PRAYER PRACTICE
Lectio – Read today’s passage through once. Then
spend some time praying and asking God to show you what you need to pay
attention to in the text. Read it again. Now ask God to help you see what this
text, and the part that has stood out, may mean for you. Don’t expect to get a
clear word every time but always be ready to really hear from God through His
Word.
DAILY READING
DEVOTION/REFLECTION
Cousins
by Judy Webb
An angel appeared to
Zechariah to foretell the long-awaited birth of a son. In another instance, again
an angel appeared but this time to Mary, a young unmarried woman. She was told of
a son she would bear, The Messiah. Both of these angelic appearances came to
pass. "For no word from God will ever fail.” (Luke
1:37)
When I was a child, I
loved to spend time with my cousins. Oh, there were neighborhood kids I was
friends with, but the time with my cousins was special. Partly because I
thought they had such a good life. There were 5 of them so there was always
something happening around them. Their father and my mother were brother and
sister, so a strong bond existed from the beginning. We didn't always get
along, but we still had good times together. Maybe partly because when we were
together, it was usually at grandma and grandpa's house, and it doesn't get any
better than that.
As I was considering
what avenue to take for this devotion, the idea of cousins arose. I began to
wonder if Jesus and John had the opportunity to play together. Because we are
reading through Luke twice, trying to get to know Jesus better, I began to
consider the human side of Jesus, especially as a toddler or very young boy.
Certainly, he played with other children. Then when I remembered He and John
were cousins, I paralleled that with my childhood playmates.
We learn how to be
productive and viable adults through our childhood experiences. I know, Jesus
was God. But we are told often that he was very human too. Perhaps his love and
respect for John is partly a result of his early friendship with him. Both
these boys had huge futures awaiting them, but first they had to grow into
those shoes. The familial bond didn't just happen overnight. I know it could
have, but I doubt that it did.
Reflect and Consider: It seems fitting to
think about this human side to Jesus on this Holy Day of Ash Wednesday. A day
when we remember and ponder our own humanity. Jesus felt emotions, just as we
do. He felt pain and sadness and loss; and soon he would be exposed to great
physical anguish, only matched by the emotional pain that was certain to be
part of His final days.
"For no
word from God will ever fail.” (Luke 1:37)
2 comments:
Good morning, Judy.
Thank you for pointing out the humanness of Jesus and John. Being cousins is a special gift for many families. I have rekindled a vibrant relationship with 2 cousins who are so much fun. We have gone to the Cove together for seminars and had a blast. Of course, God's Word is preached there by some very gifted speakers and the food and environment are excellent.
I wonder if Jesus, being God and knowing all things, was constantly aware of the type of death John would one day face and how, in His humaneness, that knowledge would impact their relationship. We know he couldn't have told John, otherwise John would not have asked if Jesus was "the One" while in prison.
Isn't it a joy to think about the context surrounding the events of Scripture? We could read God's Word day and night for generations and never completely discover all of its truths. I just listened to a sermon yesterday while working out and learned so much I never knew. His Word is truly". living and active".
Thank you and your team for taking the prayerful time to prepare these daily blogs. You are a blessing to all of us at UALC.
In Him
Robin Lorms
PS-i encouraged church council to share any feedback to the writers of these daily devotionals. Also, I had a very enjoyable conversation with Tom Richards.
Robin,
I really enjoy reading your comments to us. Your words are filled with wisdom along with encouragement. I appreciate your taking the time to not only read but to begin conversations with us. Have you ever consider writing? You have a way with words and obviously love Jesus and His Word. Just a thought.
Thanks again for sharing. --Judy
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