Fourth Wednesday of Lent: Lent 2014

Lenten Devotional 

Luke 1

I have had to a lot of writing and creative work the past few days, and I must admit that there juices are just not flowing well today. So, this is very late in the day. I hope a few people still catch it and read. But if you think I have skipped another day, I understand. But I wanted to get a few notes in for today about our reading. Today we start Luke. The good doctor (at least that is what tradition said his occupation was) is thorough in his report to Theophilus. We are not sure who this Theophilus is or what part he played in the early church. But Luke dedicates two books to telling him all about the life of Jesus and the actions of his followers after the resurrection.  I will admit Luke is a great book for all the information he gives about Jesus life and work.  If it wasn't for name sake I would call Luke my favorite gospel.

My favorite part of the first chapter is that we get to learn so much more about John the Baptist.  In the other gospels we just know he is some person out in the wilderness calling people back to God and making the way ready for Jesus' ministry.  We learn that he also baptizes Jesus to start His teaching ministry.  We learn of the family relationship between Jesus and John.  I enjoy the startling news to Zechariah in the temple that he was going to become a father.  

Many times in the gospel story we just gloss over the ministry of John because it is short, under reported and doesn't seem important.  But, John's ministry is essential to what Jesus was about to start.  John would be called the warm up act in today's circles.  He was the one to get the crowd ready to hear what Jesus was going to teach about and actions accomplished.  John introduced Jesus to a lot of people.  The introduction is just as important as the main act.  With bad introduction, people may not of paid attention of even realized Jess was around.  Everyone needs to be introduced by someone.  

Think back for a moment and think about who introduced you to Jesus for the first time.  Was it a parent, Sunday School teacher, or a close friend?  Where would you be today if they did not introduce you to Jesus?  Now think about all the people you have introduced to friends in your life.  How have those introductions changed their lives?  Did you introduce someone to a soon to be spouse?  A new best friend?  In those introductions how much work did it take on your part?  Not much I assume.  Are we willing to be the introduction of Jesus to others as our best friend?  I hope yes.  Jesus still needs introduced to people today.

Third Tuesday in Lent: Lent 2014

Lenten Devotional 

Mark 14-16

These are the last three chapters of Mark.  In them we move from the Passover feast shared with the disciples to a trial and crucifixion.  Mark wrote the facts very quickly and left little room for extra information.  I believe the report gives us a sense of just how back handed and wrong the whole trial and ordeal went for Jesus.  The  quickness of the story also tells us just how fast God is at making everything better.  The resurrection is just as quick as the crucifixion.  In all this great information and the central piece of the Christian faith, I want us to spend a few minutes on the last part of Mark.

When you read the end of chapter sixteen, you will notice that there is a bold line after verse 8.  In most modern translations, a note is written speaking that older texts of the Bible do not contain this section.  The end of the ancient text is "Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid."  The gospel message would seem to end.  No one, according to this account would have known about the resurrection.  We know this is not the end of the story.  Others are told and the disciples do go to the tomb and witness that it is empty.  Guards from the Romans testify to the earthquake in the morning and the empty tomb.  The story did move past this moment.  I feel I can connect well with the women at this moment in the story of Mark than any other.

If I just went to a tomb and found it empty and saw angels telling me he was alive, I would be scared.  I must admit there are times even two thousand years removed from the event, I am nervous to tell people about the event.  How many times have I not told someone about Jesus because of fear of someone's reaction or response?  Can we realty blame the women for being scared?  

The truth to come is that it is not our power to tell the message of Jesus.  We must trust in God's spirit in us to empower and strengthen us to tell others of Jesus.  Some will think we are a little crazy.  Others will embrace the message.  Others will dismiss the Gospel.  Even with fear, God will spread the message of Good News and grace, we just need to be willing to be His instrument.