Lent is a journey of the mind, heart, and spirit from the ashes of humanity to the cross and beyond—to the empty tomb. The central figure in that journey is Jesus. But who was he really? Why did he come and minister among us? How can his teachings enhance our lives? Why did he die? What does his resurrection really mean? These are questions that spur believers of all ages to seek a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Son of Man in their lives. In this collection of fifty-two meditations and additional resources for spiritual growth, Peter Wallace guides readers through the life and ministry, the words and works of Jesus, with the goal of getting to know him in fresh new ways that encourage a stronger faith and a spirited engagement with the world around us.
Lent is a journey of the mind, heart, and spirit from the ashes of humanity to the cross and beyond—to the empty tomb. The central figure in that journey is Jesus. But who was he really? Why did he come and minister among us? How can his teachings enhance our lives? Why did he die? What does his resurrection really mean? These are questions that spur believers of all ages to seek a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Son of Man in their lives. In this collection of fifty-two meditations and additional resources for spiritual growth, Peter Wallace guides readers through the life and ministry, the words and works of Jesus, with the goal of getting to know him in fresh new ways that encourage a stronger faith and a spirited engagement with the world around us.
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Overview
Lent is a journey of the mind, heart, and spirit from the ashes of humanity to the cross and beyond—to the empty tomb. The central figure in that journey is Jesus. But who was he really? Why did he come and minister among us? How can his teachings enhance our lives? Why did he die? What does his resurrection really mean? These are questions that spur believers of all ages to seek a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Son of Man in their lives. In this collection of fifty-two meditations and additional resources for spiritual growth, Peter Wallace guides readers through the life and ministry, the words and works of Jesus, with the goal of getting to know him in fresh new ways that encourage a stronger faith and a spirited engagement with the world around us.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780819233615 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Church Publishing, Incorporated |
| Publication date: | 10/17/2017 |
| Edition description: | First Edition |
| Pages: | 128 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.00(w) x 7.00(h) x (d) |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
DEVOTIONAL 1
Ash Wednesday
Do the Right Thing
Matthew 3:13–15
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented.
Irrational Obedience
The very first words of Jesus recorded in the Gospels make absolutely no sense to John the Baptist. Jesus asks John to baptize him. John thinks the idea is ridiculous. He knows who Jesus is. Baptize the Messiah? Unthinkable!
Still, Jesus insists. Just because it is the right thing to do. Sometimes you may think the things God wants you to do don't make much sense. After all, what's the point of sharing a good word to a total stranger? Or being more deeply involved in your church? Or volunteering with a homeless ministry? Or spending time — even money — helping somebody in need when you don't have much of either?
Today millions of people (including you, I hope) will get a cross-shaped smear of dark ashes on their forehead. That may not make much sense either, but it's designed to remind us that we are dust — human beings destined to die. And that's important to think about as we start the season of Lent and journey with Jesus to the cross, the tomb, and beyond.
When you know the right thing to do, take the risk. Follow John's example of humble yet radical obedience — no questions asked. Then watch what happens. In John's case, a voice sounded from heaven, a dove descended. Wonder what will happen in your case?
» Get Real Why did John have so much trouble with Jesus's request? Have you ever struggled with something God wanted you to do because it didn't make much sense? What happened when you did it anyway?
» Dig In How did John know Jesus? Why did John feel like he needed to be baptized by Jesus, rather than the other way around? Why did Jesus say he needed to be baptized?
» Read On God asked Abram to do something outrageous in Genesis 12:1–4. What was it? Why didn't it make sense? How did Abram respond anyway? Think about how you'd have responded if you had been in Abram's sandals.
» Take Off In prayer, thank God for trusting you enough to shake you up with requests that sometimes don't make sense. Ask God to prepare you to follow the way of Jesus today, no questions asked. And pray for a holy Lent.
CHAPTER 2
DEVOTIONAL 2
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
It's All Very Tempting
Matthew 4:8–11
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'" Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
Taking Down Temptation
It's the War in the Wilderness, Satan versus Jesus, no holds barred. After trying and failing twice to pin Jesus with his tantalizing temptations, the devil tries one last move: He offers Jesus all the world's power and possessions if only he will serve the lord of darkness.
But Jesus will have none of it. Without a moment's hesitation, he orders the evil one away.
Satan offers Jesus the whole world, but Jesus knows what is far more valuable. He knows the truth. He knows who he is and what he's supposed to be about. So he squared up to the temptation with no fear, no weakness, no doubt. Can you do that?
You will face your own temptations. Even today. Remember Jesus's example. Know who you are as God's child, and what you are to be about.
» Get Real How often have you wondered, "If only I were rich ... if only I could do whatever I wanted ... if only I could win the lottery ..."? Jesus could've taken the easy way out here. But he knew it would only lead to destruction. Can you remember a time when you took the easy way out — maybe even doing the right thing but the wrong way or for the wrong reason? What happened? What would you do differently today?
» Dig In Read the first part of this story, Matthew 4:1–7. Jesus was at his weakest physically, but he still stood strong in the face of all the tempter's tricks. How did he respond in each case? What resources did he draw on? What does that tell you about how you can stand against your own temptations?
» Read On Take a look at Hebrews 4:14–16. Why did Jesus have to go through all this temptation in the wilderness? Think about how that helps you relate to him when you face a tempting proposition.
» Take Off Jesus was willing to go through anything for the love of God. He's proven that he wants to give you the strength you need to get through the toughest trials. Ask him for it. Then thank him for his generosity.
CHAPTER 3
DEVOTIONAL 3
Friday after Ash Wednesday
Would You Follow This Man?
Mark 1:16–18
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea — for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." And immediately they left their nets and followed him.
One Insane Invitation
They were fishermen. Tough. Weather-beaten. Strong. Independent. Smelly. They'd been working hard all night trying to catch fish. Then this stranger walks up to them and invites them to come with him and fish for men and women instead of perch and carp.
What did these tough guys do — laugh him out of town? Throw their catch at him? No. "Immediately they left their nets and followed him."
What was it about Jesus that caused these crusty nuts to lay everything aside to be with him? Was he wearing a nametag that said, "Hello, I'm the Messiah"? Or was his the incredible invitation, which in just a few words offered them friendship, fulfillment, and purpose?
So what's Jesus inviting you to do?
» Get Real What do you think went through the minds of these fishermen when Jesus asked them to join him? How much time did they spend mulling it over? Think about what your own readiness to respond to Jesus is like.
» Dig In Read Mark 1:19–21 and you'll see that the disciples went right to work with Jesus. What exactly was Jesus inviting them to do? Why do you think Jesus wanted these people to join him?
» Read On Luke 5:1–11 has a fuller account of how Jesus met these fishermen. What more does this story tell you about Jesus? And about the fishermen? Can you put yourself in their place and imagine how they might have felt?
» Take Off Jesus was asking a lot of these fishermen. They had to trust him completely, follow him faithfully, listen to him intensely. Spend some time in prayer asking God to make you that kind of follower, too.
CHAPTER 4
DEVOTIONAL 4
Saturday after Ash Wednesday
What Are You Hungry For?
Matthew 5:1, 2, 6
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying ... "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
Living Thirsty for God
Face it: Some days we just aren't very hungry for doing what's right.
We just want to do things our way. Maybe we're tired, or lazy, or overwhelmed with life, but sometimes our own desires and opinions and pleasures just feel too comfortable to worry about God's.
Maybe today is a day like that for you. Try as you might, you can't make yourself be thirsty for God's presence. If so, recognize it. Admit it. Don't force it. Just let it go for now.
But ... before you do, ask God as sincerely as you can to increase your appetite for God. To make you hungrier and thirstier for God's presence. Day by day. Moment by moment.
That's a prayer God will love to answer, maybe sooner than you think.
» Get Real God wants our lives to be marked by righteousness — pursuing God, doing what's right and just and authentic. But ask yourself: Do you ever fake it? How does that make you feel? What's going on in your life that you assume you have to fake it? What needs to change so that you're genuinely hungry and thirsty for God?
» Dig In Who was Jesus talking to in this "Sermon on the Mount"? It wasn't the religious elite. It was common, ordinary, everyday people who had real lives. People just like us. What does that tell you about who Jesus expects to be living hungry for God?
» Read On Get the big picture of Jesus's message by reading this whole section of the "Sermon on the Mount," Matthew 5:1–12. What else does Jesus want his followers to do? Or to be? How do you stack up? What areas do you need to work on with the Spirit's guidance?
» Take Off So how hungry are you right now? How thirsty would you like to be? Sometimes when you're just making yourself go through the motions of praying and thinking about God, God can bust in and make it all real and alive. Want to try it?
CHAPTER 5
DEVOTIONAL 5
First Sunday in Lent
The Agony of Anger
Matthew 5:22–24
But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, "You fool," you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.
Reeling in Your Resentment
Anger wounds relationships. It hurts everybody involved. In fact, Jesus says anger toward a brother or sister is just as serious as murder (v. 21). That's pretty serious.
Jesus isn't saying to deny our angry feelings. He's telling us to deal with them positively. If you feel anger toward someone, figure out why. Then go to the person, either to ask for their forgiveness or to talk about it honestly and lovingly. Whatever it takes, work it out. Deal with it — before it becomes deadly.
Jesus says if there's a problem between you and someone else, then there's a problem between you and God. So don't try to put it out of your mind or cover it up. Make peace. Get reconciled. Make it right with them.
By doing so, you're making it right with God.
» Get Real It's not easy to deal with strong emotions like anger, especially if we feel we're right. But Jesus encourages us to take the initiative. Maybe somebody you're angry with came to mind as you read this. An old friend, a family member, a coworker, whoever. What caused the anger you feel? What part did you play in that? How will you reconcile with that person? When?
» Dig In Why do you think it's so important to Jesus that we make peace with somebody we're angry with? What happens to us on the inside when we stay angry with somebody — even if we're right?
» Read On In Ephesians 4:26–27, Paul has some more advice about anger. How do you think this would work in your life, with your own friends and family? When you don't deal with your anger, who wins?
» Take Off Obviously, God cares about our relationships. So think about the important people in your life. Pray for them and thank God for them. Ask God, and yourself, if you're out of sync with any of them. Look for opportunities to express to them personally what they mean to you.
CHAPTER 6
DEVOTIONAL 6
Monday, First Week in Lent
A Natural Outflow
Matthew 6:1–2
Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.
Why You Do What You Do
You give of your time, concern, love, energy, money. You listen with compassion when a friend calls you to unload. You volunteer with your church group to serve a meal at the homeless shelter. You take a meal to a family because the mother is sick. You give to your church's relief agency.
Why do you do those things? To feel better about yourself? To feel accepted by your friends or other parishioners? To earn praise from important people? To make God love you more?
Or is it the natural outflow of a life in relationship with the One who is all love ... pure love ... unlimited love?
Set your sights on living out that kind of love. Make it your goal for today. And go from there.
» Get Real Jesus says if your motives are misplaced, they can undo everything. Think about the last few times you did "good deeds." How did they make you feel? Were they public acts or secret services? So why do you think you really did them? Based on today's text, what might Jesus say to you?
» Dig In What kind of people was Jesus talking about here? What sort of people might they have been in the culture of the day? Who do you think has the hardest time giving with unselfish motives? And why do you think God would care why we do good things?
» Read On Read the next two verses, Matthew 6:3–4. Think through what they tell you about how to give of your money and time — and what God promises you when you do.
» Take Off Join God's Secret Service today. Ask God for an opportunity to help someone in such a way that nobody will know about it except you and God. Be ready to give of your time or money in a way that God would applaud. It might just become a habit.
CHAPTER 7
DEVOTIONAL 7
Tuesday, First Week in Lent
Light in the Darkness
Matthew 6:7–8
When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
God Already Knows
You may not be a person who feels comfortable sharing all your inner stuff with someone else. Perhaps it makes you feel weird that even God knows it. What must God think of you?
But don't let it bother you. Accept it. Relax in it. And look at it for what it is: a promise that God knows everything about you. Every pain you feel. Every unmet need. Every fear. Every salty tear that runs down your face. Every hair you pull out in frustration. In fact, Jesus is saying that God knows lots more about you than even you do.
But if that's true, why should you tell God how you feel and what you need? Because thinking it all through with God in prayer helps you stay totally honest with God. It helps you let go of it all and place it in God's hands. And it opens the door for God to let you know what it is you really need.
» Get Real What are some of the things in your life you hope nobody ever finds out about you? How does it make you feel that God knows all that, and more? How does it make you feel that God loves you completely anyway?
» Dig In Why do you think Jesus didn't approve of babblers of "empty phrases"? What were they trying to do in their prayers? Why would they fail? Who did they really believe in?
» Read On In Psalm 139, the psalmist writes about how God knows him inside and out — and knew it before he was even born. Read that psalm carefully, offering thanks for God's love for you.
» Take Off This may be a good time to do some confessing, bringing some of those dark areas of your soul to light in prayer, either alone or with a priest. Acknowledge the reality that you know that God knows everything about you. Let go of those things from the past and present that you're wrestling with. And accept God's forgiveness, cleansing, and love.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Getting to Know Jesus (Again)"
by .
Copyright © 2017 Peter Marsden Wallace.
Excerpted by permission of Church Publishing Incorporated.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Introduction: What It's All About,
Spending Time in the Quiet,
Who Is Jesus?,
Think About It: Getting Ready for Lent,
1. Ash Wednesday,
2. Thursday after Ash Wednesday,
3. Friday after Ash Wednesday,
4. Saturday after Ash Wednesday,
5. First Sunday in Lent,
6. Monday, First Week in Lent,
7. Tuesday, First Week in Lent,
8. Wednesday, First Week in Lent,
9. Thursday, First Week in Lent,
10. Friday, First Week in Lent,
11. Saturday, First Week in Lent,
12. Second Sunday in Lent,
13. Monday, Second Week in Lent,
14. Tuesday, Second Week in Lent,
15. Wednesday, Second Week in Lent,
16. Thursday, Second Week in Lent,
17. Friday, Second Week in Lent,
18. Saturday, Second Week in Lent,
19. Third Sunday in Lent,
20. Monday, Third Week in Lent,
21. Tuesday, Third Week in Lent,
22. Wednesday, Third Week in Lent,
23. Thursday, Third Week in Lent,
24. Friday, Third Week in Lent,
25. Saturday, Third Week in Lent,
26. Fourth Sunday in Lent,
27. Monday, Fourth Week in Lent,
28. Tuesday, Fourth Week in Lent,
29. Wednesday, Fourth Week in Lent,
30. Thursday, Fourth Week in Lent,
31. Friday, Fourth Week in Lent,
32. Saturday, Fourth Week in Lent,
33. Fifth Sunday in Lent,
34. Monday, Fifth Week in Lent,
35. Tuesday, Fifth Week in Lent,
36. Wednesday, Fifth Week in Lent,
37. Thursday, Fifth Week in Lent,
38. Friday, Fifth Week in Lent,
39. Saturday, Fifth Week in Lent,
40. Palm Sunday,
41. Monday in Holy Week,
42. Tuesday in Holy Week,
43. Wednesday in Holy Week,
Think About It: Preparing for the Triduum,
44. Maundy Thursday,
45. Good Friday,
46. Holy Saturday,
Think About It: Easter Vigil — "This Is the Night",
47. Easter Day,
Think About It: Now What? Week after Easter and Beyond,
48. Monday in Easter Week,
49. Tuesday in Easter Week,
50. Wednesday in Easter Week,
51. Thursday in Easter Week,
52. Friday in Easter Week,
Think About It: Looking Back, Moving Forward,
Scripture Index,
About the Author,
What People are Saying About This
“Peter has always walked the talk. In this deep Lenten meditation, he reminds us that living meaningfully requires us all to make such a walk.
In order to walk faithfully, we must carve out a space for communion with Jesus. The spirit talks to everyone, but only a few listen and are willing to walk with that spirit through the wilderness to the cross.
Through his engaging style, Peter compels us to make the steps necessary to listen. Lent is a deep and slow walk that leads us to new life.
Peter helps us when we get fearful, distracted, lazy, or judgmental to come back to the heart of the journey. For him, it’s not just the journey or the destination, it’s both on the Lenten walk. You will be blessed by walking with Peter during Lent.”
—Becca Stevens, author, Letters from the Farm