Christian Reflection and Prayer

Read Psalm 68:28-35. 

TEXT: Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan
surround me (Psalm 22:12).

Jesus looks squarely into the face of His persecutors who
are many and powerful-like a herd of bulls surrounding Him.
They are strong bulls, the kind that grow in the rich
meadows of Bashan, a region northeast of Gilead, the land
of Israel to the east of the Jordan River. These bulls were
well known for their strength, size and fierceness. It is an
apt description for the chief priests and elders; they are
fierce, savage and violent men who prosecuted Jesus to
His death.

What a force for good these leaders could have been had
they turned from their sin and trusted Jesus as their Savior.
Imagine if they had used their energy, wisdom and influence
to lead the Jews to follow God's mighty Son. Instead, they
charge against Him. They conduct an illegal night trial; they
call for false witnesses and force Pilate to condemn an
innocent man through threats. Like bulls they line up with
their sharp horns and tell Pilate-we are charging and
attacking someone. Shall it be Jesus or you?

We face strong enemies as well: "For we do not wrestle
against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present
darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly
places" (Ephesians 6:12).

Without a doubt Jesus' greatest enemy was the devil who
stood behind these Jewish leaders and spurred them on
their murderous path. But through His innocent suffering
and death, Jesus crushed the serpent's head and set us
free forever.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, You faced the brunt of Satan's power
and were victorious. Protect us from all our enemies and
bring us safely to our heavenly home. Amen.

(Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)