1 Peter 3:13-17

“Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the- hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence.” vss. 15b-16a

The exiles to whom Peter was writing were suffering. We don’t know the particulars but we can guess that it might have had something to do with periodic suppression by the Romans. Or it could have been related to the ongoing struggle with the Jews who were unwilling to believe that Jesus was Lord. It seemed to the new believers that no matter how hard they tried to lead good lives, they were going to suffer.

Peter advised his readers not to be intimidated no matter what insults and accusations were hurled in their direction. And suffering in silence wasn’t his recommendation! Rather they are urged to have well-prepared lines of defense and be ready for every hint of incivility, even to the point of imprisonment. The gospel hope that had become such a rich part of their lives should be defended…these early believers were called to be anything but wishy-washy.

But then Peter adds a caveat: any defense should be made with gentleness and reverence.

That’s a good reminder for those of us who feel defensive in the current political situation. Sometimes it may feel like our opponents are legion and that they’re continually mocking our heartfelt positions.  But if we choose to respond, let us do it with gentleness and respect. That’s the way of Jesus, and when we choose it, blessings abound.

Thought for the Day: When is it best just to keep our mouths shut?

Psalm 66:16-20

“Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me.” vs. 20

While the psalmist did believe that God had answered his prayer, he also believed that God would not have listened to his prayer if he had iniquity in his heart. We can understand his reasoning because those same assumptions are often operative among us. It makes sense from a human point of view that God would pay no attention to the prayers of an unrighteous person. We have a strong sense that if people do not deserve assistance or help, they should be denied what they have asked for. In other words, “God helps those who help themselves.” The unworthy should not presume on our generosity.

But is that how God really operates? Is God’s love and mercy conditional? If that were true we could kiss the good news of the gospel good-bye. The relationship that we have with God is not transactional. In fact Jesus tells us that the love of God is showered on the righteous and sinners alike, without distinction. Paul put it this way in Romans,”God shows his love in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”

Many people have their prayers answered, and by no stretch of the imagination are all of them worthy. Instead, all people are the recipients of God’s steadfast love. Contrary to what the psalmist says, God’s goodness was showered on him, not because he was righteous, but because he was loved.

Thought for the Day: How has God answered my prayers?

Psalm 66:8-15

“I will come into your house with burnt-offerings; I will pay you my vows, those that my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.”  vs. 13-14

The psalmist evidently knew a thing or two about tough times. He compares his own travails to the plight of the Israelites in Egypt and the perils of their flight from slavery. He flooded the heavens with prayers and, as humans are prone to do, promised payment if those prayers were answered. We can understand his actions. We’re likely to do exactly the same thing. Even those with minimal faith are driven by their situations to offer prayers and promises to the God they barely believe in. It’s what we do when all else fails.

And sometimes, praise God, the prayers seem to work. Miracles happen. The near dead are returned to life, and health is restored. The 1% chance of survival becomes 100% and in our joy we will even remember our vows, the ones we uttered when we were in trouble. 

The psalmist headed for the temple and offered burnt-offerings, and we have similar means to offer our thanks to God. We could double up on our offerings or send a check to Lutheran Social Services of Arizona. There are a multitude of avenues for us to pay our vows, and even though none are required, it’s what humans do in response to the random goodness of life. It’s one of the ways we have to “pay it ahead,” and blessings do abound.

Thought for the Day: How do I do my thank offerings?

Acts 17:22-31

“For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ’For we too are his offspring.’” vs. 28

There were Jews living in Athens and Paul went first to the synagogue to argue and debate with them about Jesus as the messiah. But when some of the Athenian sages heard what Paul was talking about they invited him to come and speak to them on Mars Hill near the Parthenan. 

In his presentation he doesn’t lead with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Instead, as a gifted and knowledgeable speaker he begins by referring to an altar that he has seen  with an inscription to “an unknown god.”

Paul uses that observation as common ground and tells his listeners that he can tell them about their unknown god. He says that God does not live in shrines or buildings made with human hands–God is even more than they have imagined. He says that all things have come into being through the one God and then quotes one of the Greek poets, “In him we live and move and have our being.”

Paul agreed with that poet, and so do many of us. The Divine Mystery is more than we can comprehend–greater than the universe and nearer than our hearts. God lives in us and we find our existence in God. There is no place in all creation where God is not, and wherever we go, God is!

Thought for the Day: Where do I feel closest to God?

John 14:8-14

“I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.” vss. 13-14

As far as some Christians are concerned this is the point in his ministry when Jesus gave his disciples the secret code that would guarantee answered prayers. All that they would need to do to get their heart’s desire would be to offer their prayer in his name. That’s why the standard closing phrase in the prayers of so many is, “In your name I pray. Amen!”

According to John Jesus said these words on the night before he died so that his disciples would be encouraged to continue his work. He didn’t want them to think that they’d be alone in their mission. He would in fact be with them, and through them his work would be expanded. The hungry would be fed, the blind would see, and the mourning would be comforted all over the earth, and the Spirit of Jesus would be bringing strength and courage every step of the way.

So these verses are not about us as individuals getting our desires fulfilled by God because we’ve been given the formula for answered prayers. Far from it! This is about communities of faith being strengthened in their role as the living body of Christ in the world. And through us Christ is glorified!

Thought for the Day: Why do I pray in the name of Jesus?

John 14:1-7

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” vs. 6

Thomas was confused about Jesus’ words. Jesus had said that he was going away but that he would come again and take them to himself, and that the disciples knew the way to where he was going. But Thomas didn’t know where Jesus was going, and he didn’t know the way. So Jesus makes it plain enough for even Thomas to understand, and says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

 The words are beautiful and to the point, but they’ve been a source of huge confusion. Somehow we’ve gotten the notion that this verse can be used to define who gets to go to heaven and who goes to hell. Since Jesus is the way, and the truth, and the life, we reason that anyone who doesn’t believe in him is going to be condemned. But the truth is that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life for everyone, believers and unbelievers alike!

Oh how we love to use words of hope as a means to divide humanity into winners and losers! This passage tells us that there is life beyond death and that a place has been prepared for us. That’s why it’s read so often at funerals. Jesus doesn’t want us to be afraid. He wants us to know the truth, that new life awaits! And it’s for all!

Thought for the Day: What scripture would I like at my funeral?

1 Peter 2:4-10

“Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house…” vss. 4-5a

A verse in Psalm 118, “the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” is quoted in each of the gospels as referring to Jesus. It was considered the perfect metaphor to describe what had happened to him in his death and resurrection.

Peter too refers to this theme as he invited the Jewish exiles living in Asia Minor to put their trust in the living stone, Jesus Christ, a man precious in God’s sight. But then he goes beyond the traditional image by expanding the metaphor to include all those who have come to believe. Peter said that they, like living stones, will be built into a spiritual house. 

This has become one of the most popular and meaningful ways of describing the Church of Jesus Christ. Each person, as a living stone, has been built into a holy temple. As the familiar hymn, Built On A Rock, puts it, “We are God’s house of living stones, built for his own habitation.” It is through us, and not through our fancy edifices, that God is present now in every nation under the sun. 

Peter went on to describe us as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,” in order that we might proclaim the mighty acts of God. It’s a magnificent calling–and it belongs to us all!

Thought for the Day: Why do congregations build churches?

1 Peter 2:1-3

“Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” vss. 2-3

 Like the people that Peter was writing to, we live in a world that is awash with folks spouting malice, guile, insincerity, envy, and  slander. It’s what we see on news clips and videos every day, and it corrupts our spirits and threatens our serenity. Fortunately there is another option for us! There is another source of nutrition for the soul–Peter called it the pure, spiritual milk, the kind of nourishment we long for as infants.

And what is this pure, spiritual milk? It can hardly be anything other than a steady diet of the good news of forgiveness, love, hope, mercy, humility, gentleness, and patience that comes through the Holy Spirit and that is channeled through our brothers and sisters in Christ. Once we have tasted such a feast we will know that the Lord is good, and will daily grow into the remarkable persons God has created us to be.

As Peter reminds us, salvation is a process, and none of us have yet arrived at the fulness of what we will one day be. But when our diet is like mother’s milk we can be confident that our immunity to the ugly side of life will grow and keep us on a path of spiritual health and vigor until the end of our days.

Thought for the Day: Where have I found pure, spiritual milk?

Psalm 31:15-16

“Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.” vs. 16

It’s very likely that the psalmist, in the course of temple worship, had heard the Aaronic Benediction many times. It was the blessing that, according to the scriptures, had first been pronounced over the Israelites by Aaron, the brother of Moses and the first high priest. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.”  

Those were memorable words, and we’ve heard them again and again as the pronouncement of the pastor at the end of worship. Many have reported that this benediction has had a powerful impact on them, that it’s the high point of the entire service. And even though there are many benedictions that have found their way into the liturgy, some with more contemporary images and phrases, there is an almost magical quality to the original. It touches our hearts in a powerful way. 

The phrase having to do with the Lord’s face shining on us seems to have particular power. There’s mystery in it, and yet in the mystery we get a clear sense of God’s love, and an image of a smiling Lord. No wonder the psalmist remembered it! It just feels so good to know that we are loved beyond measure by the Lord of the Universe!

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

Psalm 31:1-5

“Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.”  vs. 5

Last words have significance. There are many occasions where the dying words of people have been particularly memorable. The gospel writer Luke believed that they were important and faithfully reported the last words of both Jesus and Stephen, words which seem to have been a quotation from Psalm 31, “Into your hand I commit my spirit.”

In both instances the quote is appropriate, the sort of thing that any one of us would be proud to say with our dying breath. They reflect a certain readiness for whatever is coming, and more than that, a deep trust in God. For both Jesus and Stephen they indicate a sense that the mission to which they have been called is over, that there’s nothing more for them to do except bow their head, and breathe their last.

Of course it’s not that easy to have wonderful last words. A lot happens as life slips away and we really don’t have that much control over exactly when the ending will be. We might settle back on our bed, look around at our loved ones, say the wonderful last words we’ve rehearsed, close our eyes, and then discover a while later that we’ve only fallen asleep. Our last words are yet to come–and they might not be so memorable as we had hoped.

And that’s okay! Last words are not nearly so important as the words of love we’ve said for a lifetime!

Thought for the Day: What words are likely to be my last ones?