Sabbath. Study. Serve.

 Sabbath, Study, Serve 

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: Luke 7: 1-17

From the Sermon:

Jesus had his own encounter with the phrase “_________________”.

The NRSV puts it this way, “He is ____________ of having you do this for him.”

We cannot earn ________ through a merit based system.

The centurion has an honest portrayal of himself, and then expresses truth in Jesus’s _________.

In Luke 7, Jesus had authority not over healing, but over _______________.

Jesus isn’t confined by our __________.

Reflection Questions:

What connections do you notice between the stories of the centurion and the widow?

We may want to say Jesus has authority in our lives, but do we live like it?

Prayer:

Lord, we confess that sometimes we substitute our ways and the ways of the world for your ways. We think we know what is best or demand what we think we deserve. Forgive us, O Lord. Let us seek first your way and your Kingdom. Amen. 

Healing on the Sabbath - Luke 6: 1-16

    I wonder what the Sabbath means to us today.

    For some, I would guess that it is not much different than back in the time of Jesus. It has become a list of "do-nots" more than "dos" and as a result, it feels like a burden. 

   For others, it has become a time to rest and do whatever you desire, forgetting that the purpose of Sabbath is to delight in God. 

    Even others think that its a time to become recharged, so you can do as much as you can the rest of the week. 

    Jesus invites us into a different way to do Sabbath. One that delights in God because God delights in us. One where we know that we are deeply loved by God simply for who we are. 

    Over the years my time of Sabbath has changed. Currently, it starts after my last meeting on Thursday evening, as I turn all of my email notifications off on my phone. I listen to music and settle in for the evening. The next day, I take time to delight. Eating different foods. Sipping loose leaf tea. Taking my time, and giving thanks to God in all things. I spend time in prayer. In God's Word. I read. I do what I love, but do it all for the glory of God. 

    What does your Sabbath look like and how does it point you to the goodness of our God?

Healing on the Sabbath Devo - Luke 6: 1-16

 January 24th, 2021   

Devotional

“Healing on the Sabbath” - Luke 6:1-16

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “On the Sabbath” - Luke 6: 1 and Genesis 2:2-3

Sometimes it is hard imaging that God needed to rest. That God created the entire world and then needed a break. The notion of God resting seems to go against our notion of God being all powerful, but we need to remember that God was modeling for us, humanity, the need to stop. 

 All too often we try to live our lives like we are all powerful, like we can be on the go all the time and that it won’t effect us, but in truth this is not how we were made. We were made to rest. We need not only a day off, but a day to cease trying to live up to mounting expectations placed on us by ourselves and others. 

  The Jewish tradition states that until Sabbath, creation was not complete - that God needed to rest as part of the creating process. Is this true in your life? Is rest part of your creation process? Why or why not? 

Prayer: God, we confess that we try to keep ourselves busy so that we do not need to rest - stop and think. We confess that somewhere deep inside of us, we think if we can just keep going we are more powerful or more important. Forgive us, O Lord, and free us to find rest in you. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Lord of the Sabbath” - Luke 6: 2-5 and Exodus 16:17-30

Sabbath is not just a time of rest, but it is a time of holy rest. A time set apart to be with God. When God first instituted Sabbath the Israelites needed to be told to cease all that they were doing in order to fully appreciate God’s goodness and beauty. In today’s scripture lesson, God provided manna or food from heaven, daily for the people and they had enough to meet their needs. However, they were not allowed to hoard - they had to gather only what they could use in one day or it would spoil, except in preparation for the Sabbath. Then they were allowed to gather what they needed for that day and the Sabbath. 

Sabbath always requires preparation. Did you ever notice when you think you are just going to take a few moments to relax that its really hard to shut your mind off instead of thinking about what you should be doing or what is going to be happening next? We need to prepare to rest, and one of things we prepare to do during the Sabbath is have spiritual rest - time to rest and focus on God. 

How do you prepare for the Sabbath?

What does spiritual rest look like in your life? 

Prayer: Lord, we are a people of extremes. Sometimes we need lots of rules to help us observe the Sabbath and other times we become far too lax, thinking of the Sabbath as an hour of worship instead of a day of rest. Help us to truly embrace the Sabbath, Lord, and be a people who find our spiritual rest and renewal in you. Amen. 

Wednesday: “Do Good” - Luke 6: 6-11

 Things or periods of time are holy because God alone says that they are holy. God places definition around how we experience time, including the Sabbath. There were periods of time when folks were much better at keeping the Sabbath (or in the case of this scripture they faced dire consequences if they did not follow God’s commands). Today, we seem to take pleasure or find honor is working through the Sabbath, and then we wonder why we are exhausted.

 Sabbath is not only a time of spiritual rest but also:

• Physical rest: a time to play and pamper our souls. 
• Emotional rest: a time to foster relationships with people who appreciate you just for who you are.
• Intellectual rest: a time to dream and think creatively and be reminded that God is in charge.
• Social rest: a time to pull away from the world that pulls at us

  What are you in need of physically and spiritually this day? What space can you make in the celebration of the Sabbath to meet that need?

  How do you rest emotionally after an emotional siege?

Prayer: Lord, empower us to rest fully in you. Help us engage our sense in your creation, slow our pace, and remember to create and play. Lord, we know that we cannot celebrate Sabbath apart from you; be our focus during this time. Amen. 

Thursday: “On Another Sabbath” - Luke 6: 6-11

The command to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy is number four of the ten commandments. In many ways it speaks both to our worship of God and the way we interact with other people. This particular commandment has deep roots, tracing back to the creation story when God ceased or abstained from activity on the seventh day.

When we abstain from work we are following the loving example of our creator God, who made the very act of rest holy. Remember that the Israelites are receiving this commandment because they are God’s chosen people, they are the beloved of God and therefore they incorporated both God’s commands and example in their way of living. 

Why do we celebrate the Sabbath today?

What does the word “abstain” bring to mind for you? How is abstaining tied into the celebration of Sabbath?

Prayer: Lord, we confess that we have become a workaholic people. We focus more on what we can get done, then the meaning what do has in our lives. Set us free from the chains of addiction that bind us to work and free us to live more fully in your presence. Amen. 

Friday: “Mountain to Pray” - Luke 6: 12-16

It was not just people that God commanded to rest - but the entire land. In today’s scripture we find that the land is only be used for six consecutive years before lying fallow on the seventh. It was same with any place where produce grew. During that time, only those in need could gather from the land. 

Additionally, animals were given a chance to rest instead of laboring on the seventh day. God seemed to notice a need for refreshment in us, in the land, in the animals. All too often we burn through things and people to meet our needs instead of allowing them to rest. This seems to speak to our deep need to use what is around us instead of to allow it to renew. Recently, I was reading a book about farming that spoke to this Biblical principle of renewing the land and how helpful it was to crop production. God knows what we need. God knows what the land needs.We are in need of Sabbath rest. 

What block us from following the instructions of God around rest?

Prayer: Lord, we are slow to follow your instructions and quick to go our own ways. We need your help to even begin to be pointed in the right direction. Point us that way now, gracious Lord. The way that leads to life abundant. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Raising the Widow’s Son” - Luke 7: 1-17

Sabbath. Study. Serve.

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: Luke 6: 1-16

From the Sermon:

Into this world of hurry and constantly being available, God gave us the gift of the __________.

Sabbath became more about the rules than about _________________.

The ________________ is the Lord of the Sabbath.

The Sabbath was for doing  _________________ and not to perpetuate harm for the sake of human rules.

Sabbath is an opportunity to remember who we are at our ______________________.

Reflection Questions:

 What am I doing this day to honor God? 

How am I delighting in God’s goodness? 

How am I sharing the love of God with others?

How has your celebration of Sabbath changed over the years?

Prayer:

Lord, we thank you for loving us so much that you gave us the gift of Sabbath. A time to cease producing and simply be loved for who we are, your child. Let us delight in this gift, we pray. Amen. 

Fish for People Luke 5:1-11

     For the past year I have been working on a project - deep diving into what it means to be a disciple. The results, most of the things that we think constitute being a disciple don't represent what it is at its heart. 

     What do I mean by that? For decades the church in America has taught if you attend worship faithfully, love Jesus, and maybe give a little of your time or money, that's discipleship. When really, Biblical discipleship is a totally realignement of your life to follow Jesus. 

     Because at its heart disciple means follower. And we don't just follow Jesus on Sundays. We don't just hear and respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit one day a week. Discipleship is a full-time, everyday commitment of surrendering to the call of Christ and choosing to follow him. 

     For the disciples in Luke 5: 1-11, that meant leaving everything behind to follow Jesus. It meant listening when Jesus told them to drop their nets in again, even though they were tired and defeated. It meant leaving the fish they caught behind, as well as their families and their boats, to follow the one who called for them to be fishers of people. 

    What does discipleship look like to you, today?

Fish for People Devo - Luke 5: 1-11

 January 17th, 2021

Devotional

“Fish for People”

Luke 5: 1-11

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Boats” - Luke 5: 1-2

  When Jesus called the first disciples, in the fifth chapter of the Gospel of Luke, they were fisherman. Not exactly the most high up of occupations at the time. Simon, James, and John would have had some education about the scriptures, but because they were on the boat that day, we can assume that they were rejected from going to further education at some point. So they entered into the trade of their kin, fishing on the sea. 

While fishermen would not have been the most high up occupation, tax collectors, like Levi (who Jesus calls to follow him later on) were just despised. They were seen as being apart from the Jewish people, an arm of the Roman government. If that wasn’t bad enough the occupation of tax collector had a reputation that went with it for ripping people off - charging more for folks taxes then what Rome issued, thus getting wealthy at the expense of other people who couldn’t afford it. 

We live in a mindset it today’s world that we want the absolute best to fill positions - at works, in the community, anywhere there are volunteers. But here is Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, not going to the synagogues to find the people who like him, at the age of twelve, asked deep questions, knew scripture instead and out and followed the religious rules and regulations to a ’t’. No, he is going down to the docks and picking out people who didn’t make it the whole way through religious education. What in the world is Jesus doing?

Why do you think Jesus called the fisherman first?

Prayer: Lord, we thank you that you do not call perfect people, or those who have life all figured out, but everyday people, like fishermen and tax collectors, to follow you. Thank you for calling us as well to follow you. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Deep Water” - Luke 5: 3-4

Jesus, I think is not picking the best as the world may define them, but the best people to follow him. The people that he would later use to proclaim his message to the very end of the world. Those who will go into the deep waters of life to fish for people. 

I was at a training once where the speaker was talking about how Christians miss the point sometimes of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Sometimes we want to spend all of our time in church buildings, where we can be with people who are like us, apart from the world. And we want our pastors to spend the majority of their time on us - visiting, counseling, drafting sermons that are for us. But if we are truly going to model the mission and ministry of Jesus, we as Christians and our religious leaders need to be spending less time with people like us, and more time out with folks who do not yet know Jesus, meeting them where they are at. In other words, we as the church, need to go out into the deep waters to meet people where they are at. 

How is Christ calling you to go out into the deep waters of life?

Prayer: Lord, we confess that we are not fond of the deep waters. They seem risky to us. We have excuses as to why we would rather not go there. Yet, O Lord, we ask for your strength to go wherever you may send us, even into the deep. Amen. 

Wednesday: “So Many Fish” - Luke 5: 5-6

I’ve been thinking about how I spend my time, and who I encounter on most days, and I started to be incredibly intentional about making sure I was in places where I could talk to non-Christians. I would go to coffee shops to write my sermons. I would offer prayer for folks in the local pub. I taught Bible studies at the University, where I interfaced with a lot more students who weren’t quite sure about this Jesus thing then those who would consider themselves Christians. Some folks got it. They realized that I needed to be spending time in the community so I could meet folks who didn’t yet know Jesus and invite them to come and see what Jesus is all about. 

Because of that, some of those folks who got it started to think about who they spent their time with and how they could interact with people who were searching and didn’t know Jesus yet, too. But a lot more people didn’t get it. They wanted a pastor who was there all the time for them, instead of out talking to folks who may never come inside of their buildings. They wanted the folks who were already here to come first.

But we can only catch many fish, if we go to where the fish are. In this scripture passage, the disciples were tired and frustrated, but they still did what Jesus said. And the result was more fish then they could count. Where are we fishing for people today?

How do you spend your time fishing for people?

Prayer: Almighty God, you have called us to be fishers of people, which is ultimately an act of trust. Help us to listen to the voice of the Spirit and go where we are sent to spread the Good News of the Savior. Amen. 

Thursday: “Sinful” - Luke 5: 7-8

Simon Peter’s words echo those of Isaiah - you are too wonderful for me, Lord. Too powerful. Too perfect. I am a sinful person. What could you ever want with me?

Yet, that is exactly who Jesus calls again and again and again. Imperfect people. Sinful people in the words of Peter. People who do not have everything worked out, to come and follow him. 

If Jesus was calling perfect people, they would be able to claim that all they did was in their own power and strength. Instead, Christ calls people like you and me, so we can give all of the glory to God alone.

Tell of a time when God used you in a mighty way. What was that experience like?

Prayer: God of Grace, we are humbled that you choose to use simple people like us for the sake of your Kingdom. We cannot even begin to fathom why you chose us, except for your grace and your love. Empower us to share this Good News with others, we pray. Amen. 

Friday: “Left Everything” - Luke 5: 9-11

  This passage is a challenge to all of us. It asks, first and foremost, if we are aware of the healing and new life we need? Because the truth is  that as much as we may be able to project to folks around us that we have it all together, Jesus know the true state of our hearts. He knows where we are sick with sin. Where we need grace. Where we need a change. And he has come to offer us forgiveness and new life, but we have to realize that we are in need first. We need to humble ourselves enough to invite Jesus to come into our lives. 

Second, we need to get out - to get out of our comfort zones, to get out of hanging out mostly with Christians, to get out into the places where people are in the world so we can form relationships where we can tell people about Jesus. Because we care about them. Because Jesus cares about them. Because this is what the ministry of Jesus is all about - not coming for those who are already well, but for those who are in need of healing. And because when we stop going where Jesus would go, we’ve stopped being the church. Let us reclaim being the church of Jesus Christ in the world! 

How has following Jesus changed your life?

Prayer: God, we thank you that you do not leave us or forsake us. We thank you that you call us. And we thank you that we are entrusted with the Gospel truth. Send us out, we pray. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic to prepare for worship: “Healing on the Sabbath” - Luke 6: 1-16

Sabbath. Study. Serve.

 Sabbath, Study, Serve 

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: Luke 5: 1-11

From the Sermon:

Jesus told Simon to put down his net into the ______________.

Simon just went to his knees, telling Jesus to go away, for he was not ________ to be in his presence.

These are stories of Jesus meeting people ____________________, doing their every day life, and offering them change, for Jesus has the power and authority to do just that- change lives. 

Jesus doesn’t call _______________, he calls people like you and like me.

Verse 11 say, “they left ______________ to follow him.”

The word disciple means ______________.

Reflection Questions:

Are you willing to put our nets down into the deep waters of chaos, at such a time as this? Are you willing to take a risk for the sake of Christ?

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ today?

How can we be a follower of Christ in the everydayness of life?

Prayer:

Lord, we admit that for too long we have not truly followed you. We have counted the costs and have not taken the risk of being your disciples. Forgive us, O Lord. Help us to realign our lives to follow you and you alone. Amen. 

“The Boy in the Temple Courts”

     Sometimes the connections in Scripture jump out at me and speak to my soul. Take for example, this week's text, which talks about Jesus being in Jerusalem for the Passover with his family, only to stay behind at the temple to talk with the religious leaders. 

      His parents, of course, are frantic. But at the end of the text, we are told that Mary treasured these things in her heart. I wondered if they were stored there, beside the words of Simeon and Anna, and helped create a more complete picture of who her child would be. I wonder if Mary found herself thinking back to the story of another young man who found himself in the temple - Samuel. 

      In 1st Samuel, we find the story of Hannah, a woman who desperately wants a child, but cannot conceive. One day she pours her heart out to God and says that if only God would give her a child, she would present him for service at the temple. Which is exactly what came to pass. And it was in that temple, that Samuel received a call on his life that would change the course of a nation and history. 

      Mary and Hannah sing similar songs when they find out that they are with child. Mary and Hannah both have children that are given in service to God. Mary and Hannah both have children that will change the world. 

      What other parallels do you see between Hannah and Mary?

The Boy in the Temple Devo - Luke 2: 41-52

 January 10th, 2021

Devotional

“The Boy in the Temple"

Luke 2: 41-52

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Passover” - Luke 2: 41-42

  In Biblical times, there were certain times throughout the year that all in the community who were able would travel to Jerusalem. Often it was for times of high celebration or ceremony, with presentation of offerings within the temple. While there were certainly allowances for those who were unable to make the journey, many did.

We see this here where Jesus is 12 years old and we will see it again during the Holy Week narrative. One of the times when people traveled to Jerusalem was for Passover - the celebration of God’s liberation of the Hebrew people from the hands of the Egyptians.

It would have been quite the journey for Mary, Joseph, Jesus and their family. The distance from Nazareth, where they were, to Jerusalem is 90 miles. It takes almost three hours to make that trip by car today. So one can imagine how many days it took, traveling by foot.

Traveling to Jerusalem was a sign of both obedience and an act of worship - no matter how far people had to come from. 

How do we demonstrate our obedience to God today?

Prayer: God, we thank you for the example of people through the ages who have made spiritual pilgrimages as a sign of devotion to you. We know that this not the only wya to show our obedience and devotion. Make clear to us this week how we can follow you more closely, we pray. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Assuming” - Luke 2: 43-44

Keeping in mind all of the chaos of traveling with a large group of people, where innumerable people were gathered in a city together, and the distance people had to travel, it isn’t that hard to realize how Jesus’s absence went unnoticed for a period of time. 

Mary and Joseph would have assumed that he was simply with other family members. Or with friends along the path back to Nazareth. It’s not until they went almost a days journey, on foot, before they realized that Jesus was not in the crowds.

I had a camper that went missing once. Even though we had a small group of kids and our ratio of adults to children was small, he was a wander. After looking all sorts of place, I finally found him on the basketball court. Throwing a ball into a hoop on his own, as happy as could be.

I know the sense of relief when I found that camper, and he had not wandered far. I can only imagine the panic that must have filled Mary and Joseph realizing that their son, who is the Messiah, is missing. 

How would you react if you were Mary and Joseph?

Prayer: Lord, we can feel the fear and anxiety of Mary and Joseph as they realize that their son is not amongst the crowds. Give us tender hearts towards them, and towards parents and loved ones who have concerns for children here and now, today. Amen. 

Wednesday: “Temple” - Luke 2: 45-46

When Mary and Jospeh could not find Jesus after searching, they realized that they needed to turn around and head back the direction they came from. I imagine with each step back to Jerusalem, they were wondering where he could be. If he was safe. What had happened. 

When they did find him, he was in the temple, surrounded by religious teachers and asking them questions. He was safe!

I would imagine that the temple was not the first place that Mary and Joseph thought to look for Jesus. How many 12 year old boys would be found there, especially in a city as large as Jerusalem? Yet, it was his heart that drew him to that particular place. 

Where does your heart draw you, today?

Prayer: Almighty God, we know that you lead each of us by your Spirit. There aren’t concidences, O Lord, so much as opportunities to be where you want us to be. Open up our hearts to respond to your leading, we pray. Amen. 

Thursday: “Amazed” - Luke 2: 47-50

When Mary and Joseph find Jesus amongst these teachers, we are first told that he is listening and asking questions. But he is also answering questions in a way that leave the teachers in utter amazement. 

When is the last time you were amazed by Christ? Amazed by the leading of the Holy Spirit? Amazed by the love of God?

I know for me, amazement comes at times when I’m reading the Bible in the morning. Or see the sun setting in the evening. When I hear the wisdom of my nieces and nephew. When I celebrate an answer to prayer. 

While the teachers were amazed because they couldn’t understand how a 12 year old could engage their teachings in this particular way, we are amazed because of the goodness and grace of our God. 

When were you last amazed by God?

Prayer: God of Grace, we are amazed by your majesty, goodness, grace, and love. You meet us right where we are at, in the midst of our needs, and speak to our hearts. Thank you, Lord Jesus! Amen. 

Friday: “Treasured” - Luke 2: 51-52

  Jesus tells his parents that they should have known where to find him, because of course he would be in his Father’s house. However, his words did not strike them in a way that they could understand. But Jesus left with them and was obedient. 

We are then told that Mary treasured all of these things in her heart. Along with the words of Simeon and Anna. The arrival of the Magi from the East (in the Gospel of Matthew). Mary may not understand all that is happening, but she knows that they are to be kept, like treasure, within her spirit. 

A few years ago for Christmas, I bought my dad a memory book where he can write down sayings from the grandkids. Sometimes, it is not until we look back that we realize how profound those words actually are. They are something we treasure. 

We do not need to fully understand in order to realize the treasures of God. We simply must be able to perceive and receive. 

What is something of God that you consider to be a treasure in your heart?

Prayer: God, you are so good to us. More than we recognize. More than we can understand. Let us treasure the things of you and your Kingdom in our hearts, we pray. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic to prepare for worship: “Fish for People” - Luke 5: 1-11

Sabbath. Study. Serve.

                                                                        Sabbath, Study, Serve 

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: Luke 2: 41-52

From the Sermon:

Part of the Jewish custom in the region was to travel to ____________, the holy city, at particular times of the year for holy days.

It took _______________ to find Jesus, but when they did, the twelve year old was in the temple, asking the religious leaders questions and listening intently to what he had to say.

Jesus’s answer  to his parents probably gave them little comfort - you should have known that I would be in __________________________.

Jesus is right around the age of _________________.

The religious leaders knew the teachings of the __________, but they didn’t realize that the __________ was right in front of them, because they don’t expect it.

Reflection Questions:

What fears do you have for the children in your life?

How do you feel like Mary and Joseph in this text?

In what ways, can you relate to the religious leaders?

Prayer:

Lord, we confess that while we may have head this text before, we have not always examined the link it has to who you came to be, Jesus. Open up our eyes this day, to see this text in a new light. May it touch our hearts and lead our lives, we pray. Amen. 

Jesus’s Baptism - Luke 3:1-22

    While often on this particular Sunday we celebrate the baptism of Jesus, the act of baptism and the opening of the heavens that followed are tied to what happens earlier in chapter 3, where John is calling people to repentance.

    While Jesus himself is not in need of repentance, John, the prophet and baptizer, is calling the crowds to come and truly repent. Not to just say that they are sorry for their sins and then keep of living the way they desire. No. John is exhorting, calling, encouraging the people to a different way.

    The call of John didn't end in Luke 3. The Church still joins together throughout the ages calling for change. Calling for a turning from sinful ways. Calling to live into the newness of life. So the question stands before us today, how are we joining the cry of John? How are we living into the fruit worthy of repentance?

Jesus's Baptism Devo - Luke 3: 1-22

January 3rd, 2021

Devotional

“Jesus’s Baptism” - Luke 3: 1-22

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Baptism” - Luke 3: 1-3

  We are a country that prides itself on the idea of doing everything yourself and pulling yourself up by your own boot straps. We rarely acknowledge the people who have come before us. The ones who have shouted, “prepare the way.” The ones who quiet whispers of encouragement have given us the strength to go after our dreams, and the ones who silently had tilled the soil so we can forge ahead, reaping the benefits of their labor.

Recently, while reflecting upon 1 Corinthians I was struck by the statement made by the apostle Paul that “I planted the seed, Appolos watered it, but God made it grow.” Sometimes this verse is summarized as some plant, some water, other harvest, but God gives the increase. I like to plant and harvest, but watering sometimes is hard. Watering is in that waiting time, the time when you don’t really get to see the benefit of all of your hard work and at times you just continue to do what you are doing, running the risk of forgetting its purpose in the first place.

If I had to describe John the Baptist in terms of Pauls’s statement, he would not have even been included. John was the one who prepared the ground so the seeds of truth could even be planted. Often a thankless task. John was the one who proclaimed, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” He tilled the land so Jesus could come and plant and reap the harvest.

Who does baptism mean to you?

Prayer: God, we thank you for the waters of baptism that you call us to. We thank you, O Lord, that you sent John to prepare the people for the message of Jesus. We thank you, for the harvest that still continues to this day. Raise up your people, we pray, and send us out to continue to tell of your truth and your grace. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Prepare the Way” - Luke 3: 4-9

  John appeared in the wilderness with a message that sounded like that of the prophets of old. It had been quite some time since the people had encountered a prophet, yet here he was preaching a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins. The prophets from the scriptures that the people would have known continually told them the same thing: they had screwed up, but God had prepared a way for them to repent and be forgiven. John told the people that he was not the way to repentance and forgiveness, he was simply the messenger for one who was more powerful who would come after him. One whom he was not unworthy to touch the feet of. One who would not need to baptize with water as John did, for this one who was coming would baptize with the Holy Spirit.

Most of us have a John in our life. Not a prophet, but someone who prepared the way for us to go to the waters of baptism, accepting that we are part of the body of Christ, redeemed, forgiveness, and sent on a mission. We might not all know our John’s by name but they were there.

Who are the John’s in your life? Who are the people who prepared the way for your walk of faith? 

Prayer: God, we thank you that we stand with such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. We thank you that when we entered into the waters of baptism, it is because others had been praying for us, teaching us, leading us to you. Thank you, O Lord, for all of your Saints. Amen.

Wednesday: “Do?” - Luke 3: 10-20

Repentance leads to actions, big and small. I once had a of the women at my former parish stand up and asked everyone to give one dollar to a special offering for everyone who taught them something in life - everyone who impacted them. When she put out this call for a tangible figure, it caused the congregation, including myself, to pause and really consider who has taught us something about living out our faith. Something about what it means to put our faith into action. 

  Being part of the body of Christ means that we also serve as Johns for other people. We are the ones who lift each other up in prayer and tech the children about the faith. We are the ones who lead by example and till the ground so others can come to know Christ. A thankless task at times, it is also vital. It calls us for self-examination. I truly believe that John had to wrestle with himself before he was able to go out and call others to repentance. He had to honestly ask himself if he lived a life that would draw others to repentance - if he himself had repented and turned around to a new life. You are someone’s John the Baptist, whether you realize it or not. Someone is looking up to you to learn about the faith. Maybe someone in this congregation. Maybe a family member. Maybe someone in the community. Maybe someone whom you don’t even know, but who recognizes something different about you. Are you living a life that is worthy of  repentance, worthy of being someone’s John?

How have you examined your own heart and are you striving to grow in your own relationship with Christ?

Prayer: Almighty God, not only have you put people into our lives who lead us to the waters of baptism - you graciously allow us to do so for other people. Thank you, O Lord. Use us in a mighty way, we pray. Amen. 

Thursday: “All the People” - Luke 3: 21

One of my favorite songs about baptism is not a hymn, but a folk song featured in the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou. Song writer Alison Krauss captures the compelling nature of baptism as she sings, “O sinner, let’s go down. Let’s go down, come on down. O sinner, lets’s go down, down to the river to pray.” There is something about the nature and grace of God that compels us to be washed anew in life giving waters. Something that leads us to make a covenant with Christian community to support each other in our baptismal vows. 

Each of the Gospels has a slightly different account of Jesus’ baptism, a different reason for its necessity. Luke tells us in today’s scripture passage that when all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. How often we overlook the statement that Jesus was baptized with other people. Here Jesus acted in solidarity with those who struggled daily with sin. Can you envision it? Christ standing in line with the broken people of the world waiting for his turn to be lead under the waters of repentance and brought back up into the world of new life. How uncomfortable does it make you to think about Christ amongst these people? But that is exactly where Christ was and where he can still be found today. Amongst the broken people in the world. Waiting to bring them new hope, salvation, new beginnings. 

How is baptism communal?

Prayer: God of Grace and God of Glory, you do not leave us alone of this journey of faith. You send people to support us and send us to support other people. Bind us together, we pray. Amen. 

Friday: “The Beloved” - Luke 3: 22

  Luke’s account of Jesus’ baptism also reminds us that baptism is coupled with prayer. When we baptize someone we covenant to uphold them in prayer and walk with them along their faith journey. Luke tells us that Jesus was praying after he had been baptized. Jesus was not only with those in need of God’s healing grace and love, standing with them, but then praying for us. Praying for his ministry. Praying to God. Christ reminds us that prayer is vital for our life as Christians. So vital that he would not face the next act of his public ministry, the temptations, without it. He was not choosing this baptism or ministry by his own authority, but by the leading and strength of God. And as he prayed the heavens were open and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descended upon him. We too must pray for the leading and strength of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We too must pray as we enter into whatever aspect of ministry God is calling us to. For with each of our baptisms comes a call on our lives to go into the world and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Triune God. Brothers and sisters are we coming daily to God in prayer asking for strength to live out our baptismal vows and whatever God has called us to? Are we praying for each other? Are we confessing our sins before God and praying for forgiveness? Are we knee-bent before the throne of grace?

As Jesus was praying and the Spirit descended, a voice came from heaven proclaiming, “You are my Son; the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” With this voice came the confirmation of Jesus’ ordination as the Messiah. This call will sustain Jesus through the rest of his ministry and will be his public identity even to his death. 

Jesus does not utter a word in Luke’s account of his baptism, yet the story has powerful implications for the Church today. 

Who are you praying for this day?

Prayer: God, we bring before you this day the names of people on our hearts and minds. People who need to come to your life-giving waters. People who we desire to see live into their baptismal vows. We pray for ourselves as well - that we can live as if our baptisms are a new beginning, marked by repentance. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen. 

Sabbath. Study. Serve.

Sabbath, Study, Serve 

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: Luke 3:1-22

From the Sermon:

The wilderness is a funny place for John to begin his ministry, but in so many ways to brings the people back to the story of ________.

John is proclaiming this powerful message about repentance and forgiveness of sins, and Luke ties it back to the words from ____________.

Again and again and again the people are asking John “_________________________?”

Repentance isn’t just about being sorry; it’s about __________.

_____________ is not something that is done alone. 

Reflection Questions:

How would you define repentance?

How is repentance connected to the way we live?

Prayer:

Lord, we confess that we like the idea of saying “I’m sorry”, but we are slow to live into our words with true change. We don’t back up our words, no matter how heartfelt, with action. Forgive us, O Lord. Call us again and again back to transformation, we pray. Amen.