Morning: Psalm 119:97-120; Genesis 27:1-29; Romans 12:1-8
Evening: Psalm 81, 82; John 8:12-20
Mercy
and Compassion run through the story of Jesus; they are his Way. He
refuses to judge a woman accused of adultery. Now Jesus makes it a
general rule: “I pass judgement on no-one.” Judgement deepens the
darkness. But Jesus, the merciful one, calls himself ‘the light of the
cosmos’. Interestingly, Muslims acknowledge God (Allah) as ‘the most
compassionate, the most merciful,’ (‘Bismillah’) and Mohammed as the
‘mercy of the worlds’. Paul adds to the wisdom of mercy, saying that
those who ‘engage in acts of mercy’ should do so ‘in joyousness.’
Mercy!
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Compassion reserves judgement
Morning: Psalm 78:1-39; Genesis 26:1-33; Hebrews 13:17-25
Evening: Psalm 78:40-72; John 7:53-8:11
Jesus’ gracious response to the woman caught in adultery shows his compassion with human brokenness and betrayal. Sadly, even today, some of God’s most pious friends think they know better; they fail to reflect the compassion of their Master, responding with judgement and shunning. Jesus’ words still echo down the ages: “Let whosoever among you is without sin be the first to cast a stone at her.” So, Jesus seems to say to us, ‘Judge no-one, whoever they are.’ Our judging says more about us than it does about others. We do not walk in their shoes.
Evening: Psalm 78:40-72; John 7:53-8:11
Jesus’ gracious response to the woman caught in adultery shows his compassion with human brokenness and betrayal. Sadly, even today, some of God’s most pious friends think they know better; they fail to reflect the compassion of their Master, responding with judgement and shunning. Jesus’ words still echo down the ages: “Let whosoever among you is without sin be the first to cast a stone at her.” So, Jesus seems to say to us, ‘Judge no-one, whoever they are.’ Our judging says more about us than it does about others. We do not walk in their shoes.
Monday, February 5, 2018
Deciding about Jesus
Morning: Psalm 80; Genesis 25:19-34; Hebrews 13:1-16
Evening: Psalm 77; John 7:37-52
“So a division arose in the crowd on account of Jesus,” says John’s Gospel. We are still divided about who Jesus is and what he represents. Now it’s a question the world over, not just in Jerusalem. Some offer reasons why Jesus might not be trustworthy. Others marvel at his unique wisdom and his world-transforming story. When you encounter Jesus honestly and openly, like those who first crossed paths with him in Israel, it’s hard to sit on the fence.
Sunday, February 4, 2018
Getting to the heart of things, to what we really need
Morning: Psalms 93, 96; Genesis 24:50-67; 2 Timothy 2:14-21
Evening: Psalm 34; Mark 10:13-22
Jesus has a way of consistently getting to the heart of things and pointing people to their real need, which they may not see. When the disciples hold back the children, Jesus says the secret to life is accepting it like a child. A rich young man wants to know how to really live ... after keeping the commandments, he is still unsatisfied. Jesus tells him he must give up his possessions. The heart of the matter may be different for each person, and hard for us to hear. Do I know mine? Or you yours?
Saturday, February 3, 2018
Truth speaks for itself … doing it is the next thing
Morning: Psalms 75, 76; Genesis 24:28-38, 49-51; Hebrews 12:12-29
Evening: Psalm 23, 27; John 7:14-36
Jesus insists his teaching is not his: “Whoever speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but whoever seeks the glory of the one who sent him, this man is true - there is nothing false in him.” We humans have effective antennae for deception in high places. But we can easily deceive ourselves, too. Jesus is so attractive to us because he’s authentic. We know truth when we hear it; truth speaks for itself. So follow the truth you already know, right? ... Yes, only, to save self-deception, head and heart must collaborate, and we must listen to one another.
Evening: Psalm 23, 27; John 7:14-36
Jesus insists his teaching is not his: “Whoever speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but whoever seeks the glory of the one who sent him, this man is true - there is nothing false in him.” We humans have effective antennae for deception in high places. But we can easily deceive ourselves, too. Jesus is so attractive to us because he’s authentic. We know truth when we hear it; truth speaks for itself. So follow the truth you already know, right? ... Yes, only, to save self-deception, head and heart must collaborate, and we must listen to one another.
Friday, February 2, 2018
Caring for the Temple (the ‘Holy House’) of the World
Morning: Psalms 42, 43; I Samuel 2:1-10; John 8:31-46
Evening: Psalms 48, 87; Haggai 2:1-9; John 3:1-8
Solomon built the Jerusalem Temple, the ‘Holy House’, in 957BCE. In 520 BCE, it was in ruins, and Haggai called the people to rebuild it. Herod rebuilt it again in the time of Jesus. The Temple was where you encountered God; Jesus’ parents took him there. But the Romans destroyed it finally in 70AD; it was never rebuilt. Does it help to think of the world now as the ‘Holy House’? Economics (oikonomia in Greek) means caring for the house (oikos). Human economics is ruining the ‘holy house’ of the world. Haggai would call us to quit and start rebuilding.
Evening: Psalms 48, 87; Haggai 2:1-9; John 3:1-8
Solomon built the Jerusalem Temple, the ‘Holy House’, in 957BCE. In 520 BCE, it was in ruins, and Haggai called the people to rebuild it. Herod rebuilt it again in the time of Jesus. The Temple was where you encountered God; Jesus’ parents took him there. But the Romans destroyed it finally in 70AD; it was never rebuilt. Does it help to think of the world now as the ‘Holy House’? Economics (oikonomia in Greek) means caring for the house (oikos). Human economics is ruining the ‘holy house’ of the world. Haggai would call us to quit and start rebuilding.
Thursday, February 1, 2018
What’s the dream worth? What will I give for it?
Morning: Psalms 70, 71; Genesis 23:1-20; Hebrews 11:32-12:2
Evening: Psalms 113, 122; I Samuel 1:20-28a; Romans 8:14-21
“What’s it worth?” is a question people ask about things – houses, cars, land. Now, apply it to your dreams. Most of us carry visions in our hearts – dreams of something better and brighter for our children, grandchildren and their companions. What’s that worth? Paul suggests the visions demand self-sacrifice, and they’re worth giving it your all. So, if my particular dream for the world will require someone to give themselves wholeheartedly to it, Paul’s letter to the Romans seems to ask: Will it be me? What’s the dream worth to me? What will I give to make it come true?
Evening: Psalms 113, 122; I Samuel 1:20-28a; Romans 8:14-21
“What’s it worth?” is a question people ask about things – houses, cars, land. Now, apply it to your dreams. Most of us carry visions in our hearts – dreams of something better and brighter for our children, grandchildren and their companions. What’s that worth? Paul suggests the visions demand self-sacrifice, and they’re worth giving it your all. So, if my particular dream for the world will require someone to give themselves wholeheartedly to it, Paul’s letter to the Romans seems to ask: Will it be me? What’s the dream worth to me? What will I give to make it come true?
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