Matthew 4:1-4

“He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ “ vss. 2-3

It had been an exhilarating and exhausting time for Jesus. First, he had gone for baptism at the Jordan, and in the immediate aftermath he had heard a voice saying, “You are my Son, my Beloved. With you I am well-pleased.” But then he had been led by the Spirit into the wilderness for a long period of fasting, a debilitating process that left him hungry and vulnerable. And it was then the tempter came. “You should,” the devil suggested, “test God! Was that experience at the Jordan real or imagined?” That’s how the tempter still operates. When we’re at a low point, depressed about life and discouraged, perhaps questioning whether we really have value, the voice comes. “Is God real or a figment of my imagination? Am I loved by God? Does anyone really care about me in a special way? Perhaps if we tested those who claim to love us we could find out for sure!” And that’s what some do! We withdraw from community and from our lovers. We test the limits of our relationships just to see how folks will respond when we’re out of line. How good it is when we recognize the voice of the tempter, call off the testing, and remain committed to our call to serve and love.

Thought for the Day: When am I most vulnerable to temptation?

Romans 5:12-19

“For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.” vs. 19

Paul had loved the ancient stories of the Hebrews and had tucked them away in his memory bank. And now as he attempted to explain the righteousness of God to the Romans he drew on one of those stories to make sense of his message. He explained that the disease of sin had come into the world through one man, and that all humanity had been infected. Therefore all people were sinners. But the good news is that by the obedience of Jesus Christ all humanity will be healed through God’s grace. All people have been and will be made righteous. For Paul, this was the gospel in a nutshell! In general people had many questions about Paul’s grace-centered teachings. This new message, even though it arose out of their scriptures, seemed to undermine the law and many thought that it would lead to careless and licentious living. And there were many others who thought that it was too inclusive. People still have those reactions when they first hear about what has been called “universal salvation.” They wonder if anyone will even bother to go to church if everything has already been taken care of. After all, why pay when you can get in for free? But Paul is clear. Jesus paid the price for all! And for most of us that’s good news!

Thought for the Day: How do I feel about free gifts?

Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7

“But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’” vs. 4-5

The ancient Hebrews used the story of temptation in the Garden of Eden to explain the presence of evil in the world–when not taken literally it contains profound truths about human nature and our relationship to God. Often we think of evil as an opposing force, a power that has battled the forces of good from the very beginning. While that dualistic view of reality can be compelling it leaves many questions unanswered. Consequently some have found it more helpful to think of good and evil as being more like partners in creation, and it does seem to be true that one cannot exist without the other. While at times we’re conscious only of the good, and the joy that it brings, experience tells us the evil is close at hand, and sometimes it only takes one bad decision to turn our lives upside down. Mostly those poor choices come in response to temptations. We’re led by our inner voices to believe that life can be better than it already is, and then speak or act in ways that are completely contrary to God’s way. Sometimes, by the time we’ve come to our senses, only repentance and grace can get us back on track. How much better it is when our first response is resistance!

Thought for the Day: The best temptation I’ve ever resisted.

If you just got a post for February 26, ignore it! It’s coming again on February 26.

I think someone screwed up!!!!

Ash Wednesday

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” vs. 1

For some believers the season of Lent is a time for serious reflection on faith and its implications for daily living. They cherish the opportunity to retreat from some of their usual distracting activities by adopting one or more disciplines. Often thought of as “giving something up for Lent” such exercises can also include “doing something for Lent.” As such they could include the acts of piety mentioned by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount, i.e. giving alms, praying, or fasting. Any or all of these disciplines would surely enhance these 40 days for any believer. But Jesus speaks of these actions in the context of a warning. He knows the devious nature of the human spirit and has seen how often religious folks do pious things purely to enhance their position in the community. Such a practice, he warns, will have absolutely no spiritual benefit! But he also says that when our intention is pure, and our discipline is private, we will be piling up treasure for ourselves in heaven. Now this doesn’t mean that if our tongue slips and we mention our discipline to a friend, all the benefit is lost! Such private sharing can in fact be useful and inspiring. It really is a matter of intention–and when our goal is to enhance and expand our own spiritual experience, the blessings do abound.

Thought for the Day: How will these 40 days affect my spiritual life?

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

“We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way” vss. 3-4

Paul had been reconciled to God through Christ Jesus, and now, as Christ’s ambassador, he believed that others might be reconciled to God through his ministry. Because of that important calling he was now determined not to be an obstacle to anyone’s faith. His behavior and the behavior of those who were his fellow servants was crucial, and he took great pains to exercise every virtue in overcoming the adversities that regularly came his way. He realized that the way he behaved was a reflection on Christ, and people were either repelled or attracted to Christ depending on their reaction to him. That’s how it still is for those who understand themselves to be ambassadors for Christ. People are watching! And what they see in us makes all the difference in the world–it may even be a factor in their salvation! Granted, we don’t really like to think like this. Today is Mardi Gras and we’d maybe like to engage in every kind of debauchery and not have it reflect on our witness. But that’s not how it works. The way we conduct ourselves in moments of triumph and suffering has an impact on others, and our most effective evangelism comes as people watch us deal with the joys and sadness of daily living.

Thought for the Day: Are others seeing Christ in me? Do I care?

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

“Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing.” vss. 12-13

The people of Israel were facing an invasion, not of armies, but of a horde of locusts. Joel likely knew this wasn’t the first time–the devastation wreaked by the regular migratory cloud of insects had been seen before, but he knew the country was facing a crisis. There was no defense, yet Joel advises prayer and fasting, the impending disaster could be averted! We are reading these words on the threshold of Lent and in the context of global climate change. If our prophets are correct, the current warming of the earth’s atmosphere spells catastrophe for billions of people. Of course there are some who insist that there is no issue, that it’s all “fake news,” and even if it were true, there’s nothing that can be done about it. But others believe the indicators and are suggesting that believers use the season of Lent for weeping and fasting, for prayerful consideration of what each person might do to at least slow the progression of the warming trend. They’re calling for repentance, a change in attitude and policy on national levels. They say that if we are willing to make short-term sacrifices, there will at least be the potential for long-term blessings. Of course that’s a big ask! In this age of massive financial gain, sacrifice seems a quaint and forgotten notion–even if it is the core of the gospel message!

Thought for the Day: What can I sacrifice to combat climate change?

Matthew 17:5-9

“But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.” vss. 7-8

The disciples had been blown away. It had been a spectacular vision, with both visual and aural elements, and it terrified them. But when it was over Jesus was there, not to explain the vision, but to give them comfort. And that’s what they needed, not an explanation, just reassurance that things were going to be okay. They wouldn’t need to figure out what the vision meant for a long time yet. In the meantime, Jesus was there, and his presence was enough. We still don’t quite know what the vision was about, though by now, explanations abound. Teachers and preachers love to tell us the meaning of obscure references in the scriptures, but that’s still not what we need. What we do need is the comforting presence of a friend, someone who can calm our fears and help us get back on our feet again. When we sit, eyes tightly clenched against the weirdness and pain of the world, wondering what’s going to happen next, there is nothing better than to feel that comforting hand on our shoulder and hear a word of affirmation. We’ve got plenty of time to figure stuff out in our lives, and sometimes things just stop being important, but we’ll never outgrow our need for that friend who is Jesus himself alone for us.

Thought for the Day: Who is my Jesus himself alone?

Matthew 17:1-9

“And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.” vs. 2

Many of us don’t quite know what to do with the story of the transfiguration as found in the gospels. It doesn’t fit with the rest of what we read about Jesus’ Galilean ministry, and seems more like a resurrection appearance than anything else. It’s like Peter, James, and John got a glimpse of the risen Jesus even before he suffered and died. In that sense it was like a foretaste of the life to come for them, and the text says that they didn’t quite know what to do with it. It was only later, after the resurrection, that they began to understand. It’s like that for most believers. We all live on this side of the resurrection, and while we trust that there is new life beyond death, it remains a mystery. It’s outside the realm of our experience and it’s hard to unravel the truth of it. But sometimes, generally when we least expect it, there are those moments when we catch a glimpse of glory and that which is hidden can be seen. It’s like what some say of Holy Communion. It’s a foretaste of the feast which is to come. We would like those moments to last and, like Peter, try to think of ways to preserve them. But we can’t hang on and the moment passes. Whether we like it or not, we’re just going to have to keep on waiting for Easter.

Thought for the Day: When have I caught a glimpse of glory?