A THINLY VEILED PARABLE

And He began to tell the people this
parable ... (Luke 20:9a).

Read Luke 20:9-19

The representatives of the Jewish high
court have been humiliated in front of
the crowd. They just want to slink back
to the high priest's house, but Jesus
isn't done with them yet. Since they
won't be honest enough to say what they
truly feel about John the Baptist, Jesus
uses a parable that answers their
original question and asserts His
authority to carry on His ministry.

In His parable Jesus uses a few brush
strokes to quickly paint a picture of
God's people. He planted them in the
Promised Land, as a man would plant a
vineyard. He lent His nation out to the
priests and religious leaders, who should
use His Word to tend His people and
prepare them to serve one another and
glorify God with their lives.

When the leaders failed to lead His people
correctly, God sent servant-prophets to
call them back to faithfully fulfill their
work of leading the nation in repentance,
faith and good works. But the leaders beat
and mistreated the prophets and sent them
away empty-handed. Finally, the owner sends
His beloved Son-and they plot to kill Him.

The drama is intense. The leaders know Jesus
is speaking about them, and their rage and
fury grow, even as their hidden plan to
murder God's own Son is openly exposed by
Jesus to all the pilgrims, who have gathered
at the temple courts in Jerusalem.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, You loved the Jewish leaders and
used a parable they understood to reveal the
enormity of what they were planning to do.
Help me see my sins and run to You for
forgiveness and peace. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT

... "Tell us, by what authority You do these things, or who is it
that gave You this authority?" (Luke 20:2b).

 Read Luke 20:1-8

The Jewish Sanhedrin or high court led by the high priest is the
recognized authority in Jerusalem. They aren't crazy about
Jesus driving the animals and moneychangers out of the temple
and teaching huge crowds right under their noses. So a group
from the Sanhedrin comes to ask who gave Him the authority
to do these things.

They expect Jesus to say His authority came from God. Then
they will demand proof, which they will refuse to recognize, thus
discrediting Him in front of the crowds. Jesus recognizes their
intended trap. He politely answers, "I also will ask you a question.
Now tell Me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?"

Suddenly, their trap is sprung, but they are the ones caught in it!
They could give an answer that would please the crowds, saying
John's authority was from God, but they know Jesus will ask why
then did they not obey him and receive his baptism. If they tell
Him what they honestly think, saying John's authority did not
come from God, they fear the crowd will rise up and stone them
to death because the people held John to be a prophet.

So the only answer they can give is no answer at all: "We don't
know where his authority came from." This is hardly a suitable
answer, since they are considered the leaders who are responsible
for religious instruction in Israel. They are completely humiliated by
the answer they have to give.

Jesus turns it back against them. If you will not answer Me,
"Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, Your authority indeed came from God Your
Father, the same source of John's authority. Help me accept
Your authority and trust in You always. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

A TIME TO CLEAN HOUSE

And He entered the temple and began to drive out those
who sold (Luke 19:45).

Read Luke 19:45-48

The Jerusalem temple was a reminder of God's presence
with His people, and animal sacrifices were a central
component of the worship there. As the worshipper laid
his hands on the animal's head and confessed his sins,
God transferred his guilt to the animal, which was put
to death in his place. All these sacrifices pointed ahead
to Jesus. He is the Lamb of God who would take our
place and be put to death for the sins of the whole world.
Since Jewish pilgrims travelled great distances for the
Passover feast, they were unable to bring along their
own sacrificial animals. Jesus has no problem with
sacrificial animals being available for sale or with
moneychangers converting foreign currency into temple
currency. His problem is where those animals were being
sold-in the courtyards of the temple.

In holy wrath Jesus drives all of them out. He quotes Isaiah,
"It is written, 'My house shall be a house of prayer,' but you
have made it a den of robbers'" (Matthew 21:13; see Isaiah
56:7). It is bad enough to make themselves robbers by
selling the sacrificial animals at unreasonable prices. But
even worse, they carry on their trade in the very courtyard
of the temple, where worshippers are trying to pray to God
amidst all these distractions

The Jewish leaders are infuriated that Jesus would challenge
their authority and interfere with their trade. But they cannot
destroy Him because the great crowds of pilgrims are
hanging on His words. As we'll see in the coming days, His
 teachings will grow more pointed, and His popularity will
continue to increase.

THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, Your Son drove out all distractions from Your
temple courts. Clear my mind of all distractions that I may
worship You with all my heart, mind and soul. I pray in
Jesus' Name. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

TEARS FOR THE HOLY CITY

And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him,
"Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." He answered, "I tell you,
if these were silent, the very stones would cry out"
(Luke 19:39-40).

Read Luke 19:39-44

Jesus enters Jerusalem with a large crowd joyfully singing
His praises. Some Pharisees come out of Jerusalem and
urge Jesus to silence His supporters. But Jesus refuses;
this King will have His rightful praise. Even if the people
remain silent, the stones themselves will cry out.

In a few days the Pharisees will have their way. These
praises will fall silent as the crowds begin shouting,
"Crucify, crucify Him!" Reaching the ridge of Jerusalem
Jesus begins sobbing. If only the city realized how easily
it could escape disaster. All its citizens have to do is turn
from their wrongs and trust in Jesus. Woefully, that great
peace is hidden from their eyes.

Jesus' tears flow because His all-knowing eyes see what
will happen here in 40 years. He sees the Roman legions
arriving, encircling the city, and cutting down the trees to
build their siege weapons. He sees violence and disease
breaking out through the doomed metropolis. He sees
starvation and plague ravaging those who remain. He sees
the Romans breaking through the city walls and savagely
attacking the last defenders at the temple walls. He sees
the temple in flames and the defenders being slaughtered,
as they turn from their Roman attackers in a desperate
attempt to extinguish the fires. He sees the temple
reduced to rubble, with not one stone left upon another.
And He weeps bitterly because all this is so needless. If
only they would recognize God graciously visiting them
through His Son.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, Your heart broke at the senseless devastation
Jerusalem would suffer because of its foolish unbelief.
Guard my heart and mind against unbelief, so I may live
with You in heaven, and not suffer eternally in hell. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

THE KING ENTERS

... the whole multitude of His disciples began to rejoice and
praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that
they had seen (Luke 19:37b).

Read Luke 19:28-38

Jesus has travelled to Jerusalem many times in His life, but
this trip will be the last time. Every other time He walked
through its gates, but not this time. Today He rides into the
city as Jerusalem's King, its Messiah. But the King of kings
does not ride a splendid war horse, instead He sends His
disciples to bring Him a humble donkey, a lowly beast of
burden. This animal fits Jesus' entire earthly life. He came
as the meek, humble Baby born in Bethlehem's manger;
He will lay down His life in humility on the cross.

The crowds are caught up in excitement. They shout
"Blessed is the King who comes in the Name of the Lord."
The term "blessed" points to the Father, who chose this
King and continues to bless Him. Even though He rides a
humble donkey, Jesus enters Jerusalem as our King,
coming to conquer our great enemies-Satan, sin, death
and hell.

The crowds add "peace in heaven and glory in the highest,
" the same words the angels shared with the shepherds at
Jesus' birth. Peace in heaven celebrates God's peace
coming down upon the earth through the Messiah. His
victory brings praise to God from His angels in heaven and
from all of us who have been saved by His mighty Son.

Jesus accepts this praise sweeping through the crowds
because it is right and true. He is the King riding into
Jerusalem to prepare to fight to the death to defend His
people. In a few days He will stagger out through the city
gates, carrying His cross to the battlefield.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, our great conquering King, You rode into
Jerusalem to wage war for Your people. Receive my
thanksgiving for the victory You won through Your suffering,
death and resurrection. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

NOT YET - BUT SOON

(Jesus said) "But his citizens hated him and sent a
delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man
to reign over us'" (Luke 19:14).

Read Luke 19:11-27

Jesus' choice to stay with the chief tax collector
 Zacchaeus divides the crowd. Some are upset Jesus
is associating with such an open sinner. Others think
God's kingdom will appear at once when He reaches the
Jewish capital Jerusalem. Jesus tells a parable that
answers both ideas.

The people have no trouble picturing His story of a
nobleman traveling to a distant country to have himself
proclaimed king. That was the way the Roman Empire
worked. Herod the Great left the land of Palestine and
travelled to Rome before Emperor Augustus proclaimed
him king. Only then could he return to rule.

Jesus pictures Himself as that nobleman-the great Son of
David and Son of God. Instead of beginning His reign when
He enters Jerusalem, He will be murdered by His enemies.
But after His resurrection He will leave the earth, ascending
into heaven where the Father will proclaim Him King. Then
on the Last Day-and not until that Day-Jesus will return to
reward His faithful servants and establish His kingdom on
the new earth.

Now Jesus turns to His enemies. He has shown great
patience, humility, grace, mercy and love toward them, but
they have hated Him, without cause. He warns that the time
of judgment is coming. He will return with His angel armies
to capture His enemies and slaughter them.

To our ears that judgment sounds harsh. But Christ your
King has given you fair warning. If you will not bow your knee
to Him in faith, you will forfeit your life and suffer eternally
in hell.

THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, You have established Your Son as the Ruler
of all things in heaven and on earth. Break through my
rebellious heart that I may love Him and serve Him now and
through all eternity. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

WHERE'S MY HOST

... "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay
at your house today" (Luke 19:5b).

Read Luke 19:1-10

Jesus' final week is just a few days away. He has come
to Jericho to spend the night, but His host is not home.
So Jesus passes through town to find him.

Zacchaeus is a chief tax collector and extremely wealthy.
 But he left his tax office when he heard Jesus had come
to town. He knew Jesus' reputation-while the Jews and
their leaders despised tax collectors as traitors and
thieves-Jesus was known as a friend to tax collectors.
Rushing to the far edge of town, he climbed a tree to see
the Lord.

Jesus comes right up to that spot, stops, and looks up
into the tree. Calling Zacchaeus by name, He tells him to
come down quickly. Jesus wants to spend this night in his
house.

Zacchaeus scurries down and receives Jesus with great joy.
The crowd hears this and is terribly scandalized. How
could Jesus choose to stay in the home of a notorious
sinner? What they didn't know is that Jesus had already
begun to change Zacchaeus' heart. The chief tax collector
was repenting of his sins and planning to make amends for
his past wrongdoings.

Jesus points out that Zacchaeus is a son of Abraham just
as are those in the crowd. True children of Abraham share
Abraham's faith in God's promise to send the Christ or
Messiah. Zacchaeus knew Jesus had given him a great
honor by staying in his house. But did he know His Lord
had chosen to spend one of the last precious nights He
had on earth with him?

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, with amazing grace You sought out the
despised chief tax collector Zacchaeus and honored him by
staying at His house that night. Help us appreciate the honor
You give us, by promising to remain with us always. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

A LONE VOICE

And he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on
me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling
him to be silent. ... (Luke 18:38-39a)
.
Read Luke 18:35-43

Jesus is approaching Jericho. It's one of His last stops
before Jerusalem. Along the road sits a blind man
begging. Hearing a loud commotion passing by, he
asks what's going on. Someone from the crowd answers,
"Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."

Immediately, the beggar begins shouting at the top of his
lungs. He knows Jesus is somewhere in that crowd,
which is shuffling past him. But unlike the stranger from
the crowd he doesn't call Him "Jesus the Nazarene.
" Instead, he calls him, "Jesus, Son of David." He is
convinced that Jesus is the promised Messiah, David's
Son.

Jesus indeed is the King marching on to save His people
from their enemies. Some in the crowd try to silence the
blind man, but he shouts all the louder to get Jesus'
attention. That is the character of faith: the more people
and circumstances rise up to silence us, the louder we
cry for our Lord to be merciful to us.

We might expect Jesus to be so preoccupied with His
approaching death that He wouldn't notice a lone voice,
crying out to Him in the midst of the clamor of the crowd.
But His ears are attuned to cries for mercy from His
faithful ones. Now that He has accomplished His mission
and won complete forgiveness, we can be confident He
hears our cries for mercy and pity too.

The man is blind no longer. He rises and follows Jesus on
His way.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, even as You were journeying toward
Your bitter death, Your ears were wide open to the pleas
of the blind man. Give me confidence that You hear my
prayers for mercy too. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

HOLDING NOTHING BACK

For He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be
mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And
after flogging Him, they will kill Him, and on the third
day He will rise (Luke 18:32-33).

Read Luke 18:31-34

Jesus has left Galilee in the north and is on the road to
Jerusalem with His 12 disciples. The crowds are
excited by everything Jesus is doing, and the disciples
are swept up in their hopes and dreams. Jesus tells
them everything recorded in the Old Testament prophets
concerning Him will be fulfilled in Jerusalem. They
expect Jesus to announce His glorious earthly kingdom,
but Jesus paints a very different picture.

Twice before, Jesus has announced His coming death
and resurrection. Both times He veiled the details behind
the words, "The Son of Man must suffer many things.
" Now, however, He spells it out. He doesn't disclose
Judas' upcoming betrayal, but He does reveal that the
Jewish high court, the Sanhedrin, will deliver Him into
the hands of the Gentiles, namely, Pontius Pilate, the
Roman governor.

The Roman soldiers will mock Him, treat Him shamefully
and outrageously, spit upon Him, flog Him, and then kill
Him. The details are stunning. Jesus knows exactly what
He is walking into-and He goes willingly.
This is not at all what the disciples expect or want to hear.
But when those words are fulfilled, they will have no doubt
that Jesus foresaw it all -- and went through it all -- for
them and us.

THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, Your Son knew all He must suffer to save
us from our sins, and yet He took that path willingly. Give
me a thankful heart that I may joyfully follow whatever path
You choose to set before me. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

HEROD'S DEATH THREAT

... "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill You"
(Luke 13:31b).

Read Luke 13:31-35

Each day the danger increases for Jesus. Today,
some Pharisees pass along an alleged death threat.
If Herod did make this threat, it was more of a bluff to
drive Jesus out of the region. Later, he'll have his
chance to kill Jesus in Jerusalem, but he will hand
Him back to Pilate instead. He doesn't want to anger
his Galilean subjects by killing yet another popular
prophet, executing John the Baptist had already cost
him enough.

Jesus refuses to be intimidated. His time in Galilee is
growing extremely short, and He will reach every
person He possibly can before He must move on
toward Jerusalem. Jesus gives them a message to
take back to Herod, "Tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out
demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and
the third day I finish my course.'" If demons and
diseases cannot stop Jesus from carrying out the
work the Father has set for Him to do, no earthly
ruler will either.

He must go up to Jerusalem. And it is there-like so
many prophets before Him-that Jesus must die. Like
a bird that spreads its wings to gather its chicks and
shield them from danger, Jesus reaches out to His
people, but they turn their backs. On the cross His
arms will be stretched out for them also, but they will
pass by with sneers, insults and mockery.
This brings tears to His eyes. But they are not for Him;
rather, they are for the people of Jerusalem He so
desperately wants to save, but they are unwilling. This
unwillingness will lead to their destruction at the hands
of the Roman legions in another 40 years.

THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, so many times You reached out to Your
people, yet they kept turning their backs on You. Heal
my stubborn heart, so I may know Your peace and joy
through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. I pray in
Jesus' Name. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

PILATE'S FIRST APPEARANCE

There were some present at that very time who told Him
about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with
their sacrifices (Luke 13:1).

Read Luke 13:1-5

Today we catch our first glimpse of Pontius Pilate, the
Roman military governor. Jesus is making His way toward
Jerusalem when He gets word of a recent tragic event in
Jerusalem. While some of Jesus' fellow Galileans were
offering sacrifices in the temple courts, Pilate's soldiers
rushed in and killed them. This event is not recorded by
any other Gospel writer or ancient historian and Luke
doesn't explain Pilate's reasons, he is more interested
in Jesus' reaction.

"Do you think that these Galileans where worse sinners
than all the other Galileans because they suffered in this
way?" That's how people thought in that day, and it's a
conclusion we sometimes are too quick to jump to in our
day too. If someone suffers something horrendous such
as a tragic accident or an illness, then God must be
punishing them for some secret sin. Jesus warns us not
to judge by outward appearances.

In a short time another Galilean will be killed at the hands
of Pontius Pilate. People will look at Jesus hanging on the
cross and reach the false conclusion that God is punishing
Him for falsely claiming to be His Son. But in truth, Jesus
is God's perfect Son. He will hang on the cross and endure
punishment for the sins of all people for all time. This He
will do so that God may give complete forgiveness to all
who repent and believe.

Jesus continues, "No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you
will all likewise perish." All people are sinners. Only those
who repent and trust in Jesus' sacrifice in their place will
find salvation and eternal life.

THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, teach me not to judge how You feel about
me or anyone else by mere appearances and
circumstances. Let me instead live by faith in Jesus
Christ my Lord. I pray in His Name. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

PEACE AT ALL COSTS?

(Jesus said) "Do you think that I have come to give peace
 on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division" (Luke 12:51).

Read Luke 12:49-53

The hostility against Jesus grows. His enemies will not
stop until He hangs dead on a cross.

That doesn't seem to fit the words of the Christmas angels:
"Peace on earth" (see Luke 2:14). But the angels weren't
talking about peace among people. They said, "Peace
among those with whom God is pleased." God is only
pleased when we recognize our failings, and then trust
Jesus Christ as our Savior.

The Jewish leaders won't accept that they are misleading
God's people. They cling to their errors and refuse to turn to
their Messiah for forgiveness. Jesus warns His disciples
that hostility will one day turn against them.

Listen to the urgency in His voice: "I came to cast fire on
the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a
baptism to be baptized with, and how great is My distress
until it is accomplished!" The fire Jesus wishes to cast is
the cross; His bloody sacrifice divides believers from
unbelievers. The fire of that cross rages across the earth
to this very day.

Jesus asks, "Do you think that I have come to give peace
on earth?" How often do we compromise the truth or stand
in silence trying to live at peace with others? Not so with
Jesus. He refuses to wash His hands if it will support a
satanic lie. He powerfully attacks the deception of the
Pharisees and scribes so they will recognize Satan's lies
and turn to Him for salvation.

THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, there can be no compromise between You
and Satan, truth and error, life and death, heaven and hell.
Help me cling at all costs to the peace believers have with
You, which Jesus Christ won. I pray in His Name. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

I'M NOT WASHING

The Pharisee was astonished to see that He did not first
wash before dinner (Luke 11:38).

Read Luke 11:37-54

Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem for the last time. One
Sabbath He stops to teach in a synagogue. After the
service a Pharisee invites Him to share His morning meal.
Before they eat, the Pharisee and his other guests carefully
wash their hands, according to Jewish traditions. They
believe eating with unwashed hands would contaminate the
food which, in turn, made the body unclean in God's eyes.

It was time for Jesus to confront that error. Knowing all
humans are contaminated by the sinful nature they receive
from their parents and not from eating unclean food, Jesus
refuses to wash His hands. His host is astonished, but Jesus
refuses to back down.

He then starts blasting the traditions they trust to earn their
way to heaven. It may seem unwise for Jesus to turn up the
heat, but it is the greatest act of kindness anyone could do
for them. If they keep straining to wash a little uncleanness
from their hands, they will never let God remove the
uncleanness and sin from their hearts, minds and souls.

This brings a complaint from the scribes. When He attacks
the Pharisees, Jesus is really attacking the scribes, whose
traditions the Pharisees are following. Jesus turns the heat
up again. He accuses the scribes of burying God's gracious
Old Testament promises beneath their traditions, which
deceive people into relying on their own works rather than
God's free forgiveness as given through His Son, the Messiah.

The Pharisees and scribes strenuously object. They pressure
Him to speak on more things, lying in ambush, hoping He will
blurt out something carelessly.

THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, Your Son Jesus made clear there is only one
way into Your presence, through faith in Him. Drive from my
heart and mind the lie that there are many ways. I pray in
Jesus' Name. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

GROWING URGENCY

(Jesus said) "Let these words sink into your ears: the Son
of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men"
(Luke 9:44).

Read Luke 9:37-45

Coming down with His three disciples from the Mountain of
Transfiguration, Jesus encounters a demon that His other
disciples are unable to cast out. With divine might and
majesty, Jesus overpowers the demon and sends him away.
The crowd is completely amazed and stands marveling at
what God has done. Jesus knows His disciples are still
clinging to hopes of an earthly kingdom, and He doesn't
want them to get swept away by the excitement of the
crowds. So He turned to talk directly to them. To get their
attention He could have easily said, "Listen carefully.
" Instead, He says something even more striking: "Let
these words sink into your ears."

And what are the extremely important words Jesus has to
tell them? They are these: "The Son of Man is about to be
delivered into the hands of men." Despite their dreams, and
the hope of the crowd following them, Jesus' suffering is
close at hand. He is "about to be delivered into the hands
of men."

But Jesus reveals one more painful fact about His coming
suffering He did not reveal the first time: it will come about
through an act of betrayal. Of course, Jesus knows the
identity of His betrayer, but He withholds that information,
for now. Not only will He be rejected and, consequently,
subjected to violent brutalities and death, but treachery will
be connected with these events as well.

The disciples fail to understand and are afraid to ask Jesus
anything about it. The suspense is building as Jesus'
destiny-and our salvation-draw near.

THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, Your Son single-mindedly set His steps to
fulfill Your plan to save the world. Give me an unwavering
faith to follow Him all my days. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

SHINING IN GLORY

And as He was praying, the appearance of His face was
altered, and His clothing became dazzling white
(Luke 9:29).

Read Luke 9:28-36

Eight days after Jesus predicted His death and resurrection,
He takes three disciples up a mountain where He is
transfigured before them. Peter had called Him the Christ of
God. Now he can look upon the glorious face of God's
eternal Son. Jesus always had this glory, but from His
conception until that very moment it had been hidden behind
His humanity. Now, for a brief moment, it bursts forth on the
mountain.

This glorious sight might strengthen Peter, James and John's
false dream of Jesus reigning over a glorious, earthly kingdom.
But Moses and Elijah-two great leaders from the Old
Testament-stand speaking with Jesus about His departure and
how He will complete His earthly mission through His death,
resurrection and ascension. Peter, James and John awaken.
Seeing Moses and Elijah beginning to leave, Peter blurts out
his desire to build three shelters so they can stay

Suddenly, a bright cloud envelopes Jesus and the three
disciples. And from the cloud the voice of the Father speaks out,
"This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!" Jesus has
much to teach them-and us-about our earthly life and how He
will lay down His life, so we might live forever with Him.
After the voice had spoken, Jesus was again alone with them,
back to His normal, veiled appearance. He then leads them
down the mountain on the path that will take Him to the cross.

THE PRAYER:

 Almighty God, in Jesus' transfiguration we see His full glory as
Your mighty and eternal Son. Strengthen my trust in Him as my
Savior, so I may see His glory face to face in heaven. I pray this
in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

SHATTERING ILLUSIONS

(Jesus said) "The Son of Man must suffer many
things ..." (Luke 9:22a).

Read Luke 9:18-22

Jesus' disciples have heard His powerful words
and seen many mighty miracles. They believe He
is the promised Messiah. But as soon as Peter
makes his great confession, Jesus sternly
commands the 12 disciples to keep the news to
themselves. The Jewish crowds have the wrong
idea about the Messiah; they think He will be a
great king, driving out the Romans and
establishing an earthly kingdom. Even the
disciples are swept up in this dream. Now Jesus
begins shattering that illusion and teaching them
that He came to save the world through His death
and resurrection.

Jesus is fully aware of all the horrendous things
He will suffer in Jerusalem, but He also knows the
disciples are not ready for all the gory facts. So He
draws a veil over the details and simply says, "The
Son of Man must suffer many things."
But the disciples need to know who will cause His
great suffering. So Jesus teaches them that the
leaders of His own people-the Jewish high court-will
carefully examine Him and reject Him as their
Messiah. They will kill Him through an act of judicial
murder. But Jesus' revelation to the disciples doesn't
end with His death. He clearly states that on the
third day after His death He will be raised.

At Christmas when you look at the Baby dozing in
Bethlehem's manger, this may not be the life you
would picture for Him, but it is exactly what God had
planned for Him since the very beginning.

THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, Jesus was careful to shield His
disciples from all the horrors He knew He would suffer
to save us from our sins. Remind me that You know
every detail of my future and give me confidence You
will make all thing work together for my good. For
Jesus' sake I pray. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

IS IT UNLAWFUL TO DO GOOD?

But they were filled with fury and discussed with
one another what they might do to Jesus. (Luke 6:11)

Read Luke 6:6-11

The opposition against Jesus is mounting-neighbors
from Nazareth and the devil with his demonic army.
Now two new enemies join the fray.

The scribes have spent centuries copying Old
Testament scrolls, which teach God's Law to show
us why we need His promised Savior. But they have
distorted that word: teaching that heaven can be
earned with less-than-perfect lives. Sitting with the
scribes are their disciples the Pharisees, who
dedicate themselves to live by these teachings and
traditions.

In the synagogue sits a man whose right hand is
withered and useless. What will Jesus do? Scribal
traditions forbid any work on the Sabbath, even
healing a man's withered hand. So the scribes and
Pharisees silently watch to see if Jesus will break
their Sabbath rules.

Jesus calls the man to stand, dramatically drawing
everyone's attention. Then He turns to the scribes
and asks, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or
to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?" He exposes
the hypocrisy of their tradition that would forbid Him
to use His powers to end someone's suffering just
because it is the Sabbath. Looking around at them,
He lets His point sink in. Jesus then tells the man,
"Stretch out your hand," and his hand is completely
restored.

The scribes and Pharisees are furious. Jesus clearly
broke the spirit of their Sabbath tradition, but by the
letter of their law they have no charge to bring against
Him. Nobody thought to write a law forbidding a man
to stretch out his hand.

THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, Jesus' enemies grew furious when He
showed concern for a man who was hurting. Forgive
my cold, unfeeling heart toward those suffering around
me, and help me flee to Jesus for forgiveness. I pray
His Name. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

I'M A WOMAN

Verse

Little girl, I say to you, arise!
 Mark 5:41

Voice

I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
-Maya Angelou

Prayer

Thank you for making each and
every one of us in your image, God.

(Sojourners,   sojo.net)

CONFRONTING A DEMON

And in the synagogue there was a man who had the
spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a
loud voice. (Luke 4:33)

Read Luke 4:31-37

After being rejected in his hometown of Nazareth,
Jesus sets up His headquarters in the town of
Capernaum. On the Sabbath He begins teaching in the
synagogue. Once again the people are amazed at His
powerful words. But sitting in their midst is a man
possessed by a demon.

Demons are fallen angels. In the beginning God created
them pure and holy, but following their rebellious leader
Satan they rose up against their Creator. Jesus would
later tell His disciples, "I saw Satan fall like lightning"
(Luke 10:18b). Cast out of heaven, Satan and his
demonic angels turned their rage and hatred against the
humans God had created.

Here in the synagogue this ancient enemy cries out in a
loud voice: "Ha! What have You to do with us, Jesus of
Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us?" Since their
fall all the demons have known and dreaded the coming
of God's Son in judgment.

In terror the demon blurts out, "I know who You are-the
Holy One of God!"

Jesus gives the first of two short commands: "Be silent."
Standing before God's mighty Son, the demon immediately
falls silent.

Then Jesus commands, "Come out of Him!" In obedience
the demon immediately comes out, throwing the man down
in the process. But under Jesus' protecting eye the man is
left completely unharmed.

In the wilderness Satan had tempted Jesus to bow down
and worship him. But on the Last Day Satan and all his evil
host will bow down and worship their Creator and Judge-and
be cast into hell forever.

THE PRAYER

Almighty God, like Satan and his demons, I have sinned
against You. Forgive me for Jesus' sake and free me from
Satan's power that I may serve You now and forever. I pray in
Jesus' Name. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

THE FIRST REJECTION

And they rose up and drove Him out of town and brought
Him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built,
so that they could throw Him down the cliff. (Luke 4:29)

Read Luke 4:14-30

Having defeated Satan's temptations Jesus then travels
from village to village in Galilee, sharing God's plan of
salvation and working many wondrous miracles. Months
later He returns to His hometown Nazareth. Entering the
synagogue Jesus reads from Isaiah, the Old Testament
book that most clearly talks about His work as the
Messiah. He tells His neighbors of the forgiveness,
peace and freedom He has come to bring.

At first they are amazed by His gracious words; then
they remember all the years He lived among them, and
how they had never seen anything remarkable about
Joseph's Son before. Having heard about His miracles
in the neighboring towns, they want Him to heal them
too.

Jesus wants to help them, but He will not reward their
unbelief. He reminds them how in the past God
withheld healing miracles from Israel, when His people
refused to believe.

Filled with fury they rise as an angry mob to drive Him
to the cliff to throw Him to His death. In one blind
moment they foreshadow the rejection and violent
death He will suffer at His own people's hands. But
God has chosen a different time, and a different place.
Jesus gives them one last miracle to consider. They
have Him firmly in their grasp, ready to fling Him off the
cliff, but then Jesus suddenly turns and calmly goes His
way through their midst-never to return. He leaves this
final warning to His neighbors: if they stubbornly refuse
to repent, they will have to stand before Him on Judgment
Day.

THE PRAYER:

 Almighty God, today Jesus comes to me offering to
forgive, restore and save me. Give me faith to trust Him,
so I may escape Your wrath and live in Your loving,
glorious presence forever. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

THE BATTLE

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the
Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness
for forty days, being tempted by the devil...(Luke 4:1-2a)

Read Luke 4:1-13

When Satan first squared off against humanity he tripped
up our parents in the Garden of Eden, with his cunningly
twisted words. They disobeyed God's Word, ate the
forbidden fruit, and plunged our world into death and
destruction. Now Satan squares off against our Savior.
For 40 days Jesus ate no food as our enemy unleashed
a devastating torrent of deceitful temptations. Luke records
three final devious traps Satan set for Jesus.

First, he appeals to Jesus' great hunger: "If You are the
Son of God, command this stone to become bread." It
sounds innocent enough, but Jesus sees the trap.
Following Satan's advice will show He doesn't trust God
to provide for His needs. Jesus answers, "It is written,
'Man shall not live by bread alone.'"

The tempter next offers to give Jesus all the kingdoms of
the world if He will worship him. Jesus answers, "It is
written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him
only shall you serve.'" He came to walk His Father's
difficult saving path-not Satan's shortcut.

In one final temptation Jesus is placed on the pinnacle of
the temple. Satan challenges Him to jump, appealing to
God's promise in the Psalm, "He will command His
angels to guard you ... lest you strike your foot against a
stone" (Psalm 91:11a, 12b).

If Jesus won't jump, it looks like He doesn't trust God's
promise. But Jesus sees through it. He doesn't have to
prove His faith to Satan. He replies, "It is written, 'You shall
not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

Having no success in his temptations, Satan departs from
Jesus, waiting a more opportune time.
THE PRAYER

Almighty God, where Adam and Eve fell to Satan's lies, Your
Son stood firm. Thank You for His salvation. Help me trust
You as He did and cling to Your Word alone. I pray in Jesus'
Name. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

WE MUST

If we want to experience the peace of God,
we have to make peace with each other.
And if we want to be able to build His
Temple, we must start by building better
relationships with all His children.

HOW DARE HE

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

A NEW BEGINNING

...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

IS THIS THE MESSIAH

Read Luke 3:15-18

As the people were in expectation, and all were
questioning in their hearts concerning John,
whether he might be the Christ (Luke 3:15).

If John were here today, he would have a lot to say
about our fear to confront those who live contrary
to God's Word. He was a bold and powerful
preacher; he was unafraid to stand up to the self-
absorbed religious leaders or expose the errors of
powerful political rulers.

It's not difficult for the crowds to see the power of
God at work in his ministry. So we should not be
surprised to hear them asking if John might be the
great prophet that Moses predicted long ago. Is
this the Messiah God had promised to send?
But John immediately set the crowds straight.
However powerful he might be as a prophet, he is
nothing compared to the One who is coming.
Compared to Him, John is like the lowest house
slave, unworthy even to stoop down and lay his
fingers upon the sandals of the great Messiah.

Even now, this mighty Son of God is living in
Galilee. Soon He will come to John to begin His
ministry, by which He will accomplish His great
rescue mission. John baptizes with water, but the
Christ will pour out the Holy Spirit and His
cleansing fire upon those who hear and believe.
What thoughts must have rushed through those
crowds, hearing the long-awaited Messiah is near?
What thoughts cross your mind when thinking of
Jesus, who not long ago was that tiny Baby laying
in Bethlehem's manger? How amazing is it that He
will soon stride forward in humility and poverty to
save the world?

THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, thank You for sending Your great
Son to save us from death and hell. Accept our
thanksgiving and praise for Jesus' sake. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

FLEE THE COMING WRATH

And he (John) went into all the region around the Jordan,
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness
of sins (Luke 3:3)

Read Luke 3:1-9

Luke anchors John's ministry in human history by listing
the Roman emperor, the governor of Judea, and the ruler
of the northern province of Galilee where Jesus is living.
John preaches in the region near the Jordan River. Huge
crowds come out to him, but he is aware that some are
here for the wrong reasons. Some are merely curious;
others don't recognize any sins in themselves that need
to be washed away. John boldly challenges them: "You
brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath
to come?"

These strong words challenge us to look deep within our
hearts. John has come to prepare the way for God's
mighty Son. He calls us to recognize our faults and
failings and humble ourselves before our God. This
baptism is not an empty, meaningless ceremony. It is
God's solution to the deadly poison of our sin. Through
water and the Word God washes away our sins,
delivering us from death and hell, and saving us from
His destructive wrath.

On the Last Day, Jesus will return to earth to execute
God's judgment. He will cast into the eternal fires of
hell all that refuse to accept the forgiveness and
salvation He came to win for them. Today is the day for
you to escape God's wrath and find peace and eternal
salvation in Jesus your Savior.

THE PRAYER

Almighty God, You sent John to prepare the people of
Israel for the coming of Your Son Jesus. Through the
powerful words spoken by John, prepare me for Jesus'
second coming, that I may escape Your fiery wrath.
I pray this in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

WHERE CAN HE BE?

... the Boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His
parents did not know it (Luke 2:43b).

Read Luke 2:41-52

If you were a 12-year-old, left alone in a huge capital
city, where would you go?

Mary and Joseph spent three frantic days trying to
answer that question, as they searched for 12- year-
old Jesus. Would they find Him roaming though the
market place, staring up at one of Herod the Great's
three spectacular towers, or would He be gazing at
his opulent palace in the north end of town? Was He
watching the Roman soldiers practicing their military
formations and running their drills in the Antonia
Fortress? Would He be cheering along with the
chariot races in the Jerusalem hippodrome-that same
horse track featured in the movie Ben Hur?

The truth is none of these places held the biggest
attraction for Jesus. He was in the last place most of
us would ever expect a pre-teen to be. On the third
day they found Him in the temple courts, asking
questions of the religious leaders. His greatest thrill
was to be at His Father's house fulfilling His great
mission.

When His mother asked why He had treated them
that way, Jesus' answer confused both Mary and
Joseph, "Did you not know that I must be in My
Father's house?" Jesus had important work to do,
and He knew it. Everything was riding on it: His
great mission and our eternal future. To open
heaven to us He had to live a perfect life, with
absolute obedience and perfection. He had to learn,
understand and memorize God's Word; He had to
know it inside and out. He was a single-minded
Savior on a single-minded mission.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your single-minded
dedication to our salvation. Give me a similar hunger
for Your Word too. Amen.

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries