Lent: Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Old Testament Lesson

Jeremiah 17:19-27

We see here the Lord commanding the people to keep the Sabbath day holy. It is a really big deal to God. So big, He put it in the 10 Commandments. Why? Why should we take such care to keep the Sabbath day holy? A couple of reasons. The first is also the simplest. He told us to do it. That's a pretty good reason. If the Lord says to do something, you should do it.

Second, it reminds us that He created everything. The Sabbath was the day that the Lord rested from creation, and our rest on that days reminds us that the Lord made everything, both seen and unseen. Also, within this, we need the rest of the Sabbath. We need a time to take our minds off of work, off the things of this world, off the demands upon our time and allow ourselves to rest.

But, primary is worship. We are called to worship the Lord our God on this Sabbath day. He is Holy, He is Mighty, and He is strong. Sundays were given us as Christians to worship. To Worship God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Do you take time on Sunday to come to His house? To reflect upon His grace? To worship His name? Friends, not only has He commanded it, but it is something that is our very best interest as well.

New Testament Lesson

Romans 7:13-25

We see Paul remind us in this passage that sin and temptation are always close at hand. And, if someone like Paul knew the reality of sin, if he understand how easy it is to fall into sin and temptation, if someone as strong as Paul knew that sin was not a plaything, but something to be taken very seriously; how much must we be careful of sin.

For, while many of us may be strong in our faith, out doubt many of us are as strong as Paul. And, if Paul would say these things about sin, how much more must you and be concerned about sin and its ability to destroy our lives.

Gospel Lesson

John 6:16-27

We see Jesus telling the people that they were following Him not because He was the way to life, but because they thought they could get what they wanted out of Him. We serve Jesus to do what He wants. We should be interested in doing His will, not in Him doing ours. Remember we are here to serve Him. He is not here to serve us.