Verse for the week: God has made him both Lord and
Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. Acts 2.36
Prayer for the week: Almighty, everlasting God, you
have given us the promise of your divine life.
Bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, that, quickened by your word, we may
lay hold on eternal life by strong faith in your Son, and in him be saved;
through the same Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen. (K.B.
Ritter, Gebete fur das Jahr der Kirche, 2nd ed. (Kassel:
Johannes Stauda-Verllag, 1948), p.170)
Bible reading for the day: Mark 2.23-3.6
One Sabbath he was going
through the grain fields, and as they made their way, his disciples began
to pluck heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees were
saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the
Sabbath?” 25 And he said to them, “Have you
never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and
those who were with him: 26 how he entered the
house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and
ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the
priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” 27 And
he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the
Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of
the Sabbath.”
3.1Again he entered the synagogue, and a
man was there with a withered hand. 2 And they
watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that
they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man
with the withered hand, “Come here.” 4 And he
said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to
save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5 And
he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of
heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it
out, and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees
went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him,
how to destroy him.
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you that
Jesus is Lord, not me… and that he knows exactly what Sunday is for: it’s not
for self worship nor for superstitious rigidity… Sunday is for the sake of our
relationship with you. Repent me and my congregation of neglecting your Word
and the preaching of it… and repent us of religious legalism as well. Draw us
to your house every Sunday and speak your Word of truth and forgiveness right
into our own ears… that we may have true food and true healing. In Jesus’ name
I ask this, amen.
Hymn: follow this
link to a beloved classic that gives further voice to today’s conversation with
the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2bhHosLHmI
The Third Commandment:
Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. (Exodus 20.8)
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that we do not despise his
Word and the preaching of it, but acknowledge it as holy, and gladly hear and
learn it.
“Hallowed be thy name…”
What does this mean?
God's name is indeed holy in itself, but we pray in this
petition that it may be kept holy also among us.
How is this done?
God's name is hallowed when his Word is taught in its truth
and purity and we, as God's children, lead holy lives in harmony with it. Grant
this to us, dear Father in heaven! But whoever teaches and lives in ways other
than what God's Word teaches dishonors the name of God among us. Prevent us
from doing this, heavenly Father! (from The Small Catechism, by Martin
Luther, ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)
Benediction: The
peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Phil 4.7
*There are many patterns for devotions. This pattern has been followed by God’s
people for centuries.
**The T.R.I.P. approach to
prayer is based on the way Martin Luther prayed and taught others to pray. It was later developed by Walter and Ingrid
Trobisch and then adapted by Mount Carmel Ministries (Alexandria , MN
R: regret
(repentance)
I:
intercession (asking God to take a specific action)
P:
plan or purpose
Reading a biblical text and
then applying this method gives one a sound, simple way to form one’s
prayers...not to mention that it helps one learn how to faithfully reflect on
God’s Word and talk to God.
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