Christian Reflection and Prayer

"Opening the Scriptures"
By Rev. Wayne Palmer

 

Then they (two of the disciples) told what had happened on the
road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of the
bread. (Luke 24:35).

 

Resurrection Sunday

 

Read Luke 24:1-35.

 

It is Sunday afternoon. Two grieving disciples are leaving
Jerusalem and slowly making their way home. Along the way
they talk about recent events. In time a stranger joins them in
their travels, a stranger who is oddly unaware of the recent
happenings in Jerusalem. They tell him about Jesus, about the
crucifixion, and the strange tale their women told about angels
and the empty tomb. But it is clear their dreams died along with
Jesus, and still remain buried in the borrowed tomb.

 

The Stranger calls them foolish, a word always used in the Bible
to describe people who view this world as if God didn't exist. He
patiently leads them through the Old Testament writings that
foretold the suffering, death and resurrection of God's promised
Messiah. As He speaks their hearts burn within them, filled with
astonishment and excitement as it finally dawns on them the
cross is not a sign of failure and shame, but God's glorious plan
to save humanity.

 

This day when we celebrate our Lord's resurrection our hearts burn
anew-filled with wonder and holy joy. Our Lord has conquered sin
and Satan. He has risen victorious over death and hell. We no
longer grieve the death of believing loved ones because we know
they are with Jesus Christ in Paradise, and on the Last Day He will
raise them as He Himself was raised. And we ourselves no longer
fear death because it lies crushed and vanquished beneath His feet.
On the Last Day He will return, and we will live with Him in triumph
forever.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Lord Jesus Christ, Victor over sin and death, stay with us, for it is
evening and the day is almost over. Comfort us through life and
death until You raise us to live with You in glory forever. Amen.

 

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.
The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King
of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two bandits, one
on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by
derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You
who would destroy the temple and build it in three days,
save yourself, and come down from the cross!”

 

Mark 15:25-30

 

Good Friday is not about us trying to "get right with God."
It is about us entering the difference between God and
humanity and just touching it for a moment. Touching the
shimmering sadness of humanity's insistence that we can
be our own gods, that we can be pure and all-powerful.
Nadia Bolz-Weber

 

Prayer:

 

Forgive us, crucified Christ, for in our desire for control, we
lash out without regard for others. And yet, despite all of
our violence, you chose mercy. Teach us, we pray, the
way of your self-emptying love.

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

 

Lenten Devotion 2016

 

Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into Your hands
I commit My spirit!" And having said this He breathed His last.
(Luke 23:46).

 

Good Friday

 

Read Luke 23:44-49.

 

An unnatural darkness fell upon the land from noon to three in the
afternoon. Luke explains, "The sun's light failed" (Luke 23:45a).
This profound darkness marked the judgment of mankind's sins,
the bitter darkness of hell.

 

At Jesus' death at the end of those three hours, the curtain of the
temple was torn in two: a powerful sign for the Jewish rulers.
Throughout the Old Testament this curtain symbolized the
separation sin had caused between God and humanity. In Jesus'
perfect sacrifice, that boundary of sin is completely removed, and
we have direct access to God through Jesus (see Hebrews 9:11-12).

 

With His Heavenly Father's anger stilled, our salvation secured, and
His work completed, Jesus cries out in a loud voice, "Father, into
Your hands I commit My spirit!" and He breathes His last.

 

The centurion, seeing how Jesus' suffered and died, and the signs
that accompanied His death (see Matthew 27:51-53) praises God,
and proclaims Jesus' innocence. Clearly, Jesus was no criminal,
and He didn't deserve to be executed with them.

 

Luke next points us to the crowds standing nearby. Having seen the
darkness and the other signs accompanying Jesus' death, they
return home beating their breasts. This Jewish sign of regret and
sorrow shows they knew a guiltless man had been put to death. They
cease to be spectators and become repentant Jews, ripe for Peter's
wondrous sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:22-24).

 

Finally, at a distance, stand some of Jesus' acquaintances and
faithful women who had followed Him from Galilee. In the coming
days they will play an important role in our story.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Lord Jesus, the miracles that accompanied Your death proved that
You are indeed the Son of God, Savior of the world. Strengthen my
faith that I may always trust in Your all-sufficient ransom for my sins.
Amen.

 

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)