Category: 2022 Lent Devotions

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

They took Jesus to Pilate

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 21, 2022. Photo by Alina Rubo on Unsplash

Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. (Luke 23:1)

“The whole company” would include high priest, chief priests, scribes, and the elders of the people. They’ve heard Jesus incriminate himself, that is, he didn’t deny being the Christ and the Son of God. Such claims are capital offenses in their eyes. So they drag Jesus to Pilate the Roman governor.

Suddenly, Jesus’ fate is in the hands of the secular world. That might not be a bad thing, now that we’ve seen how ruthless the religious leaders can be. Maybe Jesus will finally get some justice!

We know that’s not going to happen. We know how this turns out. The religious elite will find a way to use Roman authority to get what they want: the death of Jesus.

I’ve heard some stories about congregational meetings that took place before I was pastor of my current church. At one of those meetings, those on each side of an issue became to argumentative that someone called the sheriff’s department to break things up. I know, I also thought, “Really?” I don’t know what they were fighting about, but someone got their way. And the local authorities helped.

At one point, when we were going to put a new church sign out front, an option was a lit sign on which we could put messages. Someone who didn’t want that kind of sign poured over the zoning laws until they found a provision that said we couldn’t have one. We put up a different kind of sign. Meanwhile the church next door got a variance and put up a lit sign. Once again the local authorities were a great help.

Isn’t it interesting how we’re willing to overlook the separation of church and state when we can use the state to our advantage? By the same token, those running for office will seek the endorsement of religious organizations. Yep, there’s nothing new under the sun.

I’ll admit, it’s tempting to call code enforcement rather than walking across the street to talk to my neighbor about his lawn. It’s tempting to inflate my church contributions to reduce my income taxes. Wearing a clerical collar could get me out of a speeding ticket, right? If we let the city use our facility as a polling place, we might just get that building permit we need. I’ve volunteered for Good News Club (after school bible instruction) in our local elementary school. The Supreme Court of the United States said we could do that.

That’s all they were doing. Just getting it done.

Lord, have mercy on me, the government, and the church. We need it. Amen.

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

A straight answer

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 20, 2022. Photo by PhotoAC on Pixabay.

When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” (Luke 22:66-70)

I’ll bet they were frustrated. What do they have to do to get a straight answer from Jesus?

“Tell us if you’re the Christ.” “Why should I answer? You wouldn’t believe me anyway.”

“Are you the Son of God?” “That’s what you say.”

That’s not an answer. That’s an accusation. Who called Jesus the Son of God before this? The demons (Luke 4:41)! Jesus is comparing the elders, chief priests, scribes and Jewish council of being filled with unclean spirits rather than the faith-giving Spirit of God.

That’s ironic. This group had accused Jesus of driving out demons by the power of the prince of demons. Their accusation was equivalent to a rejection of God, and the unclean spirits are always looking for a vacancy (Luke 11:14-26). I guess they found a place.

I’m always a little frightened by the idea of Satan getting his foot in the door. He does so by simply introducing a seed of doubt. He asked Eve, “Did God say you shouldn’t do that?” He said to Jesus, “If you’re the Son of God…” I think Satan suggest to David, “Are you sure you have enough people? (1 Chronicles 21:1). I wonder if he stalled Paul’s trip to Thessalonica by hinting, “Are you sure you want to go there?” (1 Thessalonians 2:14). When Peter took Jesus aside to tell him there was no way he was going to suffer, be killed, and be raised, Jesus replied, “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:22-23).

We don’t need Satan or any other voice in the world to sow seeds of doubt in our faith. We do that extremely well on all our own. Will Jesus keep his promises? Is he going to be there for me? Can I trust him? What if my faith isn’t strong enough? What if mess up? What if I really mess up?

Just like God’s Old Testament people never really got rid of all the Canaanite people when they took over the promised land, it seems like my faith never quite gets rid of the last bits of my doubt. The door is always open just a crack. There’s always a new fear, a new question, or a new “what if” that grows like a weed in the garden of my faith.

The only way to pull those weeds is God’s Word, where we hear the answer. By the way, it’s also his name. “I am.”

Thank you for being who you are, Lord. Amen.

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

I don’t get no respect

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 19, 2022. Photo by Tumisu on Pixabay.

Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” (Luke 22:63-64)

We learn how to mock others at a very young age. We taunt the kids in preschool, “You can’t catch me!” We imitate others with a whiny voice. We slap labels on each other like “stupid,” “ugly,” “fat,” and “dummy.” We master all this before we even get to elementary school.

We spend a lot of time teaching our children to be respectful. We teach them to encourage others, speak well of them, and explain everything in the kindest way. We help them learn treat others as they would like to be treated.

And then we turn around and mock those who can’t get around very well, who stutter when they talk, who have certain political leanings, can’t control their children, creep along in the center lane of the highway, seem to wander aimlessly through the grocery store, etc., etc., etc.

So it should be no surprise that Jesus would be mocked. This is a king? This is your master? This is your Savior? You’ve got to be kidding. That’s the best you’ve got? An ordinary carpenter from Nazareth in Galilee with some kind of Messiah complex?

Well, just look in the mirror. We mock other faiths. You worship that fat statue of the Buddha? You really believe you could be reincarnated as a cow or a bug or something? You’re basing your faith on one man’s vision of some golden plates? You really believe we’re descended from ancient aliens?

It seems like everyone else’s faith is laughable. So is ours, I guess. Wait, you say Jesus came back from the dead? That same guy who walked on water? And turned water into wine? Don’t you think that’s kind of out there? I completely understand why someone might make fun of the things I believe.

Oh, and they beat Jesus while they were mocking him. Like the bully who pushes you down on the playground and then laughs when you skin your knees. Or trips you in the lunchroom, sending your food flying while everyone laughs.

That’s what our world is like. That’s the world that Jesus stepped into.

It is humbling to realize that we are among the ones who make it that kind of a world. We do plenty of mocking. We’re in on it. We’re in on the shame and humiliation Jesus endured. That’s me in the mirror.

It’s a cruel world, Lord. And I help make it that way. Lord, have mercy.

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

One of them

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 18, 2022. Photo by Jehyun Sung on Unsplash

Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.  (Luke 22:55-62)

He did it. He did it just the way Jesus said he would. He denied knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crowed before the dawn.

Peter didn’t have a gun to his head or a sword at his throat. He wasn’t being interrogated under intense light. He wasn’t threatened in any way. Two simply made the comment, “You were with him.” Another said, “You are one of them.” These people had no authority. The mob already had the one they wanted. But Peter is quick to respond, “I don’t know him, I wasn’t with him, and I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

Peter was confident. He had a sword and wasn’t afraid to use it in the garden when the mob came for Jesus (John 18:10). But he wasn’t prepared for this. He wasn’t prepared to be one of them. Those who came with Jesus from Galilee. Those who ran alongside Jesus when he rode into Jerusalem like a king. Those who called him Christ.

Later, Peter would encourage believers to not only honor Jesus as Christ the Lord but also be “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

We’ve been conditioned to think that we are going to encounter resistance at every turn. That’s not always true. Just because someone asks, “You’re a Christian, right?” doesn’t mean they’re your enemy. They might be interested in hearing what you believe. Or they might want someone to pray with them. Or they might be looking for a friend themselves.

What if Peter had simply been silent? What if after the servant girl said, “This man was also with him,” someone else said, “Really? What was he like? Did he really heal people?” He could have shared some amazing memories from the past three years. It would have been about Jesus, not about him.

Perhaps that’s the secret. It’s not about us. It’s always about him.

Lord, I guess I’m one of “them.” What story do you think I should tell?

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

Spotted

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 17, 2022. Photo by Mulyadi on Unsplash

Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.”  (Luke 22:54-56)

Since I’ve lived in my community for nearly twenty-six years, I get recognized a lot.

At the Chick-fil-A drive up window, a young lady hands me a drink and asks, “Are you Pastor Bill? I went to your preschool when I was little!” Or at the bank where some of the church members work. At a restaurant, where a kind friend paid for my drink refill. A barista at Starbucks was once in my confirmation class. I knew the trainer at Marineland who helped us swim with the dolphins. I run into folks I know at the doctor’s office, the grocery store, the pharmacy, the veterinarian, and movie theaters.

Of course, there are places where you hope no one will see or recognize you. Like when you are wheeling a grocery cart out of the liquor store. Or when you’re all bandaged up after a long day at the dermatologist. Or when you’ve grabbed your rebellious child by the hand and dragged them out of the store kicking and screaming. Sneaking into the library to return some very overdue books.

Or like Peter, when you’ve quietly followed Jesus, who has been arrested and taken to the high priest’s house at night. It’s dark and he’s keeping his distance. He’s from Galilee and the city is full of people from all over Israel. No one is going to recognize him, even if he can be seen in the light of the fire.

Until someone does. Where had the servant girl seen Peter with Jesus? In the garden where Jesus prayed? When Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem? In the temple when Jesus was teaching? He didn’t know her. But she recognized him.

This is an awkward moment. They’ve arrested Jesus. Would they come after his followers? Was it safe for the twelve to be in Jerusalem? Even after the resurrection, they would hide behind locked doors.

Have you ever pretended not to see someone at the store so you wouldn’t have to stop and talk with them? Once you’ve seen them, avoiding eye contact, you quickly turn down an aisle and disappear into the crowd.

Poor Peter doesn’t get a chance to do that. He’s been spotted. For him it feels like a “I know what you did last summer” moment. And there’s nowhere to hide. Her comment was probably harmless. But I’ll be Peter felt conspicuous.

We love our faith and we love our Lord, but that means we’ll find ourselves in places and situations where we just don’t fit in. Most of the time, no one really cares, but we still feel conspicuous. Yes, we know how Peter felt.

Lord, I just don’t fit in. Why does that feel so good and so bad at the same time?

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

Jesus’ classroom

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 16, 2022. Photo by Dom Fou on Unsplash

“When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me.” (Luke 22:53)

I like to imagine what it would have been like to be there in the temple day after day listening to Jesus teach. I’ve read his words on the printed page and heard them read aloud many times. But just imagine being there, hearing his voice as he tells a parable, answers questions, and teaches about the end times.

A lot of Jesus’ temple teaching towards the end of his life was prompted by questions. “Who gave you the authority to teach?” “Do we have to pay taxes?” “What do you think of divorce?” “What are the signs of the temple’s destruction?”

Jesus’ answers to those questions stepped on a lot of toes. His stories pointed out the unbelief and hypocrisy of the audience. It got real quiet real quick. They stopped asking questions.

What questions would you like to ask Jesus? A lot of folks tell me they have a whole list ready to go for that day when they get to see him face to face. You know, there might be a line. But we’ll have time. Lots of it. Eternity.

Those who got a glimpse of heaven in the bible didn’t ask a lot of questions. Jacob was awed and afraid (Genesis 28:16,17). Isaiah was overwhelmed (Isaiah 6). At the transfiguration, Peter babbled about putting up tents (Luke 9:33). Stephen wanted forgiveness for his murderers (Acts 7:60). John passed out at the sight of Jesus (Revelation 1:17). When that day comes, I think I’ll have other things on my mind besides, “Why did you create mosquitos?” or “Why weren’t you there when I needed you?”

The apostle Paul wrote, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” (1 Cor. 13:12). Right now we have a lot of questions. But it sounds like one day, we’ll understand.

Over the years, I’ve had teachers who were interesting. I’ve had professors who were brilliant. Some were inspiring. Rarely was an instructor all three. I went out of my way to enroll in their classes.

Jesus taught in the temple every. People came back day after day. They hung on his words. Those who sent to arrest Jesus came back empty-handed, because, “No one ever spoke like this man!” (John 7:46). They forgot what they were supposed to do!

What do you think? Would you come to the temple day after day to hear Jesus teach? (You can sit next to me.)

I can’t wait to be in your class, Lord. Amen.

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

One last miracle

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 15, 2022. Photo by Megan Bagshaw on Unsplash

“And when those who were around [Jesus] saw what would follow, they said, ‘Lord, shall we strike with the sword?’ One of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched his ear and healed him.” (Luke 22:49-51)

Great. All Jesus needs is someone else to heal. Crowds of people with every kind of ailment and demon followed him everywhere he went, and he healed them all. Lepers at a distance and blind beggars by the side of the road cried out for mercy. Roman soldiers and synagogue leaders came to Jesus for help. The flow of people into Jesus’ “clinic” never stopped. He had to sneak away at night to get away from them, to get some rest, and to say some prayers.

Sleepy, scared disciples think it’s time to fight. They start swinging swords and draw first blood. The moment has all the makings of a blood-fest, until Jesus makes them stop. There will be a struggle. And it will be bloody. But not here. Not now.

How often do we feel like we need to defend Jesus? We confess him to be almighty. Death has no power over him. He’s got plenty of angels for backup. And yet we get into fights over Jesus. Sadly, we get into fights with other believers over Jesus. And too often, when we start throwing words around, someone gets hurt.

It doesn’t take much to put us on the defensive. Simple comments like, “That’s not what Jesus said,” or “That’s not what Jesus meant,” or “I’m not even sure Jesus existed,” immediately raises our alert level to Defcon 5. Those are fighting words. We’ll prove them wrong. We’re going to set them straight. We’ll shut them up. Jesus can count on us!

When we feel that way, do we take a moment to understand why someone has a different belief than us? Do we listen to understand why they believe (or not believe) what they do? Do we know the story behind their comment? We start swinging before we even know what we’re up against.

The only casualty in the garden was the servant of the high priest. A servant. I’ll bet he didn’t even know why he was there. He was part of a mob sent to bring in Jesus, whoever that was. He found out real quickly who that was. But not from the disciples. From Jesus, who reattached his ear. It was Jesus’ final miracle before his passion.

Do you think someone asked, “Why is there blood on your neck and clothes? I don’t see any wounds.” Just think how many times the servant got to tell the story of that night.

Before you fight, think about this moment. Think of the servant’s ear. Listen to stories. And let us hear yours.

Thanks for doing one more miracle, Lord. Amen.

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

A kiss

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 14, 2022. Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:47-48)

We kiss our babies. Our spouses. Those we love one last time before they close the casket. A kiss is a universal expression of affection and love. We think long and hard before we finally lean in to kiss a special someone for the very first time. And when we do, it’s the best thing ever!

Judas’ kiss is different. It is well thought out. It will signal a waiting mob so they know who to arrest. It will reveal Jesus to those who want to kill him. It is the ultimate betrayal.

Can you see yourself in this moment? Who are you in this scene? Are you the one being betrayed? Or are you the betray-er? Or are you simply there to watch this scene play out?

Our is a world of mixed signals. A nod might mean “how ya doing’?” rather than “Yes.” A wink can mean “just kidding” instead of “how you doin’?” Body language that says, “No,” as the person nods and says, “Yes!” Does the kiss mean, “I love you,” or “Buh-bye”?

There are some wonderful kisses in the bible. When Esau and Jacob reconcile, when Joseph reveals himself to his brothers in Egypt, and when a woman kisses the feet of Jesus after wiping them with her hair. There are terrible kisses in the bible, too. When Isaac thinks he’s kissing and blessing his son Esau, when it’s really Jacob (Genesis 27:26). Or when Absalom slowly but surely steals allegiance from his father, David (2 Samuel 15:5). Or just before Joab stabs Amasa (2 Samuel 20:8-10).

Jesus knew what this kiss meant. He got the message and so did the mob.

Do you get the message? It’s easy to say, “I love Jesus.” It’s not so easy to live like we do. Jesus said, “If you love me, you’ll keep my commandments.” But we don’t. Talk about mixed signals.

The only clear message is his love for us, a love we can be sure of because he came, was kissed and betrayed, was crucified and died for us. No mixed messages here. He is love. He loves us. He loves me.

Thank you for the love note, Lord. Amen.

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

Asleep

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 13, 2022. Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash

“And when [Jesus] rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping?'” (Luke 22:45,46)

I can see myself in that group of sleeping disciples. I doze off watching TV at night. I’ve struggled to stay awake during conference presentations. And conference worship sermons. My eyelids get heavy every afternoon about 1:30. A nice big meal with a few glasses of wine (the Passover meal) must have made it difficult to stay awake for an evening prayer meeting.

Now sometimes, Jesus stayed up all night praying (Luke 6:12). He had met with Nicodemus after dark. Just a few years ago, the disciples’ routine was staying out all night, casting their nets from the fishing boats.

But this night was different. At the meal, Jesus told the disciples it would be his body broken and his blood poured out. Then he dropped the betrayal and denial bombs. On top of that, they would soon need moneybags, knapsacks and swords. I think they were emotionally drained. Exhausted. They found it impossible to stay awake.

As I shared with the congregation in a sermon just a few days ago, it’s hard to pray for an hour. I remember trying to fill a one-hour slot in a twenty-four hour prayer vigil. When I glanced at my watch after a long list of petitions, I saw I had only fifty-three more minutes to go. It’s a lot harder than it sounds.

At least it is when you feel like you have to do all the talking. But if prayer is actually a conversation, you can listen, too. Jesus can pray for an hour or all night. Let him do the heavy lifting. Listen to his voice. Read the word aloud. The red letters. Lots of psalms. Take some notes. Write down a few questions. Draw some pictures. Nowhere in the bible does it say you have to fold your hands, bow your head, and close your eyes to pray. I don’t even know who came up with that posture. In the bible, don’t people lift their heads, raise their hands, and shout to the Lord?

I know you’ve read about folks who get up early to pray for two or three hours each day. I’m not one of them. As I mentioned above, I’m lucky if I last seven minutes. Long texts on my phone. Sorry, I zone out after one screen. A more-than-one-page Christmas letter? I scan the pictures. If you ask me to pray before a meal, don’t worry. Your food will still be hot. I max out at 30 seconds. I get to the point.

Lord, I’m awake. But I might drift off any minute. Thanks for hearing my prayer. Amen.