Friday, March 26

Isaiah 54:9-10

What a blessing! These words of God through the prophet Isaiah are the promise of relief for which we yearn during these 40 days of Lent. But let us not forget that God is not only merciful but also just. Our actions have consequences, and the handiwork of Jesus' contemporaries led to his torture and death. As often as we are unfaithful, unloving and ungrateful, so are we also guilty, ashamed and filled with regret. Yet even as we approach despair, we are humbled by God's faith in us. God's absolute grace washes over us and maintains the covenant of peace, the relationship of love that God promises us.

Compassionate God, you remain beside me, shining light on the evil that I do. When I suffer in the hurt that I do to myself and to my neighbor, hold my hand and stay with me as I stumble back to your path of steadfast love. Amen.

Saturday, March 27

Leviticus 23:1-8

Sabbath (noun): A day in which you shall do no work; a holy convocation.

God in whom we find rest, you call me by name to gather together with your people and marvel at your creation. Help me share your love with those I see today. Amen.

Palm Sunday, March 28

Luke 19:28-40

On his entry into Jerusalem, Jesus was riding a colt obtained through a call for a great deal of trust.

Reigning God, you sent your Son into a distrusting world to demonstrate your faith in us. Help me give freelyand generously, knowing that you use my gifts to spread your reign throughout your creation. Amen.

Monday, March 29

John 12:1-11

Setting aside John's commentary on Judas' motives, he makes a good point that many of us might have asked: Why should we use expensive things in worship when we could give that money to the poor? New paraments, or paying the musicians so much, or having champagne for our Easter celebration: everyone can think of ways we spend money that might seem wasteful. Jesus says that's not always so; spending money in worship and gratitude is sometimes exactly what God wants us to do! Our generosity of time, money, materials and skills makes for a public experience that reminds us of God's overwhelming love and causes others to ask what makes us give so much of ourselves to worship our God.

Extravagant God, you rush to give us every good thing that we might have abundant life. Help me be like Mary, giving from that which is most precious so that others might come to know you as the source of compassion and forgiveness. Amen.

Tuesday, March 30

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

The words of Saint Paul today are lonely words. The gospel message is indeed the truth the world is seeking, but Paul makes it abundantly clear that to proclaim this story is to be called foolish. In the secular world, many people give to charities and act in kindness for the tax write-offs and public renown. Those of us who are evangelical in the world for the sake of the triune God enjoy these benefits as well, but they are not our goal. We immediately turn around and give the glory to Christ, the one who made our magnanimity possible. Though the world may laugh, we have the comforting arms of God to hold us and a community of faith to gather around us as family.

Comforting God, your message of hope was rejected by the world and hung on a cross to die. Let the resurrection of Jesus be alive in me, that I might bravely proclaim your hope in my life to the world. Amen.

Wednesday, March 31

Luke 22:1-13

Today is Spy Wednesday, when we commemorate Judas Iscariot's collusion with the Judean high priests and scribes to capture Jesus. Luke says that Satan entered into Judas, but what happened inside Judas? Did he remember Jesus’ teacherly rebukes, feel ignored, resent the self-sacrifice of ministry? Sin didn't just reside in Judas, and it isn't just part of people who do atrocious things. Sin is inside all of us, and sometimes it happens by accident. When we deny love and caring to some because they're not worth our time or because we know what kind of people they are, then Satan has entered into us. But we are not alone, left to languish in our broken world. God has given us the wonderful gift of relationship and the ability to love at all times.

Personal God, you are exactly whom I need, and you come to me in body and blood, in water and spirit, every day. Help me see you and love you in every person, and help me see you in me, too. Amen.

Maundy Thursday, April 1

Exodus 12:1-14; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35

It is odd when a condemned man’s final meal is also the feast of liberation of his people, a little like Easter dinner in a death chamber——unless the celebration originated in death and deliverance in the first place. “I will strike down every first-born in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals… The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you…” (Exodus 12:12-13). This feast of Passover, initially sustenance for the escape of slaves, becomes a perpetual ordinance representing God’s deliverance from ultimate bondage. Now, Jesus makes it the seal of a new relationship between God and creation: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood” (1 Corinthians 11:25). The sign of this new covenant is not circumcision but servant-like love. Thus we move on from death to life eternal.

O Lord, let our last meal be of your love poured out through us to others through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Good Friday, April 2

Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9;

Isaiah 52:13-15, 53:12; John 18:19-42

When I was being treated for skin cancer, the doctor gave me an agent that ate holes in my face wherever there were dysplasic cells. Unfortunately, that was almost everywhere. I looked like a person with third-degree burns all over my face. People on the street would gasp. Strangers in stores would ask what happened. It was truly grotesque. In Isaiah, the servant is described as “so marred was his appearance…so he shall startle many nations” (Isaiah 52:14). Isaiah points out that “he poured out himself to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12). So Jesus’ disfigurement and death are to spare sinners (us). “He learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation…” (Hebrews 5:8-9).

O God, forgive us for your suffering and keep us yours, through Christ’s sacrifice. Amen.

Holy Saturday, April 3

Job 14:1-14; 1 Peter 4:1-8; Matthew 27:57-66

Today is the day of the silence of death. As Job writes, “so mortals lie down and do not rise again; until the heavens are no more, they will not awake…” (Job 14:12). “For this reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the Spirit as God does. The end of all things is near” (1 Peter 4:6-7). This promised life in the Spirit is begun even in the inadequacy of the tomb. At the plea of the priests and Pharisees that the tomb be secured, Pilate remarks prophetically, “You have a guard of soldiers; go and make it as secure as you can” (Matthew 27:65). Neither death nor the power of empire could contain Christ’s incessant life, nor ours. Thanks be to God!

O God, through your Spirit bring us to the recognition that no tomb can contain your promise, through Christour Savior. Amen.

Easter Sunday, April 4

Isaiah 65:17-25; 1Corinthians 15:19-26; Luke 24:1-12

This is the eighth day of creation. As Isaiah says, “I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered. … But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating” (Isaiah 65:17-18). What is created is nothing less than a new cosmos, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ will all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). Unfortunately, like the apostles, we often do not believe these words. Like the women, we look for the living among the dead. Instead, we are invited to listen and look. The angel says to them, “He is not here; he has risen” (Luke 24:5). We are to hear and take heart! Like Peter who looks into the empty tomb, we are to see the defeat of death and go home amazed at what has happened.

Victorious God, help us hear, see and believe in the new creation you have made in the resurrection ofyour Son, our Savior. Amen.


We hope you have enjoyed this series of Lenten Devotions, titled "Our Father, We Have Wandered," written by students and faculty members at Luther Seminary and Pacific Lutheran Seminary. 

Please give us some feedback about devotional you would like to see in the future on our website at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.  Please email us at gdchurch@tds.net or visit with one or both of our pastors at 725-6822.