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The Mark of Reconciliation

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Daniel 1 Listen: (3:22)
Read: 2 Tim 4 Listen: (2:84)

Scripture Focus: 2 Timothy 4.6

11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.

Reflection: The Mark of Reconciliation

By John Tillman

Mark (often called John Mark) was a key figure in the New Testament who served as Peter’s secretary (1 Peter 5.13) and an eyewitness to parts of his gospel account. According to Clement of Alexandria and Origen, Mark’s gospel is based on his records of Peter’s preaching and personal accounts.

But Mark and Paul had a spotty history. Mark was a relative of Barnabas, who traveled with Paul and Barnabas on one of their early trips. It did not go well.

We don’t know exactly what happened. In Acts 13 Luke states Mark “left them” for Jerusalem, but in Acts 15, it is clear that, at least in Paul’s mind, Mark “deserted” them in Pamphylia (Acts 13.13; 15.38).

Whatever the nature of the desertion, Paul refused to take Mark on a future trip. Paul and Barnabas disagreed so strongly that they stopped working together. The first church planting ministry organization dissolved amidst personal conflict. (If the New Testament was fictionalized, this would be edited out.)

But woven through the rest of the New Testament, we see restoration and reconciliation between Paul and Mark. When Paul writes Colossians in the early 60s, he gives instructions that if Mark comes to the church, he should be welcomed. (Colossians 4.10) And here, in the final letter of Paul’s ministry, we read about Mark, “he is helpful to me…”

Time does no such thing as heal wounds but the gospel has the power to resurrect dead relationships as well as souls and physical bodies. The gospel can move those we refuse to work with today toward being those who are helpful to us. When we experience the power of the gospel and the forgiveness of our own sins, reconciliation should mark our lives.

Forgiveness can be one-sided. God can help us forgive anyone of anything regardless of whether they are repentant or not. Reconciliation and restored relationships takes work on both sides. Scripture doesn’t record it but there must have been accountability and demonstration of a change of heart for Paul and Mark to reconcile.

Whether we have wronged others or separated because of wrongs done to us, may we discover within the gospel, the resources of reconciliation.

Is there a “Mark” you need to forgive? Is there a “Paul” toward whom you should repent?

How will you extend forgiveness?
How will you demonstrate repentance?

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

How great is your goodness, O Lord! Which you have laid up for those who fear you; which you have done in the sight of all. — Psalm 31.19

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

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Defending correct doctrine is the task Paul is quite seriously commanding Timothy to prepare for. We need to prepare for it too.

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Remembering Relationships

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Ezekiel 46 Listen: (4:49)
Read: 2 Tim 1 Listen: (2:37)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Read: Ezekiel 47 Listen: (4:08), Read: 2 Tim 2 Listen: (3:17)
Read: Ezekiel 48 Listen: (6:15), Read: 2 Tim 3 Listen: (2:21)

Scripture Focus: 2 Timothy 1.3-6

3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Reflection: Remembering Relationships

By John Tillman

One of the best things about Facebook is how it reminds us of our relationships. Cynically, we could grouse about how this is solely an attempt to increase engagement, but that’s not the point…

On birthdays, Facebook often recommends that we share memories in the form of previously tagged photos as part of a birthday greeting. (I expect a few on my birthday.) Most of these photos are not only reminders of the relationship but of happiness and joy.

Much of the first chapter of Paul’s final letter to Timothy contains this kind of reminiscence. Paul calls to Timothy’s mind the key moments of their relationship and the key moments of Timothy’s relationship with Christ. Images flash by:

The faithful women who taught him the faith, his grandmother, Lois, and mother, Eunice…

Paul laying hands on Timothy…

The spark of spiritual gifts in young Timothy’s life…

But the memories are not all positive. There is also the image of Timothy’s tears the last time he was with Paul. There are images of Paul’s sufferings: the many beatings, stonings, arrests, and trials. The most concerning image that arises is of Paul alone—abandoned by everyone in a situation in which Timothy was powerless to help.

The life of faith, if lived rightly, is one of great highs and great lows. At times we may feel powerful, as if the very river of life was bursting out to bless those around us. At times we may feel weak and dry, as if we cannot summon enough spit to swallow. In the highs and the lows of the Christian life, it is helpful to share our burdens with others. Paul shared them with Timothy. They both shared them with Christ himself.

We, if we are followers of Christ, can bring to mind images of precious or difficult moments in our life of faith. Let some of those rise to your mind now. When a prayer was answered… When a friend chose faith… When a blessing surprised you… When a mentor or leader set you up for success or gave you the opportunity you needed…

Even when we feel alone, like Paul, Jesus never leaves us. And even then, we can reach out to others in Christ’s name. Reach out today to a friend. Remind yourself, and them, that we are not alone on the journey of faith.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning; so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life. — Psalm 106.47

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

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Scripture challenges and convicts all man-made systems, governments, and economic practices of their errors and hubris.

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Our friends help us to entrench ourselves in our opinions, or to open ourselves to be influenced by facts, reason, and the scriptures. 

With Friends Like These
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Leaders Against Oppression

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Ezekiel 45 Listen: (4:50)
Read: 2 Peter 3 Listen: (3:21)

Scripture Focus: Ezekiel 45.8-9

8 …and my princes will no longer oppress my people but will allow the people of Israel to possess the land according to their tribes.

9 “ ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: You have gone far enough, princes of Israel! Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Stop dispossessing my people, declares the Sovereign LORD.

Reflection: Leaders Against Oppression

By John Tillman

Continuing his vision of the new city of God and its temple, Ezekiel describes an equitable division of the land among the tribes. Then he gives a special warning to the “princes” that they must not abuse their position or power.

So what are princes to do?

“Do justice, walk humbly, and love mercy” are easy to assent to but harder to live up to. Specific things Ezekiel mentions are giving up violence and oppression and to stop seizing people’s property unjustly.

Property, wealth, and debt are frequently addressed in scripture and frequently the implication is that debts should be forgiven and wealth should not be hoarded or go unused. God expects those with wealth to put it to use doing good, not pile it up for themselves for a life of ease.

The word translated “princes” could refer to kings or royal family members but is more often a general term for any leader. These “princes” were typically wealthy or powerful individuals, religious leaders, and governmental officials. The word more literally means “one lifted up” or “exalted one” and its root word can also be used to refer to a rising vapor or cloud (Psalm 135.7; Proverbs 25.14; Jeremiah 10.13; 51.16).

This root word creates an analogy that can be instructive to and a warning for leaders. Princes, or leaders, are like vapor, mist, or clouds. They are not raised up by their own power. Their time is short and their power is intended to be transitory, impermanent, and light. They are intended to bring refreshing dew in the morning, shade in the heat of the day, and rain in the afternoon. They should be sources of blessing and regeneration for the land and the people, not like dry, harsh, greedy winds, taking from the land every scrap of moisture that can be absorbed.

God says his princes will “no longer oppress.” May that day come soon. In whatever way we are lifted up, may we remember God’s charge to his leaders.

While we wait for this idyllic future city of God, may we work to ensure that the powerful are warned not to be abusive. May we live in such a way that others will not be dispossessed. May we grasp power fearfully and with humility, understanding that God’s first concern with power is that it must not be abused.

Divine Hours Prayer: A Reading

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father and the God who gives us every possible encouragement; he supports us in every hardship, so that we are able to come to the support of others, in every hardship of theirs because of the encouragement we ourselves receive from God. — 2 Corinthians 1.3-4

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more about Seeking God’s Servant

God’s servant is different than would be expected of a king or worldly leader.

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Priests in More Than Just Name

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Ezekiel 44 Listen: (5:32)
Read: 2 Peter 2 Listen: (3:52)

Scripture Focus: Ezekiel 44:15

15 But the Levitical priests, who are descendants of Zadok and who guarded my sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from me, are to come near to minister before me; they are to stand before me to offer sacrifices of fat and blood, declares the Sovereign Lord.

Reflection: Priests in More Than Just Name

By Erin Newton

From the first pages of Genesis, we have witnessed God fill the realms of creation. He created space and filled it— with Jupiter, the Big Dipper, our sun and moon, and so much more. He made the seas and filled them—with dolphins, beluga whales, sea turtles, and species we have yet to discover. He made the land and filled it—with redwood trees, bluebonnets, sugarcane, and crops to cover every valley or hill.

In Genesis, God joined creation to dwell with humanity in harmony—the first ever temple. But through the ravages of sin, that union and harmony was defiled and destroyed.

Ezekiel is testimony to the de-creation of the Temple. God’s people treated their relationship with him flippantly. It was not a holy place to seek the presence of God; it had become a commonplace hangout where it didn’t matter what you believed or what you did—anyone could enter this sacred space.

And so, God left. “Then the glory of the Lord departed from over the threshold of the temple” (Ezek 10.18).

What is creation without its Creator? What is a Temple without its God? What is an altar without divine communion?

But the story was never intended to end there. God returned. “And I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters and the land was radiant with his glory” (Ezek 43.2).

Ezekiel begins to describe the new Temple and its new filling—with renewed purpose, new design, and new inhabitants.

The priesthood was slightly different this time. Much scholarly speculation has explored the differences in this temple compared to the first, far more that we could delve into here. But what we see clearly is God’s focus on those who treated their relationship with him seriously. The Zadok lineage of priests was noted for their obedience when the other priests had gone astray. Being a priest in name was not the same as being faithful.

Because of the reconciliatory work of Christ, we are all the priesthood of God. We have access to him and his spirit dwells within the temple of our own bodies. But this passage should remind us that God desires for us to treat our union with him seriously and faithfully. Are we a priesthood in name only? Or shall we be remembered as faithful when some of the Church was not?

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

O God of hosts, show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. — Psalm 80.7

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

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Believers are Christ’s temple—his garden of grace.

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Supporting our Work
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Glory Returns

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Ezekiel 43 Listen: (5:15)
Read: 2 Peter 1 Listen: (3:06)

Scripture Focus: Ezekiel 43.2-4

2 and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory. 3 The vision I saw was like the vision I had seen when he came to destroy the city and like the visions I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell facedown. 4 The glory of the Lord entered the temple through the gate facing east. 5 Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.

Reflection: Glory Returns

By John Tillman

The Glory of God departed because of sin. God previously gave Ezekiel a vision of the disgusting and vile corruption of the Temple, but now Ezekiel sees the glory return. God floods into the temple and takes his rightful place.

Imagine how Ezekiel and his readers felt, exiled in a foreign land, seeing the real temple destroyed and this temple only in a vision. Nice picture, God, but what about now? What about our sin? What about how I feel and where I am?

We might feel similar things reading about this temple or visions of Heaven while we live on Earth. “How long, Lord?”

The temple of Ezekiel’s vision was never built on Earth. Neither Ezra nor Herod attempted it. But Ezekiel’s temple is more real than reality. This temple is transcendent, present both now and in the future. The returning glory of God revealed to Ezekiel as filling the temple is revealed to us in the Holy Spirit.

You are a temple. Are you filled with glory?

Maybe instead of glory-filled, you feel like the empty, powerless, temple. Maybe you feel weak, abandoned, lonely, or scared. Whether or not you feel the glory and power of his presence, God longs to show them through your weakness and strengthen you for what he calls you to do.

God makes himself known to and through those who seek him. His blazing glory returns.

This same blazing glory of God rushed in and filled the expectant at Pentecost. This same Spirit embraced Stephen at his stoning and shielded Peter during his prison escape. This same Spirit knocked Saul from his horse and sent Philip running to the Ethiopian’s chariot. This same Spirit bound the prophesying demons and set the slave girl free. This same Spirit shook Paul and Silas free from prison but would not remove Paul’s thorn. This same Spirit breathed the words of God through human authors so that we can read them. This same Spirit called and sent people to preach so others could hear and opened ears so that the message could be heard and believed. This same Spirit makes beautiful the feet of those who bring good news. (Romans 10.13-15)

You, collectively and individually, are how God’s glory returns. Through us the common encounters the divine. God’s glory returns through us.

Be expectant. Be hopeful in suffering. Be beautiful amidst ugliness. Be glorious.

Music: “Such A Thing As Glory” by Rich Mullins

Divine Hours Prayer: A Reading

Jesus taught us, saying: “Remain in me, as I in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself, unless it remains part of the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches.” — John 15.4-5

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

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Sin bars the wicked from entering…the righteous are not perfect either. How is one rejected and the other accepted?

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