The United Methodist Church of Swartz Creek

February 28, 2010 – Today’s Reading – Romans 6:3-14

While Lent is generally viewed as a penitential, somber season, our passage for today echoes the tradition that each Sunday throughout the season is considered a “little Easter” and thus is a source of joy and celebration in the midst of our yearly journey to the cross.  Verses 4b & 5 remind us that the sorrow of the cross and the joy of the resurrection cannot be completely separated: “just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”  We are united with Christ both in the cross and in the resurrection, and so as we await the fullness of joy we experience on Easter, let us enjoy a glimpse of this celebration of newness of life as we worship together this day.

Rachel D. Benton, Minister of Discipleship

February 27, 2010 – Today’s Reading – Mark 2:23-3:6

Given the society we live in where we tend to run from one thing to the next, the biblical concept of Sabbath seems especially pertinent to our everyday lives.  That, combined with the Lenten season we are currently in, which is to be a time dedicated to reflection and self-examination, it seems doubly relevant.  So when Jesus brings it up in today’s passage, I think our ears should quickly attune themselves to what he has to say.  Sandwiched in between Jesus allowing his disciples to gather food on the Sabbath and Jesus healing a man in the synagogue on the Sabbath (both of which were considered against religious law), Jesus states: “Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

Now it is possible for us in today’s society to exploit this statement by Jesus.  We tell ourselves that meeting the needs of others is more important than our time for rest, and yet Jesus reminds us that Sabbath is a gift from God, not simply a command to follow.   And so, during this time of Lent, we must balance our need to do good and offer acts of mercy, with our need to remember to find time to receive God’s gracious gift of rest and renewal.

Rachel D. Benton, Minister of Discipleship

February 26, 2010 – Today’s Reading – Mark 2:13-22

In seminary, we talk a lot about call stories – about how God has called and is calling us into ministry.  But in fact, everyone has call stories whether we recognize them or not, for we are all called by God to do ministry in various ways.  Today’s passage tells us of Levi’s call story.  Levi was a tax collector, a role considered by many to be deeply sinful, and yet Jesus chooses to call Levi, saying “Follow me.”

Sometimes, I think, we feel like we need to get things right before we believe God would call us to be a part of something wonderful or extraordinary.  We tell ourselves, God calls people to ministry who are deeply faithful, or wise, or have it together; not us and our messy, sinful lives!  “I’m just getting it together,” we think, “why would God call someone like me?”  And yet Jesus calls Levi, a sinner like us, just as he is, and reminds the Pharisees (and us), “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

May we all listen for and heed God’s call in our lives!

Rachel D. Benton, Minister of Discipleship

February 25, 2010 – Today’s Reading – Mark 2:1-12

As we read our passage for today and hear the powerful story of the paralytic and the faith of his friends, a thought entered my mind… Are our friendships like those the paralytic had?  Do we have those type of friends who would ‘cut through a roof’ for us?   Who care for us and support us and desire for us to receive healing through Jesus?  And do we ourselves offer that type of friendship?

As Jesus commends their friendship of faith, I wonder how we might live more fully into this model of friendship.  In a time of self-examination like Lent provides, perhaps it could mean taking time with a friend to pray with one another.  Or, maybe it could mean finding ways to encourage one another.  Whatever it looks like, I hope you will look for ways for your friendships to shape your faith, for they can transform us.  Just look at the paralytic!

Rachel D. Benton, Minister of Discipleship

February 24, 2010 – Today’s Reading – Mark 1:29-45

Jesus understood the healing power of touch, too.  In our reading for today, during two different instances he reaches out and touches those that he heals.  First, he went to Simon’s mother-in-law who was ill, “came and took her by the hand and lifted her up.”  Perhaps kind words or a simple prayer were offered as well (we’ll never know!), but the narrator Mark chooses instead to focus on Jesus’ action of touch.  And in turn, the mother-in-law reaches out and touches others as she begins to serve the household.  Next, it is mentioned that Jesus “stretched out his hand and touched” a leper who sought healing.  Yet again it is touch that provides restoration, renewal, and healing.  As we witness Jesus’ constant touch (even to those who were considered ‘untouchable’ like the leper), let us consider the ways we can reach out and touch those we love.

Rachel D. Benton, Minister of Discipleship

February 23, 2010 – Today’s Reading – Mark 1:14-28

Yet again today our passage from Mark is chock-full – there’s so much to take in!  However, these opening words of Jesus (the first he speaks in Mark’s gospel) jump out at me immediately: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”  The kingdom of God (or kingdom of heaven, as it is often referred to in Matthew’s gospel) is something that Jesus speaks frequently of, and yet somehow, has seemed to lose some of its central place in Christian conversation.  Terms like faith, grace, belief, and love all pepper our conversations; but the kingdom of God?  Not as much, it seems, and when it is, we commonly generalize it as heaven (an unearthly place we enter into as followers when we die).  And yet Jesus proclaims, the kingdom of God is near!  We may not yet know it in fullness, but it is close to us.  In Luke, Jesus even says that “the kingdom of God is among you” (Lk 17:21).  When we read this, we know that the kingdom of God is important in the here and now, too.

As we continue onward in this Lenten season, I challenge you to explore the full meaning of the kingdom of God.  It can seem elusive, as Jesus never provides us a straightforward definition of it, but instead uses metaphors to describe it: the kingdom of God is like a woman kneading dough (Lk 13:20-21), or a master paying his workers (Mt 20), or a mustard seed (Lk 13:18-19).   But, thankfully, as we dig into those metaphors, we can glimpse not just what it means, but perhaps even experience for ourselves what it is like to live ‘near’ or even ‘among’ the kingdom of God!

Rachel D. Benton, Minister of Discipleship