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March 25, 2024

Choosing the Way That Leads to Life

Tracy S. Malone   |   Read Isaiah 42:1-9

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Lectionary Week
March 25–31, 2024
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 .

Isaiah 42:1-9

1 But here is my servant, the one I uphold; my chosen, who brings me delight. I’ve put my spirit upon him; he will bring justice to the nations. 2 He won’t cry out or shout aloud or make his voice heard in public. 3 He won’t break a bruised reed; he won’t extinguish a faint wick, but he will surely bring justice. 4 He won’t be extinguished or broken until he has established justice in the land. The coastlands await his teaching. 5 God the LORD says the one who created the heavens, the one who stretched them out, the one who spread out the earth and its offspring, the one who gave breath to its people and life to those who walk on it 6 I, the LORD, have called you for a good reason. I will grasp your hand and guard you, and give you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations, 7 to open blind eyes, to lead the prisoners from prison, and those who sit in darkness from the dungeon. 8 I am the LORD; that is my name; I don’t hand out my glory to others or my praise to idols. 9 The things announced in the past—look—they’ve already happened, but I’m declaring new things. Before they even appear, I tell you about them.

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

I was taught as a child never to question God’s presence and always to look to the Lord as my source of help and strength. As I’ve matured into adulthood, however, I have discovered that no matter how deep and abiding one’s faith and hope is in Jesus Christ, we...

God, help us always to place our trust and hope in you, even—especially—when you feel far away. Remind us that you always hear us when we pray. Amen.


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