We seem to be moving through Lent very quickly.  Makes me wonder if the days moving towards Jerusalem, the betrayal, the suffering and then crucifixion came quickly for Jesus or whether these days dragged on.

The typical four reading fare from the lectionary this week:

• Joshua 5:9-12
• Psalm 32
• 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
• Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

It’s not often we find ourselves in the book of Joshua.  I remember an Old Testament class I took where this book intrigued me, and I almost did a final project on it.  It’s not easy this morning to give a quick thought on this reading, especially since it just picks up in the middle of a situation and without benefit of looking at the other readings yet, it is also difficult to see where this may fit in and what message we are to pluck from it. Perhaps it is because we are coming out of a message about repentance and I also hear Paul telling me to grow in my faith, I am struck by the ceasing of the manna.  They were able to eat the produce of the land and thus you would imagine that from here on out, they would tend to that land to continue to have it produce food for them.   As much as I want to connect this to growing up in our faith and not needing to be spoon fed like babies, I also cannot help but think that the land of Canaan was a place that God led the Israelites to.  They were led to a place where the land produced.  God may not be feeding them with a spoon, but he is still holding the fork so to speak.  No matter how far along we think we are with our faith journey, maybe we should remember it is only by God’s grace and provision we have made it that far.

Psalm 32 could have been part of the worship Sunday.  More on repentance and forgiveness.  Perhaps we need the reminder that Lent is a season to focus on such things…for a season and not a fleeting Sunday.  The imagery that there is a heavy hand on us when we carry the burden of sin and life alone and then how that weight is lifted when we confess our transgressions to the Lord.  We are offered to take the yoke that is light, those who are heavy laden.  Just as we talked about Sunday, confession and repentance are freeing acts, they are not things that further push us down but instead lift us up and make our lives better.  Letting go of the burden of sin, we should all be able to “shout for joy.”

It seems strange for me to call a bit of Scripture “famous”, but this section of 2^nd Corinthians fits to the moniker for me.  From everything old has passed away to the one who knew no sin being made sin, this passage is certainly well known.  In this passage, we have the Lenten reminder that Jesus was divine and causes me to wonder how I deserved such an act of sacrifice and love.  I’m not sure we’re going to sing it this week, but the hymn, “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” came to mind.  If you get a chance, look up the lyrics and ponder the life and ministry of our Redeemer.  Think about his coming into the world and his going out.  There is joy in Christmas and glory in Easter.  In between there is a critical ministry and a death that as the song says, “set thy people free.”  Notes from hymnary.org on this song say, “In each of the first four stanzas of this hymn, the author, Emily Elliott, focuses on a different aspect of the contrast between Jesus' divine glory and the humiliation He endured during His time on this earth.”  To quote another hymn, “O What a Savior!”

You likely already know my first thoughts on this reading…my disdain for broken up Scripture.  This time, I at least understand why it was done.  The aim of course is to give us the understanding of who Jesus is talking to and that he is telling us a parable.  What we get is the third parable he tells in succession in this chapter of Luke.  Back to another “famous” Scripture as we consider the parable of the prodigal son.   I used to listen to a podcast each week that discussed the lectionary readings and I remember an idea that they discussed where we try to see ourselves in each person in the story.   It’s an interesting exercise.   Nonetheless, it seems a bit safer for this pastor to look at the Scripture in the typical way and consider either my waywardness or my poor reaction to grace being poured onto someone who for some reason I don’t think deserves it.  Maybe I’m right back with the Jews last week foolishly thinking that my sin is less than others.  Lots to think about.

As always, what is written above are just my initial thoughts on the four recommended readings for the coming Sunday.  Each reading will require much more study and thought.  Join me this week in looking further into what message God’s word has for us this week.