In his shame, Nicodemus shows up to Jesus in the middle of the night wanting answers to questions he does not know how to ask. He is ashamed of the current trajectory of the Pharisees, but he can’t name it in the light. He’s burdened by shame. Jesus offers life altering answers to his questions but the story does not say if Nicodemus heeds Jesus’ advice. The story just ends making me wonder, “Can we really let go of shame?”

-Rev. Barrett Owen

Jesus overthrows the tables in Jerusalem’s Temple. He makes a whip of cords and drives the people and animals out too. There are a lot of things we keep stocked in our Temple, our body, soul, and mind that need to be cleared out. Jesus demonstrates in life what needs to also happen inside of each of us.

-Rev. Barrett Owen

The only time in scripture that Jesus calls someone Satan is right here, and he says it to Peter. Peter’s shame is what we need to see because it closely resembles ours. He didn’t want Jesus to die but rather conquer the world as it was on earth. He could not accept another way, and this was his shame. It's not much different today.

-Rev. Barrett Owen

The act of baptism is one of renewal. We die to our old self and rise again in new life. It is past time our shame is baptized. But beware, just because we name it and let go of it, that does not stop it from trying to come back to tempt us. The arch of Jesus’ baptism to his testing in the wilderness is similar to our arch too. Shame creeps in to test us all the time. But if we can remember the core truth of our existence, we can learn to not let it take power over us.

-Rev. Barrett Owen

Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up to a mountain and they see Jesus transform before God, Elijah, and Moses. Immediately, Peter wants to start talking and build an alter. God steps in and changes the energy of the discussion. Peter is being sweet, but he’s misguided. He’s strong-willed but doesn’t have all the facts. Even these people need to be loved. Jesus shows us how.

-Rev. Becca Jones

In the gospels, Jesus heals the sick constantly. So much so that it becomes a priority of ministry for Jesus and the disciples. Nothing has changed today. Sickness is a part of life. Being neighborly means creating the space necessary to see who is ill and showing up and offering healing. This happens in Mark 1 and can/should still happen today.

-Rev. Barrett Owen

Most everyone we meet is walking wounded. We carry deep-pitted scars that affects the way we walk and engage others in the world. Followers of Christ must be able to see those who are wounded both emotionally and physically. And we need to do what the characters in Mark 2 do, carry those people to Jesus.

-Rev. J. Barrett Owen

In the gospels, Jesus calls individuals to follow him. These disciples become intricate to the spread of Jesus’ movement of love. These disciples were strangers at first but quickly became partners in a shared mission. They bring different skillsets and different perspectives to the table. Christianity should continue to work this way moving forward.

-Rev. J. Barrett Owen

Loving the cantankerous souls of the world is challenging. It may need to be said that loving others doesn’t mean we have to be in constant relationship with them. Instead, loving our neighbors means we genuinely wish them well. In John 1, Jesus calls disciples and not all of them have the most open spirit. Philip takes convincing. He’s hard-hearted. But through love, relationships change.

-Rev. J. Barrett Owen

Jesus is born! Magi come from the East bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. To dismiss these travelers would be to dismiss the moment the world-stage declares Jesus as the rightful king. The only way this moment could have happened is for Mary and Joseph to not be afraid of strangers. They opened their soul to their global neighbors. We can too.

Rev. Barrett Owen