The Quiet Power of The Great I Am

Writer: Rev. T.J. Lucas

Monday Manna 

For Palm Sunday, we reflected on what it means to live in a loud world and still be formed by the quiet power of God. So often we are quick to speak, to react, to name something as truth before we have actually stopped long enough to listen. We talked honestly about the power of the tongue, and how words can carry either life or death. That has been an ongoing theme in this Lenten journey because words have power to shape our world within and beyond. It doesn’t take much to speak. But it takes formation—and the ability to listen well—to have anything worth saying. That is the work before us if we are going to be people shaped by God instead of shaped by noise.

That is what brings us to Palm Sunday. The crowd is shouting “Hosanna,” but that word wasn’t applause. It was an SOS. A cry like someone stranded on a desert island, desperate to be seen, desperate to be rescued—“Save us now!” They were saying the right word especially in the midst of the oppressive occupation of Roman rule, but they had already decided what rescue should look like. It would be a warrior king that would overthrow the establishment and empower their way of life. Yet, Christ showed even in his triumphant entry into the city where he offers a glimpse of his kingship that it is quieter and more humble than what the crowd is shouting for in that moment which explains why Good Friday's shouts turn against Him.

Their hearts are not anchored in God so they shift quickly towards the same violence they are crying out that they need salvation from! It is important to see that Jesus did not change. They did.

When we have not done the very intentional work of listening for God then our praise can become rejection the moment God does not meet our expectations. Christ remains steady because God is faithful--far more so than us. He does not argue, does not perform, does not chase approval. He carries a quiet authority that does not need to raise its voice to be true.

And that is the invitation before us: not to echo the crowd, but to become people who are formed—so that when we speak, our words carry the weight of truth because they have first been shaped in the presence of God. And those with ears to hear will listen while those who do not may try to shout over us. Let them. That is the quiet power we hold in God.

As we turn now toward Easter, the lectionary opens up in a way it usually does not. Easter is the holiest day of the Christian year, and the Easter Vigil in particular is meant to tell the great sweep of salvation history. That is why there are so many scripture options this week. The Vigil moves through the story of God’s saving work from creation, covenant, deliverance, wisdom, renewal, and resurrection. So rather than one neat set of texts, we are given a whole river of them. It is the Church’s way of saying that Easter is not an isolated moment. Resurrection is the flowering of a story God has been telling from the very beginning. (Speaking of flowering - new worship banners are in the works for Easter Sunday!)

Spend some time this week with the scriptures for the upcoming Sunday through our weekly spiritual practice of Dwelling in the Word.

Dwelling in The Word

Instructions

Set aside a regular time and place during your week where you can sit quietly with God’s Word. It does not need to be long, but it should be intentional. Choose a space where you can slow down and give the text your attention.

Select one of the scriptures for the week and read the same passage each day. This practice is different from Bible study. In church or group study, we focus on history, theology, and proper interpretation. Those are important, but Dwelling in the Word is more personal and prayerful. Here, we are listening for how the Word is speaking to us.

Read the passage slowly. You may want to read it more than once. I suggest reading it once quietly, pausing, and then reading it again out loud. Pay attention to the word, phrase, or image that stands out to you. Sit with it. Let it stay with you. Write it down or underline it.

Ask yourself simple questions as you read:

• What word or phrase is drawing my attention?

• What is bubbling up in me as I sit with it?

• Why might this part of the passage be standing out today?

Return to the same passage each day and notice what changes. Another phrase may stand out, or the meaning may deepen as the week unfolds. The goal is not to master the text, but to let the Word dwell in you and shape the way you see your life.

Scriptures:

Because Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday carry more readings than most Sundays, you are invited to choose one passage that speaks most deeply to where you are right now:

Genesis 1:1–2:4a – God brings light and life out of chaos

Genesis 7–9 selections – God preserves life and makes covenant with creation

Genesis 22:1–18 – God provides

Exodus 14:10–31; 15:20–21 – God makes a way through the sea

Isaiah 55:1–11 – Come to the waters and be satisfied

Ezekiel 36:24–28 – A new heart and a new spirit

Ezekiel 37:1–14 – Dry bones live again

Zephaniah 3:14–20 – God restores and rejoices

Romans 6:3–11 – Dying and rising with Christ

Matthew 28:1–10 – He is not here; he has been raised

Prayer for the Week:

Risen Christ, as we move from the cries of the crowd to the wonder of the empty tomb, slow us down enough to hear Your voice above all the noise. Where we are weary, breathe new life. Where we are afraid, speak peace. Where our hearts have grown hard, make them tender again. As we dwell in Your Word this week, draw us deeper into the great story of Your saving love. Form us as resurrection people, grounded not in the chaos of the world, but in the quiet power of Your living presence. Amen.

Holy Week Offerings:

Maundy Thursday at 7 pm - With our neighbors

Calvin Presbyterian Church is our neighboring congregation and since they are holding a service for Holy Thursday, we are encouraging our membership to attend their service which will include communion by intinction (dipping the bread in the cup)

Good Friday at 3 pm - With our neighbors and community

Calvin Presbyterian Church, the churches of Scottdale Area Association of Churches will preaching on the last 7 words of Christ. See the Flyer Below

Sunrise Service at 6:45 AM - In our church

Followed by a free pancake breakfast 🥞

Easter Sunday Worship at 9:30 AM - In our church and on FB Live

We will celebrate Holy Communion together. Please bring food pantry donations if you are able, and bring fresh cut flowers and greenery for our Living Cross as we celebrate the beauty of resurrection life together.

See flyers below for details: