Devotion for Lent 2021
By Shari Gillis

Scripture Reading:

 1 Peter: 3:18-22

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

So he went and preached to the spirits in prison—those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.

 Reflection:

I am a mother of two adult children. I love them dearly, and I believe I would do anything to insure their lives are fulfilling and safe. But I do not have the power to really make that happen. They are adults, and they make their own choices.

God loves my children even more than I do. Only God can truly guide their lives.

God sent Jesus to show us the way, and then took our upcoming sins to the cross and suffered for them. That is a gift that in my motherhood, I cannot do. 

Prayer:

 Almighty Father, with my whole heart, I thank you for the gift of salvation, for myself and the worldwide family of Yours. May your grace and glory shower down upon this family of Yours. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.