Luke 4:14-16

“When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom.” vs. 16

Sometimes followers of Jesus wish they could teleport back to Galilee and spend a week or two just hanging around him. The record suggests that he spent his days preaching, teaching, and healing, but we’re curious about his habits. Fortunately, given that teleporting hasn’t been perfected yet, Luke does give us a couple of insights as he provides his account of Jesus’ life. First, it seems he started each day with a time of private meditation and prayer. It must have been like a “reporting for duty” moment when the Spirit could offer direction. And then, Luke tells us that it was his custom to go to synagogue on the sabbath day. He was part of a community of faith and this is what his people did weekly and so he did it too. Sometimes he was asked to teach at this public gathering, but at other times we can presume he simply participated in the rituals, and listened to the readings for the day. This was habitual for him, and doubtless his presence was a blessing both to himself and to others. That continues to be the way it is for his followers. Habitual worship connects us to the community of faith better than anything else we do. We don’t have to be entertained or taught anything–it’s purely in the “showing up” that we are blessed!

Thought for the Day: How did worship become a habit for me?

1 Corinthians 12:21-31a

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” vs. 27

Paul had spent about 18 months in Corinth, and while he was there many had responded to his proclamation of the gospel, and had become a part of the Christian community. Of course he hadn’t been trained as a mission developer and there wasn’t a particular plan to follow. This was totally a Spirit driven operation and as the congregation began to take shape there were a variety of influences. Other evangelists came and started preaching. Decisions had to be made about ritual and community life. And who would take the prime leadership roles? It became apparent that people had a variety of gifts and there was considerable debate about which were most important. Paul had had a huge influence on the initial structure, but when he left there was confusion and division. When Paul heard what had happened, as a founder, he offered direction to the floundering congregation. We don’t know if they paid attention to his letter–but we do know that they saved it! And we can see why! His insights were Spirit-centered and continue to direct our understanding of the Church. Using the human body as a brilliant metaphor he says that no member of a congregation is more important than any other. Callings or gifts will be different, but the proper functioning of the whole requires that all callings be honored and encouraged.

Thought for the Day: What is my calling in my congregation?

1 Corinthians 12:12-20

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” vs. 12

Paul’s favorite metaphor for the Church is the human body. It’s a rich comparison and we can readily see the truth of what he writes. Each of us has just one physical body, but it has many parts, i.e. arms, legs, hearts, heads, stomachs, etc. And holding it all together is a vast network of bones, nerves, sinews, and blood vessels. Physiologists tell us that those connections are intricate and complex, and that every part of our bodies has some essential function in the well-being of the whole. Paul knew enough anatomy to understand how the physical body worked, and it seemed obvious to him that this is exactly how it is with the Body of Christ. He believed that all the baptized were a part of the Church, and there were none who were excluded. And even more important than that, all had an important function within the Body! Sadly, it’s been hard for this important teaching to become a reality in our congregations. Many are hopelessly homogenous, and some observers have said that Sunday morning worship is the most segregated hour in our land.  Paul labored to bring slaves and free, circumcised and uncircumcised into each community of faith. We have issues with races and genders, and when we hesitate to be inclusive, we are less than we could be, and the whole Body suffers.

Thought for the Day: What makes diversity uncomfortable?

Psalm 19

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” vs. 14

At times preachers, as they enter the pulpit, will pray these words, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” It’s a confession of sorts, an acknowledgement that the Lord is present, and that the Lord has an interest in what was going to be said and heard. For some pastors, those who take their call to preach seriously, this is an intimidating thought. Preaching isn’t just a matter of gleaning a story or two from a commentary, adding a joke or two, and then tying it all together with a pair of pithy points. Preachers really are bringing a word from the Lord to people who are filled with a variety of feelings and emotions. Some are hurting, a few are feeling guilty, all are wanting to hear a word of grace. And the first listener for every sermon is the Lord! It’s a scary business, yet one of the most satisfying callings that any person could have. Really though, it’s not much different from the call that every believer has. Don’t we all want our words and meditations to be acceptable to the One who is our rock and redeemer? And our daily performance as a child of God does have an audience. Wouldn’t it be great if every day we could know that we haven’t missed a single cue or line?

Thought for the Day: Why do people become preachers?

Nehemiah 8:8-10

“And Nehemiah…and Ezra the priest and scribe,… said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law.” vs. 9

When the words of the long-forgotten law were read to the Jews of Jerusalem their initial reaction was one of deep sadness–and they began to weep. We can only guess that their sadness came with the recognition of how far they had strayed from the word of the Lord. If, as many believe, Ezra had read from what we know as the book of Deuteronomy, we can understand their dismay. Deuteronomy did more than recount their history, it laid out the rituals and practices that defined how the people of God should live with one another, and in relationship to their neighbors. It’s one of the most remarkable documents ever produced in ancient times. And people had completely forgotten its precepts and values. No wonder they wept! It’s easy to lose touch with those ideas and practices that define us as communities of faith, and it’s not at all uncommon for believers to forget what they have been taught. But Nehemiah told the people of Jerusalem not to cry about it. They should treat this day as a new beginning and a fresh start, and start being the generous caring people God had made them to be. So too with us! Recognition of our sin isn’t only about sadness, it’s also a time to rejoice and be born again.

Thought for Day: When have I made a fresh start in life?

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6

(Ezra) read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.” vs. 3

When the Jews returned from Babylon to Jerusalem, they didn’t come as one body, but filtered back as they were able. Nehemiah had been appointed governor of Judea by the Persians and after a time, though facing serious opposition from the Jews who had not been deported, managed to restore the damaged walls of the city. Ezra had come from Babylon in one of the later groups and had evidently brought with him the book of the law. To celebrate the completion of the wall Ezra arranged to have that scroll read in a central plaza before those who could understand. We who have a hard time listening to a twenty minute sermon might wonder at those who could spend a half-day being attentive. But these people knew that there was more to freedom than the restoration of walls. They needed a spiritual foundation as well, and for them that meant following the rituals and ceremonies of their people, which were found in the book of law. Many believers today have been told that the bible has that same importance for the followers of Jesus, but because it’s difficult to understand they find it hard to pay attention. Even at worship its words regularly go in one ear and out the other.

Thought for the Day: Where do I learn what’s in the bible?

John 2:8-11

“Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” vs. 11

In Chapter 20 John wrote that “Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book, but these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and through believing have life in his name.” Because of this reference many believe there was a “signs source” that John used in constructing his gospel. It would make sense for John to have done this. He knew that nothing cements faith more than seeing a sign or a miracle, and indicates here that this is how Jesus’ disciples came to faith. We’ve seen that great truth in our congregations. Occasionally there are times when we have miraculous experiences: people with dread diseases are prayed for and receive healing; people with addictions receive cleansing and a new start; or “lost” children are found and come to faith. When those things happen and they are publicly known, it is not at all unusual to hear people say, “Now I know for sure that there is a God.” The sign has caused them to come to faith! Signs are important, and some of us have come to faith because of them. But Jesus in his words to Thomas following the resurrection also says that this isn’t the only way that we can come to faith. “Blessed are those who have not seen, yet have come to believe.”

Thought for the Day: How have signs affected my faith?

John 2:1-8

“And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’” vss. 4-5

As we read the gospel of John there are a number of occasions when humor creeps into the text. Who can read this little exchange between Jesus and his mother without chuckling? This is the only mention of the wedding in Cana in our scriptures and it’s actually given special status. It’s the occasion for the first of Jesus’ signs. It’s an almost stereotypical picture of a proud mother and a slightly irritated son. “There is no wine,” she says, and Jesus basically replies, “So? What does that have to do with me?” And then, totally ignoring his reluctance, she tells the servants to do whatever he told them. And we all know the rest of the story! It’s become a regular feature of wedding homilies and prayers in our congregations. “As you gladdened the wedding in Cana of Galilee by the presence of your Son, so by his presence now bring your joy to this gathering.” At the very least it’s a reminder that it’s a good thing for us to have a joyous time and celebrate together in our communities of faith. There’s nothing wrong with eating and drinking and giving glory to God, particularly when folks are getting married. Marriage is one of the best ways we have of celebrating our hopes for future joy!

Thought for the Day: What’s the most joyous wedding I’ve been to?

1 Corinthians 11:7-11

“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” vs. 7

From the beginning it has been enormously difficult for humans to recognize that life is communal, particularly when the culture has been taken captive by the curse of individualism. Some actually begin to believe that everything is up to them, and that any talk of the common good is misguided. Our spiritual ancestors would have found such notions ridiculous. For them it was perfectly obvious they were a chosen people and that the community worked best when individuals sacrificed their own desires and goals for the greater good of the nation. That’s why Paul made such a big deal out of being one in Christ and recognizing that other’s needs had a higher priority than our own. In Corinth there weren’t many Spirits! There was one Spirit working in all the members of the Body without exception, and the gifts that were made manifest were for the good of all. Of course this isn’t just true in the Church. Every kind of human association, whether in a community, city, state, or nation works best when the highest priority is the common good. It is incredibly destructive when gifted individuals put all their energy and resources into building fortunes for themselves. Soon a few people control all the wealth and it’s always the poor and folks on the fringes that suffer the most, and that is certainly not the will of our Lord Jesus.

Thought for the Day: How do I use my gifts for the common good? 

1 Corinthians 12:1-6

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.” vs. 1

The folks in the Corinthian congregation were having a hard time figuring out spiritual gifts. Because they had different notions of what the gifts were, they believed that some were more valuable than others and disputes had broken out. In particular, those who were speaking in tongues had come to think of themselves as more connected to the Holy Spirit than others were. Paul devoted a large portion of his first letter to the Corinthians to address their divisions and to correct their misinformation. Because all had been gifted through the indwelling presence of the Spirit there was no place for spiritual arrogance of any kind! Some of us understand what Paul is saying to the faithful. We’ve seen that “holier than thou” attitude in our own congregations. When we give the impression that we’re a notch above others in the way we practice our faith, that smugness is a complete turn off to any who might be struggling in their spiritual life. Most people are already feeling less than inadequate in their relationship to Jesus, and it really doesn’t help when their pew-mates give the impression that they have it altogether. That’s why Paul reminded the Philippians to regard others as better than themselves. When his words are taken into our hearts our entire congregations are blessed.

Thought for the Day: When have I encountered spiritual arrogance?