BETHLEHEM
United Methodist Church
Fishers, Indiana
A Continuing Faith Community since 1844
Bethlehem UMC is honored to be one of the oldest churches in HamiltonCounty. We began 180 years ago and moved to our current location in 1878. We are well established in this community! With this solid foundation, we plan to be here for all who want to love Christ for many years to come. We believe we are called to provide a home of faith and friendship for those who are seeking a church family with Jesus Christ at the center. We care for each other and for the world around us. All are welcomed warmly and encouraged to participate in our church events as a way to enjoy each other’s fellowship. Our weekly
family-friendly services offer traditional hymns and Methodism teachings. We welcome you to experience Christ's love here at Bethlehem United Methodist Church.
September 6, 2024
A Message from Pastor Joel
Lectionary Lorica, 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 35:4-6a (NRSV)
‘Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense he will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.’
On Sunday, we will look at the lectionary gospel reading in Mark 7, where Jesus does some of the things mentioned here in Isaiah. Combined with other places in the gospels, Jesus does all of these things. In fact, this passage from Isaiah is considered a “Messianic” passage – one that tells us the kinds of things that Jesus would do so we know he is God’s Messiah. When Jesus did things like heal a blind or mute person, people who knew what the prophets said remembered passages like this one, and that’s how they knew that Jesus was the Son of God.
But where’s the vengeance?!? Where’s the recompense?!? Isaiah said that God’s salvation would come with vengeance – and healing those who can’t see or walk – but that’s besides the point. Sometimes, we just want bad people to get their due and we hope that God’s Son would show up with a good measure of making bad people pay. So, did Jesus come with vengeance AND the power to heal others? Yes, but not in the way that WE want vengeance to work. God’s vengeance is best seen in Jesus’ victory over death and the grave. You can’t defeat what you can’t destroy, and the love of God we know through Jesus Christ can’t be defeated, can’t be beaten, can’t be silenced. God wins. Love wins. No matter what. And because of that, we can say to our own hearts that can be fearful and anxious, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God! He was in Christ Jesus, who conquered death for us.”
Pastor Joel
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