Lenten Devotional- "Stories in the Dark"

 

LENT AT LMPC

2021

STORIES IN THE DARK

 

By New Elders, Deacons, and Staff of LMPC
[Based mostly on Book II of the Psalms]

My memory is full of stories in the dark…

When I was camping as a Boy Scout around the camp fire…

When my parents would read me a bed-time story-
      Or when I have read my children/grandchildren such stories.

Bible stories read at night to help me sleep well…
      Except when they were stories of giants or wrath or bad people. 

Those stories in the dark shaped me to trust in the Light. 

We hope these stories might make you remember-
“Weeping may remain for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” 

(Pastor Ben)

 

So this is dedicated to all those who risk their time and energy to pass their story and the stories of God on to the next generation.   The teachers, SS and Bible teachers, ministers, parents
who tell the tale…

[Many Passages in this devotional are base on the Second Book of Psalms 42-72]

 

Many thanks to Lizzie Shepard for the wonderful hand- tailored drawings for this Lenten Devotional.
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2/17- Ash Wednesday-  (Outside Service with Drive Through Imposition of Ashes- 6:00)
“Forgive Us” Mt. 6:12; Pastor Blaine Hill (Associate Pastor LMPC)
“…As we have  forgive our debtors…” Matthew 6:12

 Lent is a season of the church year when we trust God enough to look at our sins and to repent. Because life is complicated and messy, reflection upon ourselves and our need for God’s mercy may cause us to recall times when people have sinned against us. Recalling people’s sin against us, even if we were at fault too, is painful. That reflection and hurt can so easily become bitterness and resentment. Thankfully, Jesus provides us relief from resentment. When we follow Jesus and choose to forgive, he sets us free from bitterness. Rather than resenting someone’s failure to pay the debt their sin incurred, we recall that we have forgiven that debt. Is the Lord prompting you to release someone’ debt and calling you to leave behind bitterness?

 

Prayer:  Lord, too often I am quick to blame and slow to forgive.  Turn that around for me that I may forgive those who have injured me and instead let me sew love where there is hatred. 

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2/18- “My Soul Thirsts for God”  Psalm 42:1-4; Pastor Ben
Most of my devotions will be on the second book of the Psalms (42-72) during Lent.

Psalm 42: 1-4
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 
My soul thirsts for God for the living God.  When can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food  day and night, while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with he multitude leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. 
Why are you downcast O my soul, why so disturbed with me? 
Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

Thoughts: I am thirsty for God in this desert of a time.  I can sympathize with the Psalmist.  There have been times in my life where my tears are my food, which makes me even more dehydrated for God’s living water. 
I remember the days when there were multitudes in church.  I used to go with them, and there was joy. 
But now the church is only a quarter full, and many who could do not come back and do not care to listen in online. 
I am truly thirsty for the time when the church was full of people singing together, praying together, in focus on God.  He has hope in God.  One day we will praise Him again.  I do not give up on that hope. 
I refuse to believe that church will not strive again.  In some ways the Psalmist was downcast (depressed) because he could not go to church.  I have seen some come back for the first time and there is real joy and excitement about even being in our beautiful sanctuary again.  But then the excitement goes away and they disappear back into isolation.  Isolation may bring us peace but it rarely brings us encouragement and joy.  We are meant to love one another.  That does not simply mean getting teaching, but it means being with people to whom we can love and receive love.  Love is the answer to our downcast souls.  One day… love not fear will reign again. 

[“My Soul Thirsts for God”  Psalm 42:1-4]

Prayer: Lord, here this Psalm as my prayer.  I am thirsty for you and I am sad that I cannot fully worship with your people.  Restore us again, O Lord. 

Lenten Devotional

I will be on my way to Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya for a while. 
In the meantime, Here is a Lenten Devotional- day by day 2/13- 4/1. 

The theme of the Lenten Devotional is "Bearing Fruit and Finding Peace." 
It has a focus on the Fruits of the Spirit. 

Please say a prayer for Dr. Sloan and the Trinity Presbytery South Sudan team as they minister to the South Sudanese in the refugee camp in Kenya.  Pray for them to bear fruit and that there will be more peace in the camp and in South Sudan too. 

Note: Ash Wednesday (2/14) there will be a worship service (sanctuary) at 7 PM
Each Wednesday there will be a meal and a worship service in the Fellowship Hall.
Blessing will be at 5:45, worship 6:20, Programs 6:30 nursery and children's program provided. 

Holy Week we will have our meal and worship on Maundy Thursday 3/29 worship at 7. 

Education and Press Affects the Reformation

THE RISE OF THE UNIVERSITIES AND PRINTING PRESS

The Lord replied, “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.” Habakkuk 2:2

     Calvin’s conversion while studying at the University in Paris showed that the universities were open to freer thought- to read Luther, Erasmus and others.  Previous scholars such as John Wycliffe (Oxford 1328-1384) and John Tyndale (Oxford and Cambridge 1494-1536) had tried to reform the church and translate the scriptures into the common tongue.  Desiderus Erasmus (Rotterdam 1466- 1536) was a scholarly humanist that helped form a more definitive Latin and Greek text of the Bible.  The Reformation did not happen despite scholarship, but had some of the best scholars.  John Calvin was a Christian humanist scholar and has been called the most brilliant man in Europe at the time, even by his enemies.  Zwingli, Bucer, Melancthon were considered humanist scholars. 
     The Printing Press was invented in Germany in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg.  Luther, who also was a professor of theology, made full use of the press to distribute tracts and scripture.  This allowed the people to see what the scriptures say themselves.  It was blaringly eye opening. In the past only the very wealthy, the nobles and the priests could have books- for they were all written by hand.  The printing press allowed the common person to read and to learn.

Prayer: Lord, let me love you with my mind as well as my heart, soul, and strength.  

2-19-15 Lenten Devotional on Service and Witness

Thought: For the season of Lent we will be looking at the idea of service and witness.  These are two key practical concepts for the Christian church.  They are also, in some ways at the heart of the Gospel teaching.  Jesus came to serve (Mark 10:45) and to give his life in service- as a ransom for many.  He also from the beginning sent his disciples out to the towns and villages to spread the good news.  He accepted the praise of children and waving of palm branches by the crowds to spread the good news of his coming to Jerusalem.  One of his last words were to send the disciples out by the power of the Spirit commanding them (and us) to go into all the world to spread good news.
Part of our repentance of every day life is our renewal as well.  Calvin said we get close to God by dying to self (mortification) and living for God (vivification).  Service in humility emphasizes the dying to self.  While witness emphasizes living as a testimony to God's love.  We need this today.  Many simply are Christians in and for their own comfort.  This has been a killer for the church.

Scripture: "For  even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many."  (Mark 10:45).

Thoughts: This saying of Jesus came in response to James and John who wanted a place of greatness in Christ's kingdom.  Jesus' response was that if you want to be great you must become a slave as he did.  If Jesus came to serve, and He is our Lord... then we must learn to serve.  If Jesus washed feet out of love and service, then we must not think any job is too low to do for God's glory.  Pride keeps us from humility and repentance.  But when we embrace humility and service as our goals, it makes our lives meaningful when we serve for God's glory.  It turns cleaning up the dishes into an offering to God.  It turns picking up the clothes into a blessing and a work for the kingdom.  Life- even the menial things gain a purpose.
     Ironically, the giving of one's life for others stands in sharp contrast to the taking of life.  One ideal (proposed by ISIS) implies that the taking of life brings the apocalypse and God's favor.  But the way of Jesus clearly states that the giving of our own life is a better way.  While one way crucifies others, the way of Jesus accepts crucifixion but turns it into resurrection.  The way of secularization says that life is about getting everything for yourself.  The way of terrorism is that life is about helping your own and terrorizing others into submission.  But the way of Jesus- is the way of giving of oneself not in a wasted martyrdom of death and destruction of others- but in a holy martyrdom of turning the other cheek.

Prayer: Lord, turn me away from pride or destruction.  Instead help me to give of myself for others as you gave yourself for me.

4-7-14 Questioning of Jesus

19Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

20“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”

22When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.

23“If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” 24Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
(John 18:19-24)

Thoughts:  The high priest was asking Jesus not only about his teaching, but about his disciples.  He may have wanted to know who and how many.  He was trying to snuff out this group.  Jesus, in response, did not want to answer at all.  He knew they were not really interested in His teaching, They were only interested in attacking Him.  Jesus wanted His actions and His effect on His disciples to speak for themselves.
    Paul was once struck for defending himself to the high priest.  Jesus is also struck.  Jesus did not attack the high priest.  When they struck Jesus, they struck the Great High Priest.  God does not need to defend Himself.  In the end God wins without striking back.  The cross was not overcome on the battlefield, but with the resurrection. 

There are many who, like the High Priest, question the teaching of Jesus and the effect He has had on His followers.  For those who really don't want answers- but just want to interrogate in order to make themselves feel better in their sin- there is no good answer.  We must leave God to give them the answer that they deserve.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to know when to speak and when not to speak.  Help me to trust my defense, my reputation, and myself into your care.  

4-7-14 Peter's first denial

15Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

17“You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.

He replied, “I am not.”

18It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself. (John 18:15-18)

Thoughts: There were two who dared to follow Jesus.  "Another disciple" is surely a literary device indicating the disciple who wrote these words: John son of Zebedee and brother of James.  John was from a wealthy fishing family (Zebedee had servants) who may have provided fish or otherwise supported the high priest's family.  His influence and knowledge, even as a young man, allowed him access to the high priest's house.
     While the other disciples fled, Peter went with John to the house.  But Peter was good at being bold at first and shrinking back later.  Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ, but the next words of Peter were to discourage Christ from dying on the cross.  Jesus answered by saying to Peter, whom he gave the keys, "Get behind me Satan."  When Jesus came to them in the storm, Peter was the only one who got out of the boat to come to him, walking on the water.  But then Peter sank when he saw the wind and waves.  Peter cut off the servant's ear, but now he was shrinking back.  The words above have the servant of the priest asking if Peter was a follower TOO.  This may have implied that they knew John was a follower of Jesus- which made Peter's denial that much more wrong.  Peter was warming himself with soldiers and servants in an unfamiliar place.  His nerves were doubtless shattered.  Peter who had said he would never deny Christ was giving into his fear.
      Peter denied that he was a disciple.  He may have been afraid of pain or arrest.  He may have thought that if he, the second in command were to go the disciples would be leaderless.  But the future of the movement depended on his boldness not on his cowardice.  We can rationalize being ashamed or fearful of Christ.  We too are called to claim Christ, not deny Him. 

Prayer: Lord, give me grace to be bold and faithful in my following you. 

Statue of Peter's denial in Jerusalem at the labeled house of Caiaphas.  

4/6/14- The Capture of Jesus

8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”

10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

11Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

12Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him13and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.

Thoughts:  It is clear in all four Gospels that Jesus saw His arrest as part of a greater plan and purpose, often calling His arrest and crucifixion His "cup" from the Father.  Jesus did not run, did not encourage his followers to fight, and identified himself to those who would arrest him in the dark.
      Peter cut off the high priest's servant's ear.  Jesus rebuked his sword, and disclaimed violence to Peter, the soldiers who came to arrest him, and later to Pilate.  Luke (22) tells us that Jesus healed Malchus' ear. Later, at Peter's denial, Malchus' relative said he saw Peter with Jesus (implying he saw him cut off his relative's ear).  Perhaps Peter felt rebuked for his zeal which may have led him to soften and hold back in his boldness and deny Christ.  There is an important line between boldness (not being ashamed of following Christ), and violence. We are called to not be violent or uncivil about our faith- but still be faithful and boldly proclaim the truth.
    They bound Jesus and brought Him to Annas.  Annas had been deposed by the Romans as high priest, setting up Caiaphas his son-in-law as high priest, but most Jews regarded Annas as the real high priest- so they took Jesus to Annas.  Caiaphas had already said it would be better if Jesus died for the people than all the people to die at the hands of a Roman rebellion (11:49,50).  John saw this as a significant prophecy by the high priest.  Jesus is, as John the Baptist also prophesied, "The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" (1:29).  Other New Testament passages expand on this idea- 1.Christ's sacrifice is once for all (Heb. 10:10); 2. He frees us from our own death by his single death (Heb. 2:14); 3. He bore our sins on the tree (1 Pt. 2:24); He is the Great High Priest who does not need to offer any other sacrifice because His sacrifice is good once for all (Heb. 7:27).  It is significant that the high priest prophesied about the Great High Priest that Christ would die on behalf of many as a sacrifice of sorts- even though Caiaphas did not fully know what he was saying.  Jesus' death was not just His own, but it was a purposeful, meaningful, sacrificial death.

Prayer: Lord, keep me from taking your sacrifice for granted.  

(1520 anonymous)

3-23-14- The Way, Truth and Life

 4You know the way to the place where I am going.”5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.7If you really know me, you will know^b my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

8Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

9Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?  (John 14:5-10)

Thoughts: Thomas and Philip speak for those of us in the West who have a hard time believing if we do not see.  Jesus had more confidence in them than they had in Him, in themselves, or that the way would really work for getting them to heaven.  Jesus was trying to get His disciples who had lived with Him and seen His miracles, love, and grace to trust that He is the One who will pave the way to heaven for them.
      Jesus makes the outstanding and unique claim that he is the only way to the Father.  Then He says He is the way, truth, and life.  The way- was not just the gate to heaven, but the path of righteousness and holiness that led to the holy Father (Dt. 5:32,33; 31:29; Isa. 30:21; 35:8).  Jesus not only is holy and teaches holiness, He is able to make us holy by His sacrifice-providing a way of restoration to the right path to God.  He is the truth.  Pilate asked- looking at Jesus- "What is truth?" For many there is no purpose, meaning, or truth in life- but Jesus stands against them all as a marker of truth and hope.  Jesus is the life.  He makes life worth living- giving direction and purpose to it.  Jesus earlier had said He comes to give us life to the full (Jn. 10:10).  He offers us meaningful life here and eternal life after this life is over.  Many others would claim to know the way, teach the truth, and show us how to live- but Jesus claimed more- to actually be the way, truth, and life.  He claims divinity here when He claims that to see Him is to see the Father.  His claims to be more than human are everywhere in the Gospels, and they make a claim to give the path, the truth, and life to us.  

Prayer:  Lord, keep me from going the wrong way, seeking falsehood or apathy instead of truth, or giving up on life instead of living my life for you and in you. 

3-20-14 The Betrayal Predicted

18“I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned^a against me.’^b

19“I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. 20Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”

21After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”

22His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”

25Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

26Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. 30As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night. (John 13:18-29)

Thoughts: Jesus predicts both Judas's betrayal and Peter's denial recorded in John 13 near the time of his arrest.  It must have been so sad that his treasurer and lead disciple would let him down so.  The question may be if Jesus predicted such actions, were they responsible for their actions.  The Bible indicates they were- whether we understand how or not.  So there is no excuses to shirk our responsibility because we somehow think it doesn't matter what we do- or that God is so much in control.   The truth appears to be both that God is in control and uses our free actions to achieve His purposes.
      Betrayal is the anti-virtue.  It goes against loyalty, faithfulness, and love-- the things Jesus stood for.  Turning away when we have seen and experienced the truth is devastating, and is so hard to overcome and come back again.  So Judas, who realized his wrong later and gave back his pieces of silver, does not come back to his disciples but commits suicide.  We should never take lightly leaving the faith or falling out of the habit.  Such actions spurn the love Christ showed us on the cross as if it was not important.  It is truly hard to come back to faith or to the church once we have left out of disuse or denial of faith. 

Prayer: Lord, let me never betray or deny you.  Thank you for your love for me. 

3-14-14 Jesus anointed by Mary

1Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3Then Mary took about a pint^a of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,5“Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.^b ” 6He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8You will always have the poor among you,^c but you will not always have me.”

9Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. (John 12:1-10)

Thoughts: John describes Bethany as "where Lazarus lived" (NIV) or "where Lazaerus was" (KJV).  Matthew's account has Jesus coming the house of Simon the Leper.  Some would just give up and say "scripture contradicts itself."  But if we wrestle with the text we may see that this is recording the same event from two different angles. The resurrection of Lazarus probably menat that the name of Bethany had changed to "the place where Lazarus lived."  Lazarus could have lived with Simon the Leper and we do not need to assume he lived with his sisters.  Regardless, this was in Bethany- a very small town not too far from the Mount of Olives.  Other differences are that Matthew did not name the woman while John names her as Mary.  Both have this event happening at the end of Jesus ministry and indicate this rite was a symbol of Jesus' death.  Mary was no doubt grateful that her brother was raised by Jesus and gave extravagantly to Him.  If we are convinced truly that Jesus gives us life- here and in the life to come- perhaps we will not be so reticent to give to Him, but would be grateful.
     The other really important thing is that Mary's extravagant gift was criticized by Judas (according to John) while Matthew adds other disciples joined in the criticism.  We often do not understand why people give the way they do, but we should reserve judgment.  The Spirit may prompt one to give to missions (and we may not understand that), while another may be prompted to give to buildings. Perhaps another thing to realize is that the Church does not exist solely to help the poor,  There is no doubt the Church is supposed to help the poor and love their neighbor.  But we do not need to forget the other command to love God.  Mary showed love for God by her act of worship.  Jesus was saying there is a time to give like this and perhaps inferring there is a time not to ("To everything there is a season"- Eccles. 3:1).  Jesus was not saying to not give to the poor because it is helpless to do so, but that while He was on earth it would be appropriate for an act of worship. So today there is a place to give to enhance the worship of God as well as helping the poor.  

Prayer: Help me to remember you are worthy of my time and gifts.  All I have is a gift from you- my life here and my life to come.  Help me to balance giving to the needy and giving to you.  

(Below- Mural of Mary's anointing of Jesus in Bethany church, Israel). 

3-13-14 Christ our Sacrifice

45Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.

“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs.48If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”

49Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”

51He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

54Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples. (John 11:45-54)

Thoughts: It is amazing that some could be witnesses to the resurrection, yet still not only be skeptical but help stop the ministry of Jesus to help people.  The Jews were nervous about a rebellion.  There had been at least three rebellions before Jesus, and within a generation the Romans would come and destroy their land.  But the Jews had it wrong.  Jesus did not want to destroy Roman rule, but to bring in the heavenly Kingdom which goes beyond all human rule.  In the end, Jesus would die for all, but in a different way.  The infinite and righteous God died as the Passover Lamb for the sins of all.  The priests meant it for evil or at the least as an escape for them.  But Jesus died voluntarily for our good.  Jesus said himself that He came as a ransom for many (Mk. 10:45). 

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you came as a ransom, a substitutionary sacrifice for me.  May I live a grateful life for you.