An Interesting Family Tree

The Gospel story for this week, the fourth Sunday in Advent, is the account of Jesus' birth according to Matthew (Matthew 1:18-25). It starts out: "Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way." It goes on to describe Mary's unexpected pregnancy during the year of betrothal, Joseph's decision to handle things quietly but dismiss Mary and the baby anyway, and the angel's intervention to encourage Joseph to make a different choice .

But before any of this drama unfolds. Matthew starts his gospel with a genealogy, a "family tree" for Jesus.

And the content of it is very interesting. It includes adoption, intermarriage, unwed pregnancy, racy stories,faithfulness, sin, wonderful successes, incredible failures, and individuals who have experienced both success and failure.

Jesus is described as "the son of David, the son of Abraham." That doesn't mean that Jesus was their biological son, rather that he is a descendant of both. Matthew starts the family tree with Abraham, the "father" of the Jewish faith, who with his wife Sarah were the recipients of God's promise. They traveled from their home in Ur (today in Iraq) to begin a new community of God's people. Fourteen generations later is David, the great king of Israel. People in Jesus' time were still longing for the return of the nation to the "glory days" of King David.

But the family tree in Matthew is richer and more diverse than the legendary figures.

Though such a genealogy in Jesus of Nazareth's time would typically focus only on the fathers of each generation, this family tree lists five key women as well. The first is Tamar, whose story is told in Genesis 38. She is a colorful, strong, resourceful woman who rose above being victimized to outwit her integrity-starved father-in-law in a story that is both scandalous and delightful.

The second woman, Rahab, is found in Joshua Chapter 2 (and in artwork above). A resident of Jericho and reputedly a prostitute, she helped protect spies from Israel and was honored for her service. Later she married an Israelite, and gave birth to a son named Boaz, a good man who became husband of the third woman on our list, Ruth. The Old Testament Book of Ruth is her story. Ruth was a foreigner from Moab whose faithfulness to her Israelite mother-in-law Naomi, after Naomi's sons had died, is legendary. The fourth woman mentioned is Bathsheba, with whom King David had his son Solomon, the future king. The story of David and Bathsheba (IISamuel 11) is a troubling one and demonstrates that even the great hero David is deeply flawed. The way that the family tree refers to Bathsheba only as "the wife of Uriah" is pointing out the wrongness and the tragedy of this part of the story (1:6). The last woman mentioned is Mary, mother of Jesus. Joseph is referred to as "the husband of Mary," though of course, when Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit they were not yet married.

Matthew follows the lineage of Abraham and David to emphasize that Jesus is indeed the Jewish Messiah. But since it is Mary, not Joseph, who is Jesus' biological parent, the Gospel basically says that the bloodline of David was "adopted" into the story!! God's adoptive history of love is every bit as thick as blood relation; in God's love, sometimes thicker!

The mention of the women changes the way of looking at people and value from the outset. Of course, Jesus' ministry will do that so much more! Several of the key people in the family tree

are immigrants, "outsiders." There are all different kinds of people on the list, with different abilities and histories. God claims them all, and weaves everything about their lives into the larger story of Jesus and the world's salvation.

Work on your family tree. Find out what you can about the generations which preceded you; who and where you came from. What key decisions did your parents and ancestors make that impacted your life later? Whose faith has influenced you? Who has God adopted in your story?How does God make you a key part of God's Family Tree?

Be a Part of What God is Doing!

They are common laborers. Living and working under the open sky, on the night shift, more than one badly in need of a bath. The angel comes to them, illuminating the world around them with God's glory. The shepherds are terrified at first, but the angel encourages them just as Mary and Joseph have been encouraged before: "Don't be afraid--for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people of the world."

Imagine that! The good news of God's love is being brought to the world for everyone--and it begins with them!

Our translation of the angel's words: "Don't be afraid to be a part of what God is doing!"

Words of encouragement for each of us.

In Bethlehem, the newborn child is wrapped in old cloths lying around the barn, and has been laid in a feed trough. The parents are alone in the world with their precious, vulnerable young life, until these common folk who have humbly answered God's call come to be with them. The shepherds form the very first community of Jesus with the tired parents.

A heavenly multitude praises God and sings: ""Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he has favored!" Mary was the first identified as God's "favored one." Then the anguished Joseph, in a dream, found out the unusual shape God's favor can take in a person's life. Now the shepherds are beckoned from an ordinary work day to celebrate God's favor resting on them, too. Together, the members of this new "family" experience the peace of God, available in even the most unsettled of circumstances.

Difficult, Wonderful Choices

"Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." --Matthew 1:20

After hearing Mary's wondered response to the angel Gabriel and God's world-changing plan, we turned our attention to Joseph. His story is told more specifically in Matthew's gospel.

We asked: What is Joseph going to do? God is interfering with the plans he and Mary and their families have made--and in a very dramatic way!

We imagined that Joseph would be very upset. He may have a hard time believing that Mary's pregnancy is from the Holy Spirit and is part of God's plan to save the world. Class members thought he would suspect that there was "someone else." Even if people in the community thought it was Joseph's baby, this would be embarrassing.

God's angel comes to Joseph in his sleep, telling him not be afraid, to continue with plans to be wedded to Mary. In the Bible, angels are always telling God's people not be afraid--probably because any time we really believe that God is talking to us (!) we get terrified. We are also reminded that when God is part of our relationships they become stronger but they also change--they are never just about what we want to do for ourselves, or what we plan for ourselves! God's dreams are greater than ours.

Joseph has resolved to "dismiss Mary quietly." He doesn't want her to get hurt or ridiculed--but he also doesn't want the problems of having to believe her story or take care of her and the baby. They will be on their own. The angel intercedes and tells Joseph that he, too, is a part of God's plan for saving the world!! This will be hard, but it will be good. Joseph has to make a difficult but wonderful choice. In doing so, he has to look beyond himself, which he does.

Earlier in the class, one of our members had said that the Book of Isaiah told us something about Jesus. In Matthew 1:23, we found a quote from Isaiah 7 about a virgin conceiving and bearing a son, who will be named "Emmanuel." This new name means, "God is with us." Jesus will be "God-with-us."

We concluded this section by reflecting on what the stories have taught us about God. Here are some of our conclusions:

(1) God always interrupts us, at a "bad time" for a good reason.

(2) God chooses normal, everyday people. They are often folks who go unnoticed in daily life.

(3) God sends messengers to us.

(4) God acts to save us all from our sins.

(5) God's power is to send us an undefended, vulnerable, promising baby that will grow among us.

What is our place in this story? How does the story continue today?

The Path of Discipleship

This week, Austin, Max, Nik, and Erin served as the instructors, with Judy and I as students. We explored what a disciple is, and searched through the gospels for more information on the early disciples and the kind of lives they led.

Our four teachers collaborated to make a list about discipleship:

--Disciples are followers of Jesus.

(prefix dis means follow a path)

--Disciples are learners.

--Students of God's ways.

--Disciples teach others.

--They are loving, kind.

--The church is made up of disciples.

--A disciple could be anyone.

--Began with twelve disciples.

--Two of the Gospel authors are disciples.

We explored seven texts from the gospels that opened us to a fuller picture of Jesus' original disciples and the changing shape of their lives: Mark 1:16-20; Mark 3:13-19; Matthew 9:9-13;

Luke 6:12-16, 8:1-3, 10:1-12. We found out quite a few things! Among Jesus' first century disciples:

Simon (Peter)

Andrew (Simon's brother and fellow fisherman)

James (fishing partner of Peter, Andrew, and his own brother John)

John (James' brother, son of Zebedee, author of fourth gospel)

Philip

Matthew (gospel author, Roman tax collector)

Bartholomew

Thomas

James son of Alphaeus

Simon the Zealot or "Canaanean" (The Zealots were revolutionaries who battled the Romans)

Judas Iscariot (who betrayed Jesus and later took his own life)

Thaddeus

Judas son of James

Levi (tax collector from Mark and Luke's gospel)

"Nathaniel" is mentioned in John's gospel

We note with interest that the list so far has fifteen names! Historically, Levi has been identified with Matthew, the second Judas with Thaddeus, Nathaniel with Bartholomew, as ways to harmonize the "twelve disciples"--but there may be other explanations.

As well, Luke 8 mentions Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others, who provide bountifully for the ministry. Mary Magdalene and other women become key figures in the stories of Jesus and the sharing of the good news! Joanna is described as the wife of King Herod's steward, Chuza, which is amazing since Herod participates in the killing of Jesus. Joanna's participation with Jesus would have been a dangerous, risky, wonderful thing!

In Luke 10, we hear the story of Jesus sending out out seventy others (perhaps 72)!!

They are evangelists who will prepare the way, proclaim, teach, nurture the building of what will soon be Christian communities. So the communion of disciples is much bigger than we originally imagined!

We noted that, in the case of the tax collector, Jesus calls someone who is severely compromised and is hated by everyone. Putting it bluntly, Jesus even calls people that everyone hates!! And he also calls a Zealot, someone who might have killed tax collectors for being servants of the Romans. We said that this normally would lead to an argument or physical violence. But Jesus teaches the men that they are brothers rather than enemies, and they are both loved/valued by God!

What do all disciples have in common? (1) They are everyday folks (2) Jesus says, "Follow me"

(3) They leave life the way they've known it; their lives always take new shape as a disciple of Jesus.

We'll keep learning!!

The Ten Commandments

Several times, in our discussions of the Bible, members of our class have referred to the "Ten Commandments." In the Hebrew Scriptures, these were God's commands, given to the Israelites whom God was delivering from slavery to freedom. In the story they are delivered to Moses on two stone tablets, having been inscribed by the hand of God. These commandments were to shape the daily lives of God's people; they were presented as the heart of God's Law.

We located the Ten Commandments in two places: (a) the Book of Exodus, Chapter 20, and

(b) Deuteronomy, Chapter 5. The Book of Exodus tells the key salvation story in the Old Testament, a theme of "freedom from bondage" that is repeated throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. Deuteronomy is a retelling of the Exodus story, interpreting God's message for new generations.

We listed as many of the commandments as we could remember (Bibles in hand):

(1) No other gods (2) Make no idols (3) You shall not steal (4) You shall not kill (5) Honor your father and mother (6) You shall not commit adultery (7) No false witness (8) No misuse of God's name (9) Remember the sabbath and keep it holy (10) Don't covet.

While our reflections on the commandments have only just begun, we noted several things. First, "worshipping another god" doesn't necessarily mean worshipping another God figure like Zeus; it means having another power in our lives that we answer to absolutely, even before God's priorities. Likewise, making an idol can mean creating something ( a system, a weapon, wealth) that comes to run our lives. Is God our ultimate authority, or not? "Coveting" is a major issue in 2010, just as it as in Moses' time. When our minds and hearts become consumed by what we want or think we need to have, we lose touch with the life of love and service that God intends for us. We forget that we are God's people, whom God provides for and delivers.

One of the commandments, to keep the sabbath, is described somewhat differently in Deuteronomy than in Exodus. Check out and note the differences so we can discuss them in class.

Jesus reinterprets the Ten Commandments for Christians in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). This will be very important learning for us as we seek to follow Jesus!

Prayer

"Prayer is acknowledging that we are always in the presence of God."
--Desmond Tutu

"In the morning, while it was still very dark, Jesus got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed." --Mark 1:35

_____________

How might we describe what prayer is?
--Opening ourselves to God
--Taking time to talk with God
--Honest sharing with God
--A time for God to talk to us!
--A time for listening
--Confession
--Thanksgiving
--Intercession for others
--Relationship

Where?
--in church
--at home
--in school
--sports activities

When?
--Before bed.
--Before meals.
--Before important athletic events.
--Before tests.
--When we are grateful.
--When we are scared.
--When we need help.
--When we need to make the right choice.
--When we need strength or courage.
--When we need guidance and direction.
--When we are in trouble.
--When someone is sick or struggling, or something bad happens to them.
--When we need to confess.
--When we seek forgiveness.

For Whom?
--Ourselves
--a struggling friend or community member
--people around the world
--someone sick or dying
--people we love

In the first chapter of Mark's gospel (Mark 1:29-39), we hear the story of Jesus healing so many people in the town of Capernaum that it seems as though everyone has come to him; the needs are great. After an entire evening of caring for people, Jesus gets up early the next morning and goes out to a deserted place to pray. There he centers himself in God's will. In his weariness, he is renewed and gets a clear sense of God's will for his emerging minstry. When Peter and the other disciples find him and say," Everyone's looking for you, " Jesus tells them that it is time to go on to other towns to share the good news of God's love; that his mission is to share that good news with everyone, not just the people in one place, much as he loves them! It is the time in prayer, away from all of the demands, that helps Jesus to be clearer.

Later, Jesus teaches his disciples what we call "The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4)." Among its petitions:
(a) Jesus teaches us to pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." He is teaching us to pray for God's will rather than our own, in the hope that God's will be done in the midst of our lives here and now. In this sense, God helps us to be answers to our own prayers!
b) "Give us this day our daily bread," focuses us on God's daily provision, rather than long-term security.
(c) The words "our," "we," and "us" throughout the prayer remind us that we pray as a community, and that we are praying for God's blessing and encouragement for all.

What else do you notice in the Lord's Prayer? What would you add to our descriptions and reflections?

The Book Is Still Open!

In recent weeks, we have begun to discuss and share the Bible's richness. There are some basics that we have wanted to commit to memory:
--Two major sections: The Hebrew Scriptures (OT) and the Christian Scriptures (NT)
--"Bible" means "little books"
--There are 66 different books in the Bible; 39 comprise the Old Testament, 27 in the New.
--The Hebrew Scriptures were originally written in Hebrew; the Christian Scriptures in koine Greek.
--Historically the Bible content covers maybe 1700 years; it's texts, however, are timeless and speak to people in every age. This is particularly true today.

When the members of our class were asked, "What is the Bible?," the answers included:
A textbook for Christians.
A book about Jesus' life.
A book including creation stories.
The stories of God and God's people.
The stories of God's saving action.
The class did well on a "Match 'Em" exercise. We're not starting from scratch!!!

What I think was new, or at least renewing, was our exploration into the remarkable depth and breadth of the literature. The Bible includes narrative, law, history (a storybook!), poetry, song, wisdom,visions, prophetic messages, gospel, the stories of Jesus, and pastoral letters. What a surprise it was when we discovered the bold, romantic poetry of love from the Song of Songs, right in the middle of the Bible! Several faces reddened as we read from it. And perhaps we didn't realize that there isn't just one creation story in the Bible, but no less than three!
Much of the Bible was first shared orally, and learned through the telling and listening.The texts were received communally. We'll be doing some of that in our time together.

How does God speak to us through the Bible? Our initial responses:
--God tells us his will and how to do it.
--God gives us commandments.
--We can read the letters as written to us.
--God speaks through Jesus. Following him shapes our lives.
--In church, we gather together around the stories: reading, sharing, listening, praying, speaking, and acting.

What else have you been learning about the Bible in recent weeks? how has your learning affected your life?

Worship the Lord With Gladness

"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness, come into his presence with singing . . .For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. " --Psalm 100:1,2,5

"Christian worship is the glad response of total individuals--through heart, soul, strength,and mind--to the saving acts of God in history. It is the communal and personal celebration in the universal church of God's love for creation and for every human being. This divine love is revealed in God's gracious covenant with the people of Israel and in God's coming into the world in Jesus Christ.
Christian worship is more than a passive response of God's revelation. It is in itself a Pentecostal proclamation. It both announces the good news of God's love for all the world and invites all people to share in God's saving embrace. This active response would not be possible without the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who endows the community of faith and individual Christains with the gifts that are necessary for God's service. All that Christians do, together and individually, is worship, liturgy, the work of praise and thanksgiving. The word and acts commonly called worship cannot be separated from Christians' faithful response to God in words and acts of love and justice for all people. This is the transparent meaning of Jesus' liberating command: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Named, Loved, Sent

"And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit of God descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from the heavens, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." --Mark 1:10-11

We began our first Confirmation class gathering around the baptismal font, dipping our hands in the water and thinking about the meaning of our own baptisms. We considered the rich imagery of water--that which sustains life; that cleanses; a gift from heaven; an abundant flow in which we can be immersed.

None of us in this class, including the pastor, can remember our own baptism celebrations clearly as we are were too young. We know that we were baptized into the community of the followers of Jesus, the church. God's loving claim on our lives was announced and celebrated, even before we could realize it. God's grace and forgiveness were affirmed as promises. The movement of God's Holy Spirit was recognized among us. We were immersed in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ! Awesome indeed!

Our parents, and the community, made promises to God and to us: to nurture us in the Christian faith, in the ways of Jesus; to be our faithful models; to accompany us to the time and place in our lives where we would make a decision to follow Jesus for ourselves. In our church, we call this time "Confirmation."

Jesus was somewhere around thirty years old when he was baptized. In the years since his birth, he had lived for the most part in the Galilean town of Nazareth, in the north of Israel, as the son of Joseph the carpenter and Mary. Apparently he also worked as a carpenter in that region, until the day he left and travelled to a place miles away, in the south, on the banks of the Jordan River. There, God's prophet, John, was baptizing people in the river, a kind of "washing off" of their sins, telling them to get ready for the coming of the God's Promised One.

In the gospel story, Jesus leaves life as he has lived it in Nazareth to join God's people in the water, and at a deeper level, to join us in the midst of our lives.

He is baptized by being immersed in the river. As he comes up out of the water, he sees "the heavens torn apart," or said another way, "the sky split open." And a voice comes from the heavens: "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

The image of "the sky split open" is a way of saying that, through the life of Jesus God's children will never, never be separated from the love of God, for any reason, no matter what. And in addition to the name he was given at birth, Jesus, he receives three new names from God: Son, Beloved ("Loved One"), and God's Pleasure.

Jesus returns to familiar places, but not to life as he had lived it before. His ministry, his deeper purpose, had begun.

How do you think that Jesus' baptism and your baptism are joined together?

Imagine God not only calling you Erin, Nik, Max, and Austin. Imagine God calling you "Child of God;" "Deeply Loved One;" "God's Pleasure." What might that mean?