Luke 19:11–13 (NRSV) As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 So he said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. 13 He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, ‘Do business with these until I come back.’ I believe the key to understanding a particular passage is sometimes found in the scene(s) immediately preceding and following. This is called … Continue reading Lent Devotion for April 10, 2019

Psalm 118:19–29 (NRSV) 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,that I may enter through themand give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord;the righteous shall enter through it. 21 I thank you that you have answered meand have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejectedhas become the chief cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord’s doing;it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made;let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!O Lord, we beseech you, give us … Continue reading Lenten Devotion for April 8, 2019

Philippians 3:4–14 (NRSV) 4 If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.7 Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For … Continue reading Lenten Devotion for April 6, 2019

Isaiah 43:16–21 (NRSV) 19 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 20 The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, 21 the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise. The highest form of purpose in life is to declare God’s praise. The prophet tells us that this is why God … Continue reading Lenten Devotion for April 2, 2019

Psalm 126 (NRSV) 1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,we were like those who dream.2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,and our tongue with shouts of joy;then it was said among the nations,“The Lord has done great things for them.”3 The Lord has done great things for us,and we rejoiced.4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,like the watercourses in the Negeb.5 May those who sow in tearsreap with shouts of joy.6 Those who go out weeping,bearing the seed for sowing,shall come home with shouts of joy,carrying their sheaves. Songs of ascent were sung as the people went “up … Continue reading Lenten Devotion for April 1, 2019