Category: Year B

Daniel 9:1-19

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            Daniel was one of the godliest persons in the whole of Scripture.  It was not so much because he was wise and insightful, savvy and ingenious.  He was certainly those things.  But what made Daniel godly was his tremendous sensitivity to sin.  It drove him to prayer.  It led him to fast.  It caused him to cry out to God with a great penitential confession.  Now, mind you, Daniel did not have all this concern because of his own personal failings; he was not the one running from God.  Yet, he identified so closely with his fellow Jews that he was totally distraught over their disloyalty to God’s covenant stipulations.  In other words, Israel simply did not care to obey God and they were not concerned to offer any kind of prayer of confession.  Daniel did for them what they either would not or could not do for themselves.
 
            The Lord Jesus told his disciples what truly characterizes a person of righteousness.  He said that God’s stamp of approval rests upon those who mourn (Matthew 5:4).  Genuinely godly people react emotionally over sin – not only theirs, but the sins of others.  Dwelling in the light of God’s presence will always cause us to discern the blackness of sin in all its foul depravity.  To not grieve over sin and disobedience is to not know God.
 
            Every human being is rushing toward eternity, and will be judged according to God’s gracious revealing of himself and his ways for humanity.  The person who grasps this reality cannot help but grieve over sin.  He mourns over the sins and the callous disregard of God in his nation.  He mourns over the greed, the hate, the cynicism, and the base lack of integrity around him.  Indeed, such a person mourns that there are so few mourners.
            Merciful God, I confess to you the sins of your people – their inattention to the things that are most important to you.  I grieve over the state of so many that do not know your grace and goodness.  I am ashamed before you that so few are sensitive to sin, even in your church.  To you, Lord God, belongs mercy and forgiveness.  O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive.  To you do I plead on behalf of the sins of many so that your grace will become operative through Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Isaiah 26:1-15

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            Today demonstrates and illustrates why I often make a big deal about following a more liturgical way of life through observing the Church Calendar or Christian Year.  How we live our lives through the time we have been given is not a neutral thing; it matters to God.  In my typical procrastinating manner, I just finished writing checks to the U.S. Treasury and the State of Wisconsin on this secular anti-holiday we have dubbed “Tax Day.”
 
            The Old Testament lectionary reading for today reminds me who is in charge, who I can really trust, and who is my true source of peace.  “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.”  Keeping secular time usually stresses me out.  But remembering God by journeying with the life and work of Jesus through the Christian Year does not apply pressure to me; it unburdens me by re-orienting my sense of time, commitment, and responsibility back to where it ought to be: in Christ.
 
            I may not be rich.  Uncle Sam might squeeze more out of me than I like.  But I believe I am wealthy in a right, good, and important way.  I’ve been ordained to know and experience peace solely because of God’s love in Christ.  Tonight my head will rest with peace on my pillow, not because of a full bank account, but because I am united with Jesus in his death and resurrection.
            God of peace, you make level the path of your righteous people.  No matter what the circumstances might be, manifest your presence in me to such a degree that I will walk with Jesus with freedom and enjoyment through the enablement of your Spirit.  Amen.

Acts 2:42-47

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            “And all who believed were together and had all things in common.”  Peter had preached a powerful sermon to his fellow Jews with the result that thousands converted to Christ.  But it did not end there.  These new Christ followers experienced new life in Jesus.  The description of this newness is clearly corporate and communal; not only personal and private.
 
            It is more than a growing trend today for many individuals to forsake meeting corporately together as a church.  They do not desire the politics and pettiness of church life.  I get it.  Church is often messy and sometimes a poor representation of Christ.  However, just as with love, if we cut ourselves off from relationships in order to avoid hurt and a broken heart, we, at the very same time, sever any chance at the joy and necessity of giving and receiving love.
 
            The early believers in Jesus devoted themselves to life together – a life with Jesus as his Body, the Church.  Worship at the Temple together, and gathering together in homes were the spiritual environment in which they thrived.  We would do well to emulate their example of reciprocal Christian living.
            Gracious God, thank you for sending your Son who came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.  As I let others into my life, may our reciprocal relationships form us into your faithful followers through the organizing and energizing power of your Spirit.  Amen.

Mark 16:1-8

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
           “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”  So asked the three women on Resurrection Sunday when they came to anoint Jesus’ dead body.  But they did not find a dead body.  He was not there – he was risen!
 
            I sometimes find myself asking the same kind of question that the women were asking each other.  Who will move this huge object (or objection!) to church revitalization?  How can I get to Jesus so that I can do something for him?  Who will take care of the immovable obstacles that stand in my way?  These are questions born more of a small faith and a limited understanding of God than of knowing his great power.
 
            The women were not expecting a risen Lord.  They did not anticipate that their question would end up being completely irrelevant.  Maybe as believers and lovers of Jesus we are asking the wrong kind of questions.  Perhaps we are not grasping what God’s power has already accomplished and/or what God already has up his sleeve.  It could just be that all we really need to realize is that God is going before us, clearing all impediments so that people can see and experience the risen Christ.  Methinks our expectations are far too low for a God who has the power and will to raise people from death. 
 
            The way has been opened to a new and vital relationship with the Lord Christ because the stone is rolled away and Jesus is alive.  We can now encounter and explore a fresh reality with Jesus as the Author and Pioneer of our faith.  We need only listen and follow him and leave the moving of big rocks to God.
            Mighty God, I not only recognize your power but trust in it for my entire life’s work and activity.  Help me to trust you so fully that I can be an eyewitness to your mighty works among your people.  Amen.