The Beloved Son Forgives

Genesis 50:15-21 KJV; 16th Sunday after Pentecost; The beloved sons forgive. Joseph forgave his brothers. Jesus forgives us.

Departed Brothers: Fr. Basil; Fr. Nicholas

Monastery at Jacob's Falls, Eagle Harbor, MI

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 

                      (John 13:34-35 KJV)

I met Fr. Basil in 1997. I was the Vicar for a church without walls in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan. I had up to five services all over the Keweenaw during any given week and by weeks end I needed to be refreshed. I needed to hear the word and not just preach it so I began attending Saturday evening Vespers on the shore of Lake Superior at the Holy Transfiguration Skete, Eagle Harbor, MI; a Catholic Monastery of the Byzantine Rite. When I first began attending worship with the monks, services were held in their living room. It has since grown greatly!

  

I always left worship with the brothers rejuvenated and ready for the coming week. For those of you who have not attended one of their services, they are completely chanted, including the readings. There are no musical instruments to accompany the chanting; just voices. The words are not drowned out by the organ. I can focus more fully on the word when I can hear it. And... they didn't even mind my chanting. After I had moved away and continued to worship occasionally with them, Fr. Nicholas had commented that he always smiled when he heard me chanting behind him because he knew that I had made the trip to be with them once again. Yes, when I attempt to sing or chant people often smile. I am a preacher not a singer! But, I love doing both. Worship at the monastery is also done  mostly standing. The only time that there is any sitting down is during the readings; unless you are disabled. Whenever I hear people complaining about  standing  too much during worship; I think of Jesus being tortured and hanging on the cross for so many hours for our sakes. 

Fr. Nicholas passed away in 2017. As I was surfing the internet this morning I stumbled across Fr. Basil's obituary. He died on November 30th of this past year. It was a bit of a shock as he always seemed so healthy. 

Despite doctrinal differences, these co-founders of the Holy Transfiguration Skete were truly brothers in Christ. I do miss them. They not only  spiritually supported me and my ministry in the Keweenaw and elsewhere, they were  supporters of many people in need whether the needs were spiritual or physical even as the brothers left behind still are there praying for and helping those in need. What I have witnessed is genuine love for others through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Time has been passing here on earth rather quickly it seems. I will not be seeing brothers Basil or Nicholas again here on earth again. But, that is okay as we look to living in the Kingdom prepared for all who believe, in the presence of God, for all eternity.

May God continue to bless the brothers of St. John's Society with love and with his peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Blood That Is Thicker Than Blood

There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.

And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.

And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?

And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

                                                                                      (Mark 3:31-35 KJV)

Family... Most of us have families that we are close to. But, many do not. Many have been abused or neglected by their families. Others have lost them to death. We may not have birth families to celebrate with; to grieve with; to live and walk with; but, we can still have a family. 

I have known too many people who have been judged because they have chosen for their own physical, spiritual, or mental health that they must distance themselves from their families of birth. There is a prevailing sense that those of the same "blood;" the same family, must support one another no matter what. Unfortunately, it cannot always be so. When one family member endangers you or others by their words or actions those actions should not be supported. Sometimes family members and friends will have to walk away for the sake of everyone involved. 

The Good News is that there is a family that will support you. We have a Father who does all things for the good of those who love him. There is indeed a blood that is thicker than blood. It is the blood of Christ that was shed for you. Because he was willing to die for us, we are willing to follow Him, doing our Father's will. We can say "Our Father" because through Jesus we have been made children of God. We have been adopted into his family.

Jesus was not disavowing his mother or his brothers when he asked and answered the question. "Who is my mother, or my brethren?" He loved them. He loved his mother; for, even as he was suffering on the cross he appointed John to look after Mary. Jesus was making the point that all who believe and follow are his family. Thus, we have the Church; the family of God.

There is the blood that is thicker than blood. It binds us together, forever. It is the blood of Christ shed for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jealousy Kills

  "And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him."

                                                                                 (Gen 4:4-8 KJV)

It appears that the Lord favored Abel's offering over Cain's because his offering was raised up through hard work. The Lord told Cain that if he had worked well to present this offering it would have been accepted. Cain was not happy. He was so jealous that his brother had found favor and he had not that he killed his brother.

Jealousy destroys. It kills and there are consequences for the sin. If the jealousy over how much accomplishment or honor others receive with their hard work continues it will build up within you until the consequences of the sin become very tough. Cain was exiled to become a fugitive and a vagabond. He would indeed have to work very hard just to survive. 

It is not any different today than it was in Cain and Abel's day. Jealousy will prevail if it is not put in check quickly. It will destroy your future and the future of those around you. God has given you many gifts so that you might be fruitful. There are  consequences for not even attempting to use those gifts as well as you can. The outcome and possible consequences have nothing to do with what your neighbor does. It has everything to do with what you do or do not do with the gifts of God. In the general confession we pray that God will forgive us for sins known and unknown; for things we have done and for things that we have left undone. For the sake of love for the one who lived and died and yet lives for us, it would behoove us to leave a whole lot less undone.

May we always use the gifts that God has given us so that He might be glorified.

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men." (Col 3:23)

God's Peace - Pr. J

We Are One

 

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

                                                                                  (Gal 3:26-28 KJV)

Dress down and go shopping in an exclusive store and you will find, in many  cases, eyes watching you as you wander around the shop. The way that we dress and carry ourselves often determines whether we will be targeted as a desirable or an undesirable.

Unfortunately, having served as a pastor for over twenty years, I have witnessed this occurring among some members within some congregations as well. Discrimination against brothers and sisters in Christ; discrimination against anyone is an ugly sinful attribute. 

God does not desire that we should pick and choose who is worthy. He cared enough for all of His creation to send His only begotten Son to die for all people. He loves humankind enough to sacrifice His Son that we might be reconciled to Him and to one another in the Body of Christ. 

May God help us to remember that by faith we are all children of God and are one in Christ Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Treasures

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." 

                                                  (Matt 6:19-21 KJV)

Where do you invest your time; your talents; all the gifts that God has given you? Do you enjoy those gifts? There is only one place where you will find real joy. That place is in relationship with Jesus Christ and with others around you. Some things are necessary: food, shelter, heat, clothing. Other things are not. They are luxuries. They can be excess baggage that steal away our time and our opportunity to be in caring and loving relationships. 

The greatest treasure of God is being able to live in relationship with God and our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Kingdom of God. May God help us to seek His Kingdom that we might know what a treasure living in His presence really is.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Thicker Than Blood

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

                                                                        (John 19:25-30 KJV)

The world was changed when Jesus hung on that cross and died for us. Of course, there are many things that have not changed. There are still some really ugly things going on in the world. But, when Jesus hung on that cross and died, we received the possibility of being reconciled to God. We who were not His children became His children. We are family. 

On very rare occasions I will refer to brothers and sisters in Christ as "friends" because they are. I don't use that term often; though, because more than friends, we are family. We are children of the most high God; brothers and sisters in Christ. When Jesus hung on the cross he told John, "Behold thy mother" and to his mother Mary he said, "Behold thy son." John was to care for Mary as a son would. Mary was to love John as a mother would. When, through faith, we are made to be children of God, we become family. We are to love and care for one another as our Father in heaven cares for all of us. 

As you gather with your brothers and sisters this Good Friday to remember what Christ has done for us; remember that the person sitting in the pew or chair next to you is your brother or sister in Christ and that together you remember and grieve that Jesus had to suffer and die for the both of you. There is a blood that is thicker than blood. It is the blood of Christ that was shed for you and for all people.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Love Increases

We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. (2 Thess 1:3 NRVS)

On the first Wednesday of every month our congregation has a special service or program followed by a soup supper. The services began this past year with me leading a prayer or healing service and has evolved into having members of the congregation leading. 

This past Wednesday the theme was on Valentine's Day and love. Phyllis did an absolutely marvelous job sharing about the love of God in Christ and about the love we have for one another. The most amazing part was not just about what she said; but, about how her love of God and for us was seen in her words and actions as she presented some really Good News. What she shared about love was shared with genuine love. It was a unifying and edifying time together. It was evident in the way in which she shared the love of God that we are family and that not only does God love us; but, she also loves God and all the brothers and sisters in Christ to whom she was speaking.

And, then... all the brothers and sisters in Christ that were present gathered in the fellowship hall to share their love for one another over some awesome soup and bread.

I thank God for the love of every one of you for one another.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

What Will You Give?

Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”   (Luke 18:28-30 NIV)

John the Baptist wandered alone in the wilderness announcing the coming of the Messiah and baptizing for repentance. His family did not join him as he ate locust and honey. The disciples of Jesus left everyone and everything behind them to follow Jesus. Mary lost her son. He was crucified. Since that time, multitudes of Christians have given their very lives for the faithfulness in proclaiming Jesus as their Savior and King.

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? (Luke 9::23-25)

Are we truly willing to give even our lives to follow Jesus? (Just something we ought to give serious consideration to every once in awhile throughout our lives.) What are you willing to give?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Love God; Love His Children

"This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands."

                                                                                       1 John 5:2 NIV 

There are times when I cannot help but shake my head in wonder as I witness the absolute disregard of our Father's will to love God and others; by those who would call themselves Christian. I understand that our human nature is difficult at times. There are many times that we slip and we aren't even really aware we're slipping until we are caught. But, those who love the Lord will at least attempt to not be stealing or lying or in any way disrespecting their brothers and sisters in Christ.

We are to love the Lord our God with all our hearts and souls and minds. We show this love by loving and respecting all of His children. (Luke 10:27)

The world throws temptation after temptation at us. The world would tell us we have to look out for ourselves first. "Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." (1 John 5:5)

May God bless us with faith and a desire to do His will; loving and respecting Him and all of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Receiving the Gospel; Living in the Light

For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last." 1 Thess 2:14-16 NIV

The gospel is not always received very well. There will always be opposition to the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. St. Paul continued to proclaim it for the sake of others in the face of much opposition. The truth can be quite offensive to those who follow in their own ways. The light of truth can bring us to rejoice in in Jesus; but, it can also send those who reject it scurrying further into the darkness as they attempt to hide from the truth. The truth sometimes stirs up fear and hatred and ultimately the persecution of those who do believe. In spite of hardship and persecution, those who follow Jesus will continue to share the good news with others so that all might know the joy of living in relationship with God our Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ.

May God grant us the knowledge, wisdom, courage and strength to speak the truth no matter what the opposition might be so that we might all know the glory of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

We Are Family

"But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Matt 12:48-50 NRSV

Following worship this morning, we will all sit down to a ham dinner. We will sit down together as family; as brothers and sisters in Christ to enjoy a simple; but, delicious meal at Christ Lutheran Church. 

I realize that in today's world "family" is not what it use to be. Many rarely sit down for a meal together. Many families never take the time to talk to one another; to listen to their loved ones. These are people we love. Why don't we take the time to fellowship with our families; both inside and outside of the church? 

When you were baptized into Christ; you became a child of God. All who were baptized into the Body of Christ are members of God's family; brothers and sisters; children of our heavenly Father. Let us not neglect to actually be; to live like family, in more than name only. 

"And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Heb 10:24-25

God's Peace - Pr. J

A Blood Thicker Than Blood

"While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
     He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”" (Matt 12:46-50 NIV)

What is family? Jesus knew that family went beyond mere blood lines. We were not; after all, born into the family of Abraham, the family of promise. But, we were adopted into that family, by faith, through the blood that Jesus shed for us.

There is a blood that is thicker than blood. It is the blood of Christ that was shed for you. Because he was willing to die for us, we are willing to follow Him, doing our Father's will. We can say "Our Father" because through Jesus we have been made children of God. We have been adopted into the family of God.

When Jesus pointed to the disciples claiming them as family, Jesus was not disavowing his mother. He loved his mother; for, even as he suffered on the cross, he appointed John to look after Mary. He was making the point that those who believe and follow are his family. Thus, we have the Church; the family of God.

There is the blood that is thicker than blood. It binds us together, forever. It is the blood of Jesus shed for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Children Belong In Our Father's House

  

Brothers and sisters of all ages together in our Father's House of Worship.

   After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

   “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:43-49 NIV)

Mary and Joseph left for home and didn't even realize that they had left Jesus behind in Jerusalem. Like most parents, they were probably pretty panicked when they realized He was not with them. They rushed back to find Him in the temple. Mary was probably relieved; but, still a bit a bit upset as any mother would be. "Why would you do something like this to us? Why would you make us worry like that? Jesus' reply was a question. He asked, "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"

Didn't you know? Didn't you know that the children belong in our Father's house so that they can be loved and nurtured and taught by the community of saints that gathers there? After all, shouldn't all of God children be in house where they can learn of and know and feel our Father's love for them?  Shouldn't they be there not just for special required festivals, but as often as they can? Our Father's house is a place where children can learn to be accepted and loved unconditionally (at least I am hoping everyone accepts all children unconditionally). It is a place where they should be able to learn to accept others and love them unconditionally, as well. Our Father's house is a place where they will learn that when they become adults, they will have a place, a family, to go to when they are all alone, no matter where in the world they might find themselves. May God grant that not only will children be welcomed into every Christian congregation, but that their parents would desire to join them in our Father's house.

May all of the children of God desire to spend much time with their brothers and sister in Christ as we gather together to worship and learn and sing songs of praise in our Father's house.

God's Peace - Pr. J

By The Spirit's Power

And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. 1 Cor 2:1-5 NIV
Paul was not an uneducated man. Yet, he resolved to know nothing when he was with the people except Jesus Christ. His focus, his thought, his talk was on nothing other than Jesus the Christ. He did not allow the fact that he was indeed a man of learning and of some status to get in the way of proclaiming the one thing that mattered: Jesus Christ and him crucified. Nothing else mattered. His utmost concern was proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus.

As we enter into a new year; may it be in all of God's church on earth, that whatever we say and do is done by the power of God's Spirit and not because we think that we are so important that it is we who can accomplish these things. Paul set his ego aside so that the Spirit might work through him. May it be so with all of us, as well.

Enter into His serve with a humble heart.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Fill Us Up, Lord!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. Rom 15:13-14 NIV

More than a few times over the last few decades, I have heard the lament that congregations are aging and there are just too few people to do the ministry of the church. Hogwash! I don't buy that excuse for not joyfully participating in the ministry that we have been called to. I am just not accepting of that story.

Of course, we are all aging. Everybody ages. But, that does not mean that the Spirit of Christ cannot continue to minister through us. Even the five-year old is aging. As we age; as we mature, we may receive different gifts to serve. No matter what age, we can all still serve in various ways. It might be as a prayer warrior in your recliner at home or as an usher or reader at worship. It might be that we are called to visit shut-ins. There are just an infinite number of ways in which God might call and empower us to minister to others. When I hear things like we can't do this or that because there are too few of us willing to serve and we're all too old, it brings be great pause; because in fact it is not we who does the work of God; but, Christ who abides in us who does these things. And, we ought not be thinking that there are too few of us. There are many. But, we need to acknowledge that Christ works through others as well as ourselves and be very careful about building up walls that might hinder the ministry of others within the church. It does not matter how old or young we are. It doesn't matter where we come from. The Spirit of Christ abides in us and we in him. How can we do anything but serve the Lord and the people around us?

If we're busy trying to sustain the congregation or church on earth under our own power, we are all in trouble. We cannot do it and deep down in our hearts we know that. We become afraid that because of our own inabilities the church on earth is on a decline.

Do not be afraid! It is not in decline! Jesus began the church on earth with twelve men and one of them a traitor. Do we really believe that what started with twelve disciples and in 2000 plus years has grown to what it is today, through the shedding of much blood and many tears, that God would let the church fold? We must remember, though, that those first disciples did not go out into the world until they received the promised Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit they could do nothing. But, with the Holy Spirit they were empowered to go forth to bring the Good News to all people. They were filled with hope no matter what adversity they faced.

May God fill us with the Holy Spirit and with His power that we might continue with hope to that which we are called; to instruct others in The Way of Jesus the Christ, that they everyone might enter into our Father's presence in His Kingdom.

Fill us up, Lord!

God's Peace - Pr. J.