Mark 9:42-50

“For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” vss. 49-50

In the ancient world salt was enormously valuable, not only for its flavor, but for its value as a preservative. For that reason it became a natural metaphor for Jesus, along with fire, as he described how faith can grow and endure in a life of discipleship. It was well-known that steel grew stronger when heated in flames–the tempering process was essential in producing weapons and tools. Early Christians were taught that their painful experiences in times of persecution would work to make their faith stronger. And that was indeed the way it worked–the Church grew through the blood of the martyrs. The suffering worked like fire and salt to grow and preserve the Church. There’s still truth in that metaphor! Faith is fixed and becomes strong in our lives, not because the good times have been rolling, but because we’ve been challenged and toughened by the fire and salt of life in this world. Those times come to everyone, not because we crave adversity, but because that’s how life is. It is as we embrace those moments, even tasting the salt, that our convictions are formed and strengthened. And amazingly, as we come to terms with our saltiness, we learn to be content in ourselves and live at peace with one another.

Thought for the Day: How has adversity toughened me?

Mark 9:38-41

“For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.” vs. 41

The disciples were thrilled to be a part of the Jesus brigade but they didn’t have a clue about what that involved. They were applying the world’s standards to the Peaceable Kingdom and believed that they had become insiders by following Jesus. It was a pretty small group, but they didn’t seem to care if everyone else in the world was left out. Like some contemporary denominations they reveled in being Christian and couldn’t believe that others could be included. Jesus set them straight with his words–others, many others, all those who practiced hospitality, were doing his work–even if they didn’t have the right label. And that’s the way it continues to be. There are certain universal standards for life, things like humility, generosity, love, kindness, gentleness, self-control, and where people are practicing those virtues it is a certain sign that the Spirit of God is at work. Their religion, their set of human-imagined rules for worship, doesn’t make a bit of difference. It’s fine for us to be faithful and involved in our congregations, but we can never begin to imagine that this is what it means to be alive in Christ. No matter how satisfying our liturgical dances might be, our God-given work is to be found outside our churches in the ebb and flow of daily living.

Thought for the Day: Does it make any difference what we believe?

James 5:16-20

“Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” vs. 16

It has become common for believers to speak of the personal relationship that they have with Jesus. We have learned to talk in this fashion because some religious leaders have had a fixation on what might be called individual salvation. They teach that “going to heaven” requires each person to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. The fact that this leaves out billions of God’s beloved children and is not a biblical emphasis doesn’t seem to bother them. In reality the scriptures consistently put the focus on community and not the individual. It’s not that individuals are inconsequential or important–of course God loves every single one of us. But we tap into the presence of God primarily in community, being “in Christ” means being a part of a Body! And it’s in community that we experience healing and forgiveness–it’s in community that our mutual prayers for one another become powerful and effective. It’s one thing to go off to our private place and confess our sins to God–and there’s nothing wrong with that. But healing comes quickly when we learn to confess to one another, and in that context, hear precious words of absolution. For some that’s a scary proposition–it requires a high level of trust–but when it can happen the relief is enormous. And in the end it’s good to know that salvation is a community effort centered in Christ–and doesn’t depend on us!

Thought for the Day: How do I practice confession?

James 5:13-15

“Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise.” vs. 13

James imagines that the community to which he is writing has close connections, not only to other members of the community, but to God, the Divine Presence and Source of all Being. This means, he believes, that in every situation of life the people will turn to God, not only with prayers for healing when there is suffering, but with prayers of praise when things are going well. In other words there will be no times when prayer is not at the center of the community’s life together. The connections that James wrote about have been tested in many of our congregations through the last year. There’s been plenty of suffering as COVID has had its way with us–and few occasions for celebration. Only now are we seeing regular programming resume and people coming back for in-person worship. For some congregations, those with strong prayer connections, the testing has been an opportunity for growth. People have found ways to stay in touch and been diligent in offering prayers for one another. And even in the darkest days there have been times of cheerfulness and joy, and God has been praised. Those prayers have been the key to resilience for many, and continued praying will be the key to recovery as congregations make their way into uncertain futures. COVID has changed the church scene–our only certainty is God’s continued presence!

Thought for the Day: How does my congregation encourage prayer?

Psalm 19:7-14

“the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes…But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.” vss. 8, 12

The psalmist loved the law–he found comfort and direction from its precepts and commandments. As he lived with it and learned obedience he experienced daily joy and enlightenment. But he also knew that he could do better! He knew in his heart that he wasn’t perfect and that he had faults hidden to himself, that were likely well-known to others. Every one of us has the same issue. No matter how hard we try we regularly fall short of perfection, and what’s even worse, sometimes we don’t even realize that we have a problem. Others do–they can see our imperfections clearly–but we are blind to what is obvious to them. For some this is a debilitating issue–they focus on their sinfulness, and become obsessed with living perfectly. And as Martin Luther discovered, after countless sessions with his confessor, we just can’t pull it off–we can’t clear ourselves from our faults, hidden or otherwise. So what can we do? There’s only one reasonable answer: we learn to live in grace and humility, dependent on God for forgiveness and confident that the Spirit can use us for goodness’ sake. There is indeed great value in living according to universal truths, but there’s even greater reward in the contentment that comes in learning to live with our imperfections.

Thought for the Day: What are my imperfections?

Numbers 11:24-29

“But Moses said to him, ‘Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!’” vs. 29

Joshua was one of the 70 elders chosen by Moses to help with leadership responsibilities during the wilderness wanderings. Evidently Joshua was pleased with the resulting prestige and complained when unchosen men started speaking for the Lord. Moses nailed the problem with the question, “Are you jealous?” And Moses was right! That’s how it’s always been with humans–the green-eyed monster is alive and well and operates on every level, and is particularly active among the religious. We may talk about the priesthood of all believers, but in reality church leaders guard their positions and perks with amazing zeal. They just don’t like it when others infringe on their staked-out territories. No matter how talented, men and women are barred from priestly and prophetic activities unless they have all the credentials–and it’s not just to protect the integrity of the gospel. A good deal of the exclusion is petty and motivated mostly by jealousy. While the Spirit of God is real and active in our world much of what goes on in religion is little more than petty gamesmanship nurtured and fed by overactive egos. The good news is that the Spirit has not been quenched and has been at work in the most unlikely places through supremely unqualified people. God’s will will be done! And we’re not in control!

Thought for the Day: When am I most likely to be jealousy?

Numbers 11:4-6,10-16

“So Moses said to the Lord, ‘Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me?’ vs. 11

The people complained to Moses about conditions in their camp, and Moses complained to the Lord about the people. This incessant reciprocal whining was understandable and necessary. Humans have to be able to vent when the pressures pile up. It was true for the Israelites and it’s certainly been true in our congregations over the last couple of years. The COVID restrictions and mandates have produced countless protests from congregants. Some have felt they go too far and others have thought them inadequate. And in many places the complaints have been directed to pastors. People have had a multitude of suggestions and some have not been shy about venting. Many have just quit worshiping altogether! And many pastors have been feeling the pressure. Totally unprepared for anything like this they’ve struggled to cope–and they’ve heard the complaining! Some pastors have followed their people out the door. This isn’t what they signed up for and they feel totally frustrated in ministry. Others have hung in there, but it hasn’t been easy, and like Moses, they’ve filled the Lord’s ears with their own prayerful complaints. They feel the burden–and have shed more than their share of tears. Blessed are those who have found support among their peers and in their congregations. It’s so much easier when burdens can be shared.

Thought for the Day: How has the COVID crisis affected my pastor?

Mark 9:33-37

“But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest.” vs. 34

The disciples didn’t quite get Jesus and were afraid to ask him questions, but they knew exactly how to play religious games, especially when it came to power and control. For them following Jesus wasn’t so much about helping people as it was a road to greatness and prestige–by elevating themselves through their deeds, they could show how important they were. It’s an age-old game, played not only by Christians but by every other religious group in town. Walking in the Way while immersed in the Divine Mystery enables us to experience life in its fullest, but it has nothing to do with lording it over others or imagining that we are better than anyone else. Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” He could not have said it more plainly! And we still don’t get it! We bristle at the notion that the world’s standards of greatness don’t fly in the peaceable kingdom, and keep on trying to distinguish ourselves from others in every imaginable way. It would be laughable if it weren’t such a pathetic distortion of Christlike living. Thank God for all who have stopped playing games and who humbly dedicate their lives to modesty and service! As Jesus said of the poor in spirit, “Theirs is the kingdom of God.”

Thought for the Day: Who are the truly great among us?

Mark 9:30-32

“But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.” vs. 32

Sometimes we imagine Jesus to have been like a kind and gentle pastor, a leader who could warm our hearts with a smile, and who we could have come to at any time with any questions or concerns. That’s a nice thought and we are indeed blessed when we meet such persons, Unfortunately that description doesn’t fit the Jesus we meet in the gospels. The gospel writers don’t say that he is inaccessible to people in need–in fact, we read that folks were regularly crowding around and even making demands. But Mark reports that the disciples, those presumably closest to him, often didn’t understand what he said, and were afraid to ask him questions. In other words he was an enigma to them. They sensed the divine presence in him but didn’t quite know what he was up to. His parables seemed clear, but there was more to them than met the ear. Jesus was and is more than an answerer of questions, more than a teacher. As the gospel writer John put it, “(he was) the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” And the disciples were baffled! And so are we! Think of it! We who aspire to be disciples of Jesus are ultimately called not to ask questions, but to be answers. And if we really are disciples, as people encounter us, they will in fact see and experience Christ. And that’s the scariest thought of all!

Thought for the Day: To what question am I the answer?

James 4:7-8a

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” vs. 8a

James had figured some things out about God that are worth reviewing in our own search for intimacy with the Divine Presence. So often we imagine that the empty feeling we occasionally feel comes because God has moved away. The truth is that God just doesn’t operate like that–God is always present to us. That’s the nature of God. So when we feel alone, guess who has done the moving? When we turn our backs on love and embrace the ways of the world, of course it seems as if we are alone. But the instant we turn around and open our arms wide God comes rushing in. It’s almost as though God is shadowing us through the ebb and flow of life. At times it seems as though we are alone and having to make our own way through whatever challenges are rearing their heads. But the instant we take a look around we can spot our shadow–unlike Elvis, God never leaves the building! And what is really amazing is that when we turn back to God, God’s presence is overwhelmingly present. We are enveloped by God and we will feel the love that is at the core of creation. God is like a dance partner who passionately draws us close and who leads us through the tricky and intricate moves that life requires. There are no wallflowers in the Peaceable Kingdom!

Thought for the Day: What’s it like to be a wallflower?