February 16, 2025 – Epiphany 6C

“He came down with them and stood on a level place with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases, and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And everyone in the crowd was trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you[a] on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven, for that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.” Luke 6:17-26

We often find ourselves in situations where we are more open to hearing G-d’s words and promises – like at a funeral, or after a national tragedy. This is where we find ourselves today, encountering Jesus and his sermon on the plain – the same sermon we find a version in the Gospel of Matthew. Something we need to take notice of are the contrasts that are playing out between these accounts — contrasts between the geography, the audiences, and between the understanding of what it means to be blessed. Let’s begin by comparing the two famous sermons Jesus gave—Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount, and his Sermon on the Plain which we have here in Luke. 

Biblical scholars suggest that there is a theological emphasis in the location of the two sermons—between Matthew’s emphasis that it happens on the mountain, and Luke’s emphasis that it happens on a level place. You see, the biblical place of a mountain was the place of piety and where Jesus would retreat from everyone to pray—to be in communion with G-d. The mountain has always been a place where people went to be closer to G-d: Moses, Elijah, and Jesus. In Matthew, Jesus gathers his disciples on the mountain and he gives his lengthy sermon which begins with his blessings. He won’t come down off the mountain for three chapters—Matthew 5 through Matthew 8—to continue his ministry. In Luke, however, Jesus comes down from the mountain, gathers his twelve disciples, his “other” followers and people from the regions of Tyre and Sidon, Jerusalem and Judea, and delivers his sermon among the people. The significance of coming down the mountain is one of emphasis in Luke—he comes down to be among the people, the poor, the Gentiles, the rabble who have come because they have heard the rumors about Jesus. So while Matthew has Jesus delivering his sermon in the “place where G-d resides”, Luke is delivering his sermon “where the people reside”. We cannot miss this point.

Luke differentiates between the poor and the rich by the focus of their intention. In other words, Jesus says the poor inherit the kingdom of G-d because this is where they put their hope for the future. Their future held G-d’s riches for eternity. The rich, on the other hand, place their focus on the now, maintaining and enjoying what they already have – their present gratification.

So, what can we take away from this text today? As 21st century Americans who live in such wealth, prosperity and “earthly blessedness”—and as American Christians who certainly see ourselves as insiders—what good news is there for us? Is there any Grace for us? Well, there is—and it comes in understanding that this text defines two things for us—what the kingdom of G-d is like, and what true discipleship is supposed to be. The ways of the Kingdom of G-d are not defined by human aspirations or appearances. In other words, we must always remember Jesus’ teaching about the first being last, and the last being first. Those who have on earth cannot automatically assume that their earthly blessings will mean heavenly blessings.  Being rich, full, happy and beloved by human standards gets us very little in G-d’s Kingdom. As such, the real emphasis for us then should be on our discipleship – not on whether we are guaranteed a spot in heaven.

Pastor Dave

February 17, 2025 -- February is….Interpreting Tongues

If someone has the gift of speaking in tongues, then for it to be a clear message from G-d, there has to be someone who has the gift of interpreting tongues -- the ability to communicate the message back to others. As a life-long Lutheran, I have never encountered someone speaking in tongues. It is a world of faith that is foreign to me. And yet for many in the Christian church, it is just as legitimate as a “Christian Snake Handler”, and for some it is just as mysterious. But this is the kind of G-d we have – a G-d who will not stop at using any resource, any gift, any creature to tell people of G-d’s love for all.

Members of the charismatic movement believe that the nine spiritual gifts that Paul speaks about in I Corinthians 12 are just as present among Christians of the 21st century as they were in apostolic times. Other Christians, like Lutherans, believe that some of those “extraordinary gifts” such as speaking in tongues were given by the Holy Spirit to the first century church in apostolic times -- but they have since disappeared from the church. Such differences of opinion have frequently caused tensions to arise among Christians – some stating that if the gift of “speaking in tongues” is not present in a church then it is not a legitimate expression of the Holy Spirit.

Here is my question: Why can’t we leave some things to the work of G-d and the mysterious element of the Holy Spirit? Rather than accuse each other of being more faithful, or more “spirit led”, why can’t we celebrate all gifts of the spirit? G-d uses many expressions to get the message of Jesus Christ across to all people, and the same message is not heard by all people the same way. That is the beauty of the church. There are all kinds of services, styles of worship, and opportunities to share gifts that anyone can find a church community that fits their needs. Someone who has the gift of “interpreting tongues” would not be able to use that gift in my church – and that is a waste of a gift. When we die and go to heaven, then we will see in a mirror clearly – for now it is a smoky mirror and a cloudy understanding of what G-d is doing in the world and where we are all being led. If you feel your gifts are not being utilized, then find a church that embraces those gifts.

Pastor Dave

February 18, 2025 – February is….The Gift of Generosity

To have a generous heart is to be willing to give – in many areas of your life, in many different expressions of your life – and not just in monetary terms. If you did not know already, I preach at a lot of funerals. One of the consistent themes I hear from families is that the deceased was “generous”.  What I have determined they mean is, well, they mean a lot of different things. Some meant that the person would help out anyone in the family who needed something – including giving them money or being there to help them if they were moving. Other times they expressed that the deceased was generous because they would help out the poor, give money to the homeless who asked, donated money to the church and other charities. Other times they meant that someone was generous with their time – if someone needed someone to talk to they were there, or they went to visit shut-ins or other family who might be in a nursing home. 

You see, when people talk about generosity, they see the definition of the word in a wide range of meanings. And that is the beauty of someone who has the gift of generosity. Showing generosity can manifest itself in so many ways. But for the person who has the gift of generosity, they have a heart to always be generous. And people recognize their generosity. That is why it is a gift. We all have moments when we are generous, but we pick and choose our places and times. Having a heart of generosity, having the gift of generosity means living to be generous. I believe this is one of the gifts we can live into – that everyone can develop a heart of generosity.

Pastor Dave

February 19, 2025 – February is….The Smalcald Articles

Martin Luther was ill for much of his later years. He died in 1546 on the 18th of February at the age of 63. It was 1555 and the Peace of Augsburg that officially ended the religious struggle and allowed a permanent and legal division of Protestant and Catholic areas of Germany within the Holy Roman Empire.  However, Pope Paul III had previously, in June 1536, called for a general council to meet in Mantua in May 1537, and launched a diplomatic offensive to bring German princes and their theologians to that council. The opening of the council was delayed until December 1545, when it was convened in the episcopal city of Trent.  

The Saxon elector, John Frederick, had wanted Martin Luther to put into writing a sort of doctrinal “last will and testament”, a clear statement of his positions on the critical issues of the time. Thus began the writing of what would be called the Smalcald Articles. The document was structured to present Luther‘s teaching to the council. The Smalcald Articles were presented to Lutheran princes in February 1537, at the meeting of the defensive league they had organized in Smalcald in 1531. Ultimately they decided to use the Augsburg Confession and its Apology as the basis of their presentation at the council rather than Luther‘s Articles. 

Luther wrote a preface outlining his program for reform the following year (1538), and the Articles were printed, with a translation of Melanchthon‘s “Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope” attached. During the 1550s the Articles were used increasingly as an authoritative confessional document, and so they were to be included in the Book of Concord (1580).

What makes the Smalcald Articles so important to me are the mention of what Luther called the 5 “means of Grace”: Concerning the Gospel: We now want to return to the gospel, which gives guidance and help against sin in more than one way, because God is extravagantly rich in his grace: first, through the spoken word, in which the forgiveness of sins is preached to the whole world (which is the proper function of the gospel); second, through baptism; third, through the holy Sacrament of the Altar; fourth, through the power of the keys and also (fifth) through the mutual conversation and consolation of brothers and sisters.

Again, it is important to know the confessional writings of our Lutheran faith, even the more obscure ones – obscure but still vital to our Lutheran understanding of G-d’s Grace.

Pastor Dave

February 20, 2025 – February is....The Gift of Cheerfulness

Do you have someone in your life who is always cheerful, almost to the point you find it tiresome? And though these people may be hard to tolerate once in a while, well they are the kind of people we all need in our lives. Having the gift of cheerfulness is truly a gift. It doesn’t matter when you have lived in time, whether it was in times of prosperity or depression, in times of good or bad, “dust bowl” or “roaring twenties”, there have always been the cheerful – the truly cheerful people who could always find the good and always felt the need to share their happiness.

I have tried in my life to be cheerful – but it is not the easiest thing in the world. It truly is a gift to be cheerful in all aspects of your life. But to be honest, cheerfulness is a gift we truly give to others, and to ourselves. As people who have received an abundance of blessings from G-d, why shouldn't we be cheerful? We have every reason to live with joy in our hearts, smiles on our faces, and words of praise on our lips. But life is not that simple -- relationships go bad, jobs cause us stress, families face troubles. 

Let me end with a quote on cheerfulness that I like:

“Cheerfulness is among the most laudable virtues. It gains you the good will and friendship of others. It blesses those who practice it and those upon whom it is bestowed.” ― B.C. Forbes

I think that says it all.

Pastor Dave

February 21, 2025 – February is….Luther’s Small Catechism

Let me begin with Luther's Preface to the Small Catechism:

“Martin Luther, to all faithful and godly pastors and preachers: grace, mercy, and peace be yours in Jesus Christ, our Lord. The deplorable, miserable conditions which I recently observed when visiting the parishes have constrained and pressed me to put this catechism of Christian doctrine into this brief, plain, and simple form. How pitiable, so help me God, were the things I saw: the common man, especially in the villages, knows practically nothing of Christian doctrine, and many of the pastors are almost entirely incompetent and unable to teach. Yet all the people are supposed to be Christians, have been baptized, and receive the Holy Sacrament even though they do not know the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, or the Ten Commandments and live like poor animals of the barnyard and pigpen. What these people have mastered, however, is the fine art of tearing all Christian liberty to shreds.  Therefore dear brothers, for God's sake I beg all of you who are pastors and preachers to devote yourselves sincerely to the duties of your office, that you feel compassion for the people entrusted to your care, and that you help us accordingly to inculcate this catechism in the people, especially the young. If you cannot do more, at least take the tables and charts for catechism instruction and drill the people in them word for word…”

Thus begins the preface to the Small Catechism written by Martin Luther.  The opening lines say it all – The deplorable, miserable conditions of the faithful who did not know the Lord’s Prayer, Apostle’s Creed or the Ten Commandments. Luther took it upon himself to give the pastors a teaching tool – and we still use this teaching tool today in our catechism classes.  Luther admonished them, but also encouraged them to stick with it, not to give up, and to continue it year after year.

This continues to be our tradition in teaching the faith in the Lutheran church. And we all could use a refresher from time to time. This teaching tool is still vital to our faith understanding today.

Pastor Dave

February 22, 2025 – February is…..Understanding Justification by Grace through Faith

Justification by Grace through faith is the single most important theological concept in the Lutheran church. All things flow out of the Grace that comes through the cross of Jesus Christ.  

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”  Romans 5:1

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”  Ephesians 2:8
 
 

"The doctrine of justification," insisted Luther, "is the chief article of the whole Christian doctrine, which comprehends the understanding of all godliness." Throughout his life Luther struggled with finding the G-d of love. In time and through his reading of scripture Luther came to understand justification as being entirely the work of G-d. Against the teaching of his day that the righteous acts of believers are done to earn the love of G-d, Luther asserted that Christians receive that righteousness entirely from outside themselves; that righteousness not only comes from Christ, it actually is the righteousness of Christ, imputed to us (rather than infused into us) through faith. "That is why faith alone makes someone just and fulfills the law," said Luther. "Faith is that which brings the Holy Spirit through the merits of Christ". Thus faith, for Luther, is a gift from G-d.

What is most important to understand about Grace and Faith is that they are both a gift – Grace a gift from Christ through the cross – Faith a gift through the Holy Spirit that comes to us through means including word and Sacrament. Our response is to do the works of Christ, not so that we earn G-d’s love, but because G-d loves us so much that this reality drives us to be the hands and feet of Christ.

Pastor Dave

February 23, 2025 – Epiphany 7C

[Jesus said:] “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”Luke 6:27-38

What we have here in the Gospel lesson is the continuation of the Sermon on the Plain—which begins with the Blessings and the Woes. Here, whether the audience has changed or not, we have Jesus offering four examples of possible retaliation: if someone strikes you on the face…if someone takes your coat… in someone forces you to go an extra mile… if someone begs from you incessantly. The sermons on the Mount and the Plain teach us a lot about personal behavior.

When we read the text, we begin to think to ourselves that, if a disciple followed these teachings literally, these teachings do not seem wise or part of the wisdom of G-d to act in such a way. Here is the teaching:

-But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also;

-And if anyone wants to take your coat, give your shirt as well;

-And if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them back;

-Give to everyone who begs from you.

“What is Jesus talking about? Are these hyperboles and moral exaggerations?” What is Jesus trying to say to us?

We all have these human reactions that well up within us where we want to make an initial judgment against people who have done something to us, or strangers with whom we have had an unfortunate interaction, etc. We are quick to make judgments, and to make moral characterizations. What Jesus is trying to say here is to step back and take some time to ponder and to reflect—like having a chance to “unsend” a text—or un-mail a letter.

Jesus is teaching us not to be quick to revenge or judgment--but to try to find a way of understanding—trying to see if there is a way of learning more about their story. And these are tough teachings. He says “Don’t be quick to punitive thoughts. “Don’t be quick to judge”. Jesus wants to change the narrative—from quick and automatic irritation, anger and hatred—to understanding, insight, and Grace. Irritation, anger, hatred and retaliation only seem to heap gasoline on the fire of conflict. Jesus is teaching his disciples another way of dealing with conflict—and that is to step back and wait for discernment, and to wait for G-d’s voice to guide us and direct us.

Pastor Dave

February 24, 2025 -- February is….Preparing for Lent       

“When the king heard the charge, he was very much distressed. He was determined to save Daniel, and until the sun went down he made every effort to rescue him. Then the conspirators came to the king and said to him, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no interdict or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.” Then the king gave the command, and Daniel was brought and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you faithfully serve, deliver you!” A stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, so that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no food was brought to him, and sleep fled from him.” Daniel 6:14-18

“Living in a household with eight indoor cats requires buying large amounts of kitty litter, which I usually get in 25-pound bags—100 pounds at a time. When I was going to be out of town for a week, I decided to go to the supermarket to stock up. As my husband and I both pushed shopping carts, each loaded with five large bags of litter, a man looked at our purchases and queried, “Bengal or Siberian?” (A Joke from the Internet)

A man brought in his 12-year-old cat, complaining that the cat was peeing all over the apartment and had been for years. The veterinarian started the consultation with the basics:

Dr.: “What kind of litter are you using in the box?”

Client: “Box?”

Dr.: “Yes, what kind of litter is in the litter box?”

Client: “He doesn’t have a litter box. I let him out twice a day to do his business.”

Pause.

Dr.: “Get a litter box.”

Two weeks later, the client called with great news about the cat’s potty issues: “He’s cured!”

That is a true story, and I don’t know what to say. Except this, sometimes the most obvious remains elusive. This is true with the story of Daniel in the Lion’s den. One could surmise that we should learn from Daniel that trust in G-d will solve all of our problems. But that is not the lesson we should learn. The chief lesson we should learn comes from the confession of King Darius: “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end” (Daniel 6:26). In other words, our faith in G-d is a faith in a sovereign, omnipotent presence whose will takes precedence over our own. G-d’s ways are not our ways, and G-d’s thoughts are not our thoughts. Our task is to trust and obey, as the old hymn suggests. Or as Job teaches us: "Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?" (Job 2:10) 

Sometimes we may feel like we are living in a box of kitty litter surrounded by, well, you know. But our faith does not guarantee us a rose garden – it only confirms that G-d is the source of all blessings, and challenges, and that G-d’s Kingdom will not be destroyed.

Pastor Dave 

February 25, 2025 – February is…Preparing for Lent                                                                                           

 “Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” Then he was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat.” He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.” He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.” 1 Kings 19:1-9

“My husband bought an exercise machine to help him shed a few pounds. He set it up in the basement but didn’t use it much, so he moved it to the bedroom. It gathered dust there, too, so he put it in the living room. Weeks later I asked how it was going. “I was right,” he said. “I do get more exercise now. Every time I close the drapes, I have to walk around the machine.” (A joke from the Internet)

One of the first things that you learn about the geography of the Holy Land is that it’s tiny by American standards. From north to south, the modern state of Israel is only 290 miles long, and its width varies between 9 miles and 85 miles. With distances like that, a journey of 40 days and 40 nights is remarkable. The fact that the text says Elijah traveled day and night would presumably indicate walking at least 10-12 hours a day, leaving time for breaks and sleep. The math would indicate that if Elijah walked even 3 miles an hour, he would travel between 30 and 36 miles a day – which over 40 days and nights would mean he walked over 1200 miles. With that in mind, saying that his walk took “40 days and 40 nights” is just a way to say that he took “a long journey” – most likely not meant to be taken literally. It’s rather like when we say, “Thanks a million”—the million is just a way to indicate great thanks.

Did Elijah feel thankful for the provisions he received before he took “a long journey”? We are not told, but it was enough to strengthen him so he could make it to the Mountain of G-d. At Mt. Horeb he faces not only G-d but the awesomeness of G-d. And G-d gives him his instructions – he basically tells him to “go and do what needs to be done”. 

The bread and wine in communion we receive each Sunday may seem like a meager meal, but it is enough to strengthen us to go and do what G-d calls us to do. In this bread and wine we see the awesomeness of G-d – and having received the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation, we too are told to “go do what needs to be done”.

As I say each Sunday, “Come to the banquet for all is now ready”. It is spiritual food – and spiritual drink – to sustain us to do G-d’s work. 

Pastor Dave

February 26, 2025 – February is….Almost Over

“On the first day of the week, when we met to break bread, Paul was holding a discussion with them; since he intended to leave the next day, he continued speaking until midnight. There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were meeting. A young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in the window, began to sink off into a deep sleep while Paul talked still longer. Overcome by sleep, he fell to the ground three floors below and was picked up dead. But Paul went down, and bending over him took him in his arms, and said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” Then Paul went upstairs, and after he had broken bread and eaten, he continued to converse with them until dawn; then he left. Meanwhile they had taken the boy away alive and were not a little comforted.” Acts 20:7-12

“One rainy morning, my mother went for her daily run. As she returned to the house, she slipped and fell, hitting her head on the driveway. I called the paramedics. When they arrived, they asked my mom some questions to determine her coherency. “What is today?” inquired one man. Without hesitation, Mom replied, “Trash day.” (A joke from the Internet)

Neither Eutychus, not the woman from our “story” are having a good day. I spent 35 years of my life jogging to try to maintain some kind of cardio conditioning. And while jogging, I have fallen, tripped, slipped and experienced various injuries along the way. I have slipped on railroad tracks and cut my hand; I have slipped off curbs and ripped up my knees; I have almost been hit by trucks, school busses – and one Christmas Day was almost run over by a car. Thank the Lord I never hit my head when I fell. However, during a three-week period over the Christmas season, we had three members of my congregation fall when they slipped on ice or snow – two hit their heads and lost consciousness – the other twisted a knee. 

Eutychus fell and not only hit his head – he died instantly. It seemed initially that Eutychus’ luck had run out. But just because Paul was long-winded and unrelenting didn’t mean he couldn’t resolve to do something. And so, the first thing Paul does is he stops preaching; he finally stops preaching. Not that we want to get overly dramatic here and conclude that nothing short of a disaster can stop Paul from preaching a sermon, but I do notice that the first thing Paul does is to stop preaching. Not too long ago I attended a wedding where one of the bridesmaids passed out during the pastor’s sermon. The pastor stopped for five seconds – FIVE SECONDS – long enough to make sure the woman was still breathing, and then he continued preaching. He did not stop to help her – two of us from the church went and made sure she was ok, brought her some water and took her to a place to sit down. At least Paul stopped preaching. But that is not all he did – he healed the man – not just healed him but brought him back to life – restores his life and restores him to community.   

Jesus is the one who restores us all to life – life in our community of believers – and ultimately life in community. As members of these communities, we too must be active in restoring life – restoring the marginalized to community, and breathing life into our own faith. And just like Paul, we need to find ways to throw ourselves onto and into the problems our communities face. What we can be certain of is that we will be sustained by the Holy Spirit – the same spirit that calls us to breathe new life into the church continually. 

Pastor Dave

February 27, 2025 – February is….Celebrating the Rock of Our Salvation

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies. The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.” Psalm 18:1-5

Our relationship with G-d is at the heart of our moral life. And the images of G-d we form play an important role in how this relationship develops. For example, for many of my younger years I had formed the image of G-d as an angry G-d, a harsh punisher and ultimate judge. As such my relationship with G-d was one formed out of fear – not love and grace. But as I have been preaching on the love and grace of G-d for almost 20 years, my image of G-d has changed dramatically. 

As Christians we have certain influences for forming an image of G-d: the Sacraments, prayer, and bible study have as much influence as our experiences in and out of the church. These all influence how we think and feel about G-d. One image of G-d that comes to us through scripture comes from the Psalms (18, 62). These suggest the image of G-d as “Rock” – “The Lord is my Rock, my fortress”; “G-d alone is my Rock and my salvation.”

Now you may not be comfortable thinking about or comparing G-d to a rock, but we should not hold just one image of G-d in our hearts. We need to multiply our images of G-d. Different images help us to appreciate different aspects of G-d, who truthfully is always greater than any description. But each image we hold gives us a glimpse of the mystery of   G-d.

The bible offers a wonderful variety, including fire, love, shepherd, shelter, bread of life, and the Holy One. And the parables point to an intimate, loving G-d. So, what image of G-d is at the root of your relationship with G-d?

Pastor Dave

February 28, 2025 – February is…Seeing Through a Different Lens

“But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came to the temple courts again. All the people came to him, and he sat down and began to teach them. The experts in the law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught committing adultery. They made her stand in front of them and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. In the law Moses commanded us to stone to death such women. What then do you say?” (Now they were asking this in an attempt to trap him, so that they could bring charges against him.) Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. When they persisted in asking him, he stood up straight and replied, “Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground. Now when they heard this, they began to drift away one at a time, starting with the older ones, until Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up straight and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She replied, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”]] John 8:1-11

“The nonconformist Jesus who associated with the religious and social “Lowlife” of Palestine also serves as a corrective to a Christianity that is ever tempted to become respectable by this world’s standards …he frustrates all attempts to turn Christian faith into relevant ideology, right or left, and is a constant catalyst for renewing theological thought and church life.” (“The New Jerome Biblical Commentary”, scripture scholar John P. Meier)

If Jesus escapes all neat categories like first century political adversaries e.g. Pharisee or Sadducee, Greek or Jew, then faithful disciples of Jesus can expect to also see the world similar to the one they follow. But it is so hard to take in and love Gospel values and not want to lean to the left – or lean to the right. That is because our understanding of the meaning of life and our reactions to events of the world often are rooted in the competing messages of societal adversaries – political, athletic, and even in Christian denominations. This past political season has challenged many and highlighted much conflict between the Gospel life we are called to live and our own deeply held convictions.

What steps should or could you take to move beyond turning toward the competing political or economic or cultural views of the world, and instead turn toward Jesus’ ethic of treating all people as valuable and deserving love, mercy and Grace?

I always wondered what Jesus wrote on the ground when he knelt down during this encounter. I wonder if he wrote their names in the dirt indicating he knew some of these men had also abused women or had committed adultery. Perhaps he was enumerating each man’s individual sins that week. We will never know – but whatever he wrote, his vindication of this woman was enough to withstand their actions of judgment and hate. 

Jesus sees us through a different lens then right or left – he sees us through the lens of grace and love. Shouldn’t we do the same to each other? 

Pastor Dave