Christian Reflection and Prayer

But Herod the tetrarch who had been reproved by
him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the
evil things that Herod had done, added this to
them all, that he locked up John in prison
(Luke 3:19-20).

 

Read Luke 3:19-20

 

"How dare he challenge me like that? Doesn't he
know who I am?" Like most wealthy, powerful people,
Herod didn't want anyone telling him he was wrong,
especially not a young wilderness wanderer, who
went around wearing camel's hair and eating locusts
and wild honey. The Baptist didn't like Herod's choice
in women, but wasn't that Herod's own business?
True, he had married his half-brother Philip's wife, the
ambitious Herodias. But what was that to John? It was
fine when John was laying into the Jewish religious
leaders, but Herod thought his family should be off-limits.

But God had sent John to confront sinners, so they
would acknowledge their sin and find forgiveness in the
promised Messiah. It didn't matter how high and
important you were. John knew it was better to face up
to your sins now, so God could take them away. The
alternative was to wait until life was over, and you were
standing before God's judgment seat.

 

Herod should have listened to John's words and repented;
instead, he seized and arrested John. He added this to
his many other sins. Not only had he refused to heed
John's timely warning and escape the wrath of God, he
cut John off from the people who desperately needed to
hear God's warning.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Almighty God, Your Word confronts my pride and my sin.
For Jesus' sake, move me to repent of my sin and seek
Your forgiveness. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Your Son,
I ask this. Amen.

 

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

...and when Jesus had also been baptized and was
praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit
descended on Him in bodily form, like a dove...
(Luke 3:21b-22a).

 

Read Luke 3:21-23

 

For 30 years Jesus had grown and lived in obscurity in
the northern region of Galilee, working as a carpenter,
alongside His father Joseph. None of His neighbors
knew His true identity. But now it was time to set aside
those carpentry tools and reveal Himself to the people
of Israel. The great Son of God made His way to the
Jordan River to be baptized by His prophet John.

As He steps out of the water two amazing things happen.
Something in the form of a dove comes down from above
and lands on Jesus, while a voice from heaven thunders,
"You are My beloved Son; with You I am well pleased."

The "dove" was the Holy Spirit who came down from
heaven to set Jesus apart from all other Jews. It singled
Him out as the "promised Messiah" (Hebrew) or the
"Christ" or "anointed one" (Greek). The booming voice
was that of God the Father; He declared His approval
of Jesus' life from childhood to this point.

 

Winning God's approval is no small feat, for God is far
stricter than any human father. He demands complete
and perfect obedience in all our thoughts, words, deeds
and desires. And that is exactly what Jesus
accomplished. Every day of His life He completely
obeyed God's will. Now He goes to work completing
His great mission to save all people from sin, death and
God's fiery judgment.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Almighty God, when the time was right, Jesus began
revealing Himself to His people. Through this season
of Lent reveal Him to me as well. I pray in Jesus' Name.
Amen.

 

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries