Jesus Arrested
47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Matthew 26:47-56
In this passage, in verses 52-54, Jesus makes a few points regarding violence and "the sword."
1) Those who employ violence are eventually destroyed by it (v. 52). There are many layers to this. There is an element of the teaching that applies to physical violence. While not every single person who employs violence physically dies from it, part of employing violence means subjecting yourself to the cycle of hatred and revenge that eventually destroys people who foster it. In the Old Testament, the sword was a symbol of wrath and judgment. Jesus is teaching his followers that they should put away wrath and judgment on each other and on the world. Through the cross, Jesus has satisfied God's wrath and judgment on us that we might be free and live through him. Thus, his followers have no right to foster bitterness with each other. We are called to forgive and restore as Jesus did.
2) God is ultimately in control (v. 53). We are called to live in faith that God will protect and justify us even in uncertain circumstances. Jesus is reminding Peter that even in a situation that doesn't look good, God is still in control and his purposes are being fulfilled even when it doesn't seem like that is happening.
3) God's will for Jesus included suffering--his will for us may also include it. Jesus was certainly distraught and discouraged. He prayed multiple times that if another way were possible, that God would provide it. He was physically distressed enough to sweat drops of blood. Even so, he submitted to suffering willingly out of love for others and for the world. As followers of Christ we also must be people of sacrificial love. We must be willing to absorb violence but not use it.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Love and Conflict
The following is a link to a sermon by Jason Barnhart, preached this last Sunday, on the relationship between God, love, and conflict. The sermon explores the inevitability of conflict when we are loving each other and ways to handle it.
http://www.parkstreetbrethren.org/2011/10/10-2-11-pastor-jason-barnhart-our-great-god-of-love/
http://www.parkstreetbrethren.org/2011/10/10-2-11-pastor-jason-barnhart-our-great-god-of-love/
Monday, August 15, 2011
Peace as total health and wholeness
22 The LORD said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
24 “‘“The LORD bless you
and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
Numbers 6:22-27
Sometimes our own sinfulness clouds out the truth about how God views us. It makes us unwilling to accept that God would feel this way about us, or it makes us feel like because we don't deserve God's affection we don't have it.
In John Wesley's explanatory notes on this passage, he comments that peace represents all blessings from God, both material and spiritual. That God desires us to have peace with him, with ourselves and our consciences, with others, and that desires that human beings should prosper. That he looks on us with pleasure and love, not with disdain, hatred, anger, or disappointment. His desire is that peace should permeate every aspect of our lives.
24 “‘“The LORD bless you
and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
Numbers 6:22-27
Sometimes our own sinfulness clouds out the truth about how God views us. It makes us unwilling to accept that God would feel this way about us, or it makes us feel like because we don't deserve God's affection we don't have it.
In John Wesley's explanatory notes on this passage, he comments that peace represents all blessings from God, both material and spiritual. That God desires us to have peace with him, with ourselves and our consciences, with others, and that desires that human beings should prosper. That he looks on us with pleasure and love, not with disdain, hatred, anger, or disappointment. His desire is that peace should permeate every aspect of our lives.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Conflict
Some thoughts on conflict in relationships:
Isn't conflict unavoidable? If we are in close relationships with other people, shouldn't there be some conflict over time? Relationships in my life that never have any conflict probably have less depth than relationships that have conflict. I'm not saying people should always be fighting, but its probably going to happen, especially as relationships develop. So we probably shouldn't seek to avoid all conflict or even fear it. It's what we do with it that matters.
Consider the following Scripture:
Dealing With Sin in the Church
15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Matthew 18:15-20
When we are sinned against, we shouldn't talk about it with everyone. We should address the issue in love with the other person. If the other party doesn't see things the same way, bring people along, but not to gang up on them--instead, to restore the relationship. If they still refuse to listen, there may be nothing else you can do. When Jesus says to treat them as a pagan or a tax collector, he probably means to love them, pray for them, and wish the best for them. We can control ourselves and our own actions. We may not be able to control the way the other person responds. But we can always work for love and restoration. After all, that is how Jesus acts towards us--always hoping for the best, always restoring goodwill and love.
And the last couple verses seem to indicate that when we partner with God toward reconciliation, he grants us success--with eternal benefits.
Isn't conflict unavoidable? If we are in close relationships with other people, shouldn't there be some conflict over time? Relationships in my life that never have any conflict probably have less depth than relationships that have conflict. I'm not saying people should always be fighting, but its probably going to happen, especially as relationships develop. So we probably shouldn't seek to avoid all conflict or even fear it. It's what we do with it that matters.
Consider the following Scripture:
Dealing With Sin in the Church
15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Matthew 18:15-20
When we are sinned against, we shouldn't talk about it with everyone. We should address the issue in love with the other person. If the other party doesn't see things the same way, bring people along, but not to gang up on them--instead, to restore the relationship. If they still refuse to listen, there may be nothing else you can do. When Jesus says to treat them as a pagan or a tax collector, he probably means to love them, pray for them, and wish the best for them. We can control ourselves and our own actions. We may not be able to control the way the other person responds. But we can always work for love and restoration. After all, that is how Jesus acts towards us--always hoping for the best, always restoring goodwill and love.
And the last couple verses seem to indicate that when we partner with God toward reconciliation, he grants us success--with eternal benefits.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
What is Peace?
Today at Brethren Conference we had a brief discussion on peacemaking and what it means. Here are some of the responses. Over the following weeks and months, we'll take a look at each of the responses in greater detail.
lack of conflict, handling conflict, solving conflict
total health/wholeness
forgiveness/reconciliation/acting on behalf of the other
interpersonal relations
international relations
peace does not equal agreement
peace issues in schools
confronting injustice nonviolently
peace does not equal people pleasing
lack of conflict, handling conflict, solving conflict
total health/wholeness
forgiveness/reconciliation/acting on behalf of the other
interpersonal relations
international relations
peace does not equal agreement
peace issues in schools
confronting injustice nonviolently
peace does not equal people pleasing
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Ryan's article on Investing
Thank you Ryan for your thoughts on Peace and Investing.
I was wondering if Ryan or others might have specific knowledge of any groups of socially responsible mutual funds that might be worthy of our consideration. I suspect that it would be unwise and perhaps you are unable to make recommendations, but where would I go to find these mutual funds?
I would personally be interested in mutual funds that would specifically avoid defense department contractors, ammunition manufacturers, or other corporations that do business with the military industrial complex. I would also be interested in those who have a good history of labor practices internationally.
I have noted some ratings used in some of my mutual funds, such as Morningstar. Are there any ratings for socially responsible mutual funds?
Sincerely,
Stephen Barber,
Plymouth, IN
I was wondering if Ryan or others might have specific knowledge of any groups of socially responsible mutual funds that might be worthy of our consideration. I suspect that it would be unwise and perhaps you are unable to make recommendations, but where would I go to find these mutual funds?
I would personally be interested in mutual funds that would specifically avoid defense department contractors, ammunition manufacturers, or other corporations that do business with the military industrial complex. I would also be interested in those who have a good history of labor practices internationally.
I have noted some ratings used in some of my mutual funds, such as Morningstar. Are there any ratings for socially responsible mutual funds?
Sincerely,
Stephen Barber,
Plymouth, IN
Monday, January 17, 2011
Martin Luther King, Jr.
This is via Steve Barber in Plymouth, Indiana, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King and his legacy of nonviolent resistance and peacemaking.
“Don't ever think that you're by yourself. Go to jail if necessary, but you never go alone. Take a stand for that which is right, and the world may misunderstand you, and criticize you. But you never go alone, for somewhere I read that one with God is a majority. Walk with Him this morning and believe in Him and do what is right, and He'll be with you even until the consummation of the ages. Yes, I've seen the lightning flash. I've heard the thunder roll. I've felt sin breakers dashing, trying to conquer my soul, but I heard the voice of Jesus saying, still to fight on. He promised never to leave me alone, never to leave me alone. No, never alone. No, never
alone.” (MLK from a sermon at Ebenezer, November 5, 1967)
“Don't ever think that you're by yourself. Go to jail if necessary, but you never go alone. Take a stand for that which is right, and the world may misunderstand you, and criticize you. But you never go alone, for somewhere I read that one with God is a majority. Walk with Him this morning and believe in Him and do what is right, and He'll be with you even until the consummation of the ages. Yes, I've seen the lightning flash. I've heard the thunder roll. I've felt sin breakers dashing, trying to conquer my soul, but I heard the voice of Jesus saying, still to fight on. He promised never to leave me alone, never to leave me alone. No, never alone. No, never
alone.” (MLK from a sermon at Ebenezer, November 5, 1967)
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