The Saturday after Judica (Passion) Sunday
Posted on March 28, 2026 by under
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-15 (NKJV)
5:11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
12 For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
Devotion
After Paul left, the Corinthian church was faced with problems. False prophets came in and sowed division. They tried to tear down Paul’s reputation and undermine his apostolic authority. But St. Paul was not so much concerned about his reputation as he was with the doctrine of Christ. He did not want a false report about himself to be a hindrance to their faith! Therefore, in this epistle he reminds the Corinthians about the character which he and his companions showed while they were still with them: “we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences. For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.”
The devil is always seeking to sow division in God’s Church. He uses false prophets to create factions in congregations. He tears at the reputation of pastors so that people become offended and rebel against their ministry. In such cases, we should not allow ourselves to be driven by emotion. Christ’s love should compel us and guide us, for it holds believers together as one Church. Christ “died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”
Collect: 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.
