Christian Reflection and Prayer

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

(Jesus said) "Let the one who has no sword sell his cloak
and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be
fulfilled in Me: 'And he was numbered with the
transgressors.'..." (Luke 22:36-37).

Read Luke 22:35-38.

The meal is complete and Jesus prepares to leave the guest
room. But first He wants to make His disciples aware that
their world will change drastically this day. It will become a
much more violent and dangerous place.

Up to now Jesus has been quite popular. Everywhere He
went with His disciples throughout Galilee they found friends
who welcomed them into their homes and fed them. And it
was that popularity that was frustrating Jewish leaders,
making it impossible for them to lay their hands on Jesus.
 But today that will end.

When Jesus is crucified, many Jews will misjudge the evidence.
They will falsely assume the cross proves the carpenter from
Nazareth is a fake and a fraud.

The coming situation will become desperate. The disciples will
need a cloak because they will no longer be welcomed into
peoples' houses. But the danger of physical violence is so
great they would be wise to sell their cloaks for swords, and
shiver through the night. For Jesus' sake they will soon face
opposition, arrest, mistreatment and martyrdom.

When the disciples report they have two swords, Jesus tells
them it is enough. He doesn't intend to make them a defensive
fighting force; instead, He wants to make them aware of the
deadly hostility the Gospel message will bring. When these
apostles tell Jews and Gentiles that a man crucified as a criminal
is their Savior-they will face great persecution.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, our brother and sister Christians throughout the
world face great opposition and danger, even death. Shield and
defend all those who are being attacked for their faith, and give
them courage and faith to boldly stand and declare Your Name.
And move their persecutors to repentance and faith. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day,
until you deny three times that you know Me" (Luke 22:34).

Read Luke 22:33-34.

Jesus' warning should humble Peter, but the proud disciple will
hear none of it. With characteristic boldness and overbearing
self-reliance he protests his loyalty to his Lord, and promises to
stay by His side-even if it costs his freedom and his life. He
doesn't say, "With God's help," or "With Your help." He is
confident he can stand on the ardor of his own adoration and
commitment to Jesus.

But Jesus knows precisely what Peter will do in a few short hours.
That's when this quiet upper room will be exchanged for a
threatening courtyard filled with menacing soldiers. The Lord
gives a simple, assured answer. Echoing Peter's misplaced
self-confidence, Jesus shifts from "Simon" to "Peter"-the rock. His
words are poignant: the rooster will not crow to mark the coming
of the sunrise before the rock has crumbled and denied knowing
Jesus three times.

From that next morning on, Peter would never hear a rooster
again without being reminded of that dreadful, shameful sunrise.
But at the same time, the sound of that crowing will be a daily
reminder of Jesus' gracious salvation. It was that fateful hour when
the rooster's crow recalled Jesus' words to Peter, and that brief
glance from Jesus' eyes called Peter back, rescuing him from
Satan's grasp, and springing forth the tears of godly repentance
that poured from his eyes and led to his restoration.

We all stumble and fall, disowning our Savior in our silence and in
our disobedience. Yet Jesus prays for us, strengthens us, and
restores us by His constant grace.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, in Your still small voice, humble my pride and foolish
self-confidence. Guard and protect me as I flee to You, the Rock
of my salvation. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

(Jesus said) "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to
have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have
prayed for you that your faith may not fail. ..." (Luke 22:31).

Read Luke 22:31-32.

Already in this meal Jesus has foretold His coming suffering
and death, established a new Sacrament to give us His own
body and blood in bread and wine, and exposed the betrayer
who will set it all into motion. Now He turns to the leader of
His disciples, bold and impetuous Peter. His words seem
totally at odds with the Peter we meet in the Gospels-confident,
strong, impulsive. But Jesus knows.

With deep concern and tender care He speaks Peter's given
name twice, "Simon, Simon." Back when this disciple
expressed his faith that Jesus was God's Son, the promised
Savior, the Lord had given him the name Peter, which means "
rock." But this night Peter will be the furthest thing from a rock
as he crumbles before servant girls and soldiers.

Confident in his foolish pride, Peter will put himself in great
danger. Satan will seek to use that bitter moment of denial to
shake Peter with deep guilt and regret in an attempt to crush
his faith. Peter's leadership will be severely hampered as he
asks how he could possibly remain one of Jesus' chosen apostles.

But Jesus steps in to reassure Peter. "I have prayed for you.
" The gracious voice of God's Son will overpower the tempter's
foul accusation. By Jesus' power, Peter will turn from his denial,
and follow his Savior yet again. Then a restored Peter will
strengthen his brothers and sisters. As we recall the depth of
Peter's fall and see Jesus' gracious restoration, Peter's
experience encourages us to leave behind our guilt and regret
and boldly trust in Jesus' full and complete forgiveness for all
our sins and failings.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, You plead for me before Your Father in heaven.
Reassure me of Your complete and free forgiveness every time
I fall. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)