Thirty Eighth Day of lent - Lamb of God

 

Ghent Altarpiece

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” John 1

Enter our man.  We are up against tyranny and injustice.  Our man enters as a lamb.  A lamb threatens no one.  A lamb is innocence itself.  Where is the power in a lamb? 

Our man is far more than a lamb.  He is also 'the Lion of Judah'.  He is the ancient of days.  He is the first and the last.  He is the prince of peace.  

Jesus comes with authority and truth.  Nothing can stand against the truth.  The truth comes with righteousness and love.  This provides life to the truth.  

Jesus is cut down.  He is taken advantage of.  He is slaughtered. But the truth prevails, and rises up.  It is not defeated.  It lives forever.  

PRAYER:  We join you as lambs. Children of the living God. Without power, but surrounded by your power.  

Thirty Seventh Day of Lent - Letters

 

Proshitapatika Nayika,
The National Museum,
New Delhi. 

4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Philippians 4

I love the irony that in order for St Paul to be in a position where he could support the fledgling church appropriately, he had to be sent to Rome.  He moved from the relative back water, troubled and unsettled 'Judea' to the centre of the known world in the West.  Unfortunately the budget did not extend to putting him up in Caesar's palace, so he was housed for many years in his dungeon.  As with the who project, it appears that putting up with suffering is an important element to creating the power. Softies and cowards need not apply.  

So in chains, Paul writes wonderful letter.  In this one he addresses a tiff.  Tiffs can get out of hand.  Please, let's not be silly.  It's not a surprise that these letters were treasured and kept.  But is it a miracle that they survived, because they are very old. 

PRAYER: Thank you to everyone who has suffered for the sake of the Lord.  May I be prepared to be one of them.

Thirty Sixth Day of Lent - The Gentiles

 

By Joy Labinjo Cebit i-d.co

21 Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.”

23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”

24 Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”

25 But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!”

26 Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”

27 She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.”

28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.

Almost all religions in the world are culturally specific.  They relate to one ethnicity, in one location. This is how Judaism was, until it was turned on it's head by Jesus.  A few days ago I was chatting to my Zimbabwean colleague and friend about how she observed communion when she was growing up in a community without bread or wine.    I think of the many thousands of people who existed before the stories of Genesis and Eden came to be written.  We who are gentiles know that we are the little dogs that are able to eat under the table of the chosen.  All our needs are met, and we are included in the promise of greater things to come.

PRAYER:  Thank you for choosing me to be your friend.  Thank you for your righteousness given to me.

Thirty Fifth Day of Lent - The Jews

A 700 year old Torah called the 
Rothschild Pentateuch Getty Museum

Even in post Christian Europe, the Jews are very important.  Since the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, the Jewish people have been dispersed over many continents.  Even distant England has had a Jewish community for over a thousand years.  I think this is one of the reason politics with Israel complicated.  Israel has been discussed in our synagogues and churches for a very long time.  And the social politics is complex, fully of guilt shame and confusion.  It is said the the record in the New testament is also difficult.   What do we make of this?

 25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written:

 “The deliverer will come from Zion;

    he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.

27 And this is my covenant with them

    when I take away their sins.”

 28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now[h] receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. Romans 11

PRAYER:  We continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and the Creators willing come for the Jewish people. 

Sixth Sunday in the Feast of lent - Palm Sunday

 

St Catherine's Monastery Sinai

Even the stones will cry out.  The presence of Jesus creates strong reactions. Some are drawn close.  Others react and run away.  It's sad and strange when they do.  It's like children who are scared of their own parents.

In the present of Jesus I fall on my knees.  Here is my story. (Clink on the word story, for err, the story.)

Thirty Fourth Day of Lent - Amazing Acts

 

Snake invades great moments
by snakeartist.com 
Credit: Bored Panda

5 Paul shook the snake into the fire and wasn’t harmed. 6 The people were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after they had waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

 7 A man named Publius, who was the governor of the island, had property around the area. He welcomed us and treated us kindly, and for three days we were his guests. Acts 28

It must be that human beings are intrinsically vulnerable to superstition and fear.  We understand where an inherent fear of snakes and spiders might come from.  The people of Malta could tell there was something special about Paul and his friends.  I think there are good or Godly spirits, neutral spirits, and evil spirits.  Superstition and fear are in the latter category, and stifle life in all it's fullness.  Paul walked with his Creator.  He did not escape hardship and was ultimately stoned to death by a crowd.  But just as with Jesus, not until a great purpose had been achieved, to which we are all eternally grateful.   

PRAYER: My life is not filled with random chance because I walk with you.  

The Thirty Third Day of Lent - Life

We learnt that when Native Americans went to war, they
dressed not in protective armour, but in their best clothes,
so that they would be ready to meet the Great Spirit. 
They went to war ready to die. 

 "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain". Philippians 1:21 (ESV)

“All real living is meeting,” so says Martin Buber in 'I and Thou'.  I agree.  Real life is found in our relationships.  Our relationship with our creator, with ourselves and with our sister/brother.  Other relationships are important too; with our world, with nature, with community, nation, universe. 

But true freedom to 'live' comes when we have no fear of death.  Then we are truly free to live.

Another wonderful quote from Buber....

“I do not accept any absolute formulas for living. No preconceived code can see ahead to everything that can happen in a man's life. As we live, we grow and our beliefs change. They must change. So I think we should live with this constant discovery. We should be open to this adventure in heightened awareness of living. We should stake our whole existence on our willingness to explore and experience.”

I think of my wonderful daughter who when challenged by her philosophy teacher at school to raise a hand if they were prepared for what they believe to be challenged by the subject, put up her hand.  "With Jesus I can go anywhere safely" she said.

PRAYER:  We walk out into the world holding tight to you, and can face anything.