Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

Read Luke 18:31-34.
TEXT: For He will be delivered over to the Gentiles
and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit
upon. And after flogging Him, they will kill Him, and
on the third day He will rise (Luke 18:32-33).

Jesus has left Galilee in the north and is on the road
to Jerusalem with His 12 disciples. The crowds are
excited by everything Jesus is doing, and the
disciples are swept up in their hopes and dreams.
Jesus tells them everything recorded in the Old
Testament prophets concerning Him will be fulfilled in
Jerusalem. They expect Jesus to announce His
glorious earthly kingdom, but Jesus paints a very
different picture.

Twice before, Jesus has announced His coming death
and resurrection. Both times He veiled the details
behind the words, "The Son of Man must suffer many
things." Now, however, He spells it out. He doesn't
disclose Judas' upcoming betrayal, but He does reveal
that the Jewish high court, the Sanhedrin, will deliver
Him into the hands of the Gentiles, namely, Pontius
Pilate, the Roman governor.

The Roman soldiers will then mock Him, treat Him
shamefully and outrageously, spit upon Him, flog Him,
and then kill Him. The details are stunning. Jesus
knows exactly what He is walking into-and He goes
willingly.

This is not at all what the disciples expect or want to
hear. But when those words are fulfilled, they will have
no doubt that Jesus foresaw it all, and went through
it all, for them and us.


THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, Your Son knew all He must suffer to
save us from our sins, and yet He took that path willingly.
Give me a thankful heart that I may joyfully follow
whatever path You choose to set before me. I pray in
Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Scripture:

Read Luke 13:31-35.
TEXT: "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill
You" (see Luke 13:31).


Each day the danger increases for Jesus. Today some
Pharisees pass along an alleged death threat. If Herod
did make this threat, it was more of a bluff to drive
Jesus out of the region. Later he will have his chance to
kill Jesus in Jerusalem, but instead he will hand Him
back over to Pilate. He doesn't want to anger his Galilean
subjects by killing yet another popular prophet, executing
John the Baptist had already cost him enough.

Jesus refuses to be intimidated. His time in Galilee is
growing extremely short, and He will reach every person
He possibly can before He must move on toward Jerusalem.
Jesus gives them a message to take back to Herod, "Tell
that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures
today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.
'" If demons and diseases cannot stop Jesus from carrying
out the work the Father has set for Him to do, no earthly
ruler will either.

He must go up to Jerusalem. And it is there-like so many
prophets before Him- that Jesus must die. Like a bird that
spreads its wings to gather its chicks and shield them from
danger, Jesus reaches out to His people, but they turn their
backs. On the cross His arms will be stretched out for them
also, but they will pass by with sneers, insults and mockery.

This brings tears to His eyes. But they are not for Him;
rather, they are for the people of Jerusalem He so desperately
wants to save, but they are unwilling. This unwillingness will
lead to their destruction at the hands of the Roman legions in
another 40 years.


THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, so many times You reached out to Your people,
yet they kept turning their backs on You. Heal my stubborn
heart, so I may know Your peace and joy through Jesus Christ
my Lord and Savior. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Scripture:

Read Luke 13:1-5.
TEXT: There were some present at that very time
who told Him about the Galileans whose blood
Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices (Luke 13:1).


Today we catch our first glimpse of Pontius Pilate,
the Roman military governor. Jesus is making His
way toward Jerusalem when He gets word of a
recent tragic event in Jerusalem. While some of
Jesus' fellow Galileans were offering sacrifices in
the temple courts, Pilate's soldiers rushed in and
killed them. This event is not recorded by any other
Gospel writer or ancient historian, and Luke
doesn't explain Pilate's reasons; he is more
interested in Jesus' reaction.

"Do you think that these Galileans where worse
sinners than all the other Galileans because they
suffered in this way?" That's how people thought in
that day, and it's a conclusion we sometimes are
too quick to jump to in our day too. If someone
suffers something horrendous such as a tragic
accident or an illness, then God must be punishing
them for some secret sin. Jesus warns us not to
judge by outward appearances.

In a short time another Galilean will be killed at the
hands of Pontius Pilate. People will look at Jesus
hanging on the cross and reach the false conclusion
God is punishing Him for falsely claiming to be His
Son. But in truth, Jesus is God's perfect Son. He will
hang on the cross and endure punishment for the
sins of all people for all time. This He will do that
God may give complete forgiveness to all who repent
and believe.

Jesus continues, "No, I tell you, but unless you
repent, you will all likewise perish." All people are
sinners. Only those who repent and trust in Jesus'
sacrifice in their place will find salvation and eternal life.


THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, teach me not to judge how You feel
about me or anyone else by mere appearances and
circumstances. Let me instead live by faith in Jesus
Christ my Lord. I pray in His Name. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)