Genesis 9:8-17

“I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.” vs. 13

There’s something magical about the appearance of a rainbow in the sky after a storm. Not always the same, some are partial, while others are double and stretch all across the sky. They’re often an occasion for photos and always bring joy–some people even connect them with buried treasure and leprechauns. They’ve been a source of wonder from the beginning and it’s really not surprising to see them associated with the Flood Story in the Hebrew scriptures as a sign of the covenant between God and the earth. This Noahic covenant, as it’s come to be called, is a reaffirmation of God’s creative relationship to the universe. The rainbow connection is a promise that God and the creation will remain inseparable for all time, and that all things in the heavens and on earth are significant and precious. Too often humans have failed to see themselves as caretakers and have instead ravaged the environment in search of power and riches. We are but one link in the great chain of being and when we’re the weak link, consequences can be devastating. Perhaps the rainbow can not only be a sign of hope, but a reminder of the diversity that is integral to the unity we have in Christ Jesus. There are many colors but only one Light!

Thought for the Day: What does the Rainbow Flag signify?

Mark 9:7-9

“Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’” vs. 7

The moment of transfiguration was over for the disciples. They’d gotten a glimpse of resurrection and then it was gone. And then came the cloud! They’d seen Easter and now they could see nothing–but then from the cloud came a voice, the same voice Jesus had heard at his baptism, but now it was directed at them. In a sense this was their baptismal moment and they were told one thing, “Listen to Jesus!” There could be no more important message for us in this time of obfuscating politicians and preachers. People claiming allegiance to Jesus are abandoning his message of love in favor of mean-spirited denunciations and half-baked nationalism. It’s so strange! His words are readily available to us in the gospels. He tells us to love our enemies and pray for them. Our allegiance is to the Lord and Giver of Life, and not to any country or politician. The disciples got it! After the resurrection they proclaimed the good news of Jesus and established congregations all over the world. When that’s the dominant message of the Church, good things will happen, the hungry will be fed, and hurting people will find healing. What a blessing it is when people actually listen to Jesus! Praise God, it’s still happening!

Thought for the Day: Why do people abandon the teachings of Jesus?

Mark 9:2-5

“And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them.” vss. 2b-3

By this time in Jesus’ ministry the disciples were likely confused and bewildered about what would be coming next. Jesus had shown no interest in politics or starting a rebellion and there were questions about whether he really was the messiah. On this day three of those disciples, ones who had been with Jesus from the very first day, were invited to climb a mountain with him. What they saw there can only be described as a foretaste of the resurrection. It’s an occasion cloaked with mystery, and the disciples were described as terrified. To use terms we’re familiar with, they had a near death experience, and caught a glimpse of the resurrected Christ. Of course since that was beyond their expectations, this was a scary time for them and even Peter didn’t know what to say. Only after Easter did things begin to make sense, and so it is for us. Believing in resurrection means that we can begin to make sense of what happens for those who come so close to death that they see the Light. Without Easter it’s only a nonsensical experience that defies description. But with Easter we now have a sense of what is to come after death, and for many of us, it’s not scary at all.

Thought for the Day: What is a near death experience?

2 Corinthians 4:5-6

“For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.” vs. 5

One of the reasons the gospel is veiled is because its focus on the cross makes it a stumbling block to some and foolishness to others. But beyond it being a difficult message, there is one other major reason why people are finding Christianity unappealing, and it’s of our own making. To put it plainly, some Christians have abandoned Jesus in favor of power politics. And, amazingly, they’re getting mean about it! We see and hear preachers spreading lies and rumors at every opportunity. They demean and disparage those holding office, often using social media to mount unparalleled attacks on those who disagree with them. We wonder where in the teachings of Jesus they can find any basis for behaving as they do. What’s really sad is that these folks have become the face of the faith! Paul spoke against self-promotion of all kinds and faithfully proclaimed Jesus as Lord. The only fitting role for believers is to act as slaves and servants for the hurting and the needy. When we are known more for our kindness and love we will be able to present a compelling witness to others. Until then our numbers will shrink. We won’t disappear! Thank God for that! There are still millions of believers who get Jesus, and through them his light still shines.

Thought for the Day: Why are some religious folk such bullies?

2 Corinthians 4:3-4

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers…” vss. 3-4a

Paul was a skilled evangelist and spent his adult life proclaiming the good news of Jesus and forming congregations of believers in the cities that he visited. But his wasn’t the only show in town! People had options, and most of them listened more closely to what he calls the “god of this world.” It was as though the gospel was veiled, and folks just didn’t get the amazing truth that it contained. In their ears the words of Paul sounded distorted and fuzzy, while the message of the world was compelling and logical. The god of the world has not gone away! We now see whole generations turning their backs on the gospel in favor of the alternatives presented by the culture. Our children and grandchildren find nothing attractive in the story we hold so dear–they would much rather pursue the promises of prosperity and pleasure. Some believers are totally dismayed by this and wonder where the church has failed. But others realize that nothing has changed. There is a certain illogic to the message of Jesus Christ crucified. As Paul said, it’s veiled, and many won’t get it. But many do! And in them, the light of Christ continues to shine! And will do so until the end of time!

Thought for the Day: How can our gospel be unveiled?

Psalm 50:1-6

“The mighty one, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.” vs. 1

At their best, the people of Israel believed that they had a covenant relationship with the Lord, that God had chosen them to be a blessing to the world. Periodically their priestly leaders would use psalms like this one as a type of covenant renewal. God was invoked as the Mighty One, the ruler and judge of all the earth, and the people were reminded of their call to worship and obey. For many of us the closest equivalent would be an affirmation of baptism, a time in which we remember the gracious acts of God, and our own promises to live and worship among God’s faithful people, to proclaim the gospel, to serve according the example of Jesus, and to work for peace and justice throughout the world. Those are significant promises, ones that are important to review and remember. And even if we don’t imagine God as a fierce and condemning judge, vows made before God are not to be taken lightly. When we swear before God to live in a particular way it means something, and breaking our baptismal promises is at least as consequential as breaking our marriage vows. Even if the relationship with God isn’t broken, it will certainly be damaged, and its repair will usually mean significant repentance. Fortunately God is always faithful, and when there is honest confession, forgiveness and cleansing will always follow, and the relationship will be restored.

Thought for the Day: When do I affirm my baptism?

2 Kings 2:9-12

“As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven.” vs. 11

Some have suggested that this little story from the Hebrew scriptures is an ancient account of an alien abduction, that the chariot of fire was a spacecraft of some sort, and that Elijah was carried off to some unknown planet in a faraway galaxy. While that claim is unlikely to be true, it is true that this story had an enormous influence on messianic expectations. By the time of Jesus it was widely believed that Elijah would return to prepare the way for the coming of the messiah. During his ministry some were convinced that Jesus was Elijah but many more pointed to John the Baptist. During the Passover meal five cups of wine would often be prepared, but only four would be drunk. The fifth was the Elijah Cup and it was poured in anticipation of Elijah’s coming. Some believe that this is the cup Jesus shared with his disciples at the Last Supper. This means that for many Christians there is an Elijah connection each time they participate in Holy Communion. As they drink from the cup they are offering a toast to Elijah, and remembering the strong sense of anticipation that is a part of daily living for followers of Jesus. Life is good now, but the best is yet to come.

Thought for the Day: What is yet to come for me?

2 Kings 2:1-8

 “The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, ‘Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?’ And he answered, ‘Yes, I know; be silent.’” vs. 5

Elijah was remembered as the first of the great prophets of Israel, one who vigorously defended the Lord against the prophets of Baal. As he grew older he was given an associate, Elisha, who became his partner in the ongoing battle against idolatry. Eventually it became time for Elisha to take over the ministry entirely, and as the day drew near, Elijah visited his followers in several towns along the Jordan. At each place the company of prophets ask Elisha, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And each time Elisha replies, “Yes, I know; be silent.” While we don’t know the precise meaning of that response, the simplest explanation is that Elisha just didn’t want to be left alone! For one thing it would be hard to replace a prophet like Elijah, and it’s doubtful that Elisha felt prepared. We see that sort of thing regularly in the succession of pastors in our congregations. It can be a scary prospect to stand in the shoes of a much-loved and respected leader. And secondly, Elisha would miss Elijah! We know that feeling too, if we’ve ever faced the departure of a dear and trusted friend. It’s the sort of thing that, like Elisha, we might not want to talk about!

Thought for the Day: What can happen when a beloved pastor leaves?

Mark 1:35-39

“In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him.” vss. 35-36

Mark tells his readers that the morning after being besieged by the crowds in Capernaum, Jesus got up early, and went in the dark to a deserted place for prayer. Because the geography of Galilee has changed little in 2000 years we know that he must have gone up onto one of the rocky hills just outside of town. And as he prayed there in the darkness he would have seen the first light of dawn over the mountains of Syria on the eastern shore of the sea. And as the sky came alive with color, flocks of birds would have been silently making their way from north to south. When the sun finally peeked over the hills, a golden pathway stretched across the water from the sun directly to where Jesus sat. In that transcendent setting, one that Jesus experienced often in the course of his Galilean years, the Spirit revisited Jesus as he prayed. It was an energy boost, and he heard the voice of God. He had come seeking direction! His ministry had had a remarkable beginning, but the  question remained, “Now what?” By the time his searching disciples had disturbed his reverie, his answer had come. “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” 

Thought for the Day: Where do I recharge my spiritual batteries?

Mark 1:29-34

“That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door.” vss. 32-33

As soon as the sabbath was over people flocked to see Jesus, bringing with them all who were sick or demon-possessed. Capernaum isn’t that large, and soon, Mark tells us, the whole city was gathered around the door of the house where he was staying. He may have been a great teacher, but it was his ability as a healer that drew the crowds. That connection between teaching and healing has continued to be at the core of the church’s growth as medical missionaries have led the way in spreading the good news around the world. Almost all hospitals have been started by faith-based organizations with a passion for the needs of the whole person. Many congregations now have parish nurses on their staff, and people appreciate having skilled persons who can help them with the myriad of health issues that plague us as we age. Healing services are held regularly as a part of worship and people are glad for the opportunity to receive prayers, the laying on of hands, and be anointed with oil. Of course times have changed. In Jesus’ day traveling healers were the only show in town. Now we have whole networks of urgent care centers and hospitals where people go for health care. But care for the sick and the possessed will always be a part of our gospel imperative, and prayer for the sick are always in order.

Thought for the Day: What part does prayer play in healing?