School’s Out

Daily Scripture Readings

Monday:          John 16:17-33

Tuesday:          Luke 22:7-12

Wednesday:    Luke 22:13-23

Thursday:        Luke 22:24-33

Friday:             Matthew 4:1-11

Saturday:         Matthew 6:5-8

Sunday:            Matthew 6:9-13

Opening Prayer

Our Father in heaven, we pray that your name would be made holy through the lives of us your children. We pray that your kingdom would come here speedily and soon. We pray that your will would be done in our lives. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, and help us to forgive those who sin against us. Help us to not sin when we are tested. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

READING:

How do you feel about tests?

Even after I had graduated from seminary, I would still on occasion have a rush of anxiety or a bad dream that centered around an upcoming test or paper that was due. Tests can be a real source of anxiety for us–they raise the question “Can I do this?”

The reality is that even after school ends, life is full of tests–not necessarily the ones with paper and pencil but for the Christian tests that try our faith. Tests are designed to prove what we know and what we practice. God, being the good teacher that He is, allows His followers to be tested. The tests are for us opportunities to prove what we’ve learned and what kind of followers we are.

There are several examples of this found in scripture. Jesus, right after his baptism, is sent into the wilderness–TO BE TESTED. “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus says to Simon Peter, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.” (Luke 22:31) In other words, ‘Satan has asked me if he can test you.’ Note here Jesus doesn’t respond by telling Simon, ‘I told Satan, “No!”’ but rather, “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.” (Luke 22:32a). As followers of Christ, we are not promised an easy or a test-free life (John 16:33).