Month: October 2019

Thursday Morning, 31 Oct 2019 – Matthew 27:27-44 ~ The King is crucified.

Thursday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Guidance – Thursday)

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: Guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our lives we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Matthew 27:27-44 (NLT)

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.

The Crucifixion

Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.

After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!”

The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him! He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way.
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Morning Reflection:

The King is crucified.

A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him.
It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
– Matthew 27:37 –

Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes away the sins of the world.

The Prophet Isaiah speaks of our Lord under the same image: “He shall be led as a sheep to the slaughter, and shall be dumb as a lamb before his shearers” and all this because “He was wounded for our iniquities, He was bruised for our sins; … by His bruises we are healed”.

This is Jesus Christ, who when darkness, sin, guilt and misery had overspread the earth, came down from Heaven, took our nature upon Him, and shed His precious blood upon the Cross for all men.

This is Jesus – the King of the Jews

Questions for consideration:

  • When you think of unbelieving people that you know, who comes to mind? How can you bear witness and pray for them? Please explain.
  • When you think of unbelieving nations, are there any in particular that God puts on your heart? How can you bear witness and pray for them? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer – for all unbelieving people and nations, that they will be converted.

O Lord Jesus Christ, O King of the whole world, O Hope and Expectation of all nations, O You who hast bought all men for Your own at the price of Your most precious blood, look down in pity upon all people, tribes and nations who are spread over the wide earth, and impart to them the knowledge of Your saving truth.

Remember, O Lord, Your own most bitter sufferings of soul and body in Your betrayal, Your passion and Your crucifixion, and have mercy upon their souls.We pray especially for the Jewish people, that they may acknowledge You as their longed-for Messianic King… to the glory of God their Father. Amen.

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ET SHEM YESHUA..Holy Name of Yeshua – Birgitta Veksler

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Wednesday Morning: 30 Oct 2019 – Matthew 27:11-26 ~ The Free Man

Wednesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Grace – Wednesday)

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Matthew 27:11-26 (NLT)

Jesus’ Trial before Pilate

Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. “Are you the king of the Jews?” the governor asked him.

Jesus replied, “You have said it.”

But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.

Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted. This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas. As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.)

Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.”

Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death. So the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release to you?”

The crowd shouted back, “Barabbas!”

Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”

They shouted back, “Crucify him!”

“Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?”

But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”

Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!”

And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and our children!”

So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.

Morning Reflection:  – Pennar Davies (Celtic Daily Prayer II)

Christ is the Free Man. Look at Him, my soul at His nakedness, His blood, His sweat. The Eternal Prisoner! The soldiers beat Him, cursing and laughing drunkenly. The feel that they represent a higher civilization than His, a richer culture and an infinitely better race. In each blow there is contempt and greed. Are not the Roman soldiers masters of the world?

Even in His anguish and shame Christ takes pity on the soldiers in their captivity. He is the Free Man. Gaze on Him my soul. Does He have wealth, worldly power, an influential position in the organization of a country? No He has nothing but a body now and the soldiers treat His body as they please. Flesh, blood, skin, bones, hair – He has only these things now, and the kingdom of Hell wants to take these things from Him.

Look at Him, my soul. He is a Free Man; the only free man in Jerusalem.

Pilate’s empire is a prison; Caiaphas’ religion is a prison; Judas’ dream is a prison; having been freed from his cell Barabbas’ rebellious moment is a prison. Christ alone is free.

My soul stands with Him. There by His side, under the lash of soldiers, freedom is to be found.

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“Oh My Soul” – Casting Crowns

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Tuesday Morning, 29 Oct 2019 – Matthew 27:1-10 ~ “I have betrayed an innocent man.”

Tuesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening (A Collect for Peace – Tuesday)

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Matthew 27:1-10 (NLT)

Matthew 27:1-10 New Living Translation (NLT)

Judas Hangs Himself

Very early in the morning the leading priests and the elders of the people met again to lay plans for putting Jesus to death. Then they bound him, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.

When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.”

“What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”

Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.

The leading priests picked up the coins. “It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the Temple treasury,” they said, “since it was payment for murder.” After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter’s field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners. That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood. This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah that says,

“They took the thirty pieces of silver—
the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel,
and purchased the potter’s field,
as the Lord directed.”
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Morning Reflection:

“I have betrayed an innocent man.”
– Matthew 27:4 –

It’s hard to know what was going on in Judas’ mind from beginning to end. However, when he realizes that his betrayal has condemned Jesus to death he experiences remorse – “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” But it’s too little, too late both for him and for Jesus.

Two of Jesus’ followers have denied him:

  1. Peter has sinned by words, under the pressure of the moment, and for him there can be a new start.
  2. Judas has sinned in deed, in a premeditated, settled course of action which has now borne fruit which, too late, he wishes he could have undone.

Questions for consideration:

  • Have you ever experienced remorse for sinning by something you said in the heat of the moment? Were you able to make a fresh start? Please explain.
  • Have you ever experienced remorse for sinning by something you did that couldn’t be undone? How was it resolved? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: Of Repentance –

+ Jesus, Friend of sinners, You bring hope in our despair…. Lord, have mercy.
+ Jesus, Healer of the sick, You give strength in our weakness…. Lord, have mercy.
+ Jesus, Destroyer of evil, You bring life in our dying…. Lord, have mercy.

God of our hidden depths, in honest regret, in trust,

we confess our faults and recognize our frailty.

+ Show us that we have been forgiven, so that we may forgive….
+ Touch our wounds with Your healing, so that we may be people who heal…
+ Help us to be at peace with ourselves, so that we may become makers of peace with others….

through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Amen.
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“Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)” – Koine

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Monday Morning, 8 Oct 2019, Matthew 26:57-75~ liars, connivers, abusers, and deniers

Monday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening –  A Collect for the Renewal of Life (Monday)

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Morning Reading -Matthew 26:57-75 (NLT)

Jesus before the Council

Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered. Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end.

Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death. But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyone’s testimony. Finally, two men came forward who declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?”

“Guilty!” they shouted. “He deserves to die!”

Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him, jeering, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?”

Peter Denies Jesus

Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.”

But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said.

A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.”

Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.

Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.
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Morning Reflection:

liars, connivers, abusers, and deniers

The high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—
tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

Jesus replied, “You have said it.
And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand
and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
– Matthew 26:63-65 –

The rigged trial in the Chief Priest’s home is the point at which Jesus’ death is sealed; all that follows involving the Roman prefect is only the formal implementation of a verdict already decided by the Jewish authorities.

The pivotal moment is Jesus’ affirmation of his Messianic identity as Son of God and Son of Man. This affirmation resulted in the bogus charge of “blasphemy,” a crime punishable by death  under Mosaic Law at this time. So there it is – the liars, connivers, and abusers who have conspired to kill the Son of God are having their way. And all the disciples have fled, afraid for their lives, leaving Jesus in the hands of His persecutors. Meanwhile, The denier hangs around at a safe distance; but when push comes to shove, he’s gone.

In today’s reading we are invited to choose between two models of how godly people  behave under pressure:

  1. the one who escapes death but with his spiritual reputation in tatters
  2. and the one who will be killed, only to live again in triumph.

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 10:39 is brought into sharp focus in today’s reading –

“If you cling to your life, you will lose it;
but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.”

Questions for consideration:

  • In today’s post-Christian society, we are continually bombarded with messages from liars, connivers, abusers, and deniers of Jesus the Son of God. Consider for a moment some of the TV programs that you watch. Who are these people? What is their message? What does it say about Jesus? Please explain.
  • Do you believe there is a concerted societal effort today to “kill Jesus,” i.e. to remove Him from all conversations or discussions in public? Why/ why not? Please explain.
  • Jesus said we have to give up our lives for Him, in order to find our lives in Him. Can you think of ways, or examples, of how that has worked out in your life? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: Canticle

Christ as a light illumine and guide me.
Christ as a shield overshadow me.
Christ under me; Christ over me,
Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me on my left and my right.
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“Jesus Son of God” – Chris Tomlin

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

20th Sunday after Pentecost, 27 Oct 2019, Luke 18:9-14 ~ ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening Prayer:

O God, who alone can probe the depths of the heart, You hear the prayer of the humble and justify the repentant sinner.

As we stand before You, grant us the gift of humility, that we may see our own sins clearly and refrain from judging our neighbor.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Your Name” – Paul Baloche

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Gospel Reading: Luke 18:9-14(NLT)

Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector

Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
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“Hungry” – Kathryn Scott

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Intercession:

Compassionate God, we fall on our knees before Your throne of grace; hear our prayers for the needs of Your people. We pray especially –

+ For church leaders around the world, that they may lead with humility and grace….

+ For world leaders, that they may govern with wisdom, justice and mercy….

+ For national leaders, that they may not forget the needs of the poor and powerless….

+ For our own country, that politics may be set aside for liberty, justice, and the betterment of all….

+ For those suffering from war and injustice, that they may be delivered from evil and their communities restored….

+ For the sick, particularly people near death, that Your presence and loving-kindness may comfort them as they approach Your heavenly kingdom….

Compassionate God, You rescue Your people in all their distress, hear our prayers we ask in humility and faith, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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“Good Fight” -Unspoken

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Closing: 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (excerpts)

Fight the good fight; finish the race and remain faithful. For the crown of righteousness awaits you, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to all who eagerly await Him – on the day of His return.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen