Christian Reflection and Prayer

"Bearing the Punishment We Deserve"
By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion 2016

Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were
mocking Him as they beat Him. They also blindfolded Him
and kept asking Him, "Prophesy! Who is it that struck
You?" And they said many other things against Him,
blaspheming Him (Luke 22:63-65).

Read Luke 22:63-65.

For months the Jewish authorities have held a deepening
grudge against Jesus. Now they unleash their pent up
frustration and hatred. Luke the physician tells us their
blows bruised and tore Jesus' skin. Matthew and Mark add
that they struck Jesus with their fists and spat in His face.
All the Gospels point out that this abuse-both physical and
verbal-went on and on. These were the dignified, high
officials of Judah lashing out against a bound man.

But the abuse takes on a mocking tone which we will see
repeated many times this day. They blindfold Jesus and take
turns striking Him, asking the Prophet which of them had
struck Him. They condemn Jesus for blasphemy because He
claimed to be God's Son, but they are unaware they are the
guilty ones, blaspheming the Son of God who stands meekly
before them.

Jesus knows full well who is hitting Him, yet He remains silent.
He is suffering exactly what each of them-and each of us
deserves to suffer for our disobedience to God and our
mistreatment of one another. Yet Jesus patiently bears it all in
our place. He does not retaliate or curse; instead, He remains
silent. We wonder what He is thinking. He'll show us shortly
when He cries out from the cross: "Father, forgive them, for
they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34b).

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, You endured the abuse and mistreatment I deserve.
Forgive my sins against You, and give me patience when I
suffer wrongly for Your sake. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

And immediately, while he was still speaking, the
rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked
at Peter. ... (Luke 22:60b-61a).

Read Luke 22:60b-62.

While Peter is still uttering his third denial, the
rooster crows. And immediately the Lord Jesus
turns and looks at Peter.

How does Jesus happen to be here right at this
very moment? He was first tried before the high
priest and Jewish high court in the middle of the
night (see Matthew 26:57-68). It is likely He has
been held in a place of confinement and now is
being brought back before the court so it can
render a legal verdict.

Despite all He has suffered and all the agony that
still awaits Him, Jesus' greatest concern is for
Peter. He has already prayed for him, and now He
looks upon him. Not with anger, judgment and
retribution, but with loving concern for His disciple's
salvation. With a look He brings Peter back to
repentance and faith.

Peter sees the haunting face of Jesus, and hears
the rooster's crow. Suddenly, the Lord's words come
flooding into his mind: "Before the rooster crows,
you will deny Me three times" (Matthew 26:75b).

Peter is cut to the heart and dissolves into tears. Not
just tears, Luke's word describes loud, audible
sobbing. It may seem strange that the guards don't
move in, but they are busy moving Jesus. Once again,
Jesus offers Himself to protect His disciple, providing
Peter the opportunity to escape to safety. But He
didn't just save Peter from the soldiers-He saved him
from Satan's trap, and through His suffering and death
He will save Peter and all of us from God's wrath.

If Jesus can forgive Peter's denial, be assured He can
forgive your worst sins.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, with Your glance You brought about Peter's
repentance. Look upon me, that I may turn from my sins
with repentant tears-and follow You. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

Then they seized Him (Jesus) and led Him away, bringing Him
into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a
distance (Luke 22:54).

Read Luke 22:54-60a.

Simon Peter shouldn't be anywhere near here. Over and over
Jesus told His disciples what will happen. He will be condemned
and crucified, and on the third day rise again. But Peter wants to
see for himself. So he follows at a distance.

Peter enters the enclosed courtyard of the high priest and stands
among the guards waiting there. It is extremely dangerous for him
to be here-and extremely foolhardy. But he doesn't seem to realize
it until he is trapped in the courtyard. When a servant girl questions
him, he cowers in fear-even though her testimony would not be
considered dependable in a Jewish court.

Just a few hours ago he boldly promised he would go to prison and
to death with Jesus. A few minutes ago he initiated a defensive
attack by striking the high priest's servant with his sword. Yet now,
when his life is on the line, he goes into a panic.

After two initial questions and his quick denials, Simon is able to
escape attention for another hour. But as the sky brightens with the
approaching dawn, another man studies him closely. This accusation
is far more dangerous than the earlier two: Simon's northern dialect
is giving him away. It is plain to hear he is from Galilee, like Jesus.
What was a Galilean doing here in the high priest's courtyard in the
middle of the night when all the guards were Judeans from the south?
Simon Peter is exposed and desperate. He has nowhere left to hide.

We often thoughtlessly put ourselves in harm's way too. But Jesus is
already on His way to rescue him, and you and me as well.

Lord Jesus, forgive the times I put myself in danger for no good reason.
Come quickly to rescue, forgive and restore me. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)