Quiet Devotions is a daily devotion based on one of the readings from the Daily Lectionary (as it appears in the back of Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Augsburg Fortress, 2006). All biblical quotes are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) unless otherwise noted. May these devotions help bring you in closer relationship with the Triune God.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Year B, Sunday of the Passion


Inspired by John 12:12-16

“His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him.”  John 12:16

Throughout most of the gospels, Jesus is doing or saying amazing things, and those who are with him don’t really understand what’s going on.  Even his disciples, those who saw and heard the most and who were also Jesus’ closest friends, privy to private teachings and explanations that Jesus didn’t share with the masses, didn’t get it.  At least, not until after his death and resurrection.  Then it all made sense: not only Jesus’ words and actions, but how he fit in with the whole story of God’s activity in the world as recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Although we don’t have Jesus Christ, the Son of God, living among us as a human being today, God is still active in the world, working through, with, and in ordinary people and events.  And as was true in Jesus’ day with his followers, we often don’t understand the significance of what we’re witnessing while it’s going on.  But we can have faith that the one who defeated death in order to make everlasting life available to all is working for the good of creation, and while things may not make much sense to us right now, we will eventually see the world in the light of God’s glory.

Let us pray.  Mysterious God, you are working in ways that we cannot fully recognize or understand.  Grant us the wisdom to seek you in all things, that we might discern your presence and your activity in our ordinary lives.  Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

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