Bob & Gracie Ekblad

Come, see and hang out: relational mission with Jesus

Last week Gracie dropped me off at an auto glass place that had replaced a windshield on our car I’m trying to sell. I drove it down to a parking lot on a busy street in Mount Vernon, taping ‘For Sale’ signs to the windows. Gracie called me, offering to pick me up to accompany her on other errands.
I’m not sure why I declined, but I felt compelled to walk the 40 minutes or so down a busy road through a commercial district towards the older part of our town. I asked Gracie to meet me downtown, by the boardwalk along the Skagit River when she was done. This is a beautiful place that is often frequented by homeless people.
I was feeling troubled by current events in our country and the world, and took off, on foot, praying silently in the Spirit as I walked. As I approached the River a Mexican man I knew from the jail named Jose called me over to where he stood in the parking lot.
“Hey pastor Bob, can you talk with me?” he said. “Of course Jose,” I said. “What’s up?”
“I just got out of jail on Monday, and now here I am, homeless,” he said, lowering his backpack to the ground– a blanket bulging under straps.
Just then, Irby, a Native guy who sometime attends Tierra Nueva’s services outside and inside the jail appeared, warmly greeting me. I hadn’t seen Irby for months, maybe even a year. While the connection was short as he was on his way to meet someone—it was good to see he was alive and well.
Jose began enthusiastically sharing how he’d just been reading through my Guerrilla Gospel book in the jail with some other guys I know. He was excited to tell me about Bible studies they’d done— in this time when we haven’t been able to go in the jail.
It was obvious Jose had been drinking, and I spontaneously asked a question that surprised me and him:
“Are you being really hard on yourself about something Jose? Are you feeling the need to punish yourself for something, by any chance?” I asked.
“Yes, that’s true,” he agreed, matter-of-factly. “I don’t know why, but I’ve felt that way for a long time,” he said.
I shared how Jesus really loves him, and that there’s no condemnation coming from God towards him—only love. He said he knew, but he didn’t look convinced so I repeated the same message in a different way. I encouraged him to consider doing something that would be good for himself—like getting into a recovery house, where he could get healing and freedom from his addictions.
Jose said he wanted this, so I made called to see if there was an opening at a place we often refer people to, and gave him the address so he could check it out. He thanked me, just as a lady from one of the local churches appeared who reaches out to the homeless. She gave him a bottle of water and a sandwich, and offered to walk with him to the recovery house.
I was amazed at how fruitful my walk had already been, and continued the 100 feet or so to my destination– the boardwalk along the Skagit River. The moment I stepped onto the boardwalk I found myself face-to-face with Sara, a Native woman who often attends Tierra Nueva services, who lives near us on the Swinomish Reservation.
We were both quite surprised, especially as Gracie and I had been wanting to connect with her. Sara introduced me to her friend Zoe. They shared how they’d come down to the river hoping to minister to people, and Sara showed me the Bible tucked under her arm. I asked them if they felt like looking at something from the Bible—and they gladly agreed.
I suggested we read about how John the Baptist introduced Jesus beginning in John 1:29, and Sara read: “The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
We then read how the next day when John was with two of his disciples he looked at Jesus as he walked and said: “Behold the Lamb of God!” Sara read John 1:36-39.
“The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. And Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying; and they stayed with him that day.”
The simplicity of John pointing to Jesus, and his disciples humble following seemed so relevant as we leaned against the railing overlooking the river. Walking, seeing, hanging out together was what we were doing. We read the next verses which show Jesus’ growing movement as others are found, invited to follow by Jesus himself, or by his new disciples. Jesus knows their names, their true identities in ways that move these first recruits, and us too.
Sara, Zoe and I felt inspired to walk along the river together, continuing our conversation and looking for someone who might need prayer. We walked and talked about the days we’re living in, when gatherings are limited by physical distancing measures, masks and low numbers. Sara says she’s felt compelled to be more closely connected to Gracie and I and Tierra Nueva, and is delighted we’ve run into each other.
I noticed a man up ahead on a bike, stop, turn his bike upside down and inspect his front tire. We stop and ask him how he’s doing, and then we realize we know each other.
“Hey, Bob— remember me? We met in the jail years and years ago—my name’s Carlos.”
“Of course I remember you Carlos. You’re looking good, healthy and fit,” I remarked.
He told me he’s been clean and has been doing well— except for pain in his foot related to diabetes. We offered to pray for his foot and he agreed. Zoe jumped into action, stooping down and reverently placing her hand on his foot. We prayed for all pain to leave in Jesus’ name, just as Gracie arrived to pick me up. Sara and Zoe accompanied me to our car to greet Gracie, and we talked about meeting up again.
I’m amazed how my day and mood shifted as I began to walk and pray. It was like I “came and saw” where Jesus was hanging out, experiencing the kind of movement building described in Jesus’ first encounters with his disciples at the beginning of his ministry. May you, too, experience Jesus-movement building action even now as the pandemic surges. The invitation remains open to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit and join the movement of Jesus’ Kingdom.
Check out last week’s longer sermon on John 1:35-51, “Come, See and Stay: Relational Life with Jesus” here.

 

Informed and formed by Jesus’ words: A new book announcement

Daily as I keep informed about national and world events I have felt called to also read and re-read Jesus’ teachings. I notice that I can get agitated and reactive to news, and the very words of national leaders– which can leave me feeling angry, frustrated and empty.

In contrast, Jesus’ words are refreshing and life-giving, offering me wide-angle perspective, strategic wisdom and precise direction– both directly through the Spirit’s guidance and through the teaching of Scripture.

Jesus’ last words to his disciples before his crucifixion are recorded in John 13-16. These words invite relationship and inspire hope. Check this out:

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

I most certainly need help and clear direction on many fronts– and answers to my many prayers. So Jesus’ offer here is something that interests me. How do I abide in him and welcome his words to abide in me?

“Abide” (from the Greek meno) means ‘to continue, to remain in, to keep on.’ This most certainly requires deliberate effort, including prayer, and reading, studying and meditating on Jesus’ words.

I think of Psalm 1’s description of the person who meditates on God’s teaching day and night– resulting in being “like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in its season– whose leaf does not wither; and in whatever he/she does, she/he prospers.”

“My Father is glorified by this,” continues Jesus, “that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.”

Being a disciple of Jesus involves being guided by his daily directions and staying rooted in his larger teachings. The word translated “commandments,” (entole), includes both precise directives and written teaching contained in Scripture (see Gen 26:5; Exod 15:26; Deut 13:18; 15:5).

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love,” continues Jesus. “Just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” Living according to God’s instructions leads to fullness of joy.

“These things I have spoken to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full” (John 15:11).

I most certainly want and need to experience this joy. Jesus’ most relevant command in these days of partisan division and racial tensions comes in John 15:12:

“This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”

This has motivated me of late to proactively pursue relationship with people I disagree with, including listening to their perspectives, but also challenging them in love.

We have just published through The People’s Seminary Press the first English translation of our French mentor and friend Daniel Bourguet’s book The Last Words of Jesus Before the Cross: Meditations on John 13-16, which I highly recommend in my endorsement.

“Daniel Bourguet models attentive, respectful, listening to Jesus’ final words to his disciples, making them come alive as highly relevant to anyone immersed in the trenches of life and ministry. This book is a treasure chest full of wonder-inspiring revelation drawn from the detail of John’s crafted Gospel, compelling me to a deeper reading of the Bible, with the Holy Spirit as guide. This is a must-read for people desiring fresh nourishment to sustain us for a life-long journey of engaged faith.”

This book is hot off the press and can be ordered on Amazon here.

Exposing and Repenting of Racial Injustice

Last October I had a vivid dream exposing racial violence at the heart of the Christian community that I’ve been pondering ever since. Now in the aftermath of last week’s killing of George Floyd, amidst national-level protests, and Donald Trump’s holding up a Bible after dispersing a crowd of peaceful protesters with rubber bullets and tear gas, I feel especially compelled to speak.

My dream took place in the middle of the night before the final day of the 24/7 International Prayer conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland on October 27, 2019. The conference brought together over 1000 people from 29 countries for worship, prayer, talks and workshops on topics related to prayer, mission and justice.

Just before Belfast I’d enjoyed a personal retreat at Taizé, an ecumenical spiritual retreat center which draws thousands of young people from around Europe. That night I toured the wall that separates Protestant from Catholic neighborhoods in Belfast, being struck by murals on the Protestant side glorifying the military. My ensuing dream was as vivid as an actual lived experience.  

In the dream I move from a big Christian worship setting to suddenly find myself standing on a dirt road in front of house in an idyllic rural town. I hear children humming and singing worship songs as they walk into town from my left, which I recognize from worship conferences I’d just attended.

I notice they are White children, and watch them turn and walk merrily up a driveway to one of the houses off the main road. I think to myself how great it is that they have benefitted from such quality Christian input from these conferences, and wish my own children could have benefitted when they were young.

Suddenly I am interrupted by a disruption down the road to my right, towards the center of town. I look and see a group of White men I assume to be the fathers of these children, dragging a shirtless Black man along by his arms.

The men drag him into the town square, and force him into a pond in the center of town, up to his waist in water. The men divide into two groups, each group holding the Black man’s arms stretched apart. A White man approaches with a thick green garden hose, and begins spraying his chest, face, mouth and eyes with high-powered water. The men hold a big piece of plastic behind the Black man’s head, making the water hit against the back of his head. The man looks desperate and afraid, but is unable to break free.

I watch in shock and then begin walking quickly down the road out of town– in the direction the children had come from. I think that I must call 911 (the police), and then decide to get off the road so the men can’t see me since I am the only outside witness I know of. 

I head up a big hill, towards higher ridges when suddenly I’m face-to-face with two people on their way down. They tell me there is a heavily-watched wall and tower on the ridge above, and everything I do will be under surveillance.

“Everything you do is being filmed and everything you say recorded,” one of the men tells me.

I feel intimidated, but think again that I must call 911– though I remember thinking it will probably not make a difference. In the end I’m not sure I ever called, but think I did.

Then I am suddenly right in the center of the town at the crime scene— standing on the road in front of the pond. Everything is disturbingly quiet, cleaned up and set in order. The water is calm and the scene idyllic. The grass is cut short around the pond, like a golf course green. I see the piece of blue plastic that was held behind the man’s face and body when they were spraying him, set upright in front of the beautiful pond.

Two of the White men are working in their yards behind me. I nod towards them and they notice and barely acknowledge me, continuing their work. I notice ear buds in their ears. Had the police come? There is no sign that law enforcement had been there. I wonder where the Black man is. Is he dead or alive? I remain silent as I ponder, and then the dream ends and I awake disturbed, unable to sleep the rest of the night.

I think back to that dream of brutal, racial violence used to silence and intimidate– enacted by White men at the heart of what looked like an idyllic White Christian community. In the dream the men appear united in mob violence against a lone individual who is the only one unlike them—a Black man who has become their victim.

As a White man, I am able to re-enter the town and stand before the crime scene with no questions asked. What I see is that towns people’s biggest concern appears to be their property, and the maintenance of their beautiful, ordered community.

As the only outside witness, I feel powerless to effect change. I am far outnumbered by the men, who I hadn’t attempted to confront. Whether I report the crime to the authorities or not seems to make no difference. This is a normal reality to people of color. How should we respond?

Right now protests in the United States and across the world are exposing police brutality and institutional racism. We must continue to insist on deep structural changes. We need to make sure changes are implemented, supporting efforts like Campaign Zero’s “8 Can’t Wait” and efforts to confront and change racial profiling. People of color must be able to call the police and expect protection and fair treatment—with no fear of being killed by a fearful or trigger-happy cop.

We need justice in our courts, where prosecutors and judges reign supreme, meting out unjust sentences and leveling impossible-to-pay back fines. These injustices must now be exposed and uprooted, and minimum-sentencing laws (and many other laws) must be changed. We have witnessed judicial injustice beating down people of color and White people too our entire 26 years of jail and prison work here in Washington State.

Let’s examine our own hearts, confessing and turning away from racism and White supremacist mindsets. We must refuse and denounce all attempts to co-opt Christian faith to justify violence or law and order, like President Trump’s June 1st dispersion of a crowd of peaceful protestors with rubber bullets and tear gas, so he could pose with a Bible over his head in front of a church. That the Bible was upside down is both symbolic and real—and followers of Jesus must read it right-side-up, with open eyes and love-filled hearts towards the suffering world.

Our children and young people need to come home to families where repentance and courageous truth-telling are the norm, and sent out of our worshipping communities as compassionate, anti-racist change agents. I am deeply moved by the thousands of young people hitting the streets in protest across the United States—including in our own small town of Burlington on Thursday. There I joined a mostly White and Latino group on Burlington Boulevard, holding my Black Lives Matter sign as cars and trucks honked their support. 

Now is the time to expose and uproot the sin of racism and prejudice, and engage in informed solidarity with people of color in our communities. May the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth, giving us courage for this important work.

Healing for Personal and Social Change

Training for front-line workers engaged in the Jesus movement

Personal and social brokenness and chaos abound in our world, affecting all of us. If we want to effectively care for one another and address larger social problems we need to take the time to pursue our own holistic healing, practical training and empowerment by the Holy Spirit.

In this course we will address areas of core wounding, presenting practical approaches to healing that integrate prayer and psychology. We will also explore the relationship between personal and social change, addressing some of the roots of authoritarianism, allegiance, passivity, racism, rebellion, and addiction.

Participants will learn:

  • Psychologically-informed healing approaches to address issues like father & mother wounds, trauma, unhealthy attachment, addiction, rejection, and shame.
  • Practical guidelines for accompanying people in need of psychological healing and spiritual freedom.
  • Scripture-informed teaching on the relationship between personal and social change.

Each session will include guided prayer exercises.

When: Tuesdays (+ 1 Thursday), 12:00-1:00 PM (PDT). May 26, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 25, 30

  • May 26: Becoming a healthy change agent: recovering our identity as a child of God
  • June 2: Identifying and healing father wounds
  • June 9: Healing of trauma and soul wounds
  • June 16: Identifying and healing mother wounds
  • June 23: Healthy resistance vs. reactive rebellion
  • June 25: Healing from shame and rejection – Anthea McNeill
  • June 30: Psychological & spiritual first aid – Heidi Basely

Instructors: Bob & Gracie Ekblad, Heidi Basely, & Anthea McNeill

Cost: $70.00

$20 of every purchase funds TPS trainings in Africa.

Some partial and full scholarships are available.

Write to "> for discount codes.

Apply here.

Building a storm-resistant life

I regularly receive calls to prayer, and more often these days. Praying to God is so important, and I am personally involved in movements like 24/7 Prayer International (and others). I notice though that people often understand prayer mostly as one-way communication with God. While prayer certainly includes us speaking to God, it also includes God speaking to us! Spirit-guided action will also follow.

Is our prayer conversational in a way that actively includes paying attention to what God is saying to us and acting on it? According to Jesus, life-transforming prayer must include speaking and hearing, resulting in action.

In Luke 6:46-49 Jesus directly challenges people who both speak and listen to him, but don’t do what he says. Discerning what Jesus says then is essential– so we can receive instructions and direction for our lives and commitments.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Jesus asks.

Jesus then offers a simple comparison of two builders. One builds his house on a rock, and it withstands a flood. Another builds on the sand, and it collapses when hit by the torrent. His story invites us to decide which builder we want to be. And the right choice seems obvious.

This week I met up with Jason and Jessica, a couple from our Tierra Nueva community (pictured above). We met up in their driveway and read and discussed Luke 6:46-49 together. I saw some things I’d never noticed that really struck me. I hope these reflections inspire you.

Jesus’ teaching here is about prayer, which must include three essential steps if we are to build on a foundation that can withstand life’s storms. These include 1) Coming to Jesus, 2) Hearing his voice, and 3) Action in alignment with what he tells us.

 “Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and acts on them, I will show you whom he/she is like: she/he is like a person building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.”

The first step is coming to Jesus: “everyone who comes to me…” A great crowd of disciples had come to hear Jesus, and to be healed of their diseases and freed from unclean spirits (Lk 6:18). Back then people could come to the physical Jesus. Now we come to him through prayer, worship, adoration, contemplation, and other spiritual practices like Communion. By the way, the Gospel accounts of people’s encounters with Jesus have a lot to teach us about prayer as back-and-forth communication with God.

The next step is hearing Jesus: “and hears my words…” This speaks directly of the other, lesser-known aspect of prayer— God’s communicating with us and us hearing/discerning God’s voice. We can hear Jesus’ words to us through the Holy Spirit’s work, listening prayer practices, and through reading Scripture and receiving teaching.

The final step is the most ignored: “and acts on them…” (though some more action-oriented people jump straight to it without first going to Jesus and hearing his instructions). This step speaks to our response to what Jesus tells us: changing our lives, going on a ‘mission,’ or doing whatever we hear him say.

Only the person who engages in all three of these actions is “like a person building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built” (Luke 6:47-48).

In contrast, the “person who built a house on the ground without any foundation” is like the “the one who has heard and has not acted” (Lk 6:49).

Jesus’ words assume the first action of coming to him—like those he mentions at the beginning who call him ‘Lord Lord.’ Next Jesus directly mentions the second aspect of prayer, hearing. “But the one who has heard.” The only difference between the successful and failed builder is acting or not acting in response to Jesus’ words.

The results of not acting on Jesus’ communication to us in conversational prayer are catastrophic. “And the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great” (Lk 6:29).

“Maybe it’s like if I have a car problem and I call a mechanic. I explain that my car is overheating and the check-engine light is on, indicating my car maybe needs more oil. That would be like praying to God, explaining a problem to him,” I explain to Jason and Jessica, trying to think of a relatable example.

“The mechanic tells me to be sure there’s antifreeze in the radiator, and to check the oil and top if off if necessary until he has time to check it out when his schedule is free. I agree– and this would be like the second step of prayer: listening,” I say.

“But then I keep driving my car without doing what he says. My engine freezes up and needs to be replaced. I’ve failed to follow the mechanic’s expert advice and now I’m suffering the consequences,” I conclude.  The example works and we’re each moved by how down-to-earth Jesus is.

Jason and Jessica have been experiencing this concretely over the past year, finding housing, work and flourishing as a family after seven years of being separated due to incarceration.

“We’re both growing in our relationship with God,” says Jessica. It’s easier to understand one another and deal with whatever issues that we have– rather than just letting our emotions take control. My gas tank is not always on empty…”

Jesus’ teaching shows how much he cares about us. Jesus wants us to build our lives on a solid foundation so we can withstand the storms of life, not being shaken by the torrents that come against us. Jesus wants us to come to him. He speaks to us and we can hear him. He gives us direction and messages that enhance our lives, helping us and others avoid destruction.

May we all remember to go to Jesus in prayer, listen to his counsel, and gladly act on what he tells us!

Check out our Guerrilla Webinars and online Certificate in Transformational at the Margins here.

Discipleship and Jesus-movement building through Bible studies: Webinar course announcement

Guerrilla Bible Studies

Sign up for this Thursday’s (April 23rd) Guerrilla Bible Study “No one is an accident: We belong to God (Psalm 139 and other texts) here.

Discipleship and Jesus-movement building through Bible Studies

12-1pm PST on Thursdays, April 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28, June 4

There’s a Jesus-movement underway in these uncertain times that grows as each of us learns to bear witness- sharing liberating messages we discover and pass on with the Spirit’s help.

Journeying alongside someone new to Christian faith is a joy and challenge. Where to begin? In this webinar course we will explore practical ways to help not-yet-believing people explore and experience God’s radical message of transforming love in Jesus. We will follow Jesus together through Scripture, identifying core teachings that help us grow into an understanding and practice of Christian faith that will appeal to people and bring personal and social change.

Participants will learn to:

  1. Draw from Scripture to share core teachings regarding following Jesus with people new to Christian faith in ways that mobilize them as active witnesses.
  2. Develop an incremental disciple-making approach that uses Scripture to help a person grow beginning from wherever they are in their faith journey into greater maturity.
  3. Facilitate the discovery of a life-changing message using non-religious language through short, conversational Bible studies.
  4. Think strategically about multiplying active carriers of liberating news (the Gospel).

Schedule

Six Thursdays 12-1pm (PST) April 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28, June 4

April 30 Discipleship & Jesus-movement building intro. Discerning  God’s presence in the darkness (Gn 1 & Jn 1).
May 7 Meeting the good God who seeks (Lk 13 & 15).

May 14 Coming to believe without seeing (Jn 5 & Lk 7).

May 21 Discovering your true identity (Ps 139 & Lk 3).

May 28 Repentance and change (Luke 18 & Ephesians 2).

June 4 Responding to Jesus’ Call (Matthew 4 & 9)

This Webinar includes

– 6 hrs of live webinar teaching from Bob & Gracie Ekblad
– Access to video of live Bible study

– Chapter 1 “Facilitating Guerrilla Bible Studies” of Bob’s book Guerrilla Bible Studies, Volume 1, Surprising Encounters with God

– Ongoing access to all the webinar sessions

$60 registration fee. Discount coupons available from anyone needing a scholarship, from 100%, 50% to 20% off entry free. Contact to get coupons.

$20 of every $60 received will directly fund TPS trainings in Africa and other sites in the Global South, as well as Siberia.

This course is prerequisite for the next six-week continuation course (Course 2: “From Basic Training to Going out on Missions informed by Bible Study”), to be scheduled.

Please click here to register.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mjjkN7pCvw

Bridging Social Distancing Bible Studies

This week I’ve managed several short Bible studies with people that have warmed my heart. I hope they will warm yours too.

Tuesday night I had scheduled a FaceTime Bible study with Tony, who was in his car when I called at 7pm.

“I thought we were going to meet up in person,” said Tony.

I thought I’d been clear that we were going to do this via FaceTime, but we’d also briefly discussed meeting in a sandy parking lot at a boat launch down by the Skagit River near to where we both live. We quickly agreed to meet in ten minutes, and I drove to the river.

I parked in the empty parking area where fishermen usually leave their boat trailers. Tony’s Honda appeared and slowly made its way towards me as he carefully avoided pot holes. He pulled up alongside my car. It looked like we were the recommended 6-10 feet apart as we lowered our windows.

Tony was sporting a black face mask, and with his long ponytail he looked like a hoodlum. I quickly put on my black face mask, and we laughed through our masks before quickly taking them off.

We checked in with each other, prayed and Tony shared a Scripture from Galatians 5:16-17 that had impacted him that day.

As the night was falling we opened our Bibles to John 3:1-8, Nicodemus’ breach of social distancing with Jesus by night. I laughed to think that from an outside perspective it looked like Tony and I were engaging in a drug deal. Rather, we were seeing and entering the Kingdom of God there together, despite the stay-at-home order.

The next day I do a twenty-minute video call with a man in the solitary confinement unit of our county jail. Justin (not his real name) appears with a huge grin on my phone screen. He tells me the good news that he’d been offered a deal: 68 months in prison. He says he was ready to sign, but waiting for his attorney to get off his quarantine. This beats the 200 months he originally thought he’d get.

“That means I’ve only got 27 months to go,” he says, happily– since he’s already been locked up 15 months fighting his case.

“Hey, do you want to look together at something I’ve been studying in the Bible?” I ask. “Yeah for sure, let’s do it!” he says.

I read John 18:1 “When Jesus had spoken these words, he crossed with his disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which he entered with his disciples.”

I describe the ravine between the walled city of Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives that we’d visited a few years back, a rugged place off the radar where Jesus hung out with his 12 disciple “homies.” So let’s check out what happens next, I suggest, reading the next verses.

“Now Judas also, who was betraying him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with his disciples. Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons” (18:2-3).

“So Jesus gets betrayed by one of his friends—and that leads to an arrest. Has anything like that ever happened to you, Justin?” I ask. “Have you ever been betrayed?”

“Yeah, like the night I got arrested and ended up here. The cops were tipped off to where I was. They came with guns drawn, and big lights. They surrounded my place, broke in and arrested me.”

“So what was that like for you?” I ask.

He surprised me by saying he felt relief, as he’d been on the run for so long. Now he could face the charges and get them dealt with.

“Well, that’s interesting that you see it that way. I am sure glad you didn’t get shot in the process, which happens too often these days, I say. “Let’s check out what happens next.”

So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went out and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am he.” And Judas also, who was betraying him, was standing with them” (18:4-5).

So they had a warrant and were looking for Jesus the Nazarene,” I say. “And one of his very own was the rat who led them to his whereabouts,” I continue.

Jesus’ readiness to face those who were out to arrest him linked in nicely with Justin’s readiness to do his time. At this point I shared some relevant background.

I share how when Jesus identifies himself as “I am he,” this links up with the Angel of the Lord’s encounter with fugitive Moses in the burning bush in the desert (Exodus 3:1). Moses had killed an Egyptian crew boss and was on the run. The Angel of the Lord told Moses, I’ve heard the people’s cries, including yours Justin, I know his suffering… He calls Moses as a liberator. When Moses asks God’s name, he tells him “I am who I am.” The Greek equivalent of this is “I am he.” “Let’s see what happens next,” I suggest. I read John 18:6-7.

“So when he said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Therefore he again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.”

“So here with these words, Jesus identifies himself as the God who hears the cries, sees the oppression and liberates the slaves,” I say. “Here Jesus presents himself, identifying himself to them and us as the God of liberation– to his very captors. What happens when he identifies himself?”

“They fall to the ground,” says Justin.

“Yeah, it’s like Jesus just tazed them, and they’re completely demobilized!” I say.

We laugh together, and then talk about how Jesus continues to ask them “who are you looking for?”

As I read the next verses, John 18:8-9, and I can see Justin is listening carefully.

“Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he; so if you seek me, let these (his disciples) go their way,” to fulfill the word which he spoke, “Of those whom you have given me I lost not one.”

We talk together about how Jesus shows he has power, and when he reveals himself people can’t even stay standing. But Jesus’ concern is to protect his disciples. He wants to be sure the authorities take him and not them. Earlier in John 10:11 he said: “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Let’s see what happens next,” I suggest, reading John 18:10.

“Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus.”

Peter’s violence just hurts someone even more on the margins than himself—the slave of the high priest. Jesus responds to Simon Peter’s attempts to defend him with both firmness and humility. “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given me, shall I not drink it?”

Justin and I were moved by Jesus’ willingness to drink the cup of suffering that his Father had given him. We prayed together, and spent the last few seconds in silence before our 20 minutes video visit abruptly ended. My heart remains pierced as I think of Jesus’ arrest, and of Justin, back in his solitary confinement cell.

Join us for Thursday webinars “Best Practices for Facilitating Guerrilla Bible Studies: “Jesus, the liberator born among us (Matthew 1:18-25).” Sign up for April 16, 10-11am PST here, or 2-3pm PST here.

“The light shines in the darkness, and coronavirus does not overcome it”

Today I’m struck by the urgency of walking in the light of Christ in such a way that the impending darkness of these days of pandemic do not overcome us.

I’ve been both moved and perplexed by John’s description of the Word            , which is clearly identified as both God’s communication and God. The Word translates logos in Greek, which means word, speech, message, and even event. Logos serves as a title for Jesus in John’s Gospel.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and apart from him nothing came into being that has come into being” (John 1:1-3).

Every day as we are being bombarded by the bad news of the growing pandemic we must remember not to elevate the “crown” virus (corona is Latin for crown) above the One who is crowned Lord of all.

“In him was life, and the life was the Light of humanity.”

Up to this point in John’s Gospel this word is not capitalized, boldfaced or even named. Yet we are told that “in him” was life, not death—and that this “life was the light of people” (anthropos in Greek can be translated inclusively to include women and men).

What do you think this means for us today?

As we take stock of the rising death toll from this invisible virus, how do we contemplate the Word, who is God, Maker of heaven and earth, who brings life and light?

“Do any of you need to hear a Word from God that would bring life and light?” “Do you need wisdom for a difficult decision, or clarity regarding a question you now have?” I often ask people when leading a Bible study on this passage.

“Yes” is the obvious response. So where then do we go from here?

The next verse can be read as a declaration, an announcement or news flash, which should carry greater weight than any official declaration from heads of State, World Health Organization spokespersons, medical experts or anyone– since it comes from the Creator of the Universe.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (John 1:5).

The terms darkness (skotia) or dark (skotos) do not refer to literal darkness in John’s Gospel, but rather to life lived without the illumination of the Word of God, the light of the world, who is fully embodied in Jesus himself.

“So we have the prophetic word made more sure,” writes Peter, “to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts” (1 Peter 2:15).

But before we are introduced to Jesus by the human herald, John the Baptist, John’s Gospel tells us that this word shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”

Some of our Bible translations read “the darkness did not “comprehend” rather than “overcome” it. In fact, the Greek verb katalambano means both “to understand, to realize, to grasp, to comprehend” and “to overcome, to gain control over” (Louw-Nida). I believe that the word was likely meant to convey this double meaning.

This is certainly the best of news, that this life-light-word is powerful– not overcome by the darkness. And it is perplexing and a kind of warning that the darkness did not understand it. This life-shining-light-word was not recognized by the world or received by “his own” (John 1:10-11)—which suggests we must pray for the eyes of heart to be opened and intentionally welcome the Word.

“But those who received him, who believed in his name, he gave authority to become children of God… born of God” (John 1:12-13).

As the darkness encroaches around us, visible in fear, anxiety, insomnia, denial, rising death tolls and myriads of destructive responses, let us receive this Living Word and choose to believe. Let us de-legitimize the reign of death by removing the crown off this virus, and putting it on Jesus.

This does not mean ignoring best practices for protecting ourselves and our communities. To the contrary—we must fight this fight both naturally and spiritually. But let us remember to fix our hope firmly on the Light of this world.

“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life” (John 8:12).

So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes” (John 12:35).

“I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness” (John 12:46).

Join us for an hour-long webinar training this Thursday, April 2 on how to facilitate transformational Bible studies that will focus on John 1:1-13. Sign up through the highlighted date/times for either Thursday, April 2 at 10-11am or Thursday, April 2 at 2-3pm PST. We will then send you instructions and a Zoom link.

Next Thursday, April 9, from 10-11am PST I will host a webinar on another Guerrilla Bible Study, “Seeing and entering the Kingdom of God,” which you can sign up for here.

For free downloadable resources for ministry from a distance, check out our website here.

Believing, seeing and engaging in the works of God in a time of fear and paralysis

 

I am struck afresh by God’s life transforming, empowering love as I reflect on Jesus’ healing of the man blind from birth in John 9. I’ve noticed for the first time how brilliantly Jesus engages in direct, life-changing action on behalf of someone on the extreme margins, while at the same time sending this person to bear witness to his neighbors and before the powerful.

The story begins with a simple phrase: “As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.”

As Jesus passes by he sees. This seeing inspires me. Jesus sees a man with a life-long condition of blindness, whom we later learn used to sit and beg. This shows us that Jesus notices chronic, debilitating conditions that harm and demobilize. Jesus sees our visible and invisible conditions.

Jesus’ seeing includes his knowledge that the man was blind from birth. Whether we’ve been diagnosed as bipolar, diabetic, ADHD or struggle with an addiction, depression, chronic fatigue, diabetes, Cancer, COVID-19– or we’re now living in fear, Jesus sees.

The disciples immediately bring up a question that is typically human– exposing our tendency to blame and to interpret adversity as God’s judgment.

“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?”

I see that we too are quick to cast blame in this time of pandemic, attributing COVID-19 to the Chinese, to Trump’s slow or inadequate response. I just read how conservative rabbis, pastors and a Muslim preacher interpret coronavirus as God’s judgment. Casting blame and theologizing about God’s judgment cause us to miss the critical seeing and action the Spirit invites.

Jesus response invites us to consider a new perspective that puts us in active vigilance, anticipating God’s liberating intervention.

“It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

Jesus refuses to blame, inviting his disciples, you and me to lift our gaze expectedly towards this man, looking for God’s works to become visible in him. 

What a radical way to see afresh, noticing the afflicted or afflictions– not to cast blame or interpret them as God’s punishment, but with faith-filled expectation of a miracle. What might this look to practice this kind of seeing now? Jesus’ next words push us still further.

“We must work the works of him who sent me as long as it is day (Jn 9:4).

I am struck and delighted by Jesus’ inclusive “we,” when he says “we must work the works of him who sent me.” Here Jesus includes his disciples, and also the blind man himself there before him. But does he include us too?

The answer to this question is not immediately obvious, as Jesus’ next words appear to limit he and his followers’ actions to then and there:

“Night is coming when no one can work.“ While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world” (Jn 9:4).

Are we now in this night, ourselves the blind? Later Jesus suggests we are blind if we say we see. So how might we receive our sight? Jesus’ direct touch and word makes the critical difference, as does our personal response.

Jesus, the light of the world, spits on the ground, makes mud and applies it to the blind man’s eyes, who up to this point says and does nothing. Jesus then includes the man in the miracle with his orders: “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent).”

At this point the man cannot see Jesus. But he believes without seeing, obeying without hesitating. “So he went away and washed.”

Immediate results follow. Once having washed in to pool, he “came seeing” (literal translation). 

And here the story takes a sudden turn, as the man joins the “we,” engaging in the works of God. The man becomes a witness, first to neighbors and then before the Pharisees, with the result that he is expelled from the synagogue.

First both his neighbors and those who previously saw him as a beggar ask: “Is not this the one who used to sit and beg?”

The man affirms “I am” (ego eimi), using the same expression Jesus uses to identify himself as Lord.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me” (Jn 13:20), says Jesus, showing his willingness to identity us with himself and God.

The man bears witness appropriately, giving all glory to Jesus.

“The man who is called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ so I went away and washed, and I received sight” (Jn 9:11).

The man uses the word “anoint” to describe Jesus’ application of the mud to his eyes. He describes himself as receiving his sight- giving glory to the Giver, the “Light of the world.”

Neighbors next bring the man before the Pharisees, who interrogate him. He courageously bears witness to Jesus, identifying him as “the prophet” before these increasingly hostile religious leaders. Even after his parents refuse to back up their son, the man boldly proclaims Jesus as from God:

“We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does his will, he hears him. “Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. “If this man were not from God, he could do nothing” (Jn 9:31-33).

Through his bold witness, the “works of God are displayed in him”– this now-seeing man. Like Jesus himself, he is not received but expelled for his testimony, showing the cost of bearing witness as a believer.

The once-blind man’s seeing and us

After religious leaders expel him from the synagogue, Jesus finds the man and asks him: “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (Jn 9:25).

The man answers with complete openness, modeling humble but vibrant faith: “Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?” (Jn 9:36).

“You have both seen him, and he is the one who is talking with you,” responds Jesus, revealing himself personally and respectfully.

“Lord, I believe,” says the man, who now sees Jesus and worships him (Jn 9:38).

Here in this story the newly-seeing man models active engagement in the Jesus’ movement by believing. “While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light,” recommends Jesus in John 12:36.

Jesus’ healing and recruiting of this man born blind gives hope to us in these dark times, where “the light that enlightens everyone” is too often not recognized or received.

Here Jesus sees and recruits someone who is blind, who responds to Jesus’ touch and word, receiving his healing and believing in his name.

May we ourselves experience Jesus personal touch and Word to us! May we receive our sight and join him now. May we become Jesus-like agents who notice others who the world ignores, blames or excludes.

This blind man’s act of believing is itself doing the work of God, as Jesus teaches: “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent” (Jn 6:29).

Believing in Jesus brings this man into a new status, as he is “given authority to become a child of God… born of God (Jn 1:12-13) and so becomes a “son of light.”

In believing without seeing this man models radical discipleship and is “blessed” (Jn 20:29), as he participates in Jesus’ movement, of which we are heirs in his physical absence.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father (14:12).

This early apostle points the way forward for us to step into empowerment in this time of fear and paralysis. I ask that Jesus anoint my eyes and yours, sending us so we can receive our sight, expecting and identifying the works of God in the midst of these troubled times, and actively participating in them.

 

To listen to last Sunday’s sermon on this passage, click here.

Consider taking our online Certificate in Transformational Ministry at the Margins course, available here.

Join webinar this Monday, March 30th, 10-11am PST on “Best Practices of Leading Transformational Bible Studies, sign up here.

 

Reaching out during a time of self isolation

Over the past week our normal ministry commitments have been radically reduced due to the rapid escalation of the COVID-19 epidemic here in Washington State and around the world.

The jail and prison have closed doors to ministry.  We’ve moved our weekly Tierra Nueva gatherings for worship online. Our April commitments to teach in Zambia, South Africa, Sweden and Switzerland have all been postponed until the Fall due to corona-related border closures. Closures of health clubs, schools, recovery meetings, cinemas, restaurants are forcing people to do what’s recommended—to stay home.

What’s a follower of Jesus to do in these precarious times?

The only time Jesus’ disciples went home was after Jesus was crucified and buried, when they “as yet did not understand the Scripture that he must rise again from the dead. So the disciples went away again to their own homes” (Jn 20:9-10).

The Scripture that comes to mind as I contemplate these times is Acts 8:1, which describes that persecution that began after Stephen’s martyrdom, “and they were all scattered through the regions.” The gathered believers could no longer gather—and Philip went to Samaria, “proclaiming Christ to them” (Acts 8:4). This resulted in crowds attentively listening, witnessing signs like unclean spirits leaving, paralyzed and lame being healed and “much rejoicing in that city.” 

Now is an opportunity for those scattered from normal gathered communities to consider the Spirit’s clear guidance—wisely discerned.

Right now across the world, the homeless, those struggling with mental health disorders, and addictions, and others in active recovery people are especially vulnerable to COVID-19.  As churches, homeless shelters, restaurants, and casinos close their doors, these populations are in many cases feeling abandoned.

This past Wednesday we put a call out for people interested in ministry to gather at Tierra Nueva with a plan to walk the streets, seeking to find vulnerable people and share information about the virus and what they can do, and offer to pray.  We printed up hundreds of copies of a half-sheet flyer in English and in Spanish with the health department’s colorful poster outlining key recommendations on one side, and Psalm 91 and Luke 18:38 on the other. 

Six of us showed up, gathering outside our Tierra Nueva building in Burlington in a circle, keeping the minimal six feet distance. We sang a worship song, prayed together and then put on gloves, equipped ourselves with face masks and hand sanitizer before deciding together which areas of our valley we planned to cover for an hour of outreach.

Salvio and Victoria headed for Walmart to look for Spanish-speaking immigrants, who are especially in need of information and encouragement. Roger and Andrew made rounds, looking for, finding and praying for people under the freeway bridge and in the laundromat. Gracie and I drove around and prayed for the people of our valley—leaving off Spanish flyers at a Mexican carniceria (butcher).

Last night I went out by myself, on my way back from picking up a trailer full of composted manure for our garden. I was dressed in work clothes after having spent the afternoon putting in posts to protect this year’s garden from deer.

I’d had an 18-year-old homeless Native American man on my heart, who attends Tierra Nueva fairly regularly. Since he has no fixed domicile and no cell phone, I never know how to find him.  I decided to park in downtown Mt Vernon beside a boardwalk along the river where homeless people often frequent. There before me was Nathan (not his real name), walking along the boardwalk. I jumped out of my car and yelled towards him: “Nathan! I’ve been thinking about you.”

He stopped, looking surprised. I locked my car and joined him, walk with him for a mile or so towards the next town. He mostly responded to my questions. He didn’t know much about what was happening with the virus, didn’t know where he would camp that night. He told me he felt God was with him, but wasn’t able to explain how. We prayed together and he agreed to take flyers, handing them out to others he would run into. We agreed to touch base on Facebook messenger so we can meet up in a park for a Bible study.  

As the sun was about to go down I headed back down the boardwalk until, approaching an older homeless man who looked cold and miserable. I stopped more than ten feet from him as he began to sneeze into his arm.

“How are you sir?” I asked. “Terrible,” he said. “I’m homeless.”

I asked him if he’d like a flyer with Psalm 91, and information on the coronavirus. He seemed eager for some kind of connection and gladly received. I asked him if I could pray for him and he looked surprised, saying he did.

I raised a hand towards him and declared Jesus’ love over him. I blessed him with God’s love, peace, freedom from fear, protection, healing and whatever else I could think of. His face became calm and radiant, and he suddenly burst out: “Look at the light!” The sun was just setting through the trees above the river bank on the opposite side of the river, illuminating our faces as I turned. He thanked me and I moved on down the boardwalk.

I could see another group of three homeless people gathered around a bicycle. As I got closer I saw a middle-aged woman and two men, talking quietly. I approached them, offering them the flyer with Psalm 91 and the virus info.

They gladly received the flyers, telling me they were starting to get more worried. One of the men knew about Psalm 91, mentioning the pestilence, which he pronounced “pentilence”- a strange combo word that perhaps prophetically put together penitence and pestilence.

I offered to pray for them and they gladly received my blessings from a distance. I continued on, offering my flyer to a Mexican couple, and some Spanish-speaking young people. As night descended I returned down the board walk towards my car, walking past the three homeless people. One of the men called me over, asking if I knew where he could get a coat. He had just been released from jail and only had a thin long sleeve shirt—hardly enough to protect him from these cold nights.

I was able to help him out with a coat, heading home with a warm heart- loving that I was able to share in Jesus’ joy in ministering in a time of need.

May God richly bless and inspire you as you refuse anxiety, seeking first Jesus’ Kingdom in these dangerous times. Below I’ve included a suggested statement that might inspire you are you reach out, with care and courage.

 

“Hi, I’m _________ from the Christian church/es, and this is ­­­_________ ­­­­­­. We are out praying and raising awareness tonight about the coronavirus. We’re in a critical time where lives can be saved. We’re especially concerned about the most vulnerable—the homeless, people struggling with addictions, and the elderly. We believe God especially cares about all these people—and we do too. 

We ourselves may be carriers of the virus, which is why we’re going to keep our distance from you. Anyone can be a carrier—you yourself. Even if you don’t have symptoms. Here’s a powerful Psalm, Psalm 91 and another prayer that you can read or pray. On the back there’s some info about how you can keep safe and healthy so our community won’t be hit too hard. We’d love to be able to pray for you right now if you’d like—for God’s protection, healing, anything you want.”

Check out our weekly and daily podcasts and devotionals here.