God of truth, wisdom, and unwavering love,
You who spoke in parables that confounded the proud and comforted the poor
You who taught with clarity and conviction,
whose words were not safe, but saving
We come before You today not to be flattered, but to be formed.
“The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130)
On this day, You entered the temple not just to observe but to instruct,
You taught with fire in Your eyes and compassion in Your voice.
“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:21)
And still, Lord, we confess we often get these things confused.
We give our schedules to Caesar, our affections to culture,
and offer You what’s left.
We divide our hearts between heaven and earth,
forgetting that everything every breath, every moment belongs to You.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
The greatest legacy one can pass on is not money or material things, but a legacy of character and faith.
But we’ve been chasing crowns of gold instead of the cross of grace.
We have confused greatness with gain, and blessing with brand.
Lord, You came to show us the way of the upside down Kingdom
where the lowly are lifted, and the powerful bow low.
Where servanthood is honor, and sacrifice is victory.
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26)
We have been drunk on influence and starving for humility.
Forgive us.
Strip us of status and restore us to servanthood.
Make us small again, that we might finally see how big You are.
It is not our littleness that hinders Christ, but our bigness.
It is not our weakness that hinders Him, it is our strength.
You taught in parables, Jesus,
planting seeds that still sprout today
seeds of warning, seeds of wonder.
You told stories of oil less lamps and late coming guests,
of talents buried in fear, and vines that bore no fruit.
You called us to watch, wait, and work,
for You will return.
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42)
The Kingdom doesn’t run on the same schedule as the world.
It moves on eternal time, with eternal weight.
So Lord, teach us to number our days,
to wake up each morning like it could be the one
where the skies split and the trumpet sounds.
Help us to steward well the time, talents, and truth You’ve entrusted to us.
“Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.” (Luke 12:37)
We remember the poor widow,
who gave not what was convenient, but what cost.
You saw her, honored her, and made her a picture of worship.
“This poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.” (Mark 12:43)
Lord, let us give like her.
Not out of leftovers, but out of love.
Let our generosity mirror Your grace.
Let our sacrifice reflect Your cross.
You taught of wedding feasts and vineyards,
of guests who wouldn’t come,
of servants who didn’t prepare.
And still today, so many turn away from Your invitation.
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for Me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Missions exist because worship doesn't.
Our calling is to bring the nations into worship of the risen Christ.
So give us eyes to see You in the broken, the poor, the unseen.
Give us hearts to love the least, not as charity, but as worship.
Let us carry Your message not just in words, but in lives laid down.
We thank You, Jesus, for the power of Your words
for the parables that puzzle and pierce,
for the truth that silences every lie,
for the voice that still speaks today.
“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28)
Your Kingdom is not of this world,
but we are citizens of it.
So help us walk with eternity in our gaze
and obedience in our steps.
On this Holy Tuesday, we open ourselves to Your teaching again.
Let it fall on good soil.
Let it take root.
Let it grow and bear fruit for Your glory.
“The one who delights in the law of the Lord… is like a tree planted by streams of water.” (Psalm 1:2-3)
Come, Holy Spirit
Teach us. Correct us. Strengthen us.
Turn knowledge into conviction.
Turn conviction into action.
Turn action into worship.
We long for the day when all the parables become sight,
when faith becomes face to face,
when every seed sown in faith is gathered in joy.
Until then, let our lives be the sermon You preach.
Let our obedience be our offering.
Let our hearts be fully Yours.
In the name of the Teacher, the Truth,
the King of the upside down Kingdom—Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.