Christian Reflection and Prayer

"He Takes Away the Sin of the World"
By Rev. Wayne Palmer
February 19, 2015


Read John 1:19-34. TEXT: "The next day John saw Jesus coming
toward him and said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away
the sin of the world!'" (John 1:29).

Lenten Devotion-  The teacher walks into the classroom and finds 
a broken vase. She's not sure who broke it, but she has a pretty
good idea. She singles out the one child who always gets into
trouble -- the scapegoat -- and though it's completely unfair, off he
goes to face the principal in place of the child who is truly guilty.

The word "scapegoat" comes to us from the Old Testament Day
of Atonement, the day God forgave the nation's sins. God
commanded His people to bring a goat to His altar. The priest laid
his hand on its head confessing the sins of the people of Israel.
The scapegoat took the punishment for their sins as it was led out
into the wilderness.

Here in the middle of John's first chapter, John the Baptist points
at Jesus and calls out, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away
the sin of the world!" John looks past Jesus' Baptism to Good
Friday when He will suffer the full wrath and punishment for our
sins. When we receive the assurance of God's forgiveness in
Jesus' body and blood in Holy Communion, we repeat John's words,
"Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on
us; grant us peace."

As we follow Jesus through this season of Lent, we will see how
brightly God's Light shines in our dark world.

THE PRAYER:

Lord God, turn my eyes to my Savior this Lenten season that I may
say with John the Baptist, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes
away the sins of the world" -- and my sins. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Scripture:
Giving to the Needy
6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (NIV)
Prayer
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (NIV)

Reflection:

Today is Ash Wedesday, the beginning of Lent. This season of the church is meant to mirror Christ's forty days in the desert prior to the start of his public ministry, and traditionally it is a time of abstention when we ponder what it means to "die to self." How fitting that our reading strikes at the heart of one of the most ubiquitous forms of self preservation:  praise seeking.
The problem with seeking praise is that it keeps alive the lie that lasting validation and worth can be found in the good graces of other people.  In truth, real worth and genuine validation can only be found in the grace of God.  When we give to others and when we pray to God, we embody the reality that our God gave to us and that we need God to live.  It is not about a curtain call we can take for ourselves, but instead about how we can point to God, giving glory to the One who gives grace to us.

Prayer:

Jesus, walk with me into this Lenten season, carrying me from a death to self into a life for you.  Amen

(The Covenant Home Alter, Josh Danielson author)

Scripture:
Psalm 50:  1-6
A psalm of Asaph. 1 The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets. 2 From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. 3 Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages. 4 He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people: 5 “Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” 6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice.
Reflection:
Gather to me my faithful one, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice" (v.5)  In the context of a psalm in which the author employs some very imposing langurage about the mighty one, God the Lord, this tender invitation is a beautiful reminder that we are dearly loved children of  the Almighty.
Upon that foundation- God's love- we are in a covenant with God that the psalmist says was made "by sacrifice."  When we are gathered to God, when we live as his faithful ones, necessarily that will entail sacrifice.  The season of Lent starts tomorrow, and it is appropriate to reflect on the proper place of sacrifice in our relationship with God as his people, his children.
As is true with many worthy pursuits, sacrifice is difficult, but it is good. the hope that we can hold onto, even when sacrifice is hard, is that our covenant is made with one who is righteous.
Prayer:
Loving God please prepare our hearts for the season of Lent.  Gather us to you as your faithful ones, and show us the way of sacrifice.  Amen
(The Covenant Home Alter, author Josh Danielson)