Daily Readings

When Familiarity Breeds Blindness

2012-02-14T12:09:00.000-08:00

John 9:18-41

"Jesus said, 'I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind'" (John 9:39). Most of us are used to such sayings by now. We've read words like these from Jesus any number of times. We have heard (or preached) countless sermons on the subject. We know that Jesus has come to turn things upside down. The gospels use different terms for expressing the same phenomenon. For instance in Luke Mary offers thanks to God for feeding the hungry and sending the rich away without food (Luke 1:46-55). This is old news for us, right?

But we need to be careful. Once we get to the point where "we've heard it all before" we may have become the ones who think they see but who have actually become blind. Resisting the power of the gospel is akin to ignoring it all together. We may think we have it all figured out when in fact we keep missing the point. For example, I have eaten a lot of meals in my life, but I don't let that stop me from having lunch or dinner one more time. In fact there are are a number of dishes that I like so much that I eat them over and over again. We must treat Jesus' words–and the teachings of scripture as a whole–the same way, returning to them again and again for what they have to say to us and the nourishment they offer.

Jesus came into the world bringing a radically new perspective and a completely new understanding of God. The truth of Jesus' words has not been exhausted, nor have we managed to fully comprehend their meaning. We need to keep trying. We need to live like those who are blind to the full truth, but who are striving to see.

Prayer: Gracious God, help us to hear and see you word anew each time we are encountered by it. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Divided By Jesus

2012-02-13T14:15:00.000-08:00

John 9:1-17

The idea that Jesus would heal on the sabbath day caused quite a stir among the religious establishment. "Some of the Pharisees said, 'This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.' But others said, 'How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?' And they were divided" (John 9:16). Normally, of course, we like to think of Jesus as the healer that he was, not in terms of the controversies he could cause. But John makes it impossible to ignore: there have always been those who would rather quibble over who Jesus really is than to simply accept the grace he offers. To this very day Jesus remains at the center of much debate even among those who profess faith in him as the Word of God incarnate.

A close look at the contemporary church reveals splits, schisms, divisions, denominations sometimes caused by the most obscure of theological issues. Even matters of some general acceptance can cause fraction. What is the "proper" way by which to administer the sacrament of baptism? Who is qualified to proclaim the good news in an "official" capacity? Is it appropriate to use musical instruments in Christian worship? And if so, which ones? Keep in mind that baptism, proclamation, and worship are shared by all Christians and are considered to be positive and affirming activities. And yet over and over again these very concepts send people of faith running to the trenches for more of what has become a protracted battle. It is truly a shame that the one who healed the blind, fed the hungry, welcomed the outcast, and pointed the way to God's coming reign should so often be overshadowed by conflict.

Personally, I look forward to the day when all people will come to know the truth of God's love as revealed in Jesus Christ. But until then I pray that our brokenness may be healed and our focus be restored.

Prayer: Gracious God, forgive the way your people squander the gospel with which we have been entrusted. Restore our unity and guide our living. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Ouch!

2012-02-10T09:26:00.000-08:00

John 8:33-47

The words of Jesus that we find in our gospel reading today make for what we could call a stinging rebuke of Jesus’ listeners. “Why do you not understand what I say?” Jesus asks. “It is because you cannot accept my word. You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me” (John 8:43-45). This is from the same man of whom it was said, “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” (3:16). How do we deal with such harsh words and the apparent contradiction?

The key to understanding these passages is faith. In what do we believe? To whom do we listen? By what message are we guided in our living? Jesus leaves no room for ambiguity. In a manner of speaking it is all or nothing. Either we seek God and what God is doing in our midst, or we fall into the snare of evil to be overcome by lies and deceit. Jesus is the focal point of God’s work and in Jesus all come to know God and God’s love. Anything else is suspect.

There is an important point to add, however. The words of condemnation in this passage are spoken by Jesus alone and it is to Jesus that such judgment belongs. Too often the church has taken upon itself the role of condemning others for any number of reasons while not allowing God’s will to unfold. And this is where we must return to the words of John 3:16. God loves the world. God calls to the world. God undertakes suffering for the world in the person of Jesus. We who would live according to God’s will must do the same. We must offer witness to what we believe and trust in God to work through us, often in ways that we do not expect or cannot understand. The judgment of God is balanced by the love and grace of God. As people of faith we must be aware of our own shortcomings while seeking to share the grace we have received.

Prayer: God, make us messengers of your love to the world even as we seek to focus our lives on your Son, in whose name we pray. Amen.

It All Depends

2012-02-09T10:55:00.000-08:00

Romans 12:9-21

Paul had lofty standards for believers, and he shares some of them in our reading from Romans today. “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them,” he writes. “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:14-17). As far as it depends on us we are to live in peace with all. Paul understands that there will be times when peace is not possible, when conflict will be thrust upon the believer. In such cases there may be no escape from the situation. But as far as it depends on us we are to live in peace with all.

And yet if we have blessed our persecutors, rejoiced with the joyful, wept with the sorrowful, lived in accord and humility, admitted to our own limitations, refrained from “getting even,” and lived with an eye toward what all consider to be noble, haven’t we done just about all that we could do? Clearly it seems like some folks go looking for trouble, and typically they will find it. Paul is offering us a way to go looking for community instead, a lifestyle that lessens the likelihood of conflict in the first place, that turns down the heat for everybody. Tensions will still pop up from time to time and they will need to be dealt with. But as far as it depends on us the climate should be one of love and mutual regard. Perhaps this is what it missing from the political realm and from the interaction between cultures and perspectives. Are we looking for trouble, or are we doing all we can to set a tone of peace and cooperation? As far as it depends on us there should be no reason for hate or violence.

Prayer: Lord, show us the way to live and work as your people so that the world may reflect your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

When Scripture Comes At Right Angles

2012-02-08T13:36:00.001-08:00

Genesis 27:1-29
Romans 12:1-8
Sometimes scripture comes to us not in parallel lines as it were but at right angles, creating a certain amount of tension as we try to work through what appears to be conflict. To me there is a right angle of sorts between our readings from Genesis and Romans. Let's start with the words of Paul. "I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters," he writes, "by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:1-2). Paul is encouraging his readers to live lives of honesty and integrity, justice and righteousness. While the world may lead us off the path of discipleship Paul insists that we remain true to God and focused on the divine will.

Our reading from Genesis, however, displays a completely different form of behavior. It is the familiar story of the younger of twins who is able to steal his older brother’s blessing from their father. "Jacob said to [Isaac], 'I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, so that you may bless me'" (Genesis 27:19). We might not find this story so surprising had the scheme not worked so well. Jacob did receive the blessing that belonged to Esau, and Jacob became the one through whom God’s covenant continued to unfold. But Jacob hardly presented himself in honesty or integrity, justice or righteousness to his father. His actions before God, then, were not “good and acceptable and perfect.” How can we deal with such a dichotomy?

Of course, there is no easy answer to the question. Jacob, a real rascal, gets away with all sorts of shenanigans in his lifetime but remains in favor with God. But as Paul reminds us the call to follow Jesus Christ leads us to a more mature faith that seeks to do God’s will, even to our own disadvantage. For me it is helpful to remember that God is able to work in and through sinners like Jacob (and you and me as well). No matter where we are in life God has a place for us and a role for us to play. We should strive for the higher ground, but when we fall short we should not lose sight of the promises that come to us in God’s love. Scripture may intersect in all sorts of crazy ways, but the God we meet in scripture stands over and above it all in truth.

Prayer: Lord, help us to live lives dedicated to you, aware of you, focused on you, and forgive us when we fail you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Story Continues

2012-02-07T09:56:00.000-08:00

Genesis 26:1-6, 12-33

The covenant first established between God and Abraham (Genesis 12:1-7) was not limited to one generation. “[The Lord said to Isaac], ‘Reside in this land as an alien, and I will be with you, and will bless you; for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will fulfill the oath that I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven, and will give to your offspring all these lands; and all the nations of the earth shall gain blessing for themselves through your offspring…’" (Genesis 26:3-4). Indeed the wording of the two covenants is nearly identical and the intent of each is the same.

The God of the parents continues to be the God of the children. The God of the past continues to be the God of the present (with a promise for the future). From the very beginning God has kept the long view, has looked ahead and invited the chosen people to look ahead as well. We cannot outgrow God, nor does God remain locked in a particular historic context. Ultimately, then, our lives should be focused on God and not the institutions or cultural patterns that we hold so dear. They will come and go just as generations of humans slowly march past. Even the church has a limited lifetime. But God keeps abreast of it all, and God remains current no matter what. The story will continue to unfold, and only God knows how and when it will end.

Prayer: Lord, you have blessed us throughout history with the knowledge of your presence. Continue to walk beside us and those who will follow, that your will may be done in our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Taking Part

2012-02-06T09:38:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 13:1-16

I have mentioned before how relatively easy it is to be a Christian in America. There are those who might dispute this assertion to some degree but the fact remains that I am free to attend (or not to attend) worship, free to pray (or not to pray) in the privacy of my own home, and free to speak (or not to speak) of my faith publicly. Nor is there an established religion in the United States. I consider myself richly blessed by the freedoms I enjoy. Our reading from Hebrews this morning, however, comes from a time when being a Christian was anything but easy, when it required commitment and resolve in the face of persecution and opposition. Read in this light Hebrews 13:3 is far from hypothetical. It is a real-life exhortation. “Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.” When these words were written Christians were in prison, Christians were being tortured. This was far from a matter of occasionally showing up for worship or deciding whether or not to tithe. This was hardly a matter of politicians comparing their religious qualifications while appealing to a fractured electorate. This was the stuff of life and death in the name of a Savior who himself was willing to die for our sake.

Here then is the challenge we face, to live the faith not as one of the things we do when it fits our schedule, but as those willing to be imprisoned or tortured for the sake of Jesus Christ. If and when we are able to make that type of commitment to the faith we may finally understand what the writer of Hebrews meant and may finally begin to get it. This is serious stuff that God is asking us to do.

Prayer: Lord, give us the courage and the strength to live as your people at all times. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A “No-Name” Faith

2012-02-03T12:10:00.000-08:00

Genesis 24:1-27

The relationship that Abraham had with God was intended as a blessing to the nations. According to our reading today, there was an aspect of the faith that was much closer to home. When it was time for Isaac marry Abraham sent his servant in search of a wife. Up to now we have seen that Abraham and Sarah have had contact with God and that even Hagar, has heard the voice of God. But these are notable persons, so significant to what is going on that we are told their names and often something about them. Now we see that even an unnamed servant trusts in God, speaks to God, relies on God’s direct guidance. “The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord and said, ‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the way to the house of my master's kin’” (Genesis 24:26-27).

As scripture so often makes clear God’s grace is not reserved for the noteworthy or important people of history. You needed be Jacob, or Rachel, or Miriam, or David, or Hannah, or Isaiah to be used in furtherance of God’s will. Here a man of whom we know virtually nothing plays an essential role, and without him and his trust in God the story might have ended. God has a role for everyone to play.

Prayer: Lord, may our lives be of use to you day in and day out, that others may be blessed. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Pointing Ahead

2012-02-02T08:56:00.000-08:00

Genesis 23:1-20

The negotiation between Abraham and the Hittites for the purchase of a burial place may seem almost amusing to us, especially as the man Ephron is able to appear generous while at the same time naming a price for his field. But there is something more significant here. “So the field of Ephron in Machpelah, which was to the east of Mamre, the field with the cave that was in it and all the trees that were in the field, throughout its whole area, passed to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the Hittites, in the presence of all who went in at the gate of his city” (Genesis 23:17-18). Though it is only a field, some trees, and a cave, the people of God now had a legal and binding presence in the “promised land.” Abraham owned property there and the transaction appears to have been well documented.

But it took a death—Sarah’s–to bring about this opportunity. In fact Sarah’s tomb foreshadows that which will happen as the story of God’s people continues. The entire land would one day belong to the chosen people whom God would free from Egypt. And centuries after that the death and burial of Jesus Christ would also point ahead to that which was to come. Jesus’ tomb, like Sarah’s, was merely a point along the way. The story continues to this day and beyond. Death in Christ is not a defeat for the believer any more than Sarah’s death ended God’s covenant with her offspring or Jesus’ death ended his identity as God. Clearly it takes more than a grave to confound God’s will.

Prayer: Lord, help us to trust in your promises, even in the face of death or loss, that we may give glory to your name at all times. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A Muddle of Faith

2012-02-01T10:30:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 11:23-31

Here are the concluding verses of our reading from Hebrews for today: “By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace” (Hebrews 11:29-31). What a strange collection of people! We have fleeing Hebrews, drowning Egyptians, a collapsing city, and a righteous prostitute, all of whom are touched in one way or another—for good or ill––by faith in the God of Jacob. It doesn’t seem to make much sense until I look out the window (or into a mirror) and remember what the world is like today. Try making sense of your own life in terms of faith. Try finding a neat, concise way to sum up God’s work day in and day out. I find it very difficult to deal with such issues without falling back onto worn platitudes or dog-eared expressions.

Yes, we live in a time of contradiction and conflict and confusion, yet God is able to work through it in ways that may be unclear to us but which serve the divine purpose. Even when we look back on history we may not understand what we see. The world defies our attempt at easy explanations and even God stands beyond our ability to categorize or predict, but that does not mean all is lost. Sometimes it just means is that we need to take a deep breath and trust God. Thankfully, God’s work does not depend on our understanding. What a muddle that would be.

Prayer: Lord, we do not always know what you are about, but we trust you and depend on your grace in our lives. Help us to live as your people day in and day out. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Needs To Be Met

2012-01-31T15:50:00.000-08:00

Genesis 21:1-21

One of the more poignant images in the entire Abrahamic tradition is that of Hagar and her son Ishmael stranded in the desert. “When the water in the skin was gone, (Hagar) cast (Ishmael) under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, ‘Do not let me look on the death of the child.’ And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept” (Genesis 21:15-16). God interceded, of course, with water and a renewed promise to safeguard the boy as he grew. But the plight of Hagar, unable to provide for her son and unwilling to watch him die, should remind us all of the very real needs in our world, needs that can and should be met in the name of a loving God.

Prayer: Lord, open our hearts to the needs of those around us and help us to live lives of generosity according to your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Something Radical

2012-01-30T13:11:00.000-08:00

John 6:27-40

I find myself wondering what sort of world it would be if we lived according to our gospel reading for today. "Do not work for the food that perishes,” Jesus says, “but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you” (John 6:27). To work for food that perishes is to worry about today and one’s current needs. We call it “earning a living,” and it occupies a great deal of our energy and time. Some people, of course, are better suited for such activities or have been blessed with opportunities that others do not have. Some folks, for a variety of reasons, are not able to function as well. This can lead to an imbalance in what various individuals have at their disposal, and therefore to a difference in the amount of “food that perishes.” We call this a difference in the “standard of living.” The bottom line is that over time there are those who have less trouble accumulating “the food that perishes” than others, those who have an abundance while others go without.

But what if we stop focusing on “the food that perishes”or on achieving a higher “standard of living?" What if we were to work for the food that endures? Wouldn’t that lead us to some pretty radical behavior, like caring more for others than for ourselves, or accumulating good will and not possessions or letting go of fear and living in openness? Is this what Jesus is calling us to do? And more to the point, are we willing to do it? Just think of the possibilities, of the grace, of the love flowing in all directions. Farfetched, I know. But isn’t that just like Jesus to challenge the status quo and to shake up the world?

Prayer: Lord, help us to care for one another more and to worry about our own need less. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

No Way to Run a Campaign

2012-01-27T11:01:00.000-08:00

John 6:1-15

Maybe it's because the lengthy process for electing a president is in full swing here in the US, but I found one verse from our gospel reading today to be poignant. "When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself" (John 6:15). While we in America are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to determine the next president, Jesus, who could have been king by acclamation, ran away and hid from the crowds.

I think if I had 60 seconds in which to speak to each of the major candidates for our highest office I would point to this verse and say, "this is what leadership is about. If you really want to make a difference in lives, then follow this example of love and self-sacrifice." But I know that if I really did have the chance to say these things to the major candidates every one of them would thank me for my time and interest and shake my hand. As they did so the honest ones might actually say what they were thinking. "How utterly naive! Don't you know just how complex and challenging the world really is? How can you come to me, point to one verse of scripture, and tell me that's what it's all about?" And they would be right. It is a very naive thing to say in terms of modern politics. But what could possibly be more important than the righteousness of God and the truth of the coming kingdom? And why shouldn't love, self-sacrifice, and a healthy dose of humility before God be requirements for elected office?

And then it hits me! What have I done today to foster love and self-sacrifice and humility? What have I done today to follow in the steps of Jesus Christ? So while I long for someone to follow Christ’s example as a public leader I know that I, too, have a role to play in my own life; we all do. So lead on, Lord, but don't get too far ahead. Your people are awfully slow to follow.

Prayer: Lord, may those who seek to lead do so with true humility and with justice and with love. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Look Up From Your Books

2012-01-25T22:07:00.000-08:00

John 5:30-47

Today's gospel reading contains a warning for all of us who take scripture seriously and who trust it to guide us in our lives of faith. "You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life," Jesus says, "and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life" (John 5:39-40).

A few years ago I was asked if I believed in the Bible. After some thought I admitted that no, I did not believe in the Bible. "I believe the Bible," I said, "but I believe in God as he is made known through Jesus Christ." In other words, my faith is in that which the Bible itself points toward which is the love and mercy of God. Am I splitting hairs? I don't think so. I think the distinction is clear, especially the way Jesus describes it in John. If we are not careful we may find ourselves so intent on searching scripture - one form of God's Word - that we overlook the real presence of God in Jesus Christ - the Word of God incarnate.

I would contend that many contemporary communities of faith have become so fixated on what they are reading in scripture that they have failed to notice what God is actually doing all around them, touching lives, making men and women whole, anointing with the Spirit of hope and peace. I do not in any way discount the role of scripture as a witness to the saving grace of God, but I do believe it is worth looking up from our texts now and again - our reading about God's work - in order to see what it is that God is actually doing all around us. God may very well surprise us with the life we seek.

Prayer: Lord God, lead us beyond our own feeble efforts to explain or account for you so that we may come to know you as you would be known. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Faith Made Real

2012-01-25T09:28:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 9:15-28

John 5:19-29

The Apostles’ Creed says of Jesus Christ that “he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.” The truth of this statement is woven throughout scripture, including our readings for today. Hebrews tells us that “Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf” (Hebrews 9:24). The gospel reading for today adds to this understanding. There Jesus himself says, “For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man” (John 5:26-27).

Jesus is no longer constrained to the human condition, and yet, because the Son of Man lived among us, he is able to relate to us. God’s judgment then, while real, is not arbitrary. Nor is it without mercy. In my own faith tradition—as in many others—the confession of sin is preceded by the reminder that God waits with eagerness to forgive our sins even as we confess them. This is the good news of the gospel, that in Jesus Christ–Son of God, Word made flesh–God was reconciling the world to God’s self.

Prayer: God of grace and mercy, continue to forgive our sins. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

What About the Others?

2012-01-24T11:08:00.000-08:00

John 5:1-18

Would Jesus really have healed only one person out of many? Would Jesus really have singled out an individual and restored him to health while ignoring others? If we read it a certain way that’s the impression that we might get from our gospel text for today. “Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids — blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?…Stand up, take your mat and walk.’ At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk” (John 5: 2-6, 8-9). That’s great for the one man, but what about the others? What about the other “blind, lame, and paralyzed” people who were there that day?

This is an interesting point to ponder, no doubt, but it is not really what the passage is telling us. The central issue here is that whatever healing took place was done on the Sabbath which caused the religious leaders of the day to be very angry. They could not tolerate the fact that Jesus broke the law of Moses, even if it was for the purpose of restoring fullness to a man’s life. So maybe the real question to ask is why did Jesus not heal the religious leaders of his day of their closed minds and hard hearts? Why did Jesus leave so many people bound to sin and a dependence on the law?

Eventually, of course, that is exactly what Jesus offered to the world when he died on the cross. Jesus gave his life so that those who believed in him - the blind, lame, and paralyzed, along with uptight religious leaders - might find salvation and grace. Turns out there were a whole bunch of folks who needed Jesus’ attention that Sabbath day, some of whom knew it, and some who did not. So which group are we in?

Prayer: Lord, heal us of all that harms us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Difficult Faith

2012-01-23T07:54:00.000-08:00

John 4:43-54

According to commentator Lamar Williamson Jr. is his book Preaching the Gospel of John: Proclaiming the Living Word, our text from the fourth gospel today is a story in which a man’s life is transformed by his desperate search for a miracle. “Then (Jesus) came again to Cana in Galilee where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a royal official whose son lay ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, ‘Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe’" (John 4:46-48).

For me the challenging part of the text comes in Jesus’ initial rebuff of the official. It is only when the man persists that Jesus heals the son (from a distance) and as a result plants the seeds of faith. But would Jesus really have allowed the son to die had the father not continued to beg? There is no way to tell. We only know what we read which is that Jesus did act and the boy did recover as a result. If nothing else, though, this passage should remind us that faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is to be taken very seriously. If we want signs and wonders for our own delight, if we seek a good luck charm that we can keep in a dresser drawer for special occasions, if we are only interested in Jesus on our terms (what can Jesus do for me?) then we will find that we have no faith at all. But if we are willing to trust Jesus as Lord of our lives all the time, to remain attuned to the message of the gospel even when it is not to our liking, to allow Jesus to work through us as vessels of grace for others, then Jesus is already calling us to respond.

As difficult as it is, the story about the royal official’s son is a reminder of the demands that faith places upon us, of the claims it makes on our time and talents. Faith, too, is difficult, but as a gift from God nothing is more important in our lives.

Prayer: Lord grant us the faith we need to live as your people all the days of your lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Parenthetically Speaking

2012-01-20T13:40:00.000-08:00

John 4:16-26

The translation of scripture into a particular language is not always the best guide to the passage’s intent, but the way the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible renders part of our gospel reading for today is interesting. Jesus is speaking with the woman at the well in Samaria. “The woman said to him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming’ (who is called Christ). ‘When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am he, the one who is speaking to you’” (John 4:25-26). My question is why is the phrase “who is called Christ” placed in parenthesis? This is not a part of the woman’s remarks—the NRSV leaves the parentheses outside of the quotation marks. So if the woman didn’t pause to more fully define “Messiah,” who did? The answer is the author of John did, or at least the NRSV Bible assumes he did. And if the author of John added the words “who is called Christ” it would appear to be for the benefit of those who will encounter the text in years to come; which, by the way, includes you and me.

Think of it this way then: sitting by the well we see Jesus, a Samaritan woman, and everyone who will ever read the account as shared in John’s gospel. That’s us, bound up by the parenthesis, those who can hear the stage whisper, as though the woman herself was saying, “Pssst, I know you’re there, now pay attention,” at which point Jesus himself nods his agreement. Reading scripture should never be taken as a passive encounter. To interact with the word of God is to be subsumed into the story. We may not be characters per se, but we have a role to play. We are to listen, to learn, to grow, and then to share with others which is pretty much what the Samaritan woman did in this story.

John was writing for our benefit, and the benefit of millions of others over the centuries. The parentheses of John 4:25 is just one small reminder that we can not hide unnoticed. We, the readers and hearers of scripture, have been shoved into the scene and given a role to play. This is how story, too.

Prayer: Lord, help us to hear your word and to live out its meaning in our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Priorities

2012-01-19T08:20:00.000-08:00

John 4:1-15

"Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?" (John 4:12). According to our reading from John this morning a Samaritan woman asked this question of Jesus. In hindsight it is an ironic thing to ask. Of course the Son of God, the Word Incarnate, is greater than Jacob and his sons. But in a contemporary setting the woman's inquiry should probably give us pause. I know that I ask similar questions just about daily. Oh, they are not as pointed, of course, but behind the choices that I make, behind the decisions that I reach, there lies a fundamental conflict.

"Jesus, are you greater than the things I want to buy with MY money?"

"Jesus, are you greater than the rights I claim as a citizen of a nation?"

"Jesus, are you greater than the platform of any political party or any candidate or any administration?"

"Jesus, are you greater than what I think I know to be true about the church before I even ask?"

The answer is always yes, of course, but the fact that I ever find myself dealing with such issues is telling. Humility before the Lord is sometimes tough to manage, but the alternative puts us at odds with God's will. Today we all have another chance to get our priorities in order. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord, help me to know you and to follow you with justice, kindness, and a humble spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Days of Flesh

2012-01-17T10:30:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 5:7-14

John 3:16-21

What a wonderful expression the writer of Hebrews uses to describe the incarnation of Christ: "In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death..." (Hebrews 5:7). "The days of his flesh" is a profound way to think about Jesus' presence in our midst. As we know Jesus was truly human in every way save for sin. That's the "flesh" part of the equation. But Jesus also took human form, was enfleshed if you will, at a specific time in human history, and in a specific place. There were "days" during which Jesus ministered, what we would call Mondays and Thursdays, sunny days and ones when the rain poured, exciting days and dull, drab days. Sound familiar? It should, because this is what being flesh is all about. It is about oversleeping and losing car keys, about worrying when the kids get home late or the iron gets left on. Life is about, well, life. It is messy and contentious and full of uncertainties that turn out fine and certainties that go by the wayside. There is always lots for us to stew over, but we should rejoice because that very stewing was sanctified by Jesus in the "days of his flesh."

Another of our readings for today is far more familiar. It comes from the gospel of John. "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" (John 3:16). This is really what the "days of Jesus' flesh" were all about, and none of the messiness, none of the contentiousness, none of the disappointments can in any way put a dent in God's intentions. Do we believe that? Then let us join hands -- greasy, sticky, calloused, sweaty, rough but flesh-covered hands -- and celebrate the lives we have been given. They are a chance for us to live to God's glory. For as messy as they are, our lives are God's gift to us.

Prayer: Lord, bless us this day with the opportunity to serve you with all we have, as imperfectly as it may be, and to love one another as you love us. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Water Birds

2012-01-16T09:25:00.000-08:00

Genesis 8:6-22

Our reading from Genesis today includes these words: “At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent out the raven…” (Genesis 8:6-7a). I have seldom paid attention to the “other bird” in this story before today. The role of the dove is well established, but what was the significance of the raven? As I wrestled with that question I wrote the following poem which I have called “Water Birds.”

Where is the raven, Lord?

Gone from the ark and no regrets

reckless, fickle,

willfulness with feathers.

The dove

all olive branch and hope

in Noah’s hands is

tame, docile, (cooing?)

This is your Spirit, Lord,

but does it know

the other

the sinner’s bird amongst the carrion

let loose with freedom

as a messenger to no one

the younger son who never came home

and how you, Lord, long for that raven?

Prayer: Lord, make a place in your heart for all your creatures, those who seek your presence continually, and those whose restlessness leads them far from the shelter you offer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Like There's No Tomorrow

2012-01-13T08:50:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 3:12-19

The Christian faith is a community faith, one that requires men and women, the young and the old to stand together as the body of Christ at work I the world. Only when we are in relationship with others may we fully live the relationship - the covenant - we have with God. But the Christian faith is also a 'right now' faith, one that looks forward to the coming of God's reign, but which lives out its witness in the present. The book of Hebrews helps us to put this aspect of our relationship with God and with one another into focus. "...Exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrew 3:13). For the writer of Hebrews there is no time like the present in which to do the work of God, in which to stand united with a common purpose, in which to act on the faith we confess. Yes, we have a sure and certain hope of what God will do in the time to come, but the call we receive is to be awake now and to exhort and care for one another on every day called "today."

Ours is a "right now" faith for in grace God entered world in the person of Jesus Christ, a real person who lived at a real time and place, but whose love continues to abound in our midst. As God's people may we live like there is no tomorrow, and may we do so with a unity of purpose.

Prayer: Gracious God, help us recognize today and everyday as a gift from you and a blessing to be cherished and shared. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Skepticism Abounds

2012-01-12T09:52:00.000-08:00

John 1:43-51

In our increasingly electronic age we find ourselves bombarded with information of all sorts, much of which is dubious in nature. A healthy dose of skepticism is a necessity when opening an email, for example, or watching a political ad.

But what if we need to convey information to someone else? How do we overcome their doubts? The gospel of John offers insight on addressing skepticism. “Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see’” (John 1:45-46). Ultimately all Philip did to answer Nathanael’s question was to invite him to check it out. “Come and see,” he said.

The good news of Jesus Christ, as enlivened by the Holy Spirit, is capable of changing lives. In our efforts to share that good news we do not really need to be experts on complicated theological subjects. Imagine approaching your neighbor with the words, “Bob, I need a minute of your time to tell you about the Second Helvetic Confession and what a difference it can make in your life.” I don’t know about you, but most of the neighbors I’ve had are far more interested in personal stories of faith than ancient rubrics or constructs authored by long-dead academics. (There’s a place for such stuff, but it isn’t back yard barbeques.) Philip hit the nail on the head. When Nathanael scoffed at what he said, Philip simply challenged Nathanael to “come and see.” Sometimes that’s all it takes. Sometimes we need to let God deal with the skepticism and simply invite others to participate.

Prayer: Lord, give us the courage to share our faith in simple terms and to allow your Spirit to work through us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Season For Endorsements

2012-01-11T09:48:00.000-08:00

John 1:29-42

As the process that leads to the election of the President of the United States continues to heat up we will begin to hear more and more endorsements or pledges of support for one candidate or another. Coincidentally that is exactly what John the Baptist is doing in our gospel reading for today. “And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on (Jesus). I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God’" (John 1:32-34).

“This is the Son of God.” Now there is an unambiguous statement of faith, and it comes from a man who had attracted the attention of even the most devout of religious leaders of his day. “I’m not the one,” John was saying, “but I know who he is, and I know what he has been sent to do. Believe in him.”

During this season of endorsements may we as people of faith add our voices to that of John the Baptist. Let us say with conviction, “This is the Son of God.” But more than saying the words, let us live them; let us point to Jesus Christ with our actions as well that the world may come to know and believe in the mercy of God as revealed in God’s Son.

Prayer: Lord, may our lives be dedicated to your service and may we bear witness to your Son Jesus Christ in all that we do. Amen.

Prayer Is a Big Deal

2012-01-09T09:31:00.000-08:00

Psalm 5

One of the morning psalms for today addresses God this way: “Give ear to my words, O Lord; give heed to my sighing. Listen to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch” (Psalm 5:1-3). Like so many others psalms, this one is a prayer, but it is also a description of prayer. The psalmist speaks, sighs, cries, prays, pleads, and watches. Prayer, in this case, is far from passive and certainly not limited to perfunctory blessings at mealtime. It is an activity that subsumes the entire person and requires full attention. To pray like the psalmist in Psalm 5 is to be fully engaged and fully attentive. Nothing else will do but to gives oneself completely to the effort.

I have recently discovered the poetry of Mark Jarman. In his poem “Five Psalms” he writes:

First forgive the silence

That answers prayer,

Then forgive the prayer

That stains the silence.

Excuse the absence

That feels like presence,

Then excuse the feeling

That insists on presence.

Pardon the delay

Of revelation,

Then ask pardon for revealing

Your impatience.

Forgive God

For being only a word,

Then ask God to forgive

The betrayal of language.

(http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/241978)

There is a seriousness in the give and take of Jarman’s prayer that requires attention. One does not quickly fire off an appeal to God like a divine text message. Instead, prayer is hard work that involves the full mind and spirit, that recognizes God’s presence in the conversation and the total inadequacy of the one who prays. The relationship may appear equally balanced, but that is only because God lowers the divine self into that position.

If you are like me your prayers are far less serious than they should be. If you are like me there are way too many abbreviated “shopping list” prayers offered and far too few hours devoted to the hard work of meaningful conversation. As people of faith, however, we are charged with the responsibility of conversing with God, on behalf of ourselves and of others. It is, ultimately, worth the effort.

Prayer: Lord, forgive our inadequacy in prayer. Help us to approach you with respect and attentiveness that our words may have true meaning and our hearts be filled with the knowledge of your presence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Until Then

2012-01-06T13:00:00.000-08:00

Revelation 21:22-27

The old joke says that sin keeps ministers in business. That is only a joke (and not a very good one at that). The truth is that the church as the body of Christ exists to faithfully serve its Lord and Savior; clergy and laity alike share this responsibility (see my blog post from January 5, 2012 for more on that subject). The time is coming when there will be no need for the church as an institution for we will all dwell in the presence of the living God. We find such an assurance in our reading from Revelation for today. “I saw no temple in the city,” we read, “for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb” (Revelation 21:22-23).

Years ago John Lennon challenged his listeners to “Imagine” a world without boundaries or institutions. John, the writer of Revelation, is making essentially the same observation. In the coming reign of God there will be no need for religion as we know it, no place for governments or socio-economic classes. Even the elements of nature that we consider essential for life will become superfluous, all replaced by the glory of God and of the Lamb.

So, yes, I look forward to the day when the church is rendered obsolete, when symbols of earthly power and authority cease to have meaning. When that day comes God will stand alone in undiluted majesty and we will know life as it is intended to be.

Prayer: Lord, give us patience to await the day of your coming and the love we need to care for one another in the meantime. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayers, Please

2012-01-05T10:41:00.000-08:00

Ephesians 6:10-20

As a preacher and one who is often called upon to minister to those in need I was drawn to a verse in Ephesians today. “Pray also for me,” it says, “so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel…” (Ephesians 6:19). This should be a constant request from all ministers, all chaplains, all preachers, all priests, all those seeking ordination. All of us depend on the gifts of the Spirit to fulfill our calling. All of us require God’s strength and God’s grace. To pray for one who ministers is to ask God to sustain him or her in the work being done. So by all means, please pray for me.

But in truth the words of Ephesians 6:19 should be on the lips of all believers. As members of the body of Christ we have been sent into the world to offer our witness to the grace and love of our God, to point to the good news that has come to us and that all people need to hear. May all of us, clergy and laity alike, be given words to speak concerning the “mystery of the gospel” and may we receive the boldness we need to speak with conviction and with clarity. Perhaps the common greeting shared between Christians should be “pray for me. Pray that God gives me words to speak. Pray that God gives me the courage to speak them. Pray that God leads me in right paths so that I may demonstrate the gospel in all that I do. Pray for me, please.” And having greeted one another in such a way we should then set ourselves to the task.

Prayer: Lord, grant all of your people a message of hope for the world and give them all the confidence they need to share it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A Nation in Need of ‘Crossing Over’

2012-01-04T08:46:00.000-08:00

Joshua 3:14-4:7

John 9:1-12, 35-38

In my country I am blessed with the freedom to worship as I choose. But I also know that with freedom can come complacency, and with complacency can come apathy. It costs me nothing to say I am a Christian; does that make my confession worthless? It could if I do nothing with it. It is times like these when the church as the body of Christ – “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, God’s own people,” as 1 Peter 2:10 tells us – must be willing to “cross over” and become what God has called it to be. “While all Israel were crossing over on dry ground, the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, until the entire nation finished crossing over the Jordan” (Joshua 3:17). The significance of this account may not be that the waters parted for the people or that the ark was held by the priests, the significance may well come in the fact that the people finally entered the land to which God had been leading them. They “crossed over” into a new relationship with the Creator.

God’s call reverberates throughout the world and rests on those whom God chooses. It is the church, then, with all of its diversity and all of its variations, that faces the challenge of living the way God intends. What we do, what we say, how we act and react: these are the factors that make our faith visible, that give truth to our confession. John tells us that when Jesus introduced himself to the man he had healed from blindness the man said, “‘Lord, I believe.’ And he worshiped him” (John 9:38). How can others come to know the Lord? When we as the body of Christ “cross over” to what God intends, when we leave behind our old lives and begin to live out our calling day after day, setting aside our partisan behavior, letting go of our will and embracing the will of God.

The church as the body of Christ bears a great responsibility in the world, and it is an honor to stand with all those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Lord. But are we willing to make a costly decision? Are we willing to “cross over” and become what God wants us to be?

Prayer: Lord, lead your church toward your coming reign and fill us again with your Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Is That Really Necessary?

2012-01-03T07:58:00.000-08:00

Ephesians 4:17-32

“Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy” (Ephesians 4:28). When I read this verse I always chuckle to myself. This may be the most obvious admonition to be found in all of scripture. Did the author of Ephesians really need to tell us that stealing is wrong? Not if we’ve been paying attention to the rest of the Bible. But then we arrive at the next verse, “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear” (v. 29), and I begin to get antsy.

Theft is wrong–and obviously so–but what we say about and to one another often falls into a grey area; or so we’d like to think. Politicians call it “pointing out distinctions” between themselves and their opponents. Groups and organizations based on hate or racism offer their viewpoints in crass terms called “protected speech.” A joke told at a party, a comment made to a coworker, a bit of gossip shared at a potluck supper all pass as “polite conversation.” Few of us would ever endorse theft, but depriving others of their dignity is just as bad and robbing a community of its cohesion is no better. The problem is that while I can see what it means to steal I don’t always choose to see what harm I’m doing by what I say. The author of Ephesians offers me no room to wiggle. Theft and the use of language lie side by side and challenge me to take my actions seriously.

I feel confident that I will not steal today, but what words will I use and what language will I convey? Evil is evil, but perhaps the subtle wrongs are the ones to be feared most for they are the ones we have the most trouble avoiding.

Prayer: Lord, help us to live lives of faith and truth today and always. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What’s In a Name?

2011-12-30T14:50:00.000-08:00

3 John 1-15

I find mail addressed to “Occupant” to be very irritating. Almost as bad is receiving a phone call from someone who calls me James. Yes, that’s my formal name, but I go by Jim and anyone who really knows me will call me that. Our names are important to us because they are a part of our identity. To be called the wrong name, or to be addressed by something generic, robs us of our particularity in many ways. The author of 3 John makes an allusion to this fact in one of our readings for today. “Peace to you,” he writes. “The friends send you their greetings. Greet the friends there, each by name” (3 John 15). Greet the members of the community there, and call them each by his or her name.

I like the sentiment expressed in this verse. It is important to know and to respect those who share in the faith with us. It is important to value what each of us offers the community as a whole. While we will never know every other believer, we must recognize the unique gifts that God has given us all and the sacrifices that each of us makes. The author of 3 John is right to ask that each of the “friends” be greeted by name, even though the author did not know them, or did not have the space in which to write them.

I wish that I could call all of you who are reading these words by name. I wish I could acknowledge the unique gifts that each of you have received. I wish I had even an inkling of the sacrifices each of you make. Since I can not know these things I will simply tell you how blessed I feel to walk in faith with you and to know that others are serving our Lord and Savior the best they know how.

Prayer: Lord, bless each of us in our efforts to serve you that your love may spread to all in need. Amen.

(As this is my last post of 2011 I wish all of you a blessed 2012. May all of the challenges you face bring with them the sense of God’s presence.)

Face to Face

2011-12-29T10:07:00.000-08:00

2 John 1:1-13

There is something about personal contact that cannot be duplicated by any other means. We may value the convenience of talking on the phone, or of texting or e-mailing, or of “following” one another on Facebook or Twitter, or of connecting via Skype or another form of video conferencing, but it simply is not the same as meeting someone in person and spending time in her or his company. The same idea is expressed in pre-technological terms by the author of 2 John. “Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete” (2 John 1:12). The church is a community of faith built on relationships, those among individuals and between Jesus Christ and humanity. To participate fully, then, we must be present with and to one another as we seek to serve our Lord. There is a time and a place for “paper and ink.” But only when we stand together do we find complete joy and fulfilled purpose.

Like virtually all congregations the one I serve celebrated Christmas Eve with a worship service. Attendance that evening was higher than at any time during my brief tenure. I suspect that when we reach Easter Sunday we will have a similar turnout. I’m not complaining. It is ALWAYS a blessing to worship God, no matter how many are present, and I am delighted whenever people are willing to participate. But it is essential for us to understand that we are not fully God’s people when we are not fully engaged with one another, and that means face to face.

The author of 2 John longed for the opportunity to put down his pen and instead to visit face to face with his sisters and brothers. That need still exists and can never be replaced – not even by a blog based on the daily lectionary!

Prayer: Lord, bring us together in the faith that we may serve you fully. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hope That Means Something

2011-12-28T10:08:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 54:1-13

One key aspect to God’s relationship with humanity has been the series of covenants God has established. God bound the divine self to Noah soon after the waters of the flood receded (Genesis 9:8-13). God did the same with Abraham (15:18-21). The blessing that Jacob received at the ford of the River Jabbok is covenantal in nature (32:22-29). And of course at Mt. Sinai God made a covenant with the Hebrew people (Exodus 19:1-9). In our readings for today the prophet Isaiah reminds us of the nature of God’s connection with God’s people. “This is like the days of Noah to me: Just as I swore that the waters of Noah would never again go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you and will not rebuke you. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you” (Isaiah 54:9-10).

Here, then, is hope that truly means something for humanity. Not only has God entered into a binding relationship with creation, but God has renewed that pledge over and over again. For Christians the most grace-filled sign of the promise came in the birth of Jesus, for in this way God entered into our lives standing with and for us even unto death. In Jesus our faith finds a focus that allows us to live more fully just as God has become more fully known to us. The mountains and hills may fall away, but God’s “steadfast love” will never end and God’s “covenant of peace” will not expire.

Prayer: Lord, give us eyes with which to see your love and hearts to share it with those around us that we, too, may live in a covenant of peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

From Beginning to End

2011-12-27T06:02:00.000-08:00

John 13:20-35

Our gospel reading from John takes place on the Thursday of Holy Week. Speaking to the disciples Jesus says, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35). On this the second day after Christmas we are being reminded of the culmination of Jesus’ ministry. We’ve seen God’s love in the giving of a Savior at Bethlehem, and now we hear Jesus speak of love as the key identifying trait of his followers. From beginning to end, then, the message of Jesus Christ is love and the work of Jesus is that of shaping a community of love.

Of course love can mean different things to different people. The word is often misused by our culture to describe far less noble emotions or attitudes. We say things like “I love it,” about a new television, or “if you really loved me you would do what I ask,” when we are talking to a friend or family member. This is not what Jesus is describing, nor is it what Jesus demonstrated in his life. The love that Jesus wants us to share is a self-giving love, a willingness to care for each other and to support and nurture each other without fear or manipulation or greed or other motivation. The baby born in a manger, “born that we no more may die,” is the man who now tells us to live for each other and as such to be an example to the world.

It’s a consistent message. Jesus shares it from the beginning to the end of his earthly life. The challenge for us is to live the same way.

Prayer: Lord, we do not always love one another as we should. Help us to be the people you have called us to be so that we may share your love with the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

That Didn’t Last Long

2011-12-26T10:08:00.000-08:00

2 Chronicles 24:17-22

Acts 6:1-7, 7:59-8:8

Here it is, the day after Christmas, and our daily readings are full of conflict and death. The prophet Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24:21) and Stephen, one of the first deacons (Acts 7:59-60) are each stoned to death, a persecution breaks out against the church in Jerusalem (8:1) and the church itself is torn by conflict over the treatment of widows (6:1-2). Frankly a few readings about peace and prosperity would have been nice today. The baby Jesus still lies in the manger. The Wise Men haven’t even gotten to Bethlehem. Could we not have had some time to enjoy the ambient glow from the stable? But that is not what we’ve been given today.

Maybe that’s just the way it should be. Had the world been filled with peace and light and warmth all along there would have been no need for prophets or a Savior. But the world needed God’s grace and over and over again that is what we got. Jesus was born into difficult circumstances demonstrating that God had not given up on us. Centuries later there are still issues that confront us and challenge us as people of faith, and yet God remains active in our midst.

It is also worth noting that in each of our readings today there is at least a glimmer of hope. Zechariah began to prophesy because “the spirit of God took possession” of him (2 Chronicles 24:20), and though he was killed for his efforts, Zechariah died showing faith in God (v. 22). Even though the church was conflicted early on, “the word of God continued to spread; the number of disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem (Acts 6:7). And the persecution that followed Stephen’s death helped to spread to word of God as Philip, another of the disciples, began to proclaim the word in the city of Samaria to the joy of it’s residents (8:5-8).

We’d like a rosier picture today. We’d like to dwell at the manger for a bit and watch the baby sleep. But the world needs the word of God too much for us to stand idle, and we know too much about the grace of God to remain silent for long.

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for the birth of our Savior. Now give us the courage to spread the good news throughout the world that all may come to share the joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A Foundation For All Time

2011-12-23T10:32:00.000-08:00

Psalm 102

The words of Psalm 102—one of our morning psalms—are a message of hope in an uncertain world. They are addressed to God: “Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you endure; they will all wear out like a garment. You change them like clothing, and they pass away; but you are the same, and your years have no end” (Psalm 102:25-27). To put our faith and confidence in anything other than God would leave us with no hope. But to stand on a foundation of faith in the Creator is to lay claim to the promise of life abundant.

Tomorrow the Christian world will celebrate Christmas Eve. Candles will be lit, carols will be sung, families will gather. At the same time there also will be those faced with hard decisions, with difficult lives, with poverty and homelessness. Above it all, however, the joy and the hardship, the family dinners and the homeless couples, God remains steadfast and eternal. No matter what tomorrow brings, no matter what the days ahead may hold for us, God’s providence will not end, and God’s presence will not be abated.

May this season of Christmas be a source of grace and courage for all of us in the living of these days, whether they be filled with joy or with struggle. For the Lord we await comes to us in weakness, but offers us strength beyond measure. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord, may the light of your continence fall upon us and give us peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Laughter Like No Other

2011-12-22T15:08:00.000-08:00

Psalm 126

One of the evening psalms for today is Psalm 126. It paints a wonderful picture of restoration and hope. “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced” (Psalm 126:1-3).

We are hearing a lot of music these days because it’s that time of year. But the sentiment of Psalm 126 is about more than chestnuts roasting on the fire, or bells jingling on a sleigh, or even being home for Christmas. Psalm 126 is about more than a season of good cheer, it is about life set right and about the fulfillment of God’s promises. It is about laughter rising from the hearts of those who know beyond a doubt that the road ahead is filled with blessing, and that to journey on is to do so in the company of God’s people in a fellowship of gladness and praise. This is what the birth of a Savior is really about, and this is what the coming reign of God is about as well. If we really understand what Christmas means for us then we will allow the joy to fill us up and the laughter to come flowing out every day of our lives.

Prayer: Lord, fill us with your joy during this season and beyond. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fortune Cookie Theology

2011-12-22T12:29:00.000-08:00

[Note: This post was to have been published on December 21, 2011 but was delayed. Today's post (12/22/73) will be published later today.]

Titus 2:11-3:8a

Recently, after a carryout dinner of sweet and sour chicken, I cracked open my fortune cookie to read the following message: “It is now, and in this world, that we must live.” At the time it struck me that this was somewhat more sophisticated than the average “cookie wisdom.” I set it aside to reflect on it later thinking it might become a sermon illustration, but then this morning, in the reading from Titus, I recognized a similar phrase. “For the grace of God has appeared,” we read, “bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13).

On the one hand we as disciples of Jesus Christ have set our hope on the coming reign of God and on the life eternal made evident by the resurrection. In that respect we do not live for today, but for the time that is to come which means that my fortune cookie was incorrect. On the other hand we have also been challenged by Christ to live each day according to God's will, in a manner that is “self-controlled, upright, and godly…” or as Paul would say, so as not to be conformed to the world, but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds in order to do God’s will (Romans 12:2).

So yes, we have a role to play in this world, in the here and now which makes the fortune cookie right after all. But our ultimate goal lies in the future and what we do today must be done with the future in mind.

Prayer: Lord, God, bless our efforts to live as your people, both in the world and for the world, but with your coming reign in sight. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A Foundation of Change

2011-12-20T09:11:00.000-08:00

1 Samuel 2b-10

Our Old Testament reading for today is the “Song of Hannah,” a beautiful expression of faith that serves as the model for the Magnificat, Mary’s song in Luke 1. Hannah’s words, like Mary’s, point to a reversal of fortune between the weak and the powerful, between the hungry and the well-fed, between the poor and the wealthy. And yet, “the pillars of the earth are the Lord's,” we read, “and on them (God) has set the world” (1 Samuel 2:8c). This may seem to be a contradiction; lives are turned upside down despite a firm foundation established by God.

The answer lies in the justice and righteousness that God seeks, that the Lord will bring to fruition. Those who rely on God’s Sovereignty may do so with hope and confidence because the pillars are sturdy and the foundation is strong. But those who rely on their own wealth, their own power, their own works will find themselves shaken to the core, for their lives are like a house build on sand. In the end God’s will is done as God’s reign comes in its fullness, and those who trust in God will not be shaken.

Where do we stand? Do we put faith in our possessions, in our social status, in our politics? Or do we trust in the Lord as a solid truth, one on which to build a lasting life of faith?

Prayer: Lord, help us to trust in you and to stand on the foundation that you provide. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lover Of God

2011-12-19T04:00:00.000-08:00

Luke 1:1-25

“Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed” (Luke 1:1-4).

This is how Luke begins his account of the gospel of Jesus Christ, addressing “Theophilus,” a name that means “Lover of God.” There are days when I almost wish I could forget everything I know about Jesus. Then perhaps I could read the gospel of Luke in the spirit in which it was written, as an “orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us…,” as late-breaking news about God’s activity, something fresh and surprising, something the likes of which I had never heard but about which I would certainly want to know more.

While I can’t really forget the gospel, I can treat it with the same excitement that Theophilus must have, with the same hunger to know more. I can be drawn deeper into the story, listening for the voices of “eyewitnesses and servants of the word…investigating everything carefully from the very first…” Indeed, the gospel is too vital to be taken lightly or set aside for long periods. It deserves our attention on a regular and on-going basis. When we open ourselves to its power I believe we can more readily feel the excitement of what God is doing in our world still.

Luke’s words, written hundreds of years ago, are no longer current, and yet by the Holy Spirit they remain as relevant as ever, telling a story that remains fresh and profound. If we let them, Luke’s words will pick us up and carry us along until we feel a closer bond to Theophilus, until our love for God becomes more and more integral to our identity.

Prayer: Lord, help us to hear your word as though it were new to us so that we may feel again their power to change lives, including our own. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Now a Word From Our Sponsor

2011-12-16T10:12:00.000-08:00

Zechariah 7:8-8:8

Just in time for Christmas, the prophet Zechariah has a not-so-subtle reminder of what our relationship to God is all about. "Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another. But they refused to listen, and turned a stubborn shoulder, and stopped their ears in order not to hear. They made their hearts adamant in order not to hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his spirit through the former prophets" (Zechariah 7:9-12a). If we hold these words alongside the words of John the Baptist we begin to see the issues that Jesus Christ was sent to address, the claims that God was making in the stable in Bethlehem.

Right now, and just for a moment, reflect on how our global culture treats the poor and the disenfranchised in our midst. Then take another moment to consider how the message of Christmas speaks to the least and the lonely, those longing for the truth. Are there things that we can do better? Are there people for whom we can show more compassion? I suspect that there are. If we have in any way stopped up our ears to God's word, or allowed the sounds of our culture to drown it out, then Advent is the time to start paying attention again.

Now back to your regular holiday activities.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to hear and respond to your voice and your voice alone, during Advent and throughout the year. In the name of the one whose return we await. Amen.

No Other Way

2011-12-15T05:50:00.000-08:00

Zechariah 4:1-14

It is not even accorded the status of a full verse, but to me Zechariah 4:6b is one of those profound expressions of faith we do well to reflect on frequently: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” No matter how strong we are in human terms, no matter how well-established or influential we may be, it is only by God’s grace that our efforts come to fruition. But assuming that to be true, this must also be the case that no matter how weak we are in human terms, no matter now poor or poorly-regarded, no matter how humble our presence, God’s grace is still at work in our lives.

The psalmist offers a similar thought: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain” (Psalm 127:1). But here, too, we should remember the other side of the equation, for with God’s help the builders do not labor in vain and the guards do not keep watch in vain, no matter who they are in human terms. After all, the world is littered with the debris of once-great civilizations, yet human history is full of simple actions by the least among us that have produced good fruit and touched countless lives.

What we await this Advent season is not a symbol of human power but of human weakness in the form of an infant. So why do we count on our own might or our own power to accomplish God’s will, and why do we discount the role of the poor or the weak in serving the coming kingdom? At all times the truth lies with God. There is no other way.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to trust you and your will for our lives while letting go of our own desire for power and might. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Majesty, Not Monotony

2011-12-14T07:43:00.000-08:00

Revelation 4:1-8

In our reading from Revelation this morning the author is escorted into heaven and describes what he sees as he first enters. There is a throne, and the one seated on that throne has the appearance of precious stones, and of light and color. Lightening and thunder cascade from the throne as well. In front of the throne is a sea as calm and bright as crystal. Four living creatures, each in a different form, surround the throne. John tells us, “Day and night without ceasing (the four creatures) sing,

‘Holy, holy, holy,

the Lord God the Almighty,

who was and is and is to come’" (Revelation 4:8).

What a marvelous scene…unless earthly considerations begin to creep into our minds. Is eternity really this cold and sterile? Is everything made of precious stones and constantly lit by flashes of lightening? Is there nothing soft or comfortable to be found? And is there really no break in the singing (or could those four creatures at least pick something else to sing occasionally)? Such concerns are ill-founded, of course. The point of the scene is not the monotony of it all (even grandeur might become tiring after awhile), but the majestic presence of God which John is describing the best way he knows how, with human language and with reference to things that his readers would understand.

I don’t know what to expect in the heavenly court, but I trust it will be nothing of which the human mind could conceive or human words express. Nor should we be focused on what the four creatures are singing “day and night,” only that the praise of God is constant because there is nothing to distract attention from the glory and the majesty. If only our hearts and minds and souls were as focused on God’s glory now as they will be.

Prayer: Lord, help us to live with your praise on our lips and your love in our hearts. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A Reason To Sing

2011-12-13T08:39:00.000-08:00

Zechariah 2:1-13

There’s a lot of singing going on these days. Visit any shopping center in America, for example, and you are apt to hear music associated with Christmas piped through loudspeakers. Visit a congregation on Sunday in most parts of the world and I suspect you will hear special anthems and notice that the hymns are sung with extra zeal. Groups of carolers are making their rounds, and even families will break into song from time to time as they decorate their homes for the Christmas season.

I think that the prophet Zachariah would approve of most of the music, at least that of a religious nature. “Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion!” we read. “For lo, I will come and dwell in your midst, says the Lord. Many nations shall join themselves to the Lord on that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in your midst…” (Zechariah 2:10-11b). What better reason to sing? What better reason to rejoice? The Lord is coming to be Emanuel, God with us. The nations will be drawn together on that day as God’s reign is finally and firmly established. All will be set right and grace will abound in fullness.

Reading the promise of Zachariah I am reminded of James Weldon Johnson’s powerful words:

Lift ev'ry voice and sing,

Till earth and heaven ring,

Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;

Let our rejoicing rise

High as the list'ning skies,

Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,

Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,

Let us march on till victory is won.

Here, too, I believe the prophet Zachariah would readily approve. Let every voice be lifted in glad rejoicing. After all, ‘tis the season!

Prayer: Lord, may our songs of praise bring glory to your name, today and all days. In Jesus’ name. Amen.