Psalm 138

“For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away.” vs. 6

The psalmist’s insight is precious. He regards the Lord as being high, almost elevated from the plane of the earth, which would fit the notion that some have of the “Big Guy Upstairs.” But that doesn’t mean that he considers God to be somehow removed from humanity. On the contrary he teaches that the Lord is very close to the lowly, and that the Lord has a special relationship with the meek and the gentle. That’s the sort of thing Jesus was referencing in the Sermon on the Mount when he speaks of the poor in spirit as being particularly blessed. However, the haughty, the psalmist goes on to say, just don’t have that same connection to God. And Jesus would agree. The proud and the arrogant have no relationship with the Lord–God remains far away from their spirits because they have no time for the Spirit. Everything is wrapped up in pleasure, power, and possessions. It’s not that they’re unloved by God, but their self-constructed barriers make it nearly impossible for them to receive God’s blessing. Jesus had a special word for them,”Woe to you who are rich now…woe to you who are well-fed now.” We might not like it, but scripture is plain. It’s the poor and the needy who have a special place in the heart of God.

Thought for the Day: How does one become haughty?

Genesis 18:27-32

“Then he said, ‘Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak just once more. Suppose ten are found there.’ He answered, ‘For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.’” vs. 32

A lot of people have bargained with God through the centuries, but it’s doubtful that any could match Abraham’s success. Bit by bit he chipped away at God’s intentions until he got the deal he was looking for. And of course, as the story continued, it didn’t do any good. The ten could not be found and the city of Sodom was destroyed! It’s a well-told story, and the Hebrews even made it part of their scriptures. The problem is that it paints a picture of God as both a judge and a destroyer, and that isn’t even close to the image of the Divine that we see in Jesus. Jesus ushered in a kingdom of peace and love, and there’s no indication that he saw in his Father any hint of vengeance or retribution. Still, there’s something about the bargaining Lord of Genesis that we find appealing, especially when we are confronted with the most appalling aspects of human behavior. On some days we would love to see those worst offenders subjected to the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. But that’s not the way of Jesus, and as his followers we’ll just have to learn to love the unlovable and pray for our enemies. 

Thought for the Day: Who do I wish God would destroy?

Genesis 18:20-26

“Far be it from you to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” vs. 25

While it’s hard to imagine anyone having a conversation with the Lord, this ancient story is both familiar and instructive. When Abraham catches wind of the impending destruction of Sodom he is immediately concerned because his nephew, Lot, and his family had chosen to live there. To protect them he urges the Lord to reconsider, saying that it wouldn’t be just to slay the righteous with the wicked. While we might dismiss the imaginative bargaining session which follows, the story does point to one of the tragic consequences of any war. No matter how just we perceive our actions to be, the innocent will suffer along with the guilty. In fact they often suffer more. In recent years our hearts have broken at the sight of the hundreds of thousands of lives that are lost in warfare as a result of what is so callously termed “collateral damage. While Abraham presumes that the Judge of all the earth will do what is just, we cannot say the same for humans. Through the years we’ve fallen in love with war as a means of settling disputes and perceived threats, and the result has been devastating. And always it’s the innocent who are the biggest losers!

Thought for the Day: Why do humans love war?

Luke 10:41-42

“But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’” vss. 41-42

Jesus’ repetition of Martha’s name is an indication of his affection for her. This is how reproving words are prefaced when addressed to someone we loved. “Martha, Martha,” he said, “you are such a caring person and concerned about many things.” His tone is gentle, and also instructive. He knew that it would be hard for Martha to adjust to the new kingdom standards that were quietly being introduced among his followers. And he wants her to know that Mary’s choice to sit and listen rather than serving was appropriate. What he had to say was a new way of looking at the world and it even superseded the old traditions related to hospitality. The things that concerned Martha would continue to be done–after all someone has to bake the bread and do the dishes. But this was a time for feeding the spirit, and it would maybe even do Martha good to sit down and listen. We don’t know if Martha did sit down with Mary, but we do know that when opportunities come along for us to hear the gospel in a new and fresh way, sometimes they’re even more important than eating and drinking. We can always order a pizza later!

Thought for the Day: Am I more like Mary or Martha?

Luke 10:38-40

“But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’” vs. 40

This wasn’t just a squabble between sisters. What Mary was doing was a serious violation of the hospitality code. Just as Sarah had prepared the bread for the three men Abraham had invited to dinner, and then retreated to the tent, it was the woman’s role to provide the food for guests. And Martha knew that! So she asked Jesus to honor tradition and require Mary to join her in doing the women’s work. 

Of course the Jews weren’t the only people to strictly define the role of women in the culture. We continue to compartmentalize the work done by men and women and many do their best to keep females in their place. All of us have experienced this in our lifetimes to one extent or another. While for a time there was a breakdown of those distinctions there are signs of discontent among some. We’re being told once again that some things are best done by men, and that women should be content with child-rearing and homemaking. And when women speak out against what they call “glass ceilings” or traditional roles there is often a speedy backlash. According to Luke’s gospel, while Jesus did call 12 male disciples, the real strength of his mission were the women who provided the funding and operational skills. 

Thought for the Day: What were the roles of men and women in your home?

Colossians 1:21-29

“I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints.” vss. 25-26

Paul doesn’t believe that he is presenting anything new to the Gentiles. He’s simply making the word of God fully known. He says it’s like a mystery that has been hidden from the beginning, but is now being revealed through him and the other authentic preachers of the gospel. And the core of that mystery is the Divine Christ, present at creation but now made known in Jesus. And at this moment, following the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, he says that the Divine Christ is fully present in the world as the Church. And what’s really remarkable, is that the Gentiles are fully included. No one is left out! But Paul can’t let this go without a warning. No one is left out, but it is entirely possible that people could miss out! And that’s a warning that is appropriate in any age. The good news of the gospel is indeed free and inclusive but because of human stubbornness and faithless preachers, too many miss out on the good news that is theirs in Christ. Some are even strangers to the Church, the very presence of Christ in the world. Paul spent his life battling the enemies of the gospel, and the battle continues today.

Thought for the Day: What is the greatest enemy of the Church?

Colossians 1:15-20

“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.” vss.19-20

These verses are found in the Christ Hymn, a beautiful and moving tribute to the Lord Jesus Christ, that was probably composed toward the end of the First Century. While descriptions of Jesus abound in the gospels, and people were familiar with his life and teachings, it took some time to fully comprehend who he was in relation to the invisible God. The conclusion these early believers reached is both powerful and moving. Jesus was more than human; in him the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and in him all things in heaven and on earth had been created. But most importantly, through him God had become reconciled to all things on earth and in heaven, making peace through the blood of his cross. While it’s impossible to understand the “how” of this teaching, it’s crucial for us to accept its truth. This is the basis for universal salvation, the conviction that what happened in Jesus means the reconciliation of all things to God. How beautiful it is to know that everything has been taken care of in our Lord Jesus! The unity with God has been restored, and it’s all the most precious gift we could ever receive.

Thought for the Day: What if people don’t believe they are reconciled to God?

Psalm 15

“O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart;” vss. 1-2

This psalmist believed that the Lord had strict standards for all who were a part of the Jewish faith community. This strictness has long been a principle teaching for followers of Christ as well. Some know what it’s like to have every word and deed scrutinized by elders and parents. Some congregations focused on matters of morality, especially those matters having to do with sex or pleasure. The psalmist was of course concerned about personal morality, but seems to have been more interested in how believers treated others. He enjoined his readers to speak the truth and not to slander or do evil to their friends and neighbors. He tells them to always keep their oaths and never to lend money at interest. While people who live by grace sometimes imagine that walking blamelessly isn’t important, our scriptures tell a different story. The things we do make a difference and are essential to the witness of our faith communities. While we can at times get all hot bothered about trivial things, those directives mentioned by the psalmist are not to be ignored. Lies, insults, and slander undermine our credibility and set a horrible example to those we are called to serve. And they certainly aren’t what is expected of us as citizens of the peaceable kingdom!

Thought for the Day: What could be wrong with lending money at interest?

Genesis 18:8-10a

“Then one said, ‘I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him.” vs. 10

Once Abraham and Sarah take over the pages of Genesis her barrenness quickly becomes an issue. How could all the promises made to Abraham be fulfilled if the two of them have no son? The text implies that the problem is Sarah’s. Abraham seems to have had no difficulty with fathering a child, with Ishmael being a very public example. The promises continued to be made, but Sarah’s barrenness persisted. Under the oaks at Mamre one of the three visitors, having experienced Abraham’s extravagant hospitality, repeats the promise, this time within earshot of Sarah, who’d been eavesdropping in the tent. The text goes on to say that Sarah was amused. In fact, she had laughed out loud! Some months later, when she did in fact bear a son, her laughter was forever commemorated in his name, Isaac, which in Hebrew means “laughing boy.” Sometimes that’s how it is for the people of God. It’s almost as though the Lord plays jokes on us, and we find ourselves doing things we never dreamed possible. It has been said that when we make plans, God laughs. And that may be true–life in Christ is filled with wonderful surprises! Who can even guess what the nine months will bring?

Thought for the Day: What jokes has God played on me?

Genesis 10:1-8

“He said, ‘My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.’” vss. 3-4

The Old Testament Trinity is an icon created by the Russian painter Andrei Rublev in the early 15th century. It’s considered by many to be the most famous of all Russian icons and shows Abraham entertaining three men under the oak of Mamre, the story depicted in this passage from Genesis 18. Abraham does not know that the three visitors are the Lord, but offers them traditional Middle-Eastern hospitality. In that sun-baked region it had become the custom to welcome travelers and provide them with rest, food, and drink, and Abraham treats his guests well. This practice of hospitality was not only the norm in the culture, it was also adopted by the followers of Jesus as a way of recognizing the communal nature of life in this world. We’re not plopped down in this world as individuals whose only responsibility is to look out for themselves. We are part of a community, and are called to look to the interests of others and even minister to the needs of strangers. The book of Hebrews puts it this way, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” The writer is likely referring to Abraham, but anyone who practices hospitality will also experience its blessings.

Thought for the Day: How does my congregation practice hospitality?