April 4 Lenten Devotional "Without Fear"

OPENING PRAYER. . .Loving God, Creator of all that is, here I am--today in this place that you have given me, with all the senses you have given me. Help me to use them to experience you on a deeper level. May I experience you all around me, open me to know more of your ways and know that your goodness surrounds me. Thank you for this time to be with you and to just listen. Amen

LISTEN. . "At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill?   Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Messiah?   But we know where this man is from; when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.”  Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him,  but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.”  At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come." (John 7:25-30)

CONSIDER. . .Jesus is a marked man. He has infuriated both the religious and political leaders of his day and they have threatened his life. Jesus didn't go to Judea at first because he knew he was in danger. However, he put aside his fear and went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Tabernacles and began teaching in the temple in full view.  It was thought that he spoke freely because the religious leaders now believed he was really the Messiah. The truth is. . .he was teaching without fear because He knew He was sent by God.  

SO WHAT. . .We may not be marked men or women, but we also need courage to live and witness to our faith in the secular world that we live in. We have been sent by God to talk about the Good News to whoever will hear us. Sometimes we are afraid to share that Good News. We tend to think that everyone we know already knows,  when in reality, there are many friends, family and co-workers that don't know about that Good News.

Some tough questions at the end of the week, but that's what Lent is about, asking and answering the tough questions. . .

• What keeps you from sharing your faith with others?
• Who do you know that you can share the Good News with today?
• How does your life reflect your faith walk? Or does it?

PRAYER. . . Gracious God, help me to stand firm in my faith convictions. Fill me with your courage and your power so I may share your Word by the testimony of my life and the truth of my words. Lead me to those who need me to show them you. Amen.