This week’s devotions
follow a different pattern. They will focus on Gospel accounts of the last week
of Jesus’ life. I encourage you to read each of the readings slowly, perhaps
out loud, and to meditate on Jesus’ love in his actions. The prayers offered
are from the early twentieth century and variations on them are still used in
worship.
Teaching
Jesus speaks of being glorified, but immediately begins talking
about a grain of wheat falling to the ground, dying, losing life, and eternal
life. He also speaks prophetically of being lifted up from the earth and
drawing all people to himself. The idea of Jesus being lifted up comes up four
times in John’s gospel. It points forward to the cross, where Jesus would be
lifted up to die for his people. His death reconciles us to God so that we can
be drawn to him.
Life
Jesus said, "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I
say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this
hour” (Jn. 12:27 ESV). Meditate on this verse through the day. Bring it to mind
from time to time and think about it. Remember that Jesus’ purpose for coming
was not to give you your best life now, to give you a set of rules to live by,
or even to set a great moral example for you. He came to die on the cross to
pay for your sins.
Prayer
O Lord God, the Father of mercies, who has no
pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and
live, and of Thine infinite goodness didst deliver up Thine only-begotten Son
into death as a sacrifice for our sins: for His sake remember not our
ingratitude and indifference, but have mercy upon us and forgive us all our
sins. As Thy dear Son was wounded for our transgressions, and by His stripes we
are healed, let us daily with true repentance and sincere faith meditate upon
His Passion, that His death may be our life, His righteousness our salvation,
His conflict our victory and everlasting peace. Replenish us with Thy Holy
Spirit, that, loving Thee with our whole hearts, we may walk in Thy ordinances
blameless. Teach us to love one another, as Christ hath loved us, to bear one
another’s burdens, and so to fulfil the Law of Christ, who came not to be
ministered unto, but to minister, and gave His life a ransom for many. Help us,
likewise, to love our enemies, and from our heart to forgive every one his
trespasses against us. Let us follow the example of our Savior in patiently
enduring the trials and afflictions of this present world, that, having
suffered with Him, we may be also glorified with Him. Hear all who cry unto
Thee in sorrow and distress, and relieve them according to their several
necessities. Bestow Thy blessing upon the ministry of reconciliation. May the
preaching of the Cross become a message of peace and a power of God unto the
ends of the earth, that the nations that sit in darkness may be delivered from their
sins, and glorify Thy gracious name with all Thy saints. Embolden the ministers
of Thy Word to preach in season and out of season Christ and Him crucified,
calling sinners to repentance and believers to rejoice in Thy salvation. May
the death of Thy Son be our comfort in our last hour, and let us depart in
peace to rise with Him unto life everlasting. Amen.
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