Christian Reflection and Prayer

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

(Jesus said) "But behold, the hand of him who betrays Me is
with Me on the table" (Luke 22:21).

Read Matthew 26:20-25.

From the beginning Jesus knew Judas would choose to betray
Him. For long months He has tried to break through the
betrayer's selfish greed, speaking of the dangers of the
overpowering love of money, and teaching the need to seek
first the kingdom of heaven.

But Judas' love for money has been too strong; Jesus' words
have fallen on deaf ears.

So Jesus chooses this very moment, while He sits in the upper
room surrounded by faithful disciples, to reveal His knowledge.
He chooses words which strike hard at Judas' conscience.
They are stark and chilling because they are so intensely
personal: at the very table where Jesus dined was His betrayer.
And even more He says, "His hand is with Me on the table."

Jesus appeals to this friendship even while exposing the hideous
nature of this act. Perhaps the shock of the moment will break
 through and stir Judas to repentance and faith. After all, he has
shared Jesus' food, His ministry, His prayers, and His confession
of faith. How can he be plotting to commit this-the greatest of
hypocrisies?

It is shocking that this man who had spent so much time eating,
drinking, travelling and sleeping with Jesus could turn against
Him so completely-and for such a small price. Even more
shocking is the fact that Judas is unmoved by Jesus' words.
Absorbed in his own selfish greed, he continues in his reckless
course.

How often do we ignore Jesus' loving warnings and follow our
own twisted, self-destructive desires?

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, when I travel along paths of disobedience and
defiance, turn my heart to repentance and faith that I may return
and glorify You, rather than follow Satan's road to eternal
destruction. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lent

And He (Jesus) took bread, and when He had given thanks,
He broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body,
which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me. And
likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup that
is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood"
(Luke 22:19-20).

Read Matthew 26:26-29.

During this Passover feast, Jesus and His disciples ate the
lamb's meat. In doing so they remembered those lambs whose
blood had been spread on the doorposts and lintels in Egypt to
cause the angel of death to pass over the houses of Israel's
firstborn.

Now Jesus takes unleavened bread from the Passover table,
and makes it a new memorial. The Son of God-God's own
Passover Lamb-miraculously joins His own body to the bread
and His own blood to the wine. As we eat the bread and wine
we receive that same body and blood that was nailed to the
cross and poured out of His wounds.

Jesus Christ gives us a very vivid reminder that He has taken
away the sins of the world through His suffering and death.
Sealed by His body and blood, we are safe and secure,
assured the angel of death will pass over us on Judgment Day.

It is a new covenant, a new binding agreement by which God
our Father promises to accept Christ's sacrifice in our place,
and to give us full forgiveness and peace for Jesus' sake. And
it is Jesus' new testament-His will which is in full force ever
since His death-giving to us forgiveness, peace and everlasting
life in God's presence.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, in the wondrous meal of Holy Communion, You
give us Your very body and blood to forgive our sins, and
reassure us of Your complete and free forgiveness. Help me
treasure this precious meal always, and to remember Your
death until You come again. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

(Jesus said) "For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in
the kingdom of God" (Luke 22:16).

Read Luke 22:16-18.

First, Jesus shocks His disciples by saying He will soon
suffer. Then He tells them He will not eat the Passover again
until it is fulfilled in God's kingdom. They knew that the first
Passover occurred long ago when the angel of death had
struck down the firstborn in Egypt, but passed over all those
houses marked with the blood of the Passover lamb. The
act was completed more than 1,400 years before, but Jesus
tells them it still isn't fulfilled.

In the original Passover only the firstborn were in danger.
But all of us are slaves of sin and under the curse of hell.
Not even the blood of all those Passover lambs could save
us from eternal death. Only the blood of the Lamb of God,
shed on the cross, can do that. Whoever is shielded by
Christ's blood on Judgment Day, will watch the angel of
death pass over and will spend eternity with Him in heaven.

The next time Jesus will eat the Passover it will be a
memorial feast in heaven, looking back on His completed
sacrifice. Each time we receive Holy Communion, we
partake of that meal, celebrating the new Passover,
remembering His sacrifice for us, and eating the body and
blood of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, keep me firm in this faith until You bring me to
heaven to share Your great Passover feast. And throughout
my days on this earth, work through me to bring many others
to saving faith that they too may share this eternal feast with
You in heaven. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)