Tuesday April 12, 2022

Today is Holy Tuesday, April 12 and this week is Holy Week. Each day we journey closer to the cross with Jesus.

As I enter this time of prayer, I draw near to the presence of God. I breathe slowly and deeply and focus my whole being on the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Holy and gracious God, I seek you in these moments of silence. I listen for the particular message you have for me today. Speak to me through the power of your Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

I praise God and rejoice in his presence with the words of Psalm 118.

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. Psalm 118:22-26

Pause and Pray

Everyday during Holy Week we read the biblical account of that same day during Jesus’ last week on earth. Jesus and his disciples often stayed the night in Bethany two miles east of Jerusalem, likely at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus who he raised from the dead. Many people came to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover and the word about Jesus was spreading amongst the crowd. Jesus knew the end of his earthly life was approaching and that his kingdom was coming to fruition. He predicts his death to the surrounding crowd saying that the “hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (John 12:23).

“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. John 12:27-33

The hour had arrived for the Son of Man to be glorified – overcoming the cross of suffering and humiliation, vanquishing sin and death forever. This is the very reason Jesus came. This is his hour. God’s name will be glorified again and again through Jesus Christ. The world will be judged and the prince of this world, the evil one, will be driven out. I will be judged as well. Jesus was lifted up upon the cross in order to draw all people to himself – and that includes me. I am grateful for this unfathomable truth. Because of his suffering, death and resurrection, I have abundant life and eternal life, here and in heaven. He suffered for my sins, was lifted up on the cross to pay the penalty for my transgressions and died for my trespasses. Because he died, I live.

Ask: How have I been drawn to the cross of Christ? How has God’s name been glorified through my salvation?

Pause and Pray

Precious Lord, all glory and honor is yours. I praise you, Jesus. May the name of God be glorified. Speak to me through the loudness of your thunder or the whispers of your divine angels. Come judge the world and drive out the evil one for good. I thank you for the sacrifice you made for my sin sick soul. You are high and lifted up, Lord, draw me close to your heart and keep me there always. I read the words from John again and listen for the message you have for me.

Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. John 12:27-33

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

God speaks to me through his holy word and I want to listen. I consider what God might want to reveal to me today. What words from this Holy Week passage most resonate with the current state of my soul? Troubled or saved. Judged or benefitted. Driven out or drawn near. Where do I see myself in relationship to the God who loves me and Jesus the Messiah who draws me to himself? How are the Holy Spirit and the scriptures acting and speaking into my life?

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, high and lifted up, I invite you to draw near to my lonely wayward heart. Meet me this very hour and show me what it means to live a life in a relationship with you. Reveal the truth of real Christianity and teach me how to make progress on my Christian walk and mature in the spiritual life. Amen.

In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14

As I leave this time of prayer, I go glorifying the name of Jesus and sharing his love far and wide.

Amen