Second Sunday of Lent

Readings: Genesis 15v1-12&17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3v17-4v1; Luke 13v31-end.

Let us pray: May the words of my mouth and the thoughts and meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.

A Word: In Genesis we hear about God’s promise to Abram that one day he would have a son, an heir through his wife Sara, and descendants as many as the stars in the night sky. Alongside this, God also said that Abram’s descendants would be given a land of their own, a land promised to them by God, a land covenanted to Abram in the vision that Abram had as he slept. This is a promise that God fulfilled, for Abram was the old name of Abraham the father of God’s Holy people, the people of Israel and all who believe in God, including Christians, Muslims and those who simply believe.

In the psalm we hear that the Lord is our light, our salvation and our strength in all the difficult times of life. Times of war, in times of troubles, in times of false accusation, in times of being abandoned, in times of violence against us, in times of crisis in all things bitter and difficult to bear. For we have a God we can turn to during every kind of trial and suffering, a God who knows what we need, a God who will provide for us, even though we may have to wait for the comfort we so desperately desire. As we wait for the comfort God will provide, the psalmist tells us how to wait: by being in God’s house; by seeking God’s will; by taking part in worship and prayer; by searching for God’s face; by learning God’s ways; and by trusting in the goodness of God. For in doing these things, we draw close to God and God draws close to us, and in so doing we find consolation in our times of need.

In Luke, we hear about Jesus and what he tells us about things that were still to take place. For when the Pharisees come to warn him that Herod is out to kill him, Jesus replies that they are to tell Herod that today and tomorrow Jesus is casting out demons and performing cures and on the third day will finish his work. Then, as Jesus is not in Jerusalem, he says that he must be on his way because he must die in Jerusalem, the city he describes as “killing the prophets sent by God to it”. Jesus also laments that he has tried to gather in God’s children but they refused to be gathered in. Jesus foretells that they will not see him until the time comes when they will say “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord”.

The gospels tell us much about the fulfilment of what was prophesied by Jesus in God’s people refusing to be gathered in, about Jesus dying in Jerusalem and Jesus finishing God’s work on the third day. The letter to the people of Philippi, tells us about the time still to come when all people will see who Jesus really is. For Paul warns that when Jesus returns that everyone who is an enemy of the cross will be destroyed. Paul also urges and encourages all who will listen and act to stand firm in the Lord Jesus and live as citizens of heaven because Jesus will be returning and when he does his followers will be transformed and glorified.

Today if you have ears to hear – listen to and act on the word of God. For we have a God who loves us and calls us into his Kingdom.

Let us Pray: Almighty God, by your light help us to see our errors and reject our rebellious and disobedient ways, for we have no power to defend or help ourselves when we are afflicted by the malevolence that damages our souls. By your light, defend us in body and soul and guide our return to the way of righteousness, so we will be welcomed into the family of Christ. Amen

Thanks for joining us today.