Wait

"In these last days God has spoken to us through his Son," Hebrews 1:2.

Wait! When did these last days start? Well, the Hebrews letter was written about 2,000 years ago. These last days started then. These last days live between Jesus ending the old order of things at the cross (It is finished!), and whenever he shows up again in the sky. Which will be soon. Any day now. But nobody knows exactly when. Well, not nobody, nobody: God knows. But nobody else. Not even the Son. Said Jesus. Meanwhile (in these last days), Jesus reigns from the throne in the sky at God's right hand. Jesus is God's last word on life and death. To all persons living in this in-between time: Hear ye him!

Fellowshipping with a brother or sister today, we listen carefully to our older brother, Jesus. We commune in his living and active word. And, together, we give thanks to belong under his reign.

Voice

"Long ago, at many times, and in many ways," Hebrews 1:1.

Parts of life on this planet are really good. But, good grief!, so much of this world's a total mess. You'd think that God would do something about it, if he could. This earth ... such a small speck in the vast expanse of the universe. Yeah, and what could God possibly find to care about, if he did care? Well. Scripture staunchly attests God's sorting the mess for a long, long time, and in lots and lots of ways. Because he saw us, tiny humans, blind, lost in space. And, now, in these last days, God finds his voice in Jesus. That is, we hear God, loud and clear, in his son.

Today, with a brother or sister, in these waning days of the world, we read God's text: Jesus, only hope for the world. And, together, we give thanks to see God at work all along, despite our blindness.

Now

"He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high," Hebrews 1:3.

(Talking about Jesus, here.) He began his reign right from the throne of God just after he did the purification rite for sins. What purification rite? Well, it was some rite, to be sure. He went to the slaughterhouse with his very body and gave his own blood as the purification sacrifice on a cross. Anyway, the point here is that he rules in his kingdom right now. Note that the kingdom isn't where you go when you die. It's where God transfers you when you're baptized into Jesus now. And then, when you die, in Christ, you're already there! Already in that kingdom that carries through these last days into the next forever. An unshakeable kingdom! Sky kingdom.

Meeting with a brother or sister today, in-between time, we share in the confident hope of God's work in Jesus. We belong in his kingdom! And, together, we give thanks to our God who speaks grace to us by his son.

In-between

"He transferred us into the kingdom of his dear son," Colossians 1:13.

This is a done deal. Every person who has come to Christ - God has delivered (verb: done deal!) them out of the power of darkness, yes, God has transferred (verb: done deal!) them into the kingdom of Christ. Jesus rules right now at the right hand of God! In his kingdom people have (verb: now, in this present time) redemption, forgiveness of sins. Last days began with Jesus' rule. We're in an in-between time, the last days. Between the old cosmos and the new heavens, new earth. In-between time: era of the church. Last days. Sky kingdom breaking out into this old world.

We hug (virtually) a brother or sister today, and assert together God's redemptive work for us in Christ. We joy together in his empowering strength! And, together, we give thanks that he qualified us to enter his kingdom.

Perspective

"I am your brother John, together in Jesus we share in suffering, in the kingdom, in perseverance," Revelation 1:9.

It's not that followers of Jesus pretend the injustices of earth aren't real or important. They surely are. It's not that Jesus' people, so focused on heaven's future reward, ignore present earthly trouble. Like some accuse: Pie in the sky by-and-by. Like, Christians don't care about what's fair. No. Quite the contrary: Perspective. Jesus' people pursue justice, yet know it remains incomplete. In this world. These people look to God's absolute justice. The Day of His visitation. Every human being giving full account. Day of accountability. That Day closes in on this day closer than ever before. Perspective: I've got my head in heaven and my feet on the earth. 

We share with a brother or sister in today's troubles, and encourage each other to press on through the fog. Indeed, we share in the kingdom of the sky. And, together, we give thanks to the one who is and who was and who is to come.

Then

"Praise the Lord Jehovah! It's good to sing praises to our God," Psalm 147:1.

Dear God, it's so right to praise you! You know each one of us so personally. You know our names. You gather outcasts. You heal broken hearts. You bind up wounds. And then, you know the universe! You know each star. (multiplied billions and billions!) You've named them, too. You are so magnificent! We don't begin to understand your power! And then, you lift humbled people up high. And then, you ready the earth with all its ecosystems. Rains and dirt and plants and animals. And then, your own pleasure isn't in the unbridled power of a horse, or in the might of our powerful engines. You find pleasure in people who hope in you. Amazing!

With a brother or sister today, we marvel that such a God would pay attention to such as us. And, together, we sing Thank You Lord! It's so good, so right, to sing praises to you!

Priests

"Supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings for all people, for kings, for all in high positions," 1 Timothy 2:1,2.

We look up to the sky whence comes Jesus, hope for today and for tomorrow. Yes. And: in this world God calls his people to become priests to rulers (and people). Priests? How to be priests? Not to put too fine a point on it, but. Every single person in God's kingdom shares in royal priesthood. You're a priest. Yep. A go-between. You. A royal one. (Sky kingdom!) Between people and God. And (big deal here!) God's priests do priestly stuff by interceding between earthly rulers and God. Partly, that's what prayer's about. To what end? So that we all may live in peace, in serenity, in dignity, and do good stuff. Sky kingdom changing earth kingdoms.

With a brother or sister today we encourage each other to pray for everybody, including local, state, national, world leaders. And, together, we give thanks that God changes us.

Up

"Our citizenship is in the skies," Philippians 3:20.

The Bible remains steady to insist that Jesus' people look up. The upward call of God in Christ draws eyes high up. Mature men and women look up. Some set their eyes on stuff of earth: the right leader is in, the wrong leader is in, the wrong leader is out, the right leader is out. And so on. Jesus' people look up into the sky. From the sky we await a savior. Who's that? It's the Lord. What Lord? (there's a bunch of them, after all!) The Lord Jesus Christ. He brings transformation. Sky kingdom.

As we visit with a brother or sister today, we note life's one certainty: no one gets out of it alive. But we look ahead in hope! And, together, we give thanks that we belong to the sky and not to the world.

Table

"Many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven," Matthew 8:11.

That's Jesus talking. Now, here's a list of names, sort of a who's who blast from the way back machine. Hammurabi, Homer, Plato, Zoroaster, Gautama Buddha, Confucius, Ramses, Alexander the Great, Ashoka, Chi'in, Hannibal. They're not all dead white guys. Well, yeah, they're all dead. And (apologies for lack of inclusiveness), they're guys. But a mixed bag otherwise. We heard about them in middle school history. They, and millions others, lived between Abraham and Jesus. God at work, a long time, prepping for the sky kingdom. He's still calling people to it.

As we contact a brother or sister today, we marvel at God's patience and kindness toward us. And, together, we give thanks that Jesus makes us welcome at that banquet table.

Occupying

"He presented himself alive after his suffering, speaking about the kingdom of God," Acts 1:3.

So what did Jesus talk about in the 40 days between resurrection and ascension? God's kingdom. Well, sure, he showed himself alive in tons of ways! But I mean, what. did. he. talk. about.? God's kingdom. Before Jesus was killed, what did he go around talking about? The kingdom of heaven. God's kingdom. Parables? about the sky kingdom. Life? sky kingdom. So what's with this kingdom? For one thing, people are either natives to the dominion of darkness or they get transferred into this kingdom. Where redemption happens. Where forgiveness lives. Where God rules heart, soul, mind, and body. Where rules the love of Christ.

Joining with a brother or sister today, we admit to each other the desire for Jesus to rule. We confess to each other God's deliverance from darkness to light. And, together, we give thanks for belonging to the mind occupying kingdom of his deeply loved son, Jesus.

Delivery

"Then comes the end when he delivers the kingdom to God," 1 Corinthians 15:24.

Who's the he who's delivering the kingdom? Christ. To whom delivereth he it? To God. When does God take delivery of the kingdom? At the end. Ok, but at the end of what? At the end of Christ's reign. Good grief, OK!, but, Come on!, when is that? When every other rule, authority, power, enemy, yes, and death itself, is thoroughly under Jesus' full and absolute control. Yeah, under his feet. Christ has got to reign to the end. Got to? Yes. Really? Who died and made him king? He did. Die. And God did. Make him. When? When God woke him up from the grave and charged him with life. Sky kingdom.

We're excited to visit with a brother or sister today! We can share the good news of Jesus' victories with great expectations. And, together, we give thanks as we wait for the delivery.

Knows

"You know when I sit down and when I get up," Psalm 139:2.

Jehovah God, you know everything about me. My thoughts before I think them. Where I go. Where I lie down. What I'm going to say before I say it. You're all around me. In front of me. Behind me. Your hand's on me. Wow! This is so amazing! It's so beyond me! Where could I hide from you? In the skies? (No.) In the graveyards? (No.) On the other side of the ocean? (No.) Even in any of these places your guiding hand stays with me. Deepest darkness to you is bright sunlight. You knitted my body in my mother's womb. You know me. And you lead me into forever life with you!

Today we remind a brother or sister of God's amazing care and love for us. He knows us more than we know ourselves - and loves us still! Brothers and sisters together, we give thanks.

Arms

"From his mouth comes a sharp sword," Revelation 19:15.

Fiery eyes, bloodied robe, astride the war horse, the Risen Christ charges ahead of heaven's armies of battle horsemen to strike down and control the nations, to rule them with an iron rod. God's furious rage crushes them as a winepress. Wow! The sky kingdom breaks out violently against this world's kingdoms. Does not quite describe what we saw when we peeked reverently into that manger, does it? Perspective is huge. The sharp sword? Word of God. Mighty word holds the universe together. Word made flesh. Word goes out from God's mouth to accomplish his purpose. And judges the nations, you, me. Sword of the Spirit, cuts to the dividing of bone from marrow, soul from spirit.

We remind a brother or sister today: safe in the arms of Jesus. Jesus who died for us. So, together, we give thanks to the mighty Lamb who won the victory for us. 

Insurgency

"My kingdom is not of this world," John 18:36.

So Jesus talks about a kingdom. His kingdom. Governor Pilate cross-examines his testimony, that he is a king. Ah! Is this sedition and insurgency and plotting the overthrow of the Empire? Pilate will crush rebellion ruthlessly - he will slaughter men in the midst of their rites. Jesus continues: Truth. My people would enter combat to deliver me. If my kingdom were of this world. But it's not. (Previously, Jesus' last word to Peter: Sheathe your sword.) A kingdom not of this world. Not from this world. Not from this place. The sword of Jesus' kingdom: Word of God. Sword of the Spirit. Truth. Sky kingdom.

Arm in arm (virtually) with a brother or sister today, we prepare one another in the faith of Jesus, our king. Readying for his appearing to save those eagerly waiting for him. And, hoping together, we give thanks.

Worrisome

"Don't let your hearts be troubled," John 14:1.

Well, Jesus, we really don't want to feel all this anxiety. But you've got to understand, this old world is a worrisome mess. We've got bills to pay, plagues to avoid, kids to raise, bad guys to undo, truth to find, and then there's hard stuff. So how, pray tell, can we not worry? Says Jesus: Trust in God. Say we: So, Jesus, that's it? Trust in God? Says Jesus: No, not at all. Trust in me, too.

When we visit today with a brother or sister, we remind of God's faithfulness. Of trust in Jesus' preparing the world to come. And, together, we give thanks for hearts settled in him. Sky kingdom.

Perfume

"Mary anointed Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair," John 12:3.

She anointed them with what? Very expensive perfume. A lot of it. Really, a lot. A pound. Can you imagine a pound of perfume poured out in a room? A pound!? And expensive. Oh, brother, was it expensive! You could feed a family for almost a year. No wonder she's shamed by the men. They're so much more righteous than she. They wouldn't have wasted their treasure on Jesus. Nossir! If they could just win the lottery they'd do God proud and give some of it away to the poor. Yes, indeed. Righteous by fantasy. Jesus says, She's preparing my grave. You - you take care of the poor in front of your face.

With a brother or sister today, we commit to loving Jesus and to give what we treasure to him. We remind of his resurrection from the dead. And, together, we give thanks to God that Jesus became poor to make us rich. Sky kingdom.

Work

"Work for the food that lasts to living forever," John 6:27.

Right. Easier said than done, Jesus. The food we work for gets us from one meal to the next. And you're telling us don't work for that? Don't you know that we work to get food to feed our kids so that we can train them up to get skills so that they can get jobs so that they can work hard so that they can make the next meal for their kids so that they can train their kids to get skills to ... ? Oh, yeah, and so that they can have clothes, too? And stuff? Chastised, Jesus says, Your loving Father in the sky knows you need all that. And he'll provide it. But first, You: You of little faith. Seek the kingdom of God. First. Work hard to believe. In the one God sent.

We remind a brother or sister today to keep on keeping on in the faith of Jesus. In the God who sent him. In heeding his voice. And, together, we give thanks for forever life food.

Steadfast

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good," Psalm 136:1.

Thank you, Lord, for your steadfast love endures forever. Thank you, Lord, for your steadfast love endures forever. Thank you, Lord, for your steadfast love endures forever. Thank you, Lord, for your steadfast love endures forever. Thank you, Lord, for your steadfast love endures forever. Thank you, Lord, for your steadfast love endures forever. Thank you, Lord, for your steadfast love endures forever. Thank you, Lord, for your steadfast love endures forever. Thank you, Lord, for your steadfast love endures forever. Thank you, Lord, for your steadfast love endures forever. Thank you, Lord, for your steadfast love endures forever. 

With a brother or sister today, we give thanks to the Lord. And we give thanks, together, because God is good. Sky kingdom.

Washing

"It shall not be so among you," Mark 10:43.

What shall not be so? Doing like nations' rulers. Doing like the great authority exercisers of the nations. Who's talking here? Jesus. Lord of skies and of earth. What's he talking about? His kingdom. Who's he talking to? His subjects. What's he saying? Greatness in his kingdom does not happen the way it does in every other nation. They get great by powering over many others, by showing who's boss. But in the sky kingdom, well, now, you get great by washing dirty feet. The King of the sky kingdom got great by becoming a slave, by giving his own life in ransom for many others. By being born in a manger.

With a brother or sister today, we bow before the great I Am. We consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. And, together, we give thanks to one who came among us Prince of Peace. Not of this world, but in it: Sky kingdom.

City

"Get up, take the little kid and his mother, and run away to Egypt," Matthew 2:13.

The magi did not enter a cave, barn, or stable to see Jesus. They entered a house. (Oh, yeah? Says who? The Bible.) Jesus was likely a toddler when they worshiped him and gave their precious gifts. Then they left. (And, while clearing up loose misconceptions, where does the Bible say there were three of them, three kings? Nowhere.) In rage over a pretender to his throne, King Herod slaughtered all the little boys two years and down throughout the region. Definitely worldly kingdom. But Joseph had heard God's warning, and got his young family to Egypt. Refugees of earth. Looking for a home whose builder and maker is God. Sky kingdom.

Comforting a brother or sister today, we remind each other this world is not home. We're just passing through to a city that's fairer. And, together, we give thanks to God for Jesus who's preparing a place for us there.

Season

"Going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him," Matthew 2:11.

They, who? The magi/wise men. What did they enter? The house (not a stable?). The child? Jesus. Now, for the millions around the world who celebrate 12 days of Christmas (like the interminable song, right?), today it has ended. Kids have been receiving gifts daily through yesterday (12th day). All this led up to today, the Epiphany. The what? the Reveal. What reveal, presumably? Jesus, the Word made flesh. Revealed to whom? To the magi who finally showed up. And, by extension, to the world. Believers whose roots enter the Orthodox tradition, and not the Roman Catholic, celebrate Christmas, Jesus' birth, now (ok, tomorrow), not 12 days ago. And we thought the reason for the season was so over.

Today, and tomorrow, and any other day called today, with a brother or sister, we honor the Word become flesh who dwelt among us full of grace and truth. And, together, we fall down and worship him, reason for all seasons.

Magi

 "Wise men from the east came to Jerusalem," Matthew 2:1.

Who? Wise men, magi. What for? To worship the one born king of the Jews. From the east of where? Of the center of middle earth, of course! Which, biblically speaking, rested squarely in the Promised Land, Judea. So, what's east of there? Mainly Persia, well beyond the Euphrates River. The land of Esther, the queen, where many defeated Judah captives had been taken centuries earlier. Persia, under whose rule the prophet Daniel had prospered. A large population of displaced Jews had since developed in Persia. And the magi? Were they Zoroastrian (Persian religion) priests? Were they Jewish scholar star gazers? No matter. They came to worship Jesus.

With a brother or sister today, we join in worship of God and of his Christ, born king of the Jews, now king of the nations, the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world, resurrected to the right hand of majesty on high. And, together, in wisdom, we give thanks.

Relations

"He knew her not till she had brought forth a son," Matthew 1:25.

Though instructed to marry her, Joseph and Mary didn't have usual marital relations until after Jesus was born. Actually, not until after Mary went through the Law's purifying rituals 40 days after the birth. (Remember, that's when they brought the baby to the temple, when the old people, Simeon, and then, Anna, blessed him.) The young couple went on to have other sons and daughters. Scripture doesn't name the daughters; their sons: Jesus (obviously), James, Joses, Judas, and Simon. Likely, all joined the family carpentering business. None became apostles. But following Jesus' resurrection, James and Judas became disciples, authors of eponymous New Testament letters. God weaves his wonders into the fabric of everyday life.

When we visit today with a brother or sister, we recognize God at work in our life together. Sky kingdom. And by this we remember our common hope. And, together, we give thanks.

Night watch

"Out of the depths I cry to you, O Jehovah!" Psalm 130:1.

In great trouble I call out to you, God! Listen to my prayer for help. If you keep track of every sin, nobody could survive at all. But you give mercy. So I long for you. You love steadfastly. You redeem. I wait expectantly for your word. I long for you more than the night watch looks for morning. I hope in you. You do forgive. And your forgiveness drives deep respect for you.

We connect with a brother or sister today out of respect for this God who helps in time of need. We remind of his forgiveness. And, together, we give thanks to him who heard Jesus' own pleas on our behalf.

Tireless

"When the baby was circumcised he was called Jesus," Luke 2:21.

Now the weird thing is this - it wasn't weird in those days, it was just the normal way of doing things then - Jesus had no name for about a week (or exactly 8 days) after he was born. The name (for baby boys) came on circumcision day. You remember that an angel appearing to Mary before Jesus' conception told her to name him Jesus, and after Mary's pregnancy became evident, an angel told Joseph the same thing. So he named the baby. So ... what's with circumcision? It was the sign of the promise God made to Abraham 2,000 years earlier, a sign repeated in every subsequent generation, a sign that God planned to save all the families of the world who, like Abraham, believed God. This baby was the end of circumcision: he was the end of the promise: Jesus: meaning, Salvation. God's at work.

Talking with a brother or sister today, we reject despair and fill our minds with hope. Hope in this tireless, blessing God. Together, we give thanks for his salvation.