Ripples in a Pond

“People say, what is the sense of our small effort? They cannot see that we must lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time. A pebble cast into a pond causes ripples that spread in all directions. Each one of our thoughts, words and deeds is like that. No one has a right to sit down and feel hopeless. There is too much work to do."  -- Dorothy Day

In this week's passage, the twelve disciples (some previously un-named in Matthew's gospel) are commissioned to go out into the world around them and do a variety of deeds, including miraculous acts like casting out demons and raising the dead.  At it's core, I think the commission of the disciples was to seek out people in need and to help them in radical ways.  This was not simply offering to pray with them or handing them a bottle of water on a hot day.  This was/is life-transforming stuff.  

The disciples, and by association, we are called to change lives, and to do so expecting nothing in return.  There is no expectation of sweat equity, or helping those who help themselves.  Sure, somebody in town was expected to extend the hospitality of room and board to the disciples as they traveled, but I doubt those folks received extra miracles as a result.

I find it particularly interesting that Jesus didn't promise the disciples comfort, prosperity, or unconditional welcome and acceptance.  On the contrary, Jesus told them that some folks wouldn't be so keen on traveling miracle workers, and that other folks would actually drag them to councils and governors because of their charitable acts.  This passage causes me to question a prevailing myth (not read as fairy tale) I hear often in church circles in which we church folks get out into the community to perform acts of charity and thus the community will see how great we are and flock to our worship services, sunday schools, and other programmatic activities.  

Maybe we church folks should get out there and meet needs not because we're hoping for more members, but because Jesus calls us to do so.  Maybe if we work hard to cast out the demons of our culture and bring life to dead places, the powers-that-be will call us in for a little chat.  Maybe we'll end up in front a hearing about un-american behavior.  Maybe we'll be called to give testimony as to why we're so radical in our message.  Or, as I suspect is more likely to happen, maybe we won't do any of that for fear of what we might say or what might happen to us along the way.

Where do you see "demons" actively causing mischief in our culture?

What situations or which people are most in need of new life in our community?

If you were called to testify about your faith, what do you think you would say?

Matthew 10:1-20

Mission of the Twelve

10 He called his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to throw them out and to heal every disease and every sickness. ² Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, who is called Peter; and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee; and John his brother; ³ Philip; and Bartholomew; Thomas; and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Cananaean;^u and Judas, who betrayed Jesus.

Commissioning of the Twelve

⁵ Jesus sent these twelve out and commanded them, “Don’t go among the Gentiles or into a Samaritan city. ⁶ Go instead to the lost sheep, the people of Israel. ⁷ As you go, make this announcement: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, and throw out demons. You received without having to pay. Therefore, give without demanding payment. ⁹ Workers deserve to be fed, so don’t gather gold or silver or copper coins for your money belts to take on your trips. ¹⁰ Don’t take a backpack for the road or two shirts or sandals or a walking stick. ¹¹ Whatever city or village you go into, find somebody in it who is worthy and stay there until you go on your way. ¹² When you go into a house, say, ‘Peace!’ ¹³ If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if the house isn’t worthy, take back your blessing. ¹⁴ If anyone refuses to welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet as you leave that house or city. ¹⁵ I assure you that it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on Judgment Day than it will be for that city.

Response to harassment

¹⁶ “Look, I’m sending you as sheep among wolves. Therefore, be wise as snakes and innocent as doves. ¹⁷ Watch out for people—because they will hand you over to councils and they will beat you in their synagogues. ¹⁸ They will haul you in front of governors and even kings because of me so that you may give your testimony to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ Whenever they hand you over, don’t worry about how to speak or what you will say, because what you can say will be given to you at that moment. ²⁰ You aren’t doing the talking, but the Spirit of my Father is doing the talking through you.

Why worry?

This past week I had the opportunity to make the drive from Chattanooga to Nashville.  It's a beautiful drive anytime, but this time of year is particularly wonderful as the forests lining the interstate explode with vibrant oranges, reds, yellows, greens, and everything in between.   

As I was driving, I had this week's scripture passage from Matthew 6:25-34 in mind.  Jesus tells his disciples not to worry about what they will eat, or what they will drink, or what they will wear and goes on to offer up the birds of the air and the lilies of the field as prime examples of beauty that has been provided by God.  I'd like to think that if Jesus had lived in middle Tennessee, he would have mentioned the fall foliage as well.  There's beauty all around us, and not just when the leaves change color, and yet so often we miss that beauty because our hearts and minds are focused on things that aren't so beautiful.  We stress over what outfit to wear, or that exam coming up next week, or how our actions will look to the people around us.  Jesus invites us to let go of worry and to place our primary focus on the kingdom of God and God's righteousness.

I've heard people use this passage to paint Jesus as somebody who was out of touch with the realities of those who are hungry, thirsty, or naked.  I don't see that.  I hear Jesus speaking directly to those people.  He offers words of hope for being fed and clothed.  I think Jesus knew that, as human beings, we sometimes focus on the negative aspects of life and fail to take notice of the positive things.  He seemed to know that a mindset of scarcity will consume a person if they worry too much.  Jesus calls us to view the world through the lens of abundance, offering those birds and lilies as examples of God's abundant provision.  Are we to sit idly by and wait for food to appear?  I don't think so, but to spend our days worrying about food is not faithful. 

This week in worship we'll explore the difference between giving something attention and worrying about it.  How would you desribe the difference?

In what areas of your life do you see abundance?

In what areas of your life do you see scarcity?

What examples would you use to illustrate God's abundant provision?

As you go through your week, may you see the beauty of God all around you.

Prayer Resources

At worship last night, I encouraged everyone to spend more time in private prayer.  Here are some online resources that might be helpful as you attempt to find a rhythm for engaging in conversation with God.

d365 A Daily online devotional: www.d365.org/todaysdevotion/

Daily Office-Daily scripture readings and prayers: www.dailyoffice.org

Divine Office-Traditional Bible readings, prayers, and hymns: www.divineoffice.org (There's also a Divine Office podcast that provides audio of daily prayer)

Common Prayer for Ordinary Radicals-A book used by Shane Claiborne and his community of faith: http://www.amazon.com/Common-Prayer-Pocket-Ordinary-Radicals/dp/031033506X (this is a book you can order on Amazon.  It provides daily prayer and suggested scripture readings)

The Upper Room-A daily devotional reading found in many church parlors: http://devotional.upperroom.org/

Presbyterian Church USA Mission Yearbook-Daily readings about congregations, presbyteries, and missions of our denomination, complete with prayer and suggested scripture reading from the daily lectionary: http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionyearbook/

Finally, the PCUSA has announced that they will soon release a Daily Prayer app for iPhone.  When it becomes available, I'll put the link on the psfnahsville website and facebook page.

Book of Common Worship: bookoforder.info/Book-of-Common-Worship.pdf (this will initiate a download of the entire Book of Common Worship)

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Prayer...for God's sake

At various times in my life, I've played on church softball teams.  I've always enjoyed such activities.  It allowed me to get to know church folks in a different context.  People seem more willing to be themselves when they aren't dressed for church, and people feel less incline to talk about churchy stuff.  At the end of each game, the teams would trot out onto the field, circle up, and pray.  When it came time to pray, everybody would look at the sky, kick the dirt in the infield, and inevitably someone would say, "Hey, Alan, you're a minister, why don't you offer up the prayer?"  I'll be honest and say that sometimes I didn't feel like praying.  I'm a competitive person, and if we had just lost a lead or been unable to mount a comeback, my honest deep-down-in-my-heart prayer was for my enemies to be smited.  If we had won the game, I was probably feeling smug and not in the most reverent place either.  Regardless, as I read the passage for this week about not practicing your religion in front of other people, I decided Jesus would not be a fan of the public prayer at the end of softball games.

While we shouldn't exactly be shocked anymore, Jesus' advice about prayer seems to stand in opposition to some of the most hallowed traditions of religious practice in churches all over the world.  After all, isn't the pastor supposed to offer eloquent prayers in worship so that everyone can grow closer to God through those words?  Aren't the youth who volunteer to pray at youth group granted special status?  

And what about all that secretive giving Jesus advocates?  How am I supposed to see my name in the program at the symphony or in my alma mater's newsletter if I don't submit my full name on the donation form?  Just how are churches supposed to raise funds for that new hymnal if we don't agree to put stickers with donor names on the inside cover?

To be sure, we are called to gather with other believers for corporate (meaning communal) worship, and I don't think Jesus would be disappointed in those of us who include The Great Thanksgiving in our communion liturgies.  However, maybe Jesus' challenge to make prayer and worship a daily practice in the privacy of one's home and one's heart is made so that we might not be distracted by some need to "get it right" in front of others.  In the template for prayer that Jesus offers, the focus is entirely on God.  May our prayer life reflect that focus.

Matthew 6:1-15

6 “Be careful that you don’t practice your religion in front of people to draw their attention. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

² “Whenever you give to the poor, don’t blow your trumpet as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so that they may get praise from people. I assure you, that’s the only reward they’ll get. ³ But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing ⁴ so that you may give to the poor in secret. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you.

Showy prayer

⁵ “When you pray, don’t be like hypocrites. They love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners so that people will see them. I assure you, that’s the only reward they’ll get. ⁶ But when you pray, go to your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you.

Proper prayer

⁷ “When you pray, don’t pour out a flood of empty words, as the Gentiles do. They think that by saying many words they’ll be heard. ⁸ Don’t be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask. ⁹ Pray like this: 

Our Father who is in heaven, 

uphold the holiness of your name. 

¹⁰ Bring in your kingdom 

so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven. 

¹¹ Give us the bread we need for today. 

¹² Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you, 

just as we also forgive those who have wronged us. 

¹³ And don’t lead us into temptation, 

but rescue us from the evil one. 

¹⁴ “If you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you don’t forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your sins.

Did Jesus mean what he said?

In this week's passage, Jesus calls his disciples to do some fairly radical things, such as loving their enemies, giving to anyone who asks, turning your left cheek to someone who just slapped your right cheek, and even stripping down naked to give someone all the clothes you're currently wearing.

Last week we explored the beatitudes in worship, and most of us can get behind those, even if we don't exactly display the qualities Jesus blesses.  We can reflect on the ways God might find to bless such folks, even if the blessings are non-traditional.  This week, though, I'd like to pose the question: Was Jesus for real?  Did he really mean what he said?  Some commentators say yes, while others say no, and most hedge with a maybe of sorts.  

Those in the no/maybe club find ways to say that Jesus simply used those concrete examples as ways to point to the general idea of letting go of one's own desires so that others might be served and so that God's will might be done.  Jesus didn't really mean to end up naked when somebody tries to take your shirt, at least according to some.  Or, others suggest that Jesus was providing seemingly impossible ways of living, knowing we would fail to do them, but in the process we would live better lives than we might have otherwise.

Those in the yes group look at the sermon on the mount as a whole, particularly in the context of the entire gospel according to Matthew and say that Jesus consistently sets expectations for his disciples, knowing that their lives will look different than the rest of the world.  They challenge us to think about how the world would be different today if over the past 2000 years, followers of Jesus had taken him seriously.

So, what do you think?  Was Jesus for real?  Did he really mean for us to do what he said?  Does Jesus really expect us to love as completely as God, or as the NRSV translates it, "Be perfect as God is perfect"?  If we make it about that, do we fall into the trap of legalism and become Pharisees?  If we fail to love as completely as God, can we really claim that Jesus is our Lord?  I'd love to hear what you think about these teachings of Jesus.

Matthew 5:33-48

Law of solemn pledges

³³ “Again you have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago: Don’t make a false solemn pledge, but you should follow through on what you have pledged to the Lord. ⁿ³⁴ But I say to you that you must not pledge at all. You must not pledge by heaven, because it’s God’s throne. ³⁵ You must not pledge by the earth, because it’s God’s footstool. You must not pledge by Jerusalem, because it’s the city of the great king. ³⁶ And you must not pledge by your head, because you can’t turn one hair white or black. ³⁷ Let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no. Anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Law of retaliation

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth .^o39 But I say to you that you must not oppose those who want to hurt you. If people slap you on your right cheek, you must turn the left cheek to them as well. ⁴⁰ When they wish to haul you to court and take your shirt, let them have your coat too. ⁴¹ When they force you to go one mile, go with them two. ⁴² Give to those who ask, and don’t refuse those who wish to borrow from you.

Law of love

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, You must love your neighbor ^p and hate your enemy. ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who harass you ⁴⁵ so that you will be acting as children of your Father who is in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both the evil and the good and sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love only those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? ⁴⁸ Therefore, just as your heavenly Father is complete in showing love to everyone, so also you must be complete.

All this has happened before...

And all of it will happen again.

All of the Battlestar Galactica fans just let out a cheer.  As I read the passages for this week, I couldn't help but think of that tagline from one of my favorite sci-fi shows.  Here goes Matthew again, rooting Jesus' story in the stories of the Old Testament.  Jesus passing through the waters of baptism before facing 40 days in the wilderness is designed to echo the story of Moses and the Israelites passing through the Red Sea before facing 40 years in the wilderness.  Just as Moses was deeply committed to following God, so will Jesus humbly follow God's plans, resisting the temptations of the devil to perform miracles, establish security, and claim power.

Reading these two passages back to back makes me wonder what might happen in a local church somewhere if we were to combine teenage/adult baptism and/or confirmation with 40 days of fasting in the wilderness.  What if instead of a fancy luncheon with their confirmation sponsors, all of those ninth graders (as if God only calls people of a certain age to decide it's time to make a lifelong commitment to discipleship) were immediately sent out into the wilderness to contemplate their new life of discipleship with only a backpack containing some sleeping gear, a change of clothes, a water bottle with purification tablets, and that nice Bible the church gave them that usually sits on the shelf at home?  What if when people joined the church, we immediately required 40 days of fasting and spiritual contemplation as to how they would live out their discipleship?  I don't think we would have as many people signing up for confirmation or for church membership, and yet I wonder what the church might look like if we did.

Some questions to consider:

• What, if anything, do you remember from your confirmation experience?
• How do you think Jesus feels about the "celebrity" he has become in some circles of faith?
• What temptations could Satan offer you that would be awfully hard to resist?

Matthew 3:13-17 & 4:1-11

Baptism of Jesus

¹³ At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River so that John would baptize him. ¹⁴ John tried to stop him and said, “ I need to be baptized by you, yet you come to me? ”

¹⁵ Jesus answered, “ Allow me to be baptized now. This is necessary to fulfill all righteousness. ”

So John agreed to baptize Jesus. ¹⁶ When Jesus was baptized, he immediately came up out of the water. Heaven was opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and resting on him. ¹⁷ A voice from heaven said, “ This is my Son whom I dearly love; I find happiness in him. ”

Temptation of Jesus 

4 Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness so that the devil might tempt him. ² After Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was starving. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “ Since you are God’s Son, command these stones to become bread. ”

⁴ Jesus replied, “ It’s written, People won’t live only by bread, but by every word spoken by God . ” 

⁵ After that the devil brought him into the holy city and stood him at the highest point of the temple. He said to him, ⁶ “ Since you are God’s Son, throw yourself down; for it is written, I will command my angels concerning you, and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your foot on a stone. ” 

⁷ Jesus replied, “ Again it’s written, Don’t test the Lord your God . ” ^h

⁸ Then the devil brought him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹ He said, “ I’ll give you all these if you bow down and worship me. ”

¹⁰ Jesus responded, “ Go away, Satan, because it’s written, You will worship the Lord your God and serve only him . ” ⁱ¹¹ The devil left him, and angels came and took care of him.

Change your hearts and lives!

"Change your hearts and lives!"

How about that translation of the Greek word metanoia?  We usually see the word Repent, and yet metanoia indicates the action of "turning around."  In this week's Scripture passage, this wild, wilderness-living, locust-eating, camel hair-wearing character named John breaks onto the scene with his radical message of:  "Change your hearts and lives!"  "Repent!"  "Turn your life around!"  We are told that people from all over the place show up to be told to get their lives in order so they can be baptized.  Besides that, he goes on the attack when the Pharisees and Sadducees show up, calling them children of snakes.

I don't know about you, but if I walked into a church and the preacher sounded like John the Baptist, I'd probably walk out during the passing of the peace and never come back.  And yet, there's something attractive about somebody who is bold enough to call on people to reorient their lives.  I fear that we mainline church folks are so worried about sounding judgmental that we get all squeamish and squirmy when it comes to the word Repent.  We focus so much on making everybody feel welcome that we ignore all that the Bible has to say about faithful living/bearing good fruit.  We act as if God's love means our actions don't matter, whereas I tend to agree with David Bartlett who writes:

"...if God does not care about what I do, I will begin to suspect that God does not actually care about me.  If God loves me enough to welcome me into Christ's family, then God loves me enough to expect something of me. (What God expects, it need hardly be said, is not necessarily what churches that specialize in judgment expect.)" -Feasting on the Word, Year A, Volume 1, Page 46

John the Baptist's call to change our hearts and lives is one echoed throughout the history of Israel, in the story of Jesus, and throughout the history of Christianity.  We are called to reorient ourselves to the Kingdom of God, especially as it is displayed in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

As we prepare for worship together, may we reflect on/discuss/comment on the following questions:

• Describe negative experiences of feeling judged by disciples of Jesus Christ
• How might we call people to change their hearts and lives in ways that are helpful and life giving?
• How do God's expectations for us differ from the expectations of the world/culture/?

Matthew 3:1-12

Ministry of John the Baptist 

3 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the desert of Judea announcing, ² “ Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven! ” ³ He was the one of whom Isaiah the prophet spoke when he said: 

The voice of one shouting in the wilderness, 

“ Prepare the way for the Lord; 

make his paths straight. ” ^e

⁴ John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.

⁵ People from Jerusalem, throughout Judea, and all around the Jordan River came to him. ⁶ As they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. ⁷ Many Pharisees and Sadducees came to be baptized by John. He said to them, “ You children of snakes! Who warned you to escape from the angry judgment that is coming soon? ⁸ Produce fruit that shows you have changed your hearts and lives. ⁹ And don’t even think about saying to yourselves, Abraham is our father. I tell you that God is able to raise up Abraham’s children from these stones. ¹⁰ The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be chopped down and tossed into the fire. ¹¹ I baptize with water those of you who have changed your hearts and lives. The one who is coming after me is stronger than I am. I’m not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. ¹² The shovel he uses to sift the wheat from the husks is in his hands. He will clean out his threshing area and bring the wheat into his barn. But he will burn the husks with a fire that can’t be put out. ”