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Lenten Devotion

April 12, 2022

All Day

Luke 23:26-32

26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’30 Then “ ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” 32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.

True Compassion

As we approach Easter, we see in our reading today how Jesus faces the cross. The crucifix is the Romans’ most excruciating form of torture. As Jesus walks towards his crucifixion, the greatest trial of his life, he is under huge pressure, in extreme pain, about to experience physical and spiritual isolation, yet his focus is not on himself, but on others. He is concerned for the crowd following him, a group of women who are with him to the end, mourning and weeping for him. Jesus is concerned for them because he foresees the troubles that will come to Jerusalem in the future. He says to them, “Don’t weep for me, weep for yourselves.” Later, we also see Jesus shows compassion to the repentant criminal about to be executed. As Jesus faces the cross, most of his words are out of concern for others, not for himself. Jesus’ response is always compassion. His response to us is compassion.

I don’t know how these days and months have been for you, I don’t know what challenges or difficulties you face. Jesus knows and he is concerned for you, his eyes of compassion are on you and his deep love and faithfulness surround you. Jesus has taken all that you are facing upon himself on the cross and he has won the victory. Victory is yours in Jesus Christ. Seek him and trust him with all your heart.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, our loving and compassionate Father, who loves us, who suffers with us, who lifts us up and redeems us through your life, death, and resurrection, we give you thanks. We praise you and worship you. We come in repentance and ask for your forgiveness. Thank you for forgiving us. We surrender all that we are to you, Jesus Christ, our Lord. May our lives be marked by the grace and the love of Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit who is at work in us. Amen.

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