March 31 Devotion

In addition to three chapters in Psalms, the lectionary readings for today are:
Jeremiah 31: 27-34
Romans 11: 25-36
John 11: 28-44 or 12:37-50

After reading the lamentations in Psalms, I felt no real inspiration for my devotion. I had not found the “meat” for Lent. But, as I read Jeremiah, Romans and John, I began to develop my thoughts.

In Jeremiah, we learn that God as decided to form a new contract with His people. It would not be like the one He made with the fathers when He took them out of Egypt . They broke the contract and the children paid for their fathers’ sins. Now each person would be responsible for his own sin. He would inscribe His laws on their hearts so they will honor him. He will forgive and forget their sins. This is the God that I know. His decision is a major decision! He will send His Son to die for our sins. We have His love, His promise, and His forgiveness. Isn’t that wonderful??

Romans 11: 25-36 mentions salvation for the gentiles. But the Jews are also included because of God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Paul says that God has not rejected His people. He mentions Elijah’s conversation with God. God says that even though some Jews killed the prophets an demolished the alters, many had not. He uses the term “chosen by Grace” rather than deed. Elijah is concerned and says that if it is by grace and no longer the basis of works, grace will no longer be grace. God says that “Out of Zion will come a Deliverer, He will banish ungodliness from Jacob and this is my covenant with them when I will take away their sins.” God tells Elijah that he (Elijah) was once disobedient and he was forgiven. Therefore, the same should be for the Jews. God will have mercy on all alike.

In reading John 11 and 12, we learn about Lazarus’ death and the awakening by Jesus. We also learn about the plotting of Jesus’ arrest and we learn about the prophesy from Jesus. Lazarus of Bethany was ill. Mary, Lazarus’ sister, sent a message to Jesus but Jesus stayed two days longer before returning. When he decided to return, the disciples feared returning since the Jews had tried to stone him. But Jesus said they would travel by daylight because he needed to awake Lazarus. The disciples thought that he meant sleep but Jesus knew that it was death. He tells that He is glad that they were not there when he died so that they can believe. When they arrived,, they met Martha. Jesus said that He would awaken Lazarus. Mary received word that Jesus had arrived so she left her house to meet Him. The Jews who had been visiting her followed her to the tomb. Jesus asked for the tomb to be opened but Martha told him that the stench was bad from the decaying body but Jesus insisted. He then said for Lazarus to come out of the tomb and so he did.

The Jews who had been visiting Mary and Martha saw what Jesus had done. Some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what had happened. They felt that if Jesus continued to do as He did, the Romans would come to destroy their holy places and their nation. They decided that it would be better to have one man die for the people than to have a whole nation destroyed. Caiaphas, the high priest, prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation. So from that day on they planned to put Him to death.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus returned to Bethany , the home of Lazarus. Mary bought expensive perfume to anoint Jesus’ feet. Some were critical of the expense but Jesus said for them to leave her alone. He said that she would have it for His burial. Jesus said, “You will always have the poor, but you will not always have Me.”

There are several points to remember form these lectionary readings:

1. God made a new contract for His people. Each person would be responsible for his sins.
2. Salvation is for everyone—gentiles and Jews. Salvation is by Grace and not by deeds.
3. When Jesus awakened Lazarus from death, He knew that it was the beginning of the prophesy of His death. He was to die for our sins so that we may have Salvation.

Let us Pray—

Dear God, you have made it possible for us to have salvation by Your Grace and Your Son’s death on the Cross. Your Gift was the greatest of gifts. For this, let us forever be thankful.

Amen

Carol L. Brown