Acts 4:5-7

“When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, ‘By what power or by what name did you do this?’” vs. 7

When the religious authorities in Jerusalem heard that the disciples were preaching that Jesus had been raised from the dead and were actually healing the sick they ordered them to be arrested. They weren’t an impressive group…a few Galilean fishermen and some hangers-on. When the wealthy, well-educated priestly types saw this motley crew they immediately assumed that they were powerless and impotent. Their first question exposes their incredulity. “How’d you do this?” It’s a good question, one that could well be asked of any gathering of Jesus folk even in our day. Some pretty ordinary believers are doing some amazing things…and often outsiders wonder where they get their chutzpah. The answer today is the same as in Peter’s day. Followers of Jesus don’t work wonders because they are gifted and talented, it’s because we’ve been touched by the Spirit, and the Christ works through us. On our own we pretty much bumble along, a nondescript band of ordinary people. But we really aren’t alone…we have unseen power and unlimited potential because we are Christ’s presence. Through us resurrection is proclaimed, the sick are healed, the hungry are fed, and the powerless are lifted up. In the name of Jesus we touch the unclean, work for justice, and welcome strangers. We may not look impressive…but the One whose name we bear has all the power in the world.

Thought for the Day: Where have you seen ordinary people perform extraordinarily?

Luke 24:44-48

“Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures,” vs. 45

Being familiar with the scriptures wasn’t enough for the disciples to have a clue about what had happened in Jesus. Nowhere was there a straightforward indication that the promised messiah would suffer, be crucified as a criminal, and then die. One option would have been for them to complete abandon the Hebrew scriptures and focus on building a new faith tradition, something no one ever seriously considered. Instead, guided by the resurrected Christ, the disciples took a new look at the scriptures and began to understand them differently. Some of us have had that same experience with scripture in the course of our lifetimes. The old ways of interpretation have just not been satisfying and we’ve had to open our minds to new possibilities. That’s never an easy thing to do…particularly when so many minds are closed with regard to biblical truths. In order to defend scripture some Christians have insisted on literal and wooden interpretations and they’re quick to attack those who think differently. In the last century countless divisive battles have been fought…and some people have pretty much even stopped reading the bible. Fortunately many more have continued their study of scripture with open minds and have found amazing inspiration in its pages. The bible is our community’s story…and we neglect it at our peril. Without it the stories are forgotten and faith is quickly eroded.

Thought for the Day: Why is it important to understand scripture?

Luke 24:36b-43

“While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’” vs 41

While the experience of resurrection had galvanized the disciples of Jesus there were plenty of questions remaining. In Luke’s story multiple appearances weren’t enough to convince them and they needed further proof that he was really alive. Two thousand years later we’re still dealing with those same feelings. It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate new life in the face of death but at the same time many of us wonder, and sometimes even disbelieve. We yearn for certainty and wish there were some way that we could be completely convinced. The good news is that Jesus is amazingly patient and understands the difficulties resurrection presents. And one way or another the Risen One figures out a way to get through and bring peace to our wondering minds. It could be some simple experience in worship or a flash of insight in our meditation. It could even be in the eating and drinking of Holy Communion. However it happens conviction comes and trust fills our hearts. In those moments we experience the real presence of the Christ and find consolation in the presence of death. Jesus is alive and because he lives we too will one day have the joy of new life in him. And we don’t even have to see him eat a piece of broiled fish!

Thought for the Day: What questions do I have about resurrection?

1 John 3:4-7

“No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him.” vs. 6

Those who earnestly try to live by scriptural teachings can get tied in knots by what seem to be contrary messages. On the one hand we are told that all are sinners, and if we say we have no sin, we are liars. But the same writer then turns around and tells us that no one who abides in the Christ sins…and if we sin it’s a sign that we don’t know him. And so we wonder, is it really true that people can live without sinning? There are some who say that it is, and they spend their lives trying to live holy and pure lives. It’s not a happy existence. Either they put on a pious, hypocritical front by claiming to have conquered sin, or they live in honest despair, unable to feel secure in their relationship with God. This was Martin Luther’s dilemma and he was tormented until he realized that he had been made righteous by God’s grace…and that it was impossible to become righteous by our own efforts. We remain sinners until the day that we die…but we live joyful lives because God has forgiven all of our sin. So it is true that no one who abides in Christ sins…they’ve been made righteous by grace and righteous people do righteous things. But it is also true that we will not be perfect…after all we remain sinners. It’s a peculiar paradoxical way to live…and it’s all a gift!

Thought for the Day: What righteous things do I do?

1 John 3:1-3

“And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” vs. 3

John is happy to tell his readers that God loves them and that they are God’s children. He writes, “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.” What a powerful affirmation! This really is the core of the good news. Just think of it, we are the beloved children of God! As such John reminds us that our identity should be reflected in our behavior…and his observation makes sense. Of course we will conduct ourselves in a way that reflects our position…and of course that will involve purification. That’s what is expected of saints, the “holy ones” of God. But it’s at this point that some get into big trouble. They read John’s words about purifying themselves and are side-tracked into obsessing about their fleshly desires and passions. The result is a life-long battle to maintain constant pure thought…a Sisyphean struggle that can sap all the joy and vitality from life. Instead of being able to simply live in the security and love of their relationship with God such persons live in terror of messing up. They are convinced that even the slightest lapse into lustful or selfish thinking will make them ineligible for eternal life. What a horrible way to live! We are children of God…nothing will ever snatch us out of God’s hand! To think otherwise is a rejection of grace’s amazing power!

Thought for the Day: How can I purify myself?

Psalm 4

“When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent.” Vs. 4

It’s impossible to live without becoming disturbed about some encounter or experience, and we can never predict what sort of thing might set us off. It could be some major calamity or just some small thing, a conversation or maybe a text that provokes our anxiety receptors. In these moments our minds go wild, blood pressure may increase, and stress levels begin to build…and we wonder what we can say or do to bring serenity back. The psalmist knows all about such feelings and offers some pithy advice…in short he tells us to keep our mouths shut and go to bed. We note that he doesn’t say we should go to sleep! He seems to know that sleep is virtually impossible in those moments…something to which we can all attest. Instead he advises pondering, again an experience with which we have abundant experience. But what then? As we lie in our beds replaying the events of the day, reliving the conversations, imagining what we should have said…what end should we expect? For the psalmist the ultimate comfort was confidence in God, simply knowing that he was in God’s hands and that God was in control. His words in verse 8 sum it up well, “I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.” Quietly lying in our beds and putting our trust in God can work wonders in restoring lost serenity!

Thought for the Day: What keeps me awake at night?

Acts 3:15-19

“And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer.” vss. 17-18

Once the disciples had come to believe the the suffering messiah was a part of God’s plan for salvation it was relatively easy for them to give the leaders of their people the benefit of the doubt. Since those leaders had acted in ignorance there was still a chance for them to receive forgiveness for their horrendous act. And the disciples had a point…ignorance is frequently a good defense for poor thinking and misguided actions. Sometimes we just don’t know any better! Most of the time we don’t come to our positions by a careful, objective, and rational process of decision making. We’re influenced by any number of factors: background, education, religion, politics, mentors, friends…the list goes on and on. That’s why it’s always important for us to withhold judgement in our interactions with our neighbors and friends. They’re not all idiots for believing or acting as they do…and sometimes we’re actually the ones who are ignorant, though that’s exceptionally hard for us to admit. Peter’s point is that there is always room for redemption and repentance…we can always change…and many times we do. Often all it takes is a little bit of loving to jar us from our obstinate ways and into the path of insight and light. And forgiveness is always a blessing!

Thought for the Day: Some ignorant people that I know!

Acts 3:12-14

“When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, ‘You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?’” vs. 12

Healing was an important part of Jesus’ ministry and it’s not surprising that the disciples too became known as healers. They did not hesitate to lay on hands and ask that people be healed of their infirmities. And when people were cured they quite naturally believed that the disciples had been the agents of that cure. It would have been easy for Peter to set up a healing ministry with himself as the center of attention…that sort of thing happens regularly in our world. But Peter doesn’t want any part of that…he understands that all the power has come from God…the disciples were simply the instruments through whom God acted. Peter understands that his own power and piety are limited…all the glory should go to Jesus. In his humility he avoids the slippery slope that affects so many Christians…we love attention and like it when people offer us thanks and praise. True followers of Jesus become skilled at diverting attention from themselves and focusing on the One who is the source of light and life. We can be skeptical of athletes who give the glory to Jesus in their post-game interviews, but we have to admit they are on the right track. Jesus may not care about no-hitters or Superbowl wins but he is our strength and guide.

Thought for the Day: What assistance does God give golfers?

John 20:24-31

“But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.” vs. 31

John bares his soul as he makes plain his intention for writing his gospel. He tells us that every word has been chosen to help us believe that Jesus is the Christ. Notice that he doesn’t use the past tense…to believe that Jesus was the Messiah is of no benefit. No, John wants us to know that Jesus is the Christ, now and forever, and it’s through relationship with him that we have life now and forever. That means our quest for the historical Jesus, while bringing some sense of satisfaction and enjoyment, does little to stimulate our believing. Rather, it’s the incarnate presence of God in the world today, speaking through and embodying the loving and caring message of Jesus, that gives peace and healing to our yearning souls. That Christ presence binds us together as believers and demonstrates clearly God’s love for the entire world. In Christ we discover that true faith is far more than reciting the Apostles or Nicene Creeds in worship. Authentic faith envelops us and touches our hearts. It’s like spa time in the water of life, a soaking in of God’s love through the caring kindness of our believing brothers and sisters. We emerge from the water energized and cleansed, ready to continue the mission of Jesus, sent by God’s grace to make a difference for good.

Thought for the Day: Where am I most likely to feel Christ’s presence?

John 20:19-23

“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” vss. 21-22

In John’s gospel the commissioning of the disciples happens just prior to the giving of the Holy Spirit. It’s a vivid reminder that those who follow Jesus have a mission that is identical to his. We too have been sent by God with good news for the world. And like Jesus we are endowed with the Holy Spirit…the active, dynamic presence of God goes with us on the journey. John is specific about the nature of the mission too…we are sent to bring the forgiveness of sins…it’s the most precious gift we have to offer. Sadly, by medieval times the church had figured out ways to monetize forgiveness through the sale of indulgences and the mission was horribly distorted. That’s how it is with us…because of the insidious nature of sin we turn gold into dross and even turn grace into law. But God hasn’t given up! The mission hasn’t gone away. With every generation a fresh crop of disciples is sent to offer forgiveness to every hurting sinner. The need hasn’t gone away. If anything we need the cleansing, empowering energy of grace more than ever. May God breathe on us the desire and opportunity to be faithful to our calling.

Thought for the Day: Why doesn’t the Spirit keep us from sinning?