Dear Precious Friends,
As we read our Luke Chapter a day and are in Chapter 23 I am humbled and overwhelmed of what our Savior did for us on the cross. There is so much to share in this Chapter that I could spend a year and not even scratch the surface...
I found this amazing Devotional that prays through Luke 23.
Please take time to take this in and let us remember all our Savior did for us on the cross, falsely accused, never convicted of a crime let alone a crime deserving death, no felony, no one can find fault in Jesus... He was sinless... yet many still refuse to acknowledge Him as Lord.
I am overwhelmed that in verse 23, Jesus asked God to forgive the people who were putting Him to death... Jewish leaders, Roman politicians and soldiers, bystanders... and GOD answered that prayer by opening up the way of salvation even to Jesus' murderers. The Roman officer and soldiers who witnessed the Crucifixion said, Truly, this was the Son of God... The dying criminal had more faith than the rest of Jesus' followers put together. Remember the disciples continued to love Jesus, however their hopes for the Kingdom were shattered and most of them went into hiding.... The criminal looked at Jesus who was dying next to him and said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom"... How awe inspiring is the faith of this man who ALONE saw beyond the present shame to the coming glory!!
In verse 44 darkness covered the entire land for 3 hours in the middle of the day as all nature seemed to mourn over the stark tragedy of the death of God's Son... The curtain that was torn in the Most Holy Place that the Ark of the Covenant, and God's presence was with it was torn at Christ's death representing the barrier between God and humanity was split in 2 and now all people can approach God directly through Christ!
Here is a beautiful way to pray through Luke 23: This is from Knowing Jesus:
Praying through Luke 23:2
Heavenly Father, as I consider Christ's trial before Pilate and the circumstances surrounding His crucifixion, I wonder if I would have been among those that accused Him... or part of the believing remnant. Would I have denied Him or remained faithful? Thank You that by Your grace I heard the gospel and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of my sins. Thank You that He was willing to face a barrage of false accusation and terrible suffering on my account. Thank You for 2000 years of grace - and I pray that many people may come to faith in His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection today... and in the brief time we have left. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.
“And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.”
(Luke 23:2)
Source: Verse of the day for Luke 23:2
Praying through Luke 23:3
Heavenly Father, thank You that Jesus came as the Passover Lamb, the King of the Jews and the Saviour of the world. Thank You that Your love for man was so great that He was willing to be despised; rejected; accused and crucified by those He came to save, so that all who believe on Him would not perish but have everlasting life. I pray that I would be ready and willing to speak the truth in love and if necessary to suffer and die for the sake of Christ. Thank You that Your grace is sufficient and that Your power is made perfect in our weakness. Give me the courage to face the future, and to be ready to give an answer for the hope I have in Christ - my Lord and my God, AMEN.
“And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.”
(Luke 23:3)
Source: Verse of the day for Luke 23:3
Praying through Luke 23:26
Heavenly Father, thank You for the life and witness of Simon of Cyrene and the simple ministry he performed for the Lord Jesus, when he took up the cross of Christ on his shoulder and followed Him all the way to Calvary. I pray that in Your grace and strength I would be a disciple who denies myself and is willing to die to self; to live for Christ alone... and to take up my cross and follow Him. Father I know that Christ alone had to pay the price for my sin on that cross of Calvary, but I pray that I may we willing to suffer persecution and loss for His dear sake - thank You in Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.
“And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.”
(Luke 23:26)
Source: Verse of the day for Luke 23:26
Praying through Luke 23:34
Loving Father I bless and thank You that Your love was so great that You sent Jesus to be my Saviour and that His loving forgiveness includes me. I pray that forgiveness may be a quality that I seek to develop so that I show forth the love of Christ in my life to His praise and glory, AMEN
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
(Luke 23:34)
Source: Verse of the day for Luke 23:34
Praying through Luke 23:43
Thank You Father for the inestimable gift of salvation that is given to all that trust in the name of the Lord. I thank You that the way into the paradise of God has been reopened through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and that my sins, past, present and future have all been forgiven simply because I trust on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, in Whose name I pray, AMEN.
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
(Luke 23:43)
Source: Verse of the day for Luke 23:43
Praying through Luke 23:46
Dear Heavenly Father, at times I am overwhelmed by Your love and grace towards me a sinner, that You should send Your only Son to die and experience death in my place. Thank You that I am safe in Your hands forever, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN.
“And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”
(Luke 23:46)
Source: Verse of the day for Luke 23:46
