"While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, "What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?"" (Matthew 22:41--42)
This is Reformation Sunday - the day we celebrate Martin Luther and the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation. What do you think of when you hear "reformed" or "Reformation"? The definition of "reform" is make changes in so "reformed" is defined as having made changes. We can understand this as we think of Reformation Sunday because we know the history of the Protestant Reformation. We can also, like Martin Luther (and the hymn he wrote) know "A Mighty Fortress IS Our God." (emphasis mine) The Scripture today is also pointing out the importance of following where God is leading. In Deuteronomy Moses is learning he will not be able to "cross over" to the promised land but he continues to follow where God is leading. (Deuteronomy 34:4 & 5) In Thessalonians Paul is reminding the people it isn't easy but to continue to follow where God is leading. (1 Thessalonians 2:1--2) And in the Gospel reading Jesus is asking the Pharisees, and us, who is the Messiah, whose son? (Matthew 22:43) So.... the question is..... Are we "reformed"? Are we really following where God is leading, doing what God is asking us to do? Who do WE say Jesus is?
0 Comments
"And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matthew 22:39)
When I say "share" what do you think of? Your "share" of the piece of cake your sibling just cut in two? Your "share" of the estate? Or maybe it is if YOU are going to "share" something. How do you share? When I get excited about something, wanting to share, I tend to talk faster. I have also been heard to say, in a loud clear voice, "Praise the LORD!!" I have even been heard to start singing the Doxology - "Praise God from whom all blessings flow...." The readings today are about loving and sharing. In Deuteronomy we are told Joshua "was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses laid his hands on him." (34:9) Moses "sharing" with Joshua. In 1 Thessalonians Paul is telling us to be "putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet." (5:8) And Jesus is reminding all of us of the Commandments the first "to love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37) AND to "love our neighbor as yourself." (22:39) So.... How are you at sharing? Are you sharing how God has been working in your life? Are you sharing when you have been able to feel God's presence with you? Are you sharing the excitement? Who are you sharing with? Can they tell you are excited AND happy with what you are sharing? "'Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "So give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."" (Matthew 22:21)
Giving back to God "what is God's" can seem like we are already doing it - right? We are following where God is leading, we are in worship (when it fits the schedule) and we are at least trying to fit "God time" into said schedule. So.... "giving to God?" What ARE we giving to God? We are almost to the biggest gift giving time of the year -- Christmas (yes, my "Jesus is the reason for the season" pin is ready to go on my hat - I have seen the first Christmas commercials) and we are at least planning on who we are going to give what to. And, yes, I will probably be asking this question again -- "What are you giving to God, it IS HIS birthday!" I still, however, want you to think about what we are giving God right now. The readings today are about the gifts God has given to us. In Exodus God is visiting, and protecting, Moses ""When I pass by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by." (Exodus 33:22) This is because "for no one can see me and live." (33:20) In 1 Thessalonians Paul is thanking God and explaining how he (and Silas and Timothy) are thanking God - "for we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you,". (1 Thessalonians 1:4) The Gospel reading is reminding us to give to the government (Caesar) what is the government's - which we don't really have a lot of choice about. (Matthew 22:21) They didn't have much choice either. But we DO have the choice of what we will give God. Yes, our tithe. Yes, support "our" church when we can. Yes, we might even be in a Bible study during the week. Just one question though...how often are you talking with friends and family - on the phone, in person or texting? Is it possible we might be able to give God "more" of what IS God's? More time? Maybe even more money? Maybe share the gifts God has given us with others? Something to think about....... "if anything is excellent or praise worthy - think about such things." Philippians 4:8b
We don't think of them as excuses - do we? We have "reasons" why we haven't done something or we have stopped doing something. And it is a good reason - or at least we would say it is. The "reason" can be for just about anything from why we missed (or stopped going to) worship to why we missed Bible study or prayer group. It can be something we tell others OR something we tell ourselves. It can even be "why" we haven't started back to.... whatever we stopped doing. The readings today are about "reasons." Moses is talking to God about how upset God is (with good reason!) with the Hebrew people. "Then the Lord relented." (Exodus 32:14) Paul is reminding all of us to actually be doing, not just thinking about, but to "put into practice." (Philippians 4:9) And Jesus parable is pointing out how the first ones "invited" didn't come for various reasons so the servants go "to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find." (Matthew 22:9) So.... What ARE your reasons for not doing what God is calling you to be doing? Are they "really" reasons? Or are they "excuses"? One of the books I'm reading, right now, suggests doing "one small thing" to start making the changes needed. What "one small thing" could you do, or change, to start? Something to think about.......... "He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End."" (Revelation 21:6a)
I don't know about you but I love history. It can be Biblical history, state history, European history (like we just had on our recent trip to the United Kingdom), church history or personal history. I just love history. I believe it helps us to move forward if we understand, better, where we have come from and what we have done so we can move on to NEW things. The Scripture readings today are about history and moving on to new things. We are reminded "I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live." (Ecclesiastes 3:12) This verse is a part of the reading about there being a "time for everything." (v. 3:1) The above verse (Rev. 21:6) is reminding us that God IS in "the Beginning and the End." And we know, because we know the whole story AND Emmanuel, God IS with us now! Then Jesus is reminding us to reach out, to share God's love, maybe even to try the "new" thing...."Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40) Yes, we CAN learn from history. What we learn can help us to reach out, to try NEW things and to continue to encourage each other. Something to think about....... |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
July 2024
Categories |