Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church

06/04/2026

A CHAPTER A DAY Thurs. June 4 – Read Luke 20. One day while Jesus was teaching in the Temple the authorities question his authority to teach and preach. Jesus answers their question with a question about John the Baptist and where his authority came from. This caused them a dilemma because if they said from God, he would ask why they did not believe him and if they said from a human origin the people would be angry because they believed John was a prophet. So, they reply that they do not know, and Jesus replies that he would not tell them where he got his authority. Do you know you have the authority to share your faith? Where does your authority come from? I believe mine is a combination of both. Ultimately my authority comes from God, but it also comes from my years of seminary training, ordination, Bible study, research, preparing for sermons, and doing things like this commentary.
Perhaps still thinking about John who was beheaded by King Herod, Jesus then tells a parable of the wicked tenants who beat and kill the vineyard owner’s messengers. Then the owner sends his beloved son who is also killed and Jesus asks what then will the owner do? He will come and destroy the tenants. Then Jesus offers a quote from Psalm 118 about the stone the builders rejected becoming the cornerstone and asking what that means to them. What does it mean to you? Despite what other people believe, who is your cornerstone?
The authorities wanted to lay hands on Jesus and maybe try him and execute him, but they do not because of fear of the crowd. Others may be afraid to act on their beliefs but let us hold firm to the cornerstone of our faith and speak and act on behalf of Christ.
Another tricky question is asked about the legality of paying taxes to Caesar, which was an unpopular thing with the people. They thought they had him between a rock and a hard place, for if he said yes, the people would be angry and if he said no, he would get in trouble with the Roman authorities. Jesus asks for a coin and for the name on the coin. When they reply that it is Caesar’s, he replies with words that we have heard quoted before about giving Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and giving God the things that are God’s. That seems to impress and quiet his accusers, but it causes me to ask what does it mean to you? Some see it as affirming that we should pay taxes and we should give a portion or a tithe to God also. But I see it differently. When Jesus talks about what is God’s, go back to the vineyard owner’s parable and all belonged to the owner. Everything belongs to God. We do not own anything we are stewards or caretakers. Give it all to God and ask God how you might take care of it and what you might do with it.
Then some Sadducees ask a question about a given scenario under the law that if a married man dies without having children his brother is to marry his widow to produce children for him. Well in their scenario it happened to a man and his six brothers with all of them dying and no children. Since they did not believe in eternal life they could not figure out in the next life whose wife she would be. Jesus replies that marriage is an earthly practice but in heaven we will become like angels. Notice we will not become angels but like angels and children of God. Then he points out from the answer given to Moses at the burning bush God declared that “I am the God of Abraham” etc. (not “I was”) revealing that the patriarchs are not dead and gone, but dead and alive.
When he is affirmed for answering well, he asks a question of his own about the Messiah being David’s son. Quoting from Psalm 110 this time he asks about King David writing “The Lord said to my lord” and besides God who is lord over the great king, surely not a descendant. As great as King David was, for Jesus the Messiah is not lesser but greater. For Christians likewise we would see Jesus even though descended from the house and lineage of David is yet greater than the ancient king. As a biblical scholar I would point out that there was a time when King David had a king. David before he became king served King Saul and may have written this psalm about God taking with him. But none of the ancient authorities arguing with Jesus must have thought of that. When we read Isaiah, we will read of the Messiah as Lord of lords and talk more of this then.
This chapter ends with a warning to beware of the religious authorities who lord it over people as they walk the walk and talk the talk of their out self-righteousness while doing nothing to help but inflict harm upon poor widows in the process. Showing our faith is not done by showing off. What might you humbly do today to show your faith?

06/04/2026

06/03/2026

A CHAPTER A DAY Wed. June 3 – Read Luke 19. In this chapter we find Jesus entering Jericho and then Jerusalem. You may recall Jericho as the ancient city that Joshua first defeated when the Israelites entered the land. Here as Jesus enters there is a crowd crowding the streets to the degree that Zaccheus has to climb a tree in order to see. But there he is also seen by Jesus who stops and invites himself to Zaccheus’ house. As we have seen before there is a negative reaction to his going and eating with a tax collector. But Zaccheus has a “Jesus moment” and his reaction is to give away half of his wealth. You may recall the story from the last chapter when Jesus asked the young ruler to give up all of his wealth to become a flower, but Zaccheus get’s a 50% discount and receives salvation and a blessing from Jesus as one of the lost who was found that we read about in chapter 15. Let me say this about giving or specifically about the idea of tithing or giving 10% to God (or the church.) I do not believe it is fair or right. For poorer people who cannot even live on 100% of what they make giving any of it is a true sacrifice because they will have to give up something else to do that. For the richest among us they can give up 50% or more and still live a life of relative luxury. So, I call people to give sacrificially what they can give.
Speaking of money, Jesus continues with a challenging parable of a wealthy nobleman who leaves various servants with various amounts of his money to invest while he is gone. This may not be the more familiar version of the story you remember. Here there is an undertone of dislike for the wealthy man. Here it fits if it might reference the people’s dislike of tax collectors like Zacchaeus or more likely a dislike of Jesus. As the setting speaks of people anticipating God’s realm coming soon. Jesus foretold of his death and resurrection maybe alluding to his ascension and ultimate return with the authority of God. Hence in this story the nobleman goes to receive royal power and returns with it.
In the meantime, the three servants in their own way do something with what they have been given. The first two do well and are rewarded when their master returns. But the other out of fear does nothing and suffers the consequences. The original amount that he was given was now given to the one who had done well. And we hear a pronouncement from Jesus in essence saying the rich will get richer and the poor will be poorer. This has become an important verse for those who preach a “prosperity gospel.” The ruler then judges and slaughters the opposition. This might have been a story told by the Zealots who wanted to overthrow the Romans and restore the imperial kingdom of Israel, but this does not sound like Jesus who taught us to turn the other cheek and forgive. I prefer the simpler understanding of this parable to use the gifts God has given us to share the good news with more and more people rather than to make more and more money and eliminate the competition. What do you believe?
Then we get the triumphal entrance into Jerusalem we celebrate on Palm Sunday. The versions and nuances are different in the gospels. I like the last verse here as Jesus points out that if the followers are silenced the stones would shout. In the world around you, which are louder the silent majority or the stones? What will it take to help people to find their voice?
The chapter ends with quite a contrast as Jesus weeps over Jerusalem foreseeing its destruction by her enemies. (Much of the city including all but one wall of the Temple were destroyed in CE 70 when the Romans crushed a rebellion.) When he enters the Temple, he drives out those who were selling things, proclaiming that it is to be a house of prayer not commerce. (Once again, money is brought up in this chapter.) Then every day he is there teaching the people as the leaders begin to conspire against him. What did you learn in this chapter and how will you put that learning into action?

06/02/2026

A CHAPTER A DAY Tues. June 2 – Read Luke 18. This is another favorite chapter in Luke. It begins with a parable about praying which we will find in other places in this chapter. Here Jesus teaches the disciples about constantly praying and believing that God will answer. He tells a parable of a widow of seemingly low status coming daily and pleading for justice from an unjust judge. We do not get an insight as to why she keeps coming day by day, but we do hear an explanation from the judge who finally grants her justice so she will not keep pestering him. I do not think that we pester God with our prayers, not with our open and honest prayers. God desires to hear from us as Jesus said, “night and day.” So, if an unjust judge finally does what this widow asks, Jesus implies that a just God will grant justice to those who pray for it. Once again Jesus ends the lesson with an odd and challenging question about whether or not he will find any faith on earth when he returns! Will believers still believe will pray-ers still pray? How is your prayer life today?
Then there is a parable about a couple pray-ers at the Temple. One is a self-righteous Pharisee who prays and pats himself on the back giving thanks that he is not like other people, but he is so righteous. In his prayer he does not ask God for anything for he believes he already has everything. But there is a tax collector (one of those people) who does not lift his eyes to heaven but beats his own breast humbly asking for God’s mercy for his sins. It is this man whose prayer will be answered, who will find justice and be justified and not the other. He closes this parable with a quotable quote about the exalted being humbled and the humble being exalted. Be humble in your prayers. And if you mention others in prayer, don’t put them down but lift them up in prayer.
At first, it seems odd to have a little story about parents bringing little children to Jesus. We love this story and have probably heard many sermons about it. The disciples seem to want to prevent them, but Jesus welcomes them and then points out that to the little children the realm of God belongs, and we all should receive it like little children. But it sheds light on the previous parable about the humble being lifted up. Children are dependent. Children are open and receptive. As you pray today, pray that you will feel the welcoming mercy and grace of God on which you depend. Pray that others might come to feel the same.
Next comes a rich young ruler wanting to get into heaven or inherit eternal life? In the brief conversation he knows and lives by the great commandments. He reminds me of the fortunate Pharisee and when Jesus says there is one more thing to give up his fortune and become unfortunate, it is too high a price to pay and he goes away. Jesus then shares a short parable about the difficulty of the wealthy getting into heaven being like camels passing through the eye of a needle. (I am reminded of this whenever I try to carry too much stuff and have difficulty getting through the doorway.) When the disciples cry out about who then can get through, Jesus replies that though there are impossibilities for us, for God all things are possible. And when Peter points out what he and the other disciples have given up, Jesus affirms that they will receive more in eternal life. What might you give up in order to spend more time with Jesus? Let it go.
Then Jesus tells the disciples a third time about his death and resurrection but again it seems to go over their heads. A few chapters later after the resurrection they will finally understand what he was saying. Perhaps like the widow at the beginning of the chapter, praying for wisdom and understanding!
The chapter ends with a persistent beggar calling out to Jesus for help. Even when others try to quiet him down, he shouts even louder, and his persistence pays off. Jesus calls him over and responds to his request by granting him the answer to his prayer. With all of these stories and parables is there something you want to pray to God about? Let us pray.

06/01/2026

A CHAPTER A DAY Mon. June 1 – Read Luke 17. In this chapter Luke tells more sayings of Jesus about sins, causing others to sin, and forgiveness. It seems too much for the disciples who ask him to increase their faith to be able to forgive someone seven times a day. Jesus responds by saying that faith the size of a tiny mustard seed can move a mulberry tree. (not quite the same as moving a mountain in other gospels but the same general idea of doing something thought impossible.)
Jesus compares our role of servants to the role of slaves who are to do what they are told and not to expect special treatment for just doing their job. And so it is for us. We are simply to do what God wants us to do and not to expect special credit or favors for doing the job. Why do you do what you do? Today, just do it all for the glory of God who created you.
Then Jesus heals ten men with leprosy while he is on the way to Jerusalem. This story is often read at Thanksgiving as at the end we see only one of the ten returning to thank Jesus. It is noted that this one was a Samaritan. What do you thank Jesus for today? What all did you forget to thank Jesus for over the last week? Reflect and repent and thank Jesus for all of that today.
When some Pharisees ask about when the kingdom of God was coming expecting a sign Jesus replies and implies it is already here. Jesus has come to bring it about already. They just could not see it or believe it. This leads to Jesus telling the disciples a sign of what is coming with his death and resurrection. He compares what will happen to things that did happen. In the story of Noah and the flood, all the other people were just going about their daily routine while Noah built the ark. And then the days of rain and floods came and washed all the people away. In the story of Lot and S***m the same happened when Lot left and S***m was destroyed by fire.
Verse 33 seems odd as it is the exact opposite of what these stories said. Noah by building the ark and Lot by leaving secured their lives. It may fit better for some who died for their faith and went on living life beyond this life, but Luke puts it in this chapter of sayings.
The chapter ends with telling of what may happen during the time when some are raptured up to heaven and seemingly randomly some are taken and others are not. And once again an odd comment at the end. The question is not how but where. And to me the response from Jesus makes no sense here based on what had just been said. Or when the people are taken up are the bodies or corpses left behind? I thought it was their clothing left behind.
So, what do you make of most of this chapter. I do not focus on the end times. They will come when they come. What I can and do focus on is what I can do today, this week, this year, and then leave the further future in God’s hands. Lord willing, God will help us do what we should be doing today. Go do something for God, and remember to give thanks for all that God does!

05/31/2026

Worship Service May 31st, 2026

05/31/2026

Come join us on this Trinity Sunday. We would love to see you in person! You can join us here live at 9:15am or watch it here later in the week.