Prepare the way for the Lord!

One of the things that strikes me time and time again when I read of God's relationship to his chosen people Israel is His endless patience, love and mercy. His relationship to Israel was to be a constant living example of His grace and loving kindness. The people of Israel disappointed him, betrayed him, and turned from him time and time again. In spite of their sin and unfaithfulness, God never rejected them. His eternal plan of restoration unfolded itself even as the Jews believed His prophetic voice to be silent. Suddenly, after centuries of seeming silence, John the Baptist appeared! He was calling his fellow man to repent and to receive forgiveness for their sins. He came proclaiming the coming of the Messiah that was promised and who had in fact already arrived in the person of Jesus. John was ready and willing to point to Jesus as the coming Savior even though it meant that his own days of life were numbered. The prophetic calling that had reached him even as an unborn child was the driving force of his life and his ministry. This was so much so, that when asked who he was, he described himself simply as a voice preparing the way for the coming Messiah. His purpose was completed when he pointed to its fulfillment - Jesus.

The Jews were not more faithless than we. They were chosen to demonstrate for all the world the nature of mankind and our universal need for the forgiveness of our sins. This passage confronts us with our own faithlessness and disobedience as we walk our path leading through life which at times can seem just as difficult as the desert wandering of the Jews.
John prepares the way for us even now in this desert, calling us to renewal through repentence and restoration in Christ. Let us turn to Him in our need to receive of his great and eternal grace and love. We are his treasured possession, his people. His covenant promises are eternal and true. He is ever faithful to preserve us through the abiding presence of his Spirit.

Psalm 37

John 1:19-28
John the Baptist Denies Being the Christ19Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ."21They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?"He said, "I am not.""Are you the Prophet?"He answered, "No."22Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"23John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' "24Now some Pharisees who had been sent 25questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"26"I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. 27He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."28This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Deuteronomy 7:6-96

For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.7 The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

Ash Wednesday

Today marks the beginning of our 40 day journey towards Easter. Eastern Orthodox Christians call Lent a season of "Bright Sadness". It is a annual journey through the darkness of the night of the soul to the brightness of the dawn of Easter.

It is a season for reflection, for meditation and growth in our relationship to Christ as his disciples. We refresh a consciousness of our own human condition and our need for salvation from sin and death. At the same time we are once again nurtured in our first love relationship to Christ where we marvel at his love and grace. Like the Jews who refresh their faith and trust in God through their celebration of Pesach, we also are reminded of the eternal hope that we have in our life in Christ through our celebration of the Easter season. It is however,, not merely a historical event that we celebrate. It is rather a recognition and a reminder of our daily need for the grace of God. We journey in the darkness, but we can see the light of a new dawn on the horizon which is the light of the kingdom of God. We journey as disciples of our Lord and master, and progress step by step in the radiance of the glory of his resurrection life. Let us covenant with one another in this season of bright sadness, in commiting ourselves to taking steps towards a greater depth in our love of Christ and for one another.

Traditionally, Lent has been a time of prayer, fasting and self-denial. These are disciplines that have fostered a greater focus on our relationship to Jesus. They have also contributed to a greater depth of spiritual maturity and power. I would venture to suggest that these are positive practices, but I would also encourage a greater focus on demonstrating our love in action in practical tangible ways. Find ways to extend yourself to others in the days to come. Phone someone and give them a word of encouragement. Meet to pray together and for one another. Be of practical assitance to someone. Practice "random acts of kindness". It will be exciting to exchange stories about our experiences in this journey towards the light.

Here are the scripture passages for today. Read each of them reflectively, asking the Holy spirit to speak to you through them. Use a note book to record your thoughts and impressions. Pray, using scripture as a foundation for your praise and confession.

May the Lord bless you in your pilgrimage!

Pastor Linda

Psalms 32 and 130
Jonah 3
Hebrews 12:1-14
Luke 18:9-14
Psalm 32 NIV

Of David. A maskil.
1 Blessed is he
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.

2 Blessed is the man
whose sin the LORD does not count against him
and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3 When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night
your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
Selah

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, "I will confess
my transgressions to the LORD "—
and you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
Selah

6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you
while you may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him.

7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Selah

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.

9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.

10 Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD's unfailing love
surrounds the man who trusts in him.

11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!