Readings

Psalm 31:9-16

Philippians 2:5-11

Luke 23:26-49

Devotion

Peace be with you!

Pilate hands Jesus over to the Roman soldiers to crucify him (Luke 23:24-25), despite his own belief in Jesus’ innocence. The Roman soldiers lead Jesus to the Place of The Skull (Luke 23:26, 33). Weakened by the floggings, Jesus can barely carry his cross beam, so the soldiers draft Simon of Cyrene to carry it instead (Luke 23:26). A crowd follows Jesus, and the women wail and beat their breasts in sorrow (Luke 23:27).

Image of the crucifixion by Casper David Friedrich

Jesus turns to the women and says, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23:28-31 NRSV). Jesus is saying that the Jewish nation along with Jerusalem is going to have difficult times ahead. Family members will fight among themselves in his name. The women are weeping for the wrong reason; Jesus calls them to weep for themselves for the future will bring more trouble.

Jesus, along with two criminals, is led to the Place of The Skull to be crucified. One criminal is crucified on Jesus’ left, and the other one on his right (Luke 23:33). “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing,” Jesus calls out as the soldiers cast lots for his clothing (Luke 23:34). Even as Jesus is dying, he calls for God the Father to forgive the ones who crucified him. Jesus seeks forgiveness for the Jewish authorities, because they do not understand what they are doing, plus this is God’s plan.

The soldiers continue to mock Jesus and they offer him sour wine (Luke 23:36) even as he hangs dying on the cross. They call out, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself” (Luke 23:37 NRSV). The soldiers even hang an inscription over him: “This is the King of the Jews” (Luke 23:38 NRSV). The soldiers taunt Jesus; they have finally stopped him. He who saved others cannot save himself.

The two criminals even join in the mocking and wailing:

“One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’” (Luke 23:39-43).

The first criminal, like the soldiers, mocks Jesus for being the King of the Jews by telling Jesus to save both himself and the criminals. The first criminal sees Jesus as defeated. The second criminal accepts Jesus as the Messiah and asks him to remember him when Jesus is heaven. Even close to death, Jesus offers the second criminal forgiveness and promises to see him in Paradise.

Darkness covers the land from noon until three in the afternoon and the temple’s curtain is torn in two pieces (Luke 23:44-45). The darkness symbolizes that the Lord’s work is not fulfilled for Jesus’ death is only part of God’s plan. The curtain torn in two symbolizes God being for all people, not just for the Jews. There is no longer a barrier between humanity and God. The Gentiles are now invited into the Kingdom of God.

With his last breath, Jesus cries out, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46 NRSV). Even in death, Jesus gives himself to God the Father. Jesus never wavers in his love for God the Father.

The Centurion, a Gentile, makes the final statement on Jesus’ death by saying: “Certainly this man was innocent” (Luke 23:47 NRSV). The Roman government never sees Jesus as guilty; he is innocent. The crowd goes home wailing and weeping (Luke 23:48), but Jesus’ followers stay watching from a distance (Luke 23:49).

Dear Jesus, Thank you for taking our beating, our cross, our punishment for us. Help us to live a life worthy of your sacrifice. Thank you for the power of your love. Amen.

Works Cited

Thanks to the Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Reflective Questions

Please answer the following reflective questions in the comments below.  Please agree to disagree and be respectful to each other. (If you have not already done so, please also take a moment, to sign the comment covenant.)  You can answer as many questions as you would like. 

1. Where are you in the crowd?

2. How do you follow Jesus to the cross?

Readings

Psalm 31:9-16

Philippians 2:5-11

Luke 23:7-25

Devotion

Peace be with you!

In yesterday’s reading, Pilate finds out Jesus is a Galilean and sends him to see Herod since Galilee is his jurisdiction (Luke 23:6-7). Herod is glad to finally meet Jesus, because he has heard a lot about him and has wanted to see Jesus performing a miracle (Luke 23:8). However, Herod likely wants see Jesus perform a sign so he can prove he deserves death. Earlier in the Gospel of Luke, Herod has expressed intent to cause harm to Jesus (Luke 9:9; 13:31). His interest in Jesus performing signs is likely Herod’s way to have a reason to cause harm to him, not to see his glory.

Herod questioned Jesus at length, but he did not answer any of his questions (Luke 23:9) or perform any signs, and therefore, Herod has no reason to cause him harm. The chief priests continue to argue that Jesus is causing a ruckus throughout Judea and Galilee (Luke 23:10). The scene with Herod serves as comic relief as the chief priests and the scribes try to convince him to crucify Jesus, even when they have no evidence for their accusations. Although both parties have a common goal of causing harm to Jesus, the chief priests are wasting their breath without evidence. With the help of his soldiers, Herod treats Jesus with contempt and mocks him by dressing him in an elegant robe (Luke 23:11ab). This mockery points to Herod’s disregard of having Jesus around causing a ruckus throughout Judea and Galilee. Herod just wants one reason to have Jesus crucified and is coming up empty handed.

Feeling defended Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate (Luke 23:11c). Both Herod and Pilate find no reason to crucify Jesus, yet they both make sport of Jesus and of the chief priests who they despise. Herod is theatrical with his treatment of Jesus when he has him dressed in the elegant robe and agonizes the chief priests with his long questioning of Jesus. Herod and Pilate both perform power plays when they have Jesus on trial.

Photo Credit: Amber Sue Photography, www.ambersuephotography.com

Pilate calls the chief priests, scribes, leaders, and the people back together and says, “You have brought me this man who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him.” (Luke 23:13-16 NRSV). Pilate upholds his verdict from the first he questioned Jesus. The chief priests, scribes, leaders, and the people have not provided any new evidence to change Pilate’s mind.

However, the chief priests, scribes, leaders, and the people will not allow Pilate to release Jesus. The whole crowd keeps yelling, “Away with Jesus! Release Barabbas for us!” (Luke 23:18 NRSV). Now Barabbas is always causing trouble in the city and has even killed a few people (Luke 23:19). Pilate cannot understand why the crowd wants Barabbas released instead of Jesus. Pilate asks the crowd what he should do with Jesus and the people say, “Crucify, crucify him!” (Luke 23:20-21). Pilate appeals to the crowd one last time: “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the   sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.” (Luke 23:22 NRSV).

The crowd continues to yell, “Crucify, crucify him!” No amount of pleading with the crowd will change their minds. The more Pilate pleads to have Jesus flogged and released, the more the crowd yells, “Crucify, crucify him!”  (Luke 23:23). Finally Pilate gives into the crowd’s demands and orders his soldiers to crucify Jesus and releases Barabbas (Luke 23:24-25).

Dear Jesus, Thank you for taking our beating, our cross, our punishment for us. Help us to live a life worthy of your sacrifice. Thank you for the power of your love. Amen.

Works Cited

Thanks to the Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Reflective Questions

Please answer the following reflective questions in the comments below.  Please agree to disagree and be respectful to each other. (If you have not already done so, please also take a moment, to sign the comment covenant.)  You can answer as many questions as you would like. 

1. Who challenges your faith in God the Father and Jesus?

2. Where are you in the crowd?

Readings

Psalm 31:9-16

Philippians 2:5-11

Luke 22:63-23:6

Devotion

Peace be with you!

Jesus is in the hands of the high priest, chief priests, scribes, and the Jewish council. Men restraining Jesus start mocking and beating him (Luke 22:63). The guards blindfold Jesus and play the sick game of making Jesus guess who is beating him (Luke 22:64). They insult Jesus (Luke 22:65), and yet he does not fight back.

The chief priests have gathered the high priest, scribes, and the assembly of elders to question Jesus (Luke 22:66). The chief priests ask Jesus, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” He replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer.  But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God” (Luke 22:67-69 NRSV). Then the chief priests ask if he is the Son of God, and he replies, “You say I am.” (Luke 22:70).

The high priest, scribes, and the assembly of elders are convinced Jesus is committing blasphemy and take him to see Pilate (Luke 22:71-23:1). Nothing Jesus would have said could have changed their minds. The chief priests have been waiting for their chance to get their hands on Jesus and stop him from being “disruptive.” The chief priests insist that Jesus forbids his followers from paying the Emperor taxes and calls himself the Messiah, the King of the Jews. This should be enough to convict Jesus of being disruptive to the Roman government. The chief priests think they have Jesus cornered, yet he has the upper hand.

Pilate asks Jesus if he is the King of the Jews, and Jesus answers, “You say so” (Luke 23:3). Pilate finds no basis to hold Jesus and finds the crowd annoying for bringing charges against an innocent man (Luke 23:4). There is no evidence to back the accusations the chief priests bring against Jesus. Pilate has no right to hold Jesus any longer.

However, the chief priests are insistent that Jesus began in Galilee and now disrupts the peace throughout Judea (Luke 23:5). When Pilate finds out Jesus is a Galilean, he sends him to see Herod since that is his jurisdiction (Luke 23:6-7).

The Jewish authorities and the Roman government are having a power struggle. Jesus is a problem for the Jewish authorities, but they cannot crucify him without the assistance of the Roman government. There is not enough evidence for the Roman government to Jesus killed. Yet the Lord finds a way to fulfill his scriptures.

Dear Jesus, Thank you for taking our beating, our cross, our punishment for us. Help us to live a life worthy of your sacrifice . Thank you for the power of your love. Amen.

Works Cited

Thanks to the Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Reflective Questions

Please answer the following reflective questions in the comments below.  Please agree to disagree and be respectful to each other. (If you have not already done so, please also take a moment, to sign the comment covenant.)  You can answer as many questions as you would like. 

1. Describe your weakest moment.

2. If you were Pilate, what would you do?

Readings

Psalm 31:9-16

Philippians 2:5-11

Luke 22:63-23:6

Devotion

Peace be with you!

Jesus is in the hands of the high priest, chief priests, scribes, and the Jewish council. Men restraining Jesus start mocking and beating him (Luke 22:63). The guards blindfold Jesus and play the sick game of making Jesus guess who is beating him (Luke 22:64). They insult Jesus (Luke 22:65), and yet he does not fight back.

The chief priests have gathered the high priest, scribes, and the assembly of elders to question Jesus (Luke 22:66). The chief priests ask Jesus, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” He replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer.  But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God” (Luke 22:67-69 NRSV). Then the chief priests ask if he is the Son of God, and he replies, “You say I am.” (Luke 22:70).

The high priest, scribes, and the assembly of elders are convinced Jesus is committing blasphemy and take him to see Pilate (Luke 22:71-23:1). Nothing Jesus would have said could have changed their minds. The chief priests have been waiting for their chance to get their hands on Jesus and stop him from being “disruptive.” The chief priests insist that Jesus forbids his followers from paying the Emperor taxes and calls himself the Messiah, the King of the Jews. This should be enough to convict Jesus of being disruptive to the Roman government. The chief priests think they have Jesus cornered, yet he has the upper hand.

Pilate asks Jesus if he is the King of the Jews, and Jesus answers, “You say so” (Luke 23:3). Pilate finds no basis to hold Jesus and finds the crowd annoying for bringing charges against an innocent man (Luke 23:4). There is no evidence to back the accusations the chief priests bring against Jesus. Pilate has no right to hold Jesus any longer.

However, the chief priests are insistent that Jesus began in Galilee and now disrupts the peace throughout Judea (Luke 23:5). When Pilate finds out Jesus is a Galilean, he sends him to see Herod since that is his jurisdiction (Luke 23:6-7).

The Jewish authorities and the Roman government are having a power struggle. Jesus is a problem for the Jewish authorities, but they cannot crucify him without the assistance of the Roman government. There is not enough evidence for the Roman government to Jesus killed. Yet the Lord finds a way to fulfill his scriptures.

Dear Jesus, Thank you for taking our beating, our cross, our punishment for us. Help us to live a life worthy of your sacrifice . Thank you for the power of your love. Amen.

Works Cited

Thanks to the Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Reflective Questions

Please answer the following reflective questions in the comments below.  Please agree to disagree and be respectful to each other. (If you have not already done so, please also take a moment, to sign the comment covenant.)  You can answer as many questions as you would like. 

1. Describe your weakest moment.

2. If you were Pilate, what would you do?

Readings

Psalm 31:9-16

Philippians 2:5-11

Luke 22:39-62

Devotion

Peace be with you!

Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives to pray with his disciples. He urges his disciples to pray that they will not fall when things gets tough (Luke 22:40) and then goes off alone to pray a very solemn prayer as he faces the cross: “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet not my will but your will be done.” (Luke 22:42 NRSV). Jesus acknowledges God the Father is in control of everything, even the journey to the cross, and the hardship he faces. No one, not even Jesus, faces the crucifixion with a light heart and joy. The weight of the world is on Jesus’ shoulders, and it is a bit intimating.

An angel appears to Jesus and gives him strength (Luke 22:43). God the Father understands the heavy load that he has given Jesus and sends an angel to give him strength. As he prays, Jesus sweats huge drops like blood (Luke 22:44) as he turns to the cross.

Jesus goes back and finds his disciples sleeping; he awakens them and urges them to pray for strength and courage as they watch him go to the cross (Luke 22:46-47). Just then, Judas and the Pharisees approach Jesus. Jesus sees them coming and asks, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?”’ (Luke 22:48 NRSV). Jesus knows what Judas is doing even before he does it.

The disciples ask Jesus if they should get their swords out and, before he can answer, one of the disciples cuts off the high priest’s slave’s ear (Luke 22:49-50). Jesus quickly turns around and scolds his disciples; then he turns to the slave and heals him (Luke 22:51). Although Jesus is about to face more pain than anyone thought possible, he does not wish harm on anyone else. The world may wish harm to Jesus, but he still loves his Father’s creation.

Then Jesus turns to the chief priests and the crowds and asks, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!” (Luke 22:52-53 NRSV). This is Jesus’ last statement of length that provides any clue as to what is going on. Jesus only speaks a few words while on trial. The chief priests take Jesus to the high priest’s house; Peter follows at a distance (Luke 22:52).

Peter falls into trouble in the high priest’s courtyard. He has just seen the chief priests take Jesus off as a bandit. People are looking at him as if they recognize him from somewhere. One servant girl recognizes Peter as one of the men who was with Jesus, but he denies knowing him (Luke 22:56-57). Another man confirms the servant girl’s proclamation and says, “Surely, you were one of the men with Jesus.” Still Peter denies it (Luke 22:58). Yet another man insisted Peter was with Jesus since he is a Galilean (Luke 22:59). Peter exclaims, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” (Luke 22:60 NRSV). Just as Jesus predicted, Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times before the cock crowed. The realization caused Peter to hide and weep. He had denied the one person who loved him for who he was. How could he do such a selfish thing?

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for having Jesus fulfill your will. Help us to continue to follow Jesus to the cross this week. Remind us that you will always raise us back up, even when we fall. Guide us back into the light from the darkness. Thank you for understanding our faults and loving us despite them. Amen.

Works Cited

Thanks to the Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Reflective Questions

Please answer the following reflective questions in the comments below.  Please agree to disagree and be respectful to each other. (If you have not already done so, please also take a moment, to sign the comment covenant.)  You can answer as many questions as you would like. 

1. Where are you in the crowd? Are you hiding, fighting, or following?

2. Have you ever denied Jesus?

Readings

Psalm 31:9-16

Philippians 2:5-11

Luke 22:1-38

Devotion

Peace be with you!

In our reading today, the Festival of Unleavened Bread is under way in the Jewish community. Jewish families are making the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to make their sacrifices to the Lord. The temple is starting to get busy with preparations for the annual sacrifice ceremonies.

Even Jesus has the Passover meal with his disciples in an upstairs room of a Jerusalem home. Jesus pauses to spend one last night with his disciples before the events of the Passion unravel. During the meal, Jesus says

“I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took bread, and after giving 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 in the same way he took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:15-20 NRSV)

These words are so familiar to us that it is easy for us to gloss over them since we hear them every time we take communion. We forget this is not just another meal; Jesus was looking forward to this Passover meal for awhile. He must have run through the speech he would deliver to the disciples a million times.

Can you imagine being the disciples hearing these words for the first time? “This is my body … This is my blood poured out for you … This is the new covenant. Do this in remembrance of me.” These words have power and glory in them. Not only that, but Jesus commissioned his disciples to share this experience and these words with the world. It was not a one-time event; it is an ongoing event to remember Jesus came down into the world to rescue us from Satan and his temptations.

However, with any large gathering, there always has to be a black sheep in the room. Knowing what will transpire in the next few hours, Jesus predicts his betrayal (Luke 22:21-22), yet he acknowledges it must happen in order to fulfill the scriptures (Luke 22:37). The disciples are appalled that one of them could do such a thing. Who could be bold to do such a thing?

Then the disciples begin to argue as to which one of them is the greatest (Luke 22:24).  Jesus stops the argument and says, “No one is greater. The leader must be like the one who serves. Who is greater: the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? Yet I am among you as the one who serves.” (Luke 22:25-27). These words are powerful: no one is greater. Each of us must be like the One who serves. We should follow Jesus’ example and respect and help each other.

Jesus goes on to say, “You are the ones who have remained with me in my trials. Thus I grant to you a kingdom, just as my Father granted to me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Luke 22:28-30 NRSV). Jesus treats his disciples as God the Father has treated him. He is honored that his disciples had stood by him through all of his trials.

Jesus turns to Peter and says, “You will deny me before the crow sounds three times.” (Luke 22:32, 34). Peter says, “I would never deny you. I would follow you to prison and death if I had to” (Luke 22:33). Jesus understands that everyone will fall away, but he says that when Peter turns back he will strengthen his brothers (Luke 22:32). Peter will not stay lost for very long, and when he finds his way back he will be stronger. Jesus reminds his disciples that when he sent them out with nothing, they never lacked a thing (Luke 22:35). Even when they fall away, Jesus will find and take care of them.

As if to set things in motion by giving Judas permission to go to the Sanhedrin, Jesus says, “But now, the one who has a money bag must take it, and likewise a traveler’s bag too. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was counted with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me is being fulfilled” (Luke 22:36-37 NRSV).

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for letting us continue to share the Last Supper with Jesus. Help us to understand the wisdom Jesus shared with his disciple. Remind us no one is greater than the one who is a servant. Guide us to help, serve, and respect one another. And when we fall away, come and find us in the darkness. Thank you for fulfilling the scriptures. Amen.

Works Cited

Thanks to the Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Reflective Questions

Please answer the following reflective questions in the comments below.  Please agree to disagree and be respectful to each other. (If you have not already done so, please also take a moment, to sign the comment covenant.)  You can answer as many questions as you would like. 

1. What stands out to you about the Last Supper?

2. How have you denied Jesus? How did he find you again?

Readings

Isaiah 43:16-21

Psalm 126

Philippians 3:4b-14

John 12:1-8

Devotion

Peace be with you!

Jesus had hundreds of people around him most of the time – people who listened to his every word, people who believed he was the Son of God, and people who challenged his authority. He was loved deeply by his disciples and followers. Jesus took care of the sick, the crippled*, the poor, and the hungry.

But who took care of Jesus? For the most part, God the Father took care of Jesus’ needs by providing him with the essentials. In the Gospel reading, Mary and Martha are tending to Jesus’ needs after he just raised Lazarus, their brother, from the dead. Martha prepares a dinner to celebrate Lazarus being alive. As Jesus heads to the cross, Mary anoints his body for burial – a selfless act performed on Jesus’ behalf. Jesus will show his disciples the same kind of love when he washes their feet at the Last Supper. Like Mary, Jesus expresses his humility towards his disciples – the Master is not greater than his workers.

Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume and wipes them with her hair (John 12:3a). When people anointed others’ feet, it was common to use water and to be done by a servant. When people are anointed with oil, it is normally done on the head. Mary shows humility when she anoints Jesus’ feet with the expensive nard perfume and wipes them with her hair. She anoints Jesus out of love for he has done good works and performed miracles to help the sick, the crippled*, the poor, and the hungry. Mary shows her loyalty to Jesus through this selfless act.

Judas Iscariot is outraged with Mary for wasting such an expensive perfume on anointing Jesus’ feet when it could have been sold and helped the poor (John 12:4-5). At least that is what he says out loud, but the author clues us in to Judas’ selfish reasons for wanting to keep the perfume. Judas takes care of the common purse and sometimes steals out of it (John 12:6).

Jesus scolds Judas Iscariot for being harsh with Mary when she has done a great service for him. Mary brought the perfume for the day of his burial (John 12:7). In Biblical times, family members would anoint the dead before burial as a way to show them honor. By anointing Jesus before his death, Mary is showing him her devotion, loyalty, and love. She is making preparations for his journey to the cross and beyond.

Jesus also states the poor will always be in the world, but he will not always be with us (John 12:8). There will always be someone who needs assistance – physically, psychosocially, or spiritually. Someone in the world will always need shelter; others will need clothes; others will need food and water; others will need prayers. The world is a needy place where someone will always need something. However, Jesus will not always physically be in the world. Mary is taking the opportunity to express her devotion, loyalty, and love for Jesus – the one who brought her brother back to life, the one who has healed so many, the one who has taken care of the poor, and the one who will die for our sins. Mary does the one thing she could do for Jesus – anoint him for burial.

I would like to think that Mary does it on everyone’s behalf, because if I could, I would anoint Jesus for burial. Yet everything I do is in Jesus’ honor. I volunteer weekly at the local hospital to bring comfort to those who are sick. I write to share the good news of the Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. I pray with others to give them comfort in their time of need. You express your devotion, loyalty, and love for Jesus in the way you treat others with forgiveness, grace, humility, and love.

Thanks be to God!

* The word “crippled” is not a politically correct term, but it is used in the Bible, which is why I am using it here.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for having Mary anoint Jesus for burial to express her devotion, loyalty, and love for Jesus. Help us to express our devotion, loyalty, and love for Jesus through the way we tend to the needs of others. Remind us of Mary’s humility the next time we get ahead of ourselves. We are no greater than the ones who serve us. Thank you for those who tend to our needs, so we can help others. Amen.

Works Cited

Thanks to the Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Reflective Questions

Please answer the following reflective questions in the comments below.  Please agree to disagree and be respectful to each other. (If you have not already done so, please also take a moment, to sign the comment covenant.)  You can answer as many questions as you would like. 

1. How do you express your devotion, loyalty, and love to Jesus? And to other people?

2. How have you been anointed?

Readings

Joshua 5:9-12

Psalm 32

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Devotion

Peace be with you!

As a general rule, we do not like being around people who are different from us. Being around individuals who are physically unclean, dangerous, drug addicts, outcasts, beggars, the disabled, murderers, thieves, prostitutes, and [whoever “it” is] makes us uncomfortable. When “they” invade our space, we feel uneasy, uncomfortable, cornered, in danger, threatened. There is no way “they” are welcomed in the Kingdom of God, right?

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Jesus is God’s Son, sent into the world to express God’s love, which is far different than love in the world. Before we can define God’s love, we must observe Jesus’ actions in the world. The Pharisees and the scribes wonder why Jesus welcomes and eats with sinners (Luke 15:2). They are alarmed. These people are unclean, dangerous, sinners, outcasts, beggars, disabled, murders, thefts, prostitutes, and [whoever “it” is] that makes us uncomfortable. The Pharisees and the scribes do not understand how Jesus can incriminate himself by hanging out with them.

True to his nature, Jesus answers the Pharisees and the scribes with a parable – well, three parables. The first two we do not read in church this Sunday. These parables follow a simple pattern: something is lost, it is looked for, it is found, and there is rejoicing. A shepherd with one hundred sheep loses one, goes out looking for it, finds it, and rejoices (Luke 15:4-7). A woman with 10 coins loses one, searches her household for it, finds it, and rejoices (Luke 15:8-10). Jesus will find the lost and will rejoice in finding each one.

The third parable is a bit messy because it deals with the family system. A father has two sons, and the younger son asks for his half of the inheritance (Luke 15:12). The younger son goes off into the world squandering his inheritance (Luke 15:13-14) and ends up as a beggar eating with the pigs (Luke 15:15-16). This son hits rock bottom and realizes he would be better off as a hired hand on his father’s land (Luke 15:17). The son is starving and working for a pig farmer, but his father’s hired hands always had what they needed. The younger son builds up the courage to go home and ask for forgiveness, so he can work as a hired hand (Luke 15:18b-19).

When the father sees his younger son, he is filled with compassion and runs to greet him (Luke 15:20). The son begs his father to forgive him (Luke 15:21). However, the father calls out to the hired hands to bring the best robe and ring and to kill a fatted calf so they can celebrate his younger son’s return (Luke 15:22-23). The father rejoices because his son who was lost has returned (Luke 15:24). What parent does not rejoice when their child comes home?

The older brother is not happy with all of the celebrating going on for his younger brother’s return! He refuses to join in on the celebrating (Luke 15:28). The older son is hurt that his father has never staged such a large celebration for him but pulls out all the stops for his runaway brother (Luke 15:29-30). We can all relate to the older son, because we have all felt short-changed at one time or another. You work hard at your job only to get passed over for a promotion. You work hard on a paper only to get a C when someone else writes it in an hour and gets an A. You save your money and pay your way through college, yet you cannot find a job.

Life does not seem fair. The father explains, “Son, you are always with me, and everything that belongs to me is yours. It was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost and is found.” The father appreciates his older son and all that he does. Everything the father has will one day belong to his older son. But the son who was lost and thought dead has been found alive. The father celebrates being reunited with his younger son.

God rejoices every time a person turns to him and begs to be in a relationship with him. Through unconditional love that is indefinable in the world, God opens his heart to those who come into the light after living in darkness.

God does not judge you based on your past mistakes for we are all sinners by nature. The individuals who are unclean, dangerous, sinners, outcasts, beggars, disabled, murderers, thieves, prostitutes, and [whoever “it” is] that makes us uncomfortable are invited into the Kingdom of God once they repent and accept God’s love, grace, and forgiveness. That, my brothers and sisters, makes God’s love so special: we are all welcome in the Kingdom of God.

Thanks be to God!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for welcoming those who are unclean, dangerous, sinners, outcasts, beggars, disabled, murderers, thieves, prostitutes, and [whoever “it” is] that makes us uncomfortable into the Kingdom of God. Help us to welcome those different than us and share the good news with them so that they will come to know your love, grace, and forgiveness. Remind us that we are all outcasts who were welcomed into the church. Shine your light upon us as we go out into the world to share the good news. Thank you for giving us the precious gift of unconditional love. Amen.

Works Cited

Thanks to the Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Reflective Questions

Please answer the following reflective questions in the comments below.  Please agree to disagree and be respectful to each other. (If you have not already done so, please also take a moment, to sign the comment covenant.)  You can answer as many questions as you would like. 

1. Who makes you uncomfortable? Challenge: Invite them to church.

2. Describe how you imagine the Kingdom of God.

Readings

Isaiah 55:1-9

Psalm 63:1-8

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Luke 13:1-9

Devotion

Peace be with you!

Individuals have prayed over me for healing of my disability, Cerebral Palsy. Some of these people have told me that if I had more faith God would heal me. I would be free of my weakness, with no need for my electric wheelchair. For most of my childhood, I felt “cursed” by Cerebral Palsy. I had very few friends and was only invited to a handful of birthday parties of my classmates. I would have what my mom calls pity parties because I felt so alone.

It was not until college (with the help of few high school friends) that I started to really own my Cerebral Palsy and to experience the blessings it brings into my life. I began to break out of my shell and have a more positive attitude on life. The older I get, the less I care that I have Cerebral Palsy because I do not let my disability stop me. Cerebral Palsy is a part of me; it is not the whole me and does not own me. Rather, I own Cerebral Palsy because I use its strengths to enjoy the fullness of life. Without Cerebral Palsy, I would have never met my CP sisters and probably never would have gone to seminary.

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In our Gospel reading for today, people are crowding around Jesus asking him if bad things only happen to wicked people (Luke 13:2, 4). The crowd has some logic behind their way of thinking. After all, in the Old Testament, God wiped out the whole world with the Flood, making exceptions only for Noah, his family, and two of each animal. God did this because the world had become corrupt. There is some common sense behind killing off those who are evil.

However, Jesus calmly says, “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did” (Luke 13:3, 5 NRSV). Crap! We are not as saintly as we hope. Although sickness and suffering do not always directly link to individual sin, their presence in the world reminds us all of our fallen nature. Jesus reminds us here that none of “deserve” positive outcomes in our lives. Rather, we are all sinners in need of a Savior. Jesus is not sugar-coating anything. Rather, Jesus is heading to Jerusalem to face his death on the cross in order to redeem fallen people like us. He calls us to respond to his offer of freedom and receive the gift of life in his name.

Unless we repent, we will share a similar fate to the Galileans whom Pilate had killed and to the eighteen people killed when the tower of Siloam fell. But our death will not be the temporal kind; it will be eternal death. We have the choice to repent in order to receive forgiveness, grace, and eternal life. Repenting means we confess our sins to the Triune God. It also means that, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we turn away from our sins. We have to admit we are sinners and that we need forgiveness, grace, and eternal life and that we want to be in a relationship with the Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We experience release when we repent because we let go of the things that keep us from the Triune God and eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

Taking ownership of your life gives you freedom from what holds you back. Repentance gives you freedom from your sins and from the “curse” of the Law. Instead, by God’s good grace, you are given the blessings of forgiveness, grace, and eternal life. This new life in Christ ultimately allows you to be in a relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

The fact I have Cerebral Palsy does not mean I am evil or cursed by God. I am a child of God, because I repent of my sins in order to receive forgiveness, grace, and eternal life. Cerebral Palsy has given me a unique voice to share the good news of the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I am able to reach people because of the experiences Cerebral Palsy has allowed me to have. The Triune God has blessed me through my repentance and has freed me of the judgments of the world. I now know that I am not “cursed”; I am blessed!

Thanks be to God!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for forgiving us of our sins when repent through confession. Remind us that the world and its judgments only hold us back when we let them. Guide us to repent of our sins in order to receive forgiveness, grace, and eternal life. Thank you for freeing us of our sins when we repent. Amen.

Works Cited

Thanks to the Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Reflective Questions

Please answer the following reflective questions in the comments below.  Please agree to disagree and be respectful to each other. (If you have not already done so, please also take a moment, to sign the comment covenant.)  You can answer as many questions as you would like. 

1. When and where do you confess your sins?

2. What do you feel when you repent your sins?

Readings

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16

Romans 10:8b-13

Luke 4:1-13

Devotion

Peace be with you!

The day when the Devil is no longer in the world will be a day of never-ending rejoicing. From the beginning, the Devil has been doing everything in his power to drag us down with him into his doom. The Devil is the one who tempted Eve with the forbidden fruit; he tempted Eve with humanistic needs and with the desires of the world. While it might be easy to blame Eve, we must all admit that we all fall prey to the Devil’s temptation daily .

© Inherit the Mirth. All rights reserved.
www.inheritthemirth.com
www.facebook.com/InheritTheMirth

Even Jesus could not escape the Devil’s temptation. The Devil visits Jesus after he has fasted for forty days. The Devil is probably thinking, “Ha, I’ve got him now!” However, the Devil does not realize Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1). The Devil tempts Jesus by asking him to turn a stone into bread (Luke 4:3). Jesus is hungry after forty days of fasting, and the Devil tries to use Jesus’ human desire for food to his advantage. The Devil did the same thing when he tempted Adam and Eve with the forbidden fruit. He tempted Adam and Eve with the one thing God has forbidden them to eat. Yet Jesus understands that you do not need to eat bread alone to be filled and to have sustenance. Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit, who fulfills all of his needs. You can eat bread and be filled for a few hours, but the Holy Spirit will fill you forever and will sustain you always.

Not giving up, the Devil tempts Jesus again. This time the Devil tempts Jesus with the desire of power: “Fall and worship me; I will give you authority over all the world” (Luke 4:6-7). The human desire for power is strong. We climb the chain of command, hoping to one day to make it to the top. The Devil is appealing to the human desire to have authority and control over others, ideas, and space. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus says, “No, thank you; I only worship and serve the Lord as it is written in the Ten Commandments” (Luke 4:8). Jesus understands God is more powerful than any one person. God is above all of us, but he uses authority and control only with love, compassion, and grace.

The Devil is not giving up yet. He says, “Jesus, jump from the high mountain and have the angels will save you” (Luke 4:9-11). The Devil tempts Jesus with fame and riches by being infamous. Jesus would be worshipped for being the only man to survive a jump of this magnitude. It would be like a magic trick. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus says, “Nope, I will not test the Lord”  (Luke 4:12). Jesus understands there is no need to test the Lord; the Lord can always be trusted. Instead of fame and riches, Jesus makes the choice to serve God the Father and to go to the cross for the sake of our sins. Even when Jesus is taunted by onlookers to save himself while hanging on the cross, he still chooses the cross.

Jesus resists the Devil’s temptations of temporary pleasures so he can give us the lasting blessing of eternal life. The cross for our salvation is more important to Jesus than short-lived needs and desires and fame and riches.

Thanks be to God!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for having Jesus resist the Devil’s temptations so that he might give us eternal life instead. Remind us to look towards the new “Promised Land” where we will live and rejoice with your angels. Thank you for the promise of eternal life through the cross and empty tomb. Amen.

Works Cited

Thanks to the Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Reflective Questions

Please answer the following reflective questions in the comments below.  Please agree to disagree and be respectful to each other. (If you have not already done so, please also take a moment, to sign the comment covenant.)  You can answer as many questions as you would like. 

1. In what ways are you tempted to succumb to temporary sinful pleasures rather than holding out for what is eternal?

2. What do you learn from Jesus about resisting temptation?