Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lenten Devotion

"But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said
to them, 'You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it
is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that
the whole nation should perish.' ... So from that day on they
made plans to put Him to death" (John 11:49-50, 53).

Read John 11:45-57.

In Lazarus' resurrection on the fourth day, Jesus performed an
undeniable miracle greater and more widely known than healing a
man born blind. Since this miracle took place near Jerusalem
word spread quickly, which the Jewish leaders found to be
particularly troubling. But they never stopped to ask if they might
be wrong, if Jesus might possibly be the Christ.

They only knew many people were seeing Lazarus and believing
in Jesus. Gathering their Council together, they searched for some
kind of answer-something they could do to stop the madness.

Finally, the high priest broke through it all. He alone seemed to
realize there was only one solution: Jesus must die. If Jesus
continued living, the entire nation would be destroyed. And from
that moment on, the Jewish leaders sought Jesus' death.

But God had long ago reached that same decision. In fact, John
tells us that Caiaphas did not say this on his own, but the Holy
Spirit inspired him to say it. It was the truth. If Jesus would not
die on the cross for the sins of the world, then the entire Jewish
nation would be destroyed, and with it you and me and all people.
If this one man died, then all of us could live.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, what amazing humility You showed in being willing
to be put to death to save me and all people. Give Your Church
true faith and gratitude that we may tell Your story to all people.
Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer

"Our Resurrection and Life"

Lenten Devotion

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever
believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone
who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe
this?'"(John 11:25-26).

Read John 11:1-44.

Jesus is about to do one of His greatest miraculous signs.
He receives a frantic message to come to Lazarus who is
gravely ill. But Jesus remains where He is. His disciples
think Jesus is avoiding Jerusalem where the crowds had tried
to stone Him a short time ago. But Jesus waits two days
before finally heading out for Bethany, a small village near
Jerusalem. Thomas tells his fellow disciples, "Let us also go,
that we may die with Him."

Jesus finally arrives after Lazarus has been dead four days.
Martha says, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would
not have died." But Jesus had a reason for His delay. Jewish
rabbis believed a person's soul hovered over the body for three
days, and then finally departed when decomposition set in. By
waiting for the fourth day, Jesus would be performing a miracle
none of the Jewish leaders could deny.

Sometimes we get confused by the struggles in our life. Like
Martha we plead with the Lord to help, but when we need Him
most He seems to delay, or not to hear. But Jesus has a
purpose and a plan for everything He does for us.

Jesus told Martha "I am the resurrection and the life." Jesus
proved that by raising Lazarus from the dead-and by His own
resurrection on the third day. When we are discouraged, beaten
down and depressed, we can look to Jesus and know our future
is secure.

THE PRAYER:

Lord, give me confidence in Your victory during the dark days
when I need You the most. Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer

"Don't Call Me a Sheep!"

March 14, 2015

Lenten Devotion 2015 cover

(Jesus said) "I am the Good Shepherd. I know My own and My own
know Me." ... "and I lay down My life for the sheep" (John 10:14, 15b).

Read John 10:11-39.

In today's reading Jesus identifies Himself as our Good Shepherd.
This, of course, means that we are like sheep. That automatically
says two things about us: we are helpless creatures, and we have
powerful enemies against which we are defenseless. But are the
crowds willing to admit this-that they need Jesus to be their shepherd?

Jesus tells them He will freely lay down His life to save them from their
enemies. He will lay it down on Good Friday when He is nailed to the
cross and gives up His life for the sins of the world. But He will take it
up again on the third day when He rises in glorious victory.

The crowds hear this great news, and find themselves divided yet
again! Some say He has a demon, or He is insane. But others,
thinking how Jesus healed the man born blind, ask, "Can a demon
open the eyes of the blind?"

Jesus made some very bold statements about Himself and the work
He came to do. Few are as powerful or as comforting as these words.
Jesus Christ has been pleased to take us as His very own sheep, and
will guard us, protect us, lead us to good pasture, care for us in body
and soul and finally lead us through death to life everlasting.

Jesus stretches out His hand to you today. If you are His sheep, listen
to His voice, He will protect you from all enemies and guide you safely
home to paradise. He promises that nothing can snatch you out of His
hands.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank You for offering to hold me firmly and safely in Your
hands. Let me never wander away in unbelief. Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer