Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lenten Devotion

"... For the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should
confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the
synagogue" (John 9:22b).

Read John 9:13, 18-23.

"We don't know!" What a puzzling response! Have these
parents forgotten their disappointment when they first
learned their son could not see? Now he stands before
them seeing perfectly! But when they are asked to testify
they refuse. It seems they would have preferred for their son
to have remained blind than for Jesus to have given him sight.

What caused this silence? Mom and dad felt more fear of the
threats of the Jewish leaders than gratitude for what Jesus
had given their son. They wanted to keep their place in the
synagogue and knew they risked being thrown out if they
spoke up about Jesus. So they pushed their son back into
the witness stand and refused to speak up.

How often are we ruled by fear-fear of the condemnation of
our enemies, of the judgment of acquaintances, of the
rejection of our friends or family members? How often do we
fear being excluded, ridiculed or worse?

How can we stand up to those fears? It is possible only by
the power of the Holy Spirit strengthening us and shoring us
up against these pressures. That is why God has given you
a church family, to encourage and strengthen you, to build
you up in His Word and Sacrament.

The opposition we face is just as real as that which they
faced. Jesus would continue to stand up to that opposition
and hatred-all the way to the cross and the empty tomb. He
suffered and died at the hands of His enemies and rose again
in victory that we might live with Him forever.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, give me courage and strength to stand up against
Your enemies and boldly declare my faith in a hostile world.
Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

"Some of the Pharisees said, 'This man is not from God,
for He does not keep the Sabbath.' But others said, 'How
can a man who is a sinner do such things?' And there was
a division among them" (John 9:16).

Read John 9:1-16.

Leaving the temple grounds Jesus passes through
Jerusalem. Along the way His disciples point out a man
born blind. They ask if his blindness is a result of his
parents' sin or his own. Jesus rejects both claims, and says
this man was born blind so the works of God may be
displayed in him. Then Jesus gave the man sight.

When word reaches the Pharisees there is a sharp division
among them. Some immediately reject Jesus because He
healed on the Sabbath day. Blinded by their tradition they are
unable to see God's great purpose for the Sabbath-to let
people rest from their labors and let God work in their lives.
Others realize the magnitude of the work Jesus has done.
Like Nicodemus before (see John 3), they know no sinful man
could perform such a mighty miracle. So a division arises
among the Pharisees.

Jesus continues to divide people today. Some listen to His
words, consider His miracles and are led by the Holy Spirit
to the certain faith that He is God's Son, the Savior of the
world. Others ignore the plain truth and take issue with the way
Jesus taught and the demands they think He makes on their
lives. They doubt His relevance and prefer to live their lives their
own way.

God grant us His Holy Spirit to know Jesus as God's Son, our
only Savior and Lord, and to follow Him through all.

THE PRAYER:

Spirit of God, strengthen my faith in Jesus Christ my Lord, and
give me firm confidence when others are divided over Him. In
Jesus' Name. Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

"So they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid
Himself and went out of the temple" (John 8:59).

Read John 8:45-59.

Now the crowd could prove whether they were truly children
of God as they claimed, or children of the devil as Jesus had
said. Would they come running to the Savior for forgiveness
and life, or cling to the dark lies of Satan? John tells us their
grim decision: "they picked up stones to throw at Him."

You and I go to church and in Baptism God made us His
very own children. But how often do we live as if we weren't?
How attentive are we when we hear or read Jesus' words?
How closely do we follow Him in our words and actions? Are
we willing to pray "Your will be done?" or do we only want to
accept Jesus on our own terms? Are we as quick to turn on
Him as the crowds were?

Jesus miraculously hides Himself and leaves the temple
grounds. The time for His death is drawing near, but He will
not die at the hands of an angry mob under a pile of rocks at
the temple. He will be dragged outside of the city at the hands
of the Roman soldiers and nailed to a cross.

Even today Jesus' words often bring a violent reaction. If we
are walking in darkness we are not always excited to hear the
truth. But Christ promises to wash away our sins and restore
us in faith. He will guard and protect us and finally bring us to
our eternal home where we will always walk in His light.

THE PRAYER:

Lord, give courage to all Your faithful people who bring Your
light into our dark world. Empower me to turn from the
darkness and share my faith as You guide and protect me.
In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer