Lenten Devotional...March 12

“In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’”

(Mark 1:35-37)

 

What must it be like to know that everyone is searching for you?  The popularity of Jesus was growing with every miracle, every story, every deliverance.  Word of his movements were hardly secret and as a result, he faced large and sometimes demanding crowds wherever he went.  Even his disciples hunted for him.

 

Jesus seems unimpressed with his celebrity, at times, impatient with it.  Perhaps because of it, he sought the sanctuary of quiet moments alone to think and pray.  I don’t know that you face the same demands of the crowd, but if you are a mother, manager, teacher, or coach you have most likely felt the need to step away quietly, unnoticed to rest and recharge. 

 

Regardless of the level of popularity or demand placed on you by others, we all need that intentional, quiet place.  During this season of Lent, seek it out, make room for quiet reflection and prayer.

 

Prayer: I am too busy, too distracted Lord.  Help me find quiet moments to spend with you.  Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...March 11

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

(Mark 1:14-15)

 

Mark’s gospel begins not with family lineage, birth narratives, or cosmic identity as do the other gospels, but with John, the cousin of Jesus whose calling is to prepare the way for Messiah.  Our text finds John in prison and the focus quickly shifting to Jesus as he begins his preaching ministry.  John had called people to repentance and baptism, now Jesus is doing the same.  The difference is that John was preparing the way for Messiah; Jesus was Messiah.

 

It is amazing how the story takes on greater meaning, depending on the storyteller.  Now obviously, some folks are better at telling stories than others, but this isn’t about the skill of the storytellers, this is about their identities.  John said that one was coming whose sandals he was unworthy to bend down and tie.  You see, the story of the cross is the story about Jesus, and who better to tell his story than Jesus himself.  “Repent and believe in the good news.” These were words that John had said, but in Jesus, they found fulfillment.

 

Prayer: Thank you God for Jesus, the storyteller and the story.  Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...March 10

“We have heard with our ears, O God, our ancestors have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old.”

(Psalm 44:1)

 

When he was just a young boy, Clayton would sometimes ask about things that happened when I was his age.  He would often say, “Daddy, tell me what it was like in the back times.”  That phrase made me feel old every time he used it, yet it was a reminder to me and a teaching moment for him about life lessons from the past. 

 

The Psalmist recalls the blessing of past stories that serve to revitalize faith as the persistent love and provision of God is remembered.  The cross is a symbol of faith that calls us to remember the deeds of old that still impact eternity.  Stories of the cross passed on to you that you then pass on to others, truly make a difference…an eternal difference.

 

Prayer: We are grateful for the good news that has been passed on to us, O God.  Help us to be faithful in passing along those stories to others. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...March 7

^“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”

(Philippians 4:4-5)

 

Presence makes a difference.  Clay Nettles recently spoke of the significance of knowing the presence of caring friends and family in the immediate aftermath of his serious bike accident.  Just knowing someone is there in the midst of brokenness means everything.

 

Paul reminds the Philippian Christians that God is near.  That presence empowers joy and gentleness, among other things.  In this season of Lent, remember that God is near.

 

Prayer: Ever-present One, may the joy of knowing You empower our Lenten steps.  Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...March 6

“…one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on…”

(Philippians 3:13b-14a)

 

The Lenten journey can seem a long one.  We find ourselves at times like the child who just a few minutes into the family vacation, asks, “Are we there yet?”  Paul reminds us that our journey is a forward one, focusing not on where we have been, but where we are going.  As a result, he is straining forward to what lies ahead. 

 

We so want to arrive at what we perceive to be our Lenten destination, resurrection, and yet, confession, repentance, and contemplation are the mileposts along this journey that cannot be bypassed.  So, though we have just begun and there is quite a way to go, press on dear friend, press on.

 

Prayer: Help us, dear God, to press on in our journey to the cross.  Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...Ash Wednesday

“Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”

(Psalm 32:1)

I slipped on the ice recently while walking the dogs.  Like any self-respecting resident of the neighborhood, I first looked around to see if anyone saw me fall, then got to my feet.  We often focus on ourselves in such moments, not wanting to compound our slip-ups with the embarrassment of an audience. 

We speak of sin in terms of falling, not just Adam’s sin in Eden’s Garden, but also our own failures.  We hope no one notices these “slips,” but there is One who is ever aware.   The Psalmist reminds us, however, that God’s forgiveness covers our falling…our sin.

Our journey to the cross this Lenten season begins with this assurance.  When you fall, God is there, offering forgiveness through the One who took our  “falls” upon himself. 

Prayer: Thank you Lord, for picking us up when we fall, and forgiving us through Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Lenten Devotionals

Friends,

 

Tomorrow, March 5, the season of Lent begins. Each Monday through Friday throughout the season of Lent, I will be posting a brief devotional based on the daily lectionary text for the day. Scripture references, unless otherwise noted, will be from the New Revised Standard Version.  My hope is that as we walk together toward the cross we will be reminded of God's great love and our great need. 

 

May God guide our journey together.

 

Jim Abernathy