Memorial Day 2023

As Americans we set aside Memorial Day to remember those who have died, especially in service of keeping us safe and free. While many Christians take time to remember those who have died, we might also consider how we treat those who are still alive. Are we doing what we can to provide for those who have sacrificed their time and physicality for us, or are simply wishing them well? 1 John 3:17-19.

 

Awesome words

 When John the Baptist asked for a clear statement of purpose from Jesus (Luke 7:18-27), the only answer given was to observe the works Jesus had done. The best thing for John's faith was to consider what Jesus Christ was doing instead of what was said. Do you spend more time talking about Jesus than living like Him? How can you demonstrate who Jesus is by your actions?

What to ask...

 What kinds of questions would you ask a person who claimed to be God?  When Jesus claimed to be God the religious leaders decided t to ask meaningless questions in the hope of getting a soundbite useful to their cause or to add to their status (Matt 22). Do you ask questions hoping to elevate your status at the expense of someone else? What kinds of questions could you ask?

Love of law or law of love?

Sometimes it seems like Christians are more in love with Bible commands and laws than they are with Christ. Paul sums up law as loving others (Rom 13:8-10), or popularly known as the "Law of Love." Do you find yourself more concerned with who is doing what than you are with demonstrating the love of Christ to them? How can you fulfill the law of love this week?
 

Past the Palms...

 When celebrating Palm Sunday, it's hard not to look beyond the day's triumphant entry and on to the night when many from the same group became part of a lynch mob (Mark 14). How do God's good people so quickly become angry enough to murder the very Son of God? Can you think of a time when you found yourself swept up a in crowd and began to adopt the crowd's emotion and bad behavior?

Loving in-bounds

 Most Christians believe that they are called to love. In his letter, John compares the kind of love we should have to the love Christ showed us (1 John 4:7-12). We might remember that Christ gave His love to everyone, including those who were not behaving in the ways He prescribed. What limits your love for others? What gender, political, or personal expectations do you require to love another?

When your religion requires a temple

 When Christ preached that the temple of God would be desecrated (and destroyed), the religious leaders were so angry the plotted to kill him (Mark 13-14). Their response makes us wonder if they were worshipping God or their ceremonies and artifacts. What would prevent you from worshipping God? 

How do you measure God's love?

 Most Christians eventually begin to wonder how much God loves them, and if they should perform certain acts to gain more of Gods' care and provision. In 1 Corinthians, we are reminded that God's ways won't make sense to us, and instead of comparing ourselves, we can accept the love God provides and let it motivate us to act out the gospel everyday. Can you think of times when you thought you needed to win God's love?

Watching John Baptize

 

When the religious elite came to see what John the Baptist was doing, they were greeted with one of his most scathing messages (Matt 3). Rather than accepting the message and demonstrating their repentance, the religious leaders stood by and watched. How do you respond when you are challenged to live better or to own your need to do better?

Ceaser was left out of the loop

 When God came to earth, He did not announce His arrival to the world's leaders, but rather, to shepherds (Luke 2). This was fitting because Jesus never courted the political or social powers of His day. If we follow Christ's example, we will seek to minister directly to the souls around us, rather than use political power to enforce our ideology. How can you minister like Christ this year?

Seen

 During this season you may feel unseen, unloved, or unimportant, but the Advent season should inspire just the opposite. Mary declares herself unworthy and yet, blessed with the greatest role in humanity  (Luke 1:46-55).  Like Mary, we too have been seen by the creator of everything. When feeling "unseen" may we see the hand of God and His attention so that we may be comforted.

Room in your life

 

The story of John the Baptist's birth reminds us of Issacs's birth. Both were born to parents who were considered too old to have children, but miraculously did (Luke 1:39-45). Understanding that the Advent story makes room for John's story encourages us that we too are important to and part of the story of Jesus Christ and His earthly ministry. Who will you make room for in your story?

The echoes of Hagar in Mary's Praise

 While considering Mary's response to the incarnation (Luke 1), we might gain a greater understanding of her courage and faith by looking at the plight of Hagar (Gen 16). After being exploited by Abraham and Sarah, Hagar became pregnant which angered Sarah who then persecuted Hagar daily. Knowing this story, Mary's understanding of the persecution she would face highlights her faith in praising God for the event.

(NOTE: Special thanks to Dr Gafney for her work: "A Women's Lectionary" used as a source here.)

Who's Christlike?

 

Christians often look for 'big' things to please God. While we say that our awesome works for God's glory, they are often for out own betterment or to boost our pride. Micah 6 asks if we should provide a huge sacrifice to please God, but the response is do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. How do you demonstrate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and God's grace in everyday life?

A Tale of 3 servants

Although a powerful military figure, Naaman was inflicted with a disfiguring disease that isolated him from his community 2 Kings 5. Naaman heeded the advice of a slave he had taken who pointed him to the prophet Elisha. Although pride almost kept him from obeying, Naaman eventually listened to his servant and the servant of Elisha and received healing. These acts of humility led directly to his cure.
 

Soul-Winning without a net

 Most Christians take the great commission (Matt 28), as a serious expectation to evangelize, or to "Preach the gospel" to everyone. However, the methods employed are often more like a sales pitch than a gospel witness. When you consider those who are living as disciples of Christ, did they come to Christ because of a sales pitch, or through personal observation of someone else living out Christ's good news?

Love or idolatry?

In our zeal to credit God with the good gifts we currently enjoy, we might be tempted to confuse our culture, country, or ideology with God's kingdom. This idolatry implies that other countries or citizens of other countries are inferior in God's sight. Jesus declared that His kingdom was not earthly and no earthly country is the Kingdom of God (John 18:36). May we learn to prefer His Kingdom over our world's kingdoms.

Looking for the gotchas

 The 10 commandments and the other laws given to Israel might seem like the best standard for knowing God's will and for obeying him (Ex 20). However, Christ's summation of the law (Mark 12) indicates that the intent of the law is more important than judging those who may seem to violate it. 

Loving them 'over there'

When Pharaoh realized the Jewish immigrants were beginning to outnumber the Egyptians, he began to worry that his long-standing traditions and beliefs might be endangered by the growing influence of the Hebrews (Exodus 1).  This fear drove Pharaoh to uniquely poor and confusing choices that reduced his nation's power and stability. Do you fear losing power more than you fear God?

Joseph saves the world

Joseph was often treated unfairly and unkindly, but through all of his circumstances, he retained his faith in God. While we see that Joseph is rewarded for his faithfulness, we might miss that those around him also benefited. Because Joseph was in Egypt during the years prior to the famine, he was able to create a plan that ensured not only enough grain for Egypt, but also for those in surrounding areas (Gen 41:53-57)