Mark 6:53-56

“When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.” vss. 54-55

Once Jesus had been identified as a healer, there was no holding back of the crowds. His plan to take a brief time away with his disciples went by the boards as the word spread about his ministry. Everywhere he went, as soon as his presence was noted, people brought the sick and the infirm–chances are they weren’t much interested in his preaching or teaching, but they were desperate for healing. That’s just the way it is. Even though we live in an era with magnificent medical facilities and thousands of skilled physicians, everyone still has health issues, and while some can skate through life pretty much unscathed, most people eventually are forced to deal with illness and disease. And when those health problems hit us or our family we’ll do anything we can to find a successful treatment. Some travel thousands of miles seeking cures, and when a disease like cancer comes we feel the urgency all the more. That’s still the reason many turn to prayer and call upon Jesus to give the healing they desire. Health issues remind us of our own mortality, and for many they are a signal to start “getting right with God.” Even though we know that one day we will die, most of us have a deep desire to live in good health as long as we can!

Thought for the Day: What is the connection between health and faith?

Mark 6:30-34

“He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.” vs. 31

Jesus’ invitation to his disciples strikes a responsive chord even today. No matter what kind of work we have, even if it isn’t directly related to missional service, we’re bound to get worn out. And if we don’t have built-in breaks or respites, it can be exhausting and stressful. Some have found that even in retirement they are constantly on the go and even extraverts can run out of energy. What a blessing it is when we can put Jesus’ prescription into practice and find deserted places by ourselves for rest! Some people even make that a priority when searching for a home. They want a place where the noise and stress of life can be cancelled out and they can recharge their spiritual and emotional batteries. Others find that sort of a respite in a retreat center like Spirit in the Desert in Carefree, Arizona. Here, away from crowds, they can find quiet spaces, open the portals of their senses, and breathe in the soul-renewing presence of the Divine. Some like to sit while others prefer walking, but all need times and places where the Peace of God is palpable and real. It’s a hard lesson, but we know it’s true. We can’t serve the needs of others unless we learn to care for ourselves!

Thought for the Day: Where’s my quiet place?

Ephesians 2:19-22

“In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.” vss. 21-22

Christians have traditionally seen these verses from Ephesians as an ancient description of the Church as the Body of Christ, and they’ve not been wrong. By our baptisms we have become members of Christ’s body. As such we are his living presence in the world, and through us, the mission of Jesus to the lost and the hurting continues. We truly are the hands and the feet of Jesus, called to love and to serve in his name. There are some however, who are beginning to ask whether this definition is sufficient–they feel that it has moved away from its non-dualistic roots and that it is now used to describe insiders, (those who have been saved), over-against all those following some of the world’s other great religions. They wonder if the phrase, “in Christ,” doesn’t demand a more inclusive perspective. If we believe that Christ is indeed the one through whom Light has come into the Universe, it must also be true that Christians can’t possibly claim to be the only ones through whom the Light shines. While we can’t yet even imagine what this change in understanding might mean from a theological perspective, we can at least begin acting as though it’s true, and begin embracing our brothers and sisters in other faiths as fellow pilgrims on the Way!

Thought for the Day: How do I relate to those of other faiths?

Ephesians 2:11-18

“For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.” vs. 14

Humans love dualistic systems. We regularly speak of light and darkness, good and evil,  heaven and hell–such pairs are a way to describe the universe and our various life experiences. One of the consequences of that dualistic thinking in religion has been the division of people into two basic groups, those who are in and those who are out, or more particularly, those who are saved and those who are not. Jesus encountered such thinkers in the course of his ministry–their division was succinct: people were either sinners or righteous! Jesus rejected such thinking by identifying with the sinners–his enemies agreed, and arranged to have him killed. Paul, convinced that in Christ dualism had died, preached a message of radical unity to the Galatians, “In Christ there are neither Jew nor Greek, male or female, slave or free.” That message is amplified in the letter to the Ephesians. No longer are there two groups, Jew or Gentile. Now there is only one Body and in that Body all our favorite distinctions are broken down. Unfortunately, even that solid testimony has been ignored by followers of Jesus. Through the centuries we’ve continued to think in binary terms–we just love to be the “in group” and think of others as the “unclean and unwashed.” It’s only in recent years that many have begun to adopt non-dualistic thinking–and what a blessing it has been!

Thought for the Day: What is non-dualistic thinking?

Psalm 23

“He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.” vss. 2-3

Each of us has a soul–it’s what gives us our identity. That soul bears the stamp of God and is the part of us that craves meaning and purpose. When we’re at our best we feel the connection with the Divine and know in our hearts that we have come from God and will be going to God. There’s a unity that transcends the muck of the world and gives peace to our hearts in the darkest moments. But at other times life seems difficult and even living from day to day is a chore. That yearned for connection is gone and we feel an emptiness in our hearts that aches for fulfillment. The psalmist knew that feeling but also knew that the Good Shepherd would bring restoration to his soul. And so it continues for us. The restoration business is a part of the Divine job description and when our souls are disconnected, we should know that our plight has not escaped God’s attention. In the midst of our dismembering we are remembered and Light heads our way. Sometimes it comes through creation, in a poignant moment out in the wild or in a garden. Most often it comes through the eyes and touches of friends and family, those special persons who have been assigned our cases from eternity. Oh how good it is to be loved and not forgotten!

Thought for the Day: How’s my soul doing?

Jeremiah 23:3-6

“I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.” vs. 4

For centuries the Jews hung on to the words of prophets like Jeremiah, hoping against hope that one day God would send a good shepherd, a king who would ensure their prosperity and security. When Jesus began his ministry there were some who believed that their prayers had been answered, that he was the promised Righteous Branch of David. Many of his followers, inspired by his own words, began to think of him as the Good Shepherd. We’ve continued to picture Jesus in that way and images of the Good Shepherd are regularly seen in our homes and churches. It’s not that we think of him in political terms any longer–we don’t imagine him leading an army or vanquishing foes. For us he is the Divine Presence, that intimate experience of God’s love that comes near in our hours of greatest need. In those fearful times it is as though we are cowering lambs caught up in the arms of the shepherd and being carried safely home. The Good Shepherd is better than any president or governor–they let folks fall through the cracks. No wandering sheep is ever lost or forsaken in Christ. Indeed, goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives, and we have a place in the house of the Lord forever.

Thought for the Day: When do I need shepherding?

Jeremiah 23:1-3

“‘Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!’ says the Lord.” vs. 1

The Hebrew scriptures abound with references to shepherds and their flocks. Whenever a writer was looking for an analogy to describe the relationship between a sovereign and the nation, this was the go-to metaphor. Jeremiah uses it here to blame the kings of Judah and Israel for the sorry condition of God’s chosen people. They were the ones in charge and they were the ones who had messed things up–and Jeremiah believes they deserve to be punished. We aren’t as familiar with shepherds and flocks but it isn’t hard to get the prophet’s point–and his charge is still right on! While we enjoy a good deal of independence in our world, leaders are enormously important. And there are plenty of candidates clamoring for our attention and allegiance. And when they get control, their policies will always have an effect on lives, both for better and for worse. Some have a heart for justice and peace, others have more self-serving motivations. A few demand almost slavish allegiance and are ruthless in destroying their opposition. The consequences of their leadership will endure for decades. To paraphrase Jeremiah, “Woe to those who lead us astray!” How good it is when our shepherds guide us on paths of righteousness and peace while caring for the weak and the hurting! It’s a delicate balance, and few are those who would merit a prophet’s praise!

Thought for the Day: How can a politician be a good shepherd?

Mark 6:21-29

“The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her.” vs. 26

Those who operate without a moral compass often make decisions with far-reaching effects for the flimsiest of reasons. Herod makes a foolish promise to the step-daughter who has entertained him and his presumably well-lubricated guests. The girl’s mother seizes on the opportunity to rid herself of a well-hated nemesis–and John the Baptizer loses his head. Herod’s stated regard for his oaths and his guests is pure theater and indicates a complete lack of principle and values, even when accompanied by crocodile tears. He would rather plunge his country into war than lose face! Of course he wasn’t the first such fool, and he obviously hasn’t been the last. Millions of people have lost their lives in senseless wars at the whim of heartless sovereigns who stand on the sidelines, relishing their luxury while their subjects perish. Such is the way of empires everywhere! What a contrast Jesus presents as he comes announcing the coming Reign of God! And what joy it brings to see signs of that power popping up across the land! How blessed it is when Christ-centered people of all faiths lead the way in establishing pockets of peace and justice where the hurting of this world can be embraced by the sacrificial love of God! And praise God for those prophets who, like John, stand with the poor and the broken, and who gladly take every opportunity to speak truth to power.

Thought for the Day: What can happen when truth is spoken to power?

Mark 6:14-20

“for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him.” vs. 20

Herod ruled over Galilee and Perea (a territory east of the Jordan and the Dead Sea) on behalf of the Romans and was involved in a series of clashes with the king of Nabatea. He had arrested John because of his comments about Herod’s marital status, but because of John’s popularity he hesitated to kill him. Instead John was imprisoned in Machaerus, a palace fortress, on the eastern highland over the Dead Sea. Herod who was widely traveled, a member of the Imperial jet set and a regular visitor to Rome, evidently found amusement in conversing with John, and perhaps hearing stories about the decadence of the Jewish religious establishment in Jerusalem. It seems likely that Herod, familiar with both privilege and prestige, lacked a moral compass, and simply acted in line with his base desires. Everything hinged on maintaining control and doing whatever he could to stay in power. When those are the operative principles, as we see again and again among our politicians, there is little chance that the words of a prophet are going to make a difference. Power closes minds! The most effective change always comes from those with well-calibrated moral compasses working from the outside in and the bottom up.

Thought for the Day: Why do the powerful have closed minds?

Ephesians 1:8b-13

“so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory.” vs. 12

Early Christian communities had to deal with a variety of issues as they began to consider how to live as Christ’s people in a culture teeming with alternatives. The process wasn’t easy and leaders struggled to offer prescriptions that aligned with the gospel and the traditions. There were obviously many disagreements, just as there are in contemporary congregations. But there was general agreement that all those who had believed the good news and had put their hope in Christ should live for the praise of his glory. That continues to be a mark of genuine worship in our communities of faith. No matter what our denomination, we share an appreciation of what has been done for us in Christ. So when we come together there has to be room for genuine, unbridled praise and thanksgiving. And some congregations have become masters at making songs of praise the core of their worship. Their singers are magnificent and the music is loud and fast with many repetitions and repeated phrases. Of course such “performances” aren’t for everyone and some followers of Jesus prefer chorales and quieter songs–tastes vary widely. But those who hold up holy hands and sway with the rhythms have discovered a powerful way to offer their testimony, one that speaks volumes to those who are searching for a more “lively” expression of faith. And when Christ is glorified how can any be critical?

Thought for the Day: What makes worship come alive for me?