November 28 | Matthew 10:1-8

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DAILY READING

Matthew 10:1-8

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REFLECTION

A Feast Fit For A Family

by Dan Kidd

Last week I had the good fortune to have dinner with my in-laws. The large group of us sat around the table and enjoyed a feast together. As I reflect back on that meal, one thing that would be obvious to any observer is that this was a family meal. Not only do my wife, her three sisters, and their father all look strikingly similar--the same relatively thin, straight hair, the same Szymanski nose, prone to snorting as they laugh together--they also share a lifetime of memories together. This shows up even in the little details of the meal; they anticipate who will definitely want the canned cranberries, who will pass on the stuffing, and the delight the youngest sister has that she can lay claim to the dark-meat turkey leg now, ever since my wife went vegetarian over a decade ago. As they talk with each other they have a shorthand and a deep well of memories from which they can wax nostalgic (which is itself a Szymanski family tradition).

It also strikes me how this contrasts with the tradition our family has of hosting a Friendsgiving meal with our small group. Unlike what I experienced Thursday, there's usually quite the variety of physical features--different noses, different shades and textures of hair, some of us shorter, some of us much taller. We don't share the same familiarity of a family that grew up in the same house. We have a shorthand, but it's still in development, and most of the stories fit for nostalgia are currently being written (though some certainly are ready to be told). The difference is that we are not biologically or legally family with each other, and, were it not for the grace of God, I almost certainly wouldn't have the fortune of enjoying such a feast with this particular group of people.

This is one of the best gifts of God: the gathering of a variety of people, who often share very little in common otherwise, into a family. Though our families of origin may have little in common, though we may have grown up in different parts of the country, or even the world, though we differ in age, some are married with kids while others are single, we have different tastes in entertainment, how we spend our free time, or what we do for a living, we are united, as a family, by Jesus. And this has been the work and plan of Jesus from the very start.

In the cast of characters from today's passage we have fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, and a treasurer (and thief). This is an eclectic bunch, and a surprising choice to be the first Christian community. They were not related (though there was a set of twins), and they had some pretty significant things that might otherwise divide them (for instance, a Jewish zealot and a tax collector are as suited for each other as oil and water). But Jesus did with them what he has done with the Church for millennia since, he unified them unto himself. He met them in their variety and called them to come be equal partners in his Kingdom mission.

And I pray that as we consider what it means to be the Family of God, you would have the opportunity to appreciate what a gift it is that we are unified in the midst of our beautiful diversity. Unified by love, by a shared present and future reality of being citizens of the Kingdom, and by brotherhood of Jesus, who prayed that his disciples would be made one as he and the Father and the Spirit are one.

PRAYER

Lord, it is such a gift that you would make us a family with one another. We pray that though we may not always be united in the present, that you would give us one heart and one mind unified by your will. As we share feasts and the Table with one another, draw us near to you and to one another. Give us the good will and generosity for each other that you've always intended for your family. And remind us again of the many things that we, together, have to be thankful for.

November 27 | 1 Thessalonians 2:1-11

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DAILY READING

1 Thessalonians 2:1-11

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REFLECTION

Facing Unfair Opposition

by Pr. Dave Mann

The work of the Apostle Paul was quite difficult, and yet, he continued. At Philippi, he was treated outrageously. He moved south to Thessalonica, perhaps in late 49 or 50 A.D. where he proclaimed the gospel in the face of strong opposition. The apostolic team managed to plant a church there before moving still further south to Corinth.

No doubt, 1 Thessalonians is the earliest of Paul’s letters (approx. 50 A.D.), written in response to Timothy’s report that the young church was holding fast to the gospel, despite persecution. But Paul was being accused by opponents that he had impure motives to gain converts. Paul wrote this letter to defend his honor and to make sure his motives would be evident to all. Paul and his team wanted to make clear to this young group of believers that they were NOT common hucksters traveling from place to place peddling a spiritual snake oil. And so, in this first epistle to the Thessalonians, Paul states what they are NOT:

• The appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives.

• We are not trying to trick you.

• We are not trying to please people.

• We never used flattery.

• We did not put on a mask to cover up greed.

• We are not looking for praise from people.

He also states what they ARE:

• We speak as those approved by God, entrusted with the gospel.

• We loved you so much.

• We shared with you not only the gospel but our lives as well.

• We worked day and night in order not to be a burden.

• We treated you as a father who deals with his own children.

• We were encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God.

Paul’s tireless efforts yielded positive results, because the churches, not only in Thessalonica but also in Philippi, continued to grow and thrive. Paul wrote a second letter to the Thessalonians. Both of these letters bear a tone of excitement in the faithfulness of the believing readers. In addition, the letter written to the church in Philippi, where Paul had at first been treated outrageously, became known as the letter of joy.

Are you being treated poorly? Are your motives called into question? Paul’s response in the face of difficulties serves as a worthy example for us to follow. We should state clearly what we are not, and also what we are.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, though you never promised that the lives of your followers would be blithe and carefree, we have often somehow come to expect such. Grant us the grace to follow in the example of the Apostle Paul and others who have courageously trusted in you. We walk with Jesus, who suffered, died, and rose again. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

November 26 | I Chronicles 23:1-5, I Corinthians 12:7-14

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DAILY READING

I Chronicles 23:1-5, I Corinthians 12:7-14

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REFLECTION

FAMILY

by Elaine Pierce

As David came to the end of his life, he pondered his legacy. Who would be king after him? How would Israel be governed? In this passage in I Chronicles, we see he is making plans for the future. He makes Solomon king, and he assigns tasks/jobs for all the leaders of Israel and the priests and Levites. These duties are all important, but I wonder if those who were assigned to them were happy about their responsibilities.

I wish I were a judge instead of a gatekeeper! How did he get to supervise the work of the temple and I have to 'praise the Lord with a musical instrument?' I imagine that some grumbling and complaining took place. Note, though, that these duties were mostly concerned with corporate worship.

Contrast this scene with how Paul describes spiritual gifts in I Corinthians 12. He doesn't assign groups of people to gifts, does he? In fact, he clarifies that the Holy Spirit 'assigns' gifts:

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (I Corinthians 12:7).

Our gifts - whether they be in preaching, or teaching, or healing, or miracles, etc. - are for the common good. They are to build up the body of Christ, to encourage one another to do good works, and to proclaim Christ's name to all who have ears to hear. Just as in David's time, this new church needed the gifts of every believer to do the work of the kingdom. Our 'work' today may seem very different from David and Paul's work, but we are all called to love and serve the Lord, and to bring others into the kingdom.

Kingdom work - what a blessing and a joy it is. Thank God today for how he has gifted you and join him in the work he has for you.

PRAYER

Lord, I long to serve you, and through the work of the Holy Spirit you have given me gifts to praise you and bless others. Help me day by day to follow you and grow in faith, in love, and in hope. Amen.