Today's Lectionary Text
John 19:38-42
After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
Today's Reflective Questions
- What specific commitment do you hear God inviting you to make in response to this text?
- How will you begin to prioritize that commitment in the coming days and weeks?
- What additional spiritual practice(s) (scripture, silence, sabbath, prayer, fasting) might you experiment with as you seek to live this new commitment?
 Today's Devotional
This Week's Lenten Focus: Commitment
This Lenten season, Bishop David Wilson, along with some conference staff and members of the laity, are inviting the people of the Great Plains Conference and beyond to “Pay Attention to God’s Voice” during this season of Lent. The theme for this week is Commitment.
Commitment, at its core, is about being dedicated to a cause or an activity, about setting an intention to do something. To be committed to something does not mean we will be perfect, it does not mean it will always be easy, but to be committed is to state our intention to make something a priority and to continue growing in our pursuit of that thing. As we grow in love of God and neighbor, we are invited to increasingly live lives of commitment. We commit to grow in love of God. We commit to grow in love of neighbor. We commit to spiritual practices that form us in Christ’s likeness. We commit to receiving God’s forgiveness when we make mistakes. We commit to extending grace to others when they let us down. We commit to joining with Jesus in praying that God’s will is done, on earth as it is in heaven. In all of this, the spiritual practice of commitment allows us to listen more attentively for and to hear God’s invitations in our lives.
Rev. Jeff Clinger
jclinger@greatplainsumc.org
Invitation to Go Deeper
Before you move on with the rest of your day, sit in silence for 1-2 minutes (at least) and ask God to give you clarity regarding, and to strengthen you for, the commitments you sense God calling you to make.
Prayer for Reflection
God of life and death, and possibilities in it all, be with me especially this day. Help me to be honest about those things and places in my life that feel like dead-ends and loss. Help me to look for the dawning of resurrection that is promised. Help me to grow in a trust that the worst thing is never the last thing. Amen.
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