Matthew 25:37-47

“And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’” vs 40

It’s amazing to see how people are drawn to those who are the rich and the powerful! When presidents and billionaires beckon even cardinals and preachers pay attention, and then vie with one another for a chance to break bread or have a conversation. Jesus is not impressed! In his last teaching word to his disciples he lays out the standards of God’s reign. The wealthy can take care of themselves–they don’t need our help. His followers are to search out the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, the lonely, and those in prison and care for their needs. And then he makes a radical promise. As we do this, as we reach out to the least, we will encounter Jesus–and in so doing we will be blessed beyond measure. And people are taking him seriously! Millions of believers are giving generously of their time and money to help the hurting. It’s become a Christmas tradition for many! Instead of buying gifts for those who already have too much they’re giving to support hunger and relief programs all over the world. They’re feeding and housing the poor, lobbying on behalf of immigrants, visiting prisoners, solely because, in their faces, they’re seeing the face of their Lord.

Thought for the Day: Where have I seen the face of Jesus this week?

Matthew 25:31-36

“Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…” vss. 35b-36

The will of Jesus for those who follow him and walk according to his teachings could not be more clearly stated than here in Matthew’s gospel. It’s his last parable, an image of the last judgment with a central point that cannot be misunderstood. According to Jesus, those who inherit the kingdom are the people who care for the hungry and thirsty, welcome strangers, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit those in prison. He says not a word about accepting him as a personal savior, giving your heart to him, believing in the Trinity, going to church, or even being baptized. All those things, while good in themselves, are “church” stuff and are linked to insider language. Yet these are the things which too many believers have made the center of their life together! What really counts with Jesus are those deeds and actions which too many theologians have dismissively called “the social gospel.” Of course we’ll organize ourselves into congregations, develop rituals, and form denominations. That’s what we do–it’s a way of ordering our lives. But what we do has value only if it assists us in caring for the least, the lost, and the lonely. It’s the Jesus bottom line!

Thought for the Day: What would the king say to my congregation?

Ephesians 1:18-23

“God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places…” vs. 20

Some people point to verses like this to show that the Risen Christ has been elevated to a position in the universe that is beyond our reach or understanding. If that’s what we believe, we’re really on our own in the world now, left to work things out as best we can, just waiting until Christ comes again and straightens everything out. Of course that notion doesn’t square with the testimony of scripture as the writer of Ephesians makes clear in this same passage. “And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” Christ is not far away at all. The One through whom all things came into existence, the One who is the presence of God, has never left the earth and is present now in and through the Church. And it’s not a feeble, metaphoric presence! Christ is present in the Church with power, the very power of our loving God. And where the Church is fully engaged in that loving, incredible things are happening. The hungry are fed, the naked clothed, and the captives are set free–we the Church are making the Reign of God palpable and real in our hurting and anxious world. 

Thought for the Day: Why do people leave the Church?

Ephesians 1:15-17

“I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.” vss. 15-16

The reputation of the congregation at Ephesus had spread among the little house churches that sprang up all over the eastern Mediterranean as apostles had proclaimed the good news of Jesus. According to the writer of this letter two things stood out: their faith in the Lord Jesus and their love for all the saints. Those two elements continue to be the marks of congregations that take seriously their call to be the presence of Christ in the world. Most everyone would agree that love is essential, there’s little doubt about its importance, especially in these divisive times. We even sing about it, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love, not just for some, but for everyone.” It’s a familiar refrain, and many try to practice loving in their daily living. But some question why faith in the Lord Jesus is necessary–can’t we love without trusting in him? Obviously many do–so why do Christians haul Jesus into the equation? And that answer is easy–Jesus is our definition of love. The two go together. Jesus love is self-giving and sacrificial–it’s love with power, a love that changes lives. We can even say that it’s the reason for the church’s existence. Thank God for those congregations that combine faith in the Lord Jesus with their loving! They’re changing the world!

Thought for the Day: What are loving congregations like?

Psalm 95:1-7a

“O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” vss. 1-2

As the worship quarantine continues in our congregations, one of the things we’re missing the most is lifting our voices in songs of praise and thanksgiving. In fact, we’ve been told by those who understand how COVID spreads, that singing in a worship setting is one of the best ways to spread the virus! And so we’ve done without–and tried to find other ways to offer praise and express joy. We can do it in our individual prayers of course, all of us can find opportunities in the course of our days to show appreciation for the wonders of our world. If we’re alert, every turn of our head can offer new delights: a brightly colored bird, the song of a lovebird, the azure blue of our western skies, a gentle evening breeze, a quiet walk in the morning, the changing seasons–our list could go on and on. All the universe rests in the hands of our God and everything bears the indelible mark of our Creator. How wonderful it is when we can get our heads out of the morass of politics and outrage and focus on those things which have eternal value! Even if we can’t join in communal hymns we can offer our deep hums of praise and joy, and God hears it all!

Thought for the Day: What will bring delight to my eyes today?

Ezekiel 34:20-34

“Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged…” vss. 21-22a

The scattering of people does not happen by chance. Ezekiel used the sheep metaphor to describe exactly what takes place. The fat and the strong sheep bully the weaker members of the flock and chase them away from their sources of food and drink. In order to survive those lost sheep need a loving shepherd, one sent by the Lord. Ezekiel’s imagery is powerful and aptly describes the bullying actions of the fat and strong in every age. Our world’s problem is not a lack of resources–there’s plenty for everyone. But the fat and the strong continually control the distribution. People aren’t starving in palaces! But in refugee camps it’s a different picture–disease is rampant and basic necessities are at a minimum. Families don’t live in such places by choice, but this is where they’ve been forced to go as they’ve fled for their lives. The fat and the strong have had their way with them. And where is the Shepherd in all of this? Not in some heaven far, far away! Rather the Shepherd, otherwise known as the Christ, is present and active, and working for justice. People of faith are doing shepherding work in every land, reaching out to the weak, and one day, by the will of God, the reign of the bullies will come to an end.

Thought for the Day: Where do I see the Shepherd at work?

Ezekiel 34:11-16

“I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep…I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.” vss. 15a-16

Ezekiel liked the metaphor of shepherd to describe the relationship of God to the people of Judah. Like lost sheep they had been scattered and left to fend for themselves–but Ezekiel knew that God’s love was greater than their misfortune. One day, he told the masses huddled on the banks of the Euphrates in Babylon, the Lord would find them and bring them home again, just like a shepherd searching out lost and straying sheep. His words of hope have resonated with God’s people in every generation and have particular relevance now as we consider the millions of refugees all over the world. Abandoned and forsaken by their nations they’re on the move as never before. Gathered into camps, huddled at borders, they yearn for security of every kind. They’re looking for welcoming arms, for food, clothing, and housing–and they’re been shunned and rejected. But not everywhere! In every nation there are those who take seriously their charge to bind up the injured and strengthen the weak. What a blessing it has been for those lost sheep, beloved children of God, as people of faith have taken on their shepherding role, welcomed them into their lands, and offered them healing and hope. 

Thought for the Day: Why are people reluctant to welcome refugees?

Matthew 25:24-30

“For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.” vs. 29

Jesus’ parables can be read either from the perspective of law or gospel. In this instance our inclination is to immediately go to the law and see his story as a warning not to bury our talents. Sometimes readers will even be upset by the action of the master in his brutal punishment of the unworthy slave. They wonder how God could ever do that to anyone, particularly someone whose only fault was a mistrust of banking systems. But when this story is read as gospel we get an entirely different message. Jesus is encouraging followers to put their gifts and abilities at the disposal of the whole, and to expect an abundant return on their investment. And he’s right! When we use our resources to benefit others and not ourselves, we will receive blessings beyond our expectations, grace upon grace. Not only will others be helped, but there will be a trickle down of benefits into our own lives. We will know joy and gladness because others are prospering. And what about those who sit on their gifts and do nothing for others? Well, there’s no literal outer darkness for them, but their inner lives remain devoid of joy, and they will never know the gladness of sharing. It’s not a warning, that’s just how it is under the reign of God!

Thought for the Day: How has giving enhanced my life?

1 Thessalonians 5:6-11

“Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.” vs. 11

Paul loved the people of Thessalonica and encouraged them to stand firm in faith and not be discouraged by Christ’s failure to return as they had hoped. They weren’t going to miss out on salvation no matter what happened. That assurance was theirs by grace and couldn’t be taken away. Having said that, he goes on to recommend encouragement as a central part of their life together in the body of Christ. As we deal in our time with the challenges of pandemic fatigue, election uncertainty, and rampant conspiracy theories, we can give Paul a big “Amen.” There is so much discouragement and anxiety among us, and it’s hard to see any signs of resolution. One thing that we can do as we tiptoe through the minefields of social engagement is to encourage one another to hang in. This is a time for building up and not tearing down. Even if we have different political views we serve the same Christ–we are all children of God, and we yearn for words of affirmation. We need to hear that we are loved and cared for–and that we’ve lived good lives and are decent people. There’s plenty of negativity around, and it can bring us to our knees in a heartbeat. The promises of God will be fulfilled–salvation belongs to us. And even as we wait for its fruition, there’s plenty of loving to be done.

Thought for the Day: How can I build up a negative person?