Matthew 3:13-17

“And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’” vs. 17

The gospels, in their varying accounts of Jesus, present many different perspectives on his life and ministry, but they all agree that his baptismal experience was particularly important. There are some differences in the details of the gospel record but each implies that this was the moment of his call, or to put it another way, the birth of his messianic self-consciousness. As Matthew tells it, immediately following his baptism Jesus received an amazing epiphany: he was the chosen one of God!!! In an auditory vision he was powerfully affirmed as the beloved son of God, one in whom God was well pleased. That good news changed his life, giving him a mission and a purpose. As Christians we have continued to see that same unconditional affirmation as the primary message of baptism. Our life in Christ begins with a declaration that we are much loved children of God. Whether we deserve it or not God’s love is poured out on us and we are assured that the Spirit of God will never depart from us. It’s obviously true that some could care less about God’s love or their own baptism. They may not even believe in God. But countless others rejoice in their baptisms and, like Jesus, understand it as a summons, a call to love and serve in a broken world.

Thought for the Day: How do I know the Spirit of God is with me?

Acts 10:39-43

“All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” vs. 43

Following the death and resurrection of Jesus his followers were inspired to continue his mission by spreading out through the Mediterranean world proclaiming the good news and inviting others to become believers. They had a lot to sort out as they searched through their scriptures looking for affirmation of what they had experienced. But as they remembered his words and his teachings they were convinced that the forgiveness of sins had to be at the center of their proclamation. Whatever else they might say about Jesus nothing would have more impact in the lives of those they would encounter. No one of us ever lives as we ought, and all of us carry a burden of guilt to one degree or another. There are some who have learned to rationalize their sin and thereby minimize their responsibility. Others try to make up for their trespasses with exemplary behavior…and generally have a tough time believing they’ve done enough. For those who acknowledge their guilt and confess their sins,  forgiveness wipes the slate clean and allows a fresh start every single day. It’s the way believers are reconnected with God and is central to healthy relationships. “Forgive us our sins,” we pray, “as we forgive those who sin against us.” There is no more precious gift that any of us could ever possibly receive.

Thought for the Day: How do we receive the forgiveness of our sins?

Acts 10:34-38

“Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.’” vss. 34-35

Today marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of Epiphany, that time of the church year when we remember the ways in which God has been revealed through Jesus. Epiphany can also refer to a sudden realization that marks the end of an old way of thinking and the embracing of a new understanding. It’s the sort of thing that had happened to Peter in those exciting Spirit-centered days following Jesus’ resurrection. He had been faithful to Jewish laws and customs all of his life. It never dawned on him that what had happened in Jesus would signal the beginning of a new age and the inclusion of Gentiles as brothers and sisters in faith. To his credit, when the epiphany came to him in a vision, he accepted it wholeheartedly and embraced Cornelius and his family as fellow believers. God is always doing that sort of thing in our lives. Just when we think we have boundaries figured out, an epiphany comes, our narrow understandings are expanded, and new folks are welcomed to the party. Through them the dynamic energy of the Spirit is unleashed in ways we never dreamed possible. Visions become realities and love abounds.

Thought for the Day: What epiphanies have I had?

Psalm 29:5-10

“The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, ‘Glory!’” vss. 8-9

The psalmist had no trouble attributing massive earthquakes and violent windstorms to the voice of the Lord. Floods, lightning, thunder…all those things we term “acts of God,” were evidence of God’s dynamic energy and creative power. And for centuries most people would have agreed. It’s only recently, with new theories of physical science, that we have, for the most part, succeeded in shoving God out of the picture. Some would even say our new understanding of how the universe works has eliminated the need for God altogether. But others, including many scientists, would disagree. Our gains in knowledge and understanding have not eliminated wonder and mystery. In fact the more we know about the cosmos and its intricate interdependencies and connections, the more awesome it becomes…and the more insignificant our place in it! We might have different nouns for describing the forces at work all around us, but the sense of wonder can never be extinguished. We still love the beauty of a sunrise or a sunset, and marvel at the strength of wind and waves. We have so much more to learn…in truth we’ve only begun to grasp the power of the Creator. Our only fitting response to the splendor of the universe is that recommended by the psalmist…to worship the Lord and proclaim from our hearts, “Glory!”

Thought for the Day: What aspect of the universe do I wonder about?

Psalm 29:1-4

“The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.” vss. 3-4

We hear so many voices these days, loud voices all clamoring for our attention, all claiming to have an important word for us! They come at us from every direction…from tweets and youtube, television and radio. Often they are the pompous voices of men and women full of themselves, oozing confidence and belittling their foes. We can be grateful that soon their lies and exaggerations will be exposed and those voices will become whispers and then disappear altogether. The psalmist nailed the truth over 2000 years ago…only one voice persists with power forever. Only the voice of the Lord endures for all generations. It’s worth remembering that promise in our troubled times. Perhaps we can learn to shut our ears to the cacophony of threats and claims demanding access to our hearts and destroying our peace of mind. What a blessing it is to turn off our televisions and radios, disconnect from the internet and facebook, and wander out for extended hikes where only the sounds and sights of the Lord can enter our ears and eyes! Maybe we can even find a place to sit for a time, a special spot for prayer and meditation! These are the best moments of life…and we are bound to be refreshed!

Thought for the Day: Where do I hear the voice of the Lord most clearly?

Isaiah 42:5-9

“I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.” vss. 6b-7

Jesus adopted these words from Isaiah as a messianic job description and used them as a guide for his words and actions during his ministry. Wherever he went people felt the presence of God and found relief from their pain and suffering. The nations continue to yearn for those healing connections with God and now it’s our turn to provide them. We are the hands and feet of the Risen Christ and are called in our baptisms to bring light and love wherever we live, work, or play. As baptized persons we have promised to not only worship and pray, but to work for justice and peace. And what a blessing we are! All over the world people of faith are fighting for the rights of the oppressed and standing with the marginalized. We’re fighting disease and working to eliminate hunger. In every neighborhood, every village, and every city there are baptized persons living out their call to make a difference for good. Just imagine what a dark place this world would be without their presence! Of course there’s a lot to be done. The work of Jesus has only begun, but as the world continues to experience his presence though us, the kingdom of God is becoming a reality…and all nations are enlightened.

Thought for the Day: Times when I have kept my baptismal promises.

Isaiah 42:1-4

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.” vs. 1

Living in exile, hundreds of miles from his homeland, the prophet believed that Israel was the much-loved servant of God and that, empowered by the spirit of God, Israel would bring justice to the nations. It was an amazing vision for a leaderless people with a history of rebellion and disobedience…and through the years they clung to the words of promise, and kept on hoping for fulfillment. As Jesus received his call to ministry following his baptism by John, he felt the presence of the spirit, and remembered what the prophet had said. In that moment he believed that he was the chosen and beloved servant of God and that he had been anointed to bring good news to the poor and set at liberty those who were oppressed. After his death and resurrection his followers came to understand  Isaiah’s promise as the very cornerstone of Christian baptism, a conviction that continues today. In the pouring of the water and the proclamation of the word we celebrate the unconditional love of God and acknowledge the gift of the Holy Spirit. Every baptized person is the fulfillment of ancient prophecy, a much-loved servant of God with a mission to transform the world.

Thought for the Day: Why was I chosen for such an important mission?

Matthew 2:19-23  

“Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.” vs. 21

According to Matthew’s gospel, after a brief sojourn in Egypt, Joseph takes his family to Nazareth in Galilee, a safe place where he could find work and provide for his wife and child. After life in Bethlehem this would be a new beginning with fresh opportunities. And that’s exactly what today represents to many of us! It’s the first day of a new year, a time for fresh resolve and an opportunity to get our messed up lives straightened out. Some will be making New Year’s Resolutions, a list of things we know we should be doing but that we haven’t gotten around to yet. We do this year after year, always with amazing optimism, in spite of what is for many a dismal track record. And sometimes we actually pull it off…at least for a short period of time. We stop watching so much television, start the needed diet and exercise program, begin the desired discipline…and we feel a sense of pride. But it’s so hard to sustain! Only occasionally does a person actually make permanent changes. But still we try! And every January 1st, we try again. It’s a good reminder of our constant need for repentance as God’s people. We need many fresh starts…and by God’s grace that’s exactly what we get. In Christ each day is a new beginning, a new opportunity to love and serve…even if we don’t ever lose a pound!

Thought for the Day: What am I resolving for this new year?

Matthew 2:13-18

“When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under,” vs. 16

No one quite knows the origin of Matthew’s grotesque story about Herod’s slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem, and there are many who wish he had not included it in his gospel. It does however serve as a chilling reminder of the ugly, unspeakably cruel methods that even now are used to gain and conserve power. Every year, somewhere in the world, innocents are slaughtered while religious and tribal groups are targeted for extermination. Even in our own country the streets of large cities run red with the blood of children shot in the course of unrelenting gang warfare. Occasionally we can be tricked into thinking the times are safer now and that modern people are so much more civilized. It would be nice if that were true, but it isn’t! It would seem that all we’ve really done is invent more efficient and deadly killing machines…humans remain as cruel as ever. Still, there is some good news for us on this last day of the year. Jesus survived the plot of Herod and lived to challenge the power of his son. Evil never has the last word in God’s world and will ultimately be overcome by the sheer power of love.

Thought for the Day: How do cruel people handle the problem of guilt?

Hebrews 2:14-18

“Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.” vs. 18

Periods of suffering seem bound to come our way as we live and work in this world. Causes may vary…illness, brokenness, injustice are only few, but the effects are similar. There’s always pain, whether physical or emotional, with spiritual malaise and depression sure to follow. And if we’re isolated in our suffering all those feelings will be magnified. While no sane person enjoys suffering, scripture often speaks of it as being a test, an ordeal that can either make or break us. The philosopher Nietzsche put it this way, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” The writer to the Hebrews claims that because Jesus was tested through his suffering, he is a source of comfort and strength in our tests and trials. And somehow that does make a difference! Followers of Jesus often report that they seem to come closest to him in the midst of their most severe struggles…and that they are lifted up by knowing that he understands exactly what they are going through. He doesn’t exist on a higher angelic level, he’s right with us in our humanity, and there is no test of endurance or strength that he hasn’t already faced. When we feel completely alone and that no one understands our pain, the knowledge that we have a companion on our journey can lift us up and even give us peace.

Thought for the Day: What has been my toughest test in life?