John 15:9-12

Stop.

Today we will focus on the word LOVE. Breathe deeply and say it a few times as you meditate on this image.

Listen.

John 15:9–12 (NRSV)

9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Reflect.

The word commandment can often be harsh to our ears. It can seem demanding; like the words of a harsh authoritarian.

Jesus is messing with you. He is purposefully and playfully offering us an alternative way of understanding the term command. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day had taken the words of law and promise that God gave to Moses and distorted them. God gave the words to Moses so that the newly freed slaves would know how to live healthy and abundant lives in a new world. They were more words of life and freedom and less commands and ultimatums.

The religious leaders of Jesus day had turned them into words of oppression. They demanded that the people follow the commands or be exiled from the community.

Jesus looked at his disciples and reminded them, “This is how Abba (Daddy) rolls. He has one command, and it is to love one another. Abba loves you, I love you, you are beloved children and siblings, and all you have to do is love everybody.”

That’s really good news, don’t you think?

Pray.

Abba, thank you for your love for me. Help me to love others the way you love me.

Carry On.

This week we’ve focused on the vine. You are the branch. It’s not your job to make the fruit. It’s your job to stay connected to God’s love. Love God, love your neighbor, love yourself, and the fruit will happen.

EXTRAordinary

Stop

Where do you see God?

Take a moment and think about times and places in your life when you have sensed the presence of God. Is it always in church? Chances are it isn’t. Perhaps you see God in nature when you take the time to contemplate the vastness of creation.

Do you ever sense God’s presence at work?

Listen

Read Luke 5:1-11.

Reflect

Notice where Jesus meets Simon. He’s on the shore. Simon, James and John are cleaning their nets after a long night of fishing.

This is their workplace. Simon is a commercial fisherman. He is on this beach everyday, cleaning his fishing nets. He’s tired. The nets stink like seaweed and fish guts. It’s not glamorous or sophisticated. It’s just another day at the office.

Then Jesus shows up.

Jesus is a teacher who has been gaining quite a reputation. In fact, he even recently healed Simon’s mother-in-law of a fever.

Then Jesus challenges Simon to go back out into the water and fish some more, even when Simon knows the fish aren’t there today.

When Simon follow’s Jesus’ instructions the fish show up in a way that Simon has never seen. There are so many fish that Simon and his partners can barely get back to shore before the boats sink from the weight.

Do you see what happened?

Jesus showed up in an ordinary place—Simon’s workplace—and made it extraordinary.

Imagine the place where you work right now. It is very familiar. Perhaps it seems dull.

Did you know that Jesus is already there? What would happen if you began to see your workplace as a mission field for the Kingdom of God. How might that change the way you feel about work?

God loves your co-workers and the people whom you serve through the work that you do. Your work is as much a part of God’s mission to bring healing and wholeness to all things as the work of a pastor or missionary.

Pray

Let us pray that God will take your ordinary things and make them extraordinary.

Amen.

Carry On

You work on holy ground, if you allow it to be that.

As you go to work today, let us pray that you will see Jesus there.

Shepards

Merry Christmas!

It is the second day of Christmas. By now, the excitement of opening presents and eating good food is a pleasant memory. I hope you enjoyed yourself.

Today we conclude our meditation on Luke 2:1-14. On Tuesday and Thursday we were reminded that this is not a sentimental, sweet children’s story. It is a dark story of violence and oppression. Jesus was born as a refugee amongst the animals.

Today we step outside the city walls of Bethlehem to the countryside and read Luke 2:8-14.

Verse 8. On Wednesday we noted that God chose to enter into the world in the lowest possible place: a stinky animal stall with refugee parents. The son of the Promise of God has been born. David’s heir is now here. It is time to announce the birth of the true king of Israel.

Where would you announce this news?

I probably wouldn’t go to a bunch of shepherds. The shepherds were the lowest of the working class. They were one step above the leper and the outcast. They hung around on the outskirts of civilization and smelled like sheep.

Verse 9. Yet, this is exactly where God’s messenger appeared.  

Verse 10. The Message: there is good news (aka, the Gospel) of great joy for ALL PEOPLE!

The emperor of Rome brought good news for the powerful people of Rome. He brought great wealth and power to them by oppressing everyone else. The true king of the world brings good news for ALL people. 

Verses 11-12. The emperor of Rome sits on his golden throne in the capital city. The true king lies in an animal’s feeding dish, wrapped in strips of common cloth, the child of oppressed refugees. This is your sign that points you to what God really cares about.

Verses 13-14. The word “host” literally means army. The Roman emperor took over the world with an army of soldiers that destroyed the countryside. They invaded, raped, pillaged, and violently stole that which was not theirs.

The true king brings an army as well. Yet, this army does not fight. It sings. It offers glory to the creator of all things. It declares peace on earth to ALL PEOPLE.

This is the promise of Christmas.

Let us pray.

Gracious God. Give us ears to hear the message fresh today. Your desire for this world is peace, not power. Grant us wisdom and courage to strive for these things in the dawning of a new year. Amen.

Go now, my friends, into the remaining days of Christmas. Be filled with the hope that God is with us. God is with ALL of us, and invites us to welcome ALL people into the Kingdom of Peace.