Christian Reflection and Prayer

Read Psalm 23.

TEXT: All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before
Him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who
could not keep himself alive (Psalm 22:29).

This passage from Psalm 22 speaks of all who worship and
bow before Jesus our victorious King and Lord. All believers
prosper under His rich blessings, which include partaking of
His body and blood in Communion, as well as worshipping,
praising and glorifying Him who has done such great things
for us.

This day after Jesus' suffering and death on the cross, we
remember how His body rested in a borrowed tomb. Christ's
victory gives hope to us when we are going down into the dust,
soon to sleep in death for a short while just as He did, awaiting
the resurrection of our bodies. "Even though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4).

But this is not just a day for the living or the dying. Even those
who were unable to keep themselves alive, those believers who
died and whose bodies now lie in the grave, their spirits also
bow before Him and worship in His presence. They too wait the
day of the resurrection of their bodies, but they dwell in the
presence of God our Father and the Lamb, Jesus Christ. "They
shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not
strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst
of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to
springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from
their eyes" (Revelation 7:16-17).

THE PRAYER:

 Lord Jesus Christ, we praise and worship You as we look
forward to seeing You face to face, bowing before You with all
the saints already worshipping before Your throne. Amen.

(Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Read Psalm 2.

TEXT: For kingship belongs
to the Lord, and He rules over the nations
(Psalm 22:28).

On this day when we remember Jesus'
death on the cross, we often think of Him
as the Victim. We think of His pain and
agony, the enemies that taunted, mocked
and ridiculed Him, as well as His bitter
suffering and death for our sins.
 
But there is another side to Good Friday.
It focuses on Christ as the great Victor. He
is likened to young David, carrying only
a sling and a few smooth stones to engage
in a battle to the death against the giant
Goliath, coated in heavy armor,standing
behind his shield, arrogantly shaking his
spear and sword.

On this day Jesus our King goes up all
alone to battle to the death with the giant
Satan, rattling his weapons of sin, death
and hell. Jesus comes as the King and
Defender of all nations. He stumbles along
the road, beaten and battered. He carries
no weapons, no shield, only the rough cross
piece.

Our Hero looks weak, helpless, and easily
defeated as He falls to His knees again and
again, but in His suffering and death He
crushes the serpent's head. He frees us
from God's wrath, from dire punishments on
earth and in hell.

At the end of the battle He stands alone --
Satan, sin, death and hell have all fallen --
 vanquished, crushed, defeated. In three days
He will rise from the grave in majesty and power,
with complete and total victory. There can be no
doubt -- He truly is the King of Kings and Ruler
over all the nations.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for Your great
victory over all our enemies. Lead our celebration
of that great deliverance as we await the day we
will see You face to face -- our
victorious Warrior and King. Amen.

(Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Read Psalm 77.

TEXT: All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to
the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship
before You (Psalm 22:27).

Tonight is an annual reminder of our Lord's Last Supper,
the beginning of His passion and suffering for our sins. And
right here at the start we begin with a special gift of Jesus,
as recorded in 1 Corinthians 11:23-25:

"The Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took
bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said,
'This is My body which is for you. DO THIS IN
REMEMBRANCE OF ME.'
 
"In the same way also He took the cup, after supper, saying,
'This cup is the new testament in My blood. Do this, as often
as you drink it, IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.'"

An important part of receiving Holy Communion is
remembering what God did for us through Jesus Christ -- how
this very body was given into death for our sins, and this
precious blood was poured out for us. We remember His bitter
suffering and death, and the great victory He won over all our
enemies.

Whenever we are in turmoil, in doubt, fearful, or even on the
brink of death, we can remember that Jesus Christ has carried
our sins and won our salvation. Then in gratitude and joy we
spread the story, so all the families of the nations may come
before the Lord in peace, praise and worship -- and always
remember Him -- recalling what He has done for us all.

THE PRAYER:

 Lord Jesus Christ, this night we remember Your great sacrifice
as we eat Your body in the bread, and drink Your blood in the
wine. Cleanse us from our sins, strengthen us in faith, and
deliver us from all our foes. Amen.

(Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)