This week we look at a healing story which maybe more than just a healing. sight is restored to a blind man but insight is given to those who truly "see" and blindness is revealed in those who do not "see."
This reminds me of some of the jokes I tell. Some people get them and others do not. In a gathering I can hear someone laugh while others seem oblivious. I connect with the one while others miss. it. And then if someone wants to get in on it and you have to explain it, it is not really funny when you have to explain it.
Jesus heals the blind man, but he is really trying to do what he came to do - not miracles - but teach about love and grace and forgiveness to a world that knew judgement and "an eye for an eye!" It begins with an assumption. The man had been born as a blind baby. That must have been a judgement of God for someone's sins. So who done it? The child in the womb or the parents? This was the issue that the disciples wanted to know. Who sinned? We may not hear this so much anymore, but these people lived in a time and place where punishment from God was swift and obvious to make examples for others not to do it.
This is the premise behind the book of Job in the First (Old) Testament. He was being punished, so he must have done something to deserve it! But he did not. And as Rabbi Harold Kushner wrote in his award winning best seller "When Bad Things Happen to Good People." As we read through the story realize that neither these disciples nor the religious leaders had read the book!
So this healing story is an object lesson or teaching opportunity for Jesus to remove the blindness from all of us who would be followers into the kingdom of God.
The short answer to the disciples' question of who sinned is my favorite answer on those multiple choice questions. A) the parents. B) the baby C) non of the above. To the blind man and the disciples Jesus said "C" or he said "See." (Now if I have to explain this you just as my father used to say "fail to see the humor in it!)
As you read this chapter notice how many things have to change for people to believe in Jesus and to see him as the Son of God or Human One. In verse 14 we learn that the healing took place on the Sabbath a day strictly observed as a day of rest by the religious authorities. It was against the Law of Rest to heal on that day. They claim that Jesus sinned! He broke this law!
So a new answer emerges to the question above, "Who sinned?" D) Jesus!
But then in verse 25 we get a new insight from the man who received sight. He does not answer the sin question but poses for us a new perspective (you can do that when you truly see it - get it?) He says in essence, "What's the BIG deal?" It's not sinning it is seeing. he offers the line we sing in Amazing Grace - "I was blind - but now I see."
This man sees and believes. See verse 38.
What do you see, what do you believe? The answer is D) Jesus!
Friday, May 2, 2014
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
John 8
This chapter begins with a familiar story of two people caught in adultery - well, actually they only catch the woman and bring her before Jesus to see if he will condemn her to death by stoning as they said Moses had commanded in the Law. Jesus comes back with that great line that cuts to the heart of the matter by calling out that only those people who have no sins should throw the first stone. And so no stones are thrown of course. (Though Jesus could have thrown one, but he didn't!) He could have thrown the book at her but he didn't. What do you suppose he will do to you and me? I'll throw myself on the mercy of that court. In the end he sets her free and encourages her not to sin anymore. Might he say the same to us all!
In verse 12 we find one of the "I Am" sayings - "I am the light of the world." He goes on to affirm in verse 23 that he is not from this world. Watch as you read this gospel how often Jesus uses the phrase "I AM" which is reminiscent to the phrase God spoke to Moses claiming to be "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3.14) Who is Jesus for you?
Chapter 8 seems to highlight the tension and discourse between Jesus and the Jewish leaders who were opposed to him. Have you ever4 had arguments over issues of faith? How hard is it to convince someone to change their long-held beliefs? The chapter goes from angry people wanting to stone a woman to wanting to stone Jesus.
In verse 12 we find one of the "I Am" sayings - "I am the light of the world." He goes on to affirm in verse 23 that he is not from this world. Watch as you read this gospel how often Jesus uses the phrase "I AM" which is reminiscent to the phrase God spoke to Moses claiming to be "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3.14) Who is Jesus for you?
Chapter 8 seems to highlight the tension and discourse between Jesus and the Jewish leaders who were opposed to him. Have you ever4 had arguments over issues of faith? How hard is it to convince someone to change their long-held beliefs? The chapter goes from angry people wanting to stone a woman to wanting to stone Jesus.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
John 7
As you are reading through this gospel do you sense the tension rising between Jesus and his followers and the religious leaders who oppose him and what he says and does? What seem to be their disagreements and arguements about Jesus here and what do you think? Notice the crowd seems divided. There were no straw polls back then and the gospels are not unbiased reporters, they are supporters so their focus would be positive towards Jesus, so it is interesting to see so much oppostition being written here.
It begins with "Jesus' brothers". Notice the comment in verse 5! What do you make of this? Was it sibling rivalry, jealousy, or were they too close to Jesus to see him for whom he really is?
When he does get to Jerusalem the leaders oppose and criticize him. He is not one of them and has not been taught in their schools. Do you suppose they criticized him for being a backwards hick from Galilee?
So here is the question for this week - where has all of your wisdom come from? How much came from books and school? What came from family and life growing up? What have you discovered on your own? How much has come from God?
There seems to be an issue of where he has come from and a bias against his being from Galilee. Where do you come from? What difference do you think that makes? Does it matter more to you, where you are from or where you are going?
It begins with "Jesus' brothers". Notice the comment in verse 5! What do you make of this? Was it sibling rivalry, jealousy, or were they too close to Jesus to see him for whom he really is?
When he does get to Jerusalem the leaders oppose and criticize him. He is not one of them and has not been taught in their schools. Do you suppose they criticized him for being a backwards hick from Galilee?
So here is the question for this week - where has all of your wisdom come from? How much came from books and school? What came from family and life growing up? What have you discovered on your own? How much has come from God?
There seems to be an issue of where he has come from and a bias against his being from Galilee. Where do you come from? What difference do you think that makes? Does it matter more to you, where you are from or where you are going?
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
John 6
In my opinion John has the best story of all the gospels when it comes to the feeding of the crowd of 5000+ people. Because it is here we hear of a youth who has a big lunch of two fish and five loaves of bread. Not only had he or his parents been wise enough to bring food for his own lunch, but he must have also been compassionate enough to offer it to help feed all of the others. It may have been a simple lunch and seemed to be a lot for a youth but way too little for a huge crowd. The disciples could not solve the equation. Too many people, too little food. But Jesus was the variable they had not counted on! With faith and a prayer the little became a little bit too much. Twelve baskets of leftovers were gathered in the end. Have you ever been overwhelmed by a big problem and only little solutions seemed available? Has faith and a prayer made all the difference and then some?
The next day we hear this telling of Jesus walking on the water. There is no mention of Peter in this version, but as this gospel grows as a story to reveal who Jesus is, this chapter has these miraculous stories. In the midst of ordinary stories where have you seen the extraordinary? Where are and what are the miracles in your life story?
In verse 35 (and again in 48) we hear the first of seven sayings from Jesus about who he is. He says, "I am the Bread of Life." Right after he shares bread with the 5000+ and had 12 baskets of leftover bread, might he be inferring that he is the bread of life. In the story we have not yet heard the story of the Last Supper when he will offer the bread to his disciples as his body that he will be remembered when they eat the bread. But here in this chapter as he describes it there are some who are not able to hear it or comprehend it. To them it must sound like cannibalism and some turned away and no longer followed Jesus. have there been misunderstandings along the Way that have ever caused you or others around you to stop following for a while? I wonder and hope that some came back after the Easter resurrection and the meaning of communion became more widely understood.
The chapter ends with an affirmation by Peter of who Jesus is as the holy one of God, and an affirmation by Jesus of the Twelve. There is also a prediction of the twist ending to come when one of them (Judas) is named as the would-be betrayer! Today what do you think Jesus would affirm about you? Take time in meditation. Ask him and listen for his reply.
The next day we hear this telling of Jesus walking on the water. There is no mention of Peter in this version, but as this gospel grows as a story to reveal who Jesus is, this chapter has these miraculous stories. In the midst of ordinary stories where have you seen the extraordinary? Where are and what are the miracles in your life story?
In verse 35 (and again in 48) we hear the first of seven sayings from Jesus about who he is. He says, "I am the Bread of Life." Right after he shares bread with the 5000+ and had 12 baskets of leftover bread, might he be inferring that he is the bread of life. In the story we have not yet heard the story of the Last Supper when he will offer the bread to his disciples as his body that he will be remembered when they eat the bread. But here in this chapter as he describes it there are some who are not able to hear it or comprehend it. To them it must sound like cannibalism and some turned away and no longer followed Jesus. have there been misunderstandings along the Way that have ever caused you or others around you to stop following for a while? I wonder and hope that some came back after the Easter resurrection and the meaning of communion became more widely understood.
The chapter ends with an affirmation by Peter of who Jesus is as the holy one of God, and an affirmation by Jesus of the Twelve. There is also a prediction of the twist ending to come when one of them (Judas) is named as the would-be betrayer! Today what do you think Jesus would affirm about you? Take time in meditation. Ask him and listen for his reply.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
John 5
The scandals continue. Jesus heals on the Sabbath and then even tells the man who is healed to get up and take his mat with him. Carrying a burden is work and the people were to do no work on the Sabbath - the day of rest. Jesus tells this man, in essence, to break the sabbath law.
Have there been Sabbath rules or traditions in your church or in your family? Are there or were there things you were or were not supposed to do on Sunday? Are there still? Are there still some practiced by others whom you know? As you reflect on them, do these practices help or hinder your faith?
For Jesus it was more important to do this good work of healing than to not do it just because it was the Sabbath. When have you been challenged to put your faith into practice even when it went contrary to your traditions?
Have you ever been like the religious leaders in this story and judged someone for their actions that were different than the norm? What have you said or done to "rule breakers?" What do you think you might have said or done about Jesus - the rule breaker?
Jesus - a wood worker or more? Tradition holds that Joseph was a carpenter or a wood worker. He would have raised Jesus to learn the family business. Jesus would be a wood worker. How ironic that his biggest work would be done on a cross made out of wood!
But Jesus was also the Son of God and here Jesus follows in his divine Father's footsteps not as a wood worker but as a people worker! Though in all of the Bible we find God rests one day out of all of eternity, God is an eternal worker of divine miracles. God is still working on me, how about you? Believe the Word and the Work of God!
Tradition holds that two or more witnesses are needed for an accusation. Jesus offers two witnesses in the forms of God as Creator or Father and the Holy Spirit. God is a witness through the Scriptures and the things written about Jesus and The Spirit is a witness in the things people have heard or witnessed. Our faith is based on past and present. What have you heard, read experienced about Jesus? But what are you reading, experiencing, learning today? Who are the witnesses you hear today? What might you testify? whom might you tell?
Have there been Sabbath rules or traditions in your church or in your family? Are there or were there things you were or were not supposed to do on Sunday? Are there still? Are there still some practiced by others whom you know? As you reflect on them, do these practices help or hinder your faith?
For Jesus it was more important to do this good work of healing than to not do it just because it was the Sabbath. When have you been challenged to put your faith into practice even when it went contrary to your traditions?
Have you ever been like the religious leaders in this story and judged someone for their actions that were different than the norm? What have you said or done to "rule breakers?" What do you think you might have said or done about Jesus - the rule breaker?
Jesus - a wood worker or more? Tradition holds that Joseph was a carpenter or a wood worker. He would have raised Jesus to learn the family business. Jesus would be a wood worker. How ironic that his biggest work would be done on a cross made out of wood!
But Jesus was also the Son of God and here Jesus follows in his divine Father's footsteps not as a wood worker but as a people worker! Though in all of the Bible we find God rests one day out of all of eternity, God is an eternal worker of divine miracles. God is still working on me, how about you? Believe the Word and the Work of God!
Tradition holds that two or more witnesses are needed for an accusation. Jesus offers two witnesses in the forms of God as Creator or Father and the Holy Spirit. God is a witness through the Scriptures and the things written about Jesus and The Spirit is a witness in the things people have heard or witnessed. Our faith is based on past and present. What have you heard, read experienced about Jesus? But what are you reading, experiencing, learning today? Who are the witnesses you hear today? What might you testify? whom might you tell?
John 4
Scandalous - Jesus talks with a woman, and more scandalous she is a
Samaritan, and even more scandalous, she has been married several times
and now is living with a man she is not married to! And even more
scandalous is the love of Jesus that invites her into a holy and
healing conversation that she might know God loves her and she is
offered eternal life. It is this story of the woman at the well that
has given us the title for our new mission and ministry in Penn Yan -
"The Living Well" It has become a new church start and a new way of
life for people of the other 12 United Methodist Churches in Yates
County, New York to relate to one another and work together for the
purpose of living the good news and sharing the good news of Jesus
Christ with others in need.
What may have been most scandalous in this story is the way this woman went out and told others in her community about what she had found at the well in the One she had met there. Even though the others in her community might have thought she was scandalous for the life she had lived, they came to believe in Jesus through her words and her boldness to tell them the good news.
Who told you and brought you to Jesus? Thank God for all of them.
Who might thank God someday for you? They might never have the chance if you do not invite them!
What may have been most scandalous in this story is the way this woman went out and told others in her community about what she had found at the well in the One she had met there. Even though the others in her community might have thought she was scandalous for the life she had lived, they came to believe in Jesus through her words and her boldness to tell them the good news.
Who told you and brought you to Jesus? Thank God for all of them.
Who might thank God someday for you? They might never have the chance if you do not invite them!
Saturday, April 19, 2014
John 3
In this chapter we read of two men of faith Nicodemus and John the Baptist. In the story of Nicodemus he comes to see Jesus at night under the cover of darkness to get some one on one instruction. Please be aware that this is not the whole conversation it is like the "minutes" taken at a meeting not the "hours." The discussion helps us all understand about how new life begins for those who change their old ways and begin to follow Jesus. We are new if we die to self and selfishness and begin to live for God and God's graciousness. In what ways have you been born anew?
John 3.16 is a favorite passage to many. It affirms God's great love for the world, for you and me and everyone. God sends Jesus to teach us that love and model that love that we not just wither up and die from fear and greed and hate, but have eternal life and eternal love. I would encourage you to memorize this verse and also the next one John 3.17 to remember that as followers of Jesus we are not in the judging business but in the saving business. Jesus did not come to judge but to save. Do you know that saving love of Jesus?
In the story of John the Baptist and his dialogue with his followers we see his understanding of his role as the one to assist Jesus like the best man supporting the groom. Though John has had a good run and a good following now that Jesus has come into his public ministry, John affirms he has done his job and in doing so his "joy is complete." Have you had the joy of a job well done? Well done!
John 3.16 is a favorite passage to many. It affirms God's great love for the world, for you and me and everyone. God sends Jesus to teach us that love and model that love that we not just wither up and die from fear and greed and hate, but have eternal life and eternal love. I would encourage you to memorize this verse and also the next one John 3.17 to remember that as followers of Jesus we are not in the judging business but in the saving business. Jesus did not come to judge but to save. Do you know that saving love of Jesus?
In the story of John the Baptist and his dialogue with his followers we see his understanding of his role as the one to assist Jesus like the best man supporting the groom. Though John has had a good run and a good following now that Jesus has come into his public ministry, John affirms he has done his job and in doing so his "joy is complete." Have you had the joy of a job well done? Well done!
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