March 31, 2019

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for March 31st: Joshua 5:9-12, Psalm 32, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32, Theme: Lenten celebration Luke: The story of the prodigal son is one of the most popular stories in the Bible. We hear it so much that it can be easy for us to forget the true lesson of the story. Jesus is involved in an argument with the pharisees. They don’t understand why Jesus and his disciples refuse to follow protocol. If Jesus claims to be such a holy man, why does he spend so much time with questionable characters? Jesus tells three stories of things that were lost and were found. Each time the lost things was found, there is a celebration. If a woman can celebrate about finding a penny on the floor, then surely, a family can celebrate the return of a lost child. We are that lost child and God rejoices when we repent and return to him. Lent is a strange celebration, where God rejoices when we set life aside and take God more seriously. Imagine how God must feel about Easter? Psalm 32: Confession is good for the soul. The psalmist tells us how important it is for us to be honest with God about our lives. When we hold our sins inside, they can destroy us. The psalmist says that my body is wasting away. I am suffering because I am keeping the darkness inside of me. But once I talk with God and let the light in, things get better. He (the psalmist )is saying that having a relationship with God makes all of the difference in the world. It can be such a healing experience. But it can also save you from getting caught up in what is happening in the world. You can resist sin, by focusing on your relationship with God. This is a great reminder for lent – to think about the time of repentance as a great time to enjoy the benefits of God. Questions: How have you stepped away from God? What part of your life do you need to rededicate to God? What do you feel self-righteous about and refuse to celebrate? How is confession a part of your life? How do your feel about your relationship with God? Yo