Mon March 22nd - John 8:12“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The image of light overcoming darkness is powerful in Scripture. Jesus is called the “bright morning star” (Rev 22:16). God’s word is called a “lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). Ultimately, the light of the resurrection at Easter defeats the death of Good Friday. So in other times of darkness in our lives: sin, death, depression, anxiety, confusion, it’s important to remember that the light of Jesus overcomes every darkness, especially if we pray to see the light.
Tues March 23rd - John 8:21-30 “Jesus said ‘you are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.’” How do we live in the world but not of the world? The key is how we handle ourselves in tough situations; when we are tempted to sin, or burning with anger, or anxious about our responsibly and obligations. The old adage of counting to ten or taking a deep breath and a quick prayer before we speak or react can make all the difference. Lent is a time of self-denial and sacrifice. Lord help us to also scrutinize our tendency to be quick to anger, unforgiving, greedy, or unloving.
Wed March 24th – John 8:31-32 “If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” In Jesus teaching, as it is in Judaism, obedience to God is true freedom. This is hard for our generation to understand because we think freedom means doing whatever we want and getting whatever we want. But Jesus is talking about living freely and obediently under God’s authority, which brings true freedom and protection because the closer we are to God, the nearer we are to His goodness and blessing. Being a true disciple takes humility, trust, and faith to follow Jesus’ way, and not our own plans and desires.
Thur March 25th –John 9:1-4 “Jesus, he saw a man blind from birth. They ask him, ‘who sinned that he was born blind? Neither, Jesus said … but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed.” People often wonder why God allows bad things to happen. The Bible has several examples of good that comes from suffering. Job says after all his suffering: “My ears had heard you, now my eyes have seen you.” (Job 42:5) So his sufferings lead him closer to God. In Philippians, Paul says a similar thing: “I want to know Christ and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering.” (3:10) In this example, the man’s blindness was a chance for God’s power to be shown.
Fri March 26th – Jeremiah 20:10-13 “But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior.” Jeremiah was in a tough spot in this reading. He had been sent to proclaim prophecies of judgment and the people responded with plots to kill him. But even though he was frustrated, he always had faith and confidence that God would see him through. In verse 13 he praises God for rescuing him. In our times of trouble, God will be with us and give us strength for the battle. Like Jeremiah, our honest prayers of struggle and frustration will turn to prayers of praise.
Sat March 27th – Ezekiel 37:21-28 “I will gather them from all around and bring them back to their own land... They will be my people and I will be their God.” The Israelites were in exile, scattered in unfamiliar territories. In this passage, the Lord promises to bring His people back again and “save them from backsliding” (v 23). We may not be in physical exile, but all of us have backslid at one time or another and therefore through our sin turned ourselves away from God. This journey through Lent is about turning ourselves back toward God; our shepherd and father. Isn’t it amazing that our God actually pursues us and wants to bring us back?
Sun March 28th – Palm Sunday. (Also called the “Passion of the Lord”) Today’s reading is typically the long reading of Jesus’ passion: his entry into Jerusalem, celebrating the Last Supper, praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus’ arrest and trial, and finally the Crucifixion. Luke’s version of the passion shows Jesus as the righteous sufferer. As we enter the last week of Lent, our focus lies directly on the cross. So as you pray your way through Holy Week, where are you in the story? Are you celebrating Jesus’ coming? Are you sharing in his suffering? Are you dying in some way? Have you betrayed him in any way? Are you waiting in silence? Are you ready for the resurrection?
Wed (Feb 24th) The reading from the Word Among Us told me this morning that the word "lent" has a Germanic origin and means "spring." So it's appropriate to think of Lent at spiritual spring cleaning in a sense. THere's definitely a progression to it and we have plenty of time to get our spiritual houses in order by prayer, fasting, and sacrifice. We kick it off with ashes and repentance on Ash Wednesday and follow through till Good Friday when the altar is stripped and we have a time of quiet adoration to kick our prayer up one final notch before the vigil on Holy Saturday. So when Easter gets here we have really been transformed and have such a great reason to celebrate. If we've done our part we should truly feel new, renewed, clean, and risen in a sense.
Tuesday (Feb 23rd) Today's reading is from the Gospel of Matthew 6:7-15, in which Jesus gives us the "Our Father;" probably the most popular prayer. According to The Word Among Us, Amazon lists 474,000 books on prayer, including 23,000 on how to pray. But with the Our Father, Jesus makes it very simple actually. He uses 9 phrases to basically say: pray to know the Father, His will, His provision, His forgiveness, His deliverance, and His protection. If we truly lived and understood those words, than we truly could live "on earth as it is in heaven." May we grow closer to the Father through our acts of prayer, fasting, sacrifice, and worship this Lent.
Friday, (Feb 19th)
I'm noticing that my fasting (not from food, but from the other things I'm "giving up" this Lent) is making me very aware and conscious of my thoughts, words, and actions. Which makes sense because that is one of the reasons for fasting: it makes you really think about what it is you're doing without, and whether it's a good thing or a bad thing. A want or a need. Healthy or unhealthy.
Mastering the appetite, especially our appetite for sin, makes a person feel strong and in control. But hose "hunger" pains can be very annoying and unpleasant. Especially if we are truly after breaking old habits and forming new ones this time of 40 days.
May we come out of this desert of Lent stronger, healthier, and more joyful because of our sacrifice.
Thursday (Feb 18th, 2010)
If you got ashes on your forehead yesterday, how many conversations did that bring up? How many stares? Did you give an explanation? More importantly, in what other ways can you find ways to bring up your faith, or conversation starters about your faith in Christ this Lent?
We all fasted yesterday for Ash Wednesday, and we'll get to tomorrow as well. But have you also begun extra prayer as part of your Lenten sacrifice? How is your other sacrifice going? Do you have plans for almsgiving or donating time?
May you have a solid and joyful start to Lent 2010.
Ash Wednesday (Feb 17th,2010)
As you begin your Lenten journey, here is a thought from the Rev. James A. Gillespie, Monongahela, Pa.
Fast from gossip; Feast on the Gospels.
Fast from junk foods; Feast on the Bread of Life.
Fast from bad news; Feast on “The Good News.”
Fast from darkness; Feast on the Light.
Fast from the secular; Feast on the sacred.
Fast from despair; Feast on hope.
Fast from revenge; Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from tears of sorrow; Feast on tears of joy.
Fast from getting; Feast on giving.
Fast from complexities; Feast on simplicities.
Fast from horror; Feast on humor.
Fast from listlessness; Feast on laughter.