Thursday, April 10, 2008

Easter: Thursday, April 10, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Exodus 20:1-21

We see here the 10 Commandments. Books, essays, sermons, all these have been written about the 10 Commandments. This may be the most formative document given in human history. What can we say about it in this limited space?  When we look at these commands, notice what they are concerned with. They are concerned with our relationship with God: idolatry, the Lord's name, etc. They are also concern about our relationship with each other: murder, theft, adultery, etc.  God's commands for us revolve around two great and important things. Our relationship with Him (God) and our relationship with each other (neighbor).

A guy comes up to Jesus and asks him what most important command is, and Jesus love the Lord your God with all of our heart, your soul, your mind and your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. 

Love of God, love of neighbor. We see in the 10 Commandments, we see it in the life and ministry of Jesus. That is our greatest calling and greatest command in life. Love God, love each other.  If we do that, everything else will work out.  

New Testament Lesson

Colossians 1:24-2:7

As Paul reminds us here, it is Christ that we proclaim and He is the point of being for the church, and for the individual Christian. He is what we are about, He is who we are called to follow, His life is the life we are called to live.  It is a life of love, mercy, peace, joy, compassion, and devotion to God.  We proclaim Him with our words, and with our lives. Let us live for Him today.  

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 4:1-11

We see that just as we are tempted each of our life, so was our Lord tempted.  We serve a God that we tempted as we are, yet remained sinless. So, in our moment of trail and temptation, we know that we can turn to Him, for He understands.  He has been where we are, He has walked a mile in our shoes. He understands, He knows, He sympathizes.  In our moment of need and doubt and temptation, let us turn to Jesus, for He has been where we are and will give us the strength to stand.  

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