SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2023
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to mthe words of my mouth! Psalm 78:1
NEWS: Have a blessed, dry Friday!
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Darryl Finley. He and Diane offer a prayer of thanksgiving that their car is running again thanks to Diane’s grandson.
READINGS: 2 Chronicle 7:11-22; Psalm 78:1-35; Luke 7:1-17
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“SEEING JESUS”
[They] led Him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. … that they might put Him to death … But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:57b, 59b, 63-64)
“Tell us who you are.” Caiaphas clearly didn’t recognize the Messiah standing in front of Him. He saw an ordinary man, someone safe to destroy.
Why? Self-interest, no doubt. What need for a high priest if God is walking among us? And then there was Jesus’ appearance. Bruised, beaten, bloody—does this look like the Son of God?
So he put Jesus under oath: “Tell us if You are the Christ.” And Jesus answered “yes” in the polite phrase of the time, “You have said so.” But He added: “From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
What does this mean? I think it’s a warning. The next time Caiaphas sees Jesus, He will look much different. He will see Him in glory, the Judge and King of all.
This is a warning for Caiaphas—but for us who believe in Jesus, it is a promise of joy. We, too, will see Him—alive, glorious, and still carrying the wounds of the cross He bore for you and for me. We will see Him, the One who loved us enough to die and rise for us. And we will not be afraid.
WE PRAY: Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Tell about a time you mistook someone’s identity.
* Why does it matter who Jesus is?
* How do you think you will feel when you see Jesus at last?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 1-2 Luke 2:1-24
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:
Our church website is: https://www.svlchurch.org/
Below is our Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside
Here is the website for Lutherans for Life: https://lutheransforlife.org/
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 Friday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org om
