For Lent this year, we will be looking at the Passion story as it plays out in Luke 21-23. Each week (beginning with and including Ash Wednesday), we will look at a different section of these chapters in Luke and focus on the specific characters and setting in that section as it relates to the overall journey of Jesus toward the cross. This in-depth look at one gospel writer's version of the events should help to ground us in the story in a particular way and perhaps give us insight into how we feel about the message and our own role, our own place in the journey to discipleship.
"Were you there at the temple?"
(Ash Wednesday, February 10, service at NUMC at 7 pm)
"Were you there at the temple?"
(Ash Wednesday, February 10, service at NUMC at 7 pm)
First this week is Ash Wednesday's scripture Luke 21:34-38. This text appears at the end of a couple of chapters relating various 'sermons' and topics Jesus taught at the temple. Jesus is telling those who have gathered to hear him teach, which he did DAILY in the temple, that they are to be on guard... to be constantly aware of what is going on around them because a day is coming when they will need to muster all the strength they have to stand up for what they believe.
I think this is a good section of this story to read for Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is a time when we come to worship God in an attitude of repentance and reflection. We offer confession and we submit humbly to the Lenten journey. A good time, then, to hear words from Jesus telling us to pay attention to what is going on around us. A good time to consider not putting our heads in the sand, but our hearts in the game. How can we reflect upon the deeper meaning of this passage for our own lives as we begin a Holy Lent this year.
When you come to the service on Wednesday (2/10 at 7 pm), you will have the opportunity to share in the sacrament of Holy Communion with Rev. Susan Warren officiating. You will also have the opportunity to come to me for the imposition of ashes. This is a deeply reflective time and I look forward to being with you once again as we embark on this holy season together.
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"Were you sleeping in the garden?"
Luke 22:39-46 (First Sunday of Lent, February 14)
In this section of the scriptures, we have the famous story where Jesus is praying before he enters his 'time of trial.' This is a very emotional time for Jesus and although the scripture tells us that Jesus knows what is going to happen to him, he still is in anguish and prays to God to take this away from him. "Take this cup from me..." famous lines that end with "but not my will, but your will be done." A hard task.. the hardest anyone has to face... and Jesus is praying in anguish. And then he sees his disciples sleeping during his time of prayer and anguish. So he questions them about why they are sleeping.
So much has been written about this scene over the years and different gospel writers relate it in different ways. But, in Luke, we have disciples sleeping and the gospel writer says it is because of their grief that they are sleeping. Not laziness, not inattention, not cluelessness... but grief.
This adds another dimension to this story. The disciples are grieving about what? Do they understand more than we think they do about what is going to happen to Jesus in the days ahead? Or are they afraid that he is losing his mind? Or are they worried about how they are going to get caught up in this whole thing as it plays itself out?
This should be an interesting section of the story to focus in on and try to get to the bottom of this week. And, most importantly, how do we fit in this story? If you are sleeping in the garden this Lenten season, then why? Are you afraid of what is ahead? Are you worried about the future of the church? Your future? Many things make us go hide under the covers. And sometimes that changes from day to day.
Comments? Email me at peverhart@niwotumc.org or comment below. Always appreciate your feedback.
Luke 22:39-46 (First Sunday of Lent, February 14)
In this section of the scriptures, we have the famous story where Jesus is praying before he enters his 'time of trial.' This is a very emotional time for Jesus and although the scripture tells us that Jesus knows what is going to happen to him, he still is in anguish and prays to God to take this away from him. "Take this cup from me..." famous lines that end with "but not my will, but your will be done." A hard task.. the hardest anyone has to face... and Jesus is praying in anguish. And then he sees his disciples sleeping during his time of prayer and anguish. So he questions them about why they are sleeping.
So much has been written about this scene over the years and different gospel writers relate it in different ways. But, in Luke, we have disciples sleeping and the gospel writer says it is because of their grief that they are sleeping. Not laziness, not inattention, not cluelessness... but grief.
This adds another dimension to this story. The disciples are grieving about what? Do they understand more than we think they do about what is going to happen to Jesus in the days ahead? Or are they afraid that he is losing his mind? Or are they worried about how they are going to get caught up in this whole thing as it plays itself out?
This should be an interesting section of the story to focus in on and try to get to the bottom of this week. And, most importantly, how do we fit in this story? If you are sleeping in the garden this Lenten season, then why? Are you afraid of what is ahead? Are you worried about the future of the church? Your future? Many things make us go hide under the covers. And sometimes that changes from day to day.
Comments? Email me at peverhart@niwotumc.org or comment below. Always appreciate your feedback.
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