To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
TO PONDER:
Do you remember learning to write with a tracing paper book? When I first started school, many years ago, we were given a tracing paper book in which we put a sheet containing one of the letters of the alphabet, and we would have to push down the tracing paper over the letters underneath so we could clearly see them, and then trace over the letter time and time again to practice our letter formation. The goal was that our writing, our letters, were supposed to resemble what was underneath.
That’s exactly what Peter means when he says that we should follow in Jesus’ steps. The word literally means “writing under” - Jesus is the one who is placed under our lives, by whom we are to trace over our lives in every situation, both good and bad. The paper of our lives has to be pushed down hard on top of the paper of Jesus’ life underneath, so that we can see what his life looks like in order to trace it. What does Jesus’ life look like? It’s a journey that involves suffering. A journey in which Jesus has to put up with harsh circumstances and harsh people. A journey that ultimately leads to the cross. In every moment, Jesus endures those harsh situations and harsh people with grace. He does so full of love. He remains silent when the injustice of it all would prompt us to get angry and retaliate. It’s this life of submission to the Father in all circumstances and situations that we are called to trace in our own lives. “To this, you were called” is what Peter reminds you and I today.
So how are you tracing the example of Jesus in your own situation or circumstance?
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, help me press down on your life today, that I may trace your humility, your grace and your love in the situations I encounter today in my life. Amen.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
TO PONDER:
One of the things that you learn very quickly as a parent is the capacity of your children to mimic you! They can grab hold of your phone and have an imaginary conversations with someone on the other end and the person you hear sounds remarkably like you. The art of imitation seems to come so naturally. They soak up and reflect back what they have caught from you.
I wonder...what do people see when they watch you? Do they see someone who has spent so much time with Jesus that what they see is the character of Christ coming through? Do they see someone whose heartbeat is in sync with the heartbeat of Christ because you have spent considerable time in proximity to him and his Word and your rhythm of living mirrors Christ's? Do they witness love and grace at work in you and through you? Or do they see the influence of someone else or something else is your life.
Lent is a time to reflect on and reassess our lives and see whether our lives are worthy of imitation. If they are, praise God. If they are not, maybe it's time to repent, to remember who you are - his beloved child - and live a life that reflects that daily reality.
Be bold...ask someone you trust to tell you what they see emanating from your life today!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, forgive me when my life doesn't reflect who I am - your child who is dearly loved. Grow me more and more in your likeness beginning today. Amen.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
TO PONDER:
The images have been horrific over the last week. From people laying on roofs to escape the rising flood waters, to children huddled together in the shell of a building that was once their home, decimated by bombs. It seems that life conspires so much of the time to make us feel unsafe or frightened. But it's not just those big things, is it? Every day we are faced with situations or battles that isolate us, push us to the edge, drive us to despair and make us feel so vulnerable and alone. Can you name it today? The scary, stressful or difficult thing that you are facing in your life at the present time? The mountain of challenge that looms large in your journey that is making you fearful or anxious?
Don't miss the promise in our verses today. Jesus will never, ever let you go! Whatever harsh realities you will face today, tomorrow, this week, this month, you are not forgotten. What ever conspires against you, you are not alone. Jesus loves you. He knows you intimately by name. He's got you secure in the palm of his hand and his love for you will not let you go. Listen to his voice, calming your fears. Feel the strength of his embrace, drawing you in. Know the truth and greater reality of his unyielding faithfulness to all who follow him.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, in everything that this week brings, help me hear your voice and follow you, for your presence is the one place that gives me security forever. Amen.
After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.
TO PONDER:
A man without ethics. A man without conscience. A man glad to add to the burden of others as long as he gets what he wants. Who am I?
How many of us instinctively answered Russian leader Vladimir Putin, particularly at the present time with the war against Ukraine. Or perhaps it was any number of other world leaders who shown scant regard for the welfare of their own people. But that's not the answer! The answer is Levi; the man who Jesus called to follow him in today's reading. Tax collectors were considered as those who betrayed their nation for material gain. They collaborated with the oppression of Roman rule, who turned a blind eye to the extortion racket that tax collectors employed; adding a surcharge to the taxes which they pocketed themselves.
Jesus sees him - a word that means "to wonder; to be behold, to view attentively, to contemplate". He contemplates him at work, breaking the second table of the law which which we can sum up as "loving your neighbour as yourself". Jesus beholds a man who is estranged from his own community and issues an invitation, "Follow me." He invites him to make an irreversible decision...to leave an old way of life and find a new identity, a new community, a new life.
Don't miss the grace in this. If Jesus can call the least likely and the least deserving in Levi, an extortionist without a conscience, there is grace enough for you. There is hope for everyone. The invitation to Levi, is also Jesus' invitation to you. "Follow me." How will you RSVP?
Levi left everything to follow Jesus...what do you need to leave behind to follow Jesus?
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, I hear your call to follow you. Help me, like Levi, to leave behind my old life, to follow you and to share in your life. Amen.
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
TO PONDER
Isn’t this what its all about? Isn’t this the why of our being? Isn’t this the who we direct every action towards? Isn’t this who brings us into being? Isn’t this who takes us on the next big adventure at our leaving this physical life?
How do I bring praise, honour, glory and power to Jesus? A heart of praise pushes my pity party away and directs my feelings towards Jesus and others. I honour him with my seen and unseen actions, thoughts and words. When I share, and others see Jesus love and compassion, I bring glory to him. When I use his power and not my own, then all things are possible, and I just might be astonished! Paul says through Jesus, in our weakness we are made strong.
PRAYER
Father, I am your beloved child, and Jesus who sit with you also sits in my heart, willing and waiting to do all kinds of things through me. Who knows what “Roman officer” may see faith in action and be changed? Use me, I am yours. Amen
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra.
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
TO PONDER
Are you young in physical age? Are you young in being a follower of Jesus? Are you young in faith growth, reliving the same level of faith year after year? We are what we are, yes. But as they say - use it or lose it. The encouraging chapter continues “ devote yourselves…do not neglect your gift…be diligent…give yourself wholly….watch closely….persevere”. This is the how of the directive to set an example for others. Remember all the other verses for this week, we live in the power and authority of Jesus, we are never alone. Our faith grows with the challenges, it expands with the giving, and we are enriched by the experience, our very being is transformed and we become more than we thought we were, we grow into who we were designed to be.
PRAYER
Jesus, our long slow lives are up and down faith journeys, but we look back and see you working in our lives, helping us show your love to others, helping others to shine your light on us, the giving, receiving and sharing of you that builds us into who we are. Help us to be participants, to hold on tightly and enjoy the ride! Amen
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
TO PONDER
Following on from yesterdays thoughts, I definitely don’t live in that powerful, Holy Spirit blessed place of charisma, power, authority as a daily existence. I’m no Peter, that’s for sure. However, the presence of the Spirit is always there, deep in my heart, and I live with an awareness that I am to share that with whomever Jesus places in my path, that needs to hear it, see it in action, or benefit from it. So knowing that nothing can separate me from the love of God imparts responsibility to share that love, ability to do so with God’s strength, courage to create larger comfort zones, integrity to step out in faith, wisdom to recognise the nudge of the Holy Spirit, and reassurance that I am not alone, ever. There are no excuses.
PRAYER
Jesus, I am yours, and you are mine, and your banner over me is love. I am captivated by your love and bound to you eternally. For this I give thanks and praise. Amen
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra
“…then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.”
TO PONDER
Backstory - It’s the Jewish Hag Shavuot (Pentecost) celebrations, 50 days after Passover, when all Jewish men go to Jerusalem with offerings and celebrations for the grain harvest, and to recall God giving the Torah (10 Commandments) at Mt Sinai. So Jerusalem is pretty packed out.
Now, God revisits this celebration with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and a wild unleashing of power and authority manifests in glory to Jews from all over the country! (Talk about free advertising!) Tongues, healings, conversions sweep the city, and Peter declares to all that it is by the power of Jesus that this is happening. God creates here an added dimension to this festival, the Holy Spirit given freely for each person. An offering for his people, who have come to offer him thanks on this pilgrim festival.
Do we live, really live, in that wildness of the Holy Spirit within us? Do our mouths itch to share his grace with others when the opportunity arises? Do our hands burn to lay hands on others with prayers of healing for body, mind, spirit and soul? Is the Holy Spirit our dearest friend who whispers his love into our hearts and gives us courage and perseverance?
PRAYER
Holy Spirit, set my heart on fire, burn off the dross, may I see your goodness and power this week, May I be a willing participant in your tasks this week, no matter how small or large. Amen
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra.
“Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his town.”
TO PONDER
Jesus and the disciples cross the lake, a storm comes up that threatens their lives, so they wake the sleeping Jesus and he commands the storm and restores calm seas. Sweet! Then on land, he encounters the demons, commands them to enter a large herd of pigs, who then rush into the lake and drown. Not so visually sweet! Then… he gets back in the boat (probably with the gobsmacked disciples) and crosses back over the lake to his own town.
Jesus has expressed his authority twice – over the storm, and the demons. He now confirms and puts his stamp on that authority by calmly crossing over the risky lake waters again and also where the demonised pigs have been sent (culturally, the dead and demons reside in deep waters). Is he cool or what!
Am I cool with Jesus and his authority? Do I live gobsmacked but never the less willing to be in the boat with Jesus? Do I use his authority to calm the storm of life? Do I use his authority to pray into spiritual attacks and learn to recognise them in myself and others when they come?
PRAYER
Jesus, I don’t want a gentle Jesus, meek and mild, I want a wild Jesus of authority and power. Help me not to confine you to the manger this week. Amen
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra