January 30, 2018

Imagining Now

(Image by: Pixabay)

Lectionary Week

January 29 – February 4, 2018

Scripture Overview

What is the ultimate source of our strength? All the authors for this week come to the same conclusion: True strength comes from the Lord. Isaiah asks his audience: Who is like God? God never grows weary and provides unfailing strength to those who wait for God. The psalmist praises God as the one who lifts up those who are beaten down. It is not those with human strength who are truly mighty but those empowered by God. In Corinthians, Paul states that he has laid down any form of his own strength so that the gospel may advance. Jesus heals many in Mark as a demonstration of his power over the physical world. Thus, God’s power is not just a metaphor but a reality.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read Isaiah 40:21-31. When has your focus on past events or ones yet to come caused an inability to perceive God’s work in the present?
• Read Psalm 147:1-11, 20c. What part of your life bears witness to humanity’s desire for winners and losers? How can you help others see God’s desire for wholeness?
• Read 1 Corinthians 9:16-23. What behaviors are you willing to take on or give up “for the sake of the gospel”?
• Read Mark 1:29-39. What intrigues you about the pattern of concealment and revelation in Jesus’ life that Mark’s Gospel portrays?

Respond by posting a prayer.

Isaiah poses many questions, questions that are spoken out into the world, pointing to that which can’t be contained in a single answer. Can we link remembering to imagining into the future? The voice of Isaiah reminds the people in exile that God remains steadfast from Creation forward. God holds...

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Gracious God, forgive us for thinking we are in charge. And forgive us for not doing what we can when we can. We hope in you and ask that you entrust to us the work of seeing and sharing, of being conduits of your creative power in a world full of hurt. Amen.

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