In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame… Psalm 71:1 

There’s no hope in denial or avoidance, for ourselves or anyone else. New life can only be born out of the seed planted in crushed soil. Indeed, God, our Lord, “a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17). What keeps us from opening ourselves both to the reality of the world around us and to God’s healing hand? Could it be that we can’t accept our powerlessness and are only willing to see those wounds that we can heal? Could it be that we do not want to give up our illusion that we are masters over our world, and therefore, create our own Disneyland where we can make ourselves believe that all events of life are safely under control? Could it be that our blindness and deafness are signs of our own resistance to acknowledging that we are not the Lord of the Universe? Often we don’t realize how much we resent our powerlessness.

Lord, during this Holy Week when you were rendered powerless for our sake, I will strive to accept my own weakness and to depend on You. In a few moments of silence this day I will remember one time in my life when Your strength became clear because of my weakness.

“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles…” Isaiah 42:6 

When all is said and done, what we must learn above all is to offer ourselves—imperfections and all—to God. If we keep waiting until we are “worthy” of God, we will move farther rather than closer to Him. It’s through our broken, vulnerable, mortal ways of being that the healing power of the eternal God becomes visible to us.  We are called each day to present to the Lord the whole of our lives—our joys as well as sorrows, our successes as well as failures, our hopes as well as fears. We are called to do so with our limited means, our stuttering words and halting expressions. In this way we will come to know in mind and heart the unceasing prayer of God’s Spirit in us. Our many prayers are in fact confessions of our inability to pray. But they are confessions that enable us to perceive the merciful presence of God. 

Lord, instead of worrying about the times when I can’t pray and when I’m discouraged, I will try to turn them into opportunities to trust You alone.

In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness… Philippians 2:5-7 

Precisely when Jesus is being handed over into his passion, he manifests his glory. “Whom do you seek? . . . I am he” are words that echo all the way back to Moses and the burning bush: “I am who I am. I am the one” (Exodus 3:1-6, 14). These words are the glory of God manifesting itself, and those present fell flat on the ground. Then Jesus was handed over. But already in the handing over we see the glory of God handing himself over to us. God’s glory revealed in Jesus embraces passion as well as resurrection. 

“The Son of Man,” Jesus says, “must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him” (John 3:14-15). He is lifted up as a passive victim, making the cross a sign of desolation. And he is lifted up in glory, so the cross becomes at the same time a sign of hope. Suddenly we realize that the glory of God, the divinity of God, is bursting through in Jesus’ passion precisely when he is most victimized. 

Lord Jesus, help us to share your view of the world, especially when we suffer injustice.

¹⁹ “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. ²⁰ At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores ²¹ and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. ²² “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. ²³ In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. ²⁴ So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ ²⁵ “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. ²⁶ And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ ²⁷ “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, ²⁸ for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ ²⁹ “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ ³⁰ ” ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ ³¹ “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” ~ Luke 16:19-31 

God’s heart for the poor is evident, a reminder to us to keep in balance our possessions and the needs of others. The work of redemption in our lives touches our heart for those in need. We begin to see the plight of others and are catalyzed into action. The poor matter, it’s as simple as that. What we buy, where we shop, how we live all have huge implications on others. Beginning in Genesis we’ve been entrusted with the stewardship of resources. The rich man feasted while Lazarus starved. This is not kingdom living!! So here’s the challenge: go about your daily chores/rhythms looking at what you see through redeemed eyes, where you ask God to let you see the needs of those around you. Inform yourself of what’s happening in your community. Pay attention to your surroundings. Read your local paper(s). Take a walk round your streets. Allow the Holy Spirit to show you what’s on His heart. Let’s not be believers who allow others to sit under our tables, unaware of their presence.

⁴¹ Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. ⁴² When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Festival, according to the custom. ⁴³ After the Festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. ⁴⁴ Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. ⁴⁵ When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. ⁴⁶ After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸ When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” ⁴⁹ “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” ⁵⁰ But they did not understand what he was saying to them. ⁵¹ Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. ~ Luke 2:41-51 

Reaching the age of maturity was much lower in the Jewish culture, boys aged twelve were considered to be almost an adult. Joseph and Mary like any other parents where anxious when their son could not be found. When they did find him, he was no longer a boy, but a young man able to hold his own and quite comfortable with those around him. It was a time to let go and allow Jesus to move forward in maturity. It may be children, students, workers or dreams that we need to learn to equip, resource and release if we are to follow the journey that Christ took. There comes a time with people and activities that we need to step back and let go. Evaluate how you can be supportive of those around you, determine to allow them to move forward and grow. Ask for God’s grace in this difficult task.

¹ Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ² “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³ So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. ⁴ They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.⁵ “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; ⁶ they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; ⁷ they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to have people call them ‘Rabbi.’  ⁸ “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. ⁹ And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. ¹⁰ Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Messiah. ¹¹ The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹² For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. ~ Matthew 23:1-12 

The truth behind the cross is that it brings us into freedom. To live under rules and regulations was a burden for the Jews. The Pharisees had taken the Law and used it to create for themselves a culture of legalism; the laws were obeyed not out of reverence to God but out of tradition. Lent, if we’re not careful, can become something more binding than it should. The desire to journey with God over these days and the heart behind the season can sometimes become hidden behind the traditions. Recommit today that Lent for you is about creating space to come closer to God, allowing your values to be measured against those set down by Jesus. Examine areas of your faith that you have allowed to be compromised out of a sense of tradition rather than relationship.

The Transfiguration ~ ¹ After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ² There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. ³ Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. ⁴ Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ⁵ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” ⁶ When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. ⁷ But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” ⁸ When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. ⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” ¹⁰ The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” ¹¹ Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. ¹² But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” ¹³ Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist. … Matthew 17:1-13 

Talk about a preview—Peter, James and John experienced a little bit of heaven when they were on the mountain with Jesus. They were on a journey, learning as they went what it was to live as a follower of Christ. The schedule was sure to be demanding, physically, emotionally and spiritually. The words of Peter are interesting as it parallels what happens with most of us. Here was an opportunity to worship, but Peter was keen to act, to do, to fidget, to build. He was in danger of missing the moment through activity. What about you? Use this season to allow yourself time to worship, to reflect on God’s goodness and grace in your life. Create time when you can rest and enjoy the presence of God so that you face the hectic pace of life from a place of refreshing and renewal.

Love for Enemies ~ ⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. … Matthew 5:43-48 

As we journey to the cross and reflect on its message of peace, we’re drawn to the words of Jesus exhorting us as to how we should live at peace with those around us. The cross speaks to us of unconditional love. As we allow our attitudes to come under the spot-light of God’s Word we recognize that our love to others must also be unconditional. As we begin to love and pray for our enemies we begin to see evil being overcome with good. As we move towards maturity in our faith, one of the markers is our willingness to allow God to become master over those hard areas. To show love and mercy requires a supernatural effort—a power from within that only comes through the working of the Holy Spirit. Take time today to pray for those that you would not normally pray for and determine that with the help of the Spirit you will show love to your enemies.

²⁰ For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. ²¹ “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. ²³ “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to that person; then come and offer your gift. ²⁵ “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. ²⁶ Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. ~ Matthew 5:20-26 

We are used to putting more value on our actions rather than our attitudes. In our attempts to make excuses for our weakness and tendency to sin we have come up with a system that allows us to be justified in our own minds if we do not commit a sinful act. The words of Jesus cut right to the heart of the matter exposing our human logic and demanding a radical change in not only action but also attitudes. To be angry is to allow a seething brooding bitterness grow towards someone. It is a condition that is volatile, ready to erupt into at any time. The challenge of today’s passage is not to simply pat ourselves on the back because we did not lash out physically but to develop the discipline of holding our attitudes in check, under the control of the Holy Spirit. Does the Holy Spirit have control of you?

⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; those who seek find; and to those who knock, the door will be opened.  ⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ¹² So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. ~ Matthew 7:7-12 

In this text Jesus is showing us the heart of the Father. God is not stingy, selfish or begrudging. As we come to God we are coming to our Heavenly Father. We need to remind ourselves that if humans have the capacity to love, be kind and provide, how much more can God do the same? As we learn to know God better one of the indicators will be in the nature of our prayer life. We learn to pray according to His will, and therefore begin to ask more for those things that are good for us. Our prayers become more mature in the sense that they carry the marks of persistence, boldness and confidence. What will you pray for today?