Isaiah 35:6-10

“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” vs. 10

The prophet is overwhelmed with joy and hope at the prospect of returning to Jerusalem following years of exile in Babylon. The people had been away for decades and at times it must have seemed as though they would never come back to their holy mountain. As it was, the vision didn’t quite match the reality. When they got home their temple was gone and the city lay in ruins–whatever joy they felt was temporary. It wasn’t long before the returning exiles were at odds with those who had been left behind. But the hopeful words of the prophet were so beautiful that people clung to them even in the face of the dismal conditions. They’ve never been forgotten and now are used by followers of Jesus to describe the peaceable kingdom that awaits. We too are among the ransomed, saved from a life of captivity to sin, and freed for new life in Christ. That’s why our worship services during the coming Christmas season will be filled with songs of great joy and gladness. And even our actual situations aren’t what we’ve hoped, the promise remains. A new world is coming, and we won’t study war any more. It’s a vision worth hanging on to–’cause one day it will be our new reality–and some of us can’t wait!

Thought for the Day: Why do some people prefer dystopian views of the future?

Isaiah 35:1-4

“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.” vss. 1-2a

As Isaiah looked for the restoration of Israel, he knew that heaven and nature would sing for joy, and that blossoming flowers would abound. What he says is the absolute truth! Humanity is inextricably linked to the land, and what happens to one is felt in the other. Sometimes, because of sin, we become so focused on economic development and resource extraction that we lose sight of that connection. Historically, humans have ravaged the earth in our desire for gain and the sad effects have persisted for generations. Whole species have become extinct and their absence is only fleetingly noted–too often our God-given stewardship responsibilities have been ignored. But when we repent and turn from our selfish ways, and carefully tend to the interconnections of this beautiful creation, all things are blessed. The light of Christ shines brightly, cedars rejoice, butterflies thrive, milkweeds flourish, and hummingbirds sing for joy. There are still some who scoff at environmentalists, calling them tree-huggers and worse–but the tide is changing. Even as we teeter on the precipice of environmental disaster a new generation is restating Isaiah’s vision.  More and more people are beginning to do the little things that make a big difference. Starfish by starfish, our world is being redeemed!

Thought for the Day: What can I do to help save the earth?

Matthew 3:7-12

“But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?’”

If John was an Essene, as many scholars presume, and the son of a priest, as Luke attests, he knew the Pharisees and the Sadduccees well. They likely represented for him the ruling parties in Jerusalem, the ones who regularly fought for control of the temple and who were responsible for the corruption of the Jewish faith. The Essenes at Qumran had left the city and established their community in the wilderness in order to escape their influence. When he saw them coming for baptism he couldn’t contain himself and called them the brood of vipers. That pattern of corrupt leadership has been a part of the church’s history too. Religious leaders have regularly engaged in power struggles and used their positions for personal gain. Sometimes they’ve joined with political rulers to control and manipulate those they’ve been called to serve. Again and again prophets like John have been raised up to speak the truth to those in power and call them to repentance. Seldom have they listened! Often their actions have resulted in division and schism. What a blessing it is when they heed the call to repentance and humble themselves before God! The church is the living body of Christ in this world and it deserves leaders who walk faithfully in the way of Jesus.

Thought for the Day: What causes corruption in the church?

Matthew 3:1-6

“Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.” vss. 6-7

We know little about John the baptist, just a few verses in the gospels, and a brief mention in the works of Josephus, an ancient chronicler of Jewish history. Some believe he was an Essene and a part of the community at Qumran, a remote settlement not far from the Dead Sea. As such his intention as a preacher would have been to call the people back to holy living–and it seems he was having some success. Large numbers were traveling to hear his words and were submitting to a washing with water as a demonstration of their intention to change. It’s not an unusual thing for people to desire! Many of us, at one time or another, become discontent with the way we’re living and are determined to make a change. With us that intention can take many forms–some join a gym and submit their bodies to vigorous exercise in hopes of regaining or establishing physical fitness. It’s more difficult when our issues are spiritual–lifting weights and running on treadmills just isn’t enough. What we can do is revisit our baptisms, confess our sin, and claim again the forgiveness that is ours by grace. For many this is a weekly ritual, not because we’re such terrible people, but because we crave the peace that God gives so freely. And sometimes the change we desire actually happens! Praise God!

Thought for the Day: What change do I desire in my life?

Romans 15:7-13

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” vs. 13

Paul’s life had changed in amazing ways and we can imagine that at times he found it hard to believe that he, a devout Jew, would be writing a powerful epistle of inclusion to Gentiles. At one point he had persecuted Christians because they recognized Jesus as messiah. Now he was opening the kingdom of heaven to uncircumscribed pagans and was encouraging them to trust in the Lord he had come to love and to serve. He believes with all his heart that his God would reward the faith of the Romans and would fill them with joy and peace. What a blessing it had been for him to realize that God wasn’t some narrow tribal deity who had eyes for only a chosen few! What a blessing it is for us to begin to comprehend the gracious extent of God’s love! Boundaries are broken down and doors are opened as we stop judging in the name of God and start loving in the name of Jesus. Instead of cowering in fear we can start living with thanksgiving and hope in our hearts. The key of course is faith! Unless we trust that God is the life-giver who brings restoration and healing to all people, the blessings will never be ours. On our own such faith is impossible, but thanks be to God, the Holy Spirit, who made a believer out of Paul does the same for us.

Thought for the Day: How has my faith been transformed?

Romans 15:4-6

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.” vs 4

Paul obviously held the Hebrew scriptures in high regard and was familiar with all they had to say. It was important for him to align his teaching with what had been taught in the law and the prophets. He believed that everything that had happened in Jesus was consistent with what had been written in the former days. Because he knew those scriptures so well he regularly quoted from them in his letters to the congregations. They provided a solid foundation for the Spirit-led reformation that had begun in Jesus and that found expression in the gospel of grace. Some say that we’re on the verge of a new reformation, that the time is ripe for another Spirit-inspired movement that will spell the end of religion and the beginning of new cooperation and harmony among the people of God. If that’s the case we would be wise to remember Paul’s words and maintain our connections with the scriptures. They are what keep us grounded in Jesus! As we struggle to understand the bible our faith is stretched and strengthened and we find encouragement for daily living. Our faith ancestors were dealing with the same issues we face, and their insights and conclusions provide wonderful guidance. We neglect their words at our peril.

Thought for the Day: If the bible is so great, why don’t people read it?

Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

“May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.” vs. 4

The psalmist composed this prayer for the coronation of a new king, perhaps for David’s beloved son, Solomon. It reflects the deep desire of the people for a leader who would bring prosperity to Israel and provide protection against invading armies. It’s the sort of prayer that is on our lips when we inaugurate a president–we’re concerned about the military and the economy–we want safety and riches. But the king also had other responsibilities. Again and again our scripture reminds us that the poor and the needy should be the special concern of whoever sat on the throne. Everyone else could take care of themselves, but the lowly had no one to look out for them. They had no other benefactor but the king. For the most part that’s still how it works. Fortunately we live in a land where there are advocates for poor–we have many charitable organizations who focus on caring for the hungry and the helpless. This time of the year they’re hard at work raising funds and building awareness, and every one of us will have multiple opportunities to help the broken and the hungry. Often it seems as though our congress and legislatures have forgotten their poorest constituents. What a blessing it is when we can take up the slack and give generously, not only now, but all through the year!

Thought for the Day: Where am I directing my charitable giving this Christmas?

Isaiah 11:6-10

“They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” vs. 9

Both Isaiah and Jeremiah believed that as the knowledge of the Lord spread upon the earth, hurting and destruction would come to an end. They’re not talking about some doctrine or creed; they don’t have in mind a new religion or the adoption of a resolution by the United Nations. Knowledge for both of them is related to intimacy, a God-connection that can best be compared to making love! That will take place when what happened in Jesus occurs in every created being, when all the fullness of God comes to dwell in every human heart. Can that happen? Of course! It has happened again and again in history–we know the stories–some of us have been blessed to know such persons well. They exude the Christ in every pore and with every breath–in them we sense and experience the overwhelming and unconditional love of God. They have somehow managed to throw off the bondage of religious traditions and rituals and have been grasped by the grace of the gospel. Is it possible for such persons to become the majority among us? Can their peaceful voices drown out the cacophony of bullying and violent speech that has become so commonplace? Doubters would say no, but followers of Jesus believe in the peaceable kingdom–the smell of its coming is in the air!

Thought for the Day: Where have I smelled the sweet fragrance of the coming kingdom?

 Isaiah 11:1-5

“A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” vs. 1

In recent years some families have begun to use Jesse trees as a part of their Advent activity. The tree is multi-branched, often bare of leaves, and each day a new decoration representing some biblical event or person is attached to a branch. It has become an alternative or a worthy addition to the traditional Advent wreath. While this use of the Jesse tree is relatively new, it actually has a long history. In the Middle Ages it was a way to picture the family tree of Jesus as found in the gospel genealogies, and to show how Isaiah’s prophecy had been fulfilled. Jesse was the father of David, the greatest king of Israel, and the family tree proved that Jesus was in the Davidic line. It was for early Christians the much-needed proof that Jesus had all the required messianic credentials. The image of the shoot emerging from a stump is familiar and powerful, and speaks to the potency of the life force in all parts of the created world. What God has begun simply cannot be stymied or canceled out. That which appears to be an ending often becomes the seed of a new beginning. What happened in Jesus had been in the works for a long time, and that’s the way life in Christ continues to be. The light passes from one generation to the next, and nothing can extinguish it!

Thought for the Day: What importance does my ancestry have?

Matthew 24:42-44

“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.” vs. 44

Today we start the season of Advent. Some will be lighting the first candle on their wreath; children are perhaps opening the first surprise on an Advent calendar. Our text is from a section of Matthew’s gospel dealing with the last days. We are being warned, it seems, to be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. Altogether it seems a scary proposition, as though the Son of Man is an unwanted intruder, an unwelcome visitor like a thief or a robber. But maybe that’s not the way it is. After all the Son of Man is a mysterious, messianic figure having roots in the apocalyptic scenes of Daniel. And when he comes perhaps we’ll be more surprised than frightened. We do believe that the Christ continues to come in the course of daily living but sometimes we’re so caught up in the ordinary that we miss the signs of his presence. The glare of holiday lighting seems to blind us to his coming. But maybe this Advent it’ll be different–maybe this year we can look for those daily joy-filled surprises and be ready to smile and sing praises. We’ll have to be alert though, the Christ is sneaky and shows up in disguise in some pretty surprising places. Jesus just says it’ll be unexpected, but if we’re ready, we’re bound to see him. It might even be at Costco!

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