Lent Reflections
Daily Notes to inspire and encourage over the Lent period.
Week 6
Thursday 25 March – Maundy Thursday 1 April 2021
Written by Emmanuel church members
Each week over the 40+ days of Lent, we are adding a new set of reflections to encourage and inspire.
Here are the sixth set of reflections.
REFLECTION 37 - 25 MARCH
Liberty of Life
written by LK
1 CORINTHIANS 3:21-23
So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.
REFLECTION:
The poet, William Cory confessed that the fear of death never left him. We read in Ecclesiastes 3:11, God made everything fitting in its time, but has placed eternity in our hearts. So we are not like the animals; we have thoughts of eternity, which leads to thoughts of death. Then there is the old man who, when a couple of youngsters asked him why he believed Jesus rose from the dead, said one reason is that I was talking to him this morning.
PRAYER:
A prayer from the Sunday Service book:
Through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, you have given us eternal life, and delivered us from the bondage of sin and the fear of death into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Amen.
REFLECTION 38 - 26 MARCH
White as Snow
written by RM
REVELATION 1:14
His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow…
REFLECTION:
The recent outbreaks of snow in the last few weeks have brought a welcomed brightness to the grey and dull days we have been experiencing and a lovely opportunity, especially for children, to enjoy the snow. I can’t imagine snow was a common experience in the Middle East, but the word is used twenty-one times in the Bible, and on a few occasions as in Revelation 1 is used to describe purity and brightness. In Psalm 51:7 and Isaiah 1:18 snow is linked to forgiveness and cleansing. Snow has a whiteness and purity no detergent can ever achieve.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, when I compare my life to your radiance and purity, I am aware of the greyness in many areas of my life, where there is insincerity and a lack of love for you and for others. Yet your love reaches out to me to forgive and to cleanse. May I know that cleansing and renewal today.
Amen
REFLECTION 39 - 27 MARCH
He knows…
written by AG
JOHN 11:1-44
On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.
REFLECTION:
Jesus had to look beyond Mary and Martha’s current grief in order to fulfil God’s purpose for this sickness. There was a pre-ordained plan for the purpose of Lazarus’ death.
When we experience sickness and do not see a breakthrough, we can only seek Jesus for our healing and leave the outcome to Him. We must trust that He knows the answer to our need and the timing for its solution. There are times when we experience supernatural healing and times that we simply do not know why no outcome is seen. In either case, our devotion to Jesus must not change.
PRAYER:
Thank you Lord that you know all things…
Amen
REFLECTION 40 - 28 MARCH
Renewed
written by LW
ISAIAH 40:31
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
REFLECTION:
During this third lockdown, I certainly have felt weary both mentally and spiritually. What an encouragement this verse is, not only are we promised new strength but so much more… to soar like eagles. What a beautiful image. Words like freedom, exhilaration and joy come to mind. Imagine running and not growing weary. What a promise we have been given – that if we trust in our Lord, He will give us the strength and perseverance to keep going, no matter what we face.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank you that you came to earth and endured suffering so that we can be free. We pray for your Holy Spirit to fill us today, we want to experience your joy, exhilaration and freedom. Help us to trust you in whatever we face today.
Amen
REFLECTION 41 - 29 MARCH
Set Free
written by OO
ROMANS 8:3
…that which the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.
REFLECTION:
God’s will is for us, his children, to draw closer to him. He knows our weakness and still is ever willing to help us up, never letting go of us. He sees the effect guilt has on our soul, and for our sake and redemption, he sent his only begotten Son, someone like us, to show the way to Him.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Lord, for setting me free from fear and guilt. I sincerely appreciate your finished work on the cross as I willingly welcome you into my life. I ask that you cause your Holy Spirit to dwell richly in me today and always. Amen
REFLECTION 42 - 30 MARCH
Raised Up
written by OO
ROMANS 8:11
…and if the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.
REFLECTION:
This is our hope even in this present time with all the challenges many families are confronting especially the pandemic. God is still in the business of giving life, hope, joy and restoration to every heart and life no matter what you are or what you have done or what you have been through.
Open the door of your heart to him. Make room for Him in your heart, take up your unique identity and live your daily life with this awareness. The time to act is now, my dear reader
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, restore us and abide in us
Amen.
REFLECTION 43 - 31 MARCH
Come
written by AD
JOHN 21:10-12
… Jesus said “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord
REFLECTION:
Do you appreciate the beautiful imagery? It’s not difficult to imagine the stillness of the morning, the smell of smoke from the fire, the warmth and comfort of the food after a long night out on the water. “Come and have breakfast” is the invitation. Jesus invited them to sit down for a while, enjoy what He had prepared and spend some time with him. Jesus offers companionship and refreshment to his fearful, backslidden disciples just as He does to us. In our times of wandering and discouragement He calls us back to Himself not with irritation or rebuke but with patience, love and understanding.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, thank you for the invitation to come aside and have breakfast with You!!
Amen
REFLECTION 44 - 1 APRIL MAUNDY THURSDAY
Freely Given
written by FS
MATTHEW 27:32-54 (NLT)
After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice…
REFLECTION:
You have probably had the experience when a verse or one part of a gospel event jumps out at you and makes you think. Reading the account of Jesus’s death my mind focused on the soldiers dicing for Jesus’ clothes. Out of that came this poem
WHY THROW THE DICE?
I throw the dice on dusty ground
Outside the city wall.
I’m dicing for the clothes
That are not mine to own.
The tunic is my prize
The eyes that watch
Are pained with love.
My clothes are yours, all yours.
Not bloodstained sweated cloth
But righteousness and love.
No need to grasp this gift
For it is freely given
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, thank you that your gifts of righteousness, love and life are freely given… Amen