Lenten Readings: Luke 22

Lenten Readings: The two-year Bible reading plan puts the Gospel accounts of Luke and John right between Ash Wednesday and Easter. Whether you're doing the reading plan or not, you can follow along on the blog and read daily meditations based on the accounts of Jesus, whose life and death we remember and cherish during this season of Lent. Check back every day starting on February 14 and until Easter Saturday.

Thursday, March 8, 2018
READ Luke 22
MEDITATE on Luke 22:51, "But Jesus said, 'No more of this!' And he touched his ear and healed him." No more of what, Jesus? He immediately healed the wounded guard's ear, showing love to one who was his enemy in that moment. To what exactly was Jesus putting an end?

REFLECT
We strive after much in this life. You don't have to live long to see the difficulties of life. You can choose to ignore them, insulate against them, or embrace them. Jesus does more: he overcomes them and puts and end to them.

He initiates the Kingdom through his death, a Kingdom of peace, love, and glory. This is in-process during our day, but God has a plan to consummate all His promises. The way to get there ran through the cross. The way for us to get there also runs through a cross, not of punishment, but of union with Christ and refinement and sanctification to be like Jesus. It's surgical, not fatal. And on the other side, we realize we do not have to fight like Peter thought he needed to when he cut off the guard's ear. So Jesus even fixed that.

There is a love that overcomes, a peace that transcends, and a glory that blesses us with hope and faith. Jesus, show us the way!

PRAY

Pray for less reliance on the ways and tools of the flesh and more reliance upon the work of Christ and the Spirit. Walk by faith, not by sight - ask God to show us what that means.