Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lenten Meditation

Jesus' Witness to Pilate

Scripture:

Read John 18:33-38a.

(Jesus said) 'Everyone who is of the
truth listens to My voice'" (John 18:37b).

The true significance of Christ's comments
to Pilate is simply lost on Pilate. He has
other things on his mind. They are things
he thinks are far more important like saving
his career. His attention is squarely on
himself and what impact this trial will make
on his future.

But God does two things to turn Pilate's
attention to the innocent man standing
before him. First, Pilate's wife sends him a
message, "Have nothing to do with that
righteous man, for I have suffered much
because of Him today in a dream"
(Matthew 27:19). Second, God sends His
Son to speak to Pilate directly.

Jesus says, "Everyone who is of the truth
listens to My voice." This is a challenge to
Pilate: is truth important to him? Obviously,
he is taking great risks to set an innocent
man free, but does he want to hear the
truth Jesus came to bring?

Many times in our lives Jesus' still, small
voice speaks to us through the clamor and
clatter of our daily lives. Are we willing to
put it all aside to listen to the One who
offers us eternal life?

Pilate gives his famous reply, "What is
truth?" Sadly, he isn't interested in what
Jesus has to say, he just wants to end
the discussion.

Jesus offers you and me words of truth
and eternal life. But how often do we
dismiss Him and cut Him off like Pilate
did? How often are we distracted by
earthly things we think are more
important?

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for speaking words
of truth to me. Forgive me for cutting
You short. Please speak, for Your
servant is now listening.
Amen.

Lutheran Hour Ministries

Lenten Meditation

Scripture:

TEXT: "Pilate said to them, 'Take Him yourselves
and judge Him by your own law.' ..." (John 18:31a).

Only John's Gospel shows us Jesus' trial before
Annas the former high priest. Then John leaves
out Jesus' official trial before Caiaphas the high
priest. Instead, he jumps straight to Jesus' trial
before Pontius Pilate.

This trial is very strange. Jesus is brought into
the official residence of the Roman military
governor, but the Jewish authorities refuse to
enter. Though they have no problem railroading
the innocent Son of God to His death, they are
careful not to defile themselves by entering the
home of a Gentile. So Pilate is forced to go back
and forth between Jesus and them.

The trial is a bitter power struggle between Pilate
and the Jewish authorities. Pilate quickly concludes
Jesus is innocent and wants to set Him free. But
finding himself in a very precarious position with
the emperor, Pilate must handle this case very
delicately; he especially cannot afford to lose
control and see a riot start.

On the other side, the Jewish authorities are
desperate to have Jesus executed, but they are
not in the position where they can do it themselves.
Years before the Roman governor had removed the
right for the Jewish authorities to inflict capital
punishment. So if they want Jesus dead, they have
to convince Pilate one way or another. So we see
the battle begin-with Jesus' life hanging in the
balance.

The truth is that God is in control of what He is
doing for each of us by Christ's crucifixion, as we
shall see in the coming days

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, all around us people
are plotting and scheming for control. Many times
we too want to find some way to control events
happening in our own lives. Remind us that You
are firmly in control so we may rest in Your hands
and watch You work for our good. Amen.

Lutheran Hour Ministries

PALM SUNDAY

Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by
Les Lamborn


Scripture:

Read: Luke 19:28-40

Blessed is [He] who comes in the
name of the Lord! —Luke 19:38


Imagine standing shoulder to shoulder
with onlookers by a dirt road. The
woman behind you is on her tiptoes,
trying to see who is coming. In the
distance, you glimpse a man riding a
donkey. As He approaches, people toss
their coats onto the road. Suddenly,
you hear a tree crack behind you. A
man is cutting down palm branches,
and people are spreading them out
ahead of the donkey.

Jesus’ followers zealously honored
Him as He entered Jerusalem a few
days before His crucifixion. The
multitude rejoiced and praised God
for “all the mighty works they had seen”
(Luke 19:37). Jesus’ devotees surrounded
Him, calling out, “Blessed is the King
who comes in the name of the Lord!”
(v.38). Their enthusiastic honor affected
the people of Jerusalem. When Jesus
finally arrived, “all the city was moved,
saying, ‘Who is this?’” (Matt. 21:10).

Today, people are still curious about
Jesus. Although we can’t pave His way
with palm branches or shout praises to
Him in person, we can still honor Him.
We can discuss His remarkable works,
assist people in need (Gal. 6:2), patiently
bear insults (1 Peter 4:14-16), and love
each other deeply (v.8). Then we must
be ready to answer the onlookers who
ask, “Who is Jesus?”

So let our lips and lives express
The holy gospel we profess;
So let our works and virtues shine,
To prove the doctrine all divine. —Watts

We honor God’s name when we call Him our Father
and live like His Son.

PALM SUNDAY PRAYER

Prayer:

I worship you Lord! You did not enter
your holy city Jerusalem on the back
of a war horse, but humbly and on a
donkey. You knew that you were
surrounded by murderers, yet you
came in peace, and by your sacrifice
you would utterly conquer death before
the week had passed. You, oh Lord,
are blessed and worthy of my praise.
You have saved your people. I say,
"you are my king!" ... I long to live in
the city where you sit on the throne!
Establish your Kingdom, so that your
people can live in peace. Jesus, I bow
before you, and I will sing your praises
until your Kingdom comes and is
established, and forever after.
AMEN