Christian Reflection and Prayer

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

 

Lenten Devotion

 

And he (the criminal) said, "Jesus, remember me when You
come into Your Kingdom." And He said to him, "Truly, I say
to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:42-43).

 

Maundy Thursday

 

Read Luke 23:39-43.

 

From every direction Jesus hears mockery and ridicule. Even
the criminals hanging on either side join in with the Jewish
rulers and Roman soldiers (see Matthew 27:44).

 

But after a while one falls silent. When the other criminal takes
up his taunt again, the first speaks out, "Do you not fear God,
since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And
we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds"
(Luke 23:40b-41a). Clearly, he has been thinking back over his life,
considering the deeds that led to this torturous end, and of the
fearful judgment that soon awaits.

 

Then he jumps to Jesus' defense, revealing the faith that now fills
his heart: "But this Man has done nothing wrong" (Luke 23:41b).
With firm confidence and faith that Jesus truly is the King of the
Jews, the Chosen One, the promised Christ, he turns to Him and
prays, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom"
(Luke 23:42b).

 

This night we honor our crucified Lord by gathering in His house
and rehearsing His Last Supper with His disciples. Like the criminal, 
we will confess our sins and ask Jesus to remember us when He
comes into His kingdom. And through Holy Communion He will give
us His body nailed to the cross and His blood poured out for us. We
will remember His suffering and death as we eat His body given for
us, and drink His blood shed for the remission of all our sins.

 

And like the criminal, we will hear the dying Savior assure us, "Truly,
I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43b).

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Lord Jesus, remember us when you come into Your kingdom as this
night we remember Your great sacrifice of Your body and blood on
the cross for us. Amen.

 

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

 

MAUNDY THURSDAY

 

Then [Jesus] took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he
broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given
for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the
cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the
new covenant in my blood.”
Luke 22:19-20

 

To love is to accept dependency on love.
François Varillon

 

Prayer

 

Jesus, you who are Life, you offer to us life everlasting. In imitating your
love, we accept your gift, and we praise you, we worship you,
O Lamb of God.

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

 

Lenten Devotion

 

The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up and offering
Him sour wine and saying, "If You are the King of the
Jews, save Yourself!" There was also an inscription over
Him, "This is the King of the Jews" (Luke 23:36-38).

 

Holy Wednesday

 

Read Luke 23:36-38.

 

The Roman Empire used crucifixion as a powerful warning
and deterrent to crime. So an inscription was written to
identify the criminal and the crime for which he or she was
dying. Jesus' inscription read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King
of the Jews" (see Matthew 27:37).

 

This was the mocking theme the Roman soldiers had picked
up during Jesus' trial before Pilate. When they scourged Him,
they wove a crown out of thorns and put it on His head. They
put a purple robe over His torn shoulders, and a reed as His
royal scepter. They knelt before Him, then snatched the reed
from His hand and beat Him over the head with it
(see Matthew 27:27-31).

 

Now, at the cross, they pick up the theme again. Knowing He
is suffering from agonizing thirst, they come up and offer Him
sour wine-knowing full well He cannot reach it with His hands
and feet nailed to the cross. Then they take up the chant of
the Jewish rulers and add their own little twist: "If You are the
King of the Jews, save Yourself!"
But they don't understand true kingship. They assume a king
rules for his own welfare and benefit. But a true King rules for
the benefit of His subjects-even if that means sacrificing His
life to save theirs. It's what a true King does for His people.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Lord Jesus, my King and my Lord. Thank You for sacrificing
Yourself for the benefit of all of us, Your subjects. In Your
goodness and love, rule over all my life. Amen.

"Saving Others, Not Himself"
By Rev. Wayne Palmer

 

Lenten Devotion

 

And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at
Him, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He is
the Christ of God, His Chosen One!" (Luke 23:35).

 

Holy Tuesday

 

Read Luke 23:35.

 

Luke shows us two groups of Jews who have gathered around
the cross-the people and the rulers. The Jewish people stand
by curiously watching the gruesome spectacle. Luke lets them
fade into the background as he turns our attention to the Jewish
rulers.

 

The second group, the rulers, includes the entire Jewish court.
During their trials they had thrown all honor, integrity, dignity
and decorum to the wind as they called for false witnesses
against Jesus (see Matthew 26:59), personally abused and
tormented Him (see Matthew 26:66-68). Then they hounded Him
to Pilate's court, over to Herod's court, and back to Pilate again.
They had stirred up the crowds to demand Jesus' crucifixion,
and when Pilate surrendered Him to their desires, they had
gleefully followed His procession to this place to celebrate their
victory.

 

Now at the place of execution they put on an air of superiority
and scoff at Him. They play on His name, Jesus, which means
"The Lord saves." Speaking of Jesus' many healing miracles,
they mock, "He saved others, let Him save Himself, if He is the
Christ of God, His Chosen One!"

 

They mistake Jesus' choice not to save Himself as proof that He
cannot save Himself. But Jesus is not here to save Himself: He
is here to save each of us-and these Jewish rulers as well. To
do that He must remain on the cross until every last sin is paid
and God's justice is completely satisfied. His death is their only
hope of salvation-and ours.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Lord Jesus, You endured mockery and shame to save me and
all people. Let me gladly bear mockery and shame for Your Name.
Amen.

 

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)