Lent 2014 - Thursday, March 20th

Scripture Reading for Thursday, March 20th

Reading: John 15:1-8

Life on the Vine

As a kid I would play outside a lot when the weather was nice. In my backyard I had a sandbox, a small yard and a swing. Being a pastors kid, I lived next door to the church. It was a stone building, standing at the corner of 5th and Kimbark in Longmont, Colorado. I think it is an office building these days.

As a small church pastor my dad did a lot of the yard work and upkeep of both the house and church. Each year we would get tons of dandelions in the yard of the house and church, so one day my dad made me an offer that I couldn't refuse: one penny for each dandelion I picked. Now, to be fair my work ethic wasn't that great in those days so my dad figured I might pick a quarters worth (25); however I proceeded to pick as many as I could. I don't remember the exact amount but I ended up with somewhere around three or four dollars worth of dandelion heads.

Why pick them? The dandelions would not survive without being attached to their root system, and since I had picked them while they were still yellow they didn't have the chance to turn to seed, set sail in the wind, and make more dandelions.

When you cut off the source of energy for a living thing, it dies, and our spirit and soul are no different.

As we go through life we will face challenges large and small, but what keeps us rooted and able to weather the storms is our connection to our heavenly father through Jesus Christ. Without that connection we are useless, fruitless, and unable to flower and become a spiritually reproducing, and life-giving person.

As we head further down the road to Jerusalem with our Lord, we remember that to be with Jesus is to drink from the very life of God.

Questions for Reflection or Journaling

• What do you turn to as your source of strength? Is it your heavenly father, or other things?
• Have you allowed God to trim your vine? Have you listened to his word?

Prayer

Father, you are the source of life. To not know you, is to know only death and disconnection. We ask today that your word would infiltrate us as a source of goodness. Create in us a life pleasing to you, and able to reproduce your love.

Amen

Lent 2014 - Wednesday, March 19th

Scripture Reading for Wednesday, March 19

Reading: Matthew 20:17-28

Do You Know What You Are Asking?

Jesus was heading to Jerusalem, and it was for the last time. In his early life Jesus' trips to Jerusalem were a mark of joyful anticipation; whether his dedication at the temple, or his family's trip to offer sacrifices. These memories and stories of his youth must have made this journey a particularly bittersweet one for our Lord. The disciples, remaining mostly clueless to what was in store at Jerusalem, focused upon their position in what they thought might be the coming of Jesus' inaugurated kingdom.

For the Israelites, Jerusalem was a battle cry. For the disciples, Jesus' imminent death was the furthest possibility in their mind. They trekked toward the city that symbolized the strength of the Israeli identity amidst the Roman Empire. 'At last', they thought, 'Jesus is going to set this place right!' You don't go to Jerusalem to die; but for victory.

How the more confusing then that our Lord stops them in their thoughts, speaks to the mother of James and John, and warns them with a portent of death of what was about to come. This is because it is a different kind of kingdom Jesus is inagurating; one where death leads to life, where service leads to greatness, and where those that would seek power and status are laid low.

To follow Jesus, to drink from his cup, is a death sentence; however that is not the end of the story. In surrendering our life, we gain eternal life. By surrendering our treasure, God offers us the blessings of his heavenly kingdom. Certainly this is the needle-hole reality of God's Kingdom.

Do you know what you are asking of our Lord? Because you may be getting way more than you bargained for.

Questions for Reflection or Journaling

• What does it feel like when we expect one thing, and something completely unexpected happens instead?
• What is the most surprising reality you have experienced of God's Kingdom?

Prayer

Father, you know our hearts even before we utter a word. Speak today to our selfishness and strip away the pretense that places a veil between us and the will of your Holy Spirit.

Amen

Lent 2014 - Tuesday, March 18th

Scripture Reading for Tuesday, March 18

Reading: Matthew 23:1-12

The Least of All

A common statement is, "Do as I say, not as I do." In reading this passage we see Jesus apply this to the pharisees and teachers of the law, "do as they say, but do not do what they do." The pharisees had set themselves up at the top of the societal ladder and wore their religious practice on their sleeve. Jesus critiqued this kind of showy religious practice as having less to do with faith in God and more to do with the image of the pharisees.

When we seek to look important, to receive recognition because of our status or how we practice our faith we are only noticed in this world; instead Jesus wants us to concern ourselves with listening to our Father in heaven and carrying out his direction. Jesus tells us that a holy life is often the unseen life, the life lived in which no one knows our good deeds or recognizes the value of our actions.

Many of the most influential Christians in my life were never highly visible leaders in the church. They were surely leaders in their own right. Lee taught my kindergarten Sunday School class. Phyllis and Leon loved me like a grandson and cared for me and my young-pastor parents. Don taught me the value of a hard work ethic. The list goes on and on. Truly the greatest among us are the servants of all.

Questions for Reflection or Journaling

• Who do you serve, or who is God asking you to serve?
• How can you learn to serve others better?

Prayer

Father you came to us as the lowest of all, and servant to all. On the cross you died the death of a criminal and the least-of-all. Truly you are our one true teacher and one true father. Guide us today into service.

Amen

Lent 2014 - Monday, March 17th

Scripture Reading for Monday, March 17

Reading: Luke 6:27-36

Loving your Enemies

Core to the remembrance of Christ crucified is remembering what he was crucified for; which is to bring about the means for reconciliation between God and humanity. This was highlighted yesterday, God wants a real and direct relationship with us, and even more he wants us to experience peace, and wholeness of life.

Few things Jesus has taught have caused more controversy than his admonition that his followers would love their enemies. I wonder what our world would look like if more people relied less on man-made solutions to violence and relied more upon the teachings of Jesus Christ? Core to Jesus' teachings about bringing about a world that is more like God's kingdom, that reflects God's shalom, is dealing with the reality that violence only extends and escalates violence.

Mercy is core to understanding why Jesus responded to the violence of this world not with a military conquest and the death of those opposed to him; rather he took the act of violence upon himself in order to end the cycle of violence and nullify its effect. Mercy is core to understanding how peace and wholeness of life can be attained 'on earth as it is in heaven.' and that mercy begun in him extends today through us, his people.

Questions for Reflection or Journaling

• What would happen if you used those moments in which others persecute and attack you to show love to those hurting you? How would it change you? How would it change the situation?

Prayer

Father, certainly you have shown your mercy on the cross. You are the final judge and arbiter of good and evil, and we are your people sent to love the unloved and unlovable.

Amen

Lent 2014 - Sunday, March 16th - Second Sunday of Lent

Scripture Reading for the Second Sunday of Lent, March 16, 2014

Reading: John 5:16-23

Who's Authority?

Yesterday we looked at Jesus' response to the rigid interpretation of sabbath held by the Pharisees. In his act of transgression against the power of the Pharisees Jesus set the ball rolling on his final confrontation with them and his death on the cross. When we challenge those who exercise power in unjust ways it is not surprising when they persecute us.

The contention brewing here was not just that Jesus was healing on the sabbath and causing some trouble within the Hebrew ranks. Jesus was fundamentally challenging the entire worldview the pharisees had worked hard to preserve. The religious lives of the people hung upon the dictates of the Pharisees and high-priests for their lives. God's favor was not something experienced between God and his people; it had to go through those in charge.

The Pharisees were in many ways a corrupt group, benefiting financially from their status as religious leaders. They held political influence as well, and Jesus' ministry threatened them to their core. Not only was Jesus healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and forgiving the destitute; he had begun equating himself with God! Jesus was no longer a nuisance, he was a threat.

So what are we to do with this passage? How does it inform us on this second Sunday of Lent? Part of the progression of Jesus' ministry and mission on this earth was to bring to us humans a picture of who God is. Jesus Christ is the best revelation we have of God. What God wants more than anything is to bring about healing, peace, wholeness of life, and salvation to his people. The Hebrew word is shalom and the greek work eirene. In order for Jesus to begin this process, the establishment of God's Kingdom, he had to confront those that effectively stood between God and his people.

Questions for Reflection or Journaling

• Where have you seen corruption at work in the world?
• How do we use our power and influence to honor God?
• If you have power and influence in your life are you using it for your own benefit or for Gods?

Prayer

God in Heaven, we honor you today as the one who has sent us the blessing of your Son, Jesus Christ. We thank you for the example Jesus provided to us on earth, and continues to provide now to his church. We ask today that you guide any power and influence we may control towards the justice you seek for all of your people.

Amen