Lent Devotional February 24, 2023

Lenten Devotional February 24, 2023

Scripture

John 1:35-42

35 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and as he watched Jesus walk by he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). 42 He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

Devotional

The Rev. Dr. Cindy Parker '10

In 2008, during my first year attending the Master of Divinity program at PTS, I was fortunate to travel to Israel with Dr. Barnes and a large group of folks from PTS and Shadyside Presbyterian Church. Our travels took us to Jerusalem where I met and conversed with an olive wood merchant about purchasing a nativity set. Eventually, the topic of religion came up. He asked if I was a follower of Christ, explaining he was a Muslim, and then he laughed long and hard at the irony: a Muslim who sold Christian religious goods to tourists. During our conversation he mentioned that we were more alike than we realized because we worshipped the same God; we just called God different names.

When I returned home my 7-year-old daughter helped me unpack the nativity set, her delight in the smooth olive wood evident as she moved the pieces around on the coffee table. One day I came downstairs to find a lamb resting in the manger (baby Jesus was under the coffee table). When she saw me looking quizzically at the pieces, she replied, “Look Mom, it’s the Lamb of God!”

We have so many names for the One we worship, for the One in whose image we’ve been created: Rabbi, Teacher, Messiah, Anointed, Allah, Lamb of God. No matter what name you call the One who continues to invite us to “Come and see” (v 39), the invitation continues to be extended. “Come and see” what new thing God is doing through you and those around you.

Prayer

Lamb of God, you continue to invite us to “come and see.” Help us have the courage this Lenten season to do just that. Amen.

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