Daily Devotion for Lent - Day 5

Scripture Reading: Luke 3:1-38

John the Baptist is not pulling any punches in today's reading.  We should recognize his symbolism of baptizing in the Jordan River where the people of God first came into the Promised Land.  This is truly representative of new beginnings or starting over as the people of God.

The symbol of immersion is to be buried (under the water) and to be raised up again (emerging to a new life).  As Jesus is baptized, we see a foreshadowing in what is to come.  And we note that Luke's genealogy takes Jesus back to Adam where Matthew's begins with Abraham going forward.  Luke's going back to Adam may be a foreshadowing of the title we see Jesus use for himself, "Son of Man."

John's message for the people comes in a time of scarcity.  People are living under subjugation and stress is high.  It is easy to turn on one another.  

John reminds them that we are a community.  When we have more than we need, we should lift up those who don't rather than hoarding our toilet paper food and coats for ourselves.  It is interesting that Luke's Gospel also includes tax collectors and soldiers in this group coming for baptism.  Tax collectors were seen as sell-outs to the oppressing foreigners and soldiers were the oppressing foreigners!

Is it possible to include our enemies in the beloved community?  John bids them to not abuse their positions.  If they will abide by the contract given them and not use their positions to their advantage, then we may indeed abide together.

In a day when some United Methodists seem poised to separate, it becomes easy to divide into camps.  Us and them.  John seems to be offering a different way if we are willing to hear.  How does his sermon speak to you today?

Prayer for the day:

Loving God, as we live out our day, you remind us to ask you for no more than our daily bread.  Help us to apply this same sufficiency to our relationships.  May we not seek to save up more than we need or take advantage of our neighbors.  Allow us to be satisfied with who we are together in the moment.  And in doing this, may we see your kingdom come on earth.  We pray these things in Jesus' name.  Amen.

Photo by Rick Massey via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.

Daily Devotion for Lent - Day 4

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:25-52

Maybe it is because I usually don't read this passage in Lent (when we think more about the cross), but it really struck me today about the encounter with Simeon.  Luke utilizes Simeon's prose in verses 29-32 to really foreshadow the Christian mission to the Gentiles.

As we see this proclaimed about Jesus at the beginning of the Gospel through Simeon, I am drawn to the end of the Gospel when Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry the cross of Jesus: 

"As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus." (Luke 23:26, NRSV)

Safety Simon probably wouldn't
advise carrying the cross!

Of course, Simon (Peter) is the first disciple Jesus calls in Luke's Gospel (although his brother Andrew holds this distinction in John's Gospel).  

In all of these ways, it may be that we are Simon.  Like Simeon, our own encounter with Christ gives us peace.  And like Simon, we find that we are called by Christ to follow him and that sometimes, like Simon of Cyrene, this even leads us to carry the cross.

Luke's Gospel dispels any notion that if we only have enough faith, our suffering will cease.  Simeon tells Mary, the mother of Jesus, "and a sword will pierce your own soul too."

But as we have faith in Christ, it is this faith which allows us to endure the suffering that is a part of all life.  And this is the faith which Luke reminds us at the end of the Gospel in 24:34, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!”  May this be so for us as well!

Prayer for the day:

Lord, we would seek to glorify you for your grace which spans a world.  May we not be in opposition to your love or put our own ends above your will for the world.  Let all of our actions be life-giving to those we encounter this day.  Amen.

Photo by Old White Truck via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.

Daily Devotion for Lent - Day 3

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-24

I'm continually struck by Luke's emphasis on the shepherds within the nativity.  As we consider the Son of God, the angels could have appeared to anyone to announce this birth.

Why shepherds?

As we think about cultural influencers today, shepherds would not have been on the list as holding this job in first century Palestine. 

Some shepherds really enjoy
their work!

To me, this is the reminder that God has come for everybody.  It is also a good reminder that everybody has something to offer, if given a chance.

When they came to see the Christ child for themselves, they told Mary and she "treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart."  We have no evidence of angelic confirmation coming to Mary after the birth.  When we have a significant religious experience, the intensity usually doesn't stay with us.  Sometimes, we can be left wondering, "Did this really happen?"  Mary gets assurance from the shepherds that she isn't crazy!

We get further confirmation of Mary and Joseph being common people in their offering in Jerusalem.  Leviticus 12:6-8 outlines the offering to be given as a sheep but gives allowances for birds if they can't afford it.  Evidently, God did not choose a family of means!

To me, this is a further example of God's grace, freely available to all people.  When I try to make grace conditional, I may find myself losing the Christmas Spirit so to speak.

The pandemic we are moving through was first thought to be a great equalizer in that it touched rich and poor alike.  We quickly found that treatment and time off work was not the same for everyone.  What would be God's preferred outcome if we take today's text into consideration?

In the United States, we value equality based on how we govern ourselves.  But we still have status that keeps us from truly seeing one another.  Maybe if we remembered the shepherds from the nativity more often, we could begin to see how God sees!

Prayer for the day:

Loving God, I give thanks for your grace that comes to me daily.  I would like to earn it but when I fail to live up to the high calling of love, I am glad for your mercy.  Help me to offer mercy as much as I receive it.  And help me to realize how often I receive it.  In the name of Jesus who came for all.  Amen.

Photo by Jeanne Menjoulet via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.

Daily Devotion for Lent - Day 2

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:26-80

It is interesting to me to note that Mary's song or The Magnificat was attributed to Elizabeth in some early manuscripts of Luke.  It does make for a pairing with Zechariah and his prophetic offering.  Her prayer also has similarities with Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-10.  And of course, both Hannah and Elizabeth had difficulty conceiving.

Regardless of who uttered it, the words for Luke are shining a light toward the Christ.  This will be John's role as we see from his reaction in the womb!

It is important to remember that the Jewish people during this time were under the dominion of Roman rule.  They were looking for someone to set them free.  

As I think about the state of the world today, those in Ukraine might easily repeat
the words of Zechariah in verse 71, "that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us."

Those of us living in more peaceful (yet polarized) conditions might state these as well.  But as I think about our sisters and brothers whose lives are on the line, I wonder about my own feelings of enmity.  

The banner for this peace march for Ukraine
is directed at Putin but it may be a good question
for any of us in dealing with our own hostility.

Jesus can accomplish this salvation from our enemies and those who hate us, but he doesn't do it with weapons.  

If his salvation comes in an unexpected way, I must ask myself why I fall back into the old patterns so easily.  This is an especially appropriate question during Lent.

As I hear Zechariah's words echo to me, how do I receive the light as I "sit in darkness and in the shadow of death." 

And how do we allow the risen one "to guide our feet into the way of peace"?

Prayer for the day:

God, help us to live in holiness and righteousness today and in all of our days.  And help us to recognize that our holiness and righteousness comes with a willingness to forgive.  And when this gives us pause, grant us resilience to follow our Lord.  We pray these things in the name of the Christ.  Amen.

Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.

Daily Devotion for Lent - Day 1, Ash Wednesday

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:1-25

As we begin our journey in Luke, I want to remind us that Luke originally wrote for a Gentile Christian audience.  But he begins the Gospel with a Jewish witness - the parents of John the Baptist.

John, of course, did not have the breakthrough into the larger Gentile world - his influence remained largely in Palestine.

His father, Zechariah was a Levite - of the priestly order.  And his mother, Elizabeth was descended from Aaron - the high priest and brother of Moses.  John's pedigree was ripe for a new witness to the Jewish people.

It is interesting that we see John tied to Moses (through Aaron in verse 5) and Elijah - through power of the Holy Spirit in verse 17.  We'll see this duo re-emerge later in the Gospel.  We also remember that Elijah was rumored to come prior to the Messiah which Luke will reveal to be Jesus.

As I read this story again, I'm struck by Gabriel muting Zechariah's voice.  The rationale is a lack of faith when the angel tells him the plan.  I must admit that I would also have some incredulity about a birth during my old age.  

The punishment is especially difficult in that the job of the priest liturgically is to speak on behalf of God to the people.  Gabriel may be saying that if you don't have the proper faith in this instance, you may need to listen more and speak less while you consider how you share faith with God's people.

I wonder how many times our own sense of doubt gets in the way of our witness to God?  

Have you ever known the right response but failed to speak because you didn't know how it would be received?   In essence, our own doubts and fears can silence who we are and how we share.

As we walk with Jesus during these 40 days, my hope is that we can speak to our faith while we prepare for Easter.  We certainly want to do so in a way that won't turn people off, but this reasoning shouldn't make us think that faith sharing is off limits either.  Maybe our prayer needs to be, "Lord, help me find my voice in a way that can be heard."

Prayer for the day:

Ever-present God, you have shaped our lives in ways that we do not fully comprehend.  Help us to understand more fully who we are in you.  And as we understand more of who you have made us to be, help us to be vulnerable enough to share ourselves with the world.  We pray this in the name of the Christ.  Amen.

Photo by Simon Johansson via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.

Reading through Luke

As I prepare going through Luke for the season of Lent (see yesterday's post), I thought it might be helpful for me to post my schedule in advance.  I recognize that some people may have days when they would rather read the Bible portion ahead of time due to their schedules.

So, here's what the readings will look like if you choose to join us:

March 2 Ash Wednesday Luke 1:1-25 John the Baptist

March 3 Luke 1:26-80 Birth announcements

March 4 Luke 2:1-24 The Nativity

March 5 Luke 2:25-52 Jesus at the Temple

March 6 First Sunday in Lent - no devotions this day since I'm sure you'll be in worship!

March 7 Luke 3:1-38 Jesus' baptism

March 8 Luke 4:1-30 Jesus' temptation and public emergence 

March 9 Luke 4:31-44 Jesus in Capernaum

March 10     Luke 5:1-26 Jesus calls the disciples and heals

March 11     Luke 5:27-39 Jesus calls tax collectors

March 12    Luke 6:1-49     Activities on the Sabbath

March 13     Second Sunday in Lent - no daily devotion today!

March 14    Luke 7:1-35     Raising from the dead and witness to the dead

March 15    Luke 7:36-50 Forgiveness and Gratitude

March 16    Luke 8:1-25     Parable of the soils

March 17    Luke 8:26-56 Jesus heals a woman and a dead girl

March 18    Luke 9:1-36     Jesus feeds 5000, transfigured

March 19    Luke 9:37-62 Following Jesus to Jerusalem

March 20     Third Sunday in Lent - no daily devotion today

March 21    Luke 10:1-42 Good Samaritan & Martha & Mary

March 22    Luke 11:1-26 Lord's Prayer

March 23    Luke 11:27-54 Jesus condemns Pharisees & legal experts

March 24    Luke 12:1-34 Warnings of Jesus

March 25    Luke 12:35-59 Conflicts and judgment

March 26    Luke 13:1-35 Healing on the Sabbath

March 27    Fourth Sunday in Lent

March 28    Luke 14:1-24 Parable of the Banquet

March 29    Luke 14:25-35 Cost of Discipleship

March 30    Luke 15:1-10 Lost Sheep & Coin

March 31    Luke 15:11-32 Lost Son

April 1        Luke 16:1-13 Parable of Dishonest Manager

April 2        Luke 16:14-31 Divorce & Lazarus

April 3        Fifth Sunday in Lent

April 4        Luke 17:1-37 Signs of the Apocalypse

April 5 Luke 18:1-17 Unjust Judge, Pharisee & Sinner, Blessing of Children

April 6 Luke 18:18-43 Difficulties of riches, prediction, blind man healed

April 7 Luke 19:1-28 Zacchaeus & Parable of servant who buried the coin

April 8 Luke 19:29-48 Procession into Jerusalem, Temple thieves

April 9 Luke 20:1-47 Authority & tenant farmers

April 10    Palm/Passion Sunday no daily devotion today

April 11 Luke 21:1-19 Depending on God

April 12 Luke 21:20-38 Dulling of the spiritual mind

April 13 Luke 22:1-30 Holy Communion - debate over greatness

April 14 Holy Thursday Luke 22:31-71 Peter's denial

April 15 Good Friday Luke 23:1-25 Pilate, Herod & Barabbas

April 16 Holy Saturday     Luke 23:26-56 The Cross

April 17 Easter Sunday     Luke 24:1-53 Resurrection

While officially, Lent ends with Holy Saturday, I have usually posted the final chapter on Easter since it features the resurrection in the gospels.

Blessings on your Lenten season this year!

In Christ,

Sam

Lenten Disciplines

As I prepare for Lent this year, even though I am not regularly pastoring any particular church, I am planning on keeping with my annual Lenten discipline of reading though a book of the Bible and sharing some of my thoughts on it.

This year, my plan is to revisit the Gospel of Luke which I last covered in 2013.  Since we live in a different day and age, I'm sure that my reflections will be nuanced with how Luke speaks to us today.

The church is certainly in a different place today.  We are in the middle of a cultural shift in the United States where regular worship attendance is waning.  While we were already experiencing that in 2013, the interruptions in worship due to Covid have accelerated the gaps we were already seeing in younger generations.

The isolation has also helped speed up the polarization we are seeing in the United States as well as around the world.  

This has made being a pastor more difficult as we've seen people migrate to other places of worship as well as stop altogether.  And just as we've seen church goers rethink their faith, we are also seeing more pastors consider other professions.

Within The United Methodist Church, we have seen turmoil over the inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons somewhat on hold as we await the postponed 2020 General Conference where legislation is adopted.  We are seeing the likelihood of the Global Methodist Church emerging as a more conservative alternative to the UMC.  

Some churches will leave to this denomination, but I believe most will remain within the UMC.  The difficulty is that most of our churches have people on both sides of this issue.  In rural areas, there are not options but rather single United Methodist churches that try to remain home to a variety of faithful believers.

With all of this going on, the season of Lent where we adopt spiritual disciplines may be a welcome relief to the stress of our "regular" lives.

If you want to spend some time with me in reading through Luke, I invite you to do so.  You are welcome to comment your own thoughts and reactions which makes it more of an online study.  Of course, you are also welcome to share these via social media or direct emailing the link.  The new devotions will show up daily in the wee hours of the morning for those who are early risers at this site (follow this blog by clicking the tab at the right).  I'll post them to Facebook and Twitter each day a little later in the morning.

Regardless of whether you join in with reading Luke, I would invite you to adopt some kind of spiritual discipline for the forty days leading up to Easter.  With all of the changes going on in the world today, the renewal of spiritual strengths allows us to meet these changes with a greater sense of God's peace in our lives.  And I think the world could use more peace right now!

In Christ,

Sam

Photo by Roy via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.