Luke 4:38-44
I've heard a lot of mother-in-law jokes. Mother-in-laws get a lot of bad press. I've been blessed now for 38 years to have a Godly woman as my mother-in-law. Had she been ill like Peter's mother-in-law, I would have Jesus to go to her. Maybe that's what Peter (Simon) did. Jesus may have commanded the seas, the winds and other forces of nature, but his Divine intervention in the lives of human beings with care, compassion, and concern are the most engaging to me.
His fame was spreading. Verse 40 tells us that many were bringing those who were sick for healing. That's people caring about other people. So much so that they were willing to set aside their personal agendas to literally "take hold" of someone who needs to meet Jesus and carry them to him.
There are still folks that need to meet Jesus for healing that goes even deeper than the physical challenge of this life. There is a sickness in our very souls that needs a Divine healing.
How can I "take hold" of someone who needs to meet Jesus and be the conduit through which they come to him?
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Friday, January 30
Luke 4:31-37
It's the first recorded miracle of Luke's gospel. It's the symbol of the Kingdom of God breaking into this worldly realm showing God's power over the dark forces of evil. It demonstrates at least in part the fulfillment of what Jesus proclaimed in the synagogue of Nazareth in Luke 4:18-19. This was certainly "release for the oppressed."
When Jesus read from the Isaiah text he stirred the recollection of what was to be the year of Jubilee in the Old Testament. That was the celebration that was to come around every 50 years, where property would revert to it's original owners, & slaves would be set free along with the great blessing of God. Though the festival may have been observed, the actions never took place.
Now Jesus is demonstrating the coming Kingdom's power to bring "Jubilee" into the lives of those in desperate need as a reality.
I wonder what that means for me? Jesus once said to his disciples "greater things that I do, you will do." What would it look like for me to be an active agent of "Jubilee" by the power of the Holy Spirit? (Remember, Luke is clear, not much Kingdom work is going to get done without divine power.)
When and how can my life be "good news" to the poor, healing for the blind, release for the captives, and liberty for the oppressed?
Any suggestions? How do you go about it?
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
It's the first recorded miracle of Luke's gospel. It's the symbol of the Kingdom of God breaking into this worldly realm showing God's power over the dark forces of evil. It demonstrates at least in part the fulfillment of what Jesus proclaimed in the synagogue of Nazareth in Luke 4:18-19. This was certainly "release for the oppressed."
When Jesus read from the Isaiah text he stirred the recollection of what was to be the year of Jubilee in the Old Testament. That was the celebration that was to come around every 50 years, where property would revert to it's original owners, & slaves would be set free along with the great blessing of God. Though the festival may have been observed, the actions never took place.
Now Jesus is demonstrating the coming Kingdom's power to bring "Jubilee" into the lives of those in desperate need as a reality.
I wonder what that means for me? Jesus once said to his disciples "greater things that I do, you will do." What would it look like for me to be an active agent of "Jubilee" by the power of the Holy Spirit? (Remember, Luke is clear, not much Kingdom work is going to get done without divine power.)
When and how can my life be "good news" to the poor, healing for the blind, release for the captives, and liberty for the oppressed?
Any suggestions? How do you go about it?
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Thursday, January 29
Luke 4:28-30
If Jesus meant to get their attention he was successful! They were engaged and enraged. In their anger they blindly disregarded their own scriptural truth and sought to do away with the messenger.
I hope I'm not that way but I know I am. There are some things in scripture I don't want to hear because they call me to do things for and with people that are out of my comfort zone.
It's a lot easier & safer to stay in my comfortable community of like-minded, like-me people. But that's not where Jesus leads me to go.
Sometimes I must admit I wish Jesus would do what he did in verse 30. He walked through the crowd and went on his way. He left the uncooperative folks behind. In my uncooperative life he keeps coming back to me and invites me to go his way. Reluctant as I sometimes am, I think I'm grateful for that.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
If Jesus meant to get their attention he was successful! They were engaged and enraged. In their anger they blindly disregarded their own scriptural truth and sought to do away with the messenger.
I hope I'm not that way but I know I am. There are some things in scripture I don't want to hear because they call me to do things for and with people that are out of my comfort zone.
It's a lot easier & safer to stay in my comfortable community of like-minded, like-me people. But that's not where Jesus leads me to go.
Sometimes I must admit I wish Jesus would do what he did in verse 30. He walked through the crowd and went on his way. He left the uncooperative folks behind. In my uncooperative life he keeps coming back to me and invites me to go his way. Reluctant as I sometimes am, I think I'm grateful for that.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Luke 4:23-27
Though we may not have Jesus' entire sermon on that inaugural day in the synagogue we do know that the mood of the crowd was shifting. Jesus, sensing the unspoken questions and reservations, went on the offense naming their reluctance to receive what he said and who he was revealing himself to be.
His reference to Capernaum was cogent. Capernaum was a city with a significant foreign non-Jewish population. As such it would not be a suitable place for Jesus to teach since Gentiles were "persona non grata" to the Jews of Nazareth.
Jesus reminds them of their own heritage when two luminary figures, Elijah & Elisha, both included the "unworthy ones" as recipients of God's blessing.
That was hard for them to hear. It's hard for us to hear. Luke emphasizes that Jesus' ministry is to the "seemingly unworthy ones." Who comes to mind for you?
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
Though we may not have Jesus' entire sermon on that inaugural day in the synagogue we do know that the mood of the crowd was shifting. Jesus, sensing the unspoken questions and reservations, went on the offense naming their reluctance to receive what he said and who he was revealing himself to be.
His reference to Capernaum was cogent. Capernaum was a city with a significant foreign non-Jewish population. As such it would not be a suitable place for Jesus to teach since Gentiles were "persona non grata" to the Jews of Nazareth.
Jesus reminds them of their own heritage when two luminary figures, Elijah & Elisha, both included the "unworthy ones" as recipients of God's blessing.
That was hard for them to hear. It's hard for us to hear. Luke emphasizes that Jesus' ministry is to the "seemingly unworthy ones." Who comes to mind for you?
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Luke 4:20-22
Jesus rolls up the scroll and now sits down in front of the people to distinguish the words of scripture from his words of interpretation as was the custom of the day. It was the moment they had waited to witness. "All eyes", says Luke, "were fastened on him." Talk about a captive audience!
"Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Not tomorrow, not someday, not when Messiah comes...today! I wonder how he said it. Was it with some bravado, a dash of the dramatic, with oratorical panache? Was it low-keyed, matter of fact, holy whisper?
Whatever the case those who heard it were so anticipatory that their eagerness and Jesus' reputation that preceeded him was heard more loudly than his words. They respond with enthusiasm before the words really sink in.
What they miss at first is the audacious mission statement that Jesus has just proclaimed....but not for long. The murmur begins. "Is this not Joseph's son?" It's a question not of Jesus' family of origin as much as it is a "Who does he think he is?" question.
It's a fair question. Who does he think he is? Who do you think he is? For more on Jesus' mission statement check out the teaching time from this past weekend on the MUMC website.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
Jesus rolls up the scroll and now sits down in front of the people to distinguish the words of scripture from his words of interpretation as was the custom of the day. It was the moment they had waited to witness. "All eyes", says Luke, "were fastened on him." Talk about a captive audience!
"Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Not tomorrow, not someday, not when Messiah comes...today! I wonder how he said it. Was it with some bravado, a dash of the dramatic, with oratorical panache? Was it low-keyed, matter of fact, holy whisper?
Whatever the case those who heard it were so anticipatory that their eagerness and Jesus' reputation that preceeded him was heard more loudly than his words. They respond with enthusiasm before the words really sink in.
What they miss at first is the audacious mission statement that Jesus has just proclaimed....but not for long. The murmur begins. "Is this not Joseph's son?" It's a question not of Jesus' family of origin as much as it is a "Who does he think he is?" question.
It's a fair question. Who does he think he is? Who do you think he is? For more on Jesus' mission statement check out the teaching time from this past weekend on the MUMC website.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday, January 26
Luke 4:16-19
Talk about the “buzz! Jesus goes to Nazareth, his home town and on a Sabbath day he went to the synagogue, as was his custom. You already know from yesterday that the news about Jesus was making ripples. Now the “local boy makes good story” comes striding into town in person. He went to his church each Sabbath to honor the Father by being in worship with his community. It was part of his rhythm of life.
The text that Jesus reads is a text the Jews regarded as a messianic text, that is to say they believed it described one who would be the promised messiah and would be recognized for doing what the text said. The text is from Isaiah 61:1-2. Notice the “spirit of the Lord” phrase. Sound familiar?
What Jesus is really doing here is turning his listeners’ ears to an ancient word to prepare them for a startling revelation. As they listen they remember God’s promise. They dream of the time when the messiah will come. Some would say “when the messiah comes, the hungry will have bread to spare; when the Messiah comes, the matt of the sick, the crutches of the lame will be put away; when the messiah comes, the tears that flow from sorrows woe shall change to joyful streams and realized dreams.” To read such a text in the gathering of the community is to stir their deepest longings and their highest hopes.
We all have them, those deep longings and high hopes. They go beyond a certain job, the dream house and even the trophy spouse. In our best and most honest selves those longings and hopes have to do with having a life that is meaningful, significant in impact, valued by others, deeply connected to other human beings and to God.
When the messiah comes…what does life look like for you?
Talk about the “buzz! Jesus goes to Nazareth, his home town and on a Sabbath day he went to the synagogue, as was his custom. You already know from yesterday that the news about Jesus was making ripples. Now the “local boy makes good story” comes striding into town in person. He went to his church each Sabbath to honor the Father by being in worship with his community. It was part of his rhythm of life.
The text that Jesus reads is a text the Jews regarded as a messianic text, that is to say they believed it described one who would be the promised messiah and would be recognized for doing what the text said. The text is from Isaiah 61:1-2. Notice the “spirit of the Lord” phrase. Sound familiar?
What Jesus is really doing here is turning his listeners’ ears to an ancient word to prepare them for a startling revelation. As they listen they remember God’s promise. They dream of the time when the messiah will come. Some would say “when the messiah comes, the hungry will have bread to spare; when the Messiah comes, the matt of the sick, the crutches of the lame will be put away; when the messiah comes, the tears that flow from sorrows woe shall change to joyful streams and realized dreams.” To read such a text in the gathering of the community is to stir their deepest longings and their highest hopes.
We all have them, those deep longings and high hopes. They go beyond a certain job, the dream house and even the trophy spouse. In our best and most honest selves those longings and hopes have to do with having a life that is meaningful, significant in impact, valued by others, deeply connected to other human beings and to God.
When the messiah comes…what does life look like for you?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday, January 25
Luke 4:14-15
After his wilderness experience of temptation Jesus returns to Galilee. Today’s reading says Jesus returned “in the power of the spirit.” Luke has already shown us the vital place of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus. At his baptism while he was praying the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus. It was the spirit that led Jesus into the wilderness. Now it’s by the Holy Spirit’s empowerment that Jesus begins his ministry in earnest.
He is well received and the news of his teaching is making ripples into the gathering places of the day. He’s got the “buzz.” Having the “buzz” of the people is no small thing. Having and keeping the good will of the people is what politicians are always seeking. Could it be another temptation point for Jesus already? To have everyone speak well of you is pretty heady stuff and can lead to crowd pleasing instead of God pleasing choices.
For Jesus there is the great counter balance of the power of the Holy Spirit. It is through his covenant with the Father and Holy Spirit that Jesus stays in balance with his mission and the seductive accolades of the crowd.
How tempting is it for you to be filled with the alluring power of pleasing the crowd versus honoring the person God has called you to be? Each has a price and a benefit. Which do you usually end up embracing?
After his wilderness experience of temptation Jesus returns to Galilee. Today’s reading says Jesus returned “in the power of the spirit.” Luke has already shown us the vital place of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus. At his baptism while he was praying the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus. It was the spirit that led Jesus into the wilderness. Now it’s by the Holy Spirit’s empowerment that Jesus begins his ministry in earnest.
He is well received and the news of his teaching is making ripples into the gathering places of the day. He’s got the “buzz.” Having the “buzz” of the people is no small thing. Having and keeping the good will of the people is what politicians are always seeking. Could it be another temptation point for Jesus already? To have everyone speak well of you is pretty heady stuff and can lead to crowd pleasing instead of God pleasing choices.
For Jesus there is the great counter balance of the power of the Holy Spirit. It is through his covenant with the Father and Holy Spirit that Jesus stays in balance with his mission and the seductive accolades of the crowd.
How tempting is it for you to be filled with the alluring power of pleasing the crowd versus honoring the person God has called you to be? Each has a price and a benefit. Which do you usually end up embracing?
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