The Wedding in Cana
1On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” 5His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. 9When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. John 2:1-11 Jesus’ mom was at a wedding. Jesus and his disciples were there, too. They ran out of wine, which would likely bring the days-long celebration to a disappointing end. When Jesus’ mom raises the issue with him, he seems to dismiss her prodding to get involved, yet he instructs the servants to fill six large stone jars with water (20-30 gallons each). When the chief steward tasted it (he had no idea where this wine had come from), he was amazed, saying; “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus had transformed water into wine. Extraordinary wine. The best that had been served at the party. Notice, hardly anyone knew about this amazing event, this “sign” as the gospel writer calls it. It is the first remarkable thing Jesus does in John’s gospel. Healings and other signs will follow, but this is the first. And only Jesus and his mother, plus the servants who helped know what has happened. Not even the steward, and certainly not the guests. The first sign Jesus does that indicates he has come from God to change the world happens quietly in the midst of a family and community gathering. Jesus repurposed the water jars for ritual washing into a huge amount of wine for the celebration. Excellent wine in massive quantities. (I did the math – 6 jars x 25 gallons each = 150 gallons. There are 128 ounces in each gallon, so that’s 19,200 ounces which is the equivalent of 3,200 glasses of wine!) Quiet abundance. That’s what catches my attention in this story. Without fanfare or even, it seems, any realization from those celebrating at the wedding, Jesus creates an absurd abundance of wonderful wine. The party can continue. This sign tells us that God is here, doing amazing, frivolous, and unreasonably generous things. Where do you notice quiet abundance in your life? How does God’s lavish generosity appear for you? Like the guests at that wedding, we may notice some amazing things when we simply look. Deacon Alicia Anderson, Campus Minister with Lutheran Campus Ministry
0 Comments
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, Lord, do I seek. Psalm 27:8 A favorite scripture - This verse has become very important to me in recent months in my walk with the Lord. It has moved me much closer to and made me much more dependent on Jesus. During the fall, I experienced several uncertainties which caused much concern. Long periods of waiting. I exhausted myself trying to get answers online and trying to solve problems which might never happen. I reached a point where I knew I had to stop. But how? In a timely devotion, Ps. 27:8 was highlighted. It gave me the help I needed. I repeated it, seeking Jesus' face, multiple times many days. Immediately, I felt release from everything that was concerning me. I realized I was not in control. Over the next several days I found that I no longer had the pull toward the computer and I no longer thought about future possible problems, let alone solving them. I now "seek His face" every day. I think that to seek His face brings one to an intimate relationship with Jesus, one that can make our walk with Jesus during Lent even more spiritually gratifying. It's a short verse, but powerful. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for your presence with us. Thank you that when we call out to you, you are there, and you listen. Thank you for the assurance that no matter what we face you will walk with us. Thank you for helping us through scripture. Amen. Carolyn Fishburn God Has a Different Timetable; but He Always Loves Us Through Christ
One of my favorite stories in the bible is the death of Lazarus and his resurrection by our Lord Jesus Christ, described in the gospel of John (11: 1-44). It says clearly in this chapter that Jesus loved Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha. When Lazarus was ill in Bethany, his both sisters sent a message to Jesus, hoping that He will cure his illness. But, Jesus intentionally stayed two more days in the place where He was staying. Dr. James Dobson in his book titled,” When God doesn’t make sense”, quotes this bible story and says “Jesus usually shows up about four days late.” Even though God said that He will listen to our prayers, He never promised us that He will answer our prayers immediately and in the way we want Him to respond. In the case of Lazarus, Dr. James Dobson says that “Jesus only appeared to be late; but He arrived at the precise moment to fulfill the purposes of God – just as He always does.” We should never forget that the timetable of God, the Father, is complete different from ours, for specific reasons, which we may not know. Jesus told His disciples that He was glad that He was not in Bethany when Lazarus died, so that they may believe. It is clear that Jesus planned the whole sequence of events so that His disciples would be benefitted. When Jesus came to Bethany and saw Mary and the Jews who had come along with her weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit, troubled and wept. There were only three instances recorded in the gospels when Jesus wept during His ministry on earth. The other two instances were when He wept over the city of Jerusalem and in the Garden of Gethsemane, which we will remember during the holy week. Our Savior is always kind and sympathetic towards us during our times of trouble. We live in a sinful world, and we are also sinners. Hence, we will face troubles and trials during our lives on this earth. But God promised us through His son that He will never abandon us. As Paul says in Romans (8:37-38), nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Jeya Chandra The Servant Girl Speaks Out in Faith, 2 Kings 5
A number of years ago, during our bedtime routine reading, my daughter and I read the juvenile fiction book “Adara”, which she found in the Grace Lutheran Stinson Library. “Adara” is written by Beatrice Gormley and is based on the Old Testament Bible story of Naaman and Elisha found in 2 Kings, chapter 5. I was not familiar with this Bible story, but it became one of my favorites after reading this book. The book “Adara” is a fictional account based on the story of the great commander of a king’s army who was healed of leprosy by the prophet Elisha. “Adara” is told from the point of view of the servant girl who suggested Naaman go to see Elisha to be healed. The only part of scripture that mentions the girl is: Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. The girl is never mentioned by name, but apparently this passage captured the imagination of Beatrice Gormley who wrote a novel about the girl beginning on the day of her life when she was apprehended and put into slavery. As I think about this girl I realize how she could have been full of hate and spite for the people who were holding her in servitude. Instead, she decided to try and save Namaan’s life. She also could have decided not to say anything to her mistress, as she must have known that she might be punished for speaking out. And what incredible faith she had in the healing powers of Elisha, for if he had not healed her master, she could have been held accountable for the waste of money for the trip and the humiliation, etc. The fact that this powerful army captain was listening to the advice of a girl, nonetheless a servant girl, is quite unusual too. A lot of questions exist about this passage. Beatrice Gormley must have had these questions too and decided to weave a story around how this could have happened. Reading the story has made the passage memorable for me and relatable for my daughter. Clearly FAITH is central in this story. The faith of the servant girl and the faith of General Naaman to listen to her and to make the journey to Israel to see Elisha. I urge you to read the entire chapter 5 of 2 Kings. In addition to faith being central in this story, you will also read about the pride of General Namaan and how again listening to his servants and humbling himself allowed him to receive healing. Susa Buda Anna in the Temple
22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” 36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:22-24, 36-38 To most people in the temple that day, Jesus was just another baby. But somehow Anna knew that Jesus was different. He was special. Why? Because he was the Messiah – the Christ – the promised one who would save his people. So she could not contain her joy. She told anyone who would listen that this baby – this Jesus – was the one w had all been waiting for. I experienced that joy with the two children we adopted. To me, they were not just run-of-the-mill babies. They were MY babies, the ones I had been waiting for all my life. To me they were the most beautiful and precious babies in the world. Even though one is married and the other is ready to graduate high school, I still think they are the most beautiful and most precious children on the planet. That’s just how a mother’s love works. Someday, those same feelings I have for my children will be the very feelings I have for my grandchildren. Isn’t it wonderful how God “wires” us to feel so much love? That’s how Jesus feels about all of us too. We are all so different. Yet Jesus loves each of us individually, fully, and completely. To him, WE are the ones he has always been waiting for. He will never leave us. He will love us forever. Prayer: Dearest Jesus, thank you for giving me my wonderful children. Thank you for claiming me as part of your eternal family too. Continue to unite us and bind us in your love, I pray in your holy name. Amen. Linda Schul Little Children
“but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’” Matthew 19:14 Few pieces of scripture are used more to support children in worship and in the life of the church. Jesus, in other areas of the gospel, tells us to nurture and never lose our childlike faith. This passage has always been one of my favorites from my youth. The welcome and belonging that it gives me can still be felt. The innocence, the inclusion, the sense of home in Jesus that is there all the time, is driven home even more by these words of welcome. But what does that welcome and belonging look like in our church? One Sunday in January two of my kids (one was an acolyte) went to 10:30 worship by themselves. They sat down in a pew up front and began the service the way they both had done for years, this time however the youngest, five years old, sat with their older sibling since my parents were away with my other two. The acolyte did their duty which included communion assistance. This left the five-year-old to navigate one of the most anxious parts of the service, the logistics of communion. For those who have been to other congregations in your lifetime, you know the feeling and the questions. How does this congregation do communion? Intinction, common cup, pouring chalice, or something else? Do I kneel or stand? Do I leave the pew going left or right? How do I get back to my pew? Yet this five-year-old took communion like she had been doing it all her life. I don’t say this as a brag, in fact I rarely sit with my children in worship since I work on Sunday mornings. Instead, I say all of this to show us three things. First, our young people are watching, they see what we do, and they do that too, so pay attention to what you do. Second, other than faith, comfort and belonging are perhaps the most important things we can gift to each other. Lastly, what we do in our routine each day, week, month, or year, matters more than we know. So, what are you going to do today that helps another grow in faith or feel comfortable enough to have the courage to walk to Jesus, to communion like this five-year-old? Peter Horn The Woman at the Well John 4:1-29
News travels quickly. News outlets push notifications to our cell phones. Social media posts instantly notify us of the latest trends, shamings, or praise. Judgements are made quickly: the random assignment of emojis as well as comments express our view on the subject. Often, we are passengers along for the ride by reading others’ opinions. In her day, the woman at the well could avoid the criticisms of the chatty early morning ladies by coming to the well later in the day. She would have found no solace in this age of Instagram, Facebook, and Snap barrage of never ending critics, or would she? In a recent discussion with youth, I wondered if we would know if we were actually talking to or in the presence of Jesus. News and social media highlight the many troubling actions of others. How would we know if it was really Jesus - in the Uber, at Champs, or even in the park on a bench? The clues would be found in the relationship. Jesus knew when and where to find her. He knew of her kind nature as well as her sins. As a Jew, he did not profile her for being a Samaritan. Instead, He brought her peace and satisfied her curiosity about the Messiah. He saw in her the most amazing woman that would share his good news with all. Perhaps the Samaritan woman could have become a social media influencer? I am not sure how, when, or where I will meet Jesus. Like the Samaritan woman, I believe we will know. I believe that he will provide a peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Even though in this world that seems to broadcast hate, prejudice, and judgment; Jesus can still calm our anxiety in this fast paced world. Dear God, Please help us to reveal you to others. Help us create trusted relationships with all people. Help us to reach out to all people in need - regardless of race, gender, gender identity, and circumstance. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Cindy Fritz The Best is Yet to Come
It was a Sunday afternoon, and I was visiting my wife at her nursing care residence. An afternoon worship service was planned by a visiting pastor. His message was based on the Jesus’ raising of Lazarus. The familiar scripture takes place in John chapter 11. The story addresses the subjects of life, death and resurrection found in scripture. Mary and Martha had sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was ill, praying that Jesus would visit and heal him. Jesus delayed his arrival for several days and Lazarus passed away. He was not in a hurry. Lazarus would live again. I’ve often wondered why prayers aren’t answered or the answer is slow in coming. Many times, we wait for the Lord in the midst of a bad situation and wonder why he doesn’t respond more quickly. I believe he is always listening, but this scripture helps me understand that God answers in his way, in his time, for his purpose. Jesus speaks one of the most powerful Christian messages ever: “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” John 11 shows Jesus’ power over death and this reassurance is a bedrock of our Christian faith. Jesus wept, revealing his compassion for Mary, Martha and others at the grave, sharing their grief and revealing his human side. I think that Jesus was feeling our pain and our sin too. Then there is the cave, the stone, the grave clothes. Perhaps he was feeling the agony of what laid before him. Fully God, fully human. There is nothing that I am going through that He hasn’t experienced. The pastor concluded his message with a question. He asked, “What would you say, after seeing Lazarus walk out of that cave? ……………….. Silence followed. Then from his wheelchair at the back of the room, Ronald shouted “HOLY MACKEREL”. Smiles and chuckles followed. It was easy to imagine Ronald standing with a smiling Jesus, and Jesus saying “Ronald, you haven’t seen anything yet, the best is yet to come.” Lord, we thank you that You will raise all of Your believers to life one day, just like You raised Lazarus from the dead. Help us to keep believing in You and looking forward to the best that’s yet to come. Amen Herm Harrington Love and Fear
16b God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21 The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. 1 John 4:16b-21 * * * * * * * My dad always loved old Western movies. I watched a lot of them growing up, and I grew to love them too. One time when I was watching one, my son – just a toddler then – excitedly joined me and asked the one question anyone needs to know to make sense of such a movie: “Daddy, which ones are the good guys and which ones are the bad guys?” That may work well in movies, but that’s not reality. Life’s heroes have flaws, and the villains usually aren’t completely bad. And so in this remarkable first century letter that we call First John, the author tells us that we’re supposed to love everyone, without exception. That doesn’t mean we should ignore evil or let it run wild in our world. Far from it. Often, loving our neighbor means we must actively oppose evil. Perhaps the most jarring thing about this story though is that it identifies the opposite of love not as hate, but as fear. Fear becomes the seedbed of all the other things that drive out love. And so if we want to try to love more fully and completely, our task is not to identify the people we hate, but to honestly admit the people we fear. Fear is a powerful thing. But love is always more powerful. As John reassures us, “perfect love casts out fear.” Prayer: Jesus, help me admit to you and to myself the people I fear. Then drive that fear from me and replace it with love. Let your love transform my heart to love others, I pray in your holy name. Amen. Rev. Scott E. Schul Moses
Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman. 2 The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him three months. 3 When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. 4 His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him. Exodus 2:1-4 I remember hearing this story when I was in 4th grade in public school. In those days, the teacher read a passage from the Bible (of course the KJV) and then we all stood next to our desks and said the Pledge of Allegiance. This was the first thing in the morning ritual. This story particularly stands out in my mind because we never spent much time on the Old Testament in these classroom readings, In my recollection most teachers chose readings from the New Testament. But for some reason the Old Testament was all this teacher ever read. And I know she read this passage several times during the course of the school year. As I found out years later, this teacher was Jewish. In those days I didn’t know much about what being Jewish was. For that matter, in those days, I didn’t know what a Presbyterian, or Methodist, or a Lutheran was either. My family was Catholic. This was the beginning of my understanding that there were other kinds of people out there. I lived a sheltered early life. I have always had a “mind that was made for radio” in that I would visualize stories being read with pictures that were vivid and often extravagant. In this scripture, I could see a lake with cat tails growing wildly. Snuggled in an eddy of this lake was a glued together boat made of leaves floating in the water. I can recall that it conjured a million questions. “How is this baby eating?”, “Why doesn’t he float away?”, “What’s going to happen to this kid?”. I know I never asked anyone those questions. I just troubled over them in my mind. I’m not sure I ever resolved those questions, but the story has stuck with me. Happily, Moses, like that little boy in 4th grade, got out of the boat, off the lake and lived a life! Robert Griffin “I thought he was with you….”
41 Now every year (Jesus’) parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43 When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents were unaware of this. 44 Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously looking for you.” 49 He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them, and his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years and in divine and human favor. Luke 2:41-52 I read this scripture for the first time when I was teaching Sunday School at Grace. Being the same age as Jesus was in the story, the middle schoolers were in awe that Jesus dodged his parents and stayed behind to hang out at the temple on his own—what a rebel! I, on the other hand, felt stressed out and had great empathy for Mary and Joseph as they lived through every parent’s worst nightmare- leaving a child behind unknowingly. This scripture reminded me that parenting is hard—even for Mary and Joseph! I can’t imagine the moment they realized that Jesus was not among their group. Did they blame one another for the oversight? Did they fall to their knees and pray to God that Jesus remains safe until they were reunited? This story ends well- Jesus was found—safe and sound. Even though Jesus was the Son of God, he also was the precocious son of parents who were truly human, doing the best they could. Once the flood of relief wore off was Jesus grounded for his shenanigans—especially since he was old enough to “know better?” I wonder who looked after Jesus during those three days. Was he hungry? Where did he sleep? Was he ever afraid and wished he had gone home with his parents? Thanks be to God for the village of family and friends that he put in our lives to help us raise our children and keep them safe. Jim and I are grateful—just as Mary and Joseph must have been. Steph Flanagan Daniel and the Lions
Daniel was brought and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you faithfully serve, deliver you!" Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; sleep fled from him. Then, at break of day, the king got up and hurried to the den of lions. When he came near the den, he cried out anxiously, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you faithfully serve been able to deliver you from the lions?" Daniel then said to the king, "O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths so that they would not hurt me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no wrong." Then the king was exceedingly glad and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. No kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. Daniel 6:16,19-23 * * * * * * * I’ve always loved this story. It starts off sad, because Daniel is in the den, condemned to die, because people have lied to the king about Daniel. Even though the king knew in his heart that Daniel was innocent, he had no choice but to follow the law. Fortunately, God did what the king was unable to do. Through Daniel’s prayers and faith and God’s mercy, the lions did no harm to Daniel. He was saved. The people who lied about Daniel were not so lucky. Soon, at the king’s command, they took Daniel’s place in the den and their outcome was much different. From that time forward, the king encouraged everyone to believe in Daniel’s God. Daniel’s faith is an inspiration to me. Though I don’t face a real lion, I – just like you – have my share of worries and troubles and sometimes they feel like they might overcome me. When I start to feel overwhelmed, I think of this story and, like Daniel, say a prayer or two and put my trust in God. God has always proven to be so much bigger and stronger than any of my worries, and finds a way every time to draw me back out of that pit. Prayer: Dear God, whenever I am scared, help me to trust in you, like Daniel did. Save me from my lions, I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. Sheri Rider Jimmy Red Shoes: A bruised reed he will not break, a dimly burning wick he will not quench
With an inmate population at Rockview State Prison that fluctuates between 2000 to 2700 inmates, it’s no surprise that there are active, vibrant faith communities “inside the walls” right off Route 26, just past the Nittany Mall. I’d been going into Rockview for church once a month for a few years when my coworker Jennifer had a terrible car accident on Route 350 on the top of Bald Eagle Mountain on a Saturday night. I had not yet experienced (let alone personally practiced) the type of prayer that you see inside jails – quick and confident. Early on Sunday I got a phone call that Jenn was in very bad shape. It had been a head-on collision. Jenn was life-flighted, and her family was told to prepare for the worst (later I found out her aorta was partially severed along with other serious injuries). As I walked into the beautiful stone chapel at Rockview, the first person I saw was Jimmy Red Shoes. Jimmy got this prison nickname because shiny red leather sneakers were available cheaply at the prison commissary. Jimmy wore them all the time. I saw Jimmy Red Shoes, told him about Jenn’s accident and asked him to pray for her. In my fashion, typical for me at that time, I went into the church service and participated, just like every other week. I am ashamed to admit that I don’t even remember if I prayed for Jenn at church that morning – honestly, it was probably a coin-toss. As I came out of church I saw Jimmy again, just outside the sanctuary, near the chaplain’s office. In a somewhat condescending, haughty tone, I admonished HIM not to forget to pray for Jenn. Jimmy looked at me, kind of confused, and very matter-of-factly said “what do I think I have been doing for the last hour”. Now I was the one with the confused look. He told me that right after I had asked him to pray, instead of going into the service, he had found a prayer friend from a group he prayed regularly with, asked the chaplain if they could use one of the offices, and prayed the whole time the rest of us were in church! Jenn’s recovery was so rapid and complete that even her doctors called it a miracle. When I told Jenn about Jimmy she cried. Jimmy was very happy too but was not as shocked as me at the miracle of that Sunday morning prayer. His faithful, fervent prayer was also confident and sure – like calling a good friend and asking for a hand. It had a power and direct impact on Jenn’s physical life, and also on my spiritual life. I went into this ministry thinking I was going to save other people. What Jimmy taught me was to shut up and pray. Isaiah 42 speaks of “A bruised reed (that) he will not break” and of “a dimly burning wick”; Of “bring(ing) out the prisoners from the dungeon; from the prison, those who sit in darkness.” I tell this story often and remember the day I went INTO our local jail to be shown the weak dimness of my prayer and prayer life. Who was the better friend to Jenn? As a prison minister, was I saving Jimmy, or did Jimmy save me? That Sunday, Jimmy’s actions were the shining light. Jesus used Jimmy to reignite some smoldering wicks. Doug Laplante Trusting Jesus to Heal
24[Jesus] set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice,25but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. 26Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 28But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” 30So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. Mark 7:24-37 A woman begs Jesus to cast an unclean spirit out of her daughter and surprisingly he tries to dismiss her. Jesus’ response is not compassionate or kind like we might expect, but instead he is flip and insulting. Yet she is undeterred. Her desperation, her need for this healing, and her belief that Jesus can save her daughter are so great, the woman transforms his insult into a compelling image of the abundance Jesus brings to our hurting world. “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” She tells him that there is enough. His power, his ability to heal and transform the brokenness in the world is so great that even discarded bits that fall like crumbs are enough to fill her need. At this, Jesus relents and sends the woman back home where she finds her daughter fully healed. I find it powerful that it is a woman who spars with Jesus here. I am moved by her passion and her quick reply. I am sad that Jesus’ first response is to turn away from her need since she is not in his “group.” And yet, I am grateful that we have this story where Jesus relents and expands his work to “outsiders.” This encounter reminds us that the boundaries of race, gender, culture, religion, politics, and whatever else human beings think should divide us are not in fact a barrier to God’s transforming power. Even though sometimes it takes a moment to realize that. She persisted. She called for action despite the disrespect Jesus showed her. Jesus’ initial response troubles me, and yet I find hope that he was moved by her response and healed the child. We see Jesus change course and open his ministry to the wider world. Deacon Alicia Anderson, Campus Minister for Lutheran Campus Ministry Focus on what really matters
38 Now as they went on their way, (Jesus) entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at Jesus’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, 42 but few things are needed—indeed only one. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10: 38 – 42 There aren’t many bible stories for which I truly feel a personal connection. This one is the exception. Without a doubt, I would have reacted the way Martha did. As I think back through my life (despite knowledge of this story), I was Martha time and time again. As a full-time working mother, I too often took on the role of taskmaster and was so focused on keeping everyone fed, clothed, clean and completing homework or other daily duties, that I far too often missed the opportunity to truly enjoy the special moments occurring in the day. Certainly, the message of this scripture is that we should remember to keep God and his teachings central in our lives and we definitely should. I hope Jesus doesn’t mind that I am using it to also suggest that we should not get so caught up in daily life tasks that we miss, or fail to fully appreciate, the wonder of the relationships we have with our family and friends. It is too late for me to get back those years during my children’s childhood, but I am trying to remember to relish the times I have with those most dear to me and to focus more on what God is calling on me to do with my time. Dear God, Help us to focus on your teachings and the relationships with which you bless us. Guide us to avoid distractions and less important life tasks that steal our time and attention from life’s greater purpose. Amen. Carla Rossi Love Never Ends
(Love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. 1 Corinthians 13:7-8a One of my favorite Bible readings since childhood is 1 Corinthians 13. In my early teen years, I memorized most of the verses because they spoke strongly to me. However, it was when I learned musical settings of the text and poured out my heart through song that they became one with my soul. When I was 15, I was asked to sing in various churches across York and Lancaster Counties. When I acquired my driver’s license at 16, I began honoring requests. Several songs I had studied incorporated these verses. One setting remains firmly engrained in my mind. The singer sustains the word “LOVE” for six slow beats before finishing the phrase “…is of God, and anyone that loveth knoweth God” (1 John 4:7). The song begins with the traits of God’s love and finishes with “Love bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things…love NEVER ends.” In this setting, the “sound” of true love unfolds from the singer’s first note: the pure, peaceful aural equivalent of a blooming rose. Musical study invited me to embrace the word (love), consider what the composer wanted to convey (a boundless love that would never fade), and combine this with my spirit’s understanding (unwavering courage). I would start quietly, steadily increasing the volume until I reached “God,” the peak where music and scripture intertwined and became One. Before singing, I would close my eyes and envision what God’s love might sound like. I envisaged love that was patient (six slow beats is a long time when you are singing one word) and kind (the composer placed the note where it could be sung comfortably, embraced by peaceful chords); love that emanated warmth, with no sounds that suggested arrogance or other human failings. The final words, “Love never ends,” seemed endless – ten even slower beats. I imagined myself being filled with Gospel’s promise, which helped me to sustain the note with confidence until the end. Each time the closing words challenged me to keep my heart open to God’s love so I could pass on the gift. Although my human failings mean I repeatedly fall short of sharing love as God intends, these words remain a lamppost to guide my journey. Love never ends. Laurel Sanders Seeing Clearly
22 They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, "Can you see anything?" 24 And the man looked up and said, "I can see people, but they look like trees, walking." 25Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Then he sent him away to his home, saying, "Do not even go into the village." Mark 8:22-26 * * * * * * * This quirky little story from Mark’s Gospel has long been a favorite of mine because it’s the only Jesus healing that doesn’t go as planned. Imagine! Here’s Jesus, the Son of God, the most powerful being in the universe, ready to amaze everyone with a miraculous healing of a blind man. But things go horribly wrong when, instead, the man reports that he can see people, “but they look like trees, walking.” So Jesus quickly takes a second crack at the healing and finally the man is able to see clearly. Why did Mark include this story? Was it to embarrass Jesus or call his divinity into question? No. Instead, Mark shared this story to remind us that Jesus will go to any length to bless us. When the blind man’s sight was not perfectly restored, Jesus could have blamed it on the man and quickly moved on. But Jesus didn’t leave him to suffer. He kept working with the man until the man’s sight was fully restored. That’s grace and mercy in action! It’s the same for us. When we get off-track in our faith, or our lives become snarled in bad decisions, Jesus won’t abandon us. No matter how many times it takes, Jesus will keep working with us until our vision clears and we can see things as he does. Why? Because he loves us and loves to bless us. Friends, Jesus never gives up on us. So don’t ever give up on Jesus, even when all we can see is a world filled with crazy walking trees. Prayer: Jesus, no matter how long it takes, help me see myself, my neighbor, and my circumstances clearly, so that I can love others the way you do. Amen. Rev. Scott E. Schul The Season of Lent
It's not something that’s readily noticeable to others, but it happens to most just as surely as the sun rises each day. It doesn't happen overnight so that when it does dawn upon us it comes as a complete surprise. We notice it most often when we realize that the type on the printed page is not as clear as what it once was. And then it hits us ‑ the length of our arms has shortened! To be sure, we really know that it's our eyes and not our arms, but most of us tell ourselves that if our arms were as long as they used to be or just a bit longer all the words would be perfectly clear. Certainly, we've been told over and over again that as we get older our eyes change. And, although we can't make our arms longer, we can arrange to have corrective lenses placed over the bridge of our nose. Even though new glasses are designed to improve our vision, objects those first few days still appear a bit out of whack. But, in no time at all, our eyes quickly adapt and then, lo and behold, the black type of the written word comes clearly into focus. Lent is the time in the church year to readjust our spiritual focus. Perhaps we might call it a bifocal time ‑ a time to be nearsighted and look at ourselves and a time to be farsighted and look at others. Taking measure of ourselves and our spiritual lives, we come to find that Lent historically has been, and continues to be, a time when believers have sought to improve their praying. They have looked meditatively for the presence of God in their lives. They have taken the weeks of Lent to reshape their lives to make that Presence a reality in their being. At the same time, we lift our eyes from the half-moons of our spectacles to look out the larger upper portions, at others around us and in the world. We look not for their faults but for the positive attributes they might have. Not only do we look out at those about us, but we reach out to them as well, by encouraging the goodness we see in them. The season of Lent is a time of grace whereby we refocus our vision. We take it not only personally but communally as well. In that sense, it's like a journey that we, as a committed band of God's People, travel together. It is only together, joined with others, that we can be the Lenten body of Christ that will celebrate Easter as the risen body of Christ. Isn’t it so? Pastor Larry Louder Busy Times, But a Time for Everything.
For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; 5 a time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 a time to seek and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to throw away; 7 a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to keep silent and a time to speak; 8 a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 I love to tell the story of my time at summer camp. When I was in middle school I attended Camp Mount Luther for the first time. My time at Mount Luther quickly became my favorite time of the year. I would anticipate it as it grew closer, and I would mourn the ending of that time as the summer came to a close. At camp, while singing songs together at meals and worship, playing field games, and camping out under the stars, God forged in me a deeper faith, created lasting relationships, and inspired a heart for ministry. Following my time as a camper, I worked there for seven summers (the last being 2022) and I met my husband there as well. Now as my time working there is over, I come back to this reminder from the writer of Ecclesiastes. This is one of my favorites to read during summer camp field worship under the stars, and every week at Mount Luther would end with our director saying: “and the writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us there is a time for everything under heaven” as we were sad to say goodbye to our camp community. Right now this is a reminder for me in a new and very busy season of life (teaching coaching, studying, etc.) that there is a time for everything, and God will make everything beautiful in God’s own time. Anne Gates Feeding Everyone Through Christ
One of my favorite Bible stories is the story in Matthew where Jesus feeds thousands with just five loaves of bread and two fish. The story reads: Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled, and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. Most Sundays I have a unique view of at least one service when I am in the balcony video booth. The view from the window is unique in that I can only see the front of the sanctuary and 2-3 rows of pews. Unless I adjust the camera, I have no idea how many folks are sitting in the pews. I imagine this is how the disciples felt that day when they were asked to distribute a meager amount of food to the vast crowd. How would they feed so many people? Did they know how many people were there? Could they see everyone in attendance? While we may not know the answers to these questions, I am certain the disciples were skeptical about what Jesus was asking them to do. They had to trust that things would be okay, and that Jesus had total control over the situation. Each week, no matter how we gather for worship, we also must trust that we will be fed. How are you fed each week during worship? This doesn’t just mean being fed with the sacrament of Holy Communion, but also being fed through the music, the liturgy, and the entire worship experience. My prayer each week is no matter how many are gathered in person, or watching on video or tuning in on the radio that they are fed through body, mind, and spirit just like the crowds who stood on the shore that day. I pray you are filled with the love of Jesus and one another and can abundantly share that love with everyone around you. Alyson Hoegg |
Authors:The people of Grace share their favorite bible stories for the 2023 Lenten Devotional: I Love to Tell the Story. Each day's devotional will be automatically posted so come back daily after 7 am for a new reflection. |