Christian Reflection and Prayer

"Comforting His Mourners"
By Rev. Wayne Palmer

 

Lenten Devotion 2016

 

And there followed Him a great multitude of the people and of
women who were mourning and lamenting for Him (Luke 23:27).

 

Palm Sunday

 

Read Luke 23:26-31.

 

Today is Palm Sunday. We remember the great crowds of
Jewish pilgrims who filled the streets of Jerusalem and cheered
Jesus as their victorious King. Now, barely five days later, they
line the streets to jeer and heckle Him on His way to execution.

 

Jesus is too weak and weary to carry the crossbeam to the place
of execution. He tries with all His might, but keeps falling beneath
it. The flogging and the beatings have taken their toll. Finally, the
Roman soldiers enlist a man named Simon to carry it for Him.
But not everyone in the crowd taunts Jesus. Many still believe in
Him, and are greatly perplexed and grief-stricken to see Him going
to His death. In shock and horror they mourn and lament for Him.

 

Jesus could have joined them in self-pity, but instead He turns
aside their weeping and lamenting. He warns of the future when
they and their children will suffer at the hands of the Romans
because the Jewish leaders will not humble themselves, confess
their sins, and believe He is their Savior.

 

As we enter this Holy Week and remember Jesus' sufferings and
passion, He doesn't want us weeping for Him. He wants us to weep
for ourselves-for our sins-just as Peter did when the rooster crowed,
and he saw Jesus' face. We are to weep for our sins that deserve
God's judgment; then look in faith to Jesus' cross where that payment
was made in full. There we see God's mercy and forgiveness.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Lord Jesus, You carried my sins to that place of execution, a load I
could never carry. At the foot of Your cross help me see my sin rightly,
 and turn from it in bitter tears, that I may find in You full forgiveness
and peace. Amen.

 

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)