Luke 4:5-13

“Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”’ When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.vss. 12-13

According to Luke the devilish tests in the wilderness were designed to make Jesus question whether he really was the Son of God. It was a crucial time for him. If he had yielded to his doubts, he would have lost his resolve, and would likely have abandoned his mission. We know what that’s like. It’s likely every one of us have at one time or another doubted our calling and mission. Now it’s one thing to have those feelings about a job or a profession. Sometimes we really do need to shift our direction and try something new–it’s the healthiest thing we could possibly do. It would be pure foolishness to doggedly keep doing something we hated and weren’t very good at in the first place. But it’s another thing to doubt our baptismal calling to live as a child of God. We have been called for a purpose, to be the hands and feet of Jesus in bringing healing to a broken world. We’ve even been equipped by the power of the Holy Spirit to use our God-given gifts and talents in our work. The temptation to abandon that calling is intense and comes at us in every stage of life. What a relief it is when we find the Spirit strength to continue in faith! Not only do we pass the test, but the whole world is blessed!

Thought for the Day: When is my faith tested? 

Luke 4:1-4

“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.” vss. 1-2a

Even though the numbers don’t quite add up, the season of Lent is meant to replicate the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness being tempted by the devil. For Jesus these were a Spirit-led extended time of reflection and meditation, during which he considered a series of options for his ministry. These options were tests and Luke says they were orchestrated by the devil. Evidently the Spirit did not have a “messiah handbook” for Jesus to study before he began his work, and the direction of his life was not yet planned out. In other words, Jesus faced the possibilities for life in much the same way we do, except that we generally don’t go on retreat before we begin our work. The devil’s main objective was to divert Jesus from his call to sacrificial service by considering more worldly alternatives. We certainly aren’t strangers to those kinds of temptations. In a world where success is defined as the accumulation of power and wealth, some choose careers that will bring them lots of money. Thoughts of service are far from their minds. All of these things are worth our reflection, no matter what season of life we’re in. And it’s never too late to follow the urgings of the Spirit, and say no to the devil’s plans.

Thought for the Day: What might the Spirit have in mind for me?

Romans 10:8b-13

“For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.” vs. 10

Through his entire ministry Paul struggled to convince his audience that salvation did not come through obedience to the law but through grace to any and all who believed. Here in his letter to the Romans he makes it as clear as possible. Righteousness comes by grace through faith, and is available to all, both Jews and Greeks. His insights have been a great gift to believers, but we should never underestimate that power of the law to undermine faith. Legalists have taken over Paul’s words of grace and have managed to turn them into a new law. Now it is said that unless one confesses with their mouth that Jesus is their Lord and Savior they cannot be saved. Countless believers live with fear in their hearts because their loved ones have never said the “Jesus Prayer.” They seem not to realize or care that their insistence on the letter of the law means the condemnation of billions. Paul wasn’t defining the boundaries of the kingdom of God, on the contrary he was trying to let people know that it was a lot bigger than they had ever dreamed. And so it is with us. The minute we get uptight about who’s in and who’s out, we’ve lost the inclusive vision of Christ. 

Thought for the Day: When have I worried about the salvation of a loved one?

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” vss. 11-12

Most of us are, familiar with these verses from Psalm 91, not because we’ve read them in scripture, but because we’ve heard them sung as one of the verses in “On Eagles’ Wings.” That devotional hymn, dating back to about 1979, has become enormously popular and is sung at funeral masses and memorial services around the world. There’s almost no way you can hear its tune and accompanying lyrics without feeling a sense of tearful hope. The song lifts us up, and for a moment at least, we can feel ourselves being carried off to safe refuge in the arms of God. We can imagine that the psalmist would be pleased in having his words used in such an evocative and hopeful way. After all that was his intention. He wanted people to know that God was their refuge and fortress, an ever present source of help in a time of trouble. It’s a good scripture for the beginning of our lenten journey. As we take time to reflect on our broken world we need always to remember that one day there will be restoration, and that days of pain do not last forever. We may not always be protected from ugliness and despair, but we can be confident that deliverance awaits–and one day God will make us to shine like the sun.

Thought for the Day: What is my favorite funeral hymn?

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.” vss. 19-20

It’s not unusual in these times to hear people talking of their financial advisor, usually a knowledgeable professional who can help them manage their limited resources in a way that will ensure a comfortable retirement and/or distribution of their estate. Given the intricacies of money management in our system, retaining the services of such an advisor is a wise and prudent thing to do. In that context it’s interesting to read in the Sermon on the Mount what Jesus had to say about storing up treasures on earth. He knows that folks are interested in acquiring wealth–that desire has been around forever. But Jesus also knew the risks that were involved, and he recommended a different approach, what he called storing up treasures in heaven. Many who have tried doing this have discovered that it isn’t as easy as it sounds. As a result some have engaged spiritual advisors, persons with good listening skills who are familiar with the workings of the Spirit, and who can offer solid spiritual direction. This heavenly treasure is far more valuable than any well-invested financial portfolio and can never be stolen by thieves. Good spiritual advisors aren’t easy to find, but once found, they’re worth their weight in gold.

Thought for the Day: What are the qualities of a good spiritual advisor?

Psalm 51:1-17

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” vss. 1-2

Most people would agree that we live in a broken world. There are wars, corruption on every level, starvation, and massive poverty. Millions of people are on the move, forced from their homes by threats and terrorism of every kind. Yet for some strange reason there are many who refuse to acknowledge the brokenness of their own lives. They can’t see any relationship between their own greed and the sad state of humanity. As far as they are concerned, sin and guilt are religious concepts invented by church leaders to keep people under control and provide income for  denominational hierarchies. But other folks, perhaps the majority, are very aware of their own sin and iniquity. Like this psalmist, they know their transgressions and acknowledge that they are deserving of judgment. For them, the season of Lent is a time for deep personal reflection, an annual review of their own culpability in the world’s sad state of affairs. It’s important to note, this is not an obsession with sin and guilt, some sort of inheritance from pietistic parents and a strict religious upbringing. Because we are broken, it’s the most natural thing in the world to regularly confess our sins! It’s the only way we can be restored! Thank God for Lent! As we practice its disciplines we are healed!

Thought for the Day: Why is guilt a good thing?

Isaiah 58:1-12

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry…?” Vss. 6-7a

In a couple of days Ash Wednesday will be here and many are now thinking of Lenten disciplines. They’d like some spiritual practice that could be used as a meditation aid for the next six weeks or so. Some are even considering fasting, an ancient discipline that the ancient Hebrews used to show the depth of their piety, and perhaps even impress God. They would dress in sackcloth and ashes to show their humility and, if God didn’t notice, at least their fellow believers would.  Isaiah, who was a prophet among them, did not find their performance convincing. In fact, he believed they were making a mockery of faith. He tells them that God is irritated by their pious posturing. If they really want to please God they should practice justice, let the oppressed go free and share their food with the hungry. Isaiah’s words continue to resonate in the hearts of believers. We know in our hearts that our pious words and actions mean nothing unless they are preceded by deeds of mercy and acts of sacrificial service. During this Lenten season, as the hearts of our leaders have turned to thoughts of power and riches, there are a multitude of ways for Isaiah’s words to bear fruit in our fasting.

Thought for the Day: What are my Lenten intentions?

Luke 9:33-36

“When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.” vs. 35

It seems that the time on the mountain was not so much for Jesus as it was for Peter and James and John. Jesus regularly spent time in prayer, often out on the hillsides by himself, but the disciples seem not to have had such a regular practice. So when the disciples were asked to accompany him, they were likely filled with anticipation, and they got more than they had ever dreamed. Not only did they see Jesus in all his glory, they were scared out of their wits by an enveloping cloud. “This is my Son, my Chosen, listen to him,” a voice proclaimed, and that became their life verse! Since that time millions of other disciples have done exactly that. They’ve made the words of Jesus the instructional manual of their lives. Rather than listening to every petty despot who comes along with some other half-baked directions for a better world, they circle back to Jesus and take his sayings to heart. They love their enemies, care for the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and laugh in the faces of those who claim that riches provide the path to joy and delight. Like Peter and James and John they’ve heard the voice of God and know that Jesus is the way to truth andl life.

Thought for the Day: What is my life verse?

Luke 9:28-32

“Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.” vs. 32

It’s hard to know what to do with the story of the Transfiguration as it appears in the gospels–it’s so different from anything that we’ve ever experienced. Some have said that it’s almost like a resurrection appearance that was later inserted into the narrative of Jesus’ Galilean ministry. It’s as though Peter, James, and John, who were already being told that suffering would mark the end of Jesus’ ministry, were being given a glimpse of the glory that would one day follow. Even before Good Friday, they were getting an Easter experience. Indeed, that’s what Transfiguration Sunday is for those believers who are getting ready to walk with Jesus through the season of Lent. It’s a reminder that beyond the brokenness and pain of this life there is a transfiguring glory awaiting us. And it’s not just a matter of the liturgical calendar! Right in the middle of this life we sometimes catch dazzling glimpses of how good life can be. We see love in its purity and humanity at its best, and Jesus whispers in our ears, “Friend, one day this vision will become a reality, and you’ll be enveloped in the Light forever.” Those are the transfiguring moments that keep us going when times get tough and Easter seems only a fanciful tale.

Thought for the Day: What is a transfiguring moment? 

2 Corinthians 3:17-4:2

“And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” vs. 18

Paul is grateful that those who trust in the Lord Jesus can see the reflected glory of God and that the good news of life and salvation are not veiled from them. As he tells us in other places no one can know or experience God fully–there’s always more to come. But as we wait we are being transformed by the Holy Spirit from one degree of glory to another. All of us have seen and experienced this phenomenon as we live in Christ. We are born in the image of God and as we are tended and nurtured through the work of the Spirit, year by year, the fruits of that Spirit become more apparent to us and to others. The seed planted in us at birth and carefully tended by faithful parents and teachers grows and grows and one day people will actually see the image of God in us. They’ll see God’s love and compassion and experience through us the cleansing grace of forgiveness. Although at some points in our broken lives that may seem a fanciful notion, the transformation does take place, not because we are so wonderful, but because the Spirit of God has power beyond our imagination.

Thought for the Day: What are the signs of transformation in my life?