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”?

2 Kings 4:42-44

“A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, ‘Give it to the people and let them eat.’” vs. 42

This little story from the life of Elisha that was passed on in the Hebrew scriptures reminds us of the feeding of the 5000, a story from the ministry of Jesus that was included in each of the gospels. They’re the kind of stories that make us wonder. How is it possible that a few loaves could be multiplied to feed so many? And it is an astounding miracle! But it’s really more than that! Here in concrete terms we are reminded that it is the responsibility of the people of God to care for those who are hungry. Elisha could have simply received the food and used it for himself and his household, but instead he says, “Give the first fruits offering to the people and let them eat.” Over the last decades it has become commonplace in our congregations to take up offerings for the hungry on a regular basis, and it’s doubtful there is any more pleasing way for us to use the gifts of the people. Even though the creation is good and the earth is able to produce more than enough food for all, for one reason or another, millions are going hungry. Thank God for those who have a passion for getting food to the places where it is needed the most!

Thought for the Day: How do I channel my offerings for the hungry?

Mark 6:53-56

“When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.” vss. 54-55

Mark reports that wherever Jesus went he was besieged by crowds of people, who were not so much concerned about the kingdom of God, as they were the prospect of healing, either for themselves or for their loved ones. And that’s still the way it is! No matter who we are, we care deeply about sickness and healing. All of us have long prayer lists, and the majority of those who get on the lists are afflicted with some disease, and we pray fervently for their healing and well-being. It’s more important than wealth or riches! Indeed many would gladly sacrifice their wealth if it meant that a loved one could get better. It’s doubtful that all those who were touched by Jesus remained free from their disease. Illness hangs on and is incredibly resilient to even our modern treatments and cures. Sometimes when we think it’s gone, it can suddenly return with a vengeance. But still we keep praying and bringing names to Jesus. We continue laying on our hands and hoping for a miracle–because that’s what we do in the community of faith. We hang together, bringing our deepest hopes and fears to our Lord. We are addicted to life–and believers never give up!

Thought for the Day: Why do I keep praying for the sick?

Mark 6:30-34

“As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.” vs. 34

The disciples had been busy with their mission and when they returned, Jesus invited them to go with him to a deserted place where they could get some rest. The problem is that they went by boat, and on the Sea of Galilee everyone could see exactly where they were headed. So all the people who had been so excited about their ministry set off by land and arrived at about the same time. Jesus’ reaction is telling. He doesn’t get angry or try to send them away–he saw them for what they were, sheep without a shepherd, and he had compassion on them. That’s how it always was for Jesus. When he saw people who were hurting, no matter who they were, his heart went out to them, and brought a healing touch and life-giving teachings. There are many congregations who do all they can to continue that spirit refreshing ministry of Jesus. Their first words to the weak and heavy laden are laden with warmth and acceptance. They provide food for the hungry, rest for the weary, and good news of new life for everyone. They are a welcome contrast to those churches who pride themselves on their harsh and judgmental critique of the vulnerable and broken. Their message of condemnation isn’t anything close to that of Jesus!

Thought for the Day: Why do some believers become so mean-spirited?

Ephesians 2:14-22

“In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.”

Vss. 21-22

Paul tells his readers that both Gentiles and Jews make up the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ himself as the cornerstone. More than that, this structure is growing into a holy temple, the dwelling place of the Eternal God on earth. So rather than competing with one another for holiness trophies, the call of all believers is to grow together spiritually into the tangible presence of God. Think of it! In Christ, we are the ever-evolving, ever-loving evidence of God’s existence! Now that could be, and often is, just a bunch of pious sounding words, but it can also be a description of our life-time mission and purpose. Called and nurtured by the Holy Spirit, large numbers of people are involving themselves in sacrificial loving and service on behalf of the hurting and the helpless. It really is a wonderful way to live. There’s no thought of retirement from God’s service–it’s the sort of work we can do until the day we draw our last breaths. And all who have encountered us in life will have been touched by the kiss of God’s lips! What a way to go!

Thought for the Day: What are my daily mission tasks?

Ephesians 2:11-13

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” vs. 13

Paul wanted the Gentiles to know that the old game was over. The sacrificial love of Jesus had transcended all the game playing that religious people love to engage in. There would no longer be circumcised and uncircumcised or insiders and outsiders.  All would be one–all would be winners! It’s still hard for people to put aside those old notions of winners and losers when it comes to faith. Even though we should have known better, theologians and church leaders have wasted enormous time and energy choosing up sides and making up new rules for believers. We shut down communion tables, refused to pray with each other, and condemned losers to hell, all because we thought life was a game, and only winners got to go to heaven. How good it is when we finally begin to realize that we are all on the same team, and that we have an infinite purpose in this world. We don’t have to score more runs, rack up more souls for Jesus, or even get more members for our churches. We are called to love the unlovable, welcome outsiders, bring healing to the broken, share our bread with the hungry, and bring joy to the hearts of all we encounter. Our planet is facing enormous challenges, but if we can learn to play together well, we will make a difference.

Thought for the Day: What happens when we stop playing games?