Matthew 13:31-33; 44-52 is the text in next Sunday's lectionary...
Everything in EMPIRE has to be grand, the biggest, the best - just huuuuge.
It is all about opulent wealth, absolute power and undeniable status above all others.
What gets folk to that is the despair, the disenfranchisement and destruction of others' lives.
The Kingdom of God calls us to live differently.
In the Kingdom, it is the smallest, seemingly most insignificant thing that has great value. The smallest seed of promise that grows and sustains life for some of the most insignificant creatures on earth is what is valued in the Kingdom.
The spreading of good things throughout, that grows and produces life sustaining stuff is what is valued in the Kingdom.
The treasure of Agape and Grace, when stumbled upon in the midst of the crap of the world, is obtained at whatever cost of worldly values, in the Kingdom.
The treasure of Agape and Grace, when recognized in others and thus valued because of what one has seen, is sought after intentionally and obtained at whatever cost of worldly values, in the Kingdom.
The reckoning comes by God in the end, when those things of Kingdom value are sorted from those things of worldly value, separated and relegated to very different fates.
The true servants of God go to the storeroom of heaven to bring out the best, the consistent, the (Agape) Loving, Merciful and Gracious of the Old (covenant) and the New (covenant), and apply it to the living of life in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now.
If you value the things of this world, of EMPIRE (Greed, Hatred, lust for Power, desire for Status), you will not understand or value the things of the Kingdom.
The values of Empire destroy many lives for the sake of a few.
The values of the Kingdom sustain lives of Shalom (completeness, wholeness, well-being) for ALL.
The Kingdom is different.
The values of the Kingdom are different.
We are taught and commanded by Jesus to live them here and now.
So, in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now, which do you value?
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, July 19, 2020
Sunday, July 12, 2020
Bearing good fruit in spite of...
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 is the lectionary text for next Sunday, July 19.
So, here it is VERY intentional - the evil, that is. It is actively, insidiously sown in the world, according to Jesus in Matthew.
The Kingdom is not just heaven, folks. We live in this part of the Kingdom, here and now, as it ALL belongs to God. Life in this part is different, to be sure, but we are called, taught and commanded to live the same values in this part of the Kingdom that are lived in that part, focusing on HERE and NOW, rather than "pie in the sky when we die." Being only heavenly minded means that we are only SELF oriented, and the commandment of Jesus to live Agape Love does not allow for that. Instead, it drives us to the living of "active commitment on behalf of the other - even stranger and enemy - especially the most vulnerable among us", here and now. It is just that we do that work of Agape while fighting the powers and principalities that would prevent it and devalue the living of Agape - the forces of empire values (greed, hatred, lust for power, desire for personal status above others).
So, Jesus posits this parable as a vision of how it is like in the Kingdom, here and now. There is no talk about worshiping Him, praising, tithing or being self-righteous here. It is about Agape - committed ACTION on behalf of others, out of a faithful heart to Jesus, to God.
Jesus is the giver of the Good News of Agape and Grace - our command on how to live faithfully.
Jesus sows the seeds of Agape and Grace in the world, and now we are drawn to, guided to and driven to the living of that Good News and Jesus by the Holy Spirit of God, who is relentless in doing so.
The field is the world, in which the seed is sown and in which the growth of the fruit is to happen.
The good seed growing into good fruit are those children faithful to Jesus and that Good News of Agape.
The weeds are the children faithful to empire, to the evil values of greed, hatred, lust for power and desire for personal status above others.
The angels of the Lord reap the crops, sorting out and destroying the evil and keeping the good fruit.
It is where this part of the Kingdom and how we live Kingdom values here and now meets that part of the Kingdom.
God makes it right in the end. God does the sorting of good fruit from evil.
And the promise is that the good fruit born by the Agape Love of Jesus will shine in the Kingdom, and the evil fruit born of empire will be horrendously destroyed.
Matthew attributes Jesus with very vivid images of the end. Nets with fish, Sower and Seed, Weeds and Wheat, Sheep and Goats. Either, Or... Good or Evil... Faithful or Unfaithful... we cannot say that Jesus in Matthew is not very clear.
So, here and now, what kind of fruit are we/you bearing?
Is it good fruit born of Agape and Grace that feeds others, sustains others and builds healthy communities?
Is it evil fruit born of Empire that divides, tears down lives and destroys healthy communities?
It is either... or.
We cannot serve two Masters, also according to Jesus in Matthew.
Kingdom or Empire?
In which will you live? With which values will you participate?
In which will you produce fruit in the world around you?
In which will you invest your life?
In which will you cast your fate for the end?
It cannot be both.
You are either weeds or good fruit, depending on which you produce in the world around you, according to Jesus.
Do/Will you produce the things that make for Shalom (completeness, wholeness and well-being) for ALL in Agape and Grace?
Or do/will you produce the things that destroy Shalom for MANY out of greed, hatred, lust for power and desire for personal status?
I do not believe that we choose to believe. Faith is a gift of God, faithfulness driven by the Holy Spirit.
I do believe that we choose to follow Jesus and be faithful in the living of what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us to live in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now. I believe THAT is faithfulness to God.
That choice is yours. Here and Now. Kingdom or Empire?
Pastor Jamie
So, here it is VERY intentional - the evil, that is. It is actively, insidiously sown in the world, according to Jesus in Matthew.
The Kingdom is not just heaven, folks. We live in this part of the Kingdom, here and now, as it ALL belongs to God. Life in this part is different, to be sure, but we are called, taught and commanded to live the same values in this part of the Kingdom that are lived in that part, focusing on HERE and NOW, rather than "pie in the sky when we die." Being only heavenly minded means that we are only SELF oriented, and the commandment of Jesus to live Agape Love does not allow for that. Instead, it drives us to the living of "active commitment on behalf of the other - even stranger and enemy - especially the most vulnerable among us", here and now. It is just that we do that work of Agape while fighting the powers and principalities that would prevent it and devalue the living of Agape - the forces of empire values (greed, hatred, lust for power, desire for personal status above others).
So, Jesus posits this parable as a vision of how it is like in the Kingdom, here and now. There is no talk about worshiping Him, praising, tithing or being self-righteous here. It is about Agape - committed ACTION on behalf of others, out of a faithful heart to Jesus, to God.
Jesus is the giver of the Good News of Agape and Grace - our command on how to live faithfully.
Jesus sows the seeds of Agape and Grace in the world, and now we are drawn to, guided to and driven to the living of that Good News and Jesus by the Holy Spirit of God, who is relentless in doing so.
The field is the world, in which the seed is sown and in which the growth of the fruit is to happen.
The good seed growing into good fruit are those children faithful to Jesus and that Good News of Agape.
The weeds are the children faithful to empire, to the evil values of greed, hatred, lust for power and desire for personal status above others.
The angels of the Lord reap the crops, sorting out and destroying the evil and keeping the good fruit.
It is where this part of the Kingdom and how we live Kingdom values here and now meets that part of the Kingdom.
God makes it right in the end. God does the sorting of good fruit from evil.
And the promise is that the good fruit born by the Agape Love of Jesus will shine in the Kingdom, and the evil fruit born of empire will be horrendously destroyed.
Matthew attributes Jesus with very vivid images of the end. Nets with fish, Sower and Seed, Weeds and Wheat, Sheep and Goats. Either, Or... Good or Evil... Faithful or Unfaithful... we cannot say that Jesus in Matthew is not very clear.
So, here and now, what kind of fruit are we/you bearing?
Is it good fruit born of Agape and Grace that feeds others, sustains others and builds healthy communities?
Is it evil fruit born of Empire that divides, tears down lives and destroys healthy communities?
It is either... or.
We cannot serve two Masters, also according to Jesus in Matthew.
Kingdom or Empire?
In which will you live? With which values will you participate?
In which will you produce fruit in the world around you?
In which will you invest your life?
In which will you cast your fate for the end?
It cannot be both.
You are either weeds or good fruit, depending on which you produce in the world around you, according to Jesus.
Do/Will you produce the things that make for Shalom (completeness, wholeness and well-being) for ALL in Agape and Grace?
Or do/will you produce the things that destroy Shalom for MANY out of greed, hatred, lust for power and desire for personal status?
I do not believe that we choose to believe. Faith is a gift of God, faithfulness driven by the Holy Spirit.
I do believe that we choose to follow Jesus and be faithful in the living of what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us to live in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now. I believe THAT is faithfulness to God.
That choice is yours. Here and Now. Kingdom or Empire?
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, July 5, 2020
In what kind of soil does the Word grow?
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 is the Gospel text
for the lectionary on July 12.
Jesus used “comparison” (parable in
Greek) to teach about the Kingdom of God.
Here it was aimed at those who struggled to survive under the oppressive
yoke of Rome as they grew crops on which to survive, though many of them were
taken to feed the Roman Military machine.
They knew about survival through fishing, growing and herding, so Jesus
taught them about their survival under and resistance to empire through
comparisons.
The sower indiscriminately spreads the
seed. Perhaps in desperation to have
enough, people who desperately needed everything they could grow may have done
this to get at least SOME crops, even out of bad soil. They knew this all too well.
The path is the well-worn place where
the dirt becomes like concrete over time, due to the foot traffic, rain and
constant packing down. It had a low
probability of producing grain, as others, desperately competing for their own
survival would come and eat the seed meant for planting, rather than wait for
it to grow.
The rocky soil was a low yield endeavor
because there was no depth of rich soil left after overgrowing, and it is hard
to grow crops on stones. The harsh
conditions did not help, and the soil may have started to grow, but could not
be sustained on the few nutrients available, like many of the people under
empire, and it died.
The thorns competed for whatever
nutrients were left in the soil. Like the
weeds in the wheat, they sucked up what little was left for themselves and
choked out the good crops, and they died.
The good soil produces. It has enough richness left to produce for
others to benefit. Perhaps few had such
good soil available to them, but because of them multitudes of desperate people
could at least survive under empire.
Verses 10-17 include a teaching by Jesus
on why parables are used in teaching.
Jesus wanted the truth of the Kingdom to be conveyed to those who would
listen and understand. There would be
others who would not do so. Jesus wanted
people to see the true picture of what was going on in the world, under empire,
and some would just go along with its ideologies and unjust systems, even embracing
them in order to get whatever they could for themselves, rather than resist
empire and its values for the sake of God’s children around them, who were also
suffering under empire’s yoke.
The seed is the Word of Liberation in
the Gospels. The Sower here is Jesus, in
our time, the Holy Spirit pointing to Jesus in the Good News of Jesus.
The evil one snatches the Word from
those who are well-worn and hard headed, who have such strong embedded beliefs, attitudes and ideologies (economic, political, social, theological) that they are in collusion with empire and its values, and cannot comprehend
the message of the Gospel. They do not
understand their need for and ability to resist empire in their lives, because
they are so inundated with its values.
The rocky soil receives the Word of
liberation at first with joy and enthusiasm, but when the resistance becomes
too difficult or dangerous, gives it up and returns to participation in the unjust
system. They are not willing to make the
sacrifice toward justice, and prefer the sacrifice of life under empire.
The thorny soil receives the Word and
rejects it because they have whole-heartedly bought into the empire values, and
believe somehow that they can benefit from participation in the ideologies and
practices of empire. Their personal
greed chokes out any concern for others and justice. As long as they can get more for themselves,
even whatever little they can under empire, they don’t care about the liberation of
anyone else, and even falsely believe themselves to be "liberated."
The good soil, of course, hears the Word
of Liberation, understands it and applies it to how they live. They resist empire out of Agape Love and
Grace, and produce life sustaining things in the lives of the whole
community. They give hope for the
oppressed and speak truth to power, resist the evils of empire and live the
values of the Kingdom of God, which brings Shalom in sustainable life for all.
There is Grace in this. The seed (WORD OF LIBERATION – GOOD NEWS OF
JESUS) is given indiscriminately, even on those who would not be good soil and
produce good fruits. It is a shame that
some folk are too hard-headed, some too afraid and some too greedy for personal
gain to be good soil that produces Shalom in this part of God’s Kingdom, here
and now, but that is the truth.
Those who resist empire now, especially
those who heed the Good News of Jesus in doing so through the living of Agape
Love and Grace, are relatively few, but they make a huge difference.
Some are so used to the well-worn path
of empire and cannot get it into their thick skulls that there is another way,
so evil snatches any hope of them being good soil for God.
Some get a bit of it, but they are fair
weather advocates of the Kingdom, and when they meet resistance to their
faithful words and actions, they back down and buckle under, in fear of
personal distress.
Some are hard-core, empire loving, koolaid
drinking folk who believe that the values of empire are prevalent and therefore
must be of God, though they are not, and they kill Agape and Grace at every
turn with their normalized greed, hatred, lust for power and desire for status
above others.
But what we are seeing in action right now
is the work of God’s Word, the Good News of Jesus. Out of Agape Love (committed action on behalf
of the other), millions are standing up to empire and demanding justice on
behalf of those who have been disenfranchised and marginalized, victimized by
the oppressive injustice of empire. These
are the good soil who GET IT. Are you
one of them?
“Let anyone with ears to hear, listen!”
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, June 28, 2020
that generation, and this one
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 is the lectionary text for July 5.
In Jesus' time, the people were so corrupted and disinformed about what God wanted at the hands of a corrupt church leadership and because of living within empire values for so long, that they would not be satisfied with anything other than exactly what they wanted, instead of what God wanted.
We are in such an age.
Jesus came to teach, command and model God's will that we live the values of the Kingdom of God with one another, centered on Agape and Grace. The people wanted what they wanted, and believed that their allegiance to empire would allow them to rise within the system to get (at least some of) it.
After a couple generations of Roman rule and Temple leader corruption, it was all they believed they could hope for in this world.
So, like disillusioned, spoiled and self-centered children, they would not be satisfied with what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled as a better way. They tried to control God, but they could not, so they lashed out. They were oppositional with all who God sent, and to the living of Agape and Grace in the world. It would not serve their selfish desires. Whatever the messengers of God did, they would reject it for trumped up "reasons." It did not stop Jesus. Jesus continued with the consistent message that Agape and Grace are a better way than empire's greed, lust for power and desire for personal status. The more resistance they gave to Jesus, the more persistent and consistent the message of Agape and Grace. Though their "god was the belly," and while claiming to be faithful to God, but "having itching ears" to hear what they wanted to hear, Jesus persisted with the truth of the Kingdom of God, that God wants God's people to live Agape Love and Grace in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now. And the followers of Jesus persisted, and they were ignored, harassed, imprisoned and killed. They persisted, and some came to see the true wisdom of Jesus' Way and lived it. Empire lived on and false teachers and prophets continued to lead the blind away from God, but because of the faithful, so did a different way, God's Way in Jesus.
What a clear description of OUR age and our circumstance in the church, in government, in economics and in society today.
Jesus' prayer acknowledges the blindness of many who thought they knew how to give lip service to God while giving their devotion to empire. Jesus gave thanks for those who trusted Him and followed His Way of Agape and Grace, which is God's Way. The Gospel of Matthew very bluntly points out in this prayer that what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled came directly from God. It is very clear here, that to know Jesus is to know God and to follow Jesus is to be faithful to God.
So, Jesus in Matthew ends this with a call to the pure in heart who would follow Him in the living of Agape and Grace. Jesus acknowledges that living under empire is a burden that will wear you out, make you weary. Jesus calls them/us to bear a different burden - HIS burden. We are called to pick up our Cross, a different Yoke, learn Agape and Grace and the living of it from Him and give our souls a rest from the barrage of attacks on them in the living of empire values. It is the yoke and burden of living Agape and Grace in a world that has no value for them, but it is easy and light for the soul that would otherwise rot and die in its devotion to empire.
Jesus' Way is God's Way. Jesus' Way is not what the false teachers and prophets have twisted it to be in the hearts and minds of so many. It is not the way of empire values. It is the way of Agape (committed action on behalf of the other, even stranger and enemy and especially the most vulnerable) and Grace (undeserved loving mercy given freely to all). It is a better way for EVERYONE in the world. Indeed, it is the only sustainable way FOR the world, as we have seen.
So, we will either act like disillusioned, disinformed and spoiled children who want what we want, or we will follow Jesus in the living of Agape Love and Grace, and be faithful to God.
The question is, will this generation be different from past generations in faithfulness to God?
Will we finally find rest for our souls?
Pastor Jamie
In Jesus' time, the people were so corrupted and disinformed about what God wanted at the hands of a corrupt church leadership and because of living within empire values for so long, that they would not be satisfied with anything other than exactly what they wanted, instead of what God wanted.
We are in such an age.
Jesus came to teach, command and model God's will that we live the values of the Kingdom of God with one another, centered on Agape and Grace. The people wanted what they wanted, and believed that their allegiance to empire would allow them to rise within the system to get (at least some of) it.
After a couple generations of Roman rule and Temple leader corruption, it was all they believed they could hope for in this world.
So, like disillusioned, spoiled and self-centered children, they would not be satisfied with what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled as a better way. They tried to control God, but they could not, so they lashed out. They were oppositional with all who God sent, and to the living of Agape and Grace in the world. It would not serve their selfish desires. Whatever the messengers of God did, they would reject it for trumped up "reasons." It did not stop Jesus. Jesus continued with the consistent message that Agape and Grace are a better way than empire's greed, lust for power and desire for personal status. The more resistance they gave to Jesus, the more persistent and consistent the message of Agape and Grace. Though their "god was the belly," and while claiming to be faithful to God, but "having itching ears" to hear what they wanted to hear, Jesus persisted with the truth of the Kingdom of God, that God wants God's people to live Agape Love and Grace in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now. And the followers of Jesus persisted, and they were ignored, harassed, imprisoned and killed. They persisted, and some came to see the true wisdom of Jesus' Way and lived it. Empire lived on and false teachers and prophets continued to lead the blind away from God, but because of the faithful, so did a different way, God's Way in Jesus.
What a clear description of OUR age and our circumstance in the church, in government, in economics and in society today.
Jesus' prayer acknowledges the blindness of many who thought they knew how to give lip service to God while giving their devotion to empire. Jesus gave thanks for those who trusted Him and followed His Way of Agape and Grace, which is God's Way. The Gospel of Matthew very bluntly points out in this prayer that what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled came directly from God. It is very clear here, that to know Jesus is to know God and to follow Jesus is to be faithful to God.
So, Jesus in Matthew ends this with a call to the pure in heart who would follow Him in the living of Agape and Grace. Jesus acknowledges that living under empire is a burden that will wear you out, make you weary. Jesus calls them/us to bear a different burden - HIS burden. We are called to pick up our Cross, a different Yoke, learn Agape and Grace and the living of it from Him and give our souls a rest from the barrage of attacks on them in the living of empire values. It is the yoke and burden of living Agape and Grace in a world that has no value for them, but it is easy and light for the soul that would otherwise rot and die in its devotion to empire.
Jesus' Way is God's Way. Jesus' Way is not what the false teachers and prophets have twisted it to be in the hearts and minds of so many. It is not the way of empire values. It is the way of Agape (committed action on behalf of the other, even stranger and enemy and especially the most vulnerable) and Grace (undeserved loving mercy given freely to all). It is a better way for EVERYONE in the world. Indeed, it is the only sustainable way FOR the world, as we have seen.
So, we will either act like disillusioned, disinformed and spoiled children who want what we want, or we will follow Jesus in the living of Agape Love and Grace, and be faithful to God.
The question is, will this generation be different from past generations in faithfulness to God?
Will we finally find rest for our souls?
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, June 21, 2020
whoever...
Matthew 10:40-42 is the lectionary text for Sunday, June 28.
Faithfulness is about the living of Agape and Grace in the world, according to Jesus.
ANYONE who lives Agape and Grace in the world is faithful to God.
The divisions of denomination and even faith practice do not matter.
Find a faith that most touches you as you are and that you most identify with because of who you are.
What matters is...
Are you actively committed to others and their well-being? Even stranger or enemy?
Are you kind and generous with others, even strangers and enemies?
Are you merciful with others, even strangers and enemies?
Are you working on behalf of those who are marginalized, downtrodden, disenfranchised and
because of that very vulnerable?
Do you refuse to judge others not like you?
Do you forgive readily? Do you ask for forgiveness when you have hurt someone?
Do you value the truth and speak the truth in love?
Do you resist the powers and principalities that create hatred and create divisions because they value
greed, power over others and status above others?
Do you speak truth to those in power and with wealth?
Do you advocate for the most vulnerable among us in words and actions, standing with them and
lending your voice and power to help them?
Do you stand up to and oppose those who abuse their power for their own gain at the expense of
others?
If you are living this, then you are following what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us and you are faithful to God, WHOEVER you are.
If you claim the name of Jesus and do not live this, then you are at best duplicitous and are not faithful to God, at least according to Jesus, whoever you are.
The reward that you will not lose for following Jesus?
Clear hearts and minds which are full of good will for children of God.
Better, stronger and more genuine relationships with others based on love.
Contentment in knowing that you are doing the right things for the right reasons.
Being right with God and the peace of mind and heart that comes from that.
Forget heaven for now. That is a GIVEN. Just be satisfied with these rewards and, finally -
SEEING PEOPLE AROUND YOU HAVE ENOUGH AND THEREFORE HAVE SHALOM.
Remember-
What you put out in the world around you creates the world in which YOU must live.
Whoever you are...
Pastor Jamie
Faithfulness is about the living of Agape and Grace in the world, according to Jesus.
ANYONE who lives Agape and Grace in the world is faithful to God.
The divisions of denomination and even faith practice do not matter.
Find a faith that most touches you as you are and that you most identify with because of who you are.
What matters is...
Are you actively committed to others and their well-being? Even stranger or enemy?
Are you kind and generous with others, even strangers and enemies?
Are you merciful with others, even strangers and enemies?
Are you working on behalf of those who are marginalized, downtrodden, disenfranchised and
because of that very vulnerable?
Do you refuse to judge others not like you?
Do you forgive readily? Do you ask for forgiveness when you have hurt someone?
Do you value the truth and speak the truth in love?
Do you resist the powers and principalities that create hatred and create divisions because they value
greed, power over others and status above others?
Do you speak truth to those in power and with wealth?
Do you advocate for the most vulnerable among us in words and actions, standing with them and
lending your voice and power to help them?
Do you stand up to and oppose those who abuse their power for their own gain at the expense of
others?
If you are living this, then you are following what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us and you are faithful to God, WHOEVER you are.
If you claim the name of Jesus and do not live this, then you are at best duplicitous and are not faithful to God, at least according to Jesus, whoever you are.
The reward that you will not lose for following Jesus?
Clear hearts and minds which are full of good will for children of God.
Better, stronger and more genuine relationships with others based on love.
Contentment in knowing that you are doing the right things for the right reasons.
Being right with God and the peace of mind and heart that comes from that.
Forget heaven for now. That is a GIVEN. Just be satisfied with these rewards and, finally -
SEEING PEOPLE AROUND YOU HAVE ENOUGH AND THEREFORE HAVE SHALOM.
Remember-
What you put out in the world around you creates the world in which YOU must live.
Whoever you are...
Pastor Jamie
Monday, June 15, 2020
Divisive
Matthew 10:24-39 is the lectionary text for June 21.
Jesus was sending them out with strong words.
He admonished them to remain obedient, to face the risks and not waiver, but to imitate Him while
remaining faithful to Him and the Gospel message.
The Gospel of Jesus is divisive.
It requires one to choose a side.
As Pastor Schein used to say, "You put down your money, you take your choice and then you live with it."
Why is it divisive, this Good News of Agape Love and Grace?
Because it is easy to understand, but hard to live.
Because people have "itching ears" to hear what they want.
Because people will "blow with every wind of doctrine" that suits their desires.
In Jesus' time, it was because of the corruption of the Temple Cult leaders.
NOTE: Not all Jewish leaders have been or are corrupt - in THAT time and place, under Rome, they were.
They were particularly corrupt and served as false teachers to support their collusion with Empire.
They took on the empire values of Greed, lust for Power and desire for Status.
Jesus regularly confronted and challenged them, in the Synoptic Gospels especially.
In Luther's time, it was Leo X, the Pope.
NOTE: Not all Popes have been or are corrupt - in THAT time and place, under Holy Roman Empire, they were.
That one and those who supported him were particularly corrupt and served as false teachers to support their own values of Greed, lust for Power and desire for Status.
Luther regularly confronted and challenged them, among others, which was Reformation.
In our time, it is the false teachers of Prosperity, Church Growth, Personal Salvation, Purity and Holiness and White Supremacy.
They are particularly corrupt, these false teachers of Greed, Hatred, lust for Power and desire for Status, the same empire values, since 1981 (and elements before) in THIS EMPIRE, that have corrupted, divided and destroyed communities and individuals within them for centuries before.
Some confront these theologies and the purveyors of them, but many folk have itching ears and blow with every wind of doctrine that sounds good - that promises to give them what they want.
It is a choice - to follow one "Jesus" or the other Jesus.
It is a choice - to give our devotion to the Jesus of the Good News, or give lip service to that Jesus and follow the Jesus created in our own image, the one that pleases us.
It is a choice - to learn from what the (Synoptic) Gospels witness as Jesus' teachings, commands and examples of how to live as children of God in Agape and Grace, or to listen to the voices of those who have created a judging, even bigoted, star spangled banner, capitalistic "Jesus" who is only on their side.
Jesus acknowledged the division, according to Matthew's Gospel.
We will either follow Jesus or not.
We will either live Kingdom values or empire values.
We will choose what others choose, even those close to us, or we will choose Jesus' Way.
We cannot serve two masters.
There is no having it both ways.
Jesus in Matthew says to be WORTHY, we must TAKE UP THE CROSS and FOLLOW HIM.
The Gospel is not divisive.
The duplicitous, self-serving and corrupt false teachers have created the division.
The Good News of Jesus unifies those who strive in faithfulness to live Agape and Grace.
The Good News of Jesus lifts up, builds up and sustains Shalom for all people.
The Bad News of empire's false teachings and values divides, demoralizes and destroys lives.
We must choose.
You must choose.
And here's the thing -
When facing the decision and the consequences of that decision as followers of Jesus, keep in mind-
"Those who find life (a life of empire values) will lose it (a life with God), and those who lose their life (built on empire values) for Jesus' sake (and the sake of Jesus' Good News) will find it (life with God)."
So, put down your money, take your choice and live with it.
Choose wisely.
Pastor Jamie
Jesus was sending them out with strong words.
He admonished them to remain obedient, to face the risks and not waiver, but to imitate Him while
remaining faithful to Him and the Gospel message.
The Gospel of Jesus is divisive.
It requires one to choose a side.
As Pastor Schein used to say, "You put down your money, you take your choice and then you live with it."
Why is it divisive, this Good News of Agape Love and Grace?
Because it is easy to understand, but hard to live.
Because people have "itching ears" to hear what they want.
Because people will "blow with every wind of doctrine" that suits their desires.
In Jesus' time, it was because of the corruption of the Temple Cult leaders.
NOTE: Not all Jewish leaders have been or are corrupt - in THAT time and place, under Rome, they were.
They were particularly corrupt and served as false teachers to support their collusion with Empire.
They took on the empire values of Greed, lust for Power and desire for Status.
Jesus regularly confronted and challenged them, in the Synoptic Gospels especially.
In Luther's time, it was Leo X, the Pope.
NOTE: Not all Popes have been or are corrupt - in THAT time and place, under Holy Roman Empire, they were.
That one and those who supported him were particularly corrupt and served as false teachers to support their own values of Greed, lust for Power and desire for Status.
Luther regularly confronted and challenged them, among others, which was Reformation.
In our time, it is the false teachers of Prosperity, Church Growth, Personal Salvation, Purity and Holiness and White Supremacy.
They are particularly corrupt, these false teachers of Greed, Hatred, lust for Power and desire for Status, the same empire values, since 1981 (and elements before) in THIS EMPIRE, that have corrupted, divided and destroyed communities and individuals within them for centuries before.
Some confront these theologies and the purveyors of them, but many folk have itching ears and blow with every wind of doctrine that sounds good - that promises to give them what they want.
It is a choice - to follow one "Jesus" or the other Jesus.
It is a choice - to give our devotion to the Jesus of the Good News, or give lip service to that Jesus and follow the Jesus created in our own image, the one that pleases us.
It is a choice - to learn from what the (Synoptic) Gospels witness as Jesus' teachings, commands and examples of how to live as children of God in Agape and Grace, or to listen to the voices of those who have created a judging, even bigoted, star spangled banner, capitalistic "Jesus" who is only on their side.
Jesus acknowledged the division, according to Matthew's Gospel.
We will either follow Jesus or not.
We will either live Kingdom values or empire values.
We will choose what others choose, even those close to us, or we will choose Jesus' Way.
We cannot serve two masters.
There is no having it both ways.
Jesus in Matthew says to be WORTHY, we must TAKE UP THE CROSS and FOLLOW HIM.
The Gospel is not divisive.
The duplicitous, self-serving and corrupt false teachers have created the division.
The Good News of Jesus unifies those who strive in faithfulness to live Agape and Grace.
The Good News of Jesus lifts up, builds up and sustains Shalom for all people.
The Bad News of empire's false teachings and values divides, demoralizes and destroys lives.
We must choose.
You must choose.
And here's the thing -
When facing the decision and the consequences of that decision as followers of Jesus, keep in mind-
"Those who find life (a life of empire values) will lose it (a life with God), and those who lose their life (built on empire values) for Jesus' sake (and the sake of Jesus' Good News) will find it (life with God)."
So, put down your money, take your choice and live with it.
Choose wisely.
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, June 7, 2020
... and then there's Jesus
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 is the lectionary Gospel text for next Sunday.
Jesus hung with, ate with, associated with those not approved by the religious leaders of His day.
They were heaped in empire values and viewed themselves "above" others.
They believed that they had reached a certain status in society, and they abused their power to
hold down, back and out others of whom they did not approve.
They thought themselves more pure and holy than others, and therefore more worthy.
They believed in self-righteousness and merit as a part of their embedded theology.
Jesus set them straight.
Mercy. God wants mercy, not judgment or punitive treatment.
We are all sinful. We all need Grace. We are called to be loving and gracious regardless of merit.
We cannot earn our salvation.
Those who believe otherwise have their own sins with which to deal.
And then, Jesus acted.
Jesus showed mercy to the daughter of a synagogue leader.
Jesus showed mercy to an "unclean" woman.
Jesus showed mercy.
If your belief is that some are better than others in this world, and especially in God's eyes, your embedded beliefs are leading you astray.
If you believe that we can earn our salvation through purity and holiness, tithes and worship and praise, your embedded theology is failing you.
If you believe that this faith is all about you and Jesus, and your personal salvation, your embedded theology has failed you.
If you believe that part of faith is being blessed and highly favored above others, or that you are necessarily to prosper by worshiping, praying, tithing, praising Jesus, you have been the victim of false teachers.
Jesus taught, commanded and modeled the active living of Agape Love - active commitment/committed action on behalf of the other, even stranger and enemy and especially the most vulnerable.
Jesus exhibited Grace - undeserved loving mercy, given freely.
Jesus commanded us not to judge others.
Jesus commanded us to forgive.
Jesus commanded us to care for the most vulnerable, strangers and even enemies.
Jesus advocated on behalf of women, foreigners, people of other faiths and even occupiers.
Jesus said His followers are the ones who deny self, take up the Cross and follow Him.
Jesus set folk straight on their false and embedded beliefs.
If your faith allows you to be only concerned with yourself and those connected to or like you,
if it allows you to hate others not like you, if it allows you to get as much as you can for yourself at the expense or to the exclusion of others around you, if it allows you to abuse your power over others to exploit or hurt them and if it allows you to desire or strive for status/position/superiority over others, it is not of Jesus. I assure you. There are many false prophets and teachers who will tell you what you want to hear, and having "itching ears" to hear what you want, you may be tempted to follow their teachings. If you are being taught in ways that lead you to give your devotion to yourself above others, it is not of Jesus. Don't listen to them. For your sake, the sake of your soul, the sake of others and the soul of our nation and the world, do not listen to them.
Look to Jesus. Read what Jesus is witnessed as saying in the Gospels.
Live Agape Love and Grace, be merciful with others.
That is what God wants.
Pastor Jamie
Jesus hung with, ate with, associated with those not approved by the religious leaders of His day.
They were heaped in empire values and viewed themselves "above" others.
They believed that they had reached a certain status in society, and they abused their power to
hold down, back and out others of whom they did not approve.
They thought themselves more pure and holy than others, and therefore more worthy.
They believed in self-righteousness and merit as a part of their embedded theology.
Jesus set them straight.
Mercy. God wants mercy, not judgment or punitive treatment.
We are all sinful. We all need Grace. We are called to be loving and gracious regardless of merit.
We cannot earn our salvation.
Those who believe otherwise have their own sins with which to deal.
And then, Jesus acted.
Jesus showed mercy to the daughter of a synagogue leader.
Jesus showed mercy to an "unclean" woman.
Jesus showed mercy.
If your belief is that some are better than others in this world, and especially in God's eyes, your embedded beliefs are leading you astray.
If you believe that we can earn our salvation through purity and holiness, tithes and worship and praise, your embedded theology is failing you.
If you believe that this faith is all about you and Jesus, and your personal salvation, your embedded theology has failed you.
If you believe that part of faith is being blessed and highly favored above others, or that you are necessarily to prosper by worshiping, praying, tithing, praising Jesus, you have been the victim of false teachers.
Jesus taught, commanded and modeled the active living of Agape Love - active commitment/committed action on behalf of the other, even stranger and enemy and especially the most vulnerable.
Jesus exhibited Grace - undeserved loving mercy, given freely.
Jesus commanded us not to judge others.
Jesus commanded us to forgive.
Jesus commanded us to care for the most vulnerable, strangers and even enemies.
Jesus advocated on behalf of women, foreigners, people of other faiths and even occupiers.
Jesus said His followers are the ones who deny self, take up the Cross and follow Him.
Jesus set folk straight on their false and embedded beliefs.
If your faith allows you to be only concerned with yourself and those connected to or like you,
if it allows you to hate others not like you, if it allows you to get as much as you can for yourself at the expense or to the exclusion of others around you, if it allows you to abuse your power over others to exploit or hurt them and if it allows you to desire or strive for status/position/superiority over others, it is not of Jesus. I assure you. There are many false prophets and teachers who will tell you what you want to hear, and having "itching ears" to hear what you want, you may be tempted to follow their teachings. If you are being taught in ways that lead you to give your devotion to yourself above others, it is not of Jesus. Don't listen to them. For your sake, the sake of your soul, the sake of others and the soul of our nation and the world, do not listen to them.
Look to Jesus. Read what Jesus is witnessed as saying in the Gospels.
Live Agape Love and Grace, be merciful with others.
That is what God wants.
Pastor Jamie
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