Devotion for Saturday, March 21, The Third Week in Lent
Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
Mary needed someone to blame. Her reaction was human, real. I know it well.
“Who is the wise guy who did this to me?”
We all hear it now…let’s blame the Chinese, or public servants, or…
This is why the cross is so important in Christianity: Because to have true peace in our hearts we not only need Emmanuel, “God with us,” in the face of real disaster and loss; we also need, actually require, equity. A God who is loving, but also a God who sets things right.
Mary would have an experience of God’s presence with her when Jesus raised her brother from the dead. Later though, she would see him on the cross. She would come to learn that His sacrifice had paid the price for the sins of the whole world. She would no longer need a scapegoat. She could just love.
PRAYER
Oh Lord, make me astounded
at what you have done for me.
Fill my heart with gratitude for your grace.