Good Morning Friends,
Yesterday was Christ the King Sunday marking the end of the liturgical year and also the end of a wedding weekend for our family. On Saturday we celebrated a multicultural wedding service for my son Stephen and daughter in law Alejandra and one for my daughter Jessica and son in law Andrew’s on Sunday. They were very different events both honoring God, for in them we also celebrated the thought of the return of Jesus, to rule on earth as in heaven with love. The handbells played and the choir sang, and people danced and prayed. Friends, people need a sense of hope and an opportunity to be part of a redemptive community of believers actively seeking to be engaged in holy history with Jesus leading the charge. This last weekend and weddings provide for me such a miracle. My children’s weddings like the apocalyptic writings which describe Jesus’ return, in a way seem to response to some of the challenges we face in the world through a promise of hope. Indeed, we all need to know we are loved. We need to know of God’s presence. And I am so thankful that my children have loving spouses that rejoice in this hope. Time and time again in Jesus’ ministry on Earth the needle was nudged to bring the concept of being neighborly into our hearts on a very personal basis…suffering the little children, looking eye to eye into the soul of the Samaritan woman at the well…praying and comforting a thief on a cross… and yes turning the mundane into great joy in the miracles at the wedding at Cana. The list of healings of those the world counted as nobodies who became somebodies in Christ’s story of love is truly amazing. In the less than United States we too…Republican and Democrats and even Independents must face the task of moving the needle to unity. Celebrating vows of a marriage with Christ is the hope we have. How Do You See The Religious Drama Of History Being Played Out If People Actually Learned To Love?
Scripture: A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away. She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks for her servant-girls. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson. She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchant with sashes. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates.
Proverbs 31:10-31 (NRSV)
Sing, O barren one who did not bear; burst into song and shout, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate woman will be more than the children of her that is married, says the Lord. Enlarge the site of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left, and your descendants will possess the nations and will settle the desolate towns. Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the disgrace of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. For the Lord has called you like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, like the wife of a man’s youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer. This is like the days of Noah to me: Just as I swore that the waters of Noah would never again go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you and will not rebuke you. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:1-10 (NRSV)
Then I saw another portent in heaven, great and amazing: seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is ended. And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: “Great and amazing are your deeds, Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, King of the nations! Lord, who will not fear and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your judgments have been revealed.”
Revelation 15:1-4 (NRSV)
Message: Sometimes scripture suggest we plan and at other times not to plan what we are going to say. The context for the advice is situational and the backdrop was a world where people played God ruthlessly protecting the status of their own divinity. The thing is that plans during the end of days are likely to be of little value. If we plan what we are going to say we might say that believing in Jesus for our salvation is the only way to face the end of times. Indeed, we will be called on to not only confess our faith at the risk of rejection but to live it as a living sacrifice. During the writing of today’s passages Christians professing their faith were persecuted. But newlyweds are also celebrating with hope. Yes our own sinfulness makes us unfit to be God’s bride. But because of His deep love, God provides another way. Through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, our sins have been forgiven and we can become pure once more. Christ’s death is about God’s preparation of a bride and groom. God was willing to pay the ultimate price, the death of His only begotten son, to make this marriage happen and His own joy made complete. God’s plan is to end the separation caused by sin by preparing a wedding feast for the Jesus, the groom and His bride, which the church. This event is revealed to John in Revelation. And so, we are to work collectively as the called-out assembly in community. We are to prepare for every detail of the wedding day, dressed in right actions and faithful in the wisdom of daily life that anticipates something wonderful coming to earth as in heaven but also not worry about what is to come or what we are to say. Yet we should make this call in our own conscience about ourselves and in support of those who need an advocate if the Holy Spirit moves us to act. So, on our Christian journey, challenging things will happen and, in this tension, is the perfect time to tell others, from our hearts, of the amazing love of God and to share the Good News. Friends be optimistic even in the face of darkness. Hopefully there will be a wedding in all our futures with God.
And So, the woman described in Proverbs is most certainly the woman that every man would want to marry. And she is the wife most women aspire to be. She is confident and trustworthy. She is a hard worker and compassionate. She works hard in the home and in public. How can one person possibly live up to the standards of this noble wife described in Holy Scripture? But this passage is not talking about one individual, nor is it talking about an earthly wife. But perhaps this passage speaks of more than strong traits of an outstanding wife but gives to us a message for the church…the bride of Christ. And also, a better way to approach and prepare for life. You see marriage is the perfect metaphor to explain the closeness of the relationship God has desired with His people. Even for a King who returns to rule with love.
Pray we embrace a covenant of faith in the love of God. Pray we realize that religion is ineffective unless it is applied to both our history and Holy History. Pray we have the endurance to withstand the onslaught of time. Pray we are joyful in our hearts. Pray we apply ourselves to the task of our faith. Pray we press forward for the cause of Christ. Pray we persevere so our very souls become more Christlike. Pray Jesus rules in our lives and hearts. Pray Jesus bring light into our lives, so we might see more clearly and love more dearly. Pray we sing the song of Jesus that over time transforms everything.
Pray that God will rejoice over us as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride. Pray we give our hearts fully to God and devote ourselves to becoming the helpmate God desires for us to be. Pray we unite and work hard for the glory and praise of Jesus Christ. Pray we are prepared for His return. Pray we seek the Kingdom of God. Pray we realize that not loving is its own punishment separating us from the God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 