Tag: Lent devotions

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.

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

Locked and loaded

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 12, 2022. Photo by Some Tale on Unsplash

“They said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” (Luke 22:38)

My friend Floyd was a retired insurance investigator who frequented our men’s bible study breakfast and helped out with ushering as much as he could at church. I remember him sitting in the back of the sanctuary one Sunday morning before worship, talking politics and handguns with a few other gentlemen. As I walked by, I heard him say, “Like this one…” as he pulled up the leg of his trousers so they could see his ankle holster and pistol. That’s the first time I realized members of the congregation were packing when they came to church.

After Jesus has the Passover meal with his disciples but before they get to the garden where he prays, he mentions that they’re going to need weapons. If you don’t have one, sell your cloak and buy a sword. They didn’t need to take anything when he sent them out to preach and heal. But that was all about to change. They are going to see the scriptures fulfilled before their eyes as Jesus is considered to be a criminal. It’s going to get rough. You might want to have some protection.

The disciples say, “Don’t worry, we’re ready. We’ve got a couple of swords.” They had swords? They had swords strapped to their legs as they reclined at the table with Jesus at the Passover meal? And when they started arguing about who was the greatest? What if one of them had a few too many glasses of wine and pulled that out in the upper room? That painting of the last supper might have ended up rated R for graphic violence!

I could not tell you exactly how many men and women kneel at the altar for holy communion carrying a concealed weapon. I know more than a handful are ready to shoot. They are ready to – how do you say it – “take them out.”

I have mixed feelings about all of this. On the one hand, I’m glad I’ve got some folks watching my back. On the other hand, I’m afraid of the majority who have had little training in using a deadly weapon.

So you’re ready to fight other people. But are you ready to fight the real enemy? Remember, our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). How well do you wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17)? It’s going to be rough. You might want to have some of that protection!

If you are going to carry, you better get out on the range and do some shooting. It’s not as easy as you think. Same goes for the Word. Practice. Stay sharp. And pray (Eph 6:18).

Thanks for the Word, Lord. Don’t let me underestimate it’s power. Amen.

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

I do

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 11, 2022. Photo by Marco Chilese on Unsplash

 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” (Luke 22:33)

Pretty bold, huh?

At our church, when young people are confirmed or we receive new members, I ask, “Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and Church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it?”

And you know what? Everyone responds, “I do, by the grace of God.”

Just like Peter, I doubt that we understand what we are promising. Kind of like looking in the eyes of our spouse at the altar and repeating the vow, “Til death parts us.” I believe we are sincere. I believe we believe we can do this. I also believe we have no idea what’s coming.

Peter might have been ready for prison and death. But he wasn’t  ready for a servant girl’s simple statement, “This man was with Jesus” (Luke 22:56-57). He had no clue how hard it would be to remain faithful.

I confess, I’ve become cynical. Too many people have said, “I do,” and never come to worship with us (or anyone else) again. Too many have come back and asked me to perform their second or third marriage. Many, dissatisfied with their church, went to another. Were they threatened with prison or death? No. They simply ran up against the challenge of being faithful.

Rarely do we understand the commitments we make. “I’m going to get up and exercise every day.” But then on day two you are too sore to move and you’re done. “I’m going to learn how to play the guitar.” But you had to work overtime and the dog got sick and there was no time to practice. “If we get a dog, I promise I’ll feed and walk him every day.” But it’s raining. And there was a meeting after school. And I forgot. Thirty-six payments in and you’re wondering, “Isn’t this car paid off yet?”

Peter, you’re not ready. Neither are we, really. And so we fail, and we fall hard on the grace of God. Those who haven’t missed a Sunday in years confess that we have failed to love God and love our neighbor. Those who have been married for fifty years or more confess that they have sinned and need God’s forgiveness. Those who preach and teach stand at a distance and say, “Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.”

The foundation of our faith is never our intention or our strength. It’s him. He’s our rock, our refuge, and our fortress.

There is no other.

I do – by your grace alone, Lord. Amen.

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

Sifted

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 10, 2022. Photo by Irena Carpaccio on Unsplash

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32)

The biblical way of sifting wheat was to beat it, loosening the outer hull from the edible grain. It sounds like Jesus is saying that Satan wants to knock Simon around a little bit, much like he beat up on Job. Jesus doesn’t do anything to prevent this. He just says, “I’ll pray for you, Simon. I’ll pray that your faith holds out. But don’t worry, when you do fail, you’ll have a great ministry.

Gee, thanks Jesus. I thought you were on my side. I can get all kinds of people to pray for me. I was hoping a little more from you. If Satan is after me, I could use protection, like the shield of faith. Or a refuge where I can be safe. Or your word that commands the demons and makes them obey. Or that sword thing that comes out of your mouth in Revelation. How about this: I pray and you deliver me from evil? You be the lion tamer!

I don’t like what I see in this mirror. I don’t like seeing myself with a target on my back. Having lost the war in heaven, the devil is out to get the faithful (Revelation 12:17). Anyone who confesses that Jesus is Lord can expect sifting.

Scripture is filled with the failures of the sifted faithful. Moses hit the rock. Samson got a hair cut. Saul made up his own rules. David pointed his binoculars the wrong way. Solomon got carried away with wives. Jeremiah hated his job description. Habakkuk was fed up with divine apathy.

We’ve each got our own chapter of failed faith to add to the history of the church. Grief, anger, discouragement, frustration, fear have beaten the husks of false security from our lives leaving us with…Jesus. The one who intercedes for us at the right hand of God now uses us to encourage our brothers and sisters. Satan may attack everything we hold dear and take for granted, but he can never separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus.

Thanks for your prayers, Jesus. This hurts a lot more than I thought it would. Amen.

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

The greatest

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 9, 2022. Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash

“A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.” (Luke 22:24)

This one’s a cinch. It is easy to see myself in this mirror, right there among the disciples who got into a discussion about who was the greatest. They had done this before. They had this argument right after Jesus’ transfiguration. Right after his brief moment of glory. And they still didn’t get it.

Neither do we. Ours is a world of comparisons, and we constantly jockey for position. Who’s happier? Who’s prettier? Who’s got more money? Who has more fun? Who’s got a bigger church? Who makes better food? Who’s smarter? Who’s kids are smarter? Who’s in better shape?

Which disciple was the greatest? The first one Jesus called? The one he handed the bread to first? The ones sitting closest to him? The ones who gave up their businesses to follow him? The strongest one? The ones with the loudest voices?

That’s our world. Everything is a competition. “I was first.” “I won.” “Shotgun!” “I beat you.” “You lose!” Employee of the month. MVP. “Mom always liked you more.” “I’m taller than you.”

Why is that? Why is it so important to be the best? That’s who gets the prize. You’ve got to place in the top three or you get nothing (except maybe an honorable mention certificate). If you can’t make it to the podium, you could have just stayed home.

When one of my daughters did competitive cheerleading, the coaches had a strategy for making sure the team brought home a first place trophy. They would enter the team into a division that no one else was in. Something like “Small Coed Novice under-12 over-11.” Guess what? They always finished first. They got to hang up another championship banner at the gym.

Jesus has to straighten out the disciples and us. True, in the non-believing world you’ve got to come out on top. But that’s not the way we do it around here. The one who serves is the greatest. That’s exactly what Jesus has done for them. He has just served them a Passover meal. Like a server at a restaurant. The path to the top means becoming the least. Just like Jesus, who humbled himself and became everybody’s servant and everybody’s savior.

I don’t have to be the greatest. Jesus doesn’t love me because I’m the best. He just loves me.

You’re the greatest Jesus. Amen.