Luke 23: 13-19
If you were told to jump off a bridge, and everyone around you jumped, would you jump too? Many of us are people pleasers, and are afraid to stand out and to stray from the crowd or popular belief. Many times we are so eager to “jump on the bandwagon” that we often forget to stop and think about whether or not what we are doing is right. In this story about Pilate, Jesus, and Barabbas, Pilate is declaring to the crowd that he has found Jesus to be innocent and will have him flogged and then released. Immediately the crowd began uproar and chanted to kill him and to set Barabbas free. Later on in the passage, Pilate is persuaded and turns to favor the crowd by agreeing to free Barabbas and crucify Jesus. Pilate did not stand up for what he believed and knew was right and was easily convinced by the crowd. As Christians we are called to be bold in our everyday lives and stand up for what is right and for our faith that we believe in. Jesus was radical and stood out in his every motion to expose all to the Truth of the Lord. The Lent season, take an extra second to think about the decisions you are making in your life, are you being bold about your faith or are you just following the crowd?
-Becca Ash
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World
Mark 15:1-15
In our scripture for today we find Pilate questioning Jesus to determine whether the charges against him were true. Pilate realizes Jesus is innocent, but as is stated in verse 15, “Wanting to satisfy the crowd,” he releases Barabbas instead of Jesus. Pilate goes against what he knows is right because he did not want to upset the crowd.
How often in our daily lives are we Pilate? How frequently do we go along with something we know we shouldn’t just to please the crowd? We are the face of Christianity today. Everything we do and say is a direct reflection of Christ.
“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle.” (DC Talk)
Let’s examine our actions and attitudes every day to be sure that our words and deeds are supporting Christ not crucifying Him.
David Boatright
In our scripture for today we find Pilate questioning Jesus to determine whether the charges against him were true. Pilate realizes Jesus is innocent, but as is stated in verse 15, “Wanting to satisfy the crowd,” he releases Barabbas instead of Jesus. Pilate goes against what he knows is right because he did not want to upset the crowd.
How often in our daily lives are we Pilate? How frequently do we go along with something we know we shouldn’t just to please the crowd? We are the face of Christianity today. Everything we do and say is a direct reflection of Christ.
“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle.” (DC Talk)
Let’s examine our actions and attitudes every day to be sure that our words and deeds are supporting Christ not crucifying Him.
David Boatright
Friday, March 12, 2010
Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World
Mark 15:1-5
I have heard this scripture many times before, but I think this is the first time I have read it and realized that Pilate totally caved under peer pressure. Pilate knows what the right thing to do is and is almost begging Jesus to stand up to the priests so that Pilate himself won't have to do it. When that doesn't work, Pilate turns to the crowd thinking that they will want their "king of jews" released. He again prompts them to reconsider by asking them what crime he has committed.
In the end, it is Pilate's wanting to go along and satisfy the crowd that leads to Jesus' death. Even though he knew the decision was wrong, he was unwilling to stand up for what he believed. How many times are we Pilate? How many times do we go along with friends, co-workers and crowds because it is easier than standing out and being one voice in the madness. How many times do we, like Pilate, sacrifice what is right for what is easy or comfortable.
Kali Boatright
I have heard this scripture many times before, but I think this is the first time I have read it and realized that Pilate totally caved under peer pressure. Pilate knows what the right thing to do is and is almost begging Jesus to stand up to the priests so that Pilate himself won't have to do it. When that doesn't work, Pilate turns to the crowd thinking that they will want their "king of jews" released. He again prompts them to reconsider by asking them what crime he has committed.
In the end, it is Pilate's wanting to go along and satisfy the crowd that leads to Jesus' death. Even though he knew the decision was wrong, he was unwilling to stand up for what he believed. How many times are we Pilate? How many times do we go along with friends, co-workers and crowds because it is easier than standing out and being one voice in the madness. How many times do we, like Pilate, sacrifice what is right for what is easy or comfortable.
Kali Boatright
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World
Hebrews 5:7-9
While author of Hebrews remains unknown, the writings in Hebrews allow us to understand something about him, namely his devotion to God through Jesus. This particular passage also tells of another type of devotion: Jesus’ undying devotion to his Father. This devotion was so great, Jesus allowed himself to be wrongly accused, tortured, and crucified because his Father had commanded it for the salvation of the world. This degree of willful obedience and unquestioning loyalty is something we should strive to match every day, no matter how dismally we may fail sometimes.
While we as humans cannot even hope to attain this type of devotion, we can, through reading the Bible, prayer, and fellowship, devote our lives to someone much greater than ourselves, who gave his life and bore the pain of thousands of years of human sin so that we may enter the gates of heaven. We can show our loyalty to God through our loyalty to each other, our love for God through our treatment of each other, and our obedience to God through our obedience to His Word.
Elizabeth Mathis
While author of Hebrews remains unknown, the writings in Hebrews allow us to understand something about him, namely his devotion to God through Jesus. This particular passage also tells of another type of devotion: Jesus’ undying devotion to his Father. This devotion was so great, Jesus allowed himself to be wrongly accused, tortured, and crucified because his Father had commanded it for the salvation of the world. This degree of willful obedience and unquestioning loyalty is something we should strive to match every day, no matter how dismally we may fail sometimes.
While we as humans cannot even hope to attain this type of devotion, we can, through reading the Bible, prayer, and fellowship, devote our lives to someone much greater than ourselves, who gave his life and bore the pain of thousands of years of human sin so that we may enter the gates of heaven. We can show our loyalty to God through our loyalty to each other, our love for God through our treatment of each other, and our obedience to God through our obedience to His Word.
Elizabeth Mathis
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World
Psalm 110:1-4
Many people have a vague belief in God but refuse to accept Jesus as anything more than a great human teacher. But the Bible does not allow that option. Both the Old and New Testaments proclaim the deity of the one who came to save and to reign. Jesus explained that this Psalm spoke of the Messiah as greater the David, Israel's greatest king. Peter used this Psalm to show that Jesus, the Messiah, sits at God's right hand and is Lord over all. You can't straddle the fence, calling Jesus "just a good teacher," because the Bible clearly calls him Lord.
As a priest like Melchizedek, Christ will never abuse his divine position, and his reign will be forever. Jesus is more fully described as our High Priest in Hebrews 5.
Faith is knowing without seeing,
believing without fully understanding,
trusting without touching
the One who is ever faithful.
JoAnn Damewood
Many people have a vague belief in God but refuse to accept Jesus as anything more than a great human teacher. But the Bible does not allow that option. Both the Old and New Testaments proclaim the deity of the one who came to save and to reign. Jesus explained that this Psalm spoke of the Messiah as greater the David, Israel's greatest king. Peter used this Psalm to show that Jesus, the Messiah, sits at God's right hand and is Lord over all. You can't straddle the fence, calling Jesus "just a good teacher," because the Bible clearly calls him Lord.
As a priest like Melchizedek, Christ will never abuse his divine position, and his reign will be forever. Jesus is more fully described as our High Priest in Hebrews 5.
Faith is knowing without seeing,
believing without fully understanding,
trusting without touching
the One who is ever faithful.
JoAnn Damewood
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World
Exodus 3:1-14
God met Moses in the burning bush. He gave Moses the work of leading His chosen people out of bondage. When Moses asked who shall I say sent me, God answered, "tell them 'I Am Who I Am'. I Am has sent you". God, self contained, needing nothing to exist, proclaimed to Moses the He is the only true God. Now look in John. John stated that the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was, in the beginning, with Him. Further, John states, "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." Jesus, our Savior, our redeemer, is clearly revealed as the very God, the I am.
Caiaphas, the high priest, when Jesus made his way to Jerusalem held power within the nation. Earthly power. He reasoned that Jesus was a threat to his power, and the power of the establishment of his day. He didn't realize that he was merely an instrument of God's to accomplish His will.
Jesus, on the night before his death, met and was questioned by Caiaphas. Caiaphas asked Jesus if he was the son of God. Jesus answered, "Yes, I am".
Blind to the truth. Blind to our Savior. Blind to their own peril. Caiaphas and the rulers condemned our Savoir.
But, the plan of God was not stopped. Indeed. It was completed! Our Savoir died on the cross. Bled for us. Suffered unimaginable pain. The pain of our sins born in his body. The perfect sacrifice. His love held him there. His love for us.
Now, today, do we play the same role as Caiaphas? Are we the righteous? Do we, through our own "rules" condemn our Savoir? Do we condemn those who don't measure up to our standards of righteousness? Of being a Christian?
But the end is beautiful. Jesus, our lord. Rose from the grave. He breathed again. He lives! Today and forever. He stands before God this very moment interceding for us. We are forgiven. We are free from the curse of death through his blood. We are redeemed by his love. We are forgiven of our sins. We, through no works, actions, gifts, or anything that we have done, are his. Praise Jesus! Our Savoir, our redeemer, our brother, our one true love.
David and Maryann Thompson
God met Moses in the burning bush. He gave Moses the work of leading His chosen people out of bondage. When Moses asked who shall I say sent me, God answered, "tell them 'I Am Who I Am'. I Am has sent you". God, self contained, needing nothing to exist, proclaimed to Moses the He is the only true God. Now look in John. John stated that the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was, in the beginning, with Him. Further, John states, "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." Jesus, our Savior, our redeemer, is clearly revealed as the very God, the I am.
Caiaphas, the high priest, when Jesus made his way to Jerusalem held power within the nation. Earthly power. He reasoned that Jesus was a threat to his power, and the power of the establishment of his day. He didn't realize that he was merely an instrument of God's to accomplish His will.
Jesus, on the night before his death, met and was questioned by Caiaphas. Caiaphas asked Jesus if he was the son of God. Jesus answered, "Yes, I am".
Blind to the truth. Blind to our Savior. Blind to their own peril. Caiaphas and the rulers condemned our Savoir.
But, the plan of God was not stopped. Indeed. It was completed! Our Savoir died on the cross. Bled for us. Suffered unimaginable pain. The pain of our sins born in his body. The perfect sacrifice. His love held him there. His love for us.
Now, today, do we play the same role as Caiaphas? Are we the righteous? Do we, through our own "rules" condemn our Savoir? Do we condemn those who don't measure up to our standards of righteousness? Of being a Christian?
But the end is beautiful. Jesus, our lord. Rose from the grave. He breathed again. He lives! Today and forever. He stands before God this very moment interceding for us. We are forgiven. We are free from the curse of death through his blood. We are redeemed by his love. We are forgiven of our sins. We, through no works, actions, gifts, or anything that we have done, are his. Praise Jesus! Our Savoir, our redeemer, our brother, our one true love.
David and Maryann Thompson
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World
Mark 14:53, 55, 61-68, 70-72
Peter—not only one of the twelve, but one of the two or three along with John and James with whom Jesus was especially close. Peter—not only one of the twelve, but the one whom Jesus called the rock. Peter—not only one of the twelve but the one upon whom Jesus built his church. Peter, surely Peter, could be counted on to support and proclaim Jesus as Lord. Yet, just as Jesus foretold, Peter denied the Master, not once, but two distinct times.
As we journey through this Lenten season, church members all, do we, like Peter, deny the Master? Do we forget to bring cans for the Good Samaritan Center? Do we hurry through our devotions, leaving prayers for our neighbors for another day? Do we rush past the visitor in our Worship Service, too intent on cups of coffee to offer a welcoming word? Do we, like Peter, refuse to acknowledge by thought, word, or deed that we know this man?
Heavenly Father, forgive us. We fall so far short of even our own expectations. Forgive us. We fail to love others as we love ourselves. Forgive us. We will try again. Direct our hearts and hands. Lead us. Amen.
Susan Dodson
Peter—not only one of the twelve, but one of the two or three along with John and James with whom Jesus was especially close. Peter—not only one of the twelve, but the one whom Jesus called the rock. Peter—not only one of the twelve but the one upon whom Jesus built his church. Peter, surely Peter, could be counted on to support and proclaim Jesus as Lord. Yet, just as Jesus foretold, Peter denied the Master, not once, but two distinct times.
As we journey through this Lenten season, church members all, do we, like Peter, deny the Master? Do we forget to bring cans for the Good Samaritan Center? Do we hurry through our devotions, leaving prayers for our neighbors for another day? Do we rush past the visitor in our Worship Service, too intent on cups of coffee to offer a welcoming word? Do we, like Peter, refuse to acknowledge by thought, word, or deed that we know this man?
Heavenly Father, forgive us. We fall so far short of even our own expectations. Forgive us. We fail to love others as we love ourselves. Forgive us. We will try again. Direct our hearts and hands. Lead us. Amen.
Susan Dodson
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
