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.

Treasure in the city- Genesis 41:47-49

It was a time of abundance like there had never been seen before.  For seven straight years, there was an abundance of food and everybody was living like kings.  Then it happened.  The drought began.  The food had run out, even for those who had prepared and set food aside during the time of abundance.  But not in Egypt.  Because of Joseph's foresight and planning there was food in the cities.  Everybody was going to the city to find a way to survive.
Simarly today, people are flooding to the city.  Some come to the city to find a way to survive.  Some come to the city to make their fortune or to become famous.  Some come to the city hoping for a better life.  Some come to the city to find work.
In Jacob's day, the people can to the cities of Egypt to find food.  Today, the people come for many reasons.  But whatever the reason, the church has something to offer.  We share with the people the treasures of God.  We have the true treasure that moth cannot eat nor rust destroy.  We have the message of the Bread of Life.  We share the certainty that because we are children of God we are heirs of God's kingdom and are rich indeed. 
Whenever someone come of the street looking for help, I hope that you remember this.  You have something better than what the person is looking for.  You have been entrusted with what that person really needs.  You have a treasure that does not waste away.  You share the word of God, which is eternal.  You share the message of peace and restoration. which does not change.  You show the love of God, which we all so desperately need.  Remember that for that person you are God's treasure in the city.

Pray for the City

I love the city.  How many times have you said that or heard somebody say that?  Or have you said it yourself?  What does it mean when somebody says "I love the city"?  Typically it means that the person loves what the city has to offer- museums, restaurants, sports, the arts, or the multicultural mix. On the contrary, you may also hear people say, "I hate the city."  What is it that they don't like?  Traffic, crime, pollution, or too many people!

In today's reading, it seemed as though Abraham loved the city of Sodom, or at least the people in it.  When he heard about God's plan to destroy Sodom, he began to plead its case.  But notice how Abraham prayed to God.  He did not ask God to spare it because of the great things that the city had to offer.  He prayed for the people. 

For us in ministry, this is who we are to pray for.  Notice that Abraham's prayer was never so narrow that he just prayed for his relatives.  In our prayers, we often pray for our family, friends, and church family.  But our vision needs to be bigger.  We need to pray for those around us.  In the city, the people around our church might be some rough characters.  But they are rough characters for whom Christ died and for whom he rose. 

I pray that our love for the city goes beyond the superficial.  I hope that we would look at the city and see the people who need to escape the chains of destruction by  a sinful life.  I hope that you see the people for whom Christ died so that they can be free.  I hope that you pray for the churches in the city so that continue to be concerned for those around them and bring them the message that can set them free.  Please pray that the righteous people would fulfill their calling and share the message of the God who gives them life.

Building walls Genesis 11:1-9

When I lived in New York City, I lived in the city that had 4 buildings that at one time or another was the tallest building in the world.  While living in Chicago, the Sears tower towered over everything else in the city and for a while the world.  People love to build large buildings.
That was also the case is days of old.  The plain of Shinar was the site of perhaps the first skyscraper.  Unlike the modern day skyscraper, this one was made of bricks and tar.  The goal of this tower was to make a statement: "so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the earth."  What is interesting is that was the result. They did make a name for themselves, maybe infamous but a name nonetheless.  They were also scattered over the face of the earth.
What was wrong with what these people did that God reacted in this fashion? 
First, they walled themselves in and tried to cut themselves off from God.  Second, they wanted to be on an even playing field with God.  Third, they let their pride govern their actions.  Finally, they put themselves above God's judgment.
In our churches, we need to avoid these pitfalls.  Many times the city church will try to insulate itself from the people around them and see their ministry just for the members of the church.  Second, we try to build our towers to God rather than use the bridges that God has given to us by which he comes to us.  Third, we forget the church belongs to the Lord and that it is not our little kingdom.  Fourth, we do not humble ourselves before God and His word.
Babel is still well known today because of its great fall.  Let us take the lessons from Babel and learn from them.  We are called to serve the city.  Remember that we are protected by God, who is a mighty fortress.  We fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of our faith.  The church is built by God and that Christ is our foundation.  We are living stones that are built into a spiritual house for a life of service.