Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount…

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder (Exodus 20:13), and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Matthew 5:22

These are Jesus’ words not mine. To make sure everyone understands what Jesus is saying, let me summarize.

Murder is bad and subject to judgment of God.
Anger is bad and subject to the judgment of God.
Insulting others is bad and subject to the judgment of God and human authorities.
Calling someone a fool is bad and subject to the judgment of God.

Are we on the same page? Do you see how clear this instruction is?

If this isn’t clear, then God responds clearly through the words of Isaiah…

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. Isaiah 5:20-21

God is very transparent in the words of Jesus (who is God) and through Isaiah the prophet. This is God’s Word for the ages (which includes us).

Now let’s apply God’s Word to our lives.

I have witnessed the ugliness of people’s words regarding the killing of the single mom in Minneapolis this past week.

As people of faith, this death should break our hearts because it breaks God’s heart. Using limited and flawed legal arguments as well as words like “justified” are distasteful.

Are these the same arguments and words one will use when facing God to explain their hardness of heart or even glee at this tragedy?

Unneeded loss of life or unneeded cruelty (according to Jesus) is subject to judgment.

I encourage everyone who reads this article to check their heart and see if it aligns with God’s will? Do you have a heart of stone or a heart of flesh? (See Ezekiel 36:26-27)

It is a time of mourning in God’s Kingdom.

There is a reason Jesus calls people to repentance… to change. He calls us to let go of hate, ugliness and cruelty and step in the light of love.

God bless you,

Pastor Ben

164 years before the birth of Jesus, the temple in Jerusalem was purified and rededicated after Israel expelled the Seleucid army through the leadership of Judah Macabee. The miracle of Hannukah occurred during the rededication of the temple.

When the temple was being purified in 164BC, the priests discovered only one day’s worth of holy oil to burn in the candle lampstand (menorah) but that oil continued to burn for 8 days. A miracle from God!

The word Hanukkah means “dedication.”

The miracle gave hope to the people of Israel! But 101 years later, another army occupied all of Israel: The Roman army.

I am sure, many hoped for another miracle that would rid Israel of this new occupying force.

Then another 60 years and Jesus the Son of God was born to Mary. I bet people were still talking about the miracle of Hannukah at that time too… and hoping God would raise a warrior like Judah Macabee to fight against Rome.

Instead of a warrior, God chose to send the “prince of peace.”

Instead of oil that lasted for 8 days, God sent “the Light of the world.”

Instead of regime change, Jesus came to change hearts.

God knew it was the right time to reveal the greatest gift to humanity. The Gift that keeps giving because Jesus lives, even today.

The miracle of Christmas lives on! The light of the world came and His Spirit stayed!

The gospel shares that a star pointed the way to the Christ-child so that the wisemen could come and worship.

Light bears witness to light. The star shone down on the “light of the world”.

Shine the light of your love on others this season so that others “may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Happy Advent and Merry Christmas,

Pastor Ben

“ ‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. “ ‘In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land.’” Jeremiah 33:14-15

The days of Jeremiah the prophet were grim. The immediate hope of relief in the short term was negligible. The end of Jerusalem and Judah was at hand.

Yet, despite all the poor choices made by the leadership of Israel and the divided loyalties of the people, God didn’t give up on the people.

When life is hard for us and some of the bad decisions we make are self-inflicted, God doesn’t give up on us either.

Not only did God want to give his chosen people hope, this future promise would also change the world too.

The promise of king for Israel (and the world) would be related to the great King David of Israel’s past.

This king will be righteous. He will do the right thing, He will be in relationship with God, and he will lead all of us towards God.

God made a promise to Israel and to us and it came to pass. Jesus, son of Mary and Joseph was born. Both the gospel of Matthew and Luke show the connection to King David through a list of descendants.

Jesus became the most untypical king to ever live. He came to serve and not be served. Jesus showed the extent of his divine and royal love by dying for the people and then coming back to life!

Because of his resurrection Jesus is still our reigning King!

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, let us also prepare for our King’s return!

Joy to the world; the Lord is come;
Let Earth receive her King;
Let ev’ry heart prepare him room,
And heav’n and nature sing.

God bless,
Pr. Ben