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March 31, 2021

Stretched Out

Rachel G. Hackenberg   |   Read Psalm 70:1-5

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Lectionary Week
March 29–April 4, 2021
Scripture Overview

This week’s readings take us through the depths but then into the eternal light. We walk each step with Jesus, who suffers betrayal, abandonment, and death. But it is more than that. In his suffering, Jesus also enters into the brokenness of our human condition and feels our pain, such that on the Cross he even feels abandonment by God. He walks through the valley of the shadow of death because of God’s amazing, reckless love for us. This is the power of Holy Week. But that is not the end of the story. Jesus’ steps do not end at the Cross, for he walks out of the tomb! Now we can follow in his steps and participate in his new life. He is risen indeed!

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Isaiah 42:1-9. How is God calling you to be a light? How does God empower you to follow God’s call to you?
Read Psalm 70. What is prompting you to reach out for God’s help today? In what ways do you ask for that help?
Read John 13:1-17, 31b-35. What acts of service does Jesus’ example in this reading move you to perform? Choose one act you will do today in remembrance of Jesus’ humility.
Read John 20:1-18. When have you, in the light of God’s love, let go of the way you thought your life would be in order to live a different reality that God intended for you?

Respond by posting a prayer .

Psalm 70:1-5

1 Hurry, God, to deliver me; hurry, LORD, to help me! 2 Let those who seek my life be ashamed and humiliated! Let them fall back and be disgraced those people who delight in my downfall! 3 Let those who say, “Aha! Aha!” stop because of their shameful behavior. 4 But let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you, and let those who love your saving help say again and again: “God is great!” 5 But me? I’m poor and needy. Hurry to me, God! You are my helper and my deliverer. Oh, LORD, don’t delay!

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

The posture of pain and betrayal is defensive: back turned, shoulders hunched, head bowed, knees tucked in, arms crossed. We curl our skeleton around our soft core for its protection. The fetal position is not only defensive but also comforting, a reminder of the wombs that held us and the...

Lord God, will you help us when we are defensive? Will you deliver us when we are troubled? Will you comfort our hearts so that we might find the courage and perseverance to lift our heads and sing your praises? Amen.


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