a new law

over the past few weeks we have been discussing jesus and his 'sabbath-breaking' tendencies. we have realized that all too often our tendencies are to make lists and rules and we may even have the audacity to place those rules above compassion and love for others. this video captures the heart of that. it is by an artist that often inspires and always challenges me...derek webb. enjoy.
peace to you,
scott

hand hand fingers thumb

hand hand fingers thumb
one thumb one thumb
shrivelled up and numb

one hand two hands
called him up to the front
the pharisees lean forward
to see the sabbath stunt

hand hand fingers thumb
one thumb one thumb
made right and them some

one hand one hand
the healing over and done
by the love of god’s one and only son

the power of jesus to heal amazes me. whether it is cancer or a disfigured limb, jesus has power over this body. the physical world is under his authority. i do not understand why or how it happens, but there have been times where i have witnessed firsthand the healing power of christ. (i have also had more times than i can count where i have prayed and it seems that there has been no change in the situation at all--maybe that is proof that there is no formula)

i love the story that mark shares in the beginning of his third chapter. jesus is in the synagogue again. the pharisees have gathering in the front row, the place of honor…hoping to somehow trap jesus in leading people astray.

enter the man with the withered hand. he was not born this way. a disease has taken hold of his body and rendered his hand useless. jesus has compassion on him…a stone mason by trade, desperately in need of both hands to provide for his family. too proud to beg. he turns to jesus.

jesus asks him to stand. the pharisees get excited…this is their moment. he will heal this man. they will have him trapped.

the plot thickens. is it lawful to do good on the sabbath or to do evil? to save a life or to kill?

stretch out your hand.

hand hand fingers thumb
one thumb one thumb
made right and them some

one hand one hand
the healing over and done
by the love of god’s one and only son

peace to you,
scott

wheat kings and pretty things

one sabbath jesus was going through the grainfields,
and as his disciples walked along, they began to
pick some heads of grain. the pharisees said to him,
“look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”
he answered, “have you never read what david
did when he and his companions were hungry and in
need? in the days of abiathar the high priest, he entered
the house of god and ate the consecrated bread,
which is lawful only for priests to eat. and he also gave
some to his companions.”
then he said to them, “the sabbath was made for
man, not man for the sabbath. so the son of man is
lord even of the sabbath.” mark 2:2
the sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath...there is a lot packed into that statement.
we will unpack that phrase...the picking of wheat...the eating of consecrated bread..on sunday at 4 at fude.
peace to you,
scott

slow down and go fast

fasting is not one of my strong suits. let's just get that out on the table. i like food. i thoroughly enjoy the consumption of carbohydrates, proteins and sugars. i take great pleasure in pacifying my palate. i have actually contemplated writing a book on food. certainly not a cookbook, as unless it goes on the bbq, i am quite sure i can make it taste bad. but a book based on the biblical model of sharing a meal. (i even have a couple of sample titles should it become a reality: 'the sacrament of the shared meal - eating together as a sacred act of worship' or 'the sacrilege of the common meal - rediscovering the lost art (heart) of eating together')
that being said there have been times in my life where i have chosen to fast. usually at some point of decision or crisis. not typically as a discipline, more as a desperate search for clarity. it has been in those times, where i have slowed down, skipped a meal or two, that i have thought more clearly and heard more deftly the nudging in my heart and soul. where i sensed god speaking to me. there is something to this sacred discipline of fasting...if not i doubt that jesus would have encouraged it.
in mark 2:18-22 jesus is challenged by the religious leaders as to why his disciples do not fast. he talks about the bridegroom being with them (we will discuss this more on sunday) and he says that when he is gone, his disciples will fast.
so as his disciples, do we fast?
it seems there is a time to feast and a time to fast?
when is your time?
peace to you,
scott

baby dedication

we will be having our first baby dedication for two sweet little girls...sadie and maddy this sunday. join us as we celebrate and dedicate these precious gifts.
see you sunday @ 4,
peace to you,
scott