2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

“but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God;” vss. 4 ,6-7a

Paul thought of himself and his partners in ministry as being ambassadors for Christ, and that through them the Corinthians were being reconciled to God. He knew that their conduct in that role was crucial, and he was proud that in every circumstance of suffering and hardship they had shown dignity and strength. And it wasn’t just that they had endured, they had also demonstrated the fruits of the Spirit: purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God.

Paul’s notion of himself as an ambassador is appropriate and is a role that every faithful follower of Jesus will emulate. The world has had enough of pompous, arrogant, ignorant, impatient, and lying leaders. The only way for healing and reconciliation to take place is through humble, loving, and gentle truth-telling. We may not be called as ambassadors to foreign capitals but we are called to flood our neighborhoods and faith communities with our peaceful presence and active advocacy.

When that happens, the power of God is unleashed and we begin to see signs of Christ’s presence all around. The world may not note what is happening among us but we will see the changes, and all the glory will go to God!

Thought for the Day: How will I be an ambassador for Christ during Lent?

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

“Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.” vs. 13b

The prophet Joel responds to a devastating invasion of locusts by calling the people of Israel to repentance. It’s never been uncommon for people to make connections  between the forces of nature and the actions of God. Even today, laments are regularly lifted up when weather events or other calamities come close. We pray for an end to droughts and floods and protection from hordes of insects. Often such events spur people to reconnect with religion and even unbelievers turn to prayer.

Joel urges the Israelites to return to the Lord, and his description of God is one of the finest in all of scripture. Because his words are regularly used in our Lenten liturgy many find them familiar and have taken them to heart. Some will be using them in their meditations as they prepare for Ash Wednesday. They are a call to “return to the Lord,” a plea to get serious about matters of faith and to get reacquainted with Jesus. They define God perfectly, noting that God “is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.” 

There’s no doubt. Lent is for believers a time for repentance, a time to put aside all the clutter, and focus on that which is essential. It’s a time to get back to the basics or adopt some new spiritual discipline. Some say it’s the best time of the whole church year!

Thought for the Day: How do I feel about Lent?

Matthew 17:5-9

“While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’” vs. 5

It was a great comfort for Jesus to know that God was pleased with him and that he was loved unconditionally. And as he regularly took time for prayer each morning, he likely remembered his Jordan baptismal experience, and soaked in just a bit more divine love. It was what sustained him in his mission.

In later years Peter and the other disciples called to mind their mountaintop experience with Jesus. Not only had it been an other-worldly exhilarating moment, a “thin place” some would call it, but it established Jesus as the center and the source of faith. He really was the Word made flesh and in listening to him they would be hearing the voice of God. 

We live in a world with many competing voices. Seemingly everyone has a blog or a website and we’re constantly being encouraged to sign up or subscribe. Politicians scream at us at all hours of the day, pulling us both this way and that in an attempt to win our votes or get our money. But followers of Jesus know there is only one voice worth listening to, because only one voice will never lead us astray. Daily he comes to us through the Spirit, assuring us that we are loved and regularly calming our fears.

Thought for the Day: Where do I hear Jesus most clearly?

Matthew 17:1-4

“And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.” vss. 2-3

The story of the transfiguration of Jesus sneaks up on us in the gospel of Matthew. Not only is there no hint that it is coming, no mention is made of it once it occurs. It’s almost as though Matthew has misplaced one of the resurrection appearances of Jesus in the middle of his Galilean ministry. But, given Matthew’s high regard for Moses and for Elijah, it’s probably not surprising that they show up in a vision, offering direction and encouragement to Jesus. They were the great heroes of Israel, a law-giver and a prophet, and Jesus is to be their successor. Everything that began with them will find its completion in him.

Traditionally this text has been set aside for the last Sunday of Epiphany, and it fits perfectly as one of the bookends of Lent. Its bright and shiny message is a reminder that the season which focuses on Jesus’ suffering and death will be followed by Easter, a season of light and triumph. 

Peter and the other disciples couldn’t stay on the mountaintop. And neither can we. But  the transfiguration was for them and for us a kind of foretaste, a reminder that beyond the days in the valley of shadows there will be a new day, a time of triumph when death will be no more.

Thought for the Day:What might a foretaste of the resurrection be like?

2 Peter 1:19-21

“First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” vss. 20-21

There continue to be men and women in our world who believe that they can figure out everything they need to know by their own understanding and effort. They are particularly convinced of that in areas of religion or philosophy. They reason that since it doesn’t make any difference what a person believes, they might as well believe whatever they wish. They make the scriptures say whatever suits their fancy, and pass off whatever challenging truths a preacher may say with a dismissive, “Well, that’s just their opinion!” 

Peter would not agree! Everything he held dear came from Spirit-filled people who spoke truths from the heart of God that had passed through countless generations. And that’s how the Holy Spirit continues to work! While it is true that certain folks can present the good news in particularly creative ways and offer heart-warming inspiration, if they are honest and humble, they will say that they know this truth only “by standing on the shoulders of giants.” 

That’s one of the reasons it’s so important for believers to worship. Because Spirit-filled pastors study scripture before preaching, those who have ears to hear will often receive wonderful insights for daily living. Sometimes we’ll even learn things we never knew before! 

Thought for Day: Who do I count as my wisdom teacher?

2 Peter 1:16-21

“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.” vs. 16

As Peter reflected on his life as a disciple he wanted people to know that he “hadn’t just made this stuff up,” when he’d shared the good news of the Lord Jesus. He’d actually been there on the mountain and seen the transfiguration, the great Epiphany, and after the resurrection of Jesus he’d traveled with the gospel all the way to Rome. Peter’s words are a good reminder for us as we deal with the myriad of new religions and philosophies that are now popping up all over the world. Some of them sound so good, and because they’ve been crafted with attention to the latest pseudoscience, they seem to bear a contemporary stamp of authenticity. But just because the perpetrators of this nonsense have their own beautifully choreographed podcasts and television shows doesn’t make their message true.

Authentic faith has its roots in the life and teachings of Jesus with no embellishments, and it always focuses on the cross and that world-changing message of sacrificial love and forgiveness. Jesus’ ministry began with the words of affirmation he’d received through the Spirit in his baptism. When Peter heard those same words on the mountaintop he never forgot them. And really that’s all we need to remember too! We are the beloved children of God, sent to love and serve in a broken world. Amen!

Thought for the Day: What one event has shaped my faith?

Psalm 2:7-11

 “I will tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to me, ‘You are my son; today I have begotten you.’” vs. 7

This psalm was likely used when a new king ascended the throne in Jerusalem and these words were an indication that from this day forward the king was to be regarded as the Son of God. Just like on the inauguration day of a president the gathered crowd would have cheered and offered thanks to God. This was a big deal. Israel was not a democracy and the lines of succession to the throne ran through the royal family. And because the kings were often a disappointment to the people, there were great hopes when a new king came to power. Perhaps this would be the ruler who would restore honor and dignity to the office. 

Of course that seldom happened. Corruption frequently eroded the values of the kings, and their lust for power and wealth usually spelled disaster, not only to the ruler, but to the nation. Part of the enthronement ceremony included strong words of warning–the king was urged to serve the Lord with fear, and with trembling to kiss his feet. 

The words, “You are my son” remind us of Jesus’ baptism but there is one major difference. Jesus didn’t hear a warning, he heard words of affirmation and love, and his kingdom of peace will last forever. How blessed we are to know that our futures will survive even the most corrupt politicians! And our king will always be righteous and just.

Thought for the Day: Why have kings and queens fallen out of favor?

Psalm 2:1-6

“The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together,   against the Lord and his anointed, saying, ‘Let us burst their bonds asunder,
and cast their cords from us.’” vss. 2-3

The rulers of every age bristle at the notion that there are any controls for their behavior. And ordinary people, like the psalmist, are filled with wonder. How could anyone be so foolish as to believe that there are no consequences for their unwillingness to serve the Lord. Many are wondering about such things in our time. The leaders of the nations have enormous resources and power at their disposal. If their intentions were in line with the obvious love of God for the creation marvelous things could be done!

But instead the nations use their wealth and dominance to kill protesters by the thousands, decimate entire countries with non-stop bombing, throw their opponents into prisons where they are tortured and maimed, bomb hospitals and destroy aid stations, and allow hundreds of thousands of poor people to die slow and horrible deaths by starvation. And now we’re set to reembark on a race to increase the number of nuclear weapons. And millions of people sit idly by while our rulers scoff at God. We live in luxury while countless innocent people suffer and die.

It’s so frustrating! What’s happening is wrong, totally against the will of our loving Lord! But those who could change things remain caught in their lust for power and do nothing! 

Thought for the Day: What can ordinary people do in the face of blatant inhumanity?

Exodus 24:12-18

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.’” vs. 12

For the Israelites Moses was the man! According to their tradition, he had not only led them out of the bondage of Egypt, but God had chosen him to give them the law and the commandments at Mt. Sinai. Through the centuries that simple wilderness law, often referred to as the Ten Words, expanded to include hundreds of precepts that were designed to cover every aspect of the Israelites’ life together. Though Moses hadn’t written it all, it was widely known as the Law of Moses, and was believed to contain all the instructions the people would need to lead a just and righteous lives. 

By the time of Jesus that Law was considered to include both the written law, the 613 commandments of the Torah, and the oral law or Talmud. Rabbis spent their entire lives studying the law and interpreting what it meant in every circumstance. For the Jew there was nothing more important than obedience to the Law. It was what separated the righteous from those who were sinners. Jesus too took the Law seriously and had no intention of undermining it in any way, but he also saw its inadequacies. It simply could not be the foundation of life together in his Peaceable Kingdom. Only the Spirit could bring grace and truth!

Thought for the Day: What’s the attraction of life under the Law?

Matthew 5:17-20

“For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” vs. 20

Even though Jesus was not a new Moses, Matthew wanted his readers to know that Jesus did care about righteousness. In fact, the words from Jesus that Matthew recounted demonstrate beyond any doubt that Jesus wanted his disciples to live lives that were beyond reproach. They wouldn’t just be exemplary keepers of the law like the scribes and Pharisees–they would go beyond what was required by commandments and precepts and behave totally by the law of love. How could this be possible? Well, the Holy Spirit would plant in their hearts a new righteousness, a total gift from God, and the shackles of the external rules would fall away. And as they were freed from the Law the fruits of the Spirit would abound and all that they said and did would show forth the Light of Christ. 

This isn’t an easy way to live and through the years followers of Jesus have struggled to understand how they could be righteous without following the Law. It’s so much easier just to adopt standards of morality and behavior and then require a whole community of faith to live that way. And that’s what many have done! The resulting codes of conduct have been rigidly enforced, and countless Christians have grown up in an atmosphere of judgment and repression and not grace, truth, and freedom. 

Thought for the Day: What ethical codes have I had to unlearn?