Lenten Devotions

Tuesday, April 19
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”
--John 20:21-22

These verses are full of power. Jesus appears to the disciples—a powerful event in and of itself. Yet that is a small part of this passage. Jesus sends his disciples into the world with the Holy Spirit. What does it mean for us to be sent by Jesus just as Jesus was sent by God?
Hands and Feet


Monday, April 18
“Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: ‘Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.’ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’”
--Isaiah 6:6-8

Isaiah’s call story is one that is told and re-told quite often. The seraph cleanses his guilt, and he replies with the optimistic and almost idealistic phrase: “Here am I; send me.” In reality, however, Isaiah’s life was no easy task—and neither are our lives. We have ups as well as downs, failures as well as triumphs. Life can be exciting, terrifying, tragic, comic, and everything in between. As you read through this piece, reflect on what the realistic expectations for your life’s journey are, and consider the importance of living and experiencing all of it.
Oh the Places You'll Go


Sunday, April 17
“As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.”
--Ephesians 6:15

Palm Sunday—in the liturgical year, this day marks the beginning of Holy Week, where we as a Christian community will travel from Christ’s joyous triumphal entry in Jerusalem to his death on the cross. We will walk together through the remembrance of the Last Supper to betrayal and mockery until we arrive at Golgotha.

What makes you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace? This week, take time to be mindful of your shoes. Consider how they function to equip you in different ways for different situations. Consider also where they take you and what you do while you wear them.