Revelation 5:11-14

“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, ‘To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’” vs. 13

When we read the book of Revelation our little minds are overstimulated by John’s visionary account of heavenly happenings and it’s easy to get caught up in apocalyptic thinking. Some even imagine that they can find predictions of contemporary events in its pages. Others are tempted to ignore the book and wish that it weren’t a part of our scriptures. What we often fail to appreciate is John’s perspective on the creation’s interconnectedness. He saw clearly that all creatures, not only humans, have a stake in what takes place in Christ Jesus. In his vision the great chorus of the heavens includes chimps and worms, sea urchins, tanagers, and spiders. All creatures of our God and King join in the great song of blessing and honor and glory and might! Life in the universe is not all about us! Life is sacred wherever it is found–that’s why St. Francis addressed the sun and moon as brother and sister. That’s why he went into the forests and proclaimed the good news to robins and squirrels. What blessings come when our eyes are opened to the presence of God in the living creatures who share this planet and the worlds beyond! 

Thought for the Day: When have I heard living creatures praising God?

Psalm 30:6-12

“What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?” vs. 9

At his lowest point the psalmist tries to convince God that his death will be pointless, that if he’s gone the dust will surely not sing praises or bear witness to God’s faithfulness. Obviously he’s right and his point wins the day; he recovers and gives thanks for his life before the entire congregation. And while it’s hard for us to imagine the Lord of the Universe engaging in such a debate, the psalmist does have a point. In fact some people simply cannot believe that death could ever have the last word. What’s the point of life if it’s simply going to be obliterated? And the creation itself bears daily testimony to the triumph of life; when it appears that something has died it only means that new life is on the way, not always in the same form or shape, but new life nonetheless. The great miracle of the Universe is life and it’s amazing how persistent it is, existing and thriving in the most unlikely places. That’s what Resurrection is all about–it’s not just the new life that came to one man, it’s new life for all! Scripture says it plainly, in Christ Jesus all have been raised, and there is absolutely nothing in all creation, not even death, that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Thought for the Day: What bargains have I tried to strike with God?

Psalm 30:1-5

“For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” vs. 5

The psalmist has had a near death experience and wants everyone to know his triumphant story. We don’t know what had happened, perhaps it was a serious illness, but he had prayed to the Lord for deliverance–and his prayers had been heard. And now his praise is effusive. He wants everyone to know that, in spite of periodic setbacks, God’s love is for a lifetime. And if there are nights when tears slip from our eyes, we can expect that in the morning our joy will be restored. It’s good for us to hear testimony like this from scripture, even if we don’t feel like joining in the refrain. It just doesn’t hurt, even in a world where the morning news is regularly depressing, to know that ultimately God’s favor will have the last word. Even when death is stalking us in the evening, new life is on the way and joy will be there in the morning. And that’s not just for some, that’s the good news for all people. When we are able to receive these words into our hearts and find faith to trust that they are true, hope will be our companion in daily living and we will be lifted up. And maybe, like the psalmist, we’ll have occasion to share our good news with others–it’s the wondrous message of spring and we’re meant to pass it on.

Thought for the Day: What’s my deliverance story?

Acts 9:4-6

“He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.’” vs. 5

Saul was a proud practicing Jew. He had studied the precepts and the commandments of the Law since his youth and believed that it gave the Jews an advantage over the other religions of the time. It was a moral code that covered every part of life; nothing was left unregulated. Worship in the temple was at the core of the faith and with their sacrifices people could win God’s favor and blessings. The system ran like a well-oiled machine and Saul was dedicated to doing what he could to protect it, even to the point of persecuting periodic heresies like the Way. Saul was an exceptionally religious man! And it never seemed to have occurred to him that there was a personal dimension to faith–until the day he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Being religious continues to be a good cover for people in our world too–religious people are respected in our communities and do their best to make sure that laws are obeyed and enforced. When they are able they will go to church and will often contribute to congregations of their choice. They are very willing to do their share. But they don’t particularly like getting close to Jesus! Because Jesus doesn’t leave us alone! He attacks our hearts with his love and before we know it we aren’t religious anymore–we’re just walking in his Way and loving as he loved. And everything changes! Just like for Saul!

Thought for the Day: Am I religious or walking in the Way?

Acts 9:1-3

“Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.”  vs. 3

Saul was on a mission. He was so full of contempt for the little band of disciples known as the Way that he volunteered to hunt them down. As he headed for Damascus he was likely itching to confront and capture them. Ironically, as he was on the way to catch members of the Way, he was confronted by a flash of light and the direction of his life was changed. It was an amazing transformation. Not that it was instantaneous. At first he was confused and helpless. He had no idea what was happening; all he knew was that everything he had put his confidence in was being called into question. He’d been the smartest man in the city, skilled in the study of the law, and his pedigree was beyond reproach. He was from the tribe that had spawned the first king of Israel–and his zeal was off the charts! And now? Well, it was like Good Friday for Saul; he faced the death of all that he’d held dear. Soon there would be an Easter for him; transfigured and resurrected he would join the Way as the servant of the one whom he had persecuted. Like Martin Luther, centuries later, also struck down by a flash of light, he would discover the gospel of grace and change the trajectory of history.

Thought for the Day: How did Saul change the history of Christianity?

John 19:30-31

“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book.” vs. 30

By the time John wrote his gospel toward the end of the first century there were doubtless many stories about Jesus circulating among the congregations. Some were oral traditions but it’s likely a good number were in book form. Most of these documents have been lost to us, but for John there were a wide variety of texts available as he composed his book. As he sifted through the material he was careful in what he used and followed what could be called the “apostolic standard,” only recounting those stories which had been passed on through the disciples. Some of what he wrote can also be found in the other gospels, but much is unique to John, and he actually tells us why he picked what he did. He had a clearly defined purpose for his gospel, and he formed the stories of Jesus in a way that served his intention. Like Paul, he wasn’t as interested in the historical Jesus as he was in showing that Jesus is the Christ. He says it clearly, “These are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.” His book is an amazing gift to the Church–in it we see the clear connection between the Word who was present in creation, Jesus the Christ, and the Holy Spirit present in our world today.

Thought for the Day: Which is my favorite gospel?

John 19:26-29

“Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’” vss. 28-29

While John does make mention in his gospel of the anonymous “Beloved Disciple,” the disciple most beloved by many Christians is Thomas. After all it’s his story that most closely resonates with their own as they seek to make sense of Jesus’ resurrection. Like him these followers of Jesus are literalists who feel like they’ve missed out on what others have experienced and they crave assurance. Many of us know that feeling. Unfortunately unlike Thomas we don’t get a personal visit from Jesus in response to our doubts. What is truly miraculous then is that billions of people have indeed come to believe in the Risen Christ–even without seeing! One of the reasons for this is that being a literalist isn’t all it’s cracked up to be! In fact, as Thomas found out, being a literalist means we miss out on all the good stuff the Universe has to offer. As John puts it so well, it’s those who have not seen and who yet believe who get the blessings. We’re the ones who hope in the face of despair, who rejoice in the presence of suffering, and who know how to live when death draws near. So no wonder so many Doubting Thomas’s have chosen to believe–it’s the only way to find peace in this crazy mixed-up world!

Thought for the Day: Why is literalism so popular among Christians?

John 19:20-25

“When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’” vss. 22-23

After the resurrection the disciples were amazed and uncertain. They didn’t know what to do with the good news that had exploded into their lives, and they didn’t know if Jerusalem was safe for them. Isolated by their fear, they went into hiding. But the resurrected Jesus found them! No longer bound by space and time, he simply showed up where they were and immediately addressed their fear. Once they were calmed he gave them their instructions–they were to continue his mission of announcing God’s forgiveness of sins. And to energize them he breathed on them his Holy Spirit. And they obeyed–through them, empowered by the Spirit the Good News has spread through the entire world. And there’s only been one hiccup! Some religious leaders began to believe that the gift of forgiveness was too valuable to be given away freely. After a bit of experimenting they in fact discovered that people were actually willing to pay big bucks for blessed assurance. Those leaders hoarded the free gift and used it to extend their own coercive power. What a travesty! Jesus rose from the dead to set us free, not to make us the slaves of a new religious hierarchy. Praise God that his message of grace is actually winning the day!

Thought for the Day: Where is religious coercion most likely to occur?

Revelation 1:4-8

“‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” vs. 6

John was moved by his extraordinary vision of the Risen Christ to write letters to seven congregations scattered through the western part of present day Turkey. It had been a powerful experience, a glimpse of the heavenly precincts, and an encounter with the Divine Presence. Vocabulary fails us in such circumstances and John used word pictures to describe what he saw. His symbolic imagery has provoked countless discussions and sparked every kind of strange theory about the last times for those who have taken his words literally. At the core of his message lies his conviction that God is more than we can possibly understand. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God,” the beginning and the end. God is the summation of the entire creation; nothing even exists apart from the eternal God, the one “who is and who was and who is to come.” Our little minds struggle to grasp what John saw, and when insights come to us, the effect is overwhelming. In those brief moments we catch glimpses of pure love and joy, and our souls are strangely warmed. God is pure power and might, the creator of life and light, greater than the universe, and present in every human heart, accessible to us all. Who can fathom such a God? It is Christ Jesus who has made God known!

Thought for the Day: How do I describe God to others?

Psalm 118:24-29

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” vs. 24

Over the last decades praise songs have been slowly making their way into the worship services of most congregations. At first they were resisted by liturgical purists who insisted they lacked the depth of the old chorales. Because of their repeating choruses they were called by some, “the songs without an end.” Often the words for praise tunes come from the psalms–writers will find a verse or two with a stand-alone message, add a catchy melody, and the song is on its way. Within a few years millions are singing it with gusto and may not even realize the words come from scripture. Of course the hymn “This is the Day” has been around for a long time, but in this age of praise music, the tune has been adapted and now everyone is singing along. The psalmist would be thrilled! He wanted his congregation to sing praise for the Lord’s triumph, and would rejoice that his words have found their way into our hearts. Each day is a gift from God, a fresh twenty-four hours to appreciate the wonder of creation and the joy of being alive. And, not only do we have the seasonal displays of nature to rejoice in, we have the sure and certain knowledge that we are loved unconditionally and completely every day. If we truly believe that, what could be more fitting than starting every morning with a chorus of “This is the Day”?

Thought for the Day: Why does singing “This is the Day” lift our spirits?