Luke 1:25-28

Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” vs. 28

When Luke wrote his gospel, the destruction of Jerusalem was fresh on his mind. It had been a horrible experience for both Jews and Christians. The Roman armies were brutal and they had completely destroyed the temple and killed thousands of Jewish defenders. For many of the faithful it was as though the end of the world had come and they had no idea what was coming next. The temple had been the center of their worship life for hundreds of years…it was as though their God had deserted them. Jesus had spoken of the future during his lifetime and Luke decided to write what his followers had remembered. Luke’s description matches the events that had just taken place but he directs his readers to consider those horrible times, not as an ending, but as a prelude to a glorious future. They had not been deserted by God! Indeed God had continued to watch over them and keep them safe…and soon their redemption would draw near. The armies of Rome had done their worst but God’s kingdom had survived. In fact long after Rome was destroyed the Church of Christ continued to grow and to prosper. We continue to cling to the promises of God in our uncertain times. We don’t know what calamities lie ahead, but we can be certain that in Christ there is refuge and hope.

Thought for the Day: What disasters are on the horizon in our world?

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

“And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.” vs. 12

Paul wrote words of encouragement to the new believers in Thessaloniki, urging them to continue in faith and not worry about the future. He included some practical advice about living in Christ and told them that not even death could separate them from the Lord. He has been astounded by the love he saw while living among them and makes that love the central theme of his letter. While he has definite opinions about doctrinal issues he believes that love is the most important attribute of any faith community. And we agree! There is nothing that fills our hearts more completely than the unconditional love and affection we experience in our congregations. Love not only pulls us into a community of faith, love keeps us there. And it’s not just being a part of a tight-knit exclusive religious clique! Paul tells us that the love which defines Christian community is for all people, not just those sitting in the pew with us from one Sunday to the next. Love keeps us looking outward and forces us out of our comfort zones and into the world. It’s the deep caring that Jesus showed in his ministry to the least and the lost. Love drives us to embrace the strangers who show up in worship and welcome them home. A congregation where love abounds is the kingdom of heaven on earth!

Thought for the Day: How is love demonstrated in my community of faith?

1 Thessalonians 3:9-10

“How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?” Vs. 9

Paul had paused for a time in Thessaloniki on his second missionary journey, proclaimed the gospel, and had promptly been run out of town. Later on he wondered about those who had received his message and sent Timothy back to check on them. When Timothy returned with good news of their faith and love, Paul was overjoyed and promptly sent them a letter of thanksgiving. That letter, written in about 50 A.D. is the oldest book of our New Testament. Paul was so excited to hear that his work had been fruitful. There had been so much persecution and he had been afraid his enemies had been successful in undermining his message. We can understand his joy…it does feel good to know that the faith we love so much has taken root in others. That’s how the church has grown…one generation passing the gospel on to the next. It’s a fragile enterprise…and sometimes we wonder if our faith will have children. There are so many competing influences in the lives of those we love and when we hear that our faith is being embraced by children and grandchildren it gives enormous joy. Somehow it’s a validation of all that we’ve held dear…our witness has not been in vain. The Christ lives on! Thanks be to God!

Thought for the Day: How has my faith influenced others?

Psalm 25:5-10

“Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!” vs. 7

All of us have a backstory! And as we meet new people in the course of our lives we often will fill them in on what has gone before. It’s an important and helpful step in building a relationship. Some parts of that story are easy…we can gladly share where we were born or where we went to school. We can tell about our families and hobbies…that kind of information can often be fun to talk about. But there’s usually a limit to what we say…there’s private stuff in each of our lives that we like to keep to ourselves. There are even some things that not one other person knows about…and we really would prefer to keep it that way. Often we’d like to just forget the painful or humiliating events of our past, even when they’ve been the moments that largely define who we have become. The psalmist had been thinking about such things too. There were words and actions from the days of his youth that continued to make him feel guilty…and, even though he can’t forget them, he prays that God would. And that’s exactly what God does! God remembers our sins no more! This truth continues to be at the core of the gospel. No matter what it is that we’ve done God looks us with deep and profound love. Our record is clean. We may not be able to forget, but God does! Thanks be to God!

Thought for the Day: What parts of my past am I reluctant to share?

Psalm 25:1-5

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.” vs 4

Most people want to do good! No matter where we go around the globe, no matter what religion people espouse, there is a general desire to do what is right. Even people with no faith at all want to lead decent lives. That’s just the way God has wired us. But it’s not that easy. As all of us know, the circumstances of life present daily challenges and decisions are not clear-cut…often our choices are destructive. And then there are those demons that constantly tempt us to act in our own self-interest or in ways that are hurtful to others…their influences are seductive and treacherous, even for the well-intentioned. No wonder the psalmist pleaded for instruction from the Lord. It isn’t that he didn’t know the rules. The commandments and the law were well-known in his time. But like us he needed more and longed for clear direction in the nuances of daily living. Each day holds countless possibilities for us…each moment brings an opportunity for another choice. We wonder what to say or what to do. And how will our words and actions be received? Will we be a help or a hindrance to those we love? And so we pray, “Lord, teach us your paths. Give us your wisdom.” Will we always then do the right thing? Probably not…but often we will. And in those moments we will give praise and thanks to God!

Thought for the Day: A time when I’ve said or done exactly the right thing!

Jeremiah 33:14-16

“In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” vs. 15

For centuries the people of Israel and Judah had lived with the conviction that they were children of the promise. They believed with all their hearts that God had brought them to the land they occupied and that God would bring them prosperity. They didn’t have aspirations to conquer the world…they only wanted a place they could call their own. In Jeremiah’s time that promise seemed in jeopardy. Israel had been overrun and its people scattered. Many had fled south to Judah…and now Judah was being challenged by Babylon. Court prophets had advised the king to make an alliance with Egypt…Jeremiah advised against it. He told the people to trust in the promises of the Lord, that one day God would raise up a leader who would execute justice and righteousness. Of course no one listened to Jeremiah. The rulers turned to Egypt for help and Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and took the ruling families captive. But Jeremiah’s words were remembered and written down…and one day the promise was kept in a more spectacular way than they could have ever imagined. A righteous Branch did spring up in the person of Jesus and through his continuing presence the entire world will one day experience God’s justice and righteousness.

Thought for the Day: What promises of God do I continue to cling to?

John 18:37

“Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’” vs. 37

Pilate was having a hard time figuring Jesus out, and Jesus isn’t making it easy for him. It was being said that Jesus was a king…and since appearances can be deceiving Pilate checks it out. Of course Jesus gives an ambiguous answer…no simple “yes” or “no” here. The exchange is telling, and shows the impossibility of fitting Jesus into our human categories. He is a king, but not like any sovereign the world has ever known. His kingship is a matter of substance and has little to do with royal categories. There’s no crown or scepter, no palace or fawning courtiers. In him we find truth incarnate…his words reveal the essence and the purpose of life. His subjects are those who pay attention to what he says and whose deeds reflect his desires. His message is neither complicated nor obscure and can be summed up in a single commandment, that we love one another in the same way as he has loved us. Where such love is present Christ the King is glorified and we experience the joys of the Kingdom of God. Pilate never did figure it all out…but we have no excuse!

Thought for the Day: In what way is Christ my King?

John 18:33-36

“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’” vs. 36

Even though Jesus was the king he did not expect his followers to engage in military activity. Instead of picking up the sword they would wage war with deeds of love and kindness. It’s embarrassing to see how quickly his principles were forgotten. As soon as Christians had any kind of political power they quickly abandoned what Jesus had taught and adopted battle strategies that were identical to the ways of the world. Popes led forces equipped with the latest weapons. Bishops rode horses into battle swinging maces and creating mayhem. They even fought other Christians. The Thirty Years War in Europe resulted in massive devastation…and all the participating armies were led by Christians! Even today Christians are at the forefront of those clamoring for even bigger armies and more destructive weapons. But not all followers of Jesus have forgotten his words! There are many who work for peace and who are advocates for non-violent change. We can be grateful for their witness and presence…they are a constant reminder that the true kingdom of Jesus is greater than the world’s narrow provincialism. It transcends political parties and national boundaries and includes people of every race and creed. In his realm leaders are servants and heroes are peacemakers.

Thought for the Day: Why is pacifism so difficult?

Revelation 1:4b-8

“To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” vss. 5b-6

Today is Black Friday, the beginning of the Christmas shopping frenzy. Early this morning parking lots were filled as millions of shoppers competed for amazing bargains at unheard of prices. Now there’s certainly nothing wrong with buying gifts and taking advantage of sales, but it is a bit strange that our culture would begin its celebration of Jesus’ birth with a call for lavish spending and competitive shopping. Perhaps followers of Jesus can at least find some meditative moments today for some soulful reflection on another Friday, the one we call Good. We have been freed from our sins by the loving death of Jesus, and have been made into a kingdom of priests, called to serve God in all that we do. Rather than focusing on material accumulation and battling crowds it might be more suitable to use this day in figuring out how we can share our wealth with the poor. Some helping organizations have catalogs that outline ways we can give gifts to people in third world countries. There’s no doubt that such holy giving will be a blessing, both to those who receive and those who give. It’s just the sort of thing that a kingdom of priests might be expected to do!

Thought for the Day: For whom will I be buying today?

Matthew 6:25-33

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” vs. 25

Today is the one day of the year when it’s more than likely that everyone in our country will have plenty to eat. All across the land there has been a concentrated effort to distribute turkeys, mashed potatoes, and gravy…people are giving many hours to feeding the homeless. For once poor people won’t have to worry about what they’re going to eat or drink. It would be good if all of us could feel that way every day, not only about food, but about all the other material things that make us anxious. We’d like to be able to take Jesus’ words to heart and live like the birds of the air or the lilies of the field. But most of us have a hard time living as he advised. Today we’ll be giving thanks for all manner of blessings…we’ll be gratefully acknowledging that we live with daily abundance. But still we have a tough time not worrying about our “stuff.” We’re told again and again that our lives will not be complete unless we’re up-to-date with the latest conveniences. And so we buy…and end up with houses full of more “stuff.” And Jesus tells to to slow down and be content…and when we can we make an amazing discovery! Life really is more than food, and the body more than clothing!

Thought for the Day: Where do I find my contentment?