05 Apr Daily Devotion Sunday 4/5/20

Sunday of the Passion/Palm Sunday

Scripture of the Day:  Matthew 27:11-54

Daily Reminder:  They shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” (v. 23)

Each year I am saddened by how the loudest voices at Jesus’ trial have the final say.  In our world, loudness often gets attention and seems to equal being right.  I remember the loud children in classes I taught who remember took my attention from the quiet kids who needed my help too.  I wonder about the people not hear at Jesus’ trial:  voiceless ones in the crowd – including his mother and followers – and those not there but home nursing an in infant, grinding grain, making bricks, tending sheep, caring for a sick parent or child.  Who was in the crowd, loudly demanding Jesus’ death?

Who is in the crowd today, electing officials, demanding rights, declaring beliefs?  And who is not present for fear of deportation or violence, or because feeding their children is all-consuming?

This week we remember that Jesus endured suffering and death for all:  the powerful, the vulnerable; his followers, his detractors.  As we gather around God’s Son today, what are we shouting, whispering, praying?

Dear God, help me to listen to voices often not heard, for Jesus’ sake. Amen. 

Prayer Concern:  Those whose voices are not heard

Psalm 31:9-16; Isaiah 50:4-9; Philippians 2:5-11

Daily Prayers

Morning:  Your death and resurrection are my strength and life, O Christ, raising me from fear into the joy of knowing that you are always near. May streams of peace and grace flow through my heart to all I touch this day.  Amen.

Mealtime:  Jesus, you blessed bread and broke it to open the eyes of faith to your loving presence.  Open our eyes to your presence at this table, that we may taste your goodness in the gifts you give and the love we share.  Amen.

Evening:  You, Lord, are my rest.  Only in you do I know the peace I crave.  I release every thought and care into your love.  Grant gentle rest this night, that I may rise to know you in the beauty of a new day.  Amen.

Worship With Us.

This has been a daily devotion from the “Christ in Our Home” devotion book Vol. 67 No. 2.  Credit given to Heidi Hyland Mann, Laurie J. Hanson, and Julie O’Brien (editors) and devotion writers David L. Miller, Jenifer Ohman-Rodrigues, Christine Hallenbeck Ask, Nathan Baker-Trinity, Carla Thompson Powell, David Iversen, and Michael Walker.  Scripture readings are from the Revised Common Lectionary (c) 1992, 2012 Consolation on Common Texts.  Used by permission.  Texts specific to festivals and commemorations are used when appropriate. For more information about these days, see “More Days for Praise:  Festivals and Commemorations in Evangelical Lutheran Worship, available for purchase at www.augsburgfortress.org.  CHRIST IN OUR HOME (ISSN 0412-2968), published by Augsburg Fortress, 510 Marquette Ave., STE 800, Minneaplolis MN 55402.  Copyrighted material (c) 2019 Augsburg Fortress.  All rights reserved.  Printed in the USA.  USPS Publication Agreement Number 1631527.  Canadian Publication Agreement Number 40030418.