Matthew 11:2-6

“When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’” vss. 2-3

“Are you the one who is to come?” John wanted to know. He’d heard what Jesus had been doing, and while it didn’t quite accord with what he thought the Messiah would do, he was still hoping. He knew that there had been a whole string of purported Messiahs and, one by one they’d been thwarted in their efforts. None had been able to muster the power and authority necessary to restore the kingdom to Israel. Maybe Jesus would be the one! We too wonder about Jesus sometimes. We’ve heard the stories of marvelous deeds of power–some have testified about the impact he’s had on their lives. We’ve even heard that he’s been raised from the dead and that he’s a living presence in our world. Some days we believe what has been told to us and say the creeds with confidence. On those days we whole-heartedly cast our lot with Jesus and claim to be his followers. But at other times we can’t help but wonder. As the popular song puts it, “I wonder as I wander out under the sky, how Jesus my Savior did come for to die…” And that’s okay! It’s the most natural thing in the world to have questions about the Divine Presence. Life seems so ordinary–shouldn’t Jesus make it extraordinary? We wonder–and continue to trust!

Thought for the Day: What do I wonder as I wander?

James 5:9-10

“Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors!” vs. 9

James was fed up with the grumbling among the local followers of Jesus and he wasn’t above using scare tactics to straighten them out. He mentions that the Judge is near at hand and if they don’t want to be judged, they should stop the squabbling. He sounds a bit like a parent trying to control children during the holidays by reminding them that Santa is watching and that he’s keeping a list of who’s naughty and nice–and that they’d better be good for goodness sake! We don’t know how the people responded to James’s warning, but those tactics have had a long history in the life of the church. There are many pastors who still use them. It makes sense to believe that behaviors can be controlled by threats. And sometimes people do  repent if they’re reminded that the Judge is watching! But in the long run that kind of message does little to create genuine love and joy in a community of faith. What most sinners are looking for is a word of forgiveness and hope, and their slipping back into sin doesn’t mean that grace has failed. What they need is not a scolding but a warm hug of encouragement and mercy. Warnings are necessary as children learn to avoid dangerous behaviors, but Jesus showed us a world where forgiveness is the last word, and judgement is full of grace.

Thought for the Day: When is it okay for a pastor to remind people of judgment?

 James 5:7-8

“Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.” vs. 7

Followers of Jesus in the early church fully expected him to come again and they believed that it would happen soon. Many thought that this would be the occasion for the restoration of the kingdom of Israel, and that all nations would be involved. For them it would be the fulfillment of what the Hebrew prophets had promised. When it didn’t happen, some became impatient and required regular reassurances from their leaders that it was going to happen. James tells them they need the patience of a farmer–the coming of the Lord was like a precious crop, and it wouldn’t come until all was in readiness. We too wonder when the promised peaceable kingdom will become a reality. We know things are not yet the way they’re supposed to be–there’s still too much violence and suffering–and it would be easy to lose faith that anything will ever change. Some may already have given up! It’s hard to be patient, especially when we’ve already been waiting for 2000 years! But waiting is really part of the plan. We already know that nothing worthwhile ever comes without it. Will it ever come? Of course, the seeds have been planted and we can see the signs–love and joy are in the air, not because Santa is on the way, but because Jesus has already come.

Thought for the Day: What feeds my impatience?

Psalm 146:5-10

“The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.” vs. 9

During the time of the psalmist people were on the move. When drought or famine came families didn’t stay where they were, they went to the places where they could find food and shelter. There were no fixed borders and no one worried about national identity or citizenship. People did keep track of tribal connections and they always knew who the strangers were. According to the psalmist the Lord watched over such persons. Accordingly there were special provisions in the Law to insure that they, along with orphans and widows, would be taken care of. We too live in a time where there are mass movements of refugees. All over the world people have been scattered for a variety of reasons: hunger, poverty, persecution, violence, the list goes on and on. In some places such persons have been welcomed with respect and kindness, in other places they’ve been turned away as a threat to security. Followers of Jesus, recognizing his refugee status as a child, will do whatever they can to show the Lord’s care for such strangers. Often they’ll provide food and shelter–sometimes they’ll find them employment and other support. Unfortunately, such welcoming has become controversial and divisive in our country. Some churches have been the targets of hate groups for providing shelter to asylum seekers. But we don’t really have a choice! The Lord watches over strangers. How can we turn our backs?

Thought for the Day: Why is immigration such a hot button issue?

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?