Lent: Friday, April 7, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Exodus 9:13-35

Sometimes in life we make decisions that are bad. Sometimes we are heading down the wrong street. Sometimes we can even see how it might end. But, if we are trapped in our sin, we don't care. Pharaoh had seen enough by this time to know that God wasn't kidding, He would do what He said He would do. And, for a moment, he had conviction and knew he was wrong. But, he had no real desire to change.

Repentance is not just conviction of sin, repentance is doing something about it. Today, is there sin in your life that you feel conviction of? Maybe you have been unfaithful to God, or to church. Maybe there is a sin in your life that you are convicted of. Maybe there is something that you need to give to the Lord. Friends, feeling bad about it does not amount to anything, unless it produces action. It is not enough of feel bad about you sin, you must do something. Today, do not mistake conviction of sin for repentance of sin. The Lord demands that we repent, that we change. And that change must come in the form of a changed life, which is possible only through the power of the Holy Spirit.

New Testament Lesson

2 Corinthians 4:1-12

We are merely jars of clay, objects that God chooses to use. But, what an honor to know that we can be used by God! What a privilege to know that today, the God of heaven desires to use you in a powerful way. Sure, we are not perfect, sure, we are not yet what we should be. In spite of all of that, God will use you today. In fact, our imperfections are used as well, for they show the power of God's grace to use even you and me. Today, open yourself to God and allow Him to use you in some new and might way. While we may just be jars of clay, we are jars that our God can use.

Gospel Lesson

Mark 10:32-45

We see in the text today that once again the disciples just don't get it. They are arguing amongst themselves over who would be the greatest; and Jesus replies, that he who is the greatest must serve.

In the world, you become great by power, by doing whatever you have to do get ahead. You lie, steal, and cheat, whatever you can to get what you want. Greatness in the world comes from titles, or from rank, or from fear, or from power, or from authority.

The church doesn't work that way. Christians don't work that way. The way to greatness in God's eyes is not through power, but through service. The way to power is not through bullying, but through washing some one's feet. The way to lead is to be servant of all. As Christians we should not live like the world, we should not think like the world, we should lead like the world. To be greatest, you must serve.

Today, how to you chase after greatness? Is it through political games at work? Is through being a bully? Is it through anything like this? As Christians, the only greatness we should seeks comes from serving others and serving our Lord. If we do that, God will take care of the rest.