Lent: Day 25 – We know that there are people among us who do not operate under the one spirit that works for the good of God’s people. They are the ones who allow the yeast of pride, selfishness, greed and arrogance to rise within and distort God’s plan for his creation. They are the ones trapped in the limitations of the physical world. They are the ones who fully believe they have some power and authority that others do not have. The Pharisees of yesterday and today still believe this to be true. Our ancestor Joseph may have at one time believed this to be true but by the time of his father’s (Jacob) death he knew this not to be the case. The good news is that the Apostle Paul in his transformed wisdom assures us that this is in fact not the case. In one Spirit, with many gifts among us working together, as we walk in his grace we can and will manifest God’s glory and not our own. Only this, God’s glory, is what’s important and we are the beneficiaries.

Genesis 50:15-26 …‘Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear…

Mark 8:11-26 …and he (Jesus) cautioned them, saying, “Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.”

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Psalm119 Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it. I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is the truth… Your decrees are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.