Slaking our thirst with Living Water

Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7  • Psalm 95  • Romans 5:1-11  • John 4:5-42

This week we learn how God chooses to connect with us, as Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well, and what He offers. In the middle of the day a Jewish Rabbi converses with  a Samaritan, considered by Jews to be unclean and apostate, and not just a Samaritan, but a woman who had been married five times, and living with another man. Look at the exchange. The woman does not disengage, and she understands more about Jesus than the Pharisee teacher and esteemed Nicodemus, whom we met last week. Jesus deems her worthy enough to reveal to her that he is the Messiah, and she is transformed. Her neighbors recognize this, and trust in her testimony. And look at the intermingling and hospitality which ensues. Something we could certainly use today.

What does Jesus offer? Consider this as you read Sister Kym Harris' Commentary, Exposition, and Reflection.

What is it to be "born again," to believe, to be saved?

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-4a  • Psalm 121  • Romans 4:1-5, 13-17  • John 3:1-17

This second Sunday of Lent we consider Nicodemus' question of Jesus of how he might be saved. Jesus tries to help him see that he is asking the wrong question. It is not "how," but why. Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be "born again," or more accurately from the Greek, "born from above."  What did he mean? Do we have to do anything to be saved? What is it to be saved? What did God do to save us? Why? What is it to believe? What does Jesus mean to be born of the Spirit, the wind which blows where it chooses? How will we hear it? Is Jesus' message one of judgment or grace? In her "Reflections," The Rev. Kate Huey offers us wonderful insights to these questions.

Two Adams, Two Gardens, Two Temptations

 Scripture:  Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7  • Psalm 32  •  Romans 5:12-19  •  Matthew 4:1-11

This Sunday our Scripture is the tales of two Adams, two gardens and temptation. The first Adam in the garden of Eden, and Jesus, the second Adam in the garden of Gethsemane. How were each tempted and what was their response?

For Debie Thomas, Satan's temptation of Christ shows how God chooses restraint in the exercise of power. See "My Flannel Graph Jesus." What does that tell us about God's relationship with us? About how we are to relate to each other?

Sister Kym Harris discusses Jesus' response to Satan's temptation to regard himself first, in his hunger, reminding us of God's provision for us in the true manna, Jesus, the bread of life, and the Word of God.  She also considers Satan's offer of dominion and power to Jesus if he bowed down to Satan. Who or what do we bow down to? See "This Sunday's Exposition."  In "This Sunday's Reflection, Harris tells us that what happens on the edges, and our response to weaknesses of the human condition, reveals much about our nature. Who and what do we trust when we experience the wilderness? What is the wilderness? 

Transformation of and through Jesus

Scripture: Exodus 24:12-18  •  Psalm 2 or Psalm 99  •  2 Peter 1:16-21  •  Matthew 17:1-9

This last Sunday of the Epiphany season we see the light shining brightest in Christ in his glory in the Transfiguration narrative of Matthew. With Moses and Elijah, Jesus is shown to fulfill (complete) the law and the prophets in all wholeness, reconciling us to God as God in man made manifest.

Just as the love and forgiveness of God through his Christ helps transform us today (See The Rev. Anne Howard's "A Word in Time,"), Christ, in all his glory, who took on all the pain, suffering and sin of man, is more than man (See Fred B. Craddock's "Christ is Not as We Are"), and is to be worshipped and gloried with the Father and Holy Spirit, one God, true light from true light, the Blessed Trinity.

And yet He is with us, and will draw us up, in our journey (See Stephen Paul Bouman's "Marias Full of Grace").

As we come down off the mountain, will we come down with Jesus to complete the work in his kingdom? Will we be transformed to see as God sees? (See Laurel A. Dykstra's "See and Listen")

How do we become whole - make our lives complete?

Scripture: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18  •  Psalm 119:33-40  •  1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23  •  Matthew 5:38-48

We finish up Matthew's 5th Chapter which began with the "Sermon on the Mount," followed by Jesus' teachings expanding upon the commandments. This week Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, to go the extra mile. Why is he telling us this? The Rev. Mark Suriano's "Going Beyond" is a good synopsis and analysis of this great gospel account, culminating in the completeness and wholeness of God's love. Jesus tells us this is the way to life - life in abundance, eternal life - and when we can't go any further, in his loving sacrifice for us, with the transformational grace of God's love and forgiveness, Jesus redeems us, reconciles us, and carries us the rest of the way.

The Rev. Danáe Ashley, in "Stone Soup" develops this further from a community perspective: "God’s love is seen in the world when communities are concerned with compassion, justice, and care of everyone, especially the most vulnerable."

Fulfilling the Law

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 or Sirach 15:15-20  •  Psalm 119:1-8  •  1 Corinthians 3:1-9  •  Matthew 5:21-37

Our readings this week refer to commandments. Continuing in Matthew 5, following the Sermon on the Mount (the Beatitudes), Jesus has told us we are the salt of the earth, the  light of the world to shine, and to be perfect (complete), as our Father in heaven is perfect. Now he addresses commandments. He says, "You have heard it was said..." followed by a commandment, and then says, "but I say to you..." followed by seemingly extreme demands. For example: commandment: "You shall not murder..." followed by: "if you are angry with a brother or sister, you are liable to judgment." Or, "Do not commit adultery..." followed by "whoever looks at a woman with lust has committed adultery in his heart."

What is Jesus telling us? Some call his remarks "antitheses" to the commandments, but he has told us he has come not to destroy the law, but to fulfill the law. Contrary to the apparent negative account of the Pharisees in the gospels, Jesus recognizes their piety, but tells us our righteousness must be greater than those of the scribes and Pharisees.

What is happening here? See "Intensifying the Law" by The Rev. Dr. Joseph S. Pagano, and The Rev. Amy Oden's "Commentary on Matthew 5:21-37."

We are to be the salt of the earth, light of the world... and perfect??

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)  • Psalm 112:1-9 (10) 
 • 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16)  • Matthew 5:13-20

After Jesus gave us his sermon on the mount, teaching us different standards to live by than the prevailing ways of the world - so different and life changing that Dietrich Bonhoeffer based his Cost of Discipleship on the Beatitudes - he then charged us to be "the salt of the earth" and "light of the world." In verse 48 of the fifth chapter of Matthew, Jesus commands us to be "perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect."  What does he mean? Is Jesus commanding us to do what we cannot possibly do? Is he to be taken literally? Is it hyperbole to make a point? Does he mean you and me, and now?

In "Salt and Light" The Rev. Anne Howard  has an interesting discussion about the qualities and meanings of salt, and light, particularly in terms of being engaged and useful with others. Fred B. Craddock explores what Jesus means in his charge to be "perfect" in "You, Therefore, Must Be Perfect." Finally, in "epiphany 5a reflection: lose the morons," The Rev. Rick Morley tells us not to be morons as he draws on the Greek word for "low-grade," used for losing one's saltiness, or becoming tasteless - μωραίνω - mōrainō. That's right, we're to do great things and not be morons.