10th Day of Lent Matthew 13:25- Enemy

The reality of evil in the world can hardly be debated.  It's as close as our own sinful and imperfect hearts, and as distant as terrorists doing horrific things in Syria, Iraq, and Libya. While there are varying degrees of evil, we're all wrapped up in it in one way or another.

The source of evil is a different question.  There really is no truly adequate answer.  Theologians devote entire careers to the question, and I don't think they end up knowing with certainty any more than you or I.  Martin Luther spoke of evil as evident in three ways; the devil, the world, and the sinful self.  It comes from within ourselves, temptations in the world around us, and through evil spiritual forces at work, ie. the devil. 

The author writes, "What stands out about the enemy is his indiscernability."  How true.  While at times evil is clear, such as the attacks on 9/11 and the current evil of ISIS, more often than not it is more subtle and deceiving.  The good news is that evil cannot stand when exposed to the light of the gospel.  "Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7  And so we live each day with the reality of sin and imperfection in and around us, but with the presence of our Savior who gives us the strength to overcome evil with good.  What will you do today to show God's love is greater than the evil at work in the world? 

9th Day of Lent Matthew 13:25- Sleepers

In this parable, you can't really blame the workers for sleeping.  Everyone needs sleep.  There's no indication they were supposed to be guarding the field or that they "fell asleep on the job."  No, the blame for this is on the enemy, who, in the dark of night, scattered weed seeds in the field, intentionally sabotaging the field.  That's a bad guy who needs to be held accountable for his actions.

But, the author's point that as Christians we do need to stay alert and be on guard against the enemy, is a valid one.  The Advent season before Christmas always begins with lessons about the end times, urging believers to keep alert, for we do not know the day or hour of Christ's return.  We are called to "live ready," for we truly do not know what the future might bring or how long we will be given the gift of life. 

And how do we "live ready?"  Getting enough sleep is important, for when we are tired we think less clearly, are more stressed, and are more vulnerable to temptation.  Being physically active matters, for when we are physically fit, we feel better and that makes us spiritually stronger.  And as we nurture our spiritual lives through prayer, worship, and time spent with God, we can rest in God's grace and live ready for whatever the future brings.

 There's nothing wrong with sleeping.  We all need that.  But it's also important to be alert and ready when we are awake.  For the enemy is out there, looking for opportunities to sabotage our relationship with God.  Let's be on guard, to keep that from happening. 

8th Day of Lent The Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43- Seeds

Today we begin a new parable, the fourth so far in these Lenten devotions.  Unlike the Parable of the Sower, where the seed was scattered widely on many different kinds of soil, this seed is planted specifically in the farmer's field.  There is intentionality in what the farmer does, planting seeds that he or she hopes will bring a fruitful harvest.

Sometimes our Christian witness in word and deed is like scattering seeds far and wide.  We don't know if they will take root or what impact they may have somewhere down the road.  But sometimes our witness is very intentional and specific.  For example, we seek to raise our children or grandchildren in the faith so that they may know God's love and one day share that love with others.  We do that in intentional ways, such as reading Bible stories, taking them to church, involving them in Sunday school, or having them sing in the choir.  We're planting and nurturing seeds in their lives.

Our daily devotions could also be seen as intentionally planting seeds of God's love in our own lives.  We do it not to earn God's favor, which by faith  is already ours, but to deepen our relationship with God.  In what ways are you intentionally planting seeds in your life, or the lives of others you know and love? 

7th Day of Lent Matthew 13:32-33- Seeing as God Sees

Last weekend we had our annual council retreat Friday evening and Saturday.  It was a blessing for many reasons, but in particular because it gave us time to think about the big picture of the congregation.  We were able to review our mission statement and the specific initiatives we had planned three years ago.  We were able to spend time thinking about where we are today, and where we would like to be.

Almost always, the church council is concerned with the immediate day to day and month to month functions of the church.  This is important, for how we are meeting the more immediate needs is vital.  But as today's devotion suggests, God's vision is more than just the immediate and the little.  God is a big picture God.  A tiny mustard seeds becomes an enormous shrub.  A little leaven, leavens the whole loaf.  The impact of the gospel is immediate, but also expansive.

I spend a lot of time working with the immediate.  I find comfort in knowing that what the future will finally bring for both our congregation and God's kingdom, is in God's hands. I find assurance in knowing God's vision is great and will be carried out in accordance with God's will.

In the meantime, today's prayer seems very appropriate.  "Lord, extend my vision beyond the immediate and the little.  Amen"

6th Day of Lent The Mustard Seed and Leaven, Matthew 13:31-33- A Little

One of the blessings of being the pastor of a congregation is to be in the position to see that little things really do matter.  On any given day, in any given week, there are countless little things  people do that all add up to make a difference in people's lives.  From an individual prayer, to Stephen Ministers meeting with Care Receivers, to choir or band practice, to meeting about solar power, to serving a meal for Family Promise guests, to reading a lesson in church, to giving a donation to an organization that helps others- the list is truly endless.  In the end, all these little things grow into a great mustard shrub, not just at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, but God's kingdom in its many expressions throughout the whole world.  It truly is amazing when you stop to think about it, how, from a band of a dozen disciples (Matthias was chosen to replace Judas), who were scared and uncertain about what it now meant to follow Jesus after his death and resurrection, the Christian community arose, grew, and still flourishes today. 

We all have our small part to play.  In God's kingdom, small things do matter, for God can use whatever we have to offer.  What "small thing" or in what "small way," to you contribute to the kingdom? 

5th Day of Lent Matthew 13:23- Dynamic Listeners

This is really not a parable about the one who delivers, or perhaps better, shares God's Word.  As part of my call as pastor, I regularly share God's Word, which is both a privilege and awesome responsibility.  I simply try and do my best to present the Word in a way it might be heard , recognizing that, without the Holy Spirit, there really is no power in what I have to say.

But this parable is not about how to craft a good sermon.  This parable is about being ready to receive God's Word in my life and understand how it applies to me.  It's about being open and receptive to what God has for me.  If I'm not open to the work of the Spirit, the most finely crafted sermon in the world will not impact me.  On the other hand, if I am open, God can speak to me even when the one sharing is not on the top of his or her game.  As a seed planted in good and fertile soil will sprout and grow, so also God's Word planted in a receptive hear will bear much fruit.  In the words of Handt Hanson, who wrote the hymn "Lord Let My Heart be Good Soil" (ELW #512),

"Lord, let my heart be good soil,
open to the seed of your word.
Lord, let my heart be good soil,
where love can grow and peace is understood.
When my heart is hard, break the stone away.
When my heart is cold, warm it with the day.
When my heart is lost, lead me on your way.
Lord, let my heart, Lord, let my heart, Lord, let my heart be good soil."

1st Sunday in Lent Matthew 13:22 - Cultured

"We are the culture, my friend," writes the author.  How true.  Like most middle class families, we own two cars. (Both Subarus, the state car of Utah!) We have our own home.  We have several flat screen TV's.  We have 2 smartphones, a tablet, a laptop, and a desktop computer. This blog goes out on the web and is further shared on Facebook. We eat well and have more than enough clothes.  We have gym memberships and season ski passes.  In many ways we are just like many people around us.  How are we any different?

That's a good question, and, given the amount of human need near and far, one I struggle with.  I think first of all, I daily need to receive Christ into the center of my life. Everything else is then shaped by that relationship.  It helps me keep the things of this world in perspective.  They are not the be all and end all.  Given that this is where God has placed me, many of those things go along with living in the modern world, certainly in this country. But they are not what's most important.  If they become so important, if my possessions begin to possess me, then I'm in trouble.  Then I've made gods out of things I own.  Then the cares of the world and the lure of wealth will choke me and cut me off from my relationship with God.

So part of the answer for me is to always cultivate a spirit of generosity.  It is to use and offer what I have for a greater good. Have I figured out the perfect balance of what I keep for myself and what I share with others?  Hardly.  But the very fact I struggle is a good sign, an indication I'm aware of the dangers that come when we embrace the culture at the expense of a right relationship with God.  And how about you?  How to you reconcile living in our modern American culture and all that entails, with how you understand the teachings of Jesus?     

4th Day of Lent The Parable of the Sower Matthew 13:20-21- Roots

Two years ago the Rocky Mountain Synod, which is made up of the 165 congregations of our denomination across the Rocky Mountain west, had as a theme, "Deeply Rooted- Bearing Fruit."  The image was a tree with deep roots in the soil, producing abundant fruit on its branches.

Today's devotion is about being deeply rooted in the good news and promises of God's love.  With shallow roots, when "tribulation or persecution arises," the plant is unable to endure, and dies.  But with deep roots, the plant holds fast, perseveres, and lives.

How do we grow deep roots?  For me, it is through the fundamental spiritual practices of reading God's Word, prayer, worship, receiving Christ in bread and wine, and service.  It is doing what you are doing in participating in this devotional practice during Lent.  It is being with and supporting one another in the Body of Christ.

In all these ways we become rooted in God's promises, able to hold fast and live in hope when the difficult times come.  I pray God will keep me deeply rooted, bearing fruit, through all the joys and trials of life. 

3rd Day of Lent The Parable of the Sower Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 - Understanding

With today's devotion, we turn to a new parable, commonly called the "Parable of the Sower," but perhaps better named, "The Parable of the Soils."  The first soil in this parable is the hard path, trodden under foot.  The message is directed to those who hear God's Word and have access to it, but who do not understand.  It seems to be pointed at those who have the ability to understand, but are unwilling to  take the time or put in the effort to do so. They hear, but that's as far as it goes.  They don't take what they hear to a deeper level. 

My seminary classmate and colleague, Dr. Rich Melheim, wrote confirmation materials in which he emphasized "from head to heart."  It's one thing to learn some things about the Christian faith, it's another to move that knowledge from the head to the heart.  Understanding seems to me to be a heart thing.  It's to study and learn God's Word, but more importantly, move that knowledge, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to the heart.  For that's where lives are changed, and God's Word begins to make a difference.  I pray today God will give me a heart of understanding, and by so doing, God will use me to make a difference in the lives of others. 

Second Day of Lent The Pharisee and Tax Collector Luke 18:9-14 - Mercy

God is just.  I believe that to be true.  In the final judgment, God will act justly.  But, if the only attribute of God is justice, who could stand in the face of God's judgment?  Who has lived perfectly enough?  Who has done all that could be done for the church, community, and world?  Not me.  The needs are endless and even if I always did the right thing,(which I don't), I'd still fall short.

But, thanks be to God, the Lord is also merciful.  That gives me hope, that when I confess my human failings before God, as the tax collector did, I can receive forgiveness and find hope for the future.  As the devotion says, "God knows the heart that cries out in desperation from sin's dead ends.  God has always heard the cries for mercy."  Today I am especially thankful for God's mercy, given so lovingly in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Ash Wednesday, The Pharisee and the Tax Collector, Luke 18:9-14

Of all the days in the church year, Ash Wednesday, along with Good Friday, are the most somber, for those that take the time to worship or observe these days in some way.  Ash Wednesday humbles us, a day to remember we live far from perfect lives and at the end of life our bodies return to the dust.  "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return," are the words spoken as a smudge of ashes in the shape of the cross is placed on our foreheads.  The Pharisee in the parable thought he was a pretty good guy.  He did all the right things to impress God.  The tax collector, on the other hand, realized he was not so good.  His only hope was that God would have mercy on him and forgive him.

Today we come before God as humble, repentant sinners, like the tax collector.  I know I can't justify myself before God.  I do some nice and helpful things, but far from enough.  I need a Savior who will forgive me and make me right with God.   Ash Wednesday, and indeed, the Lenten season as a whole, serves as a reminder to me of my need for God's love and grace.