Lent 2020 Day 35

Scripture Reading

Matthew 28:18-20

What do you do when you find out good news? What is your reaction when something great happens? You tell somebody! Usually the first person you see is the one that gets an earful about that great deal on shoes, the healing of a relative, or the birth of a baby. Can you imagine holding it in? It feels like your going to burst and it is impossible to sit still because you are so anxious to tell people so they can celebrate with you. Celebration...how would you like to celebrate alone? What a horrible birthday party it would be if it was only you. Easter is all about celebration. It is when we rejoice that he lives! We are created to have a relationship with God and with each other. We are created to tell and celebrate the good news of Christ's life, death, and resurrection. 

The Great Commission was given to the eleven disciples and it is given to us as well. Tell others! The irony in the lives of so many Christians is that they proclaim that Christ is Lord of all and that he has changed their lives, but they would rather talk about the weather with someone than about what God is doing in their lives and the world around them. If we are celebrating this Easter, shouldn't we also be sharing this celebration with others? If we are truly excited and really believe that Christ's resurrection is the best news the world ever received, why are we not about to burst to tell someone? During this season of Lent, I challenge each of us to look at ourselves and see what it is that is preventing us from sharing Christ's love with others? Whatever it is that is holding us back, God is capable of helping us work through it and wants to see us carry out his calling to tell the world about Christ. God is with us, and he has called us to go out and make disciples. Are you ready and willing?
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord" (2 Timothy 1:7-8, NLT). 

Prayer: God, I pray that you would show me what is preventing me from sharing the good news of Christ with others. Help me to boldly proclaim Christ to those around me. May I invite others to come and share in the celebration of Christ's resurrection. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 34

Scripture Reading

Matthew 7:21-27

The kingdom of heaven belongs to those who do the will of God the Father. It's interesting that Jesus says that there will be some who will have done miracles, cast out demons, and preached in his name who will not enter heaven because they didn't have a relationship with God. It seems that there are some who will appear to be followers of Jesus but really aren't. Perhaps it is also possible that there are some who by most standards one would not consider a Christian but who are actually busy doing the will of God and thus will be allowed entrance into the kingdom of heaven. It is not left up to us to make those decisions, our responsibility is to be doing God's will as we serve him on this earth. 

Jesus illustrates his point by telling the story of the wise and foolish builders. Do you remember the children's song about this story? "The wise man built his house upon the rock/the foolish man built his house upon the sand/the rain came down and the waters rose up/and the walls come tumbling down." What Jesus wants us to see is that the foundations of our faith must be built upon him alone. Just as when you build a house, you don't want to build it on swamp land, because it will eventually begin to sink. The same is true with our faith in God. If our faith is based upon our good works (telling others about Jesus, doing miracles, casting out demons, church attendance, tithing, and reading our Bibles) then we are building on sand. None of those things will ever save us or make God love us anymore than he already does. Our faith must be built on the saving work of Christ! This means we accept God's free gift of salvation that Christ made possible through his life, death, and resurrection so that we as sinners might have a relationship with the holy God who created us. Because of God's holiness and our sinfulness we needed a mediator who would connect us to God, that mediator is Jesus Christ. It is only as our faith is based on the acceptance of what Christ did for us that we can say that we are like the wise builder. 

Prayer: Lord, I pray that I will be like the wise builder and make my foundation the gospel of Jesus Christ. I don't want to be turned away and told that you never knew me, I want to be a faithful servant who knows you in the most personal and intimate way possible. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 33

Scripture Reading

Matthew 13:44-46; 6:33

Have you ever wanted something so badly that you were willing to give up anything in order to get it? I believe we have all at one time or another used our bargaining powers to get what we want. "You don't have to buy me anything else all year, if I can have this jacket." "I promise these are the only shoes I will ever need." "If I can have a car you don't have to buy me anymore Christmas or birthday presents!" I can vividly remember searching my room to try to figure out what I could sell in order to make money to buy whatever it was that week I just had to have. I was willing to give up everything to get what I saw as something more valuable. But what about eternal things, am I as passionate about them as I am materialistic things? What do we value? What are we willing to do to gain eternal riches? 

The characters in this parable went to drastic measures to keep what they found to be the most valuable thing they had. For both it involved giving all they had to keep what was more valuable. Jesus is not asking us to sell all of our material items to show our love for him, but he is asking us to give up our own desires and let God's desires be ours. We have to give all of ourselves to God. He does not want bits and parts. He wants all of us! He wants to be in control of who our friends are, what career we choose, what we wear, what we eat, where we go...there is not one part of our life that God does not want us to hand over to him. Are we willing to do that? Have you ever been irritated with someone for doing something "halfway?" They did the job, but by the skin of their teeth. This is bothersome with everyday things like school projects, cleaning rooms, running errands. Why would we let these things bother us; yet, we approach our faith in the same manner. Our spiritual life and relationship with God is the most valuable part of our existence, but we approach God "halfway." Seek him first and everything else will fall into place. It seems too simple doesn't it? God's grace is unbelievable sometimes. We give him our lives and he does everything else. 

Prayer: Let the words of a song by Keith Green be your prayer today. "Make my life a prayer to you you. I wanna do what you want me to. No empty words and no white lies, no token prayers, no compromise." Amen.

Lent 2020 Day 32

Scripture Reading

Matthew 13:31-32

Jesus loved to use parables to teach people the truth of the kingdom of God. When Jesus taught using parables he was taking an example from the everyday life of his followers and using it to explain something about heaven or what it means to be a Christ follower. 

In this very short parable, which is followed by an even shorter one, Jesus compares the Kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed. As Jesus says in the parable, the mustard seed was the smallest seed used by farmers during that time. The amazing thing about it was that it would grow and become quite large. The comparison that Jesus is making is that the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven starts out small but grows into something very large. 

Think about it this way, the kingdom of heaven began with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, but through God's plan of redemption through Jesus' death on the cross it has grown to include millions of people throughout the centuries. The neat thing is that it hasn't stopped growing, the kingdom of heaven gets larger and larger as more and more people come to know God and experience his love. Just as the old hymn says, "Though millions have come, there's still room for one, yes there's room at the cross for you." The kingdom of heaven doesn't have a maximum seating capacity so we need to make sure that we are doing our part to tell others about the kingdom of heaven. Ask God to give you the boldness to tell someone about him today or tomorrow. 

Prayer: God, thank you for your kingdom that doesn't turn anybody away or ever get full. Help me to live for you today by sharing with someone the love that you have given us. Help me to be faithful to the work of the kingdom by living for you each day. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 31

Scripture Reading

Matthew 2:1-6

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,though small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times." Micah 5:2

The prophet Micah prophesied the coming of the Messiah, from Bethlehem out of the land of Judah, seven centuries prior to Jesus' birth. Again scripture is fulfilled and Jesus' Davidic background is brought to our attention. The Jews, although blind to the servant king that the Messiah would be, were very well versed with the prophet Micah's words which said that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem from the lineage of David. King Herod, appointed by the Roman government to rule Judea, Galilee, and other territories, was distraught over this question the magi from the east asked, "Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews?" To the reigning king, this must have been quite alarming. he asked the chief priests and teachers of the law what they knew about this king. The fulfillment of Micah's words shook Herod. He was a man known for his ruthlessness and vengeance. It is known that he murdered his wife, sons, and other family members. Out of his fear and anger he sought out this child the Magi claimed to be king and wanted him dead. 

You can imagine how Herod must have felt. He was the king and all of a sudden your subjects, wise men from another place and the religious leaders are claiming that a new king is born. He was threatened and afraid that his rule as King of Judah would be ending. He most likely believed that this king would try to overthrow him and leave him with nothing. He did not know that this king was not a king of military might or government power. He was not seeking war or tyranny. He was a servant. One whose very voice sparked peace and hope. Jesus was not the king Herod was expecting. The Jews also did not expect a Messiah that would come into the world in such a lowly manner. They wanted to see Herod overthrown. They wanted a savior that would restore Israel with military might and glory. 

As we know, Jesus was not at all what the world expected. But yet, God had a plan that exceeded the expectations of Jews and Gentiles. The Jews must have been disappointed that this messiah would wash the feet of others, eat meals with prostitutes and not even have a place to lay his head. How could a man like this save anybody? Herod and the people of Israel are not any different than we are today. We find it hard to believe that being a servant is the key to true peace and joy. It is our nature to want to choose the mighty warrior to save us, rather than the meek servant. The Israelites were focused on their earthly lives, the tangible. Wouldn't you say we struggle with this as well? However, Jesus came to restore what was far more important, our eternal lives. God knew exactly the kind of king that the Israelites needed. He knew that a political leader, military power, or a new government was only temporary. His plan for his people was to care for them eternally. The Jews questioned God's plan. Do you question God's plan for your life? Ever wonder why things are not working out at all the way you want or the way you have prayed for them to? Do you know that God has a plan? Often we, like the Jews, only see the present, but God has our entire life in mind. Yes, for us, he has a plan that far exceeds our expectations. All we have to do is trust.

Prayer: Father, help me to trust you with my life. Thank you for the plan you have for me. I know that it might not be what I imagine, but your will is what I want for my life. Give me the patience to wait and see how you will work your plan out in my life and give me peace for the answers I may never know while here on earth. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 30

Scripture Reading

Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah is one of my favorite prophets. His life and ministry have always been sources of encouragement for me. The first part of chapter 9 foretells the birth of a child who will bring change to Israel and the world. We could spend a day talking about each of the four names of Jesus mentioned in verse 6 but we don't have the time. Wonderful Counselor, Jesus is our counselor through all the things that we go through. When we have a really bad day at school or a fight with our parents or brother or sister he is there. When we have a really great day, Jesus is still with us. He longs for us to share our thoughts with him when things are going great in our lives and when things are not so great. Jesus is the might God. We can never over-emphasize the divine nature of Jesus, He is God the Son. He is strong and mighty and able to do anything if he wants to. He is also the Everlasting Father. Jesus wasn't alive for just 33 years, he was the beginning of all creation. The Prince of Peace is another name of Jesus. This means that he will one day bring ultimate peace to the world he created. Part of this means that as believers we can experience the peace of God in the midst of difficult circumstances like failing a test, losing a loved one, or feeling rejected by friends. 

These two verses give us hope in the person of Jesus. We, like Isaiah's audience, can anticipate the ultimate ruler of God over all the earth. This began when Jesus suffered and died for the sin of the world, but it will be fully realized when Christ comes back to establish the new heaven and the new earth to reign forever. 

Prayer: Father, thank you for sending the Prince of Peace into a world of turmoil for my sake. I ask that you would help me to be an instrument of your peace that others might see the difference that you have made in my life. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 29

Scripture Reading

Psalm 2, Mark 1:11

Psalm 2 is what scholars call a messianic psalm and a royal or kingly psalm. It is royal or kingly because it describes the reign of the Anointed One of the Lord. The psalm depicts a rather mighty, vengeful ruler who has no mercy upon those who oppose the Lord. One cannot read Psalm 2 without realizing the power, majesty, and terror that the Lord and his Anointed One evoke in the world. The psalm is written so that the reader gets a big view of God as the ruler of the universe. If we are to understand part of the grandness of God then we must affirm the kingly depiction of the Lord and his Anointed One. 

Psalm 2 is also a messianic psalm, which means that it refers to the messiah. Psalm 2 has been interpreted throughout the history of the church as a Psalm that describes the Messiah and his actions as he rules from on high. Messiah means "anointed one," and as we see in verse 2, the Anointed One is counted as one who rules with Yahweh, the Lord. This messianic psalm looks forward to the coming of the Son of God. Jesus is the subject of these verses because he is the Messiah. Jesus came to "proclaim the decree of the Lord." Jesus brought with him the message of God's judgment on sin and God's mercy on sinners. 

Jesus was the fulfillment of all of Israel's hopes, yet so many of them failed to recognize him for who he was. When he was baptized, Mark records a voice from heaven quoting Psalm 2. It was at his baptism that Jesus inaugurated his earthly ministry and his reign as the Anointed One of Yahweh. What was said to Jesus at his baptism is proof of his messiahship. He has fulfilled the prophecy of Psalm 2 and brought about the completion of the promise of God to David. 

Look again at verse 12 of Psalm 2. In it we see the directive given and the blessing that follows when one is obedient to what God has called us to do. We are told to kiss the son, an act of honor and worship to kings of ancient days. "Blessed are all who take refuge in him." Jesus as the Messiah is our refuge, a place we can go to in times of trouble and distress. He provides safety and security, a refuge. Jesus, the Messiah, the King of all Kings is our refuge in the good and bad times of life. 

Prayer: Yahweh, thank you for the Messiah. I praise you for crowning him as your King who provides for his people. I pray that I will live a life worthy of your name. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 28

Scripture Reading

Luke 1:26-33

Can you for one second imagine yourself in Mary's sandals? You are a young teenage girl, probably around the age of 15 and you find out that you are pregnant. If that's not terrifying enough you know you are still a virgin, and the child you are carrying is the son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of his people. What would be going through your mind? Fear, nervousness, anxiety, maybe a little joy and happiness, these are all emotions you might experience. 

The words that the angel Gabriel spoke to Mary, carry the weight of the world with them. The hope and future of humanity's relationship with God rest on these words. We often only think about this encounter that Mary had with Gabriel at Christmas time, but they are verses that we need to read throughout the year because they hold the hope of the world in them. 

These verse are the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies. How wonderful it is to know that a young teenage girl was not afraid to face her fiance or the world because she knew the truth about what God was doing in and through her. My prayer for you today is that the example of Mary will strengthen and encourage you to be committed to God even in the most difficult of circumstances. 

Prayer: Lord God, I confess my tendency to doubt you and my reluctance to be obedient during the difficult times in my life. I ask that you would use the example of Mary as she learns about being the mother of Jesus to strengthen me during trials. Help me to cling to your promises as Mary did. I want to be obedient and faithful to the calling that you have placed on my life. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 27

Scripture Reading

Acts 2:29-36

Peter's sermon at Pentecost ties together so many important aspects of the Jewish tradition and the connection that it has with our faith as Christians. Peter's sermon was addressed primarily to other Jews (Acts 2:14). Peter's own faith was as a Jew who came to believer that a Jewish carpenter from Nazareth was the promised Messiah, who would reign forever on David's throne. Peter was pleading with his fellow Jews to open their eyes to the reality of their Messiah who had recently been crucified and resurrected from the dead. 

Peter turns his sermon's focus to the greatest leader and hero of Israel, David. The shepherd boy, turned king was remembered as Israel's greatest leader and a spiritual giant for his radical obedience to God. Peter knew that to gain his audience's attention he had to focus on the greatest figure in their history. 

Peter points out that David himself realized that the promise of a descendant to reign on his throne was temporal but was also referring to the promised Messiah. Peter emphatically claims that this promised Messiah is Jesus of Nazareth. Peter quotes from David's own confession to Jesus as his (David's) Lord. This confession illustrates the importance and esteem that David placed on Jesus as the Savior of his people (Israel). 

For Christians in 2020, we do not really question Jesus as being the Messiah. What we question is whether or not we will submit to his Lordship over our life. Will we call Jesus Lord of our life or the one that keeps us out of the doors of hell? As the old preacher always used to say, "If he's not Lord of all, he's not Lord at all!" Have you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life? 

Prayer: God, I confess that Jesus, your son is the Messiah that you promised many years ago. I acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior of all my life. Help me to live each day for you. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 26

Scripture Reading

Matthew 22:41-46

The religious leaders of Jesus' day had been asking him questions in order to trap him in a lie or blasphemy. In this passage the Pharisees are asked a question that every person must answer at some point their lives. "What do you think about the Christ? Whose sone is he?" The Pharisees answered according to what the Jews believed about the lineage of the Messiah. They knew that God had promised David that the Messiah was to be one of David's descendants. Jesus responded to the Pharisee's answer by quoting scripture in which David calls the Messiah (Christ) his Lord. Jesus' question confuses the Pharisees. What Jesus was pointing out and what the Pharisees refused to see was that the Messiah was not only a descendant of David, he was David's Lord. 

The question for each of us is what do we think about the Christ? Are we silent and confused like the Pharisees? Do we acknowledge God with our lips but nothing in our heart testifies that we know him? Can we, like David, call him our Lord? The truth that Jesus is the Christ is a truth that each of us must either accept or reject. After we have acknowledged Jesus as our Lord we must live each day of our live for him. Today Jesus is asking you the same question he asked the Pharisees, "What do you think about the Christ?" 

Prayer: Lord, I confess that Jesus is the Christ, the long awaited Messiah. I believe that he is your son, a descendant of David, a David's Lord, as he is my Lord. May my life reflect the Lordship of Jesus today and everyday. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 25

Scripture Reading

Ezekiel 34:1-24

Ezekiel was a prophet who lived during the time when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians and thousands of Israelites were taken back to Babylon to live in exile as refugees. In addition to the Jews who had been taken into captivity, other Jews had been scattered throughout the Middle East. 

This passage is both a critique of the leaders of Israel for their selfishness and poor leadership of the people of God, and a message of hope in the coming restoration of the people of God. The hope of this passage is that God will place a shepherd over them like David (vs.23). This does not literally mean David, because David has already come and gone in Israel's history but it is a leader who will not be self-serving and will ten to the sheep that God has entrusted to him. This is another reference to the coming Messiah. A shepherd who will gather all of his scattered sheep and bring love, healing, peace, and hope to their lives. the other leaders of Israel had been criticized for not caring for all of the needs of the people. This new shepherd who will come is coming to serve the sheep. 

It is only through this expectant leader that Israel's hopes and dreams can be fully realized (the hope of being God's people). God's covenant promise is renewed with them again in this chapter. "I the Lord will be their God, my servant David will be prince among them. I the Lord have spoken" (vs. 24). The promise of being God's people and God being their God is a reminder of his promise to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David. It is part of God's sovereign plan to redeem a people for himself. He wants to live in relationship with his people so that they can experience his love and grace. 

For Ezekiel's audience the promise of returning to Israel with a new leader who was like David was the best news they had ever heard. Eventually they would return to Israel, but most of their descendants would reject rather than accept the promised shepherd, who is Jesus. The hope and promise held out by God was missed by Israel because they failed to understand what God was doing in the world. Are you aware of what God is doing in the world? Are you aware of what God is doing through his shepherd-king Jesus? Don't miss the opportunities for ministry that God has for you because your too busy waiting around for some kind of grand sign or miracle. Learn to see God at work in the midst of the every day circumstances of life. After all, when Jesus fed the 5,000 it was not because he wanted to perform a miracle to draw attention to himself, but it was because he saw a need that had to be met...hungry people. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are the Good Shepherd who has gathered his sheep together and gives us the opportunity to love and serve you. Help us to be like Jesus and be aware of the needs and opportunities for ministry that are all around us. Amen.

Lent 2020 Day 24

Scripture Reading

Jeremiah 23:5-6

One of our professors in seminary would always tell us, "context, context, context...those are the three most important principles of properly interpreting a biblical text." This is certainly true with this passage. Jeremiah was a prophet who constantly reminded the Israelites of the future hope of Yahweh that was contained in the promises of the Messiah. 

The first four verses of Jeremiah 23 are Yahweh pronouncing his promise to gather his people back unto himself. It is important that we see the faithfulness of God in these verses. His purpose has always been to call a people to himself who would live in relationship with him. The Lord demonstrates his covenant commitment. Remember his covenant with Israel was always contingent on what he did, not what Israel did. So we also see in the context of this passage the overarching theme of God's faithfulness to his promises. 

Bound to God's covenant promises to David was the promise of his descendants who will sit on the throne and reign wisely. As we look at these verses today our immediate thought is Solomon. He was David's son. He was noted for his wisdom and justice. In one sense this is referring to Solomon and his reign as King of Israel. Solomon was a great king who spread the influence and territory of Israel throughout the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean worlds. However, there is a bigger context that we need to see in this passage and that is the messianic aspect of these verses. Jeremiah's prophecy through Yahweh is recording the nature of the Messiah's reign. The characteristics of "safety, salvation, being just, righteousness" are all things that characterize Jesus and his role as the Messiah, which was what God promised to David. So then the context of this passage is both immediate and future and as believers we must understand it for its implications for Israel during Solomon's reign and as Jesus Christ reigns eternally with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. 

As followers of the promised Messiah we are called to live lives that reflect the justice, righteousness, safety, and salvation of God. Are we doing that? Do we help people around us who are in desperate need? Do we as individuals and as the church offer a safe place to people who are broken, hurting, and desperate to experience the love of God? Are we telling people about the promise of salvation that is only found in Jesus?

Prayer: Father, help me to offer justice, righteousness, safety, and most of all salvation to people around me. I pray that I will learn more and more what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and to take up my cross daily. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 23

Scripture Reading

2 Samuel 7:1-29

Throughout Lent we have talked about God's covenant with Abraham that was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We now turn our attention to God's covenant with David. This was not a new covenant; rather it was a renewal of God's eternal covenant with his people that he redeemed from Egypt. God's covenant with David was renewal for his people with specific details and promises to David. 

David's greatest desire was to build a place for the Ark of the Covenant, which represented God's presence with his people. David thought it was ridiculous that he should be living luxuriously while God's ark was still housed in a tent. God had other plans for David. God's plan for David's life was different than David's plan for his own life. God knew that the best thing for David was not what he wanted but what God had ordained for him. The Rolling Stones have a song that says, "You can't always get what you want but you just might find, you get what you need." That was true for David's life. That might also be true for you in your life. There may be something that you really wanted or wanted God to lead you to do but he has other (better) plans for your life.

God's promise to David was for an everlasting kingdom. This was realized through Solomon, David's son, who built the Temple as a place for the Ark of the covenant to reside. More importantly, God's promise to David (vs. 13) of a kingdom that will last forever is a foreshadowing of the promised Messiah who would come to deliver the children of Israel. This verse goes beyond Solomon and other descendants of David to Jesus of Nazareth, a descendant who would establish a kingdom to last forever through his life, death, and resurrection.

As you think about the promises of God to David and his descendants remind yourself of the promises of God to you as his child. He has promised you eternal life with him. He has promised that he will always be faithful to you even when you are not faithful to him. He has promised to provide for your needs. He has promised to love you unconditionally. Use David's prayer at the end of this chapter as your own today. 

Prayer: "O Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever." Amen.

Lent 2020 Day 22

Scripture Reading

2 Samuel 5:1-5

David has the privilege of being the second king in Israel's history. He followed the reign of Saul. The text points out that even during Saul's reign that David proved that he was a might military leader which was absolutely necessary for a ruler during that time period. The interesting thing here is that the people recognized the leadership qualities of David and sought him out as their king. David was anointed king at Hebron and then the writer says that he ruled for forty years as king over Israel. 

This passage seems rather odd as we focus our attention on the cross of Christ, but we must read between the lines. Remember David was the person to whom God said that the Messiah will come from your lineage. He promised David that his descendants would rule Israel forever. What God meant was that Jesus Christ would be the eternal king to rule on David's throne. In many ways the life of David serves as an example to his peers of what the Messiah will be like. 

The anointing of David as king over Israel also serves to us as a reminder to Israel of the covenant promises of God. God renewed his covenant that he first made with Abraham. God reminded the people that he would always be faithful to his promises. His promises of hope, peace, security, and salvation. These promises can only be realized when we place our trust in Christ as our Lord and Savior. 

David was also a man after God's own heart. As you think about your own life, could people say that you are a person after God's own heart? Do you desire to love and serve God so much that nothing will stand in your way of doing that? This is certainly a radical call to obedience but it is the only option if we call ourselves a Christian. 

Prayer: Lord, I want to be like your servant David. Don't let anything keep me from loving and serving you with my whole heart. Thank you for using David and his descendants to bring about the wonderful Messiah. Please continue to use the life and words of David to draw people to you. Amen.

Top O' The Morning to You

Top O' the Morning to you! 

This was how my grandmother answered her phone every March 17th for years. There's not enough time to explain how the O'Pagliarullo clan came to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The short version is if you live in Savannah, you are Irish even if your not on March 17. Some of my favorite memories from childhood and even as a parent with my own children are centered around this fabled day. Do people celebrate with too much Guinness or Jameson or Bushmills or some other alcoholic beverage? Yes, some do. Do people go crazy and forget that they have responsibilities the next day? Yes, some do. The parade, the floats, the people wearing a sea of green, the corned beef and cabbage, the green bread, green doughnuts, green grits, and just about everything else bring a smile to the faces of young and old. The tradition, the celebration, the friends, the family, and the recounting of what the weather was like for the last few years and where we watched the parade that year are all things that we will miss this year. No bumping into friends you haven't seen in years as you snake your way through the crowds to find that perfect spot to observe. No meeting up with others at their spot, in that square or that house to celebrate the day. This year, 2020, there will be no Mass, no parade, no party on the corner of 40th Street or an alternate location. 

Perhaps in the midst of the chaos that is Covid-19 pandemic, remembering Patrick, the man, the missionary, the faithful member of the body of Christ is what we need most this year. Patrick simply did what he felt called by God to do with his life. In his Confessions he writes, "It was not really I but Christ the Lord who commanded me to come here and to stay with them for the rest of my life." Patrick practiced contextualization in ministry before that was a popular concept. May we all be like Patrick and commit to do life and ministry in the context we find ourselves in this March 17 and each day. Patrick is a faith hero to me, because he was willing to obey God with his whole life...may I be as faithful, may we all be as faithful to the One who called us to follow him. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Lent 2020 Day 21

Scripture Reading

Matthew 5:17-20

The Sermon on the Mount from which these verses come from has been a source of constant controversy in terms of interpretation throughout the history of Christianity. The meaning of these verses is important because it helps to determine one's view of Jesus as Messiah and the role of the Law in the life of a Christian. 

Jesus' use of the Law and the Prophets applies to the entire Old Testament. He emphatically states that he has not come to tear down or do away with the Old Testament but to fulfill it. Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament in several ways: 1)he was the fulfillment of the promises of god to Israel, 2)he was the fulfillment of the prophecy that referred to the coming Messiah who would save God's children, 3)he lived a perfect life, never sinning, so he was the only person to ever keep all of the Law (there were only 613 commandments and restrictions). 

So then the questions for us as Christians in the year 2020 trying to be obedient to God and live out our faith is "What role does the Old Testament Law play in our spiritual journey?" Obviously since Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament and kept all of the Law then it must have some role in our lives. Jesus tells us in these verses that as believers we are to keep the commandments and teach others to keep them as well. Then we read that unless our righteousness surpasses the pharisees we won't inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. In his death on the cross, Jesus has become our righteousness. He has made us right with God. He had kept the sum of the Law and the Prophets so that we don't have to in order to be declared right with God. As Christians the Holy Spirit dwells in us so that we are able to keep the Law not as a way of obtaining our salvation or earning favor with God, but as evidence of the change that has taken place in our heart when we accepted Christ as Lord and Savior. The comparison of the righteousness of the pharisees refers to the danger of only keeping the Law externally rather than allowing the truth of the Gospel to change us from the inside out. It is the same as going through the motions of church and Christianity, because that is what is expected of us. The real challenge for us is for our hearts to be softened towards the things of God. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for Christ who fulfilled the Law for me. Help me to live my life in such a way that the people around me see Jesus, not me. May my keeping of the Law be motivated by gratitude for my salvation rather than legalism. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 20

Scripture Reading

Luke 1: 67-79

Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, was a voice of hope in the midst of despair for the Jewish people. His story started with doubt when he was told he was going to be a father even though he was very old. Because of his doubt he was not able to speak until his son was born. Then he began to praise God for his faithfulness to his covenant with his people (verses 67-75). 

We can never be reminded enough that the story of God and his people began with Abraham, was renewed with Moses and David, and fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. This fact, this hope in the promises of God, was what sustained the Israelites through years of difficulty, hardship, and persecution. This hope is what Zechariah was so excited about. 

The words of Zechariah turn to a more personal note as he rejoices over the wonder that God has chosen to use his son as part of the great salvation story! Zechariah's prophecy reminds us of the choice of Almighty God to use frail, weak, sinful human beings to accomplish his purposes. God still chooses to use you and me to tell others about him, not because he has to depend on humans but because he desires to work through us, so that all people of the world might hear the wonderful news that God loves them and has a plan for their lives. Are you allowing God to use you to accomplish his purposes in your life? Who can you talk to about Jesus this week? Pray for that person right now and ask God to give you the courage to boldly proclaim his message. 

Prayer: God, may your name be praised and exalted high above all other names because you have redeemed your people. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you by telling others about your love in spite of my faults and failures. Amen.

Lent 2020 Day 19

Scripture Reading

Hebrews 13:14-21

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that the life we now live will not last but that our hope is in the heavenly city that awaits us when we die. As Christians we know that our hope is only in God and the miracle of sending his son to die on the cross for our sin. What then should our response be to God? "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name" (Hebrews 13:15). Our only proper response is to praise God and thank him for his love and grace that made it possible for us to have a relationship with him. How often do you thank God for saving you? How can your whole life become a sacrifice of praise to our God? 

The author of Hebrews reminds us that part of our gratitude to God for our salvation is to "do good." By this he means that we should live godly lives. Everyday we need to remind ourselves that as Christians we are to live lives that reflect Christ in what we say, think, and do. When we live for God and do good to other we are being Christ to the people around us. Their interaction with us may be the only exposure to the love of God that person ever has. 

The last two verses are the writer's prayer for the original recipients of the letter. My prayer for you today is the same as his. I pray that God will strengthen you to live for him everyday, so that he might be glorified and people might come to know our Lord and Savior through our own lives and testimonies. 

Prayer: Holy and might Lord, I ask that you help me to stay focused on the heavenly city that awaits me as a follower of Christ. Thank you for strengthening me to live for you each day. Help me to do good to others, that I might be a witness for you. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 18

Scripture Reading

Jeremiah 31:27-34

"I will be there God, and they will be my people." That is the promise of God to Israel and to us today as heirs of God's covenant with Israel through the death of Christ. Jeremiah reminds us that God's promise to Israel was to establish and everlasting covenant with them. The original covenant promises of God to Israel came to be viewed as the old covenant when Jesus came and said he was establishing a new covenant. This new covenant is what God is referring to in these verses. 

Jeremiah's most important contribution to biblical thought is the concept of the new covenant. God says that there will be a difference in the the old covenant that he made with Israel and the new one that he will make. God recalls the people's unfaithfulness to God. He even compares himself to Israel's husband and Israel as the unfaithful wife. "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people." (Jeremiah 31:33)

The Law found its home on the stone tablets that Moses brought down from Mount Sinai. The problem with the Law is that it failed to bring about a change of heart attitude in Israel. They would be obedient to God for a little while and then they would be unfaithful and break the covenant again. God is saying that this new covenant will be written on our hearts so that our lives will be changed. God is talking about a transformation of the heart and life of every person who accepts Christ as Lord and Savior. This new covenant is relational not legal. "I will be their God, and they will be my people." This new covenant is what being a Christian is all about, it is relational...God desires for us to have a relationship with him. My prayer for you today is that you would enter that covenant relationship with God if you are not a Christian. If you are a Christian, my prayer is that you would renew your commitment to God today. 

Prayer: God, thank you for writing the Law on my heart and for establishing a new covenant with me. Help me to be faithful to you each day in big ways and little ways. I want you to be my God, and I want to be part of your people. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 17

Scripture Reading

Romans 7:7-12; 8:1-4

The main point Paul is attempting to make is that through the Law he realized what sin was. "Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, 'Do not covet'" (Romans 7:7). It's the same principle of when someone tells you not to do something you hadn't even thought about doing until they said something to you about not doing it. For instance, if you are walking in a park and you see a sign that says "Stay off the grass," it will probably arouse in you an intense desire to walk all over the grass even though before you saw the sign you hadn't even thought about walking on the grass. Paul is saying that the Mosaic Law is what points out our sin to us in hopes of driving us to see our need for God. 

In chapter 8 the incredible news for those who are believers is that there is no condemnation. That means because of Christ's fulfillment of the Law and his death and resurrection we are no longer sentenced to death and separation from God. The Law because it pointed out our sin left us in despair because we knew that we wouldn't be able to meet God's standard of holiness. Therefore, the consequences for us were death and hell, but God had other plans. The wonderful fact is that God sent his son to be a sin offering so that we might have eternal life. There is a sense in which Christ literally died in your place and mine when he hung on the cross. Why did he do it? Because he loved us so much that he would die in order for us to have a relationship with him. 

Prayer: Father, thank you for loving me enough to give up your son, Jesus. Your love is more than I can comprehend. Your grace is deeper and wider than my mind can fathom. I know you are holy and I am not. Thank you for the righteousness of Christ which has been credited to my account so that I might live in freedom from sin through you. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 16

Scripture Reading

Galatians 3:15-26

"What then was the purpose of the law?" According to Paul the Law serves to lead us to God. The Mosaic Law which includes the Ten Commandments was given to show them the need for the Promised Seed to come. The Promised Seed was Jesus. It is through Jesus that Abraham becomes a blessing to the whole world. 

The Law is like the signs at Six Flags that say you must be a certain height to ride this ride. If we don't keep the Law, which we can't because we are sinful, then we realize that we don't meet God's standard. So we need someone who can meet that standard for us. Because of Jesus' sinless life he was able to offer his life as a sacrifice for us who as sinners, deserve death. The Law was instituted by God to demonstrate our need for Christ. When we look at the Law and its requirements we realize that we have broken at least one of God's commandments and in most cases all of them (at least in our heart). God's plan with the Mosaic Law was for it to serve as a standard of righteousness that would point out our unrighteousness so that we would see the need for Christ in our lives. 

The key to this passage is understanding that God did not have two ways of saving people (an Old Testament way and a New Testament way). It has always been God's purpose to use faith in who Christ is and what he did to bring people into a right relationship with him. 

When you think about the Ten Commandments does it make you proud that you keep most of them or are you even more thankful for God's grace that sent Jesus to fulfill the Law so that we could have a relationship with God? 

Prayer: Father, thank you for the Law that you gave Moses so many years ago. Use it to continue to point out the sin in my life and my dependence on Christ. I praise you for your grace that you have freely given to me. May my faith rest in you alone. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 15

Scripture Reading

Exodus 19:5-6, 20:1-17

Exodus contains the story of God rescuing his people from slavery and bondage and bringing them out of Egypt into the wilderness to prepare them for their inheritance of the land promised to Abraham. In Exodus 19, God leads Moses up Mount Sinai to have a little chat. God talks to Moses about Israel being his chosen people whom he will bless and who are set out to be holy, different from all the other peoples of the land. 

Exodus 20 is the account of Moses telling the people the Ten Commandments God had given to them as guidelines of their covenant with him. God was establishing Israel as a holy nation. These ten commandments were not intended to be posted in every public place in Israel, rather they were intended to serve as the contract or guidelines of God's covenant treaty with Israel. The Ten Commandments were to remind Israel of who God is and who they were. That's why the beginning focuses on God and his act of saving the people from slavery in Egypt. The stipulation of the covenant falls on God. It was not a covenant that was dependent on Israel's faithfulness. All we have to do to see that, is read the rest of the Old Testament and see that time after time Israel breaks God's Law and is continually unfaithful to God. The incredible thing about God's covenant here in Exodus is that God provides his grace to Israel because he knows that they are not going to be able to stay faithful to all the commandments. The good news for Israel and the good news for us is that God does not withdraw his love for us and commitment to us even when we are unfaithful. That's how BIG his love is!

There is one more important thing to point out about the Ten Commandments. Notice how the first part focuses on the vertical, it deals with our relationship to God as individuals and then the second part focuses on the horizontal, the relationships we have with different people. Do you remember what Jesus said when he was asked what the greatest commandment was? Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

The Law has always been about loving God and loving others. Can you honestly say that you are trying to live out these two commandments that our whole faith is based on? 

Prayer: Yahweh, thank you for your Law that points out my need for your grace. Jesus satisfied all the requirements of the Law on my behalf so that I might walk in a covenant relationship with you. Thank you for the history of the salvation of your people through the Exodus event and how it reminds me of my own salvation experience. May your name be praised! Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 14

Scripture Reading 

Acts 3:17-25

As you think about this passage from Acts it helps to place it in proper context to fully understand what is taking place here. This is Peter talking to his fellow Jewish people after he and John healed the crippled beggar. Peter explains to the Jews that the healing power of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God who is the Father of Jesus, made the man walk again. Peter's purpose is to demonstrate the connection of the promised Messiah of the Old Testament with Jesus of Nazareth, a simple carpenter turned teacher. The underlying interpretation of Peter's statement is that God was always in control in spite of the circumstances and actions of the Jews, God's chosen people. Peter picks up his discussion of Jesus being the Messiah that Moses, Samuel, and all the other prophets had foretold. 

The other interesting thing about this passage is verse 19. Remember that repentance is about turning from our sin to God. It is in the act of turning from sin and to God that our sins are wiped away because God forgives us. Repentance does not precede our sins being paid for by Christ. Rather it is because Christ has endured the cross for us that we are able to repent from sin and claim God's forgiveness in our lives. 

Lent is a season when one focuses on the cross of Christ. It is also a time when we mourn over our sin and in repentance seek the Lord again. Why do we repent from sin and turn to God as Christians? So that "times of refreshing can come from the Lord." As you pray today ask the Lord to bring to mind sin that you need to confess and repent from so that you can seek God with renewed passion. 

Prayer: Lord, to turn from sin to you is a difficult thing because of the power sin has over me at times. Help me to rely on you for strength and grace to repent and turn to you. Bring times of refreshing to my life. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 13

Scripture Reading

Luke 16:19-31

Can you imagine anything worse than being tormented for eternity? The rich man in this story couldn't stand to see his loved ones experience the same thing. The rich man, now sorrowful for his life of selfishness, asks Abraham to go to his family and tell them the truth that he ignored during his life. How helpless he must have felt to know the truth but was unable to tell his brothers. Abraham told him that his family had the Hebrew scriptures (our Old Testament) that proclaim the truth. The rich man said no, that's not good enough, they must see someone come back from the dead. Abraham knew that if the scriptures do not change a person's heart and life--not even the greatest miracle would change a person's heart. What needs to happen for you to be convinced of the truth of God's word? 

In telling this story, Jesus is also demonstrating his own role in fulfilling the Old Testament. God used the Law of Mose and the teaching of the prophets to shape and guide his people in their covenant relationship with God. Now Jesus had come as the ultimate fulfillment of the Law. The Law shows us our need for a savior, just as in this story Abraham is Lazarus's savior. The Law and the Prophets make it clear to us that the only possible way for us to have a relationship with God is for a mediator to bridge the gulf between our sinful state as human beings and the holiness of God. Jesus is our mediator.

Prayer: Yahweh, you are still the same God who established your covenant with Abraham. Thank you for including me in the covenant of your love through Jesus' death on the cross. I pray that like Lazarus I will find my rest and reward in you alone. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 12

Scripture Reading

Romans 4:1-12

Paul covers a lot of theological ground in these twelve verses. If you have time before you read on, go back and read Romans 2 and 3 for a better understanding of Paul's theological argument. Essentially he is making the case that God doesn't show favoritism when it comes to our salvation. He points out that being a Jew (one of God's chosen people and descendants of Abraham) doesn't matter at all when it comes to a relationship with God. Romans 3 really emphasizes the level ground that every person stands on...we are ALL sinners. 

Romans 3:21-24 

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

The good new for us is that we do not have to keep the Law or do anything else to be saved, because salvation is about faith in what God has done through his son. Abraham could not earn salvation, it was not about being circumcised or keeping the Law but about belief in the promises of God. Just like Abraham, when we are saved it's by faith NOT good works NOT morality NOT walking the aisle not being baptized. Abraham's faith is the lynchpin of salvation for humanity. It was through Abraham that God chose to bless all the peoples of the world: Jew, Gentile, male, female American international, Baptist, Catholic. God has provided the free gift of salvation for all who will believe in him. 

Remember that the redemption of fallen humanity was not something that began roughly 2000 years ago but has been God's purpose since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. 

Prayer: God, how blessed I am that you have forgiven my transgressions and covered my sin. Thank you for the faith to believe in your promise of a relationship with you for all eternity. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 11

Scripture Reading

John 8:51-58

For a few days we have looked at how the blessing of Abraham was the coming of Christ to all people for salvation. We are called to have faith like Abraham, to believe that God had a redemptive plan for us since the fall of Adam and Eve. God's plan for our salvation is woven through scripture from the very beginning. John recounts a conversation between Christ and the people who were following him and listening to his teaching. Like many times before, many of the Jews did not believe Christ. They accused him of being demon-possessed, crazy, and a liar. They could not see that the man who stood before them was the fulfillment of the promises made to their father, Abraham. They were unwilling to hear Jesus says, "Before Abraham was born, I AM." You can imagine the horror on their faces as they remembered God's words to Moses when he called him to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt or the words he used when he gave the Ten Commandments, "Tell the people, I AM." This man that stood before them claimed to be God. They rejected him and began to throw stones at him. These people did not accept Christ for who he was--God in the flesh. 

Have we rejected Christ? Have we been unable to make him Lord or our life? The season of Lent allows us to remember that Christ was fully human, one who can feel our pain, understand our sorrow and empathize with all the good and bad of the daily grind of life. The incredible thing is that he was also fully God, the great I AM. Are we throwing stones at Christ or are we claiming him as our savior and allowing him to be the master of our life? 

Prayer: God, help me to fully comprehend the mystery of the Incarnation, that you took on human flesh in order to redeem me. You and you alone are I AM. Give me strength to boldly proclaim his truth in a world that denies the possibility of absolute truth. May I be found as faithful as Moses, your humble servant. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 10

Scripture Reading

Galatians 3:6-9

During the Christmas season it has become popular to display the word believe. You can find decorative and trendy pillows that say it, wooden letters that grace the top of your mantle, and even doormats that greet you as you enter the home-BELIEVE. For some it is believing in Santa, for some the spirit of the holiday season, for those who follow Christ, it means the coming of a Messiah. To believe means that your mind and heart have made a decision on what the truth is and your actions enforce this attitude. 

Paul in this passage is asking the Galatians, "What do you believe?" Do you believe God the way Abraham did? Do you believe that your good works and your own effort are earning your righteousness or do you believe that your eternal salvation and inheritance is because of Christ's blood shed for you. The Galatians were foolish in believing that by observing the law, they were attaining righteousness (being made right before God). Paul looks at the life of Abraham as an example of a person who was righteous before God. He was promised that through him, God would bless his people and through this blessing all people-Jews and Gentiles would receive salvation. 

Was Abraham righteous because of what he did, NO! His faith and belief in God made him righteous in God's sight. If we believe in God and his Son then we are children of Abraham. We inherited the blessing of God's love and redemption through Christ not by works, but by believing in God's plan. 

In response to Paul's admonition to the Galatians to believe in God, to have faith in him, rather than our own merit, my heart is moved to shout I Believe! I am eternally grateful that I can stand before God and know that my sins and failures are not seen because he only sees the blood of Christ covering me. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your free gift of salvation that is based on Christ's work and not my own. You are a faithful God, fulfilling all of your promises to Abraham and his descendants. Thank you that through Christ I am able to call myself a descendant of Abraham. Most of all, I thank you that you have called me by name as your child. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 9

Scripture Reading

Hebrews 11:8-10

I am convinced that the best way to understand our relationship with God is the image of a journey. This journey begins at different places and times for each of us but ends at the throne of God in heaven. 

Hebrews 11 is the faith chapter in which the writer of Hebrews begins with a definition of faith and gives countless Old Testament examples of true faith in action. Today's scripture reminds us agin of the faith of Abraham to begin his journey with God. Abraham was obedient to God's call on his life even though Abraham did not know how things were going to turn out. Abraham had faith. He knew that regardless of the Promised Land or God making a great nation out of his descendants that he was called to something bigger and better...a journey with God!

Is God calling you to do something for him today? It may be simply being an example to someone or God may be calling you to encourage someone you know who is having a difficult time. God could be calling some of you into full-time Christian service fo some kind. The challenge for each one of us is to be obedient to God's calling, whatever it may be and wherever it is. Answer his call and join him on your faith journey. Your journey will take many twists and turns but if we keep our eyes set on the celestial city ahead of us we will one day arrive safely. 

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You are the God of Faith because without faith it is impossible to please you. Give me the boldness to step out on my journey with you even if I don't know where that journey will take me. Amen.

Lent 2020 Day 8

Scripture Reading

Genesis 12:1-4

The call of Abraham is an important and interesting passage in the Bible. It is interesting because it is the beginning of the Jewish people, a people that God called into a special covenant relationship with himself. Abraham is the father of faith for the Hebrew people of the Bible and the Jewish people of today. A particular man, that for no real apparent reason God chose to show favor to and bless. The blessing of Abraham has often wrongly been interpreted as a material or wealth based blessing. In fact, some popular preachers today teach this false doctrine. 

The true blessing of Abraham is not a great nation in terms of a geo-political structure, it is not great wealth and material gain but it is the realization of a people that God has said to "You will be my people and I will be your God." This began of course with Abraham and his descendants, but it saw its ultimate fulfillment through the coming of Jesus of Nazareth. It is through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection that many were blessed with the opportunity to have a relationship with God. Abraham never lived to see the fulfillment of God's eternal covenant, but God's promise to Abraham laid the foundation for Jews, Gentiles, black, white, rich, poor, male, female, educated, and uneducated to have an eternal relationship with God. God called Abraham to follow him, much like Jesus called the disciples to follow him on an exciting journey of the unknown. Aren't you thankful that Abraham was obedient to God? Today think about how you can be a blessing to people because God has blessed you with his love. Maybe today you need to finally speak to someone you know about the grace of God and how they can know God as Lord and Savior. 

Prayer: Thank you for establishing your covenant with Abraham. Thank you for calling him to journey with you. Thank you that he was obedient to you. Help me to be obedient when you call me to follow you. Help me to be a blessing to someone today so that they might experience your love through me. Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 7

Scripture Reading

Hebrews 2:14-18; Matthew 4:1-11

What a wonderful thought to know that God loved us so much that he did not leave us in our sin. He made it possible for us to enter into a relationship with him. How you ask? By Jesus taking on human flesh so that "He might destroy him who holds the power of death." What does it mean for Jesus to share in our humanity? This truth separates Christianity from every other religion because only in Christianity does one find the story of God becoming flesh and blood for the sake of his children. This is the extent of the Father's love that he would sacrifice his own son for you and for me. 

The writer of Hebrews spends a lot of time emphasizing the Old Testament sacrificial system and how it has been fulfilled and reinterpreted by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Therefore in Hebrews 2:17 he points out the role of Jesus as the great high priest of our faith. The high priest is the one who made the sacrifice and entered the Holy of Holies once a year to sprinkle the Ark of the Covenant, the altar, and the mercy seat with blood as an atonement for the sins of the Hebrew people. The high priest would then exit the Holy of Holies to sprinkle the people with blood as a symbolic act of the cleansing of their sin through the blood of the spotless lamb that had been slain. The good news for us is that Jesus was the high priest and the sacrifice. He offered a sacrifice that did not have to be repeated every year but was done once and for all. 

The word atonement was a word created by a translator of the Bible during the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century to describe the process of making peace and restitution between us and God. If we take the word apart like this, it helps us to see how Jesus' death makes us one with God (at / one / ment). Because Jesus took away our sin and punishment we have become one with God because our sin no longer separates us from him. 

Reflect on what it means to know that when we face temptation that we do not have to give in to that temptation because we gather strength from knowing that Jesus faced the same temptation but did not give in to sin. Just because we are tempted does not mean we have to submit to temptation. Allow the words of the song, "She Must and Shall Go Free" by Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken to serve as your prayer today. 

Prayer: "Mercy speaks by Jesus' blood/Hear and sing, ye sons of God/ justice satisfied indeed/ Christ has full atonement made/ All her debts are cast on me, And she must and shall go free/ Peace of conscience, peace with God/ We obtain through Jesus' blood/ Jesus' blood speaks solid rest/ We believe and we are blessed." Amen. 

Lent 2020 Day 6

Scripture Reading

John 1:1-15

The Gospel of John starts out differently than Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Instead of beginning with the genealogy of Jesus, John begins with pronouncement of the eternal nature of Jesus Christ. The importance of this passage can be realized when we remember what Genesis 1:1 says, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." It is essential to our Christian faith that we understand God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--the Holy Trinity. The Trinity is a doctrine that is complex. It is difficult to understand all the details of it nevertheless, it must be boldly confessed by members of the body of Christ. When we think about the creation of the world, it is necessary that we realize that the Jesus who died to save us was the Son of God who was present at the beginning of all creation. 

A key verse in this passage is John 1:14. I like the way some of the modern translations and paraphrases render this verse. This is how J.B. Phillips translates this verse, "So the word of God became a human being and lived among us. We saw his splendor (the splendor as of a fathers's only son) full of grace and truth." The Word, Jesus, became one of us. God did not send Jesus to be similar to us or kind of like us, but to be exactly like us so that through his perfect, sinless humanity he might lay down his life for us so that we might become children of God. John is careful to point out that even though Jesus was human his sonship was different than ours. He says that Jesus had the splendor or privilege of being the Father's unique, one and only, special son because he was not just fully human but also fully God. (Deep breath, because that's mind-blowing!) Scripture also calls us the sons and daughters of God but our identity as God's children is as adopted children. 

In the 1990s there was a pop song that asked the question What if God were one of us? Would you and I recognize him? Would we join him on his journey to radically change the world or would we be crying out "Crucify him! Crucify him!"? 

Prayer: Almighty God, You who made the heavens and the earth are worthy of my praise not just because you are the creator or all but because you became like me, human, so that I might have a relationship with you. "Thanks," hardly seems enough, so I give you my life, totally and completely. Amen.

Lent 2020 Day 5

Scripture Reading

Philippians 2:1-11

SERVANT--What image does this word bring to your mind? Does it make you think of a butler or a maid, as depicted on some of our favorite television shows? Is it a person that is a doormat or one that waits on others only because they are incapable of helping themselves? The world view around us leads us to believe that being a servant is a sign of weakness, a failure. The media pronounces loudly, "It is all about you! What do you want?" In contrast, the Biblical view is just the opposite, it says that being a servant is the highest honor one can have. It says to be a servant is to be like Christ. And what is a Christian? A person who wants to be more like Christ each day. Biblical servant-hood is demonstrating qualities such as selflessness, humility, and the ability to think of others first. Remember the childhood acronym JOY...Jesus, Others, and You! To be like Christ we must be willing to be self-sacrificing and to love others more than ourselves. God gives us the mind to choose. We can choose to serve ourselves and our own gluttonous desires or we can choose to have the attitude of Christ and serve God and others. 

The only example we have of a perfect servant is in Christ. His attitude (the heart of his actions) was driven by God's desires and not his own. A perfect and holy God humbled himself in such a way that he left His rightful place in heaven, took on the form of a sinful man and died on a cross bearing the world's sin. He is the model we are to follow. Although, the task seems daunting, God has given us the grace and mercy to be servants as well. We are carried by Christ, the servant redeemer and king promised from the dawn of time. 

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9). 

Prayer: Lord, I pray that I would be a servant to others and that my heart and actions would reflect the attitude of Christ. May my knees bow and my tongue confess that you are Lord. Amen.