“The old passes away, the new emerges. The grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies. From it springs the stalk that in time produces much fruit. Death’s sting is tempered by the promise of new life. Do not cling to old ways that hinder your ability to realize the hope of the gospel. Rather, let what you glean from the past lead to fresh insight, so that you may mature in faith.”
“Create in us clean hearts, O Lord (Psalm 51:1-12); write your law on our hearts and forget our sins forever (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Christ, who was divine, took on human flesh in order to give us eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:5-10). Follow him. Walk in the light (John 12:20-33).”
He Gave His Son
Give thanks to the Lord (Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22), for the power of sin was broken on the cross (Numbers 21:4-9). For God so loved the world that he gave his Son (John 3:14-21); by his grace and mercy, we are saved (Ephesians 2:1-10).
-Thomas Oden,Ancient Christian Devotional
The Way of Obedience
Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight (Psalm 19). Help us to follow your commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) and fully believe and embrace the teachings of Jesus (John 2:13-22). Help us to remember that God makes foolish the wisdom of the world (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).
-Thomas Oden,Ancient Christian Devotional
Peter is rebuked because he misunderstood what it meant to follow Jesus. Jesus must suffer, even be put to death. To be his disciple means sacrifice as well. Such a thought was difficult for Peter, just as it is for us today. To lose one’s life for Christ sake is to put self behind and serve others without thought of reward.
-James Kirk, in When We Gather: A Book of Prayers for Worship
Help us to know your ways, Lord; teach us your paths (Psalm 25:1-10). God has made a covenant with us (Genesis 9:8-17) and sent the Holy Spirit to guide us (Mark 1:9-15). We follow Jesus’ example and are baptized for the repentance of our sins and the promise of eternal life (1 Peter 3:18-22).
-Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional
Praise God for his provision and renewal (Ps. 147:1-11). God’s ways are beyond our understanding, yet he lifts up the weak and stoops to save his people (Isaiah 40:21-31). Jesus came as “God among us,” sovereign over brokenness and disease (Mark 1:29-39). Like Paul, we follow the example of Jesus and live for the sake of others, that they might know the healing grace of God through Christ (1 Cor. 9:16-23).
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111). The Lord raised up prophets to speak in his name (Deuteronomy 18:15-20). While Jesus was on earth, he taught with authority and did many miracles (Mark 1:21-28). Knowledge puffs us up, but love builds up (1 Cor. 8:1-13) – Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional
Jesus calls us to repent and follow him. The kingdom of God is near and we are called to live in the freedom of God (Mark 1:14-20). With God as our rock and refuge (Psalm 62:5-12), we are commanded to turn from evil (Jonah 3:1-5,10) and become disciples of Jesus, joining him by becoming “fishers of men.” There is a sense of urgency to heed this call because the present form of this world is passing away and the kingdom of God is being made manifest among us (1 Cor. 7:29-31).
God Knows Us “O Lord, you knew me before I was born! Nothing I do escapes your notice (Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18). Here am I, Lord. I am listening for your voice (1 Samuel 3:1-20). Jesus told his disciples, “You will see greater things than these” (John 1:43-51). Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, so we should shun sin (1 Cor.6:12-20).” – Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional
