Daily Devotion for March 6, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPASSIONATE Christ

 

"The Hour Has Come"

 

Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" Mark 14: 41-42

 

A third time Jesus returned to the disciples and finding them dead to the world, let them sleep on, seeing that the hour had come. In an idiomatic phrase, Jesus recognized the finality of it all. There was to be no turning back. From this time on the die was cast. The one who was to hand him over was already on his way.

 

Did Jesus sit beside His disciples as they slept, a hand upon a shoulder, allowing them some precious moments of rest? Did He see lights starting out from one of the gates of the Old City of Jerusalem, and did He sense the approach of the one who would hand him over with a kiss? However it happened, we can hear Jesus break the comforting silence with words heavy with the expectation of a hill called 'The Skull.'

 

"The hour has come," said Jesus. Meaning that the final act of the earthly drama was about to be played out. He was to be handed over to wicked men, sinners who would pass judgment on the Savior. With a word of command He roused His groggy-eyed followers and told them to get ready. The time for sleeping was over; it was time for action!

 

Even though Jesus was the one about to be arrested, He took charge of the proceedings. He was not about to be cornered like a criminal, He would go to meet the soldiers; He would confront them face to face. His actions remind us of one of the central truths of the story of Christ's passion: no one took His life - He gave it - for us!

 

Prayer
Dear Jesus, yes, Your hour has come.  It is time for me to be awakened and called to action.  I have been asleep for too long, I have been weak for too long.  Empower me so that I can follow You in Your journey of pain for me!  Amen

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
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