Thirty-Eighth Day of Lent

Thirty-Eighth Day of Lent

Thursday, April 13, 2017

[Paul] came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.”

Acts 17:1b-3

Sometimes I read too quickly and miss something important in my haste! Such as here, when Paul came to Thessalonica. This was a Greek city, but there had to be at least a small Jewish community because there was a synagogue. The synagogue was his starting place in Thessalonica – to at least a small group of religious people who were accustomed to studying the Scriptures.

Sensitive to his surrounding and to the people, he took their Scripture and told them about the Messiah. He read to them about the promise of Christ – in their Old Testament documents. The New Testament didn’t exist.

It seems so simple. He immediately gave credibility to his message by using what was already familiar to support his message. I wonder if we could not learn to do that. I wonder if I could not learn to carefully listen to God’s leading, evaluate each opportunity, and simply and easily tell others the good news of Easter. No preaching. Just a simple discussion of the facts as presented in the Scriptures, beginning with what they already know.

Prayer: Father, I know that you want everyone to hear the Easter message. I know that you long for each of us to have a personal relationship with you. Help us learn to tell the Easter story with simplicity so that others may hear and believe. 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

 

Thirty-Seventh Day of Lent

Thirty-Seventh Day of Lent

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore,
to send out workers into his harvest field.

Matthew 9:37

There may be more than a little reticence in us to pray this prayer. If we ask God to send workers out to do the harvesting, we may be the ones he sends! If there is one thing that we don’t want Jesus to tell us to do – again – in this new kingdom of his, it is to go out and harvest the fields!

Of course, he is not talking about wheat or corn or beans! He’s talking about people! And the fields are not necessarily in Africa or China! He is telling us clearly that there are people all around us – a plentiful harvest – who have had the seeds of faith planted in them by others, and we need to go and reap that harvest for God, for the new kingdom.

The all-time best news the world has ever heard is that Jesus came, taught, lived among us, died for us, and rose for us. The incredible truth is that we were once separated from God by our own sin, and Jesus took it on himself, dying so that we could be forgiven. John says that, “to as many as received him, to them he gave the power to become the children of God.” (John 1:12)

Why am I so hesitant to say this to others? Do I or do I not believe it? We have heard it said that each of us must find his own way to God, but Jesus says, “no man comes to the father but by me.” If I believe others, I can be quiet. If I believe Jesus, I need to be about the business of harvest.

Prayer: Father, it looks like you mean all of us are to harvest, not just the pastor. Teach us to do this, to do it well, and to have the courage to tell others the Easter story. 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

 

Thirty-Sixth Day of Lent

Thirty-Sixth Day of Lent

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

All authority in heaven and in earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

Matthew 28:18

If it is true that God so loved the world, should we not tell those who have not heard it, who may not realize that they are part of the much-loved world?

If it is true that Jesus died to atone for all the sins of all the people of all the world, is it not the most reasonable of requests that he should ask us to tell everyone we can about this incredible act?

If it is true that everyone can know God personally because of what Jesus has done, should we not want to tell them that great news?

If it is true that Jesus has come that we may have life and that we may have it more abundantly, should we not long to bring others to Christ, to that abundant life?

If it is true that Jesus meant what he said when he promised, “my peace I give unto you, not as the world gives; let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid,” should we not burst with joy at the opportunity to share that peace with a world filled with anxiety?

If all that Jesus promised and all that he taught and all that he did are true, is it not reasonable that he should ask one small thing of us – that we would go and tell others about him?

Jesus did his job! And did it well! Now it’s our turn. Are we willing to be obedient, even as he was?

Prayer: Her I am, Lord. It is I, Lord. I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord. 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

 

Thirty-Fifth Day of Lent

Thirty-Fifth Day of Lent

Monday, April 10, 2017

You are the light of the world. 

Matthew 5:14

I am the light of the world.

John 8:12

I know better than to challenge Jesus! I learned a long time ago that when I don’t understand, it’s my lack, not his. So which is it? Is he the light of the world, or are we?

I would probably still be asking him this question had I not found this incredible passage in Colossians. Paul is explaining to the church at Colossae just who Jesus is, and he says of him, “In Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” In other words, all that is God is in Christ. He is not just like god; he is God. Paul explains that he knows this is difficult to understand. But then he compounds that by adding, “and the mystery is this: Christ in you is the hope of glory.” (Colossians 2)

This has to be the most humbling of facts and at the same time the most empowering! All of God dwells in Christ! And Christ dwells in me! It is difficult for me to comprehend that the God of the universe will entrust himself to me. I lose my keys, my billfold, by daily planner, my grocery list! I can be a real klutz! But God is willing to entrust himself to me! Imagine! Instead of saying I can’t do something, I know I can – because he can! He in me!

And if he is there, light is there! Great! The world is so filled with darkness. Isn’t it incredible to know that Jesus is light and that he is in us; therefore, we are light for this dark and groping world?

And all because of Easter!

Prayer: Some days, Father, I don’t feel like light. Everything around me seems dark, and I feel dark, too. Remind me that I can trust your words to be true that I am the light of the world – not just at Easter but all year. Shine, Lord! 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; Palm Sunday

Lenten Feast Day
Palm Sunday

Sunday, April 9, 2017

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered,
they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Luke 23:2

About fifteen, years ago, we went to Israel with a group of friends, a trip I had dreamed of for years. One of the places we knew we had to see was the tomb where Jesus was buried.

Our son-in-law has been many times, and he tried to prepare me for disappointment, telling about two possible burial sites: Gordon’s tomb, in a lovely garden, and another I hardly remember. He said that I would like Gordon’s tomb best because it fits my mental image of the biblical account, but he is quite sure that the other one is the real burial place. He was right. Gordon’s tomb is my choice.

Circumstances prevented me from going to the tomb with all our traveling companions, so our son-in-law, Michael, took Gene and Shirley Shrader and me to the garden in the late afternoon. The four of us entered the sepulcher together. The moment required quiet. Nobody spoke. I saw tears in Gene Shrader’s eyes. Quietly he asked, “Is it possible that we are standing where they laid our Lord’s body?”

We later sat in the garden, were given communion, and thanked God that the tomb is empty. We didn’t talk much because neither of us wanted to touch the time with words. It was one of those moments that you never forget.

But this event is not something to be quiet about! This is the greatest news the world has ever heard! Jesus overcame death, and because he lives, we who have trusted our lives to him shall also live! We should be shouting the news from the rooftops!

Prayer: Father, help us to boldly declare to a dying world that Jesus is rise, that once and for all he has conquered death and is alive! 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

 

Thirty-Fourth Day of Lent

Thirty-Fourth Day of Lent

Saturday, April 8, 2017

Then all his disciples deserted him and fled.

Matthew 26:56b

I remember standing once in the Coliseum in Rome, holding our two young daughters by the hands, and wondering if I would have been able to lead them bravely to face the lions.

I read the Scripture above year after year, and my response is always the same. Their lack of courage and loyalty astounds me. Suddenly aware that the future was bleak, they ran. How could they leave him alone?

I envision myself standing firm in the face of danger, loving him and wanting to be there with him to the bitter end, no matter what the consequence. Deep down in my heart, however, I wonder if my thoughts are just bravado. Neither I nor anyone else really knows how she’d react in facing either lions or Pilot’s cross – no matter how much we love the Lord.

But there is another side of this picture. What about Jesus? Many had followed him in the three years of his ministry, but he had chosen twelve and poured himself into their lives. HE had tried to teach them Truth. Soon he would be gone, and they would have work to do in the Kingdom of God. They had eaten together, talked together, laughed together as they traveled about the small country. For three years they had been best friends, and now they were gone.

I don’t like to think about the expression on his face as he saw them go. He knew there was pain ahead. He was deserted by his best friends.

Prayer: Father, I am so sad to admit that I, too, might have run away. You bore so much for us, and we are afraid to just stay with you in your pain. You have made some giants of faith during history, I want to be one of them – one who will stand with you no matter what. Please. 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

 

Thirty-Third Day of Lent

Thirty-Third Day of Lent

Friday, April 7, 2017

About three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabacthani?” (which means, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?”).

Matthew 27:46

Genesis 1:26 says, “Let us make man in our own image,” and most concede that the “us” is the Triune God. This is supported by the first verse in the Gospel of John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Always, this Mystical Union had existed, without separation of his parts. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit – One.

In his awful agony on that ugly and cruel cross, Jesus screamed out the words above. When he needed God the Father most, he was separated from him! Why?

Habakkuk, that little minor prophet in the Old Testament tells us why. He says, “my God, my Holy one, . . . You are too pure to look on evil.” (Habakkuk 1:12a, 13a)

At the moment of this agonizing cry unto God, all the sin of the whole world was poured out on Jesus, and God turned away from him. Jesus was accepting punishment for every sin we’ll ever commit, and God was repulsed by the sight of it. This one whom God had once looked upon and declared, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased,” now was covered with the world’s ugly sin. God loved the world so much that he allowed it. And Jesus endured it because he wanted the world to know, “[he] loved the Father and that [he] did exactly what [his] Father had commanded.” (John 14:31)

Our hearts must surely break to realize what we have done, and at the same time they must burst with joy that God would go to such an extreme to buy us back from our sin!

Prayer: We can never do enough to thank you. Help us make our lives show that we remember the great price you have paid 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