March 25, 2022 – “Have You Prepared a Room for Jesus?”

“And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.” Mark 14:12-16

“Have You Prepared a Room for Jesus?”

Jesus commands the disciples to find a man who is carrying a jar of water – this man shall lead them to the room – a room prepared for them –  where they will share the Passover meal. There are so many aspects of this story that require our time and attention, but this one simple gesture, seeking and finding a room prepared for our Lord is one that has salvific implications. Have you prepared a room for Jesus? Have you prepared room in your hearts, room in your homes, room in your lives? Jesus tells us in John 14 that he is preparing a room for each one of us, that when we are ready to pass onto the next existence, Jesus himself will come to take us to that room.

Jesus comes to share a meal with us each Sunday, but, in reality, Jesus comes each day to share the Good News with us.  Are we ready for the Master to come? We were already told this week to “keep awake” – to be ready, for we know not the day or the time of day… This is what the season of Lent is all about – seeking ways to stay awake in our lives and be present when the Lord comes, every day.

Let us pray

Lord Jesus, we say we are ready for you to come. But, we do not always live this way. Give me your spirit today so I can be awake and aware of your presence. Amen.

Pastor Dave

March 24, 2022 – “The Lord Bless You”

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.”  Numbers 6:24-26

The Blessing that appears in Numbers 6:24 – 26 is, of course, my favorite. To receive this blessing is to truly be blessed.  When we hear and say these ancient words, we are connected to a worshipping community that stretches back thousands of years. 

Connectedness is so important as a community of faith, especially when one component of that connectedness is in the words of our liturgy—which come directly from scripture. This is one of the reasons that I am Lutheran. I have experienced many different worship styles, and I am never more connected to G-d and to a worshipping community, then when we share in the words of our Lutheran liturgy. It is in those moments that I truly feel blessed and kept, that I can feel the very real presence of the Lord’s grace shining on us, and am thankful that the Lord’s countenance is cast our way – for it truly does give one peace.

One of the other reasons I am a Lutheran is because our liturgy gives us words that we can use when life has punched us in the gut. When we cannot think of the words to say to G-d, our liturgy gives us such words, like Numbers 6. Just imagine, all of the Sundays listening to liturgy and the sermon have offered you words to strengthen your prayer life.

Let us pray

Lord, you give us the words not only of eternal life, but words of worship and prayer. Continue to guide me through your word and give me the words I need when life gets tough. Amen.

Pastor Dave