upon by the Epistles of that time. As always, my hope is to make the case for living what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us as God's Way for us to live in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now.)
*(I am currently (since March 22) offering devotion videos on Sundays, in which I explore how the 1st Century followers of Jesus in Acts lived what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us, and how it changed the world around them - see the People of the Way of Jesus Facebook page.)
How do you know Jesus?
What burns in your heart?
Pastor Jamie
*please note: Luke in vs. 20 clarifies that it was not "the Jews" who killed Jesus, but THEIR chief priests and leaders with Rome (empire). Anti-Jewish polemicists need to sit down. This was a particularly corrupt time and place for the Temple Cult Leaders and not a universal truth across the ages, much like the Protestant Reformation which took place during a particularly corrupt period and place in Catholic history, and cannot accurately or faithfully be used to de-value the Catholic faith. Empire corrupts political, social and religious institutions by corrupting its leaders - NOW as then.
Now, on to the heart of the matter -
They knew the story. According to Luke's Gospel, they lived it.
Jesus interpreted it for them, in the context of the Law and Prophets and current realities.
Their hearts were burning as Jesus shared what the Good News meant.
And their eyes were opened in the breaking of the bread, and they recognized Him.
That's how it is with the Good News, the fulfillment of Law and Prophets in the New Covenant of Jesus based on Agape Love and Grace. It burns in our hearts.
That's how it is with the sharing of God's Grace, here in a sacramental reference. It opens our eyes.
Word and Sacrament.
Proclaiming the Good News of Agape Love.
Sharing God's Grace with one another.
It is in this that we know Jesus, and in this that our hearts burn with love, hope and faith.
The Gospels are our source.
The writers of these Gospels have provided us with an account of Jesus' life, ministry, teachings, commands and examples for how we are called by God to live.
The Holy Spirit of God moves us in them, always pointing to Christ Jesus and His Agape Love and Grace as OUR WAY of living in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now.
What Jesus taught, commanded and modeled as God's Way for us to live our lives, is a better way than empire's way of greed, lust for power and desire for status above others, which is the way of merit as defined by those who have the power, wealth and status.
Jesus' Way brings us to the living of Agape Love (active commitment on behalf of the other, even stranger and enemy, and especially the most vulnerable - see Lk. 10:25-37).
Jesus' Way brings us to the living of Grace with one another (undeserved loving mercy, given freely).
Jesus' Way of Agape and Grace is based on our need and God's Agape and Grace for us, as well as the needs of those around us and God's Agape and Grace for them given through us.
Jesus' Way builds up, unites, creates community and provides Shalom (completeness, wholeness and well-being) for all, equally.
The empire way tears down, divides, destroys community and eliminates/prevents Shalom for most, for the benefit of only the few.
What burns in your hearts? Is it Jesus' Good News Way of being children of God in this part of God's Kingdom here and now, or the greed, lust for power and desire for personal status of empire?
In what do you know Jesus? In what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled as we have witness in the Gospels, or some re-created version of Jesus by empire?
I know Jesus in the sharing of Grace.
I know Jesus in the Good News of living Agape Love in the world around me.
My eyes have been opened to Jesus' Way, as I have learned it in the Gospels.
My heart burns with a desire to live Jesus' Good News Way of Agape Love and Grace in the world around me, here and now, knowing that it is a better, more just and equitable, sustainable way for the world in which I live.
*(My new, current writing exercise is an exploration of a number (12 or 13) Imperatives of Jesus in the Gospels, how they are a fulfillment of the Law and Prophets, and how they are applied in the First Century church and expounded upon by the Epistles of that time. As always, my hope is to make the case for living what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us as God's Way for us to live in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now.)
*(I am currently (since March 22) offering devotion videos on Sundays, in which I explore how the 1st Century followers of Jesus in Acts lived what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us, and how it changed the world around them - see the People of the Way of Jesus Facebook page.)
How do you know Jesus?
What burns in your heart?
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, April 12, 2020
Peace
John 20:19-31 is the lectionary text for April 19.
It was the evening of the resurrection day.
Jesus appeared to His disciples, standing among them and saying, "Peace be with you."
Jesus spoke similarly to His disciples at another place in John's Gospel (14:27-31), perhaps reminiscent during a reading of this passage. In that passage, we have Jesus saying that the Peace He gives is not like that which the world gives, and He encouraged His followers to not let their hearts be troubled or be afraid.
Indeed, the Shalom/eireinei of which Jesus speaks is completeness, wholeness and well-being for all people and not like the Pax Romana, which may have been a lack of crime or disorder, but was given under occupation, oppression, violence and injustice. People did not have well-being because all that they had was taken to fuel the empire. People did not have well-being because the Temple Cult leaders of their time were in collusion with empire, at the expense of their own people. Jesus' Shalom is built on Agape Love and Grace, and is therefore just, equitable and sustainable as a better way for ALL people. That is the value of the Kingdom of God that Jesus brought.
So, on this day when the witness had come that Jesus was raised from the dead and alive, Jesus appears to give peace, a sense of well-being, and quell trouble hearts or fear. Jesus was among them again, and it meant Shalom for them. Even the doubter was dealt with graciously and because of him we are provided a lesson regarding how to face uncertain, troubling and fearful times and circumstances.
"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." Perhaps they are blessed because they have a sense of hope in uncertainty, trouble and fearfulness. Perhaps they are blessed because they believe in God's Presence, Power and Love for us. Perhaps they are blessed because their faith is not shaken in these times, so they maintain a sense of well-being, completeness and wholeness. Hold on, in faith, to hope, especially in times like these.
We need a little Shalom. We need to have a sense of completeness, wholeness and well-being. We need to have our troubled hearts comforted and fears quelled.
The world will not provide it.
Empire will certainly not provide it.
In Jesus we can find peace. In what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled, as we have witness in the Gospels, we find a formula for well-being for all people. In it we find a sustainable way to be in the world, this part of God's Kingdom, here and now - an alternative, even a resistance to the ways of empire that tear down, marginalized, disenfranchise many lives for the sake of a few. It is the only, real sustainable way for humanity - that we live not just for ourselves but for one another - live Agape Love and Grace. When we actively commit to the well-being of others, we are ultimately committing actively to our own. The truth is that unless ALL have Shalom, none truly have it.
That is faithfulness. That is our hope.
We are in an uncertain time, even fearful time. We need to have our Shalom established and/or restored. We will find that in Jesus' Way and NOT in the ways of empire. Greed, lust for Power and desire for Status have brought us to this time of uncertainty, illness, poverty and distress. The Way of Jesus will bring completeness, wholeness and well-being for ALL, because it is built on the living of Agape Love and Grace.
That is the Good News of Jesus in times of uncertainty, trouble, fear and doubt. Jesus is among us and gives us words of Peace.
Now, we can embrace the things that make for peace/shalom/eireinei, or we can continue to create and then live in despair, uncertainty, trouble and fear.
The Good News IS Jesus' better way for us.
Pastor Jamie
It was the evening of the resurrection day.
Jesus appeared to His disciples, standing among them and saying, "Peace be with you."
Jesus spoke similarly to His disciples at another place in John's Gospel (14:27-31), perhaps reminiscent during a reading of this passage. In that passage, we have Jesus saying that the Peace He gives is not like that which the world gives, and He encouraged His followers to not let their hearts be troubled or be afraid.
Indeed, the Shalom/eireinei of which Jesus speaks is completeness, wholeness and well-being for all people and not like the Pax Romana, which may have been a lack of crime or disorder, but was given under occupation, oppression, violence and injustice. People did not have well-being because all that they had was taken to fuel the empire. People did not have well-being because the Temple Cult leaders of their time were in collusion with empire, at the expense of their own people. Jesus' Shalom is built on Agape Love and Grace, and is therefore just, equitable and sustainable as a better way for ALL people. That is the value of the Kingdom of God that Jesus brought.
So, on this day when the witness had come that Jesus was raised from the dead and alive, Jesus appears to give peace, a sense of well-being, and quell trouble hearts or fear. Jesus was among them again, and it meant Shalom for them. Even the doubter was dealt with graciously and because of him we are provided a lesson regarding how to face uncertain, troubling and fearful times and circumstances.
"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." Perhaps they are blessed because they have a sense of hope in uncertainty, trouble and fearfulness. Perhaps they are blessed because they believe in God's Presence, Power and Love for us. Perhaps they are blessed because their faith is not shaken in these times, so they maintain a sense of well-being, completeness and wholeness. Hold on, in faith, to hope, especially in times like these.
We need a little Shalom. We need to have a sense of completeness, wholeness and well-being. We need to have our troubled hearts comforted and fears quelled.
The world will not provide it.
Empire will certainly not provide it.
In Jesus we can find peace. In what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled, as we have witness in the Gospels, we find a formula for well-being for all people. In it we find a sustainable way to be in the world, this part of God's Kingdom, here and now - an alternative, even a resistance to the ways of empire that tear down, marginalized, disenfranchise many lives for the sake of a few. It is the only, real sustainable way for humanity - that we live not just for ourselves but for one another - live Agape Love and Grace. When we actively commit to the well-being of others, we are ultimately committing actively to our own. The truth is that unless ALL have Shalom, none truly have it.
That is faithfulness. That is our hope.
We are in an uncertain time, even fearful time. We need to have our Shalom established and/or restored. We will find that in Jesus' Way and NOT in the ways of empire. Greed, lust for Power and desire for Status have brought us to this time of uncertainty, illness, poverty and distress. The Way of Jesus will bring completeness, wholeness and well-being for ALL, because it is built on the living of Agape Love and Grace.
That is the Good News of Jesus in times of uncertainty, trouble, fear and doubt. Jesus is among us and gives us words of Peace.
Now, we can embrace the things that make for peace/shalom/eireinei, or we can continue to create and then live in despair, uncertainty, trouble and fear.
The Good News IS Jesus' better way for us.
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Oh, the hope, crushed and reborn
Matthew 28:1-18 is the lectionary text for Sunday, April 12
They must have felt that the movement would last forever.
Jesus' teachings and acts of love moved people and drew them.
And Jesus' message was clear to Rome - your power, wealth and status mean nothing in the Kingdom.
The wealth of the greedy, power of the tyrants and status of the entitled elites means nothing to God.
It was a message of love for those not feeling loved under empire.
It was a message of life for those whose lives were downtrodden under empire.
It was a message of hope for people who had been occupied and oppressed for a long time under empire.
As more people came and responded to Jesus' Kingdom values of Agape Love and Grace, they must have at one time thought that the movement would last forever and become the new norm in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now!
God's Kingdom was winning! Love and Grace were winning over the evils of empire.
This Passover would mean a renewal of Moses' deliverance from oppression!
And then, after the triumphal entry and cleansing of the Temple, the forces of evil rose up and conspired, corrupted and acted.
The betrayal and denial of the most trusted.
The wrongful arrest, the mocking and torture, the perp walk complete with cross and the execution.
The death.
Hope died. The movement died. They were scattered, isolated, hiding.
How could it end this way?
Is that all there is? Empire wins? Evil wins?
Jesus was in the tomb, a borrowed one. He was gone. It was over.
What a let down, a disappointment, a trauma!
And the women, ever present and caring, ever attentive and giving care, went to offer their final act of loving service - to prepare Jesus' body for permanent burial.
Then, it was announced that Jesus was not dead, but raised!
Then they saw Jesus! Alive!
Then these women were the first witnesses to His resurrection!
And even though the conspirators still conspired, even now, the witness went out!
Jesus was not Moses alone, but also Passover Lamb, whose blood saved God's children.
Saved from sin and death, from the bondage of hearts and minds to empire, from the bondage of ignorant hatefulness as people love God with their whole MINDS and HEARTS and SOULS!
Jesus is Messiah, sent to deliver, who delivered.
Jesus gave a different truth, even under empire, that we need not be subject to it!
We can live by a different set a values to the destructive forces of greed, lust for power and desire for status which are empire.
We can live Agape Love and Grace, Mercy and Kindness, Generosity and Advocacy with one another in spite of empire which is all around us!
We are saved from the forces of evil that would oppress, hold down, back and out, and destroy us!
We are free to live as people who have life, life abundant and life forever because of God's Grace!
From HOSANNA to HALLELUJAH!
Live like the children of God who have been delivered from the evils of empire, to live the Kingdom of God values of Agape Love and Grace, here and now, in THIS PART of God's Kingdom!
Hallelujah!
Pastor Jamie
They must have felt that the movement would last forever.
Jesus' teachings and acts of love moved people and drew them.
And Jesus' message was clear to Rome - your power, wealth and status mean nothing in the Kingdom.
The wealth of the greedy, power of the tyrants and status of the entitled elites means nothing to God.
It was a message of love for those not feeling loved under empire.
It was a message of life for those whose lives were downtrodden under empire.
It was a message of hope for people who had been occupied and oppressed for a long time under empire.
As more people came and responded to Jesus' Kingdom values of Agape Love and Grace, they must have at one time thought that the movement would last forever and become the new norm in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now!
God's Kingdom was winning! Love and Grace were winning over the evils of empire.
This Passover would mean a renewal of Moses' deliverance from oppression!
And then, after the triumphal entry and cleansing of the Temple, the forces of evil rose up and conspired, corrupted and acted.
The betrayal and denial of the most trusted.
The wrongful arrest, the mocking and torture, the perp walk complete with cross and the execution.
The death.
Hope died. The movement died. They were scattered, isolated, hiding.
How could it end this way?
Is that all there is? Empire wins? Evil wins?
Jesus was in the tomb, a borrowed one. He was gone. It was over.
What a let down, a disappointment, a trauma!
And the women, ever present and caring, ever attentive and giving care, went to offer their final act of loving service - to prepare Jesus' body for permanent burial.
Then, it was announced that Jesus was not dead, but raised!
Then they saw Jesus! Alive!
Then these women were the first witnesses to His resurrection!
And even though the conspirators still conspired, even now, the witness went out!
Jesus was not Moses alone, but also Passover Lamb, whose blood saved God's children.
Saved from sin and death, from the bondage of hearts and minds to empire, from the bondage of ignorant hatefulness as people love God with their whole MINDS and HEARTS and SOULS!
Jesus is Messiah, sent to deliver, who delivered.
Jesus gave a different truth, even under empire, that we need not be subject to it!
We can live by a different set a values to the destructive forces of greed, lust for power and desire for status which are empire.
We can live Agape Love and Grace, Mercy and Kindness, Generosity and Advocacy with one another in spite of empire which is all around us!
We are saved from the forces of evil that would oppress, hold down, back and out, and destroy us!
We are free to live as people who have life, life abundant and life forever because of God's Grace!
From HOSANNA to HALLELUJAH!
Live like the children of God who have been delivered from the evils of empire, to live the Kingdom of God values of Agape Love and Grace, here and now, in THIS PART of God's Kingdom!
Hallelujah!
Pastor Jamie
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