Matthew 14:15-18

“Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’” vss. 16-17

Jesus has been curing people in the crowd who needed healing and now the disciples become aware of an even more basic need. These people needed something to eat–they were getting hungry. The disciples propose a sensible solution, one that we might have considered. Why not shift the responsibility to the people themselves? Jesus should just send them away–they could take care of themselves. But Jesus has another possibility. The disciples could feed them, and they, of course, logically protested–they didn’t have the resources to do the job. We too are good at claiming poverty when it is suggested that we could do something about the hunger needs of those at the other end of the economic spectrum. We say we don’t have enough to even make a dent in the problem, and of course that’s true when we consider the small amounts each can contribute. But there is plenty of food in the world for everyone to have enough, and there is enough money in our pockets to make it happen. We simply lack the collective will to do what is right. We seem so afraid that some person is going to get a benefit that they don’t deserve, and so we keep cutting back instead of doing more. Amazing! Perhaps one day we’ll get Jesus’ message, and use our five loaves and two fish to feed the world.

Thought for the Day: Why are people going hungry in a land of plenty?

Matthew 14:13-14

“Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.” vs. 13

John the Baptist had been killed while in the custody of King Herod at Machereus, a palace east of the Dead Sea, and it didn’t take long for the news to travel to where Jesus was doing ministry at the north end of the Sea of Galilee. John’s death was a big deal–his hundreds of followers were a threat to Herod, and some believed it wouldn’t be long before he fixed his attention on Jesus. It’s not that Jesus feared Herod, but it’s likely he didn’t want to get caught up in what had become a political struggle for power. At the very least he needed a chance to collect his thoughts and take time for prayer away from the crowds. The problem is that it’s hard to hide on the Sea of Galilee–anyone could easily see where his boat was heading from the shore. So they hurried around the lake by foot and a large crowd was waiting for him when he landed. Some of us know what that’s like. We desperately need time for meditation and reflection–some sneak away on vacations–and the isolation and refuge we need doesn’t happen. Our forced busyness can drive us to distraction! Interestingly, when Jesus saw the crowd he had compassion for them, and kept doing his healing and teaching. His ministry was more important than his personal needs!

Thought for the Day: When have I gotten compassion fatigue?

Romans 9:1-5

“For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh.” vs. 3

Midway through his letter to the Romans, after having described justification by faith in excruciating detail, Paul offers a section on Israel’s election as the chosen people of God. He tells the church in Rome that it breaks his heart that so many of his kindred, according to the flesh, had turned their backs on the gospel of Christ. There have many through the years who have resonated with Paul’s words. While we may not feel the anguish to the extent that he did, our hearts do grow heavy as we think of our own kin, our own flesh and blood, who have chosen to walk away from the faith in which they were reared. We wish that our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, and grandchildren could have the same Jesus connection that we have grown to enjoy. It’s not that we’re afraid they’re going to hell, we know that they can never fall out of God’s love, but we do wish they could have the consolations that faith can bring to restless souls. Sometimes we may even feel some guilt and wonder if perhaps we’re responsible for their decision to walk in another way. Often there’s little we can do to change them or their choices, but we can pray, and so we do, and then take every opportunity to model the unconditional love of God. 

Thought for the Day: Why do I worry about my kindred’s faith?

Psalm 145:14-21

“The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.” vs. 20

When we read our scriptures we are tempted to take to heart the verses that we agree with and totally discount those with which we have issues. And we’re not alone. Nearly all people are adept at cherry picking as they study the bible, loving the parts that support positions they already hold, and ignoring those that don’t.

The psalmist who tells us “all the wicked he will destroy,” also wrote, “The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all he has made.” Some would say that there is a kind of contradiction here–others have ways of reconciling these seemingly opposite positions. At the very least passages like this are a reminder that our bible not only reveals God, it also reflects our very human notions about who God is. Some people like the notion that the wicked will be destroyed by God. It fits their sense of justice–and certainly there are many other passages in scripture that can be used to bolster that argument. But the bible also points toward a more grace-filled perspective, one that argues that God’s compassion overrides our desires for revenge. And some folks like that.  And that’s why the bible is such an amazing book–and as long as we continue to remember it was written by faith ancestors for a lot of different reasons, we can be at peace with its contrary positions.

Thought for the Bible: What do I do when I disagree with a bible passage?

Psalm 145:8-9

“The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.” vs. 9

These few words from the psalmist contain all the truth that we humans will ever need to hear, and it’s undoubtedly the best news ever, yet we find it enormously hard to believe in our hearts. Oh, we don’t mind hearing that the Lord is good to us, and that God’s compassion includes us. We actually welcome that good news, but we are reluctant to acknowledge that this gracious message is addressed to the “other,” all those folks who have managed to make it onto our naughty list. Through most of our lives our minds have become adept at such exclusion and we use a long list of categories that separate ourselves from others: race, religion, politics, criminality, poverty, refugees, the list goes on and on. We can, on our good days, acknowledge that folks of other races or religions might be loved by God, but for most of us, there is a definite line which is drawn between the “ins” and “outs,” and we’re hard-pressed to think of anything good that might be said about those on the other side of the line. That dualistic thinking, in which we have been trained from our childhoods, keeps us from celebrating the inclusive, all-encompassing love of God. But that’s not the way God is! We are all good, and we are all broken, and God has compassion for us all!

Thought for the Day: What categories of people are on my naughty list?

Isaiah 55:1-5

“Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” vs. 1

No kitchen is complete without one or more plaques or posters that claim to capture the essence of life in just a few words or phrases. One saying that’s particularly memorable is this, “The best things in life…aren’t things.” It’s cleverly put, easily remembered, and captures the essence of the gospel. And Isaiah would agree! The prophet calls out to thirsty people, those with deep spiritual needs, and tells them that the best things in life are not only free, they’re not even things. What people are hungering and thirsting for in this culture of gimmicks and gizmos are deep relationships anchored in love. They’re searching for community, a group of caring friends, who will stand with them in their suffering and work with them to restore the goodness of this broken world. Isaiah asked his people, “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” He would have been baffled by our neighborhoods filled with Amazon trucks delivering to our doorsteps our latest impulse buys. It’s so easy now, just the click of the mouse, can satisfy our fleeting desires–and it’s all a fraud! We can’t get what we need online! The mysterious peace of God that everyone yearns for comes without price through words of grace and love!

Thought for the Day: Things I thought I needed, but really didn’t!

Matthew 13:44-52

“And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’” vs. 52

Jesus closes out this series of parables with an enigmatic saying that can be understood to describe what he had been doing in his teaching. He certainly did not disdain the law and the prophets that were a part of the Hebrew scriptures. He clearly valued some of the old practices but he regularly provided a new perspective on what it meant to live in the kingdom. The people in the synagogues marveled at the authority he brought to the new teachings he was presenting. When he left his disciples, he told them he would send the Spirit of Truth who would continually refresh his teachings. It’s amazing how difficult it has been for his followers through the centuries to adjust to that promise. Always there has been a clear preference for the old and any new teachings have been received with skepticism and unbelief. It’s so hard for us to believe that the old, old story can be taught in anything but the old, old ways. The old poem by James Lowell, Once To Every Man and Nation, put it well: “New occasions teach new duties, time makes ancient good uncouth; they must upward still and onward who would keep abreast of truth.” Blessed are those teachers who present Spirit-inspired new teachings that do not negate, but enhance, our faith community’s ancient scriptures.

Thought for the Day: New teachings that I have embraced.

Matthew 13:31-33

“He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’” vs. 33

Jesus was not only familiar with the ways of farmers, he evidently knew his way around the kitchen too.  At least he knows the properties of yeast and uses this simple single-celled micro-organism to teach an important lesson about the kingdom of heaven. So often as the people of God we get discouraged about the impact our little communities of faith are having in the world. We lament to one another and whoever will listen, “We’re just not big enough…we don’t have enough members…we’re making no difference to anyone.” And the truth is that just one believer has a powerful influence on a group of non-believers and just one congregation can change a whole community. Our presence in the world, even though we’re vastly outnumbered, is having a profound impact for good. Just imagine what the world would be like if there were no yeast organisms–not only would there be no sourdough bread, there wouldn’t even be any beer! Yeast is one of the essential ingredients of the good life. And without believers there would be no Christ in the world! So even though we may think of ourselves as pretty unimpressive and wish we could have more of an impact, just think what a dismal place this world would be without us!

Thought for the Day: How do I influence others?

Romans 8:31-39

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” vss. 38-39

Paul began this ending paragraph of chapter 8 in his letter to the Romans by writing “If God is for us, who can be against us?”  Martin Luther echoed those sentiments in the second verse of his classic hymn, A Mighty Fortress, when he wrote,”Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing.” Oh what comfort it brings when we finally realize that life’s deck has been stacked in our favor! It really doesn’t matter what the world brings against us or what stupid, inexcusable things we’ve done, in the end, it’s not all up to us! There is nothing in all creation, not even death, that can separate us from the love of God. These are words to be said at the bedside of every dying person and to be whispered to every disconsolate child. There is no power greater than love in the entire universe. This is the message that stands at the core of the gospel, a conviction that gives purpose to the existence of the Church. If we forget everything else and proclaim only this, the angels will sing our praises, and our mission will be deemed a success. 

Thought for the Day: When have these words hit home for me?

Romans 8:26-30

“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” vs. 28

Those who pray and meditate regularly know that there are times when the problems of this broken world pile up for us, and prayer becomes difficult. We don’t particularly know what to pray for, and the words we do choose seem repetitive and trite. Paul knew those feelings from his own life, and knowing that the words of his letter to this point have likely been more confusing than helpful, offers a wonderful perspective. He says that even in our silent confusion the Spirit intercedes on our behalf. In spite of the static interference of our minds, the call of our heart gets through to the Divine Presence, and a connection is made with God. Think of it! Even in our inarticulate mumbling, we are being heard! And then Paul shares this beautiful promise, “All things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” Can we even conceive of more comforting words? Somehow all the ugliness of our current situation will be transformed into good when we are in a love relationship with God. Sometimes we wonder about those words, “all things”! Can the life-sucking ingredients of our current despair really be stirred together to produce good? If we can believe the testimony of the faithful, the answer is a resounding “yes.” Paul’s promise to the Romans and to us is most certainly true!

Thought for the Day: How has this promise worked in my life?