A Weekly Walk in the Word

Luke 23:44-49 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

John 13:1-17 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” He asked them. “You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

John 12:12-13 The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!”

As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, he is met by a large group of people who were in town to celebrate the Passover. Jesus’ triumphal entry is a grand entrance fit for a king. Palm branches waved as voices showered blessings on Jesus, the one who has come to save them from their current government. Little did they know how the world would change in just one short week. Jesus wasn’t saving the people from their government, he was saving them, and us, from this world. Celebrate Palm Sunday knowing the price Jesus paid to save you. Feel all the feels during Holy Week as we walk with Jesus on his journey to the cross, to the tomb and to resurrection.

John 1:42 Jesus took one look up and said, “You’re John’s son, Simon? From now on your name is Cephas” (or Peter, which means “Rock”).

What is the meaning of a name? Do you know why your parents gave you the name you have been blessed with? A friend of mine and her sisters gave themselves new names – Joy, Peace and Grace. If Jesus could choose your name, what would it be? Thank God for your true identity found in Him.

Luke 22:39-46 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” He asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

Prayer should be one of the easiest pieces of our faith life. The conversations we share with God only increase our intimate relationship with him. So, why do we struggle to find quiet time. I have committed to daily prayer time during Lent. I needed to prioritize the practice of prayer. The habit of writing in my prayer journal is one I will continue until I can no longer physical write. God is good. He listens to me, and I have learned to take time to be quiet during my prayer time to hear what he has to say to me. What does your prayer life look like? May God send an angel to strengthen you as you continue to grow closer to Him.

John 15:1-4 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

We have the opportunity to abide with Christ every day. What a blessing! We have all been invited to live a life tangled up with Jesus. The good news is that we don’t need to wait until we get to heaven for this life. We can experience the blessing of abiding with him today as we journey through life here on earth. Peace is found when we dwell with Jesus. Stay connected to the vine as you abide in Christ throughout lent and throughout your entire life.

Luke 18:31-34 Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.” The disciples did not understand any of this, its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.

We have started lent this week with Ash Wednesday. But, what is Lent really about anyways?

Wikipedia explains Lent as a 40-day solemn Christian season of fasting, prayer, and penance (excluding Sundays) that begins on Ash Wednesday and leads to Easter. It commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness. The purpose is to prepare believers for Easter through self-examination, repentance, and almsgiving, encouraging spiritual renewal.

Lent is so much more than fish frys on Fridays or giving up chocolate. Lent is about drawing near to Jesus on his journey to the cross. How will you walk with Jesus in this season of Lent?

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

The Olympic Games have been on our TV every night for the past week. The athletes’ dedication to their sport is all consuming. I love hearing their stories of how they made it to this point of being an Olympic athlete. Their entire lives are dedicated to the strict training of improving their bodies and minds in preparation for competition. So, my question for you this week is, “what would you medal in?” Paul reminds us to train to run the Christian race with as much dedication as an athlete training for their race. Strive for an eternal gold medal.

Luke 12:16-21 Then he (Jesus) told them this story: “The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: ‘What can I do? My barn isn’t big enough for this harvest.’ Then he said, ‘Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I’ll say to myself, Self, you’ve done well! You’ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!’ “Just then God showed up and said, ‘Fool! Tonight you die. And your barn full of goods – who gets it?’ “That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God.” (The Message Translation)

I love old barns! It has been a lifelong dream of mine to open an antique shop in a barn. So, when we purchased our farm over 5 years ago we began renovating our turn of the century dairy barn. We had the roof repaired and tinned, we had a new stairway built to the hay mow, we had the windows replaced and this winter we had a floor installed where the stanchions once stood. When the weather warms up, I will fill the barn with goods to sell. But, the first thing to go into the barn is Jesus. I have prayed over each step of the restoration process. Christian music plays over the speakers. Devotion books will be available for purchase. God is in this story! When our hearts are open to God’s leading, who knows where he will take you. It may even be to an old barn filled with God instead of Self.

Proverbs 7:4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.”

In the verse above, wisdom is personified as a cherished sister. I had the privilege of spending last weekend with my 3 sisters as we celebrated a big birthday. We are blessed to have the unconditional love and support of each other in our lives. I cherish each one of them. In a busy world, it is wise to carve out time for family.