Lent: Week 3 - Matthew 18 + 19
I journey through this Lenten season, reflecting on the hopeless state of my life before I believed the Jesus story. Gratefully, I turn toward the celebration of his death & resurrection. At the same time, only the Holy Spirit quiets my soul as I recognize attitudes of thought, conversation, & behavior that continue in my new life, even under the tabernacle of God’s mercy.
I chuckle at one point as I reread the Matthew 17 account of Jesus transfigured & the arrival of Moses & Elijah. Peter is so like Martha. In the often preached story, she’s frustrated, busily preparing a meal while her sister sits at Jesus’ feet. Here, Peter intrudes in their conversation, wanting to build tabernacles (shelters) for Jesus & his visitors. Then, suddenly enveloped in shekinah glory, a voice: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” I realize how often I need busyness, neither listening nor trusting. It is God who provides tabernacles along my way, not made with created material, but with the presence of the Holy Spirit & the blood of Jesus.
Returning down the hill, Jesus is met by a man who has been beseeching the disciples to heal his son from terrible seizures. I’m guessing they’ve been trying, but to no avail. Jesus immediately casts out a demon, recognizing their limited faith in him. Like them & others in the Bible, I can ignore the person, purpose, & power of God, seeking to accomplish good works of my own desires, understanding, & ability.
Jesus taught them, here & in Matthew 16, that he would soon suffer & be crucified at the behest of the Jewish leaders but be risen three days later. Peter had recently acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah & the Son of the living God. The disciples had sat under his teachings about the kingdom of God. They had experienced myriad healings & the casting out of demons. But outside of Isaiah 53 & Psalm 22, they had little reference to the Messiah appearing as a suffering servant. I live after Jesus’ resurrection. I know God’s plan in gathering a people of faith in his Son’s sacrifice. I hunger to live more intentionally responsive to the mercy of God.
Matthew 18 begins with these same disciples wondering who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Other texts suggest they were looking among themselves. His answer is to call a small child, one of the many children drawn to him. Be as this child is, he says. And woe to those who would tear down a child’s innocent trust in God with agendas of religious conformity, personal prejudice, or oppressive gain. Traveling the Lenten road, I remember people in my life whose belief in Jesus has been hindered by my words & actions. Yet I continue on my journey, comforted by God’s mercifulprovision.
Forgiveness is a major theme here. Peter asks how many times he should forgive. His guess of seven exceeds how many I can feel sometimes. But Jesus’ answer of seventy times seven seems excessive. Until, that is, I read the parable following. The king forgives a servant’s debt equal to 20 years’ wages. But when the king finds out the servant has a fellow servant thrown into prison for the debt of one day’s wages, his retribution is sudden & extreme. Jesus says, “So also my heavenly Father will do to you unless every one of you forgives his brother or sister from his heart.” My merciful Father has forgiven me an amount beyond counting in my salvation. I grieve at my tendency to assume the right to hold a grudge in my heart.
It is good being under the tabernacle of God’s mercy as I continue toward the celebration.
In this Lenten season may we seek to love well what God is accomplishing in our lives, in the body of Christ, & in the lives of those with whom we share the Gospel of our Lord.
WEEKLY CHECK-IN
How is my fast going?
Do I need to start over and receive grace?
How will I practice generosity this week? Choose one practical way.
What is my area of focus for prayer this week?
Daily Readings
◻ MONDAY : Matthew 18:1-9
◻ TUESDAY : Matthew 18:10-14
◻ WEDNESDAY : Matthew 18:15-20
◻ THURSDAY : Matthew 18:21-35
◻ FRIDAY : Matthew 19:1-12
◻ SATURDAY : Matthew 19:13-22
◻ SUNDAY : Matthew 19:23-29
Daily Practice
Rest
Sit for one minute in silence & stillness before God. Offer a simple prayer of presence such as, "Here I am, Lord."
Read
Read the daily passage.
Reflect
Re-read the passage and reflect on what stands out to you. What do you notice? What questions or emotions does it bring up?
Respond
Bring what you noticed in the reading or in your reflecting to the Lord. Ask him to continue to illuminate what you've read throughout your day. End with a minute of resting in his presence in silence & stillness.