Waiting for the Resurrection // A Collection of Readings for Lent and Easter Copyright © 2016 by Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary Waiting for the Resurrection: A Collection of Readings for Lent and Easter

Printed in Canada ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Please visit us online at mbseminary.ca Cover design by Nova Hopkins Editing by Erika M. McAuley Second Printing by CP Printing Solutions, Winnipeg, Canada TO GOD BE THE GLORY To Our Readers

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:2). Greetings from the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary Canada team! We are delighted this Lent and Easter devotional book has made its way into your home. The MBBS Canada team is very pleased to provide you with this wonderful resource for your enrichment as you prepare to celebrate the joyous resurrection of our Lord this Easter. We did our best to invite authors with a variety of disciplines, interests and locations across Canada to contribute to this project. The time and energy they took to carefully craft words with profundity and inspiration for our readers is much appreciated. Special thanks to Erika McAuley, the Project Editor, who worked tirelessly to make this project a success. Erika was responsible for inviting and collecting contributions from the authors and to lay out the biblical texts in a meaningful way. Her vision, insight and careful editorial work made this project extra special. Thank-you Erika! We are happy to provide this resource to you and your family and hope that it will inspire you and give you greater insight into your relationship to our Saviour and friend, Jesus Christ. Thank-you for participating with us this Lenten season and have a blessed Easter from all of us at MBBS Canada.

MBBS CANADA TEAM

1 CELEBRATING LENT AND EASTER For some, rising from the dead is a provocative notion. And yet, the very paradox of life after death exists as a reality in history, in the person of Jesus Christ. The crux of the good-news story is nothing short of spectacularly bizarre! For the first-century world Jesus’ rising from death to life meant that God’s promise of salvation wasn’t a hoax. The resurrection changed everything. An empty grave meant that the Son of Man really was the long-awaited Messiah—the Christ! The hope that the resurrection of Jesus stirred in the early believers was not simply because they admired Him, but because of what His rising from the dead meant for those who loved Him. In a moment, death turned into life and the reality of a risen Saviour made it possible for others to rise from death into new life as well (Romans 6:8). The news spread. People throughout the Greco-Roman world were choosing to follow Jesus. And in witness to their living hope new converts were baptized when they gathered together to celebrate the resurrection. It was common for these new believers to receive instruction in the faith and practice spiritual disciplines prior to baptism. Preparation in this way remained a practice of the early church and by the end of the fourth century formal teaching was held in Jerusalem for converts who were anticipating baptism at Easter. As followers of Jesus grew in number, the whole community of faith urged one another to remember Christ’s life and death before celebrating His resurrection. In this, new believers were nurtured and older believers were strengthened. Such an observance has continued in the life of the church by the power of the Spirit, in response to God’s remarkable work through Christ. Lent—as this preparation period has come to be called—represents the forty- day season of the Christian calendar that precedes the celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. In waiting for the resurrection, the people of God confess their sin, pray for forgiveness and repent to exercise dying to sin before rising to the life God intended (Romans 6:11). Also, in waiting for the resurrection, the church fasts from the distractions of this world to contemplate more deeply the person and work of Jesus Christ. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and continues through to Holy Saturday, the day leading into Resurrection Sunday. In this holy season of waiting and preparation, the reflections in this book are offered in the hope that Christ’s resurrection will guide us into the days ahead. We do not live as those who have no idea of what happened on that first Easter morning. Rather, we anticipate it with hope and expectation knowing that like Christ, we too will rise to newness of life (Romans 6:1-11). 2 Job 42:1-6

the Lenten journey with final Job’s response the to LORD. It is here, in

the epilogueof this ancient book that the narrative comes catch a head. to To the significance of Job’s response, a broader sense of the story is requisite. The author of the book acquaints the reader with the character of Job, only explain to that he Despite theseloses circumstances everything initial (1:13-19). Job’s response is worshipto God in the midst As of the story his mourning (1:20-22). continues, God permits further suffering and we’re told that Job endures significant bodily harm We’re also told in the prologue(2:10). of the book that Job is an upright man—a man So,who anguish, in Job’s loves he cries God and obeys out Him (1:1). God to asking for God an audience obliges. in order And plead to his in a whirlwind, case (31:35-37). the LORD bombards Job with a litany of questions, confronting him with the reality of God’s sovereignty and the ignorance of inquiry Job’s (38:2-41:34). Humbled before the LORD, Job can do nothing but acknowledge the reality of God’s being; that He can do all things, and nothing can Convinced oppose Him (42:2). of God’s authority over everything, including his own suffering, attempt Job’s call to out God for what happened him to is unwarranted and he confesses his ignorance before the LORD, recounting God’s own words him to (42:3-4). Moved proclaim to his trust in God’s workings and his ability see to the truth—to see God as the answer to his suffering—Job finishes his responseto the LORD in an overt act of repentance, mourning his sin, as signified by his use of dust(42:5-6). and ashes an ancient near easternTo audience, actions, Job’s attitude and posture are clear. Throwing ashes over head, one’s tearing clothes, wearing sackcloth and fasting, all declare a state of mourning and confession before God, which moves one to Daniel 9:3;repentance 2 Samuel 2 Samuel Jonah 3:6; 3:31-32; Nehemiah (cf. 9:1-3; Jeremiah13:19; 6:26; Matthew Luke 11:21; 10:13). On Ash Wednesday, we begin where Job ends. our In contemplation, may the ashes over head Job’s challenge us think to deeply of God’s sovereignty over our lives and even over our own suffering. our In worship, may the ashes over head Job’s remind us of our sin and mortality and may these truths 3:19), (Genesis move us to confession and repentance, praying with the ancient Desert Fathers: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.” We begin DUST AND ASHES

ERIKA M. MCAULEY Project // Editor at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Langley, British Columbia. Instructor at ACTS Seminaries in Langley, British Columbia.

ASH WEDNESDAY 3 THE LIGHT for whatever it takes to join Him in the light. the in Him to join takes it whatever for joy, with Him, ask Finally, Him. from us separates that sin the reject us to help Him Ask desired. have we forgiveness of idea the of us to convict Him ask and Creator to the speak us let journey, Lenten the along step next our take we As painless. be not will exercise The stick. to places the fewer finds of dirt the that so edges off jagged breaking the also is of purification No, blood dirt. the the away allowing wash to simply Jesus not is Purification unrighteousness. all from purified be to and light the in walk to yearning a us in instill then also must forgiveness sin, of lowness the and God of highness the maintaining While darkness. the in walk longer no must we Him with fellowship true to claim that forget we but God, of holiness the into dip acleansing to be forgiveness want We desire. we think we what it’s yet And Christ. of sacrifice ultimate the for need real the negates idea an Such Spirit. His by transformed being without lives daily our through to go us allows idea an Such forgiveness. trifling is holiness God’s of level the lowers sin or of the consequences of light makes that A pseudo-forgiveness the two. bridging while even and righteousness, sin between divide insurmountable the maintain must forgiveness True seems? it as easy as kingdom God’s in blood of us then Jesus from all purifies sin. Easy! Butis for thisrecipesuccess The to forgive. faithful is He sins, our confess we If news! joyous and incredible What gap. to this bridge the clearly presents also John areality, such Despite us. and Him between exists that divide great the plain 1makes 1John sinful. and to unrighteous Him come We sin. without to be claim can us of one Not broken. and to Him—blemished come we how juxtaposes John yet, And spotless. is He holy. unassailably is He universe. the of workings inner the orchestrates who presence, fundamental the is He beauty. of aworld and horror of world a between is differential the is He things. to all He vision gives that light. source the the is He light; by illuminated isn’t He light. is God claim: John’s than more me fascinate that God of character the into insights few are There IN LIVING Operations and IT Team Leader of MB Mission in Abbotsford, British Columbia. British Abbotsford, in Mission MB of IT Team Leader and // Operations KLASSEN MARK

1 John 1 1 John

4 THURSDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY

Exodus 15:22-27

RYAN DUECK Pastor of // Lethbridge Mennonite Church in Lethbridge, Alberta. Lent is a time whenwe talk often about “wilderness experiences”—about times when things are hard, when God seems absent. It is a time when we acknowledge thatthe world isnot asit should be, thatwe arein desperate need of a Saviour. But Lent is also a timefor looking inward. It is a time for asking hard questionsourselves.of Questions like:What aboutarewilderness-ywhen we people? What about times when the term “wilderness” describes not ofa experiences thatset we must navigate out there, but disposition a or way of What here? aboutbeingin timeswhen are werocky craggyand people, times when others are left choking on the dust that we kick up as we grumble and complain our way through the desert? What about when we are the sorts of people who are a barren wasteland all to around us? I often have found that it is when I have am in the middle of been being) (or a wilderness-y kind of person that I am most astonished and grateful for the appearance of grace. An undeserved kindness. An affirming or encouraging word, even when I’ve done little to deserve either. Coffee selfishnessownstupidity. and my drowninand me letrefuses conversationwhofriend to a with A hug. A smile. Something, anything that says, differently “Enough. now.” Let’s try walking In today’s passage, the people of conditions in the wilderness. God The LORD simply, graciously provides are water for grumbling (again) about their their parched bodies along with an exhortation for their wilderness-y hearts and minds: “Listen carefully. Do what is right. I am the LORD who heals you” (15:26). And,if Israel is willing—if we are willing—goodnesscomes trickling in. Littlerivulets of unmerited grace begin carve to their paths inthe dry and dusty places,the tramped down places. And gradually the landscape is reconfigured, littlesettle appear. dustto and the begins shootsto life begin of Gradually our course is rerouted and we take stumbling, halting steps from being something like a wilderness becoming to something like a garden to those around us. This is what God can do within us, despite us and for us this Lenten season.

WILDERNESS-Y PEOPLE

FRIDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY 5 I ask: Who’s the real rescue hero? rescue real the Who’s I ask: taken ever up, mission rescue significant and eternally ambitious of the most power andon thehope the reflect we and mine. As life your of the redemption in resulted and life very His Jesus cost that mission this of story the declare to boldly challenged are We anevent! such of rejoice mystery the and wonder the in to and rescuing their on reflect to called are rescued are who Those out. carried was mission rescue divine God’s where spot the is cross The shed. was blood real where paid, was price areal where location the is cross The rescue. real of place real is a cross a The just symbol. not allegiance—it’s to our proclaim necks around wear we that atrinket or anicon simply be never can cross the why is This (1:13-14, cross the on blood 20). Christ’s of means by earth on and heaven in everything with peace made He to himself. everything reconciled God him through and ... sins our forgave and freedom our purchased who Son, dear his of kingdom the into us transferred and darkness of kingdom the from us rescued has he “For says: he when passage today’s in explicitly mission rescue this describes Paul humanity! redeem and to save purpose: solitary and aclear with mission rescue acosmic planned God began time before that reminded are we Easter, towards and Lent through move we As not. is what and critical mission is what of understanding a clear from people of needs to the respond Heroes and trees Rescue the Rather of are. tasks out those as great cats faucets—as leaky get fix don’t they don’t They help. of need in truly are who people to save is mandate Their purpose. and mission their of understanding a clear have they that is Heroes Rescue the of success to the keys the of one I think volcanoes. erupting and earthquakes vibrating from cities entire and walls water cascading from towns whole infernos, raging from groups school entire rescue They all. it have women and men these heroes, action classy want you If Heroes. Rescue called Price Fisher from aline is popular inour toys Particularly household on today.the market action-figure the with familiar intimately are we so kids young two Ihave and wife My MISSION RESCUE A COSMIC Lead Pastor at Jericho Ridge Community Church in Langley, British Columbia. British Langley, in Church Community Ridge Jericho at // Pastor Lead SUMNER BRAD

Colossians 1:13-14Colossians

6 SATURDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY SUNDAY REST CHARLES KINGSLEY CHARLES Jesus Christ, give us patience and faith and hope as we kneel at the foot of your Cross, and hold fast it. to us by your Teach Cross that, however ill the world may go, the Father so loved us that he did not spare you, but received the offering of your life so that we might live through you andin you and for you, who are the resurrection and the life. GREGORY THE GREAT THE GREGORY It is only right, with all the powers of ourheart and mind, praiseto Father Only-Begotten and You Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Dear Father, wondrousby Your condescension of Loving-Kindness toward servants, us, Your gave Son. upYou Your Dear Jesus paid the debt You of Adam for us theto Eternal Father Bloodby Your poured forth in Loving-Kindness. clearedYou away the darkness of sin magnificentby Your and radiant Resurrection. brokeYou the bonds of death and rose from the grave as a Conqueror. reconciledYou Heaven and earth. Our life had no hope of Eternal Happiness before redeemed You us. ResurrectionYour has washed away our sins, restored our innocence and brought us joy. How inestimable is the tenderness Love! of Your

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT 7 BUT BUT Thielman, Ephesians Thielman, (Frank place into set was universe the before not if to faith, came we before even to do us for planned had God that work the to do Jesus Christ in refashioned are we work good by His past, rebellious of a fluctuations capricious to the subordinated longer No changed. forever are transformation this experience who Those Christ. Jesus of resurrection and death the in to appropriate ours is God of work (2:2-3).God effectual This to disobey us causing us enslaved once that evil the over (2:4-6)alive victorious and [our] of spiritually (2:1). are sins” many because who people now are Rather, we 5:17-18a). (cf. us forever doomed 2Corinthians “dead, recreated we are longer No purposefully and lovingly has God Christ, Jesus in that stressing is apostle the Here (2:10). ago” long us for planned He things good the do can we that so Jesus, Christ in anew us created has He masterpiece. God’s are we “For question. thoughtful to that response motivating and anenlightening both is Ephesians to the letter Paul’s Apostle The their least at or world, to the contribution their difference what and exist, they why to know want people thinking ordinary, do infrequently Not psyche. human to the innate is purpose of question The NOT wonderful opportunity to be recommitted to that sure and effectual calling. effectual and sure to that recommitted to be opportunity wonderful a is Jesus, Lord the of passion the anticipates which season, Lenten the And Ephesians (Liefeld, to Himself us calling in intention good God’s to fulfill is obligation glorious, indeed delightful, our Consequently, life. their of days the all disciple Christian the characterizing us, in work restorative 1.2.10) to Christ’s to Epistle the Ephesians (Marius Victorinus, witnesses” become “these way, Either 1997), 67). Press, InterVarsity Grove: (Downers Commentary Testament New IVP Ephesians Liefeld, L. (Walter life of affairs the in followed and adopted to be pattern ethical or an God, to obedience necessitating instance aspecific be may of speaks apostle the that things” “good Those life. this in purpose to our directly speaks This works! these “for” saved are we assuredly, most but works, these “by” saved not are 2010), we emphatic, is 147). Academic, Baker apostle Rapids: the In this Faculty at Nipawin Bible College in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. Nipawin, in College Bible Nipawin at // Faculty SMITH J. DAVID FOR BY , , Baker Exegetical Commentary of the New Testament (Grand Testament New the of Commentary Exegetical , Baker

! world, will make? will world, , 67). , Ephesians 2:1-10Ephesians ,

8 MONDAY: FIRST WEEK OF LENT

1 Peter 3:13-17

ANDREW EBY Lead Pastor // at North Peace MB Church in Fort John, St. British Columbia.

BE A LIGHT BE Growing upI never really suffered “persecution” for my faith.During high school I was quite open about my relationship with Jesus. Most of my friends, unaware as whyto I would follow Jesus, never rejected me because of it. However, there were moments when opinions would be said, jabs would be made and “friendly” ridicule would ensue, all because of my beliefs about God. we read that followers 1 PeterIn 3:13-17 of Jesus should expect a certain amount of persecution for their faith. Peter consoles the reader by telling, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, So you will how be should blessed” we (3:14). respond when we suffer for the sake of the Gospel? Peter lays out three directives in order for us persevere to in our beliefs and share the incredible news of the Gospel with the world. First, we are honour to Christ in our hearts. Peter says, “in your hearts honour Christ The termthe Lord “heart” as holy” (3:15). actually refers the to very core of our being—the centre of who we are. Peter is telling us that in everything we do, with every aspect of our lives, we should honour Christ. Second, we are be to ready explain to our hope. Peter writes of “always being prepared maketo a defense anyone to who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” When we are honouring Christ(3:15). with every aspect of our lives, the world will notice. Peter tells us be to prepared when people ask us why we are so different. Third, we are be to gentle and respectful towards others. No one has ever been “argued” into the kingdom of God. Peter ends with direction for our demeanor in suggesting that we explain our hope “with gentleness We are and respect” (3:15). called, as followers of Jesus, give to a response when people ask about the hope we have, and yet we must respond with respect. Proverbs reminds us that soft “A answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). We must remember that Christ suffered Our response bring to us God to (3:18). should be a willingness suffer to for the Gospel of Jesus in order for His name be to glorified and that in seeing our responseto suffering, many people would give their lives Him. to a moment pray to Take that we would honour Christ with our whole lives. Pray that we would be gentle and respectful when sharing the Gospel with those who do not yet believe. LET YOUR LIFE LIFE LET YOUR

TUESDAY: FIRST WEEK OF LENT 9 truths we have learned and the promises foretold. promises the and learned have we truths to the fast holding journey, adifficult through but way no is there when times are There again. come will us for care His of evidence new day, another from hearts our in echoes Spirit the of sound the Though rescue. no is there when times are There 4:15).(Hebrews are we as just way, every in tempted was Jesus that written be would it Later, outcome. the know not do we when sure less becomes footing Our testing. own our of author be the cannot we when is altered landscape The anticipated. had we than difficult more become things if withdraw can we not or whether and test the of length the watch, stop the holds who one the over control us give these All goal. unreasonable an on sights our set or climb atreacherous attempt ajob, for apply or ateam join to choose prefer We testing. for aday was This rescue. for aday not was day this But betrayed. was He that night the on Jesus to rescue tried Peter when bidding, His to do ready angels have did later. certainly He while alittle just people of amultitude for did and food, create miraculously could Jesus matter. the of truth the of because powerful more the all are temptations The ready. standing are they that asense have we tempter, the though with encounter face-to-face the interrupt not do angels The Man. of Son to the to attend scene the onto slip angels gone, has tempter the and past are fasting of days forty the when done, are actions the of all When safety. of to aplace to lead order in adream in appearance sudden no rescue, No testifying. or revealing signaling, singing, praising, shouting, hosts heavenly No visit. this with glory blinding shimmering, No attention. our to catch nothing do testing and hunger of story this of end the at angels The RESCUE FOR LONGING Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan. // Former KLASSEN DARLENE our testing grounds. We enroll in a course or sign up at the gym, gym, the at up sign or acourse in enroll We grounds. testing our Instructor and Internship Director at Bethany College in Hepburn, Hepburn, in College Bethany at Director Internship and Instructor

Matthew 3:16-4:11 Matthew 10 WEDNESDAY: FIRST WEEK OF LENT Mark 1:9-15 is the kingdom un after Him with

thing that conflicts with our pursuit of God and r

and every

RHYS MARTELL Master // of Arts in Christian Studies student at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Langley, British Columbia. everything Drop have. we the deadweight and chase Reality. This is a very real option. Starting now.

REAL OPTION Sometimes we can read, hear and say things so many times they simply lose their meaning. Or maybe we never really understood them begin to with. Regardless, when we’re talking about issues of ultimate importance as our destinies (such and the destinies of everyone this can around be a very us) serious problem. And I fear that this is often the case with Jesus’ thesis statement: “I have very good news. The kingdom of God So is now repent! near. And believe it” (1:15)! Stop and think a day for about or two) a minute this. (or Do we really even know what talking He’s about Why here? is this good What news? exactly of God? What does it mean that it What is now near? does it mean repent? And to regardless of what we claim believe, to what do our actions say about what really we believe? We haven’t the space explore to all these questions here. However, we can touch on the one that is most appropriate for this stage in Lent. What does it mean to repent? The Greek word inthe New Testament that is translated into “repent” means a change in the direction of a person’s life. It doesn’t mean “sorrow” or “remorse.” Of course, apologizing is an excellent place start, to but it wasn’t what Jesus was telling us do. to He was telling us turn to away from everything that gets between God and us and completely reorder our lives around God and the pursuit of His will. Have we done that? This is where millions of us getstuck in our walk with God. We’ve apologized, but we haven’t completely reordered our lives around Him. We haven’t really repented. And so we don’t consistently experience His love, His wisdom, His peace, His provision and all of these things that are supposedly kingdom). on the table (His But I have good news. If this is the kind of existence we want—a life drenched in God—it’s available. Starting immediately. All we need do to enter to it is turn from any A VERY

THURSDAY: FIRST WEEK OF LENT 11 Youth Pastor at St. Ann’s Community Church in St. Ann’s, Ontario. St. Ann’s, in Church // St. Community Ann’s at Youth GOOD Pastor GREG to lean whole-heartedly on the Lord. the on whole-heartedly to lean and reason own our trusting up 3:5-6), to give (Proverbs understanding own our on not to lean word, His at God to take determine let’s season, Lenten this During faith. and obedience in to walk learn today? us must for too We application the is What Him. disobeys and word God’s on doubt casts he trust, his misappropriating By ason. him to give God of promise to the regards in reason own his in walking himself, trusting into back falls Abram 16 Genesis in then But forgiven. and justified saved, is He In that, Him. obeys and word, His at God takes he point one At (Abraham) well. as Abram for great been have would temptation this doubt, No bad. the to outweigh good enough do and prayers enough say we if to heaven way our earn can we that is Christianity, biblical except religions, world all in notion prevailing Father. the The God before righteous declared and justified was Abraham word, His at Him taking and God obeying simply by but favour, God’s to earn do could or did he what of because not was It are. we as just works, not faith, by justified was Abraham 4that I mean? Romans in read We do What up. to give are we reason own our is it that today? for Ipropose Scripture of passages the and Abraham with do to have self-sacrifice of theme the does what So, (1 15:22b). Samuel rams” of fat the than better is heed to and sacrifice, than better is obey “To to Saul, said Samuel prophet the what of Iamreminded questions, these In asking Lord? to the devotion holy in hearts whole our giving mean it Does more? something mean time? it more does Or giving mean it Does money? more giving mean it like? look Does truly self-sacrifice does like?look What this does what But us. for is He salvation the on and Saviour the on to focus order in is up giving Our ourselves. up giving by year of time this for hearts our prepare can way small very in a we sins, our for sacrifice atoning the to be Son only and one His gave but back, hold not did God as Even Passover. the for to prepare order in something) up (giving sacrificing and self humility—denying of atime is Lent AND FAITH OBEDIENCE

Genesis 16:1-6; 4:1-8 Romans Genesis 12 FRIDAY: FIRST WEEK OF LENT Psalm 22:23-31

OF GOD As I stand in line at the post office, I wonder how long the lineup will As thetake? person cuts me off in traffic, I wonder how he or she has a license? As I tryand give instructions a group to of middle-school students, I wonder if they’ll ever stop interrupting me so we can actually These play the game? curiosities come easily me.to However, they aren’t the concerns I want spend to my time thinking about. Instead, I want wonder to how the Lord makes the long, slippery grass dance in the breeze? Or how He orchestrates my life perfectly so my husband and I both have time off at the same time on a day we I want need it? be to in wonder when I watch my youth band lead worship. Or wonder how that giant maple tree came grow to in that Or be spot? in wonder of God’s grace for me. God’s wonders are all around us, sometimes in big ways, but often in small ways— ways that are easy miss. to our In reading the Psalmist writes, “Future generations will hear about the wonders of Proclaiming the Lord” Jesus’ (22:30). wonders should be an impulse within us, just like it was for the people Jesus healed in the miracle accounts of the New Testament. The healed shouted in response: “look what happened! I’ve been healed! I can see, walk, hear! Jesus worked wonders in me!” But of tell to these wonders, we need see to and experience them first. We don’t want miss to the wonders of God because the house cleaning takes priority, or or a meeting.dinner, We should be able see to the wonders of the Lord in all of these moments, and also in the quiet moments. There is such joy and fulfillment in seeing God at work around us, so then why do we choose not look to for God is it? performing His wonders all around us all the time. Are As our eyes open? we venture further along our Lenten journey, let us oftell the wonders of the Lord as we see, hear and experience them. THE WONDERS MEGAN JANZ Pastor Youth at Broadway // Church in Chilliwack, British Columbia.

SATURDAY: FIRST WEEK OF LENT 13 That could the Roman eagles chase. eagles Roman the could That was body dead no it Surely grave: its in To body one keep have soldiers of a band power No fear. for die and quake, living The appear, to life restored dead The dead; as fall and sink, keepers The head, His lifts and breathes, body The fly. darkness of powers the all And by, cast stone the broke, is seal The sure? it make devils nor men, Nor secure, stone nor seal neither Could prey. its back gives tomb yawning The away, torn are death of bands The tomb, the from Savior your calls And come, is morn auspicious third The Lord. rising his upon waits And sword, aflaming waves and sits, He bright: lightning as countenance His white, garment his behold snow As stone. the away rolled hath he And down, angel His sent hath Lord The rock; the door, the rent and burst And shook, cavern the hath earthquake An more. no weep shall ye and Believe, o’er! be grief your all let Now, to joy: turned be shall Your sorrow t’employ, souls your love ye thus While tears. your with Him embalm and Come, fears; humble and Your complaints, sad eyes, streaming and hearts, Your contrite sighs, your of spices sweet the Bring tomb. sacred His at To worship come and dawn, earliest the Prevent crucified, sinners Your for God died, Who Lord the seek that ye All SUNDAY REST SUNDAY He lives, to quicken all mankind. all to quicken lives, He find; may life His they that lives, He restored; to life is Jesus Their Lord your of followers tell the Go witnesses. Jesus’ be bold, Be confess, hearts joyful with Your faith receive, Gospel-Word the dare Who believe, first that souls ye then, Haste to Heav’n. way living the show And forgiv’n, sins your proclaims rise His stead; your in To delivered death indeed, risen is Life of Lord The rejoicing are God of angels The Risen: is Christ fallen are evil of spirits The Risen: is Christ desolate lies below world The Risen: is Christ CHARLES WESLEY HIPPOLYTUS OF ROME HIPPOLYTUS ever. and forever his are power and Glory sleepers, of the first the dead, the from indeed Risen is Christ empty are dead the of tombs The Risen: is Christ

14 SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7

ANDREW DYCK Professor // of Ministry Studies at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary and Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

FOR LENT Laughter reveals the person. When a youngster begins a “knock-knock” joke with a grin, I recognize that he or she is offering me friendship. Wry chuckles, smothered giggles, dry cackles, knowing smirks and forced guffaws are just as telling. The laughter in today’s Scripture seems out of place during Lenten repentance for renewal. However, if laughter reveals the person, then this passage can be a mirror by which God examines your life and mine. The story is comical. God in three persons visits aged Abraham with a birth announcement. Abraham is appropriately hospitable, inviting them stay to and rest, haveto their feet washed and enjoy to a little bread. Abraham appears flustered. Earlier he ran his to guests. Now he runs Sarah’s to tent order to her make to ten loaves of bread. He runs his to herd and tells his servant prepare to an entire calf for feasting. There is humour in Abraham’s frenzy prepare to a banquet. There’s also humour in his apparent failure recognize to his guests’ identity. Laughing is appropriate. Sarah laughs next. She overhears a guest announce that she will become pregnant with the child of promise; and Sarah laughs. Hers is not the laugh of slapstick comedy. This is the incredulous sober, laugh of hearing an impossible promise. It’s a sad laugh, maybe even cynical. The time has expired for God fulfill to His promise. Nine months and three chapters Sarah later, laughs again. She even names her son “He-Laughs” This time, her laughter includes (Isaac). everyone around and her, everyone who hears her story. This is a big-hearted laugh that bursts from Sarah’s belly effortlessly. It’s an evangelistic laugh; it invites everyone respond to God’s to joy-filled grace with overflowing laughter. On the journey through Lent, when God comes knocking, how are you laughing? Do you laugh with unawareness—not recognizing God?Do you laugh with disappointment, even distrust, because you can’t imagine the Gospel changing your Do youlife? laugh with Gospel-surprise, so that everyone around wants laugh to with you? However you laugh, be honest about yourself. And take heart, because God is visiting you, and offering you life-changing good news. LAUGHING

MONDAY: SECOND WEEK OF LENT 15 not also, along with him, graciously give us all things” (Romans things” all us 8:31-32)? give graciously him, with along also, not he will all—how us for up him gave but Son, own his spare us? not did who He against be can who us, for things? is God If to these response in then say we shall “What provide? will God how for looking you are forward venture you As providing? already is He that trust you do perspective, limited your Acknowledging provide? will God that believe you Do to provide. continue would LORD the that confidence renewed with forward venture could They provided. (22:17-18). had Isaac LORD of the because anation as existed They descendants the for be would anaccount such encouragement the of Think (22:14). provided” be will it LORD the of mountain the “On that people the among known commonly was it down, written was account the time the At endured. proclamation (22:14). provide” will His LORD “The declared, Abraham Isaac. of instead offered was that aram provided LORD The Abraham. for provide did LORD The how of certain not but provide, would LORD that believing forward 11:19). ventured (Hebrews dead” the Abraham raise even could God that reasoned “Abraham accomplished. be all would it how know to fully inability his reveals it also but confirmed, is Abraham of (22:8). faith the In Hebrews son” my offering, burnt the for lamb the provide will himself “God replies, Abraham question, to Isaac’s In responding provide. would LORD the that believed Abraham Yireh). (Yahweh provide will LORD The LORD. the always is story the in “Provider” the named is who one The passage. the of theme central to the us points “provide” word The considered. yet not Ihad that issues for provided already parents My in. them to put ahouse Ihad sure made dad and mom my toys, my about Iworried While next. them with playing be Iwould where knowing not and van amoving into toys my loading Iremember me. for provide would parents my that Ilearned achild As YIREH YAHWEH Pastor at Philadelphia MB Church in Watrous, Saskatchewan. Watrous, in Church MB Philadelphia // at Pastor HOLLAND DARREN

He would provide. provide. would He Genesis 22:1-18Genesis the the 16 TUESDAY: SECOND WEEK OF LENT

Romans 4:13-25

THROUGH FAITH THROUGH The righteousness of God comesas a gift. Creation eagerly awaits its unfolding like the anticipation of spring’s Here thaw. God is active and involved, taking the initiative overcome to evil and release creation from the bondage of decay. Much more than a passive quality or mere state of innocence, God’s righteousness is His dynamic right-making activity in the world. Although God stands above time and place, His righteousness is not timeless and placeless. It is not an indiscriminate positive force in the world, applied equally everywhere and anywhere. Within the human story, God has made for Himselfa particular, historic people of righteousness. They embody His right-making ways and exist for the benefit of the world. As a people, they have their own unique heritage and ancestry. But the core of their ethnicity is not blood relation or ancient legal custom. Their ancestry is of faith and their heritage is the promise of redemption. God initiates this people-forming faith in Abraham. in Jesus, Yet God completes it. The cross and resurrection validate the faith of Abraham and prove it as the consummate faith of Jesus. This faith is the unreserved trust that the God who gives life the to dead and calls into being things that were not has the power do to what He has promised. Jesus perfectly demonstrates that in the face of death God can be trusted. Even more, Jesus makes a way for all people receive to the gift of God’s righteousness through this same faith. By God’s grace, this faith can justify anyone God’sto right-making ways and join them God’s to historic people of righteousness as children of Abraham. Here no one trusts their own power and control make to the world right, but rather hopes in God’s initiative overcome to evil and death. Lent is an opportunity rediscover to the starting point of this faith and prepare receiveto the gift of righteousness. The hope against death requires that death be acknowledged, especially in an age of misguided optimism. Well-meaning folk promote causes, technology and leadership intended make to the world a better place, and there is temptation believe to that evil can be overcome this way. The world will be made right; that is sure. But it will only be through the cross-embracing faith of Jesus, and it will come as a gift. RIGHTEOUSNESS RIGHTEOUSNESS

MICHAEL VANDENENDEN // Pastor of Grantham // MBChurch in Catharines,MICHAEL St. VANDENENDEN Ontario.

WEDNESDAY: SECOND WEEK OF LENT 17 LOVES For He loves all people—even those who fight for recognition, place and honour. and place recognition, for fight who those people—even all loves He For hesitation. without and reservation judgment, loves—without Jesus how remember we may Lent, of week second the during God towards to turn continue we As over. fights world the of rest the what is this ... honour of position highest the has who or wisdom, more has who or better, is who over fight Don’t judgments. make Don’t Way. the join will to who open to be disciples His tells and achild, takes Jesus words, His illustrate to better In order it? getting not they are Why thought: Jesus if Iwonder disappointed? deeply and heart-broken felt sigh? Jesus audible if His hear Iwonder you Can greatest. the was who about arguing bitterly were disciples the hope, of signs friends closest His giving and future, the about hints dropping to Calvary, way His on was He as and approaching, was time The disciples. own His namely, to teach, trying was He whom those with patience uncommon displayed He yet freely, so loved Jesus tow! in baggage and gifts both carrying doors, classroom my through walk would who know I did little In naïveté, my way. same the in students own my regard Iwould Imight, as try that, Ivowed objects. as them treat He did nor judgment, pass didn’t He Himself. to children” “little the welcomed Jesus how about thinking ateacher, Iremember As life. home difficult aparticularly had Jamie that and backgrounds, their of some Iknew day. each students my for Iprayed that Ireplied difference? the made what loud out wondered they class, my in attendance consistent had Jamie that Imentioned When basis. aregular on classes their in Jamie seen not had they that to me commented had teachers other room, staff In the drain! the down academics her flushing was she like seemed it and students, gifted most my of one was Here disappointed. deeply and heart-broken, I was out. tripping was she that signs telltale were eyes glassy and speech slurred dreamy, her as well as tie!” paisley funky some quite Mr. that’s Chow, “Wow, fashion, of choice my about comment Her LSD. on high (name Jamie to school changed) came occasion, one On privilege. of position perceived her as well as boundaries academic her test would she that decided student best my school, secondary aCalifornia in French teaching Iwas when Back JESUS Pastor of Killarney Park MB Church in Vancouver, British Columbia. British Vancouver, in Church MB Park Killarney // of Pastor CHOW DAVID

Mark 9:30-37 Mark 18 THURSDAY: SECOND WEEK OF LENT and , in which John 5:19-29 John truth or my truth, but absolute

(HarperCollins “Either Publishers, was a raving 52). he (Jesus) 2001),

PIERRE GILBERT // Associate Professor // GILBERT PIERRE of Bible and Theology at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary and Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

THE TRUTH THE Many who identify with the Christian faith increasingly apologize for that very same faith. Less than a year ago, Reverend Gretta an emerging Vosper, leader in the United Church of Canada, published a book entitled With or Without God I TELL YOU I TELL YOU lunatic of an unusually abominable type, or else he was, and is, precisely what he said. There is no middle way” S. Lewis, (C. The Problem of Pain (HarperCollins Publishers, 11-12). 2001), On the third day, Christ arose from the dead, proving that He indeed was who He claimed He was. Christians should be the most joyful people on earth. she argues that all references Jesus to and the resurrection should be excised from the Christian faith and replaced with a renewed sense of optimism and belief in the human spirit. Ms. Vosper is not expressing anything She new. is simply saying what many church leaders have believed for years: that there is a fundamental problem with the Christian faith and, put to it bluntly, that problem is the New Testament portrayal of Jesus Christ. With all due respect, the Jesus of the Bible is a tad embarrassing. For instance, He talked a great deal about truth. Not just your overwhelming truth. That some Christians may wish eliminate to Christ altogether or find refuge in some politically correct view of Jesus is not surprising. Nothing new here. Who Christ is, our Christology, is and has always been the major battlefield of the Christian faith. Everything else is small potatoes. As comfortable as that may be, believe to that Jesus was only a great moral teacher is simply nonsense. C. S. Lewis put it most succinctly: man who “A was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher but a lunatic, on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg” S. Lewis, (C. Mere Christianity

FRIDAY: SECOND WEEK OF LENT 19 Where may this attentiveness be leading us by way of obedience? of way by us leading be attentiveness this may Where awe? with us filling God of presence the is how meditations, Lenten of time In this to listen? and to tremble us cause act humble a such of power sheer the Does earth. this walked and humanity of form familiar the took Sinai in noise cataclysmic of God The attention. our for calls passionately to obey? God achance ourselves giving and listening we Are attentive? we are So Christ. in fulfilled promises God’s of reality the in live We to them. claim have we but God of promises to the strangers longer no are We Christ. through restored are we because freedom with also but fear and reverence with God, of presence the mediator. approach We a have we because freely God of presence the enter we that states letter The 12:18-28). (Hebrews us for and Israelites the for both encounter mountain this of significance the of apicture offers Hebrews Testament, New the into continue we If response. to anobedient aprerequisite is Attention to. them called has He life the out to live them prepare will which Ten the Commandments, through people His of expectations His out lays clearly God chapter following In the reverence. holy a with Him to fear are They presence. His in to tremble are they that attentive the reminding is He importantly more and people, His of attention the getting is God them. overwhelms LORD of the presence the and nostrils peoples’ the fills smell its smoke, of ahaze is there passage In this tremble. people the that intense so is a display (19:16). trumpet loud avery of Such blast the lightning, and thunder is there noise; the Hear ferocity. with attention their grabbed has God And mountain. the of front in camp up set have and Sinai of Desert the in are They to learn. continuing are and much learned have Pharaoh of slavery the from God by released newly Israelites, The Testament. Old the in location and event to acentral us takes today reading Our attention? our have God hearing? Does we Are listening. of gone and come have Two weeks to be. called are we followers Christ the into more us disciple that habits to Easter, leading days forty the beyond us take that habits new to establish desire the pursuing and up giving of intentionality, of Two weeks gone. and come have Lent of Two weeks ATTENTION! Associate Pastor at River West Christian Church in Edmonton, Alberta. Edmonton, in Church Christian West River at Pastor // Associate BOSCHMAN ERICA Exodus 19:1-25Exodus 20 SATURDAY: SECOND WEEK OF LENT BCP ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who of your tender love towards humanity, sent your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, take to upon him our flesh, andto suffer death upon the cross, that all should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of hisresurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. SUNDAY REST

JOHN OF DAMASCUS Come, you faithful, raise the strain of triumphant gladness! God has brought forth Israel into joy fromsadness, loosed from Pharaoh’s bitter yoke Jacob’s sons and daughters; led them with unmoistened foot through the Red Sea waters. ’Tis the spring of souls today: Christ has burst his prison, and from three days’ sleep in death as a sun has risen. All the winter of our sins, long and dark, is flying from the Light, whom to we give laud and praise undying. Now the queen of seasons, bright with the day of splendor, with the royal feast of feasts comes its joy render; to comes glad to Jerusalem, who with true affection welcomes in unwearied strains Jesus’ resurrection! Neither could the gates of death, darknor the tomb’s portal, nor the watchers, nor the seal hold you as a mortal: but today, among your own, bestowingyou appear, your deep peace, which evermore passes human knowing.

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT 21 that has been laid for you—Christ Jesus. you—Christ for laid been has that foundation on the focus you help may questions to these answers The fire? of test the to stand enough strong to? material you building your Is called has Christ that life the living you Are journey. faith own your on reflect Also, Jesus. Christ for lives their to live trying else anyone like just struggle they leaders, our for to pray time the take repentance, and to fasting ourselves dedicate we while Lent, of season this ever. than During more for prayed to be need leaders their and churches Our in. faith their ground they who careful be must faith professes who person Every builds. she or he to how as careful be must God for builds who builder Every truth. foundational from away straying leaders and places wrong the in faith their putting people issues, similar to find churches contemporary our in far to look have don’t We (3:21-23). cross the on them for did Jesus work the through laid, was that foundation the from to stray not church this of leaders new the warns Peter), and but (Apollos foundation this on built have others that acknowledges Paul passage, In our judgment. Lord’s of the day on the fire of test the stand will that materials building of kind the for critical are preached is what exemplifying alife and teaching Christian of depth (3:12-13).preached being is what and purity the Both reflects that life a Christian living and believers up building salvation, for cross the preaching include: which using, are workers Christian materials of kind to the attention reader’s the turns he itself, building the on little very focuses yet abuilding, of imagery the uses Paul (3:10). us for laid Christ that foundation the on building and church His leading are who servants God’s build,” who “those on focuses Paul passages this in why is (1:12). Christ than This rather leaders in faith their putting were They foundation. their lost had church this way the along (2:2-4; 3:10).instilled somewhere However, had Paul foundation strong the of because passion and vision had They church. the planted and arrived first Paul when them for going alot had Corinth in believers The OTHER NO FOUNDATION Associate Pastor at River West Christian Church in Edmonton, Alberta. Edmonton, in Church Christian West River at Pastor // Associate BOSCHMAN ERICA

1 Corinthians 3:10-23 1 Corinthians 22 MONDAY: THIRD WEEK OF LENT

Psalm 84:1-12

CAROL PENNER Pastor at // Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church in Edmonton, Alberta.

VALLEYS I remember reading this Psalm when I was going through a wretched time in my life. My husband had been diagnosed with advanced kidney cancer, and we didn’t know if he would survive. the In waiting time between diagnosis and surgery, we hovered between life and death. It was “Lentish” a time, as we seemed be to walking our own road Jerusalem, to fearful of the suffering ahead. Some of the words in this Psalm resonated with me. I remember longing for God, because I was in so much turmoil, “My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of However, all thethe references LORD...” (84:2). happiness to seemed out of place for me. I wondered: Is this a case where the Scripture doesn’t fit the situation? So I turned the page, looking for something that applied more directly? But this Psalm is precisely about the road Jerusalem. to When it was written, people would regularly make pilgrimages Jerusalem to in order celebrate to religious festival days. There was a deep joy with going Jerusalem, to the centre of worship for the LORD of hosts. It’s an extremely hot and dusty walk Jerusalem to from the various corners of the country. Israel is a semi-arid country. During the a whole 1100s army of European crusaders was defeated at Hattim Capernaum) because (near they ran out of water. Without water the people perished. The road Jerusalem to goes through dry and barren valleys—life-threatening valleys. Our Psalm talks of “the valley of Baca,” which means “weeping.” The promise in the valley of Baca is hang not, in there, “Just you will get your reward in Jerusalem.” The promise is that the desert places are filled with water: from within from and from There below(tears), (springs) above is water (rain). everywhere and the heart is a highway. For my family, God did provide every good thing for us on a life-threatening journey. It wasn’t a happy time, but God gave us what we needed. I think of Jesus walking Jerusalem, to His to death. Did He recite “Behold this Psalm? ... look on the face It of was your anointed” a dry (84:9). and barren road of tears for Jesus. But somewhere in the highway of His heart, there flowed a spring of love for all people. We are thankful in Lent that “The God of gods will be seen in Zion” (84:7). LIFE-THREATENING LIFE-THREATENING

TUESDAY: THIRD WEEK OF LENT 23 Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. Ontario. and Manitoba Saskatchewan, for Seminary Biblical Brethren Mennonite at Officer // Development WOHLGEMUT BEN Son of God—Saviour of the world! the of God—Saviour of Son true the as identity Jesus’ of have may we doubts any aside put us let resurrection, and death life, Jesus’ of events historic on the reflect we as season, this During (2:22). resurrection the after until claims His doubted disciples Jesus’ of some even that told We’re believe. not would (2:23), hearts feast doubting but Passover the at while performed miracles Jesus’ of evidence had cleansing temple the at Jews curious 11:4-5). The (Matthew poor to the preached is news good the and raised, hear, are deaf dead the the cured, are lepers the walk, lame the sight, receive blind the seen: and heard had they what to John back to report group the told Jesus Messiah, expected the was He if Him asking to Jesus disciples his through word send John When identity. true His of spoke that signs—signs many perform did Jesus ministry, His Throughout signs. many through Himself to show expected was Messiah the because claim His to verify asign for Jesus asked immediately (2:16). house” leaders Jewish Father’s “my The place the called He as out rang claim aMessianic courts, temple the cleared Jesus As Passover. the for preparation in house Father’s His cleansing was Jesus day, His of customs the Following home. the of cleansing ageneral conducted and leaven the collected family every of head the home, Jewish observant every in Passover, the of eve the On event? this with saying and doing Jesus was what But mission. His about clear and deliberate was Jesus rendering, Gospel’s In the perspective. my changed cleansing temple the of John’s account me. for emerged Jesus assertive more astronger, years, adolescent my in But tournament! game avideo at endurance such accomplish only might Today’s twelve-year-olds running? days three for this do could He how Iwondered And rabbis. long-bearded the with Scripture discussing calmly courts, temple the in Jesus boy the of image the was there Or page. the on somewhere printed me” unto come children the “let words the and lap, His on sitting children several with Jesus of image the was There kindly. and meek gentle, as Him portrayed Jesus of images the achild, Iwas When YOURSELF! IDENTIFY

John 2:13-20

24 WEDNESDAY: THIRD WEEK OF LENT

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 CHRIST, BUT CHRIST, CHRIST

FOR IN

(New York: A Biblical Peculiar Harper Who Treasures: (New Who’s and Row,

“The message of the cross is foolish...” (1:18). Paul, the author of this statement, knew exactly what it was like believe to deeply in something helater saw be to foolish. his In earlier years, he was known as Saul, a man who was greatly convinced that he knew what was right and he was willing to act on those convictions. Saul saw Christians as foolish and dangerous. As a result, he helped kill to as many as he could. But Saul had a profound experience that changed the way he thought. God spoke him.to What once seemed wise was revealed be to foolish and what once seemed foolish was revealed be to wise. Frederick Buechner describes Paul’s conversion this way: “Everything he ever said or wrote or did from that day forward was an attempt bowl to over the human race as been bowledhe’d over himself while he lay there with dust in his mouth” (Frederick Buechner, FOOLS 1979), 129-130). One of the reasons I appreciate the Lenten season is that it helps me step away from approaching life on autopilot, which tends have to me relymore on my own understanding than on God’s. Lent is a tool that helps me course-correct—to to reprioritize. And I begin rely to on God again. During Lent I want recapture to a sense of the foolishness of the cross, the absurdity of worshiping a God who chooses die, to thebizarre notion of covering a device used kill to criminals in gold and wearing it around a neck, and the utter folly of knowing that what the Bible says is true and still being tempted rely to on something other than God. Like Paul, I want capture to a sense of what it means be to a fool for Christ’s sake, I want be to bowledbut wise over in Him (4:10). by God. It doesn’t have be to as dramatic as Paul’s roadside but encounter, I hope as I move through Lent into Easter I will come a new to and deeper understanding of who God is. I want the scales of misunderstanding fall to from my eyes. And I hope you do to. WISE RACHEL TWIGG BOYCE Pastor of // House Blend Ministries in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

THURSDAY: THIRD WEEK OF LENT 25 we are in Christ. Christ. in are we Lord, and Redeemer, Saviour Mediator, our as Him in trust we if Jesus, in believe we If Christ.” “in to us come blessings spiritual these of all that told are we times Eleven us. redeems and adopts He but orphaned, and alienated are We blameless. and holy us makes He but blameworthy, and guilty are We us. between stands that all away cleared has He but God, from separated are We Him. know to God—to near to draw us invite all They are. blessings spiritual these of all relational how Notice to Himself. us reconciles He sea. the of depths the into sins our casting by relationship our restores He sins. our Blessed of be God, because the we have forgiveness back. us purchase to life His down lays He and block, auction slave the on are We bondage. in are we alienated, and unholy we are only Not aprice. paying by us delivered has He back. us bought has He blood. His Blessed be through God, because redemption we have sons. and daughters of privileges and rights full the have We child. loved dearly His as us adopted has He holy, us made He has only Not us. for done has God what is That family. His into brought are we grace, and love of anact in but us, for to care afamily have not would we and God from alienated were Blessed be God, because are. we blameworthy and unholy how consider we if amazing especially is This reason. very this for us chose He initiative. His is this that Notice Him. before blameless and Blessed holy be us God, made because has He us. for blessings spiritual these of several lists Paul Apostle The eternity. into stretch and now begin they because better, even are blessings spiritual Truly these deposit? or drive taste, touch, see, could we ablessing prefer we Would blessings? pretend like sound (1:3). blessings places” heavenly the in spiritual Do blessing spiritual every “with us blessed has He because God, praising God, blessing of speaks expression The Christ. in us for done has God what of expression passionate breathless, one as read to be are they paragraphs, two into cases, most in and, sentences multiple into words these divided have translators our While it. correct and pens red our out to pull tempted be may us among teachers the God, of words inspired the not were they If sentence! run-on long gloriously one actually are verses twelve These GOD BE BLESSED Lead Pastor at Cornerstone Community Church in Virgil, Ontario. Virgil, in Church Community Cornerstone at // Pastor Lead BAYNE KEVIN He predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ Jesus through adoption for us predestined He

Ephesians 1:3-14Ephesians . We . We 26 FRIDAY: THIRD WEEK OF LENT John 3:1-15

Communications Lead Team for the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.

CONVERSATION When my husband and I were first dating, I was a in perpetualYes, haze. we were falling in love and there was romance. But I think the fog was a result of the many wee-morning-hour talks on the phone. The hands of the midnight clock seemed to tick past just a little slower as we chatted on and on. I love late-night conversations—thehush of the world around, the weight of the the dim lights.hour, The spoken word seems take to on more substance and meaning at that time. The late-night conversation recorded in John 3 doesn’t disappoint. Nicodemus comes Jesus. to Daylight has vanished and idle chatter amongneighbours ceased.has Like many nighttime discussions, there are probing questions and challenging answers. Nicodemus knows that Jesus is a great teacher who comes from God. But Jesus cuts the to heart of the matter, driving Nicodemus recognize to a deeper truth: “Very truly you, I tell no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (3:3). Jesus invites Nicodemus enter to new a world of faith where Jesus isn’t just a great teacher—He is God incarnate, the everlasting Son of Man who has come salvation and miraculouswith Daniel 7:13–14), dominion (cf. transformation. Jesus urges Nicodemus think to beyond laws a new to reality. He asks Nicodemus to open his eyes the to kingdom of God in the here and now; experience to the Spirit at work in powerful and mysterious ways, blowing through the valley of dry bones and bringing Jesus them life to asks (Ezekiel 37). Nicodemus enter to a new world where things might not always make sense, but God is indeed active. For Nicodemus, this clandestine conversation with Christ changes his life. We meet him again at the foot of the cross—in broad daylight for all see—in to the humble posture of a disciple, helpingprepare Jesus’ body for burial 19:39). (John As we continue ready to ourselves for Easter, what kind of conversations will we have with What Jesus? surprises will His Spirit whisper in our And ears? will we allow His words change to our lives? A LATE-NIGHT LAURA KALMAR Former //

SATURDAY: THIRD WEEK OF LENT 27 And our great exalted Head. exalted great our And glory, of King the now is He said; He as risen, hath He Hallelujah! risen! hath Christ appears! God of Son the Lo, darkness, and gloom of veil the Through tears; your dry Jesus, of Friends Hallelujah! risen! hath Christ away! rolled is stone the See, Him, hold not could that tomb the From today; world the fills Gladness Hallelujah! risen! is Christ might. His through conquered is Death asunder, rent is grave the Lo, light! and life of morn Blessed Hallelujah! risen! hath Christ They shall pour forth the fame of your your of fame the forth pour shall They greatness. your declare Iwill and deeds, awesome your of might the of speak shall They meditate. Iwill works, wondrous your on and majesty, your of splendor glorious the On acts. mighty your declare shall and to another, works your commend shall generation One unsearchable. is greatness his and praised, to be greatly and LORD, the is ever.Great and forever name your praise and you bless Iwill day Every ever. and forever name your bless and King, and God my you, extol I will CROSBY FANNY

SUNDAY REST SUNDAY name forever and ever. and forever name holy his bless flesh all let and LORD, the of praise the speak will mouth My destroy. will he wicked the all but him, love who all preserves LORD The them. saves and cry their hears also he him; fear who of those desire the fulfills He truth. in him on call who to all him, on call who to all near is LORD The works. his all in kind and ways his all in righteous is LORD The thing. living every of desire the satisfy you hand; You your open season. due in food their them give you and to you, look all of eyes The down. bowed are who all up raises and falling are who all upholds LORD The you! bless shall saints your all and OLORD, you, to thanks give shall works your All made. has he that all over is mercy his and to all, good is LORD The love. steadfast in abounding and to anger slow merciful, and gracious is LORD The righteousness. your of aloud sing shall and abundant goodness PSALM 145, ESV PSALM

28 FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT Numbers 21:4-9

for the Israelites. On the other hand, Jesus provided a permanent

God’s house, “but Christ is faithful as theSon over

God’s house” Moses (Hebrews 3:6a). bore witness what to was coming— Christ the fulfillment. Although I have never had a snakebite, I’m pretty sure the remedy has progressed from the Mosaic bronze snake some to sort of modern, prescriptive medication. Yet our remedies are still a shadow; still temporary fixes for our momentary troubles. As with the Israelites, we find ourselves in a hurting world, with andpain brokenness, and an awareness that we have sinned. Praise our Saviour, Jesus Christ because His remedy is not temporary! Together with the author of Hebrews, we “fix our thoughts on Jesus,” our remedy Hold firmly, then,(Hebrews 3:1). to your confidence in the Son to and the hope in which you glory Amen. (Hebrews 3:6). AND THE SON Ever notice of the Life blue on Star the side of an ambulance with the image of a snake on a pole fromat the centre? Taken Greek mythology, the image is called isthe said Rod of Asclepius have to (he healing passage powers). Today’s is also considered a source of origin for this serpentine image. Snakes were sent into the Israelite camp, and many people died. Their immediate response was, “We sinned... pray for us!” Moses prayed and, by the LORD’s instruction, provided a remedy for the poison. The LORD said Moses, to “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live. So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived” (21:8-9). “Look, and live!” Moses told his people. Gospel John’s In we read that the Son of Man would be lifted up just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness 3:14). (John The reference refers Jesus to raised up on Calvary’s cross. The correlation between the two descriptions is remedy. On the one hand, Moses faithfully provided a temporary remedy cure for the world. The difference for the writer of Hebrews is that Moses was a servant in THE SERVANT JEFF PETERS Director // of Advancement at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Langley, British Columbia.

MONDAY: FOURTH WEEK OF LENT 29 all eternity. I will be forever grateful. grateful. forever be Iwill eternity. all for on live will Itoo that promise the is Lord our of resurrection The life. my changed Christ living the with encounter My us. of one single every afflicts that illness the for is there cure only the me offered and condition my explained honestly who pastor a Imet Providentially, meaninglessness. of asea in soul lost God—a without and hope without truly Iwas John. Apostle the of words the understand not did who those of one ateenager, Iwas Iwas When women. and men of souls the destroy also They civilizations. and cultures destroy ideas bad that just not is problem The dignity. and worth human intrinsic of notion very the eroding viciously is humanism Secular purpose. and meaning of possibility very the negating gleefully and aggressively is Postmodernism significance. ultimate all of existence human robbed has evolution of myth The chaos. of ideologies our have also We ideas. worship we metal; or wood of statues worship not do we Ultimately, not. have certainly incarnated they chaos and death of ideologies the but culture, western from vanished have may old of gods The (Ephesians 2:12).world” the in God without and hope “without orphans cosmic truly were women and Men Period! gods. the to serve created been had Humans insects. than valuable more no were beings Human anyone. or anything love not did gods the world, ancient the In tradition. Judeo-Christian to the unique is world the loves God that notion The indifference. and self-delusion of veil a under hidden is significance earth-shattering their others, For inspire. and to amaze power their lost have so and familiar too just are words the some, For traction. no have words these people, most for that well too all I realize But world. the of history the in uttered ever words extraordinary most the are These THE WORLD FOR GOD LOVED SO Seminary and Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Manitoba. Winnipeg, in University Mennonite Canadian and Seminary Biblical Brethren Mennonite at Theology and Bible of PIERRE GILBERT // Professor Associate John 3:16-21 30 TUESDAY: FOURTH WEEK OF LENT

Ephesians 2:8-10

) from which we get the word poem. When poiema a ( ημ oi . This word is π

), in order bring to more glory God. to The beauty of an instrument does not

Paul tells us “not boast” to it is in respect earning to our own salvation through work, not in respect our to intrinsic value and purpose. Like the average observer who only has the eyes see to the worn guitar, but fails to recognize the true value of the 62 Strat, we too often put more stock in how others or we see ourselves versus how our Creator sees us. Such a perception often leads us a belief to that we should beat ourselves twisted up (a interpretation of not boasting take away from the glory of the Creator or the player. The Master is purchasing the masterpiece that He built. He has bought it display to it, and also play to it. Therefore, we are created for good works that God has prepared for us. This is for His glory and for our joy. MATT DYCK Campus // Pastor at SunWest Christian Fellowship in Calgary, Alberta.

OF GOD There is a man who played electric guitar for years in our Sunday services. During the other days of the week he can be heard reliving classic rocktunes with his band at local venues. When the average person looks at his guitar they see a beat up, well used, dented, slab of wood that should be sitting in a pawnshop somewhere for a hundred dollars. However, for the studied eye, it is an original 62 Fender Stratocaster that would sell for over thousand ten dollars! today’sIn passage the Apostle Paul says: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus do to good works, which God prepared in advance for us do” to (2:8-10). As we look toward Easter we are reminded that we have been saved by grace through faith and not through anything we have done. Therefore, we don’t have anything boast to about. Many people embrace the truth of verse they 9 (and but manyshould), also fail embrace to the truthof verse that 10 we are God’s handiwork THE HANDIWORK

WEDNESDAY: FOURTH WEEK OF LENT 31 the door to unimaginable grace! to unimaginable door the open will confession relentless back; nothing holding by Easter of beauty the experience and Lent to finish goal your it Make to God. them Confess longer! any them hold not do so, If God? from reserves” secret “some keeping been far,you so have Lent of experiences your on reflect you As lust.” favorite some spare would and reserves, secret some has always hypocrite the but ... cleansed stain every and [his of debt her][he or cancelled, sin whole the she] or to have longs ... despair but into sink she] or [he not will afflicted; and humbled deeply be will penitent real “The 51 insightful. are Psalm about Observations” “Practical the and 1841, from commentary Bible amulti-volume sits bookshelves my of one On (51:10). heart” apure me in “Create realized, be plea desperate next his could then Only out. blotted to be needed iniquities his all that recognized David confession, timeless Psalmist’s the for point trigger the been have may adultery of sin particular the Although used. is that phrase means “all” or “every.” Not some. Not many. Not even most. “ most. even Not many. Not some. Not “every.” or “all” means 11 MT): ql in 9(verse verse in uses Psalmist the that noun common two-consonant, the using is at good Iamnot What significance. of levels into behaviours and thoughts sinful my prioritizing even and actions my rationalizing selective, being at adept Iamquite repentance, and confession to personal comes it when Instead, to God? sin my Iconfess when relentlessness and determination of level same that have me to for difficult so sometimes is it why I wonder, though, day. that goal same the had who others many likely were there doubt, No back. anything hold not did and my all it gave I that know to wanted I line. finished the I crossed when exhausted be and race the to finish was goal main my badly,” too hurt getting “not to addition in and fall, past this time first the for race obstacle aSpartan in I ran ALL AWAY WASH Adjunct Professor at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Langley, British Columbia. British Langley, in Seminary Biblical Brethren Mennonite at Professor Adjunct Columbia. British George, Prince in Church MB Westwood at // Pastor Lead WESSNER MARK MY INIQUITIES MY simply simply ql Psalm, entire the in once only . Used All my iniquity” is the the is iniquity” my Psalm 51:1-12Psalm of of 32 THURSDAY: FOURTH WEEK OF LENT

John 3:14-21 Pastor at FaithWorks MB Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

MARY REIMER Former // GAVE God gave. He gave life instead of death and salvation instead of judgment. When did this giving God gave begin? at the time of creation. God Son the Father, and Spirit were all in the beginning, all giving, All-Giving. God gave. He gave of Himself with the gift of embodiment as He became human. Coming humans, to again and again, always coming. Breaking through the ordinariness of life. God gave. He gave the gift of salvation, eternal life and kingdom-of-God citizenship, which begins not now, later. What is required? Moses raised that pole with the snake for all see—all to who would GOD see, that is. And all who took that moment lift to theireyes knew that they had been saved, even those who had been bitten by the serpents around them. Many children have obtained points at camp or badges at Sunday school for saying or singing Many John roadside 3:16. travelers have also been challenged or offended by the words of These John 3:16. words have been used instill to fear into the hearts of wayward boys, girls, men and women. But, by doing so, we miss the love. God gave His Son because He loved. God gave. He gave light instead of darkness. Everyone who raises their eyes the to face of Jesus is saved from condemnation, judgment and death. Salvation starts the very moment a person lock eyes and give their “yes” God. to thisIn fourth week of Lent, the offer is there for all who choose raise to their eyes theto raised body on the cross. No glittering image there—only Jesus. As we draw closer the to cross, as we offer our gifts of prayer, fasting and giving may we do so because this is how God loved the world—He gave.

FRIDAY: FOURTH WEEK OF LENT 33 23:34). 23:34). (Luke doing” they’re what know don’t They them. forgive “Father, whispers, Jesus where cross the on beautifully broken finally is silence The acrucifixion. and atrial arrest, an in on later echoes that silence silence—a only offers Jesus fury, To priest’s chief the (12:7-8). wasted” not is worship her alone, her “Leave to Jesus: belong words last The lives. our in presence unpredictable and threatening deeply be a to Jesus this find we and precision theological about worry we control, of loss the about worry We Jesus. by threatened so were who those like sound sometimes Jesus follow who we culture, achurch of midst the in And good? greater the for energy collective our of some use and quackery religious this on dwelling stop please we Couldn’t elsewhere. spent better be could these of all when affection our and time our energy, our Mary—wasting like alittle look sometimes Jesus follow who we culture, asecularized of midst In the later. centuries twenty-odd us with still are questions Two objections: dead. the from back aperson bring really could who aGod about worried are They control. of loss the about worried are They to Jesus. turning masses the of implications political and theological the fear They object. they And Lazarus. miracle, walking this to see Bethany at gathering is acrowd that learn priests chief the Later, extravagance? such of worthy Jesus Is affection? of display public and impractical anovert, such condone can’t Jesus Surely words. Judas’ behind embarrassment of atone also is there poor? to the But given been have money the Couldn’t money. of waste the is ostensibly, issue, The objects. Judas devotion. and intimacy extravagance, pure of ascene hair. her It’s with them dries and feet Jesus’ douses nard, pure of aflask open cracks happens—Mary scandalous something party, the at And aparty. at is Jesus Passover, the for preparing of instead But up. show will He whether wondering needles, and pins on is everyone and hatched been has Jesus to kill Aplot growing. is Nazareth from prophet the around near. controversy is The Passover The Martha. and Mary sisters two his and Lazarus second-chance-man the of hometown the Bethany, is scene The priests. chief the from one and Judas from objections—one two contains today text Our OBJECT! I Saskatchewan. // Former DUECK GIL These two it? two worth Won’t control? really of IsJesus this out get These Academic Dean and Instructor in Theology at Bethany College in Hepburn, Hepburn, in College Bethany at Theology in Instructor and Dean Academic John 12:1-11 John

34 SATURDAY: FOURTH WEEK OF LENT

MENNONITE BRETHREN CONFESSION FAITH OF LITURGICAL READINGS ACTS 2:23-36, ESV Holy and true is the Son in all His ways! Image of the invisible God, eternal Word who was made flesh, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary beto Servant of all and Lord of all. Made like us in every way, yet without sin, He suffered, was crucified and buried, and was raised new to life on the third day. Savior of the world, who loves us with an everlasting love, who reveals the fullness of the Father, who intercedes for us His followers, and calls us be to His witnesses until He returns in glory judge to the world. Blessed be the name of the LORD! Blessed be the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever! Amen. as you see and hear today. For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said, ‘The LORD said my to Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”’ “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified,to be both Lord and Messiah!” SUNDAY REST

“But God knew what would happen, and his prearrangedplan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him a to cross and killed him. But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back life, to for death could not keep in its grip. Kinghim David said this about him: ‘I see that the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One rot to in the grave. have shownYou me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’ “Dear brothers, think about can You this! be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t referring himself, to for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne. David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body rot to in the grave. “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now he is exalted the to place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the as heFather, had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit pour to out upon us, just

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT 35 AMAZING GRACE! AMAZING WHAT POWER! WHAT LOVE! Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. Ontario. and Manitoba Saskatchewan, for Seminary Biblical Brethren Mennonite at Officer // Development WOHLGEMUT BEN What love! What power! Amazing grace! Amazing power! What love! What place. our to take cross the chose He old. of words His recalled disciples His foretold He as happened it when And praise!” Father’s to the up it raise I’ll days, three in and temple this Destroy it. like more much is prayer of A place amarket; not is house Father’s “My race. in a if as fled, quickly All masters their and cattle, the sheep, The chase; gave He changers money The to face face temple the at When wild. alittle across comes He turn tables the aman, as But child; alittle to earth Comes mild and meek Saviour, Gentle Matthew 21:12-17 Matthew 36 MONDAY: FIFTH WEEK OF LENT Acts 2:14-24

MARVIN DYCK Pastor at // Crossroads MB Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

AND GOD “Theneveryone who callson the name of Why the Lord Why? shall be saved” (2:21). is salvation available only those to who respond by calling on the Lord Jesus for rescue? It’s not that God doesn’t know how give to gifts everyone. to Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount that our Father in heaven “makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on therighteous and on the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). Clearly, the gift of salvation is a different kind of gift. It requires a request. When the people were heart the cut to at Peter’s statement that they were responsible for the death of the Messiah, they asked, “Brothers, what should we do” (2:37)? Peterreplied, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be The forgiven” gift of (2:38). salvation flowing from Jesus’ death and resurrection requires an individual response. If GodWhy? is loving and merciful, why does the gift of eternal life not come automatically every to human whether they respond favourably or not? Do you remember last when year, the world-famous rock group U2 gave a copy of their new album unsolicited millions to of people with iTunes accounts? Some people got upset. Instructions were given for how delete to this free album from one of the world’s most popular singing groups. Is that story relevant here? Perhaps the answer is found in an earlier story. Luke In Jesus 19 wept over the city of Jerusalem saying, “If you ... had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace ... Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will ... crush you the to ground ... because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God” 19:42-44). until God now, (Luke is From the Garden of 2:16-17) Eden (Genesis determined honour to human free will. Our theme verse underlines the missionary call of Acts 1:8. Because God gives humans free will, salvation comes only those to who ask. order In ask, to they need Jesus haveto died enough on information the cross 10:13-15). ask to (Romans and rose again so that we can receive eternal life. How is the need for an individual response this to good news focusing your energies today? GIFTS FROM U2

TUESDAY: FIFTH WEEK OF LENT 37 Lead Pastor of Metro Community in Kelowna, British Columbia. British Kelowna, in Community Metro of // Pastor Lead EAST LAURENCE that the One who made you, knows you truly and loves you completely. completely. you loves and truly you knows you, made who One the that knowing journey Lenten this (12:45). through on darkness” in carry remain So not may me in believes whoever that so light, as world the into come have “I says: Jesus saved. been have loved—we been have we because gratitude of out this all do We need. desperate in to those mercy showing and it see we when injustice out calling by world the redeeming towards work can too we Jesus, of initiatives the to follow In wanting Him. not are we and Judge one but is There others. to judge right the have not do we that acknowledge we because grows others to forgive capacity our truth, this of knowledge In the (Romans 8:1)! Jesus Christ in are who those for condemnation no is there us, for (12:47). Jesus up gave world God the Because to redeem came Jesus that told are we For offers. Christ that life of newness the into step and off it shrug sin, our about honest be can we aresult, As cross. to the nailed been has It past. the in is sin our that to remember are we Jesus, of followers As cope? to we are how So, today. than evaluated more were people where atime been has there think Idon’t résumés. their and references their clothes, their age, their looks, their waistlines, their of basis the time—on the all another one judging are People trap. a into fall other, the we or one forget we If to life. ayes and to sin no future—a the in ajudgment and past the in ajudgment is there that us reminds narrative Gospel The resurrection. and death His before public to the words final His in judgment about speaks Jesus John, of Gospel the in But dangerous. and primitive as it to view seems culture Contemporary today. term apopular “Judgment” hardly is JUDGE AND SAVIOUR

John 12:44-50 John 38 WEDNESDAY: FIFTH WEEK OF LENT

Philippians 2:1-11

GIVING FOR OTHERS FOR GIVING manyIn ways we are likesheep. When left on our own we pursue the same old paths that lead the to sameworn pastures. However, the insightful shepherd carefully manages his or her flock, leading themto feeding areas and places of refreshment for the benefit of both the sheep and the land on which they feed. Rarely will sheep pursue a new path on their own, even one that is for their benefit. They needto be led by their shepherd. The Apostle Paul challenges us walk to a very “unnatural” path based on the example of the Good Shepherd—a path of service, humility and self-abasement. But how difficult that Doingis! nothing from selfishambition, in humility considering others better, looking at another’s interests first and having the samemind as Christ Jesus who “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant” These behaviours (2:7). are the antithesis of what we naturally pursue. But perhaps we, like sheep, need be to reminded that our first(comfortable) choice, is not the one that leadsto life. Jesus had it all: equality with God, kinglypower and heavenly riches. Everything. He rejectedYet the popular view of kingly And power. in doing so, He didn’t grasp, for personal advantage, the benefits that were rightfullyHis. Rather He chose a different path—a path of emptying Himself. Much theological debate has been had over the concept of Christ “emptying WhatHimself.” did Christ Did He give become up? less than God? Did He temporarily relinquish His divine attributes during His earthly ministry? While having their place, such questions can also miss the mark. Perhaps Paul’s point is more basic. As the ultimate example of servanthood and humility, Christ emptied Himself. He poured Himself out, giving Himself away with selfless abandon. Such is the character of God, as it is revealed in the mindset and resulting activity of the Son of God. As Gordon Fee puts it, “God is not an acquisitive being, grasping and seizing, but self giving for the sake of others” Philippians, D. Fee, the (Gordon to Paul’s Letter The New International Commentary on the New Testament Rapids: (Grand Eerdmans From Paul’sPublishing, perspective 211). 1995), this is how divine love manifests itself in its most characteristic and profuse expression. Easter reminds us that Jesus not only leads us in paths of righteousness for His sake,name’s but also calls us be to like Him. What personal ambition do we need to what In lay aside today? ways do we need look to the to interests of others over our Whoown are today? we called serve to “Have today? this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (2:5). A NEW PATH OF SELF- OF A NEW PATH ROBERT DYCK Lead Pastor // at Arnold Community Church in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

THURSDAY: FIFTH WEEK OF LENT 39 who we truly are, the children of God. of children the are, truly we who for known be will we then gratitude by shaped are communities our When Jesus. in more and need we everything provided has God that clearly see us let resurrection, and death Christ’s of light in lives our to examine us calls Lent of season the As direction. right in the gaze our fix must we God on dependence grateful in to live we are If children. God’s of marker adefining is gratitude For grumbling. without everything to do Philippians the urges Paul why is That God. from away us leads and communities our destroy will ingratitude unchecked, left when it, mask to choose we However fulfillment. spiritual for aconcern or criticism,” “constructive it call we maybe disguises: varying in comes God towards ingratitude our times Often enough. good isn’t have we what that belief the is grumbling of heart the At midst. their into to seep rivalry petty and complaint of amood allowed have they because risk at people God’s of witness and unity the put have Philippians the way similar in a that concerned is Paul desired. so they flourishing and security the provided that fabric social very the to destroy threatened dissatisfaction and mistrust Their God. from away hearts their turn to swiftly complaint of amood allowed Israelites the God, in trusting of Instead desert. the in wandered they as God against and Moses against murmuring Israelites to the alludes 10, 1 Corinthians in as grumbling, for (2:14). uses Paul term arguing” or Greek The grumbling without everything to “Do Philippians the urged Paul Apostle the church, the in unity for appeal his of part As God. against set is that life of away becomes slowly it and unobtrusive quiet, it’s that is sinister so ingratitude makes What communities. church our in as well as lives own our in unnoticed goes that kind the sins, “little” those of one is Ingratitude committee. missions the on to sit us to ask failed who chairperson the or church at foyer the in us overlooked who person the about complain we when twice think rarely We salvation. of picture big to the compared when inconsequential seems office doctor’s at the wait or the traffic the weather, the about Complaining ingratitude. is disciples Christ’s of life the into creeps that sin insidious most the that be may It GRUMBLING Co-Pastor at Grantham MB Church in St. Catharines, Ontario. St. Catharines, in Church MB Grantham at // Co-Pastor VANDENENDEN TABITHA Philippians 2:12-18Philippians 40 FRIDAY: FIFTH WEEK OF LENT

Jeremiah 33:10-16

be different, and not again be pastures for do. make things different.

AND RENEWAL We want believe to in God’s miraculous work of renewal, but when desolation is what confronts us on a daily basis our faith suffers. Broken lives offer not only dramatic witness the to pervasiveness of human suffering, but they seemingly call us to question the possibility ofchange, much less transformation. This is especially true when human actions bring ruin for the agents committing the acts, as well as for others around them. What is there do to in the face of suffering except lament? The people living in the desolation described by the prophetJeremiah might have concluded that their situation was irreversible. Even God acknowledged the bleakness of the scene in Jeremiah 33:10—or Actually, did He? Jeremiah records God’s words acknowledging whatGod heard from the people who were in exile, but the sentiments were theirs, not God’s. God had plans far beyond the expectation of the people, plans for restoration and renewal. theIn midst of human despair, people forget that God is in the business of doing what humans deem impossible. Human wisdom does not grasp thecertainty of God’s gracious plan, but God speaks and acts with a definitiveness that rebukes human doubt. Jeremiah records not that God is capable of transforming the barren countryside; rather, he says that “in all its towns there will PLANS FOR RESTORATION shepherds rest to emphasis theirGod’s flocks”(33:12, planto added). restore the land is as certain as the reality of the desolation itself. theIn midst of calamity, it is easy become to overwhelmed by hopelessness and reduce faith a willingness to believe to that God could The hope of the glory of Christ’s ministry is that things will only that, immeasurably beyond what we ask or think. It was inconceivable that God might have a future for the people who languished in desolation. It was inconceivable that the rabbi from Nazareth could bring any good His to hearers. It is inconceivable that the broken relationships, the horrendous injustices, the flinty-hard attitudes that plague us can change. People don’t change. But God changes people. That is what He does; that is whatwill He BRIAN COOPER Associate // Dean, Assistant Professor of Theology at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Langley, British Columbia.

SATURDAY: FIFTH WEEK OF LENT 41 And palms before my feet. my before palms And ears, my about ashout was There sweet: and hour fierce far One hour; my had Ialso For Fools! still. secret my I keep Iamdumb, me: deride scourge, Starve, now and forever. Amen. Amen. forever. and now Spirit, Holy the and you with reigns and lives who Christ, Jesus Through kingdom. your into enter may we him, with rising and dying that, cross; and suffering his of way the walking by Messiah Jesus acclaim always may them bear who we that grant and victory; his of asign us for be branches these Let way. his along branches palm and garments their spread who those by king proclaimed was and Jerusalem of city holy the entered he day This Lord. our Christ Jesus through world the redeem you which by love of acts the for God, ever-living you, bless and praise We 1927), Palmer, (London: Cecil Chesterton K. G. of Poems // (The 297) Collected CHESTERTON K. G. Of ancient will; crooked earth, the of outlaw tattered The things. all four-footed On parody walking devil’s The wings, errant like ears And cry sickening and head monstrous With born; Iwas surely Then blood was moon the when moment Some thorn, upon grew figs And walked forests and flew fishes When Donkey The BCP

SUNDAY REST SUNDAY 42 PALM SUNDAY Mark 11:1-11

EZRA OKOTI Mission // Campus Pastor at Northview Community Church in Mission, British Columbia..

OF JESUS As a youngboy I often felt sorry for Jesus every time I heard theEaster story. Jesus was too good a person, I thought, deserve to all the terrible things that happened Him.to my naïveté, In I assumed Jesus was a victim of unfortunate circumstances. But was Jesus really blindsided by events that led to His crucifixion? Passion week began with Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Many in Jerusalem “spread their cloaks on the road, others spread leafy branches that they Many sang:cut “Hosanna! from(11:8). Blessed the fields” is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed isthe coming Kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in This royal receptionthe highest” was (11:9)! short lived. As the week unfolded, Jesus’ authority was questioned; He was betrayed, denied three times, arrested, condemned and crucified by the end of the week. Prior His to arrival and triumphant entry into Jerusalem, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of His disciples into Jerusalem saying, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says you, to ‘Why are you say, doing this?’ ‘The Lord has need of it and will This send it was back here immediately’” (11:2-3). no easy assignment. At the time, Jerusalem was bursting with almost two million sojourners who came celebrate to the Jewish Passover. There were people and animals everywhere! Sure enough, the disciples walked into the city and found the colt Jesus talked about What tied to a post Mark is highlighting (11:4-6). here is what he highlights throughout his Gospel—the foreknowledge of Jesus. MarkIn Jesus, 10:32-24, speaking His to disciples, was very specific about His sufferings, death and resurrection as He led the way Jerusalem. to He led the way to Jerusalem knowing Judas would betray Him. He led the way Jerusalem to knowing that Peter would deny Him three times. He led the way His to crucifixion for the forgiveness of the sins of the Pharisees and sinners who hated Him and opposed Him at every turn. He knew, He planned and He accomplished everything! Praise God for demonstrating His remarkable, overwhelming love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died 5:8)! for us (Romans THE FOREKNOWLEDGE

HOLY MONDAY 43 Lead Pastor at Forest Grove Community Church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Saskatoon, in Church Community Grove Forest at // Pastor Lead ENNS BRUCE our response of worship. of response our is This world. the change can that Christ Jesus in God of wisdom the is This fools. of work the is This life. atransformed of truth the declaring and living of way by testimony and world, the in done has God what of effects and truth the of speak that conversations daily and preaching of way by Proclamation testimony. and proclamation as framed be might text, this in seen as role, Our for. preparing are we that Sunday Resurrection of promise and sin). our hope the is of This consequences and weight the from (freed redemption and cross), of the because holy and pure (made sanctification Christ), Jesus through God (1:30); with us (being for right done made already righteousness has God to what compared all at nothing really are effort and wisdom our how kingdom— down upside God’s of us reminds text This done. already has God what of truth the with flooded when purpose and meaning in away melts striving human Our response. our frames and us for much so done has who God to the close draw we as response our with us helps today text Our God. for room making and close” “drawing about is it up,” “giving about just isn’t Lent that reminded I’m then But adecision. actually is decision” “no my that finding Lent,” for up “giving I’m that is it what on landed really having not for guilt procrastinators’ with season Lenten the into days go Itypically Instead, story. my been hasn’t it as that, get Idon’t off. it to kick Wednesday Ash for wait can’t and anticipation such with to it forward look people Some (or thereof). lack disciplines and comforts patterns, my including in, challenged to be like Idon’t that life my in things many so challenges and anxious me to make tends It devotional. a Lenten in even it, Isaid There, much. as not Lent but Easter, Ilike Lent. like really I don’t anyway). thing agood is (which apparently aconfession with to start I need CLOSE DRAWING

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 1 Corinthians 44 HOLY TUESDAY Hebrews 12:1-2a

KRISTEN CORRIGAN // PresidentKRISTEN CORRIGAN of // École de Théologie Évangélique in de Montréal (ETEM) Montréal, Québec Missionary from Gracepoint Community Church in Surrey, British Columbia.

WITNESSES These days we get a bit of a sense of what a great cloud of witnesses might look like.The word “cloud” wasclassical a Greek metaphor for a large multitude. Today we might think of iCloud and the age of easy access the to multitudes through electronic means. What might that mean for running the good race? It is not clear whether the witnesses that are spoken of in verse 1 are in heaven or on earth. However, with Facebook, Twitter, Google search, etc. it seems as though anyone and everyone’s life is on display. We are beginning see to the consequences of openness our to lives by countless witnesses known and unknown here on earth. Sometimes the fruit of the Spirit is revealed and broadcast. for example Take the courage it must have taken for Craig Wayne Boyd on the TV show sing to The Voice “The Old Rugged Cross”—one of the most moving renditions I have ever heard—in front of millions of people. Usually the masses expect secular songs, but in this case the multitudes heard the truth of our Lord suffering on the cross for our sins. By contrast, sometimes “a great cloud of witnesses” is exposed the to dark side of our human persona. Who hasn’t heard of the harm being done our to young through exploitation on the internet? these In cases the cloud of witnesses are being exposed the to dark side of humanity. We are invited by this passage in Hebrews be to aware that there is a great cloud of witnesses cheering us on. If we accept the invitation, we may, with the help of the Holy Spirit, throw off everything that hinders us, whether it is a personal habit that does not help the light of Jesus shine, a temptation that will do more harm than good or a sin that encumbers the advancement of God’s kingdom. For those of us who desire hear to the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” let us be encouraged beto an example online and in life, as we factor in the impact of being in front of a cloud of witnesses while we run our race fixing our eyes on Jesus. A CLOUD OF OF A CLOUD

HOLY WEDNESDAY 45 ANOTHER’S FEET ANOTHER’S person of Jesus, and to follow His lead in demonstrating that love to others. love that demonstrating in lead His to follow and Jesus, of person the in love divine of expression unfathomable the to ponder which in atime surely is (John them Week 13:34). Holy loved has He as another one love they that be should washed has He feet whose to those commandment” “new Jesus’ that fitting seems it light, 7:8-9).that (Deuteronomy In bondage Egyptian from them liberates He when manifested clearly is Israel of children to the commitment enduring God’s people. His and God between love the of anexpression as interpreted is poetry love This festival. Passover the during read is Songs of Song the tradition, liturgical In Jewish 1:21). (Matthew sins” their from people his save will he “for Jesus, named is who one the of action rescuing the with Israel of rescue God’s theologically connects 11:1). thereby 2:15; Hosea (Matthew Matthew son” my called Ihave Egypt of “Out exodus: the concerning Hosea of book the in declaration LORD’s the quotes he Bethlehem, in rampage murderous Herod’s escape to to Egypt flight their after homeland to their parents His and Jesus of return to the reference in when, God of Son ultimate the as Jesus and son God’s as Israel between alink 1:15-16, (Exodus forges 22). infanticide male Matthew Israelite of apolicy of institution 4:22-23), (Exodus him Pharaoh’s anearlier for and to serve order in go son,” “firstborn LORD’s the Israel, to let refusal Pharaoh’s one for retribution just represents 12:13). die plague of That Egypt (Exodus firstborn the when plague tenth the of course the during protection of se but per sins of forgiveness the of not sign, as a serves blood whose lamb, sacrificial the is observance Passover of (1:34; (1:29; God 1:49). of cf. 1:36) cf. heart Son the world” the and At the of sin the away takes who God of Lamb “the is Jesus that announces baptizer the John Israelites. the liberating in action redemptive God’s of story the of aspects with resonances are there John, of Gospel the of beginning the at Already Testament. New the in established well is Supper Last the and servitude Egyptian from Israel of emancipation the celebrates that feast Passover the between link The (13:16). master” their than greater not are “servants since (13:12-17), feet another’s one washing by Teacher Lord and their as example His to follow disciples His instructed Jesus meal, the at place His resuming After (13:1-11), to aservant. assigned been have normally would that ajob feet disciples’ His washed Jesus Supper Last the during to John’s Gospel, according when, Friday Good before day the on events the commemorates Thursday Maundy ONE WASH University in Langley, British Columbia. British Langley, in University Western Trinity and Seminaries ACTS at Testament Old of // Professor V. J. HIEBERT ROBERT

John 13:1-17, 31-35 13:1-17, John Exodus 12:1-14;Exodus 46 MAUNDY THURSDAY John 18:1-19:42

Jesus’ end begins by being betrayed. His identity attested to, arrested. He’s The Prince of Peace is then misrepresented by His own alliance’s violence. The Son of Man is handed abandoned over, and finally denied Hisby most vital disciple. The Great High Priest is questioned by the least of high priests, and struck by official an for speaking openly: “There is only hope in Pompousme.” leaders with malice mean stay to clean, they won’t crossthe brink of Pontius’ palace. They say seized He’s because Jesus would see Caesar cease. Inside interrogated He’s and berated, yet elevated the to status of King, though Truth Himself is doubted and flouted. Stupefied, the self-righteous, riotous mob tocry see the Messiah crucified. The Passover Lamb ends up passed over for a murderer. God is flogged, given a mocker’s makeover, and then dressed in majestic purple while given purple wounds with no dressing. Addressed as innocent by the governor, the government weighed heavy on His heavenly, heaving shoulders amidst shudders. Jesus tried, then crucified, crucified. The sign sings the good news the confused had refused: Jesus “King of the Jews.” The Lord forlorn, though forewarned, His simple seamless garment is not torn unlike the temple veil, signifying where harm is meant, peace will prevail. As His vigor dips, the Son of God sips bitter vinegar, but the pain lingers. His lips split echo to the refrain of the Psalm if in tone a singer, diminished: “It is finished.” The Life denied, with that cry Jesus died for the blind seduced by Lucifer’s lies. But as the prophet had spoken, His legs were not broken, for blood and water left the ground soaking where the spear poked Him, fiercely piercing the Prince. It left soldiers convinced of His death. A despondent respondent, the wholeglobe is robed in darkness as before creation, and the earth shakes and groans as it takes the Word that atones our salvation. IT IS IT IS FINISHED CYRIL Senior GUÉRETTE Pastor // at FreeChurch in Toronto, Ontario. Associate Professor of Philosophy and Theology at Heritage College in Gatineau, Québec.

GOOD FRIDAY 47 meet you tomorrow with all that He has promised. has He that all with tomorrow you meet will God expecting so do but Christ, of death the Mourn night. the out hold Therefore, (37:4-6). LORD’” Iamthe that know will you Then to life. come will you and you, into breath put Iwill skin. with you cover and you on muscles and flesh put again! Iwill live you make and you into breath to put am going I Look! says: LORD Sovereign the what is This LORD! the of Word to the listen bones, ‘Dry say, and bones to these message aprophetic “Speak said: LORD the when to expect what of anidea given was Ezekiel even For to come. is what of knowledge the in be sadness our let So, resurrection. His of promise the and grave Christ’s of oddity the in grounded is sorrow we? our But aren’t death, Jesus’ mourning We’re tomorrow. of resurrection the and yesterday of death the between caught remain must we So paradox. this contemplate Today we day the is victory. and life all of place the it’s rather, defeat; and darkness of aplace isn’t it In reality Christ. of grave to the anoddity is there yet, And bones. dry the and tomb dark the is see we What reality. with clashes see we what which in day the is Saturday Holy 1994)). Press, Seminary Tikhon’s St. Canaan: (South Ware Kallistos and Lenten The in Triodion Saturday (Matins Holy of life” of source very the yet and acorpse understanding: our beyond away in eyes our before lie You For below. tomb the in and high on Your upon throne You, Saviour, our beheld they as Your at death, fear with quaked earth the beneath all and above things All hell. and death slain have Your you by and death life, of gates the us for opened You Your by have burial for Your at burial: asong hymn, to You sing will afuneral we God, our Lord “O weep: we point this At descent. His and death His passion, His life, happened—His has that all to contemplate order in tomb the in Jesus of feet the at remain must We death. of silence awkward the to experience need we for here, linger us have would God And tomb. the at We’re journey. Lenten our in point this at are We it? Isn’t not. is life obvious; is Death all. it through to walk you causes LORD the Then detail. the Notice feet. your to Look coverage. the Notice to West. East from land the over Gaze expanse. the Notice hillside. the of ridges the up Peer closely. Look to be. else somewhere have you if as all, it over scan just Don’t around. Look valley. desolate and an immense of lowlands the in you sets LORD the of Spirit scene? The Ezekiel’s imagine you Can Columbia. Instructor at MBBS in Langley, British Columbia. British Langley, in MBBS at Instructor Columbia. British Langley, in Seminary Biblical Brethren Mennonite at Editor // Project MCAULEY M. ERIKA AND RESURRECTION AND DEATH BETWEEN CAUGHT , trans. Mother Mary Mary Mother , trans. Ezekiel 37:1-3Ezekiel 48 HOLY SATURDAY Luke 24:1-12; 1 Corinthians 20-28 15:1-5, Luke 24:1-12;

BRUCE L. GUENTHER President, // Associate Professor of Church History and Mennonite Studies at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Langley, British Columbia.

RISEN! The stunning proclamation, “He is Risen,” frantically delivered the to grief-stricken and confused apostles by the women who discovered the empty tomb on Easter morning was summarily dismissed at first as “nonsense.” With one exception: the impetuous Peter who ran the to tomb check to this story out for himself. Peter had had a very rough week—his initial refusal allow to Jesus wash to his feet, his ill-advised knife attack on Malchus, a servant of the High Priest, his emphatic and unequivocal promise follow to Jesus even death, to followed shortly after by an equally emphatic series of denials. Peter is the first apostleto think that the strange proclamation might just possibly be true, and if so, that it would truly be “good news.”Perhaps it was fitting that Peter was the first apostle to meet the risen Lord. It is hard imagine to the impact of such incredulous an announcement on these first- century women and men, as their dazed disbelief, shock and anxiety was gradually transformed into amazement, hope and the realization that they had witnessed the most momentous event in human history ever warrant to the description of “epic” and “awesome.” hisIn letter the to church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul who met Jesus in a most unexpected and unique encounter on the Damascus Road, also highlights the significance of the resurrection as the climax of a good-news story: “If Christ had not been raised, then allour preaching The world’s and faith is useless” (15:14). most famous theologian begins his extended discussion of the resurrection by intentionally using a succinct summary of the Gospel, later known as “the rule of faith,” reinforce to his claim of authenticity and consistency that the Gospel he received, and that the Corinthians received through him, is that of the apostles. Such summaries, which culminated in the Apostles’ Creed, were widely used by the early church as the standard against which test to religious practices and theological opinions. The ecstatic proclamation, “He is Risen,” first made by the womento the gathered apostles, and later boldly declared by Paul countless to others throughout the Mediterranean basin, has for two millennia been repeated by Christian communities around the world, and now belongs us. to How do we recognize that we have seen the Lord, how have we been transformed by our encounter with Jesus Christ, and how do we now make this glorious truth known those to around us? HE IS IS HE

EASTER SUNDAY 49

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