Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lent

By Rev. Wayne Palmer
Ash Wednesday:


Read Exodus 12:21-24. TEXT: Now the Feast of Unleavened
Bread drew near, which is called the Passover (Luke 22:1).


The backdrop for our Lenten journey is the Jewish Passover.
Long before Jesus' day this Jewish festival enjoyed a rich, long
history, dating back to the time of the Exodus when God
delivered His people from slavery in Egypt.

The Passover was the tenth and final plague God brought upon
Egypt. Since Egypt's leader, Pharaoh, had stubbornly refused
to obey His command to free the Israelites, at midnight God
would send a destroying angel to pass throughout the land of
Egypt and kill all the firstborn children, including Pharaoh's own
heir.

But in love, God provided a way to escape this devastating
plague. A lamb could be slain in place of the firstborn and its
blood spread over the door frame of the house. When the angel
of death reached a blood-marked house, God would command
it to pass over and leave the firstborn unharmed.

Now we join Jesus as He prepares to celebrate His last Passover
festival. While reminding His followers of that first great
deliverance, He prepares to accomplish an even greater
deliverance by sacrificing Himself and shedding His own blood on
the cross of Calvary. All who believe on Him are marked by His
blood.

Then on the Last Day when Jesus Christ returns to raise the dead,
He will command the angel of death to pass over all believers who
are marked in His blood by faith.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, Passover Lamb of God, thank You for offering Your
own body and blood to deliver us from the angel of death. During
this Lenten season deepen my appreciation for Your great sacrifice
that I may be so thankful I won't be able keep the glorious news to
myself. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

"No prophet is ever accepted in his own country"
(Luke 4:24).

You've heard the expression "what's in a name?"
Well you may be interested to know that in ancient
times, certain Hindu names were used as an
expression of gratitude for blessings received, or
wishes fulfilled -- or to show an association with an
event, a time, a place or a person. For example,
the name Dukhi means miserable or sorrowful -- a
name bestowed to ward off the envy of the gods.
The name Sukhi, means at ease, tranquil or content
-- and was used to show prosperity.

In a modern day parable, brothers Sukhi (the
optimist) and Dukhi (the pessimist) set off down the
road just as a flock of birds swoop in. And just like
that, Sukhi is wiping his head with his handkerchief.
Seeing this, Dukhi asks, "why are you smiling with
that mess on your head? You should be irritated!"
Sukhi answers, "I smile because I thank God. I thank
God for not making buffaloes fly!"

We may not call that particular situation a blessing,
but surely we can do better recognizing God's infinite
blessings, if only we have eyes to see them!  

(Sunday Sermons Online)

Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘Look, half
of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I
have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four
times as much.’
Luke 19:8

Voice

It is impossible to identify and prosecute all the previous
acts of brutality over the course of America's history of
white racism, but we need clear admission of those sins
and an asking for forgiveness on the part of white
Americans, followed by deeds and behaviors that signify
real change.
Jim Wallis, in his new book, America's Original Sin.

Prayer

Lord, like Zaccheus, we desperately want to see your
face. And so, give us the courage to do justice, to
correct the wrongs we have committed, and to care for
the poor among us.