March 15: The Greatest Pursuit
♫ Music:
WEEK FOUR INTRODUCTION
DEFEATING VICES & ACQUIRING VIRTUES
March 15 - March 21
This week is a challenging week because so many of us struggle with these sins of the flesh. The list is daunting: despondency, gluttony, lust, greed, ignoring the poor, and spiritual stagnation. Most of us live in comfort where anything we want is instantly available in what David Kinnaman refers to as “Digital Babylon.” If we don’t have the money, we can go into debt to obtain it immediately. If we run into financial problems, we can always file for bankruptcy. Most of us have good intentions when it comes to living the Christian life but we’re so easily influenced by our over-the-top, accelerated culture of unlimited access, endless options, and decadent possibilities. How can we be released from our passions to embrace His virtues? In a recent survey Kinnaman’s organization, The Barna Group conducted, they discovered that: “Most pastors (57%) and youth pastors (64%) admit they have struggled with porn, either currently or in the past, Overall, 21 percent of youth pastors and 14 percent of pastors admit they currently struggle with using porn. More than 1 in 10 youth pastors (12%) and 1 in 20 pastors (5%) said they’re addicted.”
In his book Confessions, Augustine of Hippo wrote about the moment when he “put off the old self.” “I flung myself down beneath a fig tree and gave way to the tears which now streamed from my eyes. . . . In my misery I kept crying, “How long shall I go on saying ‘tomorrow, tomorrow’? Why not now? Why not make an end of my ugly sins at this moment? . . . I rested my eyes on Romans 13:13–14: ‘Not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.’ I had no wish to read more and no need to do so. For in an instant, as I came to the end of the sentence, it was as though the light of confidence flooded into my heart and all the darkness of doubt was dispelled.” May the God of grace similarly help us to be done with those “weights and sins that so easily beset us.”
Day 19 - Sunday, March 15
Hymn of Supplication: As of old You redeemed us from the curse of the law by Your Divinely-shed Blood, O Jesus, likewise rescue us from the snares in which the serpent has entangled us through the passions of the flesh, through lustful suggestions and evil despondency. King Eternal, Comforter, true Christ! Cleanse us from every stain as You cleansed the Ten Lepers, and heal us as You healed the greedy soul of Zacchaeus the publican, that we may cry aloud to You: Alleluia!
Scriptures: 1 Peter 4:1-2; Romans 6:12-14
Since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Poetry:
Holy Sonnets: I am a little world made cunningly
by John Donne
I am a little world made cunningly
Of elements and an angelic sprite,
But black sin hath betray'd to endless night
My world's both parts, and oh both parts must die.
You which beyond that heaven which was most high
Have found new spheres, and of new lands can write,
Pour new seas in mine eyes, that so I might
Drown my world with my weeping earnestly,
Or wash it, if it must be drown'd no more.
But oh it must be burnt; alas the fire
Of lust and envy have burnt it heretofore,
And made it fouler; let their flames retire,
And burn me O Lord, with a fiery zeal
Of thee and thy house, which doth in eating heal.
THE GREATEST PURSUIT
Many temptations compete for our affections - the lust for power, greed, sexual temptation, and the other fleeting pleasures of this world. Like in the artwork “Zoo of Lusts,” even with Jesus at the center, the different animals compete for space in our lives. In a society where success is measured by how much money we make, by our titles or status, or by our popularity on how many “likes” or “followers” we have, there is a soul-sucking anxiety in trying to achieve these goals. How do we obey God in the midst of these temptations?
Despite the seriousness of the sin and lusts that can so easily weigh us down, the light-hearted children’s song, “Jesus Loves Zacchaeus,” reminds us that Jesus sees, pursues, and loves Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector (Luke 19:1-10). He had let his greed and lust for wealth and power dictate his life to the point that he exploited his own people. Yet, Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, and despite his short stature, his desire to see Jesus compelled him to climb a tree. Jesus saw Zacchaeus and went to his house, showing how Jesus broke down barriers to show love for a man who had taken advantage of others for his own gain. Jesus’ love transformed Zacchaeus to enable him to stop living for his own greed, and to live for God, generously giving away the wealth that he once had lived for.
In the same way that Jesus loved Zacchaeus, Jesus also loves us. Even though we may be struggling with the lusts that compete for our affections, Jesus sees, pursues, and loves us. As we come to Christ and accept His love for us, we are transformed by His love and grace so that “sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law, but under grace” (Rom. 6:14). In this way, we can live for the will of God to “present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Rom. 6:13). Because of Christ’s suffering in the flesh (1 Peter 4:1), He has now freed us from the power of living in bondage to sin, and he transforms us to live for the will of God. Jesus understands our struggles as He has been tempted in the same ways, but overcame these temptations and did not sin, so that He grants us grace in our time of need (Heb. 4:15-16). The pursuit of righteousness is not through our own ability to live a moral life full of virtue, but solely by God’s grace and His transformation of our lives. May Christ’s love continue to transform us to live for Him.
Prayer:
Jesus, we thank you that you love us. In the midst of our sin and brokenness, and even when we are tempted by the lusts of this world, you see us, pursue us, and love us. May You transform our affections as Your love shows us that You are so much better than anything this world has to offer.
Amen.
Grace Sangalang Ng
Buyer in Purchasing
Doctoral Student in the Talbot School of Theology
Biola University
For more information about the artwork, music, poetry, and devotional writer selected for this day, we have provided resources under the “About” tab located next to the “Devotional” tab.
To learn more about the themes of this year’s Lent Project, please go to:
https://ccca.biola.edu/lent/2020/#day-feb-25
About the Art:
Zoo of Lusts (Edition of 5 + AP)
Jeremie Riggleman
2015
Acrylic, photos, and resin
36” x 36”
Jeremie Riggleman’s work plays within a spectrum between trickery and frankness. He uses the iconography of animals and the various connotations that we bring to each creature to display harmonious contradictions. Sheep, foxes, and geese are some of the animal stand-ins used to explore the past, tackle the present, and make propositions for the future. These creature-characters move between alienation and assimilation, balancing complex polarities of high versus low, fabricated versus found, precious versus quotidian, without versus within. Narratives of mythology, folk art, pop culture, faith, and childhood are embedded in these works, opening up endless discussions and difficult questions. The work is often transparent and confessional, as it is with Zoo of Lusts. The title is inspired by C.S. Lewis. Early in his conversion, Lewis said that he expected his life to be cleaned up by God. Instead he found that there was ongoing work to be done for him to transition from who he was to who he wanted to be. This zoo of creatures moves beyond elevating kitsch and signifies ideas beyond itself, including forgiveness. The virgin birth at the center points to the cross, and vice-versa. A smaller version of Zoo of Lusts was collected by the late Carrie Fisher.
About the Artist:
Jeremie Riggleman is an artist based in Indiana. Most of his life has been spent in the Midwest, although his aesthetic was shaped while living and working in Los Angeles. Riggleman holds an MFA in visual art from Azusa Pacific University (Azusa, CA) and a BA in studio art from Bethel College (Mishawaka, IN). He has participated in solo and group exhibitions at the Museum of Art and History, Coagula Curatorial, il Palazzo della Provincia di Frosinone (Italy), Oceanside Museum of Art, Riverside Art Museum, Westmont College, Concordia University, Irvine, and Gallery 825. He has exhibited with Lynn Aldrich, Jeffrey Vallance, Marnie Weber, and Kenneth Steinbach. Jeremie teaches art at Taylor University (Upland, IN).
https://www.jeremieriggleman.com/cv
About the Music:
“Jesus Loves Zacchaeus” from the album Rain for Roots: Big Stories for Little Ones
The Lyrics:
Zacchaeus was too short to see.
But who saw him? Who came to tea?
Who saw that small man in his tree?
Who loved that man who couldn’t see?
His name, His name is Jesus!
Oh, His name, His name is Jesus, yes, it’s true.
His name, His name is Jesus! And he loves you.
Yes, he loves you
Oh, how he loves you
Yes, he loves you.
About the Composers/Lyricists:
Sally Lloyd-Jones and Sandra McCracken
Sally Lloyd-Jones is a New York Times bestselling writer and frequent performer of her work. She has written over 25 books, spanning the Christian and general markets. Her work has been critically acclaimed by the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. Her books (which are written for children, but also appeal to adults) include: How to be a Baby, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year; the Jesus Storybook Bible, winner of the Platinum Book Award, with over 3 million copies sold and translated into 44 languages and counting; and Thoughts To Make Your Heart Sing, winner of the Association of Christian Publishers Book of the Year Award in the adult inspiration category. Sally recently performed her stories and poems in a twelve-city tour with Amy Grant and Ellie Holcombe. She has appeared at Carnegie Hall with The Gettys in their Christmas Show.
https://www.sallylloyd-jones.com/etcetera/
Sandra McCracken’s (b. 1977) prolific contributions as a songwriter, modern-day hymn writer, and record producer have brought grace and clarity to her soulful, folk-gospel sound. Whether in a theater or in a chapel, she is a dynamic performer who blurs the lines of what church music sounds like, captivating and inviting audiences to sing along. While many of her songs like “We Will Feast In The House Of Zion” and “Thy Mercy My God” have settled into regular rotation in Christian worship services internationally, she has also had songs recorded by All Sons And Daughters, ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, Audrey Assad, A Rocha Compilation, Bifrost Arts, Caedmon’s Call, and others. She is a founding member of Indelible Grace Music and Rain For Roots (children’s music) and has been a guest writer for Art House America, She Reads Truth, The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, RELEVANT Magazine, and more.
http://www.sandramccracken.com/
About the Performers:
Rain for Roots and Sandra McCracken
Rain For Roots is a collective of songwriters, young mothers, and friends who came together around a single vision to make new Scripture songs for children. Inspired by traditional folk melodies, this band of four set out to make new, timeless songs about the Gospel story. This album, Big Stories for Little Ones is based on the poems of best-selling children's author, Sally Lloyd-Jones.
https://rainforroots.bandcamp.com/album/big-stories-for-little-ones
About the Poet:
John Donne (1572-1631) was an Anglican cleric and one of England’s most gifted and influential metaphysical poets of his time. Raised a Roman Catholic, Donne later converted to Anglicanism. His work is distinguished by its emotional intensity and its capacity to deeply delve into the paradoxes of faith, human and divine love, and personal salvation. His works are noted for their strong, sensual style and include a variety of forms including: sonnets, love poems, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs, satires, and sermons. His poetry is noted for its eloquent language, fusion of intellect and passion, and inventiveness of metaphor. In 1621, he was appointed the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral in London and also served as a member of Parliament in 1601 and in 1614. After a resurgence in his popularity in the early 20th century, Donne’s reputation as one of the greatest writers of English prose and poetry was established.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/john-donne
About the Devotion Writer:
Grace Sangalang Ng
Buyer in Purchasing Dept.
Doctoral Student in the Talbot School of Theology
Biola University
Grace Sangalang Ng is a researcher, pursuing her PhD in educational studies at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. Her research interests include the integration between theological, psychological, and sociological aspects of honor and shame. Her publication in Christian Higher Education, “Exploring How Shame Affects Asian Americans in the Classroom,” explores the various attributes of shame and its effects in educational psychology. In addition, she has presented several papers at the Evangelical Theological Society annual meetings on Asian-American theology. Ng is currently working as a buyer at Biola University, with an interest in strategic sourcing and bringing efficiency through best business practices in academia. Her interest in integrating Biblical stewardship as a practical means has furthered her passion for helping institutions find ways to be good stewards of entrusted resources. She has earned two master's degrees in Bible exposition and in Spiritual Formation from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University.