Christian Reflection and Prayer

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

(Jesus said) "Who is the greater, one who reclines at table
or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table?
But I am among you as the One who serves" (Luke 22:27).

Read Luke 22:24-27.

With infinite patience Jesus responds to His disciples' strife
about which of them will be considered the greatest. He
reminds them they are thinking the way worldly people
do-striving for recognition and self-promotion. His followers
will follow a different path.

The greatest among His people will regard themselves as
though they were the youngest, the lowest people who have
absolutely no claim over anyone else. Christian leaders will
be humble people who pour themselves out in lowly service.
And these apostles, when they go out to share the good
news about what Jesus accomplished for all people, will go
out as equals, serving the same cause, sharing the same
Gospel.

That is why pastors are called ministers. That title reminds
us of Jesus' humble, lowly service to us. Like Him, pastors
don't do their work for their own glory or recognition, but for
the benefit of those around them, and for the glory of their
Savior Jesus Christ.

As He lays aside the water basin and towel and resumes
His place at the table, He brings their focus back to Himself.
He is the glorious Son of God, yet He set aside that glory
and became human. He reminds them that He has come to
serve, and not to be served. He will soon show them the
greatest example of lowly, self-sacrifice as He offers
Himself unto death to remove our guilt and sin.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, my world seeks fame, honor, glory and
distinction. But You alone deserve this attention. Give me
joy in humbly serving, just as You stooped down to serve
each of us. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

TEXT: A dispute arose among them as to which of them
was to be regarded as the greatest (Luke 22:24).

Read John 13:1-19.

Here in the upper room is an amazing contrast. Jesus is
totally focused on His followers, but all they can think
about is themselves. While He is busy reaching out to
Judas, teaching each of them about His coming suffering
and death for our salvation, and giving them His own
body and blood in a new and wonderful testament, all
they can think about is their own honor, and which of
them should be considered greatest by others.

How often are we so preoccupied with our own honor
and glory, our reputation and well-being that we pass by
hurting people all around us?

In tomorrow's devotion we will read what Jesus said
about this dispute. But today we focus on the action He
took in response. As we just read in John's Gospel, Jesus
rose from the table without a word. He silently removed
His outer garment, wrapped Himself in a towel, then
stooped down and began to wash each of their feet like
the lowliest household servant. Peter almost prevented
Jesus from washing His feet because it seemed so
beneath Him.

But Jesus insists. And He teaches them this is not the time
for quarreling and arguing about our importance and our
fame. It's time to focus on the people around us who need
our encouragement, support and attention. More
importantly, it's time to focus on Jesus: to contemplate His
astonishing love and the tremendous sacrifice He is freely
making for us and all people.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, whenever I start to compare myself to others
and promote my own recognition and glory, please stop
me in my tracks. Remind me that You came as our Servant,
submitting like a slave, and now that You have saved me,
may I truly serve others in Your Name. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

By Rev. Wayne Palmer


Lenten Devotion

And they began to question one another, which of them it
could be who was going to do this (Luke 22:23).

Read John 13:21-30.

Jesus isn't done with Judas yet. He's going to use the reaction
of the other disciples to help Judas understand the full nature
of the act he is plotting.

The disciples clearly understand Jesus' prediction that one of
them will betray Him, but they are utterly dumbfounded. The
thought had never crossed their minds that one of their number
could be capable of such a hideous act. So they begin to
question each other and ask who it is.

It is hard to imagine Judas being completely unaffected as the
reactions spread around him. He has to be asking himself,
"How does Jesus know? What is He going to do?" He can't
possibly fail to realize the great danger he now faces. Jesus
has completely turned the tables, and Judas is completely at
His mercy. What if Jesus chooses to save Himself by
betraying Judas to the other 11?

Jesus wants His traitorous disciple to know how it feels to be
betrayed. He walks Judas right to the brink of betrayal. It
should be enough to send a shudder through Judas, and a
stab of remorse and regret in his heart.

But tragically, Judas refuses to allow the Holy Spirit to bring
repentance; instead, he opens his heart wide for Satan. He
quickly takes the morsel of bread, and goes off into the night
to perform his foul deed. Every Gospel makes it clear that
during the meal none of the disciples realized Judas was the
one. Jesus was careful to shield and protect him from them,
just as Judas should have protected Jesus.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, guard my heart from such cold indifference and
unbelief. Move me to sincere repentance and faith that I may
always cling to You, my only Savior. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)