Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lenten Devotion

And (the chief priests and officers) were glad, and
agreed to give (Judas) money. So he consented and
sought an opportunity to betray Him to them in the
absence of a crowd (Luke 22:5-6).

Read Mark 14:1-11.

The priests were glad to have the possibility of
eliminating Jesus before the Passover-before He could
start a revolt against Rome. Who better than an insider
to spy on Jesus and find the perfect opportunity to
spring their trap? They agreed to the price of thirty
pieces of silver and considered it a bargain. The Jewish
leaders would no doubt have been willing to spend far
more to remove Jesus from the picture.

So Judas began watching and waiting. He needed an
opportunity to betray Jesus when He was separated from
the crowd, and thus vulnerable. Judas held his secret
close in his heart. None of the other disciples had a clue.
He went on acting the part of a friend-and none were the
wiser.

But Jesus knew. He'd known it from the day He first chose
Judas. He'd even dropped hints here and there (see
John 6:63-64, 70-71), along the way. He could easily use
this knowledge to avoid the situation for which Judas was
watching. He could even use it against Judas, turn the
tables, and betray him to the other 11. But Jesus will only
use it for Judas' benefit. He is waiting for that moment when
He can make the biggest impact, reveal the devilish nature
of this sin, and hopefully turn Judas back and save him.

In the meantime, He lets Judas keeps watching for his
opportunity. The betrayer quickly learns it is not as easy to
hand Jesus over as he had first thought.

THE PRAYER:

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of
the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with
the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to
them (Luke 22:3-4).

Read Matthew 26:1-5, 14-16.

The religious authorities desperately want to get rid of Jesus,
but the huge swell of Passover pilgrims that fill the temple
courts are hanging on His every word. If they take any action
against Jesus, the crowds will rally to His defense. So they
concede they will have to wait until the Passover is finished
and the crowds return to their homes (see Matthew 26:5).

For the chief priests this is extremely frustrating-and
dangerous. Jesus is completely beyond their control. If He
steps forward during the Passover, claims Himself King, and
begins a rebellion, they will be powerless to stop it, or to
control the Roman military response to it.

Then suddenly, out of nowhere, a possible solution appears.
One member of Jesus' inner circle of disciples, Judas, comes
to them offering to deliver Jesus to them. Judas' faith and love
for Jesus has dried up, choked out by his lust for money
(see John 12:4-6).
The Jewish leaders are overjoyed, but cautious. They describe
the conditions they are looking for: a time when Jesus is in
the city, yet separated from the crowds.

But even while they conspire together behind closed doors,
Judas and the chief priests have no idea that Jesus is well
aware of everything; He knew it from the start. We might expect
Jesus to be furious and vindictive; instead, He loves Judas. He
prepares to reach out to this lost disciple in every way He can,
trying to touch his heart, prick his conscience, and bring him
back to faith.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, Your love is amazing. Where most of us would
have been furious at Judas' plotting, Your chief concern was
bringing him back. Give me a heart that loves my enemy and
seeks to share Your salvation. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion 2016

And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to
put Him to death, for they feared the people (Luke 22:2).

Read John 12:12-19.

People don't take too kindly to being told they are wrong-not
today and not in Jesus' day either. When someone confronts
our decisions-or even worse, challenges the way we have
chosen to live our lives-we are tempted to write him off as
narrow-minded and intolerant. It's fine for him to believe what
he thinks is right, but he should leave me free to believe and
live the way I think is right. The only trouble with that is we
don't get to decide what's right and wrong: God does.

For many months Jesus has been confronting the Jewish
religious authorities. They cling to a religion of works: human
rules and traditions by which they believe they earn blessings
in this life and eternal life with God afterward.

But Jesus knows better. He knows His Father in heaven is
holy and perfect. God cannot simply overlook the wrongs we
do. That would make Him unjust. But even though the Father
is just and holy, He is also filled with grace, love and mercy.
That is why He sent His own Son, Jesus, to save us.

But the Jewish leaders have rejected Jesus-and they are
pushing back hard against Him. Even so, Jesus won't go
away. He keeps coming back again and again when all they
want is to be left alone.

So now this huge confrontation is looming. Jesus cares too
much to leave the Jewish authorities in darkness. So He
shows them their error by teaching them God's truth. But His
words don't sit well with them. They reach the conclusion that
He must be silenced.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank You for caring enough about me to show
me my failings and how to be right with my God by confessing
my sins and trusting in You as my Savior. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)