Christian Reflection and Prayer

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

 

Lenten Devotion

 

And he (the criminal) said, "Jesus, remember me when You
come into Your Kingdom." And He said to him, "Truly, I say
to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:42-43).

 

Maundy Thursday

 

Read Luke 23:39-43.

 

From every direction Jesus hears mockery and ridicule. Even
the criminals hanging on either side join in with the Jewish
rulers and Roman soldiers (see Matthew 27:44).

 

But after a while one falls silent. When the other criminal takes
up his taunt again, the first speaks out, "Do you not fear God,
since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And
we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds"
(Luke 23:40b-41a). Clearly, he has been thinking back over his life,
considering the deeds that led to this torturous end, and of the
fearful judgment that soon awaits.

 

Then he jumps to Jesus' defense, revealing the faith that now fills
his heart: "But this Man has done nothing wrong" (Luke 23:41b).
With firm confidence and faith that Jesus truly is the King of the
Jews, the Chosen One, the promised Christ, he turns to Him and
prays, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom"
(Luke 23:42b).

 

This night we honor our crucified Lord by gathering in His house
and rehearsing His Last Supper with His disciples. Like the criminal, 
we will confess our sins and ask Jesus to remember us when He
comes into His kingdom. And through Holy Communion He will give
us His body nailed to the cross and His blood poured out for us. We
will remember His suffering and death as we eat His body given for
us, and drink His blood shed for the remission of all our sins.

 

And like the criminal, we will hear the dying Savior assure us, "Truly,
I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43b).

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Lord Jesus, remember us when you come into Your kingdom as this
night we remember Your great sacrifice of Your body and blood on
the cross for us. Amen.

 

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

 

MAUNDY THURSDAY

 

Then [Jesus] took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he
broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given
for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the
cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the
new covenant in my blood.”
Luke 22:19-20

 

To love is to accept dependency on love.
François Varillon

 

Prayer

 

Jesus, you who are Life, you offer to us life everlasting. In imitating your
love, we accept your gift, and we praise you, we worship you,
O Lamb of God.