Songs and a Timely Image

Great God of all,

We turn to you and ask you for mercy, grace and peace. If we can, we also ask you to flex your muscles against all that is corrupt and wrong with our society and world. We pray for an end to the pandemic. Guide us to participate and engage more fully in your good work. In your unequaled Name, we pray. Amen.

Isaiah 42:10-18- New Revised Standard Version
10 Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise from the end of the earth!
Let the sea roar and all that fills it,
the coastlands and their inhabitants.
11 Let the desert and its towns lift up their voice,
the villages that Kedar inhabits;
let the inhabitants of Sela sing for joy,
let them shout from the tops of the mountains.
12 Let them give glory to the Lord,
and declare his praise in the coastlands.
13 The Lord goes forth like a soldier,
like a warrior he stirs up his fury;
he cries out, he shouts aloud,
he shows himself mighty against his foes.

14 For a long time I have held my peace,
I have kept still and restrained myself;
now I will cry out like a woman in labor,
I will gasp and pant.
15 I will lay waste mountains and hills,
and dry up all their herbage;
I will turn the rivers into islands,
and dry up the pools.
16 I will lead the blind
by a road they do not know,
by paths they have not known
I will guide them.
I will turn the darkness before them into light,
the rough places into level ground.
These are the things I will do,
and I will not forsake them.
17 They shall be turned back and utterly put to shame—
those who trust in carved images,
who say to cast images,
“You are our gods.”

18 Listen, you that are deaf;
and you that are blind, look up and see!

Reflection

     I was caught by the call to sing and create a new song for God. Writing new songs is hard, time consuming and energy sapping. That is, unless, we hear this as more of a call to be current and free with what God is doing in the world. I have to admit that I only really write new songs for my dogs..."puppers and duppers are what you are..." No, they aren't very high quality, but they work well for feeding time or just being goofy and free. I think this is part of what Isaiah captures here is that spontaneous and creatively loving part of our heart that turns away from predictability, habits and just relishes in God's presence. This is more powerful than we give it credit. It seems, dear church, like we need more workshops on creative song-writing to God!

     I was also caught by the descriptions of the Warrior God who was done waiting. Wow and ouch. I
am sure that this is where a vivid understanding of the "fear of the Lord" comes from. I suppose that this reading was selected more for the image of when God stops waiting, then where my mind went. I know it is almost Christmas, but I thought of the crucifixion of the Warrior God (the book and the reality). This is a great insight into the distinct difference of tone and message from Old Testament to New Testament. God chose to end the warring with our rebellion and disobedience so that we all might be saved. So, the battle for eternal peace is over, but we are all called into the battle work of spreading love and hope! This is noticeably non-violent, all-negativities-absorbing and truth-telling.

Are you done waiting to make hope happen and love spread around you?

Word Pictures

Great God, speak to us through your Sacred Pages. Let us take in the richness of your being in our lives. While our spirit is aware of your presence, make us more aware of your work around us and enable us to be a frutiful and effective conduit of your Way. In Christ, we pray. Amen.

Isaiah 12:2-6
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid,
for the Lord God is my strength and my might;
he has become my salvation.
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 

 And you will say in that day:
Give thanks to the Lord,
call on his name;
make known his deeds among the nations;
proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
let this be known in all the earth.
Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

     It is a well known saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. A word picture in Scripture is worth an unknown number of words. It is perhaps a great deal more, particularly given the number of books written on various passages. Sometimes, though, it is a lot less because the mind and hands are not able to easily write what the spirit quickly perceives. 

     The skeptic might hear a passage like "draw water from the well of salvation..." and ask how are you drawing the water, and what is the water--a portion of salvation? This poetic prophecy defies straightforward logic. Yet, in faith, it makes perfect sense to our heart, soul, spirit, inner being and well drawer.

     We also can connect through time with those in the majority of Isaiah's original audience that would have had many reasons for sensing a tremendous hope in this whole text. We know what it feels like when everything seems dry, cracked and broken without much life. This word picture pulls us up out of our dry place and tells our heart to turn to praise and thanksgiving. God draws us into the recognition of a whole rich reality beyond our current condition. The Creator splashes us with a great and long holy recall of promises kept and many more still waiting to erupt against a time of great need.  Lift up your head! Lift up your voice! Praise God!

"Sir, what are your orders?"

With an opening note of gratitude and appreciation to all of our veterans, we thank you for your service!

     After looking at the texts for today, and considering some of the themes, I considered it a bit comical that these verses are not favorites transferred onto signs and media posts. Read on and see what I mean.

1 Timothy 6:11-21 (New English Translation)
But you, as a person dedicated to God, keep away from all that. Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession for in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you before God who gives life to all things and Christ Jesus who made his good confession before Pontius Pilate, to obey this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ —whose appearing the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will reveal at the right time. He alone possesses immortality and lives in unapproachable light, whom no human has ever seen or is able to see. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen.

Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others. In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life.

O Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and absurdities of so-called “knowledge.” By professing it, some have strayed from the faith. Grace be with you all.

Reflection

     The second paragraph is ripe for the picking, isn't it?! Even if you use a softer word than command, it is still not likely to be well received. It is a well known fact that the rich prefer to stay rich and will use all their power to keep getting richer. It is also true that the wealthy and powerful don't like to be told what to do anymore than the rest of us. Generosity is nearly impossible if you are growing more and more proud and fond of what you have and all that you have accomplished. We also need to remember that we are rich. We possess much more than most of the world. This isn't just about "them."

     Of course, "command" also brings a great deal of good and bad with it. Good for those who chose to serve and fill a position or rank for the keeping of order. Bad with those who abuse their power and issue orders that only hurt and hinder, as well as those who have no right to wield inhumane control over another that they have enslaved. The good followers (soldiers, servants, citizens, etc.) illustrate the meaning of hard-working trust and respect. Sometimes, even well meaning leaders can issue a command that doesn't make sense. Do you know of a veteran that has shared a funny story about obeying orders even when they knew it would end comically? 

     Our veterans could teach us a great deal about obeying and following. Many of Jesus' teachings are met with a mild smile and the thought that it is inspirational, but little in the actual practice. We could do a better job following the order to be generous in giving.

Prayer

We praise you, O God, for watching over us all. Guide us to follow you more closely and to learn more practically what it means to share and give. Enlighten us in our service to your Way of love. Amen. 

Impressive

Focus Verse
Matthew 20:16 (NRSV)
So the last will be first, and the first will be last.

     Maybe it was the Revelation text for this coming All Saints Sunday that connected me to this verse, but I also remembered a time many years ago that I preached a message on this. I am not sure that it was my absolute best in terms of reception, but as a preacher and writer it was memorable for me. It still feels like a bit of a technical masterpiece. I preached it backwards! Of course, the words and sentences were in their understandable order, but the thoughts and paragraphs were essentially in reverse. I wrote it out in regular order and then rewrote it in reverse. Then I added in a few markers and clues for the hearers to get the point and also be able to piece the message back together in their mind. I had a few repeated phrases to be sure that if they got a little lost, the point was still clear--God operates under God's own rules and the Gospel means a reversal of many things that the world holds dear. Of course, the main point of the entire parable that precedes this verse is that God choses to be generous and give abundantly. Sometimes, what God gives will seem "unfair." 

Here is the whole parable:

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.  When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage.  Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage.  And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

     After I stopped patting myself on the back and remembering all the remarks about it being a good and inspirational sermon, somewhere around Tuesday I realized that I had missed the point. I liked to hear that it was impressive, of course, but the Spirit asked me if my attitude was a part of the Gospel reversal. Pride had ensnared me. It is so easy to get caught up in our accomplishments, no matter how well meaning or positive in sense. This parable is not about hard work, but about the intersection of mercy and generosity in God's activity. To truly understand and proclaim Jesus, we need to let go of our urge to do better and measure ethical behavior only through God's lens of mercy. This in turn yields justice and peace.

Museum of Tomorrow Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Architect: Santiago Calatrava

     I saw a press release that Lego is releasing one of its largest sets of all time--the Titanic. It is $630 (and it is already temporarily out of stock at that price!) and consists of 9090 pieces. Yes, it would be a brag worthy, but not generous or merciful. Impressive buildings are fun to look at, but don't usher in the reign of the Way of Christ.

Dear Lord,

Help us to turn away from greed and wealth. Teach us your way of abundant and sharing love. Mold our hearts into multiple exchanges of mercy. You, O God, are steadfast and ever-living, showing love beyond our merit and our generations. We thank and praise you for choosing as you see fit. We all are dependent upon your grace. In the Name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.

     

Look Ma, No Hands!

Hebrews 9:1-12
     Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was constructed, the first one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the Presence; this is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a tent called the Holy of Holies. In it stood the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which there were a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat. Of these things we cannot speak now in detail.

     Such preparations having been made, the priests go continually into the first tent to carry out their ritual duties; but only the high priest goes into the second, and he but once a year, and not without taking the blood that he offers for himself and for the sins committed unintentionally by the people. By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the sanctuary has not yet been disclosed as long as the first tent is still standing. This is a symbol of the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshipper, but deal only with food and drink and various baptisms, regulations for the body imposed until the time comes to set things right.

     But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.

Reflections:

     I have continued to enjoy the surprising relevance of a daily lectionary (already chosen Bible text) for whatever is going on in my life. Earlier this week the Women's Bible study had some questions for me about the temple Ezekiel was envisioning and its connection the future temple visions of other parts of the Bible, namely the Revelation to John. I pointed to the reality of the newest temple being Jesus' body. This text seemed to say, yes, and don't forget about this angle!

     So, being "not made with hands" struck me as a powerful addition to the new covenant reality of God in Jesus. So very much in this modern world is human made. We might have thought of plants and animals, but it also specifies "not of this creation." This is not a proud moment of riding a bicycle without hands ("Look Ma, no hands!") or anything like that. This is totally with human effort. Jesus abides with us and is the

perfect celebrant of all that might come before God's mercy seat. We don't make a building, temple, or tent for Jesus. We don't contribute anything for Jesus to be able, willing, and ready to issue a return to oneness with God.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

I thank you for going before me and being ready for me even when I am not. Thank you for waiting while I was protesting or confused. You are always before me and already loving me and caring for all of us. I lift up into your care all those who are in need... I pray also for all the things that I have messed up with my human hands... I am also thinking of the big mess of human-caused climate change. Lord, help us. Please lead and be with those who govern and rule gathering in the summits so that all your people will come together to slow our consumptive pollution and give love and care back to your beautiful Creation. In the Name of the great High Priest of all, I pray. Amen.

More Cowbell and Emojis!!

     It's hard as a modern to read the Bible sometimes. I became fully aware of this issue yesterday as I was preparing to write this devotional. I typed in a search for texts for the day and came across an online set: Jeremiah 38:1-13; 1 Corinthians 14:26-40; and Matthew 10:34-42. Maybe I should have just closed the browser window! Instead, I feel like I fell into a rabbit hole of Bible studying. [Since I know that some of you don't have time for this, I will put extended notes and links below the prayer.]

     I was particularly struck by the difference between the Gospel and the Pauline reading. I was also confronted by one of "those" texts that annoys and causes divisions. This portion of Paul's letter seems out of place with his typical sense of "world-turned-upside-down" by the reality of the Jesus (i.e. Gal. 3:28 - There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.) After my study, though, I walked away feeling like Paul

needed to use more emojis to get his emotions across clearly. I also chuckled and thought it would be nice if any sarcastic statements had cowbells ringing in the background.

Here are the texts:

1 Corinthians 14:26-40

What should be done then, my friends? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let them be silent in church and speak to themselves and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to someone else sitting nearby, let the first person be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged. And the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets, for God is a God not of disorder but of peace. (As in all the churches of the saints, women should be silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as the law also says. If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?) Anyone who claims to be a prophet, or to have spiritual powers, must acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord.

Matthew 10:34-42

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one's foes will be members of one's own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple-- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."

Reflection:

     Jesus says that he has not come to bring peace. I am pretty sure that one of the advent materials I just looked at described you, Jesus, as the absolute Prince of Peace! Yet, this also makes sense because we see what happens in the world when the truth is spoken. Those who love themselves more than God or others use all of their wealth to squelch, cover up or paint with lies labelled as an "alternate truth." So, self is lifted up over the Creator and families can become conflicted or divided.

     Some conflicts can come from using the Bible as a paddle or a whip to beat others into submission. "The Bible says..." Both of these texts, sadly, have been taken out of context to push and punish others. Among others, the 1 Corinthians text has been used to deny women of their voice. Too many have twisted the English translations of what Paul says to their own gain. Yet, at first glance this reading seems pretty clear. A few things are always important to remember. Punctuation, paragraph breaks and verse numberings are all not original. There are also small instances where scribes and editors made small editions or changes to the text. It felt to me like this section was possibly not authentic. So, I dropped into the text research and found that this section is not an addition, but as we read it, is a mistranslation. Paul is writing about a conflict in the Corinth congregation around a disorderly worship that was full of all kinds of problems that could leave an outsider confused or downright put off. Paul

was writing to them and they knew what issue he was specifically pointing to. He was likely quoting their leadership (again, remember, the punctuation marks were not available in Bible Greek), "As in all the churches of the saints..." Cowbells should be sounding here. Worship had a small amount of solidarity, but certainly not universality. The quote of the upset faction likely went to verse 36 where the cowbells turn off and Paul first gives a refutation response, "Or did the word of God originate with you men?" 😡 "Or are you men the only ones it has reached?" {Big angry cowbell of sarcasm.}🔔 Yep, that would help to get the point across. It is pretty frustrating that a situation Paul was teaching against has been perceived as the opposite. Women were well known to prophecy and to teach and preach, until the church tried to become more socially acceptable to the patriarchal world. The teachings of radical Jesus, we know, are not acceptable to all. They are, however, open to all and for all.

God of all peoples, we find it all to easy to bicker and fight, push and punish. Guide us to see your Way of Love. Enable us to see the missteps and mistakes that we make in understanding your Word. Let the love of Jesus reign in our hearts so that we appreciate the differences and diversity of your awesome Creation. Build us up to treat one another with the deepest respect. In your Name we pray. Amen.

Notes:

A number of links from this ELCA page: https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Publicly-Engaged-Church/Justice-for-Women/Leadership

Here is a deep dive into the details of the 1 Corinthians 14:33-38 translation issues into English:

https://www.cbeinternational.org/resource/article/priscilla-papers-academic-journal/1-corinthians-1433b-38-pauline-quotation

It really isn't that hard!

     For those of you that have heard me preach, I am warning you ahead of time, you might know that
this is a bit of a frustration for me. But, seriously, it isn't that hard. I just don't understand. Why do we keep doing it. Next is the reading for today. I am going to put the rest of my rant, I mean response, below it.

Matthew 9:1-8 -New English Translation

After getting into a boat he crossed to the other side and came to his own town.  Just then some people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Have courage, son! Your sins are forgiven.”  Then some of the experts in the law said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!”  When Jesus perceived their thoughts he said, “Why do you respond with evil in your hearts?  Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’?  But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then he said to the paralytic—“Stand up, take your stretcher, and go home.”  So he stood up and went home.  When the crowd saw this, they were afraid and honored God who had given such authority to men.

     An advertisement for the New English Translation describes itself as the newest English translation of the Bible. It is now in its second revision and is dated 2003 (which by internet standards is not new, but by Bible standards is quite new). The Bible.org translation team does describe itself as "Evangelical." That is probably part of the problem. Their gender bias is showing. It is, however, supposed to be a different translation based upon the best research directly from the Greek and Hebrew. This isn't the only Bible translation that gets its wrong. As far as I can tell, they all do! It really isn't that hard! Even the Common English Bible (dated newer at 2011), which tries to address this issue, somehow swings and misses with "The Human One." This misses the relationship aspect ("Son") and that Jesus was a specific person with a gender. 

     Yes, Jesus gives himself an unusual title, but it is made stranger and more opaque by a poor English translation. He describes himself with words that connect with Daniel and Ezekiel--"The Son of Humanity." It should not read "The Son of Man" in any current, new or modern Bible. The word in Greek means a human with no gender specificity. Yes, I know there was some goofy English convention to use generic statements about humans by saying any general male term. The problem is that it leaves a broad set of people out of a title that is supposed to be a universal title! This is the title that Jesus uses for self description. It matters. It also means that we miss our part because the section ends with the same bad translation pointing to authority with a certain subset. The universal title also means that ALL of us are responsible for bearing the healing and helping Way of Christ.

     Well, if you ever feel like people don't get you or can't seem to hear the way you prefer to be addressed, Jesus is with you there too! If you are frustrated by others missing the point of what you are doing, Jesus certainly can relate with you. If you feel like others aren't working as hard as you,... Yes, you got it. Jesus is there with you. 

Jesus, we pray that you teach us to listen. We are not very good at it most of the time. Guide us to truly understand your titles, mission, and purpose. Help us also to see how you accompany us in our daily lives. We adore you and praise you for your presence and peace. In your Name, we pray. Amen.