Matthew 14:22-27

“And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone…” vs. 23

Those who are more introverted in their relationship to the external world are likely to identify with Jesus as they read in scripture of his desire to be alone. The world was changing. John the Baptist had been brutally murdered. Decisions about continuing his ministry needed to be made. Some people love to process problems by talking about them with others. The conversation helps to clarify their minds. But others, like Jesus, crave to be alone–they need time to think. What Jesus needed most was time for prayer. He had a beautiful setting. The last rays of the sun would have been illuminating the eastern shore of the sea while evening winds were rushing down the western hills. As he sat alone darkness enveloped him and the Spirit of God gave him clarity and direction. As the hours passed he began to feel recharged as the energy of God’s presence filled his heart and renewed his compassion. Moments like this are important for all people, not just introverts, but too often we don’t take the time or find a place. Many remain unpracticed in the art of meditation and spirits can be drained of their zeal and enthusiasm for ministry. Being alone is nothing to be feared–and in our crowded world it’s a way to find refreshment and peace. If it’s a faith practice that is alien to us, it’s never too late to start!

Thought for the Day: When do I most need to be alone?

Romans 10:12-15

“And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” vs. 15

Paul knew that salvation was for all without distinction. Both Jews and Gentiles were loved by God and lived under the umbrella of grace. For him this was incredible good news, and his biggest lament was that so many simply didn’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior. He believed that such knowledge would bring both serenity in the present and hope for the future. And so he dedicated his life to proclaiming that good news to as many as he possibly could–this was his call and his mission. We live in an age where the passion for spreading the good news has largely disappeared. From our perspective it’s only religious kooks who will forsake all else for the sake of proclaiming the gospel. And since that’s our attitude, many feel no great need to share the good news of grace–their faith convictions remain a well-kept secret. Some would say that this reluctance presents a huge challenge to the future of Christianity. If passing on the story of Jesus falls out of fashion how will anyone come to know what a blessing a life of faith can be? Ultimately the message of grace could be lost entirely as humans are swallowed up by the spread of the ever-popular law-based religions. We can only pray that followers of Jesus will become as glad to share stories of faith as they are to recommend good Netflix series!

Thought for the Day: With whom have I shared the message of grace?

Romans 10:5-11

“For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.” vs. 10

Paul contrasts the righteousness that comes from the law with the righteousness that comes from faith in his treatise to the Romans. For him it was an important distinction. He wanted the people to know that justification, being made right with God, was a gift, and not something that was earned through obedience to the law. He believed that this knowledge could free people from anxiety about salvation–they would never have to worry about whether they had done enough because it had all been done for them through Christ Jesus. All that was required for salvation was faith! Paul’s words have been a great comfort for many through the centuries. The only difficulty has come when people, in their great desire for a conditional view of salvation, began to think of faith itself as being a work. It was what we humans had to do to get salvation–and if we didn’t have faith we were doomed. There’s a kind of logic to that perspective, but it’s been damaging to the gospel of grace. The message changes from “Here’s what God has done in Jesus for you by grace,” to “Here’s what you have to do to have life with Jesus.” And as Christians make that subtle shift they fall back under the yoke of the law. The truth is that all have been saved by grace! That grace becomes real for individuals through faith, but grace never goes away!

Thought for the Day: What is a conditional view of salvation?

Psalm 85:11-13

“The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.” vss. 12-13

Some days it feels good to engage with “relentless optimism” like that exhibited by the psalmist as he surveyed the scene in Jerusalem so many years ago. There was really no historical basis for what he said, and the geo-politics of his time was anything but encouraging. But he chose to be hopeful–and people loved his words. Optimists are a rare presence in our plague-ridden, divisive times, and their comments are regularly derided and ridiculed as being childish and naive. It seems people would rather hear predictions of gloom and doom! Now admittedly there are times when the signs of the times are bleak and foreboding, and it can be wise to pay attention to such forecasts. But followers of Jesus will always have at their core a sense that the best is yet to come, that one day righteousness and justice will triumph and all lands will be filled with goodness. When we can regularly present that optimistic spirit in our encounters with others, they will be touched and changed. The hopeless and despairing will be lifted by the light they see in our eyes and the hope they hear in our words. Genuine smiles have incredible power and make an amazing difference for good in every place and at every time.

Thought for the Day: How can a natural pessimist show an optimistic spirit?

Psalm 85:8-10

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

The psalmist had a vision of the future that continues to touch our heart 2500 years later. This is indeed the hope and the dream of every age: that steadfast love and faithfulness would be merged, and that righteousness and peace would give each other a big kiss. In times like ours that vision seems to erode with every demonstration, protest, and act of ugly violence. Opposing viewpoints have hardened and there seems little possibility of reconciliation. In some quarters there’s even talk of revolution and a total overthrow of the system. But followers of Jesus continue to hang on to his promise of an ever-growing peaceable kingdom that will one day find fulfillment in him. In his eyes this is a blip on the screen, a temporary moment of insanity that will be healed by the steadfast love of God and the growing faithfulness of the peoples. In our hearts we crave the peace promised by God, and the Christ in us can make it happen in spite of our foolish political posturing. Our task is to put aside the differences and embrace the unity that is the last commandment of Jesus. Of course there will be conflicting ideas among us–but they’re easily contained by extravagant hugs and heartfelt kisses–and peace will be the order of the day.

Thought for the Day: How do I treat those who think differently from me?

1 Kings 19:9-18

“and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence.” vss. 11b-12

Elijah had fled for his life and was hiding in a cave when the word came to him that the Lord was about to pay a visit. He leaves his shelter and endures in turn a great wind, an earthquake, and a fire, traditional signs of God’s presence, but nothing happened. But then came the sound of sheer silence–and in the silence the Lord came. It’s a familiar story, one that has resonated with countless readers through the centuries. Thousands have borne testimony that this is indeed the way that God continues to make contact with those who crave divine intimacy. There is so much noise in our world! Clamoring voices come at us from every direction, disturbing our thoughts and fueling our fears. Like a constant buzzing in our ears those sounds besiege us through the day, and can even keep at us in our dreams. Many have found that relief comes in the pure silence of meditation, a time when we can relax into the presence of the Divine Mystery. It’s not an easy discipline! Our minds have grown so accustomed to sounds that we grow uncomfortable when we’re left with only our thoughts and feelings. Some can’t even endure even a minute without acoustic stimulation. But eventually, with practice, the time will stop dragging and cease altogether–and in the sheer silence God is!

Thought for the Day: What keeps me from meditating?

Matthew 14:17-21

“Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.” vs. 19

The story of the feeding of the multitudes was a favorite among early Christians and shows up in all of the gospels at least once. It reminded them of the miraculous provision of manna in the wilderness from early Hebrew writings, but even more than that, they believed it had been a foretaste of the meal they were celebrating together in their communities. Even the words of the story were the same: Jesus took the loaves, looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the bread, and the distribution began. This ritual has continued to be at the center of Christian worship, and is for many, a critical part of their faith practice. And this is precisely what so many of us have been missing in these last weeks. We’ve tried to make do with our Zoom Bread and Wine Gatherings and moments of clergy led Spiritual Communion, but we’re longing for the day when we can enjoy the real presence of our brothers and sisters in Christ as we eat and drink together. The five loaves and the two fish didn’t seem like much for a crowd of thousands–but they were enough. And so it is for the little bit of bread and wine in Holy Communion–it doesn’t seem like much, but it is enough!

Thought for the Day: What part of worship am I missing most?

Matthew 14:13-16

“Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’” vs. 16

As followers of Jesus, when we hear about a need our first impulse is to respond. We want the hungry to be fed and the sick to be cared for–surely there must be an agency that can help or a government program to be applied for–we’re glad to make recommendations. In fact, the disciples’ suggestion that the people in the deserted place go find food for themselves makes a lot of sense for us. But Jesus doesn’t buy it! He says, “They don’t need to go away; you give them something to eat.” One of the blessings that has come out of the COVID-19 crisis is that many folks have taken Jesus’ words to heart. We’ve heard the stories many times, and maybe we’ve even been involved. Over and over again people have decided to do something about the problems that have come to their attention. They’ve dusted off sewing machines and made hundreds of thousands of face masks. They’ve prepared meals for overworked medical personnel in the hospitals. Some have organized snack deliveries for nurses in the ICU and Emergency departments. Others have taken it upon themselves to check up on isolated friends and make sure they’re well. Many have given their stimulus checks to people who really need the money. Following Jesus is no grandstand operation; it means getting in the game and making a difference.

Thought for the Day: How have I gotten involved during these months?

Romans 9:3-5

“For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh.” vs. 3

When Paul was encountered by the Risen Christ he spent a number of years in meditation and study. He pored over the scriptures in earnest, revisiting his old convictions and commitments. He emerged fully convinced that God, in Christ Jesus, had done a new thing and, moved by the Holy Spirit, he dedicated his life to articulating the gospel of grace and bringing it to the Gentiles. Even though he did not feel he was abandoning Judaism, most of his fellow Jews turned on him. Nothing that Paul could say in his defense was adequate, and ultimately a huge gulf emerged between followers of Christ and the Jews. This broke Paul’s heart–and here he tells his readers that if he could keep his people in the family, he’d forfeit his relationship with Christ. Sometimes we say those kinds of things too. We say that we’d do anything if only our dear ones would open their hearts to the gospel. In truth, it’s an exaggeration! Paul couldn’t abandon Jesus–the good news was the core of his being. And so it remains for many of us. We know that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, and we make that truth our central value. And we won’t give up the gospel for any reason or any person, no matter how much we love them!

Thought for the Day: Have I ever given up my convictions for the sake of another?

Romans 9:1-2

“I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” vss. 1-2

Paul has just told his readers that there is absolutely nothing in all of creation, not even death, that can separate us from the love of God. It is without a doubt one of the most reassuring and grace-filled passages in all of scripture–most of us count it as one of our favorites. But then he follows that up by telling his Roman readers that he has great orrow and unceasing anguish in his heart. As we read further we discover the cause of his sadness. Paul is broken-hearted because his people, the Jews, have rejected the gospel of grace that has been proclaimed through Jesus the Christ. The good news was for them too, but they had chosen to go another way! Some of us know how Paul felt. We have family and friends who have a place under the umbrella of unconditional love that God has for all people. Many of them have heard the story of grace–they’ve learned it in Sunday School and confirmation–but it hasn’t touched their lives! It isn’t that we’re afraid they will go to hell–we know that they too will never be separated from the love of God. But their decision or lack of decision saddens us! We have the sense that life now could be so much better for them if they put aside the works of darkness and allowed their inner lights to shine. Some days it makes us want to cry!

Thought for the Day: Someone whose life choices saddens my heart!