Fourth Sunday in the Feast of Lent - The Path Less Trod

 

The Wilderness in Israel

Jesus shows us that the powerful status quo of our age can be resisted, both as a community, but also by individuals. He is tempted to enjoy the great power and wealth he possesses.  How difficult it must have been when his Council John sent a message asking him if he was the promised saviour, to not then ensure his cousin's safety from the hands of Herold.  But Jesus has come as 'The Lamb of God', He was to take the same hard path into the wilderness first taken by John.  He to was to be murdered brutally. He invites us to follow this path.  Gulp, let's go.

PRAYER:  Give me everything I need, and cannot get for myself. 

Twenty Second Day of lent - Childhood

 

By Rose Datoc Dall Credit: altusfineart.com

Are children innocent?  When do they become guilty?  All people are not equal, and some have massive disadvantages over others.  We are born guilty.  It was all stacked up against us.  Yet if we have the desire in our hearts to be good, we can be.  It is the spirit of the living Creator in us that makes us good (or holy). 

We believe that Jesus was fully filled with the spirit of the Creator from birth.  He is the human embodiment of the Creator here on earth.  Was this like King Henry V, walking incognito amongst his soldiers before Agincourt, getting an  impression of their mood?  Not one bit.  It was King Hal, leading from the front, but as a child, not a superhero. 

Here is Jesus, as a child, aware of how things are, and what has to be done.

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”  49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Luke 2:41-49

PRAYER:  I come to you as a child.  I bow before you as the kings did.

Twenty First Day of Lent - Birth

Credit: Laurenjturnerfineart.com

So much of the gospel is based on things which our modern day culture says is myth.  This is made plain because it is impossible.  Repeat the story enough, and people will believe it.  Like a well trodden path, it becomes a thorofare, and no one questions it. 

Not true.  It has constantly been questioned, and perhaps no more so than in this present age.  Other faiths make funny faces, just as we do about their epic stories.  One famous doubter called Thomas said he would need to meet Jesus, and feel his physical pain.  He did,  For me, this is what I need too.  Reality.  An experience I can look back to and recall, and recount. So what of a virgin birth?  Well meet Jesus and see what you think then.

 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

PRAYER:  All I know is that my relationship with you is real. That is all that matters.

Twentieth Day of Lent - Malachi

St John the Baptist, by Lynda Miller Baker,
Credit: Saatchi Art.  (Not for sale)

 "I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty. Malachi 3

We are reassured.  We will be informed.  We will know, and the covenant of security and love. everything we need and desire will come to pass.  I love the verses that  reassure me that I will not miss the message, miss the boat, miss the excitement.    My fears are allayed.  

PRAYER: Thank you that your plan will come to pass, because you are out of time and have seen the conclusion and the beginning at the same time. 

Nineteenth Day of Lent - Micah

Cueva de las Manos, Argentina.
Credit: Encyclopaedia Britannica

 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

    And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

    and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6.8

I think of the time, many many thousands of years ago.  Before written texts.  When all humans lived a 'stone age' culture.  Hunter gathers.  And I believe they had the same Creator God.  The same Lord who desires justice, love. Mercy and humility.  I trust that these people walked as Micah desired, and one day I hope to meet them.

PRAYER:  May I walk a simple life with you.  May we walk together.

Eighteenth Day of Lent - Joel

 

Flamenco Coast by Tom Si
Credit: artpal.com

“And afterward,

    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

    your old men will dream dreams,

    your young men will see visions.

29 Even on my servants, both men and women,

    I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

30 I will show wonders in the heavens

    and on the earth,

    blood and fire and billows of smoke.

31 The sun will be turned to darkness

    and the moon to blood

    before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

32 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; Joel 2

It can all happen in a day.  There are days that change us for ever.  A birth, a significant event such as acquiring a disability, passing a course. getting a new job, falling in love, getting married....and death.  

We know there will be a great day ahead of us.  I am ready.

PRAYER: Creator of all, we walk boldly forward with you.

Seventeenth Day of Lent - Zephaniah

 

Hasidic in a circle of light and joy
Credit:cberlinart.com

Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,

    Daughter Jerusalem!

15 The Lord has taken away your punishment,

    he has turned back your enemy.

The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you;

    never again will you fear any harm.

16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem,

“Do not fear, Zion;

    do not let your hands hang limp.

17 The Lord your God is with you,

    the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you;

    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,

    but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3

When you meet someone with the Spirit of the Creator in them, and you do not share a single common word, how do you know you have met a fellow believer? The answer is that you will share the same joy.

PRAYER:  You are my strength. I fear nothing,