Today Daily Devotional

. . . and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. — Matthew 1:16 Christmas often brings families together for celebrations. In many ways this can be a wonderful time of celebration and encouragement. But families can be complicated, so at times our holidays can come with baggage we can't escape.The book of Matthew introduces the story of Jesus by sharing his family tree. Some names in this list can be found in the Old Testament; others are lost to history. The Christmas story bears the imprint of kings and commoners, some who wanted to live for God and some who did not.Most notable are the people whose stories include pain or even great sins but who came to experience God's grace and healing. Jacob was a schemer who wrestled with God (Genesis 32:22-32). Tamar (Genesis 38) and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12) were victims of abuse. Rahab (Joshua 2-6) and Ruth (Ruth 1-4) were foreigners who would have been looked down on in Israel. Manasseh was a wicked king who only repented late in life (2 Chronicles 33). Jesus' human lineage was anything but pure and holy. Yet the Son of God chose to enter the human race through this collection of imperfect ancestors.If your Christmas celebrations include imperfect people, or you feel wounds from your own imperfect past, give thanks that Jesus the Messiah chose the same kind of family through which to bring salvation to the human race. Jesus, thank you for coming into our imperfect lives to bring your perfect love to us. Amen.

“The Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.” — Luke 1:49 One danger we can slip into at Christmastime is discontent. Maybe we long for “the perfect gift” from someone. Or we hope for the perfect family gathering with “just the right people” around the table. Or perhaps we want Christmas worship to go “just so.” And then we grow ill-tempered or even cranky when things do not go as we dreamed.We can also slip into complaining about what we do not get from God. Or maybe there are injustices we face, or our life hasn't worked out the way we planned, or there are some sins we can't quite shake—and we wish God would take those problems away.Yet, as Mary's song celebrates, God's mercy shows up not only in answers that we expect from our prayers. Sometimes God's mercy shows up in our difficult situations. The angel's surprising, even shocking, announcement to Mary upended her world. Yet she still recognized God's saving grace in the promised birth of Jesus.Mary's song reveals something else too. She sees the power of God to lift up people who recognize their need for grace. In the world's eyes, the rich and powerful seem to have all they need in order to manage their lives. But people who recognize their own weaknesses will find that Jesus the Savior brings divine power to their struggles. May we join with Mary in humble gratitude for the gifts of God's mercy and strength. Lord God, you are merciful and mighty beyond our wildest imagination. Open our eyes to the great things you have done—and to your mercy to us in Jesus. Amen.

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” — Luke 1:45 In many ways Mary's surprise pregnancy was not welcome news. Though she had accepted God's will, it must have been puzzling. God's way of working in her life was rather shocking and scandalous in the society she lived in. Though she would be called “blessed,” Mary probably did not enjoy much support from her local community at the time.How do we find space to process what God is doing in the hard situations of life?Mary wisely sought out the counsel of her relative Elizabeth, who was also pregnant through a miracle of God's grace. The journey there would not have been easy, taking Mary about a week during a time in her pregnancy when she might have been very tired. But Mary likely sensed in Elizabeth a kindred spirit who could help her think through the surprising things God was doing in their lives.Christmas can encourage us to seek out godly wisdom as well. Maybe we are in a difficult, unexpected situation. Maybe we feel abandoned or even shunned by a community we thought would support and encourage us.Who are the people who can help us trust in God's promises even amid such puzzling, challenging times?Alternatively, how can we be a friend who points out God's work to others? Heavenly Father, it is a blessing to believe your Word to us. May we believe that you will fulfill what you have promised. Open our eyes to Jesus' coming into our lives. Amen.

“I am the Lord's servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” — Luke 1:38 Surprise is a part of many stories people tell at Christmastime. Lots of folk stories, novels, and movies with Christmas themes include fun twists and surprises. And often the most-loved tales are those with a surprising, happy ending.The Christmas story itself includes surprises. But while the result—Jesus' birth—is certainly a joyful and happy one, some of the surprises along the way can bring mixed emotions.Mary was not expecting to be at the center of this story. She was quite young, probably in her early teens, when an angel came to her with news that totally changed her life. It would be scandalous to be a pregnant, unmarried woman in a culture that prized sexual purity. Yet Mary embraced this news from God with humility, saying, “I am the Lord's servant.”What surprises has God placed in your life? Sometimes God delights us with good news we never saw coming—like a new job or an unexpected friendship. Other times God's surprises are hard to bear—like life-changing illnesses, mental-health issues, or financial struggles. Our surprises can also stem from sins we have committed, and we wish we had not done those things.God's Christmas promise is that he is with us in all of our surprises: the good and the difficult. God invites us to watch for his power and to find his saving grace in Christ.Will you humbly embrace him this Christmas? God of surprises, help us to trust in you. We need you always. Fill us with your love and grace, we pray, in Jesus. Amen.

Zechariah asked . . . “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” — Luke 1:18 Zechariah and Elizabeth had grown old waiting for a child. But then one day, when Zechariah had an opportunity to burn incense in a holy, inner room of the temple, an angel of God appeared and said that their prayers had been heard. They would soon have a child!But it seemed too good to be true. Zechariah didn't believe the message at first, so the angel told him he would not be able to speak anymore until the child was born.When we wait for a long time for something to happen, it's easy to let our doubts and fears overshadow God's promises. Sometimes we feel more secure in clinging to our sinful habits and our broken dreams. “You expect me to talk about what God is doing in my life? With people who know me all too well? No thanks,” we easily say, “not me.”In some ways the story of Christmas seems too good to be true. Can sinful human beings really have a relationship with the holy God? Can people searching for purpose in life really discover the call of God on their hearts?Yes! God promises that we too can be part of the story he is writing—about humanity being redeemed and restored to live in favor with the One who made heaven and earth.Thankfully, not even our doubts can cancel God's plans. And, in Jesus, God comes into our world offering new life for us all! Can you believe it? Lord, show us that your patience means salvation (2 Peter 3:9), and help us to believe your promises even when it seems to take a long time for them to be fulfilled. Amen.

They were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. — Luke 1:7 The Christmas story begins with broken dreams. Elizabeth and Zechariah had prayed fervently to have a child (see Luke 1:13), but God had not answered in the way they had hoped or expected. And being childless was not only personally disappointing; it also carried a social stigma in their culture. Now that they had grown old, Zechariah and Elizabeth had likely given up on their dream of ever having a child.Many of us come to Christmas with disappointments too. Our family life has turned out differently than we had hoped. We hold a job that provides little more than drudgery from day to day. We look around at our culture and lament the loss of important values and safety that we thought we could take for granted. We are confused and wonder if our prayers are even heard.But trying to do everything right, as Zechariah and Elizabeth did, does not mean our dreams will be fulfilled. The longing we sense here reflects a deeper longing for a relationship with God that was lost because of human sin.What's more, if we have waited a long time, that doesn't mean God is not at work. God knew Zechariah and Elizabeth's situation. He knows the human condition. God knows each of our situations and our disappointments as well. At Christmas we can see how God works to restore his people—and that includes me and you! Father, you know our hopes and dreams. Help us to trust that you are at work even in our long seasons of disappointment and waiting. Amen.

I . . . decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. — Luke 1:3-4 The Christmas story is familiar to many people throughout the world, wherever the message of Christ has spread. In various parts of our world today, though, the Christmas season has become a time when focusing on Jesus competes with shopping, holiday parties, and a frenzied rush.In the book of Luke, the story of Jesus begins with a reminder that can help us even today in our world of competing ideals. Luke writes to a reader called Theophilus (“friend of God”) so that this person may know deep-down that the story of Jesus is certain and true.God wants the Christmas story to inspire a kind of certainty in us. This is not intended to promote pride or superiority, as if to suggest that we know God better than anyone else. Instead, this is to instill wonder at the reality of the birth of Christ and what it means for the whole world (see John 3:16).Do you feel overwhelmed by the busyness of the Christmas season? Do the holidays remind you of stresses and hurts from the past that have not healed? In this season, turn again to the story of what God has “fulfilled among us”—the promise to provide a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. See how Jesus changes the lives of all who come into contact with him, and let his birth renew in you the certainty of God's love for us all. Spirit of God, thank you for sharing the story of Jesus with us. May the wonder of this story sink into our hearts, giving us certainty and hope in you. Amen.

When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son. . . . — Galatians 4:4 Christmas can seem like a magical time for children. In our family we have several traditions that our children look forward to at this time of year. Especially when they were younger, it seemed to them like an awfully long time to wait for Christmas after putting up decorations in early December—particularly when presents under the tree caught their attention!For many long years, God's people waited in hope for a Savior to come. God had given the people his law, filled with rules and guidelines about how to live as his people. But the law was not enough to bring the people closer to the Lord, and they longed for a deeper relationship. God also promised that he would raise up a leader from his people who would “do what is just and right” (see Jeremiah 23:5-6). And they learned that God would fill their hearts and minds with his will so that they could live more closely with him (see Jeremiah 31:33).It must have seemed like forever to wait for God to keep those promises. But the Bible tells us that this happened at just the right time. God sent his own Son, Jesus, into the world to fulfill the law so that all who would believe could be saved from sin and freed by his Spirit to live with him, sharing his love and grace with others.This Christmas, look for ways in which God's Spirit is changing you because of Jesus' birth. Holy God, sometimes it seems hard to wait for you. But your timing is always right, and your promises are always rich! Help us wait faithfully for you, and make us your people in Christ. Amen.

“For their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors. . . . I am the Lord.” — Leviticus 26:45 In Jesus' parable of the lost son (Luke 15:11-24) we read of a young man who leaves home to seek adventures in wild living. Soon, however, his money runs out, and his life begins to unravel.Leviticus pointed God's people to the joy of his presence in their lives. Yet in spite of all God had done to make it possible for them to live with him, God knew they would soon go looking for joy elsewhere. They would find his laws too burdensome, and they would spiral again into sin. The first part of our reading today warned the people that disobedience would lead to punishment and the withholding of God's blessings. God's aim in all this was not to inflict pain but to break down pride and stubbornness.Thankfully, God does not give up on his wayward children. God remembers his covenant promises, and he restores all who repent and ask for forgiveness. Perhaps you too have wandered away, and you have faced the consequences of sin in your own life. Perhaps your relationship with God is a long-past memory, and your present life is a mess.The young man in Jesus' parable returns home, sorry for his wrongdoing, and he is surprised to be welcomed back with joy and grace by his loving father. Through faith in Jesus, we are guaranteed an even greater welcome home to our Father's love! Lord and God, thank you that, because of Jesus, we may come home to our true home with you! We thank and praise you for your kind mercy to us in Christ. Amen.

“If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops. . . .” — Leviticus 26:3 When we are living in a right relationship with God, we can be assured of his blessing and favor. Our text in Leviticus today describes material, social, and economic favor that God gave his people as they lived in a right relationship with him.Many of us experience similar blessings. Our cupboards are filled with plenty for us to eat. We enjoy success in our work and stability in our homes and families. But even when that isn't the case, we can count on God's spiritual care. God keeps his promises to us and is always with us (see Matthew 28:20).We do well to remember always, though, that we are called to walk in obedience to God. While this cannot earn God's love for us or earn us salvation, we experience more fully our enjoyment of God when we strive to walk in his ways. Walking with God fills us with joy and delight in his presence.There is no greater blessing than to live each day with the Lord, who loves us more than we can imagine (Ephesians 3:16-21). In Leviticus, God reminds his people that he redeemed them in order to live among them. This is true for us today as well! At the cross, Jesus freed us from our slavery and guilt in sin so that we can walk with him, delighting in his presence and living with thankfulness each day for him. Father, you have redeemed us to be your treasured possession. Help us to live in gratitude to you each day. Show us the joy of obedience to you! In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

“One of their relatives may redeem them: An uncle or a cousin or any blood relative in their clan may redeem them.” — Leviticus 25:48-49 A friend asked, “Why can't God just forgive our sins without the cross?” Why did Jesus have to suffer and give up his life for us? The answer is in today's reading. When a family's crop failed for years in a row, they might have to sell property, or even a family member, to satisfy debts that could pile up (Leviticus 25:23-55). Fortunately God's law allowed other family members to pay off their debts, releasing them from their obligations.These laws show how we can owe a debt that we cannot repay. If someone hurts me, either I will try to make them pay by inflicting harm on them, or else I will pay by absorbing the cost. Likewise, when we violate God's law, we create a debt that someone must pay, and either we or God will have to pay it. Jesus explains this in Mark 10:45 when he says, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus not only pays our ransom; he becomes the ransom. His suffering and death are the payment for our debt!This means we are now free! Years ago, a young family was buried under crippling debt—medical bills, unexpected car repairs, a mortgage, and student loans. When a charitable organization paid off their debt, their entire present and future changed! In comparison, Jesus has done so much more—saving all who believe in him to live with him forever! Lord Jesus, we are eternally thankful for all you have done for us. May we live faithfully in the freedom you have won for us. Amen.

“Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws, and you will live safely in the land.” — Leviticus 25:18 Homelessness is a growing problem in my city, and the causes are many: poverty, addiction, mental illness, poor personal choices, and more. All of these can be tied to the cosmic problem of sin—the effects of sin leech into every nook of society, wreaking social, psychological, and spiritual havoc everywhere.This was also the case in ancient Israel. Generational debt could cripple a family, forcing them to sell long-held family land, or even forcing a family into a kind of slavery. But then every 50 years, the trumpet would sound, and social and economic burdens would be rolled back. During the year of Jubilee, land debts were erased, property was restored, and the people were to rest from their labors, trusting in God to provide everything they needed. Does this sound idealistic? In a way, it was.There is no record in the Bible that Israel ever celebrated the Year of Jubilee. The law commanded it, and prophets proclaimed it, but the people may never have enjoyed the blessings of this great gift from God.When Jesus began his ministry, he read from Isaiah 61 and declared a new Jubilee. His work on the cross would deal with the problems of our world at the deepest level—he would pay the penalty for sin and destroy the devil's work in this world. Because of Jesus and his life, death, and resurrection, Jubilee is possible—and one day, when he returns, it will be realized fully for all who trust in him! Lord Jesus, thank you for all you have done to free us from sin. Help us to live in the hope of your Jubilee. Amen.

“I tell you, do not resist an evil person.” — Matthew 5:39 Have you ever wanted revenge? Maybe a colleague stole credit for your hard work, or you were blamed for someone else's wrongdoing. Or if someone hurt you with their words or actions, it's natural to want to even the score. We rarely stop there, however; usually we want revenge plus interest. This can lead to a vicious cycle that can tear apart families, fracture communities, and even destroy nations.Today's passage in Leviticus applies the law from the story we read yesterday, and it reminds us of two things. First, all who are part of God's covenant people are bound by the requirements of the covenant, whether they were born into God's people or not. Justice applies to everyone. And, second, God's law limits what we may seek from people who have wronged us: “an eye for an eye” (and no more). For example, if you injure or kill your neighbor's animal, they may take one of your animals from you, but not two. Justice, properly practiced, has limits.Jesus, however, challenges us further—to extend kindness even to people who have hurt us. In fact, that's what God has done for us! Rather than treat us as our sins deserve by demanding our life from us, the Lord extends mercy to us in Christ, who gave up his own life for our sake. When we see how God has gone the extra mile to show us mercy, we can “turn . . . the other cheek” to people who have wronged us. Gracious God, though we have sinned, you have answered with mercy, and we are eternally thankful. Help us to live by your way of mercy toward everyone. In Jesus, Amen.

“Anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord is to be put to death.” — Leviticus 24:16 This is a difficult story. Two men get into a fight. Tempers flare, and shouting erupts. One of the men invokes God's name as a curse, clearly defying God's command not to blaspheme the Lord. What should be done?God's name is not for our casual use to express shock or anger or amusement. It's not something we can invoke to support our favorite political or social causes. Of course, we also should be careful about flippantly saying “God told me this or that.”The way we handle God's name shapes the way we view God's character. If we treat God's name as a punchline, we will not take God seriously. If we invoke God's name to prop up our political or social positions, God becomes little more than a good luck charm. But when we use God's name with reverence and awe, we will find that we honor God—as the Lord deserves. The man in this story failed to see that, and although it's difficult to imagine, he paid the ultimate penalty for his sin.Many years later, Jesus was (wrongly) accused of blasphemy and was eventually put to death. But what good news for us! Jesus was condemned so that all of our misuse of God's name—every way in which we dishonor God by our words and actions—would be forgiven. Now God graciously entrusts his name to us so that we may call upon it for salvation! Lord Jesus, help us to honor the sanctity of your name in the way we speak and live. May we only use your name to glorify you. Amen.

“Take the finest flour and bake twelve loaves of bread. . . . Arrange them . . . on the table of pure gold before the Lord.” — Leviticus 24:5-6 In the tabernacle there is a table stacked with 12 loaves of bread, representing all of God's people. The table and the utensils on it are made of pure gold. Since the tabernacle was the place to enjoy fellowship with God, it made sense that there would be a place to sit and eat! But what would God feed his people?In the Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis uses food to show how we often hunger for things that cannot satisfy. Young Edmund is swayed to follow an evil witch who promises to give him Turkish delight—only to learn that candy cannot really satisfy him. Many of us hunger for “food” that cannot nourish our souls. We chase after wealth, career success, athletic trophies, and social status, hoping to satisfy the longing in our souls. But these are all just stale bites that leave us hungry.The bread in the tabernacle is meant to remind us that, just as God nourished Israel with bread and meat in the wilderness (Exodus 16), he will continue to nourish us. The bread God gives us is himself! Jesus had this in mind when he declared, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35)! Looking to Jesus in faith is to feed on him, and he nourishes us in ways that no earthly “food” ever can. In Jesus, we are drawn into fellowship with the God who loves us more than anything, who promises never to leave us, and who removes our sin from us once and for all! That is food that can satisfy. Father, thank you for filling us with the true bread that can satisfy the longing in our souls. Nourish us each day, we pray. In Christ, Amen.

“Outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, Aaron is to tend the lamps before the Lord from evening to morning, continually.” — Leviticus 24:3 The tabernacle was the place where God's presence came to rest among his people, and our passage today brings us into that tentlike structure. Covered with several layers of fabric, the tabernacle was dark inside. So a large solid-gold candlestand was provided to give the priest enough light to perform his duties.On a deeper level the candlestand communicated that God's presence was a light amid the darkness of this world. The light of God's presence shone clearly to draw people into the clarity and safety of his guidance and care.Later God's presence moved from the tabernacle (a tent) to the temple (a building)—and then when Jesus came, he declared, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:10), showing that he, as Lord and God, was even better than the temple lighting! Jesus also said to his followers, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14), and he called them to share his light with everyone.Today, in a morally and spiritually confused world, Jesus calls us to shine his light. In our work, schools, families, communities, and more, we can shine God's light to others. But we can only do that by living in a right relationship with the Lord. How will you reflect the light of Jesus today? Jesus, you are the light this world needs! Thank you for bringing us into the light of your presence, and help us to shine your light wherever we go. In your name, Amen.

“You are to have a day of sabbath rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts.” — Leviticus 23:24 Do you ever feel distant from God? Sometimes busyness can crowd out so much of our lives that we forget to spend time with God in prayer or worship. The Feast of Trumpets was designed to reawaken God's people to the beauty of his presence among them.The Feast of Trumpets occurred toward the end of the agricultural year. For months the people labored under a hot sun to grow food—tilling, planting, pruning, and finally harvesting. But through long days, heavy demands, and the uncertainties of their daily work, it could be easy to lose sight of the God who had come to live among his people. The Feast of Trumpets marked the beginning of the religious year. On this first day of a new year, trumpets blasted throughout the community of God's people, announcing the nearness of God. The unmistakable sound of the ram's horn called Israel to revival and renewal.One day we too will hear the unmistakable sound of a trumpet, announcing that Jesus is returning to make his kingdom complete! Amid the busyness of our work, our schooling, or the worries and cares of this world, we can lose sight of the certainty of Jesus' return.But we are called to be ready for that day! Let us live each day eagerly awaiting and preparing for the clear, triumphant note of the Lord's trumpet call. Lord Jesus, we are easily distracted, and we can even become apathetic about your return. Wake us again today to the glory and greatness of your presence, while we await that day when you will return. Amen.

When the day of Pentecost came . . . they saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. — Acts 2:1-3 Many of us view rules or laws negatively. Speed limits can seem to bog us down, and who wants to pay extra taxes? Even God's law can feel restrictive at times. But, of course, all of these things are important.The Feast of Weeks—taking place seven weeks after the Feast of Firstfruits (see Nov. 20)—celebrated the wheat harvest, and it became an occasion to thank God for the gift of his law. Yes, that's right—as the Israelites lived in the presence of a holy God, his law taught them how to live in a way that was pleasing to the One who had redeemed them.Of course, Israel's struggle was that obedience was not just difficult—it was impossible. And the same is true for us. Look back over the past day or so, for example. Have you kept from saying unkind words? Have you resisted every bitter thought? Have you avoided the subtle sins of greed and impatience? Not one of us can obey God's law perfectly.On the Feast of Weeks, God sent his Spirit to renew us in terms of celebrating the harvest as well as the law. The Spirit empowers us for the greater harvest that God has prepared, bringing people from every nation into his kingdom! And the Spirit transforms us to act with true obedience from renewed hearts. If you have received Jesus as your Savior, his Holy Spirit is shaping you for mission and obedience! Father, help us to live with glad obedience to you, in gratitude for all that you have done for us in Jesus. Amen.

Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. — 1 Corinthians 15:20 A member of my church was diagnosed recently with terminal cancer. Another family close to me is watching as dementia robs their family member of memories, one at a time. A colleague recently died unexpectedly, leaving behind a dear wife and two children. Daily headlines announce war, disease, and natural disasters. In short, we live in a world marked by death.The Feast of Firstfruits pointed to a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The people offered God a portion of the first crops of their barley harvest. The offerings were given in gratitude and as an act of trust that God would continue providing for his people. This feast signaled that the first of the crop would lead to more.On the Sunday after Jesus' death, the sun rose bright on the Feast of Firstfruits. Jesus, the firstfruits of resurrection, opened his eyes from the sleep of death and walked out of the grave, alive! He was the first, but he will not be the last. All who believe in him will also rise from the grave, brought out of death into life!To know what we will be like after rising from the grave, we need only look to Jesus. A perfected body and mind. No more dementia, no more cancer, no more Parkinson's, no more depression, no more wearing out of bodies and minds!The Feast of Firstfruits invites us to trust that Jesus' resurrection was just the beginning—and there is more to come! Lord of life, comfort and sustain us with the hope that we will join you in resurrection! In your powerful name we pray. Amen.

Let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. — 1 Corinthians 5:8 For one week, some years ago, I owned all the bread in the Jewish community in Salem, Oregon, where I live. When local Jewish families celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread, they did so not by removing all the yeast from their homes (as their biblical ancestors did) but by signing a contract that gave ownership of all their leavened food to someone else.The Feast of Unleavened Bread was celebrated alongside the Feast of Passover, and it communicated how God had set his people apart as his own. Many years later, the apostle Paul explained to the Corinthians that since “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed,” we are to keep the festival by removing evil from within us and from our Christian communities. Like yeast, sin has a way of working into our lives until it taints every part of who we are. An addiction will grip our behaviors at home and at work, destroying both in the process. Gossip will erode trust in a community. Greed will poison ambition, turning it into something ruthless instead of productive. Like leaven, sin is pervasive. By removing the leaven from their homes, God's people were to remember they were redeemed to be holy.Is sin taking hold in an area of your life? What might it look like to remove that poison from your life? Jesus, our Passover lamb, was sacrificed so that we can be holy. Let's resolve to live as God's holy people! Jesus, we confess that we often find sin alluring. Help us, by the power of your Spirit, to remove sin from our lives. Amen.

“Tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.'” — Exodus 13:8 Many people would rather avoid talking or thinking much about death, but the Bible is straightforward about this problem—and about God's promises and acts of deliverance. The feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread reminded God's people about his care and salvation for them.For the Passover feast, families chose a lamb that was free of defects, and it was slaughtered in memory of Israel's rescue from slavery in Egypt. Many years earlier, the king of Egypt had refused to set the Israelites free, so the Lord sent a plague of death on the land. But in every Israelite house marked by lamb's blood on the doorposts, the plague would not enter. The plague “passed over” those homes, but death came to the firstborn sons in all the other households in Egypt, and the king finally let the Israelites go free (Exodus 12).This event pointed to Jesus' sacrifice many years later as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Though Jesus was blameless and without sin, he gave his own life as a sacrifice so that all of God's people, who believe in him, can be freed from their slavery to sin and the sentence of eternal death. Now anyone who takes shelter behind the shed blood of Jesus is spared—and freed to enjoy new life in him!Thanks be to God for bringing us out of death into life, so that if we are in Christ, nothing but the shadow of death will fall on us, and we will be spared its full effect! Jesus, thank you for taking on the judgment of death for our sake. May we live each day in gratitude to you! Amen.

“You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a sabbath to the Lord.” — Leviticus 23:3 Our culture tends to wear busyness like a badge of honor. We work long hours; we juggle family, church, and school responsibilities; and we take our work with us when we go on vacation. When people ask us how we're doing, though exhausted, we take pride in sighing, “Busy!” We need to ask, “Are we doing all this just to be seen, valued, and affirmed?”Leviticus 23 opens a section about feasts and festivals that God called his people to observe. These events created a sense of rhythm and structure for God's people, and the first of these was the weekly Sabbath. Every seven days, the people were to set their work aside and rest. As noted in Exodus 20:8-11, resting reminded Israel that God, not their labor, sustained the world, and Deuteronomy 5:12-15 made clear that God, not their labor, was their salvation.Today most Christians observe Sunday as their day of rest and worship. Why? Because Jesus, who rose on the first day of the week, gives us a greater rest than the people of Israel had in the time of Leviticus. Jesus' death and resurrection mean that the work of perfect obedience has been completed; he has provided the rest that our souls long for. In Jesus we are free from the relentless work of trying to earn our worth and to live as if we bear the weight of the world on our shoulders.Are you weary and burdened? Jesus invites you to find rest in him. Set aside time this week to enjoy the rest and worship that God graciously gives us. Lord, you invite us to find in you the only true rest that can satisfy our souls. Help us to enjoy the rest you provide. Amen.

“You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you.” — Leviticus 18:3 Our culture today is immersed in sex. Many advertisements use suggestive messaging to promote fast food, clothing, video games, and more. Streaming services allow viewers to watch provocative scenes on demand. Sex is presented as bringing ultimate joy and fulfillment.Leviticus teaches us how the Lord's presence transforms every part of our lives. God's presence shapes the boardroom, the family room, the classroom, and, yes, the bedroom.While our culture's moral compass is set by individual desire, God calls his people to look to him and his Word. Since God liberated us from slavery to sin, we must not become enslaved again by sinful desires. Anyone who has struggled with sexual temptation or sin can testify to the way it can imprison us. Instead of indulging in an “anything-goes” approach to sex, we are to honor God's design for sexuality by enjoying it in the context of marriage between a husband and wife.While this message may seem outdated or restrictive, God's Word leads us to true enjoyment and flourishing. Sexual sin promises excitement but leaves us feeling empty and ashamed. Jesus has graciously paid the penalty for our sin and removed our shame so that we can live into the full enjoyment of all that God intends for us. May we live free from the slavery of sin and instead delight in living out all parts of our life in the joyful presence of God! God, help us to live in the freedom you have won for us in Jesus. Amen.

“The life of a creature is in the blood. . . .” — Leviticus 17:11 We have about 30 trillion blood cells moving through about 60,000 miles of blood vessels in our bodies. And if we lose more than 40 percent of our blood, our life will be at serious risk. The words of Leviticus 17:11 are true: “The life of a creature is in the blood.”Many of our readings in Leviticus this month have mentioned something about blood. Leviticus 17 explains why. First, blood is treated with respect because it represents life, and life is a gift from God. Our culture may emphasize that we should do as we please in life. But because life is God's gift to us, God is the rightful authority over our lives. For this reason Israel was called to safeguard the well-being of God's creatures. We must value and protect all life against needless harm and death.The shedding of blood also symbolized how one life was given in exchange for another. Blood was God's gift for making atonement, showing that sin was serious and would lead to being cut off from God and his people.On the night of his arrest, Jesus explained how his blood would be poured out, and his life given, for us (Luke 22:20). Though we are guilty, Jesus was cut off from his Father and his people so that we could be restored to the joy of God's presence. God not only requires a sacrifice as payment for our sin, but he also provides it through Jesus! Lord Jesus, your blood was poured out so that we can have full, eternal life! Though we cannot repay you for this gift, help us to live in thankfulness to you. Amen.

“The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness.” — Leviticus 16:22 Limburger cheese has a smell that is sometimes compared to sweaty feet. Even worse, the smell can linger long after the cheese is gone!Similarly, shame can linger long after our sin has been dealt with. Shame is a result of the voice of Satan whispering into our heart that we are not good enough. When we fail in a project at work or do poorly on an exam, shame makes us feel we are worthless. When we give in to temptation, or make a parenting mistake, or let our spouse down, shame implies that our failures define us. We try to work harder, chase status symbols, and make ourselves too busy, but nothing can cover the shame we feel.In today's reading about the scapegoat, we see that this goat was not slaughtered. Instead the people's sins were symbolically transferred to that goat, and it was released into the wilderness, never to be seen again. The message was clear. God not only covers the guilt of his people but also removes the effects of sin—including shame—from their lives.Jesus, serving as our scapegoat, has carried our sin away so that it is never seen again. This means that when we hear Satan's accusations, we need only to look to the Savior and remember that God, the one person who could actually accuse us, has declared that in Jesus our sins are gone forever! Lord and God, thank you for removing not only our guilt but also our shame. Help us to know and trust that we are fully forgiven in Jesus' name. Amen.

“This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.” — Leviticus 16:34 When I was 12 years old, I told my father a lie—and I soon found that I had to tell more lies just to keep the first lie going. It felt like something ugly had taken over my soul, and I couldn't get rid of it. That was guilt, and most of us learn at a young age how destructive it can be. Guilt festers in our soul; it can wear us down, even physically; and it can erode our relationships. Guilt is related to a moral standard, and since we fall short of God's standard, we all live with guilt.Leviticus 16 is the thematic center of God's law. The Day of Atonement illustrated how God would remove the guilt of all his people. Because sin contaminated the community and everyone in it, the priest made atonement for his own sin, his family's sin, and the sins of all the people; then he did the same for the tabernacle, since it was contaminated by the people's uncleanness.Two goats were chosen. One was killed, and its blood was poured out to signify that the penalty of death was paid. The other goat became the scapegoat and was sent out into the wilderness.But the Day of Atonement ritual couldn't deal fully with our guilt. No sacrifice of animals could truly pay our debt. But when Jesus cried out on the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30)—the price for our sin was paid once for all! When we confess our sin, we can be assured that Jesus has atoned for us and that our guilt no longer counts against us! Gracious God, in Jesus' name we confess our sins and ask for your forgiveness. Thank you! Amen.

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” — Matthew 8:3 Rules in Leviticus about skin diseases and rashes may not make for the most comfortable reading—especially if we are reading this at mealtime. And there is a lot more here about things that made an Israelite “clean” or “unclean.” This section of Leviticus includes all kinds of requirements about foods, bodily fluids, and sacrifices. These commands describe whether a person was fit for participating in worship as a part of God's people.These laws didn't necessarily say that a person had committed a sin, though. Rather, the person had come into contact with something that made them ritually unclean—usually a bodily fluid, a certain kind of animal, or a skin disease. When a person was “defiled,” steps were needed to restore purity—usually bathing, waiting for a period of time, and bringing an offering. An unclean person also had to take care not to touch other people because that would spread the uncleanness. These laws reminded the people that God desired holiness in all areas of life. From eating food to having children to taking care of one's body, God's call to holiness was always in view.Yet people could not make themselves holy. Only a priest declared whether that was so.And this is vitally good news for us. When Jesus healed people, their impurities flowed to him, and his purity flowed to them. In the great reversal that makes God's salvation possible for us through Jesus, we are made pure once for all! Lord Jesus, thank you that although we are not holy, you make us clean by taking our impurities away. Amen!

“[God] said: ‘Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; . . . I will be honored.'” — Leviticus 10:3 On my first day of work at a McDonald's restaurant, my cash drawer was short 10 dollars, and my manager wrote me up, leaving me worried about keeping my job. But I was not afraid of being struck dead. We've all made mistakes and had some rough days at work, so we might wonder why Nadab and Abihu were struck dead when they began to work as priests. What went wrong?Nadab and Abihu's sin was not just a minor oversight or a misstep. After God had given detailed instructions about the priests' responsibilities, Aaron's sons ignored God's rules in favor of their own. This is a pattern as old as the human race; sin begins when we decide we know better than God does. But God is holy, and we are not free to improvise our own ways of approaching or relating to God. Tragically, just as “fire came out” and consumed the offering brought by Aaron (Leviticus 9), fire came out against Nadab and Abihu and consumed them. Even Aaron was silent in response, likely indicating that he accepted God's judgment—though he must have felt deep sorrow.Must we fear the same today? In all of history only one priest, Jesus, was flawless and worthy to enter God's presence. And when he did that for our sake, he took the wrath of God upon himself as it broke out against him—in our place. But this is good news for us! Jesus' sacrifice covered all our sin so that we never need to fear God's judgment. Holy God, it's difficult for us to understand your holiness. Thank you for giving us Jesus so that we can be forgiven. Amen.

Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. — Leviticus 9:22 Our culture is obsessed with happiness. We seek joy in wealth, in our careers, in sports and leisure, and in a host of other things. Books have been written; research conducted; podcasts, movies, and TV shows produced—all promising a way to contentment. Yet soul-satisfying joy remains out of reach. Worldly happiness is fleeting at best, and it fails to deliver on its lofty promises.That's because we are created to find our deepest joy in a relationship with God. But our sin keeps us apart from God. How can we be restored to the joy of God's presence?As a representative of the people to God, the high priest offered sacrifices for the people's sins. But today's reading shows that the priest also represented God to the people. After completing the sacrifices Aaron the high priest raised his hands and pronounced God's blessing on the people. God had accepted the offerings and—through Aaron—spoke a word of grace and comfort to his people.This word of grace is for us too! After his resurrection, Jesus turned to his disciples, “lifted up his hands and blessed them” (Luke 24:50). God had accepted the sacrifice of Jesus' life and death, so, as our great High Priest, Jesus could speak on God's behalf and pronounce favor on us. Because of Jesus, God turns his face toward us, and the light of his smile shines on us and gives us peace (see Numbers 6:22-26). There is no greater happiness! Father, when your people saw your glory, they fell facedown and worshiped you. As you smile on us, may we too offer ourselves in worship. Amen.

[Moses] put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him. — Leviticus 8:7 A middle-school student asked why I was studying for eight years to be “ordained.” I explained that the church ordains ministers for special duties, like raising their hands to give the blessing in church. He wasn't impressed. “That's a long time to go to school just to be able to raise your hands,” he said.In Leviticus 8 God gives instructions for ordaining Aaron and his sons to serve as priests. The priests' clothing indicated the privilege and responsibility they bore. Priestly garments were purple and gold, matching the colors of the tabernacle, because the priests performed special duties for the Lord. The high priest's turban was inscribed with the words “Holy to the Lord” (Exodus 28:36), indicating special service to God. On the ephod—a kind of vest—were 12 stones, one for each tribe of Israel. God's people would see these stones and remember that the high priest carried their tribe close to his heart and lifted them up in prayer to God.It's even better for us! Hebrews 7:23-28 assures us that Jesus, our ultimate High Priest, continually lifts us up before God and holds us near to his heart. When grief or sadness weigh us down, Jesus is lifting us up! When Satan nags us about repeated failures, Jesus' Spirit reminds us that his righteousness covers all our sin. When we don't know how or what to pray for, Jesus prays on our behalf before the Lord Almighty! Lord Jesus, we thank and praise you for being our perfect priest. Thank you for representing us, O Savior and King! Amen.

“When they . . . realize their guilt, they must . . . make restitution in full, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the owner. . . .” — Leviticus 6:4-5 Recently a jeweler in my city was sentenced to 20 years in prison for defrauding customers. When people brought in their rings for cleaning, he had swapped fake diamonds for their authentic ones, which he then sold. Over the years, he netted over a half-million dollars that way.Perhaps you have been victimized by a scam like that.Or maybe you have been dishonest. Maybe you sold a car without disclosing its problems. Or you found someone's wallet but made no effort to return it. Or maybe you dented a stranger's car and drove off without leaving your insurance information.Defrauding or exploiting others tears at the fabric of society by damaging our ability to trust others. In addition, such acts are also sins against God: “If anyone sins and is unfaithful to the Lord by deceiving a neighbor about something. . . .”Thankfully, God provides a solution. Jesus' death atones for our guilt, ensuring that our fellowship with God is not broken. God also graciously points us to a way of reconciliation with people we have wronged. Restitution is a way to make things right with our neighbor. We are urged to repay what we have taken, plus an added amount to compensate for loss.Is there a relationship with someone in your life that needs repair? What will you do to make things right? Lord Jesus, thank you for paying the price to make us right with God; help us also to take steps to make things right with others. In your name, Amen.

“If any member of the community sins unintentionally . . . and they realize their guilt . . . the priest will make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven.” — Leviticus 4:27, 31 Rachel pulled Jon into her office to address his work performance. “Some of our clients have complained that you have come across as cold and unfriendly lately,” she said. “If this doesn't change, we may have to evaluate your future with our company.” She didn't know that Jon was going through a divorce and caring for his ailing mother. If she had known those things, she may have taken a gentler approach.Sometimes we can hurt our neighbor or grieve God without even realizing it. For example, we can make a comment that is racially insensitive. We can donate to a cause that we later learn is not worthy of support. We can hurt people with unkind remarks or act impatiently when we are frustrated and tired. And although we might like to plead ignorance, that doesn't mean we are not responsible for our actions.Yet God graciously provides the remedy not only for our known sins but also for the ones we aren't aware of. And today we have what Israel did not have: a better priest, who brings a better sacrifice! Jesus' death on the cross pays for all our sins—once for all. All of our hurtful words, sinful thoughts, and insensitive actions that have not measured up to God's standard are forgiven, even if we are not aware of them! Lord, you see much more than we do, and yet your mercy is unfathomable! Thank you that in Jesus you remove our guilt so that we may be at peace with you. Amen.

“And from it he shall offer one loaf from each offering, as a gift to the Lord.” — Leviticus 7:14 When my daughter graduated from basic training for the U.S. Army, our family traveled to South Carolina to celebrate with her. Having eaten only Army food for three months, she was eager to try some of the famous local barbecue options. Friends who lived nearby recommended a restaurant, and when we opened the door, we took in the mouthwatering aromas of pork and beef, slow-cooked for hours.I think the Lord's tabernacle must have smelled like that. Bulls, sheep, and birds were constantly being offered and burned on the altar. And when a family brought an offering with thanks, they were also to bring loaves of bread and oil. The food was shared with the priests so that they could eat too, and everyone was mindful that God himself was enjoying the same meal! In ancient Israel, sharing a meal was a way to nurture relationships with one another. And in South Carolina we talked and laughed as friends and family enjoyed pulled pork, ribs, and smoked brisket.Is your relationship with Christ as personal and intimate as a shared meal with close friends? Some of us imagine God as being cold and aloof. But God invites us to the intimacy of a dinner table. One of the places we experience this most clearly is at the Lord's table, where Jesus himself feasts with us and deepens our relationship with him and his church. May we deepen the fellowship we enjoy with God, in Christ! Lord God, thank you for inviting us to feast and enjoy fellowship with you! Nourish us in your grace and deepen our relationship with you. Amen.

“If your offering is a fellowship offering . . . you are to present . . . an animal without defect.” — Leviticus 3:1 When I was growing up, our family would often grill meat for our meals in the summer. My parents enjoyed grilled steak, but it didn't seem sensible to use choice meat for four young kids who didn't appreciate a sirloin. So instead they put “tube steak” on the barbecue just for us. We were satisfied until we learned that tube steaks were just hot dogs!It's one thing to use a lesser kind of meat when feeding a large family, but it's quite another to try to pass off less than our best to God. In Leviticus 3 God spells out the requirements for fellowship offerings. These sound similar to the rules for burnt offerings (Leviticus 1), but the fellowship offering illustrated the joy of living in a peaceful relationship with God. God's desire was to draw his people into relationship with himself. So, as the holy and true God, he called for receiving animals without blemish or defect. In addition, with these offerings the people had to separate and offer all of the fat portions to the Lord. Why? Because the fat was considered the choicest part of the animal, and that was to be dedicated to God.Romans 12 expands on this idea, noting that our response to God's mercy is to offer the best that we have: our very selves! Do we offer God our very best? When we give of our time, talents, and treasure, do we give God our best, or the leftovers? In view of God's mercy, let's offer God the very best of all we have! O Lord, you have made us your sons and daughters! May we honor you by joyfully giving our best to you! In Jesus, Amen.

“You are to lay your hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on your behalf to make atonement for you.” — Leviticus 1:4 I'm not proud of this, but I'm a recovering guilt-denier. When confronted with something that I've done wrong, my first reaction is to deny, argue, or even blame others. Many of us do that. Others, however, absorb guilt and get stuck in shame and self-loathing. Still others take their cues from our feel-good culture and deny that there's anything wrong with us to begin with. But our conscience won't let us off so easily. Deep down, we all have a nagging awareness that we fall short, even of our own standards.God offers a better alternative. In the opening chapters of Leviticus we find pictures of hope and forgiveness. Each offering of a type of animal or food served a different purpose, and each sacrifice could be different, depending on a family's income. The burnt offering dealt with the people's fundamental problem of guilt. The person laid their hand on a bull, a sheep, or a bird, and the animal would be killed in place of its family. In this way the penalty for sin would be covered, and the offering would make “an aroma pleasing to the Lord,” signifying God's favor and blessing.Of course, as Hebrews 10:4 explains, “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” Those offerings illustrated that Jesus, the Lamb of God, would eventually become the ultimate sacrifice for us. Jesus' death was an offering pleasing to God, and now God's favor shines on us! Merciful God, we rejoice in the forgiveness you extend to us in Christ, our Savior! Amen.

The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him. . . . He said, “Speak to the Israelites and say. . . .” — Leviticus 1:1-2 Yesterday we saw how God's perfect holiness meant that even Moses, whom God had specially chosen, had to be careful about approaching the Lord. How then could the people themselves have fellowship with God?In the opening verses of Leviticus, we see that God speaks first, inviting the people into relationship with him. And God sets the terms.Maybe we imagine that we can decide how to relate with God. For example, some people suppose that living a highly moral life earns God's acceptance. Others downplay the seriousness of sin. But these approaches are woefully inadequate, failing to take God and his holiness seriously—not to mention the fact that we are all sinful and cannot even approach God unless he makes a way possible for us.God's presence will come into our lives, changing every part of us—our relationships, our work, our desires, our priorities, and our whole outlook on life. But we enter God's presence on his terms.God appointed Moses to teach the people what was needed to live in God's presence at that time. Centuries later, God spoke his word again—and “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). Jesus is God's Word to us, and he came to teach and save us so that when we look to him in faith, God's life-changing presence enters our lives! Holy and awesome God, you are present with us always! We thank you for Jesus, who makes it possible for us to live each day in your presence. Amen.

Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it. . . . — Exodus 40:35 I first approached the Grand Canyon while holding the hand of my two-year-old son, Derek. He was energetic and loved exploring the world around him with little concern for potential harm. As the south rim came into view, I experienced two emotions at the same time. I was stunned by the beauty before me. Creation reflects the glory of the Creator! At the same time, I felt genuine fear: one misstep, or one reckless move from my son, and the worst might happen! In a way, the very grandeur of the Grand Canyon made it dangerous.The tabernacle was like that in some ways too. It filled the people with joy and awe in the majesty of God's presence. But as the cloud of God's presence descended, a danger emerged. God's glorious presence is so holy that nothing impure or imperfect can be there with him. Even Moses had to be careful, for God had said, “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live” (Exodus 33:20).We face a similar problem. We may long for God's presence, but because of our sinful nature we are imperfect. But, thankfully for us, God has provided a way for people to live in his presence. His Son, Jesus, came to stand in for us, even giving up his own life to pay the debt for our sin, so that we can be declared right with God (Romans 3-4)! And now, because of Jesus' finished work, we can be made new and enjoy life with God forever. Lord Jesus, you took on our guilt and sin so that we can live in God's presence. Hallelujah! Deepen in us a longing to live for you each day. Amen.

. . . The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. — Exodus 40:34 I realize that you might be thinking, “Leviticus? Uh-oh.” In the book of Leviticus we find rules about skin infections, bodily fluids, religious festivals, and animal sacrifices. Is the book of Leviticus even relevant for us today?To understand the purpose of Leviticus, we need to start with the scene in today's reading. The tabernacle, a tent-like structure that served as a portable temple, was a beautifully designed space where God came to be present among his people. It became God's dwelling place, where the beauty of God's presence came to fill his people with joy and peace.We are created with a longing for beauty deep in our souls. This longing stirs when we see a beautiful sunset, listen to uplifting music, make an exciting discovery, or taste food that delights our tastebuds. But our longing for beauty cannot be satisfied until we realize that beauty always points us to its source: God himself!Out in the desert long ago, God's glory must have left the people awestruck. The author of all that is good and right came to live among his people even in the wilderness.Many years later the presence of God returned when Jesus, God's Son, came and “tabernacled among us” (John 1:14, literal translation). Jesus came to save us from sin and fill us with new life so that we can have joy and peace with God forever. By faith in Christ, we can have a relationship with God that fills the deepest longings of our heart. Glorious God, thank you for the beauty of your love, salvation, and new life in Christ! Amen.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. — 1 Corinthians 10:13 A student recently told me about her philosophy class. The students in the class were asking about some of the hard questions of life: How did we get here? And what is the purpose and meaning of life? These questions have been asked and discussed throughout the ages, and the Bible gives a clear, definitive answer. We are here because we have been created by the almighty God, and we exist to glorify the Lord and enjoy him forever. There is, however, another powerful being who has no desire to see God glorified. And he does not want us to enjoy God at all. The devil has come to rob, kill, and destroy. He does that by trying to convince us that God's way is not the best way. As Jesus worked with his disciples, he saw that each one would be tempted to walk the path that leads to destruction. He taught his followers to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). In this world the devil and our sinful human nature are constantly at work—even attacking us—to distract us from living as God calls us to live. But, as the Bible assures us, when we are tempted, God will “provide a way out so that [we] can endure it.” Comfort and joy come in walking God's way! Lord God, “uphold us and make us strong” by your Holy Spirit so that we can resist our enemies. In Jesus, Amen.

“Give us today our daily bread.” — Matthew 6:11 The college where I serve as chaplain includes many students who are squeezed financially. Some of them have to choose between buying food, paying rent, or paying their tuition and fees. So when they pray, “Give us today our daily bread,” they mean it literally. And God often answers that prayer through a local bakery that donates thousands of loaves of bread and buns and other baked goods to our campus ministry each year. In addition, local farms donate thousands of pounds of greenhouse vegetables, onions, and potatoes. Still other donors bring us boxes and boxes of groceries. And somehow the bills get paid. Recently a young student asked if we could pray for her as she was looking to buy her first car. She was not looking for a fancy, expensive car—just a used, economical, and reliable vehicle that would serve her well for several years without major expenses. That request also connected with asking for “daily bread” because it had to do with providing for physical needs. In the request for “daily bread,” our Lord is teaching us not to worry about all our needs (Matthew 6:25) and that all our striving is in vain without God's blessing (Psalm 127:1). Praying as Jesus teaches us will help us to grow in our trust and love for God in a world that seeks constantly to draw us away from him. Heavenly Father, we depend on you to meet all our needs. Most of all, we need your blessing, Lord, to live faithfully for you. Help us to trust in you alone. Amen.

What kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. — 2 Peter 3:11-12 Elisha and his servant were in big trouble. They were surrounded by a hostile army that had come to capture them. But Elisha was not afraid. God had provided a vast and powerful army of angels to protect them. This passage is just one example in the Bible where we see angels carrying out the will and command of God. When Jesus teaches us to pray, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10), he is calling us to be as faithful and willing to serve God as are the angels in heaven. What is this service that God wants us to do? Peter reminds us to “live holy and godly lives.” James 1:27 teaches us to “look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep . . . from being polluted by the world.” The writer of Hebrews urges us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” “show hospitality to strangers,” and “remember those in prison” (10:24; 13:1-3). (See also Matthew 25:31-40.) God calls us to serve people both inside and outside the church. We are also called to share our faith with those who do not yet know him. God does not want anyone to perish; he wants all to come to faith in Christ! God's will is that our lives will be sacrifices of praise as we honor him with our lips and work to advance his kingdom. This is not easy! Thus we pray, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”! Spirit of God, fill me with your power to serve you all day, every day. May I live a life of praise and loving service. Amen.

The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. — Romans 14:17 On Mondays I bring lunch for students at the college, and we have discussions about life. I once asked, “If you could change three things in our world, what would they be?” The most common answers went like this: I would change . . . the way money is used and abused . . . the way people treat other people . . . the lack of true religion in our world. In other words, they were hoping for a greater presence of God's kingdom here on earth. When Jesus taught his followers to pray, “Your kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10), he was teaching them to ask for the kingdom of God to be present in their lives and in the world around them. When we pray, “Your kingdom come,” we are asking God to help us submit our lives to him. We are praying that we will faithfully submit our finances and our relationships to him. We are praying that he will help us live in such a way that he is glorified. This is a prayer that in our personal lives we will be faithful followers of the heavenly King, and that in our life as the church we may together be a visible presence of God's kingdom in the world. This is also a prayer that the work of the devil and his kingdom of darkness, which seek only to ruin all good things, will be destroyed. Lord and King, help me to submit every part of my life to you. Help me to live faithfully for you, and may your kingdom of love and grace advance throughout this world. In Jesus' name, Amen.

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16 God is perfectly holy. When Jesus teaches us to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,” he is teaching us to pray that we, and all who are around us, will see God's glory and holiness. Nearly every day, 50 or more students enter the Interfaith Centre at Medicine Hat College, where I work as a chaplain. They come from dozens of countries and from many religious backgrounds, or none at all. They come for free coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and snacks. They come for a quiet place to sit, rest, or study. They come for friendship and fellowship. Sometimes they even come to see me! My prayer for our campus ministry is simply this: “Father in heaven, hallowed be your name! In every visit to the Interfaith Centre and in every interaction with the campus minister, may your name be hallowed. May your glory be seen as clearly as Isaiah saw it so many years ago!” The apostle Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). These words apply to every one of us who follows Jesus. So we need to ask, “Who and what do people see and experience when they come into my presence or our presence?” And by God's grace, may people see the glory of the King living in us. Lord God, hallowed be your name. As the people around us get to know us, may they see your glory shine through us in all we think, say, and do. In our lives, Lord, be glorified today! For Jesus' sake, Amen.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 In my work as a college chaplain there is rarely a day when I am not asked to pray. Most students also express gratitude when I pray with them and for them. I often find they are crying when we finish praying. But what is prayer? And does it do anything more than make us feel better? A hymn writer, James Montgomery (1771-1854), wrote: Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,uttered or unexpressed,the motion of a hidden firethat trembles in the breast.Prayer is the burden of a sigh,the falling of a tear,the upward glancing of an eyewhen none but God is near. Why pray? It is the most important part of our gratitude to God for creating, redeeming, and sustaining us. It's at the top of our “good works” we offer to God. God is not looking for fancy prayers from his children. He is not looking for key words and phrases that follow formulas. God simply wants us to pray from the heart, acknowledging that he is the one true God who will not share his glory with another. God wants us to come to him with humility, expressing our reliance on him for life and breath and every good thing. When we come to God in this way, he promises to hear our prayers and to answer them in ways that are often better than we could imagine. Father, we come to you with praise and adoration. Thank you for your amazing love and care for us. May our lives be a never-ending prayer of gratitude to you. Amen.

“And the second [greatest commandment] is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” — Matthew 22:39-40 Maybe you've heard that one of the first steps a person takes toward becoming a murderer is to dehumanize their victim. By viewing others as less than human, killers tend to free their consciences to take other people's lives. The second table of God's law (commandments 5-10) guards us from viewing and treating others as less than human. All of us are created in the image of God. Loving our neighbors prevents us from simply viewing and using others as stepping-stones toward advancing our own sinful causes. In addition, loving others is the best way to experience the deepest purposes and joys of life. Loving others begins when we are young. We learn to honor our parents, our teachers, and all who are in authority over us, including our governments. We also learn to love our siblings and other family members, our friends, our neighbors, and more. Jesus calls us to love even our enemies and to pray for people who mistreat us (Matthew 5:43-48). He also teaches that the place for sex, including thoughts about it, is within marriage. He teaches us to be givers rather than takers, and he calls us to build one another up and to celebrate others' victories instead of tearing people down. Living on the path of love, we honor God, bless others, and find joy and satisfaction in life. How do we do all this? By treating others as we would like to be treated (Matthew 7:12). Jesus, help us to be like you, loving and treating others with care, dignity, and respect. Amen.

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.” — Matthew 22:37-38 My wife and I recently attended a symphony. Seventy-five musicians on the stage gave their best. The star of the show was a young violinist playing a 1699 Stradivarius violin. At the end of the performance, with the crowd on their feet applauding, the young man left the stage. The applause continued, and he reappeared and bowed. The applause increased, and he returned a second time. Was this violinist an egotistical young man? No. Giving the audience the opportunity to express their gratitude and amazement for a beautiful performance added to the listeners' joy. If the violinist had simply walked off and not returned, the audience would have felt shortchanged. Expressing appreciation is an important part of enjoying a great performance. The first table of God's law to his people (commandments 1-4) calls them to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind. God wants us to honor and glorify him in all we think, say, and do. The first table of the law is designed to enable us to truly appreciate God's beauty and glory. Calling for our love and respect in this way is not egotistical. Rather, it is a sign that the utterly amazing and loving God wants us deeply to enjoy the best life, blessings, and hope possible. Lord God, thank you for your law, which teaches us to see and enjoy your amazing, beautiful love for us all. Help us to think and act and live in your ways always. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. — Galatians 5:25 On our first visit to the Grand Canyon we made our way to the guardrail and peered down to the Colorado River some 5,000 feet below us. Considered to be one of the natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon is stunning. It can also be dangerous. People who do not follow safety guidelines risk their lives. Over the years many have fallen to their death. Years later we returned to the canyon and safely hiked pathways down to the river and back up again. God created a world that was good. But there is a right way and a wrong way to use the things of this world. Because of sin, our tendency is to use and experience the things of this world in wrong ways. God gave us his law to teach us the right way to relate to him and the things of this world. And when the Holy Spirit opens our hearts and minds to understand right from wrong, and we are given the grace to repent of our sin, and the faith to follow Christ, we experience what is called conversion. For all who are in Christ, God's law functions like a guardrail and a path. It keeps us from thinking and acting in wrong and sinful ways. When we come to love God's law rather than resenting it, we know our conversion is genuine and our faith is real. Heavenly Father, thank you for your law and your grace. Help us to embrace your ways as we seek to honor you in every part of our lives. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? — Romans 6:1-2 We have been saved by grace and not by works. But does that mean we do not have to do good? The answer is clear and decisive. Grace and good works are not competitors. They go hand in hand in the lives of God's children (see Ephesians 2:8-10). When we come to faith in Christ, our old sinful nature dies. The old nature is crucified and buried with Christ, and we rise to new life in Christ. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Being raised with Christ means living a life in which good works (or “good fruit” in the words of Jesus—John 15) become natural to us. Bearing good fruit is a sign that our faith and conversion are true and genuine. Good works are a natural expression of thankfulness. While doing good becomes “second” nature to all who have new life in Christ, we still need to work at it. Though the old nature has been crucified, it still rises up from time to time to try to reassert itself. It is no longer the driving force in our life, but it remains a force to fight against. Wanting to produce good fruit assures us that we are indeed saved, and that is a powerful witness to people who do not yet know Jesus. Jesus, thank you for dying for us to purchase our salvation. We commit our lives to thanking you by striving to live for your honor and glory. Amen.

“Do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves. . . .” — Hebrews 12:5-6 Jesus teaches that there is a broad road that leads to destruction and a narrow road that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). And because God wants us to experience full life rather than destruction, he disciplines his children who are taking the wrong road. How does God discipline the ones he loves? Sometimes God causes a godly fear to fall on his people. For example, this could be a fear that reminds us, “If I do not mend my ways, I will separate myself from God.” Sometimes God uses our fellow believers to call us back to the right road. Sometimes God uses the church to call us back to faithful living. Sometimes God uses challenging situations in life to discipline his people. Discipline never seems pleasant at the time, and it can be painful. However, God designs discipline to produce a harvest of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11). When it comes to Christian discipline, we do well to pray that God will give us the grace to receive his discipline—and that he will give us wisdom, humility, and compassion when we are called to speak a word of correction to others. Loving God, we thank you that you discipline the ones you love rather than simply letting us stray down pathways that lead to destruction. Grant us grace and mercy in the face of discipline so that we may grow to love you more and more. Amen.

Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? — 1 Corinthians 10:16 It has been said that the Lord's Supper, or holy communion, is a “visible sermon.” It is hard to imagine a better one! The bread that is broken reminds us of the body of Christ, which was broken for us—not only on the cross but also in the hours leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. The wine (or juice) reminds us of the blood of Christ, shed for the payment and forgiveness of our sins. Holding the broken bread, holding the cup, and hearing Jesus say, “This is my body. . . . This is my blood. . . .” has the power to evoke deep, godly sorrow and to awaken a love and sense of gratitude that goes beyond words. And there is more. As surely as we eat the bread and drink the cup, and as surely as we are nourished by those calories and vitamins, we receive the crucified Christ in the depths of our souls—to nourish us spiritually for this life and the life to come. While the sacraments do not save us, God works his grace through them to grant us joy and peace as we grow in faith. The sacraments bring us into deeper communion with God and with the body of Christ. We celebrate the sacraments as a community destined for eternal life in God's glorious kingdom. Lord, thank you for the Lord's Supper. May it always strengthen our faith in you, testifying of your sacrifice for us. Amen.

In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. — Galatians 3:26-27 In the church we have two sacraments given to us by Christ: baptism and the Lord's Supper (holy communion). Baptism symbolizes the dying of our old sinful nature and its being buried with Christ, as well as our rising to new life in Christ. Just as we use water to wash our bodies, the waters of baptism represent the washing away of our sin by the blood of Jesus. And just as water is necessary for life, the water of baptism represents the new life we have in Christ through the Holy Spirit. In addition to these beautiful pictures, baptism stands as a sign and seal of God's faithfulness to his promises that salvation comes to all who repent and believe in Jesus. Though people are prone to break promises, God is not. Baptism assures us that we belong to the faithful God, who has adopted us in Christ to be his children forever. Does baptism save us or guarantee our salvation? No, baptism does not nullify the need for faith. But God guarantees us that if we trust in him, we will never be put to shame. And baptism is a glorious reminder and guarantor of that promise. In baptism God declares that we belong to him and are part of his church and kingdom. His command is clear and simple: trust me and live with me forever! Lord, thank you for the gift of baptism. Thank you for using baptism to signify that you claim us as your own. Help us to live with you in joy and faithfulness. Amen.