Luke 8:26-34

“As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs.” vs. 27

We’re not told why Jesus wanted to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. This was Gentile territory and the people who lived there had no special connection to the Jews. He may have simply wanted to demonstrate that his ministry was inclusive, and that he didn’t want to leave anyone out. But Luke tells us that when he came ashore he got quite a greeting from a man described as a demoniac. We know what that is like! While labels for mental illness have changed, we regularly meet people living in the streets who frankly scare the liver out of us. Sometimes they’re talking incoherently and often they’re dressed in ragged dirty clothing. In Jesus’ day they were thought to be possessed by demons–and we can understand why. But Jesus didn’t fear the demoniac–in fact we are told the demon was afraid of him! Jesus asks his name and commands the demons to come out. The bit of bargaining that takes place seems strange and we don’t understand why the herd of swine had to be drowned, but the point is that the man was transformed, and the image of God was restored. Sometimes our mission in Christ will take us to uncomfortable places and we may be asked to do scary things. And occasionally we will even see some remarkable healings!

Thought for the Day: What is an exorcism?

Galatians 3:27-29

“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” vs. 28

Those who lived by the law were bound to make distinctions. There were rigid categories for every kind of person: circumcised and uncircumcised, male and female, slave and free, sinner and righteous, good and bad. The list went on and on. People were identified by their categories, and it was difficult, if not impossible, to move from one group to another. But when the Spirit took over the Church, all the distinctions fell away. As Paul put it, “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female, for all are one in Christ Jesus.” Of course it’s one thing to say this, but it’s enormously difficult to actually begin living under the gospel. While some distinctions faded away quickly others have hung on for centuries. We’ve clung to slavery for centuries, reluctant to put it aside, mostly for economic reasons. Male and female differences still define what a person can and can’t do in our congregations. And in the last century we’ve even added distinctions! LBGTQ issues have sparked massive firefights in denominations and splits have occurred all over the world. But the Spirit cannot be stifled by our petty cultural distinctions, and unity will prevail. Jesus was for it, how can we be against it?

Thought for the Day: What distinctions are hardest for me to put aside?

Galatians 3:23-26

“But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.” vss. 25-26

As the Spirit led Paul on his missionary journey through Galatia, the land we call Turkey, he encountered Jews in nearly every city. He worshiped with them in their synagogues and shared the good news of Jesus to any who would listen. Many were interested but found it nearly impossible to give up the Law, the commandments that had defined them as a people. But Paul was insistent. He told them that the Law was a disciplinarian, but to live under the Law was a form of slavery, from which Christ had set them free. Of course most of the Jews resisted Paul’s attempts to wean them from the rules and rituals in which they had been immersed. Some of us can understand that, particularly if we’ve been taught a particularly rigid and exclusive form of Christianity. There is a kind of piety and moralism awash in Christian congregations and it ensnares many unsuspecting believers. The focus is on behaviors and children are taught that they need to be good for Jesus to love them. And when such persons are told that true faith isn’t at all about following rules and obeying doctrines, they can be shocked to the core. They can’t even imagine what it might mean to be free in Christ–and often they just shake their head and go back to the rules.

Thought for the Day: What does it mean to be free in Christ?

Psalm 22:19-28

“I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:” vs. 22

The first part of this psalm is full of great lamentation. In fact, when he was on the cross Jesus used it to express his own sense of alienation from God. But then God had acted and the Psalmist had recovered from whatever had been afflicting him, and now refuses to be silent. He heads off to the temple to tell his brothers and sisters what God had done for him so they can join him in his song of praise. It’s wonderful when we have those moments in our congregations. It does our spirits good to hear how God has been active in the lives of others. And as we join in their thanksgiving our faith is strengthened and renewed. But sometimes we don’t like to do that. We keep our thanksgivings private, perhaps because others might think we’re bragging. It’s funny how quick we are to share laments and complaints and how slow we are to talk about the good stuff in our lives. What a blessing it is when we feel free to let others hear our joys! And it’s not bragging! All that we’re saying is that at this point in our lives, we’re really happy about how things are going. And we’d at least like to give God the credit! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Thought for the Day: What song of praise is on my lips today?

JIsaiah 65:8-9

“I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah inheritors of my mountains; my chosen shall inherit it, and my servants shall settle there.” vs. 9

One of the recurring themes of the Hebrew scriptures is God’s forbearance. No matter how many times his chosen ones ignored his gracious call for restoration, God would ultimately respond to their plaintive cries and at least save a remnant of them from destruction. There was still potential in them. They had not lost the divine image that had been imprinted on them from the beginning. We know what that patience is like. Even when everyone around has given up on us and declared us losers, God continues to work through the Spirit to bring healing and forgiveness. The tools of the Spirit are familiar to all who have even a casual relationship with the Church: scripture, sacraments, worship, prayer. As the Spirit uses these tools in the reconstruction of our souls, we are transformed and become the wonderful people we were designed to be. The divine DNA is restored and we are turned into servants and lovers. And these are not rare occurrences! Though it may seem like only a remnant is being changed, the butterfly effect is fully operative. Just a handful of disciples evangelized the world, and the effect of their work will never end. It’s happening all around us every day!

Thought for the Day: How have I seen my loving magnified?

Isaiah 65:1-7

“I was ready to be sought out by those who did not ask, to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” to a nation that did not call on my name.” vs. 1

The people of Israel were not fools. Their country had been devastated and their ruling families carried away as captives, and they were wondering why God had allowed their chosen nation to suffer–some were even blaming God for their travails. But the prophet is not sympathetic. Instead he mounts a defense for God and tells the people that God had given them many opportunities to change their ways–but they didn’t respond. Of course they’re not the only ones to ignore God’s invitation. Many of those called to be children of God do exactly the same thing. They are invited to enjoy the peaceable kingdom, but instead they go their own way and do exactly as they please. They know what pleases God but instead please themselves, worshiping that which titillates the senses and ignoring the clear directives of God to love their neighbor. And then when their carefully crafted self-serving ways reap the consequences of idolatry, they have the effrontery to blame God, saying “O Lord, we know you to be merciful and loving, how is it that you let these things happen and didn’t rescue us!” Oh how foolish we humans are, putting God on trial for those things which are clearly the consequences of our own behavior! 

Thought for the Day: When have I gotten what I deserve for poor behavior?

John 16:14-15

“He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” vss. 14-15

In John’s gospel the Word through whom the world had come into being became incarnate in Jesus, and in him the disciples had glimpsed the grace and the glory of God. And at the close of his life this same Jesus promises the disciples that the Word that had been present in him would continue to be heard in them through the Spirit of Truth. And so it has come to be! The Word incarnate in Jesus is now incarnate in the Church, the faith descendents of the disciples. This has happened through the work of the Holy Spirit, who in the words of the Nicene Creed, proceeds from the Father and the Son. This Holy Spirit has called, gathered, and sanctified the whole Church, and continues even now to pass on the precious message of forgiveness, peace, and hope. Today, the Sunday after Pentecost, was chosen by the Church long ago to glorify the Trinity, a single Divine Presence  that is experienced as three distinct manifestations of the Word. This Dynamic Being, the source of all that is, can neither be known or understood, but is a part of our daily existence, and can be seen only through the eyes of faith. 

Thought for the Day: What value do we receive from believing in the Holy Trinity?

John 16:12-13

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears…” vss.12-13a

Even though John’s gospel was written many years after Jesus’ death and resurrection his words are an accurate description of what drove the evangelical mission of the Church. The disciples didn’t have a blueprint but were guided by what Jesus called the Spirit of Truth. They would go out with the gospel, a message of faith and grace, and trusted that they would be led into the truth. Sometimes the things they ended up doing were a surprise to even themselves, the path took them a long way from the Judaism in which they had been nurtured. And they didn’t always agree with each other–often they struggled mightily as they sought to discern the truth. That same pattern has continued through the centuries that followed. Often just when people thought they’d figured things out, some new charismatic leader would appear claiming that the Spirit had given new insights, and that change was in order. Occasionally the result was turmoil–sometimes those in control would do their best to quench the Spirit. For many the story of the Church is messy, but this is exactly how it is when the Spirit of Truth is guiding. And the best news is: the gospel has survived and prospered, and billions have come to know that Jesus is Lord!

Thought for the Day: What’s the difference between the Church and a sect?

Romans 5:1-

“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.” vss. 1-2 

Those who identify with Paul’s words to the Romans know and experience peace with God on a daily basis. And more than that, they have hope of one day knowing God in a new and glorious way. These two things, peace in the present and hope for the future, are the core of the gospel. Now some might wonder how it’s possible in this fractious world to even have such great gifts, and fortunately Paul gives an answer, and tells us that it’s all related to faith and grace. Those who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, which is the essence of faith, know that God’s love is unconditional, and is ours by grace. That means there are no “shoulds” hanging over our heads! We can rest in peace; our account has been paid in full! And because we know that Jesus lives today, that death did not hold him, we trust that the same will be true for us. In Christ we have peace today and hope for tomorrow! And if suffering comes our way? No problem!  Because as Paul adds, “Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us.” Oh what blessings those who are in Christ have received! We really don’t need anything more!

Thought for the Day: What does my daily peace feel like?

Psalm 8:3-9

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” vss. 3-4

Some might think that, of course the psalmist would be in awe of the creation, he lived well over 2000 years ago and had a relatively primitive understanding of the universe and how it worked. He’d be bound to have an elevated view of God and a primitive notion of human capabilities. Those folks might even say that we who live in these technologically advanced times…well, we really don’t even need a god to make our cosmological equations balance! In reality, such a notion is the height of foolishness! The wise among us, those who have been working to unravel the mysteries of life, have made discoveries that boggle the mind, and they continue to see the fingerprints of the Creator in all that exists. Anyone who takes the time to consider the vastness of space and the unfathomable length of time this universe has been in existence, can’t help  but be in awe that humans even exist! There’s no logical reason why we should–the universe really doesn’t need us! This is not to say that life is not valuable or to be cherished. Insignificant as the span of our years may be, they are precious and meant to be enjoyed. For one reason or another God has given us both life and a wonderful world! Thanks be to God!

Thought for the Day: What’s the best part of being alive?