Waiting for Water

Devotionals for Families & Individuals

2013 Easter Journey: Encounters with Jesus

Welcome to The Easter Journey 2013!

Over the next seven weeks- plus an additional “launch pad” week- we will travel through the season of Lent together, listening in on people’s encounters with Jesus along the way.

So what is Lent, anyway? Lent is a period of seven weeks before Easter where followers of Jesus around the world make extra room in their hearts and minds to meditate on Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! It is a time when we reflect on the cross of Jesus and anticipate the celebration of his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Sometimes people decide to give up one of their normal habits (like eating a favorite food, drinking a certain beverage, or watching TV) in order to set aside extra time and attention to worship the Lord and wait on him—to hear his voice. Others specifically set aside money they would have normally spent on themselves and offer it up to God as a gift of joy. During our Easter Journey, we are going to set aside our time, money, and creativity as gifts to the Lord. During this time, we will also encounter all kinds of opportunities for him to speak to us and use us.

What does Waiting for Water have to do with it?Waiting for Water (www.waitingforwater.org) is an ecumenical network of Christians who recognize that millions of people around the world are still waiting for access to safe water. Our primary point of action is The Easter Journey, a time of reflection, learning, and action during Lent and Easter.

As we encounter Jesus, we will see that he consistently cared for people’s physical and spiritual needs, often in the same-e breath. Like him, we want to care for the whole person and grow in our understanding of his Kingdom this Easter season. By praying for the world’s thirsty and using our money to provide safe water this year during Lent, we are living out the love of Jesus in a both a spiritual and practical way.

How will it work?1. Spare change. During this journey, participants set aside spare change—such as the money they would have spent on coffee or soda—in order to produce real change around the world. You can print off the Sticker Label from waitingforwater.org, and place it on a collection jar. Fill it up daily or weekly with coins, bills, or checks. By Easter Sunday you will have collected enough money to provide safe drinking water for one or more people.

2. Daily calendar. Additionally, participants can print off the Tabletop Calendar and place it in a prominent spot around the house. As families and housemates read through each daily reflection, they will learn about the global water crisis and grow in their walk with Christ.

3. Weekly devotions and art project. Once a week, as families and individuals, gather together to read that week’s entry in the Easter Journey Devotional and then spend some time doing the Found Object Art Mosaic. At the end of The Easter Journey, you will better know the heart of Jesus through the devotional encounters and will have created a beautiful mosaic of Revelations 22:1-5.

Contents

Week 1. Mary and Elizabeth 4

Week 2. Simeon and Anna 8

Week 3. People of Nazareth 12

Week 4. The Unnamed Sinful Woman and Simon 16

Week 5. Crippled Woman and the Religious Ruler 19

Week 6. Palm Sunday: Ten Lepers 22

Week 7. An Easter Story: Zacchaeus 25

Week 8. Launch Pad 29

Art Project 32

Meet the Author 34

Our mission is to mobilize followers of Jesus to provide safe water during Lent, Easter, and beyond. We envision Easter as a launching pad for the cause of safe water for the world’s poor.

1Mary and Elizabeth

introductionFebruary. Brrr! What do you think of when you hear the word? For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, perhaps something cold, dark, and desolate. For many, February represents that time of the year when the daylight hours are short and there is a deep chill in the air. The cold, dark days of winter will eventually make their way toward spring. But right now, light is fleeting.

question: How many hours of daylight do you get in your region right now?

The word Lent actually comes from an old English word which means “to lengthen.” And as the days progress towards Easter, the daylight hours will lengthen as well. For now, we are waiting for more light to come, warmer days ahead...

In a different way, many people around the world may also feel in the dark as they struggle to see God’s presence in the midst of difficult situations. For a ten-year-old girl in Kenya who has a four-inch worm living in her intestine from unsafe water, the light of God’s love might feel distant and elusive. For an eight-year-old boy in Ecuador who misses school and soccer because of the daily trek to fetch water from a dirty well three miles away, life can seem to shrink into something dark and dismal.

question: Can you think of someone who is struggling right now to see God’s light in their lives?

4

encountering Jesus

Luke 1:39-56

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,

just as he promised our ancestors.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

read together:

Before the birth of Jesus, the Israelites were also waiting for light—the Light of the World. They had been told that a Savior would come and rescue His people. But for more than four hundred years they had not heard much of a word from the Lord. You can imagine that many of them felt in the dark, alone and away from God.

5

discuss:Discuss the following questions as a group.

1. What happened when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting?

2. Have you ever been prompted by the Holy Spirit to speak a blessing over someone?

3. Share some of the things that Mary sang about God. Which one really stood out to you?

As Mary and Elizabeth came together to share their good news with one another, the Holy Spirit filled them with blessings and praise. God was definitely doing something that they could not ignore. His presence must have felt very close.

In the same way, God is active and moving among us today. The primary way he shows himself to us is through his people—you and me! He made us to be his hands and feet to one another, to be the light of Christ to one another. As we bless one another and praise God together, the light of God’s presence grows brighter for us to see.

6

responding to Jesus

Take two minutes to sit together in quietness and allow the Holy Spirit to fill your heart. Ask the Lord to give you a word of blessing or praise. Maybe he has a word of blessing for a friend or family member. Or maybe he will fill your heart with a thought or picture about himself. Write down or draw any words or pictures that He gives to you.

personal response:

This week, begin to pray about a person or group of people around the world with whom God might be leading you to build a bridge of connection. Perhaps there is a missionary or development project about which you’ve been curious. Maybe you already know of an organization providing safe water around the world. Or it could be this is your first time embarking on something like this.

global response:

Likewise, God wants us to build bridges of connection and friendship with those who are suffering so that they know that they are not alone. In this way we bring the light of God’s presence to one another.

Ask God: Who might you want us to connect with? How could we be a blessing to them?

Art CornerTime to begin! If you haven’t done so, print out the Found Object Mosaic template and refer to the Suggested Materials to begin working on Week One. Open up the Bible to Revelations 22:1-5 and read the passage we are using for the mosaic. This week’s focus is the sky. 7

2Simeon and Anna

introduction“Let’s see ... should I buy the Lego Star Wars set or the MP3 player?” Tough choices. Each year, my kids anticipate their upcoming birthday money and spend hours pondering the best use of those treasured dollars. They are patiently waiting for that once-a-year gift they will hopefully get.

There is a different kind of waiting that happens each day in Malawi.

On a recent visit to a small farm outside of Blantyre, my sister Megan and her colleague Godfrey came upon a Malawian woman crouched down in a gully, waiting for groundwater to bubble up. Apparently, there is a time once a day when the water might bubble up from underneath the ground. This woman waits there with her container, hoping to catch some water. For other Malawians who live in urban townships, the city provides one tap for the whole community. People wait in line each day for access to the one pipe. These are people who are literally waiting for water.

This contrast is not to make us feel guilty or overwhelmed. The Lord is just asking us to be mindful of one another. As we enjoy his good gifts, we can at the same time ask him how we can be a gift to others, especially those who are waiting for urgent things like clean water.

encountering Jesus

Luke 2:21-40

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”[a]), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

read together:

8

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss[c] your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,

31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then had been a widow for eighty-four years.[d] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

2. How does Simeon describe Jesus in vs. 30-32?

discuss:Discuss the following questions as a group.

1. What do you think the consolation of Israel means?

9

4. What do you think this moment was like for Anna, who was at least 84 years old?

Simeon and Anna had waited all of their lives in hopeful expectation that they would see the promised Savior. The Jews had been waiting for hundreds of years for the Messiah, who they imagined would rescue the state of Israel and provide them with their own country and king. But Simeon, although he is a Jew, declares that this Savior will be for all nations and all peoples.

question: What are you waiting for right now? Perhaps something in your life to change?

question: What do you think the poor are waiting for? What might their consolation be?

Perhaps the poor are waiting for you—for friendship with you! Just as in Christ, God would bring together Jews and Gentiles, so too, through Jesus, the rich and the poor can become connected to one another.

3. Who would this light bless? (v. 32)

10

responding to Jesus

Practice waiting quietly in prayer for a few minutes. Ask the Lord to give you or your family one practical idea of how you can connect to the poor in your community this week. What is he saying to you?

personal response:

Pick one country or group of people and begin to do some research on them. Find out their way of life and what some of their daily challenges are.

global response:

Sometimes our lives can feel so disconnected. Often the rich (those of us who have access to whatever we need and want) move in circles that are completely disconnected from the poor. But God is inviting us into a new place of friendship with those who suffer differently than we do, who wait daily for life’s essentials. The beautiful thing about Jesus is that he specializes in bringing together disparate groups of people.

Art CornerThis week’s color is gold. As you create the ‘great street of the city’ in our mosaic, thank God that he has made room in his kingdom for all of us to walk together in friendship.

11

3People of Nazareth

introductionFred Rogers, famously known as Mr. Rogers, is fondly remembered for his daily children’s show and the friendly world of make-believe. He is recognized as a pioneer in television for bringing thoughtful programming to kids at a time when the standard fare for engaging their minds was Looney Tunes. His emphasis on kindness, decency, honesty, and love seems representative of a bygone era. Perhaps he is most famous for the way he began each show with his trademark song “Won’t you be my neighbor?” He believed that as we came to see each other as neighbors, instead of strangers, we would care for one another in the proper way.

It makes me wonder... Who IS my neighbor and what obligation do I have towards them?

12

question: Are my neighbors those who agree with me? Those who I feel comfortable serving? Are they limited to my neighborhood, city, or country?

For people living in Israel and Palestine, this is a delicate conversation. These two groups of people live next to and even among one another, yet because of their long-standing feud over claims to the land, neighborly relations are very strained. Many Americans feel an obligation to the people of Israel, recognizing the vast oppression the Jewish people have faced throughout history. And yet, the Palestinians are made in God’s image as well. They are experiencing their own season of oppression, often at the hands of the Israeli government and its policies. Access to food, water, road travel, the Internet, and healthcare has been restricted in a life-altering way.

We are focusing on the global water crisis during this season. According to the United Nations, 90 percent of the drinking water in Gaza is contaminated and undrinkable.1 This leaves Palestinians—those who can afford it—to purchase water from private companies. Yet even this water, sold as a safe alternative to contaminated tap water, is often contaminated. Cases of diarrhea in Gaza have doubled in the last few years.

Sami Awad is a Palestinian Christian who watched his home be confiscated by Jewish settlers when he was a young boy. Yet Awad went on to establish the Holy Land Trust, dedicated to bringing peace in this bitterly divided land. Awad works tirelessly to build bridges of trust and understanding with everyone—Palestinians, Israelis, Christians, Jews, and Muslims—viewing each person as a neighbor, made in God’s image.

1 The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/aug/30/water-crisis-gaza

encountering Jesus

Luke 4:14-30

14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,

19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.

23 Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’”

24 “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “prophets are not accepted in their hometowns. 25 I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27 And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”

28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

read together:

13

2. How do the people of Galilee and Nazareth seem to view Jesus at first?

3. When does the mood change? Why?

4. What is the significance of the people that Jesus mentions in vv. 25-27?

This story seems to hold some surprise twists and turns. Here Jesus is reading and sharing in the Temple and the people are responding graciously. They are amazed by his words. And then all of a sudden he seems to anger them. Just when they are speaking well of him, he makes them furious! He draws attention to some unlikely people—those outside of their own Jewish community. He focuses on moments when God chose to reveal himself to people of another faith or country of origin, making his listeners angry by his inclusion.

question: Why would Jesus do that?

discuss:Discuss the following questions as a group.

1. Is the gospel (good news) that Jesus shares in vv. 18-19 the same one that you are used to hearing?

14

Jesus has a way of disturbing our neat and tidy views about God and the way things work. Have you ever noticed that about him? He is full of love and grace, but sometimes the way he extends that to those who don’t seem to deserve it can really offend us.

responding to Jesus

Think of one person or group of people in your life that you don’t really like. Now picture God extending his hand to them. Take a minute to sketch on paper what the mercy of God looks like for this person who is hard for you to love.

personal response:

Share something you learned about the group of people you researched last week. Ask the Lord to continue to show you which person, group, or organization he is leading you towards.

global response:

Art CornerThis week you begin building the tree of life using your brown found objects. Jesus has said “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

15

Just like our story about the Palestinian people, God is inviting us to be willing to build bridges of peace and understanding with those who are different from us, people we might not like or even want to know.

4The Unnamed Sinful Woman and Simon

introductionWilna is a young girl living in Haiti who was abandoned by her parents because she is partially blind; they did not even give her a name. She was left on her own until a few families adopted her. Not out of compassion, though. They used Wilna to be their “water slave.” Like millions of people around the world, the need to gather water is a critical part of every day. These families forced Wilna to travel back and forth all day long, fetching their water. No time to play. No time for school.

This story, however, is not over. Listen to the rest of it, as told by Carol Benson. “Last year, a villager had compassion towards this nameless, partially blind little girl and told the local eye doctor, the same one who had opened an orphanage, about her. He made the necessary arrangements for her to come and live at the orphanage with a large extended family, one that has never ever made her haul water. A family that has never judged her, but only loved her. When I returned this year, I saw a young woman who enjoys her studies, who engages in conversation, who has unlimited potential, and one who will now look you in the eye. Because of this doctor who said “yes” to Jesus, she is experiencing the unconditional love, grace and hope of Jesus and is drinking from His living water.”

Our world is filled with Wilnas—people who are overlooked or used only for what others can gain from them. Today’s story describes Jesus’ encounter with a woman just like this.

encountering Jesus

Luke 7:36-50

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

read together:

16

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

discuss:Discuss the following questions as a group.

1. How is the woman in this story described?

2. What do you think of her approach to Jesus?

3. In contrast, how did the Pharisees treat Jesus? (vv.44-47)

17

This is a scandalous story. Right from the beginning we see the Pharisees in shock as Jesus interacts with a woman—shocking!—but also a well-known sinful woman—even more shocking. To top it all off, her extravagant display of worship must have felt uncomfortable in that room. But the scandal continues as he forgives her of her sins without her even seeming to ask for it.

Jesus seems to specialize in noticing and honoring those that others have overlooked or discarded. Just as He brought His living water to Wilna in Haiti and to the sinful woman in today’s Bible story, he offers it to us. His grand design is that his loving water will flow THROUGH us, filling us up and gushing out onto those around us.

responding to Jesus

Think of a time when you’ve felt overwhelmed by the love of God and his goodness. Share that with the group. If you’ve never really felt that way, ask God to begin to open your eyes to experience his deep love for you.

personal response:

Sketch a picture of Jesus’ living water filling you up. Begin to jot down the people, places, or organization where you feel like the Holy Spirit is drawing you. Show a picture of what it would look like for them to enjoy the living water of Jesus as it flows through you.

global response:

Art CornerThis week ‘s focus is the river of the water of life, flowing clear as crystal. Thank you, Jesus, for your living water which fills us to overflowing.

18

5Crippled Woman and the Religious Ruler

introductionIt was the night before Valentine’s Day. My daughter was in the middle of writing out notes for her classmates which would be handed out the following day. And she was pretty well set. But she had one thing that was still on her mind. She kept thinking about Diana. She was aware that Diana probably wouldn’t get any Valentines as she was the most made-fun-of kid in class. Compassion was rising up inside her and she really wanted to write a valentine to Diana. She knew the kids in class would see her note handed out, and she was nervous. It was a risk, a gamble. Show some compassion and risk becoming the new target of scorn and harassment.

Now, in the grand scheme of things this may seem like a small matter. But to a third grader, this moment in time could be a game-changer for the rest of the school year.

There are times when we find the love of Jesus leading us to do something that might break social, cultural, or religious rules.

One of Waiting for Water’s nonprofit partners, Blood:Water Mission, is finding that it sometimes has to break local cultural rules in order to share Jesus’ love for all people. In many communities around the world, women are still second-class citizens. It is unacceptable for them to be in charge or take leadership. However, studies show that the more women are empowered to lead a water and sanitation initiative in their village, the more likely it is to be successful. With that in mind, Blood:Water Mission and other water organizations have decided to take the risk and and empower women.

Consider this story from Grace Omara of Abunggenga village in Uganda. “Before... women were not allowed to hold any post in the community. If there was any meeting, women used not to attend since they were to remain at home and men would tell them what happened if they wished. We were considered people whose minds have not yet developed enough, only fit for bearing, keeping children and cooking. This attitude badly affected the education of female children and caused much suffering to widows... But, after the training in our village everything has changed. Women have taken leadership in [the water project] and are being listened to by the men. This we never thought could happen.”

As more women lead, more success unfolds in bringing safe water to communities around the world. This is a risk worth taking.

19

encountering Jesus

Luke 13:10-17

10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

14 Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”

15 The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? 16 Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”

17 When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

read together:

discuss:Discuss the following questions as a group.

1. Why do you think Jesus interrupted his own teaching to heal this woman?

2. Why are the Pharisees upset that the woman is healed? Why aren’t they glad?

3. Can you think of a time when you were following Jesus’ call to love someone and it made you unpopular?

20

responding to Jesus

Ask the Lord if there is someone in your life to whom he might want you to risk showing compassion. How might you do that?

personal response:

Flip to page 30 of your devotional to read about six different water organizations who are supporting and empowering under-served communities. Consider if one of these compassionate organizations might be a future partner for you or your family.

global response:

Art CornerThis week’s color is green for the leaves and grass. Revelations 22:2 states that the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations!

Jesus invites us to become so filled with his love and compassion that we begin to care more about following his voice and less worried about the risks that may come with it.

What a remarkable moment. Jesus has permission to stand in the synagogue and teach the Scriptures. He is the one with the power and authority. And he uses his place of power to call forward a crippled, bent-over woman to heal her. Just picture that! What a risk to shine the spotlight on such a woman and bless her in this company of proud men. Jesus even touches her as he heals her. He is breaking several cultural and religious rules in this moment.

Does it surprise you how often Jesus seems to break the rules or disturb our traditional ways of doing things? He seems to be more interested in setting people free than worrying about traditions and rules.

21

6Palm Sunday: Ten Lepers

introductionLately I cringe a little when I get in the car with my four-year-old daughter. As soon as we pull out onto the street, I know the questions and requests will begin: Mommy, can I watch a show when we get home? Mommy, can I have a cookie? Mommy, what do the insides of our brains look like? Mommy, why don’t planes fly up into space? Mommy, I’m so thirsty!

I’m grateful to have a little girl with an active, curious mind. I’m also grateful that she trusts me enough to ask for what she needs. But by the end of a fifteen-minute drive, I’m exhausted and ready, like Jim Carrey’s character in the movie Bruce Almighty, to say “Yes! Yes to everything.”

The lepers in today’s story are like my daughter : persistent, unashamed, wholehearted. They called out loudly to Jesus, desperate for his help and unconcerned with how they appeared to others. In just a few more days, Jesus would enter Jerusalem where he would be greeted by crowds waving branches and shouting “Hosanna!” There was a whole range of perspectives and levels of belief in that crowd; many people melted away or joined in shouting “crucify him!” days later. But here, in the middle-of-nowhere borderlands, these lepers received him without pretense, driven by their desperate need.

Cynicism and apathy are a kind of disease in our society right now. Yet how very opposite—how refreshing!—these lepers’ attitudes were were from this kind of posture.

Perhaps Jesus was thinking about these men when he told the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge, found in Luke 18:1-8. “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.” (vv. 7-8)

question: What is stopping you from putting yourself out there, asking God for what you need and desire?

22

Luke 17:11-19read together:

encountering Jesus

11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

discuss:Discuss the following questions as a group.

1. In this story, we find Jesus entering a small border town; shortly afterward, he would enter Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (Luke 19:28-44). Describe the range of responses he provoked during these entries.

2. What types of people responded favorably to Jesus? Why?

3. What does the tenth leper who returned to say “thank you” receive that is different from the other nine?23

responding to Jesus

Jesus traveled into the borderlands, where unclean people and strangers lived. How can you go outside your comfort zone to meet people’s needs this week? If possible, take some type of concrete step in this direction, such as taking a new route to work through a poor neighborhood in your city, giving more than normal to a good cause, or buying a hamburger for a homeless person.

personal response:

Take a counter-cultural step against cynicism and apathy this week. Do one small thing—give up a meal and put the extra money into your Easter Journey collection jar, get up fifteen minutes early to pray for justice for a specific global need, keep track of your water usage for an entire day and then make a plan for reducing it—and then tell someone else what you did and how it went.

global response:

Art CornerThis week, you will collect multi-colored mosaic pieces to use as fruit on the tree of life. What type of fruit do you suppose this tree would have?

24

7An Easter Story: Zacchaeus

introduction“Change you can believe in”

This was a popular slogan during the presidential campaign four years ago. And it was effective.

Everyone can agree that at some point in their life they have hoped for things to change. Some of us may know a change is coming soon. Others may feel like change will never happen. But we all hold out hope that a change to our challenging situation may come at any moment.

For those who are waiting for safe water, the desire for change is palpable.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Happy Easter to you. Joy and peace to you as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and our mystical union with Him. He has included us - we are one with the Father. No longer separated! Heaven and earth have been reconciled. The hungry are fed, the thirsty are quenched. Friend and enemy have been brought together. Rich and poor have been connected. Tax collector and worker have been united. This is good news!

Today’s encounter is a beautiful picture of the radical change that takes place because of Jesus. We are surprised by his extravagant grace and compelled into action through love and deeds.

Perhaps others of us haven’t really thought about it much. Things may be going well, and we find we’re clipping along without any major bumps in the road. Maybe we don’t want things to change. Life is treating us pretty well right now.

Zacchaeus might have been one of those folks. His job of collecting the people’s tax money and skimming some off the top for himself had brought him great wealth. With wealth comes power and opportunity. He had a pretty good gig, as they say.

And yet something about this Jesus had caught his attention. Zacchaeus’ curiosity got the better of him.

question: Is there something you wish would change in your life right now?

25

Luke 19:1-10read together:

encountering Jesus

1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

discuss:Discuss the following questions as a group.

1. How is Zacchaeus described? (Luke 19:28-44) Describe the range of responses he provoked during these entries.

2. Why do you think Jesus said “I must stay at your house today?”

3. How is Zacchaeus changed by his encounter with Jesus?

26

A tax collector in Jericho at the time of Jesus would most likely have been a fellow Jew who worked on behalf of the Roman government to collect hard-earned money from the people. It is commonly held that these folks were despised by their own community, viewed as traitors and thieves.

You can begin to imagine Zacchaeus’ life. As his wealth grew, so did his loneliness and isolation. What good is all that money if it pushes away those people that you love most? His enthusiasm to catch sight of Jesus leads us to believe that he WAS looking for a change in his life. As someone who was used to being hated and avoided, the prospect of a personal touch from Jesus was too good to pass up.

And, to the surpise of the crowd, Jesus had every intention of connecting with Zacchaeus that day. As they shared fellowship together in Zack’s home, a change was occurring. Zack was finding that God’s spirit of exuberant generousity was filling him up. His spontaneous response to the presence of Jesus was a desire to go above and beyond in making things right.

27

responding to Jesus

Take two minutes to think about the change Jesus has made in your life. How have you been growing and changing during our Easter Journey? Write down a few thoughts and share them with one another.

personal response:

What expression of love and generosity is the Lord leading you toward? Have you felt a call to personally connect with the issue of safe water? What are you going to do about it?

global response:

Art CornerToday we complete our Found Object Mosaic by decorating the throne of God! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, has defeated death. He is the King!

Easter is the culmination of the perfect law of God being satisifed in the perfect offering of Jesus. In Jesus we are one with God the Father, reconciled to him and to one another. This is good news!

Zacchaeus experienced an amazing reconciliation that day. He was reconnected to himself, his neighbors, and to God. As this change took place, Zacchaeus made things right for the workers of whom he had taken advantage. Both the workers and the tax collector began enjoying the abundance of heaven as Jesus established his kingdom on earth. Jesus changed everything.

28

8Launch Pad

launch pad Pick a water organization, overseas development project, or local initiative with which you will partner for the upcoming year.

As we’ve taken this Easter Journey together, our hearts have been touched by Jesus’ radical love. Special celebrations like Easter and Christmas are poignant times of the year to remember what Christ has done on our behalf. But the most powerful element of our union with Jesus is the way he lives through us each and every moment of the day. So, the celebration continues as we look toward what God has for us in the weeks and months to come!

Take a few minutes together to complete the launch pad exercise below, which will provide you with a plan of action for the rest of the year. The following page gives you some ideas for putting this plan into action.

Today’s encounter is a beautiful picture of the radical change that takes place because of Jesus. We are surprised by his extravagant grace and compelled into action through love and deeds.

29

who is it?

how often?

what is your family going to do this year?

responding to Jesus

Need some ideas on how to partner globally? Following are some ways you, your family, or your group of friends can take action this year.

global response:

• Advocate. You can raise your voice to advocate on behalf of those who are poor and thirsty in our world today. Organize a 5K run for safe water, form a water action group at your church, set up a lemonade stand, or hold a water carnival. The Water Project (thewaterproject.org) and Blood:Water Mission (www.bloodwatermission.com) both offer many resources to equip you and your family or group of friends for advocacy.

• Volunteer. Many followers of Jesus are eager to volunteer their time in worthy causes, and many churches regularly send out teams on overseas trips. This year, you could become a highly skilled volunteer for a nonprofit organization. Living Water International (www.water.cc) and Lifewater International (www.lifewater.org) both make extensive use of volunteers.

• Think long-term. Several nonprofit organizations link North American churches in long-term relationships with churches in areas where safe water is a primary need. The churches often form mutually helpful friendships which extend for years and branch out to meet other needs beyond just safe water. Healing Waters International (www.HealingWaters.org) is an excellent example of an organization which is facilitating this type of healthy, long-term relationship. Perhaps you can help your own church community form a partnership of this kind.

• Go deep. Rather than scattering their focus amongst multiple causes, countries, and organizations, some people want to go deep in one place. Seeds of Hope International Partnerships (http://sohip.org) is doing just this in the southern African nation of Zambia. They host volunteers, form church partnerships, and connect financial gifts directly with people in need in impoverished urban and rural areas around Ndola.

30

As you engage globally, look for ways to be a blessing at home, right in your neighborhood. Here are a few suggestions:

local response:

• Help the church. Find out what churches are located right around your house. Consider if there are ways to be a blessing to them. Partner with them on a neighborhood outreach.

• Support your school. Commit to support your local school. If you are a parent, volunteer to lead the PTA and support the hard-working teachers, staff, principal, and parents of your school. Plan a playground clean-up or lead an after-school club and get involved in kids’ lives.

• Volunteer weekly. Pick a local retirement home, afterschool program, or food pantry to visit once a week for an hour. Or, if your community has an immigrant or refugee population, volunteer to practice English conversation with someone each week. Those weekly appointments will add up to many opportunities for the love of Jesus to flow out of you and bless others in your community.

art project

For the next seven weeks,we will be embarking on a creative journey together which will culminate in a one-of-a-kind family art project. This hands-on activity is recommended for children of all ages, from 3 to 93! This can be done at home with whomever you happen to live with.

God designed us in his own likeness, as creative individuals who can find great joy in the work of our hands. So get ready to embark on The Easter Journey with all of your senses and allow the simplicity of childlikeness to lead you.

introduction:

Pick a day and time each week to sit down as a family or household to read through the Easter Journey devotional. Afterward set aside 15 minutes to work on the mosaic. Use this time to let the creative juices flow—put on some good music, light a candle. By the end of your seven-week journey, you will have created your very own art mosaic based on Revelations 22:1-5. This passage describes the part of John’s vision where he sees the crystal-clear river of life flowing down from the throne of God. This is the living water that satisfies our thirst and flows through us to bless others.

how it works:

Eden Restored (Revelation 22:1-5)

22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Found Object Mosaic

31

Figure 1. An example of a found art mosaic

To prepare for the art project, you will need to begin to gather materials.

1. Print out the Found Object Mosaic template.

2. If desired, purchase a blank 8 ½ by 11-inch blank canvas or foam core board from a craft store on which to mount your template (as the finished product will have some weight to it).

3. Have a good crafting glue or adhesive ready.

4. Find an old shoebox or other container in which to store your found objects as you gather them.

5. Begin to collect found objects. Refer to the Suggested Materials page for ideas.

6. You are ready to start! Your first art session begins after the Week One devotional entry. Each week you will glue on the corresponding color of found objects to fill in your template.

getting started:

It’s time to raid the junk drawer, look under seat cushions and gather up those leftover game pieces! As you collect found objects over the coming days, keep your eye out around the house for small items of various colors that might work for your art project. Store your found items in an old shoe box to keep supplies in one area. Below are a few ideas of what you could use for the different colors.

suggested materials:

WEEK ONE: BLUE (SKY)• hair clips• ribbons• milk carton caps• felt

WEEK TWO: GOLD (STREET)• safety pins• thumb tacks• old jewelry• gold foil• sequins

WEEK THREE: BROWN (TREE OF LIFE)• cork• toilet paper tubes• bottle caps• wooden beads• buttons

WEEK FOUR: CLEAR (WATER)• little balls of Saran Wrap• sea glass• crystals• sequins

WEEK FIVE: GREEN (LEAVES & GRASS)• army men toys• silk flowers• beads• pom poms

WEEK SIX: ASSORTED COLORS (FRUIT)• game pieces• legos• buttons• erasers

WEEK SEVEN: PURPLE AND GOLD (THRONE)• fabric• glitter• sparkles• ribbons• sequins• beads

32

Meet the AuthorErin Kutnow wrote all of the devotionals for families and individuals, except for week six, and designed the art project. She resides in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband James and their three lively children. In her spare time (what’s that!) she dabbles in advocacy for schools, immigration reform, worship leading, and outdoor recreation. Erin is currently researching graduate programs and pondering what she wants to be when she grows up. This is her first venture in writing.

34