Twenty-Seventh Day of Lent

Twenty-Seventh Day of Lent

Friday, March 31, 2017

A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowd went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest!”
Matthew 21:8-9

We really are “crowd” people, aren’t we? There is such safety in numbers, and even when the happenings are good, it is comforting to have others around us who are of like mind. We can imagine ourselves in this wonderful Palm Sunday parade, joining the other voices in praise of the Son of David.

Isn’t that somewhat like what we do on Sunday? We come into the sanctuary with the people we know, sitting in the seats we always sit in, looking like we always look, and we sing joyfully, “Here I am Lord,” or “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee,” or “How Great Thou Art.” No threat. Everyone is on the same page of the hymn book and of the bulletin.

But would we as quickly join a parade on Palm Sunday and walk to Old Homosassa singing, “The King is Coming?” Would we even put ribbons on our cars and ride up Highway 19 to Crystal River on Easter, blowing our horns, with loud speakers blaring, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today?”

I am sad because I think we would not. People just don’t do things like that in Citrus County! A little later in this chapter, the text tells us that the authorities of the temple were indignant at the demonstrations of joy. Perhaps we think that our sheriff would also look askance at such demonstrations.

But I wonder what God would think.

Prayer: Father, free us from worrying about what people think when we want to praise you. Cause us to ask instead what you think. Amen.

And He Set His Face toward Jerusalem. . . .

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, Spring 2007,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

 

Twenty-Sixth Day of Lent

Twenty-Sixth Day of Lent

Thursday, March 30, 2017

“But what about you,” he asked.
“Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

Matthew 16:15-16

Jesus was almost at the end of his short ministry. The twelve had left their homes and families and, as much as they knew how to do at that time, had committed themselves to him. They walked with him about the countryside, listening to every word that he said.

Matthew’s gospel tells us that they had heard him preach that wonderful “sermon on the mount,” had seen him restore to life a dead girl, restore sight to a blind man, heal a leper, and feed a huge crowd with only a few fish and a little bread. Obviously he was no ordinary teacher.

And now Jesus asks the twelve a crucial question. “Do you know who I am?” In typical Peter fashion, he blurts out, “The Messiah! You’re just what we have been waiting for.” (my paraphrase) The others apparently made no attempt to answer.

I fear that all too often, we are like the other eleven. Someone asks us about him, and we pause to consider how we should answer. Jennifer LeMountain sings a wonderful song in which she proclaims, “He is our Messiah, our Savior and our King!” And, of course, that is the answer that we must be ready to give to the dying world around us. They, like the many others who followed Jesus, have seen his influence in the world, but they still don’t understand who he is. It’s our job to tell them.

Prayer: Father, please give us a holy boldness! Like Peter, help us to enthusiastically and confidently proclaim who our risen Lord really is. Amen.

And He Set His Face toward Jerusalem. . . .

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, Spring 2007,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

Memory Verse -- Week 13

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Trials and Temptations

 

  

If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just

and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness.

I John 1:9

Spend the week focusing on this scripture: 

• Read the verse in your Bible. 
• Read the passage before and after it. 
• Write it in your journal. 
• Ask the Lord to show you how it applies to your life. 
• Put it on a piece of paper and post it in a prominent place in your home so that you can see it often. 
• Put the words to music. Make up a tune or use one you already know. Singing always helps in the memory process. It's a left brain / right brain thing. 
• Always memorize the scripture reference with the verse so you can remember where to find it in the Bible. 

Twenty-Fifth Day of Lent

Twenty-Fifth Day of Lent

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven,
he resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
Luke 9:51

I wonder if we are well-acquainted with this word, “resolutely?” Do we have any concept of what it means to move toward something that we know is going to be painful, but that we also know is right? Are we willing to proceed, no matter the cost? That is to resolutely set out.

The Message paraphrases this, “he gathered up his courage and steeled himself.” I guess that I don’t often think of Jesus as having to “gather up his courage.” For too many years, I explained away things that I couldn’t deal with by allowing myself to see Jesus only as God. That way I could reason that he could stand anything because, after all, God has no limitations.

As I have gotten older, however, and have studied more closely what the Bible says, I realize that faith can never really grow until we know deep down inside that he really did suffer every temptation that we will suffer, but never yielded to a single one of them! He gathered up his courage and steeled himself, moving toward a terrible death so that he could reconcile us to God. He came to be with us – Emmanuel. We have to face life’s difficulties, but we never face them alone. He modeled this for us when he resolutely set his face toward Jerusalem, obediently moving toward the cross!

Prayer: Father, help us to be resolute in the things that you have told us are important to you. Help us to move toward whatever is in our future with confidence that you have a plan for our lives, a plan for good and not for evil that we may prosper. Help us to trust you with that plan and not to waiver. Amen.

And He Set His Face toward Jerusalem. . . .

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, Spring 2007,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Twenty-Fourth Day of Lent

Twenty-Fourth Day of Lent

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Jesus took the twelve aside and told them,
“We are going to Jerusalem,
and everything that is written by the prophets
about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.”
Luke 18:31

Sometimes Pastor Mark makes a point in his sermon that I don’t fully understand. Later, as I read I find a verse and exclaim – out loud – “That is what Mark meant!” I wonder if this didn’t happen to Matthew and Mark. At the time that he told them what was going to happen, they seemed to have deaf ears, but after the fact it was so important that they both wrote it in their gospels, and they told it to Luke who also recorded it.

Remember what John says in his gospel? “When the Holy Spirit comes, he’ll remind you of all I told you and will help you understand what it means.” (John 14:26, my paraphrase)

I am encouraged in my own failures when I realize that they looked into his face and heard his own voice and still didn’t understand. But I am also challenged and wonder what he is trying to tell me now that I am still not hearing. Every once in a while, I have a wonderful “epiphany” – what the world calls a moment of “aha.” I read something in Hebrews about my Great High Priest, and I think, “That’s what God was trying to tell us about a new priesthood!”

When I was in the fourth grade, my teacher, Elsie Galloway, told me that if I learned to use words well, I could share any thought I have with the whole world. God does use words well! And when I read his Book, I get to hear his thoughts! John promised that the Holy Spirit would help me understand! Exciting!

Prayer: Father, thanks for talking to us. Help us understand everything you are saying – even if it’s a little at a time. Amen.

And He Set His Face toward Jerusalem. . . .

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, Spring 2007,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Twenty-Third Day of Lent

Twenty-Third Day of Lent

Monday, March 27, 2017

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer. . . be killed. . . , and be raised to life.
Matthew 16:21

Every time I read this, I hear the pain in his voice. He knew that he had to go, but the human side of him dreaded the task. He must have longed for at least one of them to understand. How explicit did he have to be? Even in the final moments of his earthly life, they argued among themselves about who would be the most important when he set up his kingdom. They hadn’t heard a word he said!

But I guess we shouldn’t be too critical in our evaluation of them. This was before the crucifixion, before the resurrection. It would have been harder to understand before the fact.

But we know after these amazing historical facts! We ought to understand in our post-resurrection position. Yet we, too, either don’t hear him or ignore him. The Scripture is very clear – his suffering was excruciating, his beating was brutal, he most surely died, no grave could hold him. Yet we read over those words casually, and go on to plan how we think that his kingdom and his church should operate, trying to establish our own position there!

“From that time on,” the Scripture tells us. I wonder if that doesn’t even include now, if he is not still trying to get us to understand that in the councils of the ages it was established that he should come, live, and die for us. He never lost sight of what he came to do. He wants us to know that. He hasn’t changed.

Prayer: Father, we don’t want to be dense, but we are. Give us understanding of the pain Jesus felt as he approached Jerusalem. Remind us how alone he felt as he faced his accusers. Teach us how absolutely obedient Jesus was as he did what he had to do because he loved you. Teach us to love you that way. Amen.

And He Set His Face toward Jerusalem. . . .

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, Spring 2007,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

Lenten Feast Day

Lenten Feast Day

Sunday, March 26, 2017

You are the salt of the earth.
But if the salt loses its saltiness,
how can it be made salty again.
Matthew 5:13

Until just a few years ago, I did not understand this verse. Salt is salt, and salt is salty. How can salt still be salt, and not be salty? It seemed impossible to me. Then we went to China, and I did most of our cooking. Of course, I needed salt.

When I bought it, I thought it looked different than what I bought at home, but then, most everything looked different there than here! Not only was it not packaged with a little girl spilling salt as she walked under her umbrella, it was not packaged at all! I asked for salt, and they put this rusty looking coarse stuff in my container. They looked at me in disbelief as I questioned their salt, and assured me it was salt indeed!

I tasted. Yes, maybe. Sort of salty. I salted the beans. Nothing. I salted again. Nothing. And again. Finally a faintly familiar saltiness appeared. Then I knew what Jesus was talking about. Salt can become unsalty! It looked a little like salt and tasted slightly salty, but it had really lost its quality!

Jesus, in the Matthew text is telling his disciples about being the light of the world and the salt of the earth. He doesn’t want them to be a little salty. He wants them to be so salty that they will make others thirsty for living water. I’ve decided I want to be as salty as a country ham! So salty that people will go away wanting more and more of the only thing that will ever satisfy! Living water!

Prayer: Father, only you can make our lives salty. Keep us so carefully involved in our study of your Word that you can keep us seasoned well. Amen.

And He Set His Face toward Jerusalem. . . .

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, Spring 2007,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Twenty-Second Day of Lent

Twenty-Second Day of Lent

Saturday, March 25, 2017

The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.
Luke 6:5

What does Lord of the Sabbath mean to us today?

Years ago we were in Israel on a Sabbath, which of course is Saturday. We were in a hotel in Tel Aviv, and the entire building was filled with wealthy Jews who had come to the hotel to honor the twenty-four hour Sabbath by not working. (Don’t ask me how they justified the fact that others had to work as they kept their Sabbath holy.) The elevator was programmed to stop at every floor so that devout Jews didn’t “work” by pushing the elevator button!

This seems a bit extreme, but have we not gone to the other extreme? We do designate Sunday as the “Lord’s Day” and substitute it for the traditional Sabbath. But is Jesus – the Son of Man – Lord of our Sunday?

Do we do anything more than squeeze out an hour for what we call “worship?” Maybe he’d like to be Lord of our activity as we visit someone who needs to know he cares. Or cook a hot meal for someone who has only “meals on wheels.” Or find an hour to sit quietly with God and read his love letter to us, His Bible. Or at least invite him to join us as we tune in the Superbowl or a golf tournament? Luke tells us he plucked ears of corn and healed a man – both on a Sabbath. Both sound like work to me.

Do we need to rethink keeping the Sabbath holy? Maybe he’d just like us to ask him to be Lord of the day, and then ask him how he’d like us to spend it.

Prayer: Sunday is such a wonderful day. We love being together with others who love you as we worship. But, Father, help us to know how to make it really become the Lord’s day for us. Amen.

And He Set His Face toward Jerusalem. . . .

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, Spring 2007,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Twenty-First Day of Lent

Twenty-First Day of Lent

Friday, March 24, 2017

I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the One who sent me.
John 7:33

We usually think of Jesus’ suffering as being confined to that awful twenty-four-hour period when he was beaten and crucified. Surely that is his most severe suffering, but I also hear suffering in his voice in other places – such as here when he tells his disciples that he will soon leave.

He knew the kind of opposition that he faced. Aware of the rising storm of rejection that surrounded him, he avoided with great agility their schemes to seize him. It would happen. It was almost over. Very soon he’d let them have their way, give himself over to them, and give up his life to atone for the lost world that his Father loved.

John gives us no hint that even the twelve heard his heart’s cry in this statement, and John would surely have told us if any one of them had recognized what Jesus was saying. He sadly announces that soon time will hold him no longer! There was just not one minute to waste! Listen! He seems to say.

I’d like to be critical of their lack of understanding, their lack of compassion for the Lord’s pain. But I cannot. Jesus’ same concern about how short time is also applies to me. Very soon our lives will end, and he has left us with a huge task to reach the world that his Father and ours loves. Some still don’t know that Jesus has reconciled them to the God who created them. Jesus told us to go and tell. Time is short.

Prayer: Father, give us that sense of the urgency that Jesus felt as his own life neared its earthly end. Cause us to recognize that we have a huge job to do and little time. Help us not to waste it.

And He Set His Face toward Jerusalem. . . .

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, Spring 2007,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Twentieth Day of Lent

Twentieth Day of Lent

Thursday, March 23, 2017

My food is to do the will of him who sent me.
John 4:34

The disciples are no different than we are! When it is time to eat, they want to eat, no matter about the task at hand! They know that Jesus has had nothing to eat, that they have seen no one bring anything to him, but he seems not to be interested in food. He is trying to teach them something very important, and their response is, “What’s for dinner?”

This little passage is really not about food at all. It’s about obedience. It is about knowing what his Father wants of him and doing what he knows! That’s the point Jesus is making. He is sustained – nourished – by doing the thing that God sent him to earth to do

Jesus understands God’s plan and has agreed to do his part. His ministry has just begun, but he knows what is out there, and he’s getting himself ready to do his job. For him, food was less important than obedience. Jesus knows that he is going to die. He is not only preparing the disciples; he is keeping his own focus.

We don’t put a lot of stress on obedience today, either in the lives of our children or in our own adult lives. We know a lot about how we are supposed to live, but we do as we please and expect God to “understand.”

Jesus surely never thought like that. He knew the plan, and he obeyed. That sustained him right up to the cross.

Prayer: Father, I have often disobeyed, and I know that that is the very thing that was poured out on Jesus on the cross. All the times I disobeyed – my sin caused him to suffer! I am so sorry. Help me to be an obedient child. Amen.

And He Set His Face toward Jerusalem. . . .

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, Spring 2007,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Nineteenth Day of Lent

Nineteenth Day of Lent

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures of the power of God.
Matthew 22:39 and Mark 12:24

If we don’t read Scripture carefully, we are apt to fail to grasp the message. That is surely the case with this passage.

Jesus has just concluded a long conversation with a group of religious leaders. He is talking to Sadducees, the ones who do not believe in a resurrection. They were always trying to trap him, and they ask him about marriage partners in heaven. He moves the conversation to their real issue, which is resurrection, and tells them that they don’t know their Scripture.

We must remember that only Old Testament Scriptures existed at this time. The New Testament had not even been written, much less brought together in a canon.

But isn’t resurrection a New Testament topic? Jesus tells them they don’t understand resurrection because they don’t know the Old Testament?

Once again, Jesus is trying to get people to understand that what his teaching is “filling full of meaning” – or fulfillment of – the Old Testament teachings.

I could be pretty critical of them if I did not know that I often read the Old Testament with limited understanding that God is really telling me not just history past but history coming! He had a plan. Jesus executed his plan.

Often we too are in error because we do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

Prayer: Father, forgive me when I am unduly critical of those New Testament people who missed your point. Remind me that I, too, often am a careless student when I read. Amen.

And He Set His Face toward Jerusalem. . . .

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, Spring 2007,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Eighteenth Day of Lent

Eighteenth Day of Lent

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

When he [John] saw Jesus passing by, he said,
“Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:30

Very early in Jesus’ ministry, John identified him in a very unusual way, and proclaims quite clearly the work that Jesus had come to do. But as I read the entire passage, I saw no evidence that those hearing him understood what he was saying.

We seldom see lambs, but lambs were all over the hillsides in Jesus’ day. For the most part they were good for their wool and for their meat, but Jews also knew very well their importance for sacrifice. The priest sacrificed lambs for the sins of the people, an extremely important ritual in the temple.

When they heard John say that Jesus was a lamb who would take away the sin of the world, they would have heard a totally different message than we hear today. If they were listening, they would have heard death. They would have understood that atonement only comes through the shedding of blood, and they’d have known that to be God’s lamb was to be sacrificed!

From early in Jesus’ ministry to the very end, the message was clear. Jesus was going to die. But everything in the gospels encourages us to believe that nobody understood the message.

Why didn’t they hear? Why didn’t they see what was coming? Why didn’t they understand what the prophets had said, carefully recorded in their scrolls and read in the synagogues? I must not be too harsh in my criticism of them, for I know that I don’t really understand! It hurts to think about Jesus – God’s Lamb that died for my sins. But it’s true.

Prayer: Father, open our eye to see the enormity of this fact: Jesus, your Lamb, has taken away our sin. Amen.

And He Set His Face toward Jerusalem. . . .

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, Spring 2007,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Seventeenth Day of Lent

Seventeenth Day of Lent

Monday, March 20, 2017

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seen demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
Luke 8:1-3

This is one of my absolute favorite passages in the Bible! I discovered it about thirty-five years ago. I thought it was wonderful then, and I still do.

The total message of Jesus’ coming is actually bound up in the first part of this passage: the kingdom of God is good news, and it is at hand! From village to village Jesus went with his message.

But look at who he took with him as he traveled with his life-changing message! What an unlikely entourage! Of course, the twelve were there. They needed to learn this message well, for it would be entrusted to them when he left. But women! Why would a good Jewish rabbi surround himself with women? Not just women, but high-born ones and unsavory ones all working together! And he allowed them to support him?

Only Jesus would have dared to gather such a group of people. He’s still doing that today! If you don’t believe it, look at any church congregation! The greatest message the world has ever heard, and he entrusted it to an unlikely bunch! That’s what the kingdom of God is like! The awesome fact is that he believes, with his help, we can be up to the task! Amazing!

Prayer: Fill us with your Holy Spirit so that this strange crowd of believers – your church – can carefully and well proclaim the message of the kingdom of God to others. Amen.

And He Set His Face toward Jerusalem. . . .

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, Spring 2007,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

Memory Verse 2017 -- Week 12

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Trials and Temptations

 

If anyone, then, 

knows the good they ought to do 

and doesn't do it, 

it is sin for them. 

James 4:17

Spend the week focusing on this scripture: 

• Read the verse in your Bible. 
• Read the passage before and after it. 
• Write it in your journal. 
• Ask the Lord to show you how it applies to your life. 
• Put it on a piece of paper and post it in a prominent place in your home so that you can see it often. 
• Put the words to music. Make up a tune or use one you already know. Singing always helps in the memory process. It's a left brain / right brain thing. 
• Always memorize the scripture reference with the verse so you can remember where to find it in the Bible. 

Lenten Feast Day

Lenten Feast Day
Sunday, March 19, 2017

I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. . . .
I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God
unless he is born of water and the Spirit. . . .
You should not be surprised at my saying you must be born again.

John 3:3, 5, 8

We hear a lot about illegal aliens in our country right now. They were not born here. They have entered illegally. They have no citizenship here.

I wonder if that could possibly be true for some of us. We go to church. We even join the church. We lead fairly moral lives – not too strict, just fairly moral. We only lie if it is really expedient. Compared to the rest of the world, we’re pretty good. But according to Jesus’ guidelines for kingdom people, are we really there? Putting a horse in a garage does not make it a car. Have we put ourselves in church hoping that puts us in the kingdom?

Are we trying to see the kingdom without having entered? Does the term “born again” scare us, conjure up some image that we don’t like to think about.

It’s Jesus’ term, not ours. It’s his prerequisite for kingdom living, not ours. It’s his clear teaching that this dramatic change must take place in our lives if we are to be real citizens of the kingdom of God. And since he is the King, he should understand the rules for becoming a citizen better than anyone.

Pastor Mark preached a sermon once in which he asked, “Are you sure?” Are we? Are we in the church and in the kingdom? Are we legal citizens? Jesus said this kingdom living is important, so we need to “be sure.”

Prayer: Father, thank you for your Holly Spirit who constantly woos us to you. Do whatever you must in our hearts to make us real, born again, kingdom people and sure of who we are. Amen.

And He Set His Face toward Jerusalem. . . .

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, Spring 2007,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

Sixteenth Day of Lent

Sixteenth Day of Lent

Saturday, March 18, 2017

What is the kingdom of God like. . . ?
It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden.
It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches. . . .
It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.
Luke 13:18-21

Jesus must have really liked the farming analogy because here it is again! A man plants a tiny mustard seed that grows to become a huge tree providing a resting/nesting place for birds.

Then he uses an analogy that women will surely understand. The kingdom of God does the same thing to the world that yeast does to dough! It permeates the whole, making something wonderful and pleasing to the taste.

As Easter drew near, the intensity of Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom increased. His analogies are always ones that anyone can understand. No great theological discourse about God’s sovereignty, about God’s law or even grace. Just words about common things like farming and cooking.

If the kingdom is really in us, we will become nesting/resting places for all who come to us in need. If the kingdom is really in us, the yeast of our lives will permeate our every action, whether in church or on the golf course or at the Woman’s Club or in school or the grocery store. Seed cannot resist germination and growth. Dough cannot resist yeast. If the kingdom of God is within us, we will impact the world around us for that kingdom! It will just happen!

Prayer: Father, we want to be real, honest-to-goodness kingdom people! For Jesus’ sake, cause your kingdom to be so real to us and in us that change will occur all around us – change for good that will bring honor and glory to your holy name. Amen.

And He Set His Face toward Jerusalem. . . .

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, Spring 2007,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

Fifteenth Day of Lent

Fifteenth Day of Lent

Friday, March 17, 2017

I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also,
because that is why I was sent.
Luke 4:43

Early in Jesus’ ministry, he declares what his message is to be – the kingdom of God – and all through the three years that he was on earth, he goes back to that theme – the kingdom of God is like . . . .

He give a number of examples of kingdom living. It is like light that shines all around, showing the way to all who seek it. It is like farming – planting, tending, nurturing, reaping. It is like cooking. It’s about serving. It’s about sharing what we have. It’s about living!

Luke spends a great deal of time telling us all the things that Jesus said about the kingdom of God. At least forty-two times he makes reference to the kingdom of God. I used to tell my students that they should listen to what I was saying, and if they heard me use a term or refer to some fact several times, they could be sure that it was going to be on the exam!

Well, there is no written exam out there for us about the kingdom of God, but I have a pretty good idea that our exam is on a daily basis. First of all, we have to find out what the kingdom of God is all about. Then we have to live what we have learned. That will be our exam. Luke is a great place to begin, and we can find there the most practical teaching about how we, as people of the kingdom of God, are supposed to live.

Prayer: Father, we thank you that you have called us to be kingdom people, in a world that is committed to all kinds of kingdoms but not to yours. Help us to learn what that means and during this Easter season to resolve to live as kingdom citizens for the rest of our lives. Amen.

And He Set His Face toward Jerusalem. . . .

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, Spring 2007,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

Fourteenth Day of Lent

Fourteenth Day of Lent

Thursday, March 16, 2017

The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you. . . .
Luke 8:10a

Aren’t these wonderful words? We love secrets, and in this passage Jesus tells his disciples that a time-hidden secret is about to be revealed to them – knowledge of the kingdom of God!

Can’t we imagine how excited they were, with what anticipation they leaned forward to hear what this wonderful secret was going to be? And then he began to tell them about farmers! The kingdom of God is like farmers? Surely they had misunderstood!

No, his message is very clear. The kingdom of God is about sowing and planting and tending and harvesting. Every step is important, and every person on the farm team is important! If one step is omitted, the crop will be diminished. And if all steps are completed carefully and successfully, but the final step is omitted, the whole farm fails!

The last step is harvest. We don’t mind being sowers of the seed; we don’t even mind tending or nurturing; but that last step is the one that we don’t like. We call it evangelism, a word we are afraid of. It’s a process, and every step is critically important to success. Bringing in the crop is a joyful thing to a farmer, the evidence of his success in all the previous steps. We need to learn to harvest or we’ll never realize the joy God has in store for us in the kingdom.

That’s the secret! The kingdom of God is like farming – planting, tending, and harvesting!

Prayer: Father, farming is hard work! Teach us to be good planters, good tenders, good nurturers, and good reapers. Teach us to be effective, obedient citizens in the kingdom of God. Amen.

And He Set His Face toward Jerusalem. . . .

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, Spring 2007,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator