Author: rsferguson

Meditation 294

John 15: 26-27; 16: 4b-15

The gospel of John is unique in the way the story of Jesus is told. John’s gospel begins with “in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God.” This introduction goes on to tell us that the Word (Jesus) was present at creation and without him “was not anything made.” The other gospels begin with the infancy narratives, or in the case of Mark “the beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ the Son of God” and then, after an expected introduction Matthew, Mark and Luke tell the story of Jesus in a similar way. John has some unique stories and has Jesus making the “I am” statements, such as I am the light of the world, I am the bread of life, and so on. Here at the end of the ministry of Jesus, with the promise of the Advocate, John continues to be unique.

The writer of Luke and Acts has a definite time in mind for the gift of the Holy Spirit, and there is the account in Acts 2 of the dramatic out pouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believers in Jerusalem. Other New Testament writers are less specific about the time of the giving of the Holy Spirit.  In John, Jesus promises the gift of the Holy Spirit at the lengthy discourse after the supper on the night when he was betrayed. In John, Jesus promises the sending of the Paraclete, which has been a difficult word for the translators to put into English. Some of chosen to translate it as “Comforter” (King James Version), “Helper” (New King James Version), “Counselor” (Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Living Bible), “Advocate” (New Revised Standard Version), or simply transliterated as “Paraclete” (New Jerusalem Bible). Other modern Western languages show a similar range of choices. The Greek word is made up of the participial form of the verb “to call” and the preposition “beside” and thus means one who has been summoned or called to the side of another–literally, an “advocate,” or, by extension, a helper or legal representative in a trial or other arena of judgment.” (Sharon H Ringe. Working Preacher) Up until now Jesus had been the one the disciples knew to be their representative or helper, and when he departed, they would have known a great sense of loss, and into that place of loss comes the promise of the Paraclete who would testify on behalf of Jesus.

This promise of a Paraclete is not just for the original disciples, but it is also for we who follow Jesus today. We are not alone.

Jesus promised that the spirit would teach us all things (John 14:26), that is the spirit will instruct us; therefore, it is good for us to have an openness to the spirit, so that we are able to hear the lessons. This is a day by day occupation, for walking with the spirit requires steadiness of observance. In a way it is like getting ready to walk a marathon, you need to work on it consistently. You gradually become able to walk a longer distance, you work at it steadily, and when the day comes, you set out with the right shoes, a water bottle and a supportive crowd. The point of a marathon is to finish the course, and so it is with our walk with the Spirit. We daily try to become stronger and we do best with a supportive crowd of believers, Or as Maya Angelou said “Life is going to give you just what you put in it. Put your whole heart in everything you do, and pray, then you can wait.”

Meditation 293

Acts 2: 1-21

This passage in the book of Acts gives an account of the day that the gift of the Spirit of God was given in great power and drama. The writer seems to straining to find the right words to describe what happened, so he uses similes to paint word pictures. There was a sound like the rush of a violent wind, there were divided tongues as of fire. The descent of the Spirt of God was like nothing else that had been seen before. The Spirit swept in and touched the disciples who were gathered together, and the way the presence of the Spirit was manifest was by enabling the disciples to speak in other languages. On the day the disciples were able to speak the gospel in a way that allowed all to understand what was being said.

We believe that the gift of the Spirit of God is still given in the day in which we live. The Spirit does not always manifest in the ability to speak other languages, still we have the gift of the Spirit. The psalm for this week, Psalm 104 “sings of God’s Spirit breathing life upon all creatures, not human beings alone. God’s Spirit renews the face of the ground.” (Seasons of the Spirit 2011). Scripture has much to say about the working of the Spirit of God, because in Greek as in Hebrew, the words “spirit,” “breath,” and “wind” are expressed by the same word. One reference Jesus makes to the gift of the spirit is the promise of “living water” (John 7:37–39). There could be no more hopeful promise to the people living in the arid Near East where water was a powerful image for life.

The disciples would have been amazed at what was happening when they received the Spirit, and yet they seemed to have an appreciation for what was going on. Peter stands up and explains to the crowd that what is happening in front of them is a fulfillment of the words of the prophet Joel, when God said “I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh.” (Acts 2: 17b) “The diverse gifts of God’s Spirit make each person and each part of creation distinctive. From this diversity, the Spirit weaves communities and creation in a common life enriched by God’s presence.” (Seasons of the Spirit 2011)

Since we believe that we are gifted with and by the Spirit of God in a variety of ways, how do you see or feel the gift of the Spirit in your life? How do you experience the abundance and exuberance of God’s Spirit? One way I have seen the Spirit manifest has been in the quiet word of wisdom given by a woman that I respect. In the 1970’s I met Joyce Davis for the first time because she was one of the missionaries who was on furlough visiting the Presbyterian Church Camps in the summer. When I made introductions with all of the tact of an 18-year-old, she did not correct me in front of others, but spoke to me quietly at a later time. I experienced wisdom and love in action. Sometimes the Spirit is like the rush of violent wind, sometimes it is a still small voice. Listen for the sound of the Spirit in your life and pray for the wisdom and courage to follow it.

Meditation 292

Psalm 104

Psalm 104 is a psalm of praise for the beauty and strength of creation which has been given by God for the use and protection of all of creation, and one way we can show our love for God is to care for the beautiful world that God has made. Our faith may call us to stand up and stand out from others in ways that challenge the practices of the day, and so we can speak up for the earth as we speak out against the drive to increase production regardless of the cost, to speak and act against the dependence we have on fossil fuels, to speak and act in favour of practices that conserve and reuse resource. Being a good care taker of the earth is in keeping with the teaching of Scripture. The psalms speak eloquently of the amazing thing God has done in creating all flora and fauna, and as believers we both use the amazing creation and protect it. God has made the earth which feeds us, grass for the cattle, plants for people; we have things from God to give beauty and bounty to life. God wants us to be glad and to be well, and project that good feeling. To that end we are given wine and oil, we are given bread to strengthen the heart. The fact that we have bread means that we have the ability to take the grain God has given, and process it. This ability to plan and make things is also a gift from God.

God has given the earth to feed and nurture us. Life is to be enjoyed, and so God has given us beautiful trees. One of the trees is the cedar, which produced the prized wood for ancient wood working. Cedar was used in building the temple because it was an aromatic wood that was resistant to decay and bugs. At one time in Lebanon the mountains were covered in cedar woods and one was struck by the beauty, strength and majesty of the towering cedars that covered acres of land. Not only were the cedars useful to people, but to the creatures as well, as this is where the birds build their nests. According to the psalmist all of the trees are abundantly watered by God, because this is the way God gives life, abundantly. There is not a trickle of water for the trees, which would be enough for them to simply eke out survival. No, there is abundant water, which will flow into the earth allowing the cedars and firs to flourish.

This is a picture of the wonder of a part of creation that invites us to praise God and that invites us to be good stewards who care for creation. One example of someone who cares passionately for creation is Greta Thunberg.   She is the young woman who, in August 2018, at the age of 15, went on strike from school to protest climate change outside the Swedish parliament. This led to a movement of students called “Fridays for Future” that saw students around the world striking to motivate action against climate change. Greta has a direct no nonsense way of speaking. She is well informed, and not afraid to say what she knows. She recognized that some felt that she should be in school learning instead of protesting outside the parliament, and to this she asked, what is the point of learning facts in school when the most important fact is ignored by politicians?  Greta was focused and up to date on the subject of climate change. She also has Asperger syndrome, which she says is her super power. Those with Asperger’s are able to stay focused on a task and to retain information well. There have been unkind things said about this young woman who boldly stands up and stands out for what she believes.

It has been suggested by a climate change deny-er that the green left wing is using a mentally unstable child as a shield. In the face of name calling from someone with more power than she, and therefore someone with more responsibility than she, she has not backed down because she has the courage of her convictions. She is acting to save not only the flora and fauna on our planet, but the entire planet. She urges us not to look for hope but to look for action, because once we start to act hope is everywhere

As we look out today and see the beauty of spring in front of us, we can take time to say thank you to God for caring for us, and we can take time to pledge to God that we will care for the earth with an abundance of action.

Meditation 291

Luke 24: 44-53

The disciples who witnessed the ascension of Jesus, and came away from the event are transformed from who they had been when Jesus called them to follow him. They had been a group of men who had almost nothing in common. These men did not see themselves as religious leaders, but they had been called by a charismatic leader, Jesus, to follow him, so they did. During Jesus’ ministry they had been born from above (John 3) and they had been transformed from those who hoped for something better to those who knew that in Jesus hope had been realized.

Transformed lives are what we have in common with the early disciples. Transformed lives are what we have in Jesus. We can see parallels in our own lives and the lives of the early disciples. They came to faith from a place of needing to grow in their knowledge of God’s kingdom, they had doubts and questions about life in general, and they had felt abandoned when Jesus had died on the cross. Similarly, we can feel confused and abandoned at times, and we see in the lives of the disciples that Jesus does not give up on those who ask “why” and “what is going on.”

Like the early disciples we also know that the kingdom of God is not of this world. The kingdom of God is about the things Jesus taught before he ascended. God’s kingdom is about the promises about Jesus found in all of scripture, about the resurrection of Jesus, and about repentance. Further, those who know and live these truths are to be witnesses to them to share the truths of Jesus with the world.

When the disciples were first called to follow Jesus they would not have seen themselves as those who would have the courage to be witnesses of Jesus. They would not have believed that they would say goodbye to him, and return to Jerusalem with joy. Such was the transformation that had taken place within them. They were those who had met God face to face and who had a new purpose in life.

Earlier in Luke 24, when two followers of Jesus met him on the Emmaus Road after the resurrection, their hearts burned within them as they heard Jesus share scripture’s truth about himself. Our hearts can also burn within us as we let ourselves be open to what Jesus has to tell us. In recent years congregations of believer have been faced with questions as to if we will keep on, and the answer has been yes we will. Those whose hearts burn within them still share Jesus with the world.

There are some who say that churches are being oppressed in these days of COVID 19 as public worship is being curtailed for health reasons. This is not the case. Those who love and serve Jesus are still sharing the good news. We are still sharing with those who do not have enough, we are still advocating on behalf of the oppressed, we are worshipping on line, we are praying for leaders, and we are doing our part to follow health guidelines.

We are asked to share the truth of living God’s way, to love God with all there is of us to love, and to love our neighbours as ourselves. As transformed people we are able to do that.

Meditation 290                  Luke 24: 44-53

Today is Ascension Day, the day that we observe that Jesus has returned to heaven in glory and is seated at God’s right hand. This day is also an invitation to us to be fully involved in the life and work of Jesus. From time to time we are given a glimpse of heaven on earth. We are reminded that we are created in God’s image and we see that we can achieve God’s hope for us. On Ascension Sunday we take time to think of how Jesus continues to help us to do just that. It may seem odd to think of Jesus who has gone to heaven as the one who is actively helping us who are here on earth, so let’s think a bit about what it means that Jesus is in heaven. We know that heaven is the place where God resides. Jesus is now with God. Mark 16:19 says Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God, and Luke 24: 52 says the disciples worshipped Jesus, which tells us that they recognized Jesus as God.

The reality that Jesus is with God has implications for us. Because Jesus is now with God, it is not possible to talk about God without talking about Jesus. We can think of God as all powerful, perfect, majestic, sovereign and eternal… But now, the God now being worshiped by the disciples in our passage is also one who knows loneliness, betrayal, rejection, thirst, and even death. The ascension of Jesus into heaven alters our picture of God. We do not define God in a way that leaves God completely detached from human experience. The ascended Jesus, who sits at God’s right hand, reveals a God who is vulnerable and even approachable. When we turn to God in times of distress or temptation, we are not addressing a deity aloof and unfamiliar with our struggles. God knows our trials intimately well and not only comforts us by identifying with our pain, but also assures us that affliction will not have the final word, because it is the risen and ascended Christ who intercedes for us and nothing can separate us from Christ’s love (Romans 8:34).

This is the WHY of our belief. We believe in Jesus who is fully human and fully God who is seated at God’s right hand, and who guides our living. We have faith in God who knows us and loves us. This is what we have to share with our world. It can be a temptation for God’s people to first share with others the how and the what of church life. We invite people to be a part of a group, to be a friend, to find purpose in helping others – all of which is part of the life of the Church of Jesus – but the most important thing we have to pass on is the WHY. We are loved by God who knows us and invites us to be children of God. Knowing the why of what you do is said to be the reason the Apple Computer is so successful. They know why they do what they do, every project has to fit into their “why” before it is adopted and they figure out how to make it happen.

 On this Ascension Day, we can remember that we love and serve Jesus, who knows us, loves us and guides us.

Meditation 289

Ephesians 1: 15-23

In this passage Paul is describing the power of God at work in Christ, which is the power that gives reason for Ascension Day. Ascension Day is Thursday May 13 this year, and will be observed in some churches on Sunday May 16.

Paul writes that God raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places. This resurrection is the source of our hope. By rising from death Jesus conquered sin and death and so gives us a reason to look above the turmoil that may surround us. We often use images from nature to help us understand the resurrection, such as the emergence of butterflies from the cocoon. The resurrection of Jesus is more amazing that that. I can remember Dr Stephen Farris, one of my professors at Knox College, telling us that the resurrection of Jesus was unique in that it was once and for all. The resurrection of Jesus is not part of the cycle of nature, but it happened once and in his rising from death, Jesus overcame the power of sin and death.

Since Jesus has overcome sin and death, we have a hopeful place from which to live. In the passage we are reading today Paul is reminding the Ephesians that Jesus has been seated at God’s right hand in the heavenly places, which is above all other rule, power, authority, dominion, and every name both in this age and that which is to come. Jesus is exalted and has been exalted by God. Jesus is the source of authority in our lives and therefore the source of hope. In Jesus we may have confidence that the Kingdom of Heaven is accomplished and we are part of that kingdom.

The power of God which is at work in Jesus to have raised him from death and seated him in heavenly places, is the same power that is at work in the church. We are reminded that the church is the body of Jesus Christ. The church is not just an organization that has doing good as its goal. The church is the way Jesus is active in our world. We do perform good works in the name of Jesus, we are also the voice of hope for those who have lost or are losing their way.

Sometimes the work of the Church of Jesus Christ is strong and powerful, such as the times that the Moderator of General Assembly writes to the government on behalf of the impoverished or on behalf of the environment. Another significant task of the church took place a number of years ago in Brampton after a horrific shooting of children in a school in Ireland. The Protestant and Roman Catholic churches held a prayer service at the Catholic Church (the one with the bigger sanctuary). After the service was over traffic was stopped as the entire congregation crossed the intersection to have a time of fellowship at the Presbyterian Church. (The enormity of traffic stopping for a church event may be lost on those of you from smaller communities where the traffic still stops for funerals, but those of us who took part in that procession knew that this community action we huge). Other times the work of the Church is seen in the kindness of a friend who sits with one who is grieving. There is a story told of a child who went to visit an older grieving neighbour, and when the child came home was asked what he had done. “I helped him cry” was the answer. Sometimes the work of the Church is the wisdom to help someone cry.

Regardless of how we experience the power of Jesus, it is alive and in the face of doubt, sorrow or cruelty, the power of Jesus is real and alive and is our ultimate answer.

Meditation 288

Acts 1: 1-11

Yesterday we read Psalm 47 which directs our attention upwards. Psalm 47 praises God for ruling, guiding and caring for the world, and recognizes that God is exalted over the world. Today’s reading in Acts tells us that Jesus after completing his earthly ministry, was lifted up to be with the Father in heaven.

On one hand this reading may leave us feeling that we have been left behind by Jesus. Jesus is now in heaven and watching us from afar as we read the lessons he taught and pray to a far away God for help. There is a lot that we need help with too. This week I was in touch with my sons and their families and was reminded of the challenges that some people face. Here in New Brunswick my biggest difficulty living in pandemic conditions is that I am limited in what I can do and where I can go. In Nova Scotia there is a surge in numbers of infections, and in Alberta there seems to be a disbelief amongst some that social distancing and mask wearing are good and helpful practices. Last year a song came out of Nova Scotia that told us to “stay the blazes home” and to “think about the common good.” We can become overwhelmed as we keep trying to do the right thing only to see others flout the common good.

Before I get you all too depressed to go on, I think that the sorry of the ascension of Jesus is more than a reminder that Jesus is exalted; this story is also a reminder to look up beyond what is immediately around you. We can look down and see the things that worry us, or we can look up and look to Jesus for rule, guidance and caring.

Just before Jesus ascended to heaven the disciples asked when the kingdom would be restored to Israel, and he told them it was not for them to know what God’s timelines were/are. Jesus did say that the disciples would be given the gift of the Holy Spirit, and that the Spirit would give them power to be witnesses to Jesus. I think there is comfort for us in that promise. Like the disciples there are things that we don’t know, but we have the presence of the Holy Spirit to give us comfort, and to give us power to be witnesses to Jesus.

In our lives right now the big question that is being posed is “how much longer?” How much longer before we can visit family, how much longer before we can hold a celebration, how much longer will we be living in concern that a vile disease will keep on spreading. In the midst of all of that we have the Spirit to help us to use healthy practices without being harsh to others, to give encouragement when we can, to offer help to those who need it, and to remind ourselves and others that this is not the end, and that by God’s grace we can make it through.

May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, may the rain fall soft on your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of God’s hand. (Irish Blessing)

Meditation 287

Psalm 47

This psalm begins with a direction for all peoples to clap their hands and shout to God with loud songs of joy. We start with a call to action, and then we are told why we are to clap and shout. The Lord is awesome, a great king over all the earth, God has subdued peoples and nations under God’s people, and God has chosen the heritage for the pride of Jacob who are loved by this awesome God. The introduction of Psalm 47 is a stirring invitation to praise and adoration of God who cares for the people.

In this psalm, God is being depicted as a king who leads the people. In verse 5 we read that “God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of trumpet.” A shout and a trumpet would be ways a king would command the attention of a crowd. This psalm is believed to be one of the enthronement psalms, which with Psalms 93, 94-99, were used in a yearly ceremony at the temple. This ceremony was held to affirm the kingship of the Lord God. In Psalm 47 the response to God’s kingship was a threefold invitation to sing praises.

The people who came to the temple to rejoice at the majesty of God were confident that God was their God, and also that God ruled the world. In verse 2 we read that God is “a great king over all the earth” and in verse 8 we read that “God is king over the nations.” The people who gathered at the temple were uniting their hearts and voices in adoration to God who had guided and cared for them.

The ancient world was a hierarchical one. That which was great was elevated, and so we have the image of God going up and sitting on a holy throne. God is above everything and everyone and so is highly exalted (verse9). God is an exalted king who is most worthy of praise.

This coming Sunday is Ascension Sunday, the week that we remember that Jesus ascended into heaven to be exalted at the right hand of God. As the one who sits at this high place, Jesus is entitled to receive the praises given in Psalm 47. We know that Jesus’ ascent is truly marvelous because it follows on the heels of a descent, as we affirm in the Apostles’ Creed. Jesus is owed our allegiance and devotion.

We have few occasions in our observance of faith to be part of the sort of pageantry described in Psalm 47. Ascending the steps of a cathedral or other splendid house of worship while voices and trumpets are sounded has never been an experience I have had. Still, we are invited to sing praises, which we may do in our worship services, in our day to day living and with the work of our hands. We may be thankful that Jesus is enthroned with God, caring for us and guiding us, and in response we bring our worship.

 

Meditation 286

John 15: 9-27

There is a song that says “Love is what it’s all about,” and in the passage in John 15 that seems to be the case that Jesus is making. He is not talking about the kind of love that gets packaged up in  ads that we have see in the media, but the kind of love that had Jesus say “No one has greater love than this, than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Jesus did that. He laid down his life for his friends, for us.

Because Jesus has laid down his life, we are friends, not servants. (verse 14) When we hear the word “friend” we usually think of a comrade, or pal, a sympathizer, chum, or intimate. A friend is one who is attached to another by feelings of affection, a friend is a supporter. A friendship is a relationship between equals. It’s a big leap to say that we are equal to God, but, on one hand, Jesus did tell his disciples that we know Jesus’ plans. We are not kept in the dark like servants or subordinates. There is love and passion between Jesus and his friends. It is not a distant, correct relationship, but a caring, involved one.

In the May 2012 issue of The Presbyterian Record, Laurence Dewolfe who wrote “The Progressive Lectionary” column had a lot to say about love in the Bible. He considers two of the Greek words that are translated as love, agapé and philia. The word Agape is always translated as love, and we often translate philia as brotherly love, which we think of it as the root of friendship. In these cases, love is much more than a vague sense of obligation toward everyone else. There’s nothing vague about agapé or philia. They’re both about passion, and serious commitment and they command a very clear path in life. Agapé is a direction of the will toward another. It doesn’t grow out of feelings, but begins with a choice. This is not a light hearted choice, and once chosen, it determines other choices.

Agapé doesn’t spring up out of who we are or what we can do, rather agapé comes from the love that Jesus has for us. It comes from who he is and how he loves. Jesus doesn’t say, “Like one another, then try to love one another.” He doesn’t say, “Figure out who is worthy of your love, then do your best.” Jesus says love one another as I have loved you. Jesus commands a high standard, which is the most extreme love we can imagine. While it is extreme it is a love we have already seen in action in the life of Jesus. Agapé love is possible because we know Jesus, and how he loves.

Because Jesus loves us, we are called friends not servants or slaves. Servant is a word that falls one our modern ears more easily than slave, but the Greek word translated as servant can also mean “slave.” We like the idea of being friends rather than servants, and we surely we don’t want to be slaves. A slave has no power, a slave is at the beck and call of the master or mistress. If we are Jesus’ friends then it seems we still have our identity and our independence in place. But think for a minute, a real friend has a power to command. It is not power that is assumed by the friend, but power given by you. You take her or his word seriously. You want to do what the friend asks. You may even move heaven and earth for the sake of that friendship, and so Jesus as a true friend has loyalty from us deeper than that which can be commanded.