Easter Season Devotional

Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.  He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.  So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent.  They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. - Mark 6:7-9, 12-13

This event occurs early in Jesus' ministry, shortly after the calling of the disciples.  These men have ben following Jesus for only a short while, but they have watched him heal the sick and teach across the countryside. Still, their education is incomplete.  They haven't heard all of Jesus' teachings or seen all of his healings, nor have they seen him fulfill the expectations they have for their Messiah.  Yet, they do what they are told. Even with little training, they are willing to go out to teach and heal in the name of Jesus Christ.  They obey, taking nothing with them, and having faith that God will be with them.

We, too, are called to minister in the same way.  True, we are imperfect people, we have flaws and commit sins, but we are still called to minister for Christ.  We may not feel fully prepared, and God may still have more experiences that will prepare us later on, but we are still called, today, at this moment, to proclaim the word of God and to bring about the kingdom of God on earth.  God will be with us as we do.  

Easter Sunday, 3/23/2008

Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. -Romans 6:4

I don’t know if there is anything harder to do than to change myself. There have been many, many things that I have tried alter in my life. More often than not, these attempts have met with moderate success, if at all. Most of the time, I find that failure results in giving up in making a change. Moreover, age and experience has taught me that not only can I find it extremely difficult to make a personal change, I really can’t change others! Think of your with attempts to “change your … spouse, partner, friend – and children?” Have you had that experience?

The good news of Easter is that we are no longer must live with our own abilities to change ourselves, we are no longer bound by our own limitations. We are set free to see ourselves through God’s eyes, and relinquish all hold on those things that hinder our life in Christ. Everything, every sin, every behavior, every action now is open to the Spirit to change. We, like Paul, can celebrate the death of self, and rise in Christ, to a life transformed.

That is not to say that it does not take effort, prayer, guidance, support and community to empower us through the Spirit to change. We are called to respond to this great gift. In the celebration of Easter, find that gracious and beautiful sacrifice that Christ made for you as freeing. I cannot change, but by the love and grace of God, each day I can rely and receive that great gift of new life that gives me strength to grow more like Him each day.

May this Easter herald a peace and joy that remains in your life each day – for we are a new creation in Him!

By L.D.

Lenten Devotional: Holy Saturday, 3/22/2008

There was a man by the name of Joseph, a member of the Jewish High Council, a man of good heart and good character . He had not gone along with the plans and actions of the council. His hometown was the Jewish village of Arimathea. He lived in alert expectation of the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Taking him down, he wrapped him in a linen shroud and placed him in a tomb chiseled into the rock, a tomb never yet used. It was the day before Sabbath, the Sabbath just about to begin.The women who had been companions of Jesus from Galilee followed along. They saw the tomb where Jesus' body was placed. Then they went back to prepare burial spices and perfumes. They rested quietly on the Sabbath, as commanded. - Luke 23: 50-56, from The Messenger

It is over. Jesus has breathed his last. Now his friends and disciples work quickly to see to an honorable burial before nightfall and the beginning of the Sabbath that begins Friday night at sundown.

First, it is remarkable that Jesus, a condemned criminal, receives a proper burial at all. In the Roman world, condemned prisoners were typically denied burial. In a Jewish context, condemned men were probably buried in a common grave without ceremony. But more importantly, the Gospel writers are laying the groundwork to describe the amazing circumstances of the resurrection that is to take place Sunday morning.

Joseph of Arimathea is a wealthy, high-status friend who cares deeply about Jesus' burial. We don't know if he has ever talked to Jesus one-on-one. He not only holds an exalted position in society, Luke describes his as good and righteous person, a man of integrity. He makes it clear that Joseph hasn't gone along with the Sanhedrin's condemnation of Jesus,that he has not consented to their decision. Now he uses his personal resources and position to assist the Lord, whom he loves. John calls him a secret disciple. But Joseph chooses this moment to make his allegiance clear.

He goes immediately to Pilate and asks for Jesus' body. Mark notes that he went boldly. Joseph receives permission after Pilate determines that Jesus is actually dead, certified by the centurion in charge of the crucifixion detail. Then he goes personally to take care of the body. First he takes down the body, removes the spikes, places the body onto a clean linen cloth, and carries it to the nearby tomb. There, he places it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. The tomb has been carefully prepared. After preparing the body, Joseph and Nicodemus gently place Jesus' body on one of the stone ledges in the tomb, roll the large stone in front of the door, and depart.

What is the significance of Jesus being buried in a brand new tomb? Probably to reflect the great esteem in which Joseph holds Jesus. It also counteracts any suggestion that when Jesus' body is missing on resurrection morning that the women mistake it for another tomb.
The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. Mark identifies them as "Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus". They know the exact place of Jesus burial. Now they return to the place where they are staying, planning to come back with spices and perfumes after the Sabbath to complete the preparations of Jesus' body. Now we rest as do the women during the Sabbath day. For early Sunday morning we will encounter an event that will occupy us fully into the evening, He is risen! He is risen indeed!

From Joseph, Nicodemus, and the women, we learn that there is a time for us to publicly identify ourselves with Jesus, even though fear might have prevented it in the past. Both Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus put their lives and reputations on the line as they assist Jesus. Everything we have is to be put at Jesus' disposal. Joseph is wealthy and has a brand new tomb. He is honored for Jesus to be placed there. Nicodemus no doubt paid for expensive burial ointments out of his own finances. So did the women. Even at his death, his disciples bestow on him an extravagant love. Our possessions are to be used for out Lord's glory.

Jesus' death and burial are carefully documented. Jesus is actually dead. Jesus' disciples are sure of it. They have seen the soldiers finally pierce his side so that water and blood run out. They have handled his lifeless corpse. They have anointed it and wrapped it carefully and laid him in a tomb blocked by a heavy stone. The Gospel writers give us this detail so that we can know with certainty that Jesus’ resurrection is no error, no mistaken identity, no fluke. The resurrection is one of the central Christian beliefs and it is solid.

By J.P. & R.P.

Lenten Devotional: Good Friday, 3/21/2008

And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; bu when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews!” From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. - Matthew 27:33-37, 45-46, 50

I think this is without a doubt the darkest moment I have ever heard about, the death of Jesus. And I usually ask myself the question, “Why did there have to be such a sacrifice?” Why did it happen this way? I think it had to be sacrifice with a purpose of great magnitude. Jesus’ followers felt indescribable pain at the crucifixion, but their pain and grief was a part of God’s plan for man’s salvation. We all experience dark moments in our lives. No one is free of pain in life. I can remember vividly when I lost my Father at age 6 and then my Mother at age 11 (almost 12). I really thought life was over for me and felt as lost in this world as I could possibly feel. I had lost the very people in this world that made me feel most secure. Believers had lost their Savior. Mary had lost a son and the disciples had lost their brother and leader.
After the death of my parents, my brothers and I were sent away to live with relatives. And as time went by and we were supported and cared for by relatives, we gradually came out of the darkness. We can find life again even after death. I am certain that because of the Good Friday story many lives changed. I know there was a lot of grief over Jesus’ death but the darkness would soon be overcome. The process of finding a place in the world and gaining strength may take some time and yes, there will always be the question for me – “Why did there have to be such a sacrifice?”

By M.W.

Lenten Devotional: Maundy Thursday, 3/20/2008

When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” - Luke 22:14-15, 19-20

Jesus knows that his time on earth with his disciples is running out. He knows that tomorrow he will suffer and die, alone and in pain. So, on his last night with his friends, he gathers with them at the table and gives them a gift: a way to remember him.

He takes bread and wine, common things his disciples eat every day, and tells them to remember him and his love for them every time they eat those things. He tells them this so that each time they eat, they will remember that God is with them. They will remember that God loves them so much that God became a human, Jesus, who lived and died on earth in order to be with them, teach them, and bring them into closer relationship with him. Jesus wants his followers to remember, even as they watch him die on the cross, even when he is buried in the tomb, even when he ascends into heaven, that he is with us.

Do we remember? When we receive communion, do we feel Christ’s presence at the table with us? When we get take-out for dinner or sit in our kitchen with our friends and family, do we remember that God is with us? Christ chose to have us remember him at meals because eating is something we do every day. Jesus wanted us to remember every single day that God loves us. So, as we eat today, let us remember that love, and be thankful.

By L.L.

Lenten Devotional: Wednesday, 3/19/2008

Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” - Luke 22:8

This particular Passover meal was an especially important one to Jesus; he wanted to share it with his disciples, those closest to him in his everyday life. Thinking about this and Jesus’ request for preparation made me think of family times like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and birthdays when we want everything to be special – but we often, at least I do, find ourselves procrastinating when to comes to preparation for the event. I can even remember one Christmas when the host part of the family called everyone to the table laden with all kinds of delectable foods, only to realize that they had forgotten to PURCHASE the turkey!
In the days and weeks before special events we often think like Scarlett O’Hara and plan to do it “tomorrow”. Preparing “tomorrow” may be alright and even afford a few good laughs and a family joke for many holidays to come, but we need to be much more intentional and prepare today for the time when we hope to sit at the table with Jesus.

Are we prepared as we go through this Lenten Season, approaching the most significant of all holidays – the days during which Jesus prepared himself and his disciples – He washed their feet to show his love. They were probably like us, ready to eat and would have skipped the foot-washing (not necessarily indicating that they understood what was happening or what Jesus had tried to teach). He could have called the whole thing off right then, recognizing that they were not properly prepared for the sacred event – But, instead he ate the Passover meal with them and continued on his journey that would lead him to a rugged cross to die for all our sins.

Are we prepared?

By B.L. & S.L.

Lenten Devotional: Tuesday, 3/18/2008

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. -Matthew 26:14-16

What motivates Judas to this despicable act? He goes to the priests on his own. Is it greed? Thirty silver coins hardly seems a worthy reward. Was it jealousy? Was he tired of being in the shadows while Jesus received all the attention? Maybe we’ll never understand Judas or his motives – or maybe his motives were part of God’s plan to save sinners. That would mean that God uses evil (Judas’ act) to achieve good (salvation of sinners). There are other Biblical events where evil works into God’s plan. In the Old Testament, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery (talk about greed and jealousy!) so that once in Egypt, Joseph can set the stage for the Israelites to go to the Promised Land, in accordance with God’s plan.

If God can use evil to achieve good; does He permit evil to happen and then make the best of it, or does He include elements of evil in His plan knowing that men are weak and all too willing to participate? If Judas hadn’t betrayed Jesus in this manner, would another of Jesus’ trusted followers been touched by evil to participate? Or, would Jesus never have been sacrificed? What consequence would that have for our lives and salvation? These questions stem from this disturbing passage. But, there is comfort in knowing that God is in control of both good and evil and His plan for our salvation is achieved -- regardless. We just need to believe. Amen.

By S.B.