Christian Reflection and Prayer

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

And immediately, while he was still speaking, the
rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked
at Peter. ... (Luke 22:60b-61a).

Read Luke 22:60b-62.

While Peter is still uttering his third denial, the
rooster crows. And immediately the Lord Jesus
turns and looks at Peter.

How does Jesus happen to be here right at this
very moment? He was first tried before the high
priest and Jewish high court in the middle of the
night (see Matthew 26:57-68). It is likely He has
been held in a place of confinement and now is
being brought back before the court so it can
render a legal verdict.

Despite all He has suffered and all the agony that
still awaits Him, Jesus' greatest concern is for
Peter. He has already prayed for him, and now He
looks upon him. Not with anger, judgment and
retribution, but with loving concern for His disciple's
salvation. With a look He brings Peter back to
repentance and faith.

Peter sees the haunting face of Jesus, and hears
the rooster's crow. Suddenly, the Lord's words come
flooding into his mind: "Before the rooster crows,
you will deny Me three times" (Matthew 26:75b).

Peter is cut to the heart and dissolves into tears. Not
just tears, Luke's word describes loud, audible
sobbing. It may seem strange that the guards don't
move in, but they are busy moving Jesus. Once again,
Jesus offers Himself to protect His disciple, providing
Peter the opportunity to escape to safety. But He
didn't just save Peter from the soldiers-He saved him
from Satan's trap, and through His suffering and death
He will save Peter and all of us from God's wrath.

If Jesus can forgive Peter's denial, be assured He can
forgive your worst sins.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, with Your glance You brought about Peter's
repentance. Look upon me, that I may turn from my sins
with repentant tears-and follow You. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

Then they seized Him (Jesus) and led Him away, bringing Him
into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a
distance (Luke 22:54).

Read Luke 22:54-60a.

Simon Peter shouldn't be anywhere near here. Over and over
Jesus told His disciples what will happen. He will be condemned
and crucified, and on the third day rise again. But Peter wants to
see for himself. So he follows at a distance.

Peter enters the enclosed courtyard of the high priest and stands
among the guards waiting there. It is extremely dangerous for him
to be here-and extremely foolhardy. But he doesn't seem to realize
it until he is trapped in the courtyard. When a servant girl questions
him, he cowers in fear-even though her testimony would not be
considered dependable in a Jewish court.

Just a few hours ago he boldly promised he would go to prison and
to death with Jesus. A few minutes ago he initiated a defensive
attack by striking the high priest's servant with his sword. Yet now,
when his life is on the line, he goes into a panic.

After two initial questions and his quick denials, Simon is able to
escape attention for another hour. But as the sky brightens with the
approaching dawn, another man studies him closely. This accusation
is far more dangerous than the earlier two: Simon's northern dialect
is giving him away. It is plain to hear he is from Galilee, like Jesus.
What was a Galilean doing here in the high priest's courtyard in the
middle of the night when all the guards were Judeans from the south?
Simon Peter is exposed and desperate. He has nowhere left to hide.

We often thoughtlessly put ourselves in harm's way too. But Jesus is
already on His way to rescue him, and you and me as well.

Lord Jesus, forgive the times I put myself in danger for no good reason.
Come quickly to rescue, forgive and restore me. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

(Jesus said) "Have you come out as against a robber,
with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after
day in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me. But this
is your hour, and the power of darkness" (Luke 22:52b-53).

Read Luke 22:52-53.

Jesus now turns to the Jewish leaders. He protests the
way they are going about arresting Him. Like Judas a
moment ago, He wants them to realize the true nature of
their deeds. They think they are serving God, but in reality
they are serving the prince of darkness.

First, He points out the large armed guard they assembled.
Jesus is neither a lawbreaker, nor a violent man. He has
never preached armed rebellion or insurrection. He has only
preached repentance and the coming of the kingdom of
heaven. His deeds have all been good and kind, benefiting
the sick, the hurting, and the dying.

He then reminds them of all the times He preached and
taught before them in the temple courts. If they really had
grounds to lay their hands on Him, they should have done it
then. But Jesus had given them no cause to arrest Him-and
the fact they came out at night is proof of that.

Like cowards they emerge under cover of darkness when the
crowds are far away. This late hour of the night is their hour-
when the power of darkness reigns.

This may be the hour when they seem to have the upper hand,
but Jesus implies another hour is coming-an hour when God's
truth will be manifest, when Jesus will burst through the gates
of death at the resurrection.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, You exposed the evil intentions of Your enemies
in order to bring them to repentance and faith. Turn me from
my evil ways that I may live to Your glory. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)