Easter Sunday
The first Easter started in an isolated corner, in a graveyard, in the quiet of an early morning just as darkness was slowly transforming into light. But then note how the cast of characters and action quickly builds. It is almost cinematic.
First it is two women walking through the dawn, a gentle beginning. Then…an earthquake, and an angel resembling lightning, or maybe snow. The guards, hired to ensure the dead man in the tomb remained dead, now become “like dead men” themselves. Tomb, women, brilliant angel, men lying like dead: the scene begins to fill.
But there is no time for lingering here. An angelic exhortation not to fear, then a brief speech by the angel (which means “messenger”), perhaps a hurried look “where he lay”, then quickly off to tell the disciples, who are out of the scene but now part of the story. Then Jesus appears, it doesn’t matter from where because the action points forward, what’s next, rather than filling in all of the backstory details.
Jesus, too, does not say much but echoes that angelic admonishment not to fear but to keep moving on and out, to the disciples, to “my brothers and sisters”, to the neighbouring country of Galilee… and later in the gospel story far, far beyond that.
There is nothing more still and peaceful, unchanging and rooted in place, than a grave… and there is nothing more dynamic and growing, restless and expansive, than resurrection.
The boundary between the two would seem to be unbreachable; Jesus breached it. The grave with all its many faces, as very real as it is, is not the last chapter of the story but just its beginning. The grave gives way to resurrection.
The power of fear and death could not hold Jesus entombed. Thanks to him, it cannot hold us, either.
Thanks be to God on this blessed Easter Day!
Life-giving God, whose child Jesus broke the bonds of death and scattered the powers of sin: fill us with such faith in him that, facing injustice and death, we may overcome as he overcame, Jesus Christ, our hope and our redeemer. Amen.
Resting in Our Need for Grace
I have been wondering what the first Good Friday was like for Peter…
The night before, Peter had bravely followed Jesus to Caiaphas’ house after his arrest. But then, outside in the courtyard while inside Jesus was interrogated, slapped, and sentenced to death, Peter vehemently denied even knowing Jesus. This despite being one of Jesus’ key disciples—the Rock on whom Jesus had said he would build his church. When the rooster crowed at dawn on Friday, Peter realized he had betrayed Jesus. He left the courtyard and wept bitterly.
To truly know our need for grace can be a fearful place.
I have been wondering how and when I betray Jesus…because, if I am honest, I know I do: when I do not seek justice for my neighbour, when I stay silent so people don’t think I’m one of those Christians, when I am stingy with my love, when I try to stay in control of everything so that I can remain safe.
The truth is that following this wild God revealed in Jesus is not ever about remaining safe. It’s about trusting in God’s promises and steadfast love.
Even now, on this dreadful and fearful day of knowing completely our need of grace, there is a glimmer of hope. It’s there in the very existence of this story. Peter became the Rock Jesus hoped for, and yet the story of Peter’s betrayal remains in all four gospels—because it’s not a story of how Peter got it right, but of Jesus’ forgiveness and Peter’s acceptance of that grace.
I am grateful for this story, for its inclusion in the good news of Jesus, the Christ, in all its terrible honesty about our fickleness, our brokenness, our cowardice. In all it’s assurance, if seen more clearly looking back, of Jesus’ willingness to forgive and work with Peter, and me, and us for the sake of the beloved world and the glory of God.
We confess that we have betrayed You, in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We ask for Your forgiveness and loving grace. Work with us so that we may be who You need us to be. Amen
Janice Love
Today you are invited to read through this passage, and spend some time reflecting on what comes up. You may want to have something with which to record your thoughts. Take what stands out, and use it to shape a prayer.
You may want to follow the pattern of Lectio Divina (holy reading)
Reading
Meditating (reflect on the passage as a whole)
Praying (craft a prayer out of your meditation)
Contemplate (simply sit in silence, and let the passage sink more deeply in)
Lectio Divina
Today you are invited to read through this passage, and spend some time reflecting on what comes up. You may want to have something with which to record your thoughts. Take what stands out, and use it to shape a prayer.
You may want to follow the pattern of Lectio Divina (holy reading)
Reading
Meditating (reflect on the passage as a whole)
Praying (craft a prayer out of your meditation)
Contemplate (simply sit in silence, and let the passage sink more deeply in)
The Mind of Christ
Writing this devotional has been far tougher than I thought it would be. I've rewritten this more times than I care to admit, always fixating on saying the right thing about Jesus' humility and its implications for us. But this whole time, I should have been practicing what I read in Philippians 2: 5-11. Paul tells us to adopt the attitude of Christ, to cast aside ourselves and serve others' interests before our own. Yet, instead of emptying myself to write the reflection that stuck with me through prayer, I found myself continually writing and erasing every natural thought that came to me while chewing on the text. Even worse, I knew the hypocrisy of my doing so, but still, I struggled to put myself aside—my need to try to be perfect—and write this unimpeded.
How much harder must it have been for Jesus to have emptied himself of his divine privilege and assumed a human form? He is a member of the Trinity, love beyond proportion, yet in service of God the Father and us, he humbled himself to our fallen condition and accepted a criminal's death on the cross. Consider what it would mean for you and me to take up his yolk and act in service of another. What does it mean to serve God?
Heavenly Father, I'm trying to empty myself for you, but I keep failing. I pray that you make me humble. Work in me to make room so that you can work through me. I want to put you first in my life, to be of like mind to you, Lord Jesus. Illuminate the areas of my life where I am hypocritical to that desire. Drag me to the cross with you this Lent so that those parts of me can be crucified.
Strengthen my faith. I know that by emptying myself to you, I will be filled with something far greater, yet still, I hesitate. Why?
Because I'm imperfect.
Because I am fallen.
But you don't care! You surround me with grace nonetheless. Erase my internal lie, that I need to do something worthy of your grace to receive it. Change me so that I might be a vehicle for your will. In your name, I pray.
James Riddell
Lectio Divina
Today you are invited to read through this passage, and spend some time reflecting on what comes up. You may want to have something with which to record your thoughts. Take what stands out, and use it to shape a prayer.
You may want to follow the pattern of Lectio Divina (holy reading)
Reading
Meditating (reflect on the passage as a whole)
Praying (craft a prayer out of your meditation)
Contemplate (simply sit in silence, and let the passage sink more deeply in)
Lectio Divina
Today you are invited to read through this passage, and spend some time reflecting on what comes up. You may want to have something with which to record your thoughts. Take what stands out, and use it to shape a prayer.
You may want to follow the pattern of Lectio Divina (holy reading)
Reading
Meditating (reflect on the passage as a whole)
Praying (craft a prayer out of your meditation)
Contemplate (simply sit in silence, and let the passage sink more deeply in)
The Triumphal, Prophetic Entry
Shouldn't it be different? Jesus' entry into Jerusalem feels makeshift, like when children put on Christmas pageants and raid the dress up closet to become the characters in the play: A donkey will do instead of a horse, and we don't have a red carpet to roll out so the cloaks off of our backs will work, and hey, let's use these branches to wave in our parade. It all seems not quite right, as though the props distract us from ceremony of a king's triumph.
But the paradox of Jesus' triumphal entry is that it is exactly right. The slapdash cobbling-together of this procession looks hasty because it is. It's time to get on with the show! Jesus' ministry has led him here, to Bethphage, and being just east of the city right before Passover means it's time for a bit of holy performance art. Now that we're here, it's time to get moving! Go, disciples, go! If you know, you know about the donkey: it's time for Scripture to be fulfilled (Zechariah 9:9). We need crowds to mark the way forward—what kind of king gets the royal discarded clothing treatment? The prophet-king, headed toward the temple to shake things up, that's who! Hosanna in the highest heaven! It all seems not quite right, knowing what's going to happen, shouting our hosannas, making our way to a city in turmoil. But the paradox of Jesus' prophetic entry is that it is exactly right.
God in heaven, we celebrate and rejoice in the triumph of Jesus even when it doesn't look like what we expect, and yet makes sense that we are caught off guard by Your word and Your way. Grant us the courage to praise You for Your will, energized by Your Spirit. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Trust and Perseverance in Prayers
It was vv. 2-3 that struck me in my first reading of the psalm. I had never come across a prayer seemingly against others. What happened to the Psalmist David? What led him to deliver this prayer?
In fact, the psalmist’s situation is articulated in Psalm 69. He has been enduring scorn and insults even from his kin despite his love and reverence to God. He keeps waiting for an answer to his prayers for deliverance; he feels as if he “sink[s] in deep mire, where there is no foothold” (v. 2, P. 69). However, he never gives up his rejoicing and hoping in God that He will hear his cry (vv. 31-37, P. 69). David extends the prayer to all the people who seek God so that they will be glad in God (v. 5, P. 70).
Returning to the passage, I came to realize some wonderful things about these two psalms. First, the psalmist conveys his suffering very vividly, no hiding or pretending to look good. In other words, there is no barrier between him and God, just like how a child would talk about what happened at school to their father that they love. This honesty and trust are really manifest in the psalmist calling himself “poor and needy” and asking for urgent help (v. 5).
Second, David’s faith in God and His steadfast love during the struggles gives me a critical self-reflection. We all have had challenging moments from time to time in our life, but have we always kept our eyes up to the Heaven? As in session 3 of Prayer Course, have we kept ourself in God’s arms and leaned on His love like David, when God’s intention for His answer is beyond our understanding?
Third, repeated readings convinced me that David actually prays for God to stand for the oppressed and save His followers from evil, not necessarily literally putting shame on David’s foes. Vv. 2-3 also speak to the extent of suffering David endures, coming back to my first amazement.
Thank You Lord for this chance to become more open and closer to You through this psalm. Let us keep our soul clinging to You with more love, trust, and perseverance like David. Let us keep ourself connected to You through our prayer. Amen
R.M.
Jireh is Enough for Us in Every Circumstance!
Let me begin plainly: I don't like how today's devotional leaves out a whole section of uncomfortable words about divorce, transgressions, and rebukes from the Lord. Nor the fact that the Lord says he can turn rivers into deserts, causing their fish to rot or die of thirst (Isaiah 50:1-4). It is a metaphor for how Israel feels dejected and left out in the cold, not realizing that God has always been there. But I digress; in fact, that is not what today's devotional passage is about—rather a good precedent for what comes next, which is equally compelling.
Here is the servant, whose words and tongue are instructed by God himself. The Lord wakes him up every morning so that they can be used as a vessel to sustain his people. I don't know about you, but I feel this is a heavy task—the calling to undertake God’s work and word, and spread it to a sea of doubting men and women around us, can be daunting, and disappointing. If it was me, I would have given up on the first day of duty. And not because I did not try, but because perhaps my words would fall on deaf ears! But this servant has been resilient, staying on and soldiering through as God’s faithful servant.
But do you notice the payback God’s servant receives?(V5- 7).They are beaten, pulled, pushed, mocked, and spat at. (Sounds familiar?) How often do we as Christians face responses such as these? Our belief in Christ and his resurrection is indeed strange to others to perceive. Often we ourselves are mocked for our belief in a sovereign God and a risen saviour. Like two peas in a pod, suffering and discipleship are almost, if not, synonymous!
But despite all the hardships we press on. It is the sovereign Lord who helps and strengthens his servant. He is by our side, making us the catalyst that ignites the fire–the flint, our ever present advocate. It is God who vindicates and saves us. It is our faith in him and in the risen Saviour that allows us to soldier on each day. And that is enough! He notices the suffering we go through because of our faith; and if he is with us, who can be against us (V9). Our troubles wear out like garments eaten by moths, like rivers that turn to desserts, fish that die of thirst.
May He always be our rock and salvation.
Ruth Situma
Children of Light
Having just come off the Matthew reading of the Beatitudes in the lectionary a few weeks back, I’m immediately struck by verses 25-26 from this John passage: "Jesus said to them, “The light is in you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.”
We see a transition of who is the light throughout the Gospels—with it traditionally being taught as God and the Holy Scriptures being this light. Then Jesus comes into the scene, with full authority, claiming to be the light of the world (we so beautiful recall this on Christmas Eve). Then Matthew jumps to us being the light of the world, the role has shifted yet again. It’s a shockingly quick transition of light source for a God who’s been around for all of eternity and then some.
In this passage however, John gives us a nice moment of transition, noting the reality that Jesus is the light and is now in us; that when we believe, we become children of the light, the image bearers of the Christ. All of this a shockingly well thought out metaphor for someone who was already anticipating his coming death, metaphors definitely not being what I’d be focusing on in that moment.
Jesus notes earlier in this passage the idea of service to him being an act of following—a word we also get in other Gospel accounts, my utmost favourite being the encounter with the rich young ruler, who when invited to follow Jesus, simply cannot because it would cost him too much. This is to me one of the most practical and essential gospel moments, for Jesus is asked how to inherit eternal life and he gives a rare, plain answer: follow me. This act of following Jesus is for me, one of whole life transformation, one that takes work and letting go, one of still being Daniel, being my true authentic self—yet also so formed in the ways of Jesus that I indeed am the light I’m called to be. So far I’ve yet to find anyone else as interesting, compelling, and real to follow.
I wonder during this Lenten season if you’ve made a Lenten promise on your journey of following Jesus? Is it helping? Is it adding business? Is it shaking up your routine enough to notice the Holy in new ways? Is it costing you?
As we walk through this season of repentance, reflection, and promise, pausing to check-in is good—very good actually, because maybe giving up root-beer (as I did in grade 4) doesn’t really mean anything at this point. Or maybe giving up your bed (also did this, and I only recommend it if you’re in your early 20s) is hitting too hard and not making your a kind, more Spirit filled person.
Our God is one of grace and love on this journey, not one keeping score of how good we’re doing at Lent, embrace the spirit of that grace. All the while, still focused on following Jesus, serving him, and becoming the kind of people that want to spend eternity with God.
Daniel Martin
Lectio Divina
Today you are invited to read through this passage, and spend some time reflecting on what comes up. You may want to have something with which to record your thoughts. Take what stands out, and use it to shape a prayer.
You may want to follow the pattern of Lectio Divina (holy reading)
Reading
Meditating (reflect on the passage as a whole)
Praying (craft a prayer out of your meditation)
Contemplate (simply sit in silence, and let the passage sink more deeply in)
Love and Faithfulness
Through this psalm we feel the psalmist’s anxiety in calling out to God to not be forsaken, to be seen and heard. They have devoted their life to God. Life has not been easy yet still they say “I will always have hope.”
I interpret this as hope that God’s love and protection will prosper for generations to come, and show us insights on what living in God’s presence is.
For some this means pursuing righteousness. To me this means becoming a work in progress. This means realizing that our relationship with God is being developed; this relationship is dynamic and reciprocal.
In my own life I have been reflecting on how to grow closer to the Spirit. I try to see His presence in everyday life, through scripture or prayer, or simply admiring the beauty of God’s work in nature or the eyes of another.
While reflecting on this psalm I thought of Galatians 5-22-23 where the apostle Paul details the fruit of the spirit as; love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, generosity, faithfulness and self control. These are not just positive attributes too strive for but ways in which we can walk with the Sprit. We can also share our time and talents generously with those around us. This outflowing brings us closer to each other and to God.
God knows we are all works I progresses, he understands we are not perfect, but acknowledges our determination for a life of love and faithfulness.
Lise Belanger
Isaiah ‘Twas Foretold It
This passage from Isaiah, also called the second Servant Song, is a glimpse of God’s prescription for the world and the promise of the coming Messiah. Just as Israel was called, we, too, are invited to listen and hear what God is saying.
In some ways, this passage speaks to a very specific time period and people. The verses address the plight of Israel; the servant who has “laboured in vain” and spent its strength for nothing.
The Good News is that the Redeemer of Israel and the Holy One will restore Israel. But for the coming Saviour, the task is just the beginning, as it is considered to be too “light” a thing. The Lord also promises to be a light to the Gentiles and bring salvation unto the earth.
God gave us his only Son so that the glory of God could be revealed for all. In John 8:11, Jesus tells us, “I am the light of the world”. Not a light to some people, not a light to certain places, but a light to the whole world.
We, too, are living in times that seem divided and distraught, full of anguish and despair. We can hear the plight of Israel through Isaiah and see ourselves, wanting peace and stability and immediate answers.
When we pray, we may focus on specifics. Care and healing for this person, peace to this nation, but Isaiah reminds us that God’s goodness and power are far greater than we can comprehend. We pray that God’s will be done because we acknowledge and recognize the limitations of our humanness, our incapacity for understanding the full scope of eternal grace, the peace that surpasses understanding, the divine.
This passage reminds us that God has a plan and vision for all of us; God is our salvation “unto the end of the earth”.
From the very beginning of our existence, we are invited and accepted to be a part of God’s family. We humbly remember the gift of being God’s child.
Dear God, you are our strength and salvation. Through your restoring love, may we be your messengers, shining the light of Good News in the world.
Katie Anderson
Pointed in the Right Direction
Whenever I read this story, it always seems different. Sometimes I’ll pay attention to the obvious things, like the perfume, the dinner, etc. Sometimes I’ll think about the priest planning to kill Lazarus because he’s bringing more people to Jesus. This time the part that got me thinking was what Judas had to say.
Judas says in verse five, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” The following verse claims that Judas did not say this because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and would then take the money from them. It says a lot about Judas’s character, turning his life as a thief in a different direction to follow Jesus, a man preaching justice, forgiveness, compassion, love, and peace, and then still thinking about the opposite of those things, and soon afterwards, he would hand Jesus over to be crucified. I think Judas is one of the most interesting of the twelve disciples, because despite being a part of Jesus’s followers, he displays acts of selfish and misguided behaviour.
Jesus’s response to Judas’s behaviour was interesting. Despite Judas’s actions, Jesus decides to point him in the right direction. He responds to Judas by saying “Leave her alone so that she may keep the ointment for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
The takeaway is that it can be hard to live a life doing everything that you would think would make God proud, and sometimes we get caught up with things that please us. We can be greedy and selfish, mean and unforgiving. Despite this, God always points us in the right direction, and I think that it’s important to listen to that and try to better our actions.
God, we pray that we can learn from stories like these so that we can become less selfish and unforgiving. We pray for those who are trying to do this but are having a hard time like Judas did, and that they may succeed. We pray that when we have the option to be unholy that we may stop ourselves and reconsider. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Jude Miller
Lectio Divina
Today you are invited to read through this passage, and spend some time reflecting on what comes up. You may want to have something with which to record your thoughts. Take what stands out, and use it to shape a prayer.
You may want to follow the pattern of Lectio Divina (holy reading)
Reading
Meditating (reflect on the passage as a whole)
Praying (craft a prayer out of your meditation)
Contemplate (simply sit in silence, and let the passage sink more deeply in)
When I Cast Away
When I cast away your great
sparrow's wings, which had been wrapped
around and above me – cool shadow from the
burning lights – I did not realize it right away.
I saw a glow between your wings and wanted
to eat them. Neon, LED, soft IKEA candles.
Oh, how they burned the lining of my stomach
I thought I had reached out just an arm
to grab for them, but I found myself,
yesterday, in a sea of radiation.
Have you ever tried to bask your face in
the beam of a naked ceiling light?
It doesn’t have quite the same effect as –
That time you were sitting with
your toes in the ocean, right hand
in the curled locks of your canine's back,
face to the sky – you had to close
your eyes, it was so bright.
I cast off your great sparrows wings
because I saw lights behind your shadow
I wanted to explore. I forgot
to bring a feather with me,
to brush my acid burns,
to shield my crooked heart,
to remind me what love
was supposed to taste like.
A night of neon lights is only
thrilling when you know for sure
that day is coming.
Be patient with me,
I’m still here
looking again for
Your unfailing love.
Lord, as we explore all facets of life and broaden our horizons with new contexts and new people, keep us close to your heart so that we do not forget to live with and through the kind of love you call for. Your love is everlasting, unfailing – mountain – ocean – sky. Let us experience the fullness of the world in all its wholeness and brokenness, but leave us with your feathers, and let not your wings be far away. Amen.
Rachel Runesson
Servants
It turns out that in the middle of Isaiah, starting at Ch 42 and continuing till Ch 53, there are four Servant Songs. This is the second song of the cycle, where God calls on the Servant to be a light to the nations, as evidence of God’s salvation to all.
In other songs God has appointed the Servant as his teacher, his example of suffering to the people and his means of bringing justice to all nations.
But wait! As good Christians, as with much of Isaiah, we jump to the conclusion that the Servant is a metaphor or maybe even a predictor of the coming of Jesus. Okay. Good stuff! Except for one thing: these are the Hebrew scriptures, not the Gospels, and the Hebrews then and now are going to deal with the Servant as it is written, not being all that much connected to the Jesus story.
So what about the Servant? Who or what is happening? It’s a serious placeholder in book of Isaiah, and God is surely making a point worth keeping. It has been argued that the Servant is actually Israel, and that God has chosen, is delighted by and affectionate toward the people of Israel. (Perhaps more in Isaiah’s time than today, for some.)
But we have an opportunity to see ourselves as God’s Servant. How about if we serve as a light to the nations, to open eyes that are blind, to free prisoners and to bring forth justice?. These are words for us today. Directions for a God-given life. With God’s spirit sent upon us. Might even be possible.
Holy One, Show us the path towards righteousness and salvation. Salvation now, in removal of temptation and in searching for your commanded way. Be with us always. Amen
John Culter
The Death and Raising of Lazarus
Today, I hear the scraping of the stone and the grunts of those who are moving it. And I’m caught by that moment of tension and wonder between the tomb being opened and Lazarus coming out. What must it have been like to have been in that moment of expectation? I wonder if that’s not the space in which we live most of our lives, eager to see God move again.
Fill me with anticipation for what You want to do in my life, in my community, in this world. And make me ready to pull off the burial cloths when You raise the dead. Amen.
The Death and Raising of Lazarus
Today I feel the frustration, pain, and questioning (doubt?) of Mary and the folks who were mourning around her, that Jesus didn’t show up when they thought he should have.
Lord, I want to trust that You are who You say You are, and that You will do what You say You’ll do. But there are days when I wonder if it’s all a little too good to be true. Give me Mary’s courage to kneel before You and speak my pain, trusting that You really are the resurrection and the life. Amen