Psalm 112:1-9

“They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous. It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice.” vss. 4-5

Like Jesus the psalmist knew that there were good and decent people, and he describes them as gracious, merciful, righteous, generous, and just. He even says that they are a light for the upright, and that they will be blessed. We know such people too. They abound in our communities of faith, and we worship with them regularly. We are blessed by our encounters with them and we praise God that they are in our lives. Even though we know that they are both good and broken children of God, for some reason when we are in their presence we see only goodness. It could even be that this is also how we appear to them–and that is even a greater blessing.

 Sometimes we wonder how it can be that people can actually live this way. Are they simply masking their brokenness and keeping the ugly parts of their lives a secret from others? It could be. Humans are remarkably adept in the practice of deceit and hypocrisy. But it’s also true that many people just don’t have that much to hide. They are remarkably transparent, and what you see is the way they are. The roots of such honesty lie in their humility and connection to God. They know that in Christ there is nothing to hide–and so they don’t!

Thought for the Day: How deep is my goodness?

Isaiah 58:6-9a

“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?” vs.6

Since Lent is approaching quickly, some are likely beginning to consider fasting as a possible discipline for those days of reflection. And that would not be a bad choice! People of faith in every generation have chosen fasting as a mark of spiritual discipline, and its benefits are widely known. But the people of Israel had been using fasting as a pious cover-up while continuing to oppress the poor. Having called them on their hypocrisy, the prophet offers some suggestions for a fast that would actually be pleasing to the Lord. What he suggests might be considered a proactive fast, one that will mean freedom for the oppressed and release for those who live in bondage. He goes on to say that a proper fast will even mean feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and taking the homeless poor into our homes. 

Admittedly this is a different picture of fasting than we might typically have in mind. The prophet’s point is that true spirituality is not so much about what we do for ourselves, but what we do for others, particularly the needy and the oppressed of our world. He continues by saying, “Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly.” Perhaps this is what Jesus meant when he told us to let our light shine before others.

Thought for the Day: Why is it so hard to escape poverty?

Isaiah 58:1-5

“Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practised righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God;

they ask of me righteous judgements, they delight to draw near to God.” vs. 2

As the prophet describes the nation of Israel his words are dripping with sarcasm. He notes that day after day they maintain a facade, practicing the externals of religion by drawing near and delighting to know the ways of the Lord, and imagining that they are righteous and obedient.

 As citizens of a nation that parades its godliness before the world, and that claims to promote the commandments and precepts of God, we know well our own hypocrisy. Our leaders wear lapel pins and jewelry that feature the cross of Christ, even claiming that America is a Christian nation, while at the same time cutting programs for the hungry and the needy, shutting down aid to the poorest people on earth, and refusing asylum to refugees fleeing persecution and famine. It’s as though we have never heard from the mouth of Jesus that nations are judged, not by their attention to the tax needs of the rich and privileged, but by their care for the hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, and imprisoned of the world. 

The standards of the Kingdom of God are beyond clear. Nevertheless, some of the most religious and pious people in our land act as though what Jesus said has nothing to do with them.

Thought for the Day: Why are we blind to our own hypocrisy?

Matthew 5:10-12

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” vss. 11-12

As the disciples heard the blessings which would be a part of their lives they were likely pleased. It feels good to know that we will be comforted, receive mercy, and be called children of God. That sounds like the best life possible! But then with the eighth blessing the tone changed and Jesus shifted to describe the ugly realities of discipleship. The pure in heart and the peacemakers are told that there will likely be persecution for them, and that they will be charged with all kinds of evil, simply because they’ve walked in the way of Jesus. 

And that’s the way it’s been for disciples ever since the beginning. It seems strange that those who are pure in heart and full of compassion would be treated so poorly by the world. Surely it’s not a crime to be a decent person. And that’s true. The problem is that disciples can’t keep their noses out of other people’s lives. Wherever there is oppression and injustice, wherever there is suffering, disciples of Jesus will be there–and the oppressors will make no distinction. 

Why do people of faith insist on standing with the oppressed? Well, that’s what Jesus did! And when the inevitable persecution comes, Jesus says that disciples should rejoice and be glad! Wow!

Thought for the Day: Why do most of us just mind our own business?

Matthew 5:1-6

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

Whenever we encounter greatness there is a tendency to compare that person to some great person of the past. We see it in the sports world as we continually evaluate the heroes of the present in our desire to find the GOAT, or the Greatest Of All Time. Sometimes there is no doubt. Some athletes, like Tiger Woods, stand alone, and even as he ages, he remains the standard for excellence. It was that way with the gospel writer, Matthew, as he recounted the ministry of Jesus. For him the GOAT was Moses, and as he begins his gospel he wants his reader to know that Jesus was cut from the same cloth. Like Moses he barely escaped death as an infant and found a refuge in Egypt. Like Moses Jesus came out of Egypt and became a leader of God’s Chosen People. And when Jesus came into Galilee and crowds gathered, like Moses he ascended a mountain and brought a special revelation from God. Moses had given the Law, and in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus presented the Nine Beatitudes. In Jesus grace triumphed and the law was trumped! He understood that true greatness already resided in the hearts of those he called as disciples. They were blessed as they were, and not for what they could be, and they would be the light of the world.   

Thought for the Day: How was Jesus the GOAT?

J1 Corinthians 1:26-31

“Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;” vss. 26-27

By the time Paul wrote this letter he’d had time to assess what was happening in the congregations that had sprung up all over the eastern Mediterranean. And he found the record astonishing! The people who had come to trust the crucified Jesus as their Lord were a motley crew. There were Jews and Greeks, men and women, slaves and free–there were a few wealthy folks, and perhaps some who had some power. But he saw in this body the beginnings of a movement, one that he dared to believe would change the world. And he was right! Think of the empires that the Church has seen rise and fall! Nothing in all the world can compare to what was wrought by, from the beginning, the flotsam and jetsam of society. And the movement continues today, not through the efforts of millionaire televangelists and Tiktok influencers, but because of the continued sacrificial service of the weak and foolish. It’s these people, called from a bewildering variety of backgrounds and races, who are the strength of Christ’s Body, and these are the folks who are the hope of this broken world.

Thought for the Day: Why do many congregations lack variety in their membership?

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

“For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,” vss. 22-23

When we proclaim what we believe and who it is that we follow, we would like very much to be perceived as showing wisdom in what we say and do. It’s a natural human desire, and we care what others think of us. But what many discover is that the world is not impressed–we just don’t stand for the things that the world values. Oh, people may smile and watch their language in our presence if they know we’re followers of Jesus, but it’s really a kind of humoring. And unless we can give them access to power, fame, or wealth, they won’t hang around for long. Paul says that the reason people react like that is that our core message is either a stumbling-block or foolishness.  He was right! Our leader died as a crucified criminal, an embarrassment to those who had pinned their hopes on him. And sometimes we can start thinking that way too! Some would rather focus on Jesus’ life than his death. The whole notion of someone dying for the sins of the world seems so primitive and bloody–we wonder if that message could even be true. We love more sophisticated approaches to theology and life, ones that aren’t crude and simple. But Paul went on proclaiming foolishness, and people have found in that message of sacrificial love a pathway to the heart of God.

Thought for the Day: When have I been embarrassed by my faith?

Psalm 35:11-25

“They repay me evil for good; my soul is forlorn. But as for me, when they were sick, I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting. prayed with head bowed on my bosom, as though I grieved for a friend or a brother;” vss. 12-14a

While the psalmist had never heard of Jesus these words could well have been a part of the Sermon on the Mount. He knows that it is the will of the Lord that he should pray for his enemies, and not just superficially. So he not only fasts but prays fervently with his head bowed down. He prayed as one who “laments for his mother.” And that’s what the faithful do. They’re praying for oppressors and killers in Minneapolis and St. Paul. They’re lamenting the horrible division that is splitting our country. They’re praying that those who called them “domestic terrorists” would be blessed. That’s not an easy thing to do, but that’s how it is for followers of Jesus. And how does that work for us? Take a look at what happened for the psalmist. “But at my stumbling they gathered in glee, they gathered together against me; ruffians whom I did not know tore at me without ceasing; they impiously mocked more and more.” We don’t pray for our enemies to get them to like us! We pray because we desire God’s blessings in their lives–and that is a really hard thing to do! But because Jesus did it, we will too. And one day we pray, there will also be blessings for us!

Thought for the Day: Why do bullies need our prayers?

Psalm 35:1-8

“Let them be put to shame and dishonour who seek after my life. Let them be turned back and confounded who devise evil against me.”  vs. 4

The psalmist has been engaged in a battle with people who, in seeking his life, have devised evil against him, and he wants the Lord to get involved in his struggle. He begs the Lord to use every available weapon against his enemies, so there will be no doubt about whose side God is on. Fortunately we don’t often find ourselves in such situations, but some people of faith are saying that this is what is happening now. Many followers of Jesus, well aware of his desire that we stand with the oppressed and protect those who seek refuge, have not been able to remain silent as they oppose the practices of our national law enforcement agencies. They’ve gathered in massive peaceful crowds to protest and some have put themselves in dangerous situations. They’ve been labelled domestic terrorists by the leaders of our government. A couple have been shot and killed! Their killers are being called heroes and patriots. It would be no surprise if many believers have used prayers like those of the psalmist as they now cry out to God. We’re well aware Jesus enjoined us to pray for our enemies and rejoice in our persecution, and so we do. But it’s also a time to pray for strength and solidarity as we seek justice for the oppressed.

Thought for the Day: How am I praying for Minneapolis?

Micah 6:1-8

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” vs. 8

Micah imagines a controversy between Israel and the Lord which has come to trial. In spite of all the Lord had done for Israel, the people had been faithless and wearisome in return. After hearing the charges, Israel wonders what should have been done and what would have been pleasing to the Lord. It’s an interesting question and one that is sometimes asked of our political leaders. Is God pleased with what you have been doing? Is the Lord pleased with your record? In Micah’s account of the trial the Lord is baffled that Israel doesn’t seem to know. Micah believed that there was no doubt about what was pleasing to the Lord. His answer sums up the whole of the prophetic message to Israel. There is no mystery about what is good, “and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” So if this defines what is pleasing to the Lord, how do our leaders measure up? Now it could be that some believe that they are doing justice, but we see few indications of kindness and humility. What’s more likely is that few really even care if they’re pleasing God. They seem more interested in riches and power, and in their estimation those are the only measurements that count.

Thought for the Day: Who are politicians most interested in pleasing?