Unlike past Lenten Studies, this year we are not looking at specific Biblical characters or working through books of the Bible. This year we are taking a survey approach to finding hope in scripture, and getting some pragmatic examples of how to be God’s people, bringing justice through our actions.
Our world is different in 2025, especially those of us who are Canadian and find our borders threatened by our oldest political neighbour. These are uncertain times, and so many who want to support fascism are claiming to represent the Biblical narrative. They are not.
This study will work its way through various books of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures, then look at historical figures who lived the faith of peace, justice and equity through our 2000 years of history.
Luke 13 31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “You had better get away from here, because Herod wants to kill you!”
32 Jesus said to them:
Go tell that fox, “I am going to force out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and three days later I’ll be through.” 33 But I am going on my way today and tomorrow and the next day. After all, Jerusalem is the place where prophets are killed.
34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem! Your people have killed the prophets and have stoned the messengers who were sent to you. I have often wanted to gather your people, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you wouldn’t let me. 35 Now your temple will be deserted. You won’t see me again until the time when you say,
“Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”
A lament is someone thinking or saying out loud how sad they are about something happening that they wish they could have changed.
In this reading with have Jesus making a lament over Jerusalem, the city where every Hebrew person visited when they could. It was the place people could learn new ideas, and the place Jesus visited from time to time in order to teach others about how to live God’s way.
In his lament, Jesus wished he could gather everyone like a mother hen gathers her chicks.
Have you ever seen a mother hen do that, or a video? The mother makes sure there is room under her wings for her chicks, and sometimes the chicks of other hens, and covers them with her feathers, protecting them from cold or storms or other dangers.
Jesus wished he could do that with the people around him, but they were not interested in having his protection or learning from him. They did not want to live God’s way. Jesus was sad about that.
Unlike past Lenten Studies, this year we are not looking at specific Biblical characters or working through books of the Bible. This year we are taking a survey approach to finding hope in scripture, and getting some pragmatic examples of how to be God’s people, bringing justice through our actions.
Our world is different in 2025, especially those of us who are Canadian and find our borders threatened by our oldest political neighbour. These are uncertain times, and so many who want to support fascism are claiming to represent the Biblical narrative. They are not.
This study will work its way through various books of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures, then look at historical figures who lived the faith of peace, justice and equity through our 2000 years of history.
Luke 4 When Jesus returned from the Jordan River, the power of the Holy Spirit was with him, and the Spirit led him into the desert. 2 For 40 days Jesus was tested by the devil, and during that time he went without eating. When it was all over, he was hungry.
3 The devil said to Jesus, “If you are God’s Son, tell this stone to turn into bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say, ‘No one can live only on food.’ ”
5 Then the devil led Jesus up to a high place and quickly showed him all the nations on earth. 6 The devil said, “I will give all this power and glory to you. It has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 Just worship me, and you can have it all.”
8 Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say:
‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!’ ”
9 Finally, the devil took Jesus to Jerusalem and had him stand on top of the temple. The devil said, “If you are God’s Son, jump off. 10-11 The Scriptures say:
‘God will tell his angels to take care of you. They will catch you in their arms, and you will not even hurt your feet on the stones.’ ”
12 Jesus answered, “The Scriptures also say, ‘Don’t try to test the Lord your God!’ ”
13 After the devil had finished testing Jesus in every way possible, he left him for a while.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, as soon as he came out of the water and the Holy Spirit came upon him, as soon as God said Jesus was the beloved son, Jesus did something different than most people expected. He did not rush out to share his experience with everyone. Instead Jesus went away from everyone and spent time praying and thinking.
Often when we hear the word “satan”, we think of a horrible, evil being. But in Jesus’ day, “ha-satan” only meant the tempter, the one who asked questions and made false promises, and pushed a person to really think about what they wanted to do and how they wanted to do it.
Jesus meeting ha-satan was not a bad thing. It was a way for Jesus to make sure he was doing what God expected to be done, and to do it for the right reasons. Jesus was temped with wealth, and he said no. Jesus was tempted with power over others, and he said no. Finally he was tempted to test the power of God, and Jesus said no.
Jesus made good choices, and ha-satan left him alone. This was how Jesus prepared to make sure he was doing the work of God.
Matthew6 When you do good deeds, don’t try to show off. If you do, you won’t get a reward from your Father in heaven.
2 When you give to the poor, don’t blow a loud horn. That’s what show-offs do in the synagogues and on the street corners, because they are always looking for praise. I can assure you that they already have their reward.
3 When you give to the poor, don’t let anyone know about it. 4 Then your gift will be given in secret. Your Father knows what is done in secret and will reward you.
5 When you pray, don’t be like those show-offs who love to stand up and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners. They do this just to look good. I can assure you that they already have their reward.
6 When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private and will reward you.
16 When you go without eating, don’t try to look gloomy as those show-offs do when they go without eating. I can assure you that they already have their reward. 17 Instead, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then others won’t know you are going without eating. But your Father sees what is done in private, and he will reward you.
19 Don’t store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. 20 Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy them, and thieves cannot break in and steal them. 21 Your heart will always be where your treasure is.
Debb and Deb return for a second season with a new look, a new sound, and a new passion for making the world a kinder, saner, and more spiritually empowered place.
In this episode, Debb and Deb catch up on recent world events, their effects on us personally, and how all of us can convert our faith into positive action.
Luke 9 28 About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James with him and went up on a mountain to pray. 29 While he was praying, his face changed, and his clothes became shining white. 30 Suddenly Moses and Elijah were there speaking with him. 31 They appeared in heavenly glory and talked about all that Jesus’ death in Jerusalem would mean.
32 Peter and the other two disciples had been sound asleep. All at once they woke up and saw how glorious Jesus was. They also saw the two men who were with him.
33 Moses and Elijah were about to leave, when Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here! Let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But Peter did not know what he was talking about.
34 While Peter was still speaking, a shadow from a cloud passed over, and they were frightened as the cloud covered them. 35 From the cloud a voice spoke, “This is my chosen Son. Listen to what he says!”
36 After the voice had spoken, Peter, John, and James saw only Jesus. For some time they kept quiet and did not say anything about what they had seen.
37 The next day Jesus and his three disciples came down from the mountain and were met by a large crowd. 38 Just then someone in the crowd shouted, “Teacher, please do something for my son! He is my only child! 39 A demon often attacks him and makes him scream. It shakes him until he foams at the mouth, and it won’t leave him until it has completely worn the boy out. 40 I begged your disciples to force out the demon, but they couldn’t do it.”
41 Jesus said to them, “You people are stubborn and don’t have any faith! How much longer must I be with you? Why do I have to put up with you?”
Then Jesus said to the man, “Bring your son to me.” 42 While the boy was being brought, the demon attacked him and made him shake all over. Jesus ordered the demon to stop. Then he healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43 Everyone was amazed at God’s great power.
The Barefoot Evangelist 