Psalm 133

“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” vs. 1

The psalmist knew what a lot of people in these divisive days have forgotten. There is nothing better under the sun than to live in peace and unity with those around us. That’s a universal truth that applies to, not only the people of God, but to every other living creature. It’s not unexpected that those who live in a nation as diverse as ours would think differently about a lot of important matters. It would be surprising if we didn’t. We grow up in different household settings and have had a variety of life changing experiences. Along the way we pick up concepts and beliefs that we hold dear and that even direct our behaviors. No wonder we don’t all support the same candidates or political parties! But what is really sad is that sometimes we allow those differences to divide us from those we have come to love and cherish. There is nothing good that can come from the deepening divisions of our times! Thank God that there are communities of faith that have taken the words of the psalmist to heart. These folks understand that life is communal and that nothing can be allowed to destroy the bonds of love that have been knit by the Holy Spirit of God. They’ve learned how to disagree with tenderness and affection and how to resolve every conflict with a kiss and a hug. What a gift!

Thought for the Day: Why don’t kisses and hugs always work?

Acts 4:32-35

“There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.” vss. 34-35

There are probably no other verses in the New Testament that have been so thoroughly discounted as these. Especially in the United States even socialism, not to mention communism, has been thoroughly demonized through our unquestioning worship of capitalism and free enterprise. It is almost impossible for us to wrap our materialistic minds around the teaching of the early believers that all things should be held in common. Most people have come to see taxes as governmental overreach, and resist the notion that individuals have any responsibility for the common good. The sad thing is that our obsession with the protection and the accumulation of material goods has pulled us away from the clear teachings of Jesus. Too many people have come to regard success as having more “stuff” than anyone else, and, amazingly, they then wonder why they have become spiritually bankrupt. Jesus’ words to the rich young man who yearned for eternal life still ring true, “Sell what you have and give to the poor.” The man walked away in sadness! Regardless of the economic system we live under, the key to spiritual good health will always be radically generosity!

Thought for the Day: How radical is my generosity?

Mark 16:1-8

“When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.” vss. 1-2

The women knew what to do when Jesus died. While the male disciples stayed hidden in their confusion, as soon as the sabbath was over the women got to work. Because there hadn’t been time for the traditional anointing of the body on Friday, they rose with the sun on Sunday to do for Jesus what their burial customs required. That’s how it is with us too. When death comes, people take action–the mortuary is contacted, calls are made, and all the arrangements fall into place. Sometimes there’s a funeral or memorial service, sometimes the interment or scattering of ashes. There’s a kind of comfort in having things to do. The wait is over, the dying is done. Now let’s get on with the healing and living! But Easter threw a wrinkle into that for the women. Jesus had disappeared, and with no body around, they didn’t know what to do. That’s a big issue for us too. What shall we do when our loved one is gone and there is nobody around anywhere? It can get lonely! Of course we know the full story, “He is Risen, Alleluia,” and when death comes that good news is an amazing comfort. But it takes a while, and tears at any time should not surprise us!

Thought for the Day: For whom do I still mourn?

Romans 6:3-11

“Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” vs. 4

When Jesus invited his followers to become disciples he told them that in order to save their lives they would have to lose them. This dying to self is enormously difficult, and most would rather skip this step in discipleship. We would like to just live victoriously with Jesus and never ever have to even think about dying. But we also know in our hearts that such a notion is nothing but a pipedream. The road to Easter always goes by the way of Calvary. Paul knew that too and that’s why he sees baptism as a burial; we die with Christ in the waters of baptism so that we might be raised up with him to new life. And even though baptism generally only takes place once in our lifetimes, the dying and rising takes place again and again. Some folks mark themselves with the cross daily, knowing full well that the self dies unwillingly, and constantly reasserts its presence. So day after day we die and rise, mimicking our baptisms, until that time comes when death pays its last visit, and only Easter remains for us. And oh what a glorious day of triumph that will be!

Thought for the Day: How can I remember my baptism daily?

Isaiah 52:12-53:13

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.” vs. 5

As we read these words from Isaiah on this Good Friday, it’s important to remember that the prophet was not writing about Jesus. Rather he was speaking of the Servant Israel, the exiled nation that had undergone great suffering at the hands of the Babylonians. It had been an undeserved punishment that ultimately benefited those descendants who had returned to the land God had promised them. Much later on, after the crucifixion of Jesus, as the disciples studied the scriptures for insight and guidance, they saw this passage as a perfect metaphor for what had happened to Jesus. Again and again they returned to these words as an explanation for his suffering and death. As a result millions of believers have come to tie the forgiveness of their sins to the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross. There are some however who have difficulty believing that the unjust death of one man could cancel out the sins of all humanity, especially since Jesus himself freely offered sinners forgiveness long before his death. They see the cross as a sacrificial act of love, and not as a payment for sin. But however we choose to believe, there is no doubt that Good Friday is a time to contemplate the nature of suffering and love. Both can be redemptive, and both are wrapped up in the person of Jesus.

Thought for the Day: What does Good Friday mean to me?

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

“For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread,and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’” vs.23-24

After Jesus’ crucifixion, reports immediately began to spread of his resurrection, a few of which are recorded in our gospels. Convinced by those experiences of his continuing presence, his disciples began to meet together regularly. Bolstered by the presence of his Holy Spirit that community expanded beyond Jerusalem to the furthest reaches of the Roman Empire. Very early on, before the gospels were written, as groups of those disciples met regularly for prayer and teaching they began to celebrate what we call Holy Communion as a part of their fellowship meals. In the congregations that Paul established he introduced a ritual that included what we have come to know as the “words of institution.” That little liturgy is virtually identical to what is said and done in many of our congregations today. Just think! From the very beginning the center of worship for followers of Jesus Christ is Holy Communion–over and over we’ve given thanks, broken bread, and heard the words, “This is my body…this is my blood.” What a gift we have been given! No wonder the Holy Eucharist has such an impact on believers! It is the very best way of maintaining a personal connection to Jesus!

Thought for the Day: What has Holy Communion meant to me through the years?

Hebrews 12:1-3

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us…” vs. 1

In chapter 11 the writer of Hebrews gave a definition of faith that is worthy of memorization. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” He had then gone on to describe how important faith had been in connecting all the generations of the Jewish people. And now in chapter 12 he lets his readers know that now the ball is in their court. All those people of faith are depending on them to continue the race that has been a part of their heritage from the very beginning. We know what that responsibility is like! We too are the benefactors of the generations that have gone before us. The faith that sustained our ancestors is now in our hands, and they’re watching to see how well we carry the torch. The race we’re in is more of a marathon than anything else–it lasts as long as we will live, and the way isn’t smooth or easy. There are plenty of pitfalls and stumbling blocks that can trip us up, and faith can easily slip from our grasp. The good thing is that we don’t run alone, we have plenty of companions, and, best of all, Jesus has already completed the course. And one day we’ll join him in the cloud.

Thought for the Day: How’s the race going for me?

Psalm 71:1-14

“For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you.” vss. 5-5

There are many among us who have been faithful and true through their entire lives. As children they learned to pray and then worshiped regularly with parents. Some went through confirmation classes and affirmed their baptisms. They participated in youth groups and even after high school were a part of campus ministries at their colleges. Faith is as natural to them as breathing, and has continued to grow and mature even through periods of doubt. And life has been good for them! Aside from assorted bumps and bruises along the way there have been no times of calamity or despair. Such deaths and losses they have experienced have not seemed out of the ordinary, and their faith has never failed to give them comfort. God has never let them down. And then one day, out of the blue, for no good reason, the bottom drops out of their lives. And it is all grossly unfair! Even though they might know faith does not bring immunity to disease or trouble, there is the sense that a life well lived should mean something in the great scheme of things. But for better or worse, the past does not determine our future. But this we know, even when things are unfair or unjust, our God will always be present, and we will never be forsaken. 

Thought for the Day: How fair has life been to me?

Isaiah 42:1-9

“He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.” vss. 2-3

Jesus used the prophet Isaiah as a source for his own self-understanding, and since Isaiah used the metaphor of Servant to describe the people of Israel, Jesus seems to have adopted that description as the model for his ministry. Jesus was not the kind of religious leader who called attention to himself. Rather than parading about in the streets offering prayers and giving alms, Jesus advised doing good in secrecy and was skilled in gently lifting up the hurting and offering strength to the weak. What Isaiah advised and Jesus practiced is different from what has become the norm in the political world. Our politicians are boastful, arrogant, and sickeningly self-serving. And some even claim to be following Christian virtues! It’s as though they’ve never read the gospels. Now it may very well be that a kind and gentle politician would be a loser in this societal climate, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if such a person was even an option for voters? And even if that can never happen in the world of politics, we should be glad that it can happen among the followers of Jesus. We can speak gently to others and act kindly to those in need. In fact it happens every day in our faith communities. Thank God that Isaiah’s Servant is alive and well!

Thought for the Day: How can gentleness bring forth justice?

Mark 15:25-39

“Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’” vs. 39

Mark closes his account of the crucifixion with a confession of faith from the centurion who was likely the Roman officer in charge of the executions. As he watched Jesus draw his last tortured breath the centurion was moved to say, “Truly this man was God’s Son!.” It seems an unlikely response to watching the final moments of life for a dying man–but not an impossible one. Faith is a fickle companion on life’s journey. At times we can yearn for an unshakable trust in God, and be unable to dispel our doubts. At other times, as in the case of the centurion, it pops up for no good reason at all. Even in the most unlikely circumstances deep faith convictions can show up out of nowhere, and we can find great consolation in their presence. For some even the life of discipleship is a mystery. Such persons have no idea why at some random point in their life they made a conscious decision to follow Jesus. Now we don’t know what happened to the centurion. Ancient traditions indicate that he was martyred for his faith. And we don’t know what will happen in our own life of faith. But surely it will be a blessing if it continues as a source of comfort and strength for the rest of our days!

Thought for the Day: How is the centurion’s story like my own?