Ephesians 1:3-8a

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us.” vss. 7-8a

When soldiers die in battle we commonly say that they have shed their blood for the sake of their country, and that they died to maintain our freedom. And of course we set aside days to remember their great sacrifice. Early Christians had a similar regard for the death of Jesus on a cross. They had almost all been reared in a religion that required the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of sins. So when Jesus was crucified, almost at once they began to understand his death in sacrificial terms. In fact, they believed that his death marked the end of that whole era of blood atonement. No longer would people need to offer sacrifices to atone for their sins, from now on, by the lavish riches of God’s grace, redemption had been taken care of. Jesus had died so that all might be set free! And it was all a gift! Now there are some who don’t like this kind of language–the notion of a blood atonement is repellant to them. We can understand the objection. And certainly it’s barbaric to think of God requiring such a thing of Jesus. But we can understand the power of the imagery–the shedding of blood for the sake of another is the ultimate statement of love. And because it is, the cross of Christ will always be the center of our faith!

Thought for the Day: Which is the more powerful symbol in your life? $ or T

Psalm 85:8-13

“Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.” vs. 10

The psalmist knew that there was nothing but good ahead for the people of Israel. Even though they had rebelled against the Lord, there would be a restoration. They would not be forsaken–salvation was at hand. Ever since those days the people of God have lived in anticipation of that moment–Jesus called it the coming of the Kingdom of God. And while we often think of that restoration as being a part of a far distant future, Jesus told his followers that it was at hand, that it could be experienced in the here and now. Where do we see that? It is as the psalmist described. Salvation comes when steadfast love and faithfulness meet; when righteousness and peace kiss each other. And just as our attentive eyes catch regular glimpses of the Christ, we also see the signs of that salvation. It happens all the time in families and congregations all over the world. Love and faithfulness come together, and when they do, righteousness and peace are not far behind. Of course we always long for the end of rebellion and idolatry–such yearnings are natural. But brokenness will never have the last word in a universe circumscribed by the absolute and steadfast love of God! No wonder the psalmist always broke into praise by the time his psalm had ended–it’s the only fitting response for any of us.

Thought for the Day: When do I get discouraged?

Amos 7:10-15

“Then Amos answered Amaziah, ‘I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”’”

As might be expected Amos’ message had not gone over well with the religious leaders of Israel. He was from Judah, and when he stirred up the poor against the rich in Israel, the high priest told him to take his message back to his homeland. In general that’s how it is with people. We don’t like to be criticized by outsiders. Whether it be in regard to our families, politics, or religion we’d just as soon that critics keep their noses out of our business. The sad result of that attitude is that we just keep on worshipping our old idols and making the same foolish mistakes over and over again. Really, it’s the people who aren’t captive to our system, culture, or theology who can offer the keenest insights about where we’ve gone astray and what we might do to get back on track again. Occasionally through history, such persons have been listened to, but most often they’re ignored. People would rather fight bloody civil wars than change their slavish ways. Blessed are those who open their ears to outsiders, reflect on what they hear, and then change what needs to be changed! After all, as any fool can attest, change is not a four letter word!

Thought for the Day: Why do we resist the advice of outsiders?

Amos 7:7-9

“And the Lord said to me, ‘Amos, what do you see?’ And I said, ‘A plumb line.’ Then the Lord said, ‘See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass them by;’” vs. 8

With the aid of a plumb line a worker can always find the true vertical and will know in an instant if a wall is crooked or straight. The prophet Amos uses it as a metaphor to describe how the people of Israel had wandered away from the way of the Lord. They no longer measured up…and there would be consequences! It’s a good question for any follower of Jesus too. How well do we measure up? As the years have passed are our lives still in plumb? Or have we yielded to the desires of the age and become careless about the way that we live? It’s easy to do when we’ve been steeped in a gospel of grace and assured of God’s steadfast love. We begin to imagine that it really doesn’t make any difference if we’re crooked or straight and that we can pretty much do as we please with no consequences. And that’s just not true! It’s not that we run the risk of going to hell when we die, but we can certainly mess up life in the present. Through Jesus Christ we know the way to experience joy in the midst of suffering. It’s simply a matter of being awake to the presence of the Divine in all that exists…including ourselves!

Thought for the Day: How’s my life measuring up?

Mark 6:7-13

“He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.” vs. 7

Jesus practiced what he preached. When he was rejected by the people of Nazareth he intensified his outreach and sent out his disciples to mirror his mission and his message in other villages of Galilee. He had known there would be setbacks, but he also knew that there were hundreds of hurting, needy people who were hungry for the gospel, and who were yearning for change. It’s a good reminder for us in these post-COVID times. Some congregations have had some real setbacks in recent months, and more than a few are battling for survival. They’ve lost members and are having significant financial issues…it may even feel as though all the spiritual energy has departed. There are places where tensions about regulations and restrictions have erupted into serious divisions. Pastors and congregational leaders are discouraged…they wonder if what is happening is an indicator of the increasing irrelevance of the church. Of course that’s not true! Even if some doors close, hundreds more are being opened. As we look around we can’t help but notice the hunger for meaning and purpose amid the turmoil of the times. People are searching for significance, and the good news of Jesus will never be out of date. What’s called for is a redoubling of outreach, not to restore the church of the past, but to invent ever more imaginative ways to go with the gospel. Our mission is at hand!

Thought for the Day: How’s my congregation doing? How can I help?

Mark 6:1-6

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.’” vs. 4

The people who thought they knew Jesus the best, the people of his own home town, took offense at his words when he returned to Nazareth during his Galilean mission. It isn’t that they weren’t impressed–they thought he was astounding and that his wisdom was unparalleled. Jesus wasn’t surprised by the rejection–it was what prophets had come to expect. The only prophet anyone had listened to in Israel’s history was Jonah and he had been preaching to Assyrians. It’s just difficult to hear a word from the Lord when it comes from someone you know well. The familiarity blocks our ears–and it’s really sad. Often the prophetic word that comes from a spouse or a family member is totally ignored, even when what they have to say is exactly what we need to hear. Somehow we can’t imagine that a person we’ve actually lived with, who knows all of our weaknesses, can offer wisdom that could change our lives. What a blessing it is when the day comes that our ears are opened to their intervention! There were a few people in Nazareth who did listen to Jesus in spite of their familiarity, and the text tells us that they were healed. That’s how it is when prophets come home–when we finally decide to listen, lives can be changed. Just because we know someone well doesn’t mean they can’t be trusted.

Thought for the Day: Why does familiarity breed contempt?

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

“Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” vss. 8-9

We don’t know what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” might have been, though there’s certainly been plenty of speculation. Obviously it was something that bothered him and that he believed hampered his ministry–he let the Lord know that he wanted it gone. The answer that he got is profound. Grace is sufficient–power is made perfect in weakness. So instead of trying to hide his weaknesses, he gladly boasted about them. Would that many of us could get that through our thick skulls. We spend so much time denying and covering up that we lose all perspective of who we really are. People don’t care if we’re not perfect–in fact, they’re glad we’re not! It makes them feel better about themselves! So what if we’re not smart or pretty or athletic? What counts in life is rejoicing in the successes of others, and looking for ways to lift them up. The less we try to show off, the easier it is for Christ to show up in us. And, contrary to Paul, it really isn’t necessary to boast about our weaknesses–that can get old in a hurry!  

Thought for the Day: What things do I boast about?

2 Corinthians 12:2-7a

“But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me,” vs. 6

It was not uncommon for people in Paul’s day to experience heavenly journeys. Often such persons claimed to have had great mysteries explained, which they then passed on to their followers. Paul tells the Corinthians that he has had such an experience–he’d been caught up into the third heaven and had heard things that mortals were not allowed to repeat. But he doesn’t consider that such an experience is worth bragging about. It would only prove to be a barrier between himself and those he was trying to reach. Paul knew a great truth–people connect, not on the basis of spiritual strengths but on the level of their common weaknesses. There is nothing that turns us off faster than to be in the presence of someone enthralled with their own spiritual abilities or gifts. The more they talk about themselves and their accomplishments the less they have to say to us. The most effective proclaimers of the gospel will be humble persons willing to share their own struggles. In their vulnerability they become relatable, and their message of grace is received with gladness. There just isn’t any room in a community of faith for braggarts!

Thoughts for the Day: With whom do I share my vulnerabilities?

Psalm 123

“To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!” vs. 1

The words of the psalmist are familiar–we’re accustomed to thinking of God as being “up there” someplace. We even talk about praying to the “Man Upstairs” and wondering if “He’s” been watching everything that we’ve been doing. While we can appreciate the psalmist’s piety and even emulate his cry for divine mercy, the imagery is unfortunate. It’s simply not true that God is enthroned somewhere in the heavens waiting to throw a crumb or two in our direction when we’re in need. God is where we are, within and around us. God is more than a heavenly being, God is the universe, and even more than that. And when we are in tune with the Universe we sense God’s presence in nature, other people, and most unexpectedly, in ourselves. God permeates all that is! What a humbling and beautiful thought, and perhaps this is what the psalmist was getting at. With such a God, there is no point in our waltzing around this earth as though we are in charge. In fact such a notion is a mockery. We are humans, possessors of the divine image, and servants of one another. And with our divine hands and feet we can bring amazing love and light to every other creature on the globe. God is more than we can even imagine, full of grace and steadfast love, and we rejoice in all of our benefits.

Thought for the Day: Why do some use masculine imagery for God?

Ezekiel 2:3-5

“The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’” vs. 4

Ezekiel’s call was to be a prophet to the rebellious nation of Israel and he believed that he spoke for God as he addressed them. He wouldn’t be just expressing his opinions in his sermons, he would be the voice of God! That’s an audacious claim, and we can be fairly confident that many refused to listen. That’s what happens when prophets come among us with their claims to speak for God. We’re by nature skeptical–and that’s a good thing. Most of those preachers and evangelists are just spouting their own opinions, and we’re better off to ignore them, and not give them the time of day. The problem is that not all of them are charlatans, and if we close our ears to them all, we run the risk of missing the voice of God. So how can we tell when a person is authentic? The surest way is to apply the Jesus test–is what we’re hearing in line with the message of grace and truth that came with the Incarnate Word. If it is, we’d be wise to pay attention. God does still speak to us through people, and we do need to be called from our stubborn and rebellious ways. So when we hear a jarring word, whether it’s from the pulpit or our spouse, it’s always a time for reflection. 

Thought for the Day: When have I heard the word of the Lord?