James 5:1-6 Playing the Long Game

Observation: James, Jesus' brother and the leader of the Jerusalem Church, has some words very reminiscent of his brother's teaching, and similarly hard to hear: moths will eat your clothes. Your gold and silver will rust and tarnish. This stuff won't last, but how you treated others (especially those with less power than you) will.

Application: It's interesting to watch Maggie reach an age that I have very clear memories of. For her, Minecraft videos are what it's all about. When I was that age, it was all about the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was my beautiful, 8-bit world as a kid. Mario and I were tight. And I wasn't the only one, apparently...This past Christmas, they re-released the NES and the intended price was $70 or so, but thirty-something dudes like myself flooded the market and they ended up running out and pricing the remaining ones above $300!

But no matter how many times you blow out those delightful grey cartridges, they eventually wear out. The little red buttons gum up. The image jumbles, and sooner or later, it's game over. And you're left with the way you treated others when you weren't playing.

In the larger game of life, the same is true. A human being (physically speaking) is a biological process with a clear beginning, middle and end. We will wear out. And unlike with Mario, there are no special mushrooms out there to give us "1UP's". We don't get an extra life. It's this one, then game over. We have grace and forgiveness in Christ, but we don't get a re-do. What we've done in this life, who we've helped, and who we've turned away...It is what it is.

So, may we jump into our lives with the same fervor as that beloved Italian plumber. May we jump for the spiritual "power ups" from God's Word, that allow us to be "bigger" in our perspective, and maybe even toss some "fireballs" of wisdom from the Holy Spirit. May we see, jump over or on top of the Spiritual enemies to be found in our own hearts. May we continually make our best jump at that final flagpole of righteousness, all the while knowing Jesus has already defeated the "King Koopa" of Sin and Death. And when we reach "Game Over," may we be satisfied with how we treated others, and ready to hand our controller over to Player 2.

Prayer: God, in this world of short-term pleasure and instant gratification, help us play the long game. Amen. 

Ruth 1:1-18, Grieving Together

Observation: Naomi's husband, Elimelech, and both of her sons, Mahlon and Chilion, have died. She is deep in grief, and she wants to go back to Bethlehem, where she was raised, and where there is reported to be enough food for everyone. Her former daughters-in-law, both Moabites (traditional enemies of Israel) want to go with her. Naomi tries to send them off to find new husbands. Orpah goes. Ruth stays, and says "Where you go I will go, where you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God."

Application: I've heard before that "joy shared is joy multiplied, but grief shared is grief divided." When bad things happen, sometimes our instinct is to pull away, like Naomi is trying to do. To isolate ourselves from others. Ruth won't let that happen. She knows she and Naomi need each other, to share the burden of what has happened. Even though they are from profoundly different cultures, Ruth binds herself to Naomi, who knows what it's like to lose a husband. Any walls that Naomi's grief builds up, Ruth's love and faithfulness tear down. May we all be blessed with at least one person persistent enough to love us even when we've forgotten how to accept love.

Prayer: God, like Ruth to Naomi, you cling to us. Help us look to those different from us and find shared concerns, shared experiences, shared love. Amen.

Deuteronomy 24:17-25:4. I Can't Change What It Says.

Observation: God sets up the very first social safety net for Israel, to benefit the most vulnerable in their community, the "alien, the orphan and the widow." Equal justice. The leftover from the harvest of wheat, olives or grapes. This is not a voluntary program. It's the law, for all of Israel. Why? God says, "Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I am commanding you to do this."

Application: Okay. The first thing I want you to know is this text is part of a daily lectionary, a series of Bible texts set up years in advance, not unlike our three year lectionary for worship. The advantage of this system over some others is that pastors and worship leaders do not choose Biblical texts based on any personal agenda, and that some texts will come up that you'd never think of, which apply to our lives in ways we'd never have predicted. I like to think the Holy Spirit chooses them for us.

I could have chosen to blog on a different text, or skipped today altogether. Maybe I could avoid some heat by doing so. But I feel it's there for a reason. So, with the normal caveat that this is just a conversation starter, and I do want to hear back from you, here it is.

God chose Israel, of all nations, for a very clear reason. They know oppression. They have been slaves. They have been refugees. They have been immigrants, not welcome among the inhabitants of the land God promised them. God chose them, and God gave them this land, so that they would remember what that feels like, and be compassionate. God builds empathy for the most vulnerable into the very foundation of their legal system.

We as Christians (and also Muslims for that matter) know the Lord only through Israel. Through a specific people, with a specific story, and specific ethical commitments formed by that story. We can't change what's in that story. We can't change those ethical commitments. What we can do is interpret them for a new day and age. We can ask ourselves and each other how people of faith can best provide justice for "the alien, the orphan and the widow" in our modern society. We can have a discussion about whether that should be a government or a private response. We can ask how best to balance that ethical commitment with others, like safety and security.

But by God's grace, and through our Baptism into Christ, we are grafted onto Israel's tree. And that tree has roots. Israel is called always to remember. "Once, we were slaves. Once, we were the aliens. Once, we were the wanderers. Once, we were the immigrants. Once, we were the refugees." Some Jews alive today can stand as reminders. This is who we are.

Prayer: Lord, remind us who we are. Amen.

Deuteronomy 16:18-20 Justice, and Only Justice, You Shall Pursue

Observation: God is leading the ancient Hebrews in setting up a just, fair legal system. It may seem obvious to modern readers, but it has to be written down: the judges you appoint can not take bribes. Justice can not be bought.

Application: If you are an actual judge, I guess the application is pretty clear. No bribes! It's good legal advice as well as moral advice.

But judges are not the only ones in our democratic society whose decisions can affect others. Even as private citizens, how we spend our time, talents and money, has a great effect on other people. What we say can affect others' lives. And there are always going to be those who would like to "bribe" us, whether with positive attention, or influence, or cost savings, or convenience, or a sense of superiority, or a hundred other ways, to make bad decisions. If our entire attitude toward life is, "what's in it for me?" Then we are accepting bribes, whether or not we call it that. Judge or not, we have much more power and influence over others' lives than we think. And the decisions we render can affect their lives in more ways than we can know.

"Justice, and only justice, shall you pursue, so that you may live and occupy the land that the Lord is giving to you."

Prayer: Open my eyes to the way my decisions affect others. May I act fairly and justly, and not just for personal gain. Amen. 

Galatians 1:13-17 We Don't Know What We Don't Know

Observation: The Bible is full of varying accounts of different stories. It's like watching the same movie shot from different angles. What I find fascinating about this story from Galatians is that it's Paul's own first hand account of his conversion, and it predates the account from Acts 9 by at least a generation. Paul did not think of himself as "the bad guy" prior to seeing the Risen Christ: in fact, he was proud of his achievements in religious study and piety. He was utterly convinced he was in the right, and it was not by losing a debate that he changed course.

Application: This should be so, so obvious to us, but it's not. Part of being wrong is not knowing we're wrong. If we knew, we'd change course. In this very intense and divided time in our nation, the temptation is to see everyone else as a "Saul," in need of a dramatic turn-around, but to see ourselves as wise "Paul," who is already with the program, and spreading the good news.

(And you should know that this "Saul/Paul" thing was not so much about pre conversion vs. post conversion as that Paul went by different first names when he was among Gentiles and Jews, but just for shorthand I'm going to continue using that imagery).

But the funny thing about being "Saul" is that you don't know you're "Saul" until you've already been "blinded by the light" and had a dramatic conversion from God. Until then, you think you're right...In fact, it has been proven that when people are presented with iron-clad evidence to counter a deeply held belief, they hold more firmly to that belief than ever.

I think our response to this situation as Christians is twofold. First, we need to remember that it was divine intervention that changed Paul's heart, not an earnest haranguing from a well-meaning Christian. Changing hearts is God's job. Loving people where they are is ours.

Second, since Saul was completely convinced based on his experience that he was right, and yet he was dead wrong, we each need to be prepared for a "Saul moment." We are human. We're not God. And as such, it is entirely possible that something we believe right now, with all our hearts, just isn't so. And Jesus may come along someday and tell us so. But it'll be okay. We'll be better for it.

Prayer: God, may the scales fall from our eyes. May we be changed and converted for your glory, even when it's hard and scary. Amen. 

Philippians 2:12-18 and the Problem with Having Ideals

Observation: Paul writes to the church in Philippi that they should work without murmuring or arguing, to be a good example for the world in which they "shine like stars".

Application: One of the most persistent challenges to my faith is the behavior and attitudes of Christians (myself included). We say one thing and do another. We talk about loving one another, until someone unwittingly sits in our favorite pew. We talk about praying for our enemies, but it's on rare occasions we can bring ourselves to do it with any kind of conviction. If the Philippians were "shining like stars," I'd be lucky to shine like an LED flashlight most days.

That's the problem with having ideals: you'll always fall short. Always. The only other solution is not to have any ideals. Either you'll sometimes be a hypocrite, or not believe in anything to begin with. Those are your choices.

If the behavior of religious believers is your only gauge of God's goodness, then I'm afraid you're getting a very bad impression. But if it's not about being "perfect" or "innocent" or "blameless", but of learning to tell others our story--of how God came to us in our brokenness--then we might still have some way to shine.

Prayer: God, shine in and through us, even when we are not looking or acting much like you. Amen.

1Corinthians 1:10-18. Isn't Life Hard Enough United?

Observation: The Church in Corinth is divided. Already. Like I said a few days ago, it didn't take long. Already there's the "Paul faction", the "Cephas (Peter) faction, the "Apollo's faction" and the "Christ faction" (Oh gee thanks guys, as if everybody but your faction is caught up in the drama of factionalism, but you belong only to Christ, so your faction is above the fray, which is why you're the best. This must be the "non-denominational" church of Paul's day.) Division is destroying their ability to pursue their mission.

Application: At the end of a very intense week, I find myself valuing all the more the unity we have in Christ, whether we acknowledge it or even like it or not. Whether or not we treat each other that way, we are sisters and brothers. Whether or not we remember it, we only have one Gospel, and only one Savior, and his power comes not from gathering the strongest faction and grabbing power through brute force, but by being crucified. By letting go of earthly power.

 Whether or not we spend today working on it, we will only ever have one mission: to proclaim Christ crucified. Christ who does not abandon us when we're hurting, or hurting each other. And let me tell you: that mission is plenty hard enough with all of us on the same page. We are preaching foolishness in the eyes of most of the world, but if we aren't united it'll just look like an out and out lie. Life itself is way too hard to do, even together, united as one. Why would we venture forth divided?

Prayer: Holy Spirit, we know we're united in Baptism. Give us chances to live into that. Make us one in ways the world can see. Amen.

Luke 5:27-32, Not Just Inept, but Sick.

Observation: When Jesus calls Levi, he's not just calling someone who's made a mistake or two, but who's ready to turn over a new leaf. He's calling a guy who makes his living by driving his friends and neighbors into poverty, sometimes off their ancestral land, all to enrich himself and the foreign occupying government he's working for. Honestly, if Jesus showed up at this guy's house, I'll admit, my reaction might be like that of the Pharisees.

Application: All people have this terrible habit: we tend to maximize other's sins, and minimize our own. To gladly hand down harsh sentences to others for their misdeeds, but have a long list of extenuating circumstances when we're the ones on trial. The fact is, none of us is more qualified to follow Jesus than Levi is. He's a sinner. We're sinners. It's the pool of volunteers Jesus has to work with...Which is good, because sinners are the exact people Jesus wants to hang out with. It's not about having a  good resume, or even a short rap sheet. It's about knowing we're sick, and drawing close to the doctor.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are sick. Heal us. We are in need help us. Amen.

Galatians 2:1-10, Divided From the Get-Go

Observation: Paul does not pull any punches in describing his first meeting with the Jerusalem Church (led by Peter and Jesus' original disciples.) He talks about "false believers" who come to "spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus".
The issue is whether Gentiles, who eat non-kosher foods and are not circumcized, can be part of this new movement, which began firmly and unapologetically among Jews. This may be one of the biggest, most divisive, and yet most defining controversies ever in the history of the church, and it happens in the first twenty years.
Application: In any group of people--a church, a family, a town, a country--we sometimes think back to a certain period of time as "the good old days". For a marriage it could be the early time of dating. For a relationship with a child it could be when they were too young to talk back. Many Christians tend to idealize the "Early Church", the time of the first Apostles, as "the good old days," as though if we could just get back to that, everything would be great. The problem is: 1) You can't, and 2) it wasn't as great as you think it was. Read the letter to the Galatians. There's division. There's anger. There's pain. And yet in the midst of it, the Gospel of Jesus Christ rings true. Maybe even more so knowing things were never perfect.
We can surely learn from the past. But I think the main thing we can learn is that it had plenty of challenges, and God led the people through them. God will lead us, too.

Prayer: God, never in all history has humankind been totally united. And yet you have led us even through our divisions. Thank you Lord. Amen.

1 Samuel 1:1-20, and Ministry of Keeping One's Mouth Shut

Observation: Elkanah has two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Hannah is unable to bear children, and Peninnah constantly taunts her about it. At one point, when I can only assume Elkanah is trying to make his dear wife feel better, he says, "Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?"

Wow. 

Application: Okay, I've been a husband for going on fourteen years now. And that's enough time to have said some pretty stupid things. Like, grade A, fresh-from-the-market, prime cut stupid. But I take some small consolation in the fact that I can just open my Bible to 1 Samuel 1, and remember that (thus far) I have never said anything that's "Elkanah-saying-I'm-your-consolation-prize" stupid. Thanks be to God. But of course there are many years ahead, so Spirit, guide me...

I've had many close friends who have struggled with infertility. I cannot imagine the frustration, the longing, the dashed hopes, the pain. 

What I can imagine is all the well-meaning people who, either aware or unaware of this very private struggle, stick their foot in their mouth in a big way. Sometimes when we're hurting, the words of those trying to comfort us can make it worse. In fact, the number one reason we tend to steer clear of folks we know are hurting, is because we're afraid of saying the wrong thing. 

That's a valid concern. It's also a profoundly unhelpful attitude. I mean, open up your Bible. Whatever you're afraid of saying, you will probably not top good old Elkanah. Take comfort, and show up anyway. 

When I was in seminary, I heard a lot about the concept of "ministry of presence." You do not have to say anything to let a friend or family member know you care. But you do have to show up. In my experience, just being there, in person, allows the person in pain to open up, and share with you how they're feeling (so you don't even have to guess about it and tell them!) and maybe even find comfort from God in the retelling of their story. Or maybe not. Maybe sometimes he best you can hope for is whatever they're going through will hurt ever so slightly less, because you gave them a call, and offered to take them to lunch, even if they weren't up for it. But you still showed up. And God was there in it. 

We say a lot more by being there than by what "holy words of wisdom" we have for our friends. In fact, sometimes the most loving thing to say is nothing at all. 

Prayer: God, help us to show up, and to keep our mouths shut when necessary. Be with us, and help us be with others. Amen. 

The Confession of Peter: "Rocks Friends..."

Matthew 16:13-19

Observation: In this crucial moment, Peter confesses Jesus as Messiah. Jesus Christens him "Peter" (The Greek word "Petros" means "Rock") and says, "on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it." In traditional Roman Catholic teaching, this is seen as the moment when Peter becomes leader of the Church: the first Pope. Protestant readers tend to think of his confession of Jesus as Messiah as the real rock on which the Church is built. 

Application: If you haven't heard my position on 80's movies, I'm pro-80's movies. This verse reminds me of the movie "Labyrinth," in which the protagonist, Sarah, and her friends find themselves surrounded, outnumbered, and pinned down in a village full of hostile goblins. When all hope seems lost, big, lovable Ludo calls on his "friends", an army of rocks that rolls into town, knocking out goblins left and right. The day is saved.

What on earth does this have to do with Peter's confession? I'm glad you asked...As my New Testament professor, Mark Allen Powell observed, when Jesus says, "The gates of Hades will not prevail against it," he is clearly not picturing the Church as a staid, static fortress, just sitting there, repelling attacks from evil. "A gate cannot attack you!" Jesus' language implies an army invading Hell itself, blowing those locked gates to Kingdom Come... Literally! He's picturing a Hell utterly emptied of its power, and probably its inhabitants as well. He's picturing a rock who's willing to "get rolling", even into the places in our world, and within ourselves, where evil seems utterly and intractably in charge. 

Jesus is God's Anointed Messiah, and he fights by our side, with weapons of the Spirit. No prison can withstand him. Those gates don't stand a chance. 

Prayer: Jesus, you are the Messiah, Son of the Living God. When my faith in you falters, send your help rolling in. As you did for Peter, help your whole Church get rolling. Amen. 

Isaiah 53, and Healing Bruises

Observation: Isaiah 53 is another of the "servant songs" contained in that book (we heard one of those as our first lesson on Sunday). This song declares that the servant will be called to suffer: to be despised, struck down, afflicted, bruised. This suffering will lead to healing for many. While the original text may have referred to the prophet himself, or to all of Israel personified, the early Church saw this as a prophecy for Jesus' passion.

Application: It should always be a shock to us that suffering can produce healing, even if the suffering is Christ's. When we begin to justify and rationalize the pain and suffering of others, or our own pain and suffering, we go down a slippery slope, and at the bottom is disregard for human life and flourishing. One of the most important insights I ever heard before entering ministry was from my home Bishop, Robert Rimbo: "The world has only one Savior, and you're not it."
Hear this, reader. Jesus went to the cross so you don't have to. You can't save others by suffering, and you shouldn't try. That's Jesus' job. Pain is part of life, and Jesus bears it with us. But if anyone tries to convince to stay in a situation that is hurting you--emotionally, spiritually or physically--that person is not of God. You do not have to grin and bear it, or take one for the team. Whoever it is you're trying to save, let Jesus do it. Be safe. Accept the love of Christ, who came that you--yes, YOU--might have life abundant.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for suffering with us and for us. Deliver us from needless pain. Help us to love and value ourselves as your children. Amen.

Exodus 12:1-13, 21-28. Passover is a Good Day... Unless You're the Lamb.

Observation: It's the "season finale" in the epic story of Israel's escape from Egypt. God is preparing the final plague: the death of all the firstborn of Egypt. It should not have come to this. Even though the Biblical text says it was the Lord who hardened Pharaoh's heart, it would be clear to any observer, based on his actions, that pride and hubris have taken Pharaoh's mind captive. He has been raised to believe he is a God, and many of his people worship him accordingly. Even the overwhelming evidence--frogs, flies, gnats, rivers running red, darkness, boils--is not enough to convince him to change course and free God's people. So tonight is the night. And the only protection the Israelites have from the angel of death is the blood of a slaughtered lamb, to paint on their doors. If they fail to use it, they too could be part of the collateral damage of this tragedy. Pharaoh's actions have far-reaching consequences, and a lot of innocent people are going to lose their lives because of his choice.

Application: In yesterday's Gospel story, John the Baptist almost heckles Jesus: "Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" Even if Jesus already knows exactly what this means, which John's Gospel suggests he does, this seems almost like rubbing it in. 

"Hey guys, look at this guy who's going to be crucified, and who's going to bear the full weight and consequences of our angry, hateful, sin-intoxicated world on his shoulders! Let's all have a good stare!"

But I don't think John is simply gawking. I think he is functioning like a fire alarm, or one of those green "exit" signs that are designed to be visible even when the power goes out. He's that weird sound you hear on the emergency broadcast system. Only this is not a test. John is pointing to Jesus and saying "Attention please: that man is our tornado shelter. Please proceed quickly and calmly to his side, and listen closely for further instructions." 

Jesus Christ is the lamb of God. In John's Gospel, he's even killed on the same day the Passover lamb is slaughtered. The symbolism is clear. Like Pharaoh, we have set ourselves, our world, and even our children, on a collision course with death. Our choices and our attitudes toward one another, and toward the God who is trying to save us, will bring only destruction. The wages of sin is death. Our only hope is the Lamb of God. To go to his side, to trust in him, to listen and follow him, and to let his own self-sacrifice do what it's supposed to do: bring life and freedom. 

Attention humankind: this is an emergency. Please proceed quickly and calmly to the shelter provided by the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. 

Prayer: Oh Lamb of God, have mercy on us. Our hearts have been hardened to our neighbors. Freedom is a foreign concept to us. Only your sacrifice can save us. Lamb of God, grant us peace. Amen.    

1 Kings 19:19-21, Discipleship and Roasting your last Bull

Observation: The prophet Elijah calls Elisha to follow and learn from him. But first, Elisha cuts all ties with his past. He slaughters all his oxen, and has a barbecue with farm equipment for kindling. In this age, livestock were your 401K. There's no going back. There's no plan B.

Application: I've been a vegetarian for twenty years now. But unlike my wife, when I pass a barbecue joint, I still find the smell enticing. It might be bittersweet if it were my last ox on the grill...

At some point in all of our lives, the Lord will call us to leave something behind: maybe an attitude, maybe a behavior, maybe a job, maybe your home, maybe even an important relationship. If we are actually listening to God, this will happen. It's not a maybe. We will have an Elisha moment, when we smell the aroma of our last Bull being roasted.

This is also a sure thing: the path from there on will be completely different from what you picture. Your ideas of what following Jesus entails, what it will feel like, what you'll be asked to do, how you'll be received, one by one, will also go up in smoke. The one thing we can know about God's plan is that it's not identical to ours, and that will be difficult, and often frightening. But in my experience (and from what we read in Scripture), if you roast your last Bull to follow Jesus, your soul will not go hungry. The Lord always seems to have a soy griller to spare when I'm feeling weary. He's never let me down yet.

Prayer: Jesus, the very call to follow you is a priceless blessing, because your presence is Heaven and your word is truth. Thank you for the call. Help me roast my last bull--or tofu square, as the case may be--to answer. Amen.

Genesis 27:30-38 God Can Work With This. Really.

Observation: Isaac had one job. Just one. To make the best of God's blessing from his father Abraham, and pass it to his oldest son (Esau). He had one shot at this. But Jacob and his mother Rebecca, using subterfuge, have convinced him to bless Jacob instead, thinking he's Esau. Rarely in the Torah is a scene told with such emotion as when Isaac and Esau find out they've been had. There's no going back. Tremble and weep all you want, but you blessed Jacob, and blessed he shall be.

Application: One of my favorite TV shows (though it makes me cringe) is
Arrested Development: a story of a self-absorbed, dysfunctional family who, try as they might, just can't seem to do anything right. A refrain throughout the show: "I've made a huge mistake." It's funnier than it sounds, believe me.

Honestly, as funny as the characters are, partly, I laugh because I relate to them. Like the Bluths, I can get a little self-absorbed, a little forgetful, and I sometimes see my own life as a comedy of errors (It's funnier when it happens to someone else!).

But God can work with our mistakes. In fact, that's how God chooses to work. Instead of flooding the world again, God works with us imperfect, self-absorbed mistake makers to bring good out of catastrophically bad situations. The best evidence I can see of that is in the life, death and resurrection of a particular direct descendant of Jacob's, who inherited his blessing, stolen though it was: Jesus. On the cross, what his disciples may have seen as humankind's worst mistake, became God's final triumph.

Prayer: God, I make mistakes. Like, all the time. Thanks for working with me anyway. Amen.

Psalm 40, and Good Ol' Rock Bottom

Observation: What fascinates me about Psalm 40 is the psalmist does not say God made everything all better and now life is hunky dory. What the psalm says is God "set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure." It may not be exactly where the psalmist wants to be, but it's a secure place: a place to start again.

Application: Often, I think the hardest part about a hard time in life--whether it's in a job, with a relationship, or struggling with an illness or addiction--is the lack of security. The feeling that, bad as it is, it might still get worse. That sinking feeling of the "miry bog." Often in those times I've thought, "you know, I'd actually be okay with things getting even a little worse, as long as I know that's rock bottom, and it's only up from there." Many in the 12-step community, as well as folks who have had a dramatic conversion experience, will gladly recount their "rock bottom" experience, because that was when they saw God creating a foundation for change. Rock bottom is better than sinking. It's better than uncertainty. It's the place where we know we can't depend on ourselves. It has to be God.
One of my favorite Netflix characters, Kimmy Schmidt, when describing a rock bottom experience, says, "you can handle anything for ten seconds. Then you can start on a new ten seconds." Rock bottom doesn't feel great. But with God, we can deal with it ten seconds at a time. And maybe in one of those ten second intervals, we may even discover the Rock is God.

Prayer: God, thank you for being our rock. Help us to rely on you, both on the good days, and in the miry bog. Amen.

Isaiah 51:1-16 The Future is the Past

Observation: to Judahite people exiled in Babylon, the school of Isaiah writes words of hope. If God could lead them home through the Red Sea, God can lead them home from Babylon. 

Application: I've heard it said that the best predictor of future behavior is past precedent. Every day, weather forecasting gets more effective as more computers have more data to know how similar weather patterns have behaved in the past. And yet so often we are more optimistic with people we know: just because they hurt me in the past, does that mean they'll hurt me again? Well, maybe not...

For believers in God, the same principle holds true. For us as humans, we've sinned every day in the past, so the smart money's on us sinning today. But for God, who delivered God's people from Egypt, from Babylon, from sin, from death, we can absolutely trust God will deliver us from whatever temporary situation we're facing. You can take that to the bank. God's done it before, and will do it again. 

Prayer: God, thank you for your track record as we find it in Scripture and our faith tradition. Help us to trust in the great things you've done in the past, that we might be brave to face great problems today. Amen.

Psalm 89:5-37, An Honest God

Observation: In this psalm God promises to be as good as God's word, and maintain King David's lineage forever.

Application: It's weird to think of God vouching for God's own honesty. Why would God need to say, "I will not lie to David"? I'd guess it's for our benefit. We are used to living in a dishonest world, where just saying something doesn't make it so. That's why newspaper hires fact checkers, and why websites like Snopes are in business. Because humans can't be trusted to be as good as our word, and speak the truth. We need more assurance from God than ideally we should.
But for God, there is no gap between what is said and what is done. When God says, "Let there be light", there's light. When God says "you will conceive and bear a son", it happens. When Jesus says, "Blessed are the poor", that becomes the reality, on the word of the Living Word.

Jesus tells us not to swear oaths by heaven or earth, but rather say what we mean, and no more. Our words and actions are worlds apart. But for God, an oath to humankind is just a reminder: God's word is truth. By definition.

Prayer: God, help us say what we mean, and when we are unsure, keep silence. Amen.

Ephesians 3:1-12. You Don't Have to Be Sherlock.

Observation: Paul writes to the church in Ephesus that he received a commission of God's grace "by revelation". We can fill in the blanks of that story, because we know Paul was knocked to the ground by the blinding light of the Risen Christ, and his life changed course from then on. 

Application: There's a school of thought that is very prevalent these days, that says spiritual enlightenment comes from "looking inside yourself", from meditation, from life experience, from doing good things for others, from hard work and study. This is very attractive to our individualistic, works-centeted culture. You should have to do something. Wisdom should come to the gifted and the passionate. Only the Sherlock's of the world should crack the case. 

The trouble is, from a Christian perspective, that's heresy. A very particular heresy, in fact, called Gnosticism. The idea that there's secret spiritual knowledge to be won only by certain special people is contrary to the Gospel. The Christian Gospel is all about revelation. We only know stuff because God tells us. Meditation is great. Life experience is great. Doing good works is great. But we could never, ever, if we lived a thousand years, learn what we really need to know about ourselves or about God or about the significance of our lives, if God didn't spell it out for us. Lucky for us, again and again, through God's Word, God has done just that. You don't have to be Sherlock. You just have to be listening. 

Prayer: Thanks, God, for the gift of revelation. May your word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Amen.

Acts 9:36-10:8, The Mechanics of Miracles

Observation: Dorcas, a Christian disciple devoted to love and acts of charity, becomes ill and dies. When her church members find that Peter is nearby, they ask him to come "without delay". Why "without delay"? Dorcas has already died. Maybe it's so he can get there before the burial...But is there some other urgency? In the ancient world, death was confirmed after three days (with little other means of medical observation, this was partly just to be sure before burying the body) but it's clear, too, that the disciples' image of what God can do through Peter is limited. Guess they've never heard of Lazarus...

Application: How often do I place a time table on the actions of God? As Yogi Berra famously quipped, "it ain't over till it's over." But still, when I'm facing a problem, I'm often limited in my vision of what God will do and when. If it doesn't happen the way I'm expecting, when I'm expecting it, sometimes I miss the amazing ways God can transform a situation. 

Prayer: God, help me remember that what I may see as a delay is actually part of your process, and what I may claim as your inaction may actually be a whole other gift which I wasn't expecting to receive. Amen. 

NOTE: I've spent a very good year with the Moravian Daily Texts as my devotional resource. In response to a generous gift to all DE-MD Synod Rostered Ministers, I will begin the Epiphany season with the Devotional resource, Bread for the Day.  (You can get it HERE.) I will still list the Bible text I'm reading so you can follow along. 

Psalm 3: "Foes? Really?"

Observation: This type of Psalm is very common. It is a cry to God for deliverance against one's enemies. 

Application: It's sometimes hard for me to relate to the term "enemies" in the Bible. I try to follow Ralph Waldo Emerson's advice in trying not to dream I am persecuted when I am contradicted. There are plenty of people who disagree with the way I look at life or think about God or humankind. Lots of people have different ideas about which direction our country, our culture, our world, should go. I do not regard these people as enemies. In fact, a few of them I call friends. 

But that said, I am a white, straight, Christian, college educated man. I have an awful lot of privilege in our culture. No matter what ideas are discussed in the public sphere, I'll probably still be able to stay married to whom I want, go to the bathroom where I feel most comfortable, seek medical care when needed, and safely drive or walk through most neighborhoods with little fear of being harassed. If this were not the case, I'm not sure I'd be so detached and reasoned in my approach. Maybe the psalm's language of "enemies" would make more sense. 

Still, I hold strongly to the word from Ephesians that our true enemies are not flesh and blood, but Spiritual. We are all under attack from Sin, Death and the Devil, an equal opportunity enemy, who wants us all destroyed. But in Baptism, we have already been delivered. And, whether we can see it or not, united in one body. Let's live like it. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for delivering me from the true enemy, the Evil One. Deliver, too, my brothers and sisters. Send your Spirit into my heart. Help me fight by their side, not in spite but in love. Amen. 

Acts 9:10-22...God put the scales there!

Observation: I've read this text a hundred times, but it never occurred to me before that Ananias is healing Saul of a blindness God caused. People use the term "scales fell from my eyes" for a dramatic shift in perspective, or a removal of a blind spot that's always been there. But the scales that fell from Saul's eyes are only three days old, and were put there by God!

Application: Sometimes we lose sight of what we're really here to do. Sometimes we feel pretty blind to what to do next, and we have to let others lead us. It's strange to think that such confusing or even despairing moments could be from God. Would God really strike us blind, just to restore our perspective? In a word...Yes. It's no fun having to lean on others, and have no sense of control, but it reminds us control is an illusion. Even when we think we're seeing perfectly, God is leading us along, just like always.

Prayer: God, it's no fun to feel blind. It's hard for me to throw up my hands and say, "Look, I can't figure this out." But if you need to block my vision for a time, though I may not like it, so be it. I know you will send the right people to guide me, and the right one to restore my sight. Amen.

Acts 9:1-9 It's not what you know, it's who you know.

It's such a vivid turn of phrase. Saul is "still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord". Almost cartoonish...Mumbling involuntarily, breathing hatred in and out, like Daffy Duck or Yosemite Sam after being thwarted by Bugs Bunny.

This is Saul's state of mind before meeting the Risen Lord. So caught up in his hatred of Jesus' disciples that it comes as naturally as his breath, and like breath, is often taken for granted and unnoticed most of the time. 

That is, until actually meeting the object of his hatred face to face, which takes his breath away...

Too often in this world, we operate exactly the way Saul is operating. Hatred and division has become the norm in our interactions, to the point where it's second nature, not even noticed anymore. Dehumanizing people who disagree with us politically or theologically has become like the air we breathe: always there, always affecting us, only rarely noticed. 

This is not something that can be overcome with facts and figures. I believe if God could overcome Saul's hatred, God can create unity out of disunity. I believe the Spirit can make us aware of our unconscious biases, the language we use that dehumanizes those who think or speak or believe differently than we do. And one way the Spirit can do that is by putting us face to face with real people who our language is affecting: just as Jesus did with Saul. 

God, I may not even be aware of some of the attitudes I have which need repentance. I may be breathing in and out poison without even knowing it. I ask you, Lord, to take my breath away. Face me down in the face of the person I'm dehumanizing. Show me your face in the face of my adversary. Amen.