the abbey west blog

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Lenten Devotion Day 47: 4/21

Read Luke 24:13-53

Luke is the only gospel to record for us this account of Jesus appearing to some disciples on the road to Emmaus.  When we encounter these disciples, they are downcast and disheartened over the events of that last couple of days.  They are confused by the reports of the women and the other disciples who talk about an empty tomb and angels telling them that Jesus is alive.  Jesus draws near to them on the road, and yet we are told, “Their eyes were kept from recognizing him.”  But look at what our Lord does.  He opened their eyes to the mysteries of Scripture, unfolding for them how all of God’s Word pointed to Him, specifically the necessity for the Christ to suffer (in accord with the past week’s events) and then enter into glory.  Next, Jesus reveals himself to them in the breaking of bread.  When the two join up with other disciples those are the points they mention.  They tell them about what happened on the road and then how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.  

He walks with us as well, on this post Easter road of faith.  We have heard that the tomb is empty. We have heard others tell us that the angels said he rose again.  But he also walks with us, still opening our eyes to the mysteries of Scripture.  He invites us to hear with earnestness how all of Scripture directs us to see how he bore our sins and how we have the promise of life.  He invites us to recognize him in the breaking of bread as we join in the feast of His church, the Lord’s Supper.  Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia!  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, through the resurrection of your Son you have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life.  Grant all your people a joyful spirit to celebrate Christ’s resurrection today.  Strengthen me each day in the confident hope of the resurrection of all which is to come at his return.  Amen.

[cuiabbeywest]

Lenten Devotion Day 46: 4/20

Read Luke 23:50-56

Read Luke 24:1-12

Good Friday began with the Sanhedrin, the religious council, leading the charge to put our Lord to death.  But now we hear about Joseph.  He was a member of that same council, but had been a dissenting voice because he was looking for the Kingdom of God.  Now, on this day of preparation for the Sabbath, he prepares for burial the very body of the one who ushers in God’s kingdom.  

The crucifixion had taken place with a crowd gathered. Those crowds dispersed, beating their breasts as they returned home.  But we also hear about the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee.  They had stood at a distance and then followed Joseph as he took Jesus’ body to the tomb.   On this day of preparation they return home to prepare spices and ointments, anticipating the final burial arrangements of Jesus’ body after the Sabbath.  But as the women come looking for Jesus’ body, on Sunday morning we learn that, it was God who was making preparations all along. The body isn’t there for the One who ushered in the Kingdom of God, which Joseph and so many others had been looking for all along, had come back to life.

Prayer 

Holy Father, grant that as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, I too may anticipate the promised bodily resurrection.  In the meantime, I have the assurance that, having been buried with him in my baptism, I am also raised to newness of life.  Amen.

[cuiabbeywest]

Lenten Devotion Day 45: 4/19

Read Luke 22:63-71

Read Luke 23:1-49

Jesus endures trials before every authority available: the religious courts, the Roman governor and King Herod.  During these ordeals He is repeatedly mocked and beaten.  Despite the accusations, Herod and Pilate both determine Jesus is innocent.  Pilate even attempts to release Jesus three times, but the accusations of the religious authorities continue and, despite being declared innocent, Jesus is sentenced to death.  He endured a punishment that seeks to extract every ounce of suffering and pain from the convicted while being executed.  

The charges may have been trumped up, the trial a sham, and the punishment particularly cruel, but Christ was in control.  He was silent before Herod.  He did not plead his innocence before others.  The only testimony he would give was to confirm the truth: that he is the Christ, the Son of God, the Son of Man.  He is innocent, but not simply a victim of a miscarriage of justice. This was the plan. He is the Savior, my Savior, your Savior.  

Scripture is clear, and, if we can muster up the honesty for full self-examination and disclosure, we would see that there is no need for trumped up charges, or a sham of a trial to find us horrendously guilty before the Almighty God.    But in God’s court our Lord Jesus declares, “Father, forgive them.”  He places his innocence on us, having taken our sin upon himself.  As unbelievable and impossible as it sounds, God seeks to pour out every ounce of grace and mercy upon us.

Prayer  

Dear Jesus, You bore my griefs and carried my sorrows on the cross.  You were stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  Thank you for enduring that death for my redemption.  Amen.

[cuiabbeywest]

Lenten Devotion Day 44: 4/18

Read Luke 22:1-62

“Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.”  The disciples had eaten many meals with Jesus, which of course included the breaking of bread, but this meal would be different.  There had been many Passover meals to recall the Lord’s act of deliverance and salvation in the Exodus, but this meal would be different.  When Jesus breaks this bread, he tells his disciples it is his body.  With this cup that they drink, he tells them it is his blood.  On a night when the disciples thought they were coming together to remember God’s acts of salvation in the past, the Lord’s salvation sits in their midst.  At the end of the night, the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) will be betrayed and arrested; he is only hours away from the sacrifice for our redemption.  But before that time our Lord institutes a sacred meal, to be celebrated again and again.  It is a new covenant for our forgiveness, for our strength, for our unification in Christ and each other, where we are given a foretaste of the heavenly feast that is yet to come. “Its greatest significance lies in what it bestows: the real presence of Christ, his very body and blood, offered up in death on a cross and now given with the bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins and life eternal.”1

Prayer  

Blessed Savior, you give me, in this sacred meal, your very body and blood for my forgiveness.  Gather me with my brothers and sisters in Christ to receive this gift often, remembering, confessing, and proclaiming your holy cross, passion and death. Strengthen and preserve me in faith until the day of your coming, that with all the saints I may celebrate in the feast of your Kingdom.  Amen.  

 1 A. Just, Luke 9:51-24:53 (St. Louis, Mo: Concordia Publishing House, 1996) 838.

[cuiabbeywest]

Lenten Devotion Day 43: 4/17

Read Luke 21:5-38

Jesus spends some significant time in this final week teaching about “last things.”  On the one hand, He makes reference to the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem (which would take place around 70 A.D.), but he also refers to the judgement that is to come at the end of the world (which we still await).  In his movement back and forth between those things, Jesus talks about how the Kingdom of God is near.  There always seems to be so much emphasis put on having a sign.  It was back in chapter 11 where Jesus said no sign would be given but the sign of Jonah.  “For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation…for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here” (Luke 11:30)  That sign also corresponds to three days in the belly of a giant fish and three days in the tomb for our Lord (see Matthew 12:40).  

The Kingdom of God is near because it is ushered in by the presence of Jesus and his ministry in the world, all of which is validated by his resurrection (Luke 17:21).  For us it has already been ushered in and yet we live in a time where it has not yet come in all its fullness because there is the resurrection of all the saints that will take place on the last day.  The details of this section of Jesus’ teaching gives us understanding that God allows the powers of evil to exercise dominion in this world at various times, but that it is limited and a day will come when it will completely come to an end.  To the first hearers of Luke’s Gospel this is reassurance in the face of persecution that God is in control and their redemption is near.  Nearly 2000 years later we have that same comfort.  Our God is in control and our redemption is near.

Prayer 

 Lord Jesus Christ, grant courage to my brothers and sisters around the world who face opposition from a world that is hostile to your gospel.  Encourage them with the faithful testimony of the saints that have gone before us.  Comfort them in Your Word.  By your Word and Spirit, strengthen me to be faithful and to confess you boldly.  Amen.

[cuiabbeywest]

Lenten Devotion Day 42: 4/16

Read Luke 20:27-47

Read Luke 21:1-4

There were all sorts of religious sects at the time of Jesus.  The Sadducees were ones who rejected a spiritual world, rejected the notion of angels and demons, and denied much of God’s Word, accepting only the books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy).  Holding on to only those books, they were zealous for interpreting Mosaic law more literally than any other groups and were very precise in Levitical purity.  As is stated in our text, they denied the resurrection.  Those things all come together as they look to take a law and practice (put in place to provide protections and care to widows without a son who would be vulnerable and disadvantaged in society) and carry it out to a ridiculous extreme for the purpose of discrediting the possibility of the resurrection and eternal life.

Jesus cuts right to the one source they would listen to (the Books of Moses, Exodus 3 to be exact) in order to be clear.  There is a full and certain hope in eternal life.  There is a full and certain hope in the resurrection for those in the Lord.  For, “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all live in him.”  We are less than a week away from when Christ will prove without doubt that he indeed is the Lord of life and the Lord of the living.  He will be crucified in order to give life to those who otherwise are dead and he will rise again, showing that death cannot hold him nor can it cancel out the power of his life-giving promise.  We may continue to find people ready to bring arguments to ridiculous conclusions in order to discredit what they believe to be a foolish hope in the resurrection.  But Jesus reminds us that we are already part of that ever-living community with the angels and all the saints who have come and gone before us, including Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, for our God is the God of the living.

Prayer  

Eternal God, Lord of life, your Son has assured forgiveness of sins and deliverance from death.  Strengthen me by your Holy Spirit that my faith in Christ may increase daily and that I may hold fast to the hope that on the Last Day I will be raised to eternal life.  Amen.

[cuiabbeywest]

Lenten Devotion Day 41: 4/15

Read Luke 20:1-26

“Surely not!”  That was the response from the people listening to this parable about a vineyard owner’s son being killed.  But that is exactly what lies before Jesus.  He is the son of the vineyard owner.  He knows that in just days he will be put to death by the directives of the chief priests, scribes and elders who questioned him just moments earlier.  It must happen.  The one who would bring life and salvation must die.  He is the stone that will be rejected and by that rejection he becomes the cornerstone.  We can go all the way back to Simeon who upon seeing 8-day old Jesus said, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel” (Luke 2:34). This is why Jesus is in Jerusalem. This is the purpose for all that we will read in the rest of Luke’s Gospel.  This is why all are invited to hear the account of what took place, what Jesus said, what Jesus did.  With unbelief comes a judgement that completely crushes all who reject Christ. But by being broken in repentance, we are built upon the cornerstone, raised out of brokenness as new creations and given life and salvation, all through faith.  

Prayer  

Merciful Father, you did not spare your only Son but delivered him up to bear my sins on the cross.  Grant that my heart may be fixed with steadfast faith in him that I would not fear the power of sin, but rejoice in the hope of eternal life. Amen.

[cuiabbeywest]

Lenten Devotion Day 40: 4/14

Read Luke 19:28-48

“They found it just as he had told them.”  As we enter into Holy Week, the week that includes Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins, we would do well to remember these simple words from Luke.  With each event that transpires during that Holy Week, we are not watching random occurrences and details.  Instead, it exactly follows the ordained plan of God.  God’s plan of salvation is rapidly moving to the conclusion Jesus has been proclaiming all along.  It is moving to the point and purpose of His incarnation.  I imagine for the disciples it was a whirlwind of a week.  It contained so much confusion, heartache and fear to go from palm branches and hosannas to a trial and crucifixion.  But God always had his hand in the midst of these events to carry out his plan.  Every detail shows the fullness of his mercy and grace.  And this is truly worthy of all our praise.

Prayer  

Lord, thank you for your steadfast love that would endure the events of Holy Week.  May this week be a reminder not only of your grace shown to me, but also of your daily care for my needs.  Amen.

[cuiabbeywest]

Lenten Devotion Day 39: 4/13

Read Luke 18:35-43

Read Luke 19:1-27

Zacchaeus was a wee, little man,

And a wee, little man was he.  

He climbed up in the sycamore tree,

For the Lord he wanted to see.

And as the Savior passed that way,

He looked up in the tree.

And He said, “Zacchaeus, you come down!”  

For I’m going to your house today.

For I’m going to your house today.

I know.  I know.  A children’s song, really?  But this is so much more than a “children’s” song.  It is part of learning this Bible story.  The story of Zacchaeus is the embodiment of what Jesus has been teaching in Luke 18.  We know Jesus told the parable of the Tax Collector and Pharisee to teach that it was the sinful, awful tax collector who received God’s mercy, but I think our human nature has a hard time believing that God’s kingdom actually works that way.  Jesus used the rich ruler as an example of how impossible it is for us to be saved, but we heard Him say that with God nothing is impossible.  Again, I think our human nature has a hard time believing that God’s kingdom actually works that way.  

So Luke gives us a case study that combines both of those elements:  Zacchaeus, who was a rich tax collector.  While the crowd was shocked, grumbling against what Jesus did for Zacchaeus, Jesus confirms what He has been saying all along, “Salvation has come to you, Zacchaeus.  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”  Just like Jesus looked up at Zacchaeus, called him out of the tree and proclaimed salvation to him, Jesus looks our way, calls us with the Gospel and firmly says, “Salvation has come to you.  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”  When God’s grace seems too good to be true, we can remember Zacchaeus, who is proof that while God’s grace may at times be too good, it’s also true.

Prayer

Almighty God, because of your tender love for me, a sinner, you have given your Son.  By your Spirit keep me steadfast in faith that I would not doubt the fullness of your grace and mercy.  Amen.

[cuiabbeywest]

Lenten Devotion Day 38: 4/12

Read Luke 18:15-34

God’s wisdom turns everything we experience in this world on its head.  It may be hard to put ourselves in the time of Christ, but it is obvious from the context how society viewed infants.  The disciples are not especially cruel individuals.  In trying to keep babies away from Jesus they are simply reflecting the perceptions of the times which seemed to hold a view that goes beyond even the mindset of “children should be seen but not heard”.  

In contrast we see that people of wealth and stature held great importance and value.  When the rich ruler comes to ask about eternal life he attempts to demonstrate not only his wealth but also his goodness.  Jesus’ rebuffing causes great consternation.  The fact that this man of stature and wealth (signs of God’s blessings) can’t enter the kingdom of God leaves everyone wondering, “Well then who can? Who even has a shot if not this man?”

Jesus’ response is simple - no one.  Using those standards, measurements and evaluations no one stands a chance.  But with God, and God alone, all things are possible, including (especially) salvation because it is purely a gift. “The kingdom of God comes to those who are the least and have nothing to offer God.  Salvation is by his initiative and by his gift…Childlike humility and faith, given by God, are the means by which he brings people into his kingdom.”1  And with that Jesus directs His disciples’ attention to Jerusalem where He will be mocked, flogged, killed…and will rise again.   

Prayer

Father, your word tells me that in baptism you adopt me as your child.  Helpless in my own salvation you initiated my redemption.  You gave me life, faith, and salvation through Jesus Christ.  Thank you.  Amen.

1 A. Just, Luke 9:51-24:53 (St. Louis, Mo: Concordia Publishing House, 1996) 689.

[cuiabbeywest]

Lenten Devotion Day 37: 4/11

Read Luke 18:1-14

With these parables Jesus teaches us about prayer. In the widow we see a demonstration of persistence.  Despite the rebuffing of this disgraceful example of a judge, the widow continues to appeal to him.  He finally relents only because of her unrelenting plea.  Jesus is not comparing the Father to this disgraceful judge, but instead reminds us that compassion and mercy are fundamental to the nature and character of God.   Knowing this rather than being disheartened in our prayers, we are invited to be all the more persistent.  Prayer is an activity of trust in God’s faithfulness.

The same could be learned from the parable of the tax collector and Pharisee.  The Pharisee praised God in what amounted to prideful gloating.  In his eyes he needed nothing.  It was the tax collector, leaning upon God’s character of being compassionate and merciful, who prayed “God, be merciful to me, a sinner”.  He didn’t just say “show me mercy”, but literally “propitiate, conciliate, forgive, make atonement for me for I am the sinner”.  With that self-perception how do you even begin to approach the throne of God…unless you trust that he is merciful?  Jesus tells us the tax collector is the man who received mercy. We are invited to pray to God out of trust that he is our Father; faithful, compassionate and full of mercy.

Prayer  

Reflect on your need.  Pray accordingly.

[cuiabbeywest]

Lenten Devotion Day 36: 4/10

Read Luke 17:11-37

“The Kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” That was Jesus’ response to questions about the when and where of the coming of God’s Kingdom.  Hasn’t that been the message behind the miracles and healings all along? It’s right here!  It’s standing here in your midst!  Jesus is the ushering in of God’s Kingdom.   The Kingdom is present in Him.  But to all who had gathered to inquire about God’s Kingdom Jesus made sure to be very clear: First must come my suffering.  First I must be rejected.

While we often want to ask the questions of where and when, Jesus seems to try to make it clear as to how the Kingdom of God comes to us.  When we want to jump to eternal glory, Jesus says “hold on, first comes the cross.”  The Kingdom of God has come in Christ and his cross.  It comes to us continually in his Word which proclaims his death for our redemption.  It comes to us as we are gathered in the body of Christ to hear that Word.  And in the end His Kingdom will come, in all finality, in eternity, when our Lord returns on the last day.

Prayer

Father, by your mercy grant that your gospel may be preached throughout the world, that by your Holy Spirit it may be received in faith, be at work and dwell within me and all who hear it.  In this manner allow your Kingdom to persist among us and extend to others until Christ returns.   Amen.

[cuiabbeywest]

Lenten Devotion Day 35: 4/9

Read Luke 16:19-31

Read Luke 17:1-10

We receive trophies in sports (sometimes just for participating).  We receive recognition for reaching milestones at work.  We receive accolades for another year of leadership or volunteering. In youth service organizations it seems every activity earns a badge, a chord, or a ribbon.  These things often come with award ceremonies and public recognition. It’s just how the world operates. Appreciation, recognition and achievement motivate the human spirit to work harder, serve more, and increase productivity.

With that in mind, Jesus’ words can seem surprising, maybe even a bit harsh.  What words of encouragement does he give his disciples to serve according to all he has commanded?  “When you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”  This is not a simply a call for public humility for which they will later receive appreciation from our Lord.  Jesus calls his disciples to take on his character and pattern, “Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant.” (Philippians 2:6-7) Jesus came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom (Mark 10:45).  

Christ stamps his life upon our hearts and minds; reminding us that His cross meant enduring much suffering and our life will as well. However, the chapters leading up to today remind us that, we serve the master who has already served us with his life. We already have an invitation to the banquet.  We already have a place at the table.  The heavens have already rejoiced at our repentance.  Redeemed, purchased and freed we now live under him in his Kingdom ready to serve and obey him in thanksgiving.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for serving me by giving your life for my sake.  As I follow you, strengthen me to be patterned according to your example.  Help me to humbly serve according to your will and for the good of others.  Amen.

[cuiabbeywest]

Lenten Devotion Day 34: 4/8

Read Luke 16:1-18

What is Jesus saying?  Is Jesus celebrating the activities of this dishonest manager?  Did he actually say, “Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth?”  The answer is yes.  And yet, the answer is no.  Jesus refers to the wealth as unrighteous not because it is acquired dishonestly, but rather because it is perishable, fading, and so often used in idolatrous ways with self-serving motives.  True riches are already preserved for us in an “inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven” (1 Peter 1:3-5). 

Jesus is not telling us to be dishonest.  Jesus is emphasizing that we could learn something from the shrewd and prudent way this manager used wealth.  We should not be less shrewd with wealth simply because we are Christians.  Instead, aware of how fleeting wealth is (especially in view of our eternal treasure), we have all the more reason to make proper and effective use of what God has bestowed on us.  We have a merciful Lord who always has his Kingdom (eternal) things in mind and so we too are a people of mercy who manage all gifts from God in light and in view of eternal things. 

Prayer

Lord, all gifts come from you.  You have already secured for me the treasure and inheritance of eternal life.  Help me to be wise in my stewardship, that I would make proper and effective use of all that you give me.  Amen.

[cuiabbeywest]

Lenten Devotion Day 33: 4/7

Read Luke 15:11-32

The prodigal son realized how good he had it with his father, recognized he had destroyed that relationship, so came up with a plan.  He would go back to his father not as a son, but instead to be a hired servant.  However, the father has been waiting and watching the whole time.  He does not wait for his son to come to him but runs to meet him, embracing him with all his love.  He refuses to listen to some scheme or pitch or bargain.  Instead he attends to details (a ring, a robe, some shoes, the best feast) that will publicly declare that this man returns not as a hired servant but as his son.  

 At times we can respond like the prodigal son. We know we mess up and aren’t perfect. We know we can’t claim ownership of the relationship God wants to have with us. But we still want to be able to stand before him on our own two feet.  So we bargain and deal an acceptable “middle ground” in relationship status with God.  Sometimes we can respond like the other son.  We feel like we never left.  We have lived up to our end of the bargain. We have always worked to prove ourselves worthy of the love of our Heavenly Father.  

 In the end God says, “None of that makes you my child.  I make you my child.”  He has declared us his children, through the sacrificial death of Christ.  He pours out life, forgiveness, salvation, and the Holy Spirit over each one of us in our baptism, publicly declaring that he has made us his child.  No deals, no bargains, no “middle-ground-settlement” of a relationship!

Prayer

Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am not worthy to be called your child. Thank you for loving me, forgiving me, and making me your child.  Amen.

[cuiabbeywest]

Lenten Devotion Day 32: 4/6

Read Luke 14:25-35

Read Luke 15:1-10

As Jesus tells the parables of the lost coin and the lost sheep he reveals very clearly the heart of God.  And yet, in our sin we often forget this, or muddle it up with our own understandings.  God does not have animosity for sinners, nor does he find satisfaction in their death and destruction.  These parables show the depth of his concern for sinners.  They show how he desires to save and redeem them, and that is why he sent his Son.  In addition they demonstrate how much joy there is in heaven in response to our repentance and the repentance of others.  We should take great comfort in these parables, even if we find it difficult to understand how our Lord could love and forgive us despite our waywardness. In addition these parables give us insight into how we might begin viewing others around us, including those who frustrate, hurt or anger us (tempting us to cast them aside).   In Christ we not only become beneficiaries of his love and grace, but we are given new hearts and eyes to now perceive and respond to others with the same love and compassion shown to us.

Prayer  

Lord, help me to hear your Word with an open heart that it would produce its fruit of repentance and faith in me.  Help me to know your compassion for others that I would freely forgive those who sin against me.  Amen.

[cuiabbeywest]

Lenten Devotion Day 31: 4/5

Read Luke 14:1-24

“A man once gave a banquet and invited many…” The host wants nothing more than to throw a wonderful party and fill his banquet hall.  Unfortunately as the parable unfolds those first invites are met with hesitation and great reluctance.  The excuses come rolling in from invitation recipients preoccupied with things dearer to them.  Undeterred, the rejection is followed by new waves of invites to everyone, anyone who can be found on the streets. The host will fill his halls for what promises to be a wonderful celebration.

I can’t help but recall Jesus’ words just one chapter earlier lamenting, “How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing” (Luke 13:34).  This parable demonstrates that many will reject God’s invitation, those who attend are wholly unworthy, but most importantly it shows us a picture of God’s persistent graciousness and incomparable goodness.  God has invited us to a banquet far grander than anything we can imagine.  It is filled with food and drink and celebration far different than anything experienced in this temporal world.  

Until that day when we will experience the fullness of that eternal banquet celebration, our Lord graciously invites us to experience a foretaste of the food, drink and celebration of his Kingdom.  He invites us to receive bread and wine that by his Word are so much more, for they are the very body and blood of our Lord. With his body and blood come forgiveness of sins, life and salvation, a taste of what is to come indeed!

Prayer

Father, thank you for your incomparable goodness. Keep me in faith and your favor until that day when you bring me into your everlasting banquet.  Amen.