Reflect
Have you ever had someone hate you? This passage could not be any clearer on how the world hates Jesus, and His authentic followers. Full stop. There is obvious hate as Jesus is about to experience. Then there is the more subtle hate seen in John 12:42-43.
Fear of being associated with Jesus (or maybe the church) causes many of us to be passive followers, which is no follower at all. Jesus never proclaimed a private (‘it’s just Jesus and me’) faith. Rather, He promises the Helper for us; so that, when we feel we simply cannot fulfill the calling upon our lives, God’s Spirit provides what is lacking. And when we fall short, the Spirit draws us to the Father’s mercy. His mercy for us is lovingly displayed by the Cross of Jesus. The fullness of the Spirit is a gift and one that calls us to deeper authenticity as we humbly join in an act of repentance and forgiveness.
Tonight, we will have the opportunity at our Ash Wednesday service to be a community that acknowledges its need for mercy and experience God’s love given to us through the Cross.
Today Lent launches. Lent is 40 days dedicated to reminding us how much God loves us – even when we neglect to share that love with others.
Apply
What hinders you from seeing how much you need mercy? What barrier hinders the Spirit from bearing witness of Jesus through you?
Pastor Dan
Pray
- Pray for our Prime Minister and Premier, Mayor Sohi, your MP, your MLA, and any other government officials God brings to your mind
- Pray for Dave Schneider, our Youth and Worship Pastor and Erin Gibbard, Youth Ministry Associate