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Welcome to the 2021 Lenten Devotional National City Christian Church is honored to make this Lenten Devotional available to you in print, via email, and through our church website. It contains written meditations by members of the National City community sharing their faith journey during Lent. We pray these meditations will serve as useful resources for your days of spiritual preparation as we journey together towards Easter Sunday. Rev. Steven C. Baines Executive Minister, Editor

Speaking of Sin – A Lenten Conversation Aurelius Prudentis Clemens was a Roman Christian who practiced law and served in government for most of his life. Toward the end of his life, he retired to become an ascetic, fasting every day until evening and abstaining entirely from meat. He spent his time writing poems and songs, along with some scholarly treatises about Christian faith. One idea he wrote about was the seven deadly sins, those sinful behaviors that church leaders had identified as the definitive list that would lead human beings straight to hell. Lots of famous writers chose sin as their topic (Dante, anyone?), but Prudentis created a model of sin...and its antidote. In 410 AD he suggested the following as solutions to these sins:

Humility cures Pride Kindness cures Envy Abstinence (or Moderation) cures Gluttony Chastity (Putting Others First) cures Lust Patience cures Wrath Liberality (Generosity) cures Greed Diligence cures Sloth

You can see that I’ve taken liberty with a few of his solutions, but as we think about sin this Lent, perhaps it’s helpful to consider practices we can cultivate in our lives that live on as antidotes to sin. Take some time during the next six weeks to exhibit each one of Prudentis’ antidotes in your life...and see what happens! Rev. Dr. Amy Butler Interim Senior Minister

(All Scripture passages printed are from the New Revised Standard Version unless otherwise indicated.)

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February 17 – 21 – Speaking of Sin: Sin loving God with all our mind, soul, and (Temptation of Jesus) strength. Mark 1:9-15 The point is Jesus knows how we feel and In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of what we are going through. When we realize Galilee and was baptized by John in the that even he was tempted by Satan’s devices Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of of hunger (satisfaction), egoism, and the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and materialism, his example of overcoming is our the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a guide. voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Prayer: Father God, in this Lenten season, help us to know that even though And the Spirit immediately drove him out into temptation to sin is ever before us, Jesus’ the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty acts in the wilderness lay the pathway for days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the our salvation. Thank you, God, for the Holy wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Spirit’s power, and comfort of ministering angels. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Byron Cotton Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Thursday, February 18 kingdom of God has come near; repent, and Many years ago, when I began my music believe in the good news.” ministry, I discovered that there was a process of maturation or even readiness that had to Wednesday, February 17 take place in me. This was necessary to get In Mark 1:9-15, Jesus is prepared for his me to a place where God could use me. There earthly ministry by being baptized by John in was a lot of strong will or even ego that the the Jordan River, and upon coming out of the Holy Spirit had to cleanse and purify in my life. water, the Holy Spirit descended upon him with I've learned over the years that the person a voice from heaven declaring, “You are my whom the Lord calls must also be seasoned beloved Son; you are my delight.” (TLB) and qualified. Immediately, the Holy Spirit urged him into the desert to be tempted of Satan for forty days, Looking back over the years, I marvel at all of alone, except for animals and angels, who the privileges I have had in traveling all over came and cared for him. the US and Canada ministering in a variety of denominational churches and schools. It took a It is perplexing that Jesus would be ushered long time to get to a place where I was into a barren land to be tempted---and for over trustworthy to represent Jesus and to share a month! Even though Jesus went about his the message of the gospel. three-year ministry healing and teaching to the masses, he had to go through worldly In our reading of Mark's Gospel, we see how temptations, defined as sin, to let us know that Jesus had to be tested as well. After a he identified with his people. mountain top experience of being baptized and having the Holy Spirit descend upon him like a The whole world has been turned upside down dove, he was plunged into a desert to fast and for the past year with the COVID-19 pandemic pray. This is such a sharp contrast that would and who can say that they haven’t been tested challenge anyone. I like how verse 13 says in ways that have been grievous to God? that the angels ministered unto him. This gives Coupled with our political unrest, it is easy to me great consolation and hope knowing that throw our hands up and question much. the angels are also available to me in my own Undoubtedly, we have not passed every test of life today. loving our neighbors as we do ourselves, nor

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Following all these events, we read that Jesus us as the baby of a quite un-royal family, and was now prepared from this to go to Galilee to that lowly birth is part of the message. preach the gospel of the kingdom of God. It is Prayer: Lord, help me to be mindful of my a lesson to learn from as we all have our own use of the powers you gave me, and give Galilee to go to. The question to consider now me discernment as how I can use those is, "Are we preparing and ready to serve as God-given powers to serve God-given Jesus did?" purposes. Prayer: Gracious God, I trust you to always Sara Ann Ketchum be present in my life, even when I don’t feel you nearby. Help me to draw closer to you Saturday, February 20 during my wilderness moments, that I may Reflecting on these verses from Mark's follow you more nearly and love you more Gospel, I am moved by the choices that Jesus dearly. Amen. makes. He chooses to be baptized by John to be cleansed from his sins, and as a result he immediately receives the Holy Spirit and the Paul Heffron Blessing of God. He then allows the Spirit to Friday, February 19 drive him into the wilderness for forty days, Temptation where he wrestles with and rejects the Mark 1:9-15 (see also Mat. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1- temptations offered by Satan while accepting 13) the support of God's angels. After this, he chooses to begin a ministry, calling everyone After Jesus’s baptism, the spirit descended to repent and proclaiming God's good news. into Jesus and a voice from heaven saying At each step, Jesus could have made other, “’You are my Son, the Beloved.” But, after more selfish, choices, but his faithfulness led these high points, the same spirit drove Jesus him to follow God and to become an into the wilderness, where he was tempted by instrument of God's healing for us all. Satan, who set tests of Jesus’s obedience to God. As we know from Matthew and Luke, For me, the living presence of Jesus and his Jesus chose God each time. example and teachings are my inspiration to always strive to remain connected to God and Satan appealed to Jesus’s pride, saying if you to love selflessly. I have been blessed by really are the son of God, show me your assistance in this throughout my life through power, by turning a rock into bread or by Christian worship, study, and fellowship. Even leaping from a high place for God to catch you. so, I have come to see that maintaining this Both challenges invited Jesus to show off by connection is a personal challenge that misusing his powers. Of course, we, as mere requires my daily attention. It is always easy mortals, do not have any of the supernatural for me to brood over perceived slights and powers inherent in being the Son of God. We injustices, and to worry about worst case do, however, have lesser God-given powers scenarios. I've come to accept that my and abilities, and can easily identify with the tendency to drift away from Christ- temptation to use those powers for self-comfort centeredness is a given, and especially at the or self-aggrandizement. end of the day, I feel a need to confess my sins and recommit myself to God's service in Satan’s remaining test – worship me and I will prayer. Just as Jesus made a conscious give you all the kingdoms of the world – takes decision to repent, accept the Spirit, resist a somewhat different form. Satan does not ask temptation, and do God's will, I strive to follow Jesus to abuse his God-given powers but and honor his example. offers to give Jesus worldly power in exchange for worshiping Satan. But, apart from the There is a beautiful, comforting hymn, "Now “worship me” problem, Jesus was not sent by the Day Is Over," that I first heard at the God as a worldly king. God chose to come to evensong services at Chautauqua. There is an 5 excellent Robert Shaw Chorale version of it on Its centre. YouTube, if you'd like to hear it. This hymn evokes the peace and grace that Jesus makes For all at last the cock will crow available to those who repent and open their Who hear the warning voice, but go hearts to him: "Jesus grant the weary, calm Unheeding, and sweet repose; with Thy tender mercies, Till thrice and more they have denied may their eyelids close.” The Man of Sorrows, crucified And bleeding. Prayer: Merciful God, we thank You for

Your redeeming and uplifting love, and for One look of that pale suffering face the loving example and saving acts of Your Will make us feel the deep disgrace Son, Jesus Christ. Give us open and Of weakness; contrite hearts to accept Your grace, and to We shall be sifted till the strength do Your will to build a world that is more Of self-conceit be changed at length compassionate and just. To meekness. Kent Woods

Sunday, February 21 Wounds of the soul, though healed, will ache; Editor’s Note: Sundays during Lent are known as “little The reddening scars remain, and make Easters” when believers in the risen Christ join for prayer Confession; and worship. Today, we pause in preparation for our Lost innocence returns no more; worship to God through poetry or prayer. May these We are not what we were before offerings prepare our hearts to receive God’s holy Transgression. presence and abiding. But noble souls, through dust and heat, The Sifting of Peter Rise from disaster and defeat - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1850- The stronger, 1919) And conscious still of the divine Within them, lie on earth supine A Folk-Song No longer. “Behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.”—LUKE xxii. 31. February 22 – 28 – Speaking of Sin: Repentance In Saint Luke’s Gospel we are told (Samaritan Woman) How Peter in the days of old John 4:1-26 Was sifted; And now, though ages intervene, Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees Sin is the same, while time and scene had heard, “Jesus is making and baptizing Are shifted. more disciples than John” —although it was not Jesus himself but his disciples who Satan desires us, great and small, baptized— he left Judea and started back to As wheat, to sift us, and we all Galilee. But he had to go through Samaria. So Are tempted; he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, Not one, however rich or great, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to Is by his station or estate his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Exempted. Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. No house so safely guarded is But he, by some device of his, A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Can enter; Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (His No heart hath armor so complete disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The But he can pierce with arrows fleet Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that

6 you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of quickly bring up all kinds of information about Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in us. Even by entering someone's address, in a common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered matter of seconds a picture of their home her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is appears on our computer screen. There are that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you even fewer places we can now go that we are would have asked him, and he would have not visible from a surveillance camera. given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is In our story about the Samaritan woman, deep. Where do you get that living water? Are Jesus is able to remove all the veneer from a you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who woman who cannot hide her past. It reminds gave us the well, and with his sons and his me of something I once heard as a definition of flocks drank from it?” Jesus said to her, a friend as being someone who knows all “Everyone who drinks of this water will be about us and yet still loves us. Indeed, Jesus thirsty again, but those who drink of the water has often been referred to as a friend of that I will give them will never be thirsty. The sinners. water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” The Many people are put off by the word woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so repentance. They feel that it only applies to that I may never be thirsty or have to keep criminals or someone who has committed a coming here to draw water.” very grave sin. To go back to computer terminology, I consider it the "refresh" key on Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and my computer. It restores everything back that I come back.” The woman answered him, “I want to see on my email or desired website. have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are This is what repentance will do for us. It right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you restores us back to fellowship with God and have had five husbands, and the one you have with others if we have had a misunderstanding now is not your husband. What you have said or offended someone. is true!” The woman said to him, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped When I began to experience the vast blessing on this mountain, but you say that the place that comes to me when I repent, I learned to where people must worship is in do it as quickly as possible when I sense that Jerusalem.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, something in my heart needs to be restored. believe me, the hour is coming when you will This is what the woman at the well came to worship the Father neither on this mountain understand as she received forgiveness and nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not experienced the greatest love extended know; we worship what we know, for salvation towards her that the world has ever known. is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and Prayer: Heavenly God, we pray that our is now here, when the true worshipers will hearts will let us know when repentance is worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the needed. We are thankful that we can come Father seeks such as these to worship to you just as we are and that you will him. God is spirit, and those who worship him guide us as a shepherd. May we continue must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman to love you as you have loved and forgiven said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” us. Amen. (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will Paul Heffron proclaim all things to us.” Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking to you.” Tuesday, February 23 The year is filled with several Monday, February 22 seasons/holidays…Valentine’s Day, St. As computer technology continues to develop Patrick’s Day Halloween, Thanksgiving, 4th of and expand there is truly little now that we July. As we approach each holiday, we try to cannot learn about someone. Search engines think of ways to celebrate and what is

7 important about it. What can we give to a loved and parched. The dust of the world is fear, one? What can we share…a piece of want, suffering, division. ourselves, a box of candy, a memory, a story, a Christmas card with news of family activities, It is time to renew our commitment to God in a gift, a phone call, a bit of myself… spirit and truth so that we might drink of the everlasting water and that we, through our As I was reading the story of the Samaritan testimony, might soothe all who thirst at the woman at the well, I was struck how Jesus well. (From 2017) asked her to share some water. He shared Prayer: Dear God, I affirm the new with her “living water.” I thought about what the covenant, sealing us all, Jew and most important thing is I must share with those Samaritan, as one people of God, called to I meet? She shared her newfound faith. Do I act with love toward each other, that all take the time and energy to share my faith with might drink of the waters and receive life those I meet? eternal. Prayer: Lord, help me to open my life to Tristan Nowicki encourage those in my path to know You. Thursday, February 25 Kathleen Swihart OOPs! I made a big boo-boo and ordered too much milk for the food pantry. Not wanting it to Wednesday, February 24 go to waste, I reached out to other agencies to John 4 is striking in how it portrays see if they could use any of it. I was giving it marginalization. The woman in this story is a away for free. There was a need with the Samaritan, an adherent to a pre-Babylonian pandemic and people out of work. This would exile splinter of Judaism seen by Jews at the help people live and give them nourishment. time as at best incorrect, at worst heretical. Three months I tried to give away this life She has been married five times, and currently sustaining milk and only a couple of takers. lives outside of wedlock. These facts clearly Others wanted some but never followed stigmatize her and prevent her from full through. Now I know how Jesus must feel participation and acceptance in Israelite when He offers us the living water (that will society, a society with strict protocols and laws sustain us longer than milk) for free and hardly to maintain the covenant between itself and gets any takers We either think there is a God. catch, or we want on our terms. What is wrong

with us (got a death wish - wages of sin yada Despite the woman’s stigma, Jesus announces yada). The woman at the well knew a good that because she believes in the Messiah, she thing when she was it and spread the news. will stand a true worshiper: “You worship what You go girl. you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to see a good coming, and is now here, when the true thing when it comes our way and accept worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and the many gifts you offer us because you truth...God is spirit, and those who worship him love us. Forgive our unbelief and help us must worship in spirit and truth.” to trust you more. Amen. Laurese Dancy To me, this affirms that the customs, Friday, February 26 behaviors, and laws of the world defer to the What are you constantly ‘thirsting for”? A place truth of the new covenant established through of belonging or acceptance perhaps? Or Jesus Christ. Through praising God in spirit perhaps love? Security? Safety? Forgiveness? and truth, through loving each other, we gain Approval? From whence do these longings water which will quench our thirst forever. come? What are the ungratified aching places within you or the unhealed wounded places The tumult of the world engulfs us in a which gives rise to these unmet needs? These billowing cloud of dust that leaves us choking are important questions to ponder because it is 8 often our attempts to quell these thirsts which Whatever the case, one thing was true. Jesus leads to our “sinful” behavior. already knew about her – personally! He knew her life circumstances yet initiated a Sometimes we engage in behaviors we know conversation with – 1) a woman in middle of are sinful but do so anyway in a state of the day; and 2) a Samaritan to boot. Jesus desperation. Sometimes we are not aware at dared to break societal norms and prejudices the time that our searching has led us down a to offer an encounter in Spirit and Truth. fruitless path, only to find later that we continue to thirst. Sometimes we act willfully in utter I wonder what our worship would be like every frustration, with a devil may care attitude, Sunday if each of us came seeking Spirit and feeling enraged that our needs have yet again Truth, confessing our sins and knowing that gone unmet. As you read the passage, how God through Christ already fully knows and did you think of the woman at the well – a loves us still. woman who inappropriately comes to the well Prayer: Holy One of Life, what can we hide at the sixth hour alone, who has had five from You that You do not already know. husbands, and who is unmarried? Perhaps This Lent as we seek to follow your steps how you saw her says something about your to the cross, may we offer ourselves in unattended to inner spaces. repentance knowing that You arrive to Prayer: God, we ask that You open our greet us bringing Spirit and Truth to all. cravings and yearnings to your son, Jesus Amen. the Christ “in spirit and truth,” knowing Steven Baines that if we are willing and obedient, he will Sunday, February 28 provide comfort and grace. May we trust Editor’s Note: Sundays during Lent are known as “little that it will be so. Easters” when believers in the risen Christ join for prayer Sarah Hedlund and worship. Today, we pause in preparation for our worship to God through poetry or prayer. May these Saturday, February 27 offerings prepare our hearts to receive God’s holy But the hour is coming, and is now here, when presence and abiding. the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as Two Sinners these to worship him. God is spirit, and those - Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919) who worship him must worship in spirit and There was a man, it was said one time, truth.” i Who went astray in his youthful prime.

Can the brain keep cool and the heart keep The Christian Pathways Sunday school class quiet recently studied this passage back in January. When the blood is a river that's running riot? It was an enlightening and wonderfully diverse And boys will be boys the old folks say, discussion about why some of us have always And a man is the better who's had his day. made assumptions about the woman at the well. She must have been a “loose woman,” The sinner reformed; and the preacher told maybe a prostitute. The class posed a different Of the prodigal son who came back to the fold. question about why the woman might have And Christian people threw open the door, had so many husbands. Was it possible they With a warmer welcome than ever before. were killed or died by tragedy? Did she marry Wealth and honor were his to command, because she was left to find economic security And a spotless woman gave him her hand. for her own survival? Perhaps, whatever happened to her, she had lived life in total And the world strewed their pathway with abandonment with scarce comforts and blossoms aboom, approval. Crying "God bless lady, and God bless

groom!"

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There was a maiden who went astray a marketplace!” Stop misusing the temple of In the golden dawn of her life's young day. God. Stop placing consumerism in the heart of She had more passion and heart than head, our relationship to God. Jesus saw a gross And she followed blindly were fond Love led. misuse of God’s temple and interrupted And Love unchecked is a dangerous guide business as usual. He turned over the tables To wander at will by a fair girl's side. and reminded us we cannot fit God into our agenda. The temple of God was not designed The woman repented and turned from sin, for us to make God work how we want. But no door opened to let her in. The preacher prayed that she might be We have all seen people misuse the temple of forgiven, God—hold up Bibles for a photo op, use Gods But told her to look for mercy--in Heaven. words to justify oppression, enslavement and For this is the law of the earth, we know: manipulative lies, turn the temple of God into a That the woman is stoned, while the man may temple of prosperity. go. As we renew our relationship to God and A brave man wedded her after all, Jesus this Lenten season let us reflect on what But the world said, frowning, "We shall not Jesus called us to do when he cleansed the call." temple and made it born anew in his body. Let us hear Jesus’ call to remember our March 1 – 7 – Speaking of Sin: Penance relationship with God is not transactional, it is (Cleansing of the Temple) not a tool to condemn people. God’s temple is John 2:13-22 not a marketplace where we can buy and sell God’s grace. When Jesus cleansed the The Passover of the Jews was near, and temple, he gave us a sign that he is an Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he embodiment of God’s love. He made the found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, temple was born anew. The temple is not and the money changers seated at their tables. confined by the walls that humans make Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them because Jesus is bigger than the doors and out of the temple, both the sheep and the windows we can create. It is not the temple cattle. He also poured out the coins of the that is at the center of our relationship to God money changers and overturned their tables. but Jesus’ love. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making Prayer: Holy God, help us to pause and my Father’s house a marketplace!” His remember that Jesus calls us to be born disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal anew in his love and center Your love for your house will consume me.” The Jews rather than human desire in our then said to him, “What sign can you show us relationship to You. Amen. for doing this?” Jesus answered them, KCM – (Katie Campbell Morrison) “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple Tuesday, March 2 has been under construction for forty-six years, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” and will you raise it up in three days?” But he John 2:18b was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples When as a parent, you ask or invite or demand remembered that he had said this; and they your child to do some particular task, often the believed the scripture and the word that Jesus response is “why?” Usually, in frustration, our had spoken. response is “because I said so!” As the child grows older, “why” gives way to “well, could I Monday, March 1 do it this way?” or “can I finish this first?” Our In John 2:13-22 Jesus enters the temple and responses, at this point, may become a little declares “stop making my Father’s house into more detailed...or not. 10

This scenario was not new to Jesus or the Prayer: Dear God, awaken us from the Jews of his day. They frequently found rhythm of daily life. Open our eyes and themselves in a ‘tug of war’ between what hearts to our neighbors in need. Help us were the acceptable actions of the day and be a disruptor like Jesus was in the temple, those that Jesus would introduce as being throwing out the business in our life that more appropriate for people of faith. does not belong and replacing it with a call to serve others. Not unlike where we find ourselves in the Anthony Mague middle of Lent – trying to learn how to draw closer to the Holy at a time when the Thursday, March 4 conventional, acceptable ways are no longer Passover… available. Changing our long-held practices Exodus 12 tells us that the Passover and traditions for more creative approaches to happened when the angel of the Lord passed God will be refreshing, renewing; perhaps over Egypt killing the 1st born of every inviting us to intentionally refrain from asking household where the blood of a perfect lamb “why.” Sitting in silence, listening for God’s was not marking the door. This was the turning voice may provide all the detail we need! point for Pharaoh. The loss of his oldest son Prayer: Holy One, create in me this day was what it took for him to finally release the silence so that I may hear your voice. Israelites to Moses making the Passover a Amen. time of celebration for the Jewish people of when they were freed from bondage and Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Jewell slavery in Egypt. NCCC Foundation Trustee

Oklahoma City, OK The Jews made their pilgrimage to Jerusalem Wednesday, March 3 to celebrate, but more importantly to worship What point was Jesus trying to make when he God. This is where the trouble starts. The drove out the merchants, scattered the coins, religious leaders saw this as a great time to and overturned the tables? Surely the sight of collect the temple tax, but it could not be any merchants in the temple courtyard was not type of money, so the money changers were something new to him. As somebody who there getting in the way of worship. The Jews grew up in the temple, seeing merchants in the had to bring an unblemished animal or bird to courtyard was undoubtedly a common sacrifice. Oh, but anything they brought from occurrence for Jesus. He could not have just home would not pass the inspection of those been angry at their mere presence that day. I religious leaders so instead, they were think Jesus was angry with the status quo – provided a place to purchase perfect That life was carrying on without people specimens at the temple, and the Jewish understanding their responsibility to serve people have one more thing getting in the way God. of worship.

What about the status quo in the current world Then Jesus enters the scene and cleanses the would cause Jesus to overturn the tables? temple. Racial inequality. Discrimination. Sexism. Health disparities. Hunger. The list of injustices Are we worshiping and celebrating God? Or goes on and on. The question we must ask are we allowing idols, business, loneliness, ourselves: Are we like the merchants in the physical idols, money and the things it courtyard – busy carrying on with business as buys…get in the way of worship? We are usual, instead of making a priority to serve God’s temple; is it time for a cleansing? Jesus’ mission on earth? Are we fearful to Prayer: Lord, please forgive me for my half- speak truth to power? Or forgetful that we are hearted attempts to worship, for the times in the temple of God? that my focus is not on you but on things of

11 this world. Cleanse me so I can focus on knowing that you will always meet us there

You. Amen. to revive our longing spirits. Amen.

Teresa Swihart Robin Hamilton

Friday, March 5 Saturday, March 6 Who hasn’t reached for comfort food in a The text, John 2:13-22, relates how Jesus crisis, or escaped reality by binge-watching a went to Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover show? What about being a glutton for and became irate when he found men selling punishment when it comes to having the same sacrificial animals – cattle, sheep, and doves – argument with someone over and over (and in the temple courtyard, turning the hallowed perhaps not taking the high road) with no space into a virtual marketplace. Jesus angrily results? A little gluttony goes a long way. drove them all out, using a whip made of cords. The problem is when a small vice goes a little too far and morphs from harmless act to How is this relevant to our times? During this habitual (sometimes destructive) behavior. extended time of Social Isolation at home, Creature comforts can become a crutch, many of us have used it as an opportunity to standing in the way of faith. clean out our spaces of unwanted things, a literal cleansing of our homes. In this week’s passage in the book of John, Jesus was furious when he went to the temple In a commentary on this passage, The courts and witnessed what is described as a Serendipity Bible takes this a step further, by flea market. For those actively engaging in challenging us to compare our spiritual life to business as usual, Jesus’ anger seemed the rooms of a house. Which of these spiritual unfounded – and his demand to tear down the rooms do you think Jesus would want us to temple unreasonable. After all, it had taken 46 clean up? The commentary mentions virtual years to build, and ‘this was the way it’s been rooms such as the kitchen, where we keep our done.’ appetites and desires. Or the den, where we live out our relationships with family. Or the So entrenched in habits, they lost sight of their closet, where we keep our secret things. faith. This week’s theme of Penance focuses on the Little did they know the temple that would be opportunity we have during this season of Lent rebuilt in three days transcended what could for reflection and cleansing of our spaces, both be done with human hands. the real and spiritual ones.

Prayer: May we use this season of Lent for I approach the Lenten season as a time for reflection and for a cleansing of our reassessment, a chance to reset and refocus spaces, to be able to better reflect God’s my spiritual walk. Taking away creature love and compassion in our life. comforts allows me to do some “internal housecleaning” and some penance. However, Kathleen Burger this isn’t about eliminating human Sunday, March 7 imperfections. My goal is for greater Editor’s Note: Sundays during Lent are known as “little mindfulness, confident that my faith will keep Easters” when believers in the risen Christ join for prayer me standing firm in spite of the indulgences and worship. Today, we pause in preparation for our within reach. worship to God through poetry or prayer. May these Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are thirsty, offerings prepare our hearts to receive God’s holy hungry people stumbling through the world presence and abiding. in need of a drink of living water from the well. Let us strive to lead a better life

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Caged Bird And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the - Maya Angelou (1928-2014) wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have The free bird leaps eternal life. on the back of the wind and floats downstream “For God so loved the world that he gave his till the current ends only Son, so that everyone who believes in him and dips his wings may not perish but may have eternal life. in the orange sun rays and dares to claim the sky. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that But a bird that stalks the world might be saved through him. Those down his narrow cage who believe in him are not condemned; but can seldom see through those who do not believe are condemned his bars of rage already, because they have not believed in the his wings are clipped and name of the only Son of God. And this is the his feet are tied judgment, that the light has come into the so he opens his throat to sing. world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who The caged bird sings do evil hate the light and do not come to the with fearful trill light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. of the things unknown But those who do what is true come to the but longed for still light, so that it may be clearly seen that their and his tune is heard deeds have been done in God.” on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom Monday, March 8 This year, during the Sundays after the The free bird thinks of another breeze Epiphany, Pastor Amy spent a lot of time and the trade winds soft through the sighing focusing our attention on the Light. Each week trees she said we should be turning up the Light in and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright our lives just a little brighter so that by the sixth lawn Sunday after the Epiphany we had learned to and he names the sky his own. let Christ’s light shine brightly around us and for others. But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams It was a bit jarring I have to say, as on the Day his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream of Epiphany – January 6 – we saw an his wings are clipped and his feet are tied attempted insurrection staged on our US so he opens his throat to sing Capitol; we relived another presidential impeachment in weeks following; and we The caged bird sings mourned the loss of nearly 500,000 lives to the with a fearful trill COVID pandemic. In this climate of chaos, our of things unknown pastor dared to ask us to be lights and more but longed for still importantly to be reflections of the Light. and his tune is heard on the distant hill As I prayed over this passage and meditated for the caged bird on the images projected into our minds in the sings of freedom. last two verses regarding running away from or running to the Light, it become clear that the March 8 – 14 – Speaking of Sin: Hell jarring feeling I felt during Epiphany is the stark (Jesus and Nicodemus) reality humanity has always experienced: Do John 3:14-21 13 we choose “hell” – separation and isolation Wednesday, March 10 from God, or do we choose “Life” – the light I admit I struggled with this passage. Not the and liberation of Christ that Nicodemus first part which I know well and have sung in secretly sought that night from the Master many services that set verses 14 – 17 to some Teacher. of the most beautiful music written. But I can’t ever recall hearing any sermon that specifically For me, the answer is clear! addressed the meaning found in verses 18 – 21. What does it mean when Scripture says Prayer: Lord of Light and Life, as we those who do evil love the darkness instead of continue to examine the nature of sin in our the light? lives and acts of disregard for your beloved community in our living, may we be drawn Is it really as simple as the light represents closer to your Light so that all may see we Heaven and the darkness represents Hell? are born of You. Amen. And what does that mean in the context of all Steven Baines the challenges facing us in this Lenten

Tuesday, March 9 season? For God so love the world …Words so familiar they fade into the background of our lives, but I Jesus, the only begotten son of God, was sent want to focus our attention today on what by God to bring rescue, hope, healing, and Jesus says at the end of His exhortation about salvation to all who believe. Those who do not what comes after salvation. “But whoever does believe are condemned, not because of their what is true comes to the light, so that it may sin – but because of their blindness and be clearly seen that his works have been disobedience to salvation that IS Jesus. It is a carried out in God.” What does it mean to do choice to accept salvation or to reject it. How what is true? For me, I believe that it means to dare any of us in our sinful nature, to reject this recognize the humanity of myself and others blessed gift! Our rejection indicates that we rather than achieving sinlessness in my own have no desire to know or respect the will of life and/or demanding that of others. Striving to God, instead ignoring God’s truth preferring do the right thing, but accepting that I will not our own way. Blinded by our own ability to always be perfect. believe.

Perhaps the greatest compliment I’ve ever We often think of notorious sin when we think received as Christian was from a close Hindu of people condemned to Hell. But really it is friend who said “you wear your Christianity so the rejection of Christ as Lord and savior that lightly.” He explained that while it was clear condemns us to Hell. This choice to walk in that my Christianity is central to my identity darkness instead of Jesus’ light is the from what I say and do, but not in a way that difference between everlasting life and permanent condemnation. closes me off from the world. Jesus offers the hope of reconciliation to the world; let us Prayer: Dear Lord, as we continue to face remember to model openness to His creation. these unusual days, may we rely on you

Prayer: Maker and Savior of all, we thank knowing that morning’s joy will ultimately come. Amen. you for your self-sacrifice to provide the hope of reconciliation to you with grace Karla Williams and mercy. Help us to know the right thing Thursday, March 11 to do and hold us up as we endeavor to He who believed in Him is not condemned; but show your grace, mercy, and the hope of he who does not believe is condemned reconciliation to you with our lives. Amen. already, because he has not believed in the Alan Williams name of the only begotten Son of God. And

this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness 14 rather than light, because their deeds were Nicodemus struggled to understand how one evil. could literally be reborn, but Christ challenged him to understand and accept a spiritual birth. This is an interesting chapter. It speaks of Jesus has instructed us that we must move God’s love for the world and the penalty of sin. forward by faith. Through faith we are reborn, The chapter explains that God’s love is shown trusting Jesus the Christ for our salvation and through the sending of His son (Jesus Christ) placing our fate in his hands. (From 2011) to us not to judge us but to save the world Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for through Him. It also speaks of man’s love of the opportunity to be reborn and himself and his insatiable need to have control repurposed through your son, Jesus the over all things. Man’s inability to understand Christ, who provided a path for the world to and trust God is the overall premise. If man be saved through him. fails to believe then he is condemned to a life in hell. But if man believes in God and follow Cecil “Chip” Talbott

His word then he is promised eternal life. The Saturday, March 13 underlining theme is condemnation is a road to While reading this scripture, I wondered why hell, but the gift of God is eternal life. As the Nicodemus had come to Jesus. What was on scripture says, “But seek first the kingdom of his mind? It seemed to me that he had come God and His righteousness, and all these with a purpose but had become distracted by things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew Jesus’ talk of “being born from above.” And 6:33) why did Nicodemus come “by night?” Did his Prayer: Dear Lord your love for us has been quest cause some worry, angst, or secret demonstrated in many ways. We praise you longing which could not quite bear the light of for the gift of your son and the promise of day? Are there troubles on your heart which eternal life. We ask that you continue to you shy away from bringing to Jesus in prayer guide us and lead us from the darkness because they engender pain, embarrassment, unto the light. Amen or confusion? Are you open to having God’s light bestowed on you or, like Nicodemus, are Loretta Tate you adhering to familiar ways of coping and Friday, March 12 hesitant to adopt a new perspective? For the last several years there has been a growing movement to take what was old and Perhaps it feels safer to hide in darkness, make it new again by repurposing or recycling. despite your longing for the light, because it is It was just a few years ago that we had the too painful to open the wounded, pained, “cash for clunkers” program to take what were grieving, or injured places in your soul? What considered qualified cars out of service and is preventing you from trusting that God’s light provide a cash incentive to purchase new cars. is beckoning and will lift you up – perhaps fear, What happened to the clunkers? Some of the distrust, weariness, disillusionment? What do steel from the clunkers was melted down and you need to do, during this Lenten season, to reborn as steel to be used for new cars. open yourself to receive Jesus’ promise that “God so loved the world that he gave his only In a similar manner Jesus taught us that we Son, so that everyone who believes in him are all qualified to be repurposed by accepting may not perish but may have eternal life?” him as our Savior, thereby experiencing a (From 2020) spiritual birth. Through our “melting down” and Prayer: Dear Lord, during this Lenten rebirth, we fulfill God’s promise of future season help us to courageously share our eternal life. God sent his Son to save the world wounded places with you and open us to and to be lifted up so that all who believe your healing presence, even when it comes would know the joy of salvation – thus fulfilling in unanticipated ways. Amen the prophecy. Sarah Hedlund 15

Sunday, March 14 (Those who lose their live for my Editor’s Note: Sundays during Lent are known as “little sake…)ohn 12:20-33 Easters” when believers in the risen Christ join for prayer Now among those who went up to worship at and worship. Today, we pause in preparation for our the festival were some Greeks. They came to worship to God through poetry or prayer. May these Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and offerings prepare our hearts to receive God’s holy said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip presence and abiding. went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip

went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, Excerpt from Inferno from The Divine “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be Comedy glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of - Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) (trans. wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by Mark Rusa) just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much Midway along the journey of our life fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those I woke to find myself in a dark wood, who hate their life in this world will keep it for for I had wandered off from the straight eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow path. me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will How hard it is to tell what it was like, honor. this wood of wilderness, savage and “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I stubborn say – ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it (the thought of it brings back all my old is for this reason that I have come to this hour. fears), Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will a bitter place! Death could scarce be bitterer. glorify it again.” The crowd standing there But if I would show the good that came of it heard it and said that it was thunder. Others I must talk about things other than the said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus good. answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; How I entered there I cannot truly say, now the ruler of this world will be driven out. I had become so sleepy at the moment And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will when I first strayed, leaving the path of draw all people to myself.” He said this to truth; indicate the kind of death he was to die. but when I found myself at the foot of a hill, IN MEMORIAM: For the faithful life of a at the edge of the wood’s beginning, down beloved leader, servant, and friend of this in the valley, congregation, presented here is a 2012 where I first felt my heart plunged deep in devotion on this scripture from William “Bill” fear, Knight, former Facilities Administrator of I raised my head and saw the hilltop shawled National City Christian Church. May his in morning rays of light sent from the planet reflection continue to warm our hearts and that leads men straight ahead on every inspire our vision. To God be the glory! road. Monday, March 15 And then only did terror start subsiding In verse 26 Jesus tells us “whoever serves me in my heart’s lake, which rose to heights of must follow me, and where I am, there will my fear servant be also.” Jesus is calling us not only to that night I spent in deepest desperation. follow but to serve, to become servants to our faith. It is easy to follow, let someone else March 15 – 21 – Speaking of Sin: Salvation make the decisions for us and come up with the ideas and the plans.

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Where this faith journey becomes hard is in the Jesus is our Savior. Sometimes, we forget we service end of the equation. To what end does need saving. Sometimes, we “love” our life so Christ expect us to follow and to serve? The much, we forget to serve and glorify Him. journey from manger to cross is long. Does Perhaps we can take time this Lenten season Jesus expect us not only to follow him but to to ponder the gift of salvation and the live and work as he did? Perhaps one of the everlasting life promised through Christ. greatest gifts we are given in this passage is the understanding that to serve means to be Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for able to turn all of our trust over to the Master. sending us your Son. Thank you for the forgiveness of our sins and the promise of In verse 27 and 28, Christ turns his trust to eternal life. We pray for strength and God his father. That is what Jesus is asking us discipline as we follow and serve you. In also, to trust and love him enough to give up Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. control and serve him. Aixa Diaz

This reminds me of a verse from my favorite Wednesday, March 17 communion hymn, “Abba, Father, Father.” Every day we make choices that cause us to “Abba, Father, Father, if indeed it may, let this gain one thing at the expense of another. If we cup of anguish pass from me I pray. Yet if it want to be in one place, we must give up going must be suffered by me thy only son, then to another. If we spend time performing a Abba, Father, Father let thy will be done.” Are certain task, we must put off something else. we able to serve? Decisions about priorities can often lead us to pray for God's wisdom and understanding Prayer: Abba, Father, Father, I seek your about that which is best for us. James 1:5 is a strength and guidance this week that I may helpful verse for those who seek wisdom. follow the path of Jesus not only to the cross but that during this journey of faith There is no decision that anyone of us can that I truly live as a servant to my risen make in this life that is more important than the Lord and Savior. Amen. decision that Joshua made. He knew he could Bill Knight not serve two masters. In Joshua 24:15 he said, “As for me and my house, we will serve Tuesday, March 16 the Lord." Salvation is a heavy word. It’s not part of my daily theological lexicon. Faith, mercy, grace? When I was a young boy my dad helped me to Yes. Salvation? Not so much. make a little garden when I was given some

packets of seeds. What a joy it was to see the In this passage, Jesus delivers a complicated little marigolds and zinnias begin to sprout and message: "Those who love their life lose it, produce flowers. This would not have and those who hate their life in this world will happened if the seeds had not changed form keep it for eternal life." Losing the life I love by being in the ground. doesn't sound appealing. Even Jesus acknowledges his "soul is troubled." He knows Jesus used the image of a seed being planted his time on earth is coming to an end. But he in John 12:24 to give a visual picture. This knows it won't be THE end. And he wants us certainly made this lesson more to come with him. understandable When someone chooses to

follow Christ and the salvation he offers; it is The eternal life Jesus is promising if we follow generally followed up with baptism. This is him isn't easy to understand. It's hard to done to represent death to self and new life in visualize. But Jesus paints a picture for us: Christ. This is truly a miracle of love and grace. "Where I am, there will my servant be also." Later in John, Jesus adds: "For I came not to Prayer: Dear Lord, we are so thankful that judge the world, but to save the world.” the decision to follow you will produce far 17 more than a fun activity or beautiful who wish to have life everlasting. Those who flowers. May each of us bloom where you love this life and this world will lose it, while have planted us in such a way that others those who hate this life and serve the Lord will will want to choose you when they see our have eternal life. fruitful lives. Amen. This has not been the easiest message for me Paul Heffron to embrace. For a long time, I interpreted this rsday, March 18 lesson to mean that enjoying life in this world “… And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, was sinful. I do not believe now that God wants will draw all people to Myself.” us to shun the world and all that it has to offer. Rather, God does not want us looking to one There is an old gospel hymn that states “If I be another for approval or validation, but to have lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men faith that God will navigate us through our under me.” This scripture reminds me of that inevitable mistakes and the pitfalls of this life. hymn. In these turbulent days of uncertainty, it is important that we remember that our Savior When we lean on God through the trying times spoke these words just before He was nailed (and not to our own limited understanding), we on the cross. He was placed on the cross so will find renewed strength and rebirth in this that all might see Him and be drawn to Him for life. We can have peace and salvation by salvation. This was the greatest gift ever given saying, “God, I love you and trust that you will to mankind. As John 3:16 says: “God so loved guide me through this current challenge” the world that He gave His only begotten Son, instead of prescribing to God how we’d like the that whoever believes in Him should not perish issue redressed. While this is not easy, it is but have everlasting life.” how we grow in our faith, most honor God, and attain salvation. Often, we forget that our sins are forgiven Prayer: God of our salvation, I thank you because God loves us. God’s love is so for loving and guiding me, despite my magnificent and never-ending. Ephesians 2:8- shortcomings and lack of faith. Lord, renew 9, says “For by grace you have been saved my faith and help to provide a way out of through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the wilderness. Amen. the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Sterling Washington

Saturday, March 20 Every day we are tempted to sin. We become I was born in Baptist waters as they say. I lived caught up in the act of committing sins and not and breathed a theology in my early years that the gift from God of salvation. We believe we was driven by a desire to be accepted, to do can never be forgiven for our sins. But Jesus good works, and to live “righteously.” I guess told the thief on the cross after he confessed above all else, I had to believe that Jesus died his belief in Him, “Assuredly, I say to you today in ancient times on a “old, rugged cross” to you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43). save me from all those “bad” things, and then if Prayer: God thank you for your precious I confessed, I would be saved. After that love. Thank you for salvation full and free. realization, I had to share that message with Thank you for the sacrifice of your Son everyone I met or else I had failed in my (Jesus Christ), who was nailed on the cross mission. and died for our sins. Amen. Wow – that’s a lot to live up to! As I matured Loretta Tate and studied more fully in Scripture, I began to Friday, March 19 learn Jesus talks a lot more about service and In this passage, Jesus tells those assembled denying oneself, than he ever did about quote, of his impending death and glorification as well “being good.” Jesus was a servant leader and as the importance of faith for those followers the Scripture passage this week reminds us 18

Jesus knew that earthly fulfillment and acclaim Pass the green threshold of our common were not his mission sent by God, nor is it our grave, mission as followers of the Savior. I love to be Whither all footsteps tend, whence none successful, even at church, but salvation as depart, Jesus exemplified means to lose. Awed for myself, and pitying my race, Our common sorrow, like a mighty wave, This is not the message many in today’s Swept all my pride away, and trembling I society like to hear or even to espouse – just forgave! watch a good dose of TV religion during this pandemic. In contrast, we must lose ourselves March 22 – March 28 (Palm Sunday) in the message of the risen Christ, to follow a I Love a Parade way that is foolish to many and contrary to a Mark 11:1-11

Puritan work ethic that most Americans have When they were approaching Jerusalem, at become accustomed. It is to see Jesus high Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of and lifted up on a cross and know that our Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to living will cost us everything, possibly even them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and death – I have volumes of church history immediately as you enter it, you will find tied textbooks to share if you would like to explore. there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it Prayer: Holy God, what must I do to inherit and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are eternal life? As we travel this Lenten you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs journey together, make me a loser of my it and will send it back here immediately.’” life so that it may be seed of fruit for others. They went away and found a colt tied near a May your grace assure me, your justice door, outside in the street. As they were inspire me, and your love surround me. untying it, some of the bystanders said to Amen. them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they Steven Baines allowed them to take it. Then they brought the Sunday, March 21 colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and Editor’s Note: Sundays during Lent are known as “little he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks Easters” when believers in the risen Christ join for prayer on the road, and others spread leafy branches and worship. Today, we pause in preparation for our that they had cut in the fields. Then those who worship to God through poetry or prayer. May these went ahead and those who followed were offerings prepare our hearts to receive God’s holy shouting, presence and abiding. “Hosanna! Forgiveness Blessed is the one who comes in the - Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our My heart was heavy, for its trust had been ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Abused, its kindness answered with foul wrong; Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the So, turning gloomily from my fellow-men, temple; and when he had looked around at One summer Sabbath day I strolled among everything, as it was already late, he went out

The green mounds of the village burial-place; to Bethany with the twelve. Where, pondering how all human love and hate Monday, March 22 Find one sad level; and how, soon or late, What is it about a parade that draws us to Wronged and wrongdoer, each with meekened come out, participate, applaud, cheer, and face, smile? Is there so much joy in participating and And cold hands folded over a still heart, watching a parade that we are quickly drawn to the rhythms, fun, and noise levels that are 19 created? Yes, excitement of a parade lifts our Rain on My Parade,” from Funny Girl: “Don’t spirits and helps us to see good in this world. tell me not to live, just sit and putter...” Just spontaneous fun! All of us laughed about that As Jesus directed his disciples to go into town for the rest of our visit there. and bring him a colt that had not been ridden and respond to anyone who questioned their As I read the passage for Palm Sunday about actions that the Lord had requested it, could the procession of Jesus into Jerusalem, I we have done that? Would we know what a couldn’t help wondering if Steve would have “never-ridden” colt was and how would we had his usual same excitement when Jesus identify it? Would we have the courage to came into the holy city in a rag-tag parade, but follow the instructions provided? a parade none the less. Before we move too quickly to the cross of Good Friday, I hope we Jesus did not need a parade, but he knew that can spend some time enjoying the “fun” side of the people did. As Jesus rode the colt into Jesus – the one who loved a parade town to shouts of “Hosanna”, and chants of celebrating with his friends! “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to remember Lord”; the people participated by throwing their during life’s anxiety that we still have a cloaks in the pathway of Christ on the colt, as chance to march with joy in your holy well as branches that they had freshy cut. parade. Amen. Singing and walking along with Jesus gave the people hope. Rick Mohn

Parades are now restricted due to the need for Wednesday, March 24 social distancing while trying to curb the In Washington, D.C., as in many cities, it’s not pandemic. However, we now have virtual hard – with enough publicity – to get a lot of parades and celebrations to connect us as we people to show up once or twice for almost celebrate special moments. anything. People like events, like to be where something new is happening. It’s all the better In our world of self-gratification and quick if some further payoff for participation is responses, the excitement of a parade quickly promised. Usually, the crowd soon loses vanishes once it has ended. There is a bit of a interest and moves on to the next shiny thing, let-down. So, how quickly did those people the next passing diversion. who cheered Jesus forget the excitement and joy of being with him? Have we forgotten? We’ve been told that the people hailing Jesus’s Prayer: May the excitement of being Jesus’ ride into town not only wanted to be in on a big followers remain in our hearts each day. happy event but cherished the hope that this Amen. guy was the One who would quickly and finally crush the Romans and liberate the Jews from Eddie and Loretta Franklin servitude. It didn’t take long for them to see Tuesday, March 23 that this hope was totally misplaced. What As we all know by now, my husband, Rev. Jesus was offering, with his humility and Steve, is quite the dramatic Broadway musical submission to earthly suffering, was something fanatic. To say he loves belting out a showtune the people were not prepared to understand or on a Saturday afternoon is well, quite the accept. The people wanted a grand king. They understatement of the year. got a modest teacher who described a liberation won only through personal practice To my point, when we were visiting my sister and self-discipline, through adoption of some at Thanksgiving in Lynchburg this past year, new and uncomfortable behaviors. the family were chatting on the back porch about the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, Getting attention through advertising is fairly when suddenly, Steve just breaks into the easy. Delivering a product that has authentic opening line of Barbara Streisand’s, “Don’t’ value, not so much. A business or organization 20 may declare lofty ideals and benefits, only to Friday. March 26 be found rooted in less noble, usually What do we learn from this story? pecuniary, motives. A church that proclaims devotion to justice, service, and a loving The first lesson is to listen to God’s call and welcome to all will be tested time and again to respond even when we don’t understand. see whether it is walking the talk. Jesus sends two of his disciples ahead to find a colt that has never been ridden and bring it Prayer: Prayer: Lord, may our actions be to him. They go, find a colt and take it saying true to our worthiest aspirations. Amen. the Lord has need of it. Now really – sounds Ellen Crowder like a scam for sure. How many of us are

Thursday, March 25 prepared to give something just because the Our childhood image of an unambiguously Lord needs it? celebrative parade may prevent us from appreciating the courage displayed by Jesus The disciples took the humble donkey to and his followers on Palm Sunday. Not that the Jesus, he used it for his grand entrance into parade into Jerusalem was less than festive. Jerusalem. The lesson for us is that the Lord There was a joyous crowd who covered the can take our humble offerings and turn them to road with their cloaks or with palm branches, gold. He can use our modest gifts in ways that and shouted hosannas, celebrating Jesus as we cannot anticipate. The issue is not the “the one who comes in the name of the Lord,” value of our gifts, but whether we will answer and as “the coming kingdom of our ancestor the call. If we do, we can be assured that God David.” will make something important of us and our faithful service. As those who participated knew, the cloaks and palms, as well as the hosannas, echoed The final lesson is that the kingdom of God is historical receptions for a king or leader who considerably different than the kingdom of this has been anointed by God to rule Israel, and world. The people of Jesus’s day were looking displayed the crowd’s belief that Jesus was the for a king, a savior triumphant. Jesus chose to Messiah and a new king David. Even the colt fulfill Zechariah’s promise that the Messiah will of a donkey ridden by Jesus helped fulfill come “riding humbly on a colt” to usher in an Zechariah’s prophecy that the Messiah would era of peace. Jesus came to save, not in the arrive “triumphant and victorious,” but “humble anticipated way of leading a battle, conquering and riding on a donkey” Zech. 9:9-10. So it is the enemy and claiming leadership over the not surprising that the powers-that-be, whether government and the temple. God’s kingdom the Jewish leaders or the occupying Romans, cannot be established by violence, the means would be fearful about this parade, and afraid and method preferred by this world’s rulers. of Jesus and his followers. And, although Rather, it will be characterized by sacrificial Jesus did not seek to replace those in power love, one person giving his life for many. as they feared, Jesus preached a gospel of equality, which is always threatening to those Today, just like in the story, we may seek a who are comfortable with an unequal status superhero rather than a suffering servant. But our faith must be stronger. We follow a quo. crucified messiah whose kingdom is ruled by Prayer: Lord, help us to see and to vulnerability rather than strength, mercy rather overcome our resistance to your ways, as a than power, and love rather than might. country, as citizens of the world, and, most importantly, as individuals dealing with our Prayer: Gracious and loving God, help us own sins. Amen. to respond to you, to grow in our faith in your vison of peace and justice, and to Sara Ann Ketchum dedicate our work to create that kingdom.

Amen. Jane Campbell 21

Saturday, March 27 On Thomas Circle in the early morning of Passover Demonstrations from Opposite January 6th, Proud Boy demonstrators broke Directions into our prayer circle to re-enact violence against Black lives, confirming the purposes Of all the places I have ever lived, none has that inspired them. These two, like the had as many and frequent street Passover processions, were also vastly demonstrations as in Washington, D.C. If different types of demonstrations. you’ve ever helped organize demonstrations yourself, you know there are key preparations In our own time, will we choose to join the to consider if you want a demonstration to be processions that align with the Prince of successful. Required are a well-considered Peace? Are we ready to approach and wave location, memorable visuals, outreach for humbly, that we might also encounter the affected communities, and clear “talking Messiah who again wishes to come into our points” that ensure your messages can inspire cities and circles? With competing processions and be clearly understood. Mark’s account of still around us, will we celebrate and turn to the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem takes us into God’s way of Love? some captivating “street theater” of Prayer: Lord, this year more than ever, demonstrations that led to the cobblestone bring your humility and peace to our world paths of Jerusalem. The timing was perfect, as in crisis. When processions of war, Passover meant the audience had already divisions, and disease seek our attentions, swelled by the swarms of the holiday. But turn us toward the power you more than the people on the streets, Jesus demonstrated by choosing to be near your would have known quite well that his was not people and offer them comfort from the the only demonstration in town. Indeed, as back of a colt. Amen. theologians Marcus Borg and J.D. Crossan Sharon Stanley-Rea confirm in “Jesus: The Last Week,” Jesus was just one “Passover parade” headed into the Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion city. March 28

Editor’s Note: Sundays during Lent are known as “little There was the procession of the Roman Army; Easters” when believers in the risen Christ join for prayer entering from the west and approaching to and worship. Today, we pause in preparation for our maintain order during this Jewish celebration worship to God through poetry or prayer. May these of freedom from powerful Pharaoh. Such offerings prepare our hearts to receive God’s holy resistance to power and authority always made presence and abiding. them feel uneasy. And then there was Jesus’ parade. Jesus was intent to choose visuals for Tell Me the Story of Jesus a demonstration that approached Jerusalem - Frances J. Crosby (1820-1915) from the east with such opposite messaging of the Romans: Jesus is humble. He comes in Tell me the story of Jesus, peace. Indeed, he came AS peace. And Write on my heart every word; perhaps the best part is that those along the Tell me the story most precious, road—whether they could fully understand yet Sweetest that ever was heard. or not—were not required to bring anything to Tell how the angels in chorus, the “parade” except who they were, and what Sang as they welcomed His birth, they already had. They offered cloaks from “Glory to God in the highest! their backs and palms from their fields. Peace and good tidings to earth.”

Last summer on Friday nights, as we held Refrain: prayers in front of the National City church Tell me the story of Jesus, steps, we were joined often by other groups Write on my heart every word; likewise holding actions for unity and peace. Tell me the story most precious,

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Sweetest that ever was heard. who spread out the earth and what comes from it, Fasting alone in the desert, who gives breath to the people upon it Tell of the days that are past, and spirit to those who walk in it: How for our sins He was tempted, I am the Lord, I have called you in Yet was triumphant at last. righteousness, Tell of the years of His labor, I have taken you by the hand and kept Tell of the sorrow He bore; you; He was despised and afflicted, I have given you as a covenant to the Homeless, rejected and poor. people, a light to the nations, Tell of the cross where they nailed Him, to open the eyes that are blind, Writhing in anguish and pain; to bring out the prisoners from the Tell of the grave where they laid Him, dungeon, Tell how He liveth again. from the prison those who sit in Love in that story so tender, darkness. Clearer than ever I see; I am the Lord, that is my name; Stay, let me weep while you whisper, my glory I give to no other, “Love paid the ransom for me.” nor my praise to idols. See, the former things have come to pass, Tell how He’s gone back to heaven, and new things I now declare; Up to the right hand of God: before they spring forth, How He is there interceding I tell you of them. While on this earth we must trod. As you begin this holiest of weeks, I share a Tell of the sweet Holy Spirit favorite poem by writer Ann Weems. It’s called, He has poured out from above; appropriately, Holy Week, and it reminds us Tell how He’s coming in glory what human life tries to teach us, sometimes For all the saints of His love. over and over again: we must walk through the Holy Monday, March 29 pain and the hopelessness and the fear to get The Lord’s Chosen Servant to the comfort and the new life and the hope. Isaiah 42:1-9 It’s coming; we just have to keep going. Blessed Holy Week. Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; Holy is the week… I have put my spirit upon him; Holy, consecrated, belonging to God… he will bring forth justice to the nations. We move from hosannas to horror He will not cry or lift up his voice, with predictable ease or make it heard in the street; of those who know not what they do. a bruised reed he will not break, Our hosannas sung, and a dimly burning wick he will not our palms waved, quench; let us go with passion into this week. he will faithfully bring forth justice. It is time to curse fig trees that do not yield He will not grow faint or be crushed fruit. until he has established justice in the It is time to cleanse our temples of any earth; blasphemy. and the coastlands wait for his teaching. It is time to greet Jesus as the Lord’s Anointed One, Thus says God, the Lord, to lavishly break our alabaster who created the heavens and stretched and pour perfume out for him them out, without counting the cost. It is a time for preparation… 23

The time to give thanks and break bread not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; is upon us. now the ruler of this world will be driven out. The time to give thanks and drink of the And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will cup is imminent. draw all people to myself.” He said this to Eat, drink, remember: indicate the kind of death he was to die. The On this night of nights, each one must crowd answered him, “We have heard from the ask, law that the Messiah remains forever. How can as we dip our bread in the wine, you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? “Is it I?” Who is this Son of Man?” Jesus said to them, And on that darkest of days, each of us “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk must stand while you have the light, so that the darkness beneath the tree may not overtake you. If you walk in the and watch the dying darkness, you do not know where you are if we are to be there going. While you have the light, believe in the when the stone is rolled away. light, so that you may become children of The only road to Easter morning light.” is through the unrelenting shadows of that Friday. After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid Only then will the alleluias be sung; from them.

only then will the dancing begin.

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be Amy Butler glorified.” (John 12:23) Before now, Jesus’ “hour had not yet come,” first spoken by Jesus Holy Tuesday, March 30 to his mother at Cana’s wedding. Jesus Jesus Bears Witness to the Light speaks of a grain of wheat that only produces John 12:20-36 more when it dies. Likewise, Jesus’ impending Now among those who went up to worship at death will have a greater impact on the world. the festival were some Greeks. They came to After Jesus says, “Father, glorify your name” Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and and a voice from heaven responds, “I have said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip glorified it, and I will glorify it again,” Jesus went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip refers to the world being judged by his death went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, and “the ruler of this world” (Satan) being “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be driven out. “And I, when I am lifted up from the glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much (32, 33) Jesus will be “lifted up” on a cross and fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those as a sign to the whole world. who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow When selecting music for worship, usually I try me, and where I am, there will my servant be to reflect the primary scripture readings and also. Whoever serves me, the Father will affirm the preacher’s emphasis for the service. honor. For today’s scripture, the lyrics of two hymns came to mind. “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say – Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is Lift Him Up (verse 1) – Text: Johnson for this reason that I have come to this hour. Oatman, Jr. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will How to reach the masses, men (saints) of glorify it again.” The crowd standing there every birth; for an answer Jesus gave the key: heard it and said that it was thunder. Others “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus draw all men unto me.” answered, “This voice has come for your sake, 24

Refrain: Some thought that, because Judas had the Lift him up, (Lift the precious Savior up,) common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy lift him up, (Lift the precious Savior up,) what we need for the festival”; or, that he Still he speaks from eternity: “And I, if I be should give something to the poor. So, after lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto receiving the piece of bread, he immediately me.” went out. And it was night.

To answer the crowds’ final question, Jesus When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the uses a familiar comparison of light and Son of Man has been glorified, and God has darkness, where “children of light” are been glorified in him. If God has been glorified spiritually enlightened. in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light (verse 1) – Text and Music: Kathleen As we read these verses, I invite us to exam Thomerson the bigger picture. Judas betrays Jesus. Then we convict him as the biggest betrayer in the I want to walk as a child of the light; I want literal and figurative biblical sense. However, to follow Jesus. let’s take a moment and fully examine this God set the stars to give light to the world; question: Is Judas betraying Jesus, or fulfilling the star of my life is Jesus. what Jesus commanded him to do? Did Judas not represent just himself but each of us, Refrain: having Satan enter him to do his bidding? If In him there is no darkness at all; the night Jesus commanded, and we know it was the and the day are both alike. will of God to have his only son die for our The Lamb is the light of the city of God: salvation, is it possible Judas had a purpose? shine in my heart, Lord Jesus. Early Christians would have us think differently Prayer: Lord, help us to bear more fruit, about this subject, arguing that Judas is the dying to selfishness and personal greed as only sinner in the story; BUT let’s not forget we live to serve others. Amen. Judas wasn’t alone there – something often Valeria Foster forgotten. In fact, there is a long list of others in those same moments: Peter denied Jesus, not Holy Wednesday, March 31 just once, but three times! The other disciples Judas Betrays Jesus fled as Jesus is tried, with only the women John 13:21-32 remaining. Does Judas in these moments After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, represent all of us? We constantly strive and and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you seek to follow Jesus and do the will of God, but will betray me.” The disciples looked at one ultimately, we all fall short committing sinful another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. deeds only to find ourselves seeking One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus forgiveness again and recalling the death and loved—was reclining next to him; Simon Peter resurrection of Jesus, as there is no salvation therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of without this. We too are guilty of crucifying our whom he was speaking. So while reclining savior on the cross, yelling “Crucify him!” next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give Today, hear and seek the good news that this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the Judas unknowingly pathed for us, that Jesus dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of died for, and that God has planned - We CAN bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon be forgiven; we CAN be pardoned; we can do Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, the best we can each and every day to follow Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do Jesus’ commandments. Love God with all are quickly what you are going to do.” Now no one hearts, and love our neighbors as we love at the table knew why he said this to him. ourselves. 25

Prayer: Gracious God, there is more than creation and the saving work of one betrayer in this Passion story. Help us Jesus; look more closely at the reflection in the • we break the one bread that mirror this morning. Amen. represents the unity of the one body in which we are all members; Kevin J. Biggins, Jr. • we give the bread so that all may eat Maundy Thursday, April 1 and have a share in Christ’s body Jesus Shares the Last Supper that has been given for us. Luke 22:14-20

When the hour came, he [Jesus] took his place “Do this in remembrance of me,” Jesus says to at the table, and the apostles with him. He said us on this holy night and every time we gather to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this at the table. The remembering that we do at Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, the Lord’s Supper is far more than I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom reminiscence or recollection. It is the kind of of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving remembering that our Jewish siblings engage thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among in when they tell the Passover story and yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will proclaim the freedom that God is enacting for not drink of the fruit of the vine until the them not just in days past, but at this very kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of moment. bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is When we take, bless, and break; when we eat my body, which is given for you. Do this in the bread, a share in his body given for us; remembrance of me.” And he did the same when we drink from the cup, the new covenant with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup in his blood – when we “do this,” we remember that is poured out for you is the new covenant as people who stake their lives on the Gospel in my blood. that he proclaimed, on the way of justice that he preached, and on the new world that he . DO THIS came to announce. “Do this in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24) On this night, the night on which Jesus gathered with his disciples for the Last Supper, “Do this,” Jesus tells his followers, “in we hear his command to “do this.” When we remembrance of me.” “do this in remembrance” of Jesus, his dying and rising are not mere distant recollections; Not just “eat this” or “drink this,” but “do this.” they become a living reality that joins us to him and to one another, transforming us to be Knowing that he was about to pour out his very people for others, disciples who pour out our lives as he did. life out of love, Jesus performed four simple actions at the Last Supper – actions that he Prayer: When we eat this bread and drink had carried out many times before: he took the this cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to until you come again. them to eat. J. Michael McMahon

Good Friday, April 2 “Do this,” Jesus instructs his followers through Jesus Is Crucified the ages. And so, as he did, John 18:1–19:37 • we take bread and wine, simple gifts that represent God’s creative love After Jesus had spoken these words, he went and care; out with his disciples across the Kidron valley • we give thanks to God for the great to a place where there was a garden, which he things God has done for us, and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who remembering the goodness of betrayed him, also knew the place, because 26

Jesus often met there with his disciples. So answered, “I have spoken openly to the world; Judas brought a detachment of soldiers I have always taught in synagogues and in the together with police from the chief priests and temple, where all the Jews come together. I the Pharisees, and they came there with have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask lanterns and torches and weapons. Then me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, they know what I said.” When he had said this, came forward and asked them, “Whom are you one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus looking for?” They answered, “Jesus of on the face, saying, “Is that how you answer Nazareth.” Jesus replied, “I am he.” Judas, the high priest?” Jesus answered, “If I have who betrayed him, was standing with them. spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” stepped back and fell to the ground. Again, he Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” And high priest. they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So if you Now Simon Peter was standing and warming are looking for me, let these men go.” This was himself. They asked him, “You are not also to fulfill the word that he had spoken, “I did not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and lose a single one of those whom you gave said, “I am not.” One of the slaves of the high me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the off his right ear. The slave’s name was garden with him?” Again Peter denied it, and at Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword that moment the cock crowed. back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?” Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters. It was early in the So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish morning. They themselves did not enter the police arrested Jesus and bound him. First headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement they took him to Annas, who was the father-in- and to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. went out to them and said, “What accusation Caiaphas was the one who had advised the do you bring against this man?” They Jews that it was better to have one person die answered, “If this man were not a criminal, we for the people. would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge Simon Peter and another disciple followed him according to your law.” The Jews replied, Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.” high priest, he went with Jesus into the (This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was he indicated the kind of death he was to die.) standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do said to Peter, “You are not also one of this you ask this on your own, or did others tell you man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am Now the slaves and the police had made a I? Your own nation and the chief priests have charcoal fire because it was cold, and they handed you over to me. What have you done?” were standing around it and warming Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this themselves. Peter also was standing with them world. If my kingdom were from this world, my and warming himself. followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my Then the high priest questioned Jesus about kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You

27 say that I am a king. For this I was born, and Hebrew Gabbatha. Now it was the day of for this I came into the world, to testify to the Preparation for the Passover; and it was about truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens noon. He said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” to my voice.” Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Shall I crucify After he had said this, he went out to the Jews your King?” The chief priests answered, “We again and told them, “I find no case against have no king but the emperor.” Then he him. But you have a custom that I release handed him over to them to be crucified. someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by They shouted in reply, “Not this man, but himself, he went out to what is called The Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a bandit. Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. him two others, one on either side, with Jesus And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and between them. Pilate also had an inscription put it on his head, and they dressed him in a written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus of purple robe. They kept coming up to him, Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking Jews read this inscription, because the place him on the face. Pilate went out again and said where Jesus was crucified was near the city; to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in let you know that I find no case against him.” Greek. Then the chief priests of the Jews said So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” “Here is the man!” When the chief priests and Pilate answered, “What I have written I have the police saw him, they shouted, “Crucify him! written.” When the soldiers had crucified Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them yourselves and crucify him; I find no case into four parts, one for each soldier. They also against him.” The Jews answered him, “We took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, have a law, and according to that law he ought woven in one piece from the top. So they said to die because he has claimed to be the Son of to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots God.” for it to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill what the scripture says, Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. He entered his headquarters “They divided my clothes among themselves, again and asked Jesus, “Where are you from?” and for my clothing they cast lots.” But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, “Do you refuse to speak And that is what the soldiers did. to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?” Jesus Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary me unless it had been given you from above; the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. therefore, the one who handed me over to you When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple is guilty of a greater sin.” From then on Pilate whom he loved standing beside her, he said to tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then you release this man, you are no friend of the he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king And from that hour the disciple took her into sets himself against the emperor.” his own home.

When Pilate heard these words, he brought After this, when Jesus knew that all was now Jesus outside and sat on the judge’s bench at finished, he said (in order to fulfill the a place called The Stone Pavement, or in scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine

28 was standing there. So they put a sponge full Why did they crucify him? Was it because he of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it taught us to love our enemies; because he fed to his mouth. When Jesus had received the the five thousand; because of the people he wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed healed; because of the large crowds who his head and gave up his spirit. followed him; because he was a threat to religious authority; because he stood up to Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews injustice? did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath Like Pilate, I could find no fault with him. was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men The question that I have for God is, ‘why do I broken and the bodies removed. Then the have to “walk” with Jesus to the cross, and soldiers came and broke the legs of the first why do I have to endure the pain of seeing him and of the other who had been crucified with murdered and experiencing this awful heavy him. But when they came to Jesus and saw grief?’ Just as I asked this question, a song that he was already dead, they did not break came to mind. his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and King of my life I crown Thee now – Thine shall water came out. (He who saw this has testified the glory be so that you also may believe. His testimony is Lest I forget they thy thorn crowned brow, thine true, and he knows that he tells the truth.) agony, thy love for me, These things occurred so that the scripture Lead me to calvary. might be fulfilled, “None of his bones shall be broken.” And again another passage of This may be Good Friday in some of our scripture says, “They will look on the one lives…a time of grief or pain or suffering. We whom they have pierced.” might not understand what is going on, but we must hold on. There may even be people who After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who want to help like Mary Magdalene and Mary was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one the mother of Jesus, who followed Jesus to the because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate end. But ultimately, Jesus had to bear the to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate cross alone. Some things we just have to go gave him permission; so he came and through alone. Don’t give up. Do not throw in removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first the towel. come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a When Joseph of Arimathea went to ask Pilot hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus for Jesus’ body and when Nicodemus brought and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, the burial preparations and when they lowered according to the burial custom of the Jews. him from the cross and when they put Jesus in Now there was a garden in the place where he the tomb, they thought it was the end. They was crucified, and in the garden there was a thought his death was final. new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of They laid him there. (John 19:42) Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. They didn’t know that that period at the end of

that sentence really meant “to be continued.” Good Friday is a time of introspection, of grief, and of sadness. It is when we concentrate on Prayer: And so we pray, dear Lord, may we Jesus as the Son of Man—the human Jesus, hear the rest of the story. Amen. the flesh and blood Jesus, the suffering of Beverly J. Goines Jesus.

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Holy Saturday, April 3 And there is so much to grieve. The scale of Jesus Is Buried in a Borrowed Tomb human loss over the last year is almost John 19:38-42 unimaginable, and for those of us who have survived, everything else has changed. What After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who rituals can we develop for all of the Holy was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one Saturdays in our lives? How can we honor the because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate endings? How can we anoint each other? How to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate will we grieve? gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first Prayer: God of the sacred wounded and come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a light of the oppressed, we wait in silence mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a aware of the void without you in our midst. hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus We wait in silence to grieve, to mourn, and and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, to anoint our dead – and one another. We according to the burial custom of the Jews. wait. Amen. Now there was a garden in the place where he Anna Meyer was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. Easter Sunday, April 4 And so, because it was the Jewish day of The Rest of the Story Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they Mark 16:1-8 laid Jesus there. After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Specific rituals are performed after Jesus’s Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly death: wrapping his body and anointing it with there was a great earthquake; for an angel of spices. These rituals, like all rituals, serve the Lord, descending from heaven, came and important functions. They help us mark the rolled back the stone and sat on it. His time in holy spaces like after death. They focus appearance was like lightning, and his clothing our attention. Most importantly, rituals help us white as snow. For fear of him the guards honor what has been. When he wrapped shook and became like dead men. But the Jesus’s body, Joseph of Arimathea probably angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I could not help but remember Jesus’s life and know that you are looking for Jesus who was the lessons he came to teach. There was no crucified. He is not here; for he has been expectation of moving on right away, but rather raised, as he said. Come, see the place where taking genuine care. he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples,

‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed I have a confession – today is one of my he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you favorite days on the Christian calendar. In will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So 2021 it feels more important to me than ever. they left the tomb quickly with fear and great As Christians, we do not skip from death right joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly to resurrection; we have today, Holy Saturday. Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And A day of sitting with the grave, of they came to him, took hold of his feet, and acknowledging the pain and the loss and the worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do brokenness. I appreciate Holy Saturday not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to because our faith does not ask us to move on Galilee; there they will see me.” as though nothing has happened. It was customary for women to purchase Something has happened. And we are allowed spices and linens to dress and anoint the body to be in pain. Without grief, we separate of their deceased loved one. Mary Magdalene, ourselves from the story. Without grief, we do Mary mother of James, and Salome were not let ourselves grow. Grief reminds us that prepared to perform the ritualistic customs for we are human. Grief honors that which has this loved one. However, when they arrived at changed us. the tomb, the stone had been rolled away, and 30 a young man dressed in white was there in the being sent by God to roll away the giant stone doorway. The women were frightened, but the from the tomb and be the messenger of young man calmed them so that he could Christ’s resurrection. In his calm manner, the share the good news, Jesus was not there. young man told the women to go tell Peter and The rest of the story was now told. the rest of the disciples that Jesus had risen and would see them in Galilee, just as he had During radio’s primetime reign, there was an told them. iconic broadcaster who shared short vignettes of historic nature to educate his listeners. The As followers of Christ, are we awake and segment was titled, The Rest of the Story. aware that the risen-Christ will return as Using subjects of interest to the broadcaster, promised? The fact that Jesus will come again his listeners learned a bit of history through his is truly…The Rest of the Story. weekly storytelling style. His audience grew Prayer: May the joy of Easter be a time for and became strong followers of his message. recommitment of faith and discipleship. Jesus Christ’s resurrection was told by a Hosanna! Christ is Risen. young man seated in the doorway of the tomb. Eddie and Loretta Franklin The young man was evidently a heavenly

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