Author Archives: J. David Bersagel

Two Pair Matthew 6:25-33 …do not worry about your life, or…what you will  wear.  v.25      I sent to college before the days when the basic uniform for everyone was a pair of jeans.  Though I was far from poor, I did go to college with just two pair of wash and wear, olive green pants.  I’m sure I also ownedContinue reading “Two Pair”

Who sinned? John 9:1-41 Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? v. 1     Whose fault is it anyway?  Whose fault is it that people live in poverty?  Whose fault is it that people can’t just pull themselves up by their bootstraps?  Whose fault is it that people get sick?  Whose fault is it thatContinue reading “Whose Fault?”

Coats and Cloaks Matthew 5:38-42 …if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well.  v. 40     In these verses Jesus takes the old adage, “an eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth” to a new level.  This particular vision of justice improved on the law of the jungle thatContinue reading “Beyond Justice”

Death of Dorcas Acts 9:36-39 All the widows stood…weeping and showing the tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them.  v. 39b     As the first disciples went out into the world, they encountered many good people.  Tabitha (or Dorcas in Greek) lived in Lydda.  Well-known for her generosity, charity, and good works, Dorcas,Continue reading “Dorcas”

the Gift of Clothes Genesis 3:20-21 “And the Lord God made garments of skins for the man and for his wife and clothed them.”  v. 21      Even when Adam and Eve have rebelled against God, been found out, and banished from the garden, the LORD GOD, doesn’t stop caring for them.  They aren’t sent packing from theContinue reading “…naked and you gave me clothes…”

Polyglot Acts 2:1-13 …in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power. v. 12      Jewish people from around the world gathered in Jerusalem that Pentecost Day.  We don’t know why they were there, but their presence speaks volumes about God’s intentions for God’s church.  The little band that followed Jesus welcomed people fromContinue reading “Many Voices”

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service Matthew 25:31-46 I was a stranger and you welcomed me. v. 35b      They sat by themselves at one of the round tables, a weathered grandfather and his granddaughter, neither speaking amidst the other excited voices of families chatting with the Spanish speaking LIRS board members. But no one spoke toContinue reading “Asylum”

Welcome Matthew 18:1-5 Whoever welcomes one such child in my name, welcomes me. v. 5      “You know you want coffee!”   They had worshipped with us that Sunday morning.  We happened to sit in front of them and shared the peace.  Afterward our pastor greeted them and welcomed them.  He even invited them to share coffee in the Sunday morningContinue reading “Hospitality”

Zacchaeus Luke 19:1-30 “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” v. 5b       Jesus is the stranger in this story.  Jesus is in Jericho, which is home to Zacchaeus, the chef tax collector and, therefore, a rich man.  He’s gotten rich by casting his lot with the occupiers of Israel.  His community seesContinue reading “Your House”

A Wandering Aramean Deuteronomy 26:1-11 “A wandering Aramean was my ancestor…” v. 5b       God’s people gathered for worship to bring their offerings to God.  In that time of giving they remembered that as a people they once were strangers in the land they occupied.  Their ancestor, Abraham, had journeyed from Ur of the Chaldees at God’s command.  AbrahamContinue reading “Migrants”