Lenten Devotion from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"CUSTOMARY HABITS " February 27, 2008 John 18:28. "Then the Jews led Jesus...to the palace of the Roman governor...the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover."

It is customary for residents of this world to get into strange habits. That's what the Denver Zoo found out a number a years ago whey they built a natural habitat for a polar bear. During the three-year construction, the bear was kept in a small cage, which allowed him to take three steps, turn around, and go the three steps back. When the bear's new habitat was complete, it was beautiful. Free to roam, the bear looked, took three steps, turned around, took three steps back and turned around. (The bear's okay now.)

Joining that bear as a creature of habit were the Jews who went to Pilate's palace. They had the habit of eating the Passover meal, so the men who had sentenced an innocent Man to death, refused to go into Pilate's courtroom. A strange custom this, eating the Passover lamb, while killing the Lamb of God. As Christians we need to make sure that our habits don't get in the way of proclaiming the Lord of Life. Even as the Lord split the veil of the temple to let the world know that Jesus had come to save everyone, so the Spirit wishes to split God's people from any baggage that keeps them from sharing Jesus.

Prayerful Practice: Dear Lord, habits can be foolish. Grant me the good habit of pointing others to Jesus, my Savior. In His Name. Amen.

A Contemporary Custom: Do you have the custom of being a spectator at church? Get involved. Today, sing those hymns! Concentrate on the prayers!

DVD and Dessert

Tonight we watched a very informative and excellent DVD from the ELCA's Mosaic Television called "The Life of Apostle Peter". We all agreed that we know a lot more about Peter now than when we came at 6:30! One of the things that stood out was the idea that Peter was not a penniless pauper when Jesus called him to become a "fisher of men". He had a home, a business, and, the Bible tells us, a mother-in-law (which implies he had a wife!). He gave up a lot to follow Jesus.

What would we give up to follow Him?

Are we "stretched" by our faith?

Are we willing to leave our comfort zone, to step out of the boat, as Peter did?

Convicting questions. I shall certainly be pondering them.

Lenten Devotion from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"CUSTOMARY DESERTION " February 20, 2008 Matthew 26:56. "But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then the disciples deserted Him and fled."

In spite of being warned, the disciples' flight shows us just how customary it is to run from taking a stand. The custom is held by rich and poor, young and old. Before he attacked Russia, Napoleon seemed to have the world at his fingertips. When the Russian invasion failed, Napoleon, fearing he might be overthrown at home, left his suffering army and hurried back to France. Coming to a river, the frightened general asked the ferryman if many deserters had asked for passage. "No," replied the Russian, "you are the first."

In making His uncustomary stand for the redemption of sinful humanity, Jesus broke new ground. He did have options. He could have escaped -after all, He had walked through a hostile crowd before (His time had not yet come). But Jesus was not a deserter. His Father had entrusted Him with the job of saving humanity and He completed it. So that others may know this wonderful news, Christians are being called upon, in increasing numbers, to take their stand. That's what we will do, lest we become a deserter in the Lord's crusade.

Prayerful Practice: Lord Jesus, empower me to be a faithful member of Your cause. Amen.

Contemporary Custom: As a parent or grandparent, write a letter of encouragement to the next generation, encouraging them to stand fast.