John 1:6 There was a man sent from God whose name was Yochanan. 7 He came to be a testimony, to bear witness concerning the light; so that through him, everyone might put his trust in God and be faithful to him. 8 He himself was not that light; no, he came to bear witness concerning the light., 19 Here is Yochanan’s testimony: when the Judeans sent cohanim and L’vi’im from Yerushalayim to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 he was very straightforward and stated clearly, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 “Then who are you?” they asked him. “Are you Eliyahu?” “No, I am not,” he said. “Are you ‘the prophet,’ the one we’re expecting?” “No,” he replied. 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? — so that we can give an answer to the people who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?” 23 He answered in the words of Yesha‘yahu the prophet, “I am
The voice of someone crying out:
‘In the desert make the way of Adonai straight!’”[John 1:23 Isaiah 40:3]
24 Some of those who had been sent were P’rushim. 25 They asked him, “If you are neither the Messiah nor Eliyahu nor ‘the prophet,’ then why are you immersing people?” 26 To them Yochanan replied, “I am immersing people in water, but among you is standing someone whom you don’t know. 27 He is the one coming after me — I’m not good enough even to untie his sandal!” 28 All this took place in Beit-Anyah, east of the Yarden, where Yochanan was immersing.
---
Throughout this week we have been praying with readings that invite us into the way of radical compassion. John's message reminds us that we are baptized into that way, drawn through the waters of life into a deep love which is to be shared with all. People around us--and our own inner doubts--may cause us to question this path, may urge us to cling to human leaders and human strategies. But the way of Jesus is at once so far above, beneath, beyond and ultimately within us that we must rely on God, and God alone. We are not worthy even to untie the sandals of the One who comes to us first as a fragile infant. Yet, God finds us there in our vulnerability and fragility, in our despair and our suffering and draws us into the Light.
Loving God, in the darkness of these days of Advent, in our waiting and our wandering, help us to recognize you in the midst of our wilderness journeys. Bear with us as we wander our crooked paths, and shine your light into our world, drawing us to you in hope, in mercy, in love. Amen.
Mary E. Hess
Professor of Educational Leadership at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.
8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light...
19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"
20 He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah."
21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No."
22 Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"
23 He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, "Make straight the way of the Lord,' " as the prophet Isaiah said.
24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.
25 They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?"
26 John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know,
27 the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal."
28 This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.(The Revised Standard Version)
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The God Pause Daily Devotion of The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108 United States for Thursday, 14 December 2017 - John 1:6-8, 19-28
John 1:6 There was a man sent from God whose name was Yochanan. 7 He came to be a testimony, to bear witness concerning the light; so that through him, everyone might put his trust in God and be faithful to him. 8 He himself was not that light; no, he came to bear witness concerning the light., 19 Here is Yochanan’s testimony: when the Judeans sent cohanim and L’vi’im from Yerushalayim to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 he was very straightforward and stated clearly, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 “Then who are you?” they asked him. “Are you Eliyahu?” “No, I am not,” he said. “Are you ‘the prophet,’ the one we’re expecting?” “No,” he replied. 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? — so that we can give an answer to the people who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?” 23 He answered in the words of Yesha‘yahu the prophet, “I am
The voice of someone crying out:
‘In the desert make the way of Adonai straight!’”[John 1:23 Isaiah 40:3]
24 Some of those who had been sent were P’rushim. 25 They asked him, “If you are neither the Messiah nor Eliyahu nor ‘the prophet,’ then why are you immersing people?” 26 To them Yochanan replied, “I am immersing people in water, but among you is standing someone whom you don’t know. 27 He is the one coming after me — I’m not good enough even to untie his sandal!” 28 All this took place in Beit-Anyah, east of the Yarden, where Yochanan was immersing.(Complete Jewish Bible)
---
Those of us who live in community--particularly those of us who lead Christian communities--can all too easily fall into the trap of thinking it is up to us to be the heroic individual who rescues a community from whatever has befallen it. Today's reading reminds us vividly that just as John was not the Messiah, so too we are not. We can be, however, a voice crying out in the wilderness. We can be a voice for those who are suffering, a voice who cries out that there is a way to deep compassion and a voice who testifies to the illuminating path of radical love.
Spirit of God, rest upon us with the power that draws us through our arrogance and self-deception into the light of your love and the deep compassion of your mercy. Empower us to live into the questions that draw us ever more closely into your community, rather than seeking the answers that drive us apart. Amen.
Mary E. Hess
Professor of Educational Leadership at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.
8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light...
19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"
20 He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah."
21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No."
22 Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"
23 He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, "Make straight the way of the Lord,' " as the prophet Isaiah said.
24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.
25 They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?"
26 John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know,
27 the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal."
28 This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing. (The Revised Standard Version)
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The God Pause Daily Devotion of The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108 United States for Wednesday, 13 December 2017 - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Always be joyful. 17 Pray regularly. 18 In everything give thanks, for this is what God wants from you who are united with the Messiah Yeshua.
19 Don’t quench the Spirit, 20 don’t despise inspired messages. 21 But do test everything — hold onto what is good, 22 but keep away from every form of evil.
23 May the God of shalom make you completely holy — may your entire spirit, soul and body be kept blameless for the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. 24 The one calling you is faithful, and he will do it.(Complete Jewish Bible)
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Today's reading urges us to pray without ceasing and to always give thanks. Some days it is very hard to remember that we are called to "suffer with," to live in compassion. What can it mean to pray without ceasing in the midst of so much pain, despair and injustice? Those who labor to give birth know something of how much physical pain is involved in bringing a new child into the world. Perhaps our prayer for compassion, for "suffering with" in the midst of all the pain around us, can be a prayer for being opened to allow God's love to flow more freely into the world. In this time of Advent, as we remember again the waiting, the anticipation of the birth of our Messiah, we are invited to listen closely to prophetic speech.
Laboring God, help us to hear your voice in the prophetic speech around us. Draw us ever more closely into the peace to which you invite us, and help us to breathe through our own anguish as we seek to embody compassion in the world. Amen.
Mary E. Hess
Professor of Educational Leadership at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Do not despise the words of prophets,
21 but test everything; hold fast to what is good;
22 abstain from every form of evil.
23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.(The Revised Standard Version)
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The God Pause Daily Devotion of The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108 United States for Tuesday, 12 December 2017 - Psalm 126 or Luke 1:46b-55
Psalm 126:1 (0) A song of ascents:
(1) When Adonai restored Tziyon’s fortunes,
we thought we were dreaming.
2 Our mouths were full of laughter,
and our tongues shouted for joy.
Among the nations it was said,
“Adonai has done great things for them!”
3 Adonai did do great things with us;
and we are overjoyed.
4 Return our people from exile, Adonai,
as streams fill vadis in the Negev.
5 Those who sow in tears
will reap with cries of joy.
6 He who goes out weeping
as he carries his sack of seed
will come home with cries of joy
as he carries his sheaves of grain.or Luke 1:46 Then Miryam said,
“My soul magnifies Adonai;
47 and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior,
48 who has taken notice of his servant-girl
in her humble position.[Luke 1:48 1 Samuel 1:11; 2:1]
For — imagine it! — from now on, all generations will call me blessed!
49 “The Mighty One has done great things for me!
Indeed, his name is holy; 50 and in every generation
he has mercy on those who fear him.[Luke 1:50 Psalms 103:17; 111:9]
51 “He has performed mighty deeds with his arm,
routed the secretly proud,
52 brought down rulers from their thrones,
raised up the humble,
53 filled the hungry with good things,
but sent the rich away empty.
54 “He has taken the part of his servant Isra’el,
mindful of the mercy
55 which he promised to our fathers,
to Avraham and his seed forever.”(Complete Jewish Bible)
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Today is the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a holiday celebrated throughout the world, and particularly in communities with active memories of and connections to indigenous communities. Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego in the 1500s on a mountain in what is now Mexico, bearing the clothing and symbols of indigenous people living in poverty. The miracles associated with her visitation have offered emancipatory hope and resilience to countless communities suffering deep injustice.
Here in Luke we have Mary's song as she greets Elizabeth, a song which echoes the song of Hannah in 1 Samuel. Both songs are clear reminders that God stands with those who suffer, and that suffering cannot endure in the face of God's deep love and mercy. They also remind us that God's infinite compassion extended to vulnerable and anguished women, drawing them into giving birth to infinite hope.
God, draw us out of our weeping and bring us into your joy; draw us out of our hunger for domination and into your radical love. Come to us in the darkness of our despair and doubt, and empower us to bear hope and love to all those who suffer. Amen.
Mary E. Hess
Professor of Educational Leadership at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
Psalm 126 or Luke 1:46b-55
Psalm 126:1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."
3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
5 May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.
Luke 1:46b..."My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."(The Revised Standard Version)
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The God Pause Daily Devotion of The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108 United States for Monday, 11 December 2017 - Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of Adonai Elohim is upon me,
because Adonai has anointed me
to announce good news to the poor.
He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted;
to proclaim freedom to the captives,
to let out into light those bound in the dark;
2 to proclaim the year of the favor of Adonai
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn,
3 yes, provide for those in Tziyon who mourn,
giving them garlands instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
a cloak of praise instead of a heavy spirit,
so that they will be called oaks of righteousness
planted by Adonai, in which he takes pride.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins,
restore sites long destroyed;
they will renew the ruined cities,
destroyed many generations ago., 8 “For I, Adonai, love justice;
I hate robbery for burnt offerings.
So I will be faithful to reward them
and make an eternal covenant with them.”
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations,
their offspring among the peoples;
all who see them will acknowledge
that they are the seed Adonai has blessed.
10 I am so joyful in Adonai!
My soul rejoices in my God,
for he has clothed me in salvation,
dressed me with a robe of triumph,
like a bridegroom wearing a festive turban,
like a bride adorned with her jewels.
11 For just as the earth brings forth its plants,
or a garden makes its plants spring up,
so Adonai, God, will cause victory and glory
to spring up before all nations.(Complete Jewish Bible)
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This week we are drawn deeply into biblical texts that call us to radical compassion. A radical "com" "passio" which means, "suffering with." We are called to suffer with the world.
Some days it can feel like there is more suffering to go around than we can comprehend, let alone enter into. But God promises us that God's love is always there. God's love is an infinite source in which to root ourselves like oak trees, and through which to transform our anguish into a robe of justice. We can learn to be present to suffering; our own, other peoples' and all that is engulfing our worlds. In doing so, always remember in community that we are indeed bound into each other; we are not alone.
Spirit of God, draw us so deeply into your love that we lose our fear of each other. Nourish the seeds of your justice in our midst, and ignite our compassion for all of your creation. Amen.
Mary E. Hess
Professor of Educational Leadership at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
Isaiah 61:1 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners;
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
4 They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations...
8 For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed.
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.(The Revised Standard Version)
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The God Pause Daily Devotion of The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108 United States for Sunday, 10 December 2017 - "Joy to the World," ELW 267
---"Joy to the World," ELW 267
1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her king;
let ev'ry heart prepare him room
and heav'n and nature sing,
and heav'n and nature sing,
and heav'n, and heav'n and nature sing.
2. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let all their songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3. No more let sin and sorrow grow
nor thorns infest the ground;
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found.
4. He rules the world with truth and grace
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love,
and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love.
---
What makes Christianity unique is the character of its ruler. Our ruler does not seek power over us or others. Our ruler does not hoard, cheat, spin the truth or conquer. Our ruler saves. It is a jarring image to sing that the "Savior reigns" at Christmas time. Our imaginations get pulled out from cooing over the baby and stretched to focus on the Ruler of the universe. We don't ever expect Rulers to save--or Saviors to rule. But with the birth of Jesus Christ, the world gets turned upside down. The Savior rules because grace will win the day in the end. Love does win. Love does trump hate. Because God is the act of pure love, God can save and rule. We are saved by love, by our ruler and in turn, Christian love can save those around us.
Lord, help us avoid the temptation of making you into an idol king. Your rule will save the world, but we often think our rule will do that too. Turn us back to you always. Amen.
Amy E. Marga
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
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The God Pause Daily Devotion of The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108 United States for Saturday, 9 December 2017 - "Joy to the World," ELW 267
---"Joy to the World," ELW 267
1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her king;
let ev'ry heart prepare him room
and heav'n and nature sing,
and heav'n and nature sing,
and heav'n, and heav'n and nature sing.
2. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let all their songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3. No more let sin and sorrow grow
nor thorns infest the ground;
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found.
4. He rules the world with truth and grace
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love,
and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love.---
"Joy to the World" is one of the few Christmas hymns that makes big assumptions. One of those assumptions is that Jesus Christ's birth is not just for humanity. Amid this world of violence and deep need, it is easy to narrow our focus on the good news of Jesus Christ as being for us--and only for us. But "Joy to the World" reminds us that nature is much, much older and often much wiser than we will ever be as a species. Nature knows the Savior. Nature knows the Savior in ways that we never can. Nature shares in God's glory in ways that we are often too busy to see. Yet this hymn invites us to "repeat the sounding joy" of the fields, floods, rocks, hills and plains. Christ's birth invites us to follow the lead of nature in praising his holy name.
Lord, you are pure joy. You rejoice in the natural world around us and without us. Please help us to stop taking for granted this beautiful place we call earth, our home. Amen.
Amy E. Marga
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
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The God Pause Daily Devotion of The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108 United States for Friday, 8 December 2017 - Mark 1:1-8
Mark 1:
1 The beginning of the Good News of Yeshua the Messiah, the Son of God:
2 It is written in the prophet Yesha‘yahu,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare the way before you.”[Mark 1:2 Malachi 3:1]
3 “The voice of someone crying out:
‘In the desert prepare the way for Adonai!
Make straight paths for him!’”[
Mark 1:3 Isaiah 40:3
]
4 So it was that Yochanan the Immerser appeared in the desert, proclaiming an immersion involving turning to God from sin in order to be forgiven. 5 People went out to him from all over Y’hudah, as did all the inhabitants of Yerushalayim. Confessing their sins, they were immersed by him in the Yarden River. 6 Yochanan wore clothes of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed: “After me is coming someone who is more powerful than I — I’m not worthy even to bend down and untie his sandals. 8 I have immersed you in water, but he will immerse you in the Ruach HaKodesh.”(Complete Jewish Bible)
---
John the Baptist will be forever marked by his diet and wardrobe: locusts, honey and a
camel-hair shirt. In the starkness of his lifestyle, we could easily forget that he says one of the most important things in the New Testament. Speaking of Jesus, he proclaims, "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Even before Jesus begins his ministry, John the Baptist knows that Jesus' work will extend far beyond his brief life here on earth. John knows that Jesus' works involve the whole Trinitarian being of God. People like John the Baptist sometimes live on the margins. They sometimes don't quite manage to learn all the right social cues. They just sort of appear in our neighborhoods. Would you have let yourself be baptized by him? Yet, people on the margins are often the ones who understand Jesus' power the best. They often see the Spirit in ways the rest of us cannot.
God, who are the baptizers in my neighborhood? Help us to see those who continually prepare the way for Christ to come into our lives and our hearts. Amen.
Amy E. Marga
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
Mark 1:1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;
3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,' "
4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7 He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."(Complete Jewish Bible)
---
(The Revised Standard Version)
The God Pause Daily Devotion of The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108 United States for Thursday, 7 December 2017 - Mark 1:1-8
Mark 1:
---
The Gospel of Mark is considered the earliest gospel book. Mark's narrative is sparser than that of Matthew, Luke or John. It contains puzzling and awkward stories about Jesus and his disciples. The author of Mark anchored the account of the life of Jesus in the words of the prophet Isaiah so that its Jewish hearers could understand his noble heritage and his connection to Judaism. Mark even starts the story with the fact that fellow Judeans were flocking to John the Baptist to confess their sins and to get baptized. The author seems to be telling the audience, see, this is your people! This is a story for you! In this story we Christians today are bound to the Jews. Just as the words of Isaiah connected the Judean people to their ancient ancestors, so Mark's words connect us to our ancient Jewish forebears.
God, please help us prevent history from getting in the way of our family ties with the Jewish people and their struggles. You have chosen them and grafted us on. Thank you for the great gift of the Jews in our Christian tradition. Amen.
Amy E. Marga
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
Mark 1:1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;
3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,' "
4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7 He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.
8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."(The Revised Standard Version)
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The God Pause Daily Devotion of The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108 United States for Wednesday, 6 December 2017 - 2 Peter 3: 8-15a
2 Peter 3: 8 Moreover, dear friends, do not ignore this: with the Lord, one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day[2 Peter 3:8 Psalm 90:4] 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some people think of slowness; on the contrary, he is patient with you; for it is not his purpose that anyone should be destroyed, but that everyone should turn from his sins. 10 However, the Day of the Lord will come “like a thief.” On that Day the heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will melt and disintegrate, and the earth and everything in it will be burned up.
11 Since everything is going to be destroyed like this, what kind of people should you be? You should lead holy and godly lives, 12 as you wait for the Day of God and work to hasten its coming. That Day will bring on the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt from the heat; 13 but we, following along with his promise, wait for new heavens and a new earth,[2 Peter 3:13 Isaiah 65:17; 66:22] in which righteousness will be at home. 14 Therefore, dear friends, as you look for these things, do everything you can to be found by him without spot or defect and at peace. 15 And think of our Lord’s patience as deliverance, just as our dear brother Sha’ul also wrote you, following the wisdom God gave him.(Complete Jewish Bible)
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It might seem to us like Jesus is taking his time coming back. But as the author of Peter tells us, God is patient, more patient than us. God does not want anyone to perish, but wills for all to experience God's love and acceptance. Therefore, God is taking it slow. God is waiting, constantly beckoning, constantly saving and constantly calling us. Come, follow me. I have enough room for you all. If God can be patient, so can we. We can go about living our lives of godliness and holiness because we can trust in God's promises to us. We can strive for peace in this violent world. We have the capacity through grace, faith and the Word to wait with God for all people to understand God's glory. If God is not ready to judge the sinner and unbeliever, we will not judge either.
Lord, it sometimes feels like the suffering and violence in this world will never end. But you see it all. Help us to work with you as you reconcile all people in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Amy E. Marga
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
2 Peter 3:8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.
9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.
11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness,
12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire?
13 But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.
14 Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish;
15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.(The Revised Standard Version)
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2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;
3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,' "
4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7 He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."(Complete Jewish Bible)
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(The Revised Standard Version)
The God Pause Daily Devotion of The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108 United States for Thursday, 7 December 2017 - Mark 1:1-8
Mark 1:
1 The beginning of the Good News of Yeshua the Messiah, the Son of God:
2 It is written in the prophet Yesha‘yahu,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare the way before you.”[Mark 1:2 Malachi 3:1]
3 “The voice of someone crying out:
‘In the desert prepare the way for Adonai!
Make straight paths for him!’”[
Mark 1:3 Isaiah 40:3
]
4 So it was that Yochanan the Immerser appeared in the desert, proclaiming an immersion involving turning to God from sin in order to be forgiven. 5 People went out to him from all over Y’hudah, as did all the inhabitants of Yerushalayim. Confessing their sins, they were immersed by him in the Yarden River. 6 Yochanan wore clothes of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed: “After me is coming someone who is more powerful than I — I’m not worthy even to bend down and untie his sandals. 8 I have immersed you in water, but he will immerse you in the Ruach HaKodesh.”
(Complete Jewish Bible)
The Gospel of Mark is considered the earliest gospel book. Mark's narrative is sparser than that of Matthew, Luke or John. It contains puzzling and awkward stories about Jesus and his disciples. The author of Mark anchored the account of the life of Jesus in the words of the prophet Isaiah so that its Jewish hearers could understand his noble heritage and his connection to Judaism. Mark even starts the story with the fact that fellow Judeans were flocking to John the Baptist to confess their sins and to get baptized. The author seems to be telling the audience, see, this is your people! This is a story for you! In this story we Christians today are bound to the Jews. Just as the words of Isaiah connected the Judean people to their ancient ancestors, so Mark's words connect us to our ancient Jewish forebears.
God, please help us prevent history from getting in the way of our family ties with the Jewish people and their struggles. You have chosen them and grafted us on. Thank you for the great gift of the Jews in our Christian tradition. Amen.
Amy E. Marga
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
Mark 1:1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;
3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,' "
4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7 He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.
8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."(The Revised Standard Version)
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The God Pause Daily Devotion of The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108 United States for Wednesday, 6 December 2017 - 2 Peter 3: 8-15a
2 Peter 3: 8 Moreover, dear friends, do not ignore this: with the Lord, one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day[2 Peter 3:8 Psalm 90:4] 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some people think of slowness; on the contrary, he is patient with you; for it is not his purpose that anyone should be destroyed, but that everyone should turn from his sins. 10 However, the Day of the Lord will come “like a thief.” On that Day the heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will melt and disintegrate, and the earth and everything in it will be burned up.
11 Since everything is going to be destroyed like this, what kind of people should you be? You should lead holy and godly lives, 12 as you wait for the Day of God and work to hasten its coming. That Day will bring on the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt from the heat; 13 but we, following along with his promise, wait for new heavens and a new earth,[2 Peter 3:13 Isaiah 65:17; 66:22] in which righteousness will be at home. 14 Therefore, dear friends, as you look for these things, do everything you can to be found by him without spot or defect and at peace. 15 And think of our Lord’s patience as deliverance, just as our dear brother Sha’ul also wrote you, following the wisdom God gave him.(Complete Jewish Bible)
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It might seem to us like Jesus is taking his time coming back. But as the author of Peter tells us, God is patient, more patient than us. God does not want anyone to perish, but wills for all to experience God's love and acceptance. Therefore, God is taking it slow. God is waiting, constantly beckoning, constantly saving and constantly calling us. Come, follow me. I have enough room for you all. If God can be patient, so can we. We can go about living our lives of godliness and holiness because we can trust in God's promises to us. We can strive for peace in this violent world. We have the capacity through grace, faith and the Word to wait with God for all people to understand God's glory. If God is not ready to judge the sinner and unbeliever, we will not judge either.
Lord, it sometimes feels like the suffering and violence in this world will never end. But you see it all. Help us to work with you as you reconcile all people in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Amy E. Marga
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
2 Peter 3:8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.
9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.
11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness,
12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire?
13 But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.
14 Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish;
15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.(The Revised Standard Version)
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