Acts 11:11-30

“If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?” vs. 17

This was Peter’s clinching argument as he talked to the Jerusalem leaders of the Christian community. The question was a good one, “Who was I that I could hinder God?” Peter realized that God’s will would be done, and it would be best for him if he didn’t stand in the way. Sometimes in moments when despair overcomes us and hope is elusive, and we begin to think that humans are going to destroy the creation, it’s good to remember that God is in charge. Martin Luther King, Jr. famously said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

In fact, everytime we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” we are recognizing that love, justice, and compassion are going to ultimately come out on top in our world. And that will happen, not because we are so great, but because God is. It might take a while and we might not be around to see more than an occasional glimpse of the kingdom, but it is going to happen. Oh, there are stumbling blocks and we seem to have an infinite capacity for mischief and turmoil, but even the worst stuff we do will ultimately be replaced by God’s love. And that’s just the way it is!

Thought for the Day: How has life in this world gotten better?

Acts 11:1-10

“So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, saying, ‘Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?’” vss. 2-3

When the disciples received their commission to go with the gospel and proclaim the good news of Jesus they did not know what the Holy Spirit had in mind for them. They never dreamed that the traditions and customs of Judaism that were so dear to their hearts were going to be challenged. So when word came to the Jerusalem community that their leader, Peter, was consorting with the uncircumcised they were astonished. They could not imagine what had possessed him to profane the faith in that fashion. This was the first great challenge faced by the Church, but it was by no means the last. This is what happens when faith is Spirit-driven rather than tradition bound. Jesus didn’t leave his followers a book of answers for every conceivable question. He breathed his Spirit into them and left them blowing in the Wind–every day was going to bring something new. It’s not very comfortable to be in that situation! Sometimes old ways need to be discarded and we have to learn to embrace the new. Many times there will be missteps, and often mistakes will be made. Through the years there have been amazing and unforeseen changes. And as the Spirit has led the Church to be more diverse and inclusive there have been amazing blessings, even when some have not been pleased. 

Thought for the Day: How do we know that changes are Spirit inspired?

John 10:25-30

“My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.” vss. 27-28

Some of us know the hymn “Blessed Assurance” well. It was a favorite at camps and revivals and was regularly sung in many congregations. The tune is familiar and easy to sing, and many can recall its opening lyrics: “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, Oh what a foretaste of glory divine.” It’s an evocative song, one that touches the heart, but when we look closely at the words of the first verse we realize that it doesn’t quite match the sentiments of John’s gospel. Jesus really isn’t mine–he doesn’t belong to me. On the contrary John reports that Jesus has a claim on us. We belong to him! Now that may seem like a petty distinction, but it’s really not. The minute we begin to think that we’re the ones in charge of our salvation and that Jesus belongs to us, we’ve turned the gospel on its head. But to say that we are safe in the hands of Jesus is an amazingly comforting sentiment. Today we’re celebrating Mothers Day in many of our churches and it’s a fitting observance. We can’t say that all moms love like Jesus–that’s pretty much of a stretch. But mothers most generally keep their children close to their hearts, and that is what Jesus does. We belong to him and he will never ever let us go!

Thought for the Day: What is or was the best thing about my mom’s love?

John 10:22-24

“So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’” vs. 24

Jesus had gotten the attention of large numbers of people in the course of his ministry, and some believed him to be the messiah. But others, even those who had heard and seen the same things, wanted more proof. They had no patience with mystery and wanted a definitive word from Jesus about his identity. In this age where science and technology dominate, that desire for certainty has continued to be a huge roadblock to faith and commitment. We’ve gotten used to being able to prove things beyond a doubt, and get frustrated when proofs are lacking with regard to the person of Christ. According to John’s gospel, Jesus believed that anyone who had seen what he was doing should know that he had come from God. The people already had all they needed to make a faith commitment–and so do we. We know his heart and have seen his love and compassion. We’ve seen what happens when people choose to walk in the way of sacrifice and mercy. Faith isn’t believing that impossible things are true–it’s putting our trust in the Light of the World. The nice thing is that we don’t have to prove one thing when it comes to Jesus. After all, the proof is in the pudding!

Thought for the Day: What gives me certainty in my faith? 

Revelation 7:13-17

“for the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” vs. 17

While we would love for everyone to enjoy the blessings of this life in all their fullness, there are many who seem to reap a full measure of brokenness in the course of a lifetime. They never catch a break, no matter how hard they try, and their pain and suffering is enormous. For some the ordeal is related to disease and illness, for others it comes through addiction or family breakups. And being a person of faith doesn’t shield anyone from the onslaught. As the Seer was reminded, those white-robed saints weren’t shielded from any of the ugliness. And it’s his words that remind us that no matter how bad this life has been, beyond death there awaits a new and glorious day. He speaks of how the Lamb becomes the shepherd of the hurting, and one day they will be guided to springs of the water of life. He even says that God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do with the images and symbols of Revelation, but there’s no mystery here. And no matter who we are or what we’ve experienced, it feels good to know that one day our weeping and our tears will no more! Thanks be to God!

Thought for the Day: What comforts me as I look to the future?

Revelation 7:9-17

“After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands.” vs. 9

As John’s vision continued a new scene appeared before his eyes. Again there was a great multitude standing before the Lamb, all robed in white and with palm branches in their hands. What’s striking about this crowd of saints is their diversity; they’re from every nation, all tribes and peoples and languages! Whatever might be said about the Seer, it’s obvious that he doesn’t have a narrow view of the Church. All are included! That’s a perspective that has regularly been lost in the course of the centuries. Too often leaders have had a parochial notion of the faith, and have been quick to exclude anyone who was different. There are even some who are confusing white nationalism with the Church of Jesus Christ, and there’s nothing that can be further from the truth. In fact, it’s a travesty to even intimate that Jesus differentiates among the people of God, and has good news only for a select few. Even now we are a part of a great company of saints who are walking in the Way and living in the Word of the Lord. And all these people, multi-national and multi-colored, will live through death and into new life, and be one with the waiting Lamb.

Thought for the Day: How would the Church react to a non-white pope?

Psalm 23:4-6

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me;   your rod and your staff—they comfort me.” vs. 4

Since we all will walk through dark valleys in the course of life’s journeys, particularly when our enemy death casts its ugly shadow, this verse brings enormous comfort. It’s good to know that the Shepherd is always near and travels with us through tough times. But the psalmist says that our greatest comfort comes, not from the Lord’s presence but from his rod and staff, and we wonder what that means. Some biblical scholars tell us that the rod and staff are what a shepherd used to ward off dangerous predators on the way, and we like that picture. We like having a defender in life, someone who can take a hard swat at tormenting bullies. It’s good to have a protector. But that’s not all that a shepherd uses a staff for! In fact the most frequent use for a rod in the world of shepherding is to give a hard whack to the side of any sheep who wanders from the path. And maybe that’s the most valuable thing the Good Shepherd can do in our lives! It just might be in this world of conflicting values and options that the most helpful guidance we’ll ever get from the Lord is a not-so-gentle nudge to keep us on the Way. And that’s particularly true when we’re walking through the dark valleys!

Thought for the Day: When have I needed a good “whack” to stay on track?

Psalm 23:1-3

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.” vss. 1-3a

Only the misguided in our world claim that they need no leader, and it’s sad when such people actually become our leaders. The wise will always acknowledge their need for a leader and will search until they find one that is trustworthy. The psalmist had done that and had learned to trust in the Lord as his shepherd. He knew that under the Good Shepherd life could become like a walk in the park, or maybe even a golf course. All needs would be provided for. But what’s even more important, the psalmist knew that with the Lord his spirit would be renewed. Like the psalmist many have come to realize that life’s walk is a spiritual journey, and that nothing is more important than the renewal of our souls. Often that happens when we choose to spend time in the gentle embrace of nature. There is nothing more calming for our spirits than a stop on a bench or a rock by a stream, or maybe by a duck-inhabited pond in a park. Jesus started every day with prayer in his favorite spot overlooking the Sea of Galilee. It’s there he found his inspiration. Some say that an hour by still waters is as good as an hour of worship, and if Jesus has led us there, it’s bound to be true!

Thought for the Day: Where in nature is my place of spiritual renewal?

Acts 9:36-43

“So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them.” vs. 39

The Christians had been driven out of Jerusalem by Saul’s campaign to search and destroy their community. Of course his efforts were unsuccessful and served only to increase their influence. Many had settled in Joppa on the coast and their outreach was significant. One of them, a woman called Dorcas, led them in making garments for the poor and they were proud of their serving ministry. Even today in many congregations there are Dorcas groups who delight in continuing her mission. As happens, in spite of her faith and spirit, she became ill and died, and the whole community mourned. But they were a resurrection people and someone said, “Maybe Peter can do something!” And they sent for him–and he came. And as he viewed her body they told him Dorcas’ story and he was moved to action. Sending the people from the room Peter prayed, and like Lazarus, her life was restored. Stories like this spread throughout the early congregations, and the faith grew exponentially. Not that all their dead were restored to life, but they were convinced that death was not the end–and one day there would be new life for all. And they continued to serve like Dorcas!

Thought for the Day: How do I feel when I hear stories of miraculous recoveries?

John 21:10-19

“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’” vs. 15

It’s not surprising that this was the chosen gospel text for the funeral of Pope Francis. Not only does it testify to the resurrection, it focuses on Peter, the disciple considered by many to have been the first pope. The text was particularly appropriate for Francis, a man who often spoke of love as the defining principle of his ministry, and who devoted his papacy to serving the flock that had been entrusted to him. As believers we often engage in speculation about what it means to be a follower of Jesus, and regularly debate the doctrines that emerged in our efforts to define the faith. Sometimes those conversations become intense and can even result in separation and division. All such things are a distraction from our true mission, to love the Lord with our heart, mind, and soul; and our neighbor as our self. Pope Francis went out of his way to bring the love of Christ to the downtrodden and the forsaken. His heart broke at the suffering that results from war and persecution. His simple desire was that all people should experience happiness in this world, a joy that flows out of the living Christ. May his hope become a reality in each of our lives!

Thought for the Day: What influence does the pope have in our world?