Christian Reflection and Prayer

Verse

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
Proverbs 1:7

Voice

The first step of humility is to cherish at all times the
sense of awe with which we should turn to God.
Benedict of Nursia


Prayer

God, may the awe of your presence shield us from the
temptation to think too highly of ourselves. May we
cultivate humility by pointing ourselves at you. Amen.

A man and his ever-nagging wife went on vacation
to Jerusalem. While they were there, the wife
passed away.

The undertaker told the husband, "You can have
her shipped home for $5000, or you can bury her
here, in the Holy Land, for only $150."

The man thought about it and decided he would
just have her shipped home for $5000.

The undertaker asked, "Why would you spend
$5000 to ship your wife home, when it would be
wonderful to be buried here and you would spend
only $150?"

The man replied, "Long ago a man called Jesus
Christ died here, was buried here, and three days
later he rose from the dead. I just can't take that
chance."

Easter Monday

"When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to
Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love
Me more than these? ..." (John 21:15a).

Read John 21:1-19.

We are often cut to the core by our own sins, by
the hasty words and hurtful things we have done
and by our failure to do the good things God put it
in our power to do. The scar of our personal
failings can run very deep in us, just as the scar of
Peter's three denials ran deep.

After His resurrection our Lord went to work right
away healing that wound. Luke tells us that Jesus
made an appearance to Peter on the afternoon of
His resurrection (Luke 24:34). And in today's reading
John records another special conversation between
Jesus and Peter.

On that dark night in Jerusalem Simon denied His
Savior three times. Now, on this bright morning at
the Sea of Tiberius, Jesus leads Peter to confess his
devotion to His Savior three times. Then Jesus gives
Peter a glorious promise. In the future, when Peter's
life is in danger for Jesus' sake, he will not weaken
in denial. Simon Peter will remain faithful in his
confession and die as a martyr of Jesus Christ.

Jesus died and rose again for your sins-each and
every one of them. They are all forgiven. This is
something He constantly reminds you through His
Word, through the waters of your Baptism and by
the body and blood He gives you in worship-the price
He willingly paid for your eternal salvation. His Holy
Spirit will keep you strong in the confession of His
Name, until our Lord welcomes you into paradise.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, let Your light continue to shine in this
dark world, that with boldness and confidence I
may live for You, until You come again and scatter
the darkness forever. I pray in Your holy Name. Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer