Grace Abounds

In the midst of his public ministry, Jesus gave a sermon with sound practical advice for living well in relationship with God and each other. In this Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:27-38) - known as the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew - Jesus teaches his disciples to love fully, to give generously, and not to judge. What would this world be like if we all followed his advice?

Redwoods in Sequoia National Park. Pines that surround Jenny Lake in the Grant Tetors. Cottonwoods on the Big Sycamore Canyon Trail in Thousand Oaks. Trees are a beautiful and vital part of God’s good creation. Trees also serve in Scripture’s wisdom literature (e.g. Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17) as representatives for people who are rooted in God’s Word, resilient in their faith in Christ, and fruitful in doing the Holy Spirit’s healing work. The question these passages ask of us: are we like trees or like tumbling, brittle, unproductive tumbleweeds?

Some of the first disciples Jesus called in his public ministry were two sets of fisherman brothers: Peter & Andrew and James & John. Jesus invited them to cast the net of God’s grace far and wide into the deep ocean of humanity and bring all people into the beloved community of Christ. May we do the same. May we share the good news. May we catch people for Jesus, as Jesus himself caught us.

After declaring he is the Savior, Jesus then declares that  the salvation he brings is for all people (Luke 4:14-30). Jesus embodied God’s love for everyone. He taught us to love God, love our neighbors as ourselves, love our enemies. He showed us love that is - as the Apostle Paul describes it (1 Corinthians 13) - patient and kind and respectful, humble and understanding and authentic, hopeful and faithful and enduring, May we know this boundless, never-ending love.

One Sabbath day in the synagogue, Jesus reads from Isaiah the promise of the Messiah who will bring God’s good news and healing and freedom (Luke 4:14-21). He then rolls up the scroll and says, “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Jesus the Messiah continues to fulfill the promises of God, continues to bring healing and freedom and peace, continues to give eternal life in the present. May we trust and share this good news, right here, right now, today.

As the Gospel of John recounts (John 2:1-11), one of the first things Jesus does after calling his disciples is take them to a party, a wedding in Cana, where he turns water into wine - about 800 bottles of the good stuff. Jesus keeps the party going, and reveals the abundant blessings of our good and gracious Creator. May we too overflow with the blessings of God.

At the baptism of Jesus, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and the voice of God the Father said from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” When we are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we are immersed in the divine relationship of love and God says to us, ‘You are my beloved child, with you I am well pleased.’ May we hear these words as words for us today, and always.

In his song over his infant son John, Zachariah praises God for sending the Savior who will “guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:67-80). As we celebrate the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ, may we know his peace. May we experience the peace that passes understanding, that is not based in our circumstances but in the Lord, that guards our hearts and minds in anxious times (Philippians 4:4-7). And may we share the peace of the Lord with all the people in our lives.

The Visitation (Luke 1:39-55) is a joyous meeting between Mary and Elizabeth, as both are -  unexpectedly - expecting. Joy resounds through their encounter as Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, blesses Mary, the mother of Jesus - and Mary resounds with a song rejoicing in God our Savior. How might you follow the example of Mary and Elizabeth in their celebration of God’s grace? What makes your heart sing? What makes your spirit rejoice?

In the eyes of the world, Mary seemed ordinary - a poor young woman from a small village planning to marry her fiance Joseph, settle down, and be a carpenter’s wife. In the eyes of God, Mary was extraordinary. As the Gospel of Luke recounts (Luke 1:26-38), the Lord called Mary to give birth to Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. And Mary said, ‘yes.’ As we celebrate the birth of her Son, may we follow Mary’s example of faith and may remember that we are all ordinary, extraordinary children of God.