Whether We Live or Whether We Die--July 19, 2022

[From July 22, 2014 archive]

 

You had more than your share 

of scorn and contempt, Lord Jesus. 

 

In the end even your disciples deserted--

there was no way for you to survive or escape. 

 

Teach us how to live to you, how to die to you, 

in the sure knowledge that whether we live 

or whether we die, we are yours. 

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 123; 146; 30; 86

Josh. 8:1-22

Rom. 14:1-12

Matt. 26:47-56

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 123:4 

Our soul has had more than its fill 
          of the scorn of those who are at ease, 
          of the contempt of the proud. 

 

Josh. 8:22 

And the others came out from the city against them; so they were surrounded by Israelites, some on one side, and some on the other; and Israel struck them down until no one was left who survived or escaped. 

 

Rom. 14:8 

If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 

 

Matt. 26:56b 

Then all the disciples deserted [Jesus] and fled.