The Tuesday after Judica (Passion) Sunday
Posted on March 24, 2026 by under
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 (NKJV)
1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, 10lwho delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, 11 you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.
Devotion
Sometimes Christianity is falsely presented in terms of a ‘theology of glory’. It is said that Christians who really trust in God will stop having sinful desires, avoid every trouble, and be successful in every aspect of life. This is obviously false, since Paul says that God “comforts us in all our tribulation.”
However, sometimes even a good theology of the Cross can be misconstrued as yet another form of the theology of glory. Sufferings and troubles can be framed as ‘tests of our strength,’ whereby we prove to God that we are worthy of His kingdom. This too is false. Paul lays out the truth when writes: “we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves.” This is not the boasting of a man who never wavered under tribulation. It is the confession of one who was filled with weakness. Paul presents himself as a man burdened beyond measure, and yet upheld by Jesus Christ.
This is what the Christian life really looks like: despair of oneself and trust in God. Like St. Paul, we have no confidence in ourselves. Our faith is in God “who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us.”
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.
