Reformation Lutheran 1997 Lenten Devotional - Number 35

March 18, 1997. Today's Bible verse is Matthew 27:27-31

THEY MOCKED HIM

Then they knelt before him in mockery, yelling "Hail! King of the Jews!"
- Matthew 27:29 -The New Living Translation

Mocking Jesus! How terrible! How evil of those soldiers to so malign the Lord! I would never do such a thing! ... Or would I? ... One dictionary definition of mockery is given as "an insincere, contemptible, or impertinent imitation".

While my profession of faith is almost certainly sincere, yet I am well advised to examine myself frequently to see if my thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions might make a mockery of the discipleship I profess:

My thoughts-- In Philippians we read: whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable,...think about such things. Are these the things I carry in my thoughts? Or, do falsehood, vulgarity, negativity, impurity and ugliness dominate my thoughts malting a mockery of my calling as a Christian?

My attitudes-- Jesus gave us 'a new commandment" that we love one another. Do I take an attitude of love into each encounter that I have with others? Or do I carry a chip on my shoulder? Or do I assume another person to be inferior because of race, gender, economic status, or other invalid reason? Again suggesting to that person that, because of the name I bear ("Christian") that Jesus stands for such wrong-headedness. Mockery!

My words-- The apostle Paul admonishes us to "speak the truth in love", and to "let (our) conversation be always full of grace". Is that the way I use speech? Or does my careless speech, or my sharp tongue mock my Lord?

My actions-- Is my life characterized by the fruits of God's Holy Spirit --love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness and self-control? Or is it otherwise?

I must regularly examine my thoughts, attitudes, words and actions to see if they are consistent with the commandment to love God above all things and my neighbor as myself, and I need to pray daily that, in my life expression, I might never be guilty of mocking my Lord.

Prayer: Heavenly Father. With the Psalmist I pray - Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil; to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies. Psalms 141:3-4

[Yesterday |Lenten Index | Tomorrow]