John 13:34-35

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” vs. 35

During those exciting first centuries of the Church’s existence apostles and evangelists went all over the Mediterranean world and beyond proclaiming the powerful message of God’s universal grace and unconditional love. Thousands were convicted by the Spirit and were baptized into the Body of Christ. And then the leaders of these fledgling faith communities, anxious about questions of power and influence, began to worry about matters of doctrine and definition. Creeds were adopted, heresies defined, and heretics excluded. In a heartbeat those credal statements became the defining standards of the Church and the faithful were taught that orthodox beliefs were the exclusive mark of discipleship. This shift didn’t happen overnight but once the pattern was established it has proved to be remarkably resilient. The result has been a proliferation of denominations most of which have claimed to be the true manifestation of the Church on earth. The loss of energy and momentum has been breathtaking and the image of the Church has been sullied. In our time there have been remarkable signs of hope as more and more followers of Jesus reclaim their identity as lovers. We might never agree with one another about matters of doctrine but we can certainly be bound together by love. It’s as we put aside our differences and embrace love that we discover our true identity as the Light of Christ.

Thought for the Day: How do I deal with those who don’t believe as I do?

John 13:31-34

“When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.’” vs. 31

Typically the word “glorified” is used to describe something that has been elevated beyond its natural state. To achieve glory to be honored and acclaimed in the sight of our peers, and is something that many of us seek. John tells us that Jesus was glorified by God and that God was glorified in him, and we’re not surprised. Jesus was a pretty spectacular fellow. But what does surprise is that the moment of glorification is Judas’ betrayal! It’s not what we would expect, but it’s exactly how God operates. One of the two great truths of human existence is that we are drawn closer to God and to one another, not in times of triumph or success, but in the moments of pain and suffering. In rejection and betrayal, in sickness and in death, our individual achievements and reasons for boasting melt away and we find our consolation in the hugs that come from the compassionate presence of Christ as channeled through our friends and neighbors. In that vulnerable state we discover the second great truth, the unconditional love that binds us together as one community of faith. Through our suffering and our loving we are drawn into the glorified presence of God where we too are glorified together with Jesus and all the saints.

Thought for the Day: Why do the benefits of suffering go unappreciated?

Revelation 21:1-6

“And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” vs. 2

In the final sequence of his vision John speaks of a glorious future, not one in which humans go to heaven to be with God, but one in which God comes to dwell with us. Quite simply, “the dwelling place of God is with mortals;” we belong together and one day there will be a grand union of God and humanity, what some have called the Omega Point of history. John uses the imagery of marriage to describe this great coming together…the holy city appears as a bride adorned for her husband. It’s a fitting metaphor, one that is used in the letter to the Ephesians, where the bride is the Church and Christ the bridegroom. Indeed, marriage is the relationship that, at its best, simply reeks of self-giving love. In a good marriage husbands and wives lose track of themselves, put aside their self-serving behaviors, and willingly give their hearts to the other. Unhealthy dualistic thinking is put aside in favor of a glorious unity, a relationship in which both partners can find the companionship that is the Divine Intention for living in this world. The two become one and in so doing get a taste of unparalleled love and affection. It’s a glimpse of heaven on earth, and a foretaste of the life to come.

Thought for the Day: What makes a marriage strong?

Psalm 148:7-14

“Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!” vss. 7, 9, 10, 11

The psalmist hadn’t likely studied theology or anthropology, but he did have a strong conviction that all things had been brought into existence by the word of the Lord and therefore had a natural inclination to offer praise to their Creator. Put in more contemporary terms we can say that the DNA of God has been poured into creation, and even more precisely, that the creation is the first incarnation of God. Some of us have only heard the word  “incarnation” used in connection with Jesus, that in him the divine became human. While certainly that is true and important to us as followers of Jesus, it’s also exciting to think of the universe itself as revealing the stamp of God’s presence. Certainly such an understanding adds to the appreciation of our natural and social environment. The “stuff” of our daily lives, every bit of it, carries with it the essence of God. Every marigold, poppy, eucalyptus, labrador, javelina, pigeon, pelican, and irritating neighbor is of God and in God. On our daily walks and drives, when we expand our sense of the Other to include all that is around us, our perceptions, behaviors, and attitudes will change. God moves from “out there” to “right here” and we are blessed!

Thought for the Day: If all things come from God, where does evil come from?

Psalm 148:1-6

“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.” vs. 5

The psalmist knew that all things in the universe have their origin in God: stars, planets, angels, sun, moon…all things! By the word of the Lord they were created, and in the name of the Lord they offer praise and thanksgiving. Our eyes have become dulled to the connection between God and the stuff of the universe. Sometimes we even imagine that humans alone have any kind of God connection, forgetting that the creation existed long before we arrived on the scene. But when  we see the pictures sent back by space telescopes and exploring vehicles of exploration we can’t help but be inspired by the sheer beauty and symmetry of it all. In the vibrant colors and explosions of light we see the testimony referred to by the psalmist. Truly the heavens are declaring the glory of God…and it happens every day! We too are marvelous creations of the Lord, products of an ongoing creation that daily brings forth life for us to use and to enjoy. How blessed we are to be alive in this magnificent universe! How much more blessed we are when our eyes are opened and we are able to delight in its beauty! May we be at least as faithful as the sun, moon, and stars in offering daily praises to the Author of Life!

Thought for the Day: When am I most likely to offer praise to our Creator?

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?