Did the Samaritan woman influence God’s ‘NOW’?

Last week(1) I asked the same question related to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Today I visit Jacob’s well near Sychar in Samaria and follow the conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman. For Bible-readers, this story from John 4 is well known, and like the rest of John’s gospel, there are so many layers of truths, both obvious and hidden, that it deserves to be re-visited again and again.

In one moment, it seems as though John is ridiculing the woman’s ignorance with regard to what Jesus was trying to tell her. In the next moment, John is suggesting that the woman actually grasped spiritual truths which for scholars, like Nicodemus, seemed inaccessible mysteries. This is why I love his gospel and regard it as a master-piece.

When Jesus speaks about the water he can give, the woman replied: “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” For many years I thought and taught that she didn't understand what Jesus spoke about. But what if she actually did understand?

It is clear the Jacob’s well had a religious significance. May be it was part of her religious thirst that made her come all the way to this special well? In the context of the whole conversation, I believe that was what she meant.

When the woman later asked where the right place of worship is, I believe that Jesus knew that she was about to grasp what worship was all about, and he answered:

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks”
John 4:23

So, yes, I believe that the woman influenced God’s NOW. Jesus said “Yet a time is coming” – which points to the future; however, because it was revealed for the woman and she had believed it as true, Jesus continued: “and has now come!”.

‘Manna’ for today:

Faith in what God has revealed to me, influences His ‘NOW’!

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(1) This reflction is part of a series on the "Call to Mission - NOW!'

Did Mary influence God’s ‘NOW’?

I ask this question in the context of the call to be ‘battle-ready’ NOW (1). There is no doubt that Mary played an important role as the one who gave birth to the Son of God. Her readiness to do so, made her a vital participant in God’s NOW. However, today I will focus on her role in the first miracle of Jesus.

This took place at the wedding in Cana. When Mary heard the embarrassing news that the host was running out of wine before the wedding-reception was over, she brought the matter to her son. And in a somewhat abrupt way Jesus dismissed her by saying:

“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
John 2:4

When Jesus said: “My hour has not yet come” – it tells me that he was still waiting for his Father’s ‘NOW’. So what made Jesus change his mind?

I believe it was Mary – not by addressing the issue once again to Jesus, but by saying to the servants: “Do whatever he tells you.”

Mary had not seen Jesus do any miracles, but she had kept many words she had heard about him in her heart. She believed in him, and she showed it in action and in words. Such a faith touches a son's heart. As Mary in faith, gave physical birth to Jesus, in the same way her faith and love gave birth to the mission he had come to fulfil.

I believe that faith and love still touches the Son’s heart.

‘Manna’ for today:

Faith and love can turn ‘NOW’ into God’s right moment.

I will follow up with more thoughts on how we can influence God’s ‘NOW’ in the next blogs. (2)
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(1) See: 'Do you know what prayer is?'

(2) See: “Now is the time”
NB - this reflection is linked to General Brian Peddle's "Call to Mission - NOW"

What is the ‘one’ faith?

Is the ‘one’ faith identical to the Apostles’ Creed, the doctrines of TSA, the Lutheran Formula of Concord, the Anglican Book of Common prayers, or is it the canonical scripture and sacred tradition, as interpreted by the magisterium of the Catholic Church?

When Paul wrote about the unity in ‘one body’ with ‘one faith’, none of the creeds existed, therefore the answer to what the ‘one’ faith is, has to be found somewhere else. It does not become easier if we look at the definition of the Christian faith made by the World Council of Churches (1), or a similar definition made by the Evangelical Alliance (2).

The older I get, the simpler I need it; and when I read Paul, I think that for him the ‘one faith’ could only be: “The faith that saves!”. A number of verses from Paul’s writings could be quoted to support this. One example is the verse which made Luther come with the statement “Faith alone” (3): “in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last”. However, in light of the context of the ‘one Lord’ in the reflection last week, these verses really add up the content of ‘one faith’:

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Rom 10:9-10

I am not implying that this is simple to grasp with our human intellect. It will forever remain a mystery. But for those who believe, it is as simple as that.

‘Manna’ for today:

There is only ‘one’ faith that can save me

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(1) See: The Lima document 
(2) See: The Lausanne Covenant
(3) Romans 1:17- For lovers of Latin: “Sola fide” is the word theologians use to say “Faith alone”.

Will God continue to choose The Salvation Army?

NORSK
The question is a follow up on the series I posted a couple of weeks back. It is may be appropriate to answer with a verse from the Bible:

God does not take back his gifts. He does not change his mind about those he has chosen.
Rom 11:29 

Paul wrote this about the Jews. It is written in a context where he also uses the image of two kinds of olive branches – the joining of the Jews and the Gentiles in faith. He explains that some of the original branches were ‘broken off because they didn’t believe. You stand only because you do believe’ (1).

So it all comes down to faith and being faithful, because it is not about institutions or organisations, it is about people. 

With regard to the question about choosing The Salvation Army, it comes down to me and you. If we have faith and remain faithful to the mission and focus that made him choose the pioneers (2), God will not change his mind, but continue to bless and strengthen those whose hearts are fully with him. It is about keeping the momentum!

‘Manna’ for today:

God does not change his mind!

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(1) Rom 11:20
(2) The reasons are:
# 1 God chose TSA because of people with a calling and a passion!
# 2 God chose TSA because we focus on the fact that everyone is called!
# 3 God chose TSA because everyone who receives the call has the same right to ministry
# 4 God chose TSA because we focus on the content of the baptism and the agape meal, not the ritual.
# 5 God chose TSA because we have a holistic view on humanity and care for the whole person for this world and the next.

Follow the instruction – a time for everything *

NORSK
In the account following Christ's ascension, I notice several important factors that are important for the fulfillment of the promise. Individually they are strong, but the combination of them is of dynamic importance. Today I stop with the first one:

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem
Acts 1:12

That the disciples returned to Jerusalem is an act of obedience to Jesus' clear instructions not to leave the city. 

I do not think that they fully understood what was about to happen, but they believed in him who gave the command to wait in the city. Therefore, obedience is also an expression of faith. 

The disciples certainly had no idea of the impact it was going to bring. If it had been a requirement to believe all this, I think the apostles would have remained on the Mount of Olives and under the leadership of Peter built "cottages" or waiting rooms with skylights where they could continue to watch the sky and wait for his return. But the first step in obedience was to move back to Jerusalem.
I have reflected on the connection between faith and obedience many times in my ministry. This simple statement about returning to Jerusalem confirms the importance. Faith is about doing what Jesus asks me to do, and that is also all I have to worry about. 


'Manna' for today:

Following the instructions is vital for the outcome

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 * 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost

He is always nearby - a time for everything *

NORSK
The seven disciples who met Jesus at the shore of the Sea of Galilee were in an open physical landscape, but even in such sceneries much is hidden for the physical eye. The same may be said about the landscape of faith, it is open, yet not everything is revealed. This fact becomes evident in this verse:

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.
John 21:12

I do not think that it was the fear of Jesus' reaction that was the reason for the disciples not daring to ask the question, “Who are you?” I think it was because the moment was perceived as sacred. They had just experienced something supernatural. They did not understand the scope of it. Faith told them that it had to be their Lord and Master standing in front of them on the beach. A question or a void sentence could destroy the mystery of the holy moment it is to stand, sit or lay down in the presence of the Lord.

Anyway at least one of the disciples knew that Jesus knew what they knew in their hearts (2).

In such moments it is best to be quiet and just take in the mystery and keep it as something valuable, something only they can understand who have made the same experience: “Jesus is present in my everyday life.”

When I know that he is nearby, I do not dare to ask who he is or utter void words. It will ruin everything. It was very important for the disciples to learn this before they should receive tongues of fire shortly after this incident. Image if the 120 on the day of Pentecost had started to question “Who are you?”

‘Manna’ for today:

When Jesus is nearby, I will stay in his presence – not destroy it with void words.

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(1) Imagine seeing such an amazing view and still grasp so little, but at the same time feel so intensely alive and at home in an unknown landscape - Nesna midnight July 2008. Is that what faith is?
(2) John 21:17
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost 

Hope for those doubting! - a time for everything *

NORSK
Yesterday I read how Tomas had challenged the absent Jesus in front of his friends. Eight days later, the challenge came back to Tomas in the presence of the same group:

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
John 20:27

I think I would had felt some embarrassment if it had happened to me. However, at the same time I would have been happy:
“Jesus heard me in spite of my disbelief!”
It is also a confirmation of the fact that Jesus cares about the individual. A personal meeting took place in the middle of the crowd. He saw “me”!
 
Perhaps the experience of being seen by him is more important than seeing “him”?

This 'thought' must not be interpreted as though I am opposed to seeking the presence of the Lord to 'see' him. It is important for me and all who believe to do so. Nonetheless, seeing him must have a consequence. It was the lack of obvious consequences of their faith that made Tomas doubt the disciples’ testimony about the risen Jesus (1).

May be John included the story of Tomas to show that it was not only John himself who felt that he was “the disciple Jesus loved” or the “disciple Jesus saw” – Thomas must have felt that way too. And that is how it should be - particularly for those who struggle to believe. Jesus loves them just as much as they who feel affirmed in their faith.

‘Manna’ for today:

Jesus loves all who are honest - also with regard to doubting and believing.

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(1) See: “Think afresh? A time for everything”
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost.

Think afresh? A time for everything*

NORSK
Today, I move to the story of Thomas. A few years ago, I took the role as defence attorney for Thomas for the simple reason that I think he may have been a victim of a ‘spiritual miscarriage of justice’. In my 'procedure' I wrote:

Let us for some moment try to put ourselves into the minds of my client: “If my Master has risen from the dead, why are James and John afraid - why are we still behind closed doors in fear of what the Jews may do to us? If Jesus truly lives, it means that he has even defeated death - what then is there to be afraid of? If my friends really believed it, they should not only tell me, but run out of the streets of Jerusalem and tell the good news.” (2)

When we judge Thomas as a ‘doubter’, we have forgotten that the behaviour of the disciples was not consistent with their recognition of the risen Jesus. Thomas’ claim for proof was therefore absolutely valid.

“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
John 20:25

I will reflect more on the teaching in the incident with Thomas tomorrow, but I think that the disciples also learned that for a testimony about a living Jesus to be credible, our lives must show that it is true. If not, it is impossible to recognise Jesus.

‘Manna’ for today:

My life must show that Jesus lives

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(1) It is part of the family genes to defend both believers and doubters
(2) See ‘A spiritual miscarriage of justice’ – unfortunately only available in google translate
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity'
 Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost.
 

Knowing what faith is - a step on the journey

NORSK
“Why couldn’t we …?” the disciples asked Jesus, and the question triggered several reflections. 

I shared the first one yesterday, and today I continue with the immediate response Jesus gave:

“Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matt 17:20

A week ago, a young mother brought to me her son and asked us to pray for him. He has microcephaly (Zika virus disease) and the disease was visible on the gorgeous little boy. I know that I can do nothing, but I also know that God can. The mother showed her faith by bringing the boy to be interceded for, Magna and I used our faith in praying. I believe Jesus was in the room and that he was very close to us. 

I wish that I could tell "and then the miracle happened!". But there was nothing to indicate that something happened there and then apart from the fact that we shared the pain. I continue to pray and I have shed many tears for the boy and his mother. I admit the feeling of emptiness caused by the feeling of shortcoming, because I have many times seen God intervene with healing. Yet I have also many times seen how he has joined in the suffering. There are no simple explanations or answers to the problem of suffering; However, with regard to the subject of faith I think the explanation is simple:

Faith is not an achievement, it is a response of love. Faith is taking God into the world so that people who suffer can meet his boundless love. “Why couldn’t we …?” the disciples asked. "For you have so little faith," Jesus replied. Maybe Jesus called it little faith because it was not a response of love to a situation of suffering, but solely a technical response: 'we’ll fix this, let's do a miracle!'?

I do not know, but again I am reminded about Paul’s statement: if I do not have love, I am nothing. The Jesus-quote from yesterday, “apart from me you can do nothing” supports the perspective if I switch ‘me’ with ‘love’. Since the Bible confirms that ‘God is love’, I would say that the switch is legitimate.

‘Manna’ for today:

“apart from love you can do nothing”

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On the arena of faith

NORSK
Yesterday, I wrote that the order of the arenas on which we are challenged to set an example hardly can be random. At least it seems obvious with the first three, but shouldn’t the arena of faith be the first instead of the fourth?

“…set an example … in faith…”
1 Tim 4:12

If it is about receiving the gospel, I believe it would be correct to place the faith earlier, but this is about setting an example. Therefore, I dare claim that the placing gives meaning. I am convinced that Paul writes about the mature faith. A fresh faith may easily become haughty, and I speak from experience. When I as a young teenager experienced that faith was life and not just a set of dogmas and rules, I was convinced that I had seen not just “the light”, but all of it. The faith I conveyed did not necessarily have its base on the arena of love.

When Jesus came he was “full of grace and truth” (1). In many ways grace represents love, and faith truth. If grace does not precede truth, the encounter with truth can be brutal. If love does not precede faith, even faith can be brutal because the faith may be conceived as demanding.

“There is a difference between demands and demands, and must and must” Tomas Sjødin writes, and continues: “I call the necessary demands for ‘love's demands’, and I do this because of observation made of what happens when we draw closer to love. In a subtle way the demands are transformed to longing or desire. In relation to the one I love, there are many things I must, but the demands are far from dull duties. ‘I just must hear your voice!’ ‘I must see you.’” (2)

That is how it is supposed to be with faith. I act in obedience because of love to him who loved me first.

‘Manna’ for today:

Love is the main entrance to the arena of love

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(1) John 1:14
(2) In the book: «Det er mye man ikke må», Vårt Land forlag, 2015 p 11

What is so special with the believers?

NORSK
Believers are simply ordinary human beings. In many ways the only thing that distinguish them from nonbelievers, is the fact that they believe. Their faith will influence their values etc., but it is the salvation that is the core of their faith and the “trustworthy saying” they proclaim.

Because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and especially of those who believe.
1 Tim 4:10b 

Today’s verse, which Timothy is challenged to “command and teach” (1), does once again proclaim that God is “the Saviour of all people”. There should be no doubt that salvation is for all.

So what did Paul mean with “especially of those who believe”?

It is because it is the faith that makes the salvation valid. When Jesus spoke about “the bread from heaven”, he encouraged his listeners to for “food that endures to eternal life”. They immediately response was a question: “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus’ answer was simply:

“The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
John 6:29

It is interesting that Jesus turns faith into “work”. This has been a growing understanding of my personal conception of faith. Faith is acting as if that which is written, is true. When the Bible says that I am saved through the saving acts of Jesus for all people, I act and “command and teach” accordingly.

‘Manna’ for today:

God is the Saviour of all people

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(1) 1 Tim 4:11

Godless myths

NORSK
I become very curious when I read what Paul wrote to Timothy in today's verse:

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly..
1 Tim 4:7

The Norwegian versions use ‘ungodly’ myths, I prefer godless. The use of godless is more neutral. I can live in a godless society without it making me godless. Godlessness can be a result of ignorance or lack of knowledge and revelation, while ungodliness in my conception, is a conscious choice. At the same time, I know that it is possible for me to behave ‘ungodly’ (meaning: to act otherwise than Jesus would have done), but an ungodly behavior will not automatically make me "godless."

The issues Paul refers to, are useless additions to the Christian faith, which apparently were discussed in the churches (in this instance at Ephesus). They were discussions about thing like e.g. "endless genealogies" (1). It was probably nothing wrong in the discussions, but Paul regarded them as distractions from the main purpose – they were like “old wives’ tales” or 'empty natter' as the Norwegian translations prefer to use. Paul wants Timothy and the churches to focus on the "advancing God’s work—which is by faith" (1). To be able to that, it is important to concentrate on the essentials:

“train yourself to be godly…”

I will reflect more on this verse tomorrow

‘Manna’ for today:

It is all about a disciplined focus!

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(1) ”…command certain people not … to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 
1 Tim 1:4

A mentor sets free ...

NORSK
If you have responsibility for children, you know how important it is to dare to let go of control. I still remember the feeling of letting go of their hand when they were learning to walk, and even worse when they were learning to ride a bike. I knew they were going to fall, and that I would be too far away to prevent it happening. However, I knew that if I did not let it happen, I would hamper, and not promote their growth.

This principle is fundamentally in a relationship between a mentor and a disciple. In yesterday’s reflection I looked at the fact that Timothy also had his ‘downfalls’. Because he had experienced it himself, I am sure Paul knew that Timothy would experience the pain of defeats of those times when the result was another than the one he had hoped and prayed for:

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Tim 1:3-5

Every leader who needs to deal with the difficulties, knows how painful it can be. I confess that it was tough when I was young like Timothy, and more than 40 years after I became an officer in the Salvation Army, it can still be tough. But if we have issues that do not advance God’s work, they need to be addressed. Then it is good to be reminded of what it is all about. For Paul it was all about faith. He had tried the law and the letter, but it did not give him life, it only gave him religion.

It was the same for Martin Luther until he discovered the principle of "Sola Fide" – “by faith alone” – through reading Paul’s testimony:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Rom 1:16-17

Faith is what the mission is all about, but it is not the goal. Faith is the means. The goal of the mission, as it is expressed in today's greeting to Timothy, I will elaborate on tomorrow.

Today 'manna':

A mentor must dare to release the disciple to ministry

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It is about virtue

NORSK
What kind of virtue did Peter have in mind for his “fruit-recipe”?

“add to your faith virtue”
2 Pet 1:5

The new King James version sticks close to the Greek, while NIV which often is my first choice, translates it ‘goodness’. 

I prefer virtue, but also in Norwegian, the newer translations have changed the word virtue with e.g. ‘a right life’.

I think Peter had the four classical or cardinal virtues in mind when he made his list. These are values that were cherished in his time and they have their origin in Greek philosophy: 

• Temperance
• Wisdom
• Courage
• Righteousness

All four could have made a single ingredient, but Peter collect the in the single word ‘virtue’. Down through the history of the church “faith, hope and love” were added to form the seven Christian virtues as a counterpart to the seven deadly sins. 

If I return to the Norwegian translation ‘a right life’, this can be the counterpart to a life in sin. May be that is close to what Peter had in mind? I start with faith, and continue by choosing to live a right life. To do that I need to choose which values I will build my life on. Then the four cardinal virtues in combination with the three values that remain (1) are a good choice. I make that choice, and then I am ready to continue tomorrow.

‘Manna’ for today:

It is about choosing the right values.

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(1) 1 Cor 13:13