Christian Reflection and Prayer

"Reaching Those Who Refuse to Listen"
By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion 2016

And they led Him away to their council, and they said, "If You
are the Christ, tell us." ... (Luke 22:66b-67a).

Read Luke 22:66-71.

When Jesus stands before the Jewish high court they ask if He
is the Christ. His answer sounds elusive, but He is laying bare
their dark hearts and forcing them to look at their motives. If He
utters the truth that He is God's Son, they will not believe. If He
asks what more He can do to prove He is the promised Messiah,
they will refuse to answer. They've already closed their minds
and aren't interested in searching for the truth.

So He points past the cross. After His suffering and death are
complete He will be enthroned at the right hand of God. That is
the kind of Christ He is: a saving Christ-a heavenly King, not an
earthly king. It is a powerful confession and testimony-and a dire
warning of their future. Today, they sit in judgment on Him, but on
the last day He will be their judge-and their eternal destiny will
rest in His hands.

Ignoring His warning they demand, "Are You the Son of God,
then?" (Luke 22:70b). Again, His answer might sound evasive to
us, but not to the Jewish leaders. He calls their own words as
witnesses against them; they are confessing the truth: He is
indeed the Christ, the Son of God. Without giving it another
thought, they pounce on His words and condemn Jesus to death.

He has done all He can at this time. He has made the great
confession. After His death and resurrection, Jesus will send
strong men of faith to once again share the story of His salvation
and offer them His complete and free forgiveness.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, in love You persistently reached out to stubborn men
who hated You for no valid reason. Break through my stubbornness
and lead me to repentance and faith. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

"Bearing the Punishment We Deserve"
By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion 2016

Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were
mocking Him as they beat Him. They also blindfolded Him
and kept asking Him, "Prophesy! Who is it that struck
You?" And they said many other things against Him,
blaspheming Him (Luke 22:63-65).

Read Luke 22:63-65.

For months the Jewish authorities have held a deepening
grudge against Jesus. Now they unleash their pent up
frustration and hatred. Luke the physician tells us their
blows bruised and tore Jesus' skin. Matthew and Mark add
that they struck Jesus with their fists and spat in His face.
All the Gospels point out that this abuse-both physical and
verbal-went on and on. These were the dignified, high
officials of Judah lashing out against a bound man.

But the abuse takes on a mocking tone which we will see
repeated many times this day. They blindfold Jesus and take
turns striking Him, asking the Prophet which of them had
struck Him. They condemn Jesus for blasphemy because He
claimed to be God's Son, but they are unaware they are the
guilty ones, blaspheming the Son of God who stands meekly
before them.

Jesus knows full well who is hitting Him, yet He remains silent.
He is suffering exactly what each of them-and each of us
deserves to suffer for our disobedience to God and our
mistreatment of one another. Yet Jesus patiently bears it all in
our place. He does not retaliate or curse; instead, He remains
silent. We wonder what He is thinking. He'll show us shortly
when He cries out from the cross: "Father, forgive them, for
they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34b).

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, You endured the abuse and mistreatment I deserve.
Forgive my sins against You, and give me patience when I
suffer wrongly for Your sake. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

And immediately, while he was still speaking, the
rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked
at Peter. ... (Luke 22:60b-61a).

Read Luke 22:60b-62.

While Peter is still uttering his third denial, the
rooster crows. And immediately the Lord Jesus
turns and looks at Peter.

How does Jesus happen to be here right at this
very moment? He was first tried before the high
priest and Jewish high court in the middle of the
night (see Matthew 26:57-68). It is likely He has
been held in a place of confinement and now is
being brought back before the court so it can
render a legal verdict.

Despite all He has suffered and all the agony that
still awaits Him, Jesus' greatest concern is for
Peter. He has already prayed for him, and now He
looks upon him. Not with anger, judgment and
retribution, but with loving concern for His disciple's
salvation. With a look He brings Peter back to
repentance and faith.

Peter sees the haunting face of Jesus, and hears
the rooster's crow. Suddenly, the Lord's words come
flooding into his mind: "Before the rooster crows,
you will deny Me three times" (Matthew 26:75b).

Peter is cut to the heart and dissolves into tears. Not
just tears, Luke's word describes loud, audible
sobbing. It may seem strange that the guards don't
move in, but they are busy moving Jesus. Once again,
Jesus offers Himself to protect His disciple, providing
Peter the opportunity to escape to safety. But He
didn't just save Peter from the soldiers-He saved him
from Satan's trap, and through His suffering and death
He will save Peter and all of us from God's wrath.

If Jesus can forgive Peter's denial, be assured He can
forgive your worst sins.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, with Your glance You brought about Peter's
repentance. Look upon me, that I may turn from my sins
with repentant tears-and follow You. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)