Day 1 Ash Wednesday Feb 17 2010

Day 1- Ash Wednesday, 2/17/2010
In my Christmas Eve Sermon last year, I gave everyone a little homework assignment. I suggested that everyone take a crack at reading the Gospel of Luke and viewing it as “Jesus’ Facebook Page”. It’s a great starting point to listening to his saving story for you can see “interesting pictures”, “get status updates on what matters”, see “who he has befriended”, “what he’s up to at the moment”, “applications” and much more. . .. .

To give homework, however, without following through or without providing tools is not fair. Thus, this Lent I figured to offer this blog which will walk us through Luke between now and Easter, 4/4. 28 chapters in 40 days which means reading the Gospel in manageable chunks. Sundays will not have a devotion posted. Go to worship that day and use it as a make up day if you missed any days that week.

Finally, you might just keep a small piece of paper with you and jot down notes on what you’ve read. I often just jot down a key phrase that stood out or a question I have or anything I observe. Don’t worry about commenting on everything. I won’t. Reading and writing for devotional purposes means to appreciate what “pops out” on a particular day (at least in my mind). Enough for now. Read these 38 verses today and I’ll make a few comments.

SCRIPTURE Read Luke 1: 1-38 (see below)
Dedication to Theophilus
1 Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first,a to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.
The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. 8 Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. 10Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. 13But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. 16He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." 18Zechariah said to the angel, "How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years." 19The angel replied, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur." 21 Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. 22When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. 23When his time of service was ended, he went to his home. 24 After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, 25"This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people."
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you."b 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." 34Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"c 35The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be bornd will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God." 38Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.


TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES- “JESUS NOT ON SCENE QUITE YET!”
Angel visitations. Miraculous pregnancies described. Doubts about whether things can happen. Words of trust uttered as one believes “nothing will be impossible with God”.
A lot can be commented upon. What strikes me most about Mary’s story is something very basic. She simply indicates a willingness to be used as an “instrument of God.”

We can all picture various instruments. Imagine your favorite- perhaps a guitar, cello, organ, a harmonica, a violin, etc. Not one of those instruments can play on its own. It needs someone to act upon it to play it, to enable its beauty to be displayed. The Gospel of Luke has lots of stories about Jesus lifting up and touching people in profound ways so that they can become his instruments in daily life.

What might seem impossible for us at times is the belief that this world can change. Perhaps you are one of those who sees so much negative all around. Well, change can begin today with you. It’s the little things along the way where we let God’s compassion shine out a little brighter- let that overshadow things.

Do you see yourself as an instrument of God at this point in your life?


Prayer
Jesus, bless us all on this journey through Luke. As we dig into your story, help us to see what is on your heart and mind. Speak to us in some way. Help us to see ways to apply your goodness and lessons in the course of our daily lives. Help us to be your instruments in some way in the days to come. Amen