Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lenten Meditation

Scripture:

TEXT: "Pilate said to them, 'Take Him yourselves
and judge Him by your own law.' ..." (John 18:31a).

Only John's Gospel shows us Jesus' trial before
Annas the former high priest. Then John leaves
out Jesus' official trial before Caiaphas the high
priest. Instead, he jumps straight to Jesus' trial
before Pontius Pilate.

This trial is very strange. Jesus is brought into
the official residence of the Roman military
governor, but the Jewish authorities refuse to
enter. Though they have no problem railroading
the innocent Son of God to His death, they are
careful not to defile themselves by entering the
home of a Gentile. So Pilate is forced to go back
and forth between Jesus and them.

The trial is a bitter power struggle between Pilate
and the Jewish authorities. Pilate quickly concludes
Jesus is innocent and wants to set Him free. But
finding himself in a very precarious position with
the emperor, Pilate must handle this case very
delicately; he especially cannot afford to lose
control and see a riot start.

On the other side, the Jewish authorities are
desperate to have Jesus executed, but they are
not in the position where they can do it themselves.
Years before the Roman governor had removed the
right for the Jewish authorities to inflict capital
punishment. So if they want Jesus dead, they have
to convince Pilate one way or another. So we see
the battle begin-with Jesus' life hanging in the
balance.

The truth is that God is in control of what He is
doing for each of us by Christ's crucifixion, as we
shall see in the coming days

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, all around us people
are plotting and scheming for control. Many times
we too want to find some way to control events
happening in our own lives. Remind us that You
are firmly in control so we may rest in Your hands
and watch You work for our good. Amen.

Lutheran Hour Ministries

PALM SUNDAY

Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by
Les Lamborn


Scripture:

Read: Luke 19:28-40

Blessed is [He] who comes in the
name of the Lord! —Luke 19:38


Imagine standing shoulder to shoulder
with onlookers by a dirt road. The
woman behind you is on her tiptoes,
trying to see who is coming. In the
distance, you glimpse a man riding a
donkey. As He approaches, people toss
their coats onto the road. Suddenly,
you hear a tree crack behind you. A
man is cutting down palm branches,
and people are spreading them out
ahead of the donkey.

Jesus’ followers zealously honored
Him as He entered Jerusalem a few
days before His crucifixion. The
multitude rejoiced and praised God
for “all the mighty works they had seen”
(Luke 19:37). Jesus’ devotees surrounded
Him, calling out, “Blessed is the King
who comes in the name of the Lord!”
(v.38). Their enthusiastic honor affected
the people of Jerusalem. When Jesus
finally arrived, “all the city was moved,
saying, ‘Who is this?’” (Matt. 21:10).

Today, people are still curious about
Jesus. Although we can’t pave His way
with palm branches or shout praises to
Him in person, we can still honor Him.
We can discuss His remarkable works,
assist people in need (Gal. 6:2), patiently
bear insults (1 Peter 4:14-16), and love
each other deeply (v.8). Then we must
be ready to answer the onlookers who
ask, “Who is Jesus?”

So let our lips and lives express
The holy gospel we profess;
So let our works and virtues shine,
To prove the doctrine all divine. —Watts

We honor God’s name when we call Him our Father
and live like His Son.

PALM SUNDAY PRAYER

Prayer:

I worship you Lord! You did not enter
your holy city Jerusalem on the back
of a war horse, but humbly and on a
donkey. You knew that you were
surrounded by murderers, yet you
came in peace, and by your sacrifice
you would utterly conquer death before
the week had passed. You, oh Lord,
are blessed and worthy of my praise.
You have saved your people. I say,
"you are my king!" ... I long to live in
the city where you sit on the throne!
Establish your Kingdom, so that your
people can live in peace. Jesus, I bow
before you, and I will sing your praises
until your Kingdom comes and is
established, and forever after.
AMEN

Lenten Meditation

Jesus' Arrest

Scripture:

Read John 18:1-12.

TEXT: "Then Jesus, knowing all that
would happen to Him, came forward
and said to them, 'Whom do you seek?'"
(John 18:4).

Jesus has led His disciples to the
Garden of Gethsemane. Out of the
darkness we see lanterns and torches
winding their way across the Mount of
Olives toward the Garden. Judas leads
Roman soldiers and Jewish officers.
Jesus knows what is about to happen.
But He doesn't cower in the corner; He
goes out to them and asks whom they
are seeking. They reply, "Jesus of
Nazareth."

Jesus answers with three short words,
"I am He," and the power of His words
knock Judas, the soldiers and the officers
backward. Firmly in control of the situation,
Jesus orders the guards to let His disciples
go. The soldiers obey, and they flee away
into the dark.

Not only did Jesus protect His disciples,
He also made one last attempt to reach
Judas. In the dark hour to come, when
Judas would be overwhelmed with guilt,
Jesus wanted him to remember this moment.
Jesus was not a helpless victim swept away
by Judas' kiss. Jesus was in complete
control. He permitted Himself to be arrested,
tried, condemned and crucified. He could
have stopped it at any time. But because of
His love for the Father and for each of us, He
will not end it but carry it through to its
completion-and our ultimate salvation.

Because He loves us so much when those
powers of darkness were trying their worst,
so He also loves us when those powers of
darkness come after you in your life.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank You for stepping forward
to suffer death for our sins, even death by
crucifixion. Give us courage and confidence
in the dark hours of our lives to remember
that You are still completely in control.
Amen.

Lutheran Hour Ministries