Thursday of the Second Week in Lent

Read Luke 7:18–35 (23)

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I’ve never seen my master in such a desperate state. Herod imprisoned him for speaking publicly against him, and considering how Judea is going right now, nobody is sure what’ll happen next. The last time I visited John, he asked me to find Jesus and ask him: Are you the Messiah? Who was I to decline such a request? Besides, I was starting to have questions of my own — wasn’t our Messiah supposed to deliver Israel into a new golden age? I’m only seeing ramped-up hostility.

I found Jesus and conveyed the message. He didn’t give me an answer. Instead, he told me to stick around and watch. And what I saw was more than any military leader could ever accomplish. Sick people were healed; dead people were raised; lives were made whole again. My master was right; my faith has been restored.

Jesus, you are our great deliverer. Help us to continue to trust in you.

Text by Jodi Craiglow

Video from First United Presbyterian Church of Belleville, IL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_k-z0tyCmM