Saturday after Laetare Sunday
Posted on April 2, 2022 by under
Scripture: St. John 6:66-71 (NKJV)
6:66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.
67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”
68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” 71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.
Devotion
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Jesus says that unless we eat His flesh and drink His blood, we have no part in Him. These words sound so esoteric and bizarre that from that time forth many of those who had followed Him turned away and no longer believed in Him. Jesus lets them go, and then turns to His disciples, asking them if they will also leave Him.
Peter answers for them all: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” It does not say that Peter understood those words; several instances in the Gospels show us how badly he misunderstood them sometimes. But whether he understands them or not, Peter clings to His Lord, and clings particularly to His words “of eternal life.”
Dear ones in Christ, there may be many things in God’s Word that you do not understand, questions for which you would have answers and none has yet been given you. Do not walk away. The words of Jesus are the words of eternal life, and they will save you. His Word will yet be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path.
Prayer: Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to
be punished, by the comfort of Thy grace may mercifully be relieved; 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 the 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.
