Luke 11:5-13

“For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” vs. 10

Jesus doesn’t seem to have any problems with what we might call “unanswered prayer.” In his estimation, that’s virtually unthinkable. Oh, he’s certainly aware of what it’s like to imagine that somehow God has abandoned us or gone on vacation. He knows what those feelings are like. But he knows something about God that we sometimes forget. It’s impossible for God to abandon us because God is as close to us as our breath or the beat of our heart! If we’re alive God is near, and we cannot fail to receive when we ask, or find when we search, or have the door opened when we knock. Not only does God give good gifts to us, but God freely showers upon us the Holy Spirit, the most precious gift of all. And the Holy Spirit fills our hearts with God’s presence and daily leads us into lives of compassionate love and abundant service. And our prayers are the accompanying cloud of connection that insure our daily peace and joy. They don’t require words and they don’t require a particular place. Of course those things certainly don’t hurt, but Paul told believers to pray without ceasing, maintaining that this constancy was the key to our daily life in Christ. 

Thought for the Day: What value is a regular time and place for prayer?

Luke 11:1-4

“He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread.’” vss. 3-4

The disciples had observed that prayer was an important part of each day for Jesus. Most of the time he did it in private early in the morning, but sometimes they could see what he was doing–and they were curious. John had taught his disciples to pray but so far Jesus hadn’t given them any instructions. When they ask he gives them a few simple lines, which we have come to call The Lord’s Prayer. Obviously Jesus didn’t limit his prayers, but the disciples were right in considering these petitions important. The introduction is like the password we use in connecting to our computers, not that we have to get it exactly right or use all caps. We just use the name we’ve chosen, e.g. Jesus, Lord, Father, Christ, Mother. But the name is what connects us to the Divine and that sets this time apart as holy. And the first thing we say is, “Your kingdom come.” Wow! Here we are praying that the Peaceable Kingdom would become a reality in our world, and that all could experience it. And then we ask for daily bread, not just the food we eat, but all we need for daily living. It’s not that we don’t get it if we don’t ask, but in this petition we recognize that all good things do indeed come from God.

Thought for the Day: Why do I need a password to pray?

Colossians 2:13-15

“God made you alive together with (Christ), when he forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross.” vss. 13b-14

Paul assures the Colossians that everything necessary for their salvation has already taken place in the death and resurrection of Jesus Chriat. That statement alone has provided great consolation for believers through the centuries. It’s so good to know that there isn’t some big test or exam to pass–there’s literally nothing more to do. It’s all grace! But still there’s nothing wrong with using visuals to cement the reality of that forgiveness in our minds. Some believers have had opportunities to actually write their sins on small pieces of paper and then nail them to a large wooden cross on the floor of the worship area. In that reenactment, actually using a hammer to nail our bad record to the cross, there can be a sense of relief. It’s a visual reminder in the present of what has already taken place in the past. Of course for many, such sacrificial references to the atonement lack meaning. They have other ways of understanding the significance of Jesus’ life. But there is no denying that the cross connects us to forgiveness in a powerful way. That’s why it hangs in so many of our churches. Above all the cross reminds us that the past does not define our futures. We have been forgiven!

Thought for the Day: What visual reminder of forgiveness has power for me?

Colossians 2:6-12

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” vss. 6-7

The saints in the little congregation at Colossae had heard the gospel and had begun to trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord. There was nothing more for them to hear or learn, all that the Apostle asked was that they continue to live their lives in Christ. This is a familiar message for us too–it’s what we have received from our parents, teachers, and pastors. But sometimes it’s a bit of a mystery to know exactly what it means to live in Christ. It sounds nebulous, because there really isn’t a detailed instruction manual. It’s almost like it’s a daily journey directed not by rules but by the Holy Spirit. And that’s exactly what it is! The life in Christ is exciting, rooted in the solid foundation of the love commandment, and being continually built up by the restoring power of the Spirit. And what’s neat about it is that we know how we shall live–there’s no mystery in purity, gentleness, and generosity. Jesus’ teachings are clear, and if we’re puzzled, we can just imitate him. And because we’ve been so blessed, there is nothing more to do than to daily let our thanksgivings resound! Whining Christians are no fun at all!

Thought for the Day: Why do some believers whine so much?

Psalm 138

“For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away.” vs. 6

The psalmist’s insight is precious. He regards the Lord as being high, almost elevated from the plane of the earth, which would fit the notion that some have of the “Big Guy Upstairs.” But that doesn’t mean that he considers God to be somehow removed from humanity. On the contrary he teaches that the Lord is very close to the lowly, and that the Lord has a special relationship with the meek and the gentle. That’s the sort of thing Jesus was referencing in the Sermon on the Mount when he speaks of the poor in spirit as being particularly blessed. However, the haughty, the psalmist goes on to say, just don’t have that same connection to God. And Jesus would agree. The proud and the arrogant have no relationship with the Lord–God remains far away from their spirits because they have no time for the Spirit. Everything is wrapped up in pleasure, power, and possessions. It’s not that they’re unloved by God, but their self-constructed barriers make it nearly impossible for them to receive God’s blessing. Jesus had a special word for them,”Woe to you who are rich now…woe to you who are well-fed now.” We might not like it, but scripture is plain. It’s the poor and the needy who have a special place in the heart of God.

Thought for the Day: How does one become haughty?

Genesis 18:27-32

“Then he said, ‘Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak just once more. Suppose ten are found there.’ He answered, ‘For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.’” vs. 32

A lot of people have bargained with God through the centuries, but it’s doubtful that any could match Abraham’s success. Bit by bit he chipped away at God’s intentions until he got the deal he was looking for. And of course, as the story continued, it didn’t do any good. The ten could not be found and the city of Sodom was destroyed! It’s a well-told story, and the Hebrews even made it part of their scriptures. The problem is that it paints a picture of God as both a judge and a destroyer, and that isn’t even close to the image of the Divine that we see in Jesus. Jesus ushered in a kingdom of peace and love, and there’s no indication that he saw in his Father any hint of vengeance or retribution. Still, there’s something about the bargaining Lord of Genesis that we find appealing, especially when we are confronted with the most appalling aspects of human behavior. On some days we would love to see those worst offenders subjected to the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. But that’s not the way of Jesus, and as his followers we’ll just have to learn to love the unlovable and pray for our enemies. 

Thought for the Day: Who do I wish God would destroy?

Genesis 18:20-26

“Far be it from you to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” vs. 25

While it’s hard to imagine anyone having a conversation with the Lord, this ancient story is both familiar and instructive. When Abraham catches wind of the impending destruction of Sodom he is immediately concerned because his nephew, Lot, and his family had chosen to live there. To protect them he urges the Lord to reconsider, saying that it wouldn’t be just to slay the righteous with the wicked. While we might dismiss the imaginative bargaining session which follows, the story does point to one of the tragic consequences of any war. No matter how just we perceive our actions to be, the innocent will suffer along with the guilty. In fact they often suffer more. In recent years our hearts have broken at the sight of the hundreds of thousands of lives that are lost in warfare as a result of what is so callously termed “collateral damage. While Abraham presumes that the Judge of all the earth will do what is just, we cannot say the same for humans. Through the years we’ve fallen in love with war as a means of settling disputes and perceived threats, and the result has been devastating. And always it’s the innocent who are the biggest losers!

Thought for the Day: Why do humans love war?

Luke 10:41-42

“But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’” vss. 41-42

Jesus’ repetition of Martha’s name is an indication of his affection for her. This is how reproving words are prefaced when addressed to someone we loved. “Martha, Martha,” he said, “you are such a caring person and concerned about many things.” His tone is gentle, and also instructive. He knew that it would be hard for Martha to adjust to the new kingdom standards that were quietly being introduced among his followers. And he wants her to know that Mary’s choice to sit and listen rather than serving was appropriate. What he had to say was a new way of looking at the world and it even superseded the old traditions related to hospitality. The things that concerned Martha would continue to be done–after all someone has to bake the bread and do the dishes. But this was a time for feeding the spirit, and it would maybe even do Martha good to sit down and listen. We don’t know if Martha did sit down with Mary, but we do know that when opportunities come along for us to hear the gospel in a new and fresh way, sometimes they’re even more important than eating and drinking. We can always order a pizza later!

Thought for the Day: Am I more like Mary or Martha?

Luke 10:38-40

“But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’” vs. 40

This wasn’t just a squabble between sisters. What Mary was doing was a serious violation of the hospitality code. Just as Sarah had prepared the bread for the three men Abraham had invited to dinner, and then retreated to the tent, it was the woman’s role to provide the food for guests. And Martha knew that! So she asked Jesus to honor tradition and require Mary to join her in doing the women’s work. 

Of course the Jews weren’t the only people to strictly define the role of women in the culture. We continue to compartmentalize the work done by men and women and many do their best to keep females in their place. All of us have experienced this in our lifetimes to one extent or another. While for a time there was a breakdown of those distinctions there are signs of discontent among some. We’re being told once again that some things are best done by men, and that women should be content with child-rearing and homemaking. And when women speak out against what they call “glass ceilings” or traditional roles there is often a speedy backlash. According to Luke’s gospel, while Jesus did call 12 male disciples, the real strength of his mission were the women who provided the funding and operational skills. 

Thought for the Day: What were the roles of men and women in your home?

Colossians 1:21-29

“I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints.” vss. 25-26

Paul doesn’t believe that he is presenting anything new to the Gentiles. He’s simply making the word of God fully known. He says it’s like a mystery that has been hidden from the beginning, but is now being revealed through him and the other authentic preachers of the gospel. And the core of that mystery is the Divine Christ, present at creation but now made known in Jesus. And at this moment, following the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, he says that the Divine Christ is fully present in the world as the Church. And what’s really remarkable, is that the Gentiles are fully included. No one is left out! But Paul can’t let this go without a warning. No one is left out, but it is entirely possible that people could miss out! And that’s a warning that is appropriate in any age. The good news of the gospel is indeed free and inclusive but because of human stubbornness and faithless preachers, too many miss out on the good news that is theirs in Christ. Some are even strangers to the Church, the very presence of Christ in the world. Paul spent his life battling the enemies of the gospel, and the battle continues today.

Thought for the Day: What is the greatest enemy of the Church?