If we have died with Him, we shall live with Him; if we hold firm, we shall reign with Him.
2 Timothy 2:11
These two verses must be connected with the next two: “if we deny Him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful – for He cannot deny Himself.” Many scholars believe that these four verses are a portion of a very early Christian hymn. Paul is sharing his belief that we must live our lives fully in Christ. This is why the forty days of Lent, culminating in the events of Holy Week – Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Day—must be seen as a whole. Paul knew that Jesus prepared Himself spiritually in the wilderness for His ministry, experienced the Last Supper with His loved ones, was betrayed, denied, crucified, and His dead body placed in a tomb, and on Easter was raised from the dead. In this passage Paul is sharing this hymn with Timothy to remind him of our need to experience these events with our Lord. We cannot “jump” into Easter and the Resurrection without experiencing the preparation of Lent, His Last Supper, our connection with Him being betrayed, denied, and killed. We cannot share in the Crown without sharing in the Cross. On this glorious day, I am reminded of the words from the song, The Rose: “Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows lies the seed that with the sun’s love in the spring becomes the rose.” We must die with Him in order that, with the “Son’s” love “in the spring,” we will be raised with Him.
Amen.
William H.C. Ticknor+
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Lenten Reflection - April 11, 2009
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Romans 6:5
In each of our baptisms, we are cut off from sin and united with Christ. Just as Christ was buried, that He might rise again to a new, heavenly life, we, also, at baptism, are “buried” so that we might rise from our sins to begin a new life of faith and love.
The sacrament of baptism is a real gift, signifying and sealing our relationship with Christ. As we begin to live into this baptism, we are reminded that we have a duty to fight against the body of sin that remains within each of us. More importantly, as we strive to truly know Him, we are inevitably convinced that we have an obligation to live into His command to spread His Gospel in all the areas of our lives, in order to bring as many as possible into this sacred union.
Having become one with Christ through baptism, each of us will eventually think about the Resurrection. We gradually come to the sure knowledge that, just as Christ did indeed proceed from death to be with His Father in Heaven, we, too, will follow a similar path. This obliges us to believe that we, along with many others, known and unknown, will eventually be united with Christ in that heavenly place. What a glorious reality! It is no wonder that Easter is such a joyous celebration for all those in Christ.
Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Charlie Wolf
Romans 6:5
In each of our baptisms, we are cut off from sin and united with Christ. Just as Christ was buried, that He might rise again to a new, heavenly life, we, also, at baptism, are “buried” so that we might rise from our sins to begin a new life of faith and love.
The sacrament of baptism is a real gift, signifying and sealing our relationship with Christ. As we begin to live into this baptism, we are reminded that we have a duty to fight against the body of sin that remains within each of us. More importantly, as we strive to truly know Him, we are inevitably convinced that we have an obligation to live into His command to spread His Gospel in all the areas of our lives, in order to bring as many as possible into this sacred union.
Having become one with Christ through baptism, each of us will eventually think about the Resurrection. We gradually come to the sure knowledge that, just as Christ did indeed proceed from death to be with His Father in Heaven, we, too, will follow a similar path. This obliges us to believe that we, along with many others, known and unknown, will eventually be united with Christ in that heavenly place. What a glorious reality! It is no wonder that Easter is such a joyous celebration for all those in Christ.
Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Charlie Wolf
Friday, April 10, 2009
Lenten Reflection - April 10, 2009
But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
The prophet Isaiah, the most poetic of prophets, says on this black day that our Lord was “wounded, crushed and bruised” by our sins. When I hear those words, I flinch. Yet I am immediately assured that Our Lord’s wounds have “healed” us and “made us whole.” It is a powerful measure of God’s greatness that we can be forgiven and comforted by one who was “despised and rejected,” who was taken away and murdered “by a perversion of justice.”
Part of the Songs of the Servant, this section has been called “the golden passional” and “the most important text in the Old Testament.” The Ethiopian eunuch ponders it with Philip in Acts 8: 26-40. The verse is in what is known as Second Isaiah, assigned to an author or authors who came after Isaiah, beginning in 539 B.C. It first appears that the “servant” symbolizes the nation of Israel, (42:1-4) then later scholars see the servant as Jesus himself. especially in Chapter 53. As we read on in Isaiah, we know the Suffering Servant “shall see light” and make “intercessions” for us, the transgressors. I marvel at the prophet’s vision and realize that he wants us to know the hope God gives us regardless of the blows life hands us – that there is a loving light beyond the darkness.
Val Hymes
Isaiah 53:5
The prophet Isaiah, the most poetic of prophets, says on this black day that our Lord was “wounded, crushed and bruised” by our sins. When I hear those words, I flinch. Yet I am immediately assured that Our Lord’s wounds have “healed” us and “made us whole.” It is a powerful measure of God’s greatness that we can be forgiven and comforted by one who was “despised and rejected,” who was taken away and murdered “by a perversion of justice.”
Part of the Songs of the Servant, this section has been called “the golden passional” and “the most important text in the Old Testament.” The Ethiopian eunuch ponders it with Philip in Acts 8: 26-40. The verse is in what is known as Second Isaiah, assigned to an author or authors who came after Isaiah, beginning in 539 B.C. It first appears that the “servant” symbolizes the nation of Israel, (42:1-4) then later scholars see the servant as Jesus himself. especially in Chapter 53. As we read on in Isaiah, we know the Suffering Servant “shall see light” and make “intercessions” for us, the transgressors. I marvel at the prophet’s vision and realize that he wants us to know the hope God gives us regardless of the blows life hands us – that there is a loving light beyond the darkness.
Val Hymes
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Lenten Reflection - April 9, 2009
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes again.
I Corinthians 11:26
When Paul spoke these words to the people of Corinth less than twenty years after the crucifixion of Christ, he was addressing a very cosmopolitan audience. Corinth was the most prosperous city in Greece, a shipping and commerce center within the Roman Empire, and a virtual melting pot of races and religions. Through this mixing of cultures and religious traditions arose conflicting, and perhaps misguided, ways of observing religious ritual among the early Christians.
During Paul’s time in Corinth he sought to clarify the gospel for his followers and develop uniform practices within the church. Here he is specifically speaking of conduct and order within the Passover service, and in the preceding passages, Paul reiterates Jesus’ words at the last supper. He asserts that the eating and drinking of the bread and wine serve to remind us every Passover of our Savior’s death.
Clearly this is a mandate to remember not only that He died, but also how and why He suffered and died. Paul’s words still resonate with us two centuries later, for in many ways Corinth resembled our own society. It is only by tuning out distracting societal influences and re-focusing our life and worship that we are truly able to understand and appreciate the greatest sacrifice of all. Today, as we observe Maundy Thursday, we recall Christ’s words, actions, and unending love. It is through this remembrance that we are able to embrace the grief of His passion, and understand personally the depths of His sacrifice for us.
Tricia Sanborn Hurlbutt
I Corinthians 11:26
When Paul spoke these words to the people of Corinth less than twenty years after the crucifixion of Christ, he was addressing a very cosmopolitan audience. Corinth was the most prosperous city in Greece, a shipping and commerce center within the Roman Empire, and a virtual melting pot of races and religions. Through this mixing of cultures and religious traditions arose conflicting, and perhaps misguided, ways of observing religious ritual among the early Christians.
During Paul’s time in Corinth he sought to clarify the gospel for his followers and develop uniform practices within the church. Here he is specifically speaking of conduct and order within the Passover service, and in the preceding passages, Paul reiterates Jesus’ words at the last supper. He asserts that the eating and drinking of the bread and wine serve to remind us every Passover of our Savior’s death.
Clearly this is a mandate to remember not only that He died, but also how and why He suffered and died. Paul’s words still resonate with us two centuries later, for in many ways Corinth resembled our own society. It is only by tuning out distracting societal influences and re-focusing our life and worship that we are truly able to understand and appreciate the greatest sacrifice of all. Today, as we observe Maundy Thursday, we recall Christ’s words, actions, and unending love. It is through this remembrance that we are able to embrace the grief of His passion, and understand personally the depths of His sacrifice for us.
Tricia Sanborn Hurlbutt
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Lenten Reflection - April 8, 2009
The Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced.
Isaiah 50:7
As I read Isaiah 50:7, I am reminded that at times while I am able to live and act by the example of Christ, I am indeed challenged to stay focused at all times—‘to set my face like a flint.’ With God’s help, throughout my life, I have weighed thoughts and indeed actions at times by three principles: head, voice, and heart. God expects us to follow his commandments—and with His help, our daily effort will set the example for others.
We should only hope that someday everyone will act in this way, but until they do, we should strive to set our faces like flint and follow Christ.
Christopher Hurlbutt
Isaiah 50:7
As I read Isaiah 50:7, I am reminded that at times while I am able to live and act by the example of Christ, I am indeed challenged to stay focused at all times—‘to set my face like a flint.’ With God’s help, throughout my life, I have weighed thoughts and indeed actions at times by three principles: head, voice, and heart. God expects us to follow his commandments—and with His help, our daily effort will set the example for others.
We should only hope that someday everyone will act in this way, but until they do, we should strive to set our faces like flint and follow Christ.
Christopher Hurlbutt
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Lenten Reflection - April 7, 2009
In you, O LORD, I take refuge, let me never be put to shame.
Psalm 71:1
When I began to research this Psalm, the first thing that struck me was that it is labeled an “old man’s “ or “old person’s” Psalm. David is lamenting his old age and his inabilities to continue on as he had as a young man, worried that in his old age he will shame himself before his enemies, peoples and God. Having just celebrated my “half century” birthday, I found this to be a bit of a downer. Is this what I have to look forward to in my old age?
Luckily that’s not where the story ends. David remembers the many tough times in his life and to his encouragement finds that God was with him each time—his refuge. Why should this time, old age, be any different? Despite the pains and embarrassments of growing old, he sings God’s praises because he knows that God has been and always will be his refuge—all he need do is ask.
In this time of Lent let us reflect on the tough times where God was by our side and find encouragement in knowing that, even into our old age, He will be with us always - our constant refuge.
Dona Bushong
Psalm 71:1
When I began to research this Psalm, the first thing that struck me was that it is labeled an “old man’s “ or “old person’s” Psalm. David is lamenting his old age and his inabilities to continue on as he had as a young man, worried that in his old age he will shame himself before his enemies, peoples and God. Having just celebrated my “half century” birthday, I found this to be a bit of a downer. Is this what I have to look forward to in my old age?
Luckily that’s not where the story ends. David remembers the many tough times in his life and to his encouragement finds that God was with him each time—his refuge. Why should this time, old age, be any different? Despite the pains and embarrassments of growing old, he sings God’s praises because he knows that God has been and always will be his refuge—all he need do is ask.
In this time of Lent let us reflect on the tough times where God was by our side and find encouragement in knowing that, even into our old age, He will be with us always - our constant refuge.
Dona Bushong
Monday, April 6, 2009
Lenten Reflection - April 6, 2009
I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations….
Isaiah 42:6
Isaiah 42 is often called The Servant Chapter. God is calling us to be his servants by spreading the word of God to all nations. The word of God is called in these verses “the light.” God, Jesus and Christians are often called the Light of the World. We are to be disciples of Christ, telling others the Good News, converting non-believers and those that worship idols.
We sing a song called This Little Light of Mine. We sing that we are going to let this light shine, all of the time. We also sing that we are not going to hide it under a bushel. In other words, we are not to be reticent about being a follower of Christ nor reticent about leading others to Christ. God is asking us to spread His word. Be his light to everyone. All people are attracted to light. Let us be the light of Christ this Lenten Season. It might also be useful to read the words of The Servant Song found in the 9:00 Celebration Service Song Book. It definitely reflects the meaning of this verse in our lives today. Go forward and be God’s servant.
Cynthia Steuart
Isaiah 42:6
Isaiah 42 is often called The Servant Chapter. God is calling us to be his servants by spreading the word of God to all nations. The word of God is called in these verses “the light.” God, Jesus and Christians are often called the Light of the World. We are to be disciples of Christ, telling others the Good News, converting non-believers and those that worship idols.
We sing a song called This Little Light of Mine. We sing that we are going to let this light shine, all of the time. We also sing that we are not going to hide it under a bushel. In other words, we are not to be reticent about being a follower of Christ nor reticent about leading others to Christ. God is asking us to spread His word. Be his light to everyone. All people are attracted to light. Let us be the light of Christ this Lenten Season. It might also be useful to read the words of The Servant Song found in the 9:00 Celebration Service Song Book. It definitely reflects the meaning of this verse in our lives today. Go forward and be God’s servant.
Cynthia Steuart
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