A Reflection for Friday, March 14 by Ruth Jensen Zschoche
Lectionary reading for 03/14/2025: Psalm 27; Genesis 14:17-24; Philippians 3:17-20;
Selected passage for reflection: Philippians 3:17-20 (First Nations Version)
Read
Philippians 3:17-20 (First Nations Version)
17 My sacred family members, I call on you to join with the others who follow me as I walk this road. Keep your eyes on those who walk in the same manner and follow them also. 18 I have warned you many times that there are a great number of people who walk as enemies of the cross of the Chosen One. And now with tears I warn you again. 19 A bad end awaits these people. They have made their weak human appetites the spirit they follow. They take pride in doing things they should be ashamed of. They have set their minds on the ways of this world.
20 But the way of life of the tribe we belong to is found in the spirit-world above, and it is from there that we eagerly wait for the one who has set us free and made us whole, our Honored Chief, Creator Sets Free (Jesus) the Chosen One.
Reflect
When I was growing up I had a favorite aunt who was a nurse. I set my sights on going to college and becoming a nurse because I wanted to be just like her. But when I got to college and began the necessary courses, I realized that I was not cut out to be a nurse. Even though I never became a nurse I still held my aunt in high esteem. I love it when family members tell me I look like her, or I talk like her or even act like her.
Paul in this passage is telling the Philippian Christians to follow in his steps, to walk the road he has chosen, to be like him. The road he is talking about is to follow Jesus. But we know from earlier passages that Paul did not always want to follow Jesus. In fact, he was one of the “enemies of the cross”, zealously searching for those who were following Jesus, and then killing them. I wonder if he was remembering these days when he says, “now with tears I warn you…” Earlier in this chapter he shares his pedigree. Philippians 3:6 (NLT) “I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.”
But Jesus met him on the Damascus Road! Now when he says to follow him as he walks this road, he is inviting the Philippians and you and me to follow the role model he is following. Who is Paul following?
In John Mark Comer’s book titled Practicing The Way, Be with Jesus, Become like him, Do as he did, he suggests that we become apprentices’ of Jesus. “Apprenticeship to Jesus – that is following Jesus – is a whole-life process of being with Jesus for the purpose of becoming like him and carrying on his work in the world. It’s a lifelong journey in which we gradually learn to say and do the kinds of things Jesus said and did as we apprentice under him in every facet of our lives…To follow Jesus, then, meant to walk alongside him in a posture of listening, learning, observation, obedience and imitation.”
Looking back again at Paul and his conversion there is no clear answer as to how long Paul spent as an apprentice with Jesus before fully beginning his ministry, but we do know that he began immediately to study the Scriptures and to learn more in order to become more like his new-found Lord. Based upon what Paul has written I would believe that the apprenticeship never ended until his life ended.
When he tells the Philippians, and today speaks to us through this passage, to follow in his steps, and to keep our eyes on those who walk in the same manner, he is guiding us to do what he has done, to follow Jesus.
Respond
Are you an apprentice of Jesus? Becoming like Jesus is a lifelong process. Writing a Rule of Life is a good place to start. Comer shares in his book how to write a Rule of Life (https://www.practicingtheway.org/ruleoflifebuilder) You can also seek assistance from a Spiritual Director.
Rest
Lord Jesus, draw us close to you, allowing us to attach ourselves to you as apprentices. Teach us daily how to be more like you. Reveal to us who are just as you did to the disciples on the road to Emmaus after your resurrection. Fill us with your love, so that we can pour out that love onto others. Amen
About the Author
Ruth loves her time as a Spiritual Director. She delights in holding space and walking alongside those who are listening for God’s movement in their lives. She is mom to one son, a daughter-in-love and Omi to two beautiful granddaughters. She loves to travel with her husband and enjoys running, hiking, biking, swimming, reading, playing the piano and praising God in the beautiful Colorado mountains.
This reflection is part of a series called Prayerful Reflections: A Daily Devotional for Lent 2025. Join us on the blog each day for a new reflection from a different writer, or download the pdf of the entire devotional by clicking the link.
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