On a Thursday, Jesus ate the Passover Meal with his disciples for the last time. The twelve had spent years listening, watching, and walking with their teacher and friend. Yet that night one of the twelve betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver and led a crowd of chief priests, officers of the temple guard, and elders to arrest the Son of God (Luke 22:47-53). Later that night, Simon Peter disowned Christ by stating, “I don’t know him”, when a servant girl claimed that he was one of Jesus’ followers (Luke 22:56-57). The next morning, the Jewish religious leaders confronted Jesus, then took him to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, in hopes that the Romans would crucify him (Luke 22:66-23:25). Eventually, Pilate surrendered Jesus to the will of the crowd and had Roman soldiers lead Christ to the place where he was to be executed (Luke 23:1-33). On “the place called the Skull”, Jesus was crucified with a criminal on a cross to his right and another criminal on a cross to his left (Luke 23:33 NIV). The gospel writer, Luke, shares this prayer from Jesus as he was hanging on the cross where he would die hours later, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34 NRSV).

 

Jesus’ prayer was said aloud on behalf of the soldiers who mocked, tortured, and crucified him, the Jewish crowd who yelled for him to be executed on a Roman cross like a criminal, the religious leaders who conspired against him, the disciples who deserted, denied, and betrayed him, as well as for you and all the people of the world. Jesus died as an atoning sacrifice for our sins so that we could be forgiven. We didn’t earn it, and we don’t deserve it, but Jesus paid the price for the sins of the world, because God so loved us

(John 3:16-17).

 

*For a full version of this Your Faith Journey devotional download the Worship Guide from the Avon UMC website: www.AvonUMC.com

 

The Your Faith Journey Bible verses for this week are listed below:

 

 

Today I am going to offer God _____________________________________________.

 

During the worship service God revealed _______________________________________________________________________________.

 

I am going to respond by________________________________________________________________________________________________.

 

 

 

Read Luke 11:1-13.

Listen to the song “The Lord’s Prayer” by Hillsong Worship using the link below or visit YouTube and type “The Lord’s Prayer Hillsong” into the search bar: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCxqjEz5hJ4

Pray the Lord’s Prayer either as you have memorized it or using the version in Luke 11.

Worship God and pray throughout the day.

*February is African American History Month. Consider using the link below to learn more about the theme of this month and African Americans

featured in articles, videos, and stories on the Library of Congress sponsored African American History Month website: https://africanamericanhistorymonth.gov

 

 

Read Mark 11:23-25.

Listen to the hymn “Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive” either using the link below or type “Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive Matt Brittain” into the search bar of YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIsonhmhMNU

Pray for God to reveal to you if you are “holding anything against anyone,” so that you can forgive them. If you’re struggling to forgive, ask the Lord to help you.

 

 

Read Matthew 18:21-35.

Pray and praise God using some of the lyrics from the hymn, “To God Be the Glory”, by Fanny J. Crosby:

 

 

Faith Practices During Lent:

The 40 days of Lent began last Wednesday and will end on Easter Sunday. How are you going to more intentionally focus your thoughts and attention upon Christ during these next 40 days?

Have you prayed about it?

 

Jesus fasted for forty days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Have you asked the Lord if he wants you to give up a type of food, beverage, or meal during this Lenten season? If not, consider praying about it today.

 

 

Read Luke 7:36-50.

Listen to the hymn “Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling” sung by Carrie Underwood either using the link below or type “Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling Carrie Underwood” into the search bar on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5OLMQ7WdD8

Pray in response to the song and scripture.

 

 

Read Matthew 26:17-30 and read one of the traditional psalms shared during the Passover Meal, Psalm 118.

Pray using Psalm 118 to help guide your time of prayer.

 

 

Read Luke 23:26-38.

Listen to “Forgiven” by Crowder using the link below or type “Forgiven Crowder” in the search bar on YouTube:

Pray in response to the song and Jesus’ prayer and message upon the cross.

Consider observing the sabbath either today or tomorrow as a time to rest, reflect, and enjoy recreation. The questions below can be used to help with reflecting:

How did I see, hear, or encounter God during this past week?

Who needs to hear about my experience sometime in the coming days?

Do I need to seek God’s forgiveness or the forgiveness of others?

Do I need to offer forgiveness to someone?

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.