SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
FRIDAY, MARCH 25
NEWS: Please refer to the Shepherd of The valley E-News sent out yesterday by Allen Kolkman.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for the Cerny family: Amanda, Josh, William and Daniel. We continue to remember all those affected by the severe weather, tornadoes and flooding. We also pray for our police, fire, paramedic and first responder personnel plus ER and hospital personnel. They don’t get nearly the thanks and praise that they deserve.
READINGS: Psalm 49; Psalm 102; Genesis 40:1-23; Mark 10:32-52
DEVOTION:
“WHO IS IT?”
[Jesus said] “But behold, the hand of him who betrays Me is with Me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this. (Luke 22:21-23)
Have you ever looked at Renaissance pictures of the Last Supper? Not Leonardo’s, the most famous one. I mean all the other ones out there—the ones where you can always tell who Judas is, because he’s sitting on one side of the table, all by himself.
Of course, it wasn’t really like that. It wasn’t obvious at all who the betrayer was going to be. As Luke says, “And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.”
As far as they could tell, Judas was just like the rest of them. He had been hand-picked by Jesus, just as they were; he had worked hard in the ministry; he had even gone out as all the apostles did, to preach and heal and cast out demons. Only John seemed to realize there was a problem (see John 12:6).
It’s a sobering thing to think about—because that means that any of us, too, could betray Jesus. Judas was not someone bent on evil from the very beginning. He was like us—a human being flawed by sin, with strengths and weaknesses, good and bad mingled.
What separates us from him, then? Only Jesus. As believers, we are what Judas could have been. Jesus died for all of us, even Judas. And Jesus gives His everlasting life to everyone who trusts in Him, no matter who we are or what we have been like.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, keep me always with You. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What kind of emotional reaction do you have to Judas?
* Why do you think you have that reaction?
* When have you looked at a bad situation and thought, “There but for the grace of God go I”?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 3-4 Luke 2:25-52
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 Friday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
