Lent 2025 Day 1: Wed 5 Mar
Luke 22:17-22
17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, ‘Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!’
Let's start this season by considering a terrible act of betrayal. Our text speaks of Judas who is about to identify Jesus to the religious authorities in a dark and quiet place.
But I'm going to speak of another act of betrayal, by someone much closer to Jesus. “You're one of his, aren’t you?”, said the stranger. “No, you're mistaken,” he replied.
That's Peter, responding to the serving-girl. He'd stayed close by to where Jesus was, following the arresting party and staying nearby, but when he was called to confirm his association to Jesus, he chickened out.
“Yes, you did see me before with him, and you've recognised me. But I’ll deny it. I don’t want to be recognised. I want to follow Jesus secretly, without challenge, without bother. Here I am, now, alone, and I'm afraid to confess who I am.”
I doubt that the authorities would have been that interested in one of Jesus' sidekicks – they already had the man they wanted. They’d come under cover of darkness and had taken him. Peter may have been brave when they first came, but now the situation had turned. Jesus went quietly, perhaps too quietly, without a fight, the lamb to the slaughter. They struck the shepherd and the sheep were scattered.
Are you one of those Christians? How do you respond when challenged?
Father God, I pray that I seek to glorify you in all that I do, think or say. Build my confidence in you so that I can witness to your life in me and mine in you. Amen.
The music excerpts for each day can be accessed from the time-stamp – tap/click on the 0:00 below. Today’s is a longer section as it cannot be broken up. Enjoy the WhoHowWhat!
Remember to stop at the end of the section!
St Matthew Passion Part One
0:00 Kommt, ihr Töchter (Chor)
1. Chorus I & II and Chorale
(Daughters of Zion and Faithful Souls)
Come, daughters, help me lament,
behold! – Whom? – the Bridegroom!
Behold him! – how? – As a Lamb.
Behold! – what? – behold the patience,
look! – where? – at our guilt.
See him, out of love and graciousness
bear the wood for the Cross himself.
O innocent Lamb of God,
slaughtered on the trunk of the Cross,
patient at all times,
however you were scorned.
you have borne all sins,
otherwise we would have to despair.
Have mercy on us, O Jesus.
2. Evangelist (Narrator) When Jesus had finished this speech, he said to his disciples:
Jesus You know that in two days it will be Passover, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.
This section ends at 8:46 (so you know not to run into tomorrow’s excerpt)
Paul