Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lenten Devotion

(Jesus said) "'You are of your father the devil.' ..."
(John 8:44a).

Read John 8:31-45.

Jesus stands firm. But His enemies are standing firm
too. The only way He can save them is by bringing them
out of their darkness into His light. So Jesus first offers
a promise, then He tightens the screws.

He begins with the promise, "If you abide in My word,
you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth,
and the truth will set you free." But in pride and arrogance
they claim they are already free. So Jesus explains their
true condition, "Everyone who sins is a slave to sin." They
just aren't getting it. So, slowly, Jesus knocks each prop
of self-righteousness out from under them.

They claim to be Abraham's children, but they are not
because Abraham would have welcomed Him, not seek to
kill Him as they are.

They claim God is their father, but if they were God's children
they would love Him and receive Him as God's Son.

There is only one reason why they cannot stomach what
Jesus is saying: their father isn't God; their father is the devil!
Just as he murdered Adam and Eve by his lies, and brought
darkness and death on all God's good creation, so are they
now seeking to murder Jesus- God's only begotten Son.

How could Jesus have been any more clear and to the point?
Their thoughts and desires, their words and their deeds were
making that very clear. And what about us? Jesus asks you
and me to examine our thoughts, attitudes, words and actions.
Do they look more like God or like Satan? Who is your father?

THE PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I was born a child of Satan through my sinful
nature, but You gave me new birth as Your child in Baptism. By
Your Spirit empower me to live as Your child and love what You
command. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

"Die in Your Sins"

Lenten Devotion

"Again Jesus spoke to them saying, 'I am the Light of the world.'
 ..." (John 8:12a).

 Read John 8:12-30.

Jesus' enemies want Him dead. Has He pressed too hard? Is it
time to lighten up or compromise to find common ground? No!
Jesus knows there is only one way for them to be saved. So
He presses even harder. He declares, "I am the Light of the
world."

Instead of backing down Jesus draws a line in the sand and
says, "Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will
have the light of life." But to those who reject Him, He says,
"I am going away, and you will seek Me, and you will die in
your sin."

Their hearts should be stirred, but instead they stubbornly
refuse to listen. In idle curiosity they ask each other if Jesus'
talk of "going away" means He will kill Himself. Jesus answers,
"When you have lifted up the Son of Man, you will know that
I am He."

When they lift Him up and nail Him to the cross, they will
know who He is. The miraculous signs at His death: the
darkness, the earthquake, the torn curtain in the temple and
His glorious resurrection will make it clear to them that Jesus
is the mighty Son of God, the promised Messiah.

Which side of the line are you walking on? Are you truly
walking in the light of Christ or the darkness of this unbelieving
world? Jesus warns all of us that our time is short. Don't wait
for tomorrow. Today is the day to live in Christ through faith,
rather than die in your sins.

THE PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, bring me out of the darkness of my sin to
the light of Your Son Jesus Christ. I pray in His Name. Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer

"Caught in the Act"
By Rev. Wayne Palmer


Lenten Devotion

"... 'Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of
adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone
such women. So what do You say?'" (John 8:4b-5)

Read John 8:1-11.

Unable to arrest Jesus in front of the crowds, His enemies
look for a chance to turn those crowds against Him. They
bring a woman caught in adultery and set their trap,
"Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what
do You say?" Certainly the crowd is ready for a stoning.
Jesus will lose popularity if He stands in the way.

Jesus answers them. "Let him who is without sin among
you be the first to throw a stone at her." He was the only
one qualified to be her Judge, the only one who has the
right to throw that first stone. One by one they drop their
stones and walk away.

Jesus tells her, "Go and from now on sin no more." She
can walk away unpunished because He has taken her
guilt and sin upon Himself, along with the punishment she
 deserves from God for that sin. She goes away free while
He prepares to suffer in her place on the cross.

We don't like to admit it, but each of us is a sinner like
that woman. God catches us in every single one of our
sins, and we deserve something far worse than being
stoned to death. We deserve the fires of hell under the
wrath of God.

But Jesus Christ steps forward to take our condemnation
on Himself and pay the full price for our sins as He suffers
and dies on the cross. On Judgment Day we will walk away
free. He will not condemn us either.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, You set me free by being condemned in my
place. Help me show true gratitude by forgiving others and
sharing Your salvation with them. Amen.