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Today we start our Lenten journey. Over the next few weeksyou are invited to read through all four gospels. Startingtomorrow, read two chapters each day. Doing this will allow usto read through all four gospels between now and EasterSunday. Our hope is you will join us in this task as we seek tomeet Jesus again through reading the stories of his life.In the pages that follow you will find short reflections writtenby a variety of people at our church. We have also includedpictures so you can identify who they are if you can’t place aname with a face. I led my church in Cleveland through thisexercise and it was amazing to see the way our eyes wereopen to Jesus as we read the texts and listened to each other. Iam excited to see how God reveals himself to us in the weeksahead. As we begin Lent, this prayer from Ted Loder is my prayerfor each of us:Catch me in my mindless scurrying, Lord, and hold me in this Lenten season:Hold my spirit to the beacon of your grace and grant me light enough towalk boldly, to feel passionately and to love aggressively.Pastor Greg ApplequistJourney through Lent

This painting beautifully depicts two Josephs. Joseph,Mary’s husband, faithfully heeds an angel’s call to flee toEgypt, while Joseph of old protected Egypt and his family byfollowing God’s guidance. Notice the Sphinx gazingheavenward, holding Madonna and Child, and Mary’s Josephcurled on the barren ground. What a journey of faith that hadto have been. The scene feels serene yet cold, offering novisible answers. How did each person feel in this moment? Fearful? Trusting?Like them, we often walk through uncertainty, trusting God’splan. In those barren places, can we find faith to listen, protect,and follow?Wednesday, March 5thRest on the Flight into Egypt by Luc-Olivier Merson (1879) Artwork and reflections in the Lenten Bookletcurated by Betsy Frodermann

Thursday, March 6th Both Mary and Zachariah were visited by angels. Both weretold not to fear. Both received extraordinary news. Like any girl in the ancient near east, Mary was vulnerable.She would have prayed for a husband and children. Apragmatic hope if not a romantic one. Marriage and sons werethe only thing that afforded a woman protection and security.The angel’s news jeopardized that future and left her exposed.“How can it be?” Mary wondered. Zachariah was a dutiful and religious man. While he lifted theprayers of his community to God, he no longer dared hope forthe fulfillment of his own prayer. Elizabeth was too old. Theirhopes deferred for too long. “How can it be?” Zachariahprotested. Do I hold fear, expectations, the things that bring me security,loosely enough to allow God to craft the greater story? “May itbe to me according to your word.”Luke 1-2by Amber Alexander

Friday, March 7th The genealogy of Jesus really struck me. Not because it isparticularly entertaining (its not) nor all that informative, butbecause it reminded me of a recent colossal change in my life.Last July, I became a dad. Brooks became the son of Cole, whois the son of Clayton, who is the son of John, and so on. Andwith that, I was bestowed the awesome responsibility of beingthis little boy’s father. It is a scary proposition, but reading thesechapters brought to my mind not only the enormity of the task,but the fact that I am not alone. Obviously, Brooks has my wifeas well as many, many others who will help to raise him; but, Imean not alone in the divine sense. God has laid a path foreach of us to worship and follow him. Thus, He has also laid apath for how to raise my son and help him to grow into theman God has planned. Just as we should rely on Jesus toguide us in our lives, I will rely on Jesus and his teachings toguide me in how I raise my son. Just as Jesus was tempted inthe wilderness, Brooks will be tempted; but, I will be there tohelp him, and God will be too. Brooks being my child is thegreatest honor of my life, but reading through this passagereminds me that he is God’s child too. Luke 3-4by Cole Anderson

Saturday, March 8thRadically New A quick google search of the word “radical” results in avariety of definitions that describe the affecting, changing, orforming of the inherent or fundamental nature of something. Ofsurgery or medical treatment, it refers to it being completelycurative. But “radical" can also describe somethingcharacterized by its departure from tradition–somethinginnovative or unorthodox. In Luke chapters 5-6, after Jesus makes a radical declarationthat he is the fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah, we see him beginto offer a radically new life to those who chose to follow. Simon(Peter), James, John, and Levi (Matthew) make the radicaldecision to leave everything behind and follow Jesus. Thefriends of the paralytic display radical faith, going to greatlengths to get their friend in front of Jesus. Jesus, in turn,radically (completely) heals him, as he does the man withleprosy and the man with the disfigured hand. Jesus challengesthe Pharisees at every turn with his “radical” actions–breakingbread with sinners, forgiving sins, breaking the sabbath, and notfasting–and teaches his disciples a radical new way of living,where the poor, hungry, oppressed, and persecuted are liftedup, where we look at the condition of our own heart beforemaking assumptions about others, where we love our enemies,and where we recognize that the fruit we bear is determined bywhat is inside our hearts. Are we willing to be unorthodox, toseek complete healing, and be made radically new by Jesus?Luke 5-6by Derek Bonin

Sunday, March 9th For this edition of the Lent Book, Sundays will feature aCollect (CAW-lect) prayer instead of a devotional. A Collect is ashort form of prayer that is more liturgical in nature andtypically focuses on one idea. It serves to “collect” the prayersof God’s gathered people and present them as one prayer onbehalf of the people. On Sundays, please continue to read thegospel chapters assigned to that day and use the collect asyour prayer. You may want to read the prayer with each daysdevotional entries. Each of the seven collects has been writtenby a member of our community for our Lenten journey. It is myhope that they will be a blessing to you as we pray theseprayers as a community during this season.For Healing and Wholeness Ever-attentive God- You “meet all our needs accordingto the riches of [your] glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)Our bodies are achy and broken,Our minds are distracted and overwhelmedOur spirits are discouraged and without hopeOnly in You can the remedy be found.We ask O’ Gracious God forHealing and relief for our bodies,Restoration and focus for our minds,Renewal and energy for our spirits.May your healing actions be a reminderThat the Kingdom of God, has come near.Through Jesus Christ who saves us,The Holy Spirit who renews and restores,God the Father, the One who heals allOne God, now and forever. AmenLuke 7-8by Andrew Kejr

Monday, March 10thWho do you say that I am? Well known passages in the Gospels are found in thesechapters - Jesus feeds 5,000, sends out disciples, isTransfigured, tells the parable of the Good Samaritan,visits with Mary and Martha, and more. Yet Luke 9:18-27shimmered for me as I read. Jesus asks his disciples whatseems to be a very simple question “But what about you?”he asked. “Who do you say that I am?” This questionfollowed one about who the crowds said he was; asked ina very specific time (1st century) and place (CaesareaPhilippi-a center of pagan worship). Peter rightly identifieshim as “The Christ (Messiah) of God.” This term hadsignificant cultural value, imbued with particular meaninggiven the current Roman occupation. First century Jewsanticipated a Messiah who would come in military might towipe out Gentile enemies. Instead, Jesus brought Hiskingdom of power through love, presence, and sacrifice.This question remains relevant today…who do you say thatJesus is? Reflect on how you identify Jesus and how thoseidentities developed. Are they culturally or Biblicallyformed? How we answer this crucial question impacts ourwhole life!Luke 9-10by Hilary Applequist

Tuesday, March 11th Lent is the season of the church year in which wecontemplate and reflect upon the suffering, death andglorious resurrection of our Savior It is a time for recollection and reflection on our sins, ourmoral and spiritual failures. It should bring contrition andremorse and the seeking of forgiveness. From these two chapters of Luke I have chosentwo short verses: “...a woman cried out ’blessed is the mother who gaveyou birth and nursed you. He replied ‘blessed rather bethose who hear the word of God and obey it.” St. James reflects the same admonition: “Do not merelylisten to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what itsays.” Each follower of Christ must consider how theyhave lived up to this. Luke 11-12by Bob Ecklund

In Lent 2022, we reflected on James Tissot’s The ProdigalSon in Modern Life: The Return. Now, we encounter The Ruins(Inner Voices). In this moving work—first to be created afterTissot’s conversion—Jesus shares the sorrow of a poor man andwoman in ruins, resting His head on the man’s shoulder. Theircries to God are met with His presence, a profound image ofEmmanuel, "God with us." This painting overflows with metaphor and allegory. What doyou see in their desolation? And where do you feel Christ’spresence in your own?Wednesday, March 12thThe Ruins (Inner Voices) by James Tissot (1885)

Thursday, March 13th Jesus often used stories when teaching, in order to create arelatable parallel to the information he wanted the people tounderstand. Luke 15 and 16 contain several of these stories. The Lost Sheep is a favorite of many, and is referred to oftenin preaching, Bible lessons, and music. The idea of a shepherdleaving 99 sheep in a pasture as he searches for the one whowandered away – followed by that shepherd’s joy as he carriesthat found sheep back to the flock on his shoulders – is a visualexample of the love Jesus Christ has for each of us. The father who ecstatically greeted his wayward son backhome, with nothing but love, is another example Jesus used todescribe the relationship we have with God. There is nothingwe can do, that God will not forgive if we reach out to Him withregret and repentance. Though our lives may lead us awayfrom Him and down dark paths, our Father in Heaven alwayswants us and will welcome us back home. There are times we might wander or feel weak in faith. Butevery time that happens, Jesus seeks us out and brings usback. Oh, the rejoicing in heaven when we are reunited withthe flock – back home to our family in Christ. I have confidenceand peace in my heart, knowing that when we wander, Jesuswill be fervently seeking us. His unconditional love andpersistence is what will bring us back every time.Luke 15-16by Emily Bahl

Friday, March 14th When I was first asked to do a devotional commentary, myfirst reaction was to say no. Studying parables instead ofwatching Netflix or reading the book I have been waiting a yearto come in just didn’t seem right. The whole situation gave mepause- LENT-do something outside your comfort zone. Thisphrase repeated itself over and over. It could mean give upmeat of Friday. It might be volunteering somewhere younormally would not. Maybe giving up the donut on Sundaymorning is on the list. It might be growing in your faith as youstudy Luke 17-18. As I read and ponder the verses in Luke, repeatedly I picturea grandfather giving a quiet peaceful lesson to a 4-year-oldgrandchild. It is this patience and peace that Christ speaks of inLuke 18:15-17. Oh to have the faith of a child. So raw, so honest.When his disciples told the children and their parents to ‘notbother him’, Jesus rebuked them. He called for the children andtold his disciples, “I assure you, anyone who does not have theirkind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.” So, during this period of Lent, please have the faith of a child..Pray diligently as Christ did for 40 days. Offer a smile and a kindword to someone. Possibly for no other reason than the factthat you are a child of Christ and are blessed by HIS love.Luke 17-18by Brad Ericson

Saturday, March 15th Luke 19 starts with a familiar story of Zacchaeus, a taxcollector, that wanted to see Jesus and had to climb a treebecause he was short. I remember learning this song as achild about a “wee little man” that climbed a tree to seeJesus. Looking at this passage as an adult, I have noticeddeeper themes. Zacchaeus was willing to go out of his wayto get a glimpse of Jesus. While in the tree, he didn’t call outto Jesus. Jesus saw him first and said to come downbecause He wanted to stay at his house. Zacchaeus camedown immediately and welcomed Him gladly. The crowdwas upset that Jesus called Zacchaeus, because he wasa sinner. He saw the grace from Jesus and acted on itimmediately and joyfully by listening to Jesus and giving uphalf his possessions to the poor. This struck me at how many times I have felt a nudgefrom Jesus to do something and have waited or not evenresponded at all. Maybe I’ve not even realized that the callwas from Jesus because I was too busy or distracted tohear Him. In this passage, Jesus said that He came to seekand to save the lost. We can also be lost if we are notseeking God to spend time with Him and hear Him.Luke 19-20by Julie Bonin

Sunday, March 16thMy Father in heaven and on earth, Thank you for providing me with a fresh start each andevery day of my life. Thank you for providing me with thecompassion that I need to share with others. Guide me andhelp me to share the good news with others throughoutmy day through my actions of compassion. I don’t want tojust talk the talk, but more importantly I want to walk thewalk and be an imitator of Christ Jesus. Help me to remember to take time to pause and reflecton my readings from scripture. Asking myself the question,“What is God trying to say to me today?” Help me toremember to start my day by first being able to forgivemyself where I have wronged you and others in my lifeand to forgive others when I feel they have failed me.Thank you for hearing my prayer O Lord, as I begin a newday, as a fresh start with forgiveness in my heart andclosely walking with you throughout the day. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.Luke 21-22by Mimi Moore

Monday, March 17th The season of Lent focuses on pondering our ownmortality. What will happen when our lives here on earth areover? In the past couple of years, I’ve thought of this a lot asI have been watching the health of a loved one slowlydecline. Sometimes it is extremely hard to watch the painand hurt in this world. When reading this passage, we seehow Jesus died so that we might have everlasting life in him.He demonstrated to us that there is something more thanthis world has to offer. I often feel that my struggles willnever end or that there will never be good coming my way. Jesus reminds us that he will make everything right in hisown time. The scripture passage shows us how Jesus tookeverything. He took all of our pain, all of our hurt, and all ofour suffering. Lysa Terkeurst wrote, “Everything will beturned upside down in eternity. Grief will turn to joy.Heartbreak to shouts of thanksgiving. Crowns of thorns tocrowns of gold fit for a king.” The world does not define us;the cross does. And even now in the midst of trials, Godgives us the opportunity to rely on him. Jesus strengthensour relationship with him when we surrender all that we areinto his hands. Jesus gives us joy in the midst of pain. He ispouring out his goodness into our lives and by doing soreveals glimpses of heaven.Luke 23-24by Melina Thompson

Tuesday, March 18th We have so many “CHOICES” when we walk with the Lord.Through these passages we can each day choose one of thechoices revealed in these passages to follow. Share the Good News as John the Baptist did with “changeyour ways and accept a baptism of repentance for ourforgiveness of sins.” (Mark 1:1-5) Follow Him as He suggested, “come with Me and I will teachyou to catch people.” (Mark 1: 16-19) Jesus modeled to take time to pray. Finding time is aconscious decision to connect with Him. It’s our way to linktogether with Him. (Mark 1:35) He was a healer in the medical sense with healing fevers,lepers, paralyzed ones and so many more. As for me I was most touched by the verse in Mark 2:17. Hespoke not needing to help people who are strong and well forthey do not need a doctor, but those who are weak and sick. Ihaven’t come to call the respectable people, but the outcasts. I work in a hospital and have experienced more with the sick.So my defining of sick is how I assist physically sick people. Itsays Jesus spent time with all kinds of people each day. When Iwork I am placed with many different people too. My prayerover the years has been to do my best and express to do whatyou want me to do, to be the hands,eyes and feet. I don’t alwaysdo that and that is where I fall short and I am challenged tokeep trying daily. Serving others whether they are sick or feelingcast out, I pray that I can serve in whatever way that God callsme to do. Through this scripture as it says has many choices and I willkeep working to choose to follow You.Mark 1-2by Linda Stanek

Poet James Weldon Johnson’s book, God’s Trombones,captures the power of Black preachers' sermons—deeplymoving, emotional, and rich with imagery. Painter AaronDouglas, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate, then partof the Harlem Renaissance, illustrated these works; his angular,evocative style intensify their message. In this painting ofSimon carrying Christ’s cross, notice the sharp angles, therelentless spears, and Simon’s strength under burden. Johnsonwrites: "Up Golgotha’s rugged road, I see my Jesus go... They put the cross on Simon, And Simon bore the cross." Like Simon, we are called to bear crosses in faith and love.What burdens can we shoulder for others?Wednesday, March 19thThe CrucifixionA Study on James Weldon Johnson’s poetry in God’s Trombonesby Aaron Douglas (1927)

Thursday, March 20th“And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him.”Mark 5:6 As you read the words in this verse, it is helpful to examine theprevious versus and a few that follow it. This is the story of a man thatis stricken with an unclean spirit, lived near the tombs of the dead andcalled himself Legion. I think three things are present within this short but not so simpleverse: 1. The man sees Jesus from afar and somehow knows that Jesus isthe answer for his problem, even full of unclean spirits. Jesus helpedthis man where he was, he did not wait for him to go and get cleanedup and deal with his problems, he met him there in the uncleanlinessof his life. Jesus cares for you and will take you as you are. 2. This man sees Jesus from afar and is excited! He does not walk orplod along, he runs to Jesus. He does not care what baggage he isbringing along, but literally runs to Christ. So what is hindering youfrom running to Jesus? Are you ashamed of something, not sure ofyour commitment to Jesus, worried you aren’t good enough,addictions, sin, etc. It doesn’t matter because as stated above, Jesuswill take you as you are, so Run! 3. The final piece is, to me, the most significant and also the mostdifficult. As the man got close to Jesus, he fell to his knees at Jesus’sfeet. This is difficult for us as proud humans. Think of all those TVshows, movies or books where a king must kneel and kiss the ring ofanother king, basically stating that they are the king they will serve.This is a difficult task! You must give up your pride, humble yourselfand actually become subservient to another. Oh how we don’t like todo that! You must get over yourself, get on your knees and give yourlife to Jesus. He is not just a king, he is The King! See, this is not a simple verse? It requires action from you. See, runto and fall before Jesus. Take a moment and pray about all the thingsthat keep you from seeing Jesus clearly. While praying, imagineyourself running to Him and falling at His knees, to be blessed by theone true King.Mark 5-6by David Hemphill

Friday, March 21st It's amazing how you can read the same part of scripturemany times through your life and still find new things. Throughthese two chapters we read about impurities in and out of thebody, more of Jesus' miracles, and warnings against Pharisees.I was struck this time by his talk on impurities. I had heard thispassage a few times. It was often used in Sunday schoolclasses telling us how we shouldn't be mean and say kindwords to others. But rereading it now, I'm struck more by howJesus points out what we mistakenly focus on. We focus somuch on human tradition, and what we think we need towatch. But Jesus says that we focus too much on ourtraditions, or what we take in. What rules we follow. But Iwonder if we should focus more on what is coming out. Wecould follow every rule and tradition, and still be hateful andnot walking towards God. Maybe we are called today to askmore about how we act towards others. Are our rulesreflecting what God calls us to? Or are we following thembecause it's routine? Mark 7-8by Grace Frodermann

Saturday, March 22nd The Gospel of Mark has been called a “Gospel of Action” by avariety of Christian writers because of its emphasis on Jesus’works. Nowhere is this focus on action better revealed than inchapters 9 and 10. In Chapter 9, Jesus climbed a mountain, experienced thetransfiguration, climbed down, healed a boy, and “passedthrough Galilee”—no brief stroll—to Capernaum, meeting withthousands and teaching on at least three separate topics alongthe way. Somewhere between 9 and 10, Jesus trekked 100-plus milessouth to Judea where He taught a gathering crowd aboutdivorce. Then, He blessed the little children, instructed a richman on the challenges of inheriting eternal life, predicted Hisdeath for a third time, corrected James and John’s ambitions,and, arriving in Jericho, restored a blind man’s sight. Our Lord was on the move. He was making things happen. Rest, yes. Consider, certainly. But when in doubt and perhaps most importantly: go and do.Mark 9-10by Jens Gregory

Sunday, March 23rd Oh Jesus, son of man, you have infinite belief and do notdoubt the Father. We implore you to help us receive faith, tobelieve our prayers will be answered, as you in your wisdomdeem fit. Give us the maturity to forgive those who havewronged us. For although we persecuted your Son, you ohLord, have forgiven us tenfold and brought us peacethrough the Holy Spirit.AmenMark11-12by Jim Horwath

Monday, March 24thThe Bottle of Perfume I confess. I scroll through social media, and that is what I wasreminded of as I read this scripture. Little nuggets of so manydifferent lives and stories. It was hard for me to pick out oneillustration to meditate on. I am drawn to the woman. Womenwere often seen as lower in status. Perhaps she was feelingoverworked and under appreciated, yet she gives her very bestto Jesus. Who is this woman? The gall of such a vulgar display,motivated by something akin to love, or worship. Did she knowit was a foreshadow of an impending death? After all, swirlingabout there were whispers of betrayal, plots to kill and an insideman, a mole, to deliver him to the authorities. Yet, Jesus isreclining at a table, (likely on the floor) in a leper’s house.Relaxed, chill. Enjoying the moment and his company. And thewoman? Who was she? Other Gospels identify her as Mary, thesister of Martha and Lazarus. Here she is unnamed, and I like itthat way. Who is this woman? She is common, low, humble,sinful, she is us; giving the most expensive thing she likely everowned… and she poured it on the head of Jesus. The smellwould have overwhelmed the room with a musky and spicyscent. It embarrassed the men in the room. How much was thatworth? This foolish woman… they could have helped the poorwith the proceeds of its sale! True, but the poor will still be withus, Jesus, the man, would not. This act was not forgotten, asJesus knew it would not be, and we’re being blessed by herthousands of years later. We are challenged by her to give Godthe very best we have. Lord, we desire to offer you our best. Guide us toopportunities to share our gifts and treasures for your service.Help us model this love within our homes, sharing ouremotional best with our families.Mark 13-14by Judeen Andrews

Tuesday, March 25th WOW! Mark 15 and 16 represent the most powerful chainof events in the entire Bible. We have the account of Jesus’suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection. He gave the ultimatesacrifice for us. Now we are commanded to go spread theGospel to all the World. There are so many potential areas of discussion in thesetwo chapters that it would take forever to even scratch thesurface of the content of these passages. Therefore, I amgoing to unwrap Mark 15:38 and try to interpret the phrase“The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top tobottom.” I believe the tearing down of the temple veil has aninteresting analogy. The temple curtain was created as abarrier between the Most Holy Place and the rest of thetemple. There existed a separation between God andhumanity due to our sin. The temple curtain was meant tobe a wall to protect God from those who were deemed notworthy of His presence. It continued in this way until Jesus’sacrifice. The tearing down of the curtain from top to bottomsymbolized the end of the sacrificial system and thestart of a new way to connect with God. The way to God isnow open to all people because Jesus’ sacrifice on thecross paid for all our sins, and God allowed a way for hispeople to enter his presence. What a blessing to be in our Savior’s presence,connecting with Him at a higher level and having theopportunity to fulfill His plan in my life.Mark 15-16by Terry Johnson

Marc Chagall fled Nazi occupied France for the United Statesin 1941. His works weave together Jewish and Christian themes.This painting is steeped in the roots of Jewish faith. Moses leadsthe Jewish people from Egypt, their gaze directed toward you,as if inviting you into the story. You stand on the bank of the RedSea, witnessing their exodus. Jesus’ life and death areinseparable from the rich, oppressed history He emerged from.Wednesday, March 26th The Exodus by Marc Chagall (1952-66)

Thursday, March 27th The longest conversation Jesus had (recorded in scripture)was with the Samaritan woman.* Jesus’s second longestconversation was with Nicodemus.** In both conversationsJesus was direct, honest and inviting, and his basic concernwas their relationship with God. With Nicodemus he talks about being born again, thebeginning of the spiritual journey, and with the Samaritanwoman he talks about living water. The water that meets ourbasic need for God’s love and acceptance. It didn’t matter what gender, station in life they held, wherethey were, or what they’d done, he spent the time needed tohelp them understand God’s desire to be close to them. Jesus desires to be close to us as well. Jesus is always nearand wants to share God’s love with us. Time with God maymean lots of words or no words at all. It is God’s lovingpresence we can enjoy as we know God better each day. John 3-4by Cathy Christiansen

Friday, March 28th This passage contains a few well-known stories about Jesus:a healing of a paralyzed man, the feeding of the five-thousand,and walking on water. Surrounding that, we have several lessfamiliar passages where Jesus spoke to the people of Israelabout who he is. His words were hard to understand for many,and some of the people couldn’t accept what he was saying. Atthe end of Chapter 6, we read about how many of his followersstopped following him. These days having ‘followers’ is a sign ofsuccess, and accumulating followers has become, for many, aguiding principle, but there’s a trade-off. If I am constantlychasing more followers, at some point do they end up tellingme who I should be? Jesus says repeatedly in these two chapters, “I tell you thetruth…” I don’t think he wanted anyone to un-follow him, but hismessage didn’t change because some people stoppedlistening. His focus wasn’t on how many followers he had, butrather on what is true. I have a friend who reminds me that if wecall ourselves followers of Jesus, then we should be in his word,reading what he says. I think that Jesus has something to say toeach of us, where we are. Some things he said may still be hardfor us to understand or accept, but Jesus will always shine thelight of truth into our lives.John 5-6by Abe Lambert

Saturday, March 29th At the beginning of John chapter 7 we read about theFeast of Tabernacles, which was one of the great festivals ofthe Jewish year, celebrating God’s goodness and provisionduring the 40 years of wandering in the desert. Althoughverse 1 states that Jesus was intentionally avoiding Judea(Jerusalem), Jesus’ brothers tell him he should go up to theFeast in Jerusalem to “show yourself to the world.” Theywere giving him a hard time – implying that any person thatseeks fame needs to go to the Feast and show off! I find itinteresting how human nature hasn’t changed in 2000 years.Jesus responds that his time has not yet come; he will waitin Galilee. In the verses that follow, we see that Jesus did infact go up to the Feast of Tabernacles later, but quietly andin secret, and it wasn’t until halfway through the Feast thatHe went to teach in the temple courts. There are many things worth highlighting in Johnchapters 7 and 8, surely most important are Jesus’ claims tothe Jewish crowds and Pharisees about who He is – theLight of the World and Living Water. But the idea of “God’sdivine timing” stuck with me. Jesus was intentional andfocused on his mission, and the right timing was a key partof that plan. He didn’t succumb to the pressure his brothersput on him to go on their time, he stuck to the plan andtiming God had for him. There’s probably a good lessonhere for us today, and maybe the Lenten season is a goodtime to reflect on God’s divine timing in our own lives. Do wefeel pressure – from family, peers, co-workers – to rush into(or avoid) situations, or to force certain outcomes? Jesuswas perfectly confident in what His Father had planned forhim. Developing the spiritual muscles to discern His timingin our lives would indeed be time well spent.John 7-8by Travis Nordstrom

Sunday, March 30thTo Listen and Know the Voice of God. Almighty God, maker of heaven and earth, giver andsustainer of life and protector of our souls, this week maywe be attentive to the voice of your call to us. May we notlinger or doubt, but follow when you call. Remind us thatin your protective care nothing can separate us from yourlove. May we know you as you know us. To You be glory, honor and praise, Father, Son, andHoly Spirit.John 9-10by Bob Drake

Monday, March 31st As I meditated on the words of John 11 and 12 during thistime of Lent, I was drawn toward how Jesus foreshadowshis death and a miracle. Jesus was given word that his good friend, Lazarus, was sickand did not go to him right away. In fact he waited two daysbefore starting a journey to see him. Why did he wait? Why dowe wait to see friends that have become ill? Jesus thenforeshadows his sacrifice with Lazarus’ death. His disciples didnot understand and maybe this was to show them that it ispossible to be dead and then be alive. This may have beenwhy Jesus waited to start his journey to make sure Lazaruswas dead. As Jesus and the disciples arrived Martha and Mary greetJesus with a conversation about if Jesus had been there forLazarus, he would not have died. Jesus is overcome by theirsadness and wept. This struck me that we get to see amoment where Jesus cries for his friends. This moment bringsme closer to Jesus when I understand he wept just like I do. Now the miracle. Jesus walks to the tomb where Lazarushas been dead for four days and tells somebody to take awaythe stone. Jesus takes a moment and has a conversation withGod and thanks him and prepares this moment for the benefitof those witnessing that they maybelieve. Then he calls Lazarus out and he is alive. In this time of Lent what are you weeping for? Whatconversations do you need to have with God and others tobelieve in His love? What miracle are you looking for? Godprovides in the best of times and the darkest. He gives usmiracles daily and we are often too busy to see them. Ask Godto slow you down and open your eyes so that you can be awitness to all of his miracles. BlessingsJohn 11-12by Todd Kraaz

Tuesday, April 1st There are many things that are very different from theancient world and our modern one. Something that remainsunchanged, however, is the near-universal distaste for washingsomeone else’s feet. In Jesus’ day it was reserved for thelowliest slave, in our day it is mostly unheard of. Yet, this is whatJesus does and commands his followers to do as well. Thisscene is unparalleled in ancient literature: no other teacher orleader was ever said to have done this. Truly, Jesus isdemonstrating a much deeper kind of love. When Jesus washes his disciples’ feet he is drawing them into this love, and himself. They are to abide in him and find theiridentity in him. As they do they are to share this love with eachother: washing the feet of the community. Not only are they toabide, Jesus also instructs them to go, to wash the feet of themany who are outside the community. I have often been terrible at being a servant to others, andam guilty of placing my wants and desires (and even needs) aspriority, rather than serving and trusting in Christ to provide forme. This is a radical path, one that does not fit with the world inwhich we live. Yet, it is the way of Christ, which leads us to theCross, where we experience the fullness of God’s love. This iswhere we abide, and from where we go to share with everyone.John 13-14by Michael Thompson

Imagine Peter reading through the gospels along with youthis week. What would that have been like? Take a moment tomeditate on this portrait of Saint Peter. What did you notice?He is older, no doubt contemplating is life, and praying,confessing, repenting. Behind him are the gates of thekingdom, set aside. I imagine the tenseness of his hands,earnestly in prayer. The story is in his eyes, gaze set on Jesus,his eyes red, and a tear escapes. I imagine his nose willprobably start to run and maybe in the next moment hecollapses to the table crying. What would it be like to sit withthis man who walked beside Jesus?Wednesday, April 2ndThe Repentant Peter by Hendrik ter Bruggen (1616)

Thursday, April 3rd Jesus’s prayer in John 17 contains hidden instructions for thedisciples and for other believers. Since we are among thoseother believers, it’s worth noting that:1. Jesus prays for those of us who will believe in him, that all ofus will be one in Him, just as the Father is in Jesus, and Jesus isin the Father.2. We believers are to be in the Father and Jesus so that theworld may believe that the Father sent Jesus to the world.3. We are to rely on the glory given by the Father to Jesus sothat we may be one, just as the Father and Jesus are one; Jesusin us, and the Father in Jesus.4. Our unity is to let the world know that the Father sent Jesusand loved the future believers just as the Father loved Jesus.5. Jesus wants his believers to be with Him and to see his God-given glory, resulting from the Father’s love for Jesus before thecreation of the world.6. Jesus has and will make the Father known to his believers sothat the Father’s love for Him will be in us, and Jesus will be inus as well.John 17-18by Barbara Person

Friday, April 4thThe Finish Line After reading and reflecting John chapters 19 and 20, thepassage that stood out to me the most was what Jesus saidin chapter 19, verse 30. He profoundly says after he drankhis wine from a hyssop plant, “It is finished.” And Johnproceeds to say, “then he bowed his head and gave up hisspirt.” To me, it is as if Jesus is telling us that his time onearth walking among men was over after he fulfilled thescripture and was put on the cross. Despite the crowd ofpeople calling for his crucifixion, Jesus was not afraid for heknew that he was soon ascending to be with God. Jesus hadcomplete faith in God that day. Chapters 19 and 20 teach us that seeing is not alwaysbelieving. Even after Jesus had been moved to the tomband walked as an angel among his disciples, even hisdisciples needed proof that he was Jesus. The importanceof these chapters as a believer in Christ, is that although wewere not first hand witnesses to the miracle of Christ, Johnand his disciples were. John is telling us that you must havefaith, even if you cannot see it for yourself. As Jesus says inChapter 20, verse 29, “blessed are those who have not seenand yet have come to believe.” For we must have faith thatJesus lived and he died for us and he was resurrected to benext to God. And if you have faith in Jesus, you will live in Hisname and peace will be with you.John 19-20by Evan Weborg

Saturday, April 5th If I had been asked to write a book on John 21, I would have said,"Yes, that's reasonable." But a devotion of 250 words? Not possible. Where would I begin? With the miraculous catch of fish andbreakfast on the beach with Jesus? No, needs too many words. Should we talk about the significance of Peter's three denials,and Jesus's question three times, "Do you love Me?" No, the topicof unlimited forgiveness to those of us who don't deserve it needsmore than 250 words. How about discussing the word "love?" Jesus used "agape," thehighest form of love. Peter used "phileo," a friendly, brotherly love.Nope. See above note on forgiveness. We could discuss Jesus's direction to Peter to "Feed My sheep."Or Jesus's telling Peter the manner by which he would die, andPeter points to John and says, "What about him?" And Jesus says,"We are talking about you, Peter, not him." No, not this time. Look with me at the last verse of the chapter, verse 25. Pleaseread it now. And please read it again. Isn't that mind boggling? Isn'tthat inconceivable? What kind of God do we serve, that that couldbe said of Him? It reminds me of the song "Love of God." Thesecond verse says this: Could we with ink the ocean fillAnd were the skies of parchment madeWere every stalk on earth a quillAnd every man a scribe by trade.To write the love of God aboveWould drain the oceans dryNor could the scroll contain the wholeThough stretched from sky to sky. That's Who we serve—a God Who forgives, even when wedon't deserve it. A God Who provides all that we need and tells usto keep our eyes on Him. We serve a God Who cannot becontained in 250 words, or 250 books, or 250 lifetimes. John 21by Kathy Shelsta

Sunday, April 6thFor those dealing with mental and physical ailments.Lord God of love, healing and compassion - who calmed thewaters, advised “Do Not Worry,” and cared for the sick andoutcast, We ask for healing of our hearts and minds, calm as we faceour own trials and storms, and relief from our fears andanxieties. Give us comfort. We ask also for healing of our physical bodies - for thosefacing illness, disease, injury and physical trauma. We ask thisknowing that all is possible through you. Please help us to approach our physical and mentalailments secure in your love and mercy - knowing that evenwhen we feel helpless and overwhelmed that you are alwayswith us. All this we ask in the name of our loving savior Jesus Christ.Matthew 1-2by Melissa Lambert

Monday, April 7th Repent the Kingdom of heaven is coming. John's message isto God's people, not just the Israelites. Jesus was to be baptizedso the Holy Spirit could come to him and earth, so he couldstart his journey and bring his ministry and good news to all whowould hear. So, the baptism wasn't only a sacrament but a beginning.Many of us were likely baptized as babies. The good news isthat we can have a new beginning with Jesus at any time, abeginning to repent and set our hearts and minds on Jesus'steaching for our lives. Can we bear fruit worthy of Jesus' words and sacrifice for us?Have we attempted to change our lives and attitudes to alignwith our statement of faith? Chapter 4 starts with the devil tempting Jesus. Showing himall the wonders of the world. Jesus keeps his faith in God andcomes through this. The temptations of this world we live in now can get a holdof us if we are weak or defenseless, but we do not have to beeither if we remember Jesus went through them first. God gavehim the strength. (God promises not to give us more temptationthan we can bear.) Chapter 4: verses 18-20 Jesus called to Simon and Andrew,follow me, and I will make you fishers of people. At once, theydid! What is in our way today to stop us from following at once?What would we see if we followed him through Galilee,Omaha?Matthew 3-4by Jim Small

Tuesday, April 8thAn Eye for an Eye Justice? The word is profound and one of the centerprinciples of our world. We operate internally and communallyby the fruits and burdens it demands. Jesus said, “You haveheard that it was said “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” We allunderstand what that means, it satisfies our sense of right forwrong and is still at the heart of many moral codes around theworld. “But I tell you…” What is it that he must say, what more tosay? Many, would have preferred him to call for an “Amen.”However, Jesus knows that blind and toothless people aren’tat the heart of the Kingdom. “do not resist an evil person. Ifanyone slaps you,…. turn the other as well.” Whooaaah, hold on. This is not justice, this is somethingelse. Maybe it’s preemptive forgiveness, mercy, grace, orstupidity. I imagine more than a few walked away from thosehills in disbelief, shaking their heads (some are still shakingtheir heads two thousand years later). This simply isn’t the wayof the world. Evil must be answered, but this, this can get youkilled. Ultimately, it did bring him to a cross. And the reasonsfor this are many, but maybe this message was too dangerous,too radical. We like to see the bad guys get it in the end. One of my Sunday School teachers told me years ago thatour cheeks should be turned, when we are literally orfiguratively slapped, but when our sister or brother is in the lineof evil, it is “just” to act. This tension, between Kingdom andworldly principles is still vivid, and real. However, we are Easterpeople; we live in the shadow of the cross, and the light of theempty tomb. Lord help us to trust you and know when to turnand when to fight.Matthew 5-6by Blair Andrews

Jesus often used ordinary things to share profound truthsthrough parables, making them relatable and understandable.Art has a similar power—transforming simple elements intoexpressions of hope, rage, lament, and understanding. TheSower (1935), standing in the city of Kaunas, embodies theperseverance, labor, and strength of agricultural workers. Onenight, as a streetlight illuminated the statue, the stars painted onthe wall behind by street artist Morfai merged with the shadowof the Sower. Art builds on art; meaning deepens meaning. Inthe stars scattered by the Sower, we, too, can find hope.Wednesday, April 9thThe Sower by Bernardas Bucas and Morfai The Sower bronze statue by Bucas (1935)Street art enhancement (Spray paint on a wall, Kaunas, Lithuania)by Morfai (2008)

Thursday, April 10th One thing that spoke to me in Matthew 9 wasconversations and descriptions of some of Jesus’ miracles.When I researched the definition of miracle, most sourcesreferred to a “devine intervention” or “act of devine faith orgrace.” Also, “an extraordinary event that goes beyond thelaws of nature and is attributed to God.” These miracles inMatthew include healing, casting out of demons, and raisingfrom the dead. We also know about dramatic physicalmiracles including parting of the Red Sea, feeding the 5000,Jesus’ resurrection and God’s creation. Plus, we are toldJesus performed many more miracles than those recordedin the Bible. Aside from the obvious, that these miracles are amazingand life changing, they have a greater purpose. They revealGod’s power and authority. But what about the everydaymiracle - salvation!? We can be part of this category ofmiracles. It begins with you and me - sinners. When we areled to Jesus, confess our sins and accept His mercy, we areforgiven. Grace is lavished over us. We are adopted as achild and, thereby, made heir to the Kingdom. We have thepromise of eternity. And there is nothing we can do thatmakes us worthy. That should be classified as an amazingmiracle!!Matthew 9-10by Mary Palmberg

Friday, April 11th "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?"Matthew 11:3"Who did you go out to see?" Hot take: Jesus did not live up to the expectations of the Jewishpeople. Jesus didn't even live up to the expectations of hisdisciples (“Never, Lord,” [Peter] said. “This shall never happen toyou!”). His own friends from Nazareth tried to throw him off a cliff.For so long, the people of Israel had felt only the tyranny andoppression of other kingdoms while hearing the deafening silenceof their own God, the God who did wonders among their ancestorsand spoke authoritatively through fire and flood. This same Godhad promised a conquering king, a warrior. Instead, they got agentle man who sat with the outcasts, broke tradition, turned theother cheek, and forgave their enemies. This is NOT what theywanted. They knew what they needed, and it wasn’t anotherpreacher man turning the finger on the people of God rather thantheir oppressors. What are your expectations of Jesus today? We may not haveenemies with swords, but we all, at times, are frustrated, angry,and certain we are in the right. Do we expect Jesus will changetheir heart? Do we think to ourselves, “Oh, they’ll find out whenthey come face to face with God one day.” But Jesus didn’t cometo vindicate us in our rightness. He wants to change our hearts tolove like his, and the only way this can happen, I believe, is byregularly spending time in the presence of God. The more time youspend with him, the more your expectations of him turn inward andbegin to align with his desires. My prayer for our church is that wemore and more seek personal communion with God so that thelyrics of this wonderful worship chorus abound: Spirit of the Living God, fall a fresh on me.Spirit of the Living God, fall a fresh on me.Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.Spirit of the Living God, fall a fresh on me.Matthew 11-12by Chris Wright

Saturday, April 12th These two chapters have some of the most well knownBible stories. However, this is the first time I have recognizedthe complete context. First, Jesus provides several parablesabout the Kingdom of Heaven, sharing with the disciples thatthey may be able to fully comprehend the Kingdom of Heaven(13:11), but that the layman cannot. 13:14 "For they look, but theydon't really see. They hear, but they don't really listen orunderstand". We know that Jesus is the "good good Father, it'swho you are", but in chapter 13 he really seems like theannoyed father - having to repeat himself several times over toillustrate his point about the Kingdom! How many times musthe make his point? My new context of reading these stories back to backcomes in Chapter 14. Jesus has just finished explaining theKingdom with his disciples at least six times. Shortly after, theywitness him perform the miracle of feeding the 5,000. Then,Peter steps out onto the water in the raging storm and has amoment of doubt, even though Jesus was already helping himwalk on water. He starts to sink. I imagine Jesus here still as theslightly annoyed father "You have so little faith, why did youdoubt me?" (14:31). If the disciples, who had Jesus' full confidence (13:11) andgot to witness him perform two insane miracles, are waveringin their belief then where does that leave me? It'ssimultaneously comforting and frightening. In moments ofdoubt, I often think to myself something like "well if I saw himfeed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish thenof course I would have unwavering belief!" And yet, even hishand picked career followers did not. Through this passage, Iam reminded that following and believing in Jesus requiresfocus. I'm left wondering: "How can I focus more on Jesus,helping me overcome doubt?"Matthew 13-14by Chase Caverzagie

Sunday, April 13thFor Ears to Hear and Wisdom to Understand Jesus’Words during Holy Week Holy Son of God and Son of Man, you so lovingly issuedfinal instructions and encouragement to your disciplesduring the week leading up to your death andresurrection, even in the midst of facing desperate crowdsseeking miracles and desperate religious rulers seekingyour downfall. Grant your disciples today ears to hear andwisdom to understand your words so carefully recorded inthe scripture readings for this week. Grant us faith andhumility and a life-altering appreciation for all that yousuffered, all that you said and did, all that you are, and allthat is yet to come. In the precious name of Christ theMessiah, we pray with joy and gratitude, “Hosanna to theSon of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of theLord!”Matthew 15-16by Debra Smith

Monday, April 14th Much of Matthew Chapters 17 and 18 remind me of both theimportance of keeping faith in the Lord and the importance offorgiveness, when confronting sin. By nature, I have alwaysbeen a person that sees many of life’s challenges in black andwhite or right and wrong. To add to this, I am also a person thatfeels an inherent want or need to fix things. In my professionallife as a Firefighter/Paramedic, fixing things is in fact very blackand white for me. We have specific guidelines to follow whenproviding care to the sick or injured citizens we serve. Withenough training and experience, these guidelines or protocolsleave little doubt about what actions to take when arriving onthe scene of most emergencies we respond to. All firstresponders on scene follow those common guidelines,working together towards a desired outcome. Unfortunately, itseems like most of the challenges we face as Christians todayare far more complex than the emergencies I respond to atwork. Scripture leads us to one common path for treatmentthat we can all seem to agree on. Faith in our Lord with a doseof love and forgiveness. The reality is, many of life’s problems, Ijust simply have no fix for. So, I try hard to just find peace inknowing the Lord holds all the answers and focus more onforgiveness while giving all my burdens to him. Matthew 17-18by David Bahl

Tuesday, April 15th In this season of life, we find ourselves leaning heavily on the wordsof Christ. Utilizing His teachings as a support and guide for living aGod-focused life of love and compassion. His teachings throughparables in Matthew provoke so many thoughts and we may findourselves praying for Him to provide clarity to us, on what these wordsmean “FOR ME, in this moment”. When reading Chapter 20 and Christ’s story of the workers in thevineyard, specific words come to mind: Mercy. Grace. Humility.Fair(ness). When reflecting and analyzing what these words mean,here are some thoughts.Mercy - “compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom itis within one’s power to punish or harm”Grace - “courteous goodwill, the free and unmerited favor of God, adivinely given talent or blessing”Humility - “a modest or low view of one’s own importance;humbleness”Fair - “impartial and just, without favoritism or discrimination. Following and serving God enables ALL to enter the kingdom, asequals. God does not value one person’s work or life above another.All are given the same opportunity of His Grace, regardless when theirjourney began. A lifelong missionary is not more worthy than the newChristian they brought to Christ. As followers of Christ, he calls us tooffer mercy and grace to those around us, being humble and fair. Weare called to serve. To live life with humility and a servant’s heart. Wedo not earn God’s grace and mercy - it is given FREELY. We are calledto offer the same to others. We are the bearers of good news! We arenot the keepers of justice or judgment.Heavenly Father,Help us to change our perspective on fairness and justice. Help us findways to practice greater humility and servanthood. Give us eyes tosee those around us in need and to freely give. Teach us to appreciateour blessings and provide us the opportunity to bless others.Amen.Matthew 19-20by Liz Wright

At first glance, this painting feels familiar—depicting theheavens, the crucified Jesus, and a serene fishing lake. Butsomething is unsettling. The surreal composition combines two perspectives: one from above and one from below, head-on. From above, could we be seeing through the Father’s eyes? Is this the meeting of heaven and earth? The fishing boatbelow evokes not only Jesus’ call to His disciples to become fishers of men but also feels like a personal invitation to joinHim on this journey.Wednesday, April 16thChrist of Saint John of the Cross by Salvador Dalí

Thursday, April 17th These two chapters of Matthew are always hard for me tohear. In Matthew 23, Jesus’s anger is palpable and I feel Hisaccusations as if they are made against my hypocrisy as muchas they are of the Pharisees. Am I clean on the outside butselfish on the inside? Yes, absolutely. Likewise in Matthew 24, the scripture implies that 50% of uswill make the wrong choice of who to follow when Jesusreturns. Yikes. Am I confident that I will know right from wrongwhen the time comes? Not really. Stats would tell me that I canonly be 50% confident. Wow, so where does that leave us? Well, I at least knowwhere to go to find the truth. So, I suppose I will keep myselfrooted there. “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed inhim, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, andyou will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’" John8:31-32 ESVMatthew 23-24by Jacque Torson

Friday, April 18thMatthew 26:6-13 “Are you the Messiah?”, asked Caiaphas at Jesus’ trialbefore the Sanhedrin. It was a good question. How wouldyou know? He met the requirements, but always with atwist. He descended from King David, but was born inBethlehem, the city of David the shepherd, not Jerusalem,the city of David the king. He was affirmed by God, but in thewilderness near the Jordan rather than the temple. He wasproclaimed by the people, but those people were intent oncrucifying him only a week later. It wasn’t until the daybefore the trial that he had fulfilled the most obviousrequirement. “Messiah” means “Anointed” and it hadhappened at the home a man called Simon the Leper.Matthew doesn’t even tell us the name of the prophet thatGod had called to do the anointing, but John tells us thatshe was Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. We often say that God uses ordinary people to do hisextraordinary work. Jesus would disagree. Because to him,Mary was anything but ordinary and he told his disciples so.She anointed him as Messiah, and she prepared him forburial. Among all the disciples, she was the one thatbelieved Jesus when he said he would be crucified anddidn’t let that change her belief that he was the Messiah. Aswe prepare for Easter let us remember to give honor tothose like Mary, who are great in God’s eyes even if theyseem “ordinary” in ours.Matthew 25-26by Steve Miller

Saturday, April 19th “The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law toput this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they decided to usethe money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners.”Matthew 27:6-7 Jesus’ blood money was used to provide a place forforeigners to be buried. Even in His death, Jesus wascaring for those overlooked or undervalued by the rest ofsociety. The chief priests knew this was “blood money”and therefore couldn’t use it for anything “religious.”Instead, they thought they would throw it away on“foreigners.” Yet, God was in control and what theyintended for evil, He used for good. What a loving andcompassionate God we have. Lord, make us more like you. Matthew 27by Brian Frodermann

Sunday, April 20th O Christ, defeater of death and giver of life everlasting, wemarvel that you, in your great love, would endure the cross forthe sake of such undeserving children. We stand in awe ofyour sacrifice and your word fulfilled, as evidenced by theempty tomb on that first Easter morn. Grant that we, in ourgreat joy and wonder, might overcome all doubt and fear tobecome bearers of good news, telling the world in word anddeed of your saving love and the abundant life found in you.We pray this in the name of the Father who forms us, the Sonwho saves us, and the Spirit who joins us on our journey. AmenMatthew 28by Brandi Kejr

Love’s redeeming work is done,Alleluia!Fought the fight, the battle won,Alleluia!Death in vain forbids His rise,Alleluia!Christ hath opened paradise,Alleluia!Lives again our glorious King,Alleluia!Where, O death, is now thy sting?Alleluia!Dying once He now doth save,Alleluia!Where thy victory, O grave?Alleluia!

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