John 20:26-31

“But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.” vs. 31

When John wrote his gospel there was no doubt about his convictions or his intentions. He may not have known Jesus personally, but he was certainly aware of his life and ministry, and he had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. He was convinced that Jesus was the enfleshment of the Word present at creation, the One through whom all things came into existence. Jesus was the Christ of God, and through him the Light of God had shone forth for all to see. John also knew that it wasn’t enough to record Jesus’ words and recount the events of his life as other gospel writers had done. So John carefully chose seven events from the life of Jesus that he called “signs.” These were seven times in which Jesus had revealed the glory of God in concrete and visible ways. They weren’t the only signs Jesus had done but John believed that they would be enough to convince his readers that Jesus was the Messiah. Indeed, through the centuries John’s little book has been a particular favorite for many. It’s really more about Christ than it is about Jesus, but through it millions of lives have been changed as people have come to believe Jesus is the Christ, and in believing have caught glimpses of the new life our loving God has for all people. 

Thought for the Day: What do I like about the gospel of John?

John 20:19-25

“When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’” vs. 19

The words of this verse seem eerily appropriate for many of us as we continue in this uncertain state we’ve come to call “social distancing.” Because of fear we’ve isolated ourselves as best we can, maybe not locking our doors, but certainly keeping them closed to the threat of contagion. It’s a natural reaction when we’re afraid–we flee from that which threatens us, and the safest place is most often at home. And there we’ve discovered just like the disciples did, that even locked doors can’t keep Jesus out! He came to them in their fear and offered them peace, not the absence of conflict, but the sweet contentment that comes from our connection with the Divine Presence. It’s been strange to worship alone these last weeks. Typically Lent and Easter have provided rich opportunities to sing praises to God and hear well-practiced choirs at their best. This year it’s been different–at best we’ve been watching our preachers and musicians on small screens while missing the blessings of Holy Communion. But Jesus has not been absent–he’s come to us where we are offering peace and hope–and he’ll keep on coming until the crisis is over and we can rejoin our faith communities. After all, he is the Prince of Peace!

Thought for the Day: What have I missed most while staying at home?

1 Peter 1:6-9

“Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy…” vs. 8

We’re all pretty much in the same boat when it comes to Jesus. None of us ever saw him in the flesh and we certainly can’t see him in bodily form now. He lived a long time ago and we’re totally dependent on others for reports of his life and ministry. Yet through the years millions of people have chosen to follow his teachings and walk in his footsteps. Many profess to have a deep love for him. So how is it that people devote themselves to him, and are even willing to give their lives for him? There’s probably no good answer to that question, at least not one that will satisfy everyone. But what seems to be true is that faith in Jesus Christ grounds and centers our lives in a remarkable way. By trusting him and even attaching our lives to him, we find stability and purpose, and even more than that, believers report experiencing indescribable and glorious joy. Of course we can’t see him, but we can have a relationship with him that is enriching and deeply fulfilling. It’s a connection that draws us into community with other believers, and it’s there that we find the physicality that is a part of faith. In that body we actually become his presence in the world, and others will see Jesus through us.

Thought for the Day: When did I decide to devote my life to Jesus?

1 Peter 1:3-5

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” vs. 3

Most everyone is now hoping for a quick end to the restrictions that we’ve been facing because of the COVID-19 virus–even more than that we’re hoping that we can stop living in fear. Not only are we afraid of contracting the disease, we’re also anxious about the economic repercussions of the prolonged shutdown. Of course no expert can give us a definitive timetable of what’s going to happen in the next weeks and months–whether we like it or not, we’re just going to have to muddle through as best we can. What we do know is that in Christ Jesus we have been born into a living hope for the future, one that is completely independent of our personal experiences or the flow of the economy. And that makes a difference! Early Christians were able to endure persecution and suffering because they knew that Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead. The light of that great truth continues to guide our steps in these uncertain times. Life isn’t some form of giant crap shoot where everything is up for grabs. Those who live in Christ have the confidence that all things will be brought to completion in him. We’re going to be okay–this virus will one day be forgotten–our hope in Christ is ours forever.

Thought for the Day:  How can each day be Easter for us?

Psalm 16:7-11

“You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” vs. 11

The psalmist was secure and content in his relationship with the Lord. As he moved along life’s pathway the things he saw and experienced sparked joy in his soul, and he knew that as the journey continued those daily pleasures would abound. Some among us, even in the presence of the pandemic, know what that faith is like. They too love their daily walk in the Lord. It’s not that ugly things don’t happen in their lives, it’s not that they’re not well acquainted with suffering and grief–those visitors are present in every life. But even when darkness comes close, those who walk with Jesus see light; they’re not overwhelmed by adversity. Indeed, the nearness of the Lord is what gives them the strength and the desire to continue loving in every circumstance. What a blessing it is to have such people within our circle of friends! When we’re down or discouraged they will lift our spirits with their contagious tenderness and ready smiles. And it’s not that they are Pollyannas about life–they don’t exude a syrupy goodness that discounts pain or sadness. But in them we see quiet confidence that all is well, and life is worth living. As we listen to their words we hear affirmation and kindness, and it isn’t long before we discover that our own joy has been restored. 

Thought for the Day: Some signs that people are walking in the way of the Lord.

Psalm 16:1-6

“Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.” vs. 1

There have been some religious folks, from a variety of backgrounds, who have claimed that, since God is their refuge and strength, there is no need in this pandemic to follow regulations on the size of crowds or physical distancing. Their leaders have encouraged them to continue to come together in large numbers and trust that God will protect them. Naturally they refer to scripture passages like this one in making their pronouncements. The problem with their reasoning is that, while God does give protection, God does not give immunity. Many people who daily claim God as their refuge will in fact become infected–that’s just how disease works. Fortunately God has also given to humans the smarts to figure out ways to deal with plagues, and by God’s grace we do have formulas for avoiding contagion, and we’re fools if we don’t follow them. The umbrella of God’s care is greater than we can even imagine, and all things are included. Even death itself cannot rob us of the sustaining love of God–in fact there is nothing in all creation, certainly no plague or disease, that can separate us from God’s love. As we lean back into that caring love at times like this, we find comfort in our anxiety and freedom from fear–we even find hope for the future. But we won’t find permission to do dumb things!

Thought for the Day: What’s the difference between paranoia and prudence?

Acts 2:14a, 22-32

“But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.” vs. 24

While it’s unlikely that these words from Acts are Peter’s exact words, they do represent the convictions of the early church as it took shape in Jerusalem during those tumultuous years following Jesus’ death. The disciples had had a powerful experience of his continuing presence and they believed that the Holy Spirit of God had come upon them. Early on they were filled with a passion for spreading the good news and that story always began with resurrection. For them it was eminently reasonable for Jesus to have been raised up because life is more powerful than death–and they wanted the whole world to know that basic truth. We are the inheritors of that hopeful message, and today is a great day to proclaim it. So many are getting discouraged by the onslaught of the pandemic crisis–for them it seems to be dragging on forever–and we’re the ones called by God to tell the world that this too shall pass. Death and disease never have the last word, and are always overcome by life. It’s a message that comes from nature itself every spring as we see flowers bloom and trees bud–even the prickly cacti can’t help but celebrate life with new blossoms. One day, very soon, restrictions will ease, boundaries will come down, and celebrations of life will abound! Christ is risen, Alleluia!

Thought for the Day: Where do I see signs of resurrection power?

Matthew 28:1-10

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’” vs. 10

There’s a double word of grace in today’s text. Twice the women hear, once from the angel, and once from Jesus, that they should not be afraid. That’s good news at any time but it’s especially important now as we continue to deal with COVIT-19. Once we had thought that restrictions would be lifted by Easter, and that normal life could return–but that hasn’t happened and some are wondering if we’ll ever get back to our old routines and be able to enjoy life without fear or anxiety. Today’s gospel reminds us that we live in a world in which the power of disease and death has been permanently shattered. Jesus is alive and is with us now in our in-home celebrations of hope and new life. It may be strange not to be singing the familiar hymns in a massive congregation of believers–those days will have to wait for a time–but one day we will be back together again and the hugs will return. In the meantime we are encouraged to put fear aside and trust that resurrection has happened and will happen again. And perhaps one day when all this is over, we’ll remember how awful it is to live in isolation, and revel in every chance to be together with friends and family. May there never again be an Easter on which we are forced to be alone!

Thought for the Day: What have I usually done on Easter Sunday?

Romans 6:3-11

“Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” vs. 4

This has to be the strangest Lent that any of us have ever experienced! As the days have turned into weeks, and now months, our understandable fear of disease and death has led to ever-increasing isolation from the living. It’s almost as though we have buried ourselves to avoid dying! It’s a strange thought, but not too different from the message that Paul had for the Romans. He told them that they had been buried with Jesus in their baptisms so that one day that might have new life! Today, the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter, could well be thought of as Jesus’ tomb day, a day of total isolation from the living. These days of pandemic have given us a taste of what that means. Our creeds tell us that Jesus spent his day of burial proclaiming good news to the dead, and perhaps that’s a sign for what we might be doing in our “physical distancing burial.” It’s a time for reaching out to all the other buried folks and offering sweet consolation and strong hope. We have the means to do that in marvelously inventive ways–it’s a great project for Holy Saturday. And tomorrow? Well, we’ll still be buried, but we do know that new life is coming, and it is going to be so sweet! It’ll be just like resurrection!

Thought for the Day: Who among my friends needs good news today?

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

“Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.” vs. 4

As news of the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe there were some who saw it as God’s punishment for humanity’s embrace of deviant lifestyles, or perhaps our failure to care for the earth. That’s not an unusual response. Religious folks have always been quick to blame natural disasters on profligate living–it’s a notion that dates all the way back to the stories of Noah and the flood. Isaiah presents a different perspective. By his reasoning, it’s the Suffering Servant (probably Israel) that has brought relief from infirmities by taking them on himself. His words were taken to heart by the followers of Jesus as they sought to make sense of Jesus’ death on the cross. “Upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.” It’s a familiar image, and one that comes readily to mind on this Good Friday. And it’s a story that is being lived out all over the world as we try to deal with the effects of this frightening disease. Everywhere there are men and women putting their own lives at risk, even becoming infected, in order to bring comfort and relief to those who are sick and dying. In the same way Jesus carried our diseases and put himself at risk, so that we might be healed. This pandemic isn’t a time for finding fault or assessing blame, it truly is a moment for thanking suffering servants and their amazing love.

Thought for the Day: How has Jesus healed me?