Turn Around

Day 34: March 22^nd Friday

Scripture: Matthew 4:17-22

From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Next week is Holy Week.  This is the week we follow the last moments of Jesus’ life.  On Tuesday and Wednesday we’ll have Bible Study as a Valley Parish, Tuesday at Lebanon and Wednesday at Chalybeate Springs. Thursday we will celebrate Maundy Thursday with a Passover Seder Meal and Holy Communion at Okolona.  Friday we will have Good Friday Worship at Okolona and Grange Hall.  We follow Holy Week to remember the greatest thing Jesus did for us.  We delve down deep into the emotions of Jesus’ last hours so that on Easter morning we can fully experience the joy of the Resurrection.

Read our scripture passage from Matthew for today. This is the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.  How does he start? Jesus asks people to repent (a word that means “turn around”) and he calls his disciples.

The disciples leave everything and follow Jesus. Is there anything you need to leave behind to better follow Jesus?  As we go into Holy Week, what is keeping you back from totally and completely following Jesus?

Close your eyes. Ask Jesus if he’d like you to follow him to the cross. Does he want you to leave something behind? Ask Jesus what he wants you to leave.

Hold your hands out and mentally put the thing that is holding you back in your hands.

Now, with a prayer, give it over to God. Feel the arms of God wrap around you in a loving embrace. 

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.