Daily Lesson for November 10, 2020

 Today's Daily Lesson comes from John chapter 18 verses 38 through 40:

After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no case against him. 39 But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 40 They shouted in reply, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a bandit.

The people had a choice. They could choose to save the life of Jesus of Nazareth or Barabbas, a notorious "bandit" -- a term we think of as a robber, but is one also linked with crimes of political chaos. Perhaps good analogies for Barabbas from American history might be Jesse James and Frank James, bank and train robbers whose exploits were types of guerrilla tactics during the Civil War and after the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. Just like the James Gang, Barabbas' gang was a part of the "rebellion" -- a word used to describe the Confederacy and also used explicitly when another book of the Bible talks about what happened with Barabbas.

The Jews present (Remember, importantly, it wasn't all the Jews. Jesus taught quite openly and was protected by huge crowds. But when he was found alone, his captors ushered in another crowd) yelled and screamed for Jesus' life. So Barabbas the bandit was spared and Jesus died, all because the people present wanted rebellion.

There is more, "Barabbas" means literally "son of the father". So it was, that so many there wanted one "son of the father", ruthless and violent and full of anger over another "Son of the Father", kind and peaceful and full of grace and truth.

And so it was, that this latter Son gave his life for the former, and for the crowd called for his crucifixion.

"And he never said a mumblin' word."

NOTE: We are reading the whole Bible through this year. Tomorrow's Lesson comes from Matthew 28 and Mark 16.

Daily Lesson for November 9, 2020

 Today’s Daily Lesson comes from John chapter 13 verses 31 through 35.

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

“With malice toward none; with charity for all . . .” 

These are some of the immortal words from President Lincoln’s Second Inaugural, words which echo down to us as his last will and testament. For John Wilkes Booth was in the crowd that day, seething; and just a little over a month later Lincoln would be assassinated.

These words from Jesus in today’s Lesson were among his last words also. In fact, they were from the last night of his life. 

“Where I am going you cannot come . . .

“I give you a new commandment . . .

“Love one another.”

Now is the time for love. It is the time for healing. It is the time for peace. 

It is a time for malice toward none; and charity for all. 

We have to press on. Our work is not ended. We cannot go there to our place of rest now. But we must continue to fight the good fight for goodness sake. And, we must fight it with the weapons of goodness.

Every Sunday I conclude my portion of the service with these benedictory words:

“Depart now, kindred, with the Spirit of God in Christ in you. For the world needs you light, and your hope, and your deep, deep courage. So go; be brave; be strong; be kind; and be love.  Always be love.”

Let us love now friend and foe alike so deeply that we become like God who is love, always and forever, and for everyone.

Amen. 

NOTE: We are reading the Bible through this year. Tomorrow’s Lessons comes from Luke 23 and John 18-19.

Daily Lesson for November 6, 2020

 Today's Daily Lesson comes from Mark chapter 14 verses 53 through 64:

Today's Daily Lesson comes from Mark chapter 14 verses 53 through 64:

53 They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. 54 Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. 56 For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. 57 Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 But even on this point their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” 61 But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 Jesus said, “I am; and

‘you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power,’ and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven.’”

63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses? 64 You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?” All of them condemned him as deserving death.

For too long it was the mistake among Christians that it was the Jewish people who killed Jesus. But look at the evidence and you see what happened to him had to be done under the cover of darkness for there not to have been an all-out revolt to save him. Day after day in that last week of his life Jesus was teaching and prophesying openly, the masses of people protecting him from the powers at be in Jerusalem. And it was the powers -- a noxious combination of Roman command-and-control and Jewish politico-religious alliance that conspired to kill him. But the people, they were all in their homes when Jesus was arrested, and still asleep by the time he was sentenced to death. By 9am in the morning he was already on the cross, with the last words heard from the high priest asking why there was any need to call any witnesses.

This is a warning to the faithful to stay vigilant, to pay attention to what is happening under the cloak of night, and to know just how imperative it is to demand witnesses with actual evidence, before we allow a miscarriage of justice to take place.

Democracy is on trial. But it is the will of the people to protect and stand up for it. It is the will of the people that things not be done in darkness and without sufficient reason.

So let us remain awake and alert; for the night is long, but truth is revealed in the daylight.

NOTE: We are reading the whole Bible through this year. Over the weekend we will read Luke chapter 22; John chapters 13 through 17, and Matthew 27 and Mark 15.

Daily Lesson for November 5, 2020

Today's Daily Lesson comes from Matthew chapter 25 verses 1 through 13:

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11 Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13 Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

A couple of months back I looked ahead in the lectionary to see what the texts would be following the election and saw that this is the Scripture for this coming Sunday. So, I knew we would be in a season of waiting this week. But then again, we all knew this anyways. And no matter what happens between now and Sunday, we are all going to be in for some waiting -- even intense waiting -- in the weeks and months to come.

The Lesson this morning reminds us that we need to make preparation for the long haul here. We need to prepare ourselves mentally and spiritually for a time of uncertainty and unknown, disappointment, darkness, and also surprise.

The Lesson also tells us its ok to go ahead and get some good or at least decent nights of sleep. For everyone is going to need it. And there is no harm to us in it, because we can't do much about to change the world by staying up worrying about the state of things.

My grandfather used to say, "You can go just as far on a full tank of gas as you can on a half." It was his dry-witted, West Texas way of saying, "You should go ahead and get gas before you run out."

Fill up your tank friends. Keep your lamps trimmed and burning. And hold onto your hope. We may have some long nights ahead, but surely the bridegroom shall come . . .

NOTE: We are reading the whole Bible through this year. Tomorrow's Lesson comes from Matthew 26 and Mark 14.

Daily Lesson for November 4, 2020

 Today's Daily Lesson comes from Matthew chapter 24 verses 1 through 14:

As Jesus came out of the temple and was going away, his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 Then he asked them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”

3 When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: 8 all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.

9 “Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. 10 Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.

Today's Lesson is Jesus' most prophetic denunciation of Jerusalem, its leaders, and foreboding of its grim and violent future.

We read these words on a morning like this, when there is such an obvious division in country, and the specter of violence and lawlessness threatens our own nation, and it is tempting to be overwhelmed with fear.

But that is not the point of the what Jesus was saying. He did not speak to terrify them with fear of what was to come. He spoke to remind them that when -- not if -- it came, they were not to be surprised, or to lose heart, or despair of life.

The force of the sermon is in these words:

"And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved."

This is a jeremiad, for sure -- a prophetic warning. But it's purpose is not destruction -- a true jeremiad never is. It's purpose is salvation. For Jesus wishes his hearers to know bad things will happen, but they are not to lose themselves to fear, or anger, or utter despair. They are to remain faithful. They are to remain true to the things He has taught them. They are to hold onto love -- love of the world and even love of the enemy. And in doing so, they will save their own souls.

There is an old Frederick Buechner quote I am thinking of this morning: "Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid."

Friends, here is the world we are living in this morning. Beautiful and terrible things have happened, and will continue to happen. Do not be afraid. Do not despair of life. And do not give up on love.

"For the one who endures to the end shall be saved;" and perhaps we'll save a few others along with us.

And maybe even many . . .

NOTE: We are reading the whole Bible through this year. Tomorrow's Lesson will come from Matthew chapter 25.

Daily Lesson for November 3, 2020

Today's Daily Lesson comes from Mark chapter 13 verses 32 through 37:

32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

There is a saying, "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."

Today Jesus warns his followers to be awake, aware, alert, and vigilant, for their liberty was at stake. In some other ancient manuscripts of this text Jesus tells his disciples also to pray.

So here is my prayer list on this Election Day, 2020:

For fair and duly certified election processes for all states and citizens everywhere.

For the preservation of our democratic government and its related institutions -- including the executive, judicial, and congressional bodies and all related bodies formed for the purposes of justice, protection, conservation, and defense.

For those charged with upholding the rights and liberties of the people at every level of civil government.

For all citizens and residents -- and especially for the poor, the frail, the undocumented, the racially targeted, the immuno-compromised, and those within the LGBTQ community.

For protection against evil of every kind and enemies, both foreign and domestic.

For peace, civility, and the recognition of the rights and dignity of all peoples.

Let us be awake, aware, alert, and vigilant on this day and all the days to come. And let us also be prayerful. For eternal vigilance is the price of our liberty, and eternal prayer a mighty powerful force for the protection of our own souls and the soul of this nation.

NOTE: We are reading the whole Bible through this year. Tomorrow's Lesson comes from Matthew chapter 24.

Daily Lesson for November 2, 2020

 Today's Daily Lesson comes from Matthew chapter 23 verses 37 through 39:

37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 38 See, your house is left to you, desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

This morning's readings are full of hard sayings by Jesus against the leaders and city of Jerusalem. He prophesies destruction. He speaks of the murder of the prophets. He refuses to be silent when his right to speak is called into question. This is not the "little Jesus meek and mild". And I can only imagine what the money changers in the Temple must have made of him.

This Scripture from the end of chapter 23 in Matthew is a poignant one. After a full day -- three full years; 33 years! -- of conflict with the powers that be, the warning of the peoples, organizing, and preaching, and hiding, indirect and direct action, and visions, and nightmares about the future, Jesus speaks tenderly of his beloved Jerusalem. He cries. "Jerusalem, Jerusalem," the words echo like those of David in the loss of his son, "Absalom, Absalom." This is more than a diatribe. It is prophetic lament. It is the pain of seeing his nation and its leaders fail him and his people again and again.

At Congressman John Lewis's funeral President Obama eulogized him by saying, "He loved America until America learned to love him back."

What we see with Jesus is the anguish of a son who has not yet been loved by his nation. It is the anguish of a mother who warns and wants to protect her child, but her child will not listen. And by mother's intuition, she knows tragedy is ahead.

Tragedy is never inevitable. Even at this late, 11th hour there is still a choice. Closed ears can still hear the prophets' warning, hard hearts can still be softened by the tender love and even anguish of God.

How God desires to gather her children as a hen gathers here brood under her wings. How God desires that we should live in peace, and harmony, and safety there. How God desires us to live in "shalom" and to be "Jerusalem", the "city of shalom".

How God desires this. For the arms are wide open. And so is the heart. But it's our choice to make. Peace is our choice.

And we must decide.

NOTE: We are reading the whole Bible through this year. Tomorrow we will read Mark chapter 13.