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Why Lazarus ? (November 1) 2009-10-28 by John Roberts Submit a Question | Submit an Article The story of the raising of Lazarus is one of the most powerful in the Gospels. Why is it not in the other Gospels? Surely Matthew, Mark and Luke would have known this story. Why is it not there? This question has puzzled biblical scholars for centuries and caused some to doubt that the story is authentic. I have to believe that it is there for a reason. Jesus was a real person and no situation is out of God's reach, regardless of how lost it looks to us. A Question of Grief or of Faith? (Nov 1) 2009-10-27 by Tim Norton Submit a Question | Submit an Article This is a tough one. What are we supposed to believe about Jesus from this passage? When loved ones die we try to find meaning in their passing, or remind ourselves that their lives provided a ministry to family and friends. But often in grief, we pose the same question that is asked in verse 37, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?" How can we receive this story? Does Jesus play favorites? We find ourselves asking as Mary did, "Lord, if only you had been here......" "If only my faith were stronger, or If I led a more righteous life, or If I were a better Christian.... - perhaps God would have answered my prayer, would have spared my loved one" are questions (and fears) that run through our minds when we're faced with these situations. How do we become the one Jesus loved? Pastor, talk to me about my strength of faith, about God answering prayers, about how I pray and what I pray for. This bible text falls on All Saints Day. Pastor, talk to me about those whom we revere as saints. Talk to me about the sainthood of Jesus - who meets each and all dictionary definitions of the word "saint". Talk to me about the power of the faith Martha and Mary profess in this passage - and how, though we doubt, though we question, that faith keeps us close to God.
The Ultimate “Call” Story (November 1) 2009-10-26 by Mark Miller Submit a Question | Submit an Article Last week’s Gospel lesson, the “calling” of Bartimaeus, made me start pondering the many ways in which God calls his people. In a sense, this week’s passage depicts a call story unlike any other in scripture. All the familiar call stories in scripture (Abraham, Elijah, The Disciples) don’t even come close to the call of Lazarus back from the dead. We have such an enormous desire to discover God’s call, the meaning of our existence, the ways to forgiveness, reconciliation, restoration and healing. We spend so much of our time and resources ‘preparing’ ourselves to receive God’s call. Could it really be that hard? You could sum up the call of Lazarus in one word, “compassion.” Could it really be that easy? Help me to remember to keep looking at Jesus whose call was expressed in compassion to others. What do you need most from God right now? (October 25) 2009-10-22 by Lynn Turner Submit a Question | Submit an Article We have a blind man in our church and I asked him how he felt that God had not restored his sight? He replied, "I have never asked God to restore my sight....if he wants to do it....he will." Sometimes what we think others need is not even close to the real needs of their hearts. This man is one of the most vibrant, life-giving Christian men I know...you don't even notice his blindness. Maybe we need to be asking folks...."so what is it that you need most from God right now?" Perhaps then...we will get at the deep places of need in the lives of those around us. The Invisible Blind Man (October 25) 2009-10-23 by Tim Norton Submit a Question | Submit an Article Doesn't this passage show a perfect mirrored image of our society? And I mean today - I guess not much has changed in nearly two millenia! Look at what the blind man has to do to get help. He has to shout out to get their attention. They try to shut him up, so he shouts even louder. Only when Jesus finally hears the man, do the disciples allow him to approach. And in Mark, doesn't this passage "immediately" follow Jesus' teaching that "the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve", and that "whoever wishes to be great must first become a servant"? How often do we really "pass by on the other side" instead of getting involved because we can't spare the time, or it's too inconvenient? If a stranger needing food or a place to rest began shouting outside our church during worship, how many of us would really drop what we're doing to minister to his needs? And what if it were someone we knew? We know the blind man's name and lineage, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus - he was obviously well known in the community. Perhaps Jesus is showing that that is also part of the problem. Is it because this man is so close, so familiar, that we tend to overlook him? "Oh, he's always doing that for attention, it's really annoying!" - how many times do we say things like that?! A very wise pastor I know once said "if you really want to become invisible, sit down in a wheelchair in a public place sometime. People will look everywhere else to avoid making eye contact with you." How can we become servant of all, when those who need our help are invisible to us? One saying I loathe to hear is, "There, but for the grace of God, go I!" O really! Do we think God rewards us because we are whole, unafflicted, happy, successful, rich, married with family, confident? Or do we have it backwards - doesn't the grace of God go to the one who is not whole, the one who is sick, depressed, a failure, poor, outcast or fearful? Isn't the question for us, "What do we do with the innumerable gifts we have to serve those who have not?" [First Page] [Prev] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 [Next] [Last Page] Login - (This login is for administrators and bloggers. Usernames and passwords for GoodPreacher subscribers will not work here.) |
