Matthew 21:42-46

“Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.” vs. 43

The scribes and the high priests may not have gotten the point when Jesus told the parable of the unjust tenants, but they had no doubts about his interpretation. As he had many times in his ministry, he makes it plain that God doesn’t care a fig about our fine theologies and traditions, or even our sabbath activities. God simply doesn’t care about religion or religious people. All those externals are nothing but a pious show! What God cares about is fruit, fruits that befit repentance, and where those fruits are present God is pleased. And what are those fruits? Again the gospel is clear! We are called to care for the least and the lost wherever we encounter them. Our ministry is to the homeless and the hungry, the refugees and the asylum seekers–all those people who society forgets and marginalizes we are to remember and serve. Paul tells us that the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control. These are the attributes that will be seen among us as we reach out to the lost and lonely with tender mercy and generous hearts. And where these things are happening, no matter who is doing them, the Divine Presence rejoices.

Thought for the Day: What is God seeing in my faith community?

Matthew 21:33-41

“Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” vs. 40”

The chief priests and the scribes were able to answer the question that Jesus asked at the end of his parable about the vineyard. It was easy, like the questions a pastor asks during a children’s conversation. The problem is that the question wasn’t the point of the story–it was a trap. Their answer was an indictment of themselves. It had never dawned on them that they were the tenants who had usurped the owner’s vineyard. In our day, we who are the stewards of creation would do well to pay attention to this parable. Our global village has been intricately knit together in a most spectacular fashion and given into the hands of caretakers who have come to see themselves as owners. If someone were to ask, “What should be done about the ravaging of the environment and the exploitation of resources by those who were given charge of it?” we would likely have a ready answer. “Those rascally caretakers should be punished!” And our answer would be an indictment of ourselves. The problem is that we’ve been lulled into thinking that our standard operating procedure, progress at all costs, is the best stewardship style, and it isn’t! If we continue doing things as we always have, this earth is going to suffer. Somewhere along the line something has to change!

Thought for the Day: What are the limits of progress?

Philippians 3:8b-14

“Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” vss. 13-14

Because Paul knew Christ Jesus he had confidence that one day he would share in the resurrection to new life. But having said that he hastened to tell the Philippians that he was not resting on his laurels–his race was not yet over. He was going to strain on for however many laps remained until he had crossed the finish line. It was then that he would receive the wreath of victory that was his in Christ Jesus. In saying this Paul reminds the Philippians of a basic gospel principle, namely, that the past does not define our future! In fact he says we can forget about all that lies behind us. All our failures, broken promises, and moral lapses can be put in our rear view mirrors as we live out the rest of our lives in Christ. There will be goodness, joy, peace, and love in the days ahead even as our bodies wear out and our health declines. In Christ the best is always yet to come! And it’s not that our finish depends on our effort. We run In Christ, and in Christ victory is assured. Our laurel wreaths are gifts! Praise God!

Thought for the Day: How’s the race going for me?

Philippians 3:4b-8a

“Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” vss, 7-8a

For many, success in life is measured by net worth at the time of retirement. They want to have enough socked away to ensure a comfortable lifestyle throughout their golden years. With that as a goal they choose lucrative jobs or vocations and devote themselves to earning as much as they possibly can during their working years. For others, making a lot of money just isn’t that important. They sense that there are other values that bring much more satisfaction. Paul obviously falls into that category. He had discovered that there was nothing more valuable than knowing Christ. We know folks like that. They live among us. Some are in our congregations. One way of describing such people is to say that they have a moral compass that points directly at the person of Jesus Christ. And everything they do or say is influenced and directed by that deep sense of allegiance and trust. It’s more important than their political or economic convictions and it will carry them through every season of their lives. There is nothing that they have that is more valuable. In fact, they could lose everything and remain content. It’s a mystery why more people don’t carry the Christ card in their heart–it’s easier to get and far more precious than even a Visa or a Mastercard!

Thought for the Day: What is my moral compass?

Psalm 80:8-15

“Why then have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?” vs. 12

Like Isaiah the psalmist uses the metaphor of the vineyard to describe Israel. But the questions asked are different. Isaiah asks “Why did the beautiful vineyard yield wild grapes?” but the psalmist asks “Why did God break down the vineyard’s walls?” Isaiah the prophet implies that Israel had disappointed the Lord, but the psalmist seems to have no clue why the country is being plundered by its enemies. These different perspectives reflect two general attitudes that can be seen among us when ugly stuff starts happening. Some have no difficulty in assigning blame–it’s our own fault. We’re the ones who have screwed up and we deserve the consequences of our sinful actions. But others seem to have no idea why all the bad things are happening to them. They’ve done their best to lead good lives, and in spite of that, they’re being punished–and like the psalmist all they can do is cry out to God for help. Such are the mysteries of life in this world. At various points we’ll agree with the prophet, “Yup, we really have gotten off track. We should have known this would happen.” But sometimes we really do wonder. There just isn’t any good reason for the calamities we’re enduring–and we resonate with the psalmist’s “why.” No matter what camp they are in, people of faith will find their only consolation in the Divine Presence!

Thought for the Day: Who speaks for me, Isaiah or the psalmist?

Psalm 80:3-7

“Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.” vs. 7

When things were going bad for the people of Israel, something that happened with some frequency, it was not unusual for their prophets and psalmists to yearn for restoration. In recent years we’ve even seen that theme used as a political slogan as some have lifted up their voices to urge that America be made great again. Such persons remember a time of prosperity and global strength, and they yearn for the blessings of that past to return. And while such collective memories can’t necessarily be trusted, and what were good times for some were bad times for others, there is no doubt that all people have moments when they pray fervently for restoration, not only for themselves but for those they love. This is the essence of healing, both of body and soul. When we’re sick or disabled, and the feeling of wellness has become a memory, we yearn to feel good again–we want the cancers gone and the anxieties to disappear. And when we begin to see signs of restoration our spirits soar and we sense that salvation is at hand. It really is a delight to move through that process of restoration–and, as each day brings a new sign of healing, it seems almost magical. Sometimes we’ve been so far down that we can’t even remember what it felt like to feel good, and when that healing moment comes the joy is overwhelming!

Thought for the Day: How has restoration touched my life?

Isaiah 5:1-7

“What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done in it? When I expected it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes?” vs. 4

Isaiah’s love song on behalf of the Lord in chapter 5 has a country western quality to it. The lyrics speak of unrequited love, the devotion of the beloved as he pours all of his energy in constructing the finest vineyard imaginable, and the devastating disappointment which follows. He had expected the finest wines, and instead had gotten wild grapes. The vineyard is of course Israel–the beloved nation, says Isaiah, has been a bitter disappointment to the Lord. We understand the power of that little word, “why.” Some have used it again and again as an expression of frustration and bewilderment. Why have my children, for whom I have spared no expense, and on whom I’ve lavished my unconditional love, proven to be such a disappointment? Why has my country, with all of its magnificent resources and amazing people, turned out to be a nation full of bitter and angry citizens? Why is my life such a mess when my expectations were so wholesome and good? Often such why questions lead to judgment, anger, and bitterness and asking them introduces us to a pit of despair from which there is no relief. In fact Isaiah implies that the Lord’s why would mean the destruction of Israel–but that didn’t happen! Why not? Because the Lord never stops loving, and neither should we!

Thought for the Day: What triggers why questions for me?

Matthew 21:28-32

“Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.’” vs. 31b

It must have been hard for the chief priests and the elders to hear these words of Jesus. They had understood his parable about the two sons asked to work in the vineyard–they knew which son had done the father’s will. But they likely didn’t realize the story was about them, and that it called into question everything they’d ever believed about their relationship to God. And when he told them that sinners would go into the kingdom of God before them, they were shocked to the core. This man Jesus was more dangerous than they’d ever dreamed. If he were allowed to continue their whole religion would be turned topsy-turvy. That’s what Jesus continues to do when his followers get too religious for their own good. It’s stunning how quickly we who follow the rules begin to believe that our obedience sets us apart from the sinners in our midst. How easy it is for us to look down on the misfits and misguided and make assumptions about their relationship to God! We have such contempt for the broken and addicted–and then Jesus comes and points out our hypocrisy. Who is it that really gets grace? And who regularly feasts on the crumbs of forgiveness that are scattered their way? It’s those we think we’re better than! And it’s our religion that needs to come tumbling down!

Thought for the Day: Who do I think I’m better than in my heart?

Matthew 21:23-27

“When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’” vs. 23

The chief priests and the elders were concerned about Jesus’ credentials, and they had a point. They had responsibility for what went on in the temple and it wasn’t appropriate for just any random teacher to come in and say whatever they pleased. When the Church took shape and began to expand, leaders realized that the question of authority was going to be important for ministry. Teachers and preachers would need to be properly credentialed before they could take office or carry out a function. Most congregations require that their pastors be duly authorized by the larger church before they can be installed–it’s a way to ensure that their words and actions can be trusted. But sometimes charismatic leaders come along with no credentials but with tremendous personal appeal–and like Jesus they can become a huge threat to the status quo. Pastors and bishops are threatened by these interlopers. Often they use television and the internet with amazing skill and are able to gather millions of followers. People in congregations are confused. Some wonder if credentials are that important anymore. But for others authority is closely aligned with trust. All of us need authority figures, but in these changing times, just who is that going to be?

Thought for the Day: Who are my authority figures?

Philippians 2:5-13

“Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” vss. 12-13

Paul is not telling the Philippians to forget about the grace of God with these profound and insightful words. Not at all! All of us have salvation as a gift through the sacrificial love of Jesus the Christ. But that salvation will have a particular shape in every person, and we’ll all experience it in different ways. Paul says it must be worked out with fear and trembling, a phase that has been the subject of profound debate among theologians. Essentially he’s speaking about faith, the ever elusive connection between ourselves and God. It’s ever-changing, and just when we think we have it figured out, new questions arise, and we’re forced to reconsider once again just what it is that we believe in. Occasionally we’ll even wander into the areas of skepticism and unbelief–it’s just so hard to figure out satisfactory answers when it comes to God and the Universe. No wonder it’s a process wrought with fear and trembling! Paul gives one word of comfort. Always as we struggle we should remember that the Divine Presence is involved, and through the work of the Spirit, our faith journey will have a satisfactory conclusion.

Thought for the Day: What have my faith struggles been like?