Time of Preparation
Begin by taking inventory of your surroundings. Are things in your vicinity conducive to a time of personal worship? Are there any changes or adjustments (turning off tech, making yourself comfortable) you need to make before you begin?
When you are ready, take some time to sit in silence and prepare your heart for worship. Ask God to clear away any distractions that might keep you from being truly present in this moment.
Assurance
In this third movement, we receive the good news of the gospel: we are forgiven.
“From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
—John 1:16 (NRSV)
The great Scottish theologian William Barclay tells this story:
When a missionary came to one of the ancient Scottish kings, the king asked him what he might expect if he became a Christian. The missionary answered: ‘You will find wonder upon wonder and every one of them true.’
This story came to mind as I found myself reflecting on John 1:16 for the second week in a row, especially John’s words, “grace upon grace.” The Greek in this verse is fascinating, because it literally means “grace instead of grace.” What in the world does that mean?
I like the way the NIV translation puts it: “grace in place of grace already given.” The image this brings to mind for me is that of waves hitting the shoreline—one breaks, another takes its place, and the cycle continues again and again. That’s the image of grace I think John was trying to convey—grace that is endless, a blessing that continues on and on without end.
In other words, grace is endless. Wave upon wave, endlessly washing our sins away.
Thanks be to God.
SONG OF ASSURANCE: Grace Upon Grace (lyrics here)