Devotions » 2010

Dec. 25: Profundity in the absurdity

Jason Pollock — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 05:00:10 +0000

By Tamara Shantz, assistant campus pastor and apartment manager

SCRIPTURE: John 1:1-18 (NRSV)
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DEVOTIONAL:

One of my favorite television shows is the BBC’s The Vicar of Dibley, which follows the life and adventures of the first female priest in a fictional little village in England. In one of the show’s Christmas specials, the parish hosts a carol-writing competition with the winning new carol to be sung at the Christmas Eve service.

In typical fashion for this eccentric little town, the winner has crafted a song describing the birth of Jesus in detail – from ‘coming down the birth canal’ to the cutting of the umbilical cord. The song is hilarious because we would never consider it appropriate to reflect upon the details of birthing in a Christmas sermon or traditional carol. And yet, there is something remarkably profound in the absurdity. For it is precisely through the ‘ordinary’ miracle of birth, the pain of labor, the cry of new life, that God offers us salvation.

Through the person of Mary, the Word has become flesh. And this mystery, this mystery of the incarnation, of God being with us, is, in one sense, absurd. But it is also deeply beautiful and worthy of our praise.

The Celtic Christian tradition invites us to look for God by looking more deeply into life. On this Christmas day, I hope that we look intently for the mystery and wonder of Jesus’ birth, for the beauty of this world that God creates anew each day, and for those moments of profound absurdity!

SCRIPTURE: John 1:1-18 (NRSV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

(John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

——
FROM THE EDITORS:
Thank you to every one of you for joining us this Advent season as we waited once more for the coming of the Christ child. It is our prayer that in the days to come you will continue to slow down, see the many ways God is calling each of us to “the unexpected hour,” and begin to understand God’s timing and imagination for transforming this world.

Join us again for the season of Lent in 2011 when the devotions by Goshen College students, faculty and staff will start on Ash Wednesday, March 9. Unless you unsubscribe, they will automatically be sent to you. If you have found these of value, please share them with your friends and family.

Blessings and peace to you in the coming year!

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Dec. 24: Guidance in the night

Jason Pollock — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 05:00:25 +0000

By Luke Gascho, director of the Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2:13-23 (NRSV)
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DEVOTIONAL:

The glory and brilliance of the night sky is a great comfort. I am always thrilled to walk under a dark clear night sky and observe the grandeur of the universe on display. The familiar constellations and the band of our galaxy – the Milky Way – inspire awe and acknowledgement of our place in the universe. I am at peace – surrounded by the God who created the cosmos as an expression of love.

Today’s text is filled with nighttime experiences for Joseph, Mary and the child, Jesus. It contains fear, intrigue, visions and a longing for home. I believe that the night sky provided a way to find direction for this family seeking to avoid danger. Imagine the brilliance of the stars over the desert with no light pollution at that time! As the family traveled alone, the comfort of the Universe Maker guided their way.

The night sky was a map in the night. Joseph knew the constellations and how to follow them to arrive safely in Egypt and in Galilee. The wise men from the East had followed the unexpected star to find the child king. In an interesting contrast, the holy family followed the constancy of the constellations in the night sky to find protection.

The tenuous nature of Jesus’ early years – that of being forever threatened – reminds me that God understands us when the pressures of life perplex us. Taking a walk under the night sky is a way of reengaging our connection with the God who cares and provides a way.

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2:13-23 (NRSV)

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean.”

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Dec. 23: Baby Jesus, pioneer of our salvation

Jason Pollock — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 05:00:41 +0000

By Michael Sherer, ITS director

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 2:10-18 (NRSV)
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DEVOTIONAL:

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 2:10-18 (NRSV)

It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Here am I and the children whom God has given me.”

Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

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Dec. 22: Unite in praise, with all creation

Jason Pollock — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:00:15 +0000

By Annika Miller, a sophomore elementary education major from Scottdale, Pa.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 148 (NRSV)
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DEVOTIONAL:

Praise the LORD. Psalm 148 calls us to join together in praising God. No matter who we are or where we’re from, we are called to come together. In the Christmas season especially, we need to remember to put aside our differences and celebrate the love God freely gives that unites us.

The psalm reminds us that God made everything and all of creation is called to praise God – from the angels in heaven to each individual piece of sand. Yet, it was for us that God “raised up a horn.” God sent God’s only son to earth for us because God so desperately wants to have a relationship with us. It’s through this relationship that – of all creation – we are held closest to God’s heart.

One of my favorite images of God is of God as a parent who embraces me, holds me close and completely surrounds me. This is one way I choose to visualize joining in and embracing a relationship with God. However you visualize it, it’s in choosing to engage in this relationship that we can truly praise God. We don’t do this quietly by ourselves, but loudly with all of creation.

This is an amazing gift of love God has given us, and during the Christmas season we need to remember to give it back to others. So, join creation in praising the LORD out loud. Celebrate God’s love for you. Share the gift with others.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 148 (NRSV)

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!

Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!

Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!

Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.

He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!

Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!

Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!

Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!

Young men and women alike, old and young together!

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.

He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord!

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Dec. 21: And the sky opened up

Jason Pollock — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 05:00:38 +0000

By Lynelle Yoder, a sophomore elementary education major from Goshen

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 63:7-9 (NRSV)
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DEVOTIONAL:

This past summer, I trained for and ran my very first marathon. I can still recall one particular training run that happened to be especially torturous. I was running after church on a sweltering August afternoon, and had completed about one quarter of my 17-mile run when a sharp pain began to shoot through my right hip. Determined to press on, I continued to run in a state of hot, painful misery.

Suddenly, without warning, the sky opened up, and I was drenched in an absolute downpour. The pain in my hip increased to an excruciating level, and my gimpy jog slowed to a walk that stung my pride right alongside my hip. The rain eventually slowed to a drizzle, finally ceasing.

Then, just as suddenly as before, the sky opened up once again. This time, however, the clouds released not rain, but sunshine so bright that my breath caught in my throat – its effect on the clouds was magnificent. It was as if the entire sky was a canvas covered in paint. The scene was simply unreal.

In that very moment, I felt God’s presence with overwhelming strength. I sensed a promise, as if God was telling me, “Lynelle, whenever you feel painfully alone, I will always be at your side. I will carry you every step of the way.”

It is this promise that God has given to each of us. God’s presence will always save us. Just as God did with the house of Israel, God will lift each of us up and carry us in the arms of mercy. God’s steadfast love endures forever. Hallelujah!

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 63:7-9 (NRSV)

I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord, the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, because of all that the Lord has done for us, and the great favor to the house of Israel that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely”; and he became their savior in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

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Dec. 20: Praise the Lord from the heavens

Jason Pollock — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 05:00:55 +0000

By Bethany Swope, church relations coordinator

THIS WEEK’S THEME: Praise the Lord from the heavens

DEVOTIONAL:

It’s finally here! Christmas is this week!

Or, perhaps: It’s already here? Christmas is this week?

Amid the bustle and busyness, the 20s of December have arrived. As I think about the year coming to a close, I wonder how it can seem like whole weeks have evaporated from my packed schedule of work, church and other responsibilities.

My chronos-driven daily living has crowded my willingness to be open to the kairos moments of Advent. How can I “praise the Lord from the heavens” when I haven’t finished hanging up my Christmas decorations? When am I supposed to take time to pray when the laundry is spilling over the sides of the basket? I already know the Christmas story – I need to stay focused on my to-do list.

Somewhere in those cluttered thoughts, another possibility creeps in: Pause. Breathe. Wonder. Christmas is this week, the gift of God’s breaking in to our time to show us a new way. Praise the Lord from the heavens!

We need to hear the story again. In it, may we discover and embrace another piece of what God intends for us. May we linger in this week’s texts and Advent reflections. Perhaps we’ll even see something we would have otherwise been too busy to notice.

Holy One, grant us the desire to pause and wonder this week. Help us, each day, to linger in the story of love incarnate and look ahead with praise toward the birth of your Son. Amen.

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Dec. 17: Be not afraid

Jason Pollock — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 05:00:05 +0000

By Ross Peterson-Veach, associate academic dean and director of curriculum and faculty development for the Center for Intercultural Teaching and Learning

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV)
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DEVOTIONAL:

Like a lot of angels in the Bible, after calling Joseph by name, the angel in today’s passage starts with “don’t be afraid.” Once years ago when my kids and I were reading their Children’s Bible before bed, one of them asked “why would I be afraid of an angel – aren’t they supposed to be nice?” He had me there … and I was uncharacteristically at a loss for words. We talked about the big voices they have, the situations in which they appear and the idea that if you were not expecting it, it might be pretty scary to see even a sliver of God’s power up close and unfiltered – especially if God was not too happy with you. Then one of them asked, “So Jesus and the angels tell us that God doesn’t want us to be afraid – is that all?” I told them, “Well, that’s not all, but ‘be not afraid’ is a good place to start.”

I was feeling pretty good about myself there – after all, I was not totally at a loss. But as I thought about it more and more, I realized that I had made a bit of a mistake. I hadn’t made it clear to them that “be not afraid” is a divine, not a human, beginning. That it’s not the first thing WE do – it’s really more the first thing we need to work on, the “top priority” and the thing we need God’s help most in order to do. The angel that appeared to Joseph brought the best news of all – God is with us.

So my prayer for you this Advent season is that you will feel the celebration of Jesus’ birth as the certainty of God’s presence in your life. God is with us; we are not alone. Thanks be to God.

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV)

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

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Dec. 16: Obedience to follow the call

Jason Pollock — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 05:00:37 +0000

By Ashley Walker, a senior music education major from Kirklin, Ind.

SCRIPTURE: Romans 1:1-7 (NRSV)
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DEVOTIONAL:

Have you ever felt called to do something? As a college senior, I have spent four years thinking that I couldn’t wait to be a music teacher. But recently I have felt myself called to do something completely different, to go overseas and involve myself in mission work. I must note that this isn’t something that I have ever imagined myself doing until now and I can’t say that I am ready to leave the minute I graduate.

So when I read the opening words of Scripture in the Book of Romans, I am reminded of the amazing obedience of the Apostle Paul that was recorded in the Book of Acts. Paul was called by God to travel to all the Jews preaching the good news of the resurrected Christ. Thinking about this, I wonder how it is that Paul can easily drop what he is doing to go and work with God’s people, but I myself have trouble imagining taking a year off to go do service?

Obedience. God calls us all to be apostles of Christ. Now, I’m not saying that we must all devote our life to overseas missions, because that isn’t every person’s call in life, but I am saying that we should all be open to the call of God in our everyday lives. I pray that once we find this obedience inside ourselves, we will be granted the peace that Paul writes to the Romans, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

SCRIPTURE: Romans 1:1-7 (NRSV)

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Dec. 15: A time of lament

Jason Pollock — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 05:00:15 +0000

By Marshal Watson, a sophomore communication major from Goshen

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (NRSV)
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DEVOTIONAL:

Every year I get myself pumped up for the winter season. Then it gets here and I immediately remember that I actually do not like the winter because it is just too cold and wet. I then become annoyed and upset, and every breath of wind and every snowflake I scowl at.

I love the book of Psalms because of the form of lament. For those who don’t know what lament is, it is a type of Psalm that expresses anger toward God, usually ending in praise. When the Advent season comes along, I do get grumpy every year. I think it’s because of the cold and the wind, the consumerism that is going around and the end-of-the-semester blues. I start to complain to God that I want the year to be over so a new one can start. But then, every year, I realize that for me and other people, Advent can be one big prayer of lament. We can go through the entire season complaining about something that’s happening in our lives. Then as our lives start to slow down a little bit, and we can spend time with the family in a warm home, we start to praise God a little more. Then, when Christmas Day comes, we recognize God fully. This becomes the end of the lament.

Even though complaining to God isn’t always the best thing, I just encourage you on this day to write your own lament, which ends in praising Emmanuel for what you have been given.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (NRSV)

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth

before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us!

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure.

You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves.

Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself.

Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

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Dec. 14: Denying the signs

Jason Pollock — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 05:00:08 +0000

By Jenny Speight, a senior English major from Cleveland, Ohio

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 7:10-16 (NRSV)
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DEVOTIONAL:

We’ve all heard that we shouldn’t put God to the test, and yet, in this passage, God invites Ahaz to do just that. He tells Ahaz to ask for a sign, be it in the Heavens or on the Earth, but Ahaz declines. My first thought was, “Wow, what great faith!” But I wonder if maybe Ahaz was simply afraid that God would prove himself.

King Ahaz was not what we might call a good man. He did not know God, let alone trust him. To receive a sign indicating that God would indeed carry them through required faith, and Ahaz had none. But God gave him a sign anyway.

Declining a sign from the God who has graciously offered to prove himself was not a gesture of faith, it was fear. God wanted to show himself to the people. So Ahaz, rather than being used by God, has God’s purposes accomplished in spite of him. The birth of Christ was announced though Ahaz declined God’s offer to show a sign. How often do we do this, ignoring or declining an offer from God?

This passage demonstrates God’s ability to accomplish what he wants in spite of us, but it doesn’t give us license to ignore him. The sign God provides is Emmanuel – God with us. When Ahaz denied the sign, he denied Emmanuel. But God gave it to us anyway.

Though we deny the sign – the very proof God so longs to give us – he continues his work anyway.

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 7:10-16 (NRSV)

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.

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