Lent Day 44...Day 213 (Holy Week John 15)..."Bearing Fruit"

As Jesus prepares for the events of cross, death, and resurrection...He teaches about bearing fruit. How do we bear fruit? We remain in the vine. This so true in ministry. The most fruitful periods are the ones closest to Jesus. As I share, churches are as fruitful as they are close to Jesus. In our own personal discipleship, our fruit is dependent on "abiding" in the vine. Here is the passage...

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."

Apart from Jesus there is no lasting fruit.

Lent Day 43...Day 212 (John 14 for Holy Week)..."Peace to Face the Worst"

If we read John 14 as a stand alone, there is one meaning. Yet place this chapter in the context of scripture and Jesus is about to engage the terrible events of betrayal, denial, arrest, trial, and crucifixion. Jesus has peace and teaching of a peace that is greater than the world. Amazing, when we think of what is just ahead for Jesus. Here is the passage...

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Do we have the peace of Christ, when facing the worst? When we do we also understand the teaching of Paul that says..."and the peace of God that passes understanding will guard your minds and hearts in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)

Lent day 42...Day 211...(Catch Up Day)

My reading ahead has created another catch up day if you need one. Hope you are off to a great Holy Week! We will reflect on a Holy Week passage tomorrow.

Lent Day 41...Day 210 (2 Kings 7,8; John 13 (again)..."A Different Kind of Kingdom"

As we begin Holy Week, the Gospel of John will help us understand the significant events of this week. The entry into Jerusalem on a donkey signaled this is a different kind of kingdom. Kings would ride in on a horse not a donkey. The greatest demonstration of Jesus' Kingdom is different comes in his washing of the disciples feet. Here is what happened...

"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him."

Wow! What an awesome illustration of what following Jesus means!

Lent Day 40...Day 209 (2 Kings 5,6)..."Don't try this at Home!"

One of the most unusual stories in the Bible is one of the floating axe. How did iron float? Only God can do that! Here is the story...

"Then one of them said, "Won't you please come with your servants?" "I will," Elisha replied. And he went with them. They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. "Oh, my lord," he cried out, "it was borrowed!" The man of God asked, "Where did it fall?" When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. "Lift it out," he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it."

Don't try this at home!

Lent Day 39...Day 208 (2 Kings 3,4)..."Moving Toward Holy Week"

In the laying out of the schedule, I called for waiting until Palm Sunday to resume with the Gospel reading which coincides with Holy Week. My blog jumped ahead of the reading schedule so I am slowing back down.

In today's 2 Kings reading, Elisha performs miracles. One is the healing of a debt by collecting oil. Another about raising a dead boy who came out sneezing! And still another story that prepares the miraculous feeding of a hundred with little. This sounds familiar! I like this fourth chapter of 2 Kings in bringing one account after another of the miracles of God. Who says the Old Testament is just about an angry God? This chapter sounds New Testament.

Lent Day 38...Day 207 (2 Kings 1,2; John14)...."Words of Assurance"

In uncertain times we need words of assurance. Are there more reassuring words than these...

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

There is one more passage in John also greatly reassuring...

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Great words for our times!

Lent Day 37...Day 206 (I Kings 21,22; John 13)..."One of my Favorite Kings"

In today's text is one of my favorite kings. Is is David? I like David he would be number one. Is it Solomon? Solomon was filled with splendor and he would be second. My third favorite king is very obscure. His name......

Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was a good king in the eyes of the Lord in today's reading, in the heat of battle he recommends..."first seeking the Lord's counsel." Pretty good advice for leaders. Later, I will tell you a second reason Jehoshaphat rates so high in my book.

"So he asked Jehoshaphat, "Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth Gilead?" Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, "I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses." But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "First seek the counsel of the LORD."

From earthly kings we move into the Gospel of John with the KING OF KINGS who is washing feet! What a Kingdom of service and humility that even our Lord would serve!

Lent Day 36...Day 205...(1 Kings 19,20; John 12)..."Confidence for the Showdowns and Let Downs"

Elijah is one of my favorite biblical characters. He challenges the worshipers of Baal. The power of God provides a great victory in lighting the wet wood in a "high noon" showdown. You would think with such a convincing victory he would have been on the "mountaintop" for sometime. Yet, his mood spiraled down in a hurry.

When he heard Jezebel wanted to kill him, he ran for his life. Then he prayed to die under a broom tree. How quickly he moved from an attitude of victory to defeat, from confidence to despair, and from courage to fear. Is this not the human condition? We move through so many emotions in such a short time. Lord...give us confidence for the showdowns and the letdowns!

Lent Day 35...Day 204 (I Kings 17,18; John 11)..."Lazarus Rises"

What a dramatic moment in the ministry of Jesus. Lazarus comes out of his grave clothes. Imagine the drama of a man dead four days (four confirmed the death) walking around. This event would be the final straw that would seal Jesus' fate on the cross.

Speaking of grave clothes...I imagine this being a metaphor for people walking around as if they were dead. Do we ever walk around half dead or even death. Jesus brings the spiritually dead to life too. John 11 has the most famous "I Am" saying..."I am the resurrection and the life he who believes in me will never die." We are getting close to Easter!

Lent Day 34...Day 203 (I Kings 15,16; John 10)..."Why Jesus Came?"

The Gospel of John gives us clear statements as to the purpose of Jesus. One of the clearest comes from the passage John 10:10.

"The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly."

Jesus comes to give life abundant or said in another way..."life to the full." When we do not live for Jesus we are actually robbing ourself of God's purpose. Life to the full is life found. Amen.

Lent Day 33...Day 202 (1 David 13,14; John 9)..."Sharing Faith the Easy Way"

A blind man was made to see by Jesus' healing power. When the conversation turned theological by those trying to find fault with Jesus, with discussions about the Sabbath he simplified the whole matter. He said..."whether He is a sinner or not I do not know, all I know is I was blind and now I see." How clear of Jesus' power.

Our sharing of our faith would be much easier if we just told the story. There is nothing more powerful than sharing the story. The story of how Jesus changed our life. This is the essence of sharing our faith.

Lent Day 32...Day 201 (1 Kings 11,12; John 8)..."A Crumbling Kingdom"

`Is it not amazing how quickly, people cannot handle prosperity? Solomon is likely the person in the Bible that had it all and could not be content with all of his blessings. His hundreds of wives (and that is a concerning subject in it's self) worshiped other gods. Solomon's allegiance to God began fragmenting and so did his kingdom. Wasn't it just yesterday we read of "Solomon's splendor?"

This is a valuable less for all leaders. We are only as strong as we are close to God. When we waver in our allegiance, so will our lives. This is the story of the Bible and our human condition!

On a positive note...Jesus forgives the woman caught in adultery. God will forgive the sinner and has more problems toward those who want to cast stones and ignore their own need of redemption. Another truth of the Bible and our human condition.

Jesus was before Abraham? This blows the religious leaders away. They gather stones but Jesus escapes for now. This statement helps our trinitarian theology of God. Jesus has always been. This helps us understand the "we" in Genesis.

Lent Day 31...Day 200 (1 Kings 9.10; John 7)..."Better than Reported"

The news of Solomon's blessings and prosperity spread. Often in such cases...the truth is overstated. When the Queen of Sheba visited she was overwhelmed with Solomon and as Jesus described..."all of his splendor." Here is the better than heard report...

When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relation to the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions. Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed.

Do we overstate or understate God's blessings?

Lent Day 30...Day 199 (1 Kings 7,8; John 6)..."Twelve Disciples and Disciples"

Today's reading, from the Gospel of John, includes miracles such as the five loaves and two fish feeding the multitude and calming a sea. At the end of the chapter is a significant teaching about disciples turning away. We may think of disciples as "The Twelve." Yet...disciples includes anyone who follows Jesus. Some realizing the commitment required chose to turn away. We also see a reference to "The Twelve" and that one will betray. This teaching about discipleship is most important for our modern concept of spiritual formation. We are invited by Jesus to not only be believers (Christians) but followers (disciples). Here is the passage to think about the broader meaning of disciples...


On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?""Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him." From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!" (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)"

Lent Day 29...Day 198 (1 Kings 5,6; John 5)..."Don't Be a Doormat!"

There are two perspectives on mats in John's Gospel. The first is the dramatic change of life when Jesus commands..."take up your mat and walk." This after 38 years as an invalid. What did the Pharisees notice? They noticed the carrying of the mat on the Sabbath. This, of course, was a violation of the Sabbath. How in the world could one focus on the letter of the letter with such an incredible sight in front of your eyes? Such was the climate in Jesus' ministry...Focusing on a "mat" instead of the story behind this miracle. You might say the Pharisees were being a "doormat." Here is the text...

"Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat."

Are there ever times we miss God's power and are a doormat?

Lent Day 28...Day 197 (1 Kings 3,4; John 4)..."Solomon's Prayer"

You may have heard Bishop Leeland recite Solomon's prayer. A prayer to govern the people and know right from wrong. What a beautiful prayer to pray for all the people of our world, nation, annual conference, district, and community. The prayer is also one to guide the inner compass.

Lent Day 27...Day 196 (I Kings 1,2; John 3)..."Thank you Nicodemus"

I feel I need to thank someone today. How about Nicodemus? Why? Nicodemus asks a question for all people. How much of our theological understanding of salvation is made possible because of the question of Nicodemus? I cannot imagine how things might be different. Thank you Nicodemus.

What is the question?

"How can one who is old be born a second time?

Lent Day 26...(2 Samuel 23, 24; John 2)..."Is it More Important to Listen to Your Mother or Follow the KIngdom of God?"

The first miracle in John was not restoring sight, or hearing, or the ability to walk. Of all things the miracle occurred at a wedding. And of all people to call Jesus into action was His mother. Jesus complied with ridding the social embarrassment with a miracle. Different opinions exist about Jesus' teaching regarding the choice of obeying family or the Kingdom of God. In this case, Jesus did both...He honored His mother and participated in a sign of the Kingdom. Here is the text...

"Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him."

Lent Day 25...Day 194 (2 Samuel 21,22; John 1)..."Light of the World"

John begins with some of the most eloquent words in the Bible. The prologue introduces one of the main themes of John...light. The words need no comment, as they inspire in a world of darkness both then and now...

"In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.^"

Lent Day 24...Day 193 (2 Samuel 19,20; Luke 24)..."David's Dilemma"

In my previous readings of 2 Samuel, I never noticed David's dilemma. Would he grieve his son Absalom? Or support his troops? Even though his son had tried to kill him he mourned his son. His troops felt betrayed here is the passage...

Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, "Today you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines. You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the LORD that if you don't go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come upon you from your youth till now."

How torn David must have been! Kings and leaders face so many dilemma's and this one is one of the greatest in the Bible.

Luke's version of the resurrection offers no dilemma..."He is not here, He has risen!" The Emmaus account is unique to Luke.

Day 23...Day 192 (2 Samuel 17,18; Luke 23)..."A Theology of Heaven"

The account of Jesus' death and the thieves on the cross contains major tenants in my theology of death and heaven. Does our soul go immediately to Heaven?...a question I have been asked numerous times. I point to the thief on the cross and the "today" answer of Jesus. How do we release loved ones? The answer is found in Jesus saying..."Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." These biblical passages offer so much to our Christian tradition. As do all the events of Holy Week.

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Lent Day 22...Day 191 (2 Samuel 15,16; Luke 22)..."The Events of Chapter 22"

The events of Luke, chapter 22, introduce of the many emotions of Jesus last night with the disciples prior to His crucifixion. He sent some ahead to confirm the prepared upper room. Jesus shared a passover meal and instituted the Lord's Supper with the disciples. He foretold of Judas' betrayal and Peter's denial. They departed for a time of prayer as Jesus went a stones throw away at Gethsemane. He prayed "not My will but Thy Will." Then we have the betrayal, arrest, trial, and then a moment that had been brewing three years...they asked who Jesus said He was...Jesus said..."You are right in saying so" in response to the question..."are you the Son of God?" They replied "what other testimony is needed."

Chapter 22 of Luke is second longest in the Gospel. Only chapter one is longer. Is there a more event filled chapter in Luke's Gospel? We will take a look in the next two days at chapters 23 and 24.

Lent Day 21...Day 190 (2 Samuel 13,14; Luke 21)..."Gave it All"

One humorous story is told of a rich man who died and at his funeral someone asked..."how much did he leave behind?" A pastor chimed in and said..."I believe he left it all!"

In complete contrast we can learn much about stewardship and the attachments with the story of the widow's mite...

"As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

The issue has never been amount but faithfulness. In this case, the woman was willing to give all. A little amount of "all" is far greater than "a small part" of much. I have been amazed in ministry of those with little who gave the most. Is this not another case of richness in the Kingdom defying the way we think of wealth?

Lent Day 20...Day 189 (2 Samuel 11,12; Luke 20)..."High Drama!"

There are at least three moments of high drama in today's passages.

Nathan to David..."Then Nation said to David, "You are the man!"

And Jesus answered to dramatic questions...

"Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

and to the Sadducees..."He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive." Some of the teachers of the law responded, "Well said, teacher!" And no one dared to ask him any more questions."

The silence was deafening!

Lent Day 19...Day 188 (2 Samuel 9,10; Luke 18,19)..."A Crash Course in Christianity"

If you read Luke 18 and 19 together you get a crash course in Christianity. (Read Luke 19 also in today's reading as it was left out of the reading plan). How is this like a crash course? Here are the traits.

#1 Persistence (Persistent Widow)

#2 Humility (Sinners prayer..."Lord have mercy on me a sinner")

#3 Childlike teachable (Entering the Kingdom with a childlike spirit)

#4 Willingness to serve (Give all you have to the poor to the rich man)

#5 Repentance (Zacchaeus paying back those he had shorted four times)

#6 Using what God gives you (parable of the talents)

#7 Keeping our faith on track (cleansing of the temple)

Lent Day 18...Day 187 (2 Samuel 7,8; Luke 17)..."A Place to Meet God in Transition"

Nathan tells David to build a place for God to dwell. God has not had an earthly place to dwell since leaving Egypt. All of the transition through the wilderness and the people wanting a king with no established place to worship God. This story of a dwelling place for God will continue in the construction of the temple.

Is this not a need in lives of transition? A place to worship God. Do we not sense in this reading the role of the Church? A place to relate to the Holy and share with other people in transition. A people to help us order our lives in a world of so much change. Is David's vision for the temple not the first glimpse of the coming of the Church?

Lent Day 17...Day 186 (2 Samuel 5,6; Luke 16)..."How to Evaluate"

Jesus teaches about how to evaluate a person's faithfulness in today's Luke message. What is the tool of evaluation? How well do you handle what you have? If you are faithful with a little you will be faithful with a lot. On the other hand, if you mismanage a little you cannot be trusted with great. A faithful person is faithful with little or a lot. Here is the passage...

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonestwith very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?"

Lent Day 16...Day 185 (2 Samuel 3,4; Luke 15)..."Lost and Found Chapter"

One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Luke 15. The "lost and found" chapter tells three parable of Jesus that have three common themes. Lost. Found. Celebration. In these parables are the message of the Kingdom of God we are to seek the lost and then celebrate the "coming home."

One additional theme is found in the parable of the "prodigal son." The theme of the "bitter brother." Is this brother more symbolic of people today who are lost in jealousy, envy, and being self-centered? In such a state of mind, we miss the joy of finding the lost.

This raises a question. Who is lost more? The one who knows they are lost? Or the one who does not see they are lost? I would say both but the latter is more difficult to come home.

Lent Day 15...Day 184 (2 Samuel 1,2; Luke 14)..."How to Fill up a Church Building"

One of my favorite parables appears in today's reading from the Gospel of Luke. If your "a" list guest does not accept your invitation go to your "b" list. Such is the Kingdom of God. In the parable of "the wedding feast" there is a message that we are to invite whoever will come into the Kingdom. What if we could make this common practice in the church? If we would not worry about just inviting people who like us or are like us, we would fill our facilities. What a thought! Here is the parable...

"'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.' 'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.' "Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.' "

Lent Day 14...(Catch Up Day)

As I posted ahead and read a little ahead of schedule, we have a "catch up" day today. Enjoy. We will resume with day 184 reading on March 3.