Thursday, February 28, 2013
Luke 9:18-20 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" So they answered and said, "John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God."
PASSIONATE PRAYERS OF OUR SAVIOR -- FOR THE JOURNEY AHEAD
Jesus, whelmed in fears unknown, With our evil left alone,
While no light from heaven is shown: Hear us, holy Jesus.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 183:1)
Not long ago I made the trip with my dad from California back to Wisconsin -- in January. There was quite a bit of fear and anxiety on account of the massive winter storm that covered most of the U.S. that week. Even before we left, we knew the journey ahead was going to be a challenge to say the least.
A better word for what Jesus was going to face on His journey ahead would be "impossible." That would be true if Jesus were only a man. But as the disciples joined Jesus we hear Peter say, "You are the Christ of God." Jesus announced what He must go to Jerusalem to do and His disciples knew the journey ahead would be filled with great struggle and sorrow. Surely this was something to pray about -- with Jesus.
When we vainly seem to pray And our hope seems far away,
In the darkness be our Stay: Hear us, holy Jesus.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 183:2)
This hymn verse says it well: "When we VAINLY seem to pray." We are constantly tempted to doubt God's plan. We're tested to question if He hears or will deliver us through the challenges of the journey ahead. How quickly we forget that we are already victorious! Christ's death has conquered death for us! Hope should no longer seem "far away," because it is a hope in and with Christ, a confident hope we have now!
Though no Father seem to hear, Though no light our spirits cheer,
May we know that God is near: Hear us, holy Jesus.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 183:3)
