An Invitation to Holy Week

 

The Way

 

Christians in the earliest days were known simply as people of "The Way." That seems a good place to start in introducing this devotional guide. Our journey together during the Lenten season has been all about that Way. There is God's Way for His disciples to live. There is a Baptized Way. There is a particular Way He comes into our lives.

 

There is a Way that we are to live, and the means for following that way has been provided through Jesus Christ our Lord. I hope you will read these devotionals, provided by Trinity folks, and meditate on the blessing and calling of that Way. You may have your own devotional plan, but if you want to experiment try these things as you read:

 

·         Spend at least 10 minutes alone with God, these thoughts, and your connection to Him. Run from the temptation to proclaim how busy you are, and run to the arms of a God who loves you and wants time with you.

·         Follow up on this time with a plan. In other words, so what? How does this specific time motivate me to live today? What needs correcting, what needs to be a proactive response to love of God, neighbor, and self?

 

·         Worship in community. We are called into that. These guides are not only for quiet time; they are to connect us to God, one another, and the world. Be not just in church Easter Sunday, but of, with, and through the church with your gifts and calling. Be connected to the body of Christ every day with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.

 

Ronnie Brewer

 

 

 

Sunday, April 9, 2006

Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-29

 

What's So Good About Forever?

 

When I was young, "forever" seemed boring. I was always on the lookout for something new. I never resisted change. It was exciting,.rolling with the punches,..going with the flow. Then I grew up and had some serious relationships. I found out just how hard change can be and began to value the things you hope will last forever - like love and relationships.

 

I recently had a "forever" discussion with some seventh and eight grade girls who were probably also thinking that forever is kind of boring. We talked about Daniel, the prophet, and how the same God that protected him in the lion's den over two thousand years ago is still protecting us in our modern day "lion's den." The very same God, with the same love, the one that endures forever. Our "lion's den" may look a little different than Daniel's, but our God doesn't. As Pastor Ronnie would say, "We got it."

 

What's so good about forever? The Psalmist tells us that we should give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, and his love endures forever. In a world with sound bites, IPods, and extremely short attention spans, it's nice to know there is something that endures forever. No interruptions. No changes. No end. God's love endures forever.

 

How comforting is that? For me, it is immeasurable. I know the same love I feel from God is also being felt by my children and will be felt by their children and their children....and so on, and so on.....forever and ever! What a beautiful legacy.

 

A few years ago I learned a prayer called "The Gloria." It goes like this:

 

"Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, so it is now and so it shall ever be, world without end. Alleluia. Amen."

 

When I start to worry about things that are fleeting and momentary, I repeat this prayer over and over. Forever begins to slowly sink into my mind and comfort me. I have found that forever is a very good thing!

 

Dear God, thank you for a love that we can count on, one that never changes and never ends. Help each of us to accept that love and have it flow through us into your world where we may touch others for your sake. It is in your holy name we ask. Amen.

 

Paula Brazier

 

 

 

Monday, April 10, 2006

John 12:1-11

A Sacrificial Foot Scrubbing

 

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

 

The passage for today describes the time when Jesus visited the town of Bethany where Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary, lived. Mary astonished many when she came in and wasted (so it seemed to some) a very expensive jar of perfume on Jesus' feet. Jesus, however, did not see this act as most did; he saw the sacrificial love of Mary.

 

Anointing people with oil was not an uncommon event in Jesus' day, nor was foot-washing. So for Mary to voluntarily do such a thing was not completely out of the ordinary. What was surprising, though, was the way in which she went about this act of love. She did not use water and a towel, as most would expect. She used an expensive perfume and her own hair to anoint the feet of Jesus. Now, as most women can attest, it is not every day that we get on the floor and wash our husbands' feet with our hair. Our hair is our covering, a part of our outward beauty. For Mary to get on her knees before the Lord and to wash his feet with her hair was a humbling act and most definitely an act that showed her great love for Jesus.

 

Not only was Mary's act significant, the gift she gave was of great significance. Mary anointed Jesus with an expensive perfume held in an alabaster jar. In Biblical times, when a woman reached the age of marriage, her family would buy an alabaster jar and fill it with an expensive perfume. Then, when a man asked for the woman's hand in marriage, she would break the alabaster jar at his feet to display her honor and respect for him. This alabaster jar Mary broke at Jesus' feet was more than just perfume, it was part of her dowry, her future. So in essence, Mary took her future and broke it at her true Bridegroom's feet.

 

The Easter season is a time when we reflect on Christ's sacrificial gift to us. He willingly gave his life up for us, without force or coercion. In today's passage, Mary willingly gave her all to Jesus. She didn't give him a useless, worthless, leftover gift; she gave him her very best. Have you given your very best to the Lord? Have you broken your alabaster jar at the feet of Jesus? Or are you like Judas, who was too concerned with himself and what others were doing, to show Jesus honor and respect? Don't waste the contents of your alabaster jar on the things of this world. Take time today to sit at Jesus' feet and give him the honor and respect he deserves.

 

Lord, forgive me for wasting my alabaster jar and my precious gifts on things that won't last. Father, change my heart to be like that of Mary's, who was eager to sit at Your feet and pour out her life to You. Teach me to offer myself to You, just as You so graciously offered Yourself for me.

Johnna Davis

 

 

 

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Psalm 71:1-14

Hope and Meaning

 

For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.

 

The two themes of comfort and meaning in the Scriptures today are: first, God makes all things right in the end; second, He knows us and, He knows how to work with us. The same themes that comfort are also cause for great discomfort , for our behavior is not always godly, we have been agents of ire in others' lives. It is also scary that, in the end, all will be made right, and we are not going to get away with anything.

 

This is the point where Holy week adds hope and meaning. Easter is Love's way of reconciling us , with our failures, faux pas, and transgressions , to Himself. Sin had to be paid for, and He paid it. Instead of being condemned, we have the blessed assurance that the penalty for sin has been paid, and we are forgiven. On top of that, we are promised a future that is free from failures; free from injury; free from toil, pain, and suffering. Instead of looking forward to death and the grave, we look forward to life to its fullest forever. Because He has risen, we shall also rise to live and be with Him. Love triumphs, and Easter is the celebration of that fact.

 

Yet, Easter is just a holiday if we do not let love triumph in our lives. God is like a perfect gentleman, and He will not force us to accept His love. He will not twist arms, smite the sinner into submission, or make you an offer you cannot refuse. What He does is invite us to surrender to His love today. Accepting the gift of love transforms Easter from a holiday into a holyday.

 

Father, thank you for providing meaning to life. Thank you for the hope we have in You. Give us the grace to celebrate this season in gratefulness and love.

 

Dave Ryder

 

 

 

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Isaiah 50:4-9a

The Bravery of the Hippie

 

"RING!" It was the bell, announcing the beginning of another BJHS class. I was on my way to English 10. Students scrambled through the halls, shoving each other out of the way. I entered the room and looked at the board. There, writtenpink, was a "bellwork". It stated, "What if you were able to be someone else for one day? Who would you choose and why?"

 

Everyone else began to notice the tedious task the teacher assigned. I heard moans and sighs. Writing this topicout to be quite hard. You see,. Ward, the teacher, has us read our "bellworks" out loud to the entire class. Ia daily quest to make my paperand humorous to the others. I plopped down at my desk and began to write

 

Later on, Ms.came inannounced that we would all read our papers. A boy on the other side of the class stood up and beganhis paper in a mocking manner: "If I could be anyone for a day,I would be Ms. Ward. I wouldpointless assignments, research papers, and pass out detention slips!"

 

Everyone giggled. Ms. Ward chuckled a little to herself too and proclaimed, "Next!"

 

A girl, who sat next to me, rose out of her seat. She is aactivist andlabeled as the "hippie."Everyone expected her to write that she wanted to be Jane Goodall or Steve Erwin -- you know -- someone of that sort.

 

She picked up her paper and did not make eye contact with anyone. She boldly spoke, "March 6. Ifcould be anybody for a day, I would be Jesus' disciple John." A select number of students in the class began to laugh.

 

Trying not to sound discouraged, she continued through her paper, "To be in the presence of the Lord and see him perform his miracles would be like a dream. I would tell Jesus my problems and ask him for his advice. Then, when it was my time to leave, I would hug him and hold him close to me. I'd ask him to say, "Hello," to God and my family members in heaven for me. Then I would go back to my body, and I would continue to live in him."

 

You see, that girl has extreme faith in the Lord. She loves him with all her heart, soul, mind, and body. She has perseverance like nobody else I know. She put herself out in the open for her savior. People laughed at her and made fun of her, but she has more than they will ever have. That day, she built treasure in heaven and strengthened her bond with God.

 

Dear Lord, please help us Lord, in all that we do. May we sing for you and dance for you. May we have the courage and the heart to protect you and take your side in all things. May we grow, so we can persevere through difficult moments in our lives. Help us to strengthen our relationship with you. It is to you that I pray. Amen.

 

Alex Morrissey

 

 

 

 

Thursday, April 13, 2006

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Sanctity of the Eucharist

 

Baptists aren't real big on the Seven Sacraments, as a whole. Sure, we have baptism down pat , it's even in our name! And we definitely embrace marriage. But most of the others are a bit foreign to us , confession, confirmation, extreme unction!? There is one more, though, just as meaningful to us as baptism , the Eucharist. Being simple folks, we usually just say "The Lord's Supper." Why do we celebrate this one? In short, we do it because the Bible teaches it.

 

We have narrative accounts of Jesus' last supper with his disciples in all three synoptic gospels (Mark, Matthew, and Luke). But to me the most beautiful passage is found in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, where Paul tells the story in the words most familiar to us: "This is my body, which is for you: do this in remembrance of me."

 

Interestingly this is not only the most poetic of the accounts, it is also the earliest. Paul's letter was almost certainly written before any of the gospels, so these words were carried down directly to Paul, who was not even present at the meal, for almost 30 years (!) after the event itself. And they still echo two thousand years later in scripture, in song, even engraved on our altar table.

 

Although the words themselves are compelling, as a part of the passion narrative in the gospels, it is not simply an historical account of Jesus' final days that Paul is providing to his fellow believers in Corinth. Why does he speak to them of the Lord's Supper?

 

Like most of Paul's writings, 1 Corinthians is what engineers would think of as a "troubleshooting" letter. Paul loved the church at Corinth. He lived among these people for longer (about 18 months) than he did any of his other churches except Ephesus. Yet after his departure, schisms began to appear. There were numerous problems, but the one that concerns us here is abuse of The Lord's Supper.

 

It is thought by some scholars that in the first century church this event was truly a meal, just as was Jesus' last supper. Put on your Baptist hat and think of a pot luck supper on the grounds after church! Now go back and read verses 20-22, and you'll see Paul chastising the believers for focusing on the food, rather than on Christ; for grabbing their own dinner first and leaving others hungry; even for getting drunk!

 

Paul reminds them of the sanctity of the Eucharist , "For every time you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord, until he comes." In verse 27 he warns them against eating the bread or drinking from the cup in an "unworthy manner." The Corinthians had lost sight of the meaning of the sacrament. Paul reminded them that it isn't about our bellies. It isn't even about the fellowship. It's "in remembrance of me".

 

Lord, thank you for the symbolism of the Eucharist. Thank you for the reminder of your sacrifice. Let us never take it lightly, but only as an act of worship.

Hal Espy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, April 14, 2006

Hebrews 10:16-25

The Four "C-ing" of God

 

It is hard for me to imagine how Good Friday can be considered, well, "good." I mean is this not the day upon which we remember the heartbreaking crucifixion of Jesus? After all, even Scripture tells us that he was bruised for our chastisement and badly beaten to the point of being stabbed with a spear. Does it not seem a little masochistic to declare this day a "good" day?

 

And yet, it is only within the Christian context of the story, within the larger picture of Jesus' life and purpose, that Good Friday earns its merit as being one of the most magnificent days in all of the world. It is only within seeing the larger picture of which Good Friday is a part, that Jesus' death can truly be seen as... well, good.

 

Want to know why? Hebrews 10:16-25 gives us a pretty nice outline. There are four points neatly laid out for us: covenant, confidence, confession and consideration.

 

God has had a plan of hope and salvation since the beginning of time. He is a covenantal God, establishing purposeful and meaningful relationships with folks like you and me. He does not leave us out in the cold, but meets us where we are weakest. He promises to put His laws in our hearts, write them on our minds and remember our sins no more (vs. 16-18)! Just as He promised, God has sent a most Holy Sacrifice to fulfill what you and I could not.

 

Because of this covenant, God invites us to approach Him with confidence (vs. 19-22)! We need not fear, but claim the new and living way God has opened through Jesus. Indeed, it is a way that no one could pave except for Christ Himself, God made flesh. How awesome that He would meet us in such a way!

 

With this bold confidence, we are able to confess our faith (vs. 23). We are able to announce to an, oftentimes, hopeless and hurting world, that there exists a wonderful hope. Death is being defeated even now! This we can confess in truth.

 

Finally, because God keeps His promises; because He gives us confidence in Him; because we are able to confess our faith, God calls for us to consider one another (vs. 24-25). Good Friday holds the darkest hour before the brightest dawn of the resurrection. But it is a day that points beyond itself to something more, to a future hope. The coolest part about it is that we can share this hope with each other! Jesus is the Way, and we have been given the joyful responsibility to help point each other towards the Way of truth and life.

 

On this Good Friday, let us remember the goodness of it. Let us help one another consider the future hope that is before us. And let us be thankful to a merciful God Who, without Good Friday, there would be little good in the world for us.

 

Father, the mercy You have shown and given us through Your Son is, in fact, the "good" of Good Friday. Make us mindful of the sacrifice and hope He brings each day. Amen.

Rachel Luck

 

 

 

 

Saturday, April 15, 2006

Psalm 31:1-4

Not an Ordinary Hobo

 

"...be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me."

 

His name was Bill Sarwin, and he was my first love. I remember clearly the first day we met. He was a young man, probably in his early 20's, and I was "going on" 4. He appeared, with another man, at our front screen door one hot summer day as I played with my paper dolls on the floor by the door. I quickly ran to find my mother and my 86 year old grandmother to announce the arrival of yet some more hoboes.

 

It was not unusual the summer of 1935 to find young men waiting at the door with an offer to chop wood or to bring water from the well down the street in exchange for a meal. We had little to share but did so gladly, whether it was a bowl of beans or lobsters left by the lobsterman next door.

 

These were not ordinary "hoboes" I found. They came not to beg but to give. They were sleeping on the floor of the little white Congregational church a few houses up the street and they had come to ask for water and to preach the word. My grandmother, who lived with her Bible and her herbal as her guides, asked them in. They came each day of their sojourn to share the noon meal with us.

 

Bill became my friend as he would sit with me on the woodbox behind the old black kitchen stove. He read stories to me from the Bible and taught me memory verses which remained with me all my life. He talked to me of love. That was a commodity I'd not known during the difficult days of the Depression. Life was hard and made harder by the death of my father several months before. Bill told me of the love taught by Jesus and how there was special promise for me if I gave my heart to Him. I wept when his time with me was over. He assured me that Jesus would be with me always and to put my trust in Him.

 

I remembered Bill's words and his love. I've known the many "angels" who have been sent to keep me safe through all the "valleys" of my life. When, a few years later, life's hardships took a toll on my mother and she ran away, I turned to Jesus as my refuge. There were teachers who cared and a friend's mother who always added extra dessert to her daughter's lunch because she knew I had only a skimpy sandwich. The number of people sent to guide me on my way cannot be counted. (Then there was the most wonderful "angel" of all in the form of a blond young man who joined our sophomore class. As we celebrate 53 years of marriage, we know that it was God's intervention that he changed high schools.)

 

It's Easter again and time to celebrate Christ's sacrifice as "Love's Way" for us.

 

Heavenly Father, we can only be grateful for the sending of your son. We have learned much of love's way and the sending of the angels to watch over us. Bless those who become Christ's hands and heart in reaching out to your children. Let us all know the strength of your love and seek a refuge in that love.

 

Roma Wing

 

 

 

Sunday, April 16, 2006

I Corinthians 15: 1-11

Love's Way Appearing

 

The ultimate Easter affirmation is proclaimed in this morning's text: "He has appeared also unto me." Paul got it right from the very beginning when he personalized the way of the resurrected Christ.

 

The Easter story is a great story of mystery, good overcoming evil, "Passion," and faith. It has a great cast of characters and the ultimate happy ending.

 

However, this story really is not about drama, suspense, or heroism. It is about the appearance of the resurrected Christ to any who would believe. It is ultimately a story that ends in either a question or a declaration:

 

Has this risen Christ appeared unto you?

 

If not, He is as near as your open heart this Easter morning.

 

If so, the Way of the resurrected Christ has led right to you! Amazing Love!

 

O Risen Christ, Savior and Lord, you break the bondage of fear, sin, and death to look for every last one of us to embrace us, guide us, forgive us, and call us. Hear our prayer of unspeakable gratitude today. Amen.

Ronnie Brewer