HAPPY EASTER

Sunday, April 12, 2020

“About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide”
prepared for First United Methodist Church 

of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2010
by Patience Nave, 

Christian Education Coordinator

Prepare for Easter

Saturday, April 11, 2020

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide

“From now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

Luke 22:69 NASB

At this point in our Lenten meditations, we are inclined to feel only our grief that Jesus had to go through such a terrible death to atone for our sin. Thursday’s service at the church is a dark service that encourages our remembrance of the horror of that day. I certainly do not want to minimize the importance of this kind of meditation. We MUST remember that we have been bought at great price, willingly paid for by Jesus through his own sacrifice of himself for our sin. However, we must not miss a joyful thought.

Yes, Jesus did cry out from the cross, “It is finished.” And that surely means exactly what it says. The words used here, I’ve reminded you before, are the same words that were written on a deed when the final payment is made on a piece of land. “Paid in full.” When Jesus died on that cross, his earthly ministry was complete. He had faithfully completed his Father’s business for him here on earth, and our sin debt was paid in full.

However, we should take great comfort in knowing what his business in heaven is now that he has completed the job here and returned home. Now he is seated at the right hand of the Father, ever interceding for the saints. That’s us! (Don’t feel like a saint? Ask me sometime and I’ll show you Scripture that says if you are a believer in Christ, you are a saint.) Right now, Jesus prays for us, joins us in our prayers to the Father, sits at the right hand of his Father in power. Very comforting thought.

Father, Thank you that Jesus is with you, praying for those whom he has redeemed. Amen

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church

of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Prepare for Easter

Good Friday

Friday, April 10, 2020

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide

And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last. Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent.”

Luke 23:46-47 NASB

Here’s another spot with an often overlooked, revealing word! Notice the centurion’s reaction to what he had witnessed. This man was one of the Romans who had forced that long walk to Calvary -- certainly not an innocent bystander. We don’t know how his ugly job impacted him, but he did his job.

Now it was over, and he made this bold, belated statement concerning the innocence of Jesus. The script does not say he cried out in despair or sorrow or relief. It says he began “praising God” as he declared Jesus’ innocence!

A Roman soldier praising God? That’s what it says. And why? Because he realized the innocence of the man they had just killed. That can only mean one thing. The centurion suddenly believe that Jesus was exactly who had had said he was. That’s saving faith! And he praised God for the death of this innocent one on his behalf.

Oh, he may not have understood fully what that meant, but then neither do we! He may not have grasped the significance of Christ as his substitution, but he could understand that he now believed in the one whom he’d just been a party to putting to death.

He wasn’t the only one. The text says that “multitudes” went away “beating their breasts.”

Father, Thank you that Christ’s faithfulness to your business, even as he died, brought many whom you love to your kingdom, including us. Amen

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church
of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Prepare for Easter

Thursday, April 9, 2020

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”

John 14:1-3 NASB

I once had a lot of aunts, my Mother’s sisters whom I loved very much (there were nine girls altogether). One of them was ill, and Wallace and I knew she would not live long. We drove to North Carolina to see her one last time. After a visit of several days, it was time to return to Florida. I went to her room, got down on my knees by her bed to tell her goodbye.

She asked me if I realized I would not see her again in this life. I told her I did. She then asked me to read something to her from the Bible that she really liked, and it was the passage above. I told her I’d just say it to her from memory and so I began.

When I got to the part about his fixing a place for her, she put her frail little hand on my arm and said, “Patty, honey, I’m getting so excited.”

Of course, I treasure that moment and will never forget it.

As I’ve been writing for this Lenten Devotional, however, I’ve thought about the verse in a different way. Jesus is still about his Father’s business, even after going back to heaven. Now he is not visible here on earth, walking about with the twelve. Now he is doing what he promised. There are multitudes of us, and he is preparing a place for each one.

We love life and enjoy the wonders of it, but isn’t it exciting to think about the dwelling place he has fixed or is fixing for us! He’s still doing his Father’s business well!

Father, Thank you for the place you have prepared! Amen

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church
of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Prepare for Easter

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide

                                                    

And [one of the criminals] was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And [Jesus] said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

Luke 23:42-43 NASB

The criminal was suffering the cross’s cruel death, just as Jesus was. Possibly he had not been beaten half to death before his crucifixion, and probably his hands and feet were only tied to the cross so that death was going to take a long time. Jesus, however, was probably near death when the criminal cried to him for mercy. We don’t know the man’s name, but his story is so important that it is recorded in the text for eternity.

Do you hear the good news in these words? As long as there is breath in us to cry out to Jesus, it isn’t too late! Notice the little word, “when”? “When you come in your kingdom….” Probably he had heard Jesus teach; maybe he’d heard about the miracles. We don’t know. We do know that he was an eye witness to Jesus’ death. He saw him being brutally treated and nailed to a cross. He heard him deny the drugged wine to ease his pain, and witnessed the manner in which he spoke carefully to John about his mother. Suddenly he knew Jesus was the Christ. He needed a Savior, and he cried, “Lord!” That’s all Jesus needed to hear.

Yes, he died on that cross the death of a criminal, but Jesus assured him and assures us that he died a criminal with a changed heart – his name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

We wouldn’t have wanted to miss all the years we’ve had as friends of Jesus, but how comforting to know as long as there’s breath, it isn’t too late.

Amazing Father, that eternity could be changed in a man’s last breath! Thank you for the forgiving word of Jesus for this man and the encouragement we have knowing as long as we breathe, it’s not too late.  Amen

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church
of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Prepare for Easter

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide

                                                     

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Luke 22:31-32 NASB

Isn’t this an amazing passage? First of all, can we even imagine that Satan would talk to Jesus about Peter, perhaps the way he talked to God about Job. He didn’t just ask, he demanded permission to give Peter a hard time, and Jesus didn’t question that. This surely reveals a kind of authority that I don’t often think of Satan as having!

This conversation took place right after Peter had sworn that he would go to the death for Jesus and just before Jesus told Peter that he would deny him three times. Peter, from this moment until he sees Christ after the resurrection, had a lot to think about. He was going to spend several miserable days, but his faith would not fail because God would grant the prayer of his beloved son on Peter’s behalf.

We don’t want to miss the forgiving heart of Jesus in the final words of this passage. Knowing that his friend is going to deny him, knowing that fear has weakened him at this point, Jesus still speaks words of encouragement to Peter: when you get straightened out, help your brothers. Peter looked weak at the moment, but Jesus had confidence that he would be a strong leader when he got through this crisis of faith.

Wouldn’t we all like to believe that Jesus had that kind of confidence in us? “When you have turned again…” is surely the statement of a God of second chances. We don’t want to ever turn away, but isn’t it comforting that we know he gives second chances.

Father, Thank you for helping us “turn again” so we can strengthen others. Amen

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church
of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Prepare for Easter

Monday, April 6, 2020

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide

And He was teaching daily in the temple; but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people were trying to destroy Him.

Luke 19:47 NASB

John Wesley was reported to have been asked what he would do if he knew that sometime tomorrow he would die. He is said to have pulled a little pad from his pocket and to have begun to read the list of things he had planned for the remainder of the day and for the beginning of the next. That’s a wonderful story of a man who obediently planned his days in accordance with his understanding of guidance. Nothing would change. He would do what he had already prayerfully planned as long as he lived. Obviously, Jesus was his model.

Jesus had, since he was twelve, been about his Father’s business. Now he had entered in great triumph into Jerusalem, but he did not waste a moment of his precious time enjoying the adulation. He goes right back to work, teaching daily. I want to say this is the God side of him, but I know that is giving myself an excuse that is unwarranted! Right up to the moment he died, he was totally obedient to his Father, obedient as a man. His heart must have been heavy. We know that he knew what was to come because he told the disciples about it, including the painful betrayal. We know he was agonizing, and we are given some insight into the depth of that agony as we read the Gethsemane event. But he never stops the work he came to do. On Monday after Palm Sunday, he goes back to teaching.

Jesus exhibits an obedience we admire and should strive for, knowing we won’t attain it this side of eternity.

Father, The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Help us to become obedient children, as obedient as you can make us this side of heaven. Amen

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church
of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Prepare for Easter

Sunday, April 5, 2020

Palm Sunday

Sundays are typically not counted in the 40 days of Lent.

Enjoy today.

Focus on the Lord.

Prepare for Easter

Saturday, April 4, 2020

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide

“Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.

Luke 19:30-31,35 KJV

Jesus endured horrible abuse during his last week on earth. Crowds and authorities made accusation, slapped him, spat on him, pushed him, beat him mercilessly, made him carry his own cross after that beating. He took every insult and pain, almost completely in silence. But this passage lets us know who was really in charge!

It’s time for the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, but he isn’t going as the Romans do – riding on a powerful steed. He’s going in on a very specific donkey.

In that time and place, the donkey would have been valuable property. Jesus gave specific instructions about where to find it and they apparently brought it without anyone stopping them. The disciples rather matter-of-factly brought the colt. The text says simply that they “put Jesus on it.” Just like that? Do you mean to tell me that that colt that had “never been sat upon” just stood still for Jesus to mount and ride? Why would he?

Because animals are smarter than we are. They recognize their creator more readily than we do! He knew who was in charge, and he quietly carried Almighty God through the city while the multitudes shouted! We ridicule creatures and call them stubborn or dumb. Not this one. Obediently he carried his Master without a fuss.

Father, Thank you for the lesson learned from a donkey. Help us to recognize you as quickly and to obey you as readily. Amen

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church
of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Prepare for Easter

Friday, April 3, 2020

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide

But Jesus looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written: ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief corner stone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” The scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on Him that very hour, and they feared the people; for they understood that He spoke this parable against them.

Luke 20:17-19

Did you ever notice how some people in authority will do anything to maintain their power? The Pharisees were the leaders in the synagogues. The people whom Jesus healed and taught were the people whom they were supposed to serve. But they saw in him an authority they did not have, and their teaching was empty compared to his. Their lives were comfortable, and they didn’t like the idea that he might disrupt that comfort.

The people were so openly interested in all Jesus said and did. So many of their lives had been changed through his ministry, and the religious leaders feared that there would be an uprising if they openly tried to get rid of Jesus. Rome allowed them to move about pretty freely as long as there was peace, but Rome would not tolerate an uprising!

So the Pharisees had to make some choices. Ignore Jesus and hope he’d go away. Tolerate him and try to overcome his popularity with the people. Figure out a way to rid themselves of this pest. They chose the latter.

What about us? Tolerate? Ignore? Deny? Accept? Receive?

Father, With joy we receive you. Amen

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church
of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Prepare for Easter

Thursday, April 2, 2020

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide

                                                    

After He had said these things, He was going on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

Luke 19:28 NASB

This is not a new thought to us. Several years ago I used it as the theme for the entire Easter Devotional, noting a time in the last days of his ministry when Jesus literally seemed to turn toward the city and his ultimate death.

I didn’t notice until this year, however, that Luke makes reference to his movement toward Jerusalem in rather ominous tones early in his gospel. In Luke 9:51, we read, “Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.” And immediately following in verse 53, “But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem.” The reference is to the Samaritans who refused him admittance to their village. This made the disciples so angry that they were prepared to call fire down on the village and destroy it.

They refused him because he was going there (to Jerusalem). Up to this point, there had been rumblings that certain ones wanted to get rid of Jesus. If you read carefully, you’ll find places where we are told that the Pharisees, “began to look for ways,” to get rid of him. Perhaps these people in Samaria were trying to avoid trouble by refusing him access. After all he had done, our weary Lord had no place to lay his head!

Are there places that we do not welcome him? At parties we’d rather he didn’t attend? Do we not invite him into conversations with certain friends? When we are balancing our checkbooks, would we rather he didn’t see what the balance is, lest he expect us to share? His face is set toward redemption. Do we welcome him?  

Father, We open our home, hearts, and lives. Come in. Amen

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide

prepared for First United Methodist Church 

of Homosassa, Florida

Spring 2010

by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Prepare for Easter

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

Luke 17:5-6 NRSV

I used to love to make bread and butter pickles, partly because I like them and partly because it was such a satisfying task completed, to see them on the shelves. One absolutely necessary ingredient is mustard seeds, and when the pickles are all finished, the seeds look so pretty floating in the vinegar! They are not the tiniest of seeds, but they are pretty small.

Just as mustard seeds are required for my pickles, so is faith required for us to be effective in God’s business. Not much, just a little. Our problem is that we imagine ourselves believing that if we had the faith of Billy Graham or Francis Schaeffer or Oswald Chambers, we could do great things. No, says Jesus. Just a little to flavor our work!

So how do we get it? Ask. Scripture says, “By grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) So we start by asking. But then God has something he wants us to do so that we can hear when he gives the faith and act on it. He says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

We don’t earn it. We can’t manufacture it. We can’t get it through feelings. Faith comes when we really hear and accept God’s Word. Then we can really pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,” knowing that it’s all part of the God-business we’re in!

Father, Increase our faith. Open your Word to us with understanding. Flavor our lives with faith so we can be about your business successfully. Amen

About My Father’s Business:

A Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church
of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator