April 21, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: The Risen Lord

The Risen Lord

...Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.” Thomas said, “My Master! My God!” Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.” ~ JOHN 20:26-29 (MSG)

After countless years of hearing sermons and reading scripture, I am amazed that it was an article in The Wall Street Journal that jogged something in my brain to ponder the magnificent reality of the magnitude of change defined by the resurrection. I have always accepted the truth of the resurrection and the promise of salvation and eternal life, but perhaps the changed body of Jesus was something on which I never concentrated.

When Jesus rose from the dead, He rose with a transformed body. Our Lord truly conquered death. Even the people closest to Him had trouble grasping this reality and the reality of Jesus in His changed body. Those in the garden didn’t recognize Him right away. (John 20:16-17) His fellow travelers on the road to Emmaus didn’t grasp who He was until the end of their journey: “As they sat down to eat, he asked God’s blessing on the food and then took a small loaf of bread and broke it and was passing it over to them, when suddenly — it was as though their eyes were opened — they recognized him! And at that moment he disappeared!” (Luke 24:30-31 TLB)

I wondered, after all these people recovered from their initial shock of encountering someone who demonstrated normal human characteristics but wasn’t constrained by routine physical barriers like “doors and distance,” what did they think? I imagine that this was when all of Jesus’ teaching suddenly made sense. This was the moment when the promise of eternal life suddenly made sense. This was the reality that made it possible for the disciples to carry forth the message of Christ and face trials and even martyrdom. Herein lay their hope and our hope. Jesus brought the promise of eternal life, and His resurrected body demonstrated that promise. Death was no longer final. Jesus changed everything, and they saw that reality with their own eyes. “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:54b-55 NIV)

Thank you, Jesus, for demonstrating the reality of life after death and the promise of eternal life.

MARSHA HAHN
PITMAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

April 20, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: An Unheard Conversation

An Unheard Conversation

... God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law. ~ GALATIANS 4:4-5 (NASB)

Jesus was already the Son in eternity past, but never before in human flesh — born of a woman and, as man, subject to the Law.
Jesus left behind — stripped off — omnipotence, or at least omnipresence and omniscience. He left the eternal fellowship of His Father and even the Spirit, to “put on” flesh for us. He did it with perfect foreknowledge, in complete oneness of purpose with the Father and the Spirit.

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Father: When our children choose not to love us, we will have to let them go. Sin through disobedience has no place here.

Son: But we love them.

Father: Sin is death; their life-blood cannot remain.

Son: Could the blood of another serve?

Father: Yes, but only untainted blood.

Son: How? Whose?

Father: There is, will be, none.

Father-Son-Spirit: Could we make a way?

Father-Son-Spirit: We can. Nothing is impossible. It will be costly beyond measure. Only great love can pay the price.

Son: Because of our Perfect Love, I want to do it, pay it, for our joy’s sake.Father: Please do.
Son: I will.

AND HE DID.

Dearest Lord Jesus, you left your glory to become like us. May we, through your sacrifice, become more like you.

JANE FISH HARRE, PROVIDENCE ORTHODOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

April 19, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: His Cross Is Our Cross

Photo by: Mike Ralph

His Cross Is Our Cross

As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. ~ LUKE 23:26-27 (NIV)

Iremember coming in from the countryside on the road to Golgotha. There were people everywhere along the narrow path, pushing, shoving, and shouting, “Crucify him! He claims to be the Messiah and savior of our people. He is a blasphemer and a fraud! Let his blood be on us and on our children’s children. Crucify him!” The sky was overcast as dark clouds started to fill the sky. There was an unsettling spirit of evil that seemed to fill the air with a thick, consuming vacuum, lacking human compassion.

Suddenly I felt a powerful grip on my arm from out of the surrounding crowd. A strong, raspy voice yelled, “Help this prisoner carry his cross. His strength has left him.” I looked down upon the man’s twisted, bruised, and blood-stained face as the wooden cross pressed him to the ground, causing his crown of thorns to sink deeper into his skull. His blood was running down into his eyes and mouth from the unrelenting coronation of hate. From within me came strength to help him lift and carry that which would become the symbol of hope and love forevermore. At once, I sensed around me the presence of perfect love. It was as if angels’ wings brushed up under the cross to lift it up. This tender, warm feeling permeated every inch of my being.

Then it happened — that look. Oh, I shall never forget how those loving eyes embraced me and drew me into Himself, expressing all the compassion and love He felt for this sinful world. He looked at me again and whispered with parched, cracked lips, “Simon, the cross you carry is for the redemption of the world.” I continued to look into those loving eyes of brown topaz. I shall never forget them.

After walking some distance more, I was pulled aside by another Roman soldier with a tongue of vituperate verbiage who said, “Enough! He can carry his own fate now.” As I moved aside, I knew I would never be the same, for I had been with the Source of all love, the Son of God.

Dear Heavenly Father, as you blessed Simon of Cyrene, bless us also to be the hands, the feet and the channel of love, to help all our brothers and sisters who need someone to help carry their crosses to the bliss of salvation through Jesus the Christ. Amen.

MICHAEL PATRICK MURPHY, ZION COMMUNITY CHURCH

April 18, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: We May Mess Up, But God Still Cares

We May Mess Up, But God Still Cares

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths. ~ PROVERBS 3:5-6 (KJV)

Jesus has always been joyfully and lovingly by my side, but recently I know that something I did disappointed Him. Then one night I had a dream that woke me, and I think the dream meant something.

In my dream, it was late and dark, and I was leaving a friend’s house on my bicycle. A man was standing on the corner. I was afraid, so as I rode past him I hit him with my cane. He followed me and I kept striking him. No matter how much I hurt him, he kept following me.

When I woke up and thought about the dream, I remembered how I had disappointed God. I think the message He was sending through my dream was that He still forgives, loves, and cares, even when we mess up. Even when we hurt Him, or disappoint Him, He will not leave us.

Lord, I am grateful that when we seek you and ask, you are quick to forgive. Help us all to love you more and follow your leading in all ways.

BETTY LITTLE, ZION COMMUNITY CHURCH

MAUNDY THURSDAY

(Matthew 26:17-30)

On Thursday evening of Holy Week, it is thought that Jesus had His last supper with His disciples. It was a reflective and tender hour of fellowship when Jesus shared some of His greatest insights with them. In many churches, the holy communion service on Thursday evening is held in memory of Jesus’ last supper.

Sometimes the day is called Maundy Thursday, from the Latin wordmandatum, which means mandate, and refers to the “new commandment” that Jesus gave his followers, “that ye love one another.” Another explanation for the name comes from the Latin words, mandatum novum do bovis, which relate to the custom of carrying gifts to the poor in maunds (hand baskets).

The German name for Holy Thursday is Gründonnerstag, which is translated as “Green Thursday.” It was also known as “The Day of Foot Washing” because the Gospel often read is the account of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet.

April 17, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Where Am I?

Where Am I?

My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. ~ JOB 23:11 (NIV)

My husband and I took some friends who needed an outing for the day to lunch down near the shore. A nice time was had by all, but when my friend’s husband got home, he couldn’t find his cell phone. After looking all around for it, he decided to call his cell number and see if anyone answered. Well, was he surprised when a man (from the restaurant) answered. All my friend could say was, “Where am I?” Needless to say, he was found. This was something that stayed in my mind for a long time and has resurfaced during the Lenten season.

We need to look at ourselves and say, “Where am I with my Lord?” Do we have a loving relationship with Him, a warm smile for others, a giving and forgiving heart, and a reason to be joyful this Easter? If not, then how do we attain this?

One of the sermons I used to give was about a red Christmas gift bag with a big bow. It is God’s gift to us, but we have to open it in order to see it and use it. We can’t just let it sit there to admire; we need to use this greatest gift ever given to mankind, God’s Son, Jesus. We need to open our eyes and study the Word, open our ears and listen to His whispers, and open our mouths to pray. Also, we need to open our hearts to the love and joy that Jesus brings into our lives. Finally, we need to share the power of forgiven sin that Jesus’ death on the cross provides to all who believe and accept this sanctification. Let’s share, too, what Jesus has done and is doing in our lives.

In Matthew 9:2-6, some people brought a paralyzed man on a mat to Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child. Your sins are forgiven.” But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does He think He’s God?” Jesus knew what they were thinking, so He asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” As we all know, the man picked up his mat and walked home.

At this special time, let’s ask, “Where am I?” And let’s hope to answer, “Where I want to be!”

Lord Jesus, thank you for your cross and forgiveness of our sins, and the love and joy that comes from you.

SANDRA HAWN-HANES, TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

April 16, 2019 Lent Daily Devotion: An Unseen Hand

An Unseen Hand

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. ~ ISAIAH 43:1-3

On Labor Day, 1965, a group of us went for a swim at Harvey Cedars, Long Beach Island. It was such a low tide that we waded out far beyond the small breakers to our waist depth. Off the Carolina coast, however, were three hurricanes churning their way northward. We had no idea they would cause problems for us so far away.

Suddenly, we were all pulled out over our heads by a rip current. Our 12-year-old Janet, though she could swim, was being pulled out farther. I grabbed the straps of her bathing suit and just held on. I myself was a strong swimmer, but never before had I experienced any current like this. Ted, also a swimmer, grabbed Judy, then 9 years old, who could neither swim nor float. As I saw her arm around his neck, holding on for dear life, it occurred to me that if she pulled Ted down, we could lose them both.

We did a lot of praying and treading water in that half hour of terror. Finally, lifeguards realized we were in trouble, and our rescue began. We found out later that trying to swim straight in was impossible with the circulation of the current, and this is what had exhausted us so much.

Looking back over the 54 years since this experience, I realize that we were sustained both emotionally and physically that day by an unseen hand. Thank you, Lord, for saving us that day, and...

Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul Thank you, Lord, for making me whole Thank you, Lord, for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free.

KATHRYN DAVISON, EVANGELICAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH & UNITED METHODIST COMMUNITIES, PITMAN

April 15, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: The Shepherds, Bethlehem, and the Lamb

The Shepherds, Bethlehem, and the Lamb

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times. ~ MICAH 5:2 (NIV)

I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord. ~ JEREMIAH 23:4 (NIV)

Why was Jesus born in Bethlehem? Only in Bethlehem were lambs raised pure and special enough for sacrifice in the temple. Seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth, Micah prophesied Bethlehem would be the birthplace of God’s Son.

The Bethlehem shepherds were no ordinary shepherds. The shepherds for these sacrificial lambs were educated in the Law of Moses. They were trained to keep the temple lambs pure and perfect in every way.

At their birth, the lambs were examined to be sure they were flawless and without fault. The perfect lambs were wrapped in swaddling cloths. This certified they were a “holy birth.” We have never read that Mary packed a diaper bag when she and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. Yet we read in Luke 2:7 that “she wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger.”

Mary must surely have used what was available. She wrapped Him in strips of cloth. Her precious baby boy, the Perfect Lamb, born to save the world. As the lambs were wrapped in swaddling cloths to signify they were of holy birth, so was Jesus.

The shepherds lived out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. To them was delivered the message of the holy birth. They were told the baby could be found wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. The shepherds understood the meaning of this message more than most.

Because of their profession, this group of shepherds would not have been permitted to take part in any ceremony or worship at the temple. Their worship was an individual act. Yet, God chose them to offer praise to One who would be called the Good Shepherd. They were the first to see and worship the Lamb of God.

This perfect Son of God came for all people. He was born to give His life as a sacrifice to save the world.

O Heavenly Father, who sent your Son, your Only Son, to be a sacrificial lamb for all mankind, let us live our lives worthy of such an awesome love.

DOLORES DANIELS, TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

April 14, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

MATTHEW 21:1-11 (NIV)

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village
ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there,
with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to

me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

“Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed
them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked,

“Who is this?”
The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in

Galilee.”

This was a day for celebration. People were happy to see Jesus. They made the occasion big with a parade. They cut branches from palm trees and waved them and scattered them on the ground. They cheered and shouted to Jesus as He came into the city. For that day, He was a popular figure. They thought He was going to be their new king on earth.

Thus began what we now call “Holy Week.” It is a special time to worship God and reflect upon His great sacrifice as we look ahead to next Sunday when we will rejoice in the resurrection.

43

Monday, April 15

The Shepherds, Bethlehem, and the Lamb

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times. ~ MICAH 5:2 (NIV)

I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord. ~ JEREMIAH 23:4 (NIV)

Why was Jesus born in Bethlehem? Only in Bethlehem were lambs raised pure and special enough for sacrifice in the temple. Seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth, Micah prophesied Bethlehem would be the birthplace of God’s Son.

The Bethlehem shepherds were no ordinary shepherds. The shepherds for these sacrificial lambs were educated in the Law of Moses. They were trained to keep the temple lambs pure and perfect in every way.

At their birth, the lambs were examined to be sure they were flawless and without fault. The perfect lambs were wrapped in swaddling cloths. This certified they were a “holy birth.” We have never read that Mary packed a diaper bag when she and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. Yet we read in Luke 2:7 that “she wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger.”

Mary must surely have used what was available. She wrapped Him in strips of cloth. Her precious baby boy, the Perfect Lamb, born to save the world. As the lambs were wrapped in swaddling cloths to signify they were of holy birth, so was Jesus.

The shepherds lived out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. To them was delivered the message of the holy birth. They were told the baby could be found wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. The shepherds understood the meaning of this message more than most.

Because of their profession, this group of shepherds would not have been permitted to take part in any ceremony or worship at the temple. Their worship was an individual act. Yet, God chose them to offer praise to One who would be called the Good Shepherd. They were the first to see and worship the Lamb of God.

This perfect Son of God came for all people. He was born to give His life as a sacrifice to save the world.

O Heavenly Father, who sent your Son, your Only Son, to be a sacrificial lamb for all mankind, let us live our lives worthy of such an awesome love.

DOLORES DANIELS, TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH