As the world watches the Russian military aggression and invasion within Ukraine, we as United Methodist followers of Christ reaffirm the truth that “we deplore war and urge the peaceful settlement of all disputes among nations."
I invite you to join with me in offering prayers of protection, peace, and resolution. Please pray for all individuals in this region of the world being impacted by these events, including our United Methodist brothers and sisters in Ukraine. With a united heart and spirit, I share with you the following letter from my colleague and friend, Bishop Christian Alsted. Blessings, Bishop Mark J. Webb Upper New York Conference | 7481 Henry Clay Blvd., Liverpool, NY 13088 Late one summer afternoon in Broken Bow, Nebraska, a weary truck driver pulled his rig into a truck stop. The waitress had just served him when three tough- looking, leather-jacketed motorcyclists came down the aisle and decided to give him a hard time. They started with some verbal harassment, then one man grabbed the hamburger off his plate, another took a handful of his French fries, and the third picked up his coffee and slowly began to drink it.
How would you respond in that situation? Well, this trucker didn’t respond as one might expect. He calmly stood up, picked up his check and walked to the front register and put down cash to cover his bill. He was already out the door by the time the waitress put his money in the till. She stood there and watched the man’s big rig roll away into the night. When she went to the booth where the bikers were seated, one of them said, “Well, he’s not much of a man, is he?” She replied, “I don’t know about that, but he sure ain’t much of a truck driver. He just ran over three motorcycles on his way out of the parking lot.” I think it’s a perfect intro for today’s sermon on loving our enemies. When someone has wronged or provoked you, were you ever tempted to hurt them like they hurt you? Isn’t that instinct part of our human nature? Jesus is going to answer these questions, and more. He was preaching his first sermon on a plain outside of Capernaum. A massive crowd had gathered and in the front row were Jesus’ 12 newly-called disciples. He’s been teaching them about God’s Kingdom, giving examples of blessedness that reversed and expanded their concept of who God favors. Now, he’ll share examples of how we should treat and respond to others, once again radically reversing the notion of how His disciples should live in the world. Imagine being in a front row seat as Jesus said: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” Before you’re tempted to tune this teaching out, believing you have no real enemies in life, let me ask some questions that may broaden your perspective. Have you ever had a bully in school make fun of or threaten you? Ever had a boss or teacher treat you differently, making it feel like they “had it in for you”? Animosity can be thinly veiled. Has someone gossiped or told lies about you? Do you have a family member who holds an old grudge against you? They may have even found allies, so now you’re being unfairly judged and excluded by more of your loved ones. Is there someone you know who actually hates you? These are not your friends. “Love them,” said Jesus. In order to grasp the deep shock people felt when hearing this, we need to understand what many in his audience had been taught. Jewish religious leaders, using God’s word as found in our Old Testament, taught the people to “love your neighbor” and “hate your enemy.” Everyone knew this and tried to live it out. Except some rabbis did loosen up on the command to love your neighbors. If “certain” fellow Jews were seen as unworthy, you were exempt from having to love “those” neighbors. This wasn’t God’s idea; it was an exemption put in because some were uncomfortable with God’s high standards. So, when Jesus said, “love your enemies and do good to them,” it was a shocking statement - the crowd would have been agitated hearing this. It was a radical departure from their long-established, and much tamer, faith tradition. Let’s apply this to our own lives. Can you imagine doing good deeds for people who despise the sight of you? Could you love someone who loathed you? Does anyone come to mind when I ask these questions? Jesus’ command is clear, but do you think this is possible, given our human nature? Wouldn’t most of us want to give hate-filled people a “piece of our mind”? What if the cruelest people on earth were caught and then punished, using the same cruelties they so callously inflicted on others? Would we be secretly pleased that they would suffer? To love heinous human beings, and to do good deeds for them - to do that even if they remain unrepentant - isn’t something I think our willpower or human nature can manage to do. But what we lack, God can and does provide. You and I are empowered every day by God, through the Holy Spirit. Do you realize that there is limitless, divine power that fills us and directs our thoughts and actions, so we live like Christ did when he was on earth? We have a power source, fully charged, that is at work in us, helping us imitate Christ in our everyday lives. Let’s turn this working theory into concrete life situations and consider what it might look like to love our enemies and do good to those who despise us. We could offer to cover a shift at work for a mean-spirited co-worker. We could mow the lawn or shovel the driveway for a neighbor who is rude to your kids and hates your pets. We could bring over groceries or hot meals to a relative who is sick, even though they are always critical or judgmental. We could send a long-time colleague flowers and a “thinking of you" card on their birthday, even though they recently shared nasty and untrue gossip about you– again. Can you see the possibilities that can come with blessing people who don’t much like you? Do you know why radical, unexpected acts of kindness matter? People who’ve hurt others and know it are shocked when they’re met with visible but undeserved blessings. I’ve heard people in their state of shock say things like “Are you messing with me? Is this for real?” Jesus tells us why people are unbelieving and skeptical, even when the blessing is right in their own hands. He said it’s easy to care about someone who cares for you - even sinners do that. But making Spirit-filled choices to bless people who in no way deserve it demonstrates unconditional love; that’s the supernatural sign of a follower Jesus Christ. You and I are called to fully and freely love others because we’re keenly aware that “while we were still mired in our sins, Jesus so loved the world He died for us.” That’s our mission, to go out and love people in concrete ways while they are still hateful and hurtful. The Bible puts this plainly: “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.” That’s as countercultural now as it was when Jesus walked the earth. We stun people; our generosity confuses them, and our reasoning defies logic. What are we getting out of this? It makes some wildly curious… others may just be annoyed. Either way, our good deeds can lead to conversations. You’d be surprised how many people will reveal how tired they are of being arrogant, greedy, bitter, or controlling. At the end of the day, when they’re home alone with no distractions, they consider all their choices and how they feel empty. Some say that the loving deeds of one or two people were the only bright spots in their lives. It then became the axis point that changed their lives. Our job is to love all, even (or especially) our enemies, and do good and leave the results up to God. Jesus’ second teaching is similar to the first. We’re to “bless people who curse us.” This focuses on our speech. The Bible says that our tongue, a mere 2 ounces of our body, has the power to speak life or speak death to others. Either way, those who are on the receiving end will be impacted. If someone is lashing out at us and loudly complaining, our bodies will react. Endorphins flood us - we have a fight or flight instinct. In our vulnerability, there can be an impulse that makes us want to immediately retaliate. What words might come from our mouths right then? I thank God that years ago I memorized a Bible verse that’s helped me rein in my tongue, rather than release a sharp counter-offensive. Proverbs 15:1 says: “A gentle answer, a soft one, turns away wrath. It can calm someone’s anger. But harsh or painful words can increase or spike someone’s anger.” A similar piece of wisdom comes from Proverbs 12:18: “Reckless words, spoken in the heat of the moment, can wound us like a sword, but those who are wise use healing words.” Unfortunately, my fellow Christians, we all have many chances to practice this God-given advice. Plenty of people are reckless with their words, not knowing or even caring if they scare people or scar them. Haven’t you heard angry outbursts directed at strangers in public? Online, blistering comments are written to others who don’t align with their views or values. Have you listened to people spew prejudice, or argue in an effort to legitimize violence? How often, behind closed doors, are words used that tear down someone’s self-esteem? Or tell them they are nobodies, or they’re burdens? Tongues too often speak death to others. God is counting on us to be a healing and helping counterforce. And once again, we Christians are going to need the fullness of God’s Holy Spirit to help us have wise and controlled speech. I try to imagine Jesus by my side, seeing and hearing what I’m experiencing. I think about how I can imitate Him. I want my words to be kind and honest. I want to be sensitive, but bold when necessary. If I’ve earned someone’s trust, I can speak deeper truths and offer challenges to them. If I listen well, I can be helpful in building others up after they’ve been torn down. I want to use my voice so people know they’re seen and appreciated. I want to say out loud, many times and in many ways, that God loves them. I want to bless those who’ve been cursed and hurt by others and with God’s help bless those who’ve cursed and hurt me. I don’t say that lightly. You and I can only be obedient if we’re humble, available, and prayerful. Prayer is the third teaching Jesus shares with us. We’re to pray for those who mistreat us. I once heard a minister tell their parishioner that, no, they shouldn’t pray for their scoundrel of an ex-husband, who was again delinquent in paying child support, to be hit and killed by a car over the weekend. God wants us to pray for those who’ve wronged us because God wants to see them transformed, turning away from past, hurtful behaviors and beliefs. If we don’t pray for such people, honestly, who else will? God wants us to intercede on their behalf as sincerely as if we were praying for people we love, hoping that one day they’ll have a relationship with God. That is incredibly hard for us. I’d suggest finding an accountability partner because if left up only to us, we’ll likely fall short. This final teaching is the hardest of the three for me; I’d prefer to opt out of this one because when I pray, I’m transparent before God. I can’t hide my reluctance, resistance, or rage. Has someone really hurt you in the past? I confess I’ve prayed vengefully, like this: “Almighty God, you who right wrongs, and redeem your people from the pity of their misery, You who desire peace on earth, I ask that this individual have a brain embolism, fatal heart attack, or they fall down the stairs. Tonight. However you choose, Lord, zap them. Amen.” I am not proud of this later on, but in the moment, I don’t want mercy or a bit of grace for those who’ve done terrible wrongs. Eventually, with God’s help, I put myself at the starting block and start praying for someone who’s caused me great pain. The first several times I tend to tense up my shoulders or clench my teeth. I pray the briefest of prayers. As I discipline myself to keep praying, I wrestle with God who knows my pain. As God reveals His perspective to me, I begin to find peace. In due time I heal. It may take months or long years, but my heart is cleansed. I am set free. Can you see how God blesses us when we bless those who don’t deserve it? That is what Jesus’ ministry is going to be all about. We’re seeing just the start of it. Come back next week and you’ll hear more of Jesus’ teachings, including what we should do if we’re struck on one cheek, or if we’re cheated. There are more unexpected surprises, epiphanies, yet to come! Luke 6:27-38 (NIV) Love for Enemies 27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Judging Others 37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Jesus spent an entire night in solitary prayer, before choosing the remainder of the disciples who would be his inner circle. We’ve just heard their names. That day, like many more to follow, would involve a large crowd coming in search of their Master. Word had traveled far -- there were thousands of people arriving. Many who came from the northern coast of the Sea of Galilee were Gentiles. Among those arriving from the southern province of Judea came Orthodox Jews from Jerusalem. The distance between these regions was about 165 miles. This was just the first of many times Jesus would encounter diverse crowds; there were always seekers and skeptics - those who upheld the Law and others who broke it. Different languages and dialects would be heard. People from every level of society were represented.
The massive crowd settled themselves across a large open plain. Noisy excitement filled the air. When Jesus finally appeared, those in need of healing rushed toward him, surrounding him. He healed them all, one by one. Some who managed to simply touch his garment were healed. Each person made whole by Jesus would have seen His delight in restoring them. Have you ever thought about Jesus’ joy? He took away great pain. That in turn set free those who had been weary caretakers. Healing helped fractured families come back together. It strengthened communities because more people could work. People’s hope and their dignity returned, their shame and depression lifted. Imagine if you had been a witness that day. People touched and healed by Jesus not only felt their broken bodies mend on the inside, but they also often saw transformation on the outside. Those once crippled would have been experimentally moving their legs and arms. Those no longer blind would have squinted at the bright blue sky and looked with wonder at the faces of their loved ones. Those once mute could now express themselves, their voices a surprise to all. The paralyzed would have been shocked to now stand tall among their peers and been thrilled they could now go wherever they wanted to on their own. Those healed would have returned to find their seat again, causing excitement as they passed by others. What would it have been like to be with family and friends and be healthy? Some were likely already dreaming new dreams for their lives! Jesus healed the last person in the crowd, then he led his newly called disciples and had them sit in the front row and began to teach. His attention was fully on them! This first sermon gave them a glimpse into who God is and what God calls blessed. They began to hear about what the kingdom of God is like. This message has been called the Sermon on the Plain; it has four beatitudes and four woes. If you look in Matthew 5 there’s a similar sermon; it’s called the Sermon on the Mount and it only lists beatitudes. Jesus preached both sermons, but like most traveling preachers, he’d sometimes offer different insights on the same topic. As someone who preaches twice each Sunday on the same Scripture, I sometimes do that too! Let’s dig in now. Jesus said, “What blessings there are for those who are poor…the Kingdom of God is yours! But what sorrow awaits the rich - their greatest happiness will happen here on earth.” This is a blunt beginning for a sermon. Is Jesus telling us that if we want to experience great joy and blessedness, we need to “get ourselves poor”? Is he saying, “These are your marching orders”? No, Jesus was not being prescriptive; he wasn’t giving out instructions on how we must live. He was just being descriptive. He was taking the standard beliefs of the day but changing the expected outcome. To hear each of these would have been startling, like he was getting everything backwards. To better understand what was so surprising, so unexpected, we need to know the common religious beliefs from that time period. It was thought that when a person was sincere and obedient before God, they would be blessed. It was a sort of spiritual “if I... then God” formula. If I am a sincere and obedient follower of God, then I will be rewarded for my faithfulness. I won’t be desperately poor or hungry. Nor will my life be overwhelmed with tragedies and grief. I will not be hated, mocked, or excluded. If I am a sincere and obedient follower, then God will be with me, and for me, and the evidence of that blessing will be plainly seen. Do you think this formula is true? Does God guarantee certain worldly comforts or protections if we have sincere faith and seek to be obedient followers? Some people in Jesus’ day embraced this point of view. It’s actually still a popular point of view today - it’s known as the “prosperity gospel”. It’s the belief that anyone who has great wealth, health, happiness, or social status got it because God was pleased with them. Their faith and prayers caused God to pour down on them an abundance of earthly blessings. But if this logic is followed to its natural conclusion, anyone who is poor, hungry, grieving, or hated must be someone God has intentionally withheld his blessings from here on earth. Someone’s lack of faith blocks the good and instead brings down trouble on their lives. Again, let me ask, do you believe these things to be true? Does our God generously pour out abundance on those who earn or merit His rewards? Will there be evidence of that? Will they all live in very fine homes, be well-fed and in vigorous health? Will they be highly respected in the community and have certain powers and privileges? The phrase that comes to mind, for me, about this is that “Saying so don’t make it so!” As Jesus launched his ministry, on day one, he began to set the record straight. He used the well-known “if I... then God” assumption and turned it upside down. Some call this the Great Reversal, but Jesus calls it Good News. His message that day began to reveal how someone can discover and abide in the Kingdom of God. He oriented people toward eternal blessings, not earthly riches. Jesus also came to confront those who falsely enshrined some people as holy and beloved but condemned others as undeserving nobodies. Now let’s go one layer closer to the truth Jesus was sharing with his brand-new disciples. He’s offering them and the huge crowd wisdom that can bring them more than “a good life”: it can offer them new life. Do you remember Jesus saying, “Blessed are the poor, the kingdom of God is theirs”? Jesus used a specific word for the poor, and his hearers would have immediately understood its meaning. The nuanced word Jesus used for the poor meant wretched beggars, those barely surviving. They are blessed. This startled his audience - perhaps it even provoked some of the “holier than thou” types. Beggars seem like they should be the last person in line for God’s blessing, let alone His kingdom. After all, what have they done to deserve that? If this rather vivid illustration of the poor causes you to picture someone in a cramped, stale rental room, alone, with little canned food left to eat and no way to wash their clothes or body, if that gets fixed in our minds as someone who is IN God’s kingdom, praise God! It means we’re beginning to understand the heart and mind of God. Line by line in Jesus’ sermon, unexpected and exciting new things are revealed. We call these epiphanies. Come to church next week, and you’ll hear more from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. There will be great reversals and epiphanies. Don’t miss out! Luke 6:12-26 (NIV) The Twelve Apostles 12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. Blessings and Woes 17 He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, 19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all. 20 Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. 24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. 25 Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets. This Journey through Lent could change your life!
You’re invited (and encouraged) to watch the 8 episode television drama called “The Chosen”. It’s a television drama based on the life of Jesus; the richly detailed scenes and gifted actors bring to life key moments like Jesus’ first miracle at a wedding, the calling of his disciples, healing the sick, preaching about the kingdom of God, performing miracles, teaching the Lord’s Prayer, encounters with Jewish religious leaders and sharing in a Passover meal. If you’ve read and cherished the stories about Jesus for many years now, or if you’re just beginning to learn and explore who Jesus is and why He matters, you’ll likely be amazed by this series. It has been received high praise from many viewers. There are two options for how you can watch each week’s episode. Episode 1 can be viewed on Wednesday, February 23rd at 7 pm in the Ballston Spa UMC sanctuary. There will be 15 to 20 minutes afterwards for sharing and questions, facilitated by Pastor Kelly. The second option is to watch each episode on UTube from the comforts of your own home. (You may want to forward through the initial section hosted by the creators of the series.) If anyone is viewing from home, you’re invited to gather after worship in the coffee hour space and share your thoughts. In case you’re wondering when this series warps up, it will be during Holy Week. After watching this dramatic re-enacted of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, you may find that Easter is more impactful for you, than ever before. Here are some suggested Scriptures to read before watching Episode 1: “I Have Called You by Name”: Isaiah 43:1-3, Luke 8:1-15, Mark 16:1-13, and Luke 11:14-20. It feels peaceful to be by a lake early in the morning. In the dimness, as fog begins to lift, you may hear waves gently lap the shore. Galilee Lake is the setting for today’s story. It was large at 8 miles wide and 15 miles long, and it supported 6 good-sized, bustling cities.
I imagine today’s scene unfolding like this: Some fishermen could be seen in the distance cleaning their rough nets. They lifted their heads up when they heard noise coming from down the shore. Soon a mass of people could be seen walking straight toward the edge of the lake. A figure separated from the crowd, a man who walked out into the shallow waters. It took just a moment to realize they knew him – it was rabbi Jesus! They hurried over, glad to see him again. They’d been at synagogue recently and had seen him heal a man during the service, then Simon had invited him for lunch. Jesus heard that his mother-in-law was ill, so he laid hands on her, and her health immediately returned. As Simon and the other fishermen got closer, Jesus stepped into an empty boat and said, “Push me out from the shore a bit.” Simon stepped forward, pleased to help; it was his boat. And it did cross his mind that when word got out that Jesus had taught from his vessel, his reputation would rise in the community. Not an unwelcome thought! Jesus taught for some while that morning; when he finished, he returned to shore. He came toward Simon, and with a grin he told him he should row out right now into deep water, toss in his nets and he’d catch some fine fish. Simon may not have spoken or moved at first. When he did, he resisted the idea, explaining how hard he and his friends had worked all night, but their nets came up empty. Jesus said nothing further, he simply waited. This was a pivotal moment, but Simon couldn’t have known that at the time. He felt hesitant, but out of respect for the Master, rabbi Jesus, he agreed to gather his nets and head out with his fishing partner and brother Andrew. As the sun slowly rose over the horizon, his other fishing mates James and John decided to take their boat and joined them. Anyone here have experience fishing on a large lake? You get the best results at night, when the water is cooler, and fish can’t easily see your boat. Conditions were not ideal at this hour. Meanwhile the crowd was still along the shoreline; they watched them row out some distance, then saw Simon expertly cast his big net. The men had just sat down for what they expected would be a long wait, when suddenly a great number of shimmering fish swam and leaped toward them from every direction - all of them headed right into their sturdy net. Simon and Andrew jumped up, laughed, and clapped each other on the back, then they got to work hauling in their enormous catch. Before long they began waving their arms and shouting for their friends to come help them. The catch was so heavy that the boat was almost starting to sink under the weight of it. It took the four men working together to deal with the abundance God had provided for them! Even then, both boats were perilously close to taking on water as they rowed back to shore. That was a miracle; I wish I’d been in the crowd that day to see it. Do you know that this is the only miracle Jesus initiated himself? All the miracles that followed were in response to others’ requests. The miracle on the lake that day wasn’t just that fish were caught, mere human skill and perhaps some good luck could be credited for catching fish after the sun rose. It was the outrageous quantity of fish hauled in that was the true miracle. That sort of supernatural abundance could only come from God. In a pivotal moment, Simon made a choice. He thought, “Jesus said to do this. I believe in Him. I’m going to do what he says!” Can you picture the fisherman reaching the shoreline and hauling out their nets bulging with fish? The men finished, then stood there breathing hard, catching their breath after their strenuous work. Everyone stared at the huge mounds of fish: Jesus, onlookers from the crowd, and some very proud fishermen. Simon suddenly turned toward Jesus, his face filled with anguish, then he fell at the Master’s feet sobbing. He’d been thrilled by the huge catch, but now he grasped that it was a miracle of God, not something he’d done on his own. The good rabbi, Jesus of Nazareth, who taught with authority and healed the sick -- Simon had begun to think he might be a holy prophet. But now, with this display of power over the natural world, a miracle he’d witnessed, who was this Jesus? He felt exposed before him. “Please leave me, Lord,” begged Simon, “for I am a sinner.” He felt so unworthy before Jesus. It was as if his every sin and weakness was seen, and it shamed him. And did you notice how Simon called him “Lord” then, for the first time, not merely “teacher”? This is, for me, one of the most captivating scenes that the gospel writer Luke has included in his gospel. With his attention to detail and gift for storytelling, we can quite easily imagine this day on the lake shore. The large crowd is amazed by the catch of fish; there’s murmuring and excitement as the sun rises. The three fishermen have an eager audience as they boast about their catch. But off to the side is this private moment. On the ground before Jesus is a grown man overcome with shame. He feels like Jesus can see all of him; every wrong choice he’s ever made is somehow exposed. He feels raw with regrets. But pay close attention now to Jesus. Simon has begged him to leave him alone, but He has not moved. Jesus will not go. The man before him is held captive by the knowledge of his sins; he’s held fast in his sin just as the fish were held fast in his fishing net. Simon is certain there’s no way to be set free of them. If we’d been there to witness that moment, I think we’d have seen Jesus’ face filled with compassion. Before him was a repentant man, yes, but he was also a man who’d taken risks. Simon had gone out into deep water to fish after the sun had come up, which went against everything he knew. As he rowed out to fish, a large audience watched him from the beach - some were curious, others skeptical. A few no doubt called him an outright fool. But Jesus knew otherwise: this was an act of faith, and a bold one at that. Did Jesus bend down and put his hand gently on Simon’s shoulder and tell him to stand up? I think he did. Then, what did Jesus say next? “There is nothing to be afraid of.” Can you imagine Jesus saying to you, “There is nothing to be afraid of”? That would stay fixed in my memory. How long did Simon look into Jesus’ eyes after he said that? Meanwhile, the crowd began to disperse and people started walking back home. They liked listening to Jesus teach, but they all had responsibilities in life. Jesus knew that; he also knew the time had come for him to choose his disciples. He needed followers who’d remain by his side on the coming journey. Jesus might have gone searching at the holy temple in Jerusalem for good candidates, but we know that if he did, he didn’t find any of his followers there. But that morning, he’d found a rugged working man, in the middle of the week. Jesus saw two important qualities in Simon: he was willing to trust and obey. So that day on the shore of a beautiful lake, Jesus said “Simon, from now on you will be catching.... people!” There was a confused expression on his face, but then he grasped his meaning. Simon didn’t hesitate this time. He was thrilled - he got as loud and exuberant as he’d been earlier, when his net was filled with fine fish. The man who had caught fish was glad to now be caught himself, by Jesus. Simon would be a disciple who’d learn many things but also have to unlearn others. He'd be bold in his faith, but he’d also shrink back in fear. He’d leave all he knew but have no regrets in the end. And eventually Jesus would call him Peter, the Rock, but that wouldn’t happen for a while. Andrew, James, and John came over to see what was getting Simon so excited. They soon heard, and then each man was asked by Jesus to be his disciple. There’s no mention of what came of all the fish that were caught, perhaps a good 200 pounds or more. I like to think that they went into nearby Capernaum and got word out to the poorest in the town that they could all go help themselves! Imagine their joy. As one crowd left filled with God’s word, another came later to be filled with fresh fish. I like to think it may have turned out that way. If it did, it would have been a perfect picture of Jesus’ coming ministry. In Word and through deeds, Jesus came to fill and feed those who were hungry and thirsty in their bodies and in their souls. I encourage you to read Luke 5:1-11 again this week. Imagine you were there. · Think about a time you were feeling discouraged (an “empty net” period of time), but later on you had much to celebrate. Thank God! · In the middle of this week, stay alert to any interesting opportunities God might put before you. · Remember that it took four men working together to deal with the abundance God had provided for them! And that it all started with one man having faith and obeying Jesus. · Do you believe that God will always forgive your sins, if you confess them to Him? · Imagine Jesus’ hand resting on your shoulder, as he looks you in the eyes and says “There is nothing to be afraid of…” Finally, consider this: would you follow Jesus Christ – and it may not be on a terribly long journey – but when you sense in your heart that God wants to use you, and you feel drawn forward, activated… in that pivotal moment, what will you do? It might be some deep water. But what will happen after you’re obedient, after you trust and obey – it’ll be beyond your imagining. Thanks be to God! Luke 5:1-11 (NIV) Jesus Calls His First Disciples 5 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. |
ZOOM WORSHIP SERVICE
SUNDAY @ 11 AM To join by phone, dial (929) 205-6099 and enter the meeting ID and password below: Meeting ID: 876 1875 9099 Password 333 PrayerGracious Loving Lord, please keep all of your children safe in these trying times. Guide us. Open our ears to hear, our eyes to see, our minds to understand and our hearts to know and be your love to others. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. Want to support RLUMC and our missions? Donate Today
Prayer Chain
For those wishing to activate our Church Prayer Chain, contact Barbara Hurley 518-307-8238 If you want the concern to remain confidential among prayer chain members only please feel free to make that request when calling. Archives
September 2023
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