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“’Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.'” (John 9:3, NIV)

As difficult as it may be to face the fact that God allows his creatures to suffer hardship and pain; it would be infinitely more difficult if it were true that God was indifferent to human hardship and pain.

We may not always know the reason why we or others must suffer; and today’s scripture cautions us against drawing conclusions about the reasons behind suffering. However, we may be confident in knowing that God both cares and is engaged.

The disciple of Jesus has the added benefit of knowing that “all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Do not be discouraged when you encounter hardship or pain — whether in your life of in the life of others. Remain faithful in all that God has given you to do, and you will experience both grace and peace. – Luther

Tagged God's grace, God's provision, hardship, suffering, the book of John

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Mothers’ Day

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20: 12, NIV)

Some years ago, I heard a lecture by a renowned rabbi and Hebrew scholar. The topic was the Torah, which is commonly known as “The Law of Moses,” and is sometimes a specific reference to the Ten Commandments given Moses by God for the Children of Israel.

The 10 Commandments were given on two tablets of stone: The first five address the relationship between God and man, and the second five commandments address the relationship between man and man. Today’s scripture reference is the fifth commandment, and addresses the relationship between a child and his/her parents. So, why is it on the “God to man relationship” tablet?

The Hebrew sages, according to the scholar referenced above, said that it is in the “God to man” set because in the procreation of a child, there are three essential participants: The mother; the father; and God. As the scripture declares from the Psalms (in a different context, but applicable nonetheless): “It is God that made us, and not we ourselves.” The same may be said of the necessity of one’s mother (and father): We did not create ourselves, and every day of our earthly existence we shall bear visible and invisible characteristics of our parentage.

Tomorrow (Sunday), we observe Mothers’ Day in the U. S. A., the United Kingdom, and in Australia. It hasn’t been around nearly as long as the Torah, but we all do well to set aside a day to honor our mother, if she is still living; or the memory of our mother, if she has died. Doing so not only honors her, but God as well. – Luther

Tagged Mothers' Day, Rabbi Sheftel Neuberger, the 10 Commandments, the book of Exodus

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“Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:27, New Living Translation)

The disciple of Jesus is a servant.

He or she is not a “servant-leader.” He or she is not an “apprentice-leader.” He or she is not “doing time” as a servant until something opens up at the top of the hierarchy. The pinnacle of a disciple’s aspiration is to be like his or her Lord; and the Lord Jesus is “among you as one who serves.”

This is so not like us. We desire the perquisites that come with leadership; or we see leadership as a reward for being a “good foot soldier.” But even leadership, in the estimation of our Lord, is nothing more than a greater opportunity for servitude; and “servitude” is to “service” as “being” is to “doing.”

Make servitude for the sake of being like Jesus your sole ambition as a disciple. Even in the kingdom of God, good help is hard to find! – Luther

Tagged discipleship, leadership, servitude, the book of Luke