Mark 6:14-20

“For Herod had sent men who arrested John and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’” vss. 17-18

Herod had palaces in Jericho and at Masada, and probably regularly passed through the area where John was baptizing and preaching. Even though they didn’t run in the same social circles, Herod was aware of John’s fame, and was likely chagrined to hear that John had called his divorce and remarriage a grave sin. Because the divorce had sparked an international incident, (his ex-wife was the daughter of the king of Nabatea), and he feared John’s influential opposition, he chose to silence John by imprisoning him. It’s not unusual for prophets to get under the skin of kings and queens, it happened regularly in Israel. John knew that, and he realized speaking out against Herod was dangerous. But his loyalty was to God and not earthly rulers, and he spoke the truth to power, regardless of the consequences. It’s not easy for religious leaders to adopt such oppositional positions. Even when there is supposedly separation between church and state, politicians will do most anything to cultivate the favor of religious groups. And church leaders regularly jump on board to get the prestige of national prominence. True prophets will never get cozy with politicians! It’s almost impossible to speak truth to power from an inside position.

Thought for the Day: What happens when separation of church and state is compromised?

Ephesians 1:7-14

“In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance…so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory.” vss. 11a, 12

Occasionally we will encounter believers who regularly use a phrase like “all glory to God,” in order to indicate that what they have done is not a credit to themselves but to the One whom they serve. Johan Sebastion Bach, the great classical composer, wrote “To God be the glory,” as the dedication on every piece of music he published. And he wasn’t the only one to feel this way! From the very beginning believers have been encouraged to give all the glory to God as a witness to their faith and devotion. It’s strange then that so many are reluctant to use these words as a part of their testimony. In fact some are even put off by athletes who begin their post-event interviews by saying, “All glory be to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Maybe they think such persons are practicing their piety before others, in order to be acclaimed by them, something Jesus warned his disciples against in the Sermon on the Mount. Who knows! But isn’t it more than a little sad that we can’t bring ourselves to show others that we are living for the sake of Christ’s glory by saying the words out loud. It’s sure better than the “God damns” or “Jesus Christs” that so regularly pass through our lips! Are we really that ashamed of our faith?

Thought for the Day: Why am I reluctant to say, “Glory be to God”?

Ephesians 1:3-10

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.” vss. 3-4

Paul opens his letter to the Ephesians by reminding them of their heritage. They are, he tells them, the adopted children of God, chosen in Christ from all eternity for holy and blameless living. Doubtless, he would say the same thing to us. Like the Ephesians our calling is not based on race or religion or ethnic background. It’s most certainly not related to our good looks or talent! Now we can, if we wish, debate about the mystery of our call, but there is no doubt about God’s purpose. There is nothing ambiguous about being a people set aside for a holy and blameless life that is centered on unconditional and sacrificial love. Now some might wonder how in the world we can be expected to live like this–it seems like an impossible calling. And given that we are a broken people that might appear to be a reasonable point. But there is one more thing! We are also the beneficiaries of a glorious grace that has been freely bestowed on us through Jesus. And by the riches of that grace lavished upon us we have the entire forgiveness of all of our sins. And that’s how we get to be holy and blameless people!!! It’s all grace!

Thought for the Day: How’s my holy and blameless life going?

Psalm 85:8-13

“Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.” vs. 10

The psalmist was full of optimism about the future. He knew that the essence of God was goodness, and he believed that ultimately, whatever the conditions of his day, there would be peace and plenty for God’s faithful people. Some folks in our day are having a hard time conjuring up a vision of that benevolent God. They almost seem to prefer a future vision with apocalyptic overtones, a world in which there is a cataclysmic collision of great powers, and wholesale destruction. Now it may be that there are some rough patches ahead as some of the real tensions in our world find resolution. But that can never be the last word for those who are followers of the Jesus revealed in the gospels. In him the words of the psalmist were fulfilled–steadfast love and faithfulness met–righteousness and peace kissed each other. And those same things are happening right now in his Body throughout the world. Of course those beautiful encounters aren’t often picked up by the scandal-seeking media, and we won’t see them on the six o’clock newshour. But they’re happening nonetheless, and when we see them in our congregations and neighborhoods we’ll feel the psalmist’s optimism creep into our bones. “Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.”

Thought for the Day: Why am I optimistic about the future? 

Amos 7:10-15

“Then Amos answered Amaziah, ‘I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”’” vss. 14-15

Amos wasn’t an insider. He didn’t even consider himself a prophet. Yet the Lord had chosen him, a shepherd and a farmer, to travel to the shrine at Bethel in the country of Israel, where there was already a boatload of priests, and call the people to repentance. Not surprisingly, he was not well received by the priestly hierarchy. But his words were not only memorable, they’ve traveled well! And wherever God’s people have gotten caught up in the excesses of luxurious and idolatrous living Amos continues to speak. We can’t read his hard-hitting commentary without feeling the bite of his harsh words. He may not have been properly credentialed or gone to the right seminaries but there’s no doubt that he is calling on us to change our ways and reverse the standards of our system. And that’s how God continues to work. Sometimes we see it in our congregations as ordinary people speak compelling words from the Lord. We might not like what they say, but when they’ve hit the bullseye, all we can do is listen.

Thought for the Day: From what unlikely folks have I heard a convicting word?

Amos 7:7-9

“And the Lord said to me, ‘Amos, what do you see?’ And I said, ‘A plumb line.’ Then the Lord said, ‘See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass them by…’ vs. 8

Amos had been a shepherd in Judah, and was called to become a prophet in Israel. This was a time of great prosperity in Israel and many had become wealthy. Amos was appalled at what he saw and proclaimed to his audience that he had seen the Lord standing by a wall with a plumb line in his hand, a builder’s device to measure whether or not a wall is straight. In the vision the Lord told him he was going to use a plumb line in the midst of Israel–Jeroboam will no longer be able to be a crooked king. Unless he and his people straighten up, Israel will be destroyed. Amos’ vision is a reminder to us that we are expected to walk in up-right ways, and that there are standards for our lives. And this is where we tend to get in a massive kerfuffle. There are just so many differing viewpoints about how we shall behave, and we’re not the least bit shy about calling each other out! What’s really sad is that for some God’s plumb line has become political, and living a life of integrity has been abandoned! There is still no better guide for living well than loving God and loving neighbor. Those are standards for a lifetime.

Thought for the Day: What standards do I live by?

Mark 6:6b-13

“So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” vss. 12-13

After leaving Nazareth, Mark says that Jesus went out and continued his ministry, but soon discovered that there was too much for him to do by himself. So he sent out the disciples and sent them two by two into the surrounding villages. He told them they wouldn’t need to bring a change of clothes and they wouldn’t need money or food. Their message was to be brief. They would go proclaiming the coming of the kingdom and the need for all to repent, and on the way they were to cast out demons and cure those who were sick. Not everyone had demons and not everyone needed healing, but all they encountered should repent. That same principle applies to the mission of every congregation among us as well. All continue to need repentance, and that includes believers as well as non-believers. Some might scoff at that notion. In their estimation they don’t need to change, but are as perfect as they’re ever going to be, and some claim they don’t even need to practice forgiveness! But because we live in a broken world, even though we are good, we will continually need the fixing that comes through the Holy Spirit. We’re always in the process of change. Repentance is a lifetime project, and not a singular event. 

Thought for the Day: What happens when I refuse to repent?

Mark 6:1-6a

“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offense at him.” vs. 3

Mark, the earliest gospel, tells us that Jesus was a carpenter from Nazareth who traveled from Galilee to the Jordan River where he was baptized by John. After his baptism, in which he received affirmation as the beloved Son of God, he returned to the village of Capernaum in Galilee to begin his ministry. It was there by the Sea of Galilee that he called his first disciple and people began to notice him. In the meantime, his family in Nazareth, having heard stories of what he was doing, began to be alarmed and went down to Capernaum to see him. While Jesus ignored them when they came, he did decide to visit Nazareth with his disciples, and while there was invited to teach in the synagogue. But because the people were familiar with him, they took offense at his message, even though it had astounded them. Jesus laments their reaction but is unable to convince them to change their minds. The reaction is not surprising. It’s still hard to receive a prophetic word from those we know well. That’s one of the reasons communication breaks down in a marriage. That’s why teenagers find it hard to receive a word of wisdom from parents. And that’s sad! Because those who know us well are often in the best position to offer a word from the Lord!

Thought for the Day: When has my family been critical of me?

2 Corinthians 12:6-10

“Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.” vs. 10

Paul told the Corinthians that he could have told them about his journey to Paradise, but he had chosen instead to tell them about his weaknesses, so that Christ’s power might be revealed, and not his own. For some that might seem a strange strategy. The wisdom of our world advises us to focus on our strengths and use them as the foundation of our witness. Some religious leaders do that and because of their charisma and charm attract thousands of admiring followers. They often live like rock stars and seem to enjoy their jet-setting lifestyle. But there are other leaders who, like Paul, don’t have much to brag about in terms of their personal achievements or physical qualities. But they do know Christ Jesus and in the genuine humility of their testimony, people feel the warmth and acceptance of God’s love. They may not get the world’s attention but they certainly know the way to our hearts. All of us have weaknesses and often our histories aren’t anything to brag about. But as we live in Christ an amazing truth often becomes obvious: revealing our weaknesses enhances intimacy. It’s when we are open about our ineptness that we build the strongest bonds with fellow believers and with our forgiving and loving God. 

Thought for the Day: What are my weaknesses?

2 Corinthians 12:2-5

“I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows.” vs. 2

Many Jews believed that when a righteous person died they would be taken to a garden called Paradise, a place similar to the Eden that was well-known from the Hebrew Scriptures. Paul claims in this boasting section of his letter to the Corinthians that he had visited this heavenly place some fourteen years before. It’s hard to know what to make of his story. He seems to be bringing it up in response to those who had questioned his credentials as an apostle. It’s like the icing on the cake of his long list of achievements. He’s speaking of what we might call an out-of-body experience, the sort of thing that others were also claiming in those years. It seems to have been some sort of spiritual event in which he heard things that he was not permitted to repeat. We’re familiar with such claims, and generally we’re hard-pressed to know what to do with them. Paul says that even though this happened to him, he’s not going to brag about it, because he is only interested in pointing to what Christ has done. That’s good advice. We can never let our own stories get in the way of the good news that is ours in Christ Jesus. In the long run the gospel isn’t about us, it’s about Jesus!

Thought for the Day: Why are stories of spiritual triumphs a turn-off for so many?