Encountering Jesus, Lent 1: Mary, his mother

 Lent 1 2023 (Feb 26)

“What is this matter between you and me woman?”  Jesus speaks harsh words to his mother, Mary.

We begin our Lenten Series with an emotionally intense encounter between a mother and her child.  While we could understand this as an interaction between a disciple and her Lord, by focusing on the human interaction between parent and child, we learn something about God’s relationship to us.

A sermon on vulnerability in the most enduring yet vulnerable of relationships, parent to child.  What might it mean that we are invited to call on God as a heavenly parent?

The picture is of the youth who read the Gospel today.

Cutting the Law Down to Size

 February 12, 2023

Jesus has really challenging words for us today (Matthew 5:21-32).  He speaks about hard topics: anger, adultery and divorce.  His words likely make us uncomfortable and even convict us.

Are we simply to cut them down to size, so they don’t hurt?  How can we hear these words as words of life? 

Note:  If you are listening to the sermon instead of watching, you may need to look at the attached image.  About half way through I began to cut a piece of paper in various ways; the three stages are shown in the image.

You are the Salt of the Earth

 February 5, 2023

“You are the salt of the earth.”  Jesus Christ, Matthew 5:13

The picture is of a group of women that Pastor Rob encountered in Tanzania.  They were clearing a field with machetes!  Talk about salt of the earth!

Pastor Rob unpacks Jesus’ words about salt and light.  With these metaphors, Jesus paints a picture — offers a compelling vision — describing the purpose of his disciples’ life.

Blessed are the Peacemakers

 

Sunday, January 29

“Blessed are the Peacemakers” ~ Jesus Christ, Gospel of Matthew

Blessed too, Jesus says, are the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart and those who hunger and thrust for righteousness.  This world of blessings sounds beautiful, but profoundly unlike the world in which we live.  As much as we might be tempted, we cannot so easily shake off the compelling words of the our Savior and his vision for the world.  For in truth, we long for a world in which they would be fulfilled.  How do we get there?

A reflection on peacemaking, the cross and Siri.

Repent!

 

January 22, 2023

There is something evil happening in Ukraine.  

There is also something evil happening as a backdrop the story of Jesus calling his disciples in the Gospel of Matthew (4:12-23)

What is the response of Jesus to such evil?  To proclaim a simple message:  “Repent, The Kingdom of God is at Hand.”

A reflection on what repentance means and what Jesus is doing in the face of evil.

The photo comes from the Department of Defense.

What are you seeking?

 Sunday, January 15, 2023

Jesus asks his would be followers “What are you seeking?”

A simple yet challenging question.  We too are invited to hear the question for us:  “What are you seeking?”

There are many things in life we are seeking, but Pastor Rob offers that his and likely our deepest longing is for the reconciliation, righteousness and joy in all things to be restored.

John the Baptist claims this is the work and mission of Jesus when he declares, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  Beautifully, John does not claim this will happen only in the future in heaven, but acknowledges that Jesus is doing this work now, of making all things new and restoring what was broken and marred by sin.

A reflection on the work of Christ and modern “John the Baptists” who point us toward the one taking away the sin of the world.

The art comes from a Jewish website, Chabad.  You can read more about the artist, Sefira Lightstone.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

 Baptism of Jesus

January 8, 2023

We have way more choices than people in the past had, even compared to two or three generations ago.  We have choices about what we wear, what we live, what technology we use, whom we befriend, what occupation we pursue, whom we love…the list goes on and on.  We live a world of “designer me” in which we can be who we want to be.

Yet, in spite of all of those choices, we don’t find ourselves and happier.  Pastor Rob reflects on the self-absorption and anxiety that these decisions create.  Where shall we turn?

The waters of Baptism.

As we reflect and celebrate Jesus Baptism (Matthew 3:13-17) and learn about Jesus mission and identity, we learn about our own mission and identity.  

A reflection on decisions, anxiety and the good news that the fundamental choice in life — that God has claimed us beloved children — has already been decided for us.  

The image comes from a website on anxiety, https://www.aconsciousrethink.com/10482/decision-anxiety/