No Exchange Policy

Jeremiah 2:1-13, 29-32
Romans 1:16-25
Portions of two of today’s readings intersect to offer a word of warning for those whose attention is not on God and the divine will. “Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look,” we read in Jeremiah, “send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has ever been such a thing. Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for something that does not profit. Be appalled, O heavens, at this, be shocked, be utterly desolate, says the LORD…” (Jeremiah 2:10-12). In his letter to the Romans, Paul makes the same point clear, saying, “they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever!” (Romans 1:25). In each case, the issue is one of idolatry, the placing of anything – any aspect of life, any activity, any idea or concept – between ourselves and God. The people of Israel had “changed gods,” according to the prophet, had chosen to serve “the creature rather than the Creator,” in the words of Paul. As a result, the heavens should be “appalled… shocked… (and) utterly desolate,” according to Jeremiah.

While it is easy to place such comments in the past tense and therefore to see them as historic failings, we ourselves must continually be aware of our own focus, that in which we place our ultimate allegiance. The problem, even within the Christian community, is that we find the idolatries of others to be so much worse than those we carry. We easily remove the speck from the eye of fellow believers while the log remains firmly lodged in our own. Why is that? Why is it that people of faith have so much trouble finding common cause on this issue? If nothing else, we Christians should be able to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our day to day lives and God’s help in our effort to cast aside whatever it is that blocks our view of God’s will. We all fall short of God’s intentions. We all have “changed gods” at some point in our lives. We all have been bedazzled by the creature and lost sight of the Creator, if only for a season or for a moment. We all stand in humble need of God’s forgiveness and grace, and it seems to me that prayers of confession should replace words of accusation and acrimony on all levels.

Then, perhaps, once we have recognized our common plight as sinners in need of redemption, we can pray for one another, humbly and honestly seeking what is best even for those with whom we disagree strongly, for God’s glory is certainly not served in our willful disregard for the hurts and needs of others any more than by our inability to remain focused on the one by whose grace we all live.

Prayer: Lord of light and life, we confess that we have not always followed you and your will for our lives. Forgive us when we allow anything to distract our attention from your glory, and restore us in our faithful obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

A Glimpse Of What Is Possible

Luke 6:12-26
Three verses in particular stand out to me today from the gospel of Luke. “(Jesus) came down with them,” we read, “and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them” (Luke 6:17-19). There is a universal, all-encompassing sense to this scene. A great crowd of disciples joined a great multitude of people drawn from all over the region, not only from Jerusalem but also from Tyre and Sidon. They came with a shared purpose, to hear Jesus speak and to be healed of what harmed them, and those who were possessed were freed of their demons, and those who were sick were made well. The focal point of all this activity was Jesus and for a few verses at least we are able to see what he is capable of doing. His word and his ministry forged community out of many walks of life; his touch healed and cast out demons; his followers were united as one.

But this scene fades all too quickly and Jesus is left to continue his work, more often than not opposed by the religious and civic leaders of his day. The crowds, drawn together by him at this juncture, will soon be screaming for his death. Even his disciples will turn their backs on him, and the twelve who have just now been called to be apostles will either run away, deny they know him, or conspire to trap him. How quickly the beauty of Luke 6:17-19 is tarnished.

Nonetheless, there is reason to rejoice. Luke has given us a glimpse of what the coming reign of God may look like, a vista of unity and healing, of God’s light drawing all people together and blessing them, a way of living built entirely around the word of God found in the Word made flesh. Luke 6:17-19 is one of those passages we might decide to revisit when we feel a sense of confusion or hopelessness. A song by the band The Police includes the words, “When the world is running down / you make the best of what’s still around.” In this case, in the case of our lives, draped in darkness, and a world which is dappled with sin, the best of what’s still around is the grace of God made manifest in Jesus Christ. The invitation remains to gather around our Savior, to seek his healing touch, to listen to his words, to come to know God better. This glimpse that Luke offers us can and will become a reality.

Prayer: Lord, may we constantly be drawn to your word and be healed of all the harm that confronts us, in this life and in the life to come. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Let’s Work Together

Acts 10:17-33

In 1969 blues artist Wilbert Harrison released his song, “Let’s Work Together.” It has since been covered by others, most notably the group Canned Heat. In it Harrison sings:

Together we will stand divided we'll fall

Come on now people let's get on the ball

And work together, come on, come on let's work together, now, now people

Say now together we will stand, every boy, girl, woman, and man...

Based on our reading from Acts today I have this mental image of Peter singing these words to those gathered in the home of Cornelius. “…And (Peter) said to them, ‘You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without objection’" (Acts 10:28-29).

Unity is a beautiful thing, and God desires it for humanity. It begins when we allow ourselves to be instruments of reconciliation. It begins when we are willing to let others talk while we listen. It begins when we look for similarities and commonalities instead of bashing each other over perceived––and often petty––differences. And even when the differences are significant and seemingly overwhelming God calls us to love and care for one another anyway. “Now together we will stand, every boy, girl, woman, and man.” My hope for the world this day is that somewhere someone will lay aside his or her assumptions and biases and reach out to another person just long enough to recognize a shared humanity with common needs and aspirations because in that moment God will be glorified. “Together we will stand divided we'll fall/Come on now people let's get on the ball…”

Prayer: Almighty God, help us to find a common purpose in your will and to share the joy that you seek with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Merely Human

1 Corinthians 2:14-3:15

The journey of faith is one filled with challenges, the greatest of which is staying focused on God's will. Paul looked at the church in Corinth and could see that there were issues making it impossible for the members to remain steadfast in their faith. "For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you," Paul writes, "are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? For when one says, 'I belong to Paul,' and another, 'I belong to Apollos,' are you not merely human?" (1 Corinthians 3:3b-4).

We are human, but what does Paul mean when he talks about being merely human? In this case it has to do with what motivates a person in their relationship with God and with others. When the people of God allow "jealously and quarreling" to creep in, when the body of Christ is divided into various camps each claiming to have the more authentic faith, when the will of God is lost in a sea of worldliness, then the church has become a merely human institution. And Paul means this as a harsh criticism. He might also have described his readers as spoiled brats, or as self-centered jerks. "Grow up!" Paul is saying.

The good news is that Paul remains confident of the work God is doing in Corinth. If the believers there will look beyond themselves they will see grace and mercy in abundance, they will see the fellowship of the Holy Spirit taking root, they will see growth and development taking place. The same can be said of the church today. If we will shift our focus away from issues that divide and concentrate on the gospel and its message of hope and peace we will see great things. And by God's grace we will no longer be merely human.

Prayer: Lord of all, bless us with eyes to see the work you are doing in our midst so that we may push beyond ourselves and become partners in you service. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Built On The Rock

Matthew 16:13-20

“Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it’” (Matthew 16:16-18). Most of us are familiar with the pun Jesus uses in this conversation from Matthew. The name Peter is based on the Greek word for rock, so in English Simon might have been called Rocky.

“You are Rocky, and on this rock I will build my church.”

But is Peter really “The Rock”? Or does that term refer to anyone who comes to know Jesus as the “Son of the living God”? For me faith in Jesus Christ challenges each of us to become rock-like in our living, to stand firm in what we believe. We do not do the building–that job belongs to Jesus. But by grace we become the stones, the raw material with which God creates a new structure that will stand against the forces of sin and death. This is why the Christian faith can never be reduced purely to person terms. Faith is always a function of believers as a whole, joined together, accountable to one another, encouraging one another. We are all rocks together, and in our unity–as frail as it is–we display the good news of the gospel.

“On this rock I will build my church.”

Prayer: Lore, give us the strength to live lives of courage and unity, that your will may be done among us. In Jesus name. Amen.

Make Up Your Mind Already!

Matthew 11:16-24

Jesus’ frustration is obvious on a number of occasions in scripture. Our reading from the gospel today is one example. Jesus said, “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” (Matthew 11:18-19). How slow we are to accept that which does not fit our own view of things! As I look at the church today, including my own denomination, I see conflict and confrontation on all sides. It is not enough to acknowledge “One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all…” (Ephesians 4:5-6). Even a cool form of civility would be better than the disdain we have for one another.

“What do you want?” Jesus wonders. “What more can God do to earn your faithful obedience? You said that John the Baptist was crazy, but then you say that I am promiscuous. Make up your minds! Which way is it going to be?”

When I read Jesus’ words I am convicted: I am more a part of the problem than the solution. I carry grudges, assign blame, make excuses, and find ways to avoid God’s call for unity. May God both forgive me and lead me to change. In the mean time I feel a strong sense of call in my ministry to hold myself and others accountable for the blessings we have received, for the responsibilities that we share, and for the unity that God—what’s a good word here?—demands. If you feel that there is far too much finger pointing and too little responsibility-taking, if you feel that it has become too popular to break covenant with one another instead of praying with and learning from each other, if you feel that Jesus’ lament has been too long ignored, then you and I, whoever you are, must acknowledge that we have something in common. Then we must listen seriously to Jesus’ words again and again and again until it all sinks in.

Faith really isn’t about what we want! It is about what God wants!

Prayer: Lord, forgive me when I fail you by failing your people. Help me learn to obey your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

The Return of the King

2 Samuel 15:19-37

Mark 10:46-52

There is a significant alignment of readings in the lectionary today. According to the passage from 2 Samuel, David and his followers were forced to leave Jerusalem before Absalom could arrive. In the midst of the confusion there were those who offered their loyalty to David and vowed to live or die with him. Centuries later, according to our gospel reading, Jesus was traveling through Jericho on his way to Jerusalem when a blind beggar called to him. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me” (Mark 10:47-48). By relating this story Mark makes clear that the King, a true Son of David, is indeed returning to Jerusalem.

Scripture is full of such interwoven events. Words spoken in one time find their fulfillment much later. One event helps to clarify another. Like overlapping shingles—many parts which form an single entity, the history of God’s people meshes together to form one piece, one account, one purpose. It is given to a blind beggar to help us “see” the relationship between Jesus and David. (Remember, Mark’s gospel does not contain details concerning Jesus’ birth, so the connection with David has not been as evident in this gospel as it is Matthew and Luke.)

The interwoven nature of scripture is very like the community of faith in our own time. Though there are countess elements such as individuals, congregations, and denominations, they all intertwine or overlap to form one piece, one account, one purpose. When we regard one another with scorn or animosity we tear the fabric of faith for us all. When we seek to live with mutual forbearance and understanding we strengthen the bonds that connect us and give glory to the God who has called us all into being. We needn’t agree on all points of faith, but we must trust one another and demonstrate the love that Jesus poured out for us all. When we do so the reign of God becomes more visible and the kingdom draws that much nearer.

Prayer: Lord God, help your people to overcome their divisions and live in unity with one another, loving you, loving each other, loving the world you created. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Physics of Theology

Colossians 1:15-23

Physics was never my favorite subject. There were aspects of it that I really enjoyed, but for the most part I just wasn’t interested. So maybe I’m not the best person to make this statement, but it would appear that our reading from Colossians 1 today, while it may be great theology, is really lousy science. “[Jesus] himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17), we read. It is verses like this one that seem to divide the scientific community from the church and its doctrine.

First of all questions about creation are guaranteed to start an argument. Creationism, Intelligent Design, 300 million years, 7 days; you name it and we people of faith can have a pretty good squabble about it. But here the writer of Colossians claims that Jesus is before all things, not was before all things, is before all things. Then there is this odd assertion, that it is by Jesus that “all things hold together.” I thought that friction, or bonding, or some other concept did that. I thought gravity played a role in keeping stuff where it was supposed to be. I thought there were forces and their opposites that did the “holding together.” What has Jesus got to do with this?

But here’s the good news that we miss if we aren’t careful. What is it that allows science and faith to stand shoulder to shoulder, that gives all people – regardless of their particular perspective – reason to unite? And that is where we discover the miracle, for while there are a million ways to divide us up and to break us off, there is precious little that can put us back together again. But Jesus can, for in Jesus “all things hold together.” For those of us who are Christians what unity we experience comes when in unison we say, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” So maybe our faith is the physics of theology, the recognition that above it all and before it all there is something else, something that counters our tendency to turn against each other. The author of Colossians has given us reason to celebrate! In Jesus Christ we stand together for it is Jesus Christ “that all things hold together.”

Prayer: Lord, in so many ways we pull ourselves apart. By your grace put us back together again that we might serve you in a unity of purpose. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

All Together Now (Tuesday of Holy Week)

Philippians 3:15-21

Since we can always find reasons to divide ourselves from others—race, politics, nationality, gender, wealth, occupation––the challenge is to find reasons to unite. This is true in society, and—sadly—in the church as well. Fortunately, Paul offers Christians just such a reason for unity. “But our citizenship is in heaven,” he writes, “and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).

No matter where we stand on any other issue or factor, we find common cause when we profess our faith in God through Jesus Christ. And that faith has given us a new identity, what Paul calls our “citizenship in heaven.” Seen in this light, how can we allow anything to disrupt our community? And yet we do, over and over again. Doctrine, ordination standards, church governance, personalities, hurt feelings, the church falls pray to them all. And when the church fragments it is less able to live out its calling.

I have experienced conflict in the church. It can cause unimaginable pain as it draws the life out of a community. And while it is always easy to assign blame in such circumstances, to point fingers and make threats, what it needed is a willingness to look to our common faith and to allow Jesus Christ to draw us together. Imagine the power of such witness! Imagine the model we could offer the world! “Our citizenship is in heaven…” Paul tells us. And though the church has always been a victim to its own divisiveness, we may look for the day when our common heritage bridges all chasms and gives us the courage to stand together saying, “Jesus is Lord!”

Prayer: Lord, as we reflect on the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, let us be more aware of the sacrifices we can make for one another as a step toward unity. Amen.