Fields United Methodist Church

Side by Side with Jesus.                                                  Pastor Tom Joyce

February 15, 2021

“This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him.”

Matthew 17:5

When Jesus led a few of his disciples to the mountaintop, God revealed Jesus as the Son of God, the Beloved. As the Christian church begins the season of preparation for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus on Easter, God reminds us to not only acknowledge that Jesus is God’s Son, but to listen to Jesus’ words of hope, grace, joy, and peace offered to us. Throughout the Bible, most of the people knew what the Bible said which included the Law of Moses and the words of the Prophets. It is one thing to know what has been written and said, quite another to really listen and absorb the words of Jesus and make them truly a part of our lives. Lent, the forty-day long season of preparing our hearts and souls for the gift of new life received on Easter, is truly a time to discipline ourselves to listen to what God really is trying to say to us.  God has given us the gift of time; so how are you using that gift? Are you spending more time listening to the rumbles of national and world events than reading Scripture, listening to the Word proclaimed, and taking time to pray? Begin today to listen to the Word that is Jesus, make it part of all you do, think, and feel; this will be the greatest gift you will ever give to yourself and everyone around you. Remember, as Jesus was called God’s “beloved,” you are God’s beloved as well, no matter who you are what you look like, or where your path in life has so far let you.  You are loved by Jesus, more than you will ever know; that is truly Good News!

Rev. Tom Joyce