Lent: Monday, March 16, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

Jeremiah 7:1-15

We see the Lord tell the people, if you will return to me, I will be there. If you return to me, you will find mercy and grace. You will find life. What does it look like to return? Returning to God involves how we treat those in need. How we care for those in our midst that need our help and God's help. The prophet says :

For if you truly amend your ways and your doings, if you truly act justly one with another, if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, and the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own hurt, then I will dwell with you in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your ancestors forever and ever.

If we love God, we love neighbor. That's how God wants it to go. Our love for Him is seen in how we treat one another. Today, may we love Him by loving each other.

New Testament Lesson

Romans 4:1-12

We see that Abraham's faith was reckoned to him as righteousness. It wasn't his actions, it was his faith. His faith produced action. But, the faith was the start. The faith was the heart. The faith was where it all starts. Today, and each day, may the faith we have change all our lives.

Gospel Lesson

John 7:14-36

Jesus reminds us that He received His teaching from God. So, when we see Jesus, we see God. When we see the teaching and love of Jesus, we see the heart and compassion of God. When we see the mercy of Jesus, we see the mercy of God. When we see who Jesus is, we see who God is.