Reading for:
Wednesday, November 6: John 5 – 6

These two chapters reveal several of the unique characteristics of John’s Gospel. Three come quickly to mind:

• “Jesus went up to Jerusalem” (5:1) This is the second time that we have read this phrase. The first happened late in chapter 2, and the third will happen in chapter 12. This is the only Gospel where Jesus is recorded as traveling to Jerusalem three different times. In all the other Gospels, he only makes one trip which leads to the cross. John is different, and each time he goes to Jerusalem it is for the Passover, a once a year festival. These words help to shape the idea that Jesus’ ministry lasted three years, one for each of his trips to Jerusalem. If it were solely up to Matthew, Mark, or Luke Jesus’ ministry would only have been a year long!
• Signs verse Miracles . . . As Jesus feeds the five thousand, they continue to follow him, and he states, “You are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.” (6:26) Notice with me that Jesus doesn’t perform miracles in John, instead they are “signs.” This is an important distinction for John. Miracles, could be equated to magic, and this is no hocus pocus trick that Jesus is performing. Not at all, instead Jesus is revealing the power and glory of God through the “signs” revealed in the healing of others, the water turned to wine, and in the feeding of the 5,000. John wants us to know this is not magic, it is a true sign of God.
• “I am . . .” Jesus will speak these words seven different times, (perhaps 8) depending on how you count them. Each time, these words recall God speaking to Moses through the burning bush as God is identified as “I am.” Here in chapter 6, we get one (or I’d say two) different statements, “I am the bread of life.” (6:35) and “I am the living bread.” Keep an eye out for the rest of these key identity statements that Jesus’ uses to reveal his presence in the world.

So there you go, a few unique characteristics of John that help us learn, grow and reflect today!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Reading for the next few days:
Thursday, November 7: John 7 – 8
Friday, November 8: John 9 – 10
Saturday, November 9: John 11 – 12

Reading for:
Monday, November 4: John 1 – 2
Tuesday, November 5: John 3 – 4

We are now four chapters into the Gospel of John. What a beautiful read! The flow, the elegance, the art of story telling, and all of the energy that comes in reading the Good News of Jesus Christ! As you can tell John is a bit different than the other three Gospels. I’ll get into some of those details in another post, for now I just want you to sit back and fall in love with the God of Love as you take John’s words . . . “In the beginning”

I won’t dwell there long, instead, I’d like to jump to the third chapter, where we encounter Nicodemus. Pay attention to this individual. Ask yourself, will I encounter Nicodemus again? As we do, or do not, will there be any progression in his faith story. While we have several more chapters to read before we have a complete character study, pay attention to the details. Details such as time, place, setting, and the wonderful foreshadowing that John places before us as Jesus speaks, “Those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen, that their deeds have been don in God.” (John 3:21) Also, if you are so eager, turn to chapter 19 to see what happens next.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Reading for the next few days:
Wednesday, November 6: John 5 – 6
Thursday, November 7: John 7 – 8
Friday, November 8: John 9 – 10

Reading for:
Saturday, November 2: Luke 21 – 22
Sunday, November 3: Luke 23 – 24

As the Gospel of Luke comes to a close there are two great conversations that take place that might be worth some additional reflection. One takes place on the cross. One takes place on the day of resurrection.

From the cross, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” As many congregations gathered to celebrate All Saints’ Day this past weekend, these words provide hope and a promise for all of us. Here, we find reassurance that in the midst of death something greater is coming. I can’t tell you how many families I have consoled in my 17 years of ministry, but many ask the question, “what happens next?” Is there darkness? Do we wait for the coming of Christ? When do we get there? How? All of these are great questions that I can’t answer fully, because I’ve not yet made that journey. At the same time, I hope that once I do, I’m not coming back to give you a full answer or description. Yet, here is what I do know, Jesus makes a promise to the one crucified with him. “You will be with me in paradise.” When? “TODAY” What a blessing to know that as we close our dying eyes, TODAY we find PARADISE!

On the day of Resurrection , “Weren’t our hearts burning within us!” As two ‘disciples’ leave the 11 and head to Emmaus, they meet a stranger who reveals the glory of Jesus through the story of the prophets. What these two don’t realize is that this stranger in their midst is the crucified and risen Lord! It takes until they gather for a meal, where bread is broken, before their eyes are opened. Can you imagine the awe that must have filled them in that very moment. As they quickly return to Jerusalem, full of Good News, their proclaim, “weren’t our hearts burning within us!” What a joy to know that they had been in the presence of Christ. Then to remember that the same joy comes to us. Christ is present through the Holy Spirit in each of us, and is sometimes revealed at unexpected moments. Therefore listen to your heart. When you feel it burn within you, know that Christ could very well be about to reveal himself to you!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Reading for the next few days:
Monday, November 4: John 1 – 2
Tuesday, November 5: John 3 – 4
Wednesday, November 6: John 5 – 6

Reading for:
Thursday, October 31: Luke 17 – 18
Friday, November 1: Luke 19 – 20

As we finished this section of Luke, where our author has combined together many of Jesus’ parables, we find the teaching of the Mustard Seed and the Servant in the Field. (Luke 17:5-10) Both of these need to be read together, and are all prompted by the Disciples statement/question/demand “increase our faith.”

In response to their statement/question/demand Jesus gives us the familiar image, “if you had faith the size of a mustard seed.” My friends this is not meant to be a put down to all of us who cannot to amazing things through faith. This is not to be a measuring tool for you and I to rank our faith. We shouldn’t think, “if only I was faithful enough . . . then” Unfortunately this parable has been used all too often in these ways. What it is meant it to be a reminder that with faith, great things can be accomplished. In the same way, it is a reminder that faith is never finished in its work. Hence the connection to the Servant in the Field. Called as we are to discipleship, our faith should always be at work. Our faith should always be serving. Our faith should never be caught idle, and when put to action can accomplish the seemingly impossible. So don’t give up your faith, thinking “if only it was the size of a mustard seed.” Remember your faith is enough just as it is!

Then we move into chapter 19 and Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. If we have been reading along, this is the third time we’ve heard the same story of Jesus on Palm Sunday. While we may have read this three different times, have you picked up on the details that make each Gospel unique? Ponder this:

• In Matthew 21 Jesus rides two donkeys! How did that work? Actually it says a donkey and it’s colt, but still it seems a bit awkward! Also, the crowds cheer: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 
• In Mark 11, we find a pretty traditional Palm Sunday Story. One donkey, palm branches, cloaks on the road and the people cheering: “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
• In Luke 20, there are no palm branches. Don’t believe me, look it up for yourselves! I always wondered how you could celebrate “Palm Sunday” if we only had Luke’s Gospel? Here the people cheer:  “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” and Jesus gives the reminder that if the people were silent, even the stones would sing.

That is the image I love . . . the stones singing. Talk about a real rock concert! Ok bad joke I know, but what a reminder which ties all of today’s reflection together! We are called to serve an awesome God who is recognize for greatness so much so that all of heaven and earth, including the rocks and dust of the earth, are able to proclaim God’s praise. Remember this, we put our faith to work to do great things on God’s behalf!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Reading for the next few days:
Saturday, November 2: Luke 21 – 22
Sunday, November 3: Luke 23 – 24
Monday, November 4: John 1 – 2

Reading for the next few days:
Wednesday, October 30: Luke 14 – 16

Within our congregation, we follow the Revised Common Lectionary as our guide for our Sunday morning readings. Most mainline congregations follow the RCL, so whether or not you are attending First Lutheran in Tiffin, Ohio or some other Lutheran church anywhere in the US (or even around the world) you are likely to hear the same readings share from the pulpit. For those of you who don’t know the RCL well, it is a three year cycle with one year desiganted for Matthew, Mark, and Luke, with readings from the Gospel of John interweaved intbeween.

This year is “Year C” or the “Year of Luke.” That being said, since the first of September we have been working our way through Luke 14 – 16 one parable at a time, for the past eight weeks. As I sat down to reflect on these particular readings I could recall little tidbits on each parable as I preached the Gospel over the past two months. I pondered what to share that might be moving and through provoking for you. I mean how can you reflect on all of these great parables in one fell swoop? I’d be writing a small book! Well, rather than do that, I’d like to reflect on one in particular . . . The Shrewd Manager.

“There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.’ Then the manager said to himself, ‘What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He answered, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.’ Then he asked another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘A hundred containers of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill and make it eighty.’ And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly;
(Luke 16:1-8a)

One of the sources that I rely on for my Sermon prep is a pod cast from Pulpitfiction.com. On their podcast for Sept 22, Rob and Eric proposed an interesting title change. What if instead of “The Shrewd Manager” this became “The Manager who Changed Sides”? Think about that one for a minute. I think it works, and fits the story well.

In the parable, the manager “changes sides” to care for and do honest business with those who owed his master. He gave up his commission to benefit those he was charged with managing. His master didn’t lose out. He did. In the end, we can assume he was rewarded, although we don’t see/hear that part of the story. Like the manager, Jesus changed sides for us. Jesus changed sides for us, leaving the throne of glory to walk this earth, and endure the cross. Jesus changed sides for us, by becoming the sacrifice for our sins rather than leaving the cost and weight of sin for us to bear on our own. Jesus changed sides for us, so that we see God as gracious, compassionate, and loving, over and above being spiteful, vengeful, full of anger and wrath. Jesus was born to be our divine manager, to change sides for all of us, so that we might receive the reward of new and everlasting life.

Like all parables, they are left open enough to challenge our thoughts. Perhaps this helped to challenge you? Perhaps it stirs you enough to ask whose side are you on? What benefit, or difference do that make to someone else? How might you change sides to give glory to God and to help make this place a bit more like the Kingdom God intended?

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Reading for the next few days:
Thursday, October 31: Luke 17 – 18
Friday, November 1: Luke 19 – 20
Saturday, November 2: Luke 21 – 22

Reading for:
Tuesday, October 29: Luke 12 – 13

I used to be a worrier. Maybe I still am and just don’t want to admit it. Maybe I still am and have learned to control it. Either way, I used to be a worrier. Most of us are, or have been, so I don’t feel alone.

I can say, “used to be” because Sunday mornings used to make me sick. Literally. I was so consumed with anxiety and worry that my Sunday morning routine would typically include several trips to ‘pray to the porcelain goddess’ if you know what I mean. I’d eat and it wouldn’t stick. My wife always joked that she was going to get me a “Golden Bucket” to hide in the pulpit, ‘just in case.’ Thankfully it never came to that, usually once I was out the door, I was good. Thankfully, somewhere in the past 5 years, I’ve grown out of that, or I just got confident enough to make it thought the morning without that extra prayer routine. Either way, somewhere in the past few years, I was able to set those worries aside. Although I’d be fooling you if I told you I don’t get nervous. After all, it should be intimating (and a joy) to do God’s work!

As I think of my own nervous tendacies, the fingernails that I used to bite as a kid, and the sleepless nights I still experience as an adult, Jesus’ words speak to me, just as much as they probalby speak to you . . .

Jesus said to his disciples,
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
Luke 12:22-31

Those are rich, rich words. Simple enough to read. Complex enough to challenge ourselves to “let go and let God.” I recall one of my early sermons, maybe even before seminary that preached on this text. Can’t recall what I said and lost the notes long ago, but I guarantee I was still worried, and “praying to the porcelain goddess.” Could I live my my message? Could I live by Jesus’ words. Well I thought I would try. What I remember most about that particular message was my mother-in-law. She is a worrier without a doubt. She didn’t know how anyone could heed these words. She even challenged me on them with further conversation. Again, don’t remember what I said, but like any son-in-law/mother-in-law relationship, I’m sure it added a bit more tension to our relationship.

In the end, still we live with challenge to set our worries aside. To trust, remember, believe, and know that God has got this, what every your “this” is. God has it completely under control.

So for, all of you worriers out there (me included) . . . let go, and let God!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Reading for the next few days:
Wednesday, October 30: Luke 14 – 16
Thursday, October 31: Luke 17 – 18
Friday, November 1: Luke 19 – 20

Luke has a unique blessing for it is the only Gospel with a sequel. That’s right, Luke wrote two books. Don’t believe me turn to the first few verse of Luke:

³I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.
Luke 1:3-4

Then turn to the Book of Acts:

In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning ²until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
Acts 1:1-2

How about that! We have a sequel, and we don’t have to wait 2 years for the movie to come out and finish the story. We do have a few more weeks to wait however before we are reading Acts. But who is Theophilus? Scholars tend to follow these four thoughts. 1) A Jew from Alexandria. 2) A highly regarded Roman Official. 3) Paul’s lawyer during his trial in Rome. 4) High priest of the temple in Jerusalem from 37 – 41. It could be any one of these individuals, or an honorary title as defined in Greek “Friend in God.”

Besides having a sequel, there are other great things to keep in mind when reading Luke. If we keep in mind the Two Source Hyphothesis, then Luke relied on Mark, his own source material, and Q (a shared source between Matthew and Luke) Of the 1151 verses in Luke, approximately 300 come from Mark, 200 are shared between Luke and Matthew, and the remaining come from his own material. Some of these unique stories include:

• The prologue and the infancy stories of John the Baptist and Jesus
• Several Miracles:
  • Miraculous Catch (5:1-11)
  • Widow of Nain (7:11-17)
  • Crippled Woman (13:10-17)
  • Man with Dropsy (14:1-6)
  • Ten Lepers (17:11-19)
• Several Parables: (including but not limited to)
  • Good Samaritan
  • Friend at Midnight
  • Rich Fool
  • Barren Fig Tree
  • Prodigal Son
  • Unjust steward
  • Rich Man and Lazarus
  • Unjust judge
• And some unique stories:
  • Martha and Mary (10:38-42)
  • Zacchaeus (19:1-10)
  • Walk to Emmaus (24:13-27)
  • The Ascension (24:50-53)

In that list alone, there is plenty of good stuff to lighten our hearts as we walk with Christ to the Cross. However, unlike Mark, it doesn’t take the cross to reveal Jesus’ true identity. Think back to the angels greeting the Shepherds . . . who is born? The “Savior”! From the beginning, we encounter the one who has come to bring salvation to all people.

That places us just about back on schedule, and reading a few chapters a night we should be pretty close to this:

Reading for the next few days:
Tuesday, October 29: Luke 12 – 13
Wednesday, October 30: Luke 14 – 16
Thursday, October 31: Luke 17 – 18

God’s Blessings,
Pastor Bailey

Many thanks again to our friends over at thebibleproject.com and for their creative and in-depth video presentations. As we have wrapped up our readings in Mark and are working our way through Luke, here are their videos to help us in our daily reflection:

God’s Blessings,
Pastor Bailey

Greetings Friends and Faithful Year of Scripture Readers!

So, I took a week of vacation, and truly enjoyed some me time. It was probably the first time in 17 years of ministry that I took a week just for me. It was wonderful! I’d recommend it, and my wife gives thanks that I was able to check several things off the “honey do list” as well.

Now that my little week of me time was two weeks away, I used last week to get caught up and I kept saying, “I need to get back to my blog.” Sorry I dragged my feet. I kept thinking it, just never sat down to pound out some thoughts. Anyways . . . on to Mark!

If we’ve been following along, we should have read Mark two chapters at a time, beginning October 15 through October 22. If not, its a relatively quick read especially when compared to the other three Gospels. As you read, here are some things you might have noticed:

• Mark’s Gospel is short, there is a sense of urgency, and it ends abruptly.
• To highlight that, Mark uses the word “immediately” 17 times. Compare this to Matthew which uses the same word 6 times, Luke 13, and John 5.
• The ending it is a mystery in and of itself. Did anyone see Jesus? Did the women say anything to anyone? Someone must have, otherwise the story wouldn’t have been shared.
• Everything is a secret. The Disciples don’t understand who Jesus is (in fact they are pretty dense in Mark). Miracles are asked to be kept a secret, and parable are Jesus preferred form of teaching, which are secretive in their own way.
• The only ones who seem to understand the truth are the demons. They always recognize Jesus for who he is, “I know who you are, the holy one of God.” they proclaim. Peter might get it as he proclaims Jesus as the Messiah, but then he denies Jesus in nearly the same breath. It’s not until the end, that the centurion proclaims, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”

That proclamation, proves to be the heart of the Gospel, for in Mark the cross reveals to all the world that Jesus is God’s Son. Living in the light of that truth we give thanks that the crucified and risen one give his live to reveal God’s love for you and me.

And a side, ps . . . If Jesus is patient enough to stay with the disciples as portrayed in Mark, then there is hope for you and me!!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Readings for:
Tuesday, October 8: Matthew 15 – 17
Wednesday, October 9: Matthew 18 – 19
Thursday, October 10: Matthew 20 – 21
Friday, October 11: Matthew 22 – 23

First off my apologies. I’ve gotten behind on posting my thoughts and reflections. Part of that is the realization that for every two chapters we read, there are easily ten weeks of Sunday sermons . . . how do you condense that down to just a few hundred words for a blog?

Another part of that is that I’ve realized I’m exhausted mentally, physically, and (dare I say) spiritually. This past month has been a marathon for me. A wedding every weekend, two big funerals, teaching 5 college level lay leadership classes on the New Testament and taking in the rather challenging texts that the past few Sundays have presented for us. Folks, I’m beat! Right now, I stare at the screen as if to say “I’ve got nothing left to say.”

The good news here is that I hear the message my “self” is telling me, and it’s time for a week off. Just me at home with little to do. In 17 years of ministry, I’m not sure that I’ve ever taken a week like that before, but its time. So . . . connecting all the dots for you . . . I’m going to blog off for a while and get back to you in a week or so, where hopefully I’ll feel restored, refreshed, and ready to share some great insight on Mark and Luke.

Until then, I hope you keep reading. The dates and assigned readings are listed below. If you keep up on your readings, I will keep up with that as well.

Before I close for now, two more things. One:) Take a moment to check in with our friends from thebibleproject.com and see their reflections on Matthew. Two:) It’s “Pastor Appreciation Month” be sure to thank your pastor for all they do. A card, note, gift card to dinner out, some token of appreciation is always welcome. Oh, and don’t for get the Music Directors and everyone else who “ministers” to you as well.

Peace!
Pastor Bailey

Readings for the next few days:
Saturday, October 12: Matthew 24 – 25
Sunday, October 13: Matthew 26
Monday, October 14: Matthew 27 – 28
Tuesday, October 15: Mark 1 – 3
Wednesday, October 16: Mark 4 – 5
Thursday, October 17: Mark 6 – 7
Friday, October 18: Mark 8 – 9
Saturday, October 19: Mark 10 – 11
Sunday, October 20: Mark 12 – 13
Monday, October 21: Mark 14
Tuesday, October 22: Mark, 15 – 16