So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. – Mark 16:8 (NRSV) “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, there they will see me.” – Matthew 28:10 (NRSV)...

“You are the light of the world. So let your light shine . . . ” – Matthew 5:14-15 (NRSV, adapted) MARY LUTI | Years ago, I knew an old woman who never took down her Christmas tree or unplugged its lights. They stayed on, twinkling in her picture window, day and...

When Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” . . . When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. – John 19:28-30 (NRSV) VINCE AMLIN | In a small...

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. – Exodus 12:1-2 (NRSV) RACHEL HACKENBERG | The shadows of Lent have almost reached their longest hour. The tension of...

So Judas consented and began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus to them when no crowd was present. – Luke 22:3-6 (NRSV) QUINN G. CALDWELL | We’re supposed to think of Judas’ betrayal as a discrete event, one aberrant thing. First Judas was righteous, fully on...

Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the [shadows] may not overtake you . . . While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.” – John 12:35-36 (NRSV) VICKI...

Then Mary took a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected. “Why...

“Is the LORD among us or not?” – Exodus 17:7 (NIV) MATT LANEY | Early in our Covid wilderness, there was a robust online conversation among church leaders about whether or not sacraments could be virtual. Could we really Zoom or Facebook live the bread and cup? Do you...

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. – Colossians 3:14 (NRSV) PHIWA LANGENI | The night before the first day of school was an important one in our household growing up. My siblings and I divvied up the bulk school...

“Shake the dust off your feet.” – Matthew 10:14 (NIV) DONNA SCHAPER | I was having a tiresome conversation with a rising second grader (my grandson) about the four elements. He told me they were earth, air, fire, and ice. I told him that they were earth, air, fire,...

But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand. – Psalm 31:14-15a (NRSV) TALITHA ARNOLD | Jesus would have known Psalm 31 from his childhood. As a teenager or young adult, he might have been asked to read it in his synagogue. The...

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you . . . May God give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed . . . May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God....

“How often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.” – Matthew 18:21-22 (NRSV) KAJI DOUŠA | We often talk about Jesus’ mandate to forgive. But we rarely talk about when. Might it be possible...

And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:24-25 (NRSV) MARTHA SPONG | In college, I...

We are fools for the sake of Christ. – 1 Corinthians 4:10a (NRSV) MOLLY BASKETTE | The YA fiction writer John Green redeemed nerdiness for us all. He said that a nerd is simply someone who gets excited about things. I wish I’d known that 30 years ago. I was a huge...

Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others. – Philippians 2:4 (CEB) LILLIAN DANIEL | As a tourist in Dallas, I decided to take the subway, despite the fact that a few local people said it wasn’t safe. But I was on a...

It’s no trouble for me to repeat the same things to you because they will help keep you on track. – Philippians 3:1a (CEB) CHRIS MERESCHUK | I was taught that when scripture writers really want you to learn something, they’ll repeat it three times. Important messages...

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us,...

I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” – Romans 1:11-12 (NRSV) MARY LUTI | Half the time we don’t even know we’re doing it....

Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather in their yield; but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of complete rest for the land, a sabbath for the Lord. – Leviticus 25:3-4 (NRSV) RACHEL HACKENBERG | Eight...

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that is to be revealed in us. – Romans 8:18 (NRSV) DONNA SCHAPER | Many people have committed to the long haul of ending racism. We know it is a slog. We also know it is God’s...

“While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him.” – Luke 15:20 (CEB) VICKI KEMPER | Many of us talk about repentance during Lent. Some of us talk about it a lot. We speak of Lent...

The LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are . . .” But Moses implored the LORD his God . . . And the LORD changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people. – Exodus 32:9-14 excerpts (NRSV) LIZ MILLER | As a...

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The Virgin’s name was Mary. – Luke 1:26-27 (NRSV) VINCE AMLIN | Maybe you, like me, are surprised to...

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The Virgin’s name was Mary. – Luke 1:26-27 (NRSV) QUINN G. CALDWELL | Reminder to church...

When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, “. . . See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many.” – Numbers 13:17-18 (NIV) KENNETH L. SAMUEL | After some forty years of wandering through the Sinai desert, the...

Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me?” Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go.” – Ruth 1:11-16 excerpts (NRSV) KAJI DOUŠA | Ruth and her...

You must observe everything that I teach you; do not add to it or take anything from it. – Deuteronomy 12:32 (NRSV) MATT LANEY | According to the above verse, let’s be mindful of some long-held, fake “Christian” ideas Jesus never taught: Jesus never said: “You must...

O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. – Psalm 63:1 (NRSV) TALITHA ARNOLD | I am writing this Lenten devotional in the middle of December in Santa Fe, New Mexico....

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. – Colossians 4:2 (NRSV) LILLIAN DANIEL | Have you ever noticed that the authors of gratitude books have pretty awesome lives? Their literary offspring are always saying cute things about God and life...

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1 (NRSV) PHIWA LANGENI | Beyoncé has a song with lyrics (which I’m taking out of context): “Some call it arrogant, I call it...

I know about the slander of those who profess they are believers and are not, but are a congregation of Satan. – Revelation 2:9 (NIV, adapted) JOHN EDGERTON | I err on the side of politeness. I have equivocated from stating that another Christian has strayed so far...

Then Jehoshaphat took a position before the assembled people and said, “O God, God of our ancestors, are you not God in heaven above and ruler of all kingdoms below? And didn’t you make the natives of this land leave as you brought your people Israel in, turning it...

No temptation has seized you that isn’t common for people. God won’t allow you to be tempted beyond your abilities. With the temptation, God will also supply a way out so that you will be able to endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13 (CEB, adapted) CHRIS MERESCHUK...

My soul waits for the Lord. More than the keepers of the morning watch. More than the keepers of the morning watch. – Psalm 130:6 (adapted) KAJI DOUŠA | Sometimes when I read the psalms, I skip over the laments. Psalms like 130 begin with sadness that can feel like...

The Lord is good to those who wait for him. – Lamentations 3:25 (NRSV) DONNA SCHAPER | Is the Lord also good to those who don’t wait? Or only to those who wait? What kind of waiting is holy and what kind is unholy? You have heard the phrase, “kicking the can down the...

Let us run with perseverance the race set before us, looking to Jesus . . . who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Consider him . . . so that you don’t grow weary or lose heart. – Hebrews 12:1-3 (NRSV) MARY LUTI...

Teach me to be love, as You are Love; Lead me through each fear; Hold my hand as I walk through the valleys of doubt each day, That I may know your peace. I believe that I shall know the Realm of Heaven, of Love, here on Earth! – Psalm 27:11-13 (as rendered by Nan C....

Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded. My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled. – Psalm 17:4-5 (NIV) KENNETH L. SAMUEL | This sage advice, lifted from Shakespeare’s...

Then the Lord God said, “See, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil.” – Genesis 3:22b (NRSV) LILLIAN DANIEL | In the initial story of happiness, choices, and paradise lost, Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden. They didn’t have to work or worry...

. . . [the unrighteous] entice people who have just escaped from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. – 2 Peter 2:18-19 (NRSV) QUINN G. CALDWELL | So much public discourse (and a great deal of private...

Guard me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me. – Psalm 17:8-9 (NRSV) LIZ MILLER | Too often, when I look back on my prayers, they sound like the sacred version of a self-help...