Lenten Devotion 2023

RESPOND:

1. What words or phrases resonate with you in these lyrics?
2. How are you finding rest in His embrace?
3. How might you invite others to rest in His embrace?

Sanctuary Lent 2023 Spotify Playlist

SCRIPTURE:

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” Matthew 19:14

TESTIMONY: (Written by Brooks Beber)

Since the 3rd grade classroom where I first understood that I was a sinner, I have seen and felt the approachability of Jesus welcoming me. Throughout my story this has changed and evolved, but His welcoming grace has always been the same. If others knew all that I did, they would have turned me away, but Jesus’ words were always, “Come to me.”

 Jesus welcomed me as a child, but getting older is when things get complicated. As much as I would like to have stayed a child sitting on Jesus’ lap, life got real and challenges came. His invitation was always available, but my pride and shame have been really good at hindering me from realizing or taking hold of that. More than anything, growing up and falling into my own sinful habits has shown me the approachability of Jesus. When I am apologizing for the thousandth time, captive to shame and regret, and questioning how far His grace can go – that is where my faith in His approachability is challenged. The lies feed my actions, as they often do. The same voice told me, “How could you fail Him again? . . . There is no way He’ll love you anymore . . . He won’t accept your apology . . . You gotta make up for it before you can come to Him.” I wish I could say I never believed any of those lies.

Finally, His voice spoke louder than the lies, and I actually listened. He welcomes me! His amazing grace cancels my amazing debt. The cross means that the Holy King of Kings welcomes me. There is now no condemnation. I can now approach God’s throne of grace boldly and confidently. Every accusation against me is silenced at the cross. In His freedom I am free! His invitation doesn’t change based on what I do. His invitation always extends because of what He did. His grace allows me to return as a child to the arms of the Father.

RESPOND:

1. How has Jesus welcomed you as a child?
2. What part of this testimony resonates with you and why?
3. Who could you share your testimony with on how you have encountered the welcoming grace of Jesus?

PRAYER:

Praise the Lord, all you nations;
extol Him, all you peoples.
For great is His love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord! Psalm 117:1-2

Sanctuary Lent 2023 Spotify Playlist

SCRIPTURE:

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

REFLECTION:

Right before this verse, Jesus has just denounced the cities that would not believe, and he gave order to what will happen next, and then praised His Father for making way for His children. We now are offered this same invitation, all who are weary and burdened.

The greatest invitation of all is given through Jesus with this promise and security to, “Come, I will give you rest.” In all of history, Jesus is the only one who has offered and who is able to take on the burdens of every man. Our Invitation is simply to come.

There is an exchange mentioned in Jesus’ words. “Take my yoke upon you”, in exchange for all that brings you weariness and burdens. We are asked to take on His yoke. Maybe His yoke is referenced in John 6:29 “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” In John 15:4, Jesus gives the call to “Abide in me.” We’re ushered to believe and to abide, and we wonder, is this His yoke? We believe, we trust, and we learn from Him – this seems easier, it seems lighter.

Who gives such an offer but our God, the One who sees the weariness of mankind, the burdens of the world, and in turn, sends a Savior to stand in so that we His children can encounter peace Himself. Jesus’ invitation for us to come to Him with all our burdens is such grace. Let’s take Him up on His offer and take hold of our God who pursues us through the life of Jesus. Let’s believe, and let’s abide. In receiving this invitation, we receive a fresher vision, a deeper clarity. We then are able to give what we are receiving.

RESPOND:

1. What is Jesus asking you to bring to Him?
2. Is there anything that hinders you from approaching Jesus?
3. How does receiving this invitation empower you to live and love like Jesus?

PRAYER:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled
as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
— St. Francis

Sanctuary Lent 2023 Spotify Playlist

“Let the little children come to me”

RESPOND:

1. How does this image evoke the openness and approachability of Jesus?
2. Rest in His initiative to move toward you today.

Sanctuary Lent 2023 Spotify Playlist