How Faith Comes to Us

One day He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing. Luke 5:17

Intro: Luke describes the setting with specific details

Not when and where details, but who and what details
– the characters he highlights
• Jesus, who was teaching
• a group of Pharisees and teachers of the law, who were “sitting”
○ why would Luke make special mention of the Pharisees and teachers?
○ that they came from all over–and especially from Jerusalem–is a clue
○ they were there to investigate Jesus
– some thing else was present, namely, “the power of the Lord  . . . to perform healing”

What part do the Pharisees and teachers of law play in the story of Jesus?
– their role was that of antagonists who create conflict for the protagonist–the villains who oppose the hero
• through the tension their opposition to Jesus creates, core issues are highlighted and addressed
– the are also representatives of an old and bankrupt system
• the “institution” that had assumed ownership and control of the sacred
• a friend refers to this as “Religion, Incorporated”

William McNamara observed, “Where the institutional factor plays an important part in a community, materialism is liable to prosper.” And he explains, “A materialist is one who regards matter as primary and ultimate reality and spirit as secondary and incidental.”

– Religion, Inc. is obsessed with material concerns
• for example, every thing important to the institution is measured in numbers
○ number of dollars (the “budget” is its heart), square feet, of attendees, programs, etc.
– Religion, Inc. institutionalizes faith and thereby attempts to reduce its own need for it Continue reading →

Restoring God’s “Likeness”

In the early morning, while it was still dark Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You” He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.” Mark 1:35-39

Intro: This section begins and ends with Jesus in a secluded places

The first scene takes us to a village on the shore of Galilee
– the gospels refer to it as the “Sea” of Galilee,” but to us Californians, it is more like a lake
• thirteen miles north to south, seven miles wide, and bounded by mountains on three sides
• walking the shore in the early morning and evening, you are calmed by the rhythmic music of ripples
– one morning, before sun rose over the peaks beyond eastern shore, a solitary figure moved in darkness
• Jesus went looking for an out of the way place to pray
○ he did not have to go far to be completely alone
○ besides, making his way through the rugged terrain in the dark would be difficult
– the Bible sometimes hides the best parts
• wouldn’t it have been fascinating to sit nearby and observe Jesus in prayer?

Daylight broke over Capernaum, waking Peter and his friends
– Jesus was gone – so they went looking for him
• soon they came clamoring into his solitude
○ they could not restrain their excitement
○ Jesus is gaining popularity, “Everyone is looking for you!”
– but Jesus is ready to move on
• attracting large crowds is not what he “came for”

V. 40, We’re not told when or where  Jesus was met by “a leper”

I am guessing it was along a road between villages
– victims of this disease were not allowed in towns or cities
– leprosy in the Bible is not usually the disease we know by that name (Hansen’s disease) Continue reading →

When Jesus Broke the Rules

He left Judea and went away again into Galilee. And He had to pass through Samaria. So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph, and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. John 4:3-8

Intro: When we went through Genesis, we were introduced to” type-scenes”

A storytelling formula used in shaping a specific sort of event that recurs in different stories
– the type-scene we explored was “boy meets girl at a well” – men who met their wives at a well
• John’s specific reference to “Jacob’s well” in this story reinforces the link with this type-scene (Gen. 29:1-20)
– what stands out in type-scenes are not the similarities with the prototype, but the deviations from it
• in the story in John 4, there are two significant deviations in the type-scene:
1.) Jesus asked for water, but deviated from the type-scene when he offered the woman a drink
2.) the strangest twist is that, far from finding his wife at a well, he met a woman who already had five husbands
○ the dialogue turns on this particular point – this is where it gets serious

The Samaritan woman is a mirror image of Nicodemus
– he was male (named) and a member of Israel’s religious establishment
– she was female (unnamed) and lived outside Israel; in fact, a despised Samaritan
(note that one of the most degrading things Jesus’ opponents could say to him was that he was “a Samaritan” and had a demon (Jn. 8:48)
• that Jesus spent time with this woman and offered her eternal life is a beautiful illustration of his defiance
○ he did not allow cultural or religious conventions stand in his way
○ he refused to love only those he was supposed to love

How the story unfolds

Unlike his meeting with Nicodemus, Jesus initiated conversation with the Samaritan woman
“Give Me a drink”
– surprised, but not flustered, she shot right back, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink . . .”

As if to say, “Where’s your racism now, when you’re thirsty and I have the jar? You wouldn’t even be talking with me if your friends were here”

– John’s footnote explains why she said this, “For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans”  (cf. v. 27)
• I think she enjoyed having the upper hand
• she was not afraid of Jesus – obviously, she knew how to handle men

In his response to her, Jesus said there were two things she did not know” Continue reading →

Jesus’ Easter Bible Study

And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. Luke 24:13-16 (please read the entire passage)

Intro: Four weeks ago, we set out to meet people who met Jesus

I took last week’s subjects out of sequence, because it was Palm Sunday
– since today is Easter, our two disciples are again out of sequence
(we’ll return to the proper order next week)

Luke identifies only one of these disciples by name
– the Bible tends to observe a literary strategy when it either names characters or leaves them anonymous
• had both disciples been named and were were familiar with the other one we might think:
“Oh of course, that’s just like Peter” — and not identify with that other person
– but not named, he represents an entire category; namely, all disciples
• Luke means for us to take this walk with Jesus
• in the person of the anonymous disciple, we can be there with them

The one biblical image that best represents what we are doing here in Reflexion is this scene
• Jesus is “traveling” with us, explaining the Scriptures
• we are making this spiritual journey together

What did Jesus do for them during this walk?

I want to label this session “therapeutic enlightenment” Continue reading →

Palm Sunday

On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.
Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
 John 12:12-13, 20-21

Intro: We have taken this episode out of order

We’ve been spending time with people who met Jesus
– but because today is “Palm Sunday,” we have jumped ahead today
– there’s one weakness in my choice of these Greek visitors as our next example of people who met Jesus
• we don’t know if they actually met him — John doesn’t make it clear
• we only know that they wanted to meet him and requested an audience

John begins this story the day before

One of those rare scenes – Jesus relaxing in the home of friends
– John draws a contrast between Judas and Mary
• one takes, the other gives; one loves, other betrays
○ Judas attached a monetary value to Mary’s devotion
○ Mary loved Jesus beyond all monetary calculation
• “Let her alone” – how beautifully Jesus defended and protected her
○ he accepted her act of love
– we also learn that a “large crowd” showed up (v. 9)
• they heard about Lazarus and wanted to see him

It turns out, crowd is important element in story Continue reading →

Questions, Questions!

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him Jesus answered and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:1-3

Intro: First, we need to fix a problem

The entire process of becoming a Christian has been abbreviated to this shorthand phrase: born again
– in fact, for many Protestant believers it’s not enough to be a Christian
• they want to know if you are a “born-again Christian”
– Jesus did not use “born again” in this way
• He never preached to a crowd, “You must be born again”
• he said it to only one time to this one person
○ it is one of the many metaphors he used in reference to “heavenly things” (v. 12)
○ other metaphors in John: living water, bread of life, light of the world, good shepherd, true vine
– overuse of the term born again has worn out its meaning
• so we’re not shocked by it the way Nicodemus was when he heard Jesus say it

Two times in their brief conversation, Nicodemus began a question with “How?”
– three times Jesus began with an introductory affirmation, statement: “Truly, truly”
• John used a Hebrew word that he did not translate into Greek
(although our versions usually translate it into English)
• “Amen”: means true, reliable – repeating it adds force to the word

A nighttime interview

As a Pharisee, Nicodemus’ beliefs were well-formed and absolute
– he thought of himself as faithful to God — he was cautious and diligent
• the simplest explanation for him coming “by night” was to keep this visit a secret
– previously, Jesus had created a scene in temple – he was already a controversial figure
– Nicodemus was being careful, playing it safe
• it is characteristic of Jesus that he graciously accommodated Nicodemus Continue reading →

The Way to God? Come and See

Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. And Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” . . . John 1:35-39

Intro: Have you noticed, that when we’re here it is not difficult to think about God, to be aware of him and feel assured that he is at work in your life?

While we are here together around the Scriptures and in prayer, faith and hope come easily
– but during the week, those feelings fade
• it’s as if our hearts are heated on Sunday, but then cool off with our daily distractions
• Jesus described a faith that hears his word, but

. . . as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity (Lk. 8:14)

This is why having a friend filled with Jesus is so important
– we can then be re-energized mid-week
• the influence of the other believer’s life and conversation helps to refresh our faith

Today we meet the people who first met Jesus
– they found something about him, that made them immediately want to share him
• so each person we meet brought someone else to Jesus
– as we work our way through the passage, three times John places something in parentheses
• “which is translated” — John was writing for a Greek audience
• that’s the point he is making here
○ people who have met Jesus do what they can to make him accessible to others

John the Baptist introduced his disciples to Jesus

Throughout the passage, John highlights a theme of “sight”
– for example, John “looked at Jesus” and said, “Behold”
• people get to know Jesus by acting on the invitation to come and see Continue reading →

Moving Beyond A Conceptual Knowledge of God

Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generation.” Exodus 34:5-7 [read Ex. 3:13-15]

Intro: Thursday, a couple mentioned to me that they would miss today’s meeting

“Our only regret,” they said, “is that we won’t be there for the beginning of Exodus”
– at first, I didn’t know what they meant
• then I realized, they must have assumed we were going on from Genesis to Exodus
○ perhaps they thought I planned to continue through the whole Bible
– but we spent almost an entire year in Genesis and there are still sixty-five more books in the Bible!
• at that pace, we would not get through the Old in my lifetime

Where my heart has been leading me, however, is for us to return to the life of Jesus Christ
– and spend time deepening our relationship with him, getting to know him better
– so we’re going to look closely at the stories of people who met Jesus
• my hope is that as we absorb their stories, they will shape the development of our own story
• and that this will affect our perception and experience of Jesus

When we set out to know God, we typically take an intellectual approach
– and this is also the sort of help we usually get from Christians
• for example, J. I. Packer’s book, Knowing God takes us in the right direction for a couple chapters, but then slips into “knowing theology”
– what we end up with is a biography or list of attributes and we do not actually meet God
• in scripture, the people who knew God were those who encountered him
• they did not get to know him through logical proofs or propositions, but through living experience

So we are not going to begin a study in Exodus this morning
• however, we can use it to make the transition to knowing God through Jesus Continue reading →

The Christ-Like Virtue

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him?” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father charged before he died, saying, “Thus you shall say to Joseph, ‘Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong.’ And now please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Genesis 50:15-17

Intro: We have come to the end of Genesis

For a moment, let’s look back at the beginning — the creation story of chapter 1
– the origin of all that we love, enjoy, and find beautiful
• repeatedly, God looked at what he had made and saw that it was “good”
– but then a rupture occurred that affected the natural world as well as humankind
• what was whole became fragmented
• what was innocent became guilt-ridden
• what was intimate is experienced as alienating
– the fissure not only runs through the cosmos, but through time as well
○ fracture and disintegration became the new normal

God looked on his broken world and determined to fix it
– but he also determined that he would not fix it alone
• he would call humankind, that had been responsible for the rupture, to help repair it
– so from early on, history was given a goal – it is moving toward a target; namely, salvation
• healing, reconciliation, and restoration
• everyone is involved in this project–you and I,
○ with our own little break-ups and reconciliations
○ each life is a microcosm that reflects the rupture and repair of the macrocosm

This brings us Joseph and the end of the book
– his is also a story of fracture, betrayal, and alienation
• but he overcame it and achieved reconciliation
– in Joseph’s story we learn how healing occurs, and how salvation is worked into the wound Continue reading →