John 11: 47-51

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” vs. 51

There are a number of passages in scripture that tell stories about miraculous feedings. Obviously there was the experience of the Israelites with manna in the wilderness, and everyone knows about the feeding of the 5000 at the hands of Jesus. But John here goes beyond the mere satisfaction of hunger that was at the core of other stories. His words, “Whoever eats of this bread will live forever” tell us that in Jesus we can experience true life. He calls it “eternal life” and implies that it begins now and endures forever. And even more significantly, he says that this new life isn’t just for believers, but for the whole world! Of course we can only imagine what this new life might entail. It’s almost too much for our minds to comprehend. Certainly it’s much more than the notion that if we believe in Jesus we’ll go to heaven when we die. That conditional sense of eternal life puts all the emphasis on us and leaves little room for the extravagant grace and mercy that is God’s passion. But it does feel good to know that life is more than what we’re experiencing from day to day on our journey around the sun. And sometimes we can actually feel that new life ooze into our pores. And someday that new life will be ours forever.

Thought for the Day: How do I understand the new life?

John 6:35, 41-46

“They were saying, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, “I have come down from heaven”’?” vs. 42

The religious folks were having a tough time with Jesus. He’d come from Nazareth where he was known as the son of Joseph–his mother was Mary, a good woman who everyone knew. And now he was claiming to be the Bread of Heaven?! They just couldn’t buy it! We know what that’s like. Those wondering feelings pop up frequently in our lives. Is there really a God? With all the advances in science there’s really no reason to believe in a Creator. We even wonder right in the middle of worship. How can it be that the ordinary bread of Holy Communion is the Body of Christ? And this book in the pews–it was written completely by human beings. Sure, the stories are interesting, but why do some say that it’s the Word of God? And while we’re on that subject, why do some think the preacher is proclaiming God’s Word during the sermon? If it were God’s word, why is it sometimes so boring? And so we wonder–and some wander off in search of certainty. But others continue to believe. In spite of the wondering, in some sort of miraculous irresistible way, they are drawn to God, and find connections with God in Jesus, the creation, Holy Communion, the bible, the community, and yes, even in boring sermons. And those believers trust that in God there is eternal life! What a gift!

Thought for the Day: What do I wonder about?

Ephesians 4:30-5:2

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” vss. 1-2

Those who wonder how they shall relate to others in these cantankerous times have an abundance of guidance from scripture. These words from Ephesians capture perfectly the actions and attitudes that will govern our words and behavior. Paul says, “Be imitators of God…and live in love, as Christ loved us…” We might not like to hear such words, mostly because they’re calling us to a higher standard, but Paul is deadly serious. And lest we think, “Oh well, of course, I can love all people, but I can still say nasty things about them,” Paul has already put that notion to rest with his plain admonition, “Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.” When we finally get our heads on straight and actually start imitating God, the resulting spirit of kindness sets us free. We don’t have to correct all of our acquaintances’ faulty political conclusions. We don’t have to win every debate. We can simply listen and smile, say “Thanks for sharing,” and then tell them how much we love them! It’s an absolutely wonderful way to live!

Thought for the Day: When is it easiest to say nasty things about others?

Ephesians 4:25-29

“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.” vs. 29

During the election cycle it’s interesting to see how many politicians clamber to paint themselves with a Christian veneer. They make campaign speeches from the pulpits of churches, talk about their love for the bible, and claim that by their policies they will return Christian morality to America. Surely they must know that no one is impressed by their hypocritical behavior! We are not fooled because of the other things they say on the campaign trail. Once they drop the religious posturing, they let loose with both barrels, lambasting the opposition, repeating salacious stories, and doing everything they can to tear down the reputations of their opponents. What comes out of their mouths isn’t even close to grace filled speech–it certainly isn’t useful for building up! Now some will say that this is just politics. It’s the way campaigns have always been conducted. But there has to be another way! At the least those who take the low road in their speeches and campaigning should stop pretending that they are followers of Jesus. People of faith know that those who truly walk in the way of Jesus are always in the business of building up and not tearing down. It’s always been that way, and always will be, regardless of our political affiliation.

Thought for the Day: Why do politicians take the low road?

Psalm 34:1-8

“O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.” vs. 8

The psalmist was writing from a position of contentment. There had been some rough spots in his journey, but now all was good, and he wrote to invite others to join his song of thanksgiving and praise. There are people like the psalmist all around us. In general life has been good to them and they have a strong community of believers with whom to share their joys and sorrows, and it’s there that they find their strength and their passion. To put it in a nutshell, they have taken refuge in the Lord and happiness is a daily visitor in their homes. There’s stability in their living, and nothing, not even the current political bickering, seems to get under their skin. Sadly, even though there’s minimal difficulty in living such a life, most folks are missing out. For some reason or another they refuse to believe that the Lord is good, and seem to prefer searching for other ways to live. Living from moment to moment, following the desires of their flesh, they refuse to submit to any kind of disciplined living. We see them all around, the masses of folks on the streets and in the malls, always with smartphones in their hands, all in pursuit of some momentary high or temporary fix. They check the trendy videos, explore the garbage on the web, and imagine that someday they will find contentment. And happiness eludes them!

Thought for the Day: How does one take refuge in the Lord?

1  Kings 19:5-8

“He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.” vs. 8

Even though Elijah was exhausted and ready to give up his mission, the Lord wasn’t done with him. As the story-teller puts it, revived by bread from heaven, Elijah set his face toward Horeb, the mountain also known as Sinai. There in the place revered by Israel as the dwelling place of God he would await new instructions. It’s a remarkable tale, a story of God’s remarkable provision for people of faith in their times of spiritual need. Not surprisingly, it begins with a meal, one provided by angels who show up for us in our moments of despair. Most everyone has experienced that kind of caring, a primitive sharing that is rooted in community living. It’s just what we do when someone is hurting–nothing symbolizes caring so completely as a casserole warm from the oven. The food provides a strength that actually heals hurting souls. The same could be said about the holy meal that is regularly provided in many of our congregations. It’s here that we receive the true bread from heaven, the body of our Lord Jesus, and our spirits are cleansed, comforted, and renewed. The bread and wine of Holy Communion are our Mount Horeb, the dwelling place of God here on earth, and it’s at the Table that we are restored and our mission is affirmed.

Thought for the Day: How has food lifted me?

1 Kings 19:4

“But Elijah went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: ‘It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.’” vs. 4

From all external appearances Elijah was the big loser. He’d been locked in a battle with the prophets of Baal for the soul of Israel, and while he’d won an extraordinary victory, Queen Jezebel had threatened his life, and that was enough for him. He gave up and fled into the wilderness, certain that his prophetic mission had been a disaster. Completely exhausted by his presumed failure, he asked that he might die. Elijah’s story reminds us that walking in the way of the Lord can result in intense opposition and persecution. While this has always been the case, technological advances have multiplied the opportunities for malicious persons to float vicious attacks against anyone who becomes a public figure. Innocent people have been harassed and intimidated by unrelenting social media attacks. The phrase, “No good deed goes unpunished,” almost seems to be true. It’s no wonder then that so many have simply chosen to withdraw from public interactions and retreat to their solitary broom trees. It really is sad that, when there is so much in our beautiful world to give thanks for, it’s the broken stuff that gets the attention and robs us of joy!

Thought for the Day: Times when I retreat to my broom tree.

John 6:28-35

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’” vs. 35

As is typical in the gospel of John, Jesus and his audience are operating on two entirely different levels. The people who had eaten their fill of bread were focused on their bellies and had a strong desire to have a regular supply. But when Jesus spoke about bread he had something else in mind. Instead of offering them sourdough or whole wheat, he offered himself. He invited them to come feast on his presence, an entirely new experience. From our perspective we see here a definite reference to Holy Communion, and it’s likely that’s what John was thinking about too. There is no account of the institution of the Eucharist in his gospel but he certainly knew about it when he wrote. He used the feeding of the multitude to connect his readers to the meal they were regularly eating as part of their worship. The Bread of Holy Communion was the Bread of Life, and those who ate of it would never be hungry again. It would be the central meal of their community, a banquet that pointed to the glorious feast that was to come. And so it is for us. Many things change in our life together, but the one constant from the beginning has been this meal–and so it will be for all time!

Thought for the Day: What benefits do I get from the bread of life?

John 6:24-27

“Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.’” vs. 26

Jesus was no fool. When the crowds descended on Capernaum after the feeding on the other side of the sea, he knew what they were looking for. They hadn’t even been impressed by the miraculous feeding, they only wanted more bread. We can’t blame them too much. Food is, after all, one of our basic needs, and that’s why people continue to search out places where they can get meals and groceries. But even though it’s crucial to keep on feeding the hungry, there are some things that are more important. Even when we have enough food, there are spiritual hungers that cut right to the core of our well-being. And unless we can lay our hands on “soul food” we are never going to have spiritual satisfaction. And where do we find this kind of fare? Jesus pointed to himself, and through the centuries, we’ve not yet stumbled on a better option. It’s as we devour the words of Jesus that we find the nutrients that are craved by our souls. And as we take them into our beings they are absorbed into the essence of who we are and we actually become what we have eaten. We become the loving presence of Jesus in the world, and the deepest needs of humanity are met!

Thought for the Day: How is Jesus changing me?

Ephesians 4:11-16

“We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming.” vs. 14

Paul didn’t know a thing about social media or political campaigns, but he was very aware of the ways people could be manipulated by crafty and deceitful arguments. The little congregations that he had started were rife with rumors and doctrinal disagreements, and always there were those who took delight in stirring things up. His advice was to stop acting like children and grow up, always taking care to speak the truth in love. His words are exactly what we need to combat the lies, half-truths, and distortions that have become commonplace in these last months. The problem is that the deceptions are so sophisticated and well-disguised that ordinary folks have a hard time differentiating between truth and falsehoods. The sad thing is that Christianity itself has been corrupted by cultural and political misinformation. Because of such influences it’s imperative for believers to take Paul’s words to heart. Any news feed or media source claim that comes with a spirit of condemnation, ridicule, or insult has to be suspect. The truth is out there for us, but it will always be cloaked in love, gentleness, and humility. May the Holy Spirit grant us the gift of discernment as we seek the truth in this age of lies!

Thought for the Day: How do I discern truth from falsehood?