Viewpoint

John 7:40-53

Pete Hilgartner

There are two parts to contemplate in this reading from John.

Division among the People

 When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, ‘This is really the prophet.’ Others said, ‘This is the Messiah.’ But some asked, ‘Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?’ So there was a division in the crowd because of him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

The Unbelief of Those in Authority

 Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, ‘Why did you not arrest him?’ The police answered, ‘Never has anyone spoken like this!’ Then the Pharisees replied, ‘Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed.’ Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, ‘Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?’ They replied, ‘Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.’ 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Please give me the patience and wisdom to be constructive in my prayers for this Church and my fellow members when the time comes to decide on a new pastor.

Our Shield

John 7:1-2,10,25-30

Garrett Durig

Whether his presence is felt or not, God is always with us and by our side. He looks after us, guides us, and protects us in times of need. It is our duty as followers of God to walk the path intended for us and do what is righteous and good. God is always in control and will always protect us as we go into the world to spread his word and help others. God’s protection is something that all people can rejoice in. Knowing that we will be safe while doing God’s will is very important as it can give us the strength and determination to do what is right, even in the face of hardship. While the tasks God assigns each of us may vary, one thing remains the same: that God will be with us till the end, helping us in everything we do.

Prayer: Dear God, we give thanks that you protect us from harm as we attempt to do what is good and right. Help us to use this knowledge to strengthen our resolve to do your will as we go about the world. Amen.  

Local Witnesses

John 5:31-47

Prue Weich

In this passage, Jesus provides further proof of his mission as the son of God and to save the Jews.  Even though his words were directed to the Jews and their leaders, they could be directed to all Christians.   To me it means I need to demonstrate the love I have for God in my heart through my belief in Jesus as his son who was sent to save us and show us how to live as God wants us to live.  

One of the ways we can show our love for God is by treating others with respect and love as Jesus taught us.  I think I have made progress with this challenge, but still have much more work to do, including volunteering to help those in need.   Another way is by reading and studying the Bible and praying.  During Lent, the devotional will help us study, but I am going to strive to spend more time talking to God throughout the day. 

PRAYER: Thank you God for the love you have shown us through Jesus your son.  Help me to be a good Christian and to follow your word.  Be with me through this time of preparation and remembrance of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the everlasting life that it has brought us.   Help me to better understand and carry out my responsibilities to others as a true follower of Christ.

Salvation Appearing

John 5:17-30

Paul Opshal

People have always wanted to know: What is God like?  I think the best answer to that is:  If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus.  Today’s verses show us a miracle-working Jesus healing a man who had been ill for 38 long years.  Problem was, Jesus did a politically incorrect thing.  He healed on the Sabbath, and the law said you weren’t supposed to work that day.  Some people, instead of being glad the man could finally walk again, got mad.

I think one thing God wants is for healing to take place even when there are those who think something else is more important.  Whenever the ordinary of our lives is flavored with God’s love, whenever hope comes alive, it’s a miracle.  With that definition, can you think of something that’s taken place in your own life recently that could be called a miracle?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, help us to see Jesus at work in our lives.  Amen.

Unity

Ezekial 47:1-9,12

Ross Rossbach

Ezekiel tells us the story of “great waters” flowing out from below the temple that becomes deep and wide to the sea “bringing fresh water where before it had been stagnant.”  Wherever the river goes it will become fresh and everything will live abundantly where the river goes…fruit for food and leaves for healing.”

I believe Ezekiel, with this story, is predicting the love of God, as shown by the future Jesus, as bringing a unique benefit to all of humankind…to be shared by all who will take part in it.  A supreme gift to God’s people, indeed all people who accept him and the gift of the “water”.

PRAYER:  May we all come together in unity someday, swimming together in the abundant waters of life freely given to us by our God.  Amen.

Story Time

Psalm 30

Mark Spoto

Psalm 30 expresses that joy is not something that is created by “things” here on earth, but is rather a gift from God that we receive when we follow His will for us.  It is easy, when things are going well, to feel like you are on top of the world.  David says “When I felt secure, I said ‘I will never be shaken.’”  When things are going well at work, or you are able to surround yourself with things like a nice house or nice cars, or take vacations to exotic places, it is easy to feel proud, secure in ourselves, sometimes even independent of God.  We have to remember that we don’t create our own joy; God gives us joy, and has the ability to take that joy away when we stray from His path.

One thing that pleases God deeply is when we focus on the love and joy of family, when we share God’s love with our family, and when we emulate His ways to our children.  When we focus on these pure, simple things, God is pleased and blesses our lives with true joy.

The best times that Liz and I have enjoyed with our children have been weekends away, just the four of us.  We head up to a quiet area in western Maryland, where the hustle and bustle doesn’t exist.  We don’t make plans.  We spend the time talking, playing games, reading, making and eating food, or watching a movie.  We often don’t leave the house for 48 hours.  It is a time for us to disengage from all of the distractions, focus on each other, and strengthen our connections.  This is an opportunity for Liz and me to have some meaningful discussions (and some light ones too) with our kids, as well as with each other.  We usually only have time to do this once a year, but we really prioritize this and always feel like these are the best days we have together as a family.  We head home with big smiles on our faces and warmth in our hearts, and thanks to God for bringing us together.

PRAYER:  Dear God, Thank you for the gifts of our families and the joy that we bring to each other.  Amen.

The Best You Can Be

2 Cor.5:17-21

Jane Cooper

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. ...”

When I was about six years old, I began taking piano lessons from the only piano teacher in town.  The inside of her house was dismal and filled with huge, dark furniture.  She was totally old-school, strict and domineering.  If you made a mistake while you were playing, she smacked your hands with a wooden rod.  No matter how hard I practiced, and how well I had the piece memorized, I was sure I would mess up and get hit with that stick.  I would come home in tears, and my mother would say, “Just do the best you can.”  Believe me--I was motivated to do the best I could!  But I knew my best would never be enough.

Because Christ died for our sins on the cross and rose again, we need not fear punishment for our mistakes.  We still need to do the best we can, to develop feelings of self-worth and to set a good example for others.  But we need to gain confidence without conceit.  Work toward strength, but care for the weak.  Be glad in our successes, but retain our humility.  We can never be worthy of the sacrifice Jesus made for us, but we can strive to be the best we can be.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, we thank you for sending Jesus Christ to redeem and reconcile us to you.  We ask that the Holy Spirit would be present with us every day to guide us to be the best we can be, so that others may be drawn to you and see the joy we have as disciples of Christ.  Amen.