Christian Reflection and Prayer

Read Matthew 27:38-45.

TEXT: And those who passed by derided Him, wagging
their heads and saying, "You who would destroy the
temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself!"
(See Matthew 27:39-40)

The physical pain Jesus endures from crucifixion is
unimaginable and surely compounded by the scorn and
ridicule hurled at Him from all sides. Out of boundless
love for these people He left His throne in heaven and
became human. In deep compassion He takes their
place suffering the Father's wrath to forgive their sins.
He sacrifices Himself in love, but His own people heap
abuse and shame on Him.

Crowds of Jews are streaming into the city to celebrate
the Passover. They pass by the cross, shaking their
heads and expressing contempt for Him. The Jewish
religious leaders who condemned Him throw away any
trace of honor and decorum and stand opposite Him,
mocking His Name, Jesus, which means "The Lord saves.
" They exclaim, "He saved others; He cannot save
Himself." Even the two criminals lash out at Him in their
pain and misery.

As a child I used a popular rhyme to protect myself from
bullies, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but
words can never hurt me." But their words, laughter and
ridicule cut deeper than any knife. Their laughter and
ridicule twisted that knife all the more.

The more you love someone and care about them, the
more it hurts when they rise up against you. The sting is
greater when you are sacrificing yourself for someone
who mocks and ridicules you for it. That is the emotional
pain Jesus endures on the cross as He pays the ultimate
price for your sins and mine.

THE PRAYER:

Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord, You sought pardon and
forgiveness for those who nailed You to the cross and
heaped scorn and ridicule on You. Forgive our sins and fill
our hearts with faith and gratitude to You, and sincere love
for one another. Amen.

(Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Read Matthew 27:27-31, 37.

TEXT: And over His head they put the charge against
Him, which read, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews"
(Matthew 27:37).

Finally, the crucifixion detail reaches Golgotha: the
place of execution. Jesus is nailed to the cross. The
Roman governor has ordered a placard placed above
His head. It proclaims the name and hometown of the
condemned, notifying all passersby of the crime for
which He is being executed.

It reads, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."

It recalls the savage treatment He already received at
the hands of the Romans. First, He was brutally flogged-
a whipping that often brought a man to the brink of death.
Then the soldiers mocked the King of the Jews, crowning
His brow with thorns, draping a robe over His torn and
bloody shoulders, placing a reed in His hand as a scepter,
kneeling before Him, spitting on Him and, finally,
snatching the reed from His hand and beating Him over
the head with it.

The Romans had absolutely no pity or mercy toward their
prisoners, and Jesus was certainly no exception. But
again that is what each of us deserves. We have all
disobeyed God's laws and brought harm on our neighbors.
Each of us ought to be punished mercilessly for the things
we have done and the good we have left undone. But Jesus
takes our place.

It is you and I who should be bound hand and foot;
instead, Jesus' hands and feet are nailed to the cross. We
should be cast into the outer darkness. But according to
the Father's will, Jesus hangs from the cross, soon to be
plunged into an eerie, unnatural darkness when the sun
should be at its zenith. Our King takes our place, suffering
and dying that we might be set free.

THE PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, I deserve nothing but the suffering and torments
of hell, but You suffered them in my place that I might live in
perfect peace and joy with You in heaven. Amen.

(Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Ash Wednesday --

Read Matthew 27:15-26.

TEXT: "Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas,
or Jesus who is called Christ?" (Matthew 27:17).

The insurgent brooded as he watched the sky slowly lighten
in the East. For the thousandth time he inspected the bars
in his cell and the chains on his wrists; there was no escape.
He knew this would likely be the last sunrise he'd ever see.
Soon the soldiers would come to take him to Skull Hill.

The commanding officer ordered the cell door opened, and
his two partners in crime were led off by guards. The
condemned man stepped forward to take his turn. But the
centurion unlocked his chains instead. "Today's your lucky
day, Barabbas. You're free to go-Governor Pilate's orders.
Some Galilean's taking your place."

Could you imagine being on death row, ready to march to
your execution and getting a last-second reprieve? That's
what happened on Good Friday nearly 2,000 years ago.
The crowds demanded Barabbas be released and Jesus
be crucified. The innocent man was condemned to death,
the guilty man set free.

Actually, you and I are a lot like Barabbas. We are all
guilty of sins against God and against humanity, and we
rightly deserve the sentence of physical death and eternal
torment in hell. But Jesus of Nazareth, God's Son, steps
forward to suffer the penalty and punishment we deserve.
He will go to the cross to take our place, suffering the hell
we deserve, so God's holiness and justice can be satisfied
and we can be set free.

THE PRAYER: 

Lord Jesus, I deserve punishment and death, yet You have
freely taken my place. Give me true regret and sorrow over
my sins, that I may receive the forgiveness and peace You
won on the cross for all of us. Amen.

(Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)