Christian Reflection and Prayer

(Lenten Season)

Scripture:

Read John 6:66-71.

TEXT: "Jesus answered them, 'Did I not
choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of
you is a devil'" (John 6:70).



In sadness Jesus watched the crowds
turn and walk away. Now He turns to His
twelve chosen disciples and asks if they
want to leave too. The Lord won't force them
to stay at His side; He won't force you and
me to stay either.

Peter answers, "Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life, and we
have believed, and have come to know, that
You are the Holy One of God." The Holy
Spirit led Peter to this great confession.

But Jesus knew Peter wasn't speaking for
every one of the disciples. He knew all too
well that one of them had turned away, even
though he was still standing by Jesus' side.
None of the other disciples was aware, but
Judas had secretly rejected Jesus' Kingdom
of light and allied himself with the prince of
darkness. The darkness had so deceived
Judas he thought Jesus would never know
what was in his heart.

Judas' darkness is in each of us too and can
deceive us as thoroughly as it deceived him.
On the outside we can be active in our
churches. Yet deep in our hearts we may
have grown cold to Jesus. It's so easy to go
through the motions of faith, while our hearts
turn away to the darkness like Judas.

Jesus calls us to stop and examine the depths
of our soul. Are we sincere in our faith, or are we
servants of darkness going through the motions?
It's a matter of life and death and heaven and hell
for us just as it was for Judas.

THE PRAYER:

Holy Spirit, remove all that is false and impure
from my heart, and fill me with the fire of faith in
Jesus Christ my Savior. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Lutheran Ministries

Lenten Meditation

Scripture:

TEXT: "Jesus answered them, 'Truly,
truly, I say to you, you are seeking Me,
not because you saw signs, but
because you ate your fill of the loaves'"
(John 6:26).


After the festival Jesus returned north to
Galilee. He spent a whole day preaching
and then fed the huge crowd with five
loaves and two fish. That night after He
sent them away, He walked across the
Sea of Galilee. Gathering again the next
day, the crowds walked around the lake
to find Him.

At first those people sound like genuine
followers of Jesus. But our Lord knows
better. They aren't really there for Him;
they are there for themselves. They want
Jesus to be their king-but only on their
terms. They aren't concerned with their
deep eternal needs like He is; they only
want what Jesus can give them in the
present.

We can be just as near-sighted as they.
We are consumed with today's needs
and desires, but we don't see the more
significant eternal gifts Christ comes to
bring. So we ask Him to help us through
our needs and problems, but we don't give
a single thought to His Kingdom and the
part He would have us play in that Kingdom.

That is why coming to Christ in worship is
so vital. Each week in church He shows us
the bigger picture-the unending punishment
we deserve for our selfish, disobedient lives,
as well as the forgiveness and eternal future
He gives us through His life, death and
resurrection. Yes, He knows and cares about
all our earthly needs and will provide for each
of them just as He has provided for our eternal
needs.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, when I get too wrapped up in this
life and my daily needs, lift my eyes to see the
glorious future You have won for all of us by
Your life, death and resurrection. Amen.

Lutheran Hour Ministries

Scripture:

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and
dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12

Reflection:

I'm not what you would call, "a man of fashion".
Anyone that knows me would know that I'm
really not concerned about what clothes I
wear.  When I get up in the morning and
check out my wardrobe for the day, I
discover 2 suits, a great many pocket
t shirts, sweat pants, and shorts.
But according to this verse in Colossians
I am to clothe myself in compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Now that's what I call a fashionable wardrobe.

There is one thing that stands out in this
verse.  THERE IS NOT ONE AGGRESSIVE
WORD IN THE SENTENCE.  We are not
to be hateful, cruel, egotistical, violent,
and intolerant.  But to be compassionate,
kind, humble, gentle and patient. 
Let me ask you this, WHAT WARDROBE
DO YOU PICK FOR YOURSELF?