Lent Devotions

“Encounters with Jesus.” We know about them. We’ve had them. And still do. That is, as we pray and trust and follow our Lord in committed lives of discipleship. The Gospels are our earliest source of nearly every kind of encounter people experienced with Jesus during his life and ministry.

This year’s Lenten theme offers six weeks’ worth of these stories in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. People’s lives are profoundly affected by encounters with Jesus. And those lives do not always veer in the same direction. Thanks to a few dozen Deer Park writers, we have devotional reflections to ponder on these very encounters people had with Jesus.

The design of the devotional guide is to consider on Mondays through Fridays in Lent 2010 the diverse components of such encounters. Each week a different theme is introduced. “Calls” may be heard or neglected. “Challenges” may be taken up or passed on. Some will “reject” Jesus and his message. Others will be “transformed” or they may avoid transformation. Some people will embrace the encounter and be “empowered.” Still others will leave us wondering what happened because their story is “open-ended.”

The remaining days of each week in Lent, Saturdays and Sundays, have their own special emphases. Each Saturday’s devotion reflects the theme of the week but they are all from previous years’ devotional guides. The Sunday readings are the Scriptures that will be read by Christians throughout the world on that day in 2010.

Many thanks to our “authors.” Each one has given his or her own creative energies to help all of us focus on what it means to encounter Christ. Please join me in thanking each one for their unique contribution.

We are the people, the beloved community, who are encountering Jesus. We are the people, the beloved community, transformed by that encounter. Let us grow in God’s grace, live by Christ’s love, and rely on the Spirit’s power and presence all these days.

Sunday	Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Feb. 21	Luke 4:1-13

Each Sunday you find a list of two scripture lessons which are to be read that day.

Peter was an ordinary man. He didn’t seem to have any special talents or qualities. He worked with his brother Andrew as a fisherman. Peter and Andrew were probably present and witnessed the baptism of Jesus (John 1:35-51). They probably became believers at that time, but went about their work of fishing while hearing and seeing the words and works of Jesus for some period of time.

When Jesus called them saying “Follow me”, they left their boats and followed without hesitation. They became, as Jesus had predicted, “fishers of men.”

During this time of Lent, let us give some thought as to how well we listen for a call from God and how well we follow when we hear his call.

Matthew, chosen to follow Jesus, rewards him with a lavish dinner at his house with his tax collector/sinner friends.

The Scribes and Pharisees complained to Jesus, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

This reminds me of awkward situations I’ve found myself in where my faith is jeopardized and I don’t feel comfortable. I’ve benefited by seizing the opportunity presented to me to show my faith in the midst of those who may not agree with me, but they know by my example the faith I have in my heart.

I used to get into trouble in school for talking too much. I know it's hard to imagine, but I had trouble remembering not to talk when aides in the cafeteria declared we were all "on silence" or when teachers silenced us for several minutes during class. I distinctly remember my seventh grade history teacher coming up behind me, placing her open palm in such a way that it hovered just above my head, and telling me to "settle." In the eighth grade I had to write the Preamble of the Constitution 20 times and sometime later that year I talked my way out of writing a 10,000 word theme for talking too much during band class. I could go on.

Why did I get into so much trouble for talking? It wasn't the words themselves that got me into trouble. The content of my ill-timed expressions were innocent enough. I loved 7th grade World Civilization and could not be blamed that we sat at small tables with four students at each of them. A perfect set-up for chatting if I ever saw one! In eighth grade anyone will tell you my teacher was always grumpy and, well, in band class I sat by two of my closest friends. So there you go. I'm glad middle school is behind me; however, sometimes I still say too much (too often).

It's because I get excited. If I have something on my mind it has got to come out somehow. Even if it's etched onto my face. If I feel strongly about something whether it's funny, serious, or somewhere in-between it must be expressed. And that is why these verses about Bartimaeus spoke to me.

Bartimaeus, although handicapped by blindness and, no doubt, of limited means, heard that Jesus was close by. He began shouting, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" I often think of blind people as having better-than-average hearing because the one sense has been sharpened to make up for the lack of the other. Whether or not this was the case, Bartimaeus knew what a sweet name it was when he heard it. Jesus was coming! And he just had to cry out! And they tried to shush him. Who was he, after all? Just Bartimaeus, a blind man, a nobody. No. He had to see Him. And so he cried out again, and louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

My heart beats faster just thinking about this scene, how badly Bartimaeus wanted to talk to Jesus, how he would not be silenced and how Jesus stopped. He stopped and had the blind man come forth. Jesus knew Bartimaeus as only our Lord can, and I have no doubt he knew what Bartimaeus was going to ask. But Jesus asked anyway. He wanted to hear the truth out of the blind man's mouth and see it etched on his face. "Rabbi" said the blind man, "I want to see."

Bartimaeus already saw the Lord better than most of the crowd that day, I would guess; but in one instant everything came together. His world was forever changed; he could see. And in that instant he made another decision that showed exactly what was on his heart. He began to follow Jesus along the road. Bartimaeus was a man who could not be silenced in word or in action.

Lord, you are the author of faithfulness. You are the most brilliant wordsmith. May the words that we say and the actions we take reflect the true desires of our hearts. And please purify us and increase our faithfulness so that our true desires are in accordance with your will. Amen.

It is interesting to note that none of the apostles were accorded the honor of being the last to serve our Redeemer by carrying the horizontal arm of the cross -- a cross that most likely had seen duty prior to this miscarriage of justice. Instead of one of the eleven apostles, God chose for the task of helping the perspiring, struggling, suffering Jesus to carry His cross, another Simon who had traveled eight hundred miles from North Africa across the Mediterranean to Jerusalem. It has been suggested that since there was a large population of Jews in Cyrene, a Libyan city, that Simon from Cyrene was there for the Passover. Mark identifies Simon as the father of Alexander and Rufus. How could Mark identify Simon among all the other scoffers and the curious who were observing this momentous event? Either he knew him or he asked someone, “Who is that fellow”? It seems that all of the disciples were keeping a low profile — and for good reason -- since they were votaries of the “criminal” soon to be executed in the most horrible of Roman atrocities. The Romans had developed a cruel fondness for this method of execution and demonstrated artistic variations of the cross by A.D. 71, when Crassus, an aspiring General crucified 6,000 slaves on the road to Rome.

Amid all of the sadness, sorrow and the murmuring and mourning of the faithful, along with the screaming and excitement of the calloused, ruthless, remorseless mob - Simon was having the images and sounds of the whip-lash forever recorded even in the subconscious recesses of his brain. Deep into the supervening memories of his old age, the horror would deprive him of uncounted peaceful nights.

Simon’s soliloquy:” I’ve saved for years to be able to make this trip to celebrate Passover in the City of David before I die. I could never imagine that I would be forced to be a party to such a barbaric, murderous spectacle. It is heartbreaking to see the cruelty of that cowardly beast with a whip opening up ghastly wounds on this poor man’s body. I saw one group of men, dressed in their priestly vestments, with upraised hands and clenched fists, their phylacteries in plain sight, cheering with the crowd. Surely, they who held such affinity to the law, knew that the incontrovertible words contained in those little black boxes was evidence enough to convict them in heavens court.

“I didn’t hear a sound from the prisoner but as I turned toward Him our eyes met and I was overcome with pity and indescribable grief as if I was somehow responsible for what I was witnessing.

“In one searing moment all I saw was goodness, kindness, graciousness and forgiveness . The experience was so intense that for a golden moment there was imagined hope for humanity, but the interlude was short, broken by the now familiar sound of leather across flesh.

“Blood was now running down his forehead as He was making fruitless attempts to turn his head and raise His shoulder enough to wipe the blood from His eyes —a reflex effort similar to that which he learned while walking in the sweltering desert climes east of the Jordan. The protruding thorns on the outside of His “crown” made it impossible, so the effort was fruitless.

“After traveling with the forty pound timber on my shoulder, the incline became steeper and the road to the top was rocky and made steps more treacherous with the load I was carrying.

“A few yards on, two soldiers removed the timber from my shoulders and roughly dropped it between two crosses not yet properly assembled. A bound, terrified prisoner was standing by each one awaiting his fate. I risked the Roman wrath of one of the soldiers who seemed to be the less threatening and sought permission to wipe the blood from the prisoner’s eyes. Permission was granted and I proceeded to use the sleeve of my tunic to wipe the blood that had yet to dry from His eyes, expecting to see again the same gaze that had overwhelmed me earlier. Instead, what I saw were the eyes that one experiences when looking into the eyes of a very intelligent person. This time there was a forceful, unmatchable gaze that was at once reassuring, thankful, sad, inspiring, encouraging, challenging and all-knowing. I immediately knew that I was looking into the eyes of one who was endowed with every virtue and the wisdom of the universe.

“I had seen enough. Since my services were no longer required, I sought directions to the Temple. A short time ago it was leather against flesh. It was now iron against iron a sound even more sickening. The longest day of my life cannot end soon enough.”

Simon of Cyrene was an unwilling accomplice of God’s preparation for the sacrifice of the perfect lamb.

I cannot help but believe that this Simon, is now in the company of the thief on the cross, who believed. Bob Martin

28 ¹ Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to se the sepulcher. ²And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.³His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.⁴And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.⁵But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.⁶ His not here; for he has risen as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.⁷Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. Lo, I have told you.”⁸ So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Hail!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.¹⁰Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

This story reminds me daily that to have complete and total faith in Jesus Christ is to put your trust in him. Just because things don’t go the way that you want them to doesn’t mean that he is not making things go the way that you want them to. In my life, I feel like that I haven’t been very successful, in my career as well as in my personal life. But God has shown me that although there has been much sorrow in my life, he led me down a path that has brought me much joy and happiness. I don’t know what the remainder of my life will hold for me, but the key is to put your life in Jesus Christ’s hands and follow his path and not to question it.

To put Luke 4:14-22 in perspective, we need to put it in context. In the first part of this chapter, verses 1-13, the author recounts the notorious temptation of Jesus by Satan, and Jesus’ victory over this temptation. In verses 14-22, we see a confident, bold Jesus speaking to the Jewish people with an authority unlike any they had ever experienced. In other places throughout the New Testament, Jesus speaks in parables and riddles, offering cryptic clues for those who would choose to pursue the truth of who He was further. But here, we see Jesus opening up the Scriptures to a passage where Isaiah is speaking of the Messiah Himself, and telling the people, “Today the Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing (v.2 1)”. There is no doubt in this passage of who Jesus is and what He has come to do.

At the same time, we see in verse 22 that even this plain, bold way of speaking is not reaching its intended audience. “Is this not Joseph’s son?” they ask each other, missing the point entirely that far more than the son of man, they were in the presence of the Son of God. From long experience with these people, Jesus knew His message would be lost on its listeners. So, what gave him the strength to go out, day after day, and minister to these people? What resources did He draw upon to be able to combat the powerful temptations of Satan, and then immediately return to minister to the very people who He knew would eventually seek His death? Where, after forty days of fasting in the wilderness, did he get the physical strength to preach with such power and persuasiveness?

The answer is found in those forty days of fasting in the wilderness, just as the secret to the power of our spiritual lives is found in the “wilderness times” of our lives. During those 40 days, we see Jesus choosing to focus solely on rebuilding and refreshing his relationship with His Father. Though he fasts from food during this time, the denial of the body is not the focus of this solitary retreat. No, the focus is so much on strengthening and renewing his bond with God that all else is forgotten, even food. This time of spiritual refreshment allowed Jesus to fight off Satan’s attacks, even though weakened by hunger and thirst. It allowed Him to return to His ministry with even more strength and zeal. It nourished and empowered Him from the inside out, in a way that simply meeting one’s physical needs would never do.

Lent, interestingly enough, is also 40 days in length. Though we often think of it as a time of sobriety, of giving up something, of denial, in truth it is a blessed “wilderness time” built into the church’s calendar. Instead of focusing on what you can give up for Lent, focus on using these 40 days to renew your relation with God, to give yourself entirely to rebuilding the bond between yourself and the Father. Use this time to get alone with God in prayer, to find some real or imagined wild, solitary place where you can hear God speak above the noise of your daily life. If giving something up helps toward that goal, then that’s great. But think of Lent as a time of renewal, not denial. If we open ourselves up to Lent, we will find ourselves refreshed, renewed, welcoming Easter with a new sense of victory and purpose in our lives, and falling in love with our Creator all over again.

Sunday	Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Feb. 28	Luke 13:31-35

He entered a house; and once more such a crowd collected round them that they had no chance to eat. When his family heard of this, they set out to take charge of him; for people were saying that he was out of his mind.

Then his mother and his brothers arrived, and remaining outside sent in a message asking him to come out to them. A crowd was sitting round and word was brought to him: “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” He replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And looking around at those who were sitting in the circle about him he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does the will of God is my brother, my sister, my mother.”

Just prior to these texts, Jesus had healed the man with the withered hand and had cast out demons and healed other diseases so, he had attracted quite a crowd of people. He had also attracted the attention of the Pharisees who attributed his acts of healing to demonic power so his family was concerned for his safety and they were worried about his mental state.

Even though Jesus’ family knew him well, it appears that they were not prepared for either the intensity of his ministry or the furor that it would cause. In effect, his family was saying, “Come on home, Jesus. All this fuss you are causing is not worth it.”

Is this the same attitude that we have when we are reticent to tell of Christ to our colleagues at work or just to invite them to attend church services with us?

Jesus brushes off the concern of his mother and brothers, knowing that he must pursue his ministry and follow the instructions of God the Father regardless of where it could lead and the danger to himself. He promises that we can be as family with him if we do the will of God.

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is he who takes no offense at me.

Knowledge that comes too easily wields the least power to influence our lives. In this passage, Jesus chooses not to give John an easy answer. Rather, John must ponder the events of the day and draw his own conclusions. Only then can the full force of God’s message become apparent to him. The struggle to discern the meaning of Jesus’ words empowers John, buttressing his faith against the imminent challenge to his teachings, and, indeed, his life.

In this time of Lent, may we too search our hearts and, in striving to recognize the signs of God’s love in our lives, renew and strengthen our faith.

" James and John, Zebedee's sons, came up to him. 'Teacher, we have something we want you to do for us.'

'Arrange it', they said, 'so that we will be awarded the highest places of honor in your glory - one of us at your right, the other at your left.'

Jesus said, 'You have no idea what you're asking. Are you capable of drinking the cup I drink, of being baptized in the baptism I'm about to be plunged into ?'

Jesus said, 'Come to think of it, you will drink the cup I drink, and be baptized in my baptism. But as to awarding places of honor, that's not my business. There are other arrangements for that."

"When the other ten heard of this conversation, they lost their tempers with James and John. Jesus got them together to settle things down. 'You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around,' he said, 'and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served - and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage."

Putting this passage in the context of the tenth chapter of Mark makes the two disciples’ request all the more disturbing. As they were walking to Jerusalem Jesus explained what was to happen. He told them he would be betrayed, tried, sentenced to death, tortured, killed and then raised from the dead. James and John, who had so eagerly left their fishing nets to follow Jesus at the beginning of his ministry, are focused on what this means for them. They want to receive honor for their sacrifice. They want a position of power in Jesus' new order. What were they thinking? To give them the benefit of the doubt, Jesus had taught that if they asked anything in his name it would be done for them. They did not understand what they were asking. At the time they asked they did not foresee their own suffering and martyrdom. Jesus warns them that they will receive what they have asked in that they will receive his cup and his baptism. But Jesus humbly defers to his Father as the only one who will award positions of honor.

Our journey of sanctification, of becoming more and more like Christ, begins with the free gift of God's grace and ends with our glorification in heaven. But along that road of sanctification we are called to sacrifice and serve. We follow in Christ's footsteps and that path sometimes includes suffering and injustice. Are we following Christ because we love him and want to serve him? Or are we following Christ because we think we will get what we want?

Mark 10:13-16

¹³ People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. ¹⁴But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. ¹⁵Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ ¹⁶And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. (NRSV)

The challenge in this event is whether the children should be allowed to meet with Jesus. The disciples did not think the children were worthy. Jesus set them straight.

This story always impresses me because the children were so important to Jesus. I think when we are adults in a church we can ignore the importance of the children. I learned this a long time ago.

When I was eleven years old I had surgery to correct a birth defect. My parents had waited a many years for the science to catch up with what was needed for the repair. It was still very risky surgery.

I was attending our Vacation Bible School which was held a few days before the surgery was scheduled. One of the pastors pulled me aside on one of those days and prayed with me. I remember vividly my reaction. I felt very important and much cared for because someone had taken the time to pray with me.

Needless to say, I survived the surgery but I have never forgotten the feeling of being loved.

Please continue to express Jesus’ feeling by showing an interest in and acknowledging our children and youth as important individuals in the life of our church. You will be remembered.

The scene is Gethsemane. Jesus has been praying with three of his disciples close by, but who were dozing on and off, as he prayed alone. As Jesus questions their failure to remain awake while he prayed, suddenly a crowd came into the garden area. This crowd was not a friendly, seeking mass of people. Instead, it was led by Judas, the disciple who will now betray Jesus with a kiss. The three sleepy disciples are ready to draw swords and strike in Jesus’ defense. It is as tense a moment in both their and Jesus’ lives. It’s about to become a violent place.

Before Jesus could answer whether or not swords should be used, one of the disciples “struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear” (verse 50). The victim of violence is not Judas the betrayer or an officer of the temple or even a soldier. It’s an unarmed slave who had no choice but to be there in the first place.

Isn’t that how violence goes so often? The first victims are usually the innocent. Think about how frequently victims of violence are children or the elderly or the ill. It’s been that way since the violence in Gethsemane – and long before that if the truth be told.

So what’s the challenge presented in this encounter with Jesus? Two come from him – one spoken one acted out. The intention is to change those who bear Christ’s name.

First, Jesus rejects violence as the way to deal with conflict. He says, “No more of this!” (v. 51). Fighting fire with fire is not the way of our Lord. All that does is leave us with burns on our hands and spirits. The challenge is to reject practices that promote violence of any kind. “No more of this!”

The other challenge comes not with words but in action. Jesus touches the wounded slave’s ear and heals him. It’s a form of intercession when violence has occurred.

In the movie Dead Men Walking, the ending has a scene where Sister Helen Prejean’s ministry to death row inmates is graphically portrayed. The condemned murderer is clearly guilty and will soon die by lethal injection. She says to the inmate: “I want the last face you see in this world to be the face of love, so you look at me when they do this thing. I’ll be the face of love for you.”

So it is both as Jesus and Jesus’ disciples intercede for victims of violence. We do the work of intercession, a word whose Latin root means “to go between.” Like Sister Helen, we provide a glimpse of the face of Christ when we intercede and stand with people who have suffered violence. Our Lord did it for a slave. For whom will you and I intercede? He touches and heals. How will we do similar acts of love?

16 The Lord your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws:carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.

17 You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in his ways, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws, and that you will obeyhi m.

18 And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep his commands.

19 He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.

Deuteronomy, the last of the five books of the Pentateuch, along with Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers are often called the books of Moses. Deuteronomy is referred to as the legal document between God and Israel, by which Israel became the chosen people of God. This is a second generation of Israelites for which God is reminding them of his covenant with them. Moses is getting old, and God wants him to again teach the people of Israel about God’s love for them. In verse 17 the people declare, that they have taken the Lord to be their God and in verse 18 the Lord declares that he has taken them to be his people. Thus, a covenant has been made between God and his chosen people. However, there can be no doubt as to what God expects of his people. He expects them to obey all his laws and commands. If they do this, they will be a nation exalted above all others. If not, then they will suffer the consequences of the loss of God’s love.

How many of us have asked God for special treatment, attempting to make our own covenant with him. God, get me through this crisis, surgery, illness, debt, and on and on. I’ll do whatever you ask. I’ll never use your name in vain. I’ll be in church every Sunday and a good steward of your blessing with my tithe. However, all too often, like the children of Israel, how soon we forget. We may not worship golden calves, but idols are worshipped just the same.

How do we keep his commandments and his love? He has told us. Love thy God with all thy heart and soul. Love thy neighbor as thyself. He will be there for us. Yesterday, Today, and Forever.

Sunday	Isaiah 55:1-9
March 7	Luke 13:1-9

6 ¹He went away from there and came to his own country; and his disciples followed him. ²And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue; and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? What mighty works are wrought by his hands! ³Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here him. ⁴And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” ⁵And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them. ⁶And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.

There are times that you cross paths with a person that is blessed with a gift. I met such a person in 2004 while on a trip to Pittsburgh, PA. While sitting in the airport waiting for a connecting flight, an older man sat beside me. While starting some small talk, I started to open up a bit with some issues I had about a family member and the estrangement that had developed. He shared some thoughts, along with some key passages from the Bible; afterwards, I felt a distinctive sigh of relief which started me re-thinking toward my issue. It was as if a strong medication almost completely relieved me of the anxiety and emotional distress that I was under previously. This man, whose name I did not get, left my life as quick as he came into it. It’s amazing how someone comes into your life when you least expect it and touches you in such a way that you know that God has touched you in a special way. Miracles happens everyday in life, but when you personally are witness to one, it changes your life forever. Just like Jesus teaching in the synagogue and the people not understanding where his knowledge came from, this man came into my life when I needed it, blessed me with God’s word and comforted me.

16 Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. 19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 20 “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” 21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

This “poor” young man. He wants to follow Jesus. All his life he has followed the rules - the Ten Commandments. But now Jesus has given him another requirement - give it all up. Wow! That’s asking too much. This is a rich man. He owns a lot of stuff. He’s probably in charge of many people and projects. How can he turn his back on so many responsibilities? What would happen to them without him? The young man chooses not to find out.

Are there “things” that hold you (me) back from being faithful to God? Yes.

How much are you (am I) willing to give up for God’s kingdom? Uh, permanently?

Following the Ten Commandments is pretty easy when you think about it. They are black and white. Don’t, don’t, don’t. But if you go to the 11^th commandment (and beyond) life becomes harder. We are asked to lay down our life for another, leave our possessions and family, follow Christ, and share the Good News to the world.

During Lent lots of folks “give up” something. “Give up:” driving to work and choose to take public transit; TV and choose to play a game with the family; computer and choose to hand-write a letter; chocolate or ice cream…. You get the idea. But too often after Easter we go back to our old ways.

Commit to the Lord during this season of Lent to make an adjustment in your (my) life so that you (I) have your (my) priorities straight. Then when we are called by Jesus to follow him, we are prepared to act without hesitation.

“God, help me let go of the things that keep me from truly following Jesus.” Amen

Beginning in Mark 2:1, there is a collection of Jesus’ conflicts with religious authorities. The scene before us is the climax of these incidents. The focus of the story is not on the actual healing of the afflicted man but on Jesus and his authority which his enemies judge as a breaking of the law.

We may be caught off-guard to recognize that the whole incident makes Jesus angry (verse 5). Jesus does display anger on other occasions. He is fully human. But it also reminds us that as God’s Son Jesus reveals God’s wrath (also see Romans 1:18; 5:9; 12:19). Hardness of heart is a theme particular to Mark’s gospel account. Like God, Jesus grieves over the lack of perception of what God is doing in their midst. They have hardened hearts.

As we read this, we best not simply understand it is “those leaders” who have hard hearts and reject Jesus. It didn’t only happen in a synagogue in Galilee long, long ago. Any of us have been there in our own hardness of heart with the ways of God. This brief incident, although happening in a specific setting in Jesus’ ministry, is where everyone has or will be at one time or another.

These Lenten days are a period when we best examine our own resistance and even rejection times of the ways and authority of God. Jesus is angered over it. He does complete a “good” act that Sabbath day; he heals an infirmed person. He is always on the path to do that. Still, he “grieved at their hardness of heart” (verse 5). He was pained over their stubbornness of mind. And he still is whenever anyone rejects his ways of bringing life and wholeness.

Notice that Jesus neither touches the man with the withered hand nor pronounces any words of healing. Even in the absence of specific evidence that would convict Jesus of breaking Sabbath laws, his opponents none-the-less decide to destroy him (verse 6). The tragedy in this observation by Mark is enormously heartwrenching. All Jesus has done is a good thing and people now choose to kill him.

Despite any and all motivations to undo what God’s Son will accomplish for good, there are those who resist, reject and condemn him. We are heading toward the cross. And it’s only the third chapter of a book we call “gospel” or “good news.” How deep is the love of God for any and all who reject that love? I’d say it’s deeper than we can ever imagine.

Jesus had already been arrested and was in the charge of the Roman soldiers. Pontius Pilate, the Governor of Judea, had called the Chief Priests to act as the jury at the trial of Jesus. As Jesus was brought to the Court, a huge mob followed him accusing him and shouting insults at him. These were the Jews, the chosen people of God, the people to whom Jesus had been sent by his Father. The Governor watched and listened to the mob, but ultimately decided that he would release Jesus.

But the mob continued their protest accusing him of teaching throughout the countryside from Galilee to Jerusalem. As soon as Pilate heard this, he asked “Is this man from Galilee?” When he realized the answer was yes, he must have been delighted, for he thought he had found a solution to this sticky political situation.

Pilate immediately sent Jesus to the Court of Herod Antipas, the Roman tetrarch of Galilee, whose authority was greater than Pilate. (This is the same Herod who sent the three “Wise Men” to find the baby. This infant was being “King of the Jews” and that was making Herod very nervous. And this is the same Herod who had John the Baptist beheaded.) Herod and his army were in Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. Again the Jewish priests accused him of crimes he had not committed. But Herod and his Generals would also not take the responsibility of sentencing Jesus to death.

Herod also did not pronounce Jesus of the crimes her was accused, and sent him back to Pilate. From this time on, Herod and Pontius Pilate became political allies.

Jesus suffered rejection throughout his life. The Jews constantly fought him and his teaching. The final rejection came with the words, “Crucify him.”

We have all suffered rejection in some form. Rejection hurts. It is difficult to swallow. It was just the same for Jesus. Why would God have sent his only Son into these difficult circumstances? In this case, as with many others, Jesus was sent to be our model when responding to this universal human experience. Instead of withdrawing and becoming bitter, he remained the same loving Savior filled with forgiveness. When among those who did not want to follow him, he found others to love.

Our prayer for today could be a request of God that he fills us with the kind of love which Jesus showed throughout his life.

Mark tells us Jesus had been bound and brought before Pilate. Pilate had something the Jewish leaders did not, the authority to inflict capital punishment. In this pivotal moment Pilate drew near to the King of Kings to make his judgment. I suspect, like any interrogator, he moved close so that he read the body language, which he found gentle and not a threat; he likely moved close so that he could hear the voice inflections; and he likely moved close so he could look into the eyes of the accused. The scripture tells us that Pilate “was amazed” and found no basis to indict, yet Pilate rejected the truth and handed our King over to be crucified.

We stand, like Pilate stood, close to Jesus. We too are amazed as we draw nearer, not to interrogate like Pilate. but humbly to better hear and know Him. For, like in the old hymn, “He walks with us and talks with us, we might not see his eyes, but we can see some of what his eyes are seeing and look into his heart that is more awesome than our eyes are equipped to wholly see. We might not audibly hear the tone of his voice, but we know that it is tender, like his Mercies. Pilate’s eyes could see his bound hands. We can picture his open arms and nail-scarred hands.

I can’t cast a stone at Pilate’s rejection. Pilate got close enough to know Jesus was innocent on all counts, on all charges. I have gotten close enough to Jesus to know much more and I am guilty of many counts of rejection. My counts, like yours, have been forgiven. Our rightful judgments were carried on his shoulders as he was led away from Pilate, with the crowd yelling “Crucify, crucify”, then flogged and then hung on a cross.

I truly thank Jesus for taking my place. Take heed and watch, He could return anytime to take His sheep home.

Mix like any fruit cake. Line pans with foil. Bake in a moderate oven (350°) one hour or until done. The cake will be delicious because you followed the recipe.

The Bible is the same way. A friend may give you one, you may read it and think what it says seems logical or illogical, but you will never know how good it is for your life unless you try the recipe.

Sunday	Joshua 5:9-12
March 14	Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

This scripture deals with Jesus’ healing of a crippled woman at the synagogue on the Sabbath, for which he was criticized by the leaders of the synagogue for working on the Sabbath. What struck me the most from this story was that Jesus seized an opportunity to love his neighbor, and that that law was paramount to all others. As I understand the scripture, the woman did not come to be healed and Jesus was “teaching” at the synagogue and thus did not come there to specifically heal the woman (and upset the leaders). But, when he saw her need he “called her over” and healed her. An opportunity to show his Father’s love to one of his hurting children presented itself and he took advantage of it. He did not say come back tomorrow when it is not the Sabbath, or I can’t help you just now I’ve got too much going on. He addressed her need right there on the spot.

The ability to transform someone’s life by healing an affliction is beyond our abilities, but we may also “transform” someone’s life by helping them, even in the smallest of ways. I know that I have benefited from the kindnesses of others, simple words of kindness or support that came just when I needed them, and I know that I have benefited from the prayers of those who love me. I hope that I too have touched another in this way, and I pray that I will be more attentive to the needs of others, and more willing to help even if it isn’t the “right time” or the ”right place.” The needs of another are rarely convenient to our schedules or the balance of our checking account, but it is always the “right time” for loving God’s children.

¹When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. ²A man with leprosycame and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."

³Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was curedof his leprosy. ⁴Then Jesus said to him, "See that you don't tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."

I was watching a University of Louisville basketball game not too long ago, and it was just about the most frustrating basketball game I have ever watched. It was frustrating because an unbelievable number of fouls were called - 67 to be exact - in a forty minute game. In this game, it seemed that all a player had to do was touch an opposing player and a foul would be called.

At the time of Jesus, being near to or touching a leper was considered “foul.” Leprosy was not just a contagious disease; it was a status symbol. A leper was foul, dirty, sinful and hopeless. If a person so much as touched a leper, that person would contract not only the sickness itself but all of the curses that come along with it. There was no referee needed – lepers were not to be touched.

But Jesus did not live by this rule and clearly he did not regard a disease as something that should come between a person and God. Jesus’ encounter with the leper gives us a picture of just what salvation is. Entering into an intimate communion with God allows us to see that a time is coming when illness will be no more. Jesus is willing to make us clean. He loves us despite any disease or shortcoming. No foul will be called when we enter into the embrace of the One who brings us eternal healing.

Have you ever reached your wit’s end? More than once, you say? Such times are crossroad points for many of us. If it’s due to pain or despair, we may want to give up. Desperation sets in and we wonder where the hope is.

Such was the predicament in Luke’s story of this woman who wishes to touch the robe of Jesus. Her desperate condition has persisted for a dozen years. Have you ever had a headache linger for days, or a cold hang on for weeks? Have you ever felt so sick from hours of nausea that there seemed no end in sight? Place the number 12 in terms of years into any of these conditions. What would you try to do at this point?

The woman in Luke 8 not only has suffered long from hemorrhages “she had spent all she had on physicians.” Worse than that, the nature of her condition meant she was unclean (see Leviticus 15:25-31), which made her an outsider in her own community. She could not attend synagogue or touch anyone or they could be judged “unclean” as well.

What can she do? She risks public censure by coming into contact with anyone in a crowd. But on this day her desperation leads her to do the unthinkable, even if it means putting faith in a piece of cloth. She acts on her wrenching condition and grabs for the fringe of Jesus’ cloak.

Something miraculous happens. Luke reports that “immediately her hemorrhage stopped.” Before Jesus turns and speaks she is healed. And his reaction? Does he berate or scold her? Does he tell her to come back another day? No, Jesus accepts her for who and where she is. He commends her faith. He calls her, “Daughter.” It’s as if he is welcoming her to a family, a family of faith. He declares to her: “Your faith has made you well; go in peace.” She goes her way transformed.

This is a gracious moment at the end of a 12-year period of agony and despair. Her encounter spills over into our own, if we’ll let it. Her experience brings hope to all the rest of us – that our need of change, healing and welcome by God in Christ does not have to wait until we have faith all fully developed. It is a story that reminds us that whenever we are desperate, the healing and transforming presence of God is there for us.

This woman does not give up. She risks and reaches out for transformation. In our desperation, may we be willing to do the same. And just look at the response we can expect from our Lord when we trust: “Your faith has made you whole; go now in peace.”

“The death of a child is the hardest death to endure.” That’s what a loved one said to me many times as she thought of the loss of her son at a young age. She had outlived her child and that awful truth troubled her heart and mind the remainder of her own life.

Imagine this burial procession coming out of the village of Nain. Can you hear the deep emotion just below the surface of Luke’s words: “He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow”? This sad woman has been stripped of her husband and now her son. She likely is now alone.

Yet there is a touching detail noted – “with her was a large crowd from the town.” Mourners were commonly hired but she is a widow and it’s likely she wouldn’t have the resources to pay them. They probably came on their own. Communities do that now. Our church walks with its family members when they grieve.

The signature word, however, in the story is the “compassion” of Jesus. The root of the word is “guts” or that part of the body where ancient people believed our emotions originate. Jesus feels deeply from within for this widow. Her need is dire and poignant. And he has compassion for her plight. That feeling becomes the stimulus for him to transform the situation. He is able to do so and he does. He touches the bier and calls for the young man to rise.

Luke gives no explanation. He simply mentions that touch and words were involved. Compassion always involves those two things, in one way or another. If we express compassion in a meaningful way we, too, need to touch what seems beyond reach. And we need to speak what appears beyond hearing. Transformation is about opening ourselves and our world to outcomes that totally catch us off guard in their grace and wonder.

It’s not only that someone resumes breathing. The young man is not just restored to life – he is restored to his mother. Luke makes an extraordinary statement: “Jesus gave him to his mother.” Transformation reverses the course and reopens their futures to one another. But the story does not end with a family reunion. Transformation reaches into the community. They are “seized with fear” and, at the same time, “they glorified God.” They had shared the woman’s pain. Now they share her joy. Communities do that now as well.

It can be that way for us. Like this widow, we can experience transformation when doors we thought were closed and relationships we thought were lost become open and found once more. And like this community, we can be surprised with wonder when we show compassion for each other. Encounters with Jesus happen this way.

I have to admit, I truly struggled with this passage. But that can be a good thing. It made me think about it, pray, discuss it, read and re-read it. I kept thinking and wondering - what is this scripture about and what does this mean? No, I don’t have all the answers, but here is what was revealed to me.

The Canaanite woman had great faith. She knew that Jesus could heal her demon-possessed daughter. Jesus saw her true faith and her request was granted.

The sub-theme for this week’s devotion is “transformed.” Who was transformed in these verses? It wasn’t the Canaanite woman. She had great faith. Perhaps it was the disciples.

Jesus says some things here that may seem kind of odd. For instance, he says, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” Of course he wasn’t sent only to them. He was sent to save the world! But, maybe, the disciples thought he should only help the Israelites. Therefore, Jesus may have made this statement to get the attention of the disciples. And, just maybe, the disciples were transformed by listening to the way Jesus responded to the Canaanite woman and seeing her true faith.

As the Easter season approaches, let us focus on our faith. Remember that Jesus was sent to save each of us by dying on the cross. We, too, can be transformed. Let us have great faith!

When I read these verses, I tried to hear the tone of Jesus’ voice when He said, “Father, forgive them.” Through all His pain and sadness, was it a prayerful whisper or in a raised voice to be heard over the others? Whatever the tone, Jesus extended forgiveness without limit to those who nailed Him to the cross. If Christ forgave in this way from the cross, surely we are forgiven.

When the end was near there was joy in Jesus’ voice, because the criminal on the cross next to Jesus asked Him to remember him when he came into His kingdom. He was also forgiven. It is never too late to choose to turn to Jesus for salvation.

As we experience forgiveness, we are free to forgive ourselves, as well as others who have hurt us.

Sunday	Isaiah 43:16-21
March 21	John 12:1-8

In Mark 1, Jesus calls four fishermen to come and follow him. They are Simon, later known as Peter, and his brother Andrew, and two other brothers, James and John.

In the synagogue on the Sabbath, Jesus healed the man with the unclean spirit. From there the four fishermen went with Jesus to the home of Simon and Andrew. Jesus was told that Simon’s mother-in-law was very ill with a fever. He went to her, took her hand to help her up and she was immediately healed. She was able to help in the home. I like to think she was able to help prepare, serve and clean up after the meal.

The thought again comes to me that all things are possible with God. Ask and we will be given whatever is needed at that time. Prayer from other people has a great part in this also. I felt this so much 4½ years ago when that mosquito bite put me in the hospital for two weeks. I have no memory of that time except one incident of two people touching me and saying “I love you”. Thank you Becky and Kate.

The next I could recall was being told that I was being moved to rehab. Where was I and where was I going? I had no idea until I was told by a loving nurse named Diana that I had been at Baptist East for two weeks and that I was still there in rehab. I soon learned about the many people who had been there praying for me – Dr. Platt, of course, Micah and Becky and Doris Brown, to name a few of them.

With the Lord’s blessing, more prayer from many and a lot of work, I was able to walk again and escape most of the spinal and brain damage that the doctors had expected. I think also of my Bible teaching friend, June, who fought cancer for several years. Her prayer was to live long enough to care for her husband Charlie who had many medical problems. Her prayer was granted. Now they are both in heaven – not very many months apart.

If we ask for strength or what is needed, it will be granted if that is God’s plan for us.

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. ²When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evilspirit came from the tombs to meet him. ³This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. ⁴For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. ⁵Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

⁶When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. ⁷He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" ⁸For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"

"My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." ¹⁰And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

¹¹A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. ¹²The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." ¹³He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

¹⁴Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. ¹⁵When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. ¹⁶Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. ¹⁷Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

¹⁸As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. ¹⁹Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." ²⁰So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. Mark 5:1-20

The demon will allow no person to control this man; it seems to give him superhuman physical strength. At one level the demon has empowered this man to the level of strength reminiscent of Samson. Yet, while no physical chains can hold the man’s body, he is still an utter powerless slave to the evil. He is worse off than a wild animal for he even does injury to himself. Jesus will go out of his way to cleanse this man from torment. In doing so, Jesus replaces the physical power with the power of a new life in God.

It is interesting that Jesus refuses to let the man join him in his traveling ministry. He would seem to have a graphically powerful testimony to share. Rather than focus on the sensational circumstances of the event, Jesus calls him to a ministry at home—a simple family, domestic ministry. This appears to be ironic, such a great story should “go on the road” to the sheer amazement of the crowds.

While our consumer/marketing-obsessed culture would find this as a great missed opportunity by Jesus, this type of decision is quite standard in his ministry. Jesus will never choose the way of hype. He replaces the crazed, physical, showy, self-destructive power for the simple power of thankful obedience for God’s grace and mercy. While perhaps not as graphic in our life, the power of evil can be just as destructive. Christ offers a simple but effective power in the Spirit to be applied “hype-free.” It is a power that will travel, and a power that is available close to home.

Some time later Jesus traveled through towns and villages, preaching the Good News about the Kingdom of God. The twelve disciples went with him, ²and so did some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (who was called Magdalene), from whom seven demons had been driven out; ³Joanna, whose husband Cuza was an officer in Herod’s court; and Susanna, and many other women who used their own resources to help Jesus and his disciples.

Have you ever wondered if Jesus and his disciples needed money to cover their day-to-day expenses (food, etc.)? Well, today’s scripture tells us that Susanna and many other women used their resources to help Jesus and his disciples. In John 13:29, we are told that Judas was in charge of the money bag. So it seems that then, as now, people wanted to use their resources to help finance the work of the Kingdom.

One of the things I love most about our church is the generosity of our members. Through the years we have supported many worthwhile causes from our on-going work with missions to special endeavors such as the refugee ministry.

As we prepare for Holy Week and think of the great sacrifice that Jesus made for us, I believe it would be a good time to examine how each of us uses the financial resources we have been given. Every day God provides us with opportunities to make a difference in our world. It would be my prayer that when the Spirit moves on each of us to help, we would respond with the generosity that has characterized Deer Park for more than a century.

As I read a story I try to place myself in the main character’s situation to truly understand what it is all about.

1) Me – loved to make money no matter how I won it or who it hurt like Zacchaeus

2) Me – Like Zacchaeus was curious about the man named Jesus. (I was taught not about his love but to fear hell.)

3) Although I did not climb a sycamore tree I did come out in front of him by attending church.

4) I accepted his invitation to come into my house although I was chief of the sinners.

5) Unlike Zacchaeus, I did not return my ill-gotten gains but did allow Christ to come into my being and change my life.

Luke wrote in a style that can best be described as “come and meet the man named Jesus and He will allow you to do great things not in your power, but in his strength”. Zacchaeus not only put him on the outside but allowed him to come on board on the inside; thus, he was saved. But this is not all he wants.

(d) to have the inner strength which only God provides to allow him to shape my destiny and get me out of the way.

He changed Zacchaeus, he changed me and above all he will give you the power to help change you. Thank you, Jesus.

This happened on the same day the three women found Jesus’ tomb empty. Two followers of Jesus were walking together on the road to Emmaus, a town about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were recalling to each other the happenings of the last few days in Jerusalem. We, like they, recount over and over details of something we find hard to believe.

I can see them walking and talking, stopping and starting along the dusty road. So involved were they that they did not notice when they were joined by a third man. “What are you talking about?” His question must have stopped them in their tracks. “Where have you been? How could you not know what has been going on? This is all about Jesus of Nazareth. He was a great prophet who spoke powerful things and did powerful things. We were hoping he was the Messiah, the man to liberate all Israel! Our chief priests handed him over to the Romans. He was crucified three days ago. Some women went to the tomb this morning. It was empty. An angel told them that he was alive. We ran to see for ourselves—but he was not there!” “Wait a minute. You are not thinking. You know the words of the scripture—that the Messiah would suffer in this way,” said the man.

The three of them turn now and walk on toward Emmaus. As they walk, they talk. Jesus starts with Moses and all the prophets. He explained passages in all the scripture which told of the Messiah. The men did not recognize the man who had joined them. Often we have done the same. As they came into the town of Emmaus, Jesus appeared to be going on and not stopping. “Please stay the night with us. The day is almost over.” He agreed and when they sat together at supper, Jesus picked up the bread. Jesus blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to them. They recognized him and he was gone! They went immediately back to their friends in Jerusalem, and found them saying, “It is true. He does live. He has appeared to Simon!” Then our friends from the encounter on the road to Emmaus told their wonderful story—how they felt their hearts on fire as he taught them on the road—and how they recognized Jesus when he broke the bread as they sat together at the table at the end of the day. Luke 24:13-35

One thing is certain about Psalm 88—it speaks of a situation that can’t possibly get any worse! The author of this psalm, whom tradition decrees to be Heman the Ezrahite (see I Chronicles 25:1), is a temple musician in the worst pit of depression anyone has seen since poor old Job. He is, as we sometimes say in the South, lower than a snake’s belly.

“. . . all day and at night” (vs. 1). He pleads for God to listen, lamenting that “So many troubles have fallen on me that I am close to death. . . abandoned.. . like the slain lying in their graves.. . forgotten completely.” (vs. 3-4)

Who do you think gets the blame for Heman’s troubles, which one source says may be the result of a life-long physical ailment? God himself did it, says Heman. Even though the psalm begins with the address, “Lord God, my Savior,” the psalmist goes on to berate God: You “have...

Believe it or not, verses 16 through 18 actually ratchet up Heman’s wail to an even higher pitch, if that seems possible.

What message can we possibly get from Psalm 88 in this lenten season of 2004? Maybe this: In the midst of the worst that life can throw our way, there is still comfort, if not always complete release, in prayer—even when the prayer seems to go unanswered. The very act of praying can bring some measure of relief. As Job put it in his more famous lament, “Though [God] slay me, yet will I hope in him!” (Job 13:15) Only God knows why bad things so often seem to happen to good people. This psalm reminds us of the lament of the Savior himself on the cross, who in history’s greatest frustration and pain, screamed to his Father, “My God why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34) Jesus, though perfectly sinless, experienced the most horrible shame and agony, buoyed only by God’s promise that his suffering would bring the world the ultimate good of salvation We are reminded, both by Heman’s psalm and by the Lord Jesus’ cross-cries, to keep our eyes of faith turned toward God in painful times because personal faith in the Lord is, in the eternal end, our only hope for divine resolution.

Sunday	Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
March 28	Luke 19:28-40

As we each celebrate this season of Lent and prepare ourselves for recalling the death of Jesus on Good Friday and his Resurrection on Easter Sunday, we cannot overlook our Lord’s infinite grace and love for each and every one of us. As he did then with the ten lepers and as he does daily with us, he hears our pleas for help and lays his healing hands on us to make us well. Everyone can enjoy the benefits of his grace and love. Like the one who returned to praise God and thank him, we each have the opportunity to sing God’s praises for the gifts he gives us. And when we do, like the foreigner who returned, Jesus will say, “Your faith has saved you.” May we each hear the Master say these words.

Simon the Pharisee’s encounter with Jesus was an intentional one. Inviting Jesus into his home may have been a strategy to somehow catch Jesus off-guard or to have an opportunity to prove “this man,” as Simon called him, to be a fake one way or another. Maybe Simon was expecting to have an uninterrupted time to argue his own religious points with Jesus. Maybe Simon was relishing the prospect of expounding his superior piety in front of this unique guest.

This encounter, however, is interrupted by a “sinful woman’s” lovingly expressing her gratitude towards Jesus which Simon observes. Such a scene causes Simon to truly question the claims of Jesus since no respectable rabbi would allow such a one as this to approach him in such a way. Jesus uses this unexpected encounter as a teachable moment for Simon. Jesus wants Simon to encounter his own spiritual condition. Through a brief parable, Jesus helps Simon identify his own lack of gratitude and recognition of his status before God.

How did Simon respond? Did he ask Jesus to leave? Did he himself leave out of embarrassment? Did he and Jesus continue into a more meaningful dialogue? We do not know the outcome. It is left open-ended.

Maybe that is intentional also. Maybe when Jesus’ words speak directly to our own weaknesses and lacks, we too are left to determine our own response. Do we ignore what Jesus says? Do we cut short the time with Jesus? Or do we seek a deeper, more genuine encounter with Jesus, allowing Jesus’ words to expose and to correct our wrongful thoughts and attitudes?

During this Lenten season, let’s seek intentional encounters with Jesus, leaving room for those open-ended times when God wants to show us our true selves. Consider your response prayerfully. Jesus loved Simon and Jesus loves you.

And as they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.”

And Jesus said to him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

And He said to another, Follow Me.” But he said, Permit me first to go and bury my father.”

But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”

And another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say goodbye to those at home.”

But Jesus said to him, No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Family tradition is such in the Holy Land that an individual does not decide for himself what he or she is to do - one’s vocation is determined by the father of the household, who in turn influences all his relatives to side with him in his decision. For an individual (such as the one who said he would follow Christ) to go home and say goodbye, this would be the end of him. Every relative would persuade him to stay home and have festivities.

An Eastern plow has only one handle, and must of necessity be held tightly to keep the plowshare in the ground. The other hand is used to hold the reins and often a long stick to prod the animal along. A farmer keeps looking ahead, mainly because of the rocky soil. Should he look back and his plow strike a rock, the furrow would be crooked, or, with such a tight grip on the handle, he would lose his balance and probably be thrown to the ground. He then would become the laughingstock of other farmers and would seriously damage his reputation. Christ emphasized the need to keep looking ahead so that as we “watch and pray” we would not be tripped up by the devil and his tactics. (*Robert Boyd)

The adventure of following God will lead us beyond our usual boundaries. To be an “exacting disciple” requires careful attention and precision in following the directives of the Holy Spirit. More often than not, we find ourselves seeking out the comfort zone. Sliding out of that warm bed early in the morning to be present in Bible study or feeding the hungry at the homeless shelter takes us way out of our comfort level. There are rough parts to carrying out the Father’s will. “Lord, I will be at Bible study when it is ‘convenient’ to my schedule. I promise, Lord, to come but just not today. There are so many things happening around me, Lord. I have family activities that must be completed!” We “distracted” disciples need to figure out what is so important and then stay focused. In our hearts is where we determine to follow the Lord.

What excuses keep us from coming to Christ today - from accepting his gracious invitation to have salvation full and free? To be a follower of Christ, one must forsake all - materialism, wealth and our own comfort.

As we celebrate the final days of the Lenten season, let us focus on the words found in Luke 12:28-34. As you read, note the highlighted words, and what they mean to you in light of the previous 38 days.

“God clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today but tomorrow, is thrown into the fire. So how much more will God clothe you? Don’t have so little faith! Don’t always think about what you will eat and what you will drink, and don’t keep worrying. All the people in the world are trying to get these things, and your Father knows you need them. But seek God’s kingdom, and all the other things you need will be given to you. Don’t fear, little flock, because your Father wants to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Get for yourselves purses that will not wear out, the treasure in heaven that never runs out, where thieves can’t steal and moths can’t destroy. Your heart will be where your treasure is.”

My hope and prayer for this Lenten season is that we deepen our relationship with Jesus through serious, disciplined self-examination of our walk with Jesus to Calvary. Let us put worry aside and focus on faith. Let us forget our fears and give thanks for our blessings. Rather than give up a personal pleasure or bad habit, let us instead give away the joys we experience and use our gifts and blessings to enrich the lives of others.

And above all else, let us ask our Father for guidance, understanding, wisdom and courage to joyfully seek his Kingdom and will for our lives. For what our heart embraces and follows, there will our treasure be waiting.

CONCLUSION His message is applicable to each of us if we follow him. So let’s continue to grow on a close relationship with Jesus. What a joy! Hallelujah!

After Jesus was finished with his comments, he went down the mountain and the crowd followed.

When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30 (NRSV)

Jesus’ last word from the cross. It is traditionally translated, “It is finished.” We usually understand the word to mean that Jesus’ passion is finished. His suffering is finished. It is his last word before he bows his head and gives up the spirit. . . and dies. How should we take this word? Is it a final word of pain and agony before he dies? Or is it a word of resignation, an awareness that death is imminent? Is it the announcement that his earthly ministry and incarnation is finished? Maybe the word is that and more.

Tetelestai is a perfect verb, indicating that the action of the verb has been completed. The perfect of this verb occurs only three times in the New Testament. It occurs once just two verses prior to our focal verse here in John 19:28. In that passage the text tells us that Jesus knowing that everything had been finished, in order to fulfill scripture said, “I thirst.” Apparently both these occurrences of tetelestai mean the same thing. Jesus had completed his mission.

The last occurrence of this verb is 2 Timothy 4:7 where Paul states, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Again the verb indicates the completion of a mission, this time Paul’s mission.

Each occurrence of this verb speaks of the finishing or completing of a mission. Both Jesus and Paul had finished their work.

But in our focal passage, the word means even more. Yes, Jesus has finished his task. But even more, Jesus also accomplished his mission. The word could just as well be translated, “It has been accomplished.” The atonement for all our sin, God’s plan of redemption, the price for our salvation, that’s what has been accomplished. The word is not just one of pain or resignation; it is not just that an earthly task has been finished. Instead the word is a word of victory. Christ’s passion that we remember in this Lenten season brought life for us. In his death we gain life eternal. The final evidence of his victory isn’t visible on Good Friday. Darkness and death reign that day. But tetelestai is the word for Easter morning. Death seems to shout out on Good Friday, “Tetelestai , it’s over, he’s dead.” But Easter gives us the final word, “Tetelestai, it’s accomplished, death is dead, He is risen, our salvation has been completed!” What a wonderful word for us in this season of penance and waiting. We are penitent for a reason; we await expectantly for a reason. Tetelestai: our salvation has been completed; He has accomplished it!