The Rev. Steve Franklin ’09, Pastor, Meridian United Presbyterian Church, Butler, Pa.

Scripture

1 Peter 1:10-20

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, 11 inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated, when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven — things into which angels long to look! 13 Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. 14 Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. 15 Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. 18 You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20 He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake.

Devotional

I was once told that Lent was a solemn season of repentance. However, I find the season of Lent to be filled with beauty and hope. While it may, indeed, be a season of repentance and fasting, it points us to and prepares us for the resurrection. It affords us the opportunity to look to Christ knowing that we have already received his grace and that we will continue to do so.

Hope is an expectation or desire that something will happen. Peter writes, “Set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed.” Have we set our hope on something other than the grace that Jesus brings us? Lent is a time to look forward to what God will do in the resurrection, a time for us to experience grace. In the knowledge that Jesus claims victory over death, let us set all our hope on God’s grace.

Prayer

God of the resurrection, may we always set our eyes on the hope you give us in Christ. As we repent in this season of Lent, may we also experience the grace that comes to us through our Savior. May we know what it means to live as people of the resurrection and offer grace to others. Amen.

The Rev. Steve Franklin ’09, Pastor, Meridian United Presbyterian Church, Butler, Pa.

Scripture

1 Peter 1:10-20

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, 11 inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated, when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven — things into which angels long to look! 13 Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. 14 Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. 15 Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. 18 You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20 He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake.

Devotional

I was once told that Lent was a solemn season of repentance. However, I find the season of Lent to be filled with beauty and hope. While it may, indeed, be a season of repentance and fasting, it points us to and prepares us for the resurrection. It affords us the opportunity to look to Christ knowing that we have already received his grace and that we will continue to do so.

Hope is an expectation or desire that something will happen. Peter writes, “Set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed.” Have we set our hope on something other than the grace that Jesus brings us? Lent is a time to look forward to what God will do in the resurrection, a time for us to experience grace. In the knowledge that Jesus claims victory over death, let us set all our hope on God’s grace.

Prayer

God of the resurrection, may we always set our eyes on the hope you give us in Christ. As we repent in this season of Lent, may we also experience the grace that comes to us through our Savior. May we know what it means to live as people of the resurrection and offer grace to others. Amen.