For the season of Lent, I wrote a devotional for my congregation, Cayce United Methodist Church. I am sharing an adapted version of the adult version here on the blog.
The family devotional is similar but includes a TON of activities, coloring sheets, science and even some baking (maybe more than practical but I got excited). If you want to see the packets in their entirety you can download them on Cayce's website (www.cayceumc.com). On the website scroll down to below the upcoming events and there are download options: adult, family and the Jesus Storybook booklets.
4th Sunday of Lent, March 14
Set-up: You will need tea lights (or candles, or a simple pencil drawing of candles and an eraser to take away a flame) and a Bible (or access to an online Bible). Prepare your spirit and your space, set aside distractions. Then, light four of the six tea lights.
Read: John 3:14-21 So that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him. (3:16b-17)
Wonder: This pericopy contains is one of the best known and most beloved verses in the Bible. John 3:16. This scripture proclaims God’s extravagant love for the world. Jesus’ coming is an embodiment of God’s promise and the relationship God desires to have with God’s creation. God died for all and desires to have a relationship with all people. This is perhaps the loveliest of all the promises of God. We are promised eternal life not because we deserve it but because God freely gives it. Rachel Held Evans, an author I admire whose voice lives on in her writing said: "Jesus did not simply dies to save us from our sins; Jesus lived to save us from our sins. His life and teaching show us the way to liberation." Liberation looks different for each of us, God's extravagant love and grace looks different for each of us. Liberation from sin for the rich young ruler looks different than the woman caught in adultery. The Good News Jesus Christ is the Messiah is different for John the Baptist, a Jewish prophet part of the inside crowd than for the Ethiopian eunuch, a gentile and an outsider. Mary Magdalene, the first witness to the resurrection, understood liberation and the Good News differently than the thief who died on the cross next to Jesus. There is no formula, though we may desire one, to be saved. Liberation comes through relationship with God. John 3:16 may be one of the most well know versus of scripture but I like verse 17, which reminds us that God sent Jesus not to condemn the world but to save it. God desires to be in relationship with God's creation. God longs to proclaim liberation in relevant ways that will change your life.
Ponder: How have you experienced God’s extravagant love in your life? How have you shown others God’s extravagant love?
Act: Extinguish a candle.
Prayer: During this time of Lenten preparation, we think of those who turned away from the light of Jesus. And we remember that we, too, turn away. Throughout the life of Jesus, it is clear that the disciples never really "get it." They are unable to hear with their hearts the radical message of love Jesus brings. We, like the disciples of long ago, often close our hearts to the radical message of love that Jesus teaches. We lazily hate and offend. We purposefully hold onto our prejudices and anger. Darkness engulfs us. We extinguish the fourth candle, admitting our own lack of love and our closed hearts.
Additional Readings: Get Ready story booklet, Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 108:1-3,17-22, Ephesians 2:1-10, and in the UMH #374 Standing on the Promises.
Sources:Rev. Preston Price, Anaheim, CA appointed to Anaheim United Methodist Church. “Lenten Candle Extinguishing Liturgy.” 2021.
Bartlett, David L. and Barbara Brown Taylor. Feasting on the Word Year B Volume 2. Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, KY. 2008.
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