Lent 2014
March 16, 2014

 Read Scripture: John 3:1-17 

Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.—Luke 7:6b-10 

Our scripture today, I fear, has been lost in the limitations of its application to a point-in-time salvation experience. Nicodemus asked Jesus a very telling question: How can we as adults or even youth get rid of the life experiences and training that have shaped us from that innocent creature we were in our mother’s wombs to the people we are today and the people we will be tomorrow? I think Jesus is talking about an ongoing process that is constantly occurring between us and the spirit. Our baptism by water was certainly a pivotal point at which we entered into a new commitment to be one in God, but it was only a starting place. Each day we grow in spirit and in truth as we commune with God and with one another.  Such development involves all aspects of our lives and certainly changes us over time. 

If you had asked me last year, if this year I would be writing Lenten devotions related to improving education at the Putnam Heights Elementary school, I probably would have looked at you funny and said something to the effect that I rather doubted it. You see I keep claiming as my justice issue a “living wage.” I believe that everyone who works has the right to earn enough money to support themselves and their families. As I dig into that issue, however, I keep finding cause and effect connections that take me far afield from where I thought I was going. Education, or lack thereof, is intrinsically linked to failure of people to earn a living wage. So here I am writing Lenten devotions on education. 

Do you remember the fictional Story of The Other Wise Man? He got side tracked on the original road to Bethlehem to see the newborn king because he stopped to help someone. His quest to see Jesus continued but was interrupted many times by helping others until he finally arrives in time for the crucifixion at which point he is injured and can go no further. Near death he hears a voice say to him “Verily I say unto thee, Inasmuch as thou hast done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, thou hast done it unto me.” He had indeed found the newborn king.  

Prayer: Lord, help us be strong as we follow new paths of service and help us keep in close connection with You with each step we take. Amen.

The identities of students, families, or staff in stories that are shared in the devotions have been altered to protect their privacy. Any similarities between these stories and the experience of others are coincidental. No stories about students, families of students, or staff from Putnam Heights Elementary School are included in any of these devotions.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.