Full of surprises (outsiders welcome)

by Peter Bean

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I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel (Luke 7:9b).

Read Luke 7:1–10

We tend to miss so much in this passage! Is it a story about faith, or perhaps lack of faith? Is it about outsiders being welcome or insiders ignoring what is right before them? Is it about Jesus’ power to heal, even when not present at the situation?

Note one: the people following Jesus were Jewish elders (verse 9). That is, those who knew the Torah (law), who trusted God, who were the chosen people.

Note two: the officer whose slave is sick does not even meet Jesus. First, the Jewish leaders speak for him. Then his friends bring the message of his understanding of Jesus’ power and authority. He knows that Jesus can heal. Perhaps he even knows Jesus is the Son of God; he certainly knows what power Jesus has.

Note three: Jesus speaks these words about faith to the Jewish elders, praising a non-Jew (albeit a friend; verse 4), praising a man who believes even if he can’t articulate who or what he believes in.

Note four: the slave is healed. Jesus is not present with the slave. He does not touch the slave or even speak words of healing. He simply expresses his amazement at this Roman officer’s faith.

Wow, what do we learn?

Be careful of your religious faith! What is it based on? What does it tell you? How does it help you live?

Know that God, through the life and death of Jesus, is interested in all people – insiders, outsiders, those who can express their faith clearly and those who struggle with what they believe.

Know that Jesus is present, even when he doesn’t appear to be. Through the Holy Spirit, he can work in our lives, in my life, how, when and where he wills.

Learn that God is full of surprises. Perhaps the main one being that the gift of grace – to you, to me, to everyone and anyone who acknowledges the power and presence of Jesus, even if in ways not expected.

Jesus, there is so much to learn! Give me faith like this Roman officer, to know you can, and do, make me whole. Let me live in your grace. Amen.

Spring has sprung. Flowers are displaying their colours; fruit is forming on the trees. There is new growth everywhere. As you observe this wonderful new life, may you revel in the new beginnings God offers you each day. As Peter continues to meander his way through the Book of Psalms, he invites you to read them anew and apply them to your life. If you would like his paraphrase of any psalm (from 1 to 120), send your request to pbean087@gmail.com

Get up and go (outsiders welcome)!

by Peter Bean

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you (Jonah 3:2).

Read Jonah 3:1–10

Jonah was not thrilled about this task. He had already gone in the opposite direction (Jonah 1:3), concluding, I guess, that he knew better than God.

But God was not to be deterred. Despite Jonah’s refusal to follow directions, God told him again: GO! Give them a message: a message of destruction; a message of repentance; a message about a second chance (do you get it yet, Jonah?).

Nineveh was a great city; Nineveh was an evil city; Nineveh was not the chosen people or country. Nineveh was a city of outsiders. But Jonah, the messenger of God’s judgement and grace, was to go there. Jonah was not impressed with God: not with the instructions he had been given to go, not with God showing grace (Jonah 4:1), not with God teaching Jonah a lesson (Jonah 4:9).

Despite his unhappiness and unwillingness to be this messenger, God worked through him – and in him. Jonah proclaimed the message; the king and the people of Nineveh repented. God showed mercy and grace.

What do I learn from this passage and the Book of Jonah? God works in mysterious ways! God is willing to use unhappy, grumpy people to share his message. God welcomes outsiders.

And God can use you and me – happy or unhappy, joyful or grumpy – to share the good news of grace and kindness, new life and compassion.

How and where is God telling you to go? What is your response?

God, work in me. Even when I am unwilling, let your love flow through me to those I may not consider worthy, but whom you look on with love. Amen.

Spring has sprung. Flowers are displaying their colours; fruit is forming on the trees. There is new growth everywhere. As you observe this wonderful new life, may you revel in the new beginnings God offers you each day. As Peter continues to meander his way through the Book of Psalms, he invites you to read them anew and apply them to your life. If you would like his paraphrase of any psalm (from 1 to 120), send your request to pbean087@gmail.com

Restoration and comfort (outsiders welcome)

by Peter Bean

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

I will restore the crushed spirit of the humble … I will comfort those who mourn (Isaiah 57:15b,18b).

Read Isaiah 57:14–21

Interesting pictures in this passage. The Holy One lives in a high and holy place (verse 15). Separate, above, distant!

Yet, this Holy One is also very practical and down-to-earth, restoring roads and clearing rocks (verse 14). This Holy One also comforts the humble and revives repentant hearts (verse 15), comforts those who mourn and brings peace and healing (verses 18,19). So, God, from this high and holy place, is also willing to get down into the nitty-gritty parts of life.

This, of course, occurs in the person and presence of Jesus. Jesus comforts those who mourn; he heals many; he often talks to the humble and restores them to places of dignity; he tells people their sins are forgiven when he sees their faith (Matthew 9:2). And he often sends people away with a blessing of peace (Mark 5:34).

God incarnate! The high and holy one, come to earth. God with us, preaching, healing, praying, blessing, encouraging, comforting. Perhaps Isaiah knew something! He was a prophet. Challenging and yet reassuring the people, but also foretelling the One to come, the Christ – the divine One, Jesus – the human One, mixing and living with ordinary people, often those from outside normal circles!

The Holy Spirit is at work here: hovering over God’s people as they begin to return from exile; working in the hearts of those who gathered to hear from Jesus in the flesh; encouraging and inspiring us today. The Holy Spirit prepares people to hear the gospel, to live the gospel. And the Holy Spirit does this within and without the confines of official religion!

May you be restored and comforted, not from a distance, but within your heart as the Holy Spirit stirs you to new life. And may you extend that comfort and restoration to anyone ‘outside’ who does not yet know the grace and blessing of Christ’s peace in their lives.

Comforter, Restorer, move and inspire me that I may offer comfort and restoration. Amen.

Spring has sprung. Flowers are displaying their colours; fruit is forming on the trees. There is new growth everywhere. As you observe this wonderful new life, may you revel in the new beginnings God offers you each day. As Peter continues to meander his way through the Book of Psalms, he invites you to read them anew and apply them to your life. If you would like his paraphrase of any psalm (from 1 to 120), send your request to pbean087@gmail.com