Devotions

March 27, 2024

Everybody Look Busy!

“Blessed is the slave whom the master will find at work when he arrives.”

Matthew 24:46 (NRSV)

 

            As we are in the midst of Holy Week I felt it appropriate that we substitute the above passage for our usual Proverbs Wednesday banter. This verse comes from Jesus’s discourse on the Mount of Olives shortly after his arrival in Jerusalem. This series of teachings are very much like a bookend in Matthew. His first set of teachings in Matthew are found in the Sermon on the Mount, of which the Beatitudes are the introduction. In the series of teachings on the Mount of Olives Jesus speaks about the signs of the end of the age and how one should prepare for that time.

            Chances are you have not sat around with your family and friends discussing what the end of times will look like, much less what you should be doing to prepare. However, there are those folks out there for whom this is a topic of conversation. In fact, there is a cottage industry out there for those who wish to prepare for some sort of upheaval. They may not be envisioning a Biblical scenario, perhaps it may be some sort of natural disaster or the collapse of civilized society.

            Jesus’ words have meaning for us beyond the subject of the end times. Shortly after Jesus spoke of the need for the slave to be at work when the master returns, he shared the message of the sheep and the goats. In that familiar lesson he states that people will be judged on how they cared for their fellow man. Those who fulfill the directive to care for each other without expectation of a reward will be held in high esteem by the Lord. Those are the people who have understood the message to do the work of the Lord even without the directive of an overseer or master.

            Looking busy is not the ultimate goal here. That is a euphemism for appearing to be productive while merely going through the motions. Our mission is to actually be busy, to seek in some way, larger or smaller, to make a difference in the world. Each of us has a different talent, a unique way of partaking in the Lord’s plan for us and for our community. In this week, as we prepare to glimpse the glory of our risen Savior, may we continue to seek ways in which our work might enhance the world in some way!

Peace,

Pastor Chuck

 

March 26, 2024

Positive Suffering?

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but to also suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”

Philippians 1:29-30

 

            It is rather counterintuitive to consider suffering to be a positive thing. If you ask the average person if they would like a little suffering to perk them up on their daily journey, they will probably assume you are suffering from some type of breakdown. Paul, the author of Philippians, knew a lot about suffering for Christ. In his journeys spreading the message of Christ resurrected he suffered much in the name of the cause. He was arrested, beaten, fell ill, and was shipwrecked. It is believed that the letter he wrote to the Philippians was written during his first imprisonment in Rome. He was not above referring to his own misery as an example of how difficult it was to fully serve the Lord.

            Like many of the letters Paul wrote to the churches he helped to establish, his message to the church in Philippi was intended to encourage and strengthen them. They were dealing with various challenges that dogged many of the early churches. There were some who proclaimed that Paul’s message of inclusivity was false. That believers must follow the Jewish food laws and be circumcised on order to be truly in Christ.

            Instead of speaking of the falseness of these teachings, Paul takes the approach of reminding his readers of the joy that comes with being a believer. This is where the idea of suffering being positive comes into play. If Christ suffered on our behalf, we should be honored to endure suffering in the name of our Savior. Thus, Paul lifts himself up as being one who has faced immeasurable challenges and has overcome them.

            Speaking for myself, I must say that concept of suffering for the sake of one’s beliefs does not give me a warm feeling. But, at the same time there is the realization that there is a certain level of self-sacrifice that is instilled in our faith. If we are truly living out our beliefs, we must recognize that our needs should not be our priority. The greater good of our community and our world must be balanced against our own needs and desires. This most likely will not include the beatings, persecution, and imprisonment that Paul faced but each of us face our own challenges each day. May Jesus, whose suffering was a sacrifice for our sake, help us to live out our faith in a positive and inspiring manner on this day!

Peace,

Pastor Chuck

March 25, 2024

Buying and Selling!

“The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them.”

Matthew 21:14

 

            This morning’s devotional verse comes from part of the story of Jesus clearing the temple found in the Gospel of Matthew. This verse comes after Jesus goes about the temple area driving out all who were, “buying and selling there.” (Matt. 21:12) He was angered by the fact that commerce had become a function to the temple. It is important to note the reason he reacted in this manner. The people who conducted business in the temple court were selling animals that were used for sacrifice. There were other merchants there who exchanged foreign currency for money that could be used to donate to the temple treasury. Jesus was angered both by the location and the spirit of these transactions. The price of the animals and the exchange rate for the currency were higher in the temple then they might be in other areas. It was akin to the price of gas at service centers on the highway being higher than at your local Speedway.

            The people coming to the temple were a captive audience, so to speak. If the animal they brought to sacrifice was not acceptable to the temple inspectors, they would have to buy another animal from the dealers for an inflated cost. As you can imagine, this system was rife with corruption. Jesus believed the temple leadership looked the other way in exchange for a piece of the pie. Thus, his anger and reaction.

            The sentence that is our verse this morning is presented at the conclusion of his speech about the temple becoming a house of robbers. Once he was done causing a ruckus, he sets an example of what he believed was the purpose of the temple. He tends to those who needed healing. The blind and the lame of city come to him and are healed. There is no need to offer a sacrifice or toss coins into the coffers, the grace and mercy of the Lord is without price and beyond measure.

            I recall a time a few years ago when a man I did not know, approached me at our Yard Sale and accused us of failing Jesus because we sold items out of the sanctuary. My reply to him was that my interpretation of that message was not so much the location of the transaction, but instead the spirit of it. My belief is that Jesus’ wrath was kindled because the very people that needed the grace of the temple leadership were being preyed upon by them. Rather than lining our pockets with ill-gotten profits, we were raising money so that we might continue to serve our community through our ministry. I do not think my reasoning changed this man’s viewpoint. I think he was looking to pick a fight rather than have a theological conversation. But there is learning to be found even from that encounter.

            One of the more consistent complaints overheard in churches is that we spend too much time talking about money. That can sometimes be true, and we must guard against making money a subject of its own. Instead, we must look at what the gifts that people give us, and the revenue that we generate from fundraising, as a means to an end. All this allows us to continue our ministry in the world. I am reminded of how much the simple light that shows from our steeple gave hope to our community during the pandemic. More than a few people from outside our walls commented on how that light brought them comfort during that difficult time. During our journey through Holy Week may we continue to be reminded of the deeper meaning of our work as a church in the modern world. May we strive to continue to be a community of hope and healing!

Peace,

Pastor Chuck

 

 

March 21, 2024

Turning the Other Cheek!

“I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.”

Isaiah 50:6

 

            This morning’s devotional verse is from one of our readings on Sunday morning. This is from a chapter in Isaiah that is entitled, “Israel’s sin and the servant’s obedience” in my desk Bible. Much of what we read in Isaiah revolves around the downfall of Israel at the hands of the Babylonians. Isaiah warned the leaders of the Jews about the Lord’s growing anger with their behavior. Like many of the prophets, he was scorned when he spoke out against the administration of that time. Despite the challenges he faced, Isaiah continued to speak out as he believed the Lord would keep him safe.

            He speaks directly about his treatment in the verse quoted above. He did not turn away from those who sought to abuse him. Instead, he offered himself up to beatings and mocking because he believed that the Lord would sustain him if he remained steadfast in his message. The description of Isaiah’s willingness to “take one for the team” so to speak reminded me of Jesus’ instruction to offer your cheek to someone who strikes you found in both the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

            Chances are that you will not be getting slapped in the face any time soon. But there are times when you may face exclusion or derision because of your beliefs, religious, political, or otherwise. I would never suggest that anyone allow themselves to be abused. But it is important to individuals, and to society, that we find ways to have open discourse without resorting to name calling or violence.

            Isaiah managed to walk a fine line between serving the Lord and speaking the Lord’s message and being discredited by those in power that he spoke out against. Many may come forth proclaiming to speak for the Lord or spreading their version of the Gospel. Each person must decide for themselves what the Lord is calling them to do, how they should react. And when we disagree let us remember that we are all children of the same God.

Peace,

Pastor Chuck