Beyond Sunday

Thursday, The Second Week of Lent (Mar. 4)

Narrated by Mary Stigge

His Priority Is You

[Jesus] prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

The third time Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, it was a prayer of commitment: “If this cannot pass... your will be done.” Jesus’ main concern was never “what's best for me” but always what’s best for his Father and for the people he was sent to rescue from sin and death. His priority was, and still is, you, as well as all the other sinners that could only be healed by his wounds.

When you confront a conflict between your will and God’s, let your priority be set by his prayer: “Thy will be done.” Be sure that Jesus will always help you make God's will your number one priority.

REFLECT: How can you show others that God’s will is your priority?

PRAY: Lord Jesus, as you did the Father’s will for me, enable me to know and do his will. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Wednesday, The Second Week of Lent (Mar. 3)

Narrated by Kate Oshima

“I Am Not Worthy”

The centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Matthew 8:8

This Roman army officer understood something most people, even today, fail to grasp. Jesus' care and blessing were not reserved only for those who “deserved” it. The unworthy centurion simply believed that Jesus’ aid did not have to be earned.

Our Savior's mission was, and is, to extend God's healing grace to foreigners, to outcasts, even to undeserving sinners such as you and me. We never need to wonder if we are good enough to be healed of the sickness of sin. Our salvation has nothing to do with our worthiness; it is based only on the wounds of our gracious, loving Savior, who did it all for us unworthy sinners.

REFLECT: How can you show love to those outside of your circle?

PRAY: I am not worthy, Lord, but you are, and I welcome your grace. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Tuesday, The Second Week of Lent (Mar. 2)

Narrated by Paul Stigge   

He Died for Each One

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” John 19:26-27

He died for all, but at the most agonizing point of his suffering, he demonstrated concern for one individual, his mother, placing her in a new family with his beloved disciple. In doing this, he “honored his mother.”

Jesus' concern for you is just as personal; you are one of those for whom he died
not merely as a faceless member of a mob of millions but as an individual. He has made you a beloved part of a new family of God, of people healed by his wounds and destined for eternity. At the most agonizing points of your life, trust this truth.

REFLECT: How can you show love to those closest to you?

PRAY: Hold me close to your heart, Lord Jesus, and fill me with your peace and comfort. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Monday, The Second Week of Lent (Mar. 1)

Narrated by Sharon Zehnder

The Son of God Dies for the Ungodly

From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” John 19:12

The mob and its leaders rejected Jesus, demanding his execution. They had no idea how this fit right in with God’s plan of salvation for all of us sinners. By his wounds we are healed; by his death we have eternal life.

It's too easy to pass judgment on “the Jews.” Our rejection of Jesus is much more subtle, but we are just as guilty as they are. Every one of our sins added to his crucifixion, but “the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). Jesus lovingly, willingly accepted the burden of the judgment we deserve.

That is the gospel healing we celebrate.

REFLECT: What can you do to be less judgmental?

PRAY: We honor you, Jesus, as our King of kings. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Second Sunday of Lent (Feb. 28)

Narrated by Jodi Strohl

Commandment with Promise

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12

This is the only commandment with an explicit promise. All of them have implied benefits: Living within the will of God makes life much more enjoyable, and even longer! When our sin causes us to rebel against God’s will, we forfeit the promised blessing.

How blessed we are that Christ came to our rescue! He fulfilled all the Father's will, even offering his own body and blood for our salvation. How blessed we are when we are healed by his wounds and follow God's loving commandment: Honor the authorities God has given us for our welfare and respect those whom God has given us to love and care for. As promised, the more we do that, the better life is.

REFLECT: What can you do to honor those in authority over you?

PRAY: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for taking away my sin. Renew in me the desire to live in your love. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Saturday, The First Week Of Lent (Feb. 27)

Narrated by Jessica Bauer

Walk in Christ

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith. Colossians 2:6-7

If Sunday is not connected to Monday, we have missed the point. Our worship must help us “walk in Christ” all week long. He is the Lord of the Sabbath by whose wounds we are healed. With our roots firmly in him, we are established in faith and enabled to withstand the dangers of life in a world hostile to Christian living.

Let this be the goal of your Lenten journey, to be renewed and healed by the wounds of Christ Jesus, so that your daily living has new energy and positive purpose. Eliminate some bad habits and take steps to walk more faithfully as a person rooted in Christ. Your Lord will bless you from his cross.

REFLECT: What can you do to keep connected to Christ throughout the week?

PRAY: Lord Jesus, forgive my frequent failures and guide me in the way of righteousness. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Friday, The First Week Of Lent (Feb. 26)

Narrated by Bryan Bartels

Spiritual Amnesia

[Jesus] said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27-28

Spiritual amnesia is a common problem for us Christians. Amid the conflicting demands of daily life, we focus on our struggles and lose sight of God’s promises and his presence in our lives. The Sabbath day of rest and restoration was made for imperfect people like us so we can be reminded of God’s never-ending grace and care for us.

By his wounds, Jesus heals us. He is the Lord of the Sabbath who comes to our rescue time and time again. He redirects us when we wander off course, refreshes us when we grow weary, picks Us up when we stumble, and forgives us for our frequent failures. Remember to turn to him regularly for the healing you need.

REFLECT: Ponder how to keep remembering the Lord of love.

PRAY: Thank you, Jesus, for being there for me at all times. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Thursday, The First Week Of Lent (Feb. 25)

Narrated by Ruth Eickhol

An Unexpected Blessing

[Jesus] said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored. Luke 6:10

The man with a crippled hand received an unexpected blessing at the synagogue on the Sabbath. Jesus was there to heal his hand; no doubt his heart was changed as well.

Jesus still offers to heal us “with his wounds”; his wounds on the cross continue to give you new life. Reflect on the healing you have received over the years. Your heart is more loving, less greedy and more generous, less fearful, and more hopeful. No, you’re not perfect yet, but then, God isn’t through with you yet.

Jesus gave his life to give you life. Expect him to renew that life when next he meets you in worship, for “By his wounds we are healed.’

REFLECT: Think of all the blessings you have received from God.

PRAY: Lord, I do need continued healing. Heal my stubborn heart again today. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Wednesday, The First Week Of Lent (Feb. 24)

Narrated by Emily Merten

It’s Right to Do Right

Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” Luke 6:9

The critical question for Jesus was not “What does the Sabbath law require?” but rather “What is God’s will?” He knew his Father's will, and he did it perfectly, deliberately going to the cross to sacrifice himself for the salvation of all us sinful humans. He did the right thing.
He still does the right thing. By his wounds, he is healing the toxic effect of sin in our lives. We can now be sure that it is always a blessing to do the right thing, even when common sense tells us something different. Healed and made new by his wounds, let us strive always to do the right thing, to live lovingly and generously as followers of our gracious Savior.

REFLECT: How will you follow God’s will today?

PRAY: I need healing again today, Lord Jesus. Touch my heart with forgiving and changing grace. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Tuesday, The First Week Of Lent (Feb. 23)

Narrated by Josh Allen

Every Day He Heals Us

The scribes and the Pharisees watched [Jesus], to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him. Luke 6:7

Jesus' opponents hoped to trap him; would he work on the Sabbath by healing a cripple? Jesus turned their trap into a teaching moment—he never took a day off from his mission of mercy.

Jesus always used every opportunity to extend God’s healing to the sick, forgiveness to the guilty, comfort to the sorrowing. He fulfilled the mission Isaiah spoke of: “He was pierced for our transgressions and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

His mission continues today for you. However sin and life have caused you pain, he is prepared to provide the mercy you need. Turn to him in faith, confessing your sin and sickness, and receive his healing mercy.

REFLECT: When did you feel the healing power of God today?

PRAY: Lord, you know my sin and my needs. As you were wounded for me, hold me in your healing hand. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.