Acts 11:11-18

“If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?” vs. 17

We can’t begin to believe how uncomfortable it was for the early disciples of Jesus to throw off their tribal instincts and begin receiving Gentiles into their community. Initially they had tried to limit their outreach and only talk to other Jews about the resurrected Jesus. But this gospel was bigger than they had imagined, and the Spirit soon led them in a new direction. Peter’s argument was simple. The people he had encountered in Caesarea had received the message with joy…who was he to hinder God? What was happening in Christ was reversing the trend that had narrowed Jewish practice. From now on the community would be expanding its outreach…Christ wasn’t just for Jews, Christ was for all humanity. Of course all this didn’t happen in a day. The disciples moved by fits and starts…some tried to hold back…even Peter later tried to add limitations. But the Spirit cannot be controlled…as John later reported Jesus saying, “(It’s like the wind,) you can hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it is going or where it is coming from.” There are those who still try to control the Spirit. They’re reluctant to change and hang on to the past with all their might. And they’ll never win! In the end none of us can hinder God!

Thought for the Day: When have I wished the Church would limit change?

Acts 11:1-10

“But a second time the voice answered from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’” vs. 9

After the resurrection the disciples considered themselves to still be Jews…it likely wasn’t even a question for them. Jesus was their Messiah but all the laws of Moses were still in effect. To be sure in the course of his ministry Jesus had exhibited a relaxed attitude about sinners and freely offered forgiveness. Occasionally he had even acted in a gracious way toward foreigners, but no one had supposed that there would be any mixing of Jews and Gentiles. Peter’s vision sparked one of the most critical developments in the early church. His insight challenged a basic tenet of Judaism and opened the way to an entirely new view of creation. No longer could followers of Jesus separate the world into pure and impure. All things were clean! To be sure this wasn’t a new teaching…the first chapter of Genesis is pretty clear in its claim that all things were created good. But for centuries people had found their identity in labelling the “other” as impure and making exclusive claims for their particular brand of religion. All that was about to change under the leadership of the resurrected Messiah…from now on all people would be regarded as pure and good. There would be no distinctions! Of course that was easier said than done…and even today the struggle continues. Some say we’re making progress…we can only hope!

Thought for the Day: Why do so many churches continue to be segregated?

 John 10:27-30

“My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.” vss. 27-28

There is an unparalleled regard for mothers in our culture. It’s not that every mother is perfect…some are far from that. But in general we appreciate our moms and will go out of our ways to honor them…Mother’s Day is a really big deal for many, and it’s not just a Hallmark marketing strategy. Just as Jesus had a special relationship with his sheep, mothers connect in an intimate way with their kids! There’s a special kind of knowing that resonates in a mother’s voice and the best of them would agree with Jesus, “no one will ever snatch (my children) out of my hand.” Even Jesus had that kind of relationship with his mother and Mary stood by him until the end and beyond. Of course no mother is the Good Shepherd! There’s a point at which her influence fades and children go off on their own. That’s a scary time for moms and their prayers intensify. They want so badly for their newly independent babes to be safe, but they have no recourse but to commend them into the hands of God. They find comfort in knowing that even if their children should turn away from God they will never wander beyond the boundaries of God’s love. God’s eye is on the sparrows; certainly God never loses track of our kids!

Thought for the Day: How did my mother show me love?

John 10:22-26

“So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’” vs. 24

As Jesus’ ministry gathered momentum it was not unusual for some people to wonder whether he was the Messiah. Expectation had been running hot among some segments of the population, especially those who were chafing under the oppressive Roman rule. But the gospels report that Jesus himself was secretive and that he never declared himself openly. After his resurrection his followers of course declared him the Messiah but the question continued to be a point of contention in the Jewish community. John was of course a part of the Messianic community and he had no doubts. In fact he wrote a whole gospel to make his position clear…the Jesus of John is every bit a messianic figure. But many refused to believe…Jesus just didn’t meet expectations, and for later Jews the crucifixion was a massive stumbling block. In this passage we’re told that some didn’t believe because they lacked a relationship with Jesus…they didn’t belong to his sheep. That sort of thing continues to be true…it’s still tough to accept that Jesus was the Messiah, the incarnation of God in the flesh. Either we believe it or we don’t. The good news is that his presence doesn’t depend on us! Even unbelievers can be channels of the Messiah for the good of the world!

Thought for the Day: How do I know Jesus really was the Messiah?

Revelation 7:9-17

“for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” vs. 17

One of the visions John shared with his readers has given believers of every time and place a measure of comfort in their encounters with death. He describes a great white robed choir standing before the throne of God singing a powerful hymn of blessing and thanksgiving. These of course are the saints triumphant, those who have known both death and resurrection, and who are experiencing new life with God. Of course these beautiful words of promise are not intended to be taken literally…they’re metaphors designed to give hope to those who mourn. They’re especially poignant as we think of those who have endured great suffering on their journey here on earth. Not everyone gets to experience goodness and mercy during their lifetimes…some know an abundance of pain…some even tire of life itself. When death comes for such as these it’s good to know that the Good Shepherd will take them up in his arms and guide them to the springs of the water of life…and that all their weeping will be at an end. It’s imagery such as this that we hang on to when death has come near. The words are an assurance that our loved ones are at last resting in peace.

Thought for the Day: What image of life after death gives me the most comfort?

Psalm 23:4-6

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.” vs. 6

We frequently hear the 23rd Psalm at funeral or memorial services…it’s the default scripture choice for people looking for comforting passages. And it’s a good pick! There’s something about its familiar verses, especially in the King James Version, that soothes troubled souls. What’s ironic is that the psalmist is not writing about death at all…his focus is actually on life and the blessings of the journey. When he talks about dwelling in the house of the Lord he’s not talking about heaven…he has earthly habitations in mind. He wants his readers to put their trust in the Lord so that they can have a good life in this world! Jesus focused on that same idea in his preaching and teaching. The kingdom of heaven was something to be experienced now…there’s no need to wait for the life to come! In other words, life in Christ is about the journey and not the destination. What the psalmist teaches is that the Lord will take care of us, comfort us in times of darkness, and provide security from our enemies! His dream is that every person would be able to enjoy the good life on this earth! Of course reality tells us that this doesn’t always happen…but that’s no reason to stop hoping! After all, some of our days are exceptionally fine! Praise God!

Thought for the Day: What scripture verses give me the most comfort?

Psalm 23:1-3

“He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.” vss. 2-3

The 23rd Psalm is arguably one of the best-known and most appreciated portions of our scripture. Large numbers of people, even non-believers, are familiar with its verses and, in a pinch, could join in saying it at a worship service. The writer had an eye for the comforting qualities of creation and a good sense for what people are looking for in the chaotic and confusing circumstances of life. While there is a desire for freedom and independence in our youth, by the time middle age rolls around we’re glad to be directed, especially when our lord has an eye for what we need. The psalmist describes a bucolic setting, one that quietly offers peace and rest and that will restore our frazzled souls. But our shepherding God has more in mind for us than a pleasant vacation setting. There’s also the promise of direction on the journey that lies ahead. There’s more to life than comfortable beds, good food, and casual walks down plush fairways beside a meandering stream. We’ve been gathered by the shepherd for a purpose and our call always involves righteous action. We have choices to make as the journey continues and it’s not ever easy to see beyond the fork in the road. Oh, how we need direction! Oh, how we need to hear the whispered guidance of the indwelling Christ! What a blessing it is to feel the joy of being on the right path! It’s what we crave more than anything else!

Thought for the Day: Where have I found restoration for my soul?

Acts 9:40-43

“Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up.” vs. 40

The book of Acts tells the story of the exciting spread of Christianity from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. The ministry of Jesus was continuing…apostles and disciples were caring for the poor, healing the sick, and announcing the coming Kingdom of God. Peter’s visit to the home of Tabitha sounds like something that Jesus would have done…and the result was similar. The woman was literally on her deathbed and was restored to health. This wasn’t a resurrection…Tabitha would have to wait for that. But this was healing of the sort that has always been a part of the church’s story. When people grow ill or are at the point of death, the word goes out, healers are summoned, and prayers begin. Many times health is restored, whether through the prayers or medicine we can’t be certain, and there is always celebration and joy. Ultimately, with every person there comes a time when aging and illness seem to have the final word and death occurs. It’s at this point that resurrection replaces resuscitation as our source of hope and comfort. As some have said, “However things turn out, we’re always winners.” Whether in the flesh or in the spirit life does continue and joy abounds.

Thought for the Day: The most amazing healing that I have experienced.

Acts 9: 36-39

“Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity.” vs. 36

Periodically in scripture we see glimpses of what life in those tumultuous years following the resurrection of Jesus must have been like. We don’t get a lot of detail, just some names and tidbits of information that whet our appetite for more. Here we encounter an early disciple whose name seems familiar, both to fans of Bewitched, an old television sitcom, and to members of the ELCW (Evangelical Lutheran Church Women). Tabitha or Dorcas in the Greek was an active and involved disciple living in the coastal city of Joppa. Evidently she was a widow who had devoted her life to making clothing for the poor and other acts of charity. Along with many other women, including the first witnesses to the resurrection, she was an active follower of Jesus and well-known in the early church. As such she was the forerunner of a vast multitude of women who have given their time and energy to serving and loving in the name of Jesus. These women have been the backbone of the church and have consistently lifted high the light of Christ. Often unappreciated they have been the source of life and energy…and we can rejoice that in recent years they’ve been able to move out of the sewing rooms and into seminaries and positions of pastoral leadership. With strong women as leaders the future of the church is in good hands.

Thought for the Day: What special gifts do women bring to leadership?

John 21:15-19

“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” vs. 17

On the eve of Jesus’ crucifixion Peter had denied his Lord three different times. Following the resurrection he needed rehabilitation…somehow the relationship had to be restored. To be sure, Peter was deeply sorry for his denial and he had remained connected to the rest of the disciples and was even functioning as a leader. But trust is fragile and not easily restored…so Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him. Each time Peter reaffirms his love…and the third time is even a bit offended to be asked again. But talk is cheap and Jesus wants to be sure of Peter’s commitment. Ultimately words will not be enough…Jesus requires action. There’s work to be done…precious sheep and lambs need to be fed, and sacrificial love is the only way forward. According to the tradition Peter was successfully rehabbed and took his place as a dominant leader in the early Christian community. Some ancient traditions wrapped in many layers of legend even say that he was the first pope. His story shows the power of love, not just the love he expressed for Jesus, but the forgiving and restorative love that rests in the heart of the Christ.

Thought for the Day: How many “I love you’s” does it generally take to restore trust?