This past week our state enjoyed a large amount of rain. It was a welcomed rain, especially because it was a significant amount of rain without severe storms. The rain helped to bring new life to the dry land. It helped to fill ponds, lakes, water fields, and yards. I am so thankful for the rain as we approach what is sure to be a hot summer.

I must confess that when the rain was pouring from the sky, I was not always thinking the same thoughts of gratitude. In fact, on Monday, as the rain was pouring from the sky, I was unloading supplies for a worship service we were hosting at St. Luke’s from my truck. My suit was soaked as I grabbed as many bags as I could to run back to the building.

As I shut the door to my truck, a wonderful angel, a member of St. Luke’s, appeared as a gift from God…

As Jesus went from community to community, he encountered a great variety of people. He was often welcomed with open arms by those who wanted to hear his teaching. They had heard of the signs and wonders he performed, and they hoped to experience it for themselves. Jesus was not always confronted with excitement and joy. Often Jesus encountered skeptics and adversaries who challenged him and the good news he was sharing with the world.

The group that most often confronted Jesus was the Pharisees. The Pharisees were a group who separated themselves for study and interpretation of the law. They believed that it was more important to focus on the law than the sacrificial work that was done in the temple. They believed that the way to connection with God was through obedience to the Law. Their opposition to Jesus was because he did not join them in their interpretation and teaching of the law. Jesus honored the law, but not the oral tradition that had been expanded and created by the Pharisees.

The Pharisees teaching of the law was a burden to the people. No matter how hard a person tried, it was never good enough…