The Daily Readings for SUNDAY, March 18, 2018 - Fifth Sunday in Lent (Passion Sunday)

Daily Readings

SUNDAY, March 18, 2018 (Passion Sunday)

(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)

Opening Sentence

Jesus said, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."

~ Mark 8:34

Prayer of the Day (Collect)

Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Confession and Forgiveness

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.  If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true;  but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

~ 1 John 1:5b-8

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves; and we sorrow for these wrongful acts and omissions from the bottom of our hearts. We humbly and fully repent all of our misdeeds, and pray that for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, you will have mercy on us and forgive us, not by our merits, but by that grace that He has granted those who confess his name. And we pray that you will be in our heart and walk with us, that we might sin no more. Amen.

The Lessons

Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:31-34

A New Covenant
31 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

The Response: Psalm 51:1-13 Miserere mei, Deus

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; *

in your great compassion blot out my offenses.

2 Wash me through and through from my wickedness *

and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions, *

and my sin is ever before me.

4 Against you only have I sinned *

and done what is evil in your sight.

5 And so you are justified when you speak *

and upright in your judgment.

6 Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, *

a sinner from my mother's womb.

7 For behold, you look for truth deep within me, *

and will make me understand wisdom secretly.

8 Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; *

wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.

9 Make me hear of joy and gladness, *

that the body you have broken may rejoice.

10 Hide your face from my sins *

and blot out all my iniquities.

11 Create in me a clean heart, O God, *

and renew a right spirit within me.

12 Cast me not away from your presence *

and take not your holy Spirit from me.

13 Give me the joy of your saving help again *

and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

or

Psalm 119:9-16 In quo corrigit?

9 How shall a young man cleanse his way? *

By keeping to your words.

10 With my whole heart I seek you; *

let me not stray from your commandments.

11 I treasure your promise in my heart, *

that I may not sin against you.

12 Blessed are you, O Lord; *

instruct me in your statutes.

13 With my lips will I recite *

all the judgments of your mouth.

14 I have taken greater delight in the way of your decrees *

than in all manner of riches.

15 I will meditate on your commandments *

and give attention to your ways.

16 My delight is in your statutes; *

I will not forget your word.

The Epistle: Hebrews 5:5-10

5 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; 6 as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” 7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

The Gospel: John 12:20-33

Some Greeks Wish to See Jesus
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
Jesus Speaks about His Death
27 “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.

Here ends the Lessons

Click HERE to read today's Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Apostle's Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

Closing Prayer

Let us not forget you as we go forth into the world this day, blessed Lord; may our every word be a prayer, and our every act be testimony to your love and truth, and may we know your presence every second of this day and the week to come. Amen.

Blessing

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

~ Numbers 6:22-27

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.
“This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

Sermon for SUNDAY, March 18, 2018 - Fifth Sunday in Lent (Passion Sunday)

"Following His Footsteps"

20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. 27 “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.

~ John 12:20-33

Grace and Peace to you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus who is the Christ. Amen

Jodi Kantor, in her book, The Obamas portrays Michelle Obama as struggling with the cost of being “The First Lady.” Kantor writes that Mrs. Obama shied away from the spotlight and fought against the loss of freedom and privacy. Michelle wanted the Presidency for her husband, but she did not like the personal cost that its reality required of her.

Josh Hutcherson, who plays Peeta Mellark, in the film “The Hunger Games,” longed for the part. But, he was not prepared for the hype and super-stardom that was suddenly his. He is now struggling with the demands that success and fame have placed upon him.

The disciples were excited about being members of Jesus’ inner circle of followers. They envisioned lives of power, and position. The early Christians, to whom John was writing, basked in the knowledge of God’s love and the experience of God’s grace. The words of Jesus that John records were sobering reminders of the price for love that Jesus paid, and the cost of being a disciple of Jesus.

The scene of today’s gospel lesson takes place early during Holy Week. Scholars aren’t sure when Jesus realized what the cost of being the Son of God, the Messiah, would be. Certainly, by the time he entered into Jerusalem he realized that the cross was in his future.

In verse thirty-three, Jesus says that “When [he] is lifted up from the earth, [he] will draw all people to himself.” He made reference to the type of death he was to die. He also made reference to an Old Testament Story.

The Israelites had sinned against God and once again had rebelled against his Lordship. As punishment, God sent poisonous snakes that bit many people. Moses was instructed to craft the image of a snake and place it on a pole. If anyone looked at that snake, they would be healed from the snake bite. Like the snake, Jesus would be lifted up on the cross. If anyone looked to him for deliverance, they would be saved. Jesus’ death and resurrection provided salvation, established a new relationship between God and humankind, and defeated the forces of sin, death and the devil.

The kingdom of God was established at a great price. This fact was something that the disciples and the early Christians slowly came to realize.

We often imagine that Jesus’ resurrection is the only resurrection ever recorded in the history of the world. In reality, life, death, and resurrection are common realities in our world.

Jesus points out this fact in his discussion with his disciples. He points out that unless a seed falls to the ground and dies it can never come back to life, sprout and produce an abundance of fruit. Death and resurrection happen every day; they are facts of life.

We know that this is true in our lives. We all know of people who have gone through the traumatic experience of losing their job only to find a better job. Some of us have experienced the pain of leaving family and friends, the trauma of moving, and the joy of making new friends. The promise of a resurrection empowers us to go through the death.

Jesus also told his disciples that, “Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (vs. 25). We have met people who loved their lives inappropriately. They lived selfish, self-centered lives—lives that were empty at their very core. We have also met people who have lost their lives for others, and we have been amazed at the richness and depth of their lives. We know the truth of Jesus’ words from firsthand experience.

Understanding what Jesus is saying and knowing the truth of his words, does not make the process of death with the expectation of resurrection any easier, or any less difficult.

Facing his death was not easy for Jesus, even when he knew how it would benefit all of humanity, and that the resurrection was on the other side. He admits, in our gospel story, that his soul was troubled. In other gospel accounts, Jesus struggles mightily with the terror that confronts him.

Even with a troubled soul, though, Jesus moves forward toward the cross. He asks only that God will be glorified, and his father assures Jesus that he will be glorified.

To be glorified is to have the fullness of one’s person and character revealed. Jesus knew that in his death and resurrection, the personhood of God would be seen by the people of the world. Humankind would be amazed at God’s love, overwhelmed by God’s grace and humbled by God’s mercy. People would be drawn to such a God and would enter into a new relationship with God and walk in his kingdom.

It is not easy being a disciple of Jesus. The consequences of our faith cause our souls to be troubled, also. Still, the truth that God will be glorified—that others will behold the person of God in his totality—is worth the cost. Having of lives glorifying God is the central purpose of our existence.

Christians are notoriously uneasy with decisions and choices for Jesus. We like to place the emphasis on the truth that Jesus chose us and we did not choose Jesus. At the same time, it seems true that choices are made each day to follow Jesus and to live by faith. Even with troubled souls at the prospect of death, we choose to allow God to be glorified in our lives. In response to what Jesus has done for us, it is a choice that we make over and over again.

Father, we don’t pray for a life of ease since we know that virtues listed in Scripture are often refined in our lives through the challenges, the overcomings, the mistakes and the hours we spend in prayer seeking You above all else. May the nature of Christ be much more visible than our human nature so that we are truly a reflection of Your image that is stamped deep in our hearts. We desire to “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness” so that we are truly fruitful in our pursuit of holiness. Amen.

Seeking God?

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The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. Sermon contributed by Rev. Kevin Ruffcorn, Desert Streams Lutheran Church, Surprise, Arizona on Mar 29, 2012.
It is not easy being a disciple of Jesus.

The Morning Prayer for SUNDAY, March 18, 2018 - Fifth Sunday in Lent (Passion Sunday)

Father, we don’t pray for a life of ease since we know that virtues listed in Scripture are often refined in our lives through the challenges, the overcomings, the mistakes and the hours we spend in prayer seeking You above all else. May the nature of Christ be much more visible than our human nature so that we are truly a reflection of Your image that is stamped deep in our hearts. We desire to “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness” so that we are truly fruitful in our pursuit of holiness.

Amen

Verse of the Day - for SUNDAY, March 18, 2018

John 12:24 (NIV) Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

Read all of John 12

Listen to John 12

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Un dia a la Vez - Hay esperanza

Hay esperanza

Y ahora, Señor, ¿qué esperanza me queda? ¡Mi esperanza he puesto en ti!

~ Salmo 39:7 (NVI)

Tal como le sucedió a Fredy, nuestro amigo del devocional de ayer, la vida lo sorprendió. De un día para otro, cambió su vida. Por robarlo recibió ese disparo que le cambió su condición física. Y a lo mejor esto te pasó a ti. Tienes una condición similar y quizá se deba a un accidente, una enfermedad o una incapacidad de nacimiento que cambió tu vida por completo.

¿Estamos preparados para afrontarlo? ¿Cómo sería nuestra reacción emocional? En la mayoría de los casos, estas grandes calamidades nos hacen más sensibles, nos motivan a buscar más de Dios, a pedirle ayuda y, por qué no, un milagro.

Por alguna razón que no tengo respuesta, Dios en algunos casos obra con milagros impresionantes. Sin embargo, en otra gran cantidad de ocasiones no hay sanidad física.

Conozco casos cercanos, incluso en mi familia, donde he podido ver que Dios ha dejado seres muy queridos para mí con sus limitaciones. A pesar de eso, sé también que no es casualidad que esas personitas a quienes quiero tanto Dios las haya levantando en lo espiritual de una manera única y hoy en día son grandes líderes. Su fe y sus testimonios han acercado a más de uno a los pies de Cristo.

A decir verdad, siempre hay esperanza. No sé cuál sea tu limitación, ni cuál fue esa situación que cambió tu vida para siempre, pero recuerda que Dios tiene un propósito con tu vida y serás de apoyo para otros que viven, o vivirán, lo mismo que tú y podrás ayudarles al testificarles del amor de Dios.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Tal como le sucedió a Fredy, nuestro amigo del devocional de ayer, la vida lo sorprendió.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - GOD KNOWS WHAT IT IS LIKE TO LOSE A CHILD

GOD KNOWS WHAT IT IS LIKE TO LOSE A CHILD

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

~ Romans 5:8 (NIV)

Young Nam left his family behind in North Korea to search for money and food in China. Christians there helped him but on the way back he bumped into a North Korean patrol, and he was arrested on the spot. A prison official let Young Nam go after taking away all his money. Young Nam fled again to China, only to be arrested by Chinese policemen. And now he was back in the same prison with the same official who took a bat which was wrapped in newspaper. After Young Nam had taken the beating, the guards dragged him back to an overcrowded cell.

He convinced the prison official that he was not going to betray him and was released a second time. If he wanted to survive, the only option was to go back to China and stay there. He was able to secure a job working in the kitchen of a Beijing restaurant. There he met Eun Kyung who also came to work in the kitchen. Her husband had died in North Korea. Her sweet daughter died in her arms and her son was put in an orphanage. She and a bunch of other women were locked up in a house and sold into marriage to Chinese men.

Eun Kyung protested. “I have just lost my husband. Don’t force me to marry someone!” The human traffickers listened to her and placed her on a Chinese farm, where she had to work for room and board, but the family treated her very well. She ultimately came to Beijing and met Young Nam. There was chemistry between them. They took some secret Bible study classes together and they married, also in secret of course. After a while, the situation in Beijing became too tense for North Korean refugees, and the restaurant boss arranged false passports and put Young Nam and Eun Kyung on a plane to another country.

Now, Young Nam and Eun Kyung live in small apartment far away from their home country. There is little that reminds them of their painful past, unless it’s the eyes of their baby. Inevitably the eyes look similar to the eyes of the child she left behind in that wretched country with its love-wrecking system. Eun Kyung holds her few-months-old son tightly. The child is tense. Eun Kyung doesn’t seem to notice. She will protect this precious child with her life.

After their escape from China, Young Nam and Eun Kyung really got to know God by studying the Bible with a local pastor. They realized it was God who protected them. “God saved us, brought us together and gave us another child. We are very grateful for his love.”

Young Nam and Eun Kyung look to their son. For them, the child is a symbol of God’s hope and love. They know that God will not undo the past. However, God promises us that all tears will be wiped from our faces. That’s possible because the Son of God, out of love, let Himself be crucified. God Himself carried our pain. He knows what it is like to lose a child.

They conclude, “No matter what happened to us, we trust in God. We know that He is love.”

RESPONSE: Today I will forget the past, rejoice in God’s love and be thankful for all His gifts of life.

PRAYER: Thank You God that You can feel the pain of those who have lost a child. May Your love envelop them today and wipe the tears from their faces.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.

LHM Devotion - March 18, 2018 - Crown of Thorns

Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Crown of Thorns"

Mar. 18, 2018

Read John 19:1-5

So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!"

~ John 19:5 (ESV)

Where I grew up there is a little desert plant called "crown of thorns." It has long spidery branches so covered in thorns you can't even touch the bark. Bright green leaves grow toward the ends of the branches, and small red flowers -- round and bright, like drops of blood.

The thorns are a reminder of God's original judgment on the sin of Adam and Eve: "Cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you.... By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:17b-18a, 19)

Every generation knows the truth of this. There is no work without thorns, no happiness unspoiled by sorrow. Every human being suffers pain. And we grieve all the more because the pain we suffer reminds us of our end: dust we are, and to dust we will return.

How fitting, then, that the Son of Man should wear a crown of thorns.

God cursed the ground because of human sin, but then He turned around and made Himself a man, was born a human baby subject to the same pain and suffering we are. God Himself took up our curse, bore our guilt -- wore our thorns.

Why would He do such a thing? There is no answer except for John 3:16: "God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." Jesus Christ, God-in-the-flesh, left His glory and came looking for us. He took up our sorrows and carried our griefs. The curse we earned fell upon Him, and He took it willingly -- even dying forsaken on a cross. All this He did to redeem us.

Now that Jesus has risen from the dead, He is seated at God's right hand in glory and majesty. But though He deserves every wonderful crown that exists, I doubt any will ever match the one He chose to wear for us.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You wore the thorns we earned. You did this because You loved us. How can we ever thank You enough? Amen.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
What is one of the thorns of the work you do, either in the home or out of it?

Devocional del CPTLN de 18 de Marzo de 2018 - LA CORONA DE ESPINAS

ALIMENTO DIARIO

"LA CORONA DE ESPINAS"

18 de Marzo de 2018

Leer Juan 19:1-5

Jesús salió, portando la corona de espinas y el manto de púrpura. Y Pilato les dijo: "¡Aquí está el hombre!"

~ Juan 19:5 (RVC)

Hay una planta pequeña que crece en el desierto, que se llama "corona de espinas". Tiene ramas largas y finas cubiertas con tantas espinas, que es imposible tocarlas. En las puntas de las ramas crecen hojas bien verdes y pequeñas flores rojas y redondas que parecen gotas de sangre.

Las espinas nos recuerdan el juicio emitido por Dios ante el pecado de Adán y Eva: "... maldita será la tierra por tu causa; con dolor comerás de ella todos los días de tu vida. Te producirá espinos y cardos... Comerás el pan con el sudor de tu frente, hasta que vuelvas a la tierra, pues de ella fuiste tomado; porque polvo eres, y al polvo volverás" (Génesis 3:17b-18a, 19).

Todas las generaciones conocen esta verdad. No hay trabajo sin espinas, ni felicidad completa. Todas las personas sufren algún tipo de dolor. Y sufrimos más aún, porque ese dolor nos recuerda que del polvo venimos y al polvo regresaremos.

¡Qué apropiado fue, entonces, que el Hijo del Hombre llevara una corona de espinas!

Dios maldijo la tierra por causa del pecado del hombre, pero luego se hizo hombre naciendo y sufriendo igual que cualquiera de nosotros. Dios tomó sobre sí nuestra maldición, nuestra culpa y nuestras espinas.

¿Por qué haría algo así? La única respuesta posible la encontramos en Juan 3:16: "Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo aquel que en él cree no se pierda, sino que tenga vida eterna". Jesucristo, Dios en la carne, dejó su gloria y vino a buscarnos haciéndose cargo de nuestras penas y dolores. Nuestra maldición cayó sobre él y él la aceptó, aun cuando eso significó morir solo en una cruz. Todo esto lo hizo para redimirnos.

Ahora que Jesús ha resucitado de la muerte, está sentado a la diestra de Dios en gloria y majestad. Y si bien merece la mejor corona que existe, dudo que alguna vaya a superar la que eligió usar por nosotros.

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, gracias por amarnos tanto como para llevar en tu cabeza nuestras espinas. Ayúdanos a recordarlo siempre. Amén.

© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Cuál es una de las espinas del trabajo que haces, ya sea en el hogar o fuera de él?

Notre Pain Quotidien - Des lettres envoyées au pays

Des lettres envoyées au pays

Lisez : Néhémie 8.5-12

La Bible en un an : Deutéronome 32 – 34 ; Marc 15.26-47

Ils lisaient distinctement dans le livre de la loi de Dieu, et ils en donnaient le sens pour faire comprendre ce qu’ils avaient lu. (V. 8)

En formation loin de chez eux en vue de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, les recrues américaines recevant une formation de base ont eu recours à l’humour et à la correspondance afin de gérer les défis qu’ils avaient à relever. Dans une de ses lettres, un jeune homme décrivait le processus de vaccination en l’exagérant à merveille : « Deux officiers du corps médical nous pourchassaient armés de harpons. Ils nous ont attrapés, nous ont collés au plancher et nous en ont enfoncé un dans chaque bras. »

Un certain soldat a par contre compris que l’humour avait ses limites. C’est alors qu’il a reçu une bible. À son sujet, il a écrit : « Elle me plaît beaucoup et je la lis tous les soirs. Je ne m’étais jamais rendu compte qu’il était possible à une bible de nous en apprendre autant. »

Au terme d’un long exil en captivité à Babylone, des Juifs sont rentrés au pays… avec leurs ennuis. Durant la reconstruction difficile des murailles de Jérusalem, ils ont subi l’opposition de leurs ennemis, la famine et les conséquences de leurs péchés. Ils se sont quand même tournés vers la Parole de Dieu, s’étonnant de ce qu’elle leur apprenait. Quand les sacrificateurs lui lisaient des passages du livre de la loi divine, le peuple était ému aux larmes (NÉ 8.9) et le gouverneur Néhémie lui a aussi apporté une consolation : « [Ne] vous affligez pas, car la joie de l’Éternel sera votre force » (V. 10).

N’attendons pas d’avoir des ennuis pour écouter Dieu nous parler de ses attributs, de son pardon et de sa consolation dans sa Parole.

La Bible nous montre tels que nous sommes et combien Dieu nous aime.

par Tim Gustafson

© 2018 Ministères NPQ
En formation loin de chez eux en vue de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, les recrues américaines recevant une formation de base ont eu recours à l’humour et à la correspondance afin de gérer les défis qu’ils avaient à relever.