Risen

Luke 24:4-5

While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.

If you are taking part in the Lent goal to read all of Luke, today read Luke 24. Congratulations and well done to all who took part!

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Out of defeat, triumph; from confusion, understanding; beyond death to new life. Christ is risen, hallelujah! In the final chapter of his gospel, Luke relates the news of the resurrection in three different accounts – at the tomb, on the road to Emmaus, and in the upper room. In each account Jesus’ followers are transformed through their knowledge of the risen Christ. The revelation of his resurrection, and the fulfilment of his teaching, evokes awe and wonder and, gradually, enlightenment. As we celebrate the joy of Easter Sunday, let us also worship in awe and wonder, affirming that this miracle was brought about to renew each one of us. As we let our voices sing with jubilation and triumph, we also appreciate the relationship we can have with God because of this day. Let us then, through prayer and worship, move closer towards an awareness of the path God would have us follow, and how we can respond to God’s love with our lives.

Risen and victorious God, we sing praises to You in triumph and celebration. In joy and thanksgiving, we proclaim the depth of Your love and the new life, the restored relationship, You offer us. Guide us, we pray, this day and always, bringing us closer to You. Shape our lives, loving God, to respond to Your love in who we are and all we do. Amen.

Thank you for joining us on this prayerful

journey of reflection through Lent.

Lent Devotional Home

Certain

Luke 23:47

When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.”

If you are taking part in the Lent goal to read all of Luke, today read Luke 23:44-56.

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As the crucifixion came to its climax, as Jesus cried out his final words and breathed his last, his passing proclaimed his power to all those who were there. Moreover, this event inspired the first acknowledgement of the truth of Jesus’ sacrifice. “Certainly this man was innocent.” Hanging dead between two thieves, the truth of Jesus’ ministry could not be silenced. And it is not a disciple or follower making this assertion, or even one of the crowd, who had in turn cheered and then condemned Jesus. Jesus’ power compelled the centurion supervising his execution to speak out – a man who was only there to carry out an order, a disinterested, detached member of the Roman Army. His conviction, his compulsion, can renew and inspire our own confidence in the redemption we have through Jesus. On this day of waiting, between death and triumph, we can be certain of the power of God’s love and mercy, given for us.

Steadfast God, You determined to save us, even up to the point of crucifixion and death. Your truth will not be silenced. Your love cannot be repressed. As we remember Christ’s death, we affirm also the immensity of his love and the power of his sacrifice. Deepen our certainty in the love You have for each one of us and renew our gratitude for Your everlasting grace. Amen.
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Thank you for joining us on this prayerful

journey of reflection through Lent.

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Grace

Luke 23:42-43

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

If you are taking part in the Lent goal to read all of Luke, today read Luke 23:1-43.

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This is arguably one of the most memorable of Jesus’ acts of forgiveness. In his last minutes of life, Jesus forgives one of the thieves hanging – dying – next to him. The thief simply acknowledged that he had been wrong, and asked Jesus to remember him. All that he had been – by his own admission, a condemned criminal, deserving of his punishment – was erased by God. And nothing was asked of him – for there would be no time to repair the damage he had caused, or to compensate for what he had taken from others. Just asking was enough. God’s desire to love each one of us overrides all our faults. All that we need to do is reach out and ask Jesus to remember us – as the thief did from the cross. The immensity of this forgiveness is breathtaking. The abundance of God’s love and mercy, shown to each one of us, is perhaps ultimately incomprehensible. Today, let us humbly pray: “Jesus, remember me.”

Gracious God, remember us we pray and bring us closer to Your eternal love. We give thanks that You accept us, with all our mistakes, our inadequacies, and our stubborn self-interest. And that despite this, You remain steadfast, patiently waiting for us to return to Your way. Though we may never comprehend the depth of Your forgiveness and mercy, we give thanks for Your unquenchable desire to know us. Humbly, we reach out for Your love. Amen.
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Thank you for joining us on this prayerful

journey of reflection through Lent.

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Grief

Luke 22:61-62

The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

If you are taking part in the Lent goal to read all of Luke, today read Luke 22:24-71.

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Today’s reading describes a moment of immense humanity and deep shame, to which perhaps we can all relate. Despite everything that had gone before – all that Peter had seen and experienced – when accusations enveloped him, fear took over and Peter panicked. Uncertainty surrounding what would happen next, confusion over Jesus’ submission to his arrest, fear of more arrests or reprisals; each compounded the anxiety Peter felt. And so he denied knowing Jesus. Not once, but three times – just as Jesus foretold. As well as empathizing with Peter’s plight, we should also be moved, and even inspired, by Peter’s grief. In his bitter tears, there is no sense of self-justification or evasive excuses. Peter wholeheartedly accepts his failings, and accepts too Jesus’ knowledge of that failure. And yet, Peter is embraced by God’s grace and empowered to keep going; to greet the risen Lord, and to lead the disciples after Jesus’ ascension. This moment of despair and grief is the turning point for a life of conviction and faith.

Forgiving God, You see all our fears and doubts, our flaws and inadequacies, and yet You still reach out with love and forgiveness. Thank You for Your infinite grace that desires always to have a relationship with each one of us. Thank You for persisting in love to know and care for us, no matter how often we ignore or deny You. Be with us today and sustain us to turn our lives to You. Amen.

Thank you for joining us on this prayerful

journey of reflection through Lent.

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Sacrifice

Luke 22:19-20

Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

If you are taking part in the Lent goal to read all of Luke, today read Luke 21-22:23.

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Now incorporated into Christian Eucharistic liturgy, the words we read in today’s passage are familiar to many of us. As a result, it’s almost impossible to capture the sense of overwhelm and uncertainty that likely engulfed the disciples as they heard Jesus speak. What to us are words of comfort and reassurance, at the time evoked fear and confusion. Noticing this difference helps us more fully perceive the sacrifice being made; to recognize the sense of hope and possibility that Jesus had created for his disciples but was now moving on from. Having lived a life dedicated to serving God and healing humankind, Jesus now readied himself to die a death dedicated to serving God and healing humankind. Let us pray today for a deepened sense of gratitude for all that Jesus was and did for us. Out of this act of love, we are offered a renewed relationship with God; we are given the hope and possibility of eternal life.

Redeeming God, kindle within us a deeper appreciation for all You have done for us. Awaken us to a greater awareness of the divide Your love bridges, as You overlook our shortcomings and flawed humanity, to build an ongoing relationship with each one of us. Help us appreciate the hope and possibility that Your love for us brings, in this world and the next. Amen.

Thank you for joining us on this prayerful

journey of reflection through Lent.

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Serve

Luke 20:25

He said to them, “Then give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

If you are taking part in the Lent goal to read all of Luke, today read Luke 20.

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The reading today comprises Jesus’ response to the Pharisees who had set a legalistic trap for Jesus. The response has him neatly escaping from the Pharisee’s trick, yet it also highlights the extent to which we live in a conflicted world. In biblical times and today, we have different groups of people, or aspects of our lives, making competing and contradictory claims on us. It’s not easy steering a clear path through the many obligations we have. But Jesus’ answer also holds for us a different way to look at the dilemma. If all that we are comes from God, what is left if we give “to God the things that are God’s”? What does our life look like if we shape all our endeavours – our work, our leisure, our worship even – such that they are gifts to be given to God?

Generous God, You have given each one of us so much in our lives. Blessings of love and acceptance, gifts of talents and opportunities, the presence of mercy and forgiveness. Help us see how we can share Your gifts with those around us and reflect Your generosity into our communities. Help us recognize the ways in which You would have us use our time and energy to serve Your holy will. Amen.

Thank you for joining us on this prayerful

journey of reflection through Lent.

Lent Devotional Home

Praise

Luke 19:37-38

As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”

If you are taking part in the Lent goal to read all of Luke, today read Luke 19.

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Today then, we read of the events of Palm Sunday; of Jesus’ acclaimed entry into Jerusalem, with a multitude of believers worshiping God and praising Jesus and his ministry. The adulation, we know, will be short-lived, and within days the crowd will turn against Jesus, but in this passage we have a reminder of why we also praise God. As the disciples were driven by the “deeds of power that they had seen,” so too we are encouraged to give thanks for the ways in which God works in our lives: our prayers that are answered, our hopes that are fulfilled, and the love we are blessed with. The disciples cried out “Peace in heaven,” while we can remember the peace in our hearts that comes from the promise of God’s grace and forgiveness. And as the disciples worshiped, “glory in the highest heaven,” we can be inspired to offer glory to God through our lives.

Blessed God, glorious Lord, let our voices and our hearts praise and worship You. We give thanks for Your presence in our world: for the strength and support You provide us in challenging times, for the comfort and peace You send us through our prayer and worship of You. Let our lives resound with Your love, ringing out for all to see. Amen.

Thank you for joining us on this prayerful

journey of reflection through Lent.

Lent Devotional Home

Purpose

Luke 18:31-32

Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon.”

If you are taking part in the Lent goal to read all of Luke, today read Luke 18.

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Amidst the exaltation of Palm Sunday, which you may have celebrated in church, today’s passage appears a few days earlier in the narrative, as Jesus and his disciples are preparing to travel to Jerusalem. It’s a poignant and powerful reminder that even when Jesus was welcomed by the cheering crowds, he never saw that as his purpose or welcomed it as a sign of success. Instead Jesus is unequivocal in explaining why he is going to Jerusalem and the fate that awaits him. All of his ministry – his teaching and his healing – have been leading unwaveringly to this destination. As we look to follow Jesus, let us also be inspired to live our lives with this sense of commitment. No matter how the world may cheer or applaud other choices, let us remain guided by the teaching and sacrifice of Jesus, who lived wholeheartedly to save us.

Faithful God, who relentlessly and determinedly seeks us out, encourage us through the example of Your single-minded love for each one of us to turn our hearts to You and stay true to Your word. Strengthen within us the purpose You have called us to: to share Your love with those around us and renew Your creation. Amen.

Thank you for joining us on this prayerful

journey of reflection through Lent.

Lent Devotional Home

Choose

Luke 16:30-31

He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’

If you are taking part in the Lent goal to read all of Luke, between now and Sunday, read Luke 15-17.

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Today’s passage comes at the end of a vivid story, where a rich man has – too late for him – discovered the consequences of living a life focused on wealth and pleasure. It’s a striking tale, not only for the belated remorse of the rich man, but also for the stinging rebuke issued by Abraham from heaven. And although Luke’s gospel is many centuries old, this story taps directly into our lives right now: every day we make countless choices about how to live and what to value. Throughout these choices the ease with which we can neglect or ignore God is alarming. What excuses are we making when we try to justify our choices? How often do we need reminders to hear and follow God’s word? And given that – unlike those who first heard this tale – we do have the abiding truth of Jesus’ resurrection, what could our reason for neglecting Jesus’ teaching possibly be?
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Patient God, You watch as we neglect Your calling to us and ignore Your teaching, and yet You are still there for us when we cry out to You. Thank You for loving us despite all our shortcomings. Thank You for believing in us despite all the times we’ve turned away from Your word. Help us to hear You more clearly and to follow Your will for our lives. Amen.

Thank you for joining us on this prayerful

journey of reflection through Lent.

Lent Devotional Home

Grow

Luke 13:18-19

He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”

If you are taking part in the Lent goal to read all of Luke, between now and Sunday, read Luke 12-14.

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Just think how much information and direction is stored in a seed, even one as tiny as a mustard seed. Inside that little ball are all the ‘instructions’ needed for the plant to develop and grow and flourish – it is a miracle waiting to happen. And yet, just looking at the seed without thinking of the tree it can become, it would be easy to underestimate this. Untended, it could fall through a crack, get swept aside, or be trodden underfoot. And not just seeds: this is our human condition. God has given us so much potential for love and growth, put so much inside us to develop and flourish, and yet too often we view ourselves as small and insignificant – we put ourselves down and limit our possibilities. God calls us to remember the miracle that is within us and the ‘tree’ that we can each become; to allow ourselves to grow in his love, and to anticipate the love and comfort that our ‘branches’ can bring.

Nurturing God, awaken within us the awareness of Your loving purpose for each one of us. Guide us in the direction You would have us take, planting Your word as the basis of our lives. Inspire us to grow in Your love and to share Your love that we may reach up and out into the world, giving life and encouragement for others. Amen.

Thank you for joining us on this prayerful

journey of reflection through Lent.

Lent Devotional Home

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