Author: Dan Sharp

Friday, May 8

Reader: “Then the high priest asked Stephen,”

Response: “Are these accusations true?”

 

Scripture: Acts 7:1-16

Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these accusations true?” This was Stephen’s reply: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham in Mesopotamia before he settled in Haran. God told him, ‘Leave your native land and your relatives, and come into the land that I will show you.’ So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran until his father died. Then God brought him here to the land where you now live. “But God gave him no inheritance here, not even one square foot of land. God did promise, however, that eventually the whole land would belong to Abraham and his descendants—even though he had no children yet. God also told him that his descendants would live in a foreign land, where they would be oppressed as slaves for 400 years. ‘But I will punish the nation that enslaves them,’ God said, ‘and in the end they will come out and worship me here in this place.’

“God also gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision at that time. So when Abraham became the father of Isaac, he circumcised him on the eighth day. And the practice was continued when Isaac became the father of Jacob, and when Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs of the Israelite nation. “These patriarchs were jealous of their brother Joseph, and they sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. And God gave him favor before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. God also gave Joseph unusual wisdom, so that Pharaoh appointed him governor over all of Egypt and put him in charge of the palace. “But a famine came upon Egypt and Canaan. There was great misery, and our ancestors ran out of food. Jacob heard that there was still grain in Egypt, so he sent his sons—our ancestors—to buy some. The second time they went, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and they were introduced to Pharaoh. Then Joseph sent for his father, Jacob, and all his relatives to come to Egypt, seventy-five persons in all. So Jacob went to Egypt. He died there, as did our ancestors. Their bodies were taken to Shechem and buried in the tomb Abraham had bought for a certain price from Hamor’s sons in Shechem.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

 

Some thoughts:

I’m intrigued with Stephen’s response to the false charges against him, both by what he said and how he said it. He was the master of the situation, the one who was in charge. I’m struck by how similar his demeanor was to that of Jesus in his trial. First of all, Stephen never directly addressed the two charges against him anywhere in his whole defense. He started with a grand story from the Old Testament, one familiar to the religious leaders. Stephen’s quotes are from the Greek Septuagint, the Greek translation of the First Testament. That source would have appealed to the Jewish leaders. His first words are words of common identity and community, “fathers and brothers.” Next, we have “Our glorious God” and “our ancestor Abraham” in which Stephen further pointed to their joint identity in the roots of their faith. He moved through the covenant of circumcision, to the twelve patriarchs of Israel, and then to Joseph in Egypt. But back to the beginning of his defense. In bringing up Abraham, was Stephen getting at the idea that a living faith always has some flexibility and willingness to change, and to move forward at God’s leading? One of the accusations against Stephen had to do with worship at the Temple. Yet Abraham was encountering God in a personal way, though worship at the Temple was still centuries away. Stephen was subtly working with the idea that it is possible to worship God apart from the Temple. He didn’t say it openly, he just moved on. In Jewish tradition it was common to recite God’s deeds of old in inspiring optimism. Each part of Stephen’s unfolding of the story was a link in his chain of logic. Though it was his trial, it was they, the Jewish leaders, who were actually on trial, on trial for their blatant rejection of the Messiah. So Stephen builds his case slowly so as not to lose their interest and guide them to the truth of the Son of God. When we read earlier that Stephen was a man full of wisdom, we see his wisdom fully at work all through his defense strategy. There is much to learn from this first martyr in terms of witness. He started on common ground. He stayed with history. He stayed Holy Spirit calm. He showed continuity in his presentation. He didn’t argue. He spoke the truth. He let the truth convict. Were we so wise!

 

Music: “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me”   Moses Hogan Chorale    Gorgeous!!!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwCBdLy8ork                               

Prayer:

God be in my head and in my understanding;

God be in my eyes and in my looking;

God be in my mouth and in my speaking;

God be in my heart and in my thinking;

God be at my end and at my departing.

 

—Sarum Primer Prayer 1514

Thursday, May 7

Reader: “Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power,”

Response: “performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.”

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.

The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

As we have mentioned in times past, the Bible is really a library of literature of different kinds. There is poetry, history, narratives, doctrine, instruction on living, prayers, prophetic writings, and books on wisdom. It is important to realize this as we study Scripture. Today’s reading is a narrative of a significant historical event, the background of the church’s first martyr, Stephen. There are several parallels between his death and the death of Jesus. Lying witnesses were brought forth in both cases repeating the same lies! In Jesus’ case, it concerned destroying the Temple and rebuilding it in three days. (Mt. 26:61) In addition, Jesus was often accused of abolishing the law of Moses. (Mt.5:17)  In Stephen’s case, it was “he always speaks against the Temple and against the law of Moses.” The method of Satan, the father of lies, is always the same. Find liars to accuse the innocent with untrue “evidence” to destroy the victim. (This method of the devil is not unknown in our society today!) The sequence was: tell lies accusing of blasphemy, incite a riot, arrest the innocent, post false charges, conduct a “trial” of sorts, and eliminate the victim. In both cases, both Jesus and Stephen were filled with God’s grace and power in the face of such hostile opposition. The response of the high council to Stephen was most interesting. The word used in our translation is “stared.” The face of Stephen took on a different appearance, an unusual brightness. Why do you suppose? It is reminiscent of the face of Moses upon coming down from the mountain after meeting with God. Both men encountered God in a unique way. Notice at the end of this pericope, everyone in the high council stared at Stephen. His countenance had changed and then he began to speak. You undoubtedly noticed that Luke described Stephen as a man of grace and power. The Greek root of the word grace is charis, from which we get charismatic. My guess is that Stephen, in addition to being filled with the Holy Spirit, also had personal charisma. That he performed signs and wondrous miracles certainly added to his notoriety. He recited the history of Israel from their authoritative Old Testament right up to the rejection and killing of Jesus, at which point, Stephen was stoned. The fact that the sacrificial system had ended with the resurrection and ascension of Jesus was more than the Pharisees were willing to accept. In both Jesus’ and Stephen’s trials, the death knell came when the leaders were confronted with the identity of Jesus being the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of God. Again, notice the similarity of the words that put the religious leaders over the top. In answer to the identity question given Jesus, his words were, “You have said it. And in the future, you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Mt. 26:64. Luke writes the religious leader’s explosion in rage came when Stephen told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” At that point, they dragged Stephen out of the city and, as they were stoning him, he spoke words very similar to his Savior, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” This whole account took place in the Synagogue of the Freed Slaves. Present were Jews from several geographic areas including Cilicia, the home town of Saul of Tarsus. This would likely have been the synagogue Saul attended when in Jerusalem. It was a Hellenistic synagogue where religious debate was frequent. Since Stephen was Greek, it is logical this would also be his place of worship. There is little doubt Saul was encouraging the stoning of Stephen. So how does this account play out for you today? The outward impact of the Holy Spirit in Stephen’s life was noticeable. His countenance, his demeanor was different and ordinary people noticed it. As a deacon, he gave himself to the service of others. He had a very distinct and positive spiritual impact wherever he went. That’s our challenge for these tumultuous days in which we live. Is the outward impact of the Holy Spirit in your life noticeable to those around you? 

 

Music: “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”    Powerful story behind the song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnGMNvRBJ4w 

  

Prayer:

Lord, you know better than I know myself that I am growing older, and will some day be old. Keep me from getting talkative, and particularly from the fatal habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful, but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all, but you know, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end. Keep my mind from the recital of endless details—give me wings to come to the point. I ask for grace enough to listen to the tales of others’ pains. But seal my lips on my own aches and pains—they are increasing, and my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. Help me to endure them with patience. I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally it is possible that I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a saint—some of them are so hard to live with—but a sour old woman is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so. Amen.      

           —attributed to a seventeenth-century nun, though actually of unknown origin,   

                                 Eerdmans’ Book of Famous Prayers, p.532020-05-072020-

Wednesday, May 6

Reader: “Whoever wants to be a leader among you” 

Response: “must be your servant.”

Scripture: Matthew 20:17-28

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him. “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. “What is your request?” he asked.

She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

But Jesus answered by saying to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?”

“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”

Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”

When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

As we mentioned the other day, always note what comes before and what comes after any passage you read. The Bible is a woven thread of God’s working through history. Nothing is in the wrong place. In the verses prior to this section, Jesus’ concluding comments to the parable he had just told were the “last will now be first and those who are first will be last.” Apparently James and John were not listening too closely! We are at the point in Jesus’ ministry where he is heading toward Jerusalem for the final time. Pulling the disciples aside, he gives them the unadorned details of exactly what will happen. Matthew, who was one of the twelve present and the author of this gospel, says nothing about any response from the disciples to this news of Jesus as to what is about to transpire. My conclusion is that the disciples were clueless as is shortly apparent. (A note in passing; until the very end, Jesus always referred to himself as the Son of Man rather than the Son of God. The Son of Man harkened back to the book of Daniel with messianic implications. The Son of God was a more overt expression immediately arousing angry opposition.) Next we read of the mother of James and John asking Jesus for a privileged position in the kingdom for her boys. Apparently they had all processed parts of what Jesus had just said rather quickly! What is interesting to me is that Mrs. Zebedee felt free enough to ask Jesus such a question. She was not, nor apparently were any of the disciples, afraid to make such a request. My impression is that Jesus was very humble and unassuming, a quiet Shepherd. I think, had I been Jesus, I would have said, “Lady, are you nuts? Do you have a clue?” He was more gracious, though he did say, “You don’t know what you are asking.” Apparently the boys were involved in this request, maybe even putting their mother up to ask it. The “you” in Jesus’ answer is plural, meaning Jesus was addressing the sons in his answer. Their naivé response was, “Oh yes, we are able!” The truth is James was martyred and John suffered greatly, ending his life exiled on the island of Patmos. The other ten disciples were no better. It is obvious that the brothers had beat them to the punch in asking for privilege and honor first. Jesus put them all in their place by drawing them back to servanthood leadership. Leadership is not about privilege and power over others. If you want to be first, you must be last; that is the way to be first. If the disciples were paying attention (they weren’t), over the next few days, they would see a servant leader laying down his life for many. The result would be that he “became the first fruits of them that slept.” Let us ask for grace to serve that we might be a thread in the tapestry that God is weaving.

Music: “O Master Let Me Walk with Thee”    Hour of Power Choir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4FhFozCX-w 

Prayer:

Grant us, O Lord of the church, living congregations in which Thy Spirit shall speak and work, and make me also ready to serve Thee in Thy church with the gift Thou hast given me, not to please men and not for worldly honor, but for gratitude and love. Amen.   ―Otto Riethmuller

Tuesday, May 5

Reader: “All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”

Response: “All glory to him forever and ever! Amen and Amen.”

Scripture: Hebrews 13:20-21

Now may the God of peace—

    who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,

the great Shepherd of the sheep,

    and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— 

may he equip you with all you need

    for doing his will.

May he produce in you,

    through the power of Jesus Christ,

every good thing that is pleasing to him.

    All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

You may have heard these verses pronounced as a benediction at the end of a worship service. I have used them many times myself in giving benedictions. It is interesting that this blessing is laid out in the form of a collect. That word may be unfamiliar to some who are not of a liturgical tradition. In the pronunciation of “collect”, the emphasis is on the first syllable. It is a set form of a prayer meaning “a gathered-together prayer.” It begins with an invocation (“Now may the God of peace”), followed by an adjective clause setting the basis for the next petition (“who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood”), the main petition (“may he equip you with all you need for doing his will”), a secondary petition (“May he produce in you . . . every good thing that is pleasing to him”), a pleading of the meritorial work of Christ (“through the power of Jesus Christ”), a doxology (“All glory to him forever and ever!”), then Amen. If you have worshiped in an Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran, or Catholic church, you are familiar with this form of prayer. There are phrases in this passage that would harken to Jewish readers. The “God of peace” may indicate some trouble in the church as the epistle to the Hebrews is believed to have been a sermon text helping Jewish believers grasp the finality and supremacy of Jesus fulfilling the sacrificial system of worship. The last several days we’ve spent a fair amount of time with Paul and Peter both underscoring the whole idea of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Jews looked back on Moses as the Old Testament shepherd of the people of Israel. The image is that Moses “brought up from the sea” (Is.63:11) the Israelites, that is, brought them from death to life. Here we have the same image, but it is God who brings up Jesus, the superior Moses, from the dead. He also points to Jesus’ shed blood in establishing a new covenant, again, with a Covenant Keeping God being so central in Jewish history. The charge in this benediction is that those hearing these words would, through the power of Jesus Christ living in them, produce works that are pleasing to God, works he planned for us to do. The benediction concludes with an ascription to God, as the subject of this long sentence. We see here yet again how the whole of Scripture is knit together in one single story. A working knowledge of the First Testament is essential in grasping the scope of the New Testament. Put simply, as knowledge and understanding grow under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, the impact of the Scriptures magnifies the transformation of the believer.

                     (Some insights from F. F. Bruce, commentary on Hebrews)

Music: “The Lord Bless You and Keep You”  John Rutter

 “The Lord Bless You and Keep You”   John Rutter Massed Choir 900 Singers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCpxgEHqjFA

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles, CA  February 17, 2008

The Mark Thallander Foundation Choir Festival

We had the opportunity to participate in this festival when I was ministering in San Diego.

 

Prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.         ―from BCP2020-05-05

Monday, May 4

Reader: “God opposes the proud”

Response: “but gives grace to the humble.”

Scripture: I Peter 5:1-5

And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for

“God opposes the proud

    but gives grace to the humble.”

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

In thinking of the people in the New Testament, along with Paul, Peter is one who had a most interesting, significant transformation. Think of the crash-bang Peter walking on the water, slashing off the ear of a Roman soldier, proclaiming Jesus as the Christ, being called Satan by Jesus, refusing to let Jesus wash jhis feet, being told by Jesus, “It’s none of your business what happens to John,” and being told by Jesus you’ll have an unpleasant death. Peter was all over the place! Then at Pentecost Peter stands up and in true Pentecost fashion, preaches a sermon on the risen Christ challenging the people to repent and 3,000 are converted. Peter becomes a leader in the early church. When you read today’s passage, Peter seems so calm and wise! What happened? If you ever needed evidence that the Holy Spirit transforms people, Peter is your example.

It appears that he is toward the end of his life. There is an element of reflecting on the past in his reference to witnessing the suffering of Christ. He urges the leadership, the elders, to be gracious and humble in leading the people, like shepherds in referring to the congregation as a “flock.” Already, it seems Peter has the end in mind. Twice he mentions sharing in the glory of Christ at the return of Christ. In reading both Peter and Paul’s letters, one cannot but help notice their expectation that the return of Christ would happen shortly, if not in their lifetimes. Their words, as happens here, were always to live life with the Second Coming in mind. Those are good words for all of us who are often so lost in concerns over the pressing events of the days in which we live. Bottom line. Live like an elder, humble, godly, serving God, caring for people, and watching for the return of Christ.. Work on that today and let the Holy Spirit continue to transform you.

Music: “Hear Am I Lord”  Nation Youth Choir of Scotland    Don’t miss this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcL9S5a3weU&list=RDgcL9S5a3weU&index=2 

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, many of the people around us never read you. If they have a Bible, it collects dust. So, Lord, make us to be living, in the flesh Bibles, so that those who do not read your Book, can read it in us and find you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ―adapted Chinese woman’s prayer after learning to read, from Eerdmans’ Book of Famous Prayers, p.93, Daniel Sharp 

Fourth Sunday in Easter, May 3

Reader: “I am the good shepherd;”

Response: “I know my own sheep.”

Scripture: John 10:1-18

“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”

Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.

“The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

You recall yesterday’s passage where Ezekiel blasted Israel’s leadership for their wicked, sinful shepherding of Israel and Judah. Jesus picks up the same theme in today’s portion of John’s gospel. You will notice this chapter follows immediately the account of the man born blind whose sight was healed. In this chapter, Jesus alludes to the blindness of the Pharisees in recognizing who he is. The chapter begins with “I tell you the truth.” It’s a way of saying “Amen, amen,” in other words, “Listen up people, what I’m about to say is really important, so pay attention.” (Whenever this phrase is used, it always feeds off of what preceded it― i.e. the healing of the blind man.) He begins with not bad shepherds, but thieves and robbers. Sheep were kept in a pen at night and the shepherd slept in the single doorway, the only way to get into or out of the fold. The shepherd was the only door; the sheep were secure. The relationship between the shepherd and the sheep was personal. He knew every sheep and every sheep knew his voice. They followed by voice, not by sight. Often several shepherds would go together with several flocks in the same fold. When morning came, each shepherd would call his own sheep and the flocks would separate based on hearing their master’s voice. The challenge is not only to the shepherds of the flocks but also for the sheep to learn their master’s voice so they know whom to follow. (It is interesting to me that you cannot drive sheep. You can drive cattle, not so with sheep. If you are behind the flock and seek to drive them, they will simply part and now you are in front and they will follow!) The people listening still didn’t get it, so Jesus did another “Amen, amen!” We see in this portion a challenge to know his voice, to know Scripture, and to know the truth. We are not to be dumb sheep. Our Shepherd loves us to the point of his own death. Rather than leadership in the first part of reading, the focus shifts here to safety, care, commitment of the Shepherd. He is the entrance point to pleasant pastures. He is the doorway, the gate. Jesus’ discourse here deals with two ways of viewing him, both having to do with salvation. He is the Door, the only way to salvation. He is the Good Shepherd, the one who lays down his life for his sheep with the power to take it up again. I might make one additional comment about the sentence “I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold.” The Mormons have interpreted that as referring to North America and the tribes of native Americans living there. With no other references anywhere in Scripture even remotely suggesting such, such reasoning is far-fetched, unfounded speculation at best. Remember, throughout the early part of Christianity, the converted Jews struggled with the concept of accepting Gentile believers as equals before God. In this particular instance, Jesus is talking to Jewish leaders and Jewish people. A far more reasonable understanding is that Jesus’ comments refer to non-Jewish people who will come to faith as the gospel unfolds following Jesus’ death and resurrection. At this point in history and in this context, this is a much more likely interpretation from my perspective. Friends, all of this isn’t ancient history, this same Shepherd is very much alive and seeks to lead you into this day. You are known by him. Listen for his voice and follow.

Music: “The Lord’s My Shepherd I’ll not Want”    Citrail

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-qLa_2GPcM 

Prayer:

O Lover to the uttermost, may I read the meltings of thy heart to me: in the manger of thy birth, in the garden of thy agony, in the cross of thy suffering, in the tomb of thy resurrection, in the heaven of thy intercession. Bold in this thought, I defy my adversary, tread down his temptations, resist his schemings, renounce the world, am valiant for truth. Deepen in me a sense of my holy relationship to thee, as spiritual bridegroom, as Jehovah’s fellow, as sinners’ friend. I think of Thy glory and my vileness, Thy majesty and my meanness, Thy beauty and my deformity, Thy purity and my filth, Thy righteousness and my iniquity. Thou hast loved me everlastingly, unchangeably, may I love thee as I am loved; Thou hast given Thyself for me, may I give myself to Thee; Thou hast died for me, may I live to Thee, in every moment of my time, in every movement of my mind, in every pulse of my heart. May I never dally with the world and its allurements, but walk by thy side, listen to thy voice, be clothed with Thy graces and adorned with Thy righteousness. Amen.   ―from The Valley of Vision, p.18

Saturday, May 2

Reader: “You shepherds”

Response: “hear the word of the Lord.”

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:1-16

Then this message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep? You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve. You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with harshness and cruelty. So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal. They have wandered through all the mountains and all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them.”

“Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, you abandoned my flock and left them to be attacked by every wild animal. And though you were my shepherds, you didn’t search for my sheep when they were lost. You took care of yourselves and left the sheep to starve. Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I now consider these shepherds my enemies, and I will hold them responsible for what has happened to my flock. I will take away their right to feed the flock, and I will stop them from feeding themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths; the sheep will no longer be their prey.”

The Good Shepherd

“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live. Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in the lush pastures of the hills. I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes—feed them justice!”

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

It is quite familiar to most of us that Jesus often likened people to sheep. Not only did Jesus use that comparison, it appears throughout the First Testament as well. In this passage, Ezekiel is reprimanding Israel’s kings for leading the people astray. His words are that God will hold those in authority accountable for the way they lead the people, both then and now. The kings served themselves rather than the people they were to lead. (Sound familiar?) In the Lord’s words, I will take them out of power. That is the first judgment in this pericope. 

A word about why shepherds and sheep might be used as a metaphor in Scripture. As a farm boy who had sheep growing up, here are a few observations that may help explain the why. Sheep are dumb. (Ouch!) We had a sheep die with its head stuck in a fence because it didn’t have the sense to back up! Sheep are very fearful. Sheep are very stubborn. Sheep are very near-sighted so vision is a problem. Sheep are defenseless. Sheep are followers. (Illustration from the farm. The flock was coming out of a pasture. One of the first ones jumped over a puddle of water. Those that followed also jumped―over nothing, since they were jumping where there was no puddle!) Sheep’s hearing is EXCELLENT! The sheep know the shepherd’s voice. My dad could call the sheep, my brother-in-law couldn’t, they didn’t know his voice. 

Finally, the last portion of this reading centers on the Lord taking things into his own hands and providing a true shepherd who will care for his sheep. Note how much similarity there is in this description to Psalm 23 written roughly 400 years earlier. God’s shepherd will search out the lost sheep. He will feed them and they will dwell in peace. He will bandage the wounded  and strengthen the weak. He will destroy the fat and powerful, he will bring justice. He will separate the sheep from the goats. Ezekiel is writing of a future shepherd from the lineage of King David! (Ez.34:23) Who might that be? We’ll see tomorrow! In the meantime, sheep, listen for the Shepherd’s voice today.

Music: “Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy”      Shane & Shane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo3HgtT_OiE 

Prayer:

O Shepherd of the sheep, who didst promise to carry lambs in Thine arms, and to lead us by the still waters, help us to know the peace which passeth understanding. Give us to drink that heavenly draught which is life, the calm patience which is content to bear what God giveth. Have mercy upon us, and hear our prayers. Lead us gently when we pass through the valley of the shadow of death. Guide us, till at last, in the assembly of Thy saints, we may find rest forevermore. Amen.      

                                     ―George Dawson, Prayers Ancient and Modern, p.143

Friday, May 1

Reader: “The Lord is my shepherd”

Response: “I shall not want.”

Scripture: Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.      (KJV)

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

This psalm is surely among the best loved portions of Scripture. I thought I might depart a little bit from our usual approach with your permission and reflect more personally on this psalm. As I write this on March 27th, today would have been my younger brother, David’s, 69th birthday. He died during my freshman year at Wheaton College. My suitemate was the first person I encountered upon hearing the news. Cal recited this psalm. Prior to this moment, I had been wrestling for several weeks with the idea of “What if I reach out to God with complete abandon (I was a Christian) and nothing happens?” I had almost concluded that rather than risk that, I’d continue in a warm and positive relationship with God, close but guarded. The news of David’s death cut through everything in a split second. I instinctively reached out to the Lord in total desperation and was overwhelmed with God’s presence. Jesus might as well have been in room 466 in Fischer Hall standing right beside me in the flesh. From that moment on to this day, 54 years later, there has never been a shadow of a doubt of the reality of a God who relates so personally to me. The psalm begins “The Lord is my shepherd . . .” If the Lord is not your shepherd, you cannot experience the rest of the psalm. There is no other way to satisfy your wants. There is no other way to find stillness. There is no other way to restore your soul. There is no other way to find the paths of righteousness. There is no other way to escape the fear of death. There is no other way to have the Lord with you if he is not your Shepherd. There is no other way to experience true comfort apart from your Shepherd. There is no other way to receive goodness and mercy apart from the Lord. And finally, there is no other way to dwell in the house of the Lord forever apart from him being your Shepherd. You can trust your Shepherd with complete abandon, have no fear.

Music: “The Lord is My Shepherd”    by John Rutter          Atlanta Master Chorale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOtsuzM6h7M 

Prayer:

O God, let Thy Spirit now enter my heart. Now as I pray this prayer let not any room within me be furtively closed to keep Thee out . . . Now as I pray this prayer, let me not be still holding to some undertaking on which I dare not ask Thy blessing . . .Now as I pray this prayer let me not be still intending to devote my own best hours and years to the service of lesser ends. O Holy Spirit of God, as I rise from these acts of devotion, let me not return to evil thoughts and worldly ways, but let that mind be in me which was also in Christ Jesus. Amen.    ―John Baillie, from The Quiet Corner, p.8

Thursday, April 30

Reader: “Once you had no identity as a people;”   

Response: “now you are God’s people.”

Scripture: I Peter 2:9-12

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

“Once you had no identity as a people;

    now you are God’s people.

Once you received no mercy;

    now you have received God’s mercy.”

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
This is now the fourth passage we’ve taken from Peter’s epistles. The circumstances of his writing are not that different from the circumstances in which we live. Peter is helping the readers understand what it means to live a godly life in an unsympathic, even antagonistic worldly environment. In the opening words of this passage, he is referring to people who have wholely rejected God. In reminding them of being chosen people, he is underscoring their true identity. We live in a society where people are searching for their own identity through all kinds of means and acts. Our true identity is not that we are citizens of such and such a country, or such and such a race, or that we are male or female, or members of a political group, or self identify as whatever, or of a particular social or economic status. In truth, we are brothers and sisters of Christ, who himself  is not a citizen of this world, but of another kingdom. As we said a couple of days ago, God purchased us as his own possession. Since that is the case, Peter writes, refering to the First Testament prophet, Hosea, we got into God’s family via his mercy in adopting us. We are all adopted kids. Since we’re in Jesus’ family now, we need to live like Jesus lives. Don’t hang out with old habits and patterns. Talk like Jesus, drive like Jesus, eat like Jesus, pray like Jesus, read like Jesus, love like Jesus, think like Jesus, laugh like Jesus, care like Jesus, walk like Jesus (have you noticed in the Bible, Jesus never ran anwhere?), weep like Jesus, listen like Jesus, discern like Jesus, study like Jesus, and submit to the Father like Jesus. In Peter’s words again, you are holy priests, a holy nation, live like it. In God’s words, “be holy for I am holy.” It will affect where you live and transform your life. There is too little holy living in this world. Let’s change that.

Music: “Sanctus” from Durufle Requiem   University of Colorado Choirs and Symphonic Orchestra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hESnJ0HHlxI 

Translation:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts.

Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors,

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever. Amen.

Wednesday, April 29

Reader: “Moses carefully wrote down”

Response: “all the Lord’s instructions.”

Scripture: Exodus 24:1-11

Then the Lord instructed Moses: “Come up here to me, and bring along Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of Israel’s elders. All of you must worship from a distance. Only Moses is allowed to come near to the Lord. The others must not come near, and none of the other people are allowed to climb up the mountain with him.”

Then Moses went down to the people and repeated all the instructions and regulations the Lord had given him. All the people answered with one voice, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.”

Then Moses carefully wrote down all the Lord’s instructions. Early the next morning Moses got up and built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He also set up twelve pillars, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. Then he sent some of the young Israelite men to present burnt offerings and to sacrifice bulls as peace offerings to the Lord. Moses drained half the blood from these animals into basins. The other half he splattered against the altar.

Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it aloud to the people. Again they all responded, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded. We will obey.”

Then Moses took the blood from the basins and splattered it over the people, declaring, “Look, this blood confirms the covenant the Lord has made with you in giving you these instructions.”

Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel climbed up the mountain. There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself. And though these nobles of Israel gazed upon God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they ate a covenant meal, eating and drinking in his presence!

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
This is a most interesting passage as recorded by Moses. Mt. Sinai had a God declared boundary which guarded the sanctity of his presence and protected the people from the full force of God’s holiness which would have been lethal. Among other things, it demonstrated gradations of holiness in regard to Mt. Sinai. In terms of approaching God, those farthest away were the non-Jews, then the Israelites, then the seventy elders, then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, then Moses alone. It is interesting to me that these two of Aaron’s four sons, would be the ones God called to come to worship him. Nadab and Abihu should have picked up on the exclusive nature of God’s holiness, yet it was these two sons who later offered unholy fire and were struck dead as a result. You can’t say they didn’t know! In the bigger picture, this whole section is about God making a covenant with his people, a covenant that is a shadow of what was to come later. At this point, God is ratifying his covenant with the people of Israel. You noticed twelve pillars were erected representing the twelve tribes. These pillars served as historical witnesses of this significant transaction, a common use of columns in the culture of those days. The Scripture says that Moses took the blood from the sacrificed bulls and divided it in half. The first half was sprinkled on the altar symbolizing God’s commitment to keeping this covenant. One of the aspects of making a covenant is that the terms and regulations are put in writing and are read aloud to the people. Following sprinkling the blood on the altar, Moses then read the covenant to the people who responded with one voice pledging loyalty to God. Moses then sprinkled the people with the other half of the blood of the bulls confirming the Israelites’ part of the agreement. Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy went farther up the mountain and saw some representation of God since no one can see God in his full glory and live. As part of the covenant process, a fellowship meal is shared between the parties. Moses records this group and ate a covenant meal, eating and drinking in God’s presence. Did you notice Moses’ words when he spattered blood over the people, “This blood confirms the covenant the Lord has made with you . . .” In Matthew 26:28 Jesus’ words at the Last Supper with the twelve disciples were, “this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice (on the altar) to forgive the sins of many.” Everytime we take communion, we are again partaking of the covenant meal and are again affirming the New Covenant in the blood of Christ, the seeds of which go back thousands of years. Remember Moses the next time you receive the eucharist.

Music: “There is Power in the Blood”     Fernando Ortega

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVKF7gt3Cak&list=PL9492611BFCFAB267&index=3 

Prayer:
Gracious Lord, you are perfectly faithful always in every place and in every time. You are as alive and vigorous now as you were when Moses and his contingent went up the mountain to eat a covenant meal with you. I don’t want to read it simply as biblical history. Help me to better grasp that account in light of the next time I take communion. Lord, I’m amazed over and over the myriad of connections throughout the Scriptures. Help me to better grasp the significance of every part of your Word, and in growing in faith, may I come to know you more deeply and significantly. This I pray in the name of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Amen.   ―Daniel Sharp

Tuesday, April 28

Reader: “Cry out for this nourishment,” 

Response: “now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.”

Scripture: I Peter 2:1-10

So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.

And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the Scriptures say,

“I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem,

    chosen for great honor,

and anyone who trusts in him

    will never be disgraced.”

Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him,

“The stone that the builders rejected

    has now become the cornerstone.”

And,

“He is the stone that makes people stumble,

    the rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

“Once you had no identity as a people;

    now you are God’s people.

Once you received no mercy;

    now you have received God’s mercy.”

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
Once again some context will help us better grasp Peter’s message in this passage. Peter is writing from Rome around 60 AD to Christians in what is modern day Turkey. Apparently there were both Gentile and Jewish believers as reflected in this letter. Persecution against Christians was rising. The reference to “newborn babies” was not a dig at his readers, but rather a simple truth that appropriate nourishment is essential for growth of any new living being. Since Christianity is relatively new at this point in history, Peter is urging them to keep moving forward in their faith since they are not that “old” in the faith―and at the same time urging us to do the same! I believe he is appealing to his Jewish Christians by his use of Old Testament references to God’s temple, holy priests, spiritual sacrifices, living stones, and people chosen by God. He is underscoring for them, God’s Chosen People in the First Testament now include believing Gentiles, a major adjustment for Jewish Christians. Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone of the new temple which includes both Jew and Gentile. The temple of God is not now housed in a building, but in the bodies of believers in Jesus Christ. This was never more apparent than when we have had to abandon meeting in congregations in our church buildings due to COVID―19. Our bodies are God’s temple, his church, and, as Peter writes in the first two sentences, our lives should reflect a holy church, not our old life. He concludes this pericope by reminding the people they are: a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, people owned by God―he paid the price for their purchase. And then Peter, perhaps under John’s influence, reminds the people they have been called out of darkness into the wonderful light of Christ, urging his readers to share the light. Peter is clearly writing to us holy priests as well!  

Music: “Jesus Is the Cornerstone”    Larnelle Harris An oldie from the past!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fBoMpZySMM

Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, I thank thee that thou hast led me into the light. I thank thee for sending the Savior to call me from death to life. I confess that I was dead in sin before I heard his call, but when I heard him, like Lazarus, I arose. But, O my Father, the grave clothes bind me still. Old habits that I cannot throw off, old customs that are so much a part of my life that I  am helpless to live the new life that Christ calls me to live. Give me strength, O Father, to break the bonds; give me courage to live a new life in thee; give me faith, to believe that with thy help I cannot fail. And this I ask in the Savior’s name who has taught me to come to thee.

                                            ―Prayer from Taiwan, Oxford Book of Prayer, p.117

Monday, April 27

Reader: “The word of the Lord”

Response: “remains forever.”

Scripture: I Peter 1:23-25

For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. As the Scriptures say,

“People are like grass;

    their beauty is like a flower in the field.

The grass withers and the flower fades.

But the word of the Lord remains forever.”         (Is.40:6-8)

And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.     

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
Yesterday we spent some time reflecting on John’s use of light and darkness in proclaiming the gospel. Today I’d like to follow up on the light implications as written by, none other than Peter, the subject of Jesus’ restoration. The fact that Peter was set free by Jesus, having dealt with the guilt of his denial of the Savior, is very clear in his letters. Peter understood in a powerful way what it meant to be born anew, with sins forgiven. This is as plain a statement as you will read. The one born again by the Holy Spirit receives a new kind of life, a life that will last forever―a positive way of saying it will never end. Think about it Believer, as you read this, your life will keep going for all eternity, and that life is underway right now! This kind of living is possible because it has nothing to do with you. Its source is the eternal, living word of God. Death is simply a departure to the eternal world. Death is a defeated sting, a futile stab at short-circuiting God’s plan of redeeming his fallen creation. Christ utterly destroyed, obliterated, annihilated, terminated any power of death. There is no fear of death. It is a door to our eternal home and the doorkeeper is none other than the Savior. This is GOOD NEWS!

By this time, I’m not sure what will be happening with COVID-19 and some of the fears people may or may not have, but the words of Peter help us grasp the biggest picture without minimizing the present. My prayer is that more and more people these days will heed Peter’s words and embrace Christus victor!

Music: “Behold All Flesh”  Movement II from Brahms Requiem   Herbert Von Karajan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2jc13Q1wX4 

Today’s music is a little different. I must give you some context for those not familiar with this piece. Normally, requiems are about death. Brahms wrote this “requiem” about eternal life from a Christian perspective using only biblical texts. While this is sung in German, there are English subtitles. The text of this movement is today’s Scripture reading along with a passage from James and one from Isaiah. The passages are a beautiful commentary on each other. Note the conductor and choir have memorized the entire piece so as to embrace the meaning. This is the best recording of this movement I’ve ever heard. Note how their music “sings the meaning of the text.” When you watch this, do so on your computer or television full screen so you can see faces. Find a place where you won’t be interrupted and lose yourself in this singing of God’s word. This movement is 15:18 minutes long. Watch it all at once in one sitting. Brahms captured in music what Peter was after when he wrote this letter. Don’t miss it! When so much of our music trivializes the gospel, this music aims at the wonder and grandeur of what God has done.

Prayer:
O Lord God, our Father, you are the light that can never be put out; and now you give us a light that shall drive away all darkness. You are the life that defies death, and you have opened for us the way that leads to eternal life. We bask in the glory of this life to come. Grant us grace in the life before us here on earth that we may be better prepared for the world that awaits our coming. We pray this to God Almighty, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.               ―Karl Barth, adapted Daniel Sharp

Third Sunday in Easter, April 26

Reader: “Jesus appeared again to the disciples” 

Response: “beside the Sea of Galilee.”

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.

Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”

“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”

“No,” they replied.

Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

“Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.

“Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
In the whole of John’s gospel he has a clear purpose in writing which he states just prior to this passage, namely “so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.” (Jn.20:31) There are similarities throughout the book to that end, many of which appear in this pericope. Peter figures prominently in this third encounter with the risen Lord. Peter also denied the Lord thrice. Of the seven disciples present, it is interesting to know who they were. There was Peter and we’ll say more about him below. There was Thomas, the “show me” disciple, who was again encountering the living Jesus in the flesh. There was Nathaniel, known for his high character though not one of the twelve, but one who had interacted with Jesus at the very beginning of his ministry and proclaimed him the Son of God. There were also James and John the brother fishermen and two other unnamed disciples. These men had left Jerusalem after the resurrection and had gone back home to Galilee and resumed their previous occupation, fishing. We mentioned a few days ago about John’s use of the “light/dark” motive in his gospel. Here it comes again. (Nicodemas came to Jesus at night 3:2; Judas leaving to betray 13:30; resurrection morning “while it was still dark” 20:1; the disciples cowering in the dark that first Sunday evening of the resurrection 20:19―insights from G.Borchert, New American Commentary, John Vol.11, p.326) The idea is that people move from spiritual darkness to recognizing the truth of the Savior. At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples didn’t recognize him. They were still “in the dark.” But when they followed the Lord’s suggestion and pulled in all the fish, then John, the writer of this gospel, told Peter, it is the Lord! Again we see John helping Peter. It was John who spoke to the high priest allowing Peter into the courtyard at Jesus’ trial. It was John who got to the empty tomb first and here, and here it is John who recognized Jesus first. And now we have another fellowship meal with Jesus resulting in Peter being restored. We’re familiar with the three denials and here, the three affirmations of love for the Savior. It is interesting that both occurred around a charcoal fire, the only two times a charcoal fire is mentioned. Charcoal is ashes and ashes are a sign of repentance. It would almost seem this restoration of Peter as a kind of “Ash Wednesday” coming to full circle. In the words of Psalm 36:9 “With Thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.” Walk in the light this glorious day. 

The music today is the earliest recorded Christian hymn (text) outside of the Bible coming from the 3rd century. The music was composed for the Russian Orthodox Church by Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) Orthodox music is only vocal. No instruments used in worship, only the human voice. You may want to let the video continue to run after this piece!

Music: “Hail Gladdening Light”  Rachmaninoff Vespers Robert Shaw Festival Singers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PmHP-56Npc   sung in Russian, English translation

O Light gladsome of the holy glory of the Immortal Father,

the Heavenly, the Holy, the Blessed, O Jesus Christ,

having come upon the setting of the sun, having seen the light of the evening,

we praise the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: God.

Worthy it is at all times to praise Thee in joyful voices,

O Son of God, Giver of Life, for which the world glorifies Thee.

Prayer:
Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, you shine light into darkness. A Light which pierces gloom. A Light which fades shadows. A Light which penetrates ominous clouds. A Light which overcomes the black. A Light which melts phantoms. A Light which defeats  doubts, fears, hopelessness, confusion, stress, tension, anger. . . On this holy day, let the Light of my Savior shine forth in me that He may bring glory to the Father as he lives in and through me. May the dark places in my life be overcome by the Light of the World, even Jesus the Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.     ―Daniel Sharp

Saturday, April 25

Reader: “Let us rejoice”

Response: “in the salvation he brings!”

Scripture: Isaiah 25:6-9; Luke 14:12-14

Isaiah

In Jerusalem, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies

    will spread a wonderful feast

    for all the people of the world.

It will be a delicious banquet

    with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat.

There he will remove the cloud of gloom,

    the shadow of death that hangs over the earth.

He will swallow up death forever!

    The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears.

He will remove forever all insults and mockery

    against his land and people.

    The Lord has spoken!

In that day the people will proclaim,

“This is our God!

    We trusted in him, and he saved us!

This is the Lord, in whom we trusted.

    Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!”

Luke

Then [Jesus] turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
I mentioned yesterday a little difficulty I have in grasping the reality of being part of God’s family. I understand the words, the concepts, the promises, the theology, the context and so forth, but it is still a wonder to me. Then today we run into these two passages that are tied quite closely together with an image and example that Jesus used very frequently in his ministry, eating meals with all kinds of people, including the wedding banquet. Have you ever wondered why he chose eating together as his teaching illustration? Think of all the kinds of people involved in meals in the Bible.

The very first meal involved sinners! But there was Abram and Sarai sharing a meal with the three visitors, one of whom was God in a theophany. We have the examples of: Joseph’s unique meal with his brothers, seated at the table in birth order prior to his revealing his identity to his brothers, Elijah being fed by ravens, Jesus eating at the home of Zaccheus, Jesus feeding the 5,000, Jesus gettting ready to eat with the two people from Emmaus, and Jesus eating fish with the disciples after his resurrection. In each of these examples and in the dozens more in Scripture, God’s hand is in the midst of the meal. What is of note is the nature of the people sharing meals. The guests at the table were there not because of who they were, but because of who they weren’t. The proud, the arrogant, the pompous, the famous were not to be found present. The humble, the meek, the lowly of heart, the devoted, the faithful, the poor in spirit were there. In these passages, Scripture is so clear that all peoples, regardless of who they are, are invited to come to the feast of God’s Kingdom, the Messianic banquet, the Wedding feast of the Lamb. In the eucharist, we commune with our Savior. Isaiah described, in what you read, this heavenly banquet yet to be, a banquet to which we’ve been invited.  

Music: “Let Us Break Bread Together”    Jessye Norman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFQqOWh2aOY

Prayer:
O Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is truth and life, let Thy presence abide in us, that seeking Thy truth we may find Thee, and sharing Thy life, may dwell together in perfect fellowship, and may be found faithful servants of Thee, to whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit be glory and praise, now and forever. Amen.     ―Anonymous

Friday, April 24

Reader: “I love the Lord”

Response: “because he hears my voice.”

Scripture: Psalm 116:1-4; 12-19

I love the Lord because he hears my voice

    and my prayer for mercy. 

Because he bends down to listen,

    I will pray as long as I have breath! 

Death wrapped its ropes around me;

    the terrors of the grave overtook me.

    I saw only trouble and sorrow.

Then I called on the name of the Lord:

    “Please, Lord, save me!”

What can I offer the Lord

    for all he has done for me?

I will lift up the cup of salvation

    and praise the Lord’s name for saving me. 

I will keep my promises to the Lord

    in the presence of all his people.

The Lord cares deeply

    when his loved ones die.

O Lord, I am your servant;

    yes, I am your servant, born into your household;

    you have freed me from my chains.

I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving

    and call on the name of the Lord.

I will fulfill my vows to the Lord

    in the presence of all his people

in the house of the Lord

    in the heart of Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord!

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
That these last two months dealing with the COVID-19 virus have been trying for everyone is probably an understatement. We have had to alter a great many plans and habits and expectations. There is no doubt people have been under a fair amount of stress, sometimes revealing things in our hearts that we didn’t realize were so present as we grab for that last package of TP! Into this context we read this wonderful psalm. I’m afraid our God is far more present than we realize. He hears your whispered prayer and he gives mercy. The phrase “as long as I have breath I will pray” says a great deal about the confidence and determination of the psalmist. Do we pray with that kind of fever or do we pray for a few minutes and if nothing happens go on to something else? How persistent are you in your life of prayer? Here the psalmist was overwhelmed with a desperate situation and he cried out to God. We are more likely to pray in a fearful situation, but what about praying when the situation isn’t so uncertain? The last portion of the psalm is one of gratitude to the Lord. It seems in the difficult situation the psalmist made some kind of promise to the Lord. How often have we done that? “Lord if you will . . . then I promise I will …” Again, underscored here is the wonderful truth that the Lord cares deeply when his loved ones die. Think about that. The words are “his loved ones.” We talk about our loved ones, our children, our parents, our family. Christianity uses familial language from beginning to end: Father, Son, brothers, sisters, children, sons, daughters, offspring, little ones, and family. Into this context we read that the Lord views us as his own “loved ones,” loving you and me as a perfect Father. This is overwhelming . . . and reason to calm down and trust. Your Father will meet all of your needs.

Music: “I Love the Lord”    Whitney Houston The text is based on this psalm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPLP1ui4YNc      From the “Preacher’s Wife” movie

A live performance by Whitney Houston       

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU9iJ0YU0PQ 

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, that we are part of the Trinity family is beyond anything we can begin to comprehend. That you love us so is, honestly, hard for me to grasp. The depth of your love as expressed in Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension is something we’re still trying to comprehend. We read it in the Scripture and don’t doubt that it happened and was motivated by your love and desire that we should know and love you, but it’s that we feel so ordinary, sinful and puny people. How could you love us? You are the masterful, glorious God of all creation. Help us to know you better and be more able to live as your children and reflect well on our family name. Thank you for hearing our cries and caring deeply when your family members struggle. We love you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
―Daniel Sharp

Thursday, April 23

Reader: “Though you do not see him now,”

Response: “you trust him.”

Scripture:  I Peter 1:8-12

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward.

They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
This is a most interesting and insightful passage as recorded by Peter. He is writing to Christians who are being persecuted in Asia Minor, in what is today the nation of Turkey. He is writing to challenge his readers to holy living in the midst of a difficult, antagonistic culture. I wonder if Peter was perhaps thinking of Thomas, one of his fellow disciples, when he wrote “though you do not see him now, you trust him” in reference to Jesus. In these days of global unrest, do we trust our Savior in this biggest picture, or succumb to fear? The Greek word for “souls” often refers to the whole person, hence the phrase, “salvation of your souls.” Likewise, here it does not refer simply to one aspect of a person, but to the entirety of the person, not just some inner spiritual being. Your whole person is saved at the coming of the Lord, not just the spiritual part of you. The next portion referring to the Old Testament prophets is fascinating to me. Sometimes, as in the days of Noah, a prophet received a message from the Lord concerning something that was going to happen. The prophet Noah preached repentance to no avail and the Flood happened in his lifetime. But can you imagine being a prophet and having a clear message come to you like Noah, but without a specific time in which it would occur? You have the Spirit of Christ in you which is separate from you speaking through you. You learn of the suffering of a Messiah and the great glory that would follow . . . but it never happens in your lifetime. You die without ever seeing your word from the Holy Spirit fulfilled. Do you realize we are in a kind of “Old Testament time” in the sense that we also are awaiting and looking for the Second and final coming of the Lord?  The Good News of salvation and what is to come is being preached all over the world as the Holy Spirit speaks through various people as we await the unfolding of the glorious conclusion! Peter writes that even the angels are “eagerly watching” these things happening. The phrase, “eagerly watching,” is the same Greek word used of the disciples when they peered into the empty tomb. There is a curiosity element here. Angels have known Christ in the realm of heaven and then Christ in human form only to have him return to heaven in a glorified human body. No one in heaven or on earth has experienced what is to come, so “eagerly watching” is a most apropos expression. Though we have never seen him, we eagerly watch and wait with a trusting curiosity. The Lord is coming back.

Music: “At the Name of Jesus”  Cardiff Festival Choir

https://join.skype.com/M8O4IU8Cbzdh 

(This hymn traces the work and call of Christ from Creation to his Second Coming in seven verses.)

At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow,

Every tongue confess him King of glory now:

‘Tis the Father’s pleasure we should call him Lord,

Who from the beginning was the mighty Word.

At his voice creation sprang at once to sight,

All the angels faces, all the hosts of light,

Thrones and Dominations, stars upon their way,

All the heavenly orders in their great array.

Humbled for a season to receive a name

From the lips of sinners unto whom he came,

Faithfully he bore it, spotless to the last,

Brought it back victorious, when from death he passed:

Bore it up triumphant with its human light,

Through all ranks of creatures to the central height,

To the throne of Godhead, to the Father’s breast;

Filled it with the glory of that perfect rest.

Name him, brothers, name him, with love as strong as death,

But with awe and wonder and with bated breath:

He is God the Saviour, He is Christ the Lord,

Ever to be worshipped, trusted, and adored.

In your hearts enthrone him; there let him subdue

All that is not holy, all that is not true:

Crown him as your captain in temptation’s hour;

Let his will enfold you in its light and power.

Brothers, this Lord Jesus shall return again,

With his Father’s glory, with his angel train;

For all wreaths of empire meet upon his brow,

And our hearts confess him King of glory now.

Prayer:
All searching God, Thou readest the heart, viewest principles and motives of actions, seest more defilement in my duties than I ever saw in any of my sins. The heavens are not clean in thy sight, and thou chargest the angels with folly; I am ready to flee from myself because of my abominations; yet thou dost not abhor me but hast devised means for my return to thee, and that by thy Son who died to give me life. Thine honor is secured and displayed even in my escape from thy threats, and that, by means of Jesus in whom mercy and truth meet together and righteousness and peace kiss each other. In him the enslaved find redemption, the guilty pardon, and unholy renovation; in him are everlasting strength for the weak, unsearchable riches for the needy, treasures of wisdom and knowledge for the ignorant, fullness for the empty. At thy gracious call I hear, take, come, apply, receive his grace, not only submit to his mercy but acquiesce in it, not only glory in the cross but in him crucified and slain, not only joy in forgiveness but in the one through whom atonement comes. Thy blessings are as secure as they are glorious; thou hast provided for my safety and my prosperity and hast promised that I shall stand firm and grow stronger. O Lord God, without the pardon of my sin, I cannot rest satisfied without the renovation of my nature by grace, I can never rest easy, without the hopes of heaven I can never be at peace. All this I have in thy Son Jesus; blessed be his name for ever and ever. Amen.      ―The Valley of Vision p.21

Wednesday, April 22

Reader: “Now someone greater than Solomon is here—”

Response: “but you refuse to listen.”

Scripture: Matthew 12:38-42

One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority.”

But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.

“The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent. The queen of Sheba will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
There is an attitude expressed in this passage that is a universal curiosity. People like to see magic tricks. The Pharisees were pushing for such, but with insincere hearts. But we need to see the larger context. Previous to the portion you just read, in the presence of the Pharisees, Jesus had frustrated them by claiming to be Lord of the Sabbath (eating grain in a field on the Sabbath), healing a man with a deformed hand, and healing a demon-possessed man. They could deny neither of these miracles. Yet we come to today’s pericope with their words, “Show us a miracle as a sign to prove your authority.” There was a popular expectation that the Messiah would perform astounding miracles on command. Remember during Jesus’ trial, Herod questioned Jesus hoping to see him perform a miracle? Jesus saw through the bogus request of the Pharisees for they had already seen him perform miracles in their presence. Have you noticed Jesus never did a miracle for its own sake? His miracles were never as magic tricks nor for entertainment. They always pointed to bringing glory to God and to establishing his identity that people might repent and believe in the Son of God. So Jesus went to a story in the First Testament, the Pharisees’ own Bible, to make his point in response to their request. The prophet Jonah preached and the Ninevites repented. Jesus then drew a parallel between himself and Jonah’s three days in the belly of the fish in reference to his death and resurrection. (In passing, observe that Jesus treated the whole encounter of Jonah, the fish, and preaching repentance to the Ninevites as historical truth. He didn’t treat the story as allegory nor should we ever treat the resurrection as allegory.) Jesus then claimed to be greater than the prophet Jonah and greater than King Solomon. In truth, the Pharisees were not the least bit interested in repenting before Jesus and confessing him as the Messiah, though a few did (Nicodemus). All people on earth have been given the most miraculous sign ever, the resurrection of Jesus Christ and his victory over evil, sin, and death. The question is, do people repent and believe? In these days following Easter, perhaps you’ll have a chance today to talk with a “Pharisee” and help them become a Nicodemus.

Music: “The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ”    Simon Khorolskiy & Brothers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T-M9iPZfMk 

Prayer:
Use me then, my Savior, for whatever purpose and in whatever way Thou mayest require. Here is my poor heart, an empty vessel; fill it with Thy Grace. Here is my sinful and troubled soul; quicken it and refresh it with Thy love. Take my heart for Thine abode, my mouth to spread abroad the glory of Thy name, my love and all my powers for the advancement of Thy believing people; that at all times I may be enabled from the heart to say, “Jesus needs me, and I him.”        ―Dwight L. Moody

Tuesday, April 21

Reader: “Just as death came into the world through a man,” 

Response: “now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man.”

Scripture: I Corinthians 15:19-28

And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.

But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.

So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.

After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. For the Scriptures say, “God has put all things under his authority.” (Of course, when it says “all things are under his authority,” that does not include God himself, who gave Christ his authority.) Then, when all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
In this pericope Paul continues with the implications of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. In our Christian culture we can tend to look at a verse here and there and draw conclusions based solely on what we just read. It is always important to remember that the Bible is one grand story with all the parts connected. Failing to realize that truth can lead to a very shallow understanding of the Scriptures. Adam and Eve’s failure was devastating to the entire human race, and that is not an understatement. The rest of the Bible is coming to grips with the sin they introduced. Their rebellion made death an absolute certainty for all humankind from that moment forward. God told them if they ate the forbidden fruit, they would die. And they chose death, believe it or not. As children of Adam, our choice was gone; our death became a certainty. In a sense, Eve became the mother of death and Adam the father. That disaster has played havoc with the human race for thousands of years. Humanity had no escape; it was doomed. But into this world came a Second Adam born of a Second Eve. Whereas Eve doubted God’s word effectively saying “My will be done, Mary trusted God with the words, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you said about me come true.” In a sense, she became the mother of life. And the Second Adam came taking death head on and crushing the head of the Garden’s serpent opening the way to life eternal. Christ was the first one raised from the dead leading the way for all believers who follow. But there is more. Christ will return and destroy all evil rulers and powers, rending them impotent. In the ancient Near East, when a foe was defeated, that person knelt before the victor with his head to the ground and the triumphant ruler placed his foot on the neck of the vanquished.  Sometimes the defeated foe is referred to in Scripture as a “footstool under the feet of the king.” (Heb.10:12-13, Ps.110:1) The ultimate end is that Jesus Christ will be totally supreme over everything everywhere. Notice how everything is described in physical terms. We are not describing mystical floating spirits, but bodies with different properties in a completely different dimension than the one in which we currently live. So what does all this have to do with today, Tuesday, April 21st? As believers, we have already been raised with Christ. We are in the early stages of resurrection life! We are freed from sin and death now. The Holy Spirit is our guide and source of power. We can live this day with a broader perspective then the next twenty-four hours.

Music: “Hallelujah Chorus from Mount of Olives by Beethoven      Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-mNxQ6Kslk 

Praise the Lord, ye bright angelic choirs in holy songs of joy.

Man, proclaim his grace and glory.

Praise the Lord in holy songs of joy.

Hallelujah unto God’s Almighty Son.

Praise the Lord in holy songs of joy.

Prayer:
O God, you have glorified our victorious Savior with a visible, triumphant Resurrection from the dead, and ascension into heaven, where he sits at your right hand; grant, we beg you, that his triumph and glories may ever shine in our eyes, to make us more clearly see through his sufferings, and more courageously endure our own; being assured by his example, that if we endeavor to live and die like him, for the advancement of your love in ourselves and others, you will raise our dead bodies again, and conforming them to his glorious body, call us above the clouds, and give us possession of your everlasting kingdom. Amen.       ―John Wesley

Monday, April 20

Reader: “Christ has been raised from the dead.” 

Response: “He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.”

Scripture: I Corinthians 15:12-20

But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
In Paul’s day, as in ours, there were those who had a tough time getting their heads around the fact that Jesus rose bodily from the grave. The Greeks believed in the immortality of the soul, but a physical body being raised from the dead was much harder for them to accept. So Paul presents his argument for a bodily, physical resurrection in this portion of his letter. He works backwards in his logic. He starts with a physical body; Greeks and doubters must accept that an earthly body is matter in the form of flesh. If we accept the premise that it is impossible for a body to rise from the dead, then the claim of Christ’s resurrection is clearly not true. Following along, presuming we are perpetuating a lie, then the atoning work on the cross on our behalf never happened and we are still in our sins. In addition, the torn curtain in the Temple was God’s mistake since he affirmed something that never happened. What is more pathetic, is that we are suffering as complete fools for believing something that never happened. When we die that’s it and we’ll receive a very rude awakening . . . so to speak! It reminds me of Pascal’s wager, namely humans betting their lives on the existence of God. In a nutshell: 1) If we believe in the existence of God and he exists, when we die, we enjoy the benefits of heaven. 2) If we believe in the existence of God and he doesn’t exist and we die, we’ve lost nothing. 3) If we don’t believe in the existence of God and he does exist and we die, we lose everything for all eternity. 4) If we don’t believe in the existence of God and he doesn’t exist and we die,  we’ve lost nothing. In light of eternity, number three is not worth our arrogance. Not the same, but a little bit of the same logic. The last sentence you read is about us! A little Jewish background here. One of the seven principal Jewish feasts was the Feast of Firstfruits which began two days after Passover and the day after the Sabbath, which is Sunday, the first day of the week. A stock of barley (it ripens before wheat) was pulled from the field pointing to the wheat harvest some seven weeks later at Pentecost. This stock was symbolic of the full harvest to come. God always owned the firstfruits, hence the beginning of every harvest went to him, similar to God owning all the first born men or animals. (Think of the Exodus.) Of the seven times firstfruits are mentioned in the New Testament, (worded here, “first of the great harvest”), these last two sentences are the most significant. Christ, as the Firstfruit, leads the way in resurrection, to be followed by his believers, and then all who have died. For these words speak of the certainty of a future bodily resurrection for all who believe as well as for those who don’t believe and at final Judgment, some to eternal life in the presence of God and others to eternal life apart from God. Bottom line, we are guaranteed now of our future resurrection body which will be fundamentally different from the body we live in now. (Yes!) Our bodies will be glorious, immortal, material, and spiritual similar to Christ’s own resurrection body. Can you imagine?

Music: “I Can Only Imagine”   Mercy Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_lrrq_opng 

In this song we have pictures of loved ones who have gone before, but what strikes me is the power of the text which centers on the overwhelming reality of being in the presence of Christ himself.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, my Creator and Savior of my soul and body, I bow before you in overwhelming gratitude and wonder. Your word says you knit me together in my mother’s womb and saw me before I was even born. You recorded every day and every moment of my life before there was even one. The mystery is that you have never recorded an end to my life. You know that I will dwell with you eternally because of what you have done on the behalf of me and all of your children. I look forward, though I cannot imagine how this would be, to thanking you face to face in my unimaginable resurrection body and bowing before you in perfect worship. . . . my words fail, but you know my speechless heart.          ―Daniel Sharp

Second Sunday in Easter, April 19

Reader: “Blessed are those who believe ”

Response: “without seeing me. ”

Scripture: John 20:19-31

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.

Reader: “The powerful word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
I would like us to again, step back in time into that locked room and weigh some of the dynamics at play. We are sitting invisible in the corner of the room. The disciples were fearful of being discovered by the authorities and receiving the same fate as Jesus. While they were willing to walk with Jesus in the moments of glory, now it was different. It’s Sunday night. Peter and John had earlier that morning been to the empty tomb and left. Mary had told them that she saw a living resurrected Jesus. Women’s opinions were not given great credibility in the culture of the day, so they were not sure what to think. Fear of worldly forces can often consume Christians when they lose focus on God’s power and sovereignty. Such was the case of the cowering disciples. Into this situation, the dead Jesus they saw on the cross three days previous, suddenly appears in their midst very much alive coming through the locked door. Rather than speculate how this was possible, we would simply say, a resurrection body has very different properties. Neither Paul nor any of the gospel writers shy away from mystery. They simply state what is. Though there is much more to say, I want to skip ahead to “doubting” Thomas. Sometimes, I fear, he gets a bad rap. Thomas was very much a realist. It was he who said, when Jesus informed the disciples that he was going back to Jerusalem to wake Lazarus from his sleep, “let’s all go and die with you,” knowing the full danger of Jesus returning at that time (Jn.11:16). It was Thomas who wanted clarity on “the way” where Jesus was going (Jn. 14:5). We don’t know why Thomas was not with the other disciples that first Sunday, but he had heard from them regarding Jesus’ appearance that remarkable night and he wasn’t buying it. The following Sunday night was different! Can you imagine his reaction when Jesus appears again? I can almost hear the conversation . . . “So Thomas, good to see you. Missed you last Sunday. I heard you say something about touching my hands and my side? I’m here. Go ahead. What’s holding you back?” Can you imagine the turmoil going on in the psyche of that disciple? Thomas, overwhelmed, makes the great declaration, “My Lord and my God!” This was not only a personal testimony of belief, it was an echoing  proclamation of the beginning of John’s gospel. “The Word was with God and the Word was God.” Jesus concludes this encounter with the prophetic words that includes us, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” Thomas’ realism has done the skeptics and all of us a great favor. 

Music: “Worthy Is the Lamb” from Messiah   Robert Shaw (The conclusion of Messiah)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYqa4_3Lc48    Glorious AMEN!!

Bonus:

 “I Have Seen the Lord”        Vigil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G3IFp3Ckiw 

Prayer:
Show us, O God, most holy, according to the measure of our mortal sight, the glory of the risen Christ, for as the rising sun breaks upon the night shadows and day leaps into joy, so has Christ overcome the powers of darkness and of death, and has disclosed to us the wonders of your power and love. Truly, you have risen, O Lord! Let the gospel trumpets speak, and the news as of holy fire, burning and flaming and inextinguishable, run to the ends of the earth. You have risen, O Lord! Let all creation greet the good tidings, with jubilant shout; for its time of release has come, the long night is past, the Savior lives and rides and reigns in triumph now and throughout all ages. Amen.

      ―from Prayers for Sunday Services, p.97

Saturday, April 18

Reader: “Peace be with you, ”

Response: “and also with you. ”

Scripture: John 20:11-20

Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her.

“Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”

She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?”

She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”

“Mary!” Jesus said.

She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).

“Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
As we saw yesterday, Paul omitted a reference to Mary Magdalene as a witness to Jesus’ resurrection. John’s gospel gives us Mary’s account in today’s pericope. The above passage describes her second trip to the tomb. She had been there shortly before and discovered it was empty. She ran back to Peter and John to tell them Jesus was gone. The  two men had come and seen the empty tomb and went back home! Mary stayed as described in the passage you just read. Put yourself at the tomb sitting invisibly on a rock on the side watching this encounter unfold.

Mary is standing by the entrance crying and she looks in the tomb for a second time. This time, there are two angels in the tomb, one sitting on the stone slab where Jesus’ head had been placed, and the other where his feet would have been. Imagine her shock when they ask her why she was crying. Notice her response was very natural. (My guess is that she was so self-focused on the missing body of Jesus, that she hardly grasped her unique encounter with angelic beings and she simply “went with it.”) In essence, “Somebody took the Lord’s body and I don’t know where they put him.” The angels didn’t respond and so she turns to leave, at the same time realizing another person has arrived, but she isn’t really focused on the man as her mind is preoccupied with finding the dead body of Jesus. He also asks her why she is crying but then asks her also who she is looking for. In somewhat of a fog, she presumes he’s the gardener and wants to know where he put the body. She is focused on finding the body! (For the Jews, proper burial of the deceased was of utmost importance and robbing graves was common, hence her concern.) Jesus calls her by name and she turns stunned to realize it is Jesus in his resurrected flesh. A living Jesus was the last thing she was expecting! (There are other accounts where the resurrected Lord is unrecognized―E.g.Emmaus, miraculous catch of fish.) Have you noticed how straight forward and “matter of fact” this whole account is? Nothing about this retelling is imaginary or magical. It is an historical record of the resurrection event written by an eyewitness who was present in the story. John makes the resurrection of Jesus very clear. Every person is confronted with the question, “Is this true and do I believe it? Do I receive what Christ has done for me?” Walk today with this same living Lord. Don’t be so consumed with the circumstances of the day that you miss the “Gardener” standing right beside you.

Music: “In the Garden”    Alan Jackson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhIGIfsLxVk 

Prayer:
Almighty God, who through the death of your Son has destroyed sin and death, and by his Resurrection has restored innocence and everlasting life, that we may be delivered from the dominion of the devil, and our mortal bodies raised up from the dead: grant that we may confidently and whole-heartedly believe this, and, finally, with your saints, share in the joyful resurrection of the just; through the same Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord.   

           ―Martin Luther

Friday, April 17

Reader: “Christ died for our sins,”

Response: “just as the Scriptures said.”

Scripture:  I Corinthians 15:1-11

Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.

I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.

But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace. So it makes no difference whether I preach or they preach, for we all preach the same message you have already believed.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
This part of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians is one of classic passages on the resurrection. You probably heard a sermon last Sunday on some aspect of proof that Jesus rose from the dead and may have encountered this pericope. In reading Scripture, it behooves us always to ask ourselves, why did the writer include this phrase or mention this idea. Let’s apply that practice here. I want us to look particularly at Paul’s zeroing in on Christ dying for our sins, being buried, raised from the dead, and then being seen by various people. To a Greek philosopher, the idea of a bodily resurrection would be ridiculous, absurd. Some members of the church in Corinth struggled with this idea. Here, Paul is focusing on bodily resurrection, not the immortality of the soul, which was assumed in various understandings by the Greeks. Paul is also limiting this discussion to believers’ bodies at death. To make his point, Paul brings forth his evidence of the reality of the bodily resurrection of Jesus. He omits Mary of Magdala as a first witness and goes to Jesus’ appearance to Peter. As Charles Erdman commented, “A sacred silence conceals the time and place and the words which were spoken.” They most likely were words of pardon to the denier. Paul then mentions the eleven disciples in the upper room, also men who had run away, abandoning their Lord. It would seem Paul was making a point that Jesus appeared first to the people who most likely would have avoided seeing him out of great guilt and embarrassment. Seeing a living Lord would have magnified their remorse and underscored the truth that Jesus did in fact rise from the dead. The next mention is of an appearance to more than 500 people at the same time establishing that the bodily resurrection was not a vision or phantom appearance. By mentioning that some of those people were still alive was another way of saying, “You can ask them if this is true.” So the movement was from a single person, to a small group, to a large crowd of people. The next appearance mentioned is touching, it is to Jesus’ half brother, James, another son of Mary and Joseph, one whom Jesus had grown up with. The Scriptures are clear that Jesus’ own brothers did not believe in him until after the resurrection, so this is particularly powerful. This is the same James who wrote the book by his name in the New Testament. Then Paul states Jesus appeared to all the apostles, this time including doubting Thomas, whose response in seeing Jesus was profound and powerful, “My Lord and my God!” The converted Saul then points to his own Damascus road experience where he saw the risen Christ and was dramatically, instantly converted to the Christian faith. You’ve noticed that none of this was a “tradition handed down” but rather, first hand eye-witness accounts of a God-man gaining victory over death. The grave could not hold him. The power of the devil over death was obliterated for all eternity! As a believer in Jesus Christ, never doubt that you will be resurrected to eternal life. The Scriptures are so clear. May you have an opportunity today to pass along this most glorious truth.

Music: “The Trumpet Shall Sound” from Messiah   Philippe Sly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13DpmWPV9IU 

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, as you made yourself known first at Easter to the people who most loved you and missed you, make yourself known this day to any who have felt cut off from you―any who are burdened by guilt, and do not understand how much you love them―anywho feel that joy has gone out of their life forever. And as you dealt patiently with the problems of Thomas, deal patiently too with all people who are handicapped by closed minds―all who fear that the resurrection news is too good to be true―all who are held back from faith by intellectual barriers of doubt―all who are too proud to humble themselves before you. Make yourself known to them too; and set them free.

            ―adapted from Prayers for Sunday Services, Daniel Sharp

Thursday, April 16

Reader: “I will not be shaken,”

Response: “for he is right beside me.”

Scripture: Psalm 16

Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.

I said to the Lord, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.”

The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!

Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods.

I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood or even speak the names of their gods.

Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.

The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance!

I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.

I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.

For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. 

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
As I write this, the world is in the throes of panic over the coronavirus. Every single news story is about how many people are infected, how many have died so far, and how much worse it is going to get. People are cleaning out TP in stores! Really? By the time you read this, I wonder what the situation will be? Hopefully, TP will still be in existence! An “abundance of caution” is the phrase of the day. An event like this where death is part of the conversation, is most revealing. You’ve seen how fast attention turns to self. People are quick to hoard. In a matter of a few hours, grocery stores have bare shelves.

Without sports to watch, attend or speculate about, many people are lost. Those trusting in their portfolios are fearful and anxious. Where is the anchor in all of this turmoil? King David writes the stabilizer for us in Psalm 16. The virus is no match for God! It has not surprised him. It has no power over him. For good or ill, it has helped reveal the true hearts of the people. It has served to show those things in which people trust; those things about which people care; those different things which motivate people; and the virus has shown what people ultimately believe in for their safety. Hear again David’s words: “Keep me safe, O God. You are my Master. The godly people in the land are my true heros. Lord, you alone are my inheritance. You guard all that is mine. I will bless the Lord who guides me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. My body rests in safety. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence.” It doesn’t seem like there is any panic here, does it? Whether this virus business has calmed down by now, or is still stirring, the word of the Lord, as given to David, is the right place to live, always keeping God’s biggest picture in mind.

Music: “Be Still My Soul”     Libera

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwkPsKe-39Y 

Prayer:
O Thou full of compassion, I commit and commend myself unto Thee, in whom I am, and live, and know. Be Thou the Goal of my pilgrimage, and my Rest by the way. Let my soul take refuge from the crowding turmoil of worldly thoughts beneath the shadow of Thy wings; let my heart, this sea of restless waves, find peace in Thee, O God. Thou bounteous Giver of all good gifts, give to him who is weary refreshing food; gather our distracted thoughts and powers into harmony again; and set the prisoner free. See, he stands at Thy door and knocks; be it opened to him, that he may enter with a free step, and be quickened by Thee. For Thou art the Well-spring of Life, the Light of eternal Brightness, wherein the just live who love Thee. Be it unto me according to Thy word. Amen.    ―St. Augustine  (354-430)

Wednesday, April 15

Reader: “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.” 

Response: “He isn’t here!”

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”

The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
You have undoubtedly read this account of the resurrection many times and heard more than one sermon preached on it. As you read the passage again, did you notice how very straight-forward it reads? Nothing sensational in this narrative. I love the simple “He isn’t here.” The event is tied to real time “. . . early on Sunday morning as the new day was dawning . . .” That sounds like a description of this morning. There is no hint of fantasy here.  Note all the specific details. Two women we know from elsewhere in the Scriptures are named. We have a description of an earthquake and the appearance of an angel causing two guards to faint. The appearance of an angel signals a remarkable event is underway. Heavenly beings have come to earth. Two different worlds are connected in earthly chronology and history. Something like this does not happen every day! The news is that the crucified rabbi has been raised from the dead by the power of God. Up to this point, the devil held the power of death in his evil grip. The good news is that the head of the one holding sway over death was mortally crushed. Rather than serving as a fearful end to a meaningless life, death can now serve as a departure point in earthly life and the doorway to paradise and into the presence of our great God. As if to further confirm the words of the angels, the women ran into the risen Lord and talked with him. It is true, Jesus defeated death. But, as we mentioned the other day, this whole event is a strong and powerful voice of God telling one and all of his great love for his people and of his desire that they be with him where he is. We are so used to reading news stories that give a “spin” to the reporting, that when we read something as plain and simple as this, we may tend to look for angles. There are none. It’s simply and gloriously true! God loves his people to death!

Music: “Thine Is the Victory”   First Plymouth-Church arr. Horby

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q2OuTUvChw 

Prayer:
It is truly right and good, always and everywhere, with our whole heart and mind and voice, to praise you, the invisible, almighty, and eternal God, and your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who at the feast of the Passover paid for us the debt of Adam’s sin, and by his blood delivered your faithful people. You brought our fathers, the children of Israel, out of bondage in Egypt, and led them through the Red Sea on dry land. All who believe in Christ are delivered from the gloom of sin, and are restored to grace and holiness of life. For he broke the bonds of death and hell, and rose victorious from the grave. How wonderful and beyond our knowing, O God, is your mercy and loving-kindness to us, that to redeem a slave, you gave a Son. How wonderful when wickedness is put to flight, and sin is washed away. It restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to those who mourn. It casts out pride and hatred, and brings peace and concord. How blessed when earth and heaven are joined and man is reconciled to God. Let us live in simple transparency this day. In the name of Jesus Christ, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

―adapted Daniel Sharp from Easter Vigil prayer, BCP

Tuesday, April 14

Reader: “Your right hand, O Lord, ”

Response: “ is glorious in power. ”

Scripture: Exodus 15: 1-18 

Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord:

“I will sing to the Lord,  for he has triumphed gloriously;

he has hurled both horse and rider  into the sea.

The Lord is my strength and my song;  he has given me victory.

This is my God, and I will praise him—my father’s God, and I will exalt him!

The Lord is a warrior; Yahweh is his name!

Pharaoh’s chariots and army he has hurled into the sea.

The finest of Pharaoh’s officers are drowned in the Red Sea.

The deep waters gushed over them; they sank to the bottom like a stone.

“Your right hand, O Lord,  is glorious in power.

Your right hand, O Lord, smashes the enemy.

In the greatness of your majesty, you overthrow those who rise against you.

You unleash your blazing fury;  it consumes them like straw.

At the blast of your breath,  the waters piled up!

The surging waters stood straight like a wall;  in the heart of the sea the deep waters became hard.

“The enemy boasted, ‘I will chase them and catch up with them.

I will plunder them  and consume them. I will flash my sword;  my powerful hand will destroy them.’

But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them.

They sank like lead  in the mighty waters.

“Who is like you among the gods, O Lord— glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor,

    performing great wonders?

You raised your right hand, and the earth swallowed our enemies.

“With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed.

In your might, you guide them  to your sacred home.

The peoples hear and tremble; anguish grips those who live in Philistia.

The leaders of Edom are terrified;  the nobles of Moab tremble.

All who live in Canaan melt away;  terror and dread fall upon them.

The power of your arm makes them lifeless as stone until your people pass by, O Lord,  until the people you purchased pass by.

You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain—the place, O Lord, reserved for your own dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established.

The Lord will reign forever and ever!”

Reader: “The word of the Lord as composed by Moses.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
This particular passage is known as the Song of Moses, the first recorded song in Scripture. It is typical of latter biblical songs in that it recalls the actions of God on behalf of his people, underscoring in their minds God’s enduring care, protection and love for his Chosen Band. It is a kind of First Testament resurrection story. God led his people from certain death to life! As we mentioned during a Lenten devotional, in the words of Dennis Prager, “Memory permeates faith. No memory, no faith.” One of the purposes of songs is to permeate faith. We are a people with short historical memories. Notice the first eight lines are very personal with the recurrence of first-person pronouns. One of the great truths of our God is that he is very, very personal. Note also the unity expressed as both Moses and the people of Israel sing this song. The victory of God over the Egyptians was very descriptive, “they sank to the bottom like a stone.” 

In the fifteen lines of the middle section of the song, the text moves to addressing God in the second person. “Your right hand,” (usually the hand the warrior used with his sword,) is praised for vanquishing the enemy. Again, this is quite dramatic in its description of God’s power. For us, reading this song is reading an historical event. We forget the people singing this actually saw the sea split, walked through it, and then saw God collapse the walls of water wiping out the entire Egyptian army, the most powerful army in the world. The singers watched as the waves deposited the soldier’s lifeless bodies on the beach. God had given them an astounding victory.

The final stanza looks to the future, not only for the Children of Israel, but for us as well. While the words foretell the Israelites coming journey to the Promised Land, the last lines point to a day still in the future. We are yet to be planted on the holy mountain, the place reserved for the Lord’s dwelling and the place of God’s everlasting reign. In the crossing of the Red Sea, the Israelites were buried in the waters of baptism and resurrected to new life by the power of God, bringing their certain death to life. They were in the same place as we are. In the resurrection of Jesus, we’ve been brought from death to life as we await our own “crossing of the Jordan” to the Promised Land. Rejoice this day in the eternal life you’ve been given!

Music: “Guide Me O, Thou Great Jehovah”     Tabernacle Welsh Baptist Church

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT4n1hGjDDg 

 

Prayer:
My risen Lord, I feel thy strong protection; I see thee stand among the graves today. I hear thee say, “I am the Way, the Life, the Resurrection.” And all the burdens I have sadly carried grow light as blossoms on this April day; my cross becomes a staff. I journey gladly these resurrection days, having come through the Sea, I continue on to my final home across the Jordan to the Promised Land.

 ―Author Unknown, adapted Daniel Sharp

Monday, April 13

These are unusual and difficult days in our world. I want to encourage you in the truth. In response to quite a few subscribers asking if I might consider writing more than just Lent or Advent devotionals, after some prayer, I decided to continue writing daily devotionals through Pentecost, which occurs fifty days after Easter and will take us this year to May 31st. So you can expect to continue to receive daily devotionals through the end of May. They will continue to appear in your emails each morning after Easter. You need do nothing. The Lord is sovereign.

In thinking and praying this through, I considered the purpose of these daily encounters with Scripture concluding: 1) They can provide an opportunity to encounter the Lord daily speaking through his written Word. 2) They can give us a better grasp of the whole unity of the Bible as one grand story and increase our knowledge of this Library of Books. 3) They can help get us into the daily pattern of reading Scripture. 4) They can give us a daily encounter with vocal music of substance to inspire our faith. 5) And the concluding prayers can introduce us to some of the saints of the past and “sinners” from the present! With these things in mind and since I am “retired” of sorts, I decided to continue with Eastertide. As always, I appreciate your helping to pass the word along. As always, subscribing is free at:  sharpdevotional.com

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Dan

Reader: “Don’t be afraid.”

Response: “Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today.”

Scripture: Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21

As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord, and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”

But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground. And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers. When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the Lord!”

Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them. The cloud settled between the Egyptian and Israelite camps. As darkness fell, the cloud turned to fire, lighting up the night. But the Egyptians and Israelites did not approach each other all night.

Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!

Then the Egyptians—all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers—chased them into the middle of the sea. But just before dawn the Lord looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion. He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. “Let’s get out of here—away from these Israelites!” the Egyptians shouted. “The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!”

When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the Lord said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers.” So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the Lord swept them into the sea. Then the waters returned and covered all the chariots and charioteers—the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived.

But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides. That is how the Lord rescued Israel from the hand of the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the seashore. When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced. And Miriam sang this song:

“Sing to the Lord,

    for he has triumphed gloriously;

he has hurled both horse and rider

    into the sea.”

Reader: “The Word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
Yesterday was a glorious day celebrating Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and his victory over the power of the devil. If it is possible, I think something even greater may have been demonstrated in that event. Put simply, the resurrection is the glory of God being shone. I know there were many theological aspects being fulfilled at the cross, but I want to touch on the glory of the resurrection. We talk about God’s glory, but what does that mean? In our English usage of today, we may refer to the glory of a sunset. It’s beautiful, stunning while it lasts. The Old Testament meaning of glory is significantly different. The Hebrew word for glory is “kabod” and denotes weightiness, heaviness, solidarity, significance and reality. When God’s glory appears it is not a short term experience, but a visible expression of his absolute reality. His visible presence in Scripture was often in a cloud, a magnificent cloud, a cloud of such weight that entering it uninvited brought death. The resurrection was a manifestation of God’s glory, but it had been foreshadowed throughout the First Testament, for example, in the passage you just read. Remember, we are the Israelites. Don’t think of them as those rebellious people from Bible times. We are too much like them! Pharaoh, the arch enemy, had them trapped. They panicked. They wanted the old miserable past. “Let’s go back to the way it used to be. At least we knew where we stood” . . . in misery. Then came Moses’ words, “Stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today.” The Absolute One entered reality. He does that again and again. Stay calm, the Lord is at work! I love the Lord’s response, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!” You are in my plan! Then God says, “My great glory will be displayed . . .When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the Lord!” Miriam’s song, at the end of what you read, captured this glory of God idea; “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously . . .” God’s glory accomplished (-es) great things on earth as in the Israelites crossing of the Red Sea and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and victory over sin, death, and evil, but the underlying truth is we get first hand glimpses of the glorious Triune God we worship, the weighty grandeur of our God. But even at that, we see only a small part of our great God. The events of God acting in our lives are not the end, but serve rather as pointers to the wonder and weightiness of our great Creator. The glory is in God alone, not in the wonder of parting the water.

Music: “O Gladsome Light” from Vespers by Rachmaninoff  Robert Shaw Festival Singers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PmHP-56Npc         English Translation:

Gladsome Light of the holy glory of the Immortal One—the Heavenly Father, holy and blessed—O Jesus Christ!

Now that we have come to the setting of the sun,and behold the light of evening, we praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—God. Thou art worthy at every moment to be praised in hymns by reverent voices. O Son of God, Thou art the Giver of Life; therefore all the world glorifies Thee.

Prayer:
O God of my Exodus, great was the joy of Israel’s sons when Egypt died upon the shore, far greater the joy when the redeemer’s foe lay crushed in the dust. Jesus strides forth as the victor, conqueror of death, hell, and all opposing might; he bursts the bands of death, tramples the powers of darkness down, and lives forever. He, my gracious surety, apprehended for payment of my debt, comes forth from the prison house of the grave free, and triumphant over sin, Satan, and death. Show me herein the proof that his vicarious offering is accepted, that the claims of justice are satisfied, that the devil’s sceptre is shivered, that his wrongful throne is levelled. Give me the assurance that in Christ I died, in him I rose, in his life I live, in his victory I triumph, and in his ascension I shall be glorified. This I pray Almighty God in the name of the one who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

                                       ―from The Valley of Vision, p.48

Easter Sunday, April 12

These are unusual and difficult days in our world. I want to encourage you in the truth. In response to quite a few subscribers asking if I might consider writing more than just Lent or Advent devotionals, after some prayer, I decided to continue writing daily devotionals through Pentecost, which occurs fifty days after Easter and will take us this year to May 31st. So you can expect to continue to receive daily devotionals through the end of May. They will continue to appear in your emails each morning after Easter. You need do nothing. The Lord is sovereign.

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Scripture: I Corinthians 15:1-7; 12-28

Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.

I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.

But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.

    O death, where is your victory?

    O death, where is your sting?”

For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Music:

“Hallelujah Chorus”  Sir Colin Davis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6_nJ11BgTE

“Hallelujah Chorus”    Robert Shaw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6_nJ11BgTE

Note the difference in the conductors interpretation of this very familiar piece. In the first one, Sir Colin Davis is more leisurely enjoying the piece as we’ve heard it a thousand times. In contrast, Mr. Shaw has a fresh drive in the piece and has some slight stretches in phrasing at key times. Mr. Shaw is letting the music portray the text, “hallelujah!”. I’m sorry it’s a visually fuzzy recording, but this rendition is one of the best I’ve ever heard.

“I Know the My Redeemer Liveth” Sylvia McNair     Sung by a believer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg7aXEvCeXY

“Worthy is the Lamb”     Robert Shaw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYqa4_3Lc48

“Messiah” part 3  Octopus Symphony Chorus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGlAN_FE69o&t=95s

Prayer:
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
― Jude, the earthly brother of Jesus

Friends,

I want to thank you again for journeying together these past six and a half weeks leading to this glorious day! I trust your daily time in Scripture has continued or become a regular habit of yours. Our goal is to learn to walk each day with the Lord and to spend time with him each day, not just reading but interacting in prayer. I also hope you’ve come across some new musical groups you can follow. Nothing is more glorious in music than the human voice.To those of you who passed the link along, thank you! Word of mouth and the internet is our only advertisement. I’m always glad for your feedback! Also feel free to let me know if you have any questions. A huge thank you to Jonathan Sharp for hosting and setting all of this up and getting the emails to you each morning. (He does not get up at 5:02 every morning to send them to you!)

The Lord be with you,
Dan

dansharp9@gmail.com

Here in one place is the music list  and Prayer Books if you’re interested. 

Lenten Music 2020

Feb.26 “If with All Your Hearts” from Elijah   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fyD4WIsXzw

Feb. 27 “Holy, Holy, Holy”  Audrey Assad  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgHrNNM23p8 

Feb.28 “Hear My Prayer O Lord” Purcell Voces8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74Q33UL7ugc

Feb.29 “Jesus Loves Me” Whitney Houston  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHm9Ggdanyo

Mar.1 “What Wondrous Love Is This” Chelsea Moon  with Franz Brothers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g26dbNJYJI

Mar.2 “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” Fernando Ortega

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdcqhSAXMgE

Mar.3 “I Need Thee Every Hour”      Sam Robson Beautiful and remarkable!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3wSbLa2uGg

Mar.4 “Go Down Moses”   Sam Robson Phenomenal! . . . again!  God in the business of redeeming his people, then and now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isLQ36PnTyo

Mar.5 “He Watching Over Israel” Robert Shaw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37zaRHrNlj4

Mar.6 “Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy”  Fernando Ortega

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGvCm9I4H0A

Mar.7 “Sweet Hour of Prayer” Radiance    (back from last year! DO NOT MISS)        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph43J3pnBDo

Mar.8 “Sanctus” from Requiem  Durufle Colorado Group?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hESnJ0HHlxI

Mar. 9 “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”  Massed Choirs Weston Noble, Conductor Glorious!! Lake Avenue Church, Pasadena, CA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEOLUnoQdmQ

Mar.10  “Miserere Mei”  Allegri Tenebrae Choir   Spectacular!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3v9unphfi0

      This is a setting of Psalm 51

Mar.11 “Salvation Is Created”   Tschenokoff, National Lutheran Choir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veDwCqhokOA

Mar.12 “Abide with Me”  St. Olaf Cantori and Congregation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkXI-8no9ZE&list=TLPQMjIwMTIwMjCZKDSORdFFFg&index=2 

Mar.13  “To God Be the Glory”   Sissel by Andrae Crouch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiB4SEgOkow

If you let it keep running after this video, there are additional videos of her singing this piece at different years in her life. A gorgeous voice. Not to be missed.

Mar.14  “Of the Father’s Love”   Outofdarknessmusic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jICEbS4acQ

Mar.15 “Jesus Messiah”    Gaither Vocal Band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN4wj2KAdhU

Mar.16 “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” Fernando Ortega

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b0FTKMYGZ4

Mar.17 “O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus” Simon Khorolskiy   DO NOT miss this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLTu1xv2-Us 

Mar.18 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”  Alan Jackson The way it ought to be sung!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znWu2HCJ92c

Mar.19 “The Lord’s Prayer”   Andrea Bocelli and Mormon Tabernacle Choir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEplqV0scyo

Mar.20 “As the Deer”   Masters Chorale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYNNIUtQ160

Mar. 21 “Be Thou My Vision” Nathan Pacheco

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihJAJA4ibEs

Mar.22 “Breathe on Me Breath of God”  NAK Chor Kapstadt Glorious. Watch to the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlyo3neR6xg

Mar.23  “It’s All About Me”   Rob Still Rob is one of my IWS students and has captured today’s cultural mindset in a beautiful way!!! Right. (He’s doing a seminar in Hungry.) A little musical change of pace today!   (The song of the Prodigal!!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1FqF0goGFo

Mar.24  “Goin’ Home”  Libera The voices of angels!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvThHk-wMRk

Mar.25  “Goin Home”  Dvorak Sissel  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJFhTb1gi6Y

Mar.26  “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”  Fernando Ortega

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLDGVl8D5UU

Mar.27  “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” Hymn sing in England!! Note the cross-section of singers!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTKIqmdfHSk

Mar.28 “Amazing Grace”   Il Divo GLORIOUS!!!!!   When you get to heaven, you can sing like this!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYMLMj-SibU

Mar.29  “De Profundus”   Kings College Choir Cambridge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJvZ8qzW0e8

Mar. 30  “And Can It Be that I Should Gain”   Let’s hear it for the Brits! They SING!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQeIGbKqiw8

Mar.31 “God Moves in a Mysterious Way” Deo Cantamus WOW!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu1tvqcyY44

Apr.1 “If Thou Wilt Suffer God to Guide Thee”   Calvin Alumni Choir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFfYKN6Jw1o

Apr.2   “In Christ Alone” All Souls Orchestra     Kristin Getty Glorious

This is a picture of the Body of Christ!           The Brits sing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnXv2gAfPpE

Apr.3  “When Jesus Wept” William Billings, early American composer at the time of the Revolutionary war

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjA-uHaj8pA

Apr.4  “Steal Away”   Mahalia Jackson and Nat King Cole   None like her!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O5hz5KnSdc        I can almost imagine Lazarus singing this song after being raised from the dead!

Apr.5  “Ride On King Jesus” Robert Shaw Festival Singers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wObByhyVdbg

Apr.6 “The Church’s One Foundation” Duke Chapel  arr. Dan Forest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ECY2IIeRg8

Apr.7  “Ah Holy Jesus”  Fernando Ortega and  Quintessence Ensemble

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3Rq7DoDmyw 

Apr.8  “What Wondrous Love” Robert Shaw Chamber Choir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeIECnixpM0

Apr.9 “Ubi Caritas”  Paul Mealor Mealor appears during the applause.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTrMIJKBwRU

“Ubi Caritas”   Ola Gjeilo Central Washington Chamber Choir with the composer on piano.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_7mcGqsKP8

Apr.10  “Agnus Dei”   Samuel Barber Robert Shaw Festival Singers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6ilqJW3fV8&list=TLPQMjkwMTIwMjCrAh08LRSyCA&index=1

“O Sacred Head Now Wounded” Fernando Ortega

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO2d0AD5wBg 

Apr.11 “Requiem”   John Rutter

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rutter+requiem

“Requiem”  W.A. Mozart    fantastic performance Arsys Bourgogne

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LZ6gEh7yBM

“Messiah” Part 2 Rivertree Singers & Friends Choral Festival

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONCXnPbYUok

Apr.12

“Hallelujah Chorus”  Sir Colin Davis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6_nJ11BgTE

“Hallelujah Chorus”    Robert Shaw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6_nJ11BgTE

“I Know the My Redeemer Liveth” Sylvia McNair

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg7aXEvCeXY

“Worthy is the Lamb”     Robert Shaw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYqa4_3Lc48

“Messiah” part 3  Octopus Symphony Chorus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGlAN_FE69o&t=95s

Prayer Books

The Oxford Book of Prayer, ed. Appleton, OUP

Valley of Vision, ed. Bennett, Banner of Truth Pub.

Prayers Ancient and Modern, Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897

A Diary of Private Prayer,  John Baillie

Eerdmans’ Book of Famous Prayers, compiled by Veronica Zindel

Celtic Daily Prayer, Andy Raine and John Skinner  Northumbria Community

The Quiet Corner, ed. Shirwood Wirt, Fleming H. Revell

Book of Common Prayer, Episcopal,1979

Guideposts Prayers for Easter, Julie Hogan,  Ideals

Holy Saturday, April 11

These are unusual and difficult days in our world. I want to encourage you in the truth. In response to quite a few subscribers asking if I might consider writing more than just Lent or Advent devotionals, after some prayer, I decided to continue writing daily devotionals through Pentecost, which occurs fifty days after Easter and will take us this year to May 31st. So you can expect to continue to receive daily devotionals through the end of May. They will continue to appear in your emails each morning after Easter. You need do nothing. The Lord is sovereign.

Some thoughts:

Had you or I been one of the believers in Jesus, this day would have been the worst of our lives. We had seen what Jesus had done with our own eyes. We followed him everywhere. We’d seen him raise Lazarus, heal blind people instantly, walk on water and so much more. We heard him say first hand that he was the Son of God. He actually forgave our sin, something only God can do. He said the kingdom of heaven was among us. He rode into Jerusalem as king! Then everything went south and he was killed. I guess we were wrong about him. Talk about being depressed!

But think about it. What were his last words? He said, “It is finished.” What was finished was the work he came to do. If I recall, there was another time when, after the sixth day of the week, God the Father had finished his work of creation and rested on the seventh day, the Sabbath and called it holy. But unlike the other six days of creation, God did not say “it was evening and it was morning” in regard to this seventh day. Why omit those words? Likewise, the Son of God finished his work on the sixth day of the week and rested in the tomb on the holy Sabbath. But Jesus rose on the eighth day ushering in a new era as he paved the way for resurrection for all believers. God did not say “it was evening and it was morning” in regards to his Sabbath rest, because we have yet to enter our final rest.  We are still in the sabbath rest awaiting our Eighth Day and future resurrection when Jesus returns to lead all people either to eternal life or to judgment (2 Cor. 5:1-10). As Paul writes in First Corinthians, “Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.” We are currently in that Sabbath, awaiting his return. Then the Sabbath will have an “evening and morning” as we enter eternal life where there is no evening and morning, but one glorious day.

For the early church, this was a solemn day. Then at midnight, they gathered and held an Easter Vigil. There were four parts to this unique service: 1) a Service of Light in which Jesus was celebrated as the Light of the world overcoming darkness; 2) a Service of the Word in which the following passages were read outlining the entire biblical story from Genesis to the resurrection ; 3) a Service of the Water in which new converts were baptized; and 4) a Service of the Bread and Cup in which the Lord’s Supper was celebrated.  Read some passages from each of the nine sections. This is a good day for quiet reflection thinking of the Savior’s love for you as you read and for listening to some of the musical suggestions. Make this day a different kind of Saturday in preparation for tomorrow.

Scripture:

1 

Genesis 1:1—2:4a

Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26

2

Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13

Psalm 46

3

Genesis 22:1-18

Psalm 16

4

Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21

Exodus 15:1b-13, 17-18

5

Isaiah 55:1-11

Isaiah 12:2-6

6

  Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21; 9:4b-6

Psalm 19

7

Ezekiel 36:24-28

Psalms 42 and 43

8

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Psalm 143

9

Zephaniah 3:14-20

Psalm 98

Romans 6:3-11

Psalm 114

John 20:1-18

Music: “Requiem”  John Rutter

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rutter+requiem

“Requiem”  W.A. Mozart    fantastic performance Arsys Bourgogne

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LZ6gEh7yBM

“Messiah” Part II    Rivertree Singers & Friends Choral Festival

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONCXnPbYUok

Good Friday, April 10

These are unusual and difficult days in our world. I want to encourage you in the truth. In response to quite a few subscribers asking if I might consider writing more than just Lent or Advent devotionals, after some prayer, I decided to continue writing daily devotionals through Pentecost, which occurs fifty days after Easter and will take us this year to May 31st. So you can expect to continue to receive daily devotionals through the end of May. They will continue to appear in your emails each morning after Easter. You need do nothing. The Lord is sovereign.

Reader: “This is Jesus,” 

Response: “the King of the Jews.”

Scripture: Matthew 27:27-38

Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.

Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). The soldiers gave him wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.

After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

Reader: “This is the loving word of the Lord.” 

Response: “Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice on my behalf.”

Some thoughts:
This is a familiar heart-rending passage. There is such irony. In mocking ignorance, the soldiers wrote the truth on the placard, “He is King of the Jews.” And you’ll notice, once again, the thieves are two witnesses to the truth, even though one does not believe. But one thief testifies to the truth and believes.  One of the things that stands out to me in this whole passage is Jesus’ restraint and acceptance of the abuse in all its forms. Can you imagine having the power to “fry” the mockers with a single word, and not only not using it, but saying nothing, not even “Do you have any idea who is in your presence, your Creator and the Creator of the entire universe?” What was Jesus’ basis for keeping quiet and not responding?  Obedience to the Father and an unmovable commitment to fulfilling his mission of redeeming the entire created order, not just people. In spite of the taunts, mockery, ridicule, and sick curiosity, Jesus remained on course. God the Father, however, did speak. The curtain in the Temple was torn from top to bottom, the earth shook and split rocks, tombs opened and many people were raised from the dead and left the cemetery in affirmation and acceptance of the Son’s sacrifice. (That must have been a sight!) The soldiers quickly gained perspective in their words, “This man truly was the Son of God.” In reading this passage again, I’m quite sure we have no idea of the depth of Christ’s love for the Father and the Father’s love for his Son. That they have made it possible for us to experience being loved by God is really more than mortals can grasp. What a gracious God we have.

Music: “Agnus  Dei” Samuel Barber Robert Shaw Festival Singers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6ilqJW3fV8&list=TLPQMjkwMTIwMjCrAh08LRSyCA&index=1   There are many recordings of this piece. It is extremely difficult to sing with very long phrases. Many conductors speed it up so it is easier to sing. This recording has terrific singers and Mr. Shaw lets the text determine the tempo. “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.” This recording is also beautifully balanced among the parts. The music aurally paints the meaning of the text.

“O Sacred Head Now Wounded” Fernando Ortega

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO2d0AD5wBg

O Sacred Head Now Wounded

            -Bernard of Clairvaux, 12th century

O sacred head, now wounded,

with grief and shame weighed down,

now scornfully surrounded

with thorns, thine only crown,

O sacred head, what glory,

what bliss till now was thine,

yet, though despised and gory,

I joy to call thee mine.

 

What thou, my Lord, has suffered

was all for sinners’ gain,

mine, mine was the transgression,

but thine the deadly pain.

Lo, here I fall, my Savior!

‘tis I deserve thy place;

look on me with thy favor,

and grant to me thy grace.

 

What language shall I borrow

to thank thee, dearest friend,

for this thy dying sorrow,

Thy pity without end?

O make me thine forever,

and should I fainting be,

Lord, let me never, never

outlive my love to thee.

Prayer:
Today he who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Cross. He who is King of the angels is arrayed in a crown of thorns. He who wraps the heaven in clouds is wrapped in the purple of mockery. He who in Jordan set Adam free receives blows upon his face. The Bridegroom of the Church is transfixed with nails. The Son of the Virgin is pierced with a spear. We venerate thy Passion, O Christ. Show us also thy glorious Resurrection.                            ―Hymns for Good Friday, Orthodox

Maundy Thursday, April 9

These are unusual and difficult days in our world. I want to encourage you in the truth. In response to quite a few subscribers asking if I might consider writing more than just Lent or Advent devotionals, after some prayer, I decided to continue writing daily devotionals through Pentecost, which occurs fifty days after Easter and will take us this year to May 31st. So you can expect to continue to receive daily devotionals through the end of May. They will continue to appear in your emails each morning after Easter. You need do nothing. The Lord is sovereign.

Reader: “A new commandment I give you”

Response: “love one another.”

Scripture: John 13:1-20, 33-35

Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”  Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”    Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”

Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

“I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’ I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I AM the Messiah. I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.”

“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Reader: “These words were recorded by John, who was present when this happened.” 

Response: “Thank you, Lord, that we have this account.” 

Some thoughts:
If you knew you were going to die in the next day or so, what would you say to your family and closest friends?  What topics would you cover? I doubt you’d be talking about soccer games, March Madness, The Master’s, the stock market, or work. My guess is you’d be telling them how much you loved them. That you wanted them to love and look after each other and that you’d miss them, but that you’d see them again. That’s essentially what Jesus did in John’s gospel in chapters thirteen through sixteen.

The material you just read is found only in the gospel of John. His gospel is twenty-one chapters in length and chapters thirteen through nineteen cover about twenty-four hours! John does not record the observance of the Passover meal as do the synoptic gospels. Foot washing is unique to this gospel. Here also we find the details of Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial being predicted. Chapters fourteen through sixteen give great details of Jesus’ conversation with his disciples during the meal. And Chapter seventeen is a marvelous opportunity to listen in on Jesus praying to his Father in heaven. Notice the content of Jesus’ prayer.

I want to make an observation on something the rabbi, Jesus, did.  Rabbis had disciples called talmudeen, a small group of people who followed them around wherever they went and did whatever the rabbi did. They copied his every move. They left their homes, left everything and followed him in order to become like him. In this setting, the disciples’ rabbi, humbled himself and took the role of a slave. He knelt before them and washed their feet! Unheard of! A rabbi would never ever do such a thing. His talmudeen would wash his feet. Jesus was demonstrating personal humility and servanthood. He was laying aside every personal right he had. Do you realize he also washed the feet of Judas, knowing that within minutes Judas would leave to betray him?  What do you think was going on in Jesus’ mind . . . in Judas’ mind?

As many of you know, foot washing was part of my experience in growing up in our little Mennonite church. Though not shared by all, it is my personal opinion and experience that the practice of foot washing has tremendous significance and impact even today for many of the same reasons that it touched the hearts of the disciples so deeply. It is very humbling to have another wash your feet, and it is a great honor to wash another’s feet. I would encourage you to participate in foot washing if you ever have an opportunity. Email me if you are curious for more information.

The apostle John did us a great favor in recording all of these final conversations of Jesus. Over the next couple of days, take your time and read chapters thirteen through seventeen in one sitting putting yourself in the midst of the disciples.

Music: “Ubi Caritas”  Paul Mealor Composer Mealor appears during the applause.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTrMIJKBwRU

“Ubi Caritas”   Ola Gjeilo Central Washington Chamber Choir with the composer on piano.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_7mcGqsKP8     

Lest you think no young composers are writing beautiful music!

                 Ubi Caritas-author unknown

                    ancient text for Maundy Thursday

 

Where charity and love are,

God is there.

Christ’s love has gathered us

into one.

Let us rejoice and be glad in Him.

Let us fear, and love the living God.

And may we love each other

with a sincere heart.

Where charity and love are,

God is there.

As we are gathered into one body,

Beware, lest we be divided in mind.

Let evil impulses stop,

let controversy cease,

And may Christ our God

be in our midst.

Where charity and love are,

God is there.

And may we with the saints also,

See Thy face in glory,

O Christ our God:

The joy that is immense and good,

Unto the ages through infinite ages. Amen.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you, for the honor of your name. Amen.

― the Worship Sourcebook

Wednesday, April 8

Reader: “He went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard…”

Response: “to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them.”

Scripture: Luke 22:1-6

The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction. Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.

Reader: “This is the troubling word of God.” 

Response: “Lord, have mercy.” 

Some thoughts:
Betrayal is one of the most despicable acts one person can do to another. It is all the more hideous because it is dependent upon the noble character of trust. Trust must be established for betrayal to “work.” With trust comes depth of relationship, love, confidence, affection, dependability, comfort, admiration, gratitude, and serenity in the relationship. One act of betrayal destroys all of these qualities instantaneously. The betrayer puts self and self-interest above the relationship in total disregard for the other person. If trust is ever regained, it is a difficult, painful process. In these most difficult hours of his life, Jesus experienced betrayal from one of his followers, a man who had traveled with him for three years, a man he had chosen to be one of the twelve. What makes it all the more difficult is that Jesus knew who the betrayer was. Even in this circumstance, Jesus did not override the freewill of Judas and call him out on what he was about to do.  In honoring those he created, God does not usurp a human’s free will, and, in this case, even if it brings about his own crucifixion and death. That is love. What was Jesus’ response to betrayal? He continued on in the course his Father had laid out for him. He did not get pushed off center by it, nor did he dwell on it, even though only hours later the other eleven disciples fled in another kind of betrayal. In Jesus’ case, there were more things of significance at hand, namely the redemption of the world. Perspective, friends, perspective. Jesus never lost it, even in betrayal. 

Music: “What Wondrous Love Is This”    Robert Shaw Chamber Choir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeIECnixpM0

-Appalachian folk hymn

What wondrous love is this,

O my soul, O my soul

What wondrous love is this, O my soul,

What wondrous love is this,

That caused the Lord of bliss

to bear the dreadful curse

for my soul, for my soul,

To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

 

Prayer:
Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life-to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth…I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message…Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

            ―Jesus praying for us, from John 17

Tuesday, April 7

Reader: “Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs. . .”

Response: “They still would not believe in him.”

Scripture: John 12:37-38; 42-50

Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:

   “Lord, who has believed our message

      and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

Then Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

“As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

Reader: This is the word of the Lord.   

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
“If I can just see it, I’ll believe it.” How many times have you heard that? It’s not true. We can see and still not believe, especially when it comes to faith. A few weeks prior to the passage you just read, Jesus told the story of Abraham, Lazarus and the rich man. The parable was a bit more realistic in the sense that this is the only parable Jesus told where he gave the characters names.  The rich man told them to go tell his brothers he was burning in Hades and that they should believe in God so they wouldn’t have to come to his place of torment. Abraham’s response was if they didn’t believe Moses and the prophets, they wouldn’t believe someone coming back from the dead. Jesus had just raised someone from the dead a short time ago and had done other miraculous signs in the Pharisees’ presence and still they would not believe, though some did believe. Did it also register as you read that some believed but would not confess their belief because of social or peer pressure? Believing and confessing go together. Action follows belief.  Notice Jesus was not influenced by anyone but his heavenly Father. He spoke the exact words his Father gave him and in the way his Father told him to speak them. Being rejected did not change his message. He was on a divine mission and it was coming to a close. With this in mind, pay special attention to all that Jesus will say in the next few days. 

Music: “Ah Holy Jesus”  Fernando Ortega and  Quintessence Ensemble

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3Rq7DoDmyw

Prayer:
O Lord Jesus Christ, you have said that you are the way, the truth, and the life. Suffer us not to stray from you, who are the way, nor to distrust you, who are the truth, nor to rest in anything other than you, who are the life.      ―Erasmus, 1469-1536                                

Please plan to attend Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services somewhere if your church does not have them. It will change your Easter Sunday morning!  

April 6 – Monday of Holy Week

The Scripture passages chosen for this week were all conversations Jesus had during these last few days prior to his crucifixion. These are roughly in chronological order. 

Reader: “For many are called,”

Response: “but few are chosen.” 

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus also told them other parables. He said, “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come!

“So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them.

“The king was furious, and he sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town. And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.

“But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Reader: “These are the words of Jesus as he told a parable . . .” 

Response: “. . . as recorded by Matthew.” 

Some thoughts:
In this account Jesus is telling a parable on the Pharisees and leading Jewish leaders. The king is God the Father, his son is the Messiah. The religious leaders and the children of Israel are the invited guests. Their refusal to come to the wedding banquet is their rejection of God and his word through the years and their current rejection of the Messiah. The servants are the Old Testament prophets who proclaimed God’s message to Israel. When the guests refused to come, the king destroyed the town. Jesus was predicting the destruction of Jerusalem which in fact occurred in 70 AD. In the parable the king then sent the servants out to invite anyone. This part of the parable meant that God’s invitation was being extended to everyone, not just Israel. To the self-righteous Jewish leaders, this offer to anyone was damnable. Gentiles were despised. Taking Israel’s place in the parable was the Church, the Bride of Christ. The Church is now God’s people. When the king entered the feast, he noticed one of the guests was not wearing the proper wedding clothes. The wedding garment would have been provided by the king and this particular guest rejected these special wedding clothes (clothes of righteousness?) given him, a direct affront to the king. The king had him thrown out into outer darkness. The wedding clothes correspond to spiritual fruit that demonstrates true faith. This guest was a fraud. (See. Mt. 7:13-27 for Jesus’ further description of this guest.) The outer darkness is a metaphor for eternal punishment. The Pharisees and leading priests understood this parable to be against them and were all the more determined to kill Jesus. The last verse in this passage reminds us that the invitation from God is extended to everyone, but only a few respond in faith. Continue to pray for those people you know who have not yet found the narrow way to life in God’s kingdom. Pray that the message of Holy Week and Easter penetrates their hearts not only of those around you, but people from every tribe, nation and tongue throughout the world. 

 

Music: “The Church’s One Foundation” Duke Chapel  arr. Dan Forest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ECY2IIeRg8

The Church’s One Foundation

            -Samuel Stone, 1886

The church’s one foundation

Is Jesus Christ her Lord,

She is his new creation,

By water and the word.

From heaven he came and sought her

To be his holy bride,

With his own love he bought her

And for her life he died.

 

Elect from every nation

Yet one o’er all the earth

The charter of salvation

One Lord, one faith, one birth

One holy name she blesses,

Partakes one holy food,

And to one hope she presses

With every grace endued.

 

Prayer:
Remember, O Lord, your Church, to deliver her from all evil, and to make her perfect in your love; and gather together from the four winds the sanctified Church into your kingdom, which you have prepared for her. For yours is the power and the glory forevermore. Amen.

                              -the Didache, c. 120 AD

Palm Sunday, April 5

Reader: “Blessings on the King” 

Response: “who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40

After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples. As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?”

And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on.

As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.

“Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord!

    Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”

But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”

He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

Reader: The word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
Just to give us a little context we retrace recent events. Jesus had raised Lazarus within the last week to ten days. Last night (Saturday) there was a party at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus to honor Jesus for the raising of Lazarus. Many people, both friends and the curious, came to see both Jesus and Lazarus. The day of the above passage is the next day, Sunday. Word has been circulating about Jesus’ raising a man from the dead and the Pharisees and Sadducees are plotting to do away with Jesus and with Lazarus as well. Jesus knows this will be his final week on earth. You’ll notice all this coming week, Jesus is completely in charge of everything. He sends two disciples to get a donkey, one on which no one had ridden . . . suitable for a king. He tells them what to say and it happens just as he said. You know the story quite well. I want to make a few observations. In his ride down the Mount of Olives, Jesus was announcing himself as Israel’s king. When kings rode donkeys, they were coming in humility, peace, and reconciliation. When they rode horses, they were coming in battle. A donkey was a royal, peaceful limousine as it were. King David, a thousand years earlier, had exited Jerusalem as king on a donkey, fleeing before his son, Absalom, who was attempting a coup, who was, incidentally riding a mule, an animal for war. What is also interesting, at some point in the future, the King of kings will again return to set up his eternal kingdom on a horse and the Mt. of Olives, the place of Christ’s Ascension, is a place of his return. As Jesus rode down the hill, great crowds gathered singing “hosanna!” (meaning ‘salvation now’) and waving palm branches as was typical in celebrating a hero, their king of Israel.  What they sang is interesting. You’ll recall at the birth of Jesus, the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Here the crowd is singing, “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in highest heaven! In both cases there is glory to God. The birth of Jesus was to bring “peace on earth,” a situation that lies yet in the future. But Jesus did bring “peace in heaven” through the cross as he brought reconciliation between God and human beings. It is ironic the people shouting these texts from the First Testament did not realize what they were saying. Within a few days many of them were yelling “crucify him!” when he did not conform to the people’s expectations as to what he should do in regards to the Roman occupations.  Likewise, we need to be careful we don’t dictate how and when God should act.

Music:  “Ride On King Jesus”  Robert Shaw Festival Singers  beautiful!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wObByhyVdbg

Bonus!
“Hosanna to the Song of David”    Cambridge Singers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLKVFpk2f5E

Prayer:
O Christ, the King of glory who didst enter the holy city in meekness to be made perfect through the suffering of death: give us grace, we beseech thee, in all our life here to take up our cross daily and follow thee, that hereafter we may rejoice with thee in thy heavenly kingdom; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit world without end Amen.

―Prayers for Easter, p.34

Saturday, April 4

Reader: “Did I not tell you that if you believed,”

Response: “you would see the glory of God?”

Scripture: John 11:36-45

Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him! But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” 

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, (literally, “he already stinks!”) for he has been there four days.”

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

      Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.”

Reader: This is the word of the Lord.  

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
Mary, Martha, and the mourners get to see the rest of this story! Jesus enabled all of them to get to see the glory of God in raising Lazarus from the dead. In Jesus’ own resurrection from the dead, recall his empty grave clothes were left in the tomb, never to be needed or used again. In Lazarus’ case, he came out of the tomb wearing his grave clothes. Lazarus would need them again, not so with Jesus! Notice Jesus’ words as he prayed . . . “that they may believe that you sent me.” The point in the raising of Lazarus was that Mary, Martha, and their friends would discover who Jesus really was, the one sent from God on a mission to bring redemption, the one with victory over death. As a result of the raising of Lazarus, many more Jews put their trust in God. They had seen Jesus exercise power over death. Word spread. But this victory, while bringing joy to many, also was hugely significant in moving things ahead to the completion of God’s plan for redeeming the world, as some witnesses to the raising of Lazarus made a beeline to the Pharisees to tell them what had happened. Because of jealousy and hatred from the Jewish leaders, because the status quo and positions of power and influence of the Romans were all being challenged by this itinerant carpenter from Nazareth, they believed Jesus had to be killed. On still a grander scale yet with the crucifixion and death of Jesus, it appears that God missed it again, that things did not turn out as they should have. If anything, we are shown again and again and again in the life of Jesus, that we can trust the Father regardless of how it looks at any given moment in our life. If we continue to trust, we will see “the glory of God.”  The empty tombs of Lazarus and Jesus still speak!

Music:  “Steal Away”   Mahalia Jackson and Nat King Cole   None like her!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O5hz5KnSdc        I can almost imagine Lazarus singing this song after being raised from the dead!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, here I am again praying with words, words, and more words. I seem stuck with the same ones all the time. I have trouble finding the right ones to express my love and complete gratitude for what you have done and continue to do on my behalf. Words are so limiting! If you had not done what you did on the cross, there would be no hope at all. I cannot begin to imagine what that would be like without you. I would be depressed and have to pretend that somehow life made sense, but based on what I wouldn’t know. To keep sane, I wouldn’t think about it but live for the moment getting lost in basketball or music or technology or . . . something. Thank you Lord, that is not the case! I very much connect with Paul Gerhardt’s phrase, “What language shall I borrow to thank thee dearest friend, for this thy dying sorrow, thy pity without end?” I still don’t have words, but please listen to my heart, it’s trying to tell you what’s in there. This I pray as Jesus intercedes on my behalf, my loving Lord. Amen. ―Daniel Sharp 

Friday, April 3

Reader: “Jesus wept.”

Response: “But why?”

Scripture   John 11:28-35

And after she had said this, [Martha] went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

      “Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

 Jesus wept.

Reader: This is the word of the Lord.   

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
Martha joins Mary in failing to fully grasp the power of the Son of God, even though they used his appropriate title. From their identical comments, “Lord, if you had been here, our brother would not have died,” they reveal a belief that Jesus needed to be physically present in order to do the miraculous, even though he at times had healed from afar. From her standpoint, Jesus needed to ask God for permission, failing to understand Jesus’ fully divine authority as God in the flesh. Jesus interacted with Martha with words. Now he interacts differently with Mary who fell at his feet weeping. Jesus’ response is somewhat of a surprise. Deep anger welled up within his own spirit in reaction to the response of the people’s mourning.

This shortest verse in the Bible is a kind of bottom line from Jesus’ perspective in this whole passage. Why did Jesus weep? He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead. He knew what was coming. The mourners visiting Mary and Martha, assumed he was weeping because of the death of his friend. Or was he weeping out of pity for the sisters because of his empathy for their own sadness? His was a different kind of weeping. Normal Jewish expression of sorrow at death would be a loud wailing which was the case of the sisters and those comforting them. The word used for Jesus’ weeping is used only one time in the New Testament and it is here. The word is for a soft, subdued weeping. It seems most likely that his sorrow was for Mary, Martha, and their friends in not grasping who he was and what was his mission on earth. Three years in their midst, eating meals together, seeing all the miraculous works, hearing his teaching with such authority and still they missed it. This community was so immersed in their own world and in their perception of their world, and in their own limited view of their faith, that they were unable to see God’s own Son fulfilling the Law in their midst. They simply did not grasp who it was that was in their presence. Have you ever felt frustrated that someone you deeply loved, just couldn’t understand something of great significance and read it all wrong? My guess is you’ve shed some tears over your loved one. Our Savior understands.

Music:  “When Jesus Wept”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjA-uHaj8pA

William Billings, was an early American composer at the time of the Revolutionary war.

When Jesus wept, a falling tear

In mercy flowed beyond all bound.

When Jesus groaned, a trembling fear

Seized all the guilty world around,

Prayer:
O Jesus who wept over the death of Lazarus, be with all who grieve. O Jesus who wept alone in Gethsemane, be with all who feel alone, all who face difficult decisions. O Jesus who cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” be with all who are tortured, all who are victims. O Jesus who offered up prayers with loud cries and tears, hear our prayers. O living God who knows all our pain and joy, be with us in our lives. Amen.   ―The Worship Sourcebook,p.573

Thursday, April 2

Reader: “I am the resurrection . . .”

Response: “and the life.”

Scripture:  John 11:25-27

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”

Reader: This is the word of the Lord.   

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
No more glorious words have been spoken since the beginning of language. Is there life after death? Without a doubt! Jesus’ words couldn’t be clearer. Believe in him and live on, even when your earthly physical body doesn’t! You’ll get one that won’t ever die.  You’ll recall when Jesus was a baby, Mary and Joseph took him to the old priest Simeon. Do you remember Simeon’s words about his own death? They were, “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace.” He didn’t say “die in peace.” On the Mount of Transfiguration the same word was used in speaking of Jesus’ “departure” from this earth. Our bodies are simply transformed. When we die, we simply depart from this body. This is the same “I AM” who spoke to Moses in the burning bush, the Good Shepherd, the Light of the World, the Way, the Truth and the Life. The power of Christ is not only resurrection but also eternal life. Martha’s comment from yesterday’s passage that “everyone rises on the last day” told us she was thinking only of the final judgment day. As we have mentioned several times. Most of the time Jesus referred to himself as the Son of Man. Here Martha refers to him as the Son of God, believing in his divinity. Even at that, she did not fully grasp his power over life and death. Jesus and Martha were thinking on two different levels. Martha was thinking the biggest, end picture. Jesus’ thinking comprehended both the end but also its impact on the present circumstance.  Martha did what so many of us do; we think of the grand story of God and fail to grasp its impact on the present situation. That Martha hadn’t understood what Jesus was getting at is evidenced by her comment about not wanting to open the tomb because “he will stink!” We need to roll the stone away from our theological tombs more often and see the power of our great Savior working in the world in which we live right now!

Music: “In Christ Alone” All Souls Orchestra     Kristin Getty Glorious

This is a picture of the Body of Christ!           The Brits sing again!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnXv2gAfPpE

In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh, fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones He came to save

‘Til on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid, here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay, light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day, up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory, sin’s curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me

From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand

‘til He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Prayer:
You are God and we praise you; you are the Lord and we acclaim you; You are the eternal Father; all creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, cherubim and seraphim sing in endless praise, ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might; heaven and earth are full of your glory.’ Throughout the whole world the holy church acclaims you, Father of majesty unbounded; Your true and only Son worthy of all worship and the Holy Spirit advocate and guide. Come then Lord and help your people bought with the price of your own blood; and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting. Amen.   ― from Te Deum, 4th century

Wednesday, April 1

Reader: “If you had been here . . .”

Response: “my brother would not have died.”

Scripture: John 11:17-24

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Reader: This is the word of the Lord.   

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
Does it ever seem like all hope is lost? Martha, the more impetuous of the two sisters, was the one who went to meet Jesus. Apparently, with Jesus’ two day delay, he wouldn’t have gotten there in time anyway since Lazarus has already been in the tomb four days. Jewish burial was normally held as soon as possible after death. The Jewish belief was that the soul of the deceased hung around for three days for some possible means of entering the body again. On the fourth day it left. John was perhaps making sure his readers knew that Lazarus was dead dead!  Many of their friends had come to the house to console the sisters . . .and became eye witnesses to the eventual raising of Lazarus. The funeral custom in those days would have been to come and sit in silence sharing the grief with the mourners. (I must add a personal comment here. When my father was killed in a farming accident in 1972, many people came to our house to express their sympathy with us. The most comforting, and helpful solace came from a farmer who stood quietly outside for a while and said nothing. As he left he just came up and said, “I’m so sorry.” with tears in his eyes. I remember it to this day forty-eight years later. That was the greatest comfort. It’s called the “ministry of presence.”) Martha’s response is kind of a mixed faith. She had been around Jesus and seen him heal people before and wished that he had been there earlier because he could have brought healing to her brother. She believed in an eventual final resurrection, but that was of little consolation now. She knew Lazarus was dead. That was final.  This kind of situation is one of those challenging times when we have solid faith in the biggest picture, but are still in great pain for the present time. Martha reached out to the Lord and expressed her broken heart. Jesus did not recoil nor rebuke her for her response of sorrow. We live in a culture which has its own kind of denial of sorrow. Funerals have become memorials which have become “celebrations of life” . . .except that the person is dead. We have a convoluted sense of the reality of death and an inability to know how to grieve. We too often seek to avoid it. We can have wonderful memories, but the person is gone from this earth and we will never see them again this side of glory. That is heart-breaking and happy talk doesn’t deal with the reality of loss. Embracing the truth of life and death and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is what brings my only comfort in the death of a loved one. Never be afraid to express your true heart to the Lord in a tough time. Talk with the Lord and listen carefully with ears of faith. Sometimes there are surprises. Just ask Martha!

Music: “If Thou Wilt Suffer God to Guide Thee”   Calvin Alumni Choir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFfYKN6Jw1o

                  If You Will Trust in God to Guide You         ―Georg Neumark, 1641

If you will trust in God to guide you and place your confidence in him,

You’ll find him always there beside you, to give you hope and strength within.

For those who trust God’s changeless love build on the rock that naught can move.

Sing, pray, and keep his ways unswerving, offer your service faithfully,

And trust his word; though undeserving, you’ll find his promise true to be.

God never will forsake in need the soul that trusts in him indeed.

Prayer:
And now unto him who is able to keep us from falling and lift us from the dark valley of despair to the bright mountain of hope, from the midnight of desperation to the daybreak of joy; to him be power and authority, for ever and ever. Amen.

                                ―Martin Luther King Jr., 1928-1968

Tuesday, March 31

Reader: “Let us go back to Judea.”

Response: “but his disciples thought . . .”

Scripture:  John 11:7-16

 Then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

“But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?”

Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world’s light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light.”

After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Reader: This is the word of the Lord.   

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
That little phrase is far too often descriptive of my response to the way of the Lord. “But Lord, I thought that . . .”  Here we see the single-mindedness of Jesus. A couple of months prior to this during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah), Jesus had to flee Judea and Jerusalem because the people wanted to stone him. Tension was definitely building. To this point, Jesus generally stayed out of the limelight and spent much time in the region of Galilee though it had become increasingly difficult to avoid notariety. As a result, he stayed away from Jerusalem and the Jewish hierarchy of leadership because it was not yet the Father’s time. His response here of “there are twelve hours in the daylight” was a way of telling the disciples God, his Father, had given him a task to do. Jesus was the “Light of the world,” which he had declared at the Feast of Dedication previously in the disciples’ presence. Those who had rejected him and threatened to stone him were walking in darkness.  Jesus, the Light, was going back to Jerusalem to accomplish the Father’s will. The time was approaching for the completion of his earthly mission. The raising of Lazarus from the dead was part of his Father’s course of action so Jesus spells it out specifically for the disciples. In Thomas’ final comment, he still doesn’t get it completely, but speaks for the rest of the disciples. We’ll go and die with you! The next time you and I are tempted to respond, “Lord, but I thought . . .,” let’s listen to Moses’ words to the Israelites before crossing the Red Sea, “be still and watch the mighty hand of God.”

Music: “God Moves in a Mysterious Way” Deo Cantamus WOW!  Beautiful!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu1tvqcyY44

Prayer:
Lord God in heaven, who knows all things, who understands all things, who has power over all things, who has created all things, who sustains all things, who loves all things, who is over all things, who is everywhere present, who has been revealed in Jesus Christ, who is present in the Holy Spirit, who has given his written word, who has made provision for the restoration of the whole created order, grant us one more thing: faith to trust you when we cannot understand your ways in this world. This we pray through Jesus Christ, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen. 

― Daniel Sharp

Monday, March 30

(A side comment here. This week we will look at the account of Lazarus. This event happened shortly before Palm Sunday and was a major triggering event which stimulated the plot to kill Jesus. (John 11:51-53) As we move to the conclusion of Lent, our focus moves from more introspection and repentance in our own  lives, to the events that led Jesus to Calvary. In the ancient church, yesterday, the fifth Sunday in Lent, was called the First Sunday of the Passion.)

Reader: “When he heard that Lazarus was sick, 

Response: “he stayed where he was…”

Scripture John 11:1-6

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.

Reader: This is the word of the Lord.  

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
Does it ever seem like God doesn’t do the right thing, or at least his timing is noticeably off? He clearly could do something and just doesn’t?  In fact, sometimes it seems as if he deliberately tries to annoy us. The Lord’s words in Isaiah 55 read, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways.” Then when that truth plays out in real life, we’re surprised! Such was the case with Lazarus. He was at his home and very sick. Jesus was in another part of the country. His sisters sent word for Jesus to come, after all, Jesus had healed many people, why not their brother? Jesus was not mad at Mary, Martha, or Lazarus. They were all good friends and had honored him on various occasions. Yet, he enigmatically ignored their request and stayed two more days because, though they did not know it nor could imagine it, something better was in store. (Since when Jesus finally did arrive and Lazarus had been in the tomb four days, it is likely that Lazarus was already dead when Jesus received the first message given the travel time of both the messenger and Jesus’ travel time to Bethany.) That something better was not the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead, it was the glorification of Jesus as the Son of God, as the One who had the power over death. In the biggest picture of what God was doing, God’s timing was everything. Lazarus eventually died again! But in between Lazarus’ two deaths, Jesus died once for all making Lazarus’ ultimate resurrection eternal! Jesus’ glory continues for all eternity as the one who gained victory over death . . . for everyone who believes, not just Lazarus.  You may be going through the “Jesus stayed two more days” phase of your life and wishing he’d hurry up and bring relief. Pray that God might be glorified in what is coming your way. As my father-in-law so often reminded us, “The Lord may tarry, but he is never too late.” Just ask Lazarus!

Music: “And Can It Be that I Should Gain”   Let’s hear it for the Brits! They SING!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQeIGbKqiw8

Prayer:
O Lord, let me not henceforth desire health or life except to spend them for you, with you and in you. You alone know what is good for me; do therefore what seems best to you. Give to me or take from me; conform my will to yours; and grant that with humble and perfect submission and in holy confidence I may receive the orders of your eternal providence, and may equally adore all that comes to me from you.

– Blaise Pascal, 1623-1662

Sunday, March 29 – Fifth Sunday in Lent

Reader: “Hear my cry, O Lord.”

Response: “Pay attention to my prayer.”

Scripture: Psalm 130

From the depths of despair, O Lord,

    I call for your help.

Hear my cry, O Lord.

    Pay attention to my prayer.

Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,

    who, O Lord, could ever survive?

But you offer forgiveness,

    that we might learn to fear you.

I am counting on the Lord;

    yes, I am counting on him.

    I have put my hope in his word.

I long for the Lord

    more than sentries long for the dawn,

    yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.

O Israel, hope in the Lord;

    for with the Lord there is unfailing love.

    His redemption overflows.

He himself will redeem Israel

    from every kind of sin.

Reader: The word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
Psalm 130 is one of the classic psalms of lament. In these days of the Lenten season, repentance is a central theme. This psalm gives us a beautiful pattern of the process. In the opening plea, we hear from a person in deep despair. They have given up fighting the problem on their own and simply call to the Lord for help. The next sentence reveals something of the relationship between the one praying and the Lord with the words “Hear my cry, Lord. Pay attention to my prayer.” To pray those words says something about the transparency of the relationship and about God himself. The one praying is addressing the Lord in the same manner as if he were talking face to face with a friend. “Pay attention to what I’m saying. I’m hurting.” He then goes on to admit if the Lord kept track of all our sins in a book, we’d all be dead! He is not trying to hide anything before the Lord. Transparency is essential in repentance and confession. What follows is interesting. God offers forgiveness so we can learn to fear him. How does that work? 

“Fear” in this sense I believe follows along the lines of Luther’s explanation. There is a kind of fear that is truly afraid of heavy punishment. This is not that kind of fear. It is more like that of a child having great love and respect for her parents and wanting to please them. She has a fear, not because she is afraid of punishment from her mother, but rather of not wanting to disappoint her. This fear grows out of great affection and sense of security. The next sentence affirms this love with the words “I’m counting on the Lord . . . I put my hope in his word.” We see this love and longing continuing in the next line mirroring the sentries’ longing for the end of night and the light of another day, a beautiful image for lamenting heart. (Remember Jesus’ frequent use of the light motive?) Then the psalmist becomes a preacher! To this point, he has been expressing his own heart. Now he speaks to the whole community. And sure enough, he speaks of God’s great love and redeeming power. The very last sentence speaks a word of prophecy. God himself will redeem Israel and the whole world from every kind of sin―on the cross of calvary. This psalm is also known by its Latin name―De profundus, “out of the depths.”

Music: “De Profundus”   Kings College Choir Cambridge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJvZ8qzW0e8

Prayer:
O thou great Chief, light a candle in my heart, that I may see what is therein, and sweep the rubbish from thy dwelling place.     ―An African schoolgirl’s prayer

Saturday, March 28

Reader: “He was lost,” 

Response: “but now he is found!”

Scripture: Luke 15:25-32

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on. ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’

“The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’

“His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

Reader: This is the word of the Lord.   

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
Here we see the jealous heart of the other self-centered brother. While the younger son grabbed what was his and took off, the older brother blamed the father for not being generous toward himself. This was a giant narcissistic party. Serving his father he called “slavery.” Was he glad to see his prodigal brother? Was he concerned about the time his brother had been away? He even distanced himself from his sibling with the comment “this son of yours,” a further dig at his father. Did he feel his father owed him something for his self-righteous “faithfulness”? In a nutshell, he was bitter his father had forgiven his brother. His proud heart is embarrassingly laid bare before us. The older brother is completely unaware of his own need for repentance.  When the younger son demanded his inheritance and left, the father let him go. He gave him that freedom. But here in contrast, the father pleads with the elder son to rejoice with them in the joy of a repentant son. The elder son would not move on from his brother’s past. He was stuck in his own pride and therefore missed the joy of the present moment. The father even reminded him that he was also an heir.  The father treats both sons with the same love. The elder son had likewise strayed from the father even though he never left home. And he has not yet returned. The sadness in this parable is that this older son has not yet realized his own sinful heart and need for repentance. This parable is left open-ended. We don’t know if the elder brother repented and joined the celebration or continued wallowing “with the pigs” his self-righteousness. Since Jesus told this parable about the Pharisees, it is open ended as to whether the elder son ever repented. Some Pharisees repented and believed (Nicodemus) and others did not.

Music: “Amazing Grace”   Il Divo GLORIOUS!!!!!   When you get to heaven, you can sing like this!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYMLMj-SibU

Prayer:
Gracious Lord of joy and delight, grant that I may rejoice with those who rejoice, cheer for those who are cheerful, laugh with those who laugh, be happy with those who are happy, be enthusiastic with those who are enthusiastic, discover with those who discover new things. Forbid that I should ever withhold my heart’s embracing of another’s joy for some silly, selfish, or jealous reason. Your kingdom does not need more “joy monitors.” From sour-faced saints, good Lord deliver us!      ―Daniel Sharp

Friday, March 27

Reader: “This son of mine . . .”

Response: “was lost and is found.”

Scripture: Luke 15:22-24

 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

Reader: This is the word of the Lord.   

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:

This part of the parable is about restoration and forgiveness. Notice the father (God) barely responds to the son’s words of confession. He clearly receives them and moves on. No lectures on past failures, poor decisions, personal greed, and so forth. The father calls for the “best” robe, the robe of royalty. (The best robe was the father’s.)

He puts a signet ring on his son’s finger to remind him that he is still an heir, implying he still has an inheritance in spite of what he forfeited. The ring was an affirmation giving him authority. The son remained an heir, even through foolishness, distance from home, and wonton self will.  He is given shoes for his worn, dirty and cracked feet. Perhaps a reminder to stay on the right path? The father completely restored the son’s position and identity. This called for celebration! Do you ever think of God “rejoicing” over you when you turn from self-will to his will? Are there some “prodigals” you have been praying for for a long, long time? Keep praying. They may not have made it to the pig pen yet. Keep watching the horizon and get ready to run! Skip your speech and hug!

Music: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”   A hymn sing in England!! Note the broad cross-section of singers! Looks like the church universal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTKIqmdfHSk

Prayer:
Dearest Lord, may I see you today and every day in the person of your sick, and, whilst nursing them, minister unto you. Though you hide yourself behind the unattractive disguise of the irritable, the exacting, the unreasonable, may I still recognize you, and say: ‘Jesus, my patient, how sweet it is to serve you.’ Sweetest Lord, make me appreciative of the dignity of my high vocation, and its many responsibilities. Never permit me to disgrace it by giving way to coldness, unkindness, or impatience. Lord, increase my faith, bless my efforts and work, now and for evermore, Amen.         

                               ―Sister Teresa of Calcutta, 1910-1997

Thursday, March 26

Reader: “While he was still a long way off . . .”

Response: “the father ran to his son.”

Scripture: Luke 15:20b-21

 “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’”

Reader: This is the word of the Lord.   

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
We may think of this story as a parable about the two sons, but this phrase tells us it may be more about the boys’ father and his love for them. There is something here that is unique in all of Scripture. Something occurs in this parable that does not happen anywhere else in the Bible. Look again at the verses above and see if you can figure out what it is. What is it? Except for this parable, nowhere else does God ever “run” after his children. Jesus walked everywhere. The good shepherd went to find the lost sheep. He never ran to a situation. Sometimes he deliberately stayed where he was and made a point of not going after someone (when Lazarus died). God never runs after people. In Jewish culture, it was considered unseemly for an old man to run. Patriarchs did not run! In this picture painted by Jesus, the father, in self-humiliation, for the sake of his lost son, runs to meet him. Jesus is painting a picture of our heavenly Father and his love for his children. God does not force his way into people’s lives, but he is always near at hand ready to receive his own. He gives people freedom to receive or reject him. Those who seek, always find him. He makes sure of that. Did you also notice that apparently the father was watching for his son’s return. He saw him “from a long way off.” The father was watching and waiting, hoping to see his son return. (2 Peter 3:9 “God is not willing that any should perish.”) Here is a beautiful picture of God’s love for the repentant person. The son had turned toward home and the father, filled with love, saw him and ran to him, put his arms around him and kissed him. God is patiently waiting for us to turn around when we launch down the road where the street sign says “Self”. There is not a bony fingered condemnation for our self-centered will, but a warm embrace and “glad to have you back home.” Can you offer this kind of love to someone today? Can you receive it?

Music: “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”  Fernando Ortega

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLDGVl8D5UU  

Prayer:
Bring us, O Lord God, at the last awakening into the house and gate of heaven, to enter into that gate and dwell in that house, where there shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light; no noise nor silence, but one equal music; no fears nor hopes, but an equal possession; no ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity, in the habitations of thy majesty and thy glory, world without end.    ―John Donne, 1571-1631

Wednesday, March 25

Reader: “When he came to his senses . . .”

Response: “he got up and went to his father.”

Scripture: Luke 15:17-20a 

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ So he got up and went to his father.

Reader: This is the word of the Lord.   

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:

What was I thinking!  Have you ever said that? When we first wander off the path, it’s hardly recognizable. We used to live in Seattle. We drove to the farm in Illinois every summer. There was a point in eastern Washington where the interstate highway I-90  splits. We could go straight and go through Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota or choose to make a slight veer to the south and a day later be somewhere in Nebraska, hundreds of miles to the south of where we might have been. At the time of making the split, it didn’t seem like that big of a deal, but it did set the course for the next several days. When the prodigal son left home, all he could see was wealth and good times ahead! It was a much more exciting road than sitting around home!  The chosen path, however, became bumpier with more rocks and ruts. Finally, the ruts became more like a grave with open ends. A person immersed in sin is living outside of their true self (Romans 7:17-20). If you are in fantasy land or on the wrong road, turn around! (Just to clarify, it is not a sin to drive through North Dakota, though it apparently is if you are doing 90 mph…there is nothing out there… another story!) The seed of humility in the son we mentioned yesterday began to grow. As he moved toward his true self, he recognized his sin against not only his earthly father, but against heaven itself. This is key. Like King David, he realized his sin was first against God, his heavenly Father, and then against his earthly father. All sin is first and foremost against our Creator. The prodigal repented, and went back to the place where he got off track. Home. Notice how much more there is here than a simple “I’m sorry, dad.” There is a complete attitude and heart change. A complete change in direction. That is what happens in true repentance. Where is the path you are on taking you? You are on a path to somewhere.

Music: “Goin Home”  Dvorak Sissel   The song of every prodigal. Don’t skip this!!  Sissel does a beautiful and sensitive recording of this classic. Terrific singer. I know you heard this song yesterday, it’s worth hearing again in this rendition. Trust me!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJFhTb1gi6Y

Prayer:
Fix thou our steps, O Lord, that we stagger not at the uneven motions of the world, but steadily go on to our glorious home; neither censuring our journey by the weather we meet with, nor turning out of the way for anything that befalls us. The winds are often rough, and our own weight presses us downwards. Reach forth, O Lord, thy hand, thy saving hand, and speedily deliver us. Teach us, O Lord, to use this transitory life as pilgrims returning to their beloved home; that we may take what our journey requires, and not think of settling in a foreign country.    ―John Wesley, 1703-1791

Tuesday, March 24

Reader: “Not long after that. . .”

Response: “…no one gave him anything.”

Scripture: Luke 15:13-16

 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.”

Reader: This is the word of the Lord.   

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:

When the “Trinity Of Self” is worshiped, it rewards the worshiper handsomely, always. Welcome to the world of “self” son! Should we be surprised that no one gave him anything? That is one of the benefits of this kind of worship, you are on your own. Look with whom he was spending his time and money. This was not a community that was known for giving or forgiving. This was the crowd of “the Trinity Of Self.” You see, in this world, it is only a pretend community.  That truth became particularly evident when everything headed south. Feeding the pigs was a kind of Jewish Skid Row. He was truly in exile from his father. Look at all the people and corporations today with their hands out, people and companies who have “squandered their wealth on wild living.” Look at the people with their hands out wanting “their share of the stash.” Observe all the people “living beyond their means” expecting someone else to bail them out after all, you don’t need to make a payment now . . .or ever. Politicians make a living promising more “pods” appealing to the envious and greedy. (We speak here not of those who have genuinely fallen on hard times not of their own making.) We see the seeds of humility being planted in the son’s soil of desperation. His loneliness becomes overwhelming and spurs him to change his course. He is beginning to doubt the value of this “Trinity Of Self.” Look for people in your life today who may be in the son’s situation, and extend a hand in whatever form to bring them encouragement and hope. There is a little TOS in all of us! Perchance you may even be that person who “left home.” Go back home. Ask forgiveness. You won’t be disappointed at your Father’s response.

Music: “ “Goin’ Home”  Libera The voices of angels!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvThHk-wMRk

Prayer:
Lord, I am blind and helpless, stupid and ignorant. Cause me to hear, cause me to know, teach me to do, lead me.                 ―Henry Martyn, 1781-1812

Monday, March 23

Reader: “Give me my share…”

Response: “OK, you got it!”

Scripture: Luke 15: 11-12

“Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.”

Reader: This is the word of the Lord.   

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:

We live in an era of a new trinity. Unlike the real Trinity, this one is not mysterious in the least! You can figure it out naturally and it is easily understood by even the smallest child. It is the trinity of “me, myself, and I.” Those four little, simple, short words speak volumes. The season of Lent is about helping us to recognize how often that idea slips into and shapes our lives and how we are very unlike Jesus. We live in a society, and, indeed in our own lives, where we are very aware of our “rights.” Look at all the lawsuits and all the testimonial commercials on television telling you how much money a certain  lawyer got for them in their lawsuit. Be sure you get what’s coming to you and the so and so law firm will get you what you deserve! It’s about you! Where did we get this idea of my rights?  In this parable, the son was a rightful heir, albeit an impatient, self-centered, short-sighted one! He used another version of the personal trinity with four words. Give me my share!  I’m embarrassed for him. It revealed so much about his heart. Like Adam, he used what his father had given him to rebel against his father. Notice the Father did not reprimand him, humiliate, or dishonor him in his foolish demand. He granted the demand, knowing full well the consequences of this immature, greedy, self-serving request. There are certainly many times when our heavenly Father does the same for us. He does not impose his will or force us in any direction. He lets the truthfulness of our heart’s motives reveal themselves to us and to him.  The father here likewise does not override the son’s stupidity and immaturity. Can you imagine a love like this so honoring and strong, knowing the foolishness that lies ahead? There is no “thy will be done” in this son’s demand! As you pray today, be careful of what you ask for. In God’s gracious way, he may give it to you!

Music:  “It’s All About Me”   Rob Still Rob is one of my IWS students and has captured today’s cultural mindset in a beautiful way!!! Right! (He’s doing a seminar in Hungry.) A little musical change of pace today!   (A song for the Prodigal!!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1FqF0goGFo

Prayer:
O God our Father, help us to nail to the cross of thy dear Son the whole body of our death, the wrong desires of the heart, the sinful devising of the mind, the corrupt apprehensions of the eyes, the cruel words of the tongue, the ill employment of hands and feet; that the old man being crucified and done away, that the new man may live and grow into the glorious likeness thy Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.  Amen.  ―Eric Milner-White, 1884-1964                           

Sunday, March 22 – Fourth Sunday in Lent

Reader: “The man went and washed”

Response: “and came back seeing!”

Scripture: John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.

Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!

His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” Some said he was, and others said, “No, he just looks like him!”

But the beggar kept saying, “Yes, I am the same one!”

Then they took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees, because it was on the Sabbath that Jesus had made the mud and healed him. The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, “He put the mud over my eyes, and when I washed it away, I could see!”

Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.” Others said, “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?” So there was a deep division of opinion among them.

Then the Pharisees again questioned the man who had been blind and demanded, “What’s your opinion about this man who healed you?”

The man replied, “I think he must be a prophet.”

“You were born a total sinner!” they answered. “Are you trying to teach us?” And they threw him out of the synagogue.

When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.”

“You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!”

“Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus.

Reader: The word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
We mentioned yesterday Jesus’ many references to images of light in various ways in his interaction with people. Here is a classic example. Again, a little context is helpful. In previous chapters (7-8), Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Festival of Tabernacles. One of the central themes of that festival is the lighting of the menorah and many more lamps creating great light in the Temple reminding the people of God’s presence, the Shekinah glory present in the wilderness Tabernacle and at the dedication of Solomon’s Temple. This particular festival also had messianic implications in its anticipation of the coming of the Messiah. Jesus had very recently told the people that he was, in fact, the Light of the world which created a great stir among the Jewish leaders. Then we have this account which again claims to be the Light of the world. In this context, he encounters the blind man and heals him. (darkness to light) The leaders refused to believe what they saw, particularly since they knew this person had been blind all his life. (They remained in the dark.) The facts didn’t fit their mindset so they sought in various ways to explain away reality. The Pharisees questioned the formerly blind man to no avail. Some of the Jewish leaders were rational and wondered how an ordinary sinner (which Jesus wasn’t) could do such a miracle. There was clear division and confusion among the Jewish leaders. Their solution was to throw the blind man out of the synagogue. Jesus found the man and asked him if he believed in the Son of Man. For Jews that was a loaded question because “Son of Man” had clear and direct implications to the Messiah (book of Daniel). This interaction is very similar to Jesus’ concluding conversation with the woman at the well in John 4. The formerly blind man believed and worshiped Jesus on the spot. The great irony in this account is that a man who was born blind both physically and spiritually gained physical sight (light) and spiritual sight (light). In a way, he is symbolic of all humanity. Everyone needs the illumination of Christ, the Light of the world. Note also that in giving the blind man sight, Jesus uses a mixture of clay and saliva in restoring sight to this man much as he used the dust of the earth to create a human being in the Garden of Eden (Irenaeus’ observation). This man is the only blind person Jesus healed who was born blind from birth. The Pharisees, on the other hand, were so convinced and set in their ways, that they were willing to deny the reality in front of them in order to maintain their beliefs. What they saw didn’t fit with what they believed, so they rejected what they saw and remained in the dark spiritually though they claimed to be in the light! Their faith in Moses was not a living faith, for Moses had affirmed Jesus’ mission at the Mount of Transfiguration, though the Pharisees were unaware of that encounter. Yaraslav Pelican commented, “Traditionalism is the dead faith of living people and tradition is the living faith of dead people.” How true! The legalistic faith of the Pharisees died with Moses on Mt. Pisgah. But the grace of Moses’ faith clearly crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land and from there encouraged the Savior on his “exodus.” May we not be so locked in what we “know,” that we miss the work of the Savior among us. He often works outside of what we “know.”

Music: “Breathe on Me Breath of God”  NAK Chor Kapstadt Glorious. Watch to the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlyo3neR6xg

Prayer:
Give me grace, O my Father, to be utterly ashamed of my own reluctance. Rouse me from sloth and coldness, and make me desire you with my whole heart. May my faith not be set in legalized stones but in living stones next to the Cornerstone. Teach me to love meditation, sacred reading, particularly Thy word, and a living life of prayer. Teach me to love that which must engage my mind for all eternity.  Amen. 

― John Henry Newman, Prayers for Easter, p.22, adapted D.S.

Saturday, March 21

Reader: “For where your treasure is,”

Response: “there your heart will be also.”

Scripture: Matthew 6: 19-24

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Reader: This is the word of the Lord.   

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
As we narrow in on Jesus’ life as the ominous weight of the cross draws nearer, we see more and more clearly how single-minded and centrally focused he was. His earlier words, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth…” was lived out in his words “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”  He had no home. When he was killed, he had nothing other than the clothes he was stripped of. When he died naked on the cross, he had nothing. He came to this earth with nothing and he left with nothing. Jesus did not store up treasure on earth. What treasure he stored in heaven, however, is glorious beyond our imagination. His heart was not in earthly things, but in people. Have you noticed in every mention of Jesus in the New Testament, he is engaged with people, his greatest treasure? Even when it describes him as alone, he is talking with this Father. Secondly, have you observed the number of times Jesus refers to the subject of light? Healing blind men, calling the Pharisees blind guides, blind fools, I am the Light of the world, Nicodemas’s coming to Jesus at night when it was dark, you are the light of the world, are just some of the instances where Jesus seeks to open the eyes of the blind and to bring Light to “people who walk in darkness.” The reference is to the “eyes of the soul.” Finally, Jesus makes very clear that to follow him, people must die to themselves. Having it both ways is not possible because both masters want everything. They will not share. People serve God or something else.  A legitimate question we might ask is, “How much of my life (my time, energy, thought, money) is going into things or pursuits that are of little eternal consequence?” In C.S. Lewis’ words of wisdom, “Do not live these days for things in your life that will end when you do.” If we measure “treasure” only in terms of money, pleasure, leisure, identity, or the material, we see how quickly it can all fade. When we are in the grave, none of those treasures matter in the least. Do you see in Jesus’ words, the point is not earthly treasures, but the affections of the heart?  The quality of the treasure is indicative of the quality of the heart. The character of the heart is central, not the treasure. It is for that heart’s affection that Jesus went to the cross. Where is your heart’s affection today?  That is the treasure you are accumulating. Hopefully, it doesn’t end when you do!

Music: ““Be Thou My Vision”    Nathan Pacheco

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihJAJA4ibEs  

Prayer:
May God support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done! Then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last.                                         ―John Henry Newman 1801-1890

Friday, March 20

Reader: “When you fast,” 

Response: “do not look somber.”

Scripture:  Matthew 6:16-18

 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Reader: This is the word of the Lord.   

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:

Fasting has long been a religious discipline in many faiths.  In the Jewish and Christian tradition it is associated with repentance. A Jewish fast would typically be from morning until evening, eating only after sundown. We read in the Scriptures frequently of “fasting in sackcloth and ashes.”  The longing that comes within us because of a lack of food during a fast, reminds us of our complete and utter dependence upon the Lord. Fasting is symbolic of the discipline it takes to turn away from sin. There is a longing that must be resisted.  Fasting is not simply a physical act. Fasting sharpens the mind, the spirit, and quickens spiritual perception. Fasting of some sort is a normal part of Lent. Again, Jesus said when you fast not if you fast. Sometimes there are short total fasts for a day or two or more. On other occasions there are longer fasts, maybe from specific foods, or perhaps choosing to eat only one meal a day for the specific purpose of being liberated from a fleshly habit or desire.  Fasting was a normal and regular part of the life of every major character in the Bible.  Maybe they knew something we don’t know.  If this is a new area to you, it will be worth doing your own Bible study on “fasting,” and then doing it. As Jesus pointed out, the whole purpose is to deepen one’s relationship with our heavenly Father. The practice often enables one to gain a clearer focus on what is significant, what is unimportant, and clarifies the clutter of the mind and soul. Try setting aside a regular period of fasting these days, perhaps fasting for one meal or one day a week for starters. (Of course be sure that you don’t have a medical condition that would make fasting unhealthy or dangerous.) Giving alms for the poor, prayer, and fasting, three of the central themes of this season, are three of the disciplines practiced regularly by our Savior.

Music: “As the Deer”   Masters Chorale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYNNIUtQ160

Prayer:
Come now, little man turn aside for a while from your daily employment, escape for a moment from the tumult of your thoughts. Put aside your weighty cares, let your burdensome distractions wait, free yourself awhile for God and rest awhile in him. Enter the inner chamber of your soul, shut out everything except God and that which can help you in seeking him, and when you have shut the door, seek him. Now, my whole heart, say to God, ‘I seek your face, Lord, it is your face I seek.’ ―Anselm 1033-1109

Thursday, March 19

Reader: “The disciples said,”

Response: “Lord, teach us how to pray,”

Scripture: Matthew 6: 9-15

“This, then, is how you should pray:

   ” ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ 

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Reader: This is the word of the Lord.   

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:

Right after Jesus talked about the importance of praying, he gave us an example of how to do it. Notice the careful choice of words. He begins, “Our Father in heaven…” He makes a point of reminding us of the great reality of the moment. We are not simply saying words, we are talking to the Creator of the universe in real time! At the same time we are being reminded of whose we are and at the same time reminding us of the existence of another world we cannot see. (The Bible is the one book that presumes the reality of other dimensions and worlds outside the four dimensions in which we live. The writers never presume an allegorical or mythical mindset of heaven. Heaven is always treated as reality.) Perhaps it would be wise to think a little more carefully than we sometimes do in how we begin prayers. It might be that “God, we ask you to…” may not be the most thoughtful, respectful way to address our Creator. Our words belie our shallow understanding of the One we address. “God” is not meant as a punctuation mark. Notice the way Jesus addresses his Father in John 17. It is a prayer well worth studying. It is kind of eavesdropping on Jesus’ conversation with his Father. He is always mindful of who he is and who his Father is. Certainly there are times when a prayer is as short and urgent as “Help, Lord!”  Though Jesus is our friend, he is also our coming King, our constant Intercessor, our victorious Warrior, our compassionate Redeemer, our holy Savior, all of which do not make us equals! In his prayers, Jesus was ever aware of his own Father/Son relationship. Remember, we are praying to a Father in heaven who has adopted us as his children. That kind of awareness is perhaps something we can tune our hearts to in our prayers. As you pray this week, be very aware of with whom you are talking. Jesus always was.

Music:  “The Lord’s Prayer” Andrea Bocelli and Mormon Tabernacle Choir 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEplqV0scyo

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, forgive us for those times we pray without thinking of the One to whom we are talking; for those times when we babble, lost in our words and our little world, oblivious to your grand design; for those times we drift off and forget we were praying; for those times when we tell you how to solve our problems and how to be God; and for those times when we are disrespectful and arrogant in our prayers as we seek to be clever or earthy. Teach us to pray as your dear Son prayed, for it is in his name that we offer this prayer. Amen.  ―Daniel Sharp                                                                                                     

Book Recommendation: A Diary of Private Prayer,  John Baillie, Scribners

Wednesday, March 18

Reader: “Your Father knows what you need” 

Response: “before you ask him.”

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-8

 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Reader: This is the word of the Lord.   

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
Again in a plain, beautiful way Jesus simply comments “when you pray.”  Prayer, our conversation with God, is a normal, daily part of the Christian life. “When” is a word of action. It occurs in time. It signals the beginning of an event. So in Jesus saying “when,” his full expectation is that prayer is a part of our daily lives. The “hypocrites” miss the heart of prayer which is personal, intimate communion with God. Notice Jesus does not condemn many words, just words that are babble. The words we use are actually meant to be communion with God. Nor does he condemn repetition, only vain repetition. You’ll recall Jesus actually gave us a model prayer to pray (the Lord’s Prayer) . . . which is actually based on a Jewish prayer from the synagogue liturgy (Kaddosh). True prayer is not telling God what he already knows and our telling him what to do about it! True prayer is humbling ourselves before God in privacy and praying to our Father. We may pray every day for a specific thing. We need to be careful not to simply pray repetitive words with a detached heart in order to get through our “prayer list.” Having said that, maybe you want to keep a prayer list or a prayer journal. It is very encouraging to be praying for some situation over a period of time and then see it come to fruition in God’s timing. While interceding for others is an important part of prayer, don’t neglect adoration, confession, and thanksgiving. In prayer we are turning to God in dependency as we turn from sin. “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” One of the other important, though often neglected and difficult, parts of prayer, is that of taking the time to  listen to the Lord. My tendency is to be quiet a little bit and then “get going.” I’m still working on the listening part. There are a great many examples of prayer in Scripture to guide us along. (Col. 1:9-14; Phil. 1:3-11; Dan. 9:1-19) Maybe during the Lenten season you’ll want to build a collection of all the “prayers” you can find in Scripture.

Music: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”   Alan Jackson The way it ought to be sung!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znWu2HCJ92c

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, our Intercessor, may our hearts be open to you, to see as you see.  May we be obedient to your voice. May we learn to be quiet and listen to you. May your voice become more and more familiar to our ears. May our prayer life with you multiply many times throughout the day. We ask that you’d bring things to our minds during the day that need prayer. May we be free to pray with those in need as we go through the mornings, afternoons, and evenings of our lives. In all of this, may you receive glory. Thank you for praying for us continually. We pray this in your tender name. Amen. ―Daniel Sharp             

Tuesday, March 17

Reader: “When you give to the needy . . .”

Response: “do not announce it.” 

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-4

“Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.  So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Reader: This is the word of the Lord.   

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:

We don’t need big words to say powerful things. These words of Jesus have four or fewer letters and most have a single syllable.  He couldn’t be clearer. Ours is a faith that expresses itself in actions. Giving to the needy is one of those actions that is done not to buy God’s favor, make him love us more, or earn salvation. We are not graded by God based solely on what we do. God doesn’t give grades on how we live. If he did, we all fail. Jesus passed every test, and as we trust in him, so do we. We “give to the needy” to live out a love relationship with our heavenly Father. Giving to those in need is what we do as Christians in expressing our love. Jesus was clear. He didn’t say “if you give to the needy”, but rather “when you give to the needy.”  Giving is one of the three primary themes of Lent along with fasting and praying. Have you noticed that is exactly what Jesus did his whole life? He fasted regularly; he prayed often; he gave continually to all, especially to those in need. And we are the “needy” who benefit. So our question is how and when do we give to the needy? Are you giving to those in need now?  Maybe adopt a World Vision child. Give above a tithe. Put together a “Grace Bag” for your car. In the bag you might have a toothbrush and toothpaste, a little bottle of shampoo, a roll of toilet paper, a bottle of water, a bar of soap, some baby wipes, a can of beans with a pop top and plastic spoon. Then when you see a homeless person, you’ll have something practical you can give to one in need. There is so much more we can do. Another thought, do you know someone who is having a tough time making financial ends meet right now?  Send them a gift card to a store, or send them some cash anonymously. Does someone just need to be listened to? Expand your “alms” thinking. Ask the Lord to bring to mind someone you can encourage and give to in a practical way. It’s living the life of Jesus.

Music: “O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus”   Simon Khorolskiy DO NOT miss this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLTu1xv2-Us

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, our Sustainer and Provider, help us to be your hands and feet to those in need. You have given to us so lavishly in so many varied ways. Tune our hearts to your own generous heart that we may more and more see as you see and do something about it. May the gradual transformation of our being into your likeness lead to the transformation of our doing. Thank you for coming to us in our great need. You are our only hope and salvation. May we bring hope, the hope found in you, to those around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.       ―Daniel Sharp

Monday, March 16

Reader: “Anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ . . .”

Response: “has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.”

Scripture: 2 John 1:1-13

“This letter is from John, the elder.

I am writing to the chosen lady and to her children, whom I love in the truth—as does everyone else who knows the truth— because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever.

Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love.

How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded.

I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.

I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward. Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.

If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work. I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete.

Greetings from the children of your sister, chosen by God.”

Reader: The word of the Lord as given through the Apostle John.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
Have you ever noticed that many of the New Testament letters had to do with combating the heresies circulating in those days? (Galatians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians, I Timothy, 2 Peter, Jude, John, and I,II, & III John!) Peter, Paul, Jude, and John all addressed the issue of false teaching about Jesus and what Jesus taught. Notice also in this shortest book in the New Testament that John also stresses loving one another in the midst of confusing times. This is a striking letter in light of the 21st century church. But this is not the first time people have grappled and rejected the truth. Thomas Jefferson went through the Bible with a razor and cut out everything that had to do with the divinity of Christ and made his own bible. It is a sad book. No hope, only moral teachings, no resurrection, no Pentecost, no Second Coming, no heaven, no sin, no relationship with God. In our day, not only is there hostility toward Christianity in general, there is great conflict within the church itself. Denominations split over doctrine and interpretation of Scripture. Heresies have entered the churches in some quarters. The Bible is viewed as non-authoritative and needs to be reevaluated. Humans will decide what it says and means in light of today’s culture. For example for some viewpoints, the definition of marriage is no longer between one man and one woman; there are other options. Gender is no longer simply male and female, there are additional choices. Killing children waiting to be born is re-interpreted to as a woman’s right to choose (notice a pregnant woman is not referred to as a mother). In some places, Christianity is classified as “hate speech.” The words of the Scriptures span all of time. The challenge for us is to know what the Scriptures do in fact say, and most particularly, what did Jesus say in regard to the Scripture of his day, the Old Testament. He freely quoted it as God’s inspired word. He believed and taught every word of it as true. He fulfilled it! John points out here that we are to “remain in the teaching of Christ” that we might remain in relationship with both the Father and the Son. In our journey to the cross with Christ during this season, we can rest assured in the truth of his word and in his view of the Scriptures. That is also the purpose of these daily devotionals, that we would spend time and encounter the Lord each day. Oh yes, and remember to love one another!

Music: “ “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” Fernando Ortega

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b0FTKMYGZ4

Make no mistake: if He rose at all it was as His body; if the cells’ dissolution did not reverse, the molecules reknit, the amino acids rekindle, the Church will fall . . .  Let us not mock God with metaphor, analogy, sidestepping, transcendence; making of the event a parable, a sign painted in the faded credulity of earlier ages: let us walk through the door.    ―John Updike

Prayer:

Lord God, your claims are absolute; we must accept them without bargaining. You are always right. Your demands are so full of blessings! I thank you for your severity as Redeemer, I thank You for never having allowed us to mingle the odor of death with Your perfume of eternity. I shall go towards You as towards my state of rest and my eternal life. In Your two hands You hold my being; and You are my reward, because the perfection of my being lies in You. Grant that I may love more and more of this life of faith, wholly irradiated by hope; grant that I may love this desert-place where You have put my soul, this immense plain with You in the center, where I stand always before You and someday soon, by Your Grace, by Your side. Amen.                                                                         

                        ―Florence Allshorn, from The Quiet Corner, p.93

Sunday, March 15 – Third Sunday in Lent

Reader: “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us,” 

Response: “but because we have heard him ourselves.”

Scripture: John 4:5-15; 19-26; 39-42

Eventually [Jesus] came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.

The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”

Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”

 “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.

 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied.

Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband—for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”

“Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?”

Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!”

The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?”

Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.”

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
My guess is that you have read this particular passage many, many times and have listened to more than one sermon addressing this account of “Jesus and the Woman at the Well.” What more is there to say? I have found so often in Scripture that God has more things to tell me about himself that further alters the way I am to live and be, even from passages I’ve heard many times before. This pericope is another one of those conversations with God. The familiar part is that Jesus had walked a long way. It was noontime. He was tired. A “questionable” Samaritan woman came to the well for water. They were alone in a culturally improper situation. That is the general situation, now some context. Jesus had been in Judea and was traveling north back to Galilee. The main road from Jerusalem to the Galilee region ran straight through Samaria. Normally Jews avoided Samaria altogether and traveled on the east side of the Jordan River, the eastern boundary of Samaria, which was both a region and the name of the capital. Sychar was a little village just outside the city. The Samaritans were half-breed Jews, coming from the ten northern tribes, who had intermarried with various nations who had invaded their land in the past. Some scholars believe it was the Samaritan Sanballat, who had given Ezra and Nehemiah such grief in rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem, who built the Samaritan temple on Mt. Gerizim. In terms of religion, the Samaritans accepted the Pentateuch as their scripture and, like the Jews, were looking for a messiah. The Jews wanted nothing to do with Samaritans. They resented any blood relationship, which makes Jesus’ story of the “good Samaritan” all the more pointed. Into this setting Jesus asks the woman for a drink. She was surprised and asked why he would ask her. He commented about living water. (Cisterns and wells had “dead” water. “Living water” was fresh flowing water. Samaria had no rivers, no “living water,” hence her comment.) She gave a little dig at him in her comment if he thought he was greater than our (ouch) ancestor Jacob. Then came Jesus’ comment about the husbands. What strikes me is her immediate comment suggesting he must be a prophet for only a prophet could know hidden truth. There was no way a normal person could know about her past. I think she realized she was talking to a real prophet and so asked him a question about the ongoing controversy of the day between the Jews and Samaritans, worship at Gerizim or Jerusalem? Who’s right? (A true prophet would know.) Jesus’ response was salvation comes from the Jews, not the Samaritans. The doubting woman’s response was when the Messiah comes, he will explain everything to us. And then Jesus’ most powerful response, “I AM the Messiah.” She ran to town to tell everyone what had happened. Jesus went to the town for two days and many people became believers as a result.

Volumes have been written on Jesus’ words of worshiping the Father “in spirit and in truth.”  I’d like to make one minor observation. Biblical worship involves all five senses and is not just a head/heart/theological mental activity. Taste, touch, sight, sound and smell have always been a part of worship as the Holy Spirit empowers the people of God with Jesus as our High Priest before the Father.

Music: ““Jesus Messiah”    Gaither Vocal Band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN4wj2KAdhU

Prayer:
O God, who wouldest not [will] the death of a sinner, but that he should be converted and live: forgive the sins of us who turn to thee with all our heart, and grant us the grace of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  ―Early Scottish Prayer

Saturday, March 14

Reader: “No one has ever gone to heaven and returned.” 

Response: “But the Son of Man has come down from heaven.”

Scripture: John 3:1-13

There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God.”

“What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”

Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

“How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.

Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven.

Reader: “This is God’s word as recorded by John.” 

Response: “Thanks be to God for these powerful words.”

Some thoughts:
This is one of the better known accounts in the gospels, the interaction between Nicodemus, a leader of the Pharisees and one of the esteemed seventy rulers (like a Jewish Supreme Court) and Jesus. One of the things that is evident in this pericope is Nicodemus’ inability to think beyond a physical birth. Jesus’ description of the spiritual birth escapes him as it does for many people today. Birth from above is the result of the action of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The wind blows where it will. The Spirit of God is free and moves where it will. God’s Spirit comes from heaven and cannot be contained or controlled. Jesus’ challenge to Nicodemus and to us is if you won’t believe what I tell you about earthly things (Do you believe what Jesus said while on earth?), how can you possibly believe what I tell you about heavenly things? Jesus’ explanation is a magnificent account showing us how earth-bound humans can be connected to heaven, how our earthly and heavenly existence to God are connected! In giving added authority to his comment, Jesus then makes a “once in eternity” statement, “No one has ever gone to heaven and returned, but the Son of Man has come down from heaven!” History and theology are melded into one. The Son of Man has taken on human flesh. There is no religion in the world where the god became human and dwelt on earth. Christianity is unique. Thank God today for your spiritual birth and continue to pray for those who have not yet been born of the Spirit. Nancy and I got news today that a person for whom we have been praying for years has come to faith in Christ! Be encouraged. Keep praying for the Nicodemuses in your world.

While this music is often thought of as Christmas music, it is music of the Incarnation and after all, Advent, Christmastide, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost are all part of the same story!

Music: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”      Outofdarknessmusic a unique setting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jICEbS4acQ

Prayer:
Gracious God, you brought Christ into the world to bear our afflictions, and by his stripes we are healed; we come with thanksgiving for his cleansing redemption. Purge the stain of sin within us and give us clean hearts, that we may serve you more faithfully. Renew right minds that we may enjoy the fruits of your Spirit and abound in the love, joy, peace, goodness, and faithfulness we find in the reconciling love of Christ Jesus, our Savior and Lord.  ―Prayers for Easter, James G. Kirk, p.15

Friday, March 13

Reader: “It is the food . . .”

Response: “the Lord has given you to eat.”

Scripture: Exodus 16:9-21

Then Moses said to Aaron, “Announce this to the entire community of Israel: ‘Present yourselves before the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’” And as Aaron spoke to the whole community of Israel, they looked out toward the wilderness. There they could see the awesome glory of the Lord in the cloud.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the Israelites’ complaints. Now tell them, ‘In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”

That evening vast numbers of quail flew in and covered the camp. And the next morning the area around the camp was wet with dew. When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground. The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was.

And Moses told them, “It is the food the Lord has given you to eat. These are the Lord’s instructions: Each household should gather as much as it needs. Pick up two quarts for each person in your tent.”

So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little. But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed.

Then Moses told them, “Do not keep any of it until morning.” But some of them didn’t listen and kept some of it until morning. But by then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell. Moses was very angry with them.

After this the people gathered the food morning by morning, each family according to its need. And as the sun became hot, the flakes they had not picked up melted and disappeared.

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
This passage from Exodus is the iconic picture of humanity! I’m going to back up a bit to bring this portion into context. The Israelites were freed from 430 years of slavery to the Egyptians a month ago. They had just left an oasis and were continuing on towards the Promised Land, the land God had given them. These people, a million plus strong, were complaining about Moses’ and Aaron’s leadership. In the people’s words “we sat around in Egypt with pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted!” They were slaves! They didn’t sit around at a barbecue! Complaining often blinds us to reality and tends to feed more complaining, which was true for these people. Moses was quick to remind them their gripe was against God, not against him and his brother. Moses wanted no part of the crabbing! The Lord then told Moses his plan which was to give the Israelites food one day at a time, just the amount they needed for that day. Then the day before the Sabbath, they should take a double portion because God would provide no manna on the Sabbath. God was resting that day and they should too. So far so good. Then we come to the passage you just read. Aaron passed God’s words and plan along to the people. They had been complaining about meat and bread and God provided both, even with the same words of their complaint! (All the bread you want . . .) And the point? “Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.” And that phrase is the point. The awesome glory of God in the cloud was a visual, physical reminder to the people of God’s continued presence with them. Notice God provided exactly what they needed and the amount they needed. They had to trust him for each day’s need. If they got greedy, the food spoiled. If they got lazy, they went hungry. And of course some tried both ways as the passage continues on after the portion you read. This account of the desert wanderings has a very clear point. We are to learn to turn to the Lord each day for sustenance. The purpose is to learn to rely on him for the immediate present. Don’t worry about next week. Go to him daily for relationship and for nourishment. He will always provide. And quit complaining imagining things are better in another situation. Have you ever noticed that complaining is always self-focused? P.S. That entire generation to a person, 500-600,000 people died in the desert, never arriving in what God had promised them. In our pastor’s words from last Sunday’s sermon, “the Israelites turned what should have been an eleven day journey into the Promised Land into a thirty-eight year death march.” And all because they could not trust the Lord one day at a time.

Music: “To God Be the Glory”   Sissel by Andrae Crouch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiB4SEgOkow

If you let it keep running after this video, there are additional videos of her singing this piece at different years in her life. A gorgeous voice. Not to be missed.

Prayer:
Almighty God, forgive my doubt, my anger, my complaining, my pride, my greed, my selfishness, my sinful thoughts, my impatience, my laziness . . . Lord, you get the idea. I am a sinner through and through. Lord Jesus, help me learn to live with a grateful heart, a patient heart, a trusting heart, a clean heart, a tender heart, a truthful heart, a heart more like yours as you live in and through me. By your grace and nourishment I will endeavor to continue the journey through the desert of this world until I cross the Jordan into the Promised Land, the Land you have prepared for all your children. In the name of the one who is the Bread of Life, even Jesus my Savior. Amen.   ―Daniel Sharp

Thursday, March 12

Reader: “At the right time he will bring everything together”

Response: “. . . under the authority of Christ.”

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7-14

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good news that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.

Reader: “These are God’s words to us.” 

Response: “Thank you Lord.”

Some thoughts:
You may have often heard that “God has a wonderful plan for your life.” If you are like me, I find it easy to think of God’s plan in terms of specific things or events in my life. I’m not so sure this concept is always what God has in mind. Sometimes, yes, it appears to be the case. Maybe there was some event or action that you recognized had God’s hand all over it. But there are plenty of other times when it seems “God’s plan” is a complete mystery. As you read in the passage above, God’s plan is to fulfill his own good pleasure. If our desire is to bring glory to God in our life, then we do want to be in accord with his plan. The bold print clarifies the timing of such. My problem is I don’t know the timing and God isn’t telling me! Matthew Henry has two very pertinent quotes: “God has wisely kept us in the dark concerning future events and reserved for himself the knowledge of them, [why?] that he may train us up in a dependence upon himself and a continued readiness for every event.” And “Cast not away your confidence because God defers his performances. That which does not come in your time, will be hastened in his time, which is always the more convenient season. God will work when he pleases, how he pleases, and by what means he pleases. He is not bound to keep our time, but he will perform his work, honor our faith, and reward them that diligently seek him.” Well said, Matthew! Hang in there . . .

Music: “Abide with Me”  St. Olaf Cantori and Congregation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkXI-8no9ZE&list=TLPQMjIwMTIwMjCZKDSORdFFFg&index=2 

This is worth your 7 minutes and 12 seconds! THIS IS CONGREGATIONAL SINGING! Note the number of millennials in the congregation singing! Let’s hear it for the Lutherans!

  • Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
    The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
    When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
    Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.
  • Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
    Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
    Change and decay in all around I see—
    O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
  • I need Thy presence every passing hour;
    What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
    Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
    Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
  • I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
    Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
    Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
    I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
  • Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
    Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
    Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
    In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Prayer:
Almighty and ever-blessed God, I thank Thee for the love wherewith Thou dost follow me all the days of my life. I thank Thee that Thou dost inform my mind with Thy divine truth and undergird my will with Thy Spirit’s leading, and for all those little happenings which, though seeming at the time no more than chance, yet afterwards appears to me as part of Thy gracious plan for the education of my soul. O let me not refuse Thy leading or quench this light which Thou hast kindled within me, but rather let me daily grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord and Master. Amen.

― John Baillie, 1886-1960 

Wednesday, March 11

Reader: “My Temple will be called a house of prayer”

Response: “for all nations.” 

Scripture: Mark 11:15-19

When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”

When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.

That evening Jesus and the disciples left the city.

Reader: “This is Mark’s record of what happened . . .”

Response: “in the days leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion.” 

Some thoughts:
If you knew you were to die for certain in three weeks, what would you do? My guess is you could care less about “March Madness” or finishing up the quarterly report or who will win the next election, after all, no one comes into power unless God has allowed it. My guess is we’d call together the people we are close to and love dearly and tell them what is really important to us. It most likely wouldn’t have to do with mundane things. I’ve always been curious as to those things that were significant to Jesus as he neared the end of his earthly life. Unlike us, he knew he was going to die and knew when he would die. This pericope gives us one of the early insights into Jesus’ perspective as to what was important to God. His house, the Temple, was to be a place of prayer for everyone, not just the Jews. (That was a surprise to everyone!) It was to be a place of communing with God the Father, of intimate conversation with the Creator. It had become something else, a place of crass religious business. As you might guess, the merchants were not pleased that he called them out and destroyed their racket. So the religious leaders and teachers, encouraged by the merchants no doubt, began to hatch a plot to kill Jesus, even though he was very popular. Jesus’ bottom line was communion with his Father. I wonder if that is what happens when the body of Christ gathers for worship these days? Is worship in your church a place of communing with the Father as a congregation or do we have a “high five, yeah Jesus time”? When was the last time the body of Christ was on its knees in repentance in awe of our life-giving Savior? Just asking. So, what would you say to your children, grandchildren, or nieces or nephews, or some other close friends as you came to the end of your life on earth? My father finished lunch, went out in the barnyard to move a grain elevator, and a split second later was in heaven when a cable snapped. What are the most important things you want to communicate to your loved ones? What’s keeping you? You know, you are not guaranteed next week or even tomorrow.

Music: “Salvation Is Created”   Tschesnokoff, National Lutheran Choir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veDwCqhokOA

Prayer:
Almighty God, the giver of all life and breath and hope, I worship and glorify your holy name. The whole creation has come into being through your power; and I rejoice that your purpose for creation is a loving purpose. You revealed your love for me in Jesus Christ; and I am privileged indeed to have been brought to a living faith in you. Forgive me, Lord, for the times I have made myself and my feelings the center of my worship. With people in every corner of the world I join our offering of worship with the offering that rises to you constantly from earth and heaven. Blessing and honour and glory and power be to our God―Father, Son and Spirit―on this day and always; through the priesthood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. 

          ―Prayers for Sunday Services, p.40, adapted Daniel Sharp 

Tuesday, March 10

Reader: “Anyone who trusts in him” 

Response: “. . . will never be disgraced.”

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-10

You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.

And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the Scriptures say,

“I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor,

and anyone who trusts in him

will never be disgraced.”

Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.”

And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

“Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people.

Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”

Reader: “This is God’s word as given to Peter.” 

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
In today’s passage, Peter reminds us that we are “living stones”, an actual part of the Temple in which Jesus is the cornerstone. This is not pretend faith. You are part of the real thing, a world that is bigger and extends beyond what you can see.  It doesn’t feel like it, does it? You are just sitting somewhere reading this. It surely doesn’t feel very spiritual. You as a “living stone” seems more like a “theological theory” than reality is my guess.The truth is, you are part of another world. We’re so often caught up in this world, that we forget about the biggest picture. Do you notice how obedience enters in here again? (v.8) How often have you heard, “But I don’t feel like it.” Obedience doesn’t rely on feelings at its core. In the Hebrew mind, “doing” is the evidence that one has heard. If there is no action, one has not heard. Look at all the examples in the Scriptures.  Action is the evidence that you have heard. (In their growing up years, we sought to impress this concept upon our children―”Time to go to bed. . . I heard you . . . Are you in bed . . . I’m going . . .” with varied results!) The mercy here is that we are God’s chosen children. He called us out of our bondage to sin and now we are marked with his identity. The season of Lent is concerned with God’s recovering and restoring a people for himself. We are a part of a great exodus, an exodus from slavery to sin to freedom from sin, from darkness to light. We are a royal priesthood, a holy nation. The Tabernacle in the wilderness is us. Can you doubt we are in a wilderness? You and I are parts of God’s physical kingdom on earth. We didn’t used to be, but, having come to faith in Jesus, now we are “living stones” in his earthly Temple. So, do the work of a priest today. Bind the broken-hearted, support the weak, honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the HolySpirit. It doesn’t really matter how you feel! Do it.

Music: “Miserere Mei”  Allegri Tenebrae Choir   Spectacular!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3v9unphfi0

This is a setting of the confessional Psalm 51

Prayer:
Go forth into the world in peace, be of good courage, hold fast to that which is good, render to no one evil for evil, strengthen the faint hearted, support the weak, help the afflicted, honor all people, love and serve the Lord rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit, and may God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with you and remain with you now and always. Amen.       ―1928 Book of Common Prayer

Monday, March 9

Reader: “Take your son, your only son.”

Response: “. . . your only son.”

Scripture:  Genesis 22:1-19

Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called.

“Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.”

“Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.”

So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them walked on together, Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?”

“God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together.

When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. At that moment the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!”

“Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”

Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the LORD will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”

Then the angel of the LORD called again to Abraham from heaven. “This is what the LORD says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies. And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.”

Then they returned to the servants and traveled back to Beersheba, where Abraham continued to live.

Reader: “This is God’s foretelling story.”

Response: “Our God is beyond words.”

Some thoughts:
As the Lenten season begins to point toward the cross, we come across this familiar story of Abraham and Isaac. There are so many familiarities and Christological types in the First Testament. Another way to look at these accounts is what the Scriptures call shadows. Abraham was a type of the Father in that he did not withhold his son, his only son whom he loved. We are reminded of Jesus on the mount of Transfiguration when the Father spoke from heaven “this is my beloved son, my Chosen one, listen to him.” Isaac was a type of Christ figure. He was the chosen one rather than Ishmael. As Jesus carried the wooden cross on his back for his sacrifice, so also Isaac carried the wood on his back for his sacrifice. A lamb was eventually sacrificed in place of Isaac, but Jesus, as the Lamb of God, laid down his life as our sacrifice. There were two servant witnesses who accompanied Abraham and Isaac. There were two thieves who bore witness to the crucifixion of Jesus. (Jewish law required the testimony of at least two witnesses to verify the truth in any situation. Deut.17:6) The sacrifice of the ram took place on Mt. Moriah, the eventual site of Solomon’s Temple as well as Golgotha. A donkey went with them reminding us of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (located on Mt. Moriah) on Palm Sunday. The sacrifice was offered on the third day. As it turned out, Isaac, was “raised from the dead” on the third day. As God the Father raised Jesus on the third day, so Abraham believed God would raise his slain son. (Heb.11:19)―I’m not making this up! The one performing the burnt offering was also the one who slayed the sacrifice. The burnt sacrifice was consumed completely by the fire, unlike other types which often had some portion go to the priest. This sacrifice was to atone for a sinful state, rather than for forgiveness of a specific sin. The sacrificial offering was to be in perfect health at the beginning of the prime of its life. Finally, the sacrifice of the ram was “in place” of Isaac. Jesus sacrifice on the cross was in our place. Indeed, as the Scripture says, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”  Abraham returned home with his son. And we await the return of our Father in heaven with his Son. The sacrifice has been completed! We are called by our Father to lay down our life every day and die to ourselves in the same way that our Savior humbled himself before his Father.

 

Music: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”  Massed Choirs Weston Noble, Conductor     Glorious!! Lake Avenue Church, Pasadena, CA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEOLUnoQdmQ

                                 -Isaac Watts

When I survey the wondrous cross

On with the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss

And pour contempt on all my pride.

 

See from his head, his hands, his feet

Sorrow and love flow mingled down,

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

 

Were the whole realm of nature mine

That were a present far too small

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

 

(This may well be the grandest hymn in the English language.)

 

Prayer:
You are God and we praise you; you are the Lord and we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father; all creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, cherubim and seraphim sing in endless praise, Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might; Heaven and earth are full of your glory. The glorious company of apostles praise you; the noble fellowship of prophets praise you; the white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the whole world the holy church acclaims you, Father of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit advocate and guide. To you eternal God, three in one we give you praise. Amen.

                                 -Te Deum, 4th century

Sunday, March 8 – Second Sunday in Lent

Reader: “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

Response: “Listen to him.”

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.

Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.

Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus.

As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Reader: The word of the Lord

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
What would have it been like for you to travel with the famous Jesus? He was a rock star. Great crowds of people showed up wherever you all went. You were a part of his inner circle. You saw the miracles with your own eyes. You got to spend lots of time with him. You even got to do a few miracles yourself! A pretty heady time for the disciples.

Jesus often referred to himself in the third person as the Son of Man. In fact, just before the passage of Scripture you just read, he had asked his disciples this pointed question, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Peter (of course) answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” He then told the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah! Strange. A short time later comes what is called the Transfiguration. Jesus took his inner circle, Peter, James, and John with him to a mountain top. While there, the three got a brief glimpse of the divine nature and brilliant glory of Jesus.  They got a faint peek through the veil. Elsewhere, we read that the conversation among Moses (the Law Giver) and Elijah (the Prophet of the Messiah’s coming) and Jesus was concerning his soon departure (the actual word is “his exodus”) from this world. In essence, Jesus was about to fulfill the Law and the Prophets once for all. Do you see how this event tied the Old Testament and the New Testament together? We read in Deuteronomy that there must be two witnesses to verify the truth of a matter. Here we have perhaps the two greatest men of the First Testament bearing witness to the identity of Jesus as the Son of God and affirming his mission. Moses led the first Exodus from slavery to freedom in a shadow of what was to come. Moses died looking into the Promised Land and was buried in an unknown grave by God himself. You’ll recall Elijah did not die, but was taken by a chariot of fire straight to heaven. Here the disciples saw Moses and Elijah coming from that Promised Land, heaven itself, to comfort and give solace to Jesus as he prepares to give his life as the ultimate Lamb of God in freeing all peoples from the bondage of sin. Then we read again that Jesus told these three to say nothing of what they had seen and heard. Why? It was not yet God the Father’s timing. Why did these three get to see this event and not the other disciples? After the resurrection and ascension, Peter, James, and John assumed significant leadership in the early days of the church. They referred to seeing Jesus’ glory (2 Peter 1:16-21) and cited the experience as giving them greater confidence in the truth of Jesus as the Son of God as they led the early church. What does this have to do with Lent? We see here again the great and detailed care God gave in bringing redemption to all tribes, tongues and nations. A plan begun before the dawn of creation was coming to the pivotal point. God is in the details, then and now. The End will surely come. Glory!  

Music: “Sanctus” from Requiem Durufle   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hESnJ0HHlxI 

“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Hosanna in the highest.”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, until the day when we see Thee face to face in all Thy glory, when we don’t have to come down the mountain but dwell in Thy presence forever, when we see what we’ve never even conceived, when we hear music that our ears have never even imagined, when the whole world sees the glory of the glorious Son of God, until then may we be faithful. May we not keep quiet, but go into all our world preaching the great Good News of redemption in Christ in deeds, in words and in demeanor. Amen.     

                                                                                             ―Daniel Sharp

Saturday, March 7

Reader: “The moment you began praying,”

Response: “a command was given.”

 

Scripture: Daniel 9:15-25a

“O Lord our God, you brought lasting honor to your name by rescuing your people from Egypt in a great display of power. But we have sinned and are full of wickedness. In view of all your faithful mercies, Lord, please turn your furious anger away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain. All the neighboring nations mock Jerusalem and your people because of our sins and the sins of our ancestors.

“O our God, hear your servant’s prayer! Listen as I plead. For your own sake, Lord, smile again on your desolate sanctuary.

“O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. See how your city—the city that bears your name—lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.

“O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for your people and your city bear your name.” 

I went on praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, pleading with the LORD my God for Jerusalem, his holy mountain. As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. He explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision.

“A period of seventy sets of seven has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times.”

Reader: “This is the conclusion of Daniel’s prayer.”

Response: “This is the word of the Lord.”

Some thoughts:

The reading today is the concluding portion of Daniel’s prayer to the Lord. Daniel had been given a vision concerning the time of the ending of the world. Interestingly, the message was given by the angel, Gabriel, the same angel who would hundreds of years later speak to Zachariah, Mary, and Joseph! Here again is news concerning the Messiah, this time about his Return. This task seems to be Gabriel’s job. This prayer gives us much insight into prayer itself, one of the key themes of the Lenten season along with fasting, and giving to the poor. Notice several things in Daniel’s words: 1) We are reminded of God’s covenant promise to his people. In prayer it is always good to begin with reiterating the great truths about God. It puts our heart and mind into the right context for the rest of our prayer. 2) Daniel confesses his own sin as well as the sin of his people. He does not say “we’ve made mistakes; we’ve used bad judgment; we should have been wiser, we misread the situation, etc.” His words were, “we were wicked; we rebelled; we turned away; we did not listen.” There is complete admission that we have been in the wrong. In looking at today’s pericope we read the expression of a truly repentant heart and one of the most touching passages in Scripture. “We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.” Note the thrice appeal. There are few “three’s” in the Bible, this is one of them. It is worth reflecting on these appeals in light of the Trinity. We also see that “the fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much.” (James 5:16) Daniel’s prayer moved heaven itself. What does all this tell us? Prayer is effective in the courts of heaven and on earth. There are times when God is moved to action by our prayers.  “The moment you began praying, a command was given.” Keep praying God’s time table. In his prayer, Daniel was given God’s perspective on the situation. As you pray today for those things on your heart, listen for God’s perspective, what has he put on your heart. Pray for that.

 

Hymn: “Sweet Hour of Prayer”     Radiance (back from last year! DO NOT MISS)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph43J3pnBDo

Prayer:
God of compassion, you are slow to anger and full of mercy, welcoming sinners who return to you with penitent hearts. Receive in your loving embrace all who come home to you. We confess that we have been wayward children. We have disobeyed your commands; our ears have been deaf to your call; our hearts have been cold to your love. In thought, in word, and in deed, in attitude we have hurt others and dishonored your name. Our sin is against you. Receive us yet again as your beloved children, not because we are worthy but for the sake of him who loved us and gave himself for us. Amen.                                    -Anonymous

Friday, March 6

Reader: “This is my fate:”

Response: “the Most High has turned his hand against me.”

Scripture: Psalm 77:10-15

And I said, “This is my fate;

    the Most High has turned his hand against me.”

But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;

    I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.

They are constantly in my thoughts.

    I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.

O God, your ways are holy.

    Is there any god as mighty as you?

You are the God of great wonders!

    You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations.

By your strong arm, you redeemed your people,

    the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. 

Reader: The word of the Lord

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
Asaph, the guy who wrote this psalm, had nearly given up on God. His words? “This is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me.” There is no worse feeling than coming to the conclusion that someone has given up on you…especially when it’s you! It’s even worse when that someone is God. What’s the use? It’s over. We’ve made too big a mess. It can’t be fixed. Even in that state, if we’re honest, we’re hoping for a deep down miracle of someone changing their mind about us or that the situation will miraculously turn around or melt away. “The Most High has turned his hand against me . . .”  Is there a way to be convinced that God hasn’t slammed the door on us? There is the famous little three letter word “but” followed by “recall”. Yes, in those moments of greatest doubt and discouragement, let history come to the rescue. Why do you think that throughout the entire Old Testament God continually reminded the people to recite their history? I’m indebted to Dennis Prager for this thought. “Memory permeates faith. No memory, no faith. Memory permeates gratitude. No memory, no gratitude.” God commanded that they remember certain feasts for that very purpose (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles). On top of that, God has selective memory and so should we. He cannot remember sin, but he does remember his covenant. In moments of greatest doubt go to what you know is true from the past. The psalmist writes “I recall all you have done O Lord.” Truth adjusts and corrects perspective. The psalmist lets God’s past action permeate his mind. “I cannot stop thinking about…they are constantly in my thoughts…” The next time you are low and are convinced God has forgotten you, stick a big “but” in the middle of your thoughts and then rehearse God’s actions of the past. Let his historical work in your life permeate your mind. He’s talking to you!

Music: “Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy”  Fernando Ortega

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGvCm9I4H0A 

Prayer:
Give us, O Lord, steadfast hearts, which no unworthy thought can drag downwards; unconquered hearts, which no tribulation can wear out; upright hearts, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

                   ―Thomas à Kempis, 1380-1471

Thursday, March 5

Reader: “The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,”  

Response: “. . . both now and forever.”

Scripture: Psalm 121 

I look up to the mountains—

    does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord,

    who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble;

    the one who watches over you will not slumber.

Indeed, he who watches over Israel

    never slumbers or sleeps.

The Lord himself watches over you!

    The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.

The sun will not harm you by day,

    nor the moon at night.

The Lord keeps you from all harm

    and watches over your life.

The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,

    both now and forever.

Reader: The word of the Lord

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
You have read at different times in the First Testament how the pagans worshiped in “high places” and on hilltops under spreading trees in order to be closer to the gods. This idolatrous cultic practice on mountains had an attraction for God’s people. The opening of this psalm could be read as a rhetorical question expecting a negative answer. Your help does not come from worship on mountain tops. Your help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth and the mountains! This psalm is an underscoring of Genesis 1:1. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Though this great Creator God created all that exists, he is still concerned and cares about you. He is always tuned to his creation for he never “slumbers or sleeps!” Think about it! Our God is always awake dialed into everything going on in his creation in all parts of everywhere since before time began. It’s exhausting even thinking about it! And God does this without expending himself in any way. He watches over nations and over you and me right now. The sun and the moon were also objects of cultic worship in those days and so the psalmist makes clear the Lord is master of both sun and moon. They have no power over you in any way. You need not fear them. The Lord’s eye is on you at all times and in all places. On a little different note, this psalm is similar to many Hebrew psalms in that it is antiphonally conceived. The poetry of the psalms is not of words rhyming, but of parallel thoughts. The speaker in verse one asks a question. Another speaker (verse two) answers the question. Sometimes the response adds to or restates the first idea in different words (v.3 & 4) or adds information or explanation (v.5 & 6 and 7 & 8). If someone is with you as you read this, you may want to go back and reread the psalm antiphonally. For several thousand years these particular verses have been heard as people ascended to Jerusalem to worship on Mt. Moriah. Whatever it is going on in your life today notice God and the verbs in this psalm. “Help comes from the Lord; He will not let you; he watches over you; he watches over Israel; Lord himself watches over you; Lord stands beside you; Lord keeps you from all harm; watches over your life; Lord keeps watch over you. Do you get the idea that God is looking out for you? Rest well.

Music: “He Watching Over Israel”  Robert Shaw Ps.121:4; 138:7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37zaRHrNlj4

Prayer:
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord, my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen.  

―My bedtime prayer in my childhood. (I always slept well!)    Daniel Sharp

Wednesday, March 4

Reader: “Yahweh! The Lord!”    

Response:  “The God of compassion and mercy!”

Scripture: Exodus 34:1-9; 27-28
Then the Lord told Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones. I will write on them the same words that were on the tablets you smashed. Be ready in the morning to climb up Mount Sinai and present yourself to me on the top of the mountain. No one else may come with you. In fact, no one is to appear anywhere on the mountain. Do not even let the flocks or herds graze near the mountain.”

So Moses chiseled out two tablets of stone like the first ones. Early in the morning, he climbed Mount Sinai as the Lord had commanded him, and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands.

Then the Lord came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and he called out his own name, Yahweh. The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out,

“Yahweh! The Lord!

    The God of compassion and mercy!

I am slow to anger

    and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations.

    I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.

But I do not excuse the guilty.

    I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren;

the entire family is affected—

    even children in the third and fourth generations.”

Moses immediately threw himself to the ground and worshiped. And he said, “O Lord, if it is true that I have found favor with you, then please travel with us. Yes, this is a stubborn and rebellious people, but please forgive our iniquity and our sins. Claim us as your own special possession.”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down all these instructions, for they represent the terms of the covenant I am making with you and with Israel.”

Moses remained there on the mountain with the Lord forty days and forty nights. In all that time he ate no bread and drank no water. And the Lord wrote the terms of the covenant—the Ten Commandments—on the stone tablets.

Reader: The word of the Lord

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
In Hebrew, these are simply called “The Ten Words.” I find myself wondering if these tablets exist buried somewhere underground in the world? My guess is they were destroyed in the sacking of the Temple in 70 AD. These are the only things we’ve ever had in God’s own handwriting. They were designed to be memorized―ten words, ten fingers! There are some significant things to note here. There are two sets of tablets that went into the Ark of the Covenant, one to remind the people of what God said and one to remind God of his covenant with his people. These words were given specifically to God’s Covenant people as indicated in the preface. I am YHWH, your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Like Moses’ previous trip up Mt. Sinai to meet God, we are reminded of God’s holiness with the prohibition of anyone or any animal entering the holy ground. God descended in a cloud, the cloud being a biblical indication of God’s presence (E.g. a pillar of fire and cloud to lead Israel, a cloud at the Transfiguration, a cloud at the Ascension, etc.). In the Scripture preceding this pericope, Moses had a rather pointed conversation with God regarding God’s presence among his people. Moses actually asked God to show him his presence (Ex.33:18). This is the place where God hid Moses in a crack in the rock and he saw the backside of God as God passed by. Moses desperately sought God’s presence with his people. To better understand “The Ten Words,” it would be better to view them as God’s description of what a community in covenant with himself would look like. This covenant relationship with God dealt in reality. Daniel Block writes, “We should interpret this document not as a law code but as a foundational covenant document, intended to create a picture of life within the community of faith governed by covenant principles.” (For the Glory of God, p.85) Our response to the Ten Commandments should grow out of our relationship with God rather than attempting to look at them as simply a set of legalistic rules to follow. This perspective does not lessen their force or impact, but it does put them into a context of relationship with God, their original context. What does all this have to do with Lent? In this season, “The Ten Words” admonish us to treat others with great care. Contrary to our world with its great concern with marches for “my rights,” have you observed the concern of “The Ten Words” here is for others to be treated fairly, treated well, and with selfless compassion. Again, as we journey to the cross with Jesus, our Savior out of his great love, put aside his rights and privilege in laying down his life that we all might have life. Where can you lay down your life for others today?

Music: “Go Down Moses”   Sam Robson Extraordinary! . . . again!  God is in the business of redeeming his people, then and now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isLQ36PnTyo

Prayer:
Why is it, Lord, that we think trying to keep rules is enough? It’s so easy to be a Pharisee and feel good about ourselves that we haven’t done anything terrible, at least terrible in our eyes. We look at other people and we aren’t as rude as that driver, or as foul mouthed as that co-worker, or as self-centered as our neighbor. We don’t talk about ourselves all the time when we are with others. We’re doing OK. But Lord, our hearts are dull toward you. We read the Bible more from obligation rather than to converse with you. We pray once in a while or when we think of it, but we seldom encounter you in our prayers. God of mercy, forgive our foolish ways. May our hearts burn for you. Don’t let us stay the same, please. Help me to live our covenant as you summarized in the two greatest commandments. May the doing of our relationship express our being of one mind, your mind living in and through me. In my Savior’s glorious name. Amen.  

                                                                                                           ―Daniel Sharp

Tuesday, March 3

Reader: “Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.” 

Response:  “There we will receive his mercy.”

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-5:10

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Every high priest is a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers sacrifices for their sins. And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses. That is why he must offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as theirs.

And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was. That is why Christ did not honor himself by assuming he could become High Priest. No, he was chosen by God, who said to him,

“You are my Son.

    Today I have become your Father.”

And in another passage God said to him,

“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Reader: The word of the Lord

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
Yesterday we spent some time underscoring why Jesus had to take on human flesh in order to accomplish his ultimate purpose. Today we read further of his unique position as a human being to bridge sinful humans and a holy God. As you read this, Jesus is our flesh and blood in heaven right now. The perfect, sinless human Son of God is in heaven interceding on our behalf. What is more is that he is our High Priest. There are some things we need to be reminded of in regard to this position. The High Priest must be appointed by God. There was no election and no lobbying for the position. He had to be one of the people . . . another reason for the humanity of Jesus. It was for life. The high priest must be a Levite and from the family of Aaron. As you know, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies one day a year after having offered sacrifices for his own sin, the sins of his family and then for the sins of the people. On the Day of Atonement, only the high priest could offer sacrifices on behalf of the people. They could not make sacrifices on behalf of themselves. In Jesus we have a High Priest who was named to this position by God even though he was not of the lineage of Aaron, but in the order of Melchizedek. In Jesus’ case, the position is for all eternity. Because of his humanity, Jesus is the perfect High Priest because he understands the challenges we humans face regarding the temptation to sin since he himself faced everything we face. We are invited to come to him again and again with our struggles and intercessions knowing he understands perfectly. Have you noticed how Jesus never presumes anything in relation to his Father? Because he is the Son of God, he never says, “Because I’m who I AM, I get a pass on that. God’s rules don’t apply to me.” As the Son of God, he always submits to his Father. Our big brother doesn’t pull executive privilege. Ask the living Christ in you this day to shape your heart and mind even as he prays for you.

Music: “I Need Thee Every Hour”      Sam Robson Beautiful and remarkable!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3wSbLa2uGg

I know I’ve used this one in other years. Sam communicates our need for our High Priest interceding on our behalf beautifully. 

Prayer:
O God of my delight, Thy throne of grace is the pleasure ground of my soul. Here I obtain mercy in time of need, here see the smile of thy reconciled face, here joy pleads the name of Jesus, here I sharpen the sword of the Spirit, anoint the shield of faith, put on the helmet of salvation, gather manna from thy Word, am strengthened for each conflict, nerved for the upward race, empowered to conquer every foe. Help me to come to Christ my High Priest, my Intercessor, as the fountain head of descending blessings, as a wide open flood-gate of mercy. I marvel at my insensate folly, that with such enriching favors within my reach I am so slow to extend the hand to take them. Have mercy upon my deadness for thy name’s sake. Quicken me, stir me, fill me with holy zeal. Strengthen me that I may cling to thee and not let thee go. May thy Spirit within me draw all blessings from thy hand. When I advance not, I backslide. Let me walk humbly because of good omitted and evil done. Impress on my mind the shortness of time, the work to be engaged in, the account to be rendered, the nearness of eternity, the fearful sin of despising thy Spirit. May I never forget that thy eye always sees, thy ear always hears, thy recording hand always writes. May I never give thee rest until Christ is the pulse of my heart; the spokesman of my lips, the lamp of my feet. 

                        ―The Valley of Vision, p.150, adapted Daniel Sharp

Monday, March 2

Reader: “For only as a human being could he die,”

Response:  “and only by dying could he break the power of the devil.”

Scripture: Hebrews 2:10-18

God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.

So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.  For he said to God,

“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters.

    I will praise you among your assembled people.”

He also said,

“I will put my trust in him,”

    that is, “I and the children God has given me.”

Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Reader: The word of the Lord

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
We’ve seen pleas on commercials for people to adopt homeless pets. Adoption is a unique process and an old wonderful concept. One may adopt a dog, but by adopting you don’t become part of the dog’s family lineage. You can love a dog, but you can’t become a dog. When you get sick, you don’t go to the vet!  And the dog, in spite of what some people think, can’t become human! I don’t know if you’ve ever given it thought as to why Jesus became a human being? In all other religions, the god remained a distant god separated from this world. There was no relational or human element to any of these gods. They were beyond face to face encounters.One of the greatest challenges to the Jewish faith is the difficulty of reconciling God who is Spirit and Jesus who claims to be God, but God with human flesh, and not just human flesh, but completely human in every way. The above Scripture is profound. If God were not completely human in every way, then the sacrificial death would be a faux sacrifice. A spiritual god dying a spiritual death would not solve the human problem. If humans were to become “brothers and sisters” of our Lord, then our Lord would truly have to become one of us in order that we might be able to be adopted. Dogs and people are not of the same family. Heaven and earth are not of the same family unless . . .heaven condescends to earth . . . unless the Spiritual takes on flesh and blood, born of a virgin woman. The impregnation had to come from God the Spirit in order to unite the two worlds. The glorious truth is that now, death is forever defeated as, by the power of God, the God-Man, Jesus was raised from the grave destroying the devil’s power over death. Notice also in this passage has no bearing on angels, which are not human beings. This comment reflects a clarifying factor to the Jewish readers who held angels in highest esteem. The portion you read is part of a larger discussion the author is writing in regard to the superiority of Jesus over angelic beings. In this season we are reminded anew of the humanity of Jesus and his dealing with all the temptations and struggles of this life of ours. He knows. He’s experienced it. He is able to help us, even this day. He’s adopted us into his family.

Music: “Jesus, Lover of My Soul”   Fernando Ortega

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdcqhSAXMgE

Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, who has taken our humanity in human flesh to be seated at the right hand of God the Father, we bow before you again this day with hearts filled with gratitude. What you have willingly laid aside to become one of us that the whole world might be restored, is truly more than we can ever comprehend. It is beyond our imagination or conception as to what the heavenly realm is like as we have only veiled and shadowy thoughts at this point. In your presence we may have greater understanding of your great love, demonstrated in your humbling to become one of us as our Brother who adopted us into his immortal family. All praise and glory to you, one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.          ―Daniel Sharp

Sunday, March 1 – First Sunday in Lent

Reader: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness” 

Response: “to be tempted there by the devil.”

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,

‘People do not live by bread alone,

    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,

‘He will order his angels to protect you.

And they will hold you up with their hands

    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”

Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,

‘You must worship the Lord your God

    and serve only him.’”

Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

Reader: The word of the Lord

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
Yesterday we heard Jesus’ words regarding one who would cause another to sin and how it would be better for that person to be drowned in the depths of the sea. In the passage you just read, we see the devil occupying that position as one tempting Jesus to sin. This was not Satan’s first attempt to thwart God’s plan of redemption, though his goal and his tactics are always the same . . . bring death. In the Garden of Eden the test concerned food (the fruit of the tree); testing God’s word (Did God really say?); and worshiped (“you will be like God”). His desire to be God and to be worshiped, “I will be like the Most High,” got him kicked out of heaven (Is.14:13-14; Ezek. 28:14-17).  The Second Adam’s food was nourishment from the word of God. Secondly, rather than test God, Jesus trusted God’s word of protection. And finally, rather than worship the devil, Jesus humbled himself and worshiped and served his Father in obedience. The First Adam in the Garden fell and did something to us. The Second Adam triumphed over the devil and did something for us. But the devil is relentless both then and now. He tried to kill Jesus at his birth. He tempted Jesus in this passage. Through Peter’s words, he sought to convince Jesus not to give his life as a ransom for sin eliciting Jesus’ strongest rebuke to Peter, “Get behind me Satan!” Perhaps the final time was in the Garden of Gethsemane as Jesus sweat great drops of blood coming to his conclusion, “Not my will, but thine be done.”  Make no mistake, the devil continues to create as much havoc as possible in our world and seems to be doing a good job. In our world of competing values and viewpoints, remember Jesus’ own words, “It is written . . .” Stay in the Scriptures each day as you converse with the Lord. It behooves us to know “what is written.”

Music: “What Wondrous Love Is This”  Chelsea Moon with Franz Brothers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g26dbNJYJI

Prayer:
Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart which no unworthy affection may drag downwards;

Give me an unconquered heart which no tribulation can wear out;

Give me an upright heart which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside.

Bestow on me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   ―Thomas Aquinas 1225-1274

Saturday, February 29 

Reader: “So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child, 

Response: “is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-7

About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

“And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.

“What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting.”

Reader: The word of the Lord

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
It’s important to know something of the context of this passage from Matthew. Just prior to this time Peter, James, and John had been with Jesus on the mountain when he was transfigured in their presence and the four of them were joined by Moses and Elijah in a most remarkable encounter. On the way down the mountain, Jesus told them to say nothing about what they had experienced. I have to wonder if they kept their mouths shut. Peter, as well as the brothers James and John, apparently spent more time with Jesus than the other nine disciples. When you recall that James’ and John’s mother asked Jesus if her boys could sit on his right and left sides in the kingdom and the negative reaction that followed from the rest of the disciples, we may get the idea that there was some jealousy and rivalry among the men from time to time! We then come to the passage you just read and their question to Jesus as to who was the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Notice how Jesus defines greatness. The disciples are ambitious thinking position and power, responsibility and authority. Dismissing those attributes, Jesus defines greatness along the character side of things: transparency, humility, repentance, dependance, and trust as to keys of greatness. And these mind sets simply mark entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus points out that the disciples clearly need to repent of their heart attitudes. He is teaching that it is childlike faith which establishes greatness. Have you noticed how Jesus is always more interested in character and actions of the heart than he is in position or power? This is a season for us to examine our own hearts. What do we give the greatest value in our own lives? Is it our position, our knowledge, our resources, our prestige, our goals, or our family? Jesus is most interested in your heart attitude toward him. He confronts the disciples more than once on this issue. He also makes it very clear that to cause this childlike, humble, trusting heart to fall in someone else is very grave to the point of your being better off dead than to be the cause of sin in someone else’s life. Temptation comes to all, but it better not be via you! This day give yourself to transparency, humility, repentance, and trust to the Lord as you interact with all those with whom you come in contact.

Music: “Jesus Loves Me”  Whitney Houston  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHm9Ggdanyo

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we have to admit that sometimes, like the disciples, we chase work, ambition, success, pleasure and a host of other things and neglect a childlike faith. But we do love you and just get off track from time to time. We know you love us in our unfaithfulness because your word tells us you are faithful even when we are faithless toward you. We confess our tendency to drift from a dependant, tender trust in you. Forgive our foolish ways as we seek once again to draw near to you this day. In the name of Jesus who is strong when we are weak.  Amen. ―Daniel Sharp

Friday, February 28

Reader: “God saw what they had done.”

Response: “He changed his mind.”

Scripture: Jonah 3:10-4:11

When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.

This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.”

The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?”

Then Jonah went out to the east side of the city and made a shelter to sit under as he waited to see what would happen to the city. And the Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant.

But God also arranged for a worm! The next morning at dawn the worm ate through the stem of the plant so that it withered away. And as the sun grew hot, God arranged for a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah. The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die. “Death is certainly better than living like this!” he exclaimed.

Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?”

“Yes,” Jonah retorted, “even angry enough to die!”

Then the Lord said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?”

Reader: The word of the Lord

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
One of the central themes of the Lenten season is that of repentance; actually it should be a central theme of the Christian life! You have just read a familiar passage, with three characters: the narrator, God, and the beleaguered prophet Jonah. God called Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach repentance. To Jonah’s great disappointment, the people listened to his message and repented en masse . . . including animals! There are several interesting questions here: Shouldn’t Jonah have been pleased that the people repented? Do animals “live in spiritual darkness”? What’s the point of the withering plant? Why did Jonah so resist his mission from God? The question I want to reflect on is in the very first verse we read, “When God saw what they had done . . . he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.” Does an omnipotent God change his mind? And what are the ramifications? What does that say about God?

The answer to this first question is clearly “yes.” You just read it. One of the principles of Scripture in dealing with a question like this is, are there any other similar situations in other parts of the Bible. Think of Moses coming down from Mt. Sinai with the Ten Commandments and the Israelites worshiping the golden calf. God told Moses he would wipe out Israel and start over with Moses himself and rebuild the nation. Moses prayed on behalf of the people and God changed his mind. The Hebrew expression, nihem ‘al, is “to regret, to change one’s mind.” In these passages in both Exodus and Jonah, it is a case of changing the mind from negative to positive. Though more complex than we have space for here, we need to avoid extremes. The expression does not mean God is out of control nor that he is surprised by what happens. We must likewise not assume the two instances we cited are merely hypothetical. While God is sovereign above all and immutable in his character, omniscient, and unchanging, he is likewise dynamic and relational and loves his people with great passion. According to Scripture as evidenced in these situations, when people repent and turn from their wicked ways, God changes his response. What does that say to us? Earnest, fervent prayer moves the heart of God when people pray for those threatened with judgment. Pray for repentance throughout the land.

(Indebted to Daniel Block’s book “For the Glory of God” p.200-203 for some of the observations for today.)

Music: ““Hear My Prayer O Lord” Purcell Voces8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74Q33UL7ugc

Prayer:
O our God, hear your servant’s prayer! Listen as I plead. For your own sake, Lord, smile again on your desolate world. O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. See how your world—the creation that you made—lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy. O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for your people and your whole created order, forgive our determined rebellion and repeated rejection of you. We have greatly sinned and repent of our evil ways. We have not loved as we ought; we have not valued babies waiting to be born; we have failed to care for the poor as we should; we have twisted the clear truth of your word to satisfy our own bent desires. We have become arrogant. O Lord, hear, O Lord forgive. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.    ―adapted from Daniel 9. Daniel Sharp

Thursday, February 27

Reader:  “I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God,” 

Response:  “and are called to be his own holy people.”

Scripture: Romans 1:1-7

This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.  God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. The Good News is about his Son. 

In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 

and he was shown to be the Son of God 

when he was raised from the dead 

by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

He is Jesus Christ our Lord.  

Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Reader: The word of the Lord

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
What is your purpose in life? Why are you on earth? To enjoy life? Live comfortably? Stay healthy? Make enough money to retire? Advance in your occupation? Find someone to love? Get married? Have children? Have a great career? It’s Lent, a time to reflect on how life is going in relation to our journey with Jesus on his way to the cross, namely living and dying to self day by day. In the words of Irenaeus (130-202 AD) “The Son of God became what we are, that we might become what He is.”  In his opening statement, Paul makes clear to the Romans his calling by God and purpose in life, namely that of preaching the gospel as a servant of Christ. He then quotes what some scholars believe may have been a hymn or creed of the early church. The parallel structure of the Greek writing is decidedly different from the rest of this letter as noted above. Paul had not started a church in Rome at this point and actually did not know the people he was writing to so he laid out the gospel in his salutation. I want to focus a bit on the very last part of this passage: “you who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people.” As followers of Christ, we are called to be a holy people. P.T. Forsyth commented, “The miracle of the Incarnation is not [merely] the Word made flesh, but the Holy made sin for us.” Part of the journey of Lent is that we might grow in holiness, not only individually but corporately as the body of Christ. Christianity is not “Jesus and me.” We are his Body, the Church universal through the ages. Just as we do not become more humble by our human efforts to become humble, we cannot become more holy by trying to be holy. On a scale of 1-10, where would you rank yourself on humility? Made my point! It is only when we are filled with the mind of Christ living in us that true humility and holiness flourish. We are all called to be his holy people. Absorb him in his word each day and we will increasingly “become what he is.”

Music: “Holy, Holy, Holy”  Audrey Assad  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgHrNNM23p8

Prayer:
God, my God, I am all weakness, but Thou art my Strength; I am ever anew bowed down by any trial, but Thou canst and willest to lift me up. Let me not fail, O God my Strength; let me not be discouraged, O God, my Hope. Draw me each day, if it be but a little nearer unto Thee; make me, each day, if it be but a little less unlike Thee; let me do or bear each day something, for love of Thee, whereby I may be fitter for Thee. Let no day pass without my having done something pleasing unto Thee. Thus alone would I live, that I may live more unto Thee, becoming more like unto Thee; thus would I die, longing to love thee more. Amen.

―Edward Pusey, 1800-1882, Prayers Ancient and Modern, p.88.

Ash Wednesday, February 26th

The Preface

How excited can you get about a season that starts by focusing on the certainty of death . . . yours specifically? Cheer up, you’re going to die sooner or later! As C.S. Lewis commented, “100 percent of us die, and the percentage cannot be increased!” Well, yes and no. You will die physically at some point, but that’s not the end. God has the last word and it is not death for those who die in Christ Jesus. A better word for Christians is “departure.” You depart this life for life beyond death.

For many people being reminded about death and having to “give something up” are the primary thoughts regarding Lent. . .and are two good reasons to think about something else! The root of the word “lent” simply means “spring” new life, buds, blossoms, the end of the long winter. Sounds more like life than death to me. Though observing a season of fasting and prayer were practiced regularly during the first centuries of the church, the days prior to Easter were initially devoted to the final preparations for those being baptized into a new life in Christ.The primary time for baptisms was Easter Sunday. By the fourth century we began to see more widespread evidence of a six week period of preparation for Easter by the whole Christian community, with fasting, almsgiving, and prayer being key elements. You see, Lent is not a Catholic thing as many people believe. Though it was at times subject to abuse in the Roman Catholic church, the use of sackcloth and ashes is much, much older in expressing repentance. 

The heart of the Christian faith is our participation in the life, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus as Lord. While Advent is concerned with the final Judgment, the Incarnation, and the birth of Jesus in history, this season points us to the price paid for redemption. During these coming days may we grow spiritually through repentance, prayer, fasting, and reflecting on our walk with Christ and his incomparable demonstration of his love for all he created. 

A short word about the Scripture passages themselves. The Bible was written originally without chapters and verse numbers. With that in mind, I left out the verse numbers so that it reads a little differently. I find it easier to grasp the whole thought this way. I trust you will find the same. The translation I used is the New Living Translation. The music we have chosen comes from a wide variety of sources and ensembles simply reflecting the wonder and creativity of God’s handiwork. Nothing you hear or see is original, the composers have simply rearranged the notes God made!

One final word, feel free to pass the link along to family, friends, and co-workers around the country and the world who may benefit from these devotionals. The link to subscribe is: sharpdevotional.com. It’s that simple and thank you for subscribing and passing the link along! 

Then they will receive the emails in their boxes each morning at 5:02 EST.  Of course subscribing is free.

February 26, Ash Wednesday  

*Be sure to read the Preface if you haven’t.

Reader: “Turn now . . .”

Response:  “While there is still time.”

Scripture: Joel 1:1-2, 12-17

Blow the trumpet in Zion; 

sound the alarm on my holy hill.

Let all who live in the land tremble,

    for the day of the Lord is coming.

It is close at hand—

a day of darkness and gloom,

    a day of clouds and blackness.

Like dawn spreading across the mountains

    a large and mighty army comes,

such as never was in ancient times

    nor ever will be in ages to come.

“Even now,” declares the Lord,

    “return to me with all your heart,

    with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

Rend your heart

    and not your garments.

Return to the Lord your God,

    for he is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and abounding in love,

    and he relents from sending calamity.

Who knows? He may turn and relent

    and leave behind a blessing—

grain offerings and drink offerings

    for the Lord your God.

Blow the trumpet in Zion,

    declare a holy fast,

    call a sacred assembly.

Gather the people,

    consecrate the assembly;

bring together the elders,

    gather the children,

    those nursing at the breast.

Let the bridegroom leave his room

    and the bride her chamber.

Let the priests, who minister before the Lord,

    weep between the portico and the altar.

Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord.

    Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn,

    a byword among the nations.

Why should they say among the peoples,

    ‘Where is their God?’”

Reader: The word of the Lord from the prophet Joel.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Some thoughts:
Have you noticed how many things are bad for your health?  We’re told that sugar is not good for you. You need to drink a gallon of water a day. Certain kinds of calories are good for you, other kinds are bad. Some kinds of fat are good and other kinds of fat are bad. Red wine used to be good for your heart until a while ago. It was discovered that the man who reported such in his studies on red wine and its positive effect on health, fudged his numbers! Those of you drinking red wine for heart health no longer have that excuse! You’ll have to come up with another one. How many times have you heard or read, “If you want to live longer, then….”?  According to yearly studies, the five leading causes of death in 2019 were: heart disease, cancer, accidents, respiratory diseases and strokes. In 2019 there were 8.84 deaths per 1,000 people in the United States of people that have been born. While I’m all for health and living as long as possible, I have my own unofficial study as to the leading causes of death. Disease is number three; old age is number two, and the leading cause of death, (tada!!) . . . is life! On Ash Wednesday we are reminded at least once a year of the ultimate statistics and truth. You will die. The actual number of deaths per 1,000 is 1,000.  The passage we read in Joel gives warning that the final day on earth does come, but also that life continues after death. Life in this world is not all there is. Joel urges his people to repent and turn to the Lord while there is still time. “Tear your hearts, not your garments.” One of the demonstrable signs of mourning was the tearing of garments. (E.g. Esther 4:1) The prophet gives an impassioned plea for his people to turn their hearts to the Lord. That is also our plea as we begin this season of Lent. Let us come to our Savior with pliable, humble hearts, tuned to the fragile nature of life and to the reality of our own mortality. Let go of anything that would hold us back. In the words of C.S. Lewis, “Do not live these days for things in our life that will end when you do.” Praise be to Christ who assures us of life everlasting when we do in fact return to dust on this earth. Unlike the Garden of Eden,this time our dust will be formed into a person who lives forever having been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

Music: “Ye People Rend Your Hearts and If with All Your Hearts” Andrew Haji

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fyD4WIsXzw  A beautiful setting of this passage from Joel in Mendelssohn’s magnificent oratorio “Elijah.”

Prayer:
Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth: Grant that ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life through your Son Jesus Christ. Lord God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jeus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  ―BCP Ash Wednesday Collect

Monday, January 6

Reader: “For those who live in a land of deep darkness,” 

Response: “. . . a light will shine.”

Scripture:  Isaiah 9:1-2

Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.

The people who walk in darkness

    will see a great light.

For those who live in a land of deep darkness,

    a light will shine.

John 1:1-14

In the beginning the Word already existed.

    The Word was with God,

    and the Word was God.

He existed in the beginning with God.

God created everything through him,

    and nothing was created except through him.

The Word gave life to everything that was created,

    and his life brought light to everyone.

The light shines in the darkness,

    and the darkness can never extinguish it.

God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

We conclude these past forty days of devotionals and the twelve days of Christmastide with Epiphany, actually a day celebrated long before Christmas Day. The central themes of this day are the visit of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus, and the celebration of Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana. In the early church Epiphany was a primary time for baptisms. An epiphany is a revealing, a discovery, a new realization. The epiphany concerning the birth of Jesus was that he came to bring salvation not just to his chosen people, the Jews, but to all peoples of every tribe and nation on earth. The visit of the Magi was significant because non-Jews came to worship the King of kings. The mission of the Baby of Bethlehem was to the entire world. The Light of the world had come to shine on people who were in despair and darkness. There was hope of a new creation. Genesis begins with these words, “In the beginning God . . .” John’s gospel begins with these words, “In the beginning the Word . . .” In Genesis there was darkness hovering over the face of the earth . . .and God said let there be light!” In John’s gospel he picks up the same theme. The Eternal Word brings light and the darkness cannot overcome it. Both Genesis and John describe our world. The people walk in darkness, can there be any doubt? May the Light of Christ shine in our lives to all those around that their “epiphany” this year may be the discovery of the risen and returning Lord! The Lord be with you. 

Music:  “We Three Kings of Orient Are”   Robert Shaw Chorale wonderful setting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1ZOGTPsxng

Bonus: “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”     Casting Crowns The message to our world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7670CXvPX0

Prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, the Brightness of faithful souls, fill the world with Thy glory we pray Thee and show Thyself, by the radiance of Thy light, to all the nations of the world. We beseech Thee, O Lord, let our hearts be graciously enlightened by Thy holy radiance, that we may serve Thee and share Thy Light and so help to advance Thy Kingdom without fear in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life; that so we may escape the darkness of this world, and by Thy guidance attain the land of eternal brightness; through Thy mercy, O blessed Lord, Who dost live and reign over all things, world without end. Amen.   ―Gregorian Sacramentary, 390 AD and Sarum Breviary, 1085 AD, adapted Daniel Sharp

Friends,

I want to thank you all for sharing these past thirty-seven days and for sharing these devotionals with friends. Our prayer as always is that we are drawn closer and deeper in our relationship with the Lord and that we have established a daily pattern of meeting the Lord in his Scriptures. I trust the music and prayers have likewise encouraged and edified you. We plan to do a new Lenten Devotional again this year beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 26th, which means I better get writing tomorrow! Blessings on you all and thank you for your kind words of encouragement. As many of you know, I no longer work at the church and am in the midst of following the Lord’s leading for the next place of ministry. I’ll appreciate your prayers on our behalf.  Dan

The source books for the prayers:

The Oxford Book of Prayer, ed. Appleton, OUP

Valley of Vision, ed. Bennett, Banner of Truth Pub.

Prayers Ancient and Modern, Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897

A Diary of Private Prayer,  John Baillie

Eerdmans’ Book of Famous Prayers, compiled by Veronica Zindel

Celtic Daily Prayer, Andy Raine and John Skinner  Northumbria Community

The Quiet Corner, ed. Shirwood Wirt, Fleming H. Revell

Book of Common Prayer, Episcopal,1979

Sunday, January 5

Reader: “He has been sent as a sign from God,” 

Response: “but many will oppose him.”

Scripture: Luke 2:33-35

Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

John 19:25-27

Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on, this disciple took her into his home.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

 We are approaching the end of this years’ Advent & Christmastide devotionals. We’ve talked about the importance of seeing the birth of Christ as part of a much larger picture of God’s plan to bring redemption to the entire created order. As far as people are concerned, the core is recognizing and responding to Jesus Christ, the Son of God come in human flesh. Today we go back to the encounter with Mary, Joseph, six-week old baby Jesus, and the old priest Simeon. Though it doesn’t say Simeon was a priest, a priest would have been the one to conduct the purification rite with the baby. The other option would be Simeon was present as a bystander and recognized baby Jesus as the Messiah and asked Mary to hold him. The former seems far more likely to me. At any rate, his words were prophetically true. Jesus was the cause of many rejecting him as the Son of Man, while others received him as Savior and Lord. At the point of his crucifixion most people had rejected him and those who had hoped he was the Messiah had, indeed, lost all hope. What Jesus did do was expose people’s hearts at their very core enabling them and others to see themselves in true light. Then Simeon concluded his words to Jesus’ parents with a reference to a sword, a strange comment in such a beautiful moment. But the reference to the sword is to Mary’s anguish of seeing her son crucified on the cross and the soldier’s piercing of the side of her Son. Mary’s involvement all through Jesus’ life emphasizes the clear humanity of the Savior. She was a very normal mother, in spite of being the mother of God, known as the theotokos in Orthodox faith. Mary was present when Jesus took his very first breath on this planet earth and present at the cross when he took his very last breath. She was present at the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts and was undoubtedly present when she saw her Son ascend into the heavens at the Ascension. She is undoubtedly the most unique woman who has ever lived on this earth. She is one I’d like to talk with in heaven!

Music:    He Is Born     USC Chamber Singers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzfCljfU180  

3 Bonuses!:  “The Little Drummer Boy”       The King’s Singers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wW_wi013ik

“The Little Drummer Boy”        BBC Orchestra and Choir Unique with drums!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOEUVxXEYP8

“The Little Drummer Boy”  (African Tribal Version) – Alex Boye’ ft. Genesis Choir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0mT-zNxRMw       TREMENDOUS!!!!

Prayer:

Lord Jeus, there is so much we don’t get, so much we never think about, so much we don’t even wonder about. Our minds are dull, unobservant, self-focused, self-absorbed, self-consumed and self-centered. Lord, Mary was a most remarkable woman and we’ve never thought to reflect on her life and the joys and great sorrows she endured. Lord, give us a better grasp of the relationships you had with people when you lived in Israel. The thought of you loving and hugging Mary and Joseph when you were a little boy and playing with your brothers and sisters doesn’t seem to fit in my mind with you when I think of the Son of God. But you were completely human. Lord Jesus, in this coming year may I better absorb you as I relish time in the Scriptures. Meet me every day as I open your holy Word that with Mary, your earthly mother I can say, “My soul magnifies the Lord.” Amen.                 ―Daniel Sharp

Saturday, January 4

Reader: “Take off your sandals,”

Response:  “for you are standing on holy ground.”

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-5

One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.”

When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

“Here I am!” Moses replied.

“Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.”

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

In today’s Scripture we come to the familiar passage of Moses and the burning bush. A few days ago we mentioned that God does not seem to be in a hurry in accomplishing his purposes. His people have been in slavery to the Egyptians for 400 plus years. He has “remembered” his people (Remember what we said about this word in this context a few days ago? God “remembering” means he has decided to act, to move forward.) Now God has chosen an eighty year old man to lead the exodus of a million plus people! Moses was minding his own business with the sheep. He had never in his life encountered God directly before this time. Curiosity leads him to this bush that was on fire but not burning up. As he approached, an angel of the Lord in the middle of the bush spoke his name! This angel of the Lord, is none other than the God the Word (John 1:1). The bush was not consumed because God came to save people, not to consume them. God is often represented by fire throughout Scripture: Cherubim in the Garden of Eden, fire on the top of Mt. Sinai, pillar of fire leading the Israelites in the desert, “our God is a consuming fire.” Heb.12:29. At this point, Moses was a novice in dealing with God. God’s words were, “Do not come closer.” after which he immediately told Moses the reason. Take off your sandals, you are standing on holy ground. Why take off the sandals? Nothing dead is to stand between God and man. Sandals were made of leather, the skin of a dead animal. Plus there was to be nothing common coming into contact with the holy. The entire book of Leviticus makes the point that God is wholly other. When we speak of holy in relation to God, not only does it mean “completely other than human,” even pagan religions in this time spoke of their gods as holy. The Bible is unique in that when speaking of God, holy also describes God’s moral character, moral perfection. Moses, like Jacob hundreds of years before, failed to realize he was standing in God’s presence. It was then that Moses became fearful. I am wondering how often we come to worship like Moses? We might come out of curiosity or habit, pretty much oblivious that we are in the presence of God and standing on holy ground. Something to think about. Familiar is a dangerous word when it comes to God. 

Music: “Infant Lowly, Infant Holy”   Chris Rupp and The Hound and the Fox

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHGQcc4HHTU   Where do all these talented people come from?

Bonus: “White Christmas”    Andy Williams A beautiful voice from the past for all you “old people” listening to this! And for you younger ones, when popular music was beautiful. Am I sounding old??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4ExXVVqycI 

Prayer:

Praise and glory be to the omnipotence of the eternal Holy Father, who in his providence created the world out of nothing. Praise and glory be to the wisdom of this only-begotten Holy Son, who redeemed the world with his blood. Praise and glory be to the living kindness of the Holy Spirit, who enlightened the world in faith. Praise and glory be to the holy and undivided Trinity, who formed us without our deserving it in their image. We give praise and glory to you, most blessed Trinity, for the blessing of our creation, by which you granted us bodies and souls, you adorned us with your image and likeness, and added us to your Christian flock, making us sound and whole in our senses and in our members, above all the creatures who are beneath the heavens, and gave us your holy angels as our guides and ministers. For all this be pleased that we may praise you, Holy God, world without end. Amen.    

                               ―Latin, 11th century, from The Oxford Book of Prayer, p.60

Friday, January 3

Reader:  “Surely the Lord is in this place,” 

Response:  “and I wasn’t even aware of it!”

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-22

Meanwhile, Jacob left Beersheba and traveled toward Haran. At sundown he arrived at a good place to set up camp and stopped there for the night. Jacob found a stone to rest his head against and lay down to sleep. As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway.

At the top of the stairway stood the Lord, and he said, “I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants. Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will spread out in all directions—to the west and the east, to the north and the south. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.”

Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!” But he was also afraid and said, “What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven!”

The next morning Jacob got up very early. He took the stone he had rested his head against, and he set it upright as a memorial pillar. Then he poured olive oil over it. He named that place Bethel (which means “house of God”), although it was previously called Luz.

Then Jacob made this vow: “If God will indeed be with me and protect me on this journey, and if he will provide me with food and clothing, and if I return safely to my father’s home, then the Lord will certainly be my God. And this memorial pillar I have set up will become a place for worshiping God, and I will present to God a tenth of everything he gives me.”

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

Today we come to another familiar Old Testament story. We mentioned yesterday the pacing of God unfolding his plan little by little in his own time. The above passage is another small step some 1800 years ahead of the arrival of God’s Son. This story is two steps further down the road of God’s covenant with Abraham, the grandfather of Jacob. He is on his way to find a wife, a wife among his relatives. On his journey, he stops for the night. You know the story; he has a dream in the night. On that dream he sees angels “ascending and descending.” Again we ask, if the stairway, (ladder) is connecting heaven and earth, wouldn’t it seem that the angels (malach in Hebrew meaning “messenger”) would be descending and ascending rather than the other way around? But the stairway is the path connecting earth to heaven and heaven to earth. If you will, it moves us from where we are (earth) and bridges us to heaven (the presence of God). You’ll recall in the New Testament, Jesus picks up this very phrase (John 1:51) where he is talking with Nathanael in regards to his own identity. Nathanael had just affirmed Jesus, calling him the Son of God, a phrase Jesus did not use of himself at this very beginning of his public ministry. He always referred to himself as the Son of Man. But then Jesus went on to say to Nathanael, “I tell you the truth (another way of saying this is really important), you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.” Jesus is the one who makes it possible for man to move from earth to heaven. Carrying this thought further (Luke 22:67-70), in Jesus’ trial just prior to the crucifixion, as he stands before the religious leaders when asked if he is the Messiah, Jesus responds, “If I tell you, you won’t believe me. And if I ask you a question, you won’t answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand.” They all shouted, “so, are you claiming to he the Son of God?” And Jesus replied, “You say that I am.” At the beginning of his public ministry and at its end, he affirmed the title Son of God. In his dream of the ladder, Jacob was seeing a shadow of the Mediator between earth and heaven. He then recognized the Lord as being in his presence, though he had been unaware. He called the place, the “house of God,” the dwelling place of God. Many years later, the earthly dwelling place of God, began in a manger of all places. And now, the body of the believer is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. 

Music: “On Christmas Night All Christians Sing”  King’s College Cambridge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqsnfgVQuyk 

Bonuses:  “The Christmas Song”   The King’s Singers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eEHx_a-XGQ 

“The Christmas Song”   Nat King Cole an all time classic. Where are those kind of singers today??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwacxSnc4tI

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I’m challenged by the words of Jacob, “the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it.” I can’t help but wonder how many times that has been the case in my own life. Father, in this coming year, grant that I would be aware when you are working in the place where I am. Give me godly eyes that see the heavenly realm at work all around me. May I daily reach for heaven, Lord Jesus, as you bridge these worlds. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and good will towards men. Amen.                  ―Daniel Sharp

Thursday, January 2

Reader: “Abram departed . . .”

Response: “as the Lord had instructed.”

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-7

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth—his livestock and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran—and headed for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan, Abram traveled through the land as far as Shechem. There he set up camp beside the oak of Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites.

Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

This is a very familiar passage of Scripture to most of us. We’ve undoubtedly heard more than one sermon on it. It’s pretty straight forward, what else is there to say? Go with me. Put yourself in Abram’s place. God speaks to you with very specific instructions an hour from now. He hasn’t asked you what you think about what he is saying. God’s words to you are: first, Dan, leave where you are living. Second, leave your community, and your nearest relatives and go where I show you. Just get started. I am going to bring blessing upon you and make you famous . . . as though that was one of my goals! In addition, you will be a blessing to others. (In Hebrew, this is a command). In fact, all the families on earth will be blessed through you. And I’m thinking, “This is really hard to believe. How will the word get out?” So now, what do you do with these promises and commands from God? You load up your wife, your flakey nephew whose dad, your brother, had passed away, all your household servants, (in this account you have servants!), and head for Las Vegas, the place God has shown you. Las Vegas?? God has asked you to move to a place surrounded by people with an entirely different culture and a completely different set of values. But Abram was obedient and worshiped God. All he had to go on was God’s word. The rest was a step at a time. Notice, God said nothing about the nation of Israel, no specifics about children or that he’d even have children at this point. The only specific was I’m going to give you this land that belongs to other people, but even then, I won’t tell you when all this will happen, just go. It was many years and a few more visits from God that Abram had a son of the promise. When Abraham died, he had exactly one son of the promise and he had purchased a burial plot. He was wealthy and relatively famous. He was hardly the father of a nation nor had he blessed the families of the earth. That was it! It was over 400 years later before there was anything resembling a nation. Through that nation came the Messiah, who is a blessing to the entire world and the hope of salvation. What’s the point in all of this? Abram believed and was obedient to what was in front of his nose without worrying what was around the corner. Like sheep, he was very near-sighted and followed by faith staying close to the Shepherd. Most often we see in Scripture that God does not unfold the specifics of the plan from beginning to end, but gives it to us step by step. My guess is, there are things today in your life that are unresolved or you wish would just resolve and go away, and the Lord is saying, “They will not go away because I am training you to go step by step, day by day. Trust me, that’s all you need to do.” That knock on your front door? It’s the moving van.

Music: “Sing We Now of Christmas”   Prestonwood Baptist Church Choir  (Texas . . . were else?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKzdaEd6Ths 

I thought these last few days of this year’s devotionals, I’d include a few of the secular classics, not for their theology, but for their beauty, and God loves music and beauty.

Bonus: “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”  Home Free Video Get ready to shed a tear!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=no2ErxNojyo 

Prayer:

O Lord of the oceans, my little bark sails on a restless sea, grant that Jesus may sit at the helm and steer me safely. Suffer no adverse currents to divert my heavenward course. Let not my faith be wrecked amid storms and shoals. Bring me to harbour with flying pennants, hull unbreached, cargo unspoiled. Help me to live circumspectly with skill to convert every care into prayer. May the world this day be happier and better because I live. Let my mast before me be the Savior’s cross, and every oncoming wave the fountain in his side. Help me protect me in the moving sea until I reach the shore of unceasing praise. Amen.   ―The Valley of Vision, p.110

Wednesday, January 1

Reader: “I have seen your salvation,”

Response: “which you have prepared for all people.”

Scripture: Luke 2:21-40

Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.

Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,

    as you have promised.

I have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared for all people.

He is a light to reveal God to the nations,

    and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

As we mentioned the other day, Jesus’ parents were devout observant Jews, meaning they obeyed the Jewish law. According to the law, baby boys were circumcised and given their name on the eighth day after their birth. Why so specific about this particular day? It’s in accordance with the law and as it turns out, there is a good medical reason as well. Normally, prothrombin, the material that causes blood to clot reaches 100%, though not in the very first days after birth. On the eighth day it hits 110%, the only time it ever gets that high, and then settles back to the normal level. So circumcision on the eighth day allows the blood its maximum clotting potential. God thought of everything! The naming of the person is to reflect their character, hence Jesus means “God is salvation.” Then after his circumcision (it’s eight days since Christmas Day), Mary and Joseph went back to the Temple forty days later for the rite of purification (February 2nd is forty days). Again, this was according to the law that the first born belonged to the Lord. A sacrifice of redemption was offered. Apparently Mary and Joseph were poor as their sacrificial offering was the offering of the poor. Normally the offering would be an unblemished lamb. If not a lamb, then two turtle doves or two pigeons. Having offered the two birds as redemption, Mary would later offer their Son, the Lamb of God, as the ultimate redemptive sacrifice. We are reminded of the story of Abraham and Isaac on Mt. Moriah, the place of the crucifixion of Jesus, and the words of Abraham, “God himself will provide the lamb for the whole burnt offering.” Simeon, who may or may not have been a priest, the text doesn’t say, was nevertheless a devout believer. The Holy Spirit has revealed to him he would not die before actually seeing the Messiah. On the particular day, that same Spirit told him to go to the Temple. When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to present him as the law required, Simeon immediately recognized who he had in his arms. Simeon’s words have been set musically many, many times. Though many translations say “die in peace,” the best translation is “depart or dismiss” in peace. Not death, but a departure from this life to the next. That is actually a better description of death for the believer. In his words are also the certainty that this little baby is the Savior of all peoples, tribes and nations. One final note, as the women were the first to proclaim the risen Savior, so here Anna, the devout elderly widow, was the first to talk about this six week old baby to all who had been waiting expectantly for God to come and rescue his people. What do we learn from this pericope? God works in the details. He is tuned to every life and every aspect of every life, including yours and mine.

Music: “Now Let Thy Servant Depart in Peace”   Robert Shaw Festival Singers As you listen to this, scroll up to the bold text above. Though it is sung in Russian (it’s from Rachmaninoff’s Vespers) you will be able to follow. The soloist sings what you are looking at! Also listen very carefully at the end and you will hear the world famous low Russian basses- in this case Americans! By the way, this is the music sung in the Eastern Orthodox worship services. They are not big on overhead screens. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEHufcT3jmw 

Bonus: “Now Let Thy Servant Depart in Peace”  Chesnokoff Male Choir of Donskoy Monastery

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ma8NjcAUOg       Note the stories of the Bible portrayed throughout the sanctuary of this Orthodox Church.

Prayer:  The prayer of an English tin miner, Billy Bray (1794-1868) who was converted from a drunken, blaspheming life into an ardent evangelist. He is said to have spoken this prayer while waiting with his fellow miners to begin their shift in the mines.

Lord, if any have to die this day, let it be me, for I am ready. Amen.    ―Eerdman’s Book of Famous Prayers, p.113

Tuesday, December 31

Reader: “I am the light of the world.” 

Response: “If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness.”

Scripture: John 8:12-19

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

The Pharisees replied, “You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid.”

Jesus told them, “These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me. You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone. And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me. Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact. I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other.”

“Where is your father?” they asked.

Jesus answered, “Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.”

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

I have mentioned in other years and on other occasions, the more we know of Jewish practice and mindset, the better we’ll understand the Scriptures. Such is the case here. This discourse of Jesus took place in the fall during the Feast of Tabernacles or, as it is sometimes called, the Feast of Booths or Shelters (also known in Hebrew as Succoth or Sukkot). It is significant in Jewish religious faith because it was one of three required pilgrimage feasts, which meant Jews from near and far would be at the Temple in Jerusalem to celebrate. (Remember the opening day devotional?) One of the ceremonial celebrations of this feast was the lighting of sixteen golden bowls on four menorah stands each filled with olive oil giving great light in this part of the Temple court, a place where the people were allowed only for this festival during the year. To quote, “The light celebration was reminiscent of the descent of the Shekinah glory in Solomon’s day and looked forward to the return of the Shekinah in the days of the Messiah (Exek.43:1-6).” It is in this context that Jesus spoke the above passage. His words would have registered with the Jews as the words of Isaiah pointing to the coming of the Messiah. As proof, the Pharisees immediately picked up the Messianic claim of Jesus and accused him of lying in his claim. So Jesus answered them using the Torah which says there must be at least two witnesses to validate any claim to truth (Deut. 19:15). Jesus and his Father were the witnesses. The logical question was what they asked. “Where is your father?” What immediately comes to mind is Jesus’ words, “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” It then becomes very clear the Pharisees do not recognize who Jesus really was because they really do not know the God the Father, but are lost in keeping all their man made regulations and rules. Had they truly known God, they would have recognized who Jesus was. 

I have to wonder how often God is moving in our midst and we are so oblivious and engrossed in our small world, that we fail to recognize his working among us. We don’t see him working through those around us. We live with such a low expectation. The other morning when I started working on these devotionals again, I had a bright kind of flash in my eyes that wouldn’t go away. It affected my reading and I had difficulty reading my screen. I had to stop. I was scared. I prayed and asked the Lord to heal the problem. I immediately told Nancy and she prayed. I looked up what the trouble could be. What I found was not comforting, I needed to act. So I pulled up our insurance page to find an eye doctor. When “Finding an Eye Doctor” came up, the flash in my eyes immediately went away as did some floaters that I’ve had for several years. My eyes have been fine ever since. Do I think God had a hand in this? Yes. What’s the point? The Light of the world is alive and well. We need to keep our eyes and ears open. His witnesses indwell us.

Music:   “Sweet Little Jesus Boy”  Mahalia Jackson She is singing to Jesus and we get to listen! Don’t miss this. There was only one of her. The best.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5_w2XpG7DI  

Bonus:  “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” The Ladies of Lee University   Beautiful

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouoVSCwbfRI 

Prayer: An Evening Prayer

O Divine Father, whose mercy ever awaits those who return unto Thee in true lowliness and contrition of heart, hear now one humble suppliant who needs Thy help. Bravely did I set out this morning upon the life of a new day; now I lie down ashamed and burdened with memories of things undone that ought to have been done and things done, others that ought not to have been done and things you did which I missed entirely, not even recognizing your hand working in my midst.  Bring to me afresh, O God, Thy healing and cleansing power so that again I may lay hold of the salvation which Thou hast offered to me through Jesus Christ my Lord. Quicken my heart to look for your presence and working as I go through the day tomorrow. Thank you for your grace, mercy and protection as I close my eyes at the ending of this day. In the name of the Good Shepherd, Jesus I pray. Amen. ―A Diary of Private Prayer, p.79, adapted Daniel Sharp

Monday, December 30

Reader: “For the things we see now will soon be gone,” 

Response: “but the things we cannot see will last forever.”

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Isaiah 26:1-9

 In that day, everyone in the land of Judah will sing this song:

Our city is strong!

    We are surrounded by the walls of God’s salvation.

Open the gates to all who are righteous;

    allow the faithful to enter.

You will keep in perfect peace

    all who trust in you,

    all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Trust in the Lord always,

    for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

He humbles the proud

    and brings down the arrogant city.

    He brings it down to the dust.

The poor and oppressed trample it underfoot,

    and the needy walk all over it.

But for those who are righteous,

    the way is not steep and rough.

You are a God who does what is right,

    and you smooth out the path ahead of them.

Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws;

    our heart’s desire is to glorify your name.

In the night I search for you;

    in the morning I earnestly seek you.

For only when you come to judge the earth

    will people learn what is right.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

What does Paul mean, “That is why we never give up”? He had previously been describing the troubles he had encountered preaching the gospel. He had also described how God was glorified by all those that had come to faith as a result. If he died in the process, he would be raised with Christ to eternal life. He couldn’t lose, but more importantly, people were being redeemed and God was being praised. Then comes the passage you just read. During these twelve days of Christmas we have cause to pause and think a little more deeply about the transformation in our lives as a result of the birth of Jesus. Let’s look at the above words. “Though our bodies are dying . . . “, what a cheery, but true, thought! Our physical bodies are mortal. They get more “mortal” every day from about 45 on! No amount of  “tucking” changes anything. Think Ash Wednesday! “From dust you came, to dust you will return.” (Dan, you’re killing me. This is Christmas, the manger, the wisemen, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus,  a time of cheer!) The next phrase, “our spirits are being renewed every day . . .” is a breath of fresh air. God provided manna to the Israelites in the wilderness daily for forty years. It was always just enough for that day (two days on the Sabbath). Why? Was God stingy? No, he was teaching his children to rely on him for nourishment a day at a time. Daily time with God in the Scriptures is renewing our spirits every day, our manna. This daily renewal is what these daily Advent devotionals are all about. Paul’s next phrase is “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long.” If we skip the “daily renewal” part, then we’re tempted to lose perspective and say these “present troubles are huge and will last forever!” Paul follows with a beautiful description of the truth―what you and I are facing now in the way of difficulties, won’t last forever. We are to fix our gaze on the eternal picture . . . which is glorious. What we cannot see presently is unending. Isaiah describes how we are to live in the meantime,  “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” ―which is why we never give up.

Music: “Away in a Manger”    Libera Angelic!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjke_DVaa_c 

Bonus: “Away in a Manger”     Home Free Beautiful video with original tune

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwfqhXhvUTs

Prayer:

Father in heaven, who hast brought us to this day, let the peace of Thy love descend upon us. May every stormy passion be subdued, every unquiet thought cast out, every earthly care and anxiety forgotten, that in the calm of Thy loving Presence we may find a remedy for our souls’ unrest, and in Thy loving-kindness an answer to our every need; for the sake of Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.        ―Source Unknown from The Quiet Corner, p.91

Sunday, December 29

Reader: “Christ is the visible image . . .”

Response: “. . . of the invisible God.”

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.

    He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,

for through him God created everything

    in the heavenly realms and on earth.

He made the things we can see

    and the things we can’t see—

such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.

    Everything was created through him and for him.

He existed before anything else,

    and he holds all creation together.

Christ is also the head of the church,

    which is his body.

He is the beginning,

    supreme over all who rise from the dead.

    So he is first in everything.

For God in all his fullness

    was pleased to live in Christ,

and through him God reconciled

    everything to himself.

He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth

    by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

Reader: “The powerful word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

As a Christian who is a musician and one who has composed thousands of notes and set countless texts for worship, I’m always keenly aware of the theology of the songs and hymns we sing. Hence, I have an unsettled concern for the large numbers of “love songs to Jesus” and the overwhelming use of the first person pronouns in the contemporary songs of much of the present worship culture. Christianity is a singing faith and we sing what we believe which is what brings the unease. One would be hard pressed to build a biblical theology based on the sung texts of some of the more popular worship songs. For example, in many cases you would never discover the Trinity. And right about now, you are thinking, what does this “soapbox” have to do with Christmastide? Thank you for asking! The passage you read from Colossians is most likely a hymn text from the early church, already in use by the time of Paul’s writing of this letter. The nature of the Greek sets it apart from the rest of the body of this letter. This is a hymn text that truly sings what we believe. In fact it is so sound, it has wound up in the Bible! I dare say few of our current day texts would ever wind up as Scripture! Take the first nine words: “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.” The Greek word for image is “icon.” It means that he is exactly like the Father in every way. If you want to know what God is like, immerse yourself in Christ. Study every facet of the Savior you can find. Study what he says, why he says it, how he says it, when he says it. Ask yourself the same questions with what he does. Put yourself in the story when he’s talking with his disciples or speaking to the leaders or healing a blind man or raising the dead. The rest of this pericope answers every question you can think of: where you came from, why you are here, where did everything else come from, what’s the point of it all, how he solved the human problem, what’s the relationship between heaven and earth, in a nutshell, how everything fits together. That visible image which arrived a few years back in Bethlehem, will become visible again when he returns to bring a new heaven and a new earth . . . and visibility will be beyond anything we can imagine! Colossians 1:15-20 is a text worth singing and believing! You can see some of the other texts of our songs in the book of Revelation.

Music:  “Jesus, What a Wonderful Child”   Christ Church Nashville

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLTbDVNpowc

Bonus:  “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”   Medieval

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpsj25M1QdI

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, you are not simply the best human being, but God Incarnate in human flesh. You came from the highest and holiest and entered into this world through the lowliest door. In the same way, you entered my heart, another lowly door, another Bethlehem. And with that entrance into my life, a new life in me was born. Lord Jesus, how very grateful I am for your humbling of yourself out of love to come to us, to come to me. It is your great grace and mercy that gives light and life to all who will respond to the gospel. May you receive glory as you live your life in all those who have put their trust in you. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.                                      ―Daniel Sharp

Saturday, December 28

Reader: “Unless you turn from your sins and become like little children,” 

Response: “You will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-14

About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

“And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.

“What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

“Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.”

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:   

As we have mentioned many times previously, when looking at a passage of Scripture, it is always important to know what comes before and what comes after. What is the larger message the author is getting at? In this case, a little bit earlier Jesus had told his disciples about his upcoming death and resurrection. While they understood the death part, but did not tie it to Jesus, it seems the resurrection side of things escaped them all together. Jesus then talked with all the disciples again about his coming death and how it would happen. The disciples had heard Jesus talk about the Kingdom of Heaven on numerous occasions. Perhaps out of jealousy towards Peter, James, and John being closer to Jesus and witnesses to the Transfiguration, the disciples were embroiled in a vigorous discussion about which one of them was the greatest. Three years of traveling with Jesus and they are having this kind of conversation? At least they were embarrassed to admit it (Lk. 9:46-48). Jesus gave them an object lesson and a picture of the heart attitude of a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven, that of a humble little child. Think of the sweetness and trust of a four year old. In addition, Jesus gave a very strong warning to anyone who causes one of these trusting ones to stumble. To give indication as to how strongly he meant it, Jesus gave two drastic examples. In his words, it would be better to  cut off a hand or gouge out an eye rather cause a child to stumble. He concluded this portion with another story of the lost sheep indicating how great is the Father’s love for his children. One can’t help but notice the great contrast in our societies where the nature of the conversation of the disciples is the staple food of interaction (who’s the greatest). When was the last time you ran into someone, (other than a four year old!), who had a genuinely humble heart toward the Kingdom of Heaven? I once had a pastor tell me to not ever show your weakness, as people will think you are soft. Needless to say, I dismissed that advice! The Apostle Paul gloried in his weakness. Jesus humbled himself to the point of death. Jesus also humbled himself to find a manger as his first cradle. Come to think about it, he did become a little child. 

Music: “Angels We Have Heard on High”   Robert Shaw Chorale gorgeous

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1hegkE9Lb0

 

Bonus: “Angels we have Heard on High”  The Piano Guys, Unique! Instrumental, (32 fingers, 8 thumbs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n543eKIdbUI

 

Bonus: “Angels We Have Heard On High”  Home Free

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teSuDu84kMc

Prayer: A Child’s Prayer

Make me, dear Lord, polite and kind to everyone, I pray; and may I ask you how you find Yourself, dear Lord, today? Amen.   ―from Eerdman’s Book of Famous Prayers, p.60

Friday, December 27

Reader: “He has given us eternal life,” 

Response: “and this life is in his Son.”

Scripture: I John 5:1-12

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

And Jesus Christ was revealed as God’s Son by his baptism in water and by shedding his blood on the cross—not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with his testimony. So we have these three witnesses— the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and all three agree. Since we believe human testimony, surely we can believe the greater testimony that comes from God. And God has testified about his Son. All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true. Those who don’t believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don’t believe what God has testified about his Son.

And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

“But do I have to dad?” Response, “You will if you love me?” Response, “But dad, that’s manipulation!” Response, “No, it reveals your true heart, a heart that is more concerned with itself.” OUCH! “Loving God means keeping his commands.” It is never love God, and do as you please.  Loving and obedience are directly connected. In this pericope, John gives us the premiere example of what he has just admonished. Jesus Christ was obedient to the Father in his baptism. When John the Baptist asked Jesus, “Why are you coming to me?”, Jesus responded, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” demonstrating his obedience out of love for the Father. Remember the Father’s response from heaven, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” At Jesus’ baptism the third member of the Trinity affirmed Jesus’ action in that the Spirit descended upon him as a dove. Then there was another example of Jesus demonstrating his love for the Father. His love was so great that he shed drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, a place where we read these words, “. . . yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Jesus’ love for the Father manifested in obedience. When he died on the cross, his side was pierced and out came water and blood. And how does this connect to Christmastide? You’ll recall in the Old Testament that necessary of at least two witnesses to confirm a truth (Deut.19:15). Blood, water and the Spirit confirm the identity of Jesus as the Son of God. To fail to believe these three witnesses, is to call God a liar and conclude that Jesus is not the Son of God. And what does God say by testifying that Jesus is his Son? The conclusion is, if you believe in Jesus, you have eternal life. If you don’t believe he is the Son of God, you don’t have eternal life. When Mary’s water broke and a little baby boy was born with some blood on him and the angels in heaven sang, “Glory to God in the highest . . .,” that  was a clue. Did you notice that Jesus never said, “Do I have to Father?” It’s because he loves you.

Music: “Good Christian Men, Rejoice”   King’s College Choir

www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4yYb6yCNws 

Bonus: “Good Christian Men, Rejoice”         Wissmann family

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkCjddxp1g4 

Bonus: “Do You Hear What I Hear?”    Home Free Wow!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIQQDYaoWpc 

Prayer:

My Father in heaven, if obedience is the measure of my love for Thee, I am humbled to face the truth. Sometimes my intention is good and on other occasions, it is tainted. At times, obedience is a struggle. I would think I should have outgrown this reluctance by this time. Obedience brings joy and there is a wonderful feeling knowing I have walked the path I should. Why then is it so hard to be consistent? The water, blood and Spirit remind me again and again that I must dwell daily in the One who was obedient, even to death on a cross. May I likewise, die to self every day that I may live, even as my Savior lives in and through me hour by hour, day by day, year by year, decade by decade, through all of eternity. Amen.                  ―Daniel Sharp

Thursday, December 26

Reader: “A cry was heard in Ramah—weeping and great mourning.”

Response: “Rachel weeps for her children.”

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,

    are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,

for a ruler will come from you

    who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

After this interview, the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”

Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

“A cry was heard in Ramah—

    weeping and great mourning.

Rachel weeps for her children,

    refusing to be comforted,

    for they are dead.”

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

In keeping with yesterday’s mindset, we come to another part of the Christmas Story that is also well known, the account of the visit of the wisemen. We have the many paintings of the nativity with wisemen, camels, shepherds, sheep, the donkey, and the holy family. Not wishing to wreck everyone’s image of the manger scene, we gently and humbly look again at the Scriptures. Once again, we are given a very specific historical date as to the time frame of the birth of our Savior. The Magi arrived in Jerusalem sometime after the birth, we just don’t know how long afterwards. King Herod, who by now was in his mid 70’s and already “disturbed,” got even more disturbed when he heard the news of the newborn king of the Jews. (Herod murdered two of his wives and three of his sons out of suspicion that they were plotting against him.) Herod was an Edomite, an offspring of Jacob’s brother, Esau, thus the Jews never accepted him since he was not from the kingly line of David, nor was he a Jew.  He also had a link to the Romans and was noted for his large building projects, including the reconstruction of the Jewish Temple. Though not a Jew, he apparently knew something of the Scriptures, as the birth of a Jewish Messiah troubled him greatly. The Magi were apparently in Jerusalem long enough for Herod to call them for a private meeting as he hatched his plot. You know the next part. The star led the wisemen to the house, not a stable, where Jesus was. In those days, the animals were actually kept in the lower part of the house with the living quarters being more on a second floor. My guess is that the Magi stayed a few days. The words are “when it was time to leave.” Other than the giving of the three gifts we don’t really know what the rest of the conversations were! When you meld Luke’s account with Matthew’s, you come up with some interesting things. Eight days after Jesus’ birth, in accordance with Jewish law, Jesus was circumcised and named on the eighth day at the Temple in Jerusalem, right under Herod’s nose. And then forty days later, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus back again for the purification offering at the Temple in Jerusalem where they encountered Simeon and Anna. Sometime later they left in the middle of the night to Egypt to escape Herod’s order to kill all baby boys two years old and under. 

So how does all of this play out? We may have read the above account and figured it was all over in a week or so. Not so. God’s timing and plan are different than ours. I fear he is in much less of a hurry than are we. Have you noticed that Jesus never ran anywhere? He walked. Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus had a great deal of stress from the beginning and it was their first child. But their responses were always of faith and trust in God’s timing. Even in awful situations, they didn’t panic.  There may be a lesson here; in the midst of tension and difficulty, rest in God’s sovereign timing, even when people are evil and crazy.

Music: “The Wexford Carol”  Allison Kraus and Yo Yo Ma   Tremendous!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxDZjg_Igoc

Bonus: “Mary, Did You Know?”  Vocative with Mark Lowrey, (the guy who wrote the song) DON’T MISS THIS!!!! Best setting of this I’ve ever heard. Astounding voices.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaRpeMT1tjQ

Prayer:

O Lord my God, perfect us in such patience that we may be in no haste to escape from toil or loneliness or suffering; yet ever in haste to serve Thee, to please Thee, and, when Thou wilt, to go home to Thy blessed Presence. Amen.          ―Christina Rossetti

Wednesday, December 25

Reader: “Glory to God in the highest,”

Response: “And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20    (KJV)

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Reader: “The glorious word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

I would guess you have heard the Christmas Story at least as many times as your age, probably more. We pretty much know the basics. I used the King James Version as it is the most elegant translation from my perspective. The danger in knowing something so well is that it simply reads like “Goodnight Moon” or some other wonderful children’s book. It’s virtually memorized and we just enjoy the sound of hearing it again. The account of the entrance of God into this world in human flesh can become nothing other than “The Christmas Story,” followed by “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Our challenge is not to romanticize the nativity account. For example, it is very unlikely that Mary rode the 90 miles from Nazareth on the back of a donkey in the cold of December while she was nine months pregnant! The biblical account says nothing about a donkey, the cold, the month of December, or exactly when they went to Bethlehem. But the names of the people in the story were real people, not characters in a book. They lived in real time, not “once upon a time.” Real shepherds were protecting sheep in the night when a real angel, and then more real angels appeared and talked with them. That would be frightening! Yet, the shepherds were the first believers who decided to go and see for themselves that which they had been told about. It turned out to be true, and they saw their Creator as a little bundle, wrapped up in a manger. . .that sounds so much nicer than a feeding trough! Now we come to something that truly sets this story apart. Not only is it real, we are connected to this story even as you read this sentence. We are always at a distance from “Goodnight Moon” or “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” They were stories. We are in the Christmas Story. It’s living now. The Baby is an adult in heaven. What has resulted as of that night, made possible for you and me to enter into the ongoing story of that grown up Baby. I don’t know if you ever think about the words of the carols you have been singing. Many of the verbs in the carols are present tense: “O come ye, come ye to Bethlehem, come and behold him, born the King of angels,” “Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,” “Silent night, holy night all is come, all is bright,” “Hail, the heaven born prince of peace, Hail the Sun of Righteousness,” “O holy night, the stars are brightly shining, it is the night of the dear Savior’s birth,””O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie,” “Come to Bethlehem and see, him whose birth the angels sing.” Why all the present tense verbs? It’s something that happened long ago. There is a significant theological reason and a Greek word for it (of course)! The word is anamnesis. The concept is bringing the Christ event that happened in the past into the present. The impact of the event is timeless, that is, because of Jesus, what happened is living in the present. Christ is outside of time, yet at the same time, present in our time. Because we are in Christ, (“if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation”), we can sing present tense. When we sing these carols, we are not singing about something in the past, we are there. It’s not pretending, it’s real because of Christ. The Jewish people practice this very thing as they observe Passover every year. Remember the question the children ask, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” In the remembering of that night, the past is brought into the present. It’s not recreating. It’s impact is continuous and eternal.  “O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.”

Music: “Fanfare and Carol, O Come, All Ye Faithful”  arr. David Wilcocks Phillip Jones Brass Ensemble and Bach Choir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG2woiVsJrc 

Bonus: “O Come, All Ye Faithful”    Voctave WOW!!! Tremendous, 11 singers a cappella

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CljN1YIxHiI

Prayer:

Almighty God, we give Thee thanks for the mighty yearning of the human heart of the coming of a Savior, and the constant promise of Thy Word that he was to come. In our own souls we repeat the humble sighs and panting aspirations of ancient men and ages, and own that our souls are in darkness and infirmity without faith in Him who comes to bring God to man and man to God. We praise Thee that Thou hast drawn us into Thyself and hast not left us out of Thy story, the best of all stories. O God, prepare Thou the way in us now, and may we welcome Thy Holy Child anew day by day. We pray that the glorious day of Thy birth may lead to the glorious day of new birth for multitudes of Thy children. In the name of Jesus. Amen.     

   ―from Prayers Ancient and Modern, p.360, Samuiel Osgood, 1862, adapted Daniel Sharp

Reminder: the Sharp Devotionals go all the way to Epiphany, January 6th.

Tuesday, December 24

Candle Lighter: “The Light of the world is here!” (As you light the Christ Candle.)

Reader: “Glory to God in the highest,”

Response: “And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!

    She will give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel,

    which means ‘God is with us.’”

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

While Luke wrote what was going on in Mary’s life in regard to the visit of the angel, Matthew gives us insight into what was going on in Joseph’s mind. Don’t you wonder how Mary broke the news to Joseph? Imagine his shock! He obviously did not believe her story. I doubt anyone would. As a man who followed the law, he could not marry an adulteress. He had a couple of options. He could expose her to a public trial and have her put to death, or he could pay a fine and divorce her quietly. He decided on the latter. As he was thinking things through, an angel appeared to him in a dream and confirmed Mary was telling him the truth. What must have gone through his head when he woke up. After the dream, he resolved things in his mind and took Mary as his wife, but did not consummate their marriage until after Jesus was born. Joseph was a remarkable man. In fact the Scriptures say he was a good man. He strikes me as a quiet unassuming carpenter who stayed out of the limelight. He and Mary did go on to have four more sons and several daughters. He apparently died before Jesus began his public ministry as we hear nothing about him after Jesus was twelve. I think it would be fascinating to talk with Joseph. What was it like to raise a little boy who was God? Did you teach him to walk? How did he relate to his siblings? It is also touching that it was Joseph who named him Jesus, showing that he accepted Mary’s baby as his own. In fact elsewhere the Scriptures state that people just assumed Jesus was Joseph’s son. If we just stop and think about this whole story, who would ever have come up with this tale? God, the Creator of the universe, lovingly sends his Son to earth who is conceived as a human being. The Son would be completely human in every way, hence born of a woman, and, at the same time, retain his divinity because he would be conceived by the Holy Spirit. Only the Creator of all could bring this about. This whole story reads like fantasy except that it is tied to human history and is true and people’s lives are changed by this Jesus.

Music: “O Holy Night” Home Free

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO6OZIY-lYw

 

Bonus: “O Holy Night”  Il Divo You will listen to this one multiple times. Voices from heaven!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5j_XuATgRU      DON’T MISS IT!! One of the best of the whole Advent Season!

Prayer:

Almighty God, who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin: grant that we, being regenerated and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.     ―BCP

Monday, December 23

Reader: “The Annunciation.”

Response: “God is conceived in his earthly mother!”

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.”

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

With the birth of Zechariah and Elizabeth’s baby boy, I’m sure they were wondering what’s next? And for six months nothing happened. In fact, Elizabeth went into seclusion. I’m sure she appreciated being out of the limelight and hearing all the gossip. Can you imagine the talk if a 75 year old woman got pregnant with an 80 year old husband now? They’d be on 60 Minutes! Seclusion makes perfect sense. Then the same angel, Gabriel, visited the teen-age girl, Mary. In those days it was common for girls to marry in their mid-teens. Also, “engaged” in that culture would have the same understanding as “married” does today. The normal practice was for the bridegroom to take a year to prepare their home. Then he would come to get his bride and take her to their new home and the marriage would then be consummated. Hence, Mary’s comment that she was a virgin, and wondered how she would become pregnant. Luke makes a point of saying that Joseph is of the lineage of King David, the tribe of Judah, the tribe of the Messiah. Any number of scholars hold that the genealogy in Luke 3 is actually Mary’s genealogy and that Heli is her father and Joseph’s father-in-law resulting in both Mary and Joseph being of the royal tribe of Judah and descendants of King David. Notice the difference in the responses of Zechariah and Mary to the angel Gabriel. Zechariah’s words were, “How can I be sure this will happen?” i.e. I have doubts it will occur. Now let’s look at Mary’s situation. Note Gabriel told Mary she would conceive, give birth to a son and name him Jesus. He would be called the Son of the Most High and he would have an eternal throne. He would be the eternal king in the line of David. (As a young Jewish girl, Mary would have known all about King David.) He would reign over Israel forever! That is a lot of information for a teenage girl to absorb!! Mary’s response was, “How can this happen?” i.e. I don’t doubt it, but since I’m a virgin, how is it that I’ll become pregnant? Gabriel answered plain and simple. You will become pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. Your baby will be holy, the Son of God. Deity. Then the angel gives Mary a kind of reassuring touch, letting her know she is not alone in these miraculous happenings. Her cousin, Elizabeth was six months along in her pregnancy. It is quite possible Mary didn’t know about Elizabeth, since Nazareth was about 80 miles from the Jerusalem region where Elizabeth lived. With all this information from Gabriel, Mary gave a remarkably mature answer for a young girl. “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Within a few days  Mary took off to visit Elizabeth. Mary also probably needed some time away from home and news undoubtedly would have spread. “Did you hear? That young girl, Mary, the one engaged to the carpenter, is already pregnant!! Oops!” But, Mary and Elizabeth had three months together as the Forerunner of the Messiah and the Son of God grew in their mothers’ wombs. The mother of God was truly a remarkable young woman!

Music: “Silent Night”  

 Sissel Kyrkjebϴ    This Norwegian lady has one of the most beautiful soprano voices you will ever hear. Effortless!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK3_Kr2nLtA&list=RDuK3_Kr2nLtA&start_radio=1&t=127&t=0 

Bonus: “Silent Night”   Libera -Exquisite Boy Choir    The Brits know how to do Christmas!!! Don’t miss this either!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PNzMy3lzAA 

Prayer:

Holy Father in heaven, Gabriel said nothing is impossible with you. Young Mary believed him and all of creation was eternally changed. Grant that I may be as trusting, simple, and transparent as was Mary. She continues to give us a picture of uncomplicated obedience and complete childlike trust in you. She ultimately suffered greatly as she stood at the cross watching her Son die for those he created. Thank you for her glorious example and for choosing her to be the earthly mother of your Son in whose name we pray. Amen.     ―Daniel Sharp

Sunday, December 22

Candle Lighter: “The Light of the world is coming!” (As you light the fourth Advent candle.)

Reader: “My words will certainly be fulfilled . . . ”

Response: “. . .at the proper time.”

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25

When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.

One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.

While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”

Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”

Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long. When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.

When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. Soon afterward, his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”

Reader: “The certain word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:

Friends, there is such richness in that first paragraph. Our tendency is to read the words and move on. It pays to linger and ponder why Luke included each phrase that is there. When Herod was king of Judea (37-4 BC) put Luke’s account in historical time, E.g., this is an actual event in history. We’ll say more about Herod in a few days. Zechariah was a Jewish priest. All priests had to be Jewish and descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses. In clarifying Zechariah’s lineage, Luke tells us he was of the order of Abijah. If we look in I Chronicles 24:10, we learn that Abijah was a direct descendent of Eleazar or Ithamar, two sons of Aaron. Luke also mentions that Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. When a priest married and the wife was also from the priestly line, this was viewed with even greater distinction in regard to piety. This is borne out in Luke’s next statement as he writes of their righteousness in the eyes of God. They were obedient to the Lord’s commands. The fact that they had no children was a distinct social stigma. Dr. Luke states bluntly that Elizabeth was unable to conceive. To make matters more hopeless, they were old! There is a recurring occurrence throughout Scripture.  Have you noticed the various accounts of barren women? Sarah-Isaac, Rebecca-Jacob, Rachel-Joseph, the unnamed woman who was the mother of Samson, Elisha and an unnamed woman, whose son he raised from the dead, Hannah-Samuel, and Elizabeth-John the Baptist. If you think about it, each of these sons of previously barren women played a significant role in the unfolding of God’s grand plan of redemption. Back to Zechariah. There were twenty-four orders of priests with a large number of priests in each order. So the privilege of burning incense in the sanctuary of the Temple, the Holy Place, (not the worship center!) was determined by lot. Since there were hundreds of priests, this opportunity may come only once in a priest’s lifetime. This burning of incense was not in the Holy of Holies, since only the High Priest could enter that part of the Temple and Zechariah was clearly not the High Priest. You can imagine his excitement in being chosen for this task with a great crowd of people outside praying during his time in the Holy Place. Then an angel appears! Appearances of angels were rare and the usual response was one of fear and terror. Gabriel gave a rather blunt and shocking message.(This is the same Gabriel from the book of Daniel some 500 years earlier.) I cannot imagine being in that situation. He had doubts about Gabriel’s words. Ever the diplomat in his response, Zechariah described himself as old and his wife as “well along in years!” You know the rest. Zechariah was unable to speak until the child was born. Their child, John the Baptist, was of priestly lineage, proclaimed as a prophet, and hailed the coming of the King. God is in the details, then and now. There are no wasted words in Scripture.

Music: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear”   Josh Groban

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiSqct-Ei80

Prayer:

Grant, O Lord, that thy Spirit may permeate every sphere of human thought and activity. Let those who believe in thee take with them into their daily work the value of thy kingdom, the insights of the gospel and the love of their fellow-men. Hasten the time when justice and brotherhood shall be established and when all men shall be brought into the unity of thy Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.    ―The Oxford Book of Prayer, George Appleton

Saturday, December 21

Reader: “He is from heaven.”

Response: “We are of the earth.”

Scripture: John 3:31-36    

“He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

Some thoughts: 

These next days of devotionals will be focusing specifically on the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. The above passage were the words of John the Baptist. Previously, John had told his own disciples that he was not the Messiah, but that the Messiah would become greater and he would become lesser. Then we have his above words. John is stating a magnificent truth in regards to Jesus. The words “He has come from above” have a deeper significance than is first apparent. The Greek word for “above” carries with it the idea of a completely different reality and world. The origins of the two worlds are vastly different. Think about a human that looks, acts, and is every bit as much of a human being as you are. In fact, go in front of a mirror and look at yourself, your arms, face, your whole body. Now imagine that person you are looking at came from another world, an “environment” totally different from this world. (Movies make a living with this idea!) In that dimension everything was perfect, but more perfect, holy, and pure than anyone from this earthly world can conceive of. This “heavenly being” speaks of his “other world” as to what he has seen and heard and why he has come to this earth at all. Furthermore, he claimed to be God and forgave sin! (Movies leave this part out!) The Creator of the earth, came to the very place he created. People who lived then touched and talked to the One who made them and this planet. Grasping that truth boggles the mind even now. One would think people would flock to this vastly superior human being and drink in every word. Why would such an eminent person care about this earthly world with all its troubles in the first place? The truth is, all of the earthly humans ultimately rejected the words of the heavenly Savior and, to our shame, killed him. It was only after his resurrection and victory over death, that people of this earth began to repent and believe in him. The Incarnation of Jesus Christ is the bedrock of the faith. One person, fully God, fully human, came from a different dimension from heaven to bring restoration to the entire created order on earth. His arrival to planet earth will be celebrated in just a few days. Don’t let the festivities of the day cover the significance of his largely unnoticed arrival. When he returns again, it will be noticed by all!

Music: “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”   Celtic Women Beautiful voices! . . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw38pGhPXIk 

Bonus: “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”    Kings College Choir Spectacular Brass and Cathedral setting, don’t miss it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hRq3vy7I-4 

Prayer:

O Source of all good, what shall I render to thee for the gift of gifts, thine own dear Son, begotten, not created, my redeemer, proxy, surety, substitute, his self-emptying incomprehensible, his infinity of love beyond the heart’s grasp. Herein is wonder of wonders: he came below to raise me above, was born like me that I might become like him. Here is love; when I cannot rise to him he draws near on wings of grace, to raise me to himself. Herein is power: when Deity and humanity were infinitely apart he united them in indissoluble unity, the uncreate and the created. Herein is wisdom: when I was undone with no will to return to him, and no intellect to devise recovery, he came, God-incarnate, to save to the uttermost, as man to die my death, to shed satisfying blood on my behalf, to work out a perfect righteousness for me. O God, take me in spirit to the watchful shepherds, and enlarge my mind; let me hear good tidings of great joy, and hearing, believe, rejoice, praise, adore, my conscience bathed in an ocean of repose, my eyes uplifted to a reconciled Father; place me with ox, ass, camel, goat, to look with them upon my redeemer’s face, and in him account myself delivered from sin; let me with Simeon clasp the new-born child to my heart, embrace him with undying faith, exulting that he is mine and I am his. In him thou hast given me so much that heaven can give no more.

                ―from The Valley of Vision, p.16

Friday, December 20

Reader: “It is not so much God the Father out looking for children”

Response: “as it is we are orphans in search of a Father.”    ―Matthew Henry

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-7

Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had.They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set. And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.

But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:    

“But when the right time came . . .” That’s an interesting phrase. What made it the right time? God only knows, but it was the right time to fulfill the Law. God would make everything new. What is certain is that God was working out his plan for the entire created universe and everything in it. At the time of the birth of Jesus, his people, the Jews, lived under the Law as given to Moses 1400 years earlier. The Law was given to show the people that they could not keep it, but were sinners, ultimately in a hopeless situation in relation to God. It is at this point that God personally stepped in to solve their problem by the birth of his perfect Son. God greatly loved his children, flawed as they were. In his great love, the Father made a way to adopt these spiritual orphans. In adopting them, he claimed them as true heirs giving to them all the rights and privileges as his very own children. He sealed this relationship by giving them the Holy Spirit in their hearts. And the Spirit bore witness to this marvelous truth. What you have probably noticed that everything above was past tense and in the third person. The wonderful truth is, we are all those spiritual orphans. Because of the “right time” all the third person pronouns become second person (you and me) and all the past tense is, in fact, present tense. “Now is the time of salvation.” God’s grand plan is still unfolding and we are part of it! Ask the Lord what part you have in what he is doing today. His timing will be “right.”

Music: “The First Noel”    University of Utah Singers    Gorgeous!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRSqp4hoFVo

Prayer:

Give us courage, O Lord, to stand up and be counted, to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, to stand up for ourselves when it is needful for us to do so. Let us fear nothing more than we fear you. Let us love nothing more than we love you, for thus we shall fear nothing also. Let us have no other God before you, whether nation or party or state or church. Let us seek no other peace but the peace which is yours, and make us its instruments, opening our eyes and our ears and our hearts, so that we should know always what work of peace we may do for you.    ―Alan Paton, 1903-1988, author of Cry the Beloved Country, from Eerdman’s Book of Famous Prayers, p.94

Most holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.   ―BCP

Thursday, December 19

Reader: “The coming of Christ . . .”

Response: “opened the door to everyone.”

Scripture: Galatians 3:23-29

Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.

Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts: 

I’m not sure we fully grasp these words; we certainly have a different understanding than did the people of Galatia. The Jews knew they were God’s chosen people. They were born his chosen people. The heart aspect of a relationship to God had escaped many of them. Paul went to great lengths to drive home that there was more than ethnicity involved in being God’s children. Jesus challenged the Jewish religious leaders again and again on this very point. Faith was essential. No one could perfectly keep the Law. In reading the last paragraph above you can begin to see how striking it would be to Jews and Greeks and Romans as well realizing how radical this truth was in light of their culture. Not only do you have ethnic unity, you have unity between slave and free, male and female. Have you noticed how hard some factions in our society work to separate people into various groups where the group defines itself by its own system of beliefs and values. There is little interest in any kind of unity among people. Other groups are enemies to be defeated. The beauty of the gospel is that being united by saving faith in Christ and dying to self and being buried with him in baptism brings a oneness that spans ages, cultures, languages, economic states, and all peoples. All “groups” are unified in Christ Jesus. He is the one who shapes everyone’s values, put simply, he is God over all. It is likely that some barn animals, on behalf of all creation, were among the first living creatures to see the One who made all of this possible. The lowly shepherds came. The angels got heaven involved with their singing. Eventually wealthy non-Jewish magi arrived to pay homage. An old Jewish priest held the Savior and an old widow’s prayers were answered as she too saw this infant Unifier of all people. As you walk around today doing what you normally do, look at the people around you, (don’t stare!), and realize they can all be part of Abraham’s heirs through faith in Jesus. Pray for them as you go your way.

Music: “Angels from the Realms of Glory”  BYU Idaho Dept. of Music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfY439TNxJA

“Angels from the Realms of Glory”   Mormon Tabernacle Choir & Sissel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocenOoBWwTM&list=PL1EBB3A25BDE4EE48&index=2

Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, this world is filled with nations, tribes, ethnic groups, peoples and factions hopelessly fractured and warring with one another. Nations squabble. People groups within nations wage vitriolic verbal wars. Civility barely survives. Lord God of heaven and earth, Creator of all that is seen and unseen, source of redemption, love, and healing, grant that this year’s celebration of the birth of the Savior may in some remarkable way point this troubled world to unity in the person of your perfect Son, our Savior. May the celebration of the nativity by millions of your children serve to draw many others to repent of their ways and their cold hearts and receive forgiveness, discovering the joy of true fellowship with all peoples as brothers and sisters in Christ. And Lord, may we be useful to you in that process. In our Savior’s name we pray. Amen.
―Daniel Sharp

Wednesday, December 18

Reader: “The entire town came out to meet Jesus. . .”

Response: “and told him to go away and leave them alone.”

Scripture: Matthew 8:14-17; 28-34

When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. But when Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for him.

That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick. This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said,

“He took our sicknesses

    and removed our diseases.”

When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gadarenes, two men who were possessed by demons met him. They came out of the tombs and were so violent that no one could go through that area.

They began screaming at him, “Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before God’s appointed time?”

There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding in the distance. So the demons begged, “If you cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs.”

“All right, go!” Jesus commanded them. So the demons came out of the men and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.

The herdsmen fled to the nearby town, telling everyone what happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged him to go away and leave them alone.

Reader: “The word of the Lord,”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
You have undoubtedly read this passage many times. But what is going on besides a mere narrative of a another day in the life of Jesus and the disciples? Let’s look a little closer. Jesus cures Peter’s mother-in-law of a high fever instantly in this case. Sometimes his healing is over a longer period of time. Jesus has power over disease, but the “high fever” responds to Jesus much as a person would answer a command. Did you notice, Jesus absorbed her fever into himself when he touched her? Look at Isaiah’s words, “He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.” In this case, Jesus did it literally. The mother-in-law responded with gratitude by preparing a meal for Jesus. Word got out about Jesus’ presence in town and many demon-possessed people came to be delivered and with a simple command, the demons left. Whether by touch or by word, Jesus’ authority extends over sickness and the world of demons. Following Jesus’ stilling the storm, (his authority over the elements), Jesus arrived at the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Here we have the encounter with the demoniacs. Did you notice the men’s response when Jesus arrived? Their word . . . “Why are you interfering with us, Son of God?” Jesus always referred to himself as the Son of Man, until the very end of his trial before the religious leaders when they asked him point blank, “Are you the Son of God?” And he responded, “You say I am.” The reason being, I believe Jesus was pacing the full revelation of himself in order to preach repentance and the Kingdom of Heaven before the final confrontation. He needed the disciples to get the full picture, which they didn’t! The demons speaking through the men’s voices knew of their coming judgment and damnation. They bargained with Jesus for a delay in their final doom. They asked to be sent into a herd of pigs, the vilest of unclean animals to the Jews, and an occupation unlawful for Jews. At his command the demons entered the swine. The pigs’ herdsmen spread the news of what had happened. The entire townspeople came out to meet the man who had brought this deliverance. Their response to Jesus was interesting to say the least. You would think they would be glad for what happened. But no, the opposite occurred. They asked him to leave! Don’t you wonder why? The presence of God in their midst made them uncomfortable. They wanted the status quo to remain, as do we. Things and people have a certain place in our lives. We know where we stand. Everyone knows their place in the scheme of things and needs to stay in their place. When something dramatic happens to someone, that changes all the relational dynamics. Power shifts. We like the way it used to be, especially if we had the power. Since Jesus was the cause of upsetting the social structure, he needed to leave. Two demon possessed men were now in right mind and body, they were normal. The people weren’t quite sure how to relate to them. Before Jesus did any more upsetting things, they asked him to leave. Many people around you these days respond to Jesus the very same way. They hear the manger story, but make sure he stays the baby in the manger, not the Lord of creation and Lord of their lives. When Christmas is over, they ask baby Jesus to leave them alone and stay in the manger.

Music: “Lo, How A Rose”  Pacific Chorale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqkSPPVLf24 

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Ruler of all that is seen and unseen, grant that we would have the courage to not run away when you get close to us. Your call to our lives is transformational. We admit we resist. We like to be in control and we like things to stay the same, that way we don’t have to change and go through unsettledness. We know where we stand and where others stand. We like comfort. Where there is a change, we want to be the ones to control it at our pace. We confess as we study your word and listen to your indwelling Holy Spirit that you are ever calling us to conformity to your Son. Put simply, it means you call us to change. You do not always do what we want or expect. At times your ways are very unsettling and upsetting as in casting out the demons and sending them into the pigs. In those kinds of instances, give us courage to embrace you and not ask you to leave us alone. May this be a day of greater conformity to your image that you may be glorified in every moment. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.     ―Daniel Sharp

Tuesday, December 17

Reader: “Build each other up”

Response: “in our most holy faith.”

Scripture: Jude 1:17-25

But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ predicted. They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.

But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.

And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.

Reader: “The word of the Lord,” 

Response: “coming from the Jesus’ earthly brother who came to believe in Him.”

Some thoughts:
The author of this book is Jude, the same person named Judas in Mark 6:3, one of Jesus’ earthly brothers, another of the sons of Mary and Joseph. (Can you imagine having Jesus for an older brother??) Jude’s purpose in writing this short book is to warn the people in the early church to resist false teachers. The core of their teaching was that God’s grace covered everything so they could indulge in whatever they wanted. Mix that with the Greek view of the separation of body and spirit and you have a recipe for a disaster. Prior to the passage you just read, Jude reminded his readers of the judgment the Israelites received for their rebellion against God, the doom the rebellious angels face, and the conflagration that enveloped Sodom and Gomorrah. Jude then harkened back to the biblical characters of Cain, Balaam, and Korah, all of whom revealed ungodly behavior and wicked hearts. With those things in mind, Jude builds towards the consequences of such a mind set. People in rebellion against God breed division. In their desire to satisfy themselves and their ideas, they drive division, pitting people against other people. They have replaced God as Lord, and put themselves in that position. In truth, they have become their own god. They make their own truth. Sound familiar? This is Jude writing about 45-50 AD! People haven’t changed much in the last 2,000 years. Jude then writes an encouraging word to the believers and to us. Build each other up; pray in the power of the Holy Spirit; show mercy wisely. He touches on something rather tricky here. Jude urges his readers to show mercy, but in showing mercy to do so with wisdom, not embracing the sin in the person’s life while at the same time embracing the person. So often in our culture, embracing the person is interpreted as embracing and accepting the sin they are involved in. Hence, Jude’s words, “embrace with great caution.” Be wise and have a good day in the mission field.

Music: “O Come, Let Us Adore Him”    Voctave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CljN1YIxHiI 

Prayer:
O Thou who art the only origin of all that is good and fair and true, unto Thee I lift up my soul. O God, let Thy Spirit now enter my heart. Now as I pray this prayer let not any room within me be furtively closed to keep Thee out. O God, give me power to follow after that which is good. Now as I pray this prayer, let there be no secret purpose of evil formed in my mind, that waits for an opportunity of fulfilment. O God, bless my enemies who have done me wrong. Now as I pray this prayer, let me not still cherish in my heart the resolve to requite them when occasion offers. O Holy Spirit of God, as I rise from these acts of devotion, let me not return to evil thoughts and worldly ways, but let that mind be in me which was also in Christ Jesus, my Lord. Amen.
―from A Diary of Private Prayer, p.31

Monday, December 16

Reader: “God’s power is revealed,”

Response: “and the people respond.”

Scripture: Acts 5:12-16

The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.

Some thoughts:
The events as described above probably occurred within a couple of months of the resurrection and only weeks after Jesus’ ascension into the heavens. It was a singularly charged time in Jerusalem. You can imagine how stories circulated! Believers were gathering regularly in the Colonnade at the Temple. They were not waiting for Sunday services! Solomon’s Colonnade is a massive open space adjacent to the Temple. It could easily accommodate several thousand people at a time. The word was out, miraculous things were happening in relation to this new faith, somewhat related to the well-known Jewish faith. The apostles held in awe as they were given the power to heal and cast out evil spirits. Have you noticed that people are attracted to the unusual, the powerful, the mysterious, the awe-inspiring? There was clearly something very different about these men, these apostles. The “different” was the indwelling Holy Spirit. There is another phrase elsewhere in the New Testament referring to the disciples that “they had been with Jesus.” When people are attracted to you, could it be that it is because you have been with Jesus or that they are drawn to Jesus who indwells you? I remember back when I was teaching music in a public elementary school. One day, one of the little first grade boys came up to me and, out of the blue asked, “Are you Jesus?” I have no idea what sparked that question but he must have sensed something of the Savior. I just told him I was not Jesus, but I knew him! In this Advent season, I pray that as you move throughout this day and the days ahead, that, like the apostles, people will be drawn to you because they sense the power of the Lord within you. May the winsomeness of the Savior shine through you as you stand in line waiting to checkout!

Music: “I Wonder as I Wander”     Cambridge Choir
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JcXbaNpaq4 

Prayer:
My Lord and Savior, cause me to be a mirror of thy grace, to show others the joy of thy service. May my lips be well-tuned cymbals sounding thy praise. Let a halo of heavenly-mindedness sparkle around me and a lamp of kindness sunbeam my path. Teach me the happy art of attending to things temporal with a mind intent on things eternal. Send me forth to have compassion on the ignorant and miserable. Help me to walk as Jesus walked, my only Savior and perfect model, his mind my inward guest, his meekness my covering garb. Let my happy place be amongst the poor in spirit, my delight the gentle ranks of the meek. Let me always esteem others better than myself, and find in true humility an heirdom to two worlds. *May his beauty rest upon me as I seek the lost to win. And may they forget the channel, seeing only him. Amen.
―from The Valley of Vision and *May the Mind of Christ My Savior, v.6

Sunday, December 15

Candle Lighter: “The Light of the world is coming!” (As you light the third (pink) Advent candle.)

Reader: “A Magnificat . . .”

Response: “from the New Testament.”

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Mary responded,

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.

How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,

    and from now on all generations will call me blessed.

For the Mighty One is holy,

    and he has done great things for me.

He shows mercy from generation to generation

    to all who fear him.

His mighty arm has done tremendous things!

    He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.

He has brought down princes from their thrones

    and exalted the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things

    and sent the rich away with empty hands.

He has helped his servant Israel

    and remembered to be merciful.

For he made this promise to our ancestors,

    to Abraham and his children forever.”

Reader: “The word of the Lord,”

Response: “from the mother of the Lord.”

Some thoughts:
As mentioned yesterday, Hannah’s song, regarding the birth of Samuel, the judge, prophet, and priest who anointed Israel’s first king, was a shadow of what was to come in its fullness, the son of Mary, the Messiah, the final Prophet, Priest, and King. There were some striking parallels between the two women. Did you notice Hannah’s faith when the old priest Eli said, “May God grant you your request.”? Her mourning was over. She ate. She believed God. Mary’s response to Gabriel was one of faith in God as well. “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you said about me come true.” Hannah gave her first born son to serve the Lord. Can you imagine how hard that must have been? She prayed years and years for a child. She had him for the first few years and then gave him up as he lived at the Temple after that and she saw him only occasionally. Mary likewise gave up her first born Son who was the Temple. Both women had additional children afterwards. Hannah had three additional sons and two daughters and Mary had four additional sons and several daughters. The New Testament books bearing the names of James and Jude were written by two of Jesus’ earthly brothers, sons of Mary and Joseph. And what is the point here? Hannah and Mary are two remarkable women who trusted God in unique situations. God blessed their faith and counted it as righteousness. They both believed in God’s biggest picture of what he was doing and chose to be a part of God’s working in the world. The result changed a nation and changed a universe! Trust the Lord for the path you walk this day.

Music:  “Magnificat” JS Bach     In case you ever wondered what it looked like when Bach wrote it! He did not have a computer, just pen and ink and a gift from God. At the end of every piece he wrote, he put  S.D.G. soli deo gloria, “to the glory of God” Also this tempo is about twice as fast as the Mormon’s sang it yesterday! But you can see the notes they were singing!

Translation:

My soul magnifies the Lord,

And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: 

for behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QROi3CgekoI

Prayer:
Father, I abandon myself into your hands. Do with me what you will. Whatever you do, I will thank you. I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, as in all your creatures. And I’ll ask nothing else, my Lord. Into your hands I commend my spirit; I give it to you with all the love of my heart. For I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands with a trust beyond all measure, because you are my Father. Amen.
―Charles de Foucauld

Saturday, December 14

Reader: “A Magnificat . . .”

Response: “from the Old Testament.”

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:1-8

Then Hannah prayed,

“My heart rejoices in the Lord!

    The Lord has made me strong.

Now I have an answer for my enemies;

    I rejoice because you rescued me.

No one is holy like the Lord!

    There is no one besides you;

    there is no Rock like our God.

“Stop acting so proud and haughty!

    Don’t speak with such arrogance!

For the Lord is a God who knows what you have done;

    he will judge your actions.

The bow of the mighty is now broken,

    and those who stumbled are now strong.

Those who were well fed are now starving,

    and those who were starving are now full.

The childless woman now has seven children,

    and the woman with many children wastes away.

The Lord gives both death and life;

    he brings some down to the grave but raises others up.

The Lord makes some poor and others rich;

    he brings some down and lifts others up.

He lifts the poor from the dust

    and the needy from the garbage dump.

He sets them among princes,

    placing them in seats of honor.

For all the earth is the Lord’s,

    and he has set the world in order.

Reader: “The word of the Lord . . .”

Response: “as written in the First Testament.”

Some thoughts:
One of the recurring stories in the Old Testament is that of barren women being blessed by God with a son. Whether it was Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, an unnamed woman, or in this case, Hannah, God was faithful in fulfilling a prayer. In most every instance, the promised son proved to be significant in the unfolding of God’s grand plan. It is interesting to note how Hannah’s words are the parallel to Mary’s prayer of adoration to God following her conception of Jesus. Hannah had been harassed by her husband’s other wife because she was barren. Hannah’s song of joy rejoices in the fact that God answered her prayer in conceiving and giving birth to a son. She could now silence the harasser! Both Hannah’s and Mary’s songs of praise emphasize bringing down the rich and powerful and exalting the poor and the humble. God will bring judgment on the wicked. God is sovereign. The boy, born out of the vow of Hannah, was Samuel. This son of the promise was given to the Lord. Samuel was tremendously significant in the history of the nation of Israel. He was Israel’s last judge and first prophet. In addition, he carried out priestly duties. It was Samuel who anointed Saul as Israel’s first king. And then later he anointed David as king of Israel when God rejected Saul. Samuel was a major player in the history of Israel. The song of his mother was a precursor to the song of Mary and the birth of our Savior. Here is another example of an event in the First Testament pointing prophetically to a significant event involving Jesus in the Last Testament. It is important to recognize and be reminded that all of Scripture fits into one grand narrative of the working of God in bringing redemption and transformation to his creation. 

Music: “Magnificat”   JS Bach Mormon Tabernacle Choir
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDbGJRHua-Y 

Translation:

My soul magnifies the Lord,

And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: 

for behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Prayer:
Dearest Lord Jesus, O the joy of the barren woman who discovers she is pregnant! Her relentless prayer has finally been answered. The tears of sadness and longing have been replaced with tears of ecstatic joy and gratitude. No more lying awake at night wondering if it will ever happen. It has happened! The gift of motherhood has been given. She is pregnant. Thank you, Jesus! Lord in this prayer we also pray for those who are wishing to be mothers who continue to wait. Grant them hope, trusting in your goodness, kindness, and sovereign will for their lives. We praise you, Lord, for all those who are part of the adoption process, mothers, care givers, and new parents. For, indeed, Lord, we have all been adopted by you as we were orphans in need of a Father. In a culture that has lost its way, devaluing infant life, babies waiting to be born, and motherhood itself, Lord forgive our foolish ways. Forgive our arrogance, our selfishness, our lack of responsibility, our deadness and coldness towards you Father God. Thank you for Hannah’s persistent prayer that resulted in the blessing of the nation of Israel and showing us more of your great compassion. This we pray in the name of our Savior. Amen.
―Daniel Sharp

Friday, December 13

Reader: “Here are more words from Peter. . .”

Response: “to a people who are under stress and persecution.”

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:11-18

Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.

And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.

And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.

You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
Like Paul, Peter is writing this most likely from Rome. We learn from history that Peter was most likely martyred by Nero in 64-65 AD. Tradition says he was crucified head down. Persecution of Christians was significant. Peter is writing to encourage the believers in the midst of a hostile environment. Have you noticed how very certain both Paul and Peter are of the Lord’s return and judgment? Both their words urged holiness and godly living in anticipation of that great day. Like Paul’s words, the Day of Judgment for the earth brings fire. Peter adds the “elements will melt away.” This event is unlike anything the world has ever experienced. On a very positive note Peter writes “we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised.” I’d like to expand a bit on this last statement. Frankly, we wonder what that phrase means. As human beings we think of things like this in terms of our own physical world. We’re looking for a descriptive picture. You notice when Jesus described something he would often say, “It’s like a  fig tree . . .” In other words, he painted the overall picture using images the people could understand. In describing a new heaven and earth, Isaiah employs a kind of descriptive picture (Is. 65:17-25). I’ll summarize, though it would be worth looking up and reading the whole passage for yourself. In a descriptive list of the new heaven and new earth: no one will think about the old heaven and earth anymore; it will be a place of happiness and joy; God will delight in his people; there will be no weeping or crying; no infant deaths; people 100 years old will not be considered old; adults will not die in mid-life; people will live in houses they build and eat fruit from their own vineyards; people will live as long as trees―another way of saying life expectancy will be entirely different; God will answer prayers before they are even prayed; the Lord is central in everything; there will be no death, sorrow, hurt, or pain; no corrupt people anywhere; even animals will get along!  Have you noticed how much this description is like the Garden of Eden prior to the Fall? This is what Peter is referring to when he speaks of a new heaven and earth. This world is coming! The reason it has not yet arrived is because of the Lord’s patience giving people time to repent of their sin. Peter then makes a reference to the fact that Paul had written about these same things, acknowledging that some of the things Paul writes are “hard to understand!” Did you notice also that Peter refers to Paul’s letters as Scripture? This is the very first historical reference to the Canon of Scripture. In other words, Paul’s letters were considered on a par with the Old Testament as the word of God from the very beginning. The coming of baby Jesus to earth is central in bringing all of these things into being. I can’t help but think of Paul’s words in I Cor.2:9 “eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 

Music: “No Eye Has Seen”  Michael W. Smith Northland Choir
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQOX5Cxkz-Y

Prayer: As we wait for the Lord’s return . . .

Be off, Satan, from this door and from these four walls. This is no place for you; there is nothing for you to do here. This is the place for Peter and Paul and the holy gospel; and this is where I mean to sleep, now that my worship is done, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
―This is one of the earliest Chrsitian prayers recorded

Thursday, December 12

Reader: “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think.” 

Response: “No, he is being patient for your sake.”

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-10

This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory. I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.

Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”

They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
Isn’t it interesting that there are so many references in the Last Testament to the return of the Lord? Those first century readers of Paul’s and Peter’s letters, as did Paul and Peter, believed that the return of the Lord was imminent in their lifetime. In turbulent times our thinking must always begin with “What is true?” Peter reminds his readers to focus on truth. What did the prophets say. What did Jesus say. Apparently there were those who ridiculed the truth of the Lord’s return saying things were always the same, (a circular view of history). Our day certainly has no lack of mockers of the Christian faith. Paul writes in the book of Romans how these kinds of people deliberately suppress the truth and live by their own made up rules. lThey have their own truth! With the attacks on the Judeo-Christian perspective on life, on marriage, on the life of those babies waiting to be born, and the sexual identity confusion, our age is no different than Peter’s, and we continue to be in the last days. What is completely ignored in our society is the recognition and submission to the power of God’s word. He spoke the world into existence and he will speak the final judgment into occurring. Peter clues us in on God’s view of time. A day as a 1,000 years and 1,000 years as a day is another way of saying God’s dealing with time is completely different from ours. It’s in an entirely different dimension. What we do learn is that God is patient wanting everyone to repent and not face the final judgment. But Peter is very clear. In God’s dimension of time there will be a moment when he will again speak and judgment will come instantly, with a great sound and without warning. Peter wants people to be prepared for that moment when heaven’s timeframe engulfs this world and the heavens above and the earth below are consumed in fire and what we know of this place is no more. Maranatha, come Lord Jesus!

Music: ““Comfort, Comfort Now My People”  Plymouth Congregational Church, Lincoln NE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=119C58F3dnQ

Prayer:
Who can tell what the day may bring forth? Cause me therefore, gracious God, to live every day as if it were to be my last, for I know not but that it may be such. Cause me to live now as I shall wish I had done when I come to die. O grant that I may not die with any guilt on my conscience or any known sin unrepented of, but that I may be found in Christ, who is my only Savior and Redeemer. For it is in his name I make this prayer. Amen.    ―Thomas à Kempis, 1380-1471

Wednesday, December 11

Reader: “Hear God’s promise. . .”

Response: “from the First Testament.”

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-18

Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.”

But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.”

Then the Lord said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”

And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.

Then the Lord told him, “I am the Lord who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land as your possession.”

But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, how can I be sure that I will actually possess it?”

The Lord told him, “Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” So Abram presented all these to him and killed them. Then he cut each animal down the middle and laid the halves side by side; he did not, however, cut the birds in half. Some vultures swooped down to eat the carcasses, but Abram chased them away.

As the sun was going down, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a terrifying darkness came down over him. Then the Lord said to Abram, “You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years. But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth. (As for you, you will die in peace and be buried at a ripe old age.) After four generations your descendants will return here to this land, for the sins of the Amorites do not yet warrant their destruction.”

After the sun went down and darkness fell, Abram saw a smoking firepot and a flaming torch pass between the halves of the carcasses. So the Lord made a covenant with Abram that day and said, “I have given this land to your descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River—

Reader: “The word of the Lord.”

Response: “Thanks be to God.”

Some thoughts:
Nothing in all of Scripture functions in a vacuum. As we draw closer and closer to celebrating the birth of the Savior, today’s reading takes us back in history to the time between the Fall and the Redemption. God had come to Abram earlier and revealed his plan to bless all the nations of the earth through Abram’s family. Though there was the promise, there was no family in the offing. This passage moves things ahead in God’s larger unfolding of history. In God’s time he gives Abram more specifics. (Have you noticed this pattern in your own life? Quite often it seems that God gives to us his plan in bits and pieces rather than unfolding the whole story all at once.) In this case, Abram calls God on his promise of blessing pointing out that he has no offspring, only a substitute heir. But again, God doesn’t reveal the whole only promising that Abram will have a son that he himself fathers. At this point, that was good enough for Abram and he believed God and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. God then promised Abram the land for his family. Abram’s next question was logical. As one man, how can I possess it? Then he had what is, to us, a rather mysterious encounter with God. Having established a relationship with Abram, God took the initiative in ratifying the Covenant. Have you noticed in Scripture how often it is God who initiates? Abram followed God’s instruction concerning presenting and preparing the animals. Did you notice that vultures swooped down to eat the carcasses and Abram chased them away? This is symbolic of another attempt of the devil to short-circuit God’s plan of redemption. Think of the serpent in the Garden, Pharoah’s order to kill Jewish baby boys, King Herod’s attempt to kill the infant Jesus, the devil’s temptation of Jesus, the attempt of people in Jesus’ hometown to throw him off a cliff, or Peter’s attempt to talk Jesus out of going to the cross. The devil was and is relentless in his attempts to thwart God’s plan of redemption and restoration. As the sun set during a deep sleep, God told Abram history in advance. Then a very remarkable thing happened, God appeared as a flaming pot passing between the halves of the split animals. God is often portrayed in Scripture as fire, cleansing, holy, unapproachable. Here, God confirms his Covenant with Abram. The significance of the fire pot passing between the split animals makes this statement: “May I become like these animals if I break the covenant I have made.” It was a promise to Abram that did not depend on Abram’s faithfulness (or ours), but on God’s faithfulness to us.  The result some 2,000 years later was the birth of a baby boy in Bethlehem, the singular hope of the world.

Music: “Mary’s Boy Child”    Charlotte Church
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeVc03rBpYU 

Prayer:
Almighty God give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious Majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.
―Book of Common Prayer