How Did They Know Them?

His Face Did Shine Like The Sun

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 

                                                                                   (Matt 17:1-7 KJV)

How did they know? How did they know that the two talking with Jesus were Moses and Elijah? Scripture does not tell us how they knew. Maybe, it was from the content of the conversation. Maybe, their history and their traditions stirred something in them so that they just felt it and knew it within their own spirits. Maybe, the Holy Spirit moving upon them, inspired and told them. Maybe it was a little of all these things combined.

How can we know anything? We can know by the testimony of two or three witnesses. This testimony, of three, is found in the reading: "While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him'” (Matt 17:5)

The same words spoken by the Father at Jesus' baptism were spoken at his transfiguration: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. listen to him!"

The three disciples, in fear and trembling, witnessed the glory of Jesus Christ, our LORD, at his transfiguration. May God prepare our hearts and minds to witness the full glory of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Wait On The Lord

Psalm 27:11-14 KJV

Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. 

+++

Way too often we try to get those things, including the outcomes, that we want. We want what we want and we want it now. But, those things that we desire are not always what we need or what is best for us. It may seem like too much hardship or struggle to have to wait to work things out the right or the best way so we rush things and the end does not always end up the way that we anticipated that it would end.

Things may feel hard; but, there are times when we must endure and trust in the Lord to see us through. The Lord know what is good for us. Wait on him. He will open the doors that are meant for you. 

Do not make rash decisions to try to get what you want. Be of good courage and wait on the Lord and you will see the goodness of the Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Thankful For Your Charity

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth..." (2 Thess 1:3 KJV)

This morning as I begin my day, I am thankful to God for the multitude of faithful men and women around the world. We do not live and serve the Lord in a vacuum. We are not alone. We have a crowd of witnesses with us who are always willing to witness to the love of the Lord by loving and serving those who are in need.

Charity, it is said, begins at home. Charity, indeed, must be exercised at home. But, it cannot stop there. Charity is inspired by our faith in the one who loves the whole world enough to die for all people. Because Jesus was willing to give even his life for us; those who love him are willing to give to others.

This morning, I thank God for all whose faith in God is strong enough to give unconditionally to those who suffer without any concerns for their own self-centered needs.

May God bless us all with faith, love, and charity that the world might know our living God.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Communicate Truthfully

Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

                         (Matt 26:59-61 KJV)

Jesus was crucified, not on any real evidence of blasphemy because there was no evidence. But, that did not stop false witnesses from coming forward and twisting Jesus' words to make them sound like the words meant something that they did not mean. He was speaking of his own death and resurrection. But, those who wanted him gone accepted it to mean that he was able to and going to destroy the Jewish Temple and if he chose would miraculously build it up in three days. No one could do that except God. It was God's temple to do with as He pleased, not Jesus'; therefore, blasphemy...

Scripture requires two or more witnesses and that would mean reliable eye-witnesses, not false witnesses, to find a person guilty. Perjuring yourself to assist in finding another person guilty of a crime that was not committed is a sin. It is definitely against the law. Well; that is, it is a crime in a court of law. Whether that law is valid in every hearing today is a bit questionable. 

Apparently, lying about others isn't so bad if you haven't taken an oath to tell the truth. We hear it and read it all of the time in the various forms of media. We even hear it after someone takes the oath. Perjury, as previously noted, is illegal and could get you jail time yourself.

One of my pet peeves is the lack of ability to communicate; especially the inability to understand what others actually mean. This country is diverse whether everyone wants to acknowledge it or not. Diversity includes people from many ethnic backgrounds; from many cultures; from different generations; from various regions. The words one person uses to say something does not always mean the same thing to the person who hears it. 

One of my granddaughter's uses the words "passed out" to mean she fell asleep. I guess that is how many in her generation describe being so tired they fall asleep without trying. I've asked her not to use those words to describe falling asleep as to me and to many of my generation it means got so drunk they fell asleep or "passed out." I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea about her. 

As we are so diverse, maybe it's time before we jump to judgment on what someone is saying that we begin attempting to understand who the speaker is and where the speaker is coming from. That seems to be a much better solution to some of the communication issues in this country than slandering the speaker and ending up a false witness to what was actually said.

None of this is not to say that we should not speak the truth. The truth does need to be communicated. Let us communicate it plainly without false accusations. And... if what you are relating is a joke or satire; please, present it in a way that people know that it is. 

May God help us to refrain from passing false judgment on those whom we are unable to understand or relate to. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Eighth Commandment

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.

                                                                 (Luther's Small Catechism)

Upset By The Truth

"And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?

Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome."

                                                                                   Acts 23:1-11 KJV

The truth has a tendency to upset people who insist on living their own truth, which is no truth at all; but, a justification for our sinful beliefs and lifestyles. They will rebel and this will attack those who speak the truth in attempts to make themselves look good and right.

With much turmoil, Paul testified to the resurrection of the dead in Jerusalem. The uproar that accompanied it was so horrific that the troops had to get Paul out of there for his own safety. "The following night the Lord stood near Paul and told said, 'Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.'” (vs 11) And, so he will. Under guard Paul will be taken to Rome to testify to the truth in Jesus Christ again. He will witness to the resurrection and eternal life in Christ even as he makes that journey.

Where is our journey taking us? Along "The Way," will we be witnesses of the love of God in Christ Jesus; regardless, of how many might attack us because their lives are upset by the truth? How many lives will be changed by hearing the Word?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Go And Tell!

Go and Tell!

Upon arriving at the tomb, the Mary Magdalene and the other Mary encounter the angel of the Lord sitting on the stone that had been used to seal the tomb. The tomb is no longer sealed. Jesus is not there. He is risen and on his way to Galilee! The women are a bit fearful, but filled with joyful excitement, as the angel tells them to go and tell the disciples what has happened. The guards are also there. They appear to be in some sort of shock at the sight of the angel and the empty tomb.

Mary and Mary meet Jesus as they hurry to tell the disciples what they have heard and seen. “Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.” (Matt 28:10 KJV) Go and tell!

The two women go and tell the disciples what they have just seen and heard. The guards go and tell the chief priests what they have seen and heard as well. The chief priests were not happy and told the guards they should lie about it. But, the first two women who were witnesses of Jesus' resurrection also went and told what they had seen and heard. 

According to the gospel of Matthew, "Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matt 28:16-20)

Go and tell! We all share stories of our lives, of our loves, and of our fears. What is the story you share with others? Without sharing the story of Jesus life on earth; his gift of life to us; how can disciples be made? Go and tell!

God's Peace - Pr. J

False Witnesses

“One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established." (Deut 19:15 NKJV)

"Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses." (1 Tim 5:19)

In spite of the many false witnesses who testified against Jesus, Herod found him to be innocent. But; because Herod worried about his own future, Jesus was crucified anyway.

Lives can be and often are destroyed by slander; by false witnesses. It has most likely been so since the beginning of time; otherwise, why would the law of Moses have insisted upon at least two witnesses? Why would Paul recommend that an accusation not be heard if there are not at least two witnesses? 

Evil abounds. Let us not contribute to evil by repaying evil with evil. May God help us to discern what is good; do what is right; do what is just; and not what is profitable for ourselves. If others act unjustly, we must remain just. 

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

                                                            (Romans 12:19-21)

May the Lord protect us and keep us. (Num 6:24) May the Lord deliver His servants from the evil one. (Matt 6:13)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Sin

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
                                                                                                                    Matthew 18:15-18 NIV

No, not everything that is done within the church must be overlooked for the sake of loving our neighbors. Turning a blind eyes to the sins that occur within the church is not love. Sometimes loving our brothers and sisters in Christ means that confrontation must occur for the sake of all.

So many problems within congregations stem from the inability to call sin a sin. Sins against others and against God are overlooked and so the sin continues to hurt others. The hurtful sins that are allowed to continue will steer visitors right back out of the door.

I remember a woman from years ago who had the habit of snapping at people who tried to help her in the kitchen. She ran more than person from the church. I was told that her family had been founding members and that was just who she was and there was nothing that we could or should do about it. The inability of pastors and councils to follow the guidelines of church discipline as given to us by Jesus in Matthew 18 has been the cause of problems in many congregations that detract from the mission of the church: proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Let us forgive one another. Let us love one another. Within the church, let us love one another enough to call a sin a sin that we might repent and grow closer to God and to one another.

God's Peace - Pr. J 

No Fear Of Death

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body." (Philippians 1:21-24 NIV)

At a pastor's conference, years ago, the speaker informed us that everyone is afraid to die, including Christians. I was offended by this revelation. I know many Christians who are not afraid of death. St. Paul certainly was not.

As a pastor and former hospice chaplain I have sat beside more than a few who have been breathing their last breaths in this world. I have indeed witnessed the fear of death in the faces of some. But, I have also witnessed the peace and the joy of those who know that their hope to depart and to be with Christ is about to be fulfilled. In those latter times, I was reminded of St. Stephen's martyrdom. "But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 'Look,' he said, 'I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.' At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' Then he fell on his knees and cried out, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' When he had said this, he fell asleep." (Acts 7:55-60)

Stephen saw the glory of God. He saw Jesus. Up until his very last breath, Stephen followed in the footsteps of Jesus to further the gospel as he prayed, even as Jesus had prayed with his last breath, for the forgiveness of those who were putting him to death. Not long after Stephen's stoning, St. Paul, who is this same Saul who stood and watched the murder of Stephen, met the ascended Jesus on the road to Damascus. His whole life changed. He became a willing and ardent follower of Jesus; living his life as a testimony for Christ. He was not afraid of prison. He was not afraid of death. He longed to be with Jesus; yet, he was willing to do whatever God's will was for him. He was willing to be attacked and persecuted in this world if it would advance the gospel.

No, we are not all afraid of death. Those who believe that Jesus lived and died; rose from the dead; and now reigns in the Heavenly Kingdom look forward to the day when we will see the full glory of God even while we understand that it might be necessary for others that we stay here in this world a while longer. While we live we will give testimony of all that God has done for us, to His glory.

God's Peace - Pr. J

No Cursing, Please!

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Eph 5:1-2

Children learn by what they see and hear. One teaching method I have noticed is adults trying to teach what not to do even while the adult teacher does it themselves. All too often, I have witnesses, adults correct children for swearing by swearing at them. Sure doesn't sound too loving to me and I'm thinking that particular teaching method  probably does not work all that well.

Some of the nicest people I know throw that f... word along with other off-colored slang randomly into their speech. I don't get it! Doesn't sound very Christ-like to me. Can you imagine Jesus using words like that? I can't.

In the past, when I taught confirmation classes, I tried to explain what curse or swear words are. There are many words that are so commonly used by the culture around us that some of the young people have had no clue that some of the words that they use daily are totally inappropriate. Many of these words actually take God's name in vain. Using vulgarity shows disrespect not only toward others; these words disrespect God and the person using them, as well.

We are sinful human beings and prone to slipping from time to time. But, life here in this would be so much more loving and peaceful if we could all be more Christ-like examples to children or to anyone around us. Maybe we could all work a little harder to erase a few of these curse words from our vocabularies and ultimately our cultures. Let us be imitators of Christ so that as our children learn from what we say and do; they too will learn to live more Christ-like.

May God help us to live in love, without using language to belittle or hurt others; rather, using language that will express our walk of faith in Jesus Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Gracious Speech

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." Col 4:6

Each morning, I spend a few minutes reading the news online. I don't usually turn on the television because I do not like to start my day listening to commentators who do not know how to be gracious or to speak with integrity. I do not like to start my day listening to any politician or their supporters who season their speech with way too much salt and who have no clue what the words tact or graciousness mean. All of those accusations without an iota of evidence is really becoming wearisome. Many reporters forget that in this country we are innocent until proven guilty. According to scripture there needs to be witnesses in order to convict. There is so much bad news, both in content and in presentation, that I have find it needful to not read or listen to very much of it.

Each morning as I read the news, I stumble across at least a few errors in grammar, spelling, facts, etc.. Because of these errors false information is often given. I know and confess that I make an awful lot of grammatical and spelling errors in these daily blogs that I write. I am also not always the most tactful. I do not have an editor. I write like I speak and consequently mistakes are made. I am not a professional writer. I spend very little time in writing these blogs as they are a hobby. I do not make a living writing these blogs. However, I do believe that professional reporters and editors who are paid to communicate the news to us ought to actually edit what they are writing before they print it so that the news is communicated to us accurately and without attempts to get us to worship their gods as they try to shove their personal bias' down our throats.

Communicating properly is a gift that is greatly needed in our news media, indeed in the world. Yes, a little salt in the news is a good thing. But, a little more graciousness would help others to hear and understand more clearly.    

May God help us all to be a bit more gracious when we open our mouths or place our fingers on a keyboard in attempts to communicate ideas or facts.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Just wondering how many grammatical errors I just made..

Persecution and Evangelism

 

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of

righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

  When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 

  But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

  At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

  While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:54-60 NIV) 

God uses even the worst things that happen for the good. Stephen's death should definitely not come under the category as a good thing. He was stoned for sharing the Good News of the Kingdom. Yet, even as he was being stoned for it, he testified to the goodness and mercy of God.

Following the stoning of Stephen the followers of Jesus were persecuted mercilessly. They scattered across the countryside. But, as they went they shared the Good News with others. The stoning of Stephen initiated a wide-spread persecution of the Christians; yet, it also initiated a wide spread evangelism movement.

Jesus promised that persecutions will come to those who follow him. But, with persecution; much blessing not just for the one; but for those who witness the persecution and those who hear about it. Persecutions do come; but, blessings comes with it. For, "blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 5:10) 

God's Peace - Pr. J

If We Say We Have No Sin

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." 1 John 1:8-10 NRSV

I remember very well an occasion in which I listened to someone insist that they had never stolen anything from anyone. They were totally incapable or unwilling to confess that they were guilty of taking something that belonged to another in spite of the fact that there were witnesses - many witnesses covering many different incidents. 

I wish that this were an isolated incident; but, it is not. Over and over again, I have witnessed this inability to confess a sin even though there are witnesses; even though confession would have helped them in the long run.

A few years ago, I witnessed two teen-age boys breaking into a house. But, they claimed that they were innocent. I was mistaken. How do you mistake someone crawling through a bedroom window? Apparently, I can! I guess they were just going to visit even though no one was home. They meant no harm. There was no need for forgiveness because they denied it; the incident was forgotten and these young people continued in the way that they had been  going.  And, those who enabled them by lying for them? Well, they never confessed or asked for forgiveness, either. In some circles it is okay to say that sin is not sin. For way too many people it is better to say that they have no sin; that they are innocent than to open themselves up to receiving forgiveness.

We all sin. But, according to St. John, it is imperative that we confess our sins so that we can receive forgiveness. Being cleansed from all unrighteousness, we can move on with our lives in a new and fruitful way that will benefit not just ourselves but others around us.

"If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Sadly, in this world there are those who feel that they do not need to be cleansed of unrighteousness. Sadly, there are those who feel that doing injustice is the way to live and to teach others to live.

Jesus died so that we might receive forgiveness and be reconciled to our Father in heaven and to the whole Body of Christ. This forgiveness is for all who would believe in him; none are excluded. Repent; turn around and follow Jesus into the Kingdom of God.

May God speak to our hearts and minds that we might all repent and turn to Him; following in our Lord's footsteps; helping and defending rather than doing injustice to our neighbors.

God's Peace - Pr. J

God Turns Things Around and Upside Down.

The Way Of The Cross: In order to live one must die.

(Billboard from years past in Baraga County, MI)

"It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low." (Ezekiel 20:26 NIV)

God has a way of turning everything around. Those who think too highly of themselves will be brought down. The humble will be lifted up. That is not the way it works in this world; but, that is God's way. 

The LORD promises, through Ezekiel, that the one to whom the crown rightly belongs will ultimately wear it. The one who wears the crown was raised up in humility and reigns in glory at God's right hand. Jesus, who came to serve humankind, was willing to lay his life down, to wear the crown of thorns, and to be lifted up on the cross for our sakes. In this act of sacrifice, he was lifted to the heavenly realms, to ultimately sit at the right hand of God, our Father. The lowly has been exalted...

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb 12:1-2)

God's Peace - Pr. J