Daily Devotion for Lent 2019 - Day 6

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:18-25 (NRSV)

Matthew's calling of the disciples always struck me as an almost magical moment when Jesus just appeared before them unannounced and they followed this mysterious but compelling stranger.

This is a romantic notion that gives Jesus an almost magnetic personality in which it would be easy to get caught up.  Of course, the idea of compulsion goes against free will.  We know that some people chose not to follow Jesus.  We know that some people actively work against him.

Luke's Gospel shows how Jesus was in Simon's life before this call came.  It is likely that Jesus knew each of these men pretty well before asking them to be his disciples.

They would also have heard him teaching in the synagogue and were witnesses to the healing he brought people.  It would have been very attractive to be a disciple of this itinerant rabbi who was surrounded by great crowds from across the region.  It was a chance to be a part of something larger than yourself.

We continue to follow Jesus today.  In some places, Jesus is still quite popular and to be a follower is normative if not admired.  But other places, to be a follower is quaint if not the cause of derision.  It may not be easy today to be a disciple.

Not that it's hard to attend worship once in a while.

How does Jesus get our attention today?

But to be a follower of Jesus takes more than showing up.  While each person's relationship with God is different, most do not have an inescapable compulsion to follow.  It is still a choice and one that we continue to make daily.  Some days, we do better than others.

But there are days I decide to stay behind and tend the nets.  After all, they need repair, don't they?  If I just leave them to follow Jesus, what will happen to them?  They won't just fix themselves!

Where do you find the pull of the everyday interfering with the deeper sense of things?

Prayer for the day:

God, we are very busy.
Our schedules are filled.
We realize that we may not prioritize very well.
Sometimes, we are captured by all of the things demanding our time.
But we know you will always be there, won't you?
God?


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Daily Devotion for Lent 2019 - Day 5

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:1-17 (NRSV)

The Gospel reading of the temptation of Jesus is always included on the first Sunday in Lent largely because of the connection of the length of the fast and the length of the season.

And so people have their own 40 day fasts that are milder than that of Jesus but each have their own level of difficulty for the individual.

My teenage son sarcastically told me that he was giving up chores for Lent.  Obviously, this is not the kind of fast that the church would say is ideal.  We are looking for something that requires a little more sacrifice from the individual rather than the community in which he or she resides!

It is interesting to note that Jesus was not the first person in the Bible to fast for forty days.

Moses fasted for forty days and forty nights while he was on Mount Sinai recording the law given by God.

Elijah fasted for forty days and nights while he traveled to Mount Horeb which may or may not have been a different name for Mount Sinai.

These are the two figures that Jesus will later encounter in the Transfiguration.

When choices are obvious,

temptation may not be so difficult.

As we interpret this particular passage, it is well-known that extreme fasting can produce visions.  Some look at the temptations that Jesus endured and see them as an actual encounter with Satan.  Others look at this as a spiritual experience where Jesus is actually fighting an inner battle over some of his own personal dilemmas.  Whether you interpret this as an actual encounter with the devil or not, it would make sense for Satan to attack what might be our own greatest struggle.

Maybe Jesus was tempted to feed the world through miraculous means.

Maybe Jesus was tempted to put his own Jewishness behind him.

Maybe Jesus was tempted to be the kind of military leader the people were seeking.

Temptation is something with which everyone struggles.  The worst kind of temptations are things that may not necessarily be wrong.

Jesus later feeds thousands at a time through miraculous means.

The Church does emerge from its own Jewishness as the two eventually separate as religious expressions.

Jesus could likely have used his charisma to start a military revolution and possibly have saved lives in the process.

Another importance in this passage is that we see a dialogue of scripture between Jesus and the devil.  We will see Jesus debate scripture with other religious leaders and it reminds us that scripture can be used to prop up a variety of things that may not be God's will for us.  Notice that Jesus answers each temptation with a focus on God.

When we are faced with our own temptations, this might be a good reminder for us to center our own responses in God.

Which temptations continue to arise for you in your life?


Prayer for the day:

God, guard my heart and mind against temptations that are obvious.

But moreover, help me to discern between choices that seem to follow your will.

Help me to act in ways that will bring the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Keep me today.

Amen.


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Daily Devotion for Lent 2019 - First Sunday in Lent

Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:1-17 (NRSV)

John seems like a prophet of old.  His description in verse four reminds Jewish readers of Elijah, considered the greatest of the prophets.

His baptism is one of repentance and calls the people of God back to the Jordan river.  Of course, this was where the people crossed into the Promised Land for the first time.  So for the people to receive baptism in the Jordan was a kind of new start - a going back to their beginnings.

When the Pharisees and Sadducees come out for baptism, we see a rather harsh response.  For people of the day, these two groups would have been greatly respected.  The Pharisees were known to pour over the scriptures and keep them.  The Sadducees often were wealthy which commonly equated God's blessing in that day.  For John to call them a brood of vipers would have been shocking!

The Jordan River

He implies that the Pharisees may keep the laws but they do so to their own advantage.

John's proclamation of the ax cutting down unfruitful portions of God's people would have especially sobering connotations following the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70.  They may look back and say, "He was right!"

This passage makes us ask the question, "Who is considered righteous today?"  Today's culture doesn't often think in terms of righteousness.  Maybe respect is a better word.  Or popular.

To whom do we pay attention?

Who are the trend-setters in society?

And if we follow along, what fruit are we likely to bear?

Jesus submits to baptism indicating that no one is really above repentance.  He also doesn't let pride get in the way in spite of John's protests.  This may indicate to us the active role of humility in walking with God.  The word we don't hear from the heavens is "Well, that wasn't really necessary!"

So as we continue to walk with Jesus, maybe our question of the day would be, "What impact would it make if we cultivated more humility in our lives?"

Prayer for the day:

Lord, we pray for a spirit of repentance.
We stand as forgiven people in Jesus Christ and yet...

We know that we have certain ingrained traits that continue to linger:

Greed

Pride

Envy

We imagine the fruit our lives might show if these lessened and our graciousness rose.
And so we continue to repent until our lives match the forgiveness we receive.

Amen.


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Daily Devotion for Lent 2019 - Day 4

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:13-23 (NRSV)

Matthew references prophecies concerning Jesus three times in today's reading.

Verse 15 restates Hosea 11:1.

Verse 18 refers to Jeremiah 31:15.

And verse 23?  We're not sure.  There are lots of theories you can access but I think Matthew may have been recalling an unknown local writing.  After all, the canon wasn't fixed yet.

What today's reading does is remind us about the violence visited upon the Judean people throughout history.  As Jesus is set up to be the new Moses who comes out of Egypt to free his people, we also remember how the baby boys were killed while they were slaves.  Moses was hidden and protected from this fate.

The second reference from Jeremiah actually recalls the Exile when God's people were invaded and then rounded up.  Many of the survivors were taken away to Babylon and didn't return in their lifetime.

As Matthew writes this Gospel, we remember that it would have been influenced by the destruction of Jerusalem and the second Temple in the year 70.  This would have been more violence done to the Jewish people.

As we read it today, we have to understand it in light of the Holocaust of the 20th century.

Today's story reminds the people that this awful violence done by their own ruler (King Herod) is no better than Pharaoh.

Or Caesar.

When it was first published, Matthew's readership would see a correlation between what was done around Bethlehem and what was done in Jerusalem.  It suggests that the powers that be do not care for you and will murder you and your families at their whim.

Let's make a world where

all children realize their potential.

The contrast will be that Jesus is someone who will care for even the least among us.  Not only will he care for the forgotten, he will identify with them.

Pilate will later pose the question to the people who they will better identify with and they choose Barabbas over Jesus showing our penchant for violence.

I think about systemic violence and the suffering of children today.  We wonder about why no one stepped up to stop this atrocity when we read stories like this.  But we may turn a blind eye because it is simply a part of the system in which we live.  Maybe our own exile is self-imposed.

Prayer for the day:

God, help us to see.
And when we see, 
help us to not immediately close our eyes.
And if what we see is not in accordance with your will,
help us to speak.
And if no one will listen, 
help us to act until what we see is pleasing to you.
Amen.


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Daily Devotion for Lent 2019 - Day 3

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSV)

We often follow the path we're on

without questioning where it is leading us.

How threatening is Jesus to the status quo?  We often may wonder why Rome crucified him.  Why was he so problematic that they had to shut him up in this way?

Our reading today is a foreshadowing of the crucifixion.  Matthew shows us how Jesus was threatening to the powers that be from the very beginning.  

Herod wants him ended before his life can even begin.  

As we already know the identity of Jesus as the Messiah from the first chapter, Matthew begins to show how this is true as verse six of today's reading references Micah 5:2:

"But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days."   (NRSV)

This is the line of King David who was a mighty warrior and leader of armies.  The people expected someone to fit this mold to come as their Messiah.  

But God is going to work through Jesus differently.

We see from the history of Israel's monarchy that a warrior rebel king who would free the people from Roman bondage would actually do little to upset the status quo.

The wise men seem to be innocent players in this stage who simply come to honor what their mystic arts tell them is the birth of someone very important.

How are we like the wise men?  We seek to honor God.  Praise God.  Worship God.  But then, when we are done, we return to our homes.

We did our duty.  We may have even avoided causing God any trouble.

But did we allow it to change us?

While legends have sprung up filling out the stories of these astrologers, the Bible is silent on them.

If they were changed, we are ignorant of their transformation.

As I move through Lent, it is challenging to allow myself to be moved off dead center by Jesus.

What if I am more like Herod, trying to preserve the status quo?  Are there times I would rather quiet my Lord?

Prayer for the day:

God, I know you see me.
I know you know me.
I know you follow my actions.
But I often feel that I am insignificant to you in the grand scheme of things.
This allows me to overlook the little things I've missed doing or the minor things I've done wrong.
It scares me to consider that I might be more important than I think.
Help me to consider this a little longer.
Amen.


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Daily Devotion for Lent 2019 - Day 2

Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV)

We see this story through Joseph's eyes rather than Mary's.  Luke gives Mary's account if you would like to compare.

What strikes me about my re-reading of this scripture is how Joseph is named righteous in verse 19.  As we hear the word in the 21st century, righteous can easily blend into self-righteous to our ears.  To be righteous is often thought to follow the letter of the law - even when it is difficult or might bring some harm.

This assumes that the long-term gain of sticking with the law is worth any short-term consequence that people may experience.  After all, they are bringing it on themselves.

But here we see Joseph going against what the law said to do.

Leviticus 20:10 states quite clearly: "If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall be put to death." (NRSV)

So Joseph's righteousness is not shown as a man who has been wronged and is setting things right according to the law.  Rather, it is shown as a man who perceives he has been wronged and is offering mercy rather than vengeance.  

We see Joseph in possession of another school of wisdom from his heritage.

Micah 7:18 also states quite clearly: 

"Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression  of the remnant of your possession?  He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in showing clemency."   (NRSV)

Rather than hurl our anger at one another,

what if we threw it into the sea?

Joseph reminds us that to be righteous in God's eyes is to be merciful.  This is the man who will serve as the father of our Lord as he grows up.  It is not difficult to imagine how Jesus develops his own interpretations that lead him to forgiveness.

It seems to me that the Holy Spirit was at work in the story not only through Mary in a more obvious way but also through Joseph's compassion, realization and renewed commitment.  How might the Holy Spirit be leading us to be righteous as Joseph is righteous?

In re-examining the story, we see some irony in that he assumed he was in the "right" in that Mary had wronged him.  He is shown to be mistaken through a dream.

Where might we reconsider our course of action by leaning on Micah rather than Leviticus?

Prayer for the day:

God, the psalmist reminds us that you are merciful and gracious, 
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.  
Where we know anger from those who have wronged us, 
may the love you share with us soften our hearts.  
May you give us understanding and the wisdom to chart a course 
of action that corresponds to your will.  In Christ's name we pray.  Amen.


Prayer based on Psalm 86:15 (NRSV)
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Daily Devotion for Lent 2019 - Day 1, Ash Wednesday

Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:1-17 (NRSV)

We begin our journey with Jesus in Mathew's Gospel with a genealogy.  For those that struggle with the lists of the Bible, this doesn't bode well for your introduction or your decision to continue with your reading through this particular book.  Fortunately, this is the only one we'll encounter in Matthew!  

Why are genealogies important?  For Jesus, we have this one in Matthew and a variance of it in Luke.  Not everyone in this day and age seemed to share in their importance.  Titus 3:9 states specifically: 

"But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless." (NRSV)

It is helpful to remember that at the time of this letter, the New Testament canon had not yet been established!

What may be helpful for us to see here are the details.  Matthew tells us that Jesus is the Messiah which is an important figure in Judaism.  He sets Jesus in the line of Abraham and then of David.  It would be presumed that if he was in the line of David, he would naturally be in the line of Abraham.  However in verse 17, we see the history of Israel divided into three separate groups of fourteen.  Fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen generations from David to the Exile and fourteen generations from the Exile to Jesus.  Fourteen is twice the number seven which is featured in scripture as a perfect number.

As we look at the narrative of the Bible, we see how Matthew breaks up the generations.  Abraham to David is an important movement from the beginnings of the covenant to the height of the monarchy.  David to the Exile moves the other direction with the low moment in Israel's history.  Now we move back to the present moment in history (at that time) with the coming of the Messiah.  We are moving back to the pinnacle of God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ (which means Messiah).

If we were to think about our own histories, how would we factor Jesus into our timelines?  Where would you divide your life into highs and lows and where is the redemptive work of God in your story?  

Prayer for the day:

God of our mothers and fathers, 
you have walked with me throughout my life,
you have shaped me in ways I may never fully realize,
you have led me to blessing,
you have called me to offer grace.
May I continue to discover my identity in Jesus Christ.
Amen.


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