SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SATURDAY, APRIL 2
NEWS: Tomorrow is the Fifth Sunday in Lent as we meet up in God’s house for our Sunday Bible study and worship. Bible study begins at 9 AM in our sanctuary and Pastor Joel continues our study on the miracles of Jesus and how they apply to our lives. At 10 our worship service takes place and and Pastor Joel’s sermon is titled, “Submitting to Salvation.” Its based on Luke 20:9-20 for anyone who would like to look it up. After we finish the Lord’s Supper and our worship is complete, we have our fellowship time with coffee and goodies. For those wanting or needing lunch then, we will meet up at El Pollo Loco, on College Ave., near Target and Fitness19.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Barb and Gunti Galleisky.
READINGS: Psalm 44; Psalm 51; Genesis 49;29-50:7; Genesis 50:14-26; Mark 14:1-11
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“WHO STRUCK YOU?”
Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking Him as they beat Him. They also blindfolded Him and kept asking Him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck You?” And they said many other things against Him, blaspheming Him. (Luke 22:63-65)
It’s a nasty way to mock a prophet—to blindfold Him and then hit Him, saying “Who’s hitting You, huh, huh, huh? You’re a prophet, can’t You tell?”
And the answers are all pretty obvious. Who’s hitting Jesus? A bunch of jerks, that’s who (sorry, the more appropriate terms are not fit for family media). A lot of people get their kicks from hurting people who can’t fight back. Some men who will probably go home after this and treat it like any other day, because they abuse prisoners all the time; it’s nothing new.
But Jesus would define it differently. Who’s hitting Jesus? A sinner infected with evil. Someone who needs a Savior. Someone God cares about so much that He chose to send His only Son into the world, knowing what human beings would do to Him.
These are good descriptions of us, too, aren’t they? We also bear responsibility for what happened to Jesus. Our sins led to this beating—and to the cross. And yet Jesus welcomes us and cares for us just as He did for the very people who were beating Him—because we are the reason He came into the world. He takes us, blind in our sin and lashing out against Him—and He baptizes us into a new life as clear-sighted children of God. He carries the marks of our sin—and we carry His blessing.
THE PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for loving us so much. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Who is really blind in this scenario, Jesus or the abusers?
* Jesus had the power to answer them with their names—do you think He did? Why or why not?
* When have you caused harm to someone (accidentally or not) and they returned you a blessing?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 26-27 Luke 7:1-30
To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select “Save Link As” or “Save Target As” or “Download Linked File As”
Luther’s Morning Prayer
In the morning, as soon as you get out of bed, you are to make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen.”
Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. In addition recite this prayer as well:
“I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father through Jesus Christ your dear son, that you have protected me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you that you would also protect me today from sin and all evil, so that my life and actions may please you completely. For into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.”
After singing a hymn or whatever else may serve your devotion, you can go about your day joyfully!
Luther’s Evening Prayer
In the evening, when you go to bed, you are to make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen.”
Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. In addition recite this prayer as well:
“I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have graciously protected me today, and I ask you to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously to protect me tonight. For into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.”
You can now go to bed quickly and cheerfully.
OTHER RESOURCES:
www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside
Here is the website for Lutheran Hour Ministries: https://www.lhm.org/
Lutheran Public Radio is listener supported and has two channels, one for sacred music and the other for talk, including news, current issues, politics and spiritual matters from a Lutheran perspective. Hosted by Pastor Todd Wilken, Issues, Etc. airs live Monday thru Friday from 1 to 3 pm Pacific, with the “Best Of” running at other hours: https://lutheranpublicradio.org/
KFUO is the listener supported radio station owned and operated by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Based in St. Louis, their format consists of teaching, preaching, ministry and sacred music: https://www.kfuo.org/
A very blessed Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
