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"I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Day 243 - (Today’s Bible readings: 2 Kings 24:18-25:21, Psalm 60; Matthew 27:15-31)
REGRET IS NOT REPENTANCE
Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” (Matthew 27:3-4 ESV)
Poor Judas! The guilt he felt for having betrayed Jesus into the hands of His enemies was overwhelming. Judas changed his mind. His sin stared him in the face. “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” In disgrace and shame and hopelessness, Judas went out and hanged himself. How tragic!
Yes, how tragic! Judas was filled with regret that led to his demise. But it did not have to be that way. Jesus “came to seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) Regret without repentance leads to despair and hopelessness. But true repentance leads to peace and hope and heaven.
Jesus put it so clearly: “Repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15) It is good to regret our sins, but we must also repent of them, believing that Jesus died on the cross in full payment of all of them.
1. Today Your mercy calls us
To wash away our sin.
However great our trespass,
Whatever we have been,
However long from mercy
Our hearts have turned away,
Your precious blood can wash us
And make us clean today.
4. O all-embracing Mercy,
O ever-open Door,
What shall we do without You
When heart and eye run o'er?
When all things seem against us,
To drive us to despair,
We know one gate is open,
One ear will hear our prayer.
(“Today Your Mercy Calls Us,” Lutheran Service Book, #915)
Do you understand what Jesus is offering you?
● Complete and total forgiveness when you repent and believe!
● 100 % removal of guilt!
● A confirmed reservation in heaven!
Lord Jesus, thank You for offering me complete forgiveness and freedom from my guilt. Protect me from despair by keeping me close to You for the rest of my life. Please use me to share Your “all-embracing Mercy” with others who need You just as desperately as I do. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), undergirds this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
Then scroll down to 2022 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
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