A Weekly Walk in the Word

Galatians 5:4-6 You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fall away from grace. But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Every Friday morning a growing group of women meet at the coffee shop in our small Minnesota town for Bible Study. The group has diverse upbringings, but have grown close through our study of the scriptures. This past week I held our first sale of the season in our shed, and the Bible Study women showed up. Instead of gossip and insults, they are lifting up me and my business. I am blessed to have found a circle of women who are living out their faith through expressions of love.

Exodus 13:21-22 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

People throughout the country spent quite a bit of time looking upward into the sky this week. If you were fortunate enough to be in the path of totality, you experienced a total eclipse of the sun. Where I live in Minnesota, it was cloudy all day. I was not able to witness the eclipse or even a glimpse of the sun all day.

This was not the case with the Israelites. The Israelites never experienced a cloudy day. God was faithful as he guided them out of Egypt. The cloud was a visual sign to them that God was with them throughout their journey. God continues to be with us today, guiding us throughout our journey.

Have a great week, and continue to look upward!

Luke 24:13-35 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” He asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since al this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find the body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

May you see the Lamb as you walk down the road of life. He is walking beside you the entire way. Run, tell your friends about Jesus!

Luke 24:1-8 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ “ Then they remembered his words.

He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia

Luke 23:26-49 As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, “Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!” Then they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” And to the hills, “Cover us!” For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “ since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Luke 22:7-16 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” “Where do you want us to prepare for it” they asked. He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there.” They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

Luke 22:54-62 Then seizing him (Jesus), they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him.” He said. A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Today we celebrate Palm Sunday as we roll into Holy Week. How will you spend this important time in your faith life? Will you deny Jesus as Peter did? Will you share in the last supper? Will you carry the cross? Will you weep? No matter how you spend this week, we have hope. I will meet you at the empty tomb next Sunday.

Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

History is taking place in Acts. The Holy Spirit is descending in power and the church is being born. The prayer group leading the church movement includes women. In particular the mentioned prayer group includes Jesus’ mother, Mary. Mary who gave birth to the Son of God is also present at the birth of the church. In a culture where the place of women was downplayed, we see the role of godly women elevated. Women were pivotal in God’s plan for the church and we continue to be part of God’s plan for the church today. I grew up in a church where women were not allowed to hold roles of leadership. I don’t believe that is what God intended for the Church. Let’s not let another generation of girls grow up thinking they don’t play an important role in the church or God’s kingdom.

Hosea 10:12 Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.

Spring has sprung. I see signs of spring everywhere I turn. With the tulips emerging from the ground, the fat robins returning to the budding Maple trees and warmer temperatures every day. But, it seems so official when we turn our clocks back an hour (causing my blog to launch later than usual). Time is a funny thing. We think we have an endless supply, until it is gone. This week was the one year anniversary of my mom’s death. In some ways, it feels like an eternity ago. In other ways, if feels fresh like she passed just yesterday. As you spring ahead this year, think about how you will use your time. It is time to seek the Lord.

John 12:35-36 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.”

Walk close to Jesus. Like a moth drawn to a light, when we seek out the light of the world we see more clearly. Walking in the light isn’t simply about living a moral life, it is a matter of following Christ, who is the light. Let the light of Jesus shine through you this week.