John 6:51-53

“The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’” vs. 52

As John tells this story it’s pretty obvious that he has Holy Communion in mind–for him the story of the feeding of the 5000 was a prelude to the meal that would later become crucial for the life of believers. Even early on there were questions about what was happening as the bread and the wine were consumed in communion. For John the answer was easy, the bread was the flesh of Jesus, a radical notion that caused enormous confusion for outsiders. Often the early Christians were accused of cannibalism. To avoid such misunderstanding some believers adopted alternative language and began to refer to Christ’s presence in more spiritual terms. In their understanding, John’s words are not to be taken literally–for them the bread only represents the body of Christ and shouldn’t be thought of as actual flesh. This debate has never really been settled and continues among believers today. Perhaps the best solution is to see the meal as a great mystery and simply celebrate Christ’s real presence without trying to understand it. This keeps it from being a stumbling block to faith and still gives us the opportunity to regularly feast on the Bread of Life. In our eating and our drinking we receive assurance of forgiveness and find strength for purposeful living–and that’s really all we need to know!

Thought for the Day: What do I believe about the Real Presence?

Ephesians 5:18-20

“Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts…” vss. 18-19

Passages like this provide a window into the life of an early Christian community and give a glimpse of those practices that brought strength and joy to believers. Evidently their culture, like ours, offered options for those who wanted to get high. Wine seems to have been a popular alternative–it has long been a way to escape the drudgeries of boredom and routine. We do the same–and have even a greater variety of mind-altering chemicals and drinks. Paul suggests a healthier alternative, one that will not lead to decline and debauchery. Instead of drinking the Ephesians are advised to be filled with the Spirit, a feeling that comes as believers raise their voices in songs of praise and thanksgiving. People of faith know how that works–week after week it’s the music of worship that brings God close–and we’ve missed it so much in these months of the pandemic! Of course COVID hasn’t kept some from singing. They’ve carried the melodies in their hearts–even with masks it’s been their daily high. And for such persons there are no wretched hangovers or headaches! Instead there’s an ongoing feeling of joy that lights their eyes and brings the love of Christ to all they encounter.

Thought for the Day: What melody am I making to the Lord in my heart?

Ephesians 5:15-17

“Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil.” vs. 15-16

We regularly see and hear television and radio pundits talking about our dangerous times and implying that profound evil is at hand. Paul had the same perspective about the city of Ephesus over 2000 years ago. He advised that followers of Jesus should live with care, not as unwise people but as wise–and make the most out of their time. Of course not everyone agrees that the days we live in are evil–that argument can sometimes seem like a political tactic, one designed to perpetuate a climate of fear. But there is little doubt that making decisions in today’s world requires an ample supply of wisdom. There are so many choices out there–and it’s hard to know which options are best. Some can lead to profound blessings, but others can lead us into dark spirals of despair. People are looking for easy money and scams abound–some days we hardly dare answer our phones for fear of being sucked in. And then there are the disrupters, people without conscience who take delight in crashing systems and creating mayhem. Their victims are legion! It truly is a time for avoiding foolish thinking and gravitating toward that which is tried and true. Jesus advised his followers to pay attention to his words, and the wise will do exactly that. It’s like building a house on a rock foundation!

Thought for the Day: What’s the wisest thing I’ve ever done?

Psalm 34:12-14

“Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” vss. 12-14

Evidently those who were living in Jerusalem 2500 years ago had the same dreams and desires as people have today. They loved life and wanted to enjoy it as long as they could. Like us they looked for advice and did all they could to wring out a few more quality years. And the psalmist was willing to share his wisdom. In his estimation, long life was not complicated and didn’t require changes in diet or medicine. The first step in longevity was learning to curb the tongue! As we learn how to speak kind and gracious words and stay away from deceitful ugly talk, there will be abundant blessings. His second recommendation was equally plain: stop doing evil and start doing good; seek peace in all interactions. Do these things, the psalmist implies, and you will know many days of joy. It seems so very simple–yet some claim such changes are impossible. Somehow we’ve gotten the idea that sinners can’t stop sinning and there’s no point in even trying. Of course that’s a bunch of malarkey. Jesus calls us to repentance–he wants us to change. And we can! We can harness our tongues and use them kindly. We can seek peace and do what is good. And the benefits will always be life-giving–for ourselves and for others!

 Thought for the Day: Who will I affect with my deeds and speech today?

Psalm 34:9-11

“O fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want.” vs. 9

Sometimes parents will ask their children to distinguish between wants and needs in making purchasing decisions. It’s not an easy thing for a young person to figure out, particularly when they’ve been bombarded by clever marketing appeals on television and social media. They’re regularly tricked into believing that because they want something they actually need it. And it’s not only the young who are confused about wants and needs! Most of us end up wanting more than we need–that’s just how it is in a world driven by consumption. But the psalmist has an interesting take on that debate! He says that those who fear the Lord have no want! It seems a simple statement but its truth is overwhelming. In essence he’s telling us that if we trust God we have everything we need–we will be well provided for. God will take care of us and we will want for nothing! On the surface that seems hard to believe–especially in this new world where streets are clogged with Amazon delivery trucks. But wouldn’t that be a great way to live? Not grasping for more and being content with what we have? Many people of faith have discovered the joy that does in fact come with simple living. For them this is the gateway to the kingdom of heaven.

Thought for the Day: How do my wants affect the way I live?

Proverbs 9:1-6

‘“You that are simple, turn in here!’ To those without sense she says, ‘Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.’” vss. 4-5

A large section of the book of Proverbs is devoted to pointing out the differences between wisdom and folly. Here Wisdom (always portrayed as a woman) is throwing a party and she sends out a special invitation to those who are simple and without sense. It’s not that she seeks to take advantage–rather she is wanting them to lay aside immaturity and walk with insight. “Eat my bread,” she says, “Drink my wine, and be filled with my wisdom.” It’s a good reminder about the importance of early participation in Holy Communion. There was a time when it was believed that only those who had a proper understanding of the Real Presence should be welcomed at the Lord’s Table. What a blessing it has been to see the immature and even those without sense present themselves for the meal! As they eat and drink they are feasting on the Wisdom of God, the Holy Spirit of Jesus. It’s here that their faith is strengthened and they can grow to be mature members of the Body of Christ. At first there may be interruptions and giggles from the little ones, but as time passes their demeanor changes and the meal touches their hearts. “Let the children come to me,” Jesus says, “for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.”

Thought for the Day: When should children begin communing?

John 6:45-51

“I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.” vss. 48-49

In the first century there had been a struggle between those Jews who had embraced Jesus as messiah and those who clung to the old traditions. Ultimately that conflict led to a split and the separation of church and synagogue. As John writes his gospel he wants his readers to know that in Jesus they will find the pathway to eternal life. The provision of manna in the wilderness had been a wonderful gift and it had sustained their ancestors for a time–but the bread offered by Jesus was spiritual food and its benefits never ended. This was a radical new message and many found it unpalatable, but it’s a message that we have embraced and continue to proclaim every time we celebrate Holy Communion. This meal is more than a little bit of bread and a sip of wine. Rather, it’s our chance to feast on the one who is the bread of life. As we eat the bread we eat the body of Christ–as we drink the wine we drink his blood. Many of us have missed that eating and drinking during this time of COVID. It’s the center of worship, the heavenly banquet, the feast of victory for our Lord! In it we receive the assurance of forgiveness and the promise of new life. It truly is a meal that fits every diet!

Thought for the Day: Is Jesus symbolically or really present in the bread and wine?

John 6:35, 41-44

“They were saying, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, “I have come down from heaven”?’”

As far as the people in the crowd were concerned Jesus had human origins–they knew his father and mother. For him to say that he had come down from heaven was too much to swallow–even if he did claim to be the bread of life. We shouldn’t be too hard on them–we have a tough time with Jesus’ divinity too! And for some that step of faith is just too difficult. They’d rather understand him solely as a teacher and prophet, a good man, but no more than that. A part of our difficulty comes from our inability to imagine divinity in a person. Is it contained in the humanity or is it a supplement? Was Jesus like a superhero, able to transcend the laws of physics and switch between human and divine as needed? People of faith know that they’ll never be able to understand the mystery–and most have come to the point where they don’t need to. They gladly affirm Jesus’ humanity, but they also know that in him we catch a glimpse of the divine. It’s a blessed reminder that there’s more to this world than meets the eye. And best of all they have found that as they walk with him they will experience life in its fullness–he really is the bread that feeds our souls!

Thought for the Day: How do I understand Jesus’ divinity?

Ephesians 4:29-5:2

“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.” vs. 29

Paul’s picture of Christian community seems almost utopian, almost too good to be true. We’ve grown so accustomed to coarse, bullying, and degrading talk that we are hard-pressed to imagine a world in which each word is carefully weighed and gracefully used. But some followers of Jesus do choose to use language to build up and not tear down. They refuse to engage in gossip or slanderous conversation designed to diminish and ridicule. They don’t use the cheap and gratuitous four letter words that the culture finds so fascinating, but strive for purity in discourse. Are they appreciated for their efforts? Not always! Often they are labelled as puritanic or naive–many people have grown accustomed to using words to wound and hurt–and they’re numb to filthy talk. But there is a better way to live–and the words we choose can be powerful tools for healing and loving. This doesn’t mean avoiding tough conversations. And sometimes we’ll be saying things others would rather not hear–that’s how it is when we speak the truth in love. But if we’re serious about repentance and change there’s no better place to start than with the words that come out of our mouths. As Proverbs puts it, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” 

Thought for the Day: How often do my words wound?

  Ephesians 4:25-28

“Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy.” vs. 28

There’s something delightfully naive about this verse from Ephesians. Usually the writers of scripture come down hard on sinners–thieves are given warnings to change behavior or face harsh consequences. But here there are no threats or condemnation, just a heartfelt admonition for thieves to stop stealing and begin to work honestly. And why should they do this? So they’ll have something to share with the needy! Instead of being takers, Paul wants the thieves to become givers. His words are a subtle reminder that in every community there are takers and givers, those who focus their lives on accumulating and those whose primary goal is to share. Our world has struggled with this dichotomy for a long time. In our day it seems that the balance has shifted in favor of the takers–massive fortunes are being amassed while charitable giving declines. The more people have, the less inclined they are to share. It’s a sad situation–a sign that something has gotten out of whack. It’s an imbalance that breeds resentment and mistrust and does nothing to further the kingdom of God. Paul saw the danger clearly and made a plea for takers to change their ways. He wasn’t against profiting from honest work but his bottom line was the health of the community. As scripture reminds us, “The love of money is the root of all evil.”

Thought for the Day: How often does the amassing of wealth involve thievery?