Pentecost Tuesday - Devotion in Exile

Lection for Tuesday after Pentecost 

Numbers22:21-23:2      Luke 22:24-46

In our text from Luke, we read:

And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” (vv. 39-42)

Do you pray? I am assuming, if you are reading this devotion that you are one who has faith in Christ, and therefore, prayer is probably and integral part of your life.

How often do well-intentioned Christians pray, “yet not My will, but Yours be done.”?

How often do well-intentioned Christian pray, “yet not My will, but Yours be done,” and then complain when their prayer is not answered in the way that they desired it to be answered?

How many of the things the were prayed, desiring God’s will (not “my” own) be done, were things that were things that may or may not have been God’s will?

I did not get the car I wanted.

Mom’s cancer isn’t healed.

Fish still weren’t biting.

Jon died anyway.

COVID-19 is still raging.

Yes, some of those things are more serious than others, things that we might each consider would be a part of God’s will. But are they?

Unfortunately, these things may or may not be God’s will. How can we know? In regard to what God’s will is in regard to your car, whether someone is healed, the fish bite, when someone dies, or the state of illness in the world – we can never know for sure.

There are a few things about which we do know God’s will! First, we know that He wills His name to be kept holy. Secondly, we know that His will is that His kingdom come.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther explains both.

How is God’s name kept holy?  God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God’s Word profanes the name of God among us. Protect us from this, heavenly Father!

How does God’s kingdom come? God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity.

In the case of Jesus’ prayer, it was God’s will that Jesus would give His life as the ransom for sins. Christ kept God name holy by speaking the truth of God in all His teachings. He kept God’s name holy in all His life. He kept God’s name holy as He gave His life unto death as the sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. God’s justice was met out upon His own Son in the payment for sins. This was proven by the Father’s acceptance of the sacrifice by raising Him on the third day.

In this work of Christ, God’s kingdom comes, just as God wills. God’s kingdom of grace, His church, is built upon Christ – His Work of salvation in the forgiveness of sins – as it is dispensed through Word and Sacrament. His kingdom of glory is also built, as forgiveness also grants eternal life to those in whom He begins, builds, sustains, and will perfect faith – unto eternal life and a resurrection lie unto His on the last day.

Let us pray:     For an increase in devotion for all the saints, for the faithful proclamation of the Gospel by all pastors in Christ, for an end to schism and division within the Church Militant, and for the proper fear and fervent praise of the Holy Trinity among all those born again from above in Holy Baptism. For faithful catechesis and formation in the faith for our catechumens, both young and old; for a renewed vigor to study God’s Word within the congregations of our Synod; for Christ to be fully formed within us; for courage to walk as children of the light; and for strength in the face of temptation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.