Easter Vigil: True Strength

Devotion by: Pastor Paul Gysan

Psalm 118:1-2, 16-23

O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever!

Let Israel say,
‘His steadfast love endures for ever.’
the right hand of the LORD is exalted;
the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.’
I shall not die, but I shall live,
and recount the deeds of the LORD.
The LORD has punished me severely,
but he did not give me over to death.

Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the LORD.

This is the gate of the LORD;
the righteous shall enter through it.

I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the LORD’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.

The pilgrimage of people to Easter worship throughout the world is paralleled in Psalm 118. This Psalm was sung as pilgrims went up to Jerusalem for the festival of Tabernacles. Along the way, they remembered God’s steadfast love, love that delivered them from bondage to the Egyptians. They were reminded of this victory and sang songs about it along the way (vs. 15). They recounted what God had done for them, as we recount what Jesus did on the cross for you and me (vs. 17). Coming into Jerusalem, as they went up to the temple, they gave thanks to God (vs. 18). God had defeated Pharaoh. They shouted “Hosanna,” which means “save us, we beseech you, O Lord” (vs. 25). And the words that follow, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord” (vs. 26), are words shouted on Palm Sunday.

As they entered the temple, branches of myrtle, willow, and palm were put on the altar to remind them of their days of wandering in the wilderness. The wandering days were over, and looking back, they knew that their “true strength” was not in themselves, but in God whose mighty arm had won for them the victory!

Read this entire Psalm, which is the center of the Bible (chapter-wise). The centering verse of the Bible is vs. 8: “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” Martin Luther wrote this about Psalm 118:

This is my own psalm, which I specially love. Though the entire Psalter and the Holy Scriptures are indeed very dear to me as my sole comfort and my very life, yet I have come to grips with this psalm in a special sense, so that I feel free to call it my very own. For it has done me great service on many an occasion and stood by me in many a difficulty when the emperor, kings, wise men and clever, and even the saints were of no avail . . . .” (Martin Luther, commentary on PS. 118, Luther’s Works Vol. 14, page 45 (Concordia, 1957)).

Luther knew that our “true strength” comes not from ourselves, but from God.

How does the festival of Easter help us to sustain a correct relationship with God? Easter is all about remembering and honoring God’s redemptive love for us. “The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” The world rejected Jesus, but nails could not hold him to a cross. His stilled body was placed in a tomb, but no stone could contain the Savior of the world. Jesus, our “true strength,” rose from the dead. Jesus has won for us the victory over sin and death! The early Christians moved the “Sabbath” to “Sunday,” the first day of the week, for each Sunday was a time to remember with thanksgiving God’s strength and our weakness. Our risen Lord daily stands with us so that we might walk in the strength of the Lord.

This is my favorite festival of the year, for Jesus is risen indeed! His daily presence in my life is my source of strength, my Savior in whom I rejoice! Daily I seek to live as an Easter person!

PRAYER: Oh God, I give thanks to you for the gift of your Son, who came to this earth to deliver me from bondage to sin and death. Through Jesus I was connected with your grace, your steadfast love, and in the body of Christ, I praise your name this day. Help me to always be an Easter person, daily finding my true strength in you. I pray this in the name of Jesus, my risen Lord and Savior. Amen.

Good Friday: Reversal

Devotion by: Lynne Roots

Isaiah 52:13--53:12

See, my servant shall prosper;
he shall be exalted and lifted up,
and shall be very high.
Just as there were many who were astonished at him
—so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance,
and his form beyond that of mortals—
so he shall startle many nations;
kings shall shut their mouths because of him;
for that which had not been told them they shall see,
and that which they had not heard they shall contemplate.
Who has believed what we have heard?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by others;
a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity;
and as one from whom others hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him of no account.

Surely he has borne our infirmities
and carried our diseases;
yet we accounted him stricken,
struck down by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the punishment that made us whole,
and by his bruises we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have all turned to our own way,
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
By a perversion of justice he was taken away.
Who could have imagined his future?
For he was cut off from the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people.
They made his grave with the wicked
and his tomb with the rich,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him with pain.
When you make his life an offering for sin,
he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days;
through him the will of the LORD shall prosper.
Out of his anguish he shall see light;
he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge.
The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong;
because he poured out himself to death,
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.

Have you ever formed a judgment about someone from no information other than how they dress or their annoying laugh or how they chew their food -- or any one of a number of other superficial reasons? Be honest. We all have. There is a wonderful story about a gal during World War II who walked into Neiman Marcus in Dallas, Texas and headed straight for the fur department. She was dressed in her work clothes, which were overalls from the factory where she was employed. She was ignored. After having walked around the department for some time with no one coming up to offer help, she finally stopped a salesperson and told her she wanted to look at a selection of coats. She was summarily snubbed. She then reached into her pocket and pulled out a huge wad of bills, mostly $100s -- more than enough to cover the cost of two coats. She told the salesperson that not only had she lost a huge commission, but also Neiman Marcus had lost a customer. This is a perfect example of the old maxim, “You can’t judge a book by its cover”.

In Isaiah, we read about the servant who was snubbed, reviled and abused. But in the final tally, he was the one who would be chosen by God. It’s interesting, isn’t it, that some act so “piously”, and yet God looks past them. Instead, he favors the humblest among us, who have nothing to bring to the table but themselves, their faith and their obedience to God.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Give us the ability to see with tolerant eyes all around us. Help us understand that there is no magic formula to the throne beyond our own sincerity, faith and humility.

Maundy Thursday: Remember

Devotion by: Bill Wagner

Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbour in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the LORD. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgements: I am the LORD. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.

This passage describes the instructions to the Israelites about how they are to celebrate the Passover, when the Lord spared them from the destruction of all first-born male children in Egypt. They are told to celebrate this event in remembrance of how the Lord spared them.

In my own life, I know I have been spared several times. The most recent was in June 2005 when I was involved in a very serious car accident that totally destroyed the car I was in. At the moment of impact, I can remember seeing the other car hitting the passenger side of my car and the glass beginning to fly in toward me. My last thought was that “this was not a very good way to end things”. The next thing I knew, the car came to rest, glass scattered everywhere and my only injuries were some small cuts on my hands.

I remember that moment frequently and know that I was given another chance to serve in whatever capacity the Lord would direct me. Since then, I have been blessed with the chance to give leadership to a relatively new, developing veterinary school at St. Matthew’s University in the Cayman Islands. This opportunity came after two other, much more likely professional opportunities did not materialize as I had hoped. We need to remember, when He closes one door, there is always another one opening. When we think we know the plan, we usually become too arrogant and fail to see the possibilities that the Lord is putting in front of us. We need to remember that He is there for us and has a plan for our life that will be best for each of us.

PRAYER: Gracious God, help us to remember how you have been there for us in our times of need, and also remember that You are the one with the best plan for us. Amen.

Redeemer

Devotion by: CTK 4th Grade

Matthew 17:1-9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’

Jesus took Peter, James and John to a high mountain and showed them that He was the Son of God. Jesus trusted them to keep His secret. He was transfigured right before their eyes – Jesus’ face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as the light! Why, even Moses and Elijah appeared! And then a cloud covered them and God said, “This is my Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

How many emotions the disciples must have had! How would you have felt? Scared, frightened, confused, worried, amazed, surprised, shocked, joyful … deceitful? Would you not have the urge to tell everyone what you had seen? Does Jesus expect us to keep His true identity a secret today? No, he wants us to tell everyone who He is and what He has done for us. And that is certainly good news!

PRAYER: Dear God, Thank you for being my God. Thank you for dying for me. Thank you for forgiving our sins. Thank you for glowing. Thank you for showing yourself to us. Thank you for helping us to believe in you. Bye God. Amen.

A Faithful Brother

Devotion by: Michelle Hawkins and Gale Bobzien

John 13:21-33, 36-38

After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’ So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘Do quickly what you are going to do.’ Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the festival’; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.”

Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus answered, ‘Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterwards.’ Peter said to him, ‘Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’ Jesus answered, ‘Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.

Have you ever known anyone who seems to know you better than you know yourself? If you do, it’s usually someone very close to you. Jesus was close to His disciples. He knew them better than they knew themselves. At the last supper, Jesus knew that the one to whom he gave the piece of bread when He had dipped it would betray Him. The NIV Study Bible notes, “If the giving of the bread to Judas was a mark of honor, it also seems to have been a final appeal – which Judas did not accept.” Judas betrayed Jesus.

Although Peter stated that he would lay down his life for Jesus, Jesus predicted that Peter would deny Him not once, not twice, but three times. He knew Peter better than Peter knew himself.

Judas may not have felt any guilt for what he had done to Jesus. His guilty feelings may have been centered on himself. Peter, on the other hand, felt extreme remorse for letting Jesus down. The Gospel according to Mark says, “Peter broke down and wept.” Peter went on to become the rock upon which the church was built.

Coming back to the theme of “Place your trust in the Lord; He never betrays the Father’s children,” one more phrase could be added: “particularly those who sincerely repent for their sins,” as Peter did. Jesus knows our hearts; He knows what our actions will be, and He accepts that we will fail at times. But if we are remorseful and ask Him for forgiveness, it will always be granted.

Perhaps if we feel betrayed at times, it is because we put too much trust in another person, rather than putting our trust and confidence in God. We have a loving and forgiving Lord. We should strive to follow Jesus’ example with an open heart and serve God and His people. God is gracious and merciful. Put your faith in Him. He will not betray you.

PRAYER: Gracious God, in this season of Lent, help us to serve you with an open heart and will. Grant us the strength to follow the example of Jesus and the grace to see the many blessings we have in our lives. Amen.

Be Patient

Devotion by: Janet Wright Simpson

Psalm 27:1-3, 13-14

Of David.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me
to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
they shall stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
yet I will be confident.

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD!

“Be patient – though you may not see the light of Easter yet, it is coming as surely as the dawn.”

In Psalm 27, verses 1-3, we are reminded that it is God from whom we draw our strength, no matter how tough life can be. Through this strength we can respond to whatever life may throw our way. In verses 13-14, we are reassured that God’s goodness is all around us. In the words, “Wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage,” we are given strength and courage to be patient, knowing that, in the end, God will guide us.

It is so easy to be impatient and take the reigns of our lives into our own hands. For example, when we are experiencing pain – whether our own or that of a loved one -- we want to hurry up and get past the hurt or rough patch. In the movie, The Ultimate Gift, a wise grandfather relays to his grandson that the learning experienced through tough times is a gift, even if pain is the teacher. How true. In my own life, I find that when I truly open my heart and listen to God, I can see the goodness through the pain, I can see the learning through the rough patch, and I can muster the courage to have patience and trust in God. It is only through faith that I can find my way through those times.

PRAYER: Dear God, help us to open our hearts to you when we are experiencing tough times. Forgive us for our willfulness and grant us the wisdom to be patient, knowing that you will guide us through the storm. Amen.

Palm Sunday: Over-Powered

Devotion by: Gale Bobzien

Matthew 21:1-11

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, “The Lord needs them.” And he will send them immediately.’ This took place to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,

‘Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

‘Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!’

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’

Palm Sunday is a special day. My mother passed away on Palm Sunday four years ago. It’s certainly a time of remembrance for me. I remember sitting by my mother’s bedside, reading to her from the Scriptures. I read the promise of the Gospel to her.

Yes, the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, which we celebrate as Palm Sunday, has very special meaning for me. The passage from Matthew tells of the fulfillment of a prophecy from Zechariah, “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

As noted in the New Interpreter’s Study Bible, “Entry processions were important occasions. … [T]hey displayed Roman political and military power.” But Jesus rode a donkey, not a warhorse. His goal was not to conquer, but to humbly serve.

Jesus was not the anticipated Messiah to many of the Jews who were waiting for a mighty military conqueror to restore the glory of the Davidic dynasty and bring peace. Instead, our Messiah came as a suffering servant, a king who ruled (and rules!) in humility.

What an example Jesus has set for us! May Palm Sunday be a time of remembrance for each of us; a time to remember the example of Jesus; a time to humbly serve others.

PRAYER: Gracious and merciful God, as we begin Holy Week, let us remember that, in Jesus, we have a king who rules in humility. Let His example of service to others guide our lives. As we journey to the cross, we thank you for sending Your son to pay a debt He did not owe, because we owed a debt we could not pay. This we pray in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.