“He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.’” Mark 14:35-36 (Read Mark 14:26-42)
In Mark 14:16-42, we are invited into the most profound tension of the Christian life: the battle between our self-centered desires and the holy will of God. As we reflect on this passage, we are reminded that prayer is not about bending God to our will, but about our will being broken and reshaped by His.
Every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we say, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). It is a simple, beautiful petition, but one that carries immense weight. As Martin Luther explains in his Small Catechism: “The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also. How is this done? When God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will which would not let us hallow the name of God nor let His kingdom come, such as the will of the devil, the world, and our flesh; but strengthens and keeps us steadfast in His Word and in faith unto our end.”
Instead of praying that God’s will be done in our lives, we often pray that He would grant our will rather than His. We pray for comfort, pleasure, and security in this life, but God’s will may involve suffering, ridicule, or the loss of worldly goods and status for the sake of the Gospel. Are we truly ready for what we ask? We are prone to live as though we are praying, “Not Your will but mine be done,” as the flesh within us rebels against the crosses we must bear in following Christ.
Look at the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter, confident in his own strength, swore he would never stumble, never deny Jesus. The others said the same. Yet, Jesus knew better. He knew that their spirit was willing, but their flesh was weak.
Like the disciples, we often think we are ready to stand for Jesus, but when conflict arises, our sin-corrupted nature tends to shrink back. We fear the shame, the loss, and the difficulty, and are quick to deny Him, not necessarily with our lips, but by our silence or our flight from the demands of His Word. We think we are strong, but we so easily fail Him.
When Jesus told His disciples to “watch and pray,” He was warning them — and us, too — that we cannot resist temptation or survive the trials of this world in our own strength. We are prone to wander; we are prone to flee.
If anyone had a reason to shrink back, it was Jesus. In the Garden, He faced the weight of the sins of all mankind. He knew the cup of suffering that lay before Him — the very wrath of God that we deserved. In agony, He prayed, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Mark 14:36).
And Jesus did not just pray that God’s will be done; He lived it. He fully submitted to the Father’s will. As the Scriptures tell us:
• “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)
• “He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8)
Christ suffered and died for us, ungodly sinners, to wash away our sins and reconcile us to God. His obedience to God’s holy will made our salvation possible.
The Gospel is the good news that even when we fail — when our flesh is weak, and we stumble — we are not cast away. We are invited to look in faith to Christ Jesus and His perfect obedience to God’s will — even to the point of death on the cross — and partake of His mercy and forgiveness for the sake of Jesus and His innocent sufferings and death in our stead.
Our salvation does not rest on our ability to perfectly follow Him, but on His perfect sacrifice for our sins.
And the Holy Spirit works through the promises of God’s Word to create faith, comfort our hearts, and give us the strength to hold fast to Christ. Like St. Paul, who was forsaken by men but stood firm because “the Lord stood with me and strengthened me” (2 Timothy 4:17), we too can endure in our Lord’s strength.
May we continue to watch and pray, not trusting in ourselves, but clinging to Him who submitted fully to God’s will and won for us the victory.
Lord, break our selfish wills and hinder the counsel of the world. Strengthen us by Your Spirit so that we do not shrink back in fear, but hold fast to Your Word until the end. May Your good and gracious will be done in our lives. Amen.
O almighty God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — we come into Your presence to seek Your mercy, to hear Your Word, and to offer up to You our prayers and praises. Hear us for the sake of the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and His atoning sacrifice on the cross for our sins. Amen.
Psalm 130 A Song of Ascents.
1 Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD; 2 Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. 3 If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared. 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. 6 My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning — yes, more than those who watch for the morning. 7 O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. 8 And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Confession of Sins
P: Let us confess our sins unto the Lord our God and look to Him for mercy and forgiveness for the sake of the abundant redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ, who redeemed us from all our iniquities.
C: Almighty God, our Maker and Redeemer, we poor sinners confess to You that we are by nature sinful and unclean and that we have sinned against You in our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. We, therefore, flee for refuge to Your infinite mercy, seeking and imploring Your grace for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.
P: For the sake of Jesus’ holy life and His atoning sacrifice on the cross, I announce unto you the grace and mercy of God and proclaim to you forgiveness for all your sins through faith in Jesus’ name. Amen.
CLH #329 “Let Thy Blood in Mercy Poured”
Scripture Lesson: Mark 14:12-26
12 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?”
13 And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him. 14 Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ 15 Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us.”
16 So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover.
17 In the evening, He came with the twelve. 18 Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.”
19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” And another said, “Is it I?”
20 He answered and said to them, “It is one of the twelve who dips with Me in the dish. 21 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.”
22 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”
23 Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. 25 Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
The Lamb and the Legacy: A Devotion on the New Covenant
The upper room was thick with history and heavy with the future. As Jesus sat with His disciples to celebrate the Passover, He wasn’t just observing a ritual; He was fulfilling a promise. To understand the weight of the Lord’s Supper, we must look at the shadows of the Old Covenant that were about to be stepped into by the Light of the World.
The Passover Connection
The Passover was the ultimate Jewish memorial of deliverance. It pointed back to the night in Egypt when the blood of a lamb, smeared on lintels and doorposts, caused the judgment of God to “pass over” the homes of the Israelites (Exodus 12:1ff.).
When Jesus sat at this table in Mark 14, He took the elements of this ancient meal — the bread of affliction and the cup of blessing — and infused them with a radical new meaning. He was showing them that the true “exodus” was not from Pharaoh, but from the bondage of sin.
Jesus: The Ultimate Lamb
In the Old Testament, the lamb sacrificed and eaten had to be “without blemish.” During the Passover meal, Jesus, the holy and unblemished Son of God, took the bread, broke it, and said:
“Take, eat; this is My body.” — Mark 14:22
By calling Himself the bread and later offering His life, Jesus identified Himself as “the Bread of Life” (John 6:35ff.) and “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Unlike the Old Covenant sacrifices offered again and again to cover sin, Jesus’ sacrifice was once and for all. He was the perfect, spotless Lamb whose death would satisfy the justice of God (Hebrews 9:23-28; 10:11-18). In the Lord’s Supper, we partake of His body given for us and receive through faith the benefits He won for us when He gave His body into death as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
The New Covenant in Blood
The most striking moment occurred when Jesus took the cup. In the ancient world, covenants were sealed with blood. It was a visual and visceral sign of a binding agreement.
“Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, ‘This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.’ “ — Mark 14:23–24
This “New Covenant” was what the prophets had long foretold — a time when God would write His law on human hearts and remember their sins no more (Hebrews 8:10-12; Jeremiah 31:31-34). When we partake of the wine, we partake of Christ’s lifeblood, poured out on the cross to bridge the chasm between a holy God and a fallen humanity and establish a new covenant in which we have forgiveness for all our sins. Through faith in Christ Jesus and His atoning sacrifice on the cross, His blood cleanses us from all our sins and shields us from God’s judgment (1 John 1:5—2:2).
Reflection
Every time we partake in the Lord’s Supper, we aren’t just performing a religious duty. We are:
• Remembering the cost of our deliverance from sin and death (Christ’s broken body).
• Receiving the seal of our cleansing and forgiveness (Christ’s shed blood).
• Proclaiming His death until He comes again (1 Corinthians 11:26).
The Passover was a look back at a physical rescue; the Lord’s Supper is a look at a spiritual redemption that lasts for eternity. We no longer wait for the lamb — the Lamb has come, the price is paid, and the table is open.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, standing in awe of the divine mystery of the Upper Room. We thank You for the gift of Your Word in Mark 14, which reminds us that even in the shadow of the cross, Your love was preparing a table for us.
Lord Jesus, we recognize You as the true Lamb of God. Just as the Israelites were spared by the blood on their doorposts, we acknowledge that we are saved only by Your precious blood shed on Calvary. Thank You for being the perfect sacrifice, taking upon Yourself the “bread of affliction” so that we might feast on the bread of life. We are humbled that You, the King of Glory, would allow Your body to be broken to make us whole.
Holy Spirit, help us to grasp the depth of this New Covenant. Thank You that we no longer live under the weight of the law, but under the covering of Your grace. As we reflect on and partake of the cup of the New Covenant, wash away our guilt and renew our spirits. Let the reality of Your sacrifice change the way we live, the way we love, and the way we forgive others.
As we go forth, may we live as people of the Covenant — cleansed and marked by Your shed blood, fueled by Your life, and looking forward with hope to the day we feast with You in Your Kingdom.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Passover Lamb, sacrificed for us. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Matt. 6:9-13)
CLH #332 “According to Thy Gracious Word”
Lord’s Supper
“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same manner, He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” (1 Cor. 11:23-26)
Prayer of Thanksgiving
O LORD Jesus Christ, Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, we thank You for fulfilling all righteousness in our stead and then taking upon Yourself the guilt and punishment for all our sins and making full atonement for us by Your perfect sacrifice on the cross. And we thank and praise You for giving us to partake of Your holy sacrifice so that we might also partake of the blessings that You won for us by Your death and have made sure to us by Your glorious resurrection. Strengthen and keep us in the true and saving faith, and move us to live our lives for You while we await Your glorious return and the joys of Your everlasting kingdom. Amen.
Benediction (Num. 6:24-26)
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” Amen.
Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of the Lenten season for Christians around the world, especially for those who hold to more traditional and liturgical forms of worship.
Lent is 40 days long, corresponding to the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, but it extends over 46 days because Sundays are not counted in the traditional Lenten season.
Since the date for Easter is set based on the lunar calendar — the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox — the season of Lent begins on different calendar dates each year. This year, Lent begins on Wednesday, February 18, and continues through Saturday, April 4. Easter Sunday is April 5 this year. The first full moon after the vernal equinox is on Saturday, April 1, making Sunday, April 5, the date of Easter in most Western Churches.
In most years, the date for Easter or Pascha falls later in the Eastern Churches. Easter dates were the same for Eastern and Western Churches in 2017, but this year the date is April 12 in the East (Eastern Churches use the same formula to determine the date for Easter, but use the Julian Calendar, while Western Churches and most of the world use the Gregorian Calendar).
Some churches do not observe the season of Lent at all. It is not specifically commanded or forbidden in the Bible, so churches that do not observe the special season cannot be faulted, and anyone who insists it must be strictly observed goes beyond the Bible’s teaching. Nevertheless, the observance of Lent can be a good thing if it is undertaken with the purpose and intent of reflecting on Christ’s sufferings and death for the sins of the world (often called His passion) and as a special time of self-examination and repentance.
While many would simply go through the outward forms of repentance — including ashes on the forehead and fasting during the season — the Bible calls for true contrition and sorrow over our own sinfulness and faith in the shed blood of Christ Jesus as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Psalm 34:18 says: “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
Psalm 51:16-17 says: “For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
The prophet Joel writes: “Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil” (Joel 2:12-13).
John, in his first epistle (1 John 1:8-9; 2:1-2), writes: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. … And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
God desires that we live in continual repentance — acknowledging our sinfulness and the judgment we justly deserve, but then looking in faith to Christ Jesus and His death on the cross for our sins and trusting that in Jesus we are forgiven and accepted by God. Therefore, as we contemplate the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ bitter sufferings and death for the sins of all, it is certainly also a fitting time to examine ourselves and see that it was for our sins that He suffered and died such an agonizing death.
As Isaiah 53:5-6 says, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Many, of course, speak of giving things up for Lent, and giving up things that we might focus on Christ and what He has done for us can be a good thing. But we need to always remember that our giving up something, whether it be through fasting or some other form of self-denial, can never merit God’s favor or blessing. Our observance of Lenten self-sacrifice will not somehow atone for our sins and make us acceptable to God. It is only through faith in the shed blood of Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), that we receive God’s pardon and forgiveness and are acceptable in His sight.
As the Apostle Paul writes, “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9).
It’s really too bad that more people do not observe Lent in a Biblical and Scriptural way—not just giving up something for 40 days, but rather repenting of sin and evil and looking to Christ and His cross for pardon, forgiveness, and life eternal. In fact, it’s sad that true Lenten contrition and repentance are not observed by more people year-round!
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.
16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
18 This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
Standing Firm and Holding Fast
The closing remarks of a letter often seem like mere formalities — a list of names and travel plans. However, in the final verses of Colossians, the Apostle Paul pulls back the curtain to reveal the heartbeat of the early church: fervent prayer and unwavering devotion to the Word.
The Labor of Prayer
Among the many names mentioned, one stands out for his spiritual intensity: Epaphras. A fellow believer from Colosse, Epaphras, didn’t just mention his friends in passing; he “labored” for them.
“Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis” (Colossians 4:12-13).
To “labor fervently” suggests a wrestling — a deep, intentional pleading with God. Epaphras understood that the greatest danger facing the church wasn’t physical persecution, but spiritual drift. He prayed that they would not be “tossed to and fro” by every wind of doctrine but would instead grow into spiritual maturity.
His zeal is a convicting example for us today. When we see our children, grandchildren, or fellow believers struggling with the temptations of this world or the “cunning craftiness” of false teachers, our primary recourse is the same: to labor for them in prayer, asking God to keep them in His protective hand.
The Power of the Written Word
Paul concludes his letter with a practical instruction that highlights the supreme importance of Scripture: “Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea” (Colossians 4:16).
The early church grew because they “continued in the Word.” Paul knew that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (cf. Rom. 10:17). This is why he urged Timothy to “give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:13).
Why is reading and hearing the Word so vital?
• It Corrects: When we wander into sin, the Word rebukes us and calls us to repentance.
• It Comforts: When guilt weighs us down, the Word points us to the finished work of Christ on the cross.
• It Guides: It is a “lamp to our feet,” showing us how to live a life pleasing to God. Without a constant immersion in the Scriptures, we become vulnerable to the lies of the enemy. But as Jesus promised, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).
Reflection and Prayer
As we look at the example of Epaphras and the commands of St. Paul, let us examine our own hearts. Do we labor for others in prayer? Do we cherish the reading of God’s Word as our daily bread?
A Prayer for the Word
Blessed Lord, who hast caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of Thy Holy Word we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which Thou hast given us in our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Colossians 4:5-6
How should we, as Christians, conduct ourselves in our dealings with those outside Christ’s church? The Apostle Paul answers in the closing words of his instruction to the believers at the church in Colosse: “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
We, as believers, ought to live our lives wisely in regard to those outside Christ’s church, redeeming the time and making use of every opportunity God gives to make known to them the truth revealed to us by God in His Word.
We may not realize it, but how we live and conduct our business here in this world can make someone either want to know more about our faith or want nothing to do with it. Sometimes, an uncharitable word is all it takes to close the door to further witness.
Thus, how important it is to be charitable and honest in all our dealings with those not only inside but also outside the church!
We ought to buy back the time commonly given to evil or frivolity and make use of every moment God gives us to share the good news of God’s mercy and forgiveness in Christ Jesus. And our speech should “always be with grace,” reflecting the grace of God toward us in Christ Jesus. When we remember how much the Lord has forgiven each of us and to what lengths He went to bring about our salvation — even going to the cross and suffering and dying for our sins — should it be any trouble for us to speak kindly, even to our enemies and to those who have mistreated us?
Being “seasoned with salt” means our conversations with those outside the church should be both winsome and truthful. The Christian must wisely and consistently share the truth at every opportunity, rightly applying the warnings of God’s law and the comforts of the Gospel of forgiveness and life in Christ Jesus. We cannot and should not try to coerce people into the kingdom of God. Rather, we share the truth with them and let the Holy Spirit convince their hearts.
The way in which we converse with those outside Christ’s church may vary with each person, making it so important that our speech “always be with grace, seasoned with salt,” so that we, rightly, give an answer to every person. For this, we most certainly need the wisdom and direction of God’s Spirit in our daily lives and conversations.
But what if we have been less than honest and charitable in our dealings with those outside the church? What if, instead of being motivated by God’s grace toward us, we dealt with someone from the selfishness and wickedness of our old, sinful nature? What can we do?
There is no better way than to honestly admit our sins and misdeeds to the Lord Jesus and to those whom we have offended — even if they are outside of Christ’s church. We know from the Bible that God is gracious and forgives sins for the sake of Christ’s blood, shed on the cross, when we repent and look to Him in faith. And, what better witness to our faith in God’s mercy and grace than to admit our own sins and failures and look to Him for pardon and forgiveness!
O Holy Spirit, grant me wisdom in my dealings with those who do not yet know and trust in Christ Jesus, that my speech may reflect Your grace and that I might wisely use the time and opportunities given me to share the good news of God’s mercy toward sinners for Jesus’ sake. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.