Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 24:1-53

Reading the entire chapter I think is more satisfying for Easter than just hearing the first twelve verses which is the traditional lectionary reading for Luke.

The later verses are prescribed for Easter evening but most pastors (& laity) are worn out from all the Holy Week services to have a Sunday evening worship service.

But as we read them here, we complete the picture of Easter.  From the empty tomb, to the encounter on the road to Emmaus in the breaking of the bread, to the appearance to the eleven remaining disciples, to the ascension, we see the whole story as Luke paints it.

The Three Marys at the Tomb Resurrection Morning
by Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1910

Each of these stories speaks to us as people of faith. There are time when our experience of Jesus is more like the empty tomb - we are able to observe where the risen Christ has been.  We see evidence of his presence and we wonder with awe at what has happened.

There are other times when we have the experience of the living God within the sacrament of Holy Communion or at worship and we see Christ in the breaking of the bread.

There are other times when we experience the call of Christ on our lives to go out and be a witness: to share truth in love with our neighbors.

However you experience the risen Christ, I pray that your faith will be strengthened.  As we've read through these devotions over these past forty days, we've seen a portrait of our Lord that is unique to Luke.  May the living Christ grow stronger in you that you might more often shine God's light into the hearts and lives of those who are hurting, lost and lonely.  As you do this and witness lives transformed, you too may be overwhelmed with joy!

Day 40 of Lent, Saturday, March 30, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 23:26-56

Luke gives a rich tapestry of the passion scene in today's reading.  The women who are present throughout Luke's gospel continue with Jesus until the very end.  They follow him as he carries the cross and are present at the cross when he dies.

Roman Centurion from Passion of the Christ.  Although
excessive in violence for my tastes, the film offers
excellent visuals in sets and costumes.

We also have a variety of people shown such as Simon of Cyrene, who carried the cross beam for Jesus as well as the two criminals executed with Jesus.

We have the Roman centurion who seems to come to deeper conviction about Jesus.  And we have Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the council who was in the minority  among his peers when it came to the identity of Jesus.

I wonder if the early church in Luke's day (writing about 50-60 years after Jesus' earthly ministry) would have had a richer lore about these people than we have today.  They were people of faith who were important to the story - each attesting in their own way to who Jesus was for them.

As we consider the story of Jesus in our own lives, we must also look to the variety of people of faith that we encounter.  Some believing much as we do while others have a different understanding of God.  Some may be more faithful than we are while others may scorn our beliefs.

At the end of the day, we are reminded of the words of Jesus only found in Luke, "Forgive them Father for they don't know what they're doing."

This is the end.  And yet...

Day 39 of Lent, Good Friday, March 29, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 23:1-25

Although Jesus shows reluctance in yesterday's reading through his struggle in prayer before his arrest, today finds him resolved to carry this through.

Jesus makes no attempt to soft-sell or excuse what he's done or who he is.

He first appears before the council in Luke 22 and then in chapter 23 he goes before Pilate, the Roman Prefect of the province of Judea.

Ecce Homo ("Behold the Man") by Antonio Ciseri (1821-1891)

Although Pilate asks Jesus in all four gospels if he is the "King of the Jews", only Luke adds the charge of opposition of the payment of taxes to Caesar. We may be reminded of the trap laid for Jesus in Luke 20:20-26 where Jesus is asked whether or not it is lawful according to scripture to pay taxes to a Gentile ruler.

Jesus, teaching in the area of the temple, asks for a coin.

When they produce it, he asks them to state whose face is on the coin.

They must have reluctantly said, "Caesar's".  Roman coinage often linked Caesar to divinity which would have been idolatrous and not welcomed among law-observant Jews - especially in the region of the temple.

He bids them to give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.  It could have been perceived that if you live like a Roman, pay your taxes.  If you refuse to use Roman coinage, it stands to reason that you would also refuse to pay Roman taxes.

If this was his stance, it certainly might have received the attention of the Roman authorities.

But in Luke's account, Pilate finds no charges against him.

The crowds are the ones who cry out for his death.

It would have been hard for Jews to live in collusion with the Romans.  Hard to maintain the Law of God.  Hard to keep one's identity intact.  Hard to keep from being polluted with unclean practices, ideas and habits.

Did the teachings and ministry of Jesus make some feel guilty for how they had lived? Was it easier to cry out for his death than to look at themselves in the mirror?

Self-examination is never easy.  How many of you like to hear yourself on audio?

But as I write these words for this Good Friday, I have to wonder about my own absorption of what is easy rather than to stand for what is compassionate and good and right.

I know that I'm not as resolute as Jesus.  What part do I play when I read that Pilate handed Jesus over to the will of the people?

Day 38 of Lent, Thursday, March 28, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 22:31-71

Was Jesus a reluctant Messiah?  I'm not sure if this is the right word to use but we have in today's reading a clear hesitation to go to the cross.

The pain and suffering that he knew would come with this is evident in his time of prayer.

Luke brilliantly juxtapositions the initial willingness of Peter with the disinclination of Jesus on the Mount of Olives.  We see that Peter's resolve melts under the heat of the moment just as Jesus predicts.  Jesus, however, stands resolved before the Jerusalem leadership.

It also reminds me of the parable of the two sons which is contained only in Matthew's Gospel:

   “What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” (21:28-32a, NRSV)

In my best moments, I have kept to my integrity when facing the fire.  However, I also know that these moments have been built on previous failures.  There's no guarantee that I won't fail again.

Peter goes on to conquer his fears and to lead the church.  He didn't allow his failure to define him but he did allow it to shape him.  It shaped his resolve and it also shaped his grace.  

On this Holy Thursday, I pray that I will stay firm in the faith and to offer the grace that I have so often received in my life.  And no matter if you are feeling strong in the Lord or fallen in sin or somewhere in between, this passage offers good news today.

This sculpture is from the English: Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family
in Barcelona, Spain.  Fascinating that this story is shared prominently not only in
the gospel but in art.  Taken by Utente:MM

Day 37 of Lent, Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 22:1-30

United Methodists have long held the value of equality in marriage between men and women.  Some denominations have emphasized places in Paul's letters where it may imply that women are subjugated to men within the marriage.  However, we see the overall value of equality that Jesus lifts up in Luke.

I find it interesting that following an argument among the disciples over which of them could or would betray Jesus, they start debating over which of them is the greatest.

It seems a strange transition from which of the disciples is the worst to which is the best!

Muhammad Ali said, "I am the greatest!"
This may be a good tactic for sports but
not necessarily for relationships.

Jesus indicates that authority over one another is not what it's all about.  We are to have the attitude of servants with one another.

In doing marriage counseling, I find that those with a servant attitude tend to rebound from problems better than those who have a me-first attitude.  Those that tend to want authority over the other in a relationship may need to re-examine this value that Jesus lifts up.

As I consider my own marriage, I find that our happiness comes more completely when we consider the desires of the other first.  It becomes contagious!

Conversely, when I put my own needs above Sheryl's, our relationship becomes more shallow and we each become more isolated.

There are always moments of selfishness as human beings but when we lift up the values that Jesus shares with us today, we find in them worthy goals for how we interact with one another!

Day 36 of Lent, Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 21:20-38

Repent for the end is near!

Picture by Javier Rodriguez of Miami, Florida
from stock.xchng

On a first read, the end of chapter 21 does have a doom and gloom feel to it. But when you read this, you should do so with the understanding that it was written after the second temple was destroyed in Jerusalem in the year 70.

This passage reiterates the coming of the Messiah from Daniel 7:13-14.  It is here that we first see the term, "Son of Man" or as the Common English Bible translates, "one like a human being."

If you just experienced the destruction of the temple, this passage would hopefully offer a sense of hope that God can work through even these dark times.  In the events of history, we may often despair.  I think of 9/11 as one of those for the United States. However, this shows that God can work for good even in the midst of our misuse of free will.

This foreshadows the cross and resurrection even as that took place almost forty years before the destruction of the temple.  Jesus admonishes us to stay alert and remain true to our faith.  This is also helpful as we will see that the disciples need this reminder for their own faith struggles when Jesus will be taken from them.

As we continue in Holy Week, we too approach the cross with Jesus.  It wouldn't hurt for us to stay alert either.

Day 35 of Lent, Monday, March 25, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 21:1-19

Today's reading reminds me that chapters and verses were later inventions.  Jesus had spoken of cheating widows out of their homes in the previous paragraph in chapter 20 and then mentions the poor widow giving all she had to the Temple.

The idea of the poor widow giving everything she had to God doesn't always sit well with the pragmatists among us.  We think that she should have kept what she had in order to feed herself.  It may cause us to have a dim view of organized religion.  At the worst end of faith, we have the scandals of high profile ministers receiving the social security checks from the poor elderly so that they can air condition their dog's house or pay for that private jet.

This is certainly awful but we may miss the point.  She wouldn't have enough to live on if that's all she had.  She would rely on people of faith to step forward and help her in her daily need.  The prophets continually remind to care for the widow and the orphan.

And so she donates to God.

It's a matter of dignity for her.  She knows that she is dependent upon God's grace for survival - similar to the daily manna from heaven the Israelites received during the exodus. It is reflected in the prayer Jesus taught us, "Give me this day my daily bread."

It is more than what the rich gave because they weren't dependent upon God in their minds.  They had plenty of resources to fall back on.  They don't really believe that they need God - they'll take care of themselves.

Maybe that's what Jesus has in mind in Luke when he says, "Blessed are the poor for yours is the Kingdom of God." (6:20).  If you are poor, you may be blessed because you have a greater understanding of how God works in your life.

The Widow's Mite by James Tissot, c. 1890

Sixth Sunday in Lent, March 24, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 20:20-47

There are times when I've had my world-view - my assumptions of how life works - challenged.

When someone does this, it can lead to a verbal sparring match.  As long as we keep things respectful, there's nothing wrong with honing one's beliefs in a spirited debate.

This may cause you to reflect on what you actually believe!

I remember arguing once over Noah's flood.  Rather than view it as a truly global devastation  my interpretation was that it was a localized event.  Noah's known world was flooded.

"My world is a flood.  Slowly I become one with the mud."
These lyrics are an interesting interpretation.

This didn't bother my faith to think that it may not have covered the entire earth.  But it did bother my friend. His faith was anchored in a literal interpretation of scripture.  If it didn't gel with the Bible, he didn't believe it.

Jesus shows us in today's reading that rabbinical interpretation of scripture was an important way to process the faith.  He does it to explain his beliefs and to teach the crowds.  He shows us that we are to study and know the Bible for use in this life.

Jesus stays focused on loving God and loving neighbor (the two most important commandments).  He ends with an example of what not to do: cheat old ladies out of their pensions and then thank God for your blessings.  Evidently, people could do this legally and then sleep well at night because they didn't see themselves as doing anything wrong. Jesus interprets their actions differently.

This, of course, is rooted in the prophets who called out the Hebrew people many times on this very issue.

It's good to know our Bible.  I try to anchor my beliefs in what Jesus consistently shows us to be true.

Day 34 of Lent, Saturday, March 23, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 20:1-19

Where does Jesus get his authority?  What the chief priests want to know is, "which rabbis did you study under to be granted the authority of a rabbi?"

When we are baptized, we submit to the
authority of Jesus in our lives.

Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River.  John the Baptist was seen as a rabbi by many in that we know even into the book of Acts (long after his death), he still had disciples.

The witnesses to Jesus becoming a rabbi were John the Baptist and God!  As you remember his baptism, God states, "You are my son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (Luke 3:22).

So when Jesus questions them on whether or not they considered John the Baptist a rabbi, they couldn't answer him. Obviously the crowds considered John an authority and so the religious figures were prudent and kept their mouths shut.

Jesus moves on knowing that if they wouldn't make a commitment one way or the other on John, they couldn't decide on him either.

At this point, Jesus does not need their blessing to proceed.

How Jesus was perceived is not as important to us after 2000 years of Christian tradition.  Our perception is that he had all the authority he needed.  Our question during Lent may be, "How much authority do I give Jesus over my life?"

Day 33 of Lent, Friday, March 22, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 19:29-48

This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday when we celebrate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.  As we read Luke's account of this event, we see that the welcoming crowd is made up of Jesus' disciples.  Luke really shows us that there were more disciples than just the twelve.

Luke has the tradition of Jesus sending out 72 disciples.  He also has stories of women followers and disciples.  Now we get the sense that his disciples were the ones preparing the crowds for his entry.

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd try to stop the disciples.  Maybe they are afraid for their own lives if an insurrection was about to occur (we remember that this is the week of the Passover when all Judea was remembering their freedom from slavery in Egypt). Maybe they are afraid innocent people will be hurt.

Whatever their reasons, Jesus must continue his mission and he actually escalates the possibility of violence by making a scene at the temple.

Wave that palm but make it count!

We've all been guilty of turning a blind eye to keep the peace.  What does Palm Sunday mean to us today?  Is the waving of palms symbolic of our testimony to our Lord? Is Jesus asking for more than praise?

It may be time to take off our coats and throw them in the mud.  The King is not only passing by, he's leading us into life.

Day 32 of Lent, Thursday, March 21, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 19:1-28

Taxes have never been popular.

Zacchaeus in the Tree by William Hole, 1908

We see that in Jesus' day with today's reading.  When Jesus goes to eat with Zacchaeus, verse seven states that everyone grumbled.  As a rabbi, Jesus was respected - those with clout would want to host him at their home.

Zacchaeus was not a regular tax collector, he was chief among them.  For Jews living at the time, he must have been seen as a real collaborator with the Romans.  The frustration for many would have been along the lines of, "how could the Messiah who is coming to free us from Rome, be eating in the home of a Jewish traitor like Zacchaeus?"

Jesus sees beyond the politics of the day.  The freedom he is bringing is larger than governance and more personal at the same time.

Because people weren't getting it, Jesus tells the story about the King who entrusted money to his servants.  The King had expectations and some succeeded while others failed.  When Jesus embraces Zacchaeus and he changes for the better, this is a win. When others shun those they consider sinners and they remain outside of the larger relationships with the community, this is like wrapping up the money in scarves.

How are we working within the relationships we've developed to bring the grace of God to them?

Zacchaeus's tree (Sycamore fig tree) Jericho, Palestine
by Tango7174 of wiki commons

Day 31 of Lent, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 18:18-43

I come from a creative family.  Growing up, we would often play games that my dad made up.  The only trouble with a creative mind is that they are always tinkering.  He would sometimes get bored with the game and want to switch up the rules.  It was usually just when the rest of us were getting settled into the game.

One thing that seems pretty universal is that we all want to know the rules.  Most people thrive if they are given clear expectations.  It is tiresome to live with a moody person because you never know if he or she will be up or down.  How will they respond to us today?  Or even this minute?

The rich man who comes to Jesus seems to want to know the rules.  He wants to know what is expected of him for eternal life.  Jesus shares this with him and he may smugly answer that he's got it all together.  Except he hasn't.

Jesus starts out with some of the 10 Commandments which the man has done.  But he doesn't explicitly mention "have no other gods before me" or "don't bow down to any idols." Instead, Jesus asks him to sell his possessions and to follow him as a disciple.

James and John gave up their fishing profession - the family business - to follow Jesus. They must have been relatively well-off in their culture.

But this man can't part with his things.

The idea of a rich man struggling to enter heaven would be another reversal in Jesus' day; along with the Messiah suffering and dying.  Isn't he supposed to conquer our enemies?

Blind Man's Bluff by Fragonard.
Jesus tries to take the blindfold off the rich
man's eyes as well as the disciples'.  A lot
of the time I may not let him get near mine either.

To top it off, Jesus heals a blind man who then begins to follow him.  He correctly identifies Jesus as the Messiah (son of David).  Maybe he sees better than any of them.

This causes me to ask the question, "What blind spots do I have in my faith?"

Day 30 of Lent, Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 18:1-17

I remember going to Denny's Restaurant for a Grand Slam with my good friend Terry Eads when I was home in Tulsa visiting from college.  They put us at a half-booth with the split table that could extend to make a large table for more seating or fold up to make two tables for two smaller parties.

There were two other young men sitting next to us.  It's hard to pretend you're at two separate tables when their is such a small gap dividing you.  We were essentially seated together!

They were speaking of religious things which peaked my interest so I struck up a conversation.

I found out that they had been "slain in the Spirit" and wanted to know more about their experience.

When they found out that I had not received this spiritual gift, their demeanor toward me changed.

I eventually asked them, "You still think I'm going to heaven, right?  I am a Christian too, you know."

One of them said, "Well, yeah.  You just may not be in as nice a neighborhood..."

Then they laughed and he said, "I'm just kidding!"

Except that it didn't feel like he was.

When I left that evening, I didn't feel like being "slain in the Spirit" was something that would help me mature in my faith.  I'm sure there are many people whom this helps but these two had a long way to go.

As Jesus shows today, we should be persistent in our prayer lives - but it should also make us humble like the tax collector rather than self-assured like the Pharisee.

I've tried to remember this life lesson through the years.

Day 29 of Lent, Monday, March 18, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 17:20-37

"The vultures gather where there is a dead body."

This quote by Jesus really stands out to me in the Common English Bible.  It reminds me of the song, "Dirty Laundry" by Don Henley of Eagles fame.

Jesus declares that God's kingdom is already among us.  It is the kingdom to come and it is the kingdom that is already present.  We have expectation and current reality.

It is often hard to stop and see it in the present.  Disappointments and trials keep us wound up and then we miss it.
 
The advice to keep ready for the day of the Lord captures our imagination as we consider the doctrine of rapture and loved ones being "left behind."  As a child, I remember seeing a film where loved ones were taken and some were left.  Later, when I was playing in the backyard, I went into the house.  My mother had gone to the front to water the flower beds but I couldn't find her and I thought that I had been left behind.

It was very scary for a four or five year old and I later found out that she had experienced similar fears when she was younger.

I believe that the concept of being "left behind" may be more figurative than literal.  Some of us see the kingdom for what it is here and now and others may miss it.  We do need to be ready but I don't think God wants us living in fear.  We would then miss out on all the joy of the kingdom of God at hand!

Fifth Sunday in Lent, March 17, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 17:1-19

On which shoulder are you standing?

What does it mean to have faith?  Here, Luke begins to cover a wide group of scenarios.

Jesus mentions that we shouldn't be the ones leading others astray.  Peer pressure seems especially bad if we're the peers exerting the pressure!

And so the disciples ask for greater faith.

Jesus then mentions having faith the size of a mustard seed (very small in this context) and then tells a story about a servant.  Faith seems to be more about discipline than great deeds.

Our discipline may show in our gratitude.  The Samaritan leper (a surprise here) is the one that returns to give thanks for being made well.  Jesus states that his faith has healed him.  Is healing is more than a restoration into society?  Could healing come when we adopt gratefulness as a regular part of life?

If we show a life of thankfulness rather than assume we are owed everything, maybe this is what keeps little ones under our influence from tripping and falling into sin.

For what are you grateful today?

Day 28 of Lent, Saturday, March 16, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 16:14-31

Well the money woes continue in Luke's gospel.   Not that Jesus is poor or suffering from a lack of funding - rather, he is casting down the rich throughout this chapter.

Even when he mentions his stance against divorce - if put into context of the chapter, it would be prohibitive for the men and not necessarily the women.  Men could divorce their wives - women couldn't afford the same option.  If a woman was divorced, she would have difficulty finding another husband.  She may have been reduced to prostitution depending on the circumstances.  It would create someone who would be considered poor.  By prohibiting divorce, Jesus is standing with those of his day who didn't have as many rights.

The parable of Lazarus is a reversal of what the people of the day would have naturally assumed.  If someone was rich, they were thought to have God's favor.  Consequently, the poor were often seen to be out of sorts with God.  Lazarus is a complete role reversal of popular thought.

Americans like the idea of unrestricted access to God.  It isn't dependent on your wealth or resources. However, we don't like the seeming preference for the poor.  Not that we think of ourselves as rich.  But unless someone printed this out for you, according to the standards of the world, simply by reading this, you would be considered a person of means.

I believe that this parable is not chastising us for being well-off.  It is simply moving us beyond what our expectations of what compassion should be.  This is something we all need to re-examine from time to time.

Lazarus, is that you?

Day 27 of Lent, Friday, March 15, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 16:1-13

No strings attached?  Well, I may
need a place to stay later.

This parable is another head-scratcher.  It is probably the hardest parable to deal with in the Bible.  The household manager is doing a poor job. He is dishonest and unethical.  He's admittedly weak and proud.  He cheats his former employee out of what is rightfully his.  And yet he is commended for being clever.

As Christians, we don't believe that Jesus is calling us to be cheats.  This counters too much of the rest of scripture to come to this conclusion.

So what is he saying by telling this parable?

We are left with a strange sense of reality at the end of the parable when the master doesn't get angry over losing all of the goods at the household manager's actions.  Instead he praises him for being shrewd or clever.

As I mentioned, I don't think Jesus is telling this so that we might be unethical.  It is reflective of the Kingdom of God.  We are reminded that God doesn't act in the same way that we do.  God is not constrained by our expectations.  Grace is something that is sometimes unexpected and certainly not deserved.  I think this parable shows that quality completely.

If we use this story allegorically, what would we have to give away that is not ours to give? Something we don't own ourselves?

God's grace is to be given away.  Forgiveness is ours to share.  In doing this, we find ourselves closer to God's kingdom - maybe even praised.

Day 26 of Lent, Thursday, March 14, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 15:11-32

First we have lost sheep, then lost coins and now Jesus completes the trifecta with the parable of the lost child.  The beauty of this parable is that sometimes we are lost in the way of the younger son and sometimes we are lost in the way of the older.

All of us are in need of God's grace - maybe especially those who presume to already have it.

One of my favorite songs by the Rolling Stones is from their Beggar's Banquet album - Prodigal Son.  It was written by Rev. Robert Wilkins under the original title, "That's No Way to Get Along".  I sang this song on Sunday during worship which I've wanted to do for a while when this passage came up in the lectionary.  I was glad Hagen Jackson was able to learn it on the guitar so quickly!

Day 25 of Lent, Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 15:1-10

Does Jesus think we're stupid?

Who would leave 99 sheep alone to get in trouble on their own while you looked for one crazy sheep?  It has probably already been eaten by a coyote anyway.

I mean by the time you got back with that one sheep, how many of the 99 do you think would still be there?

It's better to cut our losses and move on.

Except that God doesn't seem to be willing to do that.  This parable is about the extension of grace.  It's hard for us to understand from a practical perspective because sometimes grace isn't very practical.

We prefer to live in an entirely sensible world that always plays by the rules until we're the ones in need of grace.

Isaiah said it best, "All we like sheep have gone astray" (Isaiah 53:6).  Maybe that's what Jesus was trying to explain to the Pharisees in the first place.

Day 24 of Lent, Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 14:25-35

This is a difficult passage.  There are those who read the Bible literally who kind of ignore this passage on hating your family.  In fact, those that don't take it literally also seem to blow it off.

So what does Jesus really mean by this?

I've heard some commentators state that they believe Luke is writing to a situation in his time rather than in Jesus' time.  In other words, by 80-90 ACE, the situation in some of the local synagogues would have been that many families may have split over their belief of the identity of Jesus.  Some thought he was the Messiah and some just thought he was a traveling rabbi.  Their disagreement may have gone to the family level.

As a clergy person, I would say that my joy comes with following my calling as a disciple of Jesus Christ.  However, I also do not feel that this is conflicted with my love of family. For the most part, my family and I share the same Christian values and so while our practice of faith may vary, the core values are not a case for conflict.

Bearing our cross is not silly - if more Christians
took it seriously, the church would reach
places we miss.

However, what I believe this passage is getting at is a sacrificial commitment.  What does it mean for us to carry our cross? We've trivialized the statement, "my cross to bear" to cover things like inconveniences or problems with relatives.

I believe that bearing our cross has to do with being Christ-like to the world.  Loving those that may not love us back is difficult.  Jesus certainly understood this on his journey to Jerusalem.  It takes a strong faith for us to do this as well.

Whom do you find difficultly loving because of their actions, their identity or both?

Day 23 of Lent, Monday, March 11, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 14:1-24

Reciprocity: a mutual exchange of commercial or other privileges.  (World English Dictionary).

I'll scratch your back if you'll scratch mine.  This is one of the oldest understandings of human behavior.  We seek relationships where we aren't constantly giving without receiving anything back.  Ideally, we get back more than we put into it.

Are relationships more than just another commodity to be exchanged?

Jesus is challenging us to be people above the social fray and to value people for more than just what we can get out of them.

To place ourselves at the bottom rung of the social ladder is not meant to be done in a self-deprecating way but is more likely taking ourselves out of the game-playing that people like to do.  I refuse to define myself by how others see me and I am trying to give others the same consideration.

Maybe this is part of what it means when the guest said to Jesus, "Happy are those who will feast in God's kingdom."

No pressure, right?

Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 10, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 13:18-35

God clearly wants to gather us in as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.  However, it is equally clear that we have free will and self-determine our own destiny.

The illustration of people not making it inside before the doors are locked is an indication that we've wasted our time.  We've assumed that there is always more time and this is not always the case.

Pink Floyd actually expresses this sentiment in their song "Time":

     You are young and life is long
     And there is time to kill today

      And then one day you find
      Ten years have got behind you

      No one told you when to run
      You missed the starting gun

We are more than half-way through this Lenten season.  Jesus is looking toward Jerusalem but not with relish.  This reminds us that everyone has an ending in front of them.   How are we making good use of our time?

"Time" appears on Pink Floyd's
Dark Side of the Moon released in 1973.
Looks like more than ten years have got behind me!

Day 22 of Lent, Saturday, March 9, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 13:1-17

It's odd to us today to see any controversy over the Sabbath.  We even forget that it is one of the ten commandments:

⁸Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy. ⁹Six days you shall labor and do all your work. ¹⁰But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. ¹¹For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and consecrated it (Exodus 20:8-11, NRSV).

We may wonder at the idea that anyone would be upset at healing someone on the Sabbath.  However, it may have been that the religious leaders were worried that a healer would make a show of it - making it more about their healing than about God.  Or it could be that those in need of healing would also hijack the time which belonged to God.

I've been a donkey on the Sabbath
but I'm not sure if I've helped one then.

Every congregation has people that seem to divert the attention squarely on themselves.

Jesus reminds us of our priorities and of God's.  We are happy to help our livestock - especially if it messed with us financially. How about some human compassion?

Today, our controversy over the Sabbath may not be that we're not compassionate enough - it may be that we have forgotten to keep it at all.

What makes the Sabbath holy for you and how do you keep it?

Day 21 of Lent, Friday, March 8, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 12:35-59

This is a difficult reading to look at from the majority view.  When Luke recorded it, the synagogues were likely in dispute over the identity of Jesus of Nazareth.

Was he the Messiah?

Was he the Son of God?

Can you read the sign of the times?  This sign
reads tomare in Japanese which means, "stop"

Some had experienced the resurrection and some had not.

The Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed maybe as early as ten years before Luke released this gospel. Those following the Hebrew faith would have been in a turmoil.  You can see how these texts would have resonated within the original context of the times.

Within the United States today, the Christian faith is not a minority sect.

There is not generally family division over the expressions of faith - at least not as there was then.

But maybe our complacency is part of the problem.  Christianity is on the decline in the US - especially with the newest generation of adults.

In Jesus' day and beyond, there were many Christian martyrs.  People put their lives on the line for their faith.

Is there anything about the Christian faith worth dying for today?

Not an easy question for us as individuals to contemplate as we move through Lent and toward the cross...

Day 20 of Lent, Thursday, March 7, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 12:1-34

"Field of Lilies" by Daderot,
Tiffany Studios, c. 1910

Ironic isn't it that Jesus ends a passage telling us not to worry while earlier he has just mentioned this unforgivable sin!

"Consider the lilies of the field..."

"Um, Jesus, what was that other thing you just said about the unforgivable sin?"

"You mean blaspheming the Holy Spirit?"

"Yeah, can we go back to that for a minute?"

This idea of blaspheming the Holy Spirit also appears in the other synoptic Gospels in Mark 3:28-29 as well as Matthew 12:31-32.  Hebrews 6:4-8 and  10:26-29 also allude to sin sticking with people who set themselves against Christ after their salvation.

The latter can be countered showing that Peter was certainly forgiven after his thrice denial.

So how does one really blaspheme the Holy Spirit?  How do I make sure that I keep from doing this?

There's not a lot of agreement on exactly what this means.  In fact, most commentators seem to think that if you're worried that you've done it and are seeking to repent, it means you haven't blasphemed the Holy Spirit.  In other words, one who does this is unable to feel repentance in his or her heart.

The idea of an unpardonable or unforgivable sin seems to go against the whole concept of grace and the idea that one can repent up until death.  In fact, when I was getting ready to go to seminary, I heard that there used to be a "Blaspheming the Holy Spirit" Club at one of them.  This was really just a silly attempt to declare that God's grace overcomes anything.

If we look at the original context of the statement in Mark which is the oldest of the gospels, we see that Jesus is saying this because the legal experts were saying that he had an evil spirit.  So maybe blaspheming the Holy Spirit has to do with speaking evil about what is really good.  In any event, if it were really unpardonable, I think that Jesus would have spent more time on it.  This may be why John's gospel omits it entirely.

We've all got our issues where we struggle.  It's probably better for us to focus on the ravens and the lilies.

Day 19 of Lent, Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 11:27-54

A chromolithograph of The Dog in the Manger from a
McLoughlin Brothers book for children, New York, 1880

I first heard of the term "dog in the manger" when I heard my mother use it when I was growing up.  She was referring to a contract dispute that the family business was having with our software marketer.  He wouldn't sell but had an exclusive contract and so no one else could sell either.  She referred to him as a "dog in the manger."

The idiom actually refers to the title from one of Aesop's Fables.  Here's the story:



The Dog in the Manger

A Dog looking out for its afternoon nap jumped into the Manger of an Ox and lay there cozily upon the straw.  But soon the Ox,
returning from its afternoon work, came up to the Manger and wanted to eat some of the straw.  The Dog in a rage, being awakened from its slumber, stood up and barked at the Ox, and whenever it came near attempted to bite it.  At last the Ox had to give up the hope of getting at the straw, and went away muttering:

"Ah, people often grudge others what they
cannot enjoy themselves."


Jesus seems to refer to the Pharisees and the legal experts as dogs in the manger.  With the rules of the Law, they are keeping access to God to themselves and justifiably so in their minds.  Today's average church-goer probably doesn't consider himself or herself as a legal expert on the Bible.  This usually leads to most people dismissing these passages as irrelevant to them.  And so our introspection needs to look at how we may unwittingly keep others out.

Are there ways in which we keep God's grace to ourselves?  Are there stances we take that limit access to others coming to worship?  Are there things we insist upon in the sanctuary or in our pattern of worship that are more cultural rather than spiritual in nature?

I think most of us really do want to share the hay.

Day 18 of Lent, Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 11:1-26

Got division?

I don't mean long division as in mathematics.  Luke is moving us to consider divisions within our lives.  It is hard for our relationships to stand firm when we are divided.

As we consider the things that divide, I find it easier to start with a list of my neighbor's faults than my own.  It is pretty easy to see what's dividing us - it's you!  If you would just be more like me, there would be no division!

But in order to effect lasting change, the only person we can actually do anything about is the one looking at us in the mirror (kind of like that Michael Jackson song).  I think this is why the Lord's Prayer is so effective. It helps us to focus on what we can do with ourselves - how we can build up the kingdom and how we can forgive and be forgiven.  Which all seems to go together, doesn't it?

But Luke also has us looking beyond ourselves in this passage.  At the end, if we have our house in order but don't look to Jesus Christ, we may be inviting chaos.  So we are to focus on what we can change about division in our relationships - but if we only focus on ourselves without God's help, we may find it all coming down around us.

Day 17 of Lent, Monday, March 4, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 10:25-42

These are two stories that appear only in Luke's gospel.  The Good Samaritan is known by most people - even if they are not regular church-goers.  Most people would recognize that a "Good Samaritan" is someone who does good deeds selflessly.

It's always a good story for us to review and hold at the forefront of who we should be as Christians.

The second story of Mary and Martha would have been controversial in Jesus' time and depending on which church tradition is interpreting it, it may remain controversial today.

When read at a cursory glance, Martha seems to be irritated because Mary is slacking off on the household chores.  When we look at the previous chapter on hospitality, we might agree.  However, Jesus then offers a reversal and claims that Mary is the one in the right.

"To sit at the Lord's feet" in verse 39 was a euphemism in the day of Jesus referring to a disciple sitting at the feet of his rabbi.  Martha may be appalled that Mary is breaking with tradition.

It was unseemly.

However, Jesus shocks and surprises by commending Mary rather than condemning her.

United Methodists have ordained women to serve as pastors since 1956.  It is a reclaiming of the tradition set forth by Jesus over 1900 years previous.

It has not been an easy road of acceptance for our female clergy.  I know of one story in our conference where a church asked for the conference not to send them a woman.  The response of the district superintendent was that they had better stop baptizing all their girls.

The two stories are a break from tradition concerning Samaritans and women.  It seems that God will speak through the one God calls regardless of what we think.

God just won't stay in the box of our construct.

Christ in the House of Martha and Mary
by Diego Valazquez, 1618.
There are many interpretations to this painting.  I think it fits well with my blog.

Third Sunday of Lent, March 3, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 10:1-24

This is a commissioning of seventy-two disciples - many more than the twelve we imagine following Jesus.  Apparently, the twelve were distinguished among many.

This passage really brings home the value of hospitality among those Hebrews who claim Abraham as their father.  We saw in yesterday's reading how this was tied to Abraham and it wraps up here.  The dusting off of the feet was done by Jews traveling abroad.  They would dust off their feet before entering the Holy Land once again.  Jesus has his disciples do this because it is stating that an inhospitable town is not really a part of the Promised Land or the Kingdom of God.  The reference to Sodom shows that those who should know better and don't follow through are at a disadvantage for judgment.

Note that healing and blessing and peace reside upon those who follow through with welcoming the disciples.   When we refuse our neighbor, we miss out on God's blessing.

Reflect upon your life and see where this is true.

Satan falling like lightning is a symbol
of the victory of the disciples and
the reign of God.  Note that the disciples are emulating
the duties of the Messiah, providing healing, blessing and peace.

Day 16 of Lent, Saturday, March 2, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 9:37-62

This section has several different passages which may be difficult for us to understand.

Jesus begins with some harsh words to an anxious father - "you faithless and crooked generation!"  These words could have been intended for the disciples but they still seem kind of harsh.  There is likely more to this story in the original context than Luke records here, so we may have to look for a broader pattern of how it fits with the others.

This is followed by a prediction of Jesus' death.  Could Jesus simply be stressed about his future?

The disciples don't understand and show their further confusion about the mission when they argue about which of them is the top dog.  The response of Jesus would have been very confusing in their day given the status (or lack thereof) of children.

Abraham and Three Angels
by Sebastien Bourdon, 17th Century

Jesus then corrects the disciples twice more: once when they try to keep the good news to themselves and another time when they seek to rain fire down from heaven on a Samaritan village that didn't show hospitality.  This is reminiscent of God destroying Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis.

Sodom showed a lack of hospitality to God's messengers who stayed with Lot.  Jesus may be stating that the Samaritan villages, shouldn't be held to the same standards of hospitality that they learned from Father Abraham as the more orthodox Jewish towns.  Interestingly enough, Abraham's hospitality in Genesis is shown in the chapter immediately previous to the story of Sodom's in-hospitality. 

Finally, we have this occurrence of Jesus rebuking a potential follower. This is confusing in that it seems to recall when Elijah called Elisha to be his disciple.  However, in this instance, Elijah approves of Elisha's desire to say goodbye to his parents.

This seems to me to be about the primacy of God.  God comes first in the life of Jesus and should for his followers as well.  It could also be a note commending the disciples who had already made the decision to follow Jesus (after all the screw-ups, maybe Jesus needed to throw them a bone).  We will see in the following chapter that there are in fact many who have followed Jesus.

Personally, I realize that my trust of God is not always what it should be.  I imagine that this is something everyone can work on during Lent.

Day 15 of Lent, Friday, March 1, 2013

Today's Reading: Luke 9:1-36

Who is Jesus really?

That's the real question in today's passage.  People are guessing Elijah or John the Baptist.  Herod is wondering the same thing.

The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes
by Lambert Lombard, c. 1550.

The readers know from the beginning but we are watching it unfold for the people.

The feeding of the 5000 is miraculous and we may figuratively ask, how is Jesus feeding us today?  As disciples, a more poignant question may be, who is Jesus asking us to feed?

On this World Day of Prayer, it may be good for us not only to pray for the hungry but to give something to feed them.  You may do so by following this link.

The final scene of the transfiguration tells us who Jesus really is and God reiterates what was stated in his baptism.  God then also adds the words, "Listen to him!"

The command of Jesus that stands out in this passage for me is when he tells the disciples, "You give them something to eat."  It's always easier to send them on their way!

I like Saint Alcuin (735-804) of York's prayer for closing this devotion:

O King of glory and Lord of valor, who has said, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world": be victorious in us your servants, for without you, we can do nothing.  Grant your compassion to go before us, your compassion to come behind us: before us in our undertakings, behind us in our ending.  And what more shall we say but that your will be done; for your will is our salvation, our glory and our joy.  Amen.