Revelation 7:13-17

“for the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” vs. 17

Today is All Saints’ Day, the day set aside in the liturgical calendar to recognize our connection to the Church Triumphant, all those faithful departed ones who now have rest and peace with the Lamb. And it truly is for all the saints, not just the famous ones like Catherine, Stephen, or George. Today we remember the saints who were our companions on earth, loved ones who shared our joys and sorrows, and who we miss so very much. For some it’s been less than a year, and we still can’t believe they’re gone. We see them in our dreams and hear their voices through our days. It’s as though they’re off on vacation and will be back soon, and the next time we come home they’ll be there to give us a hug. Those memories are so precious, and so very painful, and we long for consolation. By faith we believe that those loved ones have new life, that their deaths were not the end, and the promises of our scriptures do bring us comfort. We like knowing our companions are safe with Jesus and that God has wiped away every tear from their eyes. Life in this world can be painful and even a burden. We thank God for the perfect peace that now belongs to those we have loved so much.

Thought for the Day: Which memories of my loved ones are most precious?

Test C

Test B

Test A

Revelation 7:9-12

“After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands.” vs. 9

What a blessing that the ancients saw fit to include the book of Revelation in the canon! Not only do its hymns provide the core of many liturgies, but its rich and vibrant images have tickled imaginations for centuries. Today’s verse, with its picture of the saints triumphant standing before the throne reminds us that our loved ones know the peace of God in new and unimaginable ways. It brings a powerful and inclusive message of hope and comfort. Tomorrow, All Saint’s Day, has been set aside in the Church’s calendar as an opportunity for us to remember these who now rest from their journeys on earth. Somehow, tonight, All-Hallow’s Eve or Halloween, has morphed into a holiday not even remotely related. What should have been a meditative evening of remembrance has turned into an apocalyptic experience of witches, ghouls, and goblins. There may be reasons for the transformation, and no one wants to deny children the opportunity to get treats, but it is a bit sad to see how the secular has overwhelmed the sacred. Chances are we can’t reclaim the holiday, but perhaps when the doorbell stops ringing we can take a moment to reflect on those loved ones that we miss so much…and maybe shed a tear even as we celebrate their new life!

Thought for the Day: What does Halloween mean to me?

John 8:31-36

“Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’” vss. 31-32

It seems to have been easy for Jesus to attract a crowd. Wherever he went people gathered around to hear his teaching and watch him heal. Scriptures tell us they came by the thousands, robbing him of rest and occasionally forcing him to flee. They were curious…but they didn’t stay around. By the end of his ministry the numbers had dwindled and there were only a few followers with him on his final journey to the cross. Jesus says in today’s text that it’s those who remain who will receive the blessings of discipleship. This is a hard truth, one that’s hard to hear in our world of quick fixes and easy solutions. We’d like to get all that Jesus has to offer in a few lessons or maybe a couple of years of confirmation. But that’s not how it works! There isn’t a fast-track to freedom. He says, “If you continue in my word..” That’s more than learning a few bible verses and moving on to something else. It means hanging in there with him for a lifetime! Freedom comes in the course of the journey, a gift that we receive on the way, a gradual release from the bondage of sin, and self-knowledge that brings perfect peace.

Thought for the Day: What does it mean to continue in the word of Jesus?

John 8:31-36

“Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’” vss. 31-32

It seems to have been easy for Jesus to attract a crowd. Wherever he went people gathered around to hear his teaching and watch him heal. Scriptures tell us they came by the thousands, robbing him of rest and occasionally forcing him to flee. They were curious…but they didn’t stay around. By the end of his ministry the numbers had dwindled and there were only a few followers with him on his final journey to the cross. Jesus says in today’s text that it’s those who remain who will receive the blessings of discipleship. This is a hard truth, one that’s hard to hear in our world of quick fixes and easy solutions. We’d like to get all that Jesus has to offer in a few lessons or maybe a couple of years of confirmation. But that’s not how it works! There isn’t a fast-track to freedom. He says, “If you continue in my word..” That’s more than learning a few bible verses and moving on to something else. It means hanging in there with him for a lifetime! Freedom comes in the course of the journey, a gift that we receive on the way, a gradual release from the bondage of sin, and self-knowledge that brings perfect peace.

Thought for the Day: What does it mean to continue in the word of Jesus?

Romans 3:21-26

“they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement* by his blood, effective through faith.” vss. 24-25

Most followers of Jesus find his words and deeds instructive as they seek to live their lives in a distinctly Christ-like fashion. They understand him as a model of the godly life and take seriously his commandment to love and serve according to his example. Many even ask themselves the question, “What would Jesus do?” before making important decisions. But it’s not so easy for some when it comes to the matter of redemption, particularly when redemption is framed as a “sacrifice of atonement by his blood.” It’s not that the language is unfamiliar…these terms have been a part of discourse in the church from the time of Paul. But they question how the sacrificial death of one person can possibly atone for the sins of all people. Questions like this are tough, but removing the offensive language is not the answer. While Jesus is a good model for living, it’s the mystery of the cross that is the focal point of our faith. The death of Jesus is an expression of sacrificial love and it means the forgiveness of our sins…and it doesn’t require understanding. We can express all the doubts and questions we want, but in the end one truth remains: in Christ we have been made righteous…and it’s all grace.

Thought for the Day: What questions do I have about the atonement?

Romans 3:21-26

“they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement* by his blood, effective through faith.” vss. 24-25

Most followers of Jesus find his words and deeds instructive as they seek to live their lives in a distinctly Christ-like fashion. They understand him as a model of the godly life and take seriously his commandment to love and serve according to his example. Many even ask themselves the question, “What would Jesus do?” before making important decisions. But it’s not so easy for some when it comes to the matter of redemption, particularly when redemption is framed as a “sacrifice of atonement by his blood.” It’s not that the language is unfamiliar…these terms have been a part of discourse in the church from the time of Paul. But they question how the sacrificial death of one person can possibly atone for the sins of all people. Questions like this are tough, but removing the offensive language is not the answer. While Jesus is a good model for living, it’s the mystery of the cross that is the focal point of our faith. The death of Jesus is an expression of sacrificial love and it means the forgiveness of our sins…and it doesn’t require understanding. We can express all the doubts and questions we want, but in the end one truth remains: in Christ we have been made righteous…and it’s all grace.

Thought for the Day: What questions do I have about the atonement?

Romans 3:19-20

“Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.” vs. 19

In recent years the church has been wracked by division as individuals and congregations have gotten fed up for one reason or another and gone their separate ways. In that context there might be some who long for the “good old days” when believers hung together and practiced the unity that Jesus recommended to his followers. Of course a careful reading of our scriptures will quickly disabuse us of that notion. Paul battled divisions in all the little congregations that he worked with, and had a particular struggle negotiating the differences between Jewish and Gentile Christians. Speaking as an expert in the law he addressed the issue in his letter to Rome. He tells that community that the Jews among them do not have an advantage because they have the law. Putting it simply (something Paul was seemingly unable to do), living under the law will always leave a person with guilt. Not living under the law did not absolve the Gentiles of responsibility. Everyone was accountable and all had sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Ultimately there is no point in dividing because no matter who we hook up with, we’ll still all be sinners. In other words, the basis for our unity in Christ is our common sinfulness. It’s as true for us as it was for the folks in Rome.

Thought for the Day: When are divisions in the church justified?