WATCHWORD:
1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:1-10
38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” John 11:38-44
Meditation:
The Lenten Vigil Begins
Choosing a theme to base a meditation upon during Lent is, let’s say, a challenge. Any other time of the year, the spark that sets off the writing of a meditation could come from any source, but primarily from devotional readings, prayers, or, perhaps, a sermon heard in church or from a televangelist. The writer is not bound by any preconceived idea, or theme. Lent is different, at least in my mind. This is a “dark season”, one of confession, persecution and, toward the end, the anguish of Calvary. Then, of course, Sunday comes, and everything changes.
It’s possible that my view of Lent is colored by my own experience watching my father, a pastor, prepare for this season, with extra worship services, and outreach each week. I think it’s true for all pastors heading into both Advent and Lent. They are faced with preparing for multiple services and special events within the church, on top of the routine of a regular Sunday morning. At any rate, I don’t really welcome Lent, so much as welcoming the season of the year, like it’s a run up to spring and warm weather, and, of course, I do like that “Sunday” that is coming!
So much happened in the life of Jesus during these 40 days that we call Lent. So many events that we could call to mind occurred, as He and his disciples made their way along the Jordan River to Jericho, then from Jericho up the long, dangerous and steep road that led to Jerusalem and to Calvary.
Somewhere near the small village of Gadara, he preached and then provided bread and fish to feed four thousand men and uncounted family members. In Jericho, he brought a dishonest tax collector to redemption, along with that man’s family. At Elisha’s Spring, on the outskirts of the town, Jesus restored sight to a young man born blind, and that boy became a follower.
He arrived in Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, after the two-day ascent on Jericho Road, to be approached by a friend who was upset because he wasn’t there when her brother died. But then, “Lazarus, come out!” and her brother was restored to life. “Who is this man, the mourners asked?” And, there was more.
Who, indeed, is this man, who is our Lord and Savior? Who willingly made this journey for you and for me? This man who paid the price for our forgiveness; ours, yours and mine. Are we worth it? Do we show it? This Lenten Season is a time to understand more fully the pain and suffering, that our Brother did for us. A time of confession, repentance and, yes, redemption. Please, forgive us, Lord. Amen.
Today’s Lenten Passage to Ponder:
Psalm 118:25-26: 25 Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.
Bulletin Board:
Daily Scripture passages through next Wednesday –
Friday, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ✞ Saturday, Psalm 35:13
✞ Monday, Psalm 42:1 ✞ Tuesday, Colossians 3:1-5a ✞ Wednesday, 2 Corinthians 5:17
Lenten Prayer:
Lord, in these 40 days, help us to focus on you above all else. Show us how we can be your hands and feet in our communities – may we live out our faith in this season in new ways that give you glory. Thank you for not expecting perfection from us. You know we make mistakes, and that’s why you sent Jesus to save us from all our sins. Here we are, Lord, trying again despite all the times we have fallen short. Thank you for your grace. Amen.
