1 Corinthians 1:1-4

“Paul…..to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints…” vss. 1-2a

Paul had lived in Corinth for some time in the course of his first missionary journey and had founded the congregation there. Mostly Gentile, they had continued to be faithful to the gospel and had kept in contact with Paul after he had gone on to Ephesus. Not only had they written him a letter with some questions, but he had been getting other reports too, some of which had disturbed him. While he would have liked to have visited in person he contented himself with offering guidance and direction through letters. From his salutation we can see that he believed that the Corinthian believers were part of the one universal church of God in Christ, and that they had already been sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints. His choice of words is important and reminds us that sanctification is a journey and not a destination. Being a saint is not something that we aspire to be, it’s something that we already are! And we do not need to continually monitor our behavior and be mortified by our sinful condition. That’s just our nature! And we are never going to fall from grace no matter how twisted our lives become. Of course that doesn’t mean our behaviors are inconsequential–Paul let the Corinthians know clearly that they had gone astray. But they never stopped being saints, and neither will we!

Thought for the Day: Why are we reluctant to think of ourselves as saints?

Psalm 40:1-11

“I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.” vs. 10

People of faith are sometimes reluctant to talk about the ways God has been active in their lives. It could be that they’ve known people who wear their faith on their sleeves and talk of little else–admittedly such experiences with the zealous can be wearisome. Or maybe they just don’t like to talk about themselves and are afraid of being perceived as braggarts. The psalmist had no such compunctions and in fact trumpeted before his entire community the many ways he had experienced the steadfast love of the Lord. He believed that this was the best way available for him to express his thanksgiving to God for all the saving graces he had received. Certainly it was better than any number of sacrifices or burnt offerings. As we now move into Epiphany, the season of light, it would be good for us to find inspiration from this psalmist. In our baptisms we were enjoined to “Let our lights so shine before others that they might see our good works and give glory to God.” That means becoming vocal about the happiness and joy that have come our way through living as servants of the Lord. There’s really no better way to evangelize that to let others get a glimpse of our faith life.

Thought for the Day: What could I share that might inspire others?

Isaiah 49:5-7

“he says, ‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’” vs. 6

When the prophet uses the word “servant” in this section of Isaiah he’s almost always referring to the people of Israel. They are God’s chosen ones, and together they are his servant. They had been set aside, not only as a nation, but as a light to the nations. Their mission was global! After Jesus’ death and resurrection, as early believers reflected on his life and mission, they believed that what had happened in him was the fulfillment of the prophet’s vision. Isaiah had been talking about Israel. They applied his words to Jesus, and so do we! Jesus was given, not only to the Jews, but to the whole world. What happened in him was for all people! He was and is the light of the world! And now, we who call ourselves his servants can also see ourselves in Isaiah’s words. We do not exist in this time and place solely for our own benefit, we have been called and set aside by the Spirit to continue the mission. There are many who have not heard the good news of salvation, and just as God gave Israel and Jesus to be lights to the nations, it’s now our turn. We are the Servant of Isaiah’s vision!

Thought for the Day: How does it feel to be the Servant of God?

Isaiah 49:1-4

“He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, ‘You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’” vss. 2-3

In spite of external appearances like the destruction of Jerusalem and the ensuing captivity in Babylon, the prophet continued to believe that Israel would one day bring glory to God. The nation was like a hidden weapon that would one day be used to bring light to the entire earth. That same metaphor could well be used to describe how the servants of Jesus will one day be used to reshape and reform the world. Sometimes it doesn’t appear as though the church has much significance or relevance–political and economic forces seem to be dictating the trends and directions of modern times. Different nations spend trillions of dollars as they vie for global domination. Cultural icons from the entertainment and sports establishment are the trend-setters and people of faith are seldom seen or heard. But we know the church is real; the body of Christ is no figment of our imagination. Places of worship are seen in every land, a hidden force in plain sight, and one day the servants of God will be unleashed to bring justice and peace to all peoples. In spite of appearances we are a potent force, and through us God will be glorified. 

Thought for the Day: Why does the church appear to be impotent?

Matthew 3:16-17

“And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’” vs. 17

Whatever reason Jesus might have had for seeking baptism at the hands of John, there is no doubt that the experience marked the beginning of his ministry. As he came up out of the water, Matthew says, the heavens were opened to him, the Spirit of God came near, and he heard the voice of God. It’s noteworthy that he didn’t get a commission or a call–no one told him what to do. But he did get a divine word of affirmation–”you are my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased”–and that word changed the trajectory of his life. That declaration of love remains the central focus of baptism in the Church. Whether we’re baptized as infants or adults, whether we remember the ritual or not, through the water and the word we are claimed as beloved children of God. There’s no command or contract, just a covenant of love, and it will remain in effect as long as we live. We may drift away from church and give up on worship, but God’s love never ceases. No matter how life goes, through suffering and triumph, the Spirit of God always hovers near to remind us whose we are. We will never ever be separated from the unconditional, always compassionate, love of our Creator God.

Thought for the Day: At what times do I need words of love and affirmation?

Matthew 3: 13-15

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’” vss. 13-14

All the gospel writers were aware that Jesus had been baptized by John the Baptizer, but only Matthew includes John’s initial refusal to do so. Mark and Luke had simply written that Jesus submitted to baptism along with the rest of the crowd who had come to the Jordan. Evidently Matthew felt that description to be inadequate–perhaps he thought readers could get the impression that Jesus had also needed to confess his sins. We can understand Matthew’s concern. The New Testament is full of references to the sinlessness of Jesus. If Jesus weren’t sinless, the early Christians reasoned, he couldn’t have been the perfect sacrifice for sin. We can understand such reasoning–it’s crucial for the sacrificial notion of atonement–but at the same time there are some who wonder. What would be so wrong if Jesus was like everyone else? And there are other questions too. How can we even think about walking in the way of Jesus if he was perfect? For many it’s much more comforting to have a Savior who really knows what life is like, who understands feelings of guilt, and who even knows what it’s like to confess. After all, when it comes to relationships, it’s weakness and not strength that draws us together. Perhaps the same is true for Jesus!

Thought for the Day: What would it even be like to live without sin?

Day of Epiphany

Matthew 2:1-12

“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?’” vss.1-2

In most Spanish-speaking countries the Day of Epiphany, or the Day of the Kings, is celebrated with as much enthusiasm as Christmas. The Three Kings ride in street parades, welcome children in department stores, and hand out gifts in hospitals. They have crowns on their heads and wear royal robes, and their presence marks the close of the Christmas season. For most other Christians the day slips by pretty much unnoticed, though for some it’s a signal to take down the Christmas decorations. Originally in the Eastern Church the day was called Theophany and celebrated the incarnation of Jesus. The connection with the Wise Men came later as a recognition that Jesus was given to all peoples and not just the Jews. In our time, for many congregations Epiphany inaugurates the season of light, a series of Sundays in which we recognize that God’s glory shone through Jesus and that he is the Light of the world. And even if we’re not very good about evangelism and spreading the good news, these will be the weeks when we talk about maybe doing that some day. And some will actually jump on the bandwagon and begin letting their light shine for all to see–and when that actually happens, it’s a wondrous thing to see!

Thought for the Day:  What does the word “epiphany” mean to me?

Ephesians 3:1-12

“Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God…” vss. 8-9a

Paul was well-versed in the scriptures and believed that he understood the nature and will of God, but an encounter with the Risen Christ wiped all that confidence from his mind. As he grappled with the hiddenness of God he was forced to reconsider his old convictions, and as he struggled, the mystery of God’s will was revealed to him. God does not play favorites, he told the Ephesians, and the grace of God has been poured out upon all people, including the Gentiles, and he had been called to announce that good news particularly to them. Many still struggle with the mystery of God’s hiddenness. To faithless eyes our world can be understood without reference to God–for such persons it makes no sense even to speak of God. But when the Spirit of God touches hardened hearts, the mysteries of God are made clear, and we can experience the wonder of God’s unconditional love as revealed in Christ Jesus. And when that happens, like Paul, it is our privilege to let others in on the secret–and if they don’t listen, well, at least they will have heard, and it never hurts anyone, even unbelievers, to know that they are loved!

Thought for the Day: With whom can I share the good news?

Acts 10:34-43

“Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.’” vss. 34-35

The early followers of Jesus were almost exclusively Jewish and had continued to practice their faith according to the commandments laid out in the Law. Peter was one of their leaders and carried the message of the Risen Christ to the scattered villages of Judea. He was well-known as a teacher and a healer, but when he was invited to the home of a Roman army officer named Cornelius, he was forced to reexamine his call. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit he put aside his prejudices and was forced to admit that God was bigger than he had ever imagined. We can imagine the words sticking in his throat when he acknowledges to Cornelius that God shows no partiality. That was huge! It’s always been hard for people of faith to put aside exclusive notions about how special they are. Instead we compete with one another, with each religion or denomination or congregation claiming that its doctrines, practices, and traditions are superior to any others. The truth is that every person has a God-connection and can be led by the Spirit to live a God-pleasing life. Our task is to quit comparing and quietly focus on the mission of serving and loving that the Spirit has given into our hands. 

Thought for the Day: Why do we like to ridicule the beliefs of others?

Psalm 29

“May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!” vs. 11

Technologically speaking we are the most advanced civilization ever! Many people could never have dreamed of the devices and tools that they have at their daily disposal, and it’s hard for them to even imagine that life could get any better. Yet given the recent history of our country and the deep divisions in the world, even those who live with health and comfort regularly experience anxieties that trouble their souls. We all seem to realize that life should be different and that technology and science fail miserably as a cure for worry and despair. The psalmist, living many centuries ago, points to the one thing that can make a difference. More than anything else, he claims, people need the strength and peace that only the Divine Presence can give. He would laugh at the Amazon trucks racing around our neighborhoods with all the “stuff” we so foolishly think is going to make our lives better. All those shortcuts to joy and happiness just don’t work; every new thing we get only devalues what we already have. That’s why we pray so fervently for the hurting, anxious people around us, all those friends and family members who live with hidden pain. May the Lord give them strength! May the Lord give them peace! Life can be so good when serenity is at our core–and that’s what we want so badly for those we love. And that’s why we continue to pray!

Thought for the Day: For whom do I pray most fervently?