On this day, often overlooked in the Lenten calendar, Jesus is dead. He was buried in a tomb. He was sealed behind a door, blocked by a stone… a stone so large that once rolled down the slope, rolling it back to open it up would take many men at the risk of their lives. After all, it was more than heavy. There were guards stationed, and it was the Jewish Sabbath.

Silence of the tomb emphasizes the darkness of the grave mankind deserves on account of our rebellion. Yet, God reminds us, as penned by our friend John Kass in his Christmas column, this is our hope:

“And for all those across the world who know what is most important on this special night:
It is that simple message brought to us by that perfect child born in the manger in Bethlehem so long ago.
He is the gift, the only gift. He came to light the world.”

In the bleakest moments of human existence, the last fleeting breath, the bombings and seemingly random brutality at the hands of our fellow man, we have this hope still ablaze in our hearts: 

Even a dark tomb could not extinguish the Light of the World!

The grave will not have the final say.  Hold on.  Today, Holy Saturday, is not a throwaway day.  It’s fulfilling Scripture.  Hold onto your hope when it’s darkest: Sunday’s coming.

Matthew 27:57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.  59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

Prayer Focus: Lord, Have Mercy! Remind us that the Light was never extinguished. His mortality accomplished the very purpose for which You sent Your Son: to purchase men and women for Yourself, those who bear Your Image, and by faith bear the Image of Your Christ.  By Your mercy, grant us courage and faith to move beyond the tomb to the Resurrection. Help us to hold on when the world seems darkest. Thank You, Lord, for the Light of the World, our Savior Jesus Christ.

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You can find these “Κύριε, ἐλέησον, ‘Lord, have mercy” devotionals here or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this encounter with God to prepare your heart for Easter!

Understanding that prior years’ devotionals continue to minister, you may want to have access to a full series ahead of time:

Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.

A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 

Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 

ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.

Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.

Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

Lent 2019 gave us a deeper window into Easter “More to the Easter Story” since we miss so much when we rely only on a superficial understanding of the work of Christ. These devotionals are archived beginning March 6, 2019.

Our Lent 2020 devotional series offered prayer points surrounding “Be Thou My Vision” and were aimed at helping us to see God for who He is. The full set of devotionals are archived beginning February 26, 2020.

The theme for 2021 Lent Devotionals was how to live between two worlds while waiting for Christ’s return. Into the gap between the City of Man and its fixation upon sin and the City of God with its demand for holiness, two words minister peace: But God. Praise God for His intervention! They are archived beginning February 17, 2021.

Revelation in 40 devotionals for 2022 offered 40 vignettes, scenes, concepts, and thoughts to inspire us to read the Book of Revelation as it is written and to go deeper. They are archived beginning March 2, 2022.

“Created to Display His Image” explored what it truly means to be made in God’s Image and the profound significance of that fact. They are archived beginning February 22, 2023.

“Seeing His Love with New Eyes” was the topic for 2024 and it explored looking at God’s love beyond the superficial and trite notions of love. They are archived beginning February 14, 2024.

“The Way it Had to Be” explored the conversation in Luke 24 by the men on the Road to Emmaus as they walked with Jesus. They discovered their assumption “This is not how it was supposed to be” was precisely what had to happen and had been predicted throughout the Old Testament and fulfilled in Jesus’ ministry. These devotionals are archived beginning March 5, 2025.

On the Lenten calendar, it’s Maundy Thursday, an odd name since most people don’t use the word “Maundy” anymore.  To them, it sounds like something the godfather would say.

The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning “commandment” or “mandate.”  It memorializes the New Commandment (which really isn’t new, but a new standard) to love one another…as Jesus loved us—a lofty standard to be sure.

It recalls the grace of Jesus’ washing the disciples’ feet as a manner of serving others.  In this context, John Kass’ column excerpt for today is particularly poignant,

“To all those whom I’ve hurt with thoughtless words, I apologize. Yes, it troubles me because I just can’t reconcile this political writer’s life that sets me to make hard judgements. I’m trying to balance all that against my Orthodox Christian faith and I fail and fail again.

Kyrie Elaison.

I worry that I’ll been blinded by zeal or by pride, locking the gates of heaven against me. Those of us in political life can see ourselves becoming like barking dogs we fear.”

Particularly for those of us who write, or preach, or teach…the standard of serving others in humility and grace is always measured against how Jesus never compromised truth in order for Him to show grace.  Christianity is not a religion of doormats, but servants, warriors, heralds, and stalwarts for the Gospel in a world gone crazy.

Kyrie Elaison. Lord, Have Mercy! It’s absolutely essential.

Prayer Focus: Lord, Have Mercy upon those whose words of caution or hard judgments are too easily interpreted as “hate” or a problem.  Shield us with Your mighty hand to keep us from sacrificing Your Truth on the “altar of nice.”  Keep us steadfast and humble, gracious and forgiving, “ quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” (James 1:19), and bring glory to You through our words and actions.

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You can find these “Κύριε, ἐλέησον, ‘Lord, have mercy” devotionals here or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this encounter with God to prepare your heart for Easter!

Understanding that prior years’ devotionals continue to minister, you may want to have access to a full series ahead of time:

Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.

A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 

Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 

ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.

Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.

Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

Lent 2019 gave us a deeper window into Easter “More to the Easter Story” since we miss so much when we rely only on a superficial understanding of the work of Christ. These devotionals are archived beginning March 6, 2019.

Our Lent 2020 devotional series offered prayer points surrounding “Be Thou My Vision” and were aimed at helping us to see God for who He is. The full set of devotionals are archived beginning February 26, 2020.

The theme for 2021 Lent Devotionals was how to live between two worlds while waiting for Christ’s return. Into the gap between the City of Man and its fixation upon sin and the City of God with its demand for holiness, two words minister peace: But God. Praise God for His intervention! They are archived beginning February 17, 2021.

Revelation in 40 devotionals for 2022 offered 40 vignettes, scenes, concepts, and thoughts to inspire us to read the Book of Revelation as it is written and to go deeper. They are archived beginning March 2, 2022.

“Created to Display His Image” explored what it truly means to be made in God’s Image and the profound significance of that fact. They are archived beginning February 22, 2023.

“Seeing His Love with New Eyes” was the topic for 2024 and it explored looking at God’s love beyond the superficial and trite notions of love. They are archived beginning February 14, 2024.

“The Way it Had to Be” explored the conversation in Luke 24 by the men on the Road to Emmaus as they walked with Jesus. They discovered their assumption “This is not how it was supposed to be” was precisely what had to happen and had been predicted throughout the Old Testament and fulfilled in Jesus’ ministry. These devotionals are archived beginning March 5, 2025.

Every post, magazine or newspaper article you read, every TV show or advertisement that you watch, every conversation that you have unlocks the gate around your heart so that those thoughts can take residence in your mind. You may have heard the old saying, “You are what you read.”  Never is this truer than of the information we consume and the age in which we live.

Perhaps you’ve seen celebrities, political figures, or even just people in your circle of acquaintances who–at one point–could be considered “beautiful people” whose entire visage has become grotesque, even disfigured or hideous.  They no longer look like the same person because evil has consumed them, degraded their souls, and it shows on the outside who they’ve become on the inside.

It doesn’t have to be that way, as John Kass points out in his Christmas column “O Holy Night” that we’ve been using for prayerful introspection,

“But it is by the love of Christ, prayer, and faith that we’re given the opportunity to unlock those gates around our hearts.”

Lord, Have Mercy!

Keep careful watch over who (or what) you allow to be the doorkeeper of your heart. Is it Christ whose love inspires prayers and faith and goodness…or does the world have a hold on you?

“You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:23-26

Prayer Focus: Lord, You have the keys to my heart.  Please shield me from hate, anger, vitriol, and evil of all kinds.  In Your mercy, keep me safe in Your love, remind me to live like one who has experienced Your love, grace, and mercy.  Amen.

===

You can find these “Κύριε, ἐλέησον, ‘Lord, have mercy” devotionals here or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this encounter with God to prepare your heart for Easter!

Understanding that prior years’ devotionals continue to minister, you may want to have access to a full series ahead of time:

Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.

A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 

Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 

ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.

Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.

Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

Lent 2019 gave us a deeper window into Easter “More to the Easter Story” since we miss so much when we rely only on a superficial understanding of the work of Christ. These devotionals are archived beginning March 6, 2019.

Our Lent 2020 devotional series offered prayer points surrounding “Be Thou My Vision” and were aimed at helping us to see God for who He is. The full set of devotionals are archived beginning February 26, 2020.

The theme for 2021 Lent Devotionals was how to live between two worlds while waiting for Christ’s return. Into the gap between the City of Man and its fixation upon sin and the City of God with its demand for holiness, two words minister peace: But God. Praise God for His intervention! They are archived beginning February 17, 2021.

Revelation in 40 devotionals for 2022 offered 40 vignettes, scenes, concepts, and thoughts to inspire us to read the Book of Revelation as it is written and to go deeper. They are archived beginning March 2, 2022.

“Created to Display His Image” explored what it truly means to be made in God’s Image and the profound significance of that fact. They are archived beginning February 22, 2023.

“Seeing His Love with New Eyes” was the topic for 2024 and it explored looking at God’s love beyond the superficial and trite notions of love. They are archived beginning February 14, 2024.

“The Way it Had to Be” explored the conversation in Luke 24 by the men on the Road to Emmaus as they walked with Jesus. They discovered their assumption “This is not how it was supposed to be” was precisely what had to happen and had been predicted throughout the Old Testament and fulfilled in Jesus’ ministry. These devotionals are archived beginning March 5, 2025.

Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

The whole reason for Christ to go the Cross was for our benefit.  To give us freedom from the wages of sin (that is, death) by our faith in Him. The cost of that freedom was His very life.

I’m amazed at how often people diminish the slavery common to all mankind. It’s the bondage to sin with a solution that can be summarized as “Repent or Wrath.” That choice belongs to every man and woman…individually.  Either Christ received your wrath due IN YOUR PLACE or it’s a DIY program and you experience it yourself…in hell.  Ought to be such a no-brainer!

Even freedom itself is underrated by those taking it for granted. In people’s ignorance, they don’t seem to grasp that freedom, once surrendered, results only in bondage. Many of them, having only grown up in a free society, do not appreciate what true slavery, bondage, subjugation, oppression, and persecution look like. There are freedom-seekers in this world who can talk from experience about oppression and persecution.

In today’s excerpt from O Holy Night, the Christmas column by John Kass, the introduction of freedom as a principle is no accident.  It’s foundational, not only to nations like America, but to the very existence of Christianity as a faith of invitation, not compulsion like other religions. Kass writes,

“For the American republic, the last, best hope of liberty on earth. And for the American people, who never, ever quit.

We are Americans. And Americans find a way.”

Even in our corrupted state, America is still a nation built upon limits placed on government, not a government placing limits on its people. Government is limited to keep our freedom of religious expression.

Likewise, there’s a pattern initiated by God Himself.  He allows a beautiful individual freedom rooted in love which allows people to choose Him though He could be like other gods and force adherence through threats of death. 

Prayer Focus.  Thank You, God, that You give people opportunity after opportunity to see the beauty of freedom contrasted with the hideous coercion of other religions and governments.  America was founded on such freedom. We thank You for this pattern and this gift to worship You and in Christ, to be freed from eternal consequences of our own sin.

===

You can find these “Κύριε, ἐλέησον, ‘Lord, have mercy” devotionals here or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this encounter with God to prepare your heart for Easter!

Understanding that prior years’ devotionals continue to minister, you may want to have access to a full series ahead of time:

Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.

A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 

Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 

ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.

Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.

Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

Lent 2019 gave us a deeper window into Easter “More to the Easter Story” since we miss so much when we rely only on a superficial understanding of the work of Christ. These devotionals are archived beginning March 6, 2019.

Our Lent 2020 devotional series offered prayer points surrounding “Be Thou My Vision” and were aimed at helping us to see God for who He is. The full set of devotionals are archived beginning February 26, 2020.

The theme for 2021 Lent Devotionals was how to live between two worlds while waiting for Christ’s return. Into the gap between the City of Man and its fixation upon sin and the City of God with its demand for holiness, two words minister peace: But God. Praise God for His intervention! They are archived beginning February 17, 2021.

Revelation in 40 devotionals for 2022 offered 40 vignettes, scenes, concepts, and thoughts to inspire us to read the Book of Revelation as it is written and to go deeper. They are archived beginning March 2, 2022.

“Created to Display His Image” explored what it truly means to be made in God’s Image and the profound significance of that fact. They are archived beginning February 22, 2023.

“Seeing His Love with New Eyes” was the topic for 2024 and it explored looking at God’s love beyond the superficial and trite notions of love. They are archived beginning February 14, 2024.

“The Way it Had to Be” explored the conversation in Luke 24 by the men on the Road to Emmaus as they walked with Jesus. They discovered their assumption “This is not how it was supposed to be” was precisely what had to happen and had been predicted throughout the Old Testament and fulfilled in Jesus’ ministry. These devotionals are archived beginning March 5, 2025.

Night comes to everyone, but it means different things to different people.  For some, it heralds a peaceful slumber of gentle rest and dreams of joy.  For others, it’s a time of keen watchfulness because somewhere in the night, those who plot evil are hatching plans and sending them to action.

In his column “O Holy Night” (that we’ve been using for prayerful introspection throughout Lent), John Kass recognizes the dangers and the protectors.

“For every sailor at sea standing watch tonight, staring out at cold black water, and remembering brightly lit rooms.

For the pilots bringing us safely home, staring into night skies.

For every member of the U.S. Armed Forces who protect us. And for those of the U.S. Foreign Service and the Intelligence Services who walk into the shadows alone to protect this great nation.”

Dangers abound at night.

Jesus knew something about betrayals and plots under the cover of darkness.
As we continue Passion Week, the betrayal of Jesus
by one of His disciples was already in the depraved minds of His enemies
and an enemy within.

 John 13:27 “As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. ‘”‘What you are about to do, do quickly,’ Jesus told him… 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.”

Yet Jesus did not fear the darkness, nor the betrayals, nor the wiles of His enemies.  He trusted His Father.

Prayer Focus:  Father, help us to trust You in all circumstances, in the daylight or the approaching darkness.  Be with us, strengthen us, and protect us by Your Holy Spirit.   Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

===

You can find these “Κύριε, ἐλέησον, ‘Lord, have mercy” devotionals here or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this encounter with God to prepare your heart for Easter!

Understanding that prior years’ devotionals continue to minister, you may want to have access to a full series ahead of time:

Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.

A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 

Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 

ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.

Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.

Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

Lent 2019 gave us a deeper window into Easter “More to the Easter Story” since we miss so much when we rely only on a superficial understanding of the work of Christ. These devotionals are archived beginning March 6, 2019.

Our Lent 2020 devotional series offered prayer points surrounding “Be Thou My Vision” and were aimed at helping us to see God for who He is. The full set of devotionals are archived beginning February 26, 2020.

The theme for 2021 Lent Devotionals was how to live between two worlds while waiting for Christ’s return. Into the gap between the City of Man and its fixation upon sin and the City of God with its demand for holiness, two words minister peace: But God. Praise God for His intervention! They are archived beginning February 17, 2021.

Revelation in 40 devotionals for 2022 offered 40 vignettes, scenes, concepts, and thoughts to inspire us to read the Book of Revelation as it is written and to go deeper. They are archived beginning March 2, 2022.

“Created to Display His Image” explored what it truly means to be made in God’s Image and the profound significance of that fact. They are archived beginning February 22, 2023.

“Seeing His Love with New Eyes” was the topic for 2024 and it explored looking at God’s love beyond the superficial and trite notions of love. They are archived beginning February 14, 2024.

“The Way it Had to Be” explored the conversation in Luke 24 by the men on the Road to Emmaus as they walked with Jesus. They discovered their assumption “This is not how it was supposed to be” was precisely what had to happen and had been predicted throughout the Old Testament and fulfilled in Jesus’ ministry. These devotionals are archived beginning March 5, 2025.

I know I say this every year at Palm Sunday. Time goes by, yet nothing changes. I remain astonished at how fickle people can be. The Holy Week beginning with Palm Sunday is a symphony of praise and celebration. The long-awaited King comes to you, “gentle and riding on a donkey” (Matthew 21:5). The Son of David! The Messiah!

That’s Sunday. By Friday, they want him dead. Five days between the Triumphal Entry and “Crucify Him!” Just shocking.

Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
Who is He, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty– He is the King of glory.
Selah
Psalm 24:7-10

Are we any different? Whether politicians, celebrities, or sports figures… family members, etc. one moment we’re celebrating them as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time), then the next moment, we’re castigating them as the idiotic impeachable goat sent out into the wilderness bearing missed field goals or free-throws, stupidity, sin, and shame.

Would we have treated Jesus any differently? For today’s introspection, ponder the faithfulness of God and the fickleness of man.

The actual meaning of the word Selah is unknown. Selah and Sabbaths should prompt us to stop the mad rush and instead, to meditate on God’s character, His words, or His actions on behalf of His people. The best true response to God is to pause for worship. It’s hard to understand His ways in the fog of our lives. Selah. Rest in Him.

Selah interjects much like “Κύριε, ἐλέησον” in the Greek Orthodox liturgy: Lord, Have Mercy! Lent Devotionals will resume tomorrow after today’s Sabbath rest to reflect, refresh, and worship Him. Selah.

One of the things they never teach you in seminary is how to deal with situations for which your faith has no answers. I know. I went to find answers in seminary … answers that I later discovered could only be found by walking through the confusion, living by faith, wrestling with God and His ways, and submitting to answerless acknowledgement that somehow God is still good even when my circumstances didn’t seem like it. 

Somehow God’s greater glory can be found even when my circumstances don’t seem to resemble what I know of His character on this side of heaven. He is good because the Bible tells me it is true, not because I see it or I feel it–the essence of faith and persevering hope for what we do not see.

When children die ahead of their parents…that is one of those situations. 
Theologically it makes no sense.

Well-meaning pastors, never having wrestled with God, end up saying stupid stuff like “God wanted another little flower for His garden.”  “Don’t worry, you can always have more kids.” “God took your child to prevent something worse happening later in life.”  Or worse, “the devil took your child.” (Yikes, how is THAT comforting???)

My heart resonates more than I can say with today’s excerpt from John Kass’ “O Holy Night” column that we’re using for prayerful introspection.

For all the clergy who’ve struggled with their faith, yet who find it again and who are renewed.”

From my experience of a stillborn daughter, I can honestly say that the deepest faith I’ve ever had or known was not a function of seminary or doing God’s work as best as I know how day by day.  No, it was forged in the tears and sorrow of confronting death that Adam inaugurated but God never designed. How amazingly beautiful and painful it is to see that for God to deal in mercy with the sin of Adam, God sent Jesus to conquer death as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The disciples during Holy Week learned the hard way, too. You’ll see.

Prayer Focus: Thank You, Father that because of what Jesus has done, it is possible to come home again or simply find rest in Your goodness. In Your Word, You remind us of your heart. Luke 15: “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

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You can find these “Κύριε, ἐλέησον, ‘Lord, have mercy” devotionals here or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this encounter with God to prepare your heart for Easter!

Understanding that prior years’ devotionals continue to minister, you may want to have access to a full series ahead of time:

Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.

A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 

Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 

ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.

Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.

Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

Lent 2019 gave us a deeper window into Easter “More to the Easter Story” since we miss so much when we rely only on a superficial understanding of the work of Christ. These devotionals are archived beginning March 6, 2019.

Our Lent 2020 devotional series offered prayer points surrounding “Be Thou My Vision” and were aimed at helping us to see God for who He is. The full set of devotionals are archived beginning February 26, 2020.

The theme for 2021 Lent Devotionals was how to live between two worlds while waiting for Christ’s return. Into the gap between the City of Man and its fixation upon sin and the City of God with its demand for holiness, two words minister peace: But God. Praise God for His intervention! They are archived beginning February 17, 2021.

Revelation in 40 devotionals for 2022 offered 40 vignettes, scenes, concepts, and thoughts to inspire us to read the Book of Revelation as it is written and to go deeper. They are archived beginning March 2, 2022.

“Created to Display His Image” explored what it truly means to be made in God’s Image and the profound significance of that fact. They are archived beginning February 22, 2023.

“Seeing His Love with New Eyes” was the topic for 2024 and it explored looking at God’s love beyond the superficial and trite notions of love. They are archived beginning February 14, 2024.

“The Way it Had to Be” explored the conversation in Luke 24 by the men on the Road to Emmaus as they walked with Jesus. They discovered their assumption “This is not how it was supposed to be” was precisely what had to happen and had been predicted throughout the Old Testament and fulfilled in Jesus’ ministry. These devotionals are archived beginning March 5, 2025.

Encouragers have a special job in the body of Christ, a beautiful and necessary job. We come alongside the hurting and the sick.  We come alongside the exhausted and spent, both physically and emotionally. We come alongside the dejected and those who have failed to live up to their own standards, let alone God’s.

In our midst, total strangers feel free somehow to tell their entire life stories.  Maybe they do it because it’s just so rare that someone will pay attention to you when you need it the most. Encouragers do that.

The hospital is one of those places, as John Kass offers in today’s excerpt of “Lord Have Mercy” from his column “O Holy Night,”

For every nurse who enters a quiet room, pulls up a chair and listens to a quiet confession. For the physical, occupational and language therapists who never let me or their other patients quit on themselves.”

The Lord does indeed have mercy on us by sending us encouragers… and by making us encouragers of others.

Prayer Focus: That God would encourage the encouragers, and then, He’d send their ministry of hope and mercy into the lives of those who are downcast, feeling as if the end is near. For the encouragers, Lord, please help us to encourage ourselves in the Lord as David did when he was devastated. (1 Samuel 30:6)

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You can find these “Κύριε, ἐλέησον, ‘Lord, have mercy” devotionals here or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this encounter with God to prepare your heart for Easter!

Understanding that prior years’ devotionals continue to minister, you may want to have access to a full series ahead of time:

Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.

A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 

Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 

ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.

Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.

Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

Lent 2019 gave us a deeper window into Easter “More to the Easter Story” since we miss so much when we rely only on a superficial understanding of the work of Christ. These devotionals are archived beginning March 6, 2019.

Our Lent 2020 devotional series offered prayer points surrounding “Be Thou My Vision” and were aimed at helping us to see God for who He is. The full set of devotionals are archived beginning February 26, 2020.

The theme for 2021 Lent Devotionals was how to live between two worlds while waiting for Christ’s return. Into the gap between the City of Man and its fixation upon sin and the City of God with its demand for holiness, two words minister peace: But God. Praise God for His intervention! They are archived beginning February 17, 2021.

Revelation in 40 devotionals for 2022 offered 40 vignettes, scenes, concepts, and thoughts to inspire us to read the Book of Revelation as it is written and to go deeper. They are archived beginning March 2, 2022.

“Created to Display His Image” explored what it truly means to be made in God’s Image and the profound significance of that fact. They are archived beginning February 22, 2023.

“Seeing His Love with New Eyes” was the topic for 2024 and it explored looking at God’s love beyond the superficial and trite notions of love. They are archived beginning February 14, 2024.

“The Way it Had to Be” explored the conversation in Luke 24 by the men on the Road to Emmaus as they walked with Jesus. They discovered their assumption “This is not how it was supposed to be” was precisely what had to happen and had been predicted throughout the Old Testament and fulfilled in Jesus’ ministry. These devotionals are archived beginning March 5, 2025.

In the Lenten narrative, Scripture says, Luke 9:51 “As the time approached for Him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And He sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for Him; 53 but the people there did not welcome Him, because He was heading for Jerusalem.”

They were completely clueless that the very peace people seek was the reason Jesus was resolute in going to Jerusalem, going to His death.  Jesus went to His death so that death would not be the end for those in Christ.

Columnist John Kass understands this as he writes in his column “O Holy Night”

For everyone in hospital tonight praying for dignity, relief from pain, and a peaceful end without shame or suffering.
For the families and friends who comfort them and mourn them. For their physicians who tend them.”

We can be comforted in preaching Christ. We mourn our loss but mourn no more for those in Christ because of the very Cross and empty tomb we see on Good Friday to Resurrection Sunday!  Because He is Risen, there is ultimate dignity even in our deaths, for those in Christ will rise again.

Prayer Focus: “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

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You can find these “Κύριε, ἐλέησον, ‘Lord, have mercy” devotionals here or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this encounter with God to prepare your heart for Easter!

Understanding that prior years’ devotionals continue to minister, you may want to have access to a full series ahead of time:

Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.

A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 

Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 

ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.

Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.

Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

Lent 2019 gave us a deeper window into Easter “More to the Easter Story” since we miss so much when we rely only on a superficial understanding of the work of Christ. These devotionals are archived beginning March 6, 2019.

Our Lent 2020 devotional series offered prayer points surrounding “Be Thou My Vision” and were aimed at helping us to see God for who He is. The full set of devotionals are archived beginning February 26, 2020.

The theme for 2021 Lent Devotionals was how to live between two worlds while waiting for Christ’s return. Into the gap between the City of Man and its fixation upon sin and the City of God with its demand for holiness, two words minister peace: But God. Praise God for His intervention! They are archived beginning February 17, 2021.

Revelation in 40 devotionals for 2022 offered 40 vignettes, scenes, concepts, and thoughts to inspire us to read the Book of Revelation as it is written and to go deeper. They are archived beginning March 2, 2022.

“Created to Display His Image” explored what it truly means to be made in God’s Image and the profound significance of that fact. They are archived beginning February 22, 2023.

“Seeing His Love with New Eyes” was the topic for 2024 and it explored looking at God’s love beyond the superficial and trite notions of love. They are archived beginning February 14, 2024.

“The Way it Had to Be” explored the conversation in Luke 24 by the men on the Road to Emmaus as they walked with Jesus. They discovered their assumption “This is not how it was supposed to be” was precisely what had to happen and had been predicted throughout the Old Testament and fulfilled in Jesus’ ministry. These devotionals are archived beginning March 5, 2025.

It’s hard watching someone you love being near death. Likewise, it is the case when you’re expecting bad news from a doctor and seeing your loved ones suffering because of it.  This is the introspection point John Kass identifies in today’s excerpt.

For everyone who waits for the call from the doctor and feels the flutter of dark wings.”

He’s been in the hospital in tough circumstances more than many so it’s likely this was on his heart for a particular reason.  Nevertheless, it applies to so many people that it resonates. Perhaps you’ve been there or know someone.

One of the reasons I love the way John Kass writes is his turn of phrases like “the flutter of dark wings.”  What a vivid picture! You can read it and feel it!

Even in the progression of Jesus going to the Cross, these feelings are evident. As fully human, Jesus knew what it would be like to draw near enough to hear and feel that dark flutter.  He knew death was the consequence of sin for mankind. Mortality. His divinity would not intervene on his behalf.

I cannot underscore enough the profundity of this. Many Christians are functionally Docetic, believing somehow that Jesus did not die as a man, but One who had full access to and did employ His divinity in ways beyond the merely human at the Cross. He did not. He was going to the Cross in His full humanity, not as some super-human. Just a sinless one.

He’d told His disciples time and again that He was going to be handed over and crucified.  Maybe they were too busy with their own thoughts or thought Jesus was imagining things, outrageous things…unlikely things.  Some things, the Bible never tells us.

Peter and the sons of Zebedee (James and John) were together as Jesus says, Matthew 26:38

My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”

Such a simple request from a friend.  They fell asleep instead.

Lord, Have Mercy!

Prayer Focus: Lord, may I be found faithfully keeping watch for You now as an outpouring of my love for You. May I know the power I have in You (through my obedience) to keep faith even under dire circumstances. Thank You that You showed the way to experience wholehearted trust in You, even to death.

===

You can find these “Κύριε, ἐλέησον, ‘Lord, have mercy” devotionals here or you can “Like” Seminary Gal on Facebook and they’ll be delivered to your Facebook news feed. Advent and Lenten devotionals remain among my most popular offerings. You don’t want to miss this encounter with God to prepare your heart for Easter!

Understanding that prior years’ devotionals continue to minister, you may want to have access to a full series ahead of time:

Lent 2013 looked at The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage and began February 13, 2013.

A very special and ever popular offering was Lent 2014’s Be Still and Know that I AM God  which can be obtained through the archives beginning in March 2014. 

Lent 2015 began on February 18, 2015 with a series entitled With Christ in the Upper Room: Final Preparations.  We explored what is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” found in John chapters 13-17. 

ReKindle, the Lent 2016 series, began on February 10, 2016 and encouraged us to rekindle our spiritual lives.

Light: There’s Nothing Like It was the 2017 Lent series and explored this metaphor often used to portray Christ.  It is archived beginning March 1, 2017.

Lent 2018, we explored the questions of Pi and Chi (the Greek letter beginning the word Christos, which means Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One). We asked and answered the questions “Why?” from the movie Life of Pi as we discovered the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of many faiths.

Lent 2019 gave us a deeper window into Easter “More to the Easter Story” since we miss so much when we rely only on a superficial understanding of the work of Christ. These devotionals are archived beginning March 6, 2019.

Our Lent 2020 devotional series offered prayer points surrounding “Be Thou My Vision” and were aimed at helping us to see God for who He is. The full set of devotionals are archived beginning February 26, 2020.

The theme for 2021 Lent Devotionals was how to live between two worlds while waiting for Christ’s return. Into the gap between the City of Man and its fixation upon sin and the City of God with its demand for holiness, two words minister peace: But God. Praise God for His intervention! They are archived beginning February 17, 2021.

Revelation in 40 devotionals for 2022 offered 40 vignettes, scenes, concepts, and thoughts to inspire us to read the Book of Revelation as it is written and to go deeper. They are archived beginning March 2, 2022.

“Created to Display His Image” explored what it truly means to be made in God’s Image and the profound significance of that fact. They are archived beginning February 22, 2023.

“Seeing His Love with New Eyes” was the topic for 2024 and it explored looking at God’s love beyond the superficial and trite notions of love. They are archived beginning February 14, 2024.

“The Way it Had to Be” explored the conversation in Luke 24 by the men on the Road to Emmaus as they walked with Jesus. They discovered their assumption “This is not how it was supposed to be” was precisely what had to happen and had been predicted throughout the Old Testament and fulfilled in Jesus’ ministry. These devotionals are archived beginning March 5, 2025.