Jars of Clay

Posted on February 7, 2024 by Pastor Steve

2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

Is it really what it is?

“Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change,” wrote the noted Christian author, Warren Wiersbe. Wiersbe continued, “If we see only the problems, we will be defeated.” From my perspective, we can hardly help seeing anything else but problems and our helplessness. We let our inability to change things come to be our excuse. How many times have I uttered the words to myself, “It is what it is?” Too often! We need not look any further than the state of politics in the United States. Our one vote seems so feeble. The campaigns seem so powerful. When Paul wrote his second letter to the Christians in Corinth, the readers were aware of their weakness. Paul’s image of Christians being “jars of clay” is quite appropriate. John W. Riggs, former Professor of Historical Theology and Church history, at Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO, Riggs wrote, “Unlike glass containers, which the ancients could melt and recast, earthen vessels (jars of clay) were fragile and, once broken, were gone.” God has a plan. God takes our fragile lives, jars of clay, broken as they are, and makes them a channel for God’s power in the world. By that power, God can make changes. We forget God’s awesome power and allow ourselves to become paralyzed. Have you become paralyzed, perhaps accepting your situation with words like above, “It is what it is?” It does not have to be what it is. Though we are broken jars of clay, God’s awesome power still works through us. As Riggs wrote, “the power belongs to a great God, and we, in contrast, bear this power in frail, earthen vessels. We are powerless on our own, but we bear the great power of God in Christ. We can become paralyzed when we forget that. If it is the will of God, it will be done. It will be done through us, God’s broken jars of clay.

In Christ,

Steve

“Nothing is impossible for the people of God who trust in the power of God to accomplish the will of God.” David Platt, American evangelical Baptist pastor

www.twominutestoshare.com

Stephen L. Hodges © 2024

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One Little Word

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Pastor Steve

Matthew 13:31 (ESV) 
[Jesus] put another parable before [the disciples], saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.”

Is it possible for a small word to conceal a massive message?

“One little word,” is sung to be all it takes to overcome the “prince of darkness.” This is found in the third verse of the enduring Christian hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” by Martin Luther. Now it is not just any word that has such power, but it is the Word of God that can overpower evil. One little word of Scripture is all it takes. This is point that is made by Jesus in the parable of the mustard seed. Something as small as a mustard seed has all it takes to one day be a massive tree. To the disciples gathered around Jesus, they knew something else about that mustard seek that is lost on today’s readers. The mustard seed was known to be difficult to control. The mustard tree was an invasive plant. The seeds could sprout nearly as soon as each touched the ground. The mustard plant could grow anywhere, and grew well. Imagine the disciples’ response when Jesus compared the Kingdom of Heaven to such seeds. I like to think of the Word of God in such a way. It is not you and me who are responsible for the growth of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom will grow if only we will spread the Word. I saw a beautiful array of wildflowers on a roadside hill as I travelled through eastern Ohio on my way home the other day, a grey day. Perhaps someone just tossed the tiny seeds into the air to let them land and then bloom under their own will. Just as one little seed gave me such joy, one little Word of God holds the potential to bring hope to a darkened world. The flowers fade, the grass withers, but any word of God shall last forever. One little word of God can conceal a massively hopeful message. It is the power of the truth. Amen.

In Christ,

Steve

“Say the truth, and shame the devil.” — Hugh Latimer, 16th century Anglican Chaplain to the Royal Household, burned at the stake under Catholic Queen Mary 1

www.twominutestoshare.com

Stephen L. Hodges © 2023

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Our Alternate Society

Posted on January 13, 2023 by Pastor Steve

1 Corinthians 1:4 (ESV)
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus

Paul thanked God for the society of Corinthian believers. Paul sees this group of believers as a gift. American Episcopal Theologian, Timothy F. Sedgwick. wrote, “While we are individually called, as God addresses each of us, we are not called individual into faith.”[1] God forms this church community and intends that we will live in community, loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves. These days Paul would be so disappointed. Numerous congregations over the US are now tragically divided. The causes are many. It is troubling to see the resolve of each side, while realizing that the topics are often ridiculous. Thom S. Rainer, on his blog, “Church Answers,”[2] shared 25 silly things church members fight over, of which my favorite is, “a deacon accusing another deacon of sending an anonymous letter, and deciding to settle the matter in the parking lot.” In Rainer’s expected humor, he explained, “The church could have sold tickets to this event and raised a lot of money.” So many church arguments are a laughing matter when I’m not involved. Perhaps you’ve felt the same. But not so funny is that fact that we are far from the City of God described by Augustine, and we seem to like it that way. Sedgwick reminds us on that point, “to be is to be “we,” and not “I.” We have been gifted by God to exist as one body in an alternate society. Seemingly beyond our imagination, so allow me to try. What will it look like? The divinely inspired alternate society will look like nothing we have yet to see. It will be a new way of being and living together. It will be filled with the peace of God, in the presence of Christ Jesus, a gift of God’s grace. Our alternate society will look like heaven.     

In Christ,

Steve

“The kingdom of heaven is a literal kingdom. Heaven isn’t just an ethereal thought. It will be an actual place, an actual world, under Christ’s rule and reign.”
― Rachel Braunscheidel, The Heart-Home Builder: Cultivating an Inner Sanctuary with Christ amid Life’s Difficulties

www.twominutestoshare.com

Stephen L. Hodges © 2023

[1] Sedgwick, Timothy F., Commenting on 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 in Feasting on the Word, Year A, Volume 1, p.258.:

[2] Twenty Five Silly Things Church Members Fight Over (churchanswers.com)

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On Nothing Less

Posted on December 15, 2022 by Pastor Steve

Isaiah 7:9 (ESV)
“If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.”

Ahaz, King of Judah (B.C. 740-724), was known for his wickedness and idolatry. King Ahaz had refused to join his peers to rally against the Assyrians, the reigning power to the East. The Assyrians were ready to take Judah. Isaiah’s words, “If you are not firm in your faith,” were for Ahaz to hear. Through Isaiah, God told Ahaz to ask for any miracle as a sign to encourage Ahaz to join in on the fight against Assyria. Ahaz would not, and the prophesy came to be, “you will not be firm at all.” In other words, you will fall, and he did along with his people. Assyria exiled Judah. Nevertheless, God said that even though Ahaz would have no part of this, God would anyway provide a sign to all the house of David. I hear it as God saying, Ahaz, you are too evil to know what is good for you. The sign would assure all faithful people that God offers a way to prevail over the powers of this world. Isaiah prophesied this miracle almost 2,800 years ago, and it still offers hope to us. We are Christians embattled by the powers of this world. We growingly feel like we are standing on sand, and the promises of Scripture sometimes seem so far away. And then we are reminded through Scripture of these ancient words prophesied by Isaiah, brought before us to be hope, through our faith received as hope, and made good by its fulfillment by God in that lowly manger, “The Lord will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”[1] Human prophesies are often not worth the breath it takes to utter them. God’s prophesies become hope through their fulfillment by our faithful God. That child was born. God is our hope through Jesus Christ. Our hope (in Christ) is built on nothing less.[2]

In Christ,

Steve

“God shall be my hope, my stay, my guide and lantern to my feet.” William Shakespeare, Henry V

www.twominutestoshare.com

Stephen L. Hodges © 2022

[1] Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)

[2] Discipleship Ministries | History of Hymns: “My Hope Is Built” (umcdiscipleship.org)

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The Power of Love

Posted on December 7, 2022 by Pastor Steve

Matthew 26:52 (ESV)
“Put your sword back into its place.

For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”

“Hurt people hurt people.”[1] This quote has hung with me since I read it last Sunday. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Sunday, December 4, 2022) had an online article on a wave of violence involving children in the city. Children are being killed by gun violence. Toddlers are dying. The quote relates to what happens in a setting of violence, “hurt people hurt people.” In other familiar words, “violence begets violence.”[2] Jesus had a response to the violence of biblical days, “Put your sword back in its place.” Take note, Jesus did not tell his disciple to get rid of the sword. Jesus warned his disciple, “For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” As I wrote above, “violence begets violence.” Rev. Dr. Allen C. McSween, Jr. wrote on this verse in the commentary, Feasting on the Gospels, “Violent retaliation is both forbidden and unnecessary.” What is the Christian to do? When confronted with violence, or interacting with victims of violence, we are taught to respond with love. A very difficult expectation, but supported by Jesus’ teachings. Jesus himself was the target of violence and chose the response of love. We are to love because God loves us. If we are ever to break the pattern of “hurt people hurt people,” it will not be through law, force, and restriction. It will be with the power of love. Loved people love people.

In Christ,

Steve

“We must meet the forces of hate with the power of love.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

www.twominutestoshare.com

Stephen L. Hodges © 2022

[1] Children under fire: Framing gun violence as a public health epidemic | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[2] Violence begets violence – Wikipedia

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Go Figure Out

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Pastor Steve

Matthew 3:2 (ESV)

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

“Go figure out what this Scripture means, ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders,” said Jesus in Matthew 9:13 of The Message translation. Eugene H. Peterson carefully brought forward this verse to teach us of Jesus’ intention. That intention is not clear in today’s passage. Jesus was surrounded by the “insiders,” or Pharisees. When Jesus shocked the Pharisees with his rejection of religion, Jesus hit the heart of the problem. The Pharisees were very good at going through the motions of ritual, and making it their religion. Jesus’ message is harsh on the leaders, then and now. As we see today, world leaders are good at ritual, but lack mercy. Jesus targeted all leaders who are out for their own gain. When Jesus commanded them to repent, he wanted more than their turning away from sin, Jesus wanted them to turn toward God. Put God at the center of their lives. This was unpopular then as it is now. The Pharisees thought they knew their Scripture. As an ancient Jewish rabbi, Jesus told Pharisees to, “Go figure out.” A common rabbinic term used to inform the student/disciple that they have homework. In other words, go away, then look deep into Scripture, as they look at themselves, and work to recognize their need for God’s mercy. And then upon that realization, show that same mercy to others. Jesus was condemning the Pharisee’s mechanical approach to religion, as it should for us, too. God wanted then and wants now an attitude of heart that includes a right relationship with God and with mercy to others. This is the merciful attitude that reaches the outsiders, those having been at a distance from the good news of Jesus Christ. Go figure out what this means for you, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

In Christ,

Steve

“I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.” Abraham Lincoln

www.twominutestoshare.com

Stephen L. Hodges © 2022

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Before You Speak

Posted on November 23, 2022 by Pastor Steve

Philippians 4:5 (ESV)

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.

For so many of us, by tomorrow we will be gathering around the table to share a meal in response to the United States holiday, Thanksgiving. The settings will be as varied as the people participating. Though smiles and hugs and good food may prevail, anxiety can be the order of the day. Why? We’re not the culture that first celebrated this day on November 26, 1789. “Individualism is an excellent example of the culture because everyone can be their selves in America.”[1] This is more so these days. Rather than putting differences aside as we approach the Thanksgiving meal, we pull up a chair and express our individualism. “I don’t like sweet potato casserole,” utters someone. “No dark meat, please,” says another. It does not stop there. Political opinions may come to the forefront in the blessing, of all places! That is not new. The Apostle Paul observed this in his struggling churches. Paul wrote to one, “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.” In some translations, “Let your gentleness be known.” A study of the ancient text reveals the translation may best be, “Let your moderation be known.” In other words, moderate your response. Moderation is not inclusion, but something difficult these days, letting reason prevail. From my perspective, think before we speak. I can admit, there have been a few Thanksgiving meals when I wish I had thought before I spoke. Why is reasonableness an important virtue of Christians? The Lord is at hand. Figuratively speaking, the Lord is seated at our Thanksgiving table. If your meal is fraught with tension, consider the words to the Philippians, setting the example, in the words of Bernard Meltzer[2], “Before you speak, ask yourself if what you are going to say is true, is kind, is necessary, is helpful. If the answer is no, maybe what you are about to say should be left unsaid.”

In Christ,

Steve

“Reason shows me that if my happiness is desirable and good, the equal happiness of another must be equally desirable.” Henry Sidgwick, late English philosopher

www.twominutestoshare.com

Stephen L. Hodges © 2022

[1] American Culture: An Overview of United States Culture | Seema

[2] Meltzer, Bernard, 20th century US radio host, his advice call-in show was, “What’s Your Problem?”

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Be the One

Posted on November 16, 2022 by Pastor Steve

Colossians 1:11 (ESV)

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might.”

In Paul’s prayer to the church in Colossae, he asks God to grant these saints and faithful in Christ all power according to God’s glorious might. Believers in Colossae were surrounded by persecution and false teachings. That said, this was an immense request. To receive God’s power is to gain incredible strength. This is the same power that ushered the creation into being.  A creation that is now observed to be 93 billion light years wide. Perhaps you feel powerless. Consider this, you already have unimaginable power. In the world of quantum physics there is an understanding known as The Observer Effect.” The act of observing affects the observed reality. The simple act of looking at an object changes the reality of that object. Brilliant scientists have been able to prove this phenomenon in the study of a sub-atomic particle known as an electron. An electron naturally exists as a wave of energy, but the moment we observe the electron it immediately exists as matter. Does your head hurt? Mine does! Imagine this power of the human mind that changes reality, and we are not God. Our “observer effect” is feeble compared to God. By faith we receive God’s power. Imagine the new reality that may come into being when we rely on God’s power. Imagine what you may overcome. If by observation you can change reality, imagine by prayer and faith what change may come to you. The Holy Spirit is here to fill you with God’s power. Be the one with the power and the might of God.

In Christ,

Steve

“The greatest works are done by the ones. … It is the single units, the single individuals, that are the power and the might.” Charles Spurgeon

www.twominutestoshare.com

Stephen L. Hodges © 2022

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Rejoice Forever

Posted on November 9, 2022 by Pastor Steve

When will the political texts and robocalls ever end?

Isaiah 65:25 (ESV)

The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.

In the closing verses of Isaiah, the prophet introduces us to God’s offer of hope, “to create new heavens and a new earth.” This offer follows horrendous years for God’s people. What caught my ear was the images of animals known to be at odds with each other, would be at peace in the new heavens and a new earth. Speaking of peace, today my phone is at peace after weeks of political “robocalls.” Yesterday was Election Day and I live in a state with high political tensions, Pennsylvania. The candidate’s personalities come across like animals known to be at odds with each other: wolf and lamb; lion and ox; and the common serpent at odds with all creation. Reaching back to Genesis 3:14, the prophet expanded upon the image of the evil serpent. The serpent’s threat will be devalued in the new world as the prophet wrote, “it’s food shall be dust!” The serpent will no longer need to live off its prey. In other words, the venom of the serpent will be subdued,[1] and peace and unity will prevail on the earth. I’m getting a glimpse of that future as my cell phone has not chirped once while I’ve been writing this note. Yesterday, the texts and robocalls were relentless. The noise of my device was an audible outgrowth of the venom being released by the political opponents. The good news of Christ is that in new heavens and a new earth the serpents of our world will no longer be injurious, in fact, no one shall hurt or destroy, says the Lord. Be glad and rejoice forever, the days are coming.        

In Christ,

Steve

“Sing me a new song; the world is transfigured, all the Heavens are rejoicing.” — Friedrich Nietzsche, 19th-century German philosopher and cultural critic

www.twominutestoshare.com

Stephen L. Hodges © 2022

[1] Barnes, Albert, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol 2

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Factory Reset

Posted on November 2, 2022 by Pastor Steve

Luke 20:38 (NRSV)
“Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.”

The Sadducees had just questioned Jesus about the resurrection, as if they cared. It was a trick question because to them there was no resurrection, while Jesus taught that there is the resurrection.  The Sadducees thought they would challenge Jesus’ teaching with the situation of a woman who was widowed seven times and then she died, too. The Sadducees inquired of Jesus, if all the husbands are resurrected along with the woman, “whose wife will she be?” Jesus said, children of the resurrection neither marry nor are given in marriage. Essentially, Jesus is saying, whatever you did before the resurrection no longer matters upon the resurrection. We may get some insight into Jesus’ teaching if we consider our cell phone, or tablet, or computer. When we do the factory reset, the hard reset, when we seem to press an inordinate number of keys in a very specific order, then the device goes dead, nothing we did before that moment on that electronic device matters anymore. Like that app I should have never downloaded … Gone!  I like to describe resurrection like this, the resurrection for believers is God’s factory reset of our life. Nothing we did before the resurrection matters, all is forgotten. Moreover, Jesus assures us we will recover from that hard reset and be alive, eternally alive! I’m looking forward to my factory reset. How about you? 

In Christ,

Steve

“Resurrection means that the worst thing is never the last thing.” — Frederick Buechner

www.twominutestoshare.com

Stephen L. Hodges © 2022

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