Acts 1:15-26
Philippians 3:13-21
John 15:1,6-16
Psalm 15

I was a benchwarmer. I would love to say I was a first-string, A-team, top quality athlete, but I wasn’t, and that’s OK. I may not have ever been first in the field for most games, whether football, baseball, or basketball, but I always made it a point to be on time, suited up, and ready to go. I attended practices, put in my best effort, listened to the coaches or team captains, and stayed focused on the matter at hand.

Matthias was a bench-warmer. He met all the qualifications for a disciple. He had been a follower of Jesus (along with the “Big Twelve”) from the time Jesus was baptized until his arrest, trial, death, and resurrection. When the Apostles needed someone to take Judas’ place, they “cast lots” and Matthias “became numbered with the Twelve.”

Outside of this event (told in Acts), we know nothing about Matthias, but that is true of most of us. Most of us will never be known beyond a very small circle of friends, family, and fellow travelers on “the Way” and yet each of us is known by God and invited to share in the ministry of the Twelve. Which is?

Sharing the experience, strength, and hope we have in Christ. We contemplate what we were like, what we are like now, and try to explore what (or Who) has made the difference.

Gracious God, it is a comfortable thing to sit on the sidelines and watch others play the game, and oh so scary when called upon to jump in and actively take part; in reality, there are no benchwarmers in your world. You’ve called us each to take our place amongst the Twelve. Help me to be a Matthias in my own way – to suit up and show up each and every day – ready to work, and ready to play, in Jesus’ Name. OK? Amen.
-Keith Axberg

Ezekiel 18:21–28
Matthew 5:20–26
Psalm 130

“If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness.” Psalm 130:3-4

Lent is a time for us as Christians to spend time in prayer, reflection and study as we prepare for Holy Week when we commemorate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Our reading today reminds us that we sin and really it is because of Jesus’ sacrifice that we can experience the forgiveness of our sins.

In the confession portion of the service each Sunday, we confess our sins thinking of “what we have done and… what we have left undone… We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.” The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary defines repentance as “a complete change of orientation involving a judgment upon the past and a deliberate redirection for the future.”

This past week, I learned of the passing of the daughter of a couple who used to be great friends years ago but now the relationship is fractured. This has given me the opportunity to think of what I could have done to make a difference. Maybe this horrific loss is an opportunity to start to repair the relationship by reaching out… sending a thoughtful card at this very difficult time…starting the conversation… “a deliberate redirection for the future”.

“By what we have left undone” means that I need to reflect and focus on being in tune with God so that I can hear his prompts to reach out to others. If I am so selfish to be caught up with my own wishes, I will not hear when God prompts me to visit someone, write a card, or give an encouraging word.

Lord, help me to listen for and then follow your gentle prompts. Thank you for your forgiveness when I do not measure up. Amen.
-Marilyn Allen

Esther 14:1–6,12–14
Matthew 7:7–12
Psalm 138

Queen Esther, seized with deadly anxiety, fled to the Lord. …and she utterly humbled her body… (Esther 14:1,2)

I read Esther with new eyes this year.

We know something of women’s bodies being utterly humbled. This has been the year of #MeToo, used on social media to help demonstrate the widespread prevalence of sexual assault and harassment, especially in the workplace.

I have heard your own stories of disrespect and abuse. They break my heart.

It seems that we have indeed “turned against (God), and betrayed (God’s) trust, and we turned against one another.”

And we are only a few weeks out now from the overwhelming testimonies of strong young women who were sexually abused by Larry Nassar under the guise of “treatment” in the gymnastics world.

“Put eloquent speech in my mouth before the lion, and turn his heart…” (Esther 14:13)

Esther knew the power of her amazing body and its amazing beauty. She understood what she was risking when she shrewdly used every resource at her hand to address her husband king. And she called on God.

With fear and trembling, with skill and clarity, with faith and chutzpah, Esther acted. And she saved the lives of her people.

God knew what God was doing when God chose Incarnation, enfleshment, humanity. God chose a powerful, vulnerable, risky form.

Maybe not so much has changed since Esther’s time and Jesus’ time. The people of God are still called to risk everything to save the people. With fear and trembling, skill and clarity, faith and chutzpah, we are called to act. We are called to risk everything in proclaiming the love of God in Christ Jesus. Wow.

Holy One, Grant me wisdom in discerning your call to me. Make me humble and bold and strong for your work, beautiful and shrewd and wise. I flee to you. Amen.
-Helen McPeak

Jonah 3:1–10
Luke 11:29–32
Psalm 51:11–18

In today’s Old Testament reading, the psalmist prays for God to renew and sustain the Holy Spirit’s presence within him. He then promises God to share God’s ways with the wicked and praise God’s name. These pleas are just as relevant today as they were in the psalmist’s time. We all have times when we feel down and less close to God than we have experienced in the past. Perhaps it is a family crisis, job loss, health problem, financial challenge, or just plain feeling down. God hasn’t changed or moved – He is still waiting for us to turn back to Him as the source of our renewal. He wants us to realize that He loves us and has good plans for our lives. Sometimes God’s plans involve things that we haven’t imagined. Whatever His plans, they are good plans and God will supply all that we need to carry them out.

Several times during my nursing career, I found myself in a “down” mood related to my profession. Soon God revealed His plans – it was time for a job change or a return to school. Although I sometimes complained to Him (“God, why?”), He soon revealed His reasons. One time I was commuting from Everett to Seattle when He showed me that it was time to make a change – and He showed me the job posting for a Public Health Nurse position that was to be my new focus in nursing, which not only eliminated the commute but also opened a new world focusing on nursing of children with disabilities.

Lord, remind us that “down” times are the opportunity for You to reveal Your good plans for us. We praise You for Your love and good plans for us. Amen.
-Barbara Cheyney

Isaiah 55:6–11
Matthew 6:7–15
Psalm 34:15–22

In today’s readings of the Old Testament, The Psalm, and the Gospel from the New Testament, I see a common message: He’s got this!

I am reminded that though we are living in very troubled times and under a divided and prejudiced doctrine of political leadership, God’s justice will prevail. When I am feeling overwhelmed by the cruelty, selfishness, and disrespect I see around me, I sometimes forget to just put it all in God’s hands- where it belongs. He is definitely on a much higher level of the playing field than I am!

The Lord knows what we need even before we ask; He hears our cries and knows the troubles we face. He will keep us safe and lead us down the chosen path. God simply asks us to love one another, to forgive and to pray for others. When I struggle with the ability to forgive such injustice, I can rest assured knowing that He is a just God and has the power to forgive.

Two years ago, I received the devastating news that my recently-divorced husband’s third attempt at suicide was successful. I fell to my knees and cried out to God, “Forgive him, Father! He was so lost in his pain!” I heard God’s answer, “Child, I have taken him home, he is safe and at peace now.” Such a forgiveness was too hard for me, but not for our Father.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come,Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. In your name, I pray. Amen.
-Sherri Greenleaf

Leviticus 19:1–2,11–18
Matthew 25:31–46
Psalm 19:7–14

Do we have a love/hate relationship with “The Law?” At times we are like the Psalmist who waxes rhapsodically about the statutes and judgments of the Lord. We might even desire them more than fine gold and find them sweeter than honey. Periodically, we do not know how often we have broken the laws or committed secret faults. Sometimes we are like those sheep on the right hand of the Son of Man taking care of others and other times we more closely resemble the goats on the left hand. Paradoxically, speed limits and their enforcement cause us consternation when we are in a hurry to get somewhere and happiness when someone is stopped for speeding down our neighborhood street where children are playing.

Many of God’s laws are focused on how we should treat one another. In Leviticus, we are told that we should not hate any of our kin and should love our neighbors as ourselves. This message of loving our neighbors is found in one form or another in most world religions, and indeed, in a common-sense approach to life. The fabric of society is woven through with laws and agreements that help us to get along with one another and to exist in peace and harmony with one another. Today, however, it feels as if the cloth that is our country is unraveling and that agreed upon laws and norms are being pulled out on all sides. Today’s lessons remind us to stand with Moses and say as God commanded, “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” And, to be like those sheep feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, and visiting those who are sick or in prison.

Dear God, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Amen.
-Cathey Frederick