Wednesday of Lent 5 – April 10, 2019 – Psalm 43:5
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil
within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
The Psalmist is
experiencing significant grief similar to that of Jesus in the garden of
Gethsemane - See Matthew 26:38
Remember Calvary
-There Jesus went up alone. He was a man familiar and acquainted with grief.
Despised and rejected by all sorts of the people. Even His disciples could not
see that Jesus was this chosen Son of the Father. His critics could not accept
His message and so He was rejected and forsaken by men.
We live in a world in which many
folk fail to understand what the cross of Christ really means. The cross of
Christ is more than just simple jewelry. The cross is more than a good luck
charm. It is the place where the Son of Man was suspended between earth and
heaven. St. Paul tells us "I
determine to know nothing among you except for Jesus Christ and Him crucified."
As we review what the Lord has done in our midst, may Jesus Christ be praised;
may we lift up the cross of Christ as a banner for all to see.
Keep us, O Lord, from one generation to another, and let not us, who have clung to Thy foundation, be carried away with this present world, but arise to be our Comforter in trouble, and by the bestowal of joy wipe away our sorrows;[1]
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, renew in us the gifts of Your mercy; increase our faith, strengthen our hope, enlighten our understanding, widen our charity, and make us ready to serve You; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[2]
Lord Jesus Christ, You released many from their bondage to sin, death, and the devil as healer of the nations. But when it came time to release You, the crowd chose a murderer instead. Through our co-crucifixion with You in the waters of our Baptism, may be continually be released from our sins as we confess You to be our everlasting King; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [3]
[1]© 2005
Lutheran Liturgical Prayer Brotherhood
[2]Collect
for Wednesday of Lent 5, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm
[3] Collect
for Wednesday of Lent 5, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing
House, St. Louis
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