April 4, 2021

Breaking Open the Scripture Scripture for April 4th: Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Mark 16:1-8; Theme: Resurrection of Jesus Christ; Song: Christ the Lord is Risen UMH 302 Mark: It is the women who always take the lead in the resurrection story. As Jesus had gathering his disciples together for a final teaching it is a woman who anoints his feet. Now we start out the resurrection story with the women needing to reach Jesus body to anoint the people’s king for a proper burial. While they are traveling in the dark, they have no idea that the true king has risen. He has already been anointed by God to lead the disciples to true spiritual freedom. During that dark morning, they have no idea of what they will see when they reach the tomb. They did not see anything but an empty tomb. But their hearts were still filled with heart. An angel is there to tell them that the mission continues, and they will find their own salvation in reaching out and helping others. Psalms 118: Easter is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. This psalm was more than likely a song sung as pilgrims finally made it to the temple in Jerusalem. It is also a special psalm for Christians because it recounts the salvation event from beginning to end. It starts out with persecution and doubt. The stone that the builders rejected turns out to be the cornerstone of faith. Martin Luther quotes this prayer when he writes on the wall of prison: “I shall not die, I shall live and recount the ways of the Lord”. Once he recounts how his life turned around from bad to good- then he celebrates the mercy of the lord. Easter is the day that we all celebrate the day the lord overcame all of our struggles. This is the Day that the Lord has made – Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Questions: Do you know the resurrection story by heart? What is new about this story this year? What have you overcome within this year? What gives you the strength to face the future?

March 21, 2021

Breaking Open the Scripture Scripture for March 21st: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 51:1-12, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33, Theme: obedience, Song: Change My Heart O God TFWS 2152 Hebrews: The whole point of the book of Hebrews is to help us understand Jesus role as the high priest for all people. The high priest would take responsibility for the sins of the people. They would also intercede to God on behalf of the people. High priests are found in the temple. In this case, Jesus does not reside in the temple, he does not even have any formal training. Jesus works in the lives of the ordinary person. Jesus eventually resides in the most abhorred place in society – crucified on the cross. He becomes the sacrifice for our sins – and there is no need for another sacrifice. The lesson in chapter 5 is that Jesus salves us through his obedience of the cross. He does not argue with the will of God. The lesson is that if Jesus can be obedient, than so can we. Our way of forgiving our sins is in a decision to follow Jesus to the Cross. Psalms 51: This psalm is the classic Lenten psalm asking not only for forgiveness from God, but also asking for a renewed open relationship with God. This is the desperate prayer of someone who at one time was obedient and close to God. But because of life, they feel that door is now closed. They are asking God for a cleaning of the soul that they can return to that relationship. It is a trust that God will open that doorway again. It is good for us to think of lent as a time for us to renew our relationship with God. Time for us to realize how much life has gotten in the way. Time to admit that we are sinners in our life. It is time to trust that We are special in God’s eyes, and God is reaching out to us as we are reaching out to God. Questions: What does it mean to be obedient to God? What must we do to follow Jesus role model? How do you feel cut off from God? What practice do you need to start, that you have let fall by the wayside?

March 14, 2021

Breaking Open the Scripture Scripture for March 14th: Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107: 1-3,17-22, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21; Theme: We live in the Grace of God; Song: Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me UMH 361 Ephesians: Ephesians is a continuation of Paul’s before and after, with and without theme. Here the author (probably not Paul) is comparing life with grace and without grace. Some of us may never know of a time in our lives when we were without grace. But lent is the time for all of us to grow in faith and to realize just how much of our life depends on God’s grace. The last paragraph of this verse says God’s grace is a gift. It is not something that we possess, not it is something that we can be proud of. It is not about us, it is solely on the shoulders of God. Yet there is a place for works in this lesson. God shows us grace, so that we can have the energy to do good for the rest of the world. Lent is about realizing that we are not perfect, but we can always try to do better. Psalms 107: This is a community psalm. People have gathered from all walks of life to be present together. As we gather for lent, all of us have different stories to tell. God has redeemed us in so many different situations, all that we can do is come together to say thank you. I love the last point, which says that even though all of us are redeemed, some of us are fools. We take God’s grace for granted and we do what we want to do. We pay the consequences, but God still comes to us to redeem us (once again). Those of us who are fools have all of the more reason to gather and sing God’s praises. Questions: How are you growing in faith this Lenten season? What does God’s grace mean in your life? When have you needed to ask God for forgiveness? What was your journey back to righteousness?