Mark 10:2-12

“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” vs. 9

The Pharisees regularly accused Jesus of being lax about matters of the law, but Jesus wasn’t really lax about anything. Of course he thought their rules about healing on the sabbath were malarkey, but he maintained that the law itself was corrupt. In the case of marriage Deuteronomy allowed a man to divorce his wife if he found something objectionable about her. Jesus told the Pharisees that was ridiculous, a total accommodation to the base desires of men. He told them that marriage was inviolable from the beginning, implying that it is the basic building block of community. The disciples were startled by his words, as are most of us! We too have become accustomed to divorce in our communities, and have learned to make accommodation for it. Divorced persons are seldom stigmatized, and long-lasting marriages have almost become a rarity. But our acceptance of divorce’s reality does little to mitigate its pain and long-term effects. While in some circumstances children are blessed by a divorce, more often the breakup is devastating and damaging. At the very least it leads to family instability. How much better it would be if we continued to do the work that leads to strong marriages! And probably the best thing anyone could do is to be wise about marriage partners. If a woman marries a jerk, she should know that Prince Charming is never going to magically show up! What we see is what we get!

Thought for the Day: How has divorce impacted my family?

Hebrews 2:5-12

“It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” vs. 10

The many references to suffering in our scriptures reflects its universal presence in the human community. Every generation has struggled with both personal and communal encounters with violence, injustice, oppression, and torture, and those concerns are lifted up in all parts of the bible. The writers were very aware of the pain that comes with suffering, and often reflected on its purpose, particularly when it was so often undeserved. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, his followers pored over the Hebrew scriptures and came to realize that it was possible for suffering to be redemptive. The writer of Hebrews began to teach that it was through his sufferings that Jesus had been made perfect, thereby becoming the pioneer of salvation for all God’s children. This understanding resonates with some folks who have experienced suffering. Just as the finest steel is tempered and toughened by exposure to flame, they believe that suffering brings out their best. For them, the periods of suffering in their lives have strengthened faith and exposed compassion. Of course that’s not always true. Sometimes suffering is the death of people. But for people of faith, suffering is never the end of the story. For them, as for Paul in Romans 5, it leads through endurance to character and finally to hope! And that’s what keeps us going!

Thought for the Day: What have I learned from suffering?

Hebrews 1:1-4

“Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds.” vss. 1-4

After Jesus’ death and resurrection it took a couple of generations for his followers to sort out their differences and arrive at some sort of common understanding of his significance. Initially the greatest conflict was between his Jewish disciples and the Gentiles who had been brought into the community through the work of the Holy Spirit. Occasionally these debates ended in separation–the two groups could not be reconciled. The writer of Hebrews aimed to bring healing to this brokenness by showing exactly how the mission of Jesus could be reconciled with the Hebrew scriptures. He begins his treatise by acknowledging the validity of the ancient prophetic witness, and then tells his readers that the same God who spoke through the prophets also spoke through Jesus. He goes on then to make the further claim that all things had been created through Jesus, a teaching not dissimilar to the prologue to the gospel of John. In other words, the good news spoken through Jesus was no new invention, but was actually as old as the universe. That’s an important linkage! And as modern Christians it’s important for us to remember that the truths we hold so dear have been around from the very beginning, and will remain true until the end of time.

Thought for the Day: Why are people always looking for something new?

Psalm 8

“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

The psalmist hadn’t needed images from the James Webb Space Telescope to figure out that this universe is awe-inspiring and more magnificent than we can even imagine. He’d come to that conclusion using his own eyes in those days when light pollution was non-existent and nights were spectacular. And what brought him to his knees was the sense that everything in all creation was exactly what human beings needed to flourish. How he knew that we don’t know, but he was exactly right. The earth’s environment is precisely calibrated to ensure our survival and prosperity. It could not be any better, and it is a pure gift! Sadly, the psalmist’s worldview has fallen out of fashion, and many have begun to operate with a sense of entitlement coupled with minimal gratitude or responsibility. Such persons have little regard for the welfare of our cohabitants or to future generations. We can only pray that the Immortal, Invisible, Only-Wise God, who brought all things into existence, has made provision for our foolishness. In the meantime, perhaps we still have time to reorder our priorities, and live as grateful servants. We can only hope!

Thought for the Day: What kind of life will my great-grandchildren have?

Genesis 2:21-24

“Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.” vs. 24

There’s something about this little verse that has touched human hearts, and it has done so for countless generations. Appearing in the Law, the Gospels, and in the Epistles, it has become a timeless description of what happens in marriage. Even modern folks like the notion of becoming one flesh with another–it’s a powerfully graphic picture of the intimacy we crave in this lonely world. And the story is wonderfully told. Woman is fashioned from a rib of the Man; one person becomes two! And then in marriage there is a reconnecting, the two become one! It’s a beautiful image, and a reality that we look forward to celebrating as we live this incredible life in this good world. Unfortunately, because the world is also broken, we have a devilishly difficult time actually experiencing such an intimate unity. And now that divorce has lost much of its social and religious stigma, fewer and fewer couples seem inclined to even attempt the sacrificial love that a “one flesh” relationship requires. But we’re an endlessly optimistic species, and we keep on believing that we are going to marry our “soulmates” and have the unity we crave. And sometimes it happens! Two people are captured by unconditional love and discover in the other their missing rib. The love is apparent to all around, and the whole community rejoices!

Thought for the Day: What is a soulmate?

Genesis 2:18-20

“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.’” vs. 19

When the Hebrews began to assemble their scriptures about 2500 years ago, they chose this little story out of the creation narratives as their lead. It was a remarkable Spirit-guided choice! With just a few sentences they affirmed that God had designed humans for life in community–it just wasn’t good that men or women should be alone. Now it is true that some individuals are quite content to live by themselves–either by choice or by circumstance they move through life without an intimate partner. But for most folks, loneliness can bring deep alienation and a source of despair. (Sadly, even for some who are married!) And this appears to be a growing need in this culture of smartphones and constant connective distractions. We crave the support and presence of others in daily life and look for opportunities to be a part of a caring community. Many congregations have become aware of this need and are developing a multitude of innovative strategies for reaching out to those craving personal connections. It just feels so good to have a community of faith where we can regularly meet with people who know us by name and who love us unconditionally. In their company we will find companions who know how to erase our loneliness.

Thought for the Day: Where do I find community?

Mark 9:42-50

“And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.” vss. 47-48

Occasionally in the gospel of Mark we find sayings of Jesus that seem to have no context and that have proven to be exceptionally difficult to understand. These series of verses advising the cutting off of limbs and the tearing out of eyes are in that category. We know that Jesus cannot be speaking literally, and he certainly isn’t advocating self-mutilation, though some readers have sadly done exactly that. Though we can’t know for sure, the words would seem to be a particularly vivid warning that sometimes disciples will need to make significant sacrifices, including some that could include painful decisions. We’ve seen that happen in the lives of others, and maybe even in our own. There could be times when the Spirit leads believers out of relationships, or maybe out of jobs they love. Walking in the way of truth and love will frequently involve making tough choices–and sometimes addictive habits will have to be left behind. Jesus isn’t saying we’ll be sent to hell if we don’t change–but the metaphor he used certainly works to get our attention. This is important stuff, and sometimes there are dire consequences for our stubborn refusal to stop walking away from the way of righteousness.

Thought for the Day: What has been my most painful decision?

Mark 9:38-41

“Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.”  vss. 40-41

Jesus wasn’t nearly so fussy about boundaries as his disciples seem to have been. John had gotten all bent out of shape because he had seen an outsider casting out demons in Jesus’ name. It was as though this interloper was infringing on their ministry! Jesus tells him to settle down–the work was being done, folks were being healed. What difference did it make who did it? It’s easy to get into that territorial mindset as the followers of Jesus. Congregations of different denominations become rivals and quickly begin competing with one another for members and ministry advantages. And when Mormons or Jehovah Witnesses move into town and start going door to door, resentments turn into anger. Pastors wonder what these interlopers are doing, and it isn’t long before classes are being held to warn “true believers” about the supposed heresies of the “sheep-stealers.” We waste so much energy in the church chasing heresies! We are quick to forget that we live in a broken world and that the mission of restoration and healing is massive. It could very well be that these non-mainstream believers can be our partners in bringing good news to the poor, and that they can reach the folks we’ve missed! And, praise God, many times they do!

Thought for the Day: Why do mainline Christians often resent Mormons?

James 5:16-20

“Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” vs. 16

Because the world is good, and broken, the healing that comes with forgiveness will always be a central part of our life together. That’s why so many of our congregations will take time for confession of sins in each weekly worship service. It’s a moment, scarcely long enough, for believers to consider the brokenness of their lives, and then hear words of absolution. We might wish that living in Christ would eventually bring perfection to our lives, that we would one day be able to eliminate the brokenness and be the beautiful persons God has created us to be, but that’s not how life is–and we’re fools if we think otherwise. As long as we live we will be both good, and broken, and the sooner we figure this out, the better off we will be. It’s recognition of our brokenness that produces the deep humility that is one of the chief gifts of the Spirit. There’s just no room for arrogance among the people of God, and to deny our need for forgiveness is to deny the grace of God. Now it’s true that we might be uncomfortable doing as James suggests and confessing our sins to one another in a public ritual. That could be embarrassing! But sometimes we do know each other’s sins–and then there’s nothing better than to offer words of forgiveness, and hear prayers for healing.

Thought for the Day: Who knows my sins?

James 5:13-15

“Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.” vs. 14

When we feel sick we will likely go to an Urgent Care Center or to an emergency room for treatment, and usually some sort of healing will follow, sometimes quickly, but often after a period of time. James presented his readers with another option. Since medical services were primitive or lacking, he suggested they call the elders of the church and receive the laying on of hands and be anointed with oil. It’s likely that, given an option, most of us would prefer the modern approach. But there are some who periodically still follow James’ suggestion. Some congregations in fact hold regular healing services that are probably similar to those James recommended. There are scripture readings and prayers with the laying on of hands and the anointing with oil, and for many the experience is powerful and effective. So, do they work? Skeptics would say, “Of course not!” But others are not so dismissive. Healing is a natural and mysterious process, and no one can say exactly how it works or why it doesn’t. But there’s no doubt that there is healing in touching–that’s why the best doctors touch their patients. And what we know for sure is that prayer is a powerful connective tool in any community, and prayers for the sick are always appropriate.

Thought for the Day: What would anointing with oil mean for me?