Category: Year C

2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            One of the first visits I had in my current place of ministry was an elderly woman toward the end of her life.  She had lived a full and blessed existence.  But her body was tired and at its end.  She knew what it meant to have her outer-self waste away.  But she also knew the experience of her inner-self being renewed day-by-day.  As she struggled to even speak to me, I came close to her in order to listen well:  “I am ready to go home to my Lord,” she said, “but I will wait my turn.”
 
            Things we can see are temporary; things which are unseen are eternal.  One simply cannot put a price on the value of the soul.  In this life we groan with all the sufferings that go with living in a fallen world.  But God is preparing for us a dwelling that makes our existence now look like a rustic camping trip.  When we have our minds set on the eternal it gives us the endurance we need to wait our turn until God calls us to our permanent home.
 
            Seen from this perspective, it is truly foolish to put all our eggs in the earthly basket.  If there is really a home beyond the grave, then it only makes spiritual sense to spend our time here on earth getting ready for eternity.  Knowing that we have a heavenly dwelling awaiting us ought to cause us to lay aside our personal pettiness about every little thing, our snide snotty-ness toward others, and our indifference toward lost people who need to hear that there is deliverance from sin, death, and hell through the cross of Christ.  Are you ready to go home?
 

 

            Eternal God, you have seen countless people come and go on this old earth.  I am only one of billions, yet you are preparing a place for me.  Thank you for the gift of life through Jesus Christ my Lord, in whose name I am bold to pray.  Amen.

Luke 13:18-21

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            Seeds are small.  They seem quite unimpressive.  But we know better.  When planted, watered, and cultivated, those seeds turn into amazing plants.  Yet, it takes time.  The kingdom of God, Jesus told us, is like a mustard seed – a very small seed which can grow into a tree big enough for birds to nest.  Unlike the mighty Roman Empire, or our powerful national governments, the kingdom of God had humble beginnings and grows over time to become a force greater than anything the world can produce.
 
            While our world races on with the speed of the hare, Jesus is carefully and patiently building his church at the pace of a tortoise.  Yet, in the end, the kingdom of God will rule over all creation while the kingdoms of this world shall be no more.  Even though we live in a society where the quick, fast, and strong dominate, still the best things in life come as a result of tedious perseverance over a long period of time.  We as people are in such a hurry to accomplish our goals, make as much money as we can, and keep constant vigilance over our work, for what purpose?
 
            An old 20th century German theologian, Helmut Thielicke, reflected on the parables of Jesus and said:  “What an unspeakable comfort it is to know that in the midst of man’s mischief, in the midst of his scheming and bad speculations, his shaping and misshaping, his activism and his failures, there is still another stream of events flowing silently on, that God is letting his seeds grow and achieving his ends.”  Quiet, humble submission to King Jesus is at the heart of the kingdom.  God is working-out his purposes in and through us with all the care of the farmer expecting to eventually reap a harvest.
 

 

            Lord God, everlasting Father, you have brought me to this point in time.  Preserve me according to your unassuming power so that I might not be seduced by worldly might, nor be overcome by the rantings of politicians, but in all things daily direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose, through Jesus Christ, my Lord.  Amen.

Psalm 39

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            God is a pretty big God.  He is big enough to hear whatever is on our hearts.  It really does no one any good to have pretense with God.  The psalmist initially thought he had to hold back in speaking with God:  “I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse.  My heart became hot within me.  As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue….” The psalmist goes on to speak openly and honestly to God about what was really on his heart and mind.
 
            Sometimes we might get the mistaken notion that we need to be guarded with God – that somehow we should treat him like we do with other people – coy, hesitant, keeping a respectable distance in conversation.  Maybe that ought to happen sometimes with other people, but it is silly to approach God in such a manner.  With God, we ought to be brutally honest about how we are really doing and how we are actually feeling.  God is not going to move mountains for us if we aren’t willing to admit there is one right in front of our faces.
 
            I’m quite sure that God has literally heard it all from people in the long millennia of human existence.  He isn’t going to be surprised by any of our thoughts and words.  So, why hide them?  It may be a radical thought to say that we can say anything to God and express our deepest emotions to him, but it is nonetheless true.  God wants to help us move along in this pilgrimage of faith we are on, but he will only do so if we are up front with him about our current location.
 

 

            God of the Ages, you are above all and know all things.  Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears!   I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my forefathers.  Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more!  My hope is in you; without your abiding presence I am nothing.  Come, Lord Jesus, come.  Amen.

Luke 6:43-45

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            Jesus worked the crowds of people who followed him by letting them know what true religion is:  “For no good tree is known by its own fruit.  For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.  The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
 
            The greatest test of a person’s inward heart is their outward speech.  Our words betray what is truly in our hearts.  Superficial and surface conversations evidence a shallow relationship with Jesus.  Slander, gossip, and backbiting reflect a heart that is angry, bitter, and bigoted.  Conversely, a stream of encouraging and helpful words flow out of a heart close to Jesus.  Saying what people need to hear, rather than blurting-out what I want to say, comes from a heart which has been carefully tilled and cultivated in the soil of the gospel of God’s grace in Christ.
 
            Thus, just trying to change our speech itself will not do.  Instead, we must examine the heart and urgently attend to its state.  A loose tongue can only change by altering how we deal with the heart.  So, it is vital and necessary to regularly fill our inner selves with the truth and grace of God’s Holy Word; to praise and worship Jesus from a heart of devotion; to allow God to judge another’s heart; and, to monitor our heart’s condition.  For the spiritual fruit of loving words can only come from a heart rooted in Christ’s love.
 

 

            Heavenly Father, the words of your Son Jesus always came from a heart firmly established in relationship with you.  As I spend time with you may your Holy Spirit transform my heart to be more like Christ so that you are glorified and others are encouraged.  Amen.