Verse for the week: “But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this
inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.” II Timothy 2.19
Prayer for the week: “Almighty and merciful God, fulfill in us your
promises and grant that when that day shall come we may sit down with all the
redeemed at the heavenly feast and praise you in eternal light; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.” (K.B. Ritter, Gebete für das jahr der Kirche, 2nd ed. Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag, 1948, p. 219).
Bible reading for the day: Mark 10.32-45
32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem,
and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those
who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them
what was to happen to him,33 saying, “See, we
are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the
chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death
and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And
they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him.
And after three days he will rise.”
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up
to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask
of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you
want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him,
“Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your
glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not
know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink,
or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”39 And
they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I
drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am
baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit
at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those
for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when
the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And
Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are
considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones
exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall
not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your
servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you
must be slave of all.45 For even the Son of
Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a
ransom for many.”
prayer(based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for paying
our ransom, for sending Jesus the way of the cross for us. De-throne the sinner
in every one of us that wants our way instead. School me today and every day in
what it means for me to be baptized into you and to drink from your cup… so that
instead of a comfortable position, a glorious location, I may know the true
freedom and lasting joy of a servant’s vocation… in the name of your Son, Jesus
Christ, our Lord. Amen.
What
is the significance of baptizing with water?
It signifies that the old Adam in us, together with all sins and evil
desires, should be drowned by daily sorrow for sin and repentance and be put to
death, and that the new person should come forth every day and rise to live
before God in righteousness and purity forever.
Where is this written?
Saint Paul says in Romans, “We were buried therefore with him by
Baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by
the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
(from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola
Publishing, 2011)
benediction The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep
your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your
coming in
From this time on and forevermore. Ps
121.7-8
*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
T:
thanksgiving
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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