Lent: Thursday, March 6, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Exodus 1:6-22

We see here the two Hebrew midwives that did the right thing, even though it was disobeying the Pharaoh.  Augustine wrote in the 6th century that we are citizens of two cities. The City of God, and the City of Man. We have dual citizenships. We are to faithful citizens of both. We are to do what is requited to be citizens of both. But, we must always remember which is our hire priority: the City of God.  Today, based off their actions, the midwives were in the wrong, in the City of Man. But, their hire allegiance was to the City of God, and because of their faithfulness to their true home, they were rewarded. 

Remember, our true home is not this earth. That means that are to live by the rules of the City of God. We are to do right, at all times. We are to love, at all times. We are to show grace, at all times. We are to be ambassadors of God, at all times. For in doing that, we will actually be better citizens of the City of Man as well. For when we live for God, we make everything around us better as well.  

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 12:12-26

As we talk about how we are one in Christ, let us also remember that we are not all the same, either. We have different gifts and graces. We have different talents. We are different things we are called and able to do.  We are are one, but we are all different. And that diversity is a good thing. For God needs each of us to do what we are called to for the church to be the church. We need hands and feet and arms and heads for the body to be the body. 

But, we must take care not to feel bad or discouraged because we might not all have the gifts of others. I cant' sing a lick. That's ok. There are others that called to sing.  I need to use my gifts for the glory of God and the good of the kingdom. And if we each use our gifts as we are called, God will be glorified.  

Gospel Lesson

Mark 8:27-9:1

We see Jesus tell us today that the true way to life is to lay down our lives for Him and for others.  Living only for ourselves will leave us empty. Living only for what we want and what we desire will leave us lacking.  Living only for what we want is a true way to sadness. 

But, when we lay down our lives and life for Him, when we lay down our lives and live for the good of others, we find life great than we could have ever imagined. Today, may we find life, and may we find that life in living for Him.