Use this devo as you are able, in whole or in part. Don’t feel compelled to read it all. Simply read and meditate upon whatever catches your attention. The goal is enjoying time with God through His Word and in prayer. Questions about the devotional elements?

Call to Prayer

Prayer of Confession

Lamb of God, at the last supper you gave us the spiritual table by which you continue to communicate yourself and all your benefits to us. May this meal nourish, strengthen, and comfort our poor, desperate souls with your life-giving body and blood today and every time we gather around it. Amen. (Prayer based on the Belgic Confession, Question 37)

*Prayer borrowed from Philip Reinders’ Seeking God’s Face: Praying with the Bible through the Year

Lent Devo: Backyard Pilgrim

Throughout Lent this year we will follow along over the next 40 days with quotes from Backyard Pilgrim by Matt Canlis which gives us a daily Bible Path (the story of God’s redemption) and Parish Path (a literal path through town where you can walk and ponder what God has shown you through his Word).

Day 38: “Trusting the Father” | Read: Luke 23

BIBLE PATH

Modern people take pride in being individuals. We boast about picking ourselves up by our own bootstraps. But Jesus did nothing by himself. Jesus was dependent. He depended upon his Father’s love, the Spirit’s strength, and the disciples’ friendship. At the height of his fame, Jesus freely confessed: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. (John 5:19).

As with his singing of Psalm 22, so too does Jesus cry out another familiar song-prayer: Psalm 31. The difference in his final song is that Jesus adds a new lyric. He adds a single word that captures the love of his life and makes clear who he is. The original lyric reads: “Into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Psalm 31:5) Jesus boldly adds “Father” to its beginning.

The song’s next line, “Deliver me, O Lord,” will be answered emphatically, but not until Easter morning. For now, on this Holy Saturday, it remains for us to wonder about the full meaning of these songs and to marvel at the faith Jesus put in his Father, in our place, so that we too would rise up God’s children.

For you, here I AM . . . entrusting my spirit into the Father’s hands.

PARISH PATH: 

Today, visit a graveyard. Walk among the dead and remember loved ones you’ve lost. Sit beside the tombstones. Read the names and inscriptions. Wonder what songs might have played at their funerals. Pick a song to play at yours. Sometime today or maybe tonight for your own tuck-in, listen to the song, “Last Words” by Andrew Peterson.

Lent lasts 40 Days  because the number 40 often represents a pregnancy and is a significant number in many Bible stories, from Noah’s ark, to Israel’s 40 years of wandering, to Jesus’ 40 day temptation in the desert. You can stop here if you wish, or turn the page for bonus tracks taking a peek at what God is about to bring to life. May the new birth you witness be your own.

Sermon Devo

Our series in James has concluded. Stay tuned for what’s next! 

(p.s. I’m pretty excited about it!)

Evening Prayer of Examen

• Where did you move with or feel close to Jesus today?
• Where did you resist or feel far from Jesus today?
• Where is Jesus leading you tomorrow? Ask for joy as you follow him.

Benediction