DAY 158

DOORS: OPEN or SHUT?

2 Chronicles 28 & 29 and John 17

I continue to be amazed at how we go from long tenured “relatively good” kings to kings that completely abandon the Lord and go over to the god of Baal. How far did Ahaz go? He cut up the vessels of the House of God and shut its doors! That is a pretty dramatic statement by the king about how he feels about the Lord God Almighty.

The next king, Hezekiah, opens the doors and cleanses the Temple. The people are so joyful, their gifts so plentiful that there were not enough priests to handle the sacrifices.

The reform of Hezekiah for his people culminates in the Temple with the sacrifice offered by the priests. Jesus in the New Testament is about to go and “offer the sacrifice.” It will to the sacrifice for the “sins of the world.” That is where we are in John’s Gospel. As Jesus offers what is typically referred to as “the High Priestly Prayer” considers just some of the things he is praying for:

·         Verse 11: “Father, keep them in your name”

·         Verse 15: “Father, keep them from the evil one”

·         Verse 24: “Father, that they may be one with me”

·         Verse 26: “Father, that your love which is in me, that it could be in them”

That is just a sample – Jesus is praying to the Father for you as He goes to offer himself as the sacrifice – the full, perfect, sufficient, sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the world. This is an amazing moment…a moment once and always for the world…may we throw open the doors of our hearts and welcome Him.

DAY 157

IT IS NOT ALWAYS LOGICAL

2 Chronicles 25, 26 & 27 and John 16

It is not always logical: sometimes that is good and sometimes that is bad.

In the Old Testament we read about Amaziah. He went and hired soldiers from neighboring Israel to help him fight. God said, “No, trust me instead.” Some Amaziah dismissed these soldiers even though he paid them. Not very logical, but Amaziah prevailed. Then Amaziah after he has his victory brings home the gods of the people he defeated and worships them instead of the Lord God who gave him the victory…not very logical!

There is then in the Old Testament we read of King Uzziah; remember this name because when we get to Isaiah chapter 6 we will read, “In the year King Uzziah died…” It would be like saying, “In the year Abraham Lincoln died…” In that year a great American Leader was lost and concern and anxiety filled people. Why would people lament King Uzziah’s death…just read chapter 26. He walked with the Lord and reigned for 52 years defeating its enemies and restoring its towers and walls. Yet Uzziah is not logical. He get’s full of himself and decides he will fill the role of the priests. Thankfully the priests, at risk of their own lives, intervene. Uzziah while stricken with leprosy, has his life spared.

We then come to John chapter 16. Jesus is talking about the Holy Spirit. From the disciples perspective completely illogical – from Jesus’ perspective completely logical. It is the Holy Spirit that will guide them into all truth. It is the Holy Spirit who will actually enable them to actually more than Jesus can. It does not seem logical to the disciples. Jesus is standing in front of them. Jesus is the one they know and trust. Jesus seems safe. But Jesus is leaving and they (and we) need more…we need the Holy Spirit.

There is a common thread to what appears illogical yet works, and what appears illogical and fails. When we follow man’s way apart from God, and we know it is illogical, it fails – it did for Amaziah and it did for Uzziah. When we follow God’s way, even if we “know” or “feel” it is illogical, it succeeds. It did for Amaziah, Uzziah and for the Disciples.

The bottom line is it not about Logic ALONE…it is about following God. If it seems logical and is not opposite of God we call that common sense. If it seems logical, but (and this is a big but) appears opposite of God’s will…we do not call that common sense…we call it disobedience…often obedience requires faith…faith in the face of what might seem illogical.

Anything seeming to be illogical, but God is pulling at you over? I have a list of them.

DAY 156

ABIDE or ABANDON?

2 Chronicles 23 & 24 and John 15

Today, with all our technology, as I continue to read the these sacred texts, it does make me every now and then, think about how different our world is in one respect and how similar it is in another.

The Old Testament story reads like a movie. A bad king is put to death (in the prior chapter) but his evil mother (named Athaliah) kills all his siblings save for one (Joash). This one young boy is saved and hidden in the House of the Lord for six years. He comes to the throne, the evil mother is killed, and this new king reforms the country…and they all live happily ever after…Nope! The king ultimately dies and in chapter 24, verse 18, it says they after all the work of reform and restoring the Temple…the abandoned the House of the Lord…and they don’t live happily ever after.

Abandoned is a strong word. Abandonment is a strong action. Abandonment still happens today with all the attendant effects.

Jesus says “Abide in Me.” Do not abandon me, but abide. In John 15 we read more of these wonderful phrases: “I no longer call you servants, I call you friends” and “You did not choose me, I chose you.” Our Lord, by His words and deeds has been showing over and over again how He is the exact opposite of an “abandoning type of person.”

Consider again his words about how we are “friends” and how “he chose us.” Why say them? My thought is so we would know how committed Jesus is to each of us. It is why the beginning of chapter 15 of John almost sounds like Jesus pleading with us. “Abide” he says (don’t abandon). Those who abandon are removed and thrown in a pile and burned. Those who abide…well they are pruned and trimmed. If you have ever watched a vine dresser you will notice two things. First, the great care and thought which goes into each “cut.” Second, the cut is made on “live branch”…the branch “feels” the cut. As we “abide” with Jesus, the Father who is the vine dresser will “trim” and “prune”…but do not abandon…abide.

I have to tell you I don’t like to be “trimmed.” I like to grow (and go) my own way. The problem with that behavior is I make poor choices; choices like the people in the Old Testament do as they abandon God.

What causes you to make poor choices? Is it stress? Life gets too hard and you seek a release through something or someone that you know isn’t good for you. Is it success? Things are going well and you somehow feel like you don’t have to lean on God as much. Is it boredom? You know all this “God stuff”, all this “Bible”, all this seems a little too repetitive and maybe even dull.

The point in these Scriptures today, even amid our outwardly different world, it so think about them and how we can see the all too constant we call “human behavior.” We read about the abandonment of God and we read about God pleading with us to stay, to abide. Might I, might you, think about ourselves a little today and the next time we “feel like” walking in our own path, or the next time the “pruner’s shears” seem a little bit too close for comfort…that we remember He calls us friends – chosen friends.

DAY 155

CONFUSION

2 Chronicles 21 & 22 and John 14

Has your world ever been “confused?” You find yourself trying hard, really hard, and yet everything around you just is not making sense.

I imagine in the time of these 2 Chronicles passages that the average, everyday person would be confused. The new king kills all his brothers. He does this to theoretically make his throne more secure. Yet then he makes alliances with kings and people who do not follow the Lord God which will result in a most unsecure throne. And there you are, trying to make it all work, while the king is confused to say the least.

I’ve got to think the disciples were confused. Our New Testament reading is from John 14. It is Jesus’ words to His disciples; no one else is around. It is the last night He will be with them before the Cross. In this final discourse we get wonderful words from Jesus: Words such as “I am the way, the truth, the life, no one comes to the Father but through me.” Words such as, “In my Father’s house there are many rooms.” I could keep listing more of them, this passage is a feast of Good News.

Yet the disciples are troubled. We read Philip’s words and Thomas concern. They are worried and confused.

Maybe you are worried and/or confused. I get that way, more than I care to admit. I am here trying hard, really hard, and yet…well there is the mess with the National Church, and then there is the struggle with having a viable Parish, there are of course all the financial challenges…”is this really what Jesus intended,” I begin to opine. The Cathedral needs about 5 million dollars worth of repairs, and the congregation is full of nice people, but really about half the size it should be to make this place viable. And those nice people, the congregation, they have their individual challenges. Then there are the poor and struggling…there are many of them, and we, ill-equipped to help…so is this what Jesus wants me to be doing? Then there are family pressures and issues, all suffering because of over commitment to the job – and even without a job it is not clear there would be enough time…again more confusion.

Following the appointed kings of Judah must have been confusing for the people of the day. Following Jesus was certainly confusing that night of John 14 for the disciples. Following Jesus from today can be equally so.

So given all this confusion what do we find our Lord telling his disciples…after He gives them all these wonderful words…and He does give them many wonderful words…He says, “Obey.” I find that interesting. In the midst of all their confusion Jesus tells them to obey the commandments. Not to earn His or His Father’s love (after all He is going to the Cross), but rather to help them. Obeying the commandments is the path amid the confusion. Obeying the commandments will keep you from complicating an already confusing situation. Sometimes you and I will simply be “gutting it out” and trying to do our best wondering if the sun will ever appear in the dark sky. In those moments, do not stray and hold onto the words of Jesus, “let not your hearts be troubled, believe in me, believe also in him who sent me”…and in the mean time just stay focused and obey all that I have taught you. When you do, not only will you get through, but the world (all the other people who are just or even more confused then you) will notice. 

DAY 154

BETRAYAL & ENEMIES

2 Chronicles 19 & 20 and John 13:21-38

Sober times: sober times in Judah with enemies attacking, sober times in the Upper Room as Jesus’ “betrayer” is identified.

If you have been on this journey with me, then let me point out the obvious, the Bible is full of sober, real life, moments…the Bible is a very real book. Today we read about enemies and betrayers – we face enemies and betrayers. I know those are strong words, but let me ask you, ever feel betrayed…ever wonder if people really were against you? I know you don’t want to think about this situation. I know we all want to “get along,” but that is just not real life. And when you are a king, or the King, your enemies and betrayers will no doubt be of epic proportions. Today Jehoshaphat faces the Moabites and Ammonites. The text says “he was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord.” Wow, what good advice…when you are afraid, set our faces to seek the Lord. Contrast Jehoshaphat’s actions of seeking the Lord to his actions in 20:37 where instead of seeking the Lord, Jehoshaphat seeks and alliance with an evil king…as you might expect it does not go well.

We move from that moment, fast-forward about 600 years, and hear Jesus say, “one of you will betray me” and it goes downhill from there. Jesus actually identifies his betrayer, and then points out that Simon Peter will also betray him…all to his enemies. Unlike Jehoshaphat, I have the sense that Jesus was much more confident of His Father’s support. He does have to gird himself for what He is about to face, but none-the-less He knows this is the plan. How many times has he told his disciples, and us, that the Son of Man must suffer? In John 3 he speaks specifically about being lifted up. Jesus knows he will be “betrayed and handed over,” he has said exactly this.

Do you expect to be betrayed and have enemies? I don’t, and I know that I should seek reconciliation with those who I get “sideways” with, but the question remains, should I expect to be betrayed and have enemies? Jesus has said in this Gospel, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” Jesus has said you and I will have trouble. I don’t like to over-think this situation, but Jesus is trying to tell us not to be surprised by it…nor should we be afraid for “Jesus has overcome the world.”

DAY 153

JUDAS, MAY I WASH YOUR FEET?

2 Chronicles 17 & 18 and John 13:1-20

The title for today’s blog was taken from the title of a sermon Father Peter Pierson preached on Maundy Thursday this year. It struck me. I am used to people drawing attention to Peter’s remarks, or even the Lord’s action. Yet, for whatever reason, I had not noticed the text. It starts by acknowledging that Satan had entered Judas, and then Jesus immediately washes all the disciple’s feet. Tomorrow this narrative pickups with Judas going to “do the deed.” So there it is, as a “sandwich” almost. Jesus washes the feet of his betrayer.

The point of that night is “love one another.” It is the new commandment. We call it “Maundy” Thursday because the word Maundy is a shorthand form of the Latin for Commandment. Jesus shows his ability to love.

Not to put too sharp a point on it, but would you let Jesus wash your feet? For many years now I have been the one washing feet; in our tradition the priest does so as an act of humility. It is to remind us that we are not “greater than our Master” who washed the disciples feet. For myself I am not sure what is harder: washing feet or having my feet washed? Would I really let the King of the World wash my feet? Yet this is exactly what Peter struggled with and Jesus said that He must wash Simon’s.

Today, spend a moment and allow Jesus in. Ponder that he knowingly washed the feet of his betrayer. Ponder that he died for the “sins of the world”…my sins and your sins…and so in many ways we share in death. The point is to allow Him who died for you to wash away the grime, the gunk, and all that embarrasses you.

DAY 152

UNITY

2 Chronicles 15 & 16 and John 12:27-50

Today as we come to the end of John 12, we come to the end of Jesus’ time in public. Then next time he will speak in public will be at His trial. If you have a moment, scan again the 23 verses of today with that in mind. It is rather dramatic. Jesus cries out…and said, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me.  And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.  I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.  If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.  The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.  For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment--what to say and what to speak.  And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me."

And with those words the “curtain falls” as it were, and Jesus retreats to be with his disciples.

What is it Jesus said? What point do we take away from Him? First there is His deep desire to have us understand that He is united with the Father – He is not a “Lone Ranger.” No, He is Light! I mentioned that point yesterday…in fact His Light is shining so brightly that others, non-Jews, notice. Finally we get an interesting saying about judgment.

Judgment relates to Light. Jesus says that it is not He who judges, but the WORD. This Word is shining out. This Word is not just Jesus’ Word, it is from the Father…there is Unity in all. My mind hears the echoes of John chapter 1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Our Lord does not stand there wagging His finger at us, He simply and profoundly points out that all that needs to be said, has been said. In fact it has been said, you might say “in-fleshed” in the Word made flesh, Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus, as He is retiring from the public makes this final cry, this final proclamation. The author of the Gospel, John, makes is clear that Jesus is proclaiming himself as God…yet again, not a Lone Ranger, but the faithful Son.