Lakeside UMC Oklahoma City

A Willed Ignorance?

We observe the liturgical seasons in an effort to re-live the life and teachings of Jesus. From Advent to Pentecost, we spend half of each calendar year retracing the lines of salvation history as we portray the life of Jesus anew.

We know it well; at least we think we do. We know the Christ Child wil be born again; we know he will be baptized by John again, that he will be tempted again, that he will perform miracles and reveal the power of God in a new way - again. It is hard to hear it all with a “beginner’s mind.”

This is perhaps most trying as we enter Holy Week. It is difficult for us to act as if we don’t know that Friday’s crucifixion and death will give way to Sunday’s resurrection and new life. It is difficult for us to put ourselves truly in the place of the disciples who did not know what that Sunday would bring. As far as they could understand, everything was over; Jesus’ life and ministry had come to a tragic end.

We know, of course, that everything wasn’t over; it was just beginning. But if we fail to spend time in the darkness and loss of Holy Week -- of Good Friday in particular – we are poorly equipped for the times of darkness and loss in our own lives. We retrace Jesus’ path of obedience, not pretending we
are ignorant of what will occur, but in hope that, by putting our trust in him, we’ll be better equipped for our own times of trial and for an Easter of our own.

- Mark

Kay Alexander

Bill Gragg

Debbie Hamlin

Daryl Hoel

A.M. Nowlin

J.B. Rivers

The Welp family

Billy Wise 

Please contact A.M. Nowlin with prayer requests and updates (843-6811).