In this season of Advent, we are called to reflect on the depths of our faith and the fruits we bear in our lives. As I speak to you in the name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I invite you to consider the transformative power of repentance and how it shapes our actions and existence in this world.
The Ancient Call to Fruitfulness
In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 3, verses 8 to 9, John the Baptist delivers a poignant message to the crowd gathered for baptism. He urges them to “bear fruits worthy of repentance,” emphasizing that ancestry alone does not secure salvation. These words remind us of the divine command found in Genesis, where God, in His creation of earth’s vegetation, enshrined a principle of fruitfulness within nature itself. This principle extends to us as God’s human creatures, calling us to produce fruit through our actions and lives.
The Seed, the Fruit, and Our Hearts
Reflecting on this principle, consider your heart and mind as the seed, and your actions and words as the fruit you produce. The things we ponder, consume, and engage with sow seeds in our hearts that manifest in our lives. It is crucial, therefore, that we are mindful of what we allow to take root within us. Particularly with our youth, we must be cautious of the influences they encounter, knowing these will shape their future actions.
John the Baptist’s Message
John’s message was clear and compelling: real change, not superficial allegiance, was required. Despite his rugged outward appearance, it was his proclamation of God’s kingdom being at hand that captured attention. John’s call was one of repentance, urging people to turn their hearts back to God, preparing the way for the coming Messiah through authentic change.
Repentance in a Modern Context
Even today, John’s message challenges us. Retired Bishop N. T. Wright reminds us that while our journey with Christ involves more than just repentance, it certainly starts there. Our spiritual transformation through God’s grace requires a genuine change of heart reflected in our lives. Therefore, we must ask ourselves: what does bearing fruit worthy of repentance look like for each of us personally?
Practical Steps to Demonstrate Repentance
John provided general guidance to the crowds: share with those in need, be fair, and be content. Yet, the application of repentance can vary based on personal circumstances. Perhaps it means donating excess to those lacking or reevaluating our priorities away from material pursuits. During moments like Black Friday, where consumerism often overshadows compassion, we should remember to consider those around us and their needs.
A Prayer for Transformation
As we navigate this Advent season and beyond, may God transform our hearts, enabling us to live authentically in accordance with our baptismal promises. Let us pray for the courage and wisdom to bear fruits that are visible signs of genuine repentance, impacting our lives and the world around us.
Amen.
Luke tells us that John went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin. As it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Over the last year and about two months, the world’s attention has been captivated by what are perhaps the two major conflicts of the world. The war between Russia and Ukraine, and the war between the Israeli government and Hamas. The reality is that neither of these wars started in this generation. Their roots, originating from that original offense, go back for many generations. Some nations and people have been fighting for so long that they probably can’t even remember what they were really fighting for anymore. We just know that we are at war.
It takes real effort to remember an offense over many generations because it requires intentionality in holding a grudge. It requires intentionality to hand on unforgiveness, to teach those coming after us what those who have gone before us have done, in a way that engenders a desire for vengeance, even against their descendants. You didn’t do me anything, but your father’s father’s father’s father’s father did, and so you’re going to bear the brunt.
Transforming Our Path
Where does it all end? How do we stop this moving train? Or at least, how do we change its course or direction? While it may be easy for us to ask such questions about external wars, it is much more challenging for us as the people of God to address the questions of such wars which rage within us. That is the internal struggle over whether we strive to walk more and more in the light of Christ and in communion and fellowship with his body, the church, or whether we continue to try to do things our own way, on our own terms in this life, and to try to go it alone. Because that’s the war that rages within each and every one of us.
The Challenge of Identity
It is both ironic and devastatingly sad that many nations and peoples continue to fight, even to this day, against other nations. They’ve invested so much in the cause—so much into this conflict—that stopping feels impossible. The conflict has become such an integral part of their identity that they would find it very difficult to even recognize themselves if they just stopped fighting. This is who we are. Similarly, I would venture to say that we find it extremely difficult to change the course of our lives because we feel that we have gone so far down a particular road.
Our lives and our identity have been shaped by the unfortunate choices and decisions that we have made along the way, forming a kind of home for ourselves. Leaving that home or recognizing who we really are if we were to live more like the way Christ calls us is a difficult task. But yet, friends, that is precisely what repentance calls us to do.
The Call to Repent
In repentance, there is a change of heart, a change of mind with regard to the choices that we have made or the things that we have done, and therefore a change in the direction in which our life is headed. That’s what repentance means. There is authentic godly sorrow over our past deeds because in that moment of repentance, we recognize and acknowledge that God’s way was always right and that it is we who have strayed. From that moment of repentance, we endeavor in the grace of God and with the power of the Holy Spirit to continue along God’s way and not our own.
The Pathway to Peace
Repentance is stopping right in our tracks—and turning back towards the light, turning back towards God. Walking towards the light that is Christ’s life, it is in this act of repentance, stopping, acknowledging, turning, and walking towards God that we begin to experience the peace that Christ brings. God’s peace goes to the root of our conflict. It goes to the heart of our sin. It begins with truth-telling, and this truth-telling must often work through conflict to establish a true and authentic peace.
Conclusion
Perhaps the place to begin in identifying those things of which we need to repent is by giving careful attention to those areas of our lives where we do not presently experience God’s peace. As you consider who you are and where you are in the light, where is that groaning in your life? Where is that heaviness? Where’s that sense of unease? Where’s that sense maybe of complacency in the midst of the darkness?
God never called us to be peacekeepers. God calls us to be peacemakers. And making peace is by no means easy work, but it is important work. It is gospel work. It is the path of peace. It is our salvation.
Understanding the Kingdom of God
We always run into problems when we try to align the kingdom of God with our national, racial, cultural, or political ideologies. It is not the same thing. It does not compare. Jesus said to Pilate that he came into the world to testify to the truth, and that everyone who belongs to the truth listens to his voice. Jesus’s kingdom is none other than the truth of God, which unmasks all of the lies, distortions, and corruptions of sin in this world. That’s why it undermines every other earthly kingdom. His battle is one of drawing to himself hearts, minds, and wills that have gone astray from the truth.
Common Ground of Humanity
These basic human characteristics—our hearts, minds, and wills—we all have them, regardless of where you live, your culture, race, nationality, or political ideology. Hearts, minds, and wills are common to us all. Jesus’s kingdom is recognized by its witness to the truth that the one true and living God has indeed come to live among his human creatures. By that action, he has come to redeem us, save us, restore us in our relationship with God, save us from ourselves, and save us from our sin. As we look back in hindsight, and as we look around us in the present, the point, friends, is that God’s kingdom rule is already present. It is already at work in our midst. It is both present and coming into being if we only have eyes to see it.
The Treasure of the Kingdom
As I thought about this, I was reminded of the parables of the kingdom, the 13th chapter of Matthew’s gospel. Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a treasure hidden in a field, which someone finds and hides, then goes and buys that whole field. Or a merchant in search of fine pearls discovers one of great value and sells everything to buy it. In both instances, they sell all they have to obtain it and make sure not to lose this treasure they have found. In other words, there’s nothing more important or valuable on this earth than discovering the truth that the kingdom of God is present and coming into this world through Jesus Christ.
The Awakening
Being awakened to the reality that God’s kingdom is present and at work among us is like waking up from a deep sleep. You don’t even know you’ve fallen asleep until someone nudges you, and then you realize, “Oh, I fell asleep.” Awakening to the reality of the kingdom of God and his rule in our lives is like that, and there’s nothing of greater value in this life than that discovery. From that point forward, you don’t have to walk around like a zombie. You may indeed listen to Jesus’s voice, follow him as the way, the truth, and the life, and live from that point onward in loving service to God and one another.
Anticipation of Advent
When we get to Advent, the message is to keep awake and alert. Let us not fall asleep in lives apart from the truth of Christ. Over our diocese, we have been engaged in the process called “cast the net” based on Jesus’s post-resurrection appearance in John’s gospel. This requires the renewal of our spirituality—you cannot give what you do not have or lead where you have not gone. As the season of Advent approaches, I encourage you to join us for spiritual renewal opportunities.
Recognizing God’s Kingdom
Wherever you see the people of God commit to the daily renewal of their spiritual lives, study scripture, read, pray, sing, and share their faith, there you will catch a glimpse of God’s kingdom in those small things. What we celebrate at Christmas, the birth of our Savior, was known to only a few, yet God was at work quietly, powerfully changing history. His rule of truth and salvation is here, coming more into being. May God grant us grace to pass through the temporal to not lose the eternal kingdom.
Some words from Mark’s gospel, chapter 13 verse 8. Jesus said, “This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.” To hear, see, and read stories from around the world today is to be exposed not just to the events taking place, but to a sensationalized version of them. This version of the news often aims to provoke our interest or excitement at the expense of accuracy. If we’re going to tell a story and make it catchy, sometimes details are left out.
For more than a year now, we have heard and seen the news stories of the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Palestine. We have heard and seen the news about the ongoing Russian invasion into Ukraine and the continuing political and socio-economic crisis in Haiti, where planes can’t even take off or land without being shot at. As matters spiral out of control, we have also heard news from the COP29 conference in Azerbaijan discussing the disastrous impacts of climate change. We have become painfully aware of the plight of new immigrants being marginalized, blamed for long-standing issues such as healthcare and housing shortages, along with spiking food prices—and we could go on.
The Reality of a Shifting World
More often than not, as we receive news of peoples and nations rising against one another and of natural and man-made disasters, we may come away with the impression that our stable world is falling apart. It seems as though the bottom is falling out and the end is near. Growing up, I would often hear, “Whenever there’s a tragedy, the world is coming to an end.” Such news, especially when sensationalized, may leave us feeling anxious or panicked.
In our gospel reading, Jesus speaks to his disciples about the end, the coming of the Son of Man, and the beginning of the birth pangs. He says, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say ‘I am he,’ and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars, rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is still to come.”
Understanding the Present Circumstances
N.T. Wright, a retired Anglican Bishop, observes that today’s passage is not Jesus’s commentary about the end of the world. He argues that the passage addresses the present circumstances of Jesus’ disciples. Jesus was preparing them to endure a world without his physical presence, a world of false messiahs, wars, and upheaval in both natural and social orders.
This was a daunting prospect—a world marked by persecution and even death for those called by his name. Yet Jesus calls us not to be led astray or alarmed. He uses the analogy of birth pangs—painful, yet leading to new life—to encourage endurance.
A Call to Enduring Service
Jesus calls his followers to commit to serving God’s purposes over the long haul, even when we feel overwhelmed. We offer ourselves in service in many ways: through gracious judgments, considering others’ needs, offering a listening ear, and being slow to speak. We bear burdens, forgiving trespasses, and speak the truth of God’s word.
These forms of ministry are within reach for all. In times of conflict and turmoil, we are still called to serve. Our service arises from recognizing God’s mercy in our lives and remembering why God brought our community into being. We are not simply subject to random forces. Our actions matter in this world because God is already redeeming it.
Responding to God’s Call
So how is God calling you? How is He calling us as a community of faith to live? Where are those places where God invites you to serve—among the homeless, the hungry, or with friends going through loss? Perhaps at the side of a brother or sister facing challenges?
There are countless points of pain, and often the news only captures a portion. Yet God’s purposes are constantly crossing paths with these pains. These moments are not for us to simply observe but to serve, holding firm, and supporting His work in this world.
Let us not panic or be alarmed, but endure by coming alongside and serving. How is He calling you?
Good morning, friends. It’s a privilege to gather with you again as we reflect on the 25th Sunday after Pentecost and commemorate Remembrance Sunday. Our gathering is an opportunity to pause amidst the momentous events unfolding around us, a chance to seek insight from the psalmist, who wisely noted in Psalm 127, “Unless the Lord builds the house, their labor is in vain.” These words remind us that, without divine guidance, our endeavors lack true significance.
Living Through Momentous Times
We are living in a period marked by uncertainty and change, both globally and personally. From the surprising reelection of political leaders whom many doubted, to the collapse of long-standing governments across continents, it seems societies everywhere crave change—perhaps in pursuit of a nostalgic past. However, these upheavals, exacerbated by the pandemic and ongoing wars, have left us questioning our future and the truth itself.
Economic pressures, rising costs of living, and environmental crises mirror this internal and global chaos. We find ourselves grappling with existential questions: What will become of me? How do I hold on to my identity and values?
A Call for Believers
These times prompt an essential question for believers: How do we not lose ourselves? How do we anchor our lives on the truth that is found in Jesus Christ, while navigating a tumultuous world? The scriptures remind us that God is actively working—establishing and preserving His heritage amidst chaos. The story of Ruth and Naomi exemplifies this truth, showcasing God’s providential care and purpose.
Through Ruth’s loyalty and Naomi’s determination, God ordained a future that went beyond their immediate concerns. They play a role in the lineage of King David, and ultimately Jesus Christ—a testament to God’s mysterious ways in history.
Faith Amidst Chaos
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus reveals a profound lesson as He observes a poor widow’s generous contribution at the temple. It’s a reminder that our true character—our faith and generosity—is revealed, not in abundance, but in sacrifice. Like fresh squeezed orange juice, the true essence of who we are emerges under pressure.
This widow’s faith was not forged in her poverty or loss; it sprang from a deep-seated faith rooted in Israel’s God. Her generosity wasn’t for show but stemmed from genuine trust in God’s provision.
Our Identity in God
As chaos swirls around us, God anchors us. He reminds us of who we are—children created in His image—and whose we are—belonging to Him. Our identity is not confined to the labels of societal groups or determined by our circumstances. Ultimately, it is God who sustains us, shaping our lives regardless of the world’s upheavals.
Looking to the Future
The days ahead may hold greater turmoil, yet believers are called to steadfast faith, anchored in Jesus, who is the truth and the life. By surrendering our lives to Him, our words, and deeds can become offerings of praise, reflecting God’s work within us and through us.
As we navigate these tumultuous and momentous times, remember that God is actively establishing His kingdom. Let us stand firm, confident in our identity as His heritage.
Prayer
God, our Redeemer, in sustaining the lives of Naomi and Ruth, you breathed new life into your people. May we, in turn, find restoration and nourishment by returning to you and acknowledging your sovereignty over all. We lift this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.
May these reflections encourage you as we journey through this complex, but divinely orchestrated world.
We are delighted to have all of you here today, those present and those joining via live stream. I want to discuss with you an inspiring passage from John’s Gospel, specifically chapter 11, verses 39 to 40. Here, we explore the profound moment when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, a moment pivotal not only for creation but also in understanding our human life and faith in death.
The Miracle of Lazarus
Jesus commanded, “Take away the stone,” to which the worry arose: “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead for days.” Yet, Jesus reassured, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” This miracle of raising Lazarus challenges us to see beyond the physical narrative to the expressions of faith.
The Significance of the Miracle
This public demonstration of divine power attracted significant attention, much to the chagrin of religious leaders who conspired against Jesus to avoid Roman scrutiny. Lazarus, undeniably dead for days, should have produced a stench, yet none was present when the stone was removed. This absence of decay signified something profound and divine at work, validating Jesus’s teachings and revealing God’s glory.
Implications for Our Faith
Jesus’s prayer at the tomb, acknowledging God’s ever-present hearing, reinforces that even as Lazarus was bound by death, God’s love never faltered. The miracle depicts that death is not the end; it is part of a broader narrative in our journey with God.
The Promise of Resurrection
Lazarus’s resurrection foreshadows Christ’s triumph over death, reminding us of our ultimate resurrection. Baptism symbolizes this renewal, marking us as God’s own, joining us with Christ in life and death. This miracle signifies that despite any trial, the enemy does not have the final say—God’s word prevails.
Life in Baptism and Grace
Paul’s teachings illustrate that through baptism, we are immersed in Christ’s death and resurrection, leading to a rebirth as new creations. This divine act is not by our might but through grace, highlighting that even when dead in transgressions, God breathes life into us through Christ.
Called to be Saints
Our identity as Christians involves acknowledging our imperfections while striving to embody holiness through Christ’s sanctifying grace. Saints are not flawless beings but are those earnest in faith, continually rising from sin to pursue God’s righteousness.
Encouragement and Perseverance
As we navigate our spiritual paths, much like Austin and Amelia will, we lean on grace and community support. Acknowledging our need for repentance and renewal, we are reminded of God’s readiness to forgive, guiding us through life’s journey toward eternal life.
Conclusion
As we commemorate All Saints’ Day, let us find inspiration in the steadfastness of faith. Though we falter, we rise anew in Christ’s grace, relentlessly pursuing a life devoted to God. May this reflection reignite our sense of purpose, instilling hope in the promise of life eternal.
In life’s journey, none of us are immune to suffering and pain. As believers, we are called to approach these challenges with a heart full of faith and perseverance, much like Job or the apostle Paul. In the Book of Job, the man from the land of Uzh stood as a model of blamelessness and fear of God. Even amidst unimaginable suffering, he remained upright, never forsaking his faith. This, dear readers, is the essence of what we must strive for in our own lives.
The Call to Persevere
We are not exempt from trials, whether they come from within our families or our broader communities. Jesus Himself faced persecution, trials, and ultimately, the cross. Our reaction should mirror His: “Father, if it pleases you, let this cup pass over me, but not my will, but your will.” We too must be ready to face the unexpected and seek a godly response.
Job’s Example
Let’s delve into Job’s story. In chapter 1, we meet a man praised for his righteousness. This is the personality we should emulate in times of suffering. Job remained steadfast even when he lost everything, and through this, God eventually restored him, blessing him abundantly.
The trials we face today, whether financial hardship, loss, or persecution, all have an expiration date. It is crucial to stand firm, trusting that the end will bring glory and restoration, much like Job’s.
The Power of Prayer and Community
Prayer is our spiritual weapon. As believers, we must be men and women of prayer, constantly seeking God’s guidance and grace. Our communities can serve as beacons of support, helping us reflect on the stories of perseverance from the Bible. The stories of faithful figures like Jeremiah, Meshach, and Abednego illustrate that perseverance through trials can lead to divine rewards.
Suffering as a Test of Faith
Riches don’t test our faith—suffering does. God tested Abraham not to cause him distress but to strengthen his faith. Today, God might do the same with us. These trials are opportunities for growth, potentially transforming our suffering into stepping stones toward greater faith.
Our Example to the World
Our actions preach louder than our words. The world watches us, the Christians, looking to see how we respond to adversity. This way, our lives become living testaments of faith. We may not read the Bible often, but our actions reflect its teachings to those around us.
The Endurance of Christ
Let us embrace the mind of Christ, who humbled Himself unto death for humanity’s sake. Our endurance, humility, and perseverance in this life pave the way for blessings in the next. The end is near, and there is glory in store for those who faithfully endure.
Concluding Prayer
Let us pray: Lord, guide us through our trials with courage and faith. Strengthen each of us here today, as individuals and as a church community. May Your word bring peace and understanding to our hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
When we think about greatness, it’s often through the lens of societal norms—power, status, wealth. Yet, in the teachings of Jesus, a different path is illuminated, one that challenges these conventional ideas. Let us explore an understanding of greatness through the lens of service, as elucidated in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 10, verses 43 to 45.
Understanding Expectations in Baptism
In my conversations with families preparing for baptism, I often delve into the realm of expectations. Many approach baptism with preconceived notions—some see it as a rite of passage, others, a form of spiritual protection akin to a talisman. Few truly grasp the transformative nature of this sacred act.
Baptism is much more than a mere ceremony. It is an invitation from God to enter into a profound relationship with Him—a union with Christ that is unbreakable. Through baptism, we are called to a lifelong journey, a transformation in which we grow closer to God and each other.
Misguided Expectations and Their Consequences
Misguided expectations can lead to confusion and disappointment. Some anticipate a magical transformation, expecting a baptized child to naturally gravitate towards faith, only to find that life’s realities are more complex.
Scripture makes clear what we should expect in our relationship with God: to love Him fully and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This divine relationship, enriched through baptism, promises change—not always comfortable or easy but essential for our spiritual growth.
Service as the Measure of Love
Our journey with God often involves service. In my own life, I’ve encountered both joy and challenge in fulfilling responsibilities. Not everything has come easily, yet it’s in these moments of difficulty that God reminds us of His expectation: that all service is ultimately for Him.
This realization reshapes our expectations—of ourselves, of God, and of our roles as His followers. As Jesus taught Peter, love for Him is demonstrated through service: feeding His sheep, tending to His lands.
The Fallacy of Self-Serving Expectations
The disciples, James and John, illustrate a common misunderstanding of this journey. They sought personal glory, misunderstanding the essence of Jesus’s power and mission. But Jesus corrected them, stressing that true greatness comes from being a servant, a slave to all.
This is a hard lesson for many of us who seek validation and significance. Yet, in God’s kingdom, humility and service define greatness. The path to encountering the living God is paved with obedience and self-denial.
Embracing God’s Transformative Power
Encountering God is not without its challenges. As seen in Job’s journey, we are prompted to put aside our small, human conceptions of God and recognize His infinite wisdom. In this recognition, we find liberation from the misguided expectations that restrict our spiritual growth.
To ask God for a share in His divine life, as we do in baptism, is to embrace transformation. This is a transformation that God, in His grace, knows we need, even when we do not fully comprehend what we are asking.
The Call to Authentic Service
In this life with God, we are blessed with opportunities to serve and love authentically. By redefining our expectations away from societal measures of success, we align closer with God’s intentions for us. Each act of service, each moment of humility, transforms us more into the image of Christ.
In conclusion, may we embrace the call to lay down our lives—the person we think we are or should be—to take up the new life that God freely offers. Let us embark on this continual journey of love, where true greatness is found.
Amen.
In a world where headlines often scream of scarcity, rising costs, and economic woes, it’s easy to become ensnared in a narrative that seems almost inescapable. Today, I invite you to pause with me and consider a different perspective—one rooted in the teachings and wisdom of scripture, and more importantly, in the boundless generosity of God.
Reflecting on Scripture
This morning, let’s meditate on the words from Matthew’s Gospel, Chapter 6, verses 25 and 32 to 33: Jesus says, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat, drink, or wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? It is the Gentiles who strive for all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need these things, but strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” These words beckon us to shift our focus from anxiety to faith, from scarcity to abundance.
As we observe Thanksgiving, a time traditionally set aside to be grateful, let us explore the juxtaposition between the pervasive feeling of scarcity and the divine truth of abundance. For the past few years, many have felt the pinch of rising costs—groceries, rent, fuel—all seem to surge relentlessly. We’ve grown accustomed to hearing explanations that boil down to supply chain issues or economic demands.
The Reality Behind Rising Costs
However, if you pay close attention, you’ll notice an unsettling trend: major grocery store chains and investment capitalists continue to post record profits despite the economic strain felt by many. This paints a picture not just of supply and demand, but of greed—greed that distorts the prices we pay for necessities like food and shelter.
This greed is evident in other aspects of our lives too—be it fuel prices, homeownership, or saving for future needs. We’re tangled within an economic web designed to cause fear that we might not have enough. Yet, Jesus’ teaching calls us to a different understanding, one that challenges the prevailing mindset.
Living in God’s World
Jesus was not merely offering comforting words but revealing a significant truth: this is God’s world, and He has abundantly provided for all our needs. The Old Testament lesson from Joel echoes this, reminding us of God’s ability to restore and provide generously.
We often forget how to share, succumbing to the belief that the world’s resources are finite. But the world manipulates this fear of scarcity to drive consumption. The world’s markets thrive on convincing you that there’s never enough, and that you’re merely a consumer whose identity is defined by possessions.
Recognizing and Embracing Abundance
As people of God, we’re called to reflect on whether we’re living according to the world’s scarcity lie or God’s abundance truth. Recognizing that we’ve all been swayed by the scarcity narrative is the first step toward liberation from its burden. This acknowledgment allows us to lean into God’s grace and live more freely.
Our understanding of abundance affects how we view our finances, hold onto possessions, and relate to others. Believing that we need to hoard and protect our resources only burdens us with more anxiety and distance from God’s purpose.
Striving for God’s Kingdom
God encourages us to focus not on what we think we need, but on His kingdom and righteousness. By overly focusing on material needs, we invite anxiety into our hearts and miss witnessing God’s providence in our lives. When we shift our attention towards God’s kingdom, we find true freedom and joy, experiencing His provision in profound ways.
Generosity, self-giving, and gratitude are acts of worship and recognition of the God who continuously provides for us. Let us not waste our lives chasing after what we cannot take with us, but instead, seek a life rich in connection, meaning, and faith.
Conclusion
As we strive for God’s kingdom, let us remember that our Heavenly Father knows our needs. He invites us to trust in His abundance, putting aside our fears and embracing the life He offers. Seek first His kingdom, and the rest will follow.
This morning, I want to share with you some profound insights from the gospel of Mark, chapter 10. In this passage, Jesus teaches the importance of a childlike receptivity to the kingdom of God. There, Mark tells us that Jesus was indignant when people tried to stop little children from coming to him, saying, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.”
This powerful message is not merely about children but about the fundamental nature of faith. Jesus emphasizes that to enter the kingdom of God, one must receive it with the trust and openness of a little child. This passage echoes the opening chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans, highlighting the guilt of humanity and our tendency to suppress the truth. As humans, we often choose lies over the truth, which is a phenomenon that started as far back as the Garden of Eden.
The Human Tendency to Suppress the Truth
In Romans 1:18-25, Paul writes about how people suppress the truth by exchanging it for a lie. This passage is a sobering reminder of how humanity often ignores the truth that has been clearly revealed, choosing instead to follow falsehoods. This was true in ancient times and remains so today. It’s evident when we look around at various forms of prejudice and racism in our world. Our biases, based on untruths or half-truths, lead us to harden our hearts. As Webster’s dictionary defines, hardening of the heart is when we stop having kind or friendly feelings for someone.
Recognizing and Softening Hardened Hearts
The account of the Grinch who stole Christmas serves as a poignant illustration of what a hardened heart looks like. His heart becoming colder and smaller is symbolic of what happens when we harbor unkind feelings. In our lives, when someone wrongs us, and we refuse to forgive, we too allow our hearts to grow cold, just as the Grinch did. However, particularly in matters of faith and obedience to God, this hardening can be devastating.
Embracing a Childlike Faith
In today’s gospel, Jesus addresses this issue when confronted by Pharisees trying to test him on the question of divorce. The Pharisees, with their hardened hearts, sought to trap Jesus rather than seek genuine answers. Jesus points out that Moses permitted divorce because of the hardness of people’s hearts, reflecting their failure to live with integrity and uphold the sanctity of marriage.
Children, on the other hand, exhibit a natural trust and faith, believing readily when told something. Jesus highlights this quality as essential for those who wish to enter the kingdom of God. Just as children easily trust in their parents, we are invited to trust in God’s will and intentions for our lives.
The Call to Humility and Trust
No matter our age, we must humble ourselves, recognize our profound need for God, and trust Him with childlike faith. This trust leads us to true joy and freedom under God’s gracious rule. A life of authentic faith spares us the burdens of self-reliance. Instead, it liberates us, as we lean on God’s strength and provisions.
Guarding Against Unbelief
Today, I urge you to guard your hearts against unbelief. Unbelief often stems from choosing to believe lies we’re comfortable with, rather than the truths that challenge and liberate us. The world may tempt us with arguments and promises that appear fulfilling, but these are often half-truths entwined with deceit.
To truly dwell in God’s peace and enter His kingdom, let us adopt a posture of openness and humility, testing everything against the truth revealed through Christ, the living word. By doing so, we, like those children brought to Jesus, can come to Him, believe in Him, and in turn, be richly blessed by His presence in our lives.
So, friends, let us not harden our hearts. Instead, come to God just as you are, holding nothing back. May we, as children of God, embrace our need for Him and receive His touch and blessing. Amen.
