Lent 2016 (C) 2016-03-23: Reading the Lectionary with my family
(I encourage you to read the full text. Hold me accountable if you feel it has not been handled well. It is what Scripture means when it says to wrestle with the Bible and mentally struggle with it and inwardly digest it.)
I love teachers. I love how they use every one of our senses and every aspect of
our nature to change our worldview. I love how creative they are; how invested they are in preparing us for life. Today's readings remind us that Jesus is the ultimate teacher and that He made the ultimate investment in us for our eternal life. Jesus' Love is so beyond comprehension. Even as sin rages in the world to inhibit His transforming work, Jesus walks above the storm to reach us and He draws us to Himself. Let us never forget that Jesus is fully God. Let us never forget that there was purpose in each moment and movement of Jesus' life; let us never forget that God knew and gave us prophecy of everything that we would do to Him.
The nature of our Triune God must shape how we receive the lessons of this Holy Week. God is Love. This God of Love is the lens that gives proper meaning to the passion of Christ. Jesus tells us who is in control of all that happens - and that includes the week between the palms and the resurrection.
Jesus tells us why these things will happen. Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith - nothing that was done was unexpected or without purpose. Jesus' response to our sin was perfect and directed toward our redemption and restoration.
Jesus the ultimate teacher steeps every word, action, setting, and nuance with meaning to weave a rich teaching tapestry to guide us back to God. There is a beautiful art and precise science which Jesus utilizes in teaching - there is a wonder-filled pedagogy in Jesus. We are asked only to stop running away; to sit, experience the teaching and learn the Love God has for us.
Jesus lovingly guides and directs us through His passion with the view to confronting the reality of our sin, our need for Him in salvation and the reality of His Love.
The question of the passion of Christ is "Do you love me?" Is our response no or is it yes?
our nature to change our worldview. I love how creative they are; how invested they are in preparing us for life. Today's readings remind us that Jesus is the ultimate teacher and that He made the ultimate investment in us for our eternal life. Jesus' Love is so beyond comprehension. Even as sin rages in the world to inhibit His transforming work, Jesus walks above the storm to reach us and He draws us to Himself. Let us never forget that Jesus is fully God. Let us never forget that there was purpose in each moment and movement of Jesus' life; let us never forget that God knew and gave us prophecy of everything that we would do to Him.
The nature of our Triune God must shape how we receive the lessons of this Holy Week. God is Love. This God of Love is the lens that gives proper meaning to the passion of Christ. Jesus tells us who is in control of all that happens - and that includes the week between the palms and the resurrection.
Jesus tells us why these things will happen. Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith - nothing that was done was unexpected or without purpose. Jesus' response to our sin was perfect and directed toward our redemption and restoration.
Jesus the ultimate teacher steeps every word, action, setting, and nuance with meaning to weave a rich teaching tapestry to guide us back to God. There is a beautiful art and precise science which Jesus utilizes in teaching - there is a wonder-filled pedagogy in Jesus. We are asked only to stop running away; to sit, experience the teaching and learn the Love God has for us.
Jesus lovingly guides and directs us through His passion with the view to confronting the reality of our sin, our need for Him in salvation and the reality of His Love.
The question of the passion of Christ is "Do you love me?" Is our response no or is it yes?
