The Gift of Communion

 

Scripture: Luke 22:19 (NIV)

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Reflection  

At the table, Jesus gathers his disciples around bread broken and cup shared, interpreting the life he is about to offer and shaping their future through remembrance, service, and costly love. The meal becomes a sign of covenant faithfulness, binding them to one another and to the path that lies ahead. Even as danger closes in, gratitude steadies their shared life and prepares them for the trials to come.

Holy Week reminds us that remembrance is not nostalgia but participation. Each time bread is broken, the story of sacrificial love becomes present again. The meal nourishes courage for the road ahead.

Communion binds believers to Christ and to one another. It declares that no one walks alone into suffering. In shared remembrance, hope is sustained and faith is renewed.

Prayer

God of sustaining grace,

Feed me with the life of Christ.

Deepen my gratitude.

Strengthen the bonds of community.

Let this remembrance 

Shape my living ~ Amen.

Invitation

Share food with gratitude today.

Pause before eating.

Say quietly:

“Given for us.”

 

Daily Lent Devotions Revd Mark Robinson | Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson Lent Day 37 | Wednesday 1 April | The Gift of Communion

 

Faithfulness Amid Betrayal

 

Scripture: John 13:21 (NIV)

Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” .

Reflection

Holy Week exposes human frailty as betrayal emerges from within the circle of trust, where the pain cuts more deeply because it comes from those who have walked closest. Jesus receives that wound with clear-eyed truth, naming what is unfolding even as he remains steadfast in the mission entrusted by God.

Communities often carry wounds inflicted from inside as well as outside. Lent acknowledges this complexity. Faithfulness continues even when relationships fracture and trust is strained.

Jesus remains committed to love, choosing the path of obedience rather than retaliation. Such steadfastness reveals a courage grounded in God’s purposes rather than human reliability.

Prayer

God of unwavering faithfulness,

Hold me when trust is shaken.

Heal the wounds of betrayal.

Strengthen my commitment to love.

Guide me in wisdom

Through fragile relationships ~ Amen.

Invitation

Pray for someone with whom trust has been strained.

Entrust the relationship to God’s care.

Say quietly:

“God, bring healing.”

 

Daily Lent Devotions Revd Mark Robinson | Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson Lent Day 36 | Tuesday 31 March | Faithfulness Amid Betrayal

His Passion

 

Defined as “any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling”, “enthusiastic enjoyment of an interest or activity”, “an emotion that is deeply stirring”, we see that our English word “passion” primarily deals with emotion, ardent affection or an intense desire, however, in years gone by, this word “passion”, referred to other senses, including “suffering”.

To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God – Acts 1:3 (KJV)

The prologue of the Book of Acts speaks of Jesus appearing alive “after His passion”. Clearly this has nothing to do with the modern-day use of the word.

Our English word passion is derived from Latin, “patior”, meaning “to experience, undergo, endure, suffer” with its perfective aspect “passus” expressing a completed action.

And it is in this regard that the New Testament consistently utilises this word and when capitalized, refers specifically to Jesus Christ’s last sufferings and death – the betrayal, the arrest, the trial, the scourging, the journey to Golgotha, the cross…

Beloved, as you journey along this last week of Lent, I encourage you to meditate upon His Passion and everything that Jesus experienced, underwent, endured, and suffered on your behalf, all because God so loves you.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “His Passion” ©2026 March 30, 2026

 

 

 

A Triumphal Entry

 

Many people carpeted the road in front of him with their cloaks and prayer shawls, while others gathered palm branches and spread them before him. Jesus rode in the center of the procession, with crowds going before him and behind him. They all shouted in celebration, “Bring the victory! We welcome the one coming with blessings sent from the Lord YAHWEH! Blessings rest on this kingdom he ushers in—the kingdom of our father David! Bring us the victory in the highest realms of heaven!” Jesus rode through the gates of Jerusalem and up to the temple… – Mark 11:8-11 (TPT)

What an entry! Picture it, cloaks, prayer shawls and palm branches covering the road like a carpet together with celebratory shouts of victory to welcome Jesus to Jerusalem – that was a triumphal entry!

Jesus entered Jerusalem as the conqueror and King that He is but by the end of that week the same people who lauded praise over Him would reject Him.

Despite the expressions of praise and joy, the multitude would eventually question Jesus’ identity and the claims of Him being their saviour, as He was not the Messiah they imagined.

Today, the day known as Palm Sunday, marks the beginning of one of the most important periods on the Christian calendar, Holy Week – the seven days which led up to an event that turned the entire world on its head. A triumphal entry which led to a heartbreaking crucifixion which led to an amazing resurrection, and the world was forever changed.

These last days of Lent, invite each of us to walk with Jesus, step by step. Too often, we want to move from a triumphal entry straight to a glorious resurrection, conveniently ignoring everything in between – the betrayal, the surrender, the testing, and the sacrifice.

Beloved, understand that this is the same in between that you, as a believer, must encounter on your personal journey to spiritual resurrection. It is not an easy road, but a necessary one. With each step you may feel defeated, but do not give up, focus on Jesus and keep walking, it is the road that leads you to victory and a triumphal entry into eternal life.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “A Triumphal Entry” ©2026 March 28, 2026  

 

 

 

 

Jesus sends for an ass

 

Throughout the New Testament we read of Jesus calling sheep, caring for sheep, tending sheep, sending sheep and referring to us humans as sheep, but in one particular New Testament account, Jesus sends for an ass.

The Weymouth New Testament translation of Matthew 21:1-3 reads,

When they were come near Jerusalem and had arrived at Bethphage and the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of the disciples on in front, saying to them, "Go to the village you see facing you, and as you enter it you will find a she-ass tied up and a foal with her. Untie her and bring them to me. And if any one says anything to you, say, 'The Master needs them,' and he will at once send them."

In those days, the ass did not have the lowly status as it has today, on the contrary, the ass was a prized possession and, as we see in all four Gospel accounts, was an appropriate choice for a triumphal entry.

I read this passage in several versions and somehow it conjured up in my mind how we humans might be compared to an ass, not as lowly but as a prized possession, and worthy of use by God.

Let’s eavesdrop on a conversation God is having with Hagar, Sarai’s Egyptian maid, about Ismael, the son she had for Abram, in Genesis 16:12 (NRSV),

“He shall be a wild ass of a man, with his hand against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; and he shall live at odds with all his kin.”

Okay, pause for a moment, because I know that you know someone who fits that description, but you’re headed in the wrong direction; so, come back this way and let’s move on.

This wild-ass nature is not what you think it is. It has nothing to do with the type of turbulent lifestyle or being prone to violence in the way you might imagine, but about being free to be of service to God.

Free to surrender all to Him, free to be obedient to His call, unafraid and ready to go out into the world to proclaim the more than good news, to work diligently on His behalf, it is about being free to stand up for Christ.

It’s not to serve yourself but to serve God, just like the ass Jesus sent for.

The ass Jesus sends for, comes in both genders – a wild ass of a man, like Ishmael, or a wild ass of a woman, they are those persons who are untamed and cannot be harnessed, ready to bolt forward into the world for God’s purposes.

The ass that Jesus sends for, is passionate and violent about his/her spiritual mission; he/she eagerly pursues the Kingdom undaunted.

And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize—a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]. – Matthew 11:12 (AMPC)

When Jesus sends for an ass, He knows that person will be wild for Christ, unburdened to do whatever He has called him/her to do – to demonstrate His glory and give Him a triumphal entry into the lives of others.

The ass that Jesus sends for is untethered, to bring hope to the suffering, to assure them that God is able to provide all their needs if they’ll trust Him and allow Him to.

The ass that Jesus sends for is freed to go to the lost and let them know that God sees them, that He hears them.

Beloved, the ass that Jesus sends for is unleashed to roam from place to place burdened with nothing but the amazing message of a God who loves and cares deeply for them, so much so, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life (John 3:16 ERV).

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Jesus sends for an ass” ©2026 March 27, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drawing All People

 

Scripture: John 12:32 (NIV)

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.

Reflection

The cross stands as both exposure and invitation. It reveals the depth of human violence and the depth of God’s love at the same time. Christ lifted up becomes a centre drawing humanity toward reconciliation.

Lent prepares us to face this reality without turning away. At the cross, human cruelty is laid bare and divine mercy remains steadfast, drawing wounded humanity toward restoration.

Communities gathered around this love become agents of healing. They participate in the work of drawing people toward justice, compassion, and restored relationship.

Prayer

God of reconciling love,

Draw my heart toward Christ.

Heal divisions that wound your people.

Strengthen my commitment to unity.

Make me an instrument

Of your reconciling work ~ Amen.

Invitation

Pray for someone different from yourself.

Hold them in God’s love.

Say quietly:

“Draw us together.”

 

Daily Lent Devotions Revd Mark Robinson | Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson | Drawing All People

 

Hope that Refuses to Die

 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Peter 1:3 NIV)

Apostle Peter assures us that through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are re-born into a living hope, hope that refuses to die. What a marvellous gift!

Hope that refuses to die is that hope which Apostle Paul speaks of when he wrote,

Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy. And we are very happy because of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory. And we are also happy with the troubles we have. Why are we happy with troubles? Because we know that these troubles make us more patient. And this patience is proof that we are strong. And this proof gives us hope. And this hope will never disappoint us. We know this because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts through the Holy Spirit he gave us. (Romans 5:2-5 ERV)

It is that hope that motivates us even in challenging times; that hope is the driving force.

Hope that refuses to die gives us the strength to carry on and to not give up. It is that hope that empowers us to believe that things don’t remain the same, that change is possible and miracles happen.

Job in all his suffering does not condemn hope but clings to it…

“My days pass by faster than a weaver’s shuttle, and my life will end without hope. (Job 7:6 ERV)

He believed that without hope his life would end – that is hope that refuses to die.

Apostle Paul cites Abraham as having that same hope when he wrote,

In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” (Romans 4:18 ESV)

And in 1 Corinthians 13:13 he says that hope together with faith and love is an essential characteristic of the Christian

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love

This hope of which Paul speaks isn’t the misplaced hope that cultivates false hope on which we too often rely, this hope isn’t just confined to mere expectation and desire but includes trust, confidence and refuge in the God of hope.

For it was by hope that we were saved; but if we see what we hope for, then it is not really hope. For who of us hopes for something we see? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (Romans 8:24-25 GNT)

The hope that refuses to die is a desirable attribute of human life which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27 NIV).

Christ Jesus, who is our hope (1 Timothy 1:1 NASB) is hope that refuses to die.

Beloved, hope that refuses to die isn’t placed in human beings, not even in great leaders, for they fail us and disappoint us (ref. Psalm 118:8-9; 146:3-4; Jeremiah 17:5-6). It is far better to hope in God, for that is hope that will never die, that is hope that refuses to die.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Hope that Refuses to Die” ©2026 March 26, 2026