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?

Isaiah 42:1-9

“Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it:” vs. 5

The prophets of Israel understood that the Creator God who had brought all things into existence had given the breath of life to all people. This breath, which could also be called “spirit,” is what animates humans and is God’s special connection with every person on the planet. And out of all those people, Isaiah believed, Israel had a special calling. He describes that calling in this way “I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations…” They hadn’t been delivered from slavery into the freedom of the Promised Land so that they could dominate and exploit like every other nation. They had a mission and a purpose, and while Israel never managed to pull it off, it was that mission that came to identify the ministry of Jesus. And now it has been passed on to those who are called by his name–it has become the special calling of the Body of Christ. We who are the inheritors of the gospel of grace are called to bring recovery of sight to the blind and proclaim release to captives. We’ve not been set aside so that we can go to heaven when we die, we are sent to work for justice and peace in all the earth.

Thought for the Day: How’s our mission going?

The Name of Jesus

Luke 2:17-21

“and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” vss. 18-19

In Luke’s story, Mary treasured the report of the shepherds when they came to see the baby in Bethlehem. Obviously it was good news for her–but it was more than she could comprehend. She needed time for reflection as she pondered their words in her heart. Some of us are doing that sort of thing as we celebrate New Year’s Day. By tradition it’s a time for resolutions, a moment to take stock of our lives in light of what has happened and to then vow to make some changes. Obviously this isn’t a day of repentance! We still haven’t reordered our lives; we’re only resolving to take a crack at it! But we have been through a pretty intense year, one filled with political turmoil, natural disasters, and global crises. And some of us have had some pretty stressful personal tensions too. And now we’ve heard the good news of Christmas yet again. We know that Jesus Christ is loose in the world and may be wondering if that should be making a difference in how we live. We might even be considering repentance! And the truth is, today is a good day to get started–or maybe we’ll start tomorrow, after one more day of football and pickled herring! But we can make the resolutions today! And then pray for the self-control we will need to actually follow through!

Thought for the Day: What resolutions have made my list?

Luke 2:15-16

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’” vs. 15

Luke’s amazing story doesn’t end with the message of the angels to the shepherds, because it’s really never enough just to get an announcement of good news. There just has to be a response! In this instance the shepherds immediately decided to go to Bethlehem so that they could see for themselves what the angel had told them. We’re wired to do the same sort of thing when we hear good news, and that’s especially true when it comes to the gospel of Jesus Christ. That’s how the Body of Christ has operated through the centuries.  Messengers announce that God has acted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and those who hear are moved by the Spirit to “check it out.” In a sense they decide to go to “Bethlehem” and see the Incarnate Word. And one by one, family by family, they are moved to give thanks and praise to God for this most wonderful gift. Of course this beautiful process can get short-circuited. Sometimes messengers forget they are angels, offer law in the place of good news, and hearers are unimpressed. How beautiful it is when the good news sparks joy and the way to “Bethlehem” is crowded with seekers! And some years that’s still what happens at Christmas.

Thought for the Day: How did the Christmas message move me this year?

Galatians 4:6-7

“And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” vs. 6

It’s possible to live without any sense of being in relationship with God. In fact, it’s likely that millions of folks could be put into that category. Some of these have deliberately chosen that way of life; they don’t even pretend to believe in God. Others never give the matter a second thought. They focus entirely on their own needs and desires and do what others do: they go to school, get jobs, mate, have children, travel, and set up retirement funds. They have a ton of things that can spark their interests, but God just isn’t a part of their world. But still others, many others, understand themselves to be children of God, not because they’re smarter than others or more religious, but because God’s Spirit lives in their hearts. This God-spark, actually present in all persons, infuses their consciousness and becomes known to them and seen by others. This isn’t because of their own will or desire, it’s just something that happens, and such persons live unabashedly as the off-spring of God, even crying out in their prayers to their “Abba” or “Papa,” a term used by Paul to describe our intimate familial connection to God. Within the context of our limited vocabulary it’s a way to describe the spontaneous bursts of prayer that fill the believer’s day. We are one with God, and our spirits know it!

Thought for the Day: What intimate term do I use for God?