St. Paul United Methodist Church

When we think of Jesus and his disciples, we mostly think that the disciples needed Jesus and we miss the reality of how much Jesus needed the disciples. When we view the last week of his life, especially the last night of his life, we can easily see how much Jesus needed his disciples. He actually called them his friends and the ones who had stood by him in his trials.

On that last night, they shared the annual celebratory Passover meal filled with roasted lamb, wine, and much laughter. At some point, the night turned sober and even dark when Jesus got up from the table, washed their feet, and then shared that one of them was going to betray him. Strange as that was, the disciples’ denial was in the form of a question, “Surely not I?” Perhaps it was at that moment that they realized that all of them were flawed and that given the right circumstances, they too would betray and run.

Though we will never know their exact thoughts on that last night, we can draw strength from knowing our own frailties. It has been my experience that most moral failures occur when one is least aware of what temptation cords are being strummed. It is one thing to know one’s strengths but something completely different to know one’s weaknesses. Know your strengths, but also know those areas that present the greatest temptations. If you don’t know them, ask God. He will surely tell you.

In the 2nd Century, Aristedes gave this witness to Emperor Hadrian when asked about Christians: “Truly this is a new people, and there is something divine in them.” Do you believe that there is something divine in you? Though we would theologically agree with Aristedes, I wonder if we live that way?

This week, would you do things differently if you believed that there is something divine in you? If so, what would be different? Paul reminds us of who we are as a people of faith in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here.”

Because of faith in Christ, the divine is in you! Now, live accordingly.

This week’s reading:

• Monday – Mark 1, Mark 2
• Tuesday – Mark 3, Mark 4
• Wednesday – Mark 5, Mark 6
• Thursday – Mark 7, Mark 8
• Friday – Mark 9, Mark 10

• Those who are grieving and depressed.
• Those who are unwillingly absent.
• Our families, homes, workplace, church, and community.
• Our nation and our leaders.
• Ongoing Building Renovations, Modifications, and Phase 3: Completion of New Youth Building and rear parking.
• The United Methodist Church.