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Good Samaritan United Methodist Church 19624 Homestead Road, Cupertino, California 94087 - 408-253-0751 - goodsam.info |
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Sunday, March 9, 2008
Matthew 20:20-34 Gail Chiew
The mother of the two disciples was requesting a favor for her sons from Jesus. Instead of granting the wish of the mother, Jesus’ answer to the woman must have been a disappointment and surprise.
In the text, Jesus made it clear to His listeners that “to be first is to be the last.” In other words, in this context, to be one in authority/position is “to serve others” and not “to be served”. Once again, the Jesus we see here is one who rejects all earthly authorities (though He spoke and taught with authority and many were influenced by his teachings).
As a greatly influential person, Jesus did not put pressure on His followers, neither did he kept them faithful to Himself for self interest. Jesus disregarded all personal interest and gain. Instead of self-servicing, He offered Himself on the cross for humanity. Authority is given not for self importance, ambition or respect, but for useful service to God and His creation.
Prayer: Dear God, please help us to keep out of temptation to influence others, to stand on our side, to agree with us or to give support to what we think, say or do for personal ambition and self gain. Amen.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Matthew 21: 1-22 Reed & Dollie Forney
“And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying ‘Who is this’?” Matthew 21:10
Indeed: Who is this?
Jesus spent much of his ministry teaching and healing calmly and commanding us to love our enemies. He had a special affection for children and the poor. He was a surprising Messiah. He is portrayed as a simple, gentle man with a simple background who led with his heart rather than a sword.
So who is the man in today’s scripture?
He is leading a loud, chaotic procession into the city of Jerusalem. No more hiding and hushed tones. When he arrives at the temple, he overturns tables, confronts the merchants. He is angry and disruptive and confrontational. When he clears away the riff raff, he boldly heals the blind and lame. Children are yelling and praising. Chief priests and scribes are objecting. What a scene. Can you imagine the chaos? Who is this man?
Jesus doesn’t always calm storms in our lives; sometimes He causes them. Like the fig tree in 21:18-19, He doesn’t want us to just take up space but bear some fruit!
Then He tells us if we just believe and walk forward in faith, nothing can stop us! We can move mountains if we do it in His name (21:20-22). Sometimes we must be willing to overturn some tables, step on some toes, and maybe even offend.
Who is this man?
He is Jesus our Lord and Savior and he’s expecting us to bear some fruit!
Amen.
Tuesday, March 27, 2008
Matthew 21:23-46 Ava Johnson
GO AND WORK IN MY VINEYARD
These verses contain two pointed parables, which cause us to examine ourselves. Both of these parables were about Israel, depicted as a vineyard. The vineyard and vine often are a symbol of the nature of Israel in scripture.
The parable of the two sons is quite convicting, even today. In this parable,
Jesus tells about a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, “go
work in my vineyard.” The son said “no” but later changed his mind and
went. The man went to the second son and told him the same thing. This son
said, “I will go,’ but never went. Neither son in the story was the kind of son to bring full joy to his father. The first son represents some of us. When
asked to go and work in God’s field, we say no, but later change our minds
and go. But those who consider themselves religious quickly say, “I’ll go” but never do.
Jesus is telling us who are quick to accept Christ and His commission to “go”
and never do, about our lack of obedience.
The words to the two sons, “go work in my vineyard,” are to us all. Which son best represents your heart? Have you told God, “I will go and work” but don’t. This parable teaches me that promises can never take the place of performance, and that words are never a substitute for fine deeds. Here I learn that the Christian way is in performance and not promise, and that the mark of a Christian is obedience to God
PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank you for your mercy and grace. Show me what I can do in obedience to you and give me the strength to do it. Amen
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Matthew 22:1 -22 Craig Love
What had the guest done to provoke such anger from the God? He wasn’t wearing the right clothes! Does heaven have a dress code? I’m probably not the only person to find this part of the story troubling. Is Jesus telling us that we need the right “designer label” to be accepted in heaven? I don’t think so!
After some soul-searching (and reading the footnotes of my study Bible!), I was able to find a reference indicating that it may have been the custom for the host to provide wedding clothes for their guests. Now I could begin to understand the king’s anger. Earlier in this passage we read that the king’s VIP guests have failed to respond to his invitations. When the king sends his servants to inquire, they are rejected, mistreated, and some are even killed. Now, one of the guests refuses to accept the garments that were provided for him without a word of explanation!
This parable isn’t about wearing the right clothes; it’s about having the right attitude. The guest who was removed from the banquet obviously didn’t heed the words of Ephesians 4:22-24 where Paul writes “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Lent is a good opportunity for us to clean out our “spiritual closets” – and renew our faded, threadbare or “out-of-fashion” attitudes!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Matthew 22:23-36 Bob Mead
The Testing of Jesus
In the first two of these three passages Jesus is tested by the Pharisees and the Sadducees, who were hoping that they could trip him up in front of an audience. In both cases, Jesus gave them simple and direct answers that left them speechless.
Although Jesus was God’s son, we need to remember that God made Jesus just as human as we are. Jesus, therefore, had to learn and prepare himself, as we must do, to meet the testing that life will bring. From these passages perhaps we can find guidance in our own lives.
First, we know from the gospels that Jesus would frequently withdraw to a place where he could commune with God through prayer. How much more do we, who are so imperfect, have the need to pray for strength, guidance, and understanding from God?
Second, we can see from Jesus’ answers that he had a profound knowledge of the Old Testament. Since his mission in life was to help people to come closer to God, he had studied the scriptures ever since his parents found him at twelve years of age listening to the teachers in the temple courts. Later he had become a qualified rabbi.
Dear Father in Heaven: Help us to remember to follow the example your son gave us to continually seek your guidance for our lives. Please grant us strength and perseverance in our efforts to learn and understand what we need to be successful in carrying out the tasks you set before us. Amen
Friday, March 14, 2008
Matthew 23:1-36 Jenny & Darryl Gove
In Matthew 23:1-36 Jesus condemns the Pharisees as hypocrites, more interested in the trappings of holiness than in holiness itself. He accuses them of placing more importance on the gold in the temple than the temple itself, more importance on the gift on the altar rather than the altar. Worse than that he says that they are blind guides, not willing to enter the Kingdom of heaven, but blocking others from entering, and that anyone who they convert is twice as likely to be deserving of hell as they themselves are.
Through Jesus' description of the hypocritical ways the Pharisees and the Scribes were living their lives, we can reflect on the ways we live our own lives:
The Pharisees lead people away from God.
- Lord, help us follow Jesus to learn your ways.
The Pharisees exploited people.
- Lord, help us use our lives to your greater glory.
The Pharisees worked hard to convert people, but in doing so condemned them.
- Lord guide us to help those who seek to find you, and stay true to you.
The Pharisees corrupted the practice of making vows.
- Lord, lead us to realize and live by, the deep meaning of the vows we have made to you.
The Pharisees attended to their duties that were visible to others; but ignored the core of their faith.
- Lord, help us take the path to live by the true meaning of our word, and be less concerned with outward appearance.
Dear Lord,
As neighbors, as friends, as co-workers, brothers and sisters, parents, or just as acquaintances, please help us to live our lives true to your word. Help us to reflect your way, in our spirit, in our will, in our way. Help us be humble, and express our humility, and by these means, let us spread your word.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Matthew 23:37-24:31 Mel & Arle Brawn
The image of the mother hen gathering the chicks under her wing reminds me of my childhood, visiting my grandmother. She lived in a rural area, and had chickens in the yard. It was fun watching the chicks pecking at seeds and insects – real or imagined. I also remember my grandmother catching and preparing a chicken for fried chicken (southern style), but that is a topic for another Lenten booklet. Much of the 24th chapter concerns wars and rumors of wars, the second coming and the end of the age. This was very real to me as a youth. We had just dropped the atomic bombs on Japan. Russia also had an atomic bomb. I couldn’t imagine living to 30 years of age. I knew the end could come at any time. I wanted to become a missionary. I didn’t want to waste the time to go to college because the end was so near.
Well the intervening years haven’t been a whole lot calmer. We have had a continuation of conflict throughout the world almost continuously since the Second World War and the Korean War. We now have North Korea with the atomic bomb, and the apparent willingness to sell to terrorist regimes. We have Iran working feverishly to produce radioactive material and bomb making capabilities.
There is no mother hen that can calm our fears. And yet we must go on pecking at the seeds and insects of our lives.
I lived past 30. In fact we have kids past their 30’s. Our grand children are in college, or trying to pick out a college. The younger ones are enjoying the snow, hitting the tether ball around the pole, studying music – in other words, living their lives day by day. I no longer believe the end is eminent. It is worthwhile going to college and training for our profession, to buy a home – in other words, investing in the future.
It is still possible that the end could come tomorrow. But we must live, expecting to die of old age. Life is beautiful for us, our loved ones and our friends.
So the lightning may come from the East and flashes to the West. But with it comes the rain to nourish the field. It may be followed by a beautiful rainbow. So let us thank God for the life He has given us. And, may we live it to the fullest.
Prayer: Lord, by your grace we are here. May we live each day protected under the comfort of your wings. Amen
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Matthew 24:32-25:13 Doug Souvignier
What will the second coming of Jesus be like? In this passage, Jesus tells us it will be sudden and without warning. People will be going about their daily routines, just like any other day. Would we live differently if we knew the “day and hour?” Would we tie up all the loose ends in our lives, and make peace with all our relationships? Jesus tells us there won’t even be enough time to make peace with God. There won’t be any advance notice to get our spiritual lives in order.
This passage gives urgency to the phrase “Live each day as if it were your last.” We need to be doing His work here on earth, so that when He comes again, we will be ready. And even if that day does not come in our lifetimes, isn’t that a wonderful way to live?