No Consider the Word on April 1

 We will not have the Consider the Word Bible Study on Maundy Thursday, April 1, 2021, and will will resume again on April 8.

Consider the Word, March 24, 2021

Consider the Word, March 24, 2021
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/92395423097
Meeting ID: 923 9542 3097
 
Printable Version
 
Readings for March 28 (Palm Sunday) Liturgy of The Palms

• Mark 11:1-11 Or John 12:12-16
• Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

 
Collect

Almighty and everliving God,

in tender love for all our human race

you sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ

to take our flesh

and suffer death upon a cruel cross.

May we follow the example of his great humility,

and share in the glory of his resurrection;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 
Reading: Mark 11:1-11

When the disciples were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.'" They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, "What are you doing, untying the colt?" They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

 
Reflection Questions

1. A short time after the crowd welcomed Jesus with shouts of “Hosanna!”, literally translated as, “save, I pray” started shouting, “crucify him!” What could cause such a dramatic turn around?
2. We may sit in church and hear this story and feel sorry for those people who did not understand, but do we understand?
3. Can Palm Sunday be understood without reference to Good Friday? 

 
Closing Prayer

Sovereign God,

you have established your rule over the human heart,

not by force

but by the servant example of Jesus Christ.

Move us by your Spirit

to join the joyful procession

of those who confess Christ Jesus with their tongues

and praise him with their lives. Amen.

 
The Message: Mark 11:1-11
Entering Jerusalem on a Colt

11 ^1-3 When they were nearing Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany on Mount Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: “Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never yet been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ say, ‘The Master needs him, and will return him right away.’”

^4-7 They went and found a colt tied to a door at the street corner and untied it. Some of those standing there said, “What are you doing untying that colt?” The disciples replied exactly as Jesus had instructed them, and the people let them alone. They brought the colt to Jesus, spread their coats on it, and he mounted.

^8-10 The people gave him a wonderful welcome, some throwing their coats on the street, others spreading out rushes they had cut in the fields. Running ahead and following after, they were calling out,

Hosanna!

Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!

Blessed the coming kingdom of our father David!

Hosanna in highest heaven!

¹¹ He entered Jerusalem, then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in. But by now it was late, so he went back to Bethany with the Twelve.

The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
 

Consider the Word, March 18, 2021

Consider the Word, March 18, 2021
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/92395423097
Meeting ID: 923 9542 3097
 
Printable Version
 
Readings for March 21

• Jeremiah 31:31-34
• Psalm 51:1-13 or Psalm 119:9-16
• Hebrews 5:5-10
• John 12:20-33

 
Collect

Most merciful God,

by the death and resurrection

of your Son Jesus Christ,

you created humanity anew.

May the power of his victorious cross

transform those who turn in faith

to him who lives and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 
Reading: John 12:20-33

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 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. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour. 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. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgement 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." He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.

 
Reflection Questions

1. The mission of Jesus is to gathering the world, why must it come about only through his death and resurrection?

 
Closing Prayer

God of suffering and glory,

in Jesus Christ you reveal the way of life

through the path of obedience.

Inscribe your law in our hearts,

that in life we may not stray from you,

but may be your people. Amen.

 
The Message: John 12:20-33
A Grain of Wheat Must Die

^20-21 There were some Greeks in town who had come up to worship at the Feast. They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee: “Sir, we want to see Jesus. Can you help us?”

^22-23 Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew and Philip together told Jesus. Jesus answered, “Time’s up. The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

^24-25 “Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.

²⁶ “If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.

^27-28 “Right now I am shaken. And what am I going to say? ‘Father, get me out of this’? No, this is why I came in the first place. I’ll say, ‘Father, put your glory on display.’”

A voice came out of the sky: “I have glorified it, and I’ll glorify it again.”

²⁹ The listening crowd said, “Thunder!”

Others said, “An angel spoke to him!”

^30-33 Jesus said, “The voice didn’t come for me but for you. At this moment the world is in crisis. Now Satan, the ruler of this world, will be thrown out. And I, as I am lifted up from the earth, will attract everyone to me and gather them around me.” He put it this way to show how he was going to be put to death.

The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
 

Consider the Word, March 11, 2021

Consider the Word, March 11, 2021
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/92395423097
Meeting ID: 923 9542 3097
 
Printable Version
 
Readings for March 14

• Numbers 21:4-9
• Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
• Ephesians 2:1-10
• John 3:14-21

 
Collect

Gracious Father,

whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came from heaven

to be the true bread which gives life to the world,

evermore give us this bread,

that he may live in us, and we in him,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

Reading: John 3:14-21

Jesus said, "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God."

 
Reflection Questions

1. Would you agree that God’s motivation for sending Jesus is not condemnation, but love?
2. What is the hope expressed in this passage?

 
Closing Prayer

Steadfast God,

you reach out to us in mercy

even when we rebel against your holy call

and prefer to walk in disobedience

rather than in the way of your divine truth.

soften our hearts with the warmth of your love,

that we may know your Son alive within us,

redeeming us

and raising us up into your eternal presence. Amen.

 
The Message: John 3:14-21

^13-15 “No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man. In the same way that Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up—and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life.

^16-18 “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

^19-21 “This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is.”

The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
 

Consider the Word, March 4, 2021

Consider the Word, March 4, 2021
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/92395423097
Meeting ID: 923 9542 3097
 
Printable Version
 
Readings for March 7
Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
John 2:13-22
 
Collect
Father of mercy,
alone we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves.
When we are discouraged by our weakness,
strengthen us to follow Christ,
our pattern and our hope;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
 
Reading: John 2:13-22
The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, "Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!" His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for your house will consume me." The Jews then said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews then said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?" But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
 
Reflection Questions
Why would Jesus stop purification—and why in such a dramatic way?
Without a physical temple, how can we worship Jesus in Spirit and truth?
 
Closing Prayer
Holy One, creator of the stars and seas,
your steadfast love is shown to every living thing:
your word calls forth countless worlds and souls;
your law revives and refreshes.
Forgive our misuse of your gifts,
that we may be transformed by your wisdom
to manifest for others
the mercy of our crucified and risen Lord. Amen.
 
The Message: John 2:13-22
Tear Down This Temple . . .
^13-14 When the Passover Feast, celebrated each spring by the Jews, was about to take place, Jesus traveled up to Jerusalem. He found the Temple teeming with people selling cattle and sheep and doves. The loan sharks were also there in full strength.
^15-17 Jesus put together a whip out of strips of leather and chased them out of the Temple, stampeding the sheep and cattle, upending the tables of the loan sharks, spilling coins left and right. He told the dove merchants, “Get your things out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a shopping mall!” That’s when his disciples remembered the Scripture, “Zeal for your house consumes me.”
^18-19 But the Jews were upset. They asked, “What credentials can you present to justify this?” Jesus answered, “Tear down this Temple and in three days I’ll put it back together.”
^20-22 They were indignant: “It took forty-six years to build this Temple, and you’re going to rebuild it in three days?” But Jesus was talking about his body as the Temple. Later, after he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this. They then put two and two together and believed both what was written in Scripture and what Jesus had said.
 
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
 

Consider the Word, February 25, 2021

Consider the Word, February 25, 2021
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/92395423097
Meeting ID: 923 9542 3097
 
Printable Version
 
Readings for February 28

• Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
• Psalm 22:22-30
• Romans 4:13-25
• Mark 8:31-38

 
Collect

Almighty God,

whose Son was revealed in majesty

before he suffered death upon the cross,

give us faith to perceive his glory,

that being strengthened by his grace

we may be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory;

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 
Reading: Mark 8:31-38

Jesus began to teach his disciples that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things." He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

 
Reflection Questions

1. What does it mean for us to take up our cross and follow Jesus? 
2. What does the Cross signify for us?
3. This passage seems to suggest that the mission of Jesus and his disciples is to suffer and die, but could it be that the mission is to give life? Think in terms of, for Jesus, his mission is not death, but that his faithfulness to God inevitably resulted in his death. 

 
Closing Prayer

Artist of souls,

you sculpted a people for yourself

out of the rocks of wilderness and fasting.

Help us as we take up your invitation to prayer and simplicity,

that the discipline of these forty days

may sharpen our hunger for the feast of your holy friendship,

and whet our thirst for the living water you offer

through Jesus Christ. Amen.

 
The Message: Mark 8:31-38

^30-32 Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: “It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive.” He said this simply and clearly so they couldn’t miss it.

^32-33 But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. “Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works.”

^34-37 Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?

³⁸ “If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I’m leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you’ll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels.”

 
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
 

Consider the Word, February 18, 2021

Consider the Word, February 18, 2021
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/92395423097
Meeting ID: 923 9542 3097
 
Printable Version
 
Readings for February 21

• Genesis 9:8-17
• Psalm 25:1-9
• 1 Peter 3:18-22
• Mark 1:9-15

 
Collect

Almighty God,

whose Son fasted forty days in the wilderness,

and was tempted as we are but did not sin,

give us grace to discipline ourselves

in submission to your Spirit,

that as you know our weakness,

so we may know your power to save;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 
Reading: Mark 1:9-15

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."

 
Reflection Questions

1. What’s the relationship between Jesus and the movement that John the Baptist started? Why did Jesus repent? What sins did he have to confess?
2. What is the relationship between prayer and doing?

 
Closing Prayer

God of the wilderness,

your Son battled with the powers of darkness

and grew closer to you in the desert:

help us to use these forty days

to grow in wisdom and prayer,

so that we may witness to your saving love

in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Common Worship (2000) alt.

 
The Message: Mark 1:9-15

^9-11 At this time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. The moment he came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God’s Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him. Along with the Spirit, a voice: “You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life.”

^12-13 At once, this same Spirit pushed Jesus out into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by Satan. Wild animals were his companions, and angels took care of him.

^14-15 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God: “Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message.”

The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson