Category: Year C

1 Corinthians 3:10-17

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment


             God is holy.  His character and basic nature is sinless, pure, beautiful, and completely separated from all that is evil.  However, there is a problem; but it is not with God.  Ever since humanity fell into sin, people cannot be near or approach a perfect Being.  Just as we would go blind by looking directly at the sun – or be totally disintegrated by getting too close to it – so humans cannot be with such a holy God.
             In the Old Testament, God graciously devised a system whereby people could approach him.  A temple was built.  It had very detailed and strict prescriptions about how it was to be built.  There needed to be curtains, walls, and borders everywhere in order to protect and shield the people from being destroyed by the sheer holiness of God.
             Entering the New Testament, Jesus is the exact representation of God’s holy being and presence.  In Christ, God became intimately close to his people.  Through Jesus we are delivered from the problem of being far away from God.  If that were not enough, God sent his Holy Spirit to be the continuing presence of Jesus on this earth.  The Apostle Paul tells us that, as the church, we are a holy temple which is graciously, patiently, and with great care being built into a spiritual house that can be the place where God meets with humanity.
             Wow!  Please do not miss the sheer grace of all this work on God’s part.  He has gone out of his way to be with us.  He has bended and pointed history for his purposes in order to make it possible to be with us.  Like a lover separated from his beloved, God has pulled out all the stops to make us holy so that we can abide with him in his holiness.  Praise to the God of heaven!
             Loving God, you have gone to the greatest lengths possible in order to be with humanity.  You have not destroyed us, but graciously sent your Son so that we can be with you forever.  Forgive me of all the times I have jilted you.  Instead, continue your work of making me holy so that I can be like you in all your wonderful holiness through the power of the Spirit.  Amen.

Psalm 148

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment


             The Church Calendar tells us that we are in the fourth day of the twelve days of Christmas.  The time between Christmas Day and Epiphany each year is twelve days.  Whereas during Advent the church anticipates the coming of Christ, the season of Christmas is a grand celebration of the Christ Child.  While those who keep secular time are experiencing a worldly hangover of fickle disappointment with presents and a gnawing in the gut that a single day of celebration is over, the church lingers in her joy over God’s grace in Christ.
             Praise is the currency of the divine economy.  Believers in Jesus deal in it just as a broker immerses himself in the stock market.  But it isn’t only Christians who celebrate; all of creation praises the God of heaven who has wonderfully given us Jesus.  All of creation is summoned to praise the Lord.  Yet, not everything has breath in it to do so.  Therefore God has raised his people to speak on behalf of the creation to do the job of praise.
             Here is an exercise to try the next time you take the dog for a walk or are spending time outdoors:  look at the trees, the rocks, and the elements of creation around you and imagine what they would say to God in praise if they had the breath to do it.  Speak for the creation.  Give it a voice.  Then, later imagine what you can say to God on behalf of people who do not or cannot praise him; be their voice.  Picturing all creation and every creature praising God can give a new and fresh form to how we relate to God, others in need of Jesus, and creation which needs proper care.
             Mighty God, I give you thanks for the gift of your Son, the Lord Jesus.  I, along with all creation, praise your glorious name for extending the grace of salvation to us in Christ.  May I open the gift given me every day throughout the year so that praise continually arises from my soul to the glory of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Luke 2:1-20

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            There are a several holiday classics that my family and I enjoy watching every year at Christmas.  My clear favorite is Charlie Brown’s Christmas.  Since I am something of a cartoon connoisseur it would surprise no one that I would pick Charlie Brown.  But the real reason I watch this one over and over again is the story of Charlie Brown’s search for the meaning of Christmas.  He talks to people, looks to acquire a tree, directs a Christmas play, and tries to find in things, activities, and people the end to his search.  Just when he throws up his hands and believes he will never find its true meaning, Linus humbly and unassumingly declares that he can tell Charlie Brown what Christmas is all about.  And he proceeds to quote the birth narrative of Jesus from this account of Luke.

 
            Worshiping the Christ Child exposes the folly of searching for meaning in certain activities, other people, and the acquisition of stuff.  When approaching the manger we find that our quest for purpose and our place in this world becomes satisfied in God becoming a baby.  Doubt begins to melt into faith; despair starts to give way to unbounded joy; and, solidarity with the angels erupts in joining the heavenly chorus: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
 
            Indeed, we have found the pleasure of God through our pilgrimage to Bethlehem.  Too many people will be disappointed this season because family has let them down, their Christmas presents only satisfy for a moment, and all the food preparation and its consumption was so temporary.  But the true meaning of Christmas, with its lasting effects of peace and joy not only last for a season – they remain through the year and lead to eternal life.  Praise the name of Jesus.  Thank you, Lord.
 

 

            Gracious God, you have sent your Son into the world to redeem all the earth.  I not only focus on Jesus today, but choose to remember him all the year through.  May the true meaning of Christmas be renewed in my life today so that I might join the angelic chorus of adoration to you, and know Jesus.  Amen.

Psalm 80:1-7

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            Military defeat had come to the Israelites and they were in grief.  This psalm of lament is a prayer longing for God to come and restore Israel, to no longer look upon them with anger.  The people realized through their vulnerability that they needed God.  It is the Lord who would bring a revitalized nation.  “Stir up your power, and come to save us.  O God, restore us; light up your face and we shall be saved.”
             In an age when we have instant access to information occurring all over the world, it can be overwhelming.  Wars, famine, terrorism, displaced people, refugees fleeing and just trying to survive, women and children in danger, and governments only concerned with holding onto control – all these things (not to mention our personal challenges and adversity) lead us to cry out along with the ancient Israelites:  “Stir up your power, and come to save us.”
             Often in the midst of awful circumstances and emotional pain it is hard to focus with concentrated prayer.  This is where simple short prayers, breath prayers, can help.  Throughout the day we can utter “stir up your power, O God; come to save us.”  The intention of saying it over and over is not to get God’s attention; we already have it.  No, the purpose is to connect with the God who can truly deliver.  It is to be in constant touch with the One who can ultimately restore, renew, revitalize, and reform the world with justice and righteousness.  It is to be longing for the flourishing of the earth and its inhabitants again, and to enjoy walking with God in the garden of fellowship, peace, and goodwill.  Even so, come Lord Jesus.
             Mighty God, as I anticipate the coming of your Son, may your power be active so that there will a restoration of peace, security, and prosperity for all.  To the glory of Jesus, I pray.  Amen.