Read: John 12:20-36
Jesus Died for Us All This is a beautiful picture of the necessary sacrifice of Jesus. Unless a kernel of wheat is buried in the soil it will not become a living plant producing many more seeds. Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sin and to show his power over death. His resurrection proves he has eternal life and as the son of God he can give this same eternal life to all who believe in him. We must be committed to living for Jesus to the point of surrendering our lives to Jesus. This does not mean that we long to die, are destructive or careless about our God-given lives, but rather that we are willing to die if doing so will glorify Christ. We must put aside our selfish ways, striving for power, security, pleasure so we can serve God lovingly and freely. Releasing control of our lives and transferring control to Jesus will bring eternal life and genuine joy to all. Jesus told us that he would be with us in person for only a short time and that we should benefit from being in his presence while we had him with us. Like a light shining in a dark place, he would point us in the way we should walk. If we walk in his light then we will become children of the light, revealing the trust and pointing people to God. As Christians we are to be Christ’s light bearers, by letting his light shine through us. My question to you is, how brightly is your light shining? Can others see Jesus in your actions today? Heavenly father help us make our light shine before men so that others may come to know you as their Savior. Audrey Arthur Certified Lay Minister Read: Isaiah 42:1-9
Embracing Our Identity as Servants of God In Isaiah 42:1-9, we see a portrait of a servant who is characterized by humility, compassion, and a deep commitment to justice. This servant is empowered by the Spirit of God to bring hope and healing to a broken world. As we begin this new week of Lent, let us reflect on the identity of the servant spoken of by the prophet Isaiah. This servant, chosen and upheld by God, embodies qualities that we are called to emulate in our own lives. As we meditate on these verses, let us consider how we can embrace our identity as servants of God. Like the servant described in Isaiah, may we allow the Spirit of God to work through us, guiding our actions and shaping our hearts to reflect his love and compassion. Let us strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. May we seek opportunities to serve others with humility and selflessness, recognizing that true greatness is found in serving others. Heavenly father, thank you for calling us to be your servants and for empowering us with your spirit. Guide our actions and words today, that we may serve others with love and kindness, reflecting your light in a darkened world. Amen. Agatha Nicol Certified Lay Minister Read: Mark 11:1-11
King for a Day All four Gospel writers record Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey on that first Palm Sunday where the people laid palm branches in his path and shouted, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel. Popularity and praise are fleeting, fickle, uncertain. They are is here today and gone tomorrow. It was no different on Jesus’ day of triumph. Some of the same people who cried Hosanna “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” were the very ones who in less than a week would cry out Crucify him! Crucify him! He may have been “King for a Day” then – but he continued on his journey to the cross and because of his resurrection he became king forevermore. Just as the gates were thrown open to admit Jesus that first Palm Sunday, so we ought to throw open the doors of our hearts to let him in today. Don’t let anything or anyone stop your Hosanna! O Lord, teach us the meaning of thy grace and mercy. Enable us to take up the work that thy has assigned each one of us. With the knowledge that you will never leave nor forsake us, and that your faithfulness and tender mercies endure forever. Rev. Dr. E. Allen Stewart Consulting Pastor Read: Mark 14:10-11
What is this piece of scripture asking of us in this season of Lent? Is it Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus to the chief priests, or is there more? As a youth, I would be searching for an item, and I would respond, that I cannot find it. My parents would tell me to look again. I would take a breath, re-focus myself with less to no anxiety, and more times than not, I would locate what I was searching for. That is how I approached this scripture. And I found that just before the scripture, verses Mark 14 -10-11, Jesus speaks of his death, Mark 14:7-8, and just after in Mark 17. The scripture became clearer to me in my re-focused reading and revealed to me that Jesus recognized before and after that the act of betrayal would be at the hand of one of his disciples. For some, it is not a surprise when they have an inclination of what is to come versus no idea what is unfolding before them and then there are some who say that they would rather not know. Praise be to God who sent a fully aware Jesus, his only son, to prepare for what he knew was before him. The picture was clear, and his redemptive fulfillment was approaching. Our redeemer was aware and preparing a way, himself, for us all. Father God, praise, and thanks for all you have done, are doing and will do to reconcile us to you as our creator. Let us not be limited in the thought of the betrayal, let us rejoice in the awareness of Jesus’s preparation and commitment to all of us as a symbol of a sacrificial lamb without blemish or sin. The approaching days before the crucifixion will never erase the resurrection and redeeming power sent by you God through Christ Jesus. And we say Amen. Joyful, Latitia Felus Certified Lay Minister Read: Mark 14:1-9
Are You a Sacrificial Giver? Our God is a matchless giver!!! He gave his only son. The woman in our Bible passage for this day broke an expensive bottle of costly ointment, nard (oil) and poured it on Jesus - members of the household of faith - that is sacrificial giving! However some of the people present at the time considered it a waste. They said that the oil should have been sold and the money given to the poor. Beloved, do not let such people pull you back from your service to God. Jesus promptly answered those people “the poor you have with you always…Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.” Do you know that sacrificial giving is an act of love, obedience, faith, and worship in this season of Lent? Members of the household of faith what sacrificial gifts are you planning to offer to God who gave us the gift of his son, Jesus Christ, who died such a painful death on the cross for my sins and yours. Beloved and faithful siblings, God wants all believers to give cheerfully, bountifully, promptly, faithfully, and sacrificially. Giving sacrificially is about all that Go has blessed you with. This includes your time, skills, finances to include tithes and offerings with praise and worship. This period of Lent is a time of meditation and repentance, therefore we need to meditate and repent of our sins as we remember that God gave us his son, Jesus, to take away all the sins of the world with his crucifixion for our sins when he had no sin of his own. This is in order for us to have everlasting life with him in his kingdom. Thank you father God for being our best example of sacrificial giving with the gift of your son, Jesus Christ. We appreciate you Lord for the gift of yourself. Teach us to give out of love and generosity, in Jesus’ glorious name. Amen! Amen! Amen! Olubanke Daka |