Mar 2, 2008 - The Sign
Lenten Reading—The Sign
LEADER:
Today’s Lenten symbol, the mocking sign above Christ on the cross,
proclaims, "This is Jesus, King of the Jews."
Today we also consider Jesus' healing of a man born blind.
The sign reminds us of our human blindness to Truth.
The healing of the blind man reminds us
that the sight we need comes only through God’s working.
CONGREGATION:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.
We want to point fingers and cast blame when troubles come.
Absorbed by self, we again place you on the cross,
refusing to take up our own and follow you.
Have mercy on us.
LEADER:
The sign was meant to mock a “king”
whose life was ending on a cross rather than a throne.
Instead, it mocks our inability—or refusal—
to see a Messiah whose suffering shocks us.
We seek a Messiah who satisfies all our expectations.
CONGREGATION:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.
In our willfulness we are blind to your Kingdom.
Only when we listen, and obey, can we receive our sight.
Absorbed by self, we again place you on the cross,
refusing to take up our own and follow you.
Have mercy on us.
LEADER:
When the Pharisees heard of this healing,
some assumed it must be a trick;
others grumbled that this act of mercy broke the Sabbath.
CONGREGATION:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.
We too can be blind to your power at work
because we think we have you "figured out."
Too often we play the Pharisee rather than the blind man.
We fail to recognize you when we see you, and believe.
Absorbed by self, we again place you on the cross,
refusing to take up our own and follow you.
Have mercy on us.
LEADER Let us pray together…
CONGREGATION:
Almighty God, whose glory it is always to have mercy:
Free us from the self-absorption of sin.
Forgive the ways we continue to place Jesus on the cross.
Form in us his very character--
his humility,
his service,
his forgiveness,
his sacrificial love—
Through Your mighty resurrection power! Amen.
Copyright 2008 Oklahoma City First Church of the Nazarene.
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