Saturday, March 29 — Psalm 40:9-17, Exodus 34; Matthew 26:59-75

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S (Scripture): Exodus 34:8-9
Moses immediately threw himself to the ground and worshiped. And he said, “O Lord, if it is true that I have found favor with you, then please travel with us. Yes, this is a stubborn and rebellious people, but please forgive our iniquity and our sins. Claim us as your own special possession.”

O (Observation): God's leader Moses throws himself in an aspect of worship in response to God's presence.  The petition to travel with God's people is a need to have God's presence as a continual reminder that God will always be present, through thick and thin. Being claimed is a covenant promise that even as these are a rebellious people they are set aside to represent God on earth. Later revealed as a Baptismal promise through Christ.

A (Application):  Even though God promises to set aside God's people as a special treasure, there is that whole thing about being a rebellious and stubborn people.  The covenant promise is never relinquished by God because God continues to show God's covenant promise of who God is and who God has claimed us as God's people. This is a matter of identity and obedience.

I remember being a rebellious and stubborn person....well rather, that was yesterday.  I am willing to admit that I still am.  the thing about recognizing God's promise to be present has little to do with our ability to follow through with being a people set aside but more about throwing ourselves down and worshiping the God who loves us.  The Apostle Paul would go on to say "and when I think of all of this (God's unfailing love) I fall down on my knees and pray to the Father in Heaven" (Ephesians 3:!4).

Recently, I find myself falling down, on my knees in due respect to How God deals with me as a stubborn and rebellious person.  And we get a glimpse of that Grace offered in the season of Lent that God is much more persistent in showing us love than we are as a rebelling against God.

P (Prayer): Lord, bend my knees that I may humble myself in respect and fear of your love.

Friday, March 28 — Psalm 40:1-8, Exodus 32:30-33:23; Matthew 26:47-58

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A reflection on Psalm 40

Thursday March 27th - Psalm 39:7-13; Exodus 31:12-32:29; Matthew 26:36-46

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S (SCRIPTURE): Exodus 32 "the Golden Calf"

O (OBSERVATION): The people are tired of waiting for God to show up and deliver on God's promise so they begin to look for other gods (other things, other people) to lead them.

A (APPLICATION): Every fall since moving to WI, I have used a running joke concerning idol worship.  When the calendar changes to football season, people in WI divert much of their energy, time, and resources to the Green Bay Packers.  So, I ask the simple question...."what time is idol worship?"...i.e. the GB Packers game.  Luckily, enough people show some grace around it that I proud to still be here.  But there is some seriousness in my question.  Idols distract us and turn us away from God's leading.  They divert attention, time, resources, effort, and passion away from God to golden calves, football teams, TV drama's, overloaded sports schedules for children, surfing the internet, failblogs, and even blog posts.

I think the biggest difference by living in WI is that the people here admit it.  By asking the question...."What time is idol worship?"....is to tell the truth about what idols do...and if we recognize the distraction maybe we are not so prone to be distracted.

P (PRAYER): Lord, you are the center of our lives, continue to draw us near even and especially as we turn our attention and our lives away from you.

Wednesday, March 26 — Psalm 39:1-6, Exodus 30:17-31:11; Matthew 26:31-35

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THE FOLLOWING WAS GIVEN TO ME BY A FRIEND OF MINE....I THOUGHT IT FITTING ENOUGH TO POST.

S (Scripture): Matthew 26:31-35
Then Jesus said to them, "You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written,
'I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. '
32 But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee." 33 Peter said to him, "Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you." 34 Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." 35 Peter said to him, "Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you." And so said all the disciples.

O (Observation): Jesus predicts what is about to come, that his closest followers and friends will run away, rather than stay with him as the end comes. Still, he promises to go ahead of them to meet them.

A (Application): It's pretty amazing that Jesus doesn't offer a guilt trip or any recrimination to his disciples about what he knows is about to take place (and what does, in fact, happen). Just a statement of fact and a promise to go ahead and meet them. Great promise for all of us who want to, and honestly believe we will be able to, follow wholeheartedly, come what may. Of course we don't and can't, but Jesus never deserts nor denies us because of it.

Today, I'm also thinking of how we respond when we feel rejected or deserted or betrayed and how hard it is to remain self-differentiated, yet connected, as the family systems lingo goes. When someone, especially someone I consider a friend or supporter in ministry, falls away or outright does something to undercut me or those I love, my first response is to want to reject them, to cut them out of my life, or at least remain strongly on guard in all future interactions. Certainly there are times when that is the appropriate thing to do, but this gospel makes me stop and consider the reality that that reaction may well cut off the possibility of reconciliation and restored relationship - and see what happens when Jesus doesn't do that - how the disciples are transformed and change the world... In ministry, how do we do this and know when are the right times to do this? Not to be doormats, but not take it too personally either, and leave the channels of communication and relationship open? Hmm. I don't really have answers, just questions worth thinking about some more.
P: I'm so thankful, Jesus, that you remain open to us even when we desert and deny and reject you. I'm grateful that you don't give up on us, even when we give up on you. Help us to return to you, and help us to see ways to live this out in our own relationships, so that those relationships may become channels for reconciliation and transformation. Amen

Tuesday, March 25 — Psalm 38:17-22, Exodus 29:31-30:16; Matthew 26:14-30

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S (SCRIPTURE) Psalm 38:17 & 22
I am on the verge of collapse,
    facing constant pain.
 Come quickly to help me,
    O Lord my savior.

O (OBSERVATION):The psalmist recognizes their human condition and the toll the enemy is having on them. Asking the lord to come quickly is a need to feel God's presence.

A (APPLICATION): The words of the Psalmist again cry out truth to our human condition. It is the best of both worlds, recognizing our human frailty and heavenly promise.  God is not far but present in all things.  Not sure I have ever felt constant pain but certainly have been on the verge of collapse recently.  Loss of sleep and irregular heartbeats stemming from an anxiety producing event has made more even more aware of the promise and ask placed on God.  Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.  Only God's presence remedies this anxiety. Finding ways to come and draw into God's presence in times of collapse and constant pain are harder realities.

P (PRAYER): Lord for all who are in touch too deeply with constant pain and on the verge of collapse, show your presence and come to us quickly.

Monday, March 24 — Psalm 38:9-16, Exodus 29:1-30; Matthew 26:1-13

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S (SCRIPTURE): Psalm 38:12-15
Meanwhile, my enemies lay traps to kill me.
    Those who wish me harm make plans to ruin me.
    All day long they plan their treachery. But I am deaf to all their threats.
    I am silent before them as one who cannot speak.
 I choose to hear nothing,
    and I make no reply.
For I am waiting for you, O Lord.
    You must answer for me, O Lord my God.

O (OBSERVATION): The psalmist directs all of their concerns and desires to the Lord.

A (APPLICATION):  After being on the wrong side of someone breaking the 8th commandment (do not bear false witness), these words are comforting and encouraging.  My first reaction is to lash out in anger and confront those who are speaking ill of me.  That is the human response....and sinful one.  But acting in the discipline of handing all these things over to the Lord, so that the Lord will speak is a much harder task.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer offered the ministry of holding one's tongue as essential in living a life together as a community.  This particular incident and people will not be the last time I experience this as a pastor or as a person in Christ.  Knowing that the Lord will speak into the hearts and minds of this situation and all involved is an act of grace.

P (PRAYER): Lord, provide your grace for your people and speak words of truth and love.

Saturday, March 22 — Psalm 38:1-8, Exodus 28:15-43; Matthew 25:31-46

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S (SCRIPTURE): Matthew 25:40
And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!

O (OBSERVATION): Jesus' solidarity with humanity is marked by the least of these.  Again we see Jesus' power made perfect in weakness.

A (APPLICATION): I have a friend of mine who validates the authority of Scripture and the words of Jesus by saying "I think Jesus meant it when he said....."

I love this simple use of authority.  Otherwise it is too simple a thing to dismiss the things in scripture and words out of Jesus' own mouth that we do not like.  The recent defamation and depiction of people in need, from food stamps, to health care, to type casting as lazy, to however else the sinfulness of our own thoughts have been cast on others, Jesus denounces in this one verse.  Do we really want to say that Jesus meant what he said when he said "And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!"

If so then we have much to be judged upon. And that is the law part of this scripture. The gospel though encourages us to see the face of Jesus in all people.  Or as Luther encouraged his people, we are to be 'little christs' to one another.  That would certainly change the public tone when it comes to our responsibility of visiting the prisoners, feeding the hungry, healing the sick.

That is, of course, if we think Jesus meant it when he said.....‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!

P (PRAYER): Lord, help us to see you in all people, recognizing your solidarity with us.

Friday, March 21 — Psalm 37:34-40, Exodus 27:1-28:14; Matthew 25:14-30

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S (SCRIPTURE): Matthew 25:14-30

O (OBSERVATION): Being a steward, means taking care of things that belong to other people.  Jesus relates the kingdom of God to a master who went on a long journey, entrusting to them his affairs. Jesus is helping draw out the waiting that will occur for the kingdom to come into completion, when he returns.

A (APPLICATION): In my household, there is a great dislike of wasting things (food, time, energy,....sleep).  It is our attempt to take care of these things that have been given to us.  These things, after all, are not ours to begin with.  The dichotomy between the joy the master bestows upon the servants who do 'something' with the talents he provides them and the punishment given upon the one servant who buried the talent makes for an interesting application to the gifts Jesus bestows upon us.  Jesus is talking about the use of the gifts in bringing about God's kingdom before it comes to completion in his return.  In other words, Jesus dislikes wasting things too.  Including having us waste the life, the time, the energy, the passion, the gifts, the talents, the treasures, the food and the sleep that is given to us.

Connecting with the ten maidens before this reading, our willingness to offer ourselves, our time and our possessions for the use in God's kingdom is what is desired.  So that we may receive God's blessing in offering them: 'well done, good and faithful servant.'  There is no sitting in on the sidelines.  God wants to us to participate fully in the life and kingdom God is bringing.

P (PRAYER): Lord, let me not waste my gifts.  Rather, equip and encourage me to use them for your kingdom

Thursday, March 20 — Psalm 37:27-33, Exodus 26; Matthew 25:1-13

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S (SCRIPTURE): Matthew 25:6 & 13
“At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’
13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.

O (OBSERVATION): Jesus calls us to be ready! We are to prepare our lives in such a way that when Jesus comes back, we are ready to meet him.

A (APPLICATION): "Jesus is coming, look busy." Theologically incorrect bumper stickers always get me.  Jesus does not ask us to look busy, he asks us to 'keep watch' and 'be prepared.'  It also gets me when the predictors call themselves prophets, somehow confusing the two.  I was in NYC when the one guy claimed the end of the world would come on May 21st.  I greeted his followers in the subway station and read them this passage.  EVEN JESUS DOESN'T KNOW....are you suggesting your leader is BETTER than Jesus?  Not that I liked confrontation but I did like insisting on the authority of scripture and Jesus.

Lent is a good time for reflection on your own preparedness.  That was the one gift of all the predictors, including the Mayans, they get us talking about our lives in preparation for when Jesus does return.  In preparation for Jesus to take up his cross, we get a plain view of our own.  That is discipleship after all.  In preparation, we are not called to look busy, but when Jesus does come back, we will come out and meet him....a glorious event if there ever will be!

P (PRAYER): Come Lord Jesus!

Wednesday, March 19 — Psalm 37:23-26, Exodus 25:10-40; Matthew 24:45-51

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S (Scripture): Exodus 25:40
Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.

O (Observation): God gives specific directions for the plans God is giving the people.

A (Application):  There was a time in my life when it could be said on my report card; "Does not follow directions well."  As a matter of fact, some people might even call that a specific chapter. It is interesting that we plow through the segments of scripture about all the details of this kind of stuff and there are even more regarding the building of the temple, and 618 commandments about what to do and what not to do.  It all seems so tedious.  Yet this verse draws us into the mind of God recognizing that the details are important.  Harkening back to the words of Jesus: "how can you know about heavenly things when you cannot understand earthly things."

In the early life of God's relationship with God's people, it must have been important to give directions to a wandering people.  What a gift in the season of lent to reflect on our own wandering and maybe even more specific, how God speaks specific instruction to things we might think otherwise about.  Clearly, there had to be at least a few wood workers among the traveling band of rebels to offer their own insights into how the ark, the altar, and the lampstands SHOULD BE....but God provided the directions for what God desired not for what we desired of God.  It is a hard lesson during this time of discipline, direction and wandering....the lesson God is trying to teach the Israelites and us is that none of this is about you.  Providing simple directions and seeing whether we follow them or not is about entrusting the people with more of God's desires.  And think about it this way, maybe it is a lot better for us to hear and see exactly what God's plans are for the ark, the altar and the lampstands so that God might reveal to us the plans that God has for our lives. This journey IS about following after all.

P (Prayer):  Lord, we thank you for your instructions in the big picture and the small details.  Encourage us to hear and see the directions you provide in our lives everyday.