The Cross - This week's Prayer SpacesScot Bower - 20 Apr 2011

It feels like an awfully long time ago that we set out together on this journey through Lent.

We've wandered through the waiting, that deep breath before the incarnation of Christ and the magic of the majesty born a child. We've spent time listening to the Vision and the mission of Jesus as well as thinking about the loneliness of the God-Man and His relationship with The Father.

Now, nearly 40 days after we began, we focus on the cross. This week we approach slowly the crucifiction, passing meditatively through the Last Supper, the entrance to Jerusalem, and the anointing of Jesus in Bethany at the house of a man called Simon... Simon the Leper.

The house of Simon The Leper (possibly by now Simon the ex-Leper) was the place where Jesus was hanging out when he had perfume poured over him. They were In Bethany. Jesus' good friend Lazarus along with Mary and Martha also lived in Bethany. With my 21st century western mindset it would seem the most natural thing in the world to do would have been to spend the evening in the home of a friend, a place I could feel... comfortable. Yet for Jesus, His most natural inclination is to cross over, to go to the party in the outcast's home and recline at his table. Comfort, after all, wasn't Jesus' primary concern. I wonder as we walk through this final week of Lent whether we could consider where the outcasts are in our town? Where would Jesus chose to hang out? And perhaps reject comfort in favour of something more Jesus-like.

This week's Prayer Spaces will continue through the weekend with Pete Greig leading each of our devotionals Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Then on Monday we have one final Prayer Spaces-Extra to round things off with.

Until then here, for anyone who missed it, is Monday's episode with Lisa Borden introducing the theme of the cross.

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