Sunday’s Message for Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 22, 2020
Prayer of the Day
Bend your ear to our prayers, Lord Christ, and come among us. By your gracious life and death for us, bring light into the darkness of our hearts, anoint us with your Spirit, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
First Reading 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Psalm 23
Second Reading Ephesians 5:8-14
Gospel John 9:1-41
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.
“Follow the light” is the theme of the day. Psalm 27:1a reminds us that “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” In today’s Gospel Jesus said “I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5) Following the light means following Jesus.
The famous 23rd Psalm is assigned for the day and I am looking at it in terms of following the light of Jesus.
1The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
3he restores my soul.
The shepherd is a leading light for the flock. Without the shepherd, sheep dwell in darkness and in danger and lack direction in order to receive food and drink. Jesus is our light; our leader in a time of darkness. His word reminds us that he is with us always and that he will never forget us or forsake us. He beckons us to come to him with our fears and anxiety and he will give us rest. On our own we are banging around in darkness but with him there is a light for the journey.
Through faith in him, we live day to day confident of receiving our daily bread. We trust that we “shall not want” because he is by our side and God is a wonderful provider. Daily bread by the way is more than a physical thing. It includes emotional and spiritual provision as well. We live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. In the company of Jesus and his word, our spirits are revived and our souls are restored; fears subside and anxiety meets an unwavering foe. Follow the light during these dark days.
He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
In times of crisis, people keenly appreciate excellent leadership. In these days, the quality of leadership can mean the difference between life and death. We must continue to pray for our leaders in their time of challenge. And we must continue to follow the path trod by Jesus, our light. He leads us in the right direction; the direction of the cross.
To move in the direction of the cross means to pursue a life that honors God and neighbor. It means that we seek to grow in our ability to sacrifice for the good of others. Caring about each other can mean the difference between life and death. Our leaders have told us that in sacrificing and maintaining social distancing we are saving lives.
Being distant doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t care about others and pray for them. You are on the right path when you phone a neighbor or friend or relative to see how they are doing. You are on the right path when you go the extra mile to love and serve and forgive those in your home with whom you are spending more time these days. Follow the light during these dark days.
4Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me.
We clearly are in a dark valley right now. But thanks be to God that we are not without light. Jesus is with us. The social distancing orders do not apply to him! An ever-present friend, he penetrates our loneliness and quiets our hearts. He comforts us in a perilous time.
Because of Jesus we can live with faith and not in fear. Fear is a destructive force. It is darkness for the human spirit. But faith in God is a force for good that breathes life and light into the children of God. Follow the light during these dark days.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
The light of Jesus scatters the present darkness which surrounds us. His word reminds us that we belong to him. We have the anointing of the Holy Spirit. (Remember your baptism into Christ!) And the anointing you have received has left you drinking from your saucer. That’s what happens when your cup overflows. God’s blessings only increase in dire times. In the darkness the light shines brightly and is appreciated all the more. Follow the light in these dark days.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
We are living in the light even when times are dark. Jesus is with us. He is leading the way, standing by our side, and bringing up the rear. No one will be lost. No one is forgotten. And that is not just for today, but for every single day and forever. We are following the light of Jesus and his light is following us. The path we are on is safe and secure with plenty of light, plenty of love, plenty of life, plenty of peace, and plenty of Jesus.
Follow the light in these dark days. Amen.
Together or apart, we are one in the Lord, and let us be together in prayer for one another, for our neighbors and for the whole of God’s good creation.
Peace and blessings,
Pastor Bill
We are so blessed to have Pastor Bill’s continued guidance through these times.
Praise be to God Our Father
Thank you, Pastor Bill!
Thanks for sharing this very good piece of information. Very interesting points too!