a lenten devotional JESUS asks... March 14-26

Transcription

1 2016 a lenten devotional JESUS asks... March 14-26

2 Holy Week at McFarlin Maundy Thursday Communion Service March 24 at 7:30 PM in Fenn Hall Good Friday Service March 25 at 7:30 PM in the Sanctuary Reflections on and music from J.S. Bach s St. John Passion Children s Easter Egg Hunt March 26 from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM on the North Lawn and in Fenn Hall Easter Sunday Worship Services March 27 Sunrise at 6:30 AM on the South Lawn Sanctuary at 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM Lifeline Service at 11:00 AM in Fenn Hall Note: These worship times are for Easter Sunday only. 419 S. University Blvd. Norman, OK Changing Lives That Change the World

3 Using This Guide This devotional guide has been prepared for you to use as a part of your spiritual practices that coincide with Lent. Through the reading of Scripture, reflective commentary, questions and prayer, each week will further explore the themes and messages preached on Sunday. It can also be used in a small group or Sunday school setting, and the Friday entries will have prompts for further reading and group discussion. When you get to the end of the week, the Saturday devotion will look ahead to Sunday s message so that you may be prayerfully prepared. This guide contains devotionals for the fifth week of Lent and Holy Week leading to Easter Sunday. We hope this guide will bless you and your class or small group, and that this Lenten season would be filled with holy insight and inspiration. Presented in This Guide Week 5: March Will You Lay Down Your Life for Me? Holy Week: March Am I Not to Drink the Cup? 3

4 Week Five "Will You Lay Down Your Life for Me?" John 13: Changing Lives That Change the World

5 Monday, March 14 Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, Where I am going, you cannot come. John 13:33 Imagine yourself as one of the disciples. You ve spent the last three years following Jesus, seeing miracles performed and lives changed. You ve sat next to Him as He s taught lessons and told stories, and you ve been near Him as religious leaders questioned those teachings and plotted against Him. And just moments before He says these words to you, Jesus, on hands and knees, has washed your feet. His words hit you, Where I am going, you cannot come. But why? You ve been everywhere with Him up to this point. You ve come to believe that Jesus has the words of eternal life and you know that He is the Son of God. You begin to worry is something bad going to happen to Jesus? Fear and doubt begin to creep into your thoughts have these last three years all been for nothing? Maybe your feelings are hurt why would Jesus exclude me now? What the disciples could not have understood or fully foreseen was where Jesus path led. Jesus knew that the disciples could not be the ones to bear the cross fashioned for a Savior. Jesus knew that the journey God had purposed for His Son would lead to His betrayal and arrest, His torment and His pain. In this moment, Jesus helps us see the line between the brokenness of our humanity and the fullness of His divinity, and how He alone can bring the two together. We are incapable of saving ourselves, but there is assurance in the truth that Jesus goes where we cannot to ensure that we are saved. Prayer Merciful God, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. I confess that there are many moments when I doubt and worry, fear and question the worth of this relationship that we have together. But then I m reminded, God, of the cost and sacrifice You paid to ensure that we have a relationship. I love You, Lord, fill me with Your assuring spirit. AMEN. 5

6 Tuesday, March 15 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. John 13:34 We are familiar with the Ten Commandments. There are heated debates in the halls of power in our states and capital about the display of these commands, and countless hours are spent on television and online debating the role of these commandments in our lives today. And regardless of one s opinion in the issues surrounding this discussion, it is worth pausing for a moment to reflect on what Jesus often referred to as the greatest commandment: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:37) Jesus asks us to love God with everything that we have, every element of our being. And then, in today s Scripture reading, Jesus asks that we love one another, to give of ourselves to one another in the same way that God calls us to give the entirety of ourselves to Him. This is a comprehensive love that knows no bounds. This love, this way of life, that Jesus commands us to embody requires that we reserve no part of it for our own personal preferences or biases. Where in your life might you be hoarding the love of God? What keeps you from loving others in the way that Jesus describes here? How might our community or our country be different if we focused more on living according to this commandment? Prayer Holy Spirit, come. Come into my heart and mind and free me to love others in the way that You love me. Give me the courage to step out of my comfort zone so that someone else might experience Your love and grace. AMEN. 66 Changing Lives That Change the World

7 Wednesday, March 16 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35 In his reflections on the passages of Scripture from this week, New Testament scholar N.T. Wright comments: It has been hard for the disciples up to this point even to appreciate what Jesus has been doing on their behalf; now he s telling them to copy him! As with the footwashing, they are to look back at his whole life, his whole way and manner of life, and to find in it a pattern, a shape, an example, a power Love is all about the other person. It overflows into service, not in order to show off how hard-working it is, but because that is its natural form. This natural form, this powerful way of living, this selfless love is demonstrated quite profoundly and beautifully in nature. You may remember the documentary series, Planet Earth, produced a few years ago by the BBC and Discovery Channel. The sixth episode, entitled Ice Worlds, featured emperor penguins in Antarctica at the onset of winter. The males in the colony gather inland and tightly circle together, balancing the unhatched eggs of their young on their flippers as they constantly rotate as a group to stay warm. At the break of winter, they have lost half of their body weight, but the newborn chicks are safe and warm. Undoubtedly this is natural, hard work, and a beautiful illustration of the fullness of selfless love. Are we willing to give of ourselves selflessly, sacrificially and at the expense of our comfort for the sake of others? Why or why not? Are our hearts and minds conditioned to think of the need of our colony rather than our own desires? What power do you experience in your own life when you love selflessly? Prayer Loving God, fill me to overflowing with Your generosity and grace so that I might love others extravagantly and sacrificially, in the way of Jesus. AMEN. 7

8 Thursday, March 17 Peter said to him, Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you. Jesus answered, Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times. John 13:37-38 Impassioned Peter understood Jesus new commandment, but couldn t possibly have understood the fullness of his profession. He understood that to be a follower of Jesus meant that you have to live sacrificially. He understood that his love of God meant that he needed to love others. But Jesus response reminds us that knowing and believing these things is entirely different from practicing them daily. Each of the Gospel accounts contain this exchange between Peter and Jesus, and while each of them carries a different theme, it should not be lost on us the illustration it presents for our Christian lives. Throughout the seasons of our walks of faith, there will be times when we are like Peter, boldly professing our willingness to give up everything our very lives for the sake of Jesus. There also will be times, as Jesus foretells, when we will deny Christ s role in our lives publicly or privately. The good news in both of these seasons is that Jesus gave up His life for ours. Think back on your life as a disciple. Has there been a time when you denied being a follower of Jesus? Or an opportunity that God presented to represent Him to others? What thoughts and emotions did you experience in that moment and afterwards? How did God bring about reconciliation and encouragement from that moment? Prayer Gracious God, it truly is good news that whether I am boldly proclaiming my faithfulness or struggling through moments of denial, You gave up Your life for mine. Lord, decrease those times when I deny You and Your call on my life, and increase my faith so that I can respond obediently. Use me for good, Jesus. Use me for Your name s sake. AMEN. 88 Changing Lives That Change the World

9 Friday, March 18 Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. Reflections John 14:1 In commenting on yesterday s passage, N.T. Wright writes: The point is that, for us as for Jesus, we should be looking away from ourselves, and at the world we are supposed to be serving. Where the world s needs and our vocation meet is where we ought to be, ready to take on insignificant roles if that s what God wants, or to be publicly visible if that is our calling. How does N.T. Wright's observation change our understanding of our own role in serving God? What methods, such as prayer, study and small group work, are you employing to discern what God is calling you to do in service? What has been the result? Read Matthew 26:31-35, Mark 14:26-31, and Luke 22: Consider how the Gospels report Jesus' foretelling of Peter's denial of the Lord. How are they similar and different? How does this exchange between Jesus and Peter speak to your relationship with God? 9

10 Looking Ahead to Sunday... Saturday, March 19 After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, Whom are you looking for? They answered, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus replied, I am he. Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, I am he, they stepped back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, Whom are you looking for? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go. This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me. Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me? John 18:1-11 Prayer Jesus, in these next hours before we come together again to worship You, open my heart and mind to Your truth. Ready my spirit for the journey ahead of me this week as I remember Your entrance into Jerusalem, Your arrest and trail, the abuse and Your crucifixion. I have come looking for You, Lord God. AMEN Changing Lives That Change the World

11 Week Six "Am I Not to Drink the Cup?" John 18:

12 Monday, March 21 And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. John 13:3-5 Foot-washing was a common practice in Jesus time. When guests would visit a friend or family member s home, their feet would be understandably hot, tired and dusty. The host would provide the water and the basin, and in wealthier homes, a servant would wash the guests' feet, but in homes of lesser means, the guests would do it themselves. This served as a matter of personal cleanliness (similar to having someone ask you to take off your shoes right when you walk into their house), but it was also an act of hospitality and graciousness. In today s Scripture reading, an interesting dynamic is at play. As Gail O Day writes in her commentary on John, When Jesus washes his disciples feet, then, he combines the role of servant and host. When Jesus wraps himself with the towel, he assumes the garb and position of servant, but the act of hospitality that he offers is the prerogative of the host. What Jesus models for His disciples and for us today is that our service to others should not be onedirectional. Instead, our service is meant to include, invite and welcome others into our lives, our homes and our church. Prayer Precious Jesus, thank You for welcoming me into Your family as a child of God. Open my eyes to see opportunities where I can serve You, and in doing so, invite someone else to be a part of this Holy Week. AMEN Changing Lives That Change the World

13 Tuesday, March 22 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord and you are right for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another s feet. For I have set you an example that you also should do as I have done to you. John 13:12-15 When we began this Lenten journey, we reflected on a profound truth following Jesus is hard. Jesus asks us to live our lives differently from the culture around us, to be vessels of hope and grace in a world that is hurting and in need. In John s Gospel, this is made clear to us from the very beginning in describing Jesus: What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. While the darkness can t overcome the light, we are given a choice the darkness or the light. The last sentence in today s passage is powerful, and the imagery and symbolism that the author of the Gospel uses shouldn t be lost on us. Judas chose to leave the last supper, his feet washed and clean, and go into the darkness of night. He chose to separate himself from the life-giving, life-changing light of Christ. Each of us, with the dawn of each day, is faced with the same choice. How will we choose? Prayer True Light, Jesus my Savior, I choose to walk in the light. Give me the strength today to remain in Your light, to make choices that reflect that I am a child of the light, and allow my light to shine into the dark places around me. AMEN. 13

14 Wednesday, March 23 I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. His disciples said, Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! Now we know that you know all things, and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God. John 16:25, Our journey is almost complete. We have followed along with Jesus and his disciples and been asked questions that gave us pause and led us to respond. What are you looking for? Do you want to be made well? Do you wish to go away? Jesus asks us these things so that we begin to understand the depths of our sin and brokenness, but also the weight of glory that comes in our redemption and new life. It s appropriate then that the last question Jesus asks us is about Himself. In fact, it is a question that lingers on the tips of our own tongues and that Jesus asks on our behalf: Do You really have to go through with the suffering and shame of the cross for us? The answer is clear though, and there is no greater love than that which Jesus demonstrates over these next number of days in His Passion. In his book, The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes: The cross is laid on every Christian. The first Christ-suffering which every man must experience is the call to abandon the attachments of this world. It is that dying of the old man which is the result of his encounter with Christ. As we embark upon discipleship we surrender ourselves to Christ in union with his death we give over our lives to death. Thus it begins; the cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise godfearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ. Jesus asks, Am I not to drink the cup? It is a question meant for Him, but it is also meant for us. Our call is not abandonment, torture and crucifixion, though for many of our brothers and sisters in Christ across the globe, it is. Our call is live our lives for one another, to physically be the love of Christ to each and every person around us. Prayer Gracious God, Christ Jesus, my life is Yours. I give my life to You so that I may give it to others. Help me not to be afraid or anxious, fill me with Your guiding spirit. Prepare my heart for the days of Passion before me, O Lord. AMEN Changing Lives That Change the World

15 Maundy Thursday, March 24 Read each of the Scripture passages provided below. Following each selection, there is a phrase set apart for reflection. Take a moment to pray and reflect on each one before moving to the next passage. After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:1-3 I know the only true God because I know Jesus. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth. John 17:14-17 To the rest of the world, my life looks different from how it used to look because I know Jesus. Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them. John 17:25-26 Others know the love of God because I know Jesus. After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. John 18:1-3 The Jesus I know was betrayed, but willingly surrendered. continued on next page 15

16 So the soldiers, their officers, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people. Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. John 18:12-14, 19 The Jesus I know did not deny me. Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, You are not also one of this man s disciples, are you? He said, I am not. John 18:15-17 I have denied the Jesus I know Changing Lives That Change the World

17 Good Friday, March 25 Read each of the Scripture passages provided below. Following each selection, there is a highlighted phrase. Pray and reflect on each one before moving to the next passage. Jesus answered, I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said. When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, Is that how you answer the high priest? John 18:20-22 The Word of God is for all people. Pilate asked him, So you are a king? Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice. Pilate asked him, What is truth? John 18:37-38 Jesus is truth. After he said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, I find no case against him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews? They shouted in reply, Not this man, but Barabbas! Now Barabbas was a bandit. Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! and striking him on the face. John 18:38-19:3 The King of Kings is a suffering servant. From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor. He said to the Jews, Here is your King! They cried out, Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him! Pilate asked them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but the emperor. Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. John 19:12,14-16 Here is my King, the Lamb of God. continued on next page 17

18 Meanwhile standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, Woman, here is your son. Then he said to the disciple, Here is your mother. John 19:25-27 Love one another. After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said, I am thirsty. A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, It is finished. Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:28-30 This was done for me Changing Lives That Change the World

19 Holy Saturday, March 26 After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial customs of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. John 19:38-42 Prayer Jesus, in these next hours before we come together again to worship You, open my heart and mind to Your truth. Quietly I wait for You, O Lord. Hopefully, I pray for resurrection. AMEN. 19

20 SUNDAY WORSHIP Sanctuary Worship 8:30 & 10:55 AM Lifeline Worship in Fenn Hall 10:55 AM Sunday School for All Ages 9:40 AM