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First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon Ohio |
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106 North Gay Street Mount Vernon OH 43050 740-393-1326 Office Hours: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. M-F |
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Sunday Schedule
8:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship
9:45 a.m. Christian Education for all ages
11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship |
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June Daily Readings |
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Sunday, June 1
Acts 8:26-40 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. (v.39 NIV)
Were you surprised, as I was, by the matter of fact way that the writer says, “and the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away”? In the midst of the story, we have this verse that one might easily miss altogether. Philip then appears in Azotus and simply continues preaching the Gospel message. There is |
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no indication that he was startled or shocked, or even a little bit disoriented. It didn't seem to bother the eunuch either, as we are told that he went on his way rejoicing. These clues are an indication that this had happened before. Could it have been a common experience? If so, no wonder the Faith spread so rapidly.
I have read of several modern instances where missionaries or evangelists were translated from one place to another for their safety or for God's purposes. Our God is an awesome and supernatural God and I believe that we can expect to see this and many other “signs and wonders” as we approach the time of His Second Coming.
Come, Lord Jesus. Amen. Ecclesiastes 1:1-11; Psalms 63, 98; Luke 11:1-13 |
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Monday, June 2 Matthew 13:44-52 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (v.44)
By definition, a kingdom must have a king and Jesus himself is King of this kingdom. This parable tells us that the Kingdom of Heaven is extremely valuable. In fact, it is so precious that we would want to give up everything and anything to become a citizen.
Paul says in Romans 10:9, “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” At that moment we become a citizen of the Kingdom and begin our eternal life with Jesus.
An important part of the good news is that we don't have to die and go to Heaven to have eternal life. No, eternal life in the Kingdom begins the instant that we accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. Hallelujah!
Salvation is free to us, but what a great cost it was to our Father God who gave his only son to die on the cross for us. He must really love us. Ecclesiastes 2:1-15; Psalms 41, 52; Galatians 1:1-17 |
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Tuesday, June 3 Ecclesiastes 2:16-26 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? (vv.24-25)
Solomon says that our hard work, the exercise of our skill and our sleepless nights as we worry about the next day, are all meaningless. The King James Version uses the word “vanity,” which may be a better one. Most of our hard work and the resulting neglect of God and neglect of family is motivated by pride, one of the seven deadly sins. We may even convince ourselves that it's all for the welfare of our family. Are we not really seeking men's approval? Don't we want to look good to the world, to earn respect and perhaps even get a little adulation?
Everything we have, food and shelter, our skills and abilities, our success in the work place or our financial security, all come from God. If we acknowledge this and seek his guidance in everything, our life will never be meaningless. If God truly has a plan for our life, how can it be meaningless? As Solomon himself says, “without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” With him all things are possible. Psalm 45; Galatians 1:18—2:10; Matthew 13:53-58
Wednesday, June 4 Galatians 2:11-21 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (v.20)
It's still an awesome thought for me to think that “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me”! This means that when God looks at me, he sees Jesus. Because of the crucifixion, I am reconciled with God and begin to grow towards truly being like Christ. With him in me I have an ever present help in combating those temptations that will surely come my way.
Why then am I not perfect as he is perfect? Paul said, (Romans 7:19) “For what I do is not the good I want to do; the evil I do not want to do—that is what I keep doing.” I can relate to that in my own life. I tell myself, “I'm not going to react; I'm going to be sweet this time.” Then at the first little irritation, off I go. Why, then, do I continue to sin? In my own strength I am powerless, so I must call upon him who is in me for his help in this fight.
Thank you, Lord, for loving me anyhow. Hallelujah! Ecclesiastes 3:1-15; Psalm 119:49-72; Matthew 14:1-12
Thursday, June 5 Galatians 3:1-14 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? (v.5)
The correct answer is, “Because you believe what you heard.” James 2:10 says, “Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” The Jews couldn't keep the law, the early Christians couldn't keep the law, and we can't keep it now. Salvation comes only through Jesus. Thank God for his forgiveness.
Faith is to believe something that you can't prove or, as the writer of Hebrews (11:1) tells us, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” God knows that we are always going to need faith and that is why faith is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Through faith we believe God's promises. Through faith we believe that he wants to heal us. Through faith we believe that he wants to prosper us even as our soul prospers. Through faith we believe that he has prepared a place for us in heaven where we will spend eternity with him. Amen! Ecclesiastes 3:16—4:3; Psalm 50; Matthew 14:13-21
Friday, June 6 Matthew 14:22-36 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. (v.25)
Jesus defies the law of gravity, the Archimedes Principle, and probably a few other physical laws as he walks out on a very rough Sea of Galilee . Jesus can surely walk on water and by faith I believe this miracle to be true. The story is in all of the Gospels except Luke and I believe that since he was a physician, his Gospel concentrated on healing miracles. Then too, he wasn't in that boat, was he?
Matthew's version is the only one that tells of Peter also stepping out on the water. He doesn't last long. Soon he realizes what he has done, sees the wind churning the surface, and begins to sink. Jesus keeps him from going under, but rebukes him for having little faith. I've always admired him for just trying it, wondering what I would have done.
When the Lord says “Come,” we must make an effort in faith, never doubting that he will be with us. If we never put our foot into the water, we'll never know. Let's step out of the boat. Ecclesiastes 5:1-7; Psalms 40, 54; Galatians 3:15-22
Saturday, June 7 Galatians 3:23—4:11 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. (v.7)
Yes, we who are Christians have been adopted as sons of God. Paul uses the word “adopted” because it means that we have all the benefits of a natural-born son. We were crucified with Christ, buried with him, and raised from the dead with him. Jesus is now our brother and, when we trust him, he gives to us the authority (John 14:12) to do the things that he did and even greater things in his name.
This is indeed something to chew on and think about, for it is an awesome thought. I for one do not deserve his mercy and forgiveness, much less his elevating me to sonship status. It comes down to the words of that wonderful hymn, “Amazing Grace.” It is truly amazing, and many Christians simply can't believe it's true. Grace: “God's riches at Christ's expense.”
Yes, Lord, I accept by faith what Jesus did for me in the olive garden, at Pilate's palace, on the Via Rosa, and on the cross. Thank you for loving us so much. Ecclesiastes 5:8-20; Psalm 55; Matthew 15:1-20
Sunday, June 8 Luke 12:32-40 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (v.34 NRSV)
A Jesuit once wrote that we have been given the same Word, graced by the same Holy Spirit, and nourished at the same table as any of the great saints of the ages. Here are the wondrous gifts God has given us: His Word, His only Son, His Scriptures, His Church, and His Holy Spirit within it inspiring, guiding, and urging us on. Also His Sacraments: feeding, sustaining, and strengthening us on our journey home.
If you watch the news on TV every evening, and you see all the ads for fancy cars, good food, and endless remedies for indigestion, you might think that we believe material things are our greatest treasure. But you would be wrong. During the dark days of September 2001, we read many stories of heroic courage, endurance, and love. Goodness, greatness, and love became far more visible in NYC and in our whole country than ever before. Kindness, gentleness, and service are flourishing in our day. Our Lord Christ has indeed gifted us with the very same treasure he has given any of the saints. Ecclesiastes 6:1-12; Psalms 24, 29; Acts 10:9-23
Monday, June 9 Matthew 15:21-28 But she came and knelt before him, saying “Lord, help me.” (v.25)
It has been said that there are no atheists in foxholes, which simply means that when we find ourselves in a desperate, ghastly, fearful situation, we return to God and cry for help. Most of us, during our teens and 20's, decide that we can get along quite well without God. We may even decide, as I temporarily did, that there is no God.
C. S. Lewis once wrote, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains. It is His megaphone to arouse a deaf world.” God is not the cause of our sorrows. Our misuse of His greatest gift, free will, is usually the root cause of the pain in a hurting world.
When we viewed the absolute horrifying spectacle of the two World Trade Towers crumbling into dust because of the evil action of others, millions returned to God and to prayer. He was there with everyone who died. He was there with every fireman and policeman who rushed into the buildings, at the cost of their own lives, to try to save others. He has been with every person who has tried to comfort the bereaved. God grant us the wisdom and courage to respond wholeheartedly to His great love, forgiveness, and acceptance. Ecclesiastes 7:1-14; Psalms 56, 57, 58; Galatians 4:12-20
Tuesday, June 10 Matthew 15:29-39 All of them ate and were filled... (v.37a)
Jesus' feeding of the four or five thousand men (besides women and children) is such an important story that each of the Evangelists tells it at least once, and Mark shares the miracle twice. However, the verse that always deeply troubles me in the story is found in each of the Synoptic Gospels: “You give them something to eat” (Mark 6:37). Our Lord expected his disciples then, and he expects his followers today, to share the abundance of the blessings he has poured upon us. He doesn't want any of us to be hungry, homeless, or destitute. In John's version of the Gospel, Philip talks about how much money it would take to feed such a crowd, but Andrew turns to the people for help. “There is a lad here who has five loaves of bread and two fish,” Andrew says. Our Lord then prays and everyone is fed. Money alone won't solve our problems. People listening to guidance from our Heavenly Father can, with His help, change, renew, and transform His world into what God has always intended it to be—Heaven on earth. Ecclesiastes 8:14—9:10; Psalms 61, 62; Galatians 4:21-31
Wednesday, June 11 Galatians 5:1-15 The whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (v.14)
In today's epistle, Paul tells us that the whole law is summed up in a single commandment: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus, when speaking of his way, urges us again and again to love God with all our heart, with all our mind, strength, and will, and then to love others as we love ourselves. Jesus asks even more of us. The night before he died, he urged us to love others the way he loves us.
How can we possibly love others the way Jesus loves us? Thomas Merton, the famous Trappist monk, once wrote that learning to love others is the most creative and difficult work any of us can ever attempt. Perhaps our first successful step in this journey from self-centeredness to self-giving love comes as we realize our need and ask for God's help. He never asks anything of us that He is not more than willing to help us do. So, “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you” (Luke 11:9). Ecclesiastes 9:11-18; Psalm 72; Matthew 16:1-12
Thursday, June 12 Matthew 16:13-20 Peter Simon answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (v.16)
My most frequent and fervent prayer during these troubled times is; “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy upon all of us sinners and teach us to love the way you do.” When he answers my prayer, we will be rid of all the evil Paul writes about in today's epistle: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissension, factions, envy, and drunkenness. We will be showing forth the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We will be able to answer our Lord's question to Peter in today's gospel: “But who do you say that I am?” (v.15b). We will be able to give the best possible answer that anyone could ever give; “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” God's Kingdom will have come and His will been done on earth as it is in Heaven. Lord Jesus Christ, hear our prayer. Save us and help us, we beseech Thee, oh Lord. Ecclesiastes 11:1-8; Psalms 70, 71; Galatians 5:16-24
Friday, June 13 Matthew 16:21-28 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (v.24)
Whenever I read this verse, I think of a prayer by Karl Rahner, a great theologian quoted in a small book of prayers by Jesuits, Hearts on Fire . In his prayer, he implores our Heavenly Father: “O God, give me the courage and strength to be worthy of being called a Christian.” Who among us has become so mature, so unselfish, that they think of others before himself? Who is so mature that he has grown beyond self-centeredness? Who among us is willing not just to wear a beautiful jeweled cross, but to carry a large, rough, heavy one? Another Jesuit in the same book of prayers tells us that “we have been given the same Word, graced by the same Spirit, and nourished at the same table as any of the great Saints of all the ages have been.” Our hope centers in God's promise: “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5), and in His Holy Spirit abiding within us. Nourished and empowered by His Word and His table, we joy in His love and continue to pray earnestly: “O God, give me the courage and strength to be worthy of being called a Christian.” Ecclesiastes 11:9—12:14; Psalm 69; Galatians 5:25—6:10
Saturday, June 14 Matthew 17:1-13 “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” (v.5)
In the Gospel story of the wedding of Cana of Galilee, the mother of Jesus commands the servants to do whatever her son tells them to do (John 2:5). In today's Gospel passage God, our heavenly Father commands us to listen to His Son, His Beloved. What better advice could they possibly give us? Do whatever he tells you to do and listen to Him. If we are going to do whatever he tells us to do, we are indeed going to have to listen; and that requires, from each of us daily, some quiet time alone with our Lord. Many of us use the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy upon me, a sinner,” to do what the Quakers call center down . Become a quiet listener with your mind and heart as well as your ears. Keep repeating the prayer to replace the distractions which will inevitably come. Sometimes, more often than not, we feel as if nothing profound has happened during our quiet time. There are other times when we know a deep peace and joy that Paul once called “the peace which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). Best of all, there are times when we are reassured that our Lord's love, presence, and guidance are and will always be with us. Numbers 3:1-13; Psalms 75, 76; Galatians 6:l1-18
Sunday, June 15 Luke 12:41-48 Everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required. (v.48b AMP)
I have questioned the above verse. How much? And who? I have compared myself with others who have been given greater talents and gifts, greater intelligence, greater wealth, etc. I do know I have been given much—for example: I have the Christ of the cross living in me and also, the mind of Christ. I have the Holy Spirit to teach lead and guide me into all righteousness. I have God's love, forgiveness, and protection. I have the fruit of the Spirit. What more can I need? I have everything when I have Christ! My part is, simply, to respond to Him in love and obedience.
O Lord, I know not when you will come but I know I do not want to waste the years and time you have given to me. I have been entrusted with much! Numbers 6:22-27; Psalms 93, 96; Acts 13:1-12
Monday, June 16 Matthew 17:14-21 But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting. (v.21)
I understand the doubts and unbelief of the disciples in this story. I was filled with doubt and unbelief when I attended the healing service for the first time. It was comforting and encouraging and my faith was increased by the active faith of all involved.
I became ill with ulcerative colitis and I was prayed for in the healing service. One day, in great pain, I told Father Dave Wilson of my problem. He prayed, “Barbara, the healing light of the Lord is upon you.” I became even more ill in the following days, but I kept remembering the words of that prayer and believed them. As a result of faithful people and their prayers, I have been healed. Slowly, the symptoms disappeared and now I am off the medication.
After a service, I approached Doris Matthews (of our Healing Ministry) and asked for prayer for our daughter, Robbyn. Doris felt led to write a healing prayer for Robbyn which included spiritual healing and a cure for her rheumatoid arthritis. The spiritual healing has been a miracle and the cure is in process.
O Lord, I have been so blessed. Thank you that you will continue to help my unbelief with my desire, that by fasting and prayer, I may help others. Numbers 9:15-23, 10:29-36; Psalm 80; Romans 1:1-15
Tuesday, June 17 Matthew 17:22-27 When they arrived at Capernaum , the tax man came to Peter and asked, “Does your teacher pay taxes? Peter said, “Of course.” (vv.24-25 The Message)
Peter's response was quick and definite, because he knew that his Lord would not contradict His own teaching: “Render unto Caesar, that which is Caesar's and unto God, that which is God's.” We are tested every day as to how we will respond to the demands of life and how others might respond to the way we live. People are influenced more by our behavior than our words. Colossians 2:6 tells us: “As you have received Christ Jesus, the Lord, even so, walk in Him, trusting Him for each days problems.”
Let me share with you, Words to Live By, which I carry in my Bible, because it reminds me to render unto God that which is His:
• People are often unreasonable and self centered. Forgive them anyway!
• If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway!
• If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway!
• If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway!
• The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway!
• Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway!
For you see, in the end it is between you and God. It never was between you and them anyway! Numbers 11:1-23; Psalm 78:1-39; Romans 1:16-25
Wednesday, June18 Matthew 18:1-9 At that time the disciples came up and asked Jesus, Who then is [really] the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And He called a little child to Himself and put him in the midst of them, and said, Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven [at all]. (vv.1-3 AMP)
Little children, in the Amplified version, are described as trusting, lowly, loving and forgiving. I often complicate my life by substituting doing for being and trying for trusting. That does not satisfy! I can play cover-up and be miserable. What does God suggest? Having a heart of compassion, being kind, tender, transparent, gentle, patient, loving, and lovable. All these things spell real !
A children's book, The Velveteen Rabbit , describes a conversation between Old Skin Horse and the Rabbit. Rabbit wanted to be real ! He asked questions like, “Does it hurt?” “Sometimes,” said Skin Horse, “When you are real, you don't mind being hurt.” “Does it happen all at once?” asked Rabbit. Skin Horse responded, “It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges or have to be carefully kept. By the time you are real , most of your hair has been loved off and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints. But those things don't matter at all because, once you are real , you can't be ugly except to people who don't understand.”
This process takes time and it is painful to repent and change in order to become like little children who simply trust in a loving God. Numbers 11:24-35; Psalm 119:97-120; Romans 1:28—2:11
Thursday, June 19 Matthew 18:10-20 “If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you've made a friend.” (v.15 The Message)
There is nothing more awkward than a misunderstanding left unresolved, and nothing more unnecessary. It leads to strain, tension, guilt, and an atmosphere that can lead to open hostility. Why risk losing a family member, neighbor, friend or co-worker? If you have a misunderstanding that is a tempest in a teapot, don't let it blow into a hurricane. Take the initiative, pick up the phone, allow God to control you, and march in right now and clear the air. I have made things into hurricanes by going around the problem, telling my story to a friend who took my side, which seemed to work for a time. I have found it works best as the Bible says: work it out—clear the air! Numbers 12:1-16; Psalm 83; Romans 2:12-24
Friday, June 20 Matthew 18:21-35 Then Peter came up to Him and said, Lord how many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? [As many as] up to seven times? (v.21 AMP)
I have received a most wonderful gift—the gift of forgiveness. I didn't ask for it. I didn't beg for it. I didn't try to be forgiven. I received it, by faith, when as an act of my will I received Christ as my Lord and Savior. That gift was not used often, but one day I discovered the results of my being unforgiving. First I was annoyed with the person, then angry, followed by resentment and a big dose of bitterness that led to hatred. I was surprised at my attitude. It was pointed out to me by a dear friend that I had placed myself in darkness with my choice to hate. God is light and in Him is no darkness. I needed to confess my unforgiveness—I did. By the grace of the Spirit, I began a process of true forgiveness. I realized how much God wanted to be the source of my forgiveness and desired my coming to Him. I began praying daily for the person, and continue to pray for her. I have not only accepted God's gift of forgiveness, but I am in the process of caring for and loving her. Numbers 13:1-3, 21-30; Psalm 88; Romans 2:25—3:8
Saturday, June 21 Matthew 19:1-12 “Because God created this organic union of the two sexes, no one should desecrate His art by cutting them apart.” (v.6 The Message)
A dear friend and mentor of ours is Dr. Henry Brandt, a Christian psychologist, who says, “If you are mean, sassy and crabby, your marriage will bring it out of you—if it doesn't, raising children will.”
So true! After 58 years of marriage, people often ask us, “What is the secret to your happy marriage? They expect a spiritual answer. Howard's practical response is, “You just gut it out!” He is so right. We are always “working it out.” In working through our problems, we have experienced our love for each other continually increasing. We listen to each other better now. We are eager for forgiveness and we do want to support each other. Our arguments have even gotten better. We often disagree. We work through that to agreement.
The Lord gives solutions as we depend upon Him. He says, “Husbands, love your wives sacrificially by giving, not getting and not by domineering but by cherishing.” Wives, obey your husbands, fit in with his plans—to understand and support him, to honor him as you both show your love and dependence on The One who can work in your lives all that He asks of us. God's original plan has not changed. Numbers 13:31—14:25; Psalms 87, 90; Romans 3:9-20
Sunday, June 22 Numbers 14:26-45 Because you have turned away from the Lord , he will not be with you. (v.43b NIV)
The bumper sticker's message startled me. It read: “Stop global whining.” Today's reading in the book of Numbers continues the story of Israel 's whining. On the verge of ending their desert sojourn and preparing to enter the Promised Land, the people begin to mutter and grumble. Some of the scouts Moses sent to explore the land of Canaan have reported that the Israelites “can't attack those people, they're stronger than we are... The land devours those living in it. The people are giants” (Numbers 13:31-33). The people are frightened and whine once more about their circumstances.
Caleb has a different spirit and follows the Lord wholeheartedly (Numbers 14:24). God announces to the people, through Moses, that they will experience what they fear because they have not trusted Him.
God doesn't appreciate whining. Yet, so many of us do our own grumbling and whining against God, especially when things don't seem to go our way or God hasn't implemented our plans for our lives. God often shows us that grumbling and whining are their own reward. We need to avoid “global whining.” Psalms 66, 67; Acts 15:1-12; Luke 12:49-56
Monday, June 23 Matthew 19:13-22 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (v.14)
One of the joys of my life in the past eighteen months has been watching my grandson encounter the world. Bit by bit, day by day, he is teaching me how to look at everything with the eyes of a child, and what a wonderful world it is. A snowflake is now a mysterious and beautiful thing, not just a nuisance that must be swept from the car. He has grown from a little, helpless baby, completely dependent on others for everything, to a rambunctious little boy who runs everywhere, comments on everything (usually in a language comprehensible to none save himself), and expresses his delight in everything from a bug to a dust ball. He has little sympathy for adults who have to work when he wants to play. I am sometimes embarrassed by how much he trusts me.
Jesus says “The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” My grandson has given me a deeper insight into these words. God delights in those who delight in Him. He loves those who enjoy His presence in their lives, and see His handiwork all around them. He cherishes those who let themselves be touched by Him. Numbers 16:1-19; Psalm 89:1-18; Romans 3:21-31
Tuesday, June 24 Matthew 19:23-30 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (v.29)
When I have to preach this passage, I confess I have trouble understanding and explaining to a congregation what Jesus was telling Peter. Was he letting Peter know that calculating the material benefits for following Jesus was missing the point completely? Or was he suggesting that the rewards of following him are incalculable, of a magnitude beyond human comprehension? Was he making the point that rewards are a legitimate consideration in the cost of discipleship?
Maybe Jesus wanted Peter, and us, to think about all of these things. Why settle for some things when you can have the Creator of everything? Yes, the rewards of following Jesus are incalculable, beyond all human comprehension. We have eternal life as co-heirs with Christ, as children of God participating in the Divine Life of the Trinity. Yes, rewards are a legitimate consideration in the cost of discipleship. What does taking up the cross mean if it does not result in resurrection to new life? Peter's question may strike us as unspiritual , even crass. Jesus didn't treat it that way and we shouldn't either. Numbers 16:20-35, Psalms 97, 99, 100; Romans 4:1-12
Wednesday, June 25 Matthew 20:1-16 “Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?” (v.15)
The parable of the workers in the vineyard tends to distract those hearing it. Like the workers, they describe the owner's behavior as “unfair.” They sympathize with the workers who “bore the burden of the work and the heat of the day.” The vineyard's owner seems more capricious than generous.
Reading the story, we suspect they may have a point. We, and the workers, think that the issue is the amount and quality of the work done. Jesus tells us that the amount and quality of the work is irrelevant. What matters is the generosity of the owner.
Though we Christians rather glibly acknowledge that we are justified by faith and that we cannot earn salvation, we have a difficult time believing it. We think that the better we are and the more strictly we keep God's commands, we will gain rewards based on our performance. But what greater reward could there be than eternal life in the presence of God? And how do we earn heaven? We can't; we are unworthy servants (Luke 17:10). We work in the vineyard by the grace of God, and we receive abundantly from His generous hand. Numbers 16:36-50; Psalms 101, 109; Romans 4:13-25
Thursday, June 26 Romans 5:1-11 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. (vv.1-2a)
One dictionary (Merriam-Webster, 2001) variously describes peace as “a state of calm, quiet and security, freedom from disturbing thoughts or emotions, harmony between once-hostile antagonists, or the ending of hostilities.” True peace with God includes all these elements and more.
The access into this grace and peace, in which we now stand, we have gained through Jesus Christ. Because he died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can now rest secure in the assurance of God's love and the certainty of His promise of eternal life. We no longer need fear expulsion from His presence, nor what Shakespeare called the “thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to.” God, in Christ, has restored us to harmony with Him as befits those created in His image and likeness. Not only do we know and experience harmony with God, we are now co-heirs with Christ, adopted as Christ's brothers and sisters.
All this is ours because we have been justified, made right with God by faith. We have trusted God and know now that His promises are true. We have peace: “a peace that transcends all understanding, which will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Peace be with you. Numbers 17:1-11; Psalm 105:1-22; Matthew 20:17-28
Friday, June 27 Matthew 20:29-34 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. (v.32)
The evangelists tell us that Jesus never hesitated to ask questions which challenged the persons to whom they were directed. Often the questions forced them to consider who Jesus is and what they truly want from him. Jesus asks Andrew and an unnamed disciple, “What do you want?” (John 1:38) Though their answer suggests that they may not have really understood Jesus, the question lingered a lifetime. Jesus asks the two blind men “What do you want me to do for you?” Their reply, “Lord, we want our sight,” evoked Jesus' compassion. Not only did he give them physical sight, he gave them such in-sight that they followed him.
Jesus asks each of us the same questions. “What do you want?” “What do you want me to do for you?” If we take the questions seriously, we will search our hearts to find our deepest needs and aspirations, our longing for inner peace, our desires for a meaningful and fruitful life, and the often suppressed yearnings for God which can take so many disguises. When we answer, “Lord, we want our sight,” Jesus will have compassion on us and touch us. And having received our sight, may we follow him. Numbers 20:1-13; Psalm 102; Romans 5:12-21
Saturday, June 28 Romans 6:1-11 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (vv.3-4)
Many Christians like to describe themselves as “resurrection people,” and so we are. But we are also disciples whom Jesus called to follow in the way of the cross. Paul reminds us that our baptism isn't simply a matter of rising to new life through Christ, it is also very much a baptism into death. The death is death to sin, and death to sin involves death on a cross.
Many years ago, a revered teacher, Fr. Augustine Paul Henessey, brought this home to me in a simple but powerful statement: “A Christian life is a life in Christ. A life in Christ is a life on the cross.” The struggle against sin in our lives requires a constant crucifixion of our impulses to sin and self-indulgence. You and I know it is not easy, but we are also assured that, because of Christ's death, his grace is sufficient for us—for his “power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Resurrection people need the cross. Resurrection people embrace the way of the cross, the baptism into death , in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Resurrection people are people of the Cross. Numbers 20:14-29; Psalms 107:33-43, 108; Matthew 21:1-11
Sunday, June 29 Numbers 21:4-9, 21-35 They spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” (v.5 NIV)
Funny, it was just a few chapters earlier that God appeared to Moses in the burning bush and said in Exodus 3:7-8, “I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt, I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them…” How soon the Israelites forgot what the Lord had done for them. How so like the Israelites are we to forget His past goodness and only look at today's frustrations, perhaps grumbling against our current circumstances and even against God. The Israelite's story is our story, and hopefully one where we can make better choices of how to deal with the strains of life, and, instead of grumbling, may we trust God enough today—no matter what our circumstances—to glory in Him and know that all things will work for good (Romans 8:28). Psalm 118; Acts 17:12-34; Luke 13:10-17
Monday, June 30 Matthew 21:12-22 “Do you hear what the children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, ‘from the lips of children and infants, you have ordained praise'?” (v.16)
Jesus was responding to the chief priests who were indignant because the children were shouting “Hosanna to the son of David.” As children we were much less inhibited about expressing our reactions to life—both joy and sadness—and there was exuberance to each new day. As adults we can become much more guarded in our feelings and reactions, but Jesus encourages us to become more like the children. Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:16). I remember my son, when he was small, seeing the sunlight streaming through a cloud and saying “Look, Mom, God is talking to someone!” May we each become more childlike in responding openly and with complete trust to our heavenly Dad. Numbers 22:1-21; Psalm 106:1-18; Romans 6:12-23 |