Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it--Psalm 118:19-20
Creator of righteousness,
We prepare for Jesus to enter the gates of Jerusalem. Gates that both welcome and destroy him. Gates that herald new life but await death. Gates that promise kingship but lead to a cross. We know that temporal gates—gates to cities—are not to be trusted.
But your gates, the gates to your kingdom, are eternal. Your gates overcome death and speak a powerful word of righteousness to the world.
This Lent, help us choose wisely as we walk in faith. The gates of the world are tempting, but they ultimately lead us away from you. They call to us with material goods, selfishness, and gluttony. May we walk instead through your beautiful gates—gates of hope and peace and justice. Gates of new life, gates that build up rather than destroy.
May we, along with the psalmist, give thanks in all we do and enter into the gates of your kingdom.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
Kate Floyd
Monday, March 30, 2009
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 and Mark 11:1-11
As we enter the last weeks of Lent, we prepare to enter into Jerusalem with Jesus. This week, we anticipate his triumphant arrival into the city and his walk towards the cross. As we prepare for Sunday, let us pray the words of our Psalm for the week, 118. May these ancient hymns guide us into a deeper relationship with the divine.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever”-Psalm 118:1-2
Steadfast God,
Your love knows no bounds.
You came to earth as a human being, word made flesh, to share in our brokenness. We anticipate your arrival into Jerusalem, bringing a word of love to a world consumed with hate. We need your loving presence today, in our world, a world consumed with violence and consumerism. A world that draws us away from you.
During this time of Lenten devotion, help us to empty ourselves of greed and fill ourselves with gratitude. Along with the Psalmist, help us give thanks to you: thanks for your presence, thanks for your goodness, thanks for your eternal love. May your abundant love soothe our pains and inspire us to share it with others.
In your loving name we pray,
Amen.
Kate Floyd
As we enter the last weeks of Lent, we prepare to enter into Jerusalem with Jesus. This week, we anticipate his triumphant arrival into the city and his walk towards the cross. As we prepare for Sunday, let us pray the words of our Psalm for the week, 118. May these ancient hymns guide us into a deeper relationship with the divine.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever”-Psalm 118:1-2
Steadfast God,
Your love knows no bounds.
You came to earth as a human being, word made flesh, to share in our brokenness. We anticipate your arrival into Jerusalem, bringing a word of love to a world consumed with hate. We need your loving presence today, in our world, a world consumed with violence and consumerism. A world that draws us away from you.
During this time of Lenten devotion, help us to empty ourselves of greed and fill ourselves with gratitude. Along with the Psalmist, help us give thanks to you: thanks for your presence, thanks for your goodness, thanks for your eternal love. May your abundant love soothe our pains and inspire us to share it with others.
In your loving name we pray,
Amen.
Kate Floyd
Sunday, March 29, 2009
We Wish to See Jesus
John 12:20-33
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ 22Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
27 ‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ 29The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ 30Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people 33He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. to myself.’
Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. The Greeks who went to the festival in the reading from John, have a request, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” When we come to worship, that is our request as well. But be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
Picture yourself as the Greek in the story. You want to see this man who has fame and a following. You want to see Jesus. But you get a man who talks about grain and fruits, life and death, obedience and service. Be careful what you wish for you just might get it.
How does Jesus respond? “ ‘Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came form heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ (John 12:28)” Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
As we gather to worship, we do so to glorify God and to build up believers. How can we glorify God if we do not worship the Holy Trinity? How can we build up believers or ourselves if we do not receive the invitation or the challenge to grow? How can we expect to see Jesus if we are not offering Christ to all. Christ is the one who will lift up and draw all people to himself. What a joy, what a delight that despite our best efforts, we serve a risen Lord who speaks to us, with us, and for us.
Prayer: For this week, for this day, for this hour, we give thanks and ask that your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ 22Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
27 ‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ 29The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ 30Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people 33He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. to myself.’
Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. The Greeks who went to the festival in the reading from John, have a request, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” When we come to worship, that is our request as well. But be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
Picture yourself as the Greek in the story. You want to see this man who has fame and a following. You want to see Jesus. But you get a man who talks about grain and fruits, life and death, obedience and service. Be careful what you wish for you just might get it.
How does Jesus respond? “ ‘Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came form heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ (John 12:28)” Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
As we gather to worship, we do so to glorify God and to build up believers. How can we glorify God if we do not worship the Holy Trinity? How can we build up believers or ourselves if we do not receive the invitation or the challenge to grow? How can we expect to see Jesus if we are not offering Christ to all. Christ is the one who will lift up and draw all people to himself. What a joy, what a delight that despite our best efforts, we serve a risen Lord who speaks to us, with us, and for us.
Prayer: For this week, for this day, for this hour, we give thanks and ask that your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Re-Creation
John 12:20-33
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ 22Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
27 ‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ 29The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ 30Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people 33He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. to myself.’
Have you ever heard the saying, brown is the new black? Well, for me, Saturday is the new Sunday. Growing up, Sunday would be a day of worship and recreation; a day to worship and play. While my Saturdays now sit conspicuously absent of any formal or liturgical worship, it is still a day of play. It is a day of recreation, but it is also a day of re-creation.
How can something be born again if it does not die? A tree cannot become a tree and bear fruit without “dying” as a seed, or a single grain. Jesus’ call is similar to us: “Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep eternal life (John 12:25).”
This does not mean that we go about weeping and wailing for our present condition. It does not mean that we lament and wail in order to get into heaven. For me, it is about finding what matters to God. Service with the poor. Listening to friends. Sharing in worship with God’s children. Times of play are important, not just for the physical recreation it provides, but for the reminder that we are not isolated individuals. We are children of God. We are loved. We are called into fellowship and joy divine.
Prayer: God of play and rest, in our times of recreation, may we experience the re-creation of our relationship with you and others. Amen.
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ 22Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
27 ‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ 29The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ 30Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people 33He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. to myself.’
Have you ever heard the saying, brown is the new black? Well, for me, Saturday is the new Sunday. Growing up, Sunday would be a day of worship and recreation; a day to worship and play. While my Saturdays now sit conspicuously absent of any formal or liturgical worship, it is still a day of play. It is a day of recreation, but it is also a day of re-creation.
How can something be born again if it does not die? A tree cannot become a tree and bear fruit without “dying” as a seed, or a single grain. Jesus’ call is similar to us: “Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep eternal life (John 12:25).”
This does not mean that we go about weeping and wailing for our present condition. It does not mean that we lament and wail in order to get into heaven. For me, it is about finding what matters to God. Service with the poor. Listening to friends. Sharing in worship with God’s children. Times of play are important, not just for the physical recreation it provides, but for the reminder that we are not isolated individuals. We are children of God. We are loved. We are called into fellowship and joy divine.
Prayer: God of play and rest, in our times of recreation, may we experience the re-creation of our relationship with you and others. Amen.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Instructions
Hebrews 5:5-10
If every Sunday is a remembering and celebration of Easter, than every Friday is a reminder of the cross that makes possible the celebration. In high school, my Roman Catholic friends would not eat meat during Lent. When I would be giving things up for a whole 40 days, I felt more righteous than those who just did something for a day. It wasn’t until recently I understood this fact: Friday represents and reminds us of Good Friday—a day in which our salvation takes root.
My high school friends’ witness was not about piety, denial, or sacrifice, it was about obedience. As Christ was obedient, he became the faithful one. As we become obedient, we echo God’s salvific work in our lives. Giving up during Lent is not about our giving up, so much as it is taking on Christ’s obedience to love and serve God and others. The challenge for us is knowing what it means to love and serve God and neighbor.
On this Friday or at some point this weekend, ask yourself where God is calling you to be obedient, not to those on this earth, but to our Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Friend.
Prayer: God of obedience, teach us your precepts and instruct us in the ways that lead to your salvation. Amen.
5 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him,
‘You are my Son,
today I have begotten you’;
6as he says also in another place,
‘You are a priest for ever,
according to the order of Melchizedek.’
7 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, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; 9and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
If every Sunday is a remembering and celebration of Easter, than every Friday is a reminder of the cross that makes possible the celebration. In high school, my Roman Catholic friends would not eat meat during Lent. When I would be giving things up for a whole 40 days, I felt more righteous than those who just did something for a day. It wasn’t until recently I understood this fact: Friday represents and reminds us of Good Friday—a day in which our salvation takes root.
My high school friends’ witness was not about piety, denial, or sacrifice, it was about obedience. As Christ was obedient, he became the faithful one. As we become obedient, we echo God’s salvific work in our lives. Giving up during Lent is not about our giving up, so much as it is taking on Christ’s obedience to love and serve God and others. The challenge for us is knowing what it means to love and serve God and neighbor.
On this Friday or at some point this weekend, ask yourself where God is calling you to be obedient, not to those on this earth, but to our Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Friend.
Prayer: God of obedience, teach us your precepts and instruct us in the ways that lead to your salvation. Amen.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Waiting
Hebrews 5:5-10
5 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him,
‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’;
The waiting is the hardest part. Every day you see one more card.
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart. The waiting is the hardest part.
–Tom Petty
Not usually a big Tom Petty fan, I was drawn to his lyrics after reading the scripture in Hebrews. Admittedly, I find myself questioning God’s timing and God’s plan. Why wait? Why does Jesus have to suffer, do miracles? Why not make him the high priest from the beginning?
The fact is, we live in a time in which convenience does not lend itself to waiting or patience. Ease trumps experience. Success is preferable to suffering. Yet Christ, through his life and death calls us to the same. The deep questions of faith have no easy answers. Much like we are left wondering when will Christ return?
The season of lent offers us time to prepare. It offers time of reflection. And what better place to reflect than the church which we all serve. As we continue with Christ to his cross, challenge yourself to think of the ways in which obedience provides an easy yoke of Christ. But remember, Christ’s suffering was not for the sake of suffering, but for God’s glorification. In our attempts to be like Christ, may we all remember that in the end it is God’s faithfulness to us that leads to redemption.
Prayer: God of anticipation, stir in us a patience to wait, and to see you as our source of peace. Amen.
5 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him,
‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’;
6as he says also in another place,
‘You are a priest for ever,
according to the order of Melchizedek.’
7 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, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; 9and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
The waiting is the hardest part. Every day you see one more card.
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart. The waiting is the hardest part.
–Tom Petty
Not usually a big Tom Petty fan, I was drawn to his lyrics after reading the scripture in Hebrews. Admittedly, I find myself questioning God’s timing and God’s plan. Why wait? Why does Jesus have to suffer, do miracles? Why not make him the high priest from the beginning?
The fact is, we live in a time in which convenience does not lend itself to waiting or patience. Ease trumps experience. Success is preferable to suffering. Yet Christ, through his life and death calls us to the same. The deep questions of faith have no easy answers. Much like we are left wondering when will Christ return?
The season of lent offers us time to prepare. It offers time of reflection. And what better place to reflect than the church which we all serve. As we continue with Christ to his cross, challenge yourself to think of the ways in which obedience provides an easy yoke of Christ. But remember, Christ’s suffering was not for the sake of suffering, but for God’s glorification. In our attempts to be like Christ, may we all remember that in the end it is God’s faithfulness to us that leads to redemption.
Prayer: God of anticipation, stir in us a patience to wait, and to see you as our source of peace. Amen.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Guarding
Psalm 119:9-16
9How can young people keep their way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10With my whole heart I seek you;
do not let me stray from your commandments.
11I treasure your word in my heart,
so that I may not sin against you.
12Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes.
13With my lips I declare
all the ordinances of your mouth.
14I delight in the way of your decrees
as much as in all riches.
15I will meditate on your precepts,
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
Do you ever sit back at the end of the day, watching or reading the news and wonder, “Why?” Why are things so bad? Why is the world so bleak? Is it really this generation of leadership? Where is the hope for our youth?
The psalmist questions, “How can young people keep their way pure?” While the question seems to attack the systemic problem, it is more of a rhetorical question. It is a question with a very clear answer, that immediately responds to the question at hand: “How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word (Psalm 119:9).”
The Psalmist was probably young, so it is not an attack at others, at a younger generation. Instead, we should see the question leading us to a better way. Guard your way according to God’s word. That is the advice offered in the face of trying times. The question has an answer, but it is challenge for us, because it involves daily repitition. Today, pray with the psalmist.
Prayer: I delight in the way of your decrees as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts, and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. Amen.
9How can young people keep their way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10With my whole heart I seek you;
do not let me stray from your commandments.
11I treasure your word in my heart,
so that I may not sin against you.
12Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes.
13With my lips I declare
all the ordinances of your mouth.
14I delight in the way of your decrees
as much as in all riches.
15I will meditate on your precepts,
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
Do you ever sit back at the end of the day, watching or reading the news and wonder, “Why?” Why are things so bad? Why is the world so bleak? Is it really this generation of leadership? Where is the hope for our youth?
The psalmist questions, “How can young people keep their way pure?” While the question seems to attack the systemic problem, it is more of a rhetorical question. It is a question with a very clear answer, that immediately responds to the question at hand: “How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word (Psalm 119:9).”
The Psalmist was probably young, so it is not an attack at others, at a younger generation. Instead, we should see the question leading us to a better way. Guard your way according to God’s word. That is the advice offered in the face of trying times. The question has an answer, but it is challenge for us, because it involves daily repitition. Today, pray with the psalmist.
Prayer: I delight in the way of your decrees as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts, and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. Amen.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tension
Jeremiah 31:31-34
31 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. 33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
Life is full of tension. As we live in the season of Lent, we still celebrate on Sunday. After all, every Sunday is a remembering of the Easter story. There is tension in this season. Yet we are certain that there is hope.
While growing up, I often gave things up for Lent. Chocolate, soda, candy often topped the list. As I grew up and became more “self-reliant,” it often translated into eating out, fast food, or gossip. Throughout Lent, I knew that Sunday was coming. It was a day I looked forward to because I was certain that I would indulge in whatever I gave up. It was a time of celebration amidst the relinquishing of certain privileges.
We are called to the cross, yet we are certain of the Resurrection. We journey to the cross, but believe in the life everlasting. This finds us living with certain faith in uncertain times. To journey with Christ to the cross is to be certain of death, but certain of life after death. To be on the journey is to be certain of the teaching and hope that Lent brings. The prophet Jeremiah speaks God’s word to us, “No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the LORD,” for they shall all know me, form the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more (Jeremiah 31:34).” May we live with that certainty in these uncertain times.
Prayer: God of yesterday and today, hold us close, so we may learn your ways and walk as children of your light. Amen.
31 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. 33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
Life is full of tension. As we live in the season of Lent, we still celebrate on Sunday. After all, every Sunday is a remembering of the Easter story. There is tension in this season. Yet we are certain that there is hope.
While growing up, I often gave things up for Lent. Chocolate, soda, candy often topped the list. As I grew up and became more “self-reliant,” it often translated into eating out, fast food, or gossip. Throughout Lent, I knew that Sunday was coming. It was a day I looked forward to because I was certain that I would indulge in whatever I gave up. It was a time of celebration amidst the relinquishing of certain privileges.
We are called to the cross, yet we are certain of the Resurrection. We journey to the cross, but believe in the life everlasting. This finds us living with certain faith in uncertain times. To journey with Christ to the cross is to be certain of death, but certain of life after death. To be on the journey is to be certain of the teaching and hope that Lent brings. The prophet Jeremiah speaks God’s word to us, “No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the LORD,” for they shall all know me, form the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more (Jeremiah 31:34).” May we live with that certainty in these uncertain times.
Prayer: God of yesterday and today, hold us close, so we may learn your ways and walk as children of your light. Amen.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Preparation
Jeremiah 31:31-34
31 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. 33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
While recently teaching Sunday School the person doing the announcements remarked how he and his wife had noticed that so many restaurants reference or at least hint at gluttony. “Fat Tuesday.” “Blimpie.” “Big Boy.” What could be the thinking behind that kind of marketing? Perhaps, it has something to do with desire. What are the things we desire, and for what reasons?
As we find ourselves at the beginning of the new work week, perhaps it would be best to take our reference from Sunday, the beginning of the Christians’ week. Being an Easter people means celebration, but it means waiting. It means being in fellowship, but it is only through the path of the cross. While the world tries to sell us (both literally and metaphorically) an Easter message of wholeness, our path is through the cross and death of Christ.
Be sure that there is hope in this season of Lent; this season of preparation. The prophet Jeremiah reminds us of God’s promise, “The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah (Jer. 31:31).” There is hope even in our sadness. Even though the world markets all things Easter, we continue the journey to the cross. For the ashes on Wednesday, lead to an empty tomb on Sunday.
Prayer: Gracious and loving God, help us to see your salvation as we journey to the cross. Amen.
31 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. 33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
While recently teaching Sunday School the person doing the announcements remarked how he and his wife had noticed that so many restaurants reference or at least hint at gluttony. “Fat Tuesday.” “Blimpie.” “Big Boy.” What could be the thinking behind that kind of marketing? Perhaps, it has something to do with desire. What are the things we desire, and for what reasons?
As we find ourselves at the beginning of the new work week, perhaps it would be best to take our reference from Sunday, the beginning of the Christians’ week. Being an Easter people means celebration, but it means waiting. It means being in fellowship, but it is only through the path of the cross. While the world tries to sell us (both literally and metaphorically) an Easter message of wholeness, our path is through the cross and death of Christ.
Be sure that there is hope in this season of Lent; this season of preparation. The prophet Jeremiah reminds us of God’s promise, “The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah (Jer. 31:31).” There is hope even in our sadness. Even though the world markets all things Easter, we continue the journey to the cross. For the ashes on Wednesday, lead to an empty tomb on Sunday.
Prayer: Gracious and loving God, help us to see your salvation as we journey to the cross. Amen.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Law of Love
Read: John 3:4-21
It is important to reflect on the well known quotation “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). The whole passage within which this word is embedded proclaims the love of God. God is not like an oriental, capricious despot who punishes every infraction of the law, or punishes for not reason at all. The first thing to say about God is “love,” and not “judgment.” The gospel precedes the law, and the law is the “law of love.” God’s intention for the world is love, not revenge or vindication. God’s attitude toward the world is positive, not negative. Not only this passage, but the whole gospel of John proclaims this.
Now, there are passages in both the Old and the New Testament that speak of judgment and punishment for human sins. That God will pursue the fathers’ misdeeds far into the generations of the progeny is also to be found in the Bible. But if we stay with the message of John’s gospel, “love” is what characterizes God’s fundamental relation to the world.
And there is another point: God does not punish those who do not accept faith in Christ. “Those who do believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already.” It is not God who punishes and condemns, but the unbelievers who have brought judgment and condemnation upon themselves. They are condemned by their own decision “not to believe in the name of the only Son of God.”
Prayer: Loving God, let me never forget that you love me even if I cannot experience it. Amen.
Manfred Hoffmann
It is important to reflect on the well known quotation “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). The whole passage within which this word is embedded proclaims the love of God. God is not like an oriental, capricious despot who punishes every infraction of the law, or punishes for not reason at all. The first thing to say about God is “love,” and not “judgment.” The gospel precedes the law, and the law is the “law of love.” God’s intention for the world is love, not revenge or vindication. God’s attitude toward the world is positive, not negative. Not only this passage, but the whole gospel of John proclaims this.
Now, there are passages in both the Old and the New Testament that speak of judgment and punishment for human sins. That God will pursue the fathers’ misdeeds far into the generations of the progeny is also to be found in the Bible. But if we stay with the message of John’s gospel, “love” is what characterizes God’s fundamental relation to the world.
And there is another point: God does not punish those who do not accept faith in Christ. “Those who do believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already.” It is not God who punishes and condemns, but the unbelievers who have brought judgment and condemnation upon themselves. They are condemned by their own decision “not to believe in the name of the only Son of God.”
Prayer: Loving God, let me never forget that you love me even if I cannot experience it. Amen.
Manfred Hoffmann
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Light
Read: John 3:4-21
John uses the image of Moses’ staff with the bronze serpent as an illustration for Christ’s resurrection: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” The context of this remark was Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus about “being born from above” and the impossibility that human beings can go back into their mother’s womb to be born again. Nicodemus could not believe Jesus’ references to heavenly things because he could not discover an analog in earthly things. So Jesus recalled from the story of Israel’s punishment by snakes and of God’s mercy that a look at the bronze serpent will heal.
God’s intention never was to punish a sinful world for their evil ways. God loves the world by sending the Son of God “in order that the world might be saved by him.” The light shines into the darkness, but the darkness did not receive it. People loved darkness since darkness would conceal their evil deeds. God’s love and light are rejected by those who use darkness as a cover for their evil deeds. “All those who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed.”
Are we persons of light or persons of darkness? Darkness hides many evils. The light of Christ shows up and removes our iniquities.
Prayer: God of light, give me strength to stand in the light that exposes and forgives sins, ant to walk in the light in the way of salvation. Amen.
Manfred Hoffmann
John uses the image of Moses’ staff with the bronze serpent as an illustration for Christ’s resurrection: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” The context of this remark was Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus about “being born from above” and the impossibility that human beings can go back into their mother’s womb to be born again. Nicodemus could not believe Jesus’ references to heavenly things because he could not discover an analog in earthly things. So Jesus recalled from the story of Israel’s punishment by snakes and of God’s mercy that a look at the bronze serpent will heal.
God’s intention never was to punish a sinful world for their evil ways. God loves the world by sending the Son of God “in order that the world might be saved by him.” The light shines into the darkness, but the darkness did not receive it. People loved darkness since darkness would conceal their evil deeds. God’s love and light are rejected by those who use darkness as a cover for their evil deeds. “All those who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed.”
Are we persons of light or persons of darkness? Darkness hides many evils. The light of Christ shows up and removes our iniquities.
Prayer: God of light, give me strength to stand in the light that exposes and forgives sins, ant to walk in the light in the way of salvation. Amen.
Manfred Hoffmann
Friday, March 20, 2009
Grace and Faith
Read: Ephesians 2:1-10
In this letter of uncertain second century authorship, we find elements of genuine Pauline thought. All people are dead because of their sins against God. The themes of total depravity and original sin appear. We are all by nature “children of wrath.” God, however, does not punish sinners, but saves us from death and makes us “alive with Christ.” God’s purpose is not to destroy humankind for their disobedience. Rather, God gives us life in Christ, raises us up, and rewards us with our inheritance.
But all of this is God’s gift. “By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing.” Salvation is not earned by our “good works.” Instead, we are created for the good works that God has prepared beforehand. We cannot merit salvation by good works, but the good works prepared by God in advance mark the Christian’s way of life.
We miss in this text the center of Paul’s theology: that Christ is the Savior, dying and rising for us; that crucifixion and resurrection are pivotal events; that the “righteousness of God” and the “justification of the sinner” describe God’s relation with human beings; that we are saved by grace and faith alone. By contrast, “life in Christ” and “the gift of God” are the primary emphases of Ephesians.
Prayer: Merciful God, I am grateful for the wideness of your grace which you offer to different people in different experiences. Amen.
Manfred Hoffmann
In this letter of uncertain second century authorship, we find elements of genuine Pauline thought. All people are dead because of their sins against God. The themes of total depravity and original sin appear. We are all by nature “children of wrath.” God, however, does not punish sinners, but saves us from death and makes us “alive with Christ.” God’s purpose is not to destroy humankind for their disobedience. Rather, God gives us life in Christ, raises us up, and rewards us with our inheritance.
But all of this is God’s gift. “By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing.” Salvation is not earned by our “good works.” Instead, we are created for the good works that God has prepared beforehand. We cannot merit salvation by good works, but the good works prepared by God in advance mark the Christian’s way of life.
We miss in this text the center of Paul’s theology: that Christ is the Savior, dying and rising for us; that crucifixion and resurrection are pivotal events; that the “righteousness of God” and the “justification of the sinner” describe God’s relation with human beings; that we are saved by grace and faith alone. By contrast, “life in Christ” and “the gift of God” are the primary emphases of Ephesians.
Prayer: Merciful God, I am grateful for the wideness of your grace which you offer to different people in different experiences. Amen.
Manfred Hoffmann
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Open My Eyes…
Read: Ephesians 2:1-10
The writer of Ephesians elaborates the main points of the message in Paul’s letters, but more boldly, emphasizing especially the impact of God’s grace on the future, in the resurrection and in heavenly things. The world view in Ephesians tends toward mythical cosmology. There are a good many references to the demonic spirits that inhabit the region between heaven and earth. All the same, the major Pauline themes are there: death and resurrection, trespasses and sin, God’s mercy and love, living in Christ, grace and faith, faith and works.
Our text draws our view upward to the sky where the “ruler of the power of the air” brings trouble upon Christians by seducing them to “follow the course of the world,” that is, to yield to the “passions and desires of the flesh and senses.” All human beings are by nature “children of wrath.” But the merciful and loving God made us alive together with Christ, raises us up with him, gives us in heave a place of honor next to Christ, and show us continuously the “immeasurable riches of the divine grace.”
It is salutary to be reminded that our faith is not limited to our personal relationship with Jesus, but includes a significant social, historical, and environmental dimension. We remain narrow-minded unless we extend the horizon of our worldview.
Prayer: Open my mind and extend my view, O Lord, that I may see the consequences of faith on a larger scale. Amen.
Manfred Hoffmann
The writer of Ephesians elaborates the main points of the message in Paul’s letters, but more boldly, emphasizing especially the impact of God’s grace on the future, in the resurrection and in heavenly things. The world view in Ephesians tends toward mythical cosmology. There are a good many references to the demonic spirits that inhabit the region between heaven and earth. All the same, the major Pauline themes are there: death and resurrection, trespasses and sin, God’s mercy and love, living in Christ, grace and faith, faith and works.
Our text draws our view upward to the sky where the “ruler of the power of the air” brings trouble upon Christians by seducing them to “follow the course of the world,” that is, to yield to the “passions and desires of the flesh and senses.” All human beings are by nature “children of wrath.” But the merciful and loving God made us alive together with Christ, raises us up with him, gives us in heave a place of honor next to Christ, and show us continuously the “immeasurable riches of the divine grace.”
It is salutary to be reminded that our faith is not limited to our personal relationship with Jesus, but includes a significant social, historical, and environmental dimension. We remain narrow-minded unless we extend the horizon of our worldview.
Prayer: Open my mind and extend my view, O Lord, that I may see the consequences of faith on a larger scale. Amen.
Manfred Hoffmann
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Thanksgiving
Read: Psalm 107: 1-3, 17-22
This psalm of thanksgiving represents a liturgy for joyful worshipers in the temple of Jerusalem. The congregation is gathered from everywhere. What the worshipers have in common is their experience of God’s deliverance from suffering. Their common name is the “redeemed,” freed from unbearable burden, perhaps released from the Babylonian captivity and returned to their home. There is also mention of examples of their afflictions: hunger and thirst, fate of prisoners, the suffering of the sick and dying, the hopeless situation of sailors in a monster storm.
All cried to the Lord, and God released them from their affliction. Their experience of freedom creates thanksgiving and praise, and the object of their prayers is God’s goodness and steadfast love. In fact, the Old Testament “steadfast love” describes the major character trait of God. The redeemed tell of God’s deeds with songs of joy.
Often we go through the motions of thanksgiving without having specific instances of God’s saving deeds in mind. Is there something like a generic thanksgiving prayer? Of course, it is difficult and time-consuming to trace God’s interactions in our lives. But there is always one specific event for which we should be thankful: God saving us through Christ’s cross and resurrection.
Prayer: Good God, let me always be thankful that you sent Christ for our redemption. Amen.
Manfred Hoffmann
This psalm of thanksgiving represents a liturgy for joyful worshipers in the temple of Jerusalem. The congregation is gathered from everywhere. What the worshipers have in common is their experience of God’s deliverance from suffering. Their common name is the “redeemed,” freed from unbearable burden, perhaps released from the Babylonian captivity and returned to their home. There is also mention of examples of their afflictions: hunger and thirst, fate of prisoners, the suffering of the sick and dying, the hopeless situation of sailors in a monster storm.
All cried to the Lord, and God released them from their affliction. Their experience of freedom creates thanksgiving and praise, and the object of their prayers is God’s goodness and steadfast love. In fact, the Old Testament “steadfast love” describes the major character trait of God. The redeemed tell of God’s deeds with songs of joy.
Often we go through the motions of thanksgiving without having specific instances of God’s saving deeds in mind. Is there something like a generic thanksgiving prayer? Of course, it is difficult and time-consuming to trace God’s interactions in our lives. But there is always one specific event for which we should be thankful: God saving us through Christ’s cross and resurrection.
Prayer: Good God, let me always be thankful that you sent Christ for our redemption. Amen.
Manfred Hoffmann
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Read: Numbers 21: 4-9
God reacted immediately and with frightening severity, swift and harsh. We cannot bargain or argue with God. God takes the disobedience of God’s people seriously. All of a sudden, there was a brood of venomous snakes all over the place. “They bit the people and many died.” This horrible punishment caused them to admit their sin, and they turned to Moses for help.
Many people today are still afraid of snakes, their winding movements on the ground, their unexpected attacks, and their dangerous poison. But in ancient times the venom of snakes was considered both deadly and healing. Snakes symbolized destruction and remedy. Also in our story, upon the repentance of the people, the life-threatening power turned into healing medicine.
Moses prayed that the people be spared. So God commanded him to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. Whenever an Israelite was bitten, gazing at Moses’ bronze serpent would keep the person alive.
It is important for our life to see where our intentions go. If our eyes are fixed on the cross, we are free from death; if we look elsewhere, we perish! What is the point of our life? What is the focus of our life? God’s purpose or our own plans?
Prayer: Lord, let my eyes be fixed on your sign rather than on the confusing number of human options. Amen.
Manfred Hoffmann
God reacted immediately and with frightening severity, swift and harsh. We cannot bargain or argue with God. God takes the disobedience of God’s people seriously. All of a sudden, there was a brood of venomous snakes all over the place. “They bit the people and many died.” This horrible punishment caused them to admit their sin, and they turned to Moses for help.
Many people today are still afraid of snakes, their winding movements on the ground, their unexpected attacks, and their dangerous poison. But in ancient times the venom of snakes was considered both deadly and healing. Snakes symbolized destruction and remedy. Also in our story, upon the repentance of the people, the life-threatening power turned into healing medicine.
Moses prayed that the people be spared. So God commanded him to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. Whenever an Israelite was bitten, gazing at Moses’ bronze serpent would keep the person alive.
It is important for our life to see where our intentions go. If our eyes are fixed on the cross, we are free from death; if we look elsewhere, we perish! What is the point of our life? What is the focus of our life? God’s purpose or our own plans?
Prayer: Lord, let my eyes be fixed on your sign rather than on the confusing number of human options. Amen.
Manfred Hoffmann
Monday, March 16, 2009
Murmuring
Read: Numbers 21: 4-9
Israel had experienced God’s miraculous power when it was liberated from Egyptian slavery. They escaped from the land of oppression, crossed the Red Sea, and were now on their way to the promised land. Our text recalls an episode in their march through the wilderness between Egypt and Canaan. Something unexpected happened: God failed to lead them on a direct route northward, but instead by detour southeastward toward the Red Sea, because the king of Edom denied them passage through his land. They actually were forced to move back into the direction from which they had come. The people found this change of course disorienting: had God reneged on God’s own promise?
The people murmured against God and Moses. Why did God lead us from Egypt into this wilderness without food and water? Egypt looked like a better place. They spoke against God and questioned God’s ways. “Murmur” is not an open rebellion against an authority with whose judgment we strongly disagree. It is a muttered complaint spoken under one’s breath.
How often have we murmured against God or God’s leaders concerning decisions that do not agree with our opinion?
Prayer: Keep me, O God, from murmuring against you and help me to accept your way even if I don’t understand it. Amen.
Manfred Hoffmann
Israel had experienced God’s miraculous power when it was liberated from Egyptian slavery. They escaped from the land of oppression, crossed the Red Sea, and were now on their way to the promised land. Our text recalls an episode in their march through the wilderness between Egypt and Canaan. Something unexpected happened: God failed to lead them on a direct route northward, but instead by detour southeastward toward the Red Sea, because the king of Edom denied them passage through his land. They actually were forced to move back into the direction from which they had come. The people found this change of course disorienting: had God reneged on God’s own promise?
The people murmured against God and Moses. Why did God lead us from Egypt into this wilderness without food and water? Egypt looked like a better place. They spoke against God and questioned God’s ways. “Murmur” is not an open rebellion against an authority with whose judgment we strongly disagree. It is a muttered complaint spoken under one’s breath.
How often have we murmured against God or God’s leaders concerning decisions that do not agree with our opinion?
Prayer: Keep me, O God, from murmuring against you and help me to accept your way even if I don’t understand it. Amen.
Manfred Hoffmann
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Sign of Cleansing
Read: John 2:13-22
Jesus’ cleansing of the temple is in all four gospels, but John places it at the beginning, prophetically. Passover is the setting for the beginning and the end of Jesus’ earthly life.
Passover was the great thanksgiving festival of Judaism, which believers came from all over the Roman empire to celebrate in their holy city, Jerusalem. Jesus was one of thousands who came to remember God’s mercy to the Hebrew slaves, when the angel of death “passed over” their houses while the first born of the Egyptians were dying. The celebration is of God bearing up God’s children on eagle’s wings, to carry them to the promised land.
But in the temple Jesus finds that faith and gratitude have been overcome by greed. A bureaucracy is established to profit from the “law” requiring sacrifices to be brought in order to thank God properly. Not only are the pilgrims required to buy animals on site (as opposed to bringing their own from home) as offerings, but their Roman coins have to be changed into temple money, at an extremely unfair exchange rate.
So, Jesus is furious. And the temple establishment is appalled, when he turns over their tables and drives them out of the temple with a whip of cords (not the usual picture of Jesus we put up on our Sunday School walls!). They question his authority, but Jesus promises them that there is more to come—that if the entire temple were to be destroyed, he would raise it up again in 3 days.
“After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.”
Prayer: Cleanse my heart, O God, and prepare me for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, in his name I pray, Amen.
Betsy Lunz
Jesus’ cleansing of the temple is in all four gospels, but John places it at the beginning, prophetically. Passover is the setting for the beginning and the end of Jesus’ earthly life.
Passover was the great thanksgiving festival of Judaism, which believers came from all over the Roman empire to celebrate in their holy city, Jerusalem. Jesus was one of thousands who came to remember God’s mercy to the Hebrew slaves, when the angel of death “passed over” their houses while the first born of the Egyptians were dying. The celebration is of God bearing up God’s children on eagle’s wings, to carry them to the promised land.
But in the temple Jesus finds that faith and gratitude have been overcome by greed. A bureaucracy is established to profit from the “law” requiring sacrifices to be brought in order to thank God properly. Not only are the pilgrims required to buy animals on site (as opposed to bringing their own from home) as offerings, but their Roman coins have to be changed into temple money, at an extremely unfair exchange rate.
So, Jesus is furious. And the temple establishment is appalled, when he turns over their tables and drives them out of the temple with a whip of cords (not the usual picture of Jesus we put up on our Sunday School walls!). They question his authority, but Jesus promises them that there is more to come—that if the entire temple were to be destroyed, he would raise it up again in 3 days.
“After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.”
Prayer: Cleanse my heart, O God, and prepare me for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, in his name I pray, Amen.
Betsy Lunz
Saturday, March 14, 2009
The Message of the Cross
Read: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Here Paul provides a bridge from our study of the Old Testament this week into the message of Lent, which is the message of the cross. Paul sounds like the writer of Psalm 19 when he claims “the foolishness of our proclamation” as the work that he is doing in Christ’s service. For all of the wisdom which humankind might have obtained from studying the heavens and the law has not resulted in human understanding of who God is. “I Am Who I Am” has in Christ become the Wisdom Incarnate, in order to “save those who believe” (vs. 21). Paul’s job, and ours, is to proclaim that truth.
As a summary of Paul’s theology, and a defense of his ministry, verses 23 to 24 cut through to the heart of our call as Christians: “we proclaim Christ crucified…Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” The paradox of the cross is its strength, made perfect in the weakness which God chose (“decided,” vs. 21) in order to share our powerlessness and redeem it by the power of suffering with us.
Our call to proclaim this is not so much a matter of preaching it, since these two verses are really all we need to say on the subject. Especially in Lent, we are called to witness to the power of Christ’s suffering on our behalf by following his example. We can’t do that by our own strength, but we can find God’s power in our own weakness.
Prayer:
O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high
O truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky,
You have taken our pain on yourself and given us the power to freely share the pain of others; help us to trust you to be saving us.
Amen.
Betsy Lunz
Here Paul provides a bridge from our study of the Old Testament this week into the message of Lent, which is the message of the cross. Paul sounds like the writer of Psalm 19 when he claims “the foolishness of our proclamation” as the work that he is doing in Christ’s service. For all of the wisdom which humankind might have obtained from studying the heavens and the law has not resulted in human understanding of who God is. “I Am Who I Am” has in Christ become the Wisdom Incarnate, in order to “save those who believe” (vs. 21). Paul’s job, and ours, is to proclaim that truth.
As a summary of Paul’s theology, and a defense of his ministry, verses 23 to 24 cut through to the heart of our call as Christians: “we proclaim Christ crucified…Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” The paradox of the cross is its strength, made perfect in the weakness which God chose (“decided,” vs. 21) in order to share our powerlessness and redeem it by the power of suffering with us.
Our call to proclaim this is not so much a matter of preaching it, since these two verses are really all we need to say on the subject. Especially in Lent, we are called to witness to the power of Christ’s suffering on our behalf by following his example. We can’t do that by our own strength, but we can find God’s power in our own weakness.
Prayer:
O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high
O truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky,
You have taken our pain on yourself and given us the power to freely share the pain of others; help us to trust you to be saving us.
Amen.
Betsy Lunz
Friday, March 13, 2009
Rock and Redeemer
Read: Psalm 19
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
In my seminary days, classes on preaching recommended that our sermons begin with this prayer, offered from the pulpit just after reading one’s text. The prayer was amended to: “the meditation of our hearts,” as a way of reminding the congregation that they were a part of the proclamation experience, sharing the responsibility by, at least, not going to sleep. Certainly the text comforts the preacher, with the reminder that God is the solid rock foundation of the sermon and also the redeemer of it, no matter how bad it might be.
The prayer comes not from a sermon but from the psalmist’s hymn of praise to God for creating the heavens and giving God’s law to humankind. It seems like an unusual combination of God’s attributes, but that is why the psalmist writes it, to point out that the God of the 10 commandments who came so close to the Israelites on Mt. Sinai is the same God whose word created the highest heavens and the ends of the earth. The psalmist sees the law as a great gift from God who cares enough to provide instruction to mere mortals.
Then the psalmist prays for forgiveness. With all of nature to reveal God, and all of scripture to rely on, the writer still makes mistakes. He wants to give praise by living a blameless life, but he does not. So he prays for protection from his own sin, and concludes by asking for God’s acceptance of his prayer, which in itself is a humble human offering to the God of the whole universe.
The psalm gives us a beautiful pattern to follow in our own time of prayer in Lent: praise, thanksgiving, repentance, and offering of ourselves up for acceptance by the one who is Lord of all the worlds that are, yet also our rock and our redeemer.
Prayer: Glorious God, we want to be better servants to you, and we need your help: forgive and accept us, we pray. Amen.
Betsy Lunz
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
In my seminary days, classes on preaching recommended that our sermons begin with this prayer, offered from the pulpit just after reading one’s text. The prayer was amended to: “the meditation of our hearts,” as a way of reminding the congregation that they were a part of the proclamation experience, sharing the responsibility by, at least, not going to sleep. Certainly the text comforts the preacher, with the reminder that God is the solid rock foundation of the sermon and also the redeemer of it, no matter how bad it might be.
The prayer comes not from a sermon but from the psalmist’s hymn of praise to God for creating the heavens and giving God’s law to humankind. It seems like an unusual combination of God’s attributes, but that is why the psalmist writes it, to point out that the God of the 10 commandments who came so close to the Israelites on Mt. Sinai is the same God whose word created the highest heavens and the ends of the earth. The psalmist sees the law as a great gift from God who cares enough to provide instruction to mere mortals.
Then the psalmist prays for forgiveness. With all of nature to reveal God, and all of scripture to rely on, the writer still makes mistakes. He wants to give praise by living a blameless life, but he does not. So he prays for protection from his own sin, and concludes by asking for God’s acceptance of his prayer, which in itself is a humble human offering to the God of the whole universe.
The psalm gives us a beautiful pattern to follow in our own time of prayer in Lent: praise, thanksgiving, repentance, and offering of ourselves up for acceptance by the one who is Lord of all the worlds that are, yet also our rock and our redeemer.
Prayer: Glorious God, we want to be better servants to you, and we need your help: forgive and accept us, we pray. Amen.
Betsy Lunz
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Privileged Obedience
Read: Exodus 20:12-17
When my grandson was very young, I read the ten commandments to him and he was fascinated. The second time through them, he voluntarily checked himself on every item, saying “I have never done that,” “Not guilty of that one,” “Yes, I honor my father and my mother,” until we reached number 7, “You shall not commit adultery.” He looked up at me sadly and confessed, “I must have done that 1000 times.” Gentle questioning revealed that he understood adultery to mean the desire to be an adult, coveting privileges like independence, money, and driving a car.
We think of ourselves as adults with similar privileges, especially with the right to make our own ethical decisions. We often practice situational ethics, believing that our circumstances determine how strictly we should keep these last 6 commandments. And we prioritize them, thinking for example that murder is worse than false testimony, or that coveting can’t be wrong if it doesn’t hurt anyone.
God was giving not examples but definitive boundaries, for the privileged people of God. Obedience is a privilege, yet in these words from God it is not optional. Jesus took obedience further, making it a matter of the heart (Matthew 5:21 ff.). Christians are called to obedience to the gospel of love in order to fulfill the law.
Prayer: Loving God, may we honor you as our Parent, trust your word to show us the way, and be obedient. Amen.
Betsy Lunz
When my grandson was very young, I read the ten commandments to him and he was fascinated. The second time through them, he voluntarily checked himself on every item, saying “I have never done that,” “Not guilty of that one,” “Yes, I honor my father and my mother,” until we reached number 7, “You shall not commit adultery.” He looked up at me sadly and confessed, “I must have done that 1000 times.” Gentle questioning revealed that he understood adultery to mean the desire to be an adult, coveting privileges like independence, money, and driving a car.
We think of ourselves as adults with similar privileges, especially with the right to make our own ethical decisions. We often practice situational ethics, believing that our circumstances determine how strictly we should keep these last 6 commandments. And we prioritize them, thinking for example that murder is worse than false testimony, or that coveting can’t be wrong if it doesn’t hurt anyone.
God was giving not examples but definitive boundaries, for the privileged people of God. Obedience is a privilege, yet in these words from God it is not optional. Jesus took obedience further, making it a matter of the heart (Matthew 5:21 ff.). Christians are called to obedience to the gospel of love in order to fulfill the law.
Prayer: Loving God, may we honor you as our Parent, trust your word to show us the way, and be obedient. Amen.
Betsy Lunz
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Holy Time
Read: Exodus 20:8-11
As you are using this devotional, you are keeping holy time. The fourth commandment requires God’s people to set aside one entire day in the week for this kind of practice: scripture reading, meditation, and prayer.
The purpose of Sabbath practice is rest, in recognition that there is more to the life of faith than work. God sets the standard for us in the creation story (vs.11), and reminds us that workaholism is not an acceptable way to serve God. In the slavery of Egypt, labor was required 24/7. In God’s covenant community, freedom from labor is a right and responsibility, at least 1/7th of the time, and the freedom to rest is also given to all creation.
For the people of Israel, Sabbath was the 7th day of the week. In the Bahamas it is said that God had just finished creating those islands on that first Friday evening, was delighted with their beauty, and chose them for the divine resting place all day Saturday. In our post-resurrection Christian faith, which has moved the Sabbath to the first day of the week, Sunday, we have a similar setting in the lovely garden of Joseph of Arimathea, where Jesus arose from the dead.
Resting in a place of natural beauty is an ancient Sabbath tradition, still valid today, so long as spending time with God is the purpose of being there. Holy Sabbath time redeems us, through worship and rest.
Prayer: Creator God, thank you for calling us to rest in you. Amen.
Betsy Lunz
As you are using this devotional, you are keeping holy time. The fourth commandment requires God’s people to set aside one entire day in the week for this kind of practice: scripture reading, meditation, and prayer.
The purpose of Sabbath practice is rest, in recognition that there is more to the life of faith than work. God sets the standard for us in the creation story (vs.11), and reminds us that workaholism is not an acceptable way to serve God. In the slavery of Egypt, labor was required 24/7. In God’s covenant community, freedom from labor is a right and responsibility, at least 1/7th of the time, and the freedom to rest is also given to all creation.
For the people of Israel, Sabbath was the 7th day of the week. In the Bahamas it is said that God had just finished creating those islands on that first Friday evening, was delighted with their beauty, and chose them for the divine resting place all day Saturday. In our post-resurrection Christian faith, which has moved the Sabbath to the first day of the week, Sunday, we have a similar setting in the lovely garden of Joseph of Arimathea, where Jesus arose from the dead.
Resting in a place of natural beauty is an ancient Sabbath tradition, still valid today, so long as spending time with God is the purpose of being there. Holy Sabbath time redeems us, through worship and rest.
Prayer: Creator God, thank you for calling us to rest in you. Amen.
Betsy Lunz
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
I Am Who I Am
Read Exodus 20:1-7
The ten commandments begin with God’s own self-identification. “I am the Lord your God” is translated from the same Hebrew word with which God answered Moses’ question of the burning bush: “Who are you? what is your name?” Both times God said, “I am who I am.”
Three commandments follow from this declaration: 1) You shall not worship any other gods; 2) you shall not make or worship idols; 3) you shall not misuse God’s name.
We are in deep trouble already, and Lent is the time to repent.
1) “Other gods” abound in our lives, no matter how we might protest otherwise. “Other gods” are any loyalties or loves which come between us and our “First love,” the love of our life, God.
2) We not only worship other idols (such as material wealth), but we like to think of God in images that reduce God to a manageable size. We use human labels for God which are less inclusive than “I am Who I am,” so that in prayer we can feel safer with the smaller God we picture.
3) We regularly misuse the name “God,” in today’s constant comment, “O My God,” even reduced to the text messaging anagram, “omg.” These habits are prohibited in the claim God places upon us as people called by the name of the Lord, who is holy.
Prayer: Most Holy God, forgive us for our presumptions and return us to worshiping you in spirit and in truth, we pray. Amen.
Betsy Lunz
The ten commandments begin with God’s own self-identification. “I am the Lord your God” is translated from the same Hebrew word with which God answered Moses’ question of the burning bush: “Who are you? what is your name?” Both times God said, “I am who I am.”
Three commandments follow from this declaration: 1) You shall not worship any other gods; 2) you shall not make or worship idols; 3) you shall not misuse God’s name.
We are in deep trouble already, and Lent is the time to repent.
1) “Other gods” abound in our lives, no matter how we might protest otherwise. “Other gods” are any loyalties or loves which come between us and our “First love,” the love of our life, God.
2) We not only worship other idols (such as material wealth), but we like to think of God in images that reduce God to a manageable size. We use human labels for God which are less inclusive than “I am Who I am,” so that in prayer we can feel safer with the smaller God we picture.
3) We regularly misuse the name “God,” in today’s constant comment, “O My God,” even reduced to the text messaging anagram, “omg.” These habits are prohibited in the claim God places upon us as people called by the name of the Lord, who is holy.
Prayer: Most Holy God, forgive us for our presumptions and return us to worshiping you in spirit and in truth, we pray. Amen.
Betsy Lunz
Monday, March 9, 2009
The Ten Commandments
Read Exodus 20:1-17
The ten commandments recorded in Exodus are central to the story of the Hebrews’ liberation from slavery. In the New Testament, the commandments are assumed to be foundational. Jesus refers to, and expands upon them, as expected rules of conduct for anyone who follows him.
This expectation applies to us, today’s disciples of Christ, as much as it applied to those who chose the new way of life which Christ originally offered. The way of liberation from slavery to sin and death was and is the way of Christian discipleship. Jesus came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.
The context of the Exodus story in which that law was given is this: the Israelites had been evacuated from Egypt only 3 months before they came to camp in the wilderness in front of Mt. Sinai. The humiliation of slavery was fresh in their minds. The terror of running from Pharoah’s army, being led across the Red Sea with only Moses’ assurance that the waters would not cover them, the memory of watching men and horses drowning behind them—all this is the background for their entry into the desert of Sinai. Here they were free at last, but for what?
God, who has already given them victory over enemies along their way, manna and quail to eat, honey and water from the rocks, brings Moses up the mountain for a new and greater gift. The gift is not riches or rewards, but the law of God by which God’s people are to live. The law is essential to their freedom, and to ours.
Prayer: Delivering God, quiet our fears and our complaints so that we might listen for your word for our lives. Amen.
Betsy Lunz
The ten commandments recorded in Exodus are central to the story of the Hebrews’ liberation from slavery. In the New Testament, the commandments are assumed to be foundational. Jesus refers to, and expands upon them, as expected rules of conduct for anyone who follows him.
This expectation applies to us, today’s disciples of Christ, as much as it applied to those who chose the new way of life which Christ originally offered. The way of liberation from slavery to sin and death was and is the way of Christian discipleship. Jesus came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.
The context of the Exodus story in which that law was given is this: the Israelites had been evacuated from Egypt only 3 months before they came to camp in the wilderness in front of Mt. Sinai. The humiliation of slavery was fresh in their minds. The terror of running from Pharoah’s army, being led across the Red Sea with only Moses’ assurance that the waters would not cover them, the memory of watching men and horses drowning behind them—all this is the background for their entry into the desert of Sinai. Here they were free at last, but for what?
God, who has already given them victory over enemies along their way, manna and quail to eat, honey and water from the rocks, brings Moses up the mountain for a new and greater gift. The gift is not riches or rewards, but the law of God by which God’s people are to live. The law is essential to their freedom, and to ours.
Prayer: Delivering God, quiet our fears and our complaints so that we might listen for your word for our lives. Amen.
Betsy Lunz
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Faithful Followers
Read Mark 8:34-38
The call of Christ upon our lives is at the same time daunting and rewarding. It is daunting because Jesus calls us to surrender ourselves fully to him. Modern Western civilization, particularly as it is manifested in the American way of life is characterized by rugged individualism. As I walk through our pre-school on any given morning or stand on the playground on any given afternoon I am likely to hear a number of children say, “I can do it all by myself.” They are a product of a culture that idealizes the individual.
Christ calls us to a life of self-sacrifice for the good of the many. While it is important to have good self esteem, Jesus is calling us first to a life of submission. The irony is that it is only through this submission that we can truly be free. It is hard to admit that we cannot do it all by ourselves.
If we are to follow Christ, we are to take up our crosses. Jesus does not want us to suffer but he does want us to be obedient
So you might be asking yourself – where is the rewarding part? This is the true test of our faith. The reward is something we cannot see and cannot fully understand. While a Christian life rewards us with hope, peace joy and love on Earth. These rewards pale in comparison to those of the life to come.
Prayer: God of Salvation, help me to take up my cross and follow you. Show me the way. Amen.
Charles Z. Gardner
The call of Christ upon our lives is at the same time daunting and rewarding. It is daunting because Jesus calls us to surrender ourselves fully to him. Modern Western civilization, particularly as it is manifested in the American way of life is characterized by rugged individualism. As I walk through our pre-school on any given morning or stand on the playground on any given afternoon I am likely to hear a number of children say, “I can do it all by myself.” They are a product of a culture that idealizes the individual.
Christ calls us to a life of self-sacrifice for the good of the many. While it is important to have good self esteem, Jesus is calling us first to a life of submission. The irony is that it is only through this submission that we can truly be free. It is hard to admit that we cannot do it all by ourselves.
If we are to follow Christ, we are to take up our crosses. Jesus does not want us to suffer but he does want us to be obedient
So you might be asking yourself – where is the rewarding part? This is the true test of our faith. The reward is something we cannot see and cannot fully understand. While a Christian life rewards us with hope, peace joy and love on Earth. These rewards pale in comparison to those of the life to come.
Prayer: God of Salvation, help me to take up my cross and follow you. Show me the way. Amen.
Charles Z. Gardner
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Faith Forsaken
Read Mark 8:31-33
In Matthew’s Gospel, just prior to this episode, Peter proclaims that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus responds by declaring Peter that the rock upon which Jesus will build his Church. This is quite a stark contrast from being called Satan.
Peter is constantly battling an internal struggle. He believes that Jesus is the Son of God. However like the other disciples and most of Jesus’ followers Peter has moments of doubt. Peter finds himself trying to guide Jesus in a different direction. Peter cannot understand all of this talk of suffering, death and resurrection.
We too are guilty of forsaking Jesus. We have no problem sharing the loving, compassionate Christ with the world. We really are not comfortable when Christ confronts us.
All of us can relate to Peter at least a little, most of us more than we would like to admit. We are afraid to admit that we doubt. We are often ashamed to claim what we believe. We just want Jesus to behave, act normal and stay away from controversy. Well, Jesus never promised us it would be easy…
Prayer: Loving God, help me to get out of the way so that others would see you not me, your ways, not mine. Amen
Charles Z. Gardner
In Matthew’s Gospel, just prior to this episode, Peter proclaims that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus responds by declaring Peter that the rock upon which Jesus will build his Church. This is quite a stark contrast from being called Satan.
Peter is constantly battling an internal struggle. He believes that Jesus is the Son of God. However like the other disciples and most of Jesus’ followers Peter has moments of doubt. Peter finds himself trying to guide Jesus in a different direction. Peter cannot understand all of this talk of suffering, death and resurrection.
We too are guilty of forsaking Jesus. We have no problem sharing the loving, compassionate Christ with the world. We really are not comfortable when Christ confronts us.
All of us can relate to Peter at least a little, most of us more than we would like to admit. We are afraid to admit that we doubt. We are often ashamed to claim what we believe. We just want Jesus to behave, act normal and stay away from controversy. Well, Jesus never promised us it would be easy…
Prayer: Loving God, help me to get out of the way so that others would see you not me, your ways, not mine. Amen
Charles Z. Gardner
Friday, March 6, 2009
Faith and Fulfillment
Read Romans 4:13-25
In today’s text Paul is writing to the church in Rome about God’s covenant with Abraham and Sarah. I must admit after having read the text from Genesis and writing about Abraham’s initial reaction, Paul seems to be “spinning” the story just a bit. In verse 19 Paul suggests that Abraham never doubted for a moment that an old man and an old woman could become parents of their own child. We know from reading the story in Genesis that there was some doubt.
Preacher’s have been known to live by the saying never let the truth get in the way of a good story! However, this is not what Paul is doing. The reality is that Abraham and Sarah, despite their doubts, kept their faith. And, they were rewarded. Paul’s argument is compelling because he can show that God maintained the covenant. God indeed did make of Abraham and Sarah the parents of all creation.
As the church in Rome is growing, Paul understands how important it is for these early Christian to increase their faith and be assured of salvation through Christ. What better way than to show how God keeps promises.
Prayer: O God, remind us of your covenant, your love and your grace. Amen
Charles Z. Gardner
In today’s text Paul is writing to the church in Rome about God’s covenant with Abraham and Sarah. I must admit after having read the text from Genesis and writing about Abraham’s initial reaction, Paul seems to be “spinning” the story just a bit. In verse 19 Paul suggests that Abraham never doubted for a moment that an old man and an old woman could become parents of their own child. We know from reading the story in Genesis that there was some doubt.
Preacher’s have been known to live by the saying never let the truth get in the way of a good story! However, this is not what Paul is doing. The reality is that Abraham and Sarah, despite their doubts, kept their faith. And, they were rewarded. Paul’s argument is compelling because he can show that God maintained the covenant. God indeed did make of Abraham and Sarah the parents of all creation.
As the church in Rome is growing, Paul understands how important it is for these early Christian to increase their faith and be assured of salvation through Christ. What better way than to show how God keeps promises.
Prayer: O God, remind us of your covenant, your love and your grace. Amen
Charles Z. Gardner
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Faith, Family and the Future
Read Psalm 22:27-31
In the second half of our reading from Psalm 22 we find recognition of God’s covenant with God’s people. The Psalmist recognizes how important it is that each generation shares with the next about God’s love.
One morning recently on our walk to school, Zach asked me why I was a preacher. I told him that it was because that is what God called me to do. He listened to my answer and responded with a hmm (this is supposed to approximate an inquisitive grunt, sometimes the grunt is defiant, sometimes frustrated)! I really was not sure what he was thinking.
That following Saturday evening, Shannon and I went to dinner while my mom (Zach calls her mama) watched Zach. When we returned, Mama told us about her conversation with Zach on the way to their dinner. He asked, “Mama, what do you think God is calling me to do?” My mom was caught a little off guard. She asked him to explain. He followed, “God called Daddy to be a preacher and I have been listening real hard in my brain but I don’t hear anything!”
In recent days, Zach has decided he is called to be an astronaut. I imagine this will change a number of times in the years to come. My greatest joy is that he is listening.
Prayer: God of Creation, help me to discern your call upon my life. And, help me to live out that call in ways that are pleasing to you. Amen
Charles Z. Gardner
In the second half of our reading from Psalm 22 we find recognition of God’s covenant with God’s people. The Psalmist recognizes how important it is that each generation shares with the next about God’s love.
One morning recently on our walk to school, Zach asked me why I was a preacher. I told him that it was because that is what God called me to do. He listened to my answer and responded with a hmm (this is supposed to approximate an inquisitive grunt, sometimes the grunt is defiant, sometimes frustrated)! I really was not sure what he was thinking.
That following Saturday evening, Shannon and I went to dinner while my mom (Zach calls her mama) watched Zach. When we returned, Mama told us about her conversation with Zach on the way to their dinner. He asked, “Mama, what do you think God is calling me to do?” My mom was caught a little off guard. She asked him to explain. He followed, “God called Daddy to be a preacher and I have been listening real hard in my brain but I don’t hear anything!”
In recent days, Zach has decided he is called to be an astronaut. I imagine this will change a number of times in the years to come. My greatest joy is that he is listening.
Prayer: God of Creation, help me to discern your call upon my life. And, help me to live out that call in ways that are pleasing to you. Amen
Charles Z. Gardner
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Faith and the Afflicted
Read Psalm 22:23-26
As we continue our Lenten journey, we pick up in the middle of the 22nd Psalm. The first words in the Psalm attributed to David are, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” These become the haunting words of Christ on the cross. Remember Jesus knew well the Hebrew Scriptures.
By the time we reach verse 23 the Psalm has taken on a tone of praise and thanksgiving. The Psalmist offers hope for the afflicted. God was steadfast throughout the time of trial. All those who suffer will be lifted up.
This has been a difficult year for many in our church, our community, our country and our world. Many have probably asked the same question uttered by the Psalmist and by Jesus. It is a legitimate human response in times of despair and hopelessness.
As situations begin to improve (and I know that they will) our faith will remind us that God has sustained us through difficult times. We too shall sing songs of praise to God.
Prayer: Gracious God, in times of trial may my faith remind me of your presence in my life. Amen
Charles Z. Gardner
As we continue our Lenten journey, we pick up in the middle of the 22nd Psalm. The first words in the Psalm attributed to David are, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” These become the haunting words of Christ on the cross. Remember Jesus knew well the Hebrew Scriptures.
By the time we reach verse 23 the Psalm has taken on a tone of praise and thanksgiving. The Psalmist offers hope for the afflicted. God was steadfast throughout the time of trial. All those who suffer will be lifted up.
This has been a difficult year for many in our church, our community, our country and our world. Many have probably asked the same question uttered by the Psalmist and by Jesus. It is a legitimate human response in times of despair and hopelessness.
As situations begin to improve (and I know that they will) our faith will remind us that God has sustained us through difficult times. We too shall sing songs of praise to God.
Prayer: Gracious God, in times of trial may my faith remind me of your presence in my life. Amen
Charles Z. Gardner
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Faith and a Fresh Start
Read Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Names are interesting. My name is Charles. In formal arenas, I have always gone by Charles. Charles is one of those names that lends itself to a number of derivations: Charlie, Chuck, Chas. Upon meeting someone new, as I introduce myself as Charles, they will often ask, “What do you go by?”
Along the way, I have had some funny nicknames: mini-bruit, little Charles (I know these two are hard to imagine – “mini” and “little”), CS and the one that has stuck the longest with a special group of youth – Chachi.
Sarai and Abram needed a new start. God was calling them to be the parents of all those who would come after them. God decided they need a fresh start – a new perspective. So God gave them new names: Sarah and Abraham.
Does a new name really make a difference? Often organizations that have experienced difficult times might change their name to provide a fresh start. While the name itself really does not make the difference, it is the new attitude that comes with the change that has the potential to transform.
In some ways, Abraham and Sarah were the same people they were before. But in many ways they were a new creation. They were becoming the people God created them to be.
Prayer: God of new beginnings, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit in me. Amen.
Charles Z. Gardner
Names are interesting. My name is Charles. In formal arenas, I have always gone by Charles. Charles is one of those names that lends itself to a number of derivations: Charlie, Chuck, Chas. Upon meeting someone new, as I introduce myself as Charles, they will often ask, “What do you go by?”
Along the way, I have had some funny nicknames: mini-bruit, little Charles (I know these two are hard to imagine – “mini” and “little”), CS and the one that has stuck the longest with a special group of youth – Chachi.
Sarai and Abram needed a new start. God was calling them to be the parents of all those who would come after them. God decided they need a fresh start – a new perspective. So God gave them new names: Sarah and Abraham.
Does a new name really make a difference? Often organizations that have experienced difficult times might change their name to provide a fresh start. While the name itself really does not make the difference, it is the new attitude that comes with the change that has the potential to transform.
In some ways, Abraham and Sarah were the same people they were before. But in many ways they were a new creation. They were becoming the people God created them to be.
Prayer: God of new beginnings, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit in me. Amen.
Charles Z. Gardner
Monday, March 2, 2009
Faithful, Fruitful, and Funny
Read Genesis 17:1-7,15-16
Really, we should start with the funny. Although just outside the reading for the day, verse 17 indicates that Abraham thought God was pretty funny. God had promised a 100 year old man and a 90 year old woman that they were going to conceive and bear a child – a son. Abraham laughed. But for God, it was no laughing matter. It was a covenant, a promise. If Abraham and Sarah were faithful, God promised that they would also be fruitful, regardless of their age.
Being faithful does not mean we sometimes do not have doubts. Abraham and Sarah’s doubts were perfectly reasonable. When we doubt, we must remember that Jesus tells us that with God all things are possible.
And, God’s promise was not just for a son. Abram was going to become “Father Abraham” – father to many nations. God’s covenant would be to all people.
When we are tempted to laugh at God we must stop and think. We must understand why God is leading us in a particular direction. If we are faithful, what fruits will we produce?
Prayer: Oh God, help me to laugh, but more importantly help me to be faithful. Amen.
Charles Z. Gardner
Really, we should start with the funny. Although just outside the reading for the day, verse 17 indicates that Abraham thought God was pretty funny. God had promised a 100 year old man and a 90 year old woman that they were going to conceive and bear a child – a son. Abraham laughed. But for God, it was no laughing matter. It was a covenant, a promise. If Abraham and Sarah were faithful, God promised that they would also be fruitful, regardless of their age.
Being faithful does not mean we sometimes do not have doubts. Abraham and Sarah’s doubts were perfectly reasonable. When we doubt, we must remember that Jesus tells us that with God all things are possible.
And, God’s promise was not just for a son. Abram was going to become “Father Abraham” – father to many nations. God’s covenant would be to all people.
When we are tempted to laugh at God we must stop and think. We must understand why God is leading us in a particular direction. If we are faithful, what fruits will we produce?
Prayer: Oh God, help me to laugh, but more importantly help me to be faithful. Amen.
Charles Z. Gardner
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Mark 1:9-15
Let every heart, prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing.
--Isaac Watts
Those familiar words from “Joy to the World” seem out of place in Lent. Those are songs for Christmas. Christmas is a season for celebration. Lent is a time for reflection. Is it appropriate to celebrate in the midst of this journey to the cross? I believe so, but it is important to know what we celebrate.
When we come to worship, is it a time to reflect on our own goodness, or the goodness of God in our lives? Are our celebrations no more than “I’m okay, you’re okay,” or do they really invite into thinking about God’s written, spoken, and sung word? Do we celebrate ourselves or do we celebrate the Source.
Nothing happens in a vacuum. As people gathered around Jesus at his baptism, the heavens split in two. God’s presence was felt by those gathered. And the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness to reflect. The abruptness of Mark leaves much out. However, it shows that there is work to be done not only for Christ’s coming, but on the journey that leads to the cross.
God’s grace is not possible without a sinner. God’s love is not shared unless there are unloved. God’s salvation is not possible without a savior. The resurrection is nothing without the cross.
Prayer: God, help us to prepare our hearts not only for your coming, but for our obedience. Amen.
Let every heart, prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing.
--Isaac Watts
Those familiar words from “Joy to the World” seem out of place in Lent. Those are songs for Christmas. Christmas is a season for celebration. Lent is a time for reflection. Is it appropriate to celebrate in the midst of this journey to the cross? I believe so, but it is important to know what we celebrate.
When we come to worship, is it a time to reflect on our own goodness, or the goodness of God in our lives? Are our celebrations no more than “I’m okay, you’re okay,” or do they really invite into thinking about God’s written, spoken, and sung word? Do we celebrate ourselves or do we celebrate the Source.
Nothing happens in a vacuum. As people gathered around Jesus at his baptism, the heavens split in two. God’s presence was felt by those gathered. And the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness to reflect. The abruptness of Mark leaves much out. However, it shows that there is work to be done not only for Christ’s coming, but on the journey that leads to the cross.
God’s grace is not possible without a sinner. God’s love is not shared unless there are unloved. God’s salvation is not possible without a savior. The resurrection is nothing without the cross.
Prayer: God, help us to prepare our hearts not only for your coming, but for our obedience. Amen.
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