Author: fmpastor

Read John 18:1-30.

“It is finished.” Jesus’ suffering is over, but his suffering is only part of the story. If it all ended with him dying on the cross, Jesus and his little band of followers would have hardly merited a mention in Jewish history. We know what happens on Easter morning and we can anticipate that celebration, but we must first witness the depth of human cruelty and suffering. We must recognize our own participation, even today, when we turn inwardly towards our own needs, when we are careless with another’s spirit, when we deny or turn a blind eye or perpetuate hate.

We must hear the promise that, even when we are at our worst, Christ loves us enough to suffer for our redemption. It is a gift we could not even imagine asking for or receiving from another person. And yet Jesus, Emmanuel, God-With-Us, endured it all to save us from ourselves, to redeem us, and to restore us to right relationship with God. We can sit in the despair of Good Friday, knowing that Sunday is coming.

If you have a few minutes today, watch the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gx6_rGLz20&t=77s

Read John 13:1-17, 31b-35.

“Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another. By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” The question is, how has Jesus loved us? He knelt at the feet of his friends and humbly washed their feet. He not only knelt before those who were part of his inner circle – those closest to him – but included them all. Even Judas, who had already decided to betray Jesus for his own gain.

How does the world know we follow Jesus – not only as individuals, but as a faith community? What sets us apart from those who are not disciples of Christ? Are we willing to humble ourselves and serve even the people whose actions and motivations we may not like?

There are times when I catch myself speaking ill of someone I disagree with or judging someone without taking time to learn more about their story. There are times I build walls and refuse to consider a different perspective from mine. I identify this as sin and a failure to love. If pride and stubbornness was all someone heard coming from my mouth, they would have no way of knowing I am a follower of Jesus. What, in your life, keeps you from being known for your love?

Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for Jesus’ example of love and humility, and ask for the same spirit in yourself.

Read John 13:21-32.

Despite the welcome and hospitality shown to Judas, he still followed through on his plan to betray Jesus. Jesus knew what the consequences of Judas’ actions would be. He knew that he would suffer in unimaginable ways because of this betrayal. Yet, he washed Judas’ feet and offered him nourishment. What a powerful lesson of grace, mercy, and love. Often, when someone has let us down, we have a hard time trusting them. We hold them at arms’ length, waiting for them to mess up once again. In contrast, Jesus had already forgiven Judas before he had committed the act.

What does this say about Jesus’ love for Judas? What does it mean for us? Can you think of a time when someone’s trust in you has helped you to resist a bad choice? When has someone shown you mercy and welcome even when you have hurt them? Who might God be inviting you to give another chance? How do we balance protecting ourselves from real harm and having an open, loving heart?

In prayer, ask for God’s help in forgiving someone who has hurt, betrayed, or disappointed you.

Read John 12:1-11.

Many of us have paid attention to the story of Martha serving and Mary anointing, acts of discipleship that Jesus will later perform for his friends around the Seder table. We have shaken our heads as Judas pretends to have concern for the poor, knowing full well his concern is himself. I am sure I have read verses 9-11 at some point, but don’t think I have ever thought much about what happens here. Lazarus is the clearest evidence of Jesus’ power and ability to restore life to one who was dead.

The story of Lazarus’ resurrection is shaking up the status quo in the religious community and the leaders feel threatened enough by it that they want to kill him.

It’s funny how we react to change – both as individuals and as a faith community. Even when we can see that a person is being transformed by their faith in positive ways, if it affects us in any way, we may plant seeds of doubt (“I wonder how long it will last this time.”) or question the legitimacy of what they say has changed. Even when we see new ministries or worship styles bearing fruit for others, we may downplay its effectiveness because it doesn’t speak to us. What if, instead of resenting or resisting change, we celebrate new life and growth?

What changes have you resented or resisted in the past that have proven to be positive or even life-giving? What changes are happening right now that may feel uncomfortable, but have the potential for positive outcomes?

In prayer, offer yourself to God, confessing your resistance to change and ask for an open, flexible spirit.

Read Luke 19:28-40.

As this scene unfolds, we can imagine the contagious joy and enthusiasm. First, the disciples begin their shouts of praise, then maybe it is the children who become part of the chorus, and finally, even their parents and neighbors join in. These everyday people have been weighed down by the burden of the Roman occupation, the almost impossible religious and cultural expectation, and the fear of what might happen if there is ever a misstep. Their people have been waiting for centuries for someone to free them from all of this. They have been looking for a messiah.

How exciting it must have been to believe, even if for a moment, that Jesus was the One who would redeem them! It must have been an incredible feeling to just give themselves over to hope and joy, with little thought given to the ramifications.

When was the last time you let down your guard and gave yourself over to the experience of hope and joy? Were you by yourself or were others around you? If you were going to be caught up in this type of praise for Jesus, who would you want to accompany you?

Think of your greatest hopes and biggest dreams both for your life and for the world. Offer them up to God and find joy in the promise that God is already at work, redeeming, reconciling, and re-creating. As you close your prayer, shout (or whisper, depending on where you are!), “Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Read Psalm 118.

This psalm of praise begins and ends the same way: “O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!” The verses in between recount how God’s love has been experienced. “The Lord answered me and set me on a broad place.” “I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me.” “[God has] become my salvation.” “He has given us light.” Much of what we do together in worship is celebrating the many ways that God’s steadfast love is made manifest.

If you were to write your own call to praise, what would you include in the verses? In what ways have you experienced the steadfast love of God? Where do you see God’s steadfast love at work in the lives of others? There are 29 verses in this psalm.

Today, make a list and see if you can name 29 instances of God’s steadfast love. Recite your list as a psalm of praise, bookending it with “O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast endures forever!”

Read Isaiah 50:4-9a.

As followers of Jesus, we can’t help but hear these words, written by the prophet to Israel centuries before Jesus was born, as a reference to him, his mission, and his experience. God equipped Jesus’ tongue with words to sustain the weary. God gave him an ear to pay attention to the people around him – to those who were in need, to those who desperately needed to share their story, to those whose voices were taken away or ignored. God gave him the fortitude to stand strong in the face of fear, opposition, and abuse.

In what ways has God equipped you to sustain the weary? Is it with the gift of words, of hospitality, of music, of generosity, of openness? In what ways does God open your ears each day to the needs and lived experience of others? How responsive are you to what you see and hear each day? Are you more inclined to act on behalf of the weary or to ignore it?

In prayer, commit yourself to using your tongue today to offer hope and give grace.

Read John 12:1-8.

A week before he is arrested, Mary seems to be the only one besides Jesus who grasps the significance of this moment. She expresses extravagant love and gratitude for all that Jesus has done – bringing her brother back to life, creating space around the table for those who would otherwise not be welcome – and a sense of the impending danger that lies ahead. Rather than being paralyzed by fear and dread, Mary practices being in the moment. She practices presence in the here and now.

With everything going on in the world today, it is easy to be caught up in fear and dread. What is happening here and now that is worth celebrating, worth fully experiencing? How might being present to the here and now help in processing and responding to an uncertain future? As you read this, take a moment to be fully present. What sights, sounds, and smells surround you? What can you reach out and touch?

For a minute or two, breathe deeply and quietly repeat to yourself, “Here and now.” In prayer, offer thanks to God for the gift of the present moment.