Worship at Home - Holy Week- Monday to Wednesday - Who is this Jesus?

These devotions are based on the  main Bible readings provided in the Methodist Prayer Handbook 2020. The Psalm and the suggested hymn are also given to help you in your devotions

The prayer handbook includes a guide to daily prayer, the suggested order below is based on this:

Hymn – Sing or listen to the suggested hymn for the day

Psalm – Read or say the suggested Psalm for the day

Reading – Read the selected passage with the help of the devotional notes

Canticle for the day

Prayers of Intercession

The Lord’s Prayer

The Grace

Monday – Wednesday- Who is this Jesus?  Finding Jesus in the Book of Isaiah

Holy Monday – 6^th April 2020

Hymn – StF 338, Psalm: 36:4-11, Reading: Isaiah 42:1-9, Canticle StF 792 The Benedictus

Reflection:

It would be easy, with all of the high adrenaline action of Palm Sunday to miss a tiny little detail contained in Matthew’s account (Mt 21:14)

“The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them.”

Do we make time among the donkey-procession and the table-turning, to see that Jesus not only notices the needy, but takes time to pay attention to their needs? 

Today’s passage from Isaiah, which is actually quoted in Matthew’s gospel (Mt 12:15f)  is one of my favourites.  So much so that I have chosen it for my testimony service!

It paints a picture of Jesus as one who powerfully combines a steely determination with a tender gentleness.  He pays attention to the immediate need of those who are weak and vulnerable, but at the same time he goes into action seeking justice and policy change on their behalf.  For them, he is “Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,” but to those who withhold the things they need he is a mighty warrior fighting on behalf of the poor.

This is what yesterday’s scene in the temple was all about.  Jesus’ hands that tended the bruises of the broken were the same hands that turned the tables of those who stood between the weakest and God. 

To the wounded, today, Jesus says, “Be of good hope, let me tend your bruises.”

“In faithfulness he will bring forth justice … in his teaching the islands will put their hope.” (v4)

Holy Tuesday 7^th April 2020

Hymn – StF 17, Psalm: 71:10-14, Reading: Isaiah 49:1-7, Canticle StF 798 Great and Wonderful

Reflection:

As we journey through Holy Week, we become increasingly aware of the gathering clouds as the contempt and abhorrence of the religious authorities becomes more and more obvious.  They test him and attempt to trick him into stumbling in his words but he has answers enough to keep them at bay.  

Here in this passage from Isaiah, we read that the Servant’s ability to answer their tricky questions is God-given.  He has both a “mouth like a sharpened sword” and is protected “in the shadow of God’s hand.” (v2)

Isaiah also encourages us to look beyond the clouds and see that despite their murderous intentions, for Jesus inglorious death is not the end that God has in mind.

 

For a moment, Jesus may be overcome with a sense of failure and dejection, “I have laboured in vain …” (v4) but there is hope.  Despite the rejection of the authorities, he is still God’s chosen and anointed servant, “honoured in the eyes of the Lord” and strengthened by God.  

In Luke, the Gospel of angels, we are told that an angel came to minister to Jesus in Gethsemane, (Lk 22:43) for all we know, he may have received strength from heavenly messengers throughout his life and most especially in his final few days.

Suffering lies ahead for Jesus, but those who despised him will see him in his glory and bow before him. (v7)

To those who feel weak today, Jesus says, “I formed you in the womb and I will be your strength” (v5)

Holy Wednesday 8^th April 2020

Hymn – StF 319, Psalm: 70, Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a, Canticle StF 791 A Song of Creation

Reflection:

In today’s reading, we are left in no doubt that Jesus does not go to the cross as a helpless victim.  He goes as the obedient servant of his heavenly Father.  

In our Palm Sunday reflection, we mentioned how Jesus’ totally rejected violence: no matter how violent his opponents became he steadfastly refused to participate in a power structure that depended on demonstrations of strength and might.

Matthew’s account of Jesus’ arrest shows him resisting the temptation to fight fire with fire. (Mt 26:47-55)  He rebukes his companion for reaching for the sword.  Yet, Jesus does not submit to the violence of human power-structures helplessly, “Do you not think I cannot call my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Mt 26:53)  He submits willingly, because there is no other way that he can expose the wicked and evil structures of this world for what they are. 

Christian theology has no place for a God who ultimately wins the argument by scattering his enemies with thunderbolts.  Jesus says he could behave this way, but he chooses not to.  Jesus places his trust in God.  He goes to the cross believing entirely that God will help him and will ultimately vindicate him.  He trusts in the nature of his Father God, who always prefers mercy to sacrifice. (Hosea 6:6) 

To those who feel tempted to fight back against opponents, Jesus says, “Trust in the name of the Lord and rely on your God.” (v10)