Prepared Hearts for December 22nd

Hello Friends,

Welcome back to Prepared Hearts, the online Bible study of the Wacousta Community United Methodist Church.

For this third week of Advent our texts include: Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, Romans 1:1-7, and Matthew 1:18-25. I’ll be preaching from Matthew. The text is below, followed by starter thoughts.

Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’

22 All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’, which means, ‘God is with us.’ 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

STARTER THOUGHTS

This week’s text invites us to a walk a mile in Joseph’s shoes. Imagine good ol’ law-abiding Joseph trapped between a rock and a hard place. His betrothed is pregnant, which is grounds not only for him to break off the engagement but for Mary to be stoned to death. Although he must have felt humiliated and disgraced himself, he refused to put Mary to shame and planned to “dismiss her quietly,” although it’s unclear how he’d be able to pull that one off. Marriage wasn’t an arrangement based on affection, but a legal agreement that had been worked out between their families. Nevertheless, he is resolved to do the kind thing, and then God comes and asks him to do the unthinkable thing: marry Mary anyway! What do you imagine was Joseph’s greatest challenge during this period of time? How do you think he managed to go through with what the Lord commanded of him?  

God sent an angel to Joseph in a dream, and the angel gave him very clear instructions. Unfortunately, not all of us experience such direct guidance when faced with life’s challenges. How does God communicate to you in times of crisis? When and where have you heard God’s voice, and how have you responded? If an angel of the Lord appeared to you in a dream, would you listen to the message or wonder what you ate the night before and dismiss it?

The Gospel of Matthew puts a great deal of emphasis upon how the birth of Jesus fulfills the prophecies of ancient Israel. Why do you think that this was so critical in the early stages of Christianity?  Is it still as critical today? Why or why not?

The Bible gives us very little detail about the man God chose to be Jesus’ earthly father. Yet, this short story reveals a lot about Joseph’s character. What traits does he exhibit that indicate he’s up to the challenge of raising God’s son? What impact do you think these traits had upon Jesus as he was being raised in Joseph and Mary’s home?

As always, I look forward to your thoughts and reflections. Feel free to email me directly or post a comment here. 

Peace,

Pastor Amee

Prepared Hearts for December 15th

Hello Friends,

Welcome back to Prepared Hearts, the online Bible study of the Wacousta Community United Methodist Church. I apologize for the delay! 

For this third week of Advent our texts include: Isaiah 35:1-10, Luke 1:47-55, James 5:7-10, and Matthew 11:2-11.  This week our Call to Worship will be from Luke, and I’ll be preaching from the Gospel of Matthew. The text is below, followed by starter thoughts:

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” 

Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

STARTER THOUGHTS

This week’s scripture lessons contain a variety of emotions. The passage from Luke, known as the Song of Mary or Magnificat, is one of the most joyful songs in scripture. On the other hand, the text from Matthew reflects the sadness and doubt John was experiencing. I imagine John in prison, doubting the identity of Jesus and wondering if his life’s work had been in vain. The juxtaposition of these texts reflects the hills and valleys of our Christian journey. There are times when our spirits rejoice and other times when we find ourselves asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” How do you experience the “ups” and “downs” on your journey? What pulls you through the valley? What brings you to the mountaintop?

In response to John’s question, Jesus didn’t flat out say, “I’m the Messiah.” He answered by telling them to report the work he was doing. Why do you think Jesus did that? 

The sharing of firsthand accounts of the healing of Jesus Christ (often referred to as “witnessing”) is something that has been a tradition of our faith from its very beginning. At the same time, folks can (and do) find it difficult to give voice to and/or share their faith story or stories. What is it about sharing firsthand accounts that is so powerful? What do you think keeps folks from sharing more frequently their own encounters with Christ? 

I think it’s interesting that Jesus moves directly from hearing about John’s doubts to describing him as the greatest prophet ever born. John’s insecurity about Jesus doesn’t cause Jesus a moment’s uncertainty about John’s own identity. What can we take from this about how Jesus encounters our doubts? What role has questioning played in the development of your faith? Do you think we (the church) allow enough space for folks to express questions and doubts? 

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and reflections! Email me or post a comment here. 

Peace,
Pastor Amee

Prepared Hearts for December 8th

Hello Friends,

Welcome back to Prepared Hearts, the online Bible study of the Wacousta Community United Methodist Church.

For this second week of Advent our texts include: Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19, Romans 15:4-13 and Matthew 3:1-12.  I’ll be preaching from the Gospel of Matthew this week. The text is below, followed by starter thoughts:

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”  This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.  Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

STARTER THOUGHTS

A lot of the scripture we read this time of year finds its way onto Christmas cards. I think it’s safe to say that John’s comments here won’t make that cut. Ouch! John is brutal in his understanding of the coming Messiah with his winnowing fork and fire. How does John’s idea of Jesus compare with the Jesus who actually comes among the people?

As John the Baptist prepares the way for the coming Messiah, his cry to the people is for repentance. What does “repentance” mean to? What real-life application does it have? And what relationship do you see between repentance and making the way for Christ?

Even with his bizarre wardrobe and unusual diet, John was highly popular prophet during his time. What do you think John’s appeal was? He shared such a sharp message. Why do you think so many people were drawn to him?

There’s an economic component to this scripture that can’t be overlooked. John the Baptist lived by the absolute simplest means possible. Locusts were (and still are in some parts of the world) what the poorest individuals survived on. He lived and preached repentance, service and simplicity. Of course, the Christmas season that emerges all around us has very little to do with these things. Our culture’s version of Christmas is all about indulgence and extravagance. How do we keep to the basics of John’s message of making a way for Christ?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and reflections! Email me or post a comment here. 

Peace,

Pastor Amee