Lectionary for 5/29/09

Today's readings are Numbers 20.1-21 and Luke 20.19-44.

We see Moses going through a very difficult time period.  He was confronted by arguing Israelites, complaints about food and water, a very real dangerous situation.  How did Moses respond?  In his aggravation he did what seemed the most reasonable thing, or at least the thing that was most ready at hand, when he struck the rock to bring out water.  Of course, we see then that Moses is brought face to face with his troubles becoming worse.  He is told by the Lord that he will not be entering the promised land because he did not glorify God.  How did Moses respond to this?  We don't know anything about his immediate reaction, but the very next thing we see him doing is going about the business of arranging safe passage for his people.

Here's a great example of manly leadership.  Moses knows his days as leader are numbered.  He has sinned and will pay the penalty for his sin.  So what does he do?  He does his duty, knowing that the same God who calls him to account for his sin is the God who graciously can and will bring the people of Israel into possession of the promise he has given.  Moses knew the Lord before whom he was repenting.  He knew the promises that God has given are promises which God will fulfill.  He knows now that the Lord doesn't leave his people out in the desert to perish of thirst and hunger.  

We likewise can depend on our Lord and Savior to accomplish what He has promised.

Lectionary for 5/28/09

Today's readings are Numbers 16.41-17.13 and Luke 20.1-18.

From Aaron's rod which not only sprouted but budded and produced almonds, to Jesus' works which say more than his words, we see that God has no need of man's defense.  Our Lord himself, through his mighty works, is able to prove his presence, his person, and his provision for this world.  He acts in his own authority, doing according to his will, accomplishing his purpose.

One of the questions I think we should always ask when considering our life and ministry is this.  "Why am I doing what I am doing?"  Is it because God has given it to me?  Is it because I want to enable God to work in a particular situation?  The two answers, though they seem similar on the surface, reflect a world of difference in their underlying philosophy.  If my answer is the first, I am perfectly in line with what we read in today's selections.  If my answer is the second, I become like Korah and his followers, like the priests and scribes who wanted Jesus to work according to reason, like innumerable heretics throughout history who have set up their plans above God's stated will.  May we ever do things because God has given them to us.

Lectionary for 5/27/09

Today's readings are Numbers 16.23-40 and Luke 19.29-48.

We see Jesus entering Jerusalem in triumph today, as a king coming in peace, not for war, entering on a donkey, not a mighty war horse.  We see our Lord mourning that Jerusalem has not recognized him for who he is.  We see our Lord taking the temple back and teaching in it.

Our question as we read these passages?  How do we receive our Lord?  Do we cry out in acclamation to him or do we cry out to him that he should stop people from his praises?  Do we hurry to the temple to hear Jesus' teaching or do we hurry to the temple for our own profit?  How are we receiving this king?

Thanks be to God that he has purchased our forgiveness, forgiveness even of our receiving him badly, as we will surely receive him badly even today.  Thanks be to God that our Lord is in the business of restoring people to God.

Lectionary for 5/26/09

Today's readings are Numbers 16.1-22 and Luke 19.11-28.

What do we make of Korah's rebellion?  What does it have to do with life today in Christ's Church?  Quite bluntly, our Lord has appointed different people to different roles in His kingdom.  Korah was right in saying (Numbers 16.3) "...all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them" (ESV).  But he was not right in saying that Moses and Aaron had "gone too far" and that they exalted themselves unduly.  In fact, Moses and Aaron were acting in accord with God's calling to them.  Korah and his associates were choosing not to act in accord with God's calling.  They were leaders, "chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men" (Num. 16.2, ESV).  But leaders or not, they were to lead in the area of life where the Lord placed them to lead, not in some other area of life.

So back to today's Church.  What role has the Lord appointed for specific people?  Are there certain qualifications for elders?  No doubt.  Are they all to be able to serve in the pastoral ministry?  It's my strong opinion, biblically, that they are to be so qualified.  Is there a time and place for a duly appointed elder who is not paid as the pastor of a congregation to minister in Word and Sacraments?  Yes.  But in every congregation there is order.  Someone has the primary responsibility to shepherd the flock.  This is right and good.  It is part of making sure God's flock has good pasture.  What about those people who are natural leaders but are not called to be elders?  Are they to carry on a pastoral role?  Maybe in some situations, but only according to God's plan and provision for them.  For instance, by his office as the head of a household, each husband is called to be the primary "pastor" for his flock at home.  But if that role has not been extended to the greater congregation, he is free to be shepherded within the context of the Church as a whole while he does the work of a shepherd at home.  What about those with other gifts?  A gifted administrator, negotiator, public relations person, or teacher may in fact not have the gifts and calling of a pastor.  It may well be that those people, who may be very good leaders in their careers, may need to limit their desires for leadership when they are in the specific congregational context.  

Let's look at the big picture.  Moses and Aaron were called by God to lead the people of Israel, to shepherd them from Egypt to the land of promise.  They were not naturally qualified.  They were called and were given the gifts they needed to do the job.  Likewise, each of us is called and gifted to do some job that our Lord has appointed.  May we be faithful to that calling.

Lectionary for 5/25/09

Today's readings are Numbers 14.26-45 and Luke 18.35-19.10.

In our reading today we see the start contrast between obedience and unbelief.  Yes, it seems that in the Scripture the opposite of obedience to God's command is unbelief.  Whom does God count as his friends?  Those who do what he commands.  Who are the enemies of God?  Those who do not believe his commands.  See the stark opposition here?  The people of Israel are told to enter into the promised land.  They don't believe God's command and his accompanying provision.  It is that unbelief that constitutes their disobedience.  What of the blind man who is brought to Jesus?  He is not healed because of any work of righteousness that he has done, but because he believes Jesus is the Son of David who is able to command him to be well.  Belief is accounted as righteousness.

Lord, may we believe.

Lectionary for 5/24/09

Today's readings are Numbers 14.1-25 and Luke 18.18-34.

Today's readings are full of God's promises to his people that they will in fact enter the land of promise.  That's appropriate for today, Pentecost Sunday, the day when we celebrate God's giving of the Holy Spirit to empower believers in this world and to call people to Christ in faith and repentance.  Our Lord has made a promise of eternal life.  Yet we seem to focus just on this mortal life.  Our Lord has made a promise of heavenly bliss.  We seem to focus on what will make us happy on this planet.  How great are the promises of God!  How limited are my expectations!

I'd challenge people today to consider whether their local churches are focused on eternity or temporality.  How many of us hear sermons today about Memorial Day, a "man" holiday in which we remember our war dead?  How many of us hear sermons today about Pentecost, a "God" holiday in which we celebrate the coming of the third person of the Trinity?

Lord, may we be people who look to the hope you have given us, a true and eternal hope.

Lectionary for 5/21/09

Today's readings are Numbers 11:1-23, 31-35 and Luke 17.1-19.

How do we respond to God's blessing?  Often we talk about how we respond to God in times of adversity, but we may well have as much difficulty or even more when dealing with blessing.  Do we remain grateful to our Lord and Savior or do we desire the food of our captivity?  Do we delight in God's provision which looks, smells and tastes wonderful?  Are we rather those who would prefer to work hard with something messy and smelly so as to make it edible?

I find I must challenge myself to look at the many blessings of God and see them as blessings.  They are all around me and they are not inconsequential.

As we look at God's blessings upon us, may we, like the Samaritan leper, receive the words of our Lord, saying, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well" (Luke 17.19, ESV).

Lectionary for 5/20/09

Today's readings are Numbers 10.11-36 and Luke 16.19-31.

As we read today, may the Lord remind us of the inclusivity of the Church.  See how the Israelites gathered some of those who would follow with them, believe with them, and receive from the Lord along with them.  See how our Lord and Savior gathers those who believe on him to dwell in delight and comfort for eternity.  May we also be God's agent to gather those who will believe and follow him.

Lectionary for 5/19/09

Today's readings are Numbers 9.1-23 and Luke 16.1-18.

See how abundant God's mercy is today.  When our Lord appointed the Passover only those who were ceremonially clean and able to be present at the tabernacle could participate.  Everyone else remained in his sin and did not have the relief promised by God.  What mercy the Lord has shown, then, that he appointed another day on which those who were genuinely prevented from participating in Passover could do so.  It was not something to be done at the option of the worshiper, picking one or the other date.  But for those who were ceremonially prevented from participation on the appointed day there was another opportunity.

How many times in this New Testament age does our Lord proclaim that it is the day of salvation?  Every day is the day of restoration.  Every day is the day that Christ our Passover has died for us.  Every day is the day to worship our Lord.  How great the mercy shed upon us.  Yet in this day and age we still do not have the choice.  Rather, the choice of how and when to reveal salvation is the choice our Lord and Savior has made.  At the appropriate time he revealed himself.  At the appropriate time he died for our sins.  At the appropriate time he was raised again, and at the appropriate time he was exalted again to heaven.  We, like the Israelites, have no choice in the matter.  Our Lord has done wonderful things, providing for our forgiveness.  We simply follow as he has commanded.

Lord, let us walk with you in faith today, as this day is the day of salvation.

--
Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com and http://alex-kirk.blogspot.com

Lectionary for 5/18/09

Today's readings are Numbers 8.5-26 and Luke 15.11-32.

In the parable of the Prodigal we see the young man doing something that many of us could stand to do more of.  Maybe you've noticed it, but I hadn't until it was pointed out in a book I read not too many months ago.  Recall that the young man forms a plan before starting on his way home.  He will express his repentance to his father and ask to be treated as a hired servant.  Fair enough.  As a plan, it's not a bad plan.  But what happens when he is face to face with his father?  Notice how his rehearsed speech stops in the middle.  He expresses his repentance, nothing more.  He proposes no plan.

When we think we have figured out what we'd like God to do for us and we start to pray, maybe we should consider leaving off our requests.  Maybe we should stop once we have repented.  Maybe asking God's forgiveness is quite enough.  We don't have to tell him how to create fame and fortune in us.  He knows better than we do what is right and good for us.

"I, a poor miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment.  But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor sinful being."

May we walk as forgiven people today.

Lectionary for 5/16/09

Today's readings are Leviticus 26.21-33, 39-44 and Luke 14.1-24.

I just make a quick observation today.  See in Leviticus how when God's people despise his covenant with them he will allow them to suffer for that attitude.  Yet at the same time we can see that the people have apparently been guilty of ignoring the sabbatical year commands for some time.  They have rejected God's command and yet he is first longsuffering, reminding them of their obligation.  Next he lets the people suffer for their sin, but even when they are enduring famine and being driven from their lands by enemies they are still God's special, protected people.  He never forgets his covenant and promises to them, no matter how much they are suffering the righteous penalty for their sin.

How great is God's love for his people.  He never forgets his love for them, even when they forget their love for him.

Lectionary for 5/14/09

Today's readings are Leviticus 24.1-23 and Luke 12.54-13.17.

Today we see the force of God's Law, at least some of the force of God's Law.  What jumps out from Leviticus 24?  Sin leads to penalty.  If you kill, you are killed.  If you steal, things are taken away from you.  If you do evil, you receive the same evil in return.  What could God be getting at in all this?  What is the divine design?

We can't begin to exhaust the wisdom of God, but sometimes we can get a pretty good idea of his intent.  One of the uses of the Law classified in the Reformation was that of a "curb."  God's Law is used, sometimes quite forcefully, to restrain evil.  Under real thread of retribution, even we sinful humans are less likely to let our sinful attitudes result in a great deal of overtly sinful behavior.  I may dislike someone without a cause, but I'm fairly unlikely to kill that person if I know the result will be that someone kills me.  I'm unlikely to steal money from my employer when I know my employer will take it back and then take just as much again from me.

There's a time and place for very strict laws which result in punishment for those who break the laws.  May the Lord work in our lawmakers and others to institute and enforce what is truly appropriate in the sight of God as they attempt to promote an orderly society.

Lectionary for 5/13/09

Today's readings are Leviticus 23.23-44 and Luke 12.35-53.

It isn't unusual to hear sermons about Luke 12 which tell Christians exactly what they must do if they do not want to be found as unworthy servants and be beaten in that last day.  We often end up beating ourselves up trying to figure out just how to be ready for our Lord's coming.  There are books upon books warning Christians of the judgment to come on those who are not expecting their Lord in just the right way.

But what are we to do, biblically, to expect the Lord's coming?  Are we not simply to take him at his word?  Are we not simply to carry on doing the same things we would normally carry on with in his presence?  When we have worked through the day serving the Lord what does he expect of us?  He expects us to go to sleep and rest, though knowing that he may come and wake us up to put us about some duty or another.  

What will happen, then, when the Lord comes?  First off, we won't sleep through it.  We read elsewhere that the Lord will come with a shout, the sound of a trumpet, and everyone will see him.  Our Lord can knock on the door quite loudly enough to wake any sleeping servant.  Amazing he doesn't knock the door down!  And how do we see the master coming home at a late hour from the wedding feast?  He comes home in a jolly mood.  He beats on the door with a champagne bottle, we open the door, he has us sit down at the table and he dresses up like a servant to serve us the same kind of goodies that he's had at the wedding feast!

Let us look forward with eager anticipation to the return of our Lord and master, who is coming to bless us in his home.

Lectionary for 5/12/09

Today's readings are Leviticus 23.1-22 and Luke 12.13-34.

We read today about some of the distinctions between the true God and false gods.  See in Leviticus the care that the true God has for his people as well as for "sojourners," those who are in proximity to God's chosen people but are not a part of their nation.  Our Lord cares that his people know all they have comes from the Lord.  See how the of the offerings the people present before the Lord some are given over entirely to the Lord and some are eaten and drunk before him.  See how God's people do not keep everything to themselves.  In fact, God's people don't own everything.  All they have comes from the Lord and is to be used according to his purposes.  This is why they care for the poor and sojourners by leaving food behind for them as well.

How has the Lord taken care of you today?  In what way has he provided your daily bread?  In what way is he using you to provide the daily bread for others?  What do we have to worry about?  What room is left for striving after more things, more security, more happiness?  If we are diligently doing what our Lord has appointed for us, will he not provide all we need in this life and an eternity of bliss with him?  Is there something else we were wanting?

Thanks be to God, who has provided all we need according to his heavenly riches.

Lectionary for 5/11/09

Today's readings are Leviticus 21.1-24 and Luke 12.1-12.

We read in Luke about the fact that we are not to be characterized by fear, other than fear of God.  For the believer, who can cause harm?  Who can assail us in a meaningful way, in a way which causes eternal harm?  Our Lord and Savior knows how to protect what he has purchased by his own blood.  He knows what is good for us.  And he knows all who would bring us grief.

So often in today's world we become entangled with the good things of our culture and society.  We become entrapped in cares about what we should eat, what we should drink, what we should wear, where we should live.  All this is important as a matter of daily concern.  But when we pray the Lord will give us our daily bread we can then rest in confidence that he will in fact take care of us.  We have no need to worry about it.  We have no need to worry about those who would attack us, rob us, deceive us, or attempt evil against us.  There is no evil in this world which can bring true harm to the Lord's people.  No, let us rather look to our Lord with fear and reverence.

 

Lectionary for 5/8/09

Today's readings are Leviticus 18.1-7, 20-19.8 and Luke 11.1-13.

In today's reading see how the Lord has appointed what is good for his people, not what will bring them evil.   The sexual morality which is laid out in Leviticus values appropriate relationships rather than simply forbidding relationships.  The way we are taught to pray in Luke gives us comfort that we can know what our Lord wants to do in our lives.  In fact, we are praying to the living god who loves his people and does delight in providing exactly what his people need.  He is not like the rest of us, evil fathers who would do something wrong.  Yet even we evil fathers by and large make decisions which are good for our children.  How much more does the heavenly Father care for his people?

Let us go in confidence, praying and knowing that our Lord will show us ever better how to pray.

Lectionary for 5/7/09

Today's readings are Leviticus 17.1-16 and Luke 10.23-42.

What is the summary of all the Law and prophets?  "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself" (Luke 10.27, ESV).  Notice how the lawyer talking with Jesus skips right over the first and greatest command, pertaining to loving God.  He jumps right to what constitutes loving your neighbor.  Yet which one of us manages the first?  Who loves the Lord with all his heart, soul, strength, and mind?  None of us does this greatest command the Lord has given us.

Today's prayer from the Treasury of Daily Prayer is striking. It's found on p. 259.  "Lord Jesus Christ, in Your deep compassion You rescue us from whatever may hurt us.  Teach us to love You above all things and to love our neighbors as ourselves; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever."

Lectionary for 5/6/09

Today's readings are Leviticus 16.1-24 and Luke 10.1-22.

Our reading today follows very closely on the heels of yesterday's logically.  We have seen that the Lord gives his Gospel to be received with joy and communicated with charity.  Yet today we see that our Lord has provided a plan by which the Gospel is to be proclaimed, a way the word of salvation is to be spread through the world.  God has given very specific instruction in His Word to reveal himself adequately to this world.  And look at the power which the seventy-two experience in their obedience to the Lord.  Jesus has empowered them to bring his truth to the world.  And the Gospel itself is God's power.

May the Lord unleash his powerful Gospel, using us his people as faithful vessels of proclamation.  May our attention be focused on the Lord of the Gospel, not on the signs which accompany this faithful ministry of proclamation.  And may we have the Lord's desire for the salvation of our lost and dying world.

Lectionary for 5/5/09

Today has simply escaped from me.  I look at the clock and see that the day is almost over and no post is written about what I read this morning.  Well, here it goes.

Today's readings are Leviticus 10.1-20 and Luke 9.37-62.  We see the Lord giving gifts to be received responsibly and with rejoicing.  How, then, are we to receive those with whom we have theological disputes but who are engaged in proclamation of the Gospel?  This is a frequent issue in my life personally since I teach at a Christian school which has a very diverse population.  So how do we decide whether matters of the faith are of primary doctrinal importance or not?  Isn't it all important?

Without a doubt we should realize that the law of non-contradiction does hold.  There are issues in which to disagree indicates that in matters of life and salvation one party is decidedly wrong.  These are issues on which genuine believers should not budge.  This is one of the reasons I like the use of historic creeds and confessions.  They lay out the most critical matters of the faith.  Are there matters of disagreement which are important and are not dealt with specifically in the ecumenical creeds?  Certainly.  We need to be careful and exercise wise and charitable discernment.

Let us continue to look to our Lord and Savior who has given us this most precious Gospel by which we are saved.  Let us focus on him, the author and finisher of our faith.

--
Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com and http://alex-kirk.blogspot.com

Lectionary for 5/4/09

Today's readings are Leviticus 9.1-24 and Luke 9.18-36.

As I read today I noticed that the unifying feature of all reconciliation with God is death.  The soul who sins must die.  The faithful in Leviticus approached God with death and bloodshed.  Jesus calls his followers to die in order to follow him.  We take up our cross, that is, an instrument of death.  

In this Easter season, we remember not only the death of Jesus on our behalf, but his resurrection as the firstfruits of the new creation.  How are we going to be raised to new life if we are not dying?  How do we live except by first dying to ourselves, being crucified along with Christ?

Lord, give us a trust in your death on our behalf.  Give us a willingness to die to ourselves and to live to you.  Give us a living hope in the resurrection.

Lectionary for 5/3/09

Today's readings are Leviticus 8:1-13 and 30-36, and Luke 9.1-17.

We have opportunity today to consider God's provision for his people.  Observe that even in the offerings in Leviticus, the priests and the people making the offerings are not left out.  There are opportunities to eat from the offerings people give.  In fact, eating in the presence of God is quite an important theme in Leviticus.  Likewise in Luke's Gospel we see that the very disciples Jesus commands to provide for the hungry people receive their provision from the hand of Jesus and themselves partake of the food Jesus has provided as well.

Do we look to our Lord and Savior for all our provision?  When we pray the Lord will give us our daily bread do we actually expect that he will?  And are we thankful for all that he has given us?  Whatever we have comes from the hand of our Lord.  May we be faithful to give thanks and to rejoice as we enjoy the blessings he has prepared for us.

Lectionary for 5/2/09

Today's readings are Exodus 40.17-38 and Luke 8.40-56.

See today how the presence of God changes everything?  We have a tent of meeting and a tabernacle which is so filled with God's presence that nobody is able to go there.  Our Lord is a great and consuming fire.  What of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?  See how the second person of the Trinity, the man Jesus, the mediator God has provided between God and man, can be approached.  People crowd around him and receive his mercy and grace just by jostling him in the crowd.  And when Jesus goes to heal the little girl it doesn't matter how sick or dead she might be.  He heals her anyway.

What a Lord we have, who comes to us in our deadness and brings us life, who heals all our ills, who bears all our sins, and who allows us access to the Lord whom we could never approach otherwise.

Lectionary for 5/1/09

Today's readings are Exodus 39.32-40.16 and Luke 8.22-39.

After spending several days not being able to resist talking about Luke (my favorite of the four Evangelists), I think I should turn my attention back to the principles our Lord is unfolding in Exodus.

Many people expend tremendous amounts of time and effort explaining all the symbolism of the tabernacle, the altar, the arrangement of the furnishings, the nature of the sacrifices, and showing how they all point to Christ.  While this is not at all wasted effort, I would propose that there may be more to gain by fixing our eyes and our mind on this one overriding principle.  God, in Scripture, has provided a means of salvation.  It is a means which man would not have invented on his own.  It works according to God's plan and his plan alone.  And while it is not something we would have dreamed up, it uses very concrete elements.  God had his people prepare a tabernacle where they could meet with Him.  The people were not to meet their God on their own terms, but on his terms.  And the meeting of God and man is always one of reverence, realization of the power and holiness of God, confession of the sinfulness of man, and expression of the fact that sin brings death.

Likewise, as we meet our Lord and Savior we meet him according to his own rules.  We see that we are dead in trespasses and sins.  We see that the cure for sin is death, and that our death isn't adequate.  We see that it is only through the death and resurrection of Christ that  sin is atoned for and that God will accept us as his people.

Lord, may we never despise your plan.  May the desire of your heart, the salvation of your people through the blood of Christ, be that which we desire as well, in accordance with your mercy and grace.  Amen.