Luke 10:29-37

“‘Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” vss. 36-37

Jesus subtly expanded the world of the kingdom seeking lawyer with the short story we know as “The Parable of the Good Samaritan.” The man had asked, “Who is my neighbor?” But after telling the parable, Jesus asked, “Which of these three was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” It’s a different question, and provides a radically different answer. The neighbor is not the poor fellow lying at the side of the road needing assistance. Of course we will help such people. But the neighbor is the Samaritan, a member of the despised and hated race who the Jews avoided with a passion! So when we’re called to love our neighbors it isn’t a matter of cozying up to our good buddies down the street. Loving one’s neighbor means reaching out to the people we don’t like very much, maybe even our enemies. It means putting aside our prejudices and embracing those who we despise! Loving God and neighbor is the key to a joyful life in Christ, but it’s not nearly as easy as we think it is. Loving neighbors will  pull us out of our secure neighborhoods and into challenging encounters with the very people we try so hard to avoid. 

Thought for the Day: To whom do I find it hard to show mercy?

Luke 10:25-28

“And Jesus said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’” vs. 28

The lawyer’s question had been, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

And as he frequently did, Jesus answered the question with a question, “What is written in the law?” And to his credit the lawyer gives the right answer, quoting what is known as the Great Commandment of love from Deuteronomy and even adding its corollary enjoining love for neighbor from the book of Leviticus. And Jesus is pleased, the lawyer has gotten it right! It’s interesting that Jesus does not disparage the law–and he doesn’t say that the key to eternal life was believing in him. His affirmation of the lawyer’s answer seems to indicate that Jews can know the way to truth and life within their very own sacred writings. Life is all about love, loving God and loving neighbor. And while Jesus was unfamiliar with the world’s other great religions, perhaps it would be reasonable to believe that they too offer the way to truth and life!  It’s hard for devout Christians to acknowledge such a thing–some of our leaders have been making exclusive faith claims for a long time. We tend to disparage people of other religions and make little effort to understand the core of their teachings. What a blessing it would be to celebrate our common commitment to love, and begin to live together in peace and unity!

Thought for the Day: What do the world’s great religions have in common?

Colossians 1:9-13

“He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” vss. 13-14

It’s obvious that we live in a creation that is both good and broken. That’s true whether we are followers of Jesus or on the path of self-indulgence. But there are differences in the way we experience the world, with some being caught up in the powers of darkness, while others walk in the light of Christ. Paul indicates here that it’s possible, even in a world where darkness seems so pervasive, for believers to experience that light daily. In other words, we don’t have to wait until we die to ‘see the light.’ We can experience it now in the peaceable kingdom ushered in through the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. And it happens, not through our own understanding or effort, but by the invasive power of the Holy Spirit. Without even knowing that it’s happening, we are being rescued and restored, transformed from the inside out, and being made to produce the precious fruit that comes through the Spirit. There’s an incandescent quality to those fruits, and as they become apparent in our daily lives, it’s as though a light goes on, and we begin to see more clearly than ever before. And more than that, we actually become the light of the world!

Thought for the Day: How am I enlightened by the fruits that I bear?

Colossians 1:1-8

“Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God.” vs. 6

We’re not sure who brought the gospel to Colossae. It was not visited by Paul during his missionary journeys, but there were many traveling preachers in those days and their labors bore fruit. A congregation had sprung up in this city in Asia Minor (present day Turkey) and Paul has heard reports of activities there–and for the most part he is impressed. He notes that once the people had comprehended the grace of God the community had begun to bear fruit, i.e. the love, joy, peace, etc. that he had outlined in his letter to the Galatians. That’s how it is with grace! Once people take it to heart their lives are changed. It’s as though a light has been turned on and they begin to see things in an entirely new way. It isn’t that they’ve been given a set of new rules to follow, but grace changes them from being takers to givers, from lording over others to serving them, and they become lovers of all people, including their enemies. It’s that gospel message that began to be proclaimed after the resurrection of Jesus that has persisted to this day. There have been many efforts to subvert it, but none have been successful, and that is worth a long and heartfelt, “Thank you, Jesus!”

Thought for the Day: How has grace changed me?

Psalm 25:6-10

“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

Even as the psalmist affirmed his trust that God was full of mercy and had been that way from the beginning, he knows that his behaviors have not always been proper or prudent. Perhaps he even fears that the record of his deeds and words is disqualifying. At any rate he launches a fervent plea that God will disregard his past altogether and remember him only on the basis of steadfast love. His words resonate with our experience too. Many believers live with the memories of a past not well lived and regular excursions that took them far from the path of righteousness. And some live with the nagging fear that God’s amazing grace hasn’t been quite enough to cleanse their record. Sometimes it is hard to believe that grace is sufficient, especially when we become aware of how exemplary the lives of our friends have been. But the psalmist was right. God’s eyes of love do see both the goodness and the brokenness in us, but in love, only the goodness is remembered. And that message was hammered home again and again by Jesus as he offered forgiveness and restoration to both the good and the broken. Our pasts do not define our futures. As is commonly said in casual conversation, just “fuggedaboutit!”

Thought for the Day: What memories continue to haunt me?

Psalm 25:1-5

“Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.” vs. 5

Humans have always had a sense that there is a way to live that is particularly pleasing to God and that will be of benefit to them. In fact the great religions of the world have been planted by those who had a sense of what such a life might be like and who made it known to their disciples. The psalmist has an awareness of the truths that had been revealed to his Hebrew ancestors, and he has a deep desire to be faithful to those ways. He believes that his obedience will be the key to his salvation. Many centuries later Jesus used that same language in offering direction to his followers, saying, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He had recognized that it’s much easier to walk in the way of truth if we have a leader that we can trust. That’s one of the reasons Christianity has spread so quickly throughout the world. According to the gospels the first thing Jesus said to his disciples was “Follow me!” Those who do walk in his footsteps absorb the wisdom of God and become familiar with the way of salvation. Since the time of Jesus many alternative ways to live have been suggested and promoted, but none have had the staying power of his message of service and love. 

Thought for the Day: What alternative ways of living have I tried?

July 7, 2025                                                                                  Deuteronomy 30:9-14

“Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away…No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.” vss. 11, 14

There are a lot of rules, commandments, and ordinances in the Hebrew scriptures. It can be mind-boggling to try to keep track of them all. Indeed, at times the people were driven to distraction in their efforts to obey them. Often they would lose track of the essentials. So the writer of Deuteronomy calls them back to the center. There’s really only one commandment that the people need to worry about, and that is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Jesus picks up on that great truth in his teaching, and adds a second, we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. Being a disciple really isn’t rocket science–it’s all about loving! Of course, as basic as that might sound, we all know in our hearts that it’s not quite that simple. Loving can become enormously challenging when we realize just who it is that we are called to love, because no one is excluded! We can actually spend a lifetime trying to make loving a part of our persona, and never quite pull it off. Our one consolation is that God’s love for us is unconditional and never failing. What we can’t do, God does!

Thought for the Day: When does my loving fall short?

Luke 10:8-11

“But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’” vss. 10-11

As we grow older it’s not unusual for us to become more confident in the basic truths of the universe. It’s not that we get any smarter or that we are more set in our ways, but generally time does give us at least a general knowledge of the different belief systems that humans have come up with. We know what is poppycock and what is at least close to the truth. And if we’re fortunate we’ll even be able to articulate our understanding in a paragraph or two! What an advantage that is in our mission as the sent servants of Jesus! We can cut to the chase in our conversations, say what is true, and not even worry about whether people believe us or not! That’s how it is with the good news, if people pay no attention or ask us to leave town, it makes no difference. They’ve heard the gospel, and in the hearing of those precious words of truth, the kingdom of God has come near to them. And we really can’t do more than that. We can’t make believers out of anyone. That’s the work of the Spirit!

Thought for the Day: What universal truths are closest to my heart?

Luke 10:1-7

“He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.’” vs. 2-3

As his mission continued Jesus realized that his outreach could be multiplied if he had more sandals on the ground. The Twelve were effective, but even more could be done if the number of missionaries was increased. So he sent out 70 more disciples and gave them specific instructions on what it meant to be his presence in the little villages of Galilee. He included a warning with his commission–this would not be easy work. They would go out as lambs in the midst of wolves. It’s still that way for those who hear and respond to Jesus’ call to discipleship. There are undoubtedly plenty of people and places who need to hear a word of peace and be exposed to the gospel of grace. This is a very broken world! And what surprises us is that there is an active resistance to the message of love and sacrifice. So many have drunk deeply of the cup of self-indulgence, and even if they don’t attack us like wolves, their ridicule is palpable and their ignorance pathetic. They worship other gods and want nothing to do with gentle Jesus. But still we persevere and the work of Christ continues to be done, and millions hear our words of love and experience the sacrifices of our hearts.

Thought for the Day: How am I like a lamb?

Galatians 6:11-16

“May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything!” vss. 14-15

Paul closes his letter to the Galatians by pointing to the cross of Jesus Christ and affirming that cross as the center of his life. Nothing else mattered–even the debate over circumcision was as nothing when compared to the centrality of Christ.

Today we’re celebrating the Declaration of Independence with fireworks, music, speeches, and a kind of patriotic pride. It’s a fine day and it’s good to remember national holidays. All countries do it! But it’s also a day for followers of Jesus to follow Paul in lifting high the cross, and making sure that it’s never confused with the flag. There has been an uptick in Christian Nationalism in recent years and it provides a real threat to authentic faith. The Church is multinational and multicultural and it includes believers of every race and tradition. We only degrade the cross of the Lord Jesus when we begin to imagine that nations can be Christian. The United States has a proud history. We can be proud and conscientious citizens. But our prime loyalty will always be to the Peaceable Kingdom that has been established by our Lord Jesus Christ for the whole world!

Thought for the Day: How do I like to celebrate the Fourth?