Spiritual and Physical Needs

Matthew 14:13-21 KJV; 10th Sunday after Pentecost; Jesus took care of both physical and spiritual needs of those who followed him into the desert. Do we?

Hosanna To The King

Eyes to See

The beggar followed in the way of Jesus

And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

                                                                                     (Mark 10:46-52 KJV)

The story of the blind man begging Jesus to have mercy on him is a reminder that Jesus does indeed hear our prayers and answers.  The beggars eyes are healed. They are opened so that he might see the world around him. Jesus declares that he has been made whole. Being made whole the once blind man can now see to follow in the way of Jesus. When one is touched by the love and mercy of Jesus they are made whole.

We can never make ourselves whole. It is God in Christ Jesus who makes us whole. It is he who gives us new life; a life of wholeness in the Body of Christ; in the Kingdom of God. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Christmas; Epiphany; Three Kings

They followed a star.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. 

                                                                               (Matt 2:1-2, 7-11 KJV)

The season of Christmas ended yesterday with the observance of Epiphany or as known to some Three Kings Day. My little tree will hopefully come down today although it will be a very busy day. I have banana trees to move before some landscaping begins today. There is an online grocery order to pick up. And, I have to go shopping for a new washing machine. Mine quit! Yesterday was even busier; therefore, the tree is still lighting up the living room this morning.

The reading from Matthew tells us that the wise men traveled far to meet this king and to bring him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. I've always kind of thought me that if we are going to give gifts at all why not give them on the day that we celebrate the gift-giving wise men rather than Christmas. Christmas, when celebrated, I believe, should be focused solely on the precious gift that was given to us with his birth. Many churches don't even have a Christmas Day service so that families can be together, children can play with their toys, and moms and grandmoms can start cooking.  

However, despite the questionable background of our Christmas traditions, the season prior to Christmas does give us greater opportunity to remind the world that Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world, came into this world as a fully human baby, lived among us, and then died for us. What great gift could we possibly receive.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Set Free

And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 

                                                                                      (Acts 12:3-11 KJV)

Peter could hardly believe it. He thought at first that he was dreaming. But, it was no dream or vision. An angel of the Lord released him from Herod's prison.

When Peter showed up at Mary's doorstep they could hardly believe it. Believe it! God can open the chains that bind us. He can unlock the doors that keep us locked up no matter whether those doors are physical or spiritual. "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:36)

You will be free just as Peter was to go and tell the world what the Lord has done for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Fishing!

Diving at the USS Aeolus off coast of NC many years ago...

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.  (Mark 1:16-18 NIV)

It has been a couple of decades now since I have been diving. I loved it. My health was at its best when I was diving. That may have been due to the salt water; maybe the exercise or maybe it was due to the atmospheric pressure or increased oxygen intake or all the aforementioned.

I thoroughly enjoyed being at the bottom of the Atlantic with the fish. But, while there, I never fished. That for me would have been a fruitless effort. I have never been much of a fisherperson. I enjoy being with the fish. I even enjoy eating them. I just cannot catch them. Even as a child I could not catch them. My family would go fishing often. Everyone would catch near their limits and me - NONE, NADA, NOT A THING.

That being said, I do fish; but, not for fish. I have been called, as many of you have, to fish for people. Sometimes my efforts are productive. Sometimes they are not. They are not when I depend on my ability to fish rather than trust God to fill the nets. Whether the fishing is productive or not really depends on the Spirit of God and not on me and not on you. Yes, we have to get out there and share the Good News. But, it is up to the Spirit of Christ to open ears, and eyes and hearts that they might hear and receive. And, it is not you or me who does this fishing; but, Christ who abides in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Help us Lord to have the courage and wisdom to go and fish for people. Help us to trust you for a great catch.

God's Peace - Pr. J

What A Journey!

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Prov 27:1

Life has been quite a journey. God brings us to places that we never imagined we would go. He has brought me to places that I never dreamed of. He has been very good. There have been many struggles and there continues to be. But; in spite of any hardships I know that whatever and wherever He guides me it is for the good.

When those first disciples dropped everything to follow Jesus they had no clue how much their lives would change and how they would be used to change the lives of others; indeed, change even the

world.

No matter what is going on in your life; if you will listen to Him and follow in His Way you can be assured that God has a plan; a very good plan.

May God grant you the wisdom and courage to follow in The Way.

God's Peace - Pr. J