Jeremiah 31:31-34

“No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.” vs. 34

This is the dream! Jeremiah expressed it well…he was an eye-witness to the fall of Jerusalem and became a refugee in the land of Egypt. In his heart of hearts, despite his pessimism about the political situation, he believed that God would continue to be faithful. One day there would be a new covenant, not one based on laws written on tablets of stone, but a covenant of forgiveness and love that would be etched on every human heart. We’re still hanging on to that dream! It still has not become a reality…and perhaps it never will. But we keep on hoping nonetheless. And sometimes we get glimpses of what that new relationship can be like…because there are some among us whose hearts have been changed. We can see in their words and actions that they know the Lord…their lives are a reflection of God’s love. It’s not that they’ve lived perfect lives…all of them freely acknowledge their sin…but they know they’re forgiven. Living by grace they reach out to others with compassion and care…and their presence helps keep our hope alive. Jeremiah’s dream could come true for all people.

Thought for the Day: What keeps Jeremiah’s dream from becoming reality?

Mark 10:41-45

“But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.” vss. 43-44

When the other disciples found out about the request of James and John for positions of power in the coming kingdom, things did not go well…and Jesus had to call a team meeting. His desires could not have been more plainly put…he’d had enough of the insider power struggle and tells them to be servants and slaves. Through the years millions of his followers have taken his words to heart…we see such souls in our congregations. The last thing they want is to be noticed or asked to be on the church council. All they want to do is serve in whatever way they can…the more humble the position the better. They don’t care about recognition or acclaim, it’s enough for them to be able to reach out in love to people in need. And it’s not a show…they honestly want to walk in the way of Jesus, giving their lives for others, as long as they live. Occasionally they’re called into the spotlight and recognized for their faithful labor. But it’s not their favorite thing and we can see them grimace in embarrassment and try to fade into the background as quickly as they can. Will they ever get the reward they deserve? Not always…but that’s okay with them. Their spiritual blessings are priceless!

Thought for the Day: What are the blessings of servanthood?

Mark 10:35-40

“James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’” vs. 35

When James and John decided to follow Jesus, leaving their father sitting in the boat, they weren’t nearly so altruistic as we sometimes think. Judging by this text, they had given up the family business for the sake of personal gain…they were hoping to get seats of power in the coming kingdom. Their story has been repeated many times over…it’s not uncommon at all for folks who follow Jesus to expect benefits from their decision. Some expect some sort of material benefit, maybe an increase in their cash flow. Others are focused more on health, honestly believing that their Jesus connection will keep them from dread disease or chronic illness. At the very least we anticipate an emotional or spiritual boost, that there will be deep and lasting serenity, a feeling of unity with the Universe. There’s certainly nothing wrong with those expectations…as long as we realize that Jesus may have some surprises for us along the way. He told James and John that they could expect some difficulties…they’d be drinking the cup of sorrow before long and likely face persecution. Signing up for service in the kingdom may indeed bring many blessings but there will also be challenges. Jesus’ road to glory went by way of Calvary…who knows what may lie in store for us?

Thought for the Day: What would I like Jesus to do for me?

Hebrews 5:1-10

“Every high priest…is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness;” vss. 1a-2

High priests were mediators between the people and God…they had responsibility for making sure offerings and sacrifices were made in an orderly way that was pleasing to God. The writer of this letter had observed that the best of the priests dealt gently with the ignorant and the wayward because they themselves were subject to weakness. Ideally we see that same gentle spirit among those that we call to be leaders in our congregations. They may not have priestly duties…more often we call them pastors and ministers…but the very best of them will have a strong sense of their own inadequacies. They’ll poke fun at themselves and freely acknowledge foibles and failures. Often they’ll admit they don’t have answers to big questions…never will they use their office or position to control or intimidate. When people get caught up in the tendrils of sin they will offer words of grace and mercy, and not of judgment or condemnation. Such servant leaders are an amazing blessing in our faith communities, for through them we experience God’s love in full measure. There is a consistency in their behaviors between faith and practice…never do we sense they’re putting on a show or seeking prestige and power. Their only desire is to be a conduit for God’s forgiveness and grace.

Thought for the Day: What pastoral weaknesses are unforgivable?

Psalm 91:13-16

“When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them.” vs. 15

The psalmist is convinced that those who love the Lord will be rewarded in a big way. Their prayers will be answered and they will be rescued and honored in the time of trouble. This isn’t a matter of believing in God…that’s not what the writer is is talking about…believing in God was a given in those days. Only fools said that there was no God. What the psalmist had in mind was that special category of people who not only believe in God, they love God. We still run into such folks, even in our age of God-denyers. These are those people who love life, who give thanks for every day, and who appreciate the constant daily reminders of God’s presence. Worship is no chore…it’s what they love to do…and they devote their days to kingdom living. Their eyes are full of joy and they lift the hearts of those who encounter them. Even when times are tough they keep on loving God…and as the psalmist observed, God hears their prayers and rescues them in time of need. They emerge from their days of darkness with unyielding appreciation for the goodness of God. Those who witness their triumphant spirit in the face of tribulation are amazed at their faith…and all of us are blessed by their presence in our communities.

Thought for the Day: The difference between loving God and believing in God!

Psalm 91:9-12

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” vs. 11

Ever since ancient times people of many cultures and belief systems have testified to the existence of angels who have been assigned by God to particular people or even countries. Even when not convinced by evidence many Christians hold that each of us have guardian angels…some even believe that they are alive today because their angel stepped in to save them in a precarious situation. All of us have heard their stories. When their children go out at night even skeptics pray that guardian angels will keep them safe. We want to believe that God does keep people safe and guards them from every form of evil. Of course it doesn’t always work. Even the psalmist was aware that sometimes awful things happen to decent people in this often dangerous world. But that doesn’t mean that God doesn’t care or that some guardian angels are inept. All it means is that sometimes bad things happen…that’s how it is for all people…and sometimes we feel the pain of that intensely. And because we know that those things do happen we pray our hearts out that our loved ones would be safe. God never abandons any of us at any time but we want badly for family and friends to lead long and fruitful lives. Are there really guardian angels? We can’t know that…but we fervently pray that there are!

Thought for the Day: What do I think about guardian angels?

Isaiah 53:10-12

“Out of his anguish he shall see light; he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.” vs. 11

The primary salvation stories of the Old and New Testament have suffering at their core. In each of them the hero faces unparalleled pain and anguish…and in each of them there there is ultimate light and forgiveness. That pattern has continued for the people of God and many among us bear testimony to the ultimate victory of mercy in the face of judgment. We see it in various ways throughout our journey of faith. In those moments when despair threatens to overwhelm us the clouds part and we see the light of Christ shining brightly. Our tears are wiped away and through the witness of our pain those around us are edified. Contrary to popular notions it’s the way we deal with sorrow that speaks most clearly to those who hunger for hope. That’s why we’re drawn to Jesus on the Way…we know and believe that he is the righteous one and that through him we have been made righteous. And as the story continues we become the ones carrying the cross and we become the ones who lift up the fallen and bear the iniquities of the broken. We are the ones who give our lives for others…it’s through us that the salvation story continues. It’s through us that the light shines in the darkness and all people see the glory of God!

Thought for the Day: How can my pain be a testimony to others?

Isaiah 53:4-9

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.” vs. 5

The prophet was speaking in the context of the greatest disaster that the people of Israel had ever experienced. The temple had been destroyed and large numbers of them were now living in exile. Trying to make sense of what had happened the prophet paints an image of a suffering servant, one who had been wounded to make his people whole again. After the death of Jesus as the disciples searched their scriptures for an explanation of his suffering they found their answer in the prophet’s words. The whole purpose of the cross was to bring healing to humanity. Jesus had been crushed for their iniquities. In the centuries that followed this insight was passed from generation to generation and has become the central focus of the Christian faith. Instead of being a mark of shame the cross become the image of love and forgiveness and dominates our places of worship. In our day the followers of Jesus lift high the cross, gather around it at times of sadness and celebration, and find in its message their greatest consolation. Because it is such a common symbol of the faith we can easily forget its radical testimony. Think of it! The salvation of the world comes, not through conquering warriors, but through the suffering and the oppression of victims! It’s a truth so profound we can’t possibly understand it…but as we affirm it, we are healed.

Thought for the Day: What is the message of the cross?

Mark 10:28-31

“Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’” vs. 28

It seems that sometimes the disciples were confused by Jesus’ words and wondered if they’d made the right decision to follow him. In this instance his comments about the impossibility of salvation had made Peter think that their commitments and sacrifices had been pointless. That’s a common reaction to the gospel of grace. If it’s all God, then what’s left for us to do? Are there any benefits at all for being a follower of Jesus if ultimately all are saved by grace? Jesus is unequivocal in his answer. He tells the disciples, “Absolutely…there are blessings beyond measure in this world and in the life to come for those who choose to follow me.” Experience and observation verify his promise. When we are moved to make sacrifices as a result of our faith…even if we give away all we have…there will be over-the-top compensation. We’ll never be disappointed. And it’s not a matter of having to wait until we die to cash in on the benefits. Goodness will flow our way in this life as well. And the blessings won’t all be spiritual in nature! There’ll be material surprises  along the way…that which we did not seek will become ours…maybe more than we deserve. Life in Christ is not necessarily one of privation…but all that we receive will be a gift…that’s what life under grace is all about.

Thought for the Day: Things that I have which I did not seek!

Mark 10:23-27

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” vs. 25

It’s funny how upset folks get when their pastors talk about money. They might tolerate a few words on giving come Consecration Sunday but at other times of the year pastors are expected to talk about spiritual stuff. Unfortunately, no one ever got the word to Jesus! He regularly speaks about money and riches and consistently has harsh words for the wealthy. In his estimation the biggest obstacle to kingdom living was material abundance. His image of the camel and the eye of a needle is well known and scholars seeking loopholes for the wealthy have bent over backwards to explain away its jaw-dropping bluntness. He’s not saying that the rich have to humble themselves like a camel getting on its knees to go through a small gate…he’s saying it’s impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! It’s a jolting statement…especially in a culture like ours that reveres wealth and puts the rich on a pedestal. Of course we don’t need to worry…no one takes Jesus seriously when he says things like this. Mostly we just ignore him. But sometimes he makes us think. What is it about wealth that is so destructive? Why do so many strive to be rich when it’s so dangerous? What if Jesus knew what he was talking about?

Thought for the Day: What makes a person rich?