Luke 8:30-36

“Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned.” vs. 37

When the people saw that the demonic had been healed, initially they were stunned. They’d gotten used to dealing with his periodic outbursts, and they knew what to do in response. But as they came from their city and the surrounding countryside and saw him having a casual conversation with Jesus–with his clothes on–they were startled, and then they were seized with fear. What more did Jesus have up his sleeve? So they asked him to leave. Sometimes that’s still our response when Jesus shows up in our communities, and people are changed. Many times we’d like people to just stay the way they’ve always been. We even water down the gospel and tell people not to take it too seriously–those bible stories about Jesus can’t possibly be true. That’s not how things really happen in this world. We reason that it’s better for people not to expect too much from faith–we don’t want to raise expectations. Life with all its frailties will go on pretty much as it has–after all we can’t expect miracles–and it’s best if we just get used to the way things are. And then the Spirit blows into town, Jesus shows up, and lives are changed. It’s a good thing–but it’s really uncomfortable, and some can’t wait for Jesus to get in his boat and go away again.

Thought for the Day: Why are changed people such a pain?

Luke 8:26-31

“As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs.” vs. 27

Many of the homeless who can be seen in the streets of our cities suffer with various forms of mental illness. Some find refuge in shelters but many simply wander, looking for food and begging, and often being a nuisance to business owners. Sometimes they will seem possessed and shout at passersby. It’s hard to know how to respond to such people. We know that each of them is a beloved child of God but they make us uncomfortable and uneasy–their situation seems hopeless. Jesus was met by such a person when making landfall on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. We can picture the scene: a dirty, naked man shouting at the top of his lungs–and he recognizes Jesus! Jesus is neither afraid nor repulsed. Instead he commands the unclean spirit to come out and treats the man with kindness and healing compassion. Those are the attributes that are often lacking as we deal with those struggling with mental issues. We don’t talk much about demon possession anymore, we have different labels for the same symptoms. But it remains a massive issue in our society! Even though we might want to, we can’t just close our eyes to those who are afflicted. Obviously there are no easy answers–but doing nothing is not an option for Jesus People!

Thought for the Day: How do I respond to the homeless?

Galatians 3:27-29

“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” vs. 29

Guided by the Spirit, Paul had developed a magnificent vision of unity in the Church that aligned perfectly with the desires of Jesus for his followers. He knew that the  congregations of Galatia were a mixture of Jews and Greeks, slave and free, and men and women–he further knew that those dualities could easily be sources of friction and disunity. Choosing his words carefully he crafted a beautiful description of unity in Christ that has stood the test of time, and is particularly relevant for us. Through the centuries, for a lot of different reasons, the Church of Christ has been beset by schisms and divisions of every kind, and our desired unity has been elusive. Different languages, liturgies, and theologies have resulted in thousands of different denominations and sects. Even relatively homogenous congregations have had a hard time avoiding the “separation” movement that is currently sweeping the church. But unity is not dead–we still experience it regularly in worship as we gather at the Lord’s Table. Here we come together, rich and poor, gay and straight, liberal and conservative, and receive the bread and wine with the words, “Given and shed for you!” And in that moment, shoulder to shoulder, we truly are one in Christ Jesus. May those times multiply among us!

Thought for the Day: When is it toughest for me to practice unity?

Galatians 3:23-26

“Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed.” vs. 23

Looking back Paul now sees that his life before Christ, under the law, was like a rigid imprisonment. Strict adherence to the commandments and the ordinances kept him on the straight and narrow, but at a cost. He never experienced the freedom that comes with faith and grace. In this letter to the Galatians he explores that new life in Christ that now was theirs through faith. It’s a wondrous gift, but he also claims that the law had a purpose in their lives–he calls it a disciplinarian, and says that it prepared them for faith. We can see that clearly in the progression of our own lives too. There is a place for commandments and rules and as we train up our children in the way that they should go, we also want them to be thoroughly familiar with the Ten Commandments and the importance of obedience. We guard them with the law! But on the day that they meet the Risen Christ and realize what it means to live in Christ, the shackles of the law fall away, and they are free to be the persons God has made them to be. Salvation comes, not with obedience to the law, but with faith in Christ–but heaven help us if we ever neglect the law in our eagerness to proclaim the gospel. Liberty without license is a blueprint for chaos!

Thought for the Day: When did I stop living under the law?

Psalm 22:19-28

“For he did not despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted; he did not hide his face from me, but heard when I cried to him.” vs. 24

While being a follower of Jesus includes being a part of a community, most of us probably relate to God from the perspective of an individual. We might have a sense of what is going on for others, rejoicing and grieving with them in our life together, but we also have very private feelings, thoughts, and desires. Often others don’t even know about those personal struggles with purpose, faith, and health. Presumably that’s what had been happening with the psalmist. He had been dealing with some major affliction, maybe even feeling forsaken, and had been crying out to the Lord both night and day for relief. And then he got an answer! His prayer was answered–and now he wants everyone to know. He even announces his healing to the whole congregation. What a blessing it is to have a community with which to share such good news! It brings encouragement to the body and enhances our witness. Too often we are silent about what is going on within. We swallow our hurts and disappointments and even muzzle our good news. We don’t have to make public announcements like the psalmist–that could be a little much for us–but it certainly is nice to have a group with whom we can share joys and sorrows. That’s what it means to live in Christ!

Thought for the Day: With whom do I share my ups and downs?

Isaiah 65:8-9

“Thus says the Lord: As the wine is found in the cluster, and they say, ‘Do not destroy it, for there is a blessing in it,’ so I will do for my servants’ sake, and not destroy them all.”

As the prophet considered the nation’s behavior following their return from Babylon he was stunned at the way they rejected the Lord and adopted pagan practices. If he had been their God he would have washed his hands of the whole lot and allowed them to be totally destroyed. But from the inner recesses of his soul he heard the voice of the Lord speaking. The owner of a vineyard wouldn’t throw out the whole cluster of grapes because some were sour–there was still sweet wine to be made. So it would be with Israel–they could still be a blessing to the world. And so it is with the Church today. Even though many are rightly dismayed by its hypocritical practices and embrace of nationalism and are thinking of leaving, its core message of grace has not been lost. With all its warts and flaws it is still the Body of Christ, and through its influence the mission of Jesus lives on. Millions of hungry folks are being fed, the naked are being clothed, refugees are being welcomed, and the broken are being healed. Besides, if we were to leave the Church, where would we go? Where else could we possibly find such nurturing and gracious communities of faith? Besides, for better or worse, this is where Jesus lives!

Thought for the Day: If I did leave the Church, where would I go?

Isaiah 65:1-7

“I was ready to be sought out by those who did not ask, to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’ to a nation that did not call on my name.” vs. 1

The prophet was amazed at the attitude of the returned people of Israel. They had been set free from captivity, but showed little interest in returning to their Lord. Instead they sought out exotic gods and immersed themselves in forbidden practices, essentially turning their backs on their historic faith. The Lord had not forsaken them but was close at hand, and eager to provide strength and hope. It’s not hard to find a parallel to what’s happening in our world now. The Divine Presence pervades our existence, but it seems that few take notice. Traditions have been abandoned, family structures are threatened, and the young are growing older with no regard for faith or values. People are just making stuff up as they go along and in the process violence has escalated, hatred has mushroomed, and civility has all but disappeared from the scene. Families are being priced out of housing and poverty is increasing. And as anxieties increase alcohol and drug use has escalated–ugliness is at hand on every level of society. But we have not been abandoned! The gospel is at hand and those who have ears to hear can find their way to peace and serenity. There is still hope!

Thought for the Day: Why have parents abandoned spiritual direction for their children?

John 16:14-15

“He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” vs. 14

Jesus had given the disciples a mission, to love as they had been loved, and he had given them the Holy Spirit as a guide. And because the world was so tumultuous and the challenges so great, in those early years they relied heavily on the daily guidance of that Spirit. Now that isn’t as easy as it sounds. There were dozens of options for them, and they could have led the Church in many different directions. But Jesus had told them that the Spirit of Truth would always glorify him, so whatever new thing they imagined would have to be consistent with his teachings. And that’s still the Church’s operating principle as it faces today’s challenges. Whatever decisions are made, whatever new ideas are considered, if we’re going to continue being the Church of Christ, it’s essential to maintain our Jesus connections. Because if we lose Jesus in our rush to be on the cutting edge and properly progressive, we will have ceased to be his Church. We’ll be something, but we won’t be the Church of Christ unless Jesus can be clearly seen in all that we say and do. Of course it isn’t always easy to figure those things out. Sometimes we can wander down the path of change for quite a distance and then discover that we can’t see Jesus anymore. That’s a Spirit moment, and a reminder to return to the Way. It’s how the Spirit keeps the Church alive!

Thought for the Day: How is Jesus glorified in my congregation?

John 16:12-13

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth;” vss. 12-13a

Jesus had given the disciples the basics; he’d told them to love one another unconditionally. Well enough, but it didn’t take long for them to discover that there were a lot more things to learn about being his followers, especially as they found themselves immersed in the craziness of this beautiful life. They had received a graduate level course in loving and had watched the master lover, but they really didn’t have a clue about how that might work in difficult circumstances with actual people. And then there was all the organizational stuff to be considered in missional outreach. There would have to be some standards for leaders: who would set those up? How flexible could they be? And then there were all the traditions that had guided their lives–they’d all been faithful Jews. What would they keep and what would they discard? And how could they make all these changes and still remain true to the gospel? They didn’t know it yet but Jesus had set in motion a revolution, and he hadn’t given them a guide. And that’s still how it is! Some days we’re blown away by the winds of change sweeping through the church–that’s how it is with the Spirit of truth. As the poet James Lowell wrote, “Time makes ancient good uncouth. They must upward still, and onward, who would keep abreast of Truth.”

Thought for the Day: What changes in the church are challenging me?

Romans 5:3-5

“And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…” vss. 3-4a

There are some who believe that when they consciously begin to walk with Jesus things will turn around for them in every way. Diseases and relationships will be healed, business will flourish, wealth will increase, and faith will be strengthened. All the glitches of life that affect ordinary people will just disappear for them. And that is indeed what they report to any who will listen to them. Paul would have scoffed! After Christ exploded into his life he faced one setback after another–and rather than cover up his pain, he meticulously listed all the beatings, insults, imprisonments, and shipwrecks in his letters to newly formed congregations. For him it was these sufferings that were the source of character and hope in his life, and he saw no reason to put on a happy face and maintain a pious posture. His insights remain credible. If we really want to connect with others and build community, we’ll be completely honest about life’s reversals. In fact our credibility is enhanced when our stories “ring true” with what others are experiencing. There is no need to play religious charades with the people we meet. The more honest and real we can be about flaws and imperfections, the deeper the relationships that will result. And hope will abound!

Thought for the Day: How do another person’s flaws give me hope?