Christian Reflection and Prayer

(Lenten Meditation)

Read John 10:11-39.

TEXT: (Jesus said) "I am the
Good Shepherd. I know My own
and My own know Me." ... "and
I lay down My life for the sheep"
(John 10:14, 15b).

In today's reading Jesus identifies
Himself as our Good Shepherd.
This, of course, means that we
are like sheep. That automatically
says two things about us: we are
helpless creatures, and we have
powerful enemies against which
we are defenseless. But are the
crowds willing to admit this-that
they need Jesus to be their shepherd?

Jesus tells them He will freely lay
down His life to save them from their
enemies. He will lay it down on Good
Friday when He is nailed to the cross
and gives up His life for the sins of the
world. But He will take it up again on
the third day when He rises in glorious
victory.

The crowds hear this great news, and
find themselves divided yet again! Some
say He has a demon, or He is insane.
But others, thinking how Jesus healed
the man born blind, ask, "Can a demon
open the eyes of the blind?"

Jesus made some very bold statements
about Himself and the work He came to do.
Few are as powerful or as comforting as
these words. Jesus Christ has been
pleased to take us as His very own sheep,
and will guard us, protect us, lead us to
good pasture, care for us in body and
soul and finally lead us through death
to life everlasting.

Jesus stretches out His hand to you today.
If you are His sheep, listen to His voice,
He will protect you from all enemies and
guide you safely home to paradise. He
promises that nothing can snatch you
out of His hands.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for
offering to hold me firmly and safely in Your
hands. Let me never wander away in unbelief.
Amen.

Lutheran Hour Ministries

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)