John 19:38-42 Secret Friend and Follower

John 19:38-42 NIV
Nicodemus, a secret friend of Jesus, and Joseph of Arimathea, who had kept the fact that he was a follower of Jesus a secret for fear of the Jews, buried Jesus.

As I consider these verses from John today, I am reminded of the decades that Russians had to worship in secret, sometimes in graveyards, lest they be arrested and suffer the consequences for their faith. It reminds me that even today, multitudes must try to hide their faith in order to save their lives so that they might continue to share the Good News even if it must be done clandestinely.

May God help us, who are free to proclaim our allegiance to Jesus, to proclaim it freely.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 7:25-36 Confusing?

John 7:25-36 NIV
Now, if anyone thought some of Jesus' parables were confusing; they surely must have considered where he says he's from and going really confusing. He has been sent from the one who is true and whom they do not know and in a little while they will not see find him because he is going to him who sent him.

What does it all mean? Jesus was sent by our Father in heaven and will return to the Father in heaven in a short while. The people think only in earthly terms so cannot figure the whole coming and going out. They know Jesus. They've seen the miracles. Yet, they know him as "true man" so they just can't see that he is really the Messiah. There must be someone else who will come who might do even greater signs than he. He; after all, is just a man, a Nazarene, born of Joseph and Mary. They just can't figure out who he is; that he is truly the Messiah.

The Messiah has come. He was sent by the Father. In death he went away. By the power of the Holy Spirit, he has come again and will be with us now and forever.

When we try to reason these things out by earthly standards, they may be very confusing. But, with a heart and mind of faith; they are very easy to comprehend. Where he comes from and where he now reigns are just matters of fact, for those who believe. It doesn't need explaining. It just is.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 15:42-47 Conflict of Interest

Mark 15:42-47 NIV
There was a council member who abstained during the vote of the council of a small congregation. It was concerning the expenditure of about $100.00 for a non-essential item in the church. The budget was very small. The Pastor voted no as a similar item could be purchased for about $10.00 or less, citing poor stewardship. The rest of the council voted for the expenditure. But, this is not about stewardship. It is about why one council member would abstain. It was not a matter of conflict of interest for the council member to vote. Well, I guess there was a conflict of interest. He would not make a decision as a council member in order to stay on the good side of everyone. He simply did not want to offend the Pastor or the rest of the Council by voting against either one so he chose to do nothing. He just wanted to be a nice Lutheran and not offend anyone.

It was the hierarchy in the church that wanted Jesus out of their way. Yet, it was one council member who was willing to put his own life on the line and stand up for Jesus. Jesus was dead, so how was he going to know if Joseph of Arimathea stood by him? But, Joseph had hope in the Kingdom and it was important to Joseph that Jesus have a proper burial. He went to Pilate, knowing full well that the Council would find out, and asked for Jesus' body so that he could give Jesus' body a proper burial. Joseph was not afraid to do what he felt was right. Neither fear of Pilate or the other council members could keep him from doing what he felt he should and must do.

May God help us to do the right thing and not be afraid of what others will think of us or do to us when we stand up for Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 27:58-66 - Disciples Absent From The Funeral

I have officiated at hundreds of funerals and even more graveside committals. Only a handful of them have had fewer people in attendance than at the burial of Jesus. That would be less than three. Joseph of Arimathea, a follower of Jesus; and the two Marys seem to be the only ones present. Where were the chosen twelve? We know from scripture that Judas committed suicide, so we're down to eleven and what about the hoards that had been following him around in order to be healed? This was a most unusual burial for one who had such a following while he was alive. Where were all these friends and followers?

The Sabbath was fast approaching. In just a few hours the law required no funerals, not even much movement on the part of the Jews. Maybe, the disciples were just trying to follow the Sabbath laws or maybe they had all run in fear for their own lives. As Peter had at the trial, maybe they were all so worried about their own lives, burying their friend; their teacher, was the least of their concerns. But, here we have a man who was willing to put himself out there for Jesus. Joseph was not afraid to have his name connected with the Name of Jesus. He approached Pilate, who had condemned Jesus in the first place, and asks for the body for burial. Then he takes, out of his own holdings, a clean linen cloth and with his own hands buries Jesus on his own property; in his own tomb.

Alone, with the women, Joseph is willing to align himself with Jesus, even after Jesus has been declared an outlaw by the church and state; even after he has been executed for perceived crimes.

May God grant that we never be ashamed or in fear for our lives because we dare to be associated with or praise the name of Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 2 - Magi, Children, Martyrs. and Moves

From the very beginning, attempts were made to do away with Jesus. Today we have the popular Christmas story of the Magi's visit to Jesus. Unfortunately; King Herod, heard that that they were seeking the king of the Jews, who was due to be born, so that they could worship him. Herod became anxious over the possibility of another "king" and plotted to kill the infant Jesus.

He did not succeed. But, in his attempts every boy child, two years old and under, in the region of Bethlehem was slaughtered. These babies became the first martyrs for Jesus.

Fortunately; an angel was sent to warn Joseph that Jesus' life was in danger. So he took Mary and Jesus into exile in Egypt to protect his family. They moved to Nazareth upon hearing that Herod was dead.

I often listen in amazement when I hear people say that they will not leave the area where they are born in. I know people who have never left the Upper Peninsula of Michigan even for a vacation. They simply will not leave what they know. Yet, Jesus, including the trip he made, still in the womb, to Bethlehem, was moved three times in a course of a few years.

Yes, I love Upper Michigan, too. But, there has been more than once in my life that I have been uprooted and called to move. I recall very vividly arguing with God about yet another move. When we are called to go; when God sends us a message to move... it's just a really good idea to do that. He has His reasons; whether, we like them or even know them. He was with Joseph and Mary and Jesus and was guiding them (i.e. sending his angel messengers) through these early years so that Jesus would be around for the purpose that he was sent for. No matter what it is that God calls us to do; no matter how hard it may seem; He has a good purpose for it. Listen and follow...

Take just a minute to thank the LORD that we have no Herods in power, in this country, today! There are, after all, still places and people in various regions of the world that do not seem to have a problem massacring even the children.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Chronicles 5 - Reuben: The First Who is Last

The genealogy of the tribes east of the Jordan: Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh is the subject for today's chapter. 

Of course, there is that nice little note that begins the chapter reminding us that Reuben who was the firstborn, became the last.  He lost his birthright to Joseph, who was the 11th out of 12 sons.  Still, Joseph was the firstborn of Rachel, the wife whom Israel (Jacob) loved foremost. 

"Reuben lost his birthright because he defiled his father's couch..." (5:1)  That is... he committed incent by sleeping with his father, Jacob's, concubine, Bilhah.  (Gen 35:22, 49:4) Bilhah was the mother of Reuben's half-brother's Dan and Naphtali. 

Relationships seem to have been pretty messy back then.  But, probably no more messy than they are today.  Jealousy, greed, control issues, lust; we continue to run the whole gamut and let the whole gamut of vices run our lives and mess up our relationships. 

It is not God's will that we should live in broken relationships.  He sent His Son that through Him, we should be reconciled to God and one another eternally.  May God help us to live reconciled in peace to Him and one another.