Matthew 20:25-28 We were made for times such as these!

Philippians   2:6–7 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men NKJ

The first we will be last and the last first. We are blessed to be born in the time of the Gentiles. All people are created equal in the eyes of God. He shows no partiality. We are united in the reconciliation provided by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  In His eyes their in neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, slave nor free. He sees the perfect shed Blood of the Lamb in us and not our sins. We were born in such a time as this to balance the evil that seeks to destroy mankind in the blessed assurance of the good inherent in us...and now we see! Out of the abundance of God’s heart we speak. Carla

Matthew 20:25-28

25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” NKJV

The measure of greatness is not position, power, or prestige; it is service.

Only Matthew mentions two blind men; Mark and Luke refer to one, probably the one who spoke. The fact that Matthew records that there were actually two men especially suits his Gospel, which was written primarily for Jews who would have desired two witnesses (Deuteronomy 17:6). Son of David, a messianic title (2 Samuel 7:12–16), identifies Jesus as the heir to David’s throne. This cry, repeated in verse 31, shows the spiritual insight of these blind men. The NKJV Study Bible

Another paradoxical statement of role-reversal (Matthew 19:30; 20:16). Rather than exercising authority, a godly leader willingly becomes a servant of others. Jesus does not merely instruct His disciples about what they should do; He models it for them. Faithlife Study Bible

Mark 9:35

And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 

Matthew 23:11

But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 

John 13:13–38

You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet…

Philippinians  2:6–7

who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

Napoleon reminded us, "Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to choose." 

And because of that, freedom always works better in speeches, than it does in practice. Because if I choose—to commit, to invest, to give—I offer my heart freely. I’m all in.

I offer this little light of mine. If I’m honest, it boils down to this: For whatever reason, I too easily live afraid.

If I open my heart to care, I risk vulnerability.

If I speak out for compassion and justice for the least of these, it is considered too “political”.

To give without regard for reward, is to risk misunderstanding.

To expose feelings (openness and vulnerability), is to risk exposing your true self.

To love, is to risk not being loved in return.

To hope, is to risk despair.

I’ll cut to the chase. When I am afraid, I react (allow the narrative of my life and world to be owned by the shouting and anger, where labels rule), or I shut down (Lord knows I don’t need the drama and headache).

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.

And here’s the good news; every single one of us have been endowed and equipped to be a light in a dark world.

The light is alive and well, for every single one of use. No exclusions. Yes, including the poor, the powerless, the desperate, the outsiders, the forsaken, and the forgotten.

Too good to be true? I can relate.

And I settle for less. Because, “That can’t be me,” I tell myself. I confess that I don’t always see the light in myself.

So. Where do I begin? The advice of a mentor, “Do what’s in your heart.” Sabbath Moments

John 1:29-34 The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

1 Peter 1:19 

but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 

God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world could be saved in His birth, death and resurrection. No greater love exists than Jesus who would give up His life for a sinner like me. For God loved the world that He created and out His unconditional love He gave us a way where there was none to be reconciled to Him in the sacrifice of the holy Lamb of God. Jesus the Christ, all God all man. (John 3:16-17)  Carla

John 1:29-34

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”

32 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” NKJV)

The Lamb of God… in the Old Testament, the Israelites sacrificed lambs at the Passover feast (Exodus 12:21) and as offerings (Leviticus 14:10–25). Jesus Christ is the Lamb that God would give as a sacrifice for the sins not only of Israel, but of the whole world (Isaiah 52:13–53:12).

John and Jesus were cousins, so they probably knew each other. But John apparently did not know that Jesus was the Messiah. All John knew was that he was to baptize with water and that the Messiah would be made known to Israel through him. God had given John a sign by which he would know the Messiah, namely, the descending of the Holy Spirit as a dove. The NKJV Study Bible

The purpose of John’s ministry was preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah. The Gospel of John tends to use “Israel” as a positive label for God’s chosen people, identified ultimately by their beliefs, not ancestry.

The Spirit descending like a dove from heaven was the sign given to John the Baptist. Here, John  simply testifies as a witness to the event. The event itself is spoken of in the past tense. John did not know Jesus was the Messiah until God revealed it to him. John the Baptist is functioning as a formal legal witness to Jesus’ identity. Faithlife Study Bible

Matthew 3:11

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 

Mark 1:8

I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

John 1:15

John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ”

…this quote from Haruki Murakami comes to mind. “I had a choice: I could either let the darkness of the world swallow me, or I could do what I could to help make the world a little bit brighter.”
And a part of me says, “Really? But right now, that darkness in our world is really, really good at swallowing. How do I avoid it?”
We begin here: “You are the light of the world,” Jesus reminded us. “A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bushel. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”

Yesterday, I joined the rally here with people in the Port Ludlow area. It was a wonderful reminder about collective efforts allow us to embrace the gifts of hope, and diversity, and empathy, and compassion, in order to say no to cruelty and hatred.
This I’ve always known: Words do matter. Rhetoric does matter. And a cruel worldview diminishes us. It diminishes me. And yes, it covers the light, and all that spills from that light. And I will tell you that I don’t want to lose the joy, passion, resilience, faith, compassion, kindness, courage or generosity.
My confession is that there has always been a part of me—which I sadly often used in my role as clergy—which was to “say nothing, and hope or pray for the best.” I cannot do that anymore. I’m so grateful to embrace any invitation to step up, and play my part in any movement for healing, and steadfastness, and reconciliation, and transformation. 

This is from Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, "So; chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength and discipline. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it." 

Let us take heart in Robert Alden’s affirmation, “There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle.”

So. Sign me up. This little light of mine. Sabbath Moments

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

 Fr. Mike Schmitz

https://youtu.be/goGupVTc_sg?si=qxIIlFi9bEQVVVzS

No King but Jesus!!!!

 Matthew 21:1-11

When Jesus and his disciples had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,

“Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!“

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Romans 15:13 Joy in the Lord is our secret power. In Him alone there is hope.

 Romans 14:17

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. NKJV

Christ within is our hope. If we glory, glory in this, that Jesus Christ gave up His life to redeem the world. He did not leave us alone here but He gave us Holy Spirit to guide us and defend us against the evil that is so prevalent in the world today. Carla

Romans 15:13

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. NKJV)

The root of Jesse In the original context of this quotation from Isaiah 11:10, the root of Jesse refers to an individual ruler from the Davidic line. Paul’s quotation comes from the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament), which emphasizes that the root of Jesse will rule the nations and provide them with hope. For Paul, Jesus is the root of Jesse—the Messiah from David’s line—who rules over both Jewish and non-Jewish people (Jews and Gentiles). Faithlife Study Bible

Jesus Christ became a servant to the Jews for two purposes: (1) to confirm God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and (2) to demonstrate God’s mercy to the Gentiles so that they might glorify Him. 

Paul cites four passages from the Old Testament to prove that God intended the Gentiles as well as the Jews to glorify Him. Paul quotes from all three divisions of the Old Testament  (the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms or Writings), and from three great Jewish leaders (Moses, David, and Isaiah), to demonstrate that God’s purpose was always to bless the Gentiles through Israel. Although the nation of Israel has been set aside for the present (11:1–31), both Jews and Gentiles are being brought together in the church (3:1–12; Eph. 2:14–22). Root of Jesse is a title for the Messiah. Jesse was the father of David, and the Son of David was the promised Messiah. The NKJV Study Bible

1 Corinthians 2:4

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 

1 Thessalonians 1:5

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

Romans 15:19

in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 

1 Corinthians 4:20

For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

My confession is that there have been times in my life and ministry when neutrality (deliberately staying away from disagreements or conflicts) was applauded. Even revered. Somehow seen as a skill, and a strength.
I told myself to not speak up about any number of social moral issues—bullying, abuse, war, sexual orientation—because I didn’t want to offend. Or lose parishioners. Or readers.
And here’s the irony: to not choose, is to choose.
I said I was a follower of Jesus.
But here’s the deal.
Jesus wasn’t neutral. In his choices, or in the stories (parables) that he told.
Bottom line: As the Good Samaritan teaches us—when there is a wounded, or broken, or distressed, or even despised human being by the side of the road, you don’t walk by. You choose to stop. To care. To invest. To heal. To reconcile. To say no to intolerance.

As a young pastor, I remember saying often, “Let’s just agree to disagree.”
Which is all very well and good, but should be reserved for things like, “I don't like coffee.” Or, “Do we have to sing those hymns every Sunday?”
When it comes to honoring human dignity, it is not a difference of opinion. It is a difference in morality.
Jesus wasn’t neutral with regard to treating each and every human being with dignity.
My friends, let us choose to do the same: To honor dignity… regardless of race, religion, color, creed, sexual orientation or citizenship status. Today, I am so grateful for the sabbath moment community. And our reminder to say yes to sanctuary, inclusion, empathy, compassion and kindness. Sabbath Moments

Jeremiah 29:11-13 If we seek God we will find Him!

 Jeremiah 24:7

Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.

If we look for God He will reveal Himself to us. If we refuse to acknowledge Him even the rocks will cry out in worship. God wants us to choose to love Him as He loves us. He will never force His will on us. We choose who we will serve either the darkness of the world or the good that is inherent in  all of His creation. No greater love exists that He would give up His body and blood for our sins  that through Him the world could be saved. John 3:17. Carla

Jeremiah 29:11-13

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 

The Lord here places considerable emphasis on His unchangeable plan to bring peace and not evil. God had not terminated His relationship with Judah; He remembered His covenant promises of restoration (Deuteronomy 30:1–10).

Yahweh assures the exiles that His long-term plan is good and that He has not abandoned them. Their national calamity would have precipitated feelings of hopelessness and abandonment. Faithlife Study Bible

The promised response of the Lord to the people’s prayers stands in contrast to His refusal to hear in 7:16. The picture here differs greatly from the usual depiction of the heart of the people of Judah as stubborn and wicked. God would search the people’s heart and reveal its true character (11:20). Those who seek God with a whole heart will find Him and experience His renewal. I will bring you back … gather you … bring you to the place. God was the captor, and He would restore His people from captivity. The NKJV Study Bible

Deuteronomy 4:29

But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. 

Jeremiah 33:3

‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

Psalm 145:19

He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;

He also will hear their cry and save them.

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he tells the boy. “It is a relentless fight that takes a toll, and it is between two wolves. One wolf is evil. He is a mixture of rage, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”

He continues, “The other wolf is good. He is a mixture of joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. And this same fight is going on inside you—and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thinks about what his grandfather tells him for a minute, and then asks, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee replies, “The one you feed the most.” 

So. Let us pause. And take this invitation to heart: “Don’t tell me what you believe, show me how you behave, and then I will know what you believe.” Even in a world of cacophony, and what feels like heartlessness, we are still connected to one another. We still can and do, make a difference.

A human world of helping.

No one of us is on this journey alone.

And maybe today, the armor can come down. Sabbath Moments