Today's blog entry was going to be on Luke 21:25-36, which discusses the end of the world.
But our car has died on the day before Thanksgiving - which, while not the end of the world, I'm afraid is going to be the end of today's blogging. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Promises, promises.
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Context
In 1 Chronicles 17, the prophet Nathan claims that God promises Solomon's "throne shall be established forever." It did last longer than most in small Near Eastern countries, but forever is a long long time, and in Jeremiah's day Jerusalem was conquered and the monarchy collapsed.
Listening to the writer
Despite massive evidence to the contrary, Jeremiah claims that God's promise to the house of David will be kept. A ruler shall come to execute "justice and righteousness" in the land. The Hebrew words translated "justice" and "righteousness" are "mishpat" and "tsedaqah", two key concepts used by the prophets. "Mishpat" refers to decision-making, "tsedaqah" to doing what is right, especially with respect to providing & caring for people.
Listening to God
Nathan makes some very specific promises for God in 1 Chronicles 17, among them that the people of Israel will "be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall wear them down no more, as they did formerly." The Brick Testament (a well-done telling of Scripture stories using Legos - but done with a jester's touch) calls this passage in Chronicles "God Makes Promises He Won't Keep."
Are there any "promises of God" from Scripture, from churches, from your prayers, or elsewhere that you count on? Is there any evidence that God is/is not keeping these promises? Why do you believe them - that they are really from God, and/or that God will keep them?
In verses 17 and following, Jeremiah emphasizes that the promise is really about hope: there is still a Davidic line, and there are still Levites, even though there is no throne for the king and no temple for the priests. When you claim a promise from God, is it primarily about hope for a future, or for the here and now?
The destruction of Jerusalem caused a great revision of Israel's understanding of God and the Davidic promise. Have tragic circumstances ever forced you into modifying your understanding of who God is or what God has promised?
Spend some time in meditation on the hope you have for the future.
Dig deeper at TextWeek.
Context
In 1 Chronicles 17, the prophet Nathan claims that God promises Solomon's "throne shall be established forever." It did last longer than most in small Near Eastern countries, but forever is a long long time, and in Jeremiah's day Jerusalem was conquered and the monarchy collapsed.
Listening to the writer
Despite massive evidence to the contrary, Jeremiah claims that God's promise to the house of David will be kept. A ruler shall come to execute "justice and righteousness" in the land. The Hebrew words translated "justice" and "righteousness" are "mishpat" and "tsedaqah", two key concepts used by the prophets. "Mishpat" refers to decision-making, "tsedaqah" to doing what is right, especially with respect to providing & caring for people.
Listening to God
Nathan makes some very specific promises for God in 1 Chronicles 17, among them that the people of Israel will "be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall wear them down no more, as they did formerly." The Brick Testament (a well-done telling of Scripture stories using Legos - but done with a jester's touch) calls this passage in Chronicles "God Makes Promises He Won't Keep."
Are there any "promises of God" from Scripture, from churches, from your prayers, or elsewhere that you count on? Is there any evidence that God is/is not keeping these promises? Why do you believe them - that they are really from God, and/or that God will keep them?
In verses 17 and following, Jeremiah emphasizes that the promise is really about hope: there is still a Davidic line, and there are still Levites, even though there is no throne for the king and no temple for the priests. When you claim a promise from God, is it primarily about hope for a future, or for the here and now?
The destruction of Jerusalem caused a great revision of Israel's understanding of God and the Davidic promise. Have tragic circumstances ever forced you into modifying your understanding of who God is or what God has promised?
Spend some time in meditation on the hope you have for the future.
Dig deeper at TextWeek.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
The Christian year begins next Sunday with the season of Advent. "Advent" means "coming", and during Advent we look forward both to the remembrance of Christ's coming in Jesus at Christmas, and to the future coming of Christ into our world.
With the new year comes a new Gospel - our Gospel readings this year will mostly come from Luke.
The Christian year begins next Sunday with the season of Advent. "Advent" means "coming", and during Advent we look forward both to the remembrance of Christ's coming in Jesus at Christmas, and to the future coming of Christ into our world.
With the new year comes a new Gospel - our Gospel readings this year will mostly come from Luke.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
King of the Jews
John 18:33-37
Context
John's Gospel is very stylized - you might think of it as a historical play, like "Henry VII", which puts a lot of commentary into how the story is told, and is expected to use poetic license in the telling. Even more than with other books, John's Gospel rewards careful literary reading.
The trial of Jesus is a stellar example. Pilate, the judge and commander of immense physical force, is reduced to a page boy running back and forth between "the Jews" and Jesus. In the end, it is clear that Jesus is the true judge, and that Pilate's charge "The King of the Jews" is correct. TextWeek studies the entire trial, if you want to invest more time in the study.
Listening to the writer
Consider the circumstances of our reading. Does this Jesus look like the Anointed son of David? Does he act like the Son of Man coming on the clouds?
Jesus’ kingdom “is not of this world.” What world is it of?
According to verse 37, why did Jesus come?
Pilate scorns Jesus’ answer. What is the truth that Jesus came to share?
Listening to God
Christianity claims that a relatively powerless first century laborer, who was executed by the state with very little difficulty, is Lord of all creation. Do you believe that? If so, why? If not, then what is it that draws you to church and Bible study?
If Jesus is truly Lord of creation and the Church is his body, then it seems to me that the Church ought to be more involved in doing what Jesus said to do. Allow Jesus to challenge you: are you truly following him? Does the way you use power (time, money, position, voice, activity) reflect Jesus’ values? Do you need to take a greater position in leading others to follow Christ?
Dig deeper at TextWeek.
Context
John's Gospel is very stylized - you might think of it as a historical play, like "Henry VII", which puts a lot of commentary into how the story is told, and is expected to use poetic license in the telling. Even more than with other books, John's Gospel rewards careful literary reading.
The trial of Jesus is a stellar example. Pilate, the judge and commander of immense physical force, is reduced to a page boy running back and forth between "the Jews" and Jesus. In the end, it is clear that Jesus is the true judge, and that Pilate's charge "The King of the Jews" is correct. TextWeek studies the entire trial, if you want to invest more time in the study.
Listening to the writer
Consider the circumstances of our reading. Does this Jesus look like the Anointed son of David? Does he act like the Son of Man coming on the clouds?
Jesus’ kingdom “is not of this world.” What world is it of?
According to verse 37, why did Jesus come?
Pilate scorns Jesus’ answer. What is the truth that Jesus came to share?
Listening to God
Christianity claims that a relatively powerless first century laborer, who was executed by the state with very little difficulty, is Lord of all creation. Do you believe that? If so, why? If not, then what is it that draws you to church and Bible study?
If Jesus is truly Lord of creation and the Church is his body, then it seems to me that the Church ought to be more involved in doing what Jesus said to do. Allow Jesus to challenge you: are you truly following him? Does the way you use power (time, money, position, voice, activity) reflect Jesus’ values? Do you need to take a greater position in leading others to follow Christ?
Dig deeper at TextWeek.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The One Who Is and Who Was and Who Is to Come
Revelation 1:4-8
Context
Revelation (also called "The Apocalypse" - "apocalypse" is Greek for "revelation") is the Bible's primary example of apocalyptic literature, a style which flourished in Israel in the time before Christ. In apocalyptic literature, an angel appears and takes a famous figure up to Heaven, where they observe the soon-to-come end of the world, the rewarding of the righteous, and the destruction of the wicked. Current political events are often described symbolically (see, for example, portions of the book of Daniel.)
Listening to God
Rather than carefully analyzing today's text, I invite you to meditate on the imagery. Grab a note pad or open a word processing program and be ready to take notes as you meditate:
“Grace and peace to you…” God has been before you. God is now. God will be, long after this world crumbles to dust. Meditate on eternity.
“The faithful witness, firstborn of the dead, ruler of the kings…” Pick one of these phrases and meditate on how Jesus fulfills the description.
Jesus loved us, freed us, made us a kingdom, made us priests. Pick one of these gifts Christ has given us and meditate on how it is a reality in your life, and whether God would have you experience this gift in a new way.
“He is coming with the clouds… every tribe will wail.” Judgement is a reality in this world: actions do have consequences. God’s love for us always provides forgiveness, healing, and a new way to proceed, but our actions can and do cause pain along the way. Spend time with God looking at your life and for anything that needs changing.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega.” Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet; God claims to be the beginning and the end. Meditate on God as beginning and end of your life, of each year, of each day; of every moment? What specific acts (disciplined prayer times, readings, rituals) might help you grow in your awareness of God as beginning and end?
Dig deeper at TextWeek.
Context
Revelation (also called "The Apocalypse" - "apocalypse" is Greek for "revelation") is the Bible's primary example of apocalyptic literature, a style which flourished in Israel in the time before Christ. In apocalyptic literature, an angel appears and takes a famous figure up to Heaven, where they observe the soon-to-come end of the world, the rewarding of the righteous, and the destruction of the wicked. Current political events are often described symbolically (see, for example, portions of the book of Daniel.)
Listening to God
Rather than carefully analyzing today's text, I invite you to meditate on the imagery. Grab a note pad or open a word processing program and be ready to take notes as you meditate:
“Grace and peace to you…” God has been before you. God is now. God will be, long after this world crumbles to dust. Meditate on eternity.
“The faithful witness, firstborn of the dead, ruler of the kings…” Pick one of these phrases and meditate on how Jesus fulfills the description.
Jesus loved us, freed us, made us a kingdom, made us priests. Pick one of these gifts Christ has given us and meditate on how it is a reality in your life, and whether God would have you experience this gift in a new way.
“He is coming with the clouds… every tribe will wail.” Judgement is a reality in this world: actions do have consequences. God’s love for us always provides forgiveness, healing, and a new way to proceed, but our actions can and do cause pain along the way. Spend time with God looking at your life and for anything that needs changing.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega.” Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet; God claims to be the beginning and the end. Meditate on God as beginning and end of your life, of each year, of each day; of every moment? What specific acts (disciplined prayer times, readings, rituals) might help you grow in your awareness of God as beginning and end?
Dig deeper at TextWeek.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Like the sun rising on a cloudless morning.
2 Samuel 23:1-7
Context
This coming Sunday is "Christ the King Sunday," the last Sunday of the Christian Year. All of this week's texts focus on kingship. Today we look at "The Last Words of David," the legendary greatest king of Israel.
Listening to the writer
David gives a brief summary in images of traditional Jewish wisdom: the righteous will prosper, the wicked will be consumed.
List the descriptions of David ("Son of Jesse", etc) from the first few verses.
Note that the Hebrew word translated "anointed" is "Messiah". To be a Messiah is, literally, to be God's Anointed, and the word is used of many people in Israel's history.
Listening to God
Which of the descriptions of David in these verses are applied to Jesus in other places? (There are at least 3). Spend some time meditating on one.
In Jesus' day, Jews were looking for another “anointed” to come, another King like David. What kind of hero are you looking for? Does Jesus fulfill your deepest hopes?
A just ruler, who fears God, is like a glorious sunrise. Who are some leaders in your life, or in our life as a nation, that have been like a glorious sunrise? Thank God for them.
How might you encourage other leaders to be just and to fear God?
David claims that God has made with him “an everlasting covenant,” first mentioned in Scripture in 2 Samuel 7. Early Christians claimed that the covenant found fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is now our King. Do you see Christ in each sunrise? Do you intentionally start your day acknowledging Jesus’ rule in your life? How might this change your lifestyle?
Dig deeper at TextWeek.
Context
This coming Sunday is "Christ the King Sunday," the last Sunday of the Christian Year. All of this week's texts focus on kingship. Today we look at "The Last Words of David," the legendary greatest king of Israel.
Listening to the writer
David gives a brief summary in images of traditional Jewish wisdom: the righteous will prosper, the wicked will be consumed.
List the descriptions of David ("Son of Jesse", etc) from the first few verses.
Note that the Hebrew word translated "anointed" is "Messiah". To be a Messiah is, literally, to be God's Anointed, and the word is used of many people in Israel's history.
Listening to God
Which of the descriptions of David in these verses are applied to Jesus in other places? (There are at least 3). Spend some time meditating on one.
In Jesus' day, Jews were looking for another “anointed” to come, another King like David. What kind of hero are you looking for? Does Jesus fulfill your deepest hopes?
A just ruler, who fears God, is like a glorious sunrise. Who are some leaders in your life, or in our life as a nation, that have been like a glorious sunrise? Thank God for them.
How might you encourage other leaders to be just and to fear God?
David claims that God has made with him “an everlasting covenant,” first mentioned in Scripture in 2 Samuel 7. Early Christians claimed that the covenant found fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is now our King. Do you see Christ in each sunrise? Do you intentionally start your day acknowledging Jesus’ rule in your life? How might this change your lifestyle?
Dig deeper at TextWeek.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Beware that no one leads you astray.
Mark 13:1-8
Context
Apocalypses - stories of people being taken up to the skies and being told of the imminent end of the world - were developed in Jewish literature in the two centuries before Christ and were popular in Jesus' day. The Biblical book of Revelation is an example of an apocalypse. Portions of Mark 13 are sometimes called "the little apocalypse".
The Temple was destroyed by Rome in the year 70. Most scholars believe that the book of Mark was written shortly before or after the destruction of the Temple.
In the gospel, Jesus and his disciples have just entered Jerusalem. It's a few days before he is crucified.
Listening to the writer
The disciples are in awe of the Temple. For the poorer disciples, it may have been their first visit. The temple in Jesus' day was built by King Herod about 20 years before Jesus was born, and was definitely an imposing site. When the disciples say "what large stones," they weren't kidding - some were over 40 x 15 feet.
It's not clear what "all these things" are in verse 4. In the preceding context, it seems to be the destruction of the Temple, but from the following discussion, it seems to include the end of the world. (Some Jews might have equated the two, of course.) Regardless, the early Church believed that the end of the world was near.
Jesus names a handful of things that have happened throughout history - people claiming to be the Messiah (there have been false Messiahs for as long as the idea has been around), war, earthquakes, and famine - and says "don't be led astray".
Listening to God
It is easy to get caught up in awe at our present accomplishments. What recent human achievements do you find amazing? (I hope there are some. Genesis 1 lists us as God's greatest creation, after all - it's OK to be amazed at what God has done.)
Jesus reminds the disciples of the temporary nature of our creations. Are you finding some human creations to be taking priority over God, either as items of worship or of fear? (These need not be physical; I'm aware of the Democratic and Republican parties, which frighten me and can occupy too much of my thought, but will one day crumble.)
People are constantly predicting the end of the world. There is a whole branch of Christianity that focuses on interpreting the Biblical apocalypses and seeing signs of "the end times". Jesus says "Beware that no one leads you astray." How about you - do you need to change your focus?
Miscellaneous Meanderings
The rest of Mark 13 is fascinating reading. For the short version, just read verses 32 and 33. If you decide to study the rest, make sure you do so with several good commentaries at hand (Textweek has links). The chapter almost certainly has a complex history.
Dig deeper at TextWeek.
Context
Apocalypses - stories of people being taken up to the skies and being told of the imminent end of the world - were developed in Jewish literature in the two centuries before Christ and were popular in Jesus' day. The Biblical book of Revelation is an example of an apocalypse. Portions of Mark 13 are sometimes called "the little apocalypse".
The Temple was destroyed by Rome in the year 70. Most scholars believe that the book of Mark was written shortly before or after the destruction of the Temple.
In the gospel, Jesus and his disciples have just entered Jerusalem. It's a few days before he is crucified.
Listening to the writer
The disciples are in awe of the Temple. For the poorer disciples, it may have been their first visit. The temple in Jesus' day was built by King Herod about 20 years before Jesus was born, and was definitely an imposing site. When the disciples say "what large stones," they weren't kidding - some were over 40 x 15 feet.
It's not clear what "all these things" are in verse 4. In the preceding context, it seems to be the destruction of the Temple, but from the following discussion, it seems to include the end of the world. (Some Jews might have equated the two, of course.) Regardless, the early Church believed that the end of the world was near.
Jesus names a handful of things that have happened throughout history - people claiming to be the Messiah (there have been false Messiahs for as long as the idea has been around), war, earthquakes, and famine - and says "don't be led astray".
Listening to God
It is easy to get caught up in awe at our present accomplishments. What recent human achievements do you find amazing? (I hope there are some. Genesis 1 lists us as God's greatest creation, after all - it's OK to be amazed at what God has done.)
Jesus reminds the disciples of the temporary nature of our creations. Are you finding some human creations to be taking priority over God, either as items of worship or of fear? (These need not be physical; I'm aware of the Democratic and Republican parties, which frighten me and can occupy too much of my thought, but will one day crumble.)
People are constantly predicting the end of the world. There is a whole branch of Christianity that focuses on interpreting the Biblical apocalypses and seeing signs of "the end times". Jesus says "Beware that no one leads you astray." How about you - do you need to change your focus?
Miscellaneous Meanderings
The rest of Mark 13 is fascinating reading. For the short version, just read verses 32 and 33. If you decide to study the rest, make sure you do so with several good commentaries at hand (Textweek has links). The chapter almost certainly has a complex history.
Dig deeper at TextWeek.
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