Tag Archives: mercy

Defender of the Poor

October 13, 2018 by MelisaB · Comments Off on Defender of the Poor

15th Sunday after Pentecost: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23

This lectionary selection pulls these three proverb “couplets” that all relate to how we treat the poor. In fact, all of the lectionary readings for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost include the theme of caring for the poor or standing up for the oppressed. This is one of my favorite themes found in the Bible. While following God doesn’t align with any political party, Scripture is clear that God cares about the poor and the oppressed. How we care for the poor in our context may vary, but we should care. We should take the time to consider how to use whatever power we have to help those with less power. Continue reading →

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Solomon’s Encounter

August 17, 2018 by MelisaB · Comments Off on Solomon’s Encounter

12th Sun after Pentecost: 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14

King Solomon was rich, wise, and he had many wives (in that era this was another form of riches). His reign was successful and Solomon’s Temple is the temple that future generations aspired to re-create. So it would be natural to skim past these verses as the point when all of this greatness began. It could be easy to miss the way in which Solomon struggled to “find himself” like we all do.

Up until this point his father, David, was the second king Israel had and David was the greatest. He was victorious in war, the people loved him, and he rose to greatness from humble beginnings. It was a rags to riches story and here that story ends. Solomon was chosen to be the next king. He probably felt like he was living under a very large, successful shadow. David was “a man after God’s own heart”—those are big shoes to fill. Continue reading →

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Draw Near

June 10, 2013 by MelisaB · Comments Off on Draw Near

approach

with confidence

toward the throne of grace

receive mercy and grace to help

our need

Hebrews 4:16 Cinquain

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Gracious and Compassionate

April 19, 2011 by MelisaB · Comments Off on Gracious and Compassionate
compassionate

If there’s a word with a bad rap, it’s the word repent.  That word can conjure up images of an angry prophet-like, old man scowling and pointing at people while bellowing the word REPENT!  Or maybe that’s just the imagery that comes up for me. The underlying concept of a change of heart is wrapped up in that impression. However, I don’t find the picture in the Bible that when you do turn you will face certain wrath.

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Startling Humility

April 12, 2011 by MelisaB · Comments Off on Startling Humility
humility

John 13:1-5; 20-21
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.

Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.” After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.

This preamble to the washing of the disciples feet starts out with a lot of subtext.  It says Jesus is aware that his hour has come, he will soon be crucified.  Then the verses move on to say that the devil had already entered Judas to incite him to betray Jesus. The passage goes back to Jesus reflecting on who he is, his mission and his relationship with God.  After doing that he washes the disciples feet—including Judas.  That piece can get lost in the mix because our focus is often on the interaction Jesus has with Peter, but Judas is also there.

Something inside of me wants this to not be how it went down.  Continue reading →

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