“. . . light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than light. . . “ John 3:19
The world, our world, seems to be on a darkened path with the challenges of the COVID-19 virus and its effects on the world. I am grateful for medical technology that is advancing even as I write this devotional to combat this unusual virus strain. There is light in the world, “for the Light shines in the darkness and the darkness understood it not.” Palm Sunday is April 5, Good Friday is April 10, a spiritual darkness came over earth because people refused to turn to the healing rays of forgiveness, redemption, salvation and to carry Christ's message of Light into the world. Christ was rejected by the overwhelming majority of humanity. As a result, they stumbled and fell into temptations, as Brandon says, “we believe the lies the world tells us.” We lose sight of the Light, our commitment to God, the church, the scriptures and we become numb to what is right in God’s eyes. It was in the midst, of darkness and “void, in the beginning,” God said, “Let there be light.” Seek the Light, you will find it, God’s power of love and redemption. God can make the Light penetrate and turn the darkness into day, it takes a continued commitment on your part/our part. Let the Light of Jesus come into your heart by faith.
Between now and Easter do some reading in the scriptures each day:
Begin with John chapters 14-21. Read them more than once, also Luke 18-24. That is a total of 15 chapters, starting tomorrow there are 15 days between March 29, Saturday and April 12, Easter Sunday. Read a chapter per day of Jesus walk into Jerusalem, His crucifixion and resurrection.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for walking into Jerusalem, the road that began a darkness for You, the accusations, the trial, the flogging, the crown of thorns, the sign “the King of the Jews,” and nails, the insults, feeling alone, deserted and your body being pierced. Lord, we commit our lives to you and to the ministry of the church. Forgive us and help us to walk in the Light of your teachings. Accept us as we are and help us to have an increasing desire “a passion” for You and Your Word and Your ways. Amen
Blessings, Rusty Parsons