Liturgical Calendar - Jeremiah's Vow

Lent 2020 | Day 18: “Light”

Even when the darkness seems great, a small flicker can become a beacon of hope.

This is what I have felt in the last few days as the world has had to face the Coronavirus pandemic.

Even when the darkness seems great, a small flicker can become a beacon of hope.

This is what I have felt in the last few days as the world has had to face the Coronavirus pandemic.

There are so many questions and not enough answers. There are seem to be an insurmountable number of obstacles and not enough avenues of escape. If we are not careful, we can turn our backs on the only source of hope available to us because there seems to be so much darkness around.

I have often wondered what it means that Jesus is the light of the world. And by extension, that we are the Church, a city on a hill. These metaphors are related. They share the same purpose but have different functions. As the city, we reflect the light that emanates from the source, Jesus the Messiah. We do not possess light of our own. It is a borrowed splendor. Something that we should never confuse, but many times end up doing.

The apostle Paul offered one of the most remarkable descriptions of Jesus every captured in the Scripture. He said to the Corinthians, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Two questions emerge here. When did God say this? He said it when the earth was formless and void. In the beginning, there was nothing in all of creation that reflected his goodness, but he said, “Let there be light,” and out of himself, light shone forth.

But the wondrous mystery is this. What was the nature of that light? It was Jesus himself. Jesus is the light that God sent into the world at creation. And he is the light that entered into the world at his incarnation. This is what light does. It changes the very definitions we use to describe the work of God. God sends forth light and we look upon Jesus’ face.

In this light, there is the knowledge that transforms our minds and glory that inspires worship. But in order to see both of these there needed to be light.

Light is what reminds us that darkness is not a thing with its own substance. It is merely the absence of something. For when the light shines, darkness flees.

In this season of Lent, let us look toward the light. Let us remember that the darkness does not linger when the light shines. Let hold fast to the promise that in God, “the Father of light,” there is no shadow of turning, and from Son shines a light that removes the fear of the night.

Lent 2020 | Day 17: “Revealed”

The prestige of every trick is the part of the trick that the audience is anticipating but has doubts of its achievement.

Our focus for today is the “revealed.”

One of my favorite moved is “The Prestige.” It is an interesting movie about two magicians who are vying to become the best in the world. What makes the movie compelling is that you don’t quite know what is going on. You see what they want you to see, but the “trick” that is being played against us (the audience) is not easy to pick up on.

In one of the early scenes, we are given a hint at what the movie is really about. The three acts of a magic trick are explained.

“Every great magic trick consists of three parts or acts. The first part is called “The Pledge”. The magician shows you something ordinary: a deck of cards, a bird or a man. He shows you this object. Perhaps he asks you to inspect it to see if it is indeed real, unaltered, normal. But of course… it probably isn’t. The second act is called “The Turn”. The magician takes the ordinary something and makes it do something extraordinary. Now you’re looking for the secret… but you won’t find it, because of course you’re not really looking. You don’t really want to know. You want to be fooled. But you wouldn’t clap yet. Because making something disappear isn’t enough; you have to bring it back. That’s why every magic trick has a third act, the hardest part, the part we call “The Prestige”.” [Source]

The prestige of every trick is the part of the trick that the audience is anticipating but has doubts of its achievement. This is the part that causes the awe in those watching.

I don’t want to conflate a movie with the Word of God. I do want to say that when I think about the miracle of Jesus being born and dying for the redemption of the world is like the prestige of a trick. The reason being that when we consider what the Scriptures claim Jesus actually did, not merely pretended to do, we all struggle to believe our eyes.

But that is exactly what we are called to do.

There are two passages of scripture that point to truthfulness of this revelation: Romans 5:6 and Galatians 4:4a.

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son…”

Both of these passages speak of a moment in time. A point in history when God exploded through the veil of eternity and made himself known in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. God had to wait for the right time to make his entrance. Why? Because God was working something out that required perfect time.

In Jesus, the fullness of God was revealed to the world (Colossian 2:9).

In Jesus, the power of God’s grace was finally demonstrated.

In Jesus, the wonder of God’s mercy was finally made available.

In Jesus, the God of the universe was revealed.

As we continue our steady march toward Resurrection Sunday, we must ask ourselves: have we seen what God has revealed? If so, can others see it in us?

Lent 2020 | 3rd Sunday in Lent: “Celebrate”

Let us celebrate today, for He is good and in all things he is faithful to us.

Today’s the 2nd Sunday in Lent. Every Sunday in Lent is not technically a part of the season of Lent. It serves as a reminder of the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ because every Sunday is a celebration of what the gospel proclaims. So this Sunday, and every Sunday in the season of Lent, we will celebrate what it means to have been saved. So, rather than an extended devotion, I would like to offer you a song that can help us to focus our attention and to give worship to God for the sacrifice, ministry, mission, and purpose of His Son our Savior, Jesus Christ, as we celebrate the renewed life that we have in him. Let us celebrate today, for He is good and in all things he is faithful to us.

Lent 2020 | Day 16: “Ripe”

One of the great challenges that we have in the church today is that we have not learned how to distinguish between that which is ripe with that which is not yet ready.

When I consider the word ripe, I think of that which is ready, that which has reached its point of maturity. One of the great challenges that we have in the church today is that we have not learned how to distinguish between that which is ripe with that which is not yet ready.

I didn’t grow up on a farm, I didn’t grow up learning how to tend to a field of crops. And because of this, I feel that I am a little bit unprepared for the reality of what it means to be a part of the kingdom of God. Our pastor, Bishop Luis R. Scott, tells us that we live in an agricultural system. We live in a world where the principles of seedtime and harvest are in operation. Where seasons come and go.

Jesus even told His disciples after his encounter with the woman at the well, that God is looking for laborers who will go into the field. Why? Because the fields are ripe unto harvest. Jesus was revealing to his disciples that there was something in them (and us!) that has a difficult time seeing when something, spiritually speaking, has finally come to maturity. We would like to think that we know how to help others become what Jesus wants. But the reality is not so easy.

We all could be more effective in connecting and interacting with this world. In determining when someone is ready to go from attendance and participate in discipleship and fellowship. And from these into ministry of some form. not necessarily formally, but within the context of who God has made them to be.

If we cannot tell when something is ripe, how will we know when we must act? I think the challenge of the season of Lent is we are challenged to look back and to see if have we truly been growing ourselves? Are we ready? Are we ready to become laborers in this field? Ready to bring in the harvest that Jesus said is right in front of us.

I don’t know about you, but I want to be a better laborer in the vineyard.

Lent 2020 | Day 15: “Work”

Our focus for today is “work.”

One of the more confusing passages and Paul’s letters is found in Philippians 2:12. In that passage Paul says, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Now, it could be easy for us to read a verse like that and think that Paul is saying something about what we must do in order to make salvation a reality in us. However, the emphasis of what Paul is saying is not that there is something missing in salvation without our activity. He is saying that now that we have been saved, redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, there is something that this reality will force us to do. Now that we have been saved, we must begin to implement this reality throughout our lives. We must begin to apply the implications of our salvation to every facet of our being.

The working out of salvation, I consider sometimes to be like working out a cramp. A cramp is not supposed to be there. And in order for me to get relief, I must apply pressure and remove that which is causing the problem. Our sin is a problem, and even though it has been forgiven, we have to deal with it. Paul, in another place, said, “For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Romans 7:15b). The war we have to fight against sin remains with us and within us. But, we are not fighting alone.

What is Paul trying to tell us? He is saying that even Paul, the apostle, who wrote much of the New Testament, was still working out his salvation. And he was doing it in fear and trembling. Not afraid that he would lose what he had been given. But because he recognized that the one who gave salvation to him, the Father, the one who purchased his salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the one who secured his salvation in heaven, the Holy Spirit, required his greatest efforts in this life.

God has never made a mistake in saving anyone who repents, but we have made mistakes in not seeking to become who Christ died for us to be. In this season of Lent, let us work out our salvation by doing everything we can to make every aspect of our lives come into conformity and obedience to Jesus.

Lent 2020 | Day 14: “Seeks”

We are to seek first the kingdom. And God says that he will take care of the needs of our lives.

Our focus for today will be that of “Seeks.”

It’s an interesting word. And when I considered it, I was reminded of something Jesus said in his Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 7:7, we find these words, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”

What I find interesting about these two verses is that many times we take it to mean something it doesn’t. Our asking is of a particular kind of asking. Our seeking, which is the emphasis for today, is of a particular kind of seeking. And that which will be opened, Or that that door upon which we knock upon is a particular door.

Now it may seem arbitrary to make this distinction, but Jesus himself in the previous chapter, in Chapter 6, makes an interesting claim. In Matthew 6:31-32, he says, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What will we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” And then he makes this very famous, very well known statement, Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (v. 33).

What does this all mean? It means that what we must be seeking is not that which satisfies our own pleasures or that which we long for. What we must seek, first and above all else, is the kingdom of God. That which brings to life what God has been speaking of and declaring since the foundations of the world. Our seeking is not to be selfish. Our seeking is not to be self-centered. Our seeking should not be to make ourselves bigger. Our seeking should be in bringing to pass or bringing to bear that which God has said is his highest aim. And that is to bring the light into a place that is dark. To come and bring peace in a world that is turbulent. To bring joy to those who are weary and heavy-laden.

We are to seek first the kingdom. And God says that he will take care of the needs of our lives. Too often we make something we want into a need, and this is a very dangerous and unfortunate decision. So this Lent, as we move forward towards Resurrection Sunday, I encourage you and I remind myself that what I must seek, God has already stated, seek His kingdom and then you will find what you need is already supplied.

Lent 2020 | Day 13: “Spring”

The four seasons of the year are a constant reminder that in life there are different stages and phases. That there are ups and downs, that there is an ebb and flow to what it means to be a human being in this world. Every spring we see the return of life as we want to imagine it to be. The weather changes, the leaves turn green again, and the flowers begin to bloom. And through it all, we are reminded of the fact that we too can have a new spring in life, not in the sense that we grow younger or more energetic, but in the sense that in Christ, each new day is a new opportunity for us to come face to face with the glorious mystery that we have been made new. Every spring is a reminder of this joyous reality.

This spring, I encourage you as we march towards the celebration of Resurrection Sunday. As we prepare our hearts and minds to give glory to God for the glorious mystery of life after death. I want to encourage you to look back and see what God has done in this past year. Since the last time we celebrated Christ’s resurrection, what has God brought you through? What has God brought you to? What is it that God has done in these last twelve months, can serve as a reminder of his glorious grace, of his wondrous mercy, of his unending love for each and every one of us.

I think it is a good time to stop to reflect and consider that what God has offered to us is not only better and greater than we could have ever imagined, but it is worth our greatest efforts in order to see it in our lives. God’s purposes for us are always good. His will is perfect, and I encourage you and me to see this for what it is, a truly miraculous gift. A gift that we can receive anew every day and enjoy until we stand before Him in glory.

Lent 2020 | Day 12: “Drink”

In this season of Lent, as we move ever forward towards the resurrection of Jesus, let us take a moment and reflect on what it means to drink. To drink in that which is good, and sometimes to drink in that which is not as good for the sake of others.

One of Jesus’s most famous statements is when he says, “Not my will, but your will be done.”

The context of this statement actually occurs in the Gospel of Matthew (26:42). And in that moment, Jesus is praying that the cup of God’s wrath would pass from him. But Jesus says to the Father, as he prays in the garden of Gethsemane, that if this will not pass without him drinking the cup, then he would drink it. Jesus would submit his will to the Father’s so that the Father’s will would be done.

One of the things that we often fail to see in life is how many times we must drink the bitter water of suffering. Jesus did this as an example to us, of what it would take for us to receive salvation. But there will be times in our lives where we will confronted with the opportunity to drink something that we would rather avoid, but we choose to do it anyway. Knowing that if we do it in righteousness, if we do it as an act of service for others, then we will receive a reward for it.

But there are other times when we must drink that which we would rather not. This may be the result of another’s actions or maybe even our own. But the cup must be emptied. In those instances, it cannot be avoided. The truth is that sometimes regardless of the reason, drinking of the cup is a manifestation of our willingness to surrender our own wills, to the will of God.

What lies before us today is this: there are times we must see our act of drinking as a service to God, or what as an act of service to others. I want to invite you to join me in learning to trust in God ever more deeply so that we might truly enjoy the riches and benefits of the salvation that we have in Jesus Christ regardless of the cup we have to drink.

Lent 2020 | Day 11: “Journey”

Our focus for today will be that of “journey.”

Several years ago, I attended a youth retreat. During one of the breakout sessions, a friend of mine was leading a small group discussion on the idea of “packing for the journey.” It was a reference to preparing to take your faith more seriously. To live it our more intentionally.

I don’t remember everything that he said. But I do remember one of the things that he did. In the middle of the room was a huge tent, one that you would take when you went out camping. And around the tent, he had set up what looked like a campsite, minus the fire. The biggest impression that that example left me was with the idea that the Christian faith is a journey. And as with every journey, we must learn to prepare for what is ahead.

One of the key ideas that we talk about at our local congregation almost every week is the idea that we want to normalize the Christian life. What that means is that we desire for every believer to take into consideration what it is going to take to live a life that is pleasing to God and satisfactory to us.

The journey that we are on as believers in Christ, and as sojourners in this world, waiting for our time to be with God forever, requires us to take into account how we live our faith. We have to take inventory of what we must do in order to live a life that consistently reflects what we believe about God, about the gospel, and about ourselves.

The reality is that the journey that we’re on requires us to take into account the many things that will come across our path. We cannot anticipate everything, but we can prepare for almost anything if we would just consider the way that life is lived.

It is true, that the gospel life that we are called to live is one that is very different from the world around us. And yet there are many things that are consistent, even constant. We must seek every day to be prayerful, to read the Scripture. To be mindful of the fact that the call to worship is not something that merely happens one day a week, but happens every single day. We must learn to engage in this journey actively and not allow this journey to happen to us in some passive sense.

In this season of Lent, as we move diligently and intentionally toward Resurrection Sunday, I encourage you to consider the journey that you’re on and to ask yourself, “Am I doing everything that I can to be prepared for what might come.”

Category: Liturgical Calendar