Lent: The Lamb of God

Finding those who belong Then I will teach transgressors your ways, And sinners will return to you. Psalm 51:13   Read Acts 18:5—11 Paul was a doughty customer. Even when he was warned by a messenger from God that he was heading for persecution if he went up to Jerusalem, it did not stop him…

Lent: The Lamb of God

The life laid down The prince of power with meekness Submits in mortal weakness. Paul Gerhardt   Read John 10:17—25 I cannot know all the deep things of the heart of Jesus, but I can know some things. I know that he was resolute that he must go to Jerusalem;[1] that there he must share…

Lent: The Lamb of God

Good news from bad May those who sow in tears Reap with shouts of joy. Psalm126:5   Read Acts 8:1-8 I have to notice who the lead persecutor was. I’m sure his companion, Luke, had a wry smile when he incriminated Saul, who became his great friend, his hero, the mighty apostle Paul. This Gospel…

Lent: The Lamb of God

The revelation of the Son The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me. Isaiah 61:1   Read John 1:29—34 I can catch a rising excitement in John, and I think I know just a little of it. He is seeing things in Jesus. They are coming to him…

Lent: The Lamb of God

All-out war Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? Who shall stand in his holy place? Psalm 24:3   Read Luke 11:14—23 These words of Jesus must strip me of all pretence. This is open warfare. It is Jesus versus the demons. It is Jesus versus evil. In my own life — how has…

Lent: The servant of God

Home Your anger has turned away And you comforted me. Isaiah 12:1   Read Isaiah 49:7—13 I am part of a humanity that has evolved so many ways of being lost. Wherever I am I can always find in me a nostalgia for somewhere else. Even if I could return again to the place of…

Lent: The servant of God

Servant and friend There is no one who can deliver out from my hand; I work and who can hinder it? Isaiah 43:13   Read Isaiah 41:8—13 The servant of God is the friend of God. As servant there is more than enough for me to do. There is no end to it. I will…

Lent: The servant of the Lord

Come over and help us And nations that do not know you shall run to you, Because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 55:5   Read Acts 16:8—15 It’s all in a word, and that spoken in a dream, ‘Come over and help us.’ Just a word. It’s a cry…

Lent: The servant of the Lord

Off to work Each task your wisdom has assigned Still let me cheerfully fulfil. Charles Wesley   Read Matthew 21:28—32 There is a work of the Father for me to participate in. It is deeper than observing my religion. An honest reflection will probably tell me if today I have willingly participated with my Father…

Lent: The servant of the Lord

You’d be fighting against God On this rock I will build my church, And the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18   Read Acts 5:34—42 I would not expect it where I live, but the flogging goes along with the faith in many places today. The arrest follows speaking about Jesus.…