Archives for March 2018

Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin.

As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.

Big View: Person of Peace
Small View: Permanent Relationships – Proclamation

Patrick Cannon
Catalyst Church – Cleveland OH

Observation: Joseph did not agree with his fellow leaders and was a good and righteous man hoping and waiting for God’s Kingdom. Do I let my co-workers opinions, beliefs and approval influence my seeking and sharing of God’s Kingdom?

Action: I have a customer at work who has been very open to receiving prayer from me concerning his family. I am going to prayerfully look for an opportunity to engage him in a deeper spiritual conversation, perhaps even invite to grab a cup of coffee.

26 As the soldiers 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. 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then “‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’
31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Big View: Person of Peace
Small View: Passing Relationships – Perception

Steve Diehl
Walnut Creek Friends Church/Forgiveness Ministries – Walnut Creek

Observation: The centurion had only a few passing hours to observe Jesus; in particular, how He suffered and died. The centurion noticed that Jesus responded to His suffering differently than others did. A few moments with Jesus changed how he saw Jesus.

Action: When standing in lines I make it a point to talk with strangers, make them laugh, assist them – be Jesus to them.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Big View: Person of Peace
Small View: Passing Relationships – Permanent Relationships – Preparation – Power

Tammy Vogt
Origins Faith Community – Ontario, Oregon

Observation: Jesus knew they needed a tangible example of what a life of love and service looks like. No task is too menial. No effort to humble. If He did it, we are called to do it as well.
‘…do as I have done for you.’

Action: I encounter all kinds of people in my daily life. I am going to stop, look and listen to see where God is at work and ask myself the question, ‘how can I serve this person’? Just like Jesus.

39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed,42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Big View: Person of Peace
Small View: Perception – Permanent Relationships

Jed Matschke
Bethlehem Lutheran – Carson City NV

Observation: Jesus’ disciples were willing to follow Him as people of peace, but they weren’t strong enough to keep up with Jesus in prayer. However, Jesus doesn’t cast blame or cut himself off from them. He reminds them once again of their calling to pray.

Action: Sometimes, the people following me don’t meet my expectations. Instead of acting out of anger or spite when I become frustrated or angry and cutting off these permanent relationships, this week I am going to exhibit that fruit of the Spirit that is patience and call them back to obedience, just like Jesus.

Luke 22:24-3424 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

Big View: Person of Peace
Small View: Preparation – Permanent Relationships – Proclamation

Mike McCoy
Vineyard Church – Concord CA

Observation: Jesus – I want to represent you well, especially to the people of peace in my life, but I can’t live up to my good intentions without your help and grace. Jesus, you are showing me that like Peter, I believe I am willing to sacrifice for you. But also like Peter, I need You to pray that my faith and faithfulness doesn’t fail.

Action: My neighbor – a permanent person of peace – and I get to talk every weekend as we take care of our yards. Lord, I believe You have prepared him to hear the good news about Jesus. You have given me the help, faith, and grace I need so I will look for opportunities on each weekend in Lent to proclaim and share our story with him.

12 He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’
14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’
15 “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.
16 “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’
17 “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’

Big View: Person of Peace
Small View: Preparation Passing Relationships – Permanent Relationships

Eric Strom
Rock of the Foothills – La Verne CA

Observation: Each of the servants in the parable was given a large sum of money to manage while their master was gone. Though their master had a bad reputation, most of them took the risk of trading with the money, such that at least two of them increased his wealth. The servants who Prepared for the master’s return by investing the money were rewarded. The one who simply played it safe did not. In fact, the master seems more interested in whether the servants took the risk than about how much they actually made.

Action: Sometimes opportunities come for me to prepare the spiritual soil in another person’s life. This week I will watch for doors that are opening, whether a Passing, or in a Permanent relationship. I will intentionally take the risk of doing something or speaking into those opportunities. If the master in this story, who was hated by his own people, honored the people who took a risk with his money, how much more will God honor me when I try to make good use opportunities I am given? I will take those opportunities rather than play it safe.