Mark 1:9-11

“And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’” vs. 11

The season of Epiphany begins with a celebration of Jesus’ baptismal call to ministry. We don’t know why Jesus came from Nazareth to the Jordan to be baptized by John, but we do know that the experience had a deep and lasting impact on his life. The Holy Spirit came upon him and he heard the voice of God claiming him as the Beloved Son and he knew in that moment that God was pleased with him. From that moment on Jesus devoted himself to proclaiming the good news of the kingdom in every way he could…he had a mission and nothing could stop him, not even death by crucifixion. It’s no accident then that baptism came to be seen as the central event of every believer’s life. It’s here that our God-connection is made…the Holy Spirit comes to us and we are claimed as beloved children of God. This happens, not because of our own goodness or virtue, but purely by the providential grace of God. That’s why we baptize babies…it’s the very best way of acknowledging that salvation is a gift and not something that we earn or deserve. It’s important to also recognize that with baptism comes a call to ministry…it’s a beginning and not the end. No matter what our occupation or profession, our baptismal calling is to serve and love in the name of Jesus in every way we can.

Thought for the Day: How do I remember my baptism?

Matthew 2:1-12

“When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.” vs. 10

Taken on its own, the story of the Wise Men from Matthew’s gospel strains our credulity. Today we would quickly label it as being “fake news,” a story that reasonable people simply can’t believe…it just doesn’t ring true. But taken in context, purposefully chosen by Matthew to begin his narrative, it has come to have enormous significance. Today the Wise Men’s journey is associated with Epiphany, a day chosen by the early church to celebrate the shining forth of the Christ Child to the world. It’s the Twelfth Day of Christmas, traditionally the day to take down Christmas decorations, but more than that, a reminder that Jesus was God’s gift to all nations, not just the Jews, and that foreigners were among the first to recognize his significance. During the next six weeks we’ll be looking at gospel texts that celebrate epiphany experiences that people had with Jesus in the course of his ministry. There’ll be regular celebrations of light and life and maybe even some stars. We’ll be reminded that like Jesus we are to let our light shine before others, not only to show off our good works, but to give glory to God. It’s a time to focus on mission and our call to make disciples of all nations through baptizing and teaching. The Light has come into our world…and where that Light shines there is overwhelming joy!

Thought for the Day: How can “fake news” be the truth?

Mark 1:4-8

“I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” vs. 8

Not much was going on in Nazareth, a sleepy hamlet just west of the Sea of Galilee, during the years that Jesus made it his home. Most of the action was happening in Judea and particularly in the area around the Dead Sea. A group called the Essenes had gathered in the wilderness at a place we call Qumran and had established a community that devoted itself to pure living and the copying of prophetic manuscripts. At some point it appears that one of them, a man we know as John, began baptizing and preaching along the nearby Jordan River. His popularity grew and news of his ministry reached even even as far as the Galilee. People came from everywhere to hear him and to be baptized…and ultimately Jesus came too and also submitted to baptism. Jesus then returned to Galilee proclaiming a message similar to what he’d heard from John. Some people began to wonder. Could one of these be the promised messiah, and if so, which one? For Mark there was no doubt and he begins his gospel by clearly making a distinction between Jesus and John. John was the forerunner…he prepared the way for the one who would baptize, not with water, but with the Holy Spirit. John could call for change but he couldn’t provide the power to change. That gift of grace could only come from God through the Holy Spirit of Jesus…and it’s that gift that has transformed the world!

Thought for the Day: How has the Holy Spirit changed the world?

Acts 19:1-7

“Then he said, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ They answered, ‘Into John’s baptism.’” vs. 3

When we read the little vignettes from the life of Jesus that we find in the gospels we tend to think we’re getting the whole story, and really we’re not! Those were traumatic and confusing years and tensions were rising in the Holy Land. There was a lot of movement as Jews begun to search for safety and stability…soon there were pockets of them in all the major cities. Paul searched them out as he began his journeys and offered them his perspective on all the things that had taken place. The ones he met in Ephesus had never heard of Jesus but they were very familiar with John…and had been baptized into his baptism. The whole confrontation was probably more complicated than the little excerpt we get from Luke but ultimately Paul convinces them that there was more to the story than they had heard….and they were baptized into Christ. They likely became the core of the Ephesian congregation that was so influential in the life of the early church. The difference maker was the continuing presence of Jesus, what Paul calls the Holy Spirit. The power of that Spirit is what continues to be the lifeforce of the Church. It’s what gives us hope for the future. We are more than disciples of a long dead holy man…we are the living presence of the Incarnate Word of God…and by the power of the Holy Spirit we are changing the world.

Thought for the Day: How did the Holy Spirit come into my life?

Psalm 29:6-11

“May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!” vs. 3

During the last couple of days we’ve probably heard the traditional New Year greeting dozens of times. After all when a new calendar year rolls around it’s customary to express best wishes for the weeks and months ahead…and many times our words sound like those of the psalmist. We say “Happy New Year” and pray that God will give strength to our family and friends, but most of all we’re praying that the Lord will give them peace. We sincerely want people to have peace of heart and mind, and to enjoy tranquility in everyday life. We’d love for there to be an end to conflict and war and often we wonder why people “can’t just get along.” Even though experience has taught us the elusiveness of peace on every level, we keep on hoping that this will be the year that ancient patterns will be broken and God’s peaceable kingdom will be established. It’s good to keep that ideal in mind as we continue to pray for the realization of our heart’s desire. It could even be that our futures can be shaped by our yearnings. As we continue to live faithfully, even if we don’t get perfect peace in 2018, there will most certainly be regular experiences of serenity, those precious times when we catch glimpses of the peaceable kingdom. May each of us have a most blessed new year!

Thought for the Day: Why is peace elusive?

Psalm 29: 1-5

“The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.” vs. 4

When we consider the attributes of God our choice of descriptive words is all over the map. So much depends upon our God definitions and God experiences. Many in our age don’t see things in the course of their daily experiences that bring God to mind…God for them is more of an idea or a concept and not a regular presence. For the psalmist, on the other hand, God was always at hand and signs of God’s presence and power were all around. Everything that happened in creation was ascribed to the Lord’s glory and strength…gale force winds whipping across the sea, tremors in the earth that collapsed whole cities, even the movements of planets and stars…everything was a sign of God’s majesty and glory. Most of us don’t think like that anymore. We attribute all that happens to natural causes and depend on science and technology to explain all apparent mysteries of the universe. Sadly, such an approach leaves little room for God and partially explains why some people have moved away from faith. The problem is that leaving God out of the equation does nothing to satisfy the deepest desires of our souls. We’re left with a sterile barren universe and a future with little purpose or meaning. Fortunately we don’t have to embrace the worldview of the psalmist to ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. True faith sees God’s presence in all things, even the laws of quantum mechanics.  

Thought for the Day: Where do I see God’s power and might?

Genesis 1:1-5

“God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.” vs. 5

Well, it’s here! A new year stretches out in front of us with 365 brand new days for our use and enjoyment. It’s a time for resolutions and planning…maybe a diet or exercise regime. Or perhaps there’s an adventure awaiting! We could even have a plan for improving relationships or making a change in our profession or career…and maybe this year we won’t make a mess of things! Naturally there will be surprises, maybe a tragedy or two or a bit of suffering. We really don’t have a clue about what’s going to happen to us or our loved ones. There’s so much that’s out of our control…and then there’s the fact that our control isn’t nearly as complete as we think it is. But that doesn’t mean we can’t make plans for change. After all repentance is an ongoing part of kingdom living and God knows there’s plenty of room for self-improvement. One thing we do know for sure is that the One who spoke the first day into existence will be present in every day of life that remains for us. God is Light, the very source and sustainer of life. Because of God we will know love and hope and joy in every one of those mysterious days that lie ahead. It’s because of God’s presence that we can dare to say “Happy New Year,” and know it will be so!

Thought for the Day: What’s my main resolution today?

Luke 2:36-40

“The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.” vs. 40

When we consider all that has been written about Jesus, it’s sometimes startling to realize that we know very little about him. We have accounts of his ministry from his baptism until his death, at most a year or so, but, aside from a brief paragraph in Luke, there’s nothing at all about his life before then. We know he had a father and mother, brothers and sisters, and that he was from the small village of Nazareth, and that’s about it. Of course there’s been a ton of speculation…some say he was married, others that he got training from Indian mystics…but all those notions are pure fancy. We don’t know where he was schooled or what he did for a living. In reality we know next to nothing…and this little verse from Luke will have to do. Jesus grew up, learned wisdom, and was blessed by God. He didn’t arrive in this world with supernatural knowledge and miraculous powers. As far as we know he was no different than any one of us. So if we want to know what Jesus was like we only need look at ourselves…he had the same passions, desires, and needs. In every way he was a human…he knew the joys and sorrows of life in this world. In other words, he’s walked in our shoes…and what a blessing that is! Our friend in high places knows exactly what we are going through! Praise be to God!

Thought for the Day: What does it mean to say Jesus did not sin?

Luke 2:22-35

“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation…” vss. 29-30

According to witnesses, as Martin Luther lay dying in Eisleben, the town of his birth, he repeated these words from Simeon’s song over and over. After a long (for those days) and tumultuous life he yearned for the peace that he knew death would bring. In Luke’s story Simeon sings because after a lifetime of waiting he had caught a glimpse of the long awaited messiah…and now he could die in peace. His words continue to bring comfort to those who for one reason or another have had their fill of life in this world. Some have lived far beyond their expectations and wonder why they’re even alive…their bodies have worn out and living has lost its charm and joy. Still others are just tired of the struggle…their years have been marked by pain and suffering and they’re ready for it all to end. What a blessing it is at to know at such times that God’s blessings continue beyond death and that one day we will have perfect peace! For people of faith this thought brings hope as we mourn the loss of those we love so much. Even as our hearts are full of sadness we find comfort in knowing that our dear ones are resting in peace, safe in the presence of our loving God.

Thought for the Day: When will I be ready to die?

Galatians 4:4-7

“And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” vs. 5

As we continue our Christmas celebration of Jesus’ birth these words from Paul remind us of what that birth actually means for our daily existence. He’s writing to Jews living in the Roman province of Galatia and wants them to know that what happened in Jesus has given  them adoption as children of God. They are no longer children of a fallen humanity, they’ve been redeemed…now they belong to God. But there’s even more good news! Not only are they children of God, they have also received the Spirit of Jesus in their hearts! Now they too can address God as Father, just like Jesus did. They can call God “Abba,” the Aramaic word for God that Jesus used. Sometimes, in our effort to use inclusive language for God, we are reluctant to use a gender specific word like “Abba.” But it’s hard to find an equivalent…and any noun we substitute becomes a distraction. And since the Spirit of Jesus does dwell in our hearts perhaps it’s a good thing to use the word for God that he used. To call God “Abba” is to recognize that we have a special relationship with God. Our “Abba” has given us existence and has set us free from the power of sin…we have been freed to live as beloved children and bear the fruit of the Spirit with every word and deed.

Thought for the Day: What word is a good substitute for “Abba”?