SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:3-4 ESV
NEWS: We had our last midweek Potluck and Wednesday Lenten service last night. Thank you to all who brought food and participated inn our Potlucks and services. Thank you to those who served during our service and especially to Pastor Joel for his Lenten series on the book of Jonah.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Berand Kirschner.
READINGS: 2 Chronicles 12, 13; Psalm 83; Luke 8:26-39
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“CORONATION”
Then the soldiers of the governor … stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head and put a reed in His right hand. And kneeling before Him, they mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on Him and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the robe and put His own clothes on Him and led Him away to crucify Him. (Matthew 27:27a, 28-31)
A coronation is a ceremony to crown a new king. The planners will think about every detail, because people watching will look for meaning in it. They will look to see what the ceremony tells them about the new king and the way he will rule.
What does Jesus’ coronation show us, then? It takes place in front of a crowd of soldiers—every one of them an enemy to His life. Jesus is stripped naked and humiliated; they put a scarlet robe on Him, not to honor Him but to make fun of Him. His crown is made of thorns and His scepter is a reed. And for anointing oil He has spit.
What kind of king is this? A suffering King who is about to lay His life down for the good of His people. A rejected King, one who will die to save the very people who are mocking Him. A loving King—because He could escape this abuse at any time, but goes through with it to save us all.
What better king could we have?
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, be my King and Savior forever. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Have you seen a coronation on TV or in a movie? If so, what struck you most?
* Would you trade that crown of thorns for any crown of gold in the world? Why or why not?
* Do you think any of those soldiers lived to realize their terrible mistake?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 17-19 Luke 5:17-39
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 Thursday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
