Christian Reflection and Prayer

"Preparing His Witnesses"
By Rev. Wayne Palmer

 

Lenten Devotion

 

As they (the disciples) were talking about these things,
Jesus Himself stood among them, and said to them,
"Peace to you!" (Luke 24:36).

 

Resurrection Monday

 

Read Luke 24:36-49.

 

The two Emmaus disciples are back with the disciples in
Jerusalem sharing their experience. Suddenly, Jesus is
standing right there in their midst. He immediately says,
"Peace to you!"

 

But the disciples are gripped with fear. Had Jesus knocked
on the door and walked into their midst, instead of suddenly
appearing, no one would be suspecting it was a ghost
standing among them. He immediately invites them to touch
His flesh and bones so they can be convinced He is no
ghost or spirit. He adds visual proof by eating a piece of
broiled fish.

 

Once they are convinced He is risen, Jesus explains why He
had to suffer, die and rise again. He not only appeals to
Moses and the Old Testament prophets, He reminds them of
the times He had foretold these things before His death. Then
He opens their minds so they can understand what He
accomplished by His cross and empty grave.

 

These are the witnesses He will send out into the world, but
their eyewitness testimony alone will not be enough. The Holy
Spirit will empower them and open the hearts of those who
hear and read their words. Through these weeks of Lent we
have read their eyewitness testimony. Through their eyes we
have seen Jesus crucified and buried for us, and risen again
in glory. May Christ's forgiveness, peace and eternal joy be
yours until we see Him with our own eyes and touch Him with
our own hands in Paradise.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for the testimony of Your eyewitness
disciples, and for sending Your Spirit to create and strengthen
my faith through their words. Now send me as Your witness,
that I may share Your suffering, death and resurrection-wherever
You lead me. Amen.

 

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

"Opening the Scriptures"
By Rev. Wayne Palmer

 

Then they (two of the disciples) told what had happened on the
road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of the
bread. (Luke 24:35).

 

Resurrection Sunday

 

Read Luke 24:1-35.

 

It is Sunday afternoon. Two grieving disciples are leaving
Jerusalem and slowly making their way home. Along the way
they talk about recent events. In time a stranger joins them in
their travels, a stranger who is oddly unaware of the recent
happenings in Jerusalem. They tell him about Jesus, about the
crucifixion, and the strange tale their women told about angels
and the empty tomb. But it is clear their dreams died along with
Jesus, and still remain buried in the borrowed tomb.

 

The Stranger calls them foolish, a word always used in the Bible
to describe people who view this world as if God didn't exist. He
patiently leads them through the Old Testament writings that
foretold the suffering, death and resurrection of God's promised
Messiah. As He speaks their hearts burn within them, filled with
astonishment and excitement as it finally dawns on them the
cross is not a sign of failure and shame, but God's glorious plan
to save humanity.

 

This day when we celebrate our Lord's resurrection our hearts burn
anew-filled with wonder and holy joy. Our Lord has conquered sin
and Satan. He has risen victorious over death and hell. We no
longer grieve the death of believing loved ones because we know
they are with Jesus Christ in Paradise, and on the Last Day He will
raise them as He Himself was raised. And we ourselves no longer
fear death because it lies crushed and vanquished beneath His feet.
On the Last Day He will return, and we will live with Him in triumph
forever.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Lord Jesus Christ, Victor over sin and death, stay with us, for it is
evening and the day is almost over. Comfort us through life and
death until You raise us to live with You in glory forever. Amen.

 

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.
The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King
of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two bandits, one
on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by
derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You
who would destroy the temple and build it in three days,
save yourself, and come down from the cross!”

 

Mark 15:25-30

 

Good Friday is not about us trying to "get right with God."
It is about us entering the difference between God and
humanity and just touching it for a moment. Touching the
shimmering sadness of humanity's insistence that we can
be our own gods, that we can be pure and all-powerful.
Nadia Bolz-Weber

 

Prayer:

 

Forgive us, crucified Christ, for in our desire for control, we
lash out without regard for others. And yet, despite all of
our violence, you chose mercy. Teach us, we pray, the
way of your self-emptying love.