DEVOTIONAL FROM PASTOR DAVE FEBRUARY 22, 2023

FOLLOWING JESUS TO THE CROSS

A Daily Reading Plan from Luke for Lent 2023

Signal Crest United Methodist Church

The season of Lent is a forty-day period of preparation (not counting Sundays) for the

celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. It recalls the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness in preparation for his ministry. It has traditionally been a time when Christians have intentionally resolved to deepen their discipleship. One of the best ways to do that is through the prayerful study of scripture.

The following scripture passages have been selected for us to continue the journey we’ve already been on this year following Jesus’ ministry through the Gospel of Luke. The passages are relatively short, but there are longer sections during Holy Week as we approach the cross.

I would recommend you set aside a time of the day when you can spend 10-15 minutes prayerfully studying the scripture for the day. Maybe keep a notebook handy to jot down any questions or reflections or responses. And you may find these three questions helpful to you as you listen for the Spirit of God to speak to you through these passages:

1) What is the scripture saying? (A good study Bible can help with anything that

may be unclear or confusing or strange)

2) What is the scripture saying to you? (Is there a word or an image that jumps

out at you? What might its message be for you today?)

3) What is the scripture asking of you? (What kind of a response is it inviting from

you? What action might it be calling you to take?)

ASH WEDNESDAY, February 22 – Luke 9:46-48 – What is True Greatness?

Thursday, February 23 – Luke 9:51-56 – Jesus Sets His Face to Jerusalem

Friday, February 24 – Luke 9:57-62 – Would-Be Followers of Jesus

Saturday, February 25 – Luke 10:1-12 – Seventy Sent on a Mission

Sunday, February 26 – Jesus’ “I Am” sayings in John – “I am the bread of life” – John 6:35-40

Monday, February 27 – Luke 10:13-16 – Woe to Unrepentant Cities

Tuesday, February 28 – Luke 10:17-24 – The Return of the Seventy

Wednesday, March 1 – Luke 10:25-37 – The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Thursday, March 2 – Luke 10:38-42 – Mary and Martha

Friday, March 3 – Luke 11:1-4 – The Lord’s Prayer

Saturday, March 4 – Luke 11:5-13 – Lessons in Prayer

Sunday, March 5 – Jesus’ “I Am” sayings – “I am the light of the world” – John 8:12

Monday, March 6 – Luke 11:27-28 – True Blessedness

Tuesday, March 7 – Luke 11:33-36 – The Light in You

Wednesday, March 8 – Luke 11:37-54 – Woe to the Religious Leaders

Thursday, March 9 – Luke 12:1-3 – Warning against Hypocrisy

Friday, March 10 – Luke 12:4-12 – Fearlessness

Saturday, March 11 – Luke 12:13-21 – The Rich Fool

Sunday, March 12 – Jesus’ “I Am” sayings – “I am the gate” – John 10:1-10

Monday, March 13 – Luke 12:22-34 – Do Not Worry

Tuesday, March 14 – Luke 12:49-53 – Jesus as the Cause of Division

Wednesday, March 15 – Luke 13:1-5 – The Urgency of Repentance

Thursday, March 16 – Luke 13:6-9 – A Parable of God’s Patience

Friday, March 17 – Luke 13:22-30 – The Narrow Door

Saturday, March 18 – Luke 13:31-35 – Jesus Laments over Jerusalem

Sunday, March 19 – Jesus’ “I Am” sayings – “I am the good shepherd” – John 10:11-18

Monday, March 20 – Luke 14:7-14 – Humility and Hospitality

Tuesday, March 21 – Luke 14:25-33 – The Cost of Discipleship

Wednesday, March 22 – Luke 15:11-32 – The Parable of the Father and His Sons

Thursday, March 23 – Luke 16:19-31 – The Rich Man and Lazarus

Friday, March 24 – Luke 17:1-10 – Some Sayings of Jesus

Saturday, March 25 – Luke 17:20-37 – The Coming Kingdom

Sunday, March 26 – Jesus’ “I Am” sayings – “I am the true vine” – John 15:1-11

Monday, March 27 – Luke 18:1-8 – The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge

Tuesday, March 28 – Luke 18:9-14 – The Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector

Wednesday, March 29 – Luke 18:18-30 – The Rich Ruler

Thursday, March 30 – Luke 18:31-34 – Jesus’ Third Prediction of His Death and Resurrection

Friday, March 31 – Luke 19:1-10 – Jesus and Zacchaeus

Saturday, April 1 – Luke 19:11-27 – Parable of the Ten Pounds

PALM SUNDAY, April 2 – “I am the way, the truth, the life” – John 14:1-7

HOLY WEEK (April 3-8)

Monday, April 3 – Luke 19:28-48 – Jesus enters Jerusalem, cleanses the temple

Tuesday, April 4 – Luke 21:34-38 – Be on Guard

Wednesday, April 5 – Luke 22:1-6 – Judas agrees to betray Jesus

MAUNDY THURSDAY, April 6 – Luke 22:7-62 – The Last Supper, Jesus’ betrayal and arrest

GOOD FRIDAY, April 7 – Luke 22:66-23:49 – The Trial, Crucifixion, and Death of Jesus

HOLY SATURDAY, April 8 – Luke 23:50-56 – Jesus’ Burial

EASTER SUNDAY, “I am the resurrection and the life” – John 11:17-27