Matthew 5:7-12

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” vs. 9

Jesus tells us here that peacemakers get a special blessing in that they will be called children of God. We can infer from that designation that those who work for peace have a special connection to God and are a reflection of God’s being. It seems right then that there is an annual Nobel Peace Prize awarded to some individual or group that has done exemplary work in making this world a more peaceful place. Sadly though, most of society’s accolades are reserved, not for peacemakers, but for warriors. Most countries spend an inordinate amount of time and energy in the development of more powerful weapons. Some actively promote acts of terror and military campaigns. Every year trillions of dollars are spent in waging war and building national defenses. That seems to be the major part of every national budget–and it’s something that most political parties agree on. It would seem that peacemaking just hasn’t caught on in the way that Jesus had hoped. In fact, sometimes it’s his followers who are most excited about going to war and killing enemies. It seems such a shame that we waste our time on such pointless pursuits. Some say that in our world the only way to have peace is by having more bombs and guns–that “mutually assured destruction” is the only deterrent to reckless aggression. One wonders what Jesus would make of that!

Thought for the Day: Who are the peacemakers in our world?

Matthew 5:1-6

“When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them…” vss. 1-2a

As Matthew put together his story of Jesus he made use of multiple resources, some written and some oral, and always he shows his appreciation for the Hebrew scriptures. He wants his readers, who were probably Jews, to be reminded of Moses as they read his account. Accordingly, he tells the story of Jesus’ sojourn in Egypt in his childhood. Like Moses, Jesus had come out of Egypt to be a leader for his people and now as he begins his ministry in Galilee, he goes to a mountain (like Sinai) to deliver his first major address. When he sat down to teach, as was the custom for rabbis, his disciples gathered around him and he spoke from his heart. It’s here that the similarity with Moses ends, for Jesus doesn’t bring law for the crowds. He announces blessings and not a new set of commandments. His beatitudes are descriptive and not proscriptive, they bring affirmation and not regulations. Matthew’s report of what Jesus said that day on the mountain remains one of the most powerful and all-encompassing descriptions of the Christ-life that can be found. Leaders like Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. have been profoundly impacted. Again, it’s not a set of rules but a description of a life well-lived, and if it’s the only sermon we ever hear, it will have been enough!

Thought for the Day: What words from the Sermon on the Mount have touched me most deeply?

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

“He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption…” vs. 30

Paul reminds the Corinthians that by the world’s standards, most of them were pretty unremarkable, and that’s how it has continued to be for the people of God.

We are, for the most part, pretty ordinary folks, and yet we have an extraordinary calling to be the presence of Christ in the world. We don’t have to be the strongest or fastest, the smartest or the prettiest, to be the hands and feet of God in doing the work of love and restoration. We don’t even have to call on our own resources to make an impact for good. In Christ Jesus, we are the wisdom of God, and in Christ we find our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. What a blessing it is to simply be ourselves as God has created us, and not have anything to prove! We probably don’t have the gifts that others do, we come from different backgrounds with different traditions and values. And we don’t ever have to be more than what we are! As we are, God uses us to touch the lives of other ordinary people, some of them hurting and lonely, all of them hungry for love. Sometimes we wonder what our purpose is in life–and that’s the wrong question! Christ is the one with a mission in this world, and all we need to do is relax and lean into Christ’s love.

Thought for the Day: What does it mean to “boast in the Lord”?

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

“For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles…” vss. 22-23

For many decades the followers of Jesus struggled to put together a coherent testimony for what they had experienced. They were agreed that Jesus was the messiah, but their message didn’t make any sense to outsiders. The expectation had been that the messiah would be a triumphant, regal figure, one who would rally the masses and restore the kingdom to Israel. But Jesus had been crucified! His enemies had him arrested, put him on trial, and executed him as a common criminal. To call him the messiah seemed absurd, but that’s what Paul continued to do. For him this radical message had power and proclaimed God’s love in an unparalleled and profound fashion. For some the message was a stumbling block, for others it was foolishness, but in Paul’ estimation the cross was the real power of the gospel. We continue to struggle with the crucified Christ–some Christians have chosen to de-emphasize it in their proclamation. Some have gone so far as to remove crosses from their worship spaces–they say it reminds them of suffering and death and isn’t uplifting. But somehow, Christianity without the cross loses its impact. It’s the Christ who died that connects with our suffering and pain. God is with us in our dying. In the cross we are reminded that only the dead can be resurrected. 

Thought for the Day: How do I make sense of the crucified Christ?

Psalm 15:3-5

“who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved.” vs. 5

The psalmist was familiar with the Law and its regulations against lending money at interest. For the Israelites the reason was obvious. Anyone who asked to borrow money was in need, and it was just plain wrong to make money because of another person’s misfortune. As things have evolved such a notion seems absurd, even laughable. We’ve gotten used to the notion of charging interest–even the Church has dropped its restrictions against usury–and whole segments of the financial industry would go out of business if biblical laws were put into effect. A part of this change has occurred because people have learned that borrowing money is faster than saving if we’re interested in adding to our possessions. And it’s not only the needy folks who are doing the borrowing! We want to get what we want as soon as we can–and every day we’re bombarded by commercials encouraging us to do just that. As a result, too many of us have ended up hopelessly in debt. The psalmist reminds us that this isn’t just a financial issue, it’s a spiritual one. Whether we’re burdening the poor and needy with excessive debt or squandering our future on short-term gain, we’re dealing with greed and messing with our relationship to God. As Jesus said, “What will it profit us if we gain the whole world, yet forfeit our souls.”

Thought for the Day: When is it necessary to borrow money?

Psalm 15:1-2

“O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart;” vss. 1-2

Just so we don’t get the idea that Micah was the only person in ancient Israel who believed God cared about behavior and conduct, this psalmist added his perspective. Who is a friend of God? One who walks blamelessly and does what is right–and who speaks the truth from their heart! Now some of us might get a sinking feeling from reading such words–we can’t imagine what it would take to walk blamelessly. We’re more comfortable thinking of ourselves as sinners–and we are! But that’s no excuse for poor behavior. We are called on to do what is right regardless of how we think of ourselves. And most important of all we are to speak the truth from our hearts. There is nothing that has contributed more to the decline of morality in our country than the growing disregard for the truth, and it comes from the top down! We are learning to spin, twist, and obscure the truth, mislead the naive, and blatantly lie–and it happens every day. So-called news items are posted on the internet–and they’re complete fabrications. And nobody seems to care! The psalmist would be appalled! Again that’s no excuse for those who follow Jesus. We will tell the truth! Always, and in every circumstance, no matter what the consequences to ourselves! We may still be sinners, but at least we can tell the truth!

Thought for the Day: When am I most likely to lie?

Micah 6:1-8

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” vs. 8

The people of Israel believed that God had brought them out of Egypt and established them in the land of Canaan. Micah reminds them of that special call and their failure to live according to God’s command. When the prophet’s hearers asked what they needed to do to get back in God’s graces, he has a simple response. God cares nothing for religious activities and the things we do in our temples and sanctuaries. And then come these remarkable words, “do justice…love kindness…walk humbly with your God!” Of all the words of scripture there are probably none more precious than these. They sum up the teachings of every major religion in succinct and plain fashion, while putting our posturing and pitiful pieties in perspective. Oh how we love our religions, with all their rules, regulations, and rituals that we have so carefully crafted and designed. We preserve the stories of the special favor God has for our particular tribe of believers while disparaging the teachings of others. And what really counts? Working for justice, loving kindness, and practicing humility! No matter what our calling and station in life, whether president, mother, teacher, or janitor, these three qualities belong at the top of our personal moral code–and it’s certainly the way every serious follower of Jesus will choose to live. 

Thought for the Day: Memorize Micah 6:1-8.

Matthew 4:18-23

“And he said to them, ’Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” vss. 19-20

Matthew’s brief account of the call of Jesus’ first four disciples implies that Simon and Andrew didn’t know Jesus when they made the decision to follow him. In reality, that was likely not the case. In fact the gospel of John tells us that the brothers had been disciples of John and had met Jesus sometime before. We just don’t know the details we’d like to have. What we do know is that when Jesus offered the invitation to follow, they were quick to respond. In Jesus their lives would be given new meaning and purpose. No longer would they be laboring solely to provide food for their families, from now on they would have people as their focus. Their aim would shift from serving self to serving others–and they gladly took up the challenge. We’re still trying to make sense of that transition in our own journeys with Jesus. It’s an invitation that challenges the whole direction and purpose of life. The society and culture tells us emphatically from childhood on that our primary reason for being alive is to make something of ourselves. Every choice we make is designed to position ourselves for ultimate prosperity. And then Jesus says, “Follow me,” and we struggle to find a balance. Not everyone can leave their nets–the lure of the material is powerful. But some do–and their lives are transformed.

Thought for the Day: What would mean to leave our nets?

Matthew 4:12-17

“From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’” vs. 17

Soon after Jesus’ time in the wilderness, John the Baptist was arrested and imprisoned in Herod’s fortress at Machaerus, just east of the Dead Sea. When Jesus got word of John’s arrest he went north, back to Galilee where he’d come from, and he began his ministry. Initially, his message was identical to that of John, except that he didn’t baptize anyone. “Repent,” he said, “for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” He too was inviting people to examine their lives, and actually begin living in a new way. He let them know that something new was happening, that God had come near, and that they could expect to see and experience signs of God’s presence. But Jesus didn’t just point out people’s sins, he reached out to them in their brokenness and offered a vision of the peaceable kingdom. It’s the same promise he makes to us. He doesn’t offer a new creed or theological perspective, he simply tells us that there’s a better way to live, and invites us to try a life not based on accumulation or prestige, but on healing, forgiveness, and restoration. He calls us to stand with the suffering and the hurting and to give each day over to letting our lights shine before others. He made loving the center of his life and asks us to spend our days in the same way. It’s not a complicated life, but it is the best one!

Thought for the Day: What shape has repentance taken in my life?

1 Corinthians 1:14-18

“For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.” vs. 17

The essence of the gospel is not related to personality or powerful preaching. In fact one of the greatest threats to the good news has been the tendency of gifted speakers to claim it as their own. We have ample evidence of this in the cult-like followings that spring up around charismatic pastors and leaders. Their charm and good looks gather followers by the thousands, and their message, which can sound like the gospel, focuses on wealth and prosperity, rather than sacrifice and service. Paul was familiar with such types, they hadn’t developed television evangelism yet, but they waltzed through the Corinthian congregation, sowing division and dissension with their message and presence. Paul couldn’t match their eloquence but he did know that the cross of Christ had to be at the center of the gospel. He regularly pointed to the suffering and the death of Jesus in his preaching, knowing that this is where the love of God is seen and experienced most clearly. That message may not always appeal to us and some are still tempted to neglect it, but its power is unmistakable, and will continue to be the strength of our life together. When the cross is hidden, the heart of the good news is obscured.  

Thought for the Day: How can pastors be effective if they’re not good preachers?