Lent 2023, Day 18: Becoming New.

From today’s Forward Day By Day:

John 7:52 They replied, “Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.”

I once accepted a call to a church in the South, far away from where I had been serving in California. The new call became a challenge when rumors spread that I was trying to bring California to the southerners. California sensibilities are not the same as southern sensibilities.

The people in this southern congregation were generally good, decent people. Unfortunately, though, most of us hold to the same settled default position. We cling to old, comfortable ways. The new and unexpected scares us. To be sure, new is not better just because it is new, but sometimes it is better. In fact, when it comes to matters of faith, new is the default posture of God. In Christ, everything has become new! (2 Corinthians 5:17b)

The Pharisees fear the new and unexpected. As they debate among themselves, Nicodemus argues that Jesus is entitled to a fair hearing. Others rebuff him, concluding that scripture does not say a prophet will come from Galilee. Yet, there he is, right in front of them, only they are blinded by their old, settled expectations.

MOVING FORWARD: Where are you blinded by old, settled expectations?

• Read the full Scripture passage in John about Jesus, Nicodemus, and the Pharisees.
• Spring is almost here. What new things are you ready for? New job? Friends? Relationship? Spiritual Home? Physical Home?

• Music time!: