Tag Archives: Following Jesus

Subtle Idols

Eastertide

May 25, 2022

Scripture Reading: Psalm 97

The heavens proclaim his righteousness;
   and all the peoples behold his glory.
All worshippers of images are put to shame,
   those who make their boast in worthless idols;
   all gods bow down before him.
Zion hears and is glad,
   and the towns of Judah rejoice,
   because of your judgments, O God.
For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
   you are exalted far above all gods.

The Lord loves those who hate evil;
   he guards the lives of his faithful;
   he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
Light dawns for the righteous,
   and joy for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
   and give thanks to his holy name! –Psalm 97:6-12

The sad thing in our society today is we do not seem to have a clue when we are worshipping worthless idols. Bowing done to a statue of Baal is at least something one does with visible proof. Our idols are more subtle and much more dangerous because we do not recognize that we give them power over us. Greed for example. My microwave quit working a few years ago. When I noticed that I could not warm up my tea, I grabbed my purse, jumped in my car, and had a new microwave and heated tea within 30 minutes. I do own a perfectly good range on which I could have reheated my tea. Afterward, as I sipped my warm tea, I realized how attached I was to my microwave. There is nothing wrong with progress, microwaves included, but reviewing my behavior made me stop and think about what I value which is demonstrated in how I spend my money. Where do I invest my time, talent, and resources? I think God wants us to be intentional about why and what we do. Particularly if we put ourselves forth as Christ-follower. My Dad told my siblings and me when we were children that we represented the Knott family, and we need to remember that when we are tempted to do anything that did not represent our family well. We are, indeed, all a part of the family of God, and thus our words and deeds impact others’ view of God in our behavior or words.

For me, one of the most potent scenes described in the scriptures is the image of Jesus sitting on a hill overlooking Jerusalem saying ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (Matthew 23:37) I remember as a child not ever wanting to break Jesus’s heart like that. Many things are being said and done in the name of Jesus today that are alien to my concept of the God of Love. We all must live intentionally in full communion with God as we interact with our neighbors whom we are called to love.

Prayer: Lord, grant us the simple hearts of children who know love when they see it and return it. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Preparing the Way

Advent

December 4, 2021

Scripture Reading: Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
   make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
   and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
   and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

As an advocate activist, I am very aware of who the rulers are of my nation, state, county, city, and even the school board, although I have no children in school. I also can identify the leaders of my faith and church. In naming these leaders, Luke describes the part of the world into which Jesus was coming. What comes to your mind when you remember Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, or Hitler? By simply naming names, Luke paints a historic picture upon which he will sketch the life of Jesus.

As an advocate activist, John the Baptist called all who heard his voice to do justice and show mercy. He warned the people and the leaders to repent, change their ways from doing that which was neither righteous nor kind. He further alerted them that the One, Isaiah described, was coming soon to fulfill the prophet’s vision. John was very aware of how those leaders failed to respond to the call for justice and mercy. Instead, most were dedicated to maintaining their power and wealth. Thus, he provided a wake-up call while laying the groundwork for Jesus’s ministry.

We, too, must be aware of the world’s impact on all God’s people, and all people are God’s. We, too, must seek to do God’s justice and share God’s love as demonstrated in the life of Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, during this Advent season, help us examine ourselves and repent of anything separating us from you. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

On Following

Kingdom Building

June 30, 2019

Scripture Reading: Luke 9:51-62

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’ –Luke 9:57-62

Tough words. First someone naively says I will follow you wherever you go. To which Jesus essentially replies that he or she has no idea to what he or she is committing. Reminds me of the parable of the sower who sows seeds that lands in various places and only the seeds that finds fertile ground grow into plants.

Of course, letting the dead bury the dead in practical terms is impossible. Perhaps this respondent is indicating that he or she is responsible for the care of his or her father until he dies. Or perhaps the speaker is enamored with Jesus and his teachings, but not to the point of it taking priority in his or her life. Following Jesus is a total commitment that enlarges us to extend ourselves beyond our human limits.

Finally, just simply stopping by the homestead to say goodbye is not acceptable. Of course, Jesus is saying much more. A commitment to becoming a Kingdom Builder demands total surrender and a call to enter the unknown. I think of Abram leaving Ur behind. Did he even have a road map? He apparently knew to follow the Fertile Crescent before heading back south to where he eventually settled, or he just had the good sense not to hike across the desert.  What about my own ancestors who left their homelands to travel to a new world knowing most likely that they would never see or perhaps even hear from the family they left behind, did they ever look back?

I have never thought that Jesus was advising his potential followers to desert their biological families. I think he was saying that in the Kingdom of God everyone becomes members of our family.

Prayer: Lord, instill in us your vision of the world before us and our work in it. Amen.

*See Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Truth

Living in the Spirit
May 29, 2018

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)

Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, ‘Samuel, my son.’ He said, ‘Here I am.’ Eli said, ‘What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.’ So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then he said, ‘It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.’

 As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord.
–1 Samuel 3:15-18

We serve a God who lets no words fall to the ground. God’s word can be trusted. Can ours?  We live in a world of relative truth. People are hired for the sole purpose of figuring out how to word messages with lots of wiggle room. I laugh almost every time I get the solemn alert to read app use agreements or privacy statements before clicking accept. Nothing is ever straightforward. The statements are always in small print and page after page in length. The result is that we are all cynical about trusting anyone.  There are even online services that are truth checkers particularly related to politicians.

Yet, Christ followers commit to living like Jesus. We attempt not to let our words fall to the ground for we serve a leader who is the way, the truth, and the life*. Jesus said ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ (John 8:31b-32) One lie usually must be cover by other lies and often requires other people to lie and that is how evil winnows its way into our beings. Truth frees us from the bonds of deceit.

Prayer: God of Truth, help us usher in a world that reflects the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.: I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word. Martin Luther King, Jr. Let It Be So.

*See John 14:6

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Saying No to Power

Lent
April 8, 2017

Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:1-11

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, “The Lord needs them.” And he will send them immediately.’ This took place to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,‘Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
   humble, and mounted on a donkey,
     and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ –Matthew 21:1-5

Apparently, what we see in movies is historically accurate, Roman leaders riding triumphantly into cities on beautify well trained horses were in control and in command. Their message was power, peace through violence or the threat of violence. Jesus’ ministry countered everything for which Rome and its emperor stood. Our scripture today illustrates that Jesus did not hold back his challenge to Roman power when he entered Jerusalem. Made fun of Rome’s triumphal entries by riding a donkey, a beast of burden, in his entry. Jesus’ people were being oppressed by Rome and their collusion with local religious leaders who were allowed their bit of power by not making waves. He came to free them from that oppression.

There are many types of oppression. We, today, probably think of being freed from spiritual oppression. It is hard for us to comprehend economic and political oppression although it exists all around us even in the United States. Sales taxes are harder on the poor than on the wealthy. They are called regressive taxes. Adding 8% to the cost of groceries for a person living in poverty means less than adequate food to eat. For someone making $100,000 a year it might mean ordering a glass of wine at a fine restaurant rather than a bottle.

Jesus wanted everyone to have enough. He did not demand that all had the same. As partners in Christ service we are called to do justice. Part of that call is working to assure that everyone has enough.

Prayer: Lord, help us to see injustice in our everyday lives and help us work to overcome it. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the new Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.