Deuteronomy 5:12-15

“Observe the sabbath day and keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work.” vss. 12-13

Of all the commandments that made the Top Ten in Israel’s scripture, the one establishing the sabbath day as holy has arguably received the most attention and caused the most controversy. The commandment itself is direct, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work,” but the problems arose as religious leaders began to define what work was. It was obvious that people had to engage in living on their holy day, but what should they be allowed to do? Rabbis spent centuries debating the issues that came up as people attempted to be obedient. And for every question that came up, some new rabbi would propose an answer, which in turn would be questioned by a new generation of believers. By the time Jesus showed up there were literally hundreds of rules, and he didn’t have any patience at all for the hair-splitting involved. For instance, he didn’t have any issue with synagogue worship on the sabbath, but he thought it was extreme foolishness to forbid healing, and he refused to obey. We have some of the same issues with rules as we practice our faith. Some are rule followers–it’s comforting to know the rules, and the community prospers when all obey. But those who live by the Spirit of God won’t be so concerned with the rules. For them the only commandment is to love, and they let that be their guide.

Thought for the Day: How do I feel about following rules?

John 3:13-17

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” vs. 16

Most people have at least a passing familiarity with this most famous verse from John’s gospel. Even those who don’t know the words can recall having seen the chapter and verse. With that kind of notoriety it’s unlikely that we’re going to discover anything new in its words. This is the gospel at its core, the most succinct description of the Christian message ever written. Two things are emphasized: the love of God and the faith of believers. Even though we live in a broken world, it’s important to remember that the sacrificial love of God is unconditional and limitless, and the whole world, blemishes and all, is included. Jesus is for all people! And while not all people believe that they are loved by God or that Jesus is the Son of God, those who do believe receive the gift of new life, now and forever. This does not mean that those who do not believe are condemned–that isn’t a part of God’s plan or purpose. It means only that in this world, as we live and breathe, they lack the assurance of God’s love and forgiveness. They don’t know grace! Which is why John wrote his gospel–he wanted all people to know the love of God and the forgiveness that is ours through Jesus. It’s a beautiful story–and our call is to pass it on!

Thought for the Day: What does John 3:16 mean to those who don’t believe it?

John 3:8-13

“Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony.’” vss. 10-11

Nicodemus had a ton of knowledge. He was a teacher of Israel, a much respected rabbi and a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council of Jerusalem. He knew the law of Moses and the writings of the prophets, but he didn’t get what Jesus was preaching and teaching. And most important of all, he didn’t know the way to eternal life. And it wasn’t that he hadn’t heard Jesus’s words. Jesus wasn’t at all private about his convictions. So what was Nicodemus missing? Well, he’s like a lot of folks in our day, some of whom have even been to seminary. They know the doctrines and dogmas; they’re familiar with all the rituals and the traditions. But they’ve never experienced the truth that lies behind the words. They don’t have the intimate knowledge that comes through personal connection. Their hearts have never been touched by the truth; their knowledge is all in their heads! It’s like what happens when a person falls in love. The feeling can’t be explained or analyzed–it can only be experienced. Nicodemus was familiar with Jesus, but he hadn’t fallen in love with him, and that makes all the difference in the world.

Thought for the Day: Am I in love with Jesus? How do I know?

John 3:1-8

“The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” vs. 8

When Jesus told Nicodemus that it was necessary to be born from above in order to see the kingdom of God, Nicodemus had a tough time understanding. He was a literalist, comfortable in the world of black and white, and Jesus was talking about another realm, one that exists beyond the world of space and time. To help Nicodemus understand this plane of existence, Jesus uses the wind as an example. To put it simply, the Spirit is like the wind. It’s free to go wherever it chooses–we can hear its sound, but beyond that it’s a mystery. For people used to being in charge this notion is completely disconcerting. We can’t control God! And we can’t predict how the Spirit is going to work–sometimes we’re going to be blown away by its freshness and vitality. These days there are some who are concerned because their old religious ways aren’t working anymore. Some congregations are dying. Some denominations are losing members by the thousands. People wonder if the church itself is going to disappear. We forget that the Church is the Spirit’s workshop, and change is going to always be part of the picture. There’ll be new forms and new practices, all the work of the Spirit, and through the Spirit people will continue to experience new life.

Thought for the Day: What will the church be like in a hundred years?

Romans 8:15-17

“For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption.” vs. 15

It’s heart-breaking to discover how many people actually have a fear of God. We’re not talking here about fear as healthy respect, the attitude Luther was talking about when he enjoined us to “fear and love God.” No, this is being afraid of God, being terrified that some day God is going to get us for our dissolute behaviors and careless living. More people than we can even imagine have at their core a sense of dread when it comes to any future divine encounters, and they do their best to stay out of the places where they fear God might be. We can’t be sure where such notions are born–it could even come from the careless words of parents trying to hammer the fear of God into their children with threats like, “God is going to get you for that!” But wherever the idea comes from, it does us no good as we try to navigate the sometimes difficult predicaments that life brings our way. Paul told the Romans that they had the same relationship to God as did Jesus, that they had been adopted into God’s family, and that they should feel free to address God as “Abba,” or Father. So even if we’ve had a less than satisfying relationship with our birth fathers, we should know that God will love us sacrificially and unconditionally. We are God’s most beloved children! Always!

Thought for the Day: What’s it like to be afraid of God?

Romans 8:12-14

“for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” vs. 13 

There is more to our life in the world than meets the eye. We may think that we have free agency in our words and actions, and that our hearts, minds, and spirits are in charge, but that’s not even close to the truth. As any active participant in a 12 step program is quick to confess, we are not in control, and that if we really want to live, we need to surrender ourselves to a higher power. Paul describes that higher power as the Holy Spirit and tells the Romans that without the Spirit they will die. Now some might think that because they are not addicts, they don’t need a higher power. And while that might seem logical, it’s not even close to the truth. We may not be dependent on alcohol or some other drug, but most all will admit that they are addicted to sin. No matter how good we think we are, all of us regularly are victimized by our own sinful behaviors. It’s only as we tap into the always present power of the Spirit that we can produce the love, joy, peace, and patience that are the unique fruits of the Spirit, and the desire of every human heart. We’re free to go it on our own in this world, but what blessings we receive when we finally learn to “let go and let God!”

Thought for the Day: When are my addictions most apparent?

Psalm 29

“The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.” vss. 5, 7

It’s no accident that as our ancestors began to offer hymns of praise to God, they used the image of a violent thunderstorm to describe God’s presence in the world. Whenever we see the massive banks of clouds gathering on the horizon, the huge dark thunderheads roiling about, lightning flashing, we know from experience that we need to seek shelter from the wind and the rain. And when the storm hits and we hear the rolling thunder, and see the lightning sizzle through the air, a sense of puniness takes hold and we realize how impotent we really are in the presence of nature’s unleashed fury. And even if we understand the science of it all, and can describe what is happening in meteorological terms, the awesome power of the wind and rain can bring us to our knees. And even though we know that God is more than an ancient storm god, the sheer violence of a summer storm is a vivid reminder that the creator of the universe has power beyond our imaginations. Even if we never set foot in a church, the sermons delivered by Mother Nature can penetrate the hardest heart and bring us to our knees. The psalmist had it right, great is our God, and greatly to be praised!

Thought for the Day: What thunderstorm experiences have I had?

Isaiah 6:1-8

“And I said: “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” vs. 5

In his younger years, Isaiah had a profound sense of his own sinfulness, and yet he seems to have enjoyed hanging around the temple. In a sense, it was probably the best show in town and a center of activities for the whole city. And then one day, out of the blue Isaiah has a vision of the Lord God Almighty that brings him to his knees. In response to his confession the vision envelops him and a seraph, a winged heavenly being, touches his lips with a burning coal. In that moment, having been declared clean, he hears the call of the Lord to serve. His answer has inspired millions through the ages, “Here I am; send me!” It’s amazing what an experience of forgiveness can do! It doesn’t always happen in our rituals or liturgies, but sometimes right in the midst of living, we are touched by the hot coal of forgiveness, and we are transformed. Oh what power there is in the word or touch of grace! When it happens at the right time, at that moment of deep self-awareness and shame, it changes people in miraculous ways. We are turned from paralyzing guilt into bold and confident servants of the Lord. It may not happen often, but when it does, it’s a delight to see!

Thought for the Day: When have I been energized by forgiveness?

John 16:8-15

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” vs. 12

While the situation is certainly different, Jesus sounds very much like a savvy parent as he says good-bye to the disciples and sends them off into the world. He could have said a lot more to them, but they wouldn’t understand until they had lived into a place where their ears would be opened. Some of us have had the same experience with our children as they leave home and head off into an uncertain future. There is so much we could tell them, but we knew we’d only be wasting our breath. Like Jesus we have to trust that the Spirit of truth would become their guide and that their future choices and decisions would be undergirded by divine wisdom. Sometimes, rarely perhaps, they might bless us by checking in for advice. There are just so many unknowns as we consider the road that lies before us–and that’s true at any age. And few have self-contained answers for every future situation. It’s good to know that the Spirit of Jesus is always lurking at the edge of our consciousness, and that we’ll never be left without a rudder in stormy and difficult times. And even as we enter our golden years, we’ll retain the ability to learn and do new things. Many times we’ll even surprise ourselves!

Thought for the Day: How did I feel when I left home the first time?

John 15:26-27, 4b-7

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” vs. 7

This text is from a part of John’s gospel known as the final discourses. Set in the context of the last supper, after the departure of Judas, they are a summary of what Jesus wanted his disciples to remember as his death approached. In these verses he speaks of the Advocate, or Spirit of truth, who he will send to them after his departure. He wants them to know that, even though they will miss him, in the long run they’ll be better off. To this point his influence has been limited–he can only be with them when he is physically present. But after his death he will be with them through the Advocate in every place that they are. In other words, they will have unlimited access to him, and will even learn things that he hasn’t had the time to teach them. Presumably this wasn’t much comfort to them–it’s hard to hear that we’ll be better off if the one we love isn’t with us. But it is the truth, and some of us know exactly what Jesus meant. We’ve experienced the death of a loved one and have discovered that life gets better in their absence! It seems like an unloving thought, but it’s really the way it is!

Thought for the Day: How has the death of a loved one been a benefit for me?