Straight from a Youth Worker's Mouth - Lenten Devotional Series: Week 2

Lent is the forty weekdays leading up to Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesday. For early Christians this time was used to prepare candidates for baptism and also became a time of penitence for those who had already been baptized. For most of us Lent has become a time of prayer, meditation and reflection.

As Christians we are to follow the way that Christ has shown us and prepared for us. We are to follow him all the way to God by way of the Cross. As we move deeper into this Lenten season there will be many things going on in our churches and in our ministries. I want to encourage you to take time for yourself, spend time following Jesus and his path to Life.

The Stations of the Cross have provided focused meditation during the Lenten season for Christ Followers all over the world. There are many forms of this tradition and many ways it has been presented and practiced. This series is based on "The Scriptural Way – Stations of the Cross." There are fourteen stations, two will be presented each week to give you an opportunity to have time to meditate and reflect on them over the course of the forty days of Lent. I pray that these devotions help you Follow Christ even closer than you already are.

Joy and Peace,
Christy Allen
[email protected]

Editor’s note: There are several different interpretations of the Stations of the Cross. This Lenten series utilizes one. For other versions, consult a theological dictionary or web resources.

Week 2 - They Dont Know Him

Station #3 – Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin
Read Luke 22:66-71

Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin, the High Priests and teachers of the Law. These are the very people who should have recognized Jesus for who he was. They were the men who knew all the Scriptures, all the prophesies, and all the ways of God. They were the leaders of the very people of God and yet they did not know Him. Meditate on today’s passage from Luke. Ask yourself, how does this scripture relate to my life today?

Do you get so lost in what you "know" about Jesus that you don’t recognize him when he is there? Do you teach your students to know about Jesus or to know Jesus? Who do you say Jesus is by your teachings coupled with your actions?

Prayer:

Messiah, Jesus,
We want to know you not just about you. Sometimes we get so caught up in learning all we can about the Scriptures, the history and the right terminology to prepare for teaching our students that we don’t see you. Remind us that the Scriptures are your living, breathing Word and you are there. Remind us to spend time with you and not just time gathering facts to talk about you. Challenge us not to teach our students "about" you but instead to introduce them to you. Help us to bring them to a place where they can meet you and know you. We can bring them there when we go there often ourselves. We don’t want to miss you when you are right here with us, right now. Give us eyes to see, ears to hears, and hearts to feel your presence. Amen.

Station #4 – Jesus is Denied by Peter
Read Matthew 26:69-75

Jesus is inside before the council while Peter is out in the courtyard. Peter is asked three times in this passage if he knows Jesus and he adamantly denies it each time.

• Peter, one of Jesus’ own disciples and close friends
• Peter, who had been with him everyday listening to his teachings and witnessing his miracles.
• Peter who walked on water with Him, and just witnessed the betrayal of Judas. And now, this same Peter says he does not know Jesus.

Picture this scene of denial and betrayal in your mind. Think about what would have caused Peter to behave in this way. Put yourself in this story and think about a time you betrayed God or the presence of God in Christ in your life or ministry. What did you learn about yourself from this experience? How can you move forward differently, so you are stronger next time?

Prayer:

Master, Savior, Jesus,
We are ashamed of the times we have denied knowing you, whether it be by our actions or our words. Sometimes we feel pressured to be "perfect" all the time because we are in ministry. Sometimes we resent expectations of others because we work for a church. We feel pushed into a corner or forced to answer at other times. And, there are days when we are confused, frustrated and just want to be left alone. Forgive us Lord. Forgive our weaknesses. Remind us, Jesus, of the lessons we have learned at your feet, the miracles we have witnessed, and the times we have taken steps of faith. May these recollections give us strength and renew passion to be your witness, so that we can follow close at your heels once again. Amen