Lent 2010 #39

Matthew 27:57-66

57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. ⁵⁸He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. ⁵⁹So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth ⁶⁰and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. ⁶¹Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. ⁶²The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate ⁶³and said, 'Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, "After three days I will rise again." ⁶⁴Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, "He has been raised from the dead", and the last deception would be worse than the first.' ⁶⁵Pilate said to them, 'You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.' ⁶⁶So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.

THOUGHTS:

So can you believe it is Easter eve?  We are about to celebrate the most important day of the Christian year and one of the most important days in human history.  For me Lent has flown by.  It seems like just yesterday when I was enjoying Fat Tuesday Pancakes and receiving Ash Wednesday Ashes.  Now we have celebrated the Last Supper, remembered the Crucifixion, and prepare to celebrate the Resurrection.

When I read the above passage, I am reminded of several things I would like to share.  First I am reminded of the passion play.  I had the privilege of seeing The Passion play in Oberammergau, Germany.  Every ten years this city puts the play together that is shown dozens of times.  It is a two day marathon, in which hundreds of people pack an outdoor stage to watch.  It is presented in German, but comes across with a universal understanding.  People come from all over the world just to see this play.  Seeing the way everyone in this small country town come together around the story of Christ, has been one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

I can't help but think of Paul Harvey when I read these verses.  We know parts of the story, (we know the whole story in fact) but now we are filling in or being reminded of the details.  Christ was dead.  His body prepared for burial and then placed in a sealed tomb.  Tomorrow we will be able to say; now we "know the rest of the story".


PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the sacrifice of Christ.  Allow us to finish Lent on a high note, and have a meaning full Easter. Amen.

--

Thoughts by Christopher Bergtholdt, a Senior at George Mason University involved with LCM-GMU

--

These devotions for young adults are provided by:

Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran

Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~lutheran/lsa/

DC Young Adults http://www.dcyoungadults.org/

--

***Feel free to share them with your friends!***

View or subscribe to these devotions by RSS or email from http://lentendevotions.blogspot.com

Also available on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7958874287

Lent 2010 #31

Matthew 12:22

Then they brought to him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him, so that the one who had been mute could speak and see.

THOUGHTS:

How many times am I blind to the pain and suffering of others or blind to the ways I may hurt those around me.  How often am I mute when Love would ask me to speak.  I tell myself I am too busy or what will others think.  I leave it unsaid.  It is with the strength of Christ's love for me that I dare to see and it is in the compassion Christ brings to my life that I dare to speak engaging the world.

PRAYER: 

During this time of repentance help our blind eyes and muted voices to come to life as instruments of the spirit of God at work. Amen.

--

Thoughts by participants in the Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland

--

These devotions for young adults are provided by:

Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran

Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~lutheran/lsa/

DC Young Adults http://www.dcyoungadults.org/

--

***Feel free to share them with your friends!***

View or subscribe to these devotions by RSS or email from http://lentendevotions.blogspot.com

Also available on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7958874287

Lent 2010 #10

Matthew 23:37-39 (NRSV)

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you, desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

REFLECTION:

The contrast between harsh and tender in this passage really strikes me. On one hand, Jerusalem "kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it", but on the other hand, Jesus longs to gather us "together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings". Jesus tells us that if we allow Him to gather us together, God will give us comfort and strength against the harsher parts of life, and we will have each other in community, under the wings of God, for support. So let us say "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord (verse 39)" and return to our Mother Hen to be kept safe.

PRAYER:

Comforting God, help us to listen to your call, and be gathered up in your wings together; so that we can have strength, comfort, and support on our journeys. AMEN.

--
Thoughts by Anna Jones, Sophomore at George Mason University involved with Lutheran Campus Ministry

--

These devotions for young adults are provided by:

Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran

Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~lutheran/lsa/

DC Young Adults http://www.dcyoungadults.org/

--

Feel free to share them with your friends!

View or subscribe to these devotions by RSS or email from http://lentendevotions.blogspot.com

Also available on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7958874287

Lent 2010 #5 - True faith

Matthew 15:21-28 (NRSV)

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." He answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly.


THOUGHTS:

"Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly. (verse 28)

Often we are afraid to ask for help. We fear that we are undeserving or that the help will not be delivered. Yet the woman in this story is a striking example of how powerful our pleas to God can be. Despite not being an Israelite, one of God's chosen people, she had faith that even the "crumbs" of God's grace would be sufficient to cure her daughter.

PRAYER:

Awesome God, may be too have the faith to intently and expectantly make our pleas to you. Amen.

--
Thoughts by participants in the Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland

--

These devotions for young adults are provided by:
Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran
Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~lutheran/lsa/
DC Young Adults http://www.dcyoungadults.org/
--
Feel free to share them with your friends!

View or subscribe to these devotions by RSS or email from http://lentendevotions.blogspot.com
Also available on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7958874287

Lent 2009 #17

Matthew 18:21-35 

Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.  For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. so the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will pay you everything.' and out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, 'Pay what you owe.' Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him,  'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.'  But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him,'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' and in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive you brother or sister from your heart."

THOUGHTS (by Pastor Lisa Hufford):
The man owed his lord billions of dollars. It was a debt so large that he could never hope to repay it. His plea for forgiveness sounds just as absurd as those in the news who ask for forgiveness after squandering and losing billions of peoples' life savings on highly risky money making schemes. How do we even think about forgiving people who destroy our financial well being and the livelihood of people around the globe? How do people forgive those whose rape and murder sons and daughters, mothers and fathers in places like Rwanda and South Africa? How do we forgive our parents for the hurt they caused us or our spouses for their betrayal of our trust? How is it possible to let go of our anger and even our rage to forgive seventy-seven times, as Jesus tells us to do? But what happens if we don't forgive? What does our future look like without forgiveness? Is it true that there is no future without forgiveness as Desmond Tutu claims? 

One of my friends in seminary was John, a Lutheran pastor from Rwanda. In the refugee camp in Uganda John came to the same conclusion that Desmond Tutu came to: There is no future without forgiveness.Eventually, John, strengthened  by God's grace, gathered the courage to begin to model that forgiveness, extending his hand to those of the other tribal group. 

Forgiveness is not easy when we are filled with anger, rage, pain and brokenness over what was done. While we never forget the pain and the hurt inflicted on us, forgiveness invites us to release all that hurt into God's care and to move forward, allowing the seeds of new life to take root in us. It seems to me that in many situations forgiveness is not within our own human power. It is only through God's care and love for us that we are enabled to move towards forgiveness. It is indeed by the grace of God that we forgive and move towards nurturing the seeds of new life.

PRAYER:
Let us pray:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive  those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

--

Today's devotion is written by Pastor Lisa Hufford.  If you'd like to discuss topics of faith with her, come to our Faith Discussion Group on Wednesday (3/18 or 3/25) in SUB I Patriot's Lounge.

---

These devotions are provided by Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University .  Feel free to share them with your friends!  For more information on our ministry and events, see http://gmu.edu/org/lutheran  

You can subscribe to these devotions by RSS or email from http://lentendevotions.blogspot.com

Lent 2009 #16

Psalm 19:7-13   

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple;

8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.

13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

THOUGHTS:

God's laws are more to be desired then "much find gold."  We tend to think of laws as merely a list of things we can't do.  The law restricts us from speeding, killing, parking certain places, etc.  To be sure, that's a common view of God's commandments too.  People don't like that God made us  how we are, then tells us "thou shalt not" do whatever you want. 

Yet the psalmist rejoices in these "rules." Why?

Many of the decrees found in scripture aren't about controlling people, but rather they teach us how to live in community with each other.  Maybe that's why, when asked what the greatest commandment is in Matthew 22, Jesus replied, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Next time you are reading God's "rules" -- try reading them through a lens of love.  Ask yourself, how does this commandment help me understand love?  How does it help me share God's love with those around me?

 

PRAYER:

Lord, help us to see those around us as you do.  Help us to love as you love.  Help us to serve you with our whole selves, as Jesus did.  AMEN.

---

These devotions are provided by Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University .  Feel free to share them with your friends!  For more information on our ministry and events, see http://gmu.edu/org/lutheran  

You can subscribe to these devotions by RSS or email from http://lentendevotions.blogspot.com

Lent 2009 #4

Matthew 9:9-13 

9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. 

10 And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples.11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."

THOUGHTS:

     As you were growing up, did anyone ever tell you that "you'll be judged by the company you keep"?  While I can't deny that people may judge you unjustly, Jesus clearly models sitting down to a meal with people that the "respectable" people (politicians, religious leaders, etc.) preferred to avoid.  More than that, Jesus calls sinners to serve as his disciples.  He befriends them and entrusts his ministry to them after his death and resurrection.  As I wrote yesterday, it isn't about being good enough.

     In Lutheran theology, we understand ourselves to be "simul jusus et peccator" -- simultaneously both saint and sinner.   In a letter to his friend Philip Melanchthon on August 1, 1521, Martin Luther wrote: "Be a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly...Pray boldly--you too are a mighty sinner."  In their concert last night, the band Lost and Found expressed how central these paradoxes are to their faith, that we are both good and bad, both captive and free, both sinner and saint, both lost and found -- all at the same time!

     In my relationship with God, I am a sinner because I have a self-centered failure to trust God -- a tendency to think I know best.  At the same time, I am a saint because God forgives my sins and remembers them no more -- and this is mysteriously accomplished in the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ.

     As we journey together this Lent, how can you be more open to God's calling in your life?  How can you make yourself more ready and willing to follow where God leads you?

PRAYER:

God, we are amazed at your merciful graciousness in forgiving our sins.  Thank you!  Help us to center our lives in trusting YOU.  Help us to live more fully in your presence and to be open to your calling in our lives.  In Jesus name, AMEN.

---

PS:  If you want to discuss theology -- how God intersects our lives and world -- in a safe, open environment, then join us at Brion's Grille on Tues 3/3 at 5:15pm .  Contact lutheran@gmu.edu for details/rides. 

---

These devotions are provided by Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University.  Feel free to share them with your friends!  For more information on our ministry and events, see http://gmu.edu/org/lutheran  

You can subscribe to these devotions by RSS or email from http://lentendevotions.blogspot.com

Lent Day #40

Matthew 27:57-66 (NRSV)

⁵⁷When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. ⁵⁸He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. ⁵⁹So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth ⁶⁰and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. ⁶¹Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. ⁶²The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate ⁶³and said, "Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, 'After three days I will rise again.' ⁶⁴Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, 'He has been raised from the dead,' and the last deception would be worse than the first." ⁶⁵Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can." ⁶⁶So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.

 

THOUGHTS:

The gospels tell us that Jesus was laid in the tomb on Friday evening, but they don't tell us a lot about the events of that Saturday. 

It was the Sabbath, so the disciples wouldn't have been working. 

 

I imagine they were in shock.  They had seen Jesus perform so many miracles -- it is possible that some of them held out a little hope that he would pull off a miraculous show-stopper to cheat death even as he hung on the cross.  Their hearts must have felt completely torn apart when they realized he had died.  They may have been skeptical about him being able to rise from the dead.  (Once dead, isn't it had to do anything -- including raise yourself?)   Yet the Romans remembered his words and stationed guards to prevent the disciples from pulling off any pranks.  They acknowledge that they think the story of a resurrected Jesus would not go well for them.

 

Today, we know the rest of the story.  Even while envisioning the Christ laying in the tomb, we know that tomorrow that tomb will be empty.  As we think about these events today, we aren't mired in grief, but rather wait in anticipation.  We sit watch ... waiting for tomorrow morning ...

 

PRAYER:

Today, spend some time thinking about your Lenten experience -- ponder something that sticks out in your mind or how your heart has been affected this year.  Consider where you think God may be calling you as Easter approaches.  Pray -- chat with God about these things...

Lent Day #39 - Good Friday

Matthew 26:62-66 (ESV)
62 And the high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?" 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64 Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?" They answered, "He deserves death."

THOUGHTS:
Today is "Good Friday". Why do we call the day Jesus died "good"?

It is a day that proclaims God's purpose of loving and redeeming the world
through the cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is a day that is good because
God was drawing the world to God's self in Christ. As seen in John's gospel,
particularly, God was in control. God was not making the best of a bad
situation, but was working out God's intention for the world — winning salvation
for all people. We call it "good" because we look backward at the crucifixion
through the lens of Easter! (From http://archives.umc.org/frames.asp?url=http%3A//www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp%3Fact%3Dreader%26item_id=2619&loc_id=9%2C10,32,49)

There is a great article by George S. Johnson in "The Lutheran" this month about the 'other' reason Jesus died on the cross. It acknowledges that Jesus died to atone for our sins, but it also points out that that isn't the reason that the Roman government hung him on a cross. The article focuses on looking at the reasons that scripture gives for how Jesus ends up on the cross, including:

• advocating that there are things more important than rules;
• violating Jewish laws governing actions on the Sabbath;
• blasphemous teachings about forgiveness;
• confronting the system of domination that violated God's intentions; and
• exposing corruption in religion.

When you read your Bible, do you see Jesus as subversive and countercultural?

Those in power saw Jesus as a threat to the peace and security of their society, yet many of us prefer to picture Jesus in a nice peaceful role. When we receive communion, do we remember that the death of Jesus was the consequence for confronting oppression?


A couple of quotes from the article:

"The proclamation of the gospel includes a declaration of God's justice: God's action to bring about an alternative to violence, greed, hunger and domination."


"As I read the Scriptures, I'm reminded that Jesus died because he was considered a threat to a society that neglected the poor and worshiped the sword."

I can't help but notice a parallel to a martyr from a more recent time: Martin Luther King, Jr. also died challenging the status quo. His powerful words show he knew he was well outside the bounds of the established system:

"These are extreme times, and the question isn't whether or not we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be. Will you be extremists for love or for hatred?"

Read Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV):

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

What is your cross?

PRAYER:

God, today as I ask that you help me to understand what cross you've given me to bear. Help me to faithfully carry out the tasks that you have given to this servant of yours. For the sake of Jesus. AMEN.

Lent Day #29

Luke 10:29-37 (ESV)
29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30 Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" 37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise."

THOUGHTS:
This parable immediately follows Luke's version of the passage we looked at on Saturday. Jesus just told the lawyer that he will live if he loves God with his everything and loves his neighbor as himself. The lawyer is obviously concerned with the bit about loving his neighbor. I wonder if he is hoping Jesus will say, "those family who lives next door" or "those who look like you and think like you". Most likely, the popular answer would have been "your fellow Israelites".

Instead, Jesus basically says: "Who do you hate most? Yeah, him -- he's your neighbor."

Jews hated the Samaritans. They wouldn't use dishes that had been used by them, or socialize with them. Samaritans were certainly not considered "neighbors". The were spat upon and certainly did not look fondly upon the Jews either! It's unmistakable that Jesus advocates that we love our enemies. Look at Matthew 5:43-44 (ESV) where Jesus says:

43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you"

It isn't a love that equates to mere toleration either. Jesus says to love our neighbors as ourselves. This story in Luke also gives a model for what that might look like. The Samaritan tenderly bandages his wounds, picks up his enemy and transports him to a place he can recover, and pays the whole bill to achieve a full recovery. He doesn't say, "I'll pay the bill if he can't afford it" -- he offers to pay the bill unconditionally. This Samaritan gives up his own time, energy, and money to help his enemy.

Have we watered down, or ignored, the message of Jesus?

I struggle a lot with passing motorists in need along the highway. I run a tight schedule and tend to have the following choice:
1. Arrive late for a meeting (which I may be running) and help change a flat tire, jump start a battery, or push a car out of the mud, etc.
2. Arrive on time and ignore those in need along the side of the highway.

That is not even an enemy. As often as not, I choose to ignore a random stranger because I can't be late. I know that they are probably running late too -- and more so by the minute. I put my own schedule and needs above theirs -- the exact definition of loving myself more than my neighbor.

What about an actual enemy? What about:
... someone who got you unfairly fired from a job?
... a member of a rival sports team?
... a person you believe to be part of Al-Qaeda or the Taliban?
... someone who killed your friend or family member?

Would you, could you, love them as yourself?


PRAYER:
Dear Lord, help us to understand this very difficult teaching -- not just with our minds, but with our hearts. Help us to learn to truly love our neighbors as ourselves. Guide us though these challenging times. Aide us in acting for the benefit of others, rather than always for ourselves. For Jesus sake, AMEN.

Lent Day #28

Matthew 22:34-40 (ESV)
34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

THOUGHTS:
One of the fads of Christianity of the past decade has been the WWJD craze. There are T-shirts, bracelets, books, and more all reminding us to ask ourselves "What Would Jesus Do?" It's a valid question, but if we want to boil discipleship down to one question, is it the best question?

Jesus said over and over again that he was here to do the will of God. Maybe a better question is "What is God calling me to do in this situation?" It's not as catchy, I know. Maybe I'll have to work on that.

Or maybe the answer is staring at us right here in these verses. Jesus is flat out asked what the most important commandment. Frequently, Jesus answers questions with more questions. This time he doesn't. He says that "all the Law and the Prophets" -- the bulk of Hebrew scripture -- can be boiled down to loving God and loving our neighbor. In a bit more detail, we are to love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind. In ***, Jesus includes "all of your might" in the list. Think about these items. Our heart is associated with our feelings that bubble up from our gut. Our soul is viewed as our spiritual essence. Our mind is how we logically process and understand information. Our might encompasses our determination and physical endurance. We are to love God with the totality of our being -- with EVERYTHING we are.

Do we even have *control* over ALL of these aspects? If they are involuntary, can we train these aspects of ourselves?

How do we love God with all of our heart, and all of our soul, and all of our mind, and all of our might?

Maybe instead of WWJD, we should ask in each situation "How do I show love for God and neighbor?"

PRAYER:
Dearest Lord, help us to learn to love you with all of our heart, soul, mind, and might. Thank you for being with us as we go through our days. Please immerse us in your grace and peace. In the name of Jesus, the Christ, your son. AMEN.

Lent Day #22

Matthew 4:8-11 (ESV)
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

"'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'"

11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

THOUGHTS:

Jesus has just been tempted to turn rocks into bread to fill his belly and to throw himself off a high height to prove he is God's son. Now he is tempted to abandon his faith in God's plan ... to turn his back on God's will ... and to reign the earth in power and glory. In some ways, he's tempted to do what many expected the Messiah would do: take over and rule (justly with divine wisdom, of course).

He doesn't do it. He asserts that he is God's man, through and through. He proclaims that he will follow God's plan even if it seems foolish at times. He proclaims that God is the only entity he will worship or serve.

We worship many things, even though we tend to deny it. Most of us worship money. If you think you don't, hand me $100 of your money and tell me to set it on fire. I know you can find better things to spend your money on. That's not the point...

What if I were to pull out my own $100 bill and light it in front of you? Do you feel you body tighten just to think about it? Why?

What else do we worship? Many of us worship our time -- how hard is it to sacrifice our own plans to help someone else, especially someone we don't know? Some of us worship technology -- we drool at the excesses of our modern society. Others of us worship our own ideas -- we think that our opinions are superior and others are wrong. It's hard not to worship our stuff -- have you ever felt personally injured when you watch one of your favorite possessions break? What do you worship?

Take a moment for self-examination and really dig deep. Confess your failings to God. We all fall short -- it's part of being human. Yet we seek to repent -- to really turn from our ways to try to put God first in our lives...

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, help us to worship you, and only you, with all of our strength, all of our soul, all of our mind, and all of our might. Help us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Help us to put you first and foremost in our lives. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.

Lent Day #21

This immediately follows the verses from yesterday, where Jesus was tempted eat rocks (after turning them into bread).

MATTHEW 4:5-7 (ESV)

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

"'He will command his angels concerning you,' and

"'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'"

7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

THOUGHTS:

This is an odd temptation. The temptation yesterday made more sense, didn't it? Scripture tells us that Jesus had been fasting for 40 days and 40 nights. He was HUNGRY, and he was presented with an option to eat BIG, filling, loaves of bread. Cause and effect are pretty clear.

Today, Jesus sees himself on the highest point of the temple in Jerusalem, presented with the option to prove he is the "Son of God".

We still don't know if the devil is a literal being or figurative representation of what Jesus experienced, but either option seems reasonable. We also shouldn't be concerned with whether Jesus was historically sitting on top of a spire, or immersed in an illusion in the wilderness of the same thing. Either way, it is fair to say that Jesus was really faced with the temptation.

So what is the cause and effect? We are told Jesus is tempted to prove he is the Son of God by base-jumping with only angels as a parachute. Cause = jumping. Effect = proof he's God's son or death if he isn't. And who is supposed to be convinced by this proof?

God and the angels presumably know the answer already, as they are supposed to provide the proof.

The "devil" appears to already know who Jesus is...otherwise it wouldn't make much sense to tempt him in these ways. If I'm hungry and tempted to turn rocks into bread, I don't need to consider scripture -- I can dismiss the idea is unrealistic. I just can't do it -- I don't have the power! For the first temptation to be a temptation, both Jesus and the "devil" must believe he has the power to turn rocks into bread. Besides, if the proof is for the "devil" who whisked him to the pinnacle, that might be able to be easily obtained. If Jesus was physically moved here, why not physically move him over 20 feet and see what happens? (Granted, this doesn't work if the temptation is an illusion.)

So, to whom is Jesus supposed to be proving himself? Could it be that Jesus is struggling with his own identity? Is Jesus struggling with doubts about the path he's choosing? Is Jesus being tempted to prove to *himself* that he really is "the One" by testing God? Is Jesus wondering if being Messiah is really the right career for him?

Many of us still struggle with this today. Are we in the right major? Are we in the right jobs? Are we on the right path? Should we work our way up to the top of this ladder, or slide down and start seeking other options? Are my plans going to work?

I think maybe this is exactly what this temptation is. I know I'm not the only pint-sized punk who has ever had the arrogance to ask "am I the second coming?" (Yes, I've had friends admit they pondered the same question as a child.) From a child's point of view, it's not really all that different from when I wondered if I could be Superman or any other hero. I was certainly skeptical about it. Little tests at lifting heavy things, jumping up to see if I could fly, trying to turn water into juice or part a puddle. None of it worked and I concluded I was just the me I already knew, and that was OK too.

Maybe Jesus had his own moment of skepticism about his future. His response was to *trust* God. Maybe he is living out what he talks about later: "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34 NIV).

PRAYER:

God, help us to trust in you. Help us to face the worrisome decisions in life with faith, and lead us to make good decisions. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.

NOTES:
Reminder that we will gather this afternoon to watch the Simpsons, discuss, and play games. I'll bring the munchies too! Feel free to bring friends. JC meeting room B from 3pm-6pm. Get more info at http://gmu.edu/org/lutheran

Lent Day #20

Matthew 4:1-4 (ESV)
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." 4 But he answered, "It is written,

"'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

THOUGHTS:
Many Bibles tend to head this section "The Temptation of Jesus". The use of "The" implies that this was the only time in his life that Jesus was tempted. We don't know that. Looking ahead to the night he is arrested to be crucified, Jesus says something like "Father, all things are possible for you. If you are willing, allow this cup to pass from me. Yet, not what I want, but what you will." (Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:36, and Luke 22:42). Just as Jesus is tempted when we begins his ministry, he is tempted near the end. We don't really know, but it's possible that much of the time when he goes off alone to pray, he is trying to fight of temptations he is feeling.

In Matthew 4:1-4 above, we see Jesus being tempted by "the tempter". With all of the focus given to the image in the media, we probably picture a big red devil with the horns and pitch fork taunting Jesus. Think about the temptations in your life ... is a big red devil standing beside you? I've never seen one. It's just as reasonable to assume his temptations worked like ours so often do: a little voice inside his head is whispering: "You are hungry. You can provide yourself with food. Do it."

The devil imagery actually makes it easier to resist, doesn't it? There is an entity to stand up to. There is an "enemy" to rebel against. How much harder is it to fight the voices in our head that tempt us each day?

"Don't give that bum a dollar, he'll spend it on booze."
"Don't go to worship, you have homework to do."
"Don't give that money to a homeless shelter, you need a new iPod."

It seems we can be expected to be tempted throughout our lives...each and every day. Today, look inside yourself to identify what temptations you struggle with. Can you name them? Feel free to insert them in the prayer below.

PRAYER:
God, we feel many temptations, both from within us and from the world around us. Help us to resist the temptations we face each day, especially ...
Help us to focus on You when we are in the midst of these temptations. Help us to remember that You live in us and we live through You. May your will be done in our lives. AMEN.

Lent Day #4

Matthew 6:25-34 (ESV)
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."


THOUGHTS:
To me, this passage captures something central to my understanding of what Lent is about: that we spend much of our time and energy trying to live as self-sufficient individuals. We like to be the kind of people who might give to charity, but we don't want to rely on anyone, and this includes God.

Do you feel you have to "do it all yourself"?

It isn't very feasible to live in modern American society and never plan for the future. Most careers require a proper education. There are logistics that simply need to be addressed sometimes. When does this planning go too far?

I sometimes find myself just staring into my closet pondering which of my multitude of shirts I'll put on. Sometimes I'm trying to make sure I'll be adequately warm, but more often it is thinking about what is most appropriate for the social settings I'll be in that day -- answering questions like "Do I want to put on the sharp blue shirt to the crisp tan shirt?" (Yes, I know that nothing will be different tomorrow based on the decision.) If I start to add the time up, I probably spend hours each year staring at the closet. Examining it now, it just feels shallow.

I'm not saying this verse advocates making decisions about food and clothing as "grab what is fastest and go". I'm just suggesting taking a moment to think about the things you agonize over. Is it worth it? Is there some anxiousness that you can turn over to God this Lent? Are there things that you simply have too much of?

Are their ways that our individualism prevents us from really experiencing all the joys of community?


PRAYER FOR LENT:
(From the Lutheran Book of Prayer, 1970)


Lord, bring us close to Your cross that we might know how You loved us and gave Yourself for us.

We would keep Lent, Lord, in a way is pleasing to You. As we follow You from the garden to Calvary, do not let us follow afar off, lest we deny You. Help us watch and pray with You that we may not fall into temptation.


Enlighten us that we may see by faith that You knelt in prayer for us, that You, the Holy One, were judged a criminal by unholy men for us, that You suffered the whiplashes of angry sinners as our sinless Savior, that You stumbled under the cross as our Suffering Servant, that you died as the Lamb of god in our stead and for our sake.


Lord Jesus, through it all help us hear in Your prayer the single purpose for which You endured pain and death: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Amen

Lent Day #3

Matthew 9:9-13
9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.
10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

THOUGHTS:
I remember growing sometimes hearing things like "you don't want to hang out with those people because they are trouble and people will think that you are like them." I protested that Jesus ate with the sinners and that maybe I'd be a good influence on them, but my arguments weren't persuasive. Years later, I still stand by what I said then. If anything, I'm more convinced that we are called by God to get to know our neighbors no matter what anyone else thinks -- especially those that don't fit society's norms! ("Normal" is a hogwash term anyway. People are unique individuals and everyone deviates from the norm a litte bit, and that is a *good* thing.) I'm actually less focused on being a good influence on the people around me as far as motive goes -- though I certainly hope I'm not a bad influence!

As I pointed out yesterday, God loves us even while we are sinners and sees the righteousness of the Christ when looking at us, even though we don't deserve anything like this! I want to share this grace with the world! I want to explore the diversity of God's creation -- to listen to the struggles that people face, and to hear their hopes and dreams. I want to be present for them and to help them work through the issues they face. I want to be part of what God is doing in the world that I walk through each day -- so often oblivious to what is going on around me. That's what I think the motive should be: being present for people who might need us and open to God working through us in ways we don't understand.

Yet most days I am so involved in my own obligations that I don't do a very good job at this. This Lent, look honestly at whether you spend time with people on the margins as Jesus did. Ask yourself why or why not? Ask yourself if this is an important part of your faith. Pray about how God might use you in small ways as a vessel of grace to those in need that you pass by each day. Consider that merely being present for people may be all the "effort" really required.

PRAYER:
Gracious Lord, you have created such wonderful diversity! We know that there is much that we can learn from people who look, think, and live differently that we do. Help us to notice people around us, rather than passing them by. Help us to be cognizant of their needs. Help us remember to pray for the people we see each day. Allow your grace to flow through us into the world. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

NOTES:

1. If you want to comment on my thoughts for a particular day, use the comments at the bottom of that post.

2. GMU Lutheran Campus Ministry is part of Northern Virginia Lutheran Campus Ministries. Our ministry is focused on students attending George Mason University or other colleges in northern Virginia -- and we don't just mean Lutherans ... we welcome everyone! For more information, see http://gmu.edu/org/lutheran