Tuesday, The Third Week Of Lent (Mar. 9)

Narrated by Tim Riley

Not to Condemn, but to Save

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:17

This verse speaks to everyone who has been guilty of breaking God’s commandments, in thought, word or deed. We've all been unfaithful, hurtful, greedy, selfish, more than once. At the foot of the cross, we see what we deserve as people declared guilty by God’s holy Law.

God's Son did not come to punish our guilt; he came to be wounded for our transgressions. At the cross we see how God, who created the world in love, still loved the world gone wrong—loved us enough to give his Son into death to give us new life.

If you can say, "He died for me," then live not in fear of judgment but in the joy of God’s unconditional, eternal forgiveness and grace.

REFLECT: What does it mean for my life that I am declared “not guilty”?

PRAY: Immerse me, gracious Father, in the love your Son offers me from his cross. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Monday, The Third Week Of Lent (Mar. 8)

Narrated by Kayla Marty   

One Should Die for All

Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people...” John 11:49-§0

Israel’s leaders were worried, afraid that Jesus followers would start a revolt that would bring the wrath of Rome on their nation. “Better that one should die for all, the high priest said. How profound! Caiaphas echoed God the Father's mind and Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth.

Here is God's plan of salvation for all of us in a nutshell: Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, was sacrificed in place of all the guilty sheep who deserved to die. That was God's idea all along. By his wounds we are healed! Praise God for his incredible love for us.

REFLECT: What can keep you trusting in God’s one and only plan of salvation?

PRAY: Thank you, Father, for your Son’s wounds. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

The Third Sunday Of Lent (Mar. 7)

Narrated by Pastor Mark Zehnder

Help, Don’t Harm

You shall not murder. Exodus 20:13

On the surface it seems so simple. Most of us have never murdered anyone. There’s more to it, however. Jesus said if you are angry with someone, you are guilty. Luther said if you have harmed anyone or failed to help anyone in need, you are guilty. There is nothing we can say, no excuse or alibi to cover up our guilt. We are doomed.

Except... there is one way to satisfy God's judgment. Jesus has done what we cannot do: he kept this commandment perfectly, even dying in love for the worst of sinners. His perfect life and sacrificial wounds cover our sins with life-giving grace and mercy. What a gift!

Accept his gracious gift and honor him with hymns of grateful praise. Honor him, too, by loving (that means helping, not harming) others as Christ has loved us. Keep your eyes open today for a target for your love.

REFLECT: What are specific things you can do to help others?

PRAY: Open my heart, Jesus, to your healing love and show me how to share it with my neighbors. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Saturday, The Second Week of Lent (Mar. 6)

Narrated by Jodie Swafford

The Power of His Word

When Jesus said to them, "l am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. John 18:6

The arresting soldiers had the power of fearsome weapons. Jesus trumped them with the power of his word. He had the power to escape, but that was not the Father’s plan. His purpose was to lose his own life in order to save the lives of dying sinners. He used his power for us, not for himself.

Jesus now has power and authority over death. The sound of his voice will raise the dead to eternal life. We can trust his word and promise, guaranteed by his own death and resurrection. The process of dying may be agonizing, but Jesus will awaken us from the sleep of death with a word that will usher in an eternity of glory. Trust his word and know his peace.

REFLECT: Think of times when you felt the power of God at work in your life.

PRAY: Strengthen my faith by the power of your word, O Lord of life. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Friday, The Second Week of Lent (Mar. 5)

Narrated by Matt Marty

Jesus Tasted Death

We see him... namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9

Because Jesus tasted death for us, the taste of death is not as bitter for us. By his suffering and death, Jesus defeated our archenemy and became a perfect Savior and was honored with a crown of glory. He defeated death by enduring it—and by rising from the grave. The same path to glory is now open for all who believe in him.

We honor Jesus because he tasted death, draining the cup of suffering, to end its power over us. We still may dread the thought of death, but we now see it as the doorway to eternal life where we will share in his kingdom of glory.

REFLECT: How can you honor Christ for his suffering for you?

PRAY: Lord Jesus, replace my fear of dying with the joy of salvation. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Thursday, The Second Week of Lent (Mar. 4)

Narrated by Mary Stigge

His Priority Is You

[Jesus] prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

The third time Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, it was a prayer of commitment: “If this cannot pass... your will be done.” Jesus’ main concern was never “what's best for me” but always what’s best for his Father and for the people he was sent to rescue from sin and death. His priority was, and still is, you, as well as all the other sinners that could only be healed by his wounds.

When you confront a conflict between your will and God’s, let your priority be set by his prayer: “Thy will be done.” Be sure that Jesus will always help you make God's will your number one priority.

REFLECT: How can you show others that God’s will is your priority?

PRAY: Lord Jesus, as you did the Father’s will for me, enable me to know and do his will. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Wednesday, The Second Week of Lent (Mar. 3)

Narrated by Kate Oshima

“I Am Not Worthy”

The centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Matthew 8:8

This Roman army officer understood something most people, even today, fail to grasp. Jesus' care and blessing were not reserved only for those who “deserved” it. The unworthy centurion simply believed that Jesus’ aid did not have to be earned.

Our Savior's mission was, and is, to extend God's healing grace to foreigners, to outcasts, even to undeserving sinners such as you and me. We never need to wonder if we are good enough to be healed of the sickness of sin. Our salvation has nothing to do with our worthiness; it is based only on the wounds of our gracious, loving Savior, who did it all for us unworthy sinners.

REFLECT: How can you show love to those outside of your circle?

PRAY: I am not worthy, Lord, but you are, and I welcome your grace. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Tuesday, The Second Week of Lent (Mar. 2)

Narrated by Paul Stigge   

He Died for Each One

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” John 19:26-27

He died for all, but at the most agonizing point of his suffering, he demonstrated concern for one individual, his mother, placing her in a new family with his beloved disciple. In doing this, he “honored his mother.”

Jesus' concern for you is just as personal; you are one of those for whom he died
not merely as a faceless member of a mob of millions but as an individual. He has made you a beloved part of a new family of God, of people healed by his wounds and destined for eternity. At the most agonizing points of your life, trust this truth.

REFLECT: How can you show love to those closest to you?

PRAY: Hold me close to your heart, Lord Jesus, and fill me with your peace and comfort. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Monday, The Second Week of Lent (Mar. 1)

Narrated by Sharon Zehnder

The Son of God Dies for the Ungodly

From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” John 19:12

The mob and its leaders rejected Jesus, demanding his execution. They had no idea how this fit right in with God’s plan of salvation for all of us sinners. By his wounds we are healed; by his death we have eternal life.

It's too easy to pass judgment on “the Jews.” Our rejection of Jesus is much more subtle, but we are just as guilty as they are. Every one of our sins added to his crucifixion, but “the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). Jesus lovingly, willingly accepted the burden of the judgment we deserve.

That is the gospel healing we celebrate.

REFLECT: What can you do to be less judgmental?

PRAY: We honor you, Jesus, as our King of kings. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Second Sunday of Lent (Feb. 28)

Narrated by Jodi Strohl

Commandment with Promise

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12

This is the only commandment with an explicit promise. All of them have implied benefits: Living within the will of God makes life much more enjoyable, and even longer! When our sin causes us to rebel against God’s will, we forfeit the promised blessing.

How blessed we are that Christ came to our rescue! He fulfilled all the Father's will, even offering his own body and blood for our salvation. How blessed we are when we are healed by his wounds and follow God's loving commandment: Honor the authorities God has given us for our welfare and respect those whom God has given us to love and care for. As promised, the more we do that, the better life is.

REFLECT: What can you do to honor those in authority over you?

PRAY: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for taking away my sin. Renew in me the desire to live in your love. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.