Weston Park Baptist Church

Jesus takes the initiative in calling us to become his disciples. The question is Will we pay attention to our lives and respond with a 'yes' when our moment comes?" As an example, Jesus calls Andrew and the unnamed disciple to follow him in the words Come and see." Andrew then later invites his brother Simon to come check out the new found Messiah. Jesus then invites Simon to join his group, symbolized in the change of his name to Peter. Similarly, Jesus invites us to become his disciples and friends. It is up to us how we will respond. This is the challenge and opportunity of our lives.

The women of Easter go to the tomb expecting to meet a dead Jesus. Instead, they find an empty tomb and a resurrected Christ! The angels message to them not only heralds Jesus victory over death but announces the forgiveness and restoration of wayward disciples. The community of disciples are to go forward with the mission of Jesus to proclaim the glorious truth that the kingdom of God draws near. Indeed, His kingdom will be a reign of love and peace that has no end.

On the way to the cross Simon of Cyrene has a moment with Jesus unceremoniously, Simon is compelled by a Roman soldier to carry the cross of Christ. In that moment Simon meets Jesus and his life is changed (not only for him but for his family!) If we are alert we also will have our moment with Jesus. He goes before all of us and at the right time we will meet him face to face. Let us open eyes and hearts to meet Christ in this Easter season.

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As Jesus continues in ministry he faces greater and greater oppression. the resistance comes to a head in his perceived welcoming spirit to the outcasts of society. Selecting Levi, the tax-collector, and attending a party with Levi's friends was seen as poor judgment (and being a bad example to others!) What the Pharisees don't understand is the adventurous spirit of Jesus and the elasticity of his thinking. Jesus understands the implications of the new kingdom of God and how it transcends the old censorial system which the Pharisees cling to. The new system is one of grace and mercy to all - even the ones who are seen as inferior and outside of God's blessing.

Jesus models for us a heart of prayer and compassion. His fundamental desire is to know the heart of Abba and then translate his vision into action for Gods kingdom. As our leader Jesus reveals the import of prayerful conversation with Abba and the intentional activity of keeping in step with his Spirit. As Jesus disciples we are called to imitate our Lord and demonstrate it through actions of kindness for the marginalized and hurting people of the world.

Jesus begins his ministry by announcing the Good News of the kingdom of Godthe kingdom is drawing near now! Along with this declaration Jesus begins the process of building a community of disciples to assist him in his kingdom work. He calls and the disciples respond with a bold yes joining his band of followers. This pattern of call and response requires both commitment and a communal engagement. When we say yes in this manner we become active participants in the establishment of Gods kingdom on earth.

Jesus breaks into our world to announce the Good News (not the Bad News!) that the kingdom of God is drawing near. He invites us to change our attitude from one of pessimism to one of hope and our lifestyle from one of self-centeredness to a concern for the other. As we make these changes (repent and believe) Jesus promises to travel with us so we can live with confidence, trust in his care, and the assurance that we share in the eternal life of Gods invigorating presence.

The writer of Psalm 30 has experienced challenging days of sickness and has cried out to God for help. Graciously his prayers are heard and he is healed from his sickness. As a result the psalmist is filled with joy and gives exuberant praise to his god in heaven. As such, the psalm is a wonderful example of the circle of thanksgiving thanks is offered to the thanksgiver completing the cycle of a grateful heart.

At times God seems distant/absent and we cry out from our hearts, Where are you God? In such experiences we long to hear from our Father in heaven but the only response is silence. It is this theme of silence and waiting upon God that is captured in Psalm 88. The Psalmist becomes our representative in passing through such difficult and painful days. He encourages us to keep clinging, persevering, holding on to God in spite of the apparent heavenly indifference. As we persist in faith the clouds will eventually part and the divine rays of consolation and joy will be known.

he seasons of the heart are not always the sunny summer months or the extravagant colours of the spring season. There are also the coldness of winter and the melancholy of autumn. The winter of Psalm 39 speaks from the winter blast of sickness, disappointment, and length of years. The tenor of the psalmist is one of absence and distance from God where are you in my pain and suffering? Such questions also rise up in our own hearts in such wintry spiritual seasons. Will we maintain our faith and hope in God or do we turn away in frustration and anger? How will we travel in our own cold epochs of the heart?

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As we begin a new year we look to our God who has been our dwelling place throughout the generations. God is our true home (not the house or apartment where we live.) The invitation is to keep looking to God through all of the ups and downs of life - the times of joyful presence and painful absence. As we live in this manner we are able to live "with a wise heart (v12) and to know God's guidance in the everyday of our lives.

God is a near God. He continually reveals himself to us in surprising ways both through his creation and in his word. It may be in a newly formed star in the night sky, a baby born in a manger, or three strangers showing up at your front door bearing gifts. The key for us is how do we respond to these moments in time? Do we have receptive hearts that are buoyed up with faith? Or do our hearts become calloused by the blows of life so that there is no longer a spark of receptivity? In our present narrative the Magi demonstrate responsive hearts of faith while Herods heart is as hard as stone. As we close out this year and begin a new one may we have pliable hearts that are responsive to the Spirits touch.

The angel's message to Joseph (as recorded in Matthew's Gospel) centres on the two names of his newborn child: Jesus and Emmanuel. The name 'Jesus' means 'God saves' because 'he will save his people from their sins'. The second name 'Emmanuel' translates as 'God-is-with-us' referencing Jesus' mission as God's representative to humanity. Together these names point to the solidarity of Jesus with humankind. Jesus is to become the face of God to humanity through his redemptive action of love, suffering and resurrection life.

Praise in challenging times is not always easy. The human overcast hangs heavy and blocks out much of the sun's rays. Yet the call to praise persists and asks us to lift our eyes above the darkness of the cloudbanks. Such was the case for doubting Zechariah. Will he (and we) raise our spirits high to perceive God's new work of transformation in the coming Messiah? Will we allow God's nearness to overcome our pessimistic and skeptical hearts as we strive towards the new humanity of God's blessed kingdom?

The story of Advent is the story of Gods love for humankind. God comes to us in Jesus so that we might live close to him forever. May we recognize God as a close God a near God. May we open our hearts to him in this Advent season.

The message of the incarnation of Christ comes to us in a variety of texts including the Gospel nativity stories as well as texts from the Epistles. Today we begin with a Pauline text from Philippians which simply reminds us that, God is near (Philippians 4:5). In this passage we are encouraged to live in joy, peace and gratitude all because Jesus is near to us in time and space. Jesus is near therefore we do not have to live in fear or be controlled by our anxious hearts. Rather, we are able to live with tranquil and quiet hearts because Jesus is near to us in every situation we face.

The writer of Deuteronomy invites us to remember Gods blessings in our lives remember and not forget. In my mind this is a needed exhortation because frequently we do forget all the blessings we have received from God. Instead, we focus on the problems we are facing in the moment or we become distracted by the busyness (and projects) we are running in the present. The invitation from the sacred text is to remember and reflect upon Gods goodness that we experience in our day to day. In the prosperous or challenging times do not lose sight of the truth that we are sheltered in Gods hands and he will see us through to the completion of our days.