Friday April 14, 2023

Today is Friday, April 14 and we are exploring what the Bible says about the Risen Christ.

As I begin this time of prayer, I still my body, quiet my mind and slow my breathing. I inhale the joy and peace of God’s loving presence. I exhale the worries, troubles and concerns I have carried with me.

Pause and Pray

Holy and blessed Lord, I long for you to speak into my life and circumstances. Give me ears to hear, eyes to see and a heart to understand the good message you have for me today as I study your Holy Word. Amen.

As a new day dawns and the sun rises in the east, I lift my voice to praise God with the words of Psalm 113.

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord. Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. Psalm 113:1-3

Pause and Pray

All week long we have peered into the empty tomb alongside the three women, and the disciples Peter and John. The women arrived at the tomb early in the morning as the sun rose over the eastern horizon. After a miraculous day of unexpected happenings, evening arrives, the day is done and the sun is setting in the west. The disciples are afraid and have gathered together behind locked doors. Following her encounter with Jesus in the garden tomb, Mary Magdalene went and found the disciples. She told them she had seen the risen Jesus. She shared everything he had spoken to her and then Jesus appeared again.
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:19-22

Despite the locked doors, Jesus came to be with his followers. I consider the doors I have locked in my life. Doors that keep people out and doors that keep me in. Doors that separate and divide. Doors that are shut in fear, closed in grief, latched with cynicism, and locked tight because of the hurts of the past. Jesus walks right through all my closed doors to be with me. He brings me peace. Alongside the disciples I see the evidence of his love and compassion. I see where the nails were driven into his hands and where the sword pierced his side. Wounds that bled in love for me. Suffering endured for the sake of my sin. His anguish for my healing. His death for my eternal life.

Ask: Where do I need the peace of Jesus Christ today? What doors have I erected to keep Jesus and others out?

Pause and Pray

Jesus, I relinquish all my fears and open the door of my heart to invite you in. Come and bring the peace that passes understanding. I am overjoyed by your love for me and your sacrifice for my soul. I receive the blessed gift of the Holy Spirit and ask you to send me into the world to share your love, witness to your truth, serve the poor and help those in need. I read the words from John again and listen for the message you have for me.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:19-22

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I consider the emotions this passage evokes in me. Do I imagine my heart closing or opening to the presence of Christ in my midst? I consider how I am responding to the Holy Spirit’s speaking and moving in my life. Perhaps God wants to guide me regarding a specific behavior, relationship or circumstance. Maybe God wants to send me out to serve his kingdom at a new place or in a new way. I repeat the word or phrase that stands out to me and plan to carry it through my day.

Pause and Pray

Jesus, you are the love of my life and I invite you into the deepest corners of my heart. Where there is fear, bring peace. Where there is hurt, provide comfort. Where there is loneliness, offer companionship. Where there is disappointment, bring hope. Where there is sadness, bring joy. Prepare me, equip me and send me where you want me to go. Amen.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24

I leave this time of prayer with the peace of Christ in my heart. I am sent by Jesus to love and serve others in his name.

Amen