Psalm 69:7-10

“It is zeal for your house that has consumed me; the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” vs. 9

We don’t know that Jeremiah wrote any psalms, but given the prophetic tone of Psalm 69, he could have penned its words. In every age prophets spoke with passion and paid for it with rejection and persecution. Even friends and relatives turned against them. It’s that prophetic part of discipleship that is a huge stumbling block for us. Many followers of Jesus want nothing more than peace and harmony in their lives. We love to be liked and receive the praise of others. We want the approval of those who are close to us and if someone becomes upset with what we’ve said or done we can’t even sleep at night. So when the Christ within starts burning our hearts with unpopular convictions we do our best to keep the words from crossing our lips, or at least water them down to avoid giving offense. Often that works well–many of us can go years without ever being offensive. We even count that as a virtue and may even imagine that if Jesus had been more careful about what he said he wouldn’t have been put to death. Thank God that not everyone feels this way, and that there are Jeremiahs among us who don’t give a fig about being liked, and who speak boldly in the face of injustice. They are the true heroes of the faith and it’s through their provocative words that change happens in this world of darkness.

Thought for the Day: For what am I willing to risk disharmony in my relationships?

Jeremiah 20:11-13

“But the Lord is with me like a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, and they will not prevail. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten.” vs. 11

Through the centuries prophets have clung to their visions and dreams with a tenacious optimism that could not be extinguished even in the face of intense opposition and persecution. Jeremiah was carried away against his will to the land of Egypt. John the Baptist lost his head; Jesus was crucified and Stephen stoned. Their words have become our scriptures! In our times Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech lives on long after his assassination in Memphis. Even now there is a sense that one day bigotry and injustice will be at an end, that there is in our universe a trajectory that leads toward the peaceable kingdom, that goodness will have the last and the triumphant word. Sometimes, when violence erupts and ugly speech is heard, it’s hard to hang on to that optimistic perspective. We say to one another, “Well, this is how it’s always been, and this is the way it will always be! Life will never change.” But that’s not true! Of course there will be backsliding and reversals, human sin is tenacious and slippery, but we can’t give up on the vision. Christ is present in our world and is using even unwilling vessels to bring justice, love and peace to all. The dream is becoming reality!

Thought for the Day: What changes for good have happened in the last 100 years?

Wrong button pushed…premature publication.

Jeremiah 20:7-10

“For whenever I speak, I must cry out, I must shout, ‘Violence and destruction!’ For the word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long.” vs. 8

Jeremiah gives us a glimpse of his mindset in today’s passage and he obviously wasn’t enjoying his work as prophet. The message given him by the Lord sparked resentment in all that heard it, and he was regularly mocked on all the social media networks. He was a laughingstock in the streets and even his friends had turned against him. But he couldn’t keep his mouth shut! When he tried to remain quiet, a passion boiled up in his heart, and he gave voice to the words of doom given him by the Lord. That’s how it is with prophets! We see that clearly in these turbulent times. Some people just can’t be still! We hear their provocative words and think to ourselves, “Why can’t they just shut up? All that divisive rhetoric does no one any good–they’re making a bad situation worse.” When their words are offensive to us it’s hard to think of them as prophets–in our minds they’re only self-serving trouble-makers. But that’s exactly what the people of Jerusalem thought about Jeremiah. Could it be that some of the provocateurs who get under our skins are actually bringing a word from the Lord? It’s easy in our complacency to overlook injustice and it’s always easier to ignore problems when they don’t directly affect us. Maybe a jolting word from the Lord is exactly what we need!

Thought for the Day: What keeps me from being a prophet?

Matthew 10:1-8

“These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’” vss. 5-6

While Jesus did have occasional encounters with Gentiles during the course of his ministry, and granted their requests for healing, it seems clear from the gospel record that he considered his call to have been to the house of Israel. Accordingly, he mostly traveled in areas with a largely Jewish population, and that’s where he did his preaching, teaching, and healing. It’s not that he didn’t care about Gentiles or their needs, but his mission, as he understood it, had a narrow focus. Later on, after his death and resurrection, things changed, and the good news went out to the entire world. There’s obvious wisdom in that approach, and as the disciples continued his work, it’s what they did too. They went to particular places and particular people, and spread the gospel one person at a time. That’s still the best practice even with our advanced communication technologies–a message that is broadcast to the widest possible audience misses the interpersonal loving connections that are the strength of Christ’s message. Our faith communities are at their best when they narrow their focus and don’t even try to be all things to all people. When each one teaches one, millions can be reached. And that’s how the love of Christ has ultimately been spread to the ends of the earth!

Thought for the Day: What one person is my mission field today?

Matthew 9:35-38

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” vs. 36

When Jesus began to preach and teach and provide a healing touch for hurting people he was stunned at the response. The crowds were enormous, so much so that he scarcely had time to rest and eat. They came, Matthew says, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd, and Jesus had compassion for them. This wasn’t just some feeling of pity but an outpouring of love that came from the very core of his being, and it moved him to action, even though it meant coming into conflict with the dominating powers of his day. It’s worth remembering his reaction as we encounter the harassed and helpless in our cities and communities. We see them from time to time, sometimes in our congregations, more often on our expeditions away from our sheltered and protected homes. In our affluent times our reaction to such persons can sometimes be judgment–we wonder why they don’t help themselves when opportunities for assistance abound. That’s how Jesus’ disciples felt some days–they wanted him to send the crowds away. But that’s not the Jesus way! He always reacted with compassion when he saw wounded hearts and lives, and in our world of hurt, we who bear his name are called to do the same. When people are harassed and helpless they don’t need more judgment. They’re looking for a compassionate shepherd who will lift them up and take them home!

Thought for the Day: When I have compassion, what do I do?

Romans 5:6-11

“But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” vs. 8

In recent years, there have been many instances when people of color have been killed while in the hands of the police. When that happens we can count on two very different reactions. On the one hand there are loud demands for justice and accountability–sometimes crowds of protesters fill the streets and there are scenes of crying family members. And at the same time, usually a bit later, there are reports published in various media that the person killed was not a reputable person, that he or she had a criminal record and had a history of violence. Even if they didn’t deserve death, it is said, thugs should never be considered martyrs. It’s an argument that many find plausible. The problem is that, if Paul is right, there are no righteous martyrs! All are sinners and are considered ungodly! And Christ loves them all–and gave his life for all. And all for whom Christ gave his life deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, whether they’re pillars of the community, petty thieves, or homeless vagrants. And because we live in complicated times police especially need our prayers–they put their lives on the line every day on our behalf–some have become martyrs–and most deserve our thanks. They’re doing exemplary work!

Thought for the Day:  Why do people go into police work?

Romans 5:1-5

“And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…” vss. 3-4

Most of us can’t even begin to imagine what it must have been like for Africans to have been sold into slavery and hauled across the seas to spend their lives in hard labor on American plantations. Not only were beatings and abuse common, husbands, wives, and children were separated, and family systems torn apart for generations. It’s no wonder then that when slaves were exposed to the teachings of scripture, they took to heart those passages describing suffering and pain. And as the years passed they expressed those experiences in song, and their words echoed those of Paul in Romans. “Nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen, Nobody knows but Jesus, Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen, Glory Hallelujah!” Their suffering produced character, and then endurance, and then finally the hope expressed so clearly in the words of their Gospel music. From the events of these weeks we know the suffering has not gone away, but those descendants of slaves are not weak. Their voices continue to be strong, and from many we still hear powerful expressions of hope. Together they sing, “We shall overcome some day…oh deep in our hearts, we do believe, that we shall overcome some day.” And all of us pray that that day will come soon!

Thought for the Day: What hopeful signs have I seen lately?

Psalm 100

“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” vs. 5

It’s easy to be distracted when we’re fed a mind-numbing stream of images, tweets, videos, and memes from every direction nearly every day. We get caught up in the charges and countercharges and are overwhelmed by the sense that evil is ruling in our world and that humanity is doomed. We can’t seem to shake the prejudice and the “isms” that are endemic among us, and wonder if we’ll ever be able to overcome our differences and live together in harmony. Sometimes it seems that the biblical writers must have lived in better times–often their words are so positive and optimistic. Of course, that’s not the case! The psalmist was likely well aware of the ugliness that clings so closely and that brings such pain in our communities. But he refused to allow that knowledge define the future or color his view of God. He knew that there is abundant and enduring love in our universe, a love that persists through all generations. Now is our turn to claim that vision and recognize that our hope is not built on the vagaries of human weakness but on the presence of God’s love that exists in all and through all. We will weather these ugly days, not because our politicians are so wise and wonderful, but because God is faithful and good–and that’s the bottom line!

Thought for the Day: When have I been surprised by love?

Exodus 19:5-8

“The people all answered as one: ‘Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do.’ Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.” vs. 8

According to Exodus, the people were eager to do what the Lord had required of them and willingly vowed their obedience. Of course, we know the rest of the story. Those same people quickly forgot their promise and followed the instincts of their hearts instead. Such has been the tendency of God’s people ever since! It’s easy to make promises and declare our love for God and neighbor–but when the rubber hits the road we quickly go the way of expediency and self-interest. In recent weeks our country has erupted with protest and violence in response to reminders of the racism that has plagued us for generations. Some followers of Jesus have cried out with cries for strict enforcement of laws, others have joined the protests. Many have had a hard time identifying with those who claim persecution–we’ve experienced life from the perspective of white privilege and don’t quite get what the problem is. We say yes to Jesus’ command to love, but get angry when we see burning police cars. We want the problem to “just go away” and are blind to the centuries of abuse and neglect that have molded our society’s polarities. Our one hope is the presence of the Christ within and among us. Away from the media circus and the political posturing, people of faith are making a difference for good. In their work the seeds of change are being sown!

Thought for the Day: What is “white privilege”?