Jesus hears terrible news: John the Baptist has been arrested (Matthew 4:12-23). He is sad for his friend, the world and himself.
Soon afterwards, he is proclaiming good news and healing everyone. How does Jesus do this, that is, metabolize the hearing of tragedy into the sharing of love?
And, what, if anything, can we do, to metabolize the hard and even hateful news that we hear into love and compassion?
The artworks is a relief "The Arrest of John the Baptist" by Lorenzo Ghiberti
Yet on day 1, Jesus chooses to hang out with a person he hadn't yet met, Andrew, and another future disciple. He doesn't teach, exhort, impress or anything -- he just spends time with them.
What gives here? Why is Jesus just spending time with Andrew? And why might Jesus want to spend time with us?
The image is from "What the Saints did Next" Photography blog.
.webp)
"This [Baptism] is necessary for us to fulfill all righteousness" Jesus, Matthew's Gospel
As he is baptized, Jesus makes the bold an audacious claim that he intends to fulfill all righteousness. Pastor Rob explores how big of a promise this is in light of the unrighteousness in our world, our lives and in our hearts,
The second part of the sermon reflects on what this promise means for us who are baptized. How we live in the face of our own and the world's unrighteousness.
The art work is the "Baptism of Christ, painting by Vladmir Zagltov
Often times, we skip the necessary step of asking ourselves: Is this goal something that God intends for me?
Working with the story of the magi visiting Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12), Pastor Rob reflects on how we can discern God's purposes and will in our lives. It turns out that it isn't about a formula, but more like a recipe for a slow cook sauce, one that has a number of ingredients and takes some time.
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas continues to capture the imagination years after its debut. Might it be that the problem for the grinch -- that is heart is too sizes too small -- is something we fear might happen to us? Not only might our hearts be smaller, but as humans it is quite hard (impossible?!) to grow our own heart. We need a love outside of ourselves.
Fear not though, for love has come! As the Gospel writer Luke tells of the story
1) The love our hearts need has come into the world in Jesus Christ.
2) This love is for the world and also for you!
Joseph is, Pastor Rob offers, the Patron Saint of the Unappreciated.
Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25; parts of Matthew 2) is called to play a vital role in the Christmas story. Pastor Rob offers that each of us has a role to play - a holy calling - in the Christmas story in our lives this year.
Unfortunately, Joseph is not thanked in the Bible (or in some ways, in history) for his efforts. At the holidays, we can often feel unappreciated as the Christmas story plays out in our lives.
Joseph perhaps offers a way through the bitterness that can come when we are not thanked. For Joseph's story reminds us that although we have a role, the story is not about us. This can free us to serve in love, worship in joy and give thanks for those who have gone before us in faith.
"Your mercy is from generation to generation to those who fear you" Mary, in the Magnificat, from Luke 1
Today we have three generations meeting and interacting : Elizabeth, Mary and John. Each generation brings a different gift. Elizabeth brings the patience of one who has life's disappointment turn into celebration. John brings the joy of a child, simply enthralled with the birth of Jesus.
As Mary draws on the joy of John and the patience of Elizabeth, she breaks forth in a song of praise. This is a song that acknowledges the brokenness of life, but also the gift of the redeemer in our lives. This is a song that is not dependent on the circumstances in the world. This is song for you too, as you join with the generations: "My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior."
The Artwork comes from Grace Church, Dupage, IL.
