March 3rd, 2021
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| ps from ps… Do you have a nickname? What’s it from? Who gave it to you? Why do you have it? Does it describe some part of your name, personality or role in the world? One of my nicknames is Little Bigs. Not because I’m Chick Biegner’s son but because my older sister Chris, who I hung out with a lot as I was growing up, was nicknamed: Bigs. So when I was still smaller than her, her friends would call me: Little Bigs. Pretty simple. Jesus had lots of names/nicknames: Rabbi, King of Kings, Holy One, Emmanuel and the list goes on. As the church, we celebrate most of them. The one we probably highlight the least though would be his trickiest nickname: Prophet. Because sometimes prophetic words and actions make us really uncomfortable and take us out of our comfort zones. A prophet is one that speaks God’s future into reality, speaks truth to power and speaks out against evil in the present reality. In the gospel lesson coming up for this week, Jesus, in full prophetic mode, goes into the temple and starts turning the money changer’s tables upside down, sending them packing. He does this because it’s not the way of God and not what God wants us focused on. His prophetic role in the world becomes tangible. His prophetic nickname is worn on his sleeve as he tries again to restore the people and temple to who and what they were designed to be. Restoration. I know most of us like the Healer Jesus, the Feeder Jesus and the Savior Jesus. Much cozier and easier to swallow. But sometimes the prophet needs to flip those tables over. Sometimes the only thing that gets through to us and the world is when things get tipped upside down. Sometimes so many layers of “blah” get laid on top of God’s good news and right pathway that some less subtle measures are needed. Do you need a prophetic word brought into your life today? Are there tables of yours that need to be flipped? Or maybe do you need to be that prophetic voice for someone you know, some community you live in? Is it time for you to help speak that hard word that won’t win you any “citizen of the year” awards from some but would bring new life to others? Could Prophet be the nickname you need to live into today? As our Lenten Restoration continues, consider your prophetic role in it. What tables do you see that might need to be flipped over? Lord, if there’s a table that isn’t set for you, call me to flip it if that’s what the good news needs Amen Still in One Peace, ps |
February 28th – March 6th – Week 2 Lent 2021
February 24th, 2021
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| ps from ps… Jesus shared the “plan” with the disciples that he’d be betrayed, handed over and killed. And Peter was not a fan. He pulled Jesus aside and said: “Dude, let’s not do that! That’s crazy talk! There’s got to be another way.” – Mark 8, Biegner Translation There’s got to be another way. If I’ve said that to God once, I’ve said it a million times. My plan. My timing. Less struggle. More glory. Less pain. More easy street. Occasionally I pull God over, pull God aside and explain to the Creator of the Universe and US Postal System and the rover that just landed on Mars and the plastic thing at the end of your shoelace that keeps the lace from unraveling, I’ve got a better idea. I deserve to be put in timeout for the number of times I’ve done this. What’s incredible about Jesus’ response to Peter’s selfishness (and mine) is this: he invites him to come even closer. He doesn’t push him away. Jesus replies: “Get behind me Satan.” The words really can be translated “follow me.” Watch me. Emulate me. Learn from me. Take notes and watch what God’s up to! He even invites him to drop that selfishness/poor thinking/evil dwelling action and instead – pick up his cross. Pick up his sacrifice, instead of his selfishness. Today my friend, you and I play the role of Peter. Probably still sharing words similar to his at times. Probably still trying to pull Jesus aside. And yet, Jesus continue to pull us closer. Nearer. To watch. Learn. Listen. And have an opportunity to drop some of the stuff that’s getting in the way, only to pick up God sacrificial love in its place. May your Lenten time of Restoration, bring you closer to Jesus to watch, learn, listen to and follow that incredible grace. Lord, help me listen. Help me follow. Amen Still in One Peace, ps |
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