Discovering A Safe Place

Saint John Neumann, Bishop

~~~ 1 John 3:11-21 ~~~ Psalm 100 ~~~ John 1:43-51 ~~~

...we belong to the truth...

...a great light has come upon the earth...

...I saw you under the fig tree.

Jesus saw Nathaniel under the fig tree...

What does one do while sitting under a tree?

There are discoveries to be made

 under the protection of the fig tree.

Perhaps you will find a piece of fruit...

a seed may capture your attention.

Under the fig tree is a safe place to pause for prayer.

A place to meditate on how you 

belong to the truth because Jesus has saved you.

Even in the cool shade of the fig tree we are still part of the light.

You are kept in the light of his truth.

In this state we rest in prayer under the fig tree.

You may not find a great monument 

marking your place under the fig tree 

but it is always available for you.

Sitting under the fig tree is a place of shade...

a place of safety...

a place to sit quietly listening for 

the still small voice of God.

There is no duplicity in him.

Jesus is waiting for you to take a moment 

from your daily tasks to sit

 in the quiet shade of his fig tree.

When you are still and your mind becomes quiet 

Jesus enters into your heart.

He draws you to his light and truth.

Just like Nathaniel, you too can be changed 

while resting under the fig tree.

It only takes a glimpse from Jesus

 for his light to reach your soul.

Nathaniel walked away from his time 

under the fig tree a changed person.

He had questioned whether or not anything good 

could come from a small insignificant town...

Jesus is the one who came from that town of Nazareth.

I invite you to sit awhile under the fig tree...

allow Jesus to gaze upon you and you too will be a changed person.

Get up and follow Jesus he has plans for you...

there is work for you to do in the vineyard.

~~~Spreading Peace~~~

~~~2017~~~

Moving Beyond the Crib

 

~~~ John 3: 22-4:6 ~~~ Psalm 2 ~~~ Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25 ~~~

 

As much as we may want to linger at the crib

 the readings quickly move us forward.

It is soothing and comfortable to be in the presence of an infant,

but God sent Jesus here to redeem us.

It would take more than his cooing back at us from his bed of straw.

 

We have seen Jesus choosing his 'staff' if you will,

 and now we see him responding to a need to move away from home.

 

'When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,
he withdrew to Galilee.
He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea...'

 

Jesus came to Galilee bringing his light

and in fulfillment of the Isaiah prophecy.

He brought with himself...in himself the true spirit of God.

 

'...the people who sit in darkness
have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen...'

 

Jesus began to rapidly spread the word of the Father.

He preached repentance.

Went about the countryside healing all who were brought to him.

He healed them in mind, body, and spirit.

This was his signature, his trademark.

His healing was deeper than the eye could see.

 

 

I sometimes wonder, if Jesus had not performed miracles of healing

everywhere he went, would his preaching had been

as effective.

His actions often spoke volumes more than his words.

Those who were confused by his words could

plainly see what he was able to do

for the afflicted.

 

And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea,
and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

 

Today I think we rely much more on the words

preserved for us in the scriptures

than we do on miracles of healing.

Although we are always on the look out for those special

miracles of healing.

We do believe Jesus still heals.

Miracles will always be possible  with God.

 

'...every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh
belongs to God...'

 

We belong to God...

and all things are possible through him.

Accept his blessings in your life today.