Trust in the ways of God.

Many people would list this reading of Good News as one they would not normally read.  Is it because we would rather avoid reading about the woes?

Jesus is talking about God’s love for the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the sick, the powerless, the stepped-on, pushed-down, left-out, and crushed.

We need to remember how Jesus stirred up his hometown folks announcing that Isaiah’s prophecy of good news for the poor was fulfilled in their hearing that day. After a time of prayer up on the mountain, Jesus gathered his disciples and brought them down to a place accessible to many people, many different people, including even Gentiles and the crowds of people who were marginalized because of disease and unclean spirits. The text says that he healed not just a few but all of those who came to him, hungering in so many ways, for dignity and acceptance, for wholeness and health, for forgiveness, freedom and hope.

Jesus talked the talk after he has already walked the walk, and we come to know who he is what he says and means what he says. Jesus proclaims what ministry, as a disciple of Jesus Christ is all about.

We need to remember to live our lives trusting, putting our faith not in our material resources, or in the lack of material resources. We need to live trusting not in the ways of mortal man, but instead trusting in the ways of God.

We read in Jeremiah 17:5-10 (NRSV)5 Thus says the Lord: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord.6 They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.7 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.8 They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.9 The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse— who can understand it?10 I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings.
We understand trust means where you place your confidence. We know that we should not place our confidence in: Weapons     Ps. 44:6; Wealth     Ps. 49:6, 7 ; Leaders     Ps. 146:3; Man     Jer. 17:5; Works     Jer. 48:7; or  our own righteousness     Ezek. 33:13

Understanding trust means where you place your confidence. We should place our confidence in:
God’s: Name     Ps. 33:21 ; Word     Ps. 119:42; & in his son Jesus Christ     Matt. 12:17–21
Our trust being in the Lord our God does offer us the benefits of :
Joy     Ps. 5:11; Deliverance     Ps. 22:4, 5; Triumph     Ps. 25:2, 3; God’s goodness     Ps. 31:19
Mercy     Ps. 32:10; Provision     Ps. 37:3, 5; Blessedness     Ps. 40:4; Safety     Ps. 56:4, 11
Usefulness     Ps. 73:28; Guidance     Prov. 3:5, 6; Inheritance     Is. 57:13

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 our trust in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ offers us to us the fruit of life everlasting.

It is tempting for Christians to be resentful when we think of God’s love for the poor. Actually Jesus is saying is the poor are blessed. Not because he loves the ones with wealth any else, but because they are living in a circumstance that is contrary to what God’s desires for us.
The "woes" say that God examines the human state of affairs and is displeased.

Happily, being a true believer means that we are uncomfortable with the suffering of the world. Actually we really do want to hear a word of hope and challenge for all of God’s children.

We express that in how we examine the values that are evident within our lives, meaning just where we place our trust.

Are you able to hear God’s call, whatever it is, or are we too encumbered by the things we own – or the things we desire?

How do you make decisions about where we work, where we live, and what we do with our time? What values contribute to our choices?

How do we use our material prosperity to help the needs of our brothers and sisters?"

We need to remember where we place our confidence. God blessed us all. God’s loving generosity is proclaimed throughout both the Old and the New Testaments of our Holy Bible.

We should place our confidence in God’s ability to provide an abundance and our not trying to hold on to an excess for ourselves.

Jesus offers assurance to the weakest among us as he offers a warning to the ones holding onto an excess. What Luke offers us to day is the lesson to “not be afraid”.

Place your confidence in the lessons you learn through Jesus Christ and not in the television ads that tell you only those who have look good. It is in this place of worship, we proclaimed the presence and power of the risen Christ with the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts.
It is in this place that we prepare for the walk to be what Jesus ask of his disciples.

There is a secret to learning how to swim; you must first trust the water to hold your body up as you float. To swim with that value of floating being in place you then use your strength to swim somewhere. The secret to living the Christian life, is first to trust that Jesus Christ will hold you up. And with that belief in place use your strength and action to share the Good News.

God gave us the faith to believe that Jesus Christ would be like a light to our feet in the darkness of this world. We should repay the benefit God gave us with our hearts showing loving kindness towards those who by doubting or denying Jesus Christ that they are traveling outside of the path of safety. May the hearts of our actions serve their individual need to by not being judging but desire that truth leads their hearts, to receive Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jesus’ listeners did not look far to understand whom He was talking about. Verse 17 notes that a huge crowd had gathered. Including Gentiles from the seacoast cities. These centers of Baal worship had troubled the Hebrews for generations by introducing pagan ideas and practices.
Luke 6:17-26 (NRSV)17 He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon.18 They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured.19 And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.21 “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.22 “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man.23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.25 “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.26 “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

Jesus gives tired fishermen success by their serving God.

The perception of what Religion means is quite varied and often times gets a bad rap most of the time. While for some Christians their religion is expressed and experienced by the degree of focus and time they offer by reading and studying the Holy Bible. Some Christians equate your religion by just how often you reserve time for either church attendance or worship. Some Christians define their religion by the busyness they put into their religion. Would we to ask God, would it be surprising to find the meaning for a Christian to be living and maintaining a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

In Psalm 138:4-5 we say that All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth.  They shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord.

For kings to do this, kings must make the decision to be willing to use their resources to serve God and not be self-serving. .  

Our Old Testament references the lives of specific people whom did have a relationship with God. Enoch walked with God. Abraham was called a friend of God. Moses met with God. Elijah was caught up with God. God called Jeremiah, and Isaiah experienced the power of worship with God.

In the year that King Uzziah died, IIsaiah saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Isaiah’s focus was on what cannot be seen, the presence, power, and holiness of God (Isaiah 6:1-3). The Holy Spirit encourages Christians to come into such a face-to-face experience with God. When you come into unity with the meaning God desires of your life, then you see the lost souls and their needs. The choice becomes yours if you are going to do anything about it.

The important lesson regarding our Isaiah reading is how the prophet had a sense of belonging to God despite his unworthiness. Isaiah confessed: “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”his sinful nature and God’s mercy provided him with a cleansed heart. Now he was ready to do something for others, he was ready to serve God. God desired that Isaiah would bring back the lost people of Israel.

In 1 Corinthians 15:1-11;  Paul wanted to explain something more important than spiritual gifts to the Corinthians. Paul said he was the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. Yet he was willing to serve and bring people back to God. What Paul shared was the “Good News”. Jesus Christ had served God by serving the needs of the lost. Jesus was willing to give all for the kingdom of God’s loving glory. He gave his life, Jesus was buried, and God raised Jesus Christ into new life. By serving the needs of the lost, Jesus Christ brought the lost souls back to God.

In Luke 5:1-11, Luke sets quite a scene for us, the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God. Jesus saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.  Jesus got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.  Maybe like myself you have wondered about why Jesus selected Simon Peter’s boat?

What we do know is that the teachings of jesus are like a net that reaches out and brings closer the ears and understanding of people to the glories of God’s word. We can also be assured that the best seat for listening to Jesus that day belonged to Simeon. Jesus offers a glimpse of the success they will have as God’s loyal servants preaching the gospel.

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning 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 that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!”
As Isaiah envisoned God’s power and holy presence, so did these tired  fisherman. God’s word will not return empty. Simon Peter recognizes his own unworthiness in the presence of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. It is with this same start that many of us begin our task of serving God’s word, serving the people God desires to show his loving and saving grace upon. The quantity of fish that were caught provides evidence of Jesus’ power and ground for the promise made to Peter in verse 10, "you will be catching people."

9 For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken;10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.”11 When they had brought their boats to shore, Forgetting about all the fish they just caught, they leave everything and follow Jesus.

In Psalm 138:8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Let us lay the resources we have at the feet of the Master and share “Good News” with a whole world.

Jesus goes to people, who are willing to listen.

In his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus makes the startling claim that he is the Messiah of whom Isaiah's prophecy speaks. While Nazareth was the place of His youth, it did not become the headquarters for Jesus’ ministry. Which aspects of the Anointed One's work in verses 18–19 do you think Christians today are strong in carrying on?
Luke 4:18-19 (NRSV NT Rev. Int.)18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
In what ways are today’s Christians weak? The ways Christians are weak today, can be seen in the ways his people experienced changing attitudes to Jesus. What has caused the radical change? The hearts of the people were self-serving and filled with local pride.
Jesus knows their initial gracious words about him were superficial, so he deliberately draws out their Gentile prejudice. Despite clear biblical examples they still will not believe God has mercy also on other people.

21 Then he began to say to them, “ Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
As In the beginning God’s work was finished by the power of God’s Holy and spoken words. God’s Words are given to us in the power of the scriptures. God Word is a seed that blossoms with the beauty of a harvest. We find Jesus Christ to be the fulfillment of God’s Word in the scriptures and in the life experience of Jesus Christ.  
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”
The identity of Jesus for them was seen as his being Joseph’s son. This is despite the blessings and miracles God had directed to others through Jesus. In asking if Jesus is Joseph’s son, the synagogue participants are questioning how such honorable teaching could come from one born to a lowly craftman.
23 He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’”
Jesus warns the townspeople not to expect Jesus to do among them the signs and wonders he had done elsewhere. So in our lives, we cannot expect Jesus to work the Blessing of God among hard hearted and self-serving people. Lip service faith is not enough, only love, active and persistent will last. Everything else is empty and transitory.
24 And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown.
The tradition that Israel rejected its own prophets was strong in Judaism; for instance, Jeremiah was persecuted by his own priestly town, (Jer 1:1; 11:18–23).
25 But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land;26 yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon.27 There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”
Jesus recalls two biblical incidents in which the prophets Elijah and Elisha performed miracles for foreigners (1 Kings 17:1, 8-24; 2 Kings 5:1-19). In this way Jesus makes clear that, more than not having a special claim on Jesus' ministry, the signs the people of Nazareth desire will be granted to those considered to be outside the people of God. Jesus declares that God's gift of healing and life is not limited to Israel but intended for all people. Jesus' announcement that God's promises are available to all people turns the crowd against him.
Jesus knew that even when His hearers realized they were actually the blind ones who needed to see, they still would not readily accept His message. His statement about a prophet being honored everywhere but in his home found graphic fulfillment in His immediate family, because His own brothers did not believe in Him until after the resurrection (Jn. 7:5).
Jesus then referred to the incidents of Elijah being sent to the Gentile Sidonian woman (1 Ki 17:9) and Elisha’s healing of the Gentile Naaman (2 Ki 5). His point was that these prophets were not sent to Israelites but to Gentiles. If God found Israel heart to be unworthy, then God would send His blessings, and his prophet elsewhere; even if it was to the Gentiles. He knew that His own hometown crowd would not accept the message intended for them, but many Gentiles would later accept that same message.28 When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage.
Humankind hates the doctrine of the sovereignty of God which Christ had just declared. God was under no obligation to work miracles among them. Also you can imagine the impact of Jesus’ words on Jewish minds. They placed women, Gentiles, and lepers at the bottom of the social scale.
29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff.

30 But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.
Our Lord passed before their eyes, they did not recognize him as did the teo disciple whom were on the road to Emmaus.  (Luke 24:16)
Our Lord passed through these peoples who were wanting to do him harm as the Lord passed though the peoples of Egypt stiriking dead the first born. The Lord passed through all peoples  whom have vegence within the heart.
Exodus 12:23 (NRSV)23 For the Lord will pass through to strike down the Egyptians; when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over that door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you down.
Watch your hearts that you not judge too harsh these who could not see the messianic age being within their lives. They lived only four miles from Sepphoris, they were well aware of how the Romans had destroyed that Galilean capital after a messianic-style revolt in a.d. 6; that this region was thereafter cautious about messianic announcements is clear from the fact that the rebuilt Sepphoris did not join in the later revolt of a.d. 66.

For what ever the reason it was like in a parable, Jesus sowed the seed of His Word that day in Nazareth, the wicked ones soon snatched it away (Mt. 13:19). May we be among those who hear Jesus’ Word, understand it, and bear fruit. Jesus had to go elsewhere to find a receptive audience.

Serving with God's courage the mission statement of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray:
God of Divine Revelation, you show yourself to all believers in many and various ways. To some you reveal yourself through scripture, while other believers encounter your magnificence most completely in the risen Christ. Regardless of our mode of knowing or coming to faith, draw us together as a church that recognizes that today is a day to hear and celebrate the good news. Make us a people intent on proclaiming with Jesus that this is indeed “the year of the Lord’s favor.” Forgive us where we have failed to permit your assurance of divine favor to permeate our lives. Forgive us for not wisely following Jesus. Furnish us the foresight to become part of your kingdom of which there is no end. Especially, let us fulfill your Holy Scriptures by our lives. Give us the vision and discernment to live out the mandates of scripture through our discipleship. Remind us that it is for such a time as this that you created us as you inspire us by your spirit. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.



While Luke wanted his reader to know some important factors were present at the beginning of the ministry of Jesus Christ. He also gives us the earliest writing of what a Jewish worship service looked like in a synagogue.

The number one fact present is that Jesus returns from the time in the wilderness, and temptation filled with the Holy Spirit. in the power of the spirit was the actual English translation.

Jesus' success in resisting the devil's temptations prepared him directly for the successful beginning of his mission. Had he failed those tests in the desert, he would have disqualified himself for leading that mission. Luke shows this by immediately linking Jesus' return “in the power of the Holy Spirit” to the positive and widespread reception in his province of Galilee. But this reception is also a contrast to his near-fatal rejection by his hometown of Nazareth. His tests have prepared him for both popularity and hostility.

Teaching about God’s word won Jesus the approval of people. Jews like to like to see one of their boys succeed in the world. And that is about as superficial as their understanding about Jesus gets. So he will attack straight at their national pride and the prejudice they have for their neighbors the Gentiles.

Our world pays attention to this lack of unity to this very day, but then again what neighbors do we show attitudes of hate and prejudice against. Sometimes we find it difficult to think that God could have mercy on these other people.

And if the difference is not about their gender, their national origin, the color of their skin, their political party, then we find reasons to cast them off because of the way they worship God. Be it the traditional or contemporary method or my favorite that I have to be careful of, the rural mountain practices.

I do not know how mountain people can understand their worship services should include the drinking the poison or the handling of dangerous snakes. I am just happy that #1. They give glory to God through such faith in Jesus Christ and, #2. I am also happy that my membership is not with their church. However when I explore the Word of God by reading and seeking understanding, I understand that pride in my method of worship is a wrong way to worship God. All humans have mistakes and sin in their lives, we are on a journey towards perfection and we are not there yet.

Some people make a good living for their selves as pastors when they promote the feelings of we are OK it is the rest of the world that is not. They ignore the fact that all have sinned. We all need the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

But that is not what the People knew when our reading from Nehemiah took place. They wept in remorse of their sin, because they were not taking the Word of God more often into their lives. After all despite being a beaten up people, over come, losers of their promised land, God had pulled them through the horrible loss of the exile.      

When you read what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 do you get a feeling that Paul is telling you to be in unity with those who have different kinds of spiritual gifts? Are people whom like traditional music better than the people who like contemporary music? Are contemporary music lovers better than the next generation and their worship music? Let try to just be people who respect each other as we stand for the Gospel.

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many members, yet one body.
22 On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; 24 whereas our more respectable members do not need this.
26 If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Jesus stood that day as he read from Isaiah and proclaimed his mission statement. Our focus needs to be less on our comfort zone and more on the mission statement of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said his mission on earth was to:
Luke 4:18-19 (NRSV NT Rev. Int.)18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”




bring good news to the poor.
Jesus healed the brokenhearted, referring to those who were discouraged because of their plight in life.
Those in poverty would include people who are downtrodden, we call them the underprivileged, they need to receive hope and dignity.  

release to the captives
Jesus proclaimed liberty to the captives. In the Old Testament, physical captivity refers to Israel’s exile (1:68–74); here spiritual captivity refers to sin (see 1:77; 7:47; 24:47; Acts 2:38; 5:31; 10:43; 13:38; 26:18). No matter what binds you, Christ Jesus will set you free.

recovery of sight to the blind,
Jesus gave sight to the blind, a reference to His miraculous works (7:22), though not without spiritual overtones (1:78, 79; 10:23, 24; 18:41–43).
While blindness can be a physical disability it can also mean spiritual darkness. Jesus offers new sight, so you can perceive God’s purpose for your life.

let the oppressed go free,
There are political and economic forces that hold people down, be released.  

Jesus set at liberty the oppressed. This was originally the call of Israel, but the nation had failed in its assignment (see Is. 58:6). What Israel had failed to do, Jesus does. The image here addresses both physical and spiritual realities

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
Jesus proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord, an allusion to Jubilee. This was every fiftieth year, in which all debt was forgiven, slaves were given their freedom, and ancestral lands were given back to its original family. The Year of Jubilee allowed for a new start (see Lev. 25:10). Jesus offers a total cancellation of spiritual debt and a new beginning to those who respond to His message.

In his hometown of Nazareth Jesus makes the startling claim that he is the Messiah of whom Isaiah's prophecy speaks. Which aspects of the Anointed One's work in Luke 4:18–19 do you think our Christian church today are we strong in carrying on?
Where are we weak?
As you read deeper into the Luke 4 scripture passage, you will see the changing attitudes towards Jesus. Compare Luke 4:14–15, with verses 20–22, 28–29. What has caused the radical change from giving praise to Jesus to being ready to throw his life away? Are there times in your life when you also turn against Jesus?

Jesus knows their initial praise is superficial, so he deliberately draws out their Gentile prejudice. Despite clear biblical examples they still will not believe God has mercy also on other people.


We do not want our church our spiritual lives to be battles for separate control and power in this world. Because the church would then be seeking more control and power and not serving the mission of Christ. But there is something else about being “filled with the power of the Spirit.” It means being filled with God’s courage.
Let us be the Holy Spirit filled church serving with God’s courage the mission statement of Jesus Christ.

Let "Joy" be your evidence!

John 2:1-11 (NRSV)“What proof do you have that Jesus is was who he claimed to be?”

People have been asking that question for thousands of years!

John wrote with his evidence being what Jesus did to meet the needs of people. And what Jesus said. Only God could have done and said the things Jesus said and did, also Jesus gives to us in abundance.

As we recall the presence of God was with Moses when he turned water into blood, Jesus serving as the fullness of God dressed in humility as Jesus turns water into wine. A new couple was in need, his mother sets the beginning of his hour.

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.

“Third day” here does not refer to the third day of the week, because it was a custom that virgins were married on the fourth day (Wednesday) and widows on the fifth.
2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.

The Bible is quite clear about the desires of God with regards to marriage. In the marriage commitment a male and a female are meant to know life’s purpose in ways that are both spiritual and sexual. This marriage commitment between a man & woman was effected by humankind’s fall into sin. Additionally Israel’s history brought changes into marriage because of the degrading practices of the ungodly peoples whom were Israel’s neighbors.

Jesus reaffirmed what marriage was intended to be when he rebuked the Jews’ attitude toward divorce, and He challenged the spouses in a marriage to live in harmony with one another.

It was Israel’s custom  to celebrate a local wedding for at least seven days. The host would invite as many people as possible, especially distinguished guests like a prominent rabbi.
3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”

John refrains from identifying Mary, maybe this is because he does not wish to put a mortal human on the same level as Jesus. Please take notice that Mary did not ask Jesus to do anything. Mary with faith, only informs Jesus about the need, their situation; Mary left how to fix the problem to Jesus. Mary left all of the solution to His wisdom and will. Perhaps we could learn from Mary.
To run out of wine during a wedding celebration could have be taken as an insult to the invited wedding guest. The host family was responsible to provide the guests with adequate wine for seven days. The guests would help defray the expense of the wedding with their gifts. But it sure looked like this couple sure needed a friend with some extra special gifts now.

4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.”In our present day society, we would question if Jesus was being rude when he referred to his mother as “Woman”. While it could seem rude, we must remember that Jesus would use this term again
John 4:21 (NRSV)21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
John 19:26-27 (NRSV)26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
John 20:13-15 (NRSV)13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
Matthew 15:28 (NRSV)28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
There have been many O T seekers of God who would not take no for an answer
Genesis 32:26-30 (NRSV) Jacob wrestled with God and would not let him go without a blessing.Exodus 33:12-34:9 (NRSV) Moses would not lead the Hebrews without God providing guidance.1 Kings 18:36-37 (NRSV) Elijah asked God to provide confirmation of his calling. 2 Kings 2:2 (NRSV) Elisha would not let Elijah go without a double portion blessing of his spirit.2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

Mary in strong faith did not argue with Jesus about what the needs were or what he was to do. Mary only gave instructions to the servants that they needed to do in obedience what Jesus said.

6 Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.
Stone jars were pieces of stone hollowed out to be a jar. They were selected to hold the water of purification since they were not earthen jars and could not contaminate the water inside of them.

These stone jars contained enough water for sprinkling purposes, but not for immersion. They were used to contain water for baptisms, which the Jews understood to mean purifications. These baptisms “were washings or purifications by water, poured or sprinkled on the hands, or entire persons, or on the furniture, for which ceremonial purposes vessels of water, containing two or three firkins apiece, were kept in the house.  John expresses it as purification. As a verb it defined the cleansing action water had on unclean things.

7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. 9 When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
The host of the wedding festival did not run out of wine because God was angry with him. Actually God desires you to know joy. With an abundance Christ Jesus blessed the couples’ marriage celebration with a wine superior to that which they began the celebration of marriage.  

Why should an account of Jesus rescuing a wedding steward and a bridegroom from an embarrassing situation be considered an important word from God? First look at who else in scripture transformed water.

While God through Moses changed water into blood, Naaman was cleaned of his leprosy with water. Wine was a necessity of life in the diet of people during those days. It symbolized life and joy.

While the things of this life bring us embarrassment, hurts, and sufferings. The Word of God through Jesus Christ brings us life and joy. By allowing his first miracle to be turning water into wine, Jesus sent a clear message that the Kingdom he had come to embody, proclaim, and inaugurate would be characterized by life and joy. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life . . . abundantly”.  
John 10:10 (NRSV)10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Jesus also said; John 15:11 (NRSV)11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

Abundant joy is the sign of the presence of Jesus Christ. The Lord produces the fruit of joy.
John 15:5 (NRSV)5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NRSV)22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

There are times in life when we are sad or in times of grief. We can taste the pain of our loss. Jesus Christ knew being the man of sorrows and we saw his grief over the body of Lazarus.

But even in sadness or times of grief, joy can bubble up when we think of Christ Jesus. The joy has nothing to do with what is going on. Our joy is in what Jesus does with our loss.

As Jesus transformed jars that held water to clean, into jars that held wine to drink and enjoy.

” John Wesley wrote, “ ‘Sour godliness,’ so called, is of the devil.”
Does gloom and doom, negativity and cynicism characterize your life? Then receive Christ’s joy.
Where does our joy come from? It comes from knowing that God is with us, that God is for us, and that God is smiling at us. Many people think God is angry with them. They interpret everything bad that happens as God’s punishment or God’s injustice. God is not angry with you. Right now the Spirit is saying to you, “You are my child, and I am well pleased with you” (Mark 1:11; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 4:3-7). If you could hear this word and receive it, then you would know joy.

Following the funeral of a relative, several years ago. A person made a comment that “From now on, God is going to have a lot more fun.” I hope that when you and I die someone will be able to say this about us. The closer you walk with Christ, the more likely it is to happen.

“What proof do you have that Jesus is was who he claimed to be?” Let the abundant joy in you life be your evidence.

God said, "You are mine."

“Heaven’s Voice”
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened,22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
What does it mean to say that we are 'claimed' by God? Does that fill your heart with great expectations? Let’s remember our Baptism is just a beginning point in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

There have been times when I have spent time thinking what it will be like in heaven. One of the more exciting thoughts followed hearing a lecture regarding seeing the Words of God.
Jewish Mystics believe that at two times in the history of humankind, the Voice of God could be not only heard but also seen. In a lecture they attributing our bible editors using only the sense of hearing instead of both hearing and seeing together as a misinterpretation of ancient Hebrew.

They regard the first seeing event at the fall of Adam and Eve as they heard God walked the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:8 (Tanakh)8 They heard the sound of the Lord God moving about in the garden at the breezy time of day; and the man and his wife hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
They say the second was an interpretation of what caused the people to say what they did in Exodus 20:19.
Exodus 20:19 (NKJV)19 Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”
They support the idea, when the people claimed by God are in the perfection of Heaven, God’s children will see the spoken Word of God. For me that thought offers excitement, it also offers future comfort and hope.

In Isaiah 43:1-7 we find the comfort and hope God make as he provided for his claimed people. Verse 2 alone has been an encourager for many people facing the times of troubles. Scholars locate Isaiah 40-55 in the time of the exile. Jerusalem had been destroyed and many people had been taken from Israel and scattered. The overwhelming message is they have not been utterly destroyed, only because they belong to God. What a message to believe in, saved by God.
Isaiah 43:2 (NRSV) 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
Maybe like myself you have found the moments of your early morning focus upon God’s word to be an awesome way to start the day, knowing that you will be thrown in with all of the different and changing human attitudes.

While reading the scriptures as this Isaiah reading (43:1-7), try to envision humankind being the receivers of God’s spoken verbs? He created you, he formed you, I redeemed you. I have called you, you are mine. I will be with you. You are precious in my sight. I love you. I will gather you.
  
It is easy for my vision to see in the Exodus God’s Word holding the waters back so the Hebrews could escape the Pharaoh’s army? In every trouble that faces us in life, God said, “to fear not”. Fear not because God has provided a redeemer. God has provided repayment of the debts humankinds owes the creator of all. God provides protection, as you journey life with God’s guidance.

The two main ways our scriptures lets us know when God has spoken, is either through a prophet or directly out of heaven. In today’s reading of Good News (Luke 3:15-17, 21-22) we have both forms present. John the Baptist is the voice of the Lord for his people and after the baptism a voice came from heaven. God gives us guidance through the prophet speaking on God’s behalf. Prophets received their calling not by family inheritance like the priest. Instead a prophet received the Word of God, and shared the Word through their speaking.

As the voice of God, in Luke 3:7-14 John the Baptist was uncompromising about the need for repentance. So powerful is John witness to the Word of God that people hearing the Word, began to think of John as being the Christ. Jewish Baptism was a ritual normally reserved for special life-cycle ceremonies like weddings, for women, or for new converts to Judaism.
To submit to John's baptism served as a public sign of repentance, an act of humility. Baptism, was people accepting John’s call to prepare for the Christ’s coming to serve their repentance. They made a public statement of their desire to be clean with the action of Baptism in the Jordan River.

In verses 15-18 John the Baptist refuses to let the crowds think he is the expected Christ. John is humble; he does not put himself in the spotlight. His ministry is not greater than the ministry of Jesus Christ. He is not thinking that he needs to be the big shot. He is only preparing the way.

Actually in serving God John cannot ignore the immoral actions of Herod. This serving God will require his imprisonment and eventually his life. But John knows to “fear not”, because he travels in the guidance of God.  

In warning the people whom held expectation within their heart, John tells them not to put him equal with the Christ. John paints a word picture of the Christ. John tells us that the Christ is more powerful than even this holy man of God. Why John is not worthy to even touch the ties on his sandals. John further tells us about a baptism in Holy Spirit and fire.
Infants became Jewish only if the mother was Jewish. In Christianity an infant becomes a Christian through it Baptism. In our Methodist tradition we lay hands on the infant and pray the presence of the Holy Spirit upon the child. As the child reached the age of reasoning we teach our children why we believe as we do. At this point they may by their decision be confirmed as a true believer of Jesus Christ as spirit filled ministers lay on hands praying the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Many English translations of Scripture give the impression that Jesus was the last to be baptized. However I have read that a more correct translation of the Greek meaning only that the baptism of Jesus occurred at the time (in general) of the baptism of all the people.  There are other ancient writings outside of scripture; stating that Mary along with the brothers and sisters of Jesus also were baptized. Jesus was without sin yet he presented himself for baptism. Jesus was without sin. For Jesus to take our sins he needed to identify with humankind. He became as us, by presenting himself in repentance.      

Because we are comfortable with a concept of God’s dwelling being above our earth, God allowed His Son to see the heavens opened.  What was meant by the appearance of the Holy Spirit as a dove? God showing the Holy spirit as a dove because it the animal more often sacrificed for sin.

As the dove was the victim of a sin offering, so would Jesus Christ be a victim for the sins of many.

The voice of God spoke and fulfilled what had previously been shared through the prophets. Please understand the voice was not changing anything about Jesus, or of his relationship.

Psalm 2:7 (NET)7 The king says, “I will announce the Lord’s decree. He said to me: ‘You are my son! This very day I have become your father!Isaiah 42:1 (NET)1 “Here is my servant whom I support, my chosen one in whom I take pleasure. I have placed my spirit on him; he will make just decrees for the nations.
What does it mean to say that we are 'claimed' by God? We were because of sin near-destruction to a relationship with God. (Isaiah) Because our faith, our baptism, our receiving the Holy spirit we are claimed by God (both Isaiah and Luke)
Why because God loves us (Isaiah 43:4). God is with us (verse 5). God will not allow us to be overcome (verse 2). We are God's sons and daughters, called by God's name (verses 6-7). If only we could comprehend what this means! Allow the concept to sink deep into your soul. We, who were formed and made by God, and created for God's glory, belong to God.

Our baptism is not an ending point it is a beginning point in our relationship with God?

We are God's. God said,” You are mine”. How many times does the Isaiah passage reinforce the fact that we belong to God? God's identification with us is not described in terms of possession or conquest, but in loving terms. Hear the words "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased" (Luke 3:22).

Let us celebrate being children of God as we prepare to receive his body & blood.

Amber Alert Searching for Jesus.

“Amber Alert” Searching For Jesus
Luke 2:41-52 (NRSV)

A Sunday school teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. A small child replied: "They couldn't get a baby sitter."
41 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival.

This verse (41) speaks of the devotion and good example Joseph and Mary have set for their son.

The feast of Unleavened Bread, also called Passover was one of three feasts that had to be observed in Jerusalem. The rules applied to males ages 12 and up especially for males living within a twenty mile radius of Jerusalem. The age of twelve was the age at which a young male was considered to have become a “son of the law”.

Birth from a Jewish mother meant you were a Jewish person. Being a “son of the law” meant that you were a practicing Jew. That you took on trying to do good. In our religion we connect the baby to Christianity with baptism. And by the age of 12 we celebrate their confirmation.

You can read more about why this was God required attendance by opening your Bibles to Exodus 23:14–17; and 34:23 and in Deut 16:16. The remembrance of Passover brought into focus that time when in Egypt the Angel of Death of took the life of every first born male. The only first born sons to be saved were those who had lamb’s blood on their doorpost. Also celebrated was the deliverance from Egyptian slavery.

When we ask ourselves; just why did Luke’s reading of the Good news contain this childhood story? Our answers are closely alike. Jesus is at the age of twelve now demonstrating and understanding that he has a special relationship with God. He transfers his understanding of just who his father is from Joseph to God.

Jesus also is doing something I wish all Christians could embrace. He makes his conversion to be more than just an event inside his spirit. We often make our spiritual awakening, our confirmation an event that happened to us alone. Jesus in this moment of spiritual awakening has others around him, discussing God for the benefit of all present.

When your focus is on you alone, then you do not see the larger picture that shows how you help others as you bless the glory of God. Your future memory thoughts changes from where your mind was at a very specific moment in time, to where others were in the celebrating of your awakening.

Do you recall the specific moment that you were born again? That is nice and it is special, however in all honesty, the purpose of being born again is to know you in God’s purpose. Which is not a selfish purpose. Instead it is your sharing and loving with all of God’s children and with God’s good green earth.

Too many times we interrupt our awakening to be when we are ready for new duties. Our early Christian duties should be very elementary in nature. If we try to jump from basic to advanced and spiritual we become disappointed in our conversion. This is why there needs to be a time in building resources and learning the tools for the advanced and spiritual duties.

Satan is not worried about your awakening or conversion. Satan has a chance to regain you when you become when aggravation or disappointment surfaces. This is why our efforts need to be seen in the light of a world outside of just us. Our conversion serves to bless the condition of others. We should think more of asking God to increase the benefits for their conditions than the needs of their souls.

When we think we need to be involved with other peoples’ spiritual condition, we focus on what we regard to be their sins. Such a focus causes us to then be frustrated with their day-to-day life. What we perceive to be their sins becomes our irritating wounds. We need to be praying for real people instead of trying to create and pray for imaginary people. People do make mistakes and sin.

This is what Jesus demonstrated for us in this age twelve conversion. During the Passover it was the custom for the leaders of the church; called the Sanhedrin; to meet in the public area of the temple and to discuss in the presence of all religious questions. It was in this setting that Mary and Joseph found Jesus.

43 When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44 Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him.

Joseph and Mary were not bad parents who lost a child. In essence the whole village traveled as a group to Jerusalem and back home. The travelers often left in two groups. First the women would have begun to walk since they travel slower. Then the men would leave catching up before reaching home.

With Jesus reaching the age of twelve, he could have traveled in either group. By the end of his twelfth year, he would be considered a man. Joseph and Mary had not expected him to be staying in the temple.

46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.48 When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” 49 He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.
Every child in America is wishing more had been in the bible about what Joseph and Mary were thinking and saying as they both returned to Jerusalem, and while they were searching for Jesus. Surly that sweet and God favored woman did not say, “When I find that boy, I am going to kill him.”  

Instead they find Jesus being the good student. When people debate as they have about the nature of Jesus. For me it is important to see Jesus as both the “son of man” and as well the “son of God” For Jesus to be our sacrifice for our sin he had to be a learner and not who shows up with super human strength and one who knows all of the answers. Most people shy away from a know it all. People instead want to know those who grow in knowledge by thinking things out loud. In such a setting all the children of God can contribute.

Joseph and Mary have treated Jesus like an ordinary child. They go looking for him, and upon finding him express their normal parent anxieties. This scripture marks the first time a mother confronts her child. It was the normal duty of the father to do this. And may I add mothers have been doing it proudly ever since.

In verse 49 we find the divine action, of Jesus expressing his understanding of who his Father is. Despite his divine nature, he submits to the relationship as a son to his mother and earthly father.

"Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"  These are the earliest words that Jesus speaks in this Gospel. In Matthew The first words are at his baptism. In Mark it follows the baptism & temptation. In John it occurs with two of John’s disciples.
 
Verse fifty-two shows that a period of growth was required even of Jesus. He had to mature in patience and wisdom just as we grow, physically and spiritually.

The main factor here is the well-balanced Jesus, knowing his spiritual nature, increases in his physical nature and that allows other people to benefit by having a relationship with him. Jesus will learn the skills of Joseph, working to learn the real lives of the people he came to save. And not have imaginary ideas about how people would be different if offered knowledge of God’s Divine plan.