Lent
March 16, 2019
Scripture Reading: Luke 13:31-35
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”’
On reading the gospels, one might draw the conclusion that Jesus had made enemies of all the faith leaders of the temple except perhaps Nicodemus. Thus, the story in the above scripture of Pharisees coming to Jesus to warn him against Herod’s threat indicates that there were those who may not have followed him but also did not want harm to come to him. We glean the life of Jesus from bits and piece of information collected and filtered through generations of his followers and distincters. In the final analysis, we discern Jesus through his love both as we observe it in the acts of his followers and in our own relationship with the risen Christ.
Faith in God is a choice not based on scientific findings or historic proofs, not ordered by despots or enticed by con artist, but formed through the acceptance of the pure love of the Creator God as demonstrated by God’s incarnation in Jesus, the Christ.
I serve a risen Saviour; He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living, whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him He’s always near.
He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart*.
Prayer: That you Lord for the gift of Jesus who lived your love as a role model for all. Amen.
*First verse and chorus of He Lives by Alfred H. Ackley see at https://www.greatchristianhymns.com/he-lives.html