Today’s Community Scripture – 4/17/2025

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than a crowd showed up, Judas, the one from the Twelve, in the lead. He came right up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said, “Judas, you would betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” When those with him saw what was happening, they said, “Master, shall we fight?” One of them took a swing at the Chief Priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. Jesus said, “Let them be. Even in this.” Then, touching the servant’s ear, he healed him. Jesus spoke to those who had come—high priests, Temple police, religion leaders: “What is this, jumping me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal? Day after day I’ve been with you in the Temple and you’ve not so much as lifted a hand against me. But do it your way—it’s a dark night, a dark hour.” Arresting Jesus, they marched him off and took him into the house of the Chief Priest. Peter followed, but at a safe distance. In the middle of the courtyard some people had started a fire and were sitting around it, trying to keep warm. One of the serving maids sitting at the fire noticed him, then took a second look and said, “This man was with him!” He denied it, “Woman, I don’t even know him.” A short time later, someone else noticed him and said, “You’re one of them.” But Peter denied it: “Man, I am not.” About an hour later, someone else spoke up, really adamant: “He’s got to have been with him! He’s got ‘Galilean’ written all over him.” Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” At that very moment, the last word hardly off his lips, a rooster crowed. Just then, the Master turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered what the Master had said to him: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” He went out and cried and cried and cried.

Luke 22:47–62 (MSG)

Key Verse – When those with him saw what was happening, they said, “Master, shall we fight?” One of them took a swing at the Chief Priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. Luke 22:49–50 (MSG)

– Reflection:

Have you ever been tempted to defend Jesus? It’s unlikely that you have wielded a sword to cut off anyone’s ear but perhaps you have found yourself irate about some cultural shift that impacts your faith. I remember when I had read the bible the first time and was starting to understand a few things and what some of it meant. The doorbell rang and it was a group that likes to minister in the local neighborhoods. So I allowed them in and the conversation went somewhere I didn’t expect. I felt like I was defending the bible, because only small pieces were being used to tell me a story of what happened at a certain point in the Bible. So I was finishing the story and asking why they weren’t. That was a while ago though; now I know what my place is, and what path I am on.

– Where do we go from here?

What if Jesus doesn’t want to be defended? Actually, he doesn’t need to be defended; it is our arrogance that puts us in the position to defend him. When it was written for it to happen just as it does at that moment. When he was arrested in the garden, one of his disciples cut the ear off a slave. Jesus reacted, saying, “No more of this!” He then touched the slave and healed the ear. Even when being arrested, Jesus responded with love. Jesus met violence with love. Jesus met his enemies with love. Jesus went to the cross with love. May we follow as he leads us.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, transform us with your loving power so that we may live in a way that honors you. When we are tempted to fight back on behalf of our faith, remind us to take up our crosses and follow you. Grant us courage. Grant us strength. Grant us resolve. Amen.

Today’s Community Scripture – 4/14/2025

But I don’t want to go on about them. It’s you, the outsiders, that I’m concerned with now. Because my personal assignment is focused on the so-called outsiders, I make as much of this as I can when I’m among my Israelite kin, the so-called insiders, hoping they’ll realize what they’re missing and want to get in on what God is doing. If their falling out initiated this worldwide coming together, their recovery is going to set off something even better: mass homecoming! If the first thing the Jews did, even though it was wrong for them, turned out for your good, just think what’s going to happen when they get it right!

Romans 11:13–15 (MSG)

– Reflection:

Live Like There Isn’t A Tomorrow

No question, many of us men and women are living in “I know, I know” mode… in “I’m gonna do it, but just not right now” mode. You see, we understand what’s important; we’ve just convinced ourselves that we have all kinds of time. And because life is incredibly busy right now, we’ve resolved to get around to doing what we know we should be doing, later—when things slow down a bit. We’ll change our ways, later. We’ll actually live out our faith, later. But what if there’s no later? What if today is our last day? Then what?

– Where do we go from here?

Take a look at your life. Where are you spending money and talent? Where and with whom are you spending time? What’s being neglected? What needs to change? Are you willing, brother? It’s time—time to shift into “I’m on it” mode.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, It is our paths that you placed before us that we are not working diligently to satisfy and work towards. Continue to bless us with the time you see fit for us to have. We will continue to honor your name and work Jesus. Amen.

Today’s Community Scripture – 4/7/2025

 After saying these things, Jesus headed straight up to Jerusalem. When he got near Bethphage and Bethany at the mountain called Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: “Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says anything, asks, ‘What are you doing?’ say, ‘His Master needs him.’ ” The two left and found it just as he said. As they were untying the colt, its owners said, “What are you doing untying the colt?” They said, “His Master needs him.” They brought the colt to Jesus. Then, throwing their coats on its back, they helped Jesus get on. As he rode, the people gave him a grand welcome, throwing their coats on the street. Right at the crest, where Mount Olives begins its descent, the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed: Blessed is he who comes, the king in God’s name! All’s well in heaven! Glory in the high places! Some Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, get your disciples under control!” But he said, “If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.”

                         Luke 19:28–40 (MSG)

Key Verse – “Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it. Luke 19:30 (MSG)

– Reflection:

               GOD’s Personal Visit

Sometimes the first step is the hardest. The first step towards action, the first step towards something new, the first step into the unknown. When was a time you took a step of faith, and what was that first step like for you? It was tough to trust in starting something new for a community that I didn’t think would embrace what we were trying to do. Almost five years have passed, and we feel a part of the sports community and the neighboring communities around us. So what I worried about, God wasn’t. It is time to begin adding to what we started, and the anxiety is building again, but knowing how the first opening went, I have no doubt the next installments will unfold just as He planned them.

The passage is about Jesus making His final appearance in Jerusalem. The curtain is closing on the snow folks. He tells two of His followers to go and get the colt tied to a post and what to do when someone asks what they are doing. He is sharing with them, just like the messages He gives us today if we are listening. He’s telling us what to do as well. I bet those guys were probably scared going to get a colt they had no money for, following a word from their friend. That’s what it’s like for me when I’m told to start helping the youth through sport. Beginning to write these posts was all frightening to me, but I had to trust that I am and will continue to do the work that has been placed in my path.

– Where do we go from here?

I know I’ve felt tugs and pulls on my heart to take action just as I explained above, but I was afraid to respond. Have you? What does it look like to respond in faith when we hear the call, “The Lord needs it?” Perhaps we will never see the fruit of our actions, and perhaps we won’t know how it all fits together. But I do know that after we take that first step, responding to those tugs and whispers becomes easier and more natural each time. Where are you feeling that tug today? May you take that first step in faith, for the Lord needs it!

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you very much for including us in your work in the world. Open our hearts and ears to your whispers, guiding us to step out in faith. Grant us the courage and strength to respond faithfully. Amen.