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Gleanings From The Word

Category: Scripture Index

  • Showers of Mercy and Grace

    Showers of Mercy and Grace

    pussy willows

    Over the past few days, we have been blessed to have temperatures well above seasonal norms. Things are budding out everywhere. In protected areas, spring bulbs are blooming. Pussy willows are making a strong appearance.

    Starting today and for the next week, the forecast is rain. Normal temperatures, no frost in sight, but rain. Some days, non-stop rain, others off and on, and finally, occasional showers.

    I confess I found myself mumbling about the change when I read the forecast. As thought occurred to me, “How did you think all that new growth is going to get watered?”

    In the sermon on the Mount, Jesus used rain as a metaphor for His love and grace.

     “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48 ESV

    He pours his love and grace out even on those who hate him. The Lord doesn’t hate sinners. He loves us all and blesses us all more than we deserve. It’s simply that sin cannot be in the full presence of a holy god, so those who reject His mercy suffer the consequences.

    When the rain comes and when the sun shines, it can remind us of the vastness of His grace and mercy. It reminds us that He’s raining mercy, or in the lyrics of a popular song, there are “showers of mercy and grace, falling on every face.”

    I don’t know what storms you face today (literal or metaphorical). I don’t know whether you have sun, rain, or snow in your forecast. I do know that God loves you and wants to bless you.

    If you know Him already, rejoice that He cared enough to save you. If you don’t yet know Him, set aside your pride and run to His open arms.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

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  • Why does it matter? The Season of Lent

    Why does it matter? The Season of Lent

    We’re in the season of Lent, that 40-day preparation phase for Resurrection Sunday. The concept of Lent began around the second century and was typically a day or two of fasting.

    Over time, after Constantine made Christianity “legal,” it became far more structured, with 40 days of Lent to mirror the 40s of Scripture (40 days of rain, 40 years in the wilderness, Jesus’ 40 days of fasting, etc.).

    By the Middle Ages, it was even more so. The season began on Ash Wednesday, marked by ashes as a sign of repentance. Liturgical colors turned purple, and the final week became known as Holy Week, culminating in Good Friday and Easter.

    Ritual fasting became more structured, often one meal a day and no meat – the tradition of fish on Fridays was implemented to aid Spanish fishermen, but that’s a story for another day.

    According to one source, “The Protestant Reformation changed how Lent was observed: Reformers like Martin Luther did not reject Lent outright but resisted compulsory fasting. In more Reformed traditions influenced by John Calvin, the season was often deemphasized. Anglican and Lutheran traditions generally retained it in modified form.”

    Today, in evangelical circles, it is hardly mentioned and has become an almost extinct tradition. That’s a huge loss. A formal, highly structured Lenten period can easily become simply a ritual, but losing it entirely risks losing an opportunity for reflection and devotion.

    Whatever your personal thought on the subject, and practices for Lent, one thing is certain. The event we look forward to changed the world forever.

    The resurrection is important enough to be recorded in all four gospels, albeit with a slightly different take in each account. Here’s a portion of one …

    Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” Matthew 28:1-10

    Our Lord is risen and alive. He is returning for His bride. That, my friends, is worth meditating on and celebrating every day of the year, but especially as we approach Resurrection Sunday. It’s only 34 days away. Ponder Jesus during this season of Lent.

    Celebrate and praise the Risen Lamb.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

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