March 31st, 2019
Devotional
“Repentance” -
Luke 23: 32-43
Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com
Monday: “Today” - Luke 23: 39-43
Since Jesus arrived on earth, fully human and fully divine, he had done certain things - he has wanted to teach about the Kingdom of God, pointing people to the love of God. He has wanted to show them how to live in a way that honors God. And he has wanted to save them, including the crowds and the men who were crucified with him.
However, just like so long ago, sometimes those of us inside of the church have forgotten how Jesus did these things. Or rather, how Jesus went about them has made us uncomfortable. For Jesus associated with sinners. It is how he was able to show them the saving love of God. He broke bread with them. He made them know that they were the beloved of God and that God cared about them. In a world where every one else defined them as a sinner or a nobody, Jesus cared about them.
How did Jesus live when he walked on the earth?
How is he calling us to act today as his disciples
Prayer: God, we thank you that when Jesus lived on this earth he sought out the least and the lost, sinners. Thank you for continuing to seek out sinners like us today and send us out to share the good news and offer grace and healing to this world. Amen.
Tuesday: “Forgiveness” -Luke 23: 32-34
Jesus didn’t believe that the good news of the Kingdom of God was contained only to the synagogues. And he didn’t believe that only some people deserved to hear about God’s love and forgiveness. No, he went out to where the people were and connected with them in such a way that they say the love of God and were open to hearing about God in a way that made sense to them.
The problem with waiting for people to come to us in the church is that it is intimidating. When people do not have a person who has invited them to come, and even if they do have a connecting point, it is scary to walk through these doors. To not know the order of worship or to understand the scriptures that are being talked about or the words that are being sung. Sometimes that it hard for us to remember because church has become so normal for us - but it is not for folks who are outside of the family of God.
How do we convey the message of Christ’s forgiveness to a hurting world?
Prayer: Lord, we confess that sometimes as your church, we have waited for people to come to us instead of going to them with your Good News. Lord, forgive us. And then send us out anew to interact with the world in such a way that your light shines bright into the darkness.
Wednesday: “The Crowd” - Luke 23: 35.38
When Jesus prayed the powerful words to forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing, so many people around him were engaging in behavior that needed God’s forgiveness. The crowds had called him for him to be crucified. The soldiers were casting lots for his very clothing. Some people were mocking him, then the soldiers joined in. Yet, Jesus asked God to forgive them.
Think of some of the people who have hurt you throughout life. Have we asked God to forgive them? Often, it seems like we are quick to want other people to forgive us, often without us actually needing to be vulnerable enough to ask, but slow in offering forgiveness to others. What Jesus’s models for us on the cross, is the profound love that our faith models. Love even in the face of what seems to be unforgivable.
How does the cross show both love and forgiveness?
Prayer: Lord, we recognize that sometimes we are slow to forgive, especially when we are deeply wounded. Let us look to the cross and pray anew for the strength to forgive. May we not rely on our own power to do so, but yours alone, Gracious God. Amen.
Thursday: “Lost” - Luke 2: 36-38
Because of Jesus’s deep concern for the lost, it is not surprising that even as he is nearing his death on the cross he is given the opportunity to share the love of God with folks that do not yet know. In this evenings scripture we find that there are two other folks who hung on the left and right of Jesus. Our english translation say that they were “two criminals” but it the Greek of the gospel of Luke they were defined much more harshly as “those who do evil works.” In the gospel of Matthew and Mark which also tell this passage, they are said to be “armed robbers.” These were men who had done harm to others.
One of the men tried to get the crowd to join him in belittling Jesus, by saying if you are the Christ you should save yourself! But the other man replied that Jesus did not deserve the punishment he was receiving, even though they were. They had committed crimes. Jesus had not. Then he, in an act of faith, turned to Jesus and asked him to remember him when he was in his Kingdom. We see these two same responses today. Those who mock Jesus, not understanding him. Afraid of him even. And those who want to receive the grace and salvation that he has to offer.
How does Jesus show grace and compassion to even the men being crucified with him?
Prayer: Lord, we admit that sometimes we make excuses as to why we do not share the Good News. We think that people will not receive the message. Or will mock us. But then we look at Jesus’s example, even on the cross, and we realize that we are called to proclaim the message in ways that touch hearts and change lives wherever we may be. Embolden us to be messengers of the Gospel, we pray. Amen.
Friday: “Remember” - Luke 23: 39-43
Jesus told the criminal that had faith that he would be with Jesus even that very day in paradise! Do we have the heart of Jesus for those who are lost? Do we feel that it is important to reach out to those who do not yet know Jesus? Or are we afraid of how people will react? In the words of Pastor Adam Hamilton, “What would happen if every one of us who professes to be a Christian would reach out to those who are list and show them love and compassion in Jesus’ name? How would the world change?”
We need to go to the places in the in world and even right here in our community, where people are hurting and model Jesus for them, by doing what he did - eating with them, getting to know their story, praying with them, and above all caring about them, in order to share the love of our Savior.
How do you feel called to share the love of Jesus?
Prayer: Lord, send us we pray. Send us to the places where people need to hear the good news. Send us to the places where we can form relationships with people. Send us to the people you so deeply care about. Send us, we pray. Amen.
Saturday: Preparing for the Word
You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Forgiving” - Matthew 18: 23-35
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