"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)
Monday, February 13, 2023 - Day 44 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 55:1-13; Psalm 41; John 19:1-16)
BEHOLD THE MAN
So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” (John 19:5 ESV)
“Behold the man,” Pilate prompts the crowd. As horrific as the beaten and berated Lamb of God looks now, they have not seen anything yet. Soon Jesus would be hanging between heaven and earth on Calvary’s cruel cross atoning for the sins of the world.
“Behold the man,” the Holy Spirit prompts us in Word and Sacrament. But we have not seen anything yet either. One day we will see the Righteous Judge return to take us to our heavenly home with Him. For now, the key is to keep on beholding Jesus in our weekly worship and regular attendance at His Communion table.
1. My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine.
Now hear me while I pray;
Take all my guilt away;
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!
2. May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou has died for me,
Oh, may my love for Thee
Pure, warm and changeless be,
A living fire!
2. While life’s dark maze I tread
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my Guide.
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrows tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.
3. When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll,
Blest Savior, then, in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!
(“My Faith Looks Up to Thee,” Lutheran Service Book #702)
Lord Jesus, keep my eyes focused on You so that I may gaze upon Your glory and beauty in eternity. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for 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:
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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