LENT AT LEWINSVILLE

2017

Lenten Devotional Booklet 2017 Lewinsville Presbyterian Church “Encounters with Jesus” Dear friends of Lewinsville, During Lent, the church engages in a 40-day period of preparation for the great events of Holy Week – the crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. These events of Holy Week stand at the center of our Christian faith. At its heart, Lent is a time for us to encounter Jesus in our lives in a new way.

During Sunday worship this Lent, we will be reading several extended stories from the Gospel of John that describe – in great detail – the encounters of different individuals with Jesus. We will meet: a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a Samaritan woman at a well, a man born blind, and Jesus’ good friend Lazarus who had died. Additionally, the first Sunday of Lent (March 5) will be the presentation of the Cantata about the Old Testament character of Joseph (he of the “coat of many colors”).

In each of these stories, a person has a powerful encounter with the grace of God in the midst of the pain

of life. God’s grace enters into these person’s situations in remarkable ways – sometimes it is direct and obvious, sometimes it is more hidden. In each case, the individual is transformed and made new.

The promise for us is that we also will be transformed as we receive the grace of Jesus into our own

lives. We invite you to enter into these stories, and allow them to be a vehicle for you to encounter Jesus in new ways.

It is our joy to offer you this Lenten devotional booklet, organized around the theme of “encounters with Jesus.” Written by members of the Lewinsville community of faith, these daily devotional readings are largely based on the gospel texts for each week. Having several different reflections on the same gospel story will provide different perspectives from which to enter into the narrative, and to have our own encounters with Jesus.

We invite you to use these readings as part of your daily spiritual practice during Lent. Our prayer is that they may be a helpful companion as you encounter Jesus in new ways.

We offer our deep and profound thanks to all who have contributed their time, energy, and love to the production of this booklet – the writers, coordinators, and editors. Lenten blessings to you, Pastor Scott

Ash Wednesday, March 1 Genesis 50:1-21 NRSV Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?” So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, ‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them. Devotion It’s hard to imagine a more convoluted family dynamic than that of Jacob and his twelve sons. From the start, the children were pitted against each other. Jacob’s favoritism toward his second wife Rachel and their son Joseph set this trouble in motion. Joseph didn’t help himself when he bragged of his childhood dreams of grandeur. His brothers, in disgust, sold him as a slave to get rid of him. Now Jacob has died, and the brothers fear final retribution from their little brother, who saved them from famine but also has the power to do them great harm. Despite his hurt feelings, expressed in verse 20, Joseph is able to admit that God has put him in a unique place to help others. And he is willing to put aside any lingering desire for retribution to accomplish a greater good. The Bible stories of long ago are filled with intrigue, drama, and redemption. I only have to read the daily news to know that our world today is not so different! God is still using everyday people to do good in the world. Like Joseph, some among us have risen to positions of power and have opportunities to provide for others who have no voice. All of us, like Joseph in his years of slavery, can speak truth that matters. Forgiveness is God’s to grant, while ours is the duty of mercy and kindness toward all. Prayer May I find wisdom and courage to act when given the opportunity to do God’s will in the world. Libby McConnell

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Thursday, March 2 Genesis 50:15-21 NRSV Joseph Forgives His Brothers But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.

Devotion This stirring passage from Genesis evokes a myriad of responses. Joseph’s compassion towards men that had earlier attempted to kill him is staggering! Let’s look at the brothers’ treatment of Joseph. They steal his coat, throw him in a pit in the middle of the desert, and sell him into slavery. After suffering so much at his brothers’ hands, how can he forgive them? The answer is easy to say but difficult to enact; he has accepted God in his life. How many of us are able to say the same? If we are completely truthful with ourselves, would we be able to forgive these brothers? Many of us may go through the actions of accepting of God into our lives, but there is more to it than going to church or reading the Bible – one must live a life of God. This doesn’t mean that we have to retreat into the mountains and wear sackcloth and fast for days. There is another way to live one’s devotion to God. Joseph gives us an example of this other way: forgive your enemies, show compassion and mercy to others, and be just. Joseph forgave his brothers, who had acted as enemies. He showed them compassion and mercy, and he was just. He didn’t need a hermitage to show devotion to God, and yes, he did suffer for God, but ultimately it was this other way that showed he had accepted God in his life. Let us learn from Joseph’s example, and try to live a life of God. Prayer Dear Lord, we thank you for leaders like Joseph, who guide us along our spiritual journey. Lord, we thank you even more for the opportunities you give us to serve you. Help us to follow the paths that you have set for us and to give our lives in service to you. Amen. Beverly D’Andrea

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Friday, March 3 Genesis 50:15-21 NRSV Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, ‘What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?’ So they approached Joseph, saying, ‘Your father gave this instruction before he died, “Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.” Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.’ Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, ‘We are here as your slaves.’ But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.’ In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them. Devotion The final exchange between Joseph and his brothers, which is also nearly the end of Genesis (only the brief story of Joseph’s own death and burial plans remains), is a touching story of forgiveness and reconciliation. But even here, the complicated – one might say dysfunctional – relationships among Jacob’s children may not be entirely resolved. For one thing, Joseph’s brothers may be lying about what they describe as their father’s dying message. Did Jacob really tell them to ask their brother for forgiveness, or have they concocted this story out of fear that Joseph may take revenge for past wrongs now that their father is dead? And what does Joseph make of this story, even as he appears to accept it? He and his brothers were present at their father’s death, and received blessings, prophecies, and other instructions from him; wouldn’t Jacob have taken care of this crucial bit of family business then? When Joseph weeps, is it because he believes the story, or because he sees through it, and his brothers’ motives, but nevertheless appreciates their acknowledgment of the wrong they have done? Or perhaps he sympathizes with their fear now that the tables are turned, and they find themselves in his power?

Since we’re probably reading a compilation of family stories from several different sources, it’s hard to tell exactly what Joseph is supposed to know. But it seems clear that the brothers’ relationships remain fraught, and that Joseph chooses reconciliation despite any lingering suspicions about the others’ motives. Prayer Lord, our relationships with other human beings, including close family members, is often complicated. Sometimes we’re suspicious of the motives of those around us, even when they’re saying things we’re glad and moved to hear. Help us, like Joseph, to choose kindness and reconciliation even in the midst of our common brokenness. Cathy Saunders

* * * Saturday, March 4 Genesis 50:1-21 NRSV So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, ‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them. Devotion What are we to say of Joseph, he of the "Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat?" Described as "handsome" and "good looking" in an earlier chapter, Joseph would seem to have it all – wealth and beauty, and the hands-down favorite of his father's twelve sons, not to mention extraordinary leadership skills that placed him on the brink of vast influence and power. Without doubt, this was a young man going places! Enter now into this perfect picture Joseph's eleven brothers, full of jealousy and murderous rage, who plot to kill him, hide the evidence of their crime, show the bloody coat to Jacob and tell him that Joseph was torn apart by wild animals. Here the story would have ended but for the conscience of one brother who persuaded the others to spare Joseph's life, and instead toss him into a pit and sell him into slavery. In what can only be called the perfect irony of God's will, it is here that Joseph again encounters his brothers who have journeyed to Egypt to beg for food during the great seven-year famine sweeping the land. This is the complicated and fascinating backdrop to Joseph's adventure-filled life when we find him in chapter 50, and it sets up the true heart of the story. When they encounter Joseph, his brothers are understandably terrified that he will seek a full measure of revenge for what they did to him. But instead of meting out the expected retribution, Joseph, in an act of Christ-like compassion, forgives them and welcomes them back as his brothers. It is the kind of radical forgiveness that the Prodigal Son's father showed him, and that Christ himself demonstrated while suffering on the cross. It is the kind of perfect forgiveness that we receive every day, and that we ourselves must strive to offer others. Prayer Gracious, forgiving Lord, we thank you for your perfect example of holy living. Give us the will to unconditionally forgive any who may have wronged us – no matter what the offence, no matter what the cost to us. Amen. Jim Scopeletis

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Monday, March 6 Psalm 119:73-80 NRSV Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. I know, O Lord, that your judgements are right, and that in faithfulness you have humbled me. Let your steadfast love become my comfort according to your promise to your servant. Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. Let the arrogant be put to shame, because they have subverted me with guile; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts. Let those who fear you turn to me, so that they may know your decrees. May my heart be blameless in your statutes, so that I may not be put to shame. John 3:1-17 NRSV Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ 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. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? ‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Devotion One has to feel a sorry for Nicodemus, the faithful Pharisee who believes “Thy hands have made and fashioned me,” and “I have hoped in thy word.” Jerusalem trembles with the Baptist’s warnings juxtaposed by a rock star from Nowhereville who’s followed by crowds (whom he feeds), who heals the sick, turns water into wine. Is this the One? Old Nicodemus is careful (“…came to Jesus by night”). When Jesus tells him he must be “born anew,” the distressingly literal Nicodemus, asks, can one “enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be

born?” Jesus gives a resounding yes, referencing the spirit born by the wind. Nicodemus: “How can this be?” Jesus, now rough: “…you are a teacher of Israel and don’t understand this?” He continues. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” At this point we don’t hear from Nicodemus. I think he fled. We might too. In spite of our stumbling, greed, and petty concerns, Jesus is going all the way with us. Nicodemus, a man of creeds and dogma, faces the fact that “creeds are signposts, love is the hitching post.” (Rev. Wm Coffin). Confronted with this, do we want this wind, can we endure our freedom, risk the dictates of love? We are called, claimed and commissioned, eternal life not quantitative, but qualitative, the “wind” now in us. Prayer Lord, let thy word of love to the end free us from comforts to which we desperately cling so that we may risk stepping out into the challenge and comfort of thy word. Amen. Jack Calhoun

* * * Tuesday, March 7 John 3:1-8 NASB The New Birth …Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Devotion Nicodemus was a very accomplished and learned man. He was a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews (i.e., member of the Sanhedrin) and a teacher. Nicodemus knew that there was something different about Jesus. Nicodemus said to Jesus, “no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.” But Nicodemus, despite his great learning, had missed something huge. Jesus said “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Those words must have been difficult for Nicodemus to hear. He was a practical man. He argues with Jesus from a practical/pragmatic viewpoint. Jesus repeats his statement adding a bit more detail, saying “unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Jesus talks further about two births. I think that Nicodemus objection is similar to the objection of many who are in the church today. We live in an empirical age, in which “things” must be observable, quantifiable, testable, and independently verified. Many current day believers have adopted the empirical ethos for their life journeys (including their journeys of faith). The problem is that we can’t see the spiritual world with our eyes of flesh. Jesus challenges Nicodemus to reconsider. Jesus says to Nicodemus “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Personally speaking, I find this scary!

Prayer Heavenly Father, help me, like Nicodemus to take another look.

Give me the courage to surrender all things to you which keep me “in control.” Help me to trust you when my logic says “stay in the boat,” but you are calling me to step out of it.

Amen.

Rob Ransom

* * * Wednesday, March 8 Psalm 147: 1-11 NRSV 1Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting. 2The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. 3He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. 4He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. 5Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. 6The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground. 7Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre. 8He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills. 9He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry. 10His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner; 11but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. Devotion When Nicodemus has his “come to Jesus” moment, Jesus tells him that it’s not the power of his miracles – the signs – that should impress Nicodemus. No, he has to be “born from above,” often rendered as born anew or born again, “born of the water and the spirit.” Nicodemus says that being born twice seems, well, at least a little odd. Jesus explains further, “The wind blows where it chooses and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from.” We understand, as Nicodemus probably did, that there is a double meaning here: the real message is the Spirit acts as it wishes, spirit and wind being the same word in Greek. The passage closes with the famous words of John 3:16-17 about God’s gift of his son. The Psalm passage for this day resonates with a similar joyful and life-giving message. After words of praise for the beauties of the creation God has given us, verses 10-11 proclaim that our trust in God’s steadfast love is what delights God – the creation, like the sending of Jesus, is God’s gift to us. Both the creation and the gift of his son show God’s eternal, boundless love for us. If we understand those gifts, how can we not be transformed? How can we not be born anew? Here are two musical versions of the Nicodemus story, very different, that may open up other ways to let the story transform you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBsWlrDQsaQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ej5-MpY8xw Prayer God of life, let us be transformed by the gifts of your creation, which encompasses all the world, and let us be born anew through the gift of your son, who came to bring salvation to all of God’s world. Amen. Rob Hunter

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Saturday, March 9 John 3:1-7 NRSV 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. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ Psalm 147:12-20 NRSV 12Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!Praise your God, O Zion! 13For he strengthens the bars of your gates;he blesses your children within you. 14He grants peace within your borders;he fills you with the finest of wheat. 15He sends out his command to the earth;his word runs swiftly. 16He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. 17He hurls down hail like crumbs—who can stand before his cold? 18He sends out his word, and melts them;he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow. 19He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and ordinances to Israel. 20He has not dealt thus with any other nation;they do not know his ordinances.Praise the Lord! Devotion At night after the crowds had left Jesus, Nicodemus seeks him on his own. He acknowledges that Jesus is a teacher from God. But Jesus’ statement that to see the kingdom of God, one must be born again from above is bewildering to him. Is there anyone, myself included, who has not felt the same way Nicodemus felt? Like a good teacher Jesus repeats his assertion in different ways. “Born from above” or “born again” is confusing but, “born of water and spirit” reminds us of our baptism when the concrete image of water merges with the spirit to join us to the Christian community. “Flesh is flesh” is of this world; “spirit is spirit” is the world of God. Finally, I think that the spirit will come to me and perhaps it is a gift. This is not easy and it seems not to be in my control. It might not be sudden and dramatic. It might not depend on good deeds or studiousness, although these efforts might be good for us and for others. Perhaps instead it requires time for listening and a willingness to be open when God decides it is time, a simple matter of trust. Psalm 147 verses 12 to 20 to me seems much easier to interpret than the previous passage from John. It is comforting to read or hear these words of blessing and protection. The poetry and visual images are beautiful: “He gives snow like wool” or “He hurls down hail like crumbs.” However, in the end, “He sends out his word and melts them”; tells us that with God all will be well. He “declares his word to Jacob, His statutes and ordinances to Israel.” But we are not to be passive receivers of this safety and prosperity; no! We are encouraged to “praise the Lord!” So be it. Prayer Lord, I pray that we will find the time to listen and to be open to your word and voice. Let us enjoy little breakthroughs of feeling the spirit and enjoy exciting a-ha moments. When the going gets tough, may we be comforted by poetry from the Psalms and sustained by your word. Let us remember to give praise and may we trust that we will be born anew. Amen. Vivian Attermeyer

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Friday, March 10 John 3:16 NRSV Nicodemus comes to Jesus For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Devotion Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a member of the Jewish ruling council – the very group that was becoming uneasy with Jesus’ ministry. It is noteworthy that Nicodemus comes to Jesus under cover of darkness and greets him as “Rabbi” or teacher. Nicodemus is a seeker; he understands that Jesus comes from God (verse 3:2) and he cites the miracles as evidence of this – but he wants more. Jesus does not disappoint; he proceeds to educate Nicodemus on the kingdom of God and the Holy Spirit (verses 3:5-8) and boldly challenges him as a supposed “spiritual leader of the Jews” (verses 3:10-11.) But he doesn’t stop there; in one of the most famous passages in the bible (verse 3:16) Jesus reveals the great truth that motivated God’s plan of salvation. WOW! What an eye opener! Do you think Nicodemus got what he was looking for? Maybe more? But this is not the last time we hear of Nicodemus; he appears again in John 19:38-42 alongside of Joseph of Arimathea after the crucifixion when they claimed Jesus’ body for burial. This time, Nicodemus came boldly in the light of day. It seems to me that although the story of Nicodemus is brief and found only in the Gospel of John, nonetheless his story parallels our Lenten journey. Hopefully, we use this time to better understand the journey from miracles to crucifixion to resurrection. I think Nicodemus’ journey took him from fan of Jesus to follower, to disciple – which raises a serious question for me. Where do I fit on that continuum? How about you? Prayer Eternal Lord, we give you thanks and praise for the gift of your Son and the promise of everlasting life. Charlie Mendenhall

* * * Saturday, March 11 John 3:1-17 NRSV Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ …. ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Devotion Nic at Night The walk was short but dark, only some candle flicker in windows, the shine of the moon, the wind sharp and strong. My cloak kept catching in my feet and likewise my staff.

But it would be quieter at night, plus a man of rank wants personal attention. The door opened to my knock immediately; the wind and I entered the warm room. So I demanded an answer for how he did the things he did. Perhaps he was tired; immediately he said only nonsense, yet was sharp-witted enough in the way of men with men when I didn’t understand his words. He filled the room with life just by sitting on the floor teaching. Pay attention, He said, it was all about love, God’s love. “God so loved the world,” he said, and don’t give me any nonsense about memory. I wrote it down even as he talked. “God wants to save the world.” Save us from ourselves I think now; give us a new birth, he said. I laughed all the way home, I didn’t write this down, but I laughed, in the dark, alone, filled with joy, under the moon, wind-shaken, alive with it, alive at last, nearly dancing, after all these years. Prayer Oh Lord, please let us not be afraid of your word Even in our confusion, even in our arrogance or Even in our fear. Let us be shaped and seen And made new, reborn, by You. Amen. Rachel Ann Russell

* * * Monday, March 13 John 4:5-10 NRSV So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink’. (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria? (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” Devotion What I love about the beginning of this encounter with Jesus is the sheer normality of it. No one here is dying, or blind, or inhabited by demons. There is no crowd of witnesses, no miracles involving changing water to wine. This is just a tired man, young by today’s standards, sitting by a well in the noon day sun, waiting for his companions to return. A woman from a different group comes to get water, a routine and extremely time-

consuming chore for many women in Biblical times, and still for many women and girls all over the world today. And the man asks for a drink. The text doesn’t state that she gave it to him, but I have to imagine she did. What woman would look at that tired, thirsty man and not share a drink from her jug of water, no matter the social gulf? And in meeting this simple human need, she meets the divine. She has an encounter that changes her life, and that of her community. In return for her water, she learns about “living water.” The Samaritan woman and the Jew reach across their social boundaries and see each other for who they are. We often want to do big things, and compare ourselves to those with big accomplishments, but this story reminds us that an encounter with Jesus can come in the routines of daily life, and in the simple sharing of water. Prayer Lord, help us to see the blessings possible in our normal encounters. Help us to share and to be open to what we can learn from thirsty strangers in our own lives. Thank you for the provision of “living water.” Amen. Laura Jones

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Tuesday, March 14 Psalm 25 NRSV To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me. 3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. 5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. 6 Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O LORD! 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees. 11 For your name’s sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great. 12 Who are they that fear the LORD? He will teach them the way that they should choose. 13 They will abide in prosperity, and their children shall possess the land. 14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes his covenant known to them.

15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17 Relieve the troubles of my heart, and bring me out of my distress. 18 Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. 19 Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. 20 O guard my life, and deliver me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all its troubles.

Devotion The starting place for my adult relationship with God was an admission that I tried to live a meaningful, responsible, and good life based on rules that I tried to concoct myself as I went along, and it turned out very poorly. As my sins and disappointments accumulated, I began to recognize that the folks of the Book had figured out things that I was still struggling with. They had the advantage of centuries of experience of living and learning in close relationship with God, who was patient, steadfast, and loving. And now I have that advantage of the lessons they have left with us plus my own relationship with the same God, who as it turns out has sent his son to earth to help us learn his ways and enjoy his grace. The 25th Psalm reminds me that I am not the first sinner nor am I the first person who has come to depend on God to be lead in his truth and to be taught in his way. Furthermore, I can trust God to turn to me and be gracious to me when I am lonely and afflicted. It is a very good deal. Prayer Lord, over the ages so, so many prayers have passed from our lips to You. I gratefully add one more and take the same pleasure as those who have gone before me in your covenant, your steadfast love, and your faithfulness. Amen. David Jessee

* * * Wednesday, March 15

John 5:30 NRSV “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me.” Devotion How often have I felt like the first part of this passage? Countless times, an action done without forethought turns out in retrospect to have been a gift from God, a reminder that “I can do nothing on my own.” The presence of the Spirit is not even recognized, yet is at work to carry out God’s will. God’s love is so powerful and encompassing that it brings about good even without my conscious action.

Unlike me, Jesus does not need a reminder. He hears, then acts, doing the will of the Lord. In healing on the Sabbath, He is not afraid to do the will of the Lord, even if it runs counter to prevailing customs. He is actively looking to do the will of God, not stumbling upon it accidentally. This passage calls to me to seek actively the will of God and to pursue it without hesitation. It is a call to meet each person with compassion as Jesus did. It is a reminder of God’s ever present love for his creation. Love that is made manifest in individual interactions. As the creed says, “God works in us and others through his Spirit.” As I rely on God’s love, I am called to share it. I still can do nothing on my own, but rejoice that the Spirit of Christ is present to guide the seeking and bless the accidents. Prayer Teach me your ways O Lord. Let me look to serve you in all that I do. And when my gaze wanders, still, let me serve you. For I can do nothing on my own, but rely on your love and grace. All glory be to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. Debbie Leavens

* * * Thursday, March 16 John 4: 5–7 NRSV So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink’. (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?’ (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, “Give me a drink”, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.’ Devotion On his way back to Galilee, Jesus happened to go through Samaria, and sat down for a rest at a well just as a Samaritan woman appeared. Clashing cultures said they shouldn’t even talk. Hatred between Jews and Samaritans was fierce and historic. Yet, their brief conversation resulted in the woman believing in Jesus, and the reports she took to the village resulted in many more believers, all because of her chance encounter with the Messiah. But, was it “chance?” While producing my film “Paper Clips,” I learned a Jewish word “Beshert,” which translates to “destiny” or “it is meant to be.” During the course of the two years of developing the film there were many events that happened that seemed at first to be coincidental…all of which were not of my doing and contributed significantly in giving direction and purpose to the film. All encounters with Jesus do not require going into some spiritual orbit. Most are quiet and thankful. The Lord accepts and loves them all. If we strive for a personal relationship with our Lord, we should trust that He is with us at all times, ready to listen to us and guide us on paths that we sometimes call “coincidences,” many of which change the course of our work and relationships, and strengthen our faith. Albert Einstein once said, “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.” I believe that we can continually have encounters with Jesus, though we may not be aware of them as emotional life changing

moments at the time – though many are. Constant prayer is the best way for us to recognize them and just say “thank you” for that moment with Him. Prayer God of our lives, God of Living Water, You call us to sit quietly and attentively as you show us how to find and share the water of life in your service. We seek to be closer to you as you call us to come and drink. Hold out your hand, dear Lord and lead us to your well. Amen. Bob Johnson

* * * Friday, March 17 John 4:16-26 NRSV Jesus said to her, ‘Go, call your husband, and come back.’ The woman answered him, ‘I have no husband.’ Jesus said to her, ‘You are right in saying, “I have no husband”; for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!’ The woman said to him, ‘Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshipped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.’ The woman said to him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming’ (who is called Christ). ‘When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am he, the one who is speaking to you.’ Devotion God constantly surprises us with how He accomplishes His purpose. I first looked at this story with worldly eyes and saw Jesus talking (yet again!) to a most unlikely, even unsuitable, person. His disciples are astonished that he is speaking to a woman. To make matters worse, she is a Samaritan woman, and Jesus already knows she is “living in sin.” But Jesus not only speaks to her; he offers her salvation! He then uses her as a conduit to invite others to receive that salvation. Jesus speaks to the woman because he sees her, not with the eyes of the world, but with his “x-ray vision” that sees behind the world’s reality to the Truth of God’s reality. He sees her as a child of God who is worthy of salvation. Jesus looks at the water of the well and sees Living Water. He sees a people who are desperately hoping for Messiah to come, and proclaims that he is the Messiah, that their hope is already here. He looks at a well in a dusty crossroads and sees a holy place where he can bestow his grace on someone who needs it. Jesus tells us that we must worship God in spirit and truth – not with empty rituals, not merely in a holy temple, not simply out of duty or tradition. We must look behind the veil of our earthly existence and see that God’s reality is all around us. Prayer Gracious God, give me “x-ray vision” to see your truth behind the world’s reality. Help me not to make assumptions about how who or what is holy. Lead me in your way even when I don’t understand, or feel I’m not worthy to carry out your purpose. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Ellen Peters

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Saturday, March 18

John 4, 5-13, 16-19, 28-30, 39-42 NRSV So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria? (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” … Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ’I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet.” … Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” They left the city and were on their way to him….Many of the Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know this is truly the Savior of the world.” Devotion Jesus meets a Samaritan woman while he was resting from his travel at Jacob’s well. Societal and cultural differences divided Samaritans from Jews, who saw them as deviating from the ancient faith of Israel. Nonetheless, Jesus asks her for a drink of water, using her bucket to drink from, contrary to custom. Knowing he was a Jew, her answer probably was not friendly. This stranger’s preposterous reply about who he is, and that his “living water” would forever allay her thirst, likely would have annoyed her. Still thinking literally, she says “…give me this water,” or in today’s language, “prove it.” So Jesus, in asking her to bring her husband, reveals he knows she has had five husbands. Only then does she realize he has been prompting her toward a spiritual change in her life. “Sir, I see that you are a prophet.” Probably in shock, she runs back to her people urging them to come see the man who could be the Messiah. So powerful and convincing was her message, the Samaritans came. They even asked him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. They became convinced “this truly is the Savior of the world.” John 4 gives us a story of encountering Jesus. Our reflections can take us in many different directions – a reluctant conversion, a messenger with a difficult past, the power of a believer, God’s word for all peoples, our call to work with God’s grace. Let us each dwell on where the Spirit guides us. Prayer Heavenly Father, you have sent your son to bring all of us to you. Sometimes we don’t listen. We don’t always have confidence that we matter. We feel we have strayed from you too long. We might not remember that you spread your word through ordinary people. Grant us your grace and inspiration to reflect your goodness wherever we are. Amen. Mike McKeown

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Monday, March 20 John 9:1-23 NRSV As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able

to see. The neighbours and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, ‘Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?’ Some were saying, ‘It is he.’ Others were saying, ‘No, but it is someone like him.’ He kept saying, ‘I am the man.’ But they kept asking him, ‘Then how were your eyes opened?’ He answered, ‘The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, “Go to Siloam and wash.” Then I went and washed and received my sight.’ They said to him, ‘Where is he?’ He said, ‘I do not know.’ They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, ‘He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.’ Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.’ But others said, ‘How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?’ And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, ‘What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.’ He said, ‘He is a prophet.’ The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, ‘Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?’ His parents answered, ‘We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.’ His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, ‘He is of age; ask him.’ Devotion In my reflection on the entire passage presented I was intrigued by the role of the parents in this reading. As a parent myself I can relate, in that their son is involved in a situation which does not involve them directly, but they are asked about it because of their relationship to him. The reaction of the parents is interesting in that they will vouch that he was born blind, but out of fear will not give an opinion on how it is that he can now see, and more importantly, who was responsible for this miracle. Wow…so what do you make of that? Would you as a parent stand up for your child regardless of his age and be a witness to the work of Jesus in restoring his sight, or would you remain silent under the threat of being put out of the synagogue and the resulting loss of standing, community, faith life, and friends? Would you say, “Ask him”? This challenge is one that we do not have to face every day, but there are times in our life when we need to take a stand, speak to power, and face our fears. We have to weigh the consequence of our convictions versus the safety of remaining silent and going along. This secondary storyline allows us to think on how and when we will react in a situation of choice and decision about our faith, our family loyalty, our self-interest and our personal priorities.

Prayer Jesus, give us the strength we need to draw on to speak the truth of who you are, to act on what we believe, and also to be a witness to others. Give us courage to stand up and be counted as a disciple of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. Bob Clark

* * * Tuesday, March 21 John 9:1-5 NRSV As [Jesus] walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Devotion Jesus moves through John, making friends and transforming lives with abundant love! But as I began John 9, I hesitated. Jesus sees a man born blind. His disciples ask if this shows the sin of the man, or of his parents. Jesus answers, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him,” and right away I’m dismayed. Would God really do that to a person’s whole life, for this one moment? But I read on. Mud and spit! Stupefied neighbors. Authorities, stuck in the familiar and safe. The heroic healed man. And Jesus – who sought him again, and found him. Action! Drama! Grace! It’s immense! For more insight, I open Frances Taylor Gench’s Encounters with Jesus – and recall how much I treasure wise companions in faith. Dr. Gench notes that the words in v.3 that had so unsettled me in Jesus’ answer, “he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed,” are not in the Greek text. They have been added, going as far back as the King James Version. When they're removed, Jesus sounds – purely and simply – eager to reveal the glory of God by healing this man’s sight. “Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; but in order that the works of God might be revealed in him, we must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’”* Jesus is still bringing us into those gracious friendships around himself, where we can be healed, and helped to see! Prayer Holy God, I am so grateful that you have come to us in Jesus, the light of the world, your Word made flesh. As in days long ago when you sat face-to-face with those whose lives you touched and changed, so you sit with us this very day. Open my heart to hear your voice, inviting me into newness of life with you always! In the name of Jesus Christ, the One in whom you came. Amen. Stephany Crosby *Translation by NRSV and by Frances Taylor Gench, Professor of New Testament, Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education, Encounters with Jesus; Studies in the Gospel of John, p. 65. Louisville KY, Westminster John Knox, 2007. Greek manuscripts invite scholarly chats about punctuation: http://www.csntm.org/manuscript/View/GA_P75?OSIS=John.9.3

Wednesday, March 22 John 9:35-39 NRSV Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ He answered, ‘And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.’ He said, ‘Lord, I believe.’ And he worshipped him. Jesus said, ‘I came into this world for judgement so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.’ Devotion Through life you have good times and some dark times. It's easy to see Jesus when good things are happening in your life. But it's not always easy to see Jesus in the dark times. In John 9:39, when Jesus says, “I entered this world to render judgment – to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind,” I believe the verse is saying Jesus is there even when you think you don't see him. There were many times in my life when I questioned if Jesus was there. When my grandpa passed away I started to question my faith. I asked why Jesus would take him away from me. I thought Jesus wasn't there for me; but that wasn't true – he was there. I was being blind. Jesus was what got me through my grandpa’s passing in the long run. I prayed to him to get through the tough nights. I feel like many people don't see Jesus during the dark times, and get upset with Jesus, and question why he would do something painful. But in reality Jesus is always there for you; you might not see him, but he's there. When we have hard times we shouldn't turn away from Jesus because we feel like we don't see him. We should be seeing that this is just part of his elaborate amazing plan for us.

Prayer Dear God, please look over us through the highs and lows of life. We may not always see you but we know you're always there. Thank you for walking with us through the journey of life and never leaving our side. You are always with us. Amen. Katie Gamble

* * * Thursday, March 23 Psalm 102 CEB (excerpts) 1. Lord, hear my prayer! Let my cry reach you! 2. Don't hide your face from me in my time of trouble! Listen to me! Answer me quickly as I cry out! ***** 12. But you, Lord, rule forever! Your fame lasts from one generation to the next! 13. You will stand up -- you'll have compassion on Zion... ***** 23. God broke my strength in midstride, cutting my days short. ***** 25. You laid the earth's foundations long ago; the skies are your handiwork. 26. These things will pass away, but you will last. All of these things will wear out like clothing; you change them like clothes, and they pass on. 27. But you are the one!

Your years never end! 28. Let your servants' children live safe; let your servants' descendants live secure in your presence. Devotion Psalm 102 is a psalm of Lament. The writer is in the midst of despair and crying out to God. It is such a wonderful example for me, of my own prayer life. When I read this the other day, I was in a grumpy mood. I empathized with the psalm writer; things did indeed look bleak. But I've learned from the Psalms. The psalmist complains bitterly, then flips a switch and suddenly utters affirmations of God's greatness; "But you, Lord, rule forever!" The psalmist proclaims the goodness, power, and promise of God through the generations. Another bitter complaint follows, ending with a final glorious affirmation of God's eternal goodness, power, and beauty. What a powerful example of a life of faith! It is easy to have faith in a good and righteous God, when life is going well. God is good! God is great....but what happens when life is hard; things are not going as you expected; and life seems unfair. The psalmist shows us that it is in those times, we need to remind ourselves of the promises of God and God's goodness. Perhaps we will not shout alleluias at first. Just pondering the awesomeness of our God is a beginning. In affirming the truth of God and who God is, we are living our life in faith. After I read and meditated on Psalm 102, I did feel better. God's promise and largesse had tempered my gloom. Prayer Gracious God, we know that you are with us, but sometimes life just seems dark. Help us to affirm your goodness, through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and help us to find our way back into Your Light. Amen. Judy Herseth

* * * Friday, March 24 John 9:24-34 NIV A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out. Devotion

I admire the man who had been blind for his ability to speak the facts, but also for his willingness to push for greater understanding of his being given sight. He clearly understood that healing a person blind from birth was prophesized (Isaiah 29:18, 35:5 and 42:7). He wasn’t afraid to challenge his questioners. I am definitely one of those people who would be considered a rule follower, which would probably make me more likely to be convinced by the Pharisees to question healing a blind man on the Sabbath and to doubt someone like Jesus who didn’t always “follow the law” as interpreted by the Pharisees. Of course I want the knowledge and quick thinking to respond with the bigger truths as the healed blind man did, but I am often the one who wishes I had said…or I had thought of…. On a positive note, I have learned to bend a few rules, especially when taking into consideration the effect on people (mostly students) if a rule is followed exactly. I hope I am getting better at caring for the person and not the rules or the system. I believe this is exactly what Jesus would want me to do. Prayer Dear Lord, please help me to stick to what is true and not be led astray by what others are saying or what others might want me to say or think. Help me see beyond the rules when needed. Please strengthen and guide me so that I will have the words and actions to do your will. Amen. Kathy Porterfield

* * * Saturday, March 25 John 9:4-5 NRSV We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. Devotion We live in conflicted, complicated, sometimes frighteningly angry times – and so, of course, did Jesus and his disciples. We sometimes forget that context when we tell the familiar stories by and about Jesus, but it’s hard to ignore the tension surrounding the present story. Not only does Jesus make explicit reference to the shortness of his time on earth, but the story is framed by references to people forced to flee angry crowds: just prior to his encounter with the blind man, Jesus hides and then flees from the temple under threat of stoning (John 8:59), and the man born blind himself, who did nothing to initiate his encounters with Jesus or the Pharisees, is “driven out” by the latter group when they don’t like his answers to their questions (John 9:34). So amid all this conflict, what does Jesus do, and urge his followers to do? He does the work he was sent to do: teaching about God and the kingdom; healing the sick, the lame, and the blind. And when he finishes, others are better off: not only has the blind man served as an illustration for Jesus’ teaching, as Jesus says he was born to do, but he now has sight, and is able to participate more fully in the life of his community. Jesus works, and his work brings hope. Prayer In the psalm for today (Psalm 43:5), the speaker, similarly beset by enemies, also relies on God, and on hope. With him, we pray: Why are you cast down, O my soul, And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise him, My help and my God. Cathy Saunders

Monday, March 27 John 11: 1-45 NRSV Now a certain man was ill...so the sisters sent a message to Jesus, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." ....Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days....Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."....When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus began to weep. Devotion How familiar Mary and Martha's request of Jesus seems. We ask God for something we think is in line with something God would want, but we don't get the result that we want. Then we complain to God, “If only you had done what I asked, the world would be a better place.” It is all about "our" timetable and understanding. If we put ourselves into the story, we wonder, why did Jesus wait two days, knowing Lazarus was so ill? Why didn't he act immediately and save Mary, Martha, and friends from inconsolable grief? Why does God let seemingly bad things happen? In this instance, Jesus had a different purpose in mind. He knew that Lazarus was not going to be forever dead. He knew there was a larger message to convey about God's power. It is easy to conclude that God often has plans beyond our comprehension. But how do we account for Jesus' seeming lack of empathy in the beginning of the story? It is only when Jesus sees Mary and her friends weeping, that he is "greatly disturbed in spirit and moved...and begins to weep." Was Jesus not compassionate from the beginning? This passage reflects a thread found through the Hebrew Scriptures. Sometimes, God seems to wait to bring about justice. God (finally) hears the cry of his people enslaved in Egypt. God (finally) grants an interview to Job. Jesus weeps only after Lazarus has been dead for four days. God does not always act immediately to "right" a situation. That is hard to accept. But this story contains the hope that ultimately God does hear us, and does empathize with us. God works things out in a way that perhaps only He understands. To God be the Glory. Prayer Gracious God, we know that you hear our prayers. Help us to be patient as we wait to understand your answer as it unfolds. Amen. Judy Herseth

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Tuesday, March 28 John 11: 32-46 KJV Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. Devotion The encounters with Jesus in the stories in this devotional series result in transformations in those with whom He interacts. The story of Lazarus and others in John 11 go beyond transformative. Lazarus is given new life. Mary and Martha, already his friends and believers in his special powers, see the miracle Jesus performs as evidence of his being the Savior. The snitches who carry the story of Jesus' works to the Pharisees fulfill prophesy. The Pharisees (later in this chapter) grow to fear his potential impact and plot to kill Jesus and thereby, thinking only of their short-term interest, participate in changing the world as it has never been changed. Did Jesus really bring Lazarus back from death? Does it matter? At the very least he recognized that Lazarus could be brought out of the tomb without the "stink of death." Lazarus' rising is a perfect metaphor for Jesus own impending rising under the hand of God. His act made believers of many. The story gives rise to Jesus' wonderful aphorism: "I am the resurrection and the life..." To believe that gives rise to our own eternal aspirations. Prayer Dear Lord, Your acts as described in John both amaze and humble us. Their impact on the world still redounds. The people who experienced those acts were part of Your initial disciples and group of believers, who used Your strength and inspiration to broadcast Your role and mission around their world and the much larger world for 2000 years. Give us the strength and the will to continue that tradition. In Thy name we pray. Amen. Jim Edmondson

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Wednesday, March 29 John 11:1-45 NIV But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This illness is not meant to end in death. It is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed where he was for two days. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. For your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let’s go to him.” Jesus said to her, “I told you that if you believed you would see God’s glory, didn’t I?” So they removed the stone. Then Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” Devotion Glorifying God, Jesus not an EMT On a bright day with dew on the lawn and aromas of spring blossoms in the air, I entered the office. The mailroom clerk, Mac, was lying motionless on the floor. Peg, the receptionist, hands at her face, was sobbing. "He just...he just went down," she managed to say. Having weeks ago completed first aid training, I felt called to attempt to save a life. With a quick review of the wallet-sized card provided at training, I proceeded through the steps to commence artificial resuscitation. Fifty years ago that meant mouth to mouth, inflate, count and press. I still remember the smells of coffee and sausage on Mac's breath, my growing anxiety, exhaustion, and anger at the long wait for real help to arrive, the insistence of the EMT that I continue the process all the way to and into the hospital, followed by the ritual questions about identification and insurance for hospital admittance. It was several days later that peace finally came to me as I gathered with members of Mac's family to celebrate his life. While focusing on the verses from John 11, please give further thought to these questions:

1. Might God have ordained the Lazarus resurrection to help Jesus accept and endure his own portended death and resurrection?

2. Do attempts to preserve ordinary life today, successful or not, glorify God even if they are born of duty, search for recognition or self-glory?

3. How can and do we genuinely glorify God? Prayer Lord God: Thank you for your grace, mercy, peace, the beauty and wonder of your creation and all opportunities like this for the family of Lewinsville Church to walk this communal journey of faith. Give us hope, and give us courage to do your will in the days ahead. Amen. Michael Werner

* * * Thursday, March 30 John 11:1-25-26a NRSV Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” Devotion These words come mid-way through the story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead and are perhaps the most important words in the story. You see, what is important about this story is not the fact that Lazarus was returned to life. What is important is what Jesus is telling us about life. He is not speaking of life eternal as

something which happens after our death. Yes, at our death we will live in the presence of God. And eternal life is also a very present reality! We have eternal life right now. It is the fullness of life lived in the presence of God, for as Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life.” I experienced this sense of life lived in the presence of God in a most unlikely place. Many years ago I was taken to Mother Theresa’s hospital in Kolkata. It was the place where those who were dying on the streets of Kolkata would receive care. As I entered the hospital I felt the most overwhelming sense of peace and joy, unlike anything I have ever felt, before or after that day. I am certain that God was palpably present in this place where death was a present reality. Life was being affirmed by the care those who were dying were receiving. May this meditation remind each of us that life lived in the presence of God, even when that life is fraught with fear, is eternal. Prayer Eternal, holy one, help us to remember that you promise us life eternal in your presence even when we least expect it. Amen. Rev. Dr. Susan H. Fellows

* * * Friday, March 31 John 11: 25-27 NRSV Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.” Devotion In the story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus it is easy to draw parallels between Lazarus and Christ, but what if we instead look at Lazarus as a representation of humanity as a whole – a representation of us? Jesus willingly faces down death for Lazarus – the point is explicitly made that Lazarus has been dead for four days and he is past the point of resuscitation according to Jewish belief – despite this, Jesus calls out to Lazarus and raises him from death. It is Lazarus’s belief in Christ, as well as his sisters’, that gives Christ the power to call him back from death and save him, the same way it is our belief in Jesus that will eventually allow us to be saved through his death on the cross (John 11: 25-26). Christ figuratively sacrifices himself to save Lazarus similar to the way he ultimately sacrifices himself to save us. He knows that raising Lazarus will put in to motion the events that will culminate with his death, and yet he does it anyway. The resurrection of Lazarus and his overcoming of death is a mirror for the redemption of humanity; by facing down and overcoming death Christ saves mankind from facing our own spiritual death. Prayer Heavenly Father, help us remember during this time of Lent that Christ sacrificed himself for us and that it is through him that we will be saved; remind us that through our faith in Christ we can overcome anything, even something as final as death. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. LeeLee Hunter

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Saturday, April 1 John 11:44 NRSV Being Alive The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” Devotion Easter is all about life. And, Easter is all about death. It’s about two words seemingly from opposite ends of the spectrum careening out of control towards each other faster than the speed of light. Easter happens when life and death collide in an indescribable explosion of God’s love. It’s one nanosecond of existence that blows up all we have ever conceived about being alive and being dead. On Easter, death and life become one as God redefined eternity. One man encountered the grace of God through the exploding force of God’s love that moved a stone from in front of a tomb and rolled it to rest at the foot of a cross. The end became the beginning. The beginning became the end. He was forever changed. He was forever unbound. Life came together and become complete when Easter happened. Listen to Barbara Streisand sing “Being Alive” from the musical Company. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hge6FqAQlR8 Prayer Put your ear to the ground and listen: hurried, worried footsteps, bitterness, rebellion. Hope hasn’t yet begun. Listen again. Put out feelers. The Lord is there. He is far less likely to abandon us In hardship than in times of ease. Amen

(Dom Helder Camara, Archbishop of Olinda and Recife, Brazil) Rick Neldon

* * * Monday, April 3 Matthew 26:14-16 NRSV Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. Devotion I am personally drawn to Judas in this passage. A tragic figure some see as intrinsically evil while others see as a necessary pawn in salvation, Judas had the opportunity to know Jesus just as the other disciples did. It is most

tempting to wonder about Judas' salvation, but that is for God to decide not us. There are at least two things I think we can learn from Judas. First, it is clear consequences matter. Some argue that Peter also betrayed Christ, but the results of Peter's betrayal are a lesson to Peter while Judas' betrayal leads Jesus to his crucifixion. It makes me wonder how many times I have gotten a pass or “lucked out” on the consequences of my sins. The second lesson is about faith and patience. Judas had little of either. Many scholars agree Judas was trying to force Jesus' hand. Judas and many like him expected a political Messiah and believed Jesus had come to be a military king. Judas didn't have enough faith or patience to allow Jesus to see his work through his way. How many times have I been impatient with God and acted to make things happen? How many times has my view of what God wants been wrong? Judas is a compelling example against taking things into our own hands, but I often feel so strongly about what is right. How do we discern the difference between God's call and our personal desires to “make something happen”? Prayer Almighty God, forgive me especially for those sins with few consequences for me. Help me to put aside my own desires and ambitions so that I might do your will. Increase my faith and patience that I might trust and work for your outcomes in your time. Amen. Dave Porterfield

* * * Tuesday, April 4 Matthew 26:19-25 NRSV So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal. When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.” Devotion It is difficult to read about betrayal in the Bible. When you think of betrayal, you think of the very worst among us – traitors, conspirators, deceivers. Jesus has some very harsh words for those who betray God. That’s difficult to reconcile when you think of all that Jesus taught us – the utmost love, grace, kindness, and most of all, forgiveness. Yet, before those who betrayed him, he says, “drink ye all of it, for this is my blood…which is shed for many for the remissions of sins.” It seems, then, that Jesus is saying that our sins – our betrayals – are forgiven because Jesus died on the cross for us. In today’s world betrayals take many forms – a colleague taking credit for your work, or a lawmakers’ blind eye to the less fortunate. The betrayal that Jesus experienced makes our experiences with betrayal more real. It’s a lesson in opening up our hearts and living in his name. Prayer Gracious God, your actions – your kindness, grace, and forgiveness – wrap me in love and give me strength. In these trying times, when it’s difficult to see the path ahead for our country and our world, the example you set shows us a path ahead. I am grateful for your love. In your name we pray, Amen. Deirdre Ramsey

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Wednesday, April 5 Matthew 26:58 NRSV But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. Devotion When rereading the familiar stories of Holy Week, I challenged myself to look for parts that haven’t struck me before – or, more accurately, that I haven’t paid enough attention to before. This particular verse (Matthew 26:58) hit me in a way that made me feel both uncomfortable and challenged. It’s uncomfortable because it so plainly reminds me of my shortcomings. I, like Peter, tend to follow Jesus “at a distance.” I, again like Peter, like to wait around on the outskirts to “see how this would end.” It’s more comfortable here – a little removed, not fully committed, and with an escape route readily available. I also want to know the ending before I jump in, and if I don’t, I’d rather stay in the courtyard, like Peter. I find myself living like this often and for that reason, this verse is particularly jarring. It’s easier to be a Christian when the edges are fuzzy and out of focus from a distance – there’s more room for interpretation. That’s usually a good thing for us and our sins, but a bad thing for our relationship with God. Jesus knows that we, like Peter, want to take the easy way out. We want to know how this will end. But he loves us under all conditions, not just when we’re playing by the rules and in bounds. It’s a forgiveness that we don’t deserve, but receive by grace. This verse it a challenge to draw closer to God and fully commit to him. Prayer Dear God, we put you at a distance because it’s easy and safe. We want to know that the ending will be a happy one for us. Help us embrace your love and knowledge and draw closer to you, no matter what. Be with us as we challenge ourselves in this way and help us grow our unconditional faith in you. Elizabeth Steel

* * * Thursday, April 6 Matthew 26:36-46 NRSV Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.” Devotion Read in isolation, this passage paints a bleak portrait of humanity. Betrayal takes shape in Judas – the disciple who seems blind to his own act of deception, even in the sharing of the supper. Ignorance characterizes the disciples’ general lack of understanding of the gravity of this moment – that, when asked merely to stay awake

and pray in the Garden, they repeatedly fall asleep. Fear is epitomized in the disciple, Peter, who denies acquaintance with Jesus, let alone allegiance to him. All of these characters are despicable in one way or another. Unfortunately though, I look no further than my own mirror to see a person who identifies with them at their worst. The hope that I know in this passion narrative is that Jesus chose to associate with those such as me – to live for and love those such as me. And because of Jesus’ love for the world, he chose to subject himself to the bleakness of indifference from Pilate, who – though he thought Jesus innocent of any crime – allowed the flogging and crucifixion of an innocent man. Jesus chose to subject himself to the bleakness of gratuitous violence at the hands of the guards, who mocked Jesus’ kingship with a crown of thorns and spat at him with shouts of, “Hail, King of the Jews!” There are acts of occasional acts of courage and kindness expressed in the passion narrative, such as Joseph of Arimathea providing a tomb for Jesus, and the women keeping watch. But Jesus is the only hero. Thanks be to God. Prayer We thank you, God, for encountering the faulty and flawed, and for living for and loving us despite ourselves. Strengthen your church and your people to live faithfully, wisely, courageously, justly, and peacefully. May we, your people, live into the image of God, as you made us. And may we, your church, grow more and more into the likeness of Christ in the world. Amen. Betsy Wood

* * * Friday, April 7 Matthew 26:52-58 NRSV Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. Devotion In Matthew 26:14 – 27:66 everything is going wrong: Judas betrays, Peter denies, the disciples scatter, the crowds demand his crucifixion, and Jesus is laid in a tomb. Even Jesus is fearful, begging God to take this cup from him. But unlike everyone else in this passage, Jesus trusts in God’s plan. Jesus trusts and obeys. Judas, Peter, and the disciples do not trust in Him. Judas, perhaps angry that Jesus did not fulfill his expectations of a warrior Messiah, betrays Jesus to the High Priests. Peter, fearful of capture and seeing only the immediate danger, denied knowing Jesus three times. I am in no way condemning these men. Even knowing this story’s outcome, I know that I would act the exact same way. I know this because I do so in my life. I, like Judas, think that I know better than God and go my own way, often inflicting pain with the choices I make. Or I, like Peter, am fearful of the world and its powers and

take the perceived safest route while compromising my relationship with Jesus. I am guilty of listening to the loudest voices instead of the still small voice. I often doubt that God has a plan for me. Within this reading there is a recurring note that has echoes in our own lives: God is in control and each of us has a role in His plan. Our betrayal, our fear, and our doubts cannot derail His intentions. We need only trust in Him and He will provide. Prayer (based on lyrics of the song, “I Will Trust in You” by Lauren Daigle) Dear Lord, you are my strength and comfort, my steady hand, and firm foundation. I will trust you. Your ways are always higher, your plans are always good, and you are always with me. I will trust you. So, when you don’t move the mountains I’m needing you to move or part the waters I wish I could walk through or give the answers as I cry out to you - I will trust you. Meggie Lineberger

* * * Saturday, April 8 Matthew 26:39 NRSV And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’ Devotion In January I attended the annual event of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE). Its theme was “God With Us in the Chaos.” If you are like me, chaos is not a welcomed friend. And it seems to be with us almost daily, in our world, in our politics, and in our social and personal lives. Jesus was no stranger to chaos. In our Holy Week texts from Matthew, Jesus experiences the chaos of betrayal, denial, mocking and abuse, and the cruel and humiliating death by crucifixion to name just a few. The prospect of these impending and life threatening chaotic moments draws him to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. It is, I believe, the most intense and human prayer of Jesus found in all scripture. In all the vulnerability of his humanity Jesus fervently pours out his heart before God, his Heavenly Father. Like us, Jesus does not want to face suffering. Like us, Jesus does not want to die. Like us, Jesus seeks a way out of the impending chaos. In deep anguish of spirit Jesus prays three times: “My Father, let this cup pass from me, yet not what I want but what you want.” It is a prayer to which we can all relate. Perhaps not in the same words but certainly in the same spirit. I know I have prayed this prayer on multiple occasions. In the midst of chaos and wavering faith, we are drawn to seek the presence and reassurance of God. And the good news, as pastor John Ortberg stresses in his book, God is Closer Than You Think, is that even in our most chaotic moments, God is closer to us; God is indeed with us and for us, in ways far deeper than you and I can ever imagine. Knowing that God will be with him during each chaotic event of his passion, Jesus is filled with hope, and a confident faith that casts out fear. Lent, and Holy Week in particular, calls us to be confident people of prayer who even in the midst of chaos, can find help and hope in knowing that our all loving, all caring, all abiding God faithfully promises to be with us and for us in whatever chaos we confront.

Prayer God of steadfast love, in every moment of life you are closer to us than we are to you. As Jesus was a man of prayer, may we in all the troubles and chaotic moments of life turn to you in prayer, knowing that you promise to be our refuge and strength. Remind us again that you are the God who is with us and for us, that we might be people of hope and of confident faith. Amen. Rev. Daniel Thomas

* * * Monday, April 10 Psalm 36:7,9 NRSV How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings….For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light…. Devotion Holy Week is an emotional roller coaster. The triumphal entry into Jerusalem and Jesus’ exhilaration at obeying God’s command by cleansing the Temple are quickly followed by despair, betrayal, faithless friends, pain, agony and a shameful death. On that interminable Saturday after the crucifixion, Jesus’ followers knew they had been forever changed by Him but did not know what was to come. Our own life mirrors Holy Week, bouncing between triumph, fulfillment, and love and despair, suffering, and abandonment. We look ahead to pain and death, hoping that the Jesus we encounter in scripture and in life will somehow care for us. Yet like his disciples on that fearful Saturday we do not know what is to come. Scripture and tradition tell us that a millennium before that first Holy Week, King David wrote a series of meditations on God. David was no stranger to betrayal, rejection, pain, and fear. Like us (but unlike Jesus) he was also no stranger to sin. But David saw – as we need to see – that despite life’s pain, God’s steadfast love is everlasting. We are not told whether Jesus drew comfort from David’s words, but we should do so. For we know what David did not: when the psalmist says “in your light we see light,” the light we see is the light of Resurrection. Beyond Jesus impending death on Good Friday and beyond our own pain and death lie the splendor of Easter, when we shall be sheltered by God’s wings for eternity. Prayer Keep me in your steadfast love, my Lord and my God, so that in your light I may always see the light of Resurrection. Linton Brooks

* * * Tuesday, April 11 Matthew 28:1-10 NRSV The Resurrection of Jesus After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear

of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Devotion Two things leaped out at me as I read this story several times. First the women “left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy.” I don’t think of fear and joy being companions, but of course they are. You hold your new infant and your heart just about breaks with fear and joy. You are afraid to live in a world without your father, yet you are full of joy that his suffering is over. You are thrilled that your child is going off to college; and full of fear. Joy. Fear. That the Savior you saw die might be alive – might be somehow more than human and waiting for you in Galilee – is something fully rational to behold with fear and joy. Second, the speed in this story – note the words “suddenly” and “quickly.” Note that the women “ran to tell his disciples.” In Biblical “women at the well” stories, one of the things that is a common element is a tendency for the women to run and to act quickly. When there is a bridegroom in the offing, one doesn’t dally. When more than a bridegroom – when the Savior Himself is waiting in Galilee – you share this news quickly! What might be waiting in Galilee? Joy. Fear. And perhaps because of the fear, Jesus appears to women, who took hold of his feet, and he himself said, “Don’t be afraid.” Prayer Dear God, thank you for letting us, too, grab hold of your feet, grounding us In your mercy and love And hope and joy. Let us wisely keep our feet on the ground Despite tremendous love and fear, As we run to Galilee, run to the future Run to hope and to love. Amen. Rachel Ann Russell

* * * Wednesday, April 12 Matthew 28: 1-10 RSV Now after the sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulchre. And behold there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has arisen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. Lo, I have told you.' So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold Jesus met them and said 'Hail!' And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid; go and tell me brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."

Devotion When we recite the Apostle's Creed we affirm a belief in the "resurrection of the body" – which has long been thought to be one of the defining features of the Christian religion. And the basis of that belief is, of course, what the Bible tells us happened in the immediate aftermath of Jesus' death on the cross. The story of those events is told in several of the Gospels, and though the versions they provide differ slightly on some details, they are in agreement on the essentials. Above all they agree that even though Jesus suffered a bodily death, soon after he rose from the dead (returned to the living) in a form that was in some sense a bodily one. Everything about the tale these passages tell, from the absence of the body in the tomb to the touching of Jesus' body by his followers, is designed to make this clear, and it is fair to assume this is not by accident. It mattered to the authors of these texts that the story be told in that way. Our belief in resurrection entails much more, of course, than just that Jesus himself was "raised from the dead." In large part because of the things the Apostle Paul had to say about the subject we believe in the promise of our own resurrection as well. But we have that hope because of what we think happened first to Jesus. Prayer Good and gracious God, source of all that is truly good in our lives, we do not claim to understand what the Bible tells us happened to Jesus after his death on the cross. Indeed, to us it is great mystery. But we rejoice that it happened, and we give thanks to you for the hope it gives us. In Christ's name. Amen. Bruce Douglass

* * * Thursday, April 13 Matthew 28: 1-10 NRSV After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead,” and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Devotion How appropriate for devotions about “encounters!” Ten verses recall four encounters – angel and two Marys, angel and guards, Jesus and Marys, and (imminent) encounter of Marys and disciples. Their commonality is the central biblical theme of fear and joy when in God’s presence. “Fear” in the biblical sense of “awe” is essential in worship and to acquiring wisdom (Prov. 9:10), but God and God’s messengers say “Do not be afraid” (i.e., scared out of your wits) when they visit humans. Matthew’s account at the tomb reminds me of Luke’s start of Christ’s earthly journey, when the angel proclaimed (KJV), “Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people…” The “sore afraid” Christmas shepherds went and told, as did the Easter women. The guards’ fright made them truly as “dead men,” for life apart from God is death. But the women left with fear and “great joy” to tell the good news, and their response to Jesus was to worship before he uttered his “do not be afraid.” You may wonder how you would have reacted to the scary and inexplicable events of that first “Holy Week.” Like the locked-in disciples? Or the women? Some say that the women weren’t extra courageous, but just following their feminine instinct to be curious and obey. Give them credit! They stayed conscious, heard God’s

message, worshiped, and evangelized, which changed the world. They too were “angels” (“messengers of God”). What messages does Christ give you and me and how do we respond? Prayer Dear Lord, Thank you for challenging me anew each time I read this passage. Don’t let me think of this as a nice pastel story for an Easter card illustration. Make this a fearful, joyful, and commissioning story for me too and for your church, in these times in which your Living Word is so desperately needed to bring hope and reconciliation throughout the world. In the strong name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Carroll Leslie Bastian

* * * Good Friday, April 14 Matthew 28: 1-10 NRSV After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead,” and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Devotion Odd that a passage for Good Friday would focus on resurrection rather than the crucifixion. Then again, it’s quite appropriate. The Good News of Jesus does more than presuppose the cross; it positively entails it – in surprising ways. Mary Magdalene, the other Mary, and the guards have just crossed paths at Jesus’ tomb. Suddenly, a powerful earthquake dissolves the taken-for-granted-ness of solid ground. A messenger of God crackles down. He does not swing the sword of paradise-lost; he just sits there on the rolled-away rock. I imagine this angel with a look of bemused calm. The hardened guards collapse. The women stay upright. The angel tells them that Jesus has kept his word and that he is not bound by death. They immediately obey the angel, setting off to convey his message to the other disciples. Actually, the women mostly obey the angel, for even in their hasty, joyous departure, they haven’t heeded the very first command: “do not be afraid.” Then the crucified Jesus meets them on the way! He is not bedraggled, he is not bemoaning the recent ordeal. He simply says, in joy, “Greetings!” – just before reminding the women, indeed, not to be afraid. The cross was the apex of a tedious story of predictable dread. Made partakers of Jesus’ life, the women can see through the cross to a world of new, expectant wonder. Prayer Lord, thank you for the Good News of Jesus! Thank you even for the cross, which upends fear at last. Thank you for being our resilience, our openness to surprise, and the joy of hope that stands when all else falls! Amen. Jon Wood

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Saturday, April 15 Matthew 28:1-10 NRSV After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Devotion “The darkest hour is right before the dawn.” This is a common trope in verse, literature and song. Grounded in Christ’s resurrection story, it pleads for hope. When considering the three theological virtues – faith, hope, and love – it seems that hope gets short shrift. In our Reformed tradition, justification is by grace through faith alone. The Apostle Paul instructs that “the greatest of these is love.” Hope seemingly lurks in the background, a poor cousin of the virtue trilogy. That is, until we need it. And today we need it. Holy Saturday is the darkest hour of our Christian calendar, yet the most hopeful hour. It reminds us in times of great need that Christ’s resurrection is the greatest hope for all of God’s creation. In his “I Have a Dream” speech, Martin Luther King, Jr. counseled: “Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.” King feared for his life every day. King feared for the safety of his fellow leaders and his flock. King feared that America was unwilling or unable to fulfill its promise of freedom and liberty for all. Yet, it was a dream, an imagination of Christian hope that sustained him until the day he died. In darkness, dare to dream. And let the promise of the resurrection dawn fill you with hope. Prayer Almighty God, In Christ’s darkest hour Was born the light of resurrection promise. Oh God, Give us strength to shine Christ’s light, To overcome despair with hope, To live into the promise of tomorrow. Amen. David Morrison