Christian Reflection and Prayer

Holy Tuesday

Read Luke 23:26-31.
TEXT: And there followed Him a great multitude of
the people and of women who were mourning and
lamenting for Him (Luke 23:27).

Jesus is carrying His cross to the place of execution.
But the severe flogging and other mistreatment has
sapped His strength so that He can no longer carry
His cross. The Roman soldiers force a man named
Simon, who was coming into Jerusalem from the
country, to carry it for Him.

A great crowd of people follow Jesus, including
women from Jerusalem, weeping and wailing for Him.
In the midst of His agony, sorrow and pain, Jesus
turns and tells them to stop sobbing for Him. Like
Peter, they need to weep for their sins and for the
wrath of God, which those sins have stirred.

Earlier, Jesus had wept for Jerusalem, knowing that
in 70 A.D. God's wrath will fall on that city, as the
legions of Rome surround it. Watching their children
suffering and dying in the unspeakable terror of that
siege, Jewish women will wish something no Jew
would have otherwise thought: they will wish they
had been childless! At that dreadful time those living
in Jerusalem will wish for a sudden, cataclysmic
death, instead of the slow starvation they
experienced, as the Roman legions slowly choke off
Jerusalem and grind its people into the dust.

What a vivid, horrible picture of hell, where people will
long to be exterminated in one rapid moment. Instead,
they will suffer the slow, burning terror of hell, knowing
it will never, ever end. Today is the time for each of us
to weep, mourn and seek God's forgiveness in Jesus
the Savior of the world.

THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, Your Son carried my guilt and sin, as
He went out to die in my place. Fill my heart with
sorrow and regret over my sins, so I may flee to Him
for salvation. I pray this in Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Scripture:

Read Luke 23:13-25.
TEXT: Then, arraying Him in splendid clothing, he sent
Him back to Pilate
(see Luke 23:11).

Pilate has examined Jesus and found no crime based
on the charges made against Him. This was also the
case with Herod, or he would have condemned Him.
Again, Jesus should be set free immediately. Instead,
however, Pilate proposes a solution, "I will therefore
punish and release Him."

Perhaps Pilate thinks he is offering the Jewish leaders
a way to save face before their people. They surely
wouldn't want him to release Jesus and publicly
humiliate them, would they? But seeing Pilate back
down from his verdict, the priests know they need to
stand their ground, and Pilate will eventually surrender
Jesus.

Pilate's punishment was the brutal Roman scourging,
which used whips with pieces of bone or lead fastened
to the tips. After the scourging Pilate honors a custom,
giving the crowds their choice of two criminals. He
offers a violently abused Jesus up against the most
dangerous criminal in prison: Barabbas. Pilate may
not realize it, but he has lowered Jesus to the status
of a criminal, thus making it easier for the Jewish
leaders and the crowds to call for His death. The
Jewish leaders convince the Jews to demand Barabbas'
release and Jesus' crucifixion.

For a third time Pilate asks what terrible thing this
man has done? The judge is now pleading with the
people; he has totally lost control of this trial. The
crowds more loudly demand Jesus' crucifixion. Their
voices prevail over Pilate's sense of justice. He orders
Barabbas released, and Jesus is to be handed over to
their will. Jesus' prophecy about His passion has
completely been accomplished. Judas handed
Jesus over to His Jewish enemies. The Jews handed
Jesus over to Pilate, and now Pilate hands Jesus over
to the crowds that are demanding His crucifixion.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, Pilate watched Your trial spiral out of
control. Help me see that You were in complete control,
winning my salvation by Your innocent suffering and
death. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministrie)

Scripture:

Read Luke 9:7-9; 23:5-12.
TEXT: And when he learned that He belonged to Herod's
jurisdiction, he sent Him over to Herod, who was himself
in Jerusalem at that time (Luke 23:7).

Pilate has cleared Jesus of all charges. But the Jewish
leaders aren't about to let up. Jesus is simply too
dangerous. He has stirred up the whole nation, beginning
in Herod's Galilee, all the way down here to Pilate's Judea.
But their words give Pilate a brilliant idea. Since Jesus
came from Herod's jurisdiction, he'll shift the responsibility
for this case and let Herod deal with it.

Herod is Jesus' judge, but he doesn't ask a single judicial
question, nor does he examine the charges against Jesus.
Herod has long wanted to see Jesus. But he's not
interested in God's truth; he wants to be entertained by a
miracle, catch a good performance perhaps. So Jesus
remains silent.

The Jewish high court strenuously presses its charges,
hoping to get a more favorable reaction from Herod. But
Herod absolutely refuses to hold a trial. His subjects already
hate him for executing John the Baptist, he isn't about to
touch popular Jesus.

Since Jesus answers Herod's questions and pleas with
silence, Herod feels Jesus is treating him with contempt-so
he returns the favor. Along with his soldiers Herod treats
Jesus with scorn and disrespect, as if He was nothing. He
dresses Jesus in splendid garments; then he sends Him
back to Pilate. The two governors agree: even if Jesus is a
king, He is harmless.

But this day does see one reconciliation. Previously, Pilate
and Herod had been bitter enemies; now they become
friends. Herod is grateful that Pilate sent Jesus' case to him.
Pilate is grateful that Herod recognized his authority and
was courteous enough to return Jesus to Pilate's jurisdiction.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, the Jews falsely accused You; Pilate judged
You innocent but wouldn't free You, and Herod was looking
to be entertained. Give me faith to worship You in truth and
humility as my Savior, King and Lord. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)