Hebrews 1-2:4 - What a powerful introduction to Jesus Christ! He is the final Word from God, the one through whom all things were created, the one who sustains all things by his word. In these opening words from the author of Hebrews we see Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God. Don't look anywhere else for God. Jesus Christ is it!
Hebrews 2:9-18 - If chapter 1 makes clear Jesus' divine nature, chapter 2 illustrates that Jesus was also fully human. This is the profound mystery of salvation. Jesus took on our flesh so that he might suffer in our place. God did not just send down some more communiques or leave us to our own devices. He came Himself. Jesus Christ, clothed in the frailty of humanity, joined us in this fallen world in order to redeem it. We can talk about all kinds of other important things regarding being Christians, but apart from these truths it would be meaningless. Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, and in his resurrection we find our hope. Jesus Christ is it!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
July 19 - Pentecost
1 Timothy 2:1-7 - Paul reminds us that we pray not just for ourselves, but for all people. God is concerned with everyone in the world, and so the Church is called to share that concern. That concern is shown most clearly in the truth of Jesus Christ, who gave himself as a ransom for all. Notice in all of this, however, that we are not called to pray for generic or faceless people. Our concern for the world shows itself in our concern for those who are in charge and for our neighbors. In other words, God shows his universal care through our specific proclamation and care.
1 Timothy 4:11-5:2 - Paul gives encouragement and direction to Timothy, a young and inexperienced pastor. It is very likely that some will discount or oppose Timothy because of his age. Paul encourages Timothy with the reminder that authority rests in God's Word, and that he was ordained for his task. At the same time, this doesn't give him license to be lazy or arrogant. Instead he is to set an example. Following these guidelines may not make everyone respect Timothy and his position, but they do help Timothy to focus on what is necessary and not get distracted by age or other arbitrary concerns. This is good direction for all of us, who too easily get off-track worrying about what others think. The only opinion that matters is God's and His mind is made up in Christ.
1 Timothy 4:11-5:2 - Paul gives encouragement and direction to Timothy, a young and inexperienced pastor. It is very likely that some will discount or oppose Timothy because of his age. Paul encourages Timothy with the reminder that authority rests in God's Word, and that he was ordained for his task. At the same time, this doesn't give him license to be lazy or arrogant. Instead he is to set an example. Following these guidelines may not make everyone respect Timothy and his position, but they do help Timothy to focus on what is necessary and not get distracted by age or other arbitrary concerns. This is good direction for all of us, who too easily get off-track worrying about what others think. The only opinion that matters is God's and His mind is made up in Christ.
Friday, July 16, 2010
July 15 - Pentecost
Colossians 1:15-29 - Maturity comes through the proclamation of Christ. Paul had as his purpose, not simply to plant churches and move on, but to go beyond conversion to discipleship. Maturity for Christians comes from proclaiming Jesus Christ. This seems overly simple, but it is not. Many Christians are content to stay in shallow waters, stating belief but not standing firm in God's promises. Other Christians believe they are diving in deep only to find themselves surrounded by rules and ignoring that Jesus is all in all. So Paul in his wisdom points us back again and again to the supremacy of Jesus. Meditate on verses 15 through 23. What does Christ's supremacy mean for you?
Colossians 3:1-14 - Here we find once again that our identity informs our behavior. We have been raised with Christ. Our life is hidden with him. Be who you are.
Colossians 3:1-14 - Here we find once again that our identity informs our behavior. We have been raised with Christ. Our life is hidden with him. Be who you are.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
July 14 - Pentecost
Ephesians 1:15-20 - Two items stand out. First, praise and prayer constitute a balance in the life of the Christian. Emphasis only on prayer causes us to ignore the blessings we have received. Emphasis only on praise causes us to stop asking God for that which we need. Either side will skew our relationship with God. The second item is that Paul wants us to know what God's power in our lives means. It is resurrection. Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. This is our hope by faith.
Ephesians 2:11-22 - Stop dividing yourselves. In this section, Paul discusses how in Christ, the barrier between Jew and Gentile is no more. Jesus creates a new society that is rooted in him. Yet in our sin we still find ways to be divided. These barriers cannot be overcome by common interest or personality adjustments. In fact, it's very unlikely that we can see past our differences by looking at each other. Instead, Paul focuses us on Jesus who has made us one by his death and resurrection. Look to him first. Then look through his eyes toward each other.
Ephesians 2:11-22 - Stop dividing yourselves. In this section, Paul discusses how in Christ, the barrier between Jew and Gentile is no more. Jesus creates a new society that is rooted in him. Yet in our sin we still find ways to be divided. These barriers cannot be overcome by common interest or personality adjustments. In fact, it's very unlikely that we can see past our differences by looking at each other. Instead, Paul focuses us on Jesus who has made us one by his death and resurrection. Look to him first. Then look through his eyes toward each other.
Monday, July 12, 2010
July 12 - Pentecost
Philippians 1:12-30 - Paul rejoices in the midst of his chains. I am never that eager to rejoice in the midst of suffering. But Paul isn't just crazy, he's rejoicing because his suffering is a result of his work in the Gospel. He knows who is really in charge, and even from his prison cell the Gospel is being proclaimed. His encouragement to us at the end of this section is to live a life worthy of the Gospel, to stand firm, contend for the faith, work together, and yes, even to suffer for the Gospel. Paul's future and our own feel very uncertain, but we are in the hands of Jesus.
Philippians 3:3-11 - It's amazing how many people think the essence of Christianity is either believing the creed or living an upright life or going to church, which are all important but miss the centrality of Christ. In this section Paul piles up those accomplishments and positions that would be considered important to the people around him, and when he measures them against knowing Jesus he calls them rubbish. Christ is the our faith. Christianity is Christ. Apart from him we have nothing, but being found in him through faith we have everything!
Philippians 3:3-11 - It's amazing how many people think the essence of Christianity is either believing the creed or living an upright life or going to church, which are all important but miss the centrality of Christ. In this section Paul piles up those accomplishments and positions that would be considered important to the people around him, and when he measures them against knowing Jesus he calls them rubbish. Christ is the our faith. Christianity is Christ. Apart from him we have nothing, but being found in him through faith we have everything!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
July 7 - Pentecost
1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 - Power through weakness. Christ overcame sin through death and disgrace on the cross. Paul, God's chosen instrument details how ineffective he was by human standards: he came in weakness, fear and trembling. The Corinthian believers were not the "popular" ones, with wealth and prestige. Our temptation is to do things our way, with power and resources. God's reassurance is that in our weakness His grace is made strong.
1 Corinthians 12:1-13 - Typically when we read this section we focus on the various gifts and try to figure out which ones we have. But Paul has been speaking against divisions in the Corinthian church. His point is not for us to divide ourselves by our gifts, but to see all that we do as rooted in the one Spirit. We have unity in Jesus through the gift of Baptism, and our gifts are given so that we may serve one another and display the unity that is ours.
1 Corinthians 12:1-13 - Typically when we read this section we focus on the various gifts and try to figure out which ones we have. But Paul has been speaking against divisions in the Corinthian church. His point is not for us to divide ourselves by our gifts, but to see all that we do as rooted in the one Spirit. We have unity in Jesus through the gift of Baptism, and our gifts are given so that we may serve one another and display the unity that is ours.
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