Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Tuesday of Holy Week

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-11 (NKJV)

4 “The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to hear as the learned.

5 The Lord God has opened My ear; And I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away.

6 I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.

7 “For the Lord God will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed.

8 He is near who justifies Me; Who will contend with Me? Let us stand together. Who is My adversary? Let him come near Me.

9 Surely the Lord God will help Me; Who is he who will condemn Me? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; The moth will eat them up.

10 “Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God.

11 Look, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with sparks: Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled—this you shall have from My hand: You shall lie down in torment.”

Devotion

When we think of heroes we can easily find ourselves thinking of the likes of Superman, or Batman, or Captain America. They defeat the “bad guys” by overpowering them. The image that comes to mind is the “good guy” standing over the “bad guy” with his foot on the “bad guy’s” chest. “Victory is mine!”

It is Tuesday of Holy Week. We are one day closer to the Cross. We are moving ever closer to the suffering and death of Christ, as described by Isaiah. Jesus doesn’t look anything like a superhero. Jesus would soon give Himself to being struck on the back, to having His beard plucked, and finally to being nailed to the Cross. Then, the Hero dies.

From the “depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God,” a place unreachable by our human thoughts and intellect, comes forth with “Good News.” Strange as it may appear to human reason, God defeats death by crucifying His Son. The Hero dies so those whose sins He bore, the sins of His enemies, might live. Though the Hero’s heel is bruised, the serpent’s head is forever crushed. The serpent’s power over creation has been vanquished.

Indeed, “the Righteous shall live by faith,” as demonstrated by Jesus Who “fears, loves, and trusts” His Father above all things. “For the Lord will help Me,” “He is near who justifies Me,” and “Surely the Lord God will help Me” are words of faith. All the way to the point of death, Jesus trusted His Father. And as we know, death could only hold Life in the tomb but three days!

Almighty and everlasting God, grant us grace to pass through this holy time of our Lord’s Passion that we may obtain the pardon of our sins. Amen.

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