Time to prepare for tomorrow's resurrection

OLD TESTAMENT READING

Job 14:1-17 (MSG)
If We Die, Will We Live Again?
^1-17“We’re all adrift in the same boat:
    too few days, too many troubles.
We spring up like wildflowers in the desert and then wilt,
    transient as the shadow of a cloud.
Do you occupy your time with such fragile wisps?
    Why even bother hauling me into court?
There’s nothing much to us to start with;
    how do you expect us to amount to anything?
Mortals have a limited life span.
    You’ve already decided how long we’ll live—
    you set the boundary and no one can cross it.
So why not give us a break? Ease up!
    Even ditchdiggers get occasional days off.
For a tree there is always hope.
    Chop it down and it still has a chance—
    its roots can put out fresh sprouts.
Even if its roots are old and gnarled,
    its stump long dormant,
At the first whiff of water it comes to life,
    buds and grows like a sapling.
But men and women? They die and stay dead.
    They breathe their last, and that’s it.
Like lakes and rivers that have dried up,
    parched reminders of what once was,
So mortals lie down and never get up,
    never wake up again—never.
Why don’t you just bury me alive,
    get me out of the way until your anger cools?
But don’t leave me there!
    Set a date when you’ll see me again.
If we humans die, will we live again? That’s my question.
    All through these difficult days I keep hoping,
    waiting for the final change—for resurrection!
Homesick with longing for the creature you made,
    you’ll call—and I’ll answer!
You’ll watch over every step I take,
    but you won’t keep track of my missteps.
My sins will be stuffed in a sack
    and thrown into the sea—sunk in deep ocean.

 

NEW TESTAMENT READING

 

1 Peter 4:1-11 (MSG)

Learn to Think Like Him

^1-2 Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.

^3-5 You’ve already put in your time in that God-ignorant way of life, partying night after night, a drunken and profligate life. Now it’s time to be done with it for good. Of course, your old friends don’t understand why you don’t join in with the old gang anymore. But you don’t have to give an account to them. They’re the ones who will be called on the carpet—and before God himself.

⁶ Listen to the Message. It was preached to those believers who are now dead, and yet even though they died (just as all people must), they will still get in on the life that God has given in Jesus.

^7-11 Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

 

 

Jesus is crucified

Isaiah 53:2-6 (MSG)

The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling,
    a scrubby plant in a parched field.
There was nothing attractive about him,
    nothing to cause us to take a second look.
He was looked down on and passed over,
    a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.
One look at him and people turned away.
    We looked down on him, thought he was scum.
But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—
    our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
    that God was punishing him for his own failures.
But it was our sins that did that to him,
    that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
    Through his bruises we get healed.
We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost.
    We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong,
    on him, on him.

Today is Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday. Lent begins today, bringing with it a season of reflection and somber thought about our sin and Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.

Throughout Lent, Christians wait patiently to exchange the Easter morning greeting, “His is risen!” He is risen, INDEED!”

In my humble opinion, repentance and reconnecting are the key words associated with Lent.

During the weeks ahead, Christians throughout the world take time to reflect on the days leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus as foretold in Isaiah 53:12 (NIV)
[Bolded words from the scriptures are my emphasis.]
Therefore, I will give him a portion among the great,
   and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
    and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
    and made intercession for the transgressors.

Many Christians sacrifice a significant pleasure during the season of Lent. Some give up chocolate, some smoking, others give up alcoholic beverages or gambling. When I was a youngster, my Catholic friends were required to abstain from meat during Lent. I can remember the public school cafeteria always had a fish choice during the Lenten season.

This semi-fasting experience is not designed for depriving oneself of something, or as a means of atonement for our sins, it’s more about devoting yourself to God, fulfilling His purpose for us in this world.

I approach my sacrifice by reasoning that if I can take my mind off just one of my guilty pleasures for the next 40-odd days, perhaps the fast will result in a better relationship with the One who truly matters – Jesus Christ!

What are you giving up for Lent? Will it impact your relationship with Jesus? Think about it.

While you're considering the question, I'll close with a prayer that opened a devotional I am following during the Lenten season -

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. — The Book of Common Prayer

And, AMEN!