Philippians 2:9-11

“Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth…” vss. 9-10

Paul tells the Philippians that the Jesus who humbled himself unto death has been highly exalted and is worthy of worship. While Paul doesn’t specify the form of that worship, believers have certainly taken his words to heart. Their faith communities regularly gather for worship and almost always there will be a cross or crucifix to remind them that Jesus is to be their center of worship and praise. Paul doesn’t direct the form or style of worship and countless varieties have evolved through the centuries. In recent years, as worship has come to be seen as entertainment, some believe that the place of Jesus as the center of attention has been replaced by gifted musicians acting as song leaders. In their estimation the change has diminished opportunities for meditation and reflection. Paul seems to have seen worship as a time to “bend the knee” and indeed, for centuries no worshiper would dream of approaching the cross without genuflexion, a conscious bending of the knee in entering the sanctuary. There is much to be said for that practice, even though it’s not a part of all traditions. The bent knee and the bowed head remind us that Jesus is our Lord, and that we haven’t come to be entertained, no matter how talented the current performers might be.

Thought for the Day: How do I acknowledge Jesus as Lord in worship?

Philippians 2:5-8

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus…” vs. 5

The Philippians hadn’t gone through confirmation or participated in new member classes. Some of them were Jews, many were Gentiles, and they had no common traditions or doctrines. So it’s not strange that there was confusion in their community about their new life in Christ and what that meant for daily living. Paul wasn’t living with them any longer and he didn’t know if he’d ever visit their congregation again. So as he writes to them he establishes what might be called his first principle for Christian living. His words are plain and to the point, “Let the same mind be in you  that was in Christ Jesus.” And what was it about the mind of Christ that they should emulate? “He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death.” In other words Jesus surrendered himself to the power of God, quietly submitting to the direction of God’s Spirit on a daily basis, and he never wavered in his obedience. For Paul that was the only teaching that the Philippians needed. He had the confidence that the key to the new life in Christ was humility, a decision to look to the needs of others rather than to one’s own, and if people actually lived that way, the congregation would be just fine. Two thousand years later, that’s still how it is!

Thought for the Day: What are the external marks of a humble spirit?

Psalm 31:9-16

“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’  My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.” vss. 14-15

The psalmist doesn’t specify which terrors were plaguing him at this period of his life. It could have been almost anything: illness, persecution, depression, aging. The list of those things which bring us to our knees in the course of a lifetime is endless. But we do know that he was almost at the end of his rope. Since he had tried everything to find peace and security he has been left with only his faith. Some know that feeling! It’s not at all unusual for us to be overwhelmed with all the ugly stuff that can come our way–and it’s not all because we’re paranoid! Often our enemies are real and the diseases incurable, and, of course, there’s nothing at all we can do with the gradual diminishment of body and mind that comes with aging. And while the bad days can sometimes mind their own business and leave us alone, more often they gang up on us, and we’re completely overwhelmed. In those moments, as for the psalmist, it’s our faith that gives strength. And as we surrender our whole selves to the care of the Divine Presence we discover the peace that passes all human understanding. We don’t understand, but we just know that all will be well. Our times are in God’s hand.

Thought for the Day: What does it take to drive me to my knees?

Isaiah 50:4-9a

“The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.” vs. 4

Isaiah recognized that his primary function as a prophet was to teach people the way they could live God-pleasing lives. But beyond that he also realized that he had been uniquely gifted–he’d been given the tongue of a teacher. We know what he means.  Some people simply have a gift for teaching and, blessed are those who have encountered such folks in the course of their education. They not only have the necessary knowledge–they also know how to pierce the often resistant skulls of their students. What’s the primary secret of such teachers? Isaiah knew it well. He had learned never to open his mouth without first listening. Oh, that more of us could learn that skill! Isaiah seems to have made it a part of his daily routine and started every day with listening to the Lord. Perhaps it was a part of a meditation process, a time alone simply waiting in God’s presence and praying for the insights he needed to meet the challenges of each hour. Jesus followed this routine during his ministry, rising before dawn to listen for the whispers of God in the silence. Teachers who use their ears before their mouths will be especially equipped to reach the hearts of their students. 

Thought for the Day: What have I learned from listeners?

Luke 19:28-40

“As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ They said, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

When Jesus was approaching Jerusalem for the last time he made a conscious decision to enter the city riding on a colt, the foal of a donkey. That image has taken hold of our imagination almost as completely as that of the cross. His mode of transport made abundantly clear that he was coming to his end, not as a majestic and triumphant king, but as the humble servant of all. Through the centuries men and women who have taken seriously their call to serve have chosen to identify with Jesus by adopting his spirit of humility. St. Francis of 13th century Assisi got rid of his expensive garments and wore the mantle of a beggar. Currently the pope bearing his name has chosen to live, not in the papal palace, but in a small one bedroom apartment. Imagine what it would be like if those claiming to be spiritual leaders today would have the same desire to walk humbly with the Lord! It’s astounding what an affect our decision to adopt the servant model will have on our witness to the world. What a contrast this is to the jet-set lifestyles of contemporary evangelists! Of course it’s not easy to live humbly in our consumptive culture. We’re daily bombarded with messages encouraging us to adopt the habits of the rich–and sadly, some go into debt in their reckless pursuit of luxury. What a waste!

Thought for the Day: What is luxurious living?

John 12:4-8

“You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” vs. 8

Jesus was of course right. We always have the poor with us, and as even Judas understood, we have a responsibility to use our resources to lift them out of poverty and enable them to experience the material blessings of life in this world. Many believers have been faithful to that ministry of caring and are currently supporting relief and charity work all around the world. Whenever there are disasters people of faith respond generously–these are the times when humans are at their best. Love flourishes in times of need. Right now, many of those relief organizations are facing a huge challenge. Most of them have been the recipients of grants from our government that enabled them to provide the best care possible. Now those funds are being discontinued and those caring ministries are being threatened. Healing outreach programs have been eliminated with medical assistance rapidly coming to an end. Some are thrilled by this change–they believe tax dollars are best spent for defense and to support the wealthy. The challenge is obvious for those who are the hands and feet of Christ in the world. It is more important now than ever to support the work of those helping the poor. In fact, as Jesus has said clearly, what we do for the least of these, we are really doing for him!

Thought for the Day: What motivates the desire to neglect the poor?

John 12:1-3

“Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” vs. 3

John, after telling how Lazarus received new life at the hands of Jesus, goes on to share a story about Mary and Martha that reminds us of Luke’s story of the sisters. Again, Martha is the one given to serving, and she takes charge of the celebratory dinner. But this time Mary isn’t content with just listening to Jesus. She also takes action, anointing Jesus’ feet with a pound of costly nard, and then wiping them with her hair. It was an extravagant gesture of love and did not go unnoticed. In fact the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. Love frequently has this effect in our lives, especially when we’re in the throes of a romantic attachment. In those moments even normally frugal folks will max out their credit cards in some attempt to win the hearts of their beloved. But that’s not what Mary was up to. Her love for Jesus was of an entirely different kind. It was a spiritual connection, and her loving gesture was done purely to give him thanks and praise. Many believers continue to express such generosity in their relationship to Jesus, and have come to regularly give enormous gifts on a weekly basis in support of his mission. They do it not to get special standing in his kingdom but as an unmistakable act of love.

Thought for the Day: How do I show my love for Jesus?

Philippians 3:4 b-14

“Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” vss. 13-14

Paul knew that the best was yet to come and he was determined to press forward in the Way of Christ Jesus. He uses some sports talk to illustrate what he had in mind, knowing that the Greeks were very familiar with the games of Mt. Olympus. We like that kind of talk too, and preachers trying to connect with their audience will often use metaphors drawn from the world of golf and even some lesser sports. And there is a sense in which life is like a race and it’s obviously more of a marathon than a dash. And we often do have some sort of an ending in mind as we run, almost like a goal line. So we get Paul here–he’s talking in terms we understand. The danger comes when we start thinking that the race is like a competition and there are going to be winners and losers. For people of faith the laurel wreath is not a sign of achievement but a holy gift that comes to all who cross the goal. Of course it will be a delight to receive it but all the thanks and glory will go to God, the Author and Giver of all life, including the life to come.

Thought for the Day: What’s the best sports metaphor for life in Christ?

Philippians 3:4b-8

“Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” vss. 7-8a

Sometimes it’s interesting to look back at our lives from time to time, and if we look way back most of us can point to some achievements along the way. There may have been academic excellence or athletic awards, maybe even a trophy or two. Or it could be that we’re most proud of our families: a good marriage, wonderful children and grandchildren really are priceless. And then there are the successes that can come with corporate achievement or owning our own business. If we list everything we’re proud of, some of us would have to use a second sheet of paper!  As Paul was killing time in prison one day, he made such a list, and it was pretty impressive. But then when he’d written it all down he told the Philippians that he regarded all his gains to have been loss. Why? Because his relationship to Christ Jesus was worth more than everything else! Some of the faithful know now what Paul meant. They know that any achievement of any kind pales in significance when compared to being in Christ Jesus. It’s helpful to find this out early in life. When contentment in Christ comes before we get sucked into the rat race of corporate achievement and amassing wealth it’s an amazing gift. 

Thought for the Day: What have been my greatest achievements?

Psalm 126

“Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.” vs. 6

We don’t know what was going on for the people of Israel, but the psalmist tells us that tears were flowing freely. It might have been some personal illness or tragedy or more likely some communal disaster, but prayers were being offered for restoration. The Lord had heard their pleas in the past and there were high hopes for the present. It would be like they experienced every year in their fields. Seeds would be planted, rain would fall, and the harvest would be good–it was a reassuring rhythm that brought hope in times of pain. It’s the same feeling that people of faith have always had when disaster strikes. There are always tears–we can’t help but allow them to flow freely–and there’s an almost endless supply. But our sadness is also a time for planting the seeds of hope, and as our tears fall into the fertile soil of faith, hope germinates and begins to grow, and as that green blade rises, restoration and resurrection come, and the bountiful harvest fills our hearts with joy. That’s the rhythm of life that has been around from the beginning, and it’s repeated again and again in every season, in every time of sorrow. Our God is good and gracious, and full of compassion, and no tear falls to the ground without bearing fruit.

Thought for the Day: When have I cried the most?