Saturday of the Week of Lent IV
Today’s readings: Jeremiah 23:9-15; Romans 9:1-18; John 6:60-71
“After this many of His disciples drew back and no longer went about with Him. Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God’” (John 6:66-69).
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!” Besides the Bible, when have you heard these words recited?
Once again, we have in our passage words that are part of our Sunday worship service. We sing the “Alleluia Verse” prior to the reading of the Holy Gospel, singing precisely these words of Peter. We acknowledge that the reading of the Gospel lesson presents the very words of the Lord—words which give life and eternal life! To whom else shall we go? We stand in respect to greet the Lord present in His Word, as the Gospel is read in the midst of the congregation.
Of course, not all will receive Jesus and His Word. John tells us that many of His disciples drew back and no longer went about with Him. Many today reject Jesus and His Word, acknowledging Him as a son of God like Mohammed or Buddha or Joseph Smith, but not the Holy One of God, the way, the truth and the life.
This is the dividing line between biblical, confessional Christians and those who see Jesus only as a wise sage, a helpful teacher, an engaging life-coach. The Scriptures proclaim Jesus as only begotten Son of God, born of the virgin, Mary, crucified and risen for our salvation. He, alone, has words of eternal life!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you have the words of eternal life! And I believe and have come to know that you are the holy one of God. Amen.
Lenten Response: Tomorrow in Sunday worship, take note how Lutheran worship is full of Scripture—from beginning to end!
Today’s devotion was written by the Rev. Dr. David M. Wendel, Assistant to the Bishop for Ministry and Ecumenism.
Click video to play.
Video of each day’s devotion is available here. The 2017 Lenten Devotional, based on Year I of the LBW and written by Pastor David Wendel, is available for download/printing in two formats and as a daily text/email message.
• 8.5″ x 11″ large print version for one- or two-sided printing on letter-sized paper
• 8.5″ x 11″ booklet (folds to 5.5″ x 8.5″) designed for two-sided printing on letter-sized paper
To receive daily devotionals via SMS, please text @NALCLENT to 614-682-8693.
To receive daily devotionals via email, please visit: NALC Lenten Devotional.
The 2017 Lenten Devotional is also available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Search for NALC WALK OF FAITH. If you already have the NALC Walk of Faith app, just update it by clicking the “download” button next to the devotional for Lent.