Readings for Lent
2015
(Taken from “The Voice” – as Provided by biblegateway.com)
February 18 Ash Wednesday Hebrews 12.1-14
1 So
since we stand surrounded by all those who have gone before, an enormous cloud
of witnesses, let us drop every extra weight, every sin that clings to us and
slackens our pace, and let us run with endurance the long race set before us.
2 Now stay focused on Jesus, who
designed and perfected our faith. He endured the cross and ignored the shame of
that death because He focused on the joy that was set before Him; and now He is
seated beside God on the throne, a place of honor.
3 Consider the
life of the One who endured such personal attacks and hostility from
sinners so that you will not grow weary or lose heart. 4 Among
you, in your striving against sin, none has resisted the
pressure to the point of death, as He did.
5 Indeed, you seem to
have forgotten the proverb directed to you as children:
My child, do not
ignore the instruction that comes from the Lord, or lose heart when He steps in
to correct you; 6 For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and
He corrects each one He takes as His own
7 Endure hardship as
God’s discipline and rejoice that He is treating you as His children,
for what child doesn’t experience discipline from a parent? 8 But
if you are not experiencing the correction that all true children receive, then
it may be that you are not His children after all. 9 Remember,
when our human parents disciplined us, we respected them. If that was true,
shouldn’t we respect and live under the correction of the Father of all spirits
even more? 10 Our parents corrected us for a time as seemed
good to them, but God only corrects us to our good so that we may share in His
holiness.
11 When punishment is
happening, it never seems pleasant, only painful. Later, though, it yields the
peaceful fruit called righteousness to everyone who has been trained by it. 12 So
lift up your hands that are dangling and brace your weakened knees. 13 Make
straight paths for your feet so that what is lame in you won’t be put
out of joint, but will heal.
14 Pursue peace with
everyone, and holiness, since no one will see God without it.
What a nice passage to start the Lenten Season. It certainly offers encouragement to drop the extra weight we carry - anxiety about the future, financial worries, regrets about the past, anger, frustration, or just the pace of modern life with so many noises and intrusions. And certainly our faith is not a destination, but a journey, or in this passage, a "long race set before us". I think that applies to us as individuals and as a church. Our path as a church is to be the Body of Christ in the Matawan area.
ReplyDeleteI also was moved by the ending, the encouragement to "pursue peace with everyone and holiness . .."
Heavenly Father, help me to drop the extra weight so that I can focus on the path you set before us - to love You and to love our neighbors. Help me to pursue peace and holiness every day.
Jerry Godbehere