Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lenten Meditation

Read John 9:1-16.

TEXT: "Some of the Pharisees said,
'This man is not from God, for He
does not keep the Sabbath.' But
others said, 'How can a man who is
a sinner do such things?' And there
was a division among them" (John 9:16).

Leaving the temple grounds Jesus
passes through Jerusalem. Along the
way His disciples point out a man born
blind. They ask if his blindness is a
result of his parents' sin or his own.
Jesus rejects both claims, and says
this man was born blind so the works
of God may be displayed in him. Then
Jesus gave the man sight.

When word reaches the Pharisees
there is a sharp division among them.
Some immediately reject Jesus
because He healed on the Sabbath day.
Blinded by their tradition they are unable
to see God's great purpose for the
Sabbath-to let people rest from their
labors and let God work in their lives.
Others realize the magnitude of the work
Jesus has done. Like Nicodemus before
(see John 3), they know no sinful man
could perform such a mighty miracle.
So a division arises among the Pharisees.

Jesus continues to divide people today.
Some listen to His words, consider His
miracles and are led by the Holy Spirit to
the certain faith that He is God's Son, the
Savior of the world. Others ignore the plain
truth and take issue with the way Jesus
taught and the demands they think
He makes on their lives. They doubt His
relevance and prefer to live their lives their
own way.

God grant us His Holy Spirit to know Jesus
as God's Son, our only Savior and Lord,
and to follow Him through all.

PRAYER: Spirit of God, strengthen my
faith in Jesus Christ my Lord, and give me
firm confidence when others are divided over
Him. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Lutheran Hour Ministries

Scripture:

Proverbs 22:9

 9 The generous will themselves
be blessed,for they share their
food with the poor. (NIV)

Matthew 19:21

 21 Jesus answered, “If you want
to be perfect, go, sell your
possessions and give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven.
Then come, follow me.”

Luke 6:20

 20 Looking at his disciples,
he said:
 “Blessed are you who are poor,
 for yours is the kingdom of God.
(NIV)

Reflection:

We keep hearing the same mantra
from congressional leaders:

“The government is out of money.”

But our country’s problem isn’t just
spending -- it’s misplaced priorities.

Congress keeps stalling on passing
last year’s budget. And now, some
members are moving from neglect of
the poor to targeting of the poor. For
people of faith like you and me, this
is an assault against those whom
God specifically instructs us to protect
and whose well-being is the biblical
test of a nation’s righteousness.

Did you know that $11.2 billion is at
stake for early childhood education
programs, but recent tax breaks for
the estates of millionaires cost
$11.5 billion? Or that $4.1 billion for
job training programs for the unemployed
and new workers could be cut while tax
breaks for offshore operations of U.S.
financial firms (worth $4.1 billion)
are safe?1

This is why we can’t allow this issue to
be ignored, glossed over, or forgotten.

Be a part of "What Would Jesus Cut?"
campaign.  REACH OUT TO YOUR
NEIGHBORS, REACH OUT TO
CHRISTIANS ACROSS THE NATION.
RAISE YOUR VOICE, AS LOUD AS
POSSIBLE TO TRY AND STOP THIS
MORALLY UNACCEPTABLE BUDGET!
Obviously we have a case of upside-down
priorities. Telling our nation that we are
broke and that we should cut safety net
programs for the poor is a joke -- really
an insult. Defend the  poor, ask the tough
questions, and CALL PEOPLE TO
PRAYER, FASTING AND ACTION! 

Our federal budget priorities must uplift
people who are left most vulnerable and
undefended against those with many
resources and lobbyists. So call on people
of faith to consider a month of prayer,
fasting, and action.

GOD BLESS US ALL!

(for more information go to Sojourners@sojo.net)

Lenten Meditation

Die in Your Sins

Read John 8:12-30.

TEXT: "Again Jesus spoke to
them saying, 'I am the Light of
the world.' ..." (John 8:12a).

Jesus' enemies want Him dead.
Has He pressed too hard? Is it
time to lighten up or compromise
to find common ground? No!
Jesus knows there is only one
way for them to be saved. So
He presses even harder. He
declares, "I am the Light of
the world."

Instead of backing down
Jesus draws a line in the sand
and says, "Whoever follows Me
will not walk in darkness, but
will have the light of life." But
to those who reject Him, He
says, "I am going away, and
you will seek Me, and you
will die in your sin."

Their hearts should be stirred,
but instead they stubbornly
refuse to listen. In idle curiosity
they ask each other if Jesus'
talk of "going away" means He
will kill Himself. Jesus answers,
"When you have lifted up the
Son of Man, you will know that
I am He."

When they lift Him up and nail
 Him to the cross, they will know
who He is. The miraculous signs
at His death: the darkness, the
earthquake, the torn curtain in the
temple and His glorious resurrection
will make it clear to them that
Jesus is the mighty Son of God,
the promised Messiah.

Which side of the line are you
walking on? Are you truly walking
in the light of Christ or the darkness
of this unbelieving world? Jesus
warns all of us that our time is short.
Don't wait for tomorrow. Today is
the day to live in Christ through faith,
rather than die in your sins.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, bring me
out of the darkness of my sin to the
light of Your Son Jesus Christ. I pray
in His Name. Amen.

Lutheran Ministries