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Devotion.al

Tag: power

  • Go and (p)Reach

    Go and (p)Reach

    Psalm 4; Luke 24:36b-48; Acts 3:12-19; 1 John 3:1-7

    The disciples are still struggling with the Resurrection. You’d think they’d have accustomed themselves to Jesus being alive, but they were obviously still struggling. As part of this last appearance, Jesus explained the Scriptures and His place in them. This is not the first time he did this after the Resurrection.

    This time, though, it comes with a command, to preach the Resurrection and a change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sin. This mission doesn’t start immediately. It has to wait until the heavenly power comes (the Holy Spirit at Pentecost).

    Waiting in Jerusalem, however, does not mean being inactive. Peter’s healing of the lame man (Acts 3:1-10) opened the door (so to speak) to begin the mission. Peter tells his listeners what it is all about, “But this is how God fulfilled what he foretold through all the prophets: that his Christ would suffer. Change your hearts and lives! Turn back to God so that your sins may be wiped away.” (Acts 3:18-19, CEB)Much later, John wrote that we have hope in Jesus as we (progressively) purify ourselves (so as to become more Christ-like). This reflects the changing of hearts that Jesus and Peter made known.

    Jesus’ and Peter’s declarations could also be restated as it is in Matthew 28:19–20, “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you…” [CEB]While the passage in Matthew could be interpreted as only applying to the disciples, the passage from Luke cannot be (without serious contortions). The changed heart is also consistent across the Scriptures.

    We are all called to tell the world about Jesus, sin, redemption, and the place of changed hearts in all of that. In the current culture, we are having to learn how to do this well. Sadly, we are in the midst of getting rid of the baggage that we’ve been carrying, and that is painfully difficult. So much so, that most of us no longer have effective tools or methods to reach (and “preach to”) others.

    In all likelihood, the Western Church will have to relearn how to live in a true and deep community. We have all become accustomed to the shallow community of the Western Church, not the Christian fellowship as described in the Scriptures.

    This does not excuse any of us from looking for opportunities to talk about the grace of Jesus Christ and the change in our hearts. Perhaps, rather than excuse it, it should drive us more.

    ※Reflection※

    • Are you doing anything that resembles telling the world about Jesus in the way Jesus talks about in Luke?
      • If you are, it going?
      • If you aren’t, why not?
    • In regard to telling the world, is it your responsibility or someone else’?

    ※Prayer※

    Almighty God, you gave your only Son to be for us both a sacrifice for sin and an example of godly living: Give us grace thankfully to receive his inestimable benefits, and daily to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. [Third Sunday of Easter Collect, Book of Common Prayer 2019]

  • Unlimited

    Unlimited

    Psalm 4; Daniel 10:2–19; 1 John 2:26–28

    Relationships are very important to us. Sometimes relationships can seem to be invisible or even not related to us. The invisible and “unrelated” ones will often have impacts beyond our imaginings or expectations.

    Daniel had a relationship with God. It was very solid and sound. Daniel trusted God implicitly and explicitly. God provided wisdom and mystical visions to Daniel.

    Some of those visions were…unsettling. Daniel often struggled with those he received. He even needed supernatural support to recover, at least this time.

    Daniel had times where he had to choose God or ease, and chose God. Daniel was secure in God.

    Daniel’s relationship is often called, “anointed.” John refers to anointing, well. While it may seem to be different, it is not, and yet is.

    It is the same insofar as the Holy Spirit empowered Daniel, just as the Holy Spirit empowers us. It is different insofar as most of us don’t have the gifts of wisdom and mystical visions. There are some that have one or the other, but very rarely both.

    Our empowerment by the Holy Spirit is also not limited to that. Think about that. What we know of Daniel is beyond imagining. We are not limited to Daniel. The church—The Bride of Christ—is not so limited.

    ※Reflection※

    Do you think the church is limited? Do you think you are limited? What does being empowered by the Holy Spirit mean to you?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, give us your power to do your will in honor, grace, truth, and love. Amen.

  • End of Ends

    End of Ends

    Psalm 4; Daniel 9:1–19; 1 John 2:18–25

    Eschatology. It is a fabulous theological word. It means the study of the End Times. You can watch plenty of End Times theology on TV. It usually involves zombies, nuclear weapons, or (my personal favorite) large reptilian creatures that like to stomp cities.

    Less the actual Eschatological part, that was all tongue-in-cheek. Sort of. How we view the End Times says a lot about our perspective of the world, our personal struggles, and even our cultural struggles.

    A number of years ago I read a summary (only the summary) of research regarding End Times (also called the Apocalypse, not the mutant—comic book reference). There was a cross-section of media stories and fiction that would get a bigger presence depending on the general cultural gestalt. Japan, for example, is still dealing with the cultural scars of the nuclear bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Godzilla, in particular, is a cultural image representing nuclear power running amok, and the underlying fear of the results.

    Even as we read about the “Four Horsemen” of the Apocalypse (famine, war, pestilence, death) we can see (with the first 3) some things that were constant companions of fear regarding the end. Death, of course, comes to us all.

    Death is a pretty universal fear. There are very few people in history that do not fear dying (death is “merely” the result). The power of death over the living is significant, and when added to an eschatological framework (see, I used it later) those “things” that we fear most in regards to dying and death become part of our End Times thinking.

    Sometimes death of the self is mixed into the perceived death of culture, identity, and other things. In the case of Daniel, the End Times includes the concept of the death of Israel as a people and a nation.

    Other times death can be overridden.

    As a result of the Resurrection, the sting of death has been removed. It is no longer permanent for the believers in Christ. What this also allows for is the ability (should we so choose) to separate our fears of death, End Times, and pretty much everything else.

    With the Resurrection before us, the End Times, or more correctly the fear of the End Times, loses much of its weight for the End Times are merely the opening act to eternity.

    ※Reflection※

    • What are your thoughts about End Times? Have you thought about them recently?
    • What emotions do End Times thoughts evoke in you?
    • Why might understanding that End Times are not the end times for believers in Christ be important?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, help us to deepen our trust in you so that the anxieties of the world do not shake our foundation based upon your love. Amen.

  • Roads of Dust

    Roads of Dust

    Psalm 135; Isaiah 26:1–15; Mark 12:18–27

    As one of the wealthy nations in the world, passages like this in Isaiah should cause us to reflect. Will all our stuff be crushed to dust and be walked upon by the poor? If you’re reading this, you may well say, “I am poor.” Truly a lot of us are poor compared to Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Jack Ma Yun, and far too many of our political leaders.

    Compared to the world at large, however, we are (by and large) rich. Not (by any means) to minimize their experiences or circumstances, many even of our homeless live better than many in the world. This is not to say the life of a homeless person is easy, nor that ours are.

    Are we like the people being alluded to in Isaiah? If we take our wealth for granted and disregard God’s blessings…yes. If we don’t take our wealth for granted and continue to look for and be grateful for God’s blessings, we are much less likely to be those “living on high.”

    Yet, while haughtiness, pride, and greed may not be our particular vices, a lack of righteousness may well be. Righteousness, not wealth, not power, is what we are to focus on. It could almost be said that righteousness is second only to love, though love without righteousness may not be love at all.

    Godly righteousness results in the peace (Shalom) that is being in right relationship with the Living God.

    The Living God concept is of course to be the counterpoint to the dead idols that the people surrounding Israel (and even Israel) worshiped. One cannot have a relationship with a dead idol. Jesus then adds to this by saying that God is not a god of the dead. God is the God of the Living.

    There is the surface aspect of this being about the Resurrection and eternal life. There is also a not-so-subtle dig at the gods of the dead: power, wealth, stuff. The dead being both those who had died not knowing God, but even those who were breathing, but were dead because they did not know God.

    ※Reflection※

    • What are some other ways that Isaiah’s words speak to you? Do any cause to reflect on changes that you need to make?
    • How does God being a “God of the Living” affect your understanding of the words from Isaiah?
    • Where in your life (immediate circle of influence) can you be a better witness and voice for God’s righteousness?

    ※Prayer※

    Living God and God of the Living, quicken our hearts, minds, and spirits to approach your throne of grace, mercy, and love, so that we are able to share the spark of the Creator with all of those around us. Amen.

  • Gōdspel

    Gōdspel

    Psalm 135; Daniel 6:1–28; 1 John 2:12–17

    If all things were equal, it should be very easy to tell people about Jesus, and what Jesus did for them even when they opposed God (Romans 5:6–8). However, in the Western world, and especially in the US/Canada region, it has become difficult for a myriad of reasons. While the enemy of God may have a hand in it and did probably provide some nudges here and there, much of the loss of Jesus has to do with Jesus’ followers.

    While there has been much talk about it is because the White Evangelical church was predominately (by appearances, at least) pro-Trump, it has more to do with the empty lives that Christians have been living. This also isn’t strictly a white Evangelical issue, either. Our brothers and sisters in Christ in the “mainline” denominations have been experiencing decline, for they often watered down Christ for other goals (many of which were worthwhile).

    The Gospel of Jesus Christ hasn’t lost its power or grace. Western Christians have lost it themselves. Whether it was power or grace, Western Christendom chose one or the other and ended up losing the witness.

    All of this sounds harsh, and it is. It hurts to read (and write) it. This also is nothing new. On the other hand, living in the power and grace of God doesn’t necessarily mean anything either, and that can get particularly depressing.

    Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were undeniable witnesses of/to God. By their faith and love of God lived out, their relationship with God was known and acknowledged. In today’s story of Daniel, this was used against Daniel.

    What is troubling is not that people conspired against Daniel. It wasn’t that Darius was deceived by his advisors. It wasn’t even that Daniel was thrown into the den of lions. The most deeply troubling thing was that this faithful witness was not particularly effective. It wasn’t effective at all, really.

    Yes, the witness of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah was ineffective. Their faith was acknowledged. God was acknowledged and even given great accolades. Yet, time and again the Babylonian leaders went against God.

    By the measure of Christian Evangelism, they were failures. It is entirely possible (and even probable) that seeds of faith were planted in Babylon at that time. Certainly, seeds that led to the restoration of Jerusalem (under Nehemiah) were planted. Without the faithfulness of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah along with their honorable fealty to Babylon, Jerusalem may not have been restored.

    So, why bring up Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah as evangelism failures? We often look at the great ones of the Bible (which these four were) for what they did successfully. We often fail to see what they didn’t do well.

    The opening statements of today’s devotion are about what we haven’t been doing—and continue to not be doing—well. Opening our eyes and hearts and looking at them is fine. We shouldn’t feel bound or weighed down by them. In fact, they should instead provide us the initiative and determination to break these bonds so that we can do as we are commanded, “Go…make disciples…”

    ※Reflection※

    • What other Bible characters can you think of that you only look at one side (good or bad) of their lives? Why do you think that is?
    • Does one’s success at evangelism impact one’s witness? Does one’s witness mean that one will successfully evangelize?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, we are to be your light into the world. Help us to be the light and to not just light the darkness, but draw people to you. Amen.

  • Stingless

    Stingless

    Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24; Genesis 1:20–2:4a; 1 Corinthians 15:50–58

    God created humanity in God’s own image. When we read Paul, it may be easy to conclude that this is only a spiritual image. In many respects, it is indeed a spiritual image. On the other hand, as God made us even our physical being is an expression of God.

    Through sin, however, death and decay were brought into the world. One could argue that Adam and Eve’s sin began the decay and from the decay came death. Decay and death…consequences of sin.

    Yet, before we give decay and death all the “glory”, let us recall the real issue…sin. Decay and death are symbolic of what occurs with us spiritually in regard to our relationship to God.

    The ways of the world are to draw everything to its decay and death. This includes, and often even focuses upon, our relationship with God. If the innocence of a newborn child was the starting point, then the decay would begin immediately. Just as with all things rates of decay depend on environment, nutrition, love, guidance.

    However, if we were to strictly rely on the world to reduce the rate of decay, then there still would be no hope for anything except death. That isn’t much to hope for.

    The hope we have is that death’s power has ultimately been broken. Thanks to the cross, we have something beyond to look forward to. While death causes us pain in the here and now, ultimately we understand that death is merely a stage for us. The pain we feel can be attributed to the “God-shaped” place in our beings that understands that death is not the way things ought to be. It is our reality that we will miss those we love. Our hope is the hope we in the midst of and in the face of what would otherwise be the hopelessness of death.

    ※Prayer※

    O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. [Tuesday of Easter week collect, Book of Common Prayer 2019]

  • The Dead Speak

    The Dead Speak

    Isaiah 25:6–9; Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24; John 20:1–18

    The stone. We always talk about the stone on Easter. There was no question it was a big stone so that it was moved without human intervention was a big deal. As much as the stone is represented simply, it isn’t simple.

    Mary ran back to inform the disciples. Peter and John raced to the tomb. John entered first, but it is not like simply walking through a doorway. There were actually some gymnastics involved. Whether there was actually light coming from the outside (some of the ancient tombs were not configured that way) or if John and Peter brought a lamp isn’t important. However light made it in, there was light to see.

    There are two mentions of cloths. The first refers to the wrappings that were around the body. Bluntly, a grave-robber is not going to leave them behind, for often the wrappings were what contained the expensive spices, and grave-robbing is not the kind of thing where one carefully removes the wrappings and leaves them.

    The other cloth, though, was folded. There is no hurry to leave here. There is care implied with the folding (or rolling) of the cloth. Some commentators interpret this as if Jesus had “left the table” with plans to return (referring to the Second Coming). The facecloth was usually used to tie closed the jaw of the deceased.

    It might be reading too much into it, but bear with me. Sin and death had closed the mouth of God. Sin and death and silenced the Word of God. The Son of God removed the cloth. The mouth of God was opened. The Word of God was released to change the world.

    Christ has died! Christ has Risen! Christ will come again!

    ※Prayer※

    O God, who for our redemption gave your only begotten Son to die upon the Cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the devil and the power of death: Grant us grace to die daily to sin, that we may live with him in the joy of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. [Easter Collect, Book of Common Prayer 2019]

  • Acclaim or Quiet

    Acclaim or Quiet

    Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29; Mark 11:1–11; John 12:12–16

    HOSANNA! The cry of the people before the gates of Jerusalem was filled with this word. Hosanna is a Hebrew contraction meaning, “save, we pray,” which you just read in Psalm 118:25. Hosanna is used as part of the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, which was a commemoration of Israel’s 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Part of the commemoration even involves going around the altar waving palm branches.

    Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was more than the coming King sitting on a donkey, which represented conquering in peace. By using hosanna, the people were putting Jesus where we understand he belongs (as God), but the religious leaders saw it as blasphemous. The palm leaves were part of a celebration. From the perspective of those in the religious seats of power and influence, this was completely wrong.

    John was a little harsh on the Disciples, John described them as clueless. They seemed unable to see all the symbolism that Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem included, and what it portended.

    We could dismiss the disciples as ignorant. They were. John notes something significant, though, once they witnessed Jesus glorified, the pieces came together. The difference between the well-educated and those who were not is very apparent. Those that had the education saw the signs, put the puzzle together, and denied the truth in front of them, and then denied the greater Truth. Those that had the lesser education (if any at all), saw the signs, couldn’t put the puzzle together, yet, in the end believed the Truth.

    This is not about the education, but the blindness of heart that often goes along with it. There is a dark reality to the internet, and that is an answer is only a search away. Similar to education, the internet often blinds us to the Truth, even Christians. Savior and King (and God) entered Jerusalem. The Truth would set them free, eventually, if they accepted it. That’s where this story continues to be told with imagery. Entering on a donkey, meant that Jesus was coming in as the King in peace. Jesus then left the city. There was a mass celebration, but no similar acceptance. Jesus came in glory but left in quiet.

    ※Reflection※

    • Palm Sunday (Liturgy of the Palms) usually focuses on the triumphant entry. Why do we not talk about Jesus’ much quieter exit that same day?
    • How does education and/or knowledge often blind us to the presence and handiwork of God?
    • Do you think Jesus’ loud entry contradicts Jesus’ quiet departure?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, we are drawn to the dramatic. Help us to be sensitive to your quiet workings that we all too often are blind to. Amen.

  • Love Surrendered

    Love Surrendered

    Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29; Deuteronomy 16:1–8; Philippians 2:1–11

    Passover begins very shortly. In fact, there is a great symmetry in this. Passover starts with Israel’s rescue from Egypt (sin), passing through the Red Sea (baptism), and in more modern understandings of Passover, the last day (or the last 2, depending on nation), is the “future looking” meal with the Messiah as the center (the Eucharist/Communion).

    Confused, yet? Amazed? The Jewish aspects of Christian theology and symbolism are there in plain sight.

    One of the interesting pieces is that there remains an expectation that the Messiah will come in power, glory, and might. This was the expectation of any person claiming to be the Messiah in Jesus’ day. Thus, when Jesus didn’t fulfill that, most Jews disregarded Jesus as Messiah.

    It is this quest for earthly presence which continues to haunt all of humanity. The constant pursuit of power, glory, wealth, gain continually seems to be against following God. It isn’t that power, glory, wealth, and gain are against God, but that the means and hearts of people are. Much of this is the desire to be above others, so that others look up to you, and you have those you can look down upon.

    Paul’s observation that Jesus set aside total divinity and became man is one of the linchpins of Christian theology and faith. That Jesus did this shows two things, that God loves those Created, and this love is so profound that God became not just identified with humanity, but actually became human. That is not a quest for power, glory, wealth, or gain, at least in the normal sense.

    Only God could turn becoming nothing into something beyond understanding.

    ※Reflection※

    • What else does this tell you about God?
    • What does this make you reflect on when comparing your actions to God’s?
    • Who has the harder comparison, a person of Christ or a person of the world?

    ※Prayer※

    God, you have called us to follow your example, and it’s hard. Help us, in our pride, to yield our will to yours. Amen.

  • Beyond Sight/Site

    Beyond Sight/Site

    Psalm 119:9–16; Haggai 2:1–9, 20–23; John 12:34–50

    Haggai and Zechariah were the two prophets that accompanied the Israelites from exile to home. Their primary focus was the restoration of Israel, not so much as a powerhouse, but as a people and nation of God, including both temple worship and the Davidic kingly line. Later on down the chronological line (beyond today’s readings), the temple is completed. However, the temple that was completed did not have the glory of the old one in physical status.

    As Haggai’s words are considered canonical (i.e., verified as the action of God), then the Jews saw something much different than the literal word (often our temptation when we are reading). From a Jewish standpoint (especially Haggai’s traditionalist perspective), the temple isn’t so much the point as a people faithfully pursuing God with one of the signs being faithful worship as prescribed in the Old Testament. What does it matter what it looked like today (remember the original Temple was David’s plan, inspired by God, but not prescribed) when faithful worship and a God-fearing king were what was required?

    That Haggai was seeing beyond the immediate temple and even beyond the immediate kingly line tells us that Jesus’ words were not without historical precedence (as some have claimed). As we look beyond Jesus’ time on earth, we can see the fulfillment of Haggai’s words, as faith in Jesus Christ has changed the world. Though, sadly, many of those who cried, “Lord, Lord,” were liars, murderers, and power-grabbers beyond the average struggling Christian.

    Haggai’s understanding of a God-honoring relationship revolved around the temple. That is what tradition and the Scriptures taught. Haggai understood quite well, as he was coming from exile, that empty actions were not what was needed. It was actions that were firmly grounded in who God is, and that the Israelites were God’s chosen people.

    While Jesus’ words may have seemed revolutionary at the time, Jesus did answer the “Christ will be with us forever” in a way unexpected, though by pure reason, it probably should have been an idea. The Christ was with the Children of God forever…in their souls, their temple to God. Thus a relationship through the temple was now very personal, and the Christ was with them.

    Would Haggai have been able to recognize that Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of his prophecy in only a way that God could make it happen? Perhaps. We can only look at Haggai’s words and see Christ in retrospect.

    ※Reflection※

    • What practices do you fulfill in relationship with God? How about in regards to the temple, both body and church?
    • What do you think is comparable to the Davidic kingly line in regards to lively rightly before God?
    • When was the last time you evaluated your habits through the lens of habit or “because you need to”? Why is it important?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, guide us ever deeper into meaningful and life-changing relationship with you. Amen.