Wednesday after Judica (Passion) Sunday
Posted on March 28, 2023 by under
Scripture: Hebrews 6:13-20 (NKJV)
6:13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.
19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Devotion
There is no source of true help and blessing but the Lord. Vanity compels us to think that we can help ourselves, but the Word of God is sent again and again to teach us that “our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Ps. 124:8).
God made all things, sustains all things, and promises to bless those who fear, love, and trust in Him. He has always offered His help. The satanic lie encourages us to take what we want, ignoring God’s order in blessing us. Eve had a whole garden full of food, but the serpent taught her to reach her hand out to feed herself on her own terms. Adam knew his Maker directly, yet he took and ate in sin from his wife’s hand, listening to the serpent’s voice through her, rather than the voice and command of the Lord. God promises love and peace in the Church, through His Word and Sacraments, but people still ignore His grace there and seek after all manner of empty things in the world—and worldly things brought into the Church—instead.
Christ Jesus was lifted up on the cross to be seen throughout all history. His holy sacrifice was the manifestation and fulfillment of God’s love and promises. He helped, He served, He taught, and He even gave up His life, all to show the truth of God’s merciful providence and to secure it for us. His Church continues to point to that cross and proclaim the gracious power of God in Christ’s death and resurrection!
Prayer: We beseech Thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon Thy people, that by Thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore, both in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Season of Lent
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
