Month: December 2024

Today’s reading is from 1 Peter.

We haven’t heard much from Peter in awhile. Luke doesn’t mention him after the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), but he has apparently spent most of his time in Jerusalem. At some point he journeyed to Rome. The two letters that he writes are to a large audience. These churches are facing persecution, and he wants to encourage them.

Peter begins, like James, with talk about suffering. He says that they can rejoice in the suffering that they are going through. He relates it to gold that goes through the refiner’s process. When we suffer we are going through a refining process, and we come out on the other side better.

Peter wants them to continue to grow closer to Christ. He says, “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:1-3).

He then reminds them of who God called them to be…

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10

Towards the end of the letter he issues a challenge…

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:7-11

Today’s reading is on James and Jude.

These were two of Jesus’ brothers. Neither believed that their older brother was the Messiah until after his death, resurrection and ascension. But both committed their lives to his mission after their realization. James led the church in Jerusalem for many years.

I love James’ letter for his practicality. It’s very different from Paul’s letters. In the first chapter alone he covers topics such as how we can look at trials as a gift because they lead to maturity, our need for wisdom and how to get it, the need for humility, the need to not simply listen to God but to do what he says, and the need to care for those who need it, especially orphans and widows.

One of the first times I ever heard someone read from Eugene Peterson’s Message was reading a passage from James. It’s one that I’ve often come back to…

So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.
James 4:7-10 (The Message)

Today’s reading comes from 2 Timothy. This is the last of Paul’s letters. He is once again in Rome, and once again in prison, and he knows that his time on earth is short. It’s a tough time for Paul. Many of his friends have deserted him. The churches that he started are all facing challenges from within and without. And many Christians, especially in Rome, are facing terrible persecution (more on this in a few days).

Because of all of this, as well as for his love for Timothy, this letter is very personal. He knows that Timothy is fighting hard, and he doesn’t want him to give up. He reminds him of Christ’s work in Timothy’s life, and he challenged him to continue doing the work.

Much of that work was defending the gospel. I find it interesting that in both letters to Timothy and in the letter to Titus, Paul talks so much about the need for sound doctrine. The reason is that doctrine was under attack. There was so much false teaching. He says to Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

He also tells him, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:2-3).

Towards the end of the letter Paul asks Timothy to come and see him. And then he writes these last beautiful and courageous words:

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:6-8.

Today’s reading is from Titus.

After Paul was released from house arrest in Rome, many believe that he traveled to Spain, something that he had been wanting to do for some time (Romans 15:24). From there he went to Crete with Titus, and later left him there to lead the church.

Titus, like Timothy, was a young man who was mentored by Paul. And like Timothy in Ephehsus, Titus was dealing with problems in the church in Crete. Paul heard about what was going on and decided to write Titus. The problem was once again false teachers.

In the letter Paul reminds Titus that the reason he told him to appoint elders was so they could “encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it” (Titus 1:9). They would now help Titus challenge false teachings.

But above all, Paul wanted to remind Titus of the message of Jesus, which would be the biggest challenge against false teaching…

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:3-7

It’s been two months since I began this practice of daily reflections through the New Testament. We normally read the Bible one verse/passage/book at a time, but one of the greatest benefits of this practice has been reading through the lens of the entire story.

It’s impossible for us to understand every bit of the context of what was going on since we’re separated by 2000 years, but this practice has helped to bridge a lot of the gaps.

Today’s reading comes from 1 Timothy. I enjoyed reading this letter again, but I was reminded of the frustrations that I have with it. This one letter, written to Paul’s son in the faith, has been used to subjugate women throughout the past 2000 years. It has been used to perpetuate patriarchy throughout culture and within the church itself.

Here’s the passage that I’m referring to…

I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing – if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.
1 Timothy 2:9-15

This passage seems pretty black and white, and the majority of churches throughout the centuries have treated it as such. In my opinion, the problem is that it goes against Paul’s practices, which we’ve been looking at for the past month. We’ve seen several women play major roles in Paul’s ministry. Lydia helped Paul start the church in Philippi. Phoebe is a deacon whom Paul asks to journey to Rome to deliver, and most likely read, his letter to the Roman church. If she read it, she was most likely then fielding questions on what many call the greatest ever work of theology. And then there’s Priscilla. She and her husband Aquila formed a powerhouse team, but team is exactly what they were. They helped Paul start churches in Corinth, Ephesus and Rome. And they mentored Apollos, who would become a strong teacher in the church.

None of these women were held to these rules that he presents in 1 Timothy. They didn’t learn in quietness and full submission. They led. They taught. They had authority!

So what in the world in going on here? Well, here is one of those instances where context is key!

First, some background on Timothy…Paul most likely met Timothy on his first missionary journey. Paul then invited him to join he and Silas in his second missionary journey. Timothy remained one of Paul’s most trusted partners. Paul sent Timothy to help several churches, and he co-authored several letters with Paul: 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 2 Corinthians, Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians, . At some point Paul sent him to lead the church in Ephesus.

We know some things about Ephesus.  The city housed a temple to Artemis (Diana was her Roman name), which was one of the seven ancient wonders of the world.  It was a female-only cult, and it was women who were the priestesses who ran the show.  When the message of Jesus came to Ephesus, some of these women were converted, and because this was their context, people assumed that they would lead in the same way in the church. Paul feels the need to push back on this.

Second, we need to understand Paul’s purpose for writing this letter. Paul was writing it for the same reason he wrote the majority of his other letters. There was a problem, and he was being asked to help. Verse 3 of the first chapter says that certain people were teaching false doctrines. Everything in this letter needs to be read with that context in mind. This includes the things he says about women.

Lots of books have been written on this topic. I’ve just scratched the surface with these thoughts. If you want to read a short article, I recommend this one by NT Wright.

I don’t completely dismiss what Paul says in this letter regarding the role of women, but because it doesn’t reflect his previous practices, and because I believe what he was saying was specific to what was going on in Ephesus, I don’t believe it should have any bearings on how we do things today.

Paul must be delighted to finally write a letter to the church in Philippi. From the moment he met so many of them during his second missionary journey, they have been so dear to him. Some of them apparently have great wealth, but it’s more than just that. They are thoughtful. They understand that Paul has given up so much in order to spread the message of Jesus. They have heard all that he has gone through, and they understand that they have the means to help him.

The church in Philippi has now sent funds to Paul four times. This is one of the reasons they are so dear to Paul. But it’s not the main reason. The main reason is that he feels like a proud parent. When he met them, they had never heard the name Jesus. But they believed what Paul said, and they trusted Jesus. And this message infiltrated their hearts and lives in powerful ways.

It’s been a little over a decade since this church was planted. Paul says that every time they cross his mind, his only response is thanksgiving to God for what he has done in their lives. And it then turns to prayer.

So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11

Paul then shares how Christ’s humility should impact theirs. He says…

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death – and the worst kind of death at that – a crucifixion.
Philippians 2:5-8

He goes on to exclaim the importance that it was because of his humility and obedience that Christ is seated at the right hand of God and is the ultimate recipient of all creation’s worship.

He wants these friends to see Christ as their example. And he too wants to be an example to them. Paul is writing this letter while under house arrest in Rome. He’s not broken any laws. He’s done what God has called him to do. And it’s good work. Yet he’s experiencing suffering as a result. But he wants them to know that he praises God nonetheless. He sees God’s hand in the midst of his suffering.

Today’s reflection is on the book of Ephesians. Many believe this was written during Paul’s two years under house arrest. Others believe it was written much later. Still others believe it wasn’t even written by Paul. Finally, there is the thought that this is actually the letter to the church in Laodicea that was mentioned in Colossians.

There’s no way to know for sure, but when I read it I think about it in the context of Paul as the writer, and most likely of it being written during this time in Rome. It is different from some of the other letters. It’s not as personal, which leads many to believe that it’s a letter written to a larger group of people – perhaps it’s to the many churches that were started during that third missionary journey.

Like yesterday, I’ll just share some highlights of this incredible letter.

Paul begins by sharing God’s plan for this group of people (and really, his plan for all people)…

Long before he laid down earth’s foundation, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.
Ephesians 1:3-6, The Message

Once again, it was because of Jesus that everything that had been lost and broken was now restored, and the impact of this was bigger than they could image…

Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people – free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.
Ephesians 1:7-10, The Message

Paul wanted every he knew to understand deeply what God had done for them in Christ…

Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
Ephesians 2:7-10, The Message

Towards the end of the letter Paul explains how this new life in Christ is fleshed out; what it should actually look like. And it begins once again with love!

Watch what God does, and then do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that. Don’t allow love to turn into lust, setting off a downhill slide into sexual promiscuity, filthy practices, or bullying greed. Though some tongues just love the taste of gossip, those who follow Jesus have better uses for language than that. Don’t talk dirty or silly. That kind of talk doesn’t fit our style. Thanksgiving is our dialect.
Ephesians 5:1-4, The Message

Yesterday’s reading finished the book of Acts, but it’s not the end of Paul. During his two years under house arrest Paul will write several letters, both to churches and to individuals.

Today’s reading is on the letter to the Colossian church and to Philemon. In this reflection I’ll just share a thought or two about Colossians. The first sermon series I ever preached was on this letter. It’s one of my favorites.

There are two things to bear in mind when reading this letter. First, as I mentioned yesterday, Epaphras has shared with Paul challenges that this church is going through, so Paul is going to address those. Second, this is not a church that Paul started. And we have no indication that Paul has visited them either. So this is one of the few letters that Paul writes to a group of people who he has never met nor will meet.

But Epaphras has told him stories, and it feels like he’s known them. Paul is grateful for how God’s love has worked in their lives. The stories

Paul begins by praying for these people he’s never met. It’s a beautiful prayer. He then reminds them who they were before Christ entered their lives. He says…

At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence.
Colossians 1:21-22, The Message

Before the letter is over Paul is going to give some warnings and reprimands. And he’s going to bring up the challenges that Epaphras has told him about. These mostly concern other leaders sharing with this young church that they once again need more than simply Jesus. They need to participate in certain rituals. Paul wants them to know that even though he’s never met them, he knows them, and he’s for them. He believes in him. And he knows that they already have everything that they need. He says…

My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving!
Colossians 2:7-8, The Message

And then a little later in the letter…

So, chosen by God for this new life of live, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ – the Message – have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives – words, actions, whatever – be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
Colossians 3:12-17, The Message

More than anything else, Paul believed that when Christ changed a person, he truly changed them. They were a new creation, enabled to live and to love in new and beautiful ways. This is what he wanted for these people.

Today’s reading is from Acts 27-28.

Paul has appealed to Caesar, which means that he won’t be sent back to the Jews who are trying to kill him. Instead, he’s going to Rome, where he has hoped to go all along. Two years earlier he thought that his life would end in Jerusalem, but God has spared his life and allowed him to meet the church in Rome as well as to go to the most influential city in the world!

The ship carrying Paul and his friends set sail from Caesarea, where he had been in prison for the last two years. When they got to Crete, Paul encouraged the captain that it would be best if they did not continue on because of the storm just ahead. The captain didn’t listen to Paul.

They eventually ran into the storm, and it was just as bad as Paul had said it would be. The ship was battered, and everyone thought they were going to die. Paul said that an angel had appeared to him and told him that no one would die, but the ship would be destroyed.

That happened when they got to Malta, but as Paul had said, no lives were lost. The natives of the island welcomed these strangers. Paul, while gathering wood, was bitten by a snake. When it didn’t harm him, they believed that he must be a god.

After three months of living on Malta, they set sail once again in a ship that had been wintered on the island.

When they finally arrived in Rome, those in the church greeted them. Paul was immediately placed under house arrest. No trial or anything. The good thing was that he had so much more freedom than he had had the previous two years. He had his own room, with only a soldier there to make sure he stayed put. But he was allowed to have visitors as often as he liked. For the next two years Paul remained under house arrest.

During those two years several things happened that would prompt letters from Paul. Epaphras, who had started churches in Colossae and Laodicea, came to Rome to discuss the issues that these churches were having. He brought with him Onesimus, a slave who had escaped from his Christian master, a man named Philemon. Epaphras hoped that Paul might be able to convince Philemon to not seek retribution. And on the way to Rome, Epaphras and Onesimus had stopped by Phillipi. For the fourth time, they had collected money to send to Paul and asked Epaphras to deliver it. They too have been going through some challenges, and these are shared with Paul once Epaphras reaches Rome.

Luke ends Acts with this statement…”Paul proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ – with all boldness and without hindrance” (Acts 28:31).