Psalm 116:12-19

“What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.” vss. 12-14

When the psalmist was restored to health there was only one adequate response. He headed to the temple as fast as he could to offer a generous sacrifice of thanksgiving. His response gives us pause for thought about our own situation as we now look forward to the ending stages of this COVID-19 pandemic. As restrictions are eased, a sign that the worst has passed, it would seem appropriate for us to look for ways to express ourselves in thanksgiving. Certainly we’ll want to express thankfulness to health-care workers and others who have put themselves at risk, but some will also want to offer praise and thanks to God. Fortunately there are a multitude of ways to do that. Relief organizations have depleted a large portion of their resources over the last few months–we can certainly funnel our thank offerings to them. And if we’re a part of a faith community there are a multitude of ways to say thank you. Our pastors and lay leaders have shown boundless imagination and creativity in reaching out. They’ve made enormous efforts to stay connected via technology and old-fashioned phone calls. And there have been no weekly offerings! Those congregations are going to need our thank offerings and more. It’s a great way to return thanks to the Lord!

Thought for the Day: How am I going to return thanks to the Lord?

Psalm 116:1-4

“Then I called on the name of the Lord: ‘O Lord, I pray, save my life!’” vs 4

The psalmist was in a buoyant mood; he had a story to tell and he wanted everyone to know his good news. He had been at death’s door, close to giving up his spirit, and very near to entering the dark haunts of the dead. At the last moment he had cried out to the Lord in despair, asking that his life be saved–and his prayer had been heard! In response he composed a psalm of praise and vowed his never-ending love for the Lord. We can understand his feelings. Perhaps we too have had similar experiences–it’s not at all uncommon to cry out to God when death draws near for ourselves or for someone we love. When all else fails, God is the one who is summoned, and sometimes, but not always, our prayers are answered and lives are saved. In those moments words of thanks come almost unbidden from our mouths, and we’re glad to affirm our love for God. But what about those other times, those occasions when fervent prayers go unanswered and death comes to stay? Those are real tests for faith, and some respond with unbelief. But not all! There are many whose prayers are not answered who continue to express their love for God. They have come to believe that their love for God is a reflection of God’s unconditional love for us and not dependent on answered prayers. And they are blessed in their mourning! 

Thought for the Day: What is conditional love?

Acts 2:14a, 36-41

“So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.” vs. 41

According to Luke the growth of the early Christian community was explosive, with 3000 persons being baptized in response to Peter’s sermon. While we might question Luke’s numbers and the impact of a particular sermon, there is little doubt that there was missionary zeal among believers from the very beginning. They’d been touched by the Holy Spirit of God and they believed the message they’d been given was meant to be shared with all people. According to tradition they went with the word in every direction, inviting people of every folk and nation to become a part of Christ’s Body. In our time there has been a slowing of that evangelistic enthusiasm among the followers of Jesus. There’s more a feeling of “live and let live” and almost a reluctance to reach out to others. Some of this may be a reaction to the evangelistic methods and message of the past, which is understandable, but it may also be an indication of an adaptation to our culture. With the move toward inclusion and understanding, we may no longer be convinced that being a follower of Jesus is a benefit to anyone. Perhaps it doesn’t make any difference what people believe, and if that’s the case, why even put ourselves out making the effort to share our faith with others? It’s a crucial question, one that folks claiming to be full of the Spirit should be seeking to answer!

Thought for the Day: What’s the point of baptism in our secular age?

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?