April 18, 2025 Luke 23:32-47

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Luke 23:32-47

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Suffering

By Todd Marti

Jesus’ passion worked far more good than I can comprehend, let alone discuss. So let me focus on just one of those goods: what it shows us about how to get through times of suffering.

Jesus did suffer, and suffered far more horrifically than the gospel accounts describe, but He was able to get through it victoriously.  How did he do that, what helped Him endure to a successful end?  Today’s reading shows us two ways.

One way was through prayer. In verse 34 he interceded for His executioners. In verse 46  He told the Father that He was surrendering His soul. Other scriptures reflect Jesus’ prayer at other times during His passion. He poured his heart out in the garden. Luke 22:41-44; Matthew 26:36-44; Mark 14:32-39. He made prayers of lament while on the cross. Matthew 27:46. He reported the final completion of His mission to the Father. John 19:28. And those are only the prayers that he spoke out loud; He doubtless kept up an internal dialog with the Father that the gospel writers couldn’t capture. That is consistent with other scriptures; the Psalms provide multiple examples of God’s servants coming to Him in the midst of their sufferings. See e.g. Psalms 6, 10, 22, 38, and 43.   

Another way Jesus coped was by focusing on others. During his passion He  sought forgiveness for those executing Him, He ministered to the repentant criminal,  He  made provision for His mother. Attending to those folks’ needs likely diverted some of His attention from His own pain. Although I have never suffered anything close to what Jesus experienced, I know that I have found respite in my times of suffering by serving others. Some ways to do that can be found here, here, here, here,  here, and here. Try them out when you are hurting; you will likely receive at least as much solace as you give.

PRAYER

Jesus, we can never thank you enough for what you did through your passion, but let us thank you for at least this one thing: for showing how to cope with suffering. Draw us to you when we suffer. Help us to help others in their suffering. Help us through. Pour out your mercy, on and through us.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TODD MARTI

I have been connected to UALC since 2000 in various small groups and as a co-manager of the UALC Community Garden. I’m married to Kelly Marti, and the proud father of Sarah Marti. I am happy to be writing these devotions.

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APRIL 17 | LUKE 22:1-27

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DAILY READING

Luke 22:1-27

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REFLECTION

The Perfectly Balanced Meal

by Judy Webb

“They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said…” (Luke 22:13 NLT)

After reading the text for today and asking the Holy Spirit for inspiration, I read the verse above with new eyes. It was as if a yellow highlighter marked the verse in bold color! Of course, this makes perfect sense now. After three years walking with the Disciples, teaching them, living life with them and loving them, He instructs them one more time to follow His commands which led them to this place, and their final meal together.

Then, Jesus’ words in verse 21 changes everything. “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me.” (NLT). And then there were 11. Can you imagine the shock and pain these words held? Certainly, Jesus felt pain uttering them, and those 11 who were innocent may have wondered who it could be. For a moment, some maybe even questioned if they could be that person.

“…how terrible it will be for the person who betrays Him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!” (Matthew 26:24 NLT)

The Last Supper, is an exciting meal. We need food to live and we need Jesus to provide Salvation and eternal life. This last supper was a much-needed nourishment and a step necessary to our redemption. Jesus’ suffering and death is our path to ultimate freedom from lasting death.

When we take part in Holy Communion, we remember that first taste of deliverance and we receive renewed fellowship with Jesus. Let’s revisit verse 13 in closing. “They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said…” (Luke 22:13 NLT)

Jesus taught his followers so much in the years they followed Him. He was preparing them for “such a time as this.” Is His word also preparing you and me for tomorrow? His Word is truth and we will find “everything just as Jesus said.” So let us dig in to this perfect meal and let it fill us up.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father,

Remind us daily of your unending love for us. Never let us stray from the belief that you died for us, for our sins, and that you are waiting for us to join you in eternity. What a day that will be!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 17 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.

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April 16 | Luke 21:5-38

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DAILY READING

Luke 21:5-38

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REFLECTION

Jesus Warns and Gives Hope

By Kathleen Serio

When I first read this passage, all I could think was, “Great. It’s Revelation hidden in the book of Luke.” This gave me a chuckle as we recently gave our High School Ministry students the opportunity to pose any questions they have about faith or the Bible. I collect the questions and the first one I read was, “How do you interpret Revelation?”

Many of us are confused by the book of Revelation. After getting this passage to write on, I wondered if God was telling me I need to read Revelation, a challenge I am not looking forward to. But I know that God challenges us for a reason, and as we are reminded in this passage, He is always with us to guide us and help us. So, what can we take away from this passage? I see two key points:  Jesus giving warnings and Jesus reminding us to have hope.

First Jesus warns that the temple will be destroyed and reduced to rubble. Next Jesus warns that many will come saying they are Him, but they are not. We are not to be deceived or follow them.  After this we will see wars and natural disasters. Jesus warns that these uprisings and fearful events are signs from heaven that need to occur before the end will come. Then we will be persecuted and put in prison, but we are not to be concerned how to defend ourselves because Jesus will give us words and wisdom.

Now what was that other take away? Hope. Jesus tells us that even though people will hate us, not one hair on our head will perish. We are to stand firm in him and we will win life. When we see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, we are to flee and stay out of the city. We are to observe signs in the sky and in the turbulent seas. While others are living in terror of what is happening, we are to stand up and be hopeful, optimistic, and proud, and look towards the future with hope and confidence. We are to put our trust in Jesus and turn to him for spiritual strength. Our salvation is drawing near.

The hope Jesus reminds us of is His protection and all of the blessings He brings us. We are not alone. No matter what comes, Jesus will give us words to protect ourselves and keep us from harm. With Him, we will win life. We will be armed with the truth of the goodness that Jesus brings; with the protection from God; and with the power of the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER

God please be with us each day. In the trials we face, help us to see the hope you have given us and to focus on that hope over anything else. God thank you for hope, thank you for not just warning us of bad things coming our way, but for giving us comfort with the truth in the promises you have made us.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KATHLEEN SERIO

I grew up at UALC and have been blessed to have many role models in this church. They encouraged me to pursue my passions including volunteering with Young Kids’ VBS, HSM, teaching Sunday School, small groups, Operation Christmas Child, mission trips, ushering, and more. It has been a joy to go from participating in ministries as a kid to becoming a leader as an adult.

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