The beatitude “Blessed are the poor in spirit” seems to be played out in this part of Luke’s gospel. There is a contrast between two types of people. The first, typified by the ungrateful lepers, the rich young ruler and ‘some who were  confident of their own righteousness’, all get so close to the Kingdom of God, and then fall short’because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled’. The second type is seen in the Blind beggars, the one grateful leper (notably a foreigner, not a jew), and famously in Zaccheus, all who’s only hope is the cry “Have mercy on me, a sinner” who all find the Kingdom of God because ‘they who humble themselves will be exalted‘.

Now that is a good reminder for Lent, as we rejoice with Paul in Romans 8 “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because the law of the spirit of life has set us free from the law of sin and death”. And that that freedom come by way of humility.

Mark

In today’s passage from Luke, Jesus explains the sacrifice necessary to be his disciple. His words are tough. He says the ones who are last will be first, and the ones who are first will be last. Living in a culture that values and reward winners – those who come in first – this requires a re-evaluation of what it means to live a successful life. Further, Jesus requires full devotion. It is not simply letting God into your life, but putting him first. In comparison, you must “hate” your family, even yourself. I don’t know about you, but I find this difficult to comprehend, much less put into practice. But in the reading from Romans Paul reminds us that this sacrifice has great rewards. Through denying ourselves and living in Christ we are freed from sin. We now “have peace with God” and “may live a new life”. Thus, following Jesus is not simply about sacrifice and denial, but about living a fuller life – one dead to sin and alive in Christ. These passages made we wonder why it is that many non-Christians believe following Christ is simply about the denial and following rules? How is it that the church seems to have failed to communicate the freedom that can be found in Christ? Today, as we read these tough words from Jesus, let us also not forget to show the great joy of knowing Christ to those around us both in word and deed.

Stephanie Manson

“I am not ashamed of the Gospel” Rom. 1 v 16

Paul’s opening remarks in his explosive letter to the church in Rome include these words. I wonder if we could say the same with the same Pauline boldness and indefatigability, knowing full well that “if anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him…”? Not yet owning an iPhone on which to read the Bible, and concluding that reading bible passages on my Blackberry is just not very satisfying, I have taken to reading my Bible on the bus and tube during rush hour on the way to and from work in order to meet the Lent reading challenge. Sure, it has taken some getting used to, and only generates the odd look here and there. How lucky are we that we can live in a city where openly reading a religious text in public does not lead you to being thrown off the bus, beaten up and thrown in prison? I wonder what Paul would make of London in 2009…
Paul goes on in his letter to explain that the gospel contains a “righteousness from God, apart from law… which comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe”. That righteousness comes at a cost. For Jesus himself, his atoning sacrifice on the cross. For any one who would follow Jesus, he must “deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”, having faith in His blood. The daily Lent reading challenge is a very small reminder of this – the daily exercise of discipleship – and one of which we can never be ashamed. “…for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Consequently, I consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to seek that righteousness and to receive that most basic of commands: follow me.

Tom Crease

The beginning of Luke’s Gospel reads like a rags to riches story. The central cast are ordinary, humble, poor people who are caught up in the remarkable plans of God. Mary’s song is a beautiful articulation of the hope that in the end it is not the proud and powerful who will prosper but the gentle and the meek.

Peter’s 2nd epistle is full of the pain of an old man, who has seen the church corrupted by power and self interest. He is indignant that the liberation that people have found in Christ has been hijacked by ‘bold and arrogant men’. The struggle is not over, the agenda of God who opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble still needs to be fought for even in the church.

What struck me when reading these instructions and encouragements from Paul and from Peter was the recurring call to live differently, to be transformed.

Peter says: ‘Do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance’. (1 Pet 1:14)
Paul says: ‘Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature’ (Col 3:5)

Something has to change. Our lives cannot look as they did before we encountered God.

For me, it all comes down to dying to self. To let go of self interest, self service and seeking self fulfilment, and instead, to set our hearts and our minds on God.

This might feel daunting, but the good news is we are not meant to do it alone. Because in among all the instructions is that great call – to relationship. To bear with one another, to treat each other with compassion, kindness, humility and gentleness. It’s the call to love each other deeply.

Ruth Dickinson

What a vision of Christ Paul presents us with in the beginning of Colossians! It is Majestic. It is Christ in all his glory. He is the one who existed before all time the creator by whom all things exist and are sustained. But at the same time it is this Christ who put all this glory aside, took on flesh, died, and was raised from the dead. It is this Christ who sends His Holy Spirit to dwell in us. He showers us with the Gifts of the Spirit. Paul shows us in the reading from 1 Corinthians 13 these gifts are to be exercised through the filter of Love for the benefit of all. What this suggests to me is there no triumphalism here. Here is a God who would do anything even unto death to regain relationship with His creation.

Stavroulla Andreou

Matthew 25-28
1 Corinthians 10-12

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Here is Jesus. Let down by his disciples who couldn’t even stay awake while he prayed. Denied by Peter. Betrayed by Judas. Overwhelmed by sorrow to the point of death. Attacked, mocked, spat on, humiliated. Nailed to a cross in agonising pain. Crying out in anguish. Now dying.

Here is Jesus, dying to give us access to God- the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The Most Holy Place was no longer hidden and open only to an ordained few. We no longer need a priest to atone for our sins with animal sacrifices behind clouds of incense. Christ’s death has restored our relationship with God, enabled us to be in his presence, know him as father and enter into eternity with Him.

As we read earlier this week in Ephesians… In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins. This is it- prophesied since Genesis. The essence of our faith.

Ruth Crease

Matthew 17-20
1 Corinthians 4-6

I am struck by the recurring theme of the child in these readings. Jesus draws direct parralels between genuine faith and childlikeness. Children trust, they have a sense of wonder, they feel deeply whether it is joy or tears, they speak honestly. And of course children are precious gift. They do not earn their status, they are born into it. They way of Christ reflects all these themes, in him we are born children of God, we learn to trust and believe, we regain a lost innocence and wonder. I love the story of the Blind men who’s simple childlike cry for help is answered. And by contrast how we lose that innocence, drawn into a world, obsessed by money, sex and status.

Children are one of the wonders of the world. It is lovely that the call to spiritual maturity is at the same time a call to childlikeness.