Ephesians 4:1-10

“I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love…” vss. 1-2

Sometimes, when we break out of the protective cocoons we build for ourselves in the course of our lives, the comfortable neighborhoods and the predictable friends, we discover that there are a whole myriad of ways in which it’s possible for us to live. We don’t have to do as our parents have done. We can go off on our own, and there are literally no limits. We can be as weird, bizarre, reckless, and as experimental as our imaginations will allow. And yet, for followers of Jesus, Paul says, there are some standards. We have a calling, and while that calling does allow for remarkable external variations, there will be an internal commitment to humility, gentleness, and patience. When those gifts or values are at the core of our being, people will be able to easily see that we are walking in the way of Jesus. The key to being able to live this way is, of course, our unshakable connection to love, the love of God and neighbor that was the heart of Jesus’ message. And because there will be differences on an external level, Paul says there will also need to be a lot of bearing with one another, and that’s where the walk with Jesus gets really hard. How blessed we are when we can pull this off!

Thought for the Day: When does “bearing with” someone get tough?

Psalm 78:23-29

“Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven; he rained down on them manna to eat, and gave them the grain of heaven.” vss. 23-24

As he reminded his readers of Israel’s history, this psalmist could scarcely restrain himself as he recounted the insolent and treacherous behavior of the multitude that followed Moses through the wilderness. In his estimation their whining and complaining was nothing short of despicable. They deserve destruction, but instead they received from the hand of the Lord everything that their hearts desired, food in abundance and springs of living water. And the psalmist was amazed! And so are we when God’s goodness keeps on piling up in our lives, especially when we’ve done so little to deserve it. Even on our worst days, during those sad forgettable times when we’re overcome by base desires and shameful acts, God’s gifts never stop coming our way. We have food in abundance, comfortable homes, and daily reap the bounty of creation. Sometimes people of faith wish that there were a direct correlation between behavior and consequences. They presume that individuals and countries would be more likely to be good if punishment immediately followed their folly. But that’s not how God operates. God’s blessings are showered on all, regardless of their degree of brokenness. We are called to live lives of purity and holiness, not so we can get more goodies, but in order to extend God’s loving mercy and kindness to all, even when they don’t deserve it.

Thought for the Day: What motivates me to be loving?

Exodus 16:4-12

“When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.’”

The Israelites had never seen food like what the Lord provided in the wilderness, so when they saw it covering the ground, they called it “manna,” which is Hebrew for “What is it?” Later on, as they understood that this was the bread God was giving them, “manna” turned from a question into an affirmation, and “manna” became their word to describe the special bread from heaven that had sustained them in the wilderness. Some when reading this story are reminded of the Bread of Life that comes to us in Holy Communion. While communion rituals differ, the common denominator is always bread. And ironically through the centuries the question that people ask about the bread has been the one that the Hebrews asked, “What is it?” And answers to that question have perplexed believers. And sometimes debates have turned nasty, even proving divisive within Christianity. “Is it just bread,” believers ask, “or is it more than that?” And we go on to talk about real presence and consubstantiation, or a myriad of other issues related to the Lord’s Supper–we really do like to argue. Perhaps it would be better to agree that, like the manna, the bread of the Eucharist is simply the bread of heaven, graciously provided by God to sustain us in our wandering.

Thought for the Day: What is the bread of Holy Communion?

Exodus 16:2-4

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not.’” vs 4

According to the Hebrew scriptures the miraculous provision of bread in the wilderness was a test for the people. The Lord would provide the manna but each day the Israelites were only to gather enough for that day. As they soon found out, when they took too much manna it would spoil and they would get nothing at all.

As we read this story in our context we can’t help but wonder if that test is still in effect. God continues to make gracious provision for all the needs of our lives, only now we get much more than manna. And like the Israelites we are tempted to take much more than we could possibly need. A few people end up hoarding the vast majority of the Lord’s gifts while others go without. Is it possible that our obsession with material excess causes even God’s good gifts to undermine our serenity? In the prayer Jesus taught his disciple he is careful to say, “Give us today our daily bread.” His words were carefully chosen and reflect the teachings of Exodus. Enough is enough and when we take more than our share, it isn’t only the deprived who suffer. Our greed is a cancer for our souls.

Thought for the Day: How much stuff is enough?

John 6:12-21
“When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’” vss. 19-20

As we read the gospels we are regularly reminded that life can be scary, even for followers of Jesus. Here Mark tells us that when the crowds had been fed through the multiplication of loaves, they wanted to make Jesus king, and he immediately made himself scarce, leaving the disciples to fend for themselves. And then when they decided to row back to Capernaum and the sea became rough, he terrified them by coming to their boat in the dark, walking on the waves. In Mark’s original Greek, his words of reassurance are classic, “I am, do not be afraid.” Those are the same words the Lord used to calm Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3. “I am,” the Lord said to Moses, “tell the Egyptians that ‘I am’ has sent you.” Mark wanted his readers to understand the continuity between the Lord of Moses and Jesus, and those words continue to reassure us even in these scary times. Every day in this political campaign, whether we like it or not, little fragments of news creep into our brains via our phones and computers, and most of it has been carefully crafted to frighten or enflame us. And Jesus says to us, “I am, and because I am, do not be afraid.” And those who believe have peace!

Thought for the Day: Why is it hard for me to trust Jesus?

John 6:1-11

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” vs. 9

When we become aware of the massive hunger issues facing our world our first reaction is not so different from that of Andrew. We wonder how it’s possible for our meager resources to even make a dent in such an enormous need. There’s no way, we think to ourselves. There are too many hungry people and our assets are too few, and besides, as Jesus once said, the poor are always going to be with us. But the truth is, there is plenty of food in the world! And even if there are always going to be poor people, there’s no reason that they should go hungry. As the psalmist has told us, the Lord has provided enough for all. It’s been said many times: the problem is not that the Lord is stingy. God is good but the distribution system we humans have devised to provide for basic needs broke a long time ago, and we haven’t yet figured out how to fix it. Or as some are convinced, we know how to fix the problem, we just don’t have the collective will to do it. The one hope in this whole sorry mess is that there are thousands of groups and individuals who are making a difference. They’re taking their loaves and fishes to Jesus and putting them at his disposal, and their offerings are feeding millions.

Thought for the Day: What’s the answer to the problem of world hunger?

Ephesians 3:18-21

“I pray that you may have the power to comprehend…what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” vss. 18-19

Paul makes his desire for the Ephesians plain as he closes this part of his letter. He wants them to have knowledge, a broad and inclusive comprehension of all that is, but he doesn’t bother to define exactly what that might mean. We know what that’s about! There’s a beauty to knowledge and the longer we live in this world, the more our inquiring minds are able to acquire. Such curiosity is its own reward, and not just so we can occasionally guess the Final Jeopardy question. It’s just good to know stuff! But then Paul goes on to say that all that knowledge is really nothing when compared to knowing the love of Christ. He further describes that love in his letter to the Corinthians, “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.” When this love dwells in our hearts, he tells the Ephesians, we are filled with the fullness of God. What a blessing! Just think! It’s through our loving that bruised people actually experience the love of God.

Thought for the Day: How have I been showing God’s love today?

Ephesians 3:14-17

“I pray that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.” vs. 17

There are a myriad of ideas floating around in our world about the evangelical faith. As many have reported, even the word “evangelical” has been misused and distorted, often being confused with every manner of political and cultural nonsense and baggage. But for people with even a passing notion of what scripture teaches, there is no doubt about what the “good news” or “evangel” is really about. The core has to do with the indwelling Christ, the One whose presence within is rooted and grounded in love. And that’s it! It’s all about love! Fortunately there are a multitude of congregations and worshiping communities where that effusive, unconditional, and sacrificial love can easily be seen and experienced. Not all call themselves evangelical, but that’s what they are. They’re the purveyors of love in a meanspirited and divisive culture, and within their fellowship we can feel the warmth of Christ’s love in an unmistakable fashion. Following the example of Jesus such communities will be reaching out to the broken and the hurting in every possible way. Through their acts of humble service the hungry will be fed, and the wandering will find a home. And it’s through them that we can see light and hope in the midst of hatred and fear.

Thought for the Day: What does the word evangelical mean?

Psalm 145:14-18

“The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.” vss. 15-16

The psalmist had an expansive understanding of God that went beyond what could be found in the writings of the scribes. He had the uncanny ability to also read what was written in what we might call the “annals of nature.” By watching the world around him, the sheep of the pasture and the birds of the air, he began to sense that every living thing was a part of God’s realm, and that all things had an intimate connection to the Lord. Somehow they knew that God was the source of their being, and that God was the sustainer of all life. Some of us have seen that too. We’ve watched the proud grackles strutting around, finding every manner of food on the ground, and regularly pausing to raise their heads to the heavens. The skeptical might say that their posture is unremarkable, just some sort of mating ritual. But somehow it’s much more satisfying to believe that their action stems from reverence, no different from our bowed heads from the pews on a Sunday morning. Oh what poverty we endure when we fail to recognize the divine connections in the world around us! Oh what hubris is ours when we continue to think that only humans are connected to the divine spark! No wonder those who make nature walks a part of their daily routine so regularly find food for their spirits!

Thought for the Day: What feeds my spirit?

Psalm 145:10-13

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds.” vs. 3

The psalmist was aware of the kingdom of God, and knew that it would persist forever. It’s also likely that he was aware that the Lord’s dominion was unlike anything humans could put together or even imagine. When Jesus came away from his baptism, burning with the fire of the Spirit, his mission was to give flesh and form to that already existing realm. “The kingdom of God is at hand,” he announced, “open your eyes and see the Lord’s gracious presence.” Put simply, that’s the same message that the faithful have always had for our wandering world. “Open your eyes and see what is already at your fingertips. Open your hearts and embrace the love!” It’s when we learn to be fully present in the moment, when we say to God, “Here, I am,” that we can begin to realize that here is where God is. And that Presence is never going to go away! As the psalmist says, it will endure through all generations. It’s astounding that some can live through most of their lives with absolutely no sense of that Divine Presence. No wonder peace eludes so many! And what a blessing it is when eyes are finally opened and we can see what the Lord is doing in us, through us, and around us.

Thought for the Day: What does it mean to “live in the moment”?