Friends, I want to share with you this morning some words from the letter of James, chapter 1, verse 18. There, James writes that in fulfillment of His own purpose, He gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would become a kind of first fruits of His creatures. In just over two weeks from now, the Thursday evening Bible study will begin a study of the book of Job. As I’ve said a few Sundays ago, Job falls squarely within what is called Israel’s wisdom tradition, asking the basic questions about the life of wisdom—how we live wisely in this world and its connections to the good things or the bad things which happen to us in this life.
We all experience some good, we all experience some bad. Is there a way to live in such a way that determines whether one happens or the other? If you’ve ever read the book of Job, you will know that it begins by making it clear that Job was a man whose righteousness was unmatched. There was none to be found in the whole earth like Job, yet, before the end of the first chapter, servants come to Job, one right after the other, all bringing news of tragic loss to this righteous man. And Job loses everything. All of his property. All of his children. All that he has, he loses everything.
### The Unpredictable Nature of Life
Many in Job’s day lived within a predictable worldview where bad things happen to bad people, and good things happened to good people. So the good or the bad that happened to you in this life was understood to be a sort of indication of the kind of person that you were. And so the book presses the question: How do we live faithfully within a world that is perhaps a little more unpredictable than we might have thought? How do we continue to live faithfully?
Job was a righteous man beyond dispute, yet all of these terrible things happened to him. Our present time is likewise fraught with unpredictability. There’s the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and many other places around the world, increasing conflicts between the government of Israel and Hamas, now threatening to widen across the entire region. There is a recent declaration of MPOX as a public health emergency of international concern. Closer to home, there is the unpredictability of the aftermath of presidential elections with our neighbors to the south. What is the world going to look like after November?
In Canada, there are serious challenges with providing housing, providing health care, and concerns about the cost of living. I went into the store the other day, and a container of milk that once cost $5.90-something now costs more than $7.00. I have to start giving my children water. The cost of living is increasing. Just the other week, the Federal Labor Board had to intervene to order thousands of rail workers back to work, preventing what would have been an economically devastating work stoppage in the nation.
### Living Faithfully Amidst Uncertainty
With tragic news seemingly coming from every direction, we might, like Job, ask the question: How do we continue to live faithfully in a world that seems so unpredictable? It seems as if the bottom is always ready to fall out. How do we live faithfully? As we soon head into fall when the leaves begin to change color and life seems to begin to fade, today’s readings are particularly timely and helpful. They inspire us to live the faith we confess in the presence of the God who loves us, the source of beauty, and the depth of our heart.
At the heart of the faith we confess is this grand movement from death to life. We see it most clearly in the life of this One who has overcome the power of sin and death and has brought us to life and immortality. That is what Christianity is about—this movement from death to life. James writes in fulfillment of His own purpose, He gave us birth by the word of truth so we would become a kind of first fruits of His creatures. We are the first to be brought forth with the expectation of more to come.
### The Call for Renewal
Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. Your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore, rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness and welcome with meekness the implanted Word that has the power to save your souls. It sounds like the seed being planted—the implanted Word that has the power to save your souls.
Here then, friends, is the foundation, the starting point for new life, for a new spiritual beginning, right in the midst of the old, right in the midst of the unpredictable. That is when we welcome the implanted Word of God and allow it to germinate, to grow, to bring forth fruit, a new life in our lives.
If there was ever a time that we needed a new beginning or new life, it is now. So as we consider what it means to be the people of God, what it means to remain steadfast, that’s what we are called to do. What does it mean to remain steadfast? Stay steadfast like Job. And to live faithfully in the midst of an unpredictable world. This world needs steady people, right? This world needs stability.
### Embracing the New
In our Gospel reading for today, the Pharisees, whom we heard about, had hearts that had become so hardened in their attempts to obey all these traditions of the elders, so much so that they could not welcome with meekness and with humility the new thing that God was doing right in their midst through Jesus Christ. Here was the living Word, and they could not receive it. They were so consumed with the tradition of the elders, with the external rituals of purification, that they missed the point. Purity is fundamentally a matter of the heart. That’s where it begins.
Jesus said there’s nothing outside a person that by going in can defile. But it is the things that come out that defile. He says from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come. Jesus was and is fundamentally about the business of changing hearts. I can’t change your heart. Your neighbor can’t change your heart. Only God changes hearts. Jesus is about the business of changing hearts.
Our lives are transformed, and then when our lives are transformed, we see the world around us being transformed. His Word is not just His Word—it is literally life-giving. It is life-changing. It is world-changing. It is meant to have a tangible and measurable impact within this world.
### Living Out Our Faith
The Pharisees simply could not get on board with this shift from the old, much like in party politics that we see today. They were determined to make things seem new by their own efforts. How often in our own social, political, professional relationships, or in our own spiritual lives have we tried to convey the outward impression that all is well when the inward reality, just beneath the surface, is that there is very little life and mostly decay? We try to make things seem new by our own efforts.
As we think about what it means to be the people of God in an ever-changing and unpredictable world, let us be reminded that this new life we anticipate in Christ does not first begin with our own efforts. It doesn’t begin with our own plans. It doesn’t begin with our own strategies. But with God. It begins with God. It always begins with what God has implanted and is implanting in each of us, and what He will bring to fruition according to His time and purposes.
Our calling is not new; we have always been called to receive what God gives and act faithfully in obedience to it. Whatever it is, it is right in front of us. What is new is the renewed call to welcome this kind of renewal itself. In other words, we can’t think of ourselves as stones. Amen. But we must always be willing to welcome this implanted Word of God. James writes, be doers of the Word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. He says, religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to care for the orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
### A Renewed Life in Our Community
So what might this new life look like in the life of this parish as a gathered community of believers in this place and beyond these four walls? What might this new life look like? It might look like considering the needs of our neighbor ahead of our own in whatever it is that we’re doing. It might look like serving the needs of the vulnerable in our midst, so much so that it almost looks like we’re washing their feet. That’s what the new life looks like. It might look like having the moral courage to admit our wrongdoing when we do wrong and then seeking the path of forgiveness and reconciliation. It might look like striving to live more simply in our choices and in our actions, and what we do day by day so that others may simply live.
Some of you may have heard that nowadays there’s something that’s called the under-consumption core or the under-consumption movement, where people are learning how important it is to live within your means. That’s not new, but apparently it’s a new movement. Live within your means and share with other people. Don’t buy more than you need. Give generously. Life is shorter than many of us often think, and time passes very quickly—faster than we realize. In another couple of months, I’ll be marking a milestone birthday. I’m still in denial. The time goes quickly, let me tell you.
So let us not waste our lives, friends, on frivolous endeavors and pursuits. But let us make it our aim to please this One who has created us. This goes much deeper than simply talking up or bragging about all the things that we do, which seem religious on the surface, because that too is a temptation. Emerging in this new life is about placing ourselves in a position of finding and indeed making space to be attentive to the living Word of God. What God is up to in our midst, keeping our eyes open.
### Engaging with the Word
Advent is coming soon. And what do we say in Advent? Keep awake. Keep alert. Pay attention. Many of us have been engaging in the study, meditation, and discussion of the Word through morning prayer and evening prayer, Tuesday evening, and Thursday evening Bible studies, or studies of the Word on our own. Some of you just had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Lancaster to see the live production of Daniel—a stellar example of faithfulness in the midst of change and unpredictability.
What is critical for us as followers of Christ is that we actually engage the written and living Word in a way that is meaningful and transformative. It’s not about opening your Bible and leaving it on the desk or putting it there to hold open the door. Actually engage it, read it, study it. I’d love to see so many more of us come together to engage in the study of God’s Word.
That’s how we begin to grow, receive that implanted Word. This transformation is a matter of the heart. As we strive to live faithfully in the midst of change and unpredictability, the proof will be our love for one another, the care that we show. Jesus talks about looking out for the orphans and the widows, right? What care are we showing to the vulnerable? The service we give to one another, especially the most vulnerable in our midst.
God is giving us every opportunity to live into a religion that is more than just words, a ministry that depends upon us welcoming and responding in love to the living Word.
Let us pray:
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, and the lover of our souls, the source of all beauty and the depth of passion. Strengthen and inspire us to do the Word we hear and to live the faith we confess. Amen.
### Welcome Back, Travelers
It is good to see all of you again and a very special welcome back to all of our travelers. I can’t call you weary travelers because you are energized by your trip south of the border to see Daniel. We are happy to have all of you back today. And of course, we welcome those who are visiting with us for the first time.
### Words from John’s Gospel
I want to share with you some words from John’s Gospel, chapter six, reading from verses 67 to 69: “So Jesus asked the 12, as we heard read just a moment ago, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. Amen. We have come to believe and know that you are the holy one of God.'”
These words spoken between Jesus and his disciples follow immediately after a very tough teaching in a synagogue in Capernaum. Jesus said to those who gathered there for worship that those who eat his flesh and drink his blood abide in him and he in them. He said further that just as the living Father sent him and he lives because of the Father, so whoever eats him will live because of him. Indeed, he referred to himself as the living bread that came down from heaven so that one may eat of it and live forever.
### A Difficult Teaching
So Jesus’ claims, as we have thought about them and listened to them over these last few Sundays, presented a significant obstacle for faith, particularly for the Jewish people among whom he spoke. Here was a human being, just as they were, whose mother and father they knew, who is now identifying himself as this life-giving way, as none other than Israel’s God. Not surprisingly, John reports to us in the Gospel for today that many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. They could not abide his statement.
But Peter received the grace to press beyond such externals, the things that tripped up the other disciples. He pressed beyond such externals to actually hear Jesus’ words and to hear them in the context of his life and to recognize that in hearing these words he could stake his life on no one else but this one who now stood before them.
### The Theme of God’s Determination
Jesus’ difficult teaching draws together a two-part theme, which I believe runs through all the scripture readings that we’ve heard today. It sums up and retells the main lines of the Gospel of Israel’s story, but it retells this story within the context of Jesus’ life.
The first part of this theme is the reality of God’s own determination to dwell among humankind in a locatable way. That is, in a way that we might say, “God is there.” The Old Testament passage from the first book of Kings recounts Solomon’s dedication of the temple in Jerusalem. The priests have placed the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord in the most holy place in the inner sanctuary of the house, and when they came out, the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord such that the priests could not even stand there to minister.
### Solomon’s Prayer
As Solomon lifted his hands and recounted the details of the covenant that God had made with David and his descendants, he prayed not only for the Israelite but also for the foreigner, that is, for the Gentile, asking that whoever prays towards the temple, the locatable point of God’s dwelling on earth, God would hear in heaven, heed, and forgive, so that His name would be made known throughout all the earth. That’s Solomon’s prayer.
In this sense, Solomon’s temple is an early sign of the reality that Israel’s God is the one who determines to dwell with and among humankind in such a way that He is capable of being located. Everyone following me so far? That’s the God whom we serve.
### God’s Presence in Christ
Now, in Christ, God, in no uncertain terms, has demonstrated God’s determination to be among us in a locatable way. Paul writes that in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them. Therefore, Christ’s resurrection proclaims the good news that because of God’s union with us in Him, we too have been raised to new life. We have been raised to eternal life in Him.
### Understanding New Life
How might we understand this, friends? How might we understand this new life in Him in a practical sense? We can say these things and they sound good, but how do we understand it in a practical sense? Today’s Collect, we prayed, “Almighty God, we are taught by your word that all our doings without love are worth nothing.” Then we prayed, “Lord, send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue.”
We are taught most famously that all our doings without love are worth nothing. Everyone knows that passage from 1 Corinthians 13: “If I speak the tongues of mortals and angels but do not have love, I am nothing. I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I am nothing.”
### The Gift of Love
So all the good works that we might think about or conceive of doing in this world are worth nothing if we do not have love. The only way we can have that love which makes every good action worthwhile is by first receiving that love from God. Pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue. By grace, God has determined to live with and among his human creature. The love that God gives us is nothing but God’s self. Let’s not miss the point. The love that God gives us is nothing but God’s self. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.
### God’s Love and Our Love
There is not God and then something separate called God’s love. They are not two separate realities but one. Therefore, as a human being, I may love you and demonstrate that love for you in any number of tangible ways, but at the end of the day, I am not my love. But God is love.
So as Christians, we confess that if you want to know what God’s love for humankind looks like, if you want to know what God’s love for the world looks like, look no further than the whole life of Jesus Christ, because that’s where you’re going to find it. When we pray, asking God to pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, we are not asking for warm sentimental stuff. We’re not asking God to warm our hearts and give us that pitter-patter feeling, but rather we are asking that God in Christ would come into our hearts and govern our lives from the center of our being, so as to conform our lives to His through the power and presence of His indwelling Holy Spirit.
### The Temple of Our Bodies
The temple Solomon dedicated in Jerusalem was an early indication, an early sign pointing forward to our time, to the reality that the temple of our very bodies is where God comes to dwell. Revelation 3:20–the risen Christ says, “Listen, I am standing at the door and knocking. If you hear my voice, if you open the door, I will come into you and eat with you, and you with me.”
### A Humble Cry
Our prayer in today’s Collect is nothing other than our humble cry for God to fill our lives just as He filled Solomon’s temple. It is our prayer for real communion with the living God, to bring us back to what is truly all-important here, which is that we actually encounter this God who is at the heart of our worship. Like Peter, come to the conviction that He is the Holy One of God, that He alone has the words of eternal life.
### Overcoming Distractions
In my own journey and ministry thus far, it has become increasingly apparent to me just how easily we, as believers, can become distracted from this Jesus who desires to be at the heart of our worship, from this God who yearns to be the object of our worship. On one hand, as believers, we may become distracted by the sorts of comfort zones or comfortable routines in which we allow our lives to settle, such that our faith often goes unchecked or unchallenged from day to day. We may be lulled into thinking that we may rest on our laurels and exert no further initiative to grow deeper in the knowledge and love of God.
On the other hand, we may become entirely absorbed by the cares and concerns of this life, such that the Word of God or the things of faith have little or no effect or impact in our lives. They become optional extras. If I have time to do it, if I have time to go to church, if I have time to study the scripture, if I have time to spend on the things of God, then I will engage it.
### Building Other Homes
In both these instances, whether we have become laxed or absorbed by so many other things, we set about building other homes, other shelters for our lives. We miss out on the wonderful gift of communion with the living God, which God gives us specifically in Jesus Christ within the temple of our bodies.
Like David, we want to build a house for the God who cannot be contained. We want to build homes and shelters for our lives, which were not meant to shelter our lives when God Himself wants to come and dwell within us.
### Standing in Faith
My brothers and sisters, the reality is that in coming to live among us, God does not invite us to build Him a temple, or to build other temples. Instead, He invites us to come and to stand in faith and in obedience to Him, to allow Him to build us into His temple. Jesus is at the heart of Christian worship. Our battle is to remain focused. It’s not one against flesh and blood. The weapons we employ are not the traditional weapons of war.
We are called to stand in the truth of Christ, in His righteousness, to be conformed to His life, always ready to proclaim the gospel of His peace. He gives us faith in Him, not worthiness, so that we may be able to stand in the knowledge of our salvation–the certain knowledge that we have been, that we are being, that we will be saved. Our only offensive weapon, if we listen carefully, is the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. That alone is sufficient, friends.
### The Journey Ahead
So as we fight to share this life with Christ at the center, let us never forget: there is no wound that mortal flesh can ever inflict upon us that Christ is not able to heal. Let us press on. This God whom we worship has given us His own flesh for the life of the world and, in doing so, He invites us to communion with Him, to truly love Him. Let us return to Him above all else, for the outpouring of this most excellent gift of love, because that for which we pray is the One who is our eternal life.
Amen.
A Reflection on John 6:56
It’s always heartening to see familiar faces again, and today is no exception. Despite many of our friends traveling somewhere between Pennsylvania and Toronto after attending St. James Episcopal Church this morning, it’s a joy to share this time together with you. This morning, I want to share some profound words from John’s Gospel, specifically chapter 6, verse 56. In these words, Jesus said, “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood, abide in me, and I in them.”
The Identity of Jesus
The Gospel of John is unique in how it reveals Jesus’s identity through various signs and statements, attributing to Him roles that elucidate His divine nature. It includes at least seven “I am” statements where Jesus describes Himself in different metaphors to highlight His identity:
– I am the light of the world.
– I am the door or gate to the sheep.
– I am the good shepherd.
– I am the resurrection and the life.
– I am the vine, you are the branches.
These statements provide us with multi-faceted perspectives on Jesus’s divine identity, akin to viewing different sides of a precious jewel. The statement that resonates with me today is Jesus’s declaration: “I am the bread of life. I am the living bread which came down from heaven.”
The Meaning of “The Bread of Life”
Jesus’s statement, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven,” invites us to delve deeper into its meaning. He says, “Whoever eats of this bread will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” This statement is startling and immediately raises questions: Is Jesus urging us to literally eat His flesh and drink His blood? Historically, this led to accusations of cannibalism against early Christians, as misunderstood by second-century critics of the faith.
The Jews of Jesus’s time were equally perplexed, asking, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Pressing further, Jesus insisted, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” This provokes a deeper contemplation on taking Jesus’s life into ourselves, so His life becomes our own, reinforcing that we live through His life.
The Physical and Spiritual Nourishment
On a spiritual level, Jesus’s words might seem metaphorical, but there’s an unmistakable physical and tangible aspect in John’s gospel. Jesus’s proposition is balanced between the physical act of the Eucharist and the spiritual reception of His life. Bishop N.T. Wright comments that by Jesus’s sacrifice, symbolized through Good Friday, His followers can truly partake in His life. This is not merely symbolic; it’s an invitation to receive the manifold benefits of His saving death, both spiritual and tangible.
The Desire for Christ
To receive these benefits, there must first be desire. Think about a moment in a store; our children always want to buy everything they see. This raw desire must be trained and focused. Similarly, to receive Christ’s benefits, we must deeply desire and seek them with our hearts. Solomon’s story in the Book of Kings illustrates this perfectly. When God asked Solomon what he desired most, he chose wisdom to govern God’s people over long life or riches. This choice demonstrated Solomon’s higher desire—to walk in God’s wisdom.
Walking in Wisdom
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, walking in wisdom is equated with being filled with the Spirit. Contrary to some dramatic portrayals, being filled with the Spirit means living wisely every day, modeling our lives after Jesus Christ. This sober, wise living is necessary as evil lurks around us, and our nourishment comes from above—the bread of life.
The Eucharist as our Nourishment
Jesus offers a profound promise: “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day.” The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is central to this sustenance. It is not a magical rite, but a profound means by which Jesus continues to give Himself to us. During the pandemic, many felt a profound absence because we could not gather and partake in the Eucharist. This highlights the depth of our need for this divine nourishment.
Closing Prayer
So, I pray that God grants us a continual desire—a deep hunger and thirst for His life within ours. May we all be filled with the living bread that came down from heaven, for whoever eats this bread will live forever. This is not just good news; it is the ultimate gift of life from Jesus Christ.
**Let us pray.**
Living God, you are the giver of wisdom and true discernment, guiding those who seek your ways to choose the good. Mercifully grant, Lord, that your people, feasting on the true bread of heaven, may have eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Last week, I mentioned I wouldn’t dive into lengthy preaching, but here we are sharing the wisdom.
Many of you have known me for a long time. Imagine if one Sunday I stood before you and declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever believes in me will never die.”
Would you believe me, knowing who I am? Likely not. You’d think, “Isn’t this Leonard? He used to come here years back.”
Food. It’s something we all talk about. Everywhere you go, food matters. You see people lined up for food because they are hungry. But what is food, really?
Let me turn this question to you: What is food? It’s sustaining, nourishing, and comforting. That’s what some of you have said, and you’re right. Food is anything that you consume that sustains you. But there’s more to it—let’s explore.
The Essence of Food
Everything God created as a living organism eats. Ants eat, birds eat, even lions eat their prey. Similarly, we clamor for food. The ancient Romans would eat to their fill, go to the washroom to vomit, and come back to eat more. Food was that significant to them.
Last week, I mentioned that Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” This statement has profound implications. Bread signifies sustenance and nourishment. But Jesus wasn’t just referring to physical bread; He was talking about something much deeper—spiritual nourishment.
The Significance of Bread
In many cultures, bread is a staple. In my hometown, for instance, bread includes corn and plantain dough. In ancient times, bread was crucial to daily sustenance. Jesus’ statement about being the bread of life was monumental. He said, “I am the bread of life. He who eats this bread will never be hungry.”
For the people around Jesus, bread was not just food; it was life. When He declared Himself as the bread of life, He was making a theological statement—He was claiming to be God. This was controversial at the time. They wondered, “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” Yet, Jesus boldly said, “Before Abraham was, I am.”
The Implication of “I Am”
When Jesus said, “I am the bread of life,” He was equating Himself with God. The phrase “I am” echoes back to when God spoke to Moses through the burning bush, saying, “I am who I am.” This sacred name signifies God’s eternal presence and sufficiency.
So when Jesus used “I am,” He was not just talking about physical sustenance but spiritual sufficiency. He was telling us that He is enough, that in Him we find all we need.
Understanding Spiritual Food
As Christians, we often come to church looking for physical solutions, focusing on temporal needs. However, Jesus calls us to look beyond the physical. He offers spiritual food that changes our whole being, making us Christ-centered.
We often prioritize physical wealth and forget the spiritual riches that Jesus offers. The spiritual food Jesus provides transforms us, aligning our hearts and minds with God’s will. It feeds our soul in ways that physical food never can.
Jesus, the Door and the Bread
Jesus declared, “I am the door” and “I am the bread of life.” As my colleague noted, Jesus is also the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. This means our spiritual journey begins with Jesus. He is the door to spiritual fulfillment and eternal life.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, our priorities as Christians should be to seek spiritual nourishment over physical wealth. This involves setting our focus on Jesus and His teachings. Understanding that He is our spiritual bread and door means embracing the spiritual essence of His word.
As you engage with the scriptures, do so with the intent to inwardly digest them, using them to guide your life. Remember, Jesus is sufficient for all our needs—He is our spiritual food, and in Him, we find everlasting nourishment.
In the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear readers,
Today, I want to share some reflections on a poignant story that resonates deeply with our human experience—the story of David and Bathsheba. Whenever we read this story, our judgments vary. Some blame Bathsheba for bathing on the rooftop; others point fingers at David. The reality is, this story encompasses many layers of human actions and consequences.
Recently, I found myself pondering why this narrative, laden with so much moral complexity, is included in the Bible, a book we consider holy. My research led me to a profound realization about human frailty. David, before becoming king, had a heart that God himself cherished. He was close to God, a figure both revered and flawed. Theologians describe David as a king, priest, and prophet, yet his actions reveal his vulnerability.
David’s story, although ancient, mirrors our current realities. When bestowed with power, unchecked authority can lead to impunity, arrogance, greed, and corruption. These issues persist in our society today, affecting everyone from religious leaders to politicians. David’s narrative serves as a reminder that no one is immune to these flaws.
When the prophet Nathan confronted David, he did so with wisdom and diplomacy. Instead of outright condemnation, Nathan shared a parable that resonated deeply with David, leading him to realize his own guilt. David’s response is telling—he confessed and sought forgiveness. This act of contrition highlights a significant biblical theme: the power of sincere repentance and divine forgiveness.
Nathan’s method of guiding David to self-awareness and confession teaches us an essential lesson about judgment. We are often quick to judge others without understanding the full scope of their actions or motivations. David’s repentance and God’s forgiveness illustrate that no sin is too great if one sincerely seeks forgiveness.
Moreover, this story calls us to introspection. We must recognize our own flaws and seek divine forgiveness. God’s capacity to forgive is boundless if we approach Him with humility and genuine remorse.
Turning our focus to unity, another crucial teaching emerges from the Epistles of Paul. Paul emphasized that unity in the Christian community is not based on similarities, but on the love of God. Despite our diverse gifts and roles, we are united in our purpose to serve God. This unity is reinforced through fellowship—coming together to utilize our unique abilities for mutual edification.
The diversity of gifts within the Christian community mirrors the early church. Some were apostles, prophets, teachers, and seers, all working towards a collective goal. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of using our gifts responsibly and for the common good, rather than for self-aggrandizement.
Reflecting on our contemporary Christian landscape, I often marvel at the proliferation of churches. Despite this, there seems to be a disconnect between our faith and societal progress. It is crucial to remember that our gifts are meant to foster community and support one another, not create divisions.
Let us consider the metaphor of family. Each family has its own set of challenges, but ideally, it operates on mutual support and love. Similarly, the Christian community should function on these principles, helping each other grow in faith and love. This is the essence of our fellowship—a community built on compassion, understanding, and shared purpose.
In closing, I urge you to delve into the Gospel of John, particularly the passages where Jesus asks, “Who do people say I am?” Reflect on who Jesus is to you personally and how His teachings influence your life. Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life,” inviting us to find spiritual nourishment and fulfillment in Him.
May these reflections inspire you to seek unity, forgiveness, and a deeper understanding of our shared faith.
In the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
I hope to see you all next week.
Leonard Abah
When I walk into a place filled with familiar faces and friends, I feel an overwhelming sense of peace. That’s exactly how I feel whenever I come here, surrounded by all of you. I’m grateful to spend two more Sundays with you, so there’s no need to be afraid.
The Lessons from David’s Story
Today, we reflect on a strange yet profound story from the Old Testament about King David. David, a man after God’s own heart, succumbed to grievous sin by taking a soldier’s wife and then orchestrating the soldier’s death through a letter to the commander. It’s a shocking tale, yet it is a testament to human fallibility and divine forgiveness.
David’s actions were exposed when Prophet Nathan confronted him. Nathan told David that if he needed more wives, God would have provided them. Yet, David’s greed and misuse of power led him astray. Despite his numerous wives and concubines, he wanted more, which only highlights human nature’s inclination towards dissatisfaction.
Upon realizing his mistakes, David repented profoundly. Psalm 51, attributed to his repentance, reminds us that no one is righteous; we have all committed sins. David’s story prompts us to look around and acknowledge that corruption isn’t confined to our leaders—it exists within us all. Are we, like David, willing to confront our own faults and seek God’s forgiveness?
God’s Sufficiency for All Our Needs
Today’s readings, particularly from the Gospel of John, center on God’s all-sufficiency. Unlike us, God is self-sufficient, needing nothing. As His creation, however, we are perpetually in need. Psalm 23 reassures us with these words: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” But let’s not misinterpret that. Being human, we will always have needs, whether small or great.
Matthew 7:7 resonates with the concept of seeking and finding, asking, and receiving. It’s all about recognizing our needs and seeking God’s provision.
People followed Jesus for various reasons: some sought miracles, others sought healing, and some were even hoping for material blessings. They were fascinated by His acts, with many questions on their minds: Is He the Messiah? Can He help me? Would He make us win the lottery if He were here today?
Imagine winning a million-dollar jackpot. It seems like a dream, but God provides us with more than we can ask or imagine. Jesus cares about our needs, evidenced by His miraculous provision of manna in the wilderness and water for the thirsty Israelites. Glory be to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.
The Miracle of Provision
The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish is a testament to His boundless provision. The small boy who offered his humble meal exemplifies faith and generosity. Despite the vast crowd, Jesus took what was given, blessed it, and ensured everyone was satisfied, even gathering leftovers. Isn’t God wonderful?
God doesn’t work in isolation. He uses people like us to accomplish His purposes. How did it happen that only one small boy had food among thousands? That’s a mystery. Yet, through that small offering, Jesus performed a miracle.
God’s Wonder in Daily Life
Consider this: take your child to a picnic and offer them an ice cream, then stretch out your hand and ask for a bite back. Watch their reaction—it’s often one of reluctance. Yet, the boy gave up his bread and fish willingly. God works in mysterious ways, using ordinary people for extraordinary purposes.
Let me share a story of a very wealthy man whose daughter’s wedding gown tore on her special day. Despite his wealth, he didn’t have a simple needle and thread to fix it. A poor old lady, however, came forward with a needle and thread, saving the day. This incident underscores that we all have needs beyond material wealth. Sometimes, it’s the simplest things that make the biggest difference.
God’s Abundant Love and Provision
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, recognize that God is always ready to give us more than we can ask or imagine. It’s His abundant provision that allows us to share with others who are in need. We are all in this cycle of giving and receiving, under the glorious provision of God.
In the Name of God, the Father, God, the Son, God, the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Greetings, dear readers.
It is wonderful to connect with all of you today. On this 9th Sunday after Pentecost, I have some reflections to share from the letter of Paul to the Ephesians. Specifically, I want to delve into Ephesians chapter 2, verses 13 to 14:
“To the Gentiles, Paul writes, remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now, writes Paul, in Christ Jesus, you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
Paul’s words, “You who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ,” resonate deeply as they encapsulate the transformative power of Christ’s love.
The Power of Perspective
At home, my daughters love to play with an old cell phone. They make videos, take pictures, and even edit funny features into their creations. Recently, they attached the phone to a remote control vehicle and cast the image to a TV in another room, using it as a spy cam. They even claimed to know all the ingredients of a smoothie I was making!
What stands out for me is how sometimes they zoom in so closely on a picture that it becomes difficult to identify what it is. This playful “zooming in” mirrors the way we often view our lives, focusing intently on our immediate concerns and missing the larger picture.
Lessons from Bible Study
This past Thursday evening at Bible study, we concluded our study of the book of Daniel. This study was meant to prepare those going to see a live production of Daniel in Lancaster. Throughout our study, we were reminded again and again of the reality of God’s providence, or God’s protective care and control over all creation, our lives included.
God’s providence can be easy to miss when we focus too narrowly on our own immediate situations. When we zoom in too closely, we might question if God is aware of our personal struggles and circumstances.
Zooming Out with the Book of Daniel
The book of Daniel helps us to zoom out and see God’s hand at work not just in Daniel’s immediate circumstances under Babylonian exile, but across centuries. God was always at work, even amidst the evil powers of other kingdoms, drawing people toward His ultimate plan.
David’s Vision Expanded
Today’s scripture from the Old Testament recounts David’s desire to build a temple for the Ark of the Covenant. However, God, through the prophet Nathan, redefined David’s vision by declaring that He, the Lord, would make David a house—a dynasty, culminating in the eternal reign of Christ from David’s line. This required David to zoom out and see God’s greater plan beyond his own immediate desires.
Jesus’s Compassionate Call
In today’s Gospel reading from Mark, we find Jesus inviting His disciples to rest after returning from their missions. Despite their excitement and the constant demands from people, this was also an invitation to zoom out and reflect on the bigger picture of their ministry.
When Jesus saw the crowd as sheep without a shepherd, He was moved with compassion. His healing and teaching were previews of His promise in John 12:32: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” This illustrates His working to draw all creation unto Himself, emphasizing a broader divine vision.
Contemporary Divisions and Unity in Christ
Our world today is fraught with divisions—race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, political affiliations, even beliefs about masks and vaccines. When we let these divisions dictate our relationships, we miss out on the profound unity we have in Christ.
Paul’s message to the Ephesians challenges us to recognize that, despite differences, we are all reconciled to the one true God through Jesus Christ. Through faith, we become fellow citizens in God’s household, transcending our divisions.
Personal Reflection: Where Are You?
So, I invite you to reflect: Where are you in this world today? What personal battles are you facing? Are you like David, perhaps comfortable and forgetting your dependence on God? Or are you like the excited disciples, missing the point of God’s work through you? Or maybe like the Ephesians, focusing on what separates rather than unites us?
The Bigger Picture
Remember that God’s view is both from a distance and intimately close. His providence is ever-active, and though we may struggle to see the larger picture, God is drawing us toward His purposes. My prayer for us today is simple: May God grant us the grace to see His hand at work in our lives, to find faith and courage in His guidance, and to remain faithful in following His divine direction.
Thank you for reading, and may you find peace and clarity in embracing the bigger picture of God’s providence in your life.
Amen
by Peter Owadayo
Sometimes God physically touches His people, and in those moments, you can feel His presence in an indescribable way—what I like to call “Holy Ghost goosebumps.” There might be heat, tingling, or other sensations that reveal His glorious presence among us. This morning, I want to take you on a journey of surrendering yourself under God’s control, drawing inspiration from Moses’ plea in Exodus chapter 33, “Lord, please show me your glory.”
**Surrendering to God’s Control**
Today, we are going to explore how we can witness God’s glory by releasing our spirit under the Holy Spirit’s control. Just as Moses did, we will see His glory if we let go and surrender to Him fully. It’s through surrender that we can truly experience the enduring mercy and might of the Lord, our omnipotent Father
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**Welcoming the Holy Spirit**
I invite you to welcome the Holy Spirit into your life and your space. Sing with me if you know the words:
“Holy Spirit, thou art welcome in this place.
Holy Spirit, thou art welcome in this place.
Omnipotent Father of mercy and grace, thou art welcome in this place.”
**Prayer for Healing and Restoration**
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the great physician. This morning, we ask for your presence to move among us. Heal every infirmity, restore lives, mend broken relationships, and bring joy into our homes. Provide strength to our seniors and open doors of opportunity for your people.
**Living a Joyful Life in God**
God has called us to live a joyful and victorious life in Him. There is no specific formula for a faith-filled life, but He has given us ways to strengthen our faith daily. Through prayer, reading, and meditating on His word, and serving others, we can grow closer to Him.
**God at the Center**
When we make God the center of our lives, every situation and circumstance will follow His divine will. Just like in the house of Obed-Edom, where everything fell into place because they recognized and honored the presence of God, we too can experience His blessings when we keep Him at the heart of our lives.
**Recognizing God’s Presence**
The Ark of the Covenant, a symbol of God’s supreme power and presence, contained the laws that guided His people. When the Ark was taken away, the Israelites strayed from God’s commandments. However, King David’s act of bringing the neglected Ark back to his new capital demonstrated the importance of returning to God and recognizing His presence in our lives.
Sometimes we may act out of our own foolishness, like Lot’s wife, who turned back and became a pillar of salt. But when we recognize God’s presence and move forward in faith, we embrace His joy and blessings.
**Obedience and Blessings**
When we obey God’s word, we open ourselves to His blessings. David and the Israelites rejoiced at the triumphant return of the Ark, which symbolized the presence of God among them. Similarly, Jesus Christ is our Ark, the manifestation of God’s favor, and through Him, our prayers and praises are accepted.
**A Call to Put God First**
Beloved, when we put God first in our lives, our homes, and our work, we will see His glory revealed. Just as Obed-Edom was blessed for valuing God’s presence, we too can attract blessings by making God the center. Our lives should be an open book that mirrors God’s love and grace to our community.
**Conclusion**
In our journey, let’s allow God to be paramount. Trust in Him for solutions, and let’s ensure His commandments guide our decisions. As we pray:
“Eternal God, move in our individual lives. As we journey in this race, Holy Spirit, we need your intervention, especially in these end times. Help us live our lives carefully, with you at the center.”
Amen.
Some words from Mark’s Gospel, chapter 6, reading from verse 7 to 9, have been resonating with me deeply. In these verses, we hear that Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff: no bread, no bag, no money in their belts, but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.
As we’ve journeyed with Jesus over these past few Sundays through the lens of Mark’s gospel, I’ve come to see that Mark offers us glimpses of faith—faith as it is oriented toward Jesus as both its source and object. This faith revolves around his power at work in the lives of those he encountered.
Faith in Action
In Jesus’s earthly ministry, he traveled around teaching and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God, healing many who were brought to him in various conditions needing healing. By doing so, he kindled the faith of those around him and invited them to ponder who he was—one who could teach with such power and authority.
When Jesus stilled the storm in the company of his disciples, their faith was once again stoked, prompting them to ask, “Who then is this that even the wind and the sea obey him?” This question echoes through the narratives we’ve explored, from the faith of Jairus and his healed daughter to the unnamed woman whose faith led her to touch Jesus’s clothing for healing.
Faith in Jesus’s Hometown
Today, Mark contrasts two examples of faith: the faith, or lack thereof, in Jesus’s hometown of Nazareth and the faith of the twelve disciples whom Jesus sent out. Upon returning to Nazareth with his disciples, Jesus taught among those who had known him since childhood. While they recognized the wisdom in his teachings and witnessed great deeds of power, their familiarity bred contempt. They could not reconcile the man they knew with the authority he displayed, and thus their unbelief hindered Jesus’s work among them.
The Warning of Prejudices
This passage serves as a caution about how our prejudices and preconceived notions can limit our understanding and experience of God’s work. When we pigeonhole God, viewing Jesus merely as an interesting historical figure, an excellent teacher, or a great prophet, we miss out on recognizing him as our Lord and God.
The Disciples’ Example
In stark contrast to the unbelief in Nazareth is the faith of the disciples. Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits and sent them out with nothing but the clothes on their backs to proclaim the message of repentance, cast out demons, and heal the sick. This sends a profound message about trust and dependence on God. Like the disciples, we are called to lean not on our own strength but on God’s provision and guidance.
Our Role as Modern Disciples
As modern-day followers of Jesus, we stand on the shoulders of these early disciples, called to continue their mission. We are sent out not with our own authority, but with God’s. It’s not our efforts that sustain us; it’s God who equips and supports us. As a church, reflecting on the seventy years past and the years ahead, we may doubt our strength, but it is God who supplies what we need for the journey.
Dependence on God
True faith often becomes evident in times of lack. When we have nothing else to lean on, we recognize our deep dependence on God. Too much abundance can lead to self-reliance, but in moments of bare necessity, God’s sustaining power becomes clear. Blessed are those who know their need of God, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Concluding Thoughts
The two contrasting examples of faith in Mark’s Gospel—unbelief in Nazareth and the disciples’ faith—remind us that Jesus’s presence demands a response. We will either embrace faith or turn away in disbelief. Let us choose to be like the disciples, welcoming Jesus into our lives and relying on his power.
In doing so, our very lives become conduits for God’s work, living prophetically to invite others to encounter the same Jesus we have. Beyond what we think we know about Jesus, I pray that we all have a fresh encounter with him today, recognizing him not just as a historical figure or great teacher, but as the Lord and God of our lives and of all creation.
My prayer is that we would respond obediently to his call and serve him faithfully throughout our lives.
Everyone good? Today, I’d like to share some reflections from Mark’s Gospel, Chapter Five, verses 22 to 24. This passage introduces us to Jairus, one of the leaders of the synagogue. Jairus came to Jesus, fell at His feet, and begged repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her so that she may be made well and live.” Moved by his plea, Jesus went with him.
The Journey from Fear to Faith
We often encounter fear of the unknown, fear of others’ opinions, and fear of change. These fears can overwhelm us, particularly when we are praying for something we desperately need. Just last Sunday, we heard in the Gospel reading about the disciples’ fear during a powerful storm at sea, with Jesus asleep in the boat. Mark’s account, I believe, is not random but carefully placed to highlight a transformation from fear to faith.
In the midst of that storm, the disciples were terrified. When Jesus woke and calmed the storm, the disciples asked, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the waves obey him?” This question captured their ignorance, confusion, and the beginning of their understanding. It opened a pathway to deeper faith.
Embracing Christian Discipleship
Our Christian journey is fraught with uncertainties. We are bound to face situations where we feel unsure and afraid. How do we navigate the space between fear and faith? Jairus faced this predicament as his daughter lay dying. He risked his reputation and sought out Jesus amid a crowd clamoring for His attention. Despite his fears, Jairus begged Jesus repeatedly, demonstrating his readiness to shed any pretense.
Jesus responded without hesitation, following Jairus to his home. Upon arrival, Jesus took Jairus’s daughter by the hand and said, “Talitha koum,” meaning “Little girl, get up.” Immediately, she got up and started walking as if nothing was ever wrong. Jesus told Jairus, “Do not fear, only believe.”
Confronting Our Own Fears
We are often held back from reaching out to God due to our fears and misconceptions. We might feel our concerns are less pressing than others or consider ourselves unworthy. These fears mirror those of the woman suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. By Jewish law, her touch would make others ceremonially unclean. Yet, in her desperation and faith, she touched Jesus’s clothes, believing she would be healed.
The Miraculous Power of Faith
This woman’s touch became her channel for healing. She acted on her faith, despite her fears. Like Jairus and this woman, we are called to have faith in Jesus’s presence among us. This faith draws us out from the dark places in our lives, from following the crowd, and from merely being admirers of Jesus. It pulls us into a deeper, more committed discipleship.
Jesus calls us away from our fears and into faith, much like He did the disciples who were hiding in fear before Pentecost. In the upper room, they were transformed by God’s presence, transitioning from fear to bold, public proclamation of their faith.
The Light of Christ in Our Lives
Every day, in morning prayer, we recite the Benedictus, declaring, “In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us to shine upon those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
The shadow of death doesn’t just mean physical death; it symbolizes all the areas we try to shield from God’s light. It’s like a solar eclipse that temporarily blocks the sun’s light. Christ’s light, however, penetrates even these dark corners, leading us into peace.
Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus
As Jesus guided Jairus through his fears, He guides us too. By focusing our faith on Him, we learn to navigate the space between fear and faith. Jesus’s words resonate deeply: “Do not fear. Just believe.”
In this journey, let’s keep our eyes trained on Jesus. It is only through Him that we can transform our fears into unwavering faith.
Amen.
