Psalm 32

“Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you.” vs. 9

Humans, horses, and mules all reflect the goodness and presence of the Divine Creator, but according to our scriptures, only humans have been created in the image of God. We bear the stamp of the Divine DNA in our genes and act in this world as the hands and the feet of God. It is our call and our mission to infiltrate the world with goodness, and reflect the mercy and love of God to all who are broken and needy. Horses and mules don’t have that call. All that they are required to do is to act in accordance with their being. They’re supposed to behave like horses and mules, and that’s about it. They have no understanding about any larger purpose–it’s doubtful that they have any concept of God–they certainly don’t worship. In like manner, humans are supposed to act like humans and reflect their special relationship to God in their stewardship of creation, but often we don’t do that. Instead we act like horses or mules, and think only about living out our base desires. We like to eat and drink and will behave only when our actions are curbed or limited. Without rules to govern behavior, some would just run wild. The psalmist believed that humans have a higher calling and are expected to lead principled lives, motivated totally by kindness and love.

Thought for the Day: What keeps me from “running wild”?

Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7

“But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’” vss. 4-5

The ancient Hebrews used this little story about the man and woman in the Garden of Eden to share some great insights about the nature of good and evil. Unfortunately the story has been used through the centuries to perpetuate some hurtful and dangerous notions about sin and the relationship between men and women. To this day some people believe that women are easily deceived and often use their wiles to tempt innocent men with forbidden fruit. As a result of such beliefs there’s a persistent misogyny that has been responsible for the marginalization and discounting of women on every level. On top of this, various theologians, using this passage as a proof-text, came up with some wrongheaded teachings connecting original sin and sexual desire. No wonder so many struggle with issues of sexuality–we’ve been taught for centuries that sex is dirty and that thoughts about sex are bound to be sinful. In reality this story has nothing to do with sex and it certainly doesn’t teach that women are inferior. It was meant to describe the continuing tendency of humans to think of themselves as divine and eliminate any need for God. It’s so hard for us to accept any limitations on our behaviors–we don’t like to worship anyone but ourselves–in our hearts we really would like to be gods! And that’s where sin begins!

Thought for the Day: Why is it hard for people to talk about sexual matters?

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

“but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.” vs. 20

We’re familiar with these words of Jesus; at the very least we’ve heard them read at worship during our Ash Wednesday services. They’re a yearly staple of our lectionary, the texts that are set aside for the three years of the liturgical cycle. And most of us agree with Jesus, storing up treasures on earth is pure foolishness; ultimately those things we accumulate will become useless to us–aging and the passage of time destroy their value. Some of us have even become a part of the current trend toward minimalism and have followed the advice of people like Marie Condo. We’ve given away our possessions and decided to keep only what sparks joy in our hearts. But is this the same as storing up treasures in heaven? Some might say that it is, and they may be partially right. Minimalism does cut down on our accumulation–but there’s still a focus on the material. Heavenly treasures are better understood as spiritual or relational. They are those deeds and practices which connect us to God and to one another, and will always have loving at their core. They’re the experiences that could be described as “priceless,” a walk in the evening with our sweetheart or a hug from a runny-nosed grandchild. Moments like these can only come as we abandon our connections to “stuff” and embrace our neighbor as ourselves.

Thought for the Day: What are my treasures in heaven?

Isaiah 58:1-12

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” vs. 6

Isaiah 58 should be required reading for any who presume to God-fearing believers. The prophet was fed up with folks who claim to be religious, but who have no heart for the poor or the hurting. He tells his hearers and us that our fasting is pointless if it’s focus is our own spiritual well-being. His words are a good reminder for those who use the season of Lent to meditate on scripture and to practice a discipline. We are not isolated beings or rugged individuals in the eyes of God. We’re a part of a community, and will consider the needs of the oppressed and the helpless as much or more than we do our own. It’s a travesty when people of faith rail against immigrants and welfare recipients and seek to cut benefits for the poor. How did we manage to get so far off track? Don’t we know that God is not pleased with our single-minded devotion to accumulation and the privileges of power? Isaiah’s words are a wonderful wake-up call for all who have been seduced by the glitter and glamour that have captivated our society. At the very least Lent will become for us a season of reflection on the dark side of our economic advancements. Oppression is alive and well in our world–and our call is to work for justice.

Thought for the Day: How can an individual bring about systemic change?

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

“rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.” vs. 13

Israel had been invaded by a plague of locusts and the prophet Joel believed that relief would come only if the people turned back to God and repented of their sinful ways. Most of us probably don’t connect such devastating natural disasters with sin but on both national and global levels there are a multitude of injustices that merit our combined attention and repentance. We’ve put future generations at risk with our unbridled greed and callous disregard for the environment. The millions of refugees fleeing their homes and countries are a testimony to our love of war and careless use of destructive weapons. We aren’t living as faithful stewards of creation and we certainly aren’t loving our neighbors as ourselves. Modern prophets are correct in calling humanity to repentance and change. In the church it has become our tradition to set aside times of the year for a focus on such practices, not just as an exercise in confession, but that we might actually change and be a force for good. Joel reminds us that such repentance is more an internal exercise than external. In just a couple of days we will begin the season of Lent and we’ll have an opportunity for some heart-rending soul-searching. It’s our chance to return to God, the source of grace, mercy, and steadfast love, and the world is bound to be blessed.

Thought for the Day: What is a heart-rending behavior?

Matthew 17:6-9

“But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.” vss. 7-8

The scriptures consistently report that divine encounters are a scary proposition. Certainly that was true for the disciples on the mountain of transfiguration! The voice that was meant to assure them instead terrified them, and only the gentle touch of Jesus could take away their fear. We know what it’s like to be afraid! These are scary times, and every day there are happenings and events that leave us shaken and frightened. Some understand climate change to be an existential threat and worry about the long range effects of global warming. Others are distraught by the increasing polarization of our nation. The rhetoric of the alienated seems divisive and dangerous. Weapons are being stockpiled–some look forward to using them! On a personal level most of us are beset by anxieties and fears, we’re constantly aware of health issues and relational problems. A lot of us are concerned about children and grandchildren–we’re afraid for them! Whatever the reason none of us are immune to fear–and all need that gentle touch of Jesus and a word of encouragement. “Get up, rise up from your fear, and don’t be afraid to live!” It’s in the presence of “Jesus himself alone” that we can continue our journeys in confidence. Perfect love wipes away fear!

Thought for the Day: What are my fears? 

Matthew 17:1-5

“Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’” vs. 4

Jesus had just told the disciples that anyone who wanted to follow him should take up the cross and be prepared to suffer. Peter hadn’t particularly liked that image–none of us do! No healthy person enjoys suffering! And Jesus was right, his Way involves pain and suffering–but not all the time! Six days after his dire prediction Jesus led three of the disciples up a high mountain and they shared an astonishing vision of his glory–and it was good. Peter suggests a building program, a way in which they could extend the moment. It’s a feeling we can identify with. On the journey with Jesus there are moments of glory, and even ecstasy, times when we catch glimpses of the resurrected Christ, and realize that we really are on the right path. We would dearly love to sustain those precious hours and make them a lasting part of our reality, and maybe even use them to erase the suffering that marks the way of the cross. Of course that’s not how life in Christ works. More often than not our days will be filled with the routine work of service, the labors of love that we have been given as part of our call. But mountaintops are never forgotten and will remain in our memories until the final day of glory when eternal peace is ours.

Thought for the Day: What moments of assurance have I been given?

2 Peter 1:19-21

“First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” vss. 20-21

Interpretation of scripture is a notoriously difficult enterprise. Some say it can only be done reliably by trained and skilled biblical scholars, men and women who understand fully the historical context of the texts and who have an extensive theological education. Others say that anyone can interpret the scripture, it’s just a matter of reading the passage and thinking about what it means–there’s no prior preparation necessary. Now it is true that many verses in the bible can be read and appreciated by most anyone who reads them. Their truths are self-evident and uncomplicated. But for the most part the bible is an enormously complicated and difficult book, and understanding the intentions of the various writers and editors will require significant study. The bible has even been used to drive wedges among believers and undermine the mission of Jesus Christ. Some people claiming to be scholars have wielded the scripture as a weapon and caused major mischief in the life of the Church with their fanciful and wrongheaded interpretations. Above all it’s important to remember that the bible is the word of human beings, and not the center of our faith as disciples of Christ. As Martin Luther said, “The bible is the cradle in which the Christ is laid.” It deserves our study, but not our worship!

Thought for the Day: Why do some call the bible God’s word?

2 Peter 1:16-18

“We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.” vs. 18

The oldest account of Jesus’ baptism indicates that his experience with the voice and the spirit was a private affair and that it happened as he was emerging from the Jordan. Here Peter indicates that on the Mount of the Transfiguration the voice from heaven was for the benefit of the disciples present. The affirmation was not for Jesus, but for those who were following him. They heard here from the highest authority that Jesus was indeed the beloved Son of God. It’s amazing how often we too need that kind of authoritative word to bolster our own convictions. Even though we want to trust our own spiritual experiences it feels good if someone else can affirm what we are feeling. We want to know we’re not wasting our time on the journey and that we are going in the right direction. We may not get a voice out of a cloud on a mountaintop, but we learn to make do with what’s available. So when a friend, or some person we respect, tells us that we’ve made the proper choices, our own resolve is magnified. The world is a confusing place and there are any number of conflicting ideas and theories floating around, and most of us don’t have the expertise to make distinctions. What a blessing it is then, to get direction that we can trust! 

Thought for the Day: Who’s my most trusted adviser about faith matters?

Psalm 2:7-12

“I will tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to me, ‘You are my son; today I have begotten you.’” vs. 7

During the days when Israel had a strong monarchy, the king was thought of as the anointed one of God; he was the messiah, and at his coronation he was reminded that he was the son of God from that day forward. Later on, when Jesus arrived at the Jordan and was baptized by John, the gospels report that he heard a voice from heaven saying, “You are my son, my beloved.” It wasn’t long after that his disciples began to think of him as the messiah, the anointed one of God. But Jesus wasn’t anything like one of those ancient kings who continually plotted the destruction of other nations. He never threatened to “break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Jesus had a different plan for the nations, one that revolved around reconciliation, peace, and restoration. He had no interest in world domination, a notion that has plagued empires from the beginning, and that has continued into the present century. Under King Jesus the broken and misfits of the world find healing and are drawn together into communities of love and mercy. And it’s working! Bit by bit differences are being set aside and the Spirit of God is bringing the world together. One day there will be harmony among the peoples of the world, and the spirit of destruction will be no more.

Thought for the Day: What are signs that the world is coming together?