Be Curious?
Curiosity is a childlike quality. Children ask questions incessantly, explore the neighborhood in minute detail, and experiment with anything they can lay their hands on. This insatiable curiosity is the gathering of information that is needed to live life. Sadly, we then grow up. Many people outgrow their curiosity about life, thinking that they know everything they need. At this point we cling to our past experiences and past learnings as information for our present. This leads us to wish that our past experiences would become our present reality: for example we wish for a pre-Covid world; or we wish for the neighborhood of our childhood; or we wish for our country to be as it was in our yesterdays. And we wish for an Old Time Religion that seemed to answer all of life’s questions.
Jesus reminds us that our spiritual life is not about how many answers we have worked out – but is rather about the curious questions we still need to ask. Jesus insists that we retain our childlike qualities: “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:3). The things of God require an ongoing childlike curiosity about life! The fact is when we are curious, we admit that we do not know everything, and are willing to be open to the Spirit teaching us new things.
This Fall Preaching Series invites us to become curious. We will be looking at moments when Jesus was asking questions rather than giving answers. He invited people to think about the assumptions they had made about life, and in this way helped them to discover new answers.
I am inviting us to “Be Curious?
Jesus reminds us that our spiritual life is not about how many answers we have worked out – but is rather about the curious questions we still need to ask. Jesus insists that we retain our childlike qualities: “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:3). The things of God require an ongoing childlike curiosity about life! The fact is when we are curious, we admit that we do not know everything, and are willing to be open to the Spirit teaching us new things.
This Fall Preaching Series invites us to become curious. We will be looking at moments when Jesus was asking questions rather than giving answers. He invited people to think about the assumptions they had made about life, and in this way helped them to discover new answers.
I am inviting us to “Be Curious?
Week 1: What Is Truth?
WHAT IS TRUTH? (John 18:38)
Psalm 15
John 18:33-38: 33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him”.
Pilate - the man who handed Jesus over to be crucified - turned to Jesus in His final hour and asked, “What is truth?” It was a rhetorical question, a cynical response to a world that Pilate knew well. His was a world in which politicians and religious leaders shaded the truth to advance their cause; it was a world where the eighteen-year tenure of Caiaphas suggested compromise and cooperation with the Roman Authorities – primarily with men such as Pontius Pilate. It is hardly surprising that Pilate wondered what deal Jesus wanted to make with him – and when Jesus speaks of being a witness for the truth, Pilate wearily asks what version of the truth was on the table.
Two thousand years later, not much has changed. Our world still echoes Pilate’s cynicism. To some, truth is subjective - the individual world of preference and opinion. Influential media corporations shape the dissemination of truth to suit political and economic interests, making truth the product of cultural consensus. Others flatly deny the concept of truth altogether, pointing to the truth of each person’s point of view. For this reason, this opinion holds, truth is relative to the tastes of the time and context, and not to be taken any more seriously than tastes in clothing, or food, or political expediency.
In the face of this, can we as followers of Jesus refer to a timeless Truth?
We discover that Jesus does not believe Truth to be a slippery concept that changes with the shifts of fashion and taste. In the gospel of John, Jesus says that his words are “true” at least seven times (i.e. 8:13-14, 26, 31-32). Jesus promises that those who hear him “shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free" (John 8:31). He then goes even further to refer to himself as - "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6). As understood in the writings of the Gospel of John, the truth is Jesus Christ. Following Jesus is the way of truth. In John 14:15 Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” And in this context, only one command has been given. “A new commandment I give to you that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34 and again in 15:9-14).
To sum up: We can live truthfully by keeping the commandment of Jesus to love people the way Jesus loved them. Jesus is the truth, and whoever keeps his commandments to love one another is walking in truth. This then provides the opportunity to ask a question of truth for every time and every context:
“What does it mean to love like Jesus did?”
Bible Readings for the Week
Monday: John 1: 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son[d] from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Tuesday: Psalm 25: Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.
6 Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Wednesday: 1 Corinthians 13: 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[b] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends.
Thursday: 2 Timothy 2:15: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Friday: 1 John 5:20: And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Saturday: Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Psalm 15
John 18:33-38: 33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him”.
Pilate - the man who handed Jesus over to be crucified - turned to Jesus in His final hour and asked, “What is truth?” It was a rhetorical question, a cynical response to a world that Pilate knew well. His was a world in which politicians and religious leaders shaded the truth to advance their cause; it was a world where the eighteen-year tenure of Caiaphas suggested compromise and cooperation with the Roman Authorities – primarily with men such as Pontius Pilate. It is hardly surprising that Pilate wondered what deal Jesus wanted to make with him – and when Jesus speaks of being a witness for the truth, Pilate wearily asks what version of the truth was on the table.
Two thousand years later, not much has changed. Our world still echoes Pilate’s cynicism. To some, truth is subjective - the individual world of preference and opinion. Influential media corporations shape the dissemination of truth to suit political and economic interests, making truth the product of cultural consensus. Others flatly deny the concept of truth altogether, pointing to the truth of each person’s point of view. For this reason, this opinion holds, truth is relative to the tastes of the time and context, and not to be taken any more seriously than tastes in clothing, or food, or political expediency.
In the face of this, can we as followers of Jesus refer to a timeless Truth?
We discover that Jesus does not believe Truth to be a slippery concept that changes with the shifts of fashion and taste. In the gospel of John, Jesus says that his words are “true” at least seven times (i.e. 8:13-14, 26, 31-32). Jesus promises that those who hear him “shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free" (John 8:31). He then goes even further to refer to himself as - "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6). As understood in the writings of the Gospel of John, the truth is Jesus Christ. Following Jesus is the way of truth. In John 14:15 Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” And in this context, only one command has been given. “A new commandment I give to you that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34 and again in 15:9-14).
To sum up: We can live truthfully by keeping the commandment of Jesus to love people the way Jesus loved them. Jesus is the truth, and whoever keeps his commandments to love one another is walking in truth. This then provides the opportunity to ask a question of truth for every time and every context:
“What does it mean to love like Jesus did?”
Bible Readings for the Week
Monday: John 1: 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son[d] from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Tuesday: Psalm 25: Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.
6 Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Wednesday: 1 Corinthians 13: 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[b] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends.
Thursday: 2 Timothy 2:15: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Friday: 1 John 5:20: And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Saturday: Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Week 2: Who Do People Say That I Am?
WHO DO PEOPLE SAY THAT I AM? (Mark 8:28)
Psalm 22
Mark 8:27-29: And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”
Also: Luke 9:18-20; Matthew 16:13-15)
Caesarea Philippi was a mixed pagan city of Greeks, Romans and Jews. It was at the crossroad of a major road about 40 miles north of the Sea of Galilee, at the foot of Mount Hermon, the largest mountain in any direction for some 500 miles. At the base of Mount Hermon was a temple dedicated to Caesar Augustus.
Jesus’ question is rooted to the context in which it was asked: Imagine Jesus pointing to the variety of religions surrounding the disciples – Greek preoccupation with philosophical rhetoric, Roman worship of Augustus as a god-like figure who made the Empire great, and Jewish prayers for a messiah to liberate them from Roman rule. He then asks the disciples – so who would all these people say that I am?
The answer to this question reveals more about the one answering than it does about Jesus: Greeks might see Jesus as one of the great philosophers, Romans would crucify Jesus as a revolutionary, and the Jewish leaders came to see Jesus as an uncomfortable reminder of how they were failing to teach a truthful faith. Each of these answers has some part of truth – but is not the complete picture. For this reason Jesus asks his disciples “Who do you say that I am?” It is only in recognizing Jesus as one who claims our love and loyalty as the Christ that Jesus is fully recognized.
Who do you say that Jesus is?
Bible Readings for the Week
Monday: 1 Corinthians 8:6:“yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
Tuesday: 1 Peter 3:15: But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
Wednesday: Colossians 2:9-10: For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority
Thursday: John 20:26-29: A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Friday: Hebrews 12:1-2: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Saturday: Matthew 28:18-20: And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Psalm 22
Mark 8:27-29: And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”
Also: Luke 9:18-20; Matthew 16:13-15)
Caesarea Philippi was a mixed pagan city of Greeks, Romans and Jews. It was at the crossroad of a major road about 40 miles north of the Sea of Galilee, at the foot of Mount Hermon, the largest mountain in any direction for some 500 miles. At the base of Mount Hermon was a temple dedicated to Caesar Augustus.
Jesus’ question is rooted to the context in which it was asked: Imagine Jesus pointing to the variety of religions surrounding the disciples – Greek preoccupation with philosophical rhetoric, Roman worship of Augustus as a god-like figure who made the Empire great, and Jewish prayers for a messiah to liberate them from Roman rule. He then asks the disciples – so who would all these people say that I am?
The answer to this question reveals more about the one answering than it does about Jesus: Greeks might see Jesus as one of the great philosophers, Romans would crucify Jesus as a revolutionary, and the Jewish leaders came to see Jesus as an uncomfortable reminder of how they were failing to teach a truthful faith. Each of these answers has some part of truth – but is not the complete picture. For this reason Jesus asks his disciples “Who do you say that I am?” It is only in recognizing Jesus as one who claims our love and loyalty as the Christ that Jesus is fully recognized.
Who do you say that Jesus is?
Bible Readings for the Week
Monday: 1 Corinthians 8:6:“yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
Tuesday: 1 Peter 3:15: But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
Wednesday: Colossians 2:9-10: For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority
Thursday: John 20:26-29: A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Friday: Hebrews 12:1-2: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Saturday: Matthew 28:18-20: And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Week 3: Why Are You Sleeping?
WHY ARE YOU SLEEPING? (Luke 22:46)
Psalm 57
Luke 22:39-46: And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Frere Jacques, Frere Jacques, Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
Sonnez les matines, Sonnez les matines,… Din, din, don. Din, din, don.
A popular French nursery rhyme notes that Frere Jacques has overslept. He is urged to wake up and sound the bell for the morning prayers. Similarly, Luke tells of Jesus asking his disciples to “pray that you might not be led into temptation,” but they failed to keep watch and fell asleep instead. And so the crucial question: “Why are you sleeping?”
It seems to be a human condition that we fall asleep when we should be praying! This is pointed out by St. Paul in a letter to the Jesus-followers in Ephesus: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14). This letter points out that it is possible for followers of Jesus to fall asleep in their service of Jesus – to become spiritual sleepwalkers. This is a life where we go through the motions of life without the enthusiasm and joyful obedience of one who is in a relationship with God. Charles Wesley, a founder member of the Methodist movement, describes such a person: “By one who sleeps, we are, therefore, to understand (and would to God we might all understand it!) a sinner satisfied in his sins; contented to remain in his fallen state, to live and die without the image of God; one who is ignorant both of his disease, and of the only remedy for it;” Wesley follows this up with the challenge: “it is high time for us to awake out of sleep before the 'great trumpet of the Lord be blown”. (Taken from the Sermon “Awake, Thou that Sleepest.”)
It is possible that we too live in a time where we go through the motions of being religious, when in fact we are sleepwalking through life. We claim that “in God we Trust,” without allowing the values of God to guide our living; we sing the words of Amazing Grace, while refusing to show this Grace to those people who struggle on the margins of life; we invoke God in our daily language while behaving as if God were not alongside of us.
Why are you sleeping?
Bible Readings for the Week
Monday: Ephesians 5:1-2: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Tuesday: Ephesians 5:13-14: But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Wednesday: Ephesians 5:15-21: 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Thursday: Ephesians 6:10-13: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Friday: Ephesians 6:18-19: praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel.
Saturday: Ephesians 6:23: Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.
Psalm 57
Luke 22:39-46: And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Frere Jacques, Frere Jacques, Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
Sonnez les matines, Sonnez les matines,… Din, din, don. Din, din, don.
A popular French nursery rhyme notes that Frere Jacques has overslept. He is urged to wake up and sound the bell for the morning prayers. Similarly, Luke tells of Jesus asking his disciples to “pray that you might not be led into temptation,” but they failed to keep watch and fell asleep instead. And so the crucial question: “Why are you sleeping?”
It seems to be a human condition that we fall asleep when we should be praying! This is pointed out by St. Paul in a letter to the Jesus-followers in Ephesus: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14). This letter points out that it is possible for followers of Jesus to fall asleep in their service of Jesus – to become spiritual sleepwalkers. This is a life where we go through the motions of life without the enthusiasm and joyful obedience of one who is in a relationship with God. Charles Wesley, a founder member of the Methodist movement, describes such a person: “By one who sleeps, we are, therefore, to understand (and would to God we might all understand it!) a sinner satisfied in his sins; contented to remain in his fallen state, to live and die without the image of God; one who is ignorant both of his disease, and of the only remedy for it;” Wesley follows this up with the challenge: “it is high time for us to awake out of sleep before the 'great trumpet of the Lord be blown”. (Taken from the Sermon “Awake, Thou that Sleepest.”)
It is possible that we too live in a time where we go through the motions of being religious, when in fact we are sleepwalking through life. We claim that “in God we Trust,” without allowing the values of God to guide our living; we sing the words of Amazing Grace, while refusing to show this Grace to those people who struggle on the margins of life; we invoke God in our daily language while behaving as if God were not alongside of us.
Why are you sleeping?
Bible Readings for the Week
Monday: Ephesians 5:1-2: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Tuesday: Ephesians 5:13-14: But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Wednesday: Ephesians 5:15-21: 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Thursday: Ephesians 6:10-13: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Friday: Ephesians 6:18-19: praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel.
Saturday: Ephesians 6:23: Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.
Week 4: Does This Offend You?
DOES THIS OFFEND YOU? (John 6:61)
Psalm 139
John 6:59-69: Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum. When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
After Jesus teaches a very hard lesson, everyone listening decides following Jesus is too difficult and they get up and leave. Now it’s just Jesus and the 12 disciples. And Jesus asks them if they were able to live with the “offensive” message of the Gospel. This might sound strange to our ears, because we live in an age that curates a pleasing message to attract as many followers as possible, and we count the times people “like” our social media posts, or the number of favorable comments that students make of our lectures, or the number of appreciative friends who visit us for our birthday. We live in a culture that tries to avoid giving offense and we catch ourselves apologizing in advance in case we have given offense to someone. Yet here is Jesus being comfortable with the idea that his message can be offensive.
The fact is that Jesus’ teaching is not neutral. Following Jesus demands a choice – either to follow or to turn away! In John Chapter 6 we discover that following Jesus asks those who follow him to accept that Jesus is the one who can nourish life – like the manna nourished the life of the people following Moses in the desert. Following Jesus asks followers to practice the foolishness of love instead of the culturally appropriate amount of hate; to choose the way of compassion instead of aggression; to submit the ego to service instead of climbing over others; and to practice Jesus’ values of forgiveness and reconciliation instead of revenge and alienation.
Does this offend you?
Bible Readings for the Week
Monday: John 6:18-20: 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
Tuesday: John 6: 27-29: 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
Wednesday: John 6:35-40: 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
Thursday: John 6: 48-51: 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
Friday: John 6:54-59: 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread[c] the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.
Saturday: John 6:67-70: 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve?”
Psalm 139
John 6:59-69: Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum. When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
After Jesus teaches a very hard lesson, everyone listening decides following Jesus is too difficult and they get up and leave. Now it’s just Jesus and the 12 disciples. And Jesus asks them if they were able to live with the “offensive” message of the Gospel. This might sound strange to our ears, because we live in an age that curates a pleasing message to attract as many followers as possible, and we count the times people “like” our social media posts, or the number of favorable comments that students make of our lectures, or the number of appreciative friends who visit us for our birthday. We live in a culture that tries to avoid giving offense and we catch ourselves apologizing in advance in case we have given offense to someone. Yet here is Jesus being comfortable with the idea that his message can be offensive.
The fact is that Jesus’ teaching is not neutral. Following Jesus demands a choice – either to follow or to turn away! In John Chapter 6 we discover that following Jesus asks those who follow him to accept that Jesus is the one who can nourish life – like the manna nourished the life of the people following Moses in the desert. Following Jesus asks followers to practice the foolishness of love instead of the culturally appropriate amount of hate; to choose the way of compassion instead of aggression; to submit the ego to service instead of climbing over others; and to practice Jesus’ values of forgiveness and reconciliation instead of revenge and alienation.
Does this offend you?
Bible Readings for the Week
Monday: John 6:18-20: 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
Tuesday: John 6: 27-29: 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
Wednesday: John 6:35-40: 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
Thursday: John 6: 48-51: 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
Friday: John 6:54-59: 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread[c] the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.
Saturday: John 6:67-70: 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve?”
Week 5: Do You Want To Be Healed?
Psalm 30
John 5:1-8: After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.
Jesus comes to a pool called Bethesda, which was the Hebrew name of a reservoir or tank, with five porches, close to the sheep-gate or public market in Jerusalem. The name of the pool itself seems then to have been Bet 'Esd, “house of the flowing,” or “house of mercy.” John 5:3 tells us that “In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed.” The superstition surrounding the pool is that an angel would periodically stir up the waters and that the first one who entered the pool would be healed.
Jesus walks among the people lying here and finds a man who was unable to get into the water so that he could pray to be healed – and Jesus asks him this question: “Do you want to be healed?” Pause for a moment and let this sink in. At first glance this seems a stupid question – if the man did not want to be healed then he would not be lying at the pool of Bethesda! But the question is crucial to what happens next: Jesus is utterly respectful of the paralyzed man and does not impose himself on the man. This is consistent with the words of Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Jesus waits for us to invite him into our lives – and the question hangs in the air for the paralyzed man and for every one of us since then:
Do you want to be healed?”
Bible Readings for the Week
Monday: James 5:13-16: 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Tuesday: Luke 6:17-19: 17 And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.
Wednesday: Jeremiah 17:14: Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.
Thursday: Isaiah 38:16-17: O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit. Oh restore me to health and make me live! 17 Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back.
Friday: 2 Chronicles 7:14-15: 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.
Saturday: Psalm 103:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
John 5:1-8: After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.
Jesus comes to a pool called Bethesda, which was the Hebrew name of a reservoir or tank, with five porches, close to the sheep-gate or public market in Jerusalem. The name of the pool itself seems then to have been Bet 'Esd, “house of the flowing,” or “house of mercy.” John 5:3 tells us that “In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed.” The superstition surrounding the pool is that an angel would periodically stir up the waters and that the first one who entered the pool would be healed.
Jesus walks among the people lying here and finds a man who was unable to get into the water so that he could pray to be healed – and Jesus asks him this question: “Do you want to be healed?” Pause for a moment and let this sink in. At first glance this seems a stupid question – if the man did not want to be healed then he would not be lying at the pool of Bethesda! But the question is crucial to what happens next: Jesus is utterly respectful of the paralyzed man and does not impose himself on the man. This is consistent with the words of Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Jesus waits for us to invite him into our lives – and the question hangs in the air for the paralyzed man and for every one of us since then:
Do you want to be healed?”
Bible Readings for the Week
Monday: James 5:13-16: 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Tuesday: Luke 6:17-19: 17 And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.
Wednesday: Jeremiah 17:14: Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.
Thursday: Isaiah 38:16-17: O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit. Oh restore me to health and make me live! 17 Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back.
Friday: 2 Chronicles 7:14-15: 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.
Saturday: Psalm 103:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Week 6: Why Are You Anxious?
WHY ARE YOU ANXIOUS? (Matthew 6:27-28)
Psalm 34
Matthew 6:25-34: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Everyone has experienced anxiety at some time in their lives. Anxiety is what we feel when we are worried, tense, or afraid, and is a normal human response while coping with stressful events or major changes in our lives. But some people live with continual levels of anxiety, even when not faced with external pressures. Some of the things that cause this include past experiences, physical and mental health problems, or drugs and medication.
Jesus addresses the challenge of anxiety. He is speaking to rural peasants who lived with a continual level of anxiety caused by poverty, Roman taxes, and the constant threat of disease. What is important to note is that Jesus is not suggesting that he “pray the anxiety away.” Instead, he offers an antidote to their tension: “your heavenly Father knows.” Jesus does not dismiss the worry caused by needing food or clothes or other human needs for survival. Instead, he reminds the people of his time (and indeed all who have followed Jesus since then) that we serve a God who knows our needs, much like a good father knows the needs of his children.
This asks us to learn to trust that God will guide us in our living. Sometimes God will provide people who can offer medical intervention to assist with chronic anxiety, sometimes God provides spiritual strength to cope with our mental challenges, and sometimes God sends the support and care of friends of family. But in every case God knows us and loves us through our anxiety.
If you need help with your anxiety, please do not hesitate to reach out for help. God has many different people ready and willing to assist you. Call 211 or 988 for help.
Bible Readings for the Week
Monday: Psalm 94:19: When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
Tuesday: Proverbs 12:25: “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.”
Wednesday: Romans 8: 38-39: “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”
Thursday: Isaiah 35:4: "Say to those who have an anxious heart, 'Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.' "
Friday: Isaiah 35:4: "Say to those who have an anxious heart, 'Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.' "
Saturday: Philippians 4:6: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
Psalm 34
Matthew 6:25-34: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Everyone has experienced anxiety at some time in their lives. Anxiety is what we feel when we are worried, tense, or afraid, and is a normal human response while coping with stressful events or major changes in our lives. But some people live with continual levels of anxiety, even when not faced with external pressures. Some of the things that cause this include past experiences, physical and mental health problems, or drugs and medication.
Jesus addresses the challenge of anxiety. He is speaking to rural peasants who lived with a continual level of anxiety caused by poverty, Roman taxes, and the constant threat of disease. What is important to note is that Jesus is not suggesting that he “pray the anxiety away.” Instead, he offers an antidote to their tension: “your heavenly Father knows.” Jesus does not dismiss the worry caused by needing food or clothes or other human needs for survival. Instead, he reminds the people of his time (and indeed all who have followed Jesus since then) that we serve a God who knows our needs, much like a good father knows the needs of his children.
This asks us to learn to trust that God will guide us in our living. Sometimes God will provide people who can offer medical intervention to assist with chronic anxiety, sometimes God provides spiritual strength to cope with our mental challenges, and sometimes God sends the support and care of friends of family. But in every case God knows us and loves us through our anxiety.
If you need help with your anxiety, please do not hesitate to reach out for help. God has many different people ready and willing to assist you. Call 211 or 988 for help.
Bible Readings for the Week
Monday: Psalm 94:19: When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
Tuesday: Proverbs 12:25: “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.”
Wednesday: Romans 8: 38-39: “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”
Thursday: Isaiah 35:4: "Say to those who have an anxious heart, 'Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.' "
Friday: Isaiah 35:4: "Say to those who have an anxious heart, 'Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.' "
Saturday: Philippians 4:6: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
Week 7: My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?
MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME? (Matthew 27:46)
Matthew 27:32-36 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there.
Matthew 27:45-46 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
and by night, but I find no rest. (Psalm 22)
To be forsaken is to be deserted by others, abandoned, left completely alone. Everyone knows this moment: this is when you were left out of the team, or the inner-circle, or the group of friends; this is when you discovered that “they” met without you, or others were selected to do a job and you were not considered.
There are other times when we feel forsaken: a loss or a tragedy has devastated our lives and destroyed the very foundations of our faith. This is so painful that we can feel abandoned not just by friends, or by our support system, but abandoned by God. All sense of God’s presence and comfort has vanished, and we can feel so alone that it feels like not even God sees us.
In such moments we are given permission to cry out to God “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Such permission come from the example of Jesus – who was reciting Psalm 22 while hanging on the Good Friday cross. If Jesus could cry these gut-wrenching words, then so can we! It is only when we cry out our despair that we have a beginning point to move forward.
Just like God took the anguish of the Good Friday lament and turned it into the new life of Easter Sunday, so it is with our lives. We can offer God the ashes of our deepest pain, and choose to believe that there will be a resurrection of something new. This might not be an instant event and might take time lying in a tomb of silence before the first stirrings of life can be seen. But this one thing holds true: death is not final. There is always new life after the suffering anguish of being forsaken.
Bible Readings for the Week
Monday: Joshua 1:9: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Tuesday: Deuteronomy 31:6: "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."
Wednesday: Matthew 28:20: "… behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Thursday: Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Friday: Hebrews 13:5: "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"
Saturday: Romans 8:38-39: "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Matthew 27:32-36 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there.
Matthew 27:45-46 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
and by night, but I find no rest. (Psalm 22)
To be forsaken is to be deserted by others, abandoned, left completely alone. Everyone knows this moment: this is when you were left out of the team, or the inner-circle, or the group of friends; this is when you discovered that “they” met without you, or others were selected to do a job and you were not considered.
There are other times when we feel forsaken: a loss or a tragedy has devastated our lives and destroyed the very foundations of our faith. This is so painful that we can feel abandoned not just by friends, or by our support system, but abandoned by God. All sense of God’s presence and comfort has vanished, and we can feel so alone that it feels like not even God sees us.
In such moments we are given permission to cry out to God “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Such permission come from the example of Jesus – who was reciting Psalm 22 while hanging on the Good Friday cross. If Jesus could cry these gut-wrenching words, then so can we! It is only when we cry out our despair that we have a beginning point to move forward.
Just like God took the anguish of the Good Friday lament and turned it into the new life of Easter Sunday, so it is with our lives. We can offer God the ashes of our deepest pain, and choose to believe that there will be a resurrection of something new. This might not be an instant event and might take time lying in a tomb of silence before the first stirrings of life can be seen. But this one thing holds true: death is not final. There is always new life after the suffering anguish of being forsaken.
Bible Readings for the Week
Monday: Joshua 1:9: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Tuesday: Deuteronomy 31:6: "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."
Wednesday: Matthew 28:20: "… behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Thursday: Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Friday: Hebrews 13:5: "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"
Saturday: Romans 8:38-39: "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."