We come to the end of this series because it is the last Sunday in Lent. Today the story has a twist. Jesus is at the feet of others to remind of something important.
At the Feet of Jesus: Service
At the Feet of Jesus: Just Because
We continue on “At the Feet of Jesus” but this moment is different than all the rest. A woman named Mary is at the feet of Jesus to just be in his presence. Spending time with Jesus on a regular basis will minimize moments of anxiety and desperation.
Article: The Face of Jesus
What does the face of Jesus look like in the world? It looks like this…
Please click on the play button and watch. You will not regret it.
It resembles Jesus whispering into the ears of children to help other children.
It looks like the Holy Spirit giving power to an idea that becomes a reality because of an unstoppable drive and determination to help others.
It is a simple message, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4) For when we do, things like this happen and the world is a better place.
God bless you,
Pastor Ben
At the Feet of Jesus: Two Knees
In today’s message, we hear of two people in one story who end up at the feet of Jesus for two different reasons. Whatever reason we come to Jesus, he will never reject us.
Article: Lent Is For You
I like the season of Lent. This is the time I dig deep and look inside myself. In the words of Alcoholics Anonymous, I take a “fearless moral inventory” of my life. I know some people make New Year’s resolutions; I prefer the internal reflection over the 40 days of Lent. No rush and no rash decisions, just time spent looking inward while spending more time in community at Community Lutheran Church.
On Wednesday at our first mid-week Lenten service, I said that spending time with Jesus also means spending time with each other because Saint Paul told us that the Church is the “body of Christ.”
I look at this way, being around other Christians brings out the best in me. That gives me strength to be my best when I am around others in the world. I want to be an example of God’s love in the world.
Last weekend in worship, I talked about the wisemen from Persia who followed a star to find Jesus. I know we all want God to write it in the sky that he is real and Jesus is the Son of God. But Jesus empowered us to be that star of Bethlehem for others in the world.
It is helpful for me to spend more time with the “Light of the world” (Jesus) so that I may reflect that light of love, joy, faithfulness and kindness to others.
Remember, Jesus doesn’t ask us to do anything or even feel more guilt ridden in the season of Lent. The season is for us not for God. It doesn’t matter if it is March or November, God still wants to draw close to us and change our hearts by filling it with love.
Lent is for me and it is for you. Do with it as you wish (or nothing at all). Jesus will do the same thing he always does: Love.
As for me, I don’t want to miss a thing, so I’ll be at the feet of Jesus this season. There is a spot for you too.
God bless,
Pr. Ben
At the Feet of Jesus: The Wisemen
We begin a new sermon series: At the Feet of Jesus. We are looking at the various people who ended up at Jesus’ feet. We begin with the Wisemen from the east.
Ash Wednesday: Beauty for Ashes
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the journey to the empty tomb of Easter. God speaks of his intentions for us in Isaiah 61. He will take the ashes of our lives and make something beautiful of them.
What God Does When You are in a Jam: When the Jam Looks Good
In this sermon series we turn to the New Testament to see what Jesus does when he gets in a jam. His response teaches us how to respond to temptation.
Article: What Kind of God do You Believe in?
What kind of God do you want? Or to put it a different way, what kind of God do you believe in?
John the Baptist was expecting one kind of God. A God who will bring punishment.
John talked extensively to the crowds about what God is like and what God is going to do when the Messiah comes.
The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. Matthew 3:10
And…
His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matthew 3:12
John’s expectation was that God was going to show up angry and kick butt. It was clear that he was passionate about this, and he was convinced that some people were going to face a literal “come to Jesus” moment in their lives. He even called the religious leaders of the day a “brood of vipers.”
John believed in an angry God. A God who will wreak vengeance and judgment on all his perceived enemies.
Then Jesus comes, and doesn’t meet John’s expectations. After John was arrested by Herod Antipas the Roman appointed leader of parts of Israel, John sends a few followers to go ask Jesus if he is the actual Messiah (the chosen one of God).
John is having his doubts because Jesus isn’t doing the things he thought a Messiah should be doing.
When these followers of John asked Jesus if he was the “real deal”, he responded this way…
“Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the person who does not fall away on account of me.” Matthew 11:4-6
Do you see the disconnect between John the Baptist’s expectations and the reality of Jesus Christ’s actual agenda? There is a huge ideological gap between the two.
Humans are really good at making God in our own image. We sometimes convince ourselves that God hates the same people we do and despises the same ideas we do. We want God to punish our enemies or at least smite those we disagree with on any major topic.
Instead of creating a God that looks like a superhuman version of ourselves, we should turn to the scriptures to see what God is really like.
When we read the gospel stories of Jesus, we discover a God who loves, forgives and is always present in our time of need.
Jesus wants to draw close to ALL people and not just the people we agree with. Jesus was willing to die to make that happen.
God bless you,
Pr. Ben
What God Does When You Are In A Jam: Neck Deep in Homemade Jam
What does God do when you make a mess in your life including hurting others? There is a difficult story about King David that can teach us something about how to live better with God’s grace.
