How important each one of us is

Morning: Psalm 34; Numbers 12:1-16; Romans 2:12-24

Evening: Psalms 85, 86; Matthew 18:10-20

No matter how small or seemingly insignificant we are, in Jesus’ vision no one is less important than anyone else … Even if just one of a great multitude gets lost, she is worth finding and saving from harm. Shepherds take extreme care over lost sheep; shall we not care just as much for a person who is isolated or in trouble?  Two people who agree are enough to guarantee the truth.  However few we are, however small we feel, God is in our midst … Imagine! The Creator and Lord of the Universe is with me? Little me!?

Violating a sacred trust by exploiting children

Morning: Psalm 119:97-120; Numbers 11:24-33; Romans 1:28—2:11

Evening: Psalms 81, 82; Matthew 18:1-9

This week, we witness the plight of migrant children separated from their parents in America.  Jesus teaches: “Whoever becomes humble like (a) child is (great).  Whoever welcomes (a) child in my name welcomes me.”  A world that exploits the weakness and vulnerability of children – and justifies barbarity by Biblical proofs – is far from the kingdom of heaven.  Shockingly, all over the world, children are trafficked, enslaved, used as human shields and child soldiers.  The implication of Jesus’ words is clear: the mistreatment of children violates a sacred trust and threatens our humanity until we put a stop to it.

Wisdom to choose the right moment

Morning: Psalm 78:1-39; Numbers 11:1-23; Romans 1:16-25

Evening: Psalm 78:40-72; Matthew 17:22-27

Every Jew paid a tax for the maintenance of the Temple in Jerusalem.  It was part of the politico-religious system that Jesus called out as exploitative, corrupt and ultimately doomed … a ‘den of thieves’.  One day it would fall, but this was not the time or place for Jesus to take a stand … the right moment to challenge the authority of the Temple and its rulers would come soon, in Jerusalem.  Sometimes we are compelled to challenge the spiritual forces of evil in this present age, and, like Jesus, we must choose wisely how, where and when.

Faith is drawing on a power greater than your own

Morning: Psalm 80; Numbers 9:15-23; 10:29-36; Romans 1:1-15

Evening: Psalm 77; Matthew 17:14-21

Early on, Jesus sends the disciples to heal the sick, raise the dead and cast out demons, and they do!  Now, with all their experience, they can’t.  Jesus is angry with them for their “little faith”.  Their problem is not the size or amount of their faith, but that their faith is misplaced … they are relying only on their own strength. Even Jesus himself needed prayer and fasting to empower him.  It’s easy to forget … Your own strength may be small, but when you draw on a power greater than your own, you can move mountains. 

Ready anytime for whoever shows up

Morning: Psalms 93, 96; Numbers 6:22-27; Acts 13:1-12

Evening: Psalm 34; Luke 12:41-48

“Heads up, the boss is coming!” “Look lively … visitors from head office.” Familiar lines, these, but I find being-on-my-best-behaviour just when I ‘have’ to dreary and demeaning. Is anyone completely happy with his work?  No, some things must be done, like it or not, whether the boss is coming or not.  If I do them it’s because I trust that life is essentially good; that’s why I’m trustworthy.  Jesus suggests that when I realize how much I have received, I live gratefully, without counting what everything costs me.  And I’m ready anytime for whoever shows up.

Listen to him

Morning: Psalms 75, 76; Numbers 3:1-13; Galatians 6:11-18

Evening: Psalms 23, 27; Matthew 17:1-13

Listening seems to be fashionable these days – I’ve heard 2 listening ‘experts’ interviewed lately on the CBC, as if listening were a new discovery.  But listening is old wisdom that we keep forgetting … Now they’ve rediscovered it again, as though for the first time.  Listening is a new panacea for human ills!  You know, I agree; I think to myself: It’s about time we learned to listen again.  Up on the mountain, Jesus’s apprentices hear a voice: “… listen to him!”  I think to myself: It’s about time we did that too.

Life for Life

Morning: Psalm 69:1-23, 31-38; Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:14; Galatians 5:25-6:10

Evening: Psalm 73; Matthew 16:21-28

Peter’s faith is like a “rock”, but he cannot accept that Jesus will lose his life because of his message.  Peter resists and becomes a “stumbling-block”.  Jesus’ message draws lethal resistance from the powerful ones who resist the transformation he brings.  The Way of Jesus demands that, as his apprentice, you must be ready to offer your life.  This rarely means you have to die for him.  But, as many of Jesus’ followers discover, the moment you stop grasping at life is the moment you discover what an amazing gift life is.