e-vo for week of February 4

Dearest e-votees-

Preach the gospel, use words if necessary.
~ St. Francis of Assisi

They are necessary, tell them about Jesus.
~ James Burtness of Luther Seminary

How do we carry ourselves in the world, in word and in deed, so that others can hear of the good news of Jesus Christ? What things might we do in order to help us be more effective in preaching Christ? What things might we not do in order to help us be more effective? How might we change and adapt to be better bearers of the gospel? What must never change or be forsaken in our attempts to have the gospel heard through our lives?

This week's epistle lesson helps us understand Paul's thinking on these important questions.

Peace,
Karl

------------

16 If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.

19 For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 9:16-23, NRSV
If we truly understand how we have been freed and forgiven on the cross then we would hopefully wish to spread that freedom and forgiveness to others as well. If we have been invited to the great banquet feast then hopefully we would bring a guest or two with us to the banquet which has no end and which we could never begin to deserve. If the gospel is good news for us only we haven't really been fully transformed yet. God's grace is too big to keep to ourselves.

So what are we willing to be or become in order to bear that good news to the world? Paul says that he has become all things to all people so that some might be saved. He ticks off a selection of ways that he has carried himself in the world to bring the good news to a variety of people. What circles do you inhabit? What subsets of humanity do you call your own? How can God use you in those circles to bear the light of Christ? What new circles may God be leading you into? Is there anywhere you would not go for Christ? Where would you not go? Why not? (just something to think and pray about)

What traits and self-understandings are integral to who you are? What aspects do you understand to be yours and given to you by God? While Paul speaks as if he was a social chameleon for the sake of the gospel there was a core to him that was not shaken. What are your core values? What are your core beliefs? When all the dross is burned away what of you is left in the smelting chamber--shiny and pure that bears the likeness of God? What might be your uncompromisable essence?

The thing is that the world has a remarkably good sense for detecting inauthenticity. When we carry ourselves as we truly are not the world knows. When we try to obscure what is truly bedrock in our lives the world knows. I am a little troubled by churches that strip their denominational titles away from their church identity. Perhaps it is wise as it removes stumbling blocks for entry into the community--if so, there had better be some clear presentation of beliefs through worship and teaching. Hidden agendas don't play well in the world. People aren't fond of bait and switch.

Bottom line, we should be unapologetically the sort of people and Christians that God has led us to be. Rather than apologizing (saying we're sorry) we should be making apology (giving defense of) our hope in the gospel. We do it for the sake of the gospel. We do it for the sake of the world for whom God so loved and gave up Jesus to the cross. We do it for the sake of those in the world who need that love as desperately as we do.

God, help us preach the gospel in season and out of season, in word and in deeds, among familiar circles and when surrounded by unusual circumstances and people. Help us learn how to adapt with wisdom, compassion and grace when necessary to forward the gospel. Help us cultivate resolve and courage to stand firm where compromise is not an option. Amen.

e-vo for week of January 28

Dearest e-votees-

This week’s epistle text is one about taking care to exercise the freedoms we have in Christ in such a way that they don’t pose a problem for other believers.

This is a message that starkly contrasts the me-ism of our consumeristic, turned-in-toward-self (aka sinful) culture.

May God help us get to the meat of this matter.

Peace,
Karl

------------

1 Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; 3 but anyone who loves God is known by him.

4 Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the world really exists,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

7 It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 “Food will not bring us close to God.” We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? 11 So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. 12 But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.

1 Corinthians 8:1-13, NRSV
So the circumstance in the church at Corinth is that a question has come to the fore. If a believer is knows that a piece of meat has been used in a sacrificial rite involving idols is it permissible to eat it or is it irrevocably tainted?

Paul answers this on two levels.

Level one: KNOWLEDGE: Idols are nothing of consequence. Therefore food offered to nothing of consequence is not altered (but it was perhaps “altared”) substantially. Therefore if one is inclined to eat such food that is permissible. Food neither draws us closer nor pushes us further from God. Jesus said as much as well when he said that it is what comes out of a person that makes that one unclean, not what goes into the mouth (see Matthew 15:11 and/or Mark 7:15). If we are mature and grown up in our faith we KNOW such things and we can eat with liberty.

Level two: COMPASSIONATE LOVE: Not everyone understands fully the freedom we have in Christ. Not everyone KNOWS that idols are powerless and able to be discounted. If one were to exercise liberty recklessly it could be harmful to another with a smaller understanding. It is loving to forgo that which is permissible for the sake of one who might stumble and fall away.

That is to say COMPASSIONATE LOVE should trump KNOWLEDGE.

The question that might be ours is “What are the idol meats of today?” What are things that some can partake of with great liberty and an untroubled conscience that would snare others watching such freedom at play? Are we the ones with KNOWLEDGE who need to grow in COMPASSIONATE LOVE? Are we the ones stumbling around with a weaker KNOWLEDGE? I suspect we are both at times. May God give us grace and wisdom as we seek to grow in KNOWLEDGE and more importantly in COMPASSIONATE LOVE.

God, help us walk with you with integrity when nobody is looking. Help us be mindful of what we might do to others who are looking as we walk with you. Help us grow in every way that you desire. Help us welcome and love all especially those we might suspect are not as far along in their growth. Thank you for loving us first and relentlessly. Grow us to be more like you in that regard toward others. Amen.

e-vo for week of January 21

Dearest e-votees-

Our appointed gospel reading comes from the third chapter of Jonah

It recounts God's message to Nineveh through Jonah, the response from the people and animals of Nineveh and God's response.

Peace,
Karl

------------

The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, 2 “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.

[6 When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 Then he had a proclamation made in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: No human being or animal, no herd or flock, shall taste anything. They shall not feed, nor shall they drink water. 8 Human beings and animals shall be covered with sackcloth, and they shall cry mightily to God. All shall turn from their evil ways and from the violence that is in their hands. 9 Who knows? God may relent and change his mind; he may turn from his fierce anger, so that we do not perish.”]

10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

Jonah 3:1-5 [6-9] 10, NRSV
When I was in seminary we were often reminded that the "ideal" Lutheran sermon had three points and was sure to communicate both Law and Gospel. This message of Jonah's didn't pass that litmus test. It was a 1-point, 100% Law message: In 40 days Nineveh will be destroyed. There is no explanation or justification for this imminent demise (perhaps none was necessary for the hearers). There was no whimsical or insightful homiletic illustration (such as Nathan's story of the rich man taking the poor man's sheep when confronting David about adultery with Bathsheba). There was no proclamation of grace or hope or redemption. There was merely the coldly-stated matter of fact statement of a woeful end. I suppose it is most akin to the doctor saying "Your days are short. You best get your affairs in order."

But the people of Nineveh did more than divvy out their estates and write parting missives to their families spread far and wide. They proclaimed a fast. Everyone put on the clothes of mourning (sackcloth). They put on an attitude of at least desperation if not outright contrition. Everyone throughout the power structure.

The lectionary left verses 6-9 on the cutting room floor. I don't begin to understand this. This is not a lengthy reading and the epistle reading for this same Sunday is only 3 verses. I do not believe brevity was the goal. Perhaps it was distasteful to emphasize the king and his nobles declaring the fast. I don't know. I do find it powerful that not only the people but all of the animals (herd and flock) participated in the repentant act in ashes and sackcloth. No food or drink was to be theirs. All, people and animals, were to cry mightily to God.

What is most puzzling about leaving verse 9 outside of the assigned reading is we miss the intent of the fast. Perhaps God might relent if we do such a thing was the thinking. And God did. God changed God's mind. God turned in the other direction. God repented. God defied God's own words through the prophet Jonah. In Deuteronomy 18:20 that exposed Jonah to death since he spoke words on behalf of God that did not come to pass (there's some law for you). You can read on in Jonah if you are so inclined to see how Jonah responded to God's merciful turn of events.

Perhaps this text sets us well for Lent. Soon (February 18) we will corporately and individually repent and receive the mark of the ashes (the fiery remains of palms from triumphal entries past). We will commemorate for 40 days (not counting Sundays) between Ash Wednesday and Easter our brokenness and our need for God's mercy and grace. We know we have it in Jesus already but it helps us enter more fully into the good news of the empty tomb and our restoration when we have intentionally sought after God's mercy. We are the Ninevites and the dour Jonahs. Their stories are ours.

We don't know if our days are short or long. We really don't. So maybe we best get our affairs in order. What that means, primarily, to the Christian is that we draw near to God and lean hard on God's mercy--always making room for others who want to join the fast.

God, have mercy on us. Help us constantly cry out to you knowing that you are so much more willing to forgive than we are to cry out. Amen.

e-vo for week of December 10

Dearest e-votees-

Our appointed gospel reading comes from the first chapter of John

For a second week our emphasis is on John the Baptist.

Peace,
Karl

------------

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.

John 1:6-8, 19-28, NRSV
John, like Mark last week, has none of the familiar Christmas birth details--no Mary, no Joseph, no census, no star, no shepherds, no angels, no wise men--none of that. There is the poetic and beautiful prologue of John which resonates so well with the beginning of Genesis. And then the text turns to John the Baptist:

The religious leaders come out and question John about who he is and why he is baptizing people.

He denies that he is the Messiah. He denies that he is Elijah (which the Messiah takes some issue with--see Matthew 11:11-15 and Matthew 17:9-13). He denies that he is the prophet. He self-identifies as the one Isaiah described as “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” John the Baptist finds his roots and grounding in the Old Testament prophesies. Jesus also finds his roots and grounding in the Old Testament prophesies--he opened his ministry in the synagogue in Nazareth in Luke 4:16 ff. which quotes our appointed Old Testament text from Isaiah. John understands the work to which he has been called. He is grounded and rooted and steps courageously into the call God has given him. Jesus calls him the greatest born among women (see Matthew 11:11a).

John also knows that he is not the end all. He is sent to point towards another. He directs people towards one whose sandal straps he isn't worthy to loose. He is helping usher people into the kingdom of heaven. Anyone, even the least, who makes it into the kingdom of heaven is greater than John (see Matthew 11:11b). John must become smaller in order that Christ must become greater. John understands the passing nature of the work to which he has been called. He is rooted and grounded in that calling so he can humbly fade to the background.


God, give us courage to step into the bold callings you have on our lives. God, give us humility to let ourselves fade to the back so that you and your plans might come to the fore. Amen.

e-vo for week of December 3

Dearest e-votees-

Our appointed text for this coming Sunday is the first 8 verses of the Gospel of Mark.

It is interesting to see what level of detail Mark has about the birth and early childhood of Jesus.

Peace,
Karl

------------

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.”

Mark 1:1-8, NRSV
In Mark the beginning of the good news (aka the Gospel) of Jesus Christ is found in the prophecy in Isaiah. The fulfillment of the prophecy is found in the ministry of baptism of John at the river Jordan.

We have records in Mark of neither angels nor shepherds; neither betrothals nor virgin births; neither extraordinary star nor ensuing gift bearing wise men; neither divinely caused inability of speech nor divinely inspired uttered Magnificats; neither newborn king nor attempted assassination of said king. Mark offers none of the Nativity details of Matthew and Luke (which are often hopelessly conflated) but rather begins with the account of John baptizing.

John is dressed in the garment of a prophet and was proclaiming that people should repent and be washed in preparation for the one who was yet to come (no mention of the familial connection). John isn't worthy to even touch the shoestrings of the one who is coming (in contrast to that one washing the feet of all of the apostles if we fold the testimony of the 13th chapter of the Gospel of John into the story). There is one coming who is holy and to be treated with great respect. Yet this one to come puts aside this regard and takes his place among saints and sinners both, among religious leaders and tax collectors, at the basin with a towel and on the cross with a mocking crown. Jesus comes but not as John expects which explains his dispatch from prison in both Matthew and Luke asking if Jesus was really the one to come.

Jesus comes into this world but not as we'd expect. We need the Holy Spirit to help us see and believe in the message he bears. Thankfully Jesus gives the Holy Spirit away just as John gives away opportunities for repentance. As we linger in Advent waiting for Jesus to come into the manger liturgically and to usher in the full reign of God at the end of all time perhaps we might trust that God, the Holy Spirit, will continue to draw us into these holy promises.


God, blow your Holy Spirit into our waiting that we might have revelation and hope; power and wisdom; peace and joy. Give us courage and faith to trust that the good news that began in Jesus Christ will find its end there too all to your glory. Amen.

e-vo for week of November 26

Dearest e-votees-

We are beginning the church year anew this year with the first Sunday of Advent. Our text calls us to wait and hope watchfully for Jesus' words to find fulfillment.

Maybe some of us could offer an "Amen!" to the slightly reworked lyrics of U2 "But I still haven't found what I'm waiting for." How long, Lord? How long?

Peace,
Karl

------------

[Jesus is speaking:] 24 “But in those days, after that suffering,

the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,
25 and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

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.”

Mark 13:24-37, NRSV
Jesus is teaching his disciples and telling them to wait expectantly. He encourages them to be steadfast and stable waiting for his words to be fulfilled which will never pass away unlike heaven and earth which are, albeit slowly, lapsing away.

It is hard to read/hear the words of Jesus and not expect something big to happen imminently. Surely the early church didn't expect us to be plugging away at things some two millennia later. No master goes on a journey and leaves the servants in charge for some 30 lifespans stacked end to end (or some 80 or so generations) expecting everyone to keep alert and watchful. Jesus told us to keep watching and waiting but the delayed gratification can be disheartening, can't it?

What Jesus says is that no one except the Father knows the day nor the hour of the final coming. We don't know, we can't know and we shouldn't know. This is God's wisdom which is so far beyond ours. But we clearly can't keep chugging Red Bulls and pinching ourselves to stay awake so we don't miss the event. We know well enough that if we are driving drowsy we should pull over for a power nap rather than cause something calamitous to happen. How much more should we, when tired, rest in Jesus? The point isn't that we should literally deprive ourselves of rest (Sabbath for instance) or sleep. Our bodies cannot bear such things. The point is that as a people we should live ready for our Lord and master to return.

This Sunday we begin our liturgical practice of remembering and preparing for Jesus' return (both in the manger and at the end of all times). It is not so much about us doing what is right or forcing ourselves to be ready but rather us resting in the words and promises of Jesus that never pass away. May we all be blessed as we gather and wait, worship and sing, pray and trust.


God, help us wait and trust in ways that please and delight you. Let us always invite and welcome others into your words and promises that never fade away. Amen.

e-vo for week of November 19

Dearest e-votees-

This week's text is the familiar one of the sheep and the goats.

The thrust of this text is that when we go out into the world and serve those in need we experience and serve Jesus. When we neglect opportunities to serve those in need we miss experiencing and serving Jesus.

Peace,
Karl

------------

[Jesus is speaking:] 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Matthew 25:31-46, NRSV
We live in a world that is full of need. There are people lacking the basic necessities of life: food, potable water, clothing and housing.

We live in a world that is full of separation and broken relationships: estrangement, imprisonment, divorce, abandonment, outer darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth.

We live in a world where we see people full of need (at times in the mirror) and we see the separation between ourselves and others.

Jesus seems to assert that there is no neutral interaction. Either we are engaging those in need (and helping meet their needs) or we are not. Either we are working to breach the gap between ourselves and others or we are not.

What is so very stunning in this gospel text is that both the sheep (the attentive caring ones) and the goats (the inattentive dismissive ones) have the very same response: "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison?" The point is that we won't recognize Jesus and because of that respond. The point is that when we respond we will encounter Jesus (whether we recognize him or not).

I don't believe the point of this text is to terrify us that we might be a goat rather than a sheep. The point is to remind us that when we care for any and all we tend to the Lord of any and all. Jesus can be encountered most profoundly through others. ("where two or three are gathered in my name...") ("truly I tell you, just as you did to one of the least of these...") ("do not forsake meeting together as some are in the habit of doing...") God is expressed in the community of the Trinity. God comes to us most clearly in the context of community. When we forsake caring for community we risk neglecting God to our own detriment. Eternal life starts now and it is best discovered in the face of another.


God, help us step into caring for the needs and relational health of others. Help us to let others care for our needs and reach out to us with a hand of fellowship as well. As you do these things in us we will surely experience you. Amen.