A change of mind Matthew 8:33, 34

The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men.  And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.  Matthew 8:33, 34

Sometimes people's reactions to the situation may be entirely different from what you would think.  There were two men who were possessed by demons who terrorized the people in the area.  Jesus came and healed them.  Granted the local pig farmers were a little upsest because their pigs died as an after effect of Jesus' ministry.  When the people of the city came to meet Jesus it was to say leave our city.  You would have thought they would have been happy that these men were no longer going to be a problem.  The concern of the herdsmen was all they heard and so they asked Jesus to leave.  But the two men who were healed stayed behind.
Over time, these healed men made an impact of the people of the city.  Their lives had changed because of their contact with Jesus.  Over time, these men had the opportunity to share with the people of that city what Jesus had done for them and what he had taught them.  Over time, the people's opinion of Jesus changed.  In fact in Matthew 14:34-36, we are told the next time Jesus came, they did not send out a delegation to send Jesus away.  Instead, they brought people to Jesus because they came to believe that Jesus could do something for them.
I do not know which reaction is more amazing.  First, the people of the city asked Jesus to leave because of the miracle he had performed.  Or second, these very same people received Jesus so warmly when he returned.  We do not know how people will react to the Gospel that we share, but we do know that they will react.  Sometimes it is not what we say or do that impacts others.  Sometimes it is the other person who was positively impacted by us who will minister to them in a way that we cannot.  We pray that when people's lives are impacted by the ministry of Jesus in their lives that their minds will change.

Lights in our communities

Jesus said, "you are the Light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden."  Matthew 5:14

There is an important truth that Jesus makes in this verse which often goes overlooked.  God has lifted up His Church and set His people so that they can be seen.  The Lord has build the Church and lifted it up on the hill.  Why did God do this?  He did it so that the Church and the local congregation can be seen.  He did it so that the congregation can live in God's grace and mercy and be an example to the community.
In the verse that follows, Jesus talks about an historical truth that happened with God's chosen people, past and present.  Instead of shining the light, the Church hides the Gospel under a bushel.  The people of God keep God's riches to themselves.  Afraid of the darkness around them, the people of God build walls around them so that they may be kept safe.
But remember who we are.  We are the light of the world.  We are that light because we walk in the footsteps of Jesus who is the light of the world, and whoever follows him will not walk in darkness but have the light of life.  Darkness is not something that needs to paralyze the people of God with fear.  Light by its very nature overcomes darkness.  Light gives security, warmth, and life.  It is something this dark world needs. 
Take off your sunglasses and bask in the glory of God's marvellous light.  Remove the bushel and shine the Light of the Gospel.  The Lord has lifted up His people.  He has called us to be the people of God.  We are to be Christ in this world and all because that is who God made us to be.

Seen to be a blessing Deuteronomy 28:1-3

When I was growing up, my parents showed their pride in my siblings and me by putting our good grades up on the refridgerator.  Nowadays, you see the parents demonstrate their pride by posting bumperstickes.  My child is an honor student.  My child is a student of the month.  My child goes to college.  My child is in the Armed Forces.

That's exactly what God wants to do with us.  God wants us to live in his blessing here on Earth.  The way that we receive that blessing is by living according to God's commands.  God also wants the people around us to see what a blessed life it is when we live according to God's commands.  He wants to show us off.

The trouble that the Israelites had and and that we have is that we many times prefer to be like everybody else.  Rather than doing what the Bible tells us we should do or rather than listening to our conscience, we do "what everybody else is doing".  We prefer to be conformed to the world rather than be transformed by God.  God's call is for His people to be a holy people, a people set apart.  People should be able to see that there is something different about us Christians.  We believe that there is one true God.  We believe that there is an absolute truth.  We believe that we are to conform to God's Law and be subject to the governing authorities.  We live our life as a life of love- loving God with all our being and loving our neighbors as ourselves.  We do this not so that we can be saved, but so that we can avoid a lot of the traps and landmines that can harm us if we do not obey God's Law.

The result of living according to God's Law is that we will be blessed and the people will see it.  As tired as I sometimes get of people calling the church to ask for money for food, gas, rent, utilities..., I know that there is a reason that they are asking the church.  We stand out as a people who want to help and who are motivated by the love of God to help God's people.  We may have our own difficulties.  But we are always a people blessed by God to be a blessing.  As God's people in the city, God put a bumpersticker on us that says Blessed by God to be a blessing to others.

reflections from the hike- baggage

Part of my training for the hike was hiking with weights in the backpack.  I would put 30 pounds in the pack and then walk up and down a 50 foot hill.  The interensting thing about the weight was how I became used to walking with it.  I appreciated what I was walking with when I put it on and when I took it off.  But while I was carrying it, I got used to it.
We carry a lot of baggage with us every day.  This baggage weighs us down.  Peter gives us a wonderful invitation- get rid of your baggage, cast your cares on God because He cares for you.  Besides that, Jesus took care of much of the baggage that we carry around.
On the day of the hike, there were things that I needed to take- water, food, a map, compass, and first aid.  There are things that we need in our pilgramage here on Earth.  These are the things that God has given us- the Bible, Word and Sacrament ministry (church service), a family of faith (church memebers), faith, prayer ...
I also needed to be selective in what I took with me.  That which I put in my backpack I had to carry for 24 miles, up and down over 8000 feet.  If I packed too heavily, it would weigh me down.  In our pursuits of daily life, we forget to keep it simple.  That which is necessary for this life is that which prepares us and others for the next life.  We need to remember Jesus' words- do not store up your treasure on Earth but in Heaven.
Finally, remember Jesus' gracious invitation, with a slight modification.
Come to me you who are weak and heavy laden and I will give you rest.  Take my backpack and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my backpack is easy and my burden is light.

City on a hill- part 2

On Wednesday, September 29 at 9:45 P.M., my hiking partner Jim and I made it out of the canyon.  Granted, it was later than I desired, but we made it out of the canyon.  The last three hours that we hiked out in the dark gave me new insight into these words of Jesus - a city set on a hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14).

As the light disappeared and darkness took over the sky, we saw where our hike began on the other side of the canyon.  The lodge where we had a wonderful dinner the night before reminded us where we had been.  After a few switchbacks and climbing out of the canyon, lights on the south rim told us that our destination was in sight.  More importantly, the lights told us that our hike was about to come to an end.  But either at the beginning or at the end, it was good to know that there was a light leading the way.

What a blessing it is to know that the Lord is my light and my salvation.  As we look back and see where we have been, we see that God has been with us and provided us light.  As we look ahead, we see that God is with us and leading us forward. 

But there is a humbling realization, Jesus said you are the light of the world.  We see that God is with us through our fellow brothers and sisters in faith.  God is with us through our Christian family and friends.  God speaks to us through  His Word, but God hugs us through our fellow Christians.  As we encourage one another, we share the light.  As we live out our Christian life, we share the light.  As we share God's message of hope with the world, we share the light.  Many people are walking in darkness.  They need us to be part of the city built on a hill that shows the light and hope that refuge is near.

City of refuge Numbers 35:6-28

The city of refuge is a place of mercy.  It was a place that a person could run to for refuge if he had accidently killed someone.  As you read the above reading, you read about the avenger of blood.  This person exacted the demands of the law- an eye for an eye.  This person looked after the deceased and made sure that justice was exacted.  There was also a limitation placed on the city of refuge.  The person would be safe as long as the High Priest was still alive.

In our cities today, God still provides cities of refuge.  Those places are the churches.  It is to the church that people can flee for mercy.  The Law of God points out our sins and reminds us that the wages of sin is death and the soul that sins, it shall die.  Satan accuses us and rightly points out that we do not deserve God's mercy.  Death is the judgment that awaits us all.

Thanks to God.  We have a High Priest who will never die.  Jesus is the High Priest who assures us that we will be kept safe from those who pursue us.  Jesus reminds us that through His death, the demands of the Law have been met.  Jesus assures us that in spite of Satan's accusations, the cross and the empty tomb are evidence that Satan has been judged and he no longer has any claim on our lives.  Jesus has conquered death so that even if we die, we shall live with our God.

When people come through your church door, assure them that they are in a city of refuge.  They are in a sanctuary from the avengers who are bringing them turmoil in their lives.  They are in the presence of the High Priest who will never die and consoles them with the grace and mercy of God.  They now walk in the confidence that they are protected by the grace and love of God.

Reconciled in the City- Genesis 50:19-21

One of the realities of much of the immigration into the United States these days is that the immigrant comes to the United States and leaves much of the family back in his or her homeland.  For many years, Joseph was separated from his family.  By the grace of God they were reunited and reconciled.  By the grace of God, Joseph learned the lessons that God wanted him to learn.  For that reason, he was able to forgive.

It would have been very easy for Joseph to get bitter while he was in Egypt.  His brothers sold him as a slave.  Twice he was thrown in prison.  The cupbearer forgot about him and left him in prison.  But Joseph remembered God and His faithfulness.  Joseph was able to see the bigger picture.  He saw that God was preparing him and his family for this moment.  Then Joseph taught his brothers a lesson of forgiveness that they would never forget.  "You intended to harm me but God intended it for good."

There is a lot of bitterness that is evident when the Illegal Immigration topic comes up.  But what lessons does God want us to learn?  Let us learn from Joseph.  I hope that bitterness does not overcome us but that we are confronted with God's plan.  These people are coming to our doors.  We may not like it but they are here.  Since they are here, as Christians we have an obligation- to share the love of Christ.  We do not need to send missionaries into these countries, because God is bringing them to us.

They may be separated from their families.  Hopefully, they will be connected with the family of Christ.  They may be living with uncertainty, but God can give them sure confidence.  I hope that we can learn from Joseph and live this lesson out so that others can see it.  "You intended to harm me but God meant it for good."  I pray that whoever the Lord brings to our doors we will be able to see ourselves as God's ambassadors entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation.