Tag: Rev. Jaebok Gu

Isaiah 1:10-18, Psalm 32, and Luke 19:1-10

 

How can you become wealthy and stable in Canada today? Is it to become a hockey player? Or to become a Blue Jays player? I looked it up and found out that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a player on the national basketball team, earns $60 million a year. The Blue Jays will pay Vladimir Guerrero Jr. $35 million. Among ice hockey players, Oilers’ Connor McDavid earns $12.5 million. It’s probably the kind of money I’ll never touch in my lifetime. I sometimes worry about whether it would be a blessing to be given this money. For those who don’t know how to manage money, life after winning the lottery isn’t happy. I wasn’t really ready.

Today’s Gospel from Luke tells the story of the chief tax collector of Jesus’ time. His name is Zacchaeus, whom we all know well. At that time, tax collectors were people who could easily get rich by exploiting the law. They gave some of the money to the Roman Empire, and the rest they collected became their own. People in this profession usually get rich easily. Scholars say many tax collectors owned two or three houses. So the Israelites considered tax collectors who worked for the colonial powers to be unjust.

People criticized Zacchaeus, a tax collector whose name, ironically, meant righteous. The more unjust and dishonest a society is, the more difficult it is for honest and sincere workers to advance. When some people work hard to collect extra money from others and give it to their superiors, it becomes easier to get promoted. His life as a chief tax collector, considered a legitimate thief in society at the time, reveals much about him, so his name is likely different from his actual name. He became rich, but was accused of being a sinner. To reach the top, he had to beat many competitors. Did he ever have a true friend? He must have been very conflicted. As his health deteriorated and he grew older, he may have become more concerned about the afterlife.

Jericho, where he worked, was the gateway to Jerusalem. The chief tax collector there was in a perfect position to gather not only money but also various information and rumors. Unlike those who hated him, he would have heard about Jesus healing the sick and meeting with sinners, which were considered unclean by the Jewish law. He believed that Jesus had the power to forgive sinners. At this very time, Jesus Christ stopped in Jericho before going to Jerusalem.

But Zacchaeus was short and had difficulty seeing or meeting Jesus in the crowd. He climbed a sycamore-fig tree. It would have been noticeable that a fully grown adult was climbing the tree. At the same time, he was wealthy, so he wore very nice clothes, and others around him would not have gone to him because he was a sinner. A very short rich man is waiting for Jesus in a tree. Jesus could easily find him.

Before he even invites Jesus, Jesus tells him that he will stay at his house today. Jesus chooses him among countless people and approaches him warmly. Jesus further says that he will stay at Zacchaeus’ house. Jesus’ concern deeply moved him. He thinks, “Everyone calls me a sinner, but Jesus has transformed the homes of sinners into homes of the righteous, like my name. Ah, now I am forgiven. I can dwell where my ancestor Abraham rests.’ Now he can sleep peacefully tonight.

Of course, you’re probably familiar with the challenging part of the rich young ruler’s story in Luke 18. Jesus said it is very difficult for a rich man to enter heaven. The story of Zacchaeus appears in chapter 19. One difference is that Zacchaeus declared that he would share half of his wealth with the poor and live an honest life. This scene was very shocking to the existing Jews. The Jews considered Zacchaeus, who mingled well with the pagans of Rome, a religious and social sinner. They thought that anyone who associated with sinners was unclean. However, Jesus transcended their thoughts and religious laws. He transcends the limitations and shackles set by humans. The Jewish leaders did not act like Jesus. They did not visit the sinner’s house. For them, the law always took precedence over love. But for Jesus, the lost were his top priority. Jesus did his best for their salvation and liberation. It was Jesus’ mission to find them and save them. Dear friends, we too want to emulate the heart of Jesus. We, as disciples, hope to carry out Jesus’ mission in this age. How many lives will be lost in 2025! Let us ponder and pray for a way for them to return to the Lord. Let’s share the teachings of Christ together and transform Red Deer and Alberta.

Let us also become a bridge for those like Zacchaeus to return to the Lord. He resolved to change and confront all circumstances and situations that led him away from God. Let us also pray boldly to the Lord. Let us pray like David, seeking the Lord’s mercy and interceding for God to be a refuge for the lost in times of trouble. Sometimes we too may drift away from the Lord for a moment. And we can turn away from God by committing social or religious sins. It could be me or it could be someone I know. But the important truth is as Isaiah 18 says, “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. These words penetrate Zacchaeus’s faith and hope: God forgives the guilt of my sin, no matter how severe it may be.

David found great joy in trusting in the Lord. Zacchaeus, who approached Jesus with good desires, experienced the joy of salvation. Isaiah warns us to do good, seek justice, and help those in need. All these words are God’s words to us, the stewards. Let us live this week, caring for our families and the world with the heart of Jesus Christ. The Lord will guide you with a strong arm. Amen.

Psalm 84:1-7, Luke 18:9-14, and 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

 

It’s 2025, and there are only two months left. I visited a senior home and a hospital last week. This week, I met with the bereaved family who previously held a funeral. If you look at your calendar, you’ll see events scheduled for tomorrow, next week, a month from now, and even next year. We take it for granted. We assume that we will still be alive at that time. But on the other hand, nothing in this world is taken for granted. If God suddenly calls us today, it is the fate of human beings to have no choice but to respond to that fearful and trembling call. So, every morning, I pray to God: Bless the lives of our church members, be with them, and guide them. I hope that you will accomplish the things you have planned and hoped for in God over the remaining two months.

I began my sermon with a severe episode. The reason is this: because the heart of the author of today’s psalm and the heart of the tax collector in Jesus’ parable are deeply felt. Psalm 84 is full of beautiful expressions. “How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty.” Of course, the Hebrews’ perception of God’s presence and of the temple differs from the thinking of our Reformed Church members today. Nevertheless, I can feel that the heart that longs for God and praises His existence is very pure. We can find God’s traces everywhere in His created order. Looking at the sky, mountains, lakes, birds, flowers, stars, and countless living things, I often acknowledge that there are things beyond human talent. Just step out into the fields a little from the heart of Central Alberta, and I feel just how small I am. On the contrary, it makes me meditate on how great God the Creator is. In this perception of God, God’s dwelling place could be a church, a home, or somewhere in nature. However, we can find that the psalmist greatly misses the temple in Jerusalem. As expressed in verse 5, “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.” The poet had a heart that longed for the living God and for the sanctuary where he believed the Creator dwelt. Some scholars believe the poem’s motif may have come from David, who was fleeing Jerusalem because of his son Absalom’s rebellion. So he wants to meditate on Mount Zion and worship God in the sanctuary.

Of course, God’s sanctuary and the church building are entirely different. But today, the beautiful building provides a precious space for us and our children to practice our faith and experience grace. How precious is this place? I also often meet Christians who were once churchgoers but no longer attend a particular church. Some people have found it challenging to participate in church since the COVID pandemic. However, some people really want to come to church but feel distant in their hearts. When I meet such diverse people, I feel very sad.

I hope that we can all long for God more deeply and live a life of faith together with the heart of the psalmist. Although they have been away from the church community for a while, I hope that they will be able to step back into the church. So, I pray that the Lord’s power will be the driving force in their lives. There are countless Christians who have crossed the Atlantic with a vision given by God. I hope that the faith and vision they possessed in God will be passed on to our children and grandchildren.

“As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs.” The Baka Valley is named after the abundance of baka trees. It is more familiar to us as a balsam tree and is said to have been abundant around Jerusalem. And at that time, people also called this balsam tree the weeping tree. The reason is that a lot of sap flowed out, so it was expressed as tears. Why did the poet mention the weeping trees of this valley of Baca? There were many other place names and meaningful places. But I feel that it is because the poet is currently passing through the valley of tears. At the same time, we know that there are times of tears and trials in human life. We know very well that it is the duty of believers to trust and rely on God, even in difficult times. And after passing through this valley of suffering, the pilgrim can enter the place of glory. The poet also confesses that God’s grace and exceptional help are provided for this purpose.

Baka Valley turns into a place of springs. It’s really fascinating how similar the Hebrew words for ‘springs’ and ‘blessings’ are, with only one vowel difference. It is a metaphorical expression that the valley of tears is transformed into a place of blessing. Autumn rain falls, cooling off the desert heat. The rain that many have been waiting for fills all the springs. The hardship turned into a blessing. The tearful prayers of our predecessors in faith have created us and the church community we are today. I dare say that Canada was also developed through those tearful prayers and God’s guidance.

However, the time we must live through from now on requires the heart of a tax collector rather than a Pharisee, as in Jesus’ parable. Verses 13 and 14. ¹³ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ ¹⁴ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Lord, forgive me, a sinner, and have mercy on me. I am ashamed even to dare to ask the Lord. The form and attitude of faith are essential. At the same time, God knows very well the center of that faith, the sincerity of the heart. So, Jesus addresses the tax collector’s heart. “For those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Why is that? Because our Jesus showed us just that. God became human. He accepted the most shameful death on the cross. It was very scandalous and embarrassing, but Jesus went that way. He humbled himself in this way. We all want to be empowered by God through the humility of Jesus. God will lead us into a life of resurrection, faith, and power. Amen.

Genesis 32:22-31, Psalm 121, and Luke 18:1-8

 

We sometimes hear news like this: someone makes a large sum of money dishonestly and then moves it to a tax haven to avoid paying taxes. That person fled abroad. In fact, what you hear more often than not is someone winning the lottery or the results of a game between the Blue Jays, Oilers, or Flames. The important thing here is that the distribution of inheritance is not an easy task, whether long ago or now. The problem of Jacob and Esau dividing and inheriting the legacy of faith, including their father’s blessing, was not one that could be easily resolved. Esau lost his right to the firstborn’s blessing and position to Jacob. From then on, he looked forward to the day of revenge against Jacob. But now his younger brother Jacob is returning to him with his family. The closer the relationship, the deeper the resentment when betrayed. Not to mention family. That very Jacob is coming. Esau is coming to Jacob with four hundred warriors under his command. Jacob must have been so afraid of Esau that he prayed earnestly to God. He asked for comfort so that Esau would not attack him and his family. He also divided his livestock and property into two to protect one from attack. And that’s not all. He sent significant gifts first to his brother Esau. The contents are as follows: “two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, ¹⁵ thirty female camels with their young, forty cows and ten bulls, and twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys.”

I searched the approximate prices of these animals on a website called Kijiji, and here’s what I found: A goat costs anywhere from $600 to $750. Ewe sells for $300, ram sells for $500, adult female camel sells for $16,250, cow sells for $3,500, bull sells for $4,500, jenny donkey sells for $4,000, and male donkey sells for $1,500. In total, Jacob sent Esau gifts worth about $1 million at that time. In a time when livestock was more valuable than it is today, its value would have been much more beneficial than a million dollars. But even though he prepared such a great gift, he is now trembling with anxiety. He sent his wife, maidservants, and children away first, and was left alone, anxiously waiting for his brother’s response.

At this very moment, the Bible records: “A man wrestled with him till daybreak.” Even when the socket of Jacob’s hip was wrenched, Jacob desperately held on to the man. It’s a very unusual situation. He had a great fortune and was able to live comfortably. It is not normal for him to wrestle with an unknown person all night long, not even during the day. It’s very strange. The Hebrew word for Wrestle is abaq. This word is used when two people are fighting each other so fiercely that dust flies from the ground. Some theologians interpret this scene as Jacob’s desperate prayer. But since Jacob’s hip was indeed wrenched, we might think that it is more accurate to say that he wrestled with the angel of God. But we can see that this wrestling is not just a simple contest of strength. He must have been aware of the being that was with him. So, he asked repeatedly. He asked the man’s name and asked for his blessing. Who in that area could bless him for becoming so wealthy? He must have known clearly that there is no one in heaven but the Creator. In that most vulnerable moment of his life, he clung tenaciously to God. He pleaded. Even though his body was broken, he didn’t let go of the angel’s body.

However, the angel responds to Jacob’s earnest request for a blessing by giving him a new name. This is also an unusual situation. Why is that? If we look at Jacob’s past life, the answer lies there. The reason God asked Jacob his name through His angel was to ask him about his identity. The name Jacob means one who deceives others. His life was no different from his name. He lied to Isaac about the blessing of the firstborn and took away Esau’s right. He has made many mistakes due to his selfishness. He created animosity with those around him to the point that it was recorded in the Bible. Because of this, he suffered a lot. But God met him at the Jabbok River and gave him a new name, allowing him to live as a new being. This is a chance for new life and a blessing. Having changed his name to Israel, he can live with a new direction in life. His relationship with God has been restored. Next, the relationship with the world will be restored. He lives with a new name given to him by God the Father, rather than the name given to him by his father, Isaac. God is his father. He has a new identity. He called that place Peniel, and he looked up and saw the new sun rising with hope.

Next, in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the widow and the judge. He said that our prayer and faith life is like this. The widow, who was suffering terribly because of her enemy, earnestly asked the judge to resolve the matter. This judge did not believe in God and was, instead, a very unjust man. But this widow was causing him great trouble, so he granted her request. Moreover, it is a fact that God in heaven will surely answer our continued prayers.

Dear friends, God hears our prayers. The Creator watches over our lives every day. Let us approach God through our faith and life. Let us pray earnestly to God and ask for His help. As children anticipate Christmas presents, let us ask for responses to our prayers with the same earnestness as children do for their parents or grandparents. “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” I believe these words will be your answer. “The Lord will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life; ⁸ the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Amen.

Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Psalm 100, and John 6:25-35

 

There is a saying that grudges are engraved in rivers, and kindnesses are engraved in rocks. The idea is to engrave my enemies and those who have tormented me in water, and quickly forget them. On the other hand, the titles of gratitude that should not be forgotten need to be engraved on a rock and remembered for a long time. But life often does the opposite: we easily forget things we should be grateful for, and we long remember grudges we should forget.

Looking back on this year, I’m grateful for so many things. My family has moved, the kids love school, and we are happy with our lives. God also sent me good friends. When I think of the church, my heart warms. Some church members try to attend the church every Sunday. They are believers with a strong sense of responsibility, as firm as the long history of our denomination and church. Some believers are trying a new mission from God. Some members continue to suggest positive missionary topics to me. The sounds of children’s cries and laughter can be heard every Sunday. I can say that these are the hopes of our church and my reasons for gratitude. I give thanks to God, and at the same time, I thank you all for your active and positive cooperation.

The author of the Psalm calls us to enter God’s courts with gratitude, as reflected in the title of the sermon, and praise the Creator. He invites people to praise and sing to God throughout. He commands us to worship the God who created us and the God who sustains us. He praises God’s everlasting love. He urges the people of the earth to praise God aloud. The poet proclaims the kingship of Jehovah and calls on us to serve him with joy. Jehovah loves his people, his children, very much and delights in saving them. Like parents who want their children to go on the right path, He guides us through prophets and His Word. God commands His children through prophets and poets: Praise God. Give thanks to God. Be thankful nonetheless. Even though the past year has been challenging at times, and some members may have had financial and emotional difficulties, God calls us to rejoice in Him at this very moment. Nevertheless. And yet, we have much to be thankful for. The family gathered together to celebrate Thanksgiving. I never knew that family gatherings could be such a blessing. When I lived in a small country like Korea, it wasn’t that difficult for my family to get together. But coming to Canada made me realize how grateful I am for my family being together. Living far away from family makes me realize how blessed and thankful I am to be able to hold their hands and share meals.

Dear friends, let’s take a moment to remember the things we are grateful for this year. Let us go forward and praise and worship the Lord, and take a moment to look at our neighbors around us. This is Deuteronomy 11. “Then you and the Levites and the foreigners residing among you shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household.” Israel shall rejoice in the Levites and the foreigners residing among you. In every community, past or present, there are vulnerable or marginalized groups. They are sometimes not economically well-off, sometimes from third-world countries, and sometimes they cannot participate in mainstream society. It is a word that tells us to remember them at that very time. The expression, “Then you and the Levites and the foreigners residing among you shall rejoice” is a request made to the Israelites when they celebrated major festivals. They are asked to choose precious things in their lives and offer them to God. And God commands Israel to observe these major festivals without fail. At this time, the Israelites gathered together and, in gratitude for this holy gathering, offered the harvested grain to God, and the Levites, foreigners, widows, and orphans were told to enjoy it together.

In this way, no one is excluded from God’s blessings and grace. God draws to the center those who are forgotten in society and have nothing to boast about. To those who have begged for help, forgotten their names, and lost their language, God commands restoration through the prophets and Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ came to revive many people whose bodies were alive but whose souls were not. He calls them to worship God together through the prophet.

Why is that? Because initially, Israel was also a foreigner in Egypt. It is a word that reminds us of the grace of God that helped small and powerless people. He tells us to remember the history of God who saved and liberated Israel, a minority and second-class citizen. He calls us to approach God with praise and thanksgiving. God, who has heard the persecution of Israel, now hears the groans of other Gentiles and the weak around Israel. So, the Creator invites them to a banquet. Finally, God breaks down the wall of separation between Israel and them. They are foreigners who do not have their own land. So, they cannot enjoy God’s grace and the abundance of the harvest because there is no grain to harvest. When others are enjoying abundance and joy, they are the ones who cannot participate in that joy. God commanded Israel to care for them, and He tells us the same thing today. God tells us to rejoice with them. Many people around us would be driven into financial crisis if they were unable to work for just a month or two. Some people suffer from crises not only due to material poverty but also due to a lack of love. Some people live on the streets despite having two or three houses. Because there is pain in their heart. Sometimes I feel the challenge of being in a downtown church. But because of that challenge, we can clearly think about the reason and purpose of our church’s existence. It’s painful to see homeless people and people on drugs every day. But we can pray for them and make plans to help them. We may be small, but we will move forward with a mission. Let us move forward together, saying Amen to this mission.

Luke 17:5-10, Psalm 37:1-9, and 2 Timothy 1:1-14

 

In two weeks, we will be voting to select a key leader for the City of Red Deer. Thankfully, I have church members who have been sharing information about candidates with me. Unfortunately, I don’t have a voting right, so I’ll pray that God will choose the workers He needs. I hope you vote for leaders who will carry out God’s will and plan.

2 Timothy is a letter from the Apostle Paul to Timothy while he was imprisoned in Rome. Paul expected his death to be imminent. When a person’s life comes to an end, what do they think about the most? I remember meeting people who regretted not loving more and regretted not forgiving someone. At the same time, some calmly accepted death and prepared for their own funeral. The important thing is that this is a time when we must strive to spend it very truthfully and worthily. The Apostle Paul also warned his beloved disciple Timothy of the coming persecution from Judaism and attacks on the church from the world. To overcome such crises, he urges Timothy to have faith and love and to abide in God’s power and grace.

Around 64 AD, when this letter was written, there was a great fire in the city of Rome. When faced with a national disaster, foolish leaders tend to place the blame on the most vulnerable groups in society. In the face of difficult-to-survive disasters like earthquakes and fires, Christians are accused of being the culprits. So, the Roman emperor Nero severely persecuted Christians throughout the Roman Empire. Eventually, Paul was imprisoned in Rome for the second time. He was sentenced to death. He was unjustly accused and had to wait for the execution date. In the face of death, he was deeply concerned about Timothy. What do we need when faced with a life crisis or a crisis of faith?

First, Paul speaks of the importance of God’s power, love, and self-discipline. “⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” God gives salvation to those who believe. Through the gospel, we receive the power to obtain salvation (Rom 1:16). Next, love has the power to overcome fear. When I was in elementary school, my grandparents loved me very much. However, my older sister, who is three years older than I, has never been happy about the fact that I am loved more than girls just because I am a boy. That was the Korean culture at the time—the elderly preferred boys over girls. So, I don’t actually remember much, but when I was little, my older sister would often scold me, and then apologize to me when she became an adult. By the way, when I was in elementary school, I was beaten up once by some older kids in the neighborhood. At this time, my older sister went out and fiercely protested to the neighborhood’s older brothers and scolded them. They were older and stronger than her, but I just relied on her. I guess my sister was probably scared, too, but she was brave enough to come forward because she loved me. In this way, love drives out fear. Yes, God’s power and love give us the strength to overcome persecution. God’s love and power invite us to understand the incomprehensible. That love brought us together, and that love forms the foundation of our Knox Presbyterian Church. Therefore, dear beloved, let us remember verses 13 and 14. “¹³ What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” Let us live with the faith and love that the Lord gives us. May we keep becoming a church through the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. Let us cultivate the world so that it can please the Lord.

Why should we do this? Because God has commanded us, as Luke and the Psalmist mention. Because we are simply servants of the Lord who do what we are commanded to do. “⁴ Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. ⁵ Commit your way to the Lord. Trust in him and he will do this: ⁶ He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” Just as Jesus served us with God’s love and power, let us follow the Lord’s commands and say “Amen.” When we genuinely believe in and follow the Lord, He gives us faith, just as the apostles confessed. Grant us the faith to enjoy God’s power and grace fully. We too can request like the apostles. And with that ability, I earnestly hope that we will become people who illuminate the world like Jesus.